Kwang Jin Ko

Long-term outcomes of primary implantation and revisions of artificial urinary sphincter in men with stress urinary incontinence.

To evaluate long‐term outcomes of primary implantation and revisions of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Multiple cores of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and any core of atypia on first biopsy are significant predictor for cancer detection at a repeat biopsy

Purpose To investigate the differences in the cancer detection rate and pathological findings on a second prostate biopsy according to benign diagnosis, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), and atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) on first biopsy. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1,323 patients who underwent a second prostate biopsy between March 1995 and November 2012. We divided the patients into three groups according to the pathologic findings on the first biopsy (benign diagnosis, HGPIN, and ASAP). We compared the cancer detection rate and Gleason scores on second biopsy and the unfavorable disease rate after radical prostatectomy among the three groups. Results A total of 214 patients (16.2%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer on a second biopsy. The rate of cancer detection was 14.6% in the benign diagnosis group, 22.1% in the HGPIN group, and 32.1% in the ASAP group, respectively (p<0.001). When patients were divided into subgroups according to the number of positive cores, the rate of cancer detection was 16.7%, 30.5%, 31.0%, and 36.4% in patients with a single core of HGPIN, more than one core of HGPIN, a single core of ASAP, and more than one core of ASAP, respectively. There were no significant differences in Gleason scores on second biopsy (p=0.324) or in the unfavorable disease rate after radical prostatectomy among the three groups (benign diagnosis vs. HGPIN, p=0.857, and benign diagnosis vs. ASAP, p=0.957, respectively). Conclusions Patients with multiple cores of HGPIN or any core number of ASAP on a first biopsy had a significantly higher cancer detection rate on a second biopsy. Repeat biopsy should be considered and not be delayed in those patients.

Trends in the Use of Nephron-Sparing Surgery over 7 Years: An Analysis Using the R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Scoring System.

Objective To analyze trends in the use of partial nephrectomy, we evaluated which individual factors of renal nephrometry score (RNS) influenced the operative approach bi-annually from 2008 to 2014. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of renal cell carcinoma treated by surgery in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. The complexity of renal masses was measured using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system with CT or MRI. Group comparison in terms of operation year and surgical type (partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy) was performed. We developed a nomogram to quantitate the likelihood of selecting partial nephrectomy over radical nephrectomy. Results A total of 1106 cases (237 in 2008, 225 in 2010, 292 in 2012, and 352 in 2014) were available for the study. Over the study period, the proportion of partial nephrectomies performed increased steadily from 21.5% in 2008 to 66.5% in 2014 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, use of partial nephrectomy increased steadily in all RNS complexity groups (low, moderate, and high) (p < 0.05). In the analysis of individual components of RNS, values of the R and N components increased statistically by year in the partial nephrectomy group (p < 0.05). Average AUC was 0.920. Conclusions The proportion of partial nephrectomies performed sharply increased over the study period. Additionally, over the study period, more partial nephrectomies were performed for renal masses of larger size and closer to the collecting system and main renal vessels. A nomogram developed based on this recent data set provides significant predictive value for surgical decision making.

Efficacy of Holmium Laser Transurethral Incision of the Prostate in Symptomatic Mild‐to‐Moderate Benign Prostate Enlargement Based on Preoperative Characteristics

To investigate the efficacy of Holmium laser transurethral incision of the prostate (Ho‐TUIP) with preoperative characteristics based on urodynamic parameters.

Tailoring pharmacotherapy for male lower urinary tract symptoms: A prospective, multicenter, observational trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of tailoring and efficacy of several types of pharmacotherapy in male LUTS.

Therapeutic effects of endoscopic ablation in patients with Hunner type interstitial cystitis

To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic ablation of Hunner lesions (HLs) in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) and to find predictors of early recurrence of HLs.

Diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction using the penile cuff test in men with lower urinary tract symptoms

The current standard diagnostic test to evaluate bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is pressure‐flow study (PFS). The penile cuff test (PCT) was introduced as a non‐invasive alternative to PFS to determine the isovolumetric bladder pressure and also flow rate. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of the PCT, compared to those of PFS, in the assessment of BOO in men.

Surgical Outcomes and Safety of Robotic Sacrocolpopexy in Women With Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes and safety of robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) in patients with uterine/vaginal vault prolapse. Methods Between January 2009 and June 2015, 16 women with apical prolapse underwent RSC. Pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examination was performed, and treatment success was defined as the presence of grade 0 or I apical prolapse upon POP-Q examination at the final follow-up. Pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-SF 20) was administered at every follow-up. A treatment satisfaction questionnaire was administered by telephone to evaluate patient satisfaction with the operation. Results Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 56–68 years), and follow-up duration was 25.3 months (IQR, 5.4–34.0 months). Thirteen women (81.3%) had ≥grade III apical prolapse. Operation time was 251 minutes (IQR, 236–288 minutes), and blood loss was 75 mL (IQR, 50–150 mL). Median hospital stay was 4 days (IQR, 3–5 days). At the final follow-up, treatment success was reported in all patients, who presented grade 0 (n=8, 57.1%) and grade I (n=6, 42.9%) apical prolapse. Dramatic improvements in PFDI-SF 20 scores were noted after RSC (from 39 to 4; P=0.001). Most patients (12 of 13) were satisfied with RSC. An intraoperative complication (sacral venous plexus injury) was reported in 1 patient, and there was no conversion to open surgery. Mesh erosion was not reported. Conclusions RSC is an efficient and safe surgical option for apical prolapse repair. Most patients were satisfied with RSC. Thus, RSC might be one of the best treatment options for apical prolapse in women.

Potential Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Overactive Bladder Patients: Urinary Nerve Growth Factor, Prostaglandin E2, and Adenosine Triphosphate

Purpose This study aimed to investigate potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB). Methods A total of 219 subjects were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: OAB subjects (n=189) and controls without OAB symptoms (n=30). Three-day voiding diaries and questionnaires were collected, and urinary levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), prostaglandin E2, and adenosine triphosphate were measured and normalized to urine creatinine (Cr). Baseline characteristics and urinary levels of markers were analyzed. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of urinary markers. Urinary levels of markers according to subgroup and pathogenesis of OAB were evaluated. Correlation analyses were used to analyze the relationship between urinary levels of markers and voiding diary parameters and questionnaires. Results There was no difference between the 2 groups with regards to age, sex ratio, or urine Cr (P>0.05). The urinary levels of NGF/Cr were higher in OAB subjects than in controls (P<0.001). Urinary NGF/Cr was a sensitive biomarker for discriminating OAB patients (area under the curve=0.741; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.79; P=0.001) in the ROC curve. The urinary levels of NGF/Cr were significantly higher in OAB subjects than in controls regardless of subgroup or pathogenesis. Correlation analysis demonstrated urinary urgency was significantly related to urinary NGF/Cr level (correlation coefficient, 0.156). Limitations include a relatively wide variation of urinary markers. Conclusions Urinary NGF is a potential biomarker that could serve as a basis for adjunct diagnosis of OAB.

Urinary Nerve Growth Factor as a Potential Biomarker of Treatment Outcomes in Overactive Bladder Patients

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) as a biomarker of treatment efficacy and recurrence in overactive bladder (OAB) patients. Methods We enrolled 189 OAB subjects who visited our outpatient clinic from February 2010 to February 2015. All subjects with OAB received antimuscarinic treatment. A 3-day voiding diary and questionnaire were collected from each patient. Urinary levels of NGF were evaluated at baseline, the beginning of antimuscarinic treatment, and the end of antimuscarinic treatment. Urinary NGF was normalized to urine creatinine (Cr). Between-group comparisons of baseline characteristics were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to predict responses to anticholinergic treatment and recurrence. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the Bonferroni correction was used for intragroup comparisons. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the utility of this biomarker. Results Urinary levels of NGF/Cr tended to decrease in patients who responded to treatment (n=62), but this was not significant (P=0.260). Urinary NGF levels were higher at baseline in patients who did not experience recurrence than in those who did (P=0.047). In those who did not experience recurrence (n=29), urinary NGF/Cr decreased at the end of treatment compared to baseline, and this reduction was maintained at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions Urinary NGF is a potential biomarker for predicting the outcome of antimuscarinic treatment in OAB patients. This may provide useful information when deciding to stop antimuscarinic treatment in responders.