Guest Editors
Dr. Jia-Lun Kwok
Email: drjialun.kwok@gmail.com
Affiliation: Department of Urology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
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Research Interests: urolithiasis, endourology, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, flexible ureteroscopy, suction, intrarenal pressure
Summary
The management of urolithiasis has undergone a paradigm shift driven by progressive miniaturization of endourological instruments, advances in lithotripsy energy sources, and the integration of suction, digital imaging, and combined approaches. These developments have expanded treatment options across patient populations, reduced morbidity, and reshaped clinical decision-making. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based, and forward-looking overview of how miniaturization has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of urinary stone disease. By bringing together clinical outcomes, technical innovations, and future perspectives, the issue will serve as a definitive reference for practicing urologists, trainees, and researchers.
Suggested Themes
· Evolution of Miniaturization in Urolithiasis: rationale, benefits, and limitations of downsizing access tracts and scopes
· Miniaturized Percutaneous Stone Surgery (Mini-PCNL, ultra-mini PCNL, micro-PCNL, suction-PCNL): indications and outcomes
· Flexible Ureteroscopy and Miniaturization: advances in flexible ureteroscopes, single-use vs reusable scopes, impact on intrarenal pressure and stone-free rates
· Lithotripsy in the Era of Miniaturization: holmium:YAG vs thulium:YAG vs thulium fiber lasers, dusting, fragmentation, and pop-corning strategies, energy delivery optimization
· Suction-Assisted and Pressure-Controlled Systems: role of suction in mini-PCNL, fURS, and ECIRS, intrarenal pressure control, infection prevention, technical integration
· Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (ECIRS): patient selection, positioning, workflow optimization, outcomes compared with single-modality approaches
· Special Populations and Indications: pediatric, obese, elderly, and patients with complex or anomalous kidneys
· Training, Learning Curves, and Ergonomics: impact on surgical training, simulation, hands-on education, skill acquisition, and ergonomic considerations
· Future Directions: robotics, automation, AI-assisted planning, next-generation instrument design
We welcome a wide range of submissions, including Narrative and systematic reviews, original research and comparative studies, technical notes and step-by-step procedural guides, expert opinions and consensus statements, and editorial perspectives on future trends.
Keywords
Urolithiasis, miniaturization, endourology, mini-PCNL, ureteroscopy, lithotripsy, laser, suction-assisted surgery, ECIRS, minimally invasive surgery.
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