Publications by authors named "Liatsikos E"

Purpose: To assess differences in safety and efficacy between 24 and 18 Fr pneumatic balloon dilators for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) of renal stones between 10 and 20 mm.

Methods: Patients were randomized to dilatation with a 24 Fr (Group A) versus 18 Fr (Group B) Ultraxx pneumatic dilator (Cook Medical). In all procedures percutaneous puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance.

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Deep or aggressive angiomyxoma is an uncommon neoplasm of the pelvis. Although deep angiomyxoma is a benign tumor, its tendency to infiltrate soft tissues and reach a large size (typically > 10 cm) indicates aggressive biological behavior. It is usually present in female patients, but there have been recent reports of male-aggressive angiomyxoma.

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Introduction: Despite the increasing trend of utilizing robotic techniques in pyeloplasty, little is known about the learning curve for robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) amongst urologists with no prior robotic experience. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of residents in the last year or recently appointed urologists performing RAP using an ex-vivo model.

Methods: A prospective ex-vivo model study was conducted including participants who were either residents in the last year or recently appointed urologists.

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Purpose: Optimal laser settings during endoscopic stone disease management still represents a debatable issue. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all existing evidence regarding the comparison of high-power (HP) versus low-power (LP) laser settings during different endoscopic lithotripsy procedures.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases were systematically screened, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Patients included a 67-year-old male and a 74-year-old male who received endoscopic ablation, and a 68-year-old female treated with percutaneous tumor resection.
  • * Results indicated that kidney-sparing methods led to no recurrence of cancer in all patients, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment plans based on individual cases.
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Background/objectives: Several surgical procedures have been proposed for the treatment of hypospadias, a common and heterogeneous congenital abnormality in males. Most surgeons utilize either a urethral stent or bladder catheter for 2-14 days as a postoperative urine diversion method depending on the severity of each case and the surgeon's preferences. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of anterior and mid-penile hypospadias repair while placing the urethral catheter for only 20 h.

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Artificial urinary calculi are an essential tool for research and training in endourology. The goal of the study was to evaluate different types of artificial stones and how they behave to laser treatment, to finally determine which is the optimal one for training purposes. The stones were produced with a mix of Bego Stone powder and water, at mixing rates of 15:03, 15:04, and 15:06.

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Objective: To assess differences in bleeding risk between retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and minimally invasive miniaturised percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) for 10-20 mm renal stones.

Patients And Methods: A total of 176 patients with a renal stone between 10 and 20 mm were treated. For all patients the Stone Management According to Size-Hardness (SMASH) score was calculated: Hounsfield units × stone maximum size (cm)/100.

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Purpose: To assess the time taken by the single use 7.5Fr suction flexible ureteroscope to reduce pressure under 40 mm Hg and to characterize the behavior of stones, fragments and dust during suction activation.

Methods: An in vitro setting was developed for this experiment.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study reviews the effectiveness of the omentum in robotic-assisted reconstructive urology surgeries, highlighting its biological benefits and potential applications in complex procedures.
  • - A systematic search of three databases yielded 13 relevant studies, covering various repairs, such as vesicovaginal and rectourethral fistulas, with recurrence rates between 0% and 6.7% and low complication rates.
  • - The authors conclude that using omentum in robotic surgeries could be a safe and efficient option for complicated urological issues, but emphasize the need for more extensive studies to solidify its routine use in the field.
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  • Over the past 20 years, the European School of Urology (ESU) has implemented various educational programs, including e-learning, courses, webinars, and the European Urology Resident Education Program (EUREP), to standardize training in urology.
  • From 2004 to 2022, participation in ESU courses grew significantly, with 4,750 attendees and EUREP attracting 5,958 trainees, showing a notable increase in female participation from 10.7% to 37.1%.
  • The average age of participants has decreased over time, indicating a growing influx of younger urologists, which reflects the ESU's commitment to modernizing urological education and improving patient care.
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Urolithiasis represents the most frequent complication of horseshoe kidneys. All known approaches for stone disease management have been reported in these patients, including Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, open surgery and laparoscopy. The purpose of this systematic review is to compare Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with other least-invasive procedures in patients with horseshoe kidneys.

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  • This study investigated the effects of different irrigation setups and ureteral access sheath sizes on intrarenal pressure during flexible ureteroscopy in pigs.
  • Utilizing anesthetized female pigs and a flexible ureteroscope that recorded pressure, the researchers performed procedures with varying irrigation methods (gravity vs. manual pumping) and UAS sizes (11/13 and 12/14).
  • Results showed significantly lower intrarenal pressure with the use of UAS and under various irrigation methods, indicating the potential for improved surgical outcomes through real-time pressure monitoring during ureteroscopy.
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  • European laparoscopic urological skills (LUSs2) curriculum is being developed to fill the gap in intermediate and advanced training for laparoscopic surgical procedures in urology, promoting uniformity and proficiency among practitioners.
  • A Delphi survey with international experts helped create this curriculum; it achieved consensus on 85% of the evaluated statements regarding crucial laparoscopic procedures.
  • The new curriculum aims to enhance surgical education standards, improve surgical skills, and ultimately provide better patient care, although some limitations and potential biases in the process were noted.
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  • * A case report details a successful RIRS procedure in a 2-year-old boy with multiple large kidney stones, where no complications occurred and the patient was discharged the next day.
  • * Effective management of kidney stones in young children requires careful preoperative planning and the right tools, leading to better outcomes and fewer complications.
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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.

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Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), but infections pose a significant threat to its success. Current guidelines lack antifungal recommendations, despite rising fungal infection rates post-IPP surgery. This review examines epidemiology, risk factors (including diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and obesity), and pathogenesis, highlighting the role of biofilm formation in device contamination.

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  • The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of using high-power Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) lasers over 100 W for bladder stone treatment.
  • An experimental setup involved testing on artificial stones and porcine bladder, while a clinical trial was conducted on 35 patients with various laser power settings.
  • Results showed a 100% stone-free rate in patients, faster ablation rates with high power, and minimal complications, indicating that Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy is a safe and efficient method for treating bladder stones.
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Objectives: To compare lithotripsy ablation rate with the Moses modes versus conventional pulse modes when using the Holmium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) laser.

Methods: The Lumenis® Pulse P120H Holmium Laser System and a 365 μm Moses D/F/L fiber were used to assess stone ablation rate in conventional Short and Long Pulse as well as Moses Contact and Distance at 10 W (0.5Jx20Hz and 2Jx5Hz) and 60 W (1Jx60Hz and 2Jx30Hz).

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Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has been integrated into clinical practice to overcome several limitations of conventional open or laparoscopic surgery. After the expiration of the long key patent period of Intuitive Surgical, various robotic systems (RSs) have been developed aiming at improving certain characteristics of the first robotic platform, the Da Vinci RS. This narrative review provides an overview of the current RSs used in urology along with the initial results from their application in urologic procedures.

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Introduction: One recent addition to different lasers used for endoscopic enucleation of the prostate is the thulium fiber laser (TFL). The purpose of this systematic review is to present the feasibility, safety and efficacy of TFL Enucleation of the Prostate (ThuFLEP).

Evidence Acquisition: PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane primary databases were systematically screened.

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The Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score is a radiographic scoring system that predicts the presence of adherent perinephric fat (APF) during partial nephrectomies (PNs). The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the current literature on the application of the MAP score for predicting intraoperative difficulties related to APF and complications in laparoscopic PNs. Three databases, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane, were screened, from inception to 29 October 2023, taking into consideration the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines.

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Background And Objective: Discussions surrounding urological diagnoses and planned procedures can be challenging, and patients might experience difficulty in understanding the medical language, even when shown radiological imaging or drawings. With the introduction of virtual reality and simulation, informed consent could be enhanced by audiovisual content and interactive platforms. Our aim was to assess the role of enhanced consent in the field of urology.

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Background And Objective: Different training programs have been developed to improve trainee outcomes in urology. However, evidence on the optimal training methodology is sparse. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive description of the training programs available for urological robotic surgery and endourology, assess their validity, and highlight the fundamental elements of future training pathways.

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