Prospective comparison of two methods for correct ureteral stent placement in pediatric laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral stent placement during laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a common procedure in pediatric patients. Although an apparently safe maneuver, ascending placement of the stent can lead to complex removal or repositioning reinterventions. OBJECTIVE: In this study we compare two methods for intraoperative verification of correct positioning. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study collecting data on laparoscopic pyeloplasties in pediatric patients in our center over three years. We carried out descriptive and univariate comparative analyses. Data were compared between ultrasound and reflux visualized by the catheter after intraoperative salineinjection into the bladder through the urethral catheter. We recorded time to catheter visualization in both ultrasonography and in reflux from the start of bladder instillation, as well as bladder volume at the time of placement verification with each method. RESULTS: Data were collected from 20 patients (15 male and 5 female) with a median age of 48 months. Pyeloplasty was successful in 100% of the sample (as observed by ultrasound and MAG-3), while one patient had postoperative leak requiring nephrostomy placement. Correct distal positioning of the ureteral stent could be verified by intraoperative ultrasound and reflux in all cases. Using reflux, the bladder volume needed to verify correct positioning exceeded the age-related maximum in half the cohort, while on ultrasound, the stent was visualized in the bladder without reaching the maximum bladder capacity for age in any case (p = 0.02 comparing percentages). Likewise, mean time to verification was lower with ultrasound than with reflux (61.8 s versus 115 s), but without these differences reaching statistical significance (p = 0.14). DISCUSSION: The present study is the first to compare two methods to verify the correct positioning of the ureteral stent in laparoscopic pyeloplasties in pediatric patients. Our results show that both intraoperative ultrasound and visualization of reflux are useful methods, although ultrasound requires a lower volume of saline instilled through the bladder catheter for verification. This work can be very useful for the daily clinical practice of urologists and pediatric surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Both intraoperative ultrasound and visualization of reflux are useful methods to verify the correct positioning of the ureteral stent in laparoscopic pyeloplasty of pediatric patients. With ultrasound, a smaller volume is required to check for reflux. Although ultrasound is faster for verification, there are no differences in procedural times.

Response to "Outcomes of infants undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty: A single-center experience".

Although studies such as that of Erol et al. can raise doubts to a pediatric urologist about whether or not to carry out a laparoscopic approach in a pyeloplasty in infants, especially due to the percentage of complications, meta-analyses such as the one mentioned reinforce the safety and good results of the laparoscopic approach in these patients. The laparoscopic approach provides potential benefits over open surgery, such as better visualization of polar vessels, less aggressive dissection of periureteral tissues, or smaller scars. Although many open pyeloplasty incisions can be made small, they will never be smaller than those with 3 or 5 mm ports. Thus, any urologist or pediatric surgeon with experience in laparoscopic surgery has sufficient data at their disposal to be confident in the reproducibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for pyeloplasties in infants. It is appreciated that works such as that of Erol et al. help minimally invasive techniques expand within pediatric urology.

Comparison between open and minimally invasive pyeloplasty in infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis. Techniques such as laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) have gained in popularity over recent years. Although some retrospective studies have compared minimally invasive reconstructive techniques with open surgery for treatment of UPJO in infants, results remain controversial due to the small sample size in most of these studies. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the benefits of minimally invasive pyeloplasty (MIP) observed in adults and children over 2 years of age also apply to infants. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA recommendations. We searched databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We excluded studies in which patient cohorts were outside the age range between 1 and 23 months of age (infants). Studies should evaluate at least one of the following outcomes: average hospital stay, operative time, follow-up time, complications, post-surgical catheter use, success rate and reintervention rate. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the ROBINS-I tool. RESULTS: In total, 13 studies were selected. 3494 patients were included in the meta-analysis, of whom 3054 underwent OP, while the remaining 440 were part of the group undergoing MIP. The mean difference in hospital days was -1.16 lower the MIP group (95 % CI; -1.78, -0.53; p = 0.0003). Also, our analysis showed a significantly shorter surgical time in the group who underwent OP, with a mean operative time of 119.92 min, compared to 137.63 min in the MIP group (95 % CI; -31.76, -6.27; p = 0.003). No statistically significant between-group differences were found respect to follow-up time, complications, post-surgical catheter use, success rate and reintervention rate. CONCLUSION: This systematic review with meta-analysis has shown that laparoscopic/robotic pyeloplasty in infants is a safe technique with similar success rates to open surgery. Nonetheless, randomized clinical trials with longer follow-up are needed to consolidate these results with more robust scientific evidence.

Renal Cyst after Heminephrectomy in a Pediatric Patient: Complication or Normality?

INTRODUCTION: In this work, we present two cases of heminephrectomies with postoperative findings of cystic lesions in the bed of the excised renal segment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Description of the clinical cases, therapeutic management and description of the ultrasound findings. A review of the published cases was carried out. RESULTS: We present a case of open heminephrectomy due to atrophy of the upper hemirrenal in a case of ureterocele, and another case with bilateral lower heminephrectomy in a case of vesicoureteral reflux disease. In the first case, the cystic lesion disappeared during follow-up, while in the second, the cysts remained stable. In none of the cases published in the literature was it necessary to perform any intervention to resolve the cysts. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of cystic lesions in the heminephrectomy bed in pediatric patients is a radiological finding that occurs frequently. Due to its favorable evolution, without the need for additional procedures for its resolution, we do not consider the presence of these lesions as a complication after heminephrectomy.

Early Ultrasound after Endoscopic Puncture of Ureterocele: Signs that Show Surgical Treatment Success.

INTRODUCTION: We show the ability of early ultrasound after surgery to show the success of endoscopic puncture of the ureterocele. METHOD: Description of the clinical cases, therapeutic management and description of the ultrasound findings. RESULTS: We present two infants aged 1 and 4 months who underwent endoscopic puncture of ectopic ureteroceles during a period of 3 months at our institution. The first case was operated urgently for urinary sepsis, while the second was punctured to preserve renal function. In both cases, ultrasound was performed two hours after surgery, and the ultrasound findings were recorded. In both patients, the ureterocele was considered resolved one year after the puncture. CONCLUSIONS: Findings such as puncture notch, flap-like collapse of the walls, decrease in ureterohydronephrosis, or disappearance of debris in the upper tract, are ultrasound signs that are visualized in the immediate postoperative period of endoscopic puncture of the ureterocele. Thus, early ultrasound is useful for early monitoring of endoscopic treatment of ureterocele.

Endoureterotomy with the Lovaco technique for treatment of ureterointestinal strictures: outcomes in an experienced center and factors associated with procedural success or failure.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to present the outcomes of an endoureterotomy series using the Lovaco technique for the treatment of ureterointestinal strictures. Factors influencing the success or failure of this technique were also determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from all endoureterotomies for ureterointestinal strictures performed in a single-center between 2017 and 2020. Clinical variables and characteristics of the stricture were recorded in each case, and success was defined as the complete resolution of ureterohydronephrosis. Univariate analysis was used to correlate the variables recorded with procedural success or failure. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were recruited: 16 with strictures on the left side, 5 on the right, and 4 bilateral. With the first endoureterotomy, 52% of the cases (13 patients) were resolved, and in patients undergoing a second intervention 64% success (16 patients) was achieved. Infectious complications occurred in 23.3% of surgeries. Stricture length, poor renal function, and left side involvement were associated with endoureterotomy failure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoureterotomy with the Lovaco technique is a useful method in the setting of ureterointestinal strictures, achieving complete resolution of the obstruction in more than 60% of cases. Factors that can negatively affect the success of the procedure include stricture length, poor renal function, and left side involvement.

[Pediatric ureteral ectopia: Solutions for several issues.] / Ectopia ureteral en paciente pediátrico: diferentes soluciones para diferentes problemas.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of the ectopic ureter in the pediatric patient must be individualized in each caseMETHOD: Description of clinical cases, therapeutic management and evolution of patients. RESULTS: We present four pediatric patients with ectopic ureters who underwent surgery. We describe a case of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, one of laparoscopic uretero-ureterostomy, one of bilateral ureteral reimplantation and another of unilateral reimplantation. The discussion about the diagnosis and different surgical treatments of each case is deepened. CONCLUSIONS: We present four cases of pediatric patients with ectopic ureters, treated by different surgeries. We present how was the preoperative diagnosis and the importance of individualizing the surgical treatment in eachc ase. Aspects recently described in the context of ureteralectopy, such as diagnostic evaluation by MRI or the role of minimally invasive techniques in treatment, should be taken into account in its management.

OBJETIVO: El tratamiento del uréter ectópico en el paciente pediátrico debe individualizarse en cada caso.MÉTODO: Descripción de los casos clínicos, manejo terapéutico y evolución de los pacientes. RESULTADOS: Presentamos cuatro pacientes pediátricos con uréteres ectópicos sometidos a cirugía. Se describe un caso de nefroureterectomía laparoscópica, uno de uretero-ureterostomía laparoscópica, uno de reimplante ureteral bilateral y otro de reimplante unilateral. Se profundiza en la discusión sobre el diagnóstico y diferentes tratamientos quirúrgicos de cada caso. CONCLUSIONES: Presentamos cuatro casos de pacientes pediátricos con uréteres ectópicos, tratados mediante diferentes cirugías. Exponemos cómo fue el diagnóstico preoperatorio y la importancia de individualizar el tratamiento quirúrgico en cada caso. Aspectos descritos recientemente en el contexto de la ectopia ureteral, como la evaluación diagnóstica mediante RMN o el papel de las técnicas mínimamente invasivas en el tratamiento, deben tenerse en cuenta en su manejo.

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy as treatment in obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: OHVIRA syndrome is a rare entity characterized by renal and Mullerian anomalies. The objective of the video is, through a clinical case, to discuss the importance of diagnosis, management and treatment, to avoid the complications that this syndrome entails, and to improve the long-term prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the case of a 10-year-old girl who consulted for abdominal pain, being diagnosed with OHVIRA syndrome. We describe the diagnosis and the surgical technique. In addition, we perform a systematic review in PubMed to report the published literature of this topic and we show the optimal management of this pathology.

Holmium Laser Endoureterotomy With the Lovaco Technique for the Treatment of Ureterointestinal Stenosis: Step by step.

OBJECTIVE: To describe holmium laser endoureterotomy with the Lovaco technique for the treatment of ureterointestinal stenosis. This common problem after cystectomy represents a surgical challenge, with endourological techniques being useful in this context. We present a technique that has been described before, but which we consider useful and decisive. The key points and difficult aspects of the technique are shown, along with our experience with it. METHODS: We collected data on cases of ureterointestinal stenosis treated using holmium laser endoureterotomy with the Lovaco technique, in a prospective manner, between January 2017 and January 2018. Intraoperative data, postoperative complications, and success rate were recorded. Cases, where there was an improvement of renal function, and the cause that led to surgery was resolved, were considered to be successful. RESULTS: Nine endoureterotomies were performed in 7 male patients (2 bilateral), all of them had an ileal conduit. The average age was 68 years, and the average surgery time was 75 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications in any surgery. One patient was readmitted to the hospital 48 hours after discharge, due to febrile urinary tract infection. Of the 7 patients, 1 died shortly after surgery due to a tumor, and another has a short follow-up time. Of the remaining 5 patients, we have considered surgery to have an 80% success rate. The minimum follow-up was 4 months, the maximum was 13 months. CONCLUSION: We consider endoureterotomy with the Lovaco technique a useful and decisive surgery for the treatment of ureterointestinal stenosis, being a reproducible technique. In comparison to other similar techniques, it has advantages such as being safer and not requiring the use of flexible material. The use of holmium laser allows a precise incision and good visibility. Larger series and a longer follow-up are needed to obtain weighty conclusions.

Comparison of three different antibiotic protocols in transurethral resection of bladder tumour and the possible infectious risk factors: A non-randomized, prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to investigate three different antibiotic protocols in transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT), and the possible infectious risk factors of this surgery. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized, prospective study, gathering cases of patients in whom TURBT had been performed. The sample was divided into three groups based on those who received antibiotics as: a single preoperative dose (Group A); a preoperative dose, plus a long protocol during the hospitalization (Group B); a preoperative dose, plus a long protocol during the hospitalization, plus five days at home (Group C). Intra- and postoperative data that could be relevant to infections was gathered. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included. In the multivariate analysis, it was observed that the patients in Group A were more prone to re-hospitalization due to fever than were those from Group C (odds ratio [OR] 11.13; p=0.03). Furthermore, the cases with tumour necrosis and those who entered surgery with a urinary catheter were more prone to have a temperature above 37.5°C (OR6.74; p=0.02 and OR6.4; p=0.04, respectively), as well as have an increased risk per every additional tumour in the cystoscopy (OR 1.32; p=0.01). Those who received mitomycin had a lower chance of a positive urine culture (OR 0.29; p=0.01), contrary to those patients with over two days of hospitalization (OR 4.11; p<0.01) and those who entered surgery with a urinary catheter (OR 12.35; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Those patients that only received a single dose of antibiotic before TURBT may have an increased risk of re-hospitalization due to fever in comparison to those who received prolonged antibiotic protocols. In addition, there are perioperative factors in this surgery that predict the risk of infectious complications.

[Renal lithiasis, can we predict the need for retreatment in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS)?] / Litiasis renales, ?podemos predecir la necesidad de retratamientos en cirugía retrógrada intrarrenal?.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the predictive factors for retreatment in RIRS to achieve complete lithiasis resolution. METHODS: Retrospective comparative study analyzing 298 cases of RIRS performed in our center over a 3 year period. The cohort was divided in two groups: Resolution in one operation or more than one, evaluating homogeneicity for age and gender. We compared the folowing variables: Hounsfield units, body mass index (BMI), number of stones, size, (on the case of multiple stones, larger stone size), side, location in the kidney and stone biochemistry. Bivariant statistical analysis by Student's t and Chi square tests, and multivariate analysis by binary logistic regression. ROC curves were made to set cutting points for relationship between quantitative variables. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous for both age and gender (p>0.05). 260 (87.25%) patients required one treatment only and 38 (12.75%) more than one. Among the study variables, the only one that showed differences between the groups wa stone size, being the mean size 18 mm in the single treatment group and 26 mm in the more than one treatment group (Difference between mean values -8.27, 95%CI: -5,91 - -10.63, p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: RIRS with holmium laser is still an effective technique for the treatment of renal lithiasis. The largest stone size is related with the need of retreatments, so it must be taken into consideration specially over 2 cm. In our series, for every extra millimeter in size the probability of retreatment increased 1.14 times, demonstrating the importance of size in this context.

[Current results of RIRS and comparison with PCNL.] / Resultados actuales de la CRIR y comparación con NLPC.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to show the current situation regarding two surgical techniques for the treatment of renal lithiasis, RIRS (Retrograde intrarenal surgery) and PCNL (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy), specially concerning the larger size stones. We perform a literature review on the topic and add the experience with both techniques at our center. Besides, we also analyze the role of RIRS in comparison with the percutaneous techniques in smaller size lithiasis. METHODS: We review the results obtained in the literature and our experience. We offer our opinion in reference to the indications of RIRS in these cases based on such review and our experience. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: RIRS is a safe and effective technique, with a similar success rate to PCNL if one assumes the possibility of retreatment in stones >2cm. Its low complication rate, fast postoperative recovery and short hospital stay make this technique a therapeutic alternative to PCNL in this type of patients. Compared with percutaneous techniques less invasive than classical 24 to 30 Ch. accesses (miniperc or microperc), RIRS offers a higher stone free rate. If we also consider that RIRS is associated with shorter hospital stay and lower bleeding risk, even without significant differences in the global complication rate we could consider RIRS as the first line endourological treatment in stones <2cm.

[Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) use in a national health department]. / USO DEL ANTÍGENO PROSTÁTICO ESPECÍFICO (PSA) EN UN DEPARTAMENTO DE SALUD NACIONAL.

OBJECTIVES: PSA is a frequently used marker in the daily clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. We analysed the use of PSA in our health department in patients with and without prostate cancer diagnosis. METHODS: The registry of all PSA petitions in our health department during 2011 and 2012 was used. Demographic data were used to establish each year's population and the data corresponding to the prevalence of prostate cancer patients, performing a descriptive study. Thus, the use of PSA in patients with or without prostate cancer was studied. RESULTS: 25.700 PSA petitions are issued annually in our department over a total of 67.000 males older than 45. This entails a cost of 332.815 Euros annually. Within the group of patients with no prostate cancer diagnosis, it was noticed that the percentage of individuals with at least one annual PSA petition per decade of age is of 23% in males in their fifties, 40% in their sixties, 46% in their seventies, and 36% in their eighties or successive decades. Furthermore, in these cancer-free patients, around 3.800 annual petitions fall on individuals over 75 and with PSA under 4 ng/ml, from which 20% are repeated petitions over the same individual in the same year. Over 1100 males under 45 have an annual PSA. Regarding the average PSA value for decade of age in cancer-free patients, it is of 0.89 +/- 0.4 ng/ml in the forties decade, 1.26 +/- 1.07 ng/ml in the fifties, 1.67 +/- 1.38 ng/ml in the sixties, 1.96 +/- 1.78 ng/ml in the seventies, and 2.24 +/- 2.16 ng/ml in the eighties. We ascertained, also, that for every 144 PSA petitions one prostate cancer case is diagnosed. Regarding the use of this marker in cancer patients, 1.800 petitions are destined to patients follow up annually, and over 200 fall on the newly diagnosed cases. CONCLUSIONS: Even though annually less than 50% of males get PSA petitions in any decade of age, its use is sometimes incorrect, including repeated petitions in a short period of time or in individuals of extreme age.