Use of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) compared with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in pediatric kidney stones.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) for pediatric kidney stones management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety pediatric patients with single or multiple renal stones 1-3 cm in diameter were collected prospectively and equally divided into two groups to undergo RIRS or mini-PCNL. The groups were compared for fluoroscopy and operative time, postoperative hospital stay time, stone-free rate (SFR), need for auxiliary procedures, and cost as well as complications. RESULTS: There were no differences found between RIRS and mini-PCNL groups with regard to operative time and postoperative DJ stent application, while the mean of fluoroscopy time and postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the RIRS than in the mini-PCNL group. The SFR, auxiliary treatment on residual stones, and complications were comparable. In both groups, no major (Clavien IV-V) complications were observed. The mean cost of RIRS was $1210 and $733 for the mini-PCNL. CONCLUSIONS: Both RIRS and mini-PCNL are effective and safe treatment modalities for pediatric renal stones 10-30 mm in size. However, mini-PCNL is more cost-effective making it a viable alternative to RIRS.

Can ureteral wall thickness (UWT) be used as a potential parameter for decision-making in uncomplicated distal ureteral stones 5-10 mm in size? A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between ureteral wall thickness (UWT) and stone passage (SP) and its cut-off value in distal uncomplicated ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the prospective study from January 2019 to January 2020 at a tertiary care hospital, we reviewed 212 patients aged above 18 years with single, symptomatic, radiopaque, and distal ureteric stone sized 5-10 mm, who were treated with MET (Silodosin 8 mg once daily) until SP or a maximum of 4 weeks. There were 2 groups: responders and non-responders. Demographic data of the patients and all stone radiological parameters including stone size, laterality, density, UWT, the diameter of the ureter proximal to the stone (PUD), and the degree of hydronephrosis were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were 126 (59.4%) in the responder group and 86 (40.6%) in the non-responder group. On univariate analysis, gender, stone density, stone size, PUD, UWT, and the degree of hydronephrosis were significant factors for stone passage. However, using multivariate analysis, only UWT and the degree of hydronephrosis were significant. ROC analysis showed that 3.75 mm is the cut-off value for UWT, with 86% and 87.3% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: UWT and hydronephrosis can be used as potential predictors for SP and can help with decision-making in patients with uncomplicated 5-10 mm lower ureteric stones.

Does the duration of catheterization have an impact on the outcome of trial without catheter in patients with acute urine retention (AUR) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: To study the impact of early in comparison to late catheter removal following acute urine retention (AUR) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using silodosin therapy on the outcome of trial without catheter (TWOC). METHODS: Two hundred sixty patients with AUR 2ry to BPH were catheterized then were randomly divided to receive silodosin 8 mg either for three or 7 days followed by catheter removal and successful voiding unaided was assessed. RESULTS: Out of the 260 men (mean age 64.8 ± 6.5 years) treated, 74 men who were receiving 3 days of silodosin and 88 patients who were receiving 7 days of silodosin didn't require re-catheterization on the day of TWOC (57% and 68% respectively, p = 0.096). Complications like urinary leakage, acute urinary tract infection, hematuria, or catheter blockage recorded in 21 men (16.2%) who received 3 days of silodosin, and in 63 men (48.5%) who received 7 days of silodosin (p ⩽ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients catheterized after AUR 2ry to BPH can spontaneously void following catheter removal if treated by silodosin, independent of the catheterization duration, while side effects have increased with prolonged catheterization.

Evaluation of Tamsulosin 0.4 mg versus 0.8 mg in management of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and the safety of Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day and 0.8 mg/day in patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective interventional, double-blinded, controlled study was carried out on 93 patients who met the criteria and divided randomly into two groups: group A for Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day and group B for Tamsulosin 0.8 mg/day. International prostate symptom score, post void residual urine volume, and maximum flow rate of urine were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Both study groups showed a significant reduction in storage sub-score but only frequency was significantly reduced in group B (P < 0.001). On the other hand, Tamsulosin 0.8 mg was superior to Tamsulosin 0.4 mg regarding voiding sub-score except for straining (P = 0.325). Accordingly, the total international prostate symptom score was significantly improved in group B versus group A (P < 0.001). Furthermore, maximum flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were notably improved in Group B as compared to Group A (P < 0.001). Of all adverse events only dizziness was noted to be statistically significant in Group B versus Group A (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tamsulosin 0.8 mg has shown better outcomes in treating patients who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement than Tamsulosin 0.4 mg, and besides that, it is well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: M S 292/2020, SID: 373, date: 22/4/2020.

Can we successfully predict the outcome for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for medium size renal stones? A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is one of the most used modalities in treatment of renal stones, but its effectiveness can be influenced by many factors related to the patient or the stone itself which may affect the success of stone disintegration. The aim of our study was to investigate the predictive value of some patient and stone-related factors for ESWL success for renal stones. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with single radiopaque renal stone 10-20 mm in diameter, undergoing ESWL were enrolled in this study. All patients had non contrast computed tomography (NCCT) done before ESWL. We evaluated body mass index (BMI), skin-to-stone distance (SSD), stone size and Hounsfield density comparing these values between stone free (SF) and residual stone (RS) groups. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, 70% had successful disintegration. There was no significant difference between stone free (SF) and residual stone (RS) groups as regard age or BMI. Meanwhile, there was a significant difference between SF and RS groups as regard stones' density and SSD, with higher values in RS group but there was statistically insignificant difference as regard stone size (p = 0.522). Using logistic regression analysis, we found that Hounsfield unit (HU) was better in predicting successful disintegration than SSD but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: HU and SSD are the independent predictive factors for ESWL outcome, and they should be considered when planning ESWL in treatment of medium size renal stones.

Can the combined treatment of solifenacin and imipramine has a role in desmopressin refractory monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis? A prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal enuresis is a common disease of childhood. It can be classified into monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) or nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE). Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat enuresis with initial success rates are high as 50% but some studies record a high relapse rate and it has a cardiotoxic effect when overdosed. Anticholinergics may be effective in the treatment of children with bladder storage dysfunction, including daytime incontinence. However, anticholinergics monotherapy is not effective in treating MNE. In our study, we used a low dose (25 mg) of imipramine in order to avoid its potential side effects and combined it with the synergistic anticholinergic action of solifenacin. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of solifenacin and imipramine compared with placebo in the treatment of desmopressin refractory MNE. METHODS: One hundred children aged 6 years or more with primary MNE unresponsive to desmopressin treatment were included. The children were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A received imipramine 25 mg and solifenacin 5-10 mg oral tablets and group B received placebo once 1 h before bedtime for 3 months. The primary end point was to investigate the efficacy of the combined treatment of solifenacin and imipramine and the secondary end point was the safety of the drugs. RESULTS: Our study showed that the mean post treatment wet nights per month was significantly lesser in the treatment group than placebo group (p < 0.001) and cure rate was significantly higher in treatment group than placebo group (p < 0.001). The relapse rate was statistically significantly lower in treatment group than placebo group (p = 0.032). No significant side effects related to the drugs were reported. CONCLUSION: The combination treatment of solifenacin and imipramine is a useful and safe treatment for nocturnal enuresis after failure of everything else.

Two-year Follow-up in Bipolar Transurethral Enucleation and Resection of the Prostate in Comparison with Bipolar Transurethral Resection of the Prostate in Treatment of Large Prostates. Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and long-term efficacy of bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (B-TUERP) in the treatment of enlarged prostate in comparison with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2015 to March 2019, a total of 240 patients with enlarged prostates of more than 80 gm were randomized into 2 groups, each containing 120 patients. Patients in group A were subjected to B-TUERP while those in group B underwent B-TURP. The perioperative data and postoperative outcomes followed at 1, 6, and 24 months after surgery at which points they were analyzed, and a comparison made between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the preoperative parameters of the 2 groups. Comparing with B-TURP, B-TUERP had longer operative time (105.09 ± 31.08 vs 61.09 ± 29.28 min), more resected prostatic tissue (50.41 ± 13.07 vs41.12 ± 8.91 g) and had less hemoglobin drop (1.5 vs 2g/dL). In addition, indwelling catheter time, postoperative bladder irrigation duration, and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the B-TUERP group than in the B-TURP group. At 24 month after the procedure, patients with B-TUERP achieved better results of International Prostate Symptom Score (6 vs 7 P = .008), quality of life (1 vs 2, P = .243), maximal flow rate (24.9 ± 5.74 vs 20.09 ± 3.27mL/sec, P = .034), post-voiding residual urine volume (18.64 ± 3.28 vs 24.74 ± 4.02 mL, P = .001), and residual prostate volume (18.64 ± 3.28 vs 20.74 ± 4.02 mL, P < .001). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications between both groups. CONCLUSION: B-TUERP is a more effective modality in the treatment of enlarged prostate compared to B-TURP with almost no variation in safety.

Can bipolar energy serve as an alternative to monopolar energy in the management of large bladder tumours >3 cm? A prospective randomised study.

Objectives: To assess the safety and the effectiveness of bipolar energy in the transurethral resection of primary large bladder tumours (TURBT) and compare it to conventional monopolar energy. Patients and methods: From November 2015 to June 2017, 80 patients underwent endoscopic resection primarily for large bladder cancer tumours of >3 cm. They were randomly assigned into two groups: 40 patients underwent a TURBT with conventional monopolar current (M-TURBT) and 40 were treated with bipolar current (B-TURBT). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for the patients' demographic and tumour characteristics. There was a significant difference between M-TURBT and B-TURBT for resection time, obturator reflex, hospital stay, and catheterisation time, which were all higher in the M-TURBT group; the mean (SD) resection time was 26.45 (5.73) vs 22.85 (7.52) min (P = 0.048), the obturator reflex was 25% vs 5% (P = 0.025), the median hospital stay and catheterisation times were 2 vs 1 day (P = 0.012 and P = 0.023, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for bladder perforation, TUR syndrome, drop in haemoglobin level, and blood transfusion rate. However, there was statically significant difference in the postoperative haematuria rate, which was higher in the M-TURBT group, at 24 patients vs eight in the B-TURBT group (60% vs 20%; P = 0.01). After 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the groups. Conclusion: B-TURBT is a safe and effective alternative procedure to M-TURBT for the management of primary large bladder tumours of >3 cm. Abbreviations: CONSORT: consolidated standards of reporting Trials; Hb: haemoglobin; NMIBC: non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer; TUR: transurethral resection; (B-)(M-)TURBT: (bipolar) (monopolar) transurethral resection of bladder tumour.

Computed tomography virtual cystoscopy for follow-up of patients with superficial bladder tumours in comparison to conventional cystoscopy: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and analyse the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) virtual cystoscopy in comparison to conventional cystoscopy for the follow-up of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was done over 3 years, from April 2010 to June 2013, and included 30 patients who all had non-muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (Ta, T1). The patients all underwent complete transurethral resection of the tumour and presented for first follow-up check cystoscopy. The examination was performed using a 16-slice multi-detector (MD) CT scanner. The results were compared for sensitivity and specificity in relation to the site, size, and shape of the tumour. RESULTS: In all, 20 lesions were detected by CT virtual cystoscopy in 18 patients, whilst the remaining 12 were lesion free. Conventional cystoscopy, detected 23 lesions in 19 patients. The sensitivity of the virtual images was 87%; its specificity in identifying lesions was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 78.5%. CONCLUSION: CT virtual cystoscopy is a promising technique for detecting bladder tumours and some other bladder lesions. However, the detection rate for recurrent NMIBC does not appear to be adequate to replace conventional cystoscopy.