Prostatic artery embolization in benign prostatic hyperplasia: preliminary results in 13 patients.

AIM: The aim of the paper is to report the clinical outcome after prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) in 13 consecutive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2012 to October 2013, we performed PAE in 13 consecutive patients (mean age 75.9 years) with BPH and LUTS and refractory to medical therapy; seven patients had an indwelling bladder catheter. Clinical follow-up (mean follow-up time 244 days) was performed using the international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), the international index of erectile function (IIEF), blood prostatic specific antigen (PSA) testing and transrectal prostatic ultrasound (US) scan with volume and weight calculation at 3, 6 and 12 months. Pre-procedural CT angiography (CTA) was done for vascular mapping. Embolisation was performed using Embosphere (300-500 micron). Technical success was defined when selective prostatic arterial embolisation was completed in at least one pelvic side. Clinical success was defined when symptoms and quality of life were improved. RESULTS: PAE was technically successful in 12/13 patients (92%). In one patient, PAE was not performed because of tortuosity and atherosclerosis of iliac arteries. PAE was completed bilaterally in 9/13 (75%) patients and unilaterally in three (27%). All patients removed the bladder catheter from 4 days to 4 weeks after PAE. We obtained a reduction in IPSS (mean, 17.1 points), an increase in IIEF (mean, 2.6 points), an improvement in Qol (mean, 2.6 points) and a volume reduction (mean, 28%) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the literature, our experience showed the feasibility, safety and efficacy of PAE in the management of patients with LUTS related to BPH. PAE may play an important role in patients in whom medical therapy has failed, who are not candidates for surgery or transurethral prostatic resection (TURP) or refuse any surgical treatment. Larger case series and comparative studies with standard TURP can confirm the validity of the technique.

Supine mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in horseshoe kidney.

OBJECTIVE: The percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in Horseshoe kidneys (HSK) is usually performed in the prone position, allowing entry through the upper pole and providing good access to the collecting system. However, in patients with normal kidney anatomy, the supine position is reliable and safe in most cases, but it is unknown whether the supine position is adequate in patients with HSK. The purpose of this study was to describe the results of PCNL in HSK in three different surgical institutions and to evaluate the impact of supine position during surgery, comparing pre-operative and post-operative data, complications, and stone status after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2017 and 2022, a total of 10 patients underwent percutaneous renal surgery for stone disease in HSK. All patients were evaluated pre- and post- operatively with non-contrast CT. we evaluated patients (age and gender), stones characteristics (size, number, side, site and density ), and outcomes. The change in haemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine and eGFr were assessed between the most recent preoperative period and the first postoperative day. Procedure success was defined as stone-free or presence of ≤4 mm fragments (Clinically Insignificant residual Fragments - CIrF). Complications were registered and classified according to Clavien-dindo Grading System, during the 30 - day postoperative period and Clavien scores ≥ 3 were considered as major complications. Statistical analysis was performed using "r 4.2.1" software, with a 5% significance level. we also compared pre-operative and post-operative data using "wilcoxon signedrank test". RESULTS: No statistical difference was observed between preoperative and post-operative renal function data. At one post operative day CT scan, an overall success rate of 100% was registered. 9/10 patients were completely free from urolithiasis (stone-free rate: 90%), while 1/10 patients had ≤4 mm residual stone fragments (CIrF rate: 10%). No cases of intraoperative complications were registered. Post-operative complications were reported in 1/10 patients. A patient developed urosepsis (defined as SIrS with clinical signs of bacterial infections involving urogenital organs - Clavien-dindo Grade II) after procedure, and was treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy successfully.  Conclusions: This study shows that in patients with HSK mini- PCNL in supine position allows to achieve good stone free rate with a very low morbidity. According to our series, the described technique for PCNL in HSK should be an option. Nevertheless these results must be confirmed by further studies.

Flexible ureteroscopy using a 120-w holmium laser: The low-energy/high-frequency approach. / Ureteroscopia flexible utilizando laser holmium 120 W: baja energía/alta frecuencia.

OBJECTIVES: With the spread of more powerful lasers and the advent of new technologies, endoscopic interventions for urolithiasis are continuously evolving. The aim of this study is to present our experience and technique regarding Low Energy (LE)/High Frequency (HF) lithotripsy by using a 120-W Holmium laser (Lumenis®). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed our prospectively maintained Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery (RIRS) database. Lithotripsy was performed using LE/HF settings with a Long Pulse Width (LPW) and consisted of the following steps: 1) contact Laser lithotripsy (LE/HF/LPW dusting - 0,5 J/50 Hz or 02 J/70 Hz); 2) extraction ofmain fragments; 3) non-contact Laser lithotripsy (LE/HF/Short Pulse Width Pop Dusting - 0,5 J /80Hz). Pre-operativeand peri-operative outcomes were collected. Post-operative complications were recorded according to Clavien-Dindo Grading System. Finally, all patients under went a CT scan at three months after RIRS to assess the success of procedure, defined as stone-free or presence of ≤4 mm fragments (Clinical Insignificant Residual Fragments - CIRF). RESULTS: Overall, 104 LE/HF/LPW RIRS from December 2017 to January 2019 were performed. Mean operative time was 59 (SD ±23) minutes, median post-operative stay was two days (IQR 2-3). The post-operative complication rate was 4,8%: one patient had nausea and vomiting (Clavien-Dindo I) and four patients developed urosepsis (Clavien-Dindo II). The success rate was 88,5% (71,2% stone-free and 17,3% CIRF). CONCLUSIONS: LE/HF/LPW RIRS seems to be safe and effective in terms of positive success rate, safety and standard operative time. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to compare this technique to standard RIRS.

OBJETIVOS: Con la aparición de láseres de alta potencia y las nuevas tecnologías, las intervenciones endoscópicas para las urolitiasis continúan evolucionando. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar nuestra experiencia y técnica de baja energía (BE), alta  frecuencia (AF) de litotricia utilizando el laser holmium120 W (Lumenis®). MÉTODOS: Retrospectivamente analizamos nuestra base de datos prospectiva de ureteroscopia retrograda intrarenal. La litotricia fue realizada utilizando BE/AFcon pulsos amplios y largos (LPW). La técnica consistió en los siguientes pasos: 1) Contacto litotricia laser (BE/AF/LPW polvo- 0.5J/50 Hz o 02 J/70 Hz); 2) extracción de los fragmentos principales; 3) litotricia laser sin contacto (BE/AF/pulso corto polvo- 0,5 J /80Hz). Los resultados preoperatorios y perioperatorios fueron recogidos. Las complicaciones postoperatorias fueron recogidas por el sistema Clavien-Dindo. Finalmente, todos los pacientes recibieron un TAC a los 3 meses después de la ureteroscopia retrograda para evaluar el éxito del procedimiento, que se definió como la no existencia de litiasis o de fragmentos de menos de 4 mm (fragmentos clínicamente insignificantes). RESULTADOS: 104 BE/AF/LPW ureteroscopias retrógradas se realizaron entre diciembre de 2017 y enero de 2019. El tiempo operatorio medio fue de 50 minutos( SD ± 23), la estancia media postoperatoria fue de 2 días (IQR 2-3). La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias fue de 4,8%: un paciente tuvo nauseas y vómitos (Clavien I) y 4 pacientes desarrollaron urosepsis (Clavien II). La tasa de éxito fue de 88%, 71,2% libre de litiasis y 17,3% fragmentos clínicamente insignificantes. CONCLUSIONES: BE/AF/LPW ureteroscopia retrógrada es un procedimiento seguro y efectivo en términos de tasa de éxito, seguridad y tiempo quirúrgico. Aunque, estudios randomizados son necesarios para comparar esta técnica con la ureteroscopia retrógrada estándar.

UVENTA urethral stents: Are we taking a step forward? The first clinical series. / Stent uretral UVENTA: ¿Un paso para adelante? La primera serie clínica.

OBJECTIVES: To describe first clinical results in term of safety, complications and short term efficacy of temporary placement of UVENTA urethral stent in the treatment of urethral and bladder neck strictures. METHODS: UVENTA urethral stent (Taewoong Medical) is a temporary self expandable covered metallic stent. Anti-migration system and different radial force distribution are the two main innovations. This is a retrospective evaluation of UVENTA stent temporary placements for urethral diseases in two urological Centers. RESULTS: 15 patients underwent UVENTA stent placement between 2016 and 2018. Stent placement was easy and quick in all cases. Considering indwelling period: one patient reported urethral pain related to the stent in the first month, three patients had urinary infection treated with antibiotics; temporary stress incontinence was noted in 21% of bulbar-membranous stents; stent migrations was noted in 3 out of 4 bladder neck cases whereas no bulbar-membranous stents migrated. At removal no significant incrustation, stone or tissue ingrowth were noted, as well as new proximal or distal strictures. Stent removal was uncomplicated in all cases. Median follow up is 9.5 months (6-24). Considering strictures overall success rate is 73% (11/15): 82% for bulbar urethra (9/11) and 50% for bladder neck (2/4). CONCLUSIONS: UVENTA urethral stent showed a satisfying safety profile with few and low grade complications. Absence of migration and damage on healthy mucosa are main achievements. Further cases are needed to confirm these results and to really explore its efficacy.

OBJETIVOS: Describir los primeros resultados clínicos en términos de seguridad, complicaciones y eficacia a corto plazo de la colocación temporal de stent uretral UVENTA en el tratamiento de estenosis de uretra y de cuello vesical.MÉTODOS: El stent uretral UVENTA (Taewoong Medical) es un stent metálico temporal autoexpandible. Las dos principales innovaciones son el sistema antimigración y la distribución de la fuerza radial. Esta es una evaluación retrospectiva de la colocación de UVENTA en enfermedades uretrales en dos centros urológicos. RESULTADOS: 15 pacientes recibieron UVENTA entre 2016 y 2018. La colocación del stent fue fácil y rápida en todos los casos. Teniendo en cuenta el periodo de catéter: un paciente describió dolor uretral relacionado con el stent en el primer mes, 3 pacientes tuvieron infección urinaria tratada con antibióticos; incontinencia urinaria de estrés en el 21% de pacientes con stent en uretra bulbomembranosa; la migración de stents se demostró en 3 de 4 casos con estenosis de cuello vesical, mientras, ningún caso de uretra bulbomembranosa migro. Al quitar el stent, no se observó incrustación significativa, litiasis o tejido en crecimiento, así como nuevas estenosis distales o proximales. La retirada del stent no fue complicada en la mayoría de casos. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 9,5 meses (6-24). Considerando la tasa de éxito en global fue de 73% (11/15): 82% para uretra bulbar (9/11) y 50% para cuello vesical (2/4). CONCLUSIONES: El stent uretral UVENTA demostró un perfil de seguridad satisfactorio con mínimas complicaciones. La ausencia de migración o daño de la mucosa sana son las principales virtudes. Son necesarios más casos para confirmar estos resultados y explorar su eficacia.

Stone free rate and clinical complications in patients submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): Our experience in 571 consecutive cases.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to report the stone free rate (SFR) and clinical complications in patients submitted to retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 571 procedures of upper urinary stones treated using flexible ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy from January 2014 to February 2020 have been analyzed. Overall SFR was evaluated after 3 months following the procedure by means of a non-contrast computed tomography. Success was considered as stone-free status or ≤ 0.4 cm fragments. RESULTS: The overall SFR was 92.3% in group 1 (stone size: < 1 cm), 88.3% in group 2 (stone size: > 1 ≤ 2 cm), 56.7% in group 3 (stone size: 2-3 cm) and 69.6% in group 4 (multiple stones). Post-operative complications, according to the Clavien- Dindo (CD) classification system, were recorded in 32 (5.6%) procedures. The major complications recorded were: one case of subcapsular hematoma (SRH) associated with pulmonary embolism two days after the procedure (CD Grade IIIa) treated conservatively and one case of hemorrhagic shock 2 hour with multiple renal bleedings requiring urgent nephrectomy (CD Grade IVA). CONCLUSIONS: The RIRS is an effective and safe procedure with a high SFR significantly correlated with the stone size; at the same time, RIRS could be characterized by severe clinical complications that require rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Horseshoe Kidneys: Results of a Multicentric Study.

Objective: To report the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in horseshoe kidneys (HSK) in 12 institutions worldwide and evaluate the impact of patient position during operation. Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of PCNL procedures performed between 2008 and 2018 in patients with HSK. Pre-, peri-, and postoperative data were collected, and a subgroup analysis was performed according to patient position. Success was defined as an absence of >4-mm fragments. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: We analyzed 106 procedures. The transfusion, complication, and immediate success rates (ISRs) were 3.8%, 17.5%, and 54.7%, respectively. The final success rate (FSR) increased to 72.4% after a mean of 0.24 secondary procedures. Logistic regression showed that higher body mass index (BMI) and stone size were significantly associated with residual fragments ≥4 mm. Sixty-seven patients (63.2%) were treated in prone and 39 (36.8%) in supine position. The prone group had a significantly higher BMI than the supine group (30.1 vs 27.7, p = 0.024). The transfusion, complication, and ISRs between the prone and supine groups were 4.5% vs 2.6% (p = 0.99), 16.9% vs 18.4% (p = 0.99), and 52.5% vs 69.2% (p = 0.151), respectively. Surgical time was significantly longer in the prone group (126.5 vs 100 minutes, p = 0.04). Upper pole was the preferred access in 80.3% of the prone group and 43.6% of the supine group (p < 0.001). The prone group had significantly more Clavien 2 complications than the supine (p = 0.013). The FSR in the prone and supine groups increased to 66.1% and 82.1% after 0.26 and 0.21 secondary procedures, respectively. No complications higher than Clavien 3 occurred. Conclusion: PCNL in patients with HSK is safe and effective with a low complication rate. Higher BMI and stone size negatively impacted outcomes. Supine PCNL may be an option for treating kidney stones in patients with HSK.

Corporoplasty by plication: out patient surgery for the correction of penile curvature.

OBJECTIVE: Corporoplasty using plication of the albuginea is a simple technique but considered by many Authors at high risk for recurrence in respect to other corrective techniques using excision of the albuginea tunica. The aim of this study was to assess long-term functional and cosmetic results of this approach done in an outpatient environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2008 we submitted 217 patients presenting induratio penis plastica (183) or congenital curvature (34) to corporoplasty with albuginea plication. All patients were assessed preoperatively with history, physical examination and photographic documention of the erectile penis. These patients, all with vaginal penetration problems, were submitted to corporoplication with 2-4 sutures 2/0 (polyglycolic) contralateral to the curvature, using local anaesthesia on outpatient basis. Follow-up included functional and cosmetic results, eventual complications and level of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Median follow-up of our study was 44 months (range 2-58). Complete correction of curvature was achieved in 206 patients (95%) whereas 87% reported good erectile function (IIEF-5 > 21). 145 patients (67%) reported penis shortening and 41% complained of palpating the sutures. Two patients required reoperation for recurring curvature. No perioperative complications or altered sensitivity of the glans were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Simple plication of the corpora cavernosa can be done on an outpatient basis using local anaesthesia with optimal functional and cosmetic results. The success of this minimally invasive approach makes it a valid alternative to standard excision of the tunica albuginea procedure. Detailed preoperative information concerning procedure expectations and treatment course are extremely important in obtaining complete functional and cosmetic patient satisfaction.

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Our experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and outcomes of tubeless PCNL in comparison with standard PCNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since June 2002 we have performed 99 tubeless PCNL. Tubeless technique involves antegrade placement of a 6Fr double-J stent without nephrostomy tube at the end of the procedure. This series has been compared with a total of 110 patients in which revision of operative reports ruled out the presence of intraoperative conditions necessary to candidate a patient to tubeless procedure but standard PCNL was performed because prior to its introduction or because of surgeon's attitude afterward. Mean stone burden was 5.4 for standard group and 4.9 cm2 for tubeless group respectively. Mean BMI was 24.1 in the first group and 23.6 in the second one. In this retrospective study, complications rate, postoperative pain, length of hospitalization and convalescence were evaluated by chart review. RESULTS: Hematocrit drop did not differ significantly between tubeless PCNL and standard PCNL (5.5% vs 5.90%). Conversely, there was statistically significant difference between tubeless and standard PCNL in terms of the amount of analgesics (49.5 vs. 84.2 mg), immediate postoperative patients' discomfort, hospitalization (2.2 vs 5.3 days) and time to resume normal activities (11.0 vs 16.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, tubeless approach did not determine increase in complication rate. Conversely, tubeless PCNL reduced analgesics' requirement, patients' discomfort, hospitalization and time to recovery. As such, at our Institution, tubeless PCNL has become routine procedure that actually is feasible in almost 2/3 of renal calculi suitable for percutaneous treatment.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: tubeless or not tubeless?

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and outcomes of tubeless PCNL in comparison with standard PCNL. Since June 2002, we have performed 99 tubeless PCNL. Tubeless technique involves antegrade placement of a 6Fr double-J stent without nephrostomy tube at the end of the procedure. This series has been compared with a total of 110 patients in which revision of operative reports ruled out the presence of intraoperative conditions necessary to candidate a patient to tubeless procedure but standard PCNL was performed because prior to its introduction or because of surgeon's attitude afterward. Mean stone burden was 5.4 for standard group and 4.9 cm(2) for tubeless group, respectively. Mean BMI was 24.1 in the first group and 23.6 in the second one. In this retrospective study, complications rate, postoperative pain, length of hospitalization and convalescence were evaluated by chart review. Hematocrit drop did not differ significantly between tubeless PCNL and standard PCNL (5.5 vs. 5.9%). Conversely, there was statistically significant difference between tubeless and standard PCNL in terms of the amount of analgesics (49.5 vs. 84.2 mg), immediate postoperative patients' discomfort, hospitalization (2.2 vs. 5.3 days) and time to resume normal activities (11.0 vs. 16.5 days). In conclusion, in our series, tubeless approach did not determine increase in complication rate. Conversely, tubeless PCNL reduced analgesics' requirement, patients' discomfort, hospitalization and time to recovery. As such, at our institution, tubeless PCNL has become routine procedure that actually is feasible in almost two-third of renal calculi suitable for percutaneous treatment.

PSA repeatedly fluctuating levels are reassuring enough to avoid biopsy?

INTRODUCTION: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can show wide fluctuations when repeatedly measured. Here we investigatewd if: (a) biopsy timing influences the prostate cancer (PC) detection rate in patients with fluctuating PSA (flu-PSA) in comparison with patients with steadily increasing PSA (si-PSA); (b) PSA slope estimated in patients with flu-PSA predicts a different risk of cancer detection; (c) flu-PSA and si-PSA patients develop PC in topographically different sites; (d) the behaviour of pre-operative PSA is an expression of a disease with defferent characteristics to the following radical prostatectomy. METHODS: The study involved 211 patients who underwent at least a second biopsy after a first negative prostate biopsy. PSA Slope, PSA velocity (PSAV) and PSA doubling time (PSADT) were estimated. Flu-PSA level was defined as a PSA series with at least one PSA value lower than the one immediately preceding it. RESULTS: 82 patients had flu-PSA levels and 129 si-PSA levels. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of cancer detection, clinical or pathological stage, but the si-PSA group with cancer had a higher Gleason score. No difference was found for PSA Slope between flu-PSA patients with cancer and those without. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates no difference in PC detection rate at repeat biopsy between patients with flu or si-PSA levels. PSA Slope, PSAV and PSADT were not found helpful tools in cancer detection.

Life-threatening complications after ureteroscopy for urinary stones: survey and systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Retrograde ureteroscopy (URS) has become a common procedure for the management of urinary stones. Although its efficacy and safety are well known, the literature about major complications is still poor. This study highlighted some cases of life-threatening complications after semi-rigid ureteroscopy (s-URS) or flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Experienced endourologists (more than 75 cases/year in the last 3 years) we enrolled, and a survey was performed asking to review their series and report the cases encumbered by major complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIb-IV grade). A literature search was also conducted in the Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane Libraries databases in July, 2016 to identify all studies reporting the presence of major complications in patients underwent URS procedures. A PubMed search was performed using the following key words in combination: "kidney injury," "ureteroscopy," "nephrectomy," "life-threatening," "urinary stones," "complications." EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Eleven urologists reported on 12 major complications (4 after s-URS, 8 after f-URS). Eight patients developed a kidney injury, 1 an arteriovenous fistula, 2 a ureter avulsion and 1 acute sepsis. Six patients underwent open nephrectomy, two surgical repair, one open pyeloplasty, one coil artery embolization and two superselective artery embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines and clinical practice give useful recommendations about intraoperative safety and prevention of life-threatening events. The careful postoperative observation and the surgical active treatment of this complications play a key role in reducing morbidity, kidney loss and mortality. This study encourages a strict and active care of patients, supports a routine reporting of complications, and highlights the need for systematic use of standardized classification systems.

Incidence and treatment of complications in nephron sparing surgery.

UNLABELLED: Conservative renal surgery (enucleation or segmentary resection) has become the gold standard treatment for small and peripheral malignant kidney lesions or in cases of reduced renal function or bilateral lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and treatment of complications of this technique in our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1997 and March 2005, 159 patients aged from 23 to 77 years (median 66 years) underwent conservative renal surgery. In 123 patients the indication was elective and in 36 imperative. In 92 patients lesions were located in the upper pole, 41 in the lower pole and 24 were meso-renal . Two patients suffered from von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and therefore presented multicentric lesions. Mean lesion diameter was 3 cm ( range 1 to 9 cm). Retroperitoneal access with flank incision was the approach used in all patients. In 124 patients the technique consisted of enucleation with hypothermia from contact with sterile ice. Time to ischaemia was between 12 - 40 minutes. The collecting system was opened in 23 patients. RESULTS: Twelve cases of perioperative complications were encountered in this group of patients. Major complications were: two massive hemorrhage, two arteriovenous fistula, one lesion of the ureter, five cases of acute kidney failure. The two massive bleedings occurred within the first eight hours after surgery and necessitated surgical intervention to check a bleeding perinephric vessel. The arteriovenous fistulas, which occurred on the seventh and tenth postoperative day, were treated with selective percutaneous sclero-embolisation. The five acute kidney failures involved patients with functional or anatomical solitary kidney. No patient required dialysis in the post-operative period. Ureter lesion characterised the post-operative course of one solitary kidney patient affected by voluminous angiomyolipoma. Anuria and urine emission from drainage lead to exploratory lumbotomy which evidenced an iatrogenic lesion of the lumbar ureter that was treated with termino-terminal anastomosis. No other major complications were noted, with the exception of delay in intestinal canalization occurring in a 74 year old patient, and a wound infection in a patient with previous renal abscess associated to infundibular lithiasis and caliceal exclusion. There were no postoperative deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative renal surgery is a valid alternative to radical surgery. In our study, as already reported in literature, surgical complications were slight in incidence and conservatively treatable. Therefore, nephron sparing surgery (NSS) can be performed with safety and maximum preservation of renal function.

Retropubic nerve and seminal sparing radical prostatectomy for recurrent bladder neck-prostatic urethra strictures.

OBJECTIVES: To verify if nerve and seminal sparing radical prostatectomy could represent surgical solution for iatrogenic bladder neck prostatic urethra contracture without external sphincter involvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At our institution 4 patients have been submitted to nerve and seminal sparing radical prostatectomy for recurrent bladder neck-prostatic urethra contracture following TURP for middle size adenoma. In all cases bladder neck was reconstructed and a 20F silicon catheter was left in place for two weeks to stint the vesico-urethral anastomosis. RESULTS: In all cases no significant perioperative complications were experienced. A normal voiding urethrogram preceded removal of the catheter 14 days postoperatively. Urinary continence was recovered by all of the patients. Uroflowmetry was persistently normal at periodic controls. With a mean follow-up of 36.3 months, no patient complained of symptomatic recurrence of urinary obstruction. In three previously potent patients, sexual activity with satisfactory intercourse was maintained. CONCLUSION: Even though our experience is very limited in terms of number of patients and length of follow-up, we think that nerve and seminal sparing radical prostatectomy, because of the limited risk of major complications and the good result in terms of preservation of both urinary continence and erectile function, can be a reasonable solution for iatrogenic bladder neck-prostatic contracture after prostatic surgery for BPH.

Retrograde endopyelotomy using the holmium laser: technical aspects and functional results.

INTRODUCTION: Endopyelotomy is considered standard treatment for primary and secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The aim of this study is to report our initial experience with the retrograde endopyelotomy technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and April 2003 we submitted to retrograde ureteroscopic holmium laser endopyelotomy 16 patients (9 males and 7 females) aged between 22 and 64 years. Obstruction was primary in 10 cases and secondary due to unsuccessful open pyeloplasty in the remaining six. No patient was affected by coexisting urinary lithiasis. Excretory urography and diuretic renal scintigraphy were performed preoperatively in all patients. Endopyelotomy was carried out using the holmium laser which delivered an energy level of 1.2 Joule at 10-15 Hertz. A double J ureteral stent remained indwelling postoperatively for 6 weeks and a vesical catheter for 24 hours. Average operative time was 75 minutes (range 50-90 minutes). Patients were assessed on follow-up by echotomography of the urinary tract and diuretic renal scintigraphy after 3 months and then at 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Patients were assessed on a mean follow-up of 18 months (range 6-41). Outcome was considered successful when symptoms were resolved and renal function improved. Success was obtained in 13 patients. Two patients were submitted to pyeloplasty with positive results and the procedure on one patient was converted to pyeloplasty due to intraoperative haemorrhage. Average postoperative stay was three days (range 1-4). No patient required blood transfusion with postoperative reduction in haematocrit of 0-9%, (mean 3%). Normal daily activity resumed after 3-4 days from discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde endopyelotomy in our initial experience is a safe and efficient technique that gives an excellent percentage of success with reduced complications and good patient compliance. The retrograde compared with the anterograde approach has the advantage of being less invasive, does not require nephrostomal derivation and further reduces hospital stay.