David M. Bouchier-Hayes

A randomized trial of photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the 80-W potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser vs transurethral prostatectomy, with a 1-year follow-up

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)
Level of Evidence 2b

Robotic radical prostatectomy in Australia: initial experience

The purpose of this study is to describe the initial experience of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in Australia. Since the installation of the daVinci® system at the Australian Institute for Robotic Surgery, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne in December 2003, 275 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies have been performed by two surgeons. A prospective database is compiled for each procedure including patient, operative and outcome details. We report on the initial learning curve, surgical technique and modifications, anaesthetic considerations and surgical results comparative to open radical prostatectomy in a single surgeons experience along with margin positivity rates for the first 200 cases of RARP. RARP is the single most frequent adaptation of robotic-assisted surgery with promising initial results. Increasing availability of this modality will inevitably give rise to further adaptations. We present the initial Australian experience.

Hope springs eternal: cavernosal nerve regeneration.

Erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer remains a significant morbidity for a large group of patients. A large body of work suggests that disrupting the cavernosal nerves is central as a causative factor. Extensive research has focused on ways to increase potency rates after surgery, either by preserving neuro‐integrity, or attempting to restore it using various approaches. Herein we discuss the neurophysiology of nerve injury and regeneration, and review the work to date on cavernosal nerve regeneration.

Renal Calculi in a Patient with Erdheim–Chester Disease

Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) is a non-inherited multifocal lipid storing histiocytosis. It is a rare disease characterised by lipid-laden monocyte infiltration of long bones causing cortical sclerosis and characteristic X-ray appearances. It also involves extraskeletal tissue in up to 50% of cases including retroperitoneal and renal infiltration. We report a patient with long standing ECD with widespread extraskeletal involvement, including significant renal infiltration, presenting with left hydronephrosis secondery obstruction from a proximal ureteric calculas.

Terence Millin : pioneer of the retropubic space

recognition by the International selectors, and he was capped in the centre in 1925, against Wales (Fig. 1). Against this venerable rugby nation, Ireland scored one of her best wins of the era, by 19 points to 3. Contemporary news reports cite Millin as being the ‘best’ of an excellent group of free-scoring backs and a try-scorer himself. Needless to say, after such a sterling display of rugby football, in true Irish style he was dropped by the selectors and never played for his country again, a shoulder injury limiting his further rugby playing.