Percutaneous nephrolithotomy - the puncture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine what importance is given to the puncture and assistive technologies in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in the current urological literature. METHODS: PubMed was searched for English publications and reviews for the keywords: 'percutaneous nephrolithotomy', 'percutaneous nephrostomy', 'puncture'. The search was limited to the last 5 years, January 2016 until February 2021. Based on 183 abstracts, 121 publications were selected, read, and reviewed. References, older or seminal papers were read and cited if they contributed to a better understanding. A total of 198 references form the basis of this narrative review. RESULTS: The puncture is frequently referred to as the most crucial part of PNL. In contrast, the influence of the puncture on the failure rate of PNL and the specific puncture-related complications seems to be low in the single-digit percentage range. However, there are no universally accepted definitions and standards measuring the quality of puncture. Consequently, the impact of the puncture on general PNL complications, on stone scores predicting success rates and on learning curves evaluating surgeons' performance have not been systematically studied. Assistive technologies rely on fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, the latter of which is becoming the preferred imaging modality for monitoring the entire procedure. Needle bending, a problem relevant to all puncture techniques, is not addressed in the urological literature. CONCLUSIONS: The importance attached to puncture in PNL in the current urological literature is subjectively high but objectively low. Some basics of puncture are not well understood in urology. Disciplines other than urology are more actively involved in the development of puncture techniques.

Efficacy and safety of four interventions for spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: a network meta-analysis.

OBJECT: To investigate the efficacy and safety of four interventions of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage simultaneously. METHODS: PubMed, EmBase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating endoscopic surgery (ES), minimally invasive puncture surgery (MIPS), conventional craniotomy (CC), and/or conservative medical treatment (CMT). Good functional outcome, death, and hemorrhage recurrence rates were evaluated by a network meta-analysis. RESULTS: 20 RCTs with 3603 patients were included. Compared with CMT, a higher rate of good functional outcome was found after ES (RR=2.21, 95% CI 1.37 to 3.55) and MIPS (RR=1.47, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.73). Both ES (RR=0.62, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.86) and MIPS (RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.90) markedly reduced the rate of death. However, there was no significant difference in efficacy and safety between ES and MIPS. The top ranked P score for the efficacy outcome was for ES (P score=0.9810). ES (P-score=0.0709) ranked lowest for the primary safety outcome. There was a higher risk of hemorrhage recurrence after CC (RR=3.80, 95% CI 1.90 to 7.63) and MIPS (RR=2.86, 95% CI 1.70 to 4.82) compared with CMT whereas no significant difference was found for ES (RR=1.46, 95% CI 0.53 to 4.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both ES and MIPS significantly improve neurological function and reduce the risk of death compared with CMT, and there is no significant difference between ES and MIPS. Ranking of P scores revealed that ES may be the most optimal intervention to improve functional outcome and prevent death. This needs to be evaluated further.

Recomendaciones conjuntas EFLM-COLABIOCLI para la extracción de muestras de sangre venosa; armonizar desde la base / Joint EFLM-COLABIOCLI recommendation for venous blood sampling; harmonize from the bottom

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Surgical Management of Moderate Basal Ganglia Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Puncture and Drainage, and Craniotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To date, no standard surgical procedure has been proven effective for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), particularly deep hematomas. This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic surgery, minimally invasive puncture and drainage, and craniotomy for treating moderate basal ganglia ICH. METHODS: Patients with basal ganglia ICH (N = 177) were divided into 3 groups based on therapeutic intervention as follows: endoscopic surgery group (n = 61), minimally invasive puncture and drainage group (n = 60), and craniotomy group (n = 56). Patient characteristics at admission were recorded. Operative time; blood loss during operation; evacuation rate; postoperative complications secondary to perihematomal edema, including rebleeding, infectious meningitis, pulmonary infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and epilepsy; mortality; and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: Minimally invasive puncture and drainage was the least traumatic procedure and had the shortest operative time, but it could not remove the hematoma quickly; moreover, it had the highest rebleeding rate. Craniotomy was effective in removing the hematoma but resulted in marked trauma and had the highest incidence of pulmonary infection. Endoscopic surgery was safer and more effective than the other 2 surgical methods, with greater improvement in neurologic outcomes and no change in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive neuroendoscopic management has the advantages of direct vision, efficient hematoma evacuation, and relatively good results. Endoscopic surgery may be a more promising approach for the treatment of moderate basal ganglia ICH.

Application of an individualized and reassemblable 3D printing navigation template for accurate puncture during sacral neuromodulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of an individualized and reassemblable three-dimensional (3D) printing navigation template for making accurate punctures during sacral neuromodulation (SNM). METHODS: From July 2016 to July 2017, 24 patients undergoing SNM were enrolled. Conventional X-ray guidance was used in the control group, which included 14 patients, while the 3D printing template was used in the experimental group, which included 10 patients. The number of punctures, the average puncture time, the exposure to X-ray, the adjustment time during the operation and the testing of the SNM device, the infection and haemorrhage rate, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) implantation rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 24 patients successfully underwent stage I. When comparing the control group and the experimental group, the number of punctures were 9.6 ± 7.7 and 1.5 ± 0.7, respectively; the average puncture times were 35.4 ± 14.6 and 4.1 ± 2.2 min, respectively; and the X-ray exposure levels were 8.37 ± 4.83 mAs and 2.34 ± 0.54 mAs, respectively. No postoperative complications were reported in either group. The IPG implantation rates were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The 3D printing template for SNM can help us to perform accurate and quick punctures into the target sacral foramina, reduce X-ray exposure, and shorten the operation time. For patients with obesity, sacral variation, sacral bone fractures or losses and for patients who are unable to tolerate the prone position during operation, use of the 3D printing template is recommended.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of craniotomy and craniopuncture therapy for the early stage of moderate volume spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in basal ganglia: Using the CTA spot sign as an entry criterion.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment is widely used for haematoma removal in spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) patients, but there is controversy about the selection of surgical methods. The CT angiography (CTA) spot sign has been proven to be a promising factor predicting haematoma expansion and is recommended as an entry criterion for haemostatic therapy in patients with ICH. This trial was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of two surgical methods (haematoma removal by craniotomy and craniopuncture combined with urokinase infusion) for patients in the early stage (≤6h from symptom onset) of spontaneous ICH with a moderate haematoma volume (30 ml - 60 ml). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to July 2017, 196 eligible patients treated in our institution were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria. The patients were divided into the CTA spot sign positive type and CTA spot sign negative type according to the presence or absence of the CTA spot sign. For each type, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups, i.e., the craniotomy group, in which patients underwent craniotomy with haematoma removal, and the craniopuncture group, in which patients underwent minimally invasive craniopuncture combined with urokinase infusion therapy. Neurological function was evaluated with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) at day 14. The disability level and the activities of daily living were assessed using a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI) at day 90. Case fatalities were recorded at day 14 and 90. Complications were recorded during hospitalization. RESULTS: For the CTA spot sign positive type, the craniotomy group had a higher SSS than that in the craniopuncture group (P < 0.05) at day 14. The rebleeding rate was higher in the craniopuncture group than that in the craniotomy group (P < 0.05) during hospitalization. The craniotomy group had a lower mRS than that in the craniopuncture group (P < 0.01) and had a higher BI than that in the craniopuncture group (P < 0.05) at day 90. There was no statistically significant difference in the fatality rate between the two groups. For the CTA spot sign negative type, there were no significant differences in the SSS, mRS, BI, fatality rate and complication rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: ICH can be divided into the CTA spot sign positive and negative type according to the presence or absence of the CTA spot sign. For the CTA spot sign positive type, patients can benefit from craniotomy with haematoma removal, which can reduce the postoperative rebleeding rate and improve the prognosis. For the CTA spot sign negative type, both craniotomy and craniopuncture are applicable. Considering simple procedure and minor surgical injury, craniopuncture can be a more reasonable choice.

Direct transfer to angiosuite to reduce door-to-puncture time in thrombectomy for acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate direct transfer to the angiosuite protocol of patients with acute stroke, candidates for endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: We studied workflow metrics of all patients with stroke who had undergone EVT in the past 12 months. Patients followed three protocols: direct transfer to emergency room (DTER), CT room (DTCT) or angiosuite (DTAS, only last 6 months if admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >9 and time from onset <4.5 hours) according to staff/suite availability. DTAS patients underwent cone-beam CT before femoral puncture. Dramatic clinical improvement was defined as 10 NIHSS points drop at 24 hours. RESULTS: 201 patients were included: 87 DTER (43.3%), 74 DTCT (36.8%), 40 DTAS (19.9%).Ten DTAS patients (25%) did not receive EVT: 3 (7.5%) showed intracranial hemorrhage on cone-beam CT and 7 (17.5%) did not show an occlusion on angiography. Mean door-to-puncture (D2P) time was shorter in DTAS (17±8 min) than DTCT (60±29 min; p<0.01). D2P was longer in DTER (90±53 min) than in the other protocols (p<0.01). For outcome analyses only patients who received EVT were compared; no significant differences in baseline characteristics, including time from symptom-onset to admission, puncture-to-recanalization, or recanalization rate, were seen. However, time from symptom-to-puncture (DTAS: 197±72 min, DTER: 279±156, DTCT: 224±142 min; p=0.01) and symptom-to-recanalization (DTAS: 257±74, DTER: 355±158, DTCT: 279±146 min; p<0.01) were longer in the DTER group. At 24 hours, there were no differences in NIHSS score (p=0.81); however, the rate of dramatic clinical improvement was significantly higher in DTAS: 48.6% (DTER 24.1%, DTCT 27.4%); p=0.01). An adjusted model pointed to shorter onset-to-puncture time as an independent predictor of dramatic improvement (OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.13 to 133; p<0.01) CONCLUSION: In a subgroup of patients direct transfer and triage in the angiosuite seems feasible, safe, and achieves significant reduction in hospital workflow times.

Brinquedo terapêutico no procedimento de punção venosa: estratégia para reduzir alterações comportamentais / Juguete terapéutico durante el procedimiento de punción venosa: estrategia para reducir alteraciones de comportamiento / Therapeutic toy during the procedure of venipuncture: a strategy to reduce behavioral changes

Introdução: A enfermagem pediátrica deve estar atenta aos subsídios da assistência que tornem possível um melhor manejo da dor e da ansiedade oriundas da hospitalização infantil, geralmente, causadas pela realização de procedimentos invasivos como a punção venosa. O uso do Brinquedo Terapêutico Instrucional (BTI) pode representar uma intervenção eficaz para lidar com os efeitos negativos da hospitalização. Objetivo: Comparar as reações manifestadas pela criança frente ao preparo para punção venosa antes e após o uso do BTI. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa é analítica, exploratória e de abordagem quantitativa. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o teste de McNemar. A amostra consistiu de 21 crianças hospitalizadas, pré-escolares e escolares, a coleta deu-se entre junho e agosto de 2012, em unidade de internação pediátrica do Crato, CE (Brasil). Resultados e Discussão: Após o uso do BTI, observou-se uma redução na frequência de variáveis comportamentais que indicam menor adaptação ao procedimento, com significância estatística em especial para: “Solicita a presença Materna” e “Evita olhar para o Profissional” (p<0,001). A realização das sessões também potencializou a frequência de, praticamente, todos os comportamentos associados a uma melhor aceitação ao preparo ou realização da punção venosa, com destaque para “Observa o Profissional” (p<0,001) e “Sorri” (p<0,005). Conclusões: O BTI constitui relevante intervenção para a enfermagem pediátrica, sendo necessário, para sua aplicação sistematizada, articular ações que visem uma maior sensibilização dos órgãos gestores dos serviços de pediatria, maior capacitação dos profissionais envolvidos e melhor abordagem do ensino do brinquedo terapêutico nos cursos de graduação de enfermagem.

Introducción: La enfermería pediátrica debe conocer los recursos de asistencia que permitan mejor manejo del dolor y la ansiedad ocasionada de una hospitalización infantil, generalmente, causadas por realización de procedimientos invasivos, como la punción venosa. El uso del Juego Terapéutico Instruccional (JTI) puede representar una intervención eficaz para hacer frente a efectos negativos de la hospitalización. Objetivo: Comparar las reacciones manifestadas por el niño sometido a punción venosa antes y después del uso del JTI. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio es analítico, exploratorio y cuantitativo. Para el análisis de datos se empleó el test de McNemar. La muestra consistió en 21 niños hospitalizados, pre-escolares y escolares, la recolección de datos ocurrió entre junio y agosto de 2012 en unidad pediátrica de Crato, CE (Brasil). Resultados y Discusión: Después del uso del JTI, se observó una reducción en la frecuencia de las variables de comportamiento que indican una adaptación menor al procedimiento de punción venosa, estadísticamente significativo: “Solicita la presencia Materna” y “Evita mirar el Profesional” (p <0,001). La realización de las sesiones también potencializó la frecuencia de prácticamente todos los comportamientos asociados a una mejor aceptación a la preparación o realización de la punción venosa: “Observa el Profesional” (p <0,001) y “Sonríe” (p <0,005). Conclusiones: El JTI constituye una intervención relevante para la enfermería pediátrica, siendo necesario para su aplicación, articular acciones destinadas a aumentar la sensibilización entre los administradores de los servicios de pediatría, mayor capacitación de los profesionales y un mejor abordaje en la educación del juguete terapéutico en los pregrados de enfermería.

Introduction: Pediatric nurses should always be attentive to the care subsidies that make possible a better control of pain and anxiety generated by infant hospitalization. Generally, these adverse feeling in children are caused by the realization of intrusive procedures, such as venipuncture. The use of the Therapeutic Toy Instructional (TTI) may represent an effective intervention to deal with the negatives effects of hospitalization. Objective: To compare the reactions expressed by the child, exposed to venipuncture, before and after the use of TTI. Materials and Methods: The research is analytical, exploratory and quantitative approach. For analysis of the data was employed the McNemar test. The sample consisted of 21 hospitalized children, pre-school and school ages, the process of data was collected between June and August of 2012 in a pediatric unit from Crato, CE (Brazil). Results and Discussion: After using the TTI, there was a reduction in frequency of behavioral variables that indicate less adaptation to the procedure, particularly for “Require the presence of mother" and "Try not to look for the Professional" (p <0.001). The realization of the sessions also increased the frequency of many behaviors associated with better acceptance of the procedure, especially: "Look for the Professional" (p <0.001) and "Smile" (p <0.005). Conclusions: The TTI is a relevant intervention for pediatric nursing; to use it in a systematic way is needed: planning actions aimed at increasing awareness among managers of pediatric services, better training of professionals and the inclusion of teaching of therapeutic toy in nursing courses.

Added value of transoesophageal echocardiography during transseptal puncture performed by inexperienced operators.

AIMS: Transseptal puncture (TP) appears to be safe in experienced hands; however, it can be associated with life-threatening complications. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the added value of routine use of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the correct positioning of the transseptal system in the fossa ovalis, thus potentially preventing complications during fluoroscopy-guided TP performed by inexperienced operators. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and five patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation procedure (PVI) for drug-resistant paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation were prospectively included. When the operator (initially blinded to TEE) assumed that the transseptal system was in a correct position according to fluoroscopical landmarks, the latter was then checked with TEE unblinding the physician. If necessary, further refinement of the catheter position was performed. Refinement >10 mm, or in case of catheter pointing directly at the aortic root or posterior wall were considered as major repositioning. Thirty-four patients required major repositioning. Regression analysis revealed age (P: 0.0001, Wald: 12.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.16), left atrial diameter (P: 0.01, Wald: 6.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.34), previous PVI (P: 0.01, Wald: 6.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-8.76), and atrial septal thickness (P: 0.03, Wald: 4.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-3.4) as independent predictors of major revision with TEE. CONCLUSION: Routine 2D TEE in addition to traditional fluoroscopic TP appears to be very useful to guide the TP assembly in a correct puncture position and thus, to avoid TP-related complications. However, further randomized prospective comparative studies are necessary to support these suggestions.

Réplica a la carta al director sobre el artículo “Punción ecodirigida de la vena yugular interna por abordaje posterior” / No disponible

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MR-guided direct arthrography of the glenohumeral joint.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided direct arthrography of the glenohumeral joint with a 1.5 T MR system, performing the entire procedure in a single MR examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR-guided direct arthrography was performed on 11 patients. MR imaging guidance and interactive MR fluoroscopy, with in-room control and display system, were used for needle placement and contrast medium injection. The outcome measures were success or failure of joint puncture, the time taken for introduction of contrast medium, and the diagnostic quality of the subsequent MR arthrography images. RESULTS: Contrast medium was successfully instilled into the joint and diagnostic quality MR arthrography images were obtained in all cases. The median time from initial placement of the skin marker to introduction of the contrast medium was 17 min (range 11-29 min). There were no immediate post-procedure complications. CONCLUSION: Accurate needle placement is feasible in a single MR examination on a commercial 1.5 T closed-bore MR system, using an in-room control and display system together with interactive fluoroscopic imaging, and this was used to provide direct MR arthrography in this study.

Frequency of successful intra-articular puncture of finger joints: influence of puncture position and physician experience.

OBJECTIVE: Physicians and specialists routinely perform IA punctures and injections on patients with joint injuries, chronic arthritis and arthrosis to release joint effusion or to inject drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequencies of intra- and peri-articular cannula positioning during this procedure. METHODS: A total of 300 cadaveric finger joints were injected with a methyl blue-containing solution and subsequently dissected to distinguish intra- from peri-articular injections. To assess the influence of puncture position on successful injection, half of the joints were injected dorsally and the other half dorso-radially. To assess the importance of practical experience for a positive outcome, half of the injections were performed by an inexperienced resident and half by a skilled specialist. RESULTS: The overall frequency of occurrence of peri-articular injections was much higher than expected (overall: 23%, specialist: 15%, resident: 32%) The failure rate was significantly higher than the average with the joints of the little finger and the DIP joints of each phalanx. CONCLUSIONS: Even skilled specialists cannot guarantee to insert the cannula into the joint in every case. Unintended peri-articular drug injection moreover may affect the surrounding ligaments or tendons, leading to serious complications. Correct positioning of the needle in the joint may be facilitated by fluoroscopy in doubtful cases.

Structured training in intraosseous infusion to improve potentially life saving skills in pediatric emergencies - Results of an open prospective national quality development project over 3 years.

BACKGROUND: Children in emergencies need peripheral intravenous (IV) access in order to receive drugs or fluids. The success of IV access is associated with the age of patients and fails in up to 50% of children younger than 6 years. In such situations, it is essential that physicians and paramedics have a tool and easily learnable skills with a high chance of success. According to international guidelines intraosseous (IO) access would be the next step after failed IV access. Our hypothesis was that the success rate in IO puncturing can be improved by standardizing the training; so we developed an IO workshop. METHODS: Twenty-eight hospitals and ambulance services participated in an evaluation process over 3 years. IO workshops and the distribution of standardized IO sets were coordinated by the study group of the University Hospital of Berne. Any attempted or successful IO punctures were evaluated with a standardized interview. RESULTS: We investigated 35 applications in 30 patients (a total of 49 punctures) between November 2001 and December 2004. IO puncture was not successful in 5 patients. The success rate depended neither on the occupation nor the experience of users. Attendance at a standardized IO workshop increased the overall success rate from 77% to 100%, which was statistically not significant (P = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized training in IO puncturing seems to improve success more than previous experience and occupation of providers. However, we could not show a significant increase in success rate after this training. Larger supranational studies are needed to show a significant impact of teaching on rarely used emergency skills.

Biliary therapy: are we ready for EUS-guidance?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography is the standard therapy for the therapy of biliary obstruction. However, the success rate is not 100%, depending on various patient and physician related factors. In these cases, where endoscopic drainage is not possible, either percutaneous drainage or surgery are established alternatives. Both modalities carry a higher complication rate and are more invasive than endoscopic drainage. With linear echo-endoscopes, left intrahepatic bile ducts as well as the distal common bile duct can be visualized from the stomach or the duodenal bulb respectively. This opens up the possibility of puncturing the bile ducts under real time ultrasound control from the intestinal lumen. There are two different techniques to achieve biliary drainage after gaining EUS guided access: The first is direct biliary drainage in the intestinal lumen by placing a stent through the wall of the stomach/duodenum after placement of a guidewire through an 19gauge needle into the biliary tract. This technique usually requires some form of bouginage once the guide wire has been placed and is very similar to EUS guided pseudocyst drainage. The second technique is the rendezvous technique, where the guidewire is manipulated through the stricture and the papilla. Thereafter the wire is captured with a standard duodenoscope and a biliary drainage is performed through the papilla in established fashion. With both techniques fluoroscopic control in addition to EUS is needed. So far both techniques have been described in case reports and small series only. Large prospective series as well as controlled trials that compare EUS guided techniques with ERCP or PTC are lacking. The most common complication is biliary leakage, especially if direct drainage is performed. Other common complications include cholangitis, stent migration and occlusion as well as pain. As long as large prospective series are lacking, EUS guided biliary drainage should be restricted to selected patients where ERCP has repeatedly failed or is impossible due to surgically altered anatomy. Furthermore this technically demanding procedure should be performed only in centres with extensive experience in linear EUS and therapeutic biliary ERCP. The possible advantages over percutaneous drainage like patient comfort and morbidity have to be proven in randomized trials.