Which kidney stone procedure works best for dense stones? a Head-to-Head trial
NCT ID NCT04856722
First seen Jul 30, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This trial compares three common procedures—mini-PNL, RIRS, and SWL—for treating medium-sized (10-20 mm), dense (over 1000 HU) kidney stones located outside the lower pole. Researchers aim to see which method offers the best stone-free rate, fewest complications, lowest cost, and highest patient and surgeon satisfaction. Adults with a single stone of this type are randomly assigned to one of the three procedures and followed for three months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- mini-PNL, RIRS, and SWL procedures
- What this could lead to
- If one method proves clearly better, it could become the preferred treatment for medium-sized, dense kidney stones, improving outcomes and reducing complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial, and results may not apply to all stone types or locations. Each procedure carries risks like infection, bleeding, or incomplete stone removal.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Urology Department, Al-Azhar University Hospital
Cairo, 11633, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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