Measuring Fluid Absorption in Ureteroscopy: A Study in Swine Models

What is it about?

The study evaluated the accuracy of a breathalyser to measure fluid absorption during ureteroscopy, a surgical procedure used to remove kidney stones. The research was conducted on live pigs, with normal saline and 5% ethanol as the irrigation solution. The breathalyser measured blood alcohol levels to estimate fluid absorption. The study aimed to optimize patient outcomes and surgical techniques for kidney stone disease, which has seen an increase in incidence.

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Why is it important?

This research is important as it aims to optimize patient outcomes and surgical technique in ureteroscopy, a common intervention for kidney stone disease. It evaluates the accuracy of a standard breathalyser to measure fluid absorption during ureteroscopy, which is crucial for understanding the risks and complications associated with the procedure. Key Takeaways: 1. Prior studies have evaluated fluid absorption during TURP, but there is a paucity of research exploring methods to measure fluid absorption during ureteroscopy. 2. The research was conducted on a live swine model, with 18 kidneys of anaesthetised female Yorkshire pigs undergoing flexible ureteroscopy at varying renal pelvis pressures. 3. The median ethanol absorption during irrigation was highest at 75 mmHg and lowest at 37 mmHg. Fluid absorption was significantly higher at 75 mmHg compared to 37 mmHg. 4. The Pearson correlation coefficient between breathalyser ethanol levels and ethanol absorption was 0.978, indicating a strong positive correlation between the two variables. 5. The study findings may contribute to the development of more accurate methods for measuring fluid absorption during ureteroscopy, ultimately improving patient outcomes and surgical technique.