Search

Purpose: Reusable flexible ureteroscopes may lose their mechanical functionality through overuse, which is known as "aging of the flexible ureteroscope." Although mechanical deterioration has been shown in several studies, the data about the effect of this situation on the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are missing. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the aging of flexible ureteroscopes on the efficacy and safety of RIRS. Methods: Patients who had undergone RIRS between 2017 and 2021 at a single center were retrospectively included in the study. Serial surgeries were performed using the same reusable flexible ureteroscope (Storz X2) until it was broken or malfunctioned because of the aging process. Group 1 was formed by the first 10 cases on whom the flexible ureteroscopes were used, representing the youngest period of the instruments, whereas group 2 was composed of the last 10 cases on whom the flexible ureteroscopes were used, representing the oldest phase of the instruments. The operative and postoperative data—including the operation time, hospitalization time, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and stone-free rates—were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of five flexible ureteroscopes were included in the study. The number of cases for each flexible ureteroscope ranged between 87 and 133, with a median number of 107 cases. The demographic and clinical properties of patients in both groups were similar. The operation time, lasering time, and total laser pulse were similar between the groups. The stone-free rates in group 1 and group 2 were 82.0% and 78.0%, respectively (p = 0.304). The complication rates were also similar between the groups (p = 0.591). Conclusion: The aging of reusable flexible ureteroscopes did not negatively affect the efficacy and safety of RIRS. Therefore, surgeons may use the reusable types of flexible ureteroscopes until they are totally broken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (USG) and kidney ureter bladder radiography (KUB) for the determination of stone-free status of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) according to different stone-free status definitions. The patients who underwent RIRS between September 2021 and September 2022 were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent a KUB radiography, urinary system USG and noncontrast abdominal tomography at the postoperative first month of the surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive factor, and positive predictive factor of USG and KUB on evaluating the stone-free rate were analyzed according to different stone-free status definitions. A total of 178 patients were included in the study. The stone-free rates according to stone-free definitions as; residual stone <4 mm, <2 mm and no residual stone were 79.2%, 64.0%, and 56.7%, respectively. According to its definition as a residual stone <4 mm, the sensitivity and specificity of USG were 64.9% and 84.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of USG was 57.1% and 52.5% as the definitions were residual stone <2 mm and no residual stone, respectively. Addition of KUB to USG slightly increased the sensitivity but did not change the specificity. USG had high specificity but low sensitivity for evaluating stone-free status after RIRS and addition of KUB did not increase the diagnostic efficacy. Although USG may be used in daily practice, it may overestimate the stone-free status and noncontrast abdominal tomography must be used during the clinical trials to document the exact stone-free rates of RIRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a safe and effective treatment option for upper urinary tract stones smaller than 2 cm. Although several studies have documented perioperative and postoperative complications related to RIRS, there exists limited data regarding the readmission and rehospitalization of patients after RIRS. The aims of the study were to document the rates of readmission and rehospitalization after RIRS and to determine the predictive factors for readmission and rehospitalization. Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RIRS for the treatment of renal stone disease and were unexpectedly readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after discharge. The hospital admission systems were used to determine readmissions and rehospitalizations. Readmission and rehospitalization rates, causes, and treatment procedures were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinicodemographic properties were performed to evaluate possible predictive factors for readmission and rehospitalization after RIRS. Results: A total of 1036 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 103 (9.9%) were readmitted to the hospital. Among these readmissions, 35 patients (33.9%) were rehospitalized and 14 (13.6%) underwent surgical intervention. The most common reasons for readmission were renal colic and fever. The presence of preoperative pyuria (odds ratio [OR] 1.86), stone volume (OR 1.54), postoperative complications (OR 3.66), and stone-free status (OR 0.46) were predictive factors for readmission, whereas hospitalization time (OR 1.32), postoperative complications (OR 9.70), and stone-free status (OR 0.06) were predictive factors for rehospitalization after RIRS. Conclusion: Nearly 10% of patients who underwent RIRS were readmitted to the hospital within the first month after discharge, and some were rehospitalized. Preoperative pyuria, high stone volume, presence of postoperative complications, and low stone-free status predicted this readmission and rehospitalization. Clinicians must recognize these predictive factors and inform their patients about this possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the changes of peak systolic velocity(PSV), end-diastolic velocity(EDV), and resistive index(RI) of renal and arcuate arteries at the ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys during the retrograde intrarenal surgery.Methods: The patients who had RIRS for the treatment of renal stones were prospectively included in the study. An experienced radiologist performed doppler ultrasonography of the ipsilateral and contralateral kidney before the surgery just after the anesthesia and at the end of the surgery before stenting. The PSV, EDV, and RI of renal and arcuate arteries at the ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys were measured.Results: A total of 53 patients were included in the study. The postoperative mean PSV, EDV, and RI of renal arteries at the ipsilateral and contralateral arteries were similar to preoperative values. The mean PSV and RI of the arcuate arteries at the ipsilateral kidney significantly increased postoperatively (P = 0.032, P = 0.012) The postoperative mean PSV, EDV, and RI of arcuate arteries did not change significantly during the surgery. The age, gender, and flexible ureteroscopy time did not affect the change of renal and arcuate arterial PSV, EDV, and RI at the ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys.Conclusion: The elevation of intrarenal pressure during RIRS did not change the blood flow at the major arteries of the ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys. On the other hand, there was a significant increase at the RI of the arcuate arteries in the ipsilateral kidney which was proposed to be related to the vasoconstriction of minor vasculature of the kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Sexual dysfunction and restless legs syndrome (RLS) have similar pathophysiological properties. This study evaluated the presence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in patients with RLS. Materials and methods:Fifty patients in the RLS group and 50 in the control group were included in the study. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale, the five-item International Index of Erectile Function and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool were used to define the RLS and erectile function of both the study and control groups. A stopwatch technique was used to evaluate the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time of patients in the study. Results:The mean age of patients in the RLS and control groups was 53.5 ± 9.9 and 53.2 ± 8.8 years, respectively (p = 0.527). None of the patients in either group had diabetes mellitus. There was no difference between the groups in terms of history of hypertension, body mass index and total testosterone level. There were 27 patients (54%) in the RLS group and 17 patients (34%) in the control group with PE (p = 0.008). There were 26 patients (52%) with ED in the RLS group and 17 (34%) in the control group (p = 0.069). The prevalence of moderate and severe ED was significantly higher in the RLS group (p = 0.045). Conclusions:PE was more prevalent in RLS than in control patients. On the other hand, the rate of ED did not differ between the groups. In addition to receiving a neurological evaluation, RLS patients must be evaluated for sexual function. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Testicular torsion is an emergency condition in which spermatogenesis may be irreversibly damaged. There have been controversial results about the effect of testicular torsion on steroidogenesis. We aimed at investigating the effect of testicular torsion on steroidogenesis. Material and Methods: A total of 40 adult male rats were divided into 4 groups. Left testicles were removed in all groups. Right testicles were torsioned and remained in the torsion position for 1, 3 and 5 h in study groups, whereas no torsion was performed in control. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and total testosterone (TT) levels were measured on the 3rd and 30th days of surgery and orchiectomy was performed on the 30th day of testicular torsion for histopathological evaluation. Results: TT levels of study groups were significantly lower than that of the control group on the 3rd day of torsion. LH of study groups was higher than that of the control group, but the difference was significant only in the 5 h-torsion group. The total number of Leydig cells increased in 1- and 3-h groups, whereas it decreased in the 5-hour group. Conclusion: Testosterone production and Leydig cell functions significantly decreased after 5 h torsion in the rat model. The duration of torsion less than 5 h yielded partial dysfunction on steroidogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare plasma endoglin and endocan levels between bladder cancer patients and the control group. The secondary aim of the study was to compare plasma and tissue endoglin and endocan levels between high grade and low grade bladder cancers. Methods: A total of 36 patients with bladder cancer and 20 patients as control group were included. Eight milliliters of peripheral venous blood sample was taken from both study and control group to determine plasma Endocan and Endoglin levels. A tissue sample of 0.5 cm3 was obtained by cystoscopy and resection of papillary lesion of bladder to determine tissue Endocan and Endoglin levels. Results were compared between bladder cancer and control group. Result: The mean plasma Endoglin levels were 10.2 (4.5-13.7) ng/mL in low grade bladder cancer, 14.6 (8.4-22.3) ng/mL in high grade bladder cancer and 8.8 (6.3-19.4) ng/mL in the control group. The mean plasma Endocan levels were 520.4 (346.9-647.6) ng/L in low grade bladder tumors; 728.5 (311.4-1518.1) ng/L in high grade bladder tumors and 479.9 (140.6-864.7) ng/L in the control group. Plasma Endoglin level of control group was significantly lower than bladder cancer group (p<0.001). Plasma Endocan level was not different between bladder cancer and control group (p=0.117). Conclusions: Plasma Endoglin level was up-regulated in bladder cancer patients whereas plasma Endocan level did not show any difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard surgical technique for benign adrenal tumors. On the other hand, most surgeons still prefer to perform open surgery for adrenal tumors. This may be related with the surgeons opinions that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an advanced laparoscopic surgery and has a high learning curve. In this article we present the results of our initial transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy cases. Methods: Lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy cases that were performed between 2013 and 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients demographics, pathological types, operation time, blood loss, hospitalization time and complications were evaluated and compared with the literature. Results: A total of 21 patients were analyzed. Twelve (57.1%) patients had right and 9(42.9%) patients had left laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Mean operation time was 130.2±39.1 min, mean blood loss was 197.6±72.4 ml and mean hospitalization time was 3.09±1.57 days. Pathology reports of adrenal tumors were pheochromocytoma at 4 patients, myeloma at 1 patient and adenoma at 16 patients. Patients with tumor size > 5 cm had significantly higher blood loss, operation time and hospitalization time compared to tumors < 5 cm. (p<0.05) Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible technique. Transperitoneal approach would be more suitable technique for initial cases. Surgeons must consider the tumor size and possible pathology of adrenal tumor to decide the surgical technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the awareness of non-urological doctors for their role in evaluating prostate cancer (Pca) in scientific manner which may be a possible probability for late diagnosis of Pca.Materials and Methods: A total of 936 non-urological specialists working in 1 university and 4 education and research hospital who were able to evaluate male patients over 50 years of age were included to the survey. A face to face questionnaire had been administered to all participants.Results: A total of 92 (9.8%) participants were evaluating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to all their elderly male patients while 404 (43.2%) participants had never made this evaluation. Among the participants who were evaluating PSA, none was performing an informed decision making consult and even they did not have any idea about the meaning of this strategy. About the criteria for urological consultation, 56 (6%) reported that they consult all their elderly male patients, whereas 880 (94%) answered that they perform consultation if their patients has sought help for any urological symptom.Conclusion: Urologists must remind the non-urological specialists that their approaches to Pca evaluation may change mortality rates of this disease and give them proper information about the scientific evaluation of Pca. This may help us to decrease the mortality rates of Pca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the different anatomical properties and determine the risk of visceral organ injury in supine, prone, and prone-flex positions. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients with renal stones >2 cm were included. A dose reduced abdominopelvic tomography in a supine, prone, and 30° prone-flex position was performed. The access tract length, subcutaneous tissue length, nearest organ distance, maximum access angle, access field, and the degree of renal displacement were measured in axial and coronal images. The parameters were analyzed by the paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed test according to normalcy analysis. Results: The mean tract lengths and the subcutaneous fat tissue lengths in the lower, middle, and upper poles of kidney were significantly longer in the supine position. The significance of access tract lengths had disappeared when we subtracted the subcutaneous fat tissue length from the whole tract length, exhibiting that the main determinant of tract length was subcutaneous tissue thickness. The maximum access angles were 96.7±22.0°, 94.2±23.6°, and 89.1±23.9° in the supine, prone, and prone-flex position, respectively ( p>0.05). The access field was shorter in the supine (80.8±13.3 mm) than prone (86.3±15.0 mm) and prone-flex (86.7±18.4 mm) position ( p<0.001). The nearest organ distance to access tract was similar between the supine and prone position in every pole of kidney. Conclusions: The anatomical changes related to supine positioning does not increase the risk of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) complications. Although supine PCNL may have some benefits over prone PCNL, there will also be some technical difficulties related to the surgeon's manipulations, which are related with the longer access tract and more limited access field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Uroflowmetry is frequently used and simple urodynamic test, but it may be affected by various factors. Voiding position is one of the factors that can change the results. We tried to compare the uroflowmetric parameters in sitting and standing positions during urination.Material and Methods: A total of 198 patients were enrolled to the study. All patients underwent an uroflowmetry in standing and sitting position at late afternoon (2-4 PM) of two corresponding days with a gravimetric uroflowmeter (Uroscan, Aymed, Turkey). A transabdominal ultrasonography was used to evaluate post voiding residue (PVR). All uroflowmetric parameters and PVR were compared with paired t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: The median age of study population was 58.0 (36-69) years. There was no statistically significant difference at voided volume of patients in standing and sitting position as it was 271.5 ± 81.8 mL and 274.8 ± 82.4 mL, respectively (P = .505). Mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) during urination at standing position was 15.3 ± 6.7 mL/s while it was 15.0 ± 7.0 mL/s at sitting position (P = .29). Mean average flow rate in standing position was 8.60 ± 4.0 mL/s and 8.25 ± 3.8 mL/s in sitting position (P = .054). There was a statistically significant difference between the median post-voiding residues in standing and sitting urination which was 29.5 (0-257) mL in standing and 47.5 (2-209) mL in sitting position (P < .0001). Other uroflowmetric parameters (time to maximum flow and voiding time) was not statistically different between groups.Conclusion: There are no clinically important uroflowmetric differences between voiding in sitting and standing positions so voiding position may be left to personal preferences during uroflowmetric evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between psoas muscle mass (PMM) and failure of ureteral access sheath (UAS) insertion and complications from retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Materials and Methods: A multicenter retrospective case–control study was conducted that included patients who underwent RIRS despite failure of UAS insertion (Cohort 1) and confounder-matched control patients who underwent RIRS after successful UAS insertion (Cohort 2). For morphometric analysis of PMM, ipsilateral psoas muscle areas (iPMAs) were measured using the coreslicer.com webkit. After comparing demographic, clinical, and complication rates and iPMAs between cohorts, gender-specific median iPMAs were also determined to further subdivide patients in each cohort as either low iPMAs or high iPMAs. Thereafter, patients were also compared in terms of RIRS complications. Results: Cohort 1 included 86 patients whereas Cohort 2 consisted of 124 matched cases. The median (interquartile range) iPMAs were similar between the cohorts: Cohort 1, 11.05 (6.82–14.44) cm2 versus 11.12 (6.97–13.69) cm2 for Cohort 2 (P ˃.05). There was a significant inverse relationship between iPMAs with age (r = −0.222) and Charlson comorbidity index (r = −0.180) for all patients (P ˂.05). Perioperative and postoperative complication rates were 8.1% and 16.3% for Cohort 1 and 6.5% and 21% for Cohort 2, respectively. The complication rates were not statistically different between patients with high iPMAs and those with low iPMAs, in male or female patients (P > .05). Conclusions: These results show that failure of UAS was not associated with PMM. Furthermore, since the complication rates were similar between patients with high PMM and low PMM, RIRS may be a reliable treatment choice for sarcopenic patients as well as in nonsarcopenic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In Parkinson's disease (PD), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common with a prevalence ranging from 25% to 57%. Patients who are resistant to medical treatment for LUTS may require urodynamic examination and pressure flow study (UD-PFS) to better comprehend the bladder's dynamics. To be able to understand the pathophysiology of LUTS, UD-PFS examinations should be performed. In this study, the demographics and clinical properties of PD patients were presented along with their UD- PFS examinations. Materials and Methods: The data of 155 patients with PD followed up between 2010¬2020 were retrospectively analyzed. UD-PFS was applied to 42 PD patients resistant to medical treatment of LUTS. Patients' demographic and clinical data with their UD-PFS findings were investigated separately. Results: Twenty-eight of the patients underwent UD-PFS were male, and 14 were female. In UD, the first urinary sensation was 86.00±68.77cc, and the maximum cystometric capacity was 322.07±194.25cc. Sixteen patients had a hypo-compliant bladder, 25 (59.5%) had a normo-compliant bladder. In PFS, Q max and peak detrusor pressure during voiding were 12.72±10.08 mL/sec and 43.93±15.56 cm-H2O, respectively. Stress-type urinary incontinence was detected in 6 (15%) of the patients. When evaluating the detrusor activity, neurogenic detrusor overactivity was observed in 18 (44%) patients, detrusor areflexia in 8 (19%) and normal UD-PFS in 16 (22%) patients. Conclusions: The majority of the PD patients presented with neurogenic detrusor overactivity accompanied by diminished bladder capacity and hypersensitivity. In the selected PD patients who are resistant to medical treatment with LUTS clinics, UD-PFS provides useful scientific information about the LUTS clinics of patients and may be helpful in treatment management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with renal calculi with solitary kidneys (SKs). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, a matched case–control study was carried out using the data from 522 RIRS patients treated between 2014 and 2021. Patients' demographic data, stone characteristics, operative outcomes, perioperative and postoperative complications, and surgical success were analyzed. All patients were evaluated with noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT) preoperatively and 1 month after the surgery. Surgical success was defined as no evidence of remaining residual fragments of <3 mm in the first-month postoperative NCCT images. The case group of 29 patients with SKs (Group 1) treated with RIRS were matched with 76 control patients (Group 2) with bilateral kidneys, who underwent unilateral RIRS by propensity score–matched (PSM) analysis. Results: After PSM analysis, the demographic and clinical data did not differ significantly between the groups. The stone burden was similar between the groups: 733.6 mm3 (range: 50.4–7565.9) versus 991.1 mm3 (range: 201.2–4380.6) (P = .09), respectively. The perioperative complication rates were 13.8% (n = 4) in Group 1 and 11.8% (n = 9) in Group 2 (P = .78). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for postoperative complication rates (minor complications, classified as Clavien 1 or 2), (6.9% [n = 2] versus 13.2% [n = 10; P = .34]), respectively. Surgical success was 82.8% (n = 24) in Group 1 and 83.6% in Group 2 (P = .92). There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative glomerular filtration rate and creatinine values (P = .005). Conclusions: Our results support that RIRS is a safe and effective treatment method in SK patients with similar complication and stone-free rates compared to patients who had bilateral functional kidneys and underwent unilateral RIRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) is expensive and fragile equipment which easily break down during the surgery. f-URS have yet some problems with their durability that affect survival. One of the most important ways to increase the survival of a device is to improve its use in the right indications. We aimed to investigate whether the durability of the f-URS will be affected due to the volume and location of the stone and some anatomical features of the including infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), and location anomalies. Materials and methods: The collected data from 705 patients' data including their age, sex, stone location, and stone volume, S-ReSC score, Hounsfield unit (HU) as stone density, IPA, BMI, and the usage time of f-URS using 10f-URS were included to study. Exp(B) values and confidence intervals (95% CIs) of parameters were calculated with COX regression and Roc curve analysis was also used to determine the cut-off value. Results: Renal malformation, DJstent use, previous ESL application, and UAS use did not affect contrary to expectations stone volume, HU, IPA, and S-ReSC score were among the factors statistically significant affecting the durability of the device. It was observed, Exp(B) values of the affecting factors to be 0.984, 0.268, 0.894, and 0.607, respectively. We found the most appropriate cutoff value for IPA as 41.25 degrees. Conclusion: The mean stone volume broken by each of the subsequent f-URS may increase, while the mean operative time may decrease as time progresses. This result shows us the importance of mastery of the device, such as the deflection maneuver, and the correct use distance of the laser, which improves with the increase in user experience, and makes us interpret that the operation time is shortened with this self-confidence. Factors including stone volume, HU, IPA, S-ReSC score affect the durability of the f-URS device and the as well as manufacturing features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has been accepted as a first-line therapeutic option for kidney stones <2 cm. Renal mobility might be a challenging situation for the surgeon targeting the laser, thereby limiting the renal mobility during surgery might affect the surgical success. The main objective of the present trial was to evaluate the effect of two different ventilation modes on the efficacy and safety of RIRS performed under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: The patients undergoing RIRS from January 2023 to April 2023 were prospectively enrolled in the trial. In the standard ventilation (SV) mode, the tidal volume was 8 to 10 mL/kg with respirations per minute being 10–15, whereas in the high ventilation (HV) mode the tidal volume was reduced to 6 to 8 mL/kg with the frequency being increased to 15 to 18 respirations/minute. For the purposes of the trial and the randomization, the anesthesiologist was informed about the ventilation mode used, whereas the surgeon was blinded. The surgical success rates and the observed complications were compared between SV and HV modes. Results: A total of 144 patients were enrolled with the mean age 48.78 ± 14.16 years. The mean duration of operation was 62.9 ± 26.3 minutes in the SV group, whereas it was 58.4 ± 20.1 minutes in the HV group (p = 0.031). Fragmentation rate of the stones per minute was higher in the HV group with the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.003). In the preoperative period, while hematuria was seen at higher rates in the HV group, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.671). Stone-free rates (Grades A–B–C) and the rates of postoperative complications were comparable between the groups (p = 0.605 and p = 0.676, respectively). Conclusion: Using HV mode during the RIRS decreased the operative time and provided the surgeon with the ability to target the laser more effectively. Surgeons might prefer using the HV mode during RIRS in a mobile kidney to reduce their operative time and perform comfortable surgery. ClinicalTrials.gov: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration number of NCT05792670. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is being performed with increasing frequency, there are only a limited number of studies about the learning curve (LC). This study aimed to analyze the LC of RIRS for five surgeons who underwent the same training. Materials and Methods: The data of the 410 patients who underwent RIRS between April 2017 and 2022 in a single institution, which were performed consecutively by five surgeons, were analyzed. All 50 cases performed by each surgeon were included and numbered consecutively and separately, according to the date of the operation. The combined stone-free rate (SFR) was calculated for each surgeon's cases in the same row, and the LCs were created using moving average and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analyses. Separate multivariable analyses identified each period's (LC vs. beyond) characteristics. Results: The LCs from the combined SFRs reached a plateau after approximately 50 cases for both the CUSUM and the moving average. The effect of stone burden on SFR was more evident in the first 50 cases compared to subsequent cases in the multivariable analyses (p = 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). Case order and stone density were independent factors in the first 50 cases (OR: 1.02 [95% CI 1.00–1.04], p = 0.04 and OR: 0.99 [95% CI 0.99–1.00], p = 0.04) but not significant in subsequent cases (OR: 0.97 [95% CI 0.94–1.00], p = 0.1 and OR: 1.00 [95% CI 0.99–1.00], p = 0.7, respectively). Compared to single locations except the lower calyx, the unfavorable effect of the multiple-stone localization on SFR grew in strength after the 50th case (OR: 0.42 [95% CI 0.23–0.78], p = 0.01 and OR: 0.20 [95% CI 0.09–0.46], p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study reporting on the RIRS LCs of urology residents. While stone burden, density, and multiple-stone localization were the factors determining SFR in the learning period, after completing the LC, the effect of stone burden weakened and multiple-stone localization became stronger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Primary bladder pain syndrome (PBPS) is characterized with suprapubic pain accompanied by at least one lower urinary tract symptoms including frequent urination, urinary urgency and nocturia for more than 6 weeks. While there are many alternative therapies for the treatment of PBPS, the only approved oral medication is PPS (pentosan polysulfate sodium). As it has been associated with retinal toxicity after its widespread use, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between PPS use and maculopathy. Material and Methods The patients diagnosed with PBPS between 2010 and 2020 who may only benefit from PPS use were included into the study after subgroup and phenotype assessment (urinary and non-ulcerative organspecific subgroups). In our study, patients who had history of degenerative maculopathy or diseases predisposing to maculopathy (age-related macular degeneration, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic vascular disorders, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal dystrophy, epiretinal membrane, and chronic exposure to hydroxychloroquine) were excluded to prevent possible misdirection. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity assessment using Snellen chart, anterior segment and fundus examination using slit lamp biomicroscopy, and intraocular pressure measurement. Color vision test (Ishihara test), posterior segment optical coherence examination and 10-2 visual field test were performed, and color images of the fundus and autofluorescence imaging were obtained. Best-corrected visual acuity, color vision results, macular, choroidal and mean retinal nerve fiber thicknesses, mean deviation of the visual field and fundus findings were recorded. Results Out of 15 patients included into the study, 4 (37.5%) were male and 11 (73.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 53.3±11.2 years. During the follow-up, the duration of oral PPS use was found to be 33.01±10.59 months, cumulative oral PPS dose to be 216.02±97.63 g and duration of diagnosis to be 66.64±39.37 months. The mean central macular thickness of the patients was measured to be 254.55±33.11 μm, and the mean choroidal thickness to be 261.82±34.22 μm. Mean deviation of the visual field of the patients was found to be -1.89 ±-1.25 dB. The mean retinal nerve fiber thickness was measured to be 98.1±17.62 μm from the fundus autofluorescence images of the patients. Furthermore, in the present study, the ocular findings of the patients who are at below and above the mean cumulative dose and exposure period were compared. Conclusion This study detected no correlation between longterm PPS use and maculopathy. When forming the patient group; it is crucial to exclude patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and to form a homogeneous group by phenotype and subgroup assessment. Randomized, prospective, multi-center studies are needed to better assess this correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of stone density on operative complication rates in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Materials and Methods: A total of 473 consecutive patients undergoing RIRS for the treatment of upper tract urinary stones were included. To adjust for baseline confounders, one-to-one propensity score matching was performed. After matching, the patients were divided into two groups according to stone density (low density [LD] group, ≤970 Hounsfield unit [HU]; high density [HD] group, >970 HU). The patients' demographics, stone-related features, stone-free rates, and intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were compared between the groups. The primary objective was to evaluate whether the intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were higher in patients whose stone density was greater than 970 HU. Results: After propensity score matching, 170 of 210 LD and 170 of 263 HD patients undergoing RIRS were included. The baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. There were no significant differences between LD and HD patients with respect to intraoperative (5.9% and 8.8%, respectively; P = .29), postoperative (10.6% and 15.3%, respectively; P = .14), and overall complication rates (15.2% and 21.1%, respectively; P = .16). Stone-free status was achieved in 143 patients (84.1%) in the LD group and 148 patients (87%) in the HD group; the difference was not statistically significant (P = .27). Conclusion: Our results show that RIRS is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones, even in HD stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]