Retroperitoneoscopic enucleation adrenalectomy: a viable surgical option for small nonsecreting adrenal tumors with low potential of malignancy.

Laparoscopic total adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for adrenal mass. Meanwhile, there has been a growing trend toward laparoscopic adrenal-sparing surgery worldwide to avoid the risk and potential complications of adrenal insufficiency. The objectives of this study were to describe a retroperitoneoscopic adrenal tumor enucleation technique, to assess the clinical outcomes of this technique in the treatment of 20-40 mm nonsecreting adrenal tumor (NAT) with low potential of malignancy, and to provide a feasible choice for patients who have preference on resection. This study was a retrospective analysis of 61 patients with low potential of malignancy in 20-40 mm NAT identified at the first imaging examination or during follow-up. All patients were scheduled for planned enucleation adrenalectomy by a single surgeon between July 2016 and December 2020 in Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China. In all patients, retroperitoneoscopic surgery was performed via a retroperitoneoscopic process for all the patients. The crucial techniques of enucleation are presented in the video. Safety and feasibility factors of enucleation technique were measured for this study. No blood transfusion or organ injury was registered during the operation. The median operation time was 75 min, and the median blood loss was 35 mL. All operations were successfully performed without open conversion. A total of 58 patients received successful enucleation surgery. Three cases were converted to retroperitoneoscopic total adrenalectomy. In this study, surgical outcomes of retroperitoneoscopic enucleation adrenalectomy as a method to remove adrenal tumors were assessed. This procedure is a feasible and safe technique with the added benefit of preserving the remaining functional adrenal tissue.

Efficacy and feasibility of day surgery using transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy under caudal block anesthesia for intractable hemospermia.

BACKGROUND: Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TSV) is a safe and effective method for intractable hemospermia. It uses a natural cavity, is fast, involves little trauma, and boasts a low incidence of complications. Because uncontrollable penile erection during general anesthesia will severely influence the surgical operation or even damage the endoscope, spinal anesthesia was applied more on TSV. But spinal anesthesia extends the length of stay in the hospital and brings patients unnecessary discomfort. As the TSV is a quick recovery operation, we should think about a more suitable mode for these patients. METHODS: A total of 141 patients received TSV between January 2015 and July 2019: 81 patients received day surgery under caudal block (group A), and 60 received inpatient surgery under spinal anesthesia (group B). Operative time, postoperative hospital stay, hemospermia remission rate, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remission rate are compared. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of groups were taken and compared at 2 time points: when there was pain during surgery (T1) and at the end of surgery (T2). Surgical methods of two groups are the same. RESULTS: The mean operative time of two groups are 34 min (group A) and 32 min (group B), and there was no statistical difference. Postoperative hemospermia remission rates are both 100% at 3 months, which at 6 months are 60% and 48%, and there was no statistical difference. MRI remission at 3 months are 72% and 57%, which has no statistical difference. Postoperative complications were mild in two groups like hematuria and dysuria which can relieve within one day, and there were no severe complications. Intraoperative pain was present in 18.5% (15/81) of group A. Their highest VAS score was 3 points, indicating mild pain, which did not influence the surgical process or postoperative recovery. The postoperative VAS scores were similar between the 2 groups. Group A did not require postoperative hospitalization, whereas the average postoperative hospitalization in group B was 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: Seminal vesiculoscopy can be performed as a day surgery under caudal block, which has obvious advantages in accelerating postoperative recovery and shortening the hospital stay.

Metallic ureteral stent in restoring kidney function: Nine case reports.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal fibrosis is an exceptionally rare disease characterized by proliferation of fibrous tissue and inflammation in the retroperitoneum. It features many symptoms in the kidneys and in other organs and usually leads to ureteral obstruction. CASE SUMMARY: Here we present 9 consecutive cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF) in patients who presented to the Department of Nephrology or Department of Rheumatology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, between January 2012 and June 2017 with ureteral obstruction due to external compression of the ureter that led to hydronephrosis and kidney dysfunction. Computed tomography imaging was used to identify hydronephrosis and ureteral obstruction and to evaluate kidney function. Each patient was diagnosed with IRPF based on clinical observation and computed tomography examination results. To restore kidney function, a retrograde metallic stent was placed in the ureter under X-ray guidance 2 d after each patient's admission. No perioperative complications occurred in any patient, but postoperative complications occurred in two patients as follows: Patient 2 had stent migration and repeated metallic stent infections that resolved with treatment; and patient 4 had postoperative hematuria because he resumed normal activities too soon after stent placement (contrary to instruction). Placement of the metallic ureteral stents provided relief from ureteral obstruction and restored kidney function in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our 9-case series underscores the utility and efficacy of applying the Resonance® metallic ureteral stent to treat ureteral obstruction in patients with IRPF. For all retroperitoneal fibrosis cases in our series, ureteral stents provided effective relief and were shown to reduce the incidence rate of perioperative and postoperative complications.

Role of capsaicin- and heat-sensitive afferents in stimulation of acupoint-induced pain and analgesia in humans.

We investigated role of capsaicin-sensitive afferents within and without the areas of Zusanli (ST36)/Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints along the stomach (ST) meridian in the perception and modulation of pain assessed by visual analog scale of pain and its distribution rated by subjects, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heat pain threshold (HPT) in humans. Compared with the treatment of non-acupoint area, capsaicin (100µg/50µl) administered into either ST36 or ST37 acupoint caused the strongest pain intensity and the most extensive pain distribution, followed by rapid onset, bilateral, long-lasting secondary mechanical hyperalgesia and slower onset secondary heat hypoalgesia (1day after the capsaicin treatment). Between treatments of different acupoints, capsaicin administrated into the ST36 acupoint exhibited the stronger pain intensity and more widespread pain distribution compared with the treatment of ST37 acupoint. A period of 30- to 45-min, but not 15-min, 43°C heating-needle stimulation applied to the ST36 acupoint significantly enhanced the HPT, and had no effect on PPT. Upon trapezius muscle pain elicited by the i.m. injection of 5.8% saline, pre-emptive treatment of the contralateral ST36 acupoint with 43°C heating-needle stimulation alleviated the ongoing muscle pain, reduced painful area, and reversed the decrease in HPT. It is suggested that (1) pain elicited from the acupoint and non-acupoint areas differs significantly, which are supposed to be dependent on the different distributions and contributions of capsaicin-sensitive afferents. (2) Non-painful heat stimulation is a valid approach in prevention of ongoing muscle pain with associated post-effects of peripheral and central sensitization.

[Experimental study of augmentation phalloplasty using tunica vaginalis grafts in bilateral albuginea of penile corpus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and complications of augmentation phalloplasty by implanting autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts into the bilateral albuginea of the penile corpus. METHODS: Five mongrel dogs underwent augmentation phalloplasty with bilateral autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts. The increase in the volume of the corpora cavernosa was achieved by applying autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts to longitudinal openings made bilaterally in the albuginea along the whole length of the penile cavernous corpora. The perimeter of the penile cavernous corpora was measured in the flaccid state and during erection and dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DIC) was conducted for each dog before and after the operation. Histology of the penis was examined using hematoxylin and eosin stains. RESULTS: The average increase in the perimeter of the penile cavernous corpora was 21. 1% in the erectile state but unobvious in the flaccid state 3 months after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in cavernosometric parameters before and after the operation, and neither were there any other severe postoperative complications. The grafts had mild inflammatory reaction and fibrosis with apparent reformation of the tunica albuginea over the patch site. CONCLUSION: The augmentation phalloplasty technique with bilateral autogenous tunica vaginalis grafts was proved to be effective and reliable with few complications, particularly conspicuous in increasing the volume of the erectile tissues during erection.

Comparison between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopic lithotripsy for treating large proximal ureteral stones: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) in terms of efficacy, complications, and overall efficiency in the management of proximal ureteral calculi. ESWL and URSL are the 2 most common modalities for treating ureteral stones. Previous studies and meta-analyses suggest that for stones <10 mm, ESWL is safer and of comparable efficacy compared with URSL. However, the choice between one modality over the other for the treatment of stones >10 mm is not as clear. METHODS: The literature was reviewed in the databases, and resulting reports were screened for relevance. This process yielded 10 articles, which were analyzed in terms of the initial stone-free rate (primary outcome measure) compared between the 2 treatment modalities. Pretreatment rate, operation time, auxiliary procedure rate, and complication rate constituted secondary measures in the analysis. RESULTS: A statistically higher initial stone-free rate was demonstrated for URSL compared with ESWL (odds ratio [OR] = 0.349; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.183-0.666; P = .001). ESWL showed a statistically higher retreatment rate compared with URSL (OR = 7.192; 95% CI = 4.934-10.482; P <.001). The 2 treatment modalities did not show statistically significant differences in mean operating time (OR = 10.35; 95% CI = -0.29 to 20.99; P = .056), auxiliary procedure rate (OR = 1.043; 95% CI = 0.415-2.616; P = .929), or in the complication rate (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.304-1.984; P = .598). CONCLUSION: For treating large (>10 mm) proximate ureteral stones, URSL tends to be more effective than ESWL, yet without adding significant risk.

Novel biologic model for percutaneous renal surgery learning and training in the laboratory.

OBJECTIVES: To improve the learning and training of percutaneous renal access and intrarenal procedures with a biologic porcine kidney model. METHODS: We set up a biologic bench model using a porcine kidney. The kidney was wrapped in a full-thickness skin flap with subcutaneous fascia and muscle and fixed to a wooden board with 2 long steel nails. The ureter was catheterized to inject radiologic contrast medium or normal saline. Percutaneous renal manipulations were then practiced on the model under radiographic or ultrasound guidance. RESULTS: Urologists with "partial" experience in advanced endourologic surgery were trained using this model. Of the 33 trainees practiced the percutaneous hands-on manipulations on this model, 20 (60.6%) attained success in performing the whole percutaneous procedure. One to three percutaneous access tracts were established successfully on each kidney practiced on. Of the 42 attendants, 36 (85.7%) rated this model for simulation as "very helpful" or "helpful." CONCLUSIONS: The porcine kidney model we developed is simple and easy to build with readily available materials. It provides realistic and reproducible practice for percutaneous renal surgery in the laboratory.