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Introduction and Objectives: We sought to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the superpulse thulium fiber laser (sTFL to the holmium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet [Ho:YAG] laser for ureteroscopic "dusting" of implanted renal stones in an in vivo porcine model. Methods: Twenty-four porcine kidneys (12 juvenile female Yorkshire pigs) were randomized to Ho:YAG or sTFL treatment groups. Canine calcium oxalate stones were scanned with computed tomography to calculate stone volume and stone density; the stones were randomized and implanted into each renal pelvis via an open pyelotomy. In all trials, a 14F, 35 cm ureteral access sheath was placed. With a 9.9F dual lumen flexible ureteroscope, laser lithotripsy was performed using dusting settings: Ho:YAG 200 μm laser fiber at 16 W (0.4 J, 40 Hz) or sTFL 200 μm laser fiber at 16 W (0.2 J, 80 Hz). Lithotripsy continued until no fragments over 1 mm were observed. No stone basketing was performed. Throughout the procedures, intrarenal and renal pelvis temperatures were measured using two percutaneously positioned K-type thermocouples, one in the upper pole calyx and one in the renal pelvis. After the lithotripsy, the ureteropelvic junction was occluded, the kidneys were bivalved, and all residual fragments were collected, dried, weighed, and then measured with an optical laser particle sizer. Results: Implanted stones were similar in volume and density in both groups. Intraoperative collecting system temperatures were similar for both groups (all <44°C). Compared to Ho:YAG, sTFL ablated stones faster (9 vs 27 minutes, p < 0.001) with less energy expenditure (8 vs 26 kJ, p < 0.001), and a greater stone clearance rate (73% vs 45%, p = 0.001). After sTFL lithotripsy, 77% of the remaining fragments were ≤1 mm vs 17% of fragments ≤1 mm after Ho:YAG treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In an in vivo porcine kidney, using dusting settings, sTFL lithotripsy resulted in shorter ablation times, higher stone clearance rates, and markedly smaller stone fragments than Ho:YAG lithotripsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, potential risk factors and management of delayed post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) bleeding. Material and methods. Records of 2512 patients who had undergone PCNL from April 2008 to April 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. The prevalence of delayed post-PCNL hemorrhage and correlation of different variables such as age, body mass index, stone location and burden, surgical approach, type and number of access ports, type of drainage, comorbidities and previous history of stone surgery with postoperative bleeding were assessed. The efficacy of conservative management and need for angioembolization were analyzed. Results. In total, 2304 patients [1562 men (67.8%) and 742 women (32.2%)], with a mean age of 46.4 ± 13.6 years (range 17--86 years), were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of delayed hemorrhage was 2.6% (61 patients) and the mean time to the onset of hemorrhage after PCNL was 5.8 days (range 3--11 days). Of 61 patients presenting with delayed hemorrhage, only 16 patients received a blood transfusion. Eight patients underwent angiography because of uncontrolled bleeding and only three underwent embolization. No significant association was found between other variables and post-PCNL hemorrhage, except for type of drainage, in that tubeless surgery increased the rate of postoperative bleeding. Conclusion. Delayed hemorrhage is an uncommon complication following PCNL that can be successfully managed with conservative management; only a few patients will require angiography and then embolization. Tubeless PCNL significantly predicted the occurrence of severe postoperative bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) represents a challenging step of open radical prostatectomy (ORP) because of limitation of space in the depth of male pelvis, lack of control on knots during tightening which subse-quently causes inadequate coupling of VUA or breakdown of knots, and also extremely difficult reapplication of sutures. To facilitate this step of ORP, we have developed a simple and reproducible technique and reported our 8-year experience.Materials and Methods: We used two extra-long DeBakey tissue forceps to approximate the bladder neck to the urethral stump. We found it more beneficial than Babcock clamp especially in obese patients with excess fatty tissue in the pelvic area. In this technique, the surgeon's assistant creates more space for the surgeon's hand by sweeping the fatty tissue away from the anastomotic area and then pushes the reconstructed bladder neck down while the sutures are being tied.Results: We analyzed data from 200 patients with prostatic cancer who underwent open radical prostatectomy performed from 2009 to 2017. There were only 2 sutures disrupted during knot tying. In two cases (1%), drain output was more than 30 mL/day on postoperative day 2 and drainage was left in place for a longer duration. With the help of medications, time voiding and dedicated pelvic floor exercise whenever needed,.the goal of full urinary continence (0- 1 pad/day) was achieved in 85%, 94% and 98% of patients immediately after catheter removal, 3 months and 6 months after surgery, respectively. Eight patients (4%) developed urethral stricture.Conclusion: The surgical technique has been shown to be an independent predictor of urinary continence. We introduce a new simple modification of vesicourethral anastomosis during RP. Using this technique; in addition to reducing anastomotic disruption rate and increasing knot tying control, postoperative urinary continence after ORP may also be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present the safety and surgical outcomes of the initial series of mini-laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy and graft outcomes in related recipients. Materials and Methods: From January 2012 through July 2012, fifty patients underwent minilaparoscopic live donor nephrectomy. Two 3.5 mm trocars were inserted above and lateral to the umbilicus for grasping and scissoring. One 5 mm trocar with a camera was inserted in the umbilicus and an 11 mm trocar was inserted through fascia from a 6-8 cm Pfannenstiel incision for bipolar coagulation, kidney extraction, and vascular clip applier. Results: Mean age of donors was 28 ± 4.2 (range, 21-39) years. Mean operative time from trocar insertion was 145.8 (range, 85-210) minutes. No major perioperative or postoperative complications occurred. The average decrease in hemoglobin level was 1.14 (range, 0.32-1.8) mg/dL and no one required blood transfusion. Mean warm ischemia time was 4.41 (range, 2.35- 9) minutes. Mean hospital stay was 2.2 (range, 2-5) days. Mean follow-up time of the recipients was 215 (range, 130-270) days. The mean serum creatinine level of the recipients at discharge time and the last follow-up visit was 1.38 mg/dL and 1.22 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusions: While the primary purpose of this technique is to make donor nephrectomy less invasive and more cosmetic, it is also comfortable for the laparoscopist surgeons because it is nearly similar to standard laparoscopy. A randomized controlled trial with a large sample size, long-term follow-up, and comparison with standard laparoscopy are necessary to present more definitive data about this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our goal was to present our experience with ultrasound guided supine or prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy in three pregnant women under spinal anesthesia.Materials and Methods: Three pregnant women in the 16th, 20th and 28th weeks of pregnancy presented with symptomatic large renal stone in the first patient and multiple renal stones in the second and third patients which were unresponsive to conventional medical therapy. They requested a definitive stone treatment. The operations were done in November 2012, June 2014 and February 2015. Data was gathered prospectively. All steps of gaining access to the pyelocalyceal system including needle insertion, tract dilation, and Amplatz sheath placement were performed under ultrasonography guidance. Tract was dilated with a single shot technique. The first two procedures were performed in supine position and the third procedure was performed in lateral flank position.Results: Two patients were stone-free postoperatively and one patient had only an asymptomatic 4 mm residual stone. They were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day and had an uneventful postoperative course. No fever, bleeding or renal colic was noticed during postoperative hospitalization. All patients delivered their fetuses at term without any abnormality reported by the examining pediatric specialist after their birth.Conclusion: Ultrasonography can be used as an imaging modality guiding all steps of obtaining percutaneous access in pregnant women. Supine or flank ultrasound guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy can be offered to pregnant women in whom conservative measures fail to the patients' wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare safety, efficacy and cosmetic outcome between standard laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (sLDN) and mini-laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (mLDN) in a randomized clinical trial.Materials and Methods: From March 2012 to June 2013, 100 consecutive kidney donors were randomly assigned to two equal groups for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. mLDN: Six to eight centimeters Pfannenstiel incision was made slightly above pubis symphysis and 11 millimeters trocar was fixed through exposed fascia using open technique. Five mm port was placed under direct vision at the umbilicus for camera insertion and two 3.5 mm ports were placed in subxiphoid and paraumbilical area. sLDN: Ten mm port was placed at umbilicus using open access technique for camera insertion. Five mm trocar for grasping and 11 mm trocar for vascular clipping were placed at subxiphoid and paraumbilical areas under direct vision, respectively. The second 5 mm trocar was placed in suprapubic area. Cosmetic appearance was assessed three months after surgery by using the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ).Results: Demographic data of the patients was not significantly different between two groups. Total operative time and ischemic time was nearly similar in both groups (104 ± 21 vs. 114 ± 24 min; P = .327 and 4.03 vs. 4.07 min; P = .592). There were no cases of conversion to open surgery. Mean hospital stay was similar between the two groups [2.1 (2-5) vs. 2.4 (2-5) days; P = .346]. Kidney graft function assessed by serum creatinine val­ues (mg/dL) of recipients, was equivalent in both groups (1.58 vs. 1.86: P = .206). Mean appearance score (34 vs. 29) and consciousness score (22 vs. 18) in PSAQ showed significantly better results in the mLDN group.Conclusion: Our experience in this study revealed that peri- and post-operative findings were comparable between sLDN and mLDN, but mLDN has significant better cosmetic appearance than standard laparoscopic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A randomized clinical trial was designed to compare the efficacy, success rate and surgical complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LP). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with renal pelvic stones larger than 2 cm were randomly divided into two groups of LP and PCNL. All patients were followed up to three months after surgery using renal diethylenetriaminepentaaceticacid (DTPA) scan and determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results: Mean operation time (149 ± 31 vs. 107 ± 26 min) and mean hospital stay (3.4 vs. 2.16 days) were significantly higher in LP, but mean hemoglobin drop (0.85 vs. 1.88 g/dL) and the rate of blood transfusion were significantly lower. Stone free rate was 90% and 86.6% for LP and PCNL, respectively (P =.59), while the changes in GFR were not statistically significant 3 days after surgery between two groups. Those in LP group showed better improvement in GFR at three months postoperatively. Improvement of the affected split kidney function was significantly higher in LP group (P =.04). No major complications were observed in both groups according to Clavien grading system. Conclusion: PCNL remains the gold standard treatment for most large kidney stones, nevertheless, laparoscopic pyelolithotomy can be considered for selected cases especially in whom maximal preservation of renal function is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Laparoscopy is the gold standard approach for management of some adrenal masses in adult cases. Still there have not been many findings in case of children. We present our experience with clipless laparoscopic adrenalectomy in pediatric cases for the first time. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to January 2011, thirteen laparoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in patients 5-18 years old. The first port (10 mm) was inserted using open approach above the umbilicus and three 5 mm trocars were inserted under direct vision. On the left side, the colon was mobilized medially, then the renal vein exposed. Adrenal vein was coagulated using bipolar cautery after separating from renal vein. No endoscopic clips were used. Results: Eight girls and five boys with the mean age of 14.4 years old (ranging from 5 to 18 years old) underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The mean operative time was 151 ± 47 (80- 240) minutes. The mean size of adrenal lesions in greatest diameter was 6.9 ± 2.4 cm (3.5 to 10). The mean hospital stay was 3.7 days (2-5) and average follow-up time was 21 months (6-27). Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children and young adults is effective and safe if the cases are selected appropriately. Clipless laparoscopic approach by an expert surgeon has acceptable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advocates of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) consider several theoretical advantages for this procedure. Despite the potential advantages of the supine PCNL, the majority of urologists have remained reluctant to perform this technique. This reluctance may be related to successful outcomes of prone PCNL and technical difficulties associated with supine PCNL. Feasibility of supine PCNL has been shown in different series and the current evidence, although limited and not fully organized, implies the application of this technique for patients with simple stones who are at high anesthesiological risk. However, there is no convincing evidence to support performing supine PCNL in morbidly obese patients and those with complex and multiple stones. Further randomized clinical trials of large sample size and high methodological quality are required to recommend extensive application of supine PCNL as an alternative to prone PCNL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To share the experience of the authors with the urological family in the world by the review of literature on supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: We have searched all the available databases, including PubMed or MEDLINE and Embase Biomedical Database to find any English articles related to supine PCNL from 1998 to 2010. Of 17 studies, 11 were case series and 6 were comparative. Results: A total of 1914 patients were studied. Only the results of mean operation time were significant. Supine PCNL offers several advantages, including less operation time, less patient handling, needing only one drape, easier access to the urethra and upper calyces, facilitation of drainage of stone fragment with the Amplatz sheath, less anterior kidney displacement due to lying the kidney in its normal anatomical position, less risk of the colon injury, more tolerable for the patients with pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, and better for morbid obese patients. The overlap density of the vertebrae in the semi-supine position can be avoided. Furthermore, the fluoroscopy tube is far from the puncture site; thus, the space is open for the surgeon to work and the surgeon can perform the procedure in a more comfortable seated position. Conclusion: The study showed that PCNL in the supine position is feasible. Although supine PCNL has numerous advantages, it is not routine in many surgical centers throughout the world. The practice of supine PCNL will be popular when the academic centers be encouraged to start it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present the safety and surgical outcomes of the initial series of mini-laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy and graft outcomes in related recipients., Materials and Methods: From January 2012 through July 2012, fifty patients underwent minilaparoscopic live donor nephrectomy. Two 3.5 mm trocars were inserted above and lateral to the umbilicus for grasping and scissoring. One 5 mm trocar with a camera was inserted in the umbilicus and an 11 mm trocar was inserted through fascia from a 6-8 cm Pfannenstiel incision for bipolar coagulation, kidney extraction, and vascular clip applier., Results: Mean age of donors was 28 ± 4.2 (range, 21-39) years. Mean operative time from trocar insertion was 145.8 (range, 85-210) minutes. No major perioperative or postoperative complications occurred. The average decrease in hemoglobin level was 1.14 (range, 0.32-1.8) mg/dL and no one required blood transfusion. Mean warm ischemia time was 4.41 (range, 2.35- 9) minutes. Mean hospital stay was 2.2 (range, 2-5) days. Mean follow-up time of the recipients was 215 (range, 130-270) days. The mean serum creatinine level of the recipients at discharge time and the last follow-up visit was 1.38 mg/dL and 1.22 mg/dL, respectively., Conclusions: While the primary purpose of this technique is to make donor nephrectomy less invasive and more cosmetic, it is also comfortable for the laparoscopist surgeons because it is nearly similar to standard laparoscopy. A randomized controlled trial with a large sample size, long-term follow-up, and comparison with standard laparoscopy are necessary to present more definitive data about this technique.