Athanasios Dellis

Bladder lithiasis: from open surgery to lithotripsy

Bladder calculi account for 5% of urinary calculi and usually occur because of bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic voiding dysfunction, infection, or foreign bodies. Children remain at high risk for developing bladder lithiasis in endemic areas. Males with prostate disease or relevant surgery and women who undergo anti-incontinence surgery are at a higher risk for developing vesical lithiasis. Open surgery remains the main treatment of bladder calculus in children. In adults, the classical treatment for bladder calculi is endoscopic transurethral disintegration with mechanical cystolithotripsy, ultrasound, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, Swiss Lithoclast, and holmium:YAG laser. Novel modifications of these treatment modalities have been used for large calculi. Open and endoscopic surgery requires anesthesia and hospitalization. Alternatively, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been demonstrated to be simple, effective, and well tolerated in high-risk patients. Recently, simultaneous percutaeous suprapubic and transurethral cystolithotripsy has been tested as well as percutaneous cystolithotomy by using a laparoscopic entrapment sac.

Size of external genital organs and somatometric parameters among physically normal men younger than 40 years old

OBJECTIVESnTo estimate the sizes of the external genital organs in physically normal adult males younger than 40 years old, as well as to correlate the resulting values with age and a number of somatometric parameters, to provide data that could be clinically applicable by the practicing urologist.nnnMETHODSnFifty-two physically normal men, 19 to 38 years old, underwent tape measurements of penile dimensions in the flaccid-stretched state (total, shaft, glanular lengths), penile shaft volume calculation, and ultrasonographic testicular volume estimation. The resultant values were correlated with age, height, weight, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, and index finger length.nnnRESULTSnThe mean testicular volume was 16.9 +/- 4.7 cm(3), with the right testis (17.5 +/- 5.8 cm(3)) measuring slightly larger than the left (15.85 +/- 4.9 cm(3); P = not significant). The mean total penile length was 12.18 +/- 1.7 cm, the mean penile shaft length was 7.76 +/- 1.3 cm, the mean glanular length was 4.4 +/- 0.4 cm, and the mean penile shaft volume was 46.5 +/- 17.2 cm(3). Among the various correlations performed, the penile lengths (total, shaft, glanular) to index finger length (P <0.05) and to penile shaft volume (P <0.001) were statistically significant.nnnCONCLUSIONSnData on the size of the external genital organs among physically normal young adult men were provided and a novel formula for penile shaft volume calculation was proposed. Age and somatometric parameters were not associated with the size of the genitalia, excluding the index finger length, which correlated significantly with the dimensions of the flaccid, maximally stretched, penis.

Role of α-blockers in the Treatment of Stent-related Symptoms: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

OBJECTIVEnTo properly use the Ureteric Symptom Score Questionnaire (USSQ) to evaluate, in a randomized control study, the effect of 2 different α-blockers in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with indwelling ureteral stents.nnnMETHODSnAfter institutional review board approval, 150 consecutive patients with a double-J ureteral stent inserted after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) or ureteroscopic stone treatment were randomly assigned to receive tamsulosin 0.4 mg, alfuzosin 10 mg, or placebo. The validated USSQ was completed 1 and 4 weeks after stent insertion and 4 weeks after stent removal. The Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples for non-normally distributed ordinal variables, chi-square to compare proportions or differences, and 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for independent samples to compare for differences in case of continuous variables were used for statistical analysis of the results.nnnRESULTSnPatients receiving α-blockers expressed an overall statistically significant lower urinary (Pxa0<.001), pain (Pxa0<.001 with stent in situ), and general health index (Pxa0<.002) scores. Sexual life and quality of life were also positively influenced. Quality of work was not influenced. No patients had to discontinue medication because of side effects or underwent stent removal before the due date. There was no difference in various outcomes between the 2 α-blockers.nnnCONCLUSIONnStent-related morbidity is a reality in the majority of patients. Simple medication, such as α-blockers, reduce stent-related symptoms and the negative impact on quality of life. It seems that stent-related symptom improvement is independent to the type of α-blocker.

Is there a role for hyberbaric oxygen as primary treatment for grade IV radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis? a prospective pilot-feasibility study and review of literature

PURPOSEnTo examine the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen as the primary treatment for Grade IV radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnHyperbaric oxygen was prospectively applied as a primary treatment option in 11 patients with Grade IV radiation cystitis. Primary endpoint was the incidence of complete and partial response to treatment. Secondary endpoints included the duration of response, the correlation of treatment success-rate to the interval between the onset of haematuria and initiation of therapy, blood transfusion need and total radiation dose, the number of sessions to success, the avoidance of surgery and the overall survival.nnnRESULTSnAll patients completed therapy without complications for a mean follow-up of 17.82 months (range 3 to 34). Mean number of sessions needed was 32.8 (range 27 to 44). Complete and partial response rate was 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively. However, in three patients the first treatment session was not either sufficient or durable giving a 72.7% rate of durable effect. Interestingly, all 9 patients with complete response received therapy within 6 months of the haematuria onset compared to the two patients with partial response who received therapy at 8 and 10 months from the haematuria onset, respectively (p = 0.018). The need for blood transfusion (p = 0.491) and the total radiation dose (p = 0.259) were not correlated to success-rate. One patient needed cystectomy, while all patients were alive at the end of follow-up.nnnCONCLUSIONSnEarly primary use of hyperbaric oxygen to treat radiation-induced grade IV cystitis is an effective and safe treatment option.

Reducing the number of sutures for vesicourethral anastomosis in radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVESnTo prospectively evaluate the outcome of using a two-suture technique for the vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) during radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnTwo groups of 50 patients each underwent nerve-sparing RRP for localized prostate cancer by one surgeon. In one group, the vesicourethral anastomosis was performed using 2 Vicryl 2-0 stitches placed at the 3- and 9-oclock positions and in the other group 6 Vicryl 2-0 stitches were placed at the 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-oclock positions. The intraoperative and perioperative parameters analyzed were time to perform the VUA, time to remove the drain and hospitalization. The rate of incontinence, anastomotic stricture and erectile function were included in the outcome analysis.nnnRESULTSnThe anastomotic time differed statistically between the 2 groups (mean 3.3 minutes for the 2-suture group and 10.5 minutes for the 6-suture group, p < 0.0001) with similar periods of drain removal (mean 3.12 days for the 2-suture group and 3.45 days for the 6-suture group; p = 0.13) and hospitalization (mean 4.66 days for the 2-suture group and 5.3 days for the 6-suture group; p = 0.09). The functional outcome was excellent for the 2-suture group with no patient suffering from incontinence or anastomotic strictures 1 year postoperatively, while in the 6-suture group there were 2 patients (4%) suffering from incontinence (2 underwent sling procedure) and 1 patient suffered from anastomotic stricture.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe low number of sutures in the 2-suture VUA technique reduces operating times, does not influence perioperative and intraoperative parameters and results in excellent functional outcome.

Intravesical treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: from the conventional regimens to the novel botulinum toxin injections.

Introduction: Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) includes interstitial cystitis (IC) and is often used as a synonym of it (i.e., BPS/IC). It is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms as well as with negative cognitive, behavioral, sexual and/or emotional consequences. Unfortunately, none of the numerous existing oral and intravesical treatments have been effective for all of the BPS subtypes and therefore relevant research is ongoing. Areas covered: In this review, the authors analyze the existing literature for the intravesical treatment of BPS/IC with focus on the novel administration of botulinum toxin (BTX). Several intravesical drugs have been studied in the past, including lidocaine, heparin, pentosan polysulfate sodium, dimethyl sulfoxide, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid as well as investigational drugs such as GM-0111. Recently, intravesical submucosal injections of BTX have been studied in patients with BPS/IC. Expert opinion: Most of the recent studies use BTX-A with no serious adverse effects and with satisfactory results in patients who do not respond to oral or standard intravesical therapy. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding the best dosage scheme of BTX, the injection sites and the treatment intervals. BTX intravesical administration in patients with BPS/IC is a safe and efficient treatment option; yet the level of evidence of the initial studies is not high. There is still the need for large randomized controlled studies so that a consensus can be reached for the ideal BTX dosage, injection sites and intervals between treatments.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after radical retropubic prostatectomy: a prospective, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVESnTo assess the efficacy and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administered after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).nnnMETHODSnOne hundred patients undergoing open RRP by one surgeon were divided randomly and prospectively into two groups of 50 patients, each receiving systematically either an NSAID (lornoxicam) or paracetamol for postoperative analgesia. Opiates were administered if needed for breakthrough pain. Parameters potentially correlated with postoperative bleeding, such as preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) differences, estimated blood loss, number of transfusions, and drain output were recorded. Furthermore, the degree of pain was assessed daily with a visual analogue scale score until discharge from hospital.nnnRESULTSnAfter procedures with similar estimated blood loss, postoperative bleeding was not more in the NSAIDs group, as evidenced by similar transfusion rates (P <or=1), similar postoperative Hb values (P >0.05), and Hb drop after the procedure. No patient required re-exploration for bleeding; drain output when elevated was never attributed to postoperative bleeding. Pain control as evaluated by the visual analogue scale pain score was adequate with the use of NSAIDs and not statistically different from the non-NSAIDs group during postoperative days 1 and 4 and onward. Pain control with lornoxicam was even better on postoperative days 2 and 3 (P <or=0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs administered after open RRP are safe and effective. They do not increase the risk of bleeding and offer improved analgesia.

Upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. A 10-year experience

Objective To present our 10-year experience with patients surgically treated for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. Patients and methods We reviewed the medical records of 264 patients (218 males and 46 females), aged 37–93 years (mean, 69.5), treated surgically for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma during the period January 1996 to December 2005. Results During the mean follow-up of 58 months (range, 12–120), local relapse was diagnosed in 14% of the patients. The mean time to recurrence was 13 months (range, 1–102). The overall mortality was 14%, and the mean survival was 109 months. Survival was significantly influenced by the following parameters: male gender (P = 0.0151), age over 80 years (P = 0.0012), location in both the pelviocaliceal system and the ureter (P = 0.051), a two incision operation (P = 0.0075), grade III (P = 0.0314), stage T3 and T4 (P <0.0001). Conclusions Tumor stage was identified as the most important determinant in predicting recurrence and survival. Other predictors of survival included male gender, age over 80 years, location in the pelviocaliceal system and the ureter, a two incision operation, and high grade.

Current Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Critical Evaluation

The landscape of local and systemic therapy of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rapidly changing. The increase in the incidental finding of small renal tumors has increased the application of nephron-sparing procedures, while ten novel agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or the mammalian target of rapamycin pathways, or inhibiting the interaction of the programmed death 1 receptor with its ligand, have been approved since 2006 and have dramatically improved the prognosis of metastatic RCC (mRCC). These rapid developments have resulted in continuous changes in the respective Clinical Practice Guidelines/Expert Recommendations. We conducted a systematic review of the existing guidelines in MEDLINE according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement, aiming to identify areas of agreement and discrepancy among them and to evaluate the underlying reasons for such discrepancies. Data synthesis identified selection criteria for nonsurgical approaches in renal masses; the role of modern laparoscopic techniques in the context of partial nephrectomy; selection criteria for cytoreductive nephrectomy and metastasectomy in mRCC; systemic therapy of metastatic non-clear-cell renal cancers; and optimal sequence of available agents in mRCC relapsed after anti-VEGF therapy as the major areas of uncertainty. Agreement or uncertainty was not always correlated with the availability of data from phase III randomized controlled trials. Our review suggests that the combination of systematic review and critical evaluation can define practices of wide applicability and areas for future research by identifying areas of agreement and uncertainty among existing guidelines.nnnIMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEnCurrently, there is uncertainity on the role of surgery in MRCC and on the choice of available guidelines in relapsed RCC. The best practice is individualization of targeted therapies. Systematic review of guidelines can help to identify unmet medical needs and areas of future research.

Cost-effectiveness of denosumab as a bone protective agent for patients with castration resistant prostate cancer.

Fortunately, novel agents are nowadays available for the management of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Denosumab is a new bone-protective agent, approved for the prevention and management of skeletal-related events. Studies have demonstrated that denosumab has better efficacy and similar rate of adverse effects in comparison with zoledronic acid, which was the standard bone-protective agent. In the present review we study the cost–effectiveness of denosumab in patients with CRPC.