S. Rohner

The Higher Injury Risk of Abnormal Kidneys in Blunt Renal Trauma

Objective: To investigate the vulnerability of abnormal kidneys in blunt trauma, and to determine clinical features which enable identification of patients at risk of renal abnormality, hence modifying their management. Material and Methods: The medical records of 120 patients with blunt renal trauma were reviewed. Presence of pre-existing renal abnormalities, clinical symptoms, contrast study findings, associated injuries and the estimated impact velocity were recorded. Results: Pre-existing renal abnormalities were found in 23 patients (19%). Patients with renal abnormalities had a lower rate of associated trauma to other abdominal organs, a lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) and their kidneys were more frequently injured by low velocity impacts. Of the patients with normal kidneys requiring surgery, hemodynamics and/or severity of the renal lesions triggered the operative indications in all cases, whereas most (57%) of the abnormal kidneys were operated because of their underlying renal pathology. Concl...

Capsular Perforation Localization and Adenoma Size as Prognostic Indicators of Erectile Dysfunction after Transurethral Prostatectomy

The incidence of impotence following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was investigated, as well as its correlation with the localization of peroperative capsular perforations and the amount of prostate tissue resected. Patients underwent an interview questioning their potency before and after TURP. For each patient, the TURP technique was reviewed: the localization of eventual capsular perforations was noted and the amount of tissue resected was recorded. Of the 100 patients assessed, 83 were anamnestically potent prior to TURP. Of these, 27 (##%) reported complete loss of erections after operation. Peroperative capsular perforations adjacent to the neurovascular bundles and small-size adenomas correlated significantly with postoperative impotence. The results suggest that capsular perforations adjacent to the neurovascular bundles may be a cause of impotence after TURP, and that patients with small-size adenomas bear a higher risk of post-TURP erectile dysfunction.

Dual-wavelength tissue ablation concept for laser prostatectomy with the Nd:YAG/KTP laser

The Nd:YAG/KTP laser offers to the surgeon two wavelengths that can be used to coagulate and vaporize. Our objective was to investigate the combined effect of both wavelengths and to determine the irradiation parameters allowing the largest lesion volume. Chicken breast was irradiated ex vivo. 1064 nm and 532 nm Nd:YAG/KTP laser irradiations were performed sequentially at different combinations with variable fluence and compared to isofluent single wavelengths 40 W irradiation. Although the mean total lesion volume showed no difference between the different wavelengths combinations a significant enhancement of the maximum lesion depth was found under combined irradiation in the 20W/20W conditions. Dual wavelengths irradiation with the Nd:YAG/KTP laser thus induces a specific denaturation process which is more directional and results in an increased total lesion depth. This may represent a ne approach to increase the depth of coagulation necrosis and thus the total lesion volume, thereby improving long term results.