Challenging the wisdom of puncture at the calyceal fornix in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: feasibility and safety study with 137 patients operated via a non-calyceal percutaneous track.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with a central, non-calyceal puncture protocol for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in an attempt to challenge the opinion of worldwide adopted calyceal puncture as the less traumatic site of percutaneous entrance into the collecting system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 2012, a total of 137 consecutive, unselected patients were subjected to PCNL in our department. Non-calyceal punctures were performed to all cases and followed by subsequent track dilations up to 30 Fr. Perioperative and postoperative data were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean operative time (from skin puncture to nephrostomy tube placement) was 48 min. Patients with single, multiple and staghorn stones had primary stone-free rates of 89.2, 80.4 and 66.7 % after PCNL, respectively. The overall complication rate was 10.2 %, while bleeding complications were minimal. Only 4 patients (2.9 %) required blood transfusion. Five patients (3.6 %) had Clavien Grade IIIa complications requiring an intervention for their management and none Grade IV or V. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of evidence that non-calyceal percutaneous tracts could be a risk factor for complications, the concept of calyceal puncture has been worldwide adopted by PCNL surgeons as the sole safe percutaneous entrance into the collective system. Based on our experience, other pathways than the worldwide recognized rule, calyceal puncture, are possible and probably not as dangerous as has been previously stated.

Transvaginal specimen removal in minimally invasive surgery.

The demand for urological surgical treatment associated with better cosmesis, lower morbidity rates and shorter hospitalization constantly grows. The transvaginal route has been proposed in an attempt to avoid long abdominal incisions for the removal of the large laparoscopic specimens. Moreover, the transvaginal NOTES approach represents a promising evolution of laparoscopic surgery to a more "minimally invasive" alternative. The current review summarizes the available experience in the literature in transvaginal conventional laparoscopy and NOTES in urology, gynecology and general surgery. The clinical outcome is presented. The most important issues associated with the transvaginal approach are the complications and the postoperative sexual function. These issues are presented.

Current evidence on lasers in laparoscopy: partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laser-assisted partial nephrectomy (PN) can benefit from the excellent coagulative properties of lasers to provide a bloodless tumor excision without the necessity for renal artery clamping. In this review, we aim to determine the current clinical implementation of laser assistance during laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive literature evaluation on laser-assisted PN was performed. Experimental work on animals and review articles were excluded. RESULTS: Current literature regarding laser-assisted PN is scarce. Available data consist mostly of small cohorts providing low level of evidence. Even though initial studies with currently available laser modalities demonstrated promising results, several drawbacks in each technique need to be addressed before being widely accepted as a standard care. CONCLUSIONS: Experience with laser-assisted laparoscopic PN is steadily increasing and uniformly documenting favorable results. As urologist became more familiar with laser technology by its implementation in other clinical entities and with the increasing interest in nephron-sparing management of renal tumors, the use of laser assistance during PN should be expected to play a major role in future.

Complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is generally considered a safe technique offering the highest stone-free rates after the first treatment as compared to the other minimal invasive lithotripsy techniques. Still, serious complications although rare should be expected following this percutaneous procedure. In this work, the most common and important complications associated with PCNL are being reviewed focusing on the perioperative risk factors, current management, and preventing measures that need to be taken to reduce their incidence. In addition, complication reporting is being criticized given the absence of a universal consensus on PCNL complications description. Complications such as perioperative bleeding, urine leak from nephrocutaneous fistula, pelvicalyceal system injury, and pain are individually graded as complications by various authors and are responsible for a significant variation in the reported overall PCNL complication rate, rendering comparison of morbidity between studies almost impossible. Due to the latter, a universally accepted grading system specialized for the assessment of PCNL-related complications and standardized for each variation of PCNL technique is deemed necessary.

Novice surgeons: do they benefit from 3D laparoscopy?

In this study, the impact of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) vision on laparoscopic performance of novice surgeons is examined. Twenty-five novice surgeons were directed to complete four basic tasks from European Training in Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) with both 2D and 3D systems in a random order: task 1: needle guidance, task 2: cutting a circle, task 3: laparoscopic suturing, and task 4: pegs transfer. Quality and quantity scores for each task were measured. Participants completed all of the tasks in one modality of vision and than switched to the other. NASA Task Load Index was used for subjective workload assessment. Statistically significant differences in favor of 3D vision were detected in tasks 1 and 4 both in terms of quality and quantity. In task 2 and task 3, a significantly better performance was observed with the 3D vision only in quantity assessment. The participants who started the tasks in the 3D vision were better in performing the skills in 2D when compared to the participants who started with 2D vision. Overall, the participants reported a better perception of depth and spatial orientation with the 3D mode. Subjective work load was also lower for the tasks performed in 3D. Novice surgeons tended to perform better and felt much more comfortable with 3D in comparison to 2D laparoscopy. Even though previous task experience seemed to have an important impact on laparoscopic performance regardless of imaging modality, 3D laparoscopy seemed to facilitate the learning for novice surgeons.

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using barbed sutures for mesh fixation and peritoneal closure: A safe option to reduce operational times.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) has established itself as a safe method for the management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Laparoscopic suturing is a time-consuming intraoperative task during LSC. Self-retaining barbed sutures (SBSs) are known to reduce the operative time in laparoscopic cases. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBS during the performance of LSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty female patients with symptomatic POP were treated with LSC by an expert surgeon. The preoperative evaluation included the International Continence Society POP-quantification (POP-Q) and the prolapse-specific quality-of-life questionnaire Mesh fixation was performed with SBS anteriorly on the anterior vaginal wall and posteriorly on the levator ani muscle. A 5-mm titanium tacking device was used for promontofixation. The peritoneum was also closed with an SBS. RESULTS: Mean patient's age was 63 years (range: 50-79 years). According to POP-Q, system 3 patients (15%) had Stage I, 12 patients (60%) had Stage II, 3 patients (15%) had Stage III, and 2 patients (10%) had Stage IV prolapse. Concomitant hysterectomy was performed in 14 patients, respectively. Mean operative time was 99.75 (range: 65-140) min, mean blood loss was 57.75 (range: 30-120) ml. One patient had a bladder perforation intraoperatively, and three patients developed transient fever postoperatively. One patient had a recurrent cystocele and three patients recurrent rectocele. CONCLUSIONS: The current study renders the use of SBS during LSC to be safe and efficient. Further comparative studies would elucidate the impact of the use of SBS in LSC.

Deep sedation in GreenLight laser prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of ketamine and propofol combination for the performance of photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients undergoing PVP for benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in the study. Co-morbidities were present in 24 patients. Midazolam 2 mg intravenous was administered for the induction to anesthesia. Propofol (10 mg/ml) and ketamine (1 mg/ml) were administered with the use of two pumps. An initial bolus dose of 0.03 ml/kg of propofol and 5 mg of ketamine was administered intravenously. The anesthesia was maintained by continuous infusion of 0.01 ml/kg/min of propofol and 2 ml/min of ketamine. Fentanyl was administered when deemed necessary. The level of sedation, peri-operative parameters and side-effects were recorded. RESULTS: The average periods from the induction of anesthesia and intraoperative infusion were 12.38 ± 5.84 min and 59.5 ± 22.15 min, respectively. Average propofol and total ketamine dose were 85.5 ± 10.62 µg/kg/min and 144.9 ± 45.62 mg, respectively. The average dose of fentanyl administered was 29.81 ± 27.40 µcg. An average period between the end of the infusion and the discharge to the urology clinic was 34.62 ± 22.89 min. Ten patients experienced nausea and five eventually vomited. Hallucinations were observed in five cases while visual disturbances in two patients. CONCLUSION: The combined use of ketamine and propofol for the performance of PVP proved to be an efficient method for anesthesia. The "deep sedation" provided by these drugs was not associated with significant side-effects. Moreover, the use of the above method is indicated in patients with significant co-morbidities that should undergo PVP.

Thulium Laser in the Upper Urinary Tract: Does the Heat Generation in the Irrigation Fluid Pose a Risk? Evidence from an In Vivo Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: The current experimental study aimed at evaluating the temperature raise of the irrigation fluid caused by the use of the thulium (Tm:YAG) and holmium laser (Ho:YAG) in the upper urinary tract (UT) of pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental setting was designed for the investigation of differences in the temperature of the irrigation fluid in the renal pelvis of a porcine model under different flow rates and laser power settings. The experimental configuration included a single-use flexible ureteroscope, a Tm:YAG and a Ho:YAG laser system. A thermocouple was inserted through a 6F ureteral catheter that was placed parallel to the FlexVue in the renal pelvis. An additional thermocouple was placed next to the renal pelvis after open preparation of the kidney. Irrigation was achieved with either the irrigation bags placed 1 m above the level of the pig or with the use of an irrigation pump (30 and 60 compressions per minute). RESULTS: Tm:YAG (10, 20, 30, 40 W): The higher flow provided by the pump system minimized the increase of temperature within the renal pelvis regardless of the laser power. The external temperature increase was lower in comparison to the increase inside the renal pelvis. The internal temperature could increase up to 10.5°C from a baseline value of 23°C. Ho:YAG (10, 20 W): There was no temperature change or an increase of only 2.1°C under the different power and irrigation flow rate settings. There were no differences in the temperature between the inside and outside of the renal pelvis. CONCLUSION: The use of Tm:YAG in continuous mode with power settings up to 40 W and flow rates similar to those used in the clinical practice seemed to result in temperature increases in the irrigation fluid, which do not represent a risk for the renal tissue during the UT endoscopic surgery.

Integrating Three-Dimensional Vision in Laparoscopy: The Learning Curve of an Expert.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy has been developed in an attempt to address one of the main limitations of laparoscopic surgery, which is two-dimensional (2D) vision. Still, data on the learning curve during adaptation of such technology in clinical practice are scarce. In this study, perioperative data from the initial operations performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon in a 3D laparoscopic setup are presented, aiming to document any difficulties faced during the integration of 3D vision to laparoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 15 consecutive, unselected cases were operated using 3D laparoscopy within a 30-day period. The cases included five laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomies, three nephrectomies, three partial nephrectomies, one nephrouretectomy, one adrenalectomy, one ureterolithotomy, and one radical cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomies. Perioperative data were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The transition from 2D to 3D laparoscopy for the expert surgeon seemed to be very rapid without compromising the efficacy of the operation or patient safety. Perioperative outcomes and complications resembled the outcomes of our 2D experience. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience with 3D laparoscopy was favorable, and we definitely opt for 3D vision in future operations. Nevertheless, current systems are related to several technical limitations that should be addressed to make even more appealing the further development of this technology. Whether the visual comfort offered by 3D vision during laparoscopy can be translated into an improvement in clinical outcomes offered to patients remains to be addressed in the future.

Modular training for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: The safe way to go.

UNLABELLED: Objectives should be describe a modular training scheme (MTS) which aims to provide training in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) and ensure the safety of the patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two trainees with no experience in PCNL attended the MTS under the supervision of an experienced mentor. The MTS included five modules, comprising an initial animal laboratory course (using pigs), to acquire basic skills (Module 1), and Modules 2-5 included making the puncture, tract dilatation, single-stone and large-stone management in clinical cases, respectively. Each participant progressed from one module to the next under constant mentoring and evaluation by the mentor. When the trainees completed the MTS they proceeded to perform 60 PCNL procedures independently while the mentor performed 25 for comparison purposes. A global rating scale was used for the objective evaluation of the trainees. Peri-operative variables were recorded and statistically compared as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: One pig and 16 patients, and two pigs and 22 patients, were necessary to complete the MTS by each subject. There were no significant differences among the characteristics of the independently performed operations. The duration of surgery and fluoroscopy achieved a plateau similar to those of the mentor after ≈ 30 patients. The decrease in haemoglobin level, stone-free and complication rates in the patients were similar among the two trainees and the mentor. The complication rate of the trainees and the mentor never exceeded 13.3%. CONCLUSION: The MTS successfully combined animal and stepwise clinical training based on a standardised technique and objective evaluation.

Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy: A reasonable option for large prostatic adenomas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: In this work, surgical technique followed by two academic departments on laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) of large prostatic adenomas is being described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The initial cumulative experience from 11 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia origin subjected to LSP is being presented. RESULTS: All cases had prostatic adenomas greater than 80 ml. Mean operation time was 99.5 min (values from 70 to 150 min) and mean blood loss was 205 ml (values from 100 to 300 ml). Blood transfusion was deemed necessary in one case. Bladder catheter was removed successfully on postoperative day 5 in all cases. No significant postoperative complication was noted. At a 3 months follow-up a significant decrease in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was evident in all patients (mean IPSS 27.7 vs. 15.3 preoperative vs. postoperative accordingly). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data and similarly to the rest of the LSP literature, laparoscopic excision of voluminous prostatic adenomas is a feasible and safe procedure. Nevertheless, further investigation including a larger number of patients and long-term follow-up is deemed necessary before making definite conclusions regarding the approach.