Robot-assisted ureteric reconstructive surgeries for benign diseases: Initial single-center experience with point of technique.

INTRODUCTION: We present our initial experience with robot-assisted reconstructive surgeries with the Da Vinci Xi robotic system for benign ureteric pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent robot-assisted reconstructive procedures for benign diseases of the ureter at our department from April 2018 to November 2022. Demographic and perioperative details were recorded. Patients were followed up and surgical success was evaluated on the basis of symptomatic, functional, and radiological improvement. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent robot-assisted reconstructions for benign ureteric pathologies by various techniques. Mean age, body mass index (BMI), hospital stay and follow-up duration were 36 years, 24.1 kg/m2, 5.29 days, and 7.08 months respectively. Procedures included pyeloplasty in eight, primary ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) in seven, Psoas hitch UNC in five, Boari flap UNC in six, Ureteroureterostomy in four, ureterocalicostomy in two and ileal ureteral transposition in two patients. Mean docking time, total operative time, and estimated blood loss were 31.5 min, 178 min, and 64.3 ml, respectively. All patients had radiologic or functional improvement on follow-up after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted reconstructive surgery for benign ureteric and bladder pathologies imparted excellent short-term outcomes without major complications with all the advantages of a minimally invasive approach.

Early port site and peritoneal metastasis following robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a rare case report.

Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection is the recommended treatment for managing muscle-invasive carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Early recurrence is observed in only about 4.1% of cases. Port-site metastasis following robot-assisted radical cystectomy is extremely rare. We encountered a challenging and a rare case of bladder cancer that manifested with port-site and peritoneal metastasis within 6 weeks of surgery.

Metabolic evaluation of first-time uncomplicated renal stone formers: A prospective study.

Background: Nephrolithiasis is a global health problem. The recurrence rate after the first stone clearance is approximately 50% at 5 years. Metabolic abnormalities are an important factor responsible for stone recurrence. Our prevalidated study aimed to evaluate metabolic abnormalities associated with first-time uncomplicated renal stone formers (FTURSF). Materials and methods: In this prospective, exploratory, time-bound, descriptive study, 30 first-time renal stone formers were evaluated for metabolic abnormalities. High-risk stone formers were excluded from the study. Data were collected in a predefined proforma, transferred to an Excel sheet, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20 and Epi Info 7. Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, paired t test, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for statistical analyses. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.57 ± 11.07 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.72. The most common abnormality was a 24-hour urine volume of <2.5 L in 73.33% of the participants. One or more metabolic abnormalities were detected in 76.67% of the participants. Other common metabolic abnormalities detected were hypocitraturia (60%), hypercalciuria (16.67%), hyperoxaluria (13.33%), and hyperuricosuria (3.33%). Parathyroid adenoma was detected in one participant (3.33%). Conclusions: Our study documented significant metabolic abnormalities in FTURSF. Therefore, a simplified metabolic evaluation protocol should be adopted while evaluating FTURSF. Detection of an underlying metabolic abnormality would enable the early institution of preventive measures to reduce stone recurrence and related complications.

Persistent Urogenital Sinus with Ambiguous Genitalia and Urethral Duplication in a Pubertal Female.

Urogenital sinus (UGS) and cloacal malformations are the spectra of disease affecting mainly females, resulting in an unusual confluence of the genital and urinary tract with or without the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract. Successful reconstruction of these anomalies depends on the accurate preoperative delineation of abnormal anatomy with the help of cross-sectional and other contrast studies like genitourogram along with cystourethroscopy wherever indicated. We hereby report a case of a 14-year-old female who presented with irregular cyclical hematuria and was diagnosed with persistent UGS with urethral duplication. After a thorough evaluation, the patient was successfully managed with surgical reconstruction, described in this study. Persistent UGS is a complex developmental anomaly. Complete characterization of anomaly requires a thorough evaluation such as hormonal assessment, endoscopy, cross-sectional, and radiological contrast study. Surgical reconstruction needs individualization and may need clitoroplasty, labioplasty, and urethral and vaginal mobilization. Morphological and functional outcome is satisfactory in a well-planned surgical reconstruction.

Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Outcomes from a Tertiary Care Center.

Background: The management of renal stone disease in the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a challenging scenario, both in terms of surgical safety and perioperative outcomes. The aim of the present study is to study the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with CKD. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted including adult patients with renal stone disease and a creatinine clearance of <90 mL/min (Stage 2 CKD or more) who underwent PCNL. Pre- and postoperative serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were compared. Patients were divided into CKD Stages 1 to 5 having creatinine clearance >90 mL/min, 60 to 90 mL/min, 30 to 60 mL/min, 15 to 30 mL/min, and <15 mL/min, respectively. Based on up migration or down migration of CKD stages, patients were classified as improved, deteriorated, or stable. Perioperative complications and outcomes were also compared. Results: A total of 185 patients with CKD Stage ≤2 underwent PCNL. The mean age of the patients was 43.24 ± 14.32 years. The mean preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 62.88 ± 23.42 mL/min/1.73 m2. Preoperative CKD stage distribution was as follows: Stage 2 to 121 (65.4%), Stage 3 to 34 (18.4%), Stage 4 to 24 (13%), and Stage 5 to 6 (3.2%). On last follow-up of patients, the mean creatinine was 1.07 ± 0.65 mg/dL and the mean eGFR was 82.75 ± 31.22 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median change in creatinine and mean change in GFR were 0.23 (0.16-0.27) g/dL and 19.87 ± 19.77 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Improvement in kidney function with a stage down migration was seen in 115 cases (62.2%), slight improvement with no change in stage in 69 cases (37.3%), and deterioration of CKD stage was present in one case (0.5%). Conclusion: PCNL is associated with favorable functional outcomes in CKD patients including severe CKD (Stages 4 and 5). Improvement or stabilization of CKD stage was seen in 99.5% of patients post-PCNL.

Da Vinci Walks the Pebbled Streets of a Primary Obstructed Megaureter with Ureterocele.

Introduction: Primary obstructed megaureter (POM) usually refers to primary dilated ureters in which vesicoureteral reflux and other secondary causes of lower ureteral obstruction have been ruled out. We herein present a case of obstructed megaureter with a dilated saccular lower end representing an ureterocele and concomitant multiple multifaceted stones almost completely filling the dilated tortuous ureter of a normally functioning and excreting kidney. Materials and Methods: Our index case was a 45-year-old lady with intermittent right flank pain for a year with acute colic since a week. Imaging revealed a grossly dilated tortuous ureter with >50 multifaceted stones all along its length, an ureterocele, and mild hydronephrosis. She underwent a robot-assisted ureterolithotomy and complete stone clearance followed by ureteral reimplantation over an ureteral stent. Results: Postoperative course was uneventful and on follow-up at 3 weeks, stent was removed after checking a cystogram. The da Vinci system with its minimally invasive approach and better ergonomics made it quite convenient to remove all 52 stones, ensuring an excellent postoperative recuperation and incomparable cosmesis. Conclusion: POM in adults is usually symptomatic and associated with complications, and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment when it is associated with calculi. Ureteral tailoring and ureteroneocystostomy with extraction of stones were done for at-risk kidneys and to prevent further renal deterioration. However, these efforts appear futile when the severe renal impairment has set in and nephroureterectomy is thus required. The robotic approach for reconstruction is a safe, effective, and feasible option with excellent perioperative results.