Pulsed versus continuous mode fluoroscopy during PCNL: safety and effectiveness comparison in a case series study.

To compare the total fluoroscopy time (FT) based on the fluoroscopy mode used-continuous vs. pulsed-in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The study cohort evaluated 111 patients who underwent PCNL by a single surgeon. Standard (continuous) fluoroscopy of 30 frames per second (fps) was used in the first 56 cases (SF group), while the next 55 consecutive cases were performed under pulsed fluoroscopy of two fps (PF group). The presence of surgeon's previous experience decreased the possible impact of the learning curve on the outcome. In both groups, using ultrasound in combination to fluoroscopy performed the renal access. The stone complexity was determined using Guy's stone score (GSS). Complications were evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification. Median FT was significantly lower in PF group (76.8 s) compared to SF group (155.4 s) (p < 0.001). Stone-free rate was related to the Guy's stone score (GSS) classification reaching 100 % in GSS 1 cases in both groups. In GSS 2 cases the stone free rate was 87.5 % in SF group, while in PF group it was 92.3 %. Stone free rate in GSS 3 cases was 73.3 and 85.7 % in SF and PF groups, respectively. In cases of GSS 4 stone free rate was 52 % in SF group and 55.6 % in PF group, respectively. Presence of residual fragments and complications were comparable in both groups. Following ultrasound-guided puncture during PCNL, the use of pulsed fluoroscopy leads to significantly lower radiation exposure comparing to the use of continuous fluoroscopy. This advantage does not compromise the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Urothelial carcinoma: Recurrence and risk factors.

Urothelial carcinomas are malignant tumors that arise from the urothelial epithelium and may involve the lower and upper urinary tract. They are characterized by multiple, multifocal recurrences throughout the genitourinary tract. Bladder tumors account for 90-95% of urothelial carcinomas and are the most common malignancies of the urinary tract. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) are relatively rare, accounting for 5% of urothelial tumors. The incidence of subsequent bladder cancer after surgical treatment for UTUC is approximately 15-50%. In contrast, patients with a primary tumor of the bladder have a low risk (2-6%) the development of UTUC. Identification of prognostic factors and early detection of recurrent disease provide a better strategy for postoperative monitoring, surveillance, and potentially improve patient outcomes. In this review study we discuss the main risk factors for UTUC recurrence after radical cystectomy, and risk factors for intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy.

Pre-emptive tramadol could reduce pain after ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

PURPOSE: Optimal analgesia in ambulatory urology patients still remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to examine if the pre-emptive use of intravenous tramadol can reduce pain after ureteroscopic lithotripsy in patients diagnosed with unilateral ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective pilot cohort study included 74 patients diagnosed with unilateral ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy under general anesthesia in the Urology Clinic at the Clinical Center of Serbia from March to June 2012. All patients were randomly allocated to two groups: one group (38 patients) received intravenous infusion of tramadol 100 mg in 500 mL 0.9%NaCl one hour before the procedure, while the other group (36 patients) received 500 mL 0.9%NaCl at the same time. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded once prior to surgery and two times after the surgery (1 h and 6 h, respectively). The patients were prescribed additional postoperative analgesia (diclofenac 75 mg i.m.) when required. Pre-emptive effects of tramadol were assessed measuring pain scores, VAS1 and VAS2, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, and postoperative analgesic requirement. RESULTS: The average VAS1 score in the tramadol group was significantly lower than that in the non-tramadol group. The difference in average VAS2 score values between the two groups was not statistically significant; however, there were more patients who experienced severe pain in the non-tramadol group (p<0.01). The number of patients that required postoperative analgesia was not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive tramadol did reduce early postoperative pain. The patients who received pre-emptive tramadol were less likely to experience severe post-operative pain.

The impact of tumor size on outcomes in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between tumor size and clinicopathologic factors and outcomes of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in patients treated surgically for UTUC. METHODS: A single-center series of 235 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for UTUC between January 1999 and December 2011 was evaluated. Patients with a history of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder, those who received neoadjuvant therapies, and those with previous contralateral UTUC were excluded. Bladder-only recurrence, any recurrence, and cancer-specific mortality after surgery were analyzed. Recurrence-free probabilities and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Tumor size was significantly associated with age of the patient (P = 0.001), tumor location (P < 0.0001), tumor multifocality (P = 0.005), higher tumor stage (P < 0.0001), higher tumor grade (P = 0.038), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.002), and mode of operation (P = 0.001). Tumor size was not associated with bladder-only recurrence (HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.46-1.80; P = 0.79). The Kaplan-Meier method showed that tumor size >3 cm was significantly associated with worse CSS (P = 0.006, log rank). The 5-year CSS for patients with tumor size ≤ 3 cm was 70.1% and for patients with tumor size >3 cm was 56.1%. Tumor size was not associated with cancer-specific survival in multivariable analysis (HR 1.53; 95% CI 0.89-2.61; P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size >3 cm was associated with a lower 5-year CSS at Kaplan-Meier analysis, but was not an independent predictor of CSS, bladder-only recurrence, and any recurrence-free survival at multivariable analysis.

Complications associated with percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PCNL)--our experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: PCNL is safe procedure which is well tolerated, but as with any other surgical procedure, it is associated with a specific set of complications. There is a marked heterogeneity in reporting complication rates in literature, and this problem was highlighted in Ad Hoc EAU guidelines panel who recommended urgent creation of uniform and reproducible quality system. Modified Dindo-Clavien grading system today is the most utilized classification for complications in urology, and standard in reporting complications for PCNL. AIM(S): To analyze the complication rate for PCNL using the modified Dindo-Clavien grading system in our patients and literature review. METHODS: In our institution, with few breaks, PCNL was performed since mid 2010. Complication rate in 63 patients was analyzed retrospectively. Modified Dindo-Clavien grading system that is validated for PCNL has been accepted for classification of complication for PCNL, and literature review was performed. We have summarized the most significant factors which may affect the complication rate during and after PCNL. RESULTS: Overall complication rate was 30% in our study population. The most common complications observed were: postoperative fever Grade 1-2 (9.52%) and bleeding Grade l (7.9%), Grade 2 (3.17%), Grade 3a (4.76%) and Grade 3b (1.58%). Nephrostomy tube leakage was not found in our sample, mostly due to specific postoperative utilizing of auxiliary procedures. CONCLUSION: Reporting of complication for PCNL should be uniform, and modified Dindo-Clavien grading system that is validated for PCNL should be accepted to be a standard in urology. Surgeons training and experience are the most important to ensure the efficacy of procedure, therefore we suggest that learning of percutaneous renal access should be mandatory in residents trainee program.

Epidural anesthesia can block the negative effects of prostaglandin mediators during prostate surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation plays a key role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an important inflammation factor found in enlarged prostatic tissue that can be the main cause of inflammatory pain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether epidural anesthesia can block the negative effects of prostaglandin mediators during prostate surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 60 patients who underwent open prostatectomy. All patients were randomly allocated to one of two study groups. The first group received general anesthesia and the second group a combination of general and epidural anesthesia. Main outcome measures were plasma concentration of PGE2, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine, before induction of anesthesia and at the time of enucleation. RESULTS: Preoperative serum concentrations of PGE2 were high in both groups. During enucleation, serum concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine increased, followed by a rise of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the group of patients that received only general anesthesia. Serum concentration of PGE2 was at the same level as before induction of anesthesia in both groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia blocks transmission of painful stimulus through the spinal cord caused by prostaglandin release and prevents the rise of catecholamines and blood pressure. Open prostatectomy can become a safer procedure performed under a combination of general and epidural anesthesia. Negative intraoperative effects of inflammatory prostate mediators during other techniques for prostate surgery could also be blocked with epidural anesthesia.

The correlation of biochemical and morphologic parameters in the assessment of sperm maturity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between biochemical markers and morphologic sperm characteristics, including head, neck, and tail changes. METHODS: The study evaluated 154 patients who went to the Andrology Laboratory of the Clinic of Urology, Clinical Center of Serbia. Patients were divided into 4 groups: normozoospermic, oligozoospermic, severe oligozoospermic, and asthenozoospermic, according to the sperm concentration and motility. RESULTS: The differences in creatine kinase (CK) and CK-M levels between normozoospermic and the 2 groups of oligozoospermic patients were significantly different (P <.01). The CK and CK-M levels correlated negatively with sperm concentration and sperm motility, but correlated positively with the pathologic sperm form. Patients with CK values >0.093 have a total number of pathologic forms higher than 0.40 (87.5% sensitivity, 77.3% specificity, the area under the curve was 0.832, P <.001). Patients with CK values <0.09 U/L have normal spermatogenesis and pathologic disorder of the head <15%, neck <12%, and tail <10%. CONCLUSION: The relation between sperm morphology and biochemical markers included in the maturation process is established during the sperm genesis process. If the results of these markers are used together with the morphology of the spermatozoa in the interpretation of infertility, it would lead us to better insight of the fertility potential of the each patient.

Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: location is not correlated with prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the impact of tumour location on the disease recurrence and survival of patients who were treated surgically for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT-TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-centre series of 189 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for UUT-TCC between January 1999 and December 2009 was evaluated. Patients who had previously undergone radical cystectomy, preoperative chemotherapy or contralateral UUT-TCC were excluded. In all, 133 patients were available for evaluation. Tumour location was categorized as renal pelvis or ureter based on the location of the dominant tumour. Recurrence-free probabilities and cancer-specific survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The 5-year recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival estimates for the cohort in the present study were 66% and 62%, respectively. The 5-year bladder-only recurrence-free probability was 76%. Using multivariate analysis, only pT classification (hazard ratio, HR, 2.46; P = 0.04) and demographic characteristics (HR, 2.86 for areas of Balkan endemic nephropathy, vs non-Balkan endemic nephropathy areas; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-5.98; P = 0.005) were associated with disease recurrence. Tumour location was not associated with disease recurrence in any of the analyses. There was no difference in cancer-specific survival between renal pelvis and ureteral tumours (P = 0.476). Using multivariate analysis, pT classification (HR, 8.04; P = 0.001) and lymph node status (HR, 4.73; P = 0.01) were the only independent predictors associated with a worse cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Tumour location is unable to predict outcomes in a single-centre series of consecutive patients who were treated with radical nephroureterectomy for UUT-TCC.

Bladder cancer after managing upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: risk factors and survival.

OBJECTIVE: To identify independent risk factors for the development of bladder cancer after surgical management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT-TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2008, 154 patients were treated surgically for UUT-TCC at the Clinic of Urology, Clinical Center of Serbia. Patients with a previous history of bladder cancer and patients with concomitant bladder cancer were excluded from the study. In all, 92 patients were then available for evaluation. The median follow-up after surgery was 39.5 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the logistic regression model were performed. The intravesical disease-free rate and survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to determine statistical differences. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In this study, 21.7% patients treated for UUT-TCC developed subsequent bladder tumors. Tumor multifocality was the only independent predictor associated with the development of subsequent bladder cancer (P = 0.028, RR = 3.52). Intravesical recurrence-free survival rates for these 92 patients at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years were 85.8, 80, 79.3, and 78.3%, respectively. Patients with tumors extending to multiple sites were significantly more likely to present subsequent intravesical recurrence (P = 0.006). The development of bladder cancer had no significant effect on the survival of patients who underwent surgical treatment of UUT-TCC, compared to patients without bladder cancer development (P = 0.660). Neither did the type of surgery mode affect patient survival (P = 0.245). This study is limited by biases associated with its retrospective design. CONCLUSION: The multiplicity of the UUT-TCC is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of bladder cancer.

[Influence of lithotripsy modalities on complication rate].

INTRODUCTION: Localization of ureteric stones and difference in disintegration success are the most important factors in determining the first treatment approach for ureteric stones. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the difference in complication rate between different ureteric stone litho-tripsy modalities. METHODS: Two hundred sixty patients with ureteric stones were analyzed in a prospective bicentric study that lasted 1 year.The patients were divided into two groups: 1-120 patients who underwent ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) treatment and II-140 patients who were treated endoscopically with ballistic lithotripsy. RESULTS Ureteroscopic lithotripsy of all pelvic and iliac stones was significantly more successful comparing to ESWL, while lumbar ureteric stone treatment with ureteroscopic lithotripsy was not significantly more successful than ESWL, except for lumbar stones larger than 100mm2 that were significantly better treated endoscopically. In the I group complications after lithotripsy were recorded in 64 (59.3%) and in the II group in 58 (42.0%) patients, meaning that complications were statistically significantly more frequent in the I than in the II group. In the II group complications were significantly more often recorded after treatment of proximal comparing to ureteric stones of other localizations, while in the I group complica-tions were significantly more often detected after treatment of impacted stones than in the II group. CONCLUSION: Being significantly successful comparing to ESWL, ureteric stone treatment with ureteroscopic lithotripsy should be considered as the first therapeutic option for all, especially impacted stones located in the iliac and pelvic ureteric portion. In spite of absent statistical difference in the success rate, ESWL should be chosen as the first treatment option in all cases of lumbar ureteric stones due to lower complication rate except for stones larger than 100mm2that should be primarily treated endoscopically.

Do stone size and impaction influence therapeutic approach to proximal ureteral stones?

BACKGROUND/AIM: Primary therapeutic approach to lumbar ureteral stones is still contraversial. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of stone impaction and size on the effectiveness of proximal ureteral stone lithotripsy. METHODS: A total of 123 patients with proximal ureteral stones were investigated in this prospective study performed in a 10-month period. The patients were divided into the group I--86 patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and the group II--37 patients treated with "Swiss" Lithoclast. In the group I, 49 stones (57%) were classified as impacted, while 20 stones (23.3%) were larger than 100 mm2. In the group II, 26 stones (70.3%) were impacted, and 11 stones (29.7%) were larger than 100 mm2. Stones were defined as impacted by the radiographic, echosonographic as well as endoscopic findings in the group II of patients. Stone size was presented in mm2. Chemical composition of stones were almost the same in both groups of the patients. RESULTS: Generally, there was no statistically significant difference in the treatment success between the groups. However, stones larger than 100 mm2 were statistically more successfully treated endoscopically, while there was no statistical difference in the treatment success of impacted stones between these two groups. CONCLUSION: ESWL can by considered as primary first therapeutic approach in treatment of all proximal ureteral stones except for stones larger than 100 mm2 that should primarily be treated endoscopically.

[The influence of lithotripsy methods on the incidence of auxilary procedures after ureteric stone desintegration].

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Localization of ureteric stones and the difference in disintegration success are the most important but not the only factors in choosing the first treatment approach to ureteric stones. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of auxiliary procedures after different ureteric stones lithotripsy modalities. METHODS: In a prospective bicentric study 260 patients with ureteric stones were analyzed. The patients weve divided into two groups: group I--120 patients subjected to extracorporeal shock ware lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment and group II--140 patients treated endoscopicly with ballistic lithotripsy using "Swiss" Lithoclast. RESULTS: Endoscopic treatment of all distal ureteric stones was significantly more successful than ESWL, but not significantly more successful than ESWL regarding proximal ureteric stones except for stones larger than 100 mm2 that were significantly better treated with endoscopic method. There was no general significant difference in auxiliary procedures rate after lithotripsy between the two groups. In the group I auxiliary procedures were significantly more performed than in the group II after the lithotripsy of stones larger than 100 mm2, calcium-oxalat-monohydrate stones and highly significantly more performed after the treatment of stones located in the iliac ureteric portion and impacted stones. After the lithotripsy of lumbar ureteric stones and multiple stones situated in different ureteric portions additional procedures were highly significantly more necessary in the goup II than in the group I. CONCLUSION: Being significantly more successful comparing to ESWL, ureteric stone treatment with "Swiss" Lithoclast should be considered the first therapeutic option for all, especially impacted stones located in iliac and pelvic ureter. In spite of a statistically significant difference in success rate, ESWL should be performed as the first treatment option in all cases of lumbar stones as well as multiple stones located in different ureteric portion because of lower auxiliary procedures rate except for stones larger than 100 mm2 that should be primarily treated endoscopicly.

Contribution to the definition of diagnostic criteria for Balkan endemic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic criteria for Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) have not been precisely established. In the present study the predictive value of variables previously proposed as diagnostic criteria for BEN was examined. METHODS: The study involved 182 patients: 98 patients with BEN, 57 patients with other kidney diseases (20 with glomerulonephritis, 17 with tubulointerstitial diseases and 20 with hypertensive nephrosclerosis) and 27 healthy subjects. The BEN group comprised patients who fulfilled criteria for BEN and suspected BEN, together with patients with proteinuria and at least two tubular abnormalities or one tubular abnormality and a history of urothelial tumour. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and ultrasound variables of examined groups were combined in univariate/multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 28 analysed variables only urine alpha1-microglobulin (MG) and kidney length were selected as significant predictors in differentiating BEN from other kidney diseases and healthy controls. Using ROC curves the cutoff values of these variables and proteinuria and kidney volume, variables collinear with them, were found. Moderate sensitivity and specificity characterized all these cutoff values except for proteinuria, which provided high sensitivity and specificity in combination of BEN and healthy persons. The predictive value of different combinations of selected variables was not significantly different from the predictive value of each variable individually. CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria, urine alpha1-MG, kidney length and volume were selected as significant predictors of BEN. Variables related to kidney failure as well as several tubular disorders (urine specific gravity, FENa and TRP) had an insignificant predictive value and could not be used for differential diagnosis of BEN.