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Daniele Castellani,1 Silvia Stramucci,1 Bhavatej Enganti,2 Jenni Lane,3 Santosh Kumar,4 Yiloren Tanidir,5 Alba Farré,6 Boyke Soebhali,7 Vigen Malkhasyan,8 Nariman Gadzhiev,9 Marek Adam Zawadzki,10 Pankaj Nandkishore Maheshwari,11 Khi Yung Fong,12 Giacomo Maria Pirola,13 Angelo Naselli,13 Apurva Anand,14 Shreyas K Bhadranavar,14 Bhaskar K Somani,3 Andrea Benedetto Galosi,1 Vineet Gauhar15 1Urology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; 2Department of Urology, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Hyderabad, India; 3Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK; 4Department Urology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; 5Unit of Urology, Marmara University, Pendik Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul; 6Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; 7Department of Urology, Abdul Wahab Sjahranie Hospital Medical Faculty, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, Indonesia; 8Department of Urology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation; 9Department of Urology, Saint-Petersburg State University Hospital, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation; 10Urology Unit, St. Anna Hospital, Piaseczno, Poland; 11Department of Urology, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, India; 12Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; 13Urology Unit, San Giuseppe Hospital, Multimedica Group, Milan, Italy; 14Urology Unit, Kulkarni Reconstructive Urology Center, Pune, India; 15Department of Urology, Ng Teng Fong Hospital, NUHS, Singapore, SingaporeCorrespondence: Daniele Castellani, Urology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy, Tel +39715963571, Fax +39715963367, Email castellanidaniele@gmail.comPurpose: To assess management and outcomes of bladder neck stenosis (BNS) post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in 12 centers.Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent transurethral BN incision for stenosis following TURP from January 2015 and January 2023 was performed. Inclusion criteria included endoscopic diagnosis of BNS associated with obstruction and/or lower urinary tract symptoms. Data are presented as median and interquartile range. Two distinct univariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overall urinary incontinence and recurrent stenosis.Results: Three hundred and seventy-two men were included. 95.2% of patients developed BNS following bipolar TURP. 21.0% of patients were on an indwelling catheter before BNS incision. Bipolar electrocautery was the most commonly employed energy for incision (66.5%). Collings knife was the most commonly employed (61.2%) instrument for incision, followed by end-firing holmium lasering (35.3%). Median operation time was 30 (25– 45) minutes. The overall complication rate was 12.4%, with 19 (5.1%) patients suffering from acute urinary retention, 6 (1.6%) patients requiring prolonged irrigation due to persistent hematuria, and a surgical hemostasis was necessary in 8 cases (2.2%). Overall postoperative incontinence rate was 17.2%, with urge incontinence accounting for the most common type (45.3%). Incontinence lasted more than 3 months in 9/46 (14.3%) patients. Recurrent BNS occurred in 29 (7.8%) patients and was managed by re-endoscopic incision in 21 (5.6%) patients and dilatation only in 6 (1.6%) patients. Two (0.5%) patients underwent urethroplasty for recalcitrant stenosis. Logistic regression analysis showed that Collings knife was associated with higher odds of having postoperative incontinence (OR 3.93 95% CI 1.45– 11.13, p=0.008) and BN recurrence (OR 3.589 95% CI 1.157– 15.7, p=0.047).Conclusion: Transurethral BN incision provides satisfactory short-term results with an acceptable rate of complications.Keywords: bladder neck stenosis, transurethral resection of the prostate, postoperative complications, urinary incontinence

Thomas Hughes,1 Lazaros Tzelves,2 Bhaskar K Somani3 1Department of Urology, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK; 2Department of Urology, Sismanogleio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 3Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UKCorrespondence: Bhaskar K Somani, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK, Tel +44-2381206873, Email bhaskarsomani@yahoo.comAbstract: Cystinuria is a rare genetic condition that is responsible for cystine stones. Besides stone recurrence, patients with cystine stones have reduced health-related quality of life, increased rates of chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Although lifestyle measures, medical therapy and close follow up are essential to reduce and monitor cystine stone recurrences, surgical intervention is frequently needed for most cystinuria patients. Shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and active surveillance all have a role, and technological advances in endourology are vital in achieving a stone-free status and to prevent recurrences. The complexity of managing cystine stones necessitates a multidisciplinary team discussion, patient involvement and an individualised approach in a specialist centre for optimum management. Thulium fibre laser and virtual reality may have an increasing role in the future of cystine stone management.Keywords: kidney calculi, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, laser, cystine, recurrence

Lazaros Tzelves,1 Robert Michael Geraghty,2 Thomas Hughes,3 Patrick Juliebø-Jones,4 Bhaskar K Somani5 1Department of Urology, Sismanogleio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; 2Department of Urology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK; 3Department of Urology, Warwick Hospital, Warwick, UK; 4Department of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; 5Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UKCorrespondence: Bhaskar K Somani, Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, 19 Tremona Road, Southampton, SO535DS, UK, Tel +44-2381206873, Email bhaskarsomani@yahoo.comAbstract: Urolithiasis is a common clinical condition, and surgical treatment is performed with different minimally invasive procedures, such as ureteroscopy, shockwave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Although the transition from open surgery to endourological procedures to treat this condition has been a paradigm shift, ongoing technological advancements have permitted further improvement of clinical outcomes with the development of modern equipment. Such innovations in kidney stone removal are new lasers, modern ureteroscopes, development of applications and training systems utilizing three-dimensional models, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, implementation of robotic systems, sheaths connected to vacuum devices and new types of lithotripters. Innovations in kidney stone removal have led to an exciting new era of endourological options for patients and clinicians alike.Keywords: kidney calculi, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, laser, artificial intelligence

Patrick Rice,1 Bhaskar K Somani1,2 1Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK; 2Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, IndiaCorrespondence: Bhaskar K SomaniUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UKTel +44 2381206873Email bhaskarsomani@yahoo.comAbstract: Laser technology is widely used in urological surgery, from lithotripsy, prostate surgery to en-bloc resection of tumours. While Holmium:YAG has been widely employed over the last two decades, in recent years, there has been a surge of interest in Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL), which offers theoretical advantages of better water absorption and lower stone ablation thresholds. A systematic review was conducted to assess the evidence from clinical research on TFL’s application for lithotripsy and prostate surgery. It identified 357 articles and 8 (1506 patients) were selected, of which 4 clinical studies each investigated TFL enucleation of prostate (ThuFLEP) and TFL lithotripsy. For flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURSL), stone ablation settings ranged from 0.1– 4 J, and 7– 300 Hz, mean operative time ranged from 23.4– 39.8 minutes and lasing time ranged from 1.2– 10 minutes. For stone dusting in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), settings of 0.2 J and 125– 200 Hz were found to be optimal. For ThuFLEP, all studies showed a significant improvement in IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score), urinary flow rate (Qmax), quality of life measures, and post-void residual volume, with mean operative time ranging from 67– 104.5 minutes. Our review shows that there is limited evidence on the use and clinical outcomes of TFL. ThuFLEP might suggest equivalence to the widely used HoLEP in the available evidence so far. TFL lithotripsy shows promising results but further prospective, randomized trials are required to properly assess its usability, clinical effectiveness and standardisation of the settings for successful adoption of the technology.Keywords: ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, kidney calculi, BPH, TFL, thulium fiber laser

Patrick Jones,1,2 Giampaolo Siena,3 BM Zeeshan Hameed,2,4 Bhaskar K Somani2,5 1Department of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; 2EAU Young Academic Urology Urolithiasis and Endourology Working Party, Arnhem, Netherlands; 3Department of Urology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; 4Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India; 5Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UKCorrespondence: Patrick JonesDepartment of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayTel/Fax +447950050667Email patrick.jones1@nhs.netAbstract: Benign prostate disease is a disease of prevalence and over 25% of men affected by bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as a result of it will require surgical intervention during their lifetime. While transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has served as the cornerstone treatment for many years, there now exist a multitude of minimally invasive alternatives including the Rezum system. The latter is a novel form of transurethral water vapour therapy, which is attracting increasing attention. It utilizes convective water vapour energy (WAVE) and thereby radiofrequency (RF) in order to generate heat energy. Early studies have demonstrated promising results. To date there have been 12 studies published on Rezum, however only one randomized trial. This review offers an overview and evaluation of this emerging evidence.Keywords: Rezum, BPH, prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, minimally invasive surgery

Purpose: The aim of this study was to critically appraise the efficacy and complications of Therapeutic Transarterial Embolisation (TAE) in various benign and malignant renal conditions.Material and Methods: The records of all patients who underwent renal embolisation procedures, at a single institution, between March 1992 and March 2004, were reviewed. The patients were identified from hospital records via the procedure coding system and the radiology department procedures book and were analysed retrospectively. Twenty-nine patients were analysed, looking at indications, clinical outcome, complications and long-term results.Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent 35 embolisation procedures during this period. Fourteen patients with benign diseases underwent 17 embolisation procedures for haematuria or intractable pain. In the haematuria group, selective embolisation was used to treat bleeding post percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) (n=4), angiomyolipoma (n=2), arteriovenous (AV) malformation (n=l1), renal artery aneurysm (n=1) and renal trauma (n=2). In the renal pain group (n=3), non-selective embolisation was done. Two of these patients had recurrence of pain despite repeat embolisation and subsequently underwent nephrectomy. Fifteen patients with advanced renal malignancy, who were deemed unfit for surgery, underwent 18 embolisation procedures for symptomatic haematuria. Twelve of the 15 patients had successful outcomes with cessation of haematuria. Three patients required repeat embolisation procedures for continuing haematuria with success. There were no major embolisation-related complications. Minor complications were self-limiting and settled with conservative management.Conclusion: Renal artery embolisation is effective in managing haematuria in benign and malignant renal conditions where indicated, with minor and easily treatable adverse effects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The cost of imaging and interventions in the surgical field varies between countries and sometimes within different regions of the same country. Procedural cost takes into account equipment, consumables, operating room, surgical, anesthetic and nursing teams, radiology, medications, and hospital stay. Health care systems therefore face an incredible burden related to investigations and surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to collect costs of imaging and interventions for kidney calculi across different hospitals and health care systems in the world. Methods: An online shared Google spreadsheet was created by the European Association of Urology Young Academic Urology urolithiasis group. The survey consisted of the cost of four radiological imaging (ultrasound of the urinary tract [USS], plain X-ray radiography of the abdomen including kidneys, ureter, and bladder [XRKUB], noncontrast-enhanced computerized tomography [CTKUB], and contrast-enhanced CT with urographic phase [CTU]) and seven interventions (endoscopic laser treatment of renal stones, ureteroscopic treatment or extraction of ureteral stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), insertion of ureteral stent, diagnostic ureteroscopy, and cystolitholapaxy). A chosen representative from each country collected and collated the data, and this was converted to Euros (€). Key Findings and Limitations: Data were collected from 32 countries, which include Turkey, Armenia, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Chile, Qatar, Peru, Israel, Singapore, Thailand, Colombia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Asia, North America, 15 countries from the European continent, and the United States. The mean cost of USS, XRKUB, CTKUB, and CTU was 51.3 € (range: 2-160 €), 27.1 € (range: 2.5-187 €), 105.8 € (range: 19-405 €), and 171.5 € (range: 19-674 €), respectively. Similarly, the cost of endoscopic laser treatment of renal stones, ureteroscopic treatment/extraction of ureteral stones, PCNL, insertion of ureteral stent, diagnostic ureteroscopy, and cystolitholapaxy was 1942.6 € (range: 100-7887 €), 1626.8 € (range: 80-9787 €), 2884.6 € (range: 110-12642 €), 631 € (range: 110-2787 €), 861.6 € (range: 3-2667 €), and 876 € (range: 19-3457 €), respectively. Wide differences in cost between countries were found within the study. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: This study highlights the significant economic impact of kidney stone management on health care systems worldwide. There seem to be significant disparities between costs, and this study shows the social and economic inequalities in health care access, which can differ significantly between private and public health care. These results can aid policymakers to address these disparities and perhaps to learn from other health care providers.

Background: Pediatric urolithiasis, while less common than in adults, is increasing in incidence. However, current guidelines on the optimal management of this condition vary. Technological advances have led to improvements in the quality and size of ureteroscopes, thus enabling their use in children. Despite this, there remains some hesitancy about using ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the pediatric population, particularly in cases of large stones ⩾10 mm., Objectives: In this study, our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation (URSL) for managing pediatric patients with a cumulative stone burden of ⩾10 mm in our tertiary referral center., Methods: A dataset was collected of pediatric renal tract stone patients treated at a single tertiary urological center between June 2010 and May 2024 (15 years). Pediatric patients undergoing URSL procedures for a minimum cumulative stone burden ⩾10 mm were included. A retrospective analysis of the dataset was conducted. The primary outcomes measured were stone-free rates (SFR), complications classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, and hospital length of stay., Results: A total of 61 pediatric patients with a mean age of 10 years (range: 2.3-16) underwent 83 URSL procedures in a tertiary endourology pediatric center over a 15-year period (2010-2024). The median initial stone burden was 17 mm (IQR: 12.5-24 mm), acquired from preoperative ultrasonography (USS). Results showed a first-pass SFR of 63.9% and a cumulative SFR of 93.4% (on USS) following one or multiple URSL procedures (1.4 procedures/patient). Immediate postoperative complications were minimal, with 6% experiencing complications classified as Clavien-Dindo I or II. The average hospital length of stay was 1.4 days., Conclusion: The findings in this study support that URSL is effective in treating pediatric urolithiasis, even for larger stone burdens. Further research is needed to standardize guidelines and optimize management strategies in this population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), 2025.)

Purpose of Review: This narrative review provides an overview of the use, differences, and clinical impact of current methods for kidney stone volume assessment., Recent Findings: The different approaches to volume measurement are based on noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT). While volume measurement using formulas is sufficient for smaller stones, it tends to overestimate volume for larger or irregularly shaped calculi. In contrast, software-based segmentation significantly improves accuracy and reproducibility, and artificial intelligence based volumetry additionally shows excellent agreement with reference standards while reducing observer variability and measurement time. Moreover, specific CT preparation protocols may further enhance image quality and thus improve measurement accuracy. Clinically, stone volume has proven to be a superior predictor of stone-related events during follow-up, spontaneous stone passage under conservative management, and stone-free rates after shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) compared to linear measurements., Summary: Although manual measurement remains practical, its accuracy diminishes for complex or larger stones. Software-based segmentation and volumetry offer higher precision and efficiency but require established standards and broader access to dedicated software for routine clinical use., (Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The direct in-scope suction (DISS) involves a two-way adaptor mounted on a scope to aspirate and irrigate the pelvicalyceal system during flexible ureteroscopy. While integrated suction single-use scopes manage small dust particles effectively, they cannot remove particles >250 µm and are limited by single use., Objectives: To evaluate perioperative outcomes of the GLITZ system, a lightweight suction accessory for flexible ureteroscopes, facilitating laser lithotripsy with integrated aspiration., Design: Prospective, multicenter study., Methods: The GLITZ system, a 100 g trigger mounted on the ureteroscope handle, integrates with an irrigation and aspiration apparatus featuring a flow-regulating sensor. A finger-trigger activates suction, stopping irrigation until released, enhancing visibility and safety by automatically stopping irrigation if blockages occur. The study involved 29 patients (November 2023-April 2024). Procedures were performed using a disposable 7.5 Fr ureteroscope, ureteral access sheath, and thulium fiber or 100 W holmium:YAG laser. Surgeons evaluated ease of use and performance. Stone-free status was evaluated at a 30-day CT scan and classified as follows: Grade A: zero RF; Grade B: single RF not up 2 mm; Grade C: single RF 2.1-4 mm; and Grade D: single/multiple RFs > 4 mm. Data are reported as median and (interquartile range)., Results: A total of 31.1% of patients were female. The median age was 54 years. Pain was the most common complaint, and 41.8% had multiple stones. GLITZ system showed satisfactory performance in 93.1% of cases, with complete dust aspiration achieved in 62.1%. Device dislodgement occurred in 24.1% of cases. Median operative time was 40 min, achieving postoperative CT at 30 days confirmed Grade A stone-free status in 75.9%. Fever was the most common complication (10.3%), with no sepsis case., Conclusion: The GLITZ system in DISS shows effectiveness with a 96.6% stone-free rate (Grade A + B) at 30 days, indicating strong potential for flexible ureteroscopy, though additional studies are needed to optimize flow rates and usability., Competing Interests: Vineet Gauhar is an educational consultant for Biorad Medisys but he did not receive any financial grant or payment for this. Ravindra Sabnis and Vineet Gauhar had 5 free trigger systems of the GLITZ system from Biorad Medisys for this study. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© The Author(s), 2025.)

Purpose of Review: Experimental evidence suggests that intrarenal temperatures (IRTs) and pressures (IRPs) during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with laser lithotripsy are clinically significant. Suction devices aim to facilitate RIRS and improve procedure outcomes. We present an overview of new clinical studies regarding IRT, IRP, and suction developments., Recent Findings: High laser power, low irrigation, and restricted working space were directly correlated with increased IRTs. Increased irrigation flow rate and ureteral access sheath (UAS) maintained well tolerated IRTs. Baseline IRPs ranged from 16 to 17 mmHg. Intraoperative IRP monitoring maintained values below 22 mmHg. Hand-assisted pumps often increase IRPs above the safety threshold. Prolonged IRP increments were correlated to postoperative infections. Suction devices decreased operative time to less than 60 min and improved stone-free rates (SFRs) at 1 day to more than 80 and at 30 days to more than 90%., Summary: Despite the limited clinical evidence, IRTs during RIRS correlate directly with laser power and reversely correlate with irrigation flow rate and UAS use. Intraoperative IRP monitoring prevents hazardous increments. Manual pump irrigation causes extremely high IRPs. There is a possible relation between prolonged IRP increments and infectious complication development. Using suction UAS or flexible and navigable sheaths (FANS) improves operative times and SFRs, while more studies regarding direct in-scope suction (DISS) efficiency and safety are needed., (Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a preferred treatment for renal stones, yet challenges such as kidney movement due to respiration hinder surgical precision and outcomes. The introduction of flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths (FANS) and novel techniques like gated respiration aim to improve stone-free rates (SFR) and reduce complications. This study evaluates the impact of gated respiration on perioperative outcomes in RIRS with FANS., Methods: A prospective multicenter study enrolled 562 adult patients undergoing RIRS with FANS under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: non-gated respiration (Group 1) and gated respiration (Group 2). Stone-free status (SFS) was assessed at 30 days using NCCT scans. SFS was defined as follows: grade A, zero fragments; grade B, a single fragment ≤ 2 mm; grade C, a single fragment 2.1-4 mm; and grade D, single/multiple fragments > 4 mm. Procedural efficiency, perioperative complications, and surgeon-reported outcomes were compared., Results: Patients in Group 2 had significantly higher zero residual fragment (Grade A) rates (64.2% vs. 59%) and overall SFR (Grade A + B: 98.3% vs. 91.3%, p = 0.001). Gated respiration improved sheath navigation (91.2% vs. 85.1%, p = 0.038) and visibility during lithotripsy (p = 0.004), while reducing complications like mild bleeding due to sheath movement (3.1% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified gated respiration as a significant predictor of SFS (OR 6.26, 95% CI 2.28-22.6, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Gated respiration synergistically enhances the efficacy of FANS in RIRS, improving SFR, procedural safety, and surgeon experience. This study highlights the importance of respiratory control as an adjunct to RIRS, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between surgical and anesthesiology teams., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: This research study was conducted prospectively from data obtained for clinical purposes. Institutional ethics board committee or audit board approval was obtained by individual institutions and data was anonymized before pooled analysis. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction and Objective: We aimed to look at the evidence for laser lithotripsy for bladder stones (BSs) to provide results from two centers on bladder calculi treatment. In addition, the outcomes of prostatic and other surgical interventions performed in nearly half of all patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of two large European endourology tertiary centers for patients who underwent laser lithotripsy for BS between 2016 and 2024 (7 years). All patients provided consent and were counseled for the study accordingly, and the studies were registered as an audit in the individual centers. Results: A total of 122 patients were analyzed (mean age of 68.17 ±16.38 years; male:female ratio of 97:25). Thirteen (10.7%) patients had a preoperative long-term catheter. Overall, 42 (34.43%) patients had multiple stones ( n = 2.19, ±2.08), with a median stone burden of 32.36 ± 24.13 mm. The mean operative time was 61.6 ± 37.25 minutes, with an overall stone-free rate (SFR) of 95.1% ( n = 116). Postoperative complications were noted in nine (7.38%) patients, which included urinary tract infection or sepsis ( n = 4, 3%), pain ( n = 2, 1.6%), and bleeding/acute urinary retention/urethral stone ( n = 1 each, 0.82%). All the complications were Clavien-Dindo I/II and treated conservatively. Six patients (4.9%) with planned concomitant surgical intervention needed a completion (second) intervention at a later date. Sixty patients (49.2%) had concomitant procedure along with their BS treatment. Twenty-two patients (18%) with a mean prostate size of 60.71 cc (±30.50 cc) underwent a transurethral resection of prostate ( n = 16, 13.1%) or bladder neck incision ( n = 6, 4.9%). Others underwent ureteroscopy ( n = 13, 10.7%), transurethral resection of bladder tumor ( n = 5, 4.1%), suprapubic catheter repositioning ( n = 10, 8.2%), or urethral dilation ( n = 10, 8.2%). The mean hospital stay was 1.4 ± 1.33 days. Conclusion: Laser fragmentation of BSs stands out as a safe and efficient choice with a good SFR and low risk of major complications, and perhaps should be considered the new gold standard for BS management. It also allows for concomitant treatment of enlarged prostate and other endourologic procedures with good outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes after flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) for renal stone(s) using a flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS-UAS) comparing Thulium fiber (TFL) vs pulsed Thulium:Yttrium aluminum garnet (p-Thulium:YAG) laser., Methods: Data from adults who had F-URS in 5 centers were prospectively collected (April 2023-January 2024). All patients had a preoperative and within 30days CT scan. Stone-free: grade A: zero fragments; grade B: single fragment ≤2mm; grade C: single fragment 2.1-4mm; grade D: single/multiple fragments >4 mm. One-to-one propensity score-matching for age, gender, prestenting, stone volume, stone location, and Hounsfield units was performed. Within 6months after surgery, an intravenous urography or CT urography scan was performed in all patients., Results: Of 179 included patients, TFL was employed in 115 patients. After matching, 64 patients from each group with comparable baseline characteristics were included. Median lasing time was significantly longer in the TFL group (15.5 [10,23] minutes vs 13 [10,15] minutes, P=.02), while total surgical time did not differ. There was no case of blood transfusion and sepsis. Overall stone-free rate (SFR) was significantly different between the groups with a higher proportion of patients in p-Thu:YAG laser group undergoing reintervention for residual fragments (17.2% vs 3.1%). There was no case of new-onset hydronephrosis, ureteropelvic junction/ureteral stenosis, impaired urinary drainage, or altered pelvicalyceal anatomy at a median follow-up of 13weeks., Conclusion: F-URS using FANS-UAS showed negligible serious adverse events and good SFR using both lasers. p-Thu:YAG laser showed shorter lasing time, marginal better grade A+B SFR but higher reintervention rate for residual fragments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Olivier Traxer is a consultant for Coloplast, Karl Storz, Rocamed, Quanta Systems, Ambu, Boston Scientific, and IPG Medical. Mehmet Ilker Gökce is a lecturer for Cook Medical and a Delphi Panel meeting member/consultant for Boston Scientific. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study the long-term outcomes of the flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS) in flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). FANS has well-established efficiency and 30-day perioperative safety; however, its influence on pelvicalyceal and ureteric anatomy remains to be investigated., Methods: This was a prospective study of patients with normal renal anatomy who underwent FURS with FANS for renal stones from April 2023 to August 2024 in 16 centers worldwide. Thirty-day postoperative stone-free rate and delayed complications after 3 months were analyzed with a non-contrast CT scan and contrasted CT urogram respectively. The primary aim was to report if FANS could potentially cause pelviureteric junction, pelvicalyceal or ureteric complications., Results: Three hundred-ten patients were analyzed. Median age was 51; median stone volume was 1584 mm 3 . Disposable scopes were used in 58.1%. Predominant laser energies were Thulium fiber laser (56.1%) followed by Thulium-YAG laser (20.6%). Median laser time was 14 minutes, median ureteroscopy time was 30 minutes, and median total operation time was 45 minutes. Ureteric injury occurred in 11 patients (3.5%), of which 10 were Traxer-Thomas Grade 1. On 30-day NCCT, 63.5% of patients had zero residual fragments; overall stone-free status was seen in 95.1%. Thirty-day reintervention rate was 4.2% (13 cases). Three-month CT urogram showed ureteric stenosis in only 1 patient (0.3%) who was managed by dilatation and stenting. No other anatomical anomalies were recorded., Conclusion: The extremely low rates of 3-month adverse outcomes, high immediate SFR, and low 30-day reintervention rates further strengthen the evidence for safety and effectiveness of FANS., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Ben Turney is a consultant for Boston Scientific, EMS, and Pusen. The other authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aim to evaluate stone-free rate (SFR) and complications after flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) for kidney stones, using a flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS), comparing thulium fiber laser (TFL) and high-power holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (HPHL). Methods: Data from adults who underwent F-URS in 15 centers were prospectively analyzed (August 2023-January 2024). Exclusion criteria were ureteral stones, concomitant bilateral procedures, and renal abnormalities. One-to-one propensity score matching for age, gender, stone location, stone volume, and Hounsfield unit was performed. SFR was assessed using computed tomography scan within 30 days and defined as zero fragments. Data are presented as median (25th-75th quartiles). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors of SFR. Results: Of included patients, HPHL was used in 114 patients and TFL in 181 patients. After matching, 96 patients from each group with similar baseline characteristics were included. There was no difference between the groups regarding the use of disposable scopes, lithotripsy mode, and ureteroscopy, lasing and total surgical time. There was no case of sepsis, and blood transfusion was necessary for only one patient in the HPHL group. The incidence of transient fever was similar (3.4% in HPHL vs 3.8% in TFL group). Postoperative day 1 loin pain did not differ significantly. Postoperative stay did not differ significantly [1 [0, 2] in HPHL vs 1 [0, 1] days in TFL group, p = 0.12]. Thirty-day SFR was similar (52.1% for HL vs 64.6% for TFL group, p = 0.11). At multivariable analysis, the use of TFL (odds ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.01-3.82) was significantly associated with higher odds of being stone-free. Conclusions: Both lasers are safe and efficacious and can be suitably used for F-URS with FANS with high SFR and minimal complications.

Localized high-risk (HR) prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease whose likelihood of a biochemical recurrence, metastatic progression and cancer-related mortality after initial treatment is higher when compared with patients with low (LR) or intermediate-risk (IR) disease. In the past, neoadjuvant therapy has shown an improvement in postoperative oncological variables but failed to demonstrate any survival advantages. With the promising results from novel treatments in metastatic and non-metastatic castration resistant PCa settings, new evidence has appeared in the literature in the neoadjuvant setting. Background/Objectives : To describe the current evidence for different neoadjuvant treatments before a radical prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer. Methods : We performed a comprehensive English literature search for original and review articles through January-August 2024, using Pubmed, Medline and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, as well as a comprehensive review of different international guidelines, searching the following terms: "neoadjuvant ADT prostate cancer", "neoadjuvant ADT", "prostate cancer surgery" and "neoadjuvant high-risk prostate cancer". We included 61 papers for the final review. Results and Discussion : Neoadjuvant therapy is not recommended in daily practice by any international guideline. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines strongly discourage the use of ADT as a neoadjuvant therapy outside of clinical trials. ADT + ARTAs show promising data in phase-II trials, including favorable pCR, MRD, PSA relapse and salvage therapy rates. Clinical trials on chemotherapy, 177 Lu-PSMA, genomic-targeted therapies and markers of response leave room for further evidence acquisition due to their encouraging results. Conclusions : Currently, no phase III data supports systemic neoadjuvant therapy before RP. Phase II studies show promising data for ADT with second-generation agents, including favorable pCR, MRD, PSA relapse and salvage therapy rates.

Purpose: Use of suction in flexible ureteroscopy is increasing lately. The introduction of flexible and navigable suction access sheath (FANS) has shown improved stone free rate (SFR). However, its efficacy in lower pole stone (LPS) in terms of SFR and complications is yet to be studied., Methods: We collected data from 25 centers that included 394 adult patients undergoing ureteroscopy using FANS. Non contrast CT (NCCT) scan was done within first 30 days post operatively to access the SFR. Residual fragments were graded as A: 100% SFR; B: single fragment ≤ 2 mm; C: single fragment 2.1-4 mm; D: Single or multiple fragments > 4 mm. Post operative complications were recorded., Results: Out of 394 patients, non LPS (group1) comprised of 268 patients, rest 126 patients had LPS (group 2). Single stage zero fragment SFR was seen in 58.6% (group 1) vs. 54.8% (group 2) (P = 0.619). Single stage grade A + B SFR was achieved in 96.6% vs. 98.4% in groups 1 and 2 respectively. On multivariate analysis Thulium fiber laser use was significantly associated with higher odds of being grade A stone-free, while stone volume with lower odds. In LPS group only two patients needed reintervention. The highest grade of complication was Clavien 2, which was seen in 3.2% LPS group., Conclusion: Use of flexible and navigable suction ureteric access sheath for lower pole stones is effective and safe. The stone free rate of lower pole stones is comparable to non-lower pole locations with very low reintervention rate in both groups., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: Olivier Traxer is a consultant for Coloplast, Karl Storz, Rocamed, Quanta Systems, Ambu, Boston Scientific and IPG Medical, and has no specific conflicts relevant to this work. Etienne Xavier Keller is a speaker and/or consultant for Coloplast, Olympus, Boston Scientific, Recordati, Debiopharm and Alnylam, and has no specific conflicts of interest relevant to this work. All other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Final approval of the version to be published: All authors. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved: All authors., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To assess urologists' perceptions and current practices of using suction-based techniques and technologies in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for kidney stones., Materials and Methods: A customized web-based 28-item questionnaire was created. All participation was voluntary. The survey was hosted on Google Forms between November 15, 2023 and November 25, 2023. Descriptive statistics were applied to demographic details and categorical responses., Results: Six hundred thirty-two responses were received. 56.5% were from Asia. Around 41.6% of respondents underwent an endourology fellowship. Personal experience of suction for PCNL was noted in 55.4% and 42.7% for RIRS. Exactly 34.9% believe that currently there is enough evidence that suction can improve stone-free rates and lower complications for both endourology surgeries. Around 55.69% believe that as evidence evolves, suction has the potential to be a game changer in endourology management of urolithiasis. Exactly 55.7% believe that the leading barrier to the adoption of suction in endourology is the lack of availability of technology. Other barriers include lack of procedural standardization (37.65%), lack of evidence (34.9%), lack of proper training (29.58%) and lack of advocation in the current guidelines (17.72%)., Conclusion: Our survey shows that urologists are keen to adopt suction for PCNL and RIRS but the lack of definitive evidence, standardization, equipment availability and training preclude them from using so. More high-level evidence regarding the utility of suction in endourology is required for its routine adoption in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Optimal laser settings during endoscopic stone disease management still represents a debatable issue. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all existing evidence regarding the comparison of high-power (HP) versus low-power (LP) laser settings during different endoscopic lithotripsy procedures., Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases were systematically screened, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. All endoscopic laser lithotripsy surgical approaches were included, including ureteroscopy (URS), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and transurethral lithotripsy for bladder stones. Pediatric patients were also included., Results: In total, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in final qualitative synthesis. In most studies total operative time (OT) was shorter for the HP group. Mean fragmentation time was homogenously significantly shorter in the HP group. Stone-free rates (SFR) ranged from 59.0% to 100% for the LP group and from 78.9% to 100% for the HP group. Total complication rates were higher for the LP group in six studies, equivalent between the two groups in one study and higher in the HP group in one study., Conclusion: HP laser lithotripsy is a safe and efficient approach for URS, RIRS, PCNL and cystolithotripsy. HP laser settings were associated with significantly shorter total operative time, while some studies reported also better SFR in the HP groups. The implementation of more Randomized Controlled Trials comparing HP and LP laser lithotripsy in different stone settings is of outmost importance, so that better conclusions can be drawn., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To investigate the current thoughts and perspectives on kidney stone analysis amongst urologists and urology residents worldwide., Methods: In October 2022 an online survey supported by the EULIS was circulated amongst urologists and urology residents worldwide. The survey was based on the current EAU guidelines regarding stone analysis and its role in urolithiasis management. Responses were collected until February 2023., Results: The survey was completed by 351 urologists (75.4%) and 115 urology residents (24.7%). 49.1% of the participants stated that performing kidney stone analysis was of utmost importance in every patient. 91.8% were of the opinion that stone analysis changes KSD management. 62.3% of the participants declared to adhere to the guidelines. 44.7% aim to perform stone analysis in first-time stone formers. 1 out of 11 does not send stones for kidney stone analysis at all. Urologists that pursued an additional endo-urology sub-specialism performed stone analysis more frequently compared to those who were not endo-urologists., Conclusion: Although majority of urologists consider stone analysis an essential part of kidney stone management, in reality the practice patterns regarding stone analysis deviate from the EAU guidelines. Our aim should be to bridge the knowledge gap regarding stone analysis, foster collaboration to streamline logistics regarding stone analysis and enhance the quality of care we provide for kidney stone patients., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Ethical approval is not applicable for this article. No funding was received. Conflict of interest: None., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stone-free status (SFS) rate and complications after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for treatment of renal stones using a flexible and navigable suction (FANS) ureteral access sheath., Methods: Data for adults undergoing fURS in 25 centers worldwide were prospectively collected (August 2023 to January 2024). Exclusion criteria were abnormal renal anatomy and ureteral stones. All patients had computed tomography scans before and within 30 d after fURS with a FANS ureteral access sheath. SFS was defined as follows: grade A, zero fragments; grade B, a single fragment ≤2 mm; grade C, a single fragment 2.1-4 mm; and grade D, single/multiple fragments >4 mm. Data for continuous variables are presented as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors of grade A SFS., Key Findings and Limitations: The study enrolled 394 patients (59.1% male) with a median age of 49 yr (IQR 36-61). The median stone volume was 1260 mm 3 (IQR 706-1800). Thulium fiber laser (TFL) was used in 45.9% of cases and holmium laser in the rest. The median lasing time was 18 min (IQR 11-28) and the median operative time was 49 min (IQR 37-70). One patient required a blood transfusion and 3.3% of patients had low-grade fever. No patient developed sepsis. Low-grade ureteral injury occurred in eight patients (2%). The grade A SFS rate was 57.4% and the grade A + B SFS rate was 97.2%, while 2.8% of patients had grade C or D SFS. Eleven patients underwent repeat fURS. Multivariable analysis revealed that a stone volume of 1501-3000 mm 3 (odds ratio 0.50) and of >3000 mm 3 (odds ratio 0.29) were significantly associated with lower probability of grade A SFS, while TFL use was associated with higher SFS probability (odds ratio 1.83). Limitations include the lack of a comparative group., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: fURS using a FANS ureteral access sheath resulted in a high SFS rate with negligible serious adverse event and reintervention rates., Patient Summary: We looked at 30-day results for patients undergoing telescopic laser treatment for kidney stones using a special type of vacuum-assisted sheath to remove stone fragments. We found a high stone-free rate with minimal complications., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, we explore the usage of decision aids, patient information leaflets (PILs), videos, social media and modern technology to empower patients and enable shared decision-making (SDM). It explores the role of enhanced consent processes in urology. A re-evaluation of the conventional consent process is required towards more patient-centred care and SDM, which prioritises patient education and understanding of their medical conditions and treatment pathways. The use of decision aids, such as multimedia resources and PILs, is crucial in enhancing patients' understanding, level of satisfaction, quality of life and healthcare utilisation. New tools are opening exciting possibilities for patient education and information distribution, such as Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). The effectiveness of ChatGPT in comparison to well-established PILs is still up for debate, despite the fact that it makes information easily accessible. Improving patients' involvement, understanding and engagement in SDM procedures relies heavily on decision aids, PILs and current technological integration. Patients and healthcare practitioners should work together in accordance with the principles of SDM, which include considering patients' values, backgrounds, priorities and preferences when making treatment decisions. The emphasis on patient-centred care has prompted a re-evaluation of traditional consent processes in urology, with more emphasis on the shared decision-making process. Several informative aids are currently available as reported in the literature, ranging from 3D models, multimedia presentations and virtual reality (VR) devices. While the costs of these tools might be substantial, the advantages of adopting such informative resources are unmistakable. Social media and platforms such as patient-physician blogs are increasingly popular sources of medical information. Urologists should embrace these platforms to enhance patient engagement and the quality of information provided. Despite recent progress, there remains significant room for improvement in patient education and engagement which is achievable via concerted efforts of a wider medical community., (© The Author(s), 2024.)

Background and Objective: Stone size has traditionally been measured in one dimension. This is reflected in most of the literature and in the EAU guidelines. However, recent studies have shown that multidimensional measures provide better prediction of outcomes., Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic accuracy of measures of stone size (PROSPERO reference CRD42022346967). We considered all studies reporting prognostic accuracy statistics on any intervention for kidney stones (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy [ESWL], ureterorenoscopy [URS], or percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL]; Population) using multiplane measurements of stone burden (area in mm 2 or volume in mm 3 ; Intervention) in comparison to single-plane measurements of stone burden (size in mm; Intervention) for the study-defined stone-free rate (Outcome) in a PICO-framed question. We also assessed complication rates (overall and by Clavien-Dindo grade) and the operative time as secondary outcomes. Searches were made between 1970 and August 2023. We used the DeLong method to compare receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves., Key Findings and Limitations: Of 24 studies included in the review, 12 were eligible for comparative analysis with the DeLong test following meta-analysis of prognostic accuracy. For prediction of stone-free status, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was significantly higher for stone volume than for stone size (0.71 vs 0.67; p  < 0.001). Subanalyses confirmed this for ESWL and URS, but not for PCNL. For URS, the AUC was also significantly higher for stone area than for stone size (0.79 vs 0.77; p  < 0.001). Throughout all analyses, there was no difference in AUC between stone area and stone volume. There was high risk of bias for all analyses apart from the URS subanalyses., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: According to the limited data currently available, stone-free rates are predicted with significantly higher accuracy using multidimensional measures of stone burden in comparison to a single linear measurement., Patient Summary: We reviewed different ways of measuring the size of stones in the kidney or urinary tract and compared their accuracy in predicting stone-free rates after treatment. We found that measurement of the stone area (2 dimensions) or stone volume (3 dimensions) is better than stone diameter (1 dimension) in predicting stone-free status after treatment., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association of Urology.)

Purpose of Review: Bladder stones account for 5% of all urinary tract calculi. Contributing factors include bladder outflow obstruction, infections, foreign bodies, or neurogenic voiding dysfunction. This necessitates an effective treatment modality, and with advances in medical technology, minimally invasive techniques using lasers are being widely adopted. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of laser lithotripsy for treating bladder stones., Recent Findings: A thorough literature review (PROSPERO: CRD 42024551910) was conducted using appropriate search terms up to March 2024. Only original studies written in English, with at least 10 patients with bladder stones treated with laser, were considered with inclusion. A total of 8 studies (411 patients) were identified on screening with a mean age of 59.6 ± 8.5 years and a male: female ratio of 326 : 14. These reviews covered a geographical area of Asia, Europe, and the USA. The mean stone size was 3.7 ± 0.7 cm, and an overall stone-free rate (SFR) postlaser lithotripsy was 96%. Mean operation time was calculated to be 76.36 ± 47.10 min and an overall complication rate of 16.5% (n = 68), with the most common being haematuria (n = 22), followed by UTI (n = 18), incontinence (n = 8), urosepsis (n = 6), clot retention (n = 4), mucosal injury (n = 3) and urinary retention (n = 3). All complications were minor and there were no Clavien >II complications., Summary: Laser lithotripsy for bladder stone achieves an excellent success rate in the form of SFR, combined with a low risk of major complications, and allows concomitant treatment of enlarged prostate, and should be considered in all patients., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: The aim of our review was to comprehensively evaluate the impact of pulse modulation technology in the field of endourology, with a focus on laser lithotripsy and prostate enucleation., Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases for articles published during the past 20 yr (January 2004-July 2024). Article selection adhered to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome (PICO) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. In vivo, ex vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies that reported on the impact of pulse modulation technologies in laser lithotripsy or prostate enucleation in comparison to a standard references or as a standalone report, with a focus on stone ablation efficiency, safety, tissue ablation, and hemostasis, were eligible. A total of 29 articles were included., Key Findings: Pulse modulation is a feature mostly implemented for Ho:YAG laser generators. Preclinical studies on pulse modulation have demonstrated promising results for both stone fragmentation and laser-tissue interaction. Clinical studies that investigated technologies such as the Vapor Tunnel, Virtual Basket, and Moses have revealed better efficiency in comparison to the short-pulse modality. While there have been modest improvements in hemostasis and operating time, there has been no obvious improvement in outcomes after prostate surgery., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: While in vitro studies have shown that pulse modulation improves stone fragmentation, reduces retropulsion, and maintains thermal safety, clinical outcomes are more variable. For prostate enucleation, the benefits are less consistent. Pulse modulation may improve efficiency, primarily by reducing operating times, but key outcomes such as stone-free and complication rates remain comparable to those with standard modalities., Patient Summary: Our review shows that pulse modulation technology improves the effectiveness and safety of laser treatments for kidney stones. However, the benefits of this technology for prostate surgery are still uncertain, highlighting the need for more research., (Copyright © 2024 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This review aims to identify and summarize the current literature on the use of prostatic stents or nitinol devices as minimally invasive techniques for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted until October 2023. Only original articles written in English were considered for inclusion. This review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023474884)., Results: Thirty-eight articles were included (2618 patients). Generally, the risk of bias was deemed as high or very high. The most frequently investigated stents were the UroLume, followed by the Memokath/Memotherm. The mean age was 72.01 ± 5.6 years, with a mean prostate volume of 48.27 ± 12.8 cc and a mean urethral length of 40.53 ± 9.16 mm. Surgeries were usually performed under local anesthesia. The rates of catheter-free status and complications were 85.2% and 30.83%, respectively. The primary complications included urinary tract infections (17.2%), followed by calcifications (12.6%), irritative symptoms (12.2%), and acute urinary retention (10.4%). During a follow-up period of 12 months, the failure rate intended as stent removal or repositioning was 14.8%. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) showed an overall improvement of 9.85 points. The mean improvement in maximum flow rate and post-void residual volume were 6.62 ml/sec and 147 ml, respectively., Conclusions: Prostatic stents remain an efficient choice for addressing obstructive symptoms from BPH, offering the advantage of being performed under local anaesthesia, relieving symptoms with good functional outcomes and a low incidence of major complications. Prospective studies are needed to corroborate these results., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Purpose of Review: Researchers have examined how telemedicine affects endourological patients. This review analyzes the literature to determine telemedicine's benefits and limitations in endourology., Recent Findings: Many studies were devoted to describing the effect of telemedicine on endourological patient satisfaction, optimization of the clinical decision-making among patients with kidney and ureteric stones, the effectiveness of telemedicine in the management of patients with indications for PCNL, follow-up for patients with urolithiasis and describing financial effectiveness for the patients after BOO surgery. The authors describe phone calls, video calls, and online booking platforms as used as telemedicine technology. However, several concerns also exist, such as the necessity of internet connections and appropriate devices, different receptivity among certain subgroups, data safety, and different regulatory environments among countries. Telemedicine offers the potential to reduce patient travel time, expedite decision-making, and save costs in endourology. However, its everyday implementation is challenging due to various obstacles faced by patients and providers, hindering the realization of its full potential and necessitating a systematic approach to problem-solving., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Social media (SoMe) is now a core part of modern-day life with increased use among both patients and urologists. The interplay of SoMe between these two parties is complex. From a patient perspective, SoMe platforms can serve as educational tools as well as communication portals to support networks and patient communities. However, studies report the educational value of content online is often poor and may contain misinformation. For urologists, SoMe can lead to research collaborations, networking and educational content but areas of concern include the potential negative impact SoMe can have on mental health and sharing of patient images without appropriate consent. This review serves to provide an overview of the interaction between SoMe and urology practice and provide practical guidance to navigating it., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background and Objective: Discussions surrounding urological diagnoses and planned procedures can be challenging, and patients might experience difficulty in understanding the medical language, even when shown radiological imaging or drawings. With the introduction of virtual reality and simulation, informed consent could be enhanced by audiovisual content and interactive platforms. Our aim was to assess the role of enhanced consent in the field of urology., Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, using informed consent, simulation, and virtual reality in urology as the search terms. All original articles were screened., Key Findings and Limitations: Thirteen original studies were included in the review. The overall quality of these studies was deemed good according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The studies analysed the application of different modalities for enhanced consent: 3D printed or digital models, audio visual multimedia contents, virtual simulation of procedures and interactive navigable apps. Published studies agreed upon a significantly improved effect on patient understanding of the diagnosis, including basic anatomical details, and surgery-related issues such as the aim, steps and the risks connected to the planned intervention. Patient satisfaction was unanimously reported as improved as a result of enhanced consent., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Simulation and multimedia tools are extremely valuable for improving patients' understanding of and satisfaction with urological procedures. Widespread application of enhanced consent would represent a milestone for patient-urologist communication., (Copyright © 2024 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: We analysed gender trends for urology trainees and consultants across nine European countries (Spain, UK, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland) over a 10-yr period (2012-2022) to gain insight into gender dynamics in urology and determine if there is increasing representation of women in the profession. This information will help in the development of more effective strategies to promote gender equality., Methods: Data from the past decade were collected, encompassing trainee and consultant records nationally. The project focused on gender demographics within the field of urology, looking at trends in the nine countries. Information was obtained from national registries and supplemented with additional data sources where necessary., Key Findings and Limitations: Our results reveal significant variations in gender composition of urology trainees, displaying a slight increase in the presence of female trainees across most countries. This trend was particularly remarkable in Spain and Belgium where the proportion of female urologists exceeded 50%, indicating a potential generational shift within the field. Furthermore, among consultants, there was a global annual increase of 6.7% in female representation, with notable rises in the UK, France, Swiss and Belgium. These trends were also reflected in the membership affiliation data of the European Association of Urology during the same timeframe., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The observed growth in female trainees and consultants offers valuable insights for educational and workforce planning. It is important to understand the evolving dynamics in the field of urology, especially for trainee demographics. Furthermore, the potential engagement of this with more countries could provide a comprehensive view of urology trends across Europe and worldwide., Patient Summary: We looked at the proportion of urology trainees and consultants who are women across Europe. We found that overall, the percentage of females in these roles increased from 2012 to 2022, especially for urology trainees, but there are differences by country. Even if these trends continue, it will take many years before there is equal representation of men and women doctors in urology., (Copyright © 2024 European Association of Urology. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Surgical specialties account for a significant proportion of malpractice litigation claims and complaints to the regulatory body. The aim of our study was to analyse trends and outcomes for urology malpractice claims and complaints to the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK over the last two decades., Methods: Data were requested from the GMC and NHS Resolution under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This included the number of malpractice claims in urology, including damages paid, and annual complaints about urologists to the GMC since 2006. For complaints to the GMC, demographics, case outcomes, and reasons for complaints were also provided., Key Findings and Limitations: Over the study period, there was a 2.9-fold increase in successful (settled or closed) malpractice claims (from 2006-2007 to 2022-2023) and a 1.5-fold increase in complaints to the GMC about urologists (from 2007 to 2024). There were 2511 successful malpractice claims, resulting in a total payout of £145 million. The GMC received 1118 complaints regarding 1045 urologists, of which 26.0% (291/1118) were investigated, 2.4% (27/1118) resulted in a hearing, and 0.5% (6/1118) resulted in the doctor involved being erased from the medical register. Demographic distributions, including gender, ethnicity, and place of medical qualification, for the group involved in complaints differed significantly in comparison to the overall urologist population., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The numbers of successful urological malpractice claims and complaints to the regulatory body and associated costs have risen. A small proportion of complaints to the GMC led to a medicolegal hearing and subsequent erasure of the doctors involved from the medical register., Patient Summary: We analysed trends and outcomes for malpractice claims and complaints in urology over the last two decades in the UK. The numbers of successful urological malpractice claims and complaints and associated costs have risen, with a small proportion of doctors removed from the medical register., (Copyright © 2024 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: A new digital single-use flexible ureteroscope, Pusen direct in scope suction (DISS) 7.5Fr (PU3033AH), was evaluated with respect to manoeuvrability, suction quality, visibility and clinical efficiency., Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in six tertiary reference centers in Europe and Asia between February-April 2024. Adult patients who underwent flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (fURSL) for urolithiasis were included. Demographic, intraoperative and follow-up characteristics were recorded. Quality parameters were rated by each surgeon using a Likert scale., Results: a total of 57 fURSL were performed. Preoperative characteristics revealed a mean stone volume of 480.00mm 3 (mean Hounsfield Unit- 998). 57.9%(n = 33) of the patients were pre-stented, and a ureteric access sheath was used in 64.9%(n = 37). Integrated-suction was deemed helpful in 94.7%(n = 54) fURSL as reported by the operators. An initial stone free rate (SFR) confirmed by postoperative imaging was achieved in 84.21%(n = 48). Quality parameters of the scope reached a mean Likert score of 4.5, with a "very good" mean evaluation for "scope placement", "visual quality", "irrigation", "deflection", "manoeuvrability", and "weight". "Suction quality" and "overall performance satisfaction" were rated "good". Comparing the Pusen DISS scope with other previously used scopes, overall satisfaction was rated 4.1. When asked if the surgeons would be willing to use the Pusen DISS 7.5Fr scope in the future, all the six surgeons answered positively., Conclusion: The DISS 7.5 Pusen ureteroscope displayed good visibility, manoeuvrability and suction quality, with excellent operative results. Further evaluation with larger comparative cohorts will help understand the potential of in-vivo use of integrated suctioning systems for fURSL., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Ureteroscopy has become increasingly chosen as a treatment of choice for patients with kidney stone disease and laser as the energy source for stone lithotripsy is a key part of this. Our aim was to analyse a national database to evaluate the burden of adverse events related to laser fibers and laser machines., Methods: Search was performed of the Manufacturer User and Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database in the United States for all events related to holmium laser fibers and holmium laser machines during ureteroscopy between 2012-2021. Information collected included the following: problem, timing, prolonged anaesthesia, early termination of procedure, injury and retained parts., Results: 699 holmium laser fiber events were reported and these had been manufactured by 13 different companies. The commonest problems were breakage outside the patient while in use (26.3%) and breakage of the laser fiber tip (21.2%). Manufacturers concluded root cause to be device failure in 8.9%. 29% of issues occurred before the laser had been activated. 5.2% of cases had to be cancelled as a result of an event. Significantly more injuries were sustained intra-operatively by operating staff compared to patients (6% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001). All these injuries were superficial burns to the skin with the hand being the most affected body part (88.1%). Zero ocular injuries were reported. Only eight events were related to laser machines and all involved sudden hardware failure but no patient injury., Conclusions: Laser fibers are fragile. Most adverse events are due to operator error. Direct patient injury from laser fiber is scarce but operating staff should be aware of the risk of sustaining minor burns. Laser machines rarely incur problems and, in this study, did not result in any safety issues beyond need to abort the procedure due to lack of spare equipment.