Comparison of intraoperative and postoperative complications based on ASA risks in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative complications which developed according to pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk criteria in patients who had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixty patients who had undergone PNL between 2002 and 2014 were included in the study. Patients operated on the ipsilateral kidney, those with solitary kidney or the cases who had previously undergone more than one access were excluded from this study. Preoperative anesthesia risks were determined according to preoperative classification developed by ASA. Postoperative complications were evaluated using Clavien Complication Grading Scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases was 47±14 years. The 57% (n=319) of the cases were male, 241 (43%) of them were female. The average indwell time of nephrostomy catheter was 2.88±1.00 (1-8), and length of hospital stay was 4.91±1.54 (2-17) days. When the cases were assessed according to ASA risk groups, intraoperative complications were observed in 9 (5.5%) ASA I, 27 (8.6%) ASA II, and 18 (22%) ASA III patients and and distribution of the patients was statistically significant (p<0.001). When intraoperative complications were evaluated one by one, intraoperative hypotension developed in ASA I (n=3; 1.8%), ASA II (n=20; 6.4%) and ASA III (n=11; 13.4%) risk groups and this distribution (p=0.002) of patients was statistically significant. When assessed according to Clavien Postoperative Scale, postoperative complications developed (p=0.053) in ASAI (n=24; 14.7%), ASA II (n=27, 8.6%) and ASA III (n=13; 15.9%) risk groups, and this distribution of the patients was not statistically significant. In postoperative complications, Grade 3a complications developed in ASA I (n=12; 7.4%), ASA II (n=19; 6%) and ASA III (n=8; 9.8%) risk groups and this distribution was not seen to be statistically significant (p=0.485). CONCLUSION: A statistically significant difference observed regarding intraoperative complications in the groups formed according to ASA risk criteria, on Clavien Grading scale no statistically significant difference was observed as for postoperative complications. In this context, we considered that ASA risks are major risk factors for PNL operations in terms of intraoperative complications.

Are the urology operating room personnel aware about the ionizing radiation?

PURPOSE: We assessed and evaluated attitudes and knowledge regarding ionizing radiation of urology surgery room staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent by e-mail to urology surgery room personnel in Turkey, between June and August 2013. The questionnaire included demographic questions and questions regarding radiation exposure and protection. RESULTS: In total, 127 questionnaires were answered. Of them, 62 (48.8%) were nurses, 51 (40.2%) were other personnel, and 14 (11%) were radiological technicians. In total, 113 (89%) participants had some knowledge of radiation, but only 56 (44.1%) had received specific education or training regarding the harmful effects of radiation. In total, 92 (72.4%) participants indicated that they used a lead apron and a thyroid shield. In the subgroup that had received education about the harmful effects of radiation, the use ratio for all protective procedures was 21.4% (n=12); this ratio was only 2.8% (n=2) for those with no specific training; the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). Regarding dosimeters, the use rates were 100% for radiology technicians, 46.8% for nurses, and 31.4% for other hospital personnel; these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). No significant relationship between working period in the surgery room, number of daily fluoroscopy procedures, education, task, and use of radiation protection measures was found. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that operating room-allied health personnel exposed to radiation do not have sufficient knowledge of ionizing radiation and they do not take sufficient protective measures.

Are the urology operating room personnel aware about the ionizing radiation?

ABSTRACT Purpose: We assessed and evaluated attitudes and knowledge regarding ionizing radiation of urology surgery room staff. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent by e-mail to urology surgery room personnel in Turkey, between June and August 2013. The questionnaire included demographic questions and questions regarding radiation exposure and protection. Results: In total, 127 questionnaires were answered. Of them, 62 (48.8%) were nurses, 51 (40.2%) were other personnel, and 14 (11%) were radiological technicians. In total, 113 (89%) participants had some knowledge of radiation, but only 56 (44.1%) had received specific education or training regarding the harmful effects of radiation. In total, 92 (72.4%) participants indicated that they used a lead apron and a thyroid shield. In the subgroup that had received education about the harmful effects of radiation, the use ratio for all protective procedures was 21.4% (n=12); this ratio was only 2.8% (n=2) for those with no specific training; the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). Regarding dosimeters, the use rates were 100% for radiology technicians, 46.8% for nurses, and 31.4% for other hospital personnel; these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). No significant relationship between working period in the surgery room, number of daily fluoroscopy procedures, education, task, and use of radiation protection measures was found. Conclusions: It is clear that operating room-allied health personnel exposed to radiation do not have sufficient knowledge of ionizing radiation and they do not take sufficient protective measures.

Effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy on renal functions in children: assessment by quantitative SPECT of (99m)Tc-DMSA uptake by the kidneys.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) on global and regional renal function in children. METHODS: In total, 40 children (41 renal units) undergoing PNL were included in this prospective study. All patients were evaluated using quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography (QSPECT) with technetium-99 m-dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-DMSA) examinations before and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.5 years (range, 3-16), and the mean stone size was 3.4 cm (range, 2-6.5). Of the cases, 39 (95%) were managed as being stone-free after a single session of PNL. After additional treatment procedures, 40 (97.5%) of the cases were managed as being stone-free. Of the 41 renal units, new focal cortical defects on (99m)Tc-DMSA scans were seen in 4 (9.7%) patients. Total relative uptake in the treated kidneys increased from 42.3% to 44.1%. The mean creatinine level before PNL was 1.18 ± 0.45 (0.8-1.6) mg/dL compared with 1.16 (0.7-1.5) mg/dL by the end of the follow-up period (not statistically significantly different, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PNL in children is a safe and feasible method for the maximal clearance of stones. QSPECT of (99m)Tc-DMSA confirmed that renal function is preserved or even improved after percutaneous stone removal.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after transurethral resection of prostate.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), administered as intramuscular diclofenac in comparison with intravenous paracetamol after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty men, aged 55 to 75 years, undergoing TURP at our hospital were included in this study. Patients were divided randomly and prospectively into two groups (25 patients in each group). Group I (NSAID) received 75 mg of diclofenac i.m. at the end of the operation followed by 75 mg of diclofenac i.m. for 24 hours (75 mg x 2 once a day = 150 mg/24 h) postoperatively. The other group (Group II) consisted of patients who received 1g/100 mL i.v. paracetamol 15 minutes twice daily as postoperative analgesia. Postoperative pain scores were evaluated at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after administration of each analgesic, using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Furthermore, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels and hemostatic variables (bleeding time, prothrombine time and the international normalized ratio, i.e. the ratio of a patient's prothrombin time to a normal [control] sample) were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: The pain score changes during a 4 hour period between the two groups was similar (p = 0.162). Thirty minutes after surgery, pain scores were high (> 3 cm) in both groups and without differences between groups (p = 0.11) but 6 hours after surgery, pain scores were significantly higher with paracetamol compared to diclofenac (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the amount of resected tissue, operating time, preoperative-postoperative Hb levels and hemostatic variables. In the both groups, no patient required blood transfusion postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs are not a contraindication to TURP and should be used for the control of postoperative pain if indicated.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after transurethral resection of prostate

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), administered as intramuscular diclofenac in comparison with intravenous paracetamol after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Materials and methods: Fifty men, aged 55 to 75 years, undergoing TURP at our hospital were included in this study. Patients were divided randomly and prospectively into two groups (25 patients in each group). Group I (NSAID) received 75 mg of diclofenac i.m. at the end of the operation followed by 75 mg of diclofenac i.m. for 24 hours (75 mg x 2 once a day = 150 mg/24 h) postoperatively. The other group (Group II) consisted of patients who received 1g/100 mL i.v. paracetamol 15 minutes twice daily as postoperative analgesia. Postoperative pain scores were evaluated at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after administration of each analgesic, using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Furthermore, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels and hemostatic variables (bleeding time, prothrombine time and the international normalized ratio?, i.e. the ratio of a patient's prothrombin time to a normal [control] sample) were recorded in all patients. Results: The pain score changes during a 4 hour period between the two groups was similar (p = 0.162). Thirty minutes after surgery, pain scores were high (> 3 cm) in both groups and without differences between groups (p = 0.11) but 6 hours after surgery, pain scores were significantly higher with paracetamol compared to diclofenac (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the amount of resected tissue, operating time, preoperative-postoperative Hb levels and hemostatic variables. In the both groups, no patient required blood transfusion postoperatively. Conclusions: NSAIDs are not a contraindication to TURP and should be used for the control of postoperative pain if indicated.

Effect of previous open renal surgery and failed extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy on the performance and outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of previous open renal surgery and unsuccessful extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) treatment on the performance and outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 410 consecutive PCNL procedures for renal calculi were performed at our institution from November 2006 to March 2009. Of these 410 patients, 86 (20.9%) with a history of failed SWL on the same side were categorized as group I, and 132 (32.2%) who had previous open renal surgery (+/-SWL) on the same kidney were categorized as group II. The remaining 192 patients (46.9%) without a history of SWL or open renal surgery comprised group III. Patient demographics, stone characteristics, operative findings, including operative time, time to access the collecting system, flouroscopy time, success rate, need for auxiliary treatments, and complications were documented in detail and compared in each group. RESULTS: There were no differences between the three groups in age, sex, weight, and stone laterality. In the post-SWL group, mean stone burden was significantly lower than in groups II and III. Mean operative time, time to access the collecting system, fluoroscopic screening time, complication rates, nephrostomy removal times, and hospitalization times were similar in the each groups (P > 0.05 for each parameter). The stone-free rates after PCNL were 89.5% in group I; 87.1% in group II; and 88.5% in group III. These rates increased to 98.8%, 96.2%, and 96.8%, in groups I, II and III, respectively, after a second intervention (PCNL, SWL, or ureterorenoscopy). CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly demonstrates that PCNL with standard technique can be performed safely in patients with a history of open nephrolithotomy or SWL without a higher risk of complications and with a success rate similar to that of PCNL in patients with no previous intervention.

Transurethral cystolithotripsy with holmium laser under local anesthesia in selected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of transurethral holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia in selected patients. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive male patients with large bladder calculi (3 cm or greater) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent transurethral cystolithotripsy using holmium:YAG laser under local anesthesia. The operation was performed with all the patients in the lithotomy position (except 3 with pelvic prosthesis). All patients underwent transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy (HLC) with a flexible cystoscope under local anesthesia by 1 surgeon. A urethral Foley catheter was placed postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a mean age of 58.2 years were managed with HLC. All patients were rendered stone-free, regardless of stone size. No patient underwent transurethral resection of the prostate at the completion of the procedure. The mean stone size was 3.6 cm (range 3-5) and the mean operative time was 51 minutes (range 45-65). The whole procedure was well tolerated and no significant differences were found in the mean pain score between the HLC group and a group of male patients who underwent flexible cystoscopy under local anesthesia (2.15 vs 1.86, respectively; P = .467). No major intraoperative complication occurred. The mean hospitalization was 2.3 days. After a mean follow-up of 16.6 months, no recurrent stone, urinary retention, or urethral stricture developed. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy under local anesthesia appears to be a safe and effective technique for the large bladder calculi. Thus, it may be used as an alternative treatment option in selected patients.