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Removal of small, asymptomatic kidney stones during surgery to remove ureteral or contralateral stones resulted in less relapse than nonremoval and in similar numbers of subsequent emergency department visits.

Background Kidney stone disease is a common problem. The holmium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (HO:YAG) laser is currently the gold standard laser for ureterorenoscopic (URS) lithotripsy. Recently, the superpulse thulium fiber laser (SP TFL) has shown potential as a substitute for the HO:YAG laser. We aim to compare and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the HO:YAG laser and SP TFL in the treatment of upper urinary calculi in this trial. Methods In this randomized, positive control, blinded management, single-center clinical study, patients with upper urinary calculi will be randomized (1:1) to the experimental group (SP TFL group) or the control group (HO:YAG laser group). Patients in both groups will undergo URS lithotripsy under general anesthesia, and according to the results of randomization, the patients will be treated with an SP TFL (trial group) or a holmium laser (control group). The primary outcome is the stone-free rate at 30 ± 7 days after surgery. The secondary outcomes include the duration of surgery, the duration of laser use, the length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative clinical indicators, total hospitalization costs, the second-stage stone clearance rate, perioperative complications, the average hemoglobin change, and the mean white blood cell count change. Discussion This study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of the SP TFL and HO:YAG for URS lithotripsy in the treatment of upper urinary calculi. Trial registration {2a and 2b} chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2300076893. Registered on October 24, 2023, with ChiCTR ( https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=206827 ). Protocol version {3} August 15, 2023 (V.20230815).

ObjectiveTo prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of antegrade flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) with the following criteria (supine, ultrasonic guided puncture through lower calyx with 14 fr tract, tubeless) versus retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in the management of large impacted upper ureteric stones ≥ 1.5 cm.Patients and methodsThis study recruited 61 patients with single large impacted upper ureteric stone of ≥ 1.5 cm. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A, included 31 patients who treated by antegrade FURS, all patients were put in supine modified galadako Valdivia position and the renal access is reached by ultrasonic guided puncture through the lower calyx with dilatation upto 14 fr to insert ureteric access sheath and all cases were tubless with JJ stent insertion. Group B, included 30 patients who were treated by RIRS with JJ stent insertion. Stone fragmentation was done by holmium laser in both group.ResultsGroup A was significantly associated with higher proportion of SFR (90.3%) compared to Group B (70%) (p = 0.046). Group B was significantly associated with shorter operative time and fluoroscopy time in comparison with Group A (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between studied groups regarding bleeding (p = 0.238). Urosepsis showed significantly higher proportion associated with retrograde approach when compared to antegrade approach (p = 0.024).ConclusionThis study showed that antegrade FURS is safe and more effective than RIRS for the management of large impacted upper ureteric stones ≥ 1.5 cm.

Meta-analyses of previous randomised controlled trials concluded that the smooth muscle relaxant drugs tamsulosin and nifedipine assisted stone passage for people managed expectantly for ureteric colic, but emphasised the need for high-quality trials with wide inclusion criteria. We aimed to fulfil this need by testing effectiveness of these drugs in a standard clinical care setting. For this multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited adults (aged 18–65 years) undergoing expectant management for a single ureteric stone identified by CT at 24 UK hospitals. Participants were randomly assigned by a remote randomisation system to tamsulosin 400 μg, nifedipine 30 mg, or placebo taken daily for up to 4 weeks, using an algorithm with centre, stone size (≤5 mm or >5 mm), and stone location (upper, mid, or lower ureter) as minimisation covariates. Participants, clinicians, and trial personnel were masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who did not need further intervention for stone clearance within 4 weeks of randomisation, analysed in a modified intention-to-treat population defined as all eligible patients for whom we had primary outcome data. This trial is registered with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT number 2010-019469-26, and as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number 69423238. Between Jan 11, 2011, and Dec 20, 2013, we randomly assigned 1167 participants, 1136 (97%) of whom were included in the primary analysis (17 were excluded because of ineligibility and 14 participants were lost to follow-up). 303 (80%) of 379 participants in the placebo group did not need further intervention by 4 weeks, compared with 307 (81%) of 378 in the tamsulosin group (adjusted risk difference 1·3% [95% CI −5·7 to 8·3]; p=0·73) and 304 (80%) of 379 in the nifedipine group (0·5% [–5·6 to 6·5]; p=0·88). No difference was noted between active treatment and placebo (p=0·78), or between tamsulosin and nifedipine (p=0·77). Serious adverse events were reported in three participants in the nifedipine group (one had right loin pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting; one had malaise, headache, and chest pain; and one had severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, and left arm pain) and in one participant in the placebo group (headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and chronic abdominal pain). Tamsulosin 400 μg and nifedipine 30 mg are not effective at decreasing the need for further treatment to achieve stone clearance in 4 weeks for patients with expectantly managed ureteric colic. UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.

To prospectively investigate the effect of music therapy on patient’s anxiety and pain level during retrograde intrarenal surgery under spinal anesthesia. 286 patients aged above 18 years, who underwent Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) under spinal anesthesia for renal or ureteral calculi were evaluated between January 2023 and June 2023 by a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical protocol. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 included patients, who listened to music, and Group 2 was comprised of patients, who were not allowed to listen to music. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) results and pain sensation, anxiety level, together with the results of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a self-reported anxiety inventory, were captured. The number of patients, who were randomized to the music group (Group 1) and non-music group (Group 2) was 144 and 142, respectively. Mean heart rate in Group 1 and Group 2 was 60 ± 4.19 and 70 ± 8.36, respectively (p = 0.02), indicative of the fact that mean heart rate was significantly lower in the music group. Heart rate measured post-operatively within the first hour subsequent to the procedure was similar in both groups (p < 0.05). The VAS score was significantly lower in Group 1. STAI score in Group 1 and Group 2 was 45.51 ± 2.968 and 49.16 ± 1.88, respectively. Therefore, there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Music therapy during the RIRS procedure under spinal anesthesia was associated with a significantly decrease in pain and anxiety scores in patients.

Background Urinary stone disease is a common urological disorder, particularly among middle-aged individuals. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is often the first-line treatment for kidney and ureteral stones. Traditionally, fluoroscopy is used for stone targeting in ESWL, but it exposes patients and clinicians to radiation and cannot visualize non-opaque stones. Ultrasonographic targeting eliminates these issues. This study compares the advantages and disadvantages of fluoroscopy and ultrasound-targeted ESWL. Methods At Düzce University Hospital, 100 patients with radio-opaque stones indicated for ESWL between February 2023 and February 2024 were divided into two groups. Group A underwent ESWL with fluoroscopic targeting, while Group B used ultrasonographic targeting. Patient demographics, stone size (measured by CT), and stone locations were recorded. The number of shocks per session, energy intensity (kV), and fluoroscopy time were noted for Group A. One week after each ESWL session, patients were evaluated by ultrasound or direct radiography. Success was defined as being stone-free or having ≤ 4 mm asymptomatic residual stones after up to four sessions. Failure was defined as no results after two sessions or the need for additional treatment. Results The procedure success rate was 66% for men and 78% for women, with no statistically significant gender difference ( p  > 0.05). Stone locations were similar in both groups. Success rates were 66% in Group A and 74% in Group B, with no significant difference ( p  > 0.05). Successful procedures were associated with an average patient weight of 76.6 kg, stone size of 8.9 mm, and total energy of 12.2 kV, with significant differences compared to unsuccessful procedures ( p  < 0.04, p  < 0.04, p  < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences were found between Group A and Group B in terms of age, height, BMI, stone density (HU), and number of sessions ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasonography is as effective as fluoroscopy for imaging and focusing during ESWL treatment. It enhances the success of ESWL for non-opaque stones and reduces radiation exposure disadvantages.

In a trial involving patients with recurrent kidney stones who received once-daily 12.5-mg, 25-mg, or 50-mg doses of hydrochlorothiazide or placebo, the incidence of stone recurrence was similar in all groups.

PurposeTo evaluate the outcomes of complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (csPCNL) for staghorn stones and multiple large non-staghorn stones.MethodsThe records of 886 patients who underwent csPCNL from September 2009 to October 2019 were considered. Out of them, 201 cases met the eligibility criteria and they were divided into three groups: 63 cases of staghorn, 68 cases of multiple medium (20 mm < diameter ≤ 30 mm) non-staghorn and 70 cases of multiple large non-staghorn (> 30 mm) stones. Almost all outcomes and stone-related factors were analyzed.ResultsThere was not any significant difference regarding age, body mass index, history of urinary tract infection, transfusion rate, complication rate, pre and post-surgery serum creatinine, hemoglobin drop and total hospital stay between the three groups. Stone free rate was 98.5% in multiple medium group, 97.1% in multiple large group and 84.1% in staghorn group (P = 0.001). The operation duration was significantly shorter for the multiple medium group (P < 0.001) but it was not significantly different between the multiple large non-staghorn and staghorn group.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that almost all outcomes were not significantly different between the three groups (especially between staghorn and larger non-staghorn ones). These findings reveal that surgeons could choose csPCNL for treatment of staghorn stones and multiple large non-staghorn stones and consider staghorn stones as challenging as multiple large (especially diameter > 30 mm) non-staghorn stones.

Purpose To assess differences in safety and efficacy between 24 and 18 Fr pneumatic balloon dilators for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) of renal stones between 10 and 20 mm. Methods Patients were randomized to dilatation with a 24 Fr (Group A) versus 18 Fr (Group B) Ultraxx pneumatic dilator (Cook Medical ® ). In all procedures percutaneous puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance. In both groups the Holmium: YAG Cyber Ho laser generator was used (Quanta System ® ). Stone-free rate (SFR) and postoperative complications were assessed. Results 42 and 44 patients were assigned to Groups A and B, respectively. Preoperative features were comparable. Mean stone size was 17.8 vs. 16.6 mm in Group A vs. B ( p  = 0.21). SFR was 95.2% in Group A and 95.4% in Group B ( p  = 0.19). Postoperative gross haematuria was observed in 5 vs. 2 cases in Group A vs. B ( p  = 0.04). Mean haemoglobin drop at first postoperative day (POD) was higher in Group A (2.4 vs. 1.1 mg/dl, p  = 0.04), while comparable at third POD. Blood transfusion was required in 2 cases in Group A and 1 case in Group B. No patients required embolization. No significant difference was observed in terms of postoperative pain and urinary infection. Conclusions 24 and 18 Fr pneumatic dilators are both effective to access renal cavity during PCNL for the treatment of renal stones between 10 and 20 mm. Gross haematuria rate and mean haemoglobin decrease at first POD were significantly higher with 24 Fr dilator, but with no differences in the need for blood transfusions and renal embolization.

Overweight has been suggested to increase the risk of kidney stone formation. Although weight reduction might affect risk factors for urolithiasis, findings on the impact of different dietary weight loss strategies are limited. This randomized, controlled study evaluated the effect of a conventional energy-restricted modified diet with (MR group) or without meal replacement (C group) on risk factors for stone formation in overweight women without a history of urolithiasis. Of 105 participants, 78 were included into the per-protocol analysis. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and 24 h urinary parameters were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks. Although both dietary interventions resulted in a significant weight reduction, relative weight loss and rate of responders were higher in the MR group. Weight loss improved cardiometabolic risk profile in both groups. Unfortunately, the benefit of decreased GPT activity in the C group was offset by a significant increase in homocysteine and a decline in GFR. While the relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate decreased significantly in both groups, a significant decline in serum uric acid concentration and relative supersaturation of uric acid was observed only in the MR group. Finally, the energy-restricted modified diet with meal replacement showed significant advantages over the energy-restricted modified diet alone.