Urolithiasis is a disease with high prevalence and there are various risk factors impacting on stone formation. It is already known that intestinal microbiome may influence the composition of the urine and, as a result, the formation of stones. In addition, it is also known that urine is no longer considered sterile since the evolution of high-throughput DNA sequencing, but there is a rich ecosystem of bacteria in the urine (urobiome) that may also lead the formation of stones..

In this study the lecturers analyzed the urine samples of 28 stone patients and 59 healthy individuals, and they found some microorganisms more abundant in the control group than in the stone patients’ group. They concluded that dysbiosis of urine may be related to the development of urinary stones.

This result was interesting to me because it may contribute to the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapies for stone-former patients.

They presented the results of a multicenter study that analized the use of fluoroscopy and radiation protection in endoscopic procedures for urinary stones in 10 different European centers. They concluded that endourologists meet the current threshold doses described on the Guidelines for radiation exposure to the chest, extremities and lens of the eyes, although there is still insufficient compliance with recommendations on radiation protection measures.

This study was interesting to me because the diagnosis and treatment of urinary stones represents a source of high radiation exposure for both patients and urologists, which is extremely concerning due to the potential development of malignant tumors.

Urology has dramatically evolved in recent decades, especially in terms of surgical techniques due to the great technological innovations provided by industry. One of the examples is percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as a main treatment modality for medium-large renal stones with the expansion of its miniaturization.

Traditionally, PCNL has been performed on an inpatient basis. But in this study the authors describe their initial experience in ambulatory mini PCNL. After including 30 patients from Apr 21 to Sep 22 their outcomes are extraordinary good with an average duration per intervention of 80 minutes, and without any intraoperative complication, postoperative complication, re-consultation at the ER or readmission.

This study was interesting to me because it reveals good outcomes in selected patients demonstrating safety and benefit of outpatient surgery. It definitely seems a good procedure that allows to achieve a good stone treatment, more comfortability to our patients and less expenses to our hospitals.