Assessment of stone ablation rate using the Moses technology modes with different energy and pulse settings: An experimental study.

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).

Outcomes of thulium prostatectomy with "Oyster technique" versus transurethral prostatectomy (TURP): a randomized control trial.

Purpose: To compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes between Oyster prostate vaporesection using Tm-YAG laser and the conventional transurethral prostatectomy using monopolar energy.

Methods: Patients with LUTS with an accumulative size of at least 60 ml were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups to undergo Tm-YAG laser vaporesection (Group 1) or conventional monopolar transurethral prostatectomy (Group 2). The primary endpoints were the reduction in IPSS and the increase in Qmax postoperatively.

Holmium: Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser lithotripsy: Is there a difference in ablation rates between short and long pulse duration?

Introduction: The high-power holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers provide a wide variety of settings for stone disintegration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of short and long pulse duration on ablation rates on urinary stones.

Materials And Methods: Two types of artificial stones were created by BegoStone™ with different compositions (15:3 and 15:6, stone/water ratio).

Effects of irrigation parameters and access sheath size on the intra-renal temperature during flexible ureteroscopy with a high-power laser.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of different laser power settings on intra-renal temperature (IRT) under different irrigation conditions during flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) in a live-anesthetized porcine model.

Methods: Following ethics approval, 2 female pigs weighing ~ 28 kg were used. Under general anesthesia, a percutaneous access was obtained to fix a K-type thermocouple inside the pelvi-calyceal system for real-time recording of IRT during FURS without UAS, UAS-10/12, UAS-12/14, and UAS-14/16F.

The hemodynamic interactions of combination therapy with α-blockers and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors compared to monotherapy with α-blockers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The present study systematically reviewed the safety of combined treatment with an alpha blocker and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed according to the PRISMA statement. The included studies were randomized controlled trials that included at least one group on alpha-blocker monotherapy and one group on a combined treatment with an alpha blocker and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Lower Pole Renal Stones Less Than 2 cm in Maximum Diameter.

Purpose: The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an answer on which is the most appropriate approach for the management of the lower pole stones with a maximal dimension of 2 cm or less.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review was conducted on PubMed®, SCOPUS®, Cochrane and EMBASE®. The PRISMA guidelines and the recommendations of the EAU Guidelines office were followed.

Experimental Studies of Nonabsorbable Polymeric Surgical Clips for Use in Urologic Laparoscopy.

This study aimed to compare the stability of the Click'aV (Grena), Click'aV plus (Grena), and Hem-o-lok (Weck, Teleflex) polymer clips and the evaluation of the clips stability on a complete porcine artery. A dynamometer with a custom support and clamp unit was used. The crank gradually increased the tension force being applied on the clip via the suture.

The Effect of Irrigation Power and Ureteral Access Sheath Diameter on the Maximal Intra-Pelvic Pressure During Ureteroscopy: Experimental Study in a Live Anesthetized Pig.

To assess the effect of irrigation settings and the size of ureteral access sheath (UAS) on the maximal intra-pelvic pressure (IPPmax) during ureteroscopy (URS) in pigs. In supine position, three anesthetized female pigs underwent cystoscopy to insert a 6F ureteral catheter in each ureter. Pigs were then turned to prone position to establish a percutaneous access, insert a 10F nephrostomy tube in the kidney, and connect it to a urodynamic device.

Combination Therapy with Alpha-blocker and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor for Improving Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction in Comparison with Monotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: The effects of combination therapy consisted of an α-blocker and a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Objective: To systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy in comparison with monotherapy.

Evidence Acquisition: The study complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement and the recommendations of the European Association of Urology Guidelines office.

The use of S-curved coaxial dilator for urethral dilatation: Experience of a tertiary department.

Objective: Urethral strictures can be treated by urethral dilation, optical internal urethrotomy, or open surgical reconstruction (urethroplasty). Urethral dilation is done with filiforms and followers, balloons, or coaxial dilators inserted over a guidewire. The S-curved coaxial dilator (SCCD) was designed to facilitate the passage of the dilator through the stricture and the urethra because it imitates the curved anatomy of the male urethra.

Robot-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy by an Extraperitoneal Approach.

The incidence of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia and bladder outlet obstruction has increased during the last two decades. Most of men are treated conservatively. When medical therapy is inadequate to relief symptoms, surgical treatment is necessary.

The effectiveness of ureteric metal stents in malignant ureteric obstructions: A systematic review.

Objective: To review the literature on the effectiveness, safety and long-term patency of ureteric metal mesh stents (MSs), as a variety of MSs have been used for managing malignant ureteric obstruction over the last three decades.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review using the search string; Ureter∗ AND (stent OR endoprosthesis) AND metal∗ was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of science and Cochrane Library online databases in May 2016. Prospective, retrospective, and comparative studies including MSs were included.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Ureterolithotomy Versus Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy for Large Ureteric Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature.

Context: The management of large ureteric stones represents a technical and clinical challenge.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgical ureterolithotomy (MISU) in comparison with ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) for the treatment of large ureteric stones.

Evidence Acquisition: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the conduction of the study, which was registered in the PROSPERO database.