Postoperative Delirium after Urological Surgery: A Literature Review

Purpose: We aimed to thoroughly search and identify studies referring to risk factors associated with postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing open as well as en-doscopic urological surgery. Methods: The review after a systematic literature search included 5 studies. Results: The incidence of POD was reported to be between 7.8 and 30% depending on the type of the urologic surgery, while in the majority of the studies the onset happened on the first postoperative day and the symptoms lasted 3 ± 0.8 days. Seventeen different risk factors for POD were identified and presented in detail. Conclusion: The Mini-Mental State Examination score and older age were significantly associated with the development of POD. However, the Confusion Assessment Method is very well validated against the diagnosis of delirium from the specialists. © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel

Testing of Compositional Distribution in Brominated Isobutylene Elastomers

Abstract A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the characterization of the compositional distribution of brominated poly(isobutylene-co-4-methylstyrene) and poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene). The desired separations in normal-phase chromatographic mode could only be achieved by using columns packed with specifically developed 10 and 3 µm porous monodisperse poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) beads that have a homogeneous coverage of aliphatic hydroxyl groups. Linear gradients of tetrahydrofuran in hexane and dichloromethane in heptane were used respectively as the mobile phases for the selective elution of brominated poly(isobutylene-co-4-methylstyrenes) and brominated poly(isobutylene-co-isoprenes). In-column solvo-thermal treatment of the stationary phase further improved both selectivity and retention and enabled the easy detection and detailed quantification of differences in bromine content well below 1 mol %.</jats:p

Single lower calyceal percutaneous tract combined with flexible nephroscopy: A valuable treatment paradigm for staghorn stones

Introduction: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of single lower calyceal tract combined with flexible nephroscopy for the management of staghorn renal stones by percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of staghorn stones were analyzed. We included patients aged &gt;18 years, while patients with incomplete data and renal anatomical anomalies were excluded from the study. Stone-free rate, postoperative complications, procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, and length of hospitalization were recorded. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by non-contrast computed tomography scan 4-6 weeks after the operation. Stonefree status was defined as the absence of residual stones &gt;4 mm. Results: The study cohort consisted of 103 consecutive patients. Stonefree rate was 65.0%. No complications were observed in 69.9% of the cases; most postoperative complications were Grade 1 (13.6%) and 2 (10.7%). Five patients (4.9%) suffered a Grade 3a complication and another patient (1.0%) suffered a Grade 3b complication. Conclusions: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy through a single lower calyceal tract combined with flexible nephroscopy can be a valuable treatment option for the treatment of staghorn calculi, providing efficacy and safety. Nevertheless, the present study is limited by both its retrospective nature and being conducted at a single centre and, thus, proper prospective studies with head-on comparisons are needed to prove or disprove the advantages and disadvantages of either approach. © 2018 Canadian Urological Association