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Background In literature, the reports of outcomes after percutaneous nephrolithotomies are rather heterogeneous. This may influence studies comparison, it may also render difficult to evaluate surgical adequacy, peri-operative morbidity and patient's quality of life between studies. For this reason, we propose to introduce PNL-Trifecta as composite measure to standardize data reporting outcomes after percutaneous nephrolithotomies. Methods We performed a prospective multicentric study on consecutive patients undergone PNL to treat renal stones between 2018 and 2020. Successful PNL-trifecta was considered achieved when procedures obtained the three following results: no residual fragments > 2mm at unenhanced CT scan at 3 months post-op, no complications (defined as Clavien-Dindo Score 0) and operation carried out without placing a nephrostomy tube (tubeless or totally tubeless). We compared results of standard versus mini-PNL and between stones of different complexity (evaluated with Guy's Stone Score and S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry Score). Univariate analysis was utilized to identify other factors influencing achievement of PNL-Trifecta. Results 245 patients fulfilled inclusion/exclusion criteria and have been enrolled in the study (median age: 56, IQR 48-57). The overall PNL-Trifecta achievement rate was 22.85% (28.66% in the mini-PNL group and 13.68% in the standard-PNL group, p=0.010). The stone free rate, CD 0 rate and tubeless/totally tubeless rate in the mini-PNL group were 60.66%, 89.33% and 51.33% respectively. In the standard-PNL group they were 44.21%, 40.00% and 15.78% respectively. At the univariate analysis, differences between Guy's Stone Score groups in achieving PNL-Trifecta were significant (p=0.001). Also, the level of upper puncture (p=0.010) and utilization of device with active suction (p=0.002) showed statistically significant differences. Furthermore, the length of stay in the patient's group achieving Trifecta was 2.28 versus a mean length of stay of 4.64 days in the group of patients not achieving Trifecta (p=0.046). Conclusions We present Trifecta for PNLs as a potential tool to evaluate quality of percutaneous nephrolithotomies and to provide an instrument for an adequate standard data reporting. It can represent a valid way to assess and monitor surgeon's learning curves. It will require further external validation and studies to evaluate its correlation with mid- and long-term results and patient's health related quality of life outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to test the effect of active surveillance (AS) versus primary intervention (PI) on overall mortality (OM) in elderly patients diagnosed with SRM. METHODS: Elderly patients (75 years or older) diagnosed with SRMs (

Background During the past two decades cryoablation (CA) has become a therapeutic option for the management of localized cT1 renal masses in comorbid patients. We analyzed the midterm functional and oncological outcomes of CA in the treatment of cT1 renal masses which were classified as high-complexity masses according to the PADUA system. Methods A total of 299 patients underwent percutaneous CA between November 2007 and December 2018 in 4 institutions for cT1N0M0 renal masses. All patients with highcomplexity (PADUA ≥ 10) renal tumors were included. Technical failure of CA was considered an exclusion criterion. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 45 patients. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 6.0 (IQR: 5.0-7.0), median age was 74 years (IQR: 64.5-79.5). Seven Clavien 1 and 1 Clavien 2 procedure-related complications were reported. Median eGFR at baseline was 64.3ml/min (IQR: 52.0 - 82.3) while at the 1-year follow-up was 61.4 ml/min (IQR: 44.0-74.5). The median follow-up was 32 months (IQR: 13.25-47.5). Local recurrences were detected in 6 patients; 3 of them underwent re-cryoablation while the others started active surveillance. Median time to recurrence was 17.5 months (IQR: 7.8-27.3). Cancer-Specific Survival and Metastasis-Free Survival were 100%. Overall survival was 86.7%. Conclusions CA proved to be a valuable therapeutic option for the management of patients with cT1 high-complexity PADUA ≥ 10 renal tumors as it provides a low rate of procedural morbidity and good preservation of renal function. However, these results are counterbalanced by a recurrence rate that appears to be higher than those reported on surgically treated patients.

Background Incidence of small renal masses (SRMs) has increased over the last decade: in order to reduce overtreatment of benign lesions, renal tumor biopsy (RTB) has been advocated. The primary aim of this study were to establish the rate of diagnostic biopsies and the concordance rate between RTB and surgical pathology with regard to tumor histology. The secondary aim was to identify what predictive factors are associated with an initial diagnostic biopsy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed RTB performed in our center in patients with SRMs between 2015 and 2017. We assessed patient demographics and clinical status, lesion characteristics and procedural factors. The categorical variables were tested with the chi-square test. We used univariate and multivariate analysis to identify what factors are indicative of non-diagnostic biopsies. We used the SPSS statistics v. 23. Results We performed a total of 100 RTBs to management 94 patients. The initial biopsy was diagnostic in 88 patients (67 malignant and 21 benign lesion). The six remaining patients had repeat biopsies, of which four were diagnostic. Complications rate was 5% prevalently local hematoma treated with surveillance. Agreement between biopsy and surgical histology was found in 94% of cases. On contingency analysis and on univariate and multivariate analysis, these factors (age, tumor size, exophytic location, and type of imaging used) were not predictive with diagnostic biopsy. Conclusions RTB for SRMs helps establish pre-treatment diagnosis, reduce overtreatment, with a low risk of complications and high diagnostic rate. In our experience, we did not find predictive factors more likely associated with a diagnostic biopsy.

BACKGROUND To test the effect of active surveillance (AS) versus primary intervention (PI) on overall mortality (OM) in elderly patients diagnosed with SRM. METHODS Elderly patients (75 years or older) diagnosed with SRMs (< 4cm) and treated with either PI [i.e. partial nephrectomy or kidney ablation] or AS between 2009 and 2018 were abstracted from the REnal SURGery in the Elderly (RESURGE) and Delayed Intervention and Surveillance for Small Renal Masses (DISSRM) datasets, respectively. OM rates were estimated among groups with Kaplan Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression models after applying inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate IPTW. Covariates of interest were those unbalanced and/or significantly correlated with the treatment choice or with OM. RESULTS A total of 483 patients were included; 121 (25.1%) underwent AS. 60 patients (12.4%) died. Overall, 6.7% of all deaths were related to cancer. IPTW-Kaplan Meier curves showed a 5-year overall survival rates of 70.0 ± 3.5% and 73.2 ± 4.8% in AS and PI groups, respectively (IPTW-Log-rank p-value=0.308). IPTW-Cox regression model did not show meaningfully increased OM rates in AS group (HR=1.31, 95% CI: 0.69-2.49). CONCLUSIONS AS represents an appealing treatment option for very elderly patients presenting with SRM, as it avoids the risks of a PI while not compromising the survival outcomes of these patients.

Introduction Retrograde ureteroscopy (URS) has become a common procedure for the management of urinary stones. Although its efficacy and safety are well known, the literature about major complications is still poor. This study highlighted some cases of life-threatening complications after semi-rigid ureteroscopy (s-URS) or flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS). Evidence acquisition Experienced endourologists (more than 75 cases/year in the last 3 years) we enrolled, and a survey was performed asking to review their series and report the cases encumbered by major complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIb-IV grade). A literature search was also conducted in the Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane Libraries databases in July, 2016 to identify all studies reporting the presence of major complications in patients underwent URS procedures. A PubMed search was performed using the following key words in combination: "kidney injury," "ureteroscopy," "nephrectomy," "life-threatening," "urinary stones," "complications." Evidence synthesis Eleven urologists reported on 12 major complications (4 after s-URS, 8 after f-URS). Eight patients developed a kidney injury, 1 an arteriovenous fistula, 2 a ureter avulsion and 1 acute sepsis. Six patients underwent open nephrectomy, two surgical repair, one open pyeloplasty, one coil artery embolization and two superselective artery embolization. Conclusions Guidelines and clinical practice give useful recommendations about intraoperative safety and prevention of life-threatening events. The careful postoperative observation and the surgical active treatment of this complications play a key role in reducing morbidity, kidney loss and mortality. This study encourages a strict and active care of patients, supports a routine reporting of complications, and highlights the need for systematic use of standardized classification systems.