[The unpublished book on urologic therapy by Dr. D. Victoriano Molina Garcia (1899-1986)]. / El inédito libro sobre terapéutica urológica del Dr. D. Victoriano Molina Garcia (1899-1986).

OBJECTIVES: To present the unpublished original book on Urological Therapeutics of Dr. Victoriano Molina, a great urologist from Valencia, and to outline his biographical sketch. METHODS: We read his treaty on therapeutics and his publications with detail. To elaborate his biography we obtained information from his descendants and the people who worked with him. RESULTS: When he was locked in the besieged Madrid during the Civil war he dedicated his time to write a the rapeutics manual for personal use, which when finished became an excellent treaty in which all the urological pathology was gathered with various clinical scenarios, establishing the medical treatment with precise indications, enriched with numerous magistral formulas and preparations from the time. Dr Molina trained with Dr de la Peña and worked in Hospital de la Princesa with Drs. Cifuentes, father and son, and he was included by Dr. Jimenez Diaz in the staff of the Medical Research Institute, center in which he completed his professional career. CONCLUSION: The treaty of Urological Therapeutics, written in 1938, represents an excellent unpublished urological text, without comparison in the bibliography due to its contents, a manual which could have became an adequate consultation manual in any urological office. The author, remembered by his goodness, his knowledge and his dedication to Urology, is discovered thanks to this work as one of the relevant personalities of the Spanish Urology.

El inédito libro sobre terapéutica urológica del Dr. D. Victoriano Molina Garcia (1899-1986) / The unpublished book on therapeutics urológica of the Dr. D. Victoriano Molina Garcia (1899-1986)

OBJETIVO: Dar a conocer y resaltar la obra original inédita Terapéutica Urológica del Dr. D. Victoriano Molina, urólogo valenciano de gran talla y trazar su semblanza biográfica.MÉTODO: Lectura detenida de su tratado terapéutico y de sus publicaciones. Para componer su biografía recabamos información directa de sus descendientes y recogemos datos de compañeros que trabajaron a su lado.RESULTADO: Recluido en el Madrid asediado durante la Guerra Civil, dedicó su tiempo a redactar un manual de consulta terapéutica de uso personal, que, una vez ultimado, constituye un excelente tratado en el que se reúne toda la patología urológica con sus diferentes situaciones clínicas y que establece la pauta de tratamiento médico con indicaciones precisas, enriquecido con numerosas fórmulas magistrales y preparados de la época.El Dr. Molina, formado con el Dr. de la Peña y urólogo del Hospital de La Princesa con los Drs. Cifuentes, padre e hijo, fue incluido por el Dr. Jiménez Díaz en el Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, como agregado de Urología, centro en el que ultimó su carrera profesional.CONCLUSIÓN: El tratado de Terapéutica Urológica, escrito en 1938, representa un excelente e inédito texto urológico, sin parangón en la bibliografía por su contenido, prontuario que hubiese constituido un adecuado refuerzo como manual de consulta permanente en cualquier despacho de la especialidad.Su autor, recordado por su bonhomía, sus conocimientos y su dedicación a la especialidad, se descubre gracias a esta obra, como una de las personalidades relevantes de la Urología española(AU)

OBJECTIVES: To present the unpublished original book on Urological Therapeutics of Dr. Victoriano Molina, a great urologist from Valencia, and to outline his biographical sketch.METHODS: We read his treaty on therapeutics and his publications with detail. To elaborate his biography we obtained information from his descendants and the people who worked with him.RESULTS: When he was locked in the besieged Madrid during the Civil war he dedicated his time to write a therapeutics manual for personal use, which when finished became an excellent treaty in which all the urological pathology was gathered with various clinical scenarios, establishing the medical treatment with precise indications, enriched with numerous magistral formulas and preparations from the time.Dr Molina trained with Dr de la Peña and worked in Hospital de la Princesa with Drs. Cifuentes, father and son, and he was included by Dr. Jimenez Diaz in the staff of the Medical Research Institute, center in which he completed his professional career.CONCLUSION: The treaty of Urological Therapeutics, written in 1938, represents an excellent unpublished urological text, without comparison in the bibliography due to its contents, a manual which could have bécame an adequate consultation manual in any urological office.The author, remembered by his goodness, his knowledge and his dedication to Urology, is discovered thanks to this work as one of the relevant personalities of the Spanish Urology(AU)

Analysis of cholinesterases in human prostate and sperm: implications in cancer and fertility.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are postulated to play non-cholinergic roles in cellular physiology. The probable implication of cholinesterases (ChEs) in several human pathologies prompted us to study the cholinergic components in the male reproductive system. Surgical pieces of prostatic cancer (PC) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed for AChE and BChE activity. Loosely (S1) and tightly (S2) bound AChE and BChE forms were characterized by sedimentation analysis. The mean AChE activity in BHP samples was 2.38+/-0.56 mU/mg (nmol of the substrate hydrolysed per minute and per milligram protein) and 2.57+/-0.61 mU/mg in S1 and S2, respectively. The AChE activity did not vary with cancer, showing 2.46+/-0.45 mU/mg in S1 and 2.70+/-0.53 mU/mg in S2 from PC samples. Amphiphilic dimers and monomers and hydrophilic dimers of AChE were identified in BHP and PC tissues. Their contribution was affected by cancer with a great increase in hydrophilic dimers in the cancerous samples. Significant levels of both AChE and BChE activities were found in seminal fluid and homogenates from spermatozoids. Enzymatic activity dropped in samples with abnormal seminal parameters as sperm count and mobility.

[Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cancer]. / Nefroureterectomía laparoscópica mediante laparoscopia asistida por la mano para el tratamiento del carcinoma transicional del tracto urinario superior.

OBJECTIVE: To report our series of patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) using the pluck-off procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patient undergoing HALMU for upper urinary tract urothelial tumors from November 2002 to December 2007 were assessed. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and oncological data were assessed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 69 years. Mean operating time and mean intraoperative bleeding were 176 min and 381 mL respectively. Twenty percent of patients required transfusion of blood products. Conversion to open surgery was not required in any patient. Major and minor complications occurred in 25% and 30% of patients respectively.Mean time to oral intake was 48 hours, and mean hospital stay was 5 days.Pathological study revealed transitional cell carcinoma in all cases: grade I in 5%, grade II in 60%, and grade III in 35% of patients. Clinical stage was pTa in 5%, pT1 in 20%, pT2 in 25%, pT3 in 40%, and pT4 in 10% of patients. A bladder recurrence rate of 30% and a 49% overall survival were seen after a mean follow-up of 33 months (5-73). Six-year cancer-specific survival was 67%. No patient developed either peritoneal or surgical bed recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HALMU using the pluck-off procedure is a feasible, safe, and effective surgery. Both surgical and oncological results are similar to those of open surgery and pure laparoscopy.

[The stone disease]. / El mal de la piedra.

OBJECTIVES: In this paper we describe the history of lithiasis and the development of its treatment. We discuss the steps that led to the birth of endoscopic surgery and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. METHODS: We reviewed books and writings of History of Urology and Endourology. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: To know a little of the history and treatment of lithiasis, the contributions of Spanish urologists, as well as the instruments that made it possible.

El mal de la piedra / The stone disease

OBJETIVO: En este trabajo se realiza una descripción histórica de los descubrimientos sobre la litiasis y la evolución de su tratamiento. Se exponen los antecedentes que llevan al nacimiento de la endourología y de la litotricia por ondas de choque.MÉTODOS: Hemos revisado los libros y las publicaciones de la historia de la urología y de la endourología.RESULTADOS/CONCLUSIONES: Conocer la historia y el tratamiento de la litiasis, las aportaciones de los urólogos españoles así como el desarrollo de los materiales que han contribuido a conseguirlo(AU)

OBJECTIVES: In this paper we describe the history of lithiasis and the development of its treatment. We discuss the steps that led to the birth of endoscopic surgery and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.METHODS: We reviewed books and writings of History of Urology and Endourology.RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: To know a little of the history and treatment of lithiasis, the contributions of Spanish urologists, as well as the instruments that made it possible(AU)

Nefroureterectomía laparoscópica mediante laparoscopia asistida por la mano para el tratamiento del carcinoma transicional del tracto urinario superior / Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cancer

Objetivo: Describimos nuestra serie de pacientes sometidos a nefroureterectomía por vía laparoscópica asistida por la mano (NU-LAM), con escisión cistoscópica circunferencial del uréter distal intramural. Material y métodos: Evaluamos a 20 pacientes sometidos a NU-LAM por tumor urotelial detracto urinario superior, entre noviembre-2002 y diciembre-2007. Valoramos datos demográficos y clínicos, quirúrgicos y datos oncológicos. Resultados: La media de edad de los pacientes fue de 69 años. La media del tiempo quirúrgico y el sangrado intraoperatorio fue de 176 min y 381 cc, respectivamente. El 20% de los pacientes requirió transfusión de hemoderivados. En ninguna ocasión fue necesaria la conversión a cirugía abierta y la tasa de complicaciones fue del 25% para las mayores y del 30% para las menores. Los pacientes iniciaron tolerancia oral a las 48 h de media, con una estancia media hospitalaria de 5 días. El estudio histológico catalogó al tumor urotelial en: grado I: 5% de los casos; grado II: 60%,y grado III: 35% de los casos; estadio clínico: Ta: 5%; T1: 20%; T2: 25%; T3: 40%, y T4: 10%. Con un seguimiento medio de 33 meses (5-73) se objetivó una tasa de recidiva vesical del 30%, una supervivencia global del 49% y una supervivencia cáncer específica del 67%, a los 6 años de seguimiento. Ningún paciente presentó cuadro de recidiva en el peritoneo ni en el lecho quirúrgico. Conclusiones: La NU-LAM con escisión cistoscópica del uréter distal es una técnica factible, segura y efectiva. Los resultados, tanto operatorios como oncológicos, son comparables con la cirugía abierta y con la laparoscopia pura (AU)

Objective: To report our series of patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) using the pluck-off procedure. Materials and methods: Twenty patient undergoing HALMU for upper urinary tract urothelial tumors from November 2002 to December 2007 were assessed. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and oncological data were assessed. Results: Mean patient age was 69 years. Mean operating time and mean intraoperative bleeding were 176 min and 381 mL respectively. Twenty percent of patients required transfusion of blood products. Conversion to open surgery was not required in any patient. Major and minor complications occurred in 25% and 30% of patients respectively. Mean time to oral intake was 48 hours, and mean hospital stay was 5 days. Pathological study revealed transitional cell carcinoma in all cases: grade I in 5%, grade II in 60%, and grade III in 35% of patients. Clinical stage was pTa in 5%, pT1 in 20%, pT2 in25%, pT3 in 40%, and pT4 in 10% of patients. A bladder recurrence rate of 30% and a 49% overall survival were seen after a mean followup of 33 months (5-73). Six-year cancer-specific survival was 67%. No patient developed either peritoneal or surgical bed recurrence. Conclusions: HALMU using the pluck-off procedure is a feasible, safe, and effective surgery. Both surgical and oncological results are similar to those of open surgery and pure laparoscopy (AU)

Alternativa terapéutica para el dolor pélvico crónico de origen vesical / New approach in treatment of pelvic chronic pain syndrome (CPPS)

Introducción: El dolor pélvico crónico (DPC) es un problema complejo e importante tanto por su frecuencia como por sumorbilidad. Cuando se presenta asociado con síntomas miccionales deberemos pensar en un origen vesical. Objetivo: Evaluar la respuesta a un tratamiento intravesical, al que denominamos Formula Sedante, en pacientes con dolor pélvico crónico de origen vesical, refractarios a otros tratamientos. Material y métodos: Entre junio 2005 y septiembre de 2008, 14 pacientes (edad media de 59 años), 12 mujeres y 2 hombres, con DPC de origen vesical siguieron un tratamiento intravesical con “Formula Sedante”, como terapia de segunda línea. Su composición es Dexametasona, Nitrofurantoína, Lidocaína y Suero salino. Evaluamos el dolor (escala 0-10), la frecuencia miccional y la mejoría subjetiva del paciente. Resultados: El dolor global medio fue de 6’4 de base, al mes y a los 6 meses fue de 4’7 y 3’5 respectivamente. El 75% de los pacientes mostró una disminución de los valores en la escala de dolor. La frecuencia miccional diurna mejoró un 28%al mes del tratamiento y un 40% a los 6 meses. Un 70 % de los pacientes refirió sentir mejoría tras la pauta de instilaciones, de los cuales en torno a un 80% la evaluó como “moderadamente mejor” o “mucho mejor”, tanto al mes como a los 6 meses del tratamiento. Ninguno de los pacientes presento efectos secundarios reseñables. Conclusiones: Consideramos el tratamiento de instilación intravesical con “Formula Sedante” una opción útil y segura, como segunda línea de tratamiento, para el dolor pélvico crónico de origen vesical (AU)

Introduction: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a complex problem that is a major cause of morbidity and disability. Objetive: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of intravesical instillation of a new therapeutic tool in patients suffering from CPPS. Methods: Between june 2005 and september 2008 we recruited 14 patients (mean age 59) who had been diagnosed with CPPS, and refractory to previous treatments. The intravesical solution consisted of steroids, local anaesthetic, antibiotic and saline solution. Was evaluated the intensity of pain; voiding frequency and subjective improvement (with patient global improvement impression PGI-I).Results: Global pain at baseline was 6,4, at 1 month and 6 months 4,7 and 3,5. 75% of the patients showed improvement in the reduction of pain. Voiding frequency at baseline was 22’5 daily. At one and six months, voiding frequency was 16,2and 13,5 respectively. According to the PGI-I test 30% of patients were much better, 30% moderate improvement, 10%slight improvement and 30% with no changes at 1 month. At 6 months, 15% of patients were much better, 40% moderated improvement, 15% slight improvement and 30% with no changes. None of the patients felt worse than before treatment. Conclusions: Therapeutic results of our intravesical solution traduces in an improvement of pain and voiding frequency reduction with no side-effects. Patients benefit of this improvement in the PGI-I test that reflects an improvement in quality of life. We consider this treatment a second-line approach for CPPS in which gold standard management is still a challenge (AU)

Luis Cifuentes Delatte. Memorias y magisterio / Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte. Memories and Teaching

Objetivo Con ocasión de celebrarse el centenario del nacimiento del Dr. D. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, y dada su gran personalidad científica, queremos resaltar dos facetas que, entresacadas de sus trabajos y de sus memorias, consideramos que no han sido suficientemente destacadas: su papel de historiador de la Urología tanto por la narración que realiza de sus vivencias como por la exposición histórica de varias patologías y también su labor docente como maestro de varias generaciones de urólogos, con el objetivo de acercarnos a conocer su gran calidad humana puesta de manifiesto a lo largo de toda su vida y recogida en sus escritos. Métodos: Repasamos sus libros y sus trabajos, conferencias y artículos varios publicados, además de noticias que sobre él hemos localizado en diversos medios y, tras el análisis, principalmente de sus memorias, extraemos cuantos datos nos reflejan su modo de ser, de pensar y de actuar. Resultado: Desde joven acompañó a su progenitor a los encuentros urológicos internacionales donde trató a gran número de figuras de la Urología mundial, con las que amplió estudios, y con las que, más adelante, mantuvo excelente relación. Recorrió Europa antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y Estados Unidos después con estancias en los centros de mayor prestigio, todo lo cual describe con minuciosidad. Nos relata también la actividad mantenida en los dos primeros años de su dirección en el servicio de Urología del Hospital de la Princesa de Madrid y cita la serie de colaboradores que tuvo. Realiza, en sus trabajos de investigación, una amplia descripción del desarrollo histórico como introducción a las variadas patologías que analizó en profundidad. Conclusión: La lectura de la narración de los viajes que efectuó en la convulsa época internacional que le tocó vivir nos ofrece detalles que nos permiten conocer de primera mano la situación de la Urología así como el lado humano de los protagonistas con los que se relacionó y la vida social que mantenían, además de datos sobre su familia y su vida cotidiana. Como investigador de capítulos trascendentales de la patología urológica resalta su evolución histórica. El gran número de discípulos que se benefició de su magisterio es una muestra indeleble de su calidad científica y de su gran preocupación docente (AU)

Objectives: With the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, due to his great scientific personality, we want to emphasize two features that , taken from his works and memories, we consider have not been emphasized enough: his role as historian of urology, both for the histories he narrated of his life experiences and the historical exposition of several pathologies, and also his teaching as professor of several generations of urologists, with the objective of trying to get to know his great human quality as he demonstrated over his life and showed in his writings. Methods: We review his books and works, lectures and published papers, in addition the news about his person we have collected from the media, and after analysis, mainly of his memories, we extract data reflecting his personality, and they way he thought and behaved. Results: Since he was young he went with his father to the international urology meetings where he met a great number of personalities in the World of Urology; he extended his training with them, and later on they got to have a great relationship. He travelled around Europe and United States before and after Second World War, respectively, with stays in the most prestigious centers, which he described meticulously. He also reported his activity during the first two years he directed the Department of Urology at the Hospital La Princesa in Madrid and cited the series of collaborators he had. In his research works he made an ample description of historical development as introduction to the various pathologies he analyzed in depth. Conclusions: The reading of the narration of his trips, that he did in the convulse International time he lived, offers details which enable us to know firsthand the situation of urology and the human side of the actors he had relation with, and the social life they had, in addition to data about their families and daily life. As a researcher in transcendental chapters in urological pathology we emphasize his historical evolution. A great number of disciples benefited from his scientific quality and his great teaching vocation (AU)

Luis Cifuentes Delatte (1907-2005). Semblanza biográfica / Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte (1907-2005). Biographical sketch

Objetivo: Con ocasión de cumplirse el centenario del nacimiento del Dr. D. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, y al considerarlo como una de las personalidades de mayor trascendencia de la Urología española de la segunda mitad del siglo XX, repasamos su vida, su entorno y sus relaciones y resaltamos sus vivencias, además de su obra y su faceta investigadora. Métodos: Lectura de sus libros y artículos varios, de las publicaciones periódicas urológicas españolas desde1930, de las que entresacamos las referencias que sobre él encontramos y también de nuestra relación y conocimiento personal. Resultado/Conclusiones: Con una importante preparación clínica e investigadora, una amplia capacidad de trabajo, observador juicioso y agudo, además de objetivo y riguroso en la comprobación de sus resultados, el análisis del sedimento urinario, la infección de orina junto con la formación de los cálculos y el estudio de la patología vesical, neurogénica, tumoral y cistopatías, fueron los temas fundamentales a los que se dedicó a la par que destacó sobremanera en la práctica de la cirugía transuretral. Publicista de valía, destaca por la trascendencia de sus escritos, y especialmente por ser maestro de una amplia generación de urólogos españoles e hispanoamericanos y por su entrega al estudioy a la Urología (AU)

Objectives: With the centenary of the birth of Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, considering he in as one of the most transcendental personalities in the Spanish urology of the second half of the 20th-century, we review his life, his environment , and his relationships, and emphasize his life experiences, in addition to his works and research. Methods: We read his books and articles from Spanish urological journals from 1930, from which we selected the references we found about him. We also used as a source our personal relationship with him. Results/Conclusions: He had an important clinical and research education, a great working capacity; he was a judicious and acute observer, also objective and rigorous checking results; the analysis of urine sediment, urinary tract infection with stone formation, and the study of bladder, neurogenic and tumoral pathologies, as well as a cystopathies, were the main topics he dedicated to; he also was outstanding in transurethral surgery. Valuable publicist, he is outstanding due to the transcendence of his written works, and especially for being the Master of an ample generation of Spanish and South American urologists, and for his love for study and urology (AU)

Archivos Españoles de Urología. Dirección de Enrique Pérez Castro (1944-1980) / Archivos Españoles de Urología. Enrique Pérez Castro direction (1944-1980)

Objetivo: Con ocasión de cumplirse el centenario del nacimiento del Dr. D. Enrique Pérez Castro, fundador, primer director y editor de la publicación Archivos Españoles de Urología y cuando aparece su sexagésimo primer volumen, realizamos un estudio histórico sobre su evolución a lo largo de los 36 años en que la rigió, entre abril de 1944 y diciembre de 1980, de los sesenta y tres años de existencia con que cuenta la revista en la actualidad. Métodos/Resultados: Revisión completa de los 158 ejemplares, junto con los tres extraordinarios, recogidos en los treinta y un volúmenes editados durante el periodo en que la regentó el Dr. Pérez Castro. Conclusión: La publicación, actual decana de la Urología española, desempeñó su objetivo principal de ser el medio de comunicación e intercambio de conocimientos, con la exposición de los trabajos científicos, entre los miembros de la comunidad urológica española que la acogieron con interés y aprobación plena. La labor y entrega del Dr. Pérez Castro como director le confirió una gran calidad y su logro de unirla a la Asociación Española de Urología, lo que demostró su categoría y reforzó su difusión, su aceptación y su continuidad. En sí constituye un documento excepcional y un espléndido compendio histórico de nuestra Urología en la segunda mitad del siglo XX (AU)

Objectives: With the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Dr. Enrique Pérez Castro, founder, first director and editor of the journal Archivos Españoles de Urología, at this time when the issue No. 61 comes out, we performed a historic study of the evolution of the journal throughout the 36 years it was ruled by him, between April 1944 and December 1980. Methods/Results: Complete review of the 158 issues, together with three extraordinary issues, included in the 31 volumes edited in the period Dr. Perez Castro directed it. Conclusions: The journal, senior journal in Spanish Urology, developed its main objective of being the communication and knowledge exchange media, with the exposition of scientific works, among the members of the Spanish urological community who admitted it with interest and complete acceptation. The work and devotion of Dr. Pérez Castro as director conferred the journal a great quality and achieved to join it to the Spanish Association of Urology, which demonstrated its category and reinforced its diffusion, acceptation and continuity. It is by itself an exceptional document and splendid historic synopsis of our urology over the second half of the 20th century (AU)

[Biography of Dr. Enrique Pérez Castro (1908-1980)]. / Semblanza del Dr. D. Enrique Pérez Castro en el centenario de su nacimiento (1908-1980).

OBJECTIVES: With the occasion of the Centenary of Dr. Enrique Pérez Castro's birth, being a relevant figure in our speciality in the second half of the 20th century, we performed a study of the urological environment in which his life was developed and collect the main data about his life and works with the aim of paying tribute to his memory as a great personality in urology. METHODS: We review the books of History of Urology, his writings and the journal Archivos Españoles de Urología during the period of his directorship and as many references related to him as we found. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: He had a brilliant academic curriculum; he trained urology in the best centres. He lived in Madrid, his birth place, were his entire professional career developed, in the Hospital Provincial, where he was the chairman of urology, and the Central University where he was associated professor. He liked to study, and had researcher spirit; his works, which had great quality--he received several prizes--are clearly exposed, with a fine style, always with an extensive bibliography We emphasize his main merit, the foundation of the journal Archivos Españoles de Urología, a fruit of his personality, his organizing capacity and scientific restlessness, of which he was editor and directed with eagerness and dedication during 36 years and, thanks to his tenacity, he consolidated it as the reference of the Spanish urology.

Semblanza del Dr Enrique Pérez Castro en el centenario de su nacimiento (1908-1980) / Biography of Dr Enrique Pérez Castro (1908-1980)

Objetivo: Con ocasión de cumplirse el centenario del nacimiento del Dr. D. Enrique Pérez Castro, figura relevante en nuestra especialidad en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, realizamos un estudio del contexto urológico en el que se desarrolló su existencia y recogemos los principales datos sobre su vida y obra con la finalidad de rendir un reconocimiento a su memoria como gran personalidad de la Urología. Métodos: Revisamos los libros de Historia de la Urología, sus escritos y la publicación Archivos Españoles de Urología durante el periodo de su dirección y cuantas referencias hemos encontrado en relación con él. Resultado/conclusión: Persona de brillante currículo académico, se preparó en la especialidad de Urología en los mejores centros. Residió en Madrid, su ciudad natal, en la que transcurrió toda su carrera profesional, en el Hospital Provincial, del que fue jefe del servicio de Urología, y en la Universidad Central donde fue profesor agregado de la asignatura. Estudioso, con espíritu investigador, sus trabajos, de gran calidad y por los que recibió varios premios, están expuestos con claridad y con un depurado estilo y siempre acompañados de una extensa bibliografía. Resaltamos su mérito principal, la fundación de la publicación Archivos Españoles de Urología, fruto de su temperamento, de su capacidad organizadora e inquietud científica, revista que editó y dirigió a lo largo de 36 años con ilusión y dedicación y, gracias a su tesón, logró que se consolidara como el referente de la Urología española (AU)

Objectives: With the occasion of the Centenary of Dr. Enrique Perez Castro's birth, being a relevant figure in our speciality in the second half of the 20th century, we performed a study of the urological environment in which his life was developed and collect the main data about his life and works with the aim of paying tribute to his memory as a great personality in urology. Methods: We review the books of History of Urology, his writings and the journal Archivos Españoles de Urología during the period of his directorship and as many references related to him as we found. Results/conclusions: He had a brilliant academic curriculum; he trained urology in the best centres. He lived in Madrid, his birth place, were his entire professional career developed, in the Hospital Provincial, where he was the chairman of urology, and the Central University where he was associated professor. He liked to study, and had researcher spirit; his works, which had great quality -he received several prizes-, are clearly exposed, with a fine style, always with an extensive bibliography. We emphasize his main merit, the foundation of the journal Archivos Españoles de Urología, a fruit of his personality, his organizing capacity and scientific restlessness, of which he was editor and directed with eagerness and dedication during 36 years and, thanks to his tenacity, he consolidated it as the reference of the Spanish urology (AU)

[Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte. Memories and teaching]. / Luis Cifuentes Delatte. Memorias y magisterio.

OBJECTIVES: With the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, due to his great scientific personality, we want to emphasize two features that, taken from his works and memories, we consider have not been emphasized enough: his role as historian of urology, both for the histories he narrated of his life experiences and the historical exposition of several pathologies, and also his teaching as professor of several generations of urologists, with the objective of trying to get to know his great human quality as he demonstrated over his life and showed in his writings. METHODS: We review his books and works, lectures and published papers, in addition the news about his person we have collected from the media, and after analysis, mainly of his memories, we extract data reflecting his personality, and they way he thought and behaved. RESULTS: Since he was young he went with his father to the international urology meetings where he met a great number of personalities in the World of Urology; he extended his training with them, and later on they got to have a great relationship. He travelled around Europe and United States before and after Second World War, respectively, with stays in the most prestigious centers, which he described meticulously. He also reported his activity during the first two years he directed the Department of Urology at the Hospital La Princesa in Madrid and cited the series of collaborators he had. In his research works he made an ample description of historical development as introduction to the various pathologies he analyzed in depth. CONCLUSIONS: The reading of the narration of his trips, that he did in the convulse International time he lived, offers details which enable us to know firsthand the situation of urology and the human side of the actors he had relation with, and the social life they had, in addition to data about their families and daily life. As a researcher in transcendental chapters in urological pathology we emphasize his historical evolution. A great number of disciples benefited from his scientific quality and his great teaching vocation.

[Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte (1907-2005). Biographical sketch]. / Luis Cifuentes Delatte (1907-2005). Semblanza biográfica.

OBJECTIVES: With the centenary of the birth of Dr. Luis Cifuentes Delatte, considering he in as one of the most transcendental personalities in the Spanish urology of the second half of the 20th-century, we review his life, his environment, and his relationships, and emphasize his life experiences, in addition to his works and research. METHODS: We read his books and articles from Spanish urological journals from 1930, from which we selected the references we found about him. We also used as a source our personal relationship with him. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: He had an important clinical and research education, a great working capacity; he was a judicious and acute observer, also obiective and rigorous checking results; the analysis of urine sediment, urinary tract infection with stone formation, and the study of bladder, neurogenic and tumoral pathologies, as well as a cystopathies, were the main topics he dedicated to; he also was outstanding in transurethral surgery. Valuable publicist, he is outstanding due to the transcendence of his written works, and especially for being the Master of an ample generation of Spanish and South American urologists, and for his love of study and urology.

[Male aging in the Middle Ages: commentaries on the book by Arnau de Vilanova "Conservatio juventute preservatio senectute"]. / Envejecimiento masculino en la Edad Media: comentarios al libro de Arnau de Vilanova "Conservatio juventute preservatio senectute.

In the Middle Ages medical texts the notes about personal hygiene are scarce and they are dedicated to the Kings or the aristocracy. In his work Regimen sanitatis ad inclytum regen Aragorum, Amaldo de Vilanova underlines six things that are necessary for cleanliness, among which he includes his well-known proposition Conservatio juventute preservatio senectute. We compared his text with those from other authors with references to the issue and, once examined, Vilanova's work stands out. Doctors in the middle ages were already interested in aging and propositions considered today as modern are found described in various works from that period.

[The start of urological teaching in the Spanish University. Dr. Alberto Suárez de Mendoza]. / Inicio de la docencia urológica en la Universidad Española. Dr. Alberto Suárez de Mendoza.

OBJECTIVES: We present a biographical sketch of Dr. Suarez de Mendoza, one of the first urologists trained as so in the Necker Hospital in Paris with Dr. Guyon, who opened the field to the creation of this speciality in Spain, and first official professor of the subject of in the Faculty of Medicine of Madrid. METHODS: We reviewed his academic expedient in the National Historical Archive and search for data about his presence in Spain in the Faculty of Medicine and Medical College of Madrid. From the Royal Decrees we obtained information about the Free School of Medicine, and the creation of medical specialities in the University study plans; finally, we analyzed his written works. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We consider Dr. Suarez de Mendoza one of the personalities giving entity to Urology in our country, for his education, for the amplitude of his knowledge, and for his wide experience, as professor of the subject in the Spanish University, as author of a great number of published works, and as inventor of his contributions to the development of anesthesia and urology. His treaty the first in Spanish covering in detail the innovations in urological examination methods, enables us to know and value the progressive advance and evolution of knowledge in urology.

[The teaching of Dr. Francisco Romero Aguirre]. / El magisterio del profesor D. Francisco Romero Aguirre.

OBJECTIVES: After the death of Professor Francisco Romero Aguirre (Zaragoza 6/7/1918-6/28/2006) we want to make known his great teaching vocation, so that we covered his link with University from the start of his studies to his professorship as first professor in urology in the Spanish University (1961), and his work at the chairmanship of the Professional Postgraduate School of Urology in the University of Zaragoza. METHODS: We reviewed his biography, his edited works and publications of the Urology Chair at the University of Zaragoza, and obtained as many references as we found about his teaching activity. RESULTS: From the start of his academic training he kept a constant union with University and cooperated in all disciplines he had relation with before he got the responsibility of teaching urology. His university spirit and great formation had the chairman of surgical pathology see the convenience of separating urology from the common trunk of surgery, a proposal that, being accepted by the staff meeting of the Faculty of Medicine of Zaragoza and submitted to the Ministry resulted in the designation of urology as an independent subject in the degree of medicine. His labour as responsible was marked by work and continuous achievements in his classes, many publications, doctorate and urological monographic courses carried out, thesis and memories directed, all of which enabled him to create to the Professional Urological Specialization School, the culmination of more than 40 years dedicated to teaching in the university. CONCLUSIONS: We find Prof. Romero's life completely dedicated to University and teaching. His wide urological and propedeutical formation made him a person who joined the necessary conditions and abilities to take the responsibility and carry out a satisfactory performance as responsible of teaching urology in the school of medicine of Zaragoza, a subject which thanks to his virtue and good performance was for the first time elevated to the level of independent subject.

[History of rachianesthesia and epidural anesthesia in Spain]. / Historia de la raquianestesia y de la anestesia epidural en España.

OBJECTIVES: To show the beginning of spinal and epidural anesthesia in our country and the contributions of Spanish urologists. METHODS: We reviewed books and writings of History of Medicine, Urology and Anesthesia and Doctoral thesis about spinal and epidural anesthesia. RESULTS: In the 20th century, surgeons also gave the anesthetic drugs to the patients. Spinal and epidural anesthesia were used for the first time in 1900. A lot of Spanish urologists like F Rusca Doménech, J.M. Batrina, M. Barragán Bonet, R. Lozano Monzón, L. Guedea Calvo, Gil Vernet, Fidel Pagés Miravé, V Sagarra Lascurain, Gómez Ulla, etc, did research, writings in scientific journals and Doctoral thesis about anesthesia.