Retrograde intrarenal surgery of renal stones: a critical multi-aspect evaluation of the outcomes by the Turkish Academy of Urology Prospective Study Group (ACUP Study).

AIMS: To outline and evaluate the incidence, management and follow-up of the residual fragments (RFs) following retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) of renal stones by the Turkish Academy of Urology Prospective Study Group (ACUP Study). METHODS: Following the ethical committee approval, 15 centers providing data regarding the incidence, management, and follow-up of RFs after RIRS were included and all relevant information was recorded into the same electronic database program ( https://acup.uroturk.org.tr/ ) created by Turkish Urology Academy for Residual Stone Study. RESULTS: A total of 1112 cases underwent RIRS for renal calculi and RFs were observed in 276 cases (24.8%). Of all the parameters evaluated, our results demonstrated no statistically significant relation between preoperative DJ stenting and the presence of RFs (χ2 (1) = 158.418; p = 0.099). RFs were significantly higher in patients treated with UAS (82 patients, 29.3%) during the procedure compared to the cases who did not receive UAS (194 patients, 23.3%) (χ2 (1) = 3.999; p = 0.046). The mean period for a secondary intervention after RIRS was 28.39 (± 12.52) days. Regarding the procedures applied for RF removal, re-RIRS was the most commonly performed approach (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the reported safe and successful outcomes, the incidence of RFs is higher, after the RIRS procedure particularly in cases with relatively larger calculi. Such cases need to be followed in a close manner and although a second flexible ureteroscopy is the treatment of choice for fragment removal in the majority of these patients, shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy may also be preferred in selected cases.

Comparison of renal function after robot - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus retropubic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) on early renal function in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb, eGFR values of patients who had undergone RALP and RRP with prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis were recorded in our clinic. The percentages of change in these values are calculated. Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb and eGFR changes were compared with each other. Student-t test was used for intergroup comparison, and paired sample t test was used to compare changes between preoperative and postoperative values of the same group. RESULTS: There were 160 and 93 patients in the RALP and RRP group, respectively. In the RALP group, postoperative urea and creatinine increased significantly compared to preoperative baseline values while eGFR was decreased (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, respectively). Except for Hb in the RRP group, the changes in these values were statistically insignificant (p = 0.50, p = 0.75, p = 0.30, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We should be more careful when we perform RALP in patients at risk of impaired renal function despite being a minimally invasive surgical method with superior visual characteristics.

Massive intracerebral hemorrhage associated with Wegener granulomatosis.

Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis that predominantly affects airways and kidneys. But central nervous system involvement (7-11%) is an uncommon. Massive ICH may occur in the course of WG, and this serious condition is related with high risk of mortality. Therefore, the new treatment strategies may be considered in addition to classical practices in serious organ involvement and recurrent attack. Here, we present an adult patient with WG whose disease was complicated by a massive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which subsequently led to death.

Treatment outcomes of semirigid ureterorenoscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy in pregnant women with obstructive ureteral calculi.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the outcomes of semirigid ureterorenoscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy as a definitive treatment in pregnant women with obstructive ureteral calculi. A retrospective analysis was performed of 16 pregnant patients referred to gynecology department with ureteral obstruction from 2007 to 2009. The mean age was 25 years, and mean gestation period was 30 weeks. Of the 16 patients; 50% had fever, 100% flank pain, 56% dysuria, 25% gross hematuria, 50% positive urine culture, and 75% pyuria and microscopic hematuria. Abdominal ultrasonography was the principle diagnostic test used. The mean stone size was 9.45 mm. Eleven of the 16 patients, 54% had stones located in the distal ureter and 46% proximal ureter. The stones were fragmented using a swiss pneumatic lithoclast through 9.5 F semirigid ureteroscope by 0.035 mm safety guidewire with the patient under general anesthesia. Eleven patients had obstruction due to the ureteral calculi. Eight of 11 patients had complete fragmentation of the calculi by ureteroscopy as a primary treatment. Push-back was performed in the other three patients. By applying Dj catheter, and performing eswl after giving birth, the patient became stone-free. Dj catheter was applied peroperative to all 16 patients. No complications were recorded, and all patients completed the full term of pregnancy. The results of our study have shown that semirigid ureteroscopy to diagnose ureteral calculi and treat them with intracorporeal pneumatic lithotripsy and ureteral stent insertion, as indicated, is the most efficient and definitive treatment modality in pregnant women.

Robotic simple prostatectomy is a safe and effective technique for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Our single center initial short-term follow-up results for 42 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the biggest problems of aging men. Prostate surgery is now well defined in the case of failure of medical therapy. Robotic simple prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical method with an alternative to open simple prostatectomy in large prostate volumes. We present our simple prostatectomy technique with robot, perioperative, and short-term functional result in our clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and January 2021, 42 patients underwent simple robotic prostatectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative, perioperative, and post-operative clinical data were analyzed. Post-operative continence status, voiding, and erectile functions were evaluated using uroflowmetry and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) at sixth week and third month. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71 (66-78) years. No major complications were observed in any of the patients. Urethral catheters were removed on the fourth post-operative day. Except for one case, all of the cases urinated spontaneously after the catheter was removed. One case could not urinate spontaneously, and urethral catheter was placed again. Three days later, the urethral catheter was removed, and patient urinated spontaneously. None of the patients reported stress urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. The mean operative time was 112minutes, the mean hospital stay was 1.6 days, the mean post-operative IPSS was 6, and the mean post-operative Q max was 24.4mL s 1. CONCLUSION: Robotic simple prostatectomy may be an effective and safe alternative minimally invasive technique in the treatment of large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PathCase: pathways database system.

MOTIVATION: As the blueprints of cellular actions, biological pathways characterize the roles of genomic entities in various cellular mechanisms, and as such, their availability, manipulation and queriability over the web is important to facilitate ongoing biological research. RESULTS: In this article, we present the new features of PathCase, a system to store, query, visualize and analyze metabolic pathways at different levels of genetic, molecular, biochemical and organismal detail. The new features include: (i) a web-based system with a new architecture, containing a server-side and a client-side, and promoting scalability, and flexible and easy adaptation of different pathway databases, (ii) an interactive client-side visualization tool for metabolic pathways, with powerful visualization capabilities, and with integrated gene and organism viewers, (iii) two distinct querying capabilities: an advanced querying interface for computer savvy users, and built-in queries for ease of use, that can be issued directly from pathway visualizations and (iv) a pathway functionality analysis tool. PathCase is now available for three different datasets, namely, KEGG pathways data, sample pathways from the literature and BioCyc pathways for humans. AVAILABILITY: Available online at http://nashua.case.edu/pathways

Is fluoroscopy necessary during flexible ureteroscopy for the treatment of renal stones?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) without fluoroscopy during the treatment of renal stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2013 and August 2018, 744 patients' data were evaluated retrospectively. Of these, 576 patients were included in the study. All fURS were performed by experienced surgeons. All procedures were planned with zero-dose fluoroscopy. But, if fluoroscopy was necessary for any reasons, these patients were excluded from the study. Demographic data, perioperative parameters, stone-free rate (SFR), and complication rates were recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients planned for fluoroless fURS (ffURS), the procedure was successfully achieved in 96.7% (557/576 patients), as 19 patients required fluoroscopy during the procedure for various reasons. In the patients included in the study, the mean (SD) stone size was 11.6 (5.2) mm and the mean (SD) operating time was 39.4 (8.2) min. After the first session of ffURS, the SFR was 83.3% (achieved in 464 patients). Second and third sessions of ffURS were performed in 32 (5.7%) and seven (1.2%) patients, respectively. Overall, the complication rate was 11.8% and all complications were minor (Clavien-Dindo Grade I or II). CONCLUSIONS: The ffURS technique seems to be a safe and effective treatment compared to conventional fURS in patients with renal stones. This procedure should be performed in experienced centers, where fluoroscopy can be considered not to be mandatory during fURS. ABBREVIATIONS CIRF: clinically insignificant residual fragment; CT: computed tomography; EAU: European Association of Urology; (f)fURS: (fluoroless) flexible ureteroscopy; FT: fluoroscopy time; KUB: plain abdominal radiograph of the kidneys, ureters and bladder; mSv: millisievert; PCNL: percutaneous nephrolithotomy; pps: pulse-per-second; rem: roentgen equivalent man; PUJ: pelvi-ureteric junction; SFR: stone-free rate.

Unusual intrascrotal lesions in adults in urological practice. / Lesiones intraescrotales inusuales en adultos en la práctica clínica urológica.

OBJECTIVE: Unusual intrascrotal lesions in adults generally have been described as case reports in the medical literature. We present two lesions observed in two clinics over more than 28 years, with their radiological, pathological and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Retrospective study preformed between 1989 and 2017 in 446 patients undergoing inguinal orchiectomy. Clinical data were obtained reviewing patient` s tables. All patients were evaluated with physical examination, medical history, serum tumor markers (alpha fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotropin, LDH), and scrotal ultrasound in the perioperative period. RESULTS: In 396 cases (88,78%) the diagnosis was germ cell or non-germ cell tumor and the remainder 50 patients (11.2%) presented 15 different intrascrotal lesions. These lesions were rhabdomyosarcoma (1 patient), intrascrotal cavernous hemangioma (1 patient), dermoid cyst (2 cases), epidermoid cyst (4 patients), paratesticular mesothelioma (1 case), parietal testicular tunica vaginalis cyst (2 patients), spermatic granuloma (3 cases). The number of patients with tuberculosis orchitis was 6 and granulomatous orchitis 8. There were 8 patients with fibrous pseudotumor. 1 patient presented testicular plasmocytoma. Metastatic involvement secondary to lymphoma and leukemia appeared in 4 cases. Brucella epididymitis-orchitis 7 cases. 2 cases of adult pure yolk sac testicular tumors. Additional evaluations and treatments were performed depending on histologic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The exact diagnosis of these lesions is difficult due to their rarity and they must always be considered for differential diagnosis.

OBJETIVO: Las lesiones intraescrotales adultas inusuales generalmente se han descrito como un informe de caso en la literatura. Estas lesiones que se observaron en dos clínicas durante más de 28 años se presentan aquí con características radiológicas, patológicas y clínicas.MÉTODOS: Este estudio retrospectivo se realizó entre 1989 y 2017 en 446 pacientes sometidos a orquiectomía inguinal. Los datos clínicos se obtuvieron mediante la revisión de tablas de pacientes. En el período preoperatorio, todos los pacientes evaluados con examen físico, historial de detalles, marcadores tumorales séricos (alfa-fetoproteína, beta-gonadotropina coriónica humana, lactato deshidrogenasa), ultrasonografía doppler escrotal. RESULTADOS: Se diagnosticaron tumores testiculares germinales y no germinales en 396 casos (88,78%) y los 50 pacientes restantes (11,22%) presentaron 15 lesiones intraescrotales diferentes. El tipo de estas diferentes lesiones intraescrotales fueron rabdomiosarcoma paratesticular (1 paciente), hemangioma cavernoso intraescrotal (1 caso), quiste dermoide (2 casos), quiste epidérmico (4 pacientes), mesotelioma paratesticular (1 caso), quiste de capa parietal de túnica testículo vaginal (2 pacientes), granuloma espermático (3 casos). El número de pacientes con orquitis tuberculosa y granulomatosa fue de 6 y 8 pacientes, respectivamente. Los pacientes con pseudotumor fibroso fueron 8 casos. Plasmacitoma del testículo se observó en 1 paciente. La afectación metastásica debida a linfoma y leucemia se observó en un total de 4 casos. Se observó epididimo- orquitis de Burucella en 7 casos. El número de tumores adultos en el testículo puro del saco vitelino fue de 2 casos. Se realizaron evaluaciones y tratamientos adicionales según el diagnóstico histológico. CONCLUSIONES: El diagnóstico exacto de estas lesiones es difícil debido a su rareza y siempre debe considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial.

Repair of hypospadiac urethral duplication with dismembered urethroplasty.

Urethral duplication is a complex and rarely seen anomaly with three anatomic variants: epispadiac (dorsal), hypospadiac (ventral) and Y-type. Here we report an 11-year-old male patient with hypospadiac urethral duplication who presented with daytime urinary incontinence and dribbling, urethral stricture and possible obstructive uropathy. After endoscopic treatment of the stricture in the ventral (dominant) urethra, urethral reconstruction was done anastomosing the ventral (dominant) and dorsal (non-dominant atretic urethra) in a dismembered fashion.

Shock wave lithotripsy or retrograde intrarenal surgery: which one is more effective for 10-20-mm renal stones in children.

OBJECTIVES: To compare shock wave lithotripsy and flexible ureteroscopy in children with renal stone's diameter of 10 to 20 mm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 79 children, who had renal stone and underwent either shock wave lithotripsy or flexible ureteroscopy between January 2007 and June 2017. Of those, 38 patients underwent shock wave lithotripsy assigned as group 1 and 41 patients underwent flexible ureteroscopy assigned as group 2. Stone-free rate, fluoroscopy time, procedure time, complication rates, hospitalization time, and cost-effectiveness were monitored and included in the analyses. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 4.4 ± 3.5 in group 1 and 4.9 ± 4.1 in group 2. Stone-free rate was not different in both groups in the first and third months of follow-up. The mean fluoroscopy time was statistically significantly longer in group 1 compared to group 2. Procedure and hospitalization times were longer in group 2 compared to group 1. No complications were seen in either groups. The expenditure was calculated as 135.23 and 869.41 Euro per patient for groups 1 and 2, respectively, which shows significant higher cost in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In this present study, we have shown that shock wave lithotripsy is cheaper, has short hospitalization time and long fluoroscopy time and similar stone-free rate, and has the same efficiency compared to flexible ureteroscopy regarding pediatric renal stones with the diameter between 10 and 20 mm.

The Efficacy of Ureteroscopy Without Fluoroscopy for Ureteral and Renal Stones in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVES: In the pediatric population, there have been significant improvements in the treatment of stones in recent years. Conventionally, ureteroscopy (URS) and/or retrograde intrarenal surgery are techniques performed with fluoroscopy. When using fluoroscopy, problems, including malignancy, may arise because of radiation exposure in the patient, physician, and operation room staff. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of ureteroscopic treatment without fluoroscopy in children with ureteral and renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2010 and April 2017, pediatric patients were enrolled in this study. Data were retrospectively evaluated. URS was performed by the experienced surgeons in our center. Fluoroscopy was not routinely used during the operations. Demographic data, perioperative parameters, and success and complication rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-seven renal units from 61 patients were operated on. URS without fluoroscopy was achieved in 95.0% of 61 patients (95.5% of 67 renal units). Three patients needed fluoroscopy during the operation. The mean stone size was 12.4 ± 5.3 mm, and the mean operation time was 41.9 ± 15.1 minutes. The success rates in the postoperative first and third mounts were 82.1% (55 renal units) and 88.0% (59 renal units), respectively. For 10 patients, second-session URS without fluoroscopy was needed. Clinically insignificant residual fragments were detected in three patients. There were no major complications. CONCLUSION: URS without fluoroscopy for ureteral and renal stones in pediatric patients can be safely and effectively performed in experienced centers.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy versus Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for the Treatment of Renal Stones.

PURPOSE: To compare the pain status and stone free rates of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) versus mini-percutaneousnephrolithotomy (mini-PNL) for the treatment of 1-to 2-cm renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was retrospectively designed with match paired method. Between January 2013 and December 2016, 387 patients underwent stone surgery for renal stones, 45 patients underwent FURS and 45 patients underwent mini-PNL. 90 patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures. Group 1 patients underwent F-URS, and Group 2 patients underwent mini-PNL. During the intraoperative andpostoperative periods, pain management for all patients was standardized. Pain scores were determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS) completed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. The stone free status, hemoglobin levels, fluoroscopy time (FT), operation time (OT), hospitalization time (HT), return to work time (RWT), and complications were noted for each patient. RESULTS: Of all patients, the mean age was 41.1 ± 12.1 years and the mean stone size was 13.9 ± 2.9 mm. The VAS scores were significantly higher in the mini-PNL group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours (P < .05). The stone-free status and complication rates were similar between the two groups (P > .05); however, the hemoglobin decreases and the fluoroscopy, operation, hospitalization and return to work times were higher in the mini-PNL group than in the F-URS group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: F-URS is less painful than mini-PNL for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm renal stones. However, the stone free rate is similar between the two procedures while mini-PNL is superior in terms of fluoroscopy, operation, hospitalization and return to work duration. We think that F-URS is more comfortable and less painful than mini-PNL and achieves a similar stone free rate for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm renal stones.

Annotating proteins by mining protein interaction networks.

MOTIVATION: In general, most accurate gene/protein annotations are provided by curators. Despite having lesser evidence strengths, it is inevitable to use computational methods for fast and a priori discovery of protein function annotations. This paper considers the problem of assigning Gene Ontology (GO) annotations to partially annotated or newly discovered proteins. RESULTS: We present a data mining technique that computes the probabilistic relationships between GO annotations of proteins on protein-protein interaction data, and assigns highly correlated GO terms of annotated proteins to non-annotated proteins in the target set. In comparison with other techniques, probabilistic suffix tree and correlation mining techniques produce the highest prediction accuracy of 81% precision with the recall at 45%. AVAILABILITY: Code is available upon request. Results and used materials are available online at http://kirac.case.edu/PROTAN.

Surgical treatment of an acquired posterior urethral diverticulum with cystoscopy assisted robotic technique.

A 42-year-old man with a history of recurrent urethral stenosis, recurrent urinary tract infection and macroscopic hematuria has referred to our clinic. He underwent several internal urethrotomies and currently using clean intermittent self-catheterization. During the internal urethrotomy, we noted a large posterior urethral diverticulum (UD) between verumontanum and bladder neck. His obstructive symptoms were resolved after the catheter removal. But perineal discomfort, urgency and dysuria were prolonged about 3-4 weeks. Urinalysis and urine culture confirmed recurrent urinary tract infections. Due to this conditions and symptoms, we planned a surgical approach which was planned as transperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. This technique is still applied for the diverticulectomy of the bladder. In addition to this we utilized the cystoscopy equipments for assistance. During this process, cystoscope was placed in the UD to help the identification of UD from adjacent tissues like seminal vesicles by its movement and translumination. Operating time was 185 min. On the post-operative third day he was discharged. Foley catheter was removed after 2 weeks. Urination was quite satisfactory. His perineal discomfort was resolved. The pathology report confirmed epidermoid (tailgut) cyst of the prostate. Urethrogram showed no radiologic signs of UD after 4 weeks. Irritative and obstructive symptoms were completely resolved after 3 months. No urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation was noted. While posterior UD is an extremely rare situation, surgical treatment of posterior UD remains uncertain. To our knowledge, no above-mentioned cystoscopy assisted robotic technique for the treatment was described in the literature.

Surgical management of urinary stones with abnormal kidney anatomy.

In spite of the fact that urologic surgical techniques used by urologists are becoming more and more minimally invasive and easier because of developing technologies, surgical approaches for the urinary stones in kidneys with abnormal anatomy are still confusing. The objective of this article is to determine the treatment options in these kidneys. For this purpose, between 2005 and 2015, we retrospectively evaluated patients operated for urolithiasis with various congenital renal anomalies in five referral urology clinics in our country. Of the 178 patients (110 male, 60 female), 96 had horseshoe kidneys, 42 had pelvic ectopic kidneys (PEKs), and 40 had isolated rotation anomalies (IRAs) of the kidney. We evaluated the patients for stone-free rate (SFR), mean operation time, mean hospitalization time, and complication rate. In horseshoe kidney, SFRs for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) groups were 72.2% and 90%, respectively. In PEKs, these rates were 83.6% and 100% for RIRS and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, respectively. SFRs in kidneys with IRA were 75% for RIRS and 83.3% for PNL. The mean operation time for RIRS and PNL groups in horseshoe kidney was 40.5±11.2 minutes and 74.5±19.3 minutes, respectively. In PEKs, these times were 52.1±19.3 minutes and 53.1±24.3 minutes for RIRS and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, respectively. Mean operation time in kidneys with IRA was 48.7±14.4 minutes for RIRS and 53.2±11.3 minutes for PNL. Mean hospitalization times for RIRS and PNL groups in horseshoe kidneys were 1.4±0.7 days and 2.2±1.4 days, respectively. In PEKs, these times were 2.7±1.8 days and 1.9±0.4 days for RIRS and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy, respectively. Mean operation time in kidneys with IRA was 1.5±0.9 days for RIRS and 1.8±0.6 days for PNL. The results of our study showed that RIRS could be used in all of types of abnormal kidneys with small- and medium-sized renal calculi safely and satisfactorily.

Can serum Inhibin B and FSH levels, testicular histology and volume predict the outcome of testicular sperm extraction in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia?

INTRODUCTION: In our study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Inhibin B, testicular volumes and distribution of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcome according to the histological diagnosis in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2001 and April 2002, 66 men presenting with infertility of at least 1 year were found to have non-obstructive azoospermia. Serum FSH and Inhibin B levels, testicular volumes and pathological analysis were reviewed retrospectively using medical records of these patients. RESULTS: Of 66 patients, 52 were enrolled into the study and sperm extraction was successful in 31 of 52 patients (59.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between the patients who had successful and unsuccessful TESE in terms of mean serum Inhibin B, FSH levels and testicular volumes (P>0.05). The area under ROC analysis for serum Inhibin, serum FSH and testicular volume was 0.557, 0.523 and 0.479, respectively. For Inhibin B, the best cut-off value for discriminating between successful and failed TESE at 90% sensitivity was 6.25 with a very low level of specificity (14%) and diagnostic accuracy that was 53.8. CONCLUSION: Besides the controversies about the direct marker role of serum Inhibin B in determination of spermatogenesis, it does not seem to give a clue about the prediction of sperm presence before TESE. Because of the conflicting results in the literature, the potential role of serum Inhibin B as a marker for prediction of sperm presence in testis is yet to be determined.

An uncommon application of shock wave lithotripsy: encrusted double pigtail ureteral stent.

A 70-year-old man was referred to our clinic for removal of a retained encrusted pigtail ureteral stent. Previously, in another institution they tried to remove the stent but it was broken and the intravenous pyelography(IVP) showed that the piece of the stent was located in the left renal pelvis. The retained stent was tried to be removed by rigid ureteroscopy (as the flexible was damaged at that occasion) but we were unsuccessful. Before attempting a more invasive procedure we tried extra corporal shock wave lithotripsy, (ESWL) to fragment the encrusted double-J and enable the patient to pass fragments from the ureter. After two sessions the stent was completely disintegrated and the patient passed all of the fragments easily to become stent-free after 2 months.

Does the Intensity of Cutting Power Affect Postoperative Symptoms During Transurethral Resection with a Monopolar System?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intensity of cutting power on postoperative symptoms after transurethral resection (TURP) with a monopolar system for benign prostatic hyperplasia. One hundred thirty-six men with benign prostatic obstructions undergoing elective transurethral prostatectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the intensity of cutting power. The cutting power intensities were 80-119 W for group 1, 120-159 W for group 2, and 160-200 W for group 3, respectively. In the postoperative period, patients were evaluated with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires. In the postoperative period, maximal flow rate (Q max), and post-voiding residue (PVR) were significantly improved in patients who had monopolar TURP performed. When compared to the other groups, the IPSS score was found to be significantly higher in group 3 at 3, 4, and 8 weeks. In addition, the QoL assessment scores for group 3 were superior at 3 weeks. The improvements of Q max and PVR were similar among the three groups (p < 0.0001). At the end of 3 months, IPSS and QoL were significantly improved in all groups. The intensity of cutting power during prostate resection with a monopolar system may affect the postoperative improvements and symptoms.

Laparoscopic nephropexy with polymer clips.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We present our initial experience and long-term results with transperitoneal laparoscopic nephropexy with nonabsorbable polymer clips. METHODS: Seven patients aged 34 to 47 years previously diagnosed with mobile kidney presented with chronic pain refractory to analgesics and underwent a transperitoneal laparoscopic nephropexy procedure with nonabsorbable polymer clips by fixing the perirenal tissue to the transversus abdominis fascia and triangular ligament. RESULTS: Mean operation time was 20 minutes. All patients were discharged after 24 hours. Follow-up intravenous pyelogram (IVP) at 60 and 150 days showed the right kidneys in a more cephalad position, and showed pelvicaliceal dilatations and that the ureteral kinks seemed to be resolved. On days 15, 60, 90, and 150 of the first- and second-year follow-ups, severity of pain was 1 of 10 on the visual analog scale. CONCLUSION: We believe that the technique of transperitoneal laparascopic nephropexy with nonabsorbable polymer clips on patients with symptomatic mobile kidney is safe and easy to perform and shows successful long-term results.