Does pre-stenting influence outcomes of shockwave lithotripsy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine whether preoperative use of JJ stents in patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) impacts on stone clearance and the rate of postoperative complications.

Patients And Methods: We screened multiple databases from inception to January 2021, using the relevant search terms for SWL in patients with a preoperative stent. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials of ≥20 patients aged >18 years who had had SWL with a JJ stent.

Treatment of urge incontinence in postmenopausal women: A systematic review.

Background: Urinary incontinence and other urinary symptoms tend to be frequent at menopause because of hormonal modifications and aging. Urinary symptoms are associated with the genitourinary syndrome of menopause which is characterized by physical changes of the vulva, vagina and lower urinary tract. The treatment strategies for postmenopausal urinary incontinence are various and may include estrogens, anticholinergics, and pelvic floor muscle training.

Risk of urogenital infections in non-diabetic patients treated with sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Although SGLT2 inhibitors have been initially employed in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, their clinical use was later extended to the treatment of other conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease and obesity. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the administration of SGLT2 inhibitors has been associated with an increased incidence of urogenital infections, which may be linked to high glucose levels in the urine. The rate of urogenital side effects may be different in non-diabetic patients.

Efficacy of overactive neurogenic bladder treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence are frequently associated with known neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke.

Objective: The aim of our study was to review the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for neurogenic overactive bladder.

Materials And Methods: We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for randomized controlled trials focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological medical treatments for overactive bladder symptoms associated with neurological diseases published up to 30 April 2022.

Risk of urinary stone formation associated to proton pump inhibitors: A systematic review and metanalysis.

Objective: Proton pump inhibitors are widely used as treatment of acid-related disorders. They are considered safe although their long-term use has been associated with some adverse effects including an increased propensity for urinary calculi formation. The aim of this study was to systematically review available data from studies evaluating the association of PPIs and nephrolithiasis.

One step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for detection of lymph node metastasis during robotic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: A pilot study.

Introduction: The OSNA technique is based on reverse transcription loop-mediated DNA amplification for the detection of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) messen-ger RNA (mRNA). The purpose of our paper, which represents the first study in the literature, is to test the accuracy of this method in the detection of lymph node metastases in patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy with lymph node dis-section.

Methods: Our cohort consisted of patients that have undergone robotic radical prostatectomy with extended lymph node dissec-tion.

Outcomes of alpha-blockers as medical expulsive therapy following shockwave lithotripsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine stone-free rate following shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) with/without alpha-blockers as well as complication rates (individual and classified using the Clavien-Dindo system).

Materials And Methods: We performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials that included more than 20 patients (age > 18 years) and examined the use of alpha-blockers after SWL. Meta-analysis was performed using 'metafor' in R.

Using machine learning techniques to predict antimicrobial resistance in stone disease patients.

Purpose: Artificial intelligence is part of our daily life and machine learning techniques offer possibilities unknown until now in medicine. This study aims to offer an evaluation of the performance of machine learning (ML) techniques, for predicting bacterial resistance in a urology department.

Methods: Data were retrieved from laboratory information system (LIS) concerning 239 patients with urolithiasis hospitalized in the urology department of a tertiary hospital over a 1-year period (2019): age, gender, Gram stain (positive, negative), bacterial species, sample type, antibiotics and antimicrobial susceptibility.

Optimal Delivery of Follow-Up Care for the Prevention of Stone Recurrence in Urolithiasis Patients: Improving Outcomes.

Urolithiasis is a common clinical condition with frequent recurrences. Advances in knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms permit the categorization of patients to low and high risk for recurrence, with specific metabolic abnormalities diagnosed in the second category. Follow-up is essential for patients with urolithiasis and consists of both imaging and metabolic follow-up with urine studies.

Infectious complications of endourological treatment of kidney stones: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Objective: Endourological treatment is associated with a risk of postoperative febrile urinary tract infections and sepsis. The aim of this study was to review the reported rate of infectious complications in relation to the type and modality of the endourologic procedure.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

The use and applicability of machine learning algorithms in predicting the surgical outcome for patients with benign prostatic enlargement. Which model to use?

Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in medicine, but data on benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) management are lacking. This study aims to test the performance of several machine learning algorithms, in predicting clinical outcomes during BPE surgical management.

Methods: Clinical data were extracted from a prospectively collected database for 153 men with BPE, treated with transurethral resection (monopolar or bipolar) or vaporization of the prostate.

Is robotic radical nephroureterectomy a safe alternative to open approach: The first prospective analysis.

Purpose: To test the efficacy and safety profile of robotic radical nephroureterectomy compared to the open approach.

Methods: We enrolled 45 consecutive patients who suffered from non-metastatic, upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma from September 2019 to March 2021 and underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Patients were divided in two groups: group A consisted of 29 patients (open approach) and group B consisted of 16 patients (robotic approach).

Shockwave Lithotripsy Complications According to Modified Clavien-Dindo Grading System. A Systematic Review and Meta-regression Analysis in a Sample of 115 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Context: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) shows clear associated benefits for urolithiasis patients.

Objective: To identify and classify SWL complications according to modified Clavien-Dindo grading system while assessing the effect of different patient characteristics, stone parameters, types of lithotripters, and lithotripsy techniques.

Evidence Acquisition: Literature was reviewed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Comparison of a single-use, digital flexible ureteroscope with a reusable, fiberoptic ureteroscope for management of patients with urolithiasis.

Objectives: Ureteroscopy is one of the commonest procedures performed to manage urolithiasis. Flexible ureteroscopy has been traditionally based on reusable, fiber-optic ureteroscopes. Technology advancements permitted the development of single-use scopes with digital image.

Overview of Olaparib as a treatment option for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

: Men with prostate cancer undergoing castration will eventually progress. In addition to androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (like abiraterone and enzalutamide) or chemotherapy (like docetaxel), exists olaparib, a relatively new drug that interferes with the base excision repair (BER) pathway mainly due to selective inhibition of Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) 1 and 2.: Herein, the authors evaluate the basic characteristics of olaparib, including its pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety profile.

COVID-19 transmission: a rapid systematic review of current knowledge.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the potential and definite sources of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Due to time constraints and the acute nature of the pandemic, we searched only PubMed/Medline from inception until January 28, 2021. We analyzed the level of evidence and risk of bias in each category and made suggestions accordingly.

Fragility index of urological literature regarding medical expulsive treatment.

Introduction: The role of medical expulsive treatment (MET) is controversial. Fragility index is an additional metric to assess randomized controlled trials (RCTs) outcome validity and indicates how many patients would be required to convert a trial from being statistically significant, to not significant. The larger is the FI, the better the trial's data.

Comparison of current guidelines on medical management of stone disease.

Objective: The objective of this study isto present the content of existing Guidelines on medical management of urinary stone disease.

Materials And Methods: A search for current Guidelines from national and international urological Associations was performed in Societe International d'Urologie and American Urological Association websites, along with a search in Pubmed/MEDLINE until 30/06/2020. Two authors performed an independent search and data extraction regarding medical management of acute renal colic, medical expulsive treatment, dietary modifications and pharmaceutical interventions for prevention of stone disease recurrence.

Outcomes of dissolution therapy and monitoring for stone disease: should we do better?

Purpose Of Review: Surgical management is the cornerstone of urolithiasis treatment, but high recurrence rates and associated complications necessitate the existence of medical treatment options, aiming at dissolution of kidney stones and prevention of recurrence. The purpose of this review is to present the most recent knowledge existing in scientific literature, regarding dissolution therapy and ways of monitoring nephrolithiasis patients.

Recent Findings: A number of laboratory studies have been performed testing experimental treatments (tolvaptan, chlorthalidone, atorvastatin, a-lipoic acid, glucosaminoglycans, plant extracts), to reduce kidney stone formation and cellular damage and showed encouraging results.

Complications after active stone removal.

Purpose Of Review: Active stone removal has been entirely revolutionized in the past decades. Smaller instruments, scope and laser technology advancements and novel lithotripter modalities have entirely changed the way urological surgeons treat stones. Nevertheless novel technologies may lead to different and difficult to manage complications.