Two-step minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy under multimodal analgesia for complicated impacted calculi in proximal ureter.

OBJECTIVE: To suggest minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy using the mininephroscope as an alternative process for impacted stones of the upper ureter because these stones can be challenging to treat and can produce severe symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our results of cases in which the percutaneous approach using 2-step minipercutaneous ureteroscopy with the mininephroscope was used to achieve relief from the stone, with minimal anesthesia risks. A total of 54 patients (33 men and 21 women) presented with impacted stones in the proximal ureter. The mean stone size was 16.2 mm (range 10-21). All patients were treated with 2-step minipercutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy under multimodal analgesia. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 49 minutes (range 40-110). Placement of the percutaneous drainage tube was quick and was performed with the patient under local anesthesia. The minipercutaneous session followed several days later, with the patient under multimodal anesthesia. The initial stone-free rate was 94%. The stone-free rate 2 months after the procedure was 100%. All procedures were well tolerated by the patients (group mean visual analog scale score 3.1 ± 0.7 standard deviation). No severe adverse events were noted. The mean hospital stay was 5.3 days (range 3-12). CONCLUSION: In selected emergency cases of impacted proximal ureteral stones, the approach of the initial insertion of a nephrostomy tube followed by a second session of antegrade ureterolithotripsy using the mininephroscope is a safe and effective alternative treatment, especially, because it can be accomplished with minimal anesthesia requirements.

A giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernia as a cause of chronic renal failure: A rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernias are very rare and require surgical intervention. They usually do not cause any specific symptoms and thus, they are often misdiagnosed. If left untreated though, they might lead to severe medical conditions, such as renal failure. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 71-year-old male patient suffering from a giant inguinoscrotal mass, accompanied by symptoms of the lower urinary track (LUTS) and chronic renal failure. DISCUSSION: In our case, the patient presented with bladder hernia causing non specific symptoms of renal failure. In contrast to acute renal failure, a chronic renal impairment most often comes with no specific symptoms and thus, it can be present for many years before the diagnosis is made. It is evident that such serious conditions should be suspected and treated. CONCLUSION: Inguinoscrotal bladder hernias may be associated with severe medical conditions, such as renal deterioration, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure, when accompanied by any inguinal, scrotal, or low abdominal wall hernia.

Feasibility and efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy using a new modified lateral position for the treatment of renal stones in obese patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESWL using a modified lateral position in obese patients with renal stones. Nineteen obese patients with renal stones were enrolled (group A). The mean stone diameter was 1.3 cm (0.7-1.9 cm). The mean BMI was 35.1 kg/m² (31-41 kg/m²). Patients were placed in the lateral position, with the energy source facing their body posteriorly and the site where the stone was located in direct contact with the water cushion. Success rate (defined as the percentage of patients who were stone-free or with insignificant fragments after 3 months), mean number of ESWL sessions, mean duration of ESWL session and complications were recorded. The results were compared with those of 17 obese patients (Group B) with similar baseline characteristics treated in the standard supine position. All ESWLs were performed using the Dornier lithotripter SII. Both success rate (68.4 vs. 64.7% for groups A and B, respectively) and mean number of sessions (2.2 vs. 2.6) did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.5). Interestingly, the time required to complete ESWL was significantly shorter for group A patients (56 min) compared to group B (73 min) (p = 0.001). No severe complications (including hematoma, pyelonephritis) were recorded. Our data indicate that ESWL in the modified lateral position for renal calculi in obese patients seems to be feasible and safe. In addition, it is faster than in the supine position since it overcomes technical difficulties. Further studies with a large number of patients are required to support our findings.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy under a multimodal analgesia regime.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possibility of performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under a multimodal analgesia regime. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a period of 3 years, 51 patients requiring PCNL were enrolled in the study. All patients received a multimodal analgesic regime that included paracetamol, a COX(2) inhibitor, epidural morphine, and infiltration of the surgical field with local anesthetics. Percutaneous renal tract access was created with ultrasound guidance. All patients were informed about the possibility of experiencing short periods of discomfort or pain, and all patients completed a visual analog pain scale questionnaire postoperatively. RESULTS: All 51 patients completed the study, and the procedure was well tolerated. Intraoperative problems or postoperative complications were attributed mainly to the procedure itself (PCNL) rather than to the analgesic regimen administered. We observed no morphine-related side effects. Patients were transferred directly back to the ward immediately after the operation. The use of analgesics postoperatively was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The use of our multimodal analgesia regime is a well-tolerated and safe alternative to general or regional anesthesia for patients undergoing PCNL.

Ultrasound-guided transrectal placement of a drainage tube as therapeutic management of patients with prostatic abscess.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A novel approach for continuous drainage of prostatic abscesses is presented and discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present seven cases diagnosed with prostatic abscess during 2001-2007. The diagnosis was based on either clinical or transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings. All patients were initially treated as prostatitis cases by intravenous antibiotics, a1 blockers, and a suprapubic catheter. Those diagnosed with an abscess had a drainage tube placed transrectally under TRUS guidance, and it was left in place for 24-36 hours. RESULTS: Past medical history most often included previous urinary infection (n = 4), bladder outlet obstruction (n = 1), and diabetes mellitus (n = 4). In all patients, prostatic abscess was greater than 1.5 cm, and in two patients the abscess was multifocal. All abscesses were completely resolved by transrectal continuous drainage, and the average hospitalization period was 10 days. No patient required a second intervention. All patients received antibiotics for 1 month following the procedure. CONCLUSION: Although rare, prostatic abscess is a serious condition that needs quick diagnosis and treatment. In our experience, TRUS-guided transrectal placement of a drainage tube is a feasible and safe treatment alternative for prostatic abscess; it is also easy to perform and well tolerated by the patients.

Percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with tumors of advanced stage: treatment dilemmas and impact on clinical course and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome, in respect to safety, survival, and quality of life (QoL), after performance of percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with obstructive nephropathy caused by various types of advanced malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 270 patients with established nephropathy because of advanced pelvic or nonpelvic tumors was evaluated. A decision to obtain percutaneous access was made; primary stenting had either failed or was not feasible because of complicated anatomy. Patients were divided in equal groups by type of malignancy (54 patients each). In addition, each malignancy group was further divided in two equal subgroups by tumor burden (27 patients each). Correlations were made with respect to renal function outcome, overall survival after the procedure, and QoL differences both before and after the procedure. RESULTS: No serious complications, such as severe bleeding or sepsis, were experienced because of the procedure. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in survival among patients with different types of cancer. Only patients with prostate (P < 0.0365) and colorectal (P < 0.0307) cancer with lower tumor burden had significantly longer survival when compared with patients with large tumor burden. Regarding QoL scores, only patients with prostate cancer in the subgroup with low tumor burden demonstrated a positive statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that percutaneous nephrostomy has shown good safety characteristics and beneficial impact on renal function, only patients with specific cancers most likely to respond to ongoing palliative therapy or with cancers that progress slowly by nature may statistically benefit from the procedure. This questions the universal application of this procedure for all types and stages of advanced malignancy.

Bladder stone formation after a tension-free vaginal tape procedure: report on two cases.

We present 2 cases of large bladder stones formed on a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) which was inadvertently passed through the bladder during the continence procedure. The stones together with the intravesical portion of the slings were removed using a suprapubic approach. High clinical suspicion of bladder complications is necessary when evaluating patients with urinary symptoms after a TVT operation.

Feasibility of percutaneous nephrolithotomy under assisted local anaesthesia: a prospective study on selected patients with upper urinary tract obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under local anaesthesia in selected patients. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with unilateral renal obstruction due to pelvic stones > or =2.0 cm were enrolled in our study. First a percutaneous nephrostomy to decompress the obstructed kidney was performed using local anaesthesia (lignocaine). A 16-Fr nephrostomy tube was left in place for 1 wk, and then the second stage was carried out. After having infiltrated the tract and the renal parenchyma with lignocaine, dilatation of the nephrostomy tract was performed. Subsequently, PCNL was done using a 24-Fr rigid nephroscope and a ballistic lithotripter. All patients were premedicated with pethidine HCl intramuscularly 30 min before the beginning of both stages. Diazepam was given (0.1mg/kg orally) to patients before the second stage. Pain scores were collected using 10-cm linear visual analogue scale (VAS) after the completion of both procedures. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated. One patient needed further treatment with midazolam during PCNL. The mean VAS score was 38 mm (range: 17-60 mm) for the first stage and 36 mm (13-69 mm) for the second stage. The mean operative time, including both stages, was 127 min (85-155 min). No anaesthesia-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that PCNL under assisted local anaesthesia is safe and effective in selected patients.

Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: To assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia in selected patients. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with bladder stones of different etiologies underwent percutaneous cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia. Suprapubic access was obtained with ultrasound guidance, and fragmentation of the stone was performed using the Swiss lithoclast. Suprapubic and transurethral catheters were placed postoperatively. RESULTS: No major intraoperative complications occurred. The whole procedure was well tolerated, and no significant differences were found in the mean pain score between the percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy group and a group of male patients who underwent rigid cystoscopy under local anesthesia (P = 0.35). Complete stone clearance was achieved in all but 1 patient (96.78%). Bladder irrigation because of gross hematuria was needed in 5 patients, but no blood transfusion was required. Fever developed in 1 patient and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. The average hospitalization was 2.3 days (range 2 to 5). After a mean follow-up of 10 months, no recurrent stone developed. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy under local anesthesia is a safe and effective technique to remove bladder calculi. Thus, it may be used as an alternative treatment option in selected patients.

Forgotten, encrusted ureteral stents: a challenging problem with an endourologic solution.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Forgotten, encrusted ureteral stents represent a difficult problem for urologists, and a consensus on the best therapeutic approach is lacking. We present our experience with endoscopic management of this challenging problem and discuss the chosen treatment combinations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five women and four men aged 31 to 71 years (mean 50.2 years) with 10 stents indwelling for 6 to 85 months (mean 24.1 months) were treated in our department. Stent encrustation and the associated stone burden were evaluated by plain radiographs and intravenous urography. Treatment decisions were based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings. Three stents in two patients had minimal or slight encrustations. RESULTS: The mean number of procedures per patient was 2.1 (range 1-4). Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed in eight patients and retrograde ureteroscopy with or without intracorporeal lithotripsy in seven cases. Cystolitholapaxy or percutaneous cystolithotripsy was used to manage the distal portion of the encrusted stent in two cases. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was performed in only two patients. All stents and the associated stones were eventually removed without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: Combined endourologic techniques can achieve safe removal of forgotten stents if treatment is tailored to the volume of encrustation and associated stone. Imaging evaluation and documentation of negative urine culture are imperative prior to any attempt to remove the stent.