Which ureteral access sheath is compatible with your flexible ureteroscope?

Purpose: Our aim is to evaluate different ureteral access sheaths (UASs), which are available in the international market and their compatibility with different available flexible ureteroscopes (F-URSs) to help the urologist choose the proper ureteral access sheath for his or her endoscope before commencing the procedure.

Materials And Methods: A total of 21 UASs and 12 F-URSs were evaluated. Measurements were obtained in French (F) units considering different characteristics for each UAS and each F-URS.

Management of OAB in those over age 65.

The International Continence Society (ICS) defines overactive bladder (OAB) as an association of symptoms including "urgency, with or without urge incontinence, usually with increased frequency and nocturia". This conditon has been associated with a decrease in quality of life and a higher related risk of overall health condition decrease, and is rising since its prevalence increases with age and the forecast for the world population estimates an increase of those over 65 years old. Aging alone can be considered a major risk factor for developing OAB symptoms that are considered multifactorial and due to body tissue and anatomic changes, lifestyle-associated factors, comorbidities and personal characteristics.

The final stage of the laparoscopic procedure: exploring final steps.

Despite significant advances in laparoscopic technique and technologies, laparoscopic Urologic surgery remains technically demanding regarding various surgical steps including the challenge of specimen retrieval and extraction, whether to install a drainage system and the best option for wound closure. Laparoscopic specimen entrapment and extraction occurs at what is falsely considered the ″end of the procedure″. During open surgery, after the specimen has been mobilized, the specimen is simply lifted out of the larger incision which has been made to achieve the surgical objectives.

A comparative study of pelvic floor muscle training in women with multiple sclerosis: its impact on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life.

Objective: To compare pelvic floor muscle training and a sham procedure for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Thirty-five female patients with multiple sclerosis were randomized into two groups: a treatment group (n = 18) and a sham group (n = 17). The evaluation included use of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and Qualiveen questionnaire.

Is it safe and effective to treat complex renal cysts by the laparoscopic approach?

Background And Purpose: Bosniak III and IV renal cysts have low mortality potential, and little is reported regarding the feasibility and safety of managing such tumors by laparoscopy and its comparison with open surgery. We report on the experience with 37 complex renal cysts managed in the era of laparoscopy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database from all patients with renal tumors who were operated on at our institution was evaluated after Institutional Review Board approval.

Contemporary applications and limitations of magnetic resonance imaging contrast materials.

Purpose: Improvements in imaging technologies have dramatically increased the ability to accurately diagnose and treat many urological disease processes. As urological patients often have chronic kidney disease, the well characterized nephrotoxicity of contrast induced nephropathy when using iodine based contrast materials has long been a concern. With the development of gadolinium based contrast agents it seemed that the concern regarding nephrotoxicity had been resolved.

Where next for the endoscope?

The concept of examining the body's interior and its organs dates back to ancient times. The roots of modern endoscopy lie in early nineteenth century Europe, and the intervening centuries have seen a steady evolution of devices and techniques. Nowadays, a wide variety of urinary tract disorders are successfully managed in a minimally invasive manner thanks to the endoscope and related technologies.

[Autologous versus synthetic sling procedure: success rate and bladder outlet obstruction rates].

Objectives: Voiding dysfunction and urinary retention were frequent complications of sling. More recently synthetic supplies such as polypropylene mesh have been included in the armamentarium for sub urethral support.

Methods: A prospective non randomized study was conducted.

Evaluation of bladder insufflants for transurethral cryoablation of the bladder.

Objectives: To compare helium and carbon dioxide gas insufflation for the creation of pneumocystis during bladder cryoablation in an effort to optimize the technique.

Methods: Nine pigs were divided into 3 groups. The pigs in groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent bladder cryoablation in a normal saline, carbon dioxide gas, and helium gas environment, respectively.

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To report the prevalence and clinical relevance of autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid antibodies in 524 patients with SLE.

Methods: The medical charts of SLE patients followed in our rheumatology unit were reviewed to determine the prevalence and clinical associations of autoimmune thyroid disease. These findings were compared with the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in 50 female adults.

Triple therapy in refractory detrusor overactivity: a preliminary study.

Purpose: To evaluate in a prospective study the impact of the "three-drug therapy" (antimuscarinic, alpha-blocker and tricyclic antidepressants) on the treatment of refractory detrusor overactivity (DO).

Methods: Data from 27 consented patients with refractory DO were available for study. They were asked to complete a daily urinary chart and underwent urodynamic evaluation (UD) before and 60 days after treatment.

Impact of obesity on ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy of urinary tract calculi.

Purpose: The treatment of urinary tract stones in obese patients may differ from the treatment of non-obese patients and their success rate varies. Our objective was to compare ureteroscopic treatment outcomes of ureteral and renal stones, stratified for stone size and location, between overweight, obese and non-obese patients.

Materials And Methods: Charts were reviewed for 500 consecutive patients presenting at our institution for renal and ureteral stones.

Outpatient double percutaneous endolaparoscopic extraction of large continent urinary reservoir stones--a new minimally invasive approach.

Purpose: We report an efficient new method of managing massive stone burdens in continent urinary reservoirs without urethral access, using the minimally invasive double percutaneous endolaparoscopic technique.

Patients And Methods: After first obtaining and dilating a percutaneous tract into the reservoir, a second access is established using a laparoscopic trocar under direct vision. Using endoscopic instruments, large stones are placed into a laparoscopic entrapment bag, fragmented (if necessary), and then transferred extracorporeally without any damage to the integrity or mucosa of the reservoir and without leaving behind any stone fragments.

Urologic laser types and instrumentation.

Though the primary role of lasers in urology has always been in the treatment of urolithiasis, there are several other indications for their use. There are many different types of lasers currently available, each with unique properties conducive to treating certain disorders. As such, it is critical that today's urologist understands each laser's characteristics in order to optimize patient selection and treatment.

Pilot study evaluating ureteric physiological changes with a novel 'ribbon stent' design using electromyographic and giant magnetoresistive sensors.

Objective: To test a novel 'ribbon stent' (RS) design using an extraluminal bipolar electromyographic (EMG) and giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor system to characterize ureteric responses.

Materials And Methods: In all, 11 female domestic pigs were divided into three groups to evaluate ureteric physiology: group 1 (two pigs) with an unstented ureter, group 2 (three) with a standard 6 F ureteric stent, and group 3 (six) with the RS. For all groups EMG/GMR evaluation was performed at baseline, immediately after stenting, and at 3 and 7 days after stenting.