Murat Ugras

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for pediatric stone disease--our experience with adult-sized equipment.

Objective: We evaluated the outcomes and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) operations performed in pediatric patients using adult‐sized surgical equipment at our center. Material and Methods: The medical and surgical records of 23 children who underwent a total of 25 PNL operations using 24 or 26 F rigid nephroscopes were evaluated retrospectively. The following aspects were considered: stone burden; duration of surgery and complications; details concerning recovery, success, residual fragments and auxiliary procedures; and follow‐up details. Results: The success rate of a single PNL session was 70.8%; with the use of auxiliary procedures this was increased to 91.6%. Perioperative and early postoperative complications were excessive bleeding and transfusion in two patients, hydro‐pneumothorax in one, perforation of the collecting system in three and urinoma in one. Complications were more common in children aged <7 years or with staghorn stones. The mean time to catheter removal was 3.4 days and the mean hospitalization time was 4.8 days. Idiopathic hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, cystinuria and hyperoxaluria were diagnosed in two, two, one and three patients, respectively. Conclusion: Performing PNL with adult‐sized equipment is associated with significant complications in children aged <7 years or with staghorn stones. This treatment should not be considered in routine clinical practice. As all stone‐removal methods are associated with complications, PNL should be used only if other methods fail or are unavailable.

An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa because of inadequate disinfection procedures in a urology unit: A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based epidemiologic study

BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections in many hospitals. We aimed to investigate the source of urinary tract infections by determining clonal relationship of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). METHODS During a 2-month period, all postoperative infections because of P aeruginosa were investigated in the Urology Department. Patient data were collected from medical records. Surveillance samples were obtained from various places in urological operating rooms. PFGE typing was performed for all P aeruginosa isolates. RESULTS A total of 14 P aeruginosa strains (12 from patients and 2 from environmental samples) were isolated. PFGE typing of these 14 strains yielded 2 possibly related clones, which differed from each other by 4 major bands. Ten of the patient isolates were clonally identical with the strains of 2 forceps. CONCLUSION Typing results confirmed that inadequately disinfected surgical devices can be the source of outbreak. After institution of infection control measures and education, no further clusters of P aeruginosa infection were detected in the Urology Department.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol Against Renal Oxidative Stress in Cholestasis

Background/aims. This experimental study was designed to evaluate histological changes of the kidney and renal tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) and the effect of resveratrol on these metabolites after bile duct ligation in rats. Methods. Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation for 28 days. Swiss albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1: Sham (n = 7), Group 2: Bile duct ligation (n = 7), Group 3: Bile duct ligation plus resveratrol (n = 7). Bile duct ligation (BDL) plus resveratrol group received 10 mgr/kg dose of resveratrol intraperitoneally daily throughout 28 days. Kidney tissues were harvested to determine the tissue levels of MDA, GSH, and NO activity. Liver and kidney tissues were removed for light microscopic evaluation. Results. Cholestasis was determined by biochemical and pathologic examination. In the resveratrol-treated rats, levels of MDA were significantly lower than those of the BDL group (p < 0.04). The levels of GSH in the resveratrol-treated rats were significantly higher than those in the BDL group (p < 0.01). The levels of NO in the resveratrol group were significantly lower than those in the BDL group (p < 0.01). Conclusion. The present study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol in bile duct ligated rats maintains antioxidant defenses and reduces kidney oxidative damage. This effect of resveratrol may be useful in the preservation of renal oxidative stress in cholestasis.

Primary renal carcinoid natural history of the disease for ten years: case report

BackgroundPrimary renal carcinoid is extremely rare and there are few reports on the natural history of the disease.Case presentationA 68-year-old male with a right renal mass who lost to follow-up for ten years has been presented. His only complaint was a mild flank pain. Upon admission to the hospital for his renal mass, he underwent a right radical nephrectomy and pathological examination revealed the diagnosis of primary renal carcinoid.ConclusionsIn light of the presented case, primary renal carcinoma may have a prolonged natural history with no distant metastasis and any change in the quality of life of the patient.

Effect of resveratrol on tubular damage and interstitial fibrosis in kidneys of rats exposed to cigarette smoke

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on kidney tissue of rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Forty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. Animals in group 1 was the control group. For 6 weeks, group 2 was exposed to cigarette smoke; group 3 received daily intraperitoneal injections of resveratrol (10 mg/kg/d); and group 4 was exposed to both cigarette smoke and intraperitoneal resveratrol. All rats were sacrificed with cervical dislocation. The kidney tissues were obtained, fixed in Bouin’s fixative and embeded in paraffin blocks. Samples were sectioned to 4-5 microns thickness, stained with hematoxylin/eosin (H/E), Masson’s trichromic, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) and were examined by light microscopy for tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis. Results were compared by non-parametric tests. Hydropic degeneration, tubular atrophy, tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, interstitial cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration and desquamation were prominent in group 2. In group 4, hydropic degeneration, epithelial cell vacuolization and desquamation was not observed, but occasional tubular atrophy and dilation were observed. Our study suggests that, some morphological alterations in the rat kidney, due to cigarette smoke may be prevented by resveratrol.

Apricot ameliorates alcohol induced testicular damage in rat model.

In this study, we intended to determine the possible preventive effects of dietary apricot on oxidative stress due to ethanol usage in rat testes. The animals were divided into six groups as follows: Group 1 was control. Group 2 received ethanol. Group 3 were fed with apricot diet for 3 months. Group 4 were fed with apricot diet for 6 months. Group 5 received ethanol and apricot diet for 3 months. Group 6 were fed apricot diet for 3 months, and then ethanol+apricot diet for 3 months. Following sacrification, the testes were treated for morphological (tubular and germ cell histology, Sertoli and Leydig cell counts) and biochemical (superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde) analyses. In Group 2, severe histopathological changes in seminiferous tubules and germ cells were determined as well as tubular degeneration and atrophy. Sertoli and Leydig cell counts in the interstitial tissue were decreased. Biochemical parameters revealed tissue oxidative stress. Similar alterations existed in Group 5, although to a lesser extent. In Groups 1, 3 and 4, no histopathological alterations were noted. Results of Group 6 were similar to the controls. Apricot rich diet may have a preventive role on histopathological changes caused by alcohol in rat testes.

Prunus armeniaca L (apricot) protects rat testes from detrimental effects of low-dose x-rays

Exposure to low x-ray doses damages the spermatozoa, mainly by late-onset (ie, after 3 months) oxidative stress. Antioxidants ameliorate oxidation and prevent tissue damage. Prunus armeniaca L (apricot), rich in carotenoids and vitamins, is a potent natural antioxidant. We hypothesized that an apricot-rich diet might ameliorate the detrimental effects of low-dose x-rays on testis tissue. A 20% apricot diet was composed isoenergetically to the regular rodent diet. The total phenolic content, reducing power, and antioxidant capacity of both diets were determined. Sprague-Dawley rats received apricot-rich diets before and after x-ray exposure. Regular diets were given to controls. Rats were exposed to 0.2 Gy x-rays at the eighth week and were euthanized at the 20th postexposure week. Testicular oxidative status was determined by tissue thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. For histologic evaluation, qualitative and quantitative microscopic determinations were performed, and Leydig and Sertoli cell counts and Johnsen scores were measured. The control diet group had significant testicular oxidative stress and mild tissue deterioration. Leydig and Sertoli cell counts, tubule diameters, and Johnsen scores were significantly decreased in the exposure groups. Apricot-rich diet significantly ameliorated the oxidative status and prevented the damage in tubular histology. The protective effects were prominent when the diet was maintained throughout the time course and were partially protected when the diet was initiated after exposure. The natural antioxidant activity of apricot ameliorates the delayed detrimental effects of low-dose irradiation on testis tissue. The high total antioxidant capacity of the apricot deserves further investigation.

Some Criteria to Attempt Second Side Safely in Planned Bilateral Simultaneous Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

OBJECTIVES To determine the validity of some criteria that could guide in the decision to cancel or proceed with the second side of planned bilateral simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy (bsPCNL). METHODS Patients with an indication for bilateral PCNL were enrolled in this study. The operation was stopped at the end of the initial side if operative time was >180 min, the hemoglobin level was <11 g/dL, the hemoglobin decrease was >3 g/dL, the systolic arterial pressure was <100 mm Hg, the arterial oxygen saturation was <95%, the arterial blood pH was <7.35, or the blood sodium was <128 mg/mL. The success and complication rates were compared in patients who underwent second side PCNL (group 1) and those for whom the procedure was stopped after the initial side (group 2). RESULTS Of 42 planned bsPCNLs, 12 were stopped after the initial side, with the cause being prolonged operative time in 7, hemoglobin decrease in 6, systolic arterial pressure decrease in 2, arterial oxygen saturation decrease in 2, pH decrease in 1, and sodium decrease in 1. Differences in patient characteristics, stone burdens, and overall success and complication rates were insignificant. Transfusion, postoperative urinary infection, and prolonged urine drainage rates were similar, but the total hospitalization time was significantly longer in group 2. One hydrothorax and one renal pelvic perforation occurred in group 2. The need for transfusion correlated positively with the number of nephrostomy tracts in group 2 (r = 0.895, P = .001). No such correlation was found in group 1. CONCLUSIONS Despite the best of intentions, about 30% of anticipated bsPCNL cases might be limited to single-sided PCNL, depending on the intraoperative events. Our criteria seem reasonable, because similar success and complication rates were obtained with bilateral, separate-session PCNL and bsPCNL. These criteria can be considered in the decision making to omit the advantages of a single session for safety.

Severe renal bleeding caused by a ruptured renal sheath: case report of a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy

BackgroundPercutaneous nephrolithotomy is a minimally invasive intervention for renal stone disease. Complications, which are rare and usually presented as case reports, are diversified as the utilization of the procedure is expanded. The procedure causes less blood loss and less morbidity when compared to open surgical procedures. Yet, there are some reports involving severe bleeding and relevant morbidity during surgery. These are usually related with the surgical technique or experience of the surgeon.Renal sheaths are designed to cause minimal trauma inside the kidney and, to our knowledge, there are no reports presenting the rupture of a sheath causing severe bleeding during the procedure.Case reportWe present an adult patient who had severe bleeding during percutaneous nephrolithotomy due to parenchymal injury caused by a ruptured renal sheath. During retrieval, due probably to rough handling of the equipment, a piece of stone with serrated edges ruptured the tip of the sheath, and this tip caused damage inside the kidney. The operation was terminated and measures were taken to control bleeding. The patient was transfused with a total of 1600 ml of blood, and the stones were cleared in a second look operation.ConclusionAlthough considered to be a minimally invasive procedure, some unexpected complications may arise during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. After being fragmanted, stone pieces may damage surgical equipment, causing acute and severe harm to the kidney. Surgeons must manipulate the equipment with fine and careful movements in order to prevent this situation.

Single session endoscopic management of intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction and concomitant renal stone disease in a child: a case report.

BackgroundPercutaneous nephrolithotomy is a well known therapeutic modality for stone diseases of childhood. Antegrade and retrograde endopyelotomies are also well defined options of treatment for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Yet there are few reports regarding endoscopic therapy of intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. To our knowledge, there exist only a few reports of endosurgical treatment of children with stone disease and with concomitant intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction, in the literature.Case presentationWe present the endoscopic management of stone disease and concomitant intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction of a child in one session.ConclusionPercutaneous nephrolithotomy and antegrade endopyelotomy is combined safely with successful outcome in a child.