The safety and effectiveness of a novel Chinese one-shot dilation technique based on stimulated diuresis for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were investigated. After the feasibility of the Chinese one-shot dilation based on stimulated diuresis was verified by an animal study, this technique was applied in the clinical practice. A total of 67 patients in our department underwent the modified PCNL from July 2014 to June 2015. After the renal infundibulum was distended by stimulated diuresis, the kidney was punctured under the ultrasonographic guidance via the fornix of the target calyx. The working channel was dilated using a special designed pencil-shaped fascial dilator. The successful access rate, nephrostomy tract creation time, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values and serum creatinine concentrations, stone-free rate and complications were recorded and analyzed. The renal infundibulum was successfully distended in all of the patients by the diuresis treatment. Under the ultrasonographic guidance, the successful access rate was 100% and the mean tract creation time was 2.0 min (range: 1.5-5.0 min). The stone-free rate right after surgery was 91.0%. Although the postoperative hemoglobin was significantly reduced (P<0.01), transfusion was not clinically necessary. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine concentrations before and after operation (P>0.05). No severe complication occurred during or after the PCNL. It was suggested that this Chinese one-shot dilation technique based on stimulated diuresis is an efficient and safe innovation for PCNL, and is even helpful for those patients with non-dilated pelvicaliceal systems.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diuresis ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Swine ; Ultrasonography

Since its initial introduction in 1976, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been widely performed for the management of large renal stones and currently is recommended for staghorn calculi, kidney stones larger than 2 cm, and shock wave lithotripsy-resistant lower pole stones greater than 1 cm. However, except for open and laparoscopic surgery, PCNL is the most invasive of the minimally invasive stone surgery techniques. Over the years, technical and instrumental advances have been made in PCNL to reduce morbidity and improve effectiveness. A thorough review of the recent literature identified five major areas of progress for the advancement of PCNL: patient positioning, method of percutaneous access, development of lithotriptors, miniaturized access tracts, and postoperative nephrostomy tube management. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in PCNL and the outcomes of each area of progress and notes how much we achieve with less invasive PCNL. This information may allow us to consider the future role and future developments of PCNL.
Catheters, Indwelling ; Drainage ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi/*surgery ; Lithotripsy/instrumentation ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/*instrumentation/*methods ; *Patient Positioning ; *Postoperative Care ; Radiology, Interventional ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUNDUrolithiasis in pediatric population is a serious problem with the incidence increased these years. In the management of larger stones (diameters >2 cm), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered to be the gold standard. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-PCNL under total ultrasonography in patients aged <3 years.

METHODSWe reviewed 68 patients (80 renal units) aged <3 years between August 2006 and December 2014 in Peking University People's Hospital and Beijing Tsinghua Changung Hospital, including 36 renal units with a single stone, 6 with staghorn stones, 14 with upper ureteral stones, and 24 with multiple stones. The mean age of the patients was 24.2 months (range 6-36 months), and the mean maximum stone diameter was 19.2 mm (range 10-35 mm). The puncture site selection and tract dilation were guided by Doppler ultrasonography solely. All procedures were performed using 12-16 Fr tracts. Stones were fragmented using pneumatic lithotripsy and a holmium laser with an 8/9.8 Fr rigid ureteroscope.

RESULTSFifty-six patients with unilateral stones underwent a single session procedure, and 12 patients with bilateral stones underwent two procedures. The mean time to establish access was 2.8 min (range 1.8-5.0 min), the mean operative time was 36.5 min (range 20-88 min), the mean decrease in hemoglobin concentration was 8.9 g/L (2-15 g/L), and the stone-free rate (SFR) at hospital discharge was 94.0%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.1 days (range 3-13 days). Postprocedure complications included fever (>38.5°C) in five patients and reactive pleural effusion in one patient. Blood loss requiring transfusion, sepsis, adjacent organ injury, and kidney loss were not observed.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that ultrasound-guided mini-PCNL is feasible and safe in patients aged <3 years, without major complications or radiation exposure.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Calculi ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; methods ; Ureteral Calculi ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Staghorn Calculi ; surgery ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To investigate surgical outcomes between retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) groups for a main stone sized 15 to 30 mm and located in the lower-pole calyx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent PNL or RIRS for a main stone sized 15 to 30 mm and located in the lower-pole calyx were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient in the RIRS group was matched to one in the PNL group on the basis of calculated propensity scores by use of age, sex, body mass index, previous treatment history, stone site, maximum stone size, and stone volume. We compared perioperative outcomes between the unmatched and matched groups. RESULTS: Patients underwent PNL (n=87, 66.4%) or RIRS (n=44, 33.6%). After matching, 44 patients in each group were included. Mean patient age was 54.4+/-13.7 years. Perioperative hemoglobin drop was significantly higher and the hospital stay was longer in the PNL group than in the RIRS group. The operative time was significantly longer in the RIRS group than in the PNL group. Stone-free rates were higher and complications rates were lower in the RIRS group than in the PNL group without statistical significance. The presence of a stone located in the lower-anterior minor calyx was a predictor of stone-free status. CONCLUSIONS: RIRS and single-session PNL for patients with a main stone of 15 to 30 mm located in the lower-pole calyx showed comparable surgical results. However, RIRS can be performed more safely than PNL with less bleeding. Stones in the lower-anterior minor calyx should be carefully removed during these procedures.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hemoglobins/metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi/pathology/*surgery ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy/adverse effects/*methods ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/adverse effects/*methods ; Prognosis ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of an ultramini nephrostomy tract, which we were using for the first time, combined with flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS) in the treatment of pediatric patients with multiple renal calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty pediatric patients (age, < or =6 years) underwent ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) combined with flexible URS. The group had multiple renal calculi, which were bilateral in 3 cases and were located in a total of 23 sites. The calculi were located in 2 calyces in 10 cases, scattered in more than 2 calyces in 7 cases, and limited to 1 calyx in 3 cases. The average patient age was 37.35 months (range, 14-68 months). The average stone diameter was 2.0 cm (range, 1-3.0 cm). In all patients, an ultramini nephrostomy tract was established under ultrasound guidance (dilated to F10) with simultaneous sheath placement. The flexible URS was placed into the collecting system during holmium laser lithotripsy. RESULTS: When ultramini PCNL was combined with flexible ureterorenoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, the complete stone-free rate was 87% (20/23). The average level of hemoglobin decreased to 1.0 g/dL after the operation. No blood transfusions were needed. Levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and C-reactive protein were not significantly different before and after the operation. The average duration of hospitalization was approximately 4.85 days, and all cases were followed up for 6 to 12 months. No complications were found. CONCLUSIONS: Ultramini PCNL combined with flexible ureterorenoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment for children with multiple renal calculi.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi/pathology/*surgery/ultrastructure ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Lithotripsy, Laser/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional/methods ; Ureteroscopy/*methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAmplatz dilation and balloon dilation are different methods in creating the accesses during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The aim of this study was to review the surgical experiences of managing staghorn calculi by Amplatz dilation and balloon dilation for 3 years.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 125 patients (129 kidneys) with staghorn kidney stones who underwent PCNL from January 2010 to December 2012, of whom 60 patients underwent Amplatz dilation (AD group) and 65 underwent balloon dilation (BD group) during PCNL.

RESULTSThe AD and BD groups were similar in age, male-female ratio, stone burden, stone type, hydronephrosis, and proportion of patients who had undergone extracorporeal lithotripsy. However, these two groups showed significant differences in terms of duration of percutaneous access (15.1 ± 3.6) minutes vs. (10.0 ± 3.3) minutes, one-attempt success rate of dilation via a single access 88.9% (72/81) vs. 97.8% (91/93), hemoglobin drop after surgery (3.5 ± 0.9) g/dl vs. (1.7 ± 0.9) g/dl, number of cases requiring intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion 27.9% (n = 17) vs. 13.2% (n = 9), changes of central venous pressure before and after surgery (2.3 ± 1.2) cmH2O vs. (1.2 ± 0.7) cmH2O, number of patients who experienced postoperative fever >37.5°C 21 (34.4%) vs. 13 (19.1%) (all P < 0.05). No injury of adjacent organs, including pleura, liver, spleen, or bowel, was noted in patients.

CONCLUSIONSDuring ultrasound-guided PCNL for staghorn stones, balloon dilation and Amplatz dilation are all effective and safe. Compared with Amplatz dilation, balloon dilation is a better choice, as it has a higher access creation success rate, shorter access creation time less blood loss, and lower proportions of circulatory overload and postoperative fever.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To document the experiences of a single institution in evaluating the clinical courses and treatment outcomes of patients with cystine stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 14 patients with cystine stones who were treated at our institution from March 1994 to July 2012 were reviewed. These data included age at first visit, gender, family history, body mass index, presence of a single kidney, stone locations, stone burden, routine urinalysis, and culture. In addition, we also analyzed data on surgery, shock wave lithotripsy, medical treatment, stone recurrence or regrowth, and overall treatment success rates. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients at their first visit was 19.6+/-5.0 years, and eight patients were males. The median stone burden and mean urine pH before each surgery were 6.5 cm2 and 6.5+/-0.9, respectively. Two patients had a family history of cystine stones. Patients underwent surgery an average of 2.7 times. The median interval between surgeries was 27.3 months, and 1 open surgery, 12 percutaneous nephrolithotomies, and 25 ureterorenoscopies were performed. Potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate was used in nine cases. D-Penicillamine was continuously used in three patients. Patients had an average incidence of 3.2 recurrences or regrowth of stones during the median follow-up period of 60.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cystine stones have high recurrence or regrowth rates and relatively large stone burdens. Adequate treatment schedules must therefore be established in these cases to prevent possible deterioration of renal function.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cystine/*analysis ; Cystinuria/complications ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Kidney Calculi/chemistry/pathology/therapy ; Lithotripsy/methods ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/methods ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Calculi/chemistry/pathology/therapy ; Urinary Calculi/chemistry/etiology/pathology/*therapy ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of laparoscopic pyelo- and ureterolithotomies with the aid of flexible nephroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 71 patients with complex renal stones or large and impacted proximal ureteral stones. Patients underwent laparoscopic pyelo- or ureterolithotomies with or without the removal of small residual stones by use of flexible nephroscopy between July 2005 and July 2010. Operative success was defined as no residual stones in the intravenous pyelogram at 12 weeks postoperatively. Perioperative results and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 54.7+/-13.7 years, and 53 males (74.6%) and 18 females (25.4%) were included. The mean maximal stone size was 19.4+/-9.4 mm. A total of 47 cases were complex renal stones and 24 cases were impacted ureteral stones. Mean operative time was 139.0+/-63.7 minutes. Stones were completely removed in 61 cases (85.9%), and no further ancillary treatment was needed for clinically insignificant residual fragments in 7 cases (9.9%). For complex renal stones, the complete stone-free rate and clinically significant stone-free rate were 80.9% and 93.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of flexible nephroscopy for complex renal stones can reduce the risk of residual stones. A major complication occurred in one case, in which open conversion was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic stone surgery is a safe and minimally invasive procedure with a high success rate, especially with the aid of flexible nephroscopy, and is not associated with procedure-specific complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Laparoscopy/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Calculi/pathology/radiography/*surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo construct three-dimensional (3D) models of renal stones and perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) virtual surgery simulation. Methods CT images were obtained from 8 patients with renal stones. Images segmentation and reconstruction were performed using MIMICS 10.0 software to construct the 3D model of the renal stones, which provided the anatomical relationships between the kidney and the adjacent organs. The optimal PCNL virtual surgery simulation for each individual case was performed using FreeForm Modeling System on the basis of the 3D model.

RESULTSEight 3D models of renal stone were constructed. The 3D model of the renal stones represented the interrelationships of the stones, intrarenal vessel, and the collecting system with the adjacent anatomical structures. Individualized PCNL virtual surgery simulations including percutaneous puncture, dilatation and pneumatic lithotripsy were performed successfully in all the 8 3D models.

CONCLUSIONDigital 3D model of renal stone provides the reliable and comprehensive imaging information for surgical design, and PCNL virtual surgery simulation has important clinical significance to improve the stone clearance rate and reduce the surgical complications.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Kidney Calculi ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Software ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; User-Computer Interface