A Review of Studies Reporting on Complications of Upper Urinary Tract Stone Ablation Using the Holmium:YAG Laser

Subcapsular renal haematoma after ureteroscopic lithotripsy: a single-centre, retrospective study in China

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the incidence, predisposing factors, diagnosis and management of subcapsular renal haematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL).

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Shandong Provincial Hospital, a 4500-bed tertiary hospital in China.

PARTICIPANTS

The data from 1535 consecutive patients treated with URSL (including rigid URSL and flexible URSL) between January 2015 and October 2020 were retrospectively analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SRH after URSL confirmed via CT. The characteristics, operative data and outcomes of these patients were documented and compared.

RESULTS

Six patients were confirmed to have an SRH after URSL on CT. The total incidence of SRH after URSL was 0.39%. The incidences of SRH after rigid URSL and flexible URSL were 0.38% and 0.41%, respectively. Unendurable ipsilateral flank pain and a significant decrease in haemoglobin after surgery were the typical clinical manifestations of SRH after URSL. There were no significant differences in age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus, preoperative hypertension, body mass index, stone laterality or perfusion pressure (p>0.05). However, SRH was significantly associated with the stone size, stone location, degree of hydronephrosis and operative duration (p<0.01). One patient was managed conservatively without further intervention, percutaneous drainage was performed in four patients and one patient underwent emergency angiography. No patients died of SRH.

CONCLUSIONS

SRH is a rare but potentially serious complication of URSL. Severe hydronephrosis and a thin renal cortex preoperatively and prolonged operative duration are strong predisposing factors for SRH. Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy should be considered as an alternative surgery for patients with severe ureteral tortuosity. SRH is treated based on patients' clinical manifestations. Most patients can be managed with conservative treatment or percutaneous drainage alone.

Stone free rate and clinical complications in patients submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): Our experience in 571 consecutive cases

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to report the stone free rate (SFR) and clinical complications in patients submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 571 procedures of upper urinary stones treated using flexible ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy from January 2014 to February 2020 have been analyzed. Overall SFR was evaluated after 3 months following the procedure by means of a non-contrast computed tomography. Success was considered as stone-free status or ≤ 0.4 cm fragments.

RESULTS

The overall SFR was 92.3% in group 1 (stone size: < 1 cm), 88.3% in group 2 (stone size: > 1 ≤ 2 cm), 56.7% in group 3 (stone size: 2-3 cm) and 69.6% in group 4 (multiple stones). Post-operative complications, according to the Clavien- Dindo (CD) classification system, were recorded in 32 (5.6%) procedures. The major complications recorded were: one case of subcapsular hematoma (SRH) associated with pulmonary embolism two days after the procedure (CD Grade IIIa) treated conservatively and one case of hemorrhagic shock 2 hour with multiple renal bleedings requiring urgent nephrectomy (CD Grade IVA).

CONCLUSIONS

The RIRS is an effective and safe procedure with a high SFR significantly correlated with the stone size; at the same time, RIRS could be characterized by severe clinical complications that require rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Predictive factors of postoperative septic complications after flexible ureteroscopy for urinary stones

BACKGROUND

Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is one of the recommended treatments for urinary stones. Urosepsis is one of the most frequent complications of fURS however its predictive factors remain uncertain. Our objective was to assess the septic complications rates of fURS and to determinate predictive factors of these complications in patients undergoing fURS.

METHODS

Our retrospective analysis included all patients admitted for any fURS for stone disease in our center from December 2009 to April 2013. Patients' medical history, urine culture, stone composition, surgical and anesthetic characteristics were collected. The primary endpoint was defined by the presence of any septic complication (i.e. postoperative fever, urosepsis, septic shock or death). We used multivariate logistic regression to assess predictive factors of septic complication related to fURS.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighty-two patients were included in this study. Urosepsis rate was 9.8% while 18.9% developed postoperative hyperthermia (>37.5°C). In multivariate analysis, the predictive risk factors of septic complication were: a neurologic disorder (OR=6.1; CI95%: 2.9-17.1), a history of urinary tract infection (UTI) (OR=19.6; CI95%: 7.3-52.1), exposure to peroperative nitrous oxide (OR=3.2; CI95%: 1.5-6.8) and intraoperative use of a laser (OR=8.0; CI95%: 13.0-30.3).

CONCLUSION

The use of fURS is associated with relatively frequent septic complications. Patients with neurologic disorders or a history of UTI carry an increased risk of postoperative complications. Limitations should be drawn with the use of peroperative nitrous oxide. These results should be further validated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3. Retrospective cohort study.

Huge perinephric hematoma after ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteral stone; A life-threatening rare complication: Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Ureteroscopy with pneumatic lithotripsy is a relatively safe procedure for the management of the ureteral stone disease. However; subcapsular hematoma and even huge perinephric hematoma are potentially serious events that may complicate this procedure and must be kept in mind.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of huge perinephric hematoma post ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy for an impacted ureteral stone.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of such a rare complication in a relatively safe procedure must be taken into consideration especially while dealing with patients with long-standing obstruction and thin renal cortex. Furthermore, the risk of bleeding should be included in risk-benefit counselling before ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

Oxidative Stress and Hemostatic Parameters in Patients With Nephrolithiasis Before and After Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy

Purpose

In patients with nephrolithiasis, oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation is observed. Moreover, various invasive methods [including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)] for treatment of nephrolithiasis may induce not only the oxidative stress, but they may modulate hemostasis. The study was aimed to evaluate the oxidative damages of lipids and proteins in patients with nephrolithiasis (before and after ureteroscopic lithotripsy – URSL). The aim of the present study was also determine selected parameters of hemostasis in these patients.

Methods

56 patients with nephrolithiasis and 49 healthy participants were included: 30 men and 26 women (for patient group); 27 men and 22 women (for healthy group). We measured the level of selected typical two biomarkers of oxidative modification of lipids [such as the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and isoprostane concentration (8-isoPGF_2α)] and two biomarkers of oxidative damages of proteins (carbonylation and the level of thiol groups) in patients with nephrolithiasis (before and after URSL). The following parameters of hemostasis were measured: blood platelet count, the level of fibrinogen and D-dimer, and coagulation times (the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) of plasma).

Results

Different levels of plasma lipid peroxidation were observed in patients with nephrolithiasis before URSL and after URSL. However, no such difference in the level of oxidative damage to plasma proteins was observed. In addition, the tested hemostasis parameters were not influenced by the presence of nephrolithiasis, nor by treatment with URSL.

Conclusion

We suggest URSL does not induce the oxidative modifications of plasma proteins and does not change hemostatic parameters in patients with nephrolithiasis.

Subcapsular renal hematoma after ureteroscopy with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser lithotripsy

Subcapsular renal hematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to treat ureteric stones is a rare complication. We aimed to review our unit's experience of post-URSL subcapsular renal hematoma. From 2006 to 2012, 2059 URSLs using F9.5 rigid ureteroscope were performed in our unit. Patients with post-URSL symptomatic renal hematoma were reviewed. Perioperative information on patients' renal function, stone characteristics, and degree of renal hydronephrosis were reviewed. Operative data, postoperative information such as clinical manifestation, changes in blood parameters, CT findings, and subsequent treatment were documented. Of the 2059 patients treated with URSL and Ho:YAG laser, three patients were diagnosed as subcapsular renal hematoma after surgery; the age is 57, 61, and 63 years old, respectively. Preoperative imaging examination showed that two patients and one patient had obstructing middle and proximal ureteral stones ranging in size from 0.8 to 1.6 cm, and three patients had thin renal cortices. The double-J ureteral stents were inserted in all cases regularly. All three subcapsular renal hematoma patients had the loin pain of the operation side and fever, and one patient had significant hemoglobin drop (from 111 to 61 g/L) who need to transfusion. Two patients presented within 24 h of URSL, and one patient presented on day 10. One patient was treated conservatively for 3 weeks and recovered with bed rest, antibiotics, hemostasis, and analgesia with no intervention or drain. The other two patients underwent ultrasonography-guided drainage of the hematoma. Two-month follow-up CT scans or ultrasonography confirmed the resolution of the hematoma in all three cases. Renal subcapsular hematoma after URSL is a rare and one of serious complications. Subcapsular renal hematoma should be considered when patients have the symptoms of significant loin pain after URSL for obstructing ureteral stones with thin renal cortices. The treatment of post-URSL renal subcapsular hematomas needs to be customized for each patient.

Evaluation of a new 240-μm single-use holmium:YAG optical fiber for flexible ureteroscopy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Numerous holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser fibers are available for flexible ureteroscopy. Performance and durability of fibers can vary widely among different manufacturers and their product lines with differences within a single product line have been reported. We sought to evaluate a newly developed nontapered, single-use 240-μm fiber, Flexiva™ 200 (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA), during clinical use and in a bench-testing model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 new fibers were tested after their use in 100 consecutive flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy procedures by a single surgeon (B.K.). Prospectively recorded clinical parameters were laser pulse energy and frequency settings, total energy delivered and fibers failure. Subsequently, each fiber was bench-tested using an established protocol. Parameters evaluated for were fibers true diameter, flexibility, tip degradation, energy transmission in straight and 180° bend configuration and fibers failure threshold with stress testing.

RESULTS

The mean total energy delivered was 2.20 kJ (range 0-18.24 kJ) and most common laser settings used were 0.8 J at 8 Hz, 0.2 J at 50 Hz, and 1.0 J at 10 Hz, respectively. No fiber fractured during clinical procedures. The true fiber diameter was 450 μm. Fiber tips burnt back an average of 1.664 mm, but were highly variable. With laser setting of 400 mJ at 5 Hz, the mean energy transmitted was 451 and 441 mJ in straight and 180° bend configuration, respectively. Thirteen percent of fibers fractured at the bend radius of 0.5 cm with a positive correlation to the total energy transmitted during clinical use identified.

CONCLUSION

Fiber performance was consistent in terms of energy transmission and resistance to fracture when activated in bent configuration. Fiber failure during stress testing showed significant correlation with the total energy delivered during the clinical procedure. The lack of fiber fracture during clinical use may reduce the risk of flexible endoscope damage due to fiber failure.

Subcapsular hematoma after ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Renal hematoma after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is a rare complication. We aimed to review our center's experience of post-URSL subcapsular hematoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2007 to 2012, 1114 URSLs using 7.5F semi-rigid ureteroscopes were performed. Patients with post-URSL symptomatic renal hematoma were reviewed. Perioperative information on patients' preoperative morbidity, renal function, stone characteristics, and degree of hydronephrosis were reviewed. Operative information, postoperative presentation of symptoms, changes in blood parameters, CT findings, and subsequent management were documented.

RESULTS

Post-URSL subcapsular hematoma was diagnosed in 4 of 1114 (0.36%) patients, who ranged in age from 43 to 63 years. Preoperative imaging showed that all four patients had obstructing proximal ureteral stones ranging in size from 0.7 to 2.1 cm, and three of them had thin renal cortices. Pressure bags were not used, and Double-J ureteral stents were inserted in all cases. All four patients had the triad of loin pain, fever, and significant hemoglobin drop necessitating transfusion. Three patients presented within 2 days of URSL, and one patient presented on day 20. One patient was treated conservatively and recovered with bed rest and antibiotics. Urgent angiography was performed on one patient in view of a significant drop in hemoglobin, but no embolization was needed. One patient underwent ultrasonography-guided drainage of the hematoma, and another had an emergency open clot evacuation because of significant compression on the kidney by the hematoma. Follow-up CT scans confirmed the resolution of the hematoma in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-URSL subcapsular hematoma is a rare but potentially serious complication. A high index of suspicion is needed when patients present with significant loin pain and fever after URSL for obstructing proximal ureteral stones with thin renal cortices. The management of post-URSL subcapsular hematomas needs to be customized for each patient.

Subcapsular renal haematoma after holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser ureterolithotripsy

OBJECTIVE

To report the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of subcapsular renal haematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to treat ureteric stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective data from 2848 URSLs performed between January 2003 and September 2010 were retrospectively analysed. In all 11 patients were identified as having a SRH after URSL if they had persistent severe ipsilateral flank pain or a palpable mass within a day of surgery, or presented with radiographic evidence of a SRH. Risk factors for the development and course of the SRH were reported.

RESULTS

Of the 2848 consecutive patients treated with URSL using Ho:YAG laser, 11 (0.4%) developed a SRH after surgery. Patients who developed a SRH had larger stones (1.4 vs 0.9 cm, P < 0.001), more severe ipsilateral hydronephrosis (P < 0.001), longer operation duration (41 vs 33 min, P < 0.001), and higher perfusion pressure of hydraulic irrigation (176.8 vs 170.2 mmHg, P < 0.001) than patients who did not develop a SRH. Patient age, sex, body mass index, presence of diabetes mellitus, history of urolithiasis and hypertension, presence of multiple stones, stone location and flow rate of hydraulic irrigation were not statistically different in patients who did or did not develop a SRH. Most patients were managed conservatively, with no further intervention or with a flank drain, until the SRH resolved. Overall, in three patients the SRH resolved with no further intervention, six patients were treated with a drain only, and two patients had open surgery within a day of presenting with SRH.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of development of SRH after URSL is very low. Most patients who present with a SRH after URSL, can be treated conservatively with no intervention or with a drain only.