Abbas Basiri

Comparison of laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Authors from Iran compare various outcomes between laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy in kidney transplantation; they carried out a large comparative trial, and found that laparoscopic donor nephrectomy gave better donor satisfaction and morbidity, with equivalent graft outcome.

Ultrasonographic versus Fluoroscopic Access for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE Achieving access to the pyelocaliceal system in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is routinely performed using fluoroscopic guidance. We compared ultrasonography-guided access for PCNL with conventional fluoroscopy-guided access. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a clinical trial, 100 patients with no abnormality of the upper urinary tract were selected from among candidates for PCNL and randomly assigned to two 50-patient groups: ultrasonography-guided access (group 1) versus fluoroscopy-guided access (group 2). In group 1, location of the target calix was identified in the transverse and sagittal planes by real-time ultrasonography when patients were in the prone position. Puncture of the target calix was attempted with a Chiba needle attached to the side of the ultrasound probe. If access to the collecting system was achieved, the site of puncture was controlled using fluoroscopy. In group 2, access was achieved using fluoroscopy guidance. Tract dilatation and stone extraction were the same in both groups. The mean age of patients was 40.7 +/- 12 years and 41.6 +/- 13.7 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.4). The male to female ratio in groups 1 and 2 was 34/16 and 31/19, respectively (P = 0.5). RESULTS On average, duration of access was 11 +/- 3.5 minutes and 5.5 +/- 1.7 minutes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.0001). Duration of radiation exposure, on average, was 0.69 +/- 0.26 minutes and 0.95 +/- 0.44 minutes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Access for PCNL using ultrasonography guidance is an acceptable alternative to fluoroscopy and decreases radiation hazards.

Retrograde, antegrade, and laparoscopic approaches for the management of large, proximal ureteral stones: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Multiple procedures have been introduced for the management of urinary stones in the upper ureter. In this randomized clinical trial, we compared three surgical options in this regard. PATIENTS AND METHODS From September 2004 to May 2006, we enrolled in the study 150 patients with upper ureteral stones who were referred to our center. We included patients with a stone size >or= 1.5 cm in the greatest diameter. Using the random table, patients were divided into three 50-patient groups by treatment: Group A, retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semirigid ureteroscope; group B, transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy; and group C, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. All procedures were performed in a training program. RESULTS The stone-free rates for patients in groups A, B, and C, at discharge and 3 weeks later, were 56%, 88% and 64% and 76%, 90% and 86%, respectively. Conversion to open surgery and repeated laparoscopy was necessary for two and one patients in group B. Urinary leakage continued more than 3 days in eight (16%) and nine (18%) patients in groups B and C after operation, respectively (P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS Although the success rate of ureteroscopy was not significantly lower than the two other options, the complications seen with this technique were negligible. Consequently, the procedure of choice for large proximal ureteral stones seems to depend on surgeon expertise and availability of equipment.

Experience of percutaneous nephrolithotomy using adult-size instruments in children less than 5 years old

OBJECTIVE We present our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for management of large renal calculi in children less than 5 years old, and determine its safety and efficacy when using an adult-size device. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients younger than 5 years old underwent PCNL between August 2003 and July 2008. After retrograde catheterization, the nephrostomy tract dilated up to 26Fr. Then a 24-Fr rigid nephroscope was used and stones were fragmented with a pneumatic lithotripter. RESULTS Twenty patients with a mean age of 3.1 years underwent 26 PCNL procedures on 24 renal units. Four patients had bilateral renal stones. Five patients (20%) had staghorn stones, as did five of the other cases with multiple stones. Four patients had undergone previous stone surgery on the same side. All of the patients were managed with only one tract. The mean stone size was 33 (20-46)mm and average operative time was 93.25 (78-174)min. Stones were completely cleared in 79.16% of patients, which increased to 91.67% with adjunctive shockwave lithotripsy. The overall complication rate was 15.38% and mean hospital stay was 5.26 (3-8) days. CONCLUSION PCNL is an effective and safe treatment for renal calculi in children less than 5 years old, even when using instruments designed for adults.

Totally ultrasonography-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the flank position.

PURPOSE To present totally ultrasonography-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the flank position, its preliminary results, and the practical considerations. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2007 until July 2007, a total of 30 candidates for PCNL (22 men and 8 women), with a mean age of 40.69 +/- 13.9 years (range 18-65 yrs), were included in this study. We eliminated radiography, and both access to the collecting system and tract dilation were performed under ultrasonographic guidance. The patients were placed in the standard flank position. RESULTS Twenty-five (83.3%) patients had complete stone clearance. The stone-free rate was 88.9% in the patients with a single calculus (18 cases), and it was 75.0% in the patients with staghorn or multiple calculi (12 cases). There was no major complication intraoperatively or postoperatively. The mean operative time was 68.75 +/- 34.48 minutes (range 30-150 min). The mean hospitalization time was 3.8 +/- 1.15 days (range 3-7 d). CONCLUSION Totally ultrasonography-guided PCNL has satisfactory outcomes compared with the standard technique of PCNL, without any major complications and with the advantage of preventing radiation hazards and damage to the adjacent organs. Furthermore, using this technique, anesthesia is more tolerable in the flank position.

Is Ureteral Reimplantation Necessary During Augmentation Cystoplasty in Patients With Neurogenic Bladder and Vesicoureteral Reflux

PURPOSE We assessed the outcome of vesicoureteral reflux after augmentation cystoplasty in patients with neurogenic bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Since May 1992, 112 male and 18 female patients with neurogenic bladder have undergone augmentation cystoplasty with a generous detubularized segment of bowel and no effort to correct existing reflux. Patients were treated conservatively at the beginning but the response was unsatisfactory. All patients had various degrees of vesicoureteral reflux (197 refluxing units). Mean age at operation was 21.6 years (range 1.5 to 57). Preoperatively assessment included urinalysis, urine culture, kidney function tests, voiding cystourethrography, urodynamic evaluation, ultrasonography or excretory urography and cystoscopy when indicated. The status of vesicoureteral reflux, renal hydronephrosis and clinical pyelonephritis were studied during an average followup of 44.5 months. RESULTS Of the 130 patients 111 (85.4%) no longer had reflux, 14 (10.8%) had improvement, 4 (3%) had no change and 1 (0.8%) had worsening reflux. All refluxing units with grades I to III, 105 of 120 with grade IV (87.5%) and 8 of 13 with grade V (61.5%) showed complete cessation of reflux. Renal hydronephrosis improved in 127 renal units (97.7%). In 8 individuals (6.2%) without reflux after cystoplasty episodes of clinical pyelonephritis occurred. CONCLUSIONS Augmentation cystoplasty without ureteral reimplantation is effective and adequate treatment for high pressure, noncompliant neurogenic bladder when conservative management fails.

Ureteroscopic management of urological complications after renal transplantation.

Objective. To determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic ureteroscopy in renal allograft ureters. Material and methods. We reviewed 1560 consecutive renal allografts performed between June 1989 and February 2002. A total of 28 patients (1.8%) had indications for an endoscopic procedure on the allograft ureter, as follows: obstructive ureteral calculi with a history of failed extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, n=6; suspected ureteral stricture, n=3; upwardly migrated ureteral stents, n=9; and ureteral stricture at the ureteroneocystostomy site, n=10. Ureters were anastomosed to the bladder using the Leadbetter–Politano and Lich–Gregoire methods in six and 22 cases, respectively. Ureteroscopies were performed with a semi-rigid 9.8 F Wolf ureteroscope. Results. Identification of the ureteral orifice and insertion of a guide-wire into it was successful in 19 cases (68%). If we exclude the 10 patients with ureteral stricture, ureteroscopy was successful in 13/18 cases (72%). Four ureteral calculi (67%) were removed with the ureteroscope. Seven out of nine migrated stents (78%) were retrieved. Four patients with ureteral stricture at the ureteroneocystostomy site (40%) underwent successful ureteral dilatation and double-J ureteral catheters were also inserted. Diagnostic ureteroscopy was successful in all cases. Two complications (one urinary leakage and one symptomatic urinary tract infection) occurred and were managed conservatively. Conclusions. Ureteral endoscopy is a safe and effective method for the management of urological complications after renal transplantation. This procedure can be considered the first choice, in preference to percutaneous and antegrade modalities.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with or without a history of open nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Whether a history of open nephrolithotomy affects the efficacy and morbidity of percutaneous interventions remains unsettled. We investigated this issue in our patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A series of 51 men and 14 women who had undergone nephrolithotomy at least once (group A; mean age 40 years) were compared with 73 men and 44 women submitting to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as their first surgery (group B; mean age 43 years). All patients were operated on by the same surgeons over the same period of time. Fifty patients (81.5%) in group A harbored a single stone, whereas 35.9% of patients in group B had single stones (P < 0.001). However, the two groups were similar in terms of stone laterality, the right:left ratio being 1.03 in group A and 0.67 in group B (P = 0.22). RESULTS The proportion of patients in whom PCNL failed to clear all the stones even though access was obtained did not differ in the two groups (6.15% in group A and 8.55% in group B; P = 0.77). The collecting system was inaccessible in 6.2% and 5.1% of patients, respectively (P = 0.74). Pyelonephritis or abnormal bleeding occurred in similar proportions in the two groups (P = 0.72 and P = 0.74, respectively). No other surgical complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION A history of open nephrolithotomy does not adversely affect the efficacy or morbidity of PCNL.

The risk factors and laboratory diagnostics for post renal transplant tuberculosis: a case‐control, country‐wide study on definitive cases

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients and, because of its infrequency and the lack of medical awareness, it is usually misdiagnosed. This study was carried out to determine frequency and weight of multiple risk factors for post kidney transplantation TB.

Urinary Lithogenic Risk Profile in Recurrent Stone Formers With Hyperoxaluria: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)-Style and Low-Oxalate Diets

BACKGROUND Patients with nephrolithiasis and hyperoxaluria generally are advised to follow a low-oxalate diet. However, most people do not eat isolated nutrients, but meals consisting of a variety of foods with complex combinations of nutrients. A more rational approach to nephrolithiasis prevention would be to base dietary advice on the cumulative effects of foods and different dietary patterns rather than single nutrients. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Recurrent stone formers with hyperoxaluria (urine oxalate > 40 mg/d). INTERVENTION The intervention group was asked to follow a calorie-controlled Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet (a diet high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol, refined grains, sweets, and meat), whereas the control group was prescribed a low-oxalate diet. Study length was 8 weeks. OUTCOMES Primary: change in urinary calcium oxalate supersaturation. SECONDARY Changes in 24-hour urinary composition. RESULTS 57 participants were randomly assigned (DASH group, 29; low-oxalate group, 28). 41 participants completed the trial (DASH group, 21; low-oxalate group, 20). As-treated analysis showed a trend for urinary oxalate excretion to increase in the DASH versus the low-oxalate group (point estimate of difference, 9.0mg/d; 95% CI, -1.1 to 19.1mg/d; P=0.08). However, there was a trend for calcium oxalate supersaturation to decrease in the DASH versus the low-oxalate group (point estimate of difference, -1.24; 95% CI, -2.80 to 0.32; P=0.08) in association with an increase in magnesium and citrate excretion and urine pH in the DASH versus low-oxalate group. LIMITATIONS Limited sample size, as-treated analysis, nonsignificant results. CONCLUSIONS The DASH diet might be an effective alternative to the low-oxalate diet in reducing calcium oxalate supersaturation and should be studied more.