Table 1.

Consensus statements and strength

Consensus statements	Strength (%)
18 Fr and 24 Fr are the recommended upper and lower cutoffs of sheath size of miniaturized PCNL (mPCNL) and standard PCNL (sPCNL), respectively	73.4
mPCNL brings less trauma over sPCNL	93.8
Less bleeding is noted in mPCNL than in sPCNL	87.5
Less pain is noted in mPCNL than in sPCNL	84.4
Nephrostomy tube is less frequently required in mPCNL than in sPCNL	85.9
Shorter hospital stay is required following mPCNL than sPCNL	84.4
The trade-off of mPCNL is a potential longer operation time when managing large stone burdens (> 4 cm)	87.5
mPCNL does not bring a higher risk of postoperative fever than sPCNL	71.9
Even though stone burden can be well weighted with stone volume, maximum stone diameter is preferred since it is the essence of convenience and easy for quality control	85.9
The stone burden is unanimously regarded as the primary criterion for deciding sheath size in PCNLs	84.4
The optimal indication for mPCNLs with < 14 Fr sheaths is 1–3 cm size stones	89.1
NCCT is the primary imaging choice before mPCNLs	92.2
General anesthesia is the most favored modality for mPCNLs, prioritizing optimal respiratory and circulatory management while minimizing patient discomfort	93.8
The prone position and supine position are the most frequently adopted positions in mPCNLs	92.2
Fluoroscopy-based guidance, either alone or combined with ultrasound, is the most recommended guidance in PCNLs	90.6
Urologists are preferred to perform the puncture rather than radiologists, provided they have received appropriate training and possess sufficient proficiency in PCNLs	93.8
One-shot dilation is the most preferred modality in mPCNLs due to its association with shorter access time and reduced radiation exposure while maintaining an equivalent complication rate	73.4
Ho:YAG laser emerges as the preferred lithotripsy in mPCNLs, either alone or in combination with pneumatic lithotripsy	76.6
Fragmentation lithotripsy technique with high-power Ho:YAG laser is preferred to low-power lasers	82.8
For stone removal in mPCNLs, the vacuum effect is the most frequently employed technique	70.3
Intraoperative serendipitously noted infection stones are not a contraindication for mPCNLs	73.4
Fluoroscopy remains the primary choice for detecting residual stones at the end of PCNLs	75.0
Tubeless PCNL is more prone to be performed in mPCNLs than in sPCNL in selected cases	70.3
Nephrostomy tube insertion depends on intraoperative findings, it can be removed within 2 d in patients following mPCNLs	79.1
A JJ stent is required at the end of PCNLs, and could be removed within 2 weeks	82.8
To assess the initial postoperative stone clearance, the recommended time for assessment is within the first postoperative week, either NCCT or KUB is available	71.9
For the conclusive stone clearance assessment, the recommended time for assessment is within postoperative 3 months, NCCT is preferred, and KUB alone is not adequate	91.5
Adequate rest and recuperation are advised after discharge, at least one week of rest is required before going back to work	76.6
Patient’s quality of life (QOL) is an important concern for both patients and urologists, regular evaluation is required, and telephone consultations are convenient and adequate for follow-up	71.9
Even though the Wisconsin stone quality of life (WISQOL) is a well-established tool for evaluating QOL in urolithiasis patients, further widespread application still requires efforts and attention from multiple parties	71.9

PCNL percutaneous nephrolithotomy, NCCT non-contrast computed tomography, KUB plain film of kidney, ureter, and bladder, JJ JJ stent, Ho:YAG Holmium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet