Comparison of medium-term revision rates after autograft and allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

AIM: The present study investigates time until revision and revision rates, and their relationship with gender and age, among 267 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with autograft and allograft reconstructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was carried out based on data collected on 269 knees (bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft in 25, gracilis-semitendinosus autograft in 136, quadriceps autograft in two, allograft in 106) belonging to 267 patients who underwent an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between 2009 and 2018. RESULTS: Of the 269 knees of the 267 patients (22 women and 247 men) operated on for an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, an autograft was used in 163, and nine of those required revision, while an allograft was used in 106 knees, and seven required revision. Revision surgery was necessary for six out of the 22 female patients and for only 10 out of the 247 male patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Each type of graft used for treatment is associated with certain advantages and disadvantages. Hamstring autografts and allografts were the most commonly used grafts during the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries carried out at our clinics. The rate of re-rupture was quite low with use of both graft types, leading us to believe that the type of graft preferred for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery should be based on a common decision of the surgeon and patient. KEY WORDS: Allograft, Anterior cruciate ligament, Autograft, Loosening, Revision.

Percutaneous needle aponeurotomy for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present the early-period outcomes of patients with Dupuytren's contracture (DC) treated with percutaneous needle aponeurotomy technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 28 patients (20 males, 8 females; mean age 63 years; range, 44 to 88 years) (75 fingers) treated with percutaneous aponeurotomy due to DC between November 2011 and December 2015. Patients were evaluated according to their demographic characteristics, presence of additional disease, family history, history of drug use, complication rate, recurrence development, postoperative patient satisfaction, reoperational request, postoperative Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and visual analog scale scores. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 29 months (range, 12 to 60 months). In the postoperative satisfaction questionnaire, 92.9% (n=26) of patients stated that they were satisfied. In the questionnaire of reoperation request, 82.1% (n=23) of patients accepted the reoperation. While the complication rate was 39.3%, recurrence rate was 35.7%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle aponeurotomy technique may be an effective, simple, and safe method for the treatment of DC.

Emergency department visits of Syrian refugees and the cost of their healthcare.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of Emergency Department (ED) visits made by Syrian refugees and to assess the cost of their healthcare. This retrospective study was conducted in adult Syrians who visited the ED of Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, Adiyaman Province, Turkey, between 01 January and 31 December 2015. We evaluated 10,529 Syrian refugees who visited the ED, of whom 9,842 were included in the study. The number of ED visits significantly increased in 2015 compared with 2010; the increase in the proportion of total ED visits was 8% (n = 11,275, dif: 8%, CI 95%: 7.9- 8.2, p < 0.001). Of this 8%, 6.5% were visits made by Syria refugees and the remaining 1.5% accounted for the visits made by other individuals. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were the diseases most frequently presented (n = 4,656; 47.3%), and 68.5% of ED visits were inappropriate (n = 6,749). The median ED length of stay (LOS) of the Syrian refugees was significantly longer than that of the other individuals visiting the ED (p < 0.001). The total cost of the healthcare of the Syrian refugees who visited the ED was calculated as US$ 773,374.63. This study showed that Syrian refugees have increased the proportion of ED visits and the financial healthcare burden. The majority of ED visits made by Syrian refugees were inappropriate. In addition, their ED LOS was longer than that of other individuals making ED visits.

Management of Forgotten Ureteral Stents: Relationship Between Indwelling Time and Required Treatment Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Double-J stents are widely used in urology practice, and removal of these stents can sometimes be forgotten. AIMS: To investigate whether indwelling time of double-J stent can predict which treatment modality is required for removal of the stent from the body. STUDY DESIGN: A multicentre, retrospective observational study. METHODS: The data of 57 patients who were treated for forgotten ureteral stents between January 2007 and December 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were classified into four groups according to indwelling time of the stents: 6-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months, and <36 months. Encrustation and associated stone burden of the stents were evaluated with non-contrast stone protocol computerised tomography. RESULTS: Patients were classified according to their duration of the stent indwelling time. Simple cystoscopic stent retrieval was performed in 71.4% of patients in the 6-12 months group, 44% of patients in the 13-24 months group, 6.2% of patients in the 25-36 months group, and 11.1% of patients in the <36 months group. A percutaneous or open surgery was required in no patients with an indwelling time of double-J stent shorter than 30 months. CONCLUSION: Transurethral and/or percutaneous combined endo-urological approaches are usually sufficient for the removal of forgotten double-J stents. Transurethral procedures are sufficient for the treatment of patients with double-J stent indwelling times less than 30 months.

The ED use and non-urgent visits of elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the emergency department (ED) by elderly patients, their non-urgent visits and the prevalence of main disease for ED visits. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients aged 65 years and over who visited the ED of a tertiary care university hospital in Turkey between January 2015 and January 2016 retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 36,369 elderly patients who visited the ED were included in the study. The rate of ED visits by elderly patients was higher than their representation within the general population (p < 0.001). While the rate of elderly patients visiting polyclinics was 15.8%, the rate of elderly patients visiting the ED was 24.3% (p < 0.001). For both genders, the rates of ED visits for patients between 65 and 74 years old was higher than for other elderly age groups (p < 0.001). The prevalence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was the highest within the elderly population (17.5%, CI: 17.1-17.9). The proportion of ED visits for non-urgent conditions was 23.4%. Most of the ED visits were during the non-business hours (51.1%), and they were highest in the winter season (25.9%) and in January (10.2%). The hospitalization rate was 9.4%, and 37.9% of hospitalized patients were admitted to intensive care units. CONCLUSION: The proportion of ED visits by elderly patients was higher than their representation within the general population. Elderly patients often visited the ED instead of a polyclinic. The rate of inappropriate ED use by elderly patients in this hospital was higher than in other countries.

The Ideal Use of Catheters in Hypospadias Repair: An Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: To find answers to some catheter-related questions in hypospadias repair such as which type of catheter should be used, with which catheter balloon inflation volume, and when should the catheter be removed from the urethra? As catheter use and post-op retention time varies among surgeons in hypospadias repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four 10 French all-silicone- and 54 latex Foley catheters were prepared and assigned to groups as senary. The catheter's balloons were inflated with 2, 3 and 5 mL of sterile water. The catheters were submerged in artificial human urine and then removed from the solution at 24, 72, and 168 h after submersion. The catheter balloon volume losses, increases in the transverse diameter of the catheters, and angulation of the catheter tips were measured to determine catheter degradation. RESULTS: The minimum balloon volume loss was 0.4 mL in the group of all-silicone catheters that were inflated with 2mL and deflated after 24h (2mL 24h). According to balloon volume and deflation time, there were no increases in transverse diameter of the four groups of all-silicone catheters; 2mL 24h, 3mL 24h, 5mL 24h, and 2mL 72h. With 1 mm expansion, the lowest increase on transverse diameter of the latex catheters occurred in five groups; 2mL 24h, 3mL 24h, 5mL 24h, 2mL 72h, and 2mL 168h. CONCLUSION: An all-silicone catheter inflated with 2mL and removed from the urethra within 24-72 hours may be the ideal catheter use in hypospadias repair.   .

The success of tubularized-incised plate urethroplasty in adults and children.

PURPOSE: Hypospadias repair is rarely performed in adults. It is believed that the success rate is lower in adulthood. We aimed to compare the success rate of primary hypospadias repair with tubularized-incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty in adults and children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The databases of consecutive boys and adults who were treated with TIP urethroplasty for primary hypospadias between 2012 and 2015 were evaluated. All operations in the boys and adult patients were performed by a single surgeon. We considered urethroplasty complications to include a urethrocutaneous fistula, neourethral stricture, meatal stenosis, diverticulum, and glans dehiscence. Urine flow was also evaluated using uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Seventy-seven consecutive patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon in the last 3 years for hypospadias repair. Nineteen of these patients were adults. Urethrocutaneous fistulae developed in 2 of the 19 (10.5 %) adults, and 3 of the 58 (5.2 %) boys. In addition, there were urinary tract infections in 2 (3.4 %) children, meatal stenosis in 1 (1.7 %) child, and glans dehiscence in 1 (5.3 %) adult. Uroflowmetry was normal in all patients. There was no difference in outcomes between boys and adults. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that the success rate of hypospadias repair with TIP urethroplasty is similar in adults and children. TIP urethroplasty is associated with good results in adults and boys.

Urothelial neoplasm of the bladder in childhood and adolescence: a rare disease.

PURPOSE: Bladder tumors are rare in children and adolescents. For this reason, the diagnosis is sometimes delayed in pediatric patients. We aimed to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up methods of bladder urothelial neoplasms in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective multicenter study involving patients who were treated between 2008 and 2014. Eleven patients aged younger than 18 years were enrolled in the study. In all the patients, a bladder tumor was diagnosed using ultrasonography and was treated through transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). RESULTS: Nine of the 11 patients (82%) were admitted with gross hematuria. The average delay in diagnosis was 3 months (range, 0-16 months) until the ultrasonographic diagnosis was performed from the first episodes of macroscopic hematuria. A single exophytic tumor (1-4cm) was present in each patient. The pathology of all patients was reported as superficial urothelial neoplasm: two with papilloma, one with papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), four with low grade pTa, and four with low grade pT1. No recurrence was observed during regular cystoscopic and ultrasonographic follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the presence of hematuria, bladder tumors in children are usually not considered because urothelial carcinoma in this population is extremely rare, which causes a delay in diagnosis. Fortunately, the disease has a good prognosis and recurrences are infrequent. Cystoscopy may be unnecessary in the follow-up of children with bladder tumors. We believe that ultrasonography is sufficient in follow-up.

An Analysis of WhatsApp Usage for Communication Between Consulting and Emergency Physicians.

The aim of this study was to evaluate WhatsApp messenger usage for communication between consulting and emergency physicians. A retrospective, observational study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care university hospital between January 2014 and June 2014. A total of 614 consultations requested by using the WhatsApp application were evaluated, and 519 eligible consultations were included in the study. The WhatsApp messages that were transferred to consultant physicians consisted of 510 (98.3%) photographic images, 517 (99.6%) text messages, 59 (11.3%) videos, and 10 (1.9%) voice messages. Consultation was most frequently requested from the orthopedics clinic (n = 160, 30.8%). The majority of requested consultations were terminated only by evaluation via WhatsApp messages. (n = 311, 59.9%). Most of the consulting physicians were outside of the hospital or were mobile at the time of the consultation (n = 292, 56.3%). The outside consultation request rate was significantly higher for night shifts than for day shifts (p = .004), and the majority of outside consultation request were concluded by only WhatsApp application (p < .001). WhatsApp is useful a communication tool between physicians, especially for ED consultants who are outside the hospital, because of the ability to transfer large amounts of clinical and radiological data during a short period of time.

Urothelial neoplasm of the bladder in childhood and adolescence: a rare disease

ABSTRACT Purpose: Bladder tumors are rare in children and adolescents. For this reason, the diagnosis is sometimes delayed in pediatric patients. We aimed to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up methods of bladder urothelial neoplasms in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective multicenter study involving patients who were treated between 2008 and 2014. Eleven patients aged younger than 18 years were enrolled in the study. In all the patients, a bladder tumor was diagnosed using ultrasonography and was treated through transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). Results: Nine of the 11 patients (82%) were admitted with gross hematuria. The average delay in diagnosis was 3 months (range, 0–16 months) until the ultrasonographic diagnosis was performed from the first episodes of macroscopic hematuria. A single exophytic tumor (1–4cm) was present in each patient. The pathology of all patients was reported as superficial urothelial neoplasm: two with papilloma, one with papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), four with low grade pTa, and four with low grade pT1. No recurrence was observed during regular cystoscopic and ultrasonographic follow-up. Conclusions: Regardless of the presence of hematuria, bladder tumors in children are usually not considered because urothelial carcinoma in this population is extremely rare, which causes a delay in diagnosis. Fortunately, the disease has a good prognosis and recurrences are infrequent. Cystoscopy may be unnecessary in the follow-up of children with bladder tumors. We believe that ultrasonography is sufficient in follow-up.

Comparison of the efficacy and histopathological effects of three hemostatic agents in a partial nephrectomy rat model.

PURPOSE: The major complications of partial nephrectomy are bleeding and urine leakage. While various hemostatic agents are used to control bleeding, the histopathological characteristics of these hemostatic agents have not been investigated adequately. We aimed to investigate and compare the histopathological and hemostatic effects of local hemostatic agents in a partial nephrectomy rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were divided into four equal groups, and partial nephrectomy was done to all rats. Conventional suture repair, Glubran2®, FloSeal®, and Celox™ were applied to every single group. The period of warm ischemia and hemostasis during surgical process was timed. Rats were killed later 3 weeks, and their partial nephrectomy applied kidneys were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: The fastest hemostasis was provided with Glubran2® (32.87 s). FloSeal® was the second (40.85 s), and Celox™ was the third (55.75 s). Glomerular necrosis and calcification were seen more in the suture group than other groups (p < 0.001). Fibrosis was found significantly less in Celox™ group. Fibroblast activation was found significantly less comparing to other groups (p < 0.01). The erythrocyte aggregation was significantly greater in the Glubran2® and FloSeal® groups than suture group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The negative effects of hemostatic agents to the renal histopathology were less than conventional suture repair. Celox™ was the best biocompatible agent. In comparison with three agents, it was observed that Glubran2® provided hemostasis faster than other agents.

The use of latex foley catheter in repair of hypospadias the most common seen congenital penile anomaly.

OBJECTIVE: Hypospadias is the most common congenital penile anomaly occurring in 1/300 live births. Various surgery techniques are used in repair of hypospadias. Infant and children with hypospadias are usually admitted to emergency services by worried their parents for the first time. TIP urethroplasty is widely used in the repair of hypospadias, but the use of urethral catheters is still a matter for discussion. Herein, we described our experiences with the use of an unsutured latex foley catheter placed in the glans for 24 to 48 hours. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 38 patients who underwent Tubularized incised plate (TIP) hypospadias repair from 2009 to 2011. Of these, 35 patients who had two-way latex Foley catheters placed for 24 h to 48 hands were followed for at least 12 month. RESULTS: Excellent cosmetic results were obtained in all patients. Urinary tract infection developed in two patients (5.7%). one patient (2.8%) who had mild urethral repair breakdown was repaired in the office environment. CONCLUSION: We observed very low complication rates in application of a two-way latex Foley catheter in hypospadias surgery and found that this method can be used safely. Moreover, the catheter can be used for traction purposes during the procedure. At the end of the 24 to 48 h period, removal of the two-way latex urethral catheter with balloon does not harm the urethral repair. To reach a definite conclusion, larger studies are needed.

The relationship between mean platelet volume and other platelet indices with testicular artery blood flow and fertility: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between platelets (PLT) and platelets indices such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT) as noninvasive biomarkers with testicular artery blood flow and fertility. METHODS: Fifty-seven healthy and fertile men with normal semen values and 52 patients with abnormal semen values were included in the study. The participants' PLT, MPV, PDW and PCT values were analyzed. Four different levels of the testicular artery, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) were measured using color Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of platelet and platelet indices (MPV, PDW and PCT) between the fertile and infertile group. There were no between group differences in the RI values of the testicular- and intra-testicular artery. When all fertile and infertile participants were considered together, there was no statistically significant correlation between the parameters of the testicular artery blood flow (PSV, EDV and RI) and platelet and platelet indices (MPV, PDW and PCT) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is not statistically significant correlation between any of the following parameters: platelets and platelet indices such as MPV, PDW and PCT, RI of the testicular artery, and fertility.

Penile Mondor's Disease: Primum Non Nocere!

PURPOSE: Penile Mondor's disease (superficial thrombophlebitis of the dorsal vein of the penis) is a rare clinical diagnosis. It is an easily diagnosed and treated disease. Nevertheless, when reviewing the literature, we considered that unnecessary tests are carried out for diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to indicate the redundancy of Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis of penile Mondor's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with the clinical presentation of penile Mondor's disease were included in the study. In the first two patients, penile Doppler ultrasonography was performed for diagnostic purposes by applying a vasoactive intracavernosal agent. This diagnostic procedure was not implemented in the next five patients. RESULTS: Physical examinations revealed cord-like thickening lesions on dorsal and dorsolateral penis. In the first two patients, who penile Doppler ultrasonography with an intracavernosal vasoactive agent was used for diagnostic purposes, was developed priapism. We did not use penile Doppler for more patients as this would be unethical according to us. CONCLUSION: Recovery from penile Mondor's disease is usually spontaneous and smooth. A simple physical examination is sufficient for diagnosis, and palliative treatment is effective. For the diagnosis of this disease, unnecessary tests should be avoided so that patients are not harmed.

The hounsfield unit value calculated with the aid of non-contrast computed tomography and its effect on the outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

To evaluate the effect of the Hounsfield unit (HU) value, calculated with the aid of non-contrast computed tomography, on the outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Data for 83 patients evaluated in our clinic between November 2011 and February 2014 that had similar stone sizes, localizations, and radio opacities were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to their HU value, in a low HU group (HU ≤ 1000) or a high HU group (HU > 1000). The two groups were compared based on their PCNL success rates, complications, duration of surgery, duration of fluoroscopy, and decrease in the hematocrit. There were no significant differences in terms of mean age, female-male ratio, or mean body mass index between the two groups (p > 0.05). The stone size and stone surface area did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.820 and p = 0.394, respectively). The unsuccessful PCNL rate and the prevalence of complications did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). The duration of surgery, duration of fluoroscopy, and decrease in the hematocrit were significantly greater in the high HU group compared to the low HU group (p < 0.001). Calculating the HU value using this imaging method may predict cases with longer surgery durations, longer fluoroscopy durations, and greater decreases in hematocrite levels, but this value is not related to the success rate of PCNL.

The Damage of Penile Doppler Ultrasonoghraphy in Diagnosis of Penile Mondor's Disease: A Report of Two Cases.

Penile Mondor's disease is a thrombophlebitis of the superficial dorsal vein of the penis. It is a rare clinical diagnosis and generally resolves spontaneously. A simple physical examination is sufficient for diagnosis but color Doppler ultrasonography is often carried out as a further investigation. We describe two patients who developed priapism due to penile Doppler ultrasonography which was used for diagnosis of these patients. Now, in our opinion this examination was unnecessary.

Efficacy of three different alpha 1-adrenergic blockers and hyoscine N-butylbromide for distal ureteral stones.

PURPOSE: To evaluate hyoscine N-butyl bromide (HBB) and three different alpha-1 blockers in the treatment of distal ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients with stones located in the distal tract of the ureter with stone diameters of 5 to 10mm were enrolled in the present study and were randomized into 4 equal groups. Group 1 received HBB, Group 2 received alfuzosin, Group 3 received doxazosin and Group 4 received terazosin. The subjects were prescribed diclofenac injection (75 mg) intramuscularly on demand for pain relief and were followed-up after two weeks with x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urinary ultrasonography every week. The number of pain episodes, analgesic dosage and the number of days of spontaneous passage of the calculi through the ureter were also recorded. RESULTS: The average stone size for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was comparable (6.13, 5.83, 5.59 and 5.48 mm respectively). Stone expulsion was observed in 11%, 52.9%, 62%, and 46% in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average time to expulsion was 10.55 ± 6.21 days in group 1, 7.38 ± 5.55 days in group 2, 7.85 ± 5.11 days in group 3 and 7.45 ± 5.32 days in group 4. Alpha blockers were found to be superior to HBB (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medical treatment of distal ureteral calculi with alfuzosin, doxazosin and terazosin resulted in a significantly increased stone-expulsion rate and decreased expulsion time when compared with HBB. HBB seems to have a negative effect on stone-expulsion rate.

Efficacy of three different alpha 1-adrenergic blockers and hyoscine N-butylbromide for distal ureteral stones

PURPOSE: To evaluate hyoscine N-butyl bromide (HBB) and three different alpha-1 blockers in the treatment of distal ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients with stones located in the distal tract of the ureter with stone diameters of 5 to 10mm were enrolled in the present study and were randomized into 4 equal groups. Group 1 received HBB, Group 2 received alfuzosin, Group 3 received doxazosin and Group 4 received terazosin. The subjects were prescribed diclofenac injection (75 mg) intramuscularly on demand for pain relief and were followed-up after two weeks with x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urinary ultrasonography every week. The number of pain episodes, analgesic dosage and the number of days of spontaneous passage of the calculi through the ureter were also recorded. RESULTS: The average stone size for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was comparable (6.13, 5.83, 5.59 and 5.48 mm respectively). Stone expulsion was observed in 11 percent, 52.9 percent, 62 percent, and 46 percent in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average time to expulsion was 10.55 ± 6.21 days in group 1, 7.38 ± 5.55 days in group 2, 7.85 ± 5.11 days in group 3 and 7.45 ± 5.32 days in group 4. Alpha blockers were found to be superior to HBB (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medical treatment of distal ureteral calculi with alfuzosin, doxazosin and terazosin resulted in a signi?cantly increased stone-expulsion rate and decreased expulsion time when compared with HBB. HBB seems to have a negative effect on stone-expulsion rate.