The procedures were performed in a kidney model in a plastic basin filled with water. A flexible endoscope was used to enter the renal calyces. A bioadhesive system with conventional retrieval baskets was used to extract stone dust. 8 different urologists performed this procedure on the kidney model. They measured whether this procedure was effective by determining the stone-free rates and overall time of stone retrieval.
In this experiment, they found that the “sand grains” of the stone were only picked up using the bioadhesive system. The retrieval basket was unable to grab these sand grains. The total stone-free rate was 84%. The surgeons were given a survey to rate the procedure. In this survey, they stated that the technique showed promise and that they could imagine using it on a daily basis. It is quite feasible that the ability to remove stone dust and “sand grains” would lead to an increase in stone-free rates. This interesting technique and technology needs to be evaluated in additional laboratory settings and potentially in patients to determine its true value.
Presented by: Teresa Hausmann, MD, Department of Urology, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Hamburg, Germany
Written by: Rajiv Karani Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine at the 37th World Congress of Endourology (WCE) – October 29th-November 2nd, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates