Factors affecting complication rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children: results of a multi-institutional retrospective analysis by the Turkish pediatric urology society.

PURPOSE: We assessed factors affecting complication rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data on 1,205 renal units in 1,157 children treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy at 16 Turkish centers between 1991 and 2012. Of the patients 28.3% had a history of urolithiasis. Complications were evaluated according to the Satava classification system and modified Clavien grading system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine predictive factors affecting complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 515 females and 642 males were studied. Mean ± SD patient age was 8.8 ± 4.7 years (range 4 months to 17 years). Mean ± SD stone size, operative time and postoperative hospital stay were 4.09 ± 4.06 cm(2), 93.5 ± 48.6 minutes and 5.1 ± 3.3 days, respectively. Postoperative stone-free rate was 81.6%. A total of 359 complications occurred in 334 renal units (27.7%). Complications were intraoperative in 118 cases and postoperative in 241. While univariate analysis revealed that stone history, positive urine culture, operative time, length of hospitalization, treatment success, punctured calyx and location of the stone significantly affected the complication rates (p <0.05), operative time, sheath size, mid calyceal puncture and partial staghorn formation were the statistically significant parameters affecting complication rates on multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the treatment of choice for most renal calculi in children. The technique is effective and safe in children, with a high success rate and a low rate of major complications. The significant factors identified should be considered by clinicians to decrease associated complication rates.

Nomogram and scoring system for predicting stone-free status after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children with urolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the stone-free rate after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and its associated factors to formulate a nomogram table and scoring system to predict the probability of stone-free status in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 412 children (427 renal units [RUs]) with urolithiasis were treated with ESWL using a lithotriptor between 1992 and 2008. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the number of treatment sessions to stone-free status as a function of statistically significant demographic characteristics, stones and treatment variables. A bootstrap method was used to evaluate the model's performance. Based on the multivariate model, the probabilities of being stone-free after each treatment session (1, 2 and >3) were then determined. A scoring system was created from the final multivariate proportional hazard model to evaluate each patient and predict their stone-free probabilities. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 395 RUs in 381 patients. Of the 395 RUs, 303 (76.7%) were considered to be stone-free after ESWL. Multivariate analysis showed that previous history of ipsilateral stone treatment is related to stone-free status (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.49; P = 0.03). Stone location was a significant variable for stone-free status, but only in girls. Age (HR 1.65, P = 0.02) and stone burden (HR 4.45, P = 0.002) were significant factors in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION: We believe that the scoring system, and nomogram table generated, will be useful for clinicians in counselling the parents of children with urolithiasis and in recommending treatment.

Factors affecting complication rates of ureteroscopic lithotripsy in children: results of multi-institutional retrospective analysis by Pediatric Stone Disease Study Group of Turkish Pediatric Urology Society.

PURPOSE: We evaluated factors affecting complication rates of ureteroscopy for pediatric ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 642 children who underwent ureteroscopy at 16 Turkish centers between 2000 and 2010. Semirigid ureteroscopy was used with various calibers to treat 670 ureteral units in 660 sessions. Complications were evaluated according to the Satava and Clavien classification systems. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine predictive factors affecting complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 367 females and 265 males were studied. Mean±SD patient age was 90.2±51.4 months (range 4 to 204). Mean±SD stone size, operative time and postoperative hospital stay were 8.9±4.7 mm, 45.8±23.8 minutes and 1.8±2.8 days, respectively. At a mean±SD followup of 13.3±17.6 months 92.8% of patients were stone-free and efficacy quotient was 90.3%. Complications, which occurred in 8.4% of patients (54 of 642), were intraoperative in 25 (Satava grade I to II in 22), early postoperative in 25 (Clavien grade I to II in 23) and late postoperative in 4 (all grade III). While operative time, age, institutional experience, orifice dilation, stenting and stone burden were statistically significant on univariate analysis, multivariate analysis revealed that operative time was the only statistically significant parameter affecting the complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Semirigid ureteroscopy is effective, with a 90% stone-free rate and efficacy quotient. Most complications are low grade and self-limiting. Our results confirm that prolonged operative time is an independent predictor of complications, and should be considered when choosing and performing the treatment modality.

Is prophylactic breast radiotherapy necessary in all patients with prostate cancer and gynecomastia and/or breast pain?

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy of prophylactic radiotherapy for gynecomastia/breast pain induced by 150 mg bicalutamide in a prospective, randomized, multi-institutional trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After definitive treatment for localized prostate cancer 125 patients were randomized to 12 Gy radiotherapy before bicalutamide as prophylactic radiotherapy (53) or bicalutamide only for nonprophylactic radiotherapy (72). The incidence of gynecomastia, breast pain and tenderness, and discomfort perceived by the patients was assessed by physical examination and direct questioning at 3, 6 and 12 months of followup. RESULTS: At the end of 12 months the gynecomastia rate was 15.8% in the prophylactic group and 50.8% in the nonprophylactic group (p <0.001). On patient evaluation the breast enlargement rate was 34.4%. The severity of breast pain and tenderness was not different between the groups. The breast pain rate was 36.4% and 49.2% by 12 months in the prophylactic and nonprophylactic groups, and the rate of patients who felt discomfort from gynecomastia was 11.4% and 29.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study the incidence of gynecomastia was not as high as previously believed. Although prophylactic breast irradiation seemed to decrease the gynecomastia rate in patients on 150 mg bicalutamide, our study proves that not all patients need prophylaxis since only 52% were significantly bothered by gynecomastia. Thus, individual assessment is needed to select patients who need prophylactic radiation while on 150 mg bicalutamide.

Trifecta Outcomes of Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for T1a and T1b Renal Tumors: A Single-Center Experience in a Tertiary Care Institution.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in T1a and T1b renal tumors using "Trifecta" in partial nephrectomy and determine the predictive factors in respect to the criteria that constitute Trifecta. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data harvested from the patients who underwent LPN for T1a or T1b tumors. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and analyzed. Patients who had grade <2 Clavien complications, negative surgical margins, and minimal renal function deterioration (warm ischemia time [WIT] ≤25 minutes and ≤15% postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decrease) were acccepted to fit the strict Trifecta outcomes. Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression test to determine the predictive factors affecting Trifecta. Results: A total of 128 patients underwent LPN. Of these, 65 (50.8%) patients had cT1a and 63 (49.2%) patients had cT1b renal tumors. The mean age was 55.8 (24-85) years. Mean operative time was 143.6 (100-200) minutes. A total of five (3.9%) patients had positive surgical margins. Mean WIT was 22.1 minutes. Ten patients (7.8%) had a >15% decrease in eGFR after surgery. Complications were observed in 11 (8.6%) patients. A total of 78 (60.9%) patients had strict trifecta outcomes. Tumor size was found to be a predictive factor affecting Trifecta at multivariate analysis. Conclusions: LPN procedure has been shown to demonstrate improved strict Trifecta outcomes in patients with T1a and T1b renal tumors. Only the tumor size was found to be a predictive factor regarding the Trifecta criteria.

Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy without using ureteral stent: a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To share our results of robotic assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) we performed without using ureteral stent in a single center from Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of consecutive 45 patients (34 men and 11 women) who underwent RAPN for kidney lesions between March 2011 and December 2014 were retrieved, and evaluated. All the procedures were performed by a transperitoneal approach without using ureteral stent prior to surgery. Renal artery clamping was used in all cases and intraoperative ultrasonography was used in 2 cases. RESULTS: Patients undergoing RAPN had a mean tumor size of 4.42 cm (2-8) and a mean renal nephrometry score of 5.82 (4-11). The mean estimated blood loss was 250 mL (150-450 ml) and the mean operative time was 195 minutes (150-300). There was no statistical difference between the preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine levels at the first follow-up visit (0.9 vs. 0.95, p=0.087). Surgical margin positivity was not detected in any patient, and the mean surgical margin distance was calculated as 0.4 mm (0.2-10). In only 1 patient disease recurrence was detected at the 21(st) month of the the follow-up period, and no distant metastases was reported in our patients at a mean follow-up of 10 months (3-36 mos). Our complication rate was 11.1% and according to the Clavien system complications were as; grade 2 (3 patients), grade 3a (1 patient) and grade 3b (1 patient). CONCLUSION: With appropriately selected patients and adequate surgical experience, RAPN performed without using ureteral stent is a safe and feasible method for localized renal tumors.

980-Nm Diode Laser Vaporization versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: We compared the effectiveness and complications of 980-nm diode laser vaporization and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 72 consecutive patients with BPH entered the study. All patients underwent general and urological evaluations. The primary outcome was improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The secondary outcomes were IPSS quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), residual volume, and complications. Patients were allocated randomly to the TURP and laser groups. The Ceralas HPD120, a diode laser system emitting at a wavelength of 980 nm, was used for photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). TURP was performed with a monopolar 26 French resectoscope. Preoperative and operative parameters and surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: In total, 36 patients in each group underwent PVP and TURP. The mean age ± standard deviation was 63.1 ± 9.1 years and 64.7 ± 10.2 years in the PVP and TURP groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in age, prostate size, prostate-specific antigen concentration, Qmax, preoperative IPSS, or preoperative Qmax between the two groups. The operation duration was also similar between the groups (P = .36). The catheterization time was 1.45 ± 0.75 and 2.63 ± 0.49 days in the PVP and TURP groups, respectively (P < .01). The PVP group had a shorter hospital stay than the TURP group. The 3-month postoperative Qmax increased to 9.90 ± 3.61 and 6.59 ± 6.06 mL/s from baseline in the TURP and PVP groups, respectively; there was no difference in the increases between the groups (P = .08). The IPSS and IPSS-QoL were significantly improved with the operation (P < .01), and this improvement was similar in both groups P = .3 and P = .8, respectively . The complication rate was also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PVP with a diode laser is as safe and effective as TURP in the treatment of BPH, and the techniques have similar complication rates and functional results. PVP has the advantage of shorter hospitalization and catheter indwelling times and no need for discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy.

Penile Mondor disease and its effect on erectile function: results of 30 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment outcomes among patients diagnosed with penile Mondor disease and to evaluate the effect of the disease on erectile function. METHODS: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with penile Mondor disease were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent physical examination and penile Doppler ultrasonography and filled in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire at regular intervals. Pharmacotherapy was started when penile Mondor disease was diagnosed. After the data were confirmed to be normally distributed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the differences between the 3 IIEF-5 scores were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.3 years (range, 25-48 years). Ten patients had prolonged sexual intercourse, 4 had recent intestinal infection history, 2 had recent long-haul flights, 1 had sickle cell anemia, and 2 had penile trauma caused by sexual intercourse. Nine patients were considered idiopathic. Mean IIEF-5 scores at the baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups were 20.87, 20.07, and 20.93, respectively. Although no significant difference was found between the baseline and the 2-month follow-up IIEF-5 scores, significant differences between the baseline and the 1-month (P = .004) and the 1- and 2-month follow-up IIEF-5 scores (P = .0001) were detected. CONCLUSION: Penile Mondor disease is a rare complication that can be successfully treated with medical therapy and conservative approach. Our series showed that penile Mondor's disease does not lead to permanent deformation of the penis or erectile dysfunction.

Role of anterior prostatic fat pad dissection for extended lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer: a non-randomized study of 100 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and significance of lymph nodes found in anterior prostatic fat pad (APFP) and to evaluate the risk factors for the lymph node presence at the APFP according to preoperative and postoperative characteristics during the robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2014, 100 consecutive patients (47-77) with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent APFP excision during RARP at a single institute. Extended pelvic lymph node dissection was also performed to moderate- and high-risk patients (86 patients). Preoperative and postoperative findings were recorded, and descriptive analyses and multivariable analyses to predict the presence of lymph node within APFP were performed. RESULTS: Lymph nodes within APFP were detected in nine (9 %) patients. None of the patients had metastatic lymph node in APFP. Preoperatively, mean PSA levels (14.22 vs. 8.6, p = 0.0001), biopsy Gleason score (p = 0.002) and radical prostatectomy pathology Gleason score (p = 0.001) were higher in patients with lymph nodes at the APFP tissue. Pelvic lymph node metastases were detected in seven of 86 (8 %) patients. Of these seven patients, four (57 %) had lymph nodes at the anterior prostatic fatty pad (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: APFP dissection must be done regardless of the radical prostatectomy technique chosen. In our opinion, it is not necessary to do pathological examination of the APFP tissue routinely except for the patients with high preoperative PSA values, patients with high prostate biopsy Gleason scores and patients at high risk in order to save time and cost.

Pneumatic lithotripter application for giant bladder stone in a patient with augmentation cystoplasty.

An 18-year-old patient with repaired bladder exstrophy developed a 550-g stone burden in his augmented bladder. The stones were removed percutaneously with the aid of a pneumatic lithotripter. This should be considered the method of choice in these difficult cases.

Relation between bladder cancer and protein oxidation.

DNA, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation possess a major impact in carcinogenesis. Also, inflammatory and oxidative events have remarkable importance in bladder cancer. Thus, in this study total protein, protein carbonyl, nitrotyrosine, thiol residues, non-protein thiols, lipid peroxidation, and also, because of their relations to the above parameters, iron and iron binding levels have been investigated in patients with bladder cancer and in control group. Statistical evaluation of the results demonstrated significantly lower plasma protein levels in the patients with bladder cancer, as compared to the healthy control group. Serum iron levels in patients with invasive bladder cancer were found to be significantly lower when compared with non-invasive group. Protein carbonyl groups were remarkably higher in bladder cancer patients than in healthy controls. Patients with bladder cancer were demonstrated to have significantly lower levels of total thiol groups and protein-bound thiol groups as compared to healthy controls. Protein-bound thiol groups in patients with invasive bladder cancer revealed a more significant decline, than in non-invasive group.

What changed in the management of pediatric stones after the introduction of minimally invasive procedures? A single-center experience over 24 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of new technology on the management of pediatric urolithiasis by analyzing our local practice over the past 24 years, and determining the role of open surgery at the present time. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 768 children (783 procedures) who underwent surgical treatment for urolithiasis between June 1987 and October 2010. Data were analyzed with respect to patient characteristics and changing patterns of treatment with time. We compared the type of procedures performed between four time periods: the first was before ESWL, the second was after the introduction of ESWL, the third was after introduction of PCNL, and the fourth was our experienced period with a pediatric urologist. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 7.50 years (range 9 months-17 years). There were 495 renal, 228 ureteral, 21 bladder, 11 urethral stones, and the remaining 13 had stones in multiple locations. Of the 783 procedures performed, 75.9% were open surgery during the first period (1987-1992), 29.7% during the second period (1993-1998), 6.1% during the third period (1999-2004) and 0.2% during the fourth period (2005-2010). The number of children who underwent urinary stone treatment increased significantly (p = 0.001) and the age of the children at the time of surgery decreased (9.09-6.08 years) (p = 0.001) with time. CONCLUSION: The majority of stones in children can be managed using endourological procedures. Additionally, technological advances and improved surgical skills have greatly reduced the number of children requiring open surgery, which is mainly used for those with complex urinary calculi presenting with anatomic abnormalities. Minimally invasive techniques allow us to treat stones at an earlier age.

The Role of Partial Nephrectomy without Arterial Embolization in Giant Renal Angiomyolipoma.

Angiomyolipoma is a benign neoplasm composed of varying admixtures of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and adipose tissue. Because of an increased risk of spontaneous haemorrhage, surgical approach is needed greater than 4-8 cm size. We here report our partial nephrectomy experience in the 24 cm size giant angiomyolipoma. 26-year-old woman referred to our clinic with a 24 cm size angiomyolipoma in her lower pole of right kidney. The inferior vena cava was deviated to the left by the mass. All the blood tests were normal and we offered her the choices of partial nephrectomy or nephrectomy. Right subcostal approach was used. The patient underwent resection of the mass with a safety region of 1 cm. Frozen section evaluation was consistent with angiomyolipoma and free for surgical margin. Warm ischemia time was 35 min. and intraoperative bleeding volume was 200 cc. Postoperative 2nd day the drain was taken and hospital stay was 4 days. In literature we observed very rare angiomyolipoma cases with such a large dimension treated by partial nephrectomy without arterial embolization. If technically suitable partial nephrectomy is the main chioce in this kind of benign lesions in young patients.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for nephrolithiasis in a 2-year-old boy with type 1 glycogen storage disease: a case report.

Treatment for renal stone in a 2-year-old boy with glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD-1) is reported. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a child with GSD-1 treated by retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Localised primary amyloidosis of the urinary bladder: case series of two patients.

Isolated amyloidosis of the lower urinary tract is rare. This report presents localised primary amyloidosis of the urinary bladder as a rare cause of macroscopic haematuria. Treatment of bladder amyloidosis mainly consists of controlling the haematuria. For small localised lesions, the favoured approach is transurethral resection (TUR) of the lesion.

Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for isolated lower caliceal stones in children compared with stones in other renal locations.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for isolated lower caliceal calculi in a pediatric age group and compare it with that for isolated middle/upper caliceal and renal pelvic calculi. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 151 renal units in 126 children treated with ESWL for isolated caliceal and renal pelvic stones from March 1992 to February 2004. The stones were localized in the lower, middle/upper calices, and renal pelvis in 50, 26, and 75 renal units, respectively. The results were compared with respect to renal location and stone burden. RESULTS: The median patient age was 8 years (range 1 to 16). The median stone burden in the lower and middle/upper caliceal groups was significantly lower than in the renal pelvis group at 0.6, 0.6, and 1 cm2, respectively (P = 0.002). The overall stone-free rate was 62% for lower calices, 65.3% for middle/upper calices, and 80% for renal pelvis stones. For the group with a stone size greater than 2 cm2, the stone-free rate decreased to 33% in both lower and middle/upper calices; however, it was almost the same in the renal pelvis (81.8%). A highly significant relation was found between the stone burden and number of sessions (P < 0.001), but none between the stone burden and stone-free rate. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, ESWL was equally effective for stones in all locations. We recommend ESWL as the primary treatment of choice for stones less than 2.0 cm2 in all caliceal locations. For the management of caliceal stones greater than 2.0 cm2, prospective randomized trials comparing ESWL and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are necessary.

Increased formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in peripheral blood leukocytes in bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Reactive oxygen species-induced damage to DNA plays a major role in carcinogenesis. METHODS: In order to estimate the level of oxidative damage in bladder cancer, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was determined in DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy adults and patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma. Patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and control individuals were similar in age. In this study, the level of 8-OHdG in DNA in male subjects was measured by the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector method. RESULTS: The 8-OHdG levels in DNA from leukocytes of bladder cancer patients were significantly higher than those in controls. CONCLUSION: Reduction of oxidative stress is thought to be a very important measure for primary prevention of bladder cancer.

The impact of caliceal pelvic anatomy on stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy for pediatric lower pole stones.

PURPOSE: The clearance rather than stone disintegration of lower pole stones after shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is significantly inferior according to the other localizations of the kidney. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of caliceal pelvic anatomy on stone clearance after SWL for pediatric lower pole stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 163 renal units (RUs) in children 16 years old or younger with SWL between March 1992 and February 2002. In 36 RUs stones were localized in the lower calices. All patients were treated with sedoanalgesia except 3 (8%) who were treated under general anesthesia. Patients were evaluated by excretory urography and ultrasonography 12 weeks after the last session, and were designated as stone-free or with residual stone. The lower infundibular length, width, length-to-width ratio, pelvic caliceal height and lower infundibulopelvic angle were determined on standard excretory urography before SWL. All measurements were done by 1 urologist who was unaware of the results. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. ROC analysis was done to determine the cutoff points of caliceal anatomy measurements for stone clearance. RESULTS: We treated 36 RUs in 23 males and 10 females with isolated lower caliceal stones. Median patient age was 10.5 years (range 2 to 16). Median stone burden was 0.7 cm (range 0.2 to 4), and median number of shock waves and energy used for the entire patient population was 1,500 and 17.2 kV, respectively. Overall stone-free rates for the 36 RUs were 61% after a median treatment session of 1 (range 1 to 7) and retreatment rates were 39%. Of the patients rendered free of stones 13 (59%) were treated in a single SWL session and 9 (41%) underwent 2 or more sessions. Median lower infundibular length, width, length-to-width ratio and pelvic caliceal height in the stone-free and residual stone group were 25.5, 28.0 mm, 4.5, 5.0 mm, 6.4, 5.5 mm and 21.5, 21.5 mm, respectively (p = 0.810, 0.327, 0.511 and 0.511). Median lower infundibulopelvic angle in the stone-free and residual stone groups was 92.50 and 92.50 degrees, and 60.0 and 54.50 degrees, respectively (p = 0.860 and 0.089). On ROC analysis no parameter predicting stone-free rate and cutoff points of caliceal anatomy measurements for stone clearance was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that caliceal pelvic anatomy in pediatric lower pole stones has no significant impact on stone clearance after SWL. There was a highly significant relation between retreatment rates and stone burden, which should be considered for determining the treatment modality.

A simple position to provide better imaging of upper ureteral stones close to the crista iliaca during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the Siemens Lithostar.

OBJECTIVE: The fluoroscopic image from the second plan (oblique) tube of an upper ureteral stone close to the crista iliaca may be superimposed on the pelvic bones during SWL using the Siemens Lithostar with the patient in the prone position. This creates difficulty in imaging and targeting of the stone and can necessitate using ureteral catheters before treatment and/or intravenous contrast injection during SWL. We describe a very simple, yet effective method for easier visualization of the stone under this circumstance. METHODS: Between March 1992 and February 2003, we treated 1561 patients with ureteral stones by SWL with the Siemens Lithostar. The stones were localized in the upper ureter in 841. The image of the stone from the second plan (oblique) tube was superimposed on the pelvic bones in 221 in whom visualization of the stone was hardly possible with the standard prone position. By simply rotating the patient 180 degrees on the table, the superimposition of the image of the stone on the pelvic bone was obviated. This resulted in easier and better imaging of the stone during SWL. It also allowed for a clear and superior image to the treating physician during SWL. The energy and shock waves, utilization of anesthesia, number of treatment sessions, auxiliary measures, and complications were noted. Stone load was recorded in square centimeters (cm(2)). Patients were evaluated by intravenous urogram or KUB and ultrasonography when stone-free or CIRF (nonobstructive and noninfectious insignificant fragments < or =4mm) status was noted at the fluoroscopic control 2 to 4 weeks after the last session. Final CIRF decision was made 10-12 weeks after the last session. SWL was regarded as failure if no fragmentation was noted after the 3rd session. Therapy was continued if fragmentation was noted. RESULTS: The median age was 40 (range 5-85). The mean stone burden was 0.8 (range 0.24-2.9) cm(2). No indwelling ureteral stents were placed in any patients before and during treatment. The mean number of shock waves and energy used for the entire patient population was 2007 and 17.5kV, respectively. The median and average treatment session was 1 and 1.7, respectively. A total of 196 patients (89%) were rendered stone-free. Clinically insignificant residual fragments were present in 18 (8%). SWL was unsuccessful in 7 (3%) patients. These stones were removed by ureterorenoscopy. Intravenous contrast administration was not used to facilitate stone targeting during SWL. Anesthesia, in the form of analgesic sedation, was used in 7 (3%) patients. We did not observe any complications and adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described hereby does not have an affect on coupling; it only provides a superior image of the stone to the treating physician. We advocate its application in all patients with upper ureteral stones close to the crista iliaca when the fluoroscopic image of the stone from the second plan (oblique) tube is superimposed on pelvic bones during SWL in prone position.