Quality improvement initiative to reduce variability and improve stewardship of antimicrobial prophylaxis for transrectal prostate needle biopsy.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of implementing the recommendations included in the 2014 American Urological Association (AUA) white paper on complications of transrectal prostate needle biopsy (PNB). METHODS: In the outpatient setting of a single tertiary-care institution, prophylactic antibiotic use and rate of infectious complications were compared before and after implementation by nursing of a standardized algorithm to select antibiotic prophylaxis (derived from the recommendations of the AUA white paper). The 584 patients in cohort A (January 2011-January 2012) received antimicrobial prophylaxis at the discretion of the treating physician; 654 patients in cohort B (January 2014-January 2015) received standardized risk-adapted antibiotic prophylaxis. Data on antibiotics administered and infectious complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Fluoroquinolone was the most common prophylactic regimen in both cohorts. In cohort A, 73% of men received a single-drug regimen, although 19 different regimens were utilized with duration of 72 h. In cohort B, 97% received 1 of 4 standardized single-drug antibiotic regimens for duration of 24 h. Infectious complications occurred in 19 men (3.3%) in cohort A, and in 18 men (2.8%) in cohort B (difference - 0.5%; one-sided 95% CI 1.1%). No clinically relevant increase in infectious complication rates was found after implementing this quality improvement initiative. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a standardized risk-adapted approach to select antibiotic prophylaxis for PNB by nursing staff reduced the duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis and number of antibiotic regimens used, without increasing the rate of infectious complications. Our findings validate the current AUA recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis.

The Efficacy of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Targeted Biopsy in Risk Classification for Patients with Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance.

PURPOSE: We determined whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsies may replace systematic biopsies to detect higher grade prostate cancer (Gleason score 7 or greater) and whether biopsy may be avoided based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging among men with Gleason 3+3 prostate cancer on active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified men with previously diagnosed Gleason score 3+3 prostate cancer on active surveillance who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and a followup prostate biopsy. Suspicion for higher grade cancer was scored on a standardized 5-point scale. All patients underwent a systematic biopsy. Patients with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging regions of interest also underwent magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy. The detection rate of higher grade cancer was estimated for different multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging scores with the 3 biopsy strategies of systematic, magnetic resonance imaging targeted and combined. RESULTS: Of 206 consecutive men on active surveillance 135 (66%) had a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging region of interest. Overall, higher grade cancer was detected in 72 (35%) men. A higher multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging score was associated with an increased probability of detecting higher grade cancer (Wilcoxon-type trend test p <0.0001). Magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy detected higher grade cancer in 23% of men. Magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy alone missed higher grade cancers in 17%, 12% and 10% of patients with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging scores of 3, 4 and 5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsies increased the detection of higher grade cancer among men on active surveillance compared to systematic biopsy alone. However, a clinically relevant proportion of higher grade cancer was detected using only systematic biopsy. Despite the improved detection of disease progression using magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy, systematic biopsy cannot be excluded as part of surveillance for men with low risk prostate cancer.

Comparative Effectiveness of Targeted Prostate Biopsy Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ultrasound Fusion Software and Visual Targeting: a Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: We compared the diagnostic outcomes of magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion and visually targeted biopsy for targeting regions of interest on prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting for prostate biopsy with regions of interest on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging underwent magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy. For each region of interest 2 visually targeted cores were obtained, followed by 2 cores using a magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion device. Our primary end point was the difference in the detection of high grade (Gleason 7 or greater) and any grade cancer between visually targeted and magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion, investigated using McNemar's method. Secondary end points were the difference in detection rate by biopsy location using a logistic regression model and the difference in median cancer length using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: We identified 396 regions of interest in 286 men. The difference in the detection of high grade cancer between magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion biopsy and visually targeted biopsy was -1.4% (95% CI -6.4 to 3.6, p=0.6) and for any grade cancer the difference was 3.5% (95% CI -1.9 to 8.9, p=0.2). Median cancer length detected by magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion and visually targeted biopsy was 5.5 vs 5.8 mm, respectively (p=0.8). Magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion biopsy detected 15% more cancers in the transition zone (p=0.046) and visually targeted biopsy detected 11% more high grade cancer at the prostate base (p=0.005). Only 52% of all high grade cancers were detected by both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of a significant difference in the detection of high grade or any grade cancer between visually targeted and magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion biopsy. However, the performance of each technique varied in specific biopsy locations and the outcomes of both techniques were complementary. Combining visually targeted biopsy and magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion biopsy may optimize the detection of prostate cancer.

Erectile Function Recovery after Radical Prostatectomy in Men with High Risk Features.

PURPOSE: We describe the efficacy of radical prostatectomy to achieve complete primary tumor excision while preserving erectile function in a cohort of patients with high risk features in whom surgical resection was tailored according to clinical staging, biopsy data, preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review we identified 584 patients with high risk features (prostate specific antigen 20 ng/ml or greater, clinical stage T3 or greater, preoperative Gleason grade 8-10) who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2006 and 2012. The probability of neurovascular bundle preservation was estimated based on preoperative characteristics. Positive surgical margin rates and erectile function recovery were determined in patients who had some degree of neurovascular bundle preservation. RESULTS: The neurovascular bundles were resected bilaterally in 69 (12%) and unilaterally in 91 (16%) patients. The remaining patients had some degree of bilateral neurovascular bundle preservation. Preoperative features associated with a lower probability of neurovascular bundle preservation were primary biopsy Gleason grade 5 and clinical stage T3 disease. Among the patients with some degree of neurovascular bundle preservation 125 of 515 (24%) had a positive surgical margin, and 75 of 160 (47%) men with preoperatively functional erections and available erectile function followup had recovered erectile function within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: High risk features should not be considered an indication for complete bilateral neurovascular bundle resection. Some degree of neurovascular bundle preservation can be done safely by high volume surgeons in the majority of these patients with an acceptable rate of positive surgical margins. Nearly half of high risk patients with functional erections preoperatively recover erectile function after radical prostatectomy.

Variation in serum prostate-specific antigen levels in men with prostate cancer managed with active surveillance.

OBJECTIVE: To describe fluctuations in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men managed with active surveillance (AS) to determine if a single PSA increase is a consistent measure to use to trigger intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated data on 541 patients undergoing AS between 1995 and 2011. PSA variation was described by studying the Kaplan-Meier probability of patients' PSA levels reaching 4 or 7 ng/mL, falling below those thresholds, and then rising to those thresholds again. We also examined PSA variation by calculating the Kaplan-Meier probability of a PSA change followed by an equal or greater change in the opposite direction. RESULTS: We analysed data on 541 patients undergoing AS with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 8 (6-12) PSA measurements and undergoing AS for a median (IQR) of 4 (2-6) years. The 5-year estimate of the probability of reaching a threshold PSA of 7 ng/mL was 40% (95% confidence interval [CI] 35-46%) and the 5-year estimate of subsequently falling below this threshold was 90% (95% CI 82-95%). The 5-year estimate of a PSA direction change was 95% (95% CI 93-97%) overall and 56% (95% CI 51-61%) for PSA direction changes of ≥1 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high probability of variability in PSA levels for patients on AS. The probability of changes in PSA, defined by an increase to the specified thresholds or a rise >1 ng/mL within 6 months and subsequent decrease of equal or greater value on a subsequent measurement, increases over time; therefore, a single change in PSA level is not a reliable endpoint for patients on AS.

The role of MRI in active surveillance for men with localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Active surveillance is the preferred management strategy for men with low-risk prostate cancer. Challenges in this field include improving patient selection, optimizing follow-up strategies, and identifying appropriate triggers for intervention. Advances in multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) have lead to improved detection of prostate tumors, and MRI has emerged as a tool to monitor men on active surveillance. We aim to review the latest developments in mpMRI to monitor active surveillance patients and describe areas of future research. RECENT FINDINGS: mpMRI targeted prostate biopsy results in a higher detection rate of significant prostate cancer, and a lower probability of detecting insignificant tumors, compared to systematic biopsy. mpMRI-targeted biopsies have improved diagnosis of significant anterior tumors. A small proportion of high-grade tumors is missed by mpMRI and targeted biopsy. However, the majority of these tumors are small-volume, Gleason grade 3 + 4 cancers, and their clinical significance is unknown. SUMMARY: mpMRI and targeted prostate biopsy have emerged as tools to improve the accuracy of systematic biopsy to select patients for active surveillance. The role of mpMRI to monitor and trigger intervention in these patients is understudied, and integration of MRI data with clinical characteristics can help many men avoid routine confirmatory biopsy.

Postoperative morbidity of tubeless versus conventional percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective comparative study.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL) is an established technique for the treatment of renal calculi. Some reports have challenged the need for a nephrostomy tube at the end of the procedure, arguing that it accounts for a longer hospital stay and increased postoperative pain. During the last years, several series have addressed the feasibility and safety of tubeless PNL, where a double-J ureteral stent is left in place after the end of intervention instead of a nephrostomy tube. The aim of our study was to compare conventional versus tubeless PNL in terms of postoperative morbidity. Eighty-five patients who underwent PNL at a single center met the inclusion criteria (complete intraoperative stone clearance, no evidence of active intraoperative bleeding, single percutaneous access, and operative time shorter than 2 h) and were randomized at the end of the procedure to have placed either a nephrostomy tube (group 1) or a double-J ureteral stent (group 2). Outcomes assessed were postoperative pain, bleeding complications, leakage complications, and length of hospital stay. The patients in the tubeless group had a shorter hospital stay (3.7 vs. 5.8 days; P < 0.001), and less postoperative pain at postoperative days 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). No significant difference in bleeding or leakage complications was observed. This study supports the feasibility and safety of tubeless PNL in a selected group of the patients, suggesting some intraoperative criteria to be considered when performing it. However, further controlled studies will have to determine its impact on stone-free rates prior to be considered the standard technique in these selected cases.

The lithotripsy table height: a novel predictor of outcome in shockwave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND: Outcome of Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL) is determined by physical factors that affect stone fragmentation and clearance. PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive value of the Lithotripsy Table Height (LTH) in SWL outcome. Lithotripsy Table Height (LTH) is a variable that represents skin to therapy head distance, and it is proportional to the energy that reaches the stone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study enrolled patients undergoing SWL for radiopaque urinary stones. All procedures were performed using a Modulith SLX (Karl Storz, Germany) Lithotripter. Patient weight, height and age; stone location and size; number of shock waves delivered, and LTH were recorded. One month post-procedure a KUB was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of these variables on stone-free outcome. A ROC curve was plotted. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. After one month follow-up, overall success rate (Stone Free) was 83.9% (n = 47). LTH was the only independent predictor of outcome in both univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.029). Stone size (p = 0.45) and BMI (p = 0.32) were not significant. In the ROC curve, LTH showed an Area under the Curve = 0.791. Patients with LTH < 218 (n = 8) had relative risk of residual stones = 7.5, odds Ratio: 6.6 (Stone free rate 37.5% vs. 91.5%). CONCLUSION: LTH appears to be an independent predictor of SWL outcome. High success rates can be expected if LTH > 218. Patients with lower LTH had a less effective therapy, therefore, worse stone fragmentation and clearance. These findings may help improve patient selection for SWL therapy.

Can kidney parenchyma metabolites serve as prognostic biomarkers for long-term kidney function after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma? A preliminary study.

Objective: Nephrectomy, the standard of care for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), may lead to kidney function loss. Our goal was to identify prognostic biomarkers of postoperative renal function using metabolomics. Methods: Metabolomics data from benign kidney parenchyma were collected prospectively from 138 patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy at a single institution. The primary endpoint was the difference between the postoperative and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate divided by the elapsed time (eGFR slope). eGFR slope was calculated ∼2 years post-nephrectomy (GFR1), and at last follow-up (GFR2). A multivariate regularized regression model identified clinical characteristics and abundance of metabolites in baseline benign kidney parenchyma that were significantly associated with eGFR slope. Findings were validated by associating gene expression data with eGFR slope in an independent cohort (n = 58). Results: Data were compiled on 78 patients (median age 62.6 years, 65.4% males). The mean follow-up was 25 ± 3.4 months for GFR1 and 69.5 ± 23.5 months for GFR2 and 17 (22%) and 32 (41%) patients showed eGFR recovery, respectively. Nephrectomy type, blood lipids, gender and 23 metabolites from benign parenchyma were significantly associated with eGFR slope. Some metabolites associated with eGFR slope overlapped with previously reported chronic kidney disease-related processes. Subgroup analysis identified unique 'metabolite signatures' by older age, nephrectomy type and preoperative eGFR. Conclusions: Nephrectomy type, gender, blood lipids and benign parenchyma metabolites at nephrectomy were associated with long-term kidney function. On further study, these metabolites may be useful as potential biomarkers and to identify novel therapeutic targets for malignancy-associated renal disease.

Neoadjuvant vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy improves survival and reduces recurrence and progression in a mouse model of urothelial cancer.

Locally advanced urothelial cancer has high recurrence and progression rates following surgical treatment. This highlights the need to develop neoadjuvant strategies that are both effective and well-tolerated. We hypothesized that neoadjuvant sub-ablative vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (sbVTP), through its immunotherapeutic mechanism, would improve survival and reduce recurrence and progression in a murine model of urothelial cancer. After urothelial tumor implantation and 17 days before surgical resection, mice received neoadjuvant sbVTP (WST11; Tookad Soluble, Steba Biotech, France). Local and systemic response and survival served as measures of therapeutic efficacy, while immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry elucidated the immunotherapeutic mechanism. Data analysis included two-sided Kaplan-Meier, Mann-Whitney, and Fischer exact tests. Tumor volume was significantly smaller in sbVTP-treated animals than in controls (135 mm3 vs. 1222 mm3, P < 0.0001) on the day of surgery. Systemic progression was significantly lower in sbVTP-treated animals (l7% vs. 30%, P < 0.01). Both median progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly greater among animals that received sbVTP and surgery than among animals that received surgery alone (P < 0.05). Neoadjuvant-treated animals also demonstrated significantly lower local recurrence. Neoadjuvant sbVTP was associated with increased early antigen-presenting cells, and subsequent improvements in long-term memory and increases in effector and active T-cells in the spleen, lungs, and blood. In summary, neoadjuvant sbVTP delayed local and systemic progression, prolonged progression-free and overall survival, and reduced local recurrence, thereby demonstrating therapeutic efficacy through an immune-mediated response. These findings strongly support its evaluation in clinical trials.

Risk factors for urinary tract infection after renal transplantation and its impact on graft function in children and young adults.

PURPOSE: Urinary tract infection will develop in 40% of children who undergo renal transplantation. Post-transplant urinary tract infection is associated with earlier graft loss in adults. However, the impact on graft function in the pediatric population is less well-known. Additionally the risk factors for post-transplant urinary tract infection in children have not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between pre-transplant and post-transplant urinary tract infections on graft outcome, and the risk factors for post-transplant urinary tract infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 87 patients underwent renal transplantation between July 2001 and July 2006. Patient demographics, cause of renal failure, graft outcome, and presence of pre-transplant and post-transplant urinary tract infections were recorded. Graft outcome was based on last creatinine and nephrological assessment. RESULTS: Median followup was 3.12 years. Of the patients 15% had pre-transplant and 32% had post-transplant urinary tract infections. Good graft function was seen in 60% of the patients and 21% had failed function. Graft function did not correlate with a history of pre-transplant or post-transplant urinary tract infection (p >0.2). Of transplanted patients with urological causes of renal failure 57% had post-transplant urinary tract infection, compared to only 20% of those with a medical etiology of renal failure (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study there was no correlation between a history of urinary tract infection (either before or after transplant) and decreased graft function. History of pre-transplant urinary tract infection was suggestive of urinary tract infection after transplant. Patients with urological causes of renal failure may be at increased risk for post-transplant urinary tract infection.

Prostatectomía radical citorreductora comparado a no realizar tratamiento local en pacientes con cáncer de próstata metastásico / Cytoreductive radical prostatectomy versus no local treatment in patients with metastatic prostate cancer

Introducción El cáncer de próstata es uno de los cánceres más frecuentes en Chile, con 8157 nuevos casos en 2020. A nivel mundial, 5 a 10% de los hombres presentan metástasis al diagnóstico, y la terapia de deprivación androgénica con o sin quimioterapia es el estándar de cuidado para estos pacientes. El uso de tratamiento local en este contexto tiene una recomendación formal debido a la falta de evi-dencia de alta calidad. Algunos estudios retrospectivos han intentado dilucidar el beneficio de la cirugía sobre el tumor primario en el contexto de la enfermedad metastásica, ya que se ha demostrado que es un tratamiento local eficaz para otras neoplasias metastá-sicas. A pesar de estos esfuerzos, el beneficio de la prostatectomía radical citorreductora como tratamiento local en estos pacientes sigue sin estar claro. Métodos Se realizó una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, que se mantiene mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE y Cochrane, entre otras. Se extrajeron los datos de las revisiones sistemáticas, se volvieron a analizar los datos de los estudios primarios, se realizó un metanálisis y se generó una tabla de resumen de resultados utilizando el enfoque GRADE. Resultados y conclusiones Se identificaron 12 revisiones sistemáticas, que incluían siete estudios primarios en total, ninguno de los cuales era un ensayo alea-torizado controlado. Sólo seis de esos siete estudios primarios se utilizaron en el resumen de resultados. A pesar de la falta de evi-dencia de alta calidad, los resultados de este resumen muestran los beneficios de realizar la cirugía en el tumor primario en términos de mortalidad por cualquier causas, mortalidad específica por cáncer y progresión de la enfermedad. También se observó un bene-ficio potencial en las complicaciones locales relacionadas con la progresión del tumor primario, lo que apoya la realización de esta intervención en pacientes con enfermedad metastásica. La ausencia de recomendaciones formales subraya la necesidad de evaluar los beneficios de la cirugía caso por caso, presentando la evidencia disponibles a los pacientes para un proceso de toma de decisiones compartido, teniendo en cuenta las futuras complicaciones locales que podrían ser difíciles de manejar.

Introduction Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in Chile, with 8157 new cases in 2020. Worldwide, 5 to 10% of men have metastatic disease at diagnosis, and androgen deprivation therapy with or without chemotherapy is the standard of care for these patients. The use of local treatment in this setting has no formal recommendation due to the lack of high- quality evidence. Some retrospective studies have sought to elucidate the benefit of surgery on the primary tumor in the setting of metastatic disease since it has been proven to be an effective local treatment for other metastatic malignant diseases. Despite these efforts, the benefit of cytoreductive radical prostatectomy as local treatment in these patients remains unclear. Methods We searched Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is main-tained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from systematic reviews, reanalyzed data from primary studies, conducted a meta- analysis, and generated a summary results table using the GRADE approach. Results and conclusions We identified 12 systematic reviews, including seven studies in total, none of which was a trial. Only six of those seven primary studies were used in the results summary. Despite the lack of high- quality evidence, the results summary shows the benefits of performing surgery on the primary tumor in terms of all- cause mortality, cancer- specific mortality, and disease progression. There was also a potential benefit in local complications related to the progression of the prima-ry tumor, supporting the implementation of this intervention in patients with metastatic disease. The absence of formal recommendations highlights the need to evaluate the benefits of surgery on a case- by- case basis, presenting the available evidence to patients for a shared decision- making process and considering future local complications that could be difficult to manage.

Malignant Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis: Outcomes Following Surgical Management Beyond Radical Orchiectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical management and outcomes of a cohort of patients with malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (MMTVT) who received treatments beyond radical orchiectomy. METHODS: Patients with confirmed MMTVT at a single tertiary care institution were identified. Treatments, pathologic outcomes, and survival were recorded. Prognostic variables associated with survival were analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Overall, 15 patients were included. Initial presentation was a scrotal mass in 7 of 15 (47%) and hydrocele in 5 of 15 (33%) patients. Clinical staging revealed enlarged nodes in 5 of 15 (33%) patients. Radical orchiectomy was the initial treatment in 5 of 15 (33%) patients. Positive surgical margins were found in 6 of 14 (43%) radical orchiectomies and were associated with worse survival (P = .007). The most frequent histologic subtype was epithelioid, associated with better survival (P = .048). Additional surgeries were performed on 12 of 15 (80%) patients. Pathologic examination revealed MMTVT in 6 of 12 (50%) hemiscrotectomies, 7 of 8 (88%) retroperitoneal lymph node dissections, 1 of 7 (14%) pelvic lymph node dissections, and 10 of 10 (100%) groin dissections. Five patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Two also received adjuvant radiation therapy. Three patients with lymph node involvement remain no evidence of disease over 6 years after diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 3.5 years (interquartile range: 1.2-7.2), 5 patients have died, all of MMTVT; the median overall survival has not been reached. Common sites of relapse were lungs (5 of 7) and groin (3 of 7). CONCLUSION: The pattern of metastatic spread of MMTVT is predominantly lymphatic. Nodes in the retroperitoneum and the groin are commonly involved. Prognosis is poor, but there may be a role for aggressive surgical resection including hemiscrotectomy, and inguinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

Immediate postoperative morbidity in patients with indwelling double-J stent versus overnight-externalized ureteral catheter after tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective, randomized study.

The conventional technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) ends by placing a nephrostomy tube within the access tract. However, feasibility and safety of tubeless PNL have been widely demonstrated. In this modification, a ureteral stent is usually left in place instead of the nephrostomy tube. The aim of this study is to compare the use of a postoperative indwelling double-J stent versus an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter in patients undergoing tubeless PNL. Sixty-eight patients undergoing tubeless PNL were randomized either for a postoperative double-J stent (group 1) or for an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter (group 2). Outcomes evaluated included postoperative pain, hospital stay length, incidence of hemorrhagic complications, residual lithiasis and urinary leakage. Groups were similar according to age, sex, body mass index and stone burden. There were no significant differences in terms of postoperative pain, incidence of perirenal hematomas, residual lithiasis and urinary leakage. However, patients in group 1 presented longer hospital stays (3.7 ± 1.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.3 days; p < 0.001) and greater hematocrit drops (4.9 ± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.8 %; p < 0.001). Our results confirm that among patients undergoing tubeless PNL, both alternatives (i.e. leaving a double-J stent or an overnight-externalized ureteral catheter) are reliable and safe. However, further considerations, like the need of double-J stent removal under cystoscopy, need to be taken into account when deciding which modality to use.

Hydronephrosis following ureteral reimplantation: when is it concerning?

OBJECTIVES: Hydronephrosis without obstruction is common prior to ureteral reimplant, especially in patients with high-grade VUR. Consequently, when hydronephrosis is present post-operatively, it is unclear when it should be concerning. We evaluated the finding of hydronephrosis in children undergoing reimplantation and its evolution following surgery. METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, we identified 938 children who underwent reimplantation at our institution from 1998 to 2006. Their pre- and post-operative US and clinical course were analyzed. RESULTS: Hydronephrosis was observed in 24% pre-operatively and 21% post-operatively. 52% with pre-operative hydronephrosis had it post-operatively, while 12% without pre-operative hydronephrosis had it post-operatively. 71% of post-operative hydronephrosis resolved on average in 1.36 years. 19% didn't resolve and 0.1% had ureteral obstruction. Risk factors for post-operative hydronephrosis included increasing severity of VUR, and high degree of pre-operative hydronephrosis. CONCLUSION: Hydronephrosis following ureteral reimplantation is not rare, and correlated to pre-operative evaluations. Post-operative hydronephrosis is frequently transient and benign, and usually resolves within the first 2 years. These patients do not require follow-up ultrasounds or further imaging, and can be followed clinically. Patients with high-grade VUR and hydronephrosis pre-operatively, however, are at risk for developing worsened hydronephrosis and should be followed with a 3-month post-operative ultrasound.

The predictive value of the first postnatal ultrasound in children with antenatal hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the first postnatal ultrasound (US) in predicting the final postnatal diagnosis using a database of children followed prospectively for antenatal hydronephrosis, and to compare these findings with a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: The study involved 1441 children who had their radiological evaluation between 3 and 60 days of life, including an US, performed at our institution in 1998-2006. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A systematic review of articles on prenatal hydronephrosis resulted in 31 studies with 2202 patients who met the inclusion criteria for analysis. RESULTS: 62.0% of renal units (RUs) had transient or non-obstructive hydronephrosis. Increasing degree of hydronephrosis correlated with increased risk of urological pathologies (from 29.6% RUs in the mild group to 96.3% RUs in the severe group). A systematic review of the literature indicated very poor quality data, but the findings appeared to be concordant with those from our patient population. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study will help to quantify the incidence of postnatal pathology based upon the first postnatal US parameters. This information is useful for counseling and for determining which postnatal radiological tests will be necessary.

Potentiation of local anesthetic activity of neosaxitoxin with bupivacaine or epinephrine: development of a long-acting pain blocker.

Local anesthetics effectively block and relieve pain, but with a relatively short duration of action, limiting its analgesic effectiveness. Therefore, a long-acting local anesthetic would improve the management of pain, but no such agent is yet available for clinical use. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potentiation of the anesthetic effect of neosaxitoxin, with bupivacaine or epinephrine in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Ten healthy males were subcutaneously injected into the left and right forearms with a randomized pair of the following treatments: (i) bupivacaine (5 mg); (ii) neosaxitoxin (10 microg); (iii) neosaxitoxin (10 microg) plus bupivacaine (5 mg), and (iv) neosaxitoxin (10 microg) plus epinephrine (1:100.000), but all participant received all four formulations (in 2 ml; s.c.), with 1 month elapsing between the two round of experiments. A validated sensory and pain paradigm was used for evaluating the effect of the treatment 0-72 h after the injections, measuring sensory, pain, and mechanical touch perception threshold. The duration of the effect produced by combined treatments was longer than that by the single drugs. In conclusion, bupivacaine and epinephrine potentiate the local anesthetic effect of neosaxitoxin in humans when co-injected subcutaneously. The present results support the idea that neosaxitoxin is a new long-acting local pain blocker, with highly potential clinical use.

The lithotripsy table height: a novel predictor of outcome in shockwave lithotripsy

BACKGROUND: Outcome of Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL) is determined by physical factors that affect stone fragmentation and clearance. PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive value of the Lithotripsy Table Height (LTH) in SWL outcome. Lithotripsy Table Height (LTH) is a variable that represents skin to therapy head distance, and it is proportional to the energy that reaches the stone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study enrolled patients undergoing SWL for radiopaque urinary stones. All procedures were performed using a Modulith SLX (Karl Storz, Germany) Lithotripter. Patient weight, height and age; stone location and size; number of shock waves delivered, and LTH were recorded. One month post-procedure a KUB was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of these variables on stone-free outcome. A ROC curve was plotted. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. After one month follow-up, overall success rate (Stone Free) was 83.9 percent (n = 47). LTH was the only independent predictor of outcome in both univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.029). Stone size (p = 0.45) and BMI (p = 0.32) were not significant. In the ROC curve, LTH showed an Area under the Curve = 0.791. Patients with LTH < 218 (n = 8) had relative risk of residual stones = 7.5, odds Ratio: 6.6 (Stone free rate 37.5 percent vs. 91.5 percent). CONCLUSION: LTH appears to be an independent predictor of SWL outcome. High success rates can be expected if LTH > 218. Patients with lower LTH had a less effective therapy, therefore, worse stone fragmentation and clearance. These findings may help improve patient selection for SWL therapy.