Comparative analysis of unilateral and bilateral flexible ureterorenoscopy: a cohort multicentre study

Introduction. Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) with laser lithotripsy is the «gold standard» for minimally invasive treatment in patients with kidney stones less than 20 mm. Currently, there are no objective data on the efficacy and safety of bilateral interventions.Objective. To study the results of bilateral flexible URS (B-fURS) versus unilateral flexible URS (U-fURS).Materials & methods. Eighty patients prospectively enrolled in the study from July 2022 to December 2022 and was divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 40) underwent U-fURS and Group 2 (n = 40) underwent B-fURS. A single stone up to 20 mm or multiple small calyx stones was an indication for the operation. The baseline values were comparable between the groups, but in the B-fURS group a 39.0% higher incidence (p > 0.002) of multiple stones and a 28.0% higher incidence (p > 0.001) of stones in the lower pole. Previous interventions were also more frequent in Group 1 (B-fURS) patients.Results. Stone-free rate did not differ (p > 0.9) between the groups and was 95.0% and 97.5%, respectively. No serious complications (p > 0.9) of Clavien III–V were observed in both groups.Conclusion. Bilateral flexible ureteroscopy is a safe and effective option for patients with bilateral kidney stones, allowing removal of stones in one anesthesia on both sides

Conservative therapy of uric acid lithiasis: a review of literature

Urolithiasis (UL) continues to play an important role in the daily practice of urologists and general practitioners. According to various sources, uric acid nephrolithiasis accounts for about 20% of all cases of urolithiasis. Risk factors for uric acid nephrolithiasis include hyperuricemia, hyperuricosuria, decreased urine output and low urine pH. The major risk factor for UL, low urine pH, is managed by different citrate drugs. Citrate mixtures are strong base salts combined with weak acids which alkalize (neutralize) urine pH, whereas the acid component is metabolised. In patients diagnosed with hyperuricemia, uric acid production can be reduced with the help of xanthine oxidase inhibitors which act as suppressors of xanthine oxidase - an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and xanthine to uric acid which is the end-product of purine metabolism in humans. The medical literature confirms the efficacy of citrate mixtures and xanthine oxidase inhibitors for the treatment of patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis

Thoughts on an education

Research in nanoscience and nanotechnology has grown rapidly in recent years and has provided numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs. The field has also, in some sense, changed the way in which a research topic can be tackled, unconstrained by traditional scientific disciplines. However, what effect have the developments in research had on the curriculum being taught in universities? And what sort of education do the nanotechnologists of the future need to succeed? Nature Nanotechnology asked a range of current, or recently graduated, masters and PhD students about their own experiences, and what, if anything, they would change about the current education system.3 page(s