Hormonal and biochemical parameters in varicocele.

Eight-seven patients were studied and divided in three groups: patients with varicocele and abnormal seminal fluid (47 cases), patients with varicocele and normal spermiograms (10 cases), and normal individuals (30 cases). Blood samples for hormonal dosages of FSH, LH, and testosterone were taken through puncture of a peripheral vein. Testosterone concentration for the varicocele group with abnormal spermiograms was lower than for the other groups; statistically significant difference were found when comparing these values. FSH and LH, as well as seminal fructose and citric acid, did not show any statistically significant differences when we compared the values obtained for the three groups. We believe that the decrease of testosterone concentration found in cases of varicocele with abnormal spermiograms can explain the alterations in spermatogenesis present in these patients.

A comparison of treatment methods for the prophylaxis of recurrent superficial bladder tumors.

We assigned 55 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder by rotation to 1 of 3 treatment categories. Group 1 patients were treated by transurethral resection alone, group 2 by transurethral resection followed by topical thiotepa and group 3 by transurethral resection followed by orally administered bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Recurrent bladder tumors developed subsequently in 80 per cent of the patients in group 1, 42.9 per cent in group 2 and 6.2 per cent in group 3.

Surgical treatment of obstructive azoospermia.

The records of 325 azoospermic patients were reviewed. A total of 109 patients (33.5%) had obstructive azoospermia and 48 of them underwent surgical treatment. Three patients had vas deferens agenesia and underwent artificial spermatocele; 14 with epididymal obstruction were treated by an end-to-end microsurgical vasoepididymostomy; and 31 vasectomized patients were submitted to microsurgical reversal. There was no pregnancy in the spermatocele patients. In the vasoepididymostomy patients 60% became patent and 30% achieved pregnancy. In the reversal group 90% of patency and pregnancy rate of 80% were observed, in a mean follow-up of 21 months. The last 8 cases were treated with a biological glue and 7 showed patency and one pregnancy in a 3-month follow-up period. One was lost to follow-up.

In situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral calculi.

We reviewed our experience with in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones in 30 patients. The Siemens Lithostar unit was used for stone disintegration and no attempts were made to manipulate the calculi back into the kidney. During the study period 15 patients presented with upper, 9 with mid and 6 with lower ureteral calculi. The mean stone size was 5 x 12 mm. The success rates in stone removal, hospitalization, anesthesia, average number of shocks and kilovolts used were analyzed. Complete removal of all calculous material was obtained in 86.6% of the patients after 3 months. Followup consisted of a plain film of the kidneys, ureters and bladder, and eventually renal ultrasound 1 day and 1 to 3 months postoperatively. Routinely, patients were treated without hospitalization, while 3 had persistent stone fragments and required hospitalization for auxiliary endourological procedures. The average hospital stay for these patients was 1.6 days. Of the 30 patients 13 (43.4%) were treated without anesthesia, 9 (30.0%) received intravenous sedation and 8 (26.6%) had epidural anesthesia. Patients received 3,000 to 6,000 shock waves per session (median 4,000) at 14.0 to 19.0 kv. (median 18.1 kv.), and in 76.9% the treatment was completed after 1 session. Patients who needed more than 1 session received 3,000 to 4,000 shock waves (median 3,000) at 15.0 to 19.0 kv. (median 17.8 kv.) per additional session. Minor complications, such as hematuria, were observed in 33.3% of the patients for less than 24 hours. A small erythematous area usually was present on the abdominal wall at the shock wave entrance site and temporary ileus was noted in 2 patients. In situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with the Siemens Lithostar device is an effective method for treatment of ureteral stones in all parts of the ureter due to the ease of patient positioning.

Endourologic approach of ureteral gunshot lesion.

We report a case which demonstrates that to approach an ureteral gunshot lesion endourologically may be an alternative to surgical intervention. We believe that drainage of a damaged ureter should, in selected cases, constitute the first option. This procedure often is successful, but may not be feasible in all cases. We do not believe that simple catheter drainage should replace standard surgical procedures. However, it presents a less invasive treatment alternative which still adheres to conventional surgical principles if a proper patient selection is made.

Intrarenal pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: angiotomographic assessment and endovascular management

We report a case of intrarenal pseudoaneurysm of the right kidney after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in supine position. Diagnosis was established by angiotomography with a 3-D reconstruction. Treatment was successfully achieved by endovascular occlusion using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

Histological and histochemical changes of the intestinal mucosa at the urothelial-enteric anastomotic site

OBJECTIVE: The incorporation of bowel segments for urinary tract reconstruction may induce intestinal mucosal changes with the development of metabolic, nutritional, gastrointestinal and carcinogenic complications. The early histological and histochemical changes of the intestinal mucosa in contact with the feces-urine mixture, are evaluated in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve rats (operated group) were submitted to a vesico-colonic anastomosis, and 10 rats (control group) underwent a sham operation (the colon was opened and immediately sutured). On the operated group, the left colon was divided into 3 equal portions and the middle segment was used for the bladder-colonic anastomosis. After 20 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the entire left colon in each group, as well as the bladder and the vesico-colonic anastomosis in the operated group, was removed. The proximal, middle (anastomotic site in the operated group and sutured portion in the control group) and distal colon were used for histological and histochemical studies. RESULTS: Metaplasia, chronic inflammatory process and fibrosis were significantly greater at the anastomotic site compared to the middle segment of the control group. There were no differences in both groups in terms of dysplasia, atrophy and hypertrophy either on the proximal, middle or anastomotic area and distal portion of the left colon. All animals in the operated group showed a reduced presence of sulfomucin and an increase in the sialomucin content. CONCLUSION: The histological changes observed in this study may suggest a precancerous phenomenon.

Responsiveness to the Portuguese version of the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire - short form (ICIQ-SF) after stress urinary incontinence surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and responsiveness (internal and external) of the Portuguese version of the ICIQ-SF. We assessed the responsiveness of the ICIQ-SF after surgical procedures for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective open label study in 2 tertiary referral centers. Sixty-one patients of both genders (54 female and 7 male) were enrolled. Patients were treated using surgical procedures, mostly with synthetic sling (82 percent). Patients were assessed before surgery and at least 1 month postoperatively using the ICIQ-SF in its translated and validated Portuguese version. Patients also underwent pre-operative urodynamic tests, Stamey incontinence grading and pad usage assessments. After surgery, patients underwent stress tests, Stamey incontinence grading and pad usage assessments. RESULTS: The mean age was 57.2 (± 11.6) years and the mean duration of follow-up was 7.2 months (± 4.5). Objective parameters such as urodynamic tests (by means of VLPP) and pad usage had significant correlation with changes in post-treatment scores on the ICIQ-SF (p = 0.0062 and p < 0.0001 respectively). The responsiveness expressed in terms of standardized effect sizes (SES) and standardized response means (SRM) was large for both questionnaires (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results showed high responsiveness (large effect sizes I and II) for the Portuguese version of the ICIQ-SF, indicating that this instrument is suitable for measuring outcomes in clinical trials for Brazilian patients with stress urinary incontinence.