Endourologic strategies for a minimally invasive management of urinary tract stones in patients with urinary diversion

Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of 10-20-mm kidney stones in patients with ileal conduit: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Both mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are two major strategies for the endourological management of kidney stones. In the current study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of mPNL and RIRS for the treatment of 10-20 mm kidney stones in patients with ileal conduit.

METHODS

Patients with a history of bladder cancer and ileal conduit who had undergone mPNL or RIRS for unilateral kidney stones 10-20 mm in size between January 2015 and June 2022 were retrospectively included. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed and compared between mPNL and RIRS.

RESULTS

The failure rate of the initial surgery was 2.5% and 18.9% for mPNL and RIRS, respectively (P=0.025). In total, 39 and 30 patients were finally included in the mPNL and RIRS groups. One-session stone-free rate (SFR) was higher in the mPNL group than the RIRS group (97.4% vs. 66.7%, P=0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to operation time, postoperative hospitalization, complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification, as well as the change in hemoglobin, creatinine, procalcitonin, and pain Visual Analogue Scale Score before and after the surgery. Moreover, Results were consistent across subgroup analyses in patients stratified by years (2015-2018 and 2019-2022).

CONCLUSIONS

Both mPNL and RIRS were feasible and safe for the treatment of 10-20 mm kidney stones in patients with ileal conduit. However, mPNL achieved superior SFR outcomes with a similar incidence of complications, and it might be a sensible alternative for selected patients.

Distal ureteral calculi in a patient with ileal conduit and urinary diversion treated via antegrade ureteroscopic lithotripsy: A case report

Ureteral calculi management in patients with urinary diversion is challenging for most urologists. The surgeon should consider the patient's diversion type, BMI, stone size and location, and his/her experience with the procedure. We report an 85-year-old ileal conduit diversion man presented with ureteral calculi and treated via antegrade ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) Guideline on percutaneous nephrolithotomy

The International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) would like to release the latest guideline on percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and to provide a clinical framework for surgeons performing PCNLs. These recommendations were collected and appraised from a systematic review and assessment of the literature covering all aspects of PCNLs from the PubMed database between January 1, 1976, and July 31, 2021. Each generated recommendation was graded using a modified GRADE methodology. The quality of the evidence was graded using a classification system modified from the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Forty-seven recommendations were summarized and graded, which covered the following issues, indications and contraindications, stone complexity evaluation, preoperative imaging, antibiotic strategy, management of antithrombotic therapy, anesthesia, position, puncture, tracts, dilation, lithotripsy, intraoperative evaluation of residual stones, exit strategy, postoperative imaging and stone-free status evaluation, complications. The present guideline on PCNL was the first in the IAU series of urolithiasis management guidelines. The recommendations, tips and tricks across the PCNL procedures would provide adequate guidance for urologists performing PCNLs to ensure safety and efficiency in PCNLs.

Is There Still a Place for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Current Times?

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and its miniaturized modifications are usually considered the standard surgical options for large (>20 mm) staghorn and infected stones. Moreover, PCNL is a viable alternative to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for smaller stones (<20 mm) in the presence of anatomical malformations or inaccessible lower pole stones. However, due to the advancements in laser and scope technology, RIRS is expanding its indications with the potential benefits of lower complications and a shorter hospital stay. Methods: A literature search using the PUBMED database from inception to June 2022 was performed to explore the current role of PCNL in endourology. The analysis involved a narrative synthesis. Results: PCNL confirmed its role in the treatment of large and complex stones; moreover, miniaturized PCNL has become more competitive, gaining space among classic indications of flexible ureteroscopy. Conclusions: considering all the evaluated subgroups, we can conclude that PCNL is an old fascinating procedure and is here to stay.

Staple Containing Ureteral Stone Formation After Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy With Intracorporeal Neobladder Construction in a Female Patient: A Case Report of a Rare Complication

Radical cystectomy with intracorporeal neobladder formation is a well-established treatment for patients with muscle-invasive urothelial cancer of the bladder. After the wide implementation of robotic systems, numerous centers increasingly offer intracorporeal neobladder construction using robotic staple devices. Stone formation at the area of staple material migration is a long-term complication, as staple material may migrate through the neobladder wall and act as a nidus for urine crystal aggregation. Stone formation in the upper urinary tract and the diversion segment is highly variable and corresponding management protocols are extensively reported in the previous series. However, the presence of staple material within a renal or ureteral stone has been rarely reported before. We present a case of a female patient with a staple-containing ureteral stone four years after radical cystectomy and neobladder formation and the consequent antegrade ureterorenoscopic retrieval. This treatment option is feasible, safe and easily implemented by experienced endourologists.

Clinical study on the minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy treatment of upper urinary calculi

BACKGROUND

Upper urinary tract stones are very common in my country, with an incidence of 1% to 5% in the North and an even higher incidence of 5% to 10% in the south. The incidence rate in the south is higher than that in the north, mainly due to the water quality, climate and eating habits of the region. From the perspective of sex, incidence is more likely in males than females. In the high-incidence population, young adults are most prone to stones. Men in the age range of 25 to 40 years are more likely to have stones.

AIM

To observe the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) on upper urinary tract stones and its influence on the renal function of patients.

METHODS

Patients with upper urinary tract stones who were treated in our hospital from February 2017 to March 2018 were selected as research subjects and were divided into the PCNL group and the mPCNL group according to the random number table method. The general conditions of the two groups of patients were observed during the perioperative period, and the differences in stone clearance, pain, renal function indicators and complication rates were compared between the two groups to determine which were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The operation time of the mPCNL group was longer than that of the PCNL group (t = -34.392, P < 0.001), and the intraoperative blood loss of the mPCNL group was more than that of the PCNL group (t = 34.090, P < 0.001). There was no difference in renal function indices between the two groups of patients before treatment, and there was no difference in the levels of serum creatinine, β2 microglobulin or retinol binding protein in the mPCNL group after treatment. The visual analog scale score of patients in the mPCNL group was lower than that of the PCNL group (t = 12.191, P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in the stone clearance rate between the two groups (χ² value = 1.013, P = 0.314). There was no significant difference in the incidence of urine extravasation, dyspnea and peripheral organ damage between the two groups (χ² value = 1.053, P = 0.305). At 1 mo after treatment and 3 mo after treatment, the quality of life of the mPCNL group was lower than that of the PCNL group, and the Qmax level of the mPCNL group was higher than that of the PCNL group.

CONCLUSION

mPCNL has a good therapeutic effect on upper urinary tract stones, with a high stone clearance rate without causing kidney damage or increasing the incidence of complications, and thus has good application value.

Risk factors for urinary infection after retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy: Implication for nursing

There are needs to evaluate the risk factors for urinary infection after retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy, to provide insights into the management and nursing care of patients with retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy.Patients who received retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy with a Foley 20 urinary tube insertion from June 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 in our hospital were selected. Patients were grouped urinary infection and no infection group according to the culture results of urine, and the clinical data of the 2 groups of patients were collected and compared. Single factor and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of urinary tract infection after retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy.Four hundred ten patients with retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy were included, of whom 62 patients had the urinary tract infection, the incidence of urinary tract infection was 15.12%. There were significant differences in the gender, age, diabetes, stone diameter, duration of urinary tube insertion and duration of surgery between infection and no-infection group (all P < .05). The Escherichia coli (62.90%) was the most commonly seen bacterial in patients with urinary tract infection. Female (odds ratio [OR]: 1.602, 95% confidence interval 95% [CI]: 1.132∼2.472), age >50 years (OR: 2.247, 95% CI: 1.346∼3.244), diabetes (OR: 2.228, 95% CI: 1.033∼3.451), stone diameter ≥2 cm (OR: 2.152, 95% CI: 1.395∼3.099), duration of urinary tube insertion ≥3 days (OR: 1.942, 95% CI:1.158∼2.632), duration of surgery ≥90 minutes (OR: 2.128, 95% CI: 1.104∼3.846) were the independent risk factors for the postoperative urinary tract infection in patients with retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy (all P < .05).The incidence of urinary tract infection in patients undergoing retrograde upper urinary lithotripsy was high, counteractive measures targeted on those risk factors are needed to prevent and reduce the postoperative urinary infection in clinical settings.

Complications and surgical results of stone-directed antegrade pyelography compared to the retrograde pyelographic access method in percutaneous nephrolithotomy using ‘bull’s eye’ technique: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives:

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in outcomes and complications in stone-directed antegrade pyelography using the ‘bull’s eye’ technique in patients with renal stones versus the conventional method of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Although conventional PCNL access using retrograde pyelography is useful, it is time-consuming and may cause postoperative discomfort. Herein, we report our experience in the application of this new technique.

Methods:

Between January 2017 and June 2018, 100 patients participated in this randomized clinical trial. Stone-directed antegrade pyelography using the ‘bull’s eye’ technique under fluoroscopic guidance was used for percutaneous access in the intervention group. The second group, consisting of those who had undergone conventional PCNL using retrograde pyelography and ‘bull’s eye’ technique in the same period, were considered as the controls. Pre- and postoperative laboratory examinations, surgical results and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results:

A single calyceal puncture in partial staghorn and staghorn stone patients was sufficient in 72.2% of the antegrade group and in 78.9% of the retrograde group ( p=0.69). The double-puncture technique was necessary for 71.9% of renal pelvis stones in the antegrade group and for 9.4% in the retrograde group ( p<0.001). The antegrade approach reduced the mean operative time and analgesic requirement significantly ( p<0.001). No statistically significant difference, however, was found between the two groups regarding stone migration to the ureter, radiation time and postoperative complications.

Conclusions:

The stone-directed antegrade approach using the ‘bull’s eye’ technique is a safe and accurate method in PCNL access in patients with radiopaque and semi-opaque renal stones.

Management of Indiana pouch stones through a percutaneous approach: A single center experience

OBJECTIVE

We present our experience of the treatment of reservoir stones using a percutaneous approach in patients with Indiana pouch urinary diversions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients who were treated percutaneously for Indiana pouch reservoir stones between January 2008 and December 2018 were identified from the hospital database, and their data were retrospectively analyzed. Patient charts were reviewed for stone burden, surgery details, and postoperative complications. The Indiana pouch was punctured under a direct ultrasound guidance, and a 30F sheath was placed into the pouch. A urologist removed the stones by inserting a rigid nephroscope through the sheath. A Foley catheter was left in the pouch through the percutaneous tract and opened to drainage.

RESULTS

Seven patients (mean age: 47.3±14.7 years) were included. All patients were stone free after the procedure. The median stone number was 3 (range: 1-8). The mean maximum stone diameter was 24.4±4.9 mm (range: 19-33 mm). Six patients were successfully treated in one session, whereas 1 patient required two treatment sessions. The median postoperative hospital admission was 1 day (range: 1-5 days). The Foley catheters were removed after a median of 18 days (range: 10-19 days). No major complications were reported.

CONCLUSION

The percutaneous approach for Indiana pouch reservoir stones treatment ensures direct and safe management without major periprocedural complications.