Ertan Batislam

Music decreases anxiety and provides sedation in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of music on sedation in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment to compare its anxiolytic effects with those of midazolam. METHODS Ninety-eight urolithiasis patients were randomly divided into two groups. Hemodynamic parameters, including mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation, were recorded in all patients. In 50 patients (group 1), 2 mg of midazolam was administered intravenously 5 minutes before ESWL. In group 2 (n = 48), music chosen by the patients was listened to with a headset and continued during the treatment. The visual analog scale (0 to 100 mm), Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Anxiety test, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety test were administered for the evaluation of pain, sedation level, and patient anxiety. RESULTS For the hemodynamic parameters, a statistically significant decrease in mean arterial pressure was noted at the end of the ESWL procedure in group 2 and in oxygen saturation from the 10th minute to the end of the treatment in group 1. Although the visual analog scale, Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety test did not show statistically significant differences, the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Anxiety score was found to be lower in the music group (group 2) than in the midazolam group (group 1). CONCLUSIONS With the anxiolytic effects of music, ESWL can be performed more effectively with the patient in a comfortable state. Listening to music by patients during the ESWL session is a feasible and convenient alternative to sedatives and anxiolytics.

Terazosin in the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation: A Short-term Follow-up

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of terazosine in patients with premature ejaculation and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), after excluding other sexual disorders and chronic prostatitis. Methods: A total of 90 patients with premature ejaculation and LUTS were enrolled to the study after excluding sexual disorders, prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patients were divided into two groups. Sixty patients in group 1 were treated with terazosine 5 mg daily for a month. Patients were followed monthly and questioned for their ejaculation problem. The results were classified as cure, improvement and ineffective. If patients showed improvement and ineffectiveness, the treatment was continued with 10 mg daily for the following month. Group 2 was included 30 patients, and placebo was applied for a month. At the end of this period, in patients who did not show any improvement, terazosine 10 mg was started. Results: In the treatment group, at the 1st month follow-up, 21 patients (35%) were cured, 20 (33.3%) showed improvement. In 19 (31.7%) patients, the treatment was ineffective. In group 2, 9 (30%) patients showed improvement and the rest had no-changes after one-month follow up. There was statistically significant difference between two groups (Pearson χ2 test=0.000). Later, terazosine 10 mg was given to the patients in group 2 and to the patients who showed improvement or unsuccessful result with terazosine 5 mg. With terazosine 10 mg, 10 (14.5%) patients were cured, 29 (42.2%) patients were improved. Finally, terazosine treatment in patients with premature ejaculation was found to be effective in 60 patients (66.7%).Conclusion: Alpha blockers seem to be physiological medical agents in the treatment of premature ejaculation since ejaculation is under sympathetic control. Moreover, these agents are effective in lower urinary tract and they should be used in patients with premature ejaculation and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Four analgesic techniques for shockwave lithotripsy: eutectic mixture local anesthetic is a good alternative.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Various sedative and analgesic medication has been used for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different anesthesia modalities in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred patients were randomly divided into four groups. The first (Group F) received fentanyl 1 microg/kg intravenously (IV), the second (Group D) received diclofenac sodium 1 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM), the third (Group T) received tramadol 1.5 mg/kg IM, and the fourth (Group E) was given 15 g of eutectic mixture local anesthetic (EMLA) cream containing lidocaine and prilocaine. After routine preoperative evaluation, all patients received midazolam 2 mg IV 5 minutes before lithotripsy for sedative premedication. In all groups, a supplemental 25-microg bolus of fentanyl was administered IV when patients complained of pain, moved, or grimaced in response to the shockwaves. Pain intensity was evaluated on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). The level of sedation was determined using the Observers Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAS/S). Side effects such as bradypnea, oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, pruritus, and nausea and vomiting were recorded. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups with regard to VAS, OAS/S scores, or side effects. In Group F, the mean arterial pressure was decreased significantly at 10 and 20 minutes. The patients in this group also manifested a decrease of oxygen saturation at the first, tenth, and twentieth minutes and the end of SWL. CONCLUSION Application of EMLA cream was as safe and effective as fentanyl, diclofenac, and tramadol, and reduction of the fentanyl dose during SWL was possible.

Psychological trauma of circumcision in the phallic period could be avoided by using topical steroids

Objective:  The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of topical steroids in the treatment of phimosis and evaluate patients using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐III‐Revised (DSM‐III‐R) test with the aim of eliminating castration anxiety of circumcision in the phallic period.

Effect of transurethral indwelling catheter on serum prostate-specific antigen level in benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the influence of indwelling transurethral catheters on the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We compared the PSA values of preoperatively catheterized and noncatheterized patients. METHODS Ninety patients undergoing a prostatectomy for benign disease were included. The indwelling catheter (IC) group and noncatheterized (NC) group each consisted of 45 patients. A total of 83 patients who did not have prostate carcinoma were analyzed by means of PSA, PSA density (PSAD), and pathologic presentations. Prostate pathologies that might elevate PSA values were excluded to demonstrate the correlation of PSA levels and standard urethral catheterization. RESULTS A statistically significant relationship was determined between an indwelling urethral catheter and an elevated serum PSA value. The average PSA level of the IC group was 2.6 times that of the NC group. CONCLUSIONS PSA, PSAD, and age-adjusted PSA levels were elevated above normal ranges in patients with BPH who had an indwelling urethral catheter.

Sildenafil citrate for penile hemodynamic determination: an alternative to intracavernosal agents in Doppler ultrasound evaluation of erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES To suggest a new noninvasive method for penile Doppler ultrasound (PDU) evaluation of erectile dysfunction using oral sildenafil citrate as an erection induction agent. METHODS A total of 20 patients admitted with the complaint of erectile dysfunction were evaluated by the short form of the International Index of Erectile Function. A total score of less than 25 was accepted as erectile dysfunction and PDU was performed. The initial penile study consisted of PDU examination under visual sexual stimulation (VSS), and the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistance index were recorded. Measurements of all the parameters were repeated on the same patients after intracavernosal papaverine, intracavernosal prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)), and oral sildenafil citrate administration, plus VSS. All patients had these four tests in the same order at weekly intervals. Sildenafil citrate was given orally 45 minutes before Doppler investigation, and patients had VSS during the waiting period. The patients were asked about their satisfaction and comfort after each test. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS The measurements with papaverine, PGE(1), and sildenafil citrate were significantly different from those after only VSS (P <0.008); however, the papaverine, PGE(1), and sildenafil citrate results were not different from each other according to the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistance index measurements (P >0.008). Patients commented that although PGE(1) was the strongest erectogenic agent, sildenafil citrate was the most convenient. CONCLUSIONS Since the results of PDU with oral sildenafil citrate in association with VSS were not statistically different, we suggest a new noninvasive erection induction method for the purpose of PDU evaluation of erectile dysfunction.

Citrate Levels in Fresh Tomato Juice: A Possible Dietary Alternative to Traditional Citrate Supplementation in Stone-Forming Patients

OBJECTIVES To detect citrate levels in fresh tomato juice, to reveal whether it can be studied for prevention of recurrent hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis. METHODS Juices of tomato, orange, lemon, and mandarin were extracted and blended with a hand blender, and 10 samples of 100 mL were taken from each. Citrate, oxalate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and pH levels were examined in these. The same variables were re-evaluated after the samples were stored at +4 degrees C for 1 week. RESULTS In fresh tomato juice, higher citrate and magnesium levels as well as lower sodium and oxalate levels were detected as compared with the other juices. No differences were observed with regard to all variables among fresh orange, lemon, and mandarin juices. The level of citrate in the fresh tomato juice was higher at a statistically significant level than that in tomato juice that was stored for 1 week. The amount of oxalate increased in stored tomato juice. CONCLUSIONS Fresh tomato juice is considered a rich source of citrate. Furthermore, a high level of magnesium and a low level of sodium and oxalate content were detected in fresh tomato juice, the usability of which in recurrent hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis can be investigated in clinical studies.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Penile Metastases of Extragenitourinary Cancers

Background: The aim of present study is to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in different types of penile metastases. Materials and methods: In this report, we present three cases of penile metastases that have been developed secondary to extragenitourinary malignancies. Two of them did not have any primary malignancy history.Results: Penile biopsies were performed in all patients and metastatic penile tumours were found due to extragenitourinary malignancies. Penile MRI was performed before biopsies. The findings of MRI were correlated with histopathologic diagnosis. Moreover, penile MRI was found to be more sensitive in the evaluation of the lesions than ultrasonography.Conclusion: MRI can be accepted as a reliable non-invasive method for the evaluation of the extent of penile metastases and involvement of tunica albuginea or urethral.

Effects of Statin Treatment on Serum Sex Steroids Levels and Autonomic and Erectile Function

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of statin treatment on serum sex steroid levels, heart rate variability, erectile function, and libido in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS A total of 74 patients (mean age 44.7 +/- 7.1 years) with hyperlipidemia were enrolled into this study. After a cardiac examination, the serum lipid levels were measured, and the 24-hour Holter monitoring, heart rate variability, and autonomic test results were also evaluated. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Later, atorvastatin 40 mg/day was initiated in all patients and used for the subsequent 12 months. All diagnostic tests (cardiac, biochemical, and autonomic and the IIEF questionnaire) were performed again at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease was found in the serum lipid levels at 6 months (P <0.05). In contrast, the average IIEF scores (24.7 +/- 6.4 at baseline) had increased to 25.0 +/- 4.9 and 26.1 +/- 5.9 at 6 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. Although the parasympathetic activities increased and sympathetic activities decreased with atorvastatin treatment, these changes were not statistically significant (P >0.05). In paired comparison, significant differences were found among the IIEF scores of the three periods (P = 0.013). The difference was more evident after 6 months of treatment (IIEF(1vs2) = 0.475; IIEF(1vs3) = 0.027; IIEF(2vs3) = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Although improvement in the lipid profile occurred early during the statin treatment, restoration of erectile function appeared later, which could be attributed to the restoration of endothelial functions by lowered serum lipid levels.

Local anesthesia in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: EMLA cream as a new alternative technique

Objectives. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream in transrectal-guided prostate biopsy and to compare its effect with that of other injectable anesthetic procedures. Material and methods. Eighty male patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels >4 ng/ml or who had prostate nodules on digital rectal examination were randomly divided into four groups. In Group 1 (controls), prostate biopsy was performed after application of a placebo cream. In Group 2, local surface anesthesia with EMLA cream was performed 15 min before biopsy. Periprosthetic nerve blockade was performed with 1% prilocaine and 1% lidocaine in Groups 3 and 4, respectively. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) after each core biopsy. In addition, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations were recorded after each biopsy and then at 5-min intervals for 15 min. Results. Average VAS scores in Groups 1–4 were 5.5, 2.9, 2.4 and 2.2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the treatment groups and the placebo group (p=0.000). There were no statistically significant differences in VAS scores between the three treatment groups (p2–3=0.126, p2–4=0.303, p3–4=0.537). We detected no statistically significant differences between the groups based on the hemodynamic data (pMAP=0.899). Moreover, these measurements did not show statistically significant changes with time in any of the groups (p>0. 05). Conclusion. Intrarectal application of EMLA cream provides equal anesthesia to periprostatic nerve blockade with prilocaine and lidocaine.