A randomized trial investigating clinical outcomes and stent-related symptoms after placement of a complete intra-ureteric stent on a string versus conventional stent placement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare stent-related symptoms (SRS) associated with conventional ureteric JJ stent (CUS) placement and SRS associated with placement of a modified complete intra-ureteric stent (CIUS) with extraction suture, designed to minimize SRS, using the validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 124 patients who had undergone uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy into a CIUS and a CUS placement group. USSQ scores were evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 7 (just before stent removal) and 4 weeks after stent removal (control values). Pain scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS) after stent removal were also recorded. Subdomain analysis of all SRS and stent-related complications were also compared. RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences were found in the domain scores for urinary symptoms (P = 0.74), pain (P = 0.32), general health (P = 0.27), work (P = 0.24), or additional problems (P = 0.29). However, a statistically significant difference was noted in VAS scores (P = 0.015). Analysis of subdomains of USSQ item scores showed the CIUS group had significantly better scores for urge incontinence (1.21 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), discomfort on voiding (2.07 vs 1.50; P ≤ 0.001), difficulties with respect to light physical activity (1.131 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), fatigue (1.84 vs 1.57; P = 0.002), feeling comfortable (3.68 vs 3.16; P = 0.003), need for extra help (1.96 vs 1.00; P ≤ 0.001), and change in duration of work (4.27 vs 1.86; P ≤ 0.001). However, the patients in the CIUS group were sexually inactive for the time during which the stent was indwelling (mean: 7.34 days). There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a CIUS with strings after Ureteroscopy decreases SRS.

Super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) vs retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in the management of renal calculi ≤ 2 cm: a propensity matched study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of Super-Mini PCNL (SMP) and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) in the management of renal calculi ≤ 2 cm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, inter-institutional, observational study of patients presenting with renal calculi ≤ 2 cm. Patients underwent either SMP (Group 1) or RIRS (Group 2) and were performed by 2 experienced high-volume surgeons. RESULTS: Between September 2018 and April 2019, 593 patients underwent PCNL and 239 patients had RIRS in two tertiary centers. Among them, 149 patients were included for the final analysis after propensity-score matching out of which 75 patients underwent SMP in one center and 74 patients underwent RIRS in the other. The stone-free rate (SFR) was statistically significantly higher in Group 1 on POD-1 (98.66% vs. 89.19%; p = 0.015), and was still higher in Group 1 on POD-30 (98.66% vs. 93.24%, p = 0.092) SFR on both POD-1 and POD-30 for lower pole calculi was higher in Group 1 (100 vs. 82.61%, p = 0.047 and 100 vs 92.61% p = 0.171). The mean (SD) operative time was significantly shorter in Group 1 at 36.43 min (14.07) vs 51.15 (17.95) mins (p < 0.0001). The mean hemoglobin drop was significantly less in Group 1 (0.31 vs 0.53 gm%; p = 0.020). There were more Clavien-Dindo complications in Group 2 (p = 0.021). The mean VAS pain score was significantly less in Group 2 at 6 and 12 h postoperatively (2.52 vs 3.67, 1.85 vs 2.40, respectively: p < 0.0001), whereas the mean VAS pain score was significantly less in Group 1 at 24 h postoperatively (0.31 vs 1.01, p < 0.0001). The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group 1 (28.37 vs 45.70 h; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: SMP has significantly lower operative times, complication rates, shorter hospital stay, with higher stone-free rates compared to RIRS. SMP is associated with more early post-operative pain though.

Acute Kidney Injury Post-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL): Prospective Outcomes from a University Teaching Hospital.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is a significant complication, but evidence on its incidence is bereft in the literature. The objective of this prospective observational study was to analyze the incidence of post-PNL AKI and the potential risk factors and outcomes. Demographic data collected included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus), and drug history-particularly angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin II receptor blockers and beta blockers. Laboratory data included serial serum creatinine measured pre- and postoperation (12, 24, and 48 h), hemoglobin (Hb), total leucocyte count (TLC), Prothrombin time (PT), serum uric acid and urine culture. Stone factors were assessed by noncontrast computerized tomography of kidneys, ureter and bladder (NCCT KUB) and included stone burden, location and Hounsfield values. Intraoperative factors assessed were puncture site, tract size, tract number, operative time, the need for blood transfusion and stone clearance. Postoperative complications were documented using the modified Clavien-Dindo grading system and patients with postoperative AKI were followed up with serial creatinine measurements up to 1 year. Among the 509 patients analyzed, 47 (9.23%) developed postoperative AKI. Older patients, with associated hypertension and diabetes mellitus, those receiving ACE inhibitors and with lower preoperative hemoglobin and higher serum uric acid, had higher incidence of AKI. Higher stone volume and density, staghorn stones, multiple punctures and longer operative time were significantly associated with postoperative AKI. Patients with AKI had an increased length of hospital stay and 17% patients progressed to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cut-off values for patient age (39.5 years), serum uric acid (4.05 mg/dL) and stone volume (673.06 mm3) were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Highlighting the strong predictors of post-PNL AKI allows early identification, proper counseling and postoperative planning and management in an attempt to avoid further insult to the kidney.

Whitmore's disease: an uncommon urological presentation.

The incidence of prostatic abscesses has much decreased in the antibiotic era. We present an uncommon cause of prostatic abscess secondary to melioidosis, also known as Whitmore's disease or pseudoglanders. The disease is endemic in South East Asia and Australia. Although India is considered endemic for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative organism of melioidosis, not many cases have been reported. Most of the reported cases from India are from the South-West coastal regions of Kerala and Karnataka, Vellore, West Bengal and Bihar. Our index patient was successfully treated with parenteral antibiotics and endoscopic deroofing of the abscess.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting as sacral bone metastasis.

We present a rare presentation of squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney with chronic low backache. The diagnosis of this uncommon tumour of the renal pelvis was achieved after incidentally detecting a large staghorn calculus, which on further imaging with contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis was suggestive of the features of renal tumour with sacral bone lesion. The rarity of this metastatic tumour, with its unusual presentation, is discussed.

Tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy: safety, feasibility and efficacy in an Indian setting.

OBJECTIVES: To study the safety, feasibility and efficacy of tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 85 patients who underwent tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the Department of Urology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India, from July 2006 to June 2013. The demographic profile and outcomes were compared with the other existing series reported in the literature. RESULTS: A total of 65 male and 20 female patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 11.6 years underwent tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The mean stone burden was 299 mm(2), with 12 staghorn calculi. Mean operative time was 87.6 ± 35.5 min. A total of 95% of stones were cleared with single access tracts. The success rate of tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (stone clearance) was 95.2%. Mean hemoglobin drop was 1.1 ± 0.9 gm% per patient, with 10.5% of patients requiring blood transfusion. Mean hospital stay was 69.6 ± 28.4 h. Complications included urosepsis (Clavien grade 4), acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis (grade 3), pneumonia (grade = 2) and hydrothorax requiring intercostal drainage tube insertion (grade 3). On follow up, 4.7% of the renal units required ancillary procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that tubeless simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective modality of treatment. It allows obviating a second anesthetic exposure, thus reducing analgesic requirement, hospitalization time and costs. This translates into a significant socioeconomic impact on the outlook of Indian patients presenting with bilateral renal stone disease.

Ureteral injury after posterior lumbar discectomy with interbody screw fixation.

We report a case of iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to L5 laminectomy and microdiscectomy with L5-S1 bone graft with posterior lumbar interbodyfusion using presacral cancellous screw fixation, managed by initial ureteral stent placement and subsequent Boari bladder flap repair. A 33-year-old woman underwent L5 laminectomy and microdiscectomy with L5-S1 bone graft with posterior lumbar interbody fusion using presacral cancellous screw fixation. On postoperative day 10, she developed lower abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Ultrasonogram and contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a large pelvic urinoma secondary to a right lower ureteric injury. This was managed initially by ureteral stent placement and subsequent Boari bladder flap repair. Ureteral injury following spinal surgery is a rare surgical complication with significant morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is essential for early appropriate management and renal salvage.