# Prospective study of the efficacy of PCNL under local anesthesia based on the ERAS concept

## TL;DR

This study shows that using local anesthesia for PCNL surgery under ERAS protocols is as effective as general anesthesia, with faster recovery and lower stress.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that local anesthesia in ERAS-managed PCNL leads to faster recovery and lower stress compared to general anesthesia.

## Key findings

- Stone clearance rates were similar between local and general anesthesia groups.
- Local anesthesia resulted in shorter operative time and lower postoperative stress markers.
- Patients under local anesthesia had shorter hospital stays and lower costs.

## Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of local anesthesia applied to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for treating upper urinary tract stones.

This study was a prospective, single-center randomized controlled study in which the patients were randomly divided into two groups: 40 in the ERAS PCNL under local anesthesia (ERAS-LA) group and 40 in the ERAS PCNL under general anesthesia (ERAS-GA) group). The primary indicators were stone-free rate; the secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative complications, intraoperative and postoperative VAS pain scores and postoperative stress response indicators. A meta-analysis was also performed using RevMan 5.4 software by searching relevant literatures in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Embase.

The stone clearance rates at 48 h were similar between the two groups [ERAS-LA: 85.0% (34/40) vs. ERAS-GA: 87.5% (35/40), P = 0.800] and both 90% at 1 month. The incidence of surgical complications was similar between the two group. The intraoperative pain score in ERAS-LA group was 2.90 ± 0.74, and the postoperative 24-h pain score was comparable between the two groups (ERAS-LA: 2.65 ± 1.35 vs. ERAS-GA: 2.63 ± 0.98, P = 0.925), with good pain control. The mean total operative time was lower in ERAS-LA group than in ERAS-GA group (68.15 ± 24.11 min vs. 82.125 ± 20.42 min, P = 0.006). Postoperative hemoglobin change values (3.38 ± 3.00 × 109/L vs. 5.22 ± 4.18 × 109/L, P = 0.027) and stress response factors including C-reactive protein (8.39 ± 7.46 mg/L vs. 10.47 ± 10.30 mg/L, P = 0.035) and interleukin-6 (5.40 ± 1.50 pg/ml vs. 10.57 ± 1.82 pg/ml, P = 0.041) were significantly lower in ERAS-LA group. The mean catheter retention, fistula retention, and postoperative hospital stay were all significantly lower in ERSA-LA group than in ERSA-GA group (2.3%, 2.9%, and 5.08 days vs. 3.33%, 4.38%, and 6.35 days, P < 0.05). The results of the meta-analysis were similar to that of our study.

Local anesthesia applied to ERAS-managed PCNL have a comparable stone clearance rates and complication rates, and a faster postoperative recovery, lower surgical stress, length of stay, anesthesia costs and hospital costs than general anesthesia.

http://www.medresman.org.cn, identifier (ChiCTR2100045681).