Exploratory analysis on the usage of Pi-score algorithm over endoscopic stone treatment step 1 protocol.

BACKGROUND: The Performance Improvement score (Pi-score) has been proven to be reliable to measure performance improvement during E-BLUS hands-on training sessions. Our study is aimed to adapt and test the score to EST s1 (Endoscopic Stone Treatment step 1) protocol, in consideration of its worldwide adoption for practical training. METHODS: The Pi-score algorithm considers time measurement and number of errors from two different repetitions (first and fifth) of the same training task and compares them to the relative task goals, to produce an objective score. Data were obtained from the first edition of 'ART in Flexible Course', during four courses in Barcelona and Milan. Collected data were independently analyzed by the experts for Pi assessment. Their scores were compared for inter-rater reliability. The average scores from all tutors were then compared to the PI-score provided by our algorithm for each participant, in order to verify their statistical correlation. Kappa statistics were used for comparison analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen hands-on training expert tutors and 47 3rd-year residents in Urology were involved. Concordance found between the 16 proctors' scores was the following: Task 1=0.30 ("fair"); Task 2=0.18 ("slight"); Task 3=0.10 ("slight"); Task 4=0.20, ("slight"). Concordance between Pi-score results and proctor average scores per-participant was the following: Task 1=0.74 ("substantial"); Task 2=0.71 ("substantial"); Task 3=0.46 ("moderate"); Task 4=0.49 ("moderate"). CONCLUSIONS: Our exploratory study demonstrates that Pi-score can be effectively adapted to EST s1. Our algorithm successfully provided an objective score that equals the average performance improvement scores assigned by of a cohort of experts, in relation to a small amount of training attempts.

Assessment of the Effectiveness, Safety, and Reproducibility of Micro-Ureteroscopy in the Treatment of Distal Ureteral Stones in Women: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness, safety, and reproducibility of the micro-ureteroscopy (m-URS) in the treatment of distal ureteral stones in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, prospective observational study was designed and conducted between March and December 2015. We included women having at least one stone in the distal ureter and being a candidate for surgical treatment using the 4.85F sheath of MicroPerc®. Patients with clinical criteria and/or laboratory analysis indicating sepsis or coagulation alteration were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-nine women were operated in eight hospitals. The profile of the patients was fairly homogeneous among hospitals. Only differences were found in age, preoperative stent, and the result of the previous urine culture. Immediate stone-free status was achieved in 88.2% and 100% 7 days after the procedure. 97.4% of patients did not present any complication in the postoperative period, with only one case with complication Clavien II. Postureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) in 76.9% of patients did not show any injury, 20.5% had lesions grade 1, and grade 2 lesions 2.6%. As for the reproducibility of m-URS between hospitals, statistical analysis of the results showed differences between all the centers participating in the study. CONCLUSIONS: m-URS is an effective, safe, and reproducible technique that minimizes surgical aggression to the ureteral anatomy. Satisfactory and comparable results to "conventional" ureteroscopy were obtained in the treatment of distal ureteral stones in women, although clinical trials are needed. The reduction of the ureteral damage may reduce secondary procedures and increase the cost-effectiveness of the procedure.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Renal Colic and Climate-Related Causes in a Continental Area in Spain.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of renal colic (RC) in a northwestern area of Spain and its relationship with seasonal and meteorological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 700,257 cases that presented at the emergency room (ER) between 2005 and 2013. We reviewed data such as age, gender, arrival at ER, tests performed and destination after ER. Monthly data regarding temperature, humidity and hours of daylight were taken into account. The Student t-test, the Mann-Whitney test and the Chi-square test were used for the statistical analysis. RC visits were correlated with meteorological characteristics using the Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 9,330 cases were diagnosed as RC episodes (1.41% of total cases presented). The age range was 14-100 years and mean age was 47 years. Prevalence in men was higher (55.6%) than in women (44.4%). After the seasonal decomposition analysis by month, a significant increase in RC incidence was observed in the months of June, July, August and December (107-114%). There is a statistically significant correlation between mean monthly temperature and RC visit rate (R 0.33, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of RC in our region is slightly higher than the one described in the literature. A significant increase in RCs is observed in the summer months, as well as a significant correlation between incidence and temperature.

Sellado intravesical del uréter terminal en la nefroureterectomía / Intravesical sealing of distal uréter in nephroureterctomy

OBJETIVO: Estudiar la eficacia y fiabilidad de una nueva técnica mínimamente invasora para el tratamiento del uréter terminal en la nefroureterectomía por tumor urotelial, tanto abierta como laparoscópica.MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo observacional de 14 pacientes a los que se practicó la técnica de sellado intravesical del uréter terminal y desinserción endoscópica del mismo previamente a la nefroureterectomía (11 laparoscópicas, 3 abiertas) indicada por tumor de urotelio superior durante el periodo de julio de 2003 a noviembre de 2007. El procedimiento se llevó a cabo en 11 varones y 3 mujeres con edad media de 59,5 (rango: 35-70 años). El tumor asentó en la pelvis renal en 12 casos, y en el uréter proximal en 2 casos. El estadio correspondió a Ta - T1 en 10 pacientes, T2 en 3 y T3 en 1 caso. El grado tumoral fue G3 en 9 casos y G2 en los 5 restantes.La desinserción se realizó mediante un cuchillete de Collins. Para evitar el contacto de la orina con el espacio retroperitoneal se procedió al cierre precoz del meato mediante una grapa introducida a través de un puerto transvesical.RESULTADOS: El tiempo quirúrgico total de la nefroureterectomía fue de 231,15 minutos (rango: 200-340). La tasa de complicaciones para la intervención valorada globalmente (nefroureterectomía) fue de 28,4%, y la tasa de las relacionadas solo con este procedimiento técnico (cierre transvesical del meato y desinserción) fue de 14,2%.Todos los pacientes fueron dados de alta tras la retirada de la sonda vesical, siendo la estancia hospitalaria media de 10,14 días (rango: 6-22).Con un seguimiento medio de 25,3 meses (rango: 12-64) no hemos registrado recidivas locales en el retroperitoneo. En un paciente hubo recidiva vesical. Otro paciente desarrolló una metástasis en glándula suprarrenal que se trató satisfactoriamente(AU)

CONCLUSIONES: El cierre precoz del uréter terminal mediante grapa transvesical previo a su desinserción endoscópica en la nefroureterectomía constituye una técnica segura desde el punto de vista oncológico, con una tasa de complicaciones aceptable, que evita el segundo tiempo abierto para el manejo del uréter terminal(AU)

OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness and reliability of a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of the terminal ureter in nephroureterectomy due to transitional cell carcinoma, both in open and laparoscopic procedures.METHODS: Observational retrospective study of 14 patients that underwent intravesical sealing and endoscopic excision of terminal ureter, before ureterectomy (11 laparoscopic, 3 open), due to an upper urinary tract tumor, between July 2003 and November 2007. This procedure was performed on 11 males and 3 females, average age 59.5 years, (range: 35-70). The tumor settled on the renal pelvis in 12 cases and on the proximal ureter in 2. Stage was Ta – T1 in 10 patients, T2 in 3, and T3 in 1. Tumor grade was G3 in 9 cases and G2 in 5.Excision was carried out with a Collins knife. In order to avoid contact between the urine and retroperitoneal space, the meatus was quickly sealed with a clip introduced by means of a transvesical trocar.RESULTS: Total surgical time of nephroureterectomy was 231.15 minutes (range 200-340). Global complication rate for the procedure was 28.4%, but the rate for the cases associated with this technique (meatus sealing and disinsertion) was 14.2%.All patients were discharged after removing bladder catheter. Mean hospital stay was 10.14 days (range: 6-22).After an average follow-up of 25.3 months (range: 12-64), no retroperitoneal recurrence has been reported. One of the patients had bladder recurrence and another one developed metastasis to the suprarenal gland that was treated satisfactorily.CONCLUSIONS: Quick sealing of distal ureter by transvesical application of a clip before its endoscopic excision in nephrourecterectomy is a sound technique from an oncological point of view, with an acceptable complication rate that avoids a second open time to manage distal ureter(AU)

[Laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Our experience]. / Pieloplastia laparoscópica. Nuestra experiencia.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of pyeloureteral junction obstruction. METHODS: Between August 2001 and August 2004 14 patients with the diagnosis of pyeloureteral junction obstruction underwent laparoscopic repair. Seven cases had the obstruction on the left side and the other seven on the right side. We describe the technique of laparoscopic dismembered Anderson-Hynes type pyeloplasty, performed to 12 patients in our series. The remainder 2 patients underwent Foley's Y-V plasty and the Fenger's technique. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 199.7 minutes (r: 126-290). There were not intraoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 4.63 days (r: 3-9). One case of double J catheter obstruction can be cited as late postoperative complication. Only one of the 14 cases suffered a recurrence of the stenosis after double J catheter retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has become the operation of choice in cases of hydronephrosis secondary to crossing vessel, when there is great pyelic dilation, and for the treatment of failures of previous endopyelotomy.