Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a widely accepted surgical procedure for the treatment of large or complex renal calculi. Traditional standard PCNL involves a larger tract size, which can be associated with increased blood loss, postoperative pain, and longer hospital stays. Miniaturized PCNL (mini-PCNL) has emerged as a less invasive alternative, but evidence comparing its efficacy and safety to standard PCNL remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes, safety profile, and effectiveness of mini-PCNL and standard PCNL in patients undergoing renal stone removal.

Methods: A retrospective/prospective comparative study was conducted on patients diagnosed with renal calculi and treated with either mini-PCNL or standard PCNL. Data collected included operative time, stone-free rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications, hemoglobin drop, pain scores, and hospital stay duration. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences between the two techniques.

Results: Mini-PCNL demonstrated significantly lower blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to standard PCNL, while maintaining comparable stone clearance rates. Operative times were slightly longer for mini-PCNL, but postoperative pain scores were lower. Complication rates were similar between groups, with minor adverse events being more frequent in standard PCNL.