Ureteroscopy in Patients with Bleeding Diatheses, Anticoagulated, and on Anti-Platelet Agents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteroscopy (URS) is the most common surgical treatment of urolithiasis and can be problematic in patients with a bleeding diathesis. The intent of this review is to systematically review the literature to assess the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopic procedures in these groups of patients.

METHODS: The systematic review was performed according to the Cochrane diagnostic accuracy review guidelines. The search strategy was conducted to perform a comprehensive database search (1990-2017). A cumulative analysis was done and where applicable a comparative analysis between bleeding diathesis patients and those without.

RESULTS: Eight studies included were all published between 1998 and 2016 with the total number of participants with bleeding diatheses being 1109 with an age range of 18-97. Overall stone-free rate across the studies was 90.8% vs 86.2% in the control group. There was no significant difference in complications between the bleeding diathesis group and control group (N = 12,757, p = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92, 6.02, I2  = 78%). Pooled analysis for bleeding-related complications shows a statistically significant difference favoring the control arm (N = 12,757, p ≤ 0.0001, 95% CI 1.81, 5.73, I2  = 0%). Pooled analysis for thrombosis shows no statistically significant difference between the bleeding diathesis group and the control arm (N = 118, p = 0.67, 95% CI 0.23, 9.86, I2  = 48%).

CONCLUSION: The use of URS with or without the holmium laser is a safe and efficient modality for treating patients with urolithiasis who also have a bleeding diathesis or are anticoagulated or on antiplatelet agents. However, this review would suggest that the increased risk of procedure related bleeding is not insignificant and a patient-centered approach should be taken with regards to continuing these agents or not correcting bleeding diatheses.