ABSTRACT Introduction: flexible ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used for the treatment of renal lithiasis. Postoperative urosepsis is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Traditional models used to predict the risk of this condition have limited accuracy, while models based on artificial intelligence are more promising. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic review regarding the use of artificial intelligence to detect the risk of sepsis in patients with renal lithiasis undergoing flexible ureteroscopy. Methods: the literature review is in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The keyword search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus and resulted in a total of 2,496 articles, of which 2 met the inclusion criteria. Results: both studies used artificial intelligence models to predict the risk of sepsis after flexible uteroscopy. The first had a sample of 114 patients and was based on clinical and laboratory parameters. The second had an initial sample of 132 patients and was based on preoperative computed tomography images. Both obtained good measurements of Area Under the Curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity, demonstrating good performance. Conclusion: artificial intelligence provides multiple effective strategies for sepsis risk stratification in patients undergoing urological procedures for renal lithiasis, although further studies are needed.

RESUMO Introdução: a ureteroscopia flexível é uma técnica cirúrgica minimamente invasiva utilizada para o tratamento de litíase renal. A urosepse pós-operatória é uma complicação rara, mas potencialmente fatal. Os modelos tradicionais utilizados para prever o risco dessa condição apresentam precisão limitada, enquanto modelos baseados em inteligência artificial são mais promissores. O objetivo desse estudo é realizar uma revisão sistemática a respeito do uso de inteligência artificial para detecção do risco de sepse em pacientes com litíase renal submetidos à ureteroscopia flexível. Métodos: a revisão de literatura está de acordo com o Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A busca com palavras-chave foi realizada no MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science e Scopus e resultou no total de 2.496 artigos, dos quais 2 se enquadraram nos critérios de inclusão. Resultados: os dois estudos utilizaram modelos de inteligência artificial para predizer o risco de sepse após utereroscopia flexível. O primeiro teve uma amostra de 114 pacientes e foi baseado em parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais. O segundo teve uma amostra inicial de 132 pacientes e foi baseado em imagens de tomografia computadorizada no pré-operatório. Ambos obtiveram boas medidas de Area Under the Curve (AUC), sensibilidade e especificidade, demonstrando boa performance. Conclusão: a inteligência artificial fornece múltiplas estratégias eficazes para estratificação do risco de sepse em pacientes submetidos a procedimentos urológicos para litíase renal, ainda que mais estudos sejam necessários.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Vasoplegia, or vasoplegic shock, is a syndrome whose main characteristic is reducing blood pressure in the presence of a standard or high cardiac output. For the treatment, vasopressors are recommended, and the most used is norepinephrine. However, new drugs have been evaluated, and conflicting results exist in the literature. Methods: This is a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis, written according to the recommendations of the PRISMA report. The SCOPUS, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases were used to select the scientific articles included in the study. Searches were conducted in December 2022 using the terms “vasopressin,” “norepinephrine,” “vasoplegic shock,” “postoperative,” and “surgery.” Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. The endpoint associated with the study was efficiency in treating vasoplegic shock and reduced risk of death. Results: In total, 2,090 articles were retrieved; after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ten studies were selected to compose the present review. We found no significant difference when assessing the outcome mortality comparing vasopressin versus norepinephrine (odds ratio = 1.60; confidence interval 0.47–5.50), nor when comparing studies on vasopressin versus placebo. When we analyzed the length of hospital stay compared to the use of vasopressin and norepinephrine, we identified a shorter length of hospital stay in cases that used vasopressin; however, the meta-analysis did not demonstrate statistical significance. Conclusions: Considering the outcomes included in our study, it is worth noting that most studies showed that using vasopressin was safe and can be considered in managing postoperative vasoplegic shock.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Kidney stones are one of the most common urological diseases worldwide. The size and location of the stone are the most important factors in determining the most suitable treatment options. The aim of this review was to evaluate the displacement of lower pole stones. Methods: Three studies assessing the efficacy of translocating kidney stones from the lower pole of the kidney to other locations during retrograde intrarenal surgery published in the last 20 years were included. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Web of Science databases using the following search terms: “Lower pole,” “Lithotripsy.” Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.4. Results: Stone-free rates were improved through displacement (odds ratio – OR = -0.15; 95% confidence interval–95%CI -0.24–-0.05; p = 0.002; I2 = 21%), but at the cost of increased surgical duration (mean difference = -12.50; 95%CI -24.06–-0.95; p = 0.03; I2 = 94%). Although this represents a potentially negative outcome, the improvement in clearance rates justifies the additional investment of time and effort. Conclusions: Displacement of lower pole kidney stones for subsequent lithotripsy brings significant benefits in terms of stone-free rate, with no difference in laser energy usage. However, it results in increased surgical time. Despite these factors, the benefits to patients undergoing the procedure are substantial.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Ureteral access sheaths (UAS) are widely used in ureteroscopy. UAS are believed to pose a significant risk for ureteral stenosis due to ureteral mucosal compression, but little evidence supports this claim. Our systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between different UAS diameters and stenosis risk. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane, from its inception to May 2023. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Cochrane guidelines were followed. χ2 test was performed to compare the prevalence within the groups. Results: Six nonrandomized trials and one randomized, with a total of 962 patients, were included. The overall incidence of ureteral stenosis of 0.9%. UAS sizes were: 9.5/11.5Fr, 10/12Fr, 11/13Fr, 12/14Fr, and 14/16Fr. Within each subgroup, the incidence of ureteral stenosis was: 0.4, 8, 0, 1, and 1% (p = 0.099). No trend for stenosis was observed among larger UAS. Conclusions: In this systematic review, no relationship between UAS diameter and incidence of ureteral stenosis was observed. Nonetheless, additional randomized controlled trials are required to support this finding.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate whether the use of the physical surgical simulator may benefit the development of laparoscopic skills. Methods: Ten medical students were divided into two groups: the first one performed ten weekly training sessions with a physical surgical simulator - ETX A2 LAP and, afterwards, one laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model, while the second group performed only a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Both groups were compared regarding bleeding, total surgical time, time to perform each surgical step and qualitative parameters, based on a previously validated tool. Results: There was no difference in any of the evaluated parameters. Conclusion: We did not find any evidence of benefit in the use of the physical simulator for surgical performance in medical students.

PURPOSE: Bladder exstrophy (BE) is an anterior midline defect that causes a series of genitourinary and muscular malformations, which demands surgical intervention for correction. Women with BE are fertile and able to have children without this disease. The purpose of this study is to assess the sexual function and quality of life of women treated for BE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients in our institution treated for BE from 1987 to 2007 were recruited to answer a questionnaire about their quality of life and pregnancies. RESULTS: Fourteen women were submitted to surgical treatment for BE and had 22 pregnancies during the studied period. From those, 17 pregnancies (77.2%) resulted in healthy babies, while four patients (18.1%) had a spontaneous abortion due to genital prolapse, and there was one case (4.7%) of death due to a pneumopathy one week after delivery. There was also one case (5.8%) of premature birth without greater repercussions. During pregnancy, three patients (21.4%) had urinary tract infections and one patient (7.14%) presented urinary retention. After delivery, three patients (21.4%) presented temporary urinary incontinence; one patient (7.14%) had a vesicocutaneous fistula and seven patients (50%) had genital prolapsed. All patients confirmed to have achieved urinary continence, a regular sexual life and normal pregnancies. All patients got married and pregnant older than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: BE is a severe condition that demands medical and family assistance. Nevertheless, it is possible for the bearers of this condition to have a satisfactory and productive lifestyle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) expression and prognosis in prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TGF-β1 expression levels were analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to amplify RNA that had been isolated from fresh-frozen malignant and benign tissue specimens collected from 89 patients who had clinically localized prostate cancer and had been treated with radical prostatectomy. The control group consisted of li patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. The expression levels of TGF-β1 were compared between the groups in terms of Gleason scores, pathological staging, and prostate-specific antigen serum levels. RESULTS: In the majority of the tumor samples, TGF-β1 was underexpressed 67.0% of PCa patients. The same expression pattern was identified in benign tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Although most cases exhibited underexpression of TGF-β1, a higher expression level was found in patients with Gleason scores >7 when compared to patients with Gleason scores <7(p = 0.002). Among the 26 cases of TGF-β1 overexpression, 92.3% had poor prognostic features. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-β1 was underexpressed in prostate cancers; however, higher expression was observed in tumors with higher Gleason scores, which suggests that TGF-β1 expression may be a useful prognostic marker for prostate cancer. Further studies of clinical specimens are needed to clarify the role of TGF-β1 in prostate carcinogenesis.