[Contact laser lithotripsy--an effective minimally traumatic method of treatment of cholelithiasis with calculi of the kidney, ureter and urinary bladder]

An experience with using contact laser lithotripsy is presented in treatment of such actual disease as cholelithiasis. This kind of modern minimally traumatic lithotripsy used in 73 patients has shown it to be effective independent of localization of the calculi: both in the urinary bladder and the kidney and ureter.

[Giant bladder stone nine years after neobladder construction: a case report]

Urinary stone formation after orthotopic neobladder construction is a delayed complication. A giant bladder stone was found in a 67-year-old man who had undergone radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder substitution (Hautmann method) in 1998. The stone was removed by cystolithotripsy and weighed 108 g.

Spinal anesthesia in a patient with severe thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis

Patients with spine abnormalities, present unique challenges to the health care provider responsible for administrating sedation and anesthesia during surgical and technical procedures. Spinal deformities may cause difficulties with both tracheal intubation and regional anesthesia. This report describes the anesthetic management for two urological operations that were performed in a patient with extremely severe thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis. After examining the risk factors, spinal block by injecting single dose local anesthetic solution to the intratechal space was chosen to provide anesthesia. It has been suggested that hyperbaric solution, which is of high density compared with cerebrospinal fluid, can safely produce blocks for many operations under spinal anesthesia. In the first procedure, intrathecal injection of 6 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, a local anesthetic solution (1.2 ml total volume), resulted in inadequate motor and sensory blockade, but the successful motor and sensory blockade at the level of Th10 was achieved in a second attempt with 6.25 mg hypobaric bupivacaine (2 ml). Because of this unexpected effect of local anesthetic solution, in the second operation, the technique was changed to intrathecal injection of 12.5 mg hypobaric bupivacaine (4 ml), and the motor and sensory blockade at Th10 was achieved again. The patient reported satisfactory anesthesia each time, and developed no complications. In conclusion, spinal anesthesia can be successful even in cases of severe thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis.

Encrusted cystitis managed with multimodal therapy

Encrusted cystitis is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. The case of a male patient with dysuria and gross hematuria accompanied by the passage of stone fragments is presented. Multimodal therapy was undertaken. He was treated with Renacidin (citric acid mixture) irrigation as an inpatient. One month later, he underwent cystourethroscopy and was determined to have residual stone and fibrosis of the prostatic urethra. The patient was then treated with cystolitholapaxy and visual internal urethrotomy. This multimodal treatment resulted in resolution of his stone burden at follow-up.

Management of pediatric stone disease

Pediatric and adult stone disease differs in both presentation and treatment. Children can present with a wide range of symptoms varying from flank pain and hematuria to nonspecific symptoms such as irritability and nausea. Although ultrasonography and plain radiographs can play a role in diagnosis and follow-up, the standard of care for a child who presents to the emergency department with a history suggestive of a stone is noncontrast spiral CT. Because there is a high yield in identifying predisposing factors in children with urolithiasis and high recurrence rates, metabolic evaluation of every child with a urinary stone should be undertaken and medical treatment should be given if necessary. With recent advances in technology, stone management has changed from an open surgical approach to less invasive procedures such as extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and endoscopic techniques. Herein, we present a review of the recent literature and offer our own preferences to approaches for treatment.

Percutaneous Treatment of Calculi in Reconstructed Bladder

PURPOSE

To report our results with percutaneous removal of calculi from reconstructed bladders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with reconstructed bladders who underwent endoscopic cystolithotomy were identified from our departmental database, and retrospective review of case notes and imaging was performed.

RESULTS

Access was gained via an ultrasound-guided new tract in 9 patients (75%). An old suprapubic tract site was used in two patients, and the Mitrofanoff stoma was the route of access in one patient. The procedure was successful, with stone clearance achieved in all 12 cases. No major complications were observed. At a median follow up of 24 months, stone recurrence was observed in 5 patients (42%), 4 of whom underwent repeat procedures. Follow-up showed no change in continence in the patient with a Mitroffanoff stoma.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous cystolithotomy is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for removal of stones in a reconstructed bladder. We recommend endoscopic removal as the treatment of choice in these patients.

Percutaneous versus transurethral cystolithotripsy and TURP for large prostates and large vesical calculi: Refinement of technique and updated data

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We compare two modalities of treatment; transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) and percutaneous cystolithotripsy (PCCL), for large vesical calculi in patients who underwent simultaneous transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), and present refinements of the technique of PCCL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between July 1999 and June 2003, 54 patients were subjected to either TUCL (n = 19) or PCCL (n = 35) along with simultaneous TURP. Inclusion criteria were prostate volume > 50 ml, aggregate stone size > 3 cm with each individual stone > 1 cm, In the TUCL group, calculi were treated with 26F nephroscope, pneumatic lithotripsy and fragment extraction. This was followed by TURP with 26F continuous-flow resectoscope. In the PCCL group, calculi were removed through a suprapubic 30F Amplatz sheath followed by standard TURP with the suprapubic sheath in situ to provide continuous drainage. A 20F two-way Foley catheter was inserted suprapubically and urethrally in cases of PCCL and a 22-24F three-way catheter urethrally after TUCL.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable in age. The mean prostate size as well as aggregate stone size was significantly larger in PCCL group. The operating time for stone removal was significantly less in the PCCL group while time required for TURP was statistically similar in two groups. In the TUCL arm three patients had residual stones requiring repeat TUCL, and one developed a urethral stricture.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined TURP and PCCL is safe, more effective and a much faster alternative to combined TURP and TUCL in patients with large bladder calculi and large prostates.

Percutaneous Cystolithotomy of Large Urinary-Diversion Calculi Using a Combination of Laparoscopic And Endourologic Techniques

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with urinary diversions are at higher risk for bladder urolithiasis. Often, the stone burden is large, necessitating open stone removal. We describe our technique for removing such stones using a combination of laparoscopic and endourologic instrumentation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the patient in the dorsal lithotomy position or supine, cystoscopy is performed via the native urethra or catheterizable stoma, respectively. With the urinary reservoir distended with normal saline, percutaneous access is obtained under direct vision with a 10-mm trocar introduced through the scar of the previous suprapubic cystostomy. A laparoscopic entrapment bag is introduced through the trocar, into which the calculi are manipulated. The bag is delivered percutaneously through the trocar site with subsequent removal of the trocar. A 30F Amplatz renal dilator sheath (Cook Urological, Spencer, IN) is introduced directly into the bag. An ultrasonic lithotrite passed through a nephroscope is utilized to fragment and evacuate the calculi. Closure of the neocystotomy is not performed. A drainage catheter is left in for 7 days.

RESULTS

This procedure has been successful in eight consecutive patients, six with bladder augmentations, one with a bladder reconstruction with appendicovesicostomy, and one with an Indiana pouch. All calculi were radiopaque, having a mean linear size of 4.1 cm (range 1.5-7.0) cm. Several patients had multiple stones. The mean operating room time was 123 minutes (range 48-228 minutes). Two patients had concomitant ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy for ureteral calculi. All were rendered stone free with one procedure and were discharged within 23 hours after surgery. There were no immediate or delayed complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique of percutaneous cystolithotomy utilizing laparoscopic and endourologic instrumentation is safe and effective for the removal of large calculi from urinary diversions. It is well tolerated, allows complete stone removal in a single sitting, and obviates an open procedure.

Multiple bladder calculi: a rare cause of irreducible uterine prolapse

BACKGROUND

A vesical calculus in a prolapsed cystocele is rare.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight bladder calculi as a cause of irreducible uterine prolapse.

CASE REPORT

A case of irreducible total uterine prolapse caused by multiple vesical calculi is presented. Bladder stones were removed through vaginal cystolithotomy followed by vaginal hysterectomy.

CONCLUSION

In cases of acute irreducible pelvic organ prolapse, the possibility of bladder stones should be kept in mind and X-ray pelvis including the prolapsed mass should be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Simultaneous transurethral cystolithotripsy with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a prospective feasibility study and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

To report experience with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) simultaneously with transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy (HLC) for managing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and associated vesical calculi; we also review previously reported cases of managing vesical calculi and associated BOO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The high-powered holmium laser is a very efficient multifunctional endourological instrument that effectively fragments calculi of all compositions and is capable of haemostatic cutting of tissue, resulting in minimal bleeding after prostatic resection. A prospective study was conducted from April 2003 that included 32 men who underwent simultaneous HoLEP with transurethral HLC at our institution. Demographic, laboratory, peri-operative and follow-up data were analysed. Complications during and after surgery were identified to assess the morbidity of procedure.

RESULTS

The mean (range) size of bladder calculi was 34.6 (12-70) mm and the preoperative weight of the prostate was 51.9 (11-172) g. Combined HoLEP with transurethral HLC was technically feasible in all patients, and all were stone-free after surgery. The mean operative duration was 97.7 (40-230) min, the weight of prostate tissue removed 34.6 (5-88) g, and the duration of catheterization and hospital stay 29.3 h and 34.8 h, respectively. Complications during and after surgery occurred in 12.5% and 15.6% of patients, respectively; all complication were minor and none caused any residual disability to the patient. No patient required a blood transfusion or developed clot retention.

CONCLUSIONS

Managing bladder stones and BOO with simultaneous transurethral HLC and HoLEP should be considered the treatment of choice for such cases. Stones of any size and composition, and prostates of practically any size can be treated endoscopically using the holmium laser, with acceptable morbidity once the technique is mastered. The review of previous reports suggested a need for a prospective study comparing endoscopic management of BOO and associated bladder stones, with medical management of BOO and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy/endoscopic lithotripsy for bladder stone.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of pediatric urolithiasis

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the management of pediatric urolithiasis by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Between November 1988 and July 2000, 165 renal stones, 53 ureteral stones, and 5 bladder stones were treated in 126 pediatric patients using Siemens Lithostar lithotriptor. The ESWL treatments ranging from 1 to 7 were needed per patient (mean: 2.1). One ESWL session was performed for 49.6% of stones, two for 24.6%, three for 13.0 %, four for 5.6% and > 4 for 8.2%. The success rate for renal stone units (asymptomatic fragments less than 4 mm) was 88.2%, stone-free rate was 49.0%. The stone-free rate for ureteral stone units was 87.5%, but was 75% for bladder stones. The overall results of ESWL treatment in 126 children was satisfactory: the success rate was 90.5%, stone-free rate was 51.6%, residual fragments > 4 mm were 9.5%. General anesthesia was required in 65 children (136 treatments) under the age of 10, and only in 18 children (40 treatments) in the age 11-14. Auxiliary procedures, such as double J stent and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) were used in 19 and 7 patients, respectively. Perirenal hematoma in one patient and hematomas in enteric wall in another one patient were the only major complications managed conservatively without consequences. Low energy lithotripsy with the Siemens Lithostar in our series of pediatric patients was safe and relatively effective.

Bladder calculi: did the clinical picture change?

OBJECTIVES

Recent improvements in socioeconomic conditions have changed the clinical picture of urinary stones, including bladder calculi. With the ongoing changes in these predisposing factors, it is possible that the clinical picture of bladder calculi will show additional changes. Nevertheless, few contemporary series of bladder calculi in published English reports have addressed these issues.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 328 patients who underwent surgical therapy for bladder calculi at our institution from January 1995 to June 2005.

RESULTS

Acute urinary retention was the most common presenting symptom (n = 221, 67%). Patients who presented with urinary retention were younger (37 versus 48 years, P <0.001), had a greater incidence of recent renal colic (40% versus 19%, P <0.01), and had a lower incidence of bladder outlet obstruction (14% versus 37%, P <0.001) compared with the nonretention group. However, previous stone passage did not influence the probability of presenting with urinary retention. Small bladder stones were associated with a greater likelihood of presenting with urinary retention. The retention group had greater incidence of stones less than 1 cm in diameter compared with the nonretention group (72% versus 39%, P <0.001). Finally, calcium oxalate was found in 78% of patients with bladder calculi.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute urinary retention was the main mode of presentation in patients with bladder calculi. Younger age, a history of recent renal colic, and smaller stones appeared to increase the likelihood for patients to present with urinary retention.

Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia

OBJECTIVES

To assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia in selected patients.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with bladder stones of different etiologies underwent percutaneous cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia. Suprapubic access was obtained with ultrasound guidance, and fragmentation of the stone was performed using the Swiss lithoclast. Suprapubic and transurethral catheters were placed postoperatively.

RESULTS

No major intraoperative complications occurred. The whole procedure was well tolerated, and no significant differences were found in the mean pain score between the percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy group and a group of male patients who underwent rigid cystoscopy under local anesthesia (P = 0.35). Complete stone clearance was achieved in all but 1 patient (96.78%). Bladder irrigation because of gross hematuria was needed in 5 patients, but no blood transfusion was required. Fever developed in 1 patient and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. The average hospitalization was 2.3 days (range 2 to 5). After a mean follow-up of 10 months, no recurrent stone developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia is a safe and effective technique to remove bladder calculi. Thus, it may be used as an alternative treatment option in selected patients.

Intravesical migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device complicated by bladder stone: a report of six cases

Intrauterine contraceptive device is the most popular method of reversible contraception in developing countries due to its efficiency and low cost. However, this device is often inserted by paramedics of variable skills, and follow-up evaluations are irregular or absent which can be the source of major complications. The authors report six cases of intravesical migration of intrauterine contraceptive devices complicated by bladder stones. All the six cases were managed endoscopically with excellent outcome. The authors demonstrate that this major complication can be managed endoscopically with decreased morbidity for the patient.

Bladder lithiasis: from open surgery to lithotripsy

Bladder calculi account for 5% of urinary calculi and usually occur because of bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic voiding dysfunction, infection, or foreign bodies. Children remain at high risk for developing bladder lithiasis in endemic areas. Males with prostate disease or relevant surgery and women who undergo anti-incontinence surgery are at a higher risk for developing vesical lithiasis. Open surgery remains the main treatment of bladder calculus in children. In adults, the classical treatment for bladder calculi is endoscopic transurethral disintegration with mechanical cystolithotripsy, ultrasound, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, Swiss Lithoclast, and holmium:YAG laser. Novel modifications of these treatment modalities have been used for large calculi. Open and endoscopic surgery requires anesthesia and hospitalization. Alternatively, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been demonstrated to be simple, effective, and well tolerated in high-risk patients. Recently, simultaneous percutaneous suprapubic and transurethral cystolithotripsy has been tested as well as percutaneous cystolithotomy by using a laparoscopic entrapment sac.

[Brief history of vesical lithiasis management]

Stones of the bladder are one of the oldest illness that we know. History of its treatment has been cause of discussion in different moments. Since first treatments in Egypt or India, until our extracorporeal shock waves lithotritia (ESWL), there have been many intermediate treatments. The objective of this work is to know a little about some of these advances and their authors, as well as the instruments that have made it possible.

Endoscopic treatment of multiple prostatic calculi causing urinary retention

Although prostatic calculi are relatively common, the etiology of these stones is not clear. We report a case with multiple prostatic calculi causing urinary obstruction and a concomitant bladder stone. We treated these stones endoscopically. We found a lot of different sized stones endoscopically, some protruding into the urethra, some filling different cavities on the prostate. So these cavities suggest prostatic calculi may occur related to intraprostatic reflux in the congenital or acquired diverticulum of the prostatic tissue. In addition, the stone composition of the bladder and prostatic stones was the same. All of these results show that the origin of bladder and prostatic stones can be the same. This case also supports a theory of intraprostatic reflux and urine stasis.

Use of resectoscope to aid in bladder stone extraction

We describe a modified technique of standard cystoscopic manipulation to facilitate bladder stone extraction. This technique decreases the overall time required for stone manipulation by allowing larger size stone fragments to be removed from the urethra under direct visualization.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy for treatment of patients with urethral and bladder stones presenting with acute urinary retention

OBJECTIVES

To present our experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for the treatment of patients with urethral and bladder stones presenting with acute urinary retention.

METHODS

A total of 64 patients (62 male and 2 female) with urethral or bladder stones underwent ESWL monotherapy. All patients presented to the emergency department with acute urinary retention. The mean patient age was 40 +/- 13.2 years (range 11 to 74). The exclusion criteria were urethral strictures, associated bladder growths detected by pelvic ultrasonography, and bladder stones larger than 25 mm in the largest diameter. After fixation of a Foley catheter, ESWL monotherapy was performed with a Storz SL 20 lithotriptor. The catheter was removed after confirmation of stone fragmentation.

RESULTS

Fine fragmentation was obtained and uncomplicated spontaneous evacuation occurred without the need for adjuvant procedures in 60 patients. Four patients developed acute urinary retention due to urethral stone impaction. In 3 patients, the urethral catheter was successfully refixed, and an additional session of ESWL resulted in fine fragmentation of the stones, with spontaneous evacuation after catheter removal. In the remaining patient, the stone could not be pushed into the bladder and crushing was performed endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

ESWL monotherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of urethral and bladder stones in patients with no other causes of infravesical obstruction.

Holmium laser cystolithotripsy in children: initial experience

INTRODUCTION

Management of vesical calculi in children poses an interesting challenge to the urologist. The treatment options currently available include open surgery, transurethral pneumatic cystolithotripsy, percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotomy and shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Holmium: YAG (Ho: YAG) laser cystolithotripsy represents a novel modality of treatment that is minimally invasive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 1999 to January 2003 we treated 23 children with vesical calculi using transurethral Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy. The indications for cystolithotripsy were stone size < or = 4 cm (N=19), or multiple stones with combined stone burden < or = 4 cm (N=4). The mean patient age was 7.8 (range 2-12) years and the mean stone size was 2.7 (range 0.9-4) cm. Access was obtained with an 8F ureteroscope and holmium laser energy (0.6-1.8 J/pulse at 5-12 Hz) was applied through a 550-mum. end-firing fibre under video guidance. The calculi were pulverized to tiny fragments about 2-3 mm in size. An 8F urinary catheter was placed for one night in all patients. Post-operatively the children were evaluated at 3 and 18 months with radiological imaging and uroflowmetry to confirm stone-free status and exclude urethral stricture formation.

RESULTS

The mean duration of the endoscopic procedure was 38 (range 19-62) minutes while the mean length of hospital stay was 2.2 (range 2-3) days. All the children were rendered stone-free following a single operative session. Laser-induced major complications were not observed in any of the children. At the mean follow-up of 42 (range 26-69) months none of the children developed stone recurrence, urinary tract infections or urethral strictures.

CONCLUSIONS

Transurethral Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy was found to be an efficient and safe modality for the treatment of vesical calculi in children.

Use of Amplatz sheath in male urethra during cystolitholapaxy of large bladder calculi

Large-burden bladder stones often require percutaneous cystolithotomy or an open procedure. These approaches may not be feasible in certain patients who are at increased risk of operative complications. We present a novel technique for transurethral cystolitholapaxy using Amplatz sheath in the male urethra.