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Leiomyomas are benign mesenchymal tumors which originate from smooth muscle cells. Extrauterine leiomyomas are rare and they may arise where smooth muscle cells are found. Their diagnosis is challenging due to their heterogeneous ways of presentation. Histological analysis may reveal areas of sarcomatous differentiation; therefore, complete resection of the entire tumor is the only curative treatment. There is no adjuvant therapy proved to increase overall survival. It is essential to develop a standardized protocol, detailing how to follow up these patients since it is not reported in the literature to date; however, it is advisable to follow them because the local recurrence rate is high if small implants remain. In this review, we present 3 cases of extrauterine leiomyomas diagnosed and treated in our hospital. The management was different in each case, highlighting the heterogeneity of this condition. According to the literature, there are no solid guidelines on their management. We compare our experience with the data available to date in order to support the existing knowledge and provide our expertise for future studies.
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Leiomioma , Humanos , Leiomioma/diagnóstico por imagem , Leiomioma/cirurgia , Espaço Retroperitoneal , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/patologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Ureteral complications after kidney transplantation are frequent and may have a negative impact on morbidity and graft function. Treatment modalities include conservative, endourological, and surgical techniques, with variable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to report the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of ureteral complications at our center. METHODS: Retrospective study of kidney transplants performed at our unit between 2015 and 2020, analyzing incidence, characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of ureteral stenoses and fistulas. RESULTS: Of 648 kidney transplants, we present 3.24% stenosis and 2.16% ureteral fistulas, with a mean time from transplantation of 101.4 and 24.4 days, respectively. Primary treatment was open surgical repair in 52.4% stenosis and 100% fistulas, with a success rate of 90.9% and 71.4%, respectively. Anterograde balloon dilatations were performed in 33.3% of stenosis with 40% success. Three patients required surgery as a secondary approach with 100% success. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo III) were observed in 18.5% following surgical repair. After a mean follow-up of 31.1 ± 20.9 months, we observe 88.6% of functioning grafts. We found no significant differences in graft survival between patients with or without ureteral complications (p 0.948). CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of ureteral complications offers satisfactory results with low associated morbidity. Endourological techniques are less effective and should be reserved for selected cases. With adequate management, there is no impact on graft survival.
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Transplante de Rim , Obstrução Ureteral , Fístula Urinária , Humanos , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Transplante de Rim/métodos , Constrição Patológica/cirurgia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Obstrução Ureteral/etiologia , Obstrução Ureteral/cirurgia , Fístula Urinária/etiologia , Fístula Urinária/cirurgia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/cirurgiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Late kidney transplant complication might compromise graft durability, thus the need for early detection and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PubMed review including the following MeSH terms was included: kidney transplant¨, ¨complications¨, ¨vascular complications¨,¨transplant renal artery stenosis¨, ¨ureteral obstruction¨,¨urologic complications¨, ¨forgotten stent¨, ¨vesicoureteralreflux¨, ¨urinary lithiasis¨ e ¨incisional hernia¨. Metanalysis and systematic review in spanish and English were included from January 2015 till February 2021, as well as relevant selected manuscripts. RESULTS: We defined as late complications those appearing at 3 months from kidney transplant. Those include vascular complications (renal artery stricture), urinary tract (ureteral stricture, permanent double Js, pyelonephritis due to reflux, urinary stones) and abdominal wall (incisional hernia). CONCLUSIONS: Late kidney transplant complications remain high still with advancement on surgical technique and immunotherapy. Those complication might compromise the graft durability and so early detection is or primary importance.
OBJETIVO: Las complicaciones tardías del trasplante renal pueden comprometer de manera importante la viabilidad del injerto, por lo que debemos detectarlas y tratarlas de manera precoz.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Realizamos una revisión bibliográfica en PubMed utilizando los términos MeSH ¨kidney transplant¨, ¨complications¨, ¨vascular complications¨, ¨transplant renal artery stenosis¨, ¨ureteralobstruction¨, ¨urologic complications¨, ¨forgotten stent¨,¨vesicoureteral reflux¨, ¨urinary lithiasis¨ e ¨incisionalhernia¨. Se incluyeron metaanálisis, revisiones y revisiones sistemáticas en inglés y español, desde enero de2015 hasta febrero de 2021, así como las referencias más relevantes incluidas en los artículos seleccionados. RESULTADOS: Definimos como complicaciones tardías aquellas que suelen aparecer a partir del tercer mes trasla realización del trasplante. Dentro de ellas se incluyen complicaciones vasculares (estenosis de la arteria renal), de la vía urinaria (estenosis ureteral, catéteres ureterales no retirados, pielonefritis secundarias a reflujovesico-ureteral y litiasis urinaria) y de pared (hernia incisional). CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de los avances, tanto médicos (inmunosupresión) como en la técnica quirúrgica, en el trasplante renal, todavía son frecuentes las complicaciones a largo plazo. Estas complicaciones pueden comprometer la viabilidad del injerto renal, lo que hace necesario que sean detectadas lo antes posible, y no demorar su tratamiento.
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Transplante de Rim , Pielonefrite , Obstrução Ureteral , Humanos , Transplante de Rim/efeitos adversos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Stents , Obstrução Ureteral/etiologia , Obstrução Ureteral/cirurgiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Recently, enzalutamide, apalutamide, and darolutamide have shown benefits in metastasis-free survival in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) patients compared to placebo. Previous evidence about the safety profile of these new androgens is limited. This meta-analysis studies seizure and neuropsychiatric effects of new anti-androgens compared to placebo in nmCRPC patients. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane databases were systematically reviewed until 1 March 2020 by 2 independent researchers using a pre-specified search strategy. Placebo-compared randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nmCRPC patients treated with new anti-androgens providing data on neuropsychiatric events and seizures were included. Variables were seizure, headache, mental impairment, and dizziness. Pooled risk ratios (RR) were calculated using the Mantel-Hansel random effects model and Review Manager v5.3 software. RESULTS: After systematic review, 3 eligible RCTs were selected that included 4,104 patients; 2,687 comprised the treatment group and 1,417 the control group. No significant increase in RR for seizures was registered with the new anti-androgens compared to placebo (RR 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40-9.61). However, 2 trials excluded patients with risk factors or a history of seizures. There was also no significant increase RR for grade ≥3 seizures (RR 2.50; 95% CI 0.12-52.02). RR for suffering dizziness (any grade) was 1.57 (95% CI 1.07-2.32) with the new anti-androgens, but no significant differences were found in the other study regarding neuropsychiatric events or grade ≥3 events. CONCLUSIONS: New anti-androgens (i.e., enzalutamide, apalutamide, and darolutamide) are acceptably safe in terms of seizures and neuropsychiatric toxicity compared to placebo in patients with nmCRPC.
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Neoplasias de Próstata Resistentes à Castração , Antagonistas de Androgênios , Humanos , Masculino , ConvulsõesRESUMO
PURPOSE: To report our experience on third kidney transplantation, analyzing the complications and graft survival rates as compared to previous transplants. METHODS: Retrospective study of third renal transplants performed at our center. Outcomes were compared with a cohort of first and second transplants. RESULTS: Of a total of 4143, we performed 72 third transplants in 46 men and 26 women with an average age of 46 years and mean time on dialysis of 70 months. Thirty-seven patients were hypersensitized [panel-reactive antibody (PRA) > 50%]. They were all from deceased donors, with a mean cold ischemia time of 19.2 h. The extraperitoneal heterotopic approach was used in 88.8%, transplantectomy was performed in 80.6% and vascular anastomoses were realized mostly to external iliac vessels, using the common iliac artery in 15 cases, and the inferior vena cava in 16. The main ureteral reimplantation technique was the Politano-Leadbetter (76.4%). Third transplantation reported a significantly higher incidence of lymphocele (13.9% vs. 3.2% in first and 4.5% in second transplants; p < 0.001), rejection (34.7% vs. 14.9% and 20.5%, p < 0.001) and urinary obstruction (11.1% vs. 3.6% and 6.3%, p 0.002). Graft survival rates for first, second and third transplants were 87%, 86% and 78% at 1 year, 83%, 82% and 74% at 3 years and 80%, 79% and 65% at 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Iterative transplantation constitutes a valid therapeutic option with adequate surgical and survival results compared to previous transplants. It is a challenging procedure which must be performed by experienced surgeons.
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Sobrevivência de Enxerto , Transplante de Rim/estatística & dados numéricos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Reoperação/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess blood loss during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and investigate the factors influencing it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with HoLEP at 3 centers. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured before surgery and hospital discharge. All blood transfusions performed during and after HoLEP were recorded. Blood loss outcomes were analyzed regarding antithrombotic (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) therapies and drug treatments for BPH and other conditions. RESULTS: The analysis included 963 patients with a mean age of 72 years. Mean (range) prostate size was 102 (40-316) g; 28% of patients were receiving antiplatelets and 11% anticoagulants. Mean (range) prostate-specific antigen was 6.0 (0.3-43.5) ng/dL. Mean (range) operation time was 77 (28-178) minutes. Bladder calculi were found in 54 (5.6%) patients; all of them were successfully treated with cystolitholapaxy. Forty-eight (5%) patients required blood transfusion during or immediately after the HoLEP procedure. Overall, mean (SD) hemoglobin decreased from 14.6 (1.5) g/dL to 12.3 (2.1) g/dL (P <.001), and mean (SD) hematocrit decreased from 44.3% (4.7) to 37.7% (6.5) (P <.001). Neither hemoglobin nor hematocrit decreases were significantly different between patients receiving and not receiving antithrombotic therapy or BPH therapy. CONCLUSION: HoLEP is safe and has no remarkable impact on blood loss. Patients at high risk, such as those receiving antithrombotic therapy, had the same outcome than the rest regarding blood loss, although showed a higher transfusion rate. Operating time may influence hemoglobin decrease; therefore, it should be considered in patients with higher risk of bleeding.
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Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica/estatística & dados numéricos , Lasers de Estado Sólido/uso terapêutico , Hiperplasia Prostática/cirurgia , Ressecção Transuretral da Próstata/métodos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Purpose: To assess the influence of holmium laser cystolitholapaxy (HLC) concomitantly with holmium laser prostate enucleation (HoLEP) on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting bladder calculi. Materials and Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of patients with BPH (with or without concomitant HLC) at three Spanish centers. Intraoperative variables (e.g., time and resected tissue), changes in functional parameters of the prostate, and frequency of complications (intraoperative, early postoperative, and at 12 months) in patients with and without HLC were compared. Results: The analysis included 963 patients aged 48 to 91 years, of which 54 (5.6%) underwent HLC to treat vesical lithiasis. Mean (range) prostate size (measured by transrectal ultrasound) was 79 (43-173) g and 91 (35-247) g for patients with and without concomitant HLC, respectively (p = 0.080). All bladder calculi were effectively removed. No significant differences were found regarding enucleation and morcellation times, but total operation time was significantly higher in patients with HLC: mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 78 (27) minutes vs 95 (41) minutes (p < 0.001). Three patients underwent conversion to open surgery because of bladder perforation, all of them from the group without HLC. Rates of intraoperative, early, and 12-month complications were similar in both groups. No significant differences in International Prostate Symptom Scale, maximum flow rate (Qmax), and mean flow were observed between groups 12 months after surgery. Conclusions: Simultaneous HoLEP and HLC increases the total operation time, but does not influence the risk of clinically relevant perioperative and postoperative complications.
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Lasers de Estado Sólido/uso terapêutico , Litotripsia a Laser/métodos , Hiperplasia Prostática/cirurgia , Ressecção Transuretral da Próstata/métodos , Cálculos da Bexiga Urinária/terapia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Hólmio , Hospitais com Alto Volume de Atendimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Duração da Cirurgia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Período Pós-Operatório , Hiperplasia Prostática/complicações , Estudos Retrospectivos , Cálculos da Bexiga Urinária/complicações , Obstrução do Colo da Bexiga UrináriaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant complication after radical prostatectomy (RP). Although sphincter incompetence is considered the main cause; bladder dysfunction can contribute substantially. Our objective was to evaluate the results of the urodynamic study (UDS) in men with UI after radical prostatectomy and analyze the correlation between symptoms and urodynamic parameters. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study reviewing the symptoms and urodynamics in patients with urinary incontinence after RP. We describe the symptoms, urodynamic findings and we analyze the correlation between both. RESULTS: Our study included 74 patients. The median number of pads used per day was 3. 61% reported urgency, 63% stress urinary incontinence, 11% urgency urinary incontinence and 26% mixed urinary incontinence. The UDS showed stress urinary incontinence in 53% of patients, detrusor overactivity in 53% and, reduced bladder compliance in 43%. Urgency urinary incontinence was reported in 56% of patients with reduced bladder compliance. Urodynamics showed no incontinence in 16% of patients, of whom 80% showed urgency urinary incontinence. Urodynamics data showing obstruction of the urinary tract was reported in 17% and detrusor hypo or acontractility in 36%. Among patients with obstruction, 46% showed incontinence due to detrusor overactivity. The correlation of symptoms and urodynamics showed that only 31% of patients with stress urinary incontinence had incontinence due to detrusor overactivity in urodynamics. Among those with mixed urinary incontinence, urodynamic stress urinary incontinence only was found in 42% and 33% incontinence due to detrusor overactivity only. Finally, among those with symptoms of urgency urinary incontinence, the urodynamics showed detrusor overactivity in 27%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, there is a high percentage of patients with urinary tract obstruction, detrusor overactivity and decreased compliance. Moreover, the correlation between symptoms and urodynamics is low.
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Complicações Pós-Operatórias/fisiopatologia , Prostatectomia , Incontinência Urinária/fisiopatologia , Urodinâmica , Humanos , Masculino , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/diagnóstico , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Prostatectomia/efeitos adversos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Incontinência Urinária/diagnóstico , Incontinência Urinária/etiologiaRESUMO
Adjuvant endovesical treatment is a research field in constant exploration with the aim to minimize the risk of recurrence and progression of non muscle invasive bladder tumors. Over the last years, the administration of chemotherapy in a chemo hyperthermia regimen has been added to the existing regimens. There are various systems for its administration, but this article focus on HIVEC (Hyperthermic IntraVEsical Chemotherapy) and its current status. In this review article we update the results of this system in the case-scenarios it has been used (preoperative with ablative intention and as adjuvant therapy with prophylactic purposes), tolerance and security issues, on-going clinical trials and future perspectives.
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Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Hipertermia Induzida , Mitomicina/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias da Bexiga Urinária/terapia , Terapia Combinada , Humanos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semen quality of men with proven fertility in Spain over the last 3 decades. METHODS: We conduct a retrospective analysis of ejaculate samples of 992 men between 1985 and 2009. All patients had proven fertility as demonstrated by fathering at least 2 children and a semen analysis performed before they underwent vasectomy. A standardized procedure was used for the semen analysis. Semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, motility, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were assessed. Mean values were calculated by examining microscopic fields of 100 spermatozoa. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in all semen parameters analyzed. For the periods 1985-1990, 1990-2000, and 2000-2009, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) sperm concentration was 27.7 (22.97), 20.73 (14.79), and 20.18 (20.79) × 10(6) (P <.0001). The mean (SD) progressive motility for each period was 53.19 (20.35), 47.22 (15.84), and 40.57 (15.15; P <.0001). The mean (SD) normal-shaped spermatozoa for each period was 67.69 (10.24), 58.87 (14.67), and 51.02 (15.76; P <.0001). Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model showed that age had no significant effect in the variation of semen parameters at the cut-points analyzed, except for normal forms at percentile 25 (P = .001). Multivariate analysis revealed a trend for decline of semen in sperm concentration, progressive and nonprogressive motility, and the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (P = .001-.002). CONCLUSION: Over the last 3 decades, a decline in semen quality was found in all the parameters analyzed in Spanish men with proven fertility.
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Fertilidade , Análise do Sêmen , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Espanha , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a retrospective analysis, our long-term results of patients undergoing the Essed plication procedure for the correction of penile curvature due to Peyronie's disease. METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 2003, 83 patients with acquired penile deviation were treated with the Essed technique in our hospital. We analyse the following data: age, main complaint, type of deviation, erection before and after the surgery, physical exploration, ecographic data, complications and results. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36 months. Main complaint was penile curvature in 96.3% of patients. The most frequent types of deviation were dorsal (55.4%) and left lateral (48.1%). Erection before surgery was sufficient for sexual intercourse in 74.7%. Physical exploration revealed a plaque in 79.5% of the patients. 93% of the cases reported complete penile curvature correction or residual deviation < 10 degrees. 65.1% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result of the operation and 64% were able to perform sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The Essed plication is a simple and minimally invasive method for correcting acquired penile deviation. Although functional results seem to be satisfactory, in our experience the degree of satisfaction with the outcome is not as good, among the patients, as it could be expected.
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Induração Peniana/cirurgia , Pênis/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Calcinose/cirurgia , Disfunção Erétil/etiologia , Fibrose , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Satisfação do Paciente , Induração Peniana/complicações , Estudos Retrospectivos , Técnicas de Sutura , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To compare the concentration of leukocytes and round cells in semen samples of subfertile males (SM), men with varicocele (VM), and fertile males (FM) to establish a possible relationship between leukocyte concentration, semen parameters (pH, concentration, mobility, spermatic morphology) and lipidic peroxidation of the spermatozoid. METHODS: We evaluated 298 semen samples from: 42 fertile males, 170 subfertile males, and 86 men with varicocele. Sperm tests were performed following WHO criteria. All samples with leukocyte counts higher than 1 million/ml were submitted for oxidative stress study (malonyldialdehyde in seminal plasma). RESULTS: Leukocyte concentration was higher in subfertile males and men with varicocele (2.5 +/- 2.1 x 10(6)/ml and 2.3 +/- 2.1 x 10(6)/ml) than in fertile males (1.1 +/- 0.1 x 10(6)/ml) (p 0.0001). In the same way concentration of round cells was higher in the SM group (6.5 +/- 0.3 x 10(6)/ml) and VM group (6.1 +/- 0.4 x 10(6)/ml) than in FM (4.5 +/- 0.4 x 10(6)/ml) (p 0.05). Spermatozoid concentration was lower in SM (42.1 +/- 2.4 x 10(6)/ml) and VM (9.9 +/- 3.5 x 10(6)/ml) than in FM (82.4 +/- 5.7 x 10(6)/ml) (p 0.0001). The percentage of spermatozoa with type "a" mobility was lower in the SM (14.1 +/- 0.9) and VM (19.9 +/- 1.4) groups than in the FM group (50.0 +/- 1.3) (p 0.0001). In the same way, "a + b" mobility was lower in the SF group (26.7 +/- 1.4) and VM group (34.1 +/- 1.9) than in the FM group (50.0 +/- 1.3) (p 0.0001). The SM group showed a lower percentage of normal forms (43.3 +/- 1.5) than the VM (50.0 +/- 1.6) and FM (60.6 +/- 1.3) groups (p 0.0001). When grouping by concentration of peroxidase positive cells, there were not statistical differences in the spermatic variables in SM, with the exception of progeny cells. Type "a" mobility in the VM group was lower in the peroxidase positive group than in the peroxidase negative group (p 0.005); "a + b" mobility was also lower in the peroxidase positive men than in peroxidase negative (p 0.01); in the progeny cells they were higher in the peroxidase positive males (4.2 +/- 0.4 x 10(6)/ml) than in peroxidase negative males (3.0 +/- 0.3 x 10(6)/ml). Malonyldialdehyde concentrations were significantly higher in seminal plasma of subfertile and varicocele males than in fertile males (p 0.006, and p 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Increased number of semen lymphocytes is more frequent in subfertile and varicocele males than in fertile males. The increase of semen leukocytes is associated with deterioration of seminal parameters. Oxidative stress has a negative influence on seminal parameters in subfertile males of unknown etiology.
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Infertilidade Masculina/imunologia , Leucócitos , Sêmen/citologia , Varicocele/imunologia , Adulto , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina/complicações , Infertilidade Masculina/metabolismo , Peroxidação de Lipídeos , Masculino , Varicocele/complicações , Varicocele/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of interventionist treatment of varicocele, either open surgery or endovascular radiological occlusion, on seminal parameters, and to identify which factors are associated with their normalization. METHODS: Between 1975 and 2000, 631 patients with the diagnosis of idiopathic varicocele were evaluated in our hospital; 238 of them were part of an infertile couple. Among them, finally, 183 underwent studies; they complied with the following criteria: 1) Infertility for more than one year; 2) seminal parameters below normality following WHO criteria (1992); 3) absence of other pathologies or diseases which could explain male infertility; and 4) absence of evident causes of male infertility. 131 patients were treated by radiological occlusion and 26 by conventional surgery. The remaining 26 patients did not undergo the treatment indicated. Two parameters were evaluated on follow-up: 1) achievement of pregnancy (these results will be analyzed in a next article), and 2) normalization of seminal parameters. RESULTS: 48% and 39% of the patients respectively achieved normalization of the number of spermatozoids per ml (=20 million spermatozoids per ml) and spermatic morbidity (=50%). The association between normalization of seminal parameters and age, clinical grade, or type of treatment was not demonstrated. Only baseline degree of severity in the alteration of seminal parameters showed statistically significant differences in the evaluation of semen quality after treatment of varicocele (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of previous seminal alteration--oligospermia and asthenospermia--was the factor with greatest prognostic value in relation with normalization of seminal parameters.
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Infertilidade Masculina/terapia , Espermatozoides , Varicocele/terapia , Adulto , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina/complicações , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sêmen , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Varicocele/complicaçõesRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the efficacy of varicocele treatment, either surgical or endovoscular radiological occlusion, on pregnancy rates of infertile couples in which the male had clinically. patent left varicocele, and to identify which factors are associated with the probability of obtaining pregnancy in such cases. METHODS: This study is part of a more ample one described in previous article: "The treatment of varicocele in the infertile male I: Results on semen quality". Overall, 183 couples were included. 157 males received treatment (131 radiological occlusion and 26 open surgery), the remaining 26 did not received the treatment indicated. Couples underwent periodic follow-up during the first year, evaluating two parameters: 1) normalization of semen analysis parameters, and 2) pregnancy during the following 12 months after indication of treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 41 couples (22.4%) achieved pregnancy during first year, 35/157 (22%) in the group of treated patients, and 6/26 (23%) in the non treatment group. In the treatment group, surgical ligature achieved higher pregnancy rates than radiological occlusion (35% vs. 20%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.255). No association was demonstrated between male age, female age, varicocele clinical grade, degree of semen quality abnormalities, or duration of infertility and pregnancy rates. The FSH value was significantly lower (p 0.0006) in patients who achieved pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of semen quality abnormality, which so closely correlated to normalization of seminal parameters, locked of prognostic significance in terms of achievement of pregnancy. The FSH value was the only factor with certain prognostic value, although it did not reach significance in logistic regression analysis.