Evaluation of mini-PCNL and RIRS for renal stones 1-2 cm in an economically challenged setting: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) are viable options for the treatment of renal calculi 1-2 cm. Both have their pros and cons, but also vary in costs. We aimed to evaluate them in an economically challenged setting. Methods: Two-hundred-seventy-one patients who underwent mPCNL (120) or RIRS (151) for renal calculi 1-2 cm were recruited in the study. Cases were comparatively statistically analyzed for differences in patient and stone parameters, duration of operation and hospital stay, and clinical outcomes such as stone free rate and complications. Local costs were calculated compared. Results: Patient and stone parameters did not differ for both procedures. Stone free rate was slightly higher for mPCNL, and significantly higher in the lower pole. Hospitalization was shorter for RIRS, but operation times did not differ significantly. Neither did the complication rates. There was a significantly higher Hb drop for mPCNL, but that did not translate in a significantly higher transfusion rate. Conclusion: Given the fact that all parameters were very similar or not statistically significant, choosing and the option comes down to other factors, such as availability of methodology and infrastructure, availability of surgical competence, surgeon's preference, and patient's preference. Both mPCNL and RIRS, are viable, safe, and efficient options for the treatment of renal stones 1-2 cm in size. mPCNL is the more cost-effective option and therefore should be considered if minimally invasive treatment is endeavored in economically challenged countries.

Is Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy a Game Changer for the Treatment of Renal Stones in Children?

BACKGROUND: Mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) is a newer surgical procedure that has changed the management of paediatric renal stones. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MPCNL morbidity and success rates for renal stones as a function of patient age in a paediatric cohort. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective case series that included 143 consecutive patients younger than 17 yr who underwent MPCNL at our institution between January 2016 and November 2020. The patients were categorised into three different age groups: <6 yr (n = 71, 49.7%), 6-11 yr (n = 44, 30.8%), and 12-17 yr (n = 28, 19.6%). MPCNL was performed in all patients through 16-20Fr tracts. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The stone-free rate, perioperative complications, tract number, operative time, postoperative haemoglobin change, and hospitalisation time were evaluated for each age group. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: MPCNL was performed in 143 paediatric patients (88 boys and 55 girls; mean age 6.53 yr). The mean stone burden (± standard deviation) was 2.096 ± 1.01 cm in group one, 2.05 ± 1.05 cm in group two, and 3.46 ± 19.94 cm in group three; group three was significantly larger (p = 0.001). After a single MPCNL session, 92.42% of patients experienced complete stone clearance. All age groups were similar in terms of stone-free rate (p = 0.82), hospitalisation time (p = 0.94), postoperative haemoglobin change (p = 0.06), and perioperative complications (p = 0.62). However, stone size (p = 0.009), stone complexity (p = 0.001), number of access points (p = 0.03), and operative time (p = 0.009) were higher in the group aged 12-17 yr. CONCLUSIONS: MPCNL is an effective and safe procedure in younger as well as older children. Age should not be considered a limiting factor for MPCNL in children, and MPCNL should be considered the primary option for treating paediatric renal stones when PCNL is indicated. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our results show that surgical removal of kidney stones through an incision in the skin and using miniaturised instruments is an effective and safe procedure for children.

Mullerianosis of the urinary bladder; A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Mullerianosis is a sporadic condition of the urinary bladder. The study aims to present a case of mullerianosis with a brief literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old lady presented with hematuria for one-year duration. A general urine examination showed microscopic hematuria. Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a soft tissue mass (13 * 10 mm) within the base of the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy showed 1.0 * 1.3 cm benign-looking mass bulging into the posterior bladder wall covered by a normal bladder mucosa. Transurethral resection was done. The histopathological examination was consistent with mullerianosis. DISCUSSION: Two hypotheses have been proposed; the first one (implantation theory) believing that at the time of pelvic surgery and caesarian delivery Mullerian tissues become implanted inside the bladder. The second theory (metaplastic theory) holds the probability of differentiation of Mullerian epithelium to endometrial, endocervical, and tubal components and proliferation in the bladder. CONCLUSION: mullerianosis is a very infrequent entity that mainly affects the urinary bladder and is mainly reported in females during the reproductive period, medical and surgical treatment are both regarded as the management options.

Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free retrograde intrarenal surgery: An attractive way of renal stone management in high-volume stone centers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sheathless and fluoroscopy-free flexible ureterorenoscopic laser lithotripsy (FURSL) for treating renal stones. METHODS: Between May 2015 and May 2017, 135 patients with renal stones treated with sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL were prospectively evaluated. Our technique involved a semi-rigid ureteroscopic assessment of the ureter, and the guidewire was left in situ to railroad the flexible ureteroscope. A holmium laser was used to fragment and dust the stones; fragments were neither grasped nor collected. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 135 patients including 85 males (62.96%) and 50 females (37.04%) with a mean age of 40.65 years (range: 3-70 years) were evaluated. The mean stone size was 17.23 mm (range: 8-41 mm). Complete stone-free status was achieved in 122 (90.37%) patients and clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) in two (1.48%), while residual stones were still present in 11 (8.15%) patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 23 (17.4%) cases and were mostly minor, including fever in 17 (12.6%), pyelonephritis in four (3.0%), subcapsular hematoma in one (0.7%) and steinstrasse in one (0.7%). These complications were Clavien I-II, GI in 17 (12.6%) patients, GII in five (3.7%), and Clavien IIIb in one (0.7%). No major complications were observed. Stone size ≥2 cm, operative time ≥30 min, and lasing time ≥20 min were significantly associated with a higher rate of complications and lower stone-free rates upon univariate analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL are effective and safe for renal stone management, especially for stones under 2 cm in diameter. This process is a feasible option for avoiding sheath complications, which can protect surgeons from the negative effects of radiation.

Mini- versus standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy for treatment of pediatric renal stones: is smaller enough?

INTRODUCTION: Miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has gained increased popularity owing to efforts in recent years to lower peri-operative morbidity while maintaining a high stone-free rate (SFR). OBJECTIVE: The outcomes of pediatric renal stones treated by mini-PCNL (MPCNL) versus standard PCNL (SPCNL) were retrospectively assessed. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective data analysis of 134 consecutive patients younger than 17 years who underwent PCNL between January 2014 and July 2018 was performed. The patients were categorized into two treatment groups depending on the tract size and instruments used. Seventy-five patients were treated by SPCNL using adult instruments via a 22-26 Fr tract, and 59 patients were treated by MPCNL using pediatric instruments via a 16-20 Fr tract. RESULTS: A total of 134 children (SPCNL = 75; MPCNL = 59) underwent PCNL and subsequent evaluation. Patient demographics and stone characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The mean stone size ranged from 1.9 ± 1.162 cm in the MPCNL group to 2.2 ± 1.424 cm in the SPCNL group, and the overall SFR was 89.5% in the MPCNL group and 94.7% in the SPCNL group. When comparing the common characteristics, no significant difference was found between the two surgical access regarding the mean operative duration, SFR, incidence of peri-operative complications, and the rate of bleeding requiring a blood transfusion. Conversely, the mean postoperative hemoglobin decrease was significantly lower in the MPCNL group relative to the SPCNL group, at 0.354 ± 0.299 g versus 0.568 ± 0.332 g, respectively (P = 0.001). In addition, the mean duration of hospitalization was significantly lower in the MPCNL group than in the SPCNL group, at 1.91 ± 1.154 days compared with 2.41 ± 1.14 days, respectively (P = 0.014). DISCUSSION: Herein, the authors report the first systematic review of the first center in the locality treating this cross section of patients. This review reveals that the use of these smaller instruments can deliver a strong safety profile while achieving good stone clearance. As an alternative to decreasing the peri-operative morbidity associated with SPCNL, MPCNL can be conveniently used without affecting the outcomes of the procedure. It is a safe and feasible procedure for maximal clearance of stones and should comprise the treatment of choice-regardless of age-for experienced endourologists. CONCLUSION: MPCNL represents a valuable way of treating simple and complex renal stones in children, with an operative time, SFR, and overall complication rate comparable with those of SPCNL. Mini-PCNL resulted in shorter hospitalization and fewer hemoglobin drops.

Endourologic Management of a 15-Year-Old Neglected, Fragmented, and Encrusted Ureteral Stent.

Background: Ureteral stents (Double-J stents) have been widely used in urology to prevent or relieve ureteral obstruction and have become an integral part of urologic practice. However, if ureteral stents are kept for a prolonged period or neglected, they can cause significant morbidity because of complications such as stent migration, encrustation, occlusion, stone formation, and fragmentation. Therefore, it is crucial to remove stents as soon as possible after they have served their purpose, to prevent complications and morbidity. Case Presentation: In this study, we present a case of a 28-year-old man who presented with broken extensively encrusted Double-J stent, with bulky stones at both ends of the stents that had been inserted 15 years ago, after an open right pyelolithotomy, and that was lost to follow-up. Cystolithotripsy, ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, and two consecutive mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies were necessary to extract the stent and the patient became stone free. Conclusion: Forgotten Double-J stents for long times with extensive encrustation and stone formation can be managed safely with a combined endourologic approach with minimal morbidity.