High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), also referred to as focused ultrasound surgery (FUS), has garnered recent attention as a non-invasive therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer. It utilizes focused acoustic energy to achieve localized thermal ablation, while also potentially exerting immunomodulatory effects. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying how HIFU influences tumor-specific immune responses in prostate cancer. These mechanisms include the release of tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns, the activation of innate immune cells, the facilitation of antigen presentation to adaptive immune cells, the enhancement of activation and proliferation of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and the attenuation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by reducing the activity of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Both preclinical investigations and emerging clinical data in prostate cancer models highlight HIFU’s potential to modulate the immune system, as evidenced by increased infiltration of effector immune cells, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors. HIFU induces immunogenic cell death, leading to the release of tumor antigens and danger signals that activate dendritic cells and facilitate cross-presentation to cytotoxic T cells. Additionally, FUS ablation reduces immunosuppressive cells and increases infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumor, reshaping the tumor microenvironment. By priming the immune system while overcoming immunosuppression, combining FUS with other immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines holds promise for synergistic anti-tumor effects. Despite challenges in optimizing parameters and identifying suitable patients, FUS represents a novel frontier by modulating the tumor microenvironment and enhancing anti-tumor immunity through a non-invasive approach.
Background: This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of an endoscopic parapelvic renal cyst (PRC) incision using flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS).
Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data concerning 16 patients in whom PRC incisions had been performed using fURS between January 2016 and January 2022. Two patients were excluded from the study owing to a lack of follow-up information. The cysts of all the patients were evaluated preoperatively by computed tomography. The patients’ age, gender, cyst size, presenting symptoms, postoperative complications, and pre- and post-treatment visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were evaluated. Surgical success was defined as a reduction of more than half of the cyst size in the sixth postoperative month.
Results: A total of 14 patients were included in this study. The patients’ mean age was 52.6 ± 8.8 years, and the mean cyst size was 69.1 ± 15.5 mm. Twelve (85.7%) patients presented with flank pain. Clavien–Dindo grade 1 complications were observed in two patients (14.3%), and grade 2 complications were observed in one (7.1%). The median VAS scores were significantly lower after treatment than before in patients who presented with flank pain (2 (1–2.8) vs 8 (7–8), respectively; p = 0.002). Surgical success rate was detected in 11 patients (78.6%) six months after the treatment.
Conclusions: Endoscopic incision of the PRC is a feasible treatment modality with high success rates and low complication rates. However, multicentre studies with larger populations and longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the lasting effects.
Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from ureteral stones in the emergency department is typically accompanied with anxiety and sleep issues in patients, which can have adverse effects on their mental health and quality of life. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is helpful in improving mental health and sleep. This work aims to analyse the effects of CBT on mental health and sleep of AKI patients caused by ureteral calculi in the emergency department.
Methods: The clinical data of patients with AKI caused by ureteral calculi in the emergency department of our hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the control group (routine nursing) and observation group (cognitive behavioural nursing) according to the different nursing methods of data recording. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to balance the confounding factors of the two groups. After matching, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Adult (MUIS) and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were compared between the two groups.
Results: After matching at a ratio of 1:1, 130 patients were included in the observation group and the control group, with 65 cases in each group. No significant difference was observed in STAI, ISI, MUIS and SF-36 scores between the two groups before nursing (p > 0.05). After nursing, the STAI, ISI and MUIS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the SF-36 score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Cognitive behavioural nursing for patients with AKI caused by ureteral calculi in the emergency department may help in retrieving patients’ anxiety, reducing the severity of disease uncertainty and insomnia, improving the quality of life of patients and providing theoretical reference for clinical practice.
Background: This study aims to determine the effect of pelvic floor function exercise on the improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with uterine fibroid surgery.
Methods: The clinical data of 188 patients who underwent uterine fibroid surgery in our hospital from February 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the nursing methods recorded in the data. The observation group received targeted nursing combined with pelvic floor function exercise based on routine intervention. General demographic data, disease and surgery-related characteristics of the patients were collected. Propensity score matching was used to balance the baseline data of the two groups. Lower urinary tract symptoms, pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life were compared between the two groups after matching.
Results: A total of 130 patients were included in the two groups, and their baseline data were not statistically significant. At 3 months after the operation, the total incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms in the observation group (10.77%) was lower than that in the control group (30.77%, p < 0.05). Before the intervention, the pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life scores of the two groups were basically the same (p > 0.05). At 3 months after the operation, the pelvic floor function score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, but the pelvic floor muscle strength index and quality of life score of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Targeted nursing combined with pelvic floor function exercise for patients with uterine fibroids surgery can prevent the occurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms and improve the pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life of patients and is thus worthy of promotion.
Background: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a common chronic disease, and its aetiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. This study aimed to identify potential urine and serum biomarkers in patients with IC/BPS to further understand the pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease.
Methods: Patients with IC/BPS diagnosed and treated in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 1 July 2021 to 30 July 2023 were selected. The urine and serum biomarkers of 50 patients with IC/BPS were investigated and compared with the urine and serum samples of 50 healthy controls. IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 was used for statistical analysis of the recorded data by using chi-square test, T-test and logistic regression analysis.
Results: Overall, 50 patients with IC/BPS (mean age, 54.20 ± 8.15 years) were included in the study. Those with history of urinary diseases, anxiety or depression were susceptible to IC/BPS. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nerve growth factor, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in urine, as well as IL-8, TNF-α, and PGE2 in serum, were found to significantly increase in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Multifactor analysis showed that anxiety, depression, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and PEG2 are risk factors for patients with IC/BPS.
Conclusions: Multiple biomarkers were identified in the urine and serum of patients with IC/BPS, suggesting a potential close relationship to the pathogenesis of IC/BPS.
Objective: To study the effects of nurse-led cognitive behavioural therapy on anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.
Methods: Patients with urinary incontinence after undergoing radical prostatectomy in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into the observation and control groups in accordance with whether they received nurse-led cognitive behavioural therapy. The general data of the patients were collected, and the baseline data of the two groups were balanced by propensity score matching. The disease-related knowledge; Urinary catheter indwelling time; Urinary incontinence duration; And scores on the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Nursing Effect and Health Questionnaire (SF-36) were compared between the two groups after matching.
Results: At discharge, the ESCA, SF-36 and disease cognition scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The HAMA and HAMD scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001), and the total effective rate of the observation group (89.83%) was higher than that of the control group (76.27%) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: In patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, the implementation of nurse-led cognitive behavioural therapy can effectively improve self-care and disease cognition abilities, relieve anxiety and depression and improve quality of life.
Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of submucosal injection of onabotulinum toxin A (OnabotA) with intradetrusor injection for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).
Methods: This systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021237964). A licensed librarian surveyed Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to conduct a comprehensive search. Studies comparing suburothelial and intradetrusor techniques of OnabotA injection for OAB were included, along with clinical and urodynamic variables and complications. The studies were assessed for quality on the basis of Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and evaluated using statistical analysis via a random-effect model and I2 statistic. Data extraction and analysis were conducted using Covidence systematic review platform and Review Manager software.
Results: Six studies with 299 patients were included in the systematic review, with four reporting that suburothelial injection of OnabotA was as effective as intradetrusor injection and two reporting intradetrusor injection to be more effective. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between the suburothelial and intradetrusor groups for mean daily catheter or voiding frequency (mean difference: 2.12 [95% confidence interval (CI): −1.61, 5.84]) and the mean number of urgency/urge incontinence episodes (mean difference: 0.08 [95% CI: −1.42, 1.57]). However, a significant heterogeneity was found among the studies. Only the mean volume at first detrusor contraction showed a significant difference, being higher for suburothelial injection (mean difference: 33.39 [95% CI: 0.16, 66.63]). No significant difference was noted for mean compliance, mean bladder capacity, and mean maximum detrusor pressure. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (p = 0.24) and acute urinary retention (p = 0.92) showed no significant difference between the two groups. The risk of bias varied among the studies.
Conclusions: Suburothelial injection of OnabotA is as effective as intradetrusor injection in improving OAB symptoms, and it has similar complication rates. A higher mean volume of the first detrusor contraction was found in a urodynamic study with suburothelial injection.
Background: Bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has been associated with poor long-term prognosis, and research focusing exclusively on its effect on urinary bladder function is lacking. This study aims to assess the urodynamic characteristics of children with bilateral VUR and identify factors influencing renal function.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on children diagnosed with bilateral VUR who underwent urodynamic examination in the outpatient department of our institution from January 2019 to January 2023. All patients underwent comprehensive assessments, including voiding cystourethrography, urinary system ultrasound and urodynamic examination, to analyse the urodynamic features associated with different clinical characteristics.
Results: The study included 148 children with bilateral VUR, amongst whom 92 (62.2%) exhibited urodynamic abnormalities, including idiopathic detrusor overactivity (DO) in 30 cases (20.3%) and dysfunctional voiding (DV) in 58 cases (39.2%). DV was prevalent in children under 5 years of age, whereas idiopathic DO was predominantly observed in children older than 2 years of age. Children older than 5 years of age exhibited a trend towards reduced bladder volume, whereas those younger than 2 years of age often had increased bladder volume and residual urine. Multivariate analysis identified bilateral severe VUR as an independent risk factor for abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Conclusions: DV tends to be more common in younger children with larger bladder volumes and increased residual urine than in older children. By contrast, older children are more susceptible to idiopathic DO associated with smaller bladder volumes than younger children. Bilateral severe reflux increases the likelihood of renal functional abnormalities, which appear to be a consequence of congenital scarring rather than abnormalities in bladder function.
Background: Urinary incontinence is common in patients with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyse the clinical efficacy of carbon dioxide laser combined with pelvic floor functional exercise for GSM with urinary incontinence, aiming to provide evidence for its clinical treatment.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with GSM and urinary incontinence and admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were included and allocated to a control group (pelvic floor function exercise) and combined group (carbon dioxide laser combined with pelvic floor function exercise). Confounding factors among the groups were balanced by the propensity score matching method. The clinical efficacy, GSM scale scores, urinary indicators, urinary incontinence quality of life scale (I-QOL) scores and the degree of urinary incontinence of the groups were compared.
Results: A total of 192 patients were included in this study, and 36 cases were included in each group after the propensity scores were matched. No statistical difference in baseline data was found between the groups (p > 0.05). The combined group had higher total effective rate and I-QOL scores but lower GSM symptom scale scores than the control group. Urination during daytime and nighttime was less frequent in the combined group than in the control group, which showed a lower degree of urinary incontinence (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Combining carbon dioxide laser treatment with pelvic floor exercises is potentially effective for patients with GSM and urinary incontinence. This combined approach not only alleviated GSM and urinary incontinence symptoms but also reduced the severity of urinary incontinence, promoted bladder function recovery and enhanced overall quality of life.
Objective: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common postoperative complication, so exploring its risk factors is helpful to provide a basis for clinical prevention. This study aims to analyse the risk factors for UTI after lumbar interbody fusion (LIF).
Methods: A single-centre retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 358 patients treated with LIF from April 2020 to April 2023. In accordance with the results of postoperative urine culture, the patients were divided into UTI group (n = 19, those with UTI after LIF) and control group (n = 332, those without UTI after LIF). Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out through collecting the medical records of the two groups to probe into the risk factors for UTI after LIF.
Results: After seven patients were excluded, the remaining 351 patients were included in the analysis. In this study, 19 patients (5.41%) developed postoperative UTI, whereas 332 patients (94.59%) had no UTI. Regression analysis results showed drinking (odds ratio (OR) = 16.193, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.017–257.860) and high preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level (OR = 3.237, 95% CI: 1.213–8.636) as risk factors for UTI after LIF. A high professional title of main surgeon (OR = 0.095, 95% CI: 0.010–0.932) and preoperative red blood cell (RBC) count (OR = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000–0.198) were protective factors for UTI after LIF (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study advocated strengthening the prevention and treatment of UTI in patients who had drinking history, high preoperative CRP level and low preoperative RBC count, and received LIF based on the study results. Attention should be paid to the training of physicians with low professional title.
Objective: This study aimed to analyse the family resilience of patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after cervical cancer surgery and its influencing factors.
Methods: Patients with cervical cancer postoperative SUI admitted to our hospital from May 2020, to May 2023, were retrospectively selected. They were divided into low-resilience group and high-resilience group in accordance with the Family Resilience Questionnaire (FaREQ). The general demographic data of the two groups were statistically analysed, and correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed.
Results: The FaREQ score of 222 patients was (93.61 ± 8.45). Amongst these patients, 21.62% scored less than 84 points, and 78.38% scored more than 84 points. Significant differences were found in the educational level, indwelling catheter time, family monthly income, religious belief, hope index, psychological resilience, family function and social support between the two groups (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between family resilience and the above indicators (p < 0.05). The variance inflation coefficient values of educational level and indwelling catheter time were 15.764 and 43.766, and the tolerance values were 0.063 and 0.023, respectively. After removing them, family monthly income, religious belief, hope index, psychological resilience, family function and social support were the factors affecting the family resilience level of patients with SUI after cervical cancer surgery.
Conclusions: The level of family resilience of patients with SUI after cervical cancer surgery is low. Many factors, such as family monthly income and religious belief, affect the level of resilience. Therefore, corresponding measures could be formulated in advance to improve the level of family resilience of such patients.
Objective: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one of the most effective methods used to cure localised prostate cancer, but the risk of postoperative biochemical recurrence persists. This study aims to analyse the effect of continuous nursing based on Internet technology on mental health and quality of life in patients undergoing RP.
Methods: The medical records of patients undergoing RP in our hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analysed. From February 2021 to January 2022, 89 patients received routine postoperative nursing, and 85 cases were included in the reference group after excluding 4 patients who had missing clinical data. From February 2022 to February 2023, 86 patients received continuous nursing based on Internet technology, and 80 patients were classified as the observation group after 6 patients (5 patients with incomplete clinical data and 1 patient with cognitive impairment) were excluded. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) data were collected, and urinary control, incidence of complications, nursing satisfaction and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) were compared between the two groups.
Results: After management, patients in the observation group had lower Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) score, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D) score and postvoid residual (PVR) and higher maximum flow rate (Qmax) and detrusor pressure at the maximum flow rate (Pdet-Qmax) (p < 0.001) than those in the reference group. The observation group also had significantly lower incidence of complications (p < 0.05), higher scores of physiological function, physiological role, physical pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional function and mental health (p < 0.01) and significantly higher total nursing satisfaction (p < 0.05). Prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was not significantly different between the two groups after management (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Continuous nursing based on Internet technology improves the psychological status and quality of life, reduces the occurrence of postoperative complications and obtains high clinical satisfaction for patients receiving RP.
Objective: Advancements in medical science have improved non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (NM-RCC) treatment strategies, but long-term survival is influenced by various factors, including perioperative blood transfusion. This study aims to analyse prognostic factors in patients with NM-RCC after radical nephrectomy.
Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, a total of 132 patients with NM-RCC after radical nephrectomy were studied. According to 2-year follow-up data, the patients were categorised into case (with poor outcomes, including pneumothorax, renal issues, recurrence or death) and control groups. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics and perioperative blood transfusion were collected, and key prognostic factors were identified through logistic regression.
Results: A total of 32 patients with poor prognosis were included in the case group, accounting for 24.24% (32/132), and 100 patients without poor prognosis were included in the control group, accounting for 75.76% (100/132). Tumour stage, tumour size and perioperative blood transfusion were all risk factors for the prognosis of patients, and odds ratio (OR) >1. The above indicators had high predictive value for the prognosis of patients after surgery.
Conclusions: The prognostic factors of patients with NM-RCC after radical nephrectomy include tumour stage, tumour size and perioperative blood transfusion, and each factor had predictive value.
Background: Kidney stones, a common urinary system ailment, often necessitate surgical intervention. Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) and multi-channel percutaneous nephron lithotripsy (MPCNL) are key modalities for treating complex renal stones, prompting the need for a comparative analysis to enhance clinical decision-making.
Methods: Patients undergoing surgical treatment for complex kidney stones from April 2018 to April 2022 were divided into the control (MPCNL) and observation (ECIRS) groups. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline data, and t-tests and chi-square tests were employed to compare the perioperative indicators between the two groups.
Results: A total of 210 patients were enrolled in this study for pre-observational comparison, and they were divided into the control group (110 patients) and observation group (100 patients). Following matching, each group comprised 85 patients. Pre-observational comparison revealed significant differences between the groups in age, disease duration, and stone diameter (p < 0.05). However, after matching, baseline data comparison showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Surgery-related parameters, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative activity duration and hospital stay, did not significantly differ between the groups (p > 0.05). The observation group exhibited a significantly higher stone retention-free rate after initial treatment compared with the control group (p < 0.05), although overall stone clearance rates did not significantly differ between the groups (p > 0.05). We found no significant differences in perioperative complications between the two groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, the observation group experienced significantly lower postoperative pain levels at 6, 24 and 48 h compared with the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Conclusively, ECIRS and MPCNL are viable options for treating complex renal calculi, with similar operation times, complication rates and stone clearance rates. ECIRS may offer advantages including lower postoperative pain and higher initial stone clearance rates than MPCNL. However, large-scale studies with long follow-up times are needed for validation.
Objective: This study aimed to analyse the effect of pelvic floor function exercises based on the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept on lower urinary tract symptoms after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.
Methods: The retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 and underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. In accordance with the nursing method, the patients were divided into the routine group (conventional care) and the ERAS pelvic floor function exercise group, for which ERAS concept-based pelvic floor function exercises were carried out on the basis of the former group. The confounders between the two groups were matched by propensity score, and the scores of urination, pelvic floor muscle strength, lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life (QoL) were compared between the two groups after matching.
Results: A total of 180 patients were included in the study, of whom 60 patients were identified after propensity score matching, consisting of 30 patients each in the ERAS and routine groups. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were balanced, and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Compared with the routine group, the observation group showed significantly shorter first spontaneous urination time, greater first urination volume (p < 0.05), better pelvic floor muscle strength, considerably lower urinary tract symptoms and better QoL at discharge and 3 months after discharge (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Pelvic floor function exercises based on the ERAS concept can relieve lower urinary tract symptoms, accelerate urination and improve pelvic floor muscle strength and QoL after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.
Objective: Predictive care in patients undergoing ureteroscopic stone surgery has emerged as a promising approach. Thus, this study aims to enhance personalised nursing plans and reduce the risk of complications by conducting predictive analysis of possible risks early in the treatment and nursing process.
Methods: Clinical data were collected from 108 patients who underwent ureteroscopic stone surgery and were admitted to our hospital between January 2020 and January 2023. Patients were divided into a control group (conventional nursing, n = 53) and an observation group (predictive care, n = 55) based on the nursing method, and various clinical indicators were compared between the two groups of surgical patients.
Results: No significant difference in general data was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the first time to exhaust gas (p < 0.05), the first time to get out of bed (p < 0.05), the time to exhaust stone (p < 0.05), the first time to defecate (p < 0.05) and the length of hospital stay (p < 0.05) in the observation group were shorter; 1 day after surgery, no significant differences in all dimensions of the general comfort questionnaire (GCQ) score were found; 2 days after surgery, the GCQ score in all dimensions of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Predictive nursing can effectively improve the patients with ureteral calculi, accelerate the process of postoperative recovery and reduce the occurrence of complications; Thus, this process is worthy of widespread clinical promotion.
Background: Ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy has become one of the main methods of treating ureteral calculi. However, in the treatment of middle and upper ureteral calculi, ureteroscopy is difficult to operate owing to the high location of calculi. Thus, how to improve the treatment effect and reduce the stone migration has become the focus in clinical settings. On this basis, we evaluated the application effect of low-pressure perfusion combined with occluder in holmium laser lithotripsy for patients with middle and upper ureteral calculi.
Methods: This retrospective study selected 107 patients with middle and upper ureteral calculi who underwent low-pressure perfusion combined with ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy from January 2021 to December 2022. We excluded 7 patients who did not meet the criteria, and ultimately included 100 patients. According to whether the occluder was used during the surgery, 100 patients were divided into groups A (n = 52, occluder) and B (n = 48, without occluder). The stone-migration rate during surgery, stone-clearance rate at 3 months after surgery, perioperative indicators, postoperative complication rate, and postoperative quality of life between the two groups were compared.
Results: The stone-migration rate in group A was significantly lower than that in group B, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Both groups had no significant difference in stone-clearance rate at 3 months after surgery (p > 0.05). Group A had a significantly lower index of EuroQol (EQ) Five Dimensions Questionnaire and significantly higher score of EQ-Visual Analogue Scale than group B (all p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Compared with the simple application of low-pressure perfusion, the combined application of low-pressure perfusion and occluder in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy can effectively reduce the stone migration and improve the postoperative quality of life.
Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the first treatment for complex renal and/or ureteral calculi. This paper presents a case of hemorrhagic shock resulting from diaphragm injury due to PCNL, which has not been reported so far.
Case Presentation: A 55-year-old Asian woman presented with a 2 × 2 cm calculus located in the upper calyx of the right kidney. After her uncomplicated PCNL operation, the patient’s blood pressure decreased to less than 90/60 mmHg, and her hemoglobin level dropped from 128 g/L to 76 g/L. Physical examination and bedside ultrasound indicated a small amount of pleural effusion. Subsequently, a diagnostic puncture of the chest cavity was performed and revealed the presence of fresh blood. Therefore, thoracic closed drainage was conducted, and 950 mL of fresh blood was drained through a drainage tube. Intraoperatively, observation showed that the nephrostomy tube had penetrated the kidney through the diaphragm. The nephrostomy tube was subsequently removed, and the diaphragm was repaired.
Conclusions: Hemorrhagic shock due to diaphragm injury is an unusual complication after PCNL. This complication should be considered if pleural effusion is present and if blood pressure progressively drops with no other obvious explanation. The recommended treatments include diagnostic thoracentesis and thoracic exploration.