Does coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent affect stent-related symptoms?

Objective: To evaluate the impact of coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent on stent-related symptoms (SRS) in in subgroup of patients undergoing preoperative ureteral stenting preceding flexible retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective comparative study including patients undergoing stent placement 7-10 days prior to RIRS. Patients were divided into 2 groups; in Group 1 coiling of proximal end of the DJ was present, while in Group 2 coiling was absent.

An international delphi survey and consensus meeting to define the risk factors for ureteral stricture after endoscopic treatment for urolithiasis.

Purpose: Iatrogenic ureteral strictures (US) after endoscopic treatment for urolithiasis represent a significant healthcare concern. However, high-quality evidence on the risk factors associated with US is currently lacking. We aimed to develop a consensus statement addressing the definition, risk factors, and follow-up management of iatrogenic US after endoscopic treatment for urolithiasis.

Patient perspectives on vasectomy: findings from a TikTok® content analysis.

Social media is increasingly used as a platform for patients to explore health care information. Our objective was to study the content on TikTok in order to gain insight into the perspectives shared by the public on vasectomy. A search was performed using the hashtag ´#vasectomy´ on 12.

Urologists' opinion on treating asymptomatic stones: Would we treat ourselves as we treat our patients? Survey from European Association of Urology, Young Academic Urologists, Endourology and Urolithiasis working party.

Background/aim: Management of asymptomatic kidney stones is an ongoing debate with follow-up and treatment guidelines based on low-level evidence. Our aim was to evaluate current management of asymptomatic urinary stones.

Materials And Methods: A 70-question survey was designed in collaboration with European Association of Urology, Young Academic Urologists, Section of Uro-Technology and Section of Urolithiasis groups and distributed.

Illumination matters part I: comparative analysis of light sources and illumination in flexible ureteroscopy-fundamental findings from a PEARLS analysis.

Purpose: Illumination characteristics of flexible ureteroscopes have been evaluated in air, but not in saline, the native operative medium for endourology. The aim was to evaluate light properties of contemporary ureteroscopes in air versus saline, light distribution analysis, and color temperature.

Methods: We evaluated the Storz Flex-Xc and Flex-X2s, Olympus V3 and P7, Pusen 7.

Radiation exposure of urologists during endourological procedures: a systematic review.

Introduction: Ionizing radiation is used daily during endourological procedures. Despite the dangers of both deterministic and stochastic effects of radiation, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness among urologists. This study reviewed the literature to identify the radiation exposure (RE) of urologists during endourological procedures.

Illumination matters Part II: advanced comparative analysis of flexible ureteroscopes in a kidney model by PEARLS.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate illumination properties in an in-vitro kidney calyx model in saline.

Design And Methods: We evaluated a series of contemporary flexible ureteroscopes including the Storz Flex-Xc and Flex-X2s, Olympus V3 and P7, Pusen 7.5F and 9.

Risk factors of early infectious complications after ureterorenoscopy for stone disease: a prospective study.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the rate and associated risk factors of early infectious complications after ureterorenoscopy for urolithiasis.

Methods: After ethical committee approval, 400 therapeutic retrograde ureterorenoscopy procedures between August 3, 2020 and November 24, 2021 were included for analysis in a single-center study. Postoperative infection was defined as an afebrile urinary tract infection, fever (≥ 38 °C) with pyuria (≥ 300 WBC/μL) or proven urinary pathogen, and urosepsis.

Radiation exposure of patients during endourological procedures.

Purpose: Considering the existing gaps in the literature regarding patient radiation dose (RD) and its associated risks, a systematic review of the literature on RD was conducted, focusing on percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), and ureteroscopy (URS).

Methods: Two authors conducted a literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify studies on RD during endourological procedures. Two thousand two hundred sixty-six articles were screened.

Ureteral stricture rate after endoscopic treatments for urolithiasis and related risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to accurately determine ureteral stricture (US) rates following urolithiasis treatments and their related risk factors.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines using databases from inception to November 2023. Studies were deemed eligible for analysis if they included ≥ 18 years old patients with urinary lithiasis (Patients) who were subjected to endoscopic treatment (Intervention) with ureteroscopy (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) (Comparator) to assess the incidence of US (Outcome) in prospective and retrospective studies (Study design).

Illumination matters Part III: Impact of light obstruction on illuminance from flexible ureteroscopes - a comparative PEARLS analysis.

Purpose: Artifacts from poor ureteroscopes' light design with shadowing and dark areas in the field of view have been reported. The aim was to quantify effects of light obstruction in a kidney calyx model.

Methods: We evaluated a series of contemporary flexible ureteroscopes including the Storz Flex-Xc and Flex-X2s, Olympus V3 and P7, Pusen 7.

Advancements in stone classification: unveiling the beauty of urolithiasis.

Purpose: Urolithiasis has become increasingly prevalent, leading to higher disability-adjusted life years and deaths. Various stone classification systems have been developed to enhance the understanding of lithogenesis, aid urologists in treatment decisions, and predict recurrence risk. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of different stone classification criteria.

Worldwide trends of practice and intervention in paediatric endourology: comparison of European versus Non-European responses.

Introduction: The area of paediatric endourology is unique and is recognised to be challenging, and it requires a certain level of focused training and expertise. Our aim was to conduct a worldwide survey in order to gain an overview regarding the current practice patterns for minimally invasive treatments of paediatric upper urinary tract stone patients.

Material And Methods: The survey was distributed between December 2021 and April 2022 through urology sections and societies in United Kingdom, Latin America and Asia.

Laser Ablation Efficiency, Laser Ablation Speed, and Laser Energy Consumption During Lithotripsy: What Are They and How Are They Defined? A Systematic Review and Proposal for a Standardized Terminology.

Context: Laser performance for lithotripsy is currently reported using units of measurement such as J/mm, mm/J, mm/s, s/mm, and mm/min. However, there are no current standardized definitions or terminology for these metrics. This may lead to confusion when assessing and comparing different laser systems.

Thulium fiber laser vs Ho:YAG in RIRS: a prospective randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of lasers and different fiber diameters (150 µm and 200 µm).

Introduction: The aims of the study: (1) to compare the Super Pulse Thulium Fiber Laser (SP TFL) and the holmium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Ho:YAG) lasers in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS); (2) to compare the efficacy of SP TFL laser fibers of different diameters (150 μm and 200 μm).

Methods: A prospective randomized single-blinded trial was conducted. Patients with stones from 10 to 20 mm were randomly assigned RIRS in three groups: (1) SP TFL (NTO IRE-Polus, Russia) with fiber diameter of 150 μm; (2) SP TFL with 200-μm fiber; and (3) Ho:YAG (Lumenis, USA) with 200-μm fiber.

Pulsed Thulium:YAG laser - What is the lithotripsy ablation efficiency for stone dust from human urinary stones? Results from an in vitro PEARLS study.

Background: The novel pulsed thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (p-Tm:YAG) laser was recently introduced. Current studies present promising p-Tm:YAG ablation efficiency, although all are based on non-human stone models or with unknown stone composition. The present study aimed to evaluate p-Tm:YAG ablation efficiency for stone dust from human urinary stones of known compositions.

Controversies in ureteroscopy: lasers, scopes, ureteral access sheaths, practice patterns and beyond.

Ureteroscopy has become an increasingly popular surgical intervention for conditions such as urinary stone disease. As new technologies and techniques become available, debate regarding their proper use has risen. This includes the role of single use ureteroscopes, optimal laser for stone lithotripsy, basketing versus dusting, the impact of ureteral access sheath, the need for safety guidewire, fluoroscopy free URS, imaging and follow up practices are all areas which have generated a lot of debate.