Risk Factors for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Induced by Flexible Ureteroscope Combined with Holmium Laser Lithotripsy

Investigation of Predictors of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Endourological Procedure of Upper Urinary Tract Stones

Background: In order to prevent infectious complications following endourological procedure of upper urinary tract stones, it is essential to determine which patients are at high risk of developing this complication. We aimed to identify predictors that may cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after the endourological procedure of upper urinary tract stones. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS), or semirigid ureteroscopy (SR-URS) in our center between January 2011 and June 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. After surgery, patients were pursued for SIRS criteria. Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of SIRS. Results: A total of 1471 patients were included in the study. The rates of SIRS after PNL, F-URS, and SR-URS were 12.9%, 6.3%, and 1.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, predictors for SIRS were determined to be stone volume, operative time, and history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in the PNL group; ipsilateral stone surgery history, stone volume, and operative time in the F-URS group; and stone volume, operative time, and history of recurrent UTI in the SR-URS group. Conclusion: Stone volume and operative time were determined to be independent predictors of SIRS in endourological surgery of upper urinary tract stones.

Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: Insight into Pathological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Benefits of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Cytokine storm (CS) is the main driver of SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The pathological mechanisms of CS are quite complex and involve multiple critical molecular targets that turn self-limited and mild COVID-19 into a severe and life-threatening concern. At present, vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective treatments for preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19. However, effective treatment options are still lacking for people who are at the most risk or hospitalized with severe disease. Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of mild to severe COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy, particular preventing the development of mild to severe ARDS. This review illustrates in detail the pathogenesis of CS-involved ARDS and its associated key molecular targets, cytokines and signalling pathways. The therapeutic targets were identified particularly in relation to the turning points of the development of COVID-19, from mild symptoms to severe ARDS. Preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed for the effects of Chinese herbal medicines together with conventional therapies in reducing ARDS symptoms and addressing critical therapeutic targets associated with CS. Multiple herbal formulations, herbal extracts and single bioactive phytochemicals with or without conventional therapies demonstrated strong anti-CS effects through multiple mechanisms. However, evidence from larger, well-designed clinical trials is lacking and their detailed mechanisms of action are yet to be well elucidated. More research is warranted to further evaluate the therapeutic value of Chinese herbal medicine for CS in COVID-19-induced ARDS.

Influence of preoperative urine culture and bacterial species on urogenital sepsis after ureteral flexible lithotripsy in patients with upper urinary tract stones

Objective

This retrospective study aims to identify risk factors for urogenic sepsis in patients with upper urinary tract stones following ureteral flexible lithotripsy (FURL). Additionally, we analyze the clinical characteristics of bacterial infections post-surgery.

Methods

A total of 759 patients who underwent FURL at the Urology Department of Zunyi Medical University were included. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for urogenic sepsis post-FURL. The distribution of bacteria based on preoperative urine cultures was also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using R4.2.2 software.

Results

Of the 759 patients, positive preoperative urine culture, urine nitrite positivity, urine white blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 200 cells/μL, residual stones, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were found to be independent risk factors for urogenic sepsis after FURL. Among the 164 patients with positive preoperative urine cultures, 32 developed urogenic sepsis post-surgery, with 68.75% having positive preoperative cultures. The leading pathogens causing postoperative urogenic sepsis were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus faecium, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The probabilities of progression to urogenic sepsis were as follows: E. coli 19% (n = 12), Enterococcus faecium 43% (n = 3), Proteus mirabilis 33.3% (n = 1), and Klebsiella pneumoniae 33.3% (n = 1). The ages of affected patients were 47.17 ± 13.2, 53.7, 41, and 79 years, respectively. Rates of comorbid diabetes were 36.4, 66.7, 50, 100%, with nitrite positivity rates at 72.7, 33.3, 50, 0%. Ten female patients were infected with E. coli, while patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae had an NLR of 7.62.

Conclusion

Positive preoperative urine culture, urine nitrite positivity, urine WBC ≥ 200 cells/μL, residual stones, and NLR are independent risk factors for urogenic sepsis after FURL. Escherichia coli is the predominant pathogen post-FURL, with notable female prevalence and nitrite-positive urine in infections. Enterococcus faecium infections are associated with diabetes.

predictive model of nosocomial infection in patients with upper urinary tract stones after flexible ureterorenoscopy with laser lithotripsy: A retrospective study

Objectives

To construct a predictive model of nosocomial infection in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) stones after flexible ureterorenoscopy with laser lithotripsy (FURSLL).

Methods

Medical records of 196 patients with UUT stones who underwent FURSLL in Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from December 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into infected group or uninfected group based on the presence of infection during postoperative hospitalization. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors of postoperative nosocomial infections. A nomogram prediction model was constructed using R software. The predictive ability of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

A total of 54 patients (27.6%) developed nosocomial infections after FURSLL. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, diabetes, preoperative urinary system infection, ureteral stricture, hydronephrosis, double J-stent retention time, and stone diameter were risk factors of nosocomial infection. The nomogram model was constructed based on these risk factors. The ROC showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.930 (95% CI: 0.890-0.970), and the sensitivity and specificity were 92.6% and 81.7%, respectively, indicating that the prediction model was effective.

Conclusions

Risk of nosocomial infection in patients with UUT stones after FURSLL is affected by older age, diabetes, preoperative urinary system infection, ureteral stenosis, hydronephrosis, double J-stent retention time, and stone diameter. The nomogram prediction model, constructed based on the above factors, has good predictive value.

Risk factors for systemic inflammatory response syndrome after endoscopic lithotripsy for upper urinary calculi

BACKGROUND

To explore the risk factors for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after endoscopic lithotripsy for upper urinary calculi.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with upper urinary calculi who underwent endoscopic lithotripsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between June 2018 and May 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 724 patients with upper urinary calculi were included. One hundred and fifty-three patients developed SIRS after the operation. The occurrence of SIRS was higher after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) compared with ureteroscopy (URS) (24.6% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.001) and after flexible ureteroscopy compared with ureteroscopy (fURS) (17.9% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.042). In the univariable analyses, preoperative infection history (P < 0.001), positive preoperative urine culture (P < 0.001), history of kidney operation on the affected side (P = 0.049), staghorn calculi (P < 0.001), stone long diameter (P = 0.015), stone limited to the kidney (P = 0.006), PCNL (P = 0.001), operative time (P = 0.020), and percutaneous nephroscope channel (P = 0.015) were associated with SIRS. The multivariable analysis showed that positive preoperative urine culture [odds ratio (OR) = 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-4.24, P = 0.014] and operative methods (PCNL vs. URS, OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.15-5.82, P = 0.012) were independently associated with SIRS.

CONCLUSION

Positive preoperative urine culture and PCNL are independent risk factors for SIRS after endoscopic lithotripsy for upper urinary calculi.

Nomogram for predicting risk factors of fever in patients with negative preoperative urine culture after retrograde intrarenal surgery

PURPOSE

To determine the risk factors for postoperative fever after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with negative preoperative urine culture (UC), and to establish a nomogram for predicting postoperative fever based on these risk factors.

METHODS

This study collected 322 patients with negative UC who received RIRS at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March 2019 to May 2022. The study population was divided into a fever group and a non-fever group. The risk factors of postoperative fever were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram was established. The nomogram was evaluated in terms of differentiation, calibration, and clinical practicability.

RESULTS

In this study, 47 (14.6%) patients developed a fever after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that for patients with negative preoperative urine culture, urinary leucocyte esterase (P = 0.005), operative time (P = 0.019), and intraoperative hypotension (P = 0.028) were independent risk factors of postoperative fever, and a nomogram was constructed according to the above variables. The area under the curve (AUC) calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was 0.807 (95% CI 0.739-0.876), indicating good discrimination. The calibration curves showed good consistency, and the clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) showed the clinical applicability of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with negative preoperative urine culture, urine leukocyte esterase, operative time, and intraoperative hypotension are independent risk factors of postoperative fever. The new nomogram can better assess the risk of infection in patients with negative UC after RIRS.

Ureteral Access Sheaths and Its Use in the Future: A Comprehensive Update Based on a Literature Review

Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are part of urologist’s armamentarium when performing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Recently, the world of RIRS has changed dramatically with the development of three game-changers: thulium fiber laser (TFL), smaller size single use digital flexible ureterosopes and intraoperative intrarenal pressure (IRP) measurement devices. We aimed to clarify the impact of UASs on IRP, complications and SFRs and put its indications in perspective of these three major technological improvements. A systematic review of the literature using the Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed by two authors and relevant studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Recent studies showed that using a UAS lowers IRP and intrarenal temperature by increasing irrigation outflow during RIRS. Data on the impact of a UAS on SFRs, postoperative pain, risk of infectious complications, risk of ureteral strictures and risk of bladder recurrence of urothelial carcinoma after diagnostic RIRS were inconclusive. Prestenting for at least one week resulted in ureteral enlargement, while the influence of pre-operative administration of alpha-blockers was unclear. Since TFL, smaller single use digital ureteroscopes and devices with integrated pressure-measuring and aspiration technology seemed to increase SFRs and decrease pressure and temperature related complications, indications on the use of a UAS may decrease in the near future.

Does time elapsed between urine culture and retrograde intrarenal surgery affect the rate of systemic inflammatory response syndrome?

OBJECTIVE

To identify the preoperative and intraoperative factors that might cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and to investigate the effect of time elapsed between the date of performing preoperative bladder urine culture (PBUC) and surgery date on postoperative SIRS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four hundred sixty-seven patients who had RIRS between January 2013 and June 2020 constituted the target population of this study. PBUC were obtained from all patients before undergoing surgery. Postoperatively, patients were closely monitored for fever and other signs of SIRS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to reveal the predictive factors for SIRS after RIRS.

RESULTS

The entire study cohort consisted of 467 patients. The rate of SIRS was 5.6%. In univariate analysis, the rate of DM, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) history, surgical time, and stone burden were significant predictive factors for SIRS. In multivariate analysis, the rate of recurrent UTI history, surgical time and stone burden were observed to be statistically significant predictive factors. Time elapsed between the date of performing PBUC and surgery date was not different between the SIRS group and the normal group.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the time between the date of performing PBUC and surgery date is not an influential factor for SIRS. Clarifying this issue with prospective studies may be useful, as endourologists frequently encounter this situation in daily practice.

Retrospective Analysis of the Risk Factors and Drug Resistance of Pathogenic Bacteria in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Ureteroscopic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Impacted Ureteral Calculi

Objective

To investigate the risk factors, pathogen distribution, and drug resistance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after holmium laser ureteroscopic lithotripsy for impacted ureteral calculi (HLULIUC).

Patients and Methods

The clinical data of 293 patients with HLULIUC in our hospital from October 2017 to February 2021 were retrospectively collected, including age, BMI, stone size, operation time, urine routine, urine culture, basic illness, complete blood count, liver and kidney function, etc. Patients were divided into SIRS and non-SIRS groups according to whether they had SIRS or not. Then the differences in clinical data, blood and urine bacterial culture results, and drug resistance between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

The incidence of SIRS after HLULIUC was 17.75%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of SIRS after HLULIUC include ureteral calculi≥1cm (OR=2.839, 95% CI=1.341–5.647, P=0.021), long operation time (OR=4.534, 95% CI=2.597–12.751, P=0.017), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.137, 95% CI=1.142–7.319, P=0.012), increased preoperative C-reactive protein (OR=1.864, 95% CI=1.05–4.347, P=0.032), and positive urine leukocytes (OR=3.514, 95% CI=1.7237–9.734, P=0.007) and culture (OR=6.034, 95% CI=3.097–15.751, P<0.001) before operation. The main pathogens causing SIRS after HLULIUC were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pathogenic bacteria are sensitive to drugs including piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, tigecycline, teicoplanin, vancomycin, and imipenem. The resistance rates to quinolones (such as levofloxacin) and to the second- and third-generations of cephalosporins were as high as 52.94%–90.19%.

Conclusion

Ureteral calculi≥1cm, long operation time, diabetes, increased C-reactive protein, and preoperative positive urine leukocytes and culture are independent risk factors of SIRS after HLULIUC. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the main pathogenic bacteria for SIRS after HLULIUC. The pathogenic bacteria are sensitive to drugs, including piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, tigecycline, teicoplanin, vancomycin, and imipenem.

Integrative Analysis of Peripheral Blood Indices for the Renal Sinus Invasion Prediction of T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Ensemble Study Using Machine Learning-Assisted Decision-Support Models

Purpose

Renal sinus invasion is an attributive factor affecting the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study aimed to construct a risk prediction model that could stratify patients with RCC and predict renal sinus invasion with the help of a machine learning (ML) algorithm.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively recruited 1229 patients diagnosed with T1 stage RCC at the Baotou Cancer Hospital between November 2013 and August 2021. Iterative analysis was used to screen out predictors related to renal sinus invasion, after which ML-based models were developed to predict renal sinus invasion in patients with T1 stage RCC. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) were performed to evaluate the robustness and clinical practicability of each model.

Results

A total of 21 candidate variables were shortlisted for model building. Iterative analysis screened that neutrophil to albumin ratio (NAR), hemoglobin level * albumin level * lymphocyte count/platelet count ratio (HALP), prognostic nutrition index (PNI), body mass index*serum albumin/neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (AKI), NAR, and fibrinogen (FIB) concentration (NARFIB), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and R.E.N.A.L score was related to renal sinus invasion and contributed significantly to ML-based algorithm. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of the random forest classifier (RFC) model, support vector machine (SVM), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), artificial neural network (ANN), and decision tree (DT) ranged from 0.797 to 0.924. The optimal risk probability of renal sinus invasion predicted was RFC (AUC = 0.924, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.414–1.434), which showed robust discrimination for identifying high-risk patients.

Conclusion

We successfully develop practical models for renal sinus invasion prediction, particularly the RFC, which could contribute to early detection via integrating systemic inflammatory factors and nutritional parameters.

Risk factors for infectious complications after retrograde intrarenal surgery - a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Introduction

Infectious complications are among the most frequent and significant complications in retrograde intrarenal lithotripsy. To date, review articles have covered complications after a ureteroscopy, but not after retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), specifically. Because the complications and risk factors are different for a ureteroscopy and RIRS, we aimed to identify variables related to the occurrence of infectious complications post-RIRS.

Material and methods

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. We included original studies that described 100 or more procedures published in 2014–2021. We extracted data and performed a narrative synthesis to explore and interpret differences between the studies.

Results

We selected 17 studies for analysis, including 10 from 2019–2021. Infectious complications after RIRS were observed in 2.8–7.5% of patients (mean 7.1%). We found seven independent risk factors associated with infectious complications after RIRS: long operative time, recent history of positive urine culture or urinary tract infection or antibiotic use, pyuria/nitrites, small caliber of ureteral access sheath, struvite stone, high irrigation rate, and comorbidities.

Conclusions

If an increased rate of infectious complications is found at a RIRS center, countermeasures should include restrictions on operative time and irrigation rate, and consideration of larger access sheaths, especially for patients with abnormal urine results or with struvite stones or with a history of urinary tract infection or co-morbidities.

Evaluating predictive factor of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Postoperative Pain in Patients Without Ureteral Stent Placement After Ureteral Access Sheath Use in Flexible Ureteroscopy for Stone Management

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the safety of stentless flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) using a ureteral access sheath (UAS) for stone management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 270 ureteral stentless postoperative patients were analyzed. Stentless indication was characterized by having no ureteral wall or mucosa injury with only slight erosion, < 1-hour operative time, and no endoscopic stone fragments with or without stone dust. Postoperative complications and pain were analyzed for safety measurements. In addition, preoperative and intraoperative risk factors associated with the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and postoperative pain were evaluated.

RESULTS

The most common UAS sizes were 10/12 Fr (69.6%) and 9.5/11.5 Fr (28.1%). The rate of patients who were stone-free was 95.9%. The median operation time was 34 min. Only three grade 1 ureteral injuries occurred intraoperatively. Postoperative SIRS occurred in 8.8% of patients, and postoperative use of analgesics was 35.9%. Only four patients were required to undergo eventual ureteral stenting. Less than 10/12-Fr UAS was the only factor positively associated with preventing postoperative SIRS (odds ratio [OR], 4.733; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.085-20.644). Older age and preoperative ureteral stenting were positively associated with preventing postoperative pain (OR, 0.970; 95% CI, 0.951-0.990 and OR, 0.427; 95% CI, 0.232-0.786; respectively).

CONCLUSION

Stentless fURS with UAS in stone management was feasible for selected patients. UAS size of < 10/12 Fr, older age, and preoperative stenting are possible keystones to achieving stentless fURS with UAS postoperatively.