Search

Sabine Uguzova,1 Christian Beisland,2,3 Alfred Honoré,2,3 Patrick Juliebø-Jones2,3 1Department of Urology, Stepping Hill Hospital, Manchester, UK; 2Department of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; 3Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayCorrespondence: Patrick Juliebø-Jones, Email jonesurology@gmail.comAbstract: Bladder neck contracture is a recognised complication associated with radical prostatectomy. The management can be challenging, especially when refractory to initial intervention strategies. For the patient, the burden of disease is high and continence status cannot be overlooked. This review serves to provide an overview of the management of this recognised clinical pathology. Consideration needs to be given to minimally invasive approaches such as endoscopic incision, injectables, implantable devices as well as major reconstructive surgery where the condition persists. For the latter, this can involve open and robotic surgery as well as use of grafts and artificial sphincter surgery. These elements underline the need for a tailored and a patient centred approach.Keywords: prostate cancer, bladder neck contracture, radical prostatectomy

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

Background and objective: Generative artificial intelligence models are among the most promising and widely used tools used in health care. This review investigates GPT-4 answers to decision-making questions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis across several clinical settings and their correspondence to the current European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. Methods: In March 2024, the GPT-4 model was asked 11 questions, containing a brief description of a patient with urolithiasis. All questions were grouped according to urolithiasis care step: diagnosis, urgent care, scheduled intervention, and metaphylaxis. When responses were received, compliance with the current EAU guidelines was assessed by experienced urologists. Key findings and limitations: Although all responses were provided with information that corresponded to EAU guidelines, six of the 11 answers were associated with missed guideline–provided parts, and incorrect data were given in eight of the 11 answers. GPT-4 is relatively safe in the initial diagnostic flow of patients suspected of having stones within the urinary tract and during treatment planning; however, its understanding of all the nuances of metaphylaxis leaves much to be desired and is far from the dogma given in the EAU guidelines. Moreover, GPT-4 knowledge of strategy and algorithm is not always aligned with the EAU guidelines. Conclusions and clinical implications: Despite the fact that from the perspective of patients with urolithiasis, GPT-4 is capable of answering their questions well, the specificity of questions from urologists is labor intensive for its current version, and necessitates the ability to interpret it correctly and further attempts to improve it. While some aspects of diagnostics are more accurate, these struggle with surgical planning and algorithms in line with the EAU guidelines. Patient summary: The generative artificial intelligence (AI) model GPT-4 is capable of answering urology-related questions, but lacks detailed responses. Although some aspects of the diagnostics are accurate, knowledge of surgical planning is not in line with the European Association of Urology guidelines. Future improvements should focus on efforts to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and clinical relevance of AI tools in urology.

Abstract Objectives Ureterorenoscopy is seeing a bloom of technological advances, one of which is incorporating suction. The objective of this study is to systematically review existing literature regarding suction use in rigid and flexible ureterorenoscopy and perform meta‐analysis of studies comparing suction versus no suction ureteroscopy or mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods A literature search was performed (November 2023) in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL. Study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023482360). Comparative studies (observational and randomized) were eligible for inclusion if they compared suction versus no suction group and reported at least one primary outcome of interest (stone‐free or complication rate). Results Sixteen studies (5 randomized and 11 observational), analysing 1086 and 1109 patients in standard and suction groups, respectively, were included. Final stone‐free rates (SFRs), overall and infectious complications and length of hospital stay exhibited significant improvement when suction was used. When mini‐PCNL was compared with flexible ureterorenoscopy with suction, no differences were found in terms of stone‐free and infectious complications rates. Conclusions Ureterorenoscopy is a commonly performed endoscopic procedure for urolithiasis treatment, the success of which is defined by SFRs and complication rates. Application of suction via ureteral access sheaths, ureteral catheters or scopes may provide improved SFRs, reduced overall and infectious complication rates, along with a reduction in length of hospital stay. Further randomized studies are needed to validate these findings and standardize indications and protocols.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of retrograde intra renal surgery (RIRS) in the setting of large or multiple stones in children (15 mm, or both. Outcomes included stone free rate (SFR) and complications within 30 days. Results In total, 344 patients were included with 197 and 147 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Ureteric access sheaths were more frequently used in Group 2 (39.5% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.021). The operation time was significantly longer in Group 2 (p

Background and objective: The integration of machine learning (ML) in health care has garnered significant attention because of its unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient care and outcomes. In this study, we trained ML algorithms for automated prediction of outcomes of ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (URSL) on the basis of preoperative characteristics. Methods: Data were retrieved for patients treated with ureteroscopy for urolithiasis by a single experienced surgeon over a 7-yr period. Sixteen ML classification algorithms were trained to investigate correlation between preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes. The outcomes assessed were primary stone-free status (SFS, defined as the presence of only stone fragments 90% for prediction of SFS and complications, and represents a basis for the development of an accessible predictive model for endourologists and patients in the URSL setting. Patient summary: We tested the ability of artificial intelligence to predict treatment outcomes for patients with kidney stones. We trained 16 different machine learning tools with data before surgery, such as patient age and the stone characteristics. Our final model was >90% accurate in predicting stone-free status after surgery and the occurrence of complications.

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.

Background and objective: The adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS) is an established treatment for patients with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and the complication burdens associated with ATOMS with a focus on exploring the potential impact on previous radiotherapy (RT). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis for consecutive patients who underwent ATOMS implantation procedure at a tertiary center over an 11-yr study period. Outcomes of interest were dryness at 3-mo follow up, postoperative complications (≤30 d), and late treatment failures (>30 d). Key findings and limitations: A total of 118 patients underwent ATOMS surgery performed by five different surgeons. Median follow-up was 67 mo (interquartile range 41–95). The mean 24-h pad count after surgery was 1.1 (range 0–8) and the mean reduction in pad weight was 179 g (range 0–1080). There was no significant difference in the reduction in pad use between groups with and without RT (−1.7 vs −2.4; p = 0.13). Multivariable analysis revealed that RT, degree of incontinence, and age were not risk factors for reoperation. Conclusions and clinical implications: ATOMS implantation is feasible in patients who have undergone prostate RT and patients with severe stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. We found that RT was not a risk factor for reoperation and there was no significant difference in pad weight reduction by RT status. This study offers new insight into potential incontinence surgery for male patients with stress urinary incontinence and previous RT. Patient summary: We assessed outcomes for patients who had an ATOMS (adjustable transobturator male system) device implanted to control stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. After implantation, 52.5% of the patients reported zero leakage and 39.9% reported only mild incontinence. Our results show that this device can improve continence after prostate surgery and is also suitable in patients who underwent radiotherapy.

Abstract. Background. The aims were to describe a software-based reconstruction of the patient-specific kidney cavity intraluminal appearance via a head-mounted device and to estimate its feasibility for training novices. Materials and methods. In total, 15 novices were recruited. Each novice was shown a three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient’s computed tomography scan, whose kidney was printed. They then joined the surgeon in the operating room and assisted them in detecting the stone during flexible ureteroscopy on the printed model. Then, each participant did a 7-day virtual reality (VR) study followed by virtual navigation of the printed kidney model and came to the operating room to help the surgeon with ureteroscope navigation. The length of the procedure and the number of attempts to find the targeted calyx were compared. Results. With VR training, the length of the procedure (p = 0.0001) and the number of small calyces that were incorrectly identified as containing stones were significantly reduced (p = 0.0001). All the novices become highly motivated to improve their endourological skills further. Participants noticed minimal values for nausea and for disorientation. However, oculomotor-related side effects were defined as significant. Five specialists noticed a good similarity between the VR kidney cavity representation and the real picture, strengthening the potential for the novice’s education via VR training. Conclusions. Virtual reality simulation allowed for improved spatial orientation within the kidney cavity by the novices and could be a valuable option for future endourological training and curricula.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate adverse events and device events related to accessories used during ureteroscopy (URS). Materials and methods Analysis was performed of the records available in the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database in the United States. Information was collected on characteristics of problem, timing, manufacturer verdict, successful completion of planned surgery, prolonged anaesthesia and injury to patient or staff. Results Five‐hundred seventy‐one events related to URS accessories were recorded. These were associated with the following devices: baskets (n = 347), access sheath (n = 86), guidewires (n = 78), balloon dilators (n = 27), ARDs (n = 17) and ureteral catheters (n = 16). Of the events, 12.7% resulted in patient injuries. Forty‐eight per cent of the events resulted in prolonged anaesthesia, but the planned surgery was successfully completed in 78.4% of all cases. Collectively, the manufacturers accepted responsibility due to actual device failure in only 0.5% of cases. Common problems for baskets were failure to deploy (39.5%) and complete detachment of basket head (34.6%) and partial breakage of the basket head (12.4%). Of the basket group, 4.3% required open or percutaneous surgery to remove stuck basket. Full break of the body of the access sheath occurred in 41.9% and complete ureteral avulsion in 3.5%. For balloon dilators, there was a burst in 37% of cases. Broken guidewires were associated with 11.5% requiring repeat intervention for retrieval and 6.4% required JJ stent due to perforation to the collecting system. No injuries to operating staff were recorded with accessory usage. Conclusion Accessories used during URS are fragile. Potential for serious injury does exist as a direct result of their use. Surgeons should familiarise themselves with these events and how they can be prevented.

Background: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is characterised by stenosis of the ureteral lumen at the level of the renal pelvis and proximal ureter. At Haukeland University Hospital, robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RLP) for UPJO has been performed since 2014. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the treatment and consider what determines treatment success. Materials and methods: Retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients undergoing RLP between 2014-2022. Outcomes of interest included symptom relief, complication rates and renographic findings at follow-up. Treatment success was defined in terms of symptom improvement and/or improvement as well as relief of obstruction on renography. Results: In total, 95 RLPs were performed in 54 women and 41 men, with a mean age of 40 years (IQR: 21-58). Flank pain was the most frequent presenting complaint (n = 81, 85%) followed by infection (n = 33, 35%). More than one indication for surgery was present in 1/3 of the patients. Urodynamic relevant obstruction on renography was found in 62 patients (65%) preoperatively. Mean operative time was 123 minutes (range 60-270). Two patients experienced minor intraoperative complications. At three months follow-up, 91% of patients had symptom relief, and no obstruction on renography was recorded in 64%. There was no significant association between improvement in symptoms and renography findings at follow-up, p = 1. Conclusions: RLP can deliver a high success rate in terms of symptom relief and few complications. There was no association between renography findings and symptom relief at follow-up. Success after surgery should be determined by symptom relief rather than renography findings.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of patient experiences and perceptions regarding kidney stone surgery on the social media platform TikTok. An increasing number of the public use social media (SoMe) as a platform to share their views regarding their experiences related to surgical treatment.MethodsUsing the hashtag #kidneystonesurgery, the 100 most recent video posts as of 01.01.2024 on TikTok were included. As well as demographic data such as gender and location, thematic content was also collected. To achieve this, a previously published framework was used and adapted for application in the setting of kidney stone surgery. This was piloted on 20 sample videos to assess its feasibility before revision and establishment of the final framework. This included the following key areas: Pain, Complications, Anxiety, Recovery, Return to work, Finances, Treatment delays, Diet and Prevention and stent complaints.ResultsThe majority of posts (95%) were from North America, 80% by females and the mean number of video views was 92,826 (range: 261–2,000,000). 76% of the videos discussed ureteroscopy (URS). 49% were filmed at the hospital, which was named in 9% of the videos. Top three topics discussed were: Recovery (65%), pain (62%) and stents (55%). This was followed by anxiety (39%) and complications (24%). 12% of these videos uploaded by lay people included basic medical information that was wholly incorrect. More than half of the posts (51%) were negative in tone. Treatment delays (5%) and a lack of sufficient preoperative information (4%) were also raised, that appeared to contribute to the negative reports. However, the main cause for negative tone owed to the 80% of the patients (n = 44) who discussed stents that focused their video on the pain suffered from the post operative stent.ConclusionThere is a high level of usership and engagement on TikTok on the subject of kidney stone surgery. The proportion of negative videos is high and much of this is related to the bothersome stent symptoms and complications. This could easily lead to misperceptions among potential patients about the true burden of such adverse events.

This article aims to provide a practical guide for patient management and an overview of the predictive scorings for Fournier’s gangrene (FG) that are available to aid clinicians. A literature was performed reviewing currently used scoring systems for FG and presenting a practical guide for its management based on the available evidence. There are four specific scoring systems available for the assessment of FG although few other non-specific and generic tools also exist. These specific tools include Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis, Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index, Uludag Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index, and Simplified Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index and help calculate expected mortality. Our proposed algorithm covers primary assessment, resuscitative interventions, initial investigations, urgent care, post-operative care, and long-term follow-up. The management of the FG patient can be divided into initial resuscitation, surgical debridement, ongoing ward management with antibiotic therapy, wound reconstruction, and long-term follow-up. Each facet of care is vital and requires multidisciplinary team expertise for optimal outcomes. Whilst mortality continues to improve, it remains significant, reflecting the severe and life-threatening nature of FG. More research is certainly needed into how this care is individualised, and to ensure that long-term outcomes in FG include quality of life measures after discharge.

Male stress urinary incontinence is a debilitating condition, which can occur after prostate surgery. In persistent cases, surgery is indicated and a number of options are available. This includes one of the male slings, Adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMSTM, A.M.I, Austria). There are now an increasing number of studies published. This review provides an overview of the current status of this implant device including technical considerations, surgical outcomes and potential advantages and disadvantages compared to alternatives such as the artificial urinary sphincter.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, with many treatment modalities available for patients, such as radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, electroporation and other whole-gland or focal ablative novel techniques. Unfortunately, up to 60% of men with prostate cancer experience recurrence at 5 to 10 years. Salvage radical prostatectomy can be offered as an option in the setting of recurrence after a primary non-surgical treatment. However, the complexity of salvage radical prostatectomy is considered to be greater than that of primary surgery, making it the least popular treatment of choice. With the wide use of robotic platforms in urologic oncologic surgery, salvage radical prostatectomy has attracted attention again because, compared to past data, modern series involving salvage Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy have shown promising results. In this narrative literature review, we comprehensively examined data on salvage radical prostatectomy. We investigated the correlation between the different types of primary prostate cancer therapy and the following salvage radical prostatectomy. Furthermore, we explored the concept of a robotic approach and its beneficial effect in salvage surgery. Lastly, we emphasized several promising avenues for future research in this field.

Radical prostatectomy significantly impacts the inherent anatomy of the male pelvis and the functional mechanisms of urinary continence. Incontinence has a considerable negative influence on the quality of life of patients, as well as their social and psychological wellbeing. Numerous surgical techniques have been demonstrated to support the preservation of continence during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). In this in-depth analysis, we give a general summary of the surgical techniques used in RARP and their impact on incontinence rates.

The management of nephrolithiasis has been complemented well by modern technological advancements like virtual reality, three-dimensional (3D) printing etc. In this review, we discuss the applications of 3D printing in treating stone disease using percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). PCNL surgeries, when preceded by a training phase using a 3D printed model, aid surgeons to choose the proper course of action, which results in better procedural outcomes. The 3D printed models have also been extensively used to train junior residents and novice surgeons to improve their proficiency in the procedure. Such novel measures include different approaches employed to 3D print a model, from 3D printing the entire pelvicalyceal system with the surrounding tissues to 3D printing simple surgical guides.

The integration of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) in urological practices and medical education has led to modern training systems that are cost-effective and with an increased expectation toward surgical performance and outcomes. VR aids the user in interacting with the virtual environment realistically by providing a three-dimensional (3D) view of the structures inside the body with high-level precision. AR enhances the real environment around users by integrating experience with virtual information over physical models and objects, which in turn has improved understanding of physiological mechanisms and anatomical structures. MR is an immersive technology that provides virtual content to interact with real elements. The field of urolithiasis has adapted the technological advancements, newer instruments, and methods to perform endourologic treatment procedures. This mini-review discusses the applications of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality in endourology and urolithiasis.

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a prevalent and pervasive disease. The physical and psychological sequelae can be very burdensome for the patient, and the condition represents a real challenge for the clinician as well. With no simple pathognomonic test, finding harmony in navigating patient care can be demanding. Diagnosis and management rely upon a multidisciplinary and holistic approach. Treatment options include conservative measures and pharmacotherapies as well as bladder instillation therapies. Ultimately, surgery may be offered but only in cases of refractory disease. This article offers a pragmatic guide for clinicians managing this challenging disease.

Introduction. Prevalence of urinary symptoms such as incontinence (UI) in patients with dementia is estimated to exceed 50%. The resultant psychological and socio-economic burden can be substantial. Our aim was to develop a dedicated urology service within a cognitive impairment clinic in order to treat and better understand the bothersome urinary symptoms suffered by persons with dementia. Methods. Patients attending this clinic were invited to be assessed and interviewed by urologist, together with their family and/or carer. In addition, formal history, examination and relevant investigations, themes of importance such as quality of life, and select question items were drawn from validated questionnaires. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting was carried out on the same day. Outcomes of the first 75 patients with UI and dementia have been reported. Results. Average age was 70 years (range 58–98). Majority of persons had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (n = 43, 57%). Average score for how much urine leakage interferes with everyday life was 7.7/10 (range 2–10). 58.7% (n = 44) revealed some degree of sleep disturbance due to UI. 83% (n = 62) stated daily activities were limited due to UI. Two-thirds of persons with dementia (n = 50) stated their bladder problem makes them feel anxious. 88% (n = 67) felt the topic was socially embarrassing. All carers stated that the person’s continence issues affect the care they provide. Less than one-third of carers (30.7%, n = 23) were aware of or had been in contact with any bladder and bowel community service. More than half of the carers (n = 46, 65%) were concerned incontinence may be a principal reason for future nursing home admission. Conclusion. UI can be distressing for persons with dementia. Care partners were concerned about loss of independence and early nursing home admission. Awareness of bladder and bowel services should be increased.

Background: Both clinicians and patients use social media to post about health care issues such as kidney stone disease, but their perspectives may differ. Objective: To evaluate content and themes regarding kidney stone surgery shared by patients and urologists on Instagram. Design, setting, and participants: A search was performed on Instagram using the term “kidney stone surgery”. The first 100 posts from individuals who were clearly identified as a patient were assessed. We also assessed 100 posts from self-identified urologists. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: A previously published system was applied as a framework for categorizing the information collected. Outcomes of interested included pain, recovery, and costs. Results and limitations: Some 71% of the patients were female and most of their posts (52%) were shared postoperatively. The most common themes covered in patient posts were the need for multiple operative sessions (45%), pain (43%), and recovery (42%). Other themes included activities of daily life (18%), return to work (11%), nervousness (16%), stent issues (31%), stent on a string (5%), diet and prevention (9%), gratitude for health care services (10%), disease recurrence (18%), and costs (10%). Some 94% of the urologists were male and their posts covered the following domains: recovery (11%), stent issues (3%), pain (1%), stent on a string (1%), gratitude for health care services (1%), and recurrence 1%. Among the posts from urologists, 79% included self-promotion and 52% covered new technology. Overall, 10% contained false information. The majority of the posts with surgical images had no clear statement regarding patient consent (97%). Conclusions: Kidney stone surgery can affect many areas of a patient’s quality of life. Most of the posts shared by patients were negative. Posts shared by urologists do not reflect the same themes. Moreover, there appears to be poor adherence to European Association of Urology recommendations regarding online professional conduct. Patient summary: Many patients use social media to share their experiences of kidney stone surgery. Posts are largely related to quality-of-life issues and are mostly negative. While urologists also use social media, the content they post on professional accounts is mostly focused on new technology and career promotion.

Abstract Introduction Single use ureteroscopes are a technological innovation that have become available in the past decade and gained increased popularity. To this end, there are now an increasing number of both benchside and clinical studies reporting outcomes associated with their use. Our aim was to deliver a narrative review in order to provide an overview of this new technology. Methods A narrative review was performed to gain overview of the history of the technology's development, equipment specifications and to highlight potential advantages and disadvantages. Results Findings from preclinical studies highlight potenial advantages in terms of the design of single use ureteroscopes such as the lower weight and more recent modifications such as pressure control. However, concerns regarding plastic waste and environmental impact still remain unanswered. Clinical studies reveal them to have a non inferior status for outcomes such as stone free rate. However, the volume of evidence, especially in terms of randomised trials remains limited. From a cost perspective, study conclusions are still conflicting and centres are recommended to perform their own micro cost analyses. Conclusions Most clinical outcomes for single use ureteroscopes currently match those achieved by reusable ureteroscopes but the data pool is still limited. Areas of continued debate include their environmental impact and cost efficiency.

Objective: The objective of this narrative review was to search the existing literature for studies reporting measures to minimize radiation use during endoscopic management of stone disease and present ways of reducing the exposure of both patients and operating room staff. Methods: A literature review in PubMed was performed to identify studies describing protocols or measures to reduce radiation received during endourological procedures from January 1970 to August 2022. Eligible studies were those that reported outcomes for ureteroscopy or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy regarding measures to minimize radiation doses used intraoperatively, performed either in real-life theatres or using phantoms. Both comparative and non-comparative studies were deemed eligible. Results: Protection can be achieved initially at the level of diagnosis and follow-up of patients, which should be done following an algorithm and choice of more conservative imaging methods. Certain protocols, which follow principles for minimized fluoroscopy use should be implemented and urologists as well as operating room staff should be continuously trained regarding radiation damage and protection measures. Wearing protective lead equipment remains a cornerstone for personnel protection, while configuration of the operating room and adjusting X-ray machine settings can also significantly reduce radiation energy. Conclusion: There are specific measures, which can be implemented to reduce radiation exposure. These include avoiding excessive use of computed tomography scans and X-rays during diagnosis and follow-up of urolithiasis patients. Intraoperative protocols with minimal fluoroscopy use can be employed. Staff training regarding dangers of radiation plays also a major role. Use and maintenance of protective equipment and setting up the operating room properly also serve towards this goal. Machine settings can be customized appropriately and finally continuously monitoring of exposure with dosimeters can be adopted.

Ureteroscopy is increasingly being used for urolithiasis. Technological innovations have been accompanied by wide variations in practice patterns. At the same time, a common finding in many studies, especially systematic reviews, is that the heterogeneity of outcome measurements and lack of standardisation can limit both the reproducibility and generalisability of study findings. While many checklists are available to improve study reporting, there are no ureteroscopy-specific ones. The Adult-Ureteroscopy (A-URS) checklist is a practical aid for both researchers and reviewers for studies in this field. It contains five main sections (study details, preoperative, operative, postoperative, and long term data) and a total of 20 items. Patient summary: We developed a checklist to improve how studies on ureteroscopy (insertion of a telescope through the urethra to inspect the urinary tract) in adults are reported. This could help in advancing the field and improving patient outcomes, as all the key information is captured.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the 2015 introduction of prebiopsy magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate (MRI‐P) as the standard of care for diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa) by the Norwegian public health care authorities. There were three specific objectives of this study: first, to evaluate the consequences of using different TNM manuals for clinical T‐staging (cT‐staging) in a national setting; second, to determine if the data reveals that MRI‐P based cT‐staging is superior to digital rectal examination (DRE)‐based cT‐staging compared with pathological T‐stage (pT‐stage) post radical prostatectomy; and third, to assess whether treatment allocations have changed over time. Materials and Methods All patients registered in the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Registry between 2004 and 2021 were retrieved and 5538 were eligible for inclusion. Concordance between clinical T‐stage (cT‐stage) and pT‐stage was assessed by percentage agreement, Cohen's kappa and Gwet's agreement. Results MR visualisation of lesions influences reporting of tumour extension beyond DRE findings. Agreement between cT‐stage and pT‐stage declined from 2004 to 2009, which coincided with an increase in the percentage being pT3. From 2010, agreement increased, which aligned with changes in cT‐staging and the introduction of MRI‐P. From 2017, regarding the reporting of cT‐DRE and cT‐Total (overall cT‐stage), agreement diminished for cT‐DRE but remained relatively stable (>60%) for cT‐Total. Regarding treatment allocation, the study suggests that staging with MRI‐P has shifted treatment towards radiotherapy in locally advanced high‐risk disease. Conclusion Introduction of MRI‐P has affected cT‐stage reporting. Agreement between cT‐stage and pT‐stage appears to have improved. This study suggests that use of MRI‐P influences treatment decisions in certain patient subgroups.

Background: Ureteroscopy (URS) in patients with urinary diversion is technically challenging. Common difficulties include anastomotic strictures, tortuosity, and failure to cannulate the ureteric orifice. There are few studies reporting outcomes in this special population. Objective: Our aim was to report outcomes at two tertiary centres in Europe. Design, setting, and participants: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2010 and 2022. Intervention: URS (antegrade and retrograde) procedures carried out in patients with urinary diversions. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Outcomes of interest included success at cannulating the ureteric orifice, stone-free rate (SFR), and complications. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors for success at cannulating the ureteric orifice and success at completing the intended procedure in a single session. Results and limitations: Fifty patients underwent 72 URS procedures, with most (86%) undergoing a retrograde approach. The majority (82%) of patients had undergone ileal conduit. Wallace was the commonest anastomosis type (64%). Ureteric anastomosis was cannulated successfully in 81% of cases. The most common reason for cannulation failure was the inability to identify the ureteric orifice (11%). A multivariable analysis revealed that an endourologist performing the case was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of cannulation success compared with consultants (odds ratio 25.9, p

Abstract. Background. The management of suspected kidney stone disease in pregnancy is challenging. In cases of persistent flank pain and where investigations may have rendered equivocal results, ureteroscopy (URS) is a recognized diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the safety and outcomes associated with performing URS during pregnancy, as the technique has evolved over the past 4 decades at our center. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of pregnant patients who underwent URS at our tertiary center between 1984 and 2022. Outcomes of interest included anesthetic approach, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Results. Eighty-seven pregnant patients underwent 96 URS procedures, and 60% (n = 57) of these procedures were performed during the third trimester. Overall, 58% (n = 56) of the procedures were achieved with local anesthesia and light sedation. During the most recent decade, the latter was successfully carried out in 97% of the procedures, with the remainder occurring under spinal anesthesia as per patient choice. Overall, 57% (n = 50) of the whole study group had ureteral calculi found at the time of surgery and in 88% (n = 44) of these cases, fragmentation/extraction was performed. The remainder had insertion of ureteral stent with definitive clearance deferred until postpartum. Mean operative time and postprocedure hospital stay was 33 minutes (range, 7–100 minutes) and 2.2 days (range, 0–16 days), respectively. The overall intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 2% and 11%, respectively. During the final decade, the latter improved to 6% and all adverse events were minor (Clavien I/II), with the exception of a single case. Regarding exit strategy, ureteral stent was placed in 42% (n = 40) of the procedures, 23% (n = 22) had ureteral catheter inserted, and the remainder (35%, n = 34) had none. Conclusions. Ureteroscopy can be safely performed during pregnancy using anesthetic approach with local anesthesia and light sedation. Development of a local protocol and multidisciplinary management algorithm are instrumental in enabling the delivery of such a service.

Introduction: Transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) of the prostate is a new, minimally invasive technique for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with promising effectiveness and safety outcomes. This systematic review aims to provide an update of existing literature. Methods: A literature review was performed in Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov from January 2000 up to April 2023. Data extraction and risk of bias were performed independently by three authors. Results: A total of 11 studies were included, among which 9 were observational, 1 randomized controlled trial, 1 animal study, while 2 of them were comparative (1 with prostatic artery embolization and 1 with transurethral resection of the prostate). Functional outcomes were improved in the majority of studies both for objective (maximum flow rate and post-void residual) and subjective outcomes (improvement of International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life). Complication rates ranged between 1.9% and 2.3% for hematuria, 3.7% and 36.3% for dysuria, 1.9% and 19% for acute urinary retention, 0.6% and 9.1% for orchitis/urinary tract infections, and 0.6% and 4.8% for prostatic abscess formation. Regarding sexual function, >95% of patients retained their ejaculation while erectile function was maintained or improved. Conclusion: TPLA of the prostate is an innovative, minimally invasive technique for managing patients with BPH. Existing studies indicate an effective technique in reducing International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life scores, post-void residual reduction, and increase in Qmax, albeit the measured improvements in terms of Qmax are not equal to transurethral resection of the prostate. Although sexual function is maintained, the mean catheterization time is 7 days, and no long-term data are available for most patients.

Ureteroscopy has become an increasingly popular surgical intervention for conditions such as urinary stone disease. As new technologies and techniques become available, debate regarding their proper use has risen. This includes the role of single use ureteroscopes, optimal laser for stone lithotripsy, basketing versus dusting, the impact of ureteral access sheath, the need for safety guidewire, fluoroscopy free URS, imaging and follow up practices are all areas which have generated a lot of debate. This review serves to evaluate each of these issues and provide a balanced conclusion to guide the clinician in their practice.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a new concept in flexible ureteroscopy: instrumental dead space (IDS). For this purpose, various proximal working channel connector designs, as well as the impact of ancillary devices occupying the working channel were evaluated in currently available flexible ureteroscopes. Design and methods: IDS was defined as the volume of saline irrigation needed to inject at the proximal connector for delivery at the distal working channel tip. Because IDS is related to working channel diameter and length, proximal connector design, as well as occupation of working channel by ancillary devices, these parameters were also reviewed. Results: IDS significantly varied between flexible ureteroscope models, ranging from 1.1 ml for the Pusen bare scopes, to 2.3 ml for Olympus scopes with their 4-way connector ( p

Abstract. Ureteroscopy during pregnancy has become increasingly recognized as a safe intervention. Performing it under local anesthesia and light sedation reduces the risks associated with general or regional anesthesia, such as difficult airway scenarios, hypothermia, and hypotension. In addition, this approach reduces the total amount of fetal exposure to medications and anesthetic agents. Performing ureteroscopy in this manner requires a number of adjustments and modifications to the standard technique. This article provides a summary in a step-by-step format, as well as an accompanying video demonstration.

While urolithiasis in children is rare, the global incidence is rising, and the volume of minimally invasive surgeries being performed reflects this. There have been many developments in the technology, which have supported the advancement of these interventions. However, innovation of this kind has also resulted in wide-ranging practice patterns and debate regarding how they should be best implemented. This is in addition to the extra challenges faced when treating stone disease in children where the patient population often has a higher number of comorbidities and for example, the need to avoid risk such as ionising exposure is higher. The overall result is a number of challenges and controversies surrounding many facets of paediatric stone surgery such as imaging choice, follow-up and different treatment options, for example, medical expulsive therapy, shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This article provides an overview of the current status of paediatric stone surgery and discussion on the key topics of debate.

Introduction: Paediatric stone disease is rare in the Nordic communities. Still, the condition can require surgical intervention in the form of ureteroscopy (URS). Here, we report outcomes achieved at a regional (tertiary) centre. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis was performed of consecutive patients (