Hung-Chieh ChiuTaiwanSpeakerErectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Health: Insights from the Updated Princeton Consensus1. PDE-5i exposure was associated with lower incidence of MACE, CV death, and overall mortality risk compared to non exposure and risk reduction correlated with PDE-5i exposure level.
2. Highlight of PDE5i and cardiac health in the 4th Princeton Consensus Conference.
3. ED symptoms precede clinically evident CVD by as long as 2 to 5 years.
4. ED management in patients takingnitrate-containing medications or substances.
5. Drug–drug interactions and CV safety of PDE5 inhibitors( real-world observation data) .
6. PDE5 inhibitors may have cardioprotective effects and might play a role in preventative cardiology in the future.
Sung Yong Cho Korea (Republic of)SpeakerRobotic URS: Can It Really Improve Precision and Reduce Surgeon Fatigue?Use of AI and Robots in Endourology
Anil ShresthaNepalSpeakerClearpetra the Sheath of Choice for Lower Pole StonesSFR Assessment: Timing and Modalities
Boyke SoebhaliIndonesiaSpeakerUpdates on Pharmacological Therapy for UrolithiasisUrolithiasis, a prevalent and recurrent urological condition, requires a multifaceted approach combining pharmacological, dietary, and surgical interventions. Recent advancements in pharmacological therapy emphasize personalized treatment based on stone composition, metabolic profiles, and patient-specific risk factors.
For calcium oxalate stones, the most common type, thiazide diuretics remain first-line therapy to reduce urinary calcium excretion, while potassium citrate is recommended to increase urinary citrate levels, inhibiting stone formation. Dietary modifications, such as reduced oxalate intake and adequate calcium consumption, are adjunctive measures. In primary hyperoxaluria (PH), novel RNA interference (RNAi) agents like lumasiran and nedosiran significantly lower urinary oxalate levels, offering promising alternatives for patients unresponsive to pyridoxine.
Uric acid stones are managed with urinary alkalinization using potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate to maintain a pH >6.0, enhancing uric acid solubility. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol, febuxostat) are reserved for hyperuricemic patients. Cystine stones, though rare, require alkalinization and thiol-based drugs (tiopronin) to improve cystine solubility.
Struvite stones, associated with urease-producing infections, necessitate antibiotics and urinary acidification (e.g., L-methionine) alongside surgical removal. Emerging therapies like theobromine show potential in inhibiting uric acid crystallization, while phytate demonstrates inhibitory effects on calcium salt aggregation.
Medical expulsive therapy (MET) with alpha-blockers (tamsulosin) remains effective for distal ureteral stones (5–10 mm), reducing time to expulsion and need for surgery. However, MET efficacy diminishes for proximal stones or those >10 mm, necessitating surgical intervention.
Future directions include optimizing RNAi therapies for hereditary stone diseases and integrating smartphone apps to enhance treatment adherence. A tailored, evidence-based approach combining pharmacological and lifestyle interventions is crucial for reducing recurrence and improving patient outcomes.Suction PCNL vs Suction RIRS? Do We Have a WinnerThe management of renal stones has evolved with the introduction of suction-assisted techniques in both percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Suction PCNL, including mini-PCNL and flexible mini-PCNL (F-mPCNL), utilizes negative pressure to improve stone clearance and reduce intrarenal pressure, while suction RIRS employs vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheaths (V-UAS) or direct in-scope suction (DISS) to enhance fragment removal and minimize infectious complications.
Recent studies highlight that suction PCNL achieves superior stone-free rates (SFRs) in a single session, particularly for stones >2 cm, with SFRs ranging from 93.8% to 95.1% compared to 77.8%–87.9% for suction RIRS. However, suction RIRS offers advantages in reduced invasiveness, shorter hospital stays (1–3 days vs. 2–5 days for PCNL), and lower complication rates (e.g., bleeding, transfusion needs). For infectious stones, suction RIRS with V-UAS demonstrates lower postoperative infection markers (CRP, PCT) and fewer febrile complications than PCNL .
Operative times vary, with suction PCNL often being faster for large stones (47–82 min) but requiring fluoroscopy, while suction RIRS avoids tract-related risks but may necessitate staged procedures for stones >2 cm. Cost-effectiveness analyses favor suction PCNL due to fewer retreatments, though RIRS reduces radiation exposure.