Postoperative Pulmonary Complications after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Under Spinal Anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors and outcomes of Pulmonary Complications (PCs) in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under Spinal anesthesia (SA). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 286 patients who underwent PCNL under SA between 2017 and 2021 were identified retrospectively and divided into group 1 (clinically significant PCs) and group 2 (no clinically significant PCs). Demographic, preoperative, and intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were compared between both groups. Independent risk factors for PCs were evaluated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: PCs were noted in 90 patients (31.5%). Advanced age (P = .011), high body mass index (BMI) (P < .001), and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P < .001) were risk factors for PCs. CONCLUSION: SA is an effective method of anesthesia for all PCNL patients and carries a lower rate of PCNL-associated PCs. Risk factors for PCs after PCNL were advanced age, obesity, and preoperative COPD.

Chemical Ablation for Treating Anal Fistulas without Surgical Intervention: Long-Term Results.

Purposes. This study aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes after the application of a corrosive chemical agent for ablation of epithelial tissue as a non-surgical treatment of anal fistulas. Methods. Adult patients with symptomatic perianal fistula were prospectively included in the study. The fistula tract was irrigated with a 5% silver nitrate solution. The primary outcome measured in this study was the rate of clinical healing after long-term follow-up. Factors that may affect healing were also analysed. Results. A total of 186 patients with anal fistula were analysed. After irrigation with silver nitrate, 82 (44%) patients had complete clinical healing during a median follow-up time of 50 (7-64) months. Patients with intermittent discharge had a significantly higher rate of complete clinical healing than those with continuous discharge (P < .04). Fistulas without abscesses or secondary tracts had a significantly higher rate of complete clinical healing than the other types (P = .007). Conclusion. Chemical ablation of the epithelium of the anal fistula yields promising long-term outcomes in the management of anal fistulas without surgical intervention.

Comparison between Retroperitoneal and Transperitoneal Approaches in the Laparoscopic Treatment of Bosniak Type I Renal Cysts: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively compared laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches for the decor­tication of simple renal cysts with respect to safety, postoperative pain, and clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients (28 males and 12 females) with symptomatic simple renal cysts and who underwent laparoscopic cyst decortication, and they were evaluated retrospectively. Patients' age, gender, disease-specific history, comorbid disease and family history, in general and urological and phys­ical examination findings were recorded. Patients prior to surgery were evaluated by urinalysis, serum creati­nine level, blood count, urinary tract ultrasonography, and unenhanced and contrast-enhanced abdominal com­puted tomography. Patients were informed about laparoscopic surgery and their written informed consent was taken. For those who preferred the laparoscopic approach, the placement of the cyst, history of prior surgery and obesity were evaluated. All patients filled out the visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate postoperative pain. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients were 54.65 ± 5.26 years in the retroperitoneal group and 56.0 ± 4.66 years in the transperitoneal group. For all patients the indication for surgery included right or left flank pain. The mean operative time for the transperitoneal approach was 51.5 min., and that for the retroperitoneal approach was 44.75 min. This difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P < .05). According to VAS scale, the retroperitoneal scoring method was found to be lower than the transperitoneal scoring method. All patients were discharged on the first postoperative day, and the drains were taken out. None of the patients had complications. At the end of six months, no clinical and radiological recurrence was detected in any patient. CONCLUSION: We consider the retroperitoneal approach to be the first-choice because of its shorter operation time and particularly low level of postoperative pain.