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<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We aimed to evaluate the predictive factors in a holistic manner for ureterorenoscopy (URS) outcomes in proximal ureteral stones by a multicenter study. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> The data of patients who underwent URS for proximal ureteral stones between the years 2015 and 2018 in eight centers were recorded retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to URS success: Group 1 consisted of patients with successful URS, and Group 2 consisted of patients with unsuccessful URS. The two groups were compared in terms of risk factors, stone, and clinical characteristics of patients. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 638 patients were included in the study. Group 1 consisted of 527 (82.6%) patients, and Group 2 consisted of 111 (17.4%) patients. In multivariate logistic analysis, the key risk factors for URS success was found to be age (OR = 0.980, 95% [CI] = 0.963–0.996, <i>p</i> = 0.018), stone area (OR = 0.993, 95% [CI] = 0.989–0.997, <i>p</i> = 0.002), and operation time (OR = 0.981, 95% [CI] = 0.968–0.994, <i>p</i> = 0.005). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> To make the treatment decision of proximal ureteral stones, it is necessary to examine several parameters including available equipment, stone, and patient characteristics. Physicians should keep these risk factors in mind in the decision of treatment options.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and complications of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy used in the ureterorenoscopic treatment of proximal ureteral stones. Materials and Methods: Data of 638 patients, who underwent ureterorenoscopy (URS) due to proximal ureteral stones in different centers, were obtained from patient files. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of lithotripter used: group 1; laser lithotripter (n=324; 50.8%) and group 2; pneumatic lithotripter (n=314; 49.2%). URS was considered successful upon determination stone-free status with the imaging methods after treatment. The effectiveness and the complications of holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and pneumatic lithotripsy were compared. Results: The total success rate of URS was 82.6% and the complication rate was 8.1%. The mean age of patients was similar between the groups; however, the body mass index values, stone surface area and stone Hounsfield unit were significantly higher in group 1. Although the mean operative time, complication rate and the mean length of hospital stay were similar between the groups; the URS success and postoperative ureteral Turkiye is an endemic region for urinary system stone disease and the incidence rate is 14.8%. Currently, ureterorenoscopy, where laser and pneumatic energy sources are used as lithotripter, is the first choice in the treatment of ureteral stones. The aim of this multi-centered study was to compare the efficacy of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripters used in the ureterorenoscopic treatment of proximal ureteral stones and investigate their complications.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the effects on quality of life (QoL) and stone-free rate (SFR) of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with renal stones 2-4 cm. Materials and methods: A total of 102 patients with renal pelvis stones were enrolled in this prospective controlled study, of which 52 were performed RIRS and 50 with PNL. The QoL was evaluated by using Short From-36 pre-and post-operatively. Also, the surgical data of all patients during and after the operations were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The mean age, body mass index, stone size and density of the patients in the 2 groups were statistically similar (p > 0.05). The SFR of PNL and RIRS were found 94% (47/50) and 73% (38/52), respectively (p < 0.01). There were no statistically differences between operation times, minor complication rates and Short From-36 scores of the 2 groups. Hospitalization times were 1.13 ± 0.34 days for RIRS and 2.9 ± 5.7 days for PNL (p < 0.05). While the blood transfusion rate of PNL group was 8% (4/50), none patient was made blood transfusion in RIRS. Conclusions:The results of our study show that the blood transfusion rates and hospitalization times of RIRS group are significantly lower than PNL for management of renal pelvis stone 2-4 cm. Despite these advantages of RIRS, the SFR is significantly lower than PNL for these stones. The effects on QoL of the both interventions before and after surgery were similar.

Objective To identify the pathophysiological mechanisms of nocturia and the correlation of these mechanisms with nocturia severity. Methodology After approval by the local ethics committee, all patients with nocturia (≥1 nocturnal void/night) were included and filled the Overactive Bladder questionnaire, Nocturia Quality of Life, Incontinence Questionnaire ‐ Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (male), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire ‐ Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (female) and 3‐day frequency‐volume chart. Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of nocturia: group 1 consisted of patients with mild (1‐2 voids/night), group 2 with moderate (3‐4 voids/night) and group 3 with severe nocturia (>4 voids/night). Comparative analysis was performed between groups, and P < .05 was deemed as statistically significant. Results About 68.1%, 64.1% and 8.7% of the patients had nocturnal polyuria (NP), reduced bladder capacity and global polyuria, respectively. 42.7% of the patients had mixed nocturia. 6.1% of the patients did not comply with the aforementioned subtypes and defined as isolated nocturia. Regarding the severity of nocturia, 155 (41%) patients had mild, 167 (45%) patients had moderate and 57 (15%) patients had severe nocturia. Increased nocturia severity was related with decreased quality of life; higher age, urinary tract symptom scores, nocturnal urine volume, evening fluid consumption and beta‐blocker medication rates. Increased nocturia severity was also associated with higher NP, global polyuria and reduced bladder capacity rates. Conclusions Nocturia mechanisms may vary between mild and moderate to severe nocturia groups according to the present study. Nocturia grading with identification of subtypes may help for better standardisation of the diagnostic and treatment approaches as well as for the design of future clinical trials.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Objective: To analyze the effect of the anesthesia method (spinal and general) on the outcome of ureteroscopy (URS) in patients treated for proximal ureteral stones. Materials and Methods: Patients, who underwent URS for proximal ureteral stones at various urology clinics in Turkiye, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the anesthesia method performed; the procedure was performed under spinal anesthesia (SA) in group 1 and general anesthesia (GA) in group 2. Patients' demographic, perioperative data and complication rates were compared between the two groups in a retrospective manner. Results: There were 309 and 329 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean stone area and Hounsfield unit in GA group were higher (p<0.001 and p=0.007, respectively). In the GA group, the need for double J stent was more frequent (p<0.001). In the SA group, the rate of push-back of stone into the collecting system was higher (p=0.017). According to the Clavien classification system and the others, complication rates were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). The rate of success of URS, which is accepted as complete stone-free status, was higher in the SA group (p=0.041). Conclusion: URS, which is used in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones, has a high success rate, independent of the anesthesia method used. It is important to keep in mind the patient's comorbidities prior to selecting the anesthesia method and that the stone area and the Hounsfield unit are the important factors affecting the outcomes.

Aims of the study To investigate the effect of mirabegron 50 mg/daily for JJ stent‐related symptoms after ureteroscopic stone surgery. Methods Medical records of 145 patients who were given a single daily oral dose of 50 mg of mirabegron for relieving stent‐related symptoms were retrospectively analysed. Demographic and clinical data and stone parameters were recorded. All participants completed the Turkish version of the Ureter Symptom Score Questionnaire (USSQ‐T) on the postoperative 7th day, and again after at least 3 weeks, before JJ stent removal. The severity of stent‐related symptoms was statistically compared before and after the mirabegron treatment. Results The mean urinary symptoms score decreased significantly from 30.87 ± 9.43 to 22.61 ± 6.78 (P < .0001), mean body pain score decreased significantly from 21.82 ± 11.22 to 14.03 ± 7.52 (P < .0001), mean work performance score decreased from 10.50 ± 8.61 to 7.02 ± 6.51 (P < .0001) and mean general health score decreased significantly from 15.43 ± 6.50 to 11.12 ± 3.70 (P < .0001). The mean sexual matters score significantly decreased from 3.88 ± 3.40 to 2.48 ± 2.03 (P < .0001), the additional problem score decreased from 9.31 ± 4.61 to 6.51 ± 2.83 (P < .0001) and the overall quality of life (QoL) score decreased from 5.18 ± 1.94 to 4.23 ± 1.71 after mirabegron use (P < .0001). Conclusion Daily use of 50 g of mirabegron significantly improved stent‐related symptoms, sexual matters and quality of life.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of mirabegron 50 mg/daily for JJ stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic stone surgery. Methods: Medical records of 145 patients who were given a single daily oral dose of 50 mg of mirabegron for relieving stentrelated symptoms were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data and stone parameters were recorded. All participants completed the Turkish version of the Ureter Symptom Score Questionnaire (USSQ-T) on the postoperative seventh day, and again after at least three weeks, before JJ stent removal. The severity of stent-related symptoms was statistically compared before and after the mirabegron treatment. Results: The mean urinary symptoms score decreased significantly from 30.87 ± 9.43 to 22.61 ± 6.78 (p < 0.0001), mean body pain score decreased significantly from 21.82 ± 11.22 to 14.03 ± 7.52 (p < 0.0001), mean work performance score decreased from 10.50 ± 8.61 to 7.02 ± 6.51 (p < 0.0001), and mean general health score decreased significantly from 15.43 ± 6.50 to 11.12 ± 3.70 (p < 0.0001). The mean sexual matters score significantly decreased from 3.88 ± 3.40 to 2.48 ± 2.03 (p < 0.0001), the additional problem score decreased from 9.31 ± 4.61 to 6.51 ± 2.83 (p < 0.0001), and the overall quality of life (QoL) score decreased from 5.18 ± 1.94 to 4.23 ± 1.71 after mirabegron use (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Daily use of 50g of mirabegron significantly improved stent-related symptoms, sexual matters, and quality of life.