Objective To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous pneumatic nephrolithotripsy combined with ultrasonic lithotripsy for the treatment of renal calculi. Methods From January 2005 to December 2006, 132 cases of renal calculi were treated by percutaneous pneumatic nephrolithotripsy and ultrasonic lithotripsy. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was performed under the guidance of B-ultrasonography, and then the calculi were removed by pneumatic nephrolithotripsy combined with ultrasonic lithotripsy.Results Single-tract procedure was performed on 122 cases, while two-tract in the other 10. One-stage lithotripsy was performed on 127 cases, and two-stage operation was carried out in 5. The operation time ranged from 30 to 150 minutes with a mean of (60?12) minutes. The stone clearance rate was 90.2% (119/132) one week after the operation. Five patients had 200-to 500-ml hemorrhage 1 to 4 days after the operation, and were cured by blood transfusion and anti-infection treatments. No serious complications were found in the other patients. The nephrostomy tube was withdrawn 4 to 7 days (mean 6 days) after the operation. The hospital stay was 6 to 22 days with a mean of 15 days. Among the patients, 98 were followed up for 3 to 20 months (mean 13 months). No hemorrhage, infection, or recurrence of renal calculi was found during this period. Conclusion Percutaneous pneumatic nephrolithotripsy combined with ultrasonic lithotripsy is safe, effective, with mild surgical trauma and a few complications for patients with renal calculi.

To investigate effects of verapamil on primary cultured human urethral scar fibroblasts (USFs) and to provide basis for protecting the formation of urethra scar.
 Methods: The cell proliferation was evaluated with the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 method after USFs were incubated various verapamil concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, or 250 μmol/L) or solvent for 12, 24, or 48 h. The protein level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was evaluated with ELISA after cells were incubated with verapamil (100 μmol/L) or solvent (control cells) for 24 h.
 Results: The proliferation of USFs was obviously suppressed after verapamil treatment, which was in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the verapamil treatment group increased obviously compared with those of the control groups (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Calcium channel blockers may prevent the excessive formation of urethra scar by inhibiting the proliferation of urethral scar fibroblasts and enhancing the activity of MMP.
Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix ; prevention & control ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; drug effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; drug effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; Urethra ; cytology ; pathology ; Verapamil ; pharmacology