Flexible ureteroscopy for lower pole renal stones: novel superpulse thulium (TM) fiber laser lithotripsy

Conservative treatment is closely associated with renal deterioration for patients with renal staghorn stones. It is well-recognized that percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is recommended as the first-line treatment of renal stones larger than 2 cm due to its higher stone clearance and cost-effectiveness when compared with other treatment alternatives, such as shockwave lithotripsy and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). Besides, our findings indicated that miniaturized PCNL could be served as an alternative to PCNL with a higher stone-free rate and a lower hemorrhage risk. Despite the higher cost-effectiveness of PCNL, the management of staghorn stones are still controversial in some special situations, such as a solitary kidney. Herein, we present a case with complex infectious stones of a right-sided solitary kidney, complaining of persistent pain in the right waist. The rarity of this case is that it is difficult to encounter these cotton-like staghorn stones which are clinically resistant to holmium laser lithotripsy, and the particularity is that the patient with solitary kidney failed to undergo PCNL. We found that the combination of intermittently high-frequency oscillation and flexible ureteroscopy forceps might contribute to treat the complex infectious stones in a patient with solitary kidney. Our surgical experience might be beneficial to such patients undergoing flexible ureteroscopy in clinical practice.

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Possibilities of retrograde intrarenal surgery in the treatment of renal lower pole stones in children

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp161010012i ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (10) ◽

pp. 1030-1034

Author(s):

Predrag Ilic ◽

Dejan Kostic ◽

Slobodan Dzambasanovic ◽

Mirjana Jankovic ◽

Vladimir Kojovic

Keyword(s):

Fragment Size ◽

Renal Stones ◽

Laser Lithotripsy ◽

Lower Pole ◽

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery ◽

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy ◽

Stone Fragment ◽

Extracorporeal Shock Wave ◽

Unsuccessful Treatment ◽

Holmium Laser Lithotripsy

Background/Aim. Renal stones located in the lower pole of kidney represent a serious challenge for surgical treatment in children. The options are: open surgery, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery. Reports about the endoscopic treatment in children are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde intrarenal surgery in pediatric patients with renal stones in lower pole of the kidney. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the results of the retrograde intrarenal surgery in 24 patients with renal stones in lower pole, between April 2012 and April 2016. Flexible ureterorenoscopy in combination with holmium laser lithotripsy were performed. We considered stone fragment size 3 mm or less as a measure of sufficient fragmentation of the stone. Results. Mean duration of general anesthesia was 68 (range, 40?90) minutes. Duration of hospitalization was 1?3 (mean, 1.6) days. Complications were found after two (8.4%) surgical procedures: perirenal haematoma in one (4.2%) and urinoma in one (4.2%) patient. The stone was completely fragmented in 18 (75%) patients. In 3 (12.5%) patients the stone was incompletely fragmented and in 3 (12.5%) patients the stone was not fragmented. Double J stent was placed in 5 (21%) patients. Mean follow-up was 9 (range, 6?18) months. Conclusion. Retrograde intrarenal surgery in children is the least invasive, effective and safe surgical procedure for stones in lower pole of the kidney, with minimal complication rate. Unsuccessful treatment in some patients was due to loss of ureterorenoscope deflection with laser probe in working channel.

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