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We present the case of a 46-year-old man who underwent successful antegrade ureteroscopy for lithiasis in his allograft ureter. At a scheduled follow-up 15 years after transplantation, computed tomography (CT) detected a 12-mm renal stone in the renal pelvis of the transplanted kidney. During his follow-up, gross hematuria was seen; the stone moved to the ureter, causing hydronephrosis. Ultrasound and non-contrast CT revealed hydronephrosis and a 15-mm stone in the transplanted ureter. Considering the stone size, location, and the difficulty of the access to the anastomosed ureteral orifice, percutaneous ureteroscopic approach was planned. Due to the anatomical difficulty regarding his allograft kidney, we planned to prepare a 3D image and model for selecting the best percutaneous approach. The procedure was performed and a stone-free status was acquired without complication. Under precise simulation, we performed successful antegrade ureteroscopy for lithiasis in the allograft ureter supported by 3D imaging. Use of a 3D printed model may aid in a safe and effective procedure for lithiasis in the allograft kidney and ureter.

This study aimed to develop a prediction model for the operative time of flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for renal stones. We retrospectively evaluated patients with renal stones who had been treated successfully and had stone-free status determined by non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) 3 months after fURS and holmium laser lithotripsy between December 2009 and September 2014 at a single institute. Correlations between possible factors and the operative time were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and a multivariate linear regression model. The P value < 0.1 was used for entry of variables into the model and for keeping the variables in the model. Internal validation was performed using 10,000 bootstrap resamples. Flexible URS was performed in 472 patients, and 316 patients were considered to have stone-free status and were enrolled in this study. Spearman's correlation coefficients showed a significant positive relationship between the operation time and stone volume (ρ = 0.417, p < 0.001), and between the operation time and maximum Hounsfield units (ρ = 0.323, p < 0.001). A multivariate assessment with forced entry and stepwise selection revealed six factors to predict the operative time of fURS: preoperative stenting, stone volume, maximum Hounsfield unit, surgeon experience, sex, and sheath diameter. Based on this finding, we developed a model to predict operative time of fURS. The coefficient of determination (R2) in this model was 0.319; the mean R2 value for the prediction model was 0.320 ± 0.049. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a model for predicting the operative time of fURS treatment of renal stones. The model may be used to reliably predict operative time preoperatively based on patient characteristics and the surgeons' experience, plan staged URS, and avoid surgical complications.

Introduction: We have previously described the use of ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy. However, reaching the target calyx with the ureteroscope is difficult in patients with obstructive renal pelvic stones., Case Presentation: A 53-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department for the treatment of a right renal stone. She was admitted to our department for percutaneous nephrolithotomy of a right renal stone located at her ureteropelvic junction. A Lawson retrograde nephrostomy puncture wire was subsequently inserted into the flexible ureteroscope, and we successfully punctured the calyx from the target spot to the skin. The nephrostomy was dilated, and the stone fragments were obtained and removed., Conclusions: We here report the case of a large and obstructive renal stone successfully treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy using the ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy technique.

A ureteral access sheath (UAS) can facilitate ureteroscopy (URS) and the retrieval of stone fragments while reducing the intrarenal pressure, thereby improving irrigate flow and decreasing the length of an operation. Ureteral stenting after URS is unnecessary for uncomplicated cases. This study examined the early removal of postoperative ureteral catheterization after URS for cases that used a UAS. A total of 93 patients underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy with the early removal of ureteral catheterization. Sixty-three of these patients underwent surgery with the use of UAS and were analyzed in this study. Postoperative hydronephrosis was assessed using ultrasonography 3 days after the operation and computed tomography 2 weeks after operation in all patients. Post-operative complications including fever, prolonged hospitalization, frequent usage of painkillers and the re-insertion of ureteral stent were also investigated. Hydronephrosis was detected 3 days after the operation in 34 patients (54.0 %) and 2 weeks after the operation in four patients (6.3 %). No hydronephrosis was detected after a 2-month follow-up in these four patients. The mean operation time in the hydronephrosis group was significantly higher at 58.9 min than in the non-hydronephrosis group at 45.5 min (p < 0.05). Post-operative fever (38 °C) was seen in one case, the frequent usage of painkillers was seen in four cases, a prolonged hospital stay was seen in five cases, and ureteral stent re-insertion was observed in one case. The early removal of ureteral catheterization can be safely performed for the patients that undergo URS with UAS.

A large renal stone can be treated ureteroscopically, but the treatment often requires more than one procedure. The use of stenting before ureteroscopy was recently reported. The present study investigated the effectiveness of preoperative stenting before ureteroscopic lithotripsy for large (>15 mm) renal stones. A ureteral stent was intentionally inserted in 25 patients undergoing ureteroscopic surgery. A group of 36 non-prestented patients was used as control. Median stone diameter was 21 mm in both groups. Pre-ureteroscopy stenting significantly improved the stone-free rate, defined as stones <2 mm and <4 mm (P < 0.05), whereas it did not significantly improve the stone-free rate defined as 0 mm (P = 0.12). The uretereoscopy success rate was 72.0% in the stented and 55.6% in the control group (P = 0.09). A 14/16-Fr ureteral access sheath was successfully inserted in 94.7% of the stented patients, and 74.2% of the non-stented patients (P < 0.05). Our findings showed that preoperative stenting is effective for dilation of the ureter, and also to facilitate the insertion of a ureteral access sheath in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy for large renal stones., (© 2012 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Unlabelled: Study Type - Therapy (case series). Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Retrograde nephrostomy was first developed by Lawson et al. in 1983, and Hunter et al. reported 30 cases of retrograde nephrostomy in 1987. This procedure uses less radiation exposure and has a shorter duration compared with the previous percutaneous nephrostomy techniques. Retrograde nephrostomy using Lawson's procedure was reported in the late 1980s by several authors. But since then, few studies have been reported about this procedure due to the development of ultrasonography assisted percutaneous nephrostomy. With the arrival and development of the flexible ureteroscope (URS) both observation and manipulation in the renal pelvis are now easily achieved. The present procedure provides less radiation exposure, less bleeding, and a shorter procedure than previous percutaneous nephrostomy techniques. Using this procedure, after the needle has exited through the skin, no further steps are required in preparation for dilatation. In the present study, we continuously visualised from puncture to inserting the nephron-access sheath with the URS., Objective: • To describe a technique for ureteroscopy assisted retrograde nephrostomy., Patients and Methods: • Under general and epidural anaesthesia, the patient is placed in a modified-Valdivia position. Flexible ureteroscopy is carried out, and a Lawson retrograde nephrostomy puncture wire is placed in the ureteroscope (URS). • After the needle has exited through the skin, no further steps are required in preparation for dilatation., Results: • After informed consent was obtained, two patients (a 43-year-old man with left renal stones and a 57-year-old woman with right renal stones) underwent this procedure. • The URS was positioned in the middle posterior calyx and punctured toward the skin., Conclusions: • This procedure involves less radiation exposure and shorter surgery than the previous percutaneous nephrostomy technique. • Our technique represents another new option for percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with a non-dilated intrarenal collecting system., (© 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objective: To determine the impact of ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy (UARN) during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)., Materials and Methods: From April 2009 to September 2011, a total of 50 patients underwent PCNL for large renal stones (stone burden >2 cm). We performed UARN in the Galdakao-modified Valdivia position for 27 patients (UARN PCNL) and ultrasonography-assisted percutaneous nephrostomy in the prone position for 23 patients (prone PCNL)., Results: UARN PCNL significantly improved the stone-free rate (81.5% vs 52.2%) and the rate of residual stones (<4 mm, 92.6% vs 65.2%, P<0.05). The median length of the operation was significantly shorter for UARN PCNL, at 160 min, compared to 299 min for prone PCNL (P<0.001). There was one intraoperative complication in prone PCNL, namely a hemorrhage that resulted in stopping the initial treatment, but it was cured conservatively. The postoperative complications included a high grade fever that persisted for three days in two UARN PCNL patients (7.4%) and six prone PCNL patients (26.1%). The Clavien grading scores showed significantly lower postoperative complications for UARN PCNL compared to prone PCNL., Conclusion: UARN is associated with a higher stone-free rate, shorter operation time, and fewer complications during PCNL than prone PCNL.

Abstract Introduction We previously reported on the effectiveness of ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy during percutaneous nephrolithotomy and report two cases of lower calyx calculi in horseshoe kidney that were successfully treated with ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy. During the ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy procedure, a ureteroscope is advanced in the desired calyx and a Lawson retrograde nephrostomy puncture wire is inserted. The wire is advanced through the calyx to exit the skin. The wire is then used for the percutaneous dilation. Case presentation Case 1 was a 68-year-old man who was shown on radiography to have left lower calyx calculi (19 × 15mm, 7 × 5mm, and 7 × 3mm) in horseshoe kidney. Case 2 was a 36-year-old woman shown on radiography to have a left lower calyx calculus (10 × 8mm) in horseshoe kidney. Conclusions Both patients were stone-free after ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy is a promising procedure for safely and effectively treating lower calyx stones in horseshoe kidney.

Both retrograde and antegrade approach contributed to the success of a delicate endoscopic procedure. Even when guidewire did not pass thorough to the stenosis lesion, lightning and contrast reagents contributed the way through to the stenosis lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureteral stent encrustation is sometimes encountered, especially in cases in which a ureteral stent has been forgotten. An 84-year-old female patient with malignant myeloma underwent metallic ureteral stent insertion to treat malignant ureteral obstruction. At the time of scheduled ureteral stent exchange, the stent was heavily encrusted and could not be removed on either side. We performed endoscopic lithotripsy to remove the encrusted ureteral stents. The bilaterally encrusted metallic ureteral stents were successfully removed using Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy after inserting another ureteral stent placement besides the encrusted metallic ureteral stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 12‐year‐old boy received steroid for his minimal change nephrotic syndrome for 10 years, and bilateral renal and ureteral stones and hydronephrosis were observed. Single‐use flexible ureteroscopy is usable for pediatric lithotripsy with Ho: YAG laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Retroperitoneal tumor is often seen in urology clinical practice. To diagnose the tumor, tumor specimens must be obtained. However, in some cases, the tumor is penetrated by vessels around the ureter, and it may be difficult to detect the optimal spot for obtaining a specimen, even when performing open surgery. Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for further examination of left back pain due to hydronephrosis. Enhanced computed tomography demonstrated ureter stenosis in front of the ilium, which was surrounded by a retroperitoneal tumor. The tumor was penetrated by blood vessels; therefore, we performed an open surgical biopsy on the suspicion of a retroperitoneal tumor using ureteroscopic assistance. The diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis was made according to the biopsy. Conclusion: We herein report the first case of a ureteroscopy-assisted biopsy for the pathological diagnosis of a retroperitoneal tumor. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 23-year-old female had bilateral ureteral stents placed due to bilateral renal stones and hydronephrosis. The bilateral ureteral stents were changed every 3 months. A kidney ureter bladder (KUB) film showed left encrustation along the ureteral stent thus necessitating removal; however, the ureteral stent could not be removed cystoscopically. The ureteral stent was, therefore, extracted using flexible ureteroscopy (URS) with a holmium (Ho): yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Open surgical anatrophic nephrolithotomy (ANL) had been the standard treatment for large renal calculi prior to the development of endoscopic devices and endoscopic techniques. A previous report described the efficacy of ureteroscopy-assisted retrograde nephrostomy (UARN) and presented a case of renal calculi successfully treated with UARN during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a patient after ANL. Case Presentation. A 61-year-old male with left renal calculi was referred for further treatment. The patient was placed under general and epidural anesthesia, in a Galdakao-modified Valdivia position. A flexible ureteroscope (URS) was inserted, and a Lawson retrograde nephrostomy puncture wire was advanced into the flexible URS. The puncture wire then followed the route from the renal pelvis to the exit skin. Calculus fragmentation was undertaken using a pneumatic lithotripter. Conclusions. UARN for PCNL was therefore found to be a safe, effective, and appropriate treatment for a patient presenting with renal calculi after undergoing ANL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction We previously described ureteroscopy assisted retrograde nephrostomy (UARN). In UARN, it is possible to continuously visualize the dilation of the ureter from puncture to insertion of the nephroaccess sheath with minimal complication. But in the course of making nephrostomy, UARN requires ureteral access sheath (UAS). UAS has a potential risk of ureteral stricture. Herein, we report the first case of UARN without the use of UAS. Presentation of case A 53-year-old female was referred to our hospital for treatment of her right renal stone. Because her stone burden was 27 mm, we planned to perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using UARN without UAS. Discussion UAS facilitates a decrease in the intrarenal pressure due to irrigation, and it makes controlling the URS easier. However, in terms of the risk of ureteral stricture, unnecessary insertion of a UAS should be avoided. Conclusion We describe the first case of a renal stone successfully treated by PCNL using the UARN method without the use of a UAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]