A recent study demonstrated that lower ureteric stones can be effectively treated with both silodosin and mirabegron. Furthermore, when these medications are used together, they have been found to increase the rate of stone expulsion and reduce the duration of expulsion. This study’s findings were published in the journal, International Urology and Nephrology. 

This study included 105 patients, aged 20 to 56 years, who were diagnosed with a single radiopaque distal ureteral stone measuring ≤ 10 mm. The individuals were randomly allocated into three groups, each group containing 35 participants. Group A received an 8 mg daily dose of silodosin, group B was given 50 mg of mirabegron once daily, and group C received a combination of both medications. Treatment was given until the stone passed or for a maximum of four weeks. The stone-free rate was assessed by analyzing KUB films with or without ultrasonography.

Stone expulsion rate was higher in group C in comparison to groups A and B. The mean (standard deviation) time for expulsion of the stone in group A, group B, and group C was 14 ± 2.3 days, 11 ± 3.1 days, and 7 ± 2.2 days, respectively. Group C exhibited a significantly shorter stone expulsion time when compared to groups A and B. The incidence of renal colic in group C was significantly lower than that in groups A and B, leading to a decreased need for analgesics. Anejaculation was significantly more frequent in the silodosin group (73.9%) and combination group (84%) than in the mirabegron group.

Thus, it can be concluded that both silodosin and mirabegron are effective treatments for lower ureteric stones. Additionally, when these medications are utilized in combination, they have been shown to increase the rate of stone expulsion and decrease the duration of expulsion.

A recent study showed that the standard narrow focal zone (FZ) demonstrates similar safety and superior treatment efficacy when compared to the extended FZ during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal stones. This study’s findings were published in Journal of Endourology.

In this prospective randomized study, 276 patients diagnosed with renal stones were assigned to receive SWL using either standard or extended FZ. The treatment was administered using a Modulith SLX-F2 lithotripter, delivering a maximum of 3000 shocks at a frequency of 1.5 Hz. The primary outcome of the study assessed the success of the treatment 12 weeks after a single SWL session, which was determined by the absence of a stone or stone fragment smaller than 4 mm on computed tomography. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of the stone-free rate (SFR), perinephric hematoma, and changes in the levels of acute renal injury markers in the urine.

Similar baseline parameters were observed in both groups. The standard FZ group achieved a significantly higher treatment success rate (74.3%) than the extended FZ group (59.3%). Additionally, standard FZ exhibited a significantly better SFR (Grade-A, 36.8% vs. 23.0%,) and lower post-treatment pain levels. Both groups had comparable rates of perinephric hematoma formation, changes in urinary acute renal injury markers, and unplanned hospital admissions.

The above results demonstrated that the standard narrow FZ shows comparable safety and improved treatment efficacy in comparison to the extended FZ in extracorporeal SWL for renal stones.

According to a recent study, a combination of co-trimoxazole and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is more effective in reducing bacterial adherence on ureteral stent surfaces than either alone. This study was published in the journal, Urolithiasis.

This prospective randomized study included 636 patients, who underwent double J ureteral stent insertion after various urological procedures. Patients were randomized into four groups: no antibiotics or mucolytics during stent indwelling in group A (n = 165); oral NAC (200 mg/day for children aged < 12 years old and 600 mg/day for adults) during stent indwelling in group B (n = 153), oral co-trimoxazole (2 mg TMP/kg/day) during stent indwelling in group C (n = 162), and both oral NAC and co-trimoxazole during stent indwelling in group D (n = 156).

After a duration of two weeks from the insertion of the double J stent (JJ stent), a urinalysis was conducted on all patients and on the day of double J stent removal, a urine culture was carried out for all the patients. 2-weeks postoperatively, the stent was removed, and a stent segment sized 3-5 cm from the bladder segment of the stent was sent for culture. It was found that 63.6%, 43.1%, 37%, and 19.2% patients of groups A, B, C, and D, respectively had positive stent cultures. The most commonly isolated organism from the stent culture in all groups was E. coli.

The above findings suggest that the combination of co-trimoxazole and NAC is more effective in reducing bacterial adherence on ureteral stent surfaces than either alone.

A recent study suggests the use of antegrade flexible ureteroscopy-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy (aPNL) led to an increased stone-free rate (SFR) in cases of staghorn calculi, necessitated fewer percutaneous tracts, decreased the necessity for staged surgery, and resulted in a shorter operative duration compared to single percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPNL ). The study findings were published in the journal, Urolithiasis.

A total of 160 patients were included in this prospective randomized controlled study, with 81 patients in the sPNL group and 79 patients in the aPNL group. Initially, the study focused on comparing the overall differences between sPNL and aPNL. Subsequently, the patients were categorized into two subgroups: Group 1 (patients with < 5 stone branches) and Group 2 (patients with ≥ 5 stone branches). The differences between these two subgroups were analyzed.

The study results revealed that aPNL exhibited a higher SFR and required fewer percutaneous tracts, with a shorter operation time compared to sPNL. Additionally, aPNL reduced the need for staged surgery, especially in patients with ≥ 5 stone branches. There were no significant variances in hemoglobin level changes and the requirement for blood transfusions between the sPNL and aPNL groups, and the frequency of multiple tracts was lower in the aPNL group.

Thus, it can be concluded that aPNL led to an increased SFR in staghorn calculi, necessitated fewer percutaneous tracts, minimized the requirement for staged surgery, and had a shorter operative duration compared to PNL alone. This was particularly notable in patients with ≥ 5 stone branches.

According to a recent study, the utilization of tamsulosin therapy and semirigid ureteroscopy for dilation prior to flexible ureteroscopy enhanced the success of primary flexible ureteroscopy advancement to the renal collecting system. This study's findings were published in the World journal of urology.

This prospective study included 170 patients who were randomly divided into two groups who had renal stones < 2 cm and underwent retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. Group A (n=85), was administered a placebo for a duration of one week before the flexible ureteroscopy. On the other hand, group B (n=85), received a daily dosage of 0.4 mg tamsulosin for one week prior to the surgery. Additionally, they underwent active dilatation using semirigid ureteroscopy before the flexible ureteroscopy procedure. The ability of the flexible ureteroscope to reach the collecting system in both groups was evaluated during the same operative session. The operative outcomes and complications for both groups were also collected and analyzed.

The flexible ureteroscope demonstrated successful access to the kidney in 61 patients within group B, while in group A, it was only successful in 28 cases (71.4% vs 32.9%). Within group A, 33 patients (38.8%) reported lower urinary tract symptoms, while only 17 patients (20.2%) in group B experienced the same.

It can be concluded that using tamsulosin therapy and semirigid ureteroscopy as dilatation methods prior to flexible ureteroscopy may improve the success of primary flexible ureteroscopy in advancing to the renal collecting system.