Thulium laser en bloc resection versus conventional transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumor: A comparative prospective study.

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) is the standard management for urinary bladder tumors; however, new techniques as Thulium laser en bloc resection of bladder tumors (TmLRBT) have been introduced as a substitute to TURBT. Objectives: In this study safety, efficacy, and tumor recurrence after TmLRBT and TURBT were prospectively compared in patients with primary (<4 cm) bladder tumors. Patients and Methods: Between August 2019 and May 2021, patients with primary (<4 cm) bladder tumors were enrolled. Patients were randomized between the two procedures. All perioperative data were collected prospectively. Pathological specimen findings and recurrence rates were reported during follow-up visits. Results: Sixty patients underwent TURBT, and another 60 had TmLRBT. No significant differences were detected in patient demographics or preoperative tumor characteristics between the two groups. Operation time was less (28.2 vs. 38.9 min, P < 0.001), and rate of bladder perforation was lower with TmLRBT compared to TURBT (3.3% vs. 15.0%, P = 0.027). In the TmLRBT group, higher rate of muscle detection (95.0% vs. 78.3%, P < 0.001) in the pathological specimen, and lower rate of tissue destruction (0.0% vs. 21.6%, P < 0.001) were obtained compared to TURBT. Recurrence rate in cases of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer was lower with TmLRBT (6.7% vs. 33.0%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, TmLRBT showed reduced operative time with lower perforation rates. Higher detection of detrusor muscle and less tissue destruction in the pathological specimen were obtained with TmLRBT, as well as lower rates of tumor recurrence. These findings suggest that TmLRBT is a safe and efficacious substitute to TURBT in tumors <4 cm.

Randomized comparison of 4.5/6 Fr versus 6/7.5 Fr ureteroscopes for laser lithotripsy of lower/middle ureteral calculi: towards optimization of efficacy and safety of semirigid ureteroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare 4.5/6 Fr versus 6/7.5 Fr semirigid ureteroscopes in terms of safety and efficacy in adult non-obese patients with middle or lower ureteric stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 198 patients with middle/lower ureteric stone and a BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2 were recruited. Patients were randomized according to the size of ureteroscope into two groups: group 1 where a 4.5/6 Fr semi-rigid ureteroscope was used, and group 2 where a 6/7.5 Fr semi-rigid ureteroscope was used. Patient's demographic, stone characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes including stone-free rate (SFR) and complications were compared. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics in terms of age, sex, BMI, and stone location, side, size, and HU were comparable between both groups (p values > 0.05). The overall SFR was significantly higher in group 1 (0.004). Balloon dilatation was not required in all patients of group-1 compared with 33% of group-2 (p = 0.0001). The JJ stent was required in 10% of group-1 compared with 30% of group-2 (p = 0.0004). Failure to reach the stone due to tight ureter occurred in 8% of group 2 (p = 0.003), respectively. Traxer's grade 1 ureteral injury occurred in 2% of group-1 versus 14% of group-2 (p = 0.001). Consequently, hematuria was significantly lower in group-1 (1% vs. 8%; p = 0.01), respectively. The hospital stay < 9 h was significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The 4.5/6 Fr semi-rigid Ureteroscope was associated with significantly higher SFR and shorter hospital stay, with lower ureteral injury, fewer double-J stenting, and without the need for intraoperative balloon dilatation for the ureter.

Ergonomics and musculoskeletal symptoms in surgeons performing endoscopic procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urologic disorder affecting older men, necessitating medical or surgical intervention. Limited data exists regarding the effect these surgeries have on the endourologist's musculoskeletal system following the surgery because of the required difficult posture, prolonged procedures, repetitive movements, and the settings of an adjustable visual display terminal workstation. The aim of our study was to survey the prevalence and possible causes of musculoskeletal disorders among endourologists performing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or laser prostatectomy using either holmium laser enucleation or thulium laser enucleation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An email inviting all members of the Endourological Society to participate in the survey was sent. The questionnaire included different demographic and practice characteristics, with concern regarding performing either TURP or laser prostatectomy and the incidence and type of musculoskeletal incidents following these surgeries. All responses were collected by a commercially available internet based survey host (www.surveymonkey.com) over a period of 6 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 121 complete responses, 84 (69%) of endourologists complained of a musculoskeletal disorder following TURP or laser prostatectomy. The most frequent complaint was for neck (64%), followed by back (57%), shoulder (48%), hand (40%), and elbow (18%). The average prostate volume turned out to be the most compelling predictor for musculoskeletal disorder occurrence with an average prostate volume of 76 g operated on by the complaining group compared with 59 g in the noncomplaining group. Those with more severe symptoms were linked to a mean prostate size of 80 g (60-146) and constantly complained of shoulder, neck, or back trouble compared with the less-severely complaining group. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among urologists performing endourologic prostatectomy was confirmed and was found to be proportionally related to the size of the prostate. The integration of an ergonomic specialist inside the operation room to watch and correct the surgeon's position during endourologic procedures may reduce the endourologist's exposure to these occupational hazards.

The safety of ureteral stenting with the use of potassium citrate for management of renal uric acid stones.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to evaluate the relative risks of ureteric stents application while managing uric acid stones with potassium citrate in terms of stone encrustations and urinary tract infection (UTI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with renal uric acid stones who received K citrate from 2013 to 2018. Patient's demographics were collected. All patients were evaluated using noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan to measure the stone size and density. JJ ureteric stent was inserted prior to the initiation of treatment. At follow-up, all patients underwent urine analysis for pH and to detect UTI. CT was repeated at 1 month and those patients who showed incomplete stone resolution underwent another course of treatment for another month. CT was repeated prior to stent removal. The presence of encrustations was inspected and collected. RESULTS: We collected 59 patients with a median age of 36 years (18-73) and median stone burden of 26 mm3 (15-50). The median stone density was 310 HU (175-498). Twenty-one patients (35.6%) received K citrate treatment for 1-month, while the remaining patients had 2 months treatment. Sixteen patients (27.1%) had a complete stone dissolution, 41 patients (69.5%) had more than 50% decrease of stone burden while only 2 patients (3.4%) had stones with poor dissolution. Four patients (6.8%) experienced UTI while 2 patients (3.4%) had visible JJ encrustations. Most of these complications occurred when the treatment was offered for the 2nd month. CONCLUSION: Short-term use of ureteral stents is safe during the management of uric acid stones with K citrate.

Ciprofloxacin infusion versus third generation cephalosporin as a surgical prophylaxis for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered a clean-contaminated surgical procedure. The American Urological Association has recommended different preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis for various urological procedures to prevent surgical site infections, postoperative fever, and possible sepsis. The European Association of Urology (EAU) antibiotic guidelines endorse giving either a second or third-generation cephalosporin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolone or aminopenicillin with a ß-lactamase inhibitor. The aim of the present study is to prospectively compare two different protocols of antibiotic prophylaxis in PCNL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Successfully consented patients with sterile urine preoperatively who were awaiting percutaneous nephrolithotomy were randomized into two groups. The first group (n = 41) was given a single dose of 200 mg ciprofloxacin infusion, while group two (n = 43) was given 2 mg of cefotaxime divided into 2 doses; during induction of anesthesia and 12 hours later. The occurrence of perioperative infection-related events would be compared in both groups. RESULTS: Both groups had similar age, sex, Body Mass Index, and stone composition. No statistical difference was found regarding stone size, stone culture, irrigation fluid volume, operative time and urine pelvis culture result in both groups (Table 2). Two patients (5%) developed postoperative fever in the 1st group compared to 12 patients (28%) in the second group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A prophylactic regimen consisting of a single dose ciprofloxacin infusion during induction of surgery showed a higher efficacy as a preoperative antibacterial preparation, compared to cefotaxime, in protection against postoperative fever in patients undergoing PCNL.

Influence of postnatal hydroureter in determining the need for voiding cystourethrogram in children with high-grade hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of hydroureter (HU) to identify high-grade vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in patients with high-grade postnatal hydronephrosis (PH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients' charts that had antenatal hydronephrosis from 2008 to 2014. Patients were excluded if they presented with febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI), neurogenic bladder, posterior urethral valve, multi-cystic dysplastic kidney, and multiple congenital malformations. We reviewed postnatal ultrasonography images and patients with Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) Grades 3 and 4 hydronephrosis with a renal pelvic antero-posterior diameter of ≥10 mm were included. The ureter was assessed and considered dilated if the ureteric diameter was  ≥4 mm. The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) studies, fUTI incidence, and surgical reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 654 patients reviewed, we included 148 patients (164 renal units) of whom 113 (76.4%) were male and 35 (23.6%) female. SFU Grade 3 PH was identified in 49% of the renal units, with the remaining 51% being SFU Grade 4. HU was found in 50/164 renal units and was not detected in the remaining 114 units. VUR was diagnosed in four units (3.5%) without HU (low-grade VUR); whilst it was detected in 19 units (38%) with HU (72.7% were high-grade VUR) (P < 0.001). VUR was diagnosed on the contralateral side in four/105 patients with PH without HU and diagnosed in 10/43 patients with PH with HU (P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 25.9 months, none of the renal units that had VUR without HU developed UTI or had surgeries. CONCLUSION: Low-grade uncomplicated VUR was diagnosed in 3.5% of renal units without HU. Our results support limiting the use of VCUG to renal units with PH if associated with HU.

Mature Cystitic Teratoma of the Bladder Masquerading as a Distal Ureteral Stone.

A 27-year woman presented with irritative lower urinary tract symptoms and alleged small right distal ureteric stone that had been diagnosed with KUB and non-contrast spiral CT. Patient was scheduled for ureteroscopic lithotripsy, revealing absence of the presumed stone, while cystoscopy showed unexpected 2 cm pedunculated grayish white lesion, situated on the right lateral wall of the bladder with sparse hairs covering it. An incomplete TURBT was done; the histological findings correlated with the gross picture seen on cystoscopy. Following CT urography, the patient went an open partial cystectomy and right oophorectomy; the histopathology was consistent with mature bladder teratoma.

Management of equivocal (early) Fournier's gangrene.

BACKGROUND: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is an acute progressive necrotizing fasciitis of the genital area and perineum with possible extension to the abdominal wall. Surgical debridement is the gold standard management modality of established patients. Equivocal (early) FG represents a challenge in diagnosis. The objective of this study was to compare conservative management and early exploration in cases of equivocal (early) FG. METHODS: This was an observational study where data of all patients diagnosed as early FG in our departments over 4 years (2011-2015) were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 with conservative treatment, and group 2 managed with urgent exploration with longitudinal hemiscrotal incision starting from external inguinal ring. All patients' demographics, vital signs, laboratory finding and clinical findings were reported. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were enrolled in the study. Group 1 was managed with conservative treatment (17 patients) and group 2 underwent urgent exploration (11 patients). Overall, four patients (23.5%) out of 17 patients of group 1 showed a good response to conservative management without any surgical debridement. A total of 13 patients (76.5%) developed gangrenous discoloration and needed surgical debridement later. In group 2, four patients (36.4%) underwent scrotal exploration and release incision only without debridement and showed an excellent clinical outcome. A total of four patients (36.4%) underwent debridement with excision of doubtful deep subcutaneous and fascial tissues. The remaining three patients (27.2%) underwent debridement of necrotic fascia. The hospital stay was significantly shorter in group 2 patients than group 1 (7.5 ± 3.75 versus 13.4 ± 5.19 days p < 0.05). The mean number of debridement sessions was 3.74 ± 0.69 in group 1 versus 1.82 ± 0.34 in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Early exploration and debridement in equivocal (early) FG has a better clinical outcome with reduced hospital stay and number of debridement sessions than conservative treatment with delayed debridement.

Evaluation of Urinary Tract Dilation Classification System for Grading Postnatal Hydronephrosis.

PURPOSE: We assessed the reliability and validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system as a new grading system for postnatal hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients who presented with hydronephrosis from 2008 to 2013. We included patients diagnosed prenatally and those with hydronephrosis discovered incidentally during the first year of life. We excluded cases involving urinary tract infection, neurogenic bladder and chromosomal anomalies, those associated with extraurinary congenital malformations and those with followup of less than 24 months without resolution. Hydronephrosis was graded postnatally using the Society for Fetal Urology system, and then the management protocol was chosen. All units were regraded using the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system and compared to the Society for Fetal Urology system to assess reliability. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system in predicting hydronephrosis resolution and surgical intervention. RESULTS: A total of 490 patients (730 renal units) were eligible to participate. The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system was reliable in the assessment of hydronephrosis (parallel forms 0.92). Hydronephrosis resolved in 357 units (49%), and 86 units (12%) were managed by surgical intervention. The remainder of renal units demonstrated stable or improved hydronephrosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the likelihood of surgical intervention was predicted independently by Urinary Tract Dilation classification system risk group, while Society for Fetal Urology grades were predictive of likelihood of resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system is reliable for evaluation of postnatal hydronephrosis and is valid in predicting surgical intervention.