A prospective multicenter European study on flexible ureterorenoscopy for the management of renal stone.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes and the complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for renal stones in a multi-institutional working group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2012 to 2014, we conducted a prospective study including all RIRS performed for kidney stones in 4 European centers. Demographic information, disease characteristics, and perioperative and postoperative data were gathered. Patients and stone data, procedure characteristics, results and safety outcomes were analyzed and compared by descriptive statistics. Complications were reported using the standardized Clavien system. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-six patients underwent 377 RIRS with holmium laser lithotripsy for renal stones. The RIRS was completed in all patients with a mean operative time of 63.5 min. The stone-free status was confirmed endoscopically and through fluoroscopic imaging after the first procedure in 73.6%. The second procedure was performed in twenty patients (5.6%) achieving an overall stone free rate of 78.9%. The overall complication rate was 15.1%. Intra-operative and post-operative complications were seen in 24 (6.7%) and 30 (8.4%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: RIRS is a minimally invasive procedure with good results in terms of stone-free and complications rate.

Is a single-site laparoendoscopic approach a real surgical advancement for the management of small renal masses?

Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) ensures equivalent oncological results while improving overall survival compared with radical nephrectomy when applied to the treatment of small renal masses, moreover warm ischemia is associated with a risk of acute renal failure and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) unclamp NSS is the next step forward in the management of small renal masses. From 2009 to 2013 we have treated 23 patients with small renal masses ( < 4 cm) amenable to the LESS approach using unclamp LESS NSS. In 20 cases we were able to complete the operation using LESS, in 3 cases conversion to standard laparoscopy was required. Pathologic examination revealed 16 cases of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 4 cases of renal cysts, 2 oncocytomas, and 1 angiomyolipoma. We did not find any significant variation in renal function or any case of tumor recurrence, and the majority of the patients were very satisfied of the cosmetic results. LESS unclamp partial nephrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure, oncological outcomes are similar to standard laparoscopy, there is an advantage with respect to renal function and cosmesis, although the procedure is more technically demanding compared with standard laparoscopy.

Clinical effects and economical impact of dutasteride and finasteride therapy in Italian men with LUTS.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences in the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)- related hospitalization, for surgical and non-surgical reasons, and of new prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis between patients under dutasteride or finasteride treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from record-linkage of administrative databases. Men aged ≥ 40 years old who had received a prescription for at least 10 boxes/year (index years: 2004-06) were included. The association of the outcomes was assessed using a multiple Cox proportional hazard model. Propensity score matched analysis and a 5-to-1, greedy 1:1 matching algorithm were performed. The budget impact analysis of dutasteride vs finasteride in BPH-treated patient was performed. RESULTS: From an initial cohort of about 1.5 million of Italian men, 19620 were selected. The overall hospitalization for BPH-non surgical reasons, for BPH-related surgery and for new detection of PCa incidence rates (IRs) were 8.20 (95% CI, 7.62-8.23), 18.0 (95% CI, 17.12-18.93) and 8.62 (95% CI, 8.03-9.26) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The multivariate analysis after the propensity score-matching showed that dutasteride was associated with an independent reduced likelihood of hospitalization for BPH-related surgery (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.73-0.93; p = 0.0025) and of newly detected PCa (HR: 0.76,95% CI, 0.65-0.85; p = 0.0116). The IR for BPH-non surgical reasons was 8.07 (95% CI, 7.10-9.17) and 9.25 (95% CI, 8.19-10.44) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The IR for BPH-related surgery was 18.28 (95% CI, 17.17-20.32) and 21.28 (95% CI, 19.24-23.06) per 1000 person-years among patients under dutasteride compared with those under finasteride, respectively. For new-onset PCa, the IR was 8.01 (95% CI, 7.07-9.08) and 9.38 (95% CI, 8.32-10.58) per 1000 person-years The pharmacoeconomical evaluation showed that the net budget impact of the use of dutasteride vs. finasteride in 1000 BPH-treated patient for 1 year induces a saving of 3933 €. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical effects of dutasteride and finasteride are slightly different. The likelihood of hospitalization for BPH-related surgery and of newly detected PCa seems to be in favor of dutasteride. The budget impact analyses showed a slightly benefit for dutasteride. Comparative prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

A fatal mycotic sepsis after retrograde intrarenal surgery: a case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: The retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a procedure that sees an increase in its use every day and is supported by excellent results in terms of safety and feasibility. We report the first case of fatal mycotic septic complication in a neurological patient for renal stone disease. CASE PRESENTATION: The case of a woman 44 year-old, with left solitary kidney and history of advanced multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, bedridden and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was described. She was hospitalized for the presence of recurrent lower urinary tract infections. The computed tomography (CT) scan control revealed a 1.7 cm obstructive renal pelvic stone and multiple stones in the bladder. After the refusal of a percutaneous approach, a RIRS was planned and done. No intraoperative complications were observed. In the postoperative period, she developed a urinary sepsis with progressive deterioration of the general conditions. She died 6 days after the RIRS for septic shock with a blood culture positive for Candida glabrata. DISCUSSION: A Pubmed search for fatal complications after RIRS shows only two cases not fully elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: The use of flexible ureteroscopes and holmium lasers has a high succes rate;nevertheless, the possibility of a major complication should be kept in mind in order to evaluate all the risk factors, to adopt all the preventive measures for the safety of the patients.

Metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic enlargement: a possible link to storage symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2009 onward, a consecutive series of patients with LUTS-BPE were enrolled. Patients were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and ultrasonographic prostate volume. Body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Blood samples were collected for prostate-specific antigen levels, fasting glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein levels, and testosterone levels. MetS was defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). The risk of detecting LUTS as a function of MetS was evaluated using the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 431 patients were enrolled with a median age and prostate-specific antigen level of 67 years (61-73 years) and 3 ng/mL (2.2-4.3 ng/mL), respectively; median body mass index was 27 kg/m2 (25-29 kg/m(2)); median testosterone was 3.9 ng/mL (3.1-4.7 ng/mL); median IPSS was 8 (4-14), median prostate volume was 43 mL (35-56 mL). One hundred three of 431 patients (23.8%) presented with a MetS. Patients with MetS presented a higher IPSS storage subscore (4; interquartile range, 2-7 vs 3; interquartile range 1-7; P = .002). On multivariate analysis, the presence of MetS was associated with an increased risk of an IPSS storage subscore ≥4 (odds ratio, 1.782; 95% confidence interval, 1.045-3.042; P = .030). CONCLUSION: In our single-center study, MetS is associated with an increased risk of storage symptoms in patients with BPE. Although these results should be confirmed, and the pathophysiology is yet to be understood, it can be assumed that MetS and its metabolic components should be considered as possible factors involved in LUTS-BPE pathogenesis.

A prospective multicenter European study on flexible ureterorenoscopy for the management of renal stone

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes and the complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for renal stones in a multi-institutional working group. Materials and Methods From 2012 to 2014, we conducted a prospective study including all RIRS performed for kidney stones in 4 European centers. Demographic information, disease characteristics, and perioperative and postoperative data were gathered. Patients and stone data, procedure characteristics, results and safety outcomes were analyzed and compared by descriptive statistics. Complications were reported using the standardized Clavien system. Results Three hundred and fifty-six patients underwent 377 RIRS with holmium laser lithotripsy for renal stones. The RIRS was completed in all patients with a mean operative time of 63.5 min. The stone-free status was confirmed endoscopically and through fluoroscopic imaging after the first procedure in 73.6%. The second procedure was performed in twenty patients (5.6%) achieving an overall stone free rate of 78.9%. The overall complication rate was 15.1%. Intra-operative and post-operative complications were seen in 24 (6.7%) and 30 (8.4%) cases, respectively. Conclusions RIRS is a minimally invasive procedure with good results in terms of stone-free and complications rate.