An internally validated prognostic nomogram model predicts the stone-free rate following endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery for renal stones.

Background: Here, we aim to develop and validate a viable prognostic nomogram model for predicting a stone-free rate of kidney stones patients based on retrospective cohort analysis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study that obtained a continuous cohort from the databases of two hospitals (General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, and Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital), including 522 patients with kidney stones who underwent Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (ECIRS) from January 2015 to December 2022.The characteristics of the primary cohort between the SF (stone-free) and SR (stone residue) groups were identified using single factor and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Assessing flexible ureteroscopy outcomes for lower Pole versus non lower Pole stones using the flexible and navigable suction ureteric access sheath: a prospective multicenter study by EAU Endourology and PEARLS group.

Purpose: Use of suction in flexible ureteroscopy is increasing lately. The introduction of flexible and navigable suction access sheath (FANS) has shown improved stone free rate (SFR). However, its efficacy in lower pole stone (LPS) in terms of SFR and complications is yet to be studied.

A Prospective, Randomized, Noninferiority Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Steerable Ureteroscopic Renal Evacuation Compared with Standard Ureteroscopy: 30-Day Results of the ASPIRE Study.

We report the first multicenter, prospective, randomized noninferiority controlled trial of steerable ureteroscopic renal evacuation (SURE) for nephrolithiasis treatment. Candidates for laser lithotripsy ≥18 years with ≥1 renal stone ≥7 mm and 7-20 mm stone burden were randomized 1:1 SURE ureteroscopy (URS). SURE was performed using the CVAC Aspiration System, a novel steerable irrigation-aspiration catheter.

Novel pressure- and temperature-controlled flexible ureteroscope system with a suction ureteral access sheath: a multicenter retrospective feasibility study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a pressure-controlled and temperature-controlled flexible ureteroscope system (PT Scope™) during flexible ureteroscopy.

Materials And Methods: We developed the PT Scope™, a novel ureteroscope system with capabilities for monitoring and controlling intrarenal pressure and temperature to maintain them within set parameters. Data were retrospectively collected from 48 consecutive patients diagnosed with upper urinary tract stones who underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy using the PT Scope™ across five centers in China.

First use and evaluation of a novel 6.3 Fr disposable flexible ureteroscope for stone management in duplex kidney: a case report.

Background: Flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) is increasingly used as the first-line treatment for urological procedures. Disposable digital (dd-)FURS has been developed to overcome limitations such as durability, degradation, and repair cost of reusable scopes. The diameter of commercially-available models ranges from 7.

Diagnostic status and new explorations in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: a literature review.

Background And Objective: Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) are characterized by their obscure location, insidious onset, and propensity for early muscle-invasive and lymph node metastasis, resulting in a generally poor prognosis. Clinically, diagnosis primarily relies on urine cytology, computed tomography urography (CTU), and white light ureteroscopy (WL-URS). These methods, however, suffer from low sensitivity, high cost, inefficient testing, patient discomfort, surgery-related complications, and potential tumor implantation.

Should patients with encrusted JJ stents involving the proximal/renal loop undergo primarily endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery?

Background: Ureteral stents are one of the most used devices in Urology, allowing drainage of the upper urinary system, and can be used either in elective or emergency procedures. However, as a foreign body inside the urinary system, they are subject to encrustation. Encrustation is one of the burdens seen with double-J stents and, to date, there is no consensus about its best management.

Seminal Vesiculitis: A Rare Cause of Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction.

The seminal vesicles are an accessory structure of the male reproductive system. The most common pathology associated with the seminal vesicles is infective, and patients may present with haematospermia, pain, and subfertility. Patients presenting with unilateral ureteric obstruction secondary to seminal vesiculitis are rare, and there are very few reported cases in the literature.

Minimally invasive intervention of forniceal rupture in a solitary functioning kidney: A case report.

Renal Forniceal rupture is a common urological emergency, most commonly due to an underlying ureteral obstruction. There is no standardized management for forniceal rupture. We report a 70-year-old female who presented with vague abdominal symptoms, and acute on Chronic Kidney Disease.

Small Diameter (7.5 Fr) Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscopy with Direct In-Scope Suction (DISS) in Conjunction with Aspiration-Assisted Flexible Access Sheath: A New Hype for Real Stone-Free?

: Renal lithiasis continues to represent a great challenge for modern urology in terms of minimally invasive management of lithotripsy procedures. The recent revolution of endoscopes with the miniaturization of instruments and the development of improved disposable ureteroscopes combined with recent suction methods such as suction access sheaths or direct in-scope suction (DISS) systems promise to further improve the outcome of renal stone treatment. : Considering this technological advance, this study aims to evaluate the results obtained by combining these methods in three groups: Group 1-Single-use 7.

High-power versus low-power laser settings during endoscopic stone disease management: a systematic review from the EAU endourology section.

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.

The effect of training given to patients who underwent ureteroscopy with double-J stent placement on anxiety before and after surgery and readiness for discharge.

Patient education is effective in reducing the level of anxiety before and after surgery and increasing the level of readiness for discharge. Patient education provided by nurses can be planned and applied individually. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of the education in whom a double J stent after ureteroscopy on their pre- and postoperative anxiety and levels of readiness for discharge.

Comparing Thulium Fiber Versus High-Power Holmium Laser Lithotripsy Combined with the Flexible and Navigable Suction Access Sheath in Flexible Ureteroscopy for Kidney Stone Disease: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis by the Global FANS Collaborative Group.

We aim to evaluate stone-free rate (SFR) and complications after flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) for kidney stones, using a flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS), comparing thulium fiber laser (TFL) and high-power holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (HPHL). Data from adults who underwent F-URS in 15 centers were prospectively analyzed (August 2023-January 2024). Exclusion criteria were ureteral stones, concomitant bilateral procedures, and renal abnormalities.

Thulium fiber laser versus pulsed Thulium:YAG for laser lithotripsy during flexible ureteroscopy.

To compare the pulsed-Thulium: YAG(p-Tm: YAG) and Thulium Fiber(TFL) lasers in terms of efficiency and safety profiles during flexible ureteroscopy(fURS) and endocorporeal laser lithotripsy(ELL). A prospective single-center open-label comparative study included consecutive patients with ureteral and renal stones who underwent fURS using Thulio(p-Tm: YAG, Dornier©,Germany) or TFL Drive(TFL, Coloplast©,Danemark), with 270 μm and 150/200μm laser fibers(LF), respectively. fURS were performed by a single operator in each group.

Single-port robotic laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy: surgical technique and clinical outcomes.

Introduction: We describe a method of robotic ureterocalicostomy (RALUC) with the Da Vinci Single Port (SP) platform and present clinical outcomes in our cohort of patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing RALUC with the SP platform in a single-institution, IRB-approved database between 2020-2023. Demographics, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were collated.

Which is a Better Predictor for the Safety and Efficacy of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery; Stone Size or Volume? A Study of RIRsearch Study Group.

To compare the predictive effects of stone size and volume on the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and to determine the cutoff values of stone volume for prediction of RIRS efficacy and safety. Patients who underwent RIRS between 2017 and 2021 in six referral centers were retrospectively included in the study. The database of the RIRsearch group, which was formed prospectively, was used for this retrospective analysis.

Novel approach to retrograde ureterorenoscopy: a case report of laparoscopic-assisted ureterorenoscopy for minor calyx stone removal.

A 16-year-old male presented to OPD with right-sided flank pain associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. CT scan and ultrasound findings demonstrated a 12.9 mm renal stone in the lower calyx and moderate hydronephrosis, respectively.

Comprehensive analysis of the bacterial spectrum for enhanced clinical insight in microbial ureteral stent colonization, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections: a principal component analysis-based literature review.

Purpose: Controversies exist regarding the prevailing spectrum of microorganisms in microbial ureteral stent colonization (MUSC) and their clinical significance. The aim of this comprehensive review is to determine the predominant microbial spectrum in patients with an indwelling ureteral stent in comparison to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI).

Methods: Google scholar, PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane literature databases were searched from inception to April 2022 to identify manuscripts on MUSC, uncomplicated UTI and CAUTI.

The Upper TRACT Endometry Score: development and internal validation of an objective measure of variables that impact endoscopic procedures for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose: Endoscopic management (EM) is an increasingly accepted option for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Feasibility can be dependent on a variety of variables. The objective of this study was to identify anatomic and phenotypic tumor characteristics that impact EM, using structured expert forecasting, develop and obtain consensus on an assessment score, and perform initial validation of the score in a retrospective database.

Kidney stone disease: Practice patterns among urologists in Canada.

Introduction: Despite kidney stone disease (KSD) guidelines, high-quality evidence for KSD management in Canada is lacking. We aimed to assess Canadian urologists' practice patterns, preferences, and barriers in managing KSD.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Canadian urologists via the Canadian Urological Association (CUA), Quebec Urological Association (QUA), and Canadian Endourology Group (CEG), as well as directly to urology departments nationwide.

Comparison of suction technique and non-suction technique in retrograde intrarenal stone surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of retrograde intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS) using the vacuum suction technique for the treatment of upper urinary calculi.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Sino Med, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, and Cochrane. We included studies comparing vacuum suction RIRS with non-vacuum RIRS.

Mini-endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (mini-ECIRS) for complex urolithiasis.

Introduction: To miniaturize endourological procedures, mini-Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (mini-ECIRS) has emerged as a promising alternative in the treatment of complex kidney and ureteral stones. To date, some data available in the literature have shown good outcomes regarding effectiveness and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the results and postoperative complications of mini-ECIRS in our series.

Development of Prediction Models for Severe Pain and Urinary Symptoms after Ureteroscopy with Ureteral Stent Placement: Results from the STENTS Study and Initial Validation of Pain Interference.

Purpose: We developed prediction models for severe pain and urinary symptoms after ureteroscopy with ureteral stent placement.

Materials And Methods: The development cohort included 424 adults and adolescents enrolled in the multicenter STENTS prospective cohort study who underwent ureteroscopy with stent placement for urinary stones. The validation cohort was an independent prospective cohort of 115 adults.

Novel small fragment removal system may improve extraction of renal calculi: an in vitro study.

Objective: To describe a novel Small Fragment Removal System (SFRS) which is hypothesized to improve stone fragment removal during flexible ureteroscopy in patients with urolithiasis. The SFRS consists of three parts: a Syphon Ureteric Access Sheath (SUAS), a Dual Action Pump (DAP) and an Agitator. This bench assessment aims to assess the SFRS's impact on intra-renal pressure (IRP), irrigant flow rate and stone fragment removal compared to a traditional UAS.