Comparison of Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (Mini PCNL) and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) for the Minimal Invasive Management of Lower Caliceal Stones.

PURPOSE:   To evaluate the stone-free rates, quality of life, complications, use of fluoroscopy, analgesic requirements, a hospital stay following the management of lower calyceal with two different techniques (Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) in a prospective manner. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 patients with a diagnosis lower pole 1-2 cm stone were included into the study and were randomized into two groups.(Mini PCNL n: 25) ( RIRS n: 25). Safety and efficacy of both methods along with some other certain related factors were comparatively evaluated in both groups. RESULTS:  There was no significant difference between preoperative stone size, stone to skin distance, hemogram and creatinine values, need for analgesic drug, patients' replies to visual analog scale (VAS). The duration of both the hospital stay and the exposure to fluoroscopy, hematocrit decrease due to hemorrhage, complication rates were significantly higher in cases undergoing mini PCNL when compared to RIRS. Additionally, any significant difference was not observed with respect to the stone-free rates. Despite an increase in quality of life following the both type operations was noted; there was no significant difference in the quality of life between the patients in both groups. CONCLUSION:  Our findings demonstrated that both surgical techniques are the feasible alternatives in the minimal invasive treatment of lower pole stones. Although there was no meaningful difference in stone-free rates between two groups; complications, use of fluoroscopy, bleeding and duration of hospital stay were noted to be significantly higher in cases treated with mini PCNL.

Limitation of apoptotic changes and crystal deposition by Tutukon following hyperoxaluria-induced tubular cell injury in rat model.

This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of a herbal medication (Tutukon) on the hyperoxaluria induced apoptotic changes and crystal deposition in renal tubular epithelium in rat model. 60 male wistar rats were divided into three different groups (each group n: 20). In Group I severe hyperoxaluria was induced by ethylene glycol (EG) (0.75%) administration for 28 days. In Group II, in addition to hyperoxaluria induction, animals were treated with Tutukon for 28 days. Group III animals constituted the controls without any specific medication and/or intervention. While the presence and degree of crystal deposition in the tubular lumen were examined histopathologically under light microscopy, tubular apoptotic changes were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining for cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) positivity on days 14 and 28, respectively. Evaluation of apoptotic changes by Caspase-3 positivity showed that while the majority of animals undergoing EG only showed evident apoptotic changes (n: 9), Tutukon application demonstrated a significant limitation with limited or no apoptosis (n: 7) in these animals. Similar data were noted for TNF alpha expression; while apoptotic changes were evident in 8 (80%) in Group I animals, limited changes were noted in Tutukon Group (n: 2). Regarding crystal deposition despite evident changes in Group I (9 animals), like apoptotic alterations, it was again significantly limited in animals receiving Tutukon (4 animals). Renal tubular crystal deposition and apoptotic changes induced by hyperoxaluria play a role in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis and the limitation of these changes might be instituted by Tutukon as a result of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects.