Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Step towards a Future Treatment.

Background: The improvement of absent or partial response in the medical treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has led to the development of minimally invasive new treatment modalities in the field of regenerative medicine. Methods: A literature review on stem cell therapy for the treatment of ED was performed. We searched for the terms "erectile dysfunction" and "stem cell therapy" in PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov. Literature searching was conducted in English and included articles from 2010 to 2022. Results: New treatment modalities for ED involving stem cell therapy are not only conceived with a curative intent but also aim to avoid unnecessary adverse effects. Several sources of stem cells have been described, each with unique characteristics and potential applications, and different delivery methods have been explored. A limited number of interventional studies over the past recent years have provided evidence of a safety profile in their use and promising results for the treatment of ED, although there are not enough studies to generate an appropriate protocol, dose or cell lineage, or to determine a mechanism of action. Conclusions: Stem cell therapy is a novel treatment for ED with potential future applications. However, most urological societies agree that further research is required to conclusively prove its potential benefit.

[Renal harvest. State of the art.] / Extracción renal. Situación actual.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease. Despite Spain isone of the leading countries in donation, the need for transplantable organs exceeds the available supply. Graft survival depends on the quality of the organ, the damage it suffers during the donation and transplantation process, as well as the risk of rejection. Among the factors that must be controlled and minimized are the ischemia-reperfusion injuries that occurs in the moments surrounding the death of the donor, the procurement and the preservation of the organ until kidney transplantation. Static cold storage is the traditional method of preservation of the organ until the moment of implantation, since it is a technique with wide availability and low cost. The use of perfusion machines in DCD and expanded criteria has shown better short-term results (primary failur delayed on set of function) without affecting recipient orgraft survival. The objective of our article is to review the current situationand the resources available to increase the pool of transplantable organs and their quality. We conducted a systematic review on kidney extraction, donor management, preservation methods and techniques to optimize cadaveric donor kidney donation.

El trasplante renal (TR) es el mejor tratamiento para la enfermedad renal crónica terminal. En España no se dispone de suficientes órganos para suplirla demanda de pacientes en lista de espera a pesar deser uno de los países líderes en donación. La supervivencia del injerto depende de la calidad delórgano, el daño que sufre durante el proceso de donacióny trasplante, así como de la posibilidad de que seproduzca rechazo. Entre los factores que debemos minimizar y optimizar se encuentran las lesiones inducidas por los mecanismos de isquemia-reperfusión, en los momentos que rodean la muerte del donante, la extracción y la preservación del órgano hasta su trasplante.Tradicionalmente la preservación del órgano hasta elmomento del implante se ha llevado a cabo mediante la conservación en frío, ya que es una técnica con amplia disponibilidad y bajo coste. El uso de máquinas de perfusiónen donaciones en asistolia y criterio expandido,ha demostrado mejores resultados a corto plazo (fallo primario, inicio retrasado de función) sin afectar a la supervivencia del receptor o del injerto. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la situación actual,así como los recursos disponibles para aumentar el poolde órganos trasplantables y la calidad de estos. Hemos realizado una revisión sobre la extracción renal, manejo del donante, métodos y técnicas de preservación para optimizar la donación renal de donante cadáver.

The urological referral process from primary health care. Reflections on referral criteria.

OBJECTIVES: The flow of patients between Primary Care (PC) and Specialized care (SC) is a common process. It carries many implications for the patient, physician and health system. In Urology, only benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has referral criteria. Urinary incontinence, prostate cancer (PCa), and urological ultrasound, are in the process. The aim of this paper is to communicate, with critical analysis, the characteristics of the information recorded in the referral visit (clinical reasons / rationale) and the effectiveness for urology consultation. METHODS: Observational, descriptive and quantitative study of the referral visits made between PC/SC (Urology) in the health care area of our hospital (December 2010-September 2012). We studied: Referral Visit Database (RVD), consultation document, HORUS system, and specific referral visit survey questionnaire. RESULTS. Referral visits account for 67.89% (all first consultations), 14.79% of the total number of visits. 78% were male (mean age 53 y.o). 11.84% recorded reason for consultation (98% in referral document) with normal priority (94.67%). 34% of them were for BPH. HORUS is not exploited for the referral visit. 40% start the diagnostic process with insufficient exams. 18.1% are listed as closed process / completed. Patient satisfaction was evaluated (20%). Key points in the improvement are: improve referral visit reason for consultations, to know patient's expectations, and to develop protocols (guidelines, and/or referral criteria). CONCLUSIONS. The referral process is complex. The computer system does not include the referral reason for consultation. Institutional agreement between PC/SC Urology must be reached to ensure uniformity in the implementation and support.

Adrenal myelolipoma. Contribution of a case and bibliographic review.

OBJECTIVE: We report the case of adrenal gland myelolipoma. METHODS/RESULTS: The patient was a 29 year old who is diagnosed with an adrenal adenoma during an endocrinology review. He underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The pathological study confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. CONCLUSIONS: The myelolipoma is a rare tumor composed of hematopoietic elements in different maturation stages and without histological changes, combined with mature adipose tissue in varying proportions. Most of them are incidental findings during radiologic complementary tests. Treatment should be tailored to each particular case. Surgery is indicated when the mass exceeds the size 4-6 cm or when it is a functioning mass.

[Chronic prostatitis: critical review of its current nosologic definition, classification and potential carcinogenesis]. / Prostatitis crónica: una revisión crítica de su actual definición nosológica, clasificación y potencial carcinogénesis.

Updated critical review of chronic prostatitis as a nosologic, anatomic-clinical entity of supposed microbiological or inflammatory origin. Scientific reasoning about the role of amicrobial inflammation in both caudal and cranial prostate, after new progresses, to reconsider the convenience of maintaining the current classification of chronic prostatitis, mainly in the section referred to "histological prostatitis". Analysis of scientific evidences relating prostatitis and "pelvic pain", the dominant syndrome in many patients and basement of the current terminological proposal: prostatitis-pelvic pain. The role of inflammation in the genesis of BPH and prostate cancer. Justification and convenience of a new term in logic consensus on prostatitis.

[Impotence and cardiovascular disease: a new perspective in the health-care compromise of the urologist]. / Impotencia y enfermedad cardiovascular: una nueva perspectiva en el compromiso asistencial del urólogo.

OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence currently available to establish the pathogenic connection between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the effects this scientific progress has introduced in the classical impotence urology clinic. METHODS: We reviewed the most recent publications about this disease (2000-2004) and the concept of endothelial dysfunction by appropriate MEDLINE searches, with specific selection of reviews and clinical practice guidelines. RESULTS: The fact that ED and CVD share risk factors is confirmed; the pathogenic unity of both processes having endothelial dysfunction as the underlying problem; anticipation of ED over CVD in time of presentation; notable increase of research about this issue over the last two years; the change of scenario in the impotence urology clinics due to these findings. CONCLUSIONS: The number of cases in which ED is not an organ disease but an early symptom of endothelial dysfunction forces changes in the extent and depth of the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up strategies in the urology impotence clinics of extraordinary importance from both the individual and health-care politics point of view.

[Current indications of percutaneous nephrostomy associated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of renoureteral stones]. / Indicaciones actuales de la nefrostomía percutanea asociada a la litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque en el tratamiento de la litiasis reno ureteral.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of PN as urinary diversion in the treatment of urinary stones by ESWL. METHODS: Between April 1996 and June 2003 9554 ESWL were performed at the lithiasis unit of the Fundación Jiménez Diaz; 0.91% required previous insertion of a PN. We performed a retrospective analysis of the 49 patients with the diagnosis of upper urinary tract stones who require treatment by ESWL associated with PN. Indications for PN were: ureteral obstruction by fragments 6%, treatment of residual stones after percutaneous nephrolithectomy 6%, ureteral obstruction by a calcified double J stent 5%, urinary sepsis 75%, and obstructive anuria in a solitary kidney 8%. RESULTS: Overall, 87 sessions were performed in 49 patients. Number of shock waves 3996, Kv 7.69. Results where comparable in terms of stone size and composition. 57% of the patients were stone-free after one session, 24% after 2, and 19% required more than 2 sessions. There were two failures requiring surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although in-situ ESWL is the treatment of choice for renoureteral lithiasis, the PN is a complementary procedure when ureteral obstruction requires treatment; it is non invasive and may be successfully associated to ESWL.

[Benign prostatic hyperplasia: five year follow-up in patients who underwent contact laser vaporization]. / HBP: seguimiento a cinco años de los pacientes tratados mediante vaporización por láser de contacto.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term efficacy and complications of contact laser prostatectomy in the treatment of the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: 32 patients in a prospective clinical trial of contact laser prostatectomy were followed for 5 years. Patients were assessed by physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, post void residual urine, transrectal ultrasound and PSA. RESULTS: From the initial cohort, three patients had died from concomitant diseases. Three patients (9%) had undergone reoperation (TURP). Seven Patients (22%) received alpha blockers for irritative symptoms. IPSS and maximum flow improved significantly and remained stable at five years. There were not statistically significant differences in prostate volume or PSA level. CONCLUSIONS: Contact laser prostatectomy is a safe and effective treatment for BPH in the long-term. It has minimal morbidity and durable therapeutic effects. Nevertheless, in our experience postoperative irritative voiding symptoms (22%) are the major disadvantage.

[Bladder calculi. Is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy the first choice treatment?]. / Litiasis vesical. Es la litotricia extracorpórea por ondas de choque el tratamiento de primera elección?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment of bladder stones using a retrospective study. METHODS: Between February 1991 and June 2002, 45 patients with bladder stones were treated (41 males and 4 females). Age ranged from 23 to 87 years. 63% had previous renal-ureteral lithiasis and 29% had undergone upper urinary tract ESWL. We used the Storz Modulith SL 10/SL 20. Treatments were performed using intravenous analgesia on an outpatient basis. RESULTS: 83 sessions of ESWL were performed on 53 stones. Complete fragmentation and elimination was achieved in 55% of the patients after a single session, 26.7% of the patients after 2 sessions, 6.7% after 3 sessions, 8.8% four, and 2.2% five. Mean number of shock waves was 3196.3 with an average 7-8 Kv. 8.5% had stone recurrence due to residual lithiasis, whereas 79% achieved total elimination. 13% required endoscopic procedures to evacuate stone fragments impacted in urethra. 6.6% required transurethral prostatic resection after ESWL. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL therapy is an effective option for the treatment of patients with bladder stones, non invasive, with low morbidity, without need for anesthesia, and outpatient. The effectiveness is high (79% of the patients stone free) and even higher when treating smaller stones.