Percutaneous nephrostomy versus ureteral stent in hydronephrosis secondary to obstructive urolithiasis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To assess if there is a preferable intervention between retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube, in cases of upper urinary tract stone obstruction with complications requiring urgent drainage, by evaluating outcomes regarding urinary symptoms, quality of life (QoL), spontaneous stone passage, and length of hospital stays, since there is no literature stating the superiority of one modality over the other.Methods: We searched MEDLINE and other sources for relevant articles in June 2019 without any date restrictions or filters applied. The selection was done first by the title and abstract screening and then by full-text assessment for eligibility. Only randomized controlled trials or cohort studies in patients with hydronephrosis secondary to obstructive urolithiasis that presented comparative data between PCN and RUS placement concerning at least one of the defined outcome measures were included. Lastly, MEDLINE database and PubMed platform were screened again using the same terms, from June 2019 until November 2022.Results: Of 556 initial articles, seven were included in this review. Most works were considered of moderate-to-high quality. Three studies regarding QoL showed a tendency against stenting, even though only one demonstrated statistically significant negative impact on overall health state. Two works reported significantly more post-intervention urinary symptoms in stenting patients. One article found that PCN is a significant predictor of spontaneous stone passage, when adjusted for stone size and location. Findings on length of hospital stays were not consistent among articles.Conclusion: PCN appears to be the intervention better tolerated, with less impact on the patient’s perceived QoL and less post-operative urinary symptoms, in comparison with RUS. Nevertheless, further studies with larger samples and a randomized controlled design are suggested.

Laparoscopic ureterolysis with simultaneous ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephroscopy for treating complex ureteral obstruction after failed endoscopic intervention:A technical report

Objective:Complex ureteral obstruction is refractory to conventional urological intervention.This report describes a case of laparoscopic ureterolysis with simultaneous ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephroscopy for treating complex ureteral obstruction.Methods:Right-side multiple ureteral stones and complicating ureteral obstruction failed an initial attempt of ureteroscopy lithotripsy with simultaneous percutaneous nephroscopy in a 23-year-old male.Laparoscopic ureterolysis with ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephroscopy was used simultaneously to dissect the periureteral adhesions with the patient placed in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position.The ureter was incised to allow the insertion of a ureteral catheter through the twisted ureter,and a guide wire was advanced into the pelvis using ureteroscopy.A double-J stent was placed into the right-side ureter using antegrade percutaneous nephroscopy.Results:The laparoendoscopic procedure lasted 330 min with an estimated bleeding volume of 100 mL.The patient underwent an uneventful postoperative course,and postoperative followup radiography confirmed good positioning of the double-J stent.The double-J stent was removed 3 months after operation.The patient remained asymptomatic within a 13-month follow-up period.Conclusion:Laparoscopic ureterolysis with simultaneous ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephroscopy is an effective and safe treatment option for complex ureteral obstruction.

Acute kidney injury due to bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction:Is there an optimal mode of drainage?

There is a well-known relationship between malignancy and impairment of kidney functions,either in the form of acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.In the former,however,bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction is a surgically correctable factor of this complex pathology.It warrants urgent drainage of the kidneys in emergency settings.However,there are multiple controversies and debates about the optimal mode of drainage of the bilaterally obstructed kidneys in these patients.This review addressed most of the concerns and provided a comprehensive presentation of this topic from the recent literature.Also,we provided different perspectives on the management of the bilateral obstructed kidneys due to malignancy.Despite the frequent trials for improving the success rates and functions of ureteral stents,placement of a percutaneous nephrostomy tube remains the most recommended tool of drainage due to bilateral ureteral obstruction,especially in patients with advanced malignancy.However,the disturbance of the quality of life of those patients remains a major unresolved concern.Beside the unfavorable prognostic potential of the underlying malignancy and the various risk stratification models that have been proposed,the response of the kidney to initial drainage can be anticipated and evaluated by multiple renal prognostic factors,including increased urine output,serum creatinine trajectory,and time-to-nadir serum creatinine after drainage.

Estimation of successful capping with complete aspiration of bladder via nephroureterostomy tube

BACKGROUND Ureteral stent and nephroureterostomy tube(NUT)are treatments of ureteral obstruction.Ureteral stent provides better quality of life.Internalization of NUT is desired whenever possible.AIM To assess outcomes of capping trial among cancer patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast from bladder via NUT.METHODS Our Institutional Review Board approved retrospective review of all NUT placement,NUT exchange and conversion of nephrostomy catheter into NUT performed during June 2013 to June 2015(n=578).Cases were excluded due to lack of imaging of bladder(n=37),incomplete aspiration of bladder(n=324),no attempt at capping NUT(n=166),and patients with confounding factors interfering with results of capping trial including non-compliant bladder,bladder outlet obstruction and catheter malposition(n=14).Study group consisted of 37 procedures in 34 patients(male 19,female 15,age 2-83 years,average 58,median 61)most with cancer(prostate 8,endometrial 5,bladder 4,colorectal 4,breast 2,gastric 2,neuroblastoma 2,cervical 1,ovarian 1,renal 1,sarcoma 1,urothelial 1 and testicular 1)and one with Crohn’s disease.Medical records were reviewed to assess outcomes of capping trial.Exact 95%confidence intervals(95%CI)were calculated.RESULTS Among patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast,30(81%,95%CI:0.65-0.92)catheters were successfully capped(range 12-94 d,average 40,median 24.5)until planned conversion to internal stent(23),routine exchange(5),removal(1)or death unrelated to catheter(1).Seven capping trials(19%,95%CI:0.08-0.35)were unsuccessful(range 2-22 d,average 12,median 10)due to leakage(3),elevated creatinine(2),fever/hematuria(1)and nausea/vomiting(1).CONCLUSION Capping trial success among patients with complete aspiration of retained contrast/urine from bladder via NUT appears high.