To compare the efficacy between percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in treatment of kidney stones smaller than 2 cm.

From October 2015 to November 2016, clinical data of 96 patients with kidney stones smaller than 2 cm were analyzed retrospectively. According to the operative method, the patients were divided into two groups: PCNL group (42 cases) and the RIRS group (54 cases). The preoperative preparation time, operative time, gravel time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenses, stone free rate and complication rate between two groups were recorded and compared.

In group PCNL, stones were cleared in 36 cases after one surgery procedure, while 3 cases needed second surgery procedure, there were still residual stones in 3 cases after the treatment. In group RIRS, stones were cleared in 48 cases after one surgery procedure, there were still residual stones in 6 cases after the treatment. The stone clearance rate of PCNL and RIRS after one week was 78.57%(33/42) and 57.41%(31/54) respectively, while one month later, the stone clearance rate was 92.86%(39/42) and 88.89%(48/54). The average operation time in PCNL group and RIRS group were (70±15) min and (54±13) min, respectively. For the PCNL group and the RIRS group, indexes of the average gravel time were (32±13) min and (39±13) min, the preoperative preparation time were 4(2) days and 3(2) days, the postoperative hospital stay were 5(4) days and 1(1) day, the average hospitalization expenses were (19 195±3 809) yuan and (13 319±1 537) yuan, the overall complication rates were 23.81% (10/42) and 3.70%(2/54), respectively.

For the treatment of kidney stones smaller than 2 cm, RIRS had the advantage in the postoperative hospital stay, the overall complication rate, and the hospitalization expenses, when compared with PCNL.