No abstract

The results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) and percutaneous nephrostolithotomy for the treatment of lower pole nephrolithiasis were examined in 32 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous nephrostolithotomy at the Methodist Hospital of Indiana and through meta-analysis of publications providing adequate stratification of treatment results. Of 101 cases managed with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy 91 (90%) were stone-free, a result significantly better than that achieved with ESWL (1,733 of 2,927 stone-free, 59%). Stone-free rates with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy were independent of stone burden, whereas stone-free rates with ESWL were inversely correlated to the stone burden treated. The morbidity of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrostolithotomy at our hospital was minimal, with a mean hospital stay of 4.7 +/- 2.8 days. No blood transfusions were required. All patients became stone-free. The percentage of urolithiasis patients with lower pole calculi is increasing. Because of the significantly greater efficacy of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy for lower pole calculi, particularly stones larger than 10 mm. in diameter, further consideration should be given to an initial approach with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

No abstract

This large case/control study of fall and non-fall patients, in an acute care tertiary facility, was designed to concurrently test the Hendrich Fall Risk Model. Cases and controls (355/780) were randomly enrolled and assessed for more than 600 risk factors (intrinsic/extrinsic). Standardized instruments were used for key physical attributes as well as clinician assessments. A risk factor model was developed through stepwise logistic regression. Two-way interactions among the risk factors were tested for significance. The best fitting model included 2 Log L chi square statistic as well as sensitivity and specificity values retrospectively. The result of the study is an easy to use validated Hendrich Fall Risk Model with eight assessment parameters for high-risk fall identification tested in acute care environments.