-
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi are branched stones which occupy a majority portion of the pelvicaliceal system. An untreated staghorn calculus over time can damage the kidney and... (Review)
Review
Staghorn calculi are branched stones which occupy a majority portion of the pelvicaliceal system. An untreated staghorn calculus over time can damage the kidney and deteriorate its function and/or cause life threatening sepsis. Total stone clearance is an important goal in order to eradicate any infective focus, relieve obstruction, prevent recurrence and preserve the kidney function. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is currently the accepted first-line treatment option for staghorn calculi. The options available are single-tract PCNL with an auxiliary procedure like shockwave lithotripsy, single-tract PCNL with flexible nephroscopy, or multitract PCNL. Each has its own pros and cons. But the ultimate goal of treatment for any patient with staghorn calculi should be safety, cost-effectiveness, and to achieve total stone clearance. With this article, we review the management of staghorn calculi with multiple percutaneous ("multitract") access, its advantages and disadvantages and its current position by studying the various published materials across the globe.
PubMed: 32257801
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.001 -
Renal Failure Nov 2018Staghorn stones are large branching stones that fill part of all of the renal pelvis and renal calyces and they can be complete or partial depending on the level of... (Review)
Review
Staghorn stones are large branching stones that fill part of all of the renal pelvis and renal calyces and they can be complete or partial depending on the level of occupancy of the collecting system. Although kidney stones are commoner in men, staghorn stones are less often reported in men compared to women and they are usually unilateral. Due to the significant morbidity and potential mortality attributed to staghorn stones, prompt assessment and treatment is mandatory. Conversely, conservative treatment has been shown to carry a mortality rate of 28% in 10-year period and 36% risk of developing significant renal impairment. Staghorn stones are, therefore, significant disease entity that should be managed aggressively and effectively. Generally, the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones is surgical with a view to achieve stone-free collecting system and preserve renal function. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy should be the recommended first-line treatment for staghorn stones. Other non-surgical options are usually considered in combination with surgery or as monotherapy only if patients are surgically unfit. The decision for optimal treatment of staghorn stones should be individualized according to the circumstances of the patient involved and in order to do so, a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option is necessary.
Topics: Clinical Decision-Making; Combined Modality Therapy; Conservative Treatment; Female; Humans; Male; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous; Patient Selection; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Recurrence; Renal Insufficiency; Sex Factors; Staghorn Calculi; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29658394
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2018.1459306 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn renal calculi are large renal calculi that occupy nearly the entirety of the renal collecting system. They may be composed of metabolic or infection stone... (Review)
Review
Staghorn renal calculi are large renal calculi that occupy nearly the entirety of the renal collecting system. They may be composed of metabolic or infection stone types. They are often associated with specific metabolic defects. Infection stones are associated with urease-producing bacterial urinary tract infections. The ideal treatment for staghorn calculi is maximal surgical removal. However, some patients are either unwilling or unable to proceed with that modality of treatment, and therefore other management must be used. One such technique is the metabolic evaluation with directed medical management. Based on contemporary evidence that the majority of staghorn stones are metabolic in etiology, and furthermore that even infection stones are usually associated with metabolic abnormalities, metabolic evaluation with directed medical management is recommended for all staghorn stone formers. The scientific basis of this recommendation is reviewed in the present work.
PubMed: 32257805
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.12.007 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi comprise a unique subset of complex kidney stone disease. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones.... (Review)
Review
Staghorn calculi comprise a unique subset of complex kidney stone disease. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard treatment for staghorn stones. Despite continuous refinements to the technique and instrumentation of PCNL, these stones remain a troublesome challenge for endourologists and are associated with a higher rate of perioperative complications than that for non-staghorn stones. Common and notable intraoperative complications include bleeding, renal collecting system injury, injury of visceral organs, pulmonary complications, thromboembolic complications, extrarenal stone migration, and misplacement of the nephrostomy tube. Postoperative complications include infection and urosepsis, bleeding, persistent nephrocutaneous urine leakage, infundibular stenosis, and death. In this review, we report recommendations regarding troubleshooting measures that can be used to identify and characterize these complications. Additionally, we include information regarding management strategies for complications associated with PCNL for staghorn calculi.
PubMed: 32257807
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.004 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Apr 2020Since the seminal works by Singh and Blandy in the 1970s, the management of staghorn stones has almost exclusively involved surgical intervention. In contrast, a more...
INTRODUCTION
Since the seminal works by Singh and Blandy in the 1970s, the management of staghorn stones has almost exclusively involved surgical intervention. In contrast, a more recent study found that conservative management was not as unsafe as previously believed. The present review sought to examine the available literature to understand the implications of a conservative strategy.
METHODS
A systematic search of the literature was carried out using MEDLINE, Embase™ and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All papers looking at management of staghorn calculi were reviewed and studies with a conservative management arm were identified. Outcomes of interest were recurrent or severe urinary tract infections, progressive renal deterioration, dialysis requirements, morbidity and disease specific mortality. Owing to the lack of relevant data, a descriptive review was carried out.
RESULTS
Our literature search yielded 10 suitable studies involving a total of 304 patients with staghorn stones managed conservatively. Progressive renal deterioration occurred in 0-100% of cases (mean 27.5%) with a higher rate among bilateral staghorn sufferers (44% vs 9%). Dialysis was required in 9% of patients (20% bilateral, 6% unilateral). The mean rate of severe infection was 8.7% and recurrent urinary tract infections occurred in as high as 50% of cases (80% bilateral, 41% unilateral). Disease specific mortality ranged from 0% to 67% (mean 20.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
It appears that conservative management of staghorn calculi is not as unsafe as previously thought and selection of patients with unilateral asymptomatic stones with minimal infection should be considered.
Topics: Conservative Treatment; Humans; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency; Severity of Illness Index; Staghorn Calculi; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 31918554
DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2019.0176 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020Staghorn calculi present a particular and challenging entity of stone morphology. Treatment is associated with lower stone-free rates and higher complication rates... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Staghorn calculi present a particular and challenging entity of stone morphology. Treatment is associated with lower stone-free rates and higher complication rates compared to non-staghorn stones. In this review we looked for the most relevant data on preoperative imaging and access planning to help decision making for percutaneous surgery with this complex condition.
METHODS
We conducted a PubMed search of publications in the past 2 decades that include relevant information on the planning for management of staghorn stones. Non-contrast computerized tomography (NCCT) is indeed the standard imaging tool for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL); additional tools such as three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) reconstruction of the staghorn calculus may help plan access in complex cases. Ultrasound guided percutaneous access may be considered for staghorn stones when planning upper pole access in kidney malposition or complex intrarenal anatomy or with complex body habitus. Wideband doppler ultrasound and real-time virtual sonography can assist. New technologies to improve kidney access such as Uro Dyna-CT or electromagnetic sensor have been reported, but have not shown utilization in staghorn cases. Staghorn morphometry-based prediction algorithms may predict the number of tract(s) and stage(s) for PCNL monotherapy. Lower pole access can be equally effective as upper pole when planning for staghorn and complex stones, with significantly less complications rate; Stone-Tract length-Obstruction-Number of involved calyces-Essence of stone density (STONE) nephrolithometry seems to be the best system to predict outcomes of PCNL in staghorn cases. There is a growing trend of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) in concordance with PCNL to treat larger stones. Conservative management of staghorn calculi is an undesired option, but can be an alternative for a carefully selected group of high-risk patients.
CONCLUSION
Staghorn stones may lead to deterioration of renal function and life-threatening urosepsis. This entity should be managed aggressively with planning ahead for surgery using the different tools available as the cornerstone for a successful outcome.
PubMed: 32257800
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.07.002 -
Translational Andrology and Urology Dec 2018Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the treatment of choice for large urinary calculi and staghorn lithiasis. The approach for this surgery may be either... (Review)
Review
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered the treatment of choice for large urinary calculi and staghorn lithiasis. The approach for this surgery may be either supine or prone, and different access techniques are described in the literature with the use of ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or both combined. We believe that prone PCNL offers to the urologist key advantages, such as the possibility of puncturing anatomically abnormal urinary tracts, to perform multiple percutaneous tracts in the same kidney, experiencing the vacuum cleaner effect, ease of exploring the upper calyx through the inferior calyx, possibility to perform endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) and bilateral simultaneous surgery, and to performed over local anesthesia. An adequate training for the endourologist should include both the prone and supine techniques for PCNL and to know which patient can benefit the most from each one.
PubMed: 30505733
DOI: 10.21037/tau.2018.10.04 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2020To define the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To define the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the Scopus and Medline databases. Original articles and systematic reviews were selected according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies relating to the role of ureteroscopy for treatment of staghorn calculi were included.
RESULTS
In five studies on ureteroscopic monotherapy, stone-free rate (SFR) ranged from 33% to 93%, with a maximum four ureteroscopy sessions per patient and no major complications. Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) was compared with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in two studies and reached significantly higher SFR (88%-91% 59%-65%) and lower operative times (84-110 min 105-129 min). The role of salvage ureteroscopy for residual stones after primary PNL has been highlighted by two studies with a final SFR of 83%-89%. One study reported on the feasibility of ureteroscopy for ureteral stones and same-session PNL for contralateral staghorn calculi, with a SFR of 92%.
CONCLUSION
Ureteroscopy plays a pivotal role in the setting of a combined approach to staghorn calculi. Ureteroscopy is also particularly suitable for clearance of residual stones. In specific cases, ureteroscopy may become the sole applicable therapeutic option to staghorn calculi. Technological advances and refinement of techniques suggest a major role of ureteroscopy for staghorn calculi treatment in close future.
PubMed: 32257803
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2019.10.012 -
Medicine Aug 2022To assess the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted anatrophic nephrolithotomy (RANL) as a choice of minimally invasive treatment for patients with complete staghorn...
To assess the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted anatrophic nephrolithotomy (RANL) as a choice of minimally invasive treatment for patients with complete staghorn stone. In a single-tertiary referral center retrospective study, 10 consecutive patients underwent RANL for complete staghorn stone. After dissection to the renal hilum and clamping of the renal vessels, an incision was made along the Brodel line and exposed the collecting system to extract the stone. Then, the collecting system and parenchyma were closed in layers. The outcomes included reduction of the stone burden, short- and long-term postoperative kidney function, and pain score. The average age of patients was 54.6 years and body mass index was 27.58 kg/m2. Mean warm ischemia time was 28.40 minutes, mean robotic console time was 137 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 83 mL. The mean length of stay was 5.4 days and there were no severe perioperative complications. Eight of 10 patients had >90% reduction in stone burden and 5 (50%) patients were completely stone-free. There was no significant decrease in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate compared with preoperative values after 1 month and 1 year. Our experience with RANL demonstrated efficacy and safety in the minimally invasive treatment of complete staghorn stone in short- and long-term follow-up periods.
Topics: Humans; Kidney Calculi; Middle Aged; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; Retrospective Studies; Robotics; Staghorn Calculi; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36042683
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000030154