Thulium:YAG Versus Holmium:YAG Laser Effect on Upper Urinary Tract Soft Tissue: Evidence from an Ex Vivo Experimental Study.

Introduction: There are limited data regarding the effect of thulium laser (Tm:YAG) and holmium laser (Ho:YAG) on upper urinary tract. The aim of this study was to compare soft tissue effects of these two lasers at various settings, with a focus on incision depth (ID) and coagulation area (CA). Materials and Methods: An ex vivo experimental study was performed in a porcine model. The kidneys were dissected to expose the upper urinary tract and the block samples containing urothelium and renal parenchyma were prepared. The laser fiber, fixed on a robotic arm, perpendicular to the target tissue was used with a 100 W Ho:YAG and a 200 W Tm:YAG. Incisions were made with the laser tip in contact with the urothelium and in continuous movement at a constant speed of 2 mm/s over a length of 1.5 cm. Total energy varied from 5 to 30 W. Incision shape was classified as follows: saccular, triangular, tubular, and irregular. ID, vaporization area (VA), CA, and total laser area (TLA = VA + CA) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS V23 package, p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 216 experiments were performed. Incision shapes were saccular (46%), triangular (38%), and irregular (16%) with the Ho:YAG, while they were tubular (89%) and irregular (11%) with the Tm:YAG. ID was significantly deeper with the Ho:YAG (p = 0.024), while CA and TLA were larger with the Tm:YAG (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005). Conclusion: ID was deeper with Ho:YAG, whereas CA and TLA were larger with the Tm:YAG. Considering surgical principles for endoscopic ablation of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, these results suggest that Tm:YAG may have a lower risk profile (less depth of incision) while also being more efficient at tissue destruction. Future in vivo studies are necessary to corroborate these findings.

Semirigid Ureteroscopy: Step by Step.

This article aims to demonstrate a step-by-step technique of semirigid ureteroscopy (URS) for the treatment of ureteral stones, urothelial tumors, and ureteral stenosis. Operating room setup, camera settings, access to the bladder, and negotiation of the ureteral orifice, lasertripsy, basketing of the stone fragments, endoscopic treatment of ureteral tumors and ureteral stenosis, flexible URS at the end of semirigid URS, and Double-J stent placement are described step by step.

Prostate Mapping for Cancer Diagnosis: The Madrid Protocol. Transperineal Prostate Biopsies Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fusion and Micro-Ultrasound Guided Biopsies.

PURPOSE: We assessed the prostate cancer detection accuracy of transperineal prostate biopsy using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy and micro-ultrasound during the same procedure. Micro-ultrasound is a new high-resolution imaging system that allows real-time targeted biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 194 consecutive patients underwent transperineal prostate biopsies using real-time targeted micro-ultrasound (ExactVu™) and ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy (BiopSee®) in the same procedure, from February 2018 to September 2019. Biopsies were performed using a transperineal needle guide attached to the 29 MHz high-resolution micro-ultrasound transducer. RESULTS: The overall positive rate was 56% (108) for prostate cancer and 42% (81) for clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason Grade Group greater than 1), and adding micro-ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging detected significantly more clinically significant prostate cancer than systematic biopsy (p <0.001). Micro-ultrasound found 12 of 108 (11%) prostate cancers that were missed by all other techniques and 11 (92%) were clinically significant prostate cancer. PI-RADS® and PRI-MUS™ (Prostate Risk Identification Using Micro-Ultrasound) were strong predictors of clinically significant prostate cancer in a logistic regression model (AUC 0.76). For prostate specific antigen greater than 4 ng/ml, PI-RADS greater than 3, there was an improvement in detection rate between PRI-MUS 4 and PRI-MUS 5 (52% Gleason Grade Group greater than 1 to 92% Gleason Grade Group greater than 1). No fever or clinical infection was observed and 17 (8.7%) patients presented with minor complications (Clavien Dindo I). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study using a transperineal approach for micro-ultrasound guided biopsy and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging fusion biopsy. The results show a high accuracy for prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer diagnosis, without infectious complications. The proposed method should be validated in large randomized clinical trials.

Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy: tips and tricks.

This paper aims to give an exhaustive overview of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) illustrating some tips and tricks in order to optimize its execution in full safety. Critical review of Pros and cons of supine PCNL is accomplished to allow the urologist to experience the beauty of this position while being ready to overcome its minimal shortcomings.

Impact of Three-dimensional Printing in Urology: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. A Systematic Review by ESUT-YAUWP Group.

CONTEXT: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has profoundly impacted biomedicine. It has been used to pattern cells; replicate tissues or full organs; create surgical replicas for planning, counseling, and training; and build medical device prototypes and prosthetics, and in numerous other applications. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of 3D printing for surgical planning, training and education, patient counseling, and costs in urology. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After screening, 4026 publications were identified for detailed review, of which 52 were included in the present systematic review: two papers reported the use of 3D-printing modeling for adrenal cancer, two papers for urethrovesical anastomosis, 24 papers for kidney transplantation and renal cancer, 13 papers for prostate cancer, seven papers for pelvicalyceal system procedures, and three papers for ureteral stents, and three papers reported 3D-printed biological scaffold development. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional printing shows revolutionary potentials for patient counseling, pre- and intraoperative surgical planning, and education in urology. Together with the "patient-tailored" presurgical planning, it puts the basis for 3D-bioprinting technology. Although costs and "production times" remain the major concerns, this kind of technology may represent a step forward to meet patients' and surgeons' expectations. PATIENT SUMMARY: Three-dimensional printing has been used for several purposes to help the surgeon better understand anatomy, sharpen his/her skills, and guide the identification of lesions and their relationship with surrounding structures. It can be used for surgical planning, education, and patient counseling to improve the decision-making process.

Italian endourological panorama: results from a national survey.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this survey was to explore the dissemination of flexible ureteroscopy (fURS), shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the Italian urological community and to know the real availability of the complex endourological armamentarium all over the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire characterizing the case volume/year of upper urinary tract stone treatment and the availability of flexible ureteroscopes (FUs) armamentarium was sent to all urological Italian centers. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 294 urological centers and 146 responded (49.7%). The case volume/year of fURS was the following: <20 cases in 20 centers (13.7%); 20-50 cases in 40 centers (27.4%), >50- <100 cases in 55 centers (37.8%) and >100 cases in 28 centers (19.2%). The case volume/year of SWL was the following: <50 cases in 18 centers (12.3%); >50- <200 cases in 56 centers (36.4%) and >200 cases in 35 centers (24%). In 37 centers (25.3%) SWL was not utilized at all. The case volume/year of PCNL was the following: <10 cases in 20 centers (14%); >10 - <30 cases in 55 centers (30%), >30- < 50 cases in 33 centers(23%), >50- <100 cases in 13 centers (9%) and >100 procedures in 2 centers (1%). However, 24 centers (16%) did not perform any PCNL procedure.Four centers (3%) did not have any FU at the moment of the survey. The availability of FUs was as follows: 1 FU in 21 (14%) centers, 2 FUs in 61 (42%) centers, 3 FUs in 29 (20%) centers, 4 FUs in 13 (9%) centers and ≥5 FUs in 16 (9%) centers. Only 82 (56%) centers had all of their FUs in working condition. CONCLUSIONS: This survey succeeded in providing a complete overview on the Italian endourological panorama.