[Application of tunica dartos flap coverage to tubularized incised plate urethroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of tunica dartos flap coverage to the prevention of urinary fistula in tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty. METHODS: This study included 140 cases of hypospadias following TIP urethroplasty, aged 1.9-22 (mean 5.6) years. Of the total number, 85 cases of the distal type were treated by coverage of the neourethra with the longitudinal ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap, while the other 55 cases of the proximal type with the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae scrotales anteriories. RESULTS: Urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in 12 of the patients, including 7 cases of distal and 6 cases of proximal hypospadias. CONCLUSION: For distal hypospadias, the longitudinal ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap can be used, while for proximal urethroplasty, the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae scrotales anteriories can be applied in coverage of the neourethra, which can effectively reduce the incidence of fistula.

[Diagnosis and treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia by microsurgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (OA) by microsurgery. METHODS: We performed surgical scrotal exploration for 57 cases of OA whose obstruction was suspected to be in the epididymis. Those confirmed to be epididymal OA cases and with motile sperm in the epididymis underwent longitudinal-2-suture intussusceptive vasoepididymostomy (LIVES). And for those with sperm in the epididymal head only or with bilateral obstruction or absence of the vas deferens in the distal epididymis, the sperm were collected and subjected to cryopreservation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). After surgery, the patients were followed up for observation of the semen parameters and the rate of pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients, 53 (92.9%) were diagnosed with epididymal OA by scrotal exploration, 47 (82.5%) underwent microsurgery, and the other 10 (17.5%) received sperm cryopreservation. At 1 to 18 months after surgery, motile sperm were found in the ejaculate in 46.8% of the cases (22/47), natural pregnancy in 10.6% (5/47), and ICSI pregnancy in 18.5% (6/32). CONCLUSION: With the development of microsurgery, non-invasive means should be the first choice for the diagnosis of OA. And surgical exploration can be employed to determine the location of obstruction and the option for treatment.

[Chronic prostatitis and cytokines].

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common disease in men, and its pathogenesis remains to be clarified. The precise regulation of cytokines is involved in all types and all stages of CP. The interaction of inflammation, inflammatory cells and cytokines leads to the development and progression of CP. With further understanding of the immunological and molecular biological mechanisms of the disease and more inflammatory cytokines used in its detection, it is of special significance to apply cytokines in the classification and treatment of CP. This review outlines the roles of cytokines in the pathogenesis of CP, particularly chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), their relationship with CP, and their significance in the classification and diagnosis of CP/CPPS.

[Tea polyphenols protects the testis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of tea polyphenols against testis injury induced by unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats were equally randomized into Group I, sham operation, and Groups II and III, subjected to left lateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, followed by detorsion at 6 hours. Intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline and polyphenols was initiated 30 minutes prior to detorsion and maintained at a low dose for 3 days postoperatively. All the rats were fed under the same condition and sacrificed 5 days later, the left torsional testes harvested for the detection of the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by TUNEL. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed among Groups I, I and III in the levels of SOD in the left torsional testes ([285.00 +/- 22.51], [242.00 +/- 17.62] and [261.00 +/- 10.01] nU/mg, P < 0.05), as well as in the levels of MDA ([1.81 +/- 0.20], [4.34 +/- 0.34] and [2.94 +/- 0.38] nU/mg, P < 0.05). And the apoptosis indexes of spermatogenic cells were 6.64 +/- 1.82, 55.23 +/- 6.46 and 31.84 +/- 5.56 in the three groups, significantly reduced in Group III as compared with Group II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tea polyphenols has a protective effect against testicular torsion-induced ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.