Lower Pole Kidney Stones: PCNL, FURS, OR ESWL?

Since the first successfully performed in 1976 [1], Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has gradually become the major treatment option for renal stones. Four years later, with the application of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), it is preferred by many urologists and patients as a low morbidity outpatient procedure. However, with the decrease of incidence of large and complex renal calculi and the improvement of armamentarium, Flexible Ureteroscopy (FURS), also termed Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS), has becoming an important alternative to PCNL and ESWL over the last decade.