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.

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.

Lymphocyte subsets in renal transplant recipients with de novo genitourinary malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of genitourinary tumors (GUT) in renal transplant recipients (RTR) is higher than in the general population. We previously reported that CD4 lymphocytopenia is associated with a high incidence of skin cancer in RTR. Here, we investigate whether persistent CD4 T cell lymphopenia is associated with GUT occurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 433 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent annually systematic lymphocyte subset (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19) determination by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: During the follow-up period, 13 patients developed GUT: 6 patients a prostate adenocarcinoma (incidence 0.06%/year) and 7 patients a renal cell carcinoma (incidence 0.07%/year). The patients with GUT were older than those without. Both groups did not differ in posttransplant duration, dialysis mode and duration, induction regimen, or acute rejection history. No persistent CD4 lymphopenia was observed in the patients with GUT. Although CD4 T cell lymphopenia is associated with skin cancer in long-term RTR, it did not appear to be a risk factor for GUT. This suggests that other factors encountered in the setting of kidney transplantation (e.g., immunosuppressive drugs, end-stage renal failure, etc.) favor the development of GUT in RTR.

Morbidity of retropubic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in renal transplant recipients: multicenter study from Renal Transplantation Committee of French Urological Association.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the morbidity and surgical complications of retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and compare these results with the observed morbidity in a control group of nontransplanted patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study and reviewed the charts and records of 20 RTRs who had undergone RRP for localized prostate cancer at four French renal transplant centers belonging to the Renal Transplantation Committee of the French Urological Association from April 1996 to April 2007. A total of 40 patients who had undergone RRP at the same centers, by the same surgeons, were analyzed as the case-control population. RESULTS: The mean operating time (163 +/- 41 vs 160 +/- 66 minutes), blood loss (516 +/- 279 vs 566 +/- 449 mL), transfusion rate (20% vs 22.5%), and hospital stay (11.9 +/- 5.44 vs 9.45 +/- 2.8 days) were similar in the RTR and case-control populations. No graft loss or graft injury was reported in the RTRs, except for two ureteral injuries that were immediately repaired during RRP. No decrease in the kidney graft function was observed after RRP. The rate of medical complication (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection) was similar in both groups, except for the rate of bacterial systemic infection, which was significantly greater in the RTRs than in the controls (15% vs 2.5%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, RRP was a safe procedure to treat localized prostate cancer in RTRs. RRP resulted in the same morbidity in RTRs as in the case-control population.

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.

Extended 21-sample needle biopsy protocol for diagnosis of prostate cancer in 1000 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic yield of a 21-sample ultrasound-guided needle biopsy protocol as the initial diagnostic strategy for detection of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2001 and October 2005, 1000 consecutive patients underwent 21-sample needle biopsies under local anesthesia, comprising sextant biopsies, 3 additional posterolateral biopsies in each peripheral zone, 3 biopsies in each transition zone (TZ), and 3 biopsies in the midline peripheral zone. Each prostate core was numbered and analyzed separately. The patients were divided into subgroups according to the result of digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostate volume. We evaluated the cancer detection rate overall and in each subgroup. We compared the results of our biopsy protocol to those from 6-, 12-, and 18-core biopsy protocols by analyzing only those cores from our protocol that would correspond to these biopsy schemes. RESULTS: Cancer detection rates using 6 biopsy samples (sextant biopsies only), 12 samples (sextant plus lateral biopsies), 18 samples (sextant, lateral, and TZ biopsies), and 21 samples (sextant, lateral, TZ, plus midline biopsies) were 31.7%, 38.7%, 41.5%, and 42.5%, respectively. The 12-sample procedure improved the cancer detection rate by 22% compared with the 6-sample procedure (p=0.0001). The improvement in the diagnostic yield was most marked in patients with a prostate volume > or =55 ml (36.9%), in patients with normal DRE (26.6%), and in patients with PSA<4 (37.5%). The addition of TZ biopsies to a 12-biopsy scheme increased the diagnostic yield by 7.2% overall (p=0.023). Only 10 of 425 (2.3%) patients were diagnosed on the sole basis of midline biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with suspected localized prostate cancer should be offered at least 12 biopsies in the peripheral zone and far lateral peripheral zone (statistically significant). TZ biopsies have to be considered, because these biopsies improve the diagnostic yield. For patients with abnormal DRE and/or PSA> or =20 ng/ml, the 6-biopsy scheme seems sufficient (statistically), but 6 far lateral peripheral zone biopsies as well as the TZ biopsies add little incremental value (not significant). Evidence does not support the use of routine midline peripheral zone needle biopsies in the initial biopsy to enhance the detection of prostate cancer.

[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.

[Priapism and activated protein C resistance]. / Priapisme et résistance à la protéine C activée.

Priapism is a rare disease that can be secondary to a clotting disorder. The authors report the first published case of priapism due to a heterozygous mutation of factor V Leiden responsible for activated protein C resistance in a patient treated with low molecular weight heparin. A similar case has already been reported, but with a homozygous mutation. Priapism must therefore be considered to be a thromboembolic event and the presence of a clotting disorder should be systematically investigated in the absence of an obvious aetiology.