Thulium Fiber Laser Versus Holmium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet for Lithotripsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Thulium fiber laser (TFL) emerged as a competitor of holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser for the treatment of urinary stones. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy between Ho:YAG and TFL for laser lithotripsy of renal and ureteral stones. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify reports published until May 2023. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were followed to identify eligible studies. The primary outcome was to compare the stone-free rate (SFR) between Ho:YAG and TFL for laser lithotripsy. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria, and data from 1286 and 880 patients who underwent, respectively, Ho:YAG and TFL laser lithotripsy were reviewed. Most studies included ureteroscopy (URS) and retrograde intrarenal surgeries as procedures, two included percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and one included URS exclusively. Only two studies reported results in pediatric patients. TFL was associated with a higher SFR (odds ratio [OR] 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-3.20; p = 0.031) when no residual fragment is considered, but not when SFR refers to the presence of fragments <3 mm (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 0.98-6.29; p = 0.055) or when only Ho:YAG with MOSES is considered (p = 0.068). According to the stones' location, TFL was associated with higher SFRs than Ho:YAG for renal (OR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.69-5.86; p < 0.001) but not for ureteral (p = 0.8) stones. TFL was associated with a lower intraoperative complication rate (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.19-0.63; p < 0.001). No difference was found in major (p = 0.4) or overall (p = 0.4) complication rate, operative time (p = 0.051), and laser time (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: TFL is a promising laser for the treatment of urinary stones with some advantages over Ho:YAG. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize the surgical settings. PATIENT SUMMARY: The use of thulium fiber laser rather than holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet permits to reach a higher stone-free rate in stones located in the kidney rather than in the ureter.

Post-prostatectomy anastomotic stenosis: systematic review and meta-analysis of endoscopic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of endoscopic procedures for treating vesico-urethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) after prostatectomy, as initial VUAS management remains unclear. METHODS: A search of the MEDLINE database, the Cochrane database, and clinicaltrials.gov was performed (last search February 2023) using the following query: (['bladder neck' OR 'vesicourethral anastomotic' OR 'anastomotic'] AND ['stricture' OR 'stenosis' OR 'contracture'] AND 'prostatectomy'). The primary outcome was the success rate of VUAS treatment, defined by the proportion (%) of patients without VUAS recurrence at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: The literature search identified 420 studies. After the screening, 78 reports were assessed for eligibility, and 40 studies were included in the review. The pooled characteristics of the 40 studies provided a total of 1452 patients, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up of 23.7 (13-32) months and age of 66 (64-68) years. The overall success rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) of all endoscopic procedures for VUAS treatment was 72.8% (64.4%-79.9%). Meta-regression models showed a negative influence of radiotherapy on the overall success rate (P = 0.012). After trim-and-fill (addition of 10 studies), the corrected overall success rate (95% CI) was 62.9% (53.6%-71.4%). CONCLUSION: This first meta-analysis of endoscopic treatment success rate after VUAS reported an overall success rate of 72.8%, lowered to 62.9% after correcting for significant publication bias. This study also highlighted the need for a more thorough reporting of post-prostatectomy VUAS data to understand the treatment pathway and provide higher-quality evidence-based care.

Whole Goat Milk-Based Formula versus Whey-Based Cow Milk Formula: What Formula Do Infants Enjoy More?-A Feasibility, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: While goat milk formula (GMF) is an alternative to cow milk formula (CMF), infants' preferences for one over the other have not been formally assessed. Specifically, our aim in this study was to determine whether infants experience fewer feeding behavior problems with whole milk-based GMF than with conventional whey-based CMF. (2) Methods: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with two-arm parallel assignment conducted in six pediatricians' offices in or near Paris, France, between June 2018 and 31 December 2021. Overall, 64 healthy infants (≤4 months old), predominantly formula-fed, were randomly assigned to either the whole milk-based GMF (n = 33) or whey-based CMF (n = 31) arm. Parents completed the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ) and the modified QUALIN questionnaire to evaluate infant feeding behavior and quality of life (psychomotor and socioemotional development), respectively, at inclusion (1 to 5 days before milk delivery) and the final visit (day 28 ± 3 after milk delivery). Informed consent was obtained for all recruited patients, and an ethical committee approved the study. (3) Results: Changes in BEBQ Enjoyment of Food and Slowness in Eating subscale scores from inclusion to final visit did not differ between arms. However, there were significant improvements in subscale scores for Food Responsiveness (GMF: 0.15 ± 1; CMF: -0.48 ± 0.81; p = 0.010) and General Appetite (GMF: 0.26 ± 1.2; CMF: -0.48 ± 0.88; p = 0.012), and modified QUALIN (GMF: 4.6 ± 9.4; CMF: -0.40 ± 7.6; p = 0.03) scores in favor of the GMF group. (4) Conclusions: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, GMF-fed infants exhibited a greater general appetite than CMF-fed infants, possibly due to differences in the composition of these formulas (i.e., protein and lipid profiles). In addition, GMF-fed infants enjoyed a better quality of life. There was no difference in food enjoyment between groups. These findings suggest that whole-milk-based GMF could be an attractive alternative to whey-based CMF. Clinical trial registration: NCT03488758 (clinicaltrials.gov).

A Two-Step Frailty Assessment Strategy in Older Patients With Solid Tumors: A Decision Curve Analysis.

PURPOSE: The intended clinical value of frailty screening is to identify unfit patients needing geriatric assessment (GA) and to prevent unnecessary GA in fit patients. These hypotheses rely on the sensitivity and specificity of screening tests, but they have not been verified. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of outpatients age ≥ 70 years with prostate, breast, colorectal, or lung cancer included in the ELCAPA cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02884375) between February 2007 and December 2019. The diagnostic accuracy of the G8 Geriatric Screening Tool (G8) and modified G8 scores for identifying unfit patients was determined on the basis of GA results. We used decision curve analysis to calculate the benefit of frailty screening for detecting unfit patients and avoiding unnecessary GA in fit patients across different threshold probabilities. RESULTS: We included 1,648 patients (median age, 81 years), and 1,428 (87%) were unfit. The sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 85% (95% CI, 84 to 87) and 59% (95% CI, 57 to 61) for G8, and 86% (95% CI, 84 to 87) and 60% (95% CI, 58 to 63) for the modified G8 score. For decision curve analysis, the net benefit (NB) for identifying unfit patients were 0.72 for G8, 0.72 for the modified G8, and 0.82 for GA at a threshold probability of 0.25. At a threshold probability of 0.33, the NBs were 0.71, 0.72, and 0.80, respectively. At a threshold probability of 0.5, the NBs were 0.68, 0.69, and 0.73, respectively. No screening tool reduced unnecessary GA in fit patients at predefined threshold probabilities. CONCLUSION: Although frailty screening tests showed good diagnostic accuracy, screening showed no clinical benefits over the GA-for-all strategy. NB approaches, in addition to diagnostic accuracy, are necessary to assess the clinical value of tests.

Digital health in geriatric oncology: A Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology review.

The integration of digital health technologies in geriatric oncology has the potential to enhance patient care and self-management. This review article discusses the applications of these technologies, including teleassessment, telemonitoring, and teleintervention, within geriatric oncology, and evaluates their potential to improve cancer care and patient outcomes. We also review challenges to the implementation of digital health technologies among populations of older patients with cancer. The article provides a perspective for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and patients on the integration and utilisation of digital health technologies in current geriatric oncology practice.

Metabolic studies and calculi analysis in urinary lithiasis, how to stop recurrence? / Estudios metabólicos y análisis del cálculo en litiasis urinaria, ¿cómo detener la recurrencia?

Urinary lithiasis is the most frequent urological consultation to the emergency room due to renoureteral colic. Complications include hematuria, anuria due to bilateral or unilateral obstruction in solitary kidney, and sepsis. Recurrence occurs in up to 50% of patients after 5 years from the first episode, and those will need metabolic studies and calculi analysis. Pharmacological management and dietary measures will prevent new episodes. We aim to describe each metabolic disorder associated with its respective type of calculi, and its management based on prevention of recurrence of urinary lithiasis.

La litiasis urinaria es la consulta urológica más frecuente para la sala de emergencias debido al cólico renoureteral. Las complicaciones incluyen hematuria, anuria debido a la obstrucción bilateral o unilateral en el riñón solitario y la sepsis. La recurrencia ocurre en hasta el 50% de los pacientes después de 5 años desde el primer episodio, y aquellos paciente requieren estudios metabólicos y análisis del cálculo. El manejo farmacológico y las modificaciones dietéticas evitarán nuevos episodios. Nuestro objetivo es describir cada trastorno metabólico asociado con su respectivo tipo de cálculo y su manejo basado en la prevención de la recurrencia de la litiasis urinaria.

Energy expenditure profiles and the risk of early limiting toxicity in older patients with cancer: The ELCAPA-25 prospective cohort survey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Predicting the risk of early limiting toxicity (ELT) is major challenge for the clinician seeking an effective, safe treatment for older patients with cancer. The Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) and CRASH (Chemotherapy Risk Assessment Scale for High-Age Patients) toxicity scores were designed to predict chemotherapy-related toxicity. Elevated resting energy expenditure (REE) may predispose to cachexia and increase ELT and mortality in older patients with cancer. The primary objective was to assess the association between elevated REE and ELT in older patients with cancer. The secondary objectives were to assess the discriminant ability of a predictive model including REE (relative to the CARG and CRASH scores) and the prognostic value of elevated REE. METHODS: We assessed patients aged 70 or over included in the prospective ELCAPA cohort between 2014 and 2018. The inclusion criteria were a solid tumour, a measurement of REE at baseline (mREE, by indirect calorimetry), and a geriatric assessment prior to cancer treatment in a teaching hospital (Paris, France). The mREE was compared with the predicted REE (pREE), as defined by the Harris-Benedict equation. Depending on the mREE/pREE ratio, study participants were classified as hypermetabolic, hypometabolic or normometabolic. The primary endpoint was 3-month ELT, defined as any unplanned hospitalization or any event leading to dose reduction, a treatment delay of more than 7 days, or treatment discontinuation within 3 months of initiation. The secondary endpoint was the 3-month mortality rate. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were included. The median age was 80 [interquartile range: 76-84] years, 37% of the patients were female, 81.8% had metastatic disease, 67.6% received chemotherapy, 20.7% received hormone therapy, and 11.7% received targeted therapies. According to the mREE/pREE ratio, 85 patients (47%) were hypermetabolic, 63 (35%) were normometabolic, and 31 (18%) were hypometabolic. Sixty patients (33.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 26.7-40.9) experienced ELT. The discriminant ability (as assessed by the C-index) of a multivariate model including REE and adjustment factors was 0.82 [95%CI: 0.73-0.91]. In comparison, the discriminant ability of the CARG and CRASH models was 0.57 [0.45-0.68] and 0.51 [0.40-0.62], respectively. In our model, hypermetabolism was an independent risk factor for ELT (adjusted odds ratio = 2.44; 95%CI: 1.02-5.80). Other risk factors were the cancer type and stage, the treatment protocol, a clinical diagnosis of depression, the presence of grade 3 or 4 comorbidities, and the serum lactate dehydrogenase level. CONCLUSION: Hypermetabolism status is an independent predictor of ELT in older patients with cancer, relative to normometabolic status. Baseline REE measurement might improve the ELT risk assessment and decision-making process.

Adherence to Treatment Guidelines and Associated Survival in Older Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Multicentre Cohort Study.

The guidelines on prostate cancer treatment in older men recommend evaluating the patient's underlying health status before treatment selection. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of a guideline-discordant treatment (GDT), identify factors associated with GDT, and assess the relationship between GDT and overall survival. We studied patients with prostate cancer aged 70 or older included in the ELCAPA cohort between 2010 and 2019. Multivariable logistic regression assessed GDT-associated factors. The restricted mean survival time (RMST) assessed the 24- and 36-month OS using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting of propensity scores. We included 356 patients (median age: 81 years), and 164 (46%) received a GDT (95% confidence interval (CI) = (41-51%)). Patients with metastases were less likely to receive a GDT (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) = 0.34 (0.17-0.69); p = 0.003). After weighting, the RMST at 24 months was shorter in the GDT group (13.9 months, vs. 17 months for compliant treatments; difference (95% CI): -3.1 months (-5.3, -1.0); p = 0.004). RMST at 36 months was 18.5 months, vs. 21.8 months (difference: -3.3 months (-6.7, 0.0); p = 0.053). GDT is common in older patients with prostate cancer and especially those with non-metastatic disease. GDT was associated with worse survival, independently of health status and tumour characteristics.

Lean: Introduction of a Quality Improvement Concept into Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy to Improve Efficiency while Maintaining Safety / Lean: introducción de un concepto en la nefrolitotomía percutánea para mejorar la eficiencia mientras se mantiene la seguridad

Introduction and objective Standardization of surgical interventions reduces complications and costs and positively impacts intra and postoperative outcomes. Implementation of the lean concept, initially proposed in the auto industry, now becomes an interesting approach in the surgical setting. We want to present the results of how percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in a high-level center can be positively impacted by implementing the lean concept. Methods We evaluated a total of 140 PCNL procedures. Group 1 included all cases operated prior to implementing the lean concept and group 2 was composed of those operated after implementing the lean concept. We looked for all seven sources of waste to identify and modify our practice to improve efficiency and safety. We then collected intraoperative times and compared the ones prior to those after the implementation. Results After implementing the lean concept, with an average of six PCNL cases per day, a comparison was made to an equivalent number of cases prior to the lean implementation (group 1). The average total operative time for PCNL preintervention was 138 (confidence interval [CI]: 79 to 170) minutes and postlean intervention was 71.1 (CI: 43 to 157) minutes. Surgical time (cystoscopy to skin closure) was 36.1 (CI: 25 to 50) minutes prelean and 50 minutes postlean (CI: 23 to 154). For this last one, bilateral procedures were performed. Operative room turnover time was 27.8 (CI: 21 to 38) minutes prelean and 5.67 (CI: 3.5 to 12) minutes postlean. Induction time was 16.5 (CI: 5 to 55) minutes prelean and 5.4 (CI: 3.5 to 7.5) minutes postlean. Conclusion Implementation of the lean concept enables optimization of the surgical procedure, allowing hospitals to reduce costs and standardization.

Introducción y objetivo La estandarización de los procedimientos quirúrgicos reduce complicaciones, costos, y mejora resultados intra y postoperatorios. El concepto lean fue utilizado por primera vez en la industria automotriz. El presente trabajo busca implementar el concepto lean para optimizar el procedimiento de nefrolitotomía percutánea (NLP) en nuestro medio. Métodos Se realizaron 140 procedimientos de nefrolitotomía percutánea, los cuales se dividieron en 2 grupos: uno en el cual se registraron los tiempos intraoperatorios, y el segundo en que se registraron los tiempos luego de la implementación del concepto lean. Resultados Durante el período estudiado, se realizaron 70 procedimientos luego de la implementación del concepto lean, y se logró realizar un promedio de 6 procedimientos por día. Se compararon los tiempos operatorios, y se encontró un tiempo operatorio total promedio de 138 (intervalo de confianza [IC]: 79 a 170) minutos pre-lean, y de 71,1 (IC: 43 a 157) minutos post-lean. El tiempo quirúrgico (cistoscopia a cierre de piel) pre-lean fue de 36,1 (IC: 25 a 50) minutos, y el post-lean fue de 50 (IC: 23 a 154) minutos. Para este último, se trató de procedimientos bilaterales. El cambio de sala fue de 27,8 (IC: 21a 38) minutos pre-lean, y de 5,67 (IC: 3.5 a 12) minutos post-lean. El tiempo de inducción fue de 16.5 (IC: 5 a 55) minutos pre-lean, y de 5.4 (IC: 3.5 a 7.5) minutos post-lean. Conclusiones La implementación del concepto lean permite optimizar el procedimiento, con reducción de costos y estandarización del modelo de atención para cualquier centro asistencial. La movilización de los especialistas en nuestro modelo de atención permite un mayor cubrimiento poblacional de alta calidad.

Obesity as a risk factor for poor outcomes after sling surgery in women with stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Obesity is one of the main risk factors for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and has also been associated with worse surgical outcomes. However, the literature is heterogeneous and inconclusive. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate cure rates and perioperative complications in obese women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search of OVID, MEDNAR, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and CENTRAL databases was conducted. Randomized controlled trials comparing cure rates and failure of treatment in normal and obese patients, who underwent mid-urethral sling surgery, were identified. A systematic review of subjective and objective cure rates, and complications was performed. Meta-analyses of dichotomous data under the random-effects model were applied using Review Manager 5.3. Nonrandomized comparative studies and gray literature were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 219 studies were identified. Four randomized controlled trials were included for evaluation. The risk of bias evaluation was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. One study was excluded due to missing data on the outcomes. Patients were stratified according to their body mass index as obese (>30 kg/m2 ) and nonobese (<30 kg/m2 ). Complications could not be meta-analyzed. The meta-analysis of subjective (risk ratio [RR] = 1.69 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-2.16]) and objective (RR = 1.62 [95% CI: 1.26-2.07]) cure rates disfavored obese women. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows that obesity is a risk factor for the nonsuccessful treatment of SUI with tension-free mid-urethral sling. Differences in regards to the surgical approach and its association with obesity could not be established with the current evidence.

Functional outcomes and safety of GreenLight photovaporization of the prostate in the high-risk patient with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement.

AIMS: Photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLight Laser is a surgical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms. It is considered safe in elderly patients with comorbidities, however, the evidence is inconclusive. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of PVP according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASAPS). METHODS: A cohort of 675 patients who underwent PVP between 2012 and 2018 was evaluated. Patients were classified according to their ASAPS as low (I and II) and high risk (III and IV). Surgical characteristics and improvement of symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of high-risk group was higher than low-risk group. The high-risk group had more history of anticoagulation, antiaggregation, urinary catheterization, urinary retention and urethral stricture. Longer times of hospitalization (23.7 [interquartile range {IQR} = 18.9-41.35] vs 21.8 hours [IQR = 18.7-26.6], P = .008) and catheterization (19.55 [IQR = 15.6-35.57] vs 17.67 hours [IQR = 14.76-22.5], P = .004) were found in the high-risk group. Conversion and bleeding control were not different between groups. In the follow-up, improvement of International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and QoL was significant in all patients when compared before and after surgery scores (P < .001). There were no difference between groups for QoL, however, IPSS was lower for the low-risk group (8 [IQR = 4-14.5] vs 5 [2-12], P = .001). CONCLUSION: PVP with GreenLight Laser is a safe and efficient procedure for all patients despite their comorbidities, with comparable middle-term outcomes which makes it a standard treatment for the entire aging population, improving their QoL.

How can I get a renal access if I do not have an ultrasound and cannot opacify the collecting system? Another use of the hydrophilic guide wire.

It is well-known that fluoroscopic guidance is the most commonly used imaging technique for percutaneous access to the kidney. However, we might encounter difficulties when attempting to establish the limits of the collecting system for a percutaneous puncture, especially in places where the use of ultrasound guidance in the operating room is limited. We aim to describe the use of a hydrophilic guide wire to delimit the collecting system when this becomes difficult with conventional techniques.

Dystrophic Calcification of the Bladder after Photovaporization of the Prostate with GreenLightTM Laser 180 W: A Case Report.

A 69-year-old patient who underwent photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLightTM Laser presented chronic abdominal pain, in the following and after 7 months, an abdominal MRI showed a bladder mass and the cystoscopy revealed an 8 cm of diameter grayish mass of the anterior wall and the dome. Malignancy, infectious, and granulomatous diseases were ruled out. Biopsy showed necrotic tissue and dystrophic calcification (DC) with crystals and Gram-positive cocci, so a transurethral resection was intended failed due to the mass hard consistency and size. The patient was taken to partial cystectomy and the pain resolved. DC is defined as inappropriate deposits of calcium phosphate salts in previously damaged tissue by different forms of trauma: burns, radiotherapy, and surgery. We suggest the DC process is linked to a previous thermal lesion of the bladder during PVP and believe future studies of association can be relevant.

Mesotelioma de túnica vaginal en paciente con hidrocele rápidamente progresivo / Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis in a Patient with Rapidly Progressive Hydrocele

El mesotelioma es una entidad poco común y agresiva que compromete el mesotelio, involucrando así los diferentes órganos cubiertos por membranas serosas. El mesotelioma de túnica vaginal es una neoplasia muy rara, con un cuadro clínico poco específico y de difícil diagnóstico con las técnicas imagenológicas actuales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con hidrocele rápidamente progresivo que fue llevado a hidrocelectomía. Se realizó un diagnóstico histopatológico de mesotelioma epitelial maligno de túnica vaginal que requirió orquidectomía radical, hemiescrotomectomía y linfadenectomía retroperitoneal. A un año de seguimiento, el paciente no tiene evidencia de la enfermedad.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon and aggressive entity that compromises the mesothelium, thus involving the different organs covered by serous membranes. The mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis is a very rare neoplasm, with a non-specific clinical picture and difficult diagnosis with current imaging techniques. We report the case of a patient with rapidly progressive hydrocele who was taken to hydrocelectomy. A histopathological diagnosis of epithelial mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis was made, which required radical orchiectomy, hemiscrotectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. At one year of follow-up, the patient has no evidence of the disease.

Plataforma para el registro de nefrolitotomía percutánea interinstitucional / Platform for the registration of inter-institutional percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Desde la primera introducción de la nefrolitotomía percutánea (NLP) por Fernstrom y su popularización en EE. UU. por Smith, la NLP se ha convertido en el estándar de oro para pacientes con cálculos renales de gran tamaño.1 Las opciones actuales para el tratamiento de cálculos renales son: la litotripcia extracorpórea, la ureterorrenoscopia flexible y la NLP, escogiendo cada una según el tamaño del cálculo, la anatomía del sistema colector, las características del paciente y las preferencias del especialista.2 Para cálculos piélicos o de cáliz superior mayores de 2 cm o para cáliz inferior mayores de 1,5 cm, se prefiere la NLP.2

Since the first introduction of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) by Fernstrom and its popularization in the US by Smith, PNL has become the gold standard for patients with large kidney stones.1 Current options for the treatment of kidney stones include extracorporeal lithotripsy, flexible ureterorenoscopy, and PNL, each chosen according to the size of the stone, the anatomy of the collecting system, the patient's characteristics, and the specialist's preferences.2 For upper calyx or skin stones larger than 2 cm or for lower calyx larger than 1.5 cm, PNL is preferred.2

Democratizing science with the aid of parametric design and additive manufacturing: Design and fabrication of a versatile and low-cost optical instrument for scattering measurement.

This paper focuses on the application of rapid prototyping techniques using additive manufacturing in combination with parametric design to create low-cost, yet accurate and reliable instruments. The methodology followed makes it possible to make instruments with a degree of customization until now available only to a narrow audience, helping democratize science. The proposal discusses a holistic design-for-manufacturing approach that comprises advanced modeling techniques, open-source design strategies, and an optimization algorithm using free parametric software for both professional and educational purposes. The design and fabrication of an instrument for scattering measurement is used as a case of study to present the previous concepts.

Renal Pelvis Leiomyoma- An Infrequent Clinical Case.

Renal pelvis leiomyomas are infrequent benign tumours. These tumours are more frequent in women, usually asymptomatic and difficult to distinguish from malign kidney masses. A 27-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic renal mass discovered after abdominal ultrasound during routine check-up. Percutaneous renal biopsy was performed and reported urothelial carcinoma. After open nephroureterectomy, histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry were positive for Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), Ki67 <5%, and negative for cytokeratin and HMB-45. Thus, confirming the diagnosis of renal leiomyoma. The diagnosis of these infrequent tumours is often difficult and it is usually made by immunohistochemistry after surgical treatment.

Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma or Cystic Nephroma?

The incidence of Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) in literature is very low and confounding MCRCC with cystic nephroma (CN) is even more unusual. The aim of this report is to present a case of MCRCC and emphasize the importance of the preoperative radiologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining confirmation to obtain an accurate diagnosis. A 73-year-old woman presented with a history of 4-month right flank pain. CT showed a Bosniak type III renal mass. After laparoscopic partial nephrectomy the initial report was cystic nephroma. Immunohistochemical staining was performed being positive for Epithelial Membrane Antigen thus changing the diagnosis to MCRCC. Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma cannot reliably be distinguished from cystic nephroma neither by physical examination nor by radiologic evaluation; immunohistochemical staining assay is useful to differentiate between these conditions allowing an accurate diagnosis and proper follow-up.

Testicular augmentation using chin implants.

INTRODUCTION: Disturbances in testicular integrity have the potential to cause severe concerns about masculinity, body image, and sexual function. Testicular volume replacement surgery with prosthesis has been known about since 1941, although esthetic procedures for testicular augmentation have not been satisfactory. AIM: To describe an unprecedented testicular augmentation surgical technique that is specially focused on preserving testicular function and providing a favorable esthetic outcome. METHODS: We present a case of a 45-year-old man with body dysmorphic disorder. Surgical treatment using a new technique by placing a chin implant on the testicle was offered and accepted. RESULTS: Good symmetry between both testicles was achieved. No complications were reported. One month after the procedure, the patient started a satisfactory sex life. Functional monitoring was normal during the year after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is unprecedented in literature, it represents a safe and effective therapeutic alternative; nevertheless, more experience in performing this procedure is needed.