Since its introduction in the early 1980s, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has proven to be a minimally invasive and efficient procedure for the management of renal calculi. It is currently one of the most recommended treatments for small- and medium-sized stones (<20 mm) in most guidelines internationally. The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak could lead to a further increase in ESWL use as it avoids a general anesthetic and its potential complications in patients with COVID-19 infection. Most publications exhibit ESWL stone-free rates (SFRs) of 70%–80%; however, this is often not the case in many centers, with multiple factors affecting the efficacy of the intervention. Various stone and patient factors have been shown to influence the ESWL success. Stone position, density and size, skin-to-stone distance, and body-mass index contribute to SFRs. Modifications in the lithotripter design and revisions in the technique have also improved the SFRs over the years, with slower shock rates, power-ramping protocols, combined real-time ultrasound, and fluoroscopy imaging technology, all enhancing the efficacy. The adjuvant use of pharmacological agents, such as alpha-blockers, potassium citrate, and the emerging microbubble technology, has also been investigated and shown promising results. Arguably, the most significant determinant of the success of ESWL in a particular unit is how the lithotripsy service is set up and monitored. Careful patient selection, dedicated personnel, and post-treatment imaging review are essential for the optimization of ESWL. Through an analysis of the published studies, this review aimed to explore the measures that contribute to an effectual lithotripsy service in depth. Cite this article as: Petrides N, Ismail S, Anjum F, Sriprasad S. How to maximize the efficacy of shockwave lithotripsy. Turk J Urol 2020; 46(Supp. 1): S19-S26

Objective: To assess complication rates and intermediate oncological outcomes of laparoscopic‐assisted cryoablation ( LCA ) in patients with small renal masses ( SRM s). Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 808 patients treated with LCA for T1a SRM s from 2005 to 2015 at eight European institutions. Complications were analysed according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. Kaplan–Meier analyses were used to estimate 5‐ and 10‐year disease‐free survival ( DFS ) and overall survival ( OS ). Results: The median [interquartile ( IQR )] age was 67 (58–74) years. The median ( IQR ) tumour size was 25 (19–30) mm. The transperitoneal approach was used in 77.7% of the patients. The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. In all, 514 patients with a biopsy‐confirmed renal cell carcinoma ( RCC ) were available for survival analyses. The median ( IQR ) follow‐up for the RCC ‐cohort was 36 (14–56) months. A total of 32 patients (6.2%) were diagnosed with treatment failure. The 5‐/10‐year DFS was 90.4%/80.0% and 5‐/10‐year OS was 83.2%/64.4%, respectively. A total of 134 postoperative complications (16.6%) were reported, with severe complications (grade ≥ III ) in 26 patients (3.2%). An American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 was associated with an increased risk of overall complications (odds ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.32–6.20; P = 0.005). Conclusions: This large series of LCA demonstrates satisfactory long‐term oncological outcomes for SRM s. However, although LCA is considered a minimally invasive procedure, risk of complications should be considered when counselling patients.

To assess efficacy and safety of Thulium laser enucleation of prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is a systemic review based on a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Google scholar databases from inception to 31 March 2020. All studies in English evaluating ThuLEP as well as those comparing it with Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and Holmium Laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) were enrolled. The primary outcome was to evaluate operative, postoperative, and functional outcomes (IPSS, QoL, Qmax, PVR) in patients undergoing ThuLEP. Secondary outcome was to compare operative, postoperative, and functional outcomes with TURP and HoLEP in comparative studies. Fourteen studies with a total of 2,562 patients were included in this review. 2,034 underwent ThuLEP, 349 underwent TURP, and remaining 139 had HoLEP. We found that ThuLEP is safe as well as efficacious in all age groups as well as across all prostate sizes and with all four functional outcomes (IPSS, QoL, Qmax, PVR) revealing marked improvement at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Compared to TURP and HoLEP, Thulep is non-inferior in terms of operative and functional outcomes and, in fact, is associated with lesser catheterization duration as well as shorter hospital stay. Further, Thulium fiber laser (TFL) has advantages of being light weight, having high frequency, less fiber degradation, and less energy consumption, making it cost effective for operational and maintenance purpose. ThuLEP is a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective procedure for BPE. Cite this article as: Wani MM, Sriprasad S, Bhat T, Madaan S. Is Thulium laser enucleation of prostate an alternative to Holmium and TURP surgeries - A systematic review? Turk J Urol 2020; 46(6): 419-26.

Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the common renal fusion congenital anomaly, affecting about 0.25% of the global population. Although most HSKs are detected incidentally, they may present with clinical findings, including urinary tract infections (UTI), stone formation, and obstruction. Nephrolithiasis, observed in 20% of patients with HSK, is a frequent indication for surgery. Due to the caudal and medial locations of calyces and the abnormal anterior position of the kidney, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has shown a relatively low success rate in treating HSK. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has also been associated with major complications in anomalous kidneys. Advances in laparoscopic instrumentation and techniques have made laparoscopic surgery a promising alternative for stone treatment in HSK. This report describes a 61-year-old woman who presented initially with recurrent UTI unresponsive to multiple courses of antibiotics. Urine cultures were positive for Escherichia coli. A computed tomography scan showed a right HSK with multiple renal stones (35 mm in the right lower pole with eight stones 2-4 mm in size), along with severe hydronephrosis. The patient was treated successfully with laparoscopic nephrolithotomy, indicating that laparoscopy is an effective and safe approach in the treatment of renal stones >2 cm in HSK.