Transurethral Resection of Prostate.

Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) has been the "gold standard" for surgical removal of the enlarged prostatic adenoma for many decades, and is likely to remain so despite the advent of multiple minimally invasive alternative procedures. TURP has stood the test of time, whereas the alternatives have come and gone in succession, as we have witnessed over the years. The accompanying video demonstrates the complete steps of TURP in a case of prostatic adenoma, highlighting the important nuances of the principles and the technique of resection.

Mini versus ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a paediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there would be a difference in outcome when the smaller ultra-mini 12 Fr sheath was used instead of the mini 16 Fr sheath for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in paediatric patients for stones less than 25 mm. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients who underwent PCNL in our hospital in a 2-year period from July 2016 to June 2018 by a single surgeon. PCNL was performed in a prone position and tract was dilated to the respective size using single step dilatation. Laser was used to fragment the stone. Stone-free outcome was defined as absence of stone fragment at 3 months on kidney, ureter, and bladder X-ray. RESULTS: There were 40 patients in each group. Mean stone size was comparable between the two groups (14.5 mm vs. 15.0 mm). The procedure was completed faster in the 16 Fr group compared to 12 Fr group (24.5 min vs. 34.6 min). Stone clearance was highly successful in both groups (97.5% vs. 95.0%). There was no difference in complications between the two groups. The decrease in hemoglobin was minimal in both groups (0.2 g/dL vs. 0.3 g/dL). CONCLUSION: We found that the success rates were similar in both mini PCNL and the smaller ultra-mini PCNL groups. No significant difference in bleeding was noted in our pilot study, however, operative time was longer in the ultra-mini group as compared to the mini sheath group.

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy using antegrade tether: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotoomy (PCNL), although an accepted technique by now, continues to suffer from two major limitations: The need for postoperative cystoscopy for ureteral stent removal and inability to perform a "second-look" procedure for any residual fragments. We share our experience with a modification of the standard tubeless PCNL technique that allows us to overcome these shortcomings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 166 patients selected to have PCNL were randomized into two groups of 83 each. In group A (control group), the patients underwent standard PCNL with the insertion of a nephrostomy tube at completion; in group B (intervention group), modified tubeless PCNL was performed with a Double-J (DJ) stent inserted with a tether attached to its proximal end, taken out through the percutaneous tract. The nephrostomy tube in group A was removed postoperatively on the second or third day, whereas those in group B had the stent removed directly by pulling the attached tether within the office setting 10 to 14 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The need for postoperative analgesia was significantly higher in group A compared with group B (mean dose of tramadol needed, 128 mg vs 81.3 mg) (P<0.001). Four patients in group A had postoperative urinary leakage from the nephrostomy site, whereas there were no leaks in patients in group B. Group B patients spent significantly shorter average time in hospital (21.6 hours) compared with group A (54 hours) (P<0.001). Two of the patients in group B needed a second-look procedure, performed by the insertion of a guidewire down the stent, which was pulled out partially by its tether. Presence of the tether in the flank or the process of subsequent removal did not cause any discomfort to any patient. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that tubeless PCNL with a tethered DJ stent overcomes its main drawback, namely, the need for cystoscopy for stent removal, and also allows access to the pelvicaliceal system for second-look nephroscopy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Large tube, small tube, tubeless, or totally tubeless?

The role of percutaneous nephrostomy tube for drainage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure has come under scrutiny in recent years. The procedure has been modified to use of small diameter tubes, 'tubeless' PCNL, and even 'totally tubeless' PCNL. A review of the available literature confirms that the chosen method of drainage after PCNL has a bearing upon the post-operative course. It is generally recognized now that small tubes offer benefit in terms of reduced post-operative pain and morbidity. Similarly, nephrostomy-free or 'tubeless' PCNL, using a double-J stent or ureteric catheter as alternative form of drainage, can be used with a favorable outcome in selected patients with the advantage of decreased postoperative pain, analgesia requirement, and hospital stay. Although the tubeless technique has been applied for extended indications as well, the available evidence is insufficient, and needs to be substantiated by prospective randomized trials. In addition, 'totally tubeless' approach has also been shown to be feasible in selected patients.

A randomized study of aspiration and sclerotherapy versus laparoscopic deroofing in management of symptomatic simple renal cysts.

PURPOSE: To perform a prospective randomized study to evaluate aspiration and sclerotherapy vs. laparoscopic deroofing in the management of symptomatic simple renal cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts were randomized to treatment either by ultrasonography-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy (group A-20 patients) or by laparoscopic deroofing (group B-20 patients). Two patients in group A and one patient in group B had a parapelvic cyst. Patients were evaluated by urine analysis, serum creatinine level, coagulation profile, ultrasonography, and CT urography. In group A patients, after aspiration, 1% polidocanol in a volume equivalent to 10% of cyst volume was instilled. In group B patients, laparoscopic deroofing was performed. All patients were followed up by ultrasonography up to 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: In group A, aspiration and sclerotherapy was performed on an outpatient basis, and none of the patients needed postoperative analgesia. Eighteen of 20 patients had complete regression; two of these had parapelvic cyst. Partial regression with relief of pain was noted in one patient, whereas treatment failed in one patient. None of the patients had any significant complication and none required analgesia. All the patients were discharged two hours after the procedure. In group B, laparoscopic deroofing was successfully performed in 19 of 20 patients. Laparoscopic deroofing could not be performed in one patient with parapelvic cyst because of failure of access. The mean analgesic requirement was 285 ± 57.98 (200-400) mg tramadol, and average hospital stay was 2.1 ± 0.32 (2-3) days. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy with polidocanol is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive therapeutic option for symptomatic simple renal cysts, with equal efficacy and lower morbidity and hospital stay in comparison with laparoscopic deroofing.

Safety and efficacy of ultrasonography as an adjunct to fluoroscopy for renal access in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

OBJECTIVE: • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography (US)-guided renal access in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), as compared with conventional fluoroscopy-guided renal access in a prospective randomized trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • From January 2008 to October 2009, 224 patients with renal calculi undergoing PCNL were randomized into two groups. • Group 1 (112 patients) underwent PCNL using only fluoroscopy-guided renal access; while in group 2 (112 patients), US guidance for puncture was used in addition to fluoroscopy. • The inclusion criteria were: normal renal functions, American Society of Anesthesiology scores 1 or 2, absence of congenital abnormalities, aged 15-70 years, and anticipated single-tract procedure. The patients in both groups were matched for age, sex, and stone characteristics. • The Student t-test was used for statistical analysis with an allowable error of 5%. RESULTS: • The mean time to successful puncture was 3.2 min and 1.8 min in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P < 0.01). • The mean duration of radiation exposure to successful puncture was 28.6 s in group 1 and 14.4 s in group 2 (P < 0.01). • The mean numbers of attempts for successful puncture in the desired calyx was 3.3 in group 1 as compared with 1.5 in group 2 (P < 0.01). • The meantime taken for tract formation in group 1 was 7.4 min with radiation exposure of 82 s, while in group 2 it took 4.8 min with radiation exposure of 58 s (P < 0.01). • Successful access was achieved in all patients. All patients were stone-free at the end of the operation. The hospital stay (2-3 days) was same in both groups. There was no incidence of significant bleeding requiring transfusion during or after surgery. All the patients were followed-up for a ≥ 6 months. CONCLUSION: • US-guided puncture in PCNL helps in increasing accuracy of puncture and decreasing radiation exposure for the surgical team and the patients.

A prospective randomized study comparing alfuzosin and tamsulosin in the management of patients suffering from acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective : Prospective randomized study to compare the efficacy and safety of alfuzosin and tamsulosin in patients suffering from acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods : Patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) due to BPH (total 150) were catheterized and randomized into three groups: Group A: alfuzosin 10 mg (50 patients), Group B: tamsulosin 0.4 mg (50 patients), Group C: placebo (50 patients). After three days, catheter was removed, and patients were put on trial without catheter (TWOC). Patients with successful TWOC were followed up for three months, taking into account the prostate symptom score (AUA Score), post-void residual urine volume (PVRV), and peak flow rate (PFR). ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results : Both group A (alfuzosin) and group B (tamsulosin) had similar results of TWOC (group A - 66%, group B - 70%), which were significantly superior than group C (placebo) - 36%. In follow up, three (9.1%) patients in group A, three (8.6%) patients in group B and eight (44.4%) patients in group C had retention of urine, requiring recatheterization. These patients were withdrawn from the study. After three months, alfuzosin- or tamsulosin-treated patients showed a significant decrease in AUA score and PVRV; and a significant increase in PFR as compared to placebo. Conclusions : TWOC was more successful in men treated with either alfuzosin or tamsulosin and the subsequent need for recatheterization was also reduced. Tamsulosin was comparable to alfuzosin in all respects, except a small but significant side effect of retrograde ejaculation.

Are multiple nephrostomy tubes necessary after multitract percutaneous nephrolithotomy? A randomized comparison of single versus multiple nephrostomy tubes.

PURPOSE: Placement of multiple nephrostomy tubes is the standard practice after completion of multitract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for complex/staghorn calculi. We conducted a study to see whether use of a single nephrostomy tube in comparison with multiple tubes reduces postoperative discomfort without compromising safety of the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two patients with complex/staghorn renal calculi who were treated with PCNL requiring multiple tracts were included in the study. The inclusion criteria included normal renal function, complete clearance of calculi, and no significant intraoperative complication. Patients were randomized into two groups on operation table at completion of procedure-group A, single nephrostomy tube placement after multitract PCNL; group B, one nephrostomy tube for each tract. RESULTS: Postoperative analgesia requirement in group A was significantly less than that in group B (111.9 +/- 27.4 mg meperidine in group A; 165.8 +/- 34.4 mg in group B) (p < 0.001). The difference in average blood loss for two groups was not statistically significant (drop in hemoglobin: group A, 0.48 gm%; group B, 0.51 gm%) (p = 0.55). Three patients in group A and four in group B required blood transfusion (p = 0.65). The average hospital stay in group A (42.4 +/- 8.6 hours) was significantly shorter than that in group B (68.1 +/- 6 hours) (p < 0.001). No long-term squealae were noticed in the median follow-up of 18 months in any patient. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that use of a single nephrostomy tube in multitract PCNL is safe and as effective as the conventional practice of placing multiple tubes. In addition, a single tube minimizes postoperative morbidity related to the drainage tubes.

A randomized comparison of tubeless and standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: We present a randomized study of tubeless or nephrostomy-free percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a modification of the standard technique, compared with standard PCNL to evaluate the role of tubeless PCNL in minimizing postoperative discomfort and reducing duration of hospital stay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and two patients undergoing PCNL were randomized to two groups: Group A (standard PCNL) with nephrostomy tube placement postoperatively, and group B (tubeless PCNL) with antegrade placement of a Double-J stent without nephrostomy. Inclusion criteria were: normal renal functions, single tract procedure with complete clearance, and minimal bleeding at completion. The two groups were comparable in age and sex and in metabolic and anatomic features. Factors evaluated included postoperative pain, analgesia requirement, blood loss, postoperative morbidity, hospital stay, and time to recovery. RESULTS: All patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery. The average visual analogue scale pain score on postoperative day 1 for group A patients was 59 +/- 5.1 compared with 31 +/- 4.8 in group B (P < 0.01). The mean analgesia requirement for group A (meperidine 126.5 +/- 33.3 mg) was significantly more compared with group B (meperidine 81.7 +/- 24.5 mg) (P < 0.01). The difference in average blood loss and urinary infection for the two groups was not statistically significant. The incidence of urinary leakage from the nephrostomy site was significantly less for the tubeless group (0/101), compared with the standard PNL group (7/101). The average hospital stay in the tubeless group (21.8 +/- 3.9 hours) was significantly shorter than that of the standard PCNL group (54.2 +/- 5 hours) (P < 0.01). Tubeless group patients took 5 to 7 days for complete convalescence whereas standard PCNL patients recovered in 8 to 10 days. No long-term sequelae were noticed in the median follow-up period of 18 months in any patient. CONCLUSION: Nephrostomy-free or tubeless PCNL reduces postoperative urinary leakage and local pain related to the drainage tube. It also minimizes hospital stay; the majority of patients were discharged from the hospital in fewer than 24 hours.

The safety and efficacy of different doses of bacillus Calmette Guérin in superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a trial using three different doses of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) to determine whether lowering the dose of BCG could reduce toxicity without compromising its efficacy in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: From July 2002 to June 2005, 152 patients with superficial bladder cancer entered the trial. The patients were randomized to receive three different doses of BCG: 40, 80, and 120 mg. There were no significant differences in clinical and pathologic characteristics among the three groups. Twenty-four patients could not be followed to the end of the study because of poor compliance. At completion of the study, 40 patients could be evaluated in group A (40 mg), 48 in group B (80 mg), and 40 in group C (120 mg). RESULTS: After treatment patients were evaluated for a mean follow-up period of 36 months (range 18 to 52 months). No significant difference in recurrence rate (20% versus 25% versus 20% respectively; P >0.05) was observed among the groups, and no progression of the disease was seen. Significant differences were observed among groups A, B, and C in local toxicity (30% versus 41.7% versus 70%, respectively; P <0.01). Systemic toxicity was more common in group C compared with groups B and A (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in the dose of intravesical BCG can reduce the toxicity associated with the treatment of superficial bladder cancer without affecting the efficacy of therapy.

Hemiresection of the prostate: short-term randomized comparison with standard transurethral resection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for a very large and vascular gland in a medically compromised patient, there may arise the need for quick termination of the procedure because of medical problems that develop as a result of fluid absorption or bleeding if the surgery is prolonged. In such a situation, an alternative solution proposed by us is termination of the procedure after complete resection of one lateral lobe (and the median lobe, if present) of the prostate (hemiresection). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2001, 161 consecutive symptomatic men with prostates >50 cc and an indication for prostatectomy were randomized to receive either a standard TURP (group 1; 80 patients) or prostatic hemiresection; i.e., complete resection of one lateral lobe and the median lobe, if present (group 2; 81 patients). The two groups were comparable in terms of age and prostate size. Preoperative and postoperative parameters were compared in the two groups using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Resected tissue weight was significantly greater in group 1, while the resection time and operative blood loss were significantly lower in group 2. The two groups had comparable improvement in symptom score and flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hemiresection of the prostate produces short-term functional results comparable to those of standard TURP in patients with prostates >50 cc, with shorter operative duration and significantly less bleeding. It is an acceptable surgical option in medically compromised patients with significant cardiac, pulmonary, or renal comorbidity.