Prognostic factors for the safety and efficacy of retrograde laser lithotripsy: Data from a contemporary series of 155 consecutive patients with single and multiple lithiasis of the urinary tract.

Treatment of large and multiple stones located in the ureter and/or the kidney may be challenging. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the results and complications of retrograde endoscopic lithotripsy for stones located in the urinary tract and to determine prognostic factors for treatment outcome. From April 2017 to March 2020, eligible patients for the active treatment of ureterolithiasis with or without concomitant nephrolithiasis <20 mm were enrolled in the study. The prognostic factors for the stone free rate (SFR) after the 1st and subsequent sessions and overall complications were assessed. Patients were divided into single or multiple lithiasis groups (groups A and B respectively). A comparison between these two groups was then conducted. Overall, 237 stones were detected in 155 patients, representing a mean burden of 1.53 stone per patient. The mean total stone size was 14.7 mm, the initial SFR was 80% and the final SFR (after a mean of 1.23 session per patient) was 94.2%. The rate of complications was 26.4%. Multivariative analysis revealed that preoperative stenting and total stone size were independent prognostic factors of initial SFR, while no independent factors were determined for final SFR. Age, total size and stones in the lower calyx were independent factors for complications. In group A and B, 114 and 41 cases with solitary and multiple stones were included, respectively. Excluding operation time (P=0.002), no significant differences were recorded in terms of initial (P=0.255) and final SFR (P=0.056), hospital stay (P=0.308), mean number of treatments (P=0.757) and the rate of complications (P=0.218) between the two groups. In conclusion, retrograde endoscopic management of multiple lithiasis has a favorable outcome irrespective of stone location. Older patients with higher burdens and stones in the lower calyx should be treated with caution.

Clinical Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Sepsis, Septic Shock and Prolonged Hospitalization, of Patients Presented with Acute Obstructive Pyelonephritis.

Objective: To investigate prognostic factors of outcome of acute obstructive pyelonephritis (AOP). Materials and Methods: Patients with AOP were prospectively evaluated and logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with the duration of hospital stay and occurrence of sepsis and septic shock. Results: Based on CT scan findings, 62 patients were found to have AOP and subjected to emergency drainage. The main etiology of obstruction was lithiasis (70.9%). Double-J stent and percutaneous nephrostomy were introduced in 48 and 14 patients, respectively. Urosepsis and septic shock were diagnosed in 20 (32%) and 6 (9.7%) patients, respectively. None of the patients died of sepsis. In univariative analysis, older age, high neutrophils, increased serum creatinine, higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, any CCI score ≥1, diabetes mellitus (DM) longer operation time (OT), and multiresistant stains were risk factors of sepsis. Gender, type of drainage, laterality, white blood cell count, neutrophils rate >80%, C-reactive protein, and the presence of malignancy or lithiasis were not. Age, DM, and CCI score ≥1 were associated with prolonged hospitalization. None of the factors was associated with shock. In multivariative models, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.16, p = 0.010), multiresistant strains (OR: 16.36, 95% CI: 1.97-135.71, p = 0.006), OT >20 minutes (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07, p = 0.048), and elevated creatinine (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.001-2.84, p = 0.049) were independent prognostic factors of sepsis, and DM (OR: 30.8%, CI: 8.86%-52.8%, p = 0.007) was a prognostic factor of longer hospitalization. Conclusions: One-third of AOP patients will develop sepsis. Older age, elevated serum creatinine, longer OT presence of multiresistant strains, and DM are independent factors of worse outcome.

Is There a Role for Double J Stent Culture in Contemporary Urology?

INTRODUCTION: To present the incidence of bacterial colonization on ureteral double J stents (DJS); isolate the uropathogens; define the rate of multi-resistant bacteria strains (MRBS) and present their clinical importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The whole body of 105 DJSs was examined for the presence of uropathogens. RESULTS: The main etiology for stent placement was lithiasis (57.1%). The most frequently cultured microorganisms were staphylococcus (28.6%). Forty-four stents hosted MRBS. 25 (23.8%), 10 (9.5%) and 8 (7.6%) of the patients were affected by malignancy, diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure respectively. Apart from the female gender, none of the examined factors (age, duration of stenting and chronic diseases) was correlated with the colonization or the presence of MRBS. Eleven of the 61 stented patients (18%) who were operated upon developed a febrile urinary tract infections (UTI). In 7 of them the stent hosted MRBS (63.6%). After taking into consideration the sensitivity report, we altered our initial empirical antibacterial prophylaxis to targeted antibacterial treatment in the patients with MRBS with rapid remission of their infection and no urosepsis event. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of bacteriologic flora of DJS can be very helpful in an evidence-based prophylactic and therapeutic practice. Stent examination could be recommended in high-risk cases of developing UTI and sepsis after a urologic operation.

Do Calcium Supplements Predispose to Urolithiasis?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of calcium supplements, with or without vitamin D, in urinary stone formation in healthy population and in osteoporotic patients as well. Moreover, this review aims to clarify whether or not, and above which dose, they are associated with the risk of lithiasis. RECENT FINDINGS: A research in Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases up to September 2015 was conducted using the following keywords: calcium, supplements, vitamin D, complications, lithiasis, and urinary stone. All types of studies were taken into account (cohort studies, reviews, meta-analyses), and in case they fulfilled the inclusion criteria, they were included in our review. The analysis of the data showed that calcium supplements, probably in association with anti osteoporotic treatment, do not create a predisposition towards lithiasis formation among women suffering from osteoporosis, neither among non-osteoporotic older men. In healthy postmenopausal as well as younger women, the supplements might increase susceptibility to urinary stone formation in long-term basis. The consumption of calcium supplements with the meals could play a protective role in women and younger males. There is certain evidence that supplements containing citrate may be more beneficial over the rest of calcium supplements, particularly when consumed during the meal. Osteoporotic women and healthy men are not at risk of stone formation. On the contrary, healthy women should be aware of the potential risk of developing urinary lithiasis in long-term basis.