Comparison of percutaneous nephrolithotomy under spinal versus general anesthesia: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of spinal anesthesia compared with general anesthesia in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score <3 were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was performed using an injection of 0.25 mg/kg bupivacaine 0.5% in the intrathecal space; no opium (fentanyl) agent was used. All procedures were performed with the patient in the prone position. Stone access was made by using fluoroscopic guidance, and the tract was dilated using a single-stage technique. All patients received a solution including 1 mg/kg morphine in every 100 mL physiologic saline through the volumetric pump during the 3-hour post-PCNL period in the recovery room. Afterward, morphine (0.05 mg/kg) was injected only according to the verbal rating scale greater than 3 after discharge from the recovery room until 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The two groups were matched by mean age, distribution of stone location, and stone burden. Mean operative time, hospital stay, stone-free rate and mean hemoglobin drop were comparable between the two groups. The rate of complications according to the Clavien grading system was nearly similar in both groups. Mean analgesic requirement during 24 hours after PCNL was 6.8 mg in the spinal group and 13.2 mg in the general group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: It seems that using spinal anesthesia by intrathecal injection of local anesthetic solutions vs general anesthesia has comparable surgical outcomes and reduces the requirement for analgesia after PCNL in the early postoperative period.

Adjustable male sling: our experiences with placement of adjustable male sling, including a case of exstrophy-epispadias: initial report.

PURPOSE: To present our experience of using an adjustable male sling, Argus® (Promedone SA; Cordoba, Argentina), in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and report its success, extension of indications, and management of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated Argus implantation results in 17 patients, including 15 post prostatectomy incontinence, one exstrophy-epispadias, and one neurogenic bladder patient. Of 17 patients, 12 had severe (more than 5 pads daily) and 5 had moderate SUI (2 to 5 pads daily). Seven patients had history of previous surgeries. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively with urodynamic study and cystoscopy. RESULTS: After median follow-up of 11.8 months (range, 3 to 22 months), 9 patients were continent, 7 had mild SUI (1 pad daily), and one had the device removed due to perineal and bladder symptoms. Argus adjustment was done in 10 out of 17 patients; 8 tightening and 2 loosening. In a totally incontinent exstrophy-epispadias patient with a history of multiple bladder surgeries, continence was achieved after device readjustment. In a patient with neurogenic bladder with a history of cystoplasty, severe SUI changed into a moderate sporadic SUI. In 2 patients, prosthesis infection occurred, which was managed with antibiotics without the need for Argus explantation. CONCLUSION: Argus is a simple and good device to control incontinence in men. It may also be used in exstrophy-epispadias patient who is not a candidate for urinary sphincter implantation. Infection complication may be managed conservatively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful Argus implantation in exstrophy-epispadias patient.

Laparoscopic management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction by division of the aberrant vein and cephalad relocation of the crossing artery: a long-term follow-up of 42 cases.

OBJECTIVE: It was intended to demonstrate the update report of our experience with laparoscopic management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction by division of the aberrant vein and cephalad relocation of the crossing artery in a large group of patients with long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-nine patients were candidate to undergo laparoscopic transperitoneal ureteropelvic junction obstruction management from June 2001 to March 2009. Intraoperatively, lower pole crossing vessels were identified in 117 patients (35.5%). After division of the aberrant vein, the crossing artery was relocated cephalad and fixed to peripelvic tissue. Renal pelvic emptying with proper pyeloureteral peristalsis was considered in 71 patients, so neither pyeloplasty nor Double-J stent was fixed for them. Postoperative outcomes were assessed with intravenous urography and/or diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid-diuretic renal scan. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients who underwent this laparoscopic approach, 42 were completely followed over a long-term period. The mean age of patients was 27 (7-69) years. The mean operative duration was 133 (55-185) minutes and blood loss was negligible. The mean hospital stay was 2.8 (1-7) days and mean follow-up was 29 (3-84) months. Overall success rate was 90% and recurrence of obstruction was noted in two patients. No significant complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Cephalad relocation of the lower pole crossing artery after division of the crossing vein in selected cases could be an ideal alternative for dismembered pyeloplasty with noticeable outcomes in long-term follow-up.

Laparoscopic management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in pediatric patients: a new approach to crossing vessels, crossing vein division, and upward transposition of the crossing artery.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the role of the laparoscopic approach for management of primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) using two different techniques in the pediatric age group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April 2005 to October 2008, 63 pediatric patients underwent treatment of primary UPJO via a laparoscopic approach. Dismembered pyeloplasty was elected in 56 renal units while nine patients were managed by upward transposition of accessory renal artery after division of accessory renal vein. No JJ stent was required in these nine patients. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 61 (2-180) months. Mean operative time was significantly lower in those managed by transposition of aberrant vessels compared with dismembered pyeloplasty. The mean hospital stay was 6.4 (2-14) days for the dismembered technique and 2.1 (1-4) days for the vascular transposition approach. Significant improvement of obstruction was achieved in all of the patients who underwent the modified Hellstrom technique and in 92.81% of the renal units undergoing dismembered pyeloplasty. CONCLUSION: The technique of laparoscopic transposition of crossing renal artery without violating collecting system may have a role in minimally invasive management of UPJO in selected pediatric patients. Further research with larger samples and a longer follow-up period is required.