Predictive factors for difficult ureter in primary kidney stone patients before retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Introduction: Ureter may be resistant to insertion of ureteral access sheath (UAS) and/or semi-rigid ureterorenoscope because of the narrow ureter, 'difficult ureter' especially in primary retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) cases. We aimed to delineate the parameters that affect significantly the accessibility of the ipsilateral ureter of the stone-bearing patient side. Material and methods: The data of age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, prior urinary tract infection, prior stone passage, stone burden, stone density, number of stones, stone localization, surgery side, the presence of hydronephrosis and need for double J (DJ) stent due to difficult ureter for all patients were reviewed. Difficult ureter was defined as the insertion inability of a semi-rigid ureterorenoscope or UAS into the ureter at the surgery side. All patients were divided into two groups as difficult ureter group and non-difficult ureter group. Results: A total of 454 patients who underwent RIRS for primary kidney stones were included. The incidence of difficult ureter was 7.5% (34/454). The patients in the difficult ureter group were younger. Female gender and prior urinary tract infection rates were higher in the difficult ureter group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors significantly associated with higher odds of having a difficult ureter in primary RIRS patients were younger age (OR 1.040; 95% CI 1.010-1.070; p = 0.008), female gender (OR 2.859; 95% Cl 1.383-5.908; p = 0.005) and prior urinary tract infection (OR 3.327; 95% CI 1.230-8.999; p = 0.018). Conclusions: Difficult ureter was associated with younger age at the time of RIRS, female gender and the manifestation of urinary infections in the patient's medical history.

Evaluation of homeobox protein B13 (HOXB13) gene G84E mutation in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively investigate the potential association between prostate cancer (PCa) and the G84E mutation within the Homeobox Protein B13 (HOXB13) gene among individuals of Turkish descent, our study aims to undertake a prospective examination. METHODS: We evaluated 300 patients (150 diagnosed with prostate cancer, 150 controls) who presented in our clinic. Data collected were prospectively examined. DNA isolation was performed using an isolation kit. The HOXB13-G84E mutation (rs138213197) was analyzed in the obtained samples. Data encoding and statistical analysis were performed. RESULTS: The pathological allele for the G84E mutation was T. According to the findings, no mutations were detected in the control group, while the G84E mutation was detected in 17 patients in the patient group, all of whom had the TC genotype. The analysis showed that having the CC genotype reduced the risk of prostate cancer by 0.47 times (OR=0.47, CI=0.415-0.532). Our results did not support a trend toward family history or earlier-onset disease in comparisons between carriers and non-carriers of HOXB13 G84E mutation. Individuals with a positive family history exhibited a higher frequency of the G84E mutation. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that HOXB13 gene mutation is indeed linked to PCa in Turkish men. However, we did not find a relationship between the HOXB13 gene G84E mutation carrier status and either early-onset PCa or familial PCa in Turkish men.

The predictive ability of Mayo adhesive probability score for evaluating intraoperative bleeding in standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy in adult patients.

Mayo adhesive probability (MAP) score is one of the commonest tool to predict the adherence status of perirenal fat. The association between MAP score and intraoperative hemorrhage in patients undergoing micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy was comfirmed in a recent well designed study. We aimed to investigate if MAP score may predict the possibility for significant intraoperative bleeding in supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) performed with a 26 Fr rigid nephroscope. In this observational retrospective study, demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, perioperative (operation duration, hospitalization, intraoperative bleeding, success) and MAP score (perinephric fat stranding, posterior perinephric fat thickness and total MAP score) data of all patients who underwent supine PCNL between June 2021 and July 2023 were evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their MAP scores (79 [54.1%] patients with MAP score < 3 [low MAP score] and 67 [54.1%] patients with MAP score ≥ 3 [high MAP score]). The rate of patients with intraoperative bleeding was 47.8% in the patient group with a high MAP score, while it was 22.8% in the patient group with a low MAP score (p = 0.002). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, anticoagulant drug use history (OR = 2.525; 95% CI = 1.025-6.224; p = 0.044), presence of multiple stones (OR = 3.015; 95% CI = 1.205-7.543; p = 0.018), calyx localization of the stone (OR = 2.871;95% CI = 1.166-7.068; p = 0.022), higher renal parenchymal thickness (OR = 1.119; 95% CI = 1.049-1.193; p = 0.001) and MAP score > 3 (OR = 3.486; 95% CI = 1.579-7.696; p = 0.002) were defined as independent risk factors for significant intraoperative bleeding. In clinical practice, the MAP score can be used to predict bleeding before PCNL.

Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) predicts postoperative complications after radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) scoring system in predicting postoperative complications following radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed data from patients who underwent open RC for muscle-invasive bladder cancer by a single surgeon between 2008 and 2023. Cases involving cystectomy for non-urothelial carcinoma or urinary diversion other than ileal conduit were excluded. We recorded patient demographics, body mass index (BMI), history of abdominal/retroperitoneal surgery, ASA score, performance status (PS), and pre-existing conditions, such as hypertension (HT), coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Intraoperative data included surgery duration, blood loss, and need for blood transfusion. Post-operative complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo system. E-PASS score was calculated using the Preoperative Risk Score (PRS), Surgical Stress Score (SSS), and Comprehensive Risk Score (CRS). RESULTS: The study included 252 patients. Patients who experienced postoperative complications had higher age, BMI, prior surgical history, ASA score, PS, and rates of CAD, HT, DM, and CKD compared to those who did not. Surgery duration, blood loss, blood transfusion requirement, and E-PASS scores (PRS, SSS, CRS) were also higher in this group. The ROC curve for CRS revealed a predictive cutoff of 0.4911 (AUC = 0.905, p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for postoperative complications included high BMI (p = 0.031), longer surgery duration (p < 0.001), HT (p = 0.042), CKD (p = 0.017), and CRS > 0.4911 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: E-PASS system effectively predicts postoperative complications in RC patients.

The fate of clinically insignificant residual fragments following retrograde intrarenal surgery and factors affecting spontaneous passage.

The remaining stone fragments after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) can lead to stone recurrence/regrowth, or stone-related events (SRE). We aimed to delineate the clinical circumstances that are decisive for spontaneous passage of clinical insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) (primary outcome) and define risk factors for stone recurrence/regrowth and their clinical manifestation (secondary outcome). A total of 115 patients who had CIRF following RIRS were included in this study. Demographic, clinical data, stone, and anatomic characteristics including infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), infundibular length (IL) and follow-up data of patients were analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 27.5 ± 6.9 months. 31 (26.9%) patients passed the CIRF spontaneously. Patients were divided into two groups as spontaneous fragment passage group and fragment remaining group and compared with respect to demographic, clinical, stone-related, and anatomic characteristics. 61.2% of patients had lower pole CIRF in fragment remaining group and 83.3% of patients in spontaneous fragment passage group (p = 0.031). In addition, IPA was wider in spontaneous fragment passage group (60.7° vs 51.4°, p = 0.001). A subanalysis was performed for fragment remaining group. In 84 patients, 44 (52.4%) patients were stable for their CIRF at their follow-up and included in stable group. 40 (47.6%) patients experienced stone re-growth (27 patients) or SRE (13 patients) at their follow up. Patients in re-growth/SRE group were older (49.1 vs 39.4 years, p = 0.047), had higher body mass index (28.2 vs 27 kg/m2, p = 0.03) and larger CIRF (2.8 vs 2.1 mm). CIRFs may be not expelled spontaneously and they may lead to additional morbidity and lithotripsy interventions.

Preperitoneal vas deferens infiltration in high-risk prostate cancer.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and the importance of preperitoneal vas deferens (VD) infiltration in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Patients and Methods: In this prospectively designed study, we included 332 high-risk PCa patients with a Briganti score >5%, who were treated by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between July 2017 and February 2022 at the Urology Department, SLK Kliniken Heilbronn. In addition to the standard histological analysis of the distal VD, which was attached to the prostate specimen, we analysed the infiltration status of preperitoneal VD in this cohort. The preperitoneal VD, which represents the middle part of ductus deferens and extends between the internal inguinal ring and obturator fossa, was resected during extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Distal and preperitoneal VD status was registered together with preoperative and postoperative disease characteristics. Descriptive analysis methods and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Briganti score of the target cohort had a median value of 19%, while 235 patients (70.8%) of the group demonstrated a locally advanced disease. The Grade Group at prostatectomy specimen was at least 3 for 286 patients (86.1%). Distal VD infiltration was found in 20 patients (6%) and preperitoneal VD infiltration in two patients (0.6%). Distal VD infiltration was not associated with an increased possibility for positive surgical margins or nodal status among pT3b patients, while both patients with preperitoneal VD infiltration were characterized by highly aggressive disease in locally advanced stage and bilateral distal VD infiltration. Conclusions: PCa extension along VD may reach a more proximal point of VD than the reported from the existing data infiltration of VD adjacent to seminal vesicles. This rare manifestation of PCa local extension may be the intermediate step to the rare cases of recurrence in the testicles. However, more robust data are needed to confirm the aforementioned hypothesis. Distal VD infiltration seems to have no additional prognostic value among patients with infiltrated seminal vesicles.

The importance of periprostatic fat tissue thickness measured by preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in upstage prediction after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the surgical results of patients who were treated and followed up for prostate cancer in our clinic to predict the relationship between periprostatic adipose tissue and patients with and without pathologically upstaged disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients who had undergone robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and preoperative multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging between 18 February 2019 and 1 April 2022. The patients were divided into two groups, and the surgical and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy pathology results were compared according to tumor grade and distribution in 124 patients who met the selection criteria. We analyzed the relationships between upgrading/upstaging and periprostatic adipose tissue thickness (PPATT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SATT) as measured in magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The median PPATT was 4.03 mm, whereas the median SATT was 36.4 mm. Upgrading was detected in 45 patients (36.3%), and upstaging was detected in 42 patients (33.9%). A receiver operating characteristic regression analysis revealed that a PPATT >3 mm was a predictive factor for upstaging after radical prostatectomy (area under curve=0.623, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.519-0.727, p=0.025). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that prostate specific antigen density ≥0.15 ng/mL/cm3 (odds ratio [OR] 5.054, 95% CI 2.008-12.724, p=0.001), International Society of Urological Pathology grade ≥4 (OR 9.369, 95% CI 2.109-21.626, p=0.003) and higher PPATT (OR 1.358, 95% CI 1.081-1.707, p=0.009) were independent risk factors for upstaging after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the PPATT may be a predictive indicator for upstaging after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Clinical predictors and significance of adherent periadrenal fat in laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Adrenalectomy requires the anatomic preparation of the adrenal gland in the fat-rich retroperitoneal space. In the literature, it was shown that the retroperitoneal fat area affects surgical outcomes in laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Besides the quantity of retroperitoneal fat, its qualitative properties play hypothetically a significant role in the safety profile and perioperative parameters of LA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with adherent periadrenal fat. METHODS: The prospectively obtained demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 44 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups as adherent periadrenal fat (APAF) and non-APAF group. Periadrenal fat tissue was defined as adherent or non-adherent by the attending surgeon according to the difficulty in dissection of the adrenal gland from the surrounding fat tissue during the operation. RESULTS: The rate of female gender and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was higher in the APAF group (respectively, p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). A ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off point was - 97 HU for APAF. On multivariable analysis using a stepwise regression model, we identified the presence of DM (OR = 5.073; 95% Cl = 2.192-12.387; p = 0.006) and ARFD > -97 HU (OR = 3.727; 95% Cl = 1.898-11.454; p = 0.008) as an independent predictor of APAF. CONCLUSION: APAF seems to affect the perioperative outcomes of LA in terms of operation duration but not perioperative complications.

The Value of Prostate-Specific Antigen Density in Combination with Lesion Diameter for the Accuracy of Prostate Cancer Prediction in Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System 3 Prostate Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the value of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) and lesion diameter (LD) combination in prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: 181 patients who were detected to have prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) 3 lesions in mpMRI and underwent prostate biopsies were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and pathological data of all patients were evaluated. The patients were divided into four groups according to PSAD and LD status (PSAD <0.15 ng/mL/cc + LD <1 cm, PSAD <0.15 ng/mL/cc + LD ≥1 cm, PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc + LD <1 cm, and PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc + LD ≥1 cm). Diagnostic ability for PCa and clinical significant PCa (csPCa) was evaluated by PSAD and LD. RESULTS: PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc (OR = 6; 95% Cl = 2.847-12.647; p < 0.001), LD ≥1 cm (OR = 7.341; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.91-18.52; p < 0.001), and combination of PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc and LD ≥1 cm (OR = 10.023; 95% CI = 4.32-23.252; p < 0.001) were associated with PCa detection rates. The most sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values were found in PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc + LD ≥1 cm group for both PCa and csPCa detection (48.8%, 92%, 85.2%, and 65.6% for any PCa detection; 66.7%, 85.2%, 97.3%, and 24.2% for csPCa detection, respectively). CONCLUSION: The presence of PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/cc or LD ≥1 cm in mpMRI of patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions is associated significantly with the finding of PCa and particularly with the detection of csPCa.

Development of a new scoring system predicting medical expulsive therapy success on 4-10 mm distal ureteral stones: medical expulsive therapy stone score (METSS).

Ureteral stone passage by using medical expulsive therapy (MET) are affected by numerous radiological and clinical parameters. We aimed to construct a scoring system, which would be based on clinical and computed tomography (CT)-derived data, to predict the success of the MET approach. 186 patients presenting to urology clinic or emergency department with unilateral single 4-10 mm distal ureteral stone and who had MET were included. All patients were divided into two groups as the MET-successful group and the MET-unsuccessful group. The success rate of MET was 67.2%. Stone size ≥ 6.5 mm, stone density > 1078 HU, ureteral wall thickness (UWT) > 2.31 mm, ureteral diameter (UD) > 9.24 mm, presence of periureteral stranding (PUS) and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) were stated as the independent risk factors. Based on the regression coefficients on multivariate logistic regression analysis, 1 point for stone size > 6.5 mm, 2 points for stone density > 1078 HU, 2 points for UWT > 2.31 mm, 3 points for UD > 9.24 mm, 1 point for presence of PUS and 1 point for presence of DM were assigned to patients for each risk factor. Higher medical expulsive therapy stone score (METSS) indicated lower MET success. All patients were classified into three risk groups according to METSS: low risk (0-3 points; success percentage: 92.8%); intermediate risk (4-5 points; success percentage: 60.4%) and high risk (6-10 points; success percentage: 8.3%). The METSS seems to separate successfully the patients with a favorable or adverse constellation of factors.

Is intraoperative ultrasonography necessary in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for exophytic tumours?

INTRODUCTION: The value of IOUS has been proven especially for endophytic kidney tumours, but has not been assessed critically for exophytic kidney tumours. We aimed to evaluate the value of IOUS for exophytic kidney tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of LPN cases were collected prospectively between 2000 and 2022. Thirty-two of 535 patients who underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy without IOUS were matched with the IOUS applied cases according to tumour size, tumour localization and PADUA score. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of the matching parameters. The average warm ischemia time was 14 min for the IOUS group (range 9-32 min) and 20 min for the non-IOUS group (range 7-52 min) (p = 0.01). Also, the average cutting time was shorter in the IOUS group (6 min vs 9 min) (p = 0.046). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of suturing times (8 min vs 8.5 min) (p = 0.66). The average tumour size was 3.5 cm and pathologically-proven residual tumour was detected in one patient in each group. CONCLUSION: The use of IOUS in laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy for exophytic kidney tumours may shorten the warm ischemia time by reducing the cutting time.

The effect of duloxetine on female sexual functions in the treatment of stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as urinary incontinence that occurs with coughing, sneezing, and physical exercise. It is frequently observed in women after middle age and has a negative impact on their sexual function. Duloxetine as one of the Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) is commonly used in the non-surgical treatment of SUI. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of duloxetine, which is used in the treatment of SUI, on sexual functions in female patients. METHODS: The study included 40 sexually active patients who received duloxetine 40 mg twice a day for the treatment of SUI. All patients had female sexual function index (FSFI), Beck's depression inventory (BDI), and incontinence quality of life score (I-QOL) applied before and 2 months after starting duloxetine treatment. RESULTS: FSFI total score significantly increased from 19.9 to 25.7 (p < 0.001). In addition, significant improvement was observed in all sub-parameters of FSFI, including arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain/discomfort (p < 0.001, for each FSFI subtotal score). BDI significantly decreased from 4.5 to 1.5 (p < 0.001). I-QOL score significantly increased from 57.6 to 92.7 after the duloxetine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although SNRIs carry a high risk of sexual dysfunction, duloxetine may have an indirect positive effect on female sexual activity, both through its stress incontinence treatment and its antidepressant effect. In our study, Duloxetine, one of the treatment options for stress urinary incontinence and an SNRI, has a positive effect on stress urinary incontinence, mental health, and sexual activity in patients with SUI.

Quality analysis of YouTube videos on vulvodynia.

Background: Social media, with its low cost and easy accessibility, represents an ideal medium for sharing medical interests, but the quality of its content is questionable. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of video content related to vaginismus on YouTube as a source of information by using scores of established classification systems. The secondary aim was to examine the relationship between objective and subjective measures of their quality. Methods: The term vaginismus was typed into the YouTube search bar (http://www.youtube.com). The first 50 videos with the highest number of views were included in the study. All videos were assessed on August 18, 2022, by a gynecologist and/or a urologist experienced in vulvodynia. Data of all the videos were recorded, such as source, content, duration, day since upload date, number of views, number of likes, number of comments, and views per day. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) and modified DISCERN score were employed to assess the quality of the videos. Outcomes: The primary outcomes of this study were the scores of established classification systems and the measures relating to the preference and evaluation of viewers of YouTube videos on vulvodynia. Results: A total of 50 videos were evaluated. The sources of 32 (64%) of these videos were "universities/professional organizations/nonprofit physicians/physicians" and "stand-alone health information websites." The GQS and modified DISCERN scores of the videos whose source was "universities/professional organizations/nonprofit physicians/physicians" were higher than those whose source was "talk show programs/television programs" (P = .014 for GQS score, P = .046 for modified DISCERN score). When classified according to GQS score, the quality level of 58% of the videos was low. Of the videos whose source was "universities/professional organizations/nonprofit physicians/physicians," 56.3% were of good quality. Clinical Implications: The quality of information was very low and suggested that health care professionals should take on a more active role in configuring the qualitative characteristics of the material available online about the given health issues. Strengths and Limitations: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the quality of YouTube videos on vaginismus (vulvodynia). However, the limitation of this study is the relatively subjective evaluation of videos, including the risk of observer bias, although we attempted to overcome this problem with the inclusion of 2 independent reviewers and the use of validated tools. Conclusion: YouTube videos may offer a huge amount of information about this condition, but the quality of the available sources is heterogeneous.

Tayadhuq (Theodocus/Théodoros) and his role in the formation of Islamic medicine.

Tayadhuq, also known as Theodocus/Théodoros (d. early 8th century AD), was educated in the Gondes̲h̲apur School and served the Sassanid kings. During this period, he contacted the Umayyad court and became the physician of Hajjaj ibn Yusuf (d. 715 AD), the general governor of the Eastern regions of the caliphate. In addition to his knowledge on the Sassanid scientific tradition, Tayadhuq had a significant role in transferring this tradition to the Islamic world. His ideas were later followed by polymath physicians such as Rhazes (Abu Bakr al-Razi, d. 925 AD), Avicenna (Ibn Sina, d. 1037 AD), and others who lived after him. His medical works were of great importance to the development of early Islamic medicine. Therefore, this study will attempt to illuminate this forgotten scholar's medical knowledge, the works he produced, and finally illustrate his influences on later Muslim physicians.

Efficacy of plasma atherogenic index in predicting malignancy in the presence of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System 3 (PI-RADS 3) prostate lesions.

PURPOSE: Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) was shown to be positively correlated with the presence of malignity in patients with suspicious findings for renal cell cancer and colon cancer in reported studies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether there is an association with the presence of malignity in patients PI-RADS 3 prostate lesions and PAI. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the data of 139 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic and cognitive fusion prostate biopsy for PI-RADS 3 lesions in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were divided to two groups as malign (n = 33) and benign (n = 106). The association between age, body mass index, comorbidities, smoking status, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, free/total PSA, prostate weight, lesion diameter, triglyceride value, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol value, PAI value data and presence of malignity were investigated by descriptive, multivariate and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: PSA, PSAD, lesion diameter and PAI value were statistically significantly higher in the malignant group compared to the benign group, and the free/total PSA ratio was lower. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PSA > 9.9 ng/ml, free/total PSA < 12.1%, lesion diameter > 13.5 mm and PAI > 0.13 were identified as independent risk factors for presence of prostate malignancy. CONCLUSION: PAI was found to be a predictive parameter for prostate cancer in PI-RADS 3 prostate lesions. Our study can open new thoughts about PAI as metric to assess the prostate cancer risk.

The effect of percussion, diuresis and inversion therapy on RIRS success for lower renal pole stones.

Introduction: Inversion of the patient, forced diuresis after hydration, and mechanical percussion technique was developed for lower renal pole (LRP) stones with extracorporeal shock wave (ESWL). In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of percussion, diuresis and inversion (PDI) therapy on the success rates of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the LRP stones. Material and methods: 114 patients who underwent RIRS for LRP stones <2cm were included in this study. Patients' demographic, clinical, radiological and anatomical features and success status were recorded prospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. One group received RIRS procedure only (non-PDI group) and the other group received PDI therapy after the RIRS procedure (PDI group). Results: PDI was performed to 60 (52.6%) patients, and not performed to 54 (47.4%) patients. The success rate (58.3%) for the PDI group was higher than the non-PDI group (25.9%), and this difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, stone size (OR = 1.306; 95% CI = 1.019-1.674; p <0.001), IU (OR = 1.702; 95% CI = 1.383-2.096; p <0.001) and not performing PDI therapy (p <0.001) OR = 9.455; 95% Cl = 2.426-10.853; p = 0.001) were revealed to be independent risk factors for failure. Conclusions: PDI therapy increases the success rates of RIRS performed for the LRP stones.

Does surgical position affect infective complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

The downward orientation of the access sheath during supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) allows the faster evacuation of fluids and stone fragments. It theoretically can contribute to the reduction of the high intrarenal pressure-associated complications. We aimed to investigate whether there is a difference between prone and supine PCNL in terms of infective complications. This retrospective study includes 182 patients who underwent supine and prone PCNL due to kidney stones in our clinic between April 2020 and May 2022. Demographic (age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities), radiological (cumulative stone burden, stone density, number of stones, stone localization, stone laterality, presence of hydronephrosis), clinical (previous stone surgery, previous urinary tract) and perioperative (prone or supine position, surgery duration, hospitalization, success, non-infective and infective complications) data of all patients were evaluated. All patients were divided into two groups, the prone position group, and the supine position group. These two groups were compared in terms of pre and postoperative data above. Infective complications were observed in 16 (18%) patients in the prone position group and in 7 (7.5%) patients in the supine position group, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.034). Surgery duration (OR = 1.041; 95% CI 1.021-1.061; p < 0.001), number of stones (OR = 4.09; 95% CI 1.093-7.309; p = 0.036), previous urinary tract infection (OR = 6.272; 95% CI 1.936-9.317; p = 0.002) and prone position (OR = 4.511; 95% CI 1.265-7.087; p = 0.02) were found as independent risk factors for infective complications. Prone position was proved as an independent predictor of postoperative infectious events. Supine PCNL will be further adopted as the standard PCNL approach by a continuously growing proportion of endourologists.

Cribriform Morphology in Gleason Score 3+4 Moderate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Is it Risk Factor for Biochemical Recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: Studies have reported that the cribriform morphology observed in prostate biopsy is associated with increased up-staging, upgrading, positive surgical margins and aggressive prognosis after radical prostatectomy. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between cribriform morphology and biochemical recurrence in patients with moderate-risk localized PCa with a Gleason score of 3+4 (ISUP grade 2) after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Datas of 177 patients in the moderate-risk group who were evaluated as ISUP grade 2 after radical prostatectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups as without (Group 1) and with biochemical recurrence (Group 2). Age, preoperative PSA level, T stage, follow-up time and presence of cribriform morphology in both groups were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The mean preoperative serum total PSA level (group 1: 8.2 ± 3.9 and group 2: 11.9 ± 4.7) and presence of cribriform morphology (group 1: 25 (16%) and group 2: 9 (42%)) was significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). According to the results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative serum total PSA level and pres-ence of cribriform morphology were found to be independent risk factors for biochemical recurrence (OR: 4,4; %95 Cl: 1,6-11,7; p=0.003 and OR: 4,7; %95 Cl: 1,7-13,1; p=0,003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cribriform morphology of PCa is a risk factor for biochemical recurrence in patients with moderate risk and GS 3+4. In this respect, individualizing PCa cases accompanied by cribriform morphology from other Gleason Score 3+4 cases seems to be an appropriate approach.

Can preoperative inflammatory markers predict the success of varicocelectomy?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inflammation on the success of varicocelectomy by using some inflammatory markers. Adult male patients aged ≥18 years who were evaluated for infertility, had abnormal parameters in at least two preoperative semen analyses and underwent subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups; those showing improvement in semen parameters were determined as Group A and those without improvement as Group B and compared with each other. A total of 102 patients were included in this study. Group A contained 32 (31.4%) patients while Group B had 70 (68.6%) patients. Monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were found to be statistically significantly higher in Group B (p = 0.014 and p = 0.028 respectively). Although preoperative sperm concentration and total motile sperm count were higher in Group B, postoperative all semen parameters were significantly higher in Group A. The cutoff points that were determined using the Youden test were <2.02 for NLR (AUC = 0.636, CI = 0.519-0.754; p = 0.028) and <0.22 for MLR (AUC = 0.652, CI = 0.531-0.773; p = 0.014). Pre-varicocelectomy low NLR and MLR values were found to be significant parameters in predicting the success of the surgery.

Feasibility of E-PASS score to predict postoperative complications in laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of E-PASS score to predict postoperative complications after laparoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2020, 424 patients (179 patients: simple nephrectomy, 158 patients: radical nephrectomy, 87 patients: donor nephrectomy) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in our clinic, were included in the study. Patient groups separated according to the presence of postoperative complications were compared retrospectively regarding demographic, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative data, comorbidities, and E-PASS scores (PRS, SSS, and CRS). The relationship between postoperative complications and E-PASS scores was examined. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 43 (10.1%) of the patients. Age, previous abdominal/retroperitoneal surgery, radical nephrectomy rate of surgeries, operation time, amount of bleeding, need for blood transfusion, rate of conversion from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery, hospitalization time, E-PASS PRS, SSS, and CRS were statistically significantly higher in the group with postoperative complications. The cutoff value of the E-PASS CRS was - 0.2996 to predict the development of postoperative complications (AUC = 0.706; 95% CI 0.629-0.783; p < 0.001). According to multivariate analysis, presence of previous abdominal/retroperitoneal surgery (OR 2.977; 95% CI 1.502-5.899; p = 0.002), laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (OR 2.518; 95% CI 1.224-5.179; p = 0.012), conversion from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery (OR 4.869; 95% CI 1.046-22.669; p = 0.044) and E-PASS CRS > - 0.2996 (OR 2.816; 95% CI 1.321-6.004; p = 0.007) were found to be independent risk factors predicting postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The E-PASS scoring system is an effective and convenient system for predicting postoperative complications after laparoscopic nephrectomy.