Urinary tract infection after flexible ureterorenoscopy for urolithiasis in patients with positive treated preoperative urinalysis.

Prevalence of kidney stones is increasing worldwide, flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) is the most common surgical treatment. Postoperative urinary tract infection (PUTI) is the primary complication. Some risk factors are classically associated with PUTI, especially preoperative positive urinalysis (POPU). We aimed to identify risk factors for PUTI after f-URS for urolithiasis in patients with treated POPU, and to identify the different pre and postoperative pathogens. Retrospective, single-center study of all f-URS for urolithiasis between January 2004 and December 2020. Procedures with treated POPU were categorized as PUTI or no PUTI (NPUTI). We examined demographics, preoperative, perioperative and postoperative characteristics in each group. Among 1934 procedures analyzed, 401 (20.7%) had POPU; these were categorized into NPUTI (n = 352, 87.8%) and PUTI (n = 49, 12.2%). By univariate analysis, only preoperative stenting duration (76.3 in NPUTI group vs 107.7 days in PUTI group, p = 0.001) was significantly associated with a higher risk of PUTI in univariate analysis. Germ distribution was similar in both groups. We compared pre- and postoperative microbiological data for interventions with PUTI, and found that only 8.7% of pathogens were identical between pre and postoperative urinalysis. Our study shows that the rate of PUTI is higher for patients with a POPU and that preoperative stent duration is the sole risk factor in patients with POPU. The low concordance rate (8.7%) between POPU and post-operative pathogens highlights the need for further research on obtaining sterile preoperative urinalysis, or performing intraoperative culture (urines, stent or stone), to treat PUTI early with an adapted antibiotic therapy.

Evaluation and comparison of scoring systems for predicting stone-free status after flexible ureteroscopy for renal and ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate four predictive scores for stone-free rate (SFR) after flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) with holmium-YAG laser fragmentation of renal and ureteral lithiasis. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 800 f-URS procedures performed in our institution between January 2009 and December 2016. For each procedure, a single surgeon calculated the following scores: S.T.O.N.E score; Resorlu Unsal Stone Score (RUSS); modified Seoul National University Renal Complexity (S-ReSC) score; and Ito's score. RESULTS: Overall SFR was 74.1%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that stone size (p<0.0001), stone volume (p<0.0001), stone number (p = 0.004), narrow lower pole infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) (p = 0.003) and lower pole location + IPA <45° (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with SFR. All scores differed between the stone-free and non-stone-free groups. Area under the curve of the receiving operator characteristics curve was calculated for each score: 0.617 [95%CI: 0.575-0.660] for the S.T.O.N.E score; 0.644 [95%CI: 0.609-0.680] for the RUSS; 0.651 [95%CI: 0.606-0.697] for the S-ReSC score; and 0.735 [95%CI: 0.692-0.777] for Ito's nomogram. CONCLUSION: All four scores were predictive of SFR after f-URS. Ito's score was the most sensitive. However, the performance of all scores in this analysis was lower than in developmental studies.

Effects of Obesity on Postoperative Complications and Graft Survival After Kidney Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of obesity on postoperative complications and patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively included 506 patients who received a kidney transplant in our center during eleven years. Obesity was defined by a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 based on World Health Organization criteria. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we evaluated the impact of obesity on surgical complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification up to 30 days after surgery. The impact of obesity on graft and patient survival was assessed using a Cox proportional regression model. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were obese (14%), and mean follow-up was 63.1 months (59.7-66.5). By multivariable analysis, obesity was associated with delayed graft function (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.60 [1.31-5.02], P = .004). Obesity was not associated with surgical complications, but cardiovascular history was (HR = 1.68 [1.09-2.99], P = .048). By Cox regression analysis, obesity was significantly associated with a higher risk of graft loss (HR = 1.55 [1.06-2.99], P = .042) but not with patient survival (HR = 1.82 [0.88-3.79], P = .106). CONCLUSION: Obesity was associated with delayed graft function and graft loss. However, it was not associated with surgical complications. Kidney transplantation remains the best therapy for obese patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, despite shorter graft survival.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Renal and Proximal Ureteral Stone in Patients with Previous Ureteral Stenting: Impact on Stone-Free Rate and Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze results (stone-free rate [SFR]) and complications after flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) for renal or lumbar ureteral lithiasis in patients with a previous ureteral stenting (US). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study, including all f-URS procedures achieved in our department, between January 2004 and December 2010, for renal or lumbar ureteral urinary lithiasis. In total, 497 procedures were performed: 316 procedures in patients with a ureteral stent placed before the surgery for renal colic, sepsis, or renal failure (group 1) and 181 procedures in patients without US (group 2). Success was defined as a complete SFR at 6-month follow-up. Surgical morbidity was defined using the Clavien-Dindo grading system. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 were well balanced in terms of demographic data, number, and size of stones. Ureteral location was significantly higher in group 1 (30.2% vs 16.3%, p = 0.0006). Surgery characteristics were similar in both groups. By univariate analysis, SFR tended to be slightly higher in the group with prior ureteral stenting (72% vs 63%, p = 0.05). SFR for ureteral location was also higher after previous ureteral stenting (81.5% vs 59.4%, p = 0.023). By multivariate analysis, only stone size and number were correlated with f-URS failure. Complication rate was comparable in both groups (10.7% vs 11.8%, p = 0.7). CONCLUSION: Technical aspects of the f-URS procedure were not modified by ureteral stenting. We found that f-URS in patients with ureteral stenting was not associated with a better SFR, except in case of ureteral location in univariate analysis. Ureteral stenting was not independently related to f-URS outcome by multivariate analysis.

Comparison of the efficacy and morbidity of flexible ureterorenoscopy for lower pole stones compared with other renal locations.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) for lower pole stones (LPS) compared with other renal locations can be challenging because of anatomic and technical considerations. We aimed to compare the stone-free rate (SFR) and surgical complication rate with f-URS for LPS vs other renal locations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-center study including 371 f-URS for renal stone retrieval performed in our institution between January 2004 and December 2010. Among the 371 procedures included in this analysis, 139 were performed for stones located in a single renal location other than the lower pole (group 1), and 232 for at least one stone located in the lower pole (group 2). We compared the efficacy (SFR) and the morbidity of f-URS between the two groups. The success of the procedure was defined as a complete SFR 6 months after f-URS. RESULTS: Age, sex, history of urolithiasis, body mass index, and preoperative stent placement did not differ between the two groups. No differences in stone characteristics were observed between both groups except stone size under 10 mm that was significantly higher in group 2 (P=0.018). Technical aspects of the procedure did not differ between the groups, except for more frequent use of an access sheath in group 2 (P=0.007). SFR was comparable between groups (P=0.774). The complication rate was similar in both groups, as was the severity of complications. By multivariate analysis, stone size >10 mm (P<0.0001) and multiple stone locations (P=0.001) were associated with f-URS failure, but lower pole location did not impact on SFR. CONCLUSION: In our study, stone location, in particular LPS, did not have any impact on efficacy and morbidity of f-URS. Only multiple locations and stone size >10 mm seemed to significantly decrease the SFR, without impacting morbidity.

Epididymal Leiomyoadenomatoid Tumor: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Primary tumors of the epididymis are rare. Adenomatoid tumors are benign, usually found within the wall of fallopian tubes or beneath the uterine serosa. They are most frequently diagnosed as benign tumors of the epididymis and represent 30% of paratesticular tumors. The origin of this tumor is mesothelial cells. Leiomyoma are less common in the paratesticular localization. The origin of this tumor is smooth muscle cells. Clinically, these tumors are indistinctive with a painless mass of the scrotum. Here, we reported a case of combined leiomyoadenomatoid tumor. The histogenesis of this lesion remains unknown. This entity can be the result of a collision of the two tumors, or it can be a subtype of adenomatoid tumors with smooth muscle hyperplasia. This case showed the difficulty that occurs in the identification of this kind of lesion. Only one case of this entity in the epididymis was described in the literature. Leiomyoadenomatoid tumor is a benign neoplasm. In our case, this lesion was surgically removed in toto and no recurrence was observed.

Ureterorenoscopy with holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet fragmentation is a safe and efficient technique for stone treatment in patients with a body mass index superior to 30 kg/m2.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze results and morbidity after flexible ureterorenoscopy in patients with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2) and to compare with results obtained in a large cohort of nonobese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all flexible ureterorenoscopy performed for stone retrieval in our institution between January 2004 and December 2008. During the study period, 224 procedures were performed, of which 18 had to be excluded because of missing BMI data. Thus, a total of 206 procedures were included in the final analysis (34 in 29 obese patients, 172 in 149 nonobese patients). Characteristics of the patients (age, BMI, previous treatment), stones (nature, location, number), and procedures (operating time, morbidity, outcome) were analyzed. Success was defined as clear imaging (completely stone free) on renal tomography and ultrasonography at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Mean BMI was 34±0.6 kg/m(2) in obese patients (OP) and 24±0.2 kg/m(2) in nonobese patients (NOP). Mean stone size, location, and composition were not significantly different between groups. Operative time was also similar in OP and NOP (102.5±6.1 min vs 103±3.4 min, P=NS). The rate of minor complications (fever, hematuria, flank pain) was similar in OP (11.8%) and NOP (11.4%). No major complication necessitating prolonged hospital stay or new surgical procedure was observed. The overall stone-free rate was not significantly different between OP (79.4%) and NOP (70%). CONCLUSION: Flexible ureterorenoscopy is an appropriate treatment for use in obese patients and achieves excellent stone-free rates with low morbidity.

Expression analysis of VEGF-A and VEGF-B: relationship with clinicopathological parameters in bladder cancer.

The present investigation was conducted first to determine whether correlation exists between VEGF-A and -B mRNA levels and clinicopathological parameters and to assess their prognostic value in bladder cancer, then to clarify the expression level and biological significance of VEGF-A isoforms. Total RNA was isolated from 37 specimens of bladder cancer. Northern blot analysis revealed that VEGF-B mRNA was not expressed either in normal urothelium or in bladder cancer and detected three VEGF-A transcripts of 5.2, 4.5 and 1.7 kb in length, respectively. The VEGF-A transcript levels were greater in cancer tissues than in normal urothelium. They were significantly higher in pT2-T4 than in pTa and pT1 urothelial tumors and thus, were correlated to the pathologic stage. Contrary to the 4.5 kb transcript, elevated expression of the 5.2 and 1.7 kb transcripts was correlated with the histologic grade and the presence of carcinoma in situ. Patients with higher VEGF-A mRNA levels had a significantly shorter survival without progression compared to those with lower levels. Three VEGF-A splice variants were detected by southern blotting namely, VEGF121, 165 and 189. The expression intensity of each isoform was evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in 20 new fresh frozen recent tumors. VEGF121 and VEGF165 were expressed at the similar level. On the contrary, they were significantly more expressed than VEGF189 (p<0.05). The three isoforms were higher expressed in pT2 bladder cancers than in pTa tumors (p<0.05). There was only a significant correlation between the increased expression level of VEGF121 and 165 and the histological grade of the lesion (p<0.05). To conclude, VEGF-A mRNA level is a potential prognostic indicator of progression in bladder cancer as well as the expression level of the different VEGF-A splice variants.

Accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosis of testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of testis rupture after scrotal trauma and its sensitivity and specificity for testis rupture, tunica albuginea breach, testicular hematoma, testis avulsion, epididymis injuries, and hematocele. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2006, 33 patients underwent surgical exploration for blunt scrotal trauma. All these patients had an emergency scrotal ultrasonography with the use of a 7.5 or 10 MHz linear transducer. Ultrasonographic findings were compared with surgical findings to calculate sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography for each type of lesion. RESULTS: Of 33 patients, 16 presented a testis rupture. Testis rupture was in all cases suspected ultrasonographically by the loss of contour of the testis and heterogeneous parenchyma. Tunica albuginea breach was visualized in only 8 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for testis rupture were 100% and 65%, respectively. Moreover, ultrasonography allowed diagnosis of hematocele (sensitivity: 87% and specificity: 89%), testicular hematoma (sensitivity: 71%, specificity: 77%), and testis avulsion (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 97%). Ultrasonography results for epididymis injuries were poor. On 7 patients, 3 epididymis lesions were misdiagnosed by ultrasound examination. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography can distinguish various scrotal injuries. Testicular rupture is probably the most severe injury that needs early surgical treatment to improve testis salvage rate. In our work, ultrasonography is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of testis rupture and can provide information on the scrotal contents integrity that can help the physician to determine the optimal treatment.

[Vascular prostheses and renal transplantation]. / Protheses vasculaires et transplantations rénales.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications, the morbidity and mortality of renal transplantation in patients with a vascular prosthesis inserted either prior to or at the same time as renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 2001 and January 2006, six renal transplantations were performed in patients with arterial vascular prostheses or requiring concomitant insertion of a vascular prosthesis during renal transplantation. The mean age was 58 years [range: 47-69 years]. In each case, we evaluated operative difficulties, complications and postoperative course (morbidity, mortality) and the renal functional result. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 230 minutes [range: 130-380 minutes] with a mean blood loss of 390 ml [175-750 ml]. Three patients required another surgical operation for femoral thrombosis, iliofemoral thrombosis and compressive haematoma. The median length of hospital stay was 21 days [range: 9-78 days]. Graft function was restored immediately in all six patients, and one case of graft loss was observed. The morbidity was higher than that usually observed after renal transplantation. With a mean follow-up of 26 months, the vascular and renal results are satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation in patients with a history of vascular prosthesis or requiring replacement of the vascular prosthesis at the same time as renal transplantation can be performed with satisfactory results but with an increased morbidity. The vascular treatment must be part of a multidisciplinary strategy in the context of transplantation.

[Genetic cause of male infertility and molecular biology]. / Infertilité masculine de cause génétique et biologie moléculaire.

At the present time, 15% of couples experience reproduction difficulties. Surgical collection of spermatozoa associated with the intracytoplasmic sperm injection technique (ICSI) resolves the problems of male infertility formerly considered to be irreversible, regardless of its aetiology. Molecular biology now allows evaluation of the genetic dimension of male infertility. Although it demonstrates the multiple aetiologies of male infertility, it also reveals the gaps in our knowledge and the extent of the task that has yet to be accomplished. Microdeletion of the Y chromosome, detected in 2% to 20% of infertile patients with a disorder of spermatogenesis, has already been well documented. All of the genes involved on the Y chromosome (DAZ, RBMY, etc.) in infertile patients have been shown to be involved in spermatogenesis. Testing for other genes of the genome would also be useful. However, the unknown outcome of these abnormalities with successive generations raises a number of questions. In this article, the authors describe the main genes involved in spermatogenesis as demonstrated by molecular biology.

[Management of severe renal trauma]. / Prise en charge actuelle des traumatismes graves du rein.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the progress in the management of severe renal trauma (Chatelain stage 3 and 4) over a period of 11 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 1989 to June 2001, 21 patients were treated for severe renal trauma. Up until 1995, all patients were operated urgently or on the 7th day (n = 12). After 1995, patients were operated (n = 3) or managed nonoperatively (n = 6). We retrospectively studied the age, gender, type of trauma (open, closed), associated lesions, radiological assessment performed, treatment and complications. RESULTS: 20 males and 1 female with a mean age of 30.3 years were managed for severe renal trauma (17 stage 3 and 4 stage 4; 20 cases of closed trauma, 1 case of open trauma). The radiological assessment comprised ultrasound (13 cases), abdominopelvic CT (19 cases) and IVU (4 cases). Thirteen patients presented with multiple injuries with associated visceral (8 cases), bone (7 cases), or mixed (3 cases) lesions. Six patients were managed nonoperatively and 15 patients were operated: 6 urgently (4 total nephrectomies), 9 on the average of the 7th day (conservative treatment). Five patients developed long-term complications (4 cases of renal atrophy, 1 urohaematic pseudocyst). The median follow-up was 13.5 months. CONCLUSION: The current approach to stage 3 renal trauma tends to be surveillance and nonsurgical management (carefully selected, haemodynamically stable patients). Vascular repair before the 5th hour is recommended for stage 4 trauma. Cases of delayed diagnosis of arterial thromboses are monitored.

Differential regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in bladder cancer cells.

The growth of any solid tumor depends on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a prominent role in vesical tumor angiogenesis regulation. Previous studies have shown that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) was involved in the angiogenesis process. Here, we report for the first time that in two different human bladder cancer cell lines, RT4 (derived from grade I tumor) and T24 (derived from grade III tumor), VEGF (mRNA and protein) is differentially up-regulated by the three PPAR isotypes. Its expression is increased by PPARalpha, beta, and gamma in RT4 cells and only by PPARbeta in T24 cells via a transcriptional activation of the VEGF promoter through an indirect mechanism. This effect is potentiated by an RXR (retinoid-X-receptor), selective retinoid LG10068 providing support for a PPAR agonist-specific action on VEGF expression. While investigating the downstream signaling pathways involved in PPAR agonist-mediated up-regulation of VEGF, we found that only the MEK inhibitor PD98059 reduced PPAR ligand-induced expression of VEGF. These data contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms by which PPARs regulate VEGF expression. They may lead to a new therapeutic approach to human bladder cancer in which excessive angiogenesis is a negative prognostic factor.