Bladder stone causing vesicovaginal fistula and migration into the vagina.

Bladder stone is a known complication in a neurogenic bladder that can very rarely cause vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). We are presenting the case of a woman in her late 70s, bed bound with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), who was referred to urology for consideration of suprapubic catheter due to difficulty in managing her indwelling urethral catheter. The ultrasonogram (USG) identified a 4.7 cm bladder stone with right-sided hydronephrosis (HN) and left atrophic kidney. A CT scan later showed that a 5 cm bladder stone has migrated through a VVF into her vagina. She had a cystoscopy and transvaginal retrieval of the stone. Given her performance status and intraoperative finding of a small contracted bladder, it was agreed to manage her VVF conservatively.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a primary bladder stone migrating into the vagina through a VVF.

EMS Lithoclast Trilogy™: an effective single-probe dual-energy lithotripter for mini and standard PCNL.

PURPOSE: Several energy sources are available to clear stones during PCNL. Required improvements are faster stone clearance, optimized suction and ease of use while maintaining high patient safety standard. EMS LithoClast® Trilogy, is the first device combining electromagnetic impactor with ultrasonic energy and suction, all-in-one probe. Animal studies and in vitro phantom stone studies have proven safety and efficacy of this device. We aim to study safety and clinical efficacy of Trilogy in our patients. METHODS: 31 patients with renal stones were included. Amplatz sheath sizes/Trilogy probe size was 22-28 Fr/10.2 Fr for standard PNL (n = 20) and 15 Fr./5.7 Fr for mini PNL access (n = 11). Analysis was done with respect to demography, stone characteristics, operation duration (total time and lithotripter activation time), post op Hb drop, clearance rate and adverse events. Stone area/volume was calculated based on CT using 3D doctor. Efficacy was determined by stone volume clearance rate (mm3/min). RESULTS: Male:female ratio was 6:5 and 16:4 for mini (MPNL)/standard PNL (SPNL). Stone densities were 1229 ± 206 vs. 1168 ± 344 HU (MPNL vs. SPNL). Mean stone volumes were 3776.1 ± 2132 mm3 for MPNL and 7096 ± 6441 for SPNL. Mean stone volume clearance ratios were 370.5 ± 171 mm3/min and 590.7 ± 250mm3/min for MPNL and SPNL, respectively. Hb drop was 1.24 ± 0.64 g/dL (MPNL) and 1.23 ± 0.89gm/dL (SPNL). Total procedure time/lithotripter activation time was 53.4 ± 23.8/14.7 ± 12.4 min for MPNL and 65.2 ± 23.5/12.0 ± 8.9 for SPNL. Immediate post-operative/1 month stone clearance rates were 93%/96% with one clinically insignificant residual fragment (< 3 mm) and no necessity for auxiliary procedures. No device failure occured and three Clavien grade I and one grade II complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Swiss LithoClast® Trilogy provides fast stone clearance in standard/mini-PCNL procedures. Ease of use, high tissue safety and optimized suction that avoids fragment blockings are other key features.

A modified Malecot catheter design to prevent complications during difficult percutaneous nephrostomy.

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of using a modified Malecot catheter with a proximal end adapter as compared to the conventional Malecot catheter, and demonstrate the technique of performing a contrast study without removing the guidewire (GW). Patients and Methods: A modified 14-F Malecot catheter with a new proximal end connector with one side channel was used for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) under fluoroscopy guidance in five patients. The modified Malecot catheter was introduced over the GW under fluoroscopy guidance. The contrast study was done using the side channel of the connector whilst the GW was in situ through the main channel. Five senior urologists were asked to assess the modified Malecot catheter by rating their experience on a 5-point Likert scale, which had three items. In a further five patients, the same urologists performed PCN using a conventional Malecot catheter and again rated their experience on the same Likert scale. Results: Total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and ease of insertion were comparable in the two groups; however, the ease of the contrast study, security of correct positioning, and overall assessment were reported to be better with the modified Malecot catheter. Conclusion: The modified Malecot design allows for easy percutaneous access comparable to the conventional Malecot catheter, with the advantages of ease of performing a contrast study and better security of correct positioning. Abbreviations: GW: guidewire; PCN: percutaneous nephrostomy; PCS: pelvicalyceal system.

Vascular injuries during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and proposed risk reduction strategies

ABSTRACT Introduction: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has become the standard of care and popular among most of the transplant centres across the globe. Objective of this video is to report different vascular injuries, their management during LDNs and propose risk reduction strategies. Patient and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all the LDNs performed between January 2011 and March 2016. All donor nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically by transperitoneal route, under ideal operative conditions by expert laparoscopic surgeons and by novice surgeons. Results: 858 LDNs (left, n = 797; right, n = 61) were performed during the study period with 5 cases of vascular injuries. Mean (SD) donor age was 45.5 (± 10.76) years and the operative time was 165 (± 44.4) min. Of these five cases, two had renal vein injury, while the three others had renal artery, inferior vena cava and aortic injury (one each). Four injuries occurred during left LDN and only one during a right LDN. Vascular injuries were managed using the Rescue stitch or metallic clips as indicated. Risk reduction strategy was developed to avoid vascular injuries during LDN, which include - meticulous attention to port placement, addition of fourth port, complete dissection of upper pole and pedicle before clipping, and judicious use of ultrasonic diathermy. Conclusions: Careful evaluation of computed tomography angiography just before surgery will act like a global positioning system (GPS) for the operating surgeon. Rescue stitch is a saviour. Not to panic and being well versed with the risk reduction strategies of laparoscopy and rescue measures is of paramount importance.

Vascular injuries during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and proposed risk reduction strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has become the standard of care and popular among most of the transplant centres across the globe. Objective of this video is to report different vascular injuries, their management during LDNs and propose risk reduction strategies. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all the LDNs performed between January 2011 and March 2016. All donor nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically by transperitoneal route, under ideal operative conditions by expert laparoscopic surgeons and by novice surgeons. RESULTS: 858 LDNs (left, n = 797; right, n = 61) were performed during the study period with 5 cases of vascular injuries. Mean (SD) donor age was 45.5 (± 10.76) years and the operative time was 165 (± 44.4) min. Of these five cases, two had renal vein injury, while the three others had renal artery, inferior vena cava and aortic injury (one each). Four injuries occurred during left LDN and only one during a right LDN. Vascular injuries were managed using the Rescue stitch or metallic clips as indicated. Risk reduction strategy was developed to avoid vascular injuries during LDN, which include - meticulous attention to port placement, addition of fourth port, complete dissection of upper pole and pedicle before clipping, and judicious use of ultrasonic diathermy. CONCLUSIONS: Careful evaluation of computed tomography angiography just before surgery will act like a global positioning system (GPS) for the operating surgeon. Rescue stitch is a saviour. Not to panic and being well versed with the risk reduction strategies of laparoscopy and rescue measures is of paramount importance.

Robotic buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty (inlay and onlay) for upper ureteric stricture: Point of technique.

Ureteral stricture resulting from chronic inflammations such as tuberculosis, recurrent stone disease and multiple endourological interventions are complex in nature; these may lead to severe adhesions to surrounding structures. Endourological management of these cases is difficult with poorer outcomes. In such situations, reconstructive surgical corrections remain a reliable option. We describe the technique of onlay and inlay buccal mucosal graft ureteroplasty using a robotic platform in management of complex ureteral strictures.