ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (RALPL) as the surgical management for nonstaghorn renal calculi larger than 2 cm. Methods Among the patients admitted to our hospital for nonstaghorn renal calculi larger than 2 cm between Jun. ,2013 and Jun. ,2017, a retrospective analysis was performed on the treatment outcome of patients undergoing RALPL (48 cases) and open pyelolithotomy (OPL) (44 cases). The initial stone-free rate, mean operating time, hemoglobin drop, off-bed activity time and hospital stay were compared between two groups. Results Compared with OPL group, RALPL group had a higher initial stone-free rate (91. 66% vs. 70.45%, P < 0.05), and had significant lesser hemoglobin drop, shorter operating time, off-bed activity time and hospital stay. There was no ClavienⅡ or above complications in RALPL group, but there were 2 cases of ClavienⅡcomplications in OPL group. Conclusions Transperitoneal approach RALPL has a better visual angle to observe renal pelvis and calyces, and can ensure a higher initial stone-free rate under the conditions of low intrarenal pelvic pressure and leaving renal parenchyma and vessels intact. RALPL is a minimally invasive, effective and safe treatment, and is an alternative indication for renal calculi larger than 2 cm (including renal pelvis stones with accompanying renal calyceal stones).