Retrograde intrarenal surgery versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy for treatment of renal pelvic stone more than 2 centimeters: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in treatment of renal pelvic stone larger than 2 cm against the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Between March 2018 and December 2020, 121 patients were randomized to undergo PCNL (60 patients), or RIRS (61 patients). Both groups were compared in terms of operative time, intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications were assessed based on Clavien-Dindo grading system. Stone-free rates were evaluated by CT scan 6 weeks after surgery. No significant difference were observed between both groups in perioperative criteria. The main operative time was slightly longer in PCNL group (105 vs 95 min, p = 0.49). Stone clearance was higher in PCNL, yet the difference was not significant. (53 patients in PCNL group had either complete clearance or residual fragments < 4 mm, compared to 49 in RIRS group (p = 0.22). Blood transfusion rate was 8.3% in PCNL compared to 1.6% in RIRS group, with a trend towards significance (p = 0.08). Post-operative fever was higher in RIRS, yet it fell just short of statistical significance (13.1% vs 5.0%, p = 0.12). Compared to PCNL, RIRS displayed acceptable efficacy with less risk of bleeding requiring transfusion. It can be applied to patients with large renal pelvic stone as an alternative to PCNL.

The role of neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 9 in predicting bacillus Calmette-Guerin response in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To report the sensitivity and specificity of neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 9 (NEDD9) protein high expression in predicting BCG response and its effect on recurrence or progression free survivals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2014 and April 2017, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 105 patients with intermediate or high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Immunohistochemical staining with mouse monoclonal anti-NEDD9 antibody was done. Examination of the slides was done to detect NEDD9 cytoplasmic expression. Intravesical induction bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation therapy was started for all patients 2 to 4 weeks after endoscopy with once weekly instillation for 6 weeks. Intravesical maintenance BCG instillation was then continued every 3 months for at least 1 year. Follow up with cystoscopy every 3 months for 2 years and every 6 months after that. RESULTS: The mean age ± SD of the patients was 57 ± 4.5 years. The median follow-up period was 25 (12-36) months. NEDD9 protein was highly expressed in 61 (58.1%) patients, whereas low expression was in 44 (41.9%) patients. Sensitivity and specificity of NEDD9 high expression in predicting recurrence were 83.6% and 64.2%, respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity in predicting progression to muscle invasion or distant metastases were 91.3% and 51.2%, respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity in predicting complete response to BCG therapy were 84.1% and 80.9%. Kaplan-Meier test showed highly significant difference (P<0.0001) in survival without recurrence or progression between patients showing high expression and those showing low expression. CONCLUSION: NEDD9 protein tissue marker could be used as a predictive marker for BCG response in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer with reasonable sensitivity and specificity.