Predictive factors for postoperative medication therapy for overactive bladder symptoms after holmium laser enucleation of prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To preoperative factors that could predict the persisting storage symptoms after Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). METHODS: Medical records of 257 patients who underwent HoLEP between December 2014 and January 2021 were reviewed. Participants with a follow-up period exceeding 6 months were included. Preoperative data, including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, prostate size, and prostate-specific antigen, were collected. All participants underwent a preoperative urodynamic study. The correlation between perioperative variables and postoperative medication therapy (antimuscarinics or beta-3 agonists) was assessed. RESULTS: Out of 257 participants in the study, 46 (18.6%) were allocated to the medication group, of which 25 (54.3%) initiated medication therapy postoperatively. The medication group showed worse postoperative IPSS storage symptom score and quality of life score compared to the medication-free group (p = 0.048 and p = 0.002, respectively), but no significant differences were observed in complications or operative variables. In the de-novo medication group, patients had lower preoperative Qmax , larger prostate volume, and smaller maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) compared to the persisting medication group (p = 0.020, p = 0.009, and p = 0.008, respectively). Overactive bladder (OAB) history, terminal detrusor overactivity (DO), and IPSS urgency item were identified as possible predictive factors for post-HoLEP medication use. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative factors such as OAB history, terminal DO, and IPSS urgency item may predict the need for post-HoLEP medication therapy. Further follow-up studies are warranted to understand the characteristics of the de-novo medication group due to the significant discomfort it can cause to patients.

Predictive factors for alpha blocker use after transurethral prostatectomy: Can preoperative urodynamic outcome predict alpha blocker medication after surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic value of conducting urodynamic study (UDS) and show predictors for alpha blocker use 12 months after transurethral prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study includes 406 participants that had a transurethral prostatectomy at our hospital between 2010 and 2019. All participants took alpha blockers for more than a month. We collected the participants' preoperative international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, transrectal ultrasound, and serum prostatic antigen (PSA) level. A total of 254 patients conducted UDS. After surgery, participants visited our hospital at 1,3,6, and 12 months. RESULTS: 133 patients (32.6%) took alpha blockers continuously for 12 months after surgery. They reported poor preoperative IPSS scores and uroflowmetry outcomes. They also had high postoperative PVR (40.68±24.56 vs 29.34±25.11, p<0.001) and total IPSS score (10.35±7.96 vs 8.43±6.74, p = 0.018) compared to the group which discontinued alpha blockers. A multivariate analysis (Table 2) found that conducting preoperative UDS (Odds ratio (OR) 6.067, p<0.001) Age>75 (OR 2.463, p<0.001), a history of taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) before surgery (OR 2.186 [95% CI 1.334-3.583], p = 0.002), IPSS item straining (OR 1.224, p = 0.003), duration of taking alpha blockers [OR 1.009, p = 0.020), and Qmax (OR 0.926, p = 0.018), PVR (OR 1.002, p = 0.022) were confirmed as a strong predictors of persistent alpha blocker use. CONCLUSION: Conducting preoperative UDS, Age>75, history of taking 5-ARI before surgery, IPSS item straining, duration of alpha blocker medication, Qmax, and PVR are possible determinant factors of alpha blocker use after surgery. By comparing UDS outcomes, detrusor underactivity can be a strong predictor of persisting alpha blocker therapy 12 months after surgery.

Efficacy of combined treatment with intense pulsed light and fractional erbium:YAG Laser in scar prevention: A randomized split wound trial.

Various methods have been used for scar prevention; however, the optimal method remains unclear. We investigated the efficacy of combinational intense pulsed light (IPL)/fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser treatment in early wound healing. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled split wound trial. Scars were divided into three sites: the combined IPL/fractional Er:YAG treatment, fractional Er:YAG laser treatment, and untreated control sites. Treatment was conducted in three sessions: at removal of stitches and after 4 and 8 weeks. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores. The erythema index (EI) and melanin index (MI) were measured. In the total POSAS score, the IPL/fractional Er:YAG site showed steady and significant improvement, in contrast to the other sites. At week 8, the combined treatment sites had better POSAS scores than the fractional Er:YAG laser alone sites (p = 0.001) and the control sites (p = 0.000). The effect of combinational treatment was maintained until the follow-up period by comparing the Er:YAG (p = 0.015) and control sites (p = 0.007). In terms of VSS scores, the IPL/fractional Er:YAG combined treatment sites had consistent improvement at week 8 (p = 0.005) and week 20 (p = 0.02) compared to that at week 4, while the other sites showed no such improvement. In conclusion, the combination of IPL and Er:YAG showed more favorable effects on scar prevention than Er:YAG or no treatment. IPL/Er:YAG therapy could be an effective and safe strategy in the early wound healing process for reducing scar formation.

Association of nocturia and cardiovascular disease: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

AIMS: To investigate the association of nocturia with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. METHODS: Among the 40 790 individuals who participated in NHANES from 2005 to 2012, 14 114 adults were analyzed in this study. A participant was considered to have nocturia if they have two or more voiding episodes nightly. In addition, participants with nocturia more than four times in a day were considered to have severe nocturia. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for confounding variables, including age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, sleeping time, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus was performed with 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Nocturia occurred in 4610 individuals (32.7%). The prevalence of CVD was significantly higher in men, older individuals, those with higher BMI, smokers, and those with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. There was also a significantly higher prevalence of nocturia in the participants with CVD. Multivariate analysis showed that odds ratios (ORs) of mild and severe nocturia for CVD were 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.39) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.39-2.17), respectively. After 1:1 PSM, the ORs of mild and severe nocturia were 1.27 (95% CI: 1.10-1.48) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.33-2.26), respectively, showing statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Data from the NHANES indicate that CVD was significantly associated with the prevalence of nocturia, after taking major confounding factors into account. Furthermore, the risk for CVD increases with increasing nocturia severity.

Influence of anesthesia methods on surgical outcomes and renal function in retrograde intrarenal stone surgery: a prospective, randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the influence of anesthesia methods on surgical outcomes and renal function in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in a prospective, randomized controlled study. METHODS: Seventy patients who underwent RIRS from September 2015 to February 2017 were randomly allocated to general anesthesia (GA) or spinal anesthesia (SA) groups. Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate, and separate renal function was evaluated using nuclear medicine tests. Maneuverability and accessibility were evaluated after every surgery. All procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon (SY Cho). RESULTS: Stone-free rate was higher in the GA (92.3%, 36 of 39) than the SA (71.0%, 22 of 31) (P = 0.019) group. Pain score was higher in the GA than in the SA group on the first postoperative morning (P = 0.025), but pain scores of the two groups were similar before discharge (P = 0.560). There were no differences in the changes of serum creatinine level (P = 0.792) and changes of estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.807). Differences of separate renal function between operative and contralateral site increased significantly in patients under GA than under SA at postoperative 3 months (P = 0.014). Maneuverability and accessibility were better in SA with sedation than GA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RIRS under SA showed advantages in renal function change using renogram at postoperative 3 months and in lower pain score on the first postoperative morning. Performance of operator under SA was worse than that under GA and significantly improved with sedation. RIRS under SA showed advantages in lower pain score at postoperative first day. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov ID is NCT03957109, and registration date is 17th May 2019. This study was retrospectively registered.

Feasibility of single-session endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery for ipsilateral large renal stones and retrograde intrarenal surgery for contralateral renal stones: Initial experience.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the feasibility of carrying out endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery with supine miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery for patients with bilateral stones in a single session. METHODS: The records of consecutive patients presenting with bilateral kidney stones who underwent endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery with miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy (15-Fr miniaturized nephroscope) and retrograde intrarenal surgery on one side, and retrograde intrarenal surgery on the contralateral side were prospectively collected and analyzed. After the miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedure, flexible uretero-renoscopy was carried out for active removal of the stone fragments. Subsequently, retrograde intrarenal surgery was carried out on the contralateral side. RESULTS: Overall, 26 patients were included in the analysis. The stone-free rate of the initial endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery side was 76.9% (20/26), and the stone-free rate of the contralateral retrograde intrarenal surgery side was 92.3% (24/26). Complications occurred in two patients (postoperative bleeding and urinary tract infection); however, these conditions were completely resolved with appropriate medications within 2 weeks postoperatively. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that accumulation of surgical experience (OR 117.3, P = 0.046) was a significant predictor for stone-free status. CONCLUSION: Carrying out endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery and contralateral retrograde intrarenal surgery in a single session for patients with bilateral stones is feasible and safe.

Combination Therapy Using Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells on the Cavernous Nerve and Low-energy Shockwaves on the Corpus Cavernosum in a Rat Model of Post-prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate combined therapeutic efficacy of human adipose-derived stem cells (h-ADSCs) application on injured cavernous nerve and low-energy shockwave therapy (SWT) on the corpus cavernosum in a rat model of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI), adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) (BCNI group with h-ADSCs on the cavernous nerve), SWT (BCNI group with low-energy SWT on the corpus cavernosum), and ADSC/SWT (BCNI group with a combination of h-ADSCs and low-energy SWT). After 4 weeks, erectile function was assessed using intracavernosal pressure. The cavernous nerves and penile tissue were evaluated through immunostaining, Western blotting, and a cyclic guanosine monophosphate assay. RESULTS: ADSC/SWT significantly improved intracavernosal pressure compared to the other experimental group. ADSC had significantly increased ß-III tubulin expression of the cavernous nerve, and SWT had a markedly enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor expression in corpus cavernosum. The ADSC/SWT group had a significantly increased in alpha smooth muscle actin content (P < .05), neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of the dorsal penile nerve (P < .05), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression (P < .05), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level (P < .05) compared to the ADSC or SWT alone group. In addition, ADSC/SWT reduces the apoptotic index in the corpus cavernosum. CONCLUSION: In this study, h-ADSCs showed an effect on the recovery of injured cavernous nerve and low-energy SWT improved angiogenesis in the corpus cavernosum. The h-ADSCs combined with low-energy SWT showed beneficial effect on the recovery of erectile function in a rat model of postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

Can contemporary patients with biopsy Gleason score 3+4 be eligible for active surveillance?

INTRODUCTION: We analyzed whether expansion of existing active surveillance (AS) protocols to include men with biopsy Gleason score (GS) 3+4 prostate cancer (PCa) would significantly alter pathologic and biochemical outcomes of potential candidates of AS. METHODS: Among patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at our center between 2006 and 2013, we identified 577 patients (group A) who preoperatively fulfilled at least one of 6 different AS criteria. Also, we identified 217 patients (group B) with biopsy GS 3+4 but fulfilled non-GS criteria from at least one of 6 AS criteria. Designating group C as expanded group incorporating all patients in group A and B, we compared risk of unfavorable disease (pathologic GS ≥ 4+3 and/or pathologic T stage ≥ pT3a) and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival between groups. RESULTS: Rates of unfavorable disease were not significantly different between patients of group A and C who met AS criteria from 5 institutions (all p>0.05), not including University of Toronto (p < 0.001). Also BCR-free survivals were not significantly different between patients in group A and C meeting each of 6 AS criteria (all p > 0.05). Among group B, PSAD > 0.15 ng/mL/cm3 (p = 0.011) and tumor length of biopsy GS 3+4 core > 4 mm (p = 0.007) were significant predictors of unfavorable disease. When these two criteria were newly applied in defining group B, rates of unfavorable disease in group A and B was 15.6% and 14.7%, respectively (p = 0.886). CONCLUSION: Overall rate of pathologically aggressive PCa harbored by potential candidates for AS may not be increased significantly with expansion of criteria to biopsy GS 3+4 under most contemporary AS protocols. PSAD and tumor length of biopsy GS 3+4 core may be useful predictors of more aggressive disease among potential candidates for AS with biopsy GS 3+4.

Salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: prediction of biochemical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: A significant proportion of patients undergoing salvage radiotherapy (RT) for biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy (RP) may again experience BCR after salvage RT. Thus, we evaluated the clinical significances of different parameters on the biochemical outcome of RT in salvage setting. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 212 patients who underwent salvage RT between November 2003 and December 2012 for BCR following primary RP. BCR-free survivals after salvage RT were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impacts of clinicopathologic parameters on BCR following salvage RT. RESULTS: The overall median follow-up duration was 63.5 months. The BCR-free survival rate after salvage RT was 58.2% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that a pre-RT prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of ≤0.5 ng/mL, a pre-RT PSA doubling time (PSADT) of >4.5 months, concomitant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with salvage RT, and a positive surgical margin were independent predictors of favorable biochemical outcomes after salvage RT (hazard ratios [HR] = 3.012, 1.132, 2.000, and 1.805, respectively, p = less than 0.001, 0.013, 0.005, and 0.036, respectively). In the early (pre-RT PSA ≤0.5 ng/mL) salvage RT setting, concomitant ADT administration was also shown to be significantly associated with higher risk of BCR-free survival following salvage RT (HR = 2.611, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Lower pre-RT PSA value, longer PSADT before salvage RT, concomitant ADT administration, and a positive surgical margin were significant predictors of favorable biochemical outcomes following salvage RT performed for BCR after primary RP.

Effect of holmium laser enucleation of prostate on overactive bladder symptoms and urodynamic parameters: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of Holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and urodynamic parameters in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five patients were included in this prospective study. They complained of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia and underwent HoLEP by a surgeon from January 2010 to March 2012. We analyzed the results of International Prostate Symptom Score, overactive bladder questionnaire, frequency-volume chart, and urodynamic studies (UDS) before and after the surgery. Follow-up examinations were repeated 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and a UDS was performed at 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 68.4 (range, 52-91) years, the preoperative prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasound was 71.1 (range, 22-202) mL, and the serum PSA level was 4.4 (range, 0.5-21.7) ng/mL. Postoperatively, patients showed significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (total score from 20.7 to 5.5, P <.001), overactive bladder questionnaire score (severity score from 24.8 to 12.5, P <.001), and frequency-volume chart parameters (daytime frequency, nocturia, and maximal capacity, respectively) (P <.001). The peak flow rate (P <.001), postvoid residual urine volume (P <.001), maximal cystometric capacity (P <.002), and bladder outlet obstruction index (P <.001) have improved significantly. The number of patients who showed involuntary detrusor contraction in UDS decreased significantly from 45.5% to 36.4% (P <.001). However, bladder compliance did not improve. CONCLUSION: OAB symptoms and urodynamic parameters were improved significantly after HoLEP surgery in short-term follow-up.

Application of the Modified Clavien Classification System to 120W Greenlight High-Performance System Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Is It Useful for Less-Invasive Procedures?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the modified Clavien classification system (CCS) in evaluating complications following photoselective vaporization of the prostate by use of the 120W GreenLight high-performance system (HPS-PVP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 342 men who underwent HPS-PVP were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were older than 40 years and had a prostate volume >30 mL and an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥8. Patients with prostatic malignancy, neurogenic bladder, urethral stricture, large postvoid residual volume (>250 mL), previous prostatic surgery, or urinary tract infection were excluded. All operations were done by a single surgeon, and patients were followed up for uroflowmetry and IPSS postoperatively. All complications were recorded and classified according to the modified CCS, and methods of management were also recorded. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 71.6±7.3 years; mean prostate volume was 50.0±17.0 mL, and 95 cases (27.7%) had volumes greater than 70 mL. The mean total IPSS was 21.7±7.9 preoperatively and 12.3±8.1 at the first month postoperatively. A total of 59 patients (17.3%) experienced postoperative complications until the first month after the surgery. Among them, 49 patients (14.3%) showed grade I complications, 9 patients (2.6%) showed grade II complications, and 1 patient (0.3%) showed a grade IIIb complication. No patients had complications graded higher than IIIb. CONCLUSIONS: Although the modified CCS is a useful tool for communication among clinicians in allowing comparison of surgical outcomes, this classification should be revised to gain higher accuracy and applicability in the evaluation of postoperative complications of HPS-PVP.