Tubeless surgery for kidney stones without a ureteral catheter

A Comparative Study of Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy With or Without Reverse Ureteral Catheter Insertion

Not applicable Interventional The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China · NCT05574517

This study is testing a new way to remove kidney stones without using a ureteral catheter to see if it’s safer and more effective than the traditional method.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hengyang, Hunan)
Trial IDNCT05574517 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the safety and effectiveness of a novel approach to tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) that does not involve the reverse insertion of a ureteral catheter. The study compares this method to traditional tubeless PCNL with reverse catheter insertion in patients with upper urinary calculi. It is a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China, with a follow-up period of one month post-surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group, and clinical outcomes are analyzed to assess the benefits of the new technique.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with upper urinary calculi who meet the criteria for PCNL surgery and have stones less than 3.5 cm in diameter.

Not a fit: Patients with infectious stones, complex staghorn stones, or significant surgical contraindications will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce postoperative discomfort and shorten hospitalization time for patients undergoing kidney stone surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While traditional tubeless PCNL has been shown to be effective, this specific approach without reverse ureteral catheter insertion is novel and has limited prior reports.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants who met the the applications of PCNL surgery in the 2019 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urological Diseases
* Participants who agree to undergo tubeless PCNL
* The participants' maximum diameter of the stone should be less than 3.5cm

Exclusion Criteria:

* Confirmation by computerized tomography (CT) images and blood biochemical indicators of infectious stones or complex staghorn stones
* Obvious surgical contraindications, such as severe heart and lung insufficiency, abnormal coagulatory function
* Previous PCNL or nephrolithotomy, presence of an indwelling ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube before surgery
* Renal trauma or congenital malformation of the urinary system

Where this trial is running

Hengyang, Hunan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Urinary CalculiPercutaneous NephrolithotomyUreteral catheterWithout reverse insertionPercutaneous nephrolithotomyTubelessUrinary calculi
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.