Radical surgery for complicated cholelithiasis in elderly patients: three clinical cases

Management of complicated cholelithiasis (gallstone disease) in elderly patients is often limited to the use of only minimally invasive interventions.Case report. We report three clinical cases of gallstone disease complications in patients over 75 years old who had previously undergone minimally invasive surgery and who was refused radical surgical treatment due to comorbidity. In two patients, this led to the development of purulent cholangitis and multiple organ failure, which required emergency hospitalization. At the first stage, biliary drainage was performed; then the multidisciplinary team managed to stabilize the condition of the patient; at the second stage, biliodigestive anastomoses were formed through laparotomic access on a loop turned off by the Ru. Complete relief of symptoms was achieved and no relapse was observed.In another case, cholecystoduodenal fistula with stone migration and complete obstruction of the small intestine was found during laparotomy in an asymptomatic patient hospitalized for elective surgery.Discussion. Comorbidity should not be considered as an absolute contraindication to radical surgery of complicated cholelithiasis in elderly patients: gallstone disease complications in most cases exceed the risks of surgical intervention. Radical surgery of complicated gallstone disease in patients over 75 years old is possible in condition of patient management by a multidisciplinary team.

Contact Pneumatic Ureterolithotripsy Using LMA StoneBreaker Lithotriptor and Search for Opportunities to Increase Effectiveness

The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of portable pneumatic contact lithotripter LMA StoneBreaker in endoscopic contact ureterolithotripsy of ureteral stones of different localization depending on their density and search for opportunities to increase it. Materials and methods. Contact pneumatic ureterolithotripsy was performed in 89 patients (49 men, 40 women), 39 (43.8%) patients (I group) underwent standard contact pneumoureterolithotripsy, and 50 (56.2%) patients (11 group) – modified (with prior fixation of the stone in the ureter loop Dormia), which allowed urethrolithotripsy in situ and prevented the migration of stones and their fragments proximally. The number of strokes required to initiate fragmentation, complete fragmentation, and total ureterolithotripcy time for stones of different localization and density were determined. The integrity of the stones was determined by computed tomography in units of Haunsfield (HU). The mineral composition of stone fragments after their removal was diagnosed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The effectiveness of the applied methods was evaluated in groups of patients by complete (100%) removal of stone fragments from the ureter and by the number of cases of retrograde migration of stones into the renal cavity. Results. No intraoperative complications were observed. The number of strokes for the initial and complete disintegration of the stone, regardless of the method of ureterolithotripsy and their localization, depended on their density, ie its mineral composition. The minimum number of strokes for start and complete fragmentation of the stone was recorded in patients with a stone density of 480+54 HU and diagnosed as phosphates. Oxalate and uric acid stones, as well as their combinations (density 1310–1580 HU) required the maximum number of blows. Stone migration was noted in 8 (8.99%) patients. Thanks to intraoperative stone fixation was able to reduce the average time of lithotripsy (from 15,65±6.9 min to 12.3±6,15 min) and reduce the frequency of retrograde stone migration from 15.4% (in 6 patients of group 1) to 4% (2 patients of ІI group). The dependence of lithotripsy efficiency on stone localization is established. It was highest in patients with stones of the lower third of the ureter (95% in patients of group 1 and 100% of patients in group II) and with low density (480–840 HU). The lowest efficacy was observed in patients whose stones were localized in the upper third of the ureter (66.3% in group I and 90% in group II) and had a high density (more than 1200 HU). Due to the fixation of the stone with modified pneumoureterolithotripsy, the overall effectiveness of the method increased from 84.6% to 96%. Conclusions. Traneurethral contact pneumoureterolithotrysis using a portable pneumatic lithotripter LMA Stonebreaker – is effective, safe, minimally costly and easy to use. The effectiveness of contact pneumatic ureterolithotripsy depends on the location and density of the stone. The number of strokes required for the initial and complete fragmentation of the stone directly depends on the density of the stone and does not depend on its location and method of performing pneumoureterolithotripsy. The use of a modified technique with fixation of the stone in the ureter during the process of lithotripsy reduces the time of the operation and increases its effectiveness.

A Retrospective Analysis of Effect of Hounsfield Unit of Ureteric Calculus on Outcome of Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to check whether computer tomography (CT) parameter Hounsfield Unit has any bearing on outcome of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy and as to whether it can predict success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the management of ureteric calculus. CT Hounsfield Unit tells us about hardness of stone, and it is primarily important in non-invasive management of ureteric and renal calculus such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records of 420 patients who underwent URSL from January 2016 to January 2020. A total of 186 patients of ureteric calculus did undergo CT in pre-operative evaluation for stone. Data of those patients was taken for study. Intra op clearance of calculus was decided by ureteroscopy finding on the table. All complications and difficulties of the procedure were documented. RESULTS We analysed the correlation between the outcome of the URSL and Hounsfield unit in finding the position of the stone and size of the stone. Out of 186 study participants, 111 (59.6 %) patients needed a single procedure for stone clearance whereas 75 (40.4 %) needed multiple procedures for clearance. Out of 186, 22 had HU < 500, 112 had HU 501 - 1000, 52 had HU > 1000. The majority of patients had HU between 501 - 1000HU. Complete clearance was seen in 63.6 % of < 500 HU patients, 62.5 % of 501 - 1000 HU patients and 55.7 % of > 1000 HU patients. This difference in clearance was statistically not significant. Similarly, the rate of complication when compared among the three groups doesn’t show a statistically significant difference (P value 0.293). The requirement of repeat procedure was maximum in > 1000 HU patients but the difference between the three groups was not statistically significant. Stone migration rate was found to be more in > 1000 HU stones (80.76 %) and this was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS To conclude CT Hounsfield Unit’s utility in predicting the stone-free rate and complication rate doesn’t show significant bearing in patient undergoing URSL procedure. KEYWORDS CT, Hounsfield Unit, URSL, Stone Free Rate, Stone Density, Complication

Can stone migration be predicted preoperatively in ureteroscopic lithotripsy?

Objective: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the parameters that are effective in predicting the possibility of stone migration during ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Patients and method: We divided our patients two group whom we applied ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Patients who migrated stones during ureteroscopic manipulation to the 1st group, and the patients who did not migrate stones to the second group were included. We measured the proximal ureter diameters of the patients in both groups on their computed tomography. We compared these values statistically. In addition, we determined a cut-off value for the ureter diameter to predict the possibility of stone migration. Result: Especially, ureter diameters of patients with middle and lower ureter stones showed significant differences between groups. Also, stone sizes differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: We concluded that the possibility of stone migration is high in patients with a ureter diameter higher than 7.45 mm in the middle and lower ureteric stones. Also, we believe that stone diameter and the surgeon’s experience are effective factors in stone migration.

Comparative evaluation of intracorporeal lithotripsy techniques during ureteroscopy: a clinical experience

Background: The objective of the study was to compare pneumatic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy techniques for safety, efficacy, and complications in the management of ureteric stone.Methods: Patients underwent ureteroscopy for ureteral stones in a tertiary care teaching hospital were divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group 1 patients underwent pneumatic lithotripsy and group 2 underwent holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Ho: YAG) laser lithotripsy. Both the groups were compared regarding demographic characteristics, stone dimensions, number of stones, operative time, stone migration rate, application of post-operative double J (DJ) stent, complications, and stone free rate.Results: Mean age of the patients in the group 1, and group 2 were 45.74±18.49, and 44.5±14.33 years, respectively (p=0.709). There was no significant difference in male to female ratio in both groups. Total operative times were found 29.12±10.83 min, and 28.44±7.49 min in the group 1 and group 2, respectively which was statistically non-significant (p=0.716). The stone free rate was 100% and 98% in group 1 and 2 respectively (p=0.130). Stone migration was also found in 5 (10%) patients in the group 1 and 1 (2%) in group 2 which was found statistically significant (p=0.037). Mucosal damage was found 3 (6%) in laser group as compared to 1 (2%) in pneumatic group. No significant difference between complications was seen in both the groups.Conclusions: This study concluded that pneumatic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy have similar efficacy in terms of operative time, success rate and hospital stay time. However, stone migration rate was significantly more in pneumatic lithotripsy.

Study of the outcome on ureteroscopic lithotripsy in patients with upper ureteric calculi: a descriptive study

Background: Ureteric calculi are one of the most common cause of abdominal pain in the emergency room. There are several options for the management of ureteric stones. Ureterorenoscopy and lithotripsy is the commonly used modality because it is less morbid and invasive, but the drawback is proximal stone migration which leads to persisting symptoms and increased costs. The aim of this study is to use an anti-retropulsion device to reduce the rate of proximal stone migration.Methods: This description study was conducted in Sree Gokulam Medical college from December 2014 to December 2015, on 75 consecutive patients who had ureteric stones, of ages 20-60 who were willing to give consent. All patients underwent ureteroscopy and lithotripsy and in those patients from who anti-retropulsion device could not be manipulated proximal to the stone lithotripsy alone was done. Both groups were compared for procedure time, post-operative symptoms and stone free rates.Results: The average time taken for the procedure with anti-retropulsion device was 45 minutes whereas in the other group was 72 minutes. 48 (96%) of patients using the device were symptom free and 48 (96%) patients had no symptoms after the procedure.Conclusions: The use of a anti retropulsion device can significantly reduce proximal stone migration, so thereby reducing further procedures and costs.

Comparative Analysis of Semi Rigid Ureterolithotripsy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Upper Ureteric Calculi

Objectives: To find out the better treatment option between semi rigid ureteroscopy with ICPL and ESWL for upper ureteric calculi. To compare stone free rate, complications and re treatment between ureterolithotripsy and ESWL in upper ureteric calculi. Materials and Method: This prospective comparative study was conducted in the department of urology BSMMU and Kidney and urology hospital, Dhaka from June 2009 to May 2010. Fifty patients were enrolled and 25 on each group as ESWL and ICPL Inclusion criteria was adult patients with single radiopaque stone of 06-15 mm, and no obstruction distal to stone. We exclude Stone size > 1.5cm, PUJ stone, patients with DJ stent and nephrostomies, infection, pregnancy, hemostatic, disorders, and morbid obesity. Identified postoperative urological complications pain, haematuria, fever, stone migration, obstruction, infections, and postoperative hospital stays recorded accordingly. X- ray KUB and in some cases ultrasound of kidney ureter and bladder with prostate with PVR were done. Those with residual calculi sized less than 2 mm were considered stone free. Those patients whom stone not cleared or stone migrated they again sent for ESWL or ureterolithotripsy. Stone free patient of ureterolithotripsy sent for removal of Double J stent under local anesthesia at 4 weeks. Results: Three months postoperatively, 21 out of 25 Patients (85%) in the ureterolithotripsy group were stone free. In ureterolithotripsy group, all failures were due to upward calculus migration. After calculus migration, this was mandated double- J stenting and send for ESWL. These patients were referred for ESWL, all of whom were stone free after this procedure. DJ stent removed under local anesthesia. 22 out of 25 Patients (88%) in the ESWL group were stone free and 10 patients need two sessions. Re-ESWL had done after 3 weeks. All failures in ESWL group were due to hard in constancy and small stone size. Failed cases were referred for ureterolithotripsy and DJ stenting, all of whom were stone free after this procedure. Using statistical data by chi square test and analytical test level of significance as set at 0.05 and p< 0.05 was consider significant. Conclusion: Upper ureteral calculi up to 1.5 cm can be safely and effectively managed by using semi rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy. However, the ESWL approach has still its role in treating upper ureteric calculi. Finally, postoperative home rest in the ESWL group was more due to the repeated treatment. Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 20, No. 2, July 2017 p.54-60

The effect of focus size and intensity on stone fragmentation in SWL on a piezoelectric lithotripter

Purpose We aim to analyze the efficacy of different focus sizes and the influence of pulse pressure (intensity) during shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in terms of stone fragmentation. Methods Combination of three focal sizes (F1 = 2 mm, F2 = 4 mm, F3 = 8 mm) and 11 output pressure settings (intensity 10–20) of a piezoelectric lithotripter (Wolf PiezoLith 3000) were tested on artificial stones (n = 99). The stones were placed within a 2 mm mesh cage. The needed number of shockwaves (SW) to first visible crack, 50% and 100% stone disintegration were recorded. Results Similar number of SW’s were observed until the first crack 10, 11 and 11 SW’s for F1, F2, and F3, respectively (p > 0,05). The median number of SW needed for 50% stone disintegration was 245 for F1 group, 242 for F2 group and 656 for F3 group. F1 vs F2 p = 0.7, F1 vs F3 and F2 vs F3 p < 0.05. Similarly, with larger focus size a higher number of shockwaves were necessary for 100% stone disintegration. 894, 877 and 1708 SW’s for F1, F2 and F3, respectively. Only for F1 vs F3 and F2 vs F3 (all p < 0.05) a statistical difference was observed. These findings were consistent in all different power settings, with an increased difference in lower power levels (≤ 14). Conclusions A smaller focus size, as well as a higher peak pressure results in a more effective stone fragmentation. However, these results need to be confirmed in an in vivo setting with multiple parameters interfering the efficacy, like BMI, respiration or stone migration.