Safety and efficacy of superior calyceal access versus inferior calyceal access for pelvic and/or lower calyceal renal calculi- a prospective observational comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety between superior calyceal access and inferior calyceal access for pelvic and/or lower calyceal renal stones. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with Pelvic and/or inferior calyceal renal calculi were allocated to the superior calyceal access (group 1) or inferior calyceal access (group 2) treatment arm. Allocation of treatment access was based on the surgeon's preference. Variables studied included stone free rate, operating time, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was executed using SPSS, Version 16.0. The statistical significance was evaluated at 5% level of significance (p value < 0.05). RESULTS: Between July 2018 and February 2019, 63 patients were included in each group. The percutaneous inserted guidewire entered the ureter in 92% in group1 and 74.6% in group 2 (p = 0.034). Stone fragments migrated to the middle calyx in 3.2% in group1 and 9.5% in group 2 (p = 0.033). A second puncture was required in one patient in group 1 and in 5 patients in group 2 (p = 0.04). The operative duration (minutes) was 13.46 ± 1.09 in the group 1 while 16.58 ± 1.44 in the group 2 (p = 0.002). Thoracic complications (hydropneumothorax) occurred to 2 patients in superior calyceal access group managed with intercostal tube drainage (p = 0.243).Post operatively blood transfusion was required in two patients in group 2 (p = 0.169). Angioembolization was done in one patient among the inferior calyceal access approach (p = 0.683). Complete stone clearance assessed at 3 months was 96.8% in group 1 and 85.7% in group 2 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Superior calyceal access is a safe and most efficacious in terms of achieving complete stone clearance rate with reduced operative time, minimal blood loss, less need for a second puncture and auxiliary procedures at minimal complications. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinical trials registry - INDIA; CTRI/2018/07/014,687.

Coffin-Siris syndrome with the rarest constellation of congenital cardiac defects: A case report with review of literature.

We report a case of type-A Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) with a unique constellation of congenital heart defects. A 17-year-old Indian boy was referred to our hospital for central cyanosis with features of right heart failure. The cardiac abnormalities included biventricular outflow tract obstruction, small atrial septal defect (ASD), subaortic ventricular septal defect, drainage of left superior venacava to left atrial appendage, and aortic arch anomaly. Patient underwent successful right ventricular infundibular resection, subaortic membrane resection, closure of atrial and ventricular septal defect, rerouting left superior vena cava to left pulmonary artery and aortic valve replacement.