Is extracorporeal lithotripsy a first-line treatment for urinary stones today?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of extracorporeal lithotripsy (SWL) as a first-line treatment for renal and ureteral stones METHODS: Retrospective and observational study of all the patients treated with lithotripsy in a third level center between January 2014 and January 2021; characteristics of the patients, the stones, complications and results of SWL is recollected. Multivariate logistic regression of the factors associated with stone size reduction was performed. A statistical analysis of the factors associated with additional treatment after SWL and factors associated with complications is also executed. RESULTS: 1727 patients are included. Stone mean size was 9,5mm. 1540 (89.4%) patients presented reduction in stone size. In multivariate analysis, stone size (OR=1.13; p=0.00), ureteral location of the lithiasis (OR=1.15; p=0.052) and number of waves (p=0.002; OR=1.00) used in SWL are the factors associated with reduction of stone size. Additional treatment after lithotripsy was needed in 665 patients (38.5%). The factors associated with the need for retreatment were stone size (OR=1.131; p=0.000), number of waves (OR=1.000; p=0.000), energy (OR=1.005; p=0.000). 153 patients (8.8%) suffered complications after SWL. A statistically significant association was found between the size of the lithiasis (p=0.024, OR=1.054) and the previous urinary diversion (P=0.004, OR=0.571). CONCLUSION: Lithotripsy remains an effective treatment as the first line of therapy for reno-ureteral lithiasis with a low percentage of complications.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for lower calyx stones: predicting treatment success.

INTRODUCTION: The use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for lower calyx stones is associated with a high rate of residual fragments. Our aim is to analyse the effectiveness and complications of ESWL for lower calyx stones. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with lower renal calyx stones treated with ESWL between January-2014 and December-2020. Measurement of infundibular length, infundibular width and infundibulopelvic angle in lower renal pole to determine favourable anatomy. ESWL failure: fragments >3 mm detected in plain abdominal film, CT scan and/or renal ultrasound 3 months after treatment. Complications after ESWL, auxiliary procedures along with risk factors associated with perirenal haematoma were analysed. SPSS statistical software was used. RESULTS: 512 patients with lower calyx stones were treated with ESWL. 80.3% of patients had a favourable anatomy. Overall stone-free rate was 70.5%. Regarding main complications after ESWL, stainstrasse was described in 5 patients and urinary tract infection in 3 patients. 10 perirenal haematomas (2%) were reported. Statistical association was found between antiplatelet treatment and the risk of perirenal haematoma (p = 0.004). Logistic binary regression proved the association between unfavourable anatomy of the lower renal pole (p = 0.000), size of the stone (p = 0.001), number of shock waves (p = 0.003), energy applied (p = 0.038) and the need for additional treatment after ESWL. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL can still be considered as the initial treatment option for lower renal pole stones. The size of the stone, an unfavourable anatomy of the lower renal calyx, number of shock waves and energy applied can help predict the need for additional treatment.

[Lessons learned after the disruption caused by COVID-19 in the management of urolithiasis: An example of adaptation in a high-volume center]. / Lecciones aprendidas sobre el manejo de la urolitiasis tras los perjuicios causados por la COVID-19: un ejemplo de adaptación en un centro de alto volumen.

Introduction: The aim was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urolithiasis presentation and management. Methods: In this retrospective study, we comparatively evaluated urgent and elective procedures due to urolithiasis during the early 8 months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020) compared to the same period a year before, and between waves. Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the patients' characteristics and outcomes between the 2 periods and waves. Results: Five hundred and thirty procedures were included. The overall numbers of surgical procedures due to urolithiasis were similar between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Regarding elective surgery, our data draw attention to the increased complication rate in the pandemic times, but no statistically significant differences in terms of types of procedures and need for complementary treatments were observed. We noted that patterns of presentation of complicated renal colic were different during COVID-19 pandemic, with a higher number of days after the onset of symptoms and a higher proportion of patients presenting acute kidney injury. Furthermore, a significant increase of creatinine levels at presentation in first wave was detected, and a growth in the number of urgent procedures after the first wave was noted, owing to the delay in urolithiasis treatment and diagnosis. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected both urgent and elective management of urolithiasis. Lessons about the management of urolithiasis in this context should be learned to avoid fatal complications and improve standards of care.

Lessons learned after the disruption caused by COVID-19 in the management of urolithiasis: An example of adaptation in a high-volume center.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on urolithiasis presentation and management. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we comparatively evaluated urgent and elective procedures due to urolithiasis during the early eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020) compared to the same period a year before, and between waves. The student's t-test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the patients' characteristics and outcomes between the two periods and waves. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty procedures were included. The overall numbers of surgical procedures due to urolithiasis were similar between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Regarding elective surgery, our data draw attention to the increased complication rate in the pandemic times, but no statistically significant differences in terms of types of procedures and need for complementary treatments were observed. We noted that patterns of presentation of complicated renal colic were different during COVID-19 pandemic, with a higher number of days after the onset of symptoms and a higher proportion of patients presenting acute kidney injury. Furthermore, a significant increase of creatinine levels at presentation in first wave was detected, and a growth in the number of urgent procedures after the first wave was noted, owing to the delay in urolithiasis treatment and diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected both urgent and elective management of urolithiasis. Lessons about the management of urolithiasis in this context should be learned to avoid fatal complications and improve standards of care.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a focus on microbiological and antibiotic resistance profiles.

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an inflammatory condition of the kidney and its treatment most often involves a combination of antibiotics and nephrectomy. This study aimed to define the clinical features and management of XGP, focusing on microbiological aspects and antibiotic therapy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 27 cases of XGP diagnosed between January 2001 and January 2020 to analyse their clinical and management characteristics. In addition, a literature review was conducted of XGP case series covering the period from 2000-2020. We searched PubMed for case series through April 2020 without language restrictions. Studies reporting case series of XGP (more than ten cases) were included if they were relevant to this study. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed with XGP, and 26 of them were histologically proven to have XGP. A total of 81.5% of the patients were female and the mean age was 59.6 years (SD 19.2). The most frequent symptoms were flank pain (70.4%) and fever (59.3%), while 77.8% of patients had renal stones. Proteus mirabilis was detected in the urine culture in 18.5% of patients, followed by detection of Escherichia coli in 14.8% of patients. The computed tomography (CT) findings included perirenal (29.6%) or pararenal (29.6%) involvement in the majority of patients. Twenty-six patients underwent nephrectomy. Piperacillin/tazobactam and ceftriaxone were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for treatment. The reported piperacillin/tazobactam and ceftriaxone resistance rates were 14.3% and 16.6%, respectively. Twenty-six case series were included in the literature review, reporting 693 cases in total. CONCLUSION: We found well-established characteristics of XGP patients among series in terms of previous history, clinical, laboratory and imaging findings, and operative and postoperative outcomes. It is important to know the clinical presentation and potential severity of XGP, as well as the most frequently involved microorganisms and their antibiotic resistance profiles, to select the most appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Intraparenchymal renal artery pseudoaneurysm following nephrostomy tube insertion in a patient with a solitary kidney: A case report.

Intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms are uncommon and represent less than 10% of all renal artery aneurysms. They are caused by trauma or iatrogenic injury, and their rupture can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. We report the case of a 48-year-old male with history of left solitary kidney and orthotopic neobladder, who presented with massive hematuria 7 days after nephrostomy tube placement because of obstructive uropathy and acute renal failure due to ureteroileal stricture. An abdominal CT angiography revealed an intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysm, and it was successfully treated with superselective endovascular embolization, achieving maximal parenchymal preservation.

Combined laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent urinary incontinence. / Técnica quirúrgica para la corrección simultánea del prolapso de órganos pélvicos y la incontinencia urinaria recidivada mediante laparoscopia.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) is the gold standard treatment for apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has a high success rate in treating recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). OBJECTIVE: To describe the first simultaneous LSC and AUS implantation through a vesicovaginal approach to the bladder neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Operation is performed through a transperitoneal approach. The rectovaginal space is created and the posterior mesh is fixed. The vesicovaginal and both laterovesical spaces are dissected. The vesicovaginal space is connected to both lateral spaces. This is main step of the procedure because it let us place the cuff around the bladder neck in a non-blind fashion. The anterior mesh is fixed to the vagina. The anterior side of the bladder neck is dissected and the cuff implanted. Both meshes are fixed to the promontory. Pressure-regulating balloon is inserted, the pump is placed in the labia majora and the components are connected. Peritoneum is closed. RESULTS: Surgical time was 180 minutes, bladder catheter was removed at 5th postoperative day, hospital stay was 5 days. The AUS was activated 6 weeks after surgery. No perioperative complications occurred. After 12 months the patient is pad-free and prolapse was objectively and subjectively cured. CONCLUSIONS: Vesicovaginal dissection is a shared step in this technique of LSC and AUS implantation. This approach could minimize the risk of bladder neck injury. We propose this technique in selected cases of prolapse and recurrent SUI.