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Smart technology (ST) can enhance chronic disease management, yet little is known about the benefits of ST on kidney stone prevention. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the impact of ST on follow-up adherence rates and urine output (UOP) in patients with nephrolithiasis. Kidney stone patients with low UOP ( 0.05). Twenty-nine percent of patients achieved a daily UOP goal of > 2.5 L across the treatment groups (p

Background Different treatment options are available for the management of BPH. Our study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of a holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and a bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (Bipolar-TURP) after 2 years. Methods Our prospective randomized study included 114 patients: 55 patients underwent HoLEP procedure and 59 patients underwent bipolar TURP procedure. All patients underwent a complete preoperative assessment and a physical examination. The postoperative follow-up data included Q max and IPSS recordings at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and PVR urinary volume recordings at 6 and 12 months. Any postoperative complications were also recorded. Results There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding IPSS and Q max scores at one and 24 months postoperative. Also, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding postoperative PVR at 6 and 12 months. One patient in the HoLEP group developed total incontinence after surgery. Conclusion Our study did not show a significant difference between HoLEP and bipolar TURP regarding postoperative Q max and IPSS scores at 24 months of follow-up.

Introduction: A number of clinical and radiological predictors of either stone impaction or ureteral stone passage (SP) have been proposed. We aimed at identifying the key predictors of successful ...

Author(s): Fedrigon, Donald; Alshara, Luay; Monga, Manoj | Abstract: INTRODUCTION:Two automated irrigation systems have been released for use during endoscopic procedures such as ureteroscopy: the Cogentix RocaFlow® (CRF) and Thermedx FluidSmart® (TFS). Accurate pressure control using automated systems may help providers maintain irrigation pressures within a safe range while also providing clear visualization. Our objective was to directly compare these systems based on their pressure accuracy, pressure-flow relationships, and fluid heating capabilities in order to help providers better utilize the temperature and pressure settings of each system. MATERIALS AND METHODS:An in vitro ureteroscopy model was used for testing, consisting of a short semirigid ureteroscope (6/7, 5F, 31cm Wolf 425612) connected to a continuous digital pressure transducer (Meriam m1550). Each system pressure output and flow-rate, via 100mL beaker filling time, was measured using multiple trials at pressure settings between 30 and 300mmHg. Output fluid temperature was monitored using a digital thermometer (Omega DP25-TH). RESULTS:The pressure output of both systems exceeded the desired setting across the entire tested range, a difference of 15.7±2.4mmHg for the TFS compared to 5.2±1.5mmHg for the CRF (p l 0.0001). Related to this finding, the TFS also had slightly higher flow rates across all trials (7±2mL/min). Temperature testing revealed a similar maximum temperature of 34.0⁰C with both systems, however, the TFS peaked after only 8 minutes and started to plateau as early as 4-5 minutes into the test, while the CRF took over 18 minutes to reach a similar peak. CONCLUSIONS:Our in vitro ureteroscopy testing found that the CRF system had better pressure accuracy than the TFS system but with noticeably slower fluid heating capabilities. Each system provided steady irrigation at safe pressures within their expected operating parameters with small differences in performance that should not limit their ability to provide steady irrigation at safe pressures.

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease affecting men 50 years and older. Treatment options consist of observation, pharmacological treatment, minimally invasive surgery and traditional surgery. Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are the primary medications used to treat BPH. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard of surgical management of BPH. Objective: To evaluate the effect of six weeks finasteride therapy before TURP on overall surgical outcomes and early postoperative quality of life (QoL). Patients and methods: Between June 2014 and August 2016, patients with BPH at our department were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group (A) receiving 5 mg of finasteride daily for six weeks and group (B) did not receiving finasteride before TURP. All patients were assessed using a modified validated Arabic version of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Intra operative serum hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin concentration in irrigating fluid were recorded. One month post-surgery, IPSS, storage, voiding subscores and QoL scores were measured. Results: Out of a total of 115 patients, 98 patients completed the study. Before surgery, there was no significant difference between the two groups in prostate size (Prostate size was 54.52 ± 7.3 g in group A and 50.19 ± 6.8 g in group B, p value = 0.72), IPSS (19.86 ± 4.68 in group A vs. 21.14 ± 4.33 in group B, p value = 0.17), maximum urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine test results. No significant difference between Qol score in both groups before surgery (p value = 0.96). Group A patients had significantly less intraoperative blood loss than group B patients (308.29 ± 48.1 ml vs. 431.11 ± 96.4 ml, p = 0.001). One month postoperatively, group A patients showed greater improvement in QoL than group B patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Finasteride therapy for 6 weeks before TURP reduced intraoperative blood loss and statistically improved quality of life in the early postoperative period. However, larger number of patients and longer duration of follow up is recommended to confirm its clinical significance. Keywords: Finasteride, TURP, Quality of life

Thiazides and citrate prevent kidney stones and improve bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to opportunistically utilize the noncontrast CT (NCCT) scan used for stone detection to identify those with low BMD and follow the impact of potassium citrate and thiazides on longitudinal BMD measurements.A retrospective analysis was performed on 299 kidney stone patients treated with thiazides and/or potassium citrate for a minimum of 1 year. For each patient, BMD was estimated at L1 with CT attenuation measured in HU. A level of 160 HU was chosen to distinguish normal from low BMD. Pairwise t-test was used to compare the continuous outcomes before and after treatment for the whole cohort and the low BMD subgroup. Linear regression was performed to find if any association exists between the duration of follow-up and the changes in HU. A matched pair t-test was performed to compare among the medications used and the impact of their doses on the HU outcomes.Patients with low BMD (HU160) comprised (n = 186, 62.2%) the cohort. A total of 16.1% normalized after 1 year of treatment and 68% had an increase in HU. The mean change in HU was 8.6 (p = 0.0001). Linear regression demonstrated no association between the duration of treatment and the HU changes (p = 0.64). Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 50 mg was more effective at improving BMD (HU +19.7, p = 0.04) compared with 25 mg (+2.9) or 12.5 mg (HU +6.4). Majority of the low BMD subgroup were either postmenopausal women (n = 88) or men with age older than 60 (n = 74) and both showed a significant increase in HU (3.125, 10.731), p-value (0.0453, 0.0007), respectively.Stone health and bone health are synergistic. The impact of thiazides and citrates on BMD can be monitored opportunistically with the NCCT scan.

Various endoscopic instruments used in treating renal stones have been used in managing bladder calculi. Our aim is to evaluate the use of transurethral ureteroscopic pneumatic cystolithotripsy for the management of large bladder calculi.In a retrospective study conducted between May 2005 and July 2011, 53 patients with solitary bladder stones were subjected to our technique, transurethral ureteroscopic pneumatic cystolithotripsy. The mean patient age was 54.3 years. The mean stone size was 4.8 cm. Diagnostic cystoscopy was performed first. A semirigid ureteroscope with a pneumatic probe was introduced through the cystoscope sheath, and pneumatic lithotripsy was performed. The cystoscope sheath works as a draining channel, allowing bladder evacuation. The bladder collapses over the stone and, subsequently, prevents stone migration, which shortens the lithotripsy's duration. Stone immobilization allows the transmission of full pneumatic power to the stone. The stone fragments were removed through periodic bladder irrigation using an Ellick evacuation-irrigation system, and a 16F Foley catheter was placed at the end of the procedure.Our technique was effective in all cases, including stone-free bladders. No surgical complications were detected. The mean operative time was 83 ± 21.0 minutes, which is comparable to that of standard management. The mean duration of lithotripsy and evacuation was 29.7 ± 18.4 minutes. In the postoperative period, patients were followed up for 18 months, with no urethral stricture being reported in any case.The transurethral ureteroscopic pneumatic cystolithotripsy procedure is a safe technique for the management of large bladder calculi. It allows the bladder to collapse over the stone, leading to stone immobilization and, subsequently, decreasing lithotripsy duration. Our procedure is associated with a minimal chance of postoperative urethral injury because all stone fragments are evacuated through the cystoscope sheath, without contact with the urethral urothelium.