Intravesical methylene blue facilitates precise identification of the diverticular neck during robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this report is to describe our surgical technique for robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy. In this technique, methylene blue is instilled into the bladder to aid in intra-abdominal identification of the diverticular neck. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy by a single surgeon. RESULTS: Between September 2008 and January 2011, 5 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy using 1% intravesical methylene blue. All cases were completed without intraoperative complication or need for open conversion. Mean operative time was 216 minutes, with a mean estimated blood loss of 45 mL. Patients were discharged 1-2 days following surgery. No patient experienced a perioperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: The robot-assisted approach for bladder diverticulectomy is a viable alternative to both open and laparoscopic surgery. The use of intravesical methylene blue greatly aids in identification of the diverticular neck during this procedure.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a multi-institutional experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report a 6-year multi-institutional experience and outcomes with robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RLP) for the repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2002 and October 2008, 168 adult patients from 3 institutions underwent RLP for UPJO. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data were performed after institutional review board approval. Diagnosis was by intravenous urogram or computed tomography scan and diuretic renogram. All patients underwent RLP through a 4-port laparoscopic technique. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative endpoints for primary and secondary repair of UPJO were measured. Success was defined as a T½ of <20 minutes on diuretic renogram and symptom resolution. Pain resolution was assessed by subjective patient reports. RESULTS: Of 168 patients, 147 (87.5%) had primary repairs and 21 (12.5%) had secondary repairs. Of the secondary repairs, 57% had a crossing vessel etiology. Mean operative time was 134.9 minutes, estimated blood loss was 49 mL, and length of stay was 1.5 days. Mean follow-up was 39 months. Overall, 97.6% of patients had a successful outcome, with a 6.6% overall complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this review represents the largest multi-institutional experience of RLP with intermediate-term follow-up. RLP is a safe, efficacious, and viable option for either primary or secondary repair of UPJO with reproducible outcomes, a high success rate, and a low incidence of complications.

Four-year postoperative results of the US ALLEGRETTO WAVE clinical trial for the treatment of hyperopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term refractive stability after LASIK for hyperopia with the WaveLight ALLEGRETTO WAVE Excimer Laser System. METHODS: All 151 patients enrolled in the 2000-2002 FDA study of the ALLEGRETTO WAVE laser were contacted by the investigators approximately 4 years after study completion to be evaluated for refractive stability. RESULTS: A total of 127/290 (43.8%) eyes in 68/151 (45%) patients presented for re-examination. Mean time from the examination taken at the 6-month follow-up stability endpoint in the FDA trial (Stability Exam) to the Post-Approval Exam was 3.9+/-0.39 years (range: 3.2 to 4.9 years). Stability of the manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) within +/-1.00 D or less was seen in 119/127 (93.7%) eyes. Regression of effect of >1.00 D was seen in 6/127 (4.7%) eyes and progression of effect was seen in 2/127 (1.6%) eyes. Weak correlation of refractive changes with keratometry readings were seen in eyes that underwent >2.00 to 4.00 D treatment (R=0.31) and >4.00 D treatment (R=0.33), implying corneal remodeling may have played a role in the refractive change observed. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive stability within +/-1.00 D MRSE after hyperopic LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE excimer laser was seen in 93.7% of eyes at > or =3 years after surgery compared with 6-month follow-up, supporting the conclusion in the FDA trial that refractive stability occurred by 6 months postoperatively. Refractive changes associated with keratometry changes were not significant in eyes that underwent < or =2.00-D treatment.

Pathophysiology and treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction.

The pathophysiology of diabetes is multifactorial and no single etiology is at the forefront. The proposed mechanisms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients includes elevated advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and increased levels of oxygen free radicals, impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, increased endothelin B receptor binding sites and ultrastructural changes, upregulated RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway, NO-dependent selective nitrergic nerve degeneration and impaired cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent kinase-1 (PKG-1). The treatment of diabetic ED is multimodal. Treatment of the underlying hyperglycemia and comorbidities is of utmost importance to prevent or halt the progression of the disease. The peripherally acting oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the mainstay of oral medical treatment of ED in diabetics. Vacuum erection devices are an additional treatment as a non-invasive treatment option. Local administration of vasoactive medication via urethral suppository or intracorporal injection can be effective with minimal side-effects. Patients with irreversible damage of the erectile mechanism are candidates for penile implantation. Future strategies in the evolution of the treatment of ED are aimed at correcting or treating the underlying mechanisms of ED. With an appropriate vector, researchers have been able to transfect diabetic animals with agents such as neurotrophic factors and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Further studies in gene therapy are needed to fully ascertain its safety and utility in humans.

Combined laser in situ keratomileusis and radial keratotomy for the treatment of moderate to high myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of combining laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and radial keratotomy (RK) for the correction of moderate to high myopia. SETTING: Corneal Consultants of Colorado, Littleton, Colorado, and International Eye Care Laser Vision Center, Houston, Texas, USA. METHODS: In a retrospective 2-surgeon interventional case series, outcomes in 60 eyes of 41 patients with moderate to high myopia were reported. All eyes had LASIK using a Visx Star S2 or Summit Apex Plus((R)) excimer laser. Residual myopia was treated with RK. RESULTS: Of the 54 eyes corrected for distance, the mean refractive spherical equivalent was -8.09 diopters (D) preoperatively and -0.43 D after LASIK and RK. The mean follow-up was 15.4 months. At the last visit, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 in 22 eyes (41%), 20/25 in 36 eyes (67%), and 20/40 in 51 eyes (94%). No eye lost 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients previously considered poor refractive surgery candidates because of their degree of myopia or corneal thickness could be offered this safe and effective combined refractive technique.