Cystoman® and calculi: a good alternative to standard therapies in preventing stone recurrence.

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of D-mannose-containing product (Cystoman(®)) in preventing recurrence in patients who underwent surgical treatment for infection related urinary stones. From January 2011 to February 2013 we have enrolled all consecutive patients affected by staghorn calculi and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). All patients recommended for surgery were scheduled for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The study agent was administered daily for 5 months after surgical procedure. At baseline and 5-month follow-up all patients underwent abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) scan and they also completed Medical Outcomes Study short-form, 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). They performed urine and urine culture monthly. The primary endpoints were the assessment of the efficacy with regard to infection-related urinary stone recurrence and the tolerability of Cystoman(®). The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of quality-of-life symptoms. During the study period, a total of 27 patients were included in the study. The data from 25 patients were analyzable. Seventeen patients (68%) did not report UTIs during follow-up. Eight patients (32%) remained infected and the average number of UTIs was 2.6 ± 1.6 in 5 months. At 5-month follow-up 17 (68%) patients were free from stones recurrence; in 8 (32%) cases CT scan revealed stone recurrence with an average stone diameter of 1.1 ± 0.4 cm. In nonrecurring patients, 2 (11.7%) reported an average of 1.5 ± 0.7 UTIs episodes; in recurring patients, 6 (75%) showed 3 ± 1.67 of UTIs episodes. Statistically significant differences were seen in the occurrence of UTIs episodes were detected between nonrecurring stone patients and recurring patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant changes were detected in SF-36 scores from baseline to month 5 in the categories of physical functioning and energy/fatigue (p < 0.05). Cystoman(®) is effective in preventing infection-related urinary stones.

[Recovery of urinary incontinence after retropubic radical prostatectomy. Results in 100 patients]. / Ripresa della continenza urinaria dopo prostatectomia radicale retropubica. Risultati in 100 pazienti.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To shorten the time to recovery of full urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy and to increase the postoperative continence rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and five consecutive patients were submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer, with curative intent, focusing our attention on three steps of the operation. First, to achieve a complete control of bleeding from the dorsal vein complex and to perform a minimal touch dissection of the urethral stump; second, to perform a conservative dissection of the bladder neck, and, third, to implement a vascular type, watertight, vesico urethral anastomosis. Continence was assessed 24 hours after catheter removal and at monthly follow up visits until full recovery and graded as dry if no dropping was visible and the patient was able to interrupt the urinary stream during micturition; stress incontinence, if any dropping was observed during abdominal strain between micturitions; and wet, if uncontrollable dropping occurred, and the number of pads needed per day recorded. RESULTS: At a median follow-up time of 18 months, range 6 to 30, a total of 87 of 100 evaluable patients (87%) resulted as dry; 10 patients (10%) resulted as having a variable degree of stress incontinence needing one to three pads per day, and 3 patients (3%) resulted as wet. In 41 of the 87 dry patients (47.1%) continence was achieved within the first day from catheter removal, and in a median time of 4 weeks, range 2 to 16 in the remaining 46 patients (52.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of total continence rate of the present study seem to compare to the recent literature except for the time to full recovery which is shorter; it is difficult to identify the contribution of each single surgical step.

Phenotypic and functional characteristics of tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells.

We recently developed a method for the isolation and purification of tumour-derived endothelium. In this study the phenotypic and functional properties of human tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells (TdMEC) were examined. Endothelium obtained from human adrenal gland specimens (HAMEC) was used as a reference microvascular endothelial cell population. TdMEC formed a confluent monolayer with the typical morphological appearance of endothelium and were positive for endothelial markers such as Ulex-1 lectin, CD31 antigen, von Willebrand Factor and VE-cadherin. The addition of acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF), basic FGF (bFGF) or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) substantially improved proliferation of TdMEC; and kidney carcinoma derived endothelial cells were more responsive to FGFs, whereas glioblastoma derived endothelial cells greatly responded to VEGF TdMEC expressed high levels of the VEGF receptors, KDR/flk-1 and Flt-1, as shown by northern blot analysis. TdMEC expressed the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin that could be further increased by exposing TdMEC culture to interleukin-1. All the TdMEC expressed interleukin-8 mRNA. These findings show that TdMEC in vitro maintain several of the features described for microvasculature. Thus, TdMEC represent a useful tool to study markers for tumor vasculature.

The use of oral opioids in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Management strategies.

BACKGROUND: The use of oral opioids in non-cancer pain is increasing, but it is not clear that this is improving outcomes for patients. These management strategies were developed as a consensus view between the two authors, who are both Directors of the Australian Pain Society. The strategies were subsequently reviewed and approved by the other Directors of the Society: four anaesthetists specialising in pain management, a pharmacist, a rheumatologist, two rehabilitation physicians and an occupational therapist. EVIDENCE BASE: A MEDLINE search of the literature since 1966 produced 163 relevant articles, including two randomised controlled trials of oral opioids in non-cancer pain. MANAGEMENT CONSENSUS: A small group of patients with chronic non-cancer pain can benefit from the use of oral opioids. Thorough attention to diagnosis and patient history must precede any decision to prescribe opioids. Patients should be psychologically stable. Patient and doctor should-agree beforehand on how to assess the outcome of therapy. Only one doctor (the patient's regular primary carer or pain specialist) should prescribe opioids and assess the response. Sustained release morphine preparations are the drug of choice. A trial of therapy, with goals and endpoint agreed between patient and doctor, should precede any decision to prescribe opioids in the long term.

Low dose Pasteur bacillus Calmette-Guerin regimen in stage T1, grade 3 bladder cancer therapy.

PURPOSE: We assessed the effectiveness of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for high risk transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 51 patients with stage T1, grade 3 disease was treated with weekly instillations of 75 mg. Pasteur strain BCG for 6 weeks after transurethral resection for bladder cancer. An additional induction course was given to patients with relapse. Tumor-free patients followed a maintenance course with monthly instillations for 12 months. RESULTS: After the initial induction course 37 of 51 patients (72.5%) remained tumor-free. A second induction course was necessary in 13 patients. After 1 or 2 induction courses 44 of 51 patients (86.3%) were tumor-free. The maintenance course was administered to 44 patients, with 41 remaining tumor-free. After a median followup of 33 months (range 3 to 63) 28 patients (54.9%) were disease-free, 12 (23.5%) had recurrent tumors and 7 (13.7%) had progression. The risk of treatment failure was significantly greater for solid than papillary tumors (p = 0.0006), recurrent than primary tumors (p = 0.0052) and coexisting carcinoma in situ (p = 0.124) in multivariate analysis, and for early recurrence (p = 0.0001) in univariate analysis only. The drug was well tolerated with few side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that this low dose Pasteur BCG regimen is effective in the treatment of high risk superficial bladder cancer. Some tumor characteristics, such as solid appearance, coexisting carcinoma in situ, history of superficial transitional cell carcinoma and early relapse after the initial induction course, seem to be negative prognostic factors.

[T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: our experience with 44 patients treated with intravesical BCG after TUR]. / Carcinoma a cellule transizionali della vescica T1G3: la nostra esperienza in 44 pazienti trattati con BCG intravescicale dopo TUR.

Forty-four patients affected by poorly differentiated (G3) superficial TCC invading lamina propria (stage T1) were treated with intravesical BCG. They underwent weekly instillations of 75 mg BCG for six week after trans-urethral resection (TUR) of bladder cancer. An additional induction course was given to patients who relapsed. A maintenance course with monthly instillations for twelve months followed in complete responder patients. After the first induction course, 34/44 patients (77.2%) showed complete response. In 10 patients a second induction course was necessary, with complete response in four. After one or two induction course, 38/44 patients (86.5%) showed complete response. The maintenance course was administered to 38 patients with 35/38 complete responses. After a median follow-up of 30 months, there were 29/44 (65.9%) disease free patients, 11/44 (25%) tumor recurrences and 4/44 (9%) tumor progressions. The drug has been well tolerated with few side effects. Our data suggest that intravescical BCG after TUR is effective in the treatment of high-risk superficial bladder cancer and we believe that it can be used a first approach in treating patients affected by T1G3 bladder cancer.

[Our current indications for radical prostatectomy]. / Le nostre attuali indicazioni alla prostatectomia radicale.

Radical prostatectomy is the golden standard for localized prostate cancer. The identification of patients with intraprostatic disease who can be cured and will live long enough to benefit from a surgical therapy represents the primary goal of the authors. Target of this article is underlining the importance of an accurate preoperative staging through ultrasound-guided biopsy of seminal vesicles and periprostatic spaces. The positivity of the surgical margin after radical prostatectomy is also taken into account as it represents, according to the authors, an extremely important but often overlooked parameter.

[Surgical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: what and when TURP vs adenomectomy]. / Terapia chirurgica dell'ipertrofia prostatica benigna. Quale e quando TURP vs adenomectomia.

Surgical treatment is the gold standard for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) therapy. At the present diagnostic approach allows better patient selection and treatment assignment. In this work we have studied retrospectively the outcome of 120 BHP patients who underwent trans urethral resection (TURP) and of 145 BPH patients underwent "open" prostatectomy. In all the patients surgical time, prostate weight, indwelling catheter standing, rest in bed, early and late complications were evaluated. Irritative symptoms occurred after TURP in 10% of the cases. The two therapeutical options are not comparable for they technically different. The choice between the two depends on the accurate patient characterization and selection.

Patient-controlled analgesia: a comparison with nurse-controlled intravenous opioid infusions.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous pethidine was compared with nurse-controlled pethidine infusions for pain relief in 200 patients after major abdominal or thoracic surgery. Pain, level of sedation, nausea and presence of other adverse effects, in addition to cumulative pethidine requirement, were measured for the first 24 hours after surgery. Both groups were similar for age, weight and type of surgery. There was no significant difference between the quality of analgesia achieved in both groups. The frequency and severity of adverse effects was also similar. The cumulative pethidine dose administered to both groups was identical. It is concluded that nurse-controlled opioid infusions are as effective as PCA and may be used as an alternative to PCA where this is either unavailable or unsuitable.

Assessment of upper airway anatomy in awake, sedated and anaesthetised patients using magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to quantify the effects of 1. sedation and 2. general anaesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in place on the minimum antero-posterior (A-P) diameters of the naso-, oro- and hypopharynx and on the angle of the epiglottis relative to the adjacent posterior pharyngeal wall. Median sagittal T1-weighted images of the pharynx were obtained in 46 patients (16 awake, 14 sedated, 16 under general anaesthesia). In sedated patients, the A-P diameters of the pharynx were less than in awake patients, in particular at the levels of the epiglottis and soft palate. General anaesthesia and placement of a LMA was also associated with a reduced A-P diameter at the level of the soft palate, but with increased diameters at the levels of the tongue and epiglottis. Placement of a LMA caused abnormal downfolding of the epiglottis in most cases but this did not cause clinically significant airway obstruction.

[Nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumors at clinical stage 1]. / La LAD retroperitoneale nerve sparing nei pazienti con tumori non seminomatosi del testicolo in primo stadio clinico.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for low stage testicular cancer involves a low rate of dry ejaculation. The nerve-sparing technique avoids the damage of sympathetic fibers. 7 cases of non seminomatous testicular cancer have been treated by the Author. Through midline incision and intestinal derotation the vascular plane and the sympathetic fiber are identified before starting lymph node dissection. All the patients report physiological ejaculation; the post-operative follow-up is still short but at the present all patients are tumor free. In low stage testicular cancer nerve-sparing lymphadenectomy preserve physiological ejaculation and reducing surgical morbidity as well.

Control of intractable pain in erythromelalgia by using spinal cord stimulation.

A 69-yr-old woman with severe, long-standing erythromelalgia possibly secondary to multiple deep-vein thromboses, was treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the burning pain in her legs and feet. Problems developed, and she was subsequently successfully managed with spinal cord stimulation. The relief was reproduced after a 6-mo period of no stimulation by reestablishing spinal cord stimulation.

[What not to do when confronted with a iatrogenic lesion of the ureter]. / Che cosa non fare di fronte ad una lesione iatrogena dell'uretere.

Starting from their experience, the Authors report about steps to avoid in case of ureteral injury. They make a distinction between emergencies and planned surgery. In particular they underline that it is always advisable to confine surgery to transcutaneous or surgical nephrostomy when the experience in reconstructive surgery of upper urinary tract is limited. The Authors further suggest strict follow-up so as to avoid loosing functioning renal units due to a silent progression of an ureteral lesion. Ureteral reconstruction is the golden standard of an ureteral lesion repair; long term stenting has to be limited to the cases where a definitive surgery is not possible either for general conditions or for primary malignant disease. The discussion is integrated with pictures of several cases.

Intermittent positive pressure ventilation through a laryngeal mask airway. Is a nasogastric tube useful?

A nasogastric tube was used to aspirate air insufflated into the stomach during intermittent positive pressure ventilation through a laryngeal mask airway and a tracheal tube. No difference was found in the amount aspirated between patients with a tracheal tube, a laryngeal mask airway with the nasogastric tube closed or a laryngeal mask airway with the nasogastric tube open, when the nasogastric tube was aspirated at 15 min intervals for the first hour of anaesthesia.

[Conservative therapy of parenchymal renal carcinoma]. / Terapia conservativa del carcinoma renale parenchimale.

From January 1987 to October 1990, 20 patients (16 M. 4 F.) affect by localized renal cell carcinoma, underwent a conservative surgical treatment. This case study includes 8 patients with bilateral (4 synchronous-4 asynchronous), and 12 patients with unilateral renal carcinoma. In the latter group only two patients had a pathological contralateral kidney. A parenchyma sparing operation was performed electively in 10 cases and was necessary in the other 10. The tumors were found to be PT1 or pT2 in all the elective cases, except one unexpected pT3a; 1pT1, 5pT2, 1pT3a and 3pT3b in the remaining group. The follow up ranges between 1 and 36 months, two deaths in bilateral tumors cases were observed. No local recurrences have been detected up to now.

[Conservative surgical treatment of renal carcinoma: presentation of a case of partial nephrectomy and autotransplantation]. / Terapia chirurgica conservativa del carcinoma renale: presentazione di un caso di nefrectomia parziale ex situ ed autotrapianto.

The authors report a case of bench conservative renal surgery and autotransplantation, for adenocarcinoma in solitary kidney. Indications to a conservative treatment of renal cell carcinoma are described together with the technique to perform a bench surgery.

Extradural abscess following local anaesthetic and steroid injection for chronic low back pain.

A case is described of extradural abscess following extradural injection of local anaesthetic and steroid for the management of chronic low back pain. The common signs and symptoms are reviewed, possible causes discussed and the association with diabetes stressed.