RIRS With Flex Suction Sheath vs. PCNL for 2-3 cm Renal Stones

NCT ID: NCT07058402

Last Updated: 2025-07-10

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

308 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-01

Study Completion Date

2026-06-30

Brief Summary

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This is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a tip-flexible suction access sheath with standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of 2-3 cm unilateral renal stones. The aim is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the novel suction sheath-assisted RIRS compared to standard PCNL in terms of stone-free rate and postoperative complications. A total of 308 patients will be enrolled across four centers in China.

Detailed Description

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Kidney stones (renal calculi) are a common urological condition that can lead to pain, infection, and renal dysfunction. For renal stones measuring 2-3 cm, both retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are recognized treatment options. Traditional RIRS is less invasive but may be associated with lower stone-free rates for larger stones. A newly developed tip-flexible suction access sheath (TFS-UAS) allows improved access to renal calyces, reduces intrarenal pressure, and enables efficient stone fragment evacuation through continuous suction.

This study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of RIRS using the TFS-UAS versus standard PCNL in patients with unilateral renal stones measuring 2-3 cm. A total of 308 patients aged 18-80 years will be enrolled from four tertiary hospitals in China. Eligible participants will be randomized into two groups to receive either TFS-UAS-assisted RIRS or standard PCNL. The primary endpoint is the stone-free rate (SFR) at 3 months, assessed by CT scan. Secondary outcomes include postoperative infection rates, changes in hemoglobin and procalcitonin levels, hospital stay duration, and pain scores.

This study aims to provide high-quality evidence to guide surgical decision-making in the management of medium-sized kidney stones and to evaluate the potential advantages of the new suction-assisted sheath in minimally invasive endourology.

Conditions

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Nephrolithiasis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) with Tip-Flexible Suction Access Sheath

Participants in this group will undergo retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a tip-flexible suction access sheath for the treatment of 2-3 cm unilateral renal stones.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) with Tip-Flexible Suction Access Sheath

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants undergo retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a tip-flexible suction access sheath. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible ureteroscope through the urethra and ureter into the kidney. A novel access sheath with tip-flexible and suction capabilities is used to facilitate stone fragmentation and removal. The goal is to improve stone clearance and reduce intrarenal pressure during the procedure.

Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Participants in this group will undergo standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the treatment of 2-3 cm unilateral renal stones.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Participants undergo standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The procedure involves creating a percutaneous tract into the renal collecting system under imaging guidance, followed by nephroscope insertion to fragment and extract 2-3 cm renal stones. This represents the current standard of care for large renal calculi.

Interventions

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Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) with Tip-Flexible Suction Access Sheath

Participants undergo retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a tip-flexible suction access sheath. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible ureteroscope through the urethra and ureter into the kidney. A novel access sheath with tip-flexible and suction capabilities is used to facilitate stone fragmentation and removal. The goal is to improve stone clearance and reduce intrarenal pressure during the procedure.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Participants undergo standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The procedure involves creating a percutaneous tract into the renal collecting system under imaging guidance, followed by nephroscope insertion to fragment and extract 2-3 cm renal stones. This represents the current standard of care for large renal calculi.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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RIRS with Tip-Flexible Suction Access Sheath

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Age between 18 and 80 years
2. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I-III
3. Single renal stone with a diameter between 2-3 cm confirmed by non-contrast CT scan
4. Signed written informed consent and willingness to comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

1. Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract (e.g., horseshoe kidney, ileal conduit)
2. Uncontrolled urinary tract infection
3. Absolute contraindications for RIRS or PCNL
4. Inability to understand or complete study documentation
5. Failure to follow study protocol or attend follow-up
6. Patients requiring urgent rescue or at high risk for irreversible harm during surgery
7. Patients who voluntarily withdraw from the study
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Changhai Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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China

Central Contacts

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Xiaofeng Gao

Role: CONTACT

+86-21-13601600968

Facility Contacts

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Xiaofeng Gao

Role: primary

+86-21-13601600968

References

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Skolarikos A, Jung H, Neisius A, et al. EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis 2024. European Association of Urology. https://uroweb.org/guidelines/urolithiasis

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Zeng G, Traxer O, Zhong W, Osther P, Pearle MS, Preminger GM, Mazzon G, Seitz C, Geavlete P, Fiori C, Ghani KR, Chew BH, Git KA, Vicentini FC, Papatsoris A, Brehmer M, Martinez JL, Cheng J, Cheng F, Gao X, Gadzhiev N, Pietropaolo A, Proietti S, Ye Z, Sarica K. International Alliance of Urolithiasis guideline on retrograde intrarenal surgery. BJU Int. 2023 Feb;131(2):153-164. doi: 10.1111/bju.15836. Epub 2022 Jul 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35733358 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

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20250408

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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