Ejaculation-preserving transurethral resection of prostate and bladder neck: short- and long-term results of a new innovative resection technique.

INTRODUCTION: Loss of antegrade ejaculation is a risk with conventional resection of the prostate (transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]). The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term preservation of antegrade ejaculation and functional results with the novel ejaculation-preserving TURP (epTURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 89 consecutive patients with bladder outlet obstructions aged 27 to 78 years, enrolled from June 2001 to January 2005. Endpoints were change in objective (uroflowmetry, postvoid residual [PVR]), and subjective (International Prostate Symptoms Score [IPSS], Life Quality Index [LQI]; International Index of Erectile Function-5 [IIEF-5+] with two additional questions) measures of function. All patients received follow-up examinations at 3 and ≥60 months. RESULTS: Overall, 87 and 63 patients were evaluated after 3 and 60 months, respectively. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 79 of 87 (90.8%) patients at 3 months. Significant improvements in maximum flow rate (+14.3 mL/s), micturition volume (+71.6 mL), and PVR (-59 mL; p≤0.002 for all) were observed at 3 months. Micturition symptoms, as measured by IPSS and LQI, were also significantly reduced (mean change of 18.3 and 2.9, respectively; p<0.001). Improvements were maintained at 60 months. No serious adverse events were reported. Eight (12.7%) patients received a second epTURP due to the development of bladder neck scar tissue during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Antegrade ejaculation was preserved with the use of epTURP with excellent outcome. Observed symptomatic and functional outcomes were comparable with conventional TURP. The results from this study underline the necessity of reviewing the old concept of ejaculation physiology.

Efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine hydrochloride in comparison to oxybutynin in children with urge incontinence due to overactive bladder: Results of a multicentre observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a retrospective observational cohort study, the efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine and oxybutynin in children with urge incontinence (UI) due to overactive bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records were scrutinized for children with UI. As a primary efficacy outcome variable the achievement of continence after treatment with variable doses of propiverine or oxybutynin was assessed. Weekly UI episodes and daily voiding frequency were evaluated as secondary efficacy outcomes. Tolerability was evaluated by the rate of adverse events, adverse drug reactions caused by antimuscarinics and premature treatment termination. RESULTS: At 16 study centres, 621 children aged 5-14 years with UI due to overactive bladder were enrolled. After anticholinergic treatment (437 propiverine, 184 oxybutynin) continence was achieved in 61.6% and 58.7% of the patients after 186 and 259 days, respectively. There were clinically relevant improvements in voiding frequency across treatment groups. Daily doses of propiverine were markedly below the recommendations (0.54 vs 0.8 mg/kg body weight), daily doses of oxybutynin were according to the recommendations (0.31 vs 0.2-0.4 mg/kg body weight) at treatment initiation. There was a significantly more favourable tolerability to propiverine than oxybutynin for the overall rate of adverse events (3.9% vs 16.3%, odds ratio 4.813), adverse drug reactions caused by propiverine or oxybutynin (2.8% vs 9.2%) and premature treatment termination due to adverse drug reactions (1.6% vs 4.4%). CONCLUSION: Propiverine and oxybutynin are effective in children with UI due to overactive bladder. Sufficient treatment periods of at least 2, preferably 3-4, months are the crucial factors for a successful treatment. The tolerability profile of propiverine is better than for oxybutynin.

Failure of monotherapy in primary monosymptomatic enuresis: a combined desmopressin and propiverine treatment regimen improves efficacy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a prospective study, the combination of the antimuscarinic propiverine and the antidiuretic hormone-agonist desmopressin in children and adolescents not responsive to previous monotherapy, as in primary monosymptomatic enuresis (PME), combined treatments are considered a second-line approach after the failure of monotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 122 children and adolescents (mean age 10.8 years, range 5-21) with PME and so far unresponsive to single or multiple monotherapy. Propiverine (body weight <30 kg, 15 mg/day; >or=30 kg, 20 mg/day) and desmopressin (0.4 mg/night) were administered over 3 months, followed by successive structured withdrawal programmes for propiverine and desmopressin, depending on the amount of loss of urine at night before treatment. RESULTS: The re-evaluation of unresponsive patients, incorporating video-urodynamics, showed neurogenic detrusor overactivity, isolated detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and vesicorenal reflux in 12.3% (15/122) of patients, so far falsely treated as enuresis. In 107 of 122 patients the diagnosis of PME was confirmed. The primary efficacy outcome, continence at night, was achieved in 104 of 107 patients (97.2%). During the individual follow-up periods (3-12 months), 23 of 107 (21.5%) patients relapsed after withdrawal of both medications. Adverse events of moderate intensity were rare (3.7%). CONCLUSION: Re-evaluation of patients after monotherapy has failed is justified, because other entities can be discovered in patients so far treated unsuccessfully for enuresis. The combination of propiverine and desmopressin is highly effective in children with PME. Our results support the case for further optimizing the inaugurated treatment algorithm of PME for treatment duration, dose-titration and structured withdrawal programmes, thus possibly further decreasing relapse rates.

Propiverine vs oxybutynin for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity in children and adolescents: results of a multicentre observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a retrospective observational cohort study, the efficacy, tolerability, safety and clinical effectiveness of propiverine and oxybutynin in children and adolescents with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 255 children and adolescents (aged 1-18 years) with NDO (199 myelomeningocele, 46 spinal cord injury, 10 other diagnoses) were enrolled at 14 study centres. To evaluate the efficacy of propiverine and oxybutynin, urodynamic and clinical variables were assessed before and after at least 12 month of the antimuscarinic agents administered at variable doses. RESULTS: In all, 127 patients given propiverine and 128 given oxybutynin were enrolled. The primary efficacy outcome, i.e. reductions in urodynamically assessed individual maximum detrusor pressure (P(detmax)), was assumed to indicate success in 74.2% of those on propiverine vs 49.6% on oxybutynin. The mean P(detmax) was significantly reduced during treatment, from 59.8 to 36.7 cmH(2)O in the propiverine and from 65.2 to 54.9 cmH(2)O in the oxybutynin groups. The mean maximum cystometric bladder capacity increased from 146 to 242 mL in the propiverine and from 222 to 310 mL in the oxybutynin group. Propiverine was better tolerated than oxybutynin, having fewer adverse drug reactions (9.4% vs 17.2%, odds ratio 2.04), and for its severity grades and premature treatment termination (none vs 11 cases). CONCLUSION: In this non-interventional study, reflecting 'real-life' clinical practice, comparing the efficacy, tolerability and safety of propiverine and oxybutynin in children and adolescents with NDO, propiverine was at least as effective as oxybutynin, but better tolerated, resulting in superior clinical effectiveness than for oxybutynin.

Partial nephrectomy and autotransplantation with pyelovesicostomy for renal urothelial carcinoma in solitary kidneys: a clinical update.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indications and outcomes after partial nephrectomy and renal autotransplantation for urothelial cancer in solitary kidneys, with special attention to the ease of endoscopic tumour control after pyelovesicostomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 978 records of three institutions were reviewed for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy between January 1990 and December 2000. Ex vivo organ-preserving surgery was used in selected patients with a solitary kidney and localized pelvic or calyceal tumour. Autotransplantation was established using a pyelovesicostomy. The follow-up included ultrasonography, pelvi-cystoscopy, urine cytology, computed tomography, renal functional evaluation and video-urodynamics. The study included four patients aged 52-56 years, with a follow-up of 6-14 years. RESULTS: The histopathological status was pT1G2R0 in two and pT1G1R0 in the other two patients. One of them had an additional papilloma in the upper ureter. All patients entered a protocol of mitomycin/bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy after surgery. The patients are currently alive with no recurrences. There is stable kidney function despite vesico-renal reflux, and normal bladder function with no subvesical obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Partial nephrectomy and renal autotransplantation for renal urothelial cancer in solitary kidneys is feasible, but should only be used in the rarest cases, and for the most selective indications. Dialysis and renal replacement can be avoided. Pyelovesicostomy allows effective chemotherapy instillation therapy, and easy and secure urothelial cancer control of the upper urinary tract.