Being all-seeing gymnast within kidney cavity: analysis of the optical and flexibility characteristics trends of 61 flexible ureteroscopes over four decades.

The purpose of this review is to analyze the trend in optical features and flexibility changes of flexible ureteroscopes over the past decades, and determine the correlation of individual parameters with release period as well as with dimensional parameters. Flexible ureteroscopes mentioned in the literature or those commercially available were searched. To minimize the search bias, the instruments were grouped by release date time-periods of < 2000 year, 2000-2009, 2010-2019, and 2020 onwards. The final review included only those instrument models for which data on minimum and maximum depth of field, field of view, direction of view, and deflection degree had been determined. The correlation among features investigated as well as with release period was also determined. 61 models of flexible ureteroscopes (27 fibreoptic and 34 digital scopes) were included. Among the different features investigated among fiberoptic endoscopes, minimum depth of field positively and negatively correlated with channel size and field of view, respectively, whereas maximum depth of view and field of view positively correlated with overall shaft and deflection degree, respectively. Up and down deflection strongly correlated with each other and both were negatively proportional to the distal tip size. For the digital endoscopes, minimum depth of field negatively and positively correlated with distal tip size and working length, respectively. Maximum depth of field positively correlated with field of view, whereas the latter was negatively proportional to the overall shaft. As for the fiberoptic counterparts, up and down deflection strongly correlated with each other. Field of view, up and down deflection of fiberoptic flexible ureteroscopes, were significantly increased among fiberoptic and digital endoscopes over decades. As flexible ureteroscopy technology has evolved, there has been a trend towards increasing field of view with up and down deflection. Given the importance of scope ergonomics, one aspect of this popularity is the improvement of optical characteristics and deflection degree, which significantly correlates with the release period.

Neurovascular Structure-Adjacent Frozen-Section Examination (NeuroSAFE) Technique of Nerve-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) in Indian Scenario: Technique, Feasibility, and Early Outcomes.

Potency and urinary continence are adversely affected post-prostatectomy. The primary objective is oncological safety by ensuring negative surgical margins (NSM) and best functional recovery through nerve preservation in appropriate patients. NeuroSAFE technique of intra-operative frozen-section (IFS) analysis was devised for comprehensive assessment of surgical margins adjacent to the neurovascular tissue surface of the prostate. We analyzed our initial experience with this technique. Five NS-RARPs were performed utilizing the NeuroSAFE technique between October 2021 and February 2022. Patient demographics, disease stage, operative console time, post-operative complications, final histopathology, biochemical recurrence (BCR), erectile function, and urinary continence were recorded. The mean age of patients was 59.2 ± 1.3 years. All had clinically organ-confined disease with ISUP grade ≤ 3. The mean operative time of NS-RARP with NeuroSAFE was 240 ± 21 min and average NeuroSAFE time was 45 ± 3.8 min. All patients had NSM on IFS. No patient had Clavien-Dindo grade > 1 complications. Margins were negative on final histopathology. No patient had BCR at 6 and 12 weeks. Three patients were able to have sexual intercourse and only one patient required single precaution pad at 12 weeks. NeuroSAFE is feasible and can ensure intra-operative oncological safety of the NS procedure. Moreover, it gives the opportunity to convert positive surgical margin to prognostically favorable NSM by secondary resection. Our initial experience which is the first in India is encouraging with favorable functional outcomes. Large prospective studies and longer follow-up are required specially to evaluate the oncological benefit.

Robot-Assisted Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection for Penile Cancer: An Indian Multicenter Experience.

Objective: To report outcomes of multicenter series of penile cancer patients undergoing robot-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection (RA-VEIL). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analysis from 3 tertiary care centers in India, consecutive intermediate-/high-risk carcinoma penis (CaP) patients with nonpalpable inguinal lymphadenopathy and/or nonbulky (<3 cm) mobile inguinal lymphadenopathy undergoing RA-VEIL were included. Patients with matted/bulky (>3 cm) and fixed lymphadenopathy were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and intraoperative data were recorded. Perioperative complications were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). The International Society of Lymphology (ISL) {0-III} grading was used for the assessment of lymphedema. Incidence and pattern of recurrences were assessed on follow-up. Results: From January 1, 2011, to September 30, 2023, 115 patients (230 groins) underwent bilateral RA-VEIL for CaP. The median age of the cohort was 60 (50-69) years. Clinically palpable (either unilateral or bilateral) inguinal lymphadenopathy was seen in 54 patients (47%). The "per groin" median operative time was 120 (100-140) minutes with median lymph node yield of 12 (9-16). No complications were recorded in 87.8% groins operated, with major complications (CDC 3) seen in 2.6% groins. At a median follow-up of 13.5 months, 13 patients had documented recurrences and there were 10 cancer-related deaths. No port-site recurrences were observed. No/minimal lymphedema (ISL 0/I) was seen in 94% legs. Conclusion: RA-VEIL demonstrates safety and oncologic efficacy in penile cancer patients presenting with clinically nonpalpable and/or nonbulky inguinal lymphadenopathy, with favorable functional outcomes.

Revolutionizing urology: the advancements and applications of robotic platforms.

Robot-assisted surgery is developing as an acme of minimally invasive surgery, given its utmost dominance over laparoscopic surgery. The objective was to review the status of robotic surgery in urological practice with its advantages and disadvantages in current scenario. We conducted a literature search using MEDLINE and identified 72 articles which were relevant to urology. Single-port and various multiport robotic platforms like Da Vinci, Versius, Hugo RAS, Revo-I, Senhance, Mantra, Avatera, Hinotori, and MicroSurge are described with pros and cons. With a surge in different medical surgical robots purging into the market and a race to become the next standard of care in robotic surgery, it is only a matter of time when robotic surgery becomes financially comparable to laparoscopic surgeries.

Exploring the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of ChatGPT in Urology.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: ChatGPT is programmed to generate responses based on pattern recognition. With this vast popularity and exponential growth, the question arises of moral issues, security and legitimacy. In this review article, we aim to analyze the ethical and legal implications of using ChatGPT in Urology and explore potential solutions addressing these concerns. RECENT FINDINGS: There are many potential applications of ChatGPT in urology, and the extent to which it might improve healthcare may cause a profound shift in the way we deliver our services to patients and the overall healthcare system. This encompasses diagnosis and treatment planning, clinical workflow, patient education, augmenting consultations, and urological research. The ethical and legal considerations include patient autonomy and informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, bias and fairness, human oversight and accountability, trust and transparency, liability and malpractice, intellectual property rights, and regulatory framework. The application of ChatGPT in urology has shown great potential to improve patient care and assist urologists in various aspects of clinical practice, research, and education. Complying with data security and privacy regulations, and ensuring human oversight and accountability are some potential solutions to these legal and ethical concerns. Overall, the benefits and risks of using ChatGPT in urology must be weighed carefully, and a cautious approach must be taken to ensure that its use aligns with human values and advances patient care ethically and responsibly.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Paediatric Population: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Management of paediatric stone disease is challenging as they are considered high risk group. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is minimally invasive procedure with definite advantages in terms of higher stone clearance in single session and no long term effect in renal function. METHODS: Retrospective study was done including all patients upto the age of 18 years who underwent Percutaneous nephrolithotomy from January 2010 to December 2018 in our center after taking approval from ethical committee. Data was collected regarding gender, operative side, operative time duration, hospital stay, post-operative decrease in hemoglobin, stone size, Guy's stone score and early post-operative complications with Clavien-Dindo grade. RESULTS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done in 48 renal units in 44 patients. 28 patients were boys and 16 were girls with mean age of 10.91 ± 5.22 years and mean stone size 17.16 ± 6.43 mm. 91.6% of cases had Guy's stone score of 1 and 2. Standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done in 21 renal units, mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 24 renal units and supermini percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done in three renal units with total stone free rate of 93.4%. Three patients required extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for significant residual stone. Average post-operative hemoglobin drop was 1.2 gm%. Overall complications rate was 18.1% with 4.5% of complications being grade 1 and 2 whereas 13.6% were Grade 3. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is safe and feasible in paediatric patients with large stone burden, complex anatomy or shock-wave lithotripsy failure with acceptable complication and stone free rate.

Impact of Miniaturization on Early Outcome of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has become the standard procedure for large renal stones but still remains highly challenging due to complications such as bleeding and sepsis, even though it has high stone free rate (SFR). We report the early outcomes of more than 1000 percutaneous nephrolithotomys done in our center. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy from January 2010 to December 2017 in single institution was conducted. All cases were stratified into three groups based on tract size; standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy with tract size ? 22 F, mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy with tract size 15 - 20 F and ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy with tract size ? 14 F. Age, gender, stone complexity using Guy's stone score, stone size, operative time, hemoglobin drop, hospital stay, early major and minor complications were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1074 patients had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy among which, 578 patients were standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 433 mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 63 had undergone ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy. There was even distribution of patients with Guy's stone score 1 and 2 in all three groups. However, majority of patients with Guy's stone score 3 underwent standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy or mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and no patients with Guy's stone score 4 underwent ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Age group, gender and operative time were comparable between the groups; however, significant difference was noted in terms of less hemoglobin drop and shorter hospital stay (p-value < 0.05) in the miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. Complications were found to be fewer in mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy group in comparison to standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Miniaturization of tract size significantly decreases post-operative complication rates, blood loss and hospital stay while maintaining high stone free rates in well selected patients undergoing Percutaneous nephrolithotomy.