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BACKGROUND The "VirtualBasket" technology is the result of pulse modulation during holmium laser emission: the laser emits part of the energy to create an initial bubble, and a second pulse is emitted when the vapor bubble is at its maximum expansion, so that it can pass through the previously created vapor channel. The aim of this study is to outline the outcomes of the "VirtualBasket" technology in ureteral and renal stones. METHODS 160 Patients were randomly assigned to holmium laser lithotripsy with or without the "VirtualBasket" technology in ureteric or renal cases (40 per 4 groups). All procedures were performed by four experienced urologists. The Quanta System Cyber Ho 100W laser generator with 365 μm fibers was used for all of the ureteral cases, whereas, 272 μm fibers were used for all of the cases in the renal pelvis. Demographic data, stone parameters, perioperative complications and success rates were compared. A statistical analysis was carried out to assess patients data and outcomes. All of the reported p-values were obtained with the two-sided exact method at the conventional 5% significance level. The degree of stone retropulsion was graded on a Likert scale from zero (no retropulsion) to 3 (maximum retropulsion). RESULTS All groups were comparable in terms of age, and pre-operative stone size (ureter stone size: 1.2 vs. 1.1 cm; renal pelvis stone size: 1.55 vs. 1.62 cm). Compared to the regular mode, the "VirtualBasket" technology was associated with significantly lower fragmentation time (mean time for ureteral stones: 20.4 vs. 16.1 minutes, p

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:We performed a prospective randomized comparison between Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) and MiniPerc (MP) for renal stones between 1 and 2 cm, to evaluate the effic...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The most challenging part of a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the perfect puncture of the planned calyx. HoloLens based augmented reality system has been descibed...

Giorgio Bozzini,1 Beatrice Filippi,2 Sulieman Alriyalat,3 Alberto Calori,1 Umberto Besana,1 Alexander Mueller,4 Dmitri Pushkar,5 Javier Romero-Otero,6 Antonio Pastore,7 Maria Chiara Sighinolfi,2 Salvatore Micali,2 Carlo Buizza,1 Bernardo Rocco2 1Urology Department, ASST Valle Olona, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy; 2Urology Department, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy; 3Urology Department, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan; 4Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 5Urology Department First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; 6Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; 7Urology Department, Università “La Sapienza”, Latina, ItalyCorrespondence: Beatrice FilippiUrology Department, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, n. 71, Modena, 41125, ItalyTel +39 3403904011Email beatrice.filippi87@gmail.comPurpose: To compare reusable and disposable flexible ureteroscopes in terms of efficacy and safety for patients undergoing Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS).Patients and Methods: Patients with a renal stone eligible for RIRS were enrolled in this multicenter, randomized, clinical trial study. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A (90 patients) underwent RIRS with a reusable flexible ureteroscope and group B (90 patients) were treated with a disposable one.Results: The patients’ demographics, stone features and pre-operative urine cultures were comparable between the groups. The Stone Free Rates (SFRs) were not significantly different (86.6% and 90.0% for group A and group B, respectively, p=0.11) and the mean cost for each procedure was comparable (2321 € in group A vs 2543 € in group B, p=0.09). However, the days of hospitalization and of antibiotic therapy were higher in group A (p ≤ 0.05). The overall complication rate in group A was 8.8% whilst in group B it was 3.3% (p ≤ 0.05); in particular, group A exhibited a greater number of major complications (Clavien score IIIa-V). The overall postoperative infection rate was 16.6% in group A and 3.3% in group B (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, none of the patients in group B developed urosepsis or had a positive blood culture, while 3 patients in group A did (p< 0.05).Conclusion: The use of disposable ureteroscopes is characterized by significantly lower post-operative complications and infection rates, while having comparable costs and SFRs vis à vis reusable ureteroscopes. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN92289221.Keywords: RIRS, disposable ureteroscope, reusable ureteroscope, infection

Objective To compare intraoperative ureteral injuries in RIRS with UAS insertion with the rate of postoperative infections after RIRS without UAS insertion. Patients and methods In this randomized trial, patients who received an indication for RIRS between January 2017 and December 2017 were divided into two groups. Group A had no UAS insertion and Group B had UAS insertion. Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) grading was performed after UAS or flexible ureteroscope removal. Proximal, middle and distal ureteral lesions were evaluated and compared according to the PULS scale. Additionally, patients in both groups were followed postoperatively to assess any infective complication. Results The evaluation comprised 181 patients, 89 for group A and 92 for group B. Overall stone-free rate, clinically insignificant residual fragments, and final stone-free rate were 41.4%, 53.5%, and 95%, respectively. There were 33 (37.1%) patients with ureteral lesions in group A while 42 (45.6%) patients had ureteral lesions in group B, with no significant difference. On the other hand, the overall presence of postoperative infection rate was much higher for Group A (37.1% vs 16.3% P = 0.03). Conclusions UAS insertion does not result in a higher number of ureteral injuries. UAS insertion during RIRS allows a lower rate of postoperative infections. Clinical Trial Registration Number (ISRCTN registry number) 55546280.

BACKGROUND Frozen section analysis (FSA) is frequently performed during partial nephrectomy (PN). We investigate the utility of intraoperative FSA by evaluating its impact on final surgical margin (SM) status. METHODS Between January 1995 and December 2005, a series of patients who were treated with open PN for renal cell carcinoma was prospectively analyzed. During PN, each patient underwent a FSA on renal parenchyma distal margin. If FSA was positive for infiltration a deeper excision was performed till obtaining a negative FSA. SM outcome of the FSA was compared with the final pathology report. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cost analysis on the FSA performed were analyzed. RESULTS A total number of 373 patients were enrolled. FSA was performed in all the patients considered for PN. Fifteen patients had a conversion to radical nephrectomy. Positive SMs at the definitive pathological outcome were found in 36 patients (9.6%). FSA was positive in eight patients (2.1%). In that eight cases after a deeper excision the definitive pathological outcome on SM was still positive in two cases. FSA revealed just 14.3% of the positive SM. Patients with positive SM had a worse follow up considering RFS (P