Non-infected penile prosthesis cultures during revision surgery; comparison between antibiotic coated and non - coated devices.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study is to investigate bacterial growth on non-infected devices and compare antibiotic-coated and non-coated implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 71 patients who underwent revision surgeries for penile prosthesis between 1995 and 2013 were reviewed. Of those, 31 devices were antibiotic-coated prostheses, while 40 of the implants were non-coated. Swab cultures were routinely obtained from corporal, pump or reservoir site during the operation. If a bacterial biofilm was determined on the prosthesis, it was also cultured. RESULTS: A total of 5 different organisms were cultured from 18 patients. Of them, 4 devices were antibiotic-coated and the other 14 were non-coated devices. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common organism, while Staphylococcus hominis, beta hemolitic streptococcus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis were also cultured. All patients who had positive cultures were treated with appropriate antibiotics for four weeks postoperatively. Median follow-up time was 41 months, ranging between 8 and 82 months. One prosthesis (non-coated) became clinically infected in the follow-up period with a totally different organism. Culture positivity rates of antibiotic-coated and non-coated devices were 13% and 35% respectively and the result was significant (p=0.00254). CONCLUSIONS: Positive bacterial cultures are present on non-infected penile prostheses at revision surgeries in some of the patients. Antibiotic coated prostheses have much less positive cultures than non-coated devices.

Persistent very high output lymphatic drainage after radical nephrectomy successfully treated with surgical management.

Persistent lymphatic drainage is uncommon after most of the surgical operations. It is related with mechanical, nutritional and immunological problems as well as electrolyte imbalance and protein deficiency. It is most commonly seen in retroperitoneal surgeries including abdominal aortic surgery and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Conservative management is the first treatment choice and resolves the problem in most cases. However persistent high output drainage may not be resolved with conservative approach and surgical or invasive treatment may become necessary. Additionally, surgical management of persistent lymphatic drainage has not been sufficiently discussed in the literature. In this study, we present a case of persistent very high output lymphatic drainage after right radical nephrectomy which failed with conservative approach and was successfully treated with surgical management.

Protective effects of pentoxifylline on cigarette smoking-induced renal tissue damage in rats.

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of pentoxifilline (PTX) on smoking-induced damage in rat kidney tissues. Twenty-seven male Wistar rats were used in the study. Animals were divided into three equal groups as follows: Group 1: control group with only normal saline (NS; 0.9% NaCl) injection for 8 weeks; Group 2: cigarette smoking and NS injection for 8 weeks; and Group 3: cigarette smoking and PTX injection for 8 weeks. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and their kidneys were excised for histopathological analysis. Serial paraffin sections (5 µm) of the kidneys were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to assess apoptosis. Glomerular diameters, glomerular cell number and proximal tubule cell numbers were compared between the groups. Our results showed that PTX treatment prevented negative effects of smoking in rat kidneys. There was a statistically significant difference in all assessed parameters between Group 2 and other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study shows that PTX treatment is effective in preventing the negative effects of cigarette smoking on kidneys by inhibiting cell damage with its antioxidant properties.

Inguinal orchiectomy for the extra testis with suspected tumor in a polyorchidic patient: a case report.

A 29-years-old male patient presented with complaint of the small size of his left testicle. The physical examination revealed a normal right testicle with 15 cc volume, a small left testicle (5 cc) and a 4 cc mass under the left testicle, which was thought to be a spermatocele. Ultrasonographic imaging was performed and the mass was defined as a third testicle with a heterogenic epididymis. Scrotal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis. An inguinal exploration was performed, which resulted in a left orchiectomy and biopsy of the superior left testicle. The pathologic examination revealed hyperplasia with microcystic changes in the orchiectomy specimen and severe hypospermatogenesis in the biopsy sample. There were no significant changes in semen analysis after the operation.

Preventive effect of intravesical ozone supplementation on n-methyl-n-nitrosourea-induced non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in male rats.

Although non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is widely seen in men, most laboratory studies of new intravesical therapies to prevent NMIBC have been conducted on female animals. In addition, ozone (O3) has been shown to be a beneficial agent as an intravesical application in the treatment of various disorders. In the current study, we evaluated the immunohistopathological and oxidative-antioxidative effects of intravesical O3 treatment on n-methyl-n-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced NMIBC. Male Wistar-Albino rats (n=51) were divided into four groups: sham (n=6), O3 only (n=15), MNU only (n=15), and MNU+O3 (n=15). The MNU-only and MNU+O3 groups received MNU, and the O3-only group received saline every other week for 10 weeks. The MNU-only group received 1 ml saline in place of O3 treatment, whereas the O3-only and MNU+O3 groups were treated with 1 ml 25 µg/ml O3 between the 7th and 12th weeks. Rat bladders were collected in the 15th week for immunohistopathology and oxidant-antioxidant quantitation. Oxidant-antioxidant parameters were determined by ELISA. Although all surviving rats in the MNU-only group had preneoplastic (4/11, 36.4%) or neoplastic changes (7/11, 63.6%), a completely normal urothelium was observed in 2 rats (2/12, 16.7%) in the MNU+O3-group (P=0.478). More high-grade lesions were observed in the MNU-only group (4/11, 36.4%) than in the MNU+O3 group (1/12, 8.3%) (P=0.120). All oxidant-antioxidant parameters significantly increased (P<0.05) in the O3-only group compared with the sham group. However, only antioxidant superoxide dismutase was remarkably higher (178.9%, P=0.060) in the MNU+O3 group compared with the MNU-only group. This is the first methodologically and pathologically well-described male rat orthotopic bladder carcinogenesis model with intravesical MNU and administration of O3 in NMIBC.

Management of recurrent bulbar urethral stricture-a 54 patients study with Allium bulbar urethral stent (BUS).

The Allium Bulbar Urethral Stent (BUS) is a fully covered, self-expandable, large caliber metal stent specially designed for the treatment of bulbar urethra strictures. The stent is intended for a long term use for the purpose of opening the occluded urethral passage and to allow spontaneous urination. This study objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of temporary placement of the Allium BUS stent. This was a prospective study in 54 men with recurrent benign urethral stricture conducted during 2009 to 2012. All men underwent an internal urethrotomy or dilatation procedure followed by an endoscopic stent placement. Clinical success was achieved in 44 (81.4%) of the 54 patients. No patient reported discomfort at the stent site. 2 stents migrated distally. 1 stent was occluded. All stents were removed in a mean time of 8.8 (range 3-18) months following implantation. This experience with the Allium BUS for treating urethral strictures suggests that it is safe and reliable treatment modality.

Affective Temperament Profiles of Overactive Bladder Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) is generally characterized by urinary urgency with or without incontinence and increased frequency of voiding and nocturia. Although animal studies have demonstrated the relationship between defective serotonergic neurotransmission and OAB, its etiology is still unclarified. Temperament profiles are hypothesized to be related with serotonergic activity and are studied in many psychosomatic disorders. Thus, we assume that OAB is related with a certain type of temperament. METHOD: 29 patients, who were admitted to the urology outpatient clinic at Kocaeli University and clinically diagnosed with OAB syndrome, were recruited for the study. Temperament profiles were evaluated with the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis Pisa Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). Depressive, hyperthymic, cyclothymic, anxious and irritable temperament scores in patients were compared with those in 25 healthy controls. RESULTS: Patient and control groups were similar in terms of age (p=.65), sex (p=.64) and educational level (p=.90). Anxious temperament scores were higher (p=.02) and hyperthymic temperament scores were lower (p=.02) in patients with OAB compared to controls. Depressive, cyclothymic and irritable temperament scores were similar in both groups. There was no significant differences between men and women in both groups in terms of different temperament profile scores. CONCLUSION: Hypothetically, there might be an association between anxious temperament and OAB syndrome reflecting serotonergic dysfunction. However, OAB syndrome must be considered from the aspect of the interdependence of psychosomatic implications in a narrow sense and psychosomatic dimensions due to the psychological predisposition in the individual case.

Gross intraoperative evaluation (GIE): a reliable method for the evaluation of surgical margins at partial nephrectomy.

To determine the efficacy of a new method called by us as "gross intra-operative evaluation (GIE)" for the assessment of surgical margin (SM) status. A total of 26 consecutive patients operated with cT1a-b renal tumors at a single center were included in this study. After the excision, the tumors were uniformly divided into two halves in the longitudinal axis ex vivo. In this way, margins were exposed for GIE for the evaluation of the safety of SMs. Findings of GIE were compared with the permanent section analysis in terms of SM status. Mean patient age, tumor size and margin thickness was 59 (38-79), 3.1 (1.5-6) cm and 3.7 (0.1-12) mm, respectively. In all patients, GIE showed intact margins and none of the patients had positive SM in the final pathological examination. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis with a mean follow-up of 25 (4-104) months. All patients are alive. GIE of resected specimen without FS analysis is a safe and effective method for the evaluation of SMs in partial nephrectomy patients.

The role of empiric antibiotic treatment in preventing unnecessary prostate biopsies in asymptomatic patients with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml.

To evaluate exclusion of prostate cancer (PCa) by using empiric antibiotic treatment for patients with total prostate specific antigen (PSA) between 4-10 ng/ml. A hundred asymptomatic men with a PSA between 4-10 ng/ml and normal digital rectal examination (DRE) were enrolled in this randomized prospective study. The treatment group (n=50) was given 400 mg of ofloxacin daily for 4 weeks, whereas the control group (n=50) was followed without any treatment. At the end of the four weeks, repeat PSA were measured and all patients underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy, regardless of the repeat PSA levels. Totally 22 patients (22%) had prostate cancer (9 in treatment group and 13 in control group). A significant PSA decrease was observed in the treatment group at repeat PSA measurements (p=0.001). The PSA drop was also significantly more in patients without PCa than with PCa (p=0.028). In patients whose repeat PSA after antibiotic treatment decreased below 4 ng/ml, 2 times as many patients (16.6%) had PCa in the control group when compared with the treatment group (8.3%). On the other hand, in patients whose repeat PSA remained above 4 ng/ml, PCa was detected in 27.3% of the patients in the control group and 21% in the treatment group. Empirical antibiotic treatment in asymptomatic patients with a PSA level 4-10 ng/ml and a normal DRE may be used to select prostate biopsy candidates. Studies with higher number of patients may result in more powerful associations with narrower confidence intervals for increased confidence.

Angioleiomyoma of the scrotal wall.

Angioleiomyoma of the scrotum is a rare benign lesion which can mimic a paratesticular tumor. Any solid mass within the scrotum is considered malignant until proven otherwise. Here, we present a case of an angioleiomyoma of the scrotum in a 33-year-old male who presented with painful scrotal mass. Scrotal ultrasonography demonstrated a solid mass in the scrotum, and surgical excision was carried out. Pathologic examination revealed that the tumor was angioleiomyoma.

A new technique--"lipocorticoplasty"--for the closure of partial nephrectomy defects and its comparison with the standard technique.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a new technique that can easily be used as a tension-free practical alternative in closing the renal defects resulting after open partial nephrectomy (PN). METHODS: A new technique (called "lipocorticoplasty") where "wrapped fatty tissue" was placed in the tumor crater to close the renal defects that occur following PN is reported in 10 consecutive patients who underwent PN between May 2006 and January 2009 (Group I). Patients were compared with equal number of consecutive patients who underwent standard open PN before January 2009 (Group II) in terms of operative time, bleeding, tumor size, drain removal time, postoperative length of stay (PLOS), complications, and functional and oncological follow-up. Postoperative follow-up included physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiological screening at 3-month intervals for the first year, at 6-month intervals for the second year, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: Mean tumor size (35.2 vs. 33.8 mm), operative time (156 vs. 165 min), bleeding (650 vs. 765 cc), drain removal time (2.8 vs. 2.5 POD), and PLOS (4.4 vs. 4.2 POD) were not statistically different between Group I and Group II, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively, transient complications without any permanent sequela were observed in 3 (1 in Group I and 2 in Group II) patients. Mean follow-up time was 16.1 months (7-26) in Group I and 19.1 months (8-36) in Group II. None of the patients had local or systemic recurrence at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our new technique provides obvious benefits in local hemostasis, simplifies parenchymal suturing, obviates the need for coaptation of the edges of the tumor bed defect under tension, and minimizes nephron loss due to kinking and tearing of renal parenchyma in the closure of the renal defects following open renal tumor excision.

Non-infected penile prosthesis cultures during revision surgery; comparison between antibiotic coated and non - coated devices

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aim of this study is to investigate bacterial growth on non-infected devices and compare antibiotic-coated and non-coated implants. Materials and methods: The charts of 71 patients who underwent revision surgeries for penile prosthesis between 1995 and 2013 were reviewed. Of those, 31 devices were antibiotic-coated prostheses, while 40 of the implants were non-coated. Swab cultures were routinely obtained from corporal, pump or reservoir site during the operation. If a bacterial biofilm was determined on the prosthesis, it was also cultured. Results: A total of 5 different organisms were cultured from 18 patients. Of them, 4 devices were antibiotic-coated and the other 14 were non-coated devices. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common organism, while Staphylococcus hominis, beta hemolitic streptococcus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis were also cultured. All patients who had positive cultures were treated with appropriate antibiotics for four weeks postoperatively. Median follow-up time was 41 months, ranging between 8 and 82 months. One prosthesis (non-coated) became clinically infected in the follow-up period with a totally different organism. Culture positivity rates of antibiotic-coated and non-coated devices were 13% and 35% respectively and the result was significant (p=0.00254). Conclusions: Positive bacterial cultures are present on non-infected penile prostheses at revision surgeries in some of the patients. Antibiotic coated prostheses have much less positive cultures than non-coated devices.

Effects of anesthetics on cystometric parameters in female rats.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ketamine, propofol, midazolam and ether on cystometric parameters in rats. METHODS: Thirty adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups according to the agent used for the anesthesia; group 1: ether inhalation, group 2: midazolam, group 3: propofol and group 4: ketamine. After surgical implantation of catheter, cystometry was performed in awake rats followed by same procedure under anesthesia. Immediately following awake cystometry, six rats were anesthetized with midazolam (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.), seven rats were anesthetized with propofol (20 mg/kg) i.p., and 11 rats were anesthetized with ketamine (15 mg/kg) i.p. In other six rats, ether inhalation anesthesia was used after awake cystometry. Cystometric parameters such as resting bladder pressure, micturition pressure and the period between micturition were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant effect of ether and midazolam on cystometric parameters, compared to awake rats. Propofol was found to change all measured cystometric parameters without statistically significant difference. The period between micturition was clearly prolonged by propofol but it was also not statistically significant. Ketamine was found to be very depressant on micturition. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ether and midazolam are preferable to ketamine for anesthetized cystometry studies. The results were questionable for propofol, and further studies are needed to make it clear.

Effect of memantine on overactive detrusor in rats with spinal cord injury.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of memantine on overactive detrusor (OAD) 15 days after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Twenty-eight adult Wistar rats were used in this study. Fourteen animals served as normal controls, while 14 underwent spinal cord transection (clip compression technique) at the 10th thoracic vertebra. Fifteen days after SCI, all animals underwent urodynamic testing to confirm OAD. Memantine (16 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into rats with SCI and OAD. Parameters measured included voiding volume, micturition pressure, resting bladder pressure, the period between micturitions and the maximum pressure of the OAD during the filling period. Results have showed that OAD developed in 8/14 animals (57.1%). OAD was resolved in 5/8 (62.5%) of these animals after memantine administration. Resting bladder pressure was significantly different in dependent groups (p < 0.05). Micturition pressure increased after SCI but decreased in rats with SCI after memantine injection. However, the period between micturitions was prolonged in both SCI and memantine groups, compared with normal rats. These results show that memantine could be useful for treating neurogenic OAD after SCI by modulating the micturition reflex pathway. Memantine may also provide an alternative treatment option for OAD in the future.

The effect of asymptomatic urethral caruncle on micturition in women with urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of asymptomatic urethral caruncle (UC) on micturition in women suffering from urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 232 patients participated in the study. UC was diagnosed in 50 of 232 patients with urinary incontinence during a physical examination in our clinic. All cases were divided into 2 groups: UC combined with urinary incontinence (group 1) and urinary incontinence only (group 2). Urodynamic evaluations were performed according to the International Continence Society standards. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in terms of voiding diary, pad test and residual urine volume. Urodynamic studies revealed no significant difference between group 1 and 2 (infravesical obstruction: 6% vs. 4.4%; overactive detrusor: 44% vs. 42.9% respectively). The rates of severe IPSS (37.8% vs. 20.9%) and severe cystocele (20.9% vs. 13.8%) were numerically higher in group 1 with no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is no effect of asymptomatic UC on lower urinary tract symptoms in women with urinary incontinence. Therefore, treating asymptomatic UC is unnecessary in these patients. However, during incontinence surgery, it is the surgeon's decision whether to treat asymptomatic UC.