Table 1 Consensus statements and 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

mPCNL brings less trauma over sPCNL

Less bleeding is noted in mPCNL than in sPCNL

Less pain is noted in mPCNL than in sPCNL

Nephrostomy tube is less frequently required in mPCNL than in sPCNL

Shorter hospital stay is required following mPCNL than sPCNL

The trade-off of mPCNL is a potential longer operation time when managing large stone burdens (> 4 cm)

mPCNL does not bring a higher risk of postoperative fever than sPCNL

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

The stone burden is unanimously regarded as the primary criterion for deciding sheath size in PCNLs

The optimal indication for mPCNLs with < 14 Fr sheaths is 1–3 cm size stones

NCCT is the primary imaging choice before mPCNLs

General anesthesia is the most favored modality for mPCNLs, prioritizing optimal respiratory and circulatory management while minimizing patient discomfort

The prone position and supine position are the most frequently adopted positions in mPCNLs

Fluoroscopy-based guidance, either alone or combined with ultrasound, is the most recommended guidance in PCNLs

Urologists are preferred to perform the puncture rather than radiologists, provided they have received appropriate training and possess sufficient proficiency in PCNLs

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

Ho:YAG laser emerges as the preferred lithotripsy in mPCNLs, either alone or in combination with pneumatic lithotripsy

Fragmentation lithotripsy technique with high-power Ho:YAG laser is preferred to low-power lasers

For stone removal in mPCNLs, the vacuum effect is the most frequently employed technique

Intraoperative serendipitously noted infection stones are not a contraindication for mPCNLs

Fluoroscopy remains the primary choice for detecting residual stones at the end of PCNLs

Tubeless PCNL is more prone to be performed in mPCNLs than in sPCNL in selected cases

Nephrostomy tube insertion depends on intraoperative findings, it can be removed within 2 d in patients following mPCNLs

A JJ stent is required at the end of PCNLs, and could be removed within 2 weeks

To assess the initial postoperative stone clearance, the recommended time for assessment is within the first postoperative week, either NCCT or KUB is available

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

Adequate rest and recuperation are advised after discharge, at least one week of rest is required before going back to work

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

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