Alteration in contractile responses in human detrusor smooth muscle from obstructed bladders with overactivity.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to evaluate changes in contractile responses under in vitro conditions in detrusor overactivity (DO) in patients with bladder outflow obstruction (BOO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detrusor strips obtained during open prostatectomy procedure from 16 patients with BOO related to benign prostate hyperplasia were evaluated under in vitro conditions. Patients were assigned to two groups as patients with (DO) and without (no DO) DO. Four detrusor strips were prepared from each bladder in dimensions of 2 x 10 mm, and were suspended in organ bath. Responses to carbachol (10(-8) to 10(-3)M), electrical field stimulation (EFS) (0.5-32 Hz), single-dose adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) (10(-3)M) and KCl (120 mM) were recorded to evaluate the contractile responses. EFS responses were repeated in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 muM) and L-NAME + indomethacin. All responses were expressed as mg tension developed per mg of bladder tissue. Data obtained were compared using independent t test and one-way ANOVA test. Values of p < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients on whom open prostatectomy was performed because of BOO, 8 of the patients were determined as no DO and 8 as DO. There were no differences between groups regarding age and residual urine. We found statistically significant differences between groups regarding dimensions of prostate, maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure. In the comparison of cumulative dose of carbachol, it was seen that responses were higher in the DO group, but the differences were not statistically significant. In EFS application, contractile responses were found to increase significantly in the DO group. No changes were observed between groups for ATP and KCl. EFS responses were found to be significantly higher in presence of L-NAME + indomethacin in the no DO group; however, no difference was seen in the DO group. CONCLUSIONS: Detrusor contractile responses to EFS increased in patients with BOO in presence of overactivity. These changes in contractile responses are observed possibly as a result of deterioration in neuromodulation, rather than as a result of changes in purinergic or cholinergic receptor sensation or level. We suggest that a noncholinergic-nonpurinergic mechanism can have some effect on these changes.

Comparison of four different anesthesia methods for relief of all pain during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

INTRODUCTION: To find the most beneficial method, we assessed patient comfort and morbidity rates during prostate biopsy procedures performed using periprostatic nerve blockade, unilateral pudendal nerve blockade, intrarectal lidocaine gel, and a combination of periprostatic nerve blockade and intrarectal lidocaine gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 159 patients were included in this study. Pain evaluation results were retrospectively assessed and retrieved from the patient charts. Patients in group 1 (n = 64) received no anesthesia, group 2 (n = 34) received periprostatic nerve blockade, group 3 (n = 26) received unilateral pudendal nerve blockade, group 4 (n = 20) received intrarectal lidocaine gel, and group 5 (n = 15) received a combination of periprostatic nerve blockade and intrarectal lidocaine gel. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain evaluations. RESULTS: According to pain scores (VAS) during probe insertion, only group 2 did not show a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05), while the other groups were found to be significantly different when compared to group 1. Groups 2, 3, and 5 were found to be significantly different when compared to group 1 according to pain scores (VAS) during insertion of needles. Groups 3 and 5 displayed statistically significant differences when compared to group 1 as regards pain scores during both the insertion of the probe and biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that using either a combination of intrarectal lidocaine gel and periprostatic block or solely unilateral pudendal nerve block for prostate biopsy procedures provides efficient patient comfort by reducing pain both during probe insertion and needle passing through the prostate gland.

Can pain during digital rectal examination help us to decide the necessity and the method of anesthesia for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy is well tolerated by patients but the lack of an effective marker to predict pain prevents us from determining pre-procedurally which patient group needs local anesthesia for biopsy and probe pain. Thus in this study, we investigated predictor factors for prostate biopsy and probe insertion pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 71 patients who were undergoing prostate biopsy without anesthesia were included in the study retrospectively. Pain had been assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10). Digital rectal examination (DRE) pain was analyzed for biopsy and probe insertion pain. RESULTS: DRE pain was related to both probe pain and biopsy pain. CONCLUSION: Although level of pain during DRE determines patients in need of local anesthesia, since the number of patients with moderate-severe pain is rather big, it seems efficient in determining the patients in need of additional anesthesia due to probe pain.

Can pain during digital rectal examination help us to decide the necessity and the method of anesthesia for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy is well tolerated by patients but the lack of an effective marker to predict pain prevents us from determining pre-procedurally which patient group needs local anesthesia for biopsy and probe pain. Thus in this study, we investigated predictor factors for prostate biopsy and probe insertion pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 71 patients who were undergoing prostate biopsy without anesthesia were included in the study retrospectively. Pain had been assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10). Digital rectal examination (DRE) pain was analyzed for biopsy and probe insertion pain. RESULTS: DRE pain was related to both probe pain and biopsy pain. CONCLUSION: Although level of pain during DRE determines patients in need of local anesthesia, since the number of patients with moderate-severe pain is rather big, it seems efficient in determining the patients in need of additional anesthesia due to probe pain.

A large seminal vesicle cyst with contralateral renal agenesis.

Seminal vesicle cysts (SVC) are rather rare disorders. Our case is the first in literature where contralateral renal agenesis was seen together with SVC and surgically managed. We believe that the occurrence of these two coinciding abnormalities is incidental.

Value of frozen sections of lymph nodes in pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive bladder tumor.

AIM: We examined the reliability of classical lymph node evaluation methods. We compared the results of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and perioperative frozen section examination of lymph nodes in patients on whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors. METHODS: A total of 142 patients, in whom radical cystectomy was performed because of invasive bladder tumors between the years 1994 and 2005 in our clinic, and 284 pelvic lymph node regions were evaluated retrospectively. For each of the pelvic lymph node region, the conditions of the lymph nodes according to CT and in frozen sections were compared with the final pathology reports of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Lymph node involvement was found in 36 pelvic regions out of 284 in the final pathology. It had been possible to show only two of the 36 positive lymph nodes in preoperative CT. Frozen section results of the 29 pelvic lymph node regions out of 36 that were involved according to the final pathology were positive also according to frozen section results. On the other hand, in all the 29 lymph node regions those that were positive according to frozen section had lymph node involvement in the final pathology. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the performance of frozen section examination on obturator plus internal iliac lymph nodes when deciding extended lymph node dissection, and the performance of extended lymph node dissection only if the result is positive.

Unilateral pudendal nerve blockade for relief of all pain during transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of unilateral pudendal nerve block for the relief of all pain during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. TRUS-guided prostate biopsy is the standard procedure to diagnose or rule out prostate cancer. The pain, attributed to ultrasound probe insertion and the needle punctures into the prostate, inflicted by TRUS-guided prostate biopsy limits its effectiveness. METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 65 consecutive men suspected of having prostate cancer who were undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsy, 51 of whom fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Before the biopsy, each patient was randomized to one of two groups. Both the patient and the physician who performed the TRUS-guided biopsy were unaware of the contents of the injection for the pudendal nerve block. Unilateral pudendal nerve blockade was performed transperineally with digital rectal examination guidance using 10 mg of 1% prilocaine (group 1 [n = 26]) or 10 mL of a 0.9 NaCl solution (group 2 [n = 25]) by way of a 22-gauge spinal needle by the same anesthetist. Pain was evaluated using an 11-point visual analog scale questionnaire. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the visual analog scale score for pain during the pudendal nerve blockade or digital rectal examination between the groups. A statistically significant difference was found in the visual analog scale score for the biopsy procedure (P < 0.01) and probe discomfort (P < 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral pudendal nerve blockade was effective in reducing the pain at both biopsy and probe manipulation in our study.

Effect of periprostatic nerve blockade before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy on patient comfort: a randomized placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we assessed the efficacy and morbidity of periprostatic local anesthesia before transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate. METHODS: From August 2001 to February 2002, 98 patients underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy at the Department of 2nd Urology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Ninety patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomized into three groups of 30 patients each. Group 1 received no local anesthesia, while group 2 received a periprostatic saline injection 5 min before the biopsy and group 3 received periprostatic local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine. Pain-scale responses were analyzed for each aspect of the biopsy procedure using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: There were no differences in pain scores between the three groups during digital rectal examination, intramuscular injection and probe insertion. Mean pain scores during needle insertion in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 5.65 +/- 2.35, 6.25 +/- 2.04 and 3.16 +/- 2.14, respectively. There was no significant difference between the pain scores of groups 1 and 2, whereas pain scores decreased significantly in group 3. CONCLUSION: Periprostatic local anesthesia before prostate biopsy is a safe and easy method to increase patient comfort during the procedure.

Detection of prostate cancer and changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) six months after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with elevated PSA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early postoperative results of patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels who underwent surgery due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 64 patients who had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), normal digital rectal examinations (DRE), elevated PSA levels and prostate biopsies reported as being benign pathologically in specimens obtained by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies, were included in the study. Patients were assessed in accordance with PSA density, free/total PSA ratio and uroflowmetric studies. Patients had no cancer pre- and postoperatively (according to operative specimens). Six months postoperatively, 32 patients were accepted for re-evaluation for all PSA parameters, routine tests and prostatic biopsies. RESULTS: 64 patients with a mean age of 66.8 (SD 6.72) were included in the study. Total PSA average value was 14.38 (SD 7.49) ng/ml. Free PSA average value was 2.11 (SD 1.43) ng/ml. Average PSA density and free/total PSA ratio were 25.19 SD (14.12) ng/ml/cm(3) and 14.53% (SD 5.35%) respectively. 56 patients had BPH, 7 had chronic prostatitis and 1 had prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) preoperatively with biopsies. Re-biopsy of the patient with PIN was reported as BPH. In pathologic examination with resected tissues postoperatively, 49 patients had BPH, 14 had chronic prostatitis and 1 had PIN. In the sixth month, average values of free/total PSA were 0.45 (SD 0.26) and 3.71 (SD 4.96) ng/ml respectively. Average PSA density and free/total PSA ratio were 12.41 (SD 13.8) ng/ml/cm(3) and 19.59% (SD 10.33%) respectively. There were significant decreases in PSA densities (p < 0.001) and increases in free/total PSA ratios (p = 0.004). Seven patients still had elevated PSA levels 6 months postoperatively. Three of 7 patients were reported as chronic prostatitis. One of them was indicated as prostatic carcinoma who was reported as PIN preoperatively. All other patients were stated as BPH at re-biopsies. CONCLUSION: If pretreatment biopsies are negative and operative specimens are also benign in patients with high PSA values, these patients can be followed up like usual BPH patients, but long-term follow-up is still unclear.

Periprostatic nerve blockade before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: the Ankara Numune experience.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and morbidity of periprostatic local anesthesia before transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. METHODS: From August 2001 to December 2001, 58 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at the 2nd Department of Urology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital. Fifty patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomized into 2 groups of 25 patients each. Group 1 received periprostatic local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine while group 2 received no local anesthesia. Pain scale responses were analyzed for each aspect of the biopsy procedure with a visual analog scale. RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 groups in pain scores during digital rectal examination, intramuscular injection and probe insertion. The mean pain scores during needle insertion in group 1 receiving periprostatic nerve block and in group 2 receiving no local anesthesia were 3.00 +/- 2.22 and 6.16 +/- 2.85, respectively, and were found to be significantly different (p < 0.001), but morbidity after the biopsy was not statistically different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Periprostatic local anesthesia before prostate biopsy is a safe and easy method to increase patient comfort during the procedure.

Effects of forced diuresis achieved by oral hydration and oral diuretic administration on uroflowmetric parameters and clinical waiting time of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: We studied the impact of diuresis forced by oral hydration or single-dose oral diuretic administration on uroflowmetric parameters and clinical waiting time of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients with a mean age of 59 (range 41-77) years who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms were included in the study. The patients were grouped with respect to their International Prostate Symptom Scores as having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. The prostatic volumes of the patients were calculated using transrectal ultrasound. Uroflowmetric measurements were performed on 3 consecutive days. On the 1st day, the test was performed without diuretic stimulation; on the 2nd day, oral hydration was applied, and on the 3rd day, the patients received 20 mg of furosemide orally. Voiding time, maximum flow rate, voided volume, and the time elapsed in minutes until voiding (waiting time) were recorded. RESULTS: Diuretic stimulation did not significantly alter the uroflowmetric parameters in each symptom group, but the waiting time was significantly reduced. Forced diuresis caused acute urinary retention in 5 of 20 (25%) severely symptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Forced diuresis with oral hydration or oral administration of diuretics improves patient comfort and test applicability by shortening clinical waiting time and reducing the number of attempts to reach the sufficient urine volume for reliable measurements and can be applied safely for mild and moderately symptomatic patients. On the other hand, the risk of 25% of acute urinary retentions should be reconsidered, and the decision about diuretic stimuli should be made carefully by the clinician in severely symptomatic patients.