Reliability of nephrolithometric nomograms in patients treated with minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A precision study

Objectives:The study aimed to evaluate quality of nephrolithometric nomograms to predict stone-free rates(SFRs)and complication rates(CRs)in case of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PNL).In the last decade,nomograms have been introduced to estimate the SFRs and CRs of PNL.However,no data are available regarding their reliability in case of utilization of miniaturized devices.Herein we present a prospective multicentric study to evaluate reliability of Guy’s stone score(GSS),the stone size,tract length,obstruction,number of involved calyces,and essence of stone(S.T.O.N.E.)nephrolithometry score and Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society(CROES)score in patients treated with minimally invasive PNL.Methods:We evaluated SFRs and CRs of 222 adult patients treated with miniaturized PNL.Patients were considered stone-free if no residual fragments of any size at post-operative unenhanced computed tomography scan.Patients demographics,SFRs,and CRs were reported and analyzed.Performances of nomograms were evaluated with the area under the curve(AUC).Results:We included 222 patients,the AUCs of GSS,CROES score,and S.T.O.N.E.nephrolithometry score were 0.69(95%confidence interval[CI]0.61-0.78),0.64(95%CI 0.56-0.73),and 0.62(95%CI 0.52-0.71),respectively.Regarding SFRs,at multivariate binomial logistic regression,only the GSS had significance with an odds ratio of 0.53(95%CI 0.31e0.95,p=0.04).We did not find significant correlation with complications,with only a trend for GSS.Conclusion:This is the first study evaluating nomograms in miniaturized PNL.They still show good reliability;however,our data showed lower performances compared to standard PNL.We emphasize the need of further studies to confirm this trend.A dedicated nomogram for minimally invasive PNL may be necessary.

Potential benefit of lymph node dissection during radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer:A review and critical analysis of current literature

Objective:The role of lymph node dissection(LND)is still controversial in patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing surgery.We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the literature about the effect of LND on survival,prognosis,surgical outcomes,as well as patient selection and available LND templates.Methods:Recent literature(from January 2011 to December 2021)was assessed through PubMed and MEDLINE databases.A narrative review of most relevant articles was provided.Results:The frequencies in which LNDs are being carried out are decreasing due to an increase in minimally invasive and nephron sparing surgery.Moreover,randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses failed to show any survival advantage of LND versus no LND.However,retrospective studies suggest a survival benefit of LND in high-risk patients(bulky tumors,T3-4 stage,and cN1 patients).Moreover,extended LND might provide important staging information,which could be of interest for adjuvant treatment planning.Conclusion:No level 1 evidence of any survival advantage deriving from LND is currently available in literature.Thus,the role of LND is limited to staging purposes.However,low grade evidence suggests a possible role of LND in high-risk patients.Randomized clinical trials are warranted to corroborate these findings.

Current strategies to diagnose and manage positive surgical margins and local recurrence after partial nephrectomy

Objective:No standard strategy for diagnosis and management of positive surgical margin(PSM)and local recurrence after partial nephrectomy(PN)are reported in literature.This review aims to provide an overview of the current strategies and further perspectives on this patient setting.Methods:A non-systematic review of the literature was completed.The research included the most updated articles(about the last 10 years).Results:Techniques for diagnosing PSMs during PN include intraoperative frozen section,imprinting cytology,and other specific tools.No clear evidence is reported about these methods.Regarding PSM management,active surveillance with a combination of imaging and laboratory evaluation is the first option line followed by surgery.Regarding local recurrence management,surgery is the primary curative approach when possible but it may be technically difficult due to anatomy resultant from previous PN.In this scenario,thermal ablation(TA)may have the potential to circumvent these limitations representing a less invasive alternative.Salvage surgery represents a valid option;six studies analyzed the outcomes of nephrectomy on local recurrence after PN with three of these focused on robotic approach.Overall,complication rates of salvage surgery are higher compared to TA but ablation presents a higher recurrence rate up to 25%of cases that can often be managed with repeat ablation.Conclusion:Controversy still exists surrounding the best strategy for management and diagnosis of patients with PSMs or local recurrence after PN.Active surveillance is likely to be the optimal first-line management option for most patients with PSMs.Ablation and salvage surgery both represent valid options in patients with local recurrence after PN.Conversely,salvage PN and radical nephrectomy have fewer recurrences but are associated with a higher complication rate compared to TA.In this scenario,robotic surgery plays an important role in improving salvage PN and radical nephrectomy outcomes.