Erem Kaan Basok

Cadaveric Fascia Lata versus Intravaginal Slingplasty for the Pubovaginal Sling: Surgical Outcome, Overall Success and Patient Satisfaction Rates

Background: A wide variety of surgical procedures has been used to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The purpose of this study was to compare cadaveric fascia lata (CFL) sling with intravaginal slingplasty (IVS) in the surgical treatment of SUI. Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine women with SUI were randomly assigned to either CFL sling (n = 67) or IVS (n = 72). Concomitant urinary urge incontinence was present in 49 patients (73%) in the CFL sling and 44 patients (61%) in the IVS group. Daily mean pad usage was 4.1 ± 3.5 in the CFL sling and 2.9 ± 1.7 in the IVS group. The objective cure rate was evaluated by the pad test, and patient satisfaction rate was assessed by a subjective questionnaire. Results: The surgical results of both procedures with a follow-up 12 months were documented. The overall success rate was 79% in the CFL sling and 70.8% in the IVS (p = 0.261). In contrast patient satisfaction rates were 82 and 87.5%, respectively (p = 0.210). Comparison of the CFL sling with IVS showed persistent urinary urge incontinence in 67 and 25% (p = 0.0001) and de novo urinary urge incontinence in 22 and 6.9%, respectively (p = 0.009). The groups did not differ significantly with respect to intraoperative and postoperative complications. Conclusions: There is no statistical difference in the overall success, satisfaction and complication rates in either group. In our series, both procedures were found to be effective, durable and significantly improved quality of life in patients with SUI but long-term results are awaited.

Impact of PSA and DRE on Histologic Findings at Prostate Biopsy in Turkish Men Over 75 Years of Age

Prostate specidic antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) are the known predictive factors for positive prostate biopsies differing according to the age, region and race. There have been only very limited studies about the impact of PSA on histological findings at prostate biopsy in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PSA and clinical stage on histologic findings of prostate biopsy in men older than 75 years of age as a first study in the Turkish population. A total of 1,645 consecutive prostate biopsies were included, with 194 men aged 75 or older. Cancer was identified in 104 patients (53.6%). Of the 104 positive biopsies, Gleason scores were less than 7 in 53 (49%) patients, 7 or greater in 51 (51%) patients. Positive prostate biopsies were significantly correlated with advanced age (p=0.0001), abnormal DRE (p=0.0001) and raised PSA (p=0.0001). The prostate volume was significantly correlated with advanced age especially in prostate cancer patients over 75 years, compared with those under 75 (p=0.0001). These results are useful for counseling men older than 75 years for prostate cancer detection. However, PCa screening decisions are currently based on urologist judgment and detection of latent asymptomatic disease is an important concern regarding costs, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and quality of life (QOL) for men aged 75 years and older. Healthy old patients with a long life expectancy need to be carefully evaluated for eligibility for PCa screening.

Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux with Polydimethylsiloxane in Adults: Do Location and Appearance of the Ureteric Orifice Have a Role in the Success Rates?

Introduction: Low success rate for high grade reflux and anatomical abnormality of ureteric orifices continues to be the most important dilemma of the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic polydimethylsiloxane injection in adults with VUR concerning reflux severity and the status of the ureteric orifice. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three ureters (34 patients) were treated with endoscopic polydimethylsiloxane injection. The grade of VUR was I, II, III, IV and V in 2, 13, 25, 10 and 3 ureters, respectively.Any endoscopic characteristics of ‘golf hole’, broad appearance or lateral placement of ureteric orifices were classified as complex appearance ureters (CAU). Patients with persistent reflux were considered for second and third injections with the same material. Success was determined as no reflux. Results: The total success rate was 100, 92.30, 92, 80 and 66.66% for grade I, II, III, IV and V reflux after the third injection, respectively. The cure rates of ureters with normal appearance were 100, 88.88, 90, 100 and 100% for grade I, II, III, IV and V reflux. The cure rates of CAU were 100% for both grade II and III, 60% for grade IV and 50% for grade V reflux. The injected volumes per renal unit ranged between 0.2 and 3.2 ml (mean 1.05 ml). Conclusions: Although there are disadvantages in the usage of higher volumes of injectable material for successful results and difficulty in subureteral injection both in high grade reflux and complex anatomical situations in adults when compared to children, our results indicate that endoscopic treatment of VUR is an effective therapy for adults.

Experiences in laparoscopic removal of upper ureteral stones: multicenter analysis of cases, based on the TurkUroLap Group.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Laparoscopic surgery for ureteral stones was restricted to special cases-those with large or impacted ureteral stones. We present special cases of patients who underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy at various clinics in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-one patients were included in the study from five urology clinics in which laparoscopic surgery was being performed. After a disease-specific history and physical examination, age and sex were recorded. The mean patient age was 41.8 years (30 men and 11 women). Urinalysis, determination of creatinine level, intravenous urography, and ultrasonography were performed. The parameters of stone size, presence of hydronephrosis, previous shockwave lithotripsy, previous ureteroscopic stone therapy, type of laparoscopic approach, operative time, ureteral incision, insertion of a Double-J stent, amount of drainage, hospitalization period, and perioperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS Mean ureteral stone size was 22 mm. The retroperitoneoscopic approach was preferred in 35 (85.3%) patients, while the transperitoneal approach was used in 6 (14.7%) patients. Grade I hydronephrosis was detected in 4 patients, grade 2 in 22 patients, and grade 3 in 12 patients. In six patients, a history of shockwave lithotripsy was confirmed. The ureteral wall was incised with a cold knife in 5, scissors in 16, J-hook in 3, and a monopolar or bipolar dissector in 17 patients. In six patients, a Double-J stent was inserted, while in one patient, the operation was converted to an open procedure. The mean operative time was 124 minutes. The mean amount of drainage was 220 ml. Mean hospitalization time was 4.8 days. In five (12.5%) of seven patients, persistent drainage was a major complication that was managed by insertion of a Double-J stent. All patients were discharged stone free. CONCLUSION Increased hospitalization and operative time can be related to the large stone sizes and prolonged urine leakage. In our opinion, however, the overall success of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy makes it a feasible and effective procedure, especially for stones that could not be managed easily with ureteroscopic stone therapy.

Gangrene of the distal penis after implantation of malleable penile prosthesis in a diabetic patient

We present a rare clinical case of distal penile gangrene in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus after the implantation of malleable penile prosthesis. Necrosis of the glans penis, urethral meatus, dorsal penile shaft, and corpora cavernosa was observed, and a distal penectomy was performed.

Type I and II Circumcaval Ureter in Children : Experience in Three Cases

Circumcaval ureter is a congenital abnormality in which the right ureter passes behind the inferior vena cava (IVC), but it is seldom reported in childhood. Surgery is required for symptomatic cases to transect and reposition the right ureter to lie anterior to the IVC in order to correct this abnormality. We present three childhood cases where two types of obstructive circumcaval ureter were diagnosed and treated surgically.

Osseous Metaplasia and Bone Marrow Elements in a Case of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma with osseous metaplasia and bone marrow elements is a relatively rare event in these tumors. We discuss pathological differential diagnosis for this tumor with a review of the literature on this unusual case.

Comparison of recovery profiles of propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia with bispectral index monitoring in percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the comparative effects of propofol infusion versus sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia with respect to hemodynamics, recovery characteristics, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Methods Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II patients, aged between 22 and 65 years were randomly divided to receive either intravenous anesthesia with propofol (group P) or sevoflurane (group S). Cardiovascular variables, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), bispectral index (BIS) and train-of-four (TOF) values were recorded at intervals throughout the procedure. Time to spontaneous respiration, eye opening, extubation, obey commands, hand squeezing, Aldrete Score > 9 and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results Early recovery times [spontaneous respiration (P = 0.002), eye opening (P = 0.006), extubation (P = 0.013), obey commands (P < 0.05), hand squeezing (P = 0.005)] were significantly longer in group P. The incidence of vomiting was significantly higher in group S (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic parameters, levels of SpO2, ETCO2, and BIS and TOF values were not significantly different between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The present study which adjusted sevoflurane concentration and propofol infusion rate according to BIS values revealed that maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane is associated with faster recovery than anesthesia with propofol. Propofol resulted in a significantly lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Hemodynamic parameters and levels of SpO2 and ETCO2 were comparable between the groups during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Are New-Generation Bisphosphonates Effective for the Inhibition of Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation in a Rat Model?

Background: The effects of bisphosphonates on prophylaxis of stone formation are unclear. We evaluated the outcome of two new-generation bisphosphonates in a lithogenic rat model. Methods: 36 male rats were divided into three groups of 12 animals each. Both calcium and creatinine levels of plasma and urine were measured. Zinc discs of about 40 mg each were surgically placed into the bladder. The first group received no treatment and the second and third groups were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of weekly clodronate (20 mg/kg) and zoledronic acid (7.5 µg/kg), respectively. At the end of the 8th week, the weight increase in discs and biochemical changes were analyzed comparatively. Results: The mean weight of discs in the control, clodronate and zoledronic acid groups was 109.65 ± 80.97, 79.82 ± 17.99 and 72.91 ± 19.29 mg, respectively (p > 0.05). The percentage increase in weight of discs was 164% for control, 90% for clodronate and 71% for the zoledronic acid group. The increase of urinary calcium level in the zoledronic acid group was lower than the others (p < 0.05). Conclusions:When considering the percentage increase in weight of discs, the difference between control and bisphosphonate groups support the idea that these drugs may have a preventive role in stone formation.

The value of the NMP22 test for superficial bladder cancer diagnosis and follow-up

OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the efficacy of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) in the diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with hematuria or who applied for cystoscopic control of proven bladder cancer were prospectively enrolled in this study. Routine cytologic examination and NMP22 test were performed on the voided urine sample obtained before the cystoscopy. The patients who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer were categorized according to stage, grade, number, size of the tumor and risk of the disease. Then the diagnostic performance of the NMP22 and the cytology test, alone or in combination, were evaluated separately using ROC curves in the diagnosis and surveillance groups. RESULTS A total of 87 patients (87/136) were investigated because of hematuria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and, negative predictive values, and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the NMP22 test were 70, 80, 68, 81, and 3.42%, respectively. While, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and, negative predictive values, and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the cytology examination were 27, 96, 82, 68, and 7.36%, respectively. There were 49 patients in the bladder cancer group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the NMP22 test in these patients were 33, 76, 31, 78 and 1.37%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and, negative predictive values, and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the cytology examination were 25%, 97%, 75%, 80% and 9.25, respectively. CONCLUSION NMP22 test can be used as an adjunctive tool for the detection of bladder cancer, but its diagnostic performance is limited in surveillance when used alone or in combination with a cytology examination.