Easily accessible, up-to-date and standardised training model in Urology: E-Learning Residency training programme (ERTP).

OBJECTIVES: There is no standardised and up-to-date education model for urology residents in our country. We aimed to describe our National E-learning education model for urology residents. METHODOLOGY: The ERTP working group; consisting of urologists was established by the Society of Urological Surgery to create E-learning model and curriculum in April 2018. Learning objectives were set up in order to determine and standardise the contents of the presentations. In accordance with the Bloom Taxonomy, 834 learning objectives were created for a total of 90 lectures (18 lectures for each PGY year). Totally 90 videos were shot by specialised instructors and webcasts were prepared. Webcasts were posted at uropedia.com.tr, which is the web library of the Society of Urological Surgery. The satisfaction of residents and instructors was evaluated with feedbacks. An assessment of knowledge was measured with the multiple-choice exam. RESULTS: A total of 43 centres and 250 urology residents were included in ERTP during the academic year 2018/2019. There were 93/55/43/34/25 urology residents at 1st/2nd/3rd/4th and 5th year of residency, respectively. Majority of the residents (99.1%) completed the ERTP. The overall satisfaction rate of residents and instructors were 4.29 and 4.67 (min: 1 so bad, max: 5 so good). An assessment exam was performed to urology residents at the end of the ERTP and the mean score was calculated as 57.99 points (min: 20, max: 82). CONCLUSION: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the educational programmes had to move online platforms. We used this reliable and easily accessible e-learning platform for the standardisation of training in urology on national basis. We aim to share this model with international residency training programmes.

The protective effects of tadalafil on renal damage following ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury can cause renal damage, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors are reported to regulate antioxidant activity. We investigated the prevention of renal damage using tadalafil after renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. A total of 21 adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven, including Group 1-control, Group 2-I/R, and Group 3-tadalafil + I/R group (I/R-T group) received tadalafil intraperitoneally at 30 minutes before ischemia. Inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity levels were evaluated, and histopathological changes and apoptosis in the groups were examined. Tadalafil decreased malondialdehyde levels in the I/R group and increased the total antioxidant capacity level. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings revealed that tadalafil decreased renal injury scores and the ratios of injured cells, as measured through apoptotic protease activating factor 1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels. We suggest that tadalafil has protective effects against I/R-related renal tissue injury.

Does skip metastasis or other lymph node parameters have additional effects on survival of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of lymph node metastasis, skip metastasis, and other factors related to lymph node status on survival in patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and extended lymph node dissection (eLND). MATERIALS AND METHODS: RC and eLND were performed in 85 patients with a diagnosis of bladder cancer. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by using a Cox proportional hazards model that included the number of excised lymph nodes, the presence of pathological lymph node metastasis, the anatomical level of positive nodes, the number of positive lymph nodes, lymph node density, and the presence of skip metastasis. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes removed per patient was 29.4±9.3. Lymph node positivity was detected in 85 patients (34.1%). The mean follow-up duration was 44.9±27.4 months (2-93 months). Five-year estimated OS and DFS for the 85 patients were 62.6% and 57%, respectively. Three of 29 lymph node-positive patients (10.3%) had skip metastasis. Only lymph node positivity had a significant effect on 5-year OS and DFS (p<0.001). No difference in OS and DFS was found between the three patients with skip metastasis and other lymph node-positive patients. Other factors related to lymph node status had no significant effect on 5-year OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: No factors related to lymph node status predict DFS and OS, except for lymph node positivity. OS and DFS were comparable between patients with skip metastasis and other lymph node-positive patients.

Significance of the interval between first and second transurethral resection on recurrence and progression rates in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with maintenance intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of the interval between the initial and second transurethral resection (TUR) on the outcome of patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with maintenance intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of patients from 10 centres treated for high-risk NMIBC between 2005 and 2012. Patients without a diagnosis of muscle-invasive cancer on second TUR performed ≤90 days after a complete first TUR, and received at least 1 year of maintenance BCG were included in this study. The interval between first and second TUR in addition to other parameters were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of recurrence and progression. RESULTS: In all, 242 patients were included. The mean (sd, range) follow-up was 29.4 (22.2, 12-96) months. The 3-year recurrence- and progression-free survival rates of patients who underwent second TUR between 14 and 42 days and 43-90 days were 73.6% vs 46.2% (P < 0.001) and 89.1% vs 79.1% (P = 0.006), respectively. On multivariate analysis, the interval to second TUR was found to be a predictor of both recurrence [odds ratio (OR) 3.598, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.885-8.137; P = 0.001] and progression (OR 2.144, 95% CI 1.447-5.137; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The interval between first and second TUR should be ≤42 days in order to attain lower recurrence and progression rates. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the effect of the interval between first and second TUR on patient outcomes.

The cutoff level of free/total prostate specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratios in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: a validation study on a Turkish patient population in different age categories.

We investigated an optimal cutoff level of free/total PSA ratios (f/t PSA) in predicting prostate cancer in different age groups, focusing on the avoidance of unnecessary prostate biopsies. A total of 4955 men were enrolled into the study. Serum tPSA, fPSA, and f/t PSA ratios were determined for the study population. All males who had suspicious digital rectal examination and tPSA > 4 ng/mL underwent transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each group were generated by plotting the sensitivity versus 1-specificity for the f/t PSA ratio. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were obtained using various f/t PSA ratio cutoffs for different age groups. There were 657 patients with a PSA level of 4-10 ng/mL. According to sensitivity and specificity f/t% PSA cutoff points were determined to be 10%, 15%, 15%, and 10% in 50-59 years, 60-69 years, >70 years, and all ages categories, respectively, in patients with initial PSA level of 4-10 ng/mL. f/t PSA ratio had an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.81 (95% confidence level: 0.80-0.82) for all age groups in detecting prostate cancer. f/t PSA ratio has an AUC value of 0.669 (0.632-0.705) in detecting prostate cancer among patients with a PSA level of 4-10 ng/mL. Ten percent of f/t PSA ratio had the highest specificity with PLR and 30% f/t PSA ratio had the highest sensitivity with lower NLR in the all-age categories. The current study shows that the use of f/t PSA ratio in patients with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL should enhance the specificity of PSA screening and decrease the number of unnecessary biopsies. The age-related changes warrant further investigation in a large, multicentric, and multinational population to improve the clinical use of f/t PSA cutoffs.

Identification of patients with microscopic hematuria who are at greater risk for the presence of bladder tumors using a dedicated questionnaire and point of care urine test--a study by the members of Association of Urooncology, Turkey.

In patients with microscopic hematuria there is a need for better identification of those who are at greater risk of harbouring bladder tumors. The RisikoCheck® questionnaire has a strong correlation with the presence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder and in combination with other available tests may help identify patients who require detailed clinical investigations due to increased risk of presence of bladder tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of RisikoCheck® questionnaire together with NMP-22® (BladderChek®) as a point-of-care urine test in predicting the presence of bladder tumors in patients presenting with microscopic hematuria as the sole finding. In this multi-institutional prospective evaluation of 303 consecutive patients without a history of urothelial carcinoma (UC), RisikoCheck® risk group assessment, urinary tract imaging and cystourethroscopy as well as urine cytology and Nuclear Matrix Protein-22 (NMP-22 BladderChek) testing were performed where available. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive values (PPV) for the risk adapted approach were calculated. All patients underwent cystoscopy, and tumors were detected in 18 (5.9%). Urine cytology and NMP-22 was positive for malignancy in 9 (3.2%) and 12 (7.5%) of patients, respectively. A total of 43 (14%) patients were in the high risk group according to the RisikoCheck® questionnaire. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire in detecting a bladder tumor was 61.5 % and 84.0 % in the high risk group. In patients with either a positive NMP-22 test or high risk category RisikoCheck®, 23.6% had bladder tumors with a corresponding sensitivity of 54.2% and specificity of 88.6%. If both tests were negative only 3.3% of the patients had bladder tumors. The results of our study suggest that the efficacy of diagnostic evaluation of patients with microscopic hematuria may be further enhanced by combining RisikoCheck® questionnaire with NMP-22.

Fournier's gangrene: overview of prognostic factors and definition of new prognostic parameter.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prognostic factors and the new parameters that might predict a worse outcome in nonsurvivors compared with survivors of Fournier's gangrene (FG) and evaluated the validity of the Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) in patients with FG. METHODS: The medical records of 18 patients with FG who were treated and followed up in our clinic were reviewed. Data were collected in terms of medical history, symptoms, and physical examination findings. The biochemical, hematologic, and bacteriologic study (aerobic and anaeorobic wound cultures) results at admission and at the final evaluation, the physical examination findings, the timing and extent of surgical debridement, and the antibiotic therapy were also recorded. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and FGSI were evaluated stratified by survival. RESULTS: The results were evaluated for 2 groups: those who survived (n = 14) and those who did not (n = 4). The admission FGSI score was 5.00 +/- 2.91 (range 0-10) for survivors compared with 13.5 +/- 2.62 (range 9-15) for nonsurvivors (P = .001). The CCI score was 3 +/- 1.5 in survivors and 7 +/- 2.2 in nonsurvivors (P = .008). Individual laboratory parameters such as hypomagnesemia, hemoglobin, hematocrit, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and the heart and respiratory rates were associated with a worse prognosis. In addition, a FGSI >9, rectal involvement, colostomy diversion, and a high CCI were associated with high mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Low magnesium levels might be a new parameter for a worse prognosis. High CCI and FGSI scores might be associated with a worse prognosis in patients with FG. A FGSI threshold of 9 was a predictor of mortality during the initial assessment.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of dexketoprofen and diclofenac during shockwave lithotripsy: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This prospective, randomized, and double-blind clinical study aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy of single-dose intramuscular (IM) injection of dexketoprofen (group DE) compared with single-dose IM injection of diclofenac (group DI) in patients who were undergoing shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 70 men with single renal or ureteral stones were randomly separated into two groups. The 40 men in group DI received 75 mg IM diclofenac sodium and 30 men in Group DE received 50 mg IM dexketoprofen trometamol 30 minutes before SWL. A 10-point visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain. RESULTS: The age, body mass index, and mean stone burden were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean visual analog scale score for group DE was statistically lower compared with the score for group DI (P = 0.02). In 34 (85%) of the 40 men in group DI, the SWL procedure was performed with no, minor, or tolerable pain. In group DE, however, 28 (93.3%) of 30 patients evaluated the pain severity as no, minor, or tolerable (p = 0.01). No major/minor adverse effects were observed in group DI, whereas in one patient in group DE, dyspepsia after injection was noticed (P = 0.423). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of SWL-related pain was significantly better tolerated with dexketoprofen trometamol. During an SWL procedure, the analgesic efficacy of dexketoprofen was greater than that of diclofenac sodium. Although statistically insignificant, a little increased risk for gastric irritation was noticed with dexketoprofen.

Vardenafil reduces testicular damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

We investigated the effect of intraperitoneal vardenafil (1 mg/kg) administration during an ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D). Twenty-one adult Wistar rats were equally randomized into a control group, a T/D group and a vardenafil group. The control group was designed to collect basal values for biochemical and histopathological parameters. The T/D group underwent testicular torsion for 1 hour. The vardenafil group received vardenafil (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 30 minutes after torsion. All rats were sacrificed 4 hours after reperfusion to evaluate the tissue levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status. Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated using the apoptosis protease activating factor 1 antibody in all groups. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and inducible NOS were also assessed in both testes of all rats. The malondialdehyde levels in the T/D group were significantly higher than in the control and vardenafil groups. There were also significant decreases in total antioxidant status in the T/D group compared with the control and vardenafil groups. Vardenafil treatment significantly reduced apoptosis protease activating factor 1, endothelial NOS and inducible NOS levels in the vardenafil group compared with the T/D group. Administration of 1 mg/kg vardenafil during testicular torsion decreased ischemia/reperfusion cellular damage. Our results indicate that the reduction in oxidative stress by vardenafil may play a major role in its cytoprotective effects.

eNOS gene intron 4 VNTR and exon 7-G894T polymorphisms in Turkish men with erectile dysfunction: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: The associations between the gene polymorphisms and erectile dysfunction (ED) are limited. AIM: To examine a potential association between variable number of tandem repeats (intron 4 VNTR), G894T polymorphisms, and ED in Turkish men. METHODS: Sixty-four men with ED and 82 healthy men as a control group were included in the study. The patients were evaluated by medical history, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), serum glucose, and lipid profiles. VNTR and G894T polymorphism were assessed by isolated DNA blood samples obtained from the patient group with ED and controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assesment of IIEF and VNTR and G894T polymorphism in the isolated DNA blood samples. RESULTS: Genotype distributions of endothelial nitric oxide syntase (eNOS) gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphisms in the patient group were similar to those in the healthy group (P > 0.05). The frequency of the eNOS gene intron 4 genotype was found as bb: 55 (67.1%), ab: 26 (31.7%), and aa: 1 (1.2%) in the controls and bb: 43 (67.2%), ab: 19 (29.7%), and aa: 2 (3.1%) in the patient group. The frequency of the G894T was found as gg: 61 (74.4%), gt: 21 (25.6%), and tt: 0 (0.0%) in the controls and gg: 32 (50.0%), gt: 27 (42.1%), and tt: 5 (7.8%) in the patient group (P = 0.002). The frequencies of the "t" allele were 21 (12.8%) in the control group and 37 (28.9%) in the patient group (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that G894T polymorphism was an independent risk factor for ED. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies between patients and controls for the G894T eNOS polymorphisms. The presence of 894T allele in carriers increased the risk of ED. No association was found between VNTR polymorphism and in patients with ED.

Successful repair of a bladder herniation after old traumatic pubic symphysis diastasis using bone graft and hernia mesh.

Bladder herniation associated with pubic symphysis diastasis is a very rare condition. We report a case with bladder herniation after traumatic pubic symphysis disruption. The patient was treated with open reduction of the bladder and definitive internal fixation of the pubis. We used a bone allograft for closure of the diastasis and a prolene mesh graft for supporting the abdominal wall. We obtained a successful outcome during a 12-month follow-up period.

Effects of ethanol on intracorporeal structures of the rat.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrated that acute in vitro exposure of corpus cavernosal tissue to ethanol decreased its response to field stimulation and pharmacological stimulation. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the ultrastructure of cavernosal smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen content. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen adult wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and tap water) and an alcoholic group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and 5% (v/v) ethanol in drinking water and by increasing the ethanol concentration for every week, at the end of 6th week 30% (v/v) ethanol concentration was attained. Same dose was given until 12th week. At the end of 12th week blood samples were obtained and the ethanol concentrations were determined. The cavernosal tissues were obtained and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that chronic ethanol exposure markedly decreased the content of smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen type 4. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that in this animal model chronic ethanol exposure decreases the percentage of staining for smooth muscle actin, elastin, and collagen type 4 which are the key structures fundamental for erection.

Effect of varicocelectomy on sperm creatine kinase, HspA2 chaperone protein (creatine kinase-M type), LDH, LDH-X, and lipid peroxidation product levels in infertile men with varicocele.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2 chaperone protein (creatine kinase-M isoform), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH-X activities, and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels in infertile men with varicocele and to examine the possible effect of varicocelectomy on these parameters. METHODS: Eighty-one men were enrolled in this study. The study population consisted of a control group (n = 25) and a varicocele group (n = 56). Of the 56 patients with varicocele, 26 underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy at our institution between July 2002 and July 2003. The standard semen parameters (sperm concentration and motility and Kruger morphology) and total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2, LDH, and LDH-X activities, and MDA levels were assessed in the control and varicocele groups. The differences were compared between the two groups. The same parameters were repeated at 6 months postoperatively in the varicocelectomy group and the preoperative and postoperative results were compared. RESULTS: The sperm concentration was significantly lower in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.01). The mean sperm HspA2 activities were significantly lower and the LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly greater in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found in the semen parameters in the varicocelectomy group preoperatively and postoperatively. Sperm HspA2 activities increased significantly after varicocelectomy compared with preoperatively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that sperm HspA2 activities are lower and LDH activities and MDA levels are greater in infertile men with varicocele. These data also suggest that varicocelectomy increases HspA2 activities in these patients.

The effects of sildenafil on ocular blood flow.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of sildenafil, a popular new drug in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, on ocular blood flow. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty participants with erectile dysfunction were given a single oral dose of 100 mg sildenafil, while 10 participants with erectile dysfunction were given placebo. All the participants underwent routine systemic and ophthalmological examinations. Intraocular pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and ocular blood flow (ophthalmic, central retinal, short posterior ciliary arteries) were measured in both eyes before and 1 hour after the dose of sildenafil or placebo. Ocular blood flow measurements were performed using colour Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: None of the parameters were significantly different between the groups before study drug intake. Although central retinal artery velocities were not changed, ophthalmic artery and short posterior ciliary artery peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and mean velocity values were significantly increased 1 hour after drug intake in the sildenafil group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sildenafil causes a significant increase in blood flow in these arteries. A possible role of inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 in vascular smooth muscles by sildenafil is implicated. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of sildenafil on ocular blood flow in patients with senile macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Relaxation incision and fascia lata grafting in the surgical correction of penile curvature in Peyronie's disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment of curvature in Peyronie's disease with a relaxation incision and fascia lata grafting. Between 2000 and 2002, this technique was used for 12 patients with a 1-year history of plaque and curvature of more than 35 degrees. Penile degloving was performed with a circumferential incision. The tunica defect was closed with fascia lata grafting after a relaxation incision. For all patients, penile curvature was corrected and normal erections were achieved. No complication was observed in 9 to 24 months (mean, 10 months) of follow-up monitoring. The initial results suggested that tunica albuginea incision and fascia lata grafting could represent an alternative for the treatment of curvature in Peyronie's disease. Further studies are warranted.

Fascia lata grafts for closure of secondary urethral fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of fascia lata graft in the repair of secondary urethral fistulas. Urethral fistulas may result from a complication of hypospadias repair. The treatment of urethral fistulas is quite challenging. METHODS: This technique was used in 8 patients between 2000 and 2002. All patients had undergone hypospadias repair and had recurrent fistula formation. A 2 x 2-cm fascia lata graft was harvested from the lateral aspect of the thigh. After repair of the fistula, the fascia lata graft was placed between the urethra and skin. The mean age of the patients was 8 years (range 5 to 13). RESULTS: During 8 to 22 months (average 11) of follow-up, no recurrence of urethral fistula was observed. No complications occurred, and patients were completely satisfied with the results. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the fascia lata graft can be used for the closure of urethral fistula secondary to hypospadias repair. Additional studies are warranted.

Penis agenesis associated with mental retardation: a case report.

Penile agenesis is an extremely rare anomaly, with a reported incidence ranging from 1 in 10 million to in 3 million births. There are only about 80 published cases. This report first describe of penile agenesis associated with mental retardation.