Characteristics of recurrent acute urinary retention in BPH patients in the United States: Retrospective analysis of US-based insurance claims database.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to analyze characteristics of recurrent acute urinary retention (AUR) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), utilizing a population based data set. Also, we sought to report on how AUR was treated, specifically regarding the need and length of catheterization and types of procedures utilized for mitigation. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was performed using Optum's deidentified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database. We compared two groups, BPH patients with AUR (n = 180,737) and BPH patients without AUR (n = 1,139,760) from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2017. Also, we analyzed the factors affecting the development of multiple episodes of AUR through age-adjusted multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In contrast to the 47.7% of patients who had a single AUR episode, 33.5% of AUR patients developed 3 or more subsequent episodes of retention. For age matched patients, the risks of additional episodes of retention increase significantly with older age, Caucasian race, diabetes, neurologic conditions, or low income. Overall, the rate of BPH surgery in AUR patients over the study period decreased and the most common procedure was transurethral resection of the prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for multiple episodes of AUR included age (60 and older), Caucasian race, lower income socioeconomic status, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Patients with a high probability of developing recurrent episodes of AUR are recommended to receive preemptive BPH medication before such AUR occurrences. Also, more expeditious surgical treatment should be considered rather than temporary catheterization when AUR occurs.

Artificial intelligence in urologic oncology: the actual clinical practice results of IBM Watson for Oncology in South Korea.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our life, including the medical field. Repeated machine learning using big data made various fields more predictable and accurate. In medicine, IBM Watson for Oncology (WFO), trained by Memorial Slone Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), was first introduced and applied in 14 countries worldwide.Our study was designed to assess the feasibility of WFO in actual clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the concordance rate between WFO and multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) in Urologic cancer patients. Materials and methods: We reviewed retrospectively collected data for consecutive patients who underwent WFO and MTB simultaneously in the diagnosis of urologic malignancy before determining further treatment between August 2017 and September 2020. We compared the recommendation of the AI system, WFO (IBM Watson Health, Cambridge, MA), with the opinion of MTB for further managing all patients diagnosed with urologic malignancies such as prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. Results: A total of 55 patients were enrolled in our study. The number of patients with prostate cancer was 48. The number of bladder and kidney cancer patients was 5 and 2, respectively. The overall concordance rate between WFO and MTB was 92.7%. Three patients could not suggest proper treatment options using WFO, and the recommended choice of WFO was not feasible in the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Conclusions: The decision of WFO showed a high concordance rate with a multidisciplinary tumor board for urologic oncology. However, some recommendations of WFO were not feasible in actual practice, and WFO still has some points to improve and modify. Interestingly, applying WFO is likely to facilitate a multidisciplinary team approach.

New Trends in Innovative Technologies Applying Artificial Intelligence to Urinary Diseases.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in various fields of medicine, with applications encompassing all areas of medical services, such as the development of medical robots, the diagnosis and personalized treatment of diseases, and personalized healthcare. Medical AI research and development have been largely focused on diagnosis, prediction, treatment, and management as an auxiliary means of patient care. AI is mainly used in the fields of personal healthcare and diagnostic imaging. In urology, substantial investments are being made in the development of urination monitoring systems in the personal healthcare field and diagnostic solutions for ureteral stricture and urolithiasis in the diagnostic imaging field. This paper describes AI applications for urinary diseases and discusses current trends and future perspectives in AI research.

Effects of combined growth hormone and testosterone treatments in a rat model of micropenis.

Although it is well known that penile growth is dependent on androgens, few clinical studies have reported successful treatment of micropenis with testosterone, likely due to concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of prolonged testosterone use. Thus, we assessed the synergenic effects of growth hormone (GH) treatments with and without testosterone on phallic growth in a rat model of micropenis. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to control (C), microphallus (MP), testosterone (T), GH (G) and GH plus testosterone (GT) treatment groups, and microphallus was induced by secondary hypogonadism. Pre-pubertal treatments with testosterone, GH or the combination were initiated from 7 days after birth and were maintained until 12 weeks of age. To assess the efficacy of treatments, phallic dimensions were determined and histological markers of cavernosal integrity were evaluated. Skeletal and gonadal safety profiles of the treatments were then assessed according to right tibial lengths and testicular weights, respectively. No monotreatments normalised penile dimensions, whereas combination treatments led to complete restoration. The combination treatment also prevented decreases in histological indicators of cavernosal integrity, including smooth muscle actin and collagen III expression levels and fat globule accumulation and sinusoidal density. These synergenic effects of GH treatments on penile growth may follow changes in androgen receptor expression levels and were accompanied by decreased testicular volume losses. Although the physiological conditions of phallic growth differ between humans and rats, this proof-of-concept study provides a strategy for circumventing the problems of testosterone monotherapy for human micropenis.

The Association of A Number of Risk Factors With Depression in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

PURPOSE: To identify factors affecting depressive symptoms in patients undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients with prostate cancer visiting the psychiatry department without referral because of depressive symptoms while undergoing ADT participated. To assess depressive symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. To identify the risk factors affecting depressive symptoms, univariate regression and multiple linear regression analyses were implemented. RESULTS: The mean (± SD) age, age when initiating ADT, duration of ADT, serum testosterone level and BDI scores of participants (n = 45) were 73.9 ± 7.9 years, 72 ± 8.5 years, 33 ± 31.6 months, 214.9 ± 219.5 ng/dL and 18 ± 13.5 points. The androgen dependent and independent were 26 and 9 patients. Eight of these androgen-independent patients underwent concurrent chemotherapy. Twenty-one patients were treated with bicalutamide and 24 with leuprolide. Of the clinical variables affecting BDI scores, the type of ADT drug (P < 0.001), serum testosterone level (P = 0.003), and age at diagnosis (P < 0.001) were significant. CONCLUSION: Efforts to diagnose and treat depression appropriately, especially if depressive symptoms change in patients undergoing ADT to treat prostate cancer who are using an LHRH agonist (leuprolide), have low testosteronelevel, or are older at the age when initiating ADT.

Enucleated Weight/Enucleation Time, Is It Appropriate for Estimating Enucleation Skills for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate? A Consideration of Energy Consumption.

PURPOSE: To date, the parameters for evaluating enucleation efficiency have only considered enucleation time, although operators simultaneously consume both time and energy during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. This study was undertaken to find a better way of assessing enucleation skills, considering both enucleation time and consumed energy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred (n=100) consecutive patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate from April 2012 to April 2014 by a single surgeon were enrolled. Ten groups of 10 consecutive cases were used to analyze the parameters of enucleation efficiency. RESULTS: The mean enucleation time, consumed energy, and enucleated weight were 41.3±19.2 minutes, 66.2±36.0 kJ, and 26.6±21.8 g, respectively. Concerning learning curves, like enucleation time-efficacy (=enucleated weight/enucleation time), enucleation energy-efficacy (=enucleated weight/consumed energy) also had an increasing tendency. Enucleation ratio efficacy (=enucleated weight/transitional zone volume/enucleation time) plateaued after 30 cases. However, enucleation time-energy-efficacy (=enucleated weight/enucleation time/consumed energy) continued to increase after 30 cases and plateaued at 61 to 70 cases. Furthermore, one-way analysis of variance showed that group means for enucleation time-energy-efficacy (F=3.560, p=0.001) were significantly different, but that those of enucleation ratio efficacy (F=1.931, p=0.057) were not. CONCLUSIONS: When both time and energy were considered, enucleation skills continued to improve even after 30 cases and plateaued at 61 to 70 cases. Therefore, we propose that enucleation time-energy-efficacy should be used as a more appropriate parameter than enucleation ratio efficacy for evaluating enucleation skills.

Efficacy and safety of silodosin in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men taking antihypertensive medications.

BACKGROUND: Both hypertension and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common conditions in the elderly population. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of silodosin in the treatment of LUTS in elderly men who were taking antihypertensive medications. METHODS: This is an observational study which collected the medical records of patients who started silodosin medication for their LUTS between April 2015 and December 2015. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65 years, currently taking antihypertensive medication, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 8. Pretreatment evaluation included IPSS, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, systemic symptoms, blood pressure, and uroflowmetry. Post-treatment evaluation was performed 3 months after the initial administration of silodosin medication. RESULTS: Mean age of the total 48 patients was 70.7 ± 5.2 years. Thirty-two (66.7%) patients who continued silodosin single treatment showed a significant decrease in IPSS Quality of life scores (4.2 ± 1.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.6, P = 0.001) and an increase in the maximum flow rate (10.7 ± 6.0 mL/s vs. 14.0 ± 4.5 mL/s, P = 0.001). Blood pressures did not change, and none of the patients needed to adjust their antihypertensive medication. New development of orthostatic hypotension was observed in one (2.5%) patient. Among the six patients who had orthostatic hypotension before silodosin treatment, none of the patients showed symptom aggravation. Ejaculatory dysfunction that required discontinuation of silodosin medication developed in only one (2.5%) patient. CONCLUSION: Silodosin is an effective and safe agent in elderly men who are taking antihypertensive medications. Silodosin has an advantage in the treatment of LUTS in this population, even if the patients have orthostatic hypotension before treatment.

Measuring change in prostate size after holmium laser enucleation: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: To analyze postoperative outcomes of prostate surgery, resected specimen weight is commonly used. The difference between the preoperative calculated transitional zone volume and actual enucleated specimen weight following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is reported at over 20%. The reason for this difference is unclear. We assessed the association of volume of the prostatic adenoma with enucleated weight, the volume and calculated volume of the adenoma by pre- and postoperative ultrasonographic measurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were prospectively enrolled who underwent HoLEP by two surgeons (SJO and JKO) between 2010 and 2015. Preoperative and postoperative prostate ultrasonography examinations were performed by a single examiner (JKO) during surgery, and weight and volume of the enucleated adenoma were measured. We compared preoperative adenoma size with postoperative weight and volume of the enucleated adenoma, calculated enucleated volume using ultrasonography, and calculated the correlation coefficients between preoperative adenoma volume and postoperative parameters. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two patients with a mean age (±standard deviation) of 69.8 (±8.8) years were analyzed. The mean preoperative ultrasound-measured adenoma volume was 31.7 (±21.4) mL, while postoperatively the mean retrieved weight of the adenoma was 22.3 (±17.0) g and the mean volume was 22.3 (±16.8) mL. Postoperatively calculated enucleated volume using ultrasonography was most strongly correlated with preoperative adenoma size (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.965, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a significant difference between preoperative adenoma size and postoperative enucleated weight of adenoma during HoLEP. Postoperatively calculated enucleated volume using ultrasonography may be the most reliable parameter to assess surgical outcomes following HoLEP.

Corrigendum: Correction of the unit for stone size in the ABSTRACT and RESULTS section. The Gachon University Ureteral Narrowing score: A comprehensive standardized system for predicting necessity of ureteral dilatation to treat proximal ureteral calculi.

[This corrects the article on p. 280 in vol. 57.].

The Gachon University Ureteral Narrowing score: A comprehensive standardized system for predicting necessity of ureteral dilatation to treat proximal ureteral calculi.

PURPOSE: For treating proximal ureteral calculi, treatment decision has been known still difficult to choose ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) or shockwave lithotripsy. The aims of our study are to identify the possible predictors for necessity of URS and to propose the Gachon University Ureteral Narrowing scoring system (GUUN score) as a helpful predictor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 83 consecutive patients who underwent semirigid URS due to proximal ureteral calculi between April 2011 and February 2014 by a single surgeon. We reviewed patient characteristics and pre- and postoperative parameters and surgical records. We divided the patients into 2 groups (group 1, nondilation group; group 2, dilation group) according to whether or not balloon dilation was performed. A stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that predict dilatation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and areas under the ROC curve (AUC) were calculated to GUUN score. RESULTS: Mean patients' age and their stone size were 48.53±12.90 years and 7.79±2.57 cm, respectively. Significantly smaller stone size (p=0.009), lower stone density (p=0.005), and lower ureteral density differences between ureteral narrowing level and far distal ureter (UD) (p<0.001) were observed in group 1 (n=34) than in group 2 (n=49). GUUN score consists of age, stone size and UD (AUC, 0.938). Overall stone-free clearance rate was 85.5%. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the GUUN score is an excellent scoring system to predict the necessity of ureteral dilatation for decision making whether or not to perform surgical manipulation.

Are Urologists Performing Semi-rigid Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy Safe From Radiation Exposure? A Guidance to Reduce the Radiation Dose.

OBJECTIVE: To measure radiation exposure of urologists during ureteroscopic (URS) lithotripsy, and hence estimating the number of procedures that can be performed safely considering the annually permissible radiation dose, and to identify influential variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiation exposure dose was measured at the neck, chest, arm, and hands of a single urologist who performed 49 URS lithotripsies. The number of annually performed URS lithotripsies was estimated based on the annual permissible occupational exposure radiation dose guidelines. The fluoroscopy screening time, tube voltage, and tube current were evaluated to determine their correlation with operative time, position, size, and Hounsfield unit (HU) values of the ureteral stones, and patients' body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Our findings showed that 45 URS lithotripsies can be safely performed without a whole-body apron vs 1725 cases with one; considering the permissible dose for the hands, 448 cases without radiation protection were possible. Significant correlations were observed between operative time and fluoroscopy screening time (P < .001), ureteral calculi location and fluoroscopy screening time (P = .027), HU value and fluoroscopy screening time (P = .016), HU value and operative time (P = .041), and tube current and patients' BMI (P = .009). CONCLUSION: Considering radiation exposure risk, protective gear is necessary to ensure safety and efficacy of URS lithotripsy. Efforts to reduce radiation dose before and during surgery are required when ureteral calculi are in upper locations or have large HU, or the patient has a high BMI.

Does the Mother or Father Determine the Offspring Sex Ratio? Investigating the Relationship between Maternal Digit Ratio and Offspring Sex Ratio.

OBJECTIVE: In mammals, high parental testosterone levels present around the time of conception are thought to skew offspring sex ratio toward sons. The second to fourth digit ratio (digit ratio) is now widely accepted as a negative correlate of prenatal testosterone. Thus, we investigated the association between digit ratio and offspring sex ratio. METHODS: A total of 508 Korean patients (257 males and 251 females) less than 60 years old who had one or more offspring were prospectively enrolled. The lengths of the 2nd and 4th digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital vernier calliper. Next, the patients' lifetime offspring birth sex ratios were investigated. RESULTS: Maternal (rather than paternal) digit ratio was significantly associated with the number of sons (r = -0.153, p = 0.015), number of daughters (r = 0.130, p = 0.039), and offspring sex ratio (r = -0.171, p = 0.007). And, the maternal digit ratio was a significant factor for predicting offspring sex ratio (B = -1.620, p = 0.008) on multiple linear regression analysis. The female patients with a lower digit ratio (< 0.95) were found to have a higher offspring sex ratio (0.609 versus 0.521, p = 0.046) compared to those with a higher digit ratio (≥ 0.95). Furthermore, females in the low digit ratio group have a probability 1.138 greater of having sons than females in the high digit ratio group. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal digit ratio was negatively associated with offspring sex ratio. Females with a lower digit ratio were more likely to have more male offspring compared to those with a higher digit ratio. Thus, our results suggest that the sex of offspring might be more influenced by maternal rather than paternal factors.

Salvage Holmium laser enucleation of prostate to treat residual benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) technique to remove residual adenoma has not been reported. Salvage HoLEP enables anatomical enucleation of residual adenoma in patients who have previously undergone surgical treatment. We describe not only anatomical insights into the frequent location of adenoma recurrence, but also the feasibility of the salvage HoLEP technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database containing HoLEP video records for 35 patients out of a total of 535 individuals on whom HoLEP was performed by 2 surgeons (SJO & JSP) between July 2008 and June 2011. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent salvage HoLEP due to recurring adenoma and Group 2 of patients who underwent HoLEP as an initially surgical management to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We compared the dataset of pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters between Groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: In the analysis of the video records of Group 1 (n = 35), there was significant remnant tissue around the verumontanum and the lateral lobes were also incompletely removed by previous conventional procedures. When we compared pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters between the 2 groups, there were no significant differences, including operation time, duration of hospital stay. However, the duration of the catheterization of Group 1 was shorter than that of Group 2 (1.38 ± 0.55 vs. 1.90 ± 1.81 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even for cases of residual BPH, salvage HoLEP is a feasible and effective procedure for treating residual adenoma along the anatomical plane.

Second to fourth digit ratio: a predictor of adult lung function.

Sex and sex hormones play a major role in lung physiology. It has been proposed that the ratio of the second to fourth digits (digit ratio) is correlated with fetal sex hormones. We therefore hypothesized that digit ratio might help predict lung function. We investigated the relationship between digit ratio and pulmonary function test (PFT) findings. A total of 245 South Korean patients (162 male, 83 female) aged from 34 to 90 years who were hospitalized for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled. Before administering the PFTs, the lengths of the second and fourth digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital Vernier caliper. In males (n = 162), univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that digit ratio was a significant predictive factor of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (FVC: r = 0.156, P = 0.047; FEV1: r = 0.160, P = 0.042). In male ever-smokers (n = 69), lung functions (FVC and FEV1) were correlated with smoking exposure rather than digit ratio. In female never-smokers (n = 83), lung functions (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio) were positively correlated with digit ratio on univariate analysis (FEV1: r = 0.242, P = 0.027; FEV1/FVC ratio: r = 0.245, P = 0.026). Patients with lower digit ratios tend to have decreased lung function. These results suggest that digit ratio is a predictor of airway function.

Effect of holmium laser enucleation of prostate on overactive bladder symptoms and urodynamic parameters: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of Holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and urodynamic parameters in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five patients were included in this prospective study. They complained of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia and underwent HoLEP by a surgeon from January 2010 to March 2012. We analyzed the results of International Prostate Symptom Score, overactive bladder questionnaire, frequency-volume chart, and urodynamic studies (UDS) before and after the surgery. Follow-up examinations were repeated 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and a UDS was performed at 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 68.4 (range, 52-91) years, the preoperative prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasound was 71.1 (range, 22-202) mL, and the serum PSA level was 4.4 (range, 0.5-21.7) ng/mL. Postoperatively, patients showed significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score (total score from 20.7 to 5.5, P <.001), overactive bladder questionnaire score (severity score from 24.8 to 12.5, P <.001), and frequency-volume chart parameters (daytime frequency, nocturia, and maximal capacity, respectively) (P <.001). The peak flow rate (P <.001), postvoid residual urine volume (P <.001), maximal cystometric capacity (P <.002), and bladder outlet obstruction index (P <.001) have improved significantly. The number of patients who showed involuntary detrusor contraction in UDS decreased significantly from 45.5% to 36.4% (P <.001). However, bladder compliance did not improve. CONCLUSION: OAB symptoms and urodynamic parameters were improved significantly after HoLEP surgery in short-term follow-up.

Effect of the systematised critical pathway protocol on emptying failure as a secondary complication of radical hysterectomy due to uterine cervix cancer.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of this pathway in managing postoperative emptying failure as a secondary complication of radical hysterectomy. BACKGROUND: Postoperative urological management after radical hysterectomy has not been effective. We designed and prospectively applied a critical pathway for effective postoperative urological management after radical hysterectomy, based on early catheter removal and application of clean intermittent catheterisation. DESIGN: Retrospective qualitative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of results from a database of patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for the treatment of uterine cervical cancer from 2004-2008 and analysis of questionnaires from ward nurses (Appendix 1) who were directly involved in patient care for measuring the clinical effectiveness. RESULTS: Data from a total of 185 patients were analysed. Mean period of the indwelling catheter was 8·3 (SD 1·1), 13·0 (SD 1·1) and 13·1 (SD 3·3) days in the critical pathway (CP), parallel control (PC) and historical control (HC) groups, respectively. Among CP, HC and PC groups, the overall hospital stays were 14·1 (SD 4·8), 20·2 (SD 10) and 18·2 (SD 8·8) days and the periods of time for the indwelling catheters were 8·31 (SD 1·1), 13·1 (SD 3·3) and 13·0 (SD 1·1) days, respectively. Significant differences in the overall hospital stay and the postoperative hospital stay were observed between CP group and the other groups. Analysis of the questionnaires showed that 67% of nurses agreed that the critical pathway was more effective than the previous management pathway system. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that CP is an effective treatment modality for the management of postoperative emptying failure after radical hysterectomy. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our critical pathway may be applicable to postoperative urological management of radical pelvic surgeries. It may help patients in understanding their hospital course of treatment and encourage patients to participate in their postoperative care.

Is tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy a feasible technique for the treatment of staghorn calculi?

PURPOSE: Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) remains a challenging technique for the surgical treatment of staghorn renal calculi. Our study was designed to compare surgical outcomes between conventional and tubeless PNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients who underwent conventional or tubeless PNL under general anesthesia performed by a single surgeon (H.J.) for the treatment of staghorn calculi between 2003 and 2012. All patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients who underwent conventional PNL and group 2 included patients who were managed by tubeless PNL for the treatment of staghorn calculi. Preoperative and postoperative parameters were analyzed between the two groups, including age, stone burden, complications, any interventions, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (group 1, 106; group 2, 59) were enrolled in the study. No significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, or stone laterality were observed between the two groups. The mean stone burdens (±standard deviation) of group 1 and group 2 were 633.6 (±667.4) and 529.9 (±362.8), respectively (p=0.271). The postoperative stone-free clearance rate was higher in group 2 (78.0%) than in group 1 (69.8%); however, the difference was not clinically significant (p=0.127). In addition, no significant differences in postoperative complications, including fever, bleeding, infection, or additional interventions, were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that tubeless PNL has the same effectiveness and safety as conventional PNL in the treatment of staghorn calculi. Tubeless PNL may be feasible for managing renal staghorn calculi.

Why are recurrent cervical cancers of the pelvic stump misdiagnosed as interstitial cystitis?: The urologist's point of view based on a case report.

A 50-year-old female who had undergone laparoscopic total hysterectomy at a local clinic owing to leiomyoma of the uterus was referred to our hospital after having dysuria, urgency, frequency, lower abdominal pain and right flank pain over several months. After routine examinations, cystoscopy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and non-ulcerative interstitial cystitis accompanied by postoperative fibrosis secondary to a previous surgery was suggested. Pentosan sulfuric polyester (Elmiron, Alza Pharmaceuticals, Mountain View, CA) reduced her severely debilitating symptoms and improved her quality of life. Both the hydronephrosis and the symptoms were relieved by ureteral stent insertion and percutaneous nephrostomy. However, a few days later, she presented with vaginal bleeding along with her previous symptoms, and punch biopsy of the vaginal stump resulted in a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Both ureterocutaneostomy with radical cystectomy and lower anterior resection for rectum invasion were conducted. After the slide review of the original specimen from the local clinic, she was diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer of the vaginal stump.

The feasibility of shockwave lithotripsy for treating solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm in size.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, few studies were reported about the treatment of large, solitary, renal calculi between shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). We assess the feasibility of SWL for managing solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm by comparing the results of lower pole calculi treatment between patients that underwent SWL or PNL. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data for patients who had undergone PNL or SWL due to lower calyceal stones over 1 cm. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent SWL to treat lower pole renal calculi from 2010 to 2011. Group 2 included patients who underwent PNL to manage lower pole renal calculi from 2008 to 2009. We compared patient age, gender, stone size, comorbidities, postoperative complications, additional interventions and anatomical parameters between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean ages (±SD) of groups 1 (n = 33) and 2 (n = 22) were 55.1 (±13.0) and 50.0 (±10.6) years (p = 0.133) and mean stone sizes were 1.6 (±0.7) and 1.9 (±0.8) cm (p = 0.135), respectively. There were no significant differences in gender distribution, comorbidities or stone laterality between the two groups. No significant differences in various parameters were observed between patients with stones 1 to 2 cm and ones with stones 2 cm or larger. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that SWL is a safe, feasible treatment for solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm.

Modified distal urethral polypropylene sling (canal transobturator tape) procedure: efficacy for persistent stress urinary incontinence after a conventional midurethral sling procedure.

PURPOSE: Despite reports of persistent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients after the midurethral sling (MUS) procedure, there is no widely accepted definition or cause of the condition. In many cases, the mesh implanted in the previous MUS procedure has been found to have migrated proximally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified distal urethral polypropylene sling, or canal transobturator tape (TOT), procedure for persistent SUI after a conventional MUS procedure on the assumption that persistent SUI after MUS is due to the location of the sling. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2012, 31 female patients who underwent the canal TOT procedure presented with incontinence or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were included in this study. We identified patients who had been operated on by use of the conventional MUS procedure at other medical facilities, whose Valsalva leak pressure point was less than 120 cm-H2O by urodynamic study, and who were also diagnosed with persistent SUI. If vaginal or urethral mesh exposure was concomitant with persistent SUI, the mesh was removed completely or in part. Surgical procedures for canal TOT were identical to the original TOT procedures, except in the number and location of the vaginal incisions. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7) and Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6) scores were assessed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Twenty-eight patients (90.3%) showed improvement in incontinence or other LUTS. Postoperative scores of the IIQ-7 (0.65±0.48) and UDI-6 (3.48±2.28) were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores (1.26±0.58 and 7.52±4.30, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Improper sling location is one of the major causes of persistent SUI after the conventional MUS procedure. Our results demonstrate that canal TOT may be an alternative method in the treatment of persistent SUI after the conventional MUS procedure.