On account of the natural tissue properties inherent to these porcine and chicken models, they are proving to be instrumental in acquisition of higher surgical skills such as dissection, suturing and use of energy sources, all of which are required in real-time clinical scenarios be it laparoscopy or robotic-assisted procedures. In-vivo training in the animal model continues to be, perhaps, the most sophisticated training method before resorting to real-time surgery.

Background/Aims/Objectives: The study aims to review our experience with balloon dilatation of urethral strictures and retrospectively analyze predictors of improved success rates. Methods: One hundred and forty-four cases were analyzed from January 2011 to December 2012. Patients underwent balloon dilatation using 6-Fr Balloon dilator set (Cook Urological, Spencer, Ind., USA). Patients analyzed with respect to demography, uroflowmetry (Qmax) and need for auxiliary procedures in the immediate postoperative period, at 6 months and at 1 year. Comparisons were made between those who performed self-calibration against those who did not. Results: Overall success rate of balloon dilatation in our study was 84.4%. Procedural failure was observed with 3 patients (2.1%). Auxiliary procedure was required in 21 cases (15.6%) during follow-up. The mean Qmax (ml/s) in those who regularly performed self-calibration (n = 73) and in those who did not perform self-calibration (n = 39) in the immediate postoperative period, at 6 months and at 1 year were 24.2 ± 10.5, 16.5 ± 7.5, 14.4 ± 6.3 and 21.2 ± 10.6, 14.5 ± 7, 10.8 ± 5.6, respectively. Statistical significance was noted at 1 year (p = 0.003). Lesser re-treatments were required in those who performed self-calibration (12.3 vs. 20.5%). Improved success rates were noted with focal and bulbar strictures. Iatrogenic strictures and pan-anterior urethral strictures had poor outcomes despite self-calibration. Conclusions: Balloon dilation with self-calibration significantly improves flow rates at 1 year and lessens auxiliary procedures required. It is simple, easy to perform under local anesthesia and repeatable in case of re-strictures.

Introduction:In the past, urological complications after renal transplantation were associated with significant morbidity. With the development and application of endourological procedures, it is now possible to manage these cases with minimally invasive techniques.Materials and Methods:A MEDLINE search for articles published in English using key words for the management of urological complications after renal transplantation was undertaken. Forty articles were selected and reviewed.Results:The incidence of urological complications postrenal transplantation was reported to be 2–13%. Ureteric leaks occurred in up to 8.6%, and 55% were managed endourologically. The incidence of lymphocele was as high as 20%, and less that 12% of the cases required treatment. Ureteric stricture was the most common complication, and endourological management was successful in 50–70%. The occurrence of complicated vesicoureteral reflux was 4.5%, and 90% of low-grade reflux cases were successfully treated with deflux injections. Stones and obstructive voiding dysfunction occurred in about 1% of kidney transplant recipients.Conclusion:Minimally invasive techniques have a critical role in the management of urological complications after renal transplantation. Urinary leakage should be managed with complete decompression. Percutaneous drainage should be the first line of treatment for lymphocele that is symptomatic or causing ureteric obstruction. Laparoscopic lymphocele deroofing is successful in aspiration-resistant cases. Deflux is highly successful for the management of complicated low-grade kidney transplant reflux. The principles of stone management in a native solitary kidney are applied to the transplanted kidney. Early identification and treatment of bladder outlet obstruction after renal transplantation can prevent urinary leakage and obstructive uropathy.

Primary FURS is an effective and less invasive modality for management of renal calculi less than 2 cm in kidneys with anomalies of lie, fusion and rotation. It can offset the low clearance rate and high complication rate of ESWL and PCNL, respectively. Ureteral access sheath is an important tool to overcome anatomical challenges of anomalous kidney. Basket and Laser are indispensable accessories for FURS in anomalous kidneys.

ObjectivesTo present our single-centre experience of the micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc) technique and define its role in the management of renal calculi as well as to analyse the factors predicting outcome. Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from 139 patients who underwent microperc for renal calculi between June 2010 and November 2014 at our institution. The factors analysed were demographic variables, which included age, sex, stone volume, stone density (Hounsfield units [HU]) and stone location, and intra-and peri-operative variables, such as operating time, drop in haemoglobin level, stone clearance and complications. ResultsThe mean AE SD (range) patient age was 38.99 AE 17 years (9 months to 73 years), stone volume was 1 095 AE 1 035 (105-6 650) mm 3 and stone density was 1 298 AE 263 HU. The mean AE SD (range) operation duration was 50.15 AE 9.8 (35-85) min, hospital stay was 2.36 AE 0.85 (2-5) days and drop in haemoglobin level was 0.63 AE 0.84 (0-3.7) mg/dl. Eight patients had renal colic that was managed by antispasmodic medication, four patients had renal colic severe enough to warrant JJ stenting and three patients had urinary tract infections which were managed with appropriate antibiotics. We were able to complete microperc in 130 patients, with 119 (91.53%) patients being rendered completely stone-free, while in 11 patients (8.46%) there were some residual fragments seen on imaging. On multivariate analysis, stone number, volume and density were found to be significant predictors of clearance. Conversion to mini-or standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy was required in nine patients (6.47%), with intra-operative complications and stone number being the significant factors warranting conversion on a multivariate basis. ConclusionThe outcomes in the present study suggest that microperc is a promising treatment method for solitary renal stones with volumes <1 000 mm 3 and stones with low density (HU), regardless of stone location. In the present series we achieved a high success rate with low morbidity; however larger, prospective and comparative studies from multiple centres are required to further establish the role of microperc in the management of renal calculi.