Can tranexamic acid in irrigation fluid reduce blood loss during monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate? A randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacity and safety of using tranexamic acid (TXA) in the irrigation solution during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients and Methods: A total of 50 patients undergoing TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia were prospectively randomised in a controlled clinical trial and distributed into two groups. Group A received 0.1% TXA 1000 mg (10 mL) in 1 L of irrigation solution of sterile wash (glycine) during surgery, while Group B received 10 mL distilled water (placebo) in 1 L of irrigation solution of sterile wash (glycine) during surgery. At the end of surgery, a three-way catheter was inserted in the bladder. Group A received local 500 mg of TXA (5 mL), which was dissolved in 100 mL of normal saline solution, while Group B received distilled water (5 mL) dissolved in 100 mL of normal saline solution after which the catheter was clamped. The serum haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, haematocrit (HCT), blood loss volume, Hb concentration in the irrigation fluid, and bladder irrigation volumes were compared between the two groups at three time-points: preoperatively and at 4- and 24-h postoperatively. Coagulation function, complications, thromboembolic events, quality of endoscopic view, surgery duration, and hospital stay were also noted. Results: Group A had significantly lower blood loss intraoperatively, and at 4- and 24-h postoperatively compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The serum Hb concentration, HCT, Hb concentration in the irrigation fluid, and bladder irrigation volumes were significantly lower in the TXA group vs the control group (P < 0.001). The shortening of the surgery duration and improvement in the quality of the endoscopic view were significantly noted in the TXA group (P = 0.001). However, no thromboembolic events occurred in either group. Conclusion: The use of TXA in the irrigation fluid during TURP and injection into the bladder postoperatively can reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusion without increasing the risk of thrombosis.

Can high-dose tranexamic acid have a role during transurethral resection of the prostate in large prostates? A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) during bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP) in patients with large prostates compared to placebo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2018 to May 2020, 204 patients with enlarged prostates of 80-130 g and in need of surgical intervention were randomised into two groups. Patients in Group A underwent B-TURP and received TXA as an intravenous loading dose of 50 mg/kg over 20 min before induction of anaesthesia followed by a maintenance infusion of 5 mg/kg/h until resection was completed. The patients in Group B (placebo) received a saline infusion of a similar volume. RESULTS: There was highly significant drop in haemoglobin in the placebo group at 4- and 24-h postoperatively compared with the TXA group (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the blood transfusion rate between the two groups with five patients (5.5%) in the placebo group and four (4.2%) in the TXA group requiring a transfusion (P = 0.74). The procedural time was significantly less in the TXA group vs the control group, at a mean (SD) of 79.93 (22.18) vs 90.91 (21.4) min (P = 0.001). Also, the intraoperative irrigation fluid volume and postoperative irrigation duration were significantly less in the TXA group vs the control group, at a mean (SD) of 19.21 (3.13) vs 23.05 (3.8) L and 14.75 (5.15) vs 18.33 (5.96) h, respectively (P = 0.001). Catheterisation and hospital stay durations were comparable between both groups (P = 0.384 and P = 0.388, respectively). No complications were recorded with use of high-dose TXA. CONCLUSION: High-dose TXA was effective in controlling blood loss during B-TURP in patients with large prostates, with no adverse drug reactions.

Simultaneous antegrade and retrograde endourological approach in Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position for the management of missed stents associated with complex renal stones: a non-randomized pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the simultaneous antegrade and retrograde endourological approach in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position (GMSVP) for the management of missed stent with complex renal stones. METHODS: Over 5 years, patients presented to our clinic or referred to our hospital with missed DJ stent and complex renal stones were included prospectively in our study. Inclusion criteria were patients with neglected DJ stents (more than 6 months) complicated with complex stone burden, in addition to stents that was Fragmented and required renal access for removal. Stent and stone removal were performed using a simultaneous antegrade and retrograde renal approach in the GMSVP. The success rate and any perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: 45 patients were available for evaluation. The average stone size was 3.9 ± 0.8 cm. Renal stones, ureteric stones, and bladder stones were present in 39, 24, and 10 patients, respectively .Two patients had fragmented DJs. Semirigid ureteroscopy with PCNL was used in 19 (42.2%) cases, ECIRS in 17 (37.7%) cases, Cystolitholapaxy and PCNL in 10 (22.2%) cases. Mean operative time was 70.8 ± 10.2 min, mean hospital stay was 2.3 ± 0.8 days. The stone-free rate was 93.3% after one procedure, two patients needed an auxiliary SWL for residual stones, postoperative complications were seen in 24.4% of patients. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous antegrade and retrograde renal approach in the GMSVP is safe and effective in the management of missed DJ stents with a complex stone burden.

Fibrin glue as a sealant in stentless laparoscopic pyeloplasty: A randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the value of adding fibrin glue, as a sealant material, to the anastomotic line during stentless laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LPP). Patients and methods: In all, 92 patients with pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO), scheduled for LPP, were randomised into two groups (46 in each group). Group A, underwent transperitoneal stentless LLP sealed with fibrin glue, whilst Group B underwent the same procedure without fibrin glue. Results: Both groups were similar for patient demographics and presentation. Despite that, we found a significant statistical difference between the groups for operative time and blood loss. The total number of patients that had a urinary leak was 10 and 24 patients, in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.002). A prolonged leak lasting for >5 days, which stopped spontaneously occurred in three patients (7.14%) in Group A and six (14.3%) in Group B (P = 0.265). A persistent 14-day leak that needed intervention developed in two patients (4.3%) in Group A and five (10.9%) in Group B (P = 0.434). One patient in Group B developed urinoma 1 week after discharge, and another patient in the same group developed deep venous thrombosis. There was no significant difference between the groups for postoperative complications in the early 3-month period. The success rate was 39 (92.86%) and 36 patients (85.7%), in groups A and B respectively (P = 0.265). Conclusion: Adding fibrin glue to seal the anastomosis decreased urinary leakage but did not have a significant impact on outcomes. Abbreviations: CONSORT: Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials; DTPA: diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid; LPP: laparoscopic pyeloplasty; PUJO: PUJ obstruction; T½: clearance halftime (renogram).

Insurance Status and Differences in Treatment and Survival of Testicular Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between insurance status and differences in treatment and survival of testicular cancer patients. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was utilized for this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2007 and 2011, 5986 testicular cancer patients were included in the SEER database. Patients were classified into nonseminoma and seminoma groups. We compared mortality rates, metastasis (M+) at diagnosis, and rates of adjuvant treatments between the uninsured (UI) and insured (I) populations. RESULTS: Overall, 2.64% of UI vs 1.36% of I died from testicular cancer (P = .025) and 16.73% of UI vs 10.52% of I had M+ at diagnosis (P <.0001). In the nonseminoma group, 4.19% of UI vs 2.79% of I died from testicular cancer (P = .326) and 25.92% of UI vs 18.46% of I had M+ at diagnosis (P = .0007). Also 17.28% of UI vs 20.88% of I had retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND; P = .1). In the seminoma group, 1.06% of UI vs 0.33% of I died from testicular cancer (P = .030) and 7.43% of UI vs 4.81% of I had M+ at diagnosis (P = .029). Also 34.75% of UI vs 48.4% of I received adjuvant radiation (P = .0083). The lack of health insurance predicted poor survival after adjusting for tumor stage, receiving adjuvant radiation or RPLND. CONCLUSION: UI testicular cancer patients present with more advanced cancer stages and have higher mortality rates than I patients. UI seminoma patients received less adjuvant radiation. This may be related to lack of access to care or more advanced cancer stage at diagnosis.

Prevalence and outcomes of peritumor fat involvement following partial nephrectomy for radiologic T1 renal cancer.

CONTEXT: Partial nephrectomy is becoming the standard of care in management of small renal tumors and excision of the peritumor fat is recommended for accurate staging. During the surgery, the overlying fat may be excised for accurate visualization of margins or maybe inadvertently left behind when performing a partial nephrectomy in an obese patient. We investigated the prevalence of fat involvement in these patients. AIMS: The aim was to document the prevalence of peritumor fat involvement discovered after partial nephrectomy performed for radiologic T1 renal cancer. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Between 2005 and 2011, 107 partial nephrectomy procedures were performed for radiologic T1 disease. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All analyses were performed using SAS 9.2. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were classified as: Group A (n = 88 patients), patients with stage T1a (tumor size ≤4 cm) and Group B (n = 24 patients) patients with stage T1b (tumor size 4-7 cm). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of peritumor fat involvement was 1.86% (n = 2). The two patients had tumor ≤4 cm in size of the papillary subtype and were followed for 61 and 57 months, respectively. Both were living and without recurrence. Patient demographics and tumor characteristics did not differ between the two groups except, Fuhrman Grades 3 and 4 were statistically more prevalent in Group B (<0.01). Tumor grade, clear cell type cancer and stage T1b did not correlate with peritumor fat involvement in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a low prevalence of peritumor fat involvement in radiologic pT1 renal cancer; however, peritumor fat removal is still recommended.

Safety and efficacy of quartz head contact laser ablation for large prostates using 980-nm laser: a comparative prospective study against that for small- and medium-sized prostates.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and efficacy of quartz head laser ablation of the prostate (QLAP) in the treatment of large and huge prostates as compared with small- and medium-sized ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred forty-two patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were included in the study, of which 210 patients were evaluable. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A: patients with BPH volume of <80 mL (120 patients) and group B patients with gland size ≥80 mL. All patients were subjected to QLAP procedure. They were evaluated perioperatively and 1 week; 1, 3, and 6 months; and every 6 months thereafter postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients' demographics and preoperative data were similar except for the gland size (group A, 54.96 ± 15.49 mL [20-79 mL] and group B, 124.68 ± 40.88 mL [80-233 mL]). Operative time corrected to gland volume was shorter in group B. Only 10% of all patients needed 2 fibers. There was no significant electrolyte change in both groups. Hemoglobin has minimally decreased in both groups but was statistically significant. Group B outcome was significantly better regarding International Prostate Symptom Score, International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life, and uroflowmetry. Prostate size decreased by 47 ± 2% and 62.7 ± 2% at 6 months post operatively for groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: QLAP demonstrated good efficacy and safety in treating large and huge BPH. It possessed no added risk as compared with small prostates. It can be a good alternative to open prostatectomy especially in patients with significant comorbidities.

Obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula repair: should we trim the fistula edges? A randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that not trimming the edges of the vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) during its surgical repair has an advantage in the outcome as compared to the classical teaching of trimming the fistula. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-four females with obstetric VVF were randomized into two groups. Both groups were treated with vaginal anatomical closure in three layers with Martius flap inter-positioning. Fistulae of the first group were closed without trimming the edges of the bladder while the second group was subject to trimming of the bladder edges. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding pre-operative patient demographics and fistula characteristics. Cure rates were 75% and 67.6% in the non-trimming and the trimming groups, respectively. This was not statistically different. When patients were stratified according to the number of previous repairs, 100% patients in both groups were cured in cases of primary repair of the fistula. Lower cure rates were shown with increasing number of previous repairs. Recurrent fistulae after our repair were not statistically different in site and number in both groups. Nevertheless, fistulae after trimming tends to get larger than the original ones as compared to the non-trimming group which tends to get smaller. This is statistically different. CONCLUSION: Although there is no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the cure rate in both fresh cases or recurrent ones, there is an advantage of not trimming the fistula since trimmed fistula tends to get larger, should recurrence occur after trimming.

Biliary tract injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of a single unit.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced into Australia in early 1990. Its rapid increase in acceptance was, however, tempered by reports of an increased incidence of bile duct injury. The aim of this study was to report on the incidence of biliary tract injuries in a single unit, comment on the way they were managed and look at strategies to prevent them. METHODS: A retrospective audit was conducted on laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between January 1992 and March 2001. The data was collated from patient medical record files and yielded a total of 1216 procedures. RESULTS: There were 899 women (74%) and 317 men (26%), with an age range of 13-92 years. Most of the procedures were performed on an elective (94%) rather than emergent basis (6%). There was one bile duct injury (0.09%) and seven bile leaks (0.63%). The single injury involved common bile duct obstruction by a misplaced clip and was successfully managed by chol-angio-enteric bypass. Of the seven bile leaks, three were from the cystic duct stump, two from the gallbladder bed, and two were unidentified, settling conservatively. Of the five patients actively treated, two underwent therapeutic laparoscopy, two proceeded to laparotomy, and one was managed successfully by endoscopic stenting. CONCLUSIONS: Single-centre studies such as this are important in ensuring that standards of surgery are maintained in a community setting.