Is mild erectile dysfunction associated with severe psychological symptoms in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

This study aimed to assess the association between psychological disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with different degrees of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). This was a retrospective study conducted from June 2017 to October 2019 and included 182 outpatients. Patients were interviewed using the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) for pathogenic quantification. The National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were used for the evaluation of CP/CPPS and ED. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms. The number of patients with mild CP/CPPS and mild ED, mild CP/CPPS and moderate-to-severe ED, moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS and mild ED, and moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS and moderate-to-severe ED was 69 (37.9%), 36 (19.8%), 35 (19.2%), and 42 (23.1%), respectively. The corresponding PHQ-9 scores of the four groups were 6.22, 7.19, 10.69, and 7.71, respectively. The corresponding GAD-7 scores of the four groups were 5.26, 6.31, 8.77, and 6.36, respectively. Among patients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of the moderate-to-severe ED group were significantly lower than those of the mild ED group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.010, respectively). The prevalence of ED and premature ejaculation (PE) in patients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS was significantly higher than that in patients with mild CP/CPPS (P = 0.001 and P = 0.024, respectively). Our findings proved that the severity of ED was negatively associated with psychological symptoms in outpatients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS.

Application value of D-dimer testing and Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Chinese non-oncological urological inpatients: a retrospective study from a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: The Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) and D-dimer testing have been widely used in the prediction of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the clinical significance of these testing options are limited in non-oncological urological inpatients because of the low specificity. METHODS: This retrospective study included 1,453 patients who were admitted to the non-oncological unit of the Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from January 2018 to December 2018. The highest score of Caprini RAM and the highest D-dimer level were collected in this retrospective study. Ultrasound examinations of the lower extremities or computed tomographic pulmonary arteriography (CTPA) were applied to patients who were suspected of having VTE, if necessary. RESULTS: A total of 1,453 patients were collected in this study, which included 34 VTE and 1,419 non-VTE patients. The threshold of D-dimer was 0.89 µg/mL, according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, with a sensitivity of 82.4%, a specificity of 83.3%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.5%. The cut-off of the Caprini RAM was 5, with a sensitivity of 76.5%, a specificity of 58.7%, and an NPV of 99.0%. The area under the curve (AUC) was higher for D-dimer (0.86) than for the Caprini score (0.73). CONCLUSIONS: The application of 0.89 µg/mL and a score of 5 as cut-offs for D-dimer testing and Caprini RAM, respectively, could safely decrease the proportion of Chinese non-oncological urological inpatients who needed to undergo further examinations. These new findings may enhance the application value of D-dimer testing and Caprini RAM for Chinese non-oncological urological inpatients.

The Gender Difference in Association between Home-Based Environment and Different Physical Behaviors of Chinese Adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the home-based physical activity (PA) environmental characteristics, and different types of physical behavior level of adolescents in different genders, and explore the impact of different domains of home-based PA environmental factors on different physical behaviors of adolescents in different genders. METHODS: Five hundred forty-four adolescents aged from 12 to 18 years old (males: n = 358, females: n = 186) and their parents were analyzed in this cross-sectional survey. The volume of various physical behaviors of all adolescent subjects were measured by the ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer, and the level in different domains of home-based environmental characteristics were assessed by the Gattshall's home-based PA environment questionnaire, which was answered by adolescents' parents. The difference in the volume of different physical behaviors was examined using Kruskal-Wallis analysis. The difference in home physical environment and home social environment for adolescents was examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multiple linear regression analysis in the adjusted model was used to evaluate the influence of different home-based PA environmental domains (PA availability, PA accessibility, Parental role-modeling of PA, and Parental policies around PA) on different physical behaviors (sedentary behavior, SB; light-intensity physical activity, LPA; and moderate-vigorous physical activity, MVPA) of adolescents (boys and girls). RESULTS: The volume of LPA and MVPA, the score of PA accessibility in the home physical environment, and the score of home social environment of boys are significantly higher than those of girls, while the SB volume of boys is significantly lower than that of girls. The PA availability, the parents' role-modeling of PA in same-sex parent-child dyads, and the parents' policies around PA in opposite-sex parent-child dyads are significantly associated with adolescents' decreased SB and increased LPA and MVPA. CONCLUSION: There is significant gender difference in adolescents' physical behaviors and home-based environmental characteristics, as well as in the association between adolescents' physical behaviors and their home-based environment. The PA availability, the parents' role-modeling of PA in same-sex parent-child dyads, and the parents' policies around PA in opposite-sex parent-child dyads can significantly promote adolescents' healthy physical behaviors.

Epidemiological Study on the Dose-Effect Association between Physical Activity Volume and Body Composition of the Elderly in China.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate Chinese old adults' different body compositions in response to various levels of physical activity (PA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the dose-response relationship between PA and body composition in old adults. METHODS: 2664 participants older than 60 years (males: n = 984, females: n = 1680) were recruited for this cross-sectional health survey. PA was assessed by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) instruments. The differences of separate body composition indices (lean body mass, LBM; bone mass, BM; and fat mass, FM) of older participants with different PA levels (below PA recommendation and over PA recommendation) were examined using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To compare the differences of three body composition indices with six different multiples of PA recommendation (0-1 REC, 1-2 REC, 2-4 REC, 4-6 REC, >6 REC), the one-way ANOVA and Turkey's test was used for the post hoc analysis to identify the upper PA-benefit threshold in different indices of body composition. RESULTS: The LBM and BM are significantly higher and the FM are significantly lower in old adults performing more PA volume than the WHO recommendation, compared with individuals performing less PA volume than the WHO recommendation. There were significant increases in LBM for males in "1-2 REC", "2-4 REC", and ">6 REC" groups, compared with the "0-1 REC" group; and there were significant increases in BM for males in "1-2 REC", "2-4 REC", compared with the "0-1 REC" group. The best PA volume for LBM and BM in females was the PA volume of "2-4 REC". Additionally, whether males or females, there was no significant difference in FM between the "0-1 REC" group and other separate groups. CONCLUSION: The PA volume that causes best benefit for body composition of the elderly occurs at 1 to 2 times the recommended minimum PA for males, while it occurs at 2 to 4 times that recommended for females. No additional harms for old adults' body composition occurs at six or more times the recommended minimum PA.

Is milder psychological stress responsible for more severe erectile dysfunction?

China is a sexually conservative country compared with Western countries. To evaluate the psychological characteristics of Chinese erectile dysfunction (ED) patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 153 ED outpatients. Patients were interviewed with the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) for pathogenic quantification. ED was measured by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Depression and anxiety were evaluated with 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) respectively. Most patients (74.5%) were <40 years old. IIEF-5 were significantly correlated with SIEDY scale 3 (r = .16, p = .040) and GAD-7 (p = .15, p = .033). The SIEDY scale 1 increased with age, but the IIEF-5, SIEDY scale 3, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 decreased with age. A negative correlation was observed between ED and psychological stress, which conflicts with many Western-country studies. Younger patients were characterised by milder ED but more psychological stress, while older patients were characterised by worse ED but less psychological stress. Which may be responsible for the conflicting result. Meanwhile, the much younger age distribution among Chinese ED outpatients may indicate that quite a few older ED patients (≥40 years) in China do not seek outpatient service which should merit more attention.

Two-stage laparoscopic repair of two-level ureteral strictures: our experience of 8 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of two-stage laparoscopic repair for two-level ureteral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2010 to January 2017, 8 patients with two-level ureteral strictures, which were located in upper and lower ureter, received two-stage laparoscopic repair in our institution. Laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy was conducted for the upper ureteral strictures in first stage and 8 weeks later laparoscopicureterovesical reimplantation was performed for lower stricture after the patency of upper lesion was confirmed by antegrade ureteropyelography. The kidney was drained by a nephrostomy tube during the interval period of two operations. RESULT: All the operations were performed successfully without intraoperative complications except one patient converted to open surgery during second-stage operation. For first-stage surgery, mean operating time was 120.88 ± 16.88 min, mean blood loss was 89.38 ± 13.74 mL, and mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 3.63± 0.74 days. While in second-stage surgery, mean operating time took 125.25 ± 17.00 min, mean blood loss was 65.63 ± 10.16 mL, and mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 3.62 ± 1.41 days.. On ureteropyelography 10 weeks after second-stage surgery, the contrast medium flowed from kidney down into bladder unrestrictedly and the patency of entire ureter was restored in all patients. During the follow-up, one female was observed kidney atrophy with ureteral calculus formed on the lesion side, and was successfully treated by ureteroscopiclithotripsy. No sign of stricture recurrence was found on other patients. CONCLUSION: Two-stage laparoscopic repair is a feasible and effective treatment for two-level ureteral strictures.But its indication is relatively narrow and confined to ureteral strictures located in two sites with sufficient intervaldistance and minor stricture length.

Clinical outcomes of transperitoneal laparoscopic unroofing and fenestration under seminal vesiculoscopy for seminal vesicle cysts.

Symptomatic seminal vesicle cysts (SVCs), especially those of a large size, can be removed by surgical treatments. Currently, open surgeries for SVC are rarely performed due to their extensive surgical trauma, and minimally invasive surgical therapies for treating seminal vesicle cysts are still in the early stages. In addition, relevant studies are mostly confined to case reports. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 53 patients who had received transperitoneal laparoscopic unroofing or fenestration under seminal vesiculoscopy for SVC in our institution. Both surgeries decreased the cyst volume to a significant extent; however, according to the remnant lesion size after rechecking images, seminal vesiculoscopic fenestration tended to have a higher recurrence than laparoscopic unroofing. Regarding complications, two individuals in the laparoscopic unroofing group experienced ureteral injury and rectal injury, while patients in the fenestration group only had temporary hemospermia, which indicates that fenestration surgery tends to have less severe complications than laparoscopic unroofing. There was no solid evidence confirming semen improvement after these surgical therapies in our study. Future studies with a prospective design, larger sample size, and longer follow-up period are required to verify and further explore our findings.

Elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 is associated with bladder cancer pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between abnormal matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and bladder cancer (BC) development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, this study used tissue samples derived from 92 patients pathologically diagnosed with BC (experimental group), who were hospitalized between September 2012 and June 2014 at the Urinary Surgery of Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital. As controls (control group), 63 normal pericancerous bladder mucosal tissues (3 cm distant form edge of BC foci) with confirmed pathology were selected from the same time period. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect MMP-9 protein expression in the tissues and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure MMP-9 protein levels in tissue samples of patients and control subjects. Finally, a meta-analysis was conducted to understand the overall impact of MMP-9 on BC pathogenesis. STATA 12.0 software (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA) was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: The MMP-9 positive expression rate in tissue samples and MMP-9 levels were significantly greater in the experimental group compared to the control group (both P < 0.001). The frequency of MMP-9 positive status showed statistically significant differences between G1 (low-grade) and G3 (high-grade) (P < 0.001), between G2 and G3 (P < 0.05), and between G1/G2 and G3 (P = 0.001). Our meta-analysis findings provided further evidence that MMP-9 positive expression status and MMP-9 levels in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (positive expressions: Odds ratio [OR] = 18.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 11.63-29.71, P < 0.001; expression levels: Standard mean difference = 1.51, 95%CI = 0.63-2.39, P = 0.001). The positive expression status of MMP-9 was notably lower in G1/G2 compared to G3 (OR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.15-0.36, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that both positive expression status in tumor tissue and expression levels of MMP-9 are significantly elevated in BC patients and correlate with disease progression. Thus, MMP-9 can serve as a biomarker to determine the degree of BC malignancy.

Diagnosis and management of testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma: a literature review.

Testicular rupture, one of the most common complications in blunt scrotal trauma, is the rupture of tunica albuginea and extrusion of seminiferous tubules. Testicular rupture is more inclined to young men, and injury mechanisms are associated with sports and motor accidents. After history taking and essential physical examination, scrotal ultrasound is the first-line auxiliary examination. MRI is also one of the vital complementary examinations to evaluate testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma. Surgical exploration and repair may be necessary when the diagnosis of testicular rupture is definite or suspicious. Postoperative follow-up is to monitor the relief of local symptoms and changes of testicular functions. This review sums up the literatures about testicular rupture after blunt scrotal trauma in recent 16 years and also refers some new advantages and perspectives on diagnosis and management of testicular rupture.

Metadherin regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in carcinoma.

Metadherin (MTDH) was first identified in primary human fetal astrocytes exposed to HIV-1 in 2002 and then recognized as an important oncogene mediating tumorigenesis, progression, invasiveness, and metastasis of carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital process in embryonic development, organ repair, and cancer progression. MTDH and EMT have also been proved to be related to the prognosis of patients with cancers. Recent studies reveal a relationship between MTDH overexpression and EMT in some malignancies. This review highlights the overexpression of MTDH and EMT in cancers and their correlations in clinical studies. Positive correlations have been established between MTDH and mesenchymal biomarkers, and negative correlations between MTDH and epithelial biomarkers have also been established. Furthermore, experiments reveal EMT regulated by MTDH, and some signal pathways have been established. Some anticancer drugs targeting MTDH and EMT are introduced in this review. Some perspectives concerning EMT regulation by MTDH are also presented in this review.

Downregulation of VEGFA inhibits proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and suppresses migration and invasion of renal clear cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC). METHODS: Between June 2012 and June 2015, RCCC tissues were obtained for the experimental group, and RCCC adjacent tumor-free kidney parenchyma tissues were obtained for the control group. VEGFA mRNA and protein expressions and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (AKT), and phosphorylated-AKT protein expressions were detected. The chemically synthesized specific siRNA using RNA interference technology was used to inhibit VEGFA gene expression in human RCCC 786-O cells. The negative control (NC) group was transfected with NC sequence, and the blank group was transfected with no sequence. Flow cytometry, scratch test, and cell-penetrating experiment were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of 786-O cells. RESULTS: Positive expression of VEGFA protein was 60.62% in RCCC tissue and 18.34% in adjacent tissue with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). VEGFA protein and mRNA expressions were higher in RCCC tissue than those in adjacent tissue (both P<0.01). VEGF expression in RCCC tissue was associated with Fuhrman grading and American Joint Committee on Cancer staging (both P<0.05). After RCCC 786-O cells transfecting the VEGFA siRNA, the VEGFA mRNA and protein expressions and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and phosphorylated-AKT protein expressions were significantly decreased, cell proliferation was remarkably inhibited, cell apoptotic ratio was obviously increased, and migration distance and invasive cell number were markedly decreased compared to those in the NC group and the blank group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of VEGFA inhibited proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed migration and invasion of RCCC 786-O cells. VEGF has a potential role in diagnosis and therapy of RCCC.

Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of bladder cancer.

The present study investigated the potential association between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. The present study reviewed previous studies published in Chinese and English using predefined selection criteria, which identified high-quality studies concerning MMP-9 and bladder cancer. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2.0. In total, 23 case-control studies were selected, which consisted of 1,040 bladder cancer patients and 244 healthy controls. The expression rates and protein levels of MMP-9 were significantly increased in bladder cancer patients compared with the healthy controls, which was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based methods. Furthermore, the expression rate of MMP-9 in histological G1/G2 grade bladder cancer tumors was significantly decreased compared with G3 tumors. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity demonstrated that the rate of MMP-9 protein expression between bladder cancer patients and healthy controls was significantly different in African, Asian and Caucasian patients, which was identified using IHC. The MMP-9 protein levels in bladder cancer patients and healthy controls were significantly different between Asian and Caucasian patients, but not African patients. The differences between MMP-9 expression in ethnic groups were also evident in the expression rate of MMP-9 identified in histological G1/G2 grade tumors in Asian and Caucasian patients compared with G3 grade tumors, which was not evident in African patients. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis results markedly indicate that MMP-9 expression is associated with clinicopathological features of bladder cancer, suggesting that MMP-9 may be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and clinical management of bladder cancer, and may be a valuable therapeutic target.

Laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with the intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique for inverted-Y ureteral duplication with a blind-ending branch.

Inverted-Y ureteral duplications are an extremely rare variant of congenital ureteral malformation with few cases reported in the literature. We describe here a case of inverted-Y ureteral duplication with a blind-ending branch, which was managed by laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with the intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique. This is the first report that reveals that inverted-Y ureteral duplication was managed by ureteroureterostomy in a laparoscopic approach.

Use of the UPOINT phenotype system in treating Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a prospective study.

The urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic and tenderness (UPOINT) phenotype system has been validated to be an effective phenotype system in classifying patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in western populations. To validate the utility of the UPOINT system and evaluate the effect of multimodal therapy based on the UPOINT system in Chinese patients with CP/CPPS, we performed this study. Chinese patients with CP/CPPS were prospectively offered multimodal therapy using the UPOINT system and re-examined after 6 months. A minimum 6-point drop in National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI) was set to be the primary endpoint. Finally, 140 patients were enrolled in the study. The percentage of patients with each domain was 59.3%, 45.0%, 49.3%, 22.1%, 37.9%, and 56.4% for the UPOINT, respectively. The number of positive domains significantly correlated with symptom severity, which is measured by total NIH-CPSI scores (r = 0.796, P< 0.001). Symptom duration was associated with a greater number of positive domains (r = 0.589, P< 0.001). With 6 months follow-up at least, 75.0% (105/140) had at least a 6-point improvement in NIH-CPSI after taking the therapy. All NIH-CPSI scores were significantly improved from original ones: pain 10.14 ± 4.26 to 6.60 ± 3.39, urinary 6.29 ± 2.42 to 3.63 ± 1.52, quality of life 6.56 ± 2.44 to 4.06 ± 1.98, and total 22.99 ± 7.28 to 14.29 ± 5.70 (all P< 0.0001). Our study indicates that the UPOINT system is clinically feasible in classifying Chinese patients with CP/CPPS and directing therapy.

miRNA-205 is a candidate tumor suppressor that targets ZEB2 in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to characterize the function of downregulated MicroRNA miR-205 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and show how the downstream zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) is negatively regulated by miR-205. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-205 was detected in RCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expression of miR-205 and ZEB2 was detected in RCC cell lines using real-time PCR. The luciferase reporter assay was used to assess ZEB2 as a target of miR-205. Protein levels of ZEB2, E-cadherin, and vimentin were measured by western blot after overexpression of miR-205 in ACHN cells. In vivo functions of miR-205 in ACHN cells were measured by MTT assays, migration and invasion assays, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: MiR-205 was significantly downregulated in RCC samples and cell lines compared with matched non-tumor tissues and HK-2 cells, respectively. No significant difference was found in miR-205 expression between well differentiated and poorly to moderately differentiated groups or between phase I and phase II-III. ZEB2 was upregulated in RCC cell lines compared with expression in HK-2 cells. Upregulation of miR-205 expression caused the downregulation of ZEB2 and vimentin, and the upregulation of E-cadherin in ACHN cells. miR-205 also inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis of ACHN cells. CONCLUSION: miR-205 is a candidate tumor suppressor that targets ZEB2 in RCC.

Laparoendoscopic single-site ureteroureterostomy with intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique for benign proximal and middle ureteral strictures: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report a minimally invasive and reproducible technique that greatly facilitates the identification of the stricture during laparoendoscopic single-site ureteroureterostomy (LESS-UU) for benign proximal and middle ureteral strictures, using the intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2011 and January 2013, 13 patients with a benign proximal or middle ureteral stricture underwent LESS-UU at our institution. A combination of diuretic renal scans, antegrade/retrograde ureteropyelography and/or computed tomography, and stent placement or exchange was preoperatively performed to assess all patients. The intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique was used to identify the exact position of the stricture and place the stenting during LESS-UU. RESULTS: Intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy was successfully performed in all cases. The mean operative time was 156 minutes (range, 125-190 minutes), and the estimated blood loss was 80 mL (range, 20-160 mL). The mean hospital stay was 5 days (range, 4-7 days). One patient required conversion to open surgery because of the severe adhesions surrounding the stricture that resulted in failure to progress. Urine leakage occurred in 1 patient postoperatively and was successfully treated by conservative management. Postoperative fever occurred in another patient, who was treated with a dose of oral antibiotics. No major intraoperative or postoperative complication occurred. Clinical and radiographic success was achieved in 100% (13/13) of patients during a mean follow-up of 13.1 months (range, 9-27 months). CONCLUSIONS: LESS-UU is feasible and safe for repairing benign proximal and middle ureteral stricture. The intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique during LESS-UU is useful for localizing the stricture.

Retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy in duplex kidney: focus on the role of dilated upper pole ureter.

PURPOSE: To describe our technique and experience with retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy in duplex kidney, focusing on the role of dilated upper ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2004 to August 2011, retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy was performed in 31 patients with a duplex kidney by a single, experienced laparoscopic surgeon. We developed our own surgical technique to suit this technically challenging procedure. Follow-up studies were performed using renal ultrasonography, intravenous urography (IVU) and/or dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in all patients at 3 months postoperatively and annually thereafter. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically without conversion to open surgery and blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 106 (90-157) min. The estimated blood loss was < 50 mL in all cases. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.2 (3-7) days. Perioperative complications were limited to 1 case of peritoneal tear during a procedure and 1 case of transient postoperative fever. No major intraoperative and postoperative complication occurred. With the mean follow-up period of 41 months (range 3 to 80), no case was observed to have functional loss of the remaining lower moiety on postoperative IVU or DMSA renal scan. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic upper pole nephroureterectomy using our technique is safe and effective.