Combined Retrograde Flexible Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy with Holmium YAG Laser for Renal Calculi Associated with Ipsilateral Ureteral Stones

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for asymptomatic incidental renal stones: a retrospective, real-world data analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine surgical outcomes and stone-free rates (SFRs) when offering upfront retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) to patients with asymptomatic incidental renal stones (AIRS), as active surveillance, shockwave lithotripsy or upfront intervention in patients with AIRS is still a debate among urologists.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective FLEXible Ureteroscopy Outcomes Registry (FLEXOR), supported by the Team of Worldwide Endourological Researchers (TOWER), examines adult patients who underwent RIRS. We analysed a subset of asymptomatic patients with renal stones on imaging who were treated with RIRS. Data includes patient characteristics, stone specifications, anaesthesia type, perioperative details, complications, and SFR. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with the SFR.

RESULTS

Among 679 patients with AIRS, 640 met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 55 years, with 33.4% being female. In all, 22.1% had positive urine cultures. The median stone diameter was 12 mm, commonly in lower and interpolar locations. RIRS was preferentially performed under general anaesthesia using a reusable scope in 443 cases. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered to 314 patients. The median operation time was 58 min and the median laser time was 24 min. The SFR was 68.8%. The use of holmium laser (odds ratio [OR] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.63; P < 0.01) and multiple stones (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19-0.76; P < 0.01) were factors associated with lower odds of being stone free. Overall complications were minimal, with sepsis in 1.6% of patients. Re-interventions were performed in 76 cases (11.8%), with RIRS being the most common in 67 cases (10.6%).

CONCLUSION

Our multicentre real-world study is the first of its kind that highlights the pros and cons of offering RIRS to patients with AIRS and demonstrates a favourable SFR with acceptable complications. Pre-emptively discussing potential re-intervention helps patients make informed decisions, particularly in cases involving large and multiple stones.

Removal of Small, Asymptomatic Kidney Stones and Incidence of Relapse

BACKGROUND

The benefits of removing small (≤6 mm), asymptomatic kidney stones endoscopically is unknown. Current guidelines leave such decisions to the urologist and the patient. A prospective study involving older, nonendoscopic technology and some retrospective studies favor observation. However, published data indicate that about half of small renal stones left in place at the time that larger stones were removed caused other symptomatic events within 5 years after surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial in which, during the endoscopic removal of ureteral or contralateral kidney stones, remaining small, asymptomatic stones were removed in 38 patients (treatment group) and were not removed in 35 patients (control group). The primary outcome was relapse as measured by future emergency department visits, surgeries, or growth of secondary stones.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, the treatment group had a longer time to relapse than the control group (P<0.001 by log-rank test). The restricted mean (±SE) time to relapse was 75% longer in the treatment group than in the control group (1631.6±72.8 days vs. 934.2±121.8 days). The risk of relapse was 82% lower in the treatment group than the control group (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.44), with 16% of patients in the treatment group having a relapse as compared with 63% of those in the control group. Treatment added a median of 25.6 minutes (interquartile range, 18.5 to 35.2) to the surgery time. Five patients in the treatment group and four in the control group had emergency department visits within 2 weeks after surgery. Eight patients in the treatment group and 10 in the control group reported passing kidney stones.

CONCLUSIONS

The removal of small, asymptomatic kidney stones during surgery to remove ureteral or contralateral kidney stones resulted in a lower incidence of relapse than nonremoval and in a similar number of emergency department visits related to the surgery. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02210650.).

Decreased Recurrence of Urolithiasis After Simultaneous Ureteroscopic Surgery for Ureter and Ipsilateral Renal Calculi: Comparison to Shockwave Lithotripsy for Ureter Calculi Alone

OBJECTIVE

To compare follow-up outcomes of ureteroscopy (URS) and shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for ureter calculi in the setting of asymptomatic renal calculi <15 mm.

METHODS

This study included 789 patients who underwent URS (n = 301) or SWL (n = 488) as primary treatment for ureter calculi and who had ipsilateral renal calculi <15 mm between January 2012 and December 2019. For the URS group, all renal calculi were simultaneously treated unless contraindicated. One-to-one matching was performed using the propensity score (PS).

RESULTS

After PS matching, analysis included 262 matched pairs of URS and SWL patients. The stone-free rate for ureter calculi without auxiliary procedure was 97.3% in the URS group and 93.9% in the SWL group. Any complication rates were 11.0% and 9.2% in the URS and SWL group, respectively; 1.1% of the URS patients experienced complications classified as Clavien-Dindo ≥IIIb. The estimated 2-year intervention-free survival was 88.1% in the URS group and 84.2% in the SWL group (P = 0.045). The estimated 2-year stone-event-free survival was 80.1% in the URS group and 71.0% in the SWL group (P = 0.009). Cox multivariate analysis showed that the hazard ratios of URS were 0.62 (P = 0.025) for surgical interventions and 0.64 (P = 0.008) for stone-related events after adjusting for baseline variables.

CONCLUSION

For patients with symptomatic ureter calculi and asymptomatic renal calculi <15 mm, URS with active treatment for renal calculi reduces future ipsilateral surgical intervention and stone-related events compared with SWL for ureter calculi.

Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free retrograde intrarenal surgery: An attractive way of renal stone management in high-volume stone centers

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sheathless and fluoroscopy-free flexible ureterorenoscopic laser lithotripsy (FURSL) for treating renal stones.

Methods

Between May 2015 and May 2017, 135 patients with renal stones treated with sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL were prospectively evaluated. Our technique involved a semi-rigid ureteroscopic assessment of the ureter, and the guidewire was left in situ to railroad the flexible ureteroscope. A holmium laser was used to fragment and dust the stones; fragments were neither grasped nor collected.

Results

The study population consisted of 135 patients including 85 males (62.96%) and 50 females (37.04%) with a mean age of 40.65 years (range: 3–70 years) were evaluated. The mean stone size was 17.23 mm (range: 8–41 mm). Complete stone-free status was achieved in 122 (90.37%) patients and clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) in two (1.48%), while residual stones were still present in 11 (8.15%) patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 23 (17.4%) cases and were mostly minor, including fever in 17 (12.6%), pyelonephritis in four (3.0%), subcapsular hematoma in one (0.7%) and steinstrasse in one (0.7%). These complications were Clavien I-II, GI in 17 (12.6%) patients, GII in five (3.7%), and Clavien IIIb in one (0.7%). No major complications were observed. Stone size ≥2 cm, operative time ≥30 min, and lasing time ≥20 min were significantly associated with a higher rate of complications and lower stone-free rates upon univariate analysis (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Sheathless and fluoroscopy-free FURSL are effective and safe for renal stone management, especially for stones under 2 cm in diameter. This process is a feasible option for avoiding sheath complications, which can protect surgeons from the negative effects of radiation.

The efficacy of performing shockwave lithotripsy before retrograde intrarenal surgery in the treatment of multiple or large (≥1.5 cm) nephrolithiasis: A propensity score matched analysis

Purpose

To investigate the effect of performing shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) before retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) on the treatment outcomes of patients with nephrolithiasis.

Materials and Methods

The data of 189 patients with renal stones who underwent RIRS from July 2007 to July 2014 was reviewed retrospectively. Patients with stones larger than 1.5 cm were recommended to undergo SWL before RIRS. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether the preoperative SWL was performed (group 1, n=68) or not (group 2, n=121). The cohorts of the 2 groups cohorts were matched 1:1 using propensity score analysis. Patient, stone characteristics, operative parameters, and stone-free rates were compared.

Results

Patients in groups 1 and 2 were matched with respect to stone size, number, and location, leaving 57 patients in each group. After matching, no differences were identified between the 2 groups regarding age, body mass index, sex, stone composition, density and multiplicity. Compared to group 2 patients, patients in group 1 had fewer number of procedures performed (1.10 vs. 1.26, p=0.045) and higher stone-free rate (89.4% vs.73.6%, p=0.039). In multivariate analysis, Non lower calyceal location (odd ratio [OR], 8.215; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.782–21.982; p=0.041), stone size (OR, 6.932; 95% CI, 1.022–18.283; p<0.001), and preoperative SWL (OR, 2.210; 95% CI, 1.058–7.157; p=0.019) were independent factors predicting a stone-free state after RIRS.

Conclusions

Performing SWL before RIRS may favor stone eliminations during surgery and increase the stone-free rate in selected patients.

The Efficacy of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Using Pneumatic Lithotripsy vs. the Holmium Laser: a Randomized Study

The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy using holmium laser vs pneumatic lithotripsy. From August 2010 to March 2014, 200 patients with double kidney and single kidney stones without previous operations or other diseases were randomized into two groups according to the type of lithotripter used: pneumatic (n = 100) and laser (n = 100). The preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative follow-up findings were analyzed and compared. The average stone size was similar in both the pneumatic and holmium laser lithotripsy groups (202.8 ± 52.6 mm² vs. 200.3 ± 50.8 mm²). No significant difference was found between the operation time for the two groups (55.9 ± 16.5 min vs. 62.4 ± 17.6 min). The concentrations of creatinine in both groups increased 2-24 h after the operation and decreased to a normal level 1-4 days after the operation in both groups. Renal diuretic scan revealed that the peak and the renal index were both abnormal after the operation but became normal 4 days after the operation in both groups. No significant difference of creatinine concentration or the diuresis renogram was observed between the two groups. However, two cases in the holmium laser group had almost lost the renal function of the operated kidney 1 year later. Both pneumatic and holmium laser lithotripsy can be associated with acute renal injury in some patients after the operation without any significant difference. However, some infrequent severe renal function damage in laser lithotripsy should be noted.

Combined ureterorenoscopy for ureteral and renal calculi is not associated with adverse outcomes

Introduction

We intended to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the simultaneous rigid and flexible ureteroscopic treatment of symptomatic ureteral and ipsilateral small simultaneous calyceal stones. Outcomes of combined therapy were compared with monotherapy alone.

Material and methods

In this retrospective study, group 1 consisted of 45 patients with middle or lower ureteral and ipsilateral small simultaneous calyceal stones treated by combined therapy. Group 2 included 45 patients with middle or lower ureteral stones only and treated by monotherapy. Stone characteristics, operative time, hospital stay, stone free rates, and complications were compared between groups 1 and 2. Stone free status was defined as no fragments and/or the presence of asymptomatic fragments smaller than 4 mm.

Results

Mean BMI were 29.3 ±0.9 kg/m² and 27.6 ±0.6 kg/m² in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean ureteral stone size (7.6 ±0.4 mm vs. 8.0 ±0.4 mm, p = 0.261) and ureteral stone burden (56.0 ±5.5 mm²vs. 54.8 ±6.1 mm², p = 0.487) were similar between groups. Mean renal stone size and renal stone burden for group 1 were 7.1 ±0.8 mm and 83.7 ±11.3 mm². The mean operative time was significantly longer (for a mean of 32.5±1.2 minutes) for group 1 (p = 0.001). Ureteral stents were left in 38 (84.4%) and 19 (42.2%) patients in group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.001). Hospital stay and complication rates were similar between groups. SFRs were 100% for ureteral stones in both groups and 88.9% for renal stones within group 1.

Conclusions

Simultaneous ureteroscopic treatment of the ureteral and ipsilateral small calyceal stones prolongs operative time and increases use of ureteral stent without leaving any residual renal stones.

Single-Stage Bilateral Versus Unilateral Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Management of Renal Stones: A Matched-Pair Analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of single-stage bilateral and unilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for treatment of patients with renal stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing single-stage bilateral RIRS for renal stones between January 2011 and April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and matched to patients undergoing unilateral RIRS at a 1:1 ratio by the propensity score based on age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, stone burden, and stone location (involvement of the lower calix or not). Main outcome measures were stone-free rate per patient and per renal unit and RIRS-associated morbidity.

RESULTS

Of 60 patients treated by single-stage bilateral RIRS, 59 patients were matched with patients treated by unilateral RIRS. Stone-free rates per patient for bilateral RIRS and unilateral RIRS were 84.7% and 91.5%, respectively (P=0.255). Median operative time (100 vs 65 min, P<0.001) and postoperative hospitalization (2 vs 1 d, P=0.011) was significantly longer for bilateral RIRS than unilateral RIRS. Median changes in hematocrit (1.3% vs 1.0%, P=0.964) and serum creatinine level (3 vs 2 μmol/L, P=0.716) were similar between bilateral and unilateral RIRS. The overall complication rate was slightly higher with bilateral RIRS (11.9% vs 8.5%, P=0.542). No serious RIRS-associated morbidities occurred in either group.

CONCLUSION

Single-stage bilateral RIRS was as effective and safe as unilateral RIRS among propensity score-matched patients.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of renal stones: is fluoroscopy-free technique achievable?

The aim of this study was to present the safety and efficacy of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) procedures that minimize the intraoperative radiation exposure. The totally endoscopy-guided RIRS technique included the following steps: (a) preoperative assessment of pelvicaliceal system anatomy and stone characteristics, (b) thorough evaluation of the ureters by rigid ureteroscopy, (c) a step-wise approach of introducing the ureteral sheath, (d) gathering stones in the more accessible renal calyx before fragmenting them, and (e) a modified holmium laser technique. The RIRS procedures performed by a single surgeon between October 2012 and October 2013 in consecutive patients with renal stones were retrospectively reviewed. The mean stone size was 1.4 ± 0.4 (range 0.8-2.0) cm. The median operative time was 74.5 min. Fluoroscopy was only used in one patient who had a double collecting system with two ureters. The stone-free status was achieved in 134 (95.7%) patients one month after surgery. Five (3.6%) patients had minor complications, including hematuria and fever. No major intraoperative complication was observed. We believe that with appropriate preparation, RIRS without fluoroscopic guidance can be safely and efficiently performed by experienced urologists in selected patients with renal stones.

Efficacy of percutaneous nephrostomy during flexible ureteroscopy for renal stone management

PURPOSE

Preoperative percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) can be applied to urinary stone patients with pyelonephritis as well as obstructive uropathy; thus, some patients undergo flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) in the presence of a PCN tube. We evaluated the effectiveness of PCN during fURS for the management of renal stones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 130 consecutive patients who underwent fURS for renal stones between January 2009 and December 2011. All fURS procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of PCN during the surgery: patients with PCN (group 1, n=41) and patients without PCN (group 2, n=89). To evaluate operative outcomes, we compared success rates, operative times, and complication rates. We defined success as the absence of any residual stones in the kidney or stone fragments less than 2 mm that were too small to be extracted during follow-up.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, stone laterality, burden, or location between the two groups. The mean operative times of groups 1 and 2 were 50.1 and 58.3 minutes, respectively (p=0.102). The success rates of groups 1 and 2 were 95.1% and 82.0%, respectively (p=0.044). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rate between groups 1 and 2 (p=0.888).

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible ureteroscopy in the presence of PCN produced a superior outcome in terms of the success rate without increasing the operative time or complication rate. PCN may be helpful to induce better outcomes of fURS.

Emergency versus elective ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral stones

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study investigates the role of the emergency ureteroscopic (URS) approach in the definitive treatment of ureteric stones.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients admitted for ureteric stones from May 2003 to December 2010. Those who underwent URS stone treatment were selected and stratified into emergency (EMG) and elective groups (ELG). Emergency URS is defined as URS being performed within 24 hours of admission to the emergency room. The main indication for emergency treatment was refractory ureteric colic in spite of narcotic analgesia. Both groups were statistically compared in terms of their patient-, stone- and outcome-related variables. The overall success rate was defined by the clearance of the stone and/or presence of residual fragments (<3 mm) at the end of 4-week follow-up period.

RESULTS

In total, 903 patients were suitable for analysis with 244 and 659 patients in the EMG and ELG, respectively. Age, sex and comorbidities were comparable in both groups. Average ages were 43.4 ± 15.31 and 45.6 ± 13.24 years among EMG and ELG, respectively. Stones had an average size of 0.92 ± 0.49 (in the EMG group) and 0.96 ± 0.53 cm (in the ELG group). We found that 61.1% and 65.7% of stones were distally located in the EMG and ELG, respectively. EMG had a longer operative time (69 ± 21.03 vs. 57 ± 13.45 minutes) with comparable average hospital stays (1.9 days). Intra-operative double-J stents or ureteric catheter insertion was noted in 72.5 and 67.7% of EMG and ELG, respectively. The overall complication rates were reported in 13.1% in EMG and 14.4% in ELG. A higher rate of ureteric injuries (early and late) was documented in the EMG group (7% vs. 5.6%). Most of these injuries were minor and manageable without additional procedure and/or general anesthesia. Success was achieved in 90.6% and 91.8% of the EMG and ELG groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

With recent advances in technology, the growing trend toward one-stage definitive treatment, patient acceptability and rising concerns over financial aspects, emergency URS treatment of ureteric stones is evolving as a standard initial management option.

The impact of retrograde intrarenal surgery for asymptomatic renal stones in patients undergoing ureteroscopy for a symptomatic ureteral stone

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the era of rigid ureteroscopy (URS) for ureteral stones, asymptomatic renal stones were often left in place. With the advent of flexible URS, however, the treatment of such renal stones became an attractive option. Data are scarce regarding the impact of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) performed at the time of URS for a symptomatic ureteral stone in comparison with ureteral stone removal alone. The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of URS combined with RIRS with URS alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A comparison between patients who underwent URS and RIRS (group A, n=47) and a matched control group of patients undergoing URS alone (group B, n=47) was performed. Matching was based on ureteral stone size and location, and preprocedural Double-J stent placement.

RESULTS

The median size of the largest ureteral stone in both groups was 8 mm with a mean total stone burden of 52.9 mm(2) (28.9) and 47 mm(2) (21.1) in groups A and B, respectively. Median renal stone size was 9 mm with a mean total stone burden of 84.1 mm(2) (40.3). Mean surgery time in groups A and B was 68 minutes (19.61) and 39 minutes (15.96), respectively (P<0.001). Median hospital stay was 1 day for both groups. The success rate for ureteral stone removal was 98% and 100% in groups A and B, respectively. Success rate for RIRS was 85% (40/47 cases). Hospitalization length and complications, mainly postoperative fever, did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Managing asymptomatic renal stones at the time of URS for symptomatic ureteral stones significantly prolongs surgery duration but does not lengthen hospital stay, increase complications, or lower success rates. This combined approach reduces the need for future procedures and is probably more cost effective.

Modern management of stone disease in patients with a solitary kidney

Analysing the data available in the literature, contemporary methods of treatment of nephrolithiasis are limited to the methods of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL), not excluding their use in the presence of developmental abnormalities and kidney impairment only. Minimally invasive methods have become standard procedures. A complement to ineffective URSL and PCNL treatment is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. This is confirmed by 30 years of observation in the only treatment of kidney calculi by Alken launched in 1981 and continued by Jones et al. Before the era of endoscopic procedures (PCNL and URSL) effectively removed the only deposits in the kidney in open operations. Minimally invasive treatments are recommended for patients with localized deposits in the pelvicalyceal system or solitary kidney ureter. They are recognized as safe and effective treatment in a solitary kidney in particular in patients who have already been operated on.

Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy as a primary modality for large proximal ureteral calculi: comparison to rigid ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy

OBJECTIVE

To define the role of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LU) as a primary modality for large proximal ureteral stones, we compared the outcomes of primary LU with those of ureterorenoscopy (URS), the currently established modality in this circumstance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 71 patients who underwent LU in our institution between February 2005 and January 2010, 32 patients with stone size over 1.5 cm who underwent LU as a primary modality without prior shockwave lithotripsy or URS and for whom LU was conducted as a separate procedure were exclusively enrolled. Based on preoperative characteristics of patients and stones, this patient group was matched with the URS group (n = 32, rigid pneumatic lithotripter) during the same period.

RESULTS

The LU group and the URS group were similar in age, gender distribution, body mass index, stone size (18.1 ± 4.2 versus 17.9 ± 3.6 mm; P = .88), and stone location. Members of the LU group required a longer operative time (118 ± 53 versus 59 ± 41 minutes; P < .001) and hospital stay (5.9 ± 2.1 versus 3.4 ± 2.4 days; P < .001) and had greater blood loss (155 ± 62 mL). However, stone clearance rate (no remnant stone in postoperative X-ray of the kidney, ureter, and bladder) in a single session was marginally higher in the LU group (93.8% versus 68.8%; P = .06). Total complication rate was not significant and was slightly higher in the URS group (12.5% versus 21.9%, P = .51). Stone migration into the kidney (n = 2 versus 5), ureteral perforation (n = 0 versus 3), open conversion (n = 1 versus 2), and ureteral stricture (n = 1 versus 2), as long-term complications, occurred more frequently in the URS group.

CONCLUSIONS

For large proximal ureteral stones, LU can be conducted safely as a first-line procedure without increase of complication rate, compared with conventional URS. Although LU required a prolonged operative time and a longer hospital stay and blood loss was greater, our data showed an advantage of LU in high clearance rate in a single procedure.

Treatment outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones and predictive factors of stone-free

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of renal stones and to analyze the predictive factors for stone-free.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent RIRS for renal stones from January 2000 to July 2009. We identified 66 RIRSs (63 patients with 3 bilateral renal stones) and collected data. Stone-free and success were respectively defined as no visible stones and clinically insignificant residual stones less than 3 mm on postoperative imaging; predictive factors for stone-free were evaluated.

Results

Of the 66 renal stones, 18 stones (27.3%) were located in the upper pole or midpole or renal pelvis and 48 (72.7%) in the lower pole with or without others, respectively. The mean cumulative stone burden was 168.9±392.5 mm². The immediate postoperative stone-free rate was 69.7%, and it increased to 72.7% at 1 month after surgery. The success rate was 80.3% both immediately after the operation and 1 month later. In the multivariate analysis, stone location except at the lower pole (p=0.049) and small cumulative stone burden (p=0.002) were significantly favorable predictive factors for the immediate postoperative stone-free rate. The overall complication rate was 6%.

Conclusions

RIRS is a safe and effective treatment for renal stones. The stone-free rate of RIRS was particularly high for renal stones with a small burden, except for those located in the lower pole. RIRS could be considered in selective patients with renal stones.