Comparison of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and onlay island flap urethroplasty techniques in the repair of primarily proximal hypospadias.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the success of the 'tubularized incised plate urethroplasty' (TIPU) and 'Onlay island flap urethroplasty' (OIFU) techniques for the repair of primary proximal hypospadias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the medical records of 68 patients with primary, non-complicated hypospadias, who were operated on in the Department of Urology, Ministry of Health Ankara Education and Research Hospital, between January 1997 and December 2012. Patients who underwent hypospadias surgery with TIPU were labelled as Group 1 and the OIFU technique as Group 2. Patient age, native meatus localization, operation time, diversion type, surgical success and complication rates were all assessed. Surgical success was evaluated with direct vision of voiding and uroflowmetry at the time of catheter removal, then at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 43 patients and Group 2 of 25 patients. The mean age of patients was 6.4±3.1 years in Group 1 and 8.0±4.6 years in Group 2 (p=0.09). The mean operating time was significantly lower in Group 1. (Group 1- 104.8±16.8 min, Group 2-125.4±24.7min; p<0.001) The distribution of meatus localization was similar in both groups. At 1 year postoperatively, urethrocutaneous fistula was the only complication and the definitive success rates were 81.6% in Group 1 and 72% in Group 2. CONCLUSION: Despite less frequent usage since the description and popularization of TIPU for proximal hypospadias repair, OIFU remains a valuable technique as a single-stage procedure in cases where the urethral plate is insufficient. Currently, both TIPU and OIFU are used successfully in the treatment of patients with proximal hypospadias.

Comparison of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and onlay island flap urethroplasty techniques in the repair of primarily proximal hypospadias / Comparación entre la uretroplastia tubularizada con incision de la placa uretral y las técnicas de Uretroplastia con colgajo pediculado para la reparación del hipospadias proximal primario

OBJECTIVES: To compare the success of the "tubularized incised plate urethroplasty" (TIPU) and "Onlay island flap urethroplasty" (OIFU) techniques for the repair of primary proximal hypospadias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the medical records of 68 patients with primary, non-complicated hypospadias, who were operated on in the Department of Urology, Ministry of Health Ankara Education and Research Hospital, between January 1997 and December 2012. Patients who underwent hypospadias surgery with TIPU were labelled as Group 1 and the OIFU technique as Group 2. Patient age, native meatus localization, operation time, diversion type, surgical success and complication rates were all assessed. Surgical success was evaluated with direct vision of voiding and uroflowmetry at the time of catheter removal, then at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 43 patients and Group 2 of 25 patients. The mean age of patients was 6.4±3.1 years in Group 1 and 8.0±4.6 years in Group 2 (p = 0.09). The mean operating time was significantly lower in Group 1. (Group 1- 104.8±16.8 min, Group 2-125.4±24.7min; p < 0.001) The distribution of meatus localization was similar in both groups. At 1 year postoperatively, urethrocutaneous fistula was the only complication and the definitive success rates were 81.6% in Group 1 and 72% in Group 2. CONCLUSION: Despite less frequent usage since the description and popularization of TIPU for proximal hypospadias repair, OIFU remains a valuable technique as a single-stage procedure in cases where the urethral plate is insufficient. Currently, both TIPU and OIFU are used successfully in the treatment of patients with proximal hypospadias

OBJETIVOS: Comparar las tasas de éxito de las técnicas de Uretroplastia tubularizada con incisión de la placa uretral (TIP) y la Uretroplastia con colgajo en la reparación del hipospadias primario proximal. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una evaluación retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de 68 pacientes con hipospadias primario no complicado, que fueron operados en el departamento de Urología del Ministry of Health Ankara Education and Research Hospital entre enero del 1997 y diciembre del 2012. El grupo 1 incluyó los pacientes intervenidos de hipospadias mediante la técnica TIP y el grupo 2 los pacientes intervenidos con la técnica de colgajo no pediculado. Se evaluaron la edad del paciente, la localización del meato nativo, el tiempo operatorio, el tipo de derivación, el éxito de la operación y las complicaciones. El éxito de la operación fue evaluado con visión directa de la micción y flujometría en el momento de la retirada de la sonda, y posteriormente a las dos y seis semanas, a los 6 meses y al año. RESULTADOS: El grupo 1 incluía 43 pacientes y el grupo 2 25. La edad media de los pacientes fue 6,4 ± 3,1 años en el grupo 1 y 8,0 ± 4,6 años en el grupo 2 (p = 0,09). El tiempo medio operatorio fue significativamente menor en el grupo 1. (Grupo 1- 104,8 ± 16,8 min, Grupo 2-125,4 ± 24,7min; p < 0,001). La distribución de la localización del meato fue similar en ambos grupos. Al año de la operación, la única complicación fue fístula uretrocutánea y la tasa de éxitos era de 81,6% en el Grupo 1 y 72% en el Grupo 2. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar del menor uso desde la descripción y popularización de la Uretroplastia TIP para la reparación del hipospadias proximal, la Uretroplastia con colgajo sigue siendo una técnica válida como procedimiento único en casos en los que la placa uretral es insuficiente. Actualmente, ambas técnicas de uretroplastia, TIP y con colgajo, se utilizan con éxito en el tratamiento de pacientes con hipospadias proximal

Efficacy of Silodosin Dose in Medical Expulsive Therapy for Distal Ureteral Stones: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of silodosin 4 mg/day and 8 mg/day for medical expulsive therapy(MET) of lower ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 161 patients admitted to urologyclinics of Ahi Evran University Medical Faculty and Ankara Training and Research Hospital with distal ureteralstones and treated with MET with different doses of silodosin between January 2013 and August 2015. 81 patientswere treated with silodosin 4mg/day in group-1 and 80 patients with silodosin 8mg/day in group-2. Age, gender,complaints on admission, stone size, the distance between the stone and ureterovesical junction, stone passage rate,duration of stone passage after starting MET, and adverse effects were noted from the charts of the patients, andthe groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 81 patients in group-1, and 80 patients in group-2. Two groups were similar for age (P =.38)and gender (P =.92). Spontaneous stone passage was seen in 41 (50.9%) patients in group-1, and in 59 (73.8%)patients in group 2. The groups were different for spontaneous stone passage rate (P =.002). In group-1, 10 (25%)patients that could not pass their stones spontaneously and were treated with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy(SWL), and 30 (75%) of them were treated with ureterolithotripsy. Eight (38%) patients that could not undergoureterolithotripsy and/or anesthesia and were not able to pass their stones were treated with SWL, and 13 (62%)patients were treated with ureterolithotripsy in group-2. All of the patients were stone free at the end of the treatment. CONCLUSION: A dose of 8 mg/day should be preferred if silodosin is to be preferred for MET in lower ureteral stones.

Is overactive bladder a nervous or bladder disorder? Autonomic imaging in patients with overactive bladder via dynamic pupillometry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in dynamic pupillometry in patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The study included 40 female patients with idiopathic OAB and 40 healthy female volunteers as a control group. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Dynamic pupillometric parameters were measured with a commercially available unit (MonPack One, Metrovision, France) at baseline and on the 30th day of treatment with an antimuscarinic treatment (drug-agent) (solifenacin 5 mg daily). Initial, minimum, maximum and mean pupil diameters, the latency and duration of contraction and dilatation of the pupil, the amplitude of contraction and dilatation velocity were automatically measured and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to age and body mass index (p = 0.288, 0.755, respectively). The measurements of initial, minimum and mean pupil diameters were significantly lower in patients with OAB compared to healthy controls (p = 0.007, 0.002, 0.001, respectively). OAB patients had significantly longer latency of pupil dilatation, latency of pupil contraction and shorter duration of pupil contraction than control group (p = 0.028, 0.029, 0.021, respectively). After the antimuscarinic treatment, latency of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilatation and duration of pupil contraction shortened significantly (all p < 0.001). Pupil dilatation velocity increased significantly during the treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic pupillometric findings in this study imply impaired autonomic dysfunction, mostly the increased parasympathetic action, in OAB patients and the modulatory effects of antimuscarinic treatment.

Psychological and sexual effects of circumcision in adult males.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to investigate the psychological and sexual effects of circumcision in adult men, and analyze these changes following circumcision. METHODS: We included 37 adults who applied to our clinic for circumcision and who did not have any psychiatric or urologic disorders and age-matched 30 controls in our study. Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) were applied to the study group twice, once before and once three months after circumcision, and only once in the control group. Also, intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was noted and premature ejaculation (PE) evaluation was done. Intra- and intergroup comparisons were performed. RESULTS: The two groups were similar with regard to demographic data. Comparison of preoperative BCS and LSAS scores with the scores of the control group showed significant differences (p=0.003, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). However, postoperative scores were similar to the scores obtained in the control group (p=0.768, p>0.05, and p>0.05, respectively). Scores of all scales showed significant improvements postoperatively. Also, PEDT scores and IELT changes before and after circumcision were significant in the study group, but not when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that social anxiety and anxiety levels decreased after circumcision in adult Turkish men, and their body gratification increased. We found that not being circumcised might negatively affect individuals in adulthood when it comes to body image and sexual satisfaction, however, both improve after circumcision.

The effect of physical activity on varicocele pain and resolution of this pain by different varicocelectomy techniques.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effect of physical activity on varicocele pain and how different varicocelectomy techniques relieve this pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2012 and January 2015, a total of 64 patients with left groin pain and clinical varicocele were enrolled in this study. A visual analogue scale (VAS) classifying the pain in ten scores was used to assess the severity of pain before and after beginning continuous physical activity, and after operations. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 had open sub-inguinal varicocelectomy, Group 2 had loupe-assisted sub-inguinal varicocelectomy and Group 3 had microscope-assisted sub-inguinal varicocelectomy. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of patients before and after beginning continuous physical activity was 3.10 +/- 0.9, and 7.65 +/- 0.93, respectively (p = 0.001). These values were 3.36 +/- 0.9, and 7.45 +/- 0.82 in Group 1 (p = 0.001), 2.90 +/- 0.83, and 7.54 +/- 1.29 in Group 2 and 3.06 +/- 1.06, and 7.87 +/- 0.71 in Group 3 (p = 0.001). After the operations, the mean VAS score decreased to 1.90 +/- 1.13 in Group 1 (p = 0.002), 1.63 +/- 1.32 in Group 2 (p = 0.003), and 0.81 +/- 0.71 in Group 3 (p = 0.001). Comparing the postoperative results among the groups, there was no statistical significance between Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.190), and Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.378), but a statistically significant difference was determined between Groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity has a significant worsening effect on varicocele pain. Microscopic sub-inguinal varicocelectomy offers the best results for pain resolution.

Comparison of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Micro-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Moderately Sized Pediatric Kidney Stones.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and reliability of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (micro-perc) for the management of kidney stones in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of pediatric patients aged <18 years with kidney stones that ranged from 10 to 20 mm in size, who underwent RIRS (n = 36) or micro-perc (n = 45) in referral centers. RESULTS: In the RIRS group, the mean age of patients was 8.39 ± 4.72 years and in the micro-perc group, it was 5.62 ± 4.50 years (p = 0.01). The mean stone size was 12.80 ± 3.03 mm in the RIRS group and 13.97 ± 3.46 mm in the micro-perc group (p = 0.189). The success rate was 86.2% (n = 31) in the RIRS group and 80.0% (n = 36) in the micro-perc group (p = 0.47). The mean complication rate was 16.6% and 13.3% in the RIRS and micro-perc groups, respectively (p = 0.675). Hospital stay and radiation exposure were significantly lower in the RIRS group (all p < 0.001). The mean anesthesia session was 1.94 in the RIRS group and 1.26 in the micro-perc group (p < 0.001). The mean hemoglobin drop was 0.53 ± 0.87 g/dL in the micro-perc group, and none of the cases required blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that micro-perc and RIRS were highly effective methods for the treatment of moderately sized renal stones in children, with comparable success and complication rates. Patients and their parents should be informed about the currently available treatment options, and of their efficacy and safety. However, further clinical trials are needed to support these results.

Ureteroscopy in proximal ureteral stones after shock wave lithotripsy failure: Is it safe and efficient or dangerous?

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the effectiveness of ureteroscopy (URS) in proximal ureteral stones performed after shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) failure, and determined outcomes in terms of success rate, complications, and operation time. METHODS: We analyzed data of patients with previous unsuccessful SWL (Group I) and the ones that did not have SWL or URS before (Group II) for proximal ureteral stones between December 2007 and August 2014. Group I included 346 patients who underwent complementary URS and Group II 209 patients who underwent primary URS. Success rates, operation time and complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: Success rates of complementary and primary URS were 78.9% and 80.9%, respectively. The difference in success rates was not statistically significant between groups (p = 0.57). The complication rates of complementary URS was 12.1%, and 9.5% in primary URS (p = 0.49). No statistically significant differences were noted in terms of gender, age, stone size and side, or lithotripter type between groups. The mean operation time and need for balloon dilatation were higher in complementary URS group compared to the primary URS group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Complementary URS may be used safely after SWL failure in proximal ureteral stones. Its success rate and morbidities are similar to primary URS, except for longer operation time and an increased need for balloon dilatation.

Penile enhancement with rectus muscle fascia and testicular tunica vaginalis grafts: an experimental animal study.

PURPOSE: To enhance rat penises experimentally with rectus muscle fascia (RMF) and testicular tunica vaginalis grafts (TVG). METHODS: Twelve Wistar albino rats were distributed into two equal Groups, A and B. There were six rats in each group. RMF and TVG were used to enhance rat penises in Groups A and B, respectively. Circumferences of the penises were measured preoperatively and at three different times after the operation. Two, two and eight rats were killed 10 days, 1 month and 2 months after the operation, respectively, for histopathological examinations. RESULTS: When we compared the measurements of preoperative and immediately postoperative circumferences, the mean increase was 23.4 ± 2.9 % in Group A and 19.9 ± 1.7 % in Group B. According to paired t test, the difference was significant (p < 0001), but the comparison between preoperative and postoperative first-month measurements was not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Histological examinations revealed an intensive inflammatory process at 10 days after the operation. Grafts were found to be totally absorbed in the first- and second-month examinations. CONCLUSION: In our study, implanted TVG and RMF could not survive because of insufficient vascularization and failure to maintain satisfactory surgical success. More studies are needed to increase the effectiveness of surgical techniques.

Management of calyceal diverticular calculi: a comparison of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureterorenoscopy.

To compare the outcomes in patients who have been treated with flexible ureterorenoscopy (f-URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in managing stone-bearing caliceal diverticula. Between April 2007 and October 2013, we performed a retrospective analysis of 54 evaluable patients (28 women and 26 men) with symptomatic stone-bearing caliceal diverticula, who underwent PNL (n = 29) or F-URS (n = 25) in four referral hospitals in Turkey. The groups were compared with respect to demographics, stone location/size, success rate, stone-free status, symptom-free status, complication rates, and hospital stay. The average stone burden preoperatively was significantly larger in patients who were treated with PNL, with the average size for f-URS being 154 ± 77 mm(2) and that for PNL being 211 ± 97 mm(2) (p = 0.023). Symptom-free rates, success rates, stone-free rates and clinically insignificant residual fragments were similar between the groups (p = 0.880 vs. p = 0.537 vs. p = 0.539, and p = 0.877, respectively). There was no statistical difference between the groups for minor complications (p = 0.521) but no major complication (Clavien III-V) occured in the f-URS group; although there were three major complications (10.3 %) (Clavien III) in the PNL group (p < 0.001). Hospitalization time per patient was 1.04 ± 0.20 days in the f-URS group, while it was 3.86 ± 1.94 days in the PNL group (p < 0.001). Even though this study clearly shows that both techniques have high overall success and symptom-free rates with similar complication rates for stone-bearing calyceal diverticulum, major complication rates may suggest consideration of the invasiveness of PNL. The f-URS procedure is advantageous with respect to a shorter hospital stay and absence of major complications. Therefore, it should be emphasized that the location of the stone and diverticula is an important factor for the selection of the procedure.

Effect of positive surgical margins on biochemical failure, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and overall survival after radical prostatectomy: median long-term results.

The aim of this study was to investigate the median long-term effects of positive surgical margin (PSM) and other prognostic factors on biochemical recurrence-free survival, overall survival, and biochemical failure in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Our study included 121 patients with pT2-3N0 disease treated between March 2006 and August 2012. The patients were divided into two groups: those with PSM and those with negative surgical margin (NSM). We analyzed the age, clinical and pathological stages, preoperative and postoperative Gleason scores, duration of the follow-up, adjuvant chemo-/radiotherapy, biochemical failure, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and overall survival in these patients. PSM was found in 25 (20%) patients, whereas 96 patients had NSM. The median follow-up time was 46.6 months (range 12-72 months) for the PSM group and 48.3 months (range 7-149 months) for the NSM group. The biochemical failure rate was 24% in the PSM group and 8.3% in the NSM group (p = 0.029). The biochemical recurrence-free survival was found as 76% in the PSM group and 91.7% in the NSM group. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The overall survival was 100% in both groups. The surgical margins of the radical prostatectomy material is an important pathological indicator for biochemical failure at mid long-term follow-up. We did not find any effect of PSM on overall survival or biochemical recurrence-free survival.

Acupuncture versus solifenacin for treatment of overactive bladder and its correlation with urine nerve growth factor levels: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether acupuncture is effective as an overactive bladder (OAB) treatment compared with solifenacin and placebo, and to investigate its relation with urine nerve growth factor (NGF) levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with methodological rigor based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials criteria. 90 female patients with OAB were included and randomly assigned to a solifenacin, acupuncture or placebo group. The medicated group received solifenacin 5 mg/day; the acupuncture and placebo groups were treated twice a week for 4 weeks. Symptom scores, quality of life scores, frequency of micturition and urine NGF levels were used to assess treatment efficiency. RESULTS: The study was completed with 82 patients (n = 30 in the solifenacin group, n = 28 in the acupuncture group and n = 24 in the placebo group). After treatment, comparison of the medical and acupuncture therapy groups with the placebo group showed significant differences between recovery concerning quality of life (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and symptom scores (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The decrease of NGF levels after treatment compared to before treatment was determined in each group (solifenacin, acupuncture, placebo group; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.359, respectively). Sufficient symptomatic improvement was not achieved in 8 patients in the acupuncture group. Therefore, comparisons were assessed twice with and without including these patients, and NGF levels in the acupuncture group were higher than at first comparison in which all patients in the acupuncture group were included. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with OAB in whom anticholinergic treatment is contraindicated, acupuncture may be considered another treatment option.

Does the endoscopic treatment of lower ureter stones affect uroflowmetric values? A prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to document if stones at the lower ureter alter the micturition capability of the patients and to investigate whether endoscopic removal of these stones restores normal urinary flow rates or not in the 3 months of follow-up. METHODS: Forty patients with lower ureteral stone (group 1) and 20 control subjects with proximal ureteral stone (group 2) were enrolled into the study. All patients underwent uroflowmetry testing before and 3 months after the treatment for endoscopic stone removal. The mean average and peak flow rates with a sufficient voided volume (≥150 ml) were evaluated before and after surgery and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Mean values of the peak flow rates before and after surgery were 20.3 and 27.5 ml/s in group 1 and 22.5 and 23.6 ml/s in group 2, and the mean average flow rate values before and after surgery were 10.5 and 13.6 ml/s in group 1 and 11.4 and 12.1 ml/s in group 2. Statistically significant differences were determined between before and after ureteroscopy values were determined in terms of average (p < 0.05) and peak flow rates (p < 0.01) in group I; however, there no significant difference was seen in the control group. CONCLUSION: We document for the first time in the literature that patients with lower ureteric stones have a reduction in their urinary stream which resolves with endoscopic removal of the stones.

Acupuncture versus paroxetine for the treatment of premature ejaculation: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture therapy has been used by many researchers in both male and female sexual dysfunction studies. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether acupuncture is effective as a premature ejaculation (PE) treatment compared with paroxetine and placebo. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted with methodologic rigor based on Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) criteria. Ninety patients referred to the urology clinic at a tertiary training and research hospital with PE were included in this randomized controlled trial and randomly assigned into paroxetine, acupuncture, and placebo groups. Heterosexual, sexually active men aged between 28 and 50 yr were included. Men with other sexual disorders, including erectile dysfunction; with chronic psychiatric or systemic diseases; with alcohol or substance abuse; or who used any medications were excluded. INTERVENTION: The medicated group received paroxetine 20 mg/d; the acupuncture or sham-acupuncture (placebo) groups were treated twice a week for 4 wk. MEASUREMENTS: Intravaginal ejaculation latency times (IELTs) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) were used to assess PE. IELTs were calculated by using a partner-held stopwatch. Data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Median PEDT scores of paroxetine, acupuncture, and placebo groups were 17.0, 16.0, and 15.5 before treatment, and 10.5, 11.0, and 16.0 after treatment, respectively (p=0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.314, respectively). Subscores after treatment were significantly lower than subscores before treatment in the paroxetine and acupuncture groups but remained the same in the placebo group. Significant differences were found between mean-rank IELTs of the paroxetine and placebo groups (p=0.001) and the acupuncture and placebo groups (p=0.001) after treatment. Increases of IELTs with paroxetine, acupuncture, and placebo acupuncture were 82.7, 65.7, and 33.1 s, respectively. Extent of ejaculation delay induced by paroxetine was significantly higher than that of acupuncture (p=0.001). The most important limitation of the study was the lack of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although less effective than daily paroxetine, acupuncture had a significant stronger ejaculation-delaying effect than placebo.