Comparative outcomes and cost of ambulatory PCNL in select kidney stone patients.

Limited hospital resources and access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic led us to implement a quality-improvement study investigating the feasibility, safety, and costs of same-day discharge after PCNL. The outcomes of 53 consecutive first-look PCNL patients included in a same-day discharge protocol during COVID-19 were compared to 54 first-look PCNL patients admitted for overnight observation. Control group had a similar comorbidity profile. Demographics, operative details, 30 day outcomes and readmissions, complications, and cost were compared between the two groups. Same-day discharge and one-day admission post-PCNL patients did not have significantly different baseline characteristics. The study group were more likely to have mini-PCNL (81% vs 50%, p < 0.01). Operative characteristics including median pre-operative stone burden (1.4 vs 1.7 cm3, p = 0.47) and post-operative stone burden (0.14 vs 0.18 cm3, p = 0.061) were similar between the two groups. Clavien-Dindo complication rates were lower in the study group compared to controls (0 vs 7%, p = 0.045). Readmission rates (2 vs 4%, p = 0.569) and ED visits (4 vs 6%, p = 0.662) were similar between the two groups. Total cost ($6,648.92 vs $9,466.07, p < 0.01) was significantly lower and operating margin ($4,475.96 vs $1,742.16, p < 0.01) was significantly higher for the same-day discharge group. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy may be performed in select patients without an increase in short-term complications, ED visits, or readmissions. Patients undergoing mini-PCNL are particularly amenable to same-day discharge, however, standard PCNL patients should not be excluded from consideration. Avoiding overnight admission decreases total cost and increased hospital operating margin.

Estado de la urología reconstructiva en Colombia: Tratamiento de la estrechez uretral anterior, una encuesta nacional / Status of Reconstructive urology in Colombia: Treatment of Anterior Urethral Stricture, A National Survey

Purpose El tratamiento mínimamente invasivo de la estrechez uretral tiene altas tasas de recurrencia y re-operación a largo plazo, no obstante, encuestas realizadas en otros países han demostrado que los urólogos tienen poca experiencia con la uretroplastia abierta y hay una preferencia a la utilización de las terapias endoscópicas mínimamente invasivas. El objetivo de este estudio, es describir patrones de práctica del tratamiento de la estrechez de uretra anterior en nuestro país. Métodos Se trata de un estudio observacional descriptivo y para ello se realizó un cuestionario adaptado a nuestro contexto nacional, basado en varios estudios previamente realizados acerca de la experiencia en Urología reconstructiva. Ese cuestionario incluía información sobre la edad, nivel de experiencia en urología general, la experiencia en urología reconstructiva, escenario de la práctica y las técnicas preferidas para el manejo de las estrecheces uretrales pendulares y bulbares. La información fue almacenada de forma anónima, los datos fueron analizados mediante el paquete estadístico SPSS y se realizó un análisis de distribución de frecuencias. Resultados Se obtuvieron 106 respuestas de los urólogos encuestados. Para el tratamiento de la estrechez uretral pendular la mayoría de los urólogos prefiere el manejo endoscópico mínimamente invasivo, seguido de uretroplastia con injerto con porcentajes de 69,9% y 25,5% respectivamente. Solo el 5% prefiere derivar a sus pacientes a un centro especializado. Para la estrechez de la uretra bulbar se prefiere las técnicas mínimamente invasivas, uretroplastia y remisión a un centro especializado en un 44,3%, 41,5% y 14,2% respectivamente. La población más joven y con formación urológica más reciente tiende a hacer más a menudo la uretroplastia con injerto y menos manejo endoscópico, específicamente la uretrotomía interna. En las ciudades intermedias, hay una predilección por el tratamiento endoscópico, especialmente uretrotomía interna. Conclusiones El enfoque de tratamiento mínimamente invasivo de la estrechez uretral es el más frecuentemente elegido a pesar de sus pobres tasas de éxito a largo plazo. Es de destacar que las nuevas generaciones de urólogos muestran más interés y dominio de las técnicas abiertas, tratamiento estándar hoy en día y con bajas tasas de recaídas y reoperación a largo plazo.

The minimally invasive treatment of urethral stricture has higher recurrence and longterm re operation rates. Surveys in other countries have shown that urologists have little experience with open urethroplasty with a preference to the utilization of minimally invasive therapies. We applied a survey to obtain data about practice patterns of the anterior urethral stricture treatment in our country. Methods A survey was performed with adapted questions to our national context based on several surveys previously conducted in other countries about experience in Reconstructive Urology. This questionnaire included information about age, experience level in general urology, experience in reconstructive urology, scenario of practice, and the preferred techniques handling the pendular and bulbar urethral strictures. All information was collected anonymous and data were analyzed using the statistical software package SPSS, and a frequency distribution analysis was performed. Results A total of 106 answers from respondent urologists were obtained. For the treatment of pendular urethral strictures the vast majority of respondents prefer the minimally invasive endoscopic treatment, following by graft urethroplasty with percentages of 69.9% and 25.5% respectively. Only 5% prefer to refer their patients for care at a specialized center. Regarding the bulbar urethral the urologists prefers to perform minimally invasive management, followed by urethroplasty and refer to a specialized center in percentages of 44.3%, 41.5% and 14.2% respectively. The younger and more recent urological trained population tends to make more often graft urethroplasty and less endoscopic management, specifically internal urethrotomy. In the intermediate cities there is a predilection for endoscopic treatment especially internal urethrotomy. Conclusions The minimally invasive treatment approach of urethral stricture is the most frequently chosen despite its poor long-term success rates. It is noteworthy that the new generations of urologists show more interest and mastery of open techniques, which today is the standard treatment with low relapse and long-term re operation rates.

Clinical failure after Dresden repair of mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture: human cadaveric testing.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the angle of clinical failure during cyclical mobilization exercises in the Achilles tendon of human cadaveric specimens that were repaired using the Dresden technique and FiberWire® No. 2. The secondary aim was to identify the secure limit of mobilization, the type of failure, and the type of apposition. METHODS: The lower limbs of eight males (mean age: 60.3 ± 6.3 years) were repaired with the Dresden technique following complete, percutaneous mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture. A basal tension of 10 N at 30° of plantarflexion was placed on each specimen. The angle of the ankle during clinical failure (tendon ends separation >5 mm) was then tested via cyclical exercises (i.e. 100 cycles between 30° and 15° of plantarflexion; 100 cycles between 15° of plantarflexion and 0°; 100 cycles between 0° and 15° of dorsiflexion; and 100 cycles between 15° of dorsiflexion and full dorsiflexion). Clinical failure was determined using the Laplacian edge detection filter, and the angle of clinical failure was obtained using a rotatory potentiometer aligned in relation to the intermalleolar axis of each foot specimen. The type of failure (knot, tendon, or suture) and apposition (termino-terminal or non-termino-terminal) were determined. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain the mean; standard deviation; 95 % confidence interval; 1st, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th percentiles; and the standard error of the mean for angle data. Proportions were used to describe the type of failure and apposition. RESULTS: The main results were a mean angle of clinical failure equal to 12.5° of plantarflexion, a limit of mobilization equal to 14.0° of plantarflexion, tendon failure type, and non-termino-terminal apposition in all specimens. CONCLUSIONS: While the mean angle of clinical failure in human cadaveric models was 12.5° of plantarflexion, after 14.0° of plantarflexion, the percutaneous Dresden technique was found insecure for cyclical mobilization exercises, with a 5 % range of error. These findings are clinically relevant as they provide mechanical limits for diminishing the risk of Achilles lengthening during immediate rehabilitation.

Medial Gastrocnemius Myotendinous Junction Displacement and Plantar-Flexion Strength in Patients Treated With Immediate Rehabilitation After Achilles Tendon Repair.

CONTEXT: Pathologic plantar flexion frequently occurs after operative repair of the Achilles tendon (AT) because of immobilization and non-weight bearing in the first weeks of traditional rehabilitation. Novel rehabilitation strategies that apply mobilization and weight bearing have been proposed, but their effects on medial gastrocnemius myotendinous junction displacement (MJD) and isometric plantar-flexion strength (PFS) are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 12 weeks of immediate versus traditional rehabilitation on MJD and PFS in patients with percutaneous AT repair and to compare AT rupture scores (ATRSs) during follow-up. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Human performance laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 26 amateur soccer players (age = 42.3 ± 9.7 years, body mass index = 29.5 ± 3.9 kg/m2) with percutaneous AT repair. INTERVENTION(S): Athletes were randomly divided into 2 groups: an immediate group, given physical therapy from day 1 to day 84, and a traditional group, given physical therapy from day 29 to day 84. We used repeated-measures analysis of variance to compare the data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We measured MJD and PFS at days 28 (fourth week), 56 (eighth week), and 84 (12th week) after AT repair. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of rehabilitation, we observed a large clinically meaningful effect and statistical difference between groups. At day 28, the immediate group showed higher values for PFS (P = .002), MJD (P = .02), and ATRS (P = .002) than the traditional group. At day 56, the immediate group presented higher values for MJD (P = .02) and ATRS (P = .009). At day 84, the immediate group registered more MJD (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with traditional rehabilitation, 12 weeks of immediate rehabilitation after percutaneous AT repair resulted in better MJD, PFS, and ATRS after 4 weeks; better MJD and ATRS after 8 weeks; and better MJD after 12 weeks.

Prospective randomized clinical trial of aggressive rehabilitation after acute Achilles tendon ruptures repaired with Dresden technique.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the Achilles tendon is a common injury during working years. Aggressive rehabilitation may provide better outcomes, but also a greater chance of re-rupture. OBJECTIVE: To determine if aggressive rehabilitation has better clinical outcomes for Achilles tendon function, Triceps surae function, one-leg heel rise capacity and lower complication rate during twelve weeks after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair compared to conventional rehabilitation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHOD: Thirty-nine patients were prospectively randomized. The aggressive group (n=20, 41.4 ± 8.3 years) received rehabilitation from the first day after surgery. The conventional group (n=19, 41.7 ± 10.7 years) rested for 28 days, before rehabilitation started. The statistical parameters were the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS), verbal pain scale, time to return to work, pain medication consumption, Achilles tendon strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (RoM), injured-leg calf circumference, calf circumference difference, one-leg heel rise repetition and difference, re-rupture rate, strength deficit rate, and other complication rates. Mixed-ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test were performed for multiple comparisons. Student's t-test was performed for parameters measured on the 12th week. RESULTS: The aggressive group with respect to the conventional group had a higher ATRS; lower verbal pain score; lower pain medication consumption; early return to work; higher Achilles tendon strength; higher one-leg heel rise repetitions; and lower one-leg heel rise difference. The re-rupture rate was 5% and 5%, the strength deficit rate was 42% and 5%, and other complications rate was 11% and 15% in the conventional and aggressive group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with Dresden repair and aggressive rehabilitation have better clinical outcomes, Achilles tendon function and one-leg heel rise capacity without increasing the postoperative complications rate after 12 weeks compared to rehabilitation with immobilization and non-weight-bearing during the first 28 days after surgery.

Photoselective Vaporization with KTP 180-W Green Laser for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Enlargement: Effectiveness and Safety at Midterm Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVES: To determine safety, efficacy, and improvement in patient's quality of life (QoL) with 180-W green light laser prostate photovaporization in medium-term follow-up. METHODS: Observational descriptive analysis. All the patients who were treated with photoselective vaporization with potassium titanyl phosphate crystal 180-W green laser between January 2012 and February 2014 were included. The primary outcome was the change of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). A descriptive analysis was conducted. Statistic inference was made using nonparametric measurements according to the findings. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to paired data. Finally, survival curves were used to determine the effectiveness. RESULTS: Two hundred one subjects were included. The mean follow-up was 13.1 months (2-28). Prostate volume was 75.46 ml (30-240). Mean surgical time was 73.29±29.74 minutes, laser time was 44.27±21.03 minutes, and the mean energy used was 271.5±140.1 kJ. Postoperative indwelling catheter time was 15.81±8.87 hours. IPSS decreased 12.79 points, from 19.13±7.79 to 6.34±5.91 (p=0.0001). QoL question of the IPSS shows improvement from 4.16 to 1.27 (p=0.00001). In a maximum follow-up period of 28 months, 85.2% of patients showed an improvement of four points in IPSS. Visual scale of improvement perception showed an increase from 36.49 to 89.84 (p=0.0001). No major complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Prostate photoselective vaporization with a 180-W green light laser is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with lower urinary symptoms secondary to benign prostate enlargement.