Can bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate be a better alternative to the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate?: A prospective comparative study.

ABSTRACT: To analyze the efficacy and safety between bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate (BipoLEP) and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP).One hundred twenty eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were recruited and divided into group 1 (BipoLEP group, n = 72) and group 2 (B-TURP group, n = 56). The study period was from October 2016 to February 2019. All data parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed.In these 2 groups, there were no significant differences of the mean ages (71.88 ±â€Š6.54 years vs 73.05 ±â€Š7.05 years, P = .407), prostate volumes (99.14 ±â€Š9.5 mL vs 95.08 ±â€Š10.93 mL, P = .302) and the mean operation times (93.7 ±â€Š27.5 minutes vs 89.8 ±â€Š22.4 minutes, P = .065). In BipoLEP group, it had more prostate tissue resected (64.2 ±â€Š22.1 g vs 52.7 ±â€Š28.6 g, P = .018), less duration of continuous bladder irrigation (20.7 ±â€Š6.5 hours vs 29.6 ±â€Š8.3 hours, P = .044), shorter catheterization time (4.3 ±â€Š1.5 days vs 5.6 ±â€Š2.1 days, P = .032), shorter hospitalization stay (5.2 ±â€Š1.4 days vs 6.5 ±â€Š1.9 days, P = .031) and less complications (3 cases vs 9 cases, P = .021). There were significant improvements in 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life in each group (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of preoperative and 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life between these 2 groups (P > .05).BipoLEP can produce a more radical prostatic resection with better safety profile and faster postoperative recovery. It may become a more favorable surgical alternative to the B-TURP, especially for the prostate larger than 80 g.

Catheter-associated bacterial flora in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: shift in antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

BACKGROUND: Men with urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are prone to genitourinary infections. Physicians should be aware of the current antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in this population if empirical treatment is needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate variations in prevalence, composition and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial flora in men with indwelling catheters subjected to surgery for BPH in chosen time periods since 1994. Necessary changes in empirical therapy were also assessed. METHODS: All patients with indwelling catheters admitted to a single urological center for BPH surgery in the years 1994-1996, 2004-2006, and 2011-2015 were considered. Catheterization times and results of urine cultures from samples collected at admission were evaluated. Susceptibility for selected antimicrobials was compared separately for Gram negative and Gram positive species. For each agent and for their combinations effectiveness of empirical therapy was calculated dividing the number of patients with bacteriuria susceptible to the agents by the total number of patients with bacteriuria. RESULTS: Bacteriuria was present in 70% of 169, 72% of 132, and 69% of 156 men in the respective time periods. The incidence of Gram-positive strains increased from 10 to 37% (P < 0.001). Their susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate was fluctuating (81, 61, 77%; P=NS). No vancomycin-resistant strain was present. Gram-negative flora composition was stable. Their susceptibility decreased to ciprofloxacin (70 to 53%; P = 0.01) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (56 to 37%; P < 0.01) while it increased to gentamycin (64 to 88%; P < 0.001) and co-trimoxazole (14 to 62%; P < 0.001); susceptibility to amikacin remained high (> 85%). Only two cases of resistance to carbapenems in 2004-2006 were found. In vitro effectiveness of amikacin + amoxicillin/clavulanate in empirical therapy was slowly decreasing (87 to 77%; P=NS). Imipenem was found the most effective single agent (90-95%) and its efficacy was even improved by adding vancomycin (97-98%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial rise in the incidence of Gram-positive species and fluctuations in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were found. Empirical therapy of genitourinary infection in catheterized men with BPH should now involve antimicrobial agents effective both to Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae. Periodic monitoring and publishing data on antimicrobial susceptibility for this population is necessary.

Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the femoral vein in electrophysiological procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: In an effort to minimize periprocedural stroke risk, increasingly, electrophysiological (EP) procedures are being performed on anticoagulation. The decrease in stroke has been accompanied by an increase in potentially devastating vascular access complications. Ultrasound guidance for femoral vein cannulation reduces complications in other applications. The aim of this study is to determine the utility of real-time two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound guidance for femoral vein cannulation in EP. METHODS AND RESULTS: A comprehensive literature search of Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed. Five years of conference abstracts from the Heart Rhythm Society, European Heart Rhythm Association, and European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society were reviewed. Two independent reviewers identified trials comparing ultrasound-guided with standard cannulation in EP procedures. Data were extracted on study design, study size, operator and patient characteristics, use of anticoagulation, vascular complication rates, first-pass success rate, and inadvertent arterial puncture. Four trials, with a total of 4065 subjects, were included in the review, with 1848 subjects in the ultrasound group and 2217 subjects in the palpation group. Ultrasound guidance for femoral vein cannulation was associated with a 60% reduction of major vascular bleeding (relative risk, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.91). Additionally, there was a 66% reduction in minor vascular complications (relative risk, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.78). CONCLUSION: The use of real-time 2D ultrasound guidance for femoral vein cannulation decreases access-related bleeding rates and life-threatening vascular complications.

Efficacy of ethanol locks to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections for home parenteral nutrition pediatric patients: comparison of therapeutic treatment with prophylactic treatment.

PURPOSE: Children with intestinal failure (IF) requiring central venous catheters (CVCs) often experience frequent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), which is a serious and life-threatening complication. To reduce the incidence of CRBSI, prophylactic ethanol lock therapy (ELT) was initiated. METHODS: Patients with IF received home parenteral nutrition via a silicone tunneled CVC. All of them had received therapeutic ELT from January 2009 (first period) and prophylactic ELT from December 2012 (second period). Prophylactic ELT refers to ethanol lock for 2 h during the monthly hospital visit. We compared the CRBSI rate and number of CVC replacements between both periods. RESULTS: Four patients received 19 CVCs for a total of 5623 catheter days. In the first period, there were 12 CRBSIs in 1823 catheter days (rate 6.77 per 1000 catheter days). In the second period, there were 9 CRBSIs in 3800 catheter days (rate 3.13 per 1000 catheter days). Overall, the rate of CVC replacement decreased from 4.92 to 1.72 per 1000 catheter days (p = 0.04). No adverse reactions were experienced during ethanol instillation. CONCLUSION: Monthly prophylactic ELT for IF patients is considered to be a safe and effective modality for reducing the replacement of CVCs due to CRBSIs.

[Catheterization and fungal infection risk in the University Hospital of Tlemcen: epidemiology and susceptibility to antifungals]. / Cathétérisme et risque infectieux fongique au centre hospitalo-universitaire de Tlemcen: épidémiologie et sensibilité aux antifongiques.

Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and are frequently associated with the implantation of vascular catheters, especially in immune-compromised patients. Unfortunately, the therapeutic arsenal available for the treatment of these infections, caused generally by the yeasts of the genus Candida is still limited because of the toxicity and/or of the emergence of resistance against some antifungal agents. That is why we have undertaken this study, which is to determine the incidence and the degree of sensitivity of Candida spp., isolated from peripheral venous catheters at the University Hospital of Tlemcen (Algeria) to caspofungin and amphotericin B. The results show that the rate of colonization of vascular catheters was 19 % by yeasts of Candida spp., of which 60 % are Candida parapsilosis, 20 % Candida albicans, 14.3 % Candida glabrata and 5.7 % Candida famata. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for amphotericin B are between 0.5 and 2 µg/mL and for caspofungin, they are between 0.125 and 2 µg/mL.

Femoral vein thrombosis after right-sided electrophysiological procedures.

PURPOSE: Electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency catheter ablations require single or multiple sheath placements through femoral vein cannulation. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following such procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 220 consecutive patients with a median age of 70 [60-79] years. The median duration of the procedures from insertion to removal of sheaths was 45 [30-75] min. At least two sheaths were inserted in 158 (72%) of the cases. Duplex ultrasonography evaluation of the lower leg veins was performed 6 h after the procedure and revealed common femoral vein thrombosis in 11 (5%) patients. All thrombi were partial and none was complete. Thrombi were mobile in four patients and extended to the external iliac vein in three patients. None of the patients presented with clinical signs of DVT or pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulation was prescribed for 2-4 weeks and a follow-up duplex ultrasonography obtained in the first seven patients revealed complete resolution of thrombi in all cases. On multivariate analysis, two predictors of thrombosis occurrence were identified: a greater sum of sheath diameters (odds ratio, 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.60] per 1-French increase; p < 0.001) and a longer procedural duration (odds ratio, 1.02 [95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.04] per 1-min increase; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic femoral DVT occur in 5% of electrophysiological studies and right-heart radiofrequency catheter ablations, particularly when large sheaths are inserted for a longer period. The role of anticoagulation in this clinical setting warrants further evaluation.

Retention balloon catheters and barium enemas: attitudes, current practice and relative safety in the UK.

Balloon catheters have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality leading some to believe they should be banned, yet others find them both useful and safe if used properly. Questionnaires were sent to all Consultant Radiologists in the UK to document current practice. Particular attention focused on whether eight safety aspects are considered during their use. In this entirely retrospective study complications with both balloon and standard tip catheters were recorded during the 3-year-period 1992 to 1994 to assess their relative safety. Twenty-two percent of UK Radiologists routinely used a rectal balloon. This was not associated with any increase in mortality, but extraperitoneal rectal perforation was increased by a factor of 2.5. The routine use of retention balloon catheters may not be justified.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy for the treatment of cardiac tamponade and large pericardial effusions: description of technique and report of the first 50 cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the technique, clinical characteristics and results of the first 50 patients undergoing percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy as part of a multicenter registry. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy involves the use of a percutaneous balloon dilating catheter to create a nonsurgical pericardial window. METHODS: Patients eligible for percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy had either cardiac tamponade (n = 36) or a moderate to large pericardial effusion (n = 14). In addition to clinical follow-up, serial echocardiograms and chest X-ray films were obtained. RESULTS: The procedure was considered successful in 46 patients after a mean follow-up period of 3.6 +/- 3.3 months. Two patients required an early operation, one for bleeding from a pericardial vessel and one for persistent pericardial catheter drainage. Two patients required a late operation for recurrent tamponade. Minor complications of the procedure included fever in 6 of the first 37 patients (studied before the prophylactic use of antibiotic agents), thoracentesis or chest tube placement in 8 and a small spontaneously resolving pneumothorax in 2. Despite the short-term success of this procedure, the long-term prognosis of the 44 patients with malignant pericardial disease remained poor (mean survival time 3.3 +/- 3.1 months). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is successful in helping to manage large pericardial effusions, particularly in patients with a malignant condition. It may become the preferred treatment to avoid a more invasive procedure for patients with pericardial effusion and a limited life expectancy.

[The balloon dilatation of esophageal stenoses]. / Dilatarea cu balon a stenozelor esofagiene.

A number of 55 balloon dilatations were performed on 23 patients with oesophageal stenoses of various aetiologies. Among these, 22 displayed benign stenoses and only 1 case had a malignant aetiology. The number of dilatations per patient varied from 1 to 3. In the evaluation of the results, only the clinical criterion was taken into account, the radiological examination and the oesophageal passage scintigram being inconclusive in the respect. The balloon dilatation was successfully performed in 96% of patients. In the long-term follow-up, 82.4% of the patients with benign stenoses benefitted from this therapeutic procedure. In some patients it was necessary to repeat dilatation. The asymptomatic free interval was on the average of 11.5 months. It is concluded that the balloon dilatation is a simple, safe and readily applicable therapeutic method, that may be successfully used in the treatment of oesophageal stenoses of various aetiologies, allowing in most cases to avoid the surgical intervention.

Does balloon dilatation and anal sphincter training improve ileoanal-pouch function?

Although patients' satisfaction may be high after restorative proctocolectomy the functional results are still far from perfect. Increased bowel frequency and imperfection in continence are common. Pouch volume and anal sphincter status are important determinants for the outcome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if balloon dilatation of the pouch and sphincter biofeedback training might improve the results. Forty patients with an ileo-pouch anal anastomosis were randomized into a control and a treatment group. During the interval with a diverting ileostomy, patients in the latter group were subjected to balloon dilatation of the pouch and sphincter biofeedback training by using a manovolumetric technique. All patients were functionally assessed and anorectal manovolumetry performed preoperatively and at regular intervals postoperatively. Follow-up time was at least 12 months. Immediately before ileostomy take down patients in the treatment group showed a significant initial increase in pouch compliance compared with controls. However, a rapid and pronounced increase in pouch volume occurring after ileostomy closure in the control group equalized this initial difference. Anal resting tone and maximum squeezing capacity were at all intervals similar in the two groups. Bowel frequency per 24 h was similar and mucus soiling occurred to a similar extent in both groups, and the overall functional result as assessed according to a scoring system was equal at each interval. Balloon dilatation of the pouch and sphincter exercises appear not to be essential measures in these patients.