Objective To observe the effect of retrograde intrarenal ureteroscopic lithotripsy (RIRS) combined with bendable negative pressure suction sheath in the treatment of renal calculus with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm.

Methods A total of 59 patients with renal calculus were divided into RIRS group (n=28) and combined group (n=31). The RIRS group was treated with RIRS, and the combined group was treated with RIRS and bendable negative pressure suction sheath. The stone clearance rate, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative hematuria duration and postoperative infection rate were compared between the two groups.

Results The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the RIRS group were significantly higher or longer than those in the combined group (P < 0.05). The immediate stone clearance rate and the stone clearance rate at 4 weeks after operation in the combined group were 77.42%(24/31) and 96.77%(30/31) respectively, which were significantly higher than 7.14%(2/28) and 71.42%(20/28) in the RIRS group (P < 0.05). No postoperative massive hemorrhage occurred in both the RIRS group and the combination group, but the postoperative hematuria duration in the combination group was significantly shorter, and the postoperative infection rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05).

Conclusion When treating renal calculus with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm, RIRS combined with bendable negative pressure suction sheath has a higher stone clearance rate, less operation time, fewer postoperative complications and lower infection rate.