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Introduction: Urolithiasis is a serious health issue that is constantly getting worse around the world. In relation to laser lithotripsy, new techniques and technological advancements have emerged, giving urologists a wide range of choices for treating stone disease. The objective of the present review is to provide an overview of the most current developments and show how effective they are for reducing complications and boosting surgical effectiveness. Material and method: In October 2023, we performed a comprehensive search of the literature, including relevant articles using the PubMed international database to identify related publications concerning ureteroscopic laser stone lithotripsy in renal lithiasis. Both review and original articles were selected. Searches were limited to studies written in English which involved human and adult subjects. Results: All eligible studies concerning ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy were published in 2022 and 2023. They were conducted in Asia (5/10), the North America (3/10) and Europe (2/10), and totalized 1570 patients with an age range between 18 and 85 years. Regarding the primary efficacy outcome, all studies focused on stone free rates (SFRs), complications and average operative time. Conclusion: The rising frequency and incidence of stone disease has led to ongoing breakthroughs in endourology through technological advancements and ongoing developments. Unlike the relatively well-known Holmium laser, which has several uses in the field of stone lithotripsy, Thulium fiber laser (TFL) is a brand-new technological arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate (BPEP) and standard open transvesical prostatectomy (OP) were retrospectively compared while applied in cases of high volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Between January 2013-January 2016, 140 patients underwent BPEP and OP in equal numbers. Cases were selected based on the presence of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)>19, maximum flow rate (Qmax) <10 mL/s and prostate volume >80 mL. Up to 2 year after surgery, patients were periodically followed using the IPSS, Quality of Life score (QoL), Qmax, postvoiding residual urinary volume (PVR) and PSA. Results: Equivalent surgical speed and ablation capacity were determined for BPEP and OP. The plasma-button enucleation provided the advantages of decreased hemorrhagic risk, as well as faster catheter removal and hospital discharge. No major differences were described in terms of short as well as long term adverse events. The two years' periodical evaluation revealed rather resembling symptomatic profile and voiding features. Conclusions: The BPEP technique constitutes a feasible alternative of matching the conventional OP' therapeutic efficiency while reducing morbidity and convalescence. The long-term determinations confirmed similar functional and symptomatic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate (BPEP) and standard open transvesical prostatectomy (OP) were retrospectively compared while applied in cases of high volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Between January 2013-January 2016, 140 patients underwent BPEP and OP in equal numbers. Cases were selected based on the presence of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)>19, maximum flow rate (Qmax) <10 mL/s and prostate volume >80 mL. Up to 2 year after surgery, patients were periodically followed using the IPSS, Quality of Life score (QoL), Qmax, postvoiding residual urinary volume (PVR) and PSA. Results: Equivalent surgical speed and ablation capacity were determined for BPEP and OP. The plasma-button enucleation provided the advantages of decreased hemorrhagic risk, as well as faster catheter removal and hospital discharge. No major differences were described in terms of short as well as long term adverse events. The two years' periodical evaluation revealed rather resembling symptomatic profi le and voiding features. Conclusions: The BPEP technique constitutes a feasible alternative of matching the conventional OP' therapeutic effi ciency while reducing morbidity and convalescence. The long-term determinations confi rmed similar functional and symptomatic benefi ts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carcinomas originating from the renal cortex are the most aggressive renal malignancies, with a high tendency for metastasis. Understanding the incidence of cutaneous manifestations caused by renal carcinomas is a challenge. In the first part, this article summarizes a series of factors that promote oncogenesis, invasiveness, and the ability of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to develop secondary cutaneous manifestations. It is postulated that the cellular stress response is one of the leading causes of developing dermatological events induced by cancers located at distant sites. Furthermore, the paper provides an overview of cutaneous complications associated with renal cancer, categorized as malignant manifestations (metastases, synchronous or metachronous cutaneous malignancies associated with renal cancer), non-malignant indirect cutaneous manifestations associated with renal cancer, and treatment consequences. The data presented in this article suggest that recognizing certain cutaneous disorders could assist the physician in the early identification of renal neoplasms and could lead to a better prognosis.

Introduction: During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the management of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) underwent dynamic adjustments in response to an evolving understanding of the virus's impact on different patient populations. Healthcare practitioners reevaluated therapeutic approaches for conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), considering the potential implications of this condition on the severity and progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to investigate potential correlations between SARS-CoV-2 infection severity, exacerbation of LUTS, and BPH progression., Material and Methods: This retrospective study includes patients hospitalized in our Urology Department between January 2021 and January 2023, presenting with both SARS-CoV-2 and BPH. Their ages ranged from 57 to 88 years, with a mean age of 65.4 years. The diagnosis of BPH relied on a diagnostic triad consisting of digital rectal examination, biological markers (including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA, and ultrasound examination, with both conditions confirmed based on test results. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) procedures utilized monopolar Karl Storz resection equipment, using sorbitol and bipolar Olympus devices for transurethral resection of the prostate in saline (TURPis). Haemostasia was performed using roller balls. Anticoagulation followed a prescribed scheme by cardiologists and infectious disease specialists. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp., Results: Among the 138 hospitalized patients affected by both BPH and COVID-19, 18 required emergency endoscopic procedures (specifically TURP or TURPis) to achieve hemostasis (Figures 1, 2). These individuals presented persistent hematuria despite conservative treatments. The mean duration of surgery was 57.9 minutes. Patients who underwent surgery had a longer average hospital stay compared to those who did not, with durations of 10.5 days versus 7.5 days, respectively. Additionally, urethrovesical catheter insertion was necessary in 29 cases due to acute urinary retention or worsening voiding symptoms during hospitalization. These patients are scheduled for further urological evaluation following the resolution of the COVID-19 episode. In a cohort of 53 patients for whom data were accessible, comparisons were made between the pre-COVID status and the levels of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), post-voiding residue (PVR), and quality of life (QoL). The findings revealed a mean pre-COVID IPSS value of 11.6 and a COVID-related value of 14.2, with a statistically significant difference noted (p < 0.05). The mean pre-COVID PVR was 42.3 cm 2 , whereas during the COVID-19 period, it measured 62.5 cm 2 , also exhibiting a significant difference (p < 0.05). Additionally, the QoL showed a mean pre-COVID-19 score of 2.4 and a COVID-19-associated score of 2.9, again demonstrating statistical significance (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic posed novel challenges in the medical realm, impacting the approach to BPH management. A common practice was delaying treatment for chronic BPH until viral infection remission to reduce associated risks. Additionally, our study revealed a worse evolution in LUTS among individuals with severe COVID-19 symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Balacescu et al.)

The prevalence of nephrolithiasis is increasing across all demographic groups. Apart from the morbidity associated with an acute occurrence, preventative treatment is essential for stone disease, which can become a long-term problem. Simple interventions like fluid intake optimization and dietary modification are effective for most stone types. However, patients with specific metabolic abnormalities may require pharmaceutical therapy if lifestyle changes are insufficient to reduce the risk of stone recurrence. The treatment of citrates and/or pyridoxines may help eliminate or prevent recurrences of kidney stones, especially when they are composed of uric acid, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or the latter two together. In cases of struvite stones, which often necessitate a surgical approach, acetohydroxamic acid emerges as a valuable second-line treatment option. Thiol-binding agents may be needed for cystinuria, as well as lifestyle modifications. Successful treatment reduces stone recurrence and the need to remove stones surgically., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2023 JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE.)