Actively extracting kidney stones combined dusting technique can improve SFR of moderate-complexity kidney stones in fURL.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of actively extracting kidney stones with different complexity that have been visually dusted in flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent fURL with dusting technique in established hospitals. A total of 535 cases were divided into the dusting group or the dusting plus basketing group according to the use of stone basket. Their characteristics and operative parameters were collected and analyzed. We used the R.I.R.S. scoring system to classify the complexity of kidney stones and divided these kidney stones into three subgroups, namely, mild-, moderate-, and severe-complexity group. And then, the effectiveness of stone basket in these subgroups was analyzed. RESULTS: Although using a stone basket significantly reduced re-operation rate (17.8% in dusting group versus 10.2% in dusting plus basketing group, p = 0.013), no significant difference on stone-free rate (SFR) and overall incidence of complications were noticed between groups. After we classified the complexity of kidney stones using the R.I.R.S. scoring system, we found a stone basket was helpful to improve SFR in kidney stones with moderate-complexity that had been visually dusted in fURL (73.5% in dusting group versus 87.3% in dusting plus basketing group, p = 0.002) but had limited influence on SFR in mild (93.8% in dusting group versus 92.6% in dusting plus basketing group, p = 0.783) or severe (28.5% in dusting group versus 34.0% in dusting plus basketing group, p = 0.598)-complexity kidney stones. CONCLUSION: The use of stone basket should be encouraged in moderate-complexity kidney stones which can be visually dusted in fURL.

Utility of a nitinol stone extractor for intraocular foreign body removal.

Purpose: To describe the novel application of a urological instrument, the nitinol stone basket, in the removal of a retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB). Observations: This is a retrospective case series describing two eyes of two patients presenting with metallic IOFBs after hammering metal-on-metal. Both patients underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and successful IOFB extraction using the NCircle® Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor. There were no intraoperative or post-surgical complications. Both patients demonstrated improvement in vision, with most recent postoperative visual acuities of 20/40 and 20/60. Conclusions and importance: The nitinol stone basket may be considered for removal of IOFBs, particularly larger IOFBs that are difficult to grasp with forceps. Our cases add to the literature showing favorable visual outcomes and few complications in the post-operative period using this technique.

Glass intraocular foreign body removal with a nitinol stone basket.

PURPOSE: Glass intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) complicate up to 14% of all IOFB cases and require specialized instruments for removal. We present a case of ocular trauma with two large glass IOFBs removed using a nitinol stone basket (NSB) designed for kidney stone extraction in the ureter and calyces. OBSERVATIONS: An adult male suffered a restrained motor vehicle accident. Radiographic computed tomography identified a 9-mm polygonal IOFB within the posterior segment of the right eye. A staged procedure was performed with repair of the ruptured globe followed by 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, pars plana lensectomy, and removal of the IOFBs using a NSB. CONCLUSION: At post-operative month one, visual acuity was correctable to 20/60. The retina remained attached and the patient was recovering without complication. IMPORTANCE: Large glass IOFBs are poorly gripped by standard ophthalmic forceps due to their smooth surface, large size, and irregular shape. The NSB is an effective instrument for controlled removal of glass IOFBs. Further customized design may adapt this device for additional intraocular procedures.

A New Automatically Fixating Stone Basket (2.5 F) Prototype with a Nitinol Spring for Accurate Ureteroscopic Stone Size Measurement.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative assessment of stone size is crucial for the successful and safe extraction of stones. The first automatically fixating measuring stone basket prototype showed a mismatch between the steel spring and the nitinol basket; therefore, to improve this prototype, the steel spring was replaced with a nitinol spring and a modified scale was implemented on the basket handle for accurate intraoperative stone size measurement. METHODS: The proposed tipped basket was composed of nitinol. A standard handle with a spring-supported self-closing mechanism (2.5 F, Urotech®) was used, and a modified nonlinear millimeter scale was established on the handle. The grasping force was provided by the new nitinol spring mechanism in the handgrip. Various colors associated with the stone size were applied on the scale. RESULTS: The material difference between the basket and the spring was eliminated. The measuring scale ranged from 2 mm (green) through 5 mm (yellow) to 8 mm (red), and the scale was nonlinear because of the nonlinear relationship between the diameter of the stone and the distance marked on the scale. CONCLUSION: The proposed automatically fixating stone basket with a nitinol spring has the potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of endourological stone retrieval. Further validation of this new scale and basket should follow.

Trans-Urethral Snare of Bladder Tumor (TUSnBT) with Stone Basket Retrieval: A Novel Time-Saving Technique in the Endoscopic Management of Papillary Bladder Lesions.

BACKGROUND: To assess if trans-urethral snare of bladder tumor (TUSnBT) with subsequent stone basket retrieval can be used as an effective, time-saving adjunct resection technique for papillary bladder lesions. METHODS: Via standard cystoscopy, TUSnBT was performed using a standard endoscopic polypectomy snare with subsequent tumor extraction utilizing a standard stone retrieval basket, when lesions were more than 10 mm in diameter. Smaller lesions were removed with the polypectomy snare. Standard trans-urethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) of the tumor bed was performed post TUSnBT. Histological assessment was performed and assessed separately per session. RESULTS: In total, 18 papillary lesions, measuring between 9 and 26 mm, were resected via TUSnBT. Operative TUSnBT time, ranged between 10 and 60 seconds duration per lesion. No significant postoperative morbidity was experienced by patients within this cohort. Histo-pathological assessment revealed adequate muscle representation in 83.3 % of TUSnBT grouped sessions assessed. CONCLUSION: TUSnBT with stone retrieval basket retrieval is a feasible method in selected papillary bladder lesions, and may be coupled with standard TURBT resection techniques. This method is less time consuming and would prove beneficial in select lesions. It may also be beneficial to assist with reducing the resection time or inadvertent bladder perforation encountered during the conventional TURBT.

"Post-cut": An endoscopic technique for managing impacted biliary stone within an entrapped extraction basket.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Ampullary impaction of an entrapped stone-basket complex is not an infrequent yet challenging event during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of "post-cut" for the management of such scenarios. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with impacted biliary stone with an entrapped basket during ERCP at West China Hospital, Chengdu, China, from October 2004 to August 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Adequate biliary sphincterotomy was performed in all cases before attempted stone basket removal. Using free hand needle knife techniques, the authors extended the sphincterotomy along the long axis of the distal common bile duct to manage the biliary stone-basket impaction. In comparison with "pre-cut", the authors coined the term "post-cut" referring to this technique. The feasibility, safety, and potential complications of post-cut were analysed. RESULTS: "Post-cut" was performed in consecutive 10 cases of impacted biliary stone within an entrapped extraction basket. The size of the removed stone ranged from 6 mm to 13 mm. The length of post-cut is 2 mm to 4 mm. The impacted basket was easily retrieved in all patients without complications, including bleeding, perforation, and pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: "Post-cut" is a feasible, effective, and safe endoscopic technique when impaction of a biliary stone with an entrapped extraction basket develops.

In vitro head-to-head comparison of the durability, versatility and efficacy of the NGage and novel Dakota stone retrieval baskets.

BACKGROUND: To compare head to head two end-engaging nitinol stone retrieval devices available to urologists, in terms of durability, versatility and efficacy. METHODS: For durability testing, 30 NGage and Dakota baskets were cycled 20 times between grasping and releasing synthetic stone models and evaluated for damage or device failure. For versatility and efficacy testing, baskets were assessed in their ability to capture and release stone models from 1 to 11 mm. Each stone was raised above the capture site and the basket was opened to passively release the stone. If the stone did not release, the basket handle was shaken and the OpenSure feature employed if needed. Manual release was used as a last resort. RESULTS: Durability-the Cook NGage demonstrated a statistically significant increased rate of visible device breakdown (P=0.0046) in 8 of 30 (26.7%) devices vs. 0 of 30 Dakota devices, with mean damage at 13.5 cycles. Versatility and efficacy-both 8 mm baskets successfully captured stones from 1-8 mm. The Dakota more effectively released 7-8 mm stones (P<0.0001). NGage required manual release of 8 mm stones in 13 cases compared to none with Dakota. For 11 mm baskets, the Dakota released all stones up to 10 mm with simple opening, while the NGage released 10 of 15 (67%) of 9 mm stones and 1 of 15 (7%) of 10 mm stones by simple opening. For 11 mm stones, the Dakota captured 100% whereas NGage could not capture any. CONCLUSIONS: Both baskets showed similar durability characteristics. The Dakota basket more effectively captured and released stones over 7 mm, as compared to the NGage basket. The OpenSure aspect conferred an advantage in handling and release of larger stones. These in vitro results demonstrate potential versatility, durability and efficacy of the Dakota basket.

Application of stone basket in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for treatment of upper ureteral calculi / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the application effect of stone basket in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for treatment of upper ureteral calculi. Methods The clinical data of 96 patients with upper ureteral calculi were retrospectively analyzed, all patients underwent ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. Forty-eight cases used the stone basket in the operation process (observation group), and 48 cases did not use the stone basket in the operation process (control group). The operation time, length of stay, success rate of lithotripsy, stone residual rate and incidence of postoperative complication were compared between 2 groups. Results The patients of 2 groups successfully completed surgery. There were no statistical differences in operation time, length of stay and incidence of postoperative complication between 2 groups (P>0.05). The success rate of lithotripsy in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group: 97.92% (47/48) vs. 75.00% (36/48), and the stone residual rate was significantly lower than that in control group:4.17%(2/48) vs. 18.75%(9/48), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusions The stone basket in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for treatment of upper ureteral calculi can thoroughly remove stones. It reduces the incidence of residual stones, does not affect the safety of the operation, and has good clinical value.

Clinical study of spiral stone basket assisted with FURL in treatment of unilateral upper ureteral stones for diameter>1.0 cm / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and safety of spiral stone basket assisted with FURL in the treatment of unilateral upper ureteral stones for diameter>1.0 cm. Methods 140 patients with unilateral upper ureteral stones for diameter>1.0 cm from January 2012 to December 2015 were randomly divided into control group (70 patients) with FURL used alone and observation group (70 patients) with spiral stone basket assisted application on the basis of control group;the perioperative clinical indicators, the lithotripsy success rate, the stone clearance rate, the stone removal rate and the postoperative complication incidence of both groups were compared. Results The operation time of observation group was signiifcantly longer than control group (P0.05). The lithotripsy success rate and the stone clearance rate of observation group was signiifcantly higher than control group (P 0.05). The total treatment expenses of observation group was signiifcantly fewer than control group (P1.0 cm can efifciently higher the stone removal effects, reduce the stone removal risk and not increase the postoperative complications incidence.

A comparison between an in vitro ureteroscopic stone size estimation and the stone size measurement with the help of a scale on stone baskets.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic treatment of ureter stones and renal calculi relies on the surgeon's estimation of the stone size for both lithotripsy and removal of stones or stone fragments. We therefore compared precision and reliability of the endoscopic estimation of stone size by the surgeon with measurements on a scale on a stone basket. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two surgeons (one high experienced and one low experienced) first estimated, then measured the size of 12 stones differing in size and color using different stone baskets (2.5, 3.0, 4.0 Ch) each via a semirigid renoscope in an artificial ureter under water repeatedly on two different days. All together, we had 288 measurements and 288 estimations. RESULTS: On the whole, the accuracy of the estimation diminished with bigger stones. There is an increasing underestimation with increasing stone size. Factors, which significantly influence the estimation, are the operating surgeon, the color of the stone, the time sequence, and the size of the closed basket, which was held beside the stone. The accuracy of the measurement of the stone baskets is not as good as the estimation. The small 2.5-Ch basket is the most accurate in measuring big stones (>6 mm), the 3.5 Ch in intermediate stones (3-6 mm), the big basket (4.0 Ch) in small stones (<3 mm). CONCLUSION: This first attempt at validation of a scale on stone baskets shows different results for each basket which could be systematically improved. Until now, the estimation of the surgeons is better than the measurement, but it is also influenced by factors like the surgeon or the color of the stone.

Experience of treatment for common bile duct stones by laparoscope combined with choledochoscope / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To summarize the effect of treatment for common bile duct stones by laparoscope combined with choledocho-scope, and to assess the feasibility in judgment the patency of common bile duct by stone basket. Methods To review and analyze the clini-cal data of 32 patients who were given choledocholithiasis operation through laparoscope combined with choledochoscope,and the operation method,effect and complications were compared. Results In this research,32 choledocholithiasis operations were carried out using laparo-scope combined with choledochoscope from January 2013 to January 2014. The stones of 31 patients were taken out completely,and there were no stone in the other patient. All 32 patients recovered without any complication. After operation,all 32 patients showed unrestricted inferior bile common duct and no residual stone by T-tube cholangiography. Conclusion It showed satisfactory effect in treatment of choledocholithi-asis by laparoscope combined with choledochoscope. Compared to traditional laparotomy,which showed less injure and faster recovery. It is a simple and feasible method to judge the patency of common bile duct using large size stone basket combined with methylene blue injection.

Indwelling of Dormia Stone Basket in the Ureter for Removal of Lower Ureteral Calculi: A Modified Method / 대한비뇨기과학회지

No abstract available.

Hazard in Use of Stone Basket / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A gentle manipulation and a thorough premanipulative checking of urological instruments are very important to prevent accidents occurring during urological instrumentation. The case of a 40 year old ale with a left ureteral calculi in whom a Johnson Stone Disloger successfully caught the stone but in whom repeated attempts at withdrawal of the dislodger were unsuccessful is reported. An open ureterolithotomy was required to remove the stone which was tightly packed in the islodger's basket. This case demonstrates that despite gentle manipulation and a thorough premanipulative checking of the instrument, accidents in instrumentation can occur.