Adopting Ultrasound Guidance for Prone Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Evaluating the Learning Curve for the Experienced Surgeon

Objective: Urolithiasis of the transplanted kidney has an incidence of 0.2 to 1.7%, it increases the risk of infection in immunosuppressed patients and it can lead to ureteral obstruction that is often associated with deterioration of renal function. Urolithiasis of the transplanted kidney has different characteristics compared to the native kidney, due to the absence of innervation, which does not lead to colic pain. Percutaneous approach is an optimal choice in transplant patients. Material and methods: Here we report our experience in two cadaveric transplant patients with urolithiasis. The first case was a patient of 68 years with a 20 mm stone located in the transplanted kidney pelvis and another smaller in a lower calyx. The second case was a patient of 65 years with a 15 mm stone in the distal part of the transplanted ureter. In both cases the patients were asymptomatic, but they had a reduction in urine output associated with worsening of the transplanted kidney function. The diagnosis was performed in both cases with ultrasound study, showing a severe hydronephrosis and it was confirmed by computed tomography scan. In both cases, we performed a Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Access was made after targeting the stone, through a lower pole puncture under ultrasound guidance. The first case was treated with pneumatic and laser energy, breaking stones through a nephroscope. In the second case we performed a laser lithotripsy of the ureteral stone, using a flexible videoureteroscope. At the end of both procedures a Double-J stent and a 14 Fr Malecot nephrostomy were positioned, that were removed at 6 weeks and 10 days, respectively. Results: Both patients achieved a resolution of the worsening of renal function, recovering the spontaneous diuresis. The surgical procedure using ultrasound guidance was safe and allowed quick access to the renal pelvis. Both patients experienced no bleeding or infection during hospitalization. Conclusions: Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an established safe and effective surgical treatment option for larger renal calculi in renal allografts. The ultrasound guided access to the transplanted kidney in percutaneous treatment of urolithiasis is useful and fast, minimizing patient exposure to ionizing radiation.

Download Full-text

Learning curve for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass based on the experience of a newly created bariatric center

Polish Journal of Surgery ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.1513 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 92 (4) ◽

pp. 23-30

Author(s):

Jadwiga Dworak ◽

Michał Wysocki ◽

Anna Rzepa ◽

Michał Pędziwiatr ◽

Dorota Radkowiak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morbid Obesity ◽

Gastric Bypass ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Learning Curve ◽

Operative Time ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Safe Procedure ◽

Experienced Surgeon ◽

Institutional Learning ◽

Complications And Mortality

ntroduction: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is one of the most common treatments for morbid obesity. The learning curve for this procedure is 50–75 cases for an independent surgeon, and it is considered the most important factor in decreasing complications and mortality. We present our experience and learning curve with LRYGB for a newly established bariatric center in Poland. Material and methods: A prospectively collected database containing 285 LRYGB procedures performed in the II Department of General Surgery of the Jagiellonian University MC in Krakow between 06.2010 and 03.2019 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into groups of 30 (G1–G10) in the order of the procedures performed by each surgeon. The study analyzed the course of the operation and patient hospitalization, comparing those groups. Learning curve for the newly created bariatric center was established. Results: Operative time in G1–G3 differed significantly from G4–G10 (P < 0.0001). The stabilization point was the 90th procedure. Perioperative complications were observed in 36 (12.63%) patients. Perioperative complications, intraoperative difficulties and adverse events did not differ importantly among groups. Liberal use of “conversions of the operator” from a surgeon to a senior surgeon provides reasonable safety and prevents complications. Conclusions: The institutional learning process stabilization point for LRYGB in a newly established bariatric center is around the 90th operation. LRYGB can be a safe procedure from the very beginning in newly established bariatric centers. Specific bariatric training with active proctoring by an experienced surgeon in a bariatric centre can improve the laparoscopic gastric bypass outcome during the learning curve.

Download Full-text