ABSTRACT
Our systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and suitability of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in comparison to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We analyzed 12 studies involving male participants aged 45-85 years, all of whom had BPH. In our analysis, we compared HoLEP and TURP, with a focus on several primary outcomes, including postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), postvoid residual (PVR) volume, maximum flow rate (Qmax), and changes in sexual function post-treatment. HoLEP demonstrated advantages in certain aspects when compared to TURP. HoLEP generally resulted in an improved postoperative IPSS in some studies, but not all studies showed a significant difference when compared to TURP. HoLEP was associated with improved Qmax in most studies, but one study found no significant difference between HoLEP and TURP. Patients who underwent HoLEP showed improvement in the PVR volume in some studies, while others found no significant change in the PVR volume with either HoLEP or TURP. Some studies reported a reduction in orgasm and ejaculatory scores following TURP, while no significant changes were observed in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction scores. It is worth noting that previous reviews and meta-analyses had limited data on the effects of HoLEP and TURP on sexual dysfunction. TURP is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, which has led to its replacement with HoLEP as the gold standard for treating BPH, particularly due to its size-independent applicability. HoLEP also demonstrated greater efficacy in the postoperative period.
ABSTRACT
Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome in which patients have signs and symptoms of HF due to high left ventricular (LV) filling pressure despite normal or near normal LV ejection fraction. It is more common than HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and its diagnosis and treatment are more challenging than HFrEF. Although hypertension is the primary risk factor, coronary artery disease and other comorbidities, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obesity, also play an essential role in its formation. This review summarizes current knowledge about HFpEF, its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, current treatments, and promising novel treatments. It is essential to continue to be updated on the latest treatments for HFpEF so that patients always receive the most therapeutic treatments. The use of GnRH agonists in the management of HFpEF, infusion of Apo a-I nanoparticle, low-level transcutaneous vagal stimulation (LLTS), and estrogen only in post-menopausal women are promising strategies to prevent diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF; however, there is still no proven curative treatment for HFpEF yet.
ABSTRACT
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a prevalent source of hospital-acquired diarrhea. The most common presentation of CDI is colitis. In cases of fulminant colitis/toxic megacolon, a colectomy and end ileostomy are part of the treatment plan. There is evidence to suggest that it may be beneficial to surgically treat severe complex CDI by constructing a loop ileostomy for fecal stream diversion followed by colonic lavage, also referred to as the Pittsburgh protocol, which has demonstrated decreased death rates in this patient population. In our case study, we present a rare case of a 60-year-old female patient diagnosed with fulminant small bowel CDI requiring resection of the necrotic small bowel. This was followed by creating an ileostomy and the Pittsburgh protocol, leading to a complete recovery. With an increasing incidence of CDI, it is important to be aware of the small bowel C. difficile infection and its treatment.