Ureteral stent after PCNL: is leaving the threads through the percutaneous tract safe and better tolerated?

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, urinary symptoms, and feasibility of JJ stent removal with exteriorized threads through the percutaneous tract after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, transversal, comparative, experimental, randomized 1-to-1 cohort study in 52 patients who underwent "tubeless" PCNL from October 2020 to November 2022. Group A with threads through the urethra and Group B through the percutaneous tract. The validated USSQ (Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire) was applied in the Urology office a week after the procedure, and the JJ stent was withdrawn by pulling the threads. Hemoglobin and urine culture, and pre- and post-surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant difference in favor of group B when comparing urinary symptoms (p = 0.008), body pain (p = 0.009), and general condition (p = 0.042), mainly for non-urgency incontinence, frequency of analgesic use, and dysuria. There were significant differences between groups (p = 0.028, p = 0.026, p = 0.027, respectively). There is no association with urinary infections (p = 0.603) nor an increased risk of bleeding (p = 0.321). CONCLUSION: The removal of the JJ stent with exteriorized threads through the percutaneous tract after PCNL in the office is a feasible and safe procedure if it is removed before 8 days and has better tolerance regarding the urinary symptoms.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy with ultrasound-assisted puncture: does the technique reduce dependence on fluoroscopic ionizing radiation?

PURPOSE: The ultrasound-guided (US) puncture in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has demonstrated advantages over traditional fluoroscopy access. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the reduction of fluoroscopy time using this technique during PCNL as the surgeon gained experience. METHODS: Transversal study performed on 30 consecutive patients undergoing PCNL from March to November 2019. All punctures were performed with US guidance. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 each according to the chronological order of the intervention. Demographic data, preoperative parameters, puncture time, fluoroscopy time, stone-free rate and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The time of fluoroscopy was considerably reduced as the experience in the number of cases increased, reducing from 83.09 ± 47.8 s in group 1 to 22.8 ± 10.3 s in group 2 (p < 0.01), the time required to perform the puncture was reduced of 108.1 ± 68.9 s in group 1, to 92.6 ± 94.7 s in group 2 (p < 0.67). Stone free rate of 83.3% was obtained globally. CONCLUSION: US percutaneous renal access is safe and reproducible technique; the main advantage is to reduce exposure to radiation without compromising clinical results and has a short learning curve for urologists with prior experience in PCNL.

[Prognostic factors of morbimortality in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis]. / Factores pronósticos de morbimortalidad en pacientes con pielonefritis enfisematosa.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe infection of the urinary tract, caused by gas accumulation within the collecting system, the renal parenchyma, and/or the perirenal tissue. The cause of this infection is not known at all; however, it has been suggested that it is produced by the glucose fermentation provoked by enterobacteriaceae or anaerobic organisms. Our objective was to evaluate the predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with EPN. METHODS: It was carried out a historical cohort study of patients diagnosed with EPN in our hospital from March 2005 to December 2014. Patients with adverse outcome were identified. We defined adverse outcome as patients requiring stay in intensive care unit, who presented nephrectomy and/or who died. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to establish the relation of each clinical factor with the adverse outcome. RESULTS: 73 records were included for analysis, 48 were women (65.8 %) and 25 men. Diabetes, urolithiasis, E. coli infection and septic shock occurred in 68.5, 68.5, 63, and 15.1 %, respectively. We found that leukocytosis ≥12 000 µl (OR 43.65, 95 % CI 2.36-805, p <0.001), thrombocytopenia ≤120 000 µl (OR 363, 95 % 9.2-14208, p <0.0001), and Huang's radiological class 3 (OR 62, 95 % CI 4-964, p < 0.001) were factors significantly associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis and Huang's radiological class 3 are associated with adverse outcome in patients with EPN.

Introducción: La pielonefritis enfisematosa es una infección grave del tracto urinario caracterizada por la presencia de gas en los sistemas colectores, en el parénquima renal o en el tejido perirrenal; su causa no es del todo conocida, pero se ha sugerido que se debe a la fermentación de glucosa por enterobacterias y anaerobios. El objetivo fue evaluar los factores pronósticos de morbimortalidad en pacientes con diagnóstico de pielonefritis enfisematosa. Métodos: estudio de cohorte histórica en pacientes con diagnóstico de pielonefritis enfisematosa que ingresaron a nuestro hospital de marzo de 2005 a diciembre de 2014. Se identificaron los pacientes con desenlace adverso definido como aquel que requirió estancia en unidad de cuidados intensivos, nefrectomía o muerte. Se realizó una regresión logística múltiple para obtener la relación de cada factor pronóstico con el desenlace adverso. Resultados: Fueron evaluados 73 pacientes (48 mujeres [65.8 %]). Diabetes, litiasis urinaria, infección por Escherichia coli y el estado de choque se presentaron en 68.5 %, 68.5 %, 63 % y 15.1 %, respectivamente. Fueron factores significativos para desenlace adverso la leucocitosis ≥ 12 000 µL (RM 43.65, IC 95 % 2.36-805, p < 0.001), la trombocitopenia ≤ 120 000 µL (RM 363, IC 95 % 9.2-14208, p < 0.0001), y la clase radiológica 3 de Huang (RM 62, IC 95 % 4-964, p < 0.001). Conclusión: la trombocitopenia, la leucocitosis y la clase radiológica 3 se asociaron con un desenlace adverso en los pacientes con pielonefritis enfisematosa.