Karen L. Stern, MD, presented “Point-Counterpoint: Mini-PCNL vs. Standard PCNL– Mini-PCNL” during the 30th Annual Perspectives in Urology: Point-Counterpoint, on March 10, 2023, at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, San Diego, California.
How to cite: Stern, Karen L. “Point-Counterpoint: Mini-PCNL vs. Standard PCNL– Mini-PCNL.” March 10, 2023. Accessed Oct 2026. https://grandroundsinurology.com/point-counterpoint-mini-pcnl-vs-standard-pcnl-mini-pcnl/
Point-Counterpoint: Mini-PCNL vs. Standard PCNL – Mini PCNL – Summary
Karen L. Stern, MD, explores the improved postoperative outcomes and increased cost-effectiveness of mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) compared to standard PCNL. Dr. Stern continues by pinpointing the specific advantages of mini-PCNL, citing that blood loss, blood transfusion, and hospitalization rates all favor mini-PCNL according to recent 2022 studies.
Dr. Stern notes that, while stone-free rates and fever rates are equivalent between mini and standard PCNL, meta-analyses comparing the outcomes of mini and standard PCNL tend to favor mini-PCNL, even with larger kidney stones. Dr. Stern closes by exploring the capabilities of plastic vacuum sheaths and lower lithotripsy times of mini-PCNL, emphasizing efficient stone removal and lower fever rates over that of standard.
This lecture is part of a Point-Counterpoint debate. Its opposing lecture is “Point-Counterpoint: Mini PCNL vs. Standard PCNL–Standard PCNL.”
About the 30th Annual Perspectives in Urology: Point Counterpoint conference: Presented by Program Chair and Grand Rounds in Urology Editor-in-Chief E. David Crawford, MD, this conference brought together leading experts in urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to discuss and debate the latest topics in genitourinary cancers, primarily prostate cancer and bladder cancer. This interactive conference offered topical lectures, pro/con debates, interesting-case presentations, interactive panel discussions, and interactive audience and faculty networking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen L. Stern, MD, is an Associate Professor of Urology at Mayo Clinic Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona, and Program Director of the Endourology Fellowship. She specializes in endourology and the medical and surgical management of complex kidney stone disease.
Dr. Stern’s clinical practice includes complex ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), ultrasound-guided percutaneous access, and minimally invasive approaches to urinary stone disease. She is also involved in the multidisciplinary management of recurrent stone formers, incorporating urology, nephrology, and dietary strategies for stone prevention.
Dr. Stern completed her urology residency at Mayo Clinic Arizona and an endourology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute. Her research focuses on kidney stone disease, endourologic technology, surgical outcomes, stone prevention, and improving patient care following endourologic procedures. She is an active investigator and collaborator in multicenter research examining new technologies and treatment strategies for urinary stone disease.
