Effects of Bladder Neck Plication on Climacturia After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of bladder neck plication during transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (tRARP) on orgasm-related incontinence (climacturia) and the relationship between International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) scores and climacturia. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 118 patients who underwent nerve-sparing tRARP in our clinic and survived the first postoperative year. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent bladder neck plication (Group 1, n = 58) and those who did not (Group 2, n = 60). Our study investigated whether there is a difference between the groups in terms of climacturia or if there is a relationship between IIEF-5 scores and climacturia. Results: Of the patients in Group 1, 10.3% had incontinence and 13.8% had climacturia. Of the patients in Group 2 who did not have bladder neck plication, 10% had incontinence and 15% had climacturia. There was no difference between the groups in terms of climacturia (P > .825). Three patients (5.2%) in Group 1 and four patients (6.6%) in Group 2 requested treatment. There was no statistically significant correlation between IIEF-5 scores and climacturia in both groups (Group 1, P > .208; and Group 2, P > .508). Conclusions: In our study, the frequency of climacturia in patients who underwent bladder neck plication during tRARP was consistent with the literature and did not show a statistically significant difference from patients who did not undergo bladder neck plication. It has been observed that bladder neck plication, which has no effect on long-term continence, does not contribute to prevention of climacturia. No correlation was found between IIEF-5 scores and climacturia.

Should Peritoneal Re-Approximation Be Performed After Transperitoneal Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy?

Background: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of peritoneal re-approximation or non-approximation on the postoperative course of patients at the end of transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (tRARP). It is also aimed to examine the relationship between peritoneal re-approximation or non-approximation and drain removal time, need for analgesics, passage of flatus, and length of hospital stay. Methods: A total of 247 patients who underwent tRARP by 2 different experienced surgeons were included in the study. At the end of the tRARP procedure, 1 surgeon performed peritoneal re-approximation (Group 1, n = 108), whereas the other performed peritoneal non-approximation (Group 2, n = 139). The effect of the procedures on drain removal time, passage of flatus, need for analgesics, and length of hospital stay were compared between the groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of preoperative parameters including age, body mass index, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels (P > .05) (P = .622, P = .126 and P = .591, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of comorbidity, Gleason score, clinical stage, and lymph node dissection (P = .086, P = .344, P = .318, P = .587, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of drain removal time, need for analgesics, passage of flatus, and length of hospital stay (P = .095, P = .142, P = 95, P = .389, respectively). Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate any additional postoperative benefit of peritoneal re-approximation. It has been shown that peritoneal re-approximation has no effect on the length of hospital stay, the need for pain relievers, and passage of flatus, drain duration, day. Therefore, we do not recommend re-approximation of the peritoneum.

Association between the androgen levels and erectile function, cognitive functions and hypogonadism symptoms in aging males.

PURPOSE: Aging in men is characterized by a moderate decrease in plasma testosterone (T) levels. However, the association between partial androgen deficiency of the aging male and clinical symptoms and the ideal screening test are controversial. In this study, we investigated the association between the androgen levels and erectile function, cognitive functions and hypogonadism symptoms in aging males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the association between total (TT), calculated free (FT) and bioavailable (BT) testosterone, and various clinical and laboratory parameters in 103 healthy males, 50-80 years old. Biochemical assessment was done after overnight fasting. Questionnaires were used to test for hypogonadism symptoms, erectile and cognitive functions. RESULTS: TT levels were not correlated with aging in this study. However, FT and BT were found to decrease with age due to rising sex hormone binding globulin. TT levels were strongly correlated with FT and BT levels (respectively p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001). TT, FT and BT were only correlated with cognitive functions (p = 0.012, p = 0.004, p = 0.02 respectively). There was no correlation between TT, FT and BT levels and erectile function and hypogonadism symptoms. CONCLUSION: T values in our study sample did not correlate with clinical signs and symptoms of hypogonadism. Thus, according to our data, symptoms in the aging male should not be indiscriminately assigned to a decrease in TT, FT or BT levels.

Comparison of a Visual Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score: A Prospective Multicenter Study and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry parameters in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with literature review. METHODS: Patients were pooled from 4 different urology clinics in Turkey and divided into 3 groups according to their educational level. The scores of IPSS and the VPSS questionnaire, assistance requirement, and completion time of the questionnaires were recorded. Maximum flow rate (Qmax) and average flow rate (Qave) were determined with uroflowmetry test and the results are recorded. RESULTS: A total of 342 patients were evaluated (group 1, n = 168; group 2, n = 108; group 3, n =66). Median age of all groups was 61 (40-89). There was a significantly higher rate of the completion of VPSS than IPSS without assistance in total (P < .001). Educational level was not found as an independent factor with assistance requirement to complete VPSS while university educational level was found as an independent factor to complete IPSS (odds ratio = 9.735, P < .001).There was a significantly lower completion time for VPSS in all groups when compared to IPSS (P < .001 for all groups). Significant positive correlations were found between VPSS and IPSS questions (P < .001). There were significant negative correlations between total score and weak stream question of VPSS and Qmax and Qave, separately (P < .001). CONCLUSION: VPSS can be more practical than IPSS to evaluate LUTS in men with low educational levels and/or in large populations. Some modifications are needed to increase the availability of VPSS.

Diagnostic Value of Plasma Pentraxin3- Level For Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual dysfunction described as the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis adequate for sexual intercourse, and its prevalence increases with age. Seen as a common sexual disorder worldwide, organic causes are the underlying reason for 80 percent of ED cases, with the most characteristic pathology responsible for organic ED being atherosclerosis. This study investigates the diagnostic value of plasma PTX-3 levels in arterial ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included a total of 45 patients who were admitted to the urology and cardiologyoutpatient clinics of the Medical Faculty of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) and consented to participate in this study. Patients were categorized into three equal groups in number: (1) patients with ED diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) (15 patients in total); (2) patients with ED not having coronary artery disease or any other equivalent diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia) (15 patients in total);and (3) ordinary patients with no ED (15 patients in total). An interview was conducted at the andrology polyclinic with each patient in order to ascertain detailed information on their medical and sexual history and on demographic characteristics. All patients were also administered the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. RESULT: The findings from this study investigating the diagnostic value of plasma PTX-3 levels in ED were statistically significant for two comparisons: the differences between the peripheral blood and cavernous blood values of the patient groups (group 1 and 2) and the control group (group 3), and the differences between the peripheral blood and cavernous blood values of group 2 (patients with ED who do not have CAD) and the control group (group 3). CONCLUSION: As PTX-3 is more specific than the formerly recognized biochemical markers in endothelial dysfunction, it can be used in the diagnosis of vascular originated ED.

Comparison of effects of alpha receptor blockers on endothelial functions and coagulation parameters in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of alpha receptor blockers used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on endothelial functions, coagulation parameters, and arterial blood pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred fifteen patients admitted to the treatment protocol because of symptomatic BPH were included in this prospective study. Patients were given the following treatments: doxazosin 4 mg/d (n = 25), terazosin 5 mg/d (n = 26), alfuzosin 10 mg/d (n = 26), tamsulosin 0.4 mg/d (n = 21), and observation (n = 17). All cases were evaluated before treatment and in the 12th week of treatment, according to biochemical parameters, endothelial functions, and arterial blood pressure. Biochemical parameters were bleeding time, coagulation time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and free PSA. Endothelial functions were evaluated with ultrasonography of the brachial artery. RESULTS: When coagulation tests were evaluated, there were significant increases in bleeding and coagulation times in the groups using doxazosin and terazosin. Doxazosin and terazosin lowered arterial blood pressure significantly compared with other treatments. With regard to effects on endothelial function, there were significant differences in flow-mediated dilation rates of the brachial artery at 60 and 90 seconds before and during treatment in the alfuzosin and terazosin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha receptor blockers can decrease the risk of cardiovascular complications by both reducing platelet aggregation and protecting endothelial functions in patients with prostatic hyperplasia. The only drug with a favorable effect in all 4 areas of interest, including BPH symptoms, blood pressure, platelet aggregation, and endothelial functions, was terazosin.