title: Superiority of the EF-120-00-3F biopsy forceps in the histopathological evaluation of upper urinary tract specimens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of two different biopsy forceps with respect to their functionality and quality for histological assessment of upper urinary tract biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared flow rates, active deflection angle and histological quality of specimens taken from upper urinary tract biopsies of 40 consecutively treated patients between October 2011 and October 2012. Two different biopsy forceps [group A = 20 patients: "Piranha (®) " (Boston Scientific, Natick, USA) versus group B = 20 patients: "EF-120-00-3F" (Euromedical GmbH, Siegsdorf, GER)] were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The specimens obtained with the "EF-120-00-3F" were superior in terms of tissue preservation such as intact urothelium/tissue fragmentation and the prevention of artifacts due to tissue compression (existence of artifacts/nucleus evaluation). Furthermore, due to superiority of tissue preservation, tissues obtained with the "EF-120-00-3F" showed better tissue orientation in the sense of anatomic evaluation of invasion and deep layer involvement. Irrigation flow rates did not differ significantly while deflection angle was more impaired with the "Piranha" biopsy forceps. No difference was observed with the handling of both biopsy forceps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the "EF-120-00-3F" biopsy forceps represent a valuable modification of antegradely insertable instruments that qualifies for improved and correct staging as well as diagnosis of upper urinary specimens in comparison with standard biopsy forcipes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, mariokramer@hotmail.de.
authors.forename: Mario W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kabbani
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Imkamp
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nagele
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jutzi
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Klot
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Axel S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Merseburger
authors.forename: Markus A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kuczyk
authors.forename: Hans H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kreipe
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Herrmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology