Percutaneous Transhepatic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Giant Biliary Stones

This case report describes a young female patient with a history of surgery to treat choledochal cyst since childhood who was admitted to our hospital with cholangitis. An imaging examination revealed giant stones that almost completely filled the intrahepatic biliary tract. The patient underwent percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy using a holmium laser. After the lithotripsy, cholangiography showed no residual stones. The patient displayed clinical improvement and was discharged after 14 days in the hospital. This case serves as a reminder of gallstone complications that can occur subsequent to choledochal cyst surgery with biliary-enteric anastomosis and emphasizes many outstanding advantages of percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy compared with classical surgery.

Analysis of clinical factors associated with intraoperative and postoperative complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting intraoperative and postoperative complications in retrograde intrarenal surgery. In the retrospective cohort study, 706 retrograde intrarenal surgery procedures applied to 617 patients were reviewed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were classified according to the modified Satava and modified Clavien classification systems. The stone-free rate was 57.6% and the success rate was 74.8%. Intraoperative complications were observed in 30.5% (n:215) patients. The most common intraoperative complication was mild bleeding (8.5%). The only independent risk factor associated with intraoperative complications was the presence of residual stones. Postoperative complications were observed in 26.9% (n:190) of the patients. The most common postoperative complications were fever requiring antipyretic (8.6%). Independent risk factors associated with postoperative complications were the presence of residual stones and the presence of solitary kidney. Continuous...

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in children of the young age

Introduction. Urolithiasis remains one of the most common diseases in the pediatric urology practice. A special category is made up of children weighing up to 15 kg with large and coral-like kidney stones, which require a smaller instrument to remove. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, used for urolithiasis treatment in children aged 1 to 3 years. Materials and methods. Between 2008 and 2019 in the pediatric uroandrology department of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 93 children aged 1 to 3 years (69 (74.2%) boys and 24 (25.8%) girls) had nephrolithotripsy. The average patients age was 1 year and 9 months. Fifty-one (54.8%) patients had coral-like kidney stones, while the remaining 42 (45.2%) had kidney pelvic stones. The average stone size was 25.8mm. (15 – 56 mm). Nephrolithotripsy was performed according to the standard technique, all patients underwent cystoscopy and ureteral catheterization. In the prone position, under ultrasound and X-ray guidance, a puncture of the renal collecting system was performed. In 59 cases (63.5.1%) the puncture was performed through the lower calyx, in 31 cases (33.3%) – through the middle one, and in nine children two approaches were performed. In 93 children the intervention was performed using a mini-nephroscope with tubes of 12, 15 and 16.5 Ch. To disintegrate the stone, a pneumatic lithotripter and a holmium laser "Auriga" with a fiber of 365 and 600 μm in diameter were used. Only in 31 cases, when the kidney size allowed, a standard 24 Ch nephroscope and combined lithotripsy (ultrasound and pneumatic) were used. The duration of the procedure varied from 32 to 145 minutes, with an average of 43.5 minutes. In the postoperative period, all patients underwent infusion and antibiotic therapy based on the results of urine bacteriological examination. After the patients’ activation on days 1 – 3, a survey urography and antegrade pyeloureterography were performed. In the absence of residual stones and urinary passage disorders, nephrostomy drainage was removed. Results. The effectiveness of nephrolithotripsy in our cohort of patients was 87.1% (81 patients). Four children (4.3%) required second percutaneous intervention. The remaining 8 (8.6%) patients with residual stones underwent distance lithotripsy in the short postoperative period. Significant bleeding occurred in 2 patients who then required transfusion of blood products. Fever was noted in 5 (5.4%) patients. We have not observed a single case of septic and bacteriotoxic shock. Discussion. As a first-line surgical treatment in pediatric practice, it is recommended to use extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This treatment is ideal for stones ≤ 15 mm in size, with SFR of 68-95%. However, the need for repeated ESWL sessions occurs in 14-54% cases. Complications rate, frequency of retreatment, as well as a decrease in SFR, increase when a stone size is greater than 1.5 cm. Since all types of surgical treatment in children require anesthesia, and the treatment approach may not provide a complete problem solution, it is preferable to choose a procedure with the greatest possible success in one session. Primary SFR was significantly lower in children with stones ≥ 30 mm in size and multiple kidney stones. Mini– percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is an effective (87.1%) method for nephrolithiasis treatment in children aged 1 to 3 years. Conclusion. Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in children aged 1 to 3 years is an effective treatment for nephrolithiasis. However, in a small percentage of cases, it becomes necessary to combine the procedure with extracorporeal lithotripsy. Paying attention to the small size of the organ, to reduce the number of hemorrhagic complications, it is preferable to perform this intervention with one approach. The occurrence of even a small amount of bleeding during the operation is a formidable complication, given the small volume of circulating blood in children.

Intraoperative cone beam computed tomography for detecting residual stones in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a feasibility study

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides multiplanar cross-sectional imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions and can be used intraoperatively in a hybrid operating room. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using a CBCT-scanner for detecting residual stones during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Intraoperative CBCT-scans were made during PCNL procedures from November 2018 until March 2019 in a university hospital. At the point where the urologist would have otherwise ended the procedure, a CBCT-scan was made to image any residual fragments that could not be detected by either nephroscopy or conventional C-arm fluoroscopy. Residual fragments that were visualized on the CBCT-scan were attempted to be extracted additionally. To evaluate the effect of this additional extraction, each CBCT-scan was compared with a regular follow-up CT-scan that was made 4 weeks postoperatively. A total of 19 procedures were analyzed in this study. The mean duration of performing the CBCT-scan, including preparation and interpretation, was 8 min. Additional stone extraction, if applicable, had a mean duration of 11 min. The mean effective dose per CBCT-scan was 7.25 mSv. Additional extraction of residual fragments as imaged on the CBCT-scan occurred in nine procedures (47%). Of the follow-up CT-scans, 63% showed a stone-free status as compared to 47% of the intraoperative CBCT-scans. We conclude that the use of CBCT for the detection of residual stones in PCNL is meaningful, safe, and feasible.

Stone Localization Is Pivotal for the Success of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of this study was to predict computed tomography (CT)-controlled treatment success after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Mini-PCNL). <b><i>Patients and Methods:</i></b> We relied on retrospective single institutional data from 92 kidney stone patients treated with Mini-PCNL. Residual stones after treatment were evaluated by post-Mini-PCNL CT scans. Stone-free status was defined as clinically insignificant residual stones ≤3 mm after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analyses predicted stone-free status after Mini-PCNL. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 53 (57.6%) patients achieved stone-free status after Mini-PCNL treatment. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, stone localization was the strongest predictor for stone-free status after Mini-PCNL. Specifically, patients with exclusively pelvic stones were 7.1-fold more likely to achieve stone-free status than those patients with stones at multiple localizations (OR: 7.1; <i>p</i> = 0.005). Additionally, stone size represented a barrier for stone-free status (OR: 0.9; <i>p</i> = 0.03). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Stone localization revealed the highest impact on treatment success after Mini-PCNL. Especially, those patients with exclusively pelvic stones were most likely to achieve stone-free status. Conversely, patients with multiple stone localizations were less likely to achieve stone-free status and need to be informed about higher risk of additional interventions after initial Mini-PCNL.

Flexible Nephroscopy: A Step Towardsc Complete Stone Clearance in PCNL

ObjectivesTo determine the usefulness of flexible nephroscopy after per-cutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in detecting residual fragments. Materials and MethodsA prospective study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 on patients undergoing standard PCNL using a flexible nephroscope to inspect all the calyces for residual stones. When residual stones were noted, either they were removed by basketing or by performing additional puncture to ensure complete clearance. Patients were followed up for 6 months and at the end of 1 month a plain CT KUB was done to look for residual fragments. ResultsThe study cohort included 212 patients. Significant RFs were found in 28 patients during flexible nephroscopy and in two patients at 1 month follow up CT scan. All patients were stone free during 6 months follow up. ConclusionFlexible nephroscopy during PCNL decreases the chance of residual fragments and thereby reducing the chance of re-procedure rates.

Clinical application of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a patient with kyphoscoliosis

This case report describes the performance of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a 50-year-old woman who had scoliosis with kyphosis and a history of tuberculosis of the lumbar spine. The operation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia and in the prone position. Residual stones were found in the right lower kidney calyx postoperatively, resulting in a second-phase surgery using the same approach 2 weeks later. All stones were successfully removed during the second surgery. No complications occurred in either operation, and the patient recovered well. This study suggests that ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective approach in treating renal calculi in patients with scoliosis.