Stone Clearance by Computed Tomography after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has the highest stone free rate among other procedures with relatively higher complication rate. Post-operative imaging after stone surgeries has not been uniform. This study was done to study about the stone clearance by computed tomography after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Urology, Bir Hospital for six months duration. The patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy and those with intra-operative fluoroscopic clearance were evaluated with a low dose computed tomography after 48 hours to assess residual fragments its size and location. Patient’s demographics, stone characteristics and complications were compared between the stone free and with residual stone patients. Results: Out of 72 percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed, 40 patients were included in the study. Low dose computed tomography kidney, ureter and bladder after 48 hours of surgery detected residual fragments in 11 (27.5%) patients. The RFs size of 4mm were found in 4 (36.36%). The stone size was 352.47 ± 97.47 mm2 and 254.79 ± 172.68mm2 in group with residual fragments and stone free group respectively. Conclusions: Low dose computed tomography kidney, ureter and bladder done for assessment of stone clearance after 48 hours of percutaneous nephrolithomy detected residual in around one fourth of patients, however majority of them had residual fragments 4mm size

Pre-stenting for Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery: Need and Duration: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Study

Introduction: To evaluate if retrograde intrarenal surgery with ureteral access sheath requires prestenting. In case pre-stenting becomes an option, how long does it need to be stented. &#x0D; Materials and Methods: After obtaining approval from Institutional Review Board and informed consent, a prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in the Department of Urology, Bir Hospital for 18 months. All the patients enrolled for retrograde intrarenal surgery were grouped into 3 groups: Group 1 – without pre-stenting, Group 2 – one week of pre-stenting, and Group 3 – two weeks of pre-stenting. Success was defi ned as an ability to accommodate a 10/12 F ureteral access sheath during retrograde intrarenal surgery. Ureteral access sheath induced ureteric wall injury was also taken into consideration.Results: Among 179 cases, 152 cases were included in the study. In 36 patients out of 53 (67.92%) in group 1, 10/12 F ureteral access sheath was negotiable without pre-stenting, marking the frequency of distensible ureters. In 44 patients out of 47 (93.66%) from group 2 and all 52 patients (100%) from group 3, ureteral access sheath placement was successful after one and two weeks of pre-stenting respectively. Ureteric wall injury of grade1 and 2, was found in 9 patients (5.9%).Conclusions: The majority of ureters (67.92%) are distensible, not requiring pre-stenting before retrograde intrarenal surgery. One and two weeks of pre-stenting carries a success rate of 93.66% and 100% respectively.</jats:p

Variation of Fluoroscopic Radiation Dose during Endourological Procedures for Renal Stones

Introduction: Fluoroscopic guidance is routine for endourological procedures like percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery in vast majority of centers. It is used for the initial retrograde ureteral access to define the pelvicalyceal system, puncture of the desired calyx and dilatation of the tract, aid navigation of stones and calyces, and placement of guide wires and stents. Both the patient and operating staffs are exposed to the radiation during surgery. The purpose of this study is to measure that exposed fluoroscopic radiation dose during these procedures and make operating surgeons aware of their fluoroscopic habit.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This is prospective observational study, who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n=60) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (n=43) in our institute between December 2017 and August 2018. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done in prone position with prior insertion of ureteric catheter. Retrograde intrarenal surgery was carried out with or without insertion of ureteral access sheath. Fluoroscopic time was taken from the insertion of the ureteric catheter or UAS to the completion of the procedure with double J stenting.&#x0D; Results: For percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery group, mean stone size were 21.89 mm and 10.56 mm; mean fluoroscopic time were 117.95 s (range 24-350) and 31.83 s (range 3-103); mean fluoroscopic dose were 29.71 mGy and 6.19 mGy respectively.&#x0D; Introduction: Fluoroscopic guidance is routine for endourological procedures like percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery in vast majority of centers. It is used for the initial retrograde ureteral access to define the pelvicalyceal system, puncture of the desired calyx and dilatation of the tract, aid navigation of stones and calyces, and placement of guide wires and stents. Both the patient and operating staffs are exposed to the radiation during surgery. The purpose of this study is to measure that exposed fluoroscopic radiation dose during these procedures and make operating surgeons aware of their fluoroscopic habit.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This is prospective observational study, who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n=60) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (n=43) in our institute between December 2017 and August 2018. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done in prone position with prior insertion of ureteric catheter. Retrograde intrarenal surgery was carried out with or without insertion of ureteral access sheath. Fluoroscopic time was taken from the insertion of the ureteric catheter or UAS to the completion of the procedure with double J stenting.&#x0D; Results: For percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery group, mean stone size were 21.89 mm and 10.56 mm; mean fluoroscopic time were 117.95 s (range 24-350) and 31.83 s (range 3-103); mean fluoroscopic dose were 29.71 mGy and 6.19 mGy respectively.&#x0D; Conclusions: Among the endourological procedures for renal stones, retrograde intrarenal surgery was associated with less fluoroscopic hazard than percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Awareness of fluoroscopic exposure duration and experience of a surgeon can minimize the radiation hazard during endourological procedures.</jats:p

Urinary Stone Disease and Preventable Nephrectomies

Background: Urinary stone disease has high prevalence in our belt. The end stage complication of this disease turns out to be a non-functioning kidney, which in fact could be prevented by means of appropriate treatment and follow up.Methods: This is retrospective study of the nephrectomy cases of last 8 years retrieved from the hospital database. Variables like age, sex, indications for nephrectomy, modalities of nephrectomy and morbidities among the primary and recurrent disease were taken into consideration. Analysis were done using Microsoft Excel 2016.Results: Five hundred and twenty-nine nephrectomies were performed in last 8 years at our hospital. Female were more prone for nephrectomies. Age at third and fourth decade were most to be affected. Ninety percentage of nephrectomies were done for benign causes, 65% for the stone disease. The recurrent renal stone disease without any past surgical interventions were more prone to undergo nephrectomies. The conventional open technique of nephrectomy has largely been replaced by laparoscopic means in recent years.Conclusions: The main contributor for nephrectomy in our context is urinary stone disease, which is considered to be the preventable factorKeywords: Nephrectomy; renal stone; urinary stone disease.</jats:p

Stone Clearance by Computed Tomography after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has the highest stone free rate among other procedures with relatively higher complication rate. Post-operative imaging after stone surgeries has not been uniform. This study was done to study about the stone clearance by computed tomography after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.&#x0D; Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Urology, Bir Hospital for six months duration. The patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy and those with intra-operative fluoroscopic clearance were evaluated with a low dose computed tomography after 48 hours to assess residual fragments its size and location. Patient’s demographics, stone characteristics and complications were compared between the stone free and with residual stone patients.&#x0D; Results: Out of 72 percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed, 40 patients were included in the study. Low dose computed tomography kidney, ureter and bladder after 48 hours of surgery detected residual fragments in 11 (27.5%) patients. The RFs size of &lt;4mm were found in 7 (63.63%) of cases whereas RFs of &gt;4mm were found in 4 (36.36%). The stone size was 352.47 ± 97.47 mm2 and 254.79 ± 172.68mm2 in group with residual fragments and stone free group respectively.&#x0D; Conclusions: Low dose computed tomography kidney, ureter and bladder done for assessment of stone clearance after 48 hours of percutaneous nephrolithomy detected residual in around one fourth of patients, however majority of them had residual fragments &lt;4mm. Intra-operative fluoroscopic clearance may over estimate stone clearance after percutaneous nephrolithomy as about one third of patients still may have residual fragments of &gt;4mm size.</jats:p