Laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy in non-functioning inflammatory kidneys with or without renal stone.

OBJECTIVE: To compare our laparoscopic simple nephrectomy results in non-functioning inflammatory kidneys with or without renal stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients, who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy for non-functioning kidney between June, 2010 and October, 2014 were included to study. Overall, data of 32 patients including 15 patients with renal stone (Group 1) and 17 patients without renal stone (Group 2) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean age was 44.4 ± 18.5 years (10-71) in group 1 and 35.2 ± 21 years (9-77) in group 2. Mean operation time was 95.0±25.9 minutes (70-175) in group 1 and 86.7 ± 15.1 minutes (70-125) in group 2. Mean estimated blood loss was found to be 64.13 ± 26.67 ml (30-120) in group 1 and 58.94 ± 24.24 ml (30-100) in group 2. Both groups had inflammatory findings in pathological analysis. There was no significant difference between groups regarding estimated blood loss, operation time, pre-operative and post-operative hemoglobin values, percent hemoglobin decrease, complications and hospitalization times (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Non-functioning kidney with or without renal stone could be operated safely with comparable complication rates and success via laparoscopy in experienced hands.

Protective effect of curcumin on priapism and ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the oxidative stress effects of the ischemic priapism on cavernosal tissues and to assess the biochemical and histopathological effects of curcumin in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 26 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (Control, n = 8): only penectomy was performed and 3 ml blood samples were obtained from the vena cava inferior (VCI). Group 2 (ischemia-reperfusion group; n= 8): penectomy was performed after 1 hour ischemic priapism + 30 min reperfusion and 3 ml blood samples were obtained from the VCI. Group III (IR + CURC group, n = 10): 200 mg/kg/day curcumin per orally before surgery for 7 days + penectomy after 1 hour ischemic priapism + 30 min reperfusion and 3 ml blood samples from the VCI. Total oxidant status (TAS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and paraoxonase (PON1) levels were measured. Tissue samples were investigated and scored histopathologically in terms of bleeding, edema and necrosis. RESULTS: TOS levels were higher (p = 0.002), and TAS levels were lower (p = 0.001) in the IR group compared to the control group. As a result of curcumin treatment, TAS levels were increased (p = 0.003), and TOS levels were decreased (p = 0.004) in the IR + CURC group compared to the IR group. In the treatment group (IR + CURC) TAS and TOS levels were similar to levels in the control group. PON1 levels were increased with ischemia-reperfusion (p = 0.21) and decreased with curcumin treatment (p = 0.53), however these changes were not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the effects of curcumin on histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that curcumin has preventive effects on oxidative stress parameters against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Should ureteroscopy be considered as the first choice for proximal ureter stones of children?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to analyze the ureter stones that had been treated using rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy without mechanically dilating the ureteral orifice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 110 patients who had undergone rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy due to ureteral stone between February 2005 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The location and size of the stone and additional anomalies in the urinary tract on the preoperative direct urinary system (DUS) X-Ray, urinary system ultrasonography (USG), intravenous pyelography (IVP) if performed, and computed tomography (CT), were found from the records of the patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.2 (range 1-17 years). 74 (67.2%) of the patients were males and 36 (32.8%) were females. A total of 115 rigid ureteroscopies were performed on 110 patients. 72 (65%) of the stones were located in the lower ureter, 21 (19%) were located in the middle part of the ureter, and 17 (15.4%) were located in the upper ureter. The mean stone size was determined as 7.5 mm (range 5-15). The mean stone size was determined as 7.4 mm in the lower ureter, as 8.3 mm in the middle ureter, and 8.4 mm in the upper ureter. No difference was found between the sizes of the stones in different locations (p = 0.121). The stone free rate was found as 92.2% for all ureteral stones. The total stone free rate according to the location of the stones was determined as 79.2% in the upper ureter, as 94.4% in the middle ureter and 93,8% in the lower ureter (p = 0.022). The total complication rate was 7.6%. Complication rates were 7.2%, 4.1% and 10.7% for the lower, middle and upper ureter, respectively (p = 0.411) (Table I). No difference was found in terms of complication rates according to location of the stone in the ureter. No major perioperative or postoperative complications developed. A double J stent was inserted in 36 (32%) patients for 2-3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that rigid ureteroscopy may be considered as the first choice for treatment of not only distal-middle ureter stones, but also for proximal ureter stones.