With the aging of our patient population, and the increasing incidence of kidney stone disease in the elderly, active stone treatment is becoming more common. In this review of current literature, we aim to assess safety and efficacy of ureteroscopy (URS) as primary treatment for urolithiasis in the octogenarians.
A scoping review of literature according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed, using the relevant search terms. Original articles were screened and included. A narrative review of the studies is provided, with emphasis on outcomes of URS in the elderly.
10 studies were included in the analysis. URS performed in the elderly population showed a good safety and efficacy, with stone-free rates (SFR) comparable to the general population. URS specific complication rates seems to be comparable to the other age groups, with postoperative events mostly related to anaesthesia and pre-existing medical conditions. The overall complication rate was still low, with a slightly prolonged hospital stay. Predictors for SFR were age, severe comorbidities and stone burden.
URS for stone treatment in the elderly population is safe and effective, with comparable surgical outcomes to that of the general population. As comorbidities play an important role in the fitness for surgery and overall survival, risks and benefit of active stone treatment should be carefully balanced in this group.
Arab journal of urology. 2024 Feb 19*** epublish ***
Daksh Bhatnagar, Carlotta Nedbal, Bhaskar Kumar Somani
Department of Medical, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK., Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.