Jungbum Bae

GlideScope® video laryngoscope: a randomized clinical trial in 203 paediatric patients†

BACKGROUND The GlideScope intubating device has been reported to provide a comparable or superior laryngoscopic view compared with direct laryngoscopy in adults. This study compared the use of the GlideScope with direct laryngoscopy for the laryngoscopic view and intubation time in children. METHODS The laryngoscopic view in 203 children was scored using both the Macintosh laryngoscope and the GlideScope using Cormack and Lehane (C&L) grades. After scoring each laryngoscopic view with and without BURP, the patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The trachea was intubated using direct laryngoscopy (Group DL, n=100) or the GlideScope (Group GS, n=103). We compared C&L grades for the two views in the same patient, and also the time to intubate for each group. RESULTS The GlideScope improved the view without BURP in the patients with C&L grade 2 (16/26, P<0.01) and with C&L grades 3 and 4 (7/11, P<0.05). The view with BURP was also improved by the GlideScope in C&L grade 2 (4/9, P<0.05) and with C&L grades 3 and 4 (4/5, P=0.059). The mean time for tracheal intubation was 36.0 (17.9) s in the GS group and 23.8 (13.9) s in the DL group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In children, the GlideScope provided a laryngoscopic view equal to or better than that of direct laryngoscopy but required a longer time for intubation.

Expression of Ki-67 and COX-2 in Patients With Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES To investigate the prognostic value of Ki-67, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), E-cadherin, and retinoblastoma protein (pRB) in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. METHODS From January 1998 to December 2005, the specimens from 107 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract who had undergone nephroureterectomy were analyzed. The expression of Ki-67, COX-2, E-cadherin, and pRB was examined by immunochemistry on tissue microarray sections. The correlation of the immunoreactivity with the pathologic parameters and progression-free and cancer-specific survival were examined. RESULTS Ki-67 and COX-2 were overexpressed in 26 (24%) and 38 patients (36%), respectively. The loss of E-cadherin expression was observed in 66 patients (62%). Altered pRB expression was found in 37 patients (34%). Overexpression of Ki-67 (P = .041 and P = .006, respectively) and COX-2 (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively) was associated with the pathologic stage and grade. Multivariate analysis showed that Ki-67 overexpression (P = .002), T stage (P = .009), and lymph node metastases (P = .009) were independent predictors of progression-free survival. In addition, Ki-67 overexpression (P = .007) and pathologic T stage (P = .003) were independent predictors of cancer-specific survival. No association was found between the pathologic findings and prognosis and the other markers (E-cadherin and pRB). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that Ki-67 overexpression is an independent predictor of the progression of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Patients with Ki-67 overexpression should be followed up more closely. In addition, they might be candidates for future prospective therapy trials.

Perineural invasion is a prognostic factor for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy

Objectives:  To identify the prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Enucleation ratio efficacy might be a better predictor to assess learning curve of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.

PURPOSE To appraise the evaluation methods for learning curve and to analyze the non-mentor-aided learning curve and early complications following the holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-hundred and forty (n=140) consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP from July 2008 to July 2010 by a single surgeon (SJO) were enrolled. Perioperative clinical variables, including enucleation time, morcellation time, enucleation ratio (enucleation weight/transitional zone volume), enucleation efficacy (enucleated weight/enucleation time), enucleation ratio efficacy (enucleation ratio/enucleation time), and early complication rate were analyzed. RESULTS Mean prostate volume was 62.7 mL (range 21-162) and preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was 19.0 (4-35). Mean enucleation time and morcellation time were 49.9 ± 23.8 (S.D.) min and 11.0 ± 9.7 min, respectively. Median duration of postoperative indwelling catheter was 1 (1-7) day and median hospital stay was 1 (1-6) day. There were a total of 31 surgery-related complications in 27 patients (19.3%), and all were manageable. There was an increasing trend of enucleation efficacy in the first 50 cases. However, enucleation efficacy was linearly correlated with the prostate size (correlation coefficients, R=0.701, p<0.001). But, enucleation ratio efficacy could eliminate the confounding effect of the prostate size (R=-0.101, p=0.233). The plateau of enucleation ratio efficacy was reached around the twenty-fifth case. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that the operative learning curve plateau is reached after about 25 cases. We propose that a more appropriate parameter for estimating the operative learning curve is enucleation ratio efficacy, rather than enucleation efficacy.

The Learning Curve for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is known to have a steep learning curve and, as a result, its clinical usage has limitations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the learning curve and early complications following the HoLEP procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 161 patients who had undergone the HoLEP procedure for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) from July 2008 to September 2009. The procedure was done by two surgeons. Perioperatively, enucleated tissue weight, enucleation time, morcellation time, enucleation ratio (enucleation weight/transitional zone volume), and enucleation efficiency (enucleated weight/enucleation time) were analyzed, and early complications were assessed. RESULTS Mean enucleation time, morcellation time, and enucleation ratio were 61.3 min (range, 10-180 min), 12.3 min (range, 2-60 min), and 0.66 (range, 0.07-2.51), respectively. In terms of efficiency, enucleation efficiency was 0.32 g/min (range, 0.02-1.25 g/min) and morcellation efficiency was 1.73 g/min (range, 0.1-7.7 g/min). Concerning the learning curve, enucleation efficiency was stationary after 30 cases (p<0.001), morcellation efficiency reached a learning curve at 20 cases (p=0.032), and enucleation ratio had no learning curve in this study. There were several cases of surgery-related complications, including bladder mucosal injury by the morcellator (13%), capsular injury during enucleation (7%), and conversion to a conventional resectoscopy procedure (15%), which showed a reduction in incidence with time. CONCLUSIONS The learning curve of HoLEP is steep; however, it can be overcome gradually. Further study is necessary with respect to long-term postoperative follow-up.

Usefulness of Early Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Colic Patients with Ureteral Stones

Purpose To compare efficacy and safety between early extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (eESWL) and deferred ESWL (dESWL) in colic patients with ureteral stones and to investigate whether eESWL can play a critical role in improving treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods A total of 279 patients who underwent ESWL for single radio-opaque ureteral stones of 5 to 20 mm in size were included in this retrospective study. The patients were categorized into two groups according to the time between the onset of colic and ESWL: eESWL (<48 hours, n=153) and dESWL (≥48 hours, n=126). Success was defined as stone-free status as shown on a plain radiograph within 1 month of the first session. Results For all patients, the success rate in the eESWL group was significantly higher than that in the dESWL group. The eESWL group required significantly fewer ESWL sessions and less time to achieve stone-free status than did the dESWL group. For 241 patients with stones <10 mm, all treatment outcomes in the former group were superior to those in the latter group, but not for 38 patients with stones sized 10 to 20 mm. The superiority of eESWL over dESWL in the treatment outcomes was more pronounced for proximal ureteral stones than for mid-to-distal ureteral stones. Post-ESWL complication rates were comparable between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, smaller stone size and a time to ESWL of <48 hours were independent predictors of success. Conclusions Our data suggest that eESWL in colic patients with ureteral stones is an effective and safe treatment with accelerated stone clearance.

Can stone density on plain radiography predict the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for ureteral stones

Purpose The objective was to determine whether stone density on plain radiography (kidney-ureter-bladder, KUB) could predict the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteral stones. Materials and Methods A total of 223 patients treated by ESWL for radio-opaque ureteral stones of 5 to 20 mm were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent routine blood and urine analyses, plain radiography (KUB), and noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) before ESWL. Demographic, stone, and radiological characteristics on KUB and NCCT were analyzed. The patients were categorized into two groups: lower-density (LD) group (radiodensity less than or equal to that of the 12th rib, n=163) and higher-density (HD) group (radiodensity greater than that of the 12th rib, n=60). Stone-free status was assessed by KUB every week after ESWL. A successful outcome was defined as stone free within 1 month after ESWL. Results Mean stone size in the LD group was significantly smaller than that in the HD group (7.5±1.4 mm compared with 9.9±2.9 mm, p=0.002). The overall success rates in the LD and HD groups were 82.1% and 60.0%, respectively (p=0.007). The mean duration of stone-free status and average number of SWL sessions required for success in the two groups were 21.7 compared with 39.2 days and 1.8 compared with 2.3, respectively (p<0.05). On multivariate logistic analysis, stone size and time to ESWL since colic and radiodensity of the stone on KUB were independent predictors of successful ESWL. Conclusions Our data suggest that larger stone size, longer time to ESWL, and ureteral stones with a radiodensity greater than that of the 12th rib may be at a relatively higher risk of ESWL failure 1 month after the procedure.

Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Hard Nodules Resistant to Morcellation During Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate

Purpose: To identify the clinical and pathological characteristics of hard nodules resistant to morcellation (HNRM) during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Between July 2008 and October 2011, 246 patients underwent HoLEP for symptomatic BPH. The first 30 patients were excluded from the analysis due to the learning curve of the procedure. The remaining patients were divided into HNRM (n=29) and non-HNRM groups (n=187), and comparative analysis of the clinical parameters of the two groups was performed. International prostate symptom score analysis and urodynamic studies were performed preoperatively. Histological analysis was performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining of the HNRM specimens. Results: Twenty-nine patients (13.4%) had HNRM. The patients in the HNRM group had significantly higher proportions of advanced age (≥65 years, P=0.029), total prostate volume ≥65 mL (P<0.001), transition zone volume ≥35 mL (P<0.001), serum prostate-specific antigen levels ≥10 ng/mL (P=0.007), and functional urethral length ≥70 mm (P=0.009); larger enucleation weight (P<0.001); longer operation (P=0.001), enucleation (P=0.042), and morcellation times (P<0.001); and higher enucleation ratio (P=0.028) and enucleation efficacy (P=0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥65 years and total prostate volume ≥65 mL were independent risk factors for HNRM. Pathological examination did not reveal any malignant cells, with mainly dense fibrous tissue found in the HNRM. Conclusions: HNRM can make morcellation cumbersome and time-consuming, and older patients with larger prostates have a higher incidence of HNRM. However, the histopathology of HNRM revealed mainly fibrotic tissue.

Association of High Bladder Neck Elevation With Urodynamic Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Patients With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the association of cystourethroscopic findings of bladder neck elevation with urodynamic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS-BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS Study subjects were 646 consecutive men aged >40 years diagnosed with LUTS-BPH at Seoul National University Hospital from December 2005 through January 2012. We collected the International Prostatic Symptom Score, serum prostate-specific antigen levels, prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography, uroflowmetry with postvoid residual volume, and urodynamics with a pressure flow study. We examined the degree of lateral lobe protrusion of prostate, bladder neck elevation degree (BNE-D), and bladder neck elevation angle (BNE-A) under a cystourethroscopic examination. RESULTS When we examined BNE by cystourethroscope, the mean BNE-A was 26.1°. Higher BNE-D was strongly positively correlated with BNE-A, but neither was associated with the degree of lateral lobe protrusion of prostate. Patients with higher BNE-A (≥ 35°) had higher BOO index and more obstructed voiding patterns than those with lower BNE-A (<35°). BNE-A was positively correlated with BOO index (r = 0.186). However, we identified only total prostate volume (odds ratio [OR], 1.036), maximal flow rate (Qmax; OR, 0.843), and detrusor pressure at Qmax (PdetQmax; OR, 1.278) as significant predictors of BOO in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION In sum, patients with higher BNE-A (≥ 35°) by cystourethroscope had higher BOO index and more obstructed voiding patterns than those with lower BNE-A (<35°). Moreover, both BNE-D and BNE-A were positively correlated with BOO index. Thus, cystourethroscopic findings of BNE status can be helpful to predict urodynamic BOO in the patients with LUTS-BPH.

Effect of Preoperative Flow Rate on Postoperative Retention and Voiding Difficulty After Transobturator Tape Operation

Purpose Controversy exists over the preoperative risk factors for postoperative urinary retention after the midurethral sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We intended to analyze the effect of preoperative flow rate on postoperative urinary retention after the transobturator tape (TOT) operation. Materials and Methods A total of 322 patients who underwent TOT from June 2006 to May 2012 were included in this retrospective study. All patients were preoperatively investigated for urinary symptoms and underwent preoperative urodynamic studies including urine flow rate. Postoperative urinary retention, voiding difficulty, and uroflowmetry were checked. Urinary retention was defined as the need for additional catheterization longer than 1 day. Patients were divided by preoperative peak flow rate (Qmax) of 15 mL/s (low Qmax group and normal Qmax group). Results There were 3 cases of postoperative urinary retention (0.9%) and 52 cases of voiding difficulty (16.1%). The low Qmax group included 40 patients (12.4%) and the normal Qmax group included 282 patients (87.5%). Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in age, previous pelvic surgery history, or past medical history. The low Qmax group had higher scores for voided volume and detrusor pressure at Qmax. However, there was no significant difference in postoperative voiding difficulty between the two groups. Furthermore, three patients who experienced postoperative retention showed high flow rates preoperatively. Conclusions Our results suggest that voiding difficulty in the group with low preoperative flow was tolerable and the treatment success rate was comparable to that in patients in the normal flow group. According to our analysis, patients with a low flow rate preoperatively can be safely treated with TOT for SUI.