Mohammed S. ElSheemy

Outcome of Mini-percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Renal Stones in Infants and Preschool Children: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and efficacy of Miniperc for renal stones in preschool-age patients. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first prospective study on this subject. Reports on Miniperc are still few and mostly retrospective using a sheath size of ≥ 18Fr, which is still relatively large for young children. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2012 to May 2013, Miniperc was performed for 26 children (≤ 6 years old) with renal calculi <5 cm through 14Fr sheath using a 9.5Fr semirigid ureteroscope with Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser lithotripsy. Effects of different factors on operative time, complications, and stone-free rate (SFR) were compared using chi-square, Fischer exact, or Mann-Whitney tests as appropriate using SPSS v15.0. RESULTS Primary SFR, SFR after retreatment, and SFR after auxiliary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were 77%, 85%, and 92%, respectively. Retreatment rate was 8%. Auxiliary ESWL was done in 11%. Complications were bleeding (8%), hematuria and blood transfusion (4%), renal pelvis perforation (4%), leakage (8%), and fever (15%). Operative time was significantly prolonged in multiple (>2) stones (P = .006), calyceal stones (P = .002), or stone size ≥ 30 mm (P = .022). SFR was significantly lower in children with >2 stones (P = .028) and increased stone size ≥ 30 mm (P = .014). CONCLUSION Miniperc is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for pediatric renal stones using 14Fr access sheath. SFR was significantly lower in children with >2 stones or increased stone size ≥ 30 mm. This was overcome by retreatment and auxiliary ESWL.

Surgical complications and graft function following live-donor extraperitoneal renal transplantation in children 20 kg or less

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of patient, surgical, and medical factors on surgical complications and graft function following renal transplantation (Tx) in children weighing ≤ 20 kg, because the number of this challenging group of children is increasing. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 2009 and October 2013, 26 patients received living donor renal allotransplant using the extraperitoneal approach (EPA). The immunosuppression regimen was composed of prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and ciclosporin or tacrolimus. RESULTS The mean weight was 16.46 ± 2.61 kg. Mean cold ischemia time was 53.85 ± 12.35 min. The graft survival rate (GSR) and patient survival rate (PSR) were 96% at 3 years. Acute rejection episodes (AREs) occurred in eight patients (30%). Postoperative surgical complications were ureteral leakage (3), vesicoureteric reflux (2), and renal vein thrombosis (2) (with one graft nephrectomy). Mean follow-up was 37.5 ± 7.4 months. CONCLUSION Excellent PSR and GSR can be achieved in low weight (<20 kg) recipients. Even in very low weight patients, the EPA was used. No cases were reported with primary graft non-function due to use of living donors, increasing pre-Tx body weight to at least 10 kg and maintaining adequate filling pressure before graft reperfusion. The presence of related donors and use of induction therapy and tacrolimus decreased the rate of ARE while the presence of pre-Tx lower urinary tract surgical interventions increased the rate of ureteric complications, but this was statistically insignificant.

Lower calyceal and renal pelvic stones in preschool children: A comparative study of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

To compare outcomes of the mini‐percutaneous nephrolithotripsy technique and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for lower calyceal and renal pelvic stones in preschool children.

Ureteric stents vs percutaneous nephrostomy for initial urinary drainage in children with obstructive anuria and acute renal failure due to ureteric calculi: a prospective, randomised study

To compare percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube vs JJ ureteric stenting as the initial urinary drainage method in children with obstructive calcular anuria (OCA) and post‐renal acute renal failure (ARF) due to bilateral ureteric calculi, to identify the selection criteria for the initial urinary drainage method that will improve urinary drainage, decrease complications and facilitate the subsequent definitive clearance of stones, as this comparison is lacking in the literature.

Use of holmium laser for urethral strictures in pediatrics: A prospective study

INTRODUCTION The management of urethral strictures is very challenging and requires the wide expertise of different treatment modalities ranging from endoscopic procedures to open surgical interventions. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness and complications of retrograde endoscopic holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Ho: YAG) urethrotomy (HLU) for the treatment of pediatric urethral strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2010 to January 2013, 29 male pediatric patients with a mean age of 5.9 years and primary urethral strictures 0.5-2 cm long were treated using HLU. The stricture length was <1 cm in 16 (55%) patients and >1 cm in 13 (45%). Fifteen (51.7%) patients had an anterior urethral stricture, while 14 (48.3%) had a posterior urethral stricture. No positive history was found in 14 (48.3%) patients for the stricture disease, while six (20.7%) had straddle trauma and nine (31%) had an iatrogenic stricture. All of the patients were pre-operatively investigated and at 3 and 6 months postoperation by uroflowmetry and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). If there were suspicious voiding symptoms, selective uroflowmetry and VCUG were performed at 12 months postoperation. RESULTS The mean operation time was 31.7 min (20-45 min). Twenty-three (79.3%) and 18 (62.1%) patients showed normal urethra on VCUG with improvement of symptoms at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Thus, recurrence was 37.9% after 6 months of follow-up. The mean pre-operative peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) was 6.47 ml/s. The mean postoperative Qmax at 3 and 6 months was 17.17 ml/s and 15.35 ml/s, respectively. The success rate and flowmetry results did not show any statistical significance in relation to site, length and cause of the strictures. The other 11 patients who failed to improve underwent repeated HLU sessions: 4/11 (36.3%) achieved successful outcomes. Among the seven patients with failed HLU for the second time, a third session was conducted. However, only one patient (14.2%) was cured, while open repair was needed for the remaining six. DISCUSSION One study has previously been published on the management of pediatric urethral strictures using HLU. The present results are similar to short-term studies after a single session of visual internal urethrotomy using cold knife (VIU). In the present study, the length, location and cause of strictures did not significantly affect the results. However, the outcomes with strictures <1 cm were better than strictures >1 cm, although patients with strictures >2 cm were excluded. In the present study, the success rates among patients with second and third sessions of HLU were 36.3% and 14.2%, respectively. This was similar to other studies, which reported low success rate with the second session of VIU. The present study was limited by the relatively short period of follow-up and the small number of patients. However, it was the first prospective study evaluating HLU for pediatric strictures. The use of flowmetry and VCUG for evaluation of all patients added to the strength of the study. CONCLUSION HLU can be safely used with good success rates for the treatment of primary urethral strictures (<2 cm) in children. Repeat HLU (more than twice) adds little to success.

The role of voiding cystourethrography in asymptomatic unilateral isolated ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION The presence of concomitant vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is uncommon. Nevertheless, the reported VUR coexisting with asymptomatic unilateral isolated hydronephrosis (AUIH) requiring pyeloplasty for correction of UPJO was of low grade and mostly resolved during conservative follow-up. Therefore, VCUG may be not indicated in these children except if voiding symptoms, urinary tract infection (UTI), dilated ureters, or bladder and ureteric abnormalities are suspected. OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the need for VCUG in infants <1 year old with AUIH for whom a dismembered pyeloplasty was indicated for correction of UPJO. METHODS Ninety-six children <1 year old with pyeloplasty carried out from January 2012 to March 2014 were retrospectively included. Children with voiding symptoms or dilated ureter, duplex system, fused kidneys, bilateral dilatation, or any bladder abnormality on ultrasound were excluded. Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty was performed through a flank incision. Preoperative VCUG was analyzed in relation to outcome and any UTI during follow-up. The Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Fisher exact test were used to compare variables. RESULTS Five children had concomitant VUR with UPJO. Most of the children were circumcised during the first postnatal week. The remaining few children were circumcised at the time of pyeloplasty. Side, grade of detected VUR, and complications (18.75%) (postoperative or during follow-up) are presented in the Table. Outcomes in children with and without VUR were not different. Dismembered pyeloplasty was successful in children with VUR and with no complications except for non-febrile UTI in one child only. Ureters were still not dilated at the last follow-up. DISCUSSION The required imaging in infants with AUIH is still a subject of debate. As we expected, there was a low incidence of associated VUR in the present study. They were of low grade without any complications during follow-up and without affecting the outcome. The present study has its limitations, including the retrospective nature and short follow-up. However, as at least 2 years of follow-up were documented without any harm or ureteric dilation, VUR will mostly resolve. The present study is strengthened by inclusion of infants only. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that VCUG is not indicated in infants with AUIH requiring pyeloplasty for correction of UPJO. VCUG will not affect the treatment decision, operative outcome, or postoperative complications. VCUG may be indicated in case of suspected voiding symptoms, UTI, dilated ureters, or bladder and ureteric abnormalities.

Outcomes of living donor renal transplantation in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction: a comparative retrospective study.

To compare outcomes of renal transplantation (RTx) in children with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) resulting from lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) vs other causes.

Risk factors for urological complications following living donor renal transplantation in children

The aim of this study was to detect possible risk factors for UC and UTI following pediatric renal Tx and effect of these complications on outcome. One hundred and eight children who underwent living donor Tx between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively included. Extraperitoneal approach was used with stented tunneled extravesical procedure. Mean recipient age was 9.89 ± 3.46 years while mean weight was 25.22 ± 10.43 kg. Seventy‐three (67.6%) recipients were boys while 92 (85.2%) were related to donors. Urological causes of ESRD were present in 33 (30.6%) recipients (14 [13%] posterior urethral valve, 16 [14.8%] VUR, and 3 [2.8%] neurogenic bladder). Augmentation ileocystoplasty was performed in 9 (8.3%) patients. Mean follow‐up was 39.3 ± 17.33 months. UC were detected in 10 (9.3%) children (leakage 4 [3.7%], obstruction 3 [2.8%], and VUR 3 [2.8%]) while UTIs were reported in 40 (37%) children. After logistic regression analysis, UC were significantly higher in children with cystoplasty (44.4% vs 6.1%; P = .001). UTIs were significantly higher in girls (51.4% vs 30.1%; P = .001) and in children with urological causes of ESRD (51.5% vs 30.7%; P = .049). UC and UTI were not significantly associated with increased graft loss or mortality. UC were significantly higher in children with cystoplasty while UTIs were significantly higher in girls and children with urological causes of ESRD. Presence of UC did not affect the rate of graft loss or mortality due to its early detection and proper management.

Dismembered Pyeloplasty in Infants 6 Months Old or Younger With and Without External Trans-anastomotic Nephrostent: A Prospective Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcome of dismembered pyeloplasty in infants with and without external nephro-ureteric stent (ENUS) for treatment of congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction. METHODS This is a parallel, randomized comparative study between October 2013 and September 2014. Thirty infants ≤6 months old with ureteropelvic junction obstruction indicated for dismembered pyeloplasty were randomly assigned (block randomization, closed envelope method) into two groups: group A (stentless) and group B (ENUS). Infants with solitary kidney, gross pyuria, huge pelvis, vesicoureteric reflux, or other renal anomalies were excluded. Operative data, complications, and ultrasonographic and nuclear scintigraphy criteria were compared after at least 18 months of follow-up using Student t, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests when appropriate. Occurrence of urinary leakage was the primary outcome. RESULTS Included patients completed the study with intention-to-treat analysis. All children had normal renal function. The mean operative time was 85.3 ± 6.3 (60-90) minutes in group A and 92.6 ± 15.3 (70-120) minutes in group B (P = .2). Although there was a significant postoperative improvement in each group in split renal function and anterior-posterior renal pelvis diameter, there was no significant difference between both groups. The mean hospital stay for group A and group B was 5.9 ± 2 (4-10) days versus 3.5 ± 0.8 (2-5) days, respectively (P < .001). Postoperative urinary leakage was reported only in group A (40%). All complications were managed by double J insertion. Auxiliary interventions were higher in group A. The overall success rate was 93.4%. Redo pyeloplasty was performed in one case in each group. CONCLUSION ENUS significantly reduces hospital stay and complications. It saves the infant hazards of auxiliary interventions under general anesthesia for management of leakage or double J removal if placed at time of pyeloplasty.

Management of obstructive calcular anuria with acute renal failure in children less than 4 years in age: A protocol for initial urinary drainage in relation to planned definitive stone management

OBJECTIVES To describe and evaluate our protocol for management of children≤4years old with obstructive calcular anuria (OCA) and acute renal failure (ARF) to improve selection of initial urinary drainage (ID) method and to facilitate subsequent definitive stone management (DSM) as studies discussing this special group of patients are still few. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with a contraindication to any method of ID were excluded. Decision (percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) or double J (JJ) stent) was based on degree of hydronephrosis and planned DSM. We used 4.8-5Fr JJ or 6-8Fr PCN under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance. According to our protocol, JJ is inserted for hydronephrosis≤grade 1. When the hydronephrosis is >grade 1, patients with radiolucent stones were treated by JJ whatever the site of the stone. When the stones were radiopaque, PCN was reserved for stones in a solitary functioning kidney and bilateral ureteric stones prepared for subsequent bilateral ureterolithotomy (or stone prepared for ureterolithotomy in a solitary kidney). After normalization of renal functions, DSM was staged attacking only one side before discharge. Both sides were cleared at the same session in cases with bilateral ureterolithotomy. Renal or ureteric stones suitable for SWL in a solitary kidney were treated with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) or ureteroscopy. This was followed also in patients with bilateral stones suitable for SWL by clearing one side using ureteroscopy or PNL before discharge. Open surgery (OS) was reserved for cases with failed ureteroscopy or PNL, for ureteric stones>2.5 cm in size or very large volume complex renal stones. Stone free rate (SFR) was evaluated by CT. Our protocol was evaluated as regard recovery of renal functions, complications, and number of interventions to clear stones. RESULTS This study included 62 boys and 22 girls presented with anuria for 1-4 days. JJ and PCN were inserted in 105 and 30 ureterorenal units (URU), respectively. Creatinine returns normal within 72 h. JJ insertion formed a part of DSM in 78/159 (49%) URU (stones prepared for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy or oral chemolytic dissolution therapy). PCN was the ideal tract for subsequent PNL in 11/159 (6.9%) URU. Accordingly, ID participated by 55.97% in DSM. Both operative and imaging times were slightly longer with PCN than JJ. There was no statistically significant difference in the insertion success or mean period to return to normal chemistry. Complications of both methods were mild and without any significant difference. Endourologic procedures constituted the majority of our interventions. Open surgical and endoscopic interventions for clearance of stones (including ID, treatment conversion and 2ry procedures) were done once for 25 patients, twice for 43 patients while it was needed three times for 16 patients. Total number of interventions was 149 procedures. SFR was 94%. CONCLUSION Our protocol ensures adequate ID with minimal complications when using our selection criteria in children≤4 years in age with OCA and ARF. It also minimizes number of subsequent procedures to clear stones. Complications and success in insertion and drainage were equivalent in PCN and JJ groups.