Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous renal access in prone position

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a very commonly done procedure for management of renal calculus disease. Establishing a good access is the first and probably themost crucial step of this procedure. A proper access is the gateway to success. However, this crucial step has the steepest learning curve for, in a fluoroscopy guided access, it involves visualizing a three dimensional anatomy on a two dimensional fluoroscopy screen. This review describes the anatomical basis of the renal access. It provides a literature review of all aspects of percutaneous renal access along with the advances that have taken place in this field over the years. The article describes a technique to determine the site of skin puncture, the angle and depth of puncture using a simple mathematical principle. It also reviews the common problems faced during the process of puncture and dilatation and describes the ways to overcome them. The aim of this article is to provide the reader a step by step guide for percutaneous renal access.

Evaluating factors associated with the risk of hydrothorax following standard supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Objective:To report our experience with supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy(SC-PNL)and evaluate factors which could predict the risk of hydrothorax following SC-PNL.Methods:We reviewed 347 patients who underwent SC-PNL from January 2011 to December 2019.Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics,indication for the supracostal access,level of supracostal access,anatomy of the kidney(normal or malrotated),site of the puncture in relation to the mid-scapular line(medial or lateral),and whether another subcostal tract for stone clearance was required or not.Patients were assessed for the incidence of hydrothorax and requirement of intercostal drain depending on the level of percutaneous access.In addition,a multivariable logistic regression analysis model was developed to identify factors which could predict the occurrence of hydrothorax following SC-PNL.Results:Of the 347 patients with SC-PNL,248(71.5%)underwent a supra-12th rib approach,while the rest needed a supra-11th(n=85;24.5%)or a supra-10th(n=14;4.0%)rib tract.Overall,17(4.9%)patients developed a hydrothorax,while an intercostal-drain was required in seven of these 17 patients for 48 h.None of the patients with a supra-12th rib puncture required an intercostal-drain.More than a third of the patients with a supra-10th puncture developed a hydrothorax(35.7%)and all of them required an intercostal drain.Factors such as anteriorly malrotated kidney(odds ratio[OR]=2.722;95%confidence interval[CI]=1.042-5.617,p=0.03),puncture medial to the mid-scapular line(OR=1.669;CI=0.542-1.578,p=0.03),and an access higher than the supra-12th level(OR=5.265;CI=1.292-9.342,p<0.001)proved to be independent predictors of hydrothorax following a SC-PCNL on multivariable analysis.Conclusion:Incidence of clinically significant hydrothorax requiring an intercostal-drain after SC-PNL is very low.Knowledge of the predicting factors will help to anticipate the risk of hydrothorax in a particular patient and take necessary peri-operative measures.

Colorectal cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease: A critical analysis

Colonoscopic surveillance is advocated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) for detection of dys-plasia. There are many issues regarding surveillance in IBD: the risk of colorectal cancer seems to be de-creasing in the majority of recently published studies, necessitating revisions of surveillance strategy; surveil-lance guidelines are not based on concrete evidence; commencement and frequency of surveillance, cost-effectiveness and adherence to surveillance have been issues that are only partly answered. The traditional technique of random biopsy is neither evidence-based nor easy to practice. Therefore, highlighting abnormal areas with newer technology and biopsy from these areas are the way forward. Of the newer technology, digital mucosal enhancement, such as high-definition white light endoscopy and chromoendoscopy(with magnification) have been incorporated in guidelines. Dyeless chromoendoscopy(narrow band imaging) has not yet shown potential, whereas some forms of digital chromoendoscopy(i-Scan more than Fujinon intelligent color enhancement) have shown promise for colonoscopic surveillance in IBD. Other techniquessuch as autofluorescence imaging, endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy need further evidence. Surveillance with genetic markers(tissue, serum or stool) is at an early stage. This article discusses changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer development in IBD and critically evaluates issues regarding colonoscopic surveillance in IBD.

A simple technique of tissue collection after morcellation during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HoLEP)has stood the test of time for management of benign enlarge-ment of prostate[1].Multiple studies since 1990 have shown good results with HoL EP,which are comparable to the re-sults of transurethral resection of the prostate[2-4].