Search

Purpose: The goal of this study is to compare traditional percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery (NAES) in the treatment of complicated solitary kidney stones via a single-center randomized controlled prospective study., Methods: A total of patients with complex (Guy's score II-IV) solitary kidney stones between July 2019 to June 2022 were enrolled in the study. Participants were stratified into two groups: needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery group (group A) and traditional PCNL group (group B). All procedures were finished by X-ray free technique. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed., Results: A total of 90 (44 in Group A and 46 in Group B) patients were finally included in our study. There were no statistically differences in terms of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), stone burden between two groups. The mean operative duration of Group A was significant higher than group B (95.1 ± 21.4 min vs 72.5 ± 29.5 min, p=0.02). The 1-month stone-free rate (SFR) was significant higher in Group A than B (90.9% vs 73.9%, p=0.03). A less hemoglobin drop (p=0.01), shorter postoperative in-hospital day (p=0.04), and lower severe complication (Clavien-Dindo III and above) rates (p=0.03) were observed in Group A., Conclusion: For patients with solitary kidney stones, NAES technique provides a higher one-session SFR, a better renal function recovery and compared with traditional PCNL., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery (NAES) in the treatment of staghorn renal stones via a single-center prospective randomized controlled study., Methods: A total of 219 patients with partial or complete staghorn renal stones were prospectively randomized into two groups between January 2020 and April 2022. In group A (n = 112), patients were treated with traditional standard access, multiple if necessary, and in group B (n = 107), only one standard access was made, and needle-perc was assisted to remove the residual stones in the same stage. All procedures were guided under ultrasound totally. Stone size, operating time, blood loss, pain score, complications, and other related characteristics were monitored and analyzed., Results: Procedures were successful in all patients. The baseline characters were similar between the groups. The mean stone size was comparable (4.5 ± 1.4 vs. 4.7 ± 1.7, p = 0.35). The 1-month stone-free status was achieved in 85 patients (75.9%) in group A and 80 (74.8%) patients in group B (p = 0.72). The operation time was shorter in group A than B (75.1 ± 28.1 min vs. 97.2 ± 20.4 min, p = 0.02). A less blood loss (p = 0.01), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.04), lower pain score (p = 0.04), and lower severe complication rates (p = 0.03) were observed in group B., Conclusion: NAES reveals better postoperative recurrence compared with traditional multiple tracts method for treating staghorn renal stones. The stone-free rate was comparable between the two groups., (© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for complex renal stones when performed in a modified supine position., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent PCNL for complex renal stones at our institution between August 2018 and December 2021. During this time, 188 consecutive patients underwent US-guided PCNL in the prone position (P group, n = 129) or in the flank-free modified supine position (S group, n = 59). Patient demographics and intraoperative and postoperative data were analyzed., Results: Successful renal access was achieved in all patients. The baseline demographics were comparable between the two groups. The numbers of renal access were significantly higher (2.1 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.002), and the operation time was comparable (79.1 ± 14.6 min vs. 96.2 ± 19.6 min, p = 0.06) between the two groups. The postoperative hospital stay was also shorter in the P group (6.2 ± 1.5 d vs. 10.2 ± 1.7 d, p = 0.008). The postoperative hemoglobin loss was similar between the P and S groups (1.7 ± 0.4 g/dL vs. 1.8 ± 0.3 g/dL, p = 0.12). The stone-free rate was significantly lower in the S group (57.5% vs. 82.7%, p < 0.001). There were no embolization or septic complications. Twelve patients (20.3%) in the S group underwent simultaneous or staged retrograde flexible ureteroscopy to remove residual stones., Conclusion: US-guided PCNL in the modified supine position was a safe treatment for complex renal stones. However, the single-session stone clearance rate was not ideal. The supine flank-free position may be unsuitable for US-guided PCNL in patients with complex renal stones according to our preliminary findings., (© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided renal access and tract dilation using balloon dilators, as well as to identify suitable patients for this technique., Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing ultrasound-guided PCNL using balloon dilators between December 2019 and June 2020 in seven large medical centers from China were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and perioperative parameters of the patients were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors that would affect the success rate of tract establishment using ultrasound-guided renal access and balloon dilation., Results: A total of 170 patients were included in this study, among whom, 91.18% of the (155/170) patients had a successful tract establishment under ultrasound guidance on the first attempt. The stone-free rate was 83.5% and postoperative complications occurred in 14 patients (8.23%). In univariate analysis, history of ipsilateral surgery (p = 0.026), and stone diameter (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with tract establishment failure, while a larger width of the target calyx (p = 0.016) and the presence of hydronephrosis (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with a successful tract establishment. In multivariate analysis, only hydronephrosis in target calyx (p = 0.027) was a favorable factor for successful tract establishment, and the history of ipsilateral renal surgery (p = 0.012) was the only independent risk factor for failure of tract establishment., Conclusion: It was safe and effective to establish percutaneous renal access with balloon dilation under whole-process ultrasound monitoring during PCNL. Furthermore, patients with a hydronephrotic target calyx and without history of ipsilateral renal surgery were most suited to this technique. Trial registration CHiCTR1800014448., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: To present our large single-center experience in the management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with total ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and to evaluate the role of PNL under US in these patients. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with ADPKD who underwent PNL from August 2011 to December 2019. A total of 56 patients were included in this study; all procedures were completed by the total US-guided technique. Demographic characteristics, operative parameters, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Results: Effective renal access was achieved in all patients. The mean stone size was 3.1 cm (range 1.7-6.5 cm). The initial stone-free rate was 70.6% (36/51); five patients underwent second-look PNL to remove residual stones. The other patients underwent oral medication therapy. No severe intraoperative complications occurred; one patient received selective embolization for bleeding on the contralateral side and one patient needed percutaneous drainage for perinephric abscess. Clavien I or II complications were seen in nine patients. Renal function was improved or stable in most patients; the condition of only one patient deteriorated after surgery. Conclusion: Total US-guided PNL is a safe and efficient treatment for kidney stones in patients with ADPKD; perioperative renal function was not adversely affected and complications were acceptable compared with patients in the general population.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes in patients who underwent total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of large stones (>2 cm) within non-functioning atrophic kidneys, and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative persistence of urinary tract infection symptoms in such patients., Methods: Between December 2014 and May 2019, 56 patients with large stones within non-functioning atrophic kidneys were treated at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China, with total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Factors including age, sex, previous medical history, stone burden, stone composition, stone-free rate, complication rate and postoperative urinary tract infection symptoms were retrospectively evaluated. Uni- and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify risk factors that predict persistence of urinary tract infection symptoms after percutaneous nephrolithotomy in such patients., Results: The final stone-free rate after auxiliary treatments was 87.5%. The overall complication rate was 17.9%. After a median follow-up period of 12 months (range 6-40 months), three patients (5.4%) ultimately underwent nephrectomy. A total of 44 patients (78.6%) had no symptoms of urinary tract infection during follow up, whereas 63.6% of patients with diabetes continued to show persistent urinary tract infection symptoms at the latest follow up. Five patients (8.9%) showed improved total renal function, while most patients (83.9%) showed a stable estimated glomerular filtration rate. Diabetes was the only factor showing statistical significance in both univariate and multivariate analyses that predicted persistence of urinary tract infection symptoms after treatment with percutaneous nephrolithotomy., Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and feasible procedure that can be carried out in patients with large stones within non-functioning atrophic kidneys. However, for such patients with diabetes, percutaneous nephrolithotomy is not recommended., (© 2020 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Purpose: To report our experience with total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the management of patients with solitary kidney, and evaluate the safety and feasibility of this technique., Materials and Methods: Between October 2014 and December 2016, 48 patients with solitary kidneys underwent total ultrasound-guided PCNL at our institution. Stone-free rate (SFR), auxiliary procedures, and complications were recorded. Changes in renal function were evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs). Perioperative factors that may affect renal function were analyzed to define factors predicting renal function improvement on long-term follow-up. Of 48 patients, 44 were followed at least 6 months, whereas four patients were lost to follow-up., Results: Among all patients, staghorn calculi were found in 18 (37.5%) patients. 14 (29.2%) patients required a two-stage PCNL. Struvite was found in six (12.5%) patients. Complications were reported in eight (16.7%) patients. Severe bleeding was noticed in three patients; no angioembolization was required. After a median follow-up of 12 (6-26) months, the final SFR was 81.8% after auxiliary treatments. There was a significant improvement of eGFR from 53.9 ± 24.0 to 61.3 ± 25.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (P < 0.01). Renal function was stable, improved and worse in 65.9% (n = 29), 27.3% (n = 12), and 6.8% (n = 3) of patients, respectively, compared with preoperative levels., Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided PCNL is a safe and feasible procedure with an acceptably low complication rate in patients with solitary kidneys. At long-term follow-up, the renal function in more than 90% of the patients with solitary kidneys can be improved or stabilized after ultrasound-guided PCNL.