Multiple clonal chromosome abnormalities in Peyronie's disease.

Numerical and structural chromosome aberrations were found in cell plaque metaphases from 9 of 14 patients with Peyronie's disease. In two cases there was evidence of clonal evolution for some of the chromosomal aberrations observed. The Y chromosome was the most frequently involved in numerical changes. Four of 9 cases with abnormal karyotype showed more than one abnormal, cytogenetically unrelated clone. Our findings suggest the possibility of a multiclonal origin for this benign tumor, and confirm the presence of chromosome instability in this cell growth disorder.

Modified corporopexy as a new approach to the treatment of congenital rotation of the penis.

Congenital anomalies of the penis expressed in various forms of flexures can be associated with a rotation of the shaft. An asymmetrical insertion of the suspensory ligament on the dorsal surface of the tunica albuginea often accounts for corporal rotation. This distorts the spatial relationship between the corpora cavernosa and the pubic bone. The two corpora may overlap and the shaft is partially rotated. For the surgical treatment of these defects we proposed (1989) a technique of contrarotation of the tunica albuginea which was later abandoned because it was too invasive. We developed a technique based on the ipsilateral re-suspension of the suspensory ligament of the penis between the tunica of the lower corpus and the pubic symphysis to restore the true axis. The neurovascular adnexa, the corpora cavernosa, and the corpus spongiosum remain untouched.

Evaluation of corpora alterations and erectile dysfunction following radical surgery for Peyronie's disease and long-term follow-up on 152 operated patients.

The radical surgical option we propose for Peyronie's disease consists in removing the sclerohyalinotic focus of disease and replacing it by an autologous dermal graft taken from the upper outer thigh area. Between 1981 and 1991, we operated on 335 patients with Peyronie's disease, 152 of whom underwent plaque excision and dermal graft. All could be assessed with a 2-year follow-up. Two main complications were observed: mild penile flexure due to scar retraction of the graft (35% of cases), and partial erectile deficit with decreased corporal rigidity (17% of cases). The degree of graft retraction is linked to the individual's histologic response. A mild deviation of the penis can occur some months after surgery and is not a relapse flexure due to disease progression, but is mere scar retraction and will spontaneously regress. Because the patient will date the onset of a postoperative erectile deficit from the time of the operation, it is advisable to assess preoperatively the erectile ability of all patients. Furthermore, an impaired erectile response could result from hypoaesthesia of the glans, postsurgical stress, and fibrosis of the erectile tissue. A retrospective assessment of radical surgery cases involving plaque excision and dermal graft led us to propose this option where precise indications apply, providing that other alterations of the erectile function are preoperatively assessed.

Repair of a recurrent urethrovaginal fistula with an island bulbocavernous musculocutaneous flap.

This paper describes a case of recurrent postpartum urethrovaginal fistula. The extent of the vaginal tissue loss and the perilesional scarring made direct closure of the defect not practicable. After suturing of the urethra, the anterior vaginal wall was reconstructed with an island bulbocavernous musculocutaneous flap raised from the left labium majus. Seven months after surgery, the flap healed well, and cystography showed a regular voiding without periurethral suffusions. Healing of thedonor site also was aesthetically satisfactory.

[Technical problems in achieving continence after perineal prostatectomy]. / Problemi di tecnica per la continenza dopo prostatectomia perineale.

After radical perineal prostatectomy a 88% and 94% continence rate can be achieved respectively at 6 month and 12 month follow-up. Stress incontinence persists in 4.5% of cases, while in only 1.5% complete incontinence is observed during night and day without spontaneous voidings. In our experience of 176 consecutive perineal radical prostatectomies we observed that in order to obtain a complete recovery of urinary continence, in absence of signs of detrusor instability, a functional urethral length more than 16 mm and urethral closure pressure more than 42 cm H2O are needed.

Our treatment of congenital complicated penile deviations.

Congenital anomalies of the penis expressed in various forms of flexures can be associated to a rotation of the shaft. An asymmetrical insertion of the suspensory ligament on the dorsal surface of the tunica albuginea often accounts for corporal rotation. This distorts the spatial relationship between the corpora cavernosa and the pubic bone. The two corpora may overlap and the shaft is partially rotated. For the surgical treatment of these defects we proposed (1989) a technique of contrarotation of the tunica albuginea which was later abandoned because it was too invasive. We developed a technique based on the ipsilateral re-suspension of the suspensory ligament of the penis between the tunica of the lower corpus and the pubic symphysis to restore the true axis. The neurovascular adnexa, the corpora cavernosa, and the corpus spongiosum remain untouched.

[NPT: nocturnal penile tumescence test]. / NPT--Test di tumescenza peniena notturna.

The recording of the variations of penile tumescence and rigidity during nocturnal unconscious erections that usually occur with the REM phases of sleep, has been considered the diagnostic tool of choice in the workup of erectile disturbances for a number of years. Such a success is partly due to its absence of invasiveness. Moreover this test was believed to allow to differentiate between the psychogenic and organic origin of impotence. As some authors have recently reported, anxiety state (common among patients who undergo invasive andrological procedure in the office) can at times influence the content of the dream state, thus negatively affecting the spontaneous nocturnal erections. Besides, sleep disturbances such as apnea and motor agitation can also induce erroneous interpretations of NPT graphs. Further, dysfunctions at the level of the cortex and the spine still allow the occurrence of nocturnal tumescence but determine an erectile deficit in the awake state. Clinically, all this poses new questions about the effectiveness of the NPT test in the study of the origin of impotence. The diagnostic methods, despite its world-wide diffusion, remains, under certain aspects, obscure: the operative details and, above all, its interpretative criteria. All this impedes the achievement of uniformity in the evaluation of the results obtained thanks to this test (e.g. the number and duration of erectile episodes, the interpretation of tumescence on its own, of the basal-apical dissociation, of the erectile episodes occurring immediately before waking, and of those of short duration).

[Surgical therapy of obstructive azoospermia: microsurgery]. / Terapia chirurgica dell'azoospermia ostruttiva: microchirurgia.

Microscopic procedures for therapy of obstructive azoospermia or of vasectomy reversals have resulted in accurate reapproximation of ductal structures. The success of vasovasostomy appears to be influenced by the length of time that has passed since the vasectomy was performed or the obstruction become. Failures of vasovasostomy may be attributed to anastomotic stenosis, sperm antibodies, epididymal dysfunction, or an unrecognized epididymal tubule blowout with subsequent obstruction. The latter condition should by suspected when, at the time of the initial vasovasostomy, there is lack of fluid containing spermatozoa in the cut end of the testicular portion of the vas. Chronic intratubular pressure may cause an epididymal blowout, with subsequent spermatic granuloma and obstruction in the epididymal tubule, that may also be related to a congenital disorder or a postinflammatory condition. Spermatozoa gain maturation and the capacity for motility as they move from the caput to the cauda of the epididymis as possible. Microsurgery allows direct microtubular anastomosis between the epididymal tubule and the cut end of the vas. Some conditions are not amenable to conventional surgical techniques, such obstructed azoospermia due to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens or to severe damage to the reproductive ducts. To treat these patients surgeons have devised reservoirs (artificial spermatoceles) to collect spermatozoa to be used for artificial insemination. An alternative treatment method for obstructed azoospermia is to obtain sperm from the epididymis with the use of an operating microscope. Although sperm have been obtained the poor sperm motility requires either in vitro fertilization or GIFT. The technique looks promising, although improved techniques to enhance the motility of the collected sperm will ultimately yield better results.

[Seminal changes of inflammatory origin]. / Alterazioni seminali di origine flogistica.

Presence of bacteria in the sperm is often associated to a reduction of fertility in relationship with a decrease in number and motility of spermatozoa and with an augmentation of the abnormal spermatic cells. Clinical features of seminal phlogosis are extremely variable both in acute and chronic evolutions. In every case the first diagnostical step is sperm count and seminal complete analysis which can give evidence of phlogistic alteration in quantity and quality of spermatic cells with a typical presence of an excess in white blood cells (leucospermia) as consequence of infection. The great variety in clinical and bacteriological aspects and the particular biological features of the organs involved, as the prostate, make treatment a difficult problem to solve with particular regard to the choice of an effective antibiotic which pharmacokinetic has to result suitable for the microorganism as well as for the tissue of the infection site. All those efforts are indispensable to reduce the too frequent therapeutical failures in the management of seminal phlogistic pathology with complications of organic but also pathological relevancy for the patient and the partner too.

[Andrologic problems in prostatic carcinoma]. / Problemi andrologici nel carcinoma della prostata.

In our opinion, the attempt to save the sexuality and the erectile ability in a patient with a prostate cancer, in the respect of an absolute oncological radicality, should be recommended since potency represents for the patient a primary aspect in the quality of residual life. At the Institute of Urology of the University of Milan a study to identify pathogenetic mechanisms leading to erectile failure in the various phases of a prostate cancer was performed. From January 1988 to December 1993, 36 patients (range 50-60 years old) suffering from prostate cancer B1 stage (14 pts), B2 (20 pts) and C (2 pts) underwent to radical prostatectomy. Out of 24 pts reporting erectile ability before surgery, 10 was in B1 stage and underwent monolateral nerve-sparing technique. Out of these, 6 pts (60%) maintained the erection after the operation. The treatment with LHRH analogues weighted on loss of libido and erectile and erectile potent due to central androgenic delete. At our Institute 87 pts in treatment with LHRH analogues reported loss of erection in 80% of cases. In this group 22 underwent to an andrological examination. The exams (Dynamic penile Doppler, Dynamic Cavernosometry and stimulating test with intracavernous vasoactive drugs) confirm the absence of peripherical damages in the pathogenesis of the erectile dysfunction. Patient underwent radiotherapy develop a secondary impotence due to an obliterant progressive angioitis in a percentage ranging from 30 to 80%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Revascularization: light and shadow]. / Rivascolarizzazione: luci ed ombre.

Advances in the knowledge of penile haemodynamics make evidence of two fundamental mechanisms in the physiology of erection: 1) arterial vasodilatation; 2) blockage of venous outflow. Therefore peripheric vasculogenic erectile impotence presents two pathogenetic possibilities: 1) from insufficient arterial flow; 2) from increased venous outflow. It is therefore very important to make the correct diagnosis of the patient with erectile disturbances in order to determine an appropriate therapy. The following examinations are routine tests carried out at our Institution: NPT test, basal and dynamic Doppler-sonography, OOE-OME (evaluation of output obtaining and maintenance erection), basic and dynamic cavernosography, digital angiography, dynamic NMR. After an accurate diagnostic assessment medical treatment can begin, based essentially on the cavernous infusion of vasoactive drugs, in light forms; surgery is resorted to severe cases, or in cases of failure of medical therapy. Proposed operations may be divided into 3 groups: 1) arterio-cavernous by-pass; 2) arterio-arterial by-pass; 3) venous surgery. Since 1978 the successive experiences of the Authors in this field and the better knowledge of penile vascular structures have led to a standardization of the methods used, with partly original techniques (epigastro-dorsal antiflow and orthoflow double by-pass), which, with selective application, have raised the percentage of pulsing anastomoses at 18 months of 82%.

[Radical surgery and conservation of erection in Peyronie's disease]. / Chirurgia radicale e conservazione dell'erezione nella malattia di La Peyronie.

The radical surgical option we propose for Peyronie's disease consists in removing the sclero-hyanolitic focus (plaque) and replacing it by an autologous dermal graft taken from the upper outer thigh area. Between 1981 and 1994, we operated 564 patients with Induration penis plastica (IPP), 418 of whom underwent plaque excision and dermal grafting. All could be assessed at two-year follow-up. Two main complications were observed: penile flexure relapse (71 Pts, 17% of cases), and erectile dysfunction with decreased corporal rigidity (84 Pts, 20% of cases). A mild deviation of the penis can occur some months after surgery and it is not due to disease progression (as it should have evolutive characteristics) but is mere scar retraction (44 Pts, 76% of examined relapsed flexures). The degree of this graft retraction is linked to the individual's histologic response and can be due to an idioptic tissular response or to an insufficient size of the patch. In some cases, the post-op penile flexure can result from a progression of disease (14 Pts, 24% of examined relapses flexures) and can be due either to a new "focus" or to an incomplete removal of the previous plaque. As the patient will date the onset of a possible postoperative erectile deficit from the time of the operation, it is advisable to assess preoperatively the real erectile ability of all patients. Furthermore, a post-op impaired erectile response (84 Pts, 20%) could result from a subalbuginear fibrosis of the erectile tissue that leads to a caverno-occlusive dysfunction (60%). In more than 35% of patients we found a psychogenic component, due to post-surgical stress, that involves an adrenergic hypertone with peripherical vasoconstriction. In few cases (4%) the post-op erectile dysfunction is the consequence of peroperative arterial damages that results in hypoaesthesia of the glans (injury of dorsal arteries) or in failure to obtaining corporal rigidity (damage of cavernosal arteries). A review of our experience involving plaque excision and dermal grafting led us to propose this option in case of mechanical disturbance during coitus and when the association of erectile dysfunction can be excluded.

[Erectile complications after radical surgery for penile plastic induration]. / Complicanze erettili dopo chirurgia radicale dell'induratio penis plastica.

The radical surgical option we propose for Peyronie's disease consists in removing the sclero-hyalinotic focus of disease and replacing it by an autologous dermal graft taken from the upper outer thigh area. Between 1981 and 1991, we operated 335 patients with IPP, 152 of whom underwent plaque excision and dermal graft. All could be assessed at two-year follow-up. Two main complications were observed: mild penile flexure due to scar retraction of the graft (35% of cases), and partial erectile deficit with decreased corporal rigidity (17% of cases). The degree of the graft retraction is linked to the individual's histologic response. A mild deviation of the penis can occur some months after surgery and is not a relapse flexure due to disease progression (as it should have evolutive characteristics) but is mere scar retraction and will spontaneously regress. As the patient will date the onset of a postoperative erectile deficit from the time of the operation, it is advisable to assess preoperatively the erectile ability of all patients. Furthermore, an impaired erectile response could result from hypoaesthesia of the glans, post-surgical stress, and fibrosis of the erectile tissue. A retrospective assessment of radical surgery cases involving plaque excision and dermal graft lead us to propose this option where precise indications apply, providing the presence of other alterations of the erectile function are pre-operatively assessed.

[Realities and limitations of the diagnosis of erectile impotence: radical urethro-prostato-cystectomy as a human experimentalmodel]. / Attualità e limiti della diagnostica nell'impotenza erettile: la uretro-prostato-cistectomia radicale come modello sperimentale umano.

Veno-occlusive dysfunction (formerly called "venous leakage") is a clinical-radiographic manifestation of a multi-aetiology syndrome, the pathogenesis of which is to be sought in intrinsic damage to the erectile tissue. It has been attributed to psycho-neurogenic, neurovascular and local--physical factors. The unsatisfactory results of the various surgical techniques proposed (venous ligatures, crural plication, corporopexy) can be explained by the formation of vicarious venous circles, a phenomenon which occurs regardless of the type of procedure adopted and which is the direct consequence of the alteration of the occlusive mechanisms intrinsic to the erectile tissue. At the Urological Institute of the University of Milan, a study has been carried out with the aim of experimentally assessing these aetiopathogenetic hypotheses. 48 sexually potent patients were selected from those scheduled for extensive surgical procedures on account of malignant pathologies of the pelvic cavity (urethro-prostato-cystectomy, radical prostatectomy). The protocol included a series of examinations before and after the operation (at three months): computerised recording of nocturnal erections (NPT test, three consecutive nights), dynamic penile Doppler velocimetry, dynamic cavernosometry/graphy, examination of bulbocavernosus reflex. The goal of the study was to evaluate the haemodynamic consequences of the massive venous ligatures effected during these operations (periprostatic plexus, deep dorsal vein, spongio-cavernous connections). There were 28 cases of radical prostatectomy and 20 cases of radical urethro-prostato-cystectomy. Among the cases of radical prostatectomy, the extrafascial retropubic technique was used for 14 patients, the monolateral nerve-sparing procedure was applied for 10 patients (stage B1) and the transperineal approach was used for 4 patients (the most recent).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Changes in sexuality and fertility in the elderly: ejaculation]. / Le modificazioni della sessualità e della fertilità dell'anziano: eiaculazione.

After the remark of the own results on an epidemiological research about andropausal sexual problems, the Authors analyze the alterations of ejaculatory mechanism with elderly, focusing frequency and etiopathogenesis. They underline the need of prevention of ejaculatory disturbances deriving from chronic disease or of iatrogenic origin.

[Treatment of prostatitis with a new laser probe with optic fiber]. / Trattamento delle prostatiti con nuova sonda laser in fibra ottica.

The present treatment of the subacute abatteric prostatitis, prostatodinia, prostatosis (the most common prostatic flogistic diseases) is represented by the transrectal applications of infrared Laser. The concrete opportunity of applying such an energy directly to the prostate in cases of flogistic diseases--a very frequent pathology treated in many different and controversial ways--is a stimulating therapeutical method which we tested and that we presently use in our clinics. The thanks to the realization of an high technology equipment, easy to handle, cheap, safe, perfectly suitable, formed by a new infrared Laser probe, transrectal, atermical, made by a optical fibre, which we present. Micturition, ejaculation, fertility may draw a relevant improvement, provided that the same treatment is performed after a specific medical diagnosis and following a strict protocol.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy with MPL9000 for the treatment of urinary stones in pediatric patients.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is now applied as the treatment of choice in most cases of urinary stones. Its acceptance in pediatry, however has been only gradual despite numerous positive studies. We report on fourteen young patients (mean age: 9.7 years) who were all treated by ESWL with the MPL9000 lithotriptor for renal stones. Each patient received an average of 1440 shocks with generator energy set at 14.4 Kv. Six of these patients required either analgosedation or anesthesia. No observable complications of treatment occurred. At one-month follow up, the kidneys of twelve patients were found to be stone-free, while two still presented fragments that could pass spontaneously. At three-month follow-up, thirteen patients were stone-free and a single patient retained some fragments. From this data we infer that ESWL with the MPL9000 lithotriptor may be used safety and efficiently to treat urolithiasis in younger patients.

Bulbocavernous myocutaneous flap: a new technique in repair of recurrent urethrovaginal fistula.

This paper describes the case of a recurrent post-partum urethrovaginal fistula. The extent of the vaginal tissues loss and the perilesional scarring made the direct closure of the defect non practicable. After suturing the urethra, the anterior vaginal wall was reconstructed with an island bulbocavernous musculocutaneous flap raised from the left labium majus. Nineteen months after surgery the flap healed well without peri urethral suffusion.

[Section of the spermatic vein]. / Sezione della vena spermatica.

Surgical treatment of varicocele can be carried out using different techniques. The laparoscopic approach [1-2] represent a new trend that we used to ligate and dissect the spermatic vein in 10 patients, 8 with monolateral left varicocele and 2 with bilateral varicocele. The average time for laparoscopic surgery has been 45 minutes for monolateral varicocele and 65 minutes in the bilateral one. The absence of important complications during and after the operation has allowed to dismiss all patients 48 hours after the surgical treatment. The preferential direction of laparoscopic approach to varicocele is represented by the bilateral form.

[Treatment of urinary incontinence in the patient operated on for benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Trattamento della incontinenza da urgenza nel paziente operato per IPB.

A potential complication of prostatic adenomectomy and TURP is urinary incontinence. The incidence of this problem ranges from 0.1 to 1%. we reviewed our experience with 15 patients who were incontinent between 10 to 24 months after prostatectomy. We treated these patients with bladder training. At first, patients were evaluated for the type and extent of incontinence. Perineal exercise were taught in detail, tested for their correct use via simultaneous and abdominal examination. Patients were evaluated weekly for compliance. No pharmaceutical agents were used. All the 15 patients improved in the number of incontinence episodes 5 patients achieved total continence, while only one showed a little change. We conclude that patients who are incontinent after prostatectomy can improve with a well-done behavioral training program.