Trends and patterns of initial percutaneous nephrolithotomy and subsequent procedures among commercially-insured US adults with urinary system stone disease: a 10-year population-based study.

PURPOSE: To describe trends and patterns of initial percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and subsequent procedures from 2010 to 2019 among commercially-insured US adults with urinary system stone disease (USSD). METHODS: Retrospective study of administrative data from the IBM® MarketScan® Database. Eligible patients were aged 18-64 years and underwent PCNL between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2019. Measures of interest for analysis of trends and patterns included the setting of initial PCNL (inpatient vs. outpatient), percutaneous access (1 vs. 2-step), and the incidence, time course, and type of subsequent procedures (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy [SWL], ureteroscopy [URS], and/or PCNL) performed up-to 3 years after initial PCNL. RESULTS: A total of 8,348 patients met the study eligibility criteria. During the study period, there was a substantial shift in the setting of initial PCNL, from 59.9% being inpatient in 2010 to 85.3% being outpatient by 2019 (P < 0.001). The proportion of 1 vs. 2-step initial PCNL fluctuated over time, with a low of 15.1% in 2016 and a high of 22.0% in 2019 but showed no consistent yearly trend (P = 0.137). The Kaplan-Meier estimated probability of subsequent procedures following initial PCNL was 20% at 30 days, 28% at 90 days, and 50% at 3 years, with slight fluctuations by initial PCNL year. From 2010 to 2019, the proportion of subsequent procedures accounted for by URS increased substantially (from 30.8 to 51.8%), whereas SWL decreased substantially (from 39.5 to 14.7%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: From 2010 to 2019, PCNL procedures largely shifted to the outpatient setting. Subsequent procedures after initial PCNL were common, with most occurring within 90 days. URS has become the most commonly-used subsequent procedure type.

A comprehensive literature-based equation to compare cost-effectiveness of a flexible ureteroscopy program with single-use versus reusable devices.

PURPOSE: To critically review all literature concerning the cost-effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy comparing single-use with reusable scopes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic online literature review was performed in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases. All factors potentially affecting surgical costs or clinical outcomes were considered. Prospective assessments, case control and case series studies were included. RESULTS: 741 studies were found. Of those, 18 were duplicated and 77 were not related to urology procedures. Of the remaining 646 studies, 59 were considered of relevance and selected for further analysis. Stone free and complication rates were similar between single-use and reusable scopes. Operative time was in average 20% shorter with digital scopes, single-use or not. Reusable digital scopes seem to last longer than optic ones, though scope longevity is very variable worldwide. New scopes usually last four times more than refurbished ones and single-use ureterorenoscopes have good resilience throughout long cases. Longer scope longevity is achieved with Cidex and if a dedicated nurse takes care of the sterilization process. The main surgical factors that negatively impact device longevity are lower pole pathologies, large stone burden and non-use of a ureteral access sheath. We have built a comprehensive fi nancial costeffective decision model to fl exible ureteroscope acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of a fl exible ureteroscopy program is dependent of several aspects. We have developed a equation to allow a literature-based and adaptable decision model to every interested stakeholder. Disposable devices are already a reality and will progressively become the standard as manufacturing price falls.

A comprehensive literature-based equation to compare cost-effectiveness of a flexible ureteroscopy program with single-use versus reusable devices

ABSTRACT Purpose to critically review all literature concerning the cost-effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy comparing single-use with reusable scopes. Materials and Methods A systematic online literature review was performed in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases. All factors potentially affecting surgical costs or clinical outcomes were considered. Prospective assessments, case control and case series studies were included. Results 741 studies were found. Of those, 18 were duplicated and 77 were not related to urology procedures. Of the remaining 646 studies, 59 were considered of relevance and selected for further analysis. Stone free and complication rates were similar between single-use and reusable scopes. Operative time was in average 20% shorter with digital scopes, single-use or not. Reusable digital scopes seem to last longer than optic ones, though scope longevity is very variable worldwide. New scopes usually last four times more than refurbished ones and single-use ureterorenoscopes have good resilience throughout long cases. Longer scope longevity is achieved with Cidex and if a dedicated nurse takes care of the sterilization process. The main surgical factors that negatively impact device longevity are lower pole pathologies, large stone burden and non-use of a ureteral access sheath. We have built a comprehensive financial cost-effective decision model to flexible ureteroscope acquisition. Conclusions The cost-effectiveness of a flexible ureteroscopy program is dependent of several aspects. We have developed a equation to allow a literature-based and adaptable decision model to every interested stakeholder. Disposable devices are already a reality and will progressively become the standard as manufacturing price falls.

Ureteral stenting practices following routine ureteroscopy: an international survey.

PURPOSE: Stent omission after routine ureteroscopy (rtURS) is accepted by current guidelines and may result in decreased patient morbidity and treatment costs. In a value-based healthcare model, the added morbidity and cost of routine stent placement may be scrutinized. Furthermore, data are limited on urologist cost knowledge and it is effect on ureteral stent placement. As such, we seek to describe ureteral stenting practices and urologist cost knowledge amongst US and non-US-based urologists. METHODS: The ureteroscopic practice patterns and cost awareness of members of the Endourological Society were surveyed using an international email listserv. Respondents were grouped by practice location (US vs non-US). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of surgeon practice location with stenting practices. RESULTS: 233 completed responses were received with a response rate of 13.5%. Results revealed that 55% and 71% of respondents reported ureteral stent insertion after rtURS more than 75% of the time for ureteral and renal stones, respectively. Reporting stent insertion following more than 75% of rtURS was more common among US participants for both ureteral and renal stones. Overall, reported cost knowledge was high, but lower among US participants. On multivariable analysis, US respondents were more likely to place ureteral stents after rtURS for ureteral stones more than 75% of the time when compared to those abroad (OR 3.43 p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ureteral stenting after rtURS is over utilized in the US compared to other countries. While this phenomenon is multifactorial in nature, cost knowledge may be under recognized as a determinant of ureteral stent placement following rtURS.

Factors Associated with Regional Adoption of Ureteroscopy in California from 2005 to 2016.

PURPOSE: To explore regional adoption of ureteroscopy (URS) over extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the state of California (CA) and to identify factors associated with this adoption over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) public data to identify URS and SWL procedures performed for renal and ureteral stones from 2005 to 2016. The level of analysis was the region wherein each procedure was performed, defined by the 19 CA labor market regions. OSHPD data were supplemented with the Area Health Resource File to provide information on regional characteristics. Generalized linear regression was used to determine procedural rates adjusted for age, gender and race. Choropleth time series maps were used to illustrate adoption of URS by region over time. RESULTS: A total of 328,795 URS and SWL procedures were identified from 2005 to 2016. The number of URS procedures surpassed the number of SWL procedures in 2011. Fourteen regions became URS predominant by 2016 and were characterized as having a higher per capita income, higher percentages with a college education and lower percentage of female heads-of-household (all p-values <0.05). A higher percentage of patients in these regions were male and had private or Medicare insurance (p = 0.03 for both). CONCLUSIONS: From 2005 to 2016, most CA regions adopted URS as the primary renal and ureteral stone management strategy. These regions demonstrated characteristics of higher socioeconomic status compared to regions that remained SWL predominant. A better understanding of such differences in practice patterns will allow urologists to better negotiate for the capital expenditures required to conform to evolving standards of care and allow patients the ability to make more informed decisions on where they receive care.

Steep Infundibulopelvic Angle as a New Risk Factor for Flexible Ureteroscope Damage and Complicated Postoperative Course.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing number of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) procedures, the fragility of devices, and their growing repair costs represent a substantial burden for urological departments worldwide. No risk factors of flexible ureteroscope damage have been identified so far. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) on device damage and on other intraoperative and postoperative factors such as length of hospital stay, surgical complications, stone-free rate (SFR), operation, and fluoroscopy time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective monocentric study, IPA was measured based on intraoperative retrograde pyelography images taken during fURS. All procedures were conducted with modern reusable flexible ureteroscopes: Karl Storz Flex-X2 or Olympus URF-V. Statistical analysis was performed in RStudio (version 1.0.136) with the unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) was measured whenever applicable. RESULTS: In total, 381 fURS performed between September 2013 and March 2017 were analyzed: 260 (68.24%) for kidney stone operation and 121 (31.76%) for diagnostic purposes; of these, 38 (9.97%) devices were postoperatively deemed defective. IPA values were significantly steeper in cases with flexible ureteroscope damage compared to cases without damage (median 42.5 degrees vs 56.0, p < 0.001). Steeper IPA was significantly associated with the occurrence of Clavien-Dindo ≥2 complications (median 51.0 degrees vs 55.0, p = 0.005) as well as prolonged hospital stay (median 51.0 degrees vs 55.0, p = 0.014). No influence on SFR was observed (p > 0.05). IPA did not correlate with operation or fluoroscopy time. CONCLUSIONS: Steep IPA can be considered the first risk factor predicting both flexible ureteroscope damage and an unfavorable postoperative course. A better understanding of damage mechanisms is the key for the proper indications to use costly single-use devices.

Variation in Spending around Surgical Episodes of Urinary Stone Disease: Findings from Michigan.

PURPOSE: To help rein in surgical spending there is growing interest in the application of payment bundles to common outpatient procedures like ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy. However, before urologists can move to such a payment system they need to know where episode costs are concentrated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using claims data from Michigan Value Collaborative we identified patients who underwent ureteroscopy or shock wave lithotripsy at hospitals in Michigan from 2012 to 2015. We then totaled expenditures for all relevant services during the 30-day surgical episodes of these patients and categorized component payments (ie those for the index procedure, subsequent hospitalizations, professional services and postacute care). Finally we quantified the variation in total episode expenditures for ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy across hospitals, examining drivers of this variation. RESULTS: A total of 9,449 ureteroscopy and 6,446 shock wave lithotripsy procedures were performed at 62 hospitals. Among these hospitals there was threefold variation in ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy spending. The index procedure accounted for the largest payment difference between high vs low cost hospitals (ureteroscopy $7,936 vs $4,995 and shock wave lithotripsy $4,832 vs $3,207, each p <0.01), followed by payments for postacute care (ureteroscopy $2,207 vs $1,711 and shock wave lithotripsy $2,138 vs $1,104, each p <0.01). Across hospitals the index procedure explained 68% and 44% of the variation in episode spending for ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy, and postacute care payments explained 15% and 28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There exists substantial variation in ambulatory surgical spending across Michigan hospitals for urinary stone episodes. Most of this variation can be explained by payment differences for the index procedure and for postacute care services.

[Inpatient therapy of urinary stones in Germany: development of the G-DRG system]. / Harnsteintherapie im stationären Bereich in Deutschland : Entwicklung des G-DRG-Systems.

BACKGROUND: The therapy of urinary stones in Germany is mostly a domain of hospitals even now. With the introduction of the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) system in the years 2003/2004 an attempt was made to realize an ever-increasing fair representation and remuneration of treatment costs. Simultaneously, a declared target was to transfer all forms of treatment which did not necessitate hospital admission to the outpatient department. RESULTS: Analysis of the D-DRG data on running invoicing from all German hospitals from 2004/2005 to 2012/2013 showed an increase in case numbers of around 12% with a parallel increase in the volume of revenues of around 37%. A special feature was a reduction in the proportion of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWL) as inpatient treatment with a parallel increase in the proportion of ureteroscopic and percutaneous interventions.

Management patterns of medicare patients undergoing treatment for upper urinary tract calculi.

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to identify differences in the re-treatment rates and ancillary procedures for the two most commonly utilized stone treatment procedures in the Medicare population: ureteroscopy (URS) and shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis of the Medicare standard analytical file 5% sample was conducted to identify patients with a new diagnosis of urolithiasis undergoing treatment with URS or SWL from 2009-2010. Outcomes evaluated: (1) repeat stone removal procedures within 120 days post index procedure, (2) stent placement procedures on the index date, 30 days prior to and 120 days post index date, and (3) use of general anesthesia. RESULTS: We identified 3885 eligible patients, of which 2165 (56%) underwent SWL and 1720 (44%) underwent URS. Overall, SWL patients were 1.73 times more likely to undergo at least one repeat procedure than URS patients, and twice as likely to require multiple re-treatments compared to URS. Among those with ureteral stones, SWL patients were 2.27 times more likely to undergo repeat procedures. The difference was not statistically significant in renal stone patients. Overall, SWL patients were 1.41 times more likely than URS patients to have a stent placed prior to index procedure, and 1.33 times more likely to have a stent placed subsequent to the index procedure. The majority of URS patients (77.8%) had a stent placed at the time of index procedure. There was no significant difference in anesthetic approaches between SWL and URS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing SWL are significantly more likely to require re-treatments than URS patients. SWL patients are also significantly more likely to require ureteral stent placement as a separate event. SWL and URS patients have similar rates of general anesthesia.

Use of ureteroscopy before and after expansion of lithotripter ownership in Michigan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ureteroscopy (URS) rates decreased following the expansion of lithotripter ownership in Michigan. Historically, Michigan has had limited urologist investment in lithotripters owing to strict Certificate of Need legislation. However, 2 of the nation's largest lithotripsy providers formed Michigan subsidiaries in 2005 and 2006, thereby altering the ownership landscape. Urologists who acquired partnership shares were incentivized to perform shock wave lithotripsy preferentially over URS. Because of ownership expansion, the rates of URS might have decreased. METHODS: From the Michigan files of the State Ambulatory Surgery Database, we abstracted the discharges for URS performed at hospital-based outpatient departments. We measured the differences between the patients who underwent URS in the year before (2004) and the year after (2007) ownership expansion. We then calculated the annual rates of URS in Michigan and evaluated for changes over time. RESULTS: A total of 5857 and 6294 URSs were performed in 2004 and 2007, respectively. Significant differences in age (P < .001), race (P < .001), primary payer (P < .001), and comorbidity status (P < .001) were observed between the patients who underwent URS before and after ownership expansion. However, the rates of URS in Michigan remained relatively flat despite the increased urologist ownership of lithotripters (P = .129 for the temporal trend). CONCLUSION: The introduction of physician ownership of lithotripter units in Michigan was not associated with decreased rates of URS but might have influenced treatment selection among certain patient groups.