[Buccal mucosa urethroplasty in anterior urethral strictures]. / Uretroplastia con mucosa oral en estenosis de uretra anterior.

UNLABELLED: Buccal mucosal graft can be used for succesfull repair in both pendulous and bulbar strictures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present our experience with buccal mucosal graft repair in 8 patients with onlay patch that varies from 4 to 16 cm. in length. Three pendulous, two bulbar and three panurethral strictures were repaired. These patients were observed for 36 to 60 months. RESULTS: No stricture recurrences were observed. Only one patient had lower lip paresthesia for six months.

[Mediastinal lymph nodes during the course of a metastatic prostate cancer]. / Adenopatías mediastínicas en la evolución de un cancer de próstata metastásico.

Prostate carcinoma is one of the most frecuent cancers in men. Significant numbers of patients have regional lymph node and bone metastases during the course of the disease. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy and cutaneous metastases are uncommon and signify well-advanced disease. We report the case of a patient with prostate cancer who develops mediastinal lymphadenopathy, pulmonary nodules and cutaneous metastases 8 years after the diagnosis.

[In vitro three-dimensional reconstruction of human bladder mucosa]. / Reconstrucción tridimensional in vitro de mucosa vesical humana.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to apply the in vitro keratinocyte culture techniques and the tissue engineering principles to human urothelium, to reconstruct an in vitro three-dimensional human bladder mucosa, suitable for grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Biopsy specimens of human bladder mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing suprapubic prostatectomy, in vitro cultured and finally, an immunohistochemical study was made. RESULTS: A three-dimensional in vitro tissue was obtained, composed of a bio-artificial submucosa (fibrin gel and fibroblast) where the uroepithelial cells were seeding. We used a biodegradable polyglycolic acid mesh to facilitate the tissue manipulation and implantation. An immature epithelium was obtained with a weak immunostaining to cytokeratins. The immunohistochemical study could not demonstrate the development of basement membrane. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro keratinocyte culture techniques could be applied to other epithelial tissues like the urothelium. We obtained a three-dimensional in vitro tissue suitable for grafting in a relatively short time, which needs the matrix interactions in order to mature.

[Surgical aspects in the third and fourth kidney retransplant]. / Aspectos quirúrgicos en los terceros y cuartos retrasplantes renales.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A quarter of patients waiting for kidney transplantation are patients with previous graft failure. Outcome of first and second renal transplant make these the gold standard for end renal stage disease, but this is not so clear in the case of third and further renal transplant, especially at the time of organ shortage. We revise our experience in patients with three or more kidney transplants focusing on surgical aspects and graft outcome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 1364 renal transplants have been carried out in our centre since 1975 until December 2003. We have retrospectively revised the 34 patients with three renal transplants and the 5 with four. We analyse the surgical technique, surgical complications and graft outcome. RESULTS: Mean age was 42 years (21-65). Average mismatches between donor and recipient was 3.2. All kidneys, but one case of living donor, were harvested from cadaver donors, mostly in multiple organ-procurement. Average time from the last renal transplant was 5 years (3 days-17 years) and from the last transplant carried out in the iliac fossa reused until the new transplant was 9 years (3 days- 17.5 years). All implants were performed through an iterative lumboliliac incision (25 on the right side, 11 on the left one and in 3 cases where side was not registered). Mean average duration of the procedure was 166 minutes (100-300). Nephrectomy of previous graft at the moment of the implant was carried out in 13 patients (33%). Vascular anastomosis was made on the common iliac vessels (50%) or on the external ones (50%) in end to side way, Ureteroneocystostomy was performed in an extravesical way except in 1 patient with cutaneous diversion. Vascular complications were 4 haemorrages (1 patient died), 3 venous and 2 arterial thrombosis. We had an abscess secondary to intestinal fistulae. Other surgical complications were 4 lymphoceles, three of them needed surgical treatment, and one perirenal haematoma treated in a conservative way. No urological complications were seen. In total 6 grafts (15%) were lost due to surgical complications. Graft actuarial survival rate at 1 year was 65%, 40% at 5 and 28% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Three and four renal transplant survival rates are shorter than first and second ones. Iterative access through lumboiliac incision is associated with a higher vascular complication rate, probably in these patients a transperitoneal access would be better. Multicentric studies with higher numbers of patients are needed to define more clearly which patients would benefit from multiple kidney retransplants.

[Testicular epidermoid cyst: uncommon lesion of difficult preoperative diagnosis]. / Quiste epidermoide testicular: una rara entidad de dificil diagnostico preoperatorio.

Intratesticular epidermoid cysts are rare tumours that constitute one percent of all testicular masses. They are bening lesions that make differential diagnosis from malignant testicular tumours difficult. The absence of serum markers elevation and ultrasound imaging could support these lesions being bening epidermoid cysts, and in that case, conservative surgery is adequate. We present the case of a 22 years old patient who complains of a left testicular mass. In this case ultrasound diagnosis was non-specific and a left radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed.

[Renal retransplantation. Study of 91 cases]. / Retrasplante renal. Estudio de 91 casos.

Review of 91 retransplantations performed at our hospital between 1975 and 1991. There were 82 second transplants and 9 third transplants. Survival of patients to undergo retransplantations continues to increase. Over the last year, 19.1% of our transplants were the 2nd or 3rd ones for some patients. Analysis of causes for graft loss, which essentially are of immunological and surgical nature.

[Single-stitch extravesical ureteroneocystostomy in kidney transplantation (Taguchi's technic)]. / Ureteroneocistostomía extravesical con punto único en el trasplante renal (técnica de Taguchi).

Presentation of our experience with single access extravesical ureteroneocystostomy in 79 renal transplants performed over a 2-year interval. Description of the surgical technique, a modification of that described by Taguchi in 1968. The complications were 2 urinary fistulae (2.52%), one ureteral and one vesical, both at the beginning of the series and related to technical errors. There were no stenosis and in the 4 cases where CUMS was conducted no reflux vas noted. We conclude that this technique is useful for its simplicity, speed and good results.

[Current status of tissue engineering in urology. Review of the literature]. / Estado actual de la ingeniería de tejidos en urología. Revisión de la literatura.

In the eighties a new field of the medicine appears wich applies the principles of cellular cultivation to synthetic biodegradable polymers scaffolds with the purpose of creating autologous biological substitutes that could improve, maintain or restore the function of organs or damaged tissues. The Tissue Engineering constitutes a new discipline in full phase of development especially in USA, with multiple potential applications in several medical specialities. Our speciality can't remain indifferent to interest and encouraging future originated by this new science. In this work we have made a wide bibliographical revision in the Medline to know the antecedents, current state and the possible future applications of Tissue Engineering in Urology.

[Experimental study about viability of autologous free graft in vitro cultivated urinary epithelium]. / Estudio experimental sobre la viabilidad del injerto libre de epitelio urinario autólogo cultivado in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to apply the in vitro keratinocyte culture techniques and the tissue engineering principles to urothelium, to obtain a three-dimensional autologous tissue suitable for grafting. We also showed the viability of free graft cultured urothelium in an experimental model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An animal experimental model was designed to apply the techniques of cellular culture and tissue engineering. Biopsy specimens of bladder mucosa were obtained, in vitro cultured and posteriorly implanted in each animal. We established three groups based on different follow-up periods (7, 14 and 30 days), and made a final histomorphological study to demonstrate the viability of the graft at the end of its respective follow-up period. RESULTS: A three-dimensional in vitro tissue was obtained, composed of a bio-artificial submucosa (fibrin gel and fibroblast) where the uroepithelial cells were seeding; a biodegradable polyglycolic acid mesh was used to facilitate the tissue manipulation and implantation. In the morphological study all the implants appeared viable, but the grafts with longer implantations periods were better conformed, showing a tisular structure with multiple cellular layers. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro keratinocyte culture techniques could be applied to other epithelial tissues as the urothelium. We obtained a three-dimensional in vitro tissue suitable for grafting in a relatively short time. The histological study demonstrated that free autologous urothelial graft is totally viable, opening future clinics applications.

[Carcinoma of Bellini's duct]. / Carcinoma del conducto de Bellini.

First case in the Spanish literature of a carcinoma of Bellini's duct. Differentiation of this tumor from the classic renal adenocarcinoma, mainly the papillary type, is based on the different embryological origin, microscopic characteristics and immunohistochemical studies. Prognosis is worse than for the other renal adenocarcinomas.

[Usefulness of abdominal leak point pressure determination in the diagnosis of female urinary incontinence in the TVT era]. / Utilidad de la determinación de la presión abdominal de fuga en el diagnóstico de la incontinencia de orina femenina en la epoca del TVT.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse our results about continence in the treatment of female urinary incontinence with the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure based on abdominal leak point pressure(ALPP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of the fifty two patients who had urodynamic study and abdominal leak point pressure determination and were operated on between 1999 and 2002 for stress urinary incontinence. We reviewed the data of clinical history, physical examination and urodynamic report, surgery, complications, and objective and subjective results. Those patients having ALPP > 100 are included in group 1, between 61 and 100 in group 2 and less than 60 in group 3. RESULTS: There were 19 patients in group 1, 17 in group 2 and 16 in group 3. We found no difference between the three groups regarding age, delivery, menopause, hysterectomy, evolution, previous surgery, grade of cystocele, association of anterior colporraphy to TVT and type of anaesthesia. The Obrink clinical grade increased as the ALPP decreased (grade 3 in 26.32% of group 1, 31.58% in group 2 and 68.71% in group 3). 100% of patients in groups 1 and 2 were continent with effort and 93.75% in group 3. Complications, especially de novo instability or urgency-frequency episodes or persistence of instability in patients having mixed incontinence, caused a decrease in the satisfaction degree to 79% in group 1, 76.5% in 2 and 62.5% in 3. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal leak point pressure determination does not change our decision of perform a TVT procedure but permits us to differentiate one group in which results could be worse.

[Complications in a consecutive series of 133 cases of radical prostatectomy]. / Complicaciones de una serie consecutiva de 133 casos de prostatectomía radical.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical complications of radical prostatectomy in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From august 1991 to december 1999, 138 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent Walsh technique radical prostatectomy. The follow-up is known from 133 patients with a mean age of 64.8% and a mean PSA of 17.6 ng/ml. RESULTS: The mean follow-up is 43 months. Urinary fistula (9%), lymphatic leakage (5.22%) and rectal injury (2.2%) are the most common early complications. Urinary incontinence (27%), erectile dysfunction (98%) and urethrovesical junction stenosis (12%) are the delay complications. Only three patients have died due to prostate cancer. Our results are compared with another series. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity of radical prostatectomy is very similar to the compared series. Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are the most worrying complications which the patient must know to have the opportunity to choose another therapeutic option.

[Nuclear area versus nuclear grade in the prognosis of renal carcinoma. Long-term results]. / Area nuclear versus grado nuclear en el pronóstico del carcinoma renal. Resultados a largo plazo.

Fürhman's nuclear grading was used to compare the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry (represented by the nuclear area) in 95 renal adenocarcinomas treated by radical nephrectomy with a 11 to 25 years follow-up. The morphometric study was conducted by measuring 100 randomly selected nuclei, with a x1000 MOP-Videoplan morphometer and a light chamber adapted to a microscope. Based on the nuclear area, 2 prognostic groups were made up, one for area values below 35 microns2 and another one for areas over 35 microns2. The nuclear grade was reassigned in all cases according to Fürhman's rating, assembling G1-2s as low grade and G3-4s as high grade for statistical convenience. Staging was done using Tonson's classification; stage II was divided into III-A (venous involvement) and III B + C (presence of adenopathy). The survival analysis was included in the sample overall analysis and in each stage. Survival showed significant differences between groups with areas over and below 35, and between high and low grade. Only 2 cases in stage III B + C and none in stage IV had areas below 35. When comparing survival between under 35 and low grade cases, and between over 35 and high grade cases, no significant difference was obtained. It was therefore conclude that, although nuclear morphometry is a good prognostic factor in renal carcinoma, it contributes little to nuclear grading and it has the drawback of being too elaborate.

[Stress urinary incontinence. Our experience with its treatment using the transvaginal colposuspension technique (Raz I and II)]. / Incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo. Nuestra experiencia en su tratamiento mediante la técnica de colposuspensión transvaginal (Raz I Y II).

Presentation of our experience in the surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence, with transvaginal colposuspension techniques, specifically those described by S. Raz and known as Raz I and Raz II. Over a 24-month period, 25 transvaginal colposuspensions (22 Raz I and 3 Raz II) were performed. The results achieved were 21 patients (84%) have recovered, while 4 (16%) remain incontinent, 3 of them referring improvement and 1 without improvement, after a follow-up of 12 to 36 months. With regard to complications, there has been 5 cases (20%) of postoperative retention, one vesical perforation while passing the needles, and a vesicle perforation during vaginal dissection of the retropubic space.

[Upper urinary tract tumours]. / Tumores de urotelio superior.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic techniques, treatment and follow-up in 94 patients affected of upper urinary tract tumor. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1978 to december 2002 we operated 105 patients due to upper urinary tract tumor, although only 94 are valid for analysis. Mean age was 65 years and 85% were man. Haematuria was the most frequent symptom. RESULTS: Urography (93%), ecography (77%) and CT (67%) were the most used diagnostic techniques. Pelvic tumor was the most frequent (71%) and total nephroureterectomy including bladder cuff the chosen treatment (76.4%). Previous or simultaneous bladder tumor was observed in 23% cases and delayed in 30%. With a mean follow-up of 76 months the patient survival is 53%. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high frequence of previous, simultaneous or delayed bladder tumors, the upper urinary tract tumor should be considered as a panurothelial disease, worsening the outcome of this kind of tumors.

[NMP-22 in the diagnosis of bladder cancer]. / El NMP-22 en el diagnóstico del cáncer vesical.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the NMP-22 test in the diagnosis of bladder cancer; to calculate the ideal cutoff and to compare the results among NMP-22, voided urine cytology and cystoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 166 patients having clinical suspicious of bladder cancer or in follow-up due to a previous one. The exclusions criteria were: other urological conditions, radiotherapy in the last three months, systemic chemotherapy in the last month, recent vesical trauma or indwelling catheter. Prior cystoscopy a recent voided urinary sample was sent to the pathology and biochemistry laboratory to perform cytology and NMP-22. A TUR was performed in patients with bladder tumour. The cutoff was calculated with ROC curves. For each test we calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. We use the McNemar test to compare the results, all of which are expressed with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The ideal cutoff was 6 U/ml. We have a global sensitivity of 82.75% for NMP-22 and 67.9 for cytology (p = 0.0118); the specificity was 80% and 94.12% respectively (p = 0.0018). By grade the sensitivity was 72.22% G1, 70.97% G2 and 100% G3 for NMP-22 and 44.44%, 58.06% and 90.62% for cytology. By stage it was 68.42% Ta, 83.33% T1 and 100 T2 or more for NMP-22 and 36.84%, 75% and 85.71% for cytology. With the cystoscopy we obtained a 100% sensitivity and 89.41% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The NMP-22 is a useful test for the diagnosis of bladder cancer; is more sensitive and less specific than cytology. We think it can replace the cytology in the diagnosis and follow-up of bladder cancer. The ideal cutoff is 6 U/ml.

[Leydig cell tumor. Report of 2 cases and review of the literature]. / Tumor de células de Leydig. Aportación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura.

The Leydig cell tumor is the most frequent of non-germ cell tumors of the testis. Clinical findings depend on the age of presentation. We present two cases of Leydig Cell tumors of the testis, diagnosed in a 8 years old child with isosexual precocity, and a 42 years old adult with Gynaecomastia. After reviewing the existing literature on this uncommon pathology we consider that the iconography presented is very interesting for furthering the knowledge on this subject.

[Retroperitoneal benign schwannoma. Report of a new case]. / Schwannoma benigno retroperitoneal. Aportación de un nuevo caso.

The schwannoma is a tumor resulting from the Schwann cells of neural shwath, being its retroperitoneal localization quite unusual. This tumor is clinically unspecified and in most of the cases it originates symptoms coming from the compression of the close structures when its localization is retroperitoneal. Its diagnosis is quite often fortuitous being confirmed by anatomopathological study afterwards. The treatment is surgical radical exeresis with subsequent followup. We report a new case of this uncommon retroperitoneal pathology in a female patient showing a nonspecific clinic. Two years after the surgery she remains asymptomatic without any radiological evidence of recidive.

[Trazodone-induced priapism]. / Priapismo por trazodona.

We present a 41 years old male, treated with trazodone because of depression. He was seen at our Andrology unit for a 72 hours evolutioned priapism. We review the literature and submit this paper for publication because it is an uncommon pathology.

[Massive lymphatic involvement secondary to prostatic adenocarcinoma]. / Macroafectación linfática secundaria a adenocarcinoma de próstata.

Prostatic carcinoma may be diagnosed by the clinic manifestations or by the symptoms for locoregional disemination and distance metastasis. The lymphatic system is the first metastatic station, which is affected in a high percentage of cases. Event it may simulate lymphoproliferatives process and it si uncommon the lymphatic macroaffectation at first. In theses cases, the histologic and immunohistochemical study by the determination of prostatic specific antigen in lymph nodes can provice the diagnosis. Treatment of these tumors is palliative with hormonotherapy. Prognosis is bad with a low survival at five years.