Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Pyeloplasty for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: Preliminary Results from 26 Cases

Background and Objectives: Pyelo-Ureteral Junction Syndrome (PUJS) is the most common obstructive malformation of the upper urinary tract in children and adults. The standard treatment is open pyeloplasty using the Kuss-Anderson technique. Because of the minimally invasive nature of the laparoscopic approach, it has become the approach of choice for the management of this pathology. We present the results of laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty used in the management of PUJS. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study from 2015 to 2020, including 26 patients who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty for PUJS. Results: Twenty-six patients, including 18 (69.2%) men and 6 (30.8%) women, with a mean age of 35.42 ± 13.62 years, were treated. Renal colic was the primary symptom in the majority of the cases (22, 84.6%)). The diagnosis was confirmed in all patients through an abdominal CT scan, which revealed that all 26 patients had hydronephrosis. Half of the patients (50.0%) were classified as Valayer-Cendron Type II, and eight (30.8%) patients had associated stones. Seventeen (65.4%) patients had pathologies on the left side, and all patients were treated using the Kuss-Anderson technique with a median operating time of 108.5 (90.0 - 136.0) minutes. The uncrossing of lower pole vessels was performed in 10 patients. The average duration of hospitalisation was 2.23 ± 0.82 days. No conversion was observed, and after an average follow-up of 53.69 days, the success rate was 92.3%. Conclusion: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive technique of choice for the treatment of pyelo-ureteral junction obstruction. It is dependable, repeatable, and produces good functional outcomes that are equal to those of traditional surgery.

Comparison of outcomes between 2 week versus 4 week stenting in pediatric pyeloplastyd——A single centre observational study

Objective:To compare the surgical outcomes,improvement in renal function and complications between early stent removal(2 weeks)and late stent removal(4 weeks)after pediatric open pyeloplasty.Methods:A total of 72 open pyeloplasty were included in the study.Forty-three underwent late stent removal(Group 1)and 29 underwent early stent removal(Group 2).Pre-operative and post-operative follow-up data were compared to see the effect of early stent removal on the postoperative drainage pattern at 6 months after surgery and improvement in split function of affected kidney.The complications between the two groups were also compared.Results:Both the groups were matched with respect to age,sex,side and antero-posterior diameter of pelvis.Pre-operative mean split function in Group 1 was 42%(26%e54%)while it was 39%(19%e42%)in Group 2(pZ0.37).Postoperative improvement in drainage pattern was seen in 69 out of 72(96%)patients,41 out of 43(95%)in Group 1 and 28 out of 29(97%)in Group 2.Improvement in split function occurred in 35 of 38(97%)in Group 1 and 23 of 26(88%)patients in Group 2(pZ0.51).Complications were seen in nine out of 72(12.5%)patients.Incidence of complication in Group 1 was 16%(7/43)and Group 2 was 7%(2/29),and relative risk was 2.36.Conclusion:A shorter duration of double J stenting is as effective as a longer stenting period in terms of surgical success outcomes and improvement in split renal function along with a decreased risk of stent related complications.

Emergency Drainage of Upper Urinary Tract with a Double Catheter in the Hospital General de Grand Yoff of Dakar (HOGGY)

Goals: The goals are to assess the use of Double Jendo-prostheses in urinary obstructions in the Hospital General de Grand Yoff of Dakar (HOGGY). Patients and methods: This is a 4-year retrospective study (1st January 2009-31st December 2012). The study included all patients with obstruction of the upper urinary tract, and with a reversing type Double Jendo-prostheses. Findings: A total of 82 patients were chosen for this study, including 41 males. Patient’s average age was 45 years. Kidney failure accounted for 11.5% of the causes of consultations. Lithiasic obstacles (34.2%) and tumours (21.5%) were the most recurrent. Catheter was successfully placed in 78% of cases, and highly contributed to improve renal function in 69% of cases. The frequently complications found in patients with Double J Catheters were back pain and urinary tract infections. Four cases of catheters calcifications were reported. Catheter was replaced in 62.2% of patients within an average period of 6.9 months. Conclusion: Double J Catheters remain important in the preservation of renal function in case of obstruction. Its use requires a mastery of these indications and a rigorous follow-up.

Intraluminal Lithotripsy with Rigid Ureteroscopy for Proximal and Distal Ureteral Stones: Results of a Single Center in Cameroon

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraluminal lithotripsy with a pneumatic lithotripter (EMS, Switzerland) and laser Holmium YAG in retrograde rigid ureteroscopy for proximal and distal ureteric calculi. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out from January 2015 to December 2019 including 175 patients with ureteric calculi who presented with ureteric colic at a mini-invasive surgical urological center in Douala, Cameroon. All the patients underwent retrograde ureteroscopy with a 7F rigid ureteroscope, and fragmentation was done with either a pneumatic lithotripter or a laser holmium YAG. Six patients who had urinary tract infection benefited from double J stent placement before retrograde ureteroscopy. The study variables included age, clinical symptoms, size and location of the stone, the type of lithotripsy, operating time, and the results of lithotripsy. Results: We included a total of 175 patients with a mean age of 40.95 ± 12.50 years. Seventy-six (43.43%) of our participants were females and all patients had at least one calculus confirmed by a CT scan. Stone sizes ranged from 5 - 26 mm (median of 12 mm). Fifteen (8.57%) stones were located in the upper ureter (pyeloureteric junction), 64 in the middle ureter, 20 in the iliac ureter, 43 in the pelvic ureter, and 33 at the vesico-ureteric orifice. The success rate was 100% for stones located in the iliac ureter, pelvic ureter and the ureteric orifice. For those in the middle and upper ureter, the success rate was 92.18% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: Rigid ureteroscopy is an excellent treatment modality for ureteral calculi, especially those located at the distal part of the ureter. The procedure is associated with a shorter operation time and a shorter post-operative hospitalization period, in addition to its safety and effectiveness compared to open surgery.

Case of Fatal Air Embolism during Double‑J Ureteral Stent Placement

Air embolism is a severe and fatal complication,but it is very rare during transurethral surgery.This report describes a case of air embolism during double‑J ureteral stent placement in a 45‑year‑old woman.During ureteroscopy,a sudden decrease in oxygen saturation and end‑expiratory carbon dioxide pressure and cyanosis of the face were observed.Subsequent echocardiography confirmed an air embolism by detecting bubbles in the heart.Despite resuscitative measures,the patient died rapidly.Detailed autopsy was performed to clarify the cause of death and the route of air entering into the circulatory system.The report presented here reminds urologists and pathologists that air embolism can occur during double‑J ureteral stent placement and offers some suggestions regarding identification of air embolism at autopsy.