Dusting versus Basketing during Ureteroscopy-Which Technique is More Efficacious? A Prospective Multicenter Trial from the EDGE Research Consortium.

Purpose: There is scant evidence in the literature to support dusting vs active basket extraction during ureteroscopy for kidney stones. We prospectively evaluated and followed patients to determine which modality produced a higher stone-free rate with the fewest complications.

Materials And Methods: Members of the Endourologic Disease Group for Excellence research consortium prospectively enrolled patients with a renal stone burden ranging from 5 to 20 mm in this study.

Robotic dismembered pyeloplasty: a 6-year, multi-institutional experience.

Purpose: The introduction of the da Vinci Surgical System to perform complex reconstructive procedures, such as repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction, has helped to overcome some of the technical challenges associated with laparoscopy. We review our large multi-institutional experience with long-term followup of robotic dismembered pyeloplasty.

Materials And Methods: A total of 140 patients from 3 university medical centers underwent robotic dismembered pyeloplasty.

Robotic reconstruction of the upper urinary tract.

Purpose: Reconstructive surgery of the upper urinary tract can be complicated. During the last 2 decades minimally invasive techniques have emerged as viable options for these complex procedures. We reviewed our experience with robotic surgery for upper urinary tract reconstruction.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy.

Introduction: Ureterocalicostomy is a well-established treatment option for patients with recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction or proximal ureteral stricture refractory to endoscopic management in the setting of diminutive or intrarenal pelvis or significant peripelvic fibrosis. We report a case of robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy using the da Vinci robotic system in a patient with proximal ureteral stricture refractory to endoscopic management.

Technical Considerations: All techniques described to date for ureterocalicostomy have been either open or purely laparoscopic.

Drug-induced urinary calculi.

Urinary calculi may be induced by a number of medications used to treat a variety of conditions. These medications may lead to metabolic abnormalities that facilitate the formation of stones. Drugs that induce metabolic calculi include loop diuretics; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; and laxatives, when abused.

Selecting Treatment for Distal Ureteral Calculi: Shock Wave Lithotripsy versus Ureteroscopy.

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) are both effective treatments for removal of distal ureteral calculi, associated with high success rates and limited morbidity. The American Urological Association Ureteral Stones Clinical Guidelines Panel has found both to be acceptable treatment options for patients, based on the stone-free results, morbidity, and retreatment rates for each respective therapy. However, costs and patient satisfaction or preference were not addressed, and the report was based on data derived from older endoscopic and lithotripsy technology.

Ureterocalicostomy: a contemporary experience.

Objectives: To report our contemporary experience with ureterocalicostomy to determine whether the indications or results have changed in modern practice. Ureterocalicostomy is a well-established treatment for patients with complicated ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and other forms of proximal ureteral obstruction. Although both retrograde and antegrade endourologic interventions have become accepted forms of management, the success rates do not approach those of open or even laparoscopic interventions, potentially leading to a greater number of patients with treatment failure and the need for more complicated reconstruction.

Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy: predictors of length of stay.

Purpose: Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PNL) is commonly used to treat patients with complex renal calculi. A goal at our medical center is to discharge patients home less than 24 hours after PNL. We performed a study to determine factors that caused patients to be hospitalized longer than this period.

Ileal ureter substitution: a contemporary series.

Objectives: To review our contemporary experience with ileal ureter reconstruction. Despite advancements in surgical technology and technical expertise, ureteral injuries continue to occur. These injuries can be extensive, and ileal ureter reconstruction may be necessary.

Computerized tomography guided access for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

Purpose: Access for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PNL) using conventional fluoroscopic guidance may carry an increased risk of damage to surrounding organs in patients with renal calculi and aberrant anatomy. In these situations cross-sectional anatomical imaging may facilitate safe percutaneous access. We describe our experience with computerized tomography (CT) guided percutaneous access for such patients undergoing PNL.