The Significance of Stone Culture in the Incidence of Sepsis: Results from a Prospective, Multicenter Study on Infections Post Flexible UreteroreNescopy (I-FUN) and Laser Lithotripsy for Renal Stones.

Objective: Sepsis is the most serious complication of flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) and laser lithotripsy. We assessed the influence of positive stone culture (SC) on major infectious complications (sepsis, septic shock). Methods: This prospective study enrolled adult patients deemed suitable for F-URS and laser lithotripsy from nine centers (January 2022-August 2023). Inclusion criteria were as follows: kidney stone(s), preoperative midstream urine culture (MSUC), stone(s) assessed at computed tomography scan, and SC. Exclusion criteria were as follows: bilateral procedures, ureteral stones, and children. Group 1 included patients with sterile SC. Group 2 included patients with positive SC. Data are presented as median (interquartile range). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with having a positive SC. Results: In total, 293 patients were included. Median age was 51.0 (24) years. There were 167 (57.0%) males. Group 2 included 32 (2.5%) patients. Group 2 patients were significantly older [75.0 (14) vs 51.0 (23) years, p = 0.02]. Stone features were similar. Major infectious complications were higher in Group 2 (15.6% vs 0.4%). One patient died because of sepsis in Group 2. Two out of 6 (33.3%) patients with major infectious complications had the same pathogen in MSUC and SC. In the multivariable regression analysis, diabetes (OR 3.23), symptomatic urinary infections within 3 months before operation (OR 4.82) and preoperative stent/nephrostomy (OR 2.92) were factors significantly associated with higher odds of positive SC. Conclusions: Patients with positive SC have a higher incidence of major infectious complications after F-URS lithotripsy. SC should be performed whenever feasible because there is a poor correlation between MSUC and SC.

Robot-assisted vesico-vaginal fistula repair: technical nuances

ABSTRACT Introduction: Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) is a rare event in Western countries and are mainly consequent to iatrogenic injuries (1, 2). When conservative management fails, surgical repair is needed, although timing and surgical approach (open or minimally invasive (3)) are still controversial (4, 5). Herein we present a step-by-step description of robot-assisted vesico-vaginal fistula repair. Material and Methods: From 2015 to 2018 six patients underwent robotic vesico-vaginal fistula repair. Pre-operative cystoscopy was performed to identify the fistulous tract. The ureters were stented. A small catheter was inserted in the fistula. A longitudinal cystotomy was performed, then a dissection of the posterior bladder from the anterior vaginal wall was performed and the fistolous tract was excised. The vagina was sutured horizontally. Four patients underwent omental flap and two pericolic fat interposition. The bladder was closed with a double-layer suture. Results: All the vesico-vaginal fistulas developed after previous gynaecological surgery. The median operative time was 160 minutes [interquartile range (IQR) (146-177)]. Intraoperative blood loss was 25 (IQR 0-50) mL. No post-operative complications were recorded. Ureteral stents were removed at 4th post-operative day. Catheter was removed 13 (IQR 11-15) days after surgery after cystography assessment. One patient had Clavien I complication (ileus). Surgical pathology report was negative. No fistula recurrence was reported during follow-up. Conclusions: In our experience, robot-assisted fistula repair is a feasible and safe procedure. It presents the advantages of minimally invasive approaches and seems to provide low morbidity and good outcomes. Compared to transvaginal approach, the robotics allows to manage more complex cases with high success rate (6).