A cut-off value for the operation time and other risk factors in terms of the infection risk for flexible ureterorenoscopy

Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Significantly Improved Visualization and Shortened the Operation Time in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Level I and II Studies

PURPOSE

To further clarify the role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), especially visual field clarity and operation time.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to find prospective randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) examining the use of TXA in ARCR. All included RCTs were evaluated for methodological quality using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. We used Review Manager 5.3 for meta-analysis and calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the related outcome indicators. The GRADE system was used to evaluate the strength of the clinical evidence provided by the included studies.

RESULTS

Six RCTs (3 Level I, 3 Level II) from four countries or regions were included in this study: 2 studies used intra-articular (IA) TXA, and 4 studies used intravenous TXA. A total of 451 patients underwent ARCR, including 227 patients in the TXA group and 224 patients in the non-TXA group. In 2 RCTs evaluating good visualization, intravenous TXA achieved a better surgical field of view in ARCR compared to the control group (P =.036; P = .045). Meta-analysis showed that compared with non-TXA, intravenous TXA shortened the operation time (WMD = -12.87 min, 95% CI: -18.81 to -6.93). These two RCTs did not reveal a statistically significant difference in the impact of intravenous TXA and non-TXA on mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P = .306; P = .549). Compared with epinephrine (EPN), IA TXA had no significant effects on improving the visual field clarity under arthroscopy, shortening the operation time or reducing the total amount of irrigation fluid (P > .05). Compared with saline irrigation, IA TXA improved the surgical field of vision and shortened the operation time (P < .001). No adverse events were reported for either intravenous TXA or IA TXA.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous TXA can shorten the operation time of ARCR, and the conclusions of existing RCTs suggest that intravenous TXA can improve visual field clarity during ARCR, thus supporting the application of intravenous TXA in ARCR. Compared with EPN, IA TXA was not better at improving the visual field clarity under arthroscopy and shortening the operation time, but it was better than saline irrigation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, systematic review and meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

The predictive factors that total laser energy consumed during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): stone area and density

Holmium: YAG (Ho: YAG) laser lithotripsy with flexible ureterorenoscopy can be used with high stone-free and low complication rates for renal stones. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the total laser energy in cases with provided stone-free status after a single session of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Data of 222 patients who underwent RIRS between October 2017 and March 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. After exclusion criteria, the study was carried out with 184 stone-free cases. All cases were performed without using a ureteral access sheath (UAS), and dusting was preferred as the lithotripsy method. The effects of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous RIRS history, previous shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) history, stone localization, number of stones, stone surface area, and stone density on total laser energy were analyzed. There was no significant correlation between total laser energy with gender, BMI, previous RIRS history, previous SWL history, stone localization, and the number of stones (p:0.347, p:0.482, p:0.119, p:0.167, p:0.907, p:0.933 respectively). There was a significant correlation between age and total laser energy (p = 0.032), but it was not observed when the effect of the stone surface area was removed (p = 0.354). There were significant correlations between total laser energy and stone surface area, stone density, and total laser time (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p <0.001, respectively). Stone area and stone density affect the total energy consumed during laser lithotripsy. Urologists should consider the stone area, stone density, and the power of the laser device to determine which surgical technic to prefer.