Katsuya Hikita

Dry box training with three-dimensional vision for the assistant surgeon in robot-assisted urological surgery

We analyzed whether three‐dimensional vision, practice or previous laparoscopic experience improves the surgical performance of the bedside assistant during robot‐assisted surgery. Six experienced laparoscopic surgeons and 15 novices carried out three skills drills imitating an assistants maneuvers in robot‐assisted surgery, and times for completing the tasks were recorded. Both the novice and experienced groups showed significantly shorter manipulation times for each drill with three‐dimensional vision compared with two‐dimensional or glassless three‐dimensional vision. The experienced group showed significantly shorter manipulation times than the novice group for all types of vision. A significant improvement was observed 14 out of 18 times in the novice group, but only one out of 18 times in the experienced group. We can conclude that the use of three‐dimensional visualization facilitates the performance of the assistant surgeon, especially if a novice, during robot‐assisted surgery. Laparoscopic experience also improves the performance, whereas training is beneficial for novice assistant surgeons before carrying out actual operations.

Inhibitory Role of the Spinal Galanin System in the Control of Micturition

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of intrathecal galanin on the micturition reflex in rats. METHODS Continuous cystometrograms (0.04 mL/min infusion rate) were performed in female Sprague-Dawley rats (225-248 g) under urethane anesthesia. After stable micturition cycles were established, galanin was administered intrathecally to evaluate changes in bladder activity. Then, to examine the involvement of opioid systems in the galanin effects, galanin was administered intrathecally when the first bladder contraction was observed after intrathecal administration of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist. RESULTS Intrathecal administration of galanin (1-10 μg) increased intercontraction intervals in a dose-dependent fashion. Intrathecal administration of galanin (1-10 μg) also increased pressure threshold in a dose-dependent fashion. These inhibitory effects of galanin (10 μg) were partially antagonized by intrathecal administration of naloxone (10 μg). CONCLUSION These results indicate that in urethane-anesthetized rats, galanin delays the onset of micturition through activation of the opioid mechanism, suggesting the inhibitory role of galanin system in the control of the micturition reflex.

Impact of postoperative phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor treatment on lower urinary tract symptoms after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a longitudinal study

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5-I), in recovery of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Materials and methods: All patients treated with RARP between October 2010 and August 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study on prospectively collected data. Patients were retrospectively divided into groups according to postoperative treatment: patients taking tadalafil twice weekly from 1 month to 6 months after RARP, and patients not taking tadalafil. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and urinary continence (UC) were assessed preoperatively (2 days before RARP) and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after RARP. Results: There was no difference in the overall IPSS score between the groups. At 6 and 9 months, the IPSS storage symptom scores were significantly lower in patients taking tadalafil than in patients not taking tadalafil. In patients with overactive bladder (OAB) before RARP (n = 22), no differences in the total scores of OABSS were seen between patients taking tadalafil and patients not taking tadalafil. On the other hand, in non-OAB patients before RARP (n = 68), at 3, 6 and 9 months, the total scores of OABSS were significantly lower in patients taking tadalafil than in patients not taking tadalafil. No differences in UC rates after surgery were seen between the groups. Conclusion: Postoperative tadalafil treatment may be temporarily effective for the recovery of the IPSS storage symptom scores and OABSS.

Impact of antioxidants on seminal vesicles function and fertilizing potential in diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus significantly affects the male reproduction and sexual function. In the present study, we investigated the diabetes-induced dysfunction of seminal vesicles (SVs) in the diabetes-rat model and the role of antioxidants. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes after 4 weeks caused smaller size of the organs, hypercontractility, histological abnormalities, increased concentrations of malondialdehyde in the serum and tissue, overexpression of oxidative stress markers, and cleaved caspase-3 as identified by immunohistochemistry in the SVs. In addition, diabetes resulted in deceased levels of serum testosterone and no newborns after the mating studies. Antioxidants significantly normalized all the above parameters, except for the severely decreased serum testosterone levels and the negative outcome of the mating studies. The present study gives evidence for the important role of diabetes-induced oxidative stress in the function and structure of these androgen-dependent organs. Antioxidants may be a promising supplementary therapy for diabetic male patients to alleviate ejaculatory disorders but alone is not efficient treatment for the mitigation of infertility.

Post-fertilization effect of bilateral primary testicular damage induced by unilateral cryptorchidism in the rat model

Cryptorchidism, a common anomaly of the male genitalia, affects 2–4% of male infants. The post‐fertilization effects of unilateral cryptorchidism model in the rat and the effects of antioxidant treatment were investigated. Six‐week‐old male Wistar rats were randomly separated into four groups. Unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in the right testis of three groups. One group was treated with saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) (Crypto), one group was treated with taurine (500 mg/kg, i.p.; Tau), and another group was treated with sivelestat (15 mg/kg i.p.; Siv). The control group was treated with saline i.p. The treatment was daily for 8 weeks. Five days before sacrifice, mating studies were performed. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights were recorded. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the seminal vesicular fluid (SVF) were measured. Testicular levels of MDA and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) were determined bilaterally. TUNEL assay was used to examine DNA fragmentation bilaterally. Histological examination and the Johnsen score were used to evaluate morphological testicular alterations. The Crypto group demonstrated significantly lower right testicular and epididymal weights, significantly increased SVF‐MDA levels, testicular MDA and 8‐OHdG levels, and the apoptotic score bilaterally compared to the controls. Furthermore, histological evaluation revealed significantly reduced spermatogenesis and mild injury to the cryptorchid testes compared to the control. Treatment with both taurine and sivelestat significantly reduced SVF‐MDA levels, testicular MDA, 8‐OHdG, and apoptosis bilaterally compared to the Crypto group. Antioxidant treatment was unable to ameliorate spermatogenesis. Newborns delivered by females that mated with Crypto‐males had significantly lower body weight compared with the respective animals from the control, Tau and Siv groups. The present study demonstrated that unilateral cryptorchidism‐induced testicular damage can significantly affect the contralateral testis as well having further deleterious post‐fertilization effect on the development of newborns. Treatment with antioxidants can partially improve the testicular damage bilaterally with beneficial effects for the newborns.

Experience with injections of botulinum toxin type A into the detrusor muscle.

INTRODUCTION We evaluated the effects of intra-vesical injection of botulinum toxin type A in the detrusor muscle in patients with neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB), patients with non-neurogenic overactive bladder and patients with interstitial cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2003 and December 2006 we treated 30 patients with 100 I. U. to 300 I. U. of botulinum toxin A in the detrusor muscle. Patients were clinically and urodynamically followed up for 4, 12 and 36 weeks thereafter. RESULTS Neurogenic overactive bladder: of the 19 injected doses, 18 (94.7%) in 7 patients were judged as effective, and 1 (5.2%) of 200 U of BTX-A was judged as ineffective. Mean bladder volume increased from 137 to 396 ml. Non-neurogenic overactive bladder: of 7 injections, 6 (85.7%) were judged effective in 5 patients. Mean bladder volume increased from 149 to 322 ml. Interstitial cystitis: in all 4 patients the treatments were deemed ineffective. CONCLUSIONS Injecting 300 units of BTX-A into 30 sites in the muscle located in the body of the bladder region is effective for neurogenic bladder patients with intermittent catheterization who have urge and reflective types of incontinence. Injections of 100 and 200 units of BTX-A to treat non-neurogenic overactive bladder with urinary incontinence provided together without retention. The optimal dose of BTX-A requires further investigation. Injection with 200 units of BTX-A was not useful against interstitial cystitis. None of the patients developed any adverse effects after injecting the bladder wall with BTX-A.

Antioxidant treatment ameliorates diabetes-induced dysfunction of the vas deferens in a rat model

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the male ejaculatory function. This study was designed to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the development of diabetes‐induced dysfunction of vas deferens (VD) in the rat. DM was induced by streptozotocin in 40 male Wistar rats. Subsequently, the diabetic animals were divided into three groups: DM group, DM + Eda group and DM + Tau group. These groups were administered saline, edaravone and taurine, respectively, daily for 4 weeks. Another group of ten rats served as a control group. DM was diagnosed in the 40 streptozotocin‐injected rats. DM significantly reduced the VD weight. Additionally, DM induced in vitro VD hypercontractility, VD histological abnormalities and increased the serum and VD tissue concentration of malondialdehyde. VD immunohistochemistry revealed overexpression of three markers of oxidative stress. DM significantly reduced serum testosterone levels. No live birth was documented in all DM rats in mating experiments. Antioxidants significantly improved all the aforementioned parameters, except the testosterone levels. This study indicates a deleterious impact of DM‐induced oxidative stress on VD histological and functional features. Antioxidant treatment may provide an adjunct tool to alleviate ejaculatory disorders for male patients with type 1 diabetes.

A Case of IgG4-Related Retroperitoneal Fibrosis from the Renal Pelvis Mimicking Bilateral Hydronephrosis

We describe a 49-year-old woman who presented with continuous bilateral lumbago. As the patients ultrasonography manifestations were very similar to those of bilateral hydronephrosis, we performed retrograde pyelography and ureteroscopy. However, apart from slight left ureteropelvic junction obstruction, there was no hydronephrosis. Since malignant disease could not be completely denied, computed tomography-guided biopsy was performed. However, the tissue did not show evidence of malignancy. As the patient continued to have lumbago, we measured serum IgG4 levels because of suspicion of retroperitoneal fibrosis secondary to IgG4-related disease, which proved to be high. Further, immunostaining of the renal pelvic biopsy samples showed IgG4-positive cells. Therefore, diagnosing IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis, we administered corticosteroids. The patient responded favorably to the drug, with gradual regression of the lesion.

Botulinum toxin type A injection for neurogenic detrusor overactivity: clinical outcome in Japanese patients.

To report our experience with intravesical injection of botulinum toxin type A into the detrusor muscle of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity secondary to suprasacral spinal cord lesions or multiple sclerosis.

Current status of robotic surgery in urology

As a result of ergonomics, optimal magnification of the operative field, surgeon dexterity, and precision of surgical manipulation, robotic technology has been shown to overcome many difficulties associated with pure laparoscopy. With the recent expansion of robot‐assisted surgery in the field of urology and following the success of robot‐assisted prostatectomy and robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy, robot‐assisted surgery is being applied to treat many other genitourinary diseases, such as bladder cancer and ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The aim of the present review is to discuss the role of robotic surgery in urology and summarize recent developments in the field of urologic robotic surgery.