Clinical Comparison between Three Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscope Models: A Real-World Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing different single-use flexible ureteroscope (su-fURS) models are lacking. The objective was to compare three types of su-fURS: the Uscope 3022 (PUSEN), LithoVue (Boston Scientific), and EU-scope (Innovex). METHODS: This was a retrospective study comparing the clinical outcomes from patients undergoing flexible ureteroscopy with one of the three su-fURS for upper urinary tract stone treatment between September 2019 and 2021. Analysis included total surgery and fluoroscopy time, post-procedure ureteral catheter, stone-free rate (SFR), and complications. RESULTS: There were 104 cases with the Uscope 3022, 141 with LithoVue, and 80 with EU-scope. Groups were comparable in terms of stone size, location and density, and prior double-J stent presence. Multivariate analysis showed no difference in terms of SFR: 79% (Uscope 3022), 77.5% (LithoVue), and 81% (EU-scope); p = 0.38. Significant differences were found for total surgery and fluoroscopy time, as well as ureteral access sheath use (p < 0.001), favoring the EU-scope group. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The three devices evaluated are highly effective in treatment of kidney stones. Reasons for difference in total surgery and fluoroscopy time and access sheath use are not clear. However, this could be explained by technical aspects of these devices, such as external diameter, optical resolution, and field of view.

Temperature effect of Moses™ 2.0 during flexible ureteroscopy: an in vitro assessment.

Introduction: One of the main issues related to the use of high-power lasers is the associated rise in temperature. The aim of this study was to characterize temperature variations with activation of the Moses™ 2.0 laser. Material and methods: An in vitro experimental study was designed using a high-fidelity uretero-nephroscope simulation model to assess changes in temperature during intracorporeal laser lithotripsy. Renal and ureteral temperature records were obtained from the treatment of BegoStones positioned in the renal pelvis. Different laser settings over three time periods and two possible irrigation flow speeds were evaluated. We considered 43°C as the threshold since it is associated with denaturation of proteins. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to assess quantitative variables and the Kruskal-Wallis test for categorical variables. Results: The highest increase in intrarenal temperature was reached with 30 seconds of laser activation at a laser setting of 0.5 J/100 Hz (50 W) and a flow of 10 mL/min. Only 15 seconds of activation was sufficient for most settings to exceed 43°C. The ureteral temperature did not increase significantly, regardless of the combination of laser setting, time, or irrigation flow, except when 30 W was used for a 30 second period. Multivariate analysis showed that an irrigation flow of 20 mL/min produced an intrarenal temperature decrease of 4.7-9.2°C (p <0.001). Conclusions: Use of high-power lasers, both for the ureter and kidney, should involve consideration of temperature increases evidenced in this study, due to the potential biological risk entailed.

ROBOT Assisted Laparoscopic Surgeries For Nononcological Urologic Disease: Initial Experience With Hugo Ras System.

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with the use of HUGO Robotic Assisted Surgery System (RAS) for nononcological urologic disease. METHODS: We collected retrospective data describing clinical outcomes from patients undergoing surgeries for nononcological urologic disease with the new HUGO RAS. Analysis included: total surgery and console time, docking time, estimated bleeding, complications, and pain after surgery. RESULTS: There were 5 patients operated for nononcological urologic disease. The mean age was 50 years (range 32-70), comorbidities were mild (2 patients with chronic hypertension) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification was 2. Total surgical time ranged from 150 to 257 minutes, and console time from 89 to 164 minutes, each depending on the intervention. The mean docking time was 8.5 minutes (range 5.7-11). No intraoperative complications, instrument clashes, or system failure that compromised the surgery's completion were recorded. Mean blood loss ranged from 10-30 mL, and there were no postoperative complications. Postoperative pain classified from 0-10 at 1, 6, and 12 hours was low (range 0-3), and pain before discharge was 0 for all patients. Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 5 days, depending on the intervention. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery was introduced in early 2000s and was rapidly adopted. Initially, this technology was reserved for oncological surgery, later expanding to nononcological conditions. These preliminary results are comparable to the previous robotic systems, suggesting the multiple potential uses of the HUGO RAS. The adoption of this technology has the potential to improve patient accessibility for less-invasive therapies in developing countries.

Ureteral Avulsion During Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery: When the Unexpected Happens.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman affected by bilateral urinary stones. Bilateral semirigid ureteroscopy was performed followed on the left side by a flexible ureteroscopy, caused by localization of the stone. Unfortunately, disinsertion of the left ureter occurred during the intervention. Open conversion was performed in the same single procedure for left ureteral reimplant. After an easy recovery, the patient was rehospitalized on day 9 postintervention for left pyelonephritis. This case report discusses the management of this rare but serious complication, including the necessity for quick thinking and decision making.

Endoscopic treatment of lower pole stones: is a disposable ureteroscope preferable? Results of a prospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The best option for lower pole stone management is still under debate. With the recent incorporation of disposable ureteroscopes, discussion on this topic has been renewed. The aim of the present study was to compare the results obtained with flexible disposable ureteroscopes with those obtained using reusable ureteroscopes in the treatment of inferior calyx stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out using data registered prospectively in a database at our center. The clinical results obtained in two groups of patients were analyzed. In the first group of patients, a reusable flexible fiber-optic ureteroscope (Cobra®, Richard Wolf) was used, and in the second group, a disposable flexible ureteroscope was used (Uscope 3022®, Pusen Medical). The variables analyzed included: operative time, fluoroscopy time, need for postprocedure ureteral catheter, stone-free rate (fragments <1 millimeter) and complications. The results were evaluated using a Student's t test, a Mann-Whitney test and a Fisher's test. RESULTS: There were 31 cases with disposable ureteroscopes and 30 cases with a reusable ureteroscope. Both groups were comparable in their demographic and clinical variables. The characteristics regarding length, width and angle of the infundibulum (measured by retrograde ureteropyelography) were also comparable. There were no differences in the clinical findings with respect to the stone-free rate, need for a ureteral catheter, complications or hospital stay. Significant differences were found in the average surgery time (56.1 vs. 77 minutes; P = 0.01) and in the fluoroscopy time (66.1 vs. 83.4 seconds; P = 0.02), both favoring the use of single use ureteroscopes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, disposable flexible ureteroscopes have been validated as an option that is in the least equivalent to reusable ureteroscopes based on clinical results. The shorter surgical and fluoroscopy durations are possible advantages considering the high costs associated with time spent in the operating room and the need to reduce ionizing radiation.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery using the single - use flexible ureteroscope Uscope 3022 (Pusen™): evaluation of clinical results.

INTRODUCTION: Reusable endoscopes have some limitations regarding their continued use. To sort out these problems, several disposable devices have appeared on the market. Our objective is to show our clinical results with a new digital flexible single-use ureteroscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study presents a prospective series of patients who underwent endoscopic surgery as treatment for renal stones using the digital disposable endoscope Uscope 3022™. Demographic, procedure and stone information were registered including surgery time, stone-free rate, need of ureteral catheterization and complications, among others. The behavior of the ureteroscope in terms of image quality and problems associated with flexibility and the working channel were also registered. RESULTS: A total of 71 procedures were included in the analysis. The mean age was 49.9 years old, with 70.4% of male patients. Mean stone size was 11.4 mm (4 to 40 mm). The most frequent stone location was in the lower calyces (28.2%). The stone burden was high (>2 cm) in 8.4% of patients. The mean surgical time was 56.6 minutes (15-180 min). In 94.4% of the cases, a laser was used with dusting parameters. The global stone-free rate (SFR) was 95.2%, but in the subgroups analysis SFR were significantly superior in stones less than 10 mm (97.9%) versus stones between 10 and 20 mm (94.5%) and greater than 20 mm (78.3%) (p <0.01). The postoperative placement of double-J stents was required in 66.2% of patients. Two minor complications were recorded and they were related to the ureteral access sheath used. There were no problems regarding the performance of the ureteroscope. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical data observed in this series does not differ from the results traditionally obtained with other reusable devices. To our knowledge, this series is the first worldwide report evaluating the clinical behavior and results in humans of the Uscope 3022.

Subcapsular Renal-Infected Hematoma After Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery: A Rare but Serious Complication.

We report a case of a 53-year-old woman affected by a left kidney stone and persistent positive urinary culture treated by retrograde intrarenal surgery. During postoperative day 1, she developed a sudden back pain associated with a decrease in hemoglobin. CT scan showed a subcapsular hematoma giving the impression of partial compression of kidney and upper urinary tract. For that reason, in the first instance, a Double-J ureteral stent was installed. Unfortunately, an open surgical drainage was necessary because a secondary infection of the hematoma was evident during the following days.

[Shock wave lithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy for lower pole renal stones?]. / ¿Litotricia extracorpórea, nefrolitotomía percutánea o cirugía intrarrenal retrógrada para la nefrolitiasis de polo inferior?

Among the therapeutic alternatives available for the treatment of lower pole renal calculi are extracorporeal lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery. There is controversy about which of these techniques is more effective, especially for stones smaller than 20 mm. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified four systematic reviews including 11 pertinent randomized controlled trials overall. We combined the evidence and generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded percutaneous nephrolithotomy probably increases success rate, but it is not clear if it decreases the need of retreatment compared to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. In comparison to retrograde intrarenal surgery, it may increase success rate, but it is not clear if it decreases the need of retreatment. Retrograde intrarenal surgery may increase success rate, and probably decreases need of retreatment compared to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Dentro de las alternativas terapéuticas disponibles para el tratamiento de la litiasis renal de polo inferior se encuentran la litotricia extracorpórea, la nefrolitotomía percutánea y la cirugía intrarrenal retrógrada. Existe controversia sobre cuál de estas técnicas es más efectiva, sobre todo en cálculos menores de 20 milímetros. Utilizando la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cuál es mantenida mediante búsquedas en 30 bases de datos, identificamos cuatro revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 19 estudios. Realizamos un metanálisis y tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. La nefrolitotomía percutánea probablemente aumenta la tasa libre de cálculos, pero no es claro si disminuye la necesidad de retratamiento comparada con la litotricia extracorpórea. En comparación con cirugía intrarrenal retrógrada podría aumentar la tasa libre de cálculos, pero no es claro si disminuye la necesidad de retratamiento. La cirugía intrarrenal retrógrada podría aumentar la tasa libre de cálculos, y probablemente disminuye la necesidad de retratamiento, comparada con la litotricia extracorpórea.

Validation of a high-fidelity model in ureteroscopy incorporating hand motion analysis.

PURPOSE: To establish the construct validity of a semirigid ureteroscopy in a high-fidelity simulation model, incorporating hand motion analysis as a paramount part of evaluation. METHODS: Participants were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (9 junior residents, without experience in ureteroscopy), group II (9 senior residents, with variable experience in ureteroscopy) and group III (2 experts in endourologist); each group performed a single practice session in the high-fidelity bench model, which was previously prepared with small urinary stone phantom in the mid-ureter. Assessment was done using motion tracking device (ICSAD). Procedures were recorded in external vision and endoscopic vision and scored by two blinded evaluators using a Global Rating Scale and ureteral checklist (OSATS). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in time taken, path length, numbers of movements, Global Rating Scale and checklist in favor of the experts group. Subanalysis demonstrated no relevant differences between groups II and III in general dexterity parameters except for the non-dominant hand, where experts showed a significant less number of movement (34 vs 221; p = 0.03) and path length (12.1 vs 45.1; p = 0.03). The interrater reliability of the GRS was excellent (0.81; p < 0.001), while for checklist ICC was moderate (0.45; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of ICSAD into the construct validity of this ureteroscopy model complements traditional methods used to achieve construct validity (OSATS). To our knowledge, this study is the first report using motion analysis as a tool for performance evaluation in a simulated endourological procedure.

Ureteroscopic lithotripsy for distal ureteral calculi: comparative evaluation of three different lithotriptors.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We report the results of a randomized controlled trial comparing three different lithotriptors using semirigid ureteroscopy (URS) for distal ureteral stones. METHODS: Between September 2009 and November 2010 69 patients undergoing ureteroscopy were randomized to three groups: LithoClast classic (Group 1), Holmium Laser (Group 2), and StoneBreaker™ (Group 3). A 7.5F semirigid ureteroscope was used in all procedures. The primary outcome was differences in fragmentation time. Secondary outcomes were stone-free rates, intraoperative complications, stone-up migration, hospital stay, analgesic requirement, and need for auxiliary procedures. Patients were followed up at 15 days, 30 days, and 3 months. The stone-free status was defined with noncontrast computed tomography performed at first control. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine clinical and surgical factors that have direct impact on the success of ureteroscopy. Chi-square test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) tests were used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: There were no differences between sociodemographic variables. Average stone size was 7.17±2.04 mm in Group 1; 7.89±2.73 mm in Group 2; and 7.79±2.97 mm in Group 3 (p=0.79). Fragmentation time were similar between lithotriptors; 27.12±4.07 minutes in Lithoclast group; 21.78±2.81 minutes in Laser group, and 27.14±4.71 minutes in StoneBreaker group (p=0.74). Stone-free rates were 96%±11.18% (group 1), 96.9%±8% (group 2), and 96.9%±8.4% (group 3) (p=0.1). No difference was observed in stone-up migration, postoperative Double-J stent placement, or auxiliary procedures. Stone size and the placement of a second working wire were associated with shorter fragmentation time (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The three lithotripsy devices evaluated behaved similarly in terms of the ability to fragment stones, and were equally effective for distal ureteral stones. Adequate fragmentation and fragment removal are mainly dependant on stone size and surgical technique (use of auxiliary wire).

Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy: optimizing surgical technique.

The classic approach to renal stone disease includes shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, and, in some cases, a combination of both. The usefulness of laparoscopy in this regard remains debated. In this report and video, we present our technique of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy assisted by flexible instrumentation to achieve maximal stone clearance in a selected group of patients.

Uso rutinario del dispositivo antimigratorio Accordion para prevenir la retropulsión de cálculos ureterales durante la litotripsia intracorpórea con laser Holmium: ¿se justifica su uso? / Routine use of Accordion® antimigratory device for preventing the retropulsion of ureteral stones during intracorporeal lithotripsy with holmium laser: is it justified?

Evaluar el impacto del dispositivo Accordion® (Percsys, Palo Alta, CA) en la prevención de la migración de cálculos ureterales. Materiales y Métodos: Un total de 68 pacientes con cálculos ureterales fueron evaluados en este estudio caso-control. 34 fueron destinados al grupo I (grupo Accordion®) y 34 al grupo II (grupo control). Como objetivo primarios se evaluó la diferencia en tiempo de fragmentación durante el procedimiento. Objetivos secundarios evaluados fueron el tiempo operatorio total, tasa de éxito en la fragmentación del cálculo, requerimiento de catéter ureteral posterior al procedimiento y complicaciones perioperatorias. Resultados: Ambos grupos de pacientes resultaron comparables en término de variables demográficas y características de la litiasis. El tiempo de fragmentación intraoperatoria fue similar entre los grupos (25 minutos en el grupo I vs 24 minutos en el grupo II; p=0,94). No fue encontrada ninguna diferencia estadísticamente significativa en tiempo operatorio total (45 minutos en el grupo I vs 50 minutos en el grupo II; p =0,67) o tasa de éxito en la fragmentación (100 por ciento grupo I vs 97 por ciento grupo II). El análisis multivariado demostró una disminución significativa en la necesidad de instalación de catéter doble J al término del procedimiento con el uso de Accordion durante la ureteroscopía (OR 0.24; CI 0,07-0,90; p=0.034).Conclusión: Ambos grupos en nuestro estudio se comportaron de manera similar con respecto a los resultados inmediatos de la ureteroscopía. La disminución en la necesidad de instalación de un catéter doble J y el costo asociado a éste constituyen un argumento a favor de utilizar el dispositivo Accordion®...

To evaluate the impact of Accordion® (Percsys, Palo Alto , CA) device in preventing stone migration. Methods: A total of 68 patients with ureteral stones were evaluated in this case control study, 34 in group I (Accordion group) and 34 in group II (control group) . As primary outcome we evaluated difference in fragmentation time during the procedure. Secondary outcomes were total operative time, stone free rates, postoperative ureteral catheter requirement and perioperative complications. Results: Both groups of patients were comparable in terms of demographics variables and stone characteristics. Intraoperative fragmentation time was similar between groups (25 minutes for group I vs 24 minutes for group II; p=0,94). No statistically significant difference were found in total operative time (45 minutes for group I vs 50 minutes for group II; p =0,67) or stone free rates (100 percent group I vs 97 percent group II). Multivariate model showed a significant decrease in the need to install a double J catheter at the end of the procedure with the use of Accordion during ureteroscopy (OR 0.24; CI 0,07 -0,90; p=0.034).Conclusions: Both groups in our study behaved similarly with respect to immediate outcome of ureteroscopy. The decrease in the installation of double J stent and the cost associated with it constitutes an argument in favor of the use of Accordion device...