OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion combined with western medication on ureteral stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL). METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with upper urinary tract calculus implanted with ureteral stents after URL were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out), a placebo moxibustion group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a blank control group (50 cases). No intervention was performed in the blank control group. On the basis of oral administration with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule (starting from the first day after surgery, once a day, 0.2 mg each time, continuously for 4 weeks), in the moxibustion group, moxibustion was operated at Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Shenshu (BL 23); the sham-moxibustion was delivered at the same acupoints in the placebo moxibustion group, once daily, 6 times a week, for 15 min in each treatment. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks. Before treatment, and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health, work performance and satisfaction of sexual matters were compared among the 3 groups. The tract calculus clearance rate, urinary infection and the oral administration of painkillers were compared after 4 weeks of treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain and general health after 1 week of treatment, and the scores of lower urinary tract symptoms, body pain, general health and work performance after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.01). The scores of lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain in the moxibustion group after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those in the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.01, P<0.05) respectively. The score of general health in the moxibustion group was lower than that in the blank control group after 1 week of treatment (P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). Regarding the score of work performance, it was lower in the moxibustion group after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment compared with those in the blank control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower than those of the blank control group and the placebo moxibustion group after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The tract calculus clearance rate in the moxibustion group was 95.9% (47/49), higher than that in the blank control group (80.0%, 40/50, P<0.05). The proportion of oral administration of painkillers in the moxibustion group (28.6%, 14/49) and the placebo moxibustion group (40.4%, 19/47) was lower than that in the blank control group (76.0%, 38/50, P<0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Moxibustion combined with western medication relieves lower urinary tract symptoms and body pain, and accelerate the recovery of general health and work performance in the patients after URL.
Humans ; Ureteroscopy/adverse effects* ; Moxibustion ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects* ; Pain ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Calculi ; Stents/adverse effects* ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of coated metal stent implantation for ureteroscopic lithotripsy related refractory ureteral stricture (URL-rUS). METHODS: Electronic medical records of 30 patients (31 affected renal units) receiving coated metal stent implantation for URL-rUS from Sept. 2018 to Aug. 2021 at Peking University People' s Hospital were reviewed for analysis. Coated metal stents were implanted in retrograde approach via ureteroscope. Last outpatient follow-up was set as endpoint. Baseline information, stricture characteristics and decompression strategy before coated metal stent implantation were retrospectively collected. Serum creatinine (Scr) concentration and renal pelvis width (RPW) were used as renal function indicators. Peri-operative and long-term complications and according outcomes were recorded. For the patients who had double J tubes implanted for drainage before operation, Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was applied to evaluate the stent-related discomforts and quality of life (QoL) before and after surgery. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS (version 25.0; SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Totally 30 patients with 31 affected renal units were included. All the patients previously underwent unsuccessful traditional endoscopic balloon dilation or endoureterotomy before receiving coated metal stent implantation. The mean age was (45.5±9.3) years old. The median follow-up time were 14 (6-36) months. All coated metal stents were successfully placed with a median duration of 60 (30-195) min. No severe peri-operative complications occurred. At endpoint, 28 (90.3%) sides of coated metal stents remained unobstructed with a longest indwelling time of 36 months. Causes of failures included stent migration (1 case, 3.2%), encrustation (1 case, 3.2%) and repeated stent related urinary tract infection (1 case, 3.2%). When compared with the baseline, significant reductions were observed in both Scr concentration and RPW at endpoint [(90.7±19.5) mmol/L vs. (83.1±18.5) μmol/L, P < 0.01, for Scr; (2.5±1.3) cm vs. (1.9±0.8) cm, P < 0.01, for RPW], indicating good preservation of renal function and remission of hydronephrosis. For 26 patients with double J stents before operation, significant reduction of USSQ average score (100.4±6.6 vs. 82.1±4.9, P < 0.01) evidenced better life quality preserving ability of coated metal stent versus double J stent. CONCLUSION Coated metal stent implantation is a safe and minimally invasive management of ureteral stricture providing a satisfying long-term patency rate, after which the patients' quality of life and renal function could be both improved. This method could serve as a promising alternative long-term maintenance treatment option for patients with URL-US, especially when traditional endoscopic interventions failed.
Adult ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Metals ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Obstruction/surgery* ; Ureteroscopy

Holmium laser lithotripsy (HLL) is one of the common surgical methods for urolithiasis. It causes minor surgical trauma, but complications are not rare. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment of sepsis is common, but venoarterial (VA)-ECMO treatment of urosepsis has not been reported yet. In this article, we reported a 67-year-old female patient with refractory septic shock caused by HLL under percutaneous nephroscope, involving breathing, heart, kidney and other organs, and organs support treatment was ineffective for the patient. Finally, we successfully treated the patient under VA-ECMO with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Combined ECMO and CRRT may provide a solution for addressing refractory sepsis. Here we present the case and review relevant literature, so as to provide a treatment strategy for patients with refractory urogenic sepsis and to reduce the mortality rate.
Aged ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods* ; Female ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State/adverse effects* ; Lithotripsy, Laser/methods* ; Postoperative Complications/therapy* ; Renal Replacement Therapy/methods* ; Shock, Septic/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Tract Infections/therapy* ; Urolithiasis/surgery*

A knotted ureteral stent is an extremely rare condition, with fewer than 20 cases reported in the literature; however, it is difficult to treat. We report a case in which a folded Terumo guidewire was successfully used to remove a knotted stent percutaneously without anesthesia. We also review the current literature on predisposing factors and management strategies for knotted ureteral stents.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi/*radiography/*therapy ; Lithotripsy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents/*adverse effects ; Ureter

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various anatomical features of the biliary tree affect ability to remove difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the endoscopic treatment of stones in stemware-shaped CBDs. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with a stone and a stemware-shaped CBD who were treated at different tertiary referral centers from January 2008 to December 2012 were studied retrospectively. When stone removal failed, percutaneous or direct peroral cholangioscopic lithotripsy, endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, or surgery was performed as a second-line procedure. RESULTS: The overall success rate of the first-line procedure was 41.2%. Five of the 34 patients (14.7%) experienced procedure-related complications. No procedure-related mortality occurred. Mechanical lithotripsy was required to completely remove stones in 13 patients (38.2%). Conversion to a second-line procedure was required in 20 patients (58.8%). Mechanical lithotripsy was needed in 75% and 66.7% of those with a stone size of <1 cm or > or =1 cm, respectively. Stone recurrence occurred in two patients (9.1%) after 6 months and 27 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic treatment of stones in a stemware-shaped CBD is challenging. The careful assessment of difficult CBD stones is required before endoscopic procedures.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/adverse effects/methods ; Choledocholithiasis/complications/*surgery ; Common Bile Duct/*anatomy & histology/surgery ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in pain reaction, hemodynamics and clinical efficacy between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) after injection with flurphen mixture (mixture of droperidol and fentanyl citrate) at Shenshu (BL 23) and simple ESWL in the patients.

METHODSSixty-four cases of urinary calculi with ESWL were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each one. In the observation group, 15 to 20 min before ESWL, flurphen mixture (droperidol injection 1.25 mg and fentanyl citrate injection 0.05 mg were diluted to 6 mL with 0.9% sodium chloride solution 4.5 mL) was injected at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23). In the control group, no any adjuvant therapy and medication were used before ESWL. The changes in blood pressure and heart rate, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, lithotripsy frequency till calculi complete removal and the rate of calculi complete removal after the first lithotripsy were observed in the two groups.

RESULTSIn the control group, blood pressure and heart rate were higher during lithotripsy than those before lithotripsy (both P<0.05). In the observation group, the differences in blood pressure and heart rate were not significant statistically as compared with those before lithotripsy (both P>0.05). The blood pressure and heart rate during lithotripsy in the observation group were apparently lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). VAS scores during lithotripsy in the observation group were lower apparently than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The lithotripsy frequency in the observation group was less than that in the control group. The rate of calculi complete removal in 1 week after the first lithotripsy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group [75.0% (24/32) vs 50.0% (16/32), P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe flurphen mixture at Shenshu (BL 23) significantly alleviates pain reaction in patients undergoing ESWL, avoids the fluctuation of hemodynamics and improves the clinical effect of lithotripsy.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; therapy ; Lithotripsy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Young Adult

When access to a major duodenal papilla or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCS-L) may be useful for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, the feasibility and usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic papillary large-balloon dilation (PPLBD) during PTCS-L for the removal of large CBD stones has not been established. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of PPLBD for the treatment of large CBD stones. Eleven patients with large CBD stones in whom the access to the major papilla or bile duct had failed were enrolled prospectively. Papillary dilation was performed using a large (12-20 mm) dilation balloon catheter via the percutaneous transhepatic route. Post-procedure adverse events and efficacy of the stone retrieval were measured. The initial success rate of PPLBD was 100%. No patient required a basket to remove a stone after PPLBD. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was required in 2 (18.2%) patients. The median time to complete stone removal after PPLBD was 17.8 min and no adverse events occurred after PPLBD. Asymptomatic hyperamylasemia was not encountered in any patients. This study indicates that PPLBD is safe and effective for removal of large CBD stones.
Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Bile Ducts/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Gallstones/surgery ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Calculi/*surgery

When access to a major duodenal papilla or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCS-L) may be useful for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, the feasibility and usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic papillary large-balloon dilation (PPLBD) during PTCS-L for the removal of large CBD stones has not been established. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of PPLBD for the treatment of large CBD stones. Eleven patients with large CBD stones in whom the access to the major papilla or bile duct had failed were enrolled prospectively. Papillary dilation was performed using a large (12-20 mm) dilation balloon catheter via the percutaneous transhepatic route. Post-procedure adverse events and efficacy of the stone retrieval were measured. The initial success rate of PPLBD was 100%. No patient required a basket to remove a stone after PPLBD. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was required in 2 (18.2%) patients. The median time to complete stone removal after PPLBD was 17.8 min and no adverse events occurred after PPLBD. Asymptomatic hyperamylasemia was not encountered in any patients. This study indicates that PPLBD is safe and effective for removal of large CBD stones.
Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Bile Ducts/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Gallstones/surgery ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Calculi/*surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction outcomes following low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT) in men with Peyronie's disease (PD) using a standardised protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this open-label single arm prospective study, patients with PD were enrolled following informed consent. Patient demographics, change in penile curvature and plaque hardness, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 score, and overall satisfaction score (on a 5-point scale) were recorded. Treatment template consists of 3000 shock waves to the Peyronie's plaque over 20 minutes, twice weekly for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The majority of patients have PD history longer than 6 months (mean, 12.8 months; range, 6-28 months). Two thirds of patients have received and failed oral medical therapy. There were improvements in penile curvature (more than 15 degrees in 33% of men), plaque hardness (60% of men) and penile pain (4 out of 6 men) following LiESWT. There was a moderate improvement in IIEF-5 score (>5 points reported in 20% of men). No complication was reported and the majority of patients were satisfied (rated 4 out of 5; 70% of men) and would recommend this therapy to others. CONCLUSIONS: In a carefully selected group of men with PD, LiESWT appears to be safe, has moderate efficacy and is associated with high patient satisfaction rate in the short term.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Lithotripsy/adverse effects/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain/prevention & control ; *Patient Satisfaction ; Penile Induration/pathology/*surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

A male patient undergoing extracorporeal ultrasound lithotripsy developed the symptoms of dyspnea, low blood pressure, palpitations, chest tightness, and sweating, and a clinical diagnosis of pulmonary capillary leak and hypovolemic shock was made. Pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) technique was used for resuscitation according to the measurements of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and global end-diastolic volume index (GEDI). The patient showed low levels of cardiac output (CO) and GEDI with a peak EVLWI of 32 ml/kg and profuse pink and thin sputum overflow from the trachea. The high ventilator support parameters failed to correct low oxygen saturation. Restricted fluid infusion was used to reduce pulmonary edema. Colloidal solution was given when GEDI was below 500 ml/m(2), and the volume and fluid infusion rate were reduced for a GEDI higher than 500 ml/m(2). Pulmonary edema was gradually reduced after the treatments with improvement of lactic acid level and liver and kidney functions. Vasopressors were withdrawn 6 days later, mechanical ventilation was discontinued 10 days later, and tracheal intubation was removed 25 days later, after which the patient was discharged. In the treatment of the patient, PiCCO monitoring played an important role.
Adult ; Capillary Leak Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Pulmonary Edema ; complications ; therapy ; Shock ; complications ; therapy