Innersight, a novel software for the formation of preoperative CT-based 3D models for the treatment of lithiasis:...

To present our experience with a newly introduced software for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models based on the preoperative computed tomography urography (CTU) for renal stone management.

A retrospective study including patients planned for surgical management of renal stones was conducted. All patients underwent preoperative CTU, and 3D models were subsequently generated based on the imaging data with the use of Innersight software (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). The 3D models provided information on the stone position, pelvicalyceal system, vessels and adjacent structures. The intra- and postoperative outcomes, as well as the stone-free status one month postoperatively, were recorded.

Twenty-one patients were included in the study, 8 males (38%) and 13 females (62%). The median age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) were 56 years (range 22-76), 79 kg (range 54-99) and 27.85 kg/m² (range 21.90-34.31), respectively. Ten (47.6%) patients underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), while 11 patients (52.4%) underwent endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). In total, 32 stones were treated with a median stone density of 1065 Hounsfield Units (range 611-1363), while the median cumulative stone burden was 1413.7 mm³ (range 117-15919.1). The median operative time was 38 min (range 19-63). Postoperatively, 19 patients (90.5%) remained stone-free, while one patient (4.8%) suffered from infection, which was managed conservatively (Clavien-Dindo II).

Innersight software seems to be a valuable tool for the pre-operative planning and management of urolithiasis. Despite the promising results of the present study, further clinical evaluation that would confirm our findings is deemed necessary.