An evaluation of the impact of post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistula repair on the mental health of patients in a developed country.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstetric vesicovaginal fistulae (VVFs) occur frequently as a result of childbirth in developing countries, but occurrence of VVFs in developed countries is rare and is generally observed after hysterectomy. Moreover, there are no reports regarding the effect of post-hysterectomy VVF repair on the patients' mental health in developed countries. Our study aimed to confirm the effect of post-hysterectomy VVF repair on Japanese iatrogenic VVF patients' mental health. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 31 patients who underwent post-hysterectomy VVF repair. Each patient's urinary incontinence and mental state were evaluated using two questionnaires, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires, respectively, at baseline and at 3 or 6 months post-surgery. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre- and post-repair scores of each questionnaire, while McNemar's test was used to compare the pre- and post-repair proportions of patients with anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients, 13 (41.9%) underwent hysterectomy because of malignancies. All questionnaire scores showed significant improvement after VVF repair. The prevalence of clinical anxiety and depression decreased from 51.6% to 16.1% (P < 0.01) and from 51.6% to 12.9% (P < 0.01), respectively, after VVF repair, and urine leakage through fistulae was not observed in any patient after VVF repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that iatrogenic VVF can have severe impacts on patients' mental health, but VVF repair can significantly improve it.

Influence of adequate pelvic floor muscle contraction on the movement of the coccyx during pelvic floor muscle training.

[Purpose] Pelvic floor muscle training is a first-line therapy for female stress urinary incontinence. Previous studies have suggested that the coccyx tip moves ventrally and cranially during pelvic floor muscle contraction. The study aimed to elucidate the influence of adequate pelvic floor muscle contraction on coccyx movement. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-three females (57 patients with stress urinary incontinence and additional 6 healthy volunteers) were enrolled. Using magnetic resonance imaging, coccyx movement was evaluated during pelvic floor muscle contraction and strain. An adequate contraction was defined as a contraction with good Oxford grading scale [≥3] and without inadequate muscle substitution patterns. [Results] Inadequate muscle substitution patterns were observed in 33 participants (52.4%). No significant difference was observed in the movement of the coccyx tip in the ventrodorsal direction between females with and without inadequate muscle substitution patterns. However, a significant increase in the movement of the coccyx tip in the cranial direction was detected in the group without inadequate muscle substitution patterns. Compared to participants with inadequate pelvic floor muscle contraction, those who had adequate pelvic floor muscle contraction exhibited significantly increased cranial movement of the coccyx. [Conclusion] Adequate pelvic floor muscle contraction can produce cranial movement of the coccyx tip.

Short-term outcomes of the transvaginal minimal mesh procedure for pelvic organ prolapse.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of transvaginal minimal mesh repair without using commercially available kits for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 91 women who underwent surgical management of POP with originally designed small mesh between July 2014 and August 2015. This mesh is 56% smaller than the mesh widely used in Japan, and it has only two arms delivered into each right and left sacrospinous ligament. The main study outcome was the anatomic cure rate defined as recurrence of POP quantification (POP-Q) stage II or more. We also assessed changes in the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QOL) and evaluated adverse events. Finally, we compared patient backgrounds between the patients with and without recurrence. Results: Prolapse recurred in 10 of 91 patients (11.0%), and all patients with recurrence were diagnosed as POP-Q stage II. As adverse events, only mesh erosion occurred in two (2.2%) and pelvic pain in one (1.1%) of the 91 patients. The OABSS and P-QOL were significantly improved by the operation. When we compared patient backgrounds between the patients with and without recurrence, body mass index was the only factor influencing affecting recurrence. Conclusions: Transvaginal minimal mesh repair resulted in successful outcomes with low mesh-related complications and anatomic recurrence at one year. Furthermore, significant improvement in QOL was offered by this procedure. Our minimal mesh technique should be considered as one treatment option for the management of POP.

Retropubic tissue fixation system tensioned mini-sling carried out under local anesthesia cures stress urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency: 1-year data.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of the tissue fixation system midurethral sling for the treatment of intrinsic sphincter deficiency. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a total of 96 intrinsic sphincter deficiency patients treated with the tissue fixation system midurethral sling at Yokohama Motomachi Women's Clinic from 2006 to 2015. We evaluated intraoperative and 1-year postoperative results. Regarding the cure rate, we divided patients into three groups: (i) patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 and Valsalva leak point pressure <65 combined (n = 17); (ii) patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 (n = 55); and (iii) patients with Valsalva leak point pressure <65 (n = 47). RESULTS: The median age was 63 years (range 38-89 years). The median operating time including local anesthesia was 24 min (range 12-55 min) and median blood loss was 5.0 mL (range 3-69 mL). All operations were day surgery under local anesthesia. Postoperative pain was minimal. All patients were discharged the same day. There were no intraoperative complications except one bladder perforation. There were no tape rejections. The 1-year postoperative cure rates were: 88.2% among patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 and Valsalva leak point pressure <65, 90.9% for patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20, and 85.1% among patients with Valsalva leak point pressure <65. CONCLUSIONS: The tissue fixation system midurethral sling operation is a simple, safe and effective operation for older women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, and it can be carried out under local anesthesia.

Outpatient mid-urethral tissue fixation system sling for urodynamic stress urinary incontinence: 3-year surgical and quality of life results.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and quality of life (QOL) of outpatient mid-urethral tissue fixation system sling (TFS) procedures for urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at 3-year follow-up. METHODS: We analyzed 50 mid-urethral TFS sling operations between 2007 and 2012 at Yokohama Motomachi Women's Clinic LUNA. The primary outcome was success defined as a negative 24-h pad test, negative cough and Valsalva stress test, and no re-treatment for SUI. Secondary outcome was improvement in quality of life, which was assessed using the Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7). The 3-year postoperative scores were compared with baseline scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A 5% two-sided significance level was used for all statistical testing. RESULTS: All operations were carried out on an outpatient basis with no intraoperative complications. The primary cure rate result at 3-year follow-up was 90%. Median total ICIQ-SF score changed from 12 (6-20) to 0 (0-14) and median total IIQ-7 score changed from 156 (0-300) to 0 (0.00-16.7) at 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the TFS mid-urethral sling operation is a simple, safe, effective procedure that may be done without difficulty at a freestanding clinic on an outpatient basis and favorably improves subjective QOL of the patient.

Comorbidities as predictors of incidental prostate cancer after Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: diabetes and high-risk cancer.

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed as an incidental finding during the pathological examination of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens by Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). BPH and comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia often coexist in elderly people. We identified which comorbidities can be used to predict the presence of incidental prostate cancer, particularly high-risk cancer, in men who had undergone HoLEP. On the basis of pathological findings of HoLEP specimens, patients with incidental cancer were categorized as low-risk (Gleason ≤6 and T1a) or high-risk (all others). Of the 654 patients who underwent HoLEP, 41 patients (6.3%) were identified as having incidental cancer (25 low-risk and 16 high-risk). There were no significant factors for overall prostate cancers. However, a significantly higher frequency of diabetes was observed in patients with high-risk cancer compared to those with BPH (31% vs. 13%; p = .033). Logistic regression analysis using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume (PV), and smoking showed that diabetes was an independent predictor of high-risk cancer (odds ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-9.43). Diabetes may be an important predictor of the presence of high-risk prostate cancer in men with BPH who have undergone HoLEP.

Incidence, Risk Factors and a Novel Prevention Technique for Inguinal Hernia after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to assess whether a newly developed prevention technique reduces the incidence of IH after RARP. METHODS: We included 161 consecutive patients (322 groins) who underwent RARP between September 2011 and October 2013. The prevention technique was as follows: (1) sufficient incision of peritoneum around the internal inguinal ring; (2) separation of spermatic vessels; (3) dissection of vas deferens. RESULTS: Postoperative IH occurred in 14 cases (19.4%) occurring in the observation group compared to 2 cases (2.2%) in the prevention group. Patent processus vaginalis (PPV) was the only risk factor. Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in IH incidence in the IH prevention group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our data reveal a higher incidence of IH after RARP, with the existence of PPV as the only identified risk factor. Our simple IH-prevention technique, which does not involve the use of artificial materials, appears safe and effective.

Practical Index of Urinary Incontinence Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Case-Series Study of the 24-Hour Pad Test Immediately after Catheter Removal.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological data regarding complications after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) are scarce in Japan. We examined the associations of the 24-hour pad test results immediately after HoLEP with continence acquisition at 3 months postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this hospital-based case-series study, we reviewed medical charts of 341 patients without catheterization and 150 patients with catheterization at the time of surgery. The 24-hour pad test was conducted immediately after catheter removal to measure the leakage weight. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: leakage weight = 0 g (negative) and >0 g (positive). Urinary incontinence (UI) at 3 months postoperatively was self-reported by patients. RESULTS: Significant relationships were observed between pad test positivity and UI at 3 months postoperatively and between the pad test weight and the timing of continence acquisition in patients with and without catheterization. In multivariate analyses, the pad test positivity was associated significantly with the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and enucleated tissue weight in patients without perioperative catheterization and with age in patients with catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: The 24-hour pad test immediately after catheter removal could indicate the need for early and active intervention to prevent continuous postoperative UI. Patients' symptoms and clinical items predictive of test positivity should be carefully assessed.

[The User Fact-Finding on the Electric Warm-Water Lavage Toilet Seats in the Women Consulting Our Urological Outpatient Clinic].

We conducted our original self-completed questionnaire survey on a total of 305 women who came to our urology department as an outpatient from March 2014 to September 2014. They were asked to fill in the questionnaire on their experience of usage as well as how and where they were using the washing function of the toilet seat. The effective response rate was 95.4%. Seventy-nine (230) individuals were using the warm-water washing toilet seat. There was no significant difference in age between the usage group and the non-use group. The purposes of use after defection, for defecation induction, and after urination were 90.4, 41.3, and 40.4%, respectively. Regarding the kinds of washing, a strong tendency for the use of the anal washing function to induce defection and after defection was observed, whereas a tendency was observed for the use of the bidet function after urination and for washing the vagina. Since many individuals were using the washing function for the purpose of inducing defection and after urination, which were not functions assumed appropriate by the manufacturer, it was considered necessary to discuss the appropriate usage from the standpoint of an urologist.

[Organ-sparing surgery for contralateral testicular tumor following orchiectomy : a case report].

A 30-year-old man underwent a left high orchiectomy because of stage I testicular tumor in December, 2006. A palpable nodule was noticed in the contralateral testicle in March, 2008. No tumor marker was elevated. Imaging studies including ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a 13 mm tumor consisting of both a solid portion and a hemorrhagic cyst. A malignant tumor could not be ruled out completely based on examinations and his medical history. Tumor resection with partial orchiectomy was planned after informed consent. Preoperative serum concentration of free testosterone was 8.4 pg/ml, and motile sperm were found in the semen analysis. The tumor was resected while the spermatic cord was clamped transiently. The pathological diagnosis of frozen sections confirmed no malignancy, and the final pathological result was mature teratoma, no evidence of malignancy. No androgen substitution has been required. Furthermore, a few normal motile sperm were detected in the ejaculated semen after the surgery. Organ-sparing surgery for the contralateral testicular tumor following orchiectomy, can be considered to avoid infertility and hormonal substitutions.

Anteroposterior dissection HoLEP: a modification to prevent transient stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of transient stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after HoLEP has been reported to be as high as 44%. Anteroposterior dissection HoLEP was newly developed to protect the urethral sphincter and therefore lower the incidence rate of SUI. This study was conducted to determine the SUI incidence rate after anteroposterior dissection HoLEP. METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent HoLEP from January to December 2008. The first 31 cases (Surgery 1) underwent HoLEP according to Gilling's method. The next 37 cases (Surgery 2) underwent anteroposterior dissection HoLEP, where adenoma was dissected antegradely. This antegrade movement of the cystoscope allows the apical gland to be removed from the sphincter without causing damage. Surgical quality indexes (hemoglobin change, operating time, resected prostate volume) between the 2 groups were compared. All patients were assessed at 2 weeks postoperatively for clinical SUI, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and peak flow rates (Q(max)). RESULTS: Patient characteristics and surgical quality indexes did not differ between the 2 groups. Clinical SUI was found in 25.2% of cases in the Surgery 1 group, but only 2.7% in the Surgery 2 group. IPSS, QoL and Q(max.) were significantly improved postoperatively in both groups. At 2 weeks, the QoL of the Surgery 2 group was significantly improved compared with that observed for Surgery 1 (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 2.4 ± 1.0, P = .02). The Q(max.) of Surgery 2 was significantly higher compared with Surgery 1 (19.8 ± 8.4 vs 13.0 ± 4.7 ml/s, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that our anteroposterior dissection HoLEP is a promising procedure to avoid postoperative SUI and also to substantially improve QoL.

Hypothermia-induced acute kidney injury in a diabetic patient with nephropathy and neuropathy.

Hypothermia is a life-threatening medical condition defined as an unintentional fall in body temperature below 35 degrees C. Exposure to cold environment stimulates the thermoregulatory system to maintain the body temperature within the physiological range. Patients with malnutrition and/or diabetes mellitus are at high risk for accidental hypothermia, and acute kidney injury, which is mainly caused by pre-renal factors, occurs in relation to hypothermia. However, acute exacerbation of pre-existing chronic kidney disease has been rarely reported. Here, we present a patient with diabetes mellitus and malnutrition who developed two separate episodes of hypothermia followed by acute exacerbation of chronic kidney disease.

Transarterial renal embolization for enlarged horseshoe kidney.

A 56-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal fullness in June 2006. He had been diagnosed as having a horseshoe kidney by computed tomography in January 2002. At that time, renal dysfunction (serum creatine: 2.0 mg/dl) was detected. Even after hemodialysis was started for end-stage renal failure in March 2006, his abdominal fullness became progressively worse. CT scanning showed a markedly enlarged horseshoe kidney. Transarterial embolization (TAE) was performed via the right renal arteries with 14 platinum microcoils; the left renal arteries were not embolized in order to preserve sufficient parenchyma and a urine volume of more than 1,000 ml daily. Two years after TAE, a decrease in the size of the left kidney was noted along with the right kidney. However, urine output was still more than 1,000 ml daily. It is possible that one kidney compressed the contralateral kidney, resulting in enlargement of both components of the horseshoe kidney and renal dysfunction. TAE may be a useful option for obstructive uropathy in patients with horseshoe kidney, which has conventionally been treated surgically.

[IgG4-related idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a case report].

A 75-year-old man visited our hospital with the complaint of lumbago due to bilateral hydronephrosis. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a thick and homogeneous retroperitoneal soft-tissue mass with isodensity to the muscle, which extended from around the kidneys to the bladder. His serum IgG4 level was extremely high. He also had proptosis. He was diagnosed as having retroperitoneal fibrosis due to IgG4- related sclerosing disease, and treated with glucocorticoid and azathioprine. After 2 months, partial regression of the mass was observed.

Morphology of chimpanzee pinworms, Enterobius (Enterobius) anthropopitheci (Gedoelst, 1916) (Nematoda: Oxyuridae), collected from chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, on Rubondo Island, Tanzania.

The chimpanzee pinworm, Enterobius (Enterobius) anthropopitheci (Gedoelst, 1916) (Nematoda: Oxyuridae), is redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy of both sexes collected from the feces of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, of an introduced population on Rubondo Island, Tanzania. Enterobius (E.) anthropopitheci is characterized by having a small body (males 1.13-1.83 mm long, females 3.33-4.73 mm long), a rather straight spicule with a ventral membranous formation in males, double-crested lateral alae in females, small eggs (53-58 by 24-28 microm), and a smooth eggshell with 3 longitudinal thickenings. Morphological comparison is made between the present and previous descriptions.

Redescription of Pterygodermatites (Mesopectines) nycticebi (Mönnig, 1920) (Nematoda: Rictulariidae), a parasite of slow loris Nycticebus coucang (Mammalia: Primates).

Pterygodermaties (Mesopectines) nycticebi (Mönnig, 1920) (Nematoda: Spirurida: Rictulariidae) is redescribed based on immature and mature adults collected from the stomach and small intestine at autopsy of a slow loris, Nycticebus coucang (Boddaert, 1785) (Mammalia: Primates), in a zoological garden in Japan. It is first demonstrated that male possesses a minute telamon and a left lateral pore in the preanal part of body. The cause of death of the slow loris is strongly surmised to be related to the nematode infection, which was apparently acquired under captivity in the zoological garden.

Effects of thymic hormone on reactive oxygen species-scavengers and renal function in tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.

The effects of a thymic hormone (Facteur thymique serique; FTS) on renal reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes or substances in heminephrectomized rats with and without tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity were studied. Rats received both oral dose of tacrolimus (5 mg/kg/day) and subcutaneous administration of three dosages of FTS (5, 50, and 250 microg/kg/day) over 28 days (Group A). In Group B, they received three dosages of FTS alone (0.5, 5, and 50 microg/kg/day) or FTS 50 microg/kg/day with tacrolimus over 28 days. Each dose of FTS (Group A) partially elevated renal creatinine clearances. Tacrolimus enhanced renal glutathione reductase (GSH-R) activities and glutathione (GSH) and depressed catalase (CAT) activities. FTS increased GSH levels and GSH-R activities. Although FTS alone did not change CAT activities, CAT activities recovered as a result of concomitant use of FTS (Groups A and B). A significant positive correlation was found between CAT activity and creatinine clearance. These findings suggest that FTS is useful for the prevention of tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity, and that the increase of renal CAT activity in the defense mechanism of FTS might be important for cell protection against active oxygen species.