Multi-aspect analysis of ureteral access sheath usage in retrograde intrarenal surgery: A RIRSearch group study

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ureteral access sheath(UAS)use and calibration change on stone-free rate and complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS).Methods:Data from 568 patients undergoing RIRS for kidney or upper ureteral stones were retrospectively included.Firstly,patients were compared after 1:1 propensity score matching,according to UAS usage during RIRS(UAS used[+]87 and UAS non-used[−]87 patients).Then all UAS+patients(n=481)were subdivided according to UAS calibration:9.5-11.5 Fr,10-12 Fr,11-13 Fr,and 13-15 Fr.Primary outcomes of the study were the success and complications of RIRS.Results:Stone-free rate of UAS+patients(86.2%)was significantly higher than UAS−patients(70.1%)after propensity score matching(p=0.01).Stone-free rate increased with higher caliber UAS(9.5-11.5 Fr:66.7%;10-12 Fr:87.0%;11-13 Fr:90.6%;13-15 Fr:100%;p<0.001).Postoperative complications of UAS+patients(11.5%)were significantly lower than UAS−patients(27.6%)(p=0.01).Complications(8.7%)with 9.5-11.5 Fr UAS was lower than thicker UAS(17.2%)but was not statistically significant(p=0.09).UAS usage was an independent factor predicting stone-free status or peri-and post-operative complications(odds ratio[OR]3.654,95%confidence interval[CI]1.314-10.162;OR 4.443,95%CI 1.350-14.552;OR 4.107,95%CI 1.366-12.344,respectively).Conclusion:Use of UAS in RIRS may increase stone-free rates,which also increase with higher caliber UAS.UAS usage may reduce complications;however,complications seemingly increase with higher UAS calibration.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for lower pole stones utilizing stone displacement technique yields excellent results

Objective:To evaluate the long-term stone-free rate(SFR)of retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS)in the treatment of lower pole renal calculi using only basket relocation and identify independent predictors of stone-free status.Methods:All consecutive patients undergoing RIRS lower pole renal calculi at a single highvolume tertiary center were analyzed retrospectively.Lower pole stones were relocated to the upper pole,where laser lithotripsy was performed.All patients were followed up in the clinic following the surgery and yearly thereafter.The stone-free status was assessed with a combination of an abdominal ultrasound and abdominal X-ray,or an abdominal non-contrast computed tomography if the stones were known to be radiolucent.Results:A total of 480 consecutive patients who underwent RIRS for treatment of lower pole renal calculi,between January 2012 and December 2018,were analyzed from a prospectively maintained database of 3000 ureteroscopies.With a median follow-up time of 18.6 months,the mean SFR was 94.8%.The procedures were unsuccessful in 26(5.4%)patients due to unreachable stones.The median stone size of the unreachable stones was 12 mm(range 10e30 mm).Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed two predictors of SFR for lower pole stones:a small cumulative stone burden(odds ratio[OR]:0.903,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.867e0.941,p<0.0001)and preoperative ureteral stent insertion(OR:0.515,95%CI:0.318e0.835,pZ0.007).Conclusion:The long-term SFR of RIRS for the treatment of lower pole stones with basket displacement with appropriate patient selection is high.

Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free retrograde intrarenal surgery:An attractive way of renal stone management in high-volume stone centers

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sheathless and fluoroscopy-free flexible ureterorenoscopic laser lithotripsy(FURSL)for treating renal stones.Methods:Between May 2015 and May 2017,135 patients with renal stones treated with sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL were prospectively evaluated.Our technique involved a semirigid ureteroscopic assessment of the ureter,and the guidewire was left in situ to railroad the flexible ureteroscope.A holmium laser was used to fragment and dust the stones;fragments were neither grasped nor collected.Results:The study population consisted of 135 patients including 85 males(62.96%)and 50 females(37.04%)with a mean age of 40.65 years(range:3-70 years)were evaluated.The mean stone size was 17.23 mm(range:8-41 mm).Complete stone-free status was achieved in 122(90.37%)patients and clinically insignificant residual fragments(CIRF)in two(1.48%),while residual stones were still present in 11(8.15%)patients.Postoperative complications occurred in 23(17.4%)cases and were mostly minor,including fever in 17(12.6%),pyelonephritis in four(3.0%),subcapsular hematoma in one(0.7%)and steinstrasse in one(0.7%).These complications were Clavien Ⅰ-Ⅱ,GⅠ in 17(12.6%)patients,GⅡ in five(3.7%),and Clavien Ⅲb in one(0.7%).No major complications were observed.Stone size2 cm,operative time ≥30 min,and lasing time ≥20 min were significantly associated with a higher rate of complications and lower stone-free rates upon univariate analysis(p<0.05).Conclusion:Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL are effective and safe for renal stone management,especially for stones under 2 cm in diameter.This process is a feasible option for avoiding sheath complications,which can protect surgeons from the negative effects of radiation.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery vs miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy to treat lower pole renal stones 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter

AIM To compare the outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS) and miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy(mini-PCNL) in treating lower pole(LP) renal stones with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm.METHODS A total of 216 patients who underwent mini-PCNL(n = 103) or RIRS n = 113) for LP stones with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm were enrolled between December 2015 and April 2017 at the Urology Department of Ningbo Urology and Nephrology Hospital.RESULTS Significant differences were found in the hospital stay(9.39 ± 4.01 vs 14.08 ± 5.26, P < 0.0001) and hospitalization costs(2624.5 ± 513.36 vs 3255.2 ± 976.5, P < 0.0001) between the RIRS and mini-PCNL groups. The mean operation time was not significantly different between the RIRS group(56.48 ± 24.77) and the mini-PCNL group(60.04 ± 30.38, P = 0.345). The stone-free rates at the first postoperative day(RIRS vs mini-PCNL: 90.2% vs 93.2%, P = 0.822) and the second month postoperatively(RIRS vs mini-PCNL: 93.8% vs 95.1%, P = 0.986) were not significantly different.CONCLUSION RIRS and mini-PCNL are both safe and effective methods for treating LP stones with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm. RIRS can be considered as an alternative to PCNL for the treatment for LP stones of 1.5-2.5 cm.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery:An expanding role in treatment of urolithiasis

During the past 3 decades,the surgical management of kidney stones has undergone many technological advances and one is the development of the flexible ureteroscopy.The development of this instrument as well as ancillary equipment such as baskets,graspers,and others,and improvements in lithotripsy with Holmium:YAG laser have led to expand its indications with diagnostic and therapeutic management of medical issues of the upper urinary tract such as urolithiasis and urothelial tumors.The objective of this review is to describe its indications and results in the different scenarios for the treatment of urinary stones.

Successful endovascular treatment of transplant intrarenal artery stenosis in renal transplant recipients: Two case reports

Transplant renal artery stenosis(TRAS) is a relatively rare complication after renal transplantation. The site of the surgical anastomosis is most commonly involved, but sites both proximal and distal to the anastomosis may occur, as well. Angioplasty is the gold standard for the treatment of the stenosis, especially for intrarenal lesions. We report two cases of intrarenal TRAS and successful management with angioplasty without stent placement. Both patients were male, 44 and 55 years old respectively, and they presented with elevated blood pressure or serum creatinine within three months after transplantation. Subsequently, they have undergone angioplasty balloon dilatation with normalization of blood pressure and serum creatinine returning to baseline level. Percutaneous transluminal balloon renal angioplasty is a safe and effective method for the treatment of the intrarenal TRAS.

Massive retroperitoneal hematoma as an acute complication of retrograde intrarenal surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS)has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment modality in large-scale quantitative studies.However,although its safety profile has been established,it also has a potential risk of life-threatening complications.We here describe our experience with a patient who developed a huge periureteral hematoma after RIRS with holmium laser lithotripsy.CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old woman visited our center with a complaint of gross hematuria.An enhanced computed tomography(CT)scan revealed a 1.5-cm left renal pelvis stone with hydronephrosis.The patient underwent RIRS.During the surgery,a 12/14-Fr ureteral access sheath was applied and a 6-Fr ureteral catheter was indwelled thereafter.On postoperative day 1,she experienced aggravated left flank pain and left lower-quadrant tenderness without rebound tenderness.A follow-up CT scan was taken,which revealed a huge hematoma in the periureteral space,not in the perirenal space,with suspicious contrast medium extravasation.Immediate angiography was performed;however,it showed no evidence of active bleeding.She was conservatively managed with hydration and antibiotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy,and was discharged on postoperative day 7.However,she visited our outpatient department with recurrent left flank pain at 5 d from discharge.Ultrasonography confirmed that the double J-stent was intact.To rule out stent malfunction,the stent was changed.Decreased size of the hematoma was observed in the imaging studies,and conservative management for candiduria was performed for 1 wk.CONCLUSION Although RIRS is an effective and safe procedure for the management of renal stones,clinicians should be aware of its potential complications.

Comparison of the trauma between combined retrograde intrarenal surgery and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for upper ureteral calculi

Objective: To compare the trauma between combined retrograde intrarenal surgery and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for upper ureteral calculi. Methods: Patients with upper ureteral calculi who received lithotripsy in Pengzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2015 and March 2017 were selected and randomly divided into two groups;RIRS group received combined retrograde intrarenal surgery and the Mini-PCNL group received mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. 3 d after surgery;the contents of liver and kidney function indexes and stress hormones in serum as well as the expression of CD4+T cell transcription factors in peripheral blood were measured. Results: Serum ALT;AST;γ-GT;BUN and Cr contents of RIRS group 3 d after surgery were not significantly different from those of Mini-PCNL group;and HO-1;ET-1;ACTH;Cor and YKL-40 contents in serum as well as RORγt and T-bet mRNA expression in peripheral blood were significantly lower than those of Mini-PCNL group while Gata-3 and Foxp3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood were higher than those of Mini-PCNL group. Conclusion: Combined retrograde intrarenal surgery for upper ureteral calculi activates less stress response and inflammatory response than mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The efficacy and safety of one-stage endoscopy combined with intrarenal surgery(mini-nephrostomy tract)in the prone split-leg position for complex renal calculi

Background:The goal of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery(ECIRS)performed in the prone split-leg position for the treatment of complex renal stones.Materials and methods:A mature ECIRS protocol was designed.Retrospective analysis was conducted of medical records between January 2020 and December 2021 of patients with complex renal stones at one center who underwent ECIRS by 2 skilled surgeons using retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the prone split-leg position.Results:A total of 44 patients were included in this study.Mean stone size was 26.1±12.7 mm,and the number of calyces involved was 4.36±2.09.Mean operative time was 71.1±21.8 minutes.Postoperative decline in hemoglobin was 15.8±9.8 g/L.Seventy-five percent of patients achieved stone-free status.The mean number of residual stones was 2.8±2.3,and the mean residual stone size was 10.30±4.76 mm.Six patients(13.6%)developed postoperative complications,including 4 with fever during the first 2 days postoperatively and 2 patients with transient postoperative pain.No patients developed severe complications.Conclusions:Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery in the prone split-leg position can be performed safely by experienced surgeons using retrograde flexible ureteroscopy in conjunction with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy as a successful technique for the treatment of complex renal stones.

Intrarenal pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous nephrolithotomy:a case report

Background:Percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PNL)is the gold standard to treat large or complex renal stones.Intrarenal pseudoaneurysm is a rare,yet clinically significant,complication of PNL.Case summary:A 58-year-old man with a 3cm calculus in the lower calyx of the left kidney was operated on by PNL 3days before presentation to the emergency department.The patient presented with massive hematuria and dizziness.Upon presentation,the patient appeared uncomfortable and in distress.He was in hemorrhagic shock.The patient was resuscitated with intravenous fluids and blood transfusion.An urgent computed tomography scan showed multiple clots in the left renal pelvis and bladder with a retroperitoneal hematoma.The patient underwent angiography which revealed an inferior pole branch pseudoaneurysm.The pseudoaneurysm was treated by endovascular embolization with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.No postoperative complications were seen.Conclusion:Selective renal artery embolization is an effective treatment for pseudoaneurysm post PNL with excellent outcomes.

Comparison stone-free rate and effects on quality of life of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery for treatment of renal pelvis stone(2-4 cm):A prospective controlled study

Objectives:The aim of our study was to compare the effects on quality of life(QoL)and stone-free rate(SFR)of percutane nephrolithotomy(PNL)and retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS)in patients with renal stones 2-4 cm.Materials and methods:A total of 102 patients with renal pelvis stones were enrolled in this prospective controlled study,of which 52 were performed RIRS and 50 with PNL.The QoL was evaluated by using Short From-36 pre-and post-operatively.Also,the surgical data of all patients during and after the operations were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The mean age,body mass index,stone size and density of the patients in the 2 groups were statistically similar(p>0.05).The SFR of PNL and RIRS were found 94%(47/50)and 73%(38/52),respectively(p<0.01).There were no statistically differences between operation times,minor complication rates and Short From-36 scores of the 2 groups.Hospitalization times were 1.13±0.34days for RIRS and 2.9±5.7days for PNL(p<0.05).While the blood transfusion rate of PNL group was 8%(4/50),none patient was made blood transfusion in RIRS.Conclusions:The results of our study show that the blood transfusion rates and hospitalization times of RIRS group are significantly lower than PNL for management of renal pelvis stone 2-4 cm.Despite these advantages of RIRS,the SFR is significantly lower than PNL for these stones.The effects on QoL of the both interventions before and after surgery were similar.

The role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi: A systematic review

Objective:To define the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi.Methods:A systematic review was conducted using the Scopus and Medline databases.Original articles and systematic reviews were selected according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)guidelines.Only studies relating to the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi were included.Results:In five studies on ureteroscopic monotherapy,stone-free rate(SFR)ranged from 33%to 93%,with a maximum four ureteroscopy sessions per patient and no major complications.Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery(ECIRS)was compared with percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PNL)in two studies and reached significantly higher SFR(88%e91%vs.59%e65%)and lower operative times(84e110 min vs.105e129 min).The role of salvage ureteroscopy for residual stones after primary PNL has been highlighted by two studies with a final SFR of 83%e89%.One study reported on the feasibility of ureteroscopy for ureteral stones and same-session PNL for contralateral staghorn calculi,with a SFR of 92%.Conclusion:Ureteroscopy plays a pivotal role in the setting of a combined approach to staghorn calculi.Ureteroscopy is also particularly suitable for clearance of residual stones.In specific cases,ureteroscopy may become the sole applicable therapeutic option to staghorn calculi.Technological advances and refinement of techniques suggest a major role of ureteroscopy for staghorn calculi treatment in close future.

Kidney stones over 2 cm in diameter-between guidelines and individual approach

The prevalence of urolithiasis has been observed to increase during last decades. Kidney stones over 2 cm in diameter are the common urologic problem. European and American Associations of Urology has published guidelines on Urolithiasis and presented the most effective tools to treat large stones. On the other hand many experienced endourologic centres choose other modalities from their armamentarium. All treatment methods are characterized by their efficacy and safety which are usually inversely proportional. It is crucial for patients and physicians to find a golden mean. Percutaneous lithotripsy is still considered treatment of choice with more than 95% efficacy. Less invasive retrograde intrarenal surgery is also less effective, but burdened with lower complication rate. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is feasible in paediatric patients with acceptable stone free rates. Open surgery(pylolithotomy and anatrophic nephrolithotomy) are almost obsolete techniques. All methods have their pros and cons. Physicians should share decisions regarding treatment modalities with patients.