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Introduction: Ureteroscopy and stone lasertripsy (URSL) is a recognized technique for treatment of urinary tract stones. Holmium:Yag laser has been successfully used for this purpose for the last two decades. More lately, pulse modulation with Moses technology and high power lasers have been introduced with the result of faster and more efficient stone lasertripsy. Pop dusting is a two-stage combined treatment using a long pulse Ho:YAG laser, initially in contact mode with the stone 'dusting' (0.2–0.5 J/40–50 Hz) followed by non-contact mode 'pop-dusting' (0.5–0.7 J/20–50 Hz). We wanted to look at the outcomes of lasertripsy for renal and ureteric stones using a high-power laser machine. Methods: Over a period of 6.5 years (January 2016–May 2022), we prospectively collected data for patients undergoing URSL for stones larger than 15 mm treated using high power Ho:YAG laser (60W Moses or 100W laser). Patient parameters, stone demographics and outcomes of URSL were analyzed. Results: A total of 201 patients, underwent URSL for large urinary stones. In 136 patients (61.6%) stones were multiple and the mean single and cumulative stone size was 18 mm and 22.4 mm respectively. A pre- and post-operative stent was placed in 92 (41.4%) and 169 (76%) respectively. The initial and final stone free rate (SFR) were 84.5% and 94% respectively and 10% patients underwent additional procedure to achieve stone free status. 7 (3.9%) complications were recorded, all related to UTI/sepsis, with 6 Clavien II and 1 Clavien IVa complication. Conclusion: Dusting and pop-dusting has shown to be successful and safe with the ability to treat large, bilateral or multiple stones with low retreatment and complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is a minimally invasive technique utilized for renal and ureteric stones in children. Despite being considered safe, certain complications have been recorded. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a pooled analysis of Clavien–Dindo graded complications after SWL in children. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, were screened from inception to 12/02/2022 by two authors independently. Only randomized controlled trials providing Clavien–Dindo classification or relevant clinical information were considered eligible. Overall complications were calculated using the aggregate number of each complication divided by the total number of patients in studies with data. Results: Pooled analysis revealed that from children treated with SWL, 27.7% [95% CI 13.1–49.4] suffered Clavien I complications, 4.9% [95% CI 3.1–7.6] Clavien II complications, 2.7% [95% CI 1.6–4.7] Clavien III complications, 2.3% [95% CI 1.3–4] Clavien IV complications, while no Clavien V complications were recorded. In total, 28.1% [95% CI 15.6–45.3] of children suffered minor complications (Clavien–Dindo I–II), while 3% [95% CI 1.8–5] major complications (Clavien–Dindo III–V). Pooled analysis revealed that 10.7% [95% CI 3.2–30.1] of patients suffered macroscopic hematuria, 7.3% [95% CI 2.1–22.7] pain, 5.5% [95% CI 3.3–9] steinstrasse, 5.3% [95% CI 3–9.3] fever, 2.2% [95% CI 0.8–5.6] sepsis, 1.1% [95% CI 0.3–3.7] urinoma, 1% [95% CI 0.4–2.7] symptomatic hematoma and 1% [95% CI 0.3–2.7] asymptomatic hematoma. Need for re-treatment was 42.6% [95% CI 31.4–54.7] and need for auxiliary procedures was 11.8% [95% CI 8.5–16.1]. Conclusion: SWL is an irreplaceable tool for treating urolithiasis in children. Although a minimally invasive technique, parents and children should be adequately informed about the risk of minor/major complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-probe dual-energy (SPDE) lithotripters in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Embase databases until July 2022 for any preclinical or clinical studies, exploring the safety and efficacy of different SPDE lithotripters in patients undergoing PCNL. We performed a meta-analysis to compare stone-free rate, bleeding, or other complications and mean operative time between SPDE lithotripters and other lithotripters (PROSPERO: CRD42021285631). Results: We included 16 studies (six preclinical, seven observational and three randomized with 625 participants) in the systematic review and four in the meta-analysis. Preclinical studies suggest that SPDE lithotripters are safe and effective for the management of renal stones. Among clinical studies, four studies assessed Trilogy with no comparative arm, two compared Trilogy or ShockPulse with a dual-probe dual-energy lithotripter, two compared Trilogy with a laser, one compared ShockPulse with a pneumatic lithotripter, and one directly compared Trilogy with ShockPulse. Comparing SPDE lithotripters to other lithotripters, no significant differences were demonstrated in stone free rate (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.53–2.38, I2 = 0%), postoperative blood transfusion (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.34–5.19, I2 = 0%), embolization (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.02–12.06), operative time (WMD: 2.82 min, 95% CI −7.31–12.95, I2 = 78%) and postoperative complications based on the Clavien–Dindo classification. Conclusions: SPDE lithotripters represent a promising treatment modality for patients requiring PCNL. Despite the initial encouraging findings of preclinical and isolated clinical studies, it seems that Trilogy or ShockPulse provide similar efficiency compared to older generation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse and report the practice, outcomes and lessons learnt from a global series of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in a paediatric multicentre series. Methods: A retrospective review of anonymized pooled data gathered globally from 8 centres in paediatric patients (≤ 18 years of age) who had renal stones and underwent RIRS from 2015 to 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, perioperative parameters, stone characteristics, complications and stone-free rate (SFR; defined as endoscopically stone free and/or residual fragments < 2 mm on follow up imaging) were analysed. The cohort was stratified into 3 groups by age: < 5 years (Group A), 5–10 years (Group B) and > 10 years (Group C). Overall, post-operative complication rate was 13.7%. Chi-square comparisons were used for categorical variables; analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for continuous variables. Results: 314 patients were analysed. The mean age was 9.54 ± 4.76 years. Groups A, B and C had 67 (21.3%), 83 (26.4%) and 164 (52.2%) patients, respectively. Mean stone size was 10.7 ± 4.62 mm. Pre-stenting was performed in 155 (49.4%) of patients, ureteral access sheaths (UAS) was used in 54.5% of patients with majority (71%) utilizing holmium laser for stone fragmentation. All complications were minor (Clavien–Dindo grade 1 and 2). SFR was 75.5%. Conclusions: RIRS is acceptable as a first-line intervention in the paediatric population with reasonable efficacy and low morbidity. Complications are slightly higher in patients < 5 years of age, which should be taken into account while counselling patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the outcomes (stone free rate and complications) of renal stone treatment with and without the use of ureteral access sheath (UAS). The worldwide use of UAS has risen over the last decade; however, questions still remain on the safety and outcomes with its use. We wanted to look at the role of UAS for treatment of consecutive renal stones over a 7-year period. Methods: The outcomes of flexible ureteroscopy and stone treatment (FURS) for renal stones with and without the use of UAS was prospectively compared from March 2012 to July 2018. Patients were divided into two groups: group-1 where UAS was used for stone treatment and group-2 where a UAS was not used. Data were collected prospectively on consecutive patients for demographics, stone size, location and number, pre and post-operative stent usage, operative time duration, stone free rate (SFR), length of stay and complications. Results: During the study period, 338 patients underwent FURS for renal stones, of which a UAS was used for 203 (60%) patients. The mean age of patients was 56 years (range 2–89 years) with a male:female ratio of 204:134. The mean cumulative stone size and the mean number of stones was 16.5 ± 10.8 mm and 11.37 ± 8.08 mm (P < 0.001), and 2.17 ± 1.99 and 1.66 ± 1.50 (P = 0.009) for groups 1 and 2 respectively. The pre and post-operative stent insertion rates were similar in the two groups. The procedural time was longer in group-1 (54.8 ± 25.8 min) compared to group-2 (41.3 ± 22.2 min) (P < 0.001). The SFR for group-1 (88%) was slightly lower than group-2 (94%) although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). There were no intra-operative complications in either of the groups. Post-operative complications were seen in eight patients in group-1 (7 Clavien I/II and 1 Clavien IVa) and two patients in group-2 (Clavien I) (P = 0.19). Conclusion: The use of UAS for renal stones is safe with no intra-operative complications noted in our series. Good stone-free rates were obtained for large and multiple renal stones with a small risk of minor complications post-operatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]