Use of autologous fascia in midurethral sling surgeries; comparison of transobtrator and retropubic ways.

OBJECTIVES: To compare autologous transobturator-tape (A-TOT) and autologous transvaginal tape (A-TVT) surgeries in terms of effectivity and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative data, duration of the operation, complications and postoperative visual analogue scores were noted. Patients were assessed 12 months after surgery. An objective cure was defined as a negative CST and no need for reoperation due to SUI. Subjective cure was defined as a PGI-I score ≤ 2. Symptom severity and QoL were measured using the total score and the total QoL score of the ICIQ-FLUTS. RESULTS: Retrospectively 44 patients (A-TOT:29, A-TVT:15) were enrolled in this study. Mean follow-18 months. Preoperative parameters were similar. The VAS score at the 8th hour postoperatively was higher in the A-TOT group and similar at the 24th h (p = 0.007 and p = 0.587, respectively). Grade 3 complications according to clavien dindo were only observed in the A-TOT group. At 12 month the objective cure rates according to CST were 96.5% and 100 the subjective cure rates according to PGI-I veew 96.5% and 100%. A positive CST findingwasrecorded in one patient (3.3%) in the A-TOT group. Total score and total quality of life (QoL) scores on the ICIQ-FLUTS were found to be significantly improved in both groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) (Tab. 4). Similar improvements were found in both groups in the overall and quality of life subscores of the ICIQ-FLUTS filling and voiding sections (p = 0.476, p = 0.315, p = 0.520, and p = 0.448, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The A-TOT technique has objective, subjective cure, and overall complication rates comparable to those of the A-TVT technique. The use of autologous fascia provides an opportunity to avoid mesh-related complications.

Use of the Allium Round Posterior Stent for the Treatment of Recurrent Vesicourethral Anastomosis Stricture.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of monopolar incision and Allium Round Posterior Stent (RPS) insertion for the treatment of recurrent vesicourethral anastomosis stricture. METHODS: Having a suprapubic catheter and an obstructed pattern with a peak flow rate (PFR) ≤12 mL/s on uroflowmetry were the indications for the surgery. Once the fibrotic vesicourethral anastomosis was incised, RPS was inserted at the level of vesicourethral anastomosis under fluoroscopic guidance. All the stents were removed at postoperative first year. Patients were evaluated 3months after stent removal. Objective cure was defined as no need to further treatments and PFR ≥12 mL/s while subjective cure was defined as having points <4 on Patient Global Impression of Improvements scale. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients with a median age 66 (52-74) enrolled in the study, 18 had a suprapubic catheter, remaining 12 had median PFR 5.2 (2-10) mL/s. Stent migration was noted in two patients, these stents were replaced by new ones. Stone formation was diagnosed in one patient, a pneumatic-lithotripsy was performed. The median follow-up time was 28 (4-60) months following stent removal. Six cases needed further treatment after removal. The median PFR of remaining 24 patients was 20 (16-30) mL/s (P = .001). The objective cure rate was 24/30(80%), the Patient Global Impression of Improvements scores varied from 1 to 2, meaning subjective cure rate was 24/30(80%). For the six failed cases, according to patient preferences a lifetime RPS insertion was planned. CONCLUSION: With its minimally invasive nature, reversibility, and acceptable success and complication rates, incision of anastomosis and insertion of the RPS for a 1-year duration is a promising option for the treatment of recurrent vesicourethral anastomosis stricture.

A modified mid-urethral sling technique for stress urinary incontinence: Three-year results of a prospective randomized trial in comparison with original transobturator tape procedure.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most common subtype of urinary incontinence, which causes many social, psychological, and economic problems. Mid-urethral sling (MUS) surgery is popular worldwide for the treatment of SUI. We aimed to define a new modified mid-urethral sling technique (mMUS) in SUI treatment and to compare it with transobturator tape (TOT) surgery in terms of safety and efficiency. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study was planned with 126 women suffering from SUI. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, TOT and mMUS. In mMUS, the obturator membrane was not perforated. The objective and subjective symptoms, pain, quality-of-life measures, and side effect profiles were assessed in a 3-year follow-up. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for postoperative pain assessment. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) were used for cure assessment scales. RESULTS: In total, 96 patients completed 3-year follow-up (TOT, n = 49 and mMUS, n = 47). There was no statistical difference between the procedures in terms of cure rates (87.75% and 87.23%, respectively; p = 0.614). Mean VAS scores at 8 and 24 h postoperatively were significantly higher in the TOT group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in VAS scores after 24 h. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of pad test results, ICIQ, or PGI scores at baseline and 36 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that the mMUS procedure was as safe and effective as TOT, with less postoperative groin pain and complications.

Transurethral suturing of bladder following transurethral excision of female vesico-urachal diverticula: a novel technique with long-term follow-up results.

BACKGROUNDS: This study aims to describe and evaluate outcomes of transurethral surgery-natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (TUS-Notes) technique in patients treated with transurethral excision of vesico-urachal diverticula (VD). METHODS: Patients who underwent TUS-Notes following transurethral VD excision due to recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) since 2013 were included in this prospective non-randomized cohort study. Under cystoscopic guidance VD and surrounding bladder wall was resected until the fatty tissue using monopolar resectoscope. The specimen was removed with a grasper through the cystoscope. TUS-Notes technique was performed with Minimal Suturing Device (MSD-Ney®). The needle of the suture was shaped according to suturing position and loaded into MSD-Ney. They were inserted into the bladder under cystoscopic guidance transurethrally. Once the defect was sutured properly, an extracorporeal knot was prepared and tied. The length of the operation (LOO), and perioperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo grading system were noted. The integrity of the bladder was checked with cystography to assess objective cure. Subjective cure was evaluated with Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. RESULTS: The follow-up period of 65 participants varied from three months to eight years. The median LOO was 37 min. A Clavien grade-3 complication was observed in one patient. Peroperative failure was not noted. The median duration of hospital stays, and catheterization time was three days. Objective cure rate and subjective cure rates were 100%. UTI was not noted after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral complete excision of VD is an acceptable technique to prevent rUTI. The TUS-Notes technique provides a successful minimal invasive treatment option for the treatment of bladder defects. CONCISE: Transurethral suturing of urinary bladder.

Long term erectile function results of radical perineal prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Although many patients are being treated by radical prostatectomy (RP), there is still insufficient information about the changes in long-term erectile function after RP. Our aim is to examine long term, up to 5 year erectile function status of patients after Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two patients, who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP) in between January 2012 and January 2017, with preoperative age≤70, prostate volume<80g, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy Gleason score (GS)<7, prostate specific antigen (PSA) value<10ng/mL, and cT stage≤2 (N0, M0) were included into this study. Exclusion criteria were previous cardiovascular diseases, serious chronic renal and/or hepatic insufficiency, neurological diseases, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and severe lung diseases. Patients who received additional treatment (hormonal and/or radiotherapy) after RPP were also excluded from the study group. Erectile function was evaluated before surgery and at postoperative 3rd, 12th, and 60th months. Patients with an "International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) - 5" score of ≥21 and patients whose IIEF-5 scores were between 16 and 20 but responded as "yes" to the "Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) - 2" and "SEP-3" questions were accepted as having normal erectile function. RESULTS: Out of the 132 patients, 96 (72.7%) of the patients were found to be potent in the first postoperative year. A total of 118 patients were evaluated at the end of 5 years. Eighty seven (73.7%) patients had normal erectile function according to our criteria. DISCUSSION: According to the results of our study, short term and long term erectile function outcomes of patients undergoing RPP were favorable and there was no statistically significant difference between short and long term results.

Impact of Autologous Transobturator Sling Surgery on Female Sexual Function: A Comparative Study with Mesh Used Mid-Urethral Sling Surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: To avoid mesh-related complications, autologous transobturator-tape (a-TOT) technique is a viable option in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery. The method differs from TOT and retropubic tape (RT) in the usage of autologous tissue. We hypothesized that a-TOT improves female sexual dysfunction (FSD) more than TOT and RT. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent a-TOT, TOT, and RT surgeries were surveyed regarding the cure of SUI, complications, and FSD parameters. The groups were compared according to baseline and postoperative data. RESULTS: A-TOT, TOT, and RT groups included 37, 69, and 36 patients, respectively. The median follow-up time was 19 months. The groups were similar in terms of preoperative characteristics. The objective cure, subjective cure, and overall complication rates were comparable among the groups (p > 0.05). A-TOT group had significant improvements in mean female sexual function index (FSFI) scores, TOT group deteriorated, and RT group remained stable (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.226, respectively). The postoperative mean total FSFI scores were 25.73 ± 2.46, 23.17 ± 3.35, and 21.53 ± 2.47 for the a-TOT, TOT, and RT groups, respectively. The a-TOT group had better results than the TOT and RT groups (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05), and besides, the difference between the TOT and RT groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). According to percentage changes in domain scores following the operations, the a-TOT group had significantly better results in desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain domains than the TOT group (p < 0.05) as well as better desire, arousal, and pain domains (p < 0.05) than the RT group. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Besides comparable outcomes in SUI treatment, the a-TOT technique provides improvements in female sexual functions while TOT worsens and RT does not change. Favorable outcomes in sexual functions caused by improvements in desire, arousal, satisfaction, and pain domains are observed following the a-TOT technique.

Adenocarcinoma in Orthotopic Neobladder 19 Years After Radical Cystoprostatectomy.

Radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder are the most preferred surgical approaches for the treatment of invasive bladder cancer. Secondary tumour of ileum on neobladder is very rare. We report a 67-year man complaining of hematuria with the history of ileal neobladder for 19 years.  An ileal adenocarcinoma of neobladder was detected with transurethral resection. He also had a non-functioning right kidney. A neobladderectomy. with right nephroureterectomy and ureterocutaneostomy was performed. An adenocarcinoma invading subserosal layer was reported. At six months postoperatively, patient was free of recurrence and progression. Seconder tumour of neobladder is a very rare condition. Early diagnosis and excision of neobladder may provide cure. Key Words: Bladder cancer, Urinary diversion, Cystectomy, Ileum, Adenocarcinoma.

Fast, Easy, and Safe Establishment of Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Surgery: The Fingertip Technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no consensus on an ideal abdominal entry in laparoscopic surgery; as such, we aimed to assess the feasibility of the fingertip technique for safe entry and the establishment of pneumoperitoneum in transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 96 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery between December 2018 and September 2019. For all patients, pneumoperitoneum was performed using the fingertip technique, which we recently defined. The duration of time for initial entry, the occurrence of gas leakage, and the complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The median duration of initial entry was 90 (75 - 145) seconds. Pneumoperitoneum was established on the first attempt in all patients. Some events were encountered at the time of implementation of the fingertip technique, such as subcutaneous minor bleeding (5.2%) and gas leakage (4.1%). These events were controlled with cauterization and suturing. There was no visceral or major vascular injury in any patient case. CONCLUSIONS: The fingertip technique is a fast, safe, and feasible method for establishing pneumoperitoneum in transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery.

reply letter to Reply letter to: Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery vs. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy vs. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Lower Pole Renal Stones 10-20 mm : A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

We read the article entitled ''Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery vs. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy vs. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Lower Pole Renal Stones 10-20 mm: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review''  published in Urology Journal (1). The topic is still hot in urology regarding lower pole kidney stones in 10-20 mm diameters.  Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are the available options for the patients with lower pole renal stones 10-20 mm diameter, the decision making among the methods is still controversy. This manuscript is valuable in this regard.  At the present manuscript, the authors prepared a very comprehensive meta-analysis of existing evidence to quantify and compare the safety and efficacy of PCNL, RIRS and ESWL for lower pole renal stones 10-20mm.  They emphasized the longer operative time of PCNL and RIRS compared to ESWL. They also reported a higher stone-free rate, the lower retreatment rate and auxiliary procedure following PCNL with the longest hospital stay for PCNL.  When it comes to ESWL, the lowest SFR, the higher retreatment rate and auxiliary procedure rate, but a shorter operative time and the shortest hospital stay was reported. The authors indicated stone to skin distance (SSD) as an unfavourable factor for ESWL. This issue is also reported in current literature. SSD was calculated by measuring the distance from the stone to the skin in three angles (0°, 45° and 90°) and the cut-off value for SWL failure was reported in a wide-scale from 100 mm to 119 mm(2,3). At the present study, the authors presented 10 mm as a predictive value for the criteria of SWL failure. This statement seems to be not correct totally also 10 mm is an impossible value for SSD. In our opinion, it was caused by a misspelling, and a correction may be informative for the readers.

The impact of anterior calyceal stones on the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy for complex kidney stones: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of anterior calyceal stones on the surgical outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: Consecutive patients with complex kidney stones from 2012 to 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. In total, 219 patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of anterior calyceal stones (group 1; N.=89) or not (group 2; N.=130). The groups were compared in terms of surgical outcomes (i.e., stone-free rate [SFR], operation time, and hemoglobin drop) and complications. RESULTS: The patient demographics and stone characteristics were similar between the groups. Multiple access was more frequently done in group 1 than it was in group 2 (47.2% vs. 30.8%; P=0.014), and the SFR was lower in group 1 (51.7%) than it was in group 2 (67.7%; P=0.017). Of the anterior calyceal stones in group 1, 42.6% could not be cleaned. However, when excluding patients who have only anterior residual stones from the statistical analysis, the groups had similar SFRs (68.5% vs. 67.7% for group 1 and group 2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of complex kidney stones with anterior calyceal extension are associated with higher residual stones rates in the anterior calyx. Also, it increases multiple access, the operation time, and level of hemoglobin drop.

The impact of tumor invasion to muscularis mucosaevascular plexus on patient outcome in pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: T1 bladder cancer has a wide range of tumor behavior and lamina propria invasion depth has a high potential risk of disease progression. To evaluate the patient outcome according to the tumor invasion to the muscularis mucosae-vascular plexus (MM-VP) in pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients consecutively recorded from 2007 to 2013. A total of 93 patients with a history of primary pT1 BUC and complete follow-up were included. We used a pathological substaging system according to the tumor invasion regarding the MM-VP: pT1a (invasion above MM-VP) and pT1b (MM-VP invasion). We evaluated recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression- free survival (PFS), disease-specific-survival (DSS) based on this sub-staging system. RESULTS: Pathological evaluation regarding the MM-VP invasion revealed 53 patients (57%) as pT1a BUC and 40 patients (43%) as pT1b BUC. The mean follow-up was 78.8 months. During the follow-up period; 60 patients (64.5%) had tumor recurrences, 32 patients (34.4%) had progression to invasive disease, 18 patients (19.4 %) died during follow-up related to the BUC. In 29 (54.7%) of pT1a and in 31(77.5%) of pT1b tumors, the recurrent disease was recorded during the followup period (p = 0.023). DSS rates at 5 years for pT1a and pT1b were 80.2% and 60.8%, respectively. PFS, RFS, and DSS rates were similar for pT1a/pT1b and did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sub-staging of pT1 BUC according to the MM-VP invasion showed a limited impact on the outcome in our patient cohort. However, the presence of pT1b disease caused a significantly higher rate of recurrence.

Non-invasive evaluation of obstruction after ureteroscopic stone removal: Role of renal resistive index assessment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate prediction of postoperative ureteral obstruction needing ureteral stent insertion by evaluating the resistive index (RI) values and the grade of hydronephrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 66 adult patients undergoing stentless endoscopic ureteral stone treatment (URS) between January 2018 and January 2019 were included in this prospective study. Preoperative patient and stone characteristics were noted. All patients were evaluated with renal Doppler ultrasonography study to assess degree of hydronephrosis and RI values. A renal Doppler ultrasonography was repeated at postoperative 1st, 3rd and 7th days. Changes in both RI and hydronephrosis levels before and after the procedures were noted. On the postoperative 7th day, patients were divided into two groups including obstructive and non-obstructive cases according to RI values assessed where a RI value of 0.7 was accepted as the cut-off for obstruction. The preoperative and perioperative characteristics of both groups were evaluated in a comparative manner. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 43.6 ± 1.72 years. Significant improvements were noted in RI and grade of hydronephrosis after the operation. The grade of hydronephrosis and RI values were found to improve more significantly on postoperative 3rd day when compared to the postoperative 7th day (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). A significant correlation was detected between the grade of hydronephrosis (>grade 2) and obstructive RI values (> 0.7) in each postoperative visits (p: 0.001). RI values (> 0.7) at postoperative seventh days were correlated with larger mean stone size, increased ureteral wall thickness, increased diameter of the ureter proximal to the stone, and longer duration of the operation. Preoperative high-grade hydronephrosis indicated obstructive RI values at postoperative seventh day (p = 0.001) Conclusion: Changes in RI values on Doppler sonography and the grade of hydronephrosis may be a guiding parameter in assessing postoperative ureteral obstruction.

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of the on-demand use of sertraline, dapoxetine, and daily use of sertraline in the treatment of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation: A prospective randomised study.

This study compared the safety and efficacy of the on-demand (OD) use of sertraline (50 mg), sertraline (100 mg) and dapoxetine (30 mg), and the daily use of sertraline (50 mg) in the treatment of patients with premature ejaculation (PE). This prospective randomised study involved 120 lifelong PE patients (intravaginal ejaculatory latency time [IELT]: <1 min; Arabic Index of Premature Ejaculation [AIPE] score: < 30) without secondary causes of PE, identified between March 2018 and May 2020. Patients were divided into 4 groups (30 patients per group) and treated for 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted using the AIPE form as a diagnostic tool. Sertraline (50 mg, daily; 196.7 ± 115.5 s) and sertraline (100 mg, OD; 173.3 ± 97.0 s) had similar IELT and AIPE scores. The latter groups had better results in comparison with sertraline (50 mg, OD; 100.5 ± 54.4 s) and dapoxetine (93.7 ± 53.5 s; p < 0.01). Sertraline (100 mg, OD) had a similar efficacy to that of sertraline (50 mg, daily) and was more effective than sertraline (50 mg, OD) and dapoxetine (30 mg, OD). Sertraline (100 mg, OD) can be considered in the treatment of lifelong PE treatment, having tolerable side effects.

Modified Autologous Transobturator Tape Surgery - A Prospective Comparison With Transobturator Tape Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare modified autologous transobturator-tape (a-TOT) and transobtrator-tape (TOT) surgeries in terms of effectivity and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively 117 patients (a-TOT:36,TOT:81) were enrolled in this study. A-TOT was performed with autologous fascia elongated with nonabsorbable sutures and TOT was performed with standard technique. Preoperative data regarding operative time, complications and postoperative visual analog scores (VAS) were noted. Patients were assessed 12 months after surgery. Objective cure was evaluated with cough stress test (CST) and necessity of reoperation due to failure while subjective cure was evaluated with Patient Global Impression of Improvements scale(PGI-I) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms(ICIQ-FLUTS) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 21.5 ± 1.1 months. Preoperative demographic characteristics were similar. The mean operation time was longer in a-TOT group(P = .001).VAS at postoperative 8. and 24. hours and overall complication rates were similar for the groups. Clavien grade-3 complications occurred only in TOT group (3.7%). Objective cure rates according to CST were 97.3% and 97.6% (P = .998) and the subjective cure rates according to PGI-I were 97.3% and 92.5% (P = .664) for a-TOT and TOT groups, respectively. One patient in TOT group needed reoperation. The a-TOT group gained better improvements in total score and total QoL score of ICIQ-FLUTS (P = .028 and P = .032, respectively) as well as subscore and QoL subscore of filling and voiding sections of ICIQ-FLUTS (P = .043, P = .048,P = .034, and P = .039, respectively). CONCLUSION: The a-TOT technique has similar objective and subjective cure rates and overall complication rates furthermore better results in postoperative voiding dysfunction and de-novo filling phase symptoms when compared to TOT.

The Efficiency and Safety of Endoscopic Treatment on Kidney-Transplanted Patients With Symptomatic Vesicoureteral Reflux in Native and Transplanted Renal Units.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of endoscopic treatment of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients with VUR in both transplanted and native renal units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2014 and December 2019, 23 transplanted patients with symptomatic VUR with reflux in both transplanted and native kidney were included in the study. All patients were patients with a history of kidney failure due to reflux nephropathy. A voiding cystourethrography was performed after at least 1 episode of acute glomerulo pyelonephritis or deterioration of the graft function. All patients underwent a urine culture and an ultrasonic evaluation preoperatively. A dextranomer/hyaluronic acid bulking agent was injected via endoscope by a rigid metal needle around a double J stent. Clinical success was defined as absent of febrile urinary tract infection during the follow-up period. RESULTS: The procedure was applied in 52 effected renal units; of these, 27 were transplanted kidneys, and 25 were native kidneys. Overall clinical success was achieved in 69.6% (N = 16) of patients. The success rate after the first procedure was 52.2% (N = 12), whereas 17.3% (N = 4) achieved success after the second treatment. No intraoperative complications occurred throughout the endoscopic procedure. Minor postoperative complications included 2 (10%) cases of self-limiting episodes of hematuria that did not require intervention. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic VUR for both transplanted ureter and native ureter is a safe treatment in most of the patients. Therefore, endoscopic ureteral injection is a treatment modality with low morbidity that should be preferred to open surgery as first-line treatment in this subgroup of patients.

Safety of Upper Pole Puncture in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with the Guidance of Ultrasonography versus Fluoroscopy: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the safety of ultrasonography-guided (UG) puncture and fluoroscopy-guided (FG) upper pole access (UPA) in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Consecutive patients with a solitary UPA were enrolled into the study from 2012 to 2020 and analyzed in a retrospective manner. In total, 177 patients were divided into 2 groups according to the method during the puncture phase of the access: FG (n = 105) and UG (n = 72). The UG and FG groups were compared in terms of complications (i.e., pleural injury and blood transfusion rate) and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Gender, side, grade of hydronephrosis, type of access (i.e., supracostal vs. subcostal), Guy's stone score, age, stone diameter, skin-to-stone distance, and stone density were similar in the 2 groups (p > 0.05). Only in 25.9% of cases, UPA was done using a subcostal approach. The overall complication rates were similar between the groups (p > 0.178). For the UG and FG groups, the rate of pleural injury (8.5 vs. 4.1%) and the blood transfusion rate (8.5 vs. 2.8%) were also similar (p > 0.05). The fluoroscopy time and mean hemoglobin drop were significantly lower in the UG group than in the FG group (134.2 vs. 82.2 s, respectively, p = 0.001; 20.8 ± 9.8 vs. 16.8 ± 7.9 g/L, respectively, p = 0.001). Stone-free rate (SFR) was also similar in the FG and UG groups (77.1 vs. 75.0%, respectively, p = 0.742). CONCLUSION: While it is commonly expected that the complication rates are lower in UG puncture for UPA in PCNL than they are in FG puncture, the present study failed to show this difference. However, the radiation exposure time seemed to be lower in UG puncture than FG puncture and had a similar stone-free rate (SFR) for UPA in PCNL.

Impact of intra-operative doppler ultrasound assistance during microsurgical varicocelectomy on operative outcome and sperm parameters.

The microsurgical varicocelectomy is the gold standard treatment with a low recurrence rate and less postoperative complications. We compared the surgical outcomes and difficulty in intra-operative vascular Doppler ultrasound-assisted microscopic varicocelectomy (IVDU-MV) with MV in primary and recurrent varicocele. A total of 228 infertile patients with clinically palpable varicocele were included in the study. One hundred fifteen patients were operated on with the standard MV approach, whereas the other 113 patients were operated on with IVDU-MV. Perioperative outcomes, sperm parameters and operative difficulty of the procedure were evaluated. The operative times were significantly shorter for the IVDU-MV group for primary and recurrent varicocele (p = .001). Mean number of veins ligated for primary and recurrent varicocele was significantly higher in the IVDU-MV group than in the MV group (6 ± 1.4 vs. 4.8 ± 1.8 and 3.7 ± 0.9 vs. 2.9 ± 1.2; p < .01). The increase in mean sperm motility was significantly higher in the IVDU-MV group for both primary and recurrent varicocelectomy patients (p < .05). A significant number of IVDU-MV procedures were described as easy in both primary and recurrent varicocelectomy procedures (p = .006). The use of Doppler ultrasound(US) revealed advantages in ligating veins, preserving arteries and improving sperm motility and facilitates the operation for the surgeon, especially during recurrent varicocele repair.