Comparison of stent related symptoms in patients taking mirabegron, solifenacin, or tamsulosin: A double blinded randomized clinical trial

Background: The present study aims to assess the efficacy of mirabegron, a novel beta-3 agonist for ameliorating stent related symptoms (SRSs) as compared to tamsulosin and solifenacin. Methods: Total of 150 patients undergoing ureteral stent placement following ureteroscopic lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or laparoscopic/robotic pyeloplasty were randomized in 1:1:1 fashion to receive mirabegron 50 mg (group A), solifenacin 5 mg (group B), and tamsulosin 0.4 mg (group C) OD respectively. Patients were followed at POD10 (I visit), 4 weeks (II visit) after surgery, and 2 weeks post-stent removal. Validated vernacular version of ureteric stent symptoms questionnaire (USSQ) was administered to the patients at each visit. Results: Out of 150 patients randomized, 123 patients (A; n = 41, B; n = 40, and C; n = 42) completed the study. The groups were comparable in terms of urinary index score of USSQ at I and II visits ( p = 0.119 and 0.076, respectively). A lower proportion of patients in group B experiencing bodily pain at II visit ( p = 0.039), however, pain scores were comparable. Significantly lower general health index scores were observed in group A at I visit and over 4 weeks ( p = 0.007). No significant differences were observed in other domains of USSQ. Age, sex, and surgical procedure undertaken did not significantly impact the scores in various USSQ domains. Conclusion: Mirabegron demonstrates comparable benefit in alleviating SRSs with better general health indices and may be an effective alternative for SRSs, especially when tamsulosin or solifenacin are contra-indicated or poorly tolerated.

The Impact of Preoperative Double-J Stent on Perioperative Complications, Recurrence, and Quality of Life in Adult Patients Undergoing Pyeloplasty

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative double-J stent (DJ) in pyeloplasty patients on perioperative complications, recurrence, and quality of life (QoL). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Pyeloplasties due to ureteropelvic junction obstructions between January 2010 and December 2020 were consecutively identified. A standardized follow-up questionnaire was used. Tabulation was made according to preoperative DJ versus no DJ. Subgroup analyses addressed primary robotic pyeloplasties. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 95 pyeloplasty patients, 62% received a preoperative DJ. Patients with preoperative DJ exhibited higher rates of Clavien-Dindo (CD) 2 (22 vs. 11%) complications, but not of CD3 (8.5 vs. 8.3%, <i>p</i> = 0.5). After a median follow-up of 61 months, 9 patients exhibited a recurrence, of whom 7 had a preoperative DJ. In QoL assessment, comparable findings were made between patients with and without preoperative DJ. In robotic pyeloplasty patients (<i>n</i> = 73), patients with preoperative DJ (58%, <i>n</i> = 42) experienced higher CD3 complication rates, compared to patients without preoperative DJ (12 vs. 6.5%). Moreover, higher rates of recurrences were observed in preoperative DJ patients (12 vs. 3.2%). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In a contemporary pyeloplasty cohort, the midterm success rate was good with 91%. Our findings suggest that preoperative DJ is associated with higher recurrence rates. However, QoL did not differ between patients with and without preoperative DJ.

Combination of Robotic Pyeloplasty and Percutaneous Renal Surgery for Simultaneous Treatment of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction and Calyx Stones

Introduction: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and the simultaneous presence of kidney calyx stones represent a challenge for renal surgery. We present a novel technique for the simultaneous treatment of UPJO by robotic pyeloplasty in combination with the percutaneous endoscopic treatment of kidney calyx stones by flexible nephroscopy. Patients and Methods: Between January 2018 and February 2020, 4 patients were diagnosed with UPJO and simultaneous pelvic or calyceal stones. UPJO was treated by conventional robotic pyeloplasty. After opening the renal pelvis, a flexible 16-French cystoscope was introduced via the 12-mm assistant trocar into the renal pelvis. The kidney calyx stones (n = 1–15) were removed endoscopically through a flexible nephroscope using a Dormia helical basket. Before suturing the anastomosis of the renal pelvis, a ureter stent was inserted. Results: After the procedure, all patients were stone free. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, no complications were noted. The mean size of the calculi was 6.69 mm (range: 1–25). Up to 15 calyx stones (mean 3.46) were removed per patient. A complete stone clearance confirmed by postoperative X-ray imaging was achieved in all patients. The mean operative time was 149 min (range: 130–178). Mean hospital stay was 7 days (7–8). The urethral stent was removed after 4–6 weeks. Conclusions: Robotic management of UPJO and simultaneous flexible nephroscopy for removal of calyceal stones is an effective treatment in 1 session. Combining robotic surgery with flexible percutaneous renal surgery is a feasible, safe, and effective method of the treatment of UPJO and concomitant calyceal stones.