Comparison of endoscopic versus CT assessment of stone-free status after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

This study is aimed to determine whether postoperative low dose computed tomography (LDCT) imaging is necessary after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or the surgeon's intraoperative assessment of residual fragments (RF) is sufficient and avoidance of postoperative imaging with reduction of radiation exposure can be achieved. Data of all 610 patients who underwent PCNL in prone position in our institution from February 2009 to September 2020 was collected. Parameters such as age, gender, BMI, ASA-Classification, stone related parameters and the surgeon's assessment of stone-free status were analyzed. The LDCT performed postoperatively was compared to the intraoperative assessment of the surgeon regarding RF. The mean age of patients was 52.82 years; the mean BMI was 28.18 kg/m2. In 418 cases, the surgeon made a clear statement about the presence of RF and postoperative LDCT was carried out. The discrepancy between the two methods (surgeon´s assessment vs. LDCT) was significant at p < 0.0001. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the surgeon when assessing RF were 24.05%, 99.45%, 98.28% and 50%. Stone free rate (SFR) after primary PCNL was 45.57%. The overall SFR at discharge was 96.23%. Although the surgeon´s assessment of RF was reliable, postoperative LDCT imaging should still be performed if endoscopic stone clearance is suspected due to the high false negative rate and the low negative predictive value. The optimal timing of postoperative imaging following PCNL remains unclear.

[Results of preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing in the coronavirus pandemic]. / Ergebnisse der präoperativen SARS-CoV-2-Testung ("severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2") in der Coronaviruspandemie.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is challenging during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the preoperative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in elective and emergency surgery and to calculate the patient contacts during hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All surgeries defined by the German procedural classification (starting with a 5) from 1 June until 29 November 2020 were retrospectively evaluated regarding the preoperative SARS-CoV­2 nasopharyngeal swab test. The results were then divided in emergency and elective surgeries. To show the personal contacts of the patients in a university hospital, we calculated the patient pathway within the department of urology and urosurgery for April 2020. Therefor we used the electronic patient records. RESULTS: Altogether 7745 surgical procedures in 5985 patients were performed, whereby 39 (0.5%) SARS-CoV­2 tests were positive. 2833 (37%) surgical procedures were emergency cases and 4912 (63%) were elective procedures. 25 (0.9%) of the emergency group and 14 (0.3%) of the elective surgeries had a positive SARS-CoV­2 test. The average number of contacts in the patient room was 12.83 (0-50) and 84.22 (0-249) at the ward level, not counting contacts with the clinic staff. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1% of the preoperative SARS-CoV­2 tests of either emergency or elective surgeries tested positive in the 6 months prior to November 2020. Although the risk of undetected SARS-CoV­2 infection appears to be low in terms of costs and personnel, preoperative screening is useful in high-risk areas to ensure further necessary surgeries, especially concerning cancer patients and to prevent virus spread in a hospital.

[COVID-19 in european urology : Which lessons have we learned?] / COVID-19 in der europäischen Urologie : Was haben wir bisher gelernt?

The coronavirus has challenged all medical systems worldwide. Herein both waves of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in spring and autumn 2020 differ principally. Whereas Europe was hit by the first wave more or less unprepared, which was aggravated by the high virulence of COVID-19, the second wave is characterized by a much higher contagiosity of the virus with very high incidences. On the other hand the virus has attenuated, which is reflected by the significantly lower incidence-related mortality rate. However, the overall increasing number of infected patients represents again a great challenge for the medical management of the disease. France and Spain are doing better in comparison to Germany and Italy this time. The absolute number of deaths per week is higher than during the peak of the first wave. However, urologists in these countries have also experienced greater restrictions in their activities in the second shutdown than in Germany, where there is only a reduction of beds to between 75 and 90%. Mostly all levels are operated. Of importance for Germany, however, is the plateau on a high level for several weeks probably due to the reduced efficacy of a light lock-down. This finally resulted in a total lock-down in mid-December 2020. Subsequently in Germany some hospitals are also reaching their limits with similar consequences for the departments of urology facing a 50% reduction of beds and operating only level III and IV indications. Nevertheless, the management of urologic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic is carried out in Europa on a high standard. Therefor the risk of secondary harm to our patients is expected to be rather minimal in the long run.

[Navigation systems for the percutaneous access to the kidney]. / Navigierter perkutaner Zugang zur Niere.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous access to the renal pelvis still remains the most difficult step before nephrolitholapaxy (PCNL). New imaging techniques, such as 3D imaging and various navigation instruments such as electromagnetic, sonographic, CT-controlled and marker-based/iPAD try to simplify this step and reduce complications. OBJECTIVES: In this review, various new techniques for puncturing the renal collecting system are presented and their advantages and disadvantages are evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was carried out in MEDLINE, whereby only puncture techniques that have already been evaluated in clinical studies were included. RESULTS: Five different navigation methods for puncturing the renal pelvis before PCNL were found. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative navigation can be useful when puncturing the collecting system. The combination of ultrasound and fluoroscopy currently remains the gold standard. However, there is still a need for further, primarily clinical, prospective studies to determine which new imaging technology and navigation systems will prevail and thus facilitate the access route to the kidney, especially in the case of special anatomical conditions.

Radical cystectomy under continuous antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study was to analyse the perioperative outcome of patients undergoing radical cystectomy under continuous antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using prospectively maintained databases of two departments of urology, we identified 461 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer (2011-2017). Patients were divided into three groups: 1) on-going antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (n = 50), 2) discontinuing antiplatelet therapy (n = 65) and 3) no antiplatelet therapy (n = 346). Perioperative outcome was compared between the three groups using ANOVA, likelihood ratio or Kruskal Wallis test with post-hoc testing. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictor for perioperative complications and transfusion. RESULTS: Group 1 showed an average estimated blood loss of 732 ±â€¯424, group 2 752 ±â€¯488 and group 3 810 ±â€¯544 ml (p = 0.51). There was no significant difference in transfusion rate (44% in group 1, 45% and 39% in groups 2 and 3, p = 0.63). Severe complications occurred in 26%, 15% and 15% in groups 1-3 (p = 0.19). Ischemic complications were more often observed in group 1 (n = 4, 8%) and 2 (n = 5, 8%) than group 3 (n = 7, 2%), p = 0.02. 90-day readmission (n = 99, 22%) and mortality rate (n = 10, 2.2%) were low and did not show any significant differences between the groups. In uni- and multivariate analysis ongoing therapy with acetylsalicylic acid was no independent risk factor for transfusion or severe complications. CONCLUSION: Perioperative continuation of therapy with acetylsalicylic acid in radical cystectomy is safe with no difference in intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate, complications or mortality.

[Robots in urology-an analysis of current and future devices]. / Der Roboter in der Urologie ­ eine Analyse aktueller und zukünftiger Gerätegenerationen.

The monopoly of robotic surgical devices of the last 15 years will end in 2019 when key patents of Intuitive Surgical expire. Thus, we can expect an interesting competitive situation in the coming years. Based on personal experience with robot-assisted surgery since 2001, we conducted a search of the current literature together with a search of relevant patents in this field. Finally, we visited the websites of manufacturers of existing and future robotic surgical devices with possible applications in urology. Such devices have to prove that they meet the high-quality standard of the current Da Vinci series (SI, X, XI). For this purpose, we propose to classify the main features of the different devices, such as type of console (closed/open), arrangement of robotic arms (single/multiple carts/attached to operating room table), type of three-dimensional videosystem (by mirror/ocular/using polarizing glasses) or degrees of freedom (DOF) of end effectors (5 vs. 7 DOF). In the meantime, there are also robotic systems used in endourology: Avicenna Roboflex® and the AquaBeam® system for robot-assisted aquablation therapy of the prostate. While Roboflex® improves the ergonomics of flexible ureteroscopy-similar to the Da Vinci robot, AquaBeam® may for the first time eliminate the surgeon, who might only be needed to manage severe postoperative bleeding.