Prospective randomized evaluation of gel mat foot pads in the endoscopic suite.

Background And Purpose: Several studies that compare open and laparoscopic procedures have demonstrated that the minimally invasive surgeon has greater musculoskeletal pain when compared with open surgeons. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate whether the use of the gel mat in the endoscopic setting offered any ergonomic benefit to the surgeon.

Materials And Methods: One hundred endoscopic procedures, by 11 different surgeons, were randomized intostudy (use of a gel mat) and control groups.

Evaluation of bioimpedance as novel predictor of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy success.

Background And Purpose: Obesity has been identified as a limitation of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The obesity metrics of body mass index (BMI) and skin-to-stone distance (SSD) have been evaluated as predictors of SWL success. While SSD has demonstrated a strong correlation with success, BMI has not.

Efficacy of endopyelotomy in patients with secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Background And Purpose: Few studies have focused on secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) as a disease entity. This study was designed to elucidate the etiology of secondary UPJO and to assess the success rate of endopyelotomy in these cases.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent an endopyelotomy by a single surgeon from May 1997 to September 2009 was conducted.

Can we predict if overactive bladder symptoms will resolve after sling surgery in women with mixed urinary incontinence?

Persistent overactive bladder and urgency urinary incontinence after sling surgery (pubovaginal sling or midurethral sling) in women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) is devastating to patients and frustrating to surgeons who perform anti-incontinence surgery. To better predict the outcomes of sling surgery in women with MUI, preoperative parameters need to be examined to accurately predict postsurgical outcomes. In this review article, we will explore recent literature exploring possible preoperative predictors of persistent overactive bladder and urgency urinary incontinence after sling surgery in women with MUI.

Intrarenal pressures generated during deployment of various antiretropulsion devices in an ex vivo porcine model.

Introduction: Pressurized saline irrigation is commonly used during ureteroscopy, which can cause an increase in intrarenal pressure leading to postoperative pain, sepsis, and renal injury due to pyelovenous and pyelolymphatic backflow. To prevent retrograde stone migration during ureteroscopic lithotripsy, antiretropulsion devices can be deployed, which may or may not protect the kidney against high intrarenal pressures. This study compares the intrarenal pressures generated during the use of two antiretropulsion devices in an ex vivo porcine model.