Feasibility and clinical outcomes of a hands-on start-to-finish supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy course for urologists: A 5-year study

Background: Supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an established minimally invasive treatment for large renal calculi. Percutaneous renal access is a critical but technically demanding component of the procedure, with limited structured hands-on training opportunities available within the United Kingdom. This study evaluated the feasibility, educational value and clinical outcomes of the UK’s only live hands-on course designed to teach independent percutaneous renal access during supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Methods: Participants were recruited through social media, professional referral and industry sponsorship. The 2-day course included case-based discussions, supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy technical considerations, live operative demonstrations and supervised hands-on training in supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. A retrospective analysis of patient demographics, stone characteristics, operative outcomes and peri-operative complications was performed. A participant questionnaire regarding pre- and post-course exposure was obtained. Results: Fourteen participants attended this course between December 2019 and December 2024. Twelve responded to the questionnaire, with 100% ( n = 12) stating the course was educational and 91.7% performing independent supine percutaneous renal access after the course. This study included 31 patients, with a mean age of 56.8 years. The post-operative stone-free rate was 83.9%, and the mean hospital stay was 2.7 days. No visceral or major soft tissue injuries occurred. Complications were observed in 6 out of 31 patients, including Clavien–Dindo Grade II (2/31), Grade III (2/31) and Grade IV (2/31). Most of these complications were infection-related. Conclusion: A structured live hands-on training course in supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy appears feasible and an effective teaching method for independent percutaneous renal access. This is highlighted by comparable clinical outcomes to established standards and candidate feedback. Level of evidence: IV