Safety and Feasibility of Single-Port Nephroscopy Combined with a Needle Electrode Technique to Treat Dorsal Simple Renal Cysts

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore the safety and feasibility of single-port nephroscopy combined with a needle electrode technique to unroof single dorsal simple renal cysts (SRCs). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical data for 18 patients with single dorsal SRCs treated with single-port nephroscopy and a needle electrode technique at Zhongshan City People's Hospital from August 2021 to August 2022. The basic information included the cyst condition, surgical methods and recurrence rate, and follow-up was conducted with CT imaging. RESULTS: The surgery was successful in all 18 patients. The duration of surgery ranged from 24 to 46 min, with an average of 35.83 ± 1.62 min; the intraoperative bleeding volume ranged from 2 to 20 mL, with an average of 9.0 ± 1.3 mL; and the visual analog scale (VAS) score within 24 h after surgery ranged from 1 to 6 points, with an average of 2.72 ± 0.36 points. There were no significant postoperative complications, such as bleeding, urinary fistula, or infection. All drainage tubes were removed on the first day after surgery. After 1 year of postoperative follow-up, 1 patient experienced recurrence, for a recurrence rate of 5.6%. CONCLUSION: Single-port nephroscopy combined with a needle electrode technique is a safe, feasible, and effective minimally invasive surgical approach for treating single dorsal SRCs.