Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in prone position in patients with spinal deformities.

INTRODUCTION: The feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with spinal deformities were evaluated and the results of a single centre experience were reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2014, 16 patients with spinal deformities underwent PCNL. The anomalies included 5 cases with kyphoscoliosis, 4 with post-polio syndrome, 3 with osteogenesis imperfecta, 3 with myotonic dystrophy, and 1 with ankylosing spondylitis. All patients were preoperatively evaluated by an intravenous urogram and computerized tomography to assess the anatomy and appropriate access. The operative details, stone clearance rates, and complications were retrospectivelyanalyzed. RESULTS: A total of 16 standard PCNL procedures were performed on 16 renal-units. The mean age of the patients was 30.7 ± 17.2 (5-62) years, and the mean stone burden was 609.6 ± 526.9 (100-1800) mm(2). The mean operative and fluoroscopy times were 76.6 ± 35.1 (35-150) minutes and 12.5 ± 8.5 (3-34) minutes, respectively. At the end of the surgery, 13 (81.2%) of the patients were stone free. The overall success rate was 93.7% with the inclusion of 2 patients with clinically insignificant residual fragments (<3 mm). Complications (31.2%) included haemorrhage requiring a transfusion in 2 patients, prolonged urine leakage requiring double J catheter insertion in 1, infection in 1, and nephrectomy due to bleeding in 1. Mean hospitalization time was 4.6 ± 2.4 (3-13) days. CONCLUSION: PCNL is an effective, safe and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of kidney stones in patients with spinal deformities, and it can be performed with low morbidity and high success rates. To achieve better results and minimizing the risk factors, systematic and anatomic evaluations for anaesthesia and operative planning are crucial before surgery.

Complications of pneumatic ureterolithotripsy in the early postoperative period.

PURPOSE: To document the perioperative and early postoperative complications of pneumatic ureterolithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2003, pneumatic ureterolithotripsy was performed in 665 male and 314 female patients for stones >0.5 cm. The age range was 9 months to 72 years (mean 41 years). Preoperatively, intravenous urography, urinalysis, and urine culture were done. Cefepime 1 g was given as prophylactic antimicrobial therapy 1 hour prior to surgery. A plain film of the urinary tract was taken immediately before the procedure. The operations were carried out with the patient under general anesthesia. Rigid ureteroscopes (6.9F ACMI "micro-6" or 8F-10F Storz) and the Vibrolith (Elmed, Ankara, Turkey) pneumatic lithotripter were used. The fragments were extracted with forceps or baskets. Urinalysis and culture as a routine postoperative evaluation and a plain film or ultrasonogram of the urinary tract when needed were done 1 week after the procedure. RESULTS: The stones were completely removed in 847 patients (86.5%); 783 (80%) of them went home on the day of surgery. A ureteral stent was needed in 401 patients (41.0%). Perioperative complications were migration of the stone into the kidney in 70 patients (7.2%), mucosal damage in 34 (3.5%), ureteral perforation in 17 (1.7%), ureteral avulsion in 4 (0.4%), and conversion to open surgery in 3 (0.2%). During the early postoperative period, flank pain (18.4%), pelvic discomfort (5.5%), macroscopic hematuria (7.3%), and urinary tract infection (5%) were recorded. CONCLUSION: Ureterolithotripsy by a pneumatic lithotripter is a minimally invasive, highly tolerable procedure with a low complication rate and short hospital stay when performed meticulously with appropriate instruments.

Rigid ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral calculi in children.

PURPOSE: We assess the safety and efficacy of rigid ureteroscopy for the treatment of pediatric ureterolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 33 children with an average age of 7.4 years (range 9 months to 15 years) treated with rigid ureteroscopy between May 1995 and July 2003 were reviewed. In 35 ureteral units use of a rigid 6.9 to 10Fr ureteroscope was planned for treating stones at various levels of the ureter. Stones were located in the upper ureter in 6 cases, middle ureter in 3 and lower ureter in 26. Dilatation of the ureteral orifice was necessary in 11 cases. RESULTS: Stone size varied from 3 to 10 mm (mean 5.3). In 33 patients (94%) all stone fragments were removed successfully. Stones were fragmented with pneumatic lithotripsy in 20 cases and removed by forceps without fragmentation in 13. In 1 child an upper ureteral stone migrated up to the kidney during ureteroscopy but following extracorporeal shock lithotripsy therapy she was rendered stone-free. In another child it was not possible to remove the stone. In a 9-month-old female patient with bilateral stones it was not possible to enter the left ureter because of a tight orifice resistant to balloon dilation. At the end of the procedure a 3 or 4Fr ureteral or a 4.8Fr Double-J (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) stent was left in place for 3 days to 3 weeks in 12 cases. There were no cases of ureteral perforation. Of the patients 31 were followed for 1 to 36 months. No incidence of vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 9 who underwent postoperative cystography. CONCLUSIONS: After becoming experienced and meticulously working with finer instruments in adults, rigid ureteroscopy can be a safe and efficient treatment for ureteral stones in every location in children.

Primary malignant melanoma of the kidney.

The fourth patient with a solitary malignant melanoma of the kidney with no apparent primary lesion or metastasis is reported.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the management of pediatric renal calculi.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: In the era of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), there are still some patients who will require percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Our experience with this procedure is reviewed and discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty five patients with a mean age of 7.9 years (10 months-14 years) underwent 67 PCNL procedures on 62 renal units between September 1997 and April 2001. Of the patients, 13 had previous open renal surgery, 4 had a solitary kidney, 4 were SWL failures, 2 had osteogenesis imperfecta, one had anuria secondary to bilateral calculi, 2 had poorly functioning kidneys, and 1 had cystinuria (complete staghorn calculus). One disabled patient with neurologic disorders who had multiple stones underwent PCNL in order to decrease the stone burden and to improve the kidney function. Operations were performed under the guidance of monoplane fluoroscopy. Pneumatic or ultrasonic lithotripsy and forceps extraction were used with a rigid nephroscope or ureteroscope (as an alternative instrument in small-caliber tracts). RESULTS: Excluding the patient with neurologic disorders, 53 of the renal units (86.9%) were stone free at the time of discharge, and the success rate was 96.7%, with six patients having insignificant residual fragments after the procedure. In one patient, open surgery was required, and the other patient was sent for SWL treatment. There was no contiguous organ injury, but in 16 procedures (23.9%), intraoperative hemorrhage was seen, and blood transfusions were required. CONCLUSION: Pediatric urolithiasis is usually a result of metabolic abnormalities and urinary tract infection, and there is always a risk of recurrence that may necessitate multiple additional intervention. Therefore, PCNL must be considered in selected cases by urologists who are experienced in adult percutaneous procedures.