Carlos Ríos-Melgarejo

Objective: Fluoroscopy has been the most widely used guidance method for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL); however, radiation exposure is a significant concern. Recently, ultrasound has gained popularity, offering several advantages. The objective was to evaluate the safety and outcomes of the pure-ultrasound PCNL with a two-step tract dilation. Material and Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the data of patients from March 2019 to October 2023. In all patients, percutaneous renal access was ultrasound guided, and they were divided into 2 groups: Group 1, all steps of PCNL were performed under ultrasound guidance, and Group 2, tract dilation, confirmation of stone clearance, and exit strategy were done with fluoroscopy. Results: The authors included 100 patients, 60 in Group 1 and 40 in Group 2, with a mean body mass index of 30.8 kg/m2. Mean stone burden was 4,162 mm3, 53% were complex stones and 59% of the cases were without hydronephrosis in the targeted calyx. Fluoroscopy was absent in Group 1 and 20 (11.3-31.5) seconds in Group 2 (P < .001). Complications were present in 13% of the cases. Group 1 patients had a lower complication rate than those in Group 2 (10% and 17%, respectively, P = .27). The authors had a global stone-free rate of 79%, Group 1: 78.3% and Group 2: 80% (P = 1.0). Multivariate analysis revealed that the stone-free rate is associated with the total operative time (P = .002) and the number of tracts (P = .031). Conclusion: Pure ultrasound PCNL is a safe and effective technique, offering a similar stone-free rate compared to fluoroscopy and providing an alternative method to avoid radiation exposure during PCNL. Cite this article as: Pulido-Contreras E, Garcia-Padilla MA, Rios-Melgarejo C, Medrano-Sanchez J, Leon-Verdin MG, Sur RL. Pure ultrasound with two-step dilation vs. combined ultrasoundfluoroscopy in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Is fluoroscopy still needed? Urol Res Pract. 2025;51(6):217-224.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common neoplasm in men. Transrectal prostate biopsy is the standard for diagnosing PCa, but it presents complications. Transperineal biopsy has gained popularity due to its better detection rates and fewer complications. To compare the efficiency and complication rates between single-access point transperineal prostate biopsy (TPPB) and transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) in patients with suspected PCa. Information was collected and analyzed from 241 patients with suspected PCa, divided into 2 groups: 171 in the TPPB group and 70 in the TRPB group. Pathology results were collected and complications were identified. Out of the 241 patients, 132 had positive biopsies (54.77%) and 109 negative (45.22%). TPPB was positive in 60.2%, compared to 41.4% of TRPB (p = 0.008). Complications in TPPB were hematuria (53.8%), pain (6.4%), hemospermia (6.4%), and acute urinary retention (2.3%). TPPB shown to be a protective factor for complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.028, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.009-0.9; p < 0.001), compared to the TRPB technique (OR 35.5, 95% CI 10.7-117.6; p < 0.001). TPPB offers a better detection rate for PCa and it should be adopted as the first-choice method for PCa diagnosis, given that it has a lower complication rate and can be performed without the need for bowel preparation or antibiotic prophylaxis.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment for large and complex renal stones. Fluoroscopic guidance is the most used imaging method; however, radiation exposure is a significant concern. Recent studies have shown that ultrasound-guided PCNL is also feasible. To evaluate the safety of the two-step tract dilation technique using ultrasound guidance to avoid radiation exposure. Retrospective evaluation of data of patients treated between February 2019 and January 2023. Two groups were included based on tract dilation: Group 1 (G1): two-step totally ultrasound-guided dilation, and group 2 (G2): fluoroscopy-guided dilation. 100 patients were included, 50 in each group. Body mass index (31.7 vs. 28.7kg/m²; p = 0.002) and stone burden (10,935.69 vs. 5,460.86mm³; p = 0.006) were higher in G1; fluoroscopy was absent in the same group (0 vs. 29.4 sec; p < 0.005). Complications occurred in 13 patients in G1 and in 7 in G2 (p = 0.32); no complications grade 3b, 4 or 5 were observed in either group. The overall stone-free rate was 76% (74% vs. 78%; p = 0.81). Ultrasound-guided PCNL is a safe technique that avoids radiation exposure without compromising clinical outcomes.

Priapism is a partial or total erection which lasts more than 4 hours that occurs in the absence of sexual stimulation. It has an incidence rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people. It is classified as ischemic (low-flow) or non-ischemic (high-flow). Non-ischemic priapism is an atypical presentation characterized by a non-rigid erection without pain, and it is frequently associated with trauma. Our objective is to present this clinical case to highlight the importance of correctly classifying priapism types to provide appropriate treatment and avoid complications. A 37-year-old male with no history of chronic degenerative diseases. Patient's condition began with a morning erection followed by sexual activity. Patient came to the Emergency Room 5 days later since the erection persisted, which he reported was pain-free. He denied recent trauma or the use of erectile stimulants. High-flow priapism was diagnosed via Doppler ultrasound. Selective angioembolization was performed, achieving an immediate detumescence of 40%. Corporal blood gas testing is essential in the initial evaluation of any patient presenting with priapism. For high-flow priapism, conservative management should first be attempted; if priapism persists, embolization of the affected pudendal artery can be offered.

Background: The incidence of vesicovaginal fistula ranges from 30,000 to 130,000 cases per year, and it is generally associated with abdominal hysterectomy, cancer, and pelvic radiation. Vaginoscopy, cystoscopy, and cystography are necessary for its diagnosis. The best opportunity for achieving favorable results is in the first surgical intervention. Objective: To report the results of laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair at our hospital center. Materials and methods: A descriptive, ambispective study was conducted on patients with vesicovaginal fistula that underwent laparoscopic repair within the time frame of March 2016 to November 2019. Results: Fifteen patients that underwent laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair were included. They had a mean age of 46.2 years and a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m2. The most frequent comorbidity was high blood pressure, followed by endometrial cancer. All patients had a history of gynecologic surgery. One patient presented with recurrence and one patient had a Clavien-Dindo III complication (6.67%). Discussion: In our study, 93.33% of the cases were caused by hysterectomy. The patient that had vesicovaginal fistula recurrence presented with mild tissue fibrosis at the supratrigonal location, and a 3 mm fistula, contrary to that reported in the literature. Conclusion: Video-assisted laparoscopic repair at our hospital was shown to be a safe procedure, with a success rate of 93.3% (14 patients) in the first intervention. In addition to the presence of a moderate fibrotic process that could condition greater technical difficulty, intraoperative blood loss was >250 cc and hospital stay was >3 days. Antecedentes: La fístula vesicovaginal (FVV) tiene una incidencia de 30 000 a 130 000 casos por año, generalmente asociados con histerectomía abdominal, cáncer y radiación pélvica. Para el diagnóstico es necesario realizar vaginoscopia, cistoscopia y cistografía. La mejor oportunidad para obtener resultados favorables es en el primer intento quirúrgico. Objetivo: Reportar los resultados obtenidos en el abordaje laparoscópico de fístula vesicovaginal en nuestro centro hospitalario. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, ambispectivo en pacientes con FVV sometidos a reparación laparoscópica desde marzo de 2016 hasta noviembre de 2019. Resultados: Se incluyeron 15 pacientes sometidas a reparación de FVV por laparoscopia, con una edad media de 46.2 años e IMC promedio de 30.1 kg/m2. Los comórbidos asociados más frecuentes se encontraron HAS seguido de Ca de endometrio, con el antecedente quirúrgico ginecológico en el 100% de las pacientes. Del total, 1 paciente presentó recurrencia;1 paciente presenta complicación Clavien-Dindo III (6.67%). Discusión: En nuestro estudio, el 93.33% de los casos fueron causados por una histerectomía. Se informó que el paciente que presentó recurrencia de FVV presentaba tejido fibrótico leve, ubicación supratrigonal y tamaño de fístula de 3 mm, contrario a lo informado en la literatura. Conclusión: La reparación videoasistida por laparoscopía de la fistula vesicovaginal en nuestro hospital se reportó como un procedimiento seguro, con una incidencia de éxito del 93.3% (14 pacientes) en la primera intervención. Se encontró, además que la presencia de un proceso fibrótico moderado pudiera condicionar mayor dificultad técnica, aunado al sangrado transquirúrgico >250 cc. y estancia hospitalaria >3 días.

Antecedentes: La fístula vesicovaginal (FVV) tiene una incidencia de 30 000 a 130 000 casos por año, generalmente asociados con histerectomía abdominal, cáncer y radiación pélvica. Para el diagnóstico es necesario realizar vaginoscopia, cistoscopia y cistografía. La mejor oportunidad para obtener resultados favorables es en el primer intento quirúrgico. Objetivo: Reportar los resultados obtenidos en el abordaje laparoscópico de fístula vesicovaginal en nuestro centro hospitalario. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, ambispectivo en pacientes con FVV sometidos a reparación laparoscópica desde marzo de 2016 hasta noviembre de 2019. Resultados: Se incluyeron 15 pacientes sometidas a reparación de FVV por laparoscopia, con una edad media de 46.2 años e IMC promedio de 30.1 kg/m2. Los comórbidos asociados más frecuentes se encontraron HAS seguido de Ca de endometrio, con el antecedente quirúrgico ginecológico en el 100% de las pacientes. Del total, 1 paciente presentó recurrencia;1 paciente presenta complicación Clavien-Dindo III (6.67%). Discusión: En nuestro estudio, el 93.33% de los casos fueron causados por una histerectomía. Se informó que el paciente que presentó recurrencia de FVV presentaba tejido fibrótico leve, ubicación supratrigonal y tamaño de fístula de 3 mm, contrario a lo informado en la literatura. Conclusión: La reparación videoasistida por laparoscopía de la fistula vesicovaginal en nuestro hospital se reportó como un procedimiento seguro, con una incidencia de éxito del 93.3% (14 pacientes) en la primera intervención. Se encontró, además que la presencia de un proceso fibrótico moderado pudiera condicionar mayor dificultad técnica, aunado al sangrado transquirúrgico >250 cc. y estancia hospitalaria >3 días.