Introducing the POPVESL Score for Intrarenal Vascular Complications of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Experience from a Single high-volume Referral Center.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous-nephrolithotomy (PCNL), is the current modality of choice for large renal stones. Delayed post-op bleeding may herald pseudo aneurysm (PA) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) necessitating costly and inconsistently available angioembolization, or prolonged hospitalization. The goal of this study is to identify criteria that may predict response to conservative therapy, for delayed bleeding from post PCNL intrarenal vascular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all data on patients re-admitted for post PCNL gross hematuria at our high volume center between 2011 and 2016. Perioperative findings, factors related to the stone and management details, were subjected to multifactorial analysis. Logistic regression for multivariable analysis and ROC curves to find thresholds predicting mandatory angioembolization. RESULTS: Of 4403 PCNLs, 83 (1.9%) with delayed bleeding were diagnosed with intrarenal vascular lesions: Arteriovenous fistulas in 54 (AVF, 65%) and pseudoaneurysm in 29 (PA, 35%). Overall 49 (59%) responded to conservative management but 34 (41%) eventually required angioembolization. On multivariable analysis, predictive factors for poor response to conservative treatment were requiring transfusion beyond initial stabilization, pseudoaneurysm, history of open renal surgery, longer interval-to-second-admission, and size of vascular lesion. The proposed POPVESL score (short for Post PNL Vascular Embolization selection) when below 11, correctly predicts success of conservative management with 81.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings including the proposed POPVESL score have the potential for clinical application and enhancing practical guidelines on the management of post-PCNL bleeding.

Expression profile of miRNAs in urine samples of bladder cancer patients.

AIM: miRNAs have been suggested as biomarkers for bladder cancer. We aimed to find a diagnostic panel of miRNAs based on differential expression of miRNAs in urine specimens of patient with bladder cancer compared with control group. METHODS: miR-141, miR-10b, miR-34b and miR-103 were selected to assess their expression in urine samples of 66 bladder cancer patients and 53 matched controls using quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS: miR-10b and miR-34b were upregulated in cases compared with controls. The combination of four miRNAs showed a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 63.5% with a diagnostic power of 72%. CONCLUSION: Certain miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Comparing the Efficacy of Tolterodine and Gabapentin Versus Placebo in Catheter Related Bladder Discomfort After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of tolterodine and gabapentin vs placebo in catheter related bladder discomfort (CRBD) following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a double-blind parallel group randomized clinical trial. Patients who were candidates of PCNL were enrolled. Patients were randomized to treatment groups of tolterodine 2 mg orally (PO) (group T, n = 50), gabapentin 600 mg PO (group G, n = 50), and placebo (group P, n = 70) 1 hour before operation using balanced block randomization. The primary endpoint of interest was visual analog pain scale in 1, 3, 12, and 24 hours after the operation. Secondary endpoints included rescue analgesic use (opioid and nonopioid). RESULTS: The frequency of severe CRBD in 1,12, and 24 hours after the operation was 4%, 4%, and 6% in group T vs 4%, 0%, and 2% in group G vs 47%, 14%, and 6% in the P group (p < 0.001). The number of paracetamol injections for CRBD in the T and G groups was significantly lower than the placebo group (1.8 ± 0.8 vs 1.8 ± 0.7 vs 3.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.001). Likewise the number of pethidine injections in the T and G groups was significantly lower than the placebo group (0.42 ± 0.54 vs 0.68 ± 0.62 vs 2.4 ± 0.64, p < 0.001). In patients with history of Double-J insertion, the severity of CRBD was lower in all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative administration of oral tolterodine or gabapentin reduces postoperative CRBD and the need for rescue analgesics as much as 24 hours after surgery. Patients with history of Double-J insertion experience less CRBD.

The Association of Stone Opacity in Plain Radiography with Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Outcomes and Complications.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of stone opacity in plain radiography on stone free rate and complications ofpercutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 101 patients who underwent PCNL between July-September 2015 wereprospectively included. Stone opacity was judged on preoperative plain Kidney-Ureter-Bladder X-ray. Stone freerate was evaluated two weeks after the operation by ultrasonography and KUB. RESULTS: There were 61 patients with opaque stones and 40 patients with non-opaque stones. The age, body massindex, preoperative creatinine, history of stone surgery, and stone size was not statistically different betweenpatients with opaque and non-opaque stones. Neither operation duration nor access numbers were statisticallysignificant between opaque and non-opaque stones. The frequency of stone free patients in opaque stones and nonopaquestones were 55/61 (90%) and 30/40 (75%) respectively (P = .04) The magnitude of hemoglobin drop inopaque stones and non-opaque stones were 1.9 ± 1.2 mg/dL versus 2.9 ± 1.7 mg/dL (P = .005). CONCLUSION: The stone free rate is lower and the magnitude of bleeding is higher in PCNL of non-opaque stoneswhen compared to opaque stones if rigid instruments are used for nephroscopy.

Postoperative infection rates in patients with a negative baseline urine culture undergoing ureteroscopic stone removal: a matched case-control analysis on antibiotic prophylaxis from the CROES URS global study.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis on postoperative infection rate in patients with negative urine cultures undergoing ureteroscopy (URS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) URS Global Study database, patients with a negative baseline urine culture undergoing URS for ureteral stones (n=1141) or kidney stones (n=184) not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis were matched with those who were predefined by risk factors, including gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and ureteral stent placement. Patient characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes, including the development of urinary tract infection (UTI) and fever, in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Antibiotic prophylaxis use differed widely across participating countries (13%-100%). Differences were found between patients who did or did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis regarding the frequency of anticoagulation medication, previous treatment with URS, stone burden, previous presence of kidney stones, duration of current URS, and complications post-URS. The prevalence of fever and UTI was low (≤2.2%) and similar in both groups. Factors predictive of postoperative UTI or fever were female gender, Crohn's and cardiovascular disease, a high stone burden, and an ASA score of II or higher. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a negative baseline urine culture undergoing URS for ureteral or renal stones, rates of postoperative UTI and fever were not reduced by preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Female gender and a high ASA score were specific risk factors for postoperative infection in this patient group.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in horseshoe kidney: our 5-year experience.

PURPOSE: To review our 5-year experience in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for horseshoe kidney with large stone burden or failed shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 5 years (2006 to 2011), PCNL was performed on 21 patients with horseshoe kidney stone. We evaluated patients (age and gender), stones characteristics (size, number, side, and site), surgical technique, and outcomes. RESULTS: Sixteen (76.16%) subjects were men and 5 (23.80%) were women, with the mean age of 35 ± 12 years. Mean stone size was 37.2 ± 16.6 mm. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed because of the stone size (over 20 mm) in 18 (85.68%) and failed SWL in 3 (14.28%) subjects. Stone numbers were more than one in 18 (85.68%) subjects, and were in the pelvis and at least one calyx. The most common access site was superior posterior calyx (66.64%). Stone-free rate with single session and rigid nephroscope was 71.40%. No major complication occurred during the surgery or in post surgical period. Postoperative minor complications occurred in 3 (14.28%) patients, including transfusion in one (4.76%), fever in one (4.76%), and ileus in one (4.76%) subject. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has acceptable results in horseshoe kidney stone and is feasible with rigid nephroscope. Safety and efficacy of PCNL resembled the normal anatomy kidney in our study.

Laparoscopic diverticulocystoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary diverticula initially serve as a pop-off mechanism in high-pressure voiding. Large diverticula, however, have been implicated in bladder-neck and ureteral obstruction and frequently demand definitive treatment, which, so far, has usually meant excision. We present this first report on using the diverticulum for laparoscopic urothelialized bladder augmentation as a novel procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed laparoscopic freehand sutured diverticulocystoplasty in 3 adult male patients suffering from low-capacity, low-compliance bladders accompanied by hydroureteronephrosis. All 3 patients had a dominant large diverticulum with very poor drainage by voiding and catheterization. The technique is described in detail. Patients were followed for upper tract changes and bladder anatomy by cystogram, sonography antegrade pyelography (per case), and laboratory studies. RESULTS: The procedures lasted 114-152 minutes. Patients were discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 3. At the 9-month follow-up, mean functional bladder capacity had increased by 266% (range, 195-351), and mean maximum detrusor pressure had dropped by 190% (range, 167-234). At 15-32 months, upper tract dilation has improved in all 3 patients. All patients remain on intermittent catheterization, though with far less frequency than before surgery. CONCLUSION: When there is a dominant bladder diverticulum with poor evacuation, and the bladder is noncompliant, laparoscopic bladder augmentation by the diverticulum (instead of standard diverticulectomy) can afford functional improvement with minimal morbidity.