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Background: Although PCNL has been used for a long time to treat nephrolithiasis, there is still contradictory information concerning the use of the dilation method. In this study, we aimed to compare conventional sequential Amplatz dilatation (SAD) using ten dilators and a method using three dilators (12, 20, and 30 Fr), which we named "three-shot dilatation" (3SD), in terms of fluoroscopy time (FT), operation time, bleeding and stone-free rates. Methods: The study included patients who underwent PCNL with the SAD and 3SD methods. A different surgeon with extensive endourology experience applied each technique. One of the surgeons operated on the patients using the SAD method with ten dilators, and the other surgeon performed the operations using the 3SD method involving three Amplatz dilators (12, 20, and 30 Fr). Results: A total of 283 patients, 138 in the 3SD group and 145 in the SAD group, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 47.32 ± 13.71 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding preoperative characteristics (p > 0.05). The FTs of access 2, total access, and total operation were significantly shorter in the 3SD group (p = 0.0001). The decrease in hemoglobin was statistically significant in the 3SD group compared to the SAD group (p = 0.022), while the blood transfusion requirements of the groups were similar (p = 0.176). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding stone-free rates (p = 0.973). In four patients in the SAD group, re-access was necessary due to the loss of passage due to the guide wire slipping out of its place. Conclusion: Intraoperative FT can be shortened using the described 3SD method without compromising surgical safety. However, this method can be used as an intermediate step in the transition to one-shot dilation by surgeons experienced in performing SAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of balloon dilation (BD) in totally ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).Methods: The data of 95 patients underwent BD were collected in this retrospective study between August 2016 and December 2018. During the same period, telescopic metal dilation was used in 1161 patients. Ninety five patients were selected as the control group and matched at a 1:1 ratio to index balloon dilation (BD) cases in regards to Guy's stone score, age, sex, BMI, degree of hydronephrosis and stone area. Peri-operative data were compared between the two groups.Results: Total operative time was significantly shorter in the BD group (62.2 ± 22.4 min vs. 70.2 ± 25.8 min, p = 0.024). Tract establishment time was significantly shorter in the BD group (3.4 ± 1.8 min vs. 4.3 ± 2.3 min, p < 0.001). The success rate of tract dilation by first attempt was higher in the TMD group compared with that of BD group; however the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between groups with regards to complication and stone-free rates. The cost of PCNL in the BD group was significantly higher than that of the TMD group (US $4831.4 ± 1114.8 vs. US $4328.4 ± 975.7, p = 0.012). Subsequent analysis revealed that mild or no hydronephrosis were risk factor for failure of balloon dilation under ultrasound.Conclusions: BD has acceptable complication and stone free rates compared with those in TMD; however, BD under ultrasound is not suggested for stone cases without hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become a routine surgical procedure for treating patients with large kidney stones; the fundamental step in this process is the creation of the nephrostomy tract. In the present study, a meta-analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness and safety of different tract dilation techniques for PCNL. Databases were searched from inception to 1 April 2019 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. The X-ray exposure time, hemoglobin decrease, stone-free rate, transfusion rate, hospital stay and the complication rate associated with the various techniques were analyzed. A total of 11 studies comprising 1,415 cases were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Significant differences in X-ray exposure time [weighted mean difference (WMD), 30.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 20.08-41.26; P<0.001] and hemoglobin decrease (WMD, 0.19; 95%CI, 0.15-0.23; P<0.001) were identified between metal telescopic dilation (MTD) and one-shot dilation (OSD). A significantly lower hemoglobin decrease was observed in the balloon dilation (BD) vs. fascial Amplatz dilation (AD) group [WMD, -0.65; 95%CI, -(0.77-0.52); P<0.001]. The transfusion rate was similar between these techniques. The MTD had an obviously higher successful dilation rate compared with that of the OSD, but no significant differences in stone-free rate and transfusion rate were obtained. The present study determined that, compared with other methods, OSD was safer in almost every adult patient, including those that had previously undergone renal surgery; though it is recommended that this should be performed by experienced surgeons. BD was reported to be effective and safer in patients without a history of renal surgery compared to other methods. The present study proposed AD and MTD as safer methods of dilation for patients who have previously undergone kidney surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is gold standard technique for the treatment of renal calculi larger than 2 cm or complex renal calculi. Establishment of nephrostomy tract is the important step during PCNL. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of single-step dilatation in patients with renal calculi undergoing PCNL. Methods: This is a prospective, single-center study conducted between August 2014 and December 2017. Patient who underwent PCNL using single-step dilatation between the study period were included in the study. Demographic details, stone characteristics, operative time dilatation time, radiation exposure time, rate of complication and blood transfusion were recorded. Data was analyzed and reported using summary statistics. Results: A total of 332 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean (SD) age was 42.46 (15.53) years and 181 (54.52%) patients were male. Overall, stone clearance rate was 92%. The mean (SD) operative time was 62.74 (29.61) minutes, tract dilatation time was 2.18 (1.05) minutes, and the radiation exposure time was 12.68 (6.45) seconds. Blood transfusion was required in 12(3.6%) patients. No major complications were reported during post-operative period. Conclusion: Single-step dilatation technique is safe, economical and feasible technique with added advantage of lesser time of dilatation, lesser radiation exposure and lesser chance of blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is the procedure of choice for large renal stones. Since its introduction in 1976, many aspects of the operative technique and the endoscopic equipments have had constant evolution, increasing the success rates of the procedure. We performed a literature search using Entrez Pubmed from January 2000 to July 2007 concerning PNL and many aspects related to all steps of the procedure. We could verify that PNL in supine position has been proved as an acceptable option, but more worldwide experience is necessary. Urologists must be trained to gain their own renal tract access. Minipercutaneous PNL still needs equipments improvements for better results. Tubeless PNL is increasing in popularity and different tract sealants have been studied. Medical prevention is proved to be effective against stone recurrence and should be always used after PNL. Although the evolution of the technique in the last 20 years, urologists must continue to improve their skills and develop new technologies to offer to the patients more and more a safe and effective option to treat large renal stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]