Effectiveness of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Laser Lithotripsy for Multiple Unilateral Intrarenal Stones Smaller Than 2 cm

Novel scoring system combined with a virtual reality technique for the preoperative evaluation of the stone-free status after flexible ureteroscopy: the H.L.P.E.S. score

OBJECTIVE

The original S.O.L.V.E. scoring system was modified using virtual reality technology, and a new H.L.P.E.S scoring system was constructed to improve the accuracy of predicting the stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical and virtual reality data of 150 patients with renal calculi who underwent flexible ureteroscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, from September 2019 to January 2022. Factors affecting the stone-free rate were evaluated in univariate and multiple logical regression analyses. Factors were divided by cut-off value under the receiver-operating characteristic curve and scored accordingly to a well-known international scoring system. Area under the curve predicted the stone-free rate. The accuracy and superiority of the stone-free rate after flexible ureterorenoscopy was compared between this scoring system and the S.O.L.V.E, R.I.R.S, T.O.HO, and RUSS scores.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression showed that the stone surface area, renal pelvis volume, and length of the calyces funnel were correlated with stone-free rate (P < 0.01, P = 0.021, P = 0.019, respectively). The H.L.P.E.S. score included stone surface area (1-2 points), renal pelvis volume (1-2 points), length of calyces funnel (1-2 points), pelvic calyceal height (1-2 points), and essence of stone (1-2 points). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of H.L.P.E.S. score was 0.927, which was higher than the S.O.L.V.E., R.I.R.S., T.O.HO, and RUSS scores.

CONCLUSION

H.L.P.E.S. scoring can effectively predict the stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopy for renal calculi and is superior to other scoring systems.

Bilateral same session flexible ureterorenoscopy for endoscopic management of bilateral renal calculi is noninferior to unilateral flexible ureterorenoscopy for management of multiple unilateral renal calculi: outcomes of a prospective comparative study

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of bilateral same session ureterorenoscopy (BSS-FURS) for management of bilateral renal calculi.

METHODS

A prospective comparative study was designed to compare the results of BSS-FURS with unilateral flexible ureterorenoscopy (U-FURS) for management of renal calculi between June 2003 and May 2016. A sample size of 55 patients in each arm was calculated considering a 20% increase in the incidence of complications with BSS-FURS over 15% complication rate in U-FURS (alpha = 0.05; Beta = 0.90). Patient demographics, stone burden, total operative time, postoperative creatinine level, duration of hospital stay, perioperative complications and stone free rate (SFR) were compared in both the groups. The literature pertaining to BSS-FURS was reviewed.

RESULTS

Although the study group patients had higher overall stone burden (18.60 ± 7.70 mm vs. 13.32 ± 6.43 mm) and significantly longer operative time (48.30 ± 16.71 min vs. 32.95 ± 13.05 min; p < 0.05) as compared to the control group, the length of hospital stay, SFR (67.85% vs. 78.5%; p = 0.436) and perioperative complications were comparable in both the groups. Most patients who developed postoperative fever from both groups had struvite stones.

CONCLUSION

BSS-FURS is a safe and efficient procedure for the management of bilateral renal calculi in the hands of an experienced endourologist. It has comparable SFR and morbidity compared to U-FURS. Caution should be exercised in patients with struvite stones, as they are more likely to develop postoperative fever.

Evaluation of the use of NGage® Nitinol stone extractor for intraocular foreign body removal

PURPOSE

To describe a novel technique to use the NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor for large IOFB extraction.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series study by reviewing the data of 4 eyes with retained large IOFB extracted with the use of the NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor. The study was conducted in a single tertiary referral center on four eyes of four patients with large retained IOFB. Studied eyes were treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and IOFB extraction by using the NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor through a limbal incision.

RESULTS

Four eyes of four male patients with large Retained IOFB were included in the study. The nature of the IOFB was metallic in 2 eyes, glass in 1 eye or ceramic 1 eye. All the IOFB were removed from a limbal wound. Silicone oil tamponade was required in 3 eyes. Two eyes required reoperation. At 6 months postoperative, the final visual acuity using Snellen chart ranged between PL and 0.1.

CONCLUSION

The NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor can be a useful tool for the extraction of the large retained IOFB.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones - Part 2

Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has become an effective and safe treatment modality in the management of urinary system stone disease. Recent developments and innovations in the flexible ureterorenoscope and auxiliary equipment have made this procedure easier and more effective with increased success rates. RIRS can be used as a primary treatment in patients with renal stones smaller than 2 cm, prior unsuccessful shock wave lithotripsy, infundibular stenosis, renoureteral malformation, skeletal-muscular deformity, bleeding diathesis and obese patients. In the second part of this detailed review for RIRS, effect of stone composition on success rate, preoperative assessment of stone-free rate, the cost of this modality, education for RIRS, fluoroscopy use, the current role of RIRS in the treatment of various urolithiasis types and special conditions, and combined treatment methods are discussed with up-to-date literature.

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Patients Who Previously Underwent Open Renal Stone Surgery

Purpose. To ascertain whether retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is as effective in patients treated previously with open renal stone surgery (ORSS) on the same kidney as in patients with no previous ORSS. Methods. There were 32 patients with renal stones who had previous ORSS and were treated with RIRS in the study group (Group 1). A total of 38 patients with renal stones who had no previous ORSS and were treated with RIRS were selected as the control group (Group 2). Recorded data regarding preoperative characteristics of the patients, stone properties, surgical parameters, outcomes, SFRs (no fragments or small fragments <4 mm), and complications between groups were compared. Results. Mean age, mean BMI, mean hospital stay, and mean operative time were not statistically different between groups. Mean stone size (10.1 ± 5.6 versus 10.3 ± 4.2; p = 0.551) and mean stone burden (25.4 ± 14.7 versus 23.5 ± 9.9; p = 0.504) were also similar between groups. After the second procedures, SFRs were 100% and 95% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.496). No major perioperative complications were seen. Conclusion. RIRS can be safely and effectively performed with acceptable complication rates in patients treated previously with ORSS as in patients with no previous ORSS.