The Histopathological Effect of Aloe Vera on the Wound Healing Process in a Surgically Created Tubularized Incised Plate Urethroplasty Model on Rats.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly which is determined as an abnormal urethral opening on the ventral face of penis. The purpose of this rat model study was to research the effect of topically applied Aloe vera after a tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU). METHODS: The TIPU model was applied to male Wistar albino rats. A total of 30 rats were randomly grouped into 3 groups of 10. Group I was assigned as the control group, treated with 0.9% saline only twice a day for 15 days. Group II received topical Aloe vera gel once a day and Group III received Aloe vera gel twice a day. Spongiofibrosis was graded as 0: none, 1+:≤10% tissues involved, 2+:10%-49% tissues involved, 3+: ≥ 50% tissues involved. RESULTS: A higher degree of fibrosis and inflammation was determined in the Group I subjects than in Groups II and III. Fibrosis of grade 3+ was observed in 33% of the control group and not in any of the two Aloe groups (p = 0.043). Inflammation of grade 3+ was seen in 66.7% of the control group, in 10% of Group II, and in 33% of Group III (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The topical application of Aloe vera to a surgically created tubularized incised plate urethroplasty model decreased inflammation and fibrosis that may affect the success rates of this operation.

Does intraurethral erythropoietin administration effect wound healing after hypospadias correction? an experimental rat study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze effects of intraurethral EPO application on urethral wound healing by defining hystopathologic changes in a rat model of hypospadias. METHODS: A hypospadias model was created in 30 rats and randomized into 3 groups of 10. For 14 days, the first group was administered 25 iu EPO instillation intraurethrally once a day, while group 2 was administered with 50 iu EPO in the same manner. The third group was assigned as control group. On the day 15, rats were sacrificed and penectomies were performed. One independent pathologist who is blinded to groups and treatments evaluated the penis samples. RESULTS: Histopathologic examinations yielded the mean fibrosis scores (± SD) as 1.9 ± 0.568, 1.1 ± 0.786 and 2.5 ± 0.535 in groups I, II and III, respectively. There was significant difference between the EPO groups and the control group (p = 0.04-I, p = 0.003-II). The mean inflammation scar scores (± SD) were determined as 1 ± 1.054, 2 ± 1.247, 2.63 ± 0.744 in groups I, II and III, respectively. There was a significant difference in terms of inflammation between control group and group I (p = 0.005). Mean congestion scores (± SD) were found 1.2 ± 0.789 in groups I-II and 0.75 ± 0.463 in group III (p = 0.310). Hyperemia was seen in 60% 70% and 37.5% in groups I, II and III, respectively (p = 0.387). CONCLUSION: Intraurethral EPO therapy effected urethral wound healing in a good way. Thus it could be feasible to treat the patients with after hypospadias surgeries and to improve success rates.

Outcomes of different minimally invasive techniques in lower calyceal stones of 1 to 2 centimeters: A prospective, randomized study. / Resultados de varias técnicas mínimamente invasivas en litiasis del polo inferior de 1-2 centímetros: estudio prospectivo, randomizado.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficiency, safety and full cost of lower retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) types for the treatment of lower calyceal stones between 1 and 2 cm in size. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study. In all, 175 patients were randomly divided into five groups of 35 patients each: Group A was managed by RIRS, Group B by micro PNL, Group C by ultra-mini PNL, Group D by mini PNL, and Group E by standard PNL. Operating and fluoroscopy time, length of hospital stay, stone-free rates (SFR), complications, secondar y ureterolithotripsy and cost were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were included in the final analysis. The SFR was 76%, 77%, 90.1%, 94.1% and 94%; median length of hospital stay 1, 1.5, 2, 2, and 3 days was for RIRS, micro, ultra-mini, mini, and standard PNL, respectively (p<0.001). The mean costs of the procedures per case were $1,250, $962,$695, $632, and $619, and the mean return to daily activities time was 3.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.3, and 13.5 days for RIRS, micro, ultra-mini, mini,and standard PNL, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SFR of treatment of lower calyceal stone was higher in ultra-mini, mini and standard PNL than micro PNL and RIRS. Moreover, patients should be informed about the results of all different procedures ; with increasing of the invasiveness of treatment, cost of the procedure decrease; but the hospital stay and return to daily activity interval increase.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la eficiencia, seguridad y coste de la ureteroscopia flexible polo inferior y la nefrolitotomia percutanea para el tratamiento de litiasis del polo inferior de 1 a 2 cm de diámetro.MÉTODOS: Esto fue un estudio prospectivo randomizado. En total, 175 pacientes fueron randomizados en 5 grupos (35 en cada grupo): Grupo A se manejó con uretereroscopia flexible retrograda polo inferior (UFRI), Grupo B con micronefrolitotomia percutánea (NLP); grupo C con ultra-mini NLP; Grupo D con mini NLP y el grupo E con estándar NLP. Tiempo quirúrgico y de fluoroscopio, estancia hospitalaria, tasa libre de litiasis (TLL), complicaciones, ureterolitotripsias secundarias y coste fueron comparados entre grupos. RESULTADOS: Un total de 168 pacientes fueron incluidos en el análisis final. La TLL fue de 76%, 77%, 90,1%, 94,1% y 94%. La estancia media hospitalaria fue de 1, 1,5, 2,2, y 3 días para UFRI, micoNLP, ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP y estándar NLP (p<0,001) .El coste total medio de los procedimientos fue de 1250 USD, 962 USD, 695 USD, 632 USD y 619 USD respectivamente. El tiempo medio de retorno a las actividades diarias fue de 3,9, 4,5, 6,5, 9,3 y 13,5 días para UFRI, micro NLP, ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP,estándar NLP, respectivamente (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES: TLL para el tratamiento de litiasis de polo inferior fue mayor para ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP y estándar NLP que para micro NLP y UFRI. Ademas, los pacientes deben ser informados sobre los resultadoscon los otros procedimientos; con aumento de la agresividad del tratamiento, el coste del procedimiento disminuye, pero la estancia hospitalaria y el retorno a las actividades diarias se incrementa.

Efficacy of silodosin or mirabegron in medical expulsive therapy for ureteral stones: a prospective, randomized-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of silodosin or mirabegron as a medical expulsive therapy for ureteric stones in adults. PATIENTS-METHOD: This is a prospective, randomized multicentric study. Patients who had ureter stones in size between 4 and 10 mm were assessed prospectively. Patients were divided into three groups with equal randomization. Group 1 was the control group; group 2 took silodosin 8 mg, and group 3 took mirabegron 50 mg once daily. RESULTS: All 169 patients were included in the final analysis. The spontaneous expulsion rate was similar between groups. In patients with distal localization, the stone expulsion interval was shorter in the silodosin group (7.1 ± 4.5 days) than the control (12 ± 8.7) (p = 0.034). In patients with stone size smaller than 6 mm, the stone expulsion interval was shorter in the silodosin group (5.8 ± 4) than the control (12.2 ± 2.8) (p = 0.004); the analgesic requirement was less in the silodosin group (1.4 ± 1.3) than in the control (3.6 ± 2.8) (p = 0.028). Mirabegron had no effect on stone expulsion interval in any analysis. In patients with distal localization or stone size bigger or equal to 6 mm, the need for an analgesic was less in the mirabegron group (1.8 ± 1.9) (1.9 ± 1.8) than in the control (3.6 ± 2.3) (3.2 ± 1.8), respectively (p = 0.004) (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Silodosin or mirabegron does not improve the stone expulsion rate. Silodosin improves the stone expulsion interval and decreases the need for an analgesic or < 6 mm stones. Mirabegron has no effect on the stone expulsion interval, but decreases the need for an analgesic in patients with distal or sized ≥ 6 mm stones.

Adjunction of tamsulosin or mirabegron before semi-rigid ureterolithotripsy improves outcomes: prospective, randomized single-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficiency and safety of adjunct tamsulosin and mirabegron therapy before semi-rigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, single-blind and multicentric study, participants were randomized into three groups. Group 1 was the control, participants in Group 2 used tamsulosin, and those in Group 3 used mirabegron. Operations were performed 7 days after drug administration. In all clinics, a 6/7.5-Fr ureteroscope with a laser power source for lithotripsy was used. RESULTS: After excluding participants whose stones spontaneously passed, who discontinued medication due to adverse events and who were lost to follow-up, 186 participants were included in the final analysis. Mean age, gender, laterality, stone distribution and mean stone surface area were similar between groups. The number of participants requiring balloon dilatation was higher in the control group (23.8%) than in the tamsulosin (8.2%) and mirabegron (6.5%) groups (p = 0.006). Successful access rate was lower in the control group (81%) than in the tamsulosin (96.7%) and mirabegron (95.2%) groups (p = 0.003). Stone-free rate was lower in the control group (77.8%) than in the tamsulosin (90.2%) and mirabegron (95.2%) groups (p = 0.01). Complication rates were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin or mirabegron use for 1 week before semi-rigid ureteroscope increases stone access and the stone-free rate. Tamsulosin or mirabegron can be used with safety and efficacy before ureteroscopy for ureteral stones.

Comparison of renal function after robot - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus retropubic radical prostatectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) on early renal function in this study. Materials and Methods: Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb, eGFR values of patients who had undergone RALP and RRP with prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis were recorded in our clinic. The percentages of change in these values are calculated. Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb and eGFR changes were compared with each other. Student-t test was used for intergroup comparison, and paired sample t test was used to compare changes between preoperative and postoperative values of the same group. Results: There were 160 and 93 patients in the RALP and RRP group, respectively. In the RALP group, postoperative urea and creatinine increased significantly compared to preoperative baseline values while eGFR was decreased (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, respectively). Except for Hb in the RRP group, the changes in these values were statistically insignificant (p = 0.50, p = 0.75, p = 0.30, respectively). Conclusions: We should be more careful when we perform RALP in patients at risk of impaired renal function despite being a minimally invasive surgical method with superior visual characteristics.

A Comparison of EORTC And CUETO Risk Tables in Terms of the Prediction of Recurrence and Progression in All Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the prediction accuracy of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Spanish Urology Association for Oncological Treatment (CUETO) risk tables in all non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recurrence and progression-free survival of all patients were assessed according to the EORTC and the CUETO risk tables for each patient and the concordance index was used to indicate discriminative ability. Statistical analyses were performed, at 1 and 5 years, to the whole group and separately to those treated or not treated with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) . RESULTS: The study included 400 patients. One-year BCG maintenance therapy was applied to 181 patients (45.3%). The recurrence rate was higher than in CUETO, and similar to EORTC. The EORTC was determined to provide better discrimination than CUETO in the whole patient group and in those treated or not treated with BCG. The concordance indices for these groups were 0.777, 0.705; 0.773, 0.669; and 0.823, 0.758, respectively . The progression rate was similar in this study to the rate defined in both risk tables. The discrimination power was similarin EORTC and CUETO for all the groups. The concordance indices were 0.801, 0.881; 0.915, 0.930; and 0.832, 0.806, respectively. CONCLUSION: The EORTC has more power than CUETO to discriminate each recurrence risk group and both risk tables can successfully discriminate progression risk groups in all patients.

Does inguinal hernia repair affect uroflowmetric parameters? A prospective controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in uroflowmetric values of male patients following elective inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: The study group comprised patients treated with open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Patients who underwent surgery due to various diseases such as cataract, multinodular goiter, choledocholithiasis, thyroid and breast cancer, hydrocele, or spermatocele were recruited to the control group. Perioperative characteristics, including pain assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), uroflowmetric values, and post-void residual urine volumes (PVR), were recorded preoperatively and on Postoperative Days (POD) 1 and 30. Uroflowmetry, VAS, and PVR values were also recorded for the control group on Study Days 1, 3, and 30. RESULTS: There were 103 subjects in this study (52 treated with elective inguinal hernia repair in the study group, 51 in the control group). Preoperative VAS, maximum and average flow rate, and PVR were similar in the 2 groups (P > .05 for all), whereas comparisons of these 3 factors on POD 1 revealed significant differences (P < .001 for all). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative maximum and POD 1 VAS values of patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair could significantly predict acute urinary retention or voiding dysfunction (P = .001 for all). CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain affect parameters and cause urinary retention after open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Comparison of renal function after robot - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus retropubic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) on early renal function in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb, eGFR values of patients who had undergone RALP and RRP with prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis were recorded in our clinic. The percentages of change in these values are calculated. Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb and eGFR changes were compared with each other. Student-t test was used for intergroup comparison, and paired sample t test was used to compare changes between preoperative and postoperative values of the same group. RESULTS: There were 160 and 93 patients in the RALP and RRP group, respectively. In the RALP group, postoperative urea and creatinine increased significantly compared to preoperative baseline values while eGFR was decreased (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, respectively). Except for Hb in the RRP group, the changes in these values were statistically insignificant (p = 0.50, p = 0.75, p = 0.30, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We should be more careful when we perform RALP in patients at risk of impaired renal function despite being a minimally invasive surgical method with superior visual characteristics.

Intraurethral Erythropoietin to Prevent Fibrosis and Improve Urethral Healing: An Experimental Study in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of intraurethral erythropoietin (EPO) on an experimentally induced urethral injury in a rat model with respect to wound healing enhancement and the prevention of spongiofibrosis MATERIAL AND METHODS: A urethral injury model was created by traumatizing the urethra of male rats with a tilted-tip insulin injector. Thirty rats were randomly separated into 3 groups of 10; Group 1 (control) received 0.9% saline solution twice a day, Group II received EPO 25 IU/kg once a day and 0.9% saline solution once a day, and Group III received EPO 25 IU/kg twice a day. All applications were made intraurethrally via a 24 ga catheter sheath. To investigate inflammation and spongiofibrosis and congestion of vessels in the lamina propria, the penises of the rats were harvested for histopathologic evaluation after a follow-up period of 14 days. RESULTS: Histopathologic analysis revealed less fibrosis and inflammation and higher congestion of vessels in Group III that had received high-dose EPO. There was a significant decrease in both spongiofibrosis and inflammation and an increase in congestion in Groups II and III compared to the control group (P = .001, for all). In the comparison of Group II with Group III, no statistically significant differences were found in terms of these 3 parameters (P = .5, P = .6, P = .27, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that EPO has a preventive effect on spongiofibrosis and improve urethral wound healing in a rat model of urethral injury.

A new checklist method enhances treatment compliance and response of behavioural therapy for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a prospective randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the benefits of a newly-established written checklist of behavioural instructions for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. METHODS: From a total of 96 parents with children who complain of bedwetting three or more nights per week for at least 14 days, 79 were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (n = 27) were instructed to apply only behavioural therapy as a written guideline, Group II (n = 26) were instructed to apply behavioural therapy with a written checklist for parents to fully complete and Group III (n = 26) received desmopressin treatment plus verbal behavioural therapy. All participants were analysed in respect of compliance and the response rate to treatment over a time period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 63 participants completed the study period. The participants in all three groups were similar in terms of the age of the child and the parents, number of siblings, and the educational and economic status of the parents (p > 0.05). High rates of treatment compliance were determined for the participants with the checklist compared to those with written guideline. No statistically significant difference was determined between Group II and III in respect of compliance rates (p = 0.12). The treatment response rates of the participants in Group I were significantly lower compared to those of Group II and III (p = 0.001) with no statistical difference determined between Groups II and III (p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: The success rate of behavioural therapy for MNE can be increased with the newly-designed method of a written checklist form of behavioural instructions.

The Relationship Between Nocturnal Enuresis and Spina Bifida Occulta: A Prospective Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of spina bifida occulta (SBO) detected in patients with nocturnal enuresis (NE) and to investigate its clinical significance. METHODS: Patients aged 6 to 15 years who were admitted to the urology clinic with NE were included in this prospective study. The control group consisted of patients who were admitted with a complaint of abdominal or lateral pain. The patients who had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were classified as nonmonosymptomatic NE (NMNE). Those with monosymptomatic NE were treated with desmopressine. In patients with NMNE, treatment with oxybutynin was added if an overactive bladder or uninhibited contraction was detected by urodynamics. RESULTS: A total of 184 NE and 180 control patients were included in the study. SBO was detected in 71 (19.5%) patients and LUTS in 100 (27.4%). When the groups with and without NE were compared, the number of patients with SBO (26% vs 17%, P = .044) and those with LUTS (36% vs 17.5%, P < .001) were significantly higher in the NE group. The overall rate of dryness (67.4% vs 83.6%, P = .024) and response to LUTS treatment (65% vs 97%, P < .01) were significantly lower in those with SBO than in those without SBO. CONCLUSION: SBO is more common in NE patients than in non-NE patients. Response to NE treatment is lower in SBO patients with severe LUTS; for this population, advanced treatment options may be considered earlier.

Is There Any Association Between Regular Physical Activity and Ejaculation Time?.

PURPOSE: Premature ejaculation (PE) is a prevalent disorder in males leading to sequelae such as lack of self-confidence,anxiety, depression and unsatisfactory intercourse for these men and their partners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ejaculation and physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group 1 comprised 112 participants who took regular physical activity and Group 2 comprised 126 participants with a sedentary lifestyle. The participants were 18-45 years old, same ethnic origin, insame location and had regular sexual activity for at least 6 months. A comparison was made by metabolic equivalents (MET), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) and intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). RESULT: The mean age of Groups 1 and 2 was 25.34 years (range, 18-41 years) and 28.49 years (range, 19-45 years), respectively (P = .21). The mean PEDT score was 6.18 in Group 1, and 10.02 in Group 2. Significant differences were found between Groups 1 and 2 (P = .001). The mean MET score of Group 1 was 3448.23 METmin/week (3012-4496 MET- min/week) while the MET score of Group 2 was 201.87 MET- min/week (66-744 MET- min/week) (P = .001). The mean IELT of Groups 1 and 2 were 316.42 s (120-1530 s) and 189.32 s (20-450 s), respectively. The mean IELT was significantly higher in Group 1 (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The study results demonstrated that PE was less frequent in men that perform regular physical activitycompared to those with a sedentary lifestyle. It can be assumed that regular physical activity may be effectual in gaining a sexual life of higher quality. Prospective studies with longitudinal data are needed to further understand the potential relationship between regular physical activity and premature ejaculation.

Does Preoperative Use of Dutasteride Decrease Bleeding During Open Prostatectomy?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether use of dutasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, for at least four weeks preoperatively affected the blood loss during open prostatectomy (OP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was made of the data of 110 patients who had undergone OP. Group I comprised 50 patients that used dutasteride for 4 weeks preoperatively, and Group II comprised 60 patients that did not use the drug. The groups were compared in respect of age, total prostate specific antigen (TPSA) levels, prostate volumes, preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels, postoperative reduction of Hgb and Hct, percentage reduction in Hgb and Hct, and the administration of postoperative blood products. RESULTS: No differences were determined between the two groups in respect of prostate volumes, TPSA, preoperative Hgb and Hct levels (P = .813, P = .978, P = .422, P =.183, respectively). Postoperative Hgb reduction was 2.19 ± 1.36 g/dL in Group I, and 2.5 ± 1.47 g/dL in Group II (P = .260). Hgb reduction was calculated as 16.4 ± 9.7% in Group I and 17.6 ± 9.7% in Group II (P = .505). Reductions in Hct were 5.8 ± 3.7% in Group I, and 7.3 ± 4.4% in Group II, and percent reductions were 14.8 ± 9.4% in Group I and 17.3 ± 10.2% in Group II (P = .068, P = .182, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of dutasteride before OP did not affect blood loss during surgery, therefore surgery should not be delayed for the administration of dutasteride to patients.

Do alpha-1 antagonist medications affect the success of semi-rigid ureteroscopy? A prospective, randomised, single-blind, multicentric study.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of adjunctive silodosin therapy in improving the success rate of semi-rigid ureteroscopy for removing ureteral stones. Prospective randomised controlled clinical trial performed between July 2016 and September 2016. All the patients underwent ureteroscopic holmium lithotripsy with a YAG laser. The patients were randomised into one of three groups: those who did not use an alpha-1 blocker (AB) (Group 1, n = 50), those who used an AB for one day (Group 2, n = 50), and those who used an AB for three days (Group 3, n = 47). The following information was recorded for each patient: the side, location, and surface area of the stone; successful access; operative success; complications; and operative time. There were no significant differences between the three groups in terms of demographics, stone location or size, and number of doses of an analgesic drug used. Access to the stone and the stone-free rate were significantly higher in group 3 (95.7, 93.6%) than in group 1 (76, 74%) and group 2 (78, 74%) (p = 0.018, p = 0.021), respectively. Balloon dilatation and complication rates were significantly lower in group 3 (12.8, 0%) than in group 1 (34, 12%) and group 2 (22, 4%) (p = 0.045, p = 0.029), respectively. The use of silodosin for 3 days before ureteroscopy for ureteral stones increased the rate of access to all ureter stones and decreased the complication rate.

Association between coronary artery disease severity and overactive bladder in geriatric patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between overactive bladder (OAB) and coronary artery disease (CAD) as demonstrated on coronary angiography in patients > 65 years. METHODS: The patients who were > 65 years completed an OAB-V8 form before undergoing coronary angiography at a tertiary care hospital. The presence of OAB was documented using the self-administered OAB-V8 questionnaire. Formal stratification of the coronary vessels plaque burden was assessed by calculation of a Gensini score for each patient. Body mass index (BMI) blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, urinalysis, urine culture, uroflowmetry, and postvoiding residual urine volume were measured for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 308 patients were analysed. Before coronary angiography, the patients were divided into two groups according to the score on the OAB-V8 questionnaire. The OAB group (n: 153) comprised those with a score ≥ 8 and the non-OAB group (n: 155), those with a score < 8. The mean age of the patients was 75.08 ± 5.01 years in the OAB group and 68.73 ± 3.26 years in the non-OAB group (p < 0.001). The Gensini scores of the patients in the OAB and non-OAB groups were 22.48 ± 3.51 and 5.89 ± 2.72, respectively (p = 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, no significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of gender, fasting blood glucose level, presence of hypertension, smoking, BMI, and BUN, except LDL and cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary investigation, the incidence of severe CAD was found to be higher in patients with OAB symptoms.

Comparison of ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in moderate-size renal stones.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the success and complications of ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy techniques. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 74 patients. Moderate-size stones were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in MPNL, and 32 patients were included in UPNL groups. Among our patient cohort, 42 (56.7%)were males, and 32 (43.3%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 40±13.2 years in the MPNL group, and the mean age of the patients was 42±14.1 years in the UPNL group. The mean stone size was 17±3.2 mm in the MPNL group and 16.4±3.7 mm in the UPNL group. The stonefree rates were 88.1% (37/42) and 90.6% (29/32)in the MPNL and UPNL groups, respectively; there was no statically significant difference between the groups. The mean hospital stay was 1.4±0.23 days in the MPNL group and 1.1±0.12 day in the UPNL group. CONCLUSIONS: Two techniques have similar success and complication rates, and both may be preferred particularly in moderate-size stones. Our experience supports that our UPNL technique is safe and effective using with a standard ureteroscope.

Evaluation with Decision Trees of Efficacy and Safety of Semirigid Ureteroscopy in the Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Calculi.

PURPOSE: The decision on the choice of proximal ureteral stone therapy depends on many factors, and sometimes urologists have difficulty in choosing the treatment option. This study is aimed at evaluating the factors affecting the success of semirigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) using the "decision tree" method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to November 2015, the data of consecutive patients treated for proximal ureteral stone were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 920 patients with proximal ureteral stone treated with semirigid URS were included in the study. All statistically significant attributes were tested using the decision tree method. RESULTS: The model created using decision tree had a sensitivity of 0.993 and an accuracy of 0.857. While URS treatment was successful in 752 patients (81.7%), it was unsuccessful in 168 patients (18.3%). According to the decision tree method, the most important factor affecting the success of URS is whether the stone is impacted to the ureteral wall. The second most important factor affecting treatment was intramural stricture requiring dilatation if the stone is impacted, and the size of the stone if not impacted. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the impacted stone, intramural stricture requiring dilatation and stone size may have a significant effect on the success rate of semirigid URS for proximal ureteral stone. Further studies with population-based and longitudinal design should be conducted to confirm this finding.

Applicability of the EORTC risk tables to predict outcomes in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in Turkish patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consistency of the results of patients who were treated for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in our clinic with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk table. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively analyzed from 452 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) between the years 2002, and 2010 for primary or recurrent NMIBC. Our study had a retrospective design but based on prospective cohort study. Patients were staged according to the 2002 Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) classification and the 1973 World Health Organization grading system. Recurrence was defined as non-muscle-invasive or muscle-invasive and progression as muscle-invasive tumor determined based on following cystoscopy and TUR-BT results, and confirmed by histopathologic analysis. Patients in the current study were classified into four groups according to the EORTC risk tables. Time to first recurrence and progression was determined for each risk group. RESULTS: Of the 452 patients, 348 were enrolled in this study. The overall mean follow-up period was 55.25 months of all patients. Of 348 patients, 130 (37.4%) and 258 patients (74.1%) had recurrence after treatment at the 1 and 5 year follow-up period, respectively. While 35 (10.1%) and 99 patients (28.4%) progressed to muscle-invasive cancer at the 1 and 5 year follow-up period, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, grade, number, size of the tumor size, and concomitant carcinoma in situ were found to be statistically significant for disease progression and recurrence. CONCLUSION: When EORTC risk tables were comparatively evaluated in our patient population, we can say that EORTC tables predict nearly accurately the clinical course of patients with NMIBC.