Alexis E. Te

Urodynamic Findings in Patients With Diabetic Cystopathy

To ascertain the relationship between voiding dysfunction associated with diabetes and bladder and sphincter behavior, the video urodynamic studies of 182 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified based on urodynamic diagnosis and the presence or absence of signs of sacral cord involvement. Urodynamic findings were classified as either detrusor hyperreflexia, impaired detrusor contractility, detrusor areflexia, indeterminate and normal. The results indicate that mean bladder capacity was 485 +/- 89.3 ml. with a mean first sensation of filling of 298 +/- 67.4 ml. Of the 182 patients 100 (55%) had detrusor hyperreflexia, 42 (23%) had impaired detrusor contractility, 20 (11%) had indeterminate findings, 19 (10%) had detrusor areflexia and 1 (1%) was normal. Bladder outlet obstruction occurred in 66 patients (36%), all men (57%). The diagnosis was isolated in 24 patients (36%) or in combination with another diagnosis in 42 (74%). However, if one considers the presence of sacral cord signs (42 patients), the most common urodynamic diagnoses were either impaired detrusor contractility in 21 (50%) or detrusor areflexia in 10 (24%). These data suggest that classical diabetic cystopathy is not the most common urodynamic findings in patients with diabetes mellitus and voiding dysfunction, and in fact these patients present with variable pathophysiological findings. These findings demonstrate the importance of urodynamic studies in diagnosing voiding dysfunction in diabetics before initiation of therapy.

TRANSURETHRAL ELECTROVAPORIZATION OF THE PROSTATE: A NOVEL METHOD FOR TREATING MEN WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

OBJECTIVES To determine the preliminary safety and efficacy of transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TVP) using the VaporTrode as a therapeutic alternative in the management of men with bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS Twenty-five men (mean age, 63.5 +/- 3.1 years) with mild to moderate symptoms of prostatism underwent TVP since August 1994. Patients were assessed at baseline for both safety and efficacy and in follow-up at 1 week and 1 and 3 months. Efficacy parameters evaluated included operative time (in minutes), change in hematocrit and serum sodium, postoperative catheterization time, American Urological Association symptom score, peak uroflow (Qmax) and postvoid residual urine. Safety parameters evaluated included incidence of side effects, changes in serum sodium and hematocrit, and evaluation of sexual function. RESULTS Symptoms decreased from 17.8 to 5.9 and 4.2 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.01). Qmax increased from 7.4 to 15.3 and 17.3 mL/s at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.02). Mean operative time was 40.3 minutes; mean interval to catheter removal was 14.6 hours. Changes in serum parameters included a 0.9 mL/dL decrease in hematocrit and a 1.1 mEq/L change in sodium. Complications of the procedure included mild hematuria (n = 3) and distal bulbar urethral stricture (n = 1). There were no associated significant postprocedure irritative symptoms and no patient required recatheterization. CONCLUSIONS TVP is a new and potentially useful modification of performing transurethral resection of the prostate. In this preliminary study, there has been significant clinical improvement maintained with minimal morbidity. This early clinical experience highlights several potential advantages of TVP, including significantly lower cost and minimal postoperative irritative symptom score. Currently, a multicenter clinical trial is under way to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of TVP.

Total reconstruction of the vesico-urethral junction

We describe a novel technique of total vesico‐urethral reconstruction, which combines the tactics of previous surgeons, and compare the outcome of our innovative changes for return to early continence with prostatectomies with no or partial reconstruction of the vesico‐urethral junction.

Transition Zone Index as a Method of Assessing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Correlation with Symptoms, Urine Flow and Detrusor Pressure

PURPOSE Prostate volume has been poorly correlated to various parameters used to assess benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including symptoms, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure at peak urine flow. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to determine if transrectal ultrasound measurement of the transition zone of the prostate served as a better proxy for determining prostate size and correlated better with American Urological Association symptom score, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure, and 2) if the parameter transition zone index (the ratio between transition zone volume and prostate volume) was useful in evaluating clinical prostatism. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated 61 men with symptomatic BPH (age 64.6 +/- 9.7 years) according to symptoms, peak urine flow, pressure/flow analysis, transrectal ultrasound volume of the entire prostate and the transition zone, and calculation of the transition zone index. RESULTS Age correlated with symptoms (r = 0.31, p = 0.01) and peak urine flow correlated negatively with symptoms and age (p = 0.002). Age also correlated with prostate volume (r = 0.54 and p = 0.03) and transition zone (r = 0.31, p = 0.05). There was a weak correlation between prostate volume and symptoms, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure at peak urine flow; a stronger correlation between transition zone and symptoms (r = 0.48, p = 0.03), and peak urine flow (r = -0.34, p = 0.05), and a significant correlation (p = 0.001) between transition zone index and symptoms (r = 0.75), peak urine flow (r = -0.71) and detrusor pressure at peak urine flow (r = 0.43). A transition zone index of greater than 0.50 was a useful cutoff point and highly significant (p = 0.002) for delineating patients with more severe abnormalities of symptoms, peak urine flow and detrusor pressure at peak urine flow. CONCLUSIONS Transition zone index is a parameter that correlates significantly with evaluated parameters of BPH and may serve as a useful proxy for evaluating worsening obstruction. Studies are underway to determine if transition zone index can be used prospectively to predict and correlate response with therapies designed to ablate prostatic tissue medically or surgically.

IMPACT OF PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL AND PROSTATE VOLUME AS PREDICTORS OF EFFICACY IN PHOTOSELECTIVE VAPORIZATION PROSTATECTOMY: ANALYSIS AND RESULTS OF AN ONGOING PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRE STUDY AT 3 YEARS

In a multicentre study from the USA, 3‐year results of the high‐power KTP laser prostatectomy are presented. The authors used preoperative PSA level as a marker of prostate volume and assessed its potential predictive value on the level of clinical efficacy for treating symptomatic BPH. They found that the overall results from the technique were positive and durable, and suggested that there was a significant difference in efficacy between patients presenting with a total PSA of <6 or >6 ng/mL.

Pseudodyssynergia (Contraction of the External Sphincter During Voiding) Misdiagnosed as Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis and the Role of Biofeedback as a Therapeutic Option

PURPOSE Chronic lower urinary tract symptoms in young men are often attributed to misdiagnosed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. We analyzed contraction of the external urinary sphincter during voiding (pseudodyssynergia) as an etiology of voiding dysfunction in men with misdiagnosed chronic prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The video urodynamic studies of 43 men 23 to 50 years old with chronic voiding dysfunction secondary to pseudodyssynergia performed between January 1990 and June 1996 were retrospectively analyzed. Pseudodyssynergia was diagnosed based on several criteria, including electrical activity of the external sphincter during voiding in the absence of abdominal straining, and brief and intermittent closing of the membranous urethra during voiding detected by electromyography and fluoroscopy. Patients with bacterial infection or excessive leukocytes in expressed prostatic secretions were excluded from the study. RESULTS Of the patients 39 (91%) were firstborn men. Duration of symptoms ranged from 17 to 146 months (mean 43.6). Average number of previous antibiotic days ranged from 53 to 186 (mean 67.6). In addition, empirical trials of alpha-blockers were unsuccessful. Mean American Urological Association symptom score plus or minus standard deviation was 17.5 +/- 3.7, mean maximum flow rate was 13.3 +/- 4.2 ml. per second, mean detrusor pressure at maximum flow was 46.3 +/- 13.7 cm. water and mean detrusor contraction duration was 132.8 +/- 27.7 seconds. Behavior modification and biofeedback were successful in decreasing symptoms in 35 patients (83%) at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that some men who are categorized as having and empirically treated for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis are misdiagnosed and, in fact, have functional bladder outlet obstruction. Urodynamics are helpful in diagnosing and predicting success with behavior modification and biofeedback in these patients.

Etiology of voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age

OBJECTIVES Chronic lower urinary tract symptoms in young men are often attributed to misdiagnosed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The purpose of this study was to analyze etiology of chronic voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age. METHODS The videourodynamic studies of 137 men 50 years of age or less with chronic voiding dysfunction, performed between January 1990 and October 1995, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The distribution of urodynamic abnormalities included 74 (54%) patients with primary vesical neck obstruction, 33 (24%) with obstruction localized to membranous urethra (pseudodyssnergia), 23 (17%) with impaired bladder contractility, and the remaining 7 (5%) with an acontractile bladder. Detrusor instability was present in 67 men (49%). CONCLUSIONS Voiding dysfunction among young men is common and is often misdiagnosed. Videourodynamic evaluation is very useful in establishing the correct diagnosis and ultimately in delivery of appropriate therapy.

Central obesity as measured by waist circumference is predictive of severity of lower urinary tract symptoms.

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort)

Combination therapy using oral alpha-blockers and intracavernosal injection in men with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES Intracavernosal injection with a combination of agents (ie, phentolamine plus papaverine or alprostadil) has been used in an effort to increase efficacy and reduce side effects compared with single agents. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the potential role of oral alpha-blockers in combination with intracavernosal therapy in men with erectile dysfunction, for whom intracavernosal therapy alone failed. METHODS Thirty-eight consecutive men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction on the basis of history and examination and with minimal or no therapeutic response to intracavernosal alprostadil injection therapy were evaluated. All patients received daily doxazosin titrated to 4 mg over 3 weeks in combination with intracavernosal therapy as needed for 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after doxazosin titration using the 1 5-item, self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a global efficacy question (GEQ: Did treatment improve your erections?). RESULTS For the group, the mean baseline IIEF score before therapy was 29.7+/-9.8. After intracavernosal therapy (mean dose 34.7+/-7.3 microg), IIEF improved to 36.1+/-1 1.4 (17.7%). After addition of doxazosin, IIEF improved to 48.6+/-13.4, 46.4+/-10.9, and 51.5+/-14.3 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively (P < 0.01). The GEQ response improved from 25.7% at baseline to 81.4% at 12 weeks. Overall 22 (57.9%) of 38 patients with the combined regimen had a significant (more than 60% improvement in IIEF) therapeutic response. CONCLUSIONS The addition of an oral alpha-blocker may have a beneficial effect in patients with erectile dysfunction for whom intracavernosal therapy alone fails. The synergistic effects of vascular dilation and blockade of sympathetic inhibition may explain this response. The potential role of alpha-blockade in synergy with other agents designed to treat erectile dysfunction remains to be determined.

TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE VERSUS TRANSURETHRAL ELECTROVAPORIZATION OF THE PROSTATE: A BLINDED, PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH 1-YEAR FOLLOWUP

PURPOSE Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate has been increasingly used as a surgical adjunct in the management of men with lower urinary tract symptoms. In this prospective study we compare the safety and efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate and electrovaporization. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared 32 consecutive men (mean age 68.9 years) with lower urinary tract symptoms treated by transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate to a cohort of 32 men (mean age 72.8 years) treated by transurethral resection of the prostate. Parameters of evaluation included American Urological Association symptom score, peak urinary flow rate, adverse events, including serial changes in serum hematocrit and sodium, operative time, postoperative catheterization time, hospitalization time and days lost from work. The data were analyzed by an investigator who was blinded to which procedure was performed. RESULTS A total of 61 patients were evaluable for followup at 1 year. None required retreatment. At 1 year symptom score decreased 12.8 (66% of patients) and 12.2 (67%) and peak urinary flow increased 9.7 ml. per second (135%) and 11.3 ml. per second (136%) for electrovaporization and resection, respectively, (p <0.001). Operative time was significantly longer with electrovaporization than with resection (47.6 +/- 17.6 versus 34.6 +/- 11.2 minutes, p <0.003). Catheterization time (67.4 +/- 13.6 versus 12.9 +/- 4.6 hours), hospitalization time (2.6 +/- 0.9 versus 1.3 +/- 0.5 days) and days lost from work (18.4 +/- 7.6 versus 6.7 +/- 2.1) were significantly greater for resection than electrovaporization, respectively. There were no major complications in the electrovaporization group while in the resection group 1 patient required transfusion (5 units) and in 1 a clinical transurethral resection syndrome developed. Potency and retrograde ejaculation were normal in 18 of 18 patients (100%) and 13 of 17 (76%) after resection and 19 of 20 (95%) and 17 of 20 (85%) after electrovaporization. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that transurethral resection and transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate are effective in reducing lower urinary tract symptoms with similar preservation of sexual function. Both significantly improve peak urinary flow, although resection to a greater degree. Postoperative morbidity, catheterization time, hospitalization time and days lost from work were significantly less, and operative time was significantly longer with electrovaporization. Further studies are underway to determine the long-term durability of response of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate relative to transurethral resection.