Clinical recommendations in the management of advanced prostate cancer: International Gastrointestinal, Liver and Uro-oncology (IGILUC 2019) experts.

PURPOSE: Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (PC) have rapidly progressed through the past years. Various factors should be taken into account while treating individual patients to ensure optimal and careful decision making. The purpose of this consensus review is to summarize the current practice patterns when managing patients with advanced prostate cancer (APC) as there is still a lack of or very limited evidence on its clinical management in some areas. METHODS: Pre-defined questions were shared with experts prior to the consensus session that took place in Cairo, Egypt in April 2019 during the 8th International gastrointestinal, liver and uro-oncology conference (IGILUC). Voting was based mainly on the expert opinions of the panel after a thorough discussion and review of available evidence from guidelines or best evidence available concerning the topic at hand. RESULTS: A strong consensus or unanimity was reached on 47% of the proposed questions. Notably, the panelists reached consensus on several topics based on high-level expert opinion. These findings contribute in several ways to our understanding of the management of PC and provide a basis for future recommendations. There was also a lack of consensus on other several topics, which suggests the need for further supporting data addressing these knowledge gaps. CONCLUSION: This review offers a thorough understanding of APC practice and offers insight on the various opinions shared amongst experts in the field that can serve as guidance regionally and deepens our understanding of disease management globally.

Evaluation of Tamsulosin 0.4 mg versus 0.8 mg in management of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and the safety of Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day and 0.8 mg/day in patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective interventional, double-blinded, controlled study was carried out on 93 patients who met the criteria and divided randomly into two groups: group A for Tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day and group B for Tamsulosin 0.8 mg/day. International prostate symptom score, post void residual urine volume, and maximum flow rate of urine were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Both study groups showed a significant reduction in storage sub-score but only frequency was significantly reduced in group B (P < 0.001). On the other hand, Tamsulosin 0.8 mg was superior to Tamsulosin 0.4 mg regarding voiding sub-score except for straining (P = 0.325). Accordingly, the total international prostate symptom score was significantly improved in group B versus group A (P < 0.001). Furthermore, maximum flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were notably improved in Group B as compared to Group A (P < 0.001). Of all adverse events only dizziness was noted to be statistically significant in Group B versus Group A (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tamsulosin 0.8 mg has shown better outcomes in treating patients who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement than Tamsulosin 0.4 mg, and besides that, it is well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: M S 292/2020, SID: 373, date: 22/4/2020.

Comparison Between Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Management of Large Renal Stones: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and standard PNL in management of renal stones (20-40 mm) with regard to the operative time, fluoroscopy time, blood loss, stone-free rate, and postoperative complications. Subjects and Methods: This prospective, randomized comparative study was carried out on 93 patients divided into two groups: Group A included 44 patients who underwent standard PNL, whereas Group B included 49 patients who underwent mini-PNL. Results: Standard PNL showed shorter operative time, yet longer hospitalization and nephrostomy and catheterization time. The mean drop in hemoglobin level was significantly lower in the mini-PNL group. In the 1st postoperative week, the stone-free rate was higher in the standard PNL group, but this was statistically insignificant. However, 4 weeks postoperatively, the stone-free rate was significantly higher in Group A. Postoperative pain and the need for postoperative analgesia were significantly higher in standard PNL patients. Conclusions: Standard PNL achieved a higher stone-free rate and shorter operative time, while mini-PNL had the advantage of shorter hospitalization time and lower incidence of pain and postoperative complications.

Short course of dutasteride in treatment of a refractory category IIIB chronic prostatitis (A placebo-controlled study).

Objective: To evaluate the short-term efficacy of Dutasteride in the management of chronic prostatitis (CP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Materials and methods: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study was conducted that including 50 patients diagnosed with CP based on the presence of pelvic pain for ≥3 months of the preceding 6 months. Patients were randomized into 2 equal groups to evaluate Dutasteride of 0.5 mg once daily that was given for 3 months compared to a placebo. Results: Forty-nine patients were evaluated after the follow-up period with no statistically significant difference in the perioperative demographic data. The mean age of the Dutasteride group was 48.3 (range 41-62) compared to a mean age of 46.5 (range 44-60) in the placebo group. There was a highly statistically significant improvement in the Dutasteride group compared to its preoperative parameters and the placebo compared group in the terms of pain, urinary scores, and total National Institutes of Health CP symptom score. Moderate and marked improvement in patients' symptomatology was seen in 56% of the dutasteride group, while only 8% in the dutasteride group failed to show an improvement with no significant side effects noted in our study. Conclusion: The short-term outcome of dutasteride therapy showed an improvement in the National Institutes of Health-CP symptom score compared to a placebo in the treatment of category IIIB CP. The trial was registered in the clinical trialgov registry with a registration number: NCT04756206.

Clinical and Urodynamic Findings Before and After Surgical Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between urodynamic findings and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) before and after surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with stage II or more anterior POP associated with LUTS and eligible for surgical repair of POP were included in this prospective study. All cases had clinical evaluation and urodynamic testing (UDS) before and 6 months after surgical repair of POP. RESULTS: Mean age was 45 ± 9 years. Mean BMI was 28 ± 6 kg/m2. Most cases were multiparous, had stage III cystocele (50/74, 68%), and an associating apical prolapse (37/74, 50%). Native tissue repair was done in 53/74 (72%) cases with a concomitant anti-incontinence procedure in 41/74 (55%) for overt (26/74, 35%) or occult (15/74, 20%) stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Preoperative UDS revealed detrusor overactivity (DO) in 19/56 (34%) patients of those presenting with storage LUTS and an obstructed detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate in 20/26 (77%) patients presenting with voiding LUTS. At the 6-month postoperative follow-up, 61/74 (82%) patients had marked improvement of their LUTS, SUI resolved in 39/41 (95%) patients and 1/33 (3%) patient developed de novo SUI. Preoperative DO and post-void residual urine volume were not related to the postoperative improvement, or persistence of LUTS. Meanwhile, detrusor underactivity was detected both on preoperative and postoperative UDS of 4 patients with persistent voiding LUTS. CONCLUSION: Patients had significant improvement in LUTS after POP surgery with or without an anti-incontinence procedure. Detrusor underactivity was associated with persistence of voiding LUTS. Meanwhile, preoperative DO and post-void residual urine volume were of limited prognostic value.

Rezum: a novel minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. A review article.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are one of the most common morbidities in elderly men, especially in aging societies. Minimally invasive surgical treatments (MISTs) for BPH have gained an increasing interest in the current time. Rezum system is a novel MIST that uses water vapour-based convective thermal therapy to ablate prostatic tissue. According to our evaluation of the existing literature, Rezum offers a meaningful relief of LUTS with a high safety profile without compromising the sexual activity especially to those who are unfit for surgery or to those who do not desire to continue on lifelong pharmacotherapy.

Preparation, characterization, and analysis of multi-walled carbon nanotube-based nanofluid: an aggregate based interpretation.

Nanofluids are gaining attention as an attractive solution for the sustainable machining of difficult-to-cut materials. Despite the enormous recent work in the literature, there are still contradictions concerning the effect of different preparation factors on the characteristics of nanofluids and the underlying mechanisms governing them. In the present study, the effect of varying the preparation factors, namely, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) concentration, sonication time, and surfactant amount on various nanofluid characteristics and the interactions among these characteristics were studied. The characteristics are divided into two categories: (a) dispersion/stability and (b) viscosity/wettability. The analysis showed strong interactions between these two categories which were mainly attributed to aggregates' formation and dynamics. For the stability/dispersion responses, the effect of aggregation and saturation phenomena is discussed in relation to the different preparation factors. Our analysis shows that the nanofluid viscosity is strongly dependent on aggregate morphology. As for wettability, a novel mechanism is proposed and used to explain the nanoparticles' influence on wettability based on the nanolayering theory. Finally, multi objective optimization (MOO) based on grey relational analysis (GRA) was performed. It was found that moderate MWCNT concentration, high sonication time, and low surfactant amount show the optimal characteristics within the current study design variables search domain. The novelty in the present study lies in its consideration of the simultaneous interaction between the nanofluids' properties and stability. Unlike the common practice in the literature, which focuses on one or two aspects of nanofluids, our approach broadens the analysis and provides in-depth insights into the nanofluid as a complete physical system.

Insertion of double J stent as a therapeutic test in management of adults presenting with loin pain and equivocal ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate temporary double J ureteric stenting (TDJS) as a test to diagnose ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in equivocal cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and nine consecutive adult patients with loin pain and ipsilateral equivocal UPJO (EqUPJO) on radioisotope diuretic renogram (RDR) were enrolled in the present study. All patients underwent TDJS for 3 weeks. According to the response (relief of pain) to TDJS, which was assessed by visual analogue pain score (VAPS), patient preference and further management, patients were classified into five groups: Group Ia non-responders who elected conservative treatment for their condition, Group Ib non-responders who elected intervention, Group IIa responders who elected conservative treatment and Group IIb responders who elected intervention. Last group patients were randomized to either early (Group IIb(1)) or delayed intervention 3 months later (Group IIb(2)). Intervention was in the form of pyeloplasty (24 patients) and endopyelotomy (38 patients). All patients were followed up by measuring VAPS and RDR. RESULTS: After at least 6 months from management decision, 97 patients were available for evaluation. The VAPS dropped by 21.25% (P < 0.001), 32% (P = 0.004), 2% (P = 0.6), 54% (P < 0.001) and 65% (P < 0.001) in groups Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb1, and IIb2, respectively. On the other hand the T (1/2) of RDR dropped significantly only in groups Ib, IIb1, and IIb2 by a mean of 6.5 min (P = 0.005), 8.02 min (P < 0.001), and 7.3 min (P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: TDJS in cases of EqUPJO with loin pain is helpful in defining cases suitable for intervention versus conservative treatment.

Could post-thyroidectomy bleeding be the clue to modify the concept of postoperative drainage? A prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To unveil the real effect of surgical drains on the outcomes of thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted at Abha Private Hospital, Saudi Arabia on 108 patients suffered from benign thyroid disorders undergoing elective thyroidectomy from 1 August 2015 to 28 February 2017. Patients were allocated randomly into drainage group (A) and non-drainage group (B). The demographic data, operation (type and duration), postoperative complications, histopathological results and length of stay were assessed, documented and statistically verified to check its significance. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were enrolled in the study; 94 females and 14 males with mean age of 38.02 years, two patients developed hematoma (1.85%); one in each group and another two patients had seroma with no significant difference between both groups, the mean length of stay was significantly higher in group (A) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This prospective study verified that routine drainage adds no significant advantage in the prevention of post-thyroidectomy bleeding, but it prolongs hospitalization. This aids in changing the concept from the "wide" use of drains into the "wise" use in selected patients with risk factors of bleeding.

Risk factors for the development of flank hernias and bulges following surgical flank approaches to the kidney in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for the development of flank incisional hernias or bulges following surgical flank approaches to the kidney. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 100 consecutive adult patients who underwent variable renal surgeries via flank approaches were included in this prospective study. The incidence and risk factors for flank hernias and bulges were studied at 1- and 6-months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, the incidence of flank bulge was 14% and for lumbar hernia was 10%. The univariate analysis showed 13 significant factors to be associated with the occurrence of a flank bulge or hernia following flank incisions. When the significant risk factors in the univariate analysis were studied by multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression analysis, four independent risk factors were identified. These were: body mass index (BMI) ≥26.3 kg/m2 (P = 0.04), the use of a self-retaining retractor during surgery (P = 0.02), not preserving or identifying the neurovascular bundle (NVB) during surgery (P = 0.028), and postoperative abdominal distention (P = 0.001). Moreover, all cases included in our study who underwent en masse wound closure, developed surgical wound infection or who had constipation developed postoperative flank bulge or hernia. CONCLUSION: High BMI, the use of self-retaining retractor, not identifying or preserving the NVB, postoperative abdominal distention, en masse wound closure, surgical wound infection, and constipation are significant risk factors associated with postoperative flank hernia and bulge.

Evaluation of the risk factors associated with the development of post-transurethral resection of the prostate persistent bacteriuria.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative risk factors that influence the development of persistent post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) urinary tract infection (UTI) defined as pyuria and/or bacteriuria remaining for 3 weeks after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study including 100 patients scheduled for TURP. Urine analysis and culture was performed immediately after catheter removal, then at 1 and 3 weeks postoperatively, and the results were correlated to various preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative potential risk factors to detect any significant relation to persistent UTI. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between bacteriuria and the following risk factors: old age, past history of diabetes mellitus, large prostatic size, positive preoperative urine analysis and culture, preoperative catheter use, previous urological interventions, large size of sheath, long duration of operation, postoperative catheter events and postoperative manual wash. CONCLUSIONS: Many risk factors have been found to contribute to the development of post-TURP UTI and avoiding these factors can enhance recovery of patients undergoing TURP.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of lower ureteric stones: Outcome and criteria for success.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for distal ureteric calculi (DUC) and to determine variables that could affect the outcome results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2004 and February 2008, 100 patients with a solitary DUC were treated with in situ ESWL using a lithotripter (Lithostar Plus, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). The outcome of treatment was evaluated after 3 months. The patients' clinical and radiological findings, as well as stone characteristics, were reviewed and correlated with the stone-free rate (SFR). RESULTS: After in situ ESWL, 84 patients (84%) were stone-free (after one session in 57 and after two in 27). From a univariate analysis only three factors had a significant impact on the SFR, i.e. the body mass index (BMI), stone length and stone width. The SFR was significantly lower in obese patients than in normal and overweight patients (P = 0.019). Stone width ⩾8 mm was associated with a SFR of 64% (14/22), compared with 89.7% (70/78) for those with a stone width of <8 mm (P = 0.007). The SFR was 86.8% (66/76) for a stone length of ⩽10 mm and 71% (17/24) for a stone length of >10 mm (P = 0.016). On multivariate analysis, BMI, stone width and stone length maintained their statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Primary in situ ESWL remains an effective and safe form of treatment for DUC. The length and transverse diameter of the stone, together with the BMI of the patient, were the only significant predictors of the overall success of ESWL.

Ureterocalicostomy for treatment of complex cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ureterocalicostomy (UC) in the management of selected cases of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. METHODS: The data from 22 patients who underwent UC from April 2002 to April 2009 were reviewed. The indications for UC were primary UPJ obstruction with completely intrarenal pelves (2 cases), complicated (secondary or recurrent) UPJ obstruction with an intrarenal pelvis and/or reversed caliceopelvic ratio (16 cases) and after iatrogenic injury at the UPJ (4 cases). The evaluation of treatment outcome was performed subjectively by symptom assessment and objectively using ultrasonography, radiography, and radioisotope diuretic renography. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 26.7±20.99 months, UC success was achieved in 16 patients (73%), with complete cure in 12 and improvement in 4. In 2, the condition remained stable, and failure occurred in 4 patients. Of these 4 patients, 2 underwent nephrectomy and 2 were treated with indwelling double-J stents with frequent exchanges. CONCLUSIONS: The results of UC in the present study were satisfactory. The procedure could be the best alternative in the case of complex UPJ obstruction in the presence of intrarenal pelvis and/or when the degree of calicectasis is greater than that of pyelectasis.

One-stage repair of long bulbar urethral strictures using augmented Russell dorsal strip anastomosis: outcome of 234 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Long bulbar urethral strictures (>2 cm) are not amenable to stricture excision and primary anastomosis procedure, which may result in a short urethra and chordee formation. For such strictures many procedures have been advocated including stricturotomy with subsequent graft or flap onlay, augmented anastomosis, and staged procedures, which is a combination of the Russell graft. We present our 10-yr experience with the augmented Russell procedure using a ventral onlay buccal mucosal patch graft for treatment of long bulbar urethral strictures not amenable to excision and primary anastomosis. METHODS: A total of 234 patients diagnosed by urethrograms as having long bulbar urethral strictures (mean, 4.2 cm) were managed by the augmented Russell urethroplasty. The procedure included excision of most of the diseased segment (mean, 2.8 cm) and anastomosis of a dorsal strip leaving an oval ventral defect. Augmentation was done in all patients using a buccal mucosa patch graft (mean, 4.7 cm). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36 mo. Urethrograms were done at 3 wk and 3 and 6 mo postoperatively and if the patients were symptomatic thereafter. Urethrocystoscopy was performed at 12 and 18 mo. A total of 223 patients completed the follow-up protocol; the overall success rate was 93.7% with 14 (6.3%) patients showing stricture recurrence at different intervals postoperatively. Ten patients in the failure group were successfully managed by single visualized internal urethrotomy (VIU), whereas the other four patients were treated by ventral penile pedicled flap. Postoperative dribbling of urine was noticed by 90 patients (40.4%) and temporary perioral numbness in most patients; no major donor site complications were noted in our series. CONCLUSION: The augmented Russell technique is beneficial for long bulbar urethral strictures; 93.7% of the patients were stricture free. In the bulbar region, both ventral and dorsal onlays are applicable with nearly equal success rates. The buccal mucosa patch graft offers excellent material for augmentation.

Association between gallstone-evoked pain, inflammation and proliferation of nerves in the gallbladder: a possible explanation for clinical differences.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether enhanced neuroproliferation could be involved in the pathogenesis of gallstone pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gallbladders from 117 patients with gallstones and 43 controls were examined. The gallbladder samples were immunostained against the pan-neuronal marker PGP 9.5 and the number of nerves and nerve area per tissue area estimated. RESULTS: More nerves and an increased nerve area per tissue area were found in uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease. In comparison, acute cholecystitis displayed a significantly (p=0.01) decreased number of nerves and nerve area per tissue area. In both categories, the gallbladder neck contained more nerves (p=0.06 and 0.04, respectively) and an increased nerve area per tissue area (p=0.034 and 0.008, respectively) than the body. CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated disease showed enhanced neuroproliferation, significantly more in the gallbladder neck, whereas significantly fewer nerves were observed in acute cholecystitis. Nerve growth alteration may play a role in uncomplicated gallstone pain but the pathology may be different in inflammation.

Hedgehog signaling in the normal and diseased pancreas.

The hedgehog (Hh) family of genes, sonic hedgehog (Shh), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and desert hedgehog (Dhh) encode signaling molecules that regulate multiple functions during organ development and in adult tissues. Altered hedgehog signaling has been implicated in disturbed organ development as well as in different degenerative and neoplastic human diseases. Hedgehog signaling plays an important role in determination the fate of the mesoderm of the gut tube, as well as in early pancreatic development, and islet cell function. Recently, it has been shown that deregulation of hedgehog signaling molecules contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer and of chronic pancreatitis. Inhibition of hedgehog signaling using hedgehog antagonists reduces pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, thus holding promise of novel agents in the treatment of this devastating disease. In this review, we discuss the role of hedgehog signaling during pancreatic development, its role in the pathogenesis of both chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and lastly, the implications of this newly available information with regards to treatment of pancreatic cancer.