Global warming is likely to increase the proportion of the population affected by kidney stones by expanding the higher-risk region known as “the kidney-stone belt” into neighboring states, according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Morbidly obese patients who undergo a particular type of gastric bypass surgery called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are at increased risk of developing kidney stones within a few months following the procedure, rather than several months to years afterward, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (2008; 206:1145-53).

Use of dead space within a ureteroscope can enhance its performance and reduce intrarenal pressure without compromising the efficiency and structural integrity of the instrument, Joseph V. DiTrolio, MD, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Roseland, reported at the AUA annual meeting.

Patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy are significantly more likely to undergo a subsequent surgical procedure than are patients undergoing ureteroscopy, according to results of a study designed to investigate real-world practice patterns in surgical therapy for urinary lithiasis. Researchers from Duke University, Durham, NC, reported the finding at the AUA annual meeting yesterday.

Second-look flexible nephroscopy after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is cost effective only for residual stone fragments larger than 4 mm, according to findings from a study reported at the AUA meeting yesterday.

Glenn M. Preminger, MD, professor of urologic surgery and director of the Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, suggests that the next decade might best be spent refining those technologies and determining which patients are likely to derive the greatest benefit from these advances.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) continues to be an effective minimally invasive approach to the treatment of large-volume renal stone disease.

While understanding of the basic science of shock waves has increased dramatically, questions have also been raised about the potential for serious adverse advents and urologist ownership of lithotriptors.

Urologists who own or who have an interest in ambulatory surgical centers perform more than three times as many stone surgeries as non-owners do.