Prevalence of distal renal tubular acidosis in patients with calcium phosphate stones.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA) is a metabolic disorder that associates urolithiasis and urinary pH > 6. The prevalence of DRTA in patients with calcium phosphate stones is not well known. The objective is to determine the prevalence of DRTA in patients with calcium phosphate stones and urinary pH above 6 based on the furosemide test. METHODS: A total of 54 patients with calcium phosphate stones and urinary pH above 6.0 were submitted to the furosemide test. The association of DRTA with age, sex, type of stone, stone recurrence, stone bilaterality, 24-h urine biochemistry, and adverse effects of the furosemide test were examined. RESULTS: The furosemide test indicated that 19 of 54 patients (35.2%) had DRTA. The sex ratio was similar in the two groups (p < 0.776). The DRTA group was significantly younger (p < 0.001), and had a higher prevalence of bilateral stones (p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of recurrent stones (p < 0.04), a lower plasma potassium level (p < 0.001), a higher urinary Ca level (p ≤ 0.05), and a lower urinary citrate level (p < 0.001). None of the patients reported adverse effects from the furosemide test. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of DTRA in patients with urinary pH above 6 and calcium phosphate stones. Young age, bilateral stones, stone recurrence, hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, and plasma hypokalemia were associated with DRTA. None of the patients reported adverse effects of the furosemide test.

Intracorporeal renal hypothermia with ice slush for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in a highly complex renal mass.

OBJECTIVE: To report our step-by-step technique for robotic partial nephrectomy using intracorporeal renal hypothermia (RPNIRH) in a highly complex renal mass. The robotic technology has allowed surgeons to recreate the principles of open surgery in a minimally invasive approach (1). With increasing experience, larger deeply infiltrative tumors can be treated with this technique (2). In complex cases, when a long warm ischemia time is expected, intracorporeal renal hypothermia can be useful to prevent permanent renal function loss (3).

Evaluation of a collagen-coated, resorbable fiber scaffold loaded with a peptide basic fibroblast growth factor mimetic in a sheep model of rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: A new scaffold design combined with a peptide growth factor was tested prospectively for safety and for improved tendon healing in sheep. METHODS: The infraspinatus tendon was detached and then surgically repaired to the humerus using sutures and anchors in 50 adult sheep. The repairs in 40 of these sheep were reinforced with a scaffold containing F2A, a peptide mimetic of basic fibroblast growth factor. The sheep were examined after 8 or 26 weeks with magnetic resonance imaging, full necropsy, and histopathologic analysis. A second cohort of 30 sheep underwent surgical repair--20 with scaffolds containing F2A. The 30 shoulders were tested mechanically after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The scaffold and F2A showed no toxicity. Scaffold-repaired tendons were 31% thicker than surgically repaired controls (P = .037) at 8 weeks. There was more new bone formed at the tendon footprint in sheep treated with F2A. Surgically repaired tendons delaminated from the humerus across 14% of the footprint area. The extent of delamination decreased to 1.3% with increasing doses of F2A (P = .004). More of the repair tissue at the footprint was tendon-like in the peptide-treated sheep. On mechanical testing, only 7 shoulders tore at the repair site. The repairs in the other 23 shoulders were already stronger than the midsubstance tendon at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The new scaffold and peptide safely improved tendon healing.

Impact of Hyponatremia on COVID-19-Related Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sodium disturbances are observed in one-third of patients with COVID-19 and result from multifaceted mechanisms. Notably, hyponatremia is associated with disease progression and mortality. AIM: We aimed to analyze the impact of hyponatremia on COVID-19 outcomes and its correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters during the first wave. METHODS: We evaluated the sodium levels of 558 patients with COVID-19 between 21 March 2020, and 31 July 2020, at a single center. We performed linear regression analyses to explore the correlation of sodium levels with COVID-19-related outcomes, demographic data, signs and symptoms, and laboratory parameters. Next, we conducted Pearson correlation analyses. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Hyponatremia was found in 35.3% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This was associated with the need for intensive care transfer (B = -1.210, p = 0.009) and invasive mechanical ventilation (B = -1.063, p = 0.032). Hyponatremia was frequently found in oncologic patients (p = 0.002) and solid organ transplant recipients (p < 0.001). Sodium was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.041) and productive cough (p = 0.022) and negatively associated with dry cough (p = 0.032), anorexia (p = 0.004), and nausea/vomiting (p = 0.007). Regarding the correlation of sodium levels with other laboratory parameters, we observed a positive correlation with hematocrit (p = 0.011), lymphocytes (p = 0.010), pCO2 (p < 0.0001), bicarbonate (p = 0.0001), and base excess (p = 0.008) and a negative correlation with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.009), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.033), and arterial blood glucose (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Hyponatremia is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients. It is associated with demographic data and clinical and laboratory parameters. Therefore, hyponatremia is an important tool for risk stratification in COVID-19 patients.

Effects of short and long-term indapamide treatments on urinary calcium excretion in patients with calcium oxalate dihydrate urinary stone disease: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relative calcium-reducing effects of indapamide at 6 and 18 months using a dose of 1.5 mg/day. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria and calcium oxalate dihydrate urinary stone disease (minimum one stone episode) were selected. Each patient began a therapy regime of 1.5 mg indapamide sustained release taken once a day in the evening. Under basal conditions and after 6 and 18 months of treatment, subjects submitted urine and blood samples for analysis. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effects on excretion and concentration of calcium in urine. RESULTS: For 2 h urine, there was a mean decrease in urinary calcium concentration of 47%, whereas urinary calcium concentrations decreased by 53% in 24 h urine (p < 0.05) at 6 months of treatment. Blood urate levels rose by 19% (p < 0.05). Treatment for 18 months resulted in significant reduction in urinary calcium levels, by approximately 48% (p < 0.05) in both 2 h and 24 h urine. A 21% increase in urate levels in the blood was observed (p < 0.05). The remaining parameters remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the low effective dosage of indapamide (1.5 mg/day) and the lack of any severe side-effects, this drug would appear to be a good candidate for use in the control of hypercalciuria. As such, it could prove efficacious in the prevention of recurrent kidney stones that are often associated with this condition.

Concomitant carcinoma in situ and tumour size are prognostic factors for bladder recurrence after nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic risk factors for the development of subsequent bladder recurrence in patients undergoing nephroureterectomy (NU) for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 79 patients who underwent NU for localized upper tract TCC were collected retrospectively, and analysed for clinical and pathological variables. Patients with previous invasive bladder tumours were excluded. Age, sex, tumour location, previous/synchronic bladder tumours, stage, grade, concomitant upper tract carcinoma in situ (CIS), and size were all analysed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using the Kaplan-Meier Method, with the log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model, respectively. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 71 months, during which bladder tumours were detected in 42 patients (54%). On univariate analyses, tumour stage ≥ pT2 (P = 0.015), concomitant upper tract CIS (P = 0.001), high-grade tumour G3 (P = 0.027) and tumour size > 4 cm (P = 0.011) were statistically significant predictors of intravesical recurrence. After multivariate analyses, concomitant CIS (P = 0.005, hazard ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4-5.8) and tumour size > 4 cm (P = 0.042; 1.9, 1-3.7) were significantly related to bladder tumour recurrence. CONCLUSION: There is a high bladder recurrence rate after NU for upper tract TCC. Patients with tumours of > 4 cm and concomitant upper tract CIS have a major risk of developing subsequent bladder recurrence. Therefore, closer surveillance of the bladder is needed in these patients and they may potentially benefit from prophylactic intravesical instillation therapy.

Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Complex Hilar Tumors: Step by step.

OBJECTIVE: To report our step-by-step technique and provide tips and tricks for robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in a highly complex renal mass. Robotic surgery has widened the indications of the conservative treatment for renal masses. With increasing experience, larger deeply infiltrative tumors, or tumors involving the renal hilum can be treated with robotic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 78-year-old male came to our attention for a complex right renal mass. Past medical history included severe hypertension and a myocardial infarction with subsequent stent placement in 2014. Baseline renal function assessed by serum creatinine was 0.93 mg/dl. The preoperative computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance showed a right enhancing posterior renal mass, 7.6 cm in diameter, cT2a, and RENAL score 12. The patient was scheduled for robotic partial nephrectomy. Transperitoneal approach with three arms robotic configuration was chosen. RESULTS: Operative time including robot's docking was 195 minutes. Warm ischemia time was 19 minutes. Blood losses were negligible, with no transfusions required. Serum creatinine at discharge was 1.15 mg/dl. Final pathology revealed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma, pT3b, and ISUP grade 3, involving the sinus fat and the renal vein. Surgical margins were negative. CONCLUSION: Robotic partial nephrectomy can be successfully performed in cases of completely endophytic central, hilar masses. Consistent experience is needed before embarking on this surgery. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes for partial nephrectomy for these complex tumors.

[Efficacy and safety of bilateral RIRS for renal lithiasis.] / Eficacia y seguridad de la RIRS bilateral para el tratamiento de litiasis renal.

OBJECTIVES: We present our experience in single-stage bilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), analyzing the stone free rate (SFR), surgical time, hospital stay, pre- and post procedure creatinine, stone composition and complications. METHODS: Between April 2012 and February 2016, 24 RIRS were carried out in 12 patients with bilateral renal stones. Patients were 9 men and 3 women with a median age of 47.5 (range:55),IMC: 23.59 (range: 12.5). RESULTS: Mean number of stones per renal unit was 2.7 (range: 12), mostly located in the renal pelvis (40%), with an average size of 16.08±8.06 mm and an average stone burden of 258.54±242.59 mm². The SFR at 3 months was 83.33%. Average operation time was 75 minutes and median hospital stay was 2 days. Three complications were recorded (25%), all of them minor (Clavien I-II). No major complications were recorded (Clavien III-V). CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage bilateral RIRS is a safe and effective tool for the treatment of patients with bilateral renal stones.

Multiple renal tumorectomy in a Von Hipple Lindau patient. Combined retro/transperitoneal approach with intracorporeal hypotermia

ABSTRACT Objective & Introduction: To show the feasibility of a combined transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (RP) laparoscopic approach in a Von Hipple-Lindau (VHL) patient with multiple kidney tumors. VHL is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome characterized by a high incidence of benign and malignant tumors and cysts in many organs. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common and a leading cause of mortality (1). Surgical approach is usually complex because of its multiplicity and the need of maximum kidney function preservation due to the risk of future recurrences (2, 3). Intracorporeal renal hypothermia may be useful in these cases to prevent permanent renal function loss (4). Materials and Methods: A 40 years old male was being monitored for multiple bilateral renal masses. Family history included a VHL syndrome affecting his mother and sister. Past medical history included a VHL syndrome with multiple cerebellar and medular hemangioblastomas, a pancreatic cystoadenoma and bilateral kidney tumors which had significantly grown up during follow-up. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopic multiple partial nephrectomy. A combined TP and RP approach with intracorporeal hypothermia was chosen. Results: A total of six right kidney tumors were removed. Operative time was 240 min. Cold ischemia time was 50 min. Average kidney temperature was 23.7°C. Blood losses were negligible. The patient was discharged after 72 hours. No major changes in serum creatinine were found during the follow-up. Final pathology revealed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma, pT1a, ISUP grade 2 in most of the tumors but one ISUP grade 3. Surgical margins were negative. Conclusions: Combined TP and RP is a feasible alternative for the treatment of multiple renal tumors. It's safe and effective, allowing the use of intracorporeal hypothermia which may improve postoperative renal function. Consistent experience is needed before embarking on this surgery.

Intracorporeal renal hypothermia with ice slush for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in a highly complex renal mass

ABSTRACT

Type of renal calculi: variation with age and sex.

The aim of this paper is to study the variations in the percentage of the different types of renal stones with age and sex. Renal calculi were classified according to their composition and structure. Stone formers were divided according to age and sex, and the percentage of each kind of calculi in the different considered age periods for men and women were determined. It was found that calcium oxalate dihydrate calculi decreased with age, but only in men. These calculi were also clearly predominant in men. Hydroxyapatite calculi decreased with age in both men and women, but they were predominant in women. Uric acid calculi increased with age in both men and women, but were predominant in men. Finally, it was found that calcium oxalate monohydrate unattached calculi increased with age in both men and women. As a main novelty, the study here presented demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between calcium oxalate monohydrate papillary stones and calcium oxalate monohydrate unattached stones, since the etiologic factors responsible for their origin must be clearly different.