PCNL is better used in the treatment of inferior pole renal stones not exceeding 1-2 cm in size and RIRS is better in terms of perioperative profile (lowest morbidity, faster recovery). The selection of treatment must be made on a case-by-case basis with a trade-off between the greatest clearance of the stone and the risk inherent in the treatment and characteristics of the patient.
Samer Fathi Al-Rawashdah (Fri,) studied this question.