Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the ballistic-ultrasound-negative pressure three-in-one energy platform (Trilogy) for micro-channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 140 patients with upper urinary tract stones treated at Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital from February to October 2024. All patients underwent mini-PCNL and were divided into the holmium laser group and the Trilogy group based on the stone fragmentation equipment used during the procedure. There were 69 patients in the holmium laser group and 71 in the Trilogy group. The two groups had similar mean ages (55.1±10.2 years vs. 53.4±10.8 years), male patient proportions (50 cases, 72.5% vs. 50 cases, 70.4%), body mass indices (25.2±3.6 kg/m 2 vs. 25.3±4.0 kg/m 2), incidence rates of hypertension (29 cases, 42.0% vs. 31 cases, 43.7%), diabetes (15 cases, 21.7% vs. 12 cases, 16.9%), mean cumulative stone lengths (39.2±12.6 mm vs. 35.9±14.8 mm), total stone volumes preoperatively (6 184.3±3 653.5 mm 3 vs. 5 644.9±4 173.8 mm 3), mean CT values for stones (1 138.2±264.3 HU vs. 1 151.3±208.0 HU), stone locations (ureter 14 cases, 20.3% vs. 22 cases, 31.0%; kidney 48 cases, 69.6% vs. 39 cases, 54.9%; both ureter and kidney 7 cases, 10.1% vs. 10 cases, 14.1%), preoperative mean urinary white blood cell counts [9.6(3.6, 31.2) cells/HPF vs. 11.9(3.8, 34.5) cells/HPF], proportions of patients with preoperative urinary white blood cells (+ + + ; 23 cases, 33.3% vs. 25 cases, 35.2%), nitrite positivity rates (4 cases, 5.8% vs. 3 cases, 4.2%), and urine culture positivity rates (12 cases, 17.4% vs. 18 cases, 25.4%) showed no statistically significant differences. The proportion of patients with moderate or higher hydronephrosis in the holmium laser group was lower than that in the Trilogy group (32 cases, 46.4% vs. 47 cases, 66.2%, P=0.018). The holmium laser group utilized holmium laser lithotripsy, where stone fragments were either flushed out with a vortex or retrieved with a stone basket. The Trilogy group employed a three-in-one energy platform to break the stones. This device incorporated pneumatic ballistic, ultrasound, and negative pressure suction capabilities within the same metallic probe, allowing the stone to be fragmented into small pieces while simultaneously performing ultrasonic negative pressure stone clearance. The parameters for the three-in-one energy platform were adjusted based on intraoperative conditions, typically setting negative pressure at 30%-50%, ultrasound power at 80%-100%, ballistic power at 80%, and frequency at 8 Hz. During the stone fragmentation process, the ballistic device fragmented the stones while ultrasound further reduced larger fragments and removed them. Some fragments that were difficult to break could also be flushed out or retrieved with a stone basket. The efficiency of stone clearance (volume of stones cleared per unit time) was compared between the two groups, as well as the stone-free rates on postoperative day 1 and day 30. Stone clearance time was defined as the duration from the start of fragmentation to the placement of the nephrostomy tube. Changes in postoperative white blood cells, hemoglobin, and albumin levels compared to preoperative levels, as well as the incidence of Clavien-Dindo complications, were compared between the two groups. Equipment failure incidents were recorded (fiber fracture in the holmium laser group indicating it could not be used; probe fracture in the Trilogy group). Patients were sub-grouped based on stone CT values into CT ≥ 1 000 HU and CT < 1 000 HU categories to compare stone clearance efficiency between the two devices within each sub-group. In the CT≥1 000 HU sub-group, there were 51 cases in the holmium laser group and 54 in the Trilogy group, there were no significant differences in preoperative total stone volume (6 785.0±3 902.3 mm 3 vs. 5 678.1±4 297.7 mm 3). In the CT < 1 000 HU sub-group, there were 18 cases in the holmium laser group and 17 in the Trilogy group. There were no significant differences between the groups in preoperative total stone volume (4 482.2±2 110.6 mm 3 vs. 5 530.9±3 845.3 mm 3). Results:The overall stone clearance efficiency in the Trilogy group was higher than that in the holmium laser group (87.9±35.7 mm 3/min vs. 77.1±24.3 mm 3/min, P=0.038). There were no significant differences in residual stone volume before discharge [5.5(0, 84.0) mm 3 vs. 5.3(0, 175.0) mm 3], stone clearance time (79.4±43.2 min vs. 66.6±49.7 min), or the proportion of patients using stone baskets during the procedure (33 cases, 47.8% vs. 36 cases, 50.7%). Postoperative changes in white blood cells, hemoglobin, and albumin compared to preoperative levels were not significantly different [(4.1±2.9)×10 9/L vs. (3.3±2.2)×10 9/L; (-2.9±10.5) g/L vs. (-1.6±9.3) g/L; (-2.5±3.6) g/L vs. (-1.8±5.0) g/L] Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in equipment failure rates (1 case, 1.4% vs. 4 cases, 5.6%), stone-free rates (postoperative day 1: 43 cases, 62.3% vs. 47 cases, 66.2%; postoperative day 30: 50 cases, 72.5% vs. 53 cases, 74.6%), or Clavien-Dindo complication rates (grade Ⅰ: 11 cases, 15.9% vs. 8 cases, 11.3%; grade Ⅱ: 2 cases, 2.8% vs. 0 cases; grade Ⅲ: 1 case, 1.4% vs. 0 cases). In the CT ≥ 1 000 HU sub-group, the clearance time for the holmium laser was longer than that for Trilogy (93.3±41.0 min vs. 74.6±51.9 min, P=0.044), there were no significant differences in residual stone volume before discharge [6.3(1.6, 173.8) mm 3 vs. 4.5(0, 69.0) mm 3] between the two groups. In the CT < 1 000 HU sub-group, the overall stone clearance efficiency of the Trilogy group exceeded that of the holmium laser group (134.2±38.0 mm 3/min vs. 105.5 ± 7.1 mm 3/min, P=0.004), there were no significant differences between the groups in residual stone volume before discharge [0(0, 51.1) mm 3 vs. 16.3(0, 957.2) mm 3], or stone clearance time (40.2±18.1 min vs. 39.1±27.5 min). Conclusions:In mini-PCNL surgery, the stone fragmentation efficiency of the three-in-one lithotripsy energy platform is superior to that of the holmium laser, while the overall complication rate is comparable to that of the holmium laser.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the ballistic-ultrasound-negative pressure three-in-one energy platform (Trilogy) for micro-channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 140 patients with upper urinary tract stones treated at Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital from February to October 2024. All patients underwent mini-PCNL and were divided into the holmium laser group and the Trilogy group based on the stone fragmentation equipment used during the procedure. There were 69 patients in the holmium laser group and 71 in the Trilogy group. The two groups had similar mean ages (55.1±10.2 years vs. 53.4±10.8 years), male patient proportions (50 cases, 72.5% vs. 50 cases, 70.4%), body mass indices (25.2±3.6 kg/m 2 vs. 25.3±4.0 kg/m 2), incidence rates of hypertension (29 cases, 42.0% vs. 31 cases, 43.7%), diabetes (15 cases, 21.7% vs. 12 cases, 16.9%), mean cumulative stone lengths (39.2±12.6 mm vs. 35.9±14.8 mm), total stone volumes preoperatively (6 184.3±3 653.5 mm 3 vs. 5 644.9±4 173.8 mm 3), mean CT values for stones (1 138.2±264.3 HU vs. 1 151.3±208.0 HU), stone locations (ureter 14 cases, 20.3% vs. 22 cases, 31.0%; kidney 48 cases, 69.6% vs. 39 cases, 54.9%; both ureter and kidney 7 cases, 10.1% vs. 10 cases, 14.1%), preoperative mean urinary white blood cell counts [9.6(3.6, 31.2) cells/HPF vs. 11.9(3.8, 34.5) cells/HPF], proportions of patients with preoperative urinary white blood cells (+ + + ; 23 cases, 33.3% vs. 25 cases, 35.2%), nitrite positivity rates (4 cases, 5.8% vs. 3 cases, 4.2%), and urine culture positivity rates (12 cases, 17.4% vs. 18 cases, 25.4%) showed no statistically significant differences. The proportion of patients with moderate or higher hydronephrosis in the holmium laser group was lower than that in the Trilogy group (32 cases, 46.4% vs. 47 cases, 66.2%, P=0.018). The holmium laser group utilized holmium laser lithotripsy, where stone fragments were either flushed out with a vortex or retrieved with a stone basket. The Trilogy group employed a three-in-one energy platform to break the stones. This device incorporated pneumatic ballistic, ultrasound, and negative pressure suction capabilities within the same metallic probe, allowing the stone to be fragmented into small pieces while simultaneously performing ultrasonic negative pressure stone clearance. The parameters for the three-in-one energy platform were adjusted based on intraoperative conditions, typically setting negative pressure at 30%-50%, ultrasound power at 80%-100%, ballistic power at 80%, and frequency at 8 Hz. During the stone fragmentation process, the ballistic device fragmented the stones while ultrasound further reduced larger fragments and removed them. Some fragments that were difficult to break could also be flushed out or retrieved with a stone basket. The efficiency of stone clearance (volume of stones cleared per unit time) was compared between the two groups, as well as the stone-free rates on postoperative day 1 and day 30. Stone clearance time was defined as the duration from the start of fragmentation to the placement of the nephrostomy tube. Changes in postoperative white blood cells, hemoglobin, and albumin levels compared to preoperative levels, as well as the incidence of Clavien-Dindo complications, were compared between the two groups. Equipment failure incidents were recorded (fiber fracture in the holmium laser group indicating it could not be used; probe fracture in the Trilogy group). Patients were sub-grouped based on stone CT values into CT ≥ 1 000 HU and CT < 1 000 HU categories to compare stone clearance efficiency between the two devices within each sub-group. In the CT≥1 000 HU sub-group, there were 51 cases in the holmium laser group and 54 in the Trilogy group, there were no significant differences in preoperative total stone volume (6 785.0±3 902.3 mm 3 vs. 5 678.1±4 297.7 mm 3). In the CT < 1 000 HU sub-group, there were 18 cases in the holmium laser group and 17 in the Trilogy group. There were no significant differences between the groups in preoperative total stone volume (4 482.2±2 110.6 mm 3 vs. 5 530.9±3 845.3 mm 3). Results:The overall stone clearance efficiency in the Trilogy group was higher than that in the holmium laser group (87.9±35.7 mm 3/min vs. 77.1±24.3 mm 3/min, P=0.038). There were no significant differences in residual stone volume before discharge [5.5(0, 84.0) mm 3 vs. 5.3(0, 175.0) mm 3], stone clearance time (79.4±43.2 min vs. 66.6±49.7 min), or the proportion of patients using stone baskets during the procedure (33 cases, 47.8% vs. 36 cases, 50.7%). Postoperative changes in white blood cells, hemoglobin, and albumin compared to preoperative levels were not significantly different [(4.1±2.9)×10 9/L vs. (3.3±2.2)×10 9/L; (-2.9±10.5) g/L vs. (-1.6±9.3) g/L; (-2.5±3.6) g/L vs. (-1.8±5.0) g/L] Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in equipment failure rates (1 case, 1.4% vs. 4 cases, 5.6%), stone-free rates (postoperative day 1: 43 cases, 62.3% vs. 47 cases, 66.2%; postoperative day 30: 50 cases, 72.5% vs. 53 cases, 74.6%), or Clavien-Dindo complication rates (grade Ⅰ: 11 cases, 15.9% vs. 8 cases, 11.3%; grade Ⅱ: 2 cases, 2.8% vs. 0 cases; grade Ⅲ: 1 case, 1.4% vs. 0 cases). In the CT ≥ 1 000 HU sub-group, the clearance time for the holmium laser was longer than that for Trilogy (93.3±41.0 min vs. 74.6±51.9 min, P=0.044), there were no significant differences in residual stone volume before discharge [6.3(1.6, 173.8) mm 3 vs. 4.5(0, 69.0) mm 3] between the two groups. In the CT < 1 000 HU sub-group, the overall stone clearance efficiency of the Trilogy group exceeded that of the holmium laser group (134.2±38.0 mm 3/min vs. 105.5 ± 7.1 mm 3/min, P=0.004), there were no significant differences between the groups in residual stone volume before discharge [0(0, 51.1) mm 3 vs. 16.3(0, 957.2) mm 3], or stone clearance time (40.2±18.1 min vs. 39.1±27.5 min). Conclusions:In mini-PCNL surgery, the stone fragmentation efficiency of the three-in-one lithotripsy energy platform is superior to that of the holmium laser, while the overall complication rate is comparable to that of the holmium laser.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of a treatment system for stentless discharge after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy assisted by flexible negative pressure sheath.Methods:The clinical data of 72 patients with upper urinary calculi admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from November 2022 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients achieved stentless discharge after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy assisted by flexible negative pressure sheath. There were 50 males and 22 females. The average age was (54.7±12.1) years. Preoperative urine culture was positive in 14 cases, negative in 3 cases (4.2%)with nitrite positive, and 11 cases were negative for urine culture and nitrites but positive of white blood cells (+ + + ). There were 29 cases of renal calculi, 33 cases of upper ureteral calculi, and 10 cases of upper ureteral calculi combined with renal calculi.The mean stone diameter was 17.0(14.0, 24.0)mm. CT value was (1 049.3±258.6)HU. Twenty-four patients carried ureteral stents before operation. A total of 42 cases used ureteral sheaths with diameters of F11/13, and 30 cases used sheaths with diameters of F12/14.During the operation, an infusion pump was used to provide sufficient irrigation pressure. The negative pressure suction was attached to the distal end of the sheath. The flexible head of the sheath was guided to the target renal calyx, to completely aspirate stone fragments. Stone baskets was used in 11 cases during the procedure. The level of ureteral injury was assessed according to the Traxer grading system at the end of the operation. A ureteral stent with extraction string was retained.On the first day postoperatively, CT scanning was performed to evaluate the residual stone fragments. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 2-3 after the removal of the ureteral stent and catheter. Follow-up was conducted for 30 days postoperatively, during which the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was used to assess voiding symptoms and pain. Painkiller usage and emergency revisit situations were recorded. CT scans were performed to evaluate the stone-free rate on postoperative day 30.Results:The average operation time was 30.0 (20.0, 44.5) minutes. A total of 70 cases had no ureteral injuries, and 2 cases had Grade 1 ureteral injuries (minor mucosal damage). Three cases developed fever within 72 hours postoperatively, with no cases of septic shock or fever after stent removal. Eight patients reported waist and abdominal discomfort after discharge and took oral pain medication. Among them, one patient returned to the emergency department for pain treatment. Five patients reported moderate or severe genitourinary symptoms (including voiding frequency, nocturia, urgency/incontinence, dysuria, hematuria, and incomplete emptying) based on subjective evaluation. All patients could work and recovered a normal daily life after discharge and there was no readmission or additional surgical procedures. There were 61 patients achieved immediate stone-free status on the first day after surgery, and 66 patients achieved stone-free status during follow-up at 30 days postoperatively.Conclusions:Stentless discharge after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy assisted by flexible negative pressure sheath is safe and feasible.

Objective:To investigate the effect of potassium sodium hydrogen citrate in the treatment of renal uric acid calculi with heavy load.Methods:The clinical data of 6 patients with intrarenal high-load uric acid calculi (long diameter >4 cm) treated with potassium sodium hydrogen citrate in our hospital from January 2018 to July 2020 were reviewed. All of the patients were male. Their ages ranged from 42 to 66 years, with an average age of 51.3 years old. The average length to diameter was 6.0(4.1-7.6) cm. The average density of stone was 475 (418-535) HU. The average blood uric acid was 453.3(258.7-570.0)μmol/L, and all patients had a urine pH ≤5.5. The blood uric acid level was higher than normal serum uric acid level before treatment, and 3 cases had a history of gout. Stone composition analysis revealed 100% uric acid stone in two patients before treatment. The remaining patients were more likely to have uric acid calculi before treatment. None of the patients had a history of urinary tract infection. All patients were treated with oral potassium sodium hydrogen citrate. During the treatment, the starting dose was 10g/ day, which was divided into 2.5 g after breakfast, 2.5 g after lunch and 5.0 g after dinner. The dose was adjusted according to the pH value of urine, and the urine pH was maintained between 6.5-7.0. CT plain scan was repeated every 2-3 months during the treatment period to evaluate the treatment effect.Result:After 2.5-8.0 months’ treatment, the stone load of all the patients was reduced to different degrees, and the average length diameter was shortened by 3.2cm, among which two patients’ stones disappeared. CT scan showed the stone edge changed from smooth to rough after the treatment, and there would be worm erosion defect and cavity on the surface and inside of the stone, showing obvious stone dissolution phenomenon.Conclusions:Potassium sodium hydrogen citrate has a good therapeutic effect on renal uric acid calculi with heavy load. Non-infected patients with uric acid calculi should be treated with potassium sodium hydrogen citrate.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum albumin (Alb) levels in the early postoperative period (within 1 hour) for urosepsis after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL).Methods:The clinical data of 160 patients treated by single channel holmium laser mPCNL in urolithiasis treatment center of the second hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2019 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the sepsis group and the non-sepsis group according to whether the patients developed urosepsis after the operation. There were 110 cases of male, and 50 cases of female, with average age of(51.8±11.9), including 68 cases with hypertension, 26 cases with diabetes, 12 patients with history of preoperative fever, 16 cases with history of endoscopic lithotomy surgery, 6 patients with preoperative catheter, 24 patients with positive preoperative urine culture, 12 patients with positive preoperative nitrite volume, 32 cases with preoperative routine urine leucocyte(+ + + ). The operative time and infusion volume were recorded during the operation. Blood samples were collected from all patients within 1 hour after surgery to detect blood routine and serum albumin (Alb), and the change of haemorrhagic white blood cells and serum albumin were calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to statistically analyze the relevant clinical parameters to identify the independent risk factors for urosepsis after mPCNL surgery. The ROC curve was established and the area under the comparison curve was calculated to analyze the predictive value of independent risk factors for postoperative urosepsis.Results:There were 13 patients (8.1%) in the sepsis group, including 7 males and 6 females, with an average age of (53.1±8.2) years. There were 147 patients (91.9%) in the non-sepsis group, including 103 males and 44 females, with an average age of (51.7±12.1)years. Single factor analysis showed the infectious stones (38.5% and 8.8%), surgery duration [(94.6±26.2)min and(63.6±24.5)min], a positive urine culture (46.2% and 12.2%), positive urinary nitrite (30.8% and 5.4%), strong positive urinary leukocyte (61.5% and 11.3%), postoperative albumin levels [(34.2±2.7)g/L and(40.7±6.2)g/L]and changes of serum albumin levels within one hour after surgery [(18.3±4.6)% and(3.8±14.3)%] between the sepsis group and the non-sepsis group had significant differences ( P<0.05). Multiariable logistic regression analysis showed the strong positive urine leucocyte ( OR=57.704, 95% CI 2.407-1383.427, P=0.012), postoperative blood leucocyte level within one hour after surgery ( OR=2.406, 95% CI 1.154-3.627, P=0.014) and the change of serum albumin levels after surgery ( OR=1.373, 95% CI 1.083-1.740, P=0.009) were independent risk factors for sepsis. ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC of the change amplitude of serum albumin level was 0.926, which was significantly higher than the AUC of the qualitative results of blood leukocyte and the AUC of urinary leukocyte( P<0.01). Conclusions:The positive urinary leucocyte, the change of serum albumin levels after surgery within one hour and the leucocyte level are independent risk factors for postoperative urosepsis after mPCNL. The change of serum albumin level in the early postoperative period has a strong predictive value for the early diagnosis of postoperative sepsis.

Objective To detect the related genes with rifampin and isoniazid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputums using the DNA chip technique and evaluate the fensibility of the clinical application of the DNA chip technique.Methods 586 sputum smear specimen was detected using the L-J cultivation to determine their drug resistance.Simultaneously.DNA chip was employed to detect the mutation of the frequent mutable points rpoB,katG/inhA in mycobaeterium tuberculosis isolates.These two assays were compared and samples showing discrepancy were chosen for additional sequencing to evaluate the accuracy of the detection.Results(1)There were 584 culture positive sputum smear specimens including 3(+)163 specimens,2(+)204 specimens,and 1(+)217 specimens.The drug fast results displayed that 361 strains were sensitive to INH,223 strains tolerated INH in which 93 strains tolerated it in low concentration while sensitive to it in high concentration.and 130 strains tolerated it in both low and high concentration.While 327 strains were sensitive to RFP.247 strains tolerated RFP in which 59 strains tolemted it in low concentration while sensitive to it in high concentration,and 188 strains tolerated it in both low and high concentration.(2)There were 367 positive strains(62.8%)and 217 negative strains(37.2%)identified by PCR amplification of the specific resistance gene fragments.The detection rate of the katG/inhA was 28.4%,and the mutation sites were mainly focused on the katG315(89.8%).The detection rate of the rpoB was 55.9%(137/247),and the mutation sites were mainly focused on rpoB531(68.6%)and rpoB 526(16.1%).(3)The sequencing of sample,which showed discrepancy with L-J cultivation and the DNA chip confirm a certain omission ratio.Conclusions It is feasible to detect the related resistant genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using the DNA chip technique.The key factor is to raise the efficiency of the DNA extraction,the effciency of the PCR and the quality control of the experiment to facilitate its clinical application.