Double-Sheath Vacuum Suction Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Management of Large Renal Stones

Zero-Intrarenal Pressure Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for One-Stage Treatment of Non-Acute Infectious Calculous Pyonephrosis: A Strategy to Avert Sepsis

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel zero-intrarenal pressure (IRP) percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) technique for one-stage treatment of non-acute infectious calculous pyonephrosis. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 12 patients (4 males, 8 females; mean age 56.4 years) who underwent zero-IRP PCNL. The technique utilized a double-sheath vacuum suction system, with the outer sheath allowing for gravity irrigation and the inner sheath facilitating continuous suction. Keeping the height of gravity perfusion at the level of the kidney inherently prevented high IRP and achieved zero-IRP PCNL, even when stone fragments obstructed the suction channel. Results: The procedure demonstrated a high initial stone-free rate of 75%, improving to 91.7% after 1 month. The average operative time was 50.7 minutes. The mean hemoglobin drop was 6.1 g/L, managed without transfusions. Complications were minimal, with low-grade fever in two patients. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as sepsis, were noted. Conclusions: The zero-IRP PCNL technique, characterized by its double-sheath vacuum suction system and zero-pressure gravity perfusion, shows promise in safely and effectively managing non-acute infectious calculous pyonephrosis. Preliminary results are encouraging, but further research with larger sample sizes is essential for broader clinical validation.

Assessment of Effectiveness and Safety of Aspiration-Assisted Nephrostomic Access Sheaths in PCNL and Intrarenal Pressures Evaluation: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: Different suction-assisted nephrostomic sheaths have been developed for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Objectives: (1) To examine PCNL techniques performed with different aspiration-assisted sheaths (Clear Petra® sheath, Superperc, SuperminiPCNL, and a miniPCNL patented sheath), with specific regard to effectiveness and safety outcomes in adult and paediatric patients; (2) to extrapolate intrarenal pressure (IRP) data during these procedures. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Relevant articles up to 8 February 2024 were included. Results: Twenty-five studies were selected, thirteen retrospective and twelve prospective. The use of four different aspirating sheaths for miniPCNL was reported: Clear Petra® sheath, Superperc, SuperminiPCNL, and a miniPCNL patented sheath. Stone free rates (SFRs) across techniques ranged from 71.3% to 100%, and complication rates from 1.5% to 38.9%. Infectious complication rates varied from 0 to 27.8% and bleeding complication rates from 0 to 8.9%. Most complications were low grade ones. The trend among studies comparing aspiration- and non-aspiration-assisted miniPCNL was towards equivalent or better SFRs and lower overall infectious and bleeding complication rates in suction techniques. Operation time was consistently lower in suction procedures, with a mean shortening of the procedural time of 19 min. Seven studies reported IRP values during suction miniPCNL. Two studies reported satisfactory SFRs and adequate safety profiles in paediatric patient cohorts. Conclusions: MiniPCNL with aspirating sheaths appears to be safe and effective in both adult and paediatric patients. A trend towards a reduction of overall infectious and bleeding complications with respect to non-suction procedures is evident, with comparable or better SFRs and consistently shorter operative times. The IRP profile seems to be safe with the aid of aspirating sheaths. However, high quality evidence on this topic is still lacking.

Suction in Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy: Evolution, Development, and Outcomes from Experimental and Clinical studies. Results from a Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Controversy exists regarding the therapeutic benefit of suction use during percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL).

OBJECTIVE

To review and highlight the options available in the use of suction for PCNL, and to discuss their strengths and limitations.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic literature search was performed using Scopus, EMBASE, and PubMed. Thirty four studies were included. There was one ex vivo study. Among clinical studies, 24 used a vacuum/suctioning sheath and nine a handpiece suction device/direct-in-scope suction. The suction technique was employed in standard, mini-PCNL, supermini-PCNL, and enhanced supermini‑PCNL techniques.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Handpiece suction devices demonstrated better safety and efficiency in treating large stones than nonsuction PCNL and in a much shorter time. Trilogy and ShockPulse-SE were equally effective, safe, and versatile for standard PCNL and mini-PCNL. The heavier handpiece makes Trilogy less ergonomically friendly. Laser suction handpiece devices can potentiate laser lithotripsy by allowing for better laser control with simultaneous suction of small fragments and dust. Integrated suction-based sheaths are available in reusable and disposable forms for mini-PCNL only. Mini-PCNL with suction reported superior outcomes for operative time and stone-free rate to mini-PCNL. This also helped minimize infectious complications by a combination of intrarenal pressure reduction and faster aspiration of irrigation fluid reducing the risk of sepsis, enhance intraoperative vision, and improve lithotripsy efficiency, which makes it a very attractive evolution for PCNL.

CONCLUSIONS

Suction devices in PCNL are reforming the way PCNL is being done. Adding suction to mini-PCNL reduces infectious complications and improves the stone-free rate. Our review shows that despite the limited evidence, suction techniques appear to improve PCNL outcomes.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this review, we looked at the intra- and perioperative outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) with the addition of suction. With better stone fragmentation and fewer postoperative infections, this technology is very useful particularly for mini-PCNL.

A novel double-sheath negative-pressure versus conventional minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy for large kidney stone

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel double-sheath negative-pressure minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (D-mPCNL) compared to conventional minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (C-mPCNL) for large kidney stones. A total of 132 patients diagnosed with large kidney stones in our hospital were included in the study. Among them, sixty-eight patients underwent D-mPCNL, while sixty-four underwent C-mPCNL. Parameters such as operative duration, stone-free rate, incidence of postoperative complications, and the need for auxiliary procedures were evaluated between the two groups. Compared to the C-mPCNL group, the D-mPCNL group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time (41.97 ± 8.24 min vs. 52.30 ± 13.72 min; P < 0.000), lower rates of auxiliary procedures (5.9% vs. 17.2%; P = 0.041), and lower fever rates (2.9% vs. 14.1%; P = 0.021). The group also had a significantly higher primary stone-free rate (85.3% vs. 70.3%; P = 0.038). However, there were no statistically significant advantages in terms of the final stone-free rate, hemoglobin drops, and stone composition in the D-mPCNL group (P > 0.05). D-mPCNL is a novel surgical method that is safe and effective, reducing operative time, improving stone-free efficiency, and decreasing postoperative complications.