[Psychological care combined with enhanced recovery after surgery management in perioperative nursing care of andrological patients: A randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of psychological care combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (PC+ERAS) management in perioperative nursing care of andrological patients. METHODS: A total of 300 male patients undergoing andrological surgery were included in this study, 150 given PC+ERAS and the other 150 receiving routine nursing care as controls. We evaluated anxiety and depression of all the patients on admission and discharge using Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and compared post-operative hospital days, off-bed time, first passage of flatus, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and satisfaction with nursing care between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: On discharge, significant improvement was observed in SAS and SDS scores in the PC+ERAS group compared with the baseline, even more significant than in the control group (P < 0.01), but no obvious improvement was seen in the controls (P > 0.05). The patients in the PC+ERAS group also achieved a significantly shorter post-operative hospital stay, earlier post-operative off-bed time and passage of flatus, lower VAS score, and higher satisfaction with nursing care than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological care combined with ERAS management deserves wide application in the perioperative nursing care of andrological patients, which can significantly improve the patients' anxiety and depression, shorten post-operative hospital stay, reduce VAS score, and increase their satisfaction with nursing care.

Decisional Conflict and Knowledge Among Patients With Varicocele Seeking Treatment for Infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To study disease-specific knowledge and decisional quality in men with varicocele being counseled for infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An instrument designed to measure decisional quality by evaluating disease-specific knowledge, decisional conflict, and the impression that shared decision-making was administered to 92 men identified to have a varicocele seeking their initial infertility consultation. Mean scores on disease-specific knowledge questionnaire, prevalence of decisional conflict, and impact of consultation on preferred infertility treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of patients were found to have decisional conflict. Compared to those with decisional conflict, men without decisional conflict scored higher on the infertility knowledge assessment (63% vs 53% correct) and were more likely to feel that they discussed treatment options with their physician in detail (98% vs 82%) (all P <0.01). Prior to consultation, 28% of all patients preferred assisted reproductive technologies and 2% preferred varicocelectomy as the primary treatment for infertility. Following consultation, 12% and 17% preferred assisted reproductive technologies and varicocelectomy, respectively. The increase in preference for varicocelectomy was greater in men without decisional conflict (5%-31%) than those with conflict (0%-8%) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Infertile men with varicocele have limited knowledge of their disease and high rates of decisional conflict. Before consultation, men with varicoceles showed preference for assisted reproductive technology over varicocele surgery; this trend reversed after consultation. Men with decisional conflict were less likely to prefer varicocelectomy, even after consultation.

Perspectivas do homem submetido à penectomia / Perspectives of man submitted to penectomy / Perspectivas del hombre sometido a la penectomía

Objetivo: o presente artigo objetiva descrever as perspectivas do paciente submetido à penectomia e conhecer as perspectivas deste paciente após a penectomia. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo de caso realizado em um hospital federal na cidade do Rio de Janeiro com dois pacientes que estiveram internados no ano de 2017 e foram submetidos a penectomia. A coleta de dados foi realizada no ano de 2018 através de uma entrevista semiestruturada. Os participantes foram amparados pelos princípios éticos estabelecidos pela resolução 466/ 2012 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde, sendo que este estudo foi aprovado sob o número 2.769.381. Resultados: constatou-se que a penectomia nestes estudos de caso era a única terapêutica. Com isso, o desejo de estar com a família e prolongar a vida foram determinantes na adesão ao tratamento. Conclusão: concluiu-se que mesmo com as mudanças no corpo, a penectomia foi realizada na perspectiva de prolongar a vida

Objective: this article aims to describe the perspectives of patient submitted submitted to penectomy and to know the perspectives of this patient after the penectomy. Methods: its a case study realized in a federal hospital of Rio de Janeiro city with two patients who were admitted to the hospital during 2017 and underwent to penectomy surgery. The data collection was realized during 2018 with a semi-structured interview. The participants were protected by the ethics principles established by the resolution 466/ 2012 of the National Health Council and this study was approved under the number 2.769.381. Results: it was found that penectomy in this case studies was the only therapy. Thereby, the desire of being among their family and to extend their life was determinants to adhere the therapy. Conclusion: it was concluded that even with the changes in their body, the penectomy was realized to extend the life

Objetivo: el presente artículo objetiva describir las perspectivas del paciente sometido a la penectomía y conocer las perspectivas de este paciente después de la penectomía. Métodos: se trata de un estudio de caso realizado en un hospital federal en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro con dos pacientes que estuvieron internados en el año 2017 y fueron sometidos a penectomía. La recolección de datos se realizó en el año 2018 através de una entrevista semiestructurada. Los participantes fueron amparados por los principios éticos establecidos por la resolución 466/2012 del Consejo Nacional de Salud, siendo que este estudio fue aprobado bajo el número 2.769.381. Resultados: se constató que la penectomía en estos estudios de caso era la única terapéutica. Con ello, el deseo de estar con la familia y prolongar la vida fueron determinantes en la adhesión al tratamiento. Conclusión: se concluyó que incluso con los cambios en el cuerpo, la penectomía se realizó en la perspectiva de prolongar la vida

Parental perspectives on decision-making about hypospadias surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Many parents who choose hypospadias repair for their son experience decisional conflict and regret. The utilization of a shared decision-making process may address the issue of decisional conflict and regret in hypospadias repair by engaging both parents and physicians in decision-making. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a theoretical framework of the parental decision-making process about hypospadias surgery to inform the development of a decision aid. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children with hypospadias to explore their role as proxy decision-makers, inquiring about their emotions/concerns, informational needs, and external/internal influences. Interviews were conducted until no new themes were identified, analyzing them iteratively using open, axial, and selective coding. The iterative approach entails a cyclical process of conducting interviews and analyzing transcripts while the data collection process is ongoing. This allows the researcher to make adjustments to the interview guide as necessary based on preliminary data analysis in order to explore themes that emerge from early interviews with parents. Grounded theory methods were used to develop an explanation of the surgical decision-making process. RESULTS: Sixteen mothers and one father of seven preoperative and nine postoperative patients (n = 16) with distal (8) and proximal (8) meatal locations were interviewed. Four stages of the surgical decision-making process were identified: (1) processing the diagnosis, (2) synthesizing information, (3) processing emotions and concerns, and (4) finalizing the decision (Extended Summary Figure). Core concepts in each stage of the decision-making process were identified. Primary concerns included anxiety/fear about the child not waking up from anesthesia and their inability to be present in the operating room. Parents incorporated information from the Internet, medical providers, and their social network as they sought to relieve confusion and anxiety while building trust/confidence in their child's surgeon. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of decision-making about hypospadias surgery as a complex and multifaceted process. The overall small sample size is typical and expected for qualitative research studies. The primary limitation of the study, however, is the underrepresentation of fathers, minorities, and same-sex couples. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an initial framework of the parental decision-making process for hypospadias surgery that will inform the development of a decision aid. Future stages of decision aid development will focus on recruitment of fathers, minorities, and same-sex couples in order to enrich the perspectives of our work.

Sociocultural Influences on Men's Penis Size Perceptions and Decisions to Undergo Penile Augmentation: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of men, dissatisfied with their penises, are seeking cosmetic procedures to enhance their penis size. However, little is known about the social and cultural factors that influence men to consider these procedures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociocultural factors affecting men's attitudes toward their penis size as well as their decisions to undergo penile augmentation. METHODS: One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 6 adult men who had previously undergone a penile augmentation. The men were asked about the sociocultural factors that they thought contributed to dissatisfaction with their penis size, and their motivations for having penile augmentation. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed through the use of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the interviews, namely "influence of pornography," "comparison with peers," and "indirect appearance-related teasing." The men noted that the large penises of male actors in pornography had skewed their perception of normal penis size. All men had compared their penises with those of their peers, usually in the locker room, and often felt their own penis was smaller as a result. None of the participants had received direct negative comments about their penis size, but were aware that having a small penis was a source of mockery from exposure to jokes on mainstream media sources. CONCLUSIONS: These new insights into the sociocultural factors, namely media and peers, that influence men's desire for penile augmentation may assist clinicians in enhancing their communication with prospective patients.

Therapeutic effects of modified Devine surgery for concealed penis in children.

OBJECTIVE: Considerable controversy exists regarding the surgical indications for a concealed penis. We herein describe a modified technique for correction of a concealed penis. The superfluous inner plate is resected to accelerate the disappearance of the postoperative lymphedema, and the skin between the penis and scrotum is trimmed to recover the penoscrotal angle. METHODS: From January 2014 to October 2017, 79 patients with a concealed penis underwent our modified Devine penoplasty procedure. We measured the penile length preoperatively and postoperatively to confirm the improvement. A questionnaire was administered to the patients' parents to assess satisfaction regarding penile size, morphology, voiding status, and hygiene. RESULTS: The perpendicular penile length was 1.88 ± 0.76 cm preoperatively and 4.42 ± 0.48 cm postoperatively, representing a significant improvement(p < 0.05). The parents' satisfaction grades for penile size, morphology, voiding status, and hygiene were significantly improved postoperatively (p < 0.05). Almost every patient had postoperative penile lymphedema; however, this symptom had spontaneously resolved by 6 weeks. No other complications occurred, such as skin necrosis, tissue contracture, or wound infection. CONCLUSION: The herein-described modified repair technique for a concealed penis was technically feasible and safe, and excellent postoperative satisfaction was achieved. Additionally, the postoperative penis exhibited a good cosmetic appearance. Because of the successful outcomes with few complications, we believe that this surgical method for selected patients with a concealed penis is more effective than the traditional method. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Analysis of Suicide Risk in Patients with Penile Cancer and Review of the Literature.

The treatment for penile cancer has been shown to cause harmful psychiatric symptoms as well as have detrimental effects on well-being. In the past several years, alternatives to total or partial penectomy have emerged, such as chemotherapy, radiation, penile sparing, and laser ablation therapies. A more specific breakdown for penile cancer is in order as the therapy has the potential for life changing surgery. We examined the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973-2013), comprising 28% of the United States population. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth revision codes C60.8-C60.9 and the International Classification of Diseases-Oncology codes 8010/2, 8010/3, 8051/2, 8051/3, 8052/2, 8052/3, 8070/2, 8070/3-8072/3, 8074/3, 8076/3, and 8083/3-8084/3 were used. Age, race, marital status, and clinicopathologic variables were studied. We used contingency tables of suicide rates; mid-P exact test was used for analysis. There were 13 suicides noted in 6155 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. All patients that committed suicide had undergone a surgical intervention. Certainly, penile cancer after treatment has a powerful effect on quality of life as increased depression and sexual anxiety have been documented in postoperative patients. This is in contrast to the observed suicide rate. Despite the reported negative psychological effects in patients with penile cancer, suicide rates are among the lowest of all urologic malignancies.

Psychosocial outcome in adult men born with hypospadias.

INTRODUCTION: Hypospadias, which is a surgically treated congenital malformation of the male urethra, may have a negative impact on quality of life. This aspect has previously been subject to limited research. This study examined the long-term psychosocial outcome of a large cohort of adult males born with hypospadias. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case-control study was to assess a possible negative influence on the psychosocial outcome in adult males with hypospadias. STUDY DESIGN: Males with hypospadias treated in Sweden and aged ≥18 years old participated in this follow-up study. Age-matched men and university students were recruited as controls. The participants answered a questionnaire designed to reflect the subjective quality of life, social factors, need of support and follow-up, and the perceived impact of the disease upon upbringing. It also looked at the validated Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) questionnaire and Relationship Questionnaire (RQ). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 167 patients (median age 34 years, 63% distal, 24% mid, and 13% proximal hypospadias) and 169 controls (median age 33 years) participated in the study. Patients had their first operation at 4 years of age (median) and the median follow-up time was 29 years following the first surgery. Men with hypospadias had a comparable total quality of life level with a mean total PGWB score of 82 (normal range 78-83) compared with 85.6 in controls. Scores on wellbeing and vitality were lower, even if the differences were small. Hypospadias did not affect marital status, presence of children in the family, frequency of employment or experience of bullying. These men more often lived at home with their parents (P=0.001) and had a lower level of education (P=0.004), even if the educational level in both patients and controls was high compared with the general Swedish population. Patients with proximal hypospadias were shorter compared with controls (P=0.003), which was consistent with the prenatal growth restriction associated with hypospadias. The group with proximal hypospadias expressed a greater need for medical (45.5%) follow-up compared with mid (28.2%) and distal (18.1%) cases (P=0.001). Patients with proximal hypospadias tended to avoid close relationships because of fear of being hurt. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that patients treated for hypospadias have a good HRQoL, can be expected to have a normal psychosocial life, and marry and have children. Repeated follow-up and psychological support during childhood/adolescence is however of great importance for patients with more proximal hypospadias.

Testis sparing surgery for Leydig cell pathologies in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyze testis-sparing surgical procedures in boys with Leydig cell pathologies. STUDY DESIGN: The hospital records of four boys with Leydig cell hyperplasia who underwent testis-sparing surgery for testicular masses between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Tumor markers were evaluated and all boys underwent scrotal ultrasonography preoperatively. The hormonal profile was also analyzed for symptoms of precocious puberty. The testis was delivered through a high transverse inguinal incision and the tumor was excised by enucleation. After confirming the benign nature of the tumor with frozen-section examination, the testis was reinserted and fixed into the scrotum with absorbable sutures. All cases were followed-up with physical examination, scrotal ultrasonography, and measurement of ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), α-fetoprotein, and hormone levels. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 9.4 years (1.5-15 years). Testicular mass and scrotal asymmetry were detected in all cases. Ultrasonography was the main initial diagnostic modality for detecting testicular masses (Table). ß-HCG and α-fetoprotein levels were normal. Three cases had Leydig cell hyperplasia and one patient was diagnosed to have a Leydig cell tumor. Signs of precocious puberty were detected in the four patients. The mean follow-up period was 4.8 years (2-8 years). Neither recurrence nor testicular atrophy developed in the follow-up. Findings of precocious puberty continued in one patient with Leydig cell hyperplasia, in whom a 2-mm contralateral metachronous lesion was detected and enucleated successfully. DISCUSSION: Testis-sparing surgery with its potential long-term psychological, cosmetic, and functional advantages should be used in pediatric patients in whom a benign Leydig cell pathology is confirmed histopathologically. CONCLUSION: This intervention with good long-term results can easily be applied through a proper dissection plane in the testicle. Since testicular Leydig cell tumors in childhood have small rates of recurrence, this choice of treatment is efficient in patients with salvageable testicular tissues and normal levels of tumor markers.

Emotional Distress Increases the Likelihood of Undergoing Surgery among Men with Localized Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: We determined whether among men with clinically localized prostate cancer, particularly men with low risk disease, greater emotional distress increases the likelihood of undergoing surgery vs radiation or active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 1,531 patients recruited from 2 academic and 3 community facilities (nonHispanic white 83%, nonHispanic black 11% and Hispanic 6%; low risk 36%, intermediate risk 49% and high risk 15%; choice of active surveillance 24%, radiation 27% and surgery 48%). Emotional distress was assessed shortly after diagnosis and after men made a treatment decision with the Distress Thermometer. We used multinomial logistic regression with robust standard errors to test if emotional distress at either point predicted treatment choice in the sample as a whole and after stratifying by D'Amico risk score. RESULTS: In the sample as a whole the participants who were more emotionally distressed at diagnosis were more likely to choose surgery over active surveillance (RRR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01, 1.14; p=0.02). Men who were more distressed close to the time they made a treatment choice were more likely to have chosen surgery over active surveillance (RRR 1.16; 95% CI 1.09, 1.24; p <0.001) or surgery over radiation (RRR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05, 1.19; p=0.001). This pattern was also found in men with low risk disease. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional distress may motivate men with low risk prostate cancer to choose more aggressive treatment. Addressing emotional distress before and during treatment decision making may reduce a barrier to the uptake of active surveillance.

Medical clowns reduce pre-operative anxiety, post-operative pain and medical costs in children undergoing outpatient penile surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to investigate prospectively the potential benefits of the participation of the medical clowns in the outpatient paediatric penile surgery programme. METHODS: Eighty children undergoing meatotomy, age 2 to 16 years, were randomised into two groups (40 each). In the first group, the medical clown was an integral part of the medical team, and in the second group, the treatment was given without participation of the medical clown. The following parameters were measured: the level of pre-operative anxiety, the level of the post-operative pain, the amount of pain medication use in the first 24 h after surgery and the time needed to return to normal activities. The operating room time and hospital costs were calculated. RESULTS: The patients from the first group demonstrated a lower pre-operative anxiety index upon (P = 0.0319) and after surgery (P = 0.0042), required less induction time for anaesthesia (P < 0.001), spent overall less time in the operating room (P < 0.0001) and required less time to recover from the surgery and to be discharged (P = 0.0172). The overall OR time and post-operative unit care savings of 20 and 155 min, respectively, led to the cost savings of $467. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that the use of the medical clown functioning as an integral part of the operating team reduces children pre-operative anxiety and leads to a shortening of the overall time in the hospital thereby reducing the overall medical cost justifying the participation of medical clown as an integral part of the health team in a paediatric urology outpatient surgical unit.

Psychometric validation of a German language version of a PROM for urethral stricture surgery and preliminary testing of supplementary ED and UI constructs.

PURPOSE: To validate a German language version of the patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) following urethral stricture surgery (USS) in a cohort of men undergoing one-stage buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (BMGU) for urethral stricture. Furthermore, to explore the responsiveness of erectile function (EF) and urinary incontinence (UI) constructs in the context of this intervention. METHODS: The USS-PROM captures voiding symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EQ-5D). To evaluate EF and UI, the IIEF-5 and ICIQ-UI SF were included. Between March 2012 and April 2013, all patients undergoing BMGU at our institution were prospectively enrolled in this study. Psychometric assessment included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, criterion validity and responsiveness. RESULTS: Ninety-three men completed the USS-PROM before and 3 months after surgery, with 40 (43 %) also completing the USS-PROM 6 months after surgery to assess reliability. Internal consistency: for the ICIQ-MLUTS, Cronbach's α was 0.83. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94. There was a negative correlation between change in ICIQ-MLUTS total score and change in Q max (r = -0.40). All values exceeded our predefined thresholds. Significant improvements of voiding symptoms and HRQoL demonstrate responsiveness to change (all p values <0.001). While ICIQ-UI scores did not change (p > 0.05), IIEF-5 scores improved significantly (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The German language USS-PROM shows similar psychometric properties to the English language version. This instrument can be improved by assessing EF by the use of IIEF-5. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are needed to evaluate the significance of measuring UI in urethroplasty patients.

A psychological perspective on male rejuvenation.

Male rejuvenation, defined as a process in men to both limit the impact of aging on body image and experience greater virility, is growing among middle-aged and older men. While rejuvenation was primarily in the domain of the younger male athlete with the use of performance enhancing hormones or in the aging woman through the use of cosmetic surgery, it is now more common among middle-aged and older men. Male rejuvenation can occur both through aesthetic surgical means and hormonal manipulation through anabolic steroid use. In this article, the authors review the psychological issues and perceptions surrounding male aesthetic surgeries and the resulting alteration of perception by peers and family; highlight the motives and desires behind the use of anabolic hormones at often supra-physiologic levels, and the intent to improve body image; and clarify the needs that remain to be examined in future research in this field.

Objective and subjective sexual outcomes in adult patients after hypospadias repair performed in childhood.

PURPOSE: We evaluated sexual function and psychosexual adjustment in adults who underwent hypospadias repair in childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After receiving institutional review board approval, 119 of 449 adult patients (26.6%) who underwent hypospadias repair between 1978 and 1993 responded to questionnaires on penile appearance and sexual life. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to primary meatal location in childhood, including group 1-45 (37.8%) with glanular hypospadias, group 2-56 (48.2%) with distal hypospadias and group 3-18 (14%) with proximal hypospadias. RESULTS: All group 1 and 2 patients, and 11% in group 3 were satisfied with the penile appearance. Of group 1 patients 8.9% reported mild erectile dysfunction, as did 50% and 72.2% in groups 2 and 3, respectively. A total of 99 patients (83.2%) complained of premature ejaculation. All group 1 and 2 patients reported excellent self-esteem and relationship on the Self-Esteem and Relationship questionnaire. Most group 3 patients were satisfied with their relationship and only 1 (5.6%) was not satisfied. Two-thirds of the patients in groups 1 and 2 reported that sexual quality of life was excellent and the others described it as good. In group 3 sexual quality of life was somewhat decreased in all patients and 1 (5.6%) had poor sexual quality of life. Physical and mental component summaries were satisfactory in all patients reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the high incidence of mild erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation should not be disregarded and requires appropriate counseling before surgery.

Penis ligaments: their use in "increasing" the size of the penis in penile augmentation procedures. Anatomical description in human cadavers and clinical results of a phalloplasty series.

AIM: To present in human cadavers the anatomical basis of penis lengthening operations and reproduce this technique in a group of patients. MATERIALS OF STUDY: Penis ligaments in ten human cadavers were identified and dissected releasing the penis from its fixation to pubic arch. The same technique was applied to a group of forty patients that demanded a penis lengthening operation. RESULTS: The dissection of penis ligaments increases the distance pubic bone-tip of the penis for 3.1 +/- 0.6 cm. In patients, the increase in length 12 months post-operatively was 3.5 +/- 1.3 cm (2.3-5.1 cm) flaccid and 1.8 +/- 1.4 cm (1.4-3.2 cm) erect. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005) between preoperative and postoperative status. The overall satisfaction rate was 67.5%. DISCUSSION: Cadavers study shows that this technique offers significant mobilization of the penis with a 3 cm gain, while on living tissue it has similar results. Anatomical parameters that might influence the final outcome of the operation are the length (antero-posterior dimension) of the pubic arch (corresponds to the length of the ligament), its angle with the horizontal level, the amount of the fatty tissue in the pubic area and the angle of the repositioning of the penis. CONCLUSIONS: Division of ligaments of the penis increases its apparent length. Significant anatomical parameters are the length of the pubic arch, its angle with the horizontal level, the amount of the fatty tissue in the pubic area and the angle of the repositioning of the penis.

Sign on the dotted line: parental consent.

The issue of informed consent in paediatric surgery has always been contentious. Despite the fact that taking consent is one of the most frequently performed tasks of a surgeon, it is rarely audited. Indeed, there are few studies looking at the consent process in adult practice and fewer in the paediatric setting. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine parental understanding, recall, attitudes and opinion of the consent process in a busy paediatric day surgery unit. A prospective study was conducted using a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions. These were handed out to the parents of all children undergoing one of four procedures: circumcision, prepuceplasty, orchidopexy and herniotomy over a 3-month-period. Completed questionnaires were collected and analysed. One hundred and sixty-one parents were asked to complete the questionnaire. Ninety-three were collected, a response rate of 58%, 87% believed consent was taken by the performing surgeon, 15% felt the consent process was rushed, but 91% thought the right amount of detail was given. Ninety-seven percent of parents believed that the consent form was a legal necessity and 72% believed that a child in Scotland had to be aged 16 or over to sign the consent form. Interestingly, 23% of parents were unsure if signing the consent form meant that they could not claim compensation if anything went wrong. Ninety-one percent recalled the procedure being explained in the outpatient clinic, but 22% did not remember potential complications being discussed. The amount parents recalled of potential complications varied. Seventy percent felt that a leaflet about the procedure prior to attending the unit would be helpful. In conclusion consent is an extremely important part of our practice. This study highlights some of the common parental misconceptions and limitations of the process. Parents appear satisfied and consenting for procedures is overall performed well. Some areas could be improved and more research is required in this area.

Traditional Vietnamese health and healing.

Approximately 1.2 million Vietnamese live in the United States. Health care providers need to understand that this population differs greatly from other cultures depending on gender, religion, generation, reason for migration, enclave identity, educational level, and language preference. This article will explore the history, communication practices, biocultural ecology, and health care principles among this population.

Differential health effects of written processing of the experience of a surgical operation in high- and low-risk conditions.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the writing technique on postoperative course in interaction with different levels of risk. Participants were 40 urologic inpatients waiting to undergo transurethral resection of the prostate, with different levels of surgical risk as assessed with the Goldman Preoperative Risk Index (L. Goldman et al., 1978). Only 20 participants wrote for 3 days about the experience of being in the hospital. Measures were days of stay in the hospital after the operation, the Symptom Check List (SCL-90; L. R. Derogatis, 1977; Italian version: G. Magni, C. Messina, D. De Leo, A. Mosconi, & M. Carli, 1983) scores, and a medical evaluation of postoperative course. A significant positive effect of writing on all three dependent variables emerged only in low-risk participants. High-risk writing participants showed a nonsignificantly worse postoperative course on all parameters than did high-risk nonwriting participants. In highly stressful conditions, writing therefore should be employed only with caution.

A new technique for augmentation phalloplasty: albugineal surgery with bilateral saphenous grafts--three years of experience.

OBJECTIVES: Penile augmentation surgery is a highly controversial issue due to the low level of standardisation of surgical techniques. The aim of the study is to illustrate a new technique to solve the problem of enlarging the penis by means of additive surgery on the albuginea of the corpora cavernosa, guaranteeing a real increase in size of the erect penis. METHODS: Between 1995 and 1997, 39 patients who requested an increase in the diameter of their penises underwent augmentation phalloplasty with bilateral saphena grafts. The patients considered eligible for surgery were patients with either hypoplasia of the penis or functional penile dysmorphophobia. All the patients included in our study presented normal erection at screening. The average penis diameter in a flaccid state and during erection was found to be 2.1cm (1.6-2.7 cm) and 2.9 cm (2.2-3.7 cm), respectively. Before surgery the patients were informed of the experimental nature of the surgical procedure. The increase in volume of the corpora cavernosa was achieved by applying saphena grafts to longitudinal openings made bilaterally in the albuginea along the whole length of the penis. RESULTS: No major complications and specifically no losses of sensitivity of the penis or erection deficiencies occurred during the post-operative follow-up period. All the patients resumed their sexual activity in 4 months. A measurement of the penile dimensions was carried out 9 months after surgery. No clinical meaningful increases in the diameter of the flaccid penis were documented. The average penis diameter during erection was found to be 4.2 cm (3.4-4.9) with post-surgery increases in diameter varying from 1.1 to 2.1cm (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The penile enlargement phalloplasty technique with albuginea surgery suggested by the authors definitely is indicated for increasing the volume of the corpora cavernosa during erection. Albuginea surgery with saphena grafts has been found to be free from aesthetic and functional complications with excellent patient satisfaction.

Consequences of hydrocele and the benefits of hydrocelectomy: a qualitative study in lymphatic filariasis endemic communities on the coast of Ghana.

A study using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was conducted to determine the consequences of hydrocele and the benefits of hydrocelectomy on physical activity and social life in three lymphatic filariasis endemic villages where males had recently been offered surgical operations to repair their hydroceles. Respondents were of the view that hydrocele, especially large ones, severely reduced the patients' work capacity and impaired sexual function, and that overall it had a considerable negative effect on the quality of living for the patients, their families and the community. The main reasons for refusing hydrocelectomy in the past were the high cost of surgery, and to some extent fear of death, impotence and/or sterility that might result from the operation. The recently offered hydrocele operations, which included 40 males, were financially supported and preceded by appropriate counselling, and from the patients' point of view were highly successful. Patients spent between 4 and 12 days in the hospital and there were no post-operative complications. Patients observed that, between 3 and 6 months after surgery, there were remarkable improvements in their work capacity and sexual function, and restoration of self-esteem, thus enabling them to participate more actively in community activities. The need for hydrocelectomy to be incorporated as an important morbidity control measure in lymphatic filariasis control programmes is discussed.