Ureteral calculi secondary to a gradually migrated acupuncture needle

We herein presented a case of calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle.A 74-year-old woman with a history of acupuncture therapy for lumbago was referred to our hospital for treatment of ureteral and renal pelvic calculi.Abdominal multi-detector computed tomography scans showed ipsilateral hydronephrosis and two calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle.First,a percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed to extract two calculi and fine needle fragments from the pelvis.Subsequently,residual needle fragments and calculi in the ureter were then removed by flexible transurethral lithotripsy using a holmium laser.In the present case,the formation of the calculi was caused by a migrated acupuncture needle.Calculi and needle fragments were removed safely endoscopically because the whole calculi and needle fragments were located in the ureteral lumen.ª2021 Editorial Office of Asian Journal of Urology.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Ureteroscopic Management of Ureteral Calculi: Pneumatic versus Holmium: YAG Laser Lithotripsy

Background: Among various intracorporeal lithotripters, pneumatic lithotripter has become the widely used tool for the treatment of urinary stones. Recently the holmium: YAG laser has been used with a wide range of potential urological applications, including intracorporeal lithotripsy of urinary calculi. Purpose: Compare the effectiveness and complications of treatment for ureteric stones between holmium laser lithotripsy and pneumatic lithotripsy. Material and Methods: Comparison of 100 patients presented with ureteric stones, group one (50) of whom were treated with pneumatic lithotripsy and group two (50) with holmium laser was done and the effectiveness and complications of both were analyzed. Results: There was no difference in patient age, sex, stone size and location of stones between the two groups. The immediate stone free rates were 88% in the holmium: YAG group and 66% in the pneumatic lithotripsy group (p < 0.05). The four weeks stone free rates were 98% and 94% respectively (p = 0.07). The mean ± SD operative time in the holmium: YAG group (40 ± 26 min) was shorter than those with pneumatic lithotripsy group (60 ± 40 min). Postoperative stay in hospital was less than 24 hours in holmium: YAG group (70.4%) and shorter than those for pneumatic group (29.6%) (p < 0.002). Post treatment complications such as ureteral perforation were encountered in only two patients who underwent pneumatic lithotripsy. Other complications, such as mucosal injury, ureteral perforation and postoperative fever;there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. While light hematuria was found more frequently in the pneumatic group (14%) in comparison to laser group (12%) (p = 0.02). On the other hand, the overall complication rates between the two groups was statistically significant (8%) laser group vs. (32%) pneumatic group (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy was associated with shorter operation time and postoperative hospitalization period. These data suggest that holmium: YAG lithotripsy was safe and more effective than Pneumatic lithotripsy in the aspect of immediate stone free rate. We believe that holmium: YAG is an excellent treatment modality for managing ureteral calculi.

Utility of trans-vaginal ultrasound in diagnosis and follow-up of non-pregnant sexually active females with lower ureteric calculi

objective:To assess the utility of trans-vaginal ultrasonography in evaluation of non-pregnant sexually active female patients with lower ureteric calculi.Methods:A prospective study was done from January 2015 to December 2017 including non-pregnant sexually active females with suspected ureteric calculus.Trans-abdominal ultrasound was initially done in all patients.In those patients in whom trans-abdominal ultrasound was inconclusive or there was indirect evidence of lower ureteric calculus in form of ureteral dila-tion but no calculus was evident,trans-vaginal ultrasound was done.The patients with ureteric calculi detected on trans-vaginal ultrasound and kept on conservative management were also followed up with trans-vaginal ultrasound.Non-contrast computed tomography was done in patients with inconclusive trans-vaginal ultrasound.Results:As per the study protocol,156 out of the total 468 patients evaluated by trans-abdominal ultrasound were eligible for trans-vaginal ultrasound.Trans-vaginal ultrasound was done in 149 patients,as seven patients did not give consent.Seventy-nine patients were detected with a lower ureteric calculus on trans-vaginal ultrasound and 27 patients had gyne-cologic or other cause for their symptoms.Forty-three patients had an inconclusive trans-vaginal ultrasound of which 36 underwent non-contrast computed tomography,among them only one patient had a lower ureteric calculus.Stone free status could be easily demonstrated on follow-up trans-vaginal ultrasound.

Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site ureterolithotomy versus conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy

Background Laparoendoscopic single-site （LESS） surgery through the retroperitoneal approach has been seldom reported.We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of LESS and conventional laparoscopic surgery via the retroperitoneal approach in the management of large,impacted ureteral calculi.Methods Between November 2011 and July 2013,retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy was performed in 12 patients using a homemade single-port device comprising a surgical glove and several strips of tape.Another 16 patients underwent conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.We compared the operative time,complications,and surgical outcomes,retrospectively.Results All patients were completed without conversion to conventional laparoscopic or open surgery.The operative time of the LESS group and of the conventional laparoscopic group were （125.3±12.8） minutes and （116.9±14.4）minutes,respectively （P=0.119）.The intraoperative blood loss was （42.9±8.9） and （43.4±14.7） ml,respectively （P=0.914）.Postoperative radiologic evaluation revealed that the stones had been removed completely.Cosmetic results were superior in the LESS group （P=0.001）.Conclusion Retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy using a homemade single-port device can be considered a feasible and safe alternative to conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.