What is the best option for a 13-15 mm lower pole stone? Shockwave lithotripsy? Ureteroscopy? Percutaneous nephrolithotomy? This randomized prospective trial will help us answer this question with modern day technology and help us counsel our patients on the pros and cons of each modality.
Study Details
What is the best option for mid sized lower pole stones?
Research question
Patients with stones 13-15 mm can be offered 3 modalities of stone treatment and 4 if you include observation: shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Objectives
- What offers the best stone free rate?
- What are the complication rates of each modality?
- What is the health related quality of life outcomes for each of these modalities?
Inclusion criteria
We are looking for patients who are being treated unilaterally for a lower pole stone burden ranging from 13-15 mm.
Primary Outcome
We will be evaluating the stone free rate and compare each modality.
Secondary Outcomes
- Quality of life will be very important to help us evaluate our different surgical techniques
- Complications
Questions to answer
- Which offers the best stone free rate?
- which has the best quality of life?
- What are the costs of each of these procedures?
- If we observe these stones, how many will become problematic?