Comparison of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Outcomes in the Elderly and Young Population

Objective: We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in the young and elderly population. Materials and Methods: The data of 3362 adult patients who underwent PNL were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two age groups of 18-64 (young patients) and >= 65 years (elderly patients). The groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, operative data, surgical outcomes, and complications. Results: The median ages were 69 (65-85) and 47 (18-64) years and the mean surface areas of the stones were 412 (245.5-700) and 417 (225-780) mm(2) in the elderly and young groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of laterality, access number, stone location, presence of hydronephrosis, Guy's Stone score, mean operative time, mean hospitalization days, and the type of anaesthesia (p>0.05). Preoperative haemoglobin and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values were statistically lower in the elderly group, while postoperative haemoglobin drop and postoperative 4th week GFR changes of the groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the total complication rates of the groups (p=0.835). Stone-free rate was higher in the elderly population, while success rates were similar in both groups (p=0.002 and p=0.605, respectively). Conclusion: PNL is a safe and effective treatment modality regardless of the age of patient.