RESULTS OF FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC LITHOTRIPSY TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY STONES AT NINH THUAN GENERAL HOSPITAL 2025 – 2026

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract stones are the third most common urinary tract disease after urinary tract infections and prostate problems. Previously, the primary method for treating kidney stones was open surgery. Currently, minimally invasive methods, especially flexible endoscope lithotripsy, offer many benefits, avoiding kidney damage and reducing the risk of bleeding. Ninh Thuan General Hospital has implemented this technique since the end of 2022. We conducted a study to determine the suitability and effectiveness of flexible endoscope lithotripsy in treating kidney stones in patients. Objectives: To evaluate the results of kidney stone treatment using flexible endoscopy lithotripsy. Materials and methods:  A cross-sectional descriptive study on 72 patients with kidney stones indicated for flexible endoscopic lithotripsy from May 2024 to October 2025 at Ninh Thuan General Hospital. Results: The average age was 56.13 ± 12.76 years, with male and female ratios of 48.6% and 51.4%, respectively. The average stone size was 12.82 ± 3.78 mm. The degree of hydronephrosis was: no hydronephrosis in 20 patients (27.8%), grade 1 in 44 patients (61.1%), and grade 2 in 8 patients (11.1%). The average surgical time was 45.21 ± 13.6 minutes. The average hospital stay was 12.14 ± 3.87 days, with a minimum of 6 days and a maximum of 32 days. Postoperative complications such as postoperative bleeding, fever, and sepsis occurred in 2.8%, 4.2%, and 1.4%, respectively. 65 patients (90.3%) were stone-free after surgery, and this rate increased to 94.4% after one month. Conclusions: Flexible endoscopic nephrolithotomy is a treatment method with a high success rate, short hospital stay and acceptable complications.