Ureteroscopic Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is effective for ureteral steinstrasse post-SWL

Rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy with a pressure-controlling ureteral access sheath for complex steinstrasse

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy with a pressure-controlling ureteral access sheath (PC-UAS) for complex steinstrasse.

METHODS

Thirty-one consecutive patients (male: 18; female: 13) with steinstrasse were enrolled, six of whom had concurrent kidney stones. The mean cumulative stone size was 2.7 ± 1.3 cm. The patients were treated with rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a PC-UAS. The cavity pressure parameters were set as follows: control value at -15 mmHg to -2 mmHg, warning value at 20 mmHg, and limit value at 30 mmHg. The infusion flow rate was set at 150-200 ml/min. A holmium laser (550 μm) was used to powderize the stone at 2.0-2.5 J/pulse with a frequency of 20-30 pulses/s. Analyses included cavity pressure, operative time, stone-free rates, and complications.

RESULTS

Among the 31 patients, 29 were successfully treated with PC-UAS, with nine requiring adjunctive flexible ureteroscopy for stone migration to the kidney. Two procedures were converted to percutaneous nephrolithotomies due to failure of sheath placement. The cavity pressure of all 29 patients was well-maintained below 20 mmHg, with clear vision. The mean operative time was 48.2 ± 17.7 min. No complications, such as ureteral perforation, mucosal avulsion, or hemorrhage, occurred. Two cases of Clavien-Dindo grade I complications occurred. No major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II-V) occurred. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 1.7 days. The stone-free rates 1 day and 1 month after surgery were 93.1% and 96.6%, respectively. One patient with residual stones underwent extracorporeal shockwaves.

CONCLUSIONS

Rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy with PC-UAS can effectively control the cavity pressure, shorten the operation time, and improve the efficiency of broken stones, thus reducing the complication rate.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy versus laser lithotripsy in the treatment of post-SWL steinstrasse: a randomized comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of Holmium laser lithotripsy with that of extracorporeal shock lithotripsy (SWL) for post-SWL ureteral steinstrasse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2022 to July 2023, 36 patients with post-SWL ureteral steinstrasse were randomly divided into laser lithotripsy and SWL groups. Patients with pain, moderate to marked hydronephrosis, large leading stone fragments, and showing no spontaneous resolution within 3-4 weeks after medical expulsive therapy were included. Patients with sepsis were excluded. The success rate was the primary outcome. We compared the perioperative data between the groups.

RESULTS

The success rate was higher in the ureteroscopy group than in the SWL group (p = 0.034). SWL was a significantly longer operation, and the fluoroscopy time was significantly longer in the SWL group than in the URS group (p = 0.027). Auxiliary procedures were more frequently performed in the SWL group than in the URS group (p = 0.02). JJ stents were inserted in 100% of patients in the URS group. Three patients (16.7%) underwent conversion to laser ureteroscopy after the second SWL session failed. No significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications was observed between the groups, but the incidence of postoperative LUT was high in the ureteroscopy group. The mean hospital stay was 30 h in the ureteroscopy group. SWL was performed without the need for hospital admission.

CONCLUSION

Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for steinstrasse was safe and effective, with a higher success rate, shorter fluoroscopy time, and shorter recovery period than SWL.

Using vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath in the treatment of complex steinstrasse

Steinstrasse is an iatrogenic condition resulting from upper urinary tract lithotripsy. Uncomplicated steinstrasse can be managed expectantly. Complex steinstrasse can pose a therapeutic challenge. The vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath (vaUAS) is similar to a conventional ureteral access sheath but has a side branch that can be connected to vacuum apparatus. This device seemed to be useful in the management of complex steinstrasse. 35 patients with complex steinstrasse, defined as steinstrasse containing ≥ 4 stones or with an aggregate length of ≥ 1.5 cm, were treated in four tertiary medical centers using the vaUAS in this prospective and non-randomized study. The vaUAS was inserted into the ureter over a guidewire until the tip of the vaUAS was in contact with the lowermost stone fragment. A 7 Fr./8.4 Fr. semirigid ureteroscope and a holmium laser were used to pulverize the obstructing stone. All the stone fragments were aspirated either in the space between the scope and the sheath, or through the channel of the sheath by withdrawing the scope to the proximal of the aspiration port. All patients were steinstrasse-free at end of the procedure, as assessed visually and by KUB. At the 3-month follow-up, 94.3% of patients were stone-free with or without a supplementary procedure. There were no perioperative complications. Five patients experienced postoperative fever and/or significant hematuria, and one patient had transient sepsis, a grade I and IV Clavien complication, respectively. vaUAS can be an effective adjunctive device in the management of complex steinstrasse.

The role of lasers in modern urology

INTRODUCTION

The functioning of modern urological departments and the high level of service they provide is possible through, among other things, the use of modern laser techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Open operations have been replaced by minimally invasive procedures, and classical surgical tools by advanced lasers. The search for new applications with lasers began as technology developed. Among many devices available, holmium, diode and thulium lasers are currently the most popular.

RESULTS

Depending on the wavelength, the absorption by water and hemoglobin and the depth of penetration, lasers can be used for coagulation, vaporization and enucleation. In many centres, after all the possibilities of pharmacological treatment have been exhausted, lasers are used as the primary treatment for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, with therapeutic results that are better than those obtained through open or endoscopic operations. The use of lasers in the treatment of urolithiasis, urinary strictures and bladder tumours has made treatment of older patients with multiple comorbidities safe, without further necessity to modify the anticoagulant drug treatment. Laser procedures are additionally less invasive, reduce hospitalization time and enable a shorter bladder catheterization time, sometimes even eliminating the need for bladder catherterization completely. Such procedures are also characterized by more stable outcomes and a lower number of reoperations.

CONCLUSIONS

There are also indications that with the increased competition among laser manufacturers, decreased purchase and maintenance costs, and increased operational safety, laser equipment will become mandatory and indispensable asset in all urology wards.