Vasectomía sin bisturí: resultados de una cohorte de 309 pacientes / No-scalpel vasectomy

Introducción: La vasectomía es una técnica segura y efectiva para el control de la fertilidad masculina. A pesar de esto, en el mundo se realizan el doble de esterilizaciones femeninas respecto a vasectomías, lo cual es más acentuado en países en vías de desarrollo. Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar nuestra experiencia y resultados en pacientes sometidos a una vasectomía sin bisturí. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyó un total de 309 pacientes sometidos a una vasectomía sin bisturí entre junio de 2009 y mayo de 2010. En cada caso se evaluó la edad, tiempo operatorio, espermiograma a los 3 y 6 meses (en caso de ser necesario) y la morbilidad perioperatoria. Resultados: 281 pacientes (91 por ciento) se controlaron con al menos un espermiograma. En 189 pacientes (67 por ciento) se evidenció azoospermia en el espermiograma a los 3 meses. En 81 pacientes (29 por ciento) se evidenció un recuento con < 100.000 espermatozoides 100 por ciento inmóviles. En 9 pacientes (3,2 por ciento) se necesitó un segundo espermiograma para obtener menos de 100.000 espermatozoides 100 por ciento inmóviles. Seis pacientes (2 por ciento) consultaron por complicaciones menores: orquialgia, epididimitos o hematoma del sitio operatorio. A 2 años de seguimiento, no se registraron embarazos. Conclusiones: La vasectomía sin bisturí es un método seguro y reproducible de anticoncepción masculina, presentando tasas de efectividad superiores al resto de los métodos anticonceptivos. Un espermiograma de control debe ser realizado a los 3 meses de realizado el procedimiento. La tasa de falla temprana se estima en 0,3 por ciento de los pacientes.

Introduction: Vasectomy is a safe and effective technique of male fertility control. Despite this, in the world are carried out more than double female sterilization in comparison with vasectomies, that is more pronounced in less developed countries. Aims: To present our experience and results in patients undergoing a no-scalpel vasectomy. Methods and Material: A total of 309 patients undergoing a no-scalpel vasectomy between June 2009 and May 2010 were included. For each case was record age, operative time, sperm count at 3 months post vasectomy and peri-operative morbidity. Results: 309 vasectomies were performed, 281 patients (91%) were controlled with at least one sperm count. Azoospermia was obtained in the first sperm count at 3 months in 189 patients (67%). In 81 patients (29%) were observed ≤ 100,000 sperm 100% immobile. 9 patients (3.2%) needed a second semen analysis and 2 patients a third one for less than 100,000 sperm that were 100% immobile. 6 patients (2%) consulted by minor complications such as postoperative pain, epididymitis or hematoma with spontaneous resolution. Conclusions: Vasectomy is a safe and reproducible method of male contraception, presenting an effectiveness rates higher than others contraceptive methods. There are no absolute contraindications for performing the procedure. A sperm count should be done at 3 months of the procedure. The early failure rate in our study is 0.3%.

Efectividad y satisfacción del tratamiento con dosis diaria de Tadalafilo 5 mg para la disfunción eréctil / Effectiveness and satisfaction of the treatment with daily dose of Tadalafil 5 mg for erectile dysfunction

La base del tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil (DE) son los inhibidores de la fosfodiesterasa 5, disponibles mayoritariamente para dosificación a demanda. En 2008 la FDA aprobó el Tadalafilo 5 mg de uso diario. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad del Tadalafilo 5 mg de uso diario para el tratamiento de la DE y la satisfacción de los pacientes frente a su uso. PACIENTES Y METODOS: Se reclutaron pacientes con DE entre Junio de 2011 y Mayo de 2012. Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y andrológicos. La DE se clasificó según el puntaje del cuestionario IIEF. Todos los pacientes iniciaron tratamiento diario con Tadalafilo 5 mg y fueron reevaluados luego de un mes. La satisfacción y calidad de vida se evaluó con cuestionarios validados (EDITS, SEAR y GAQ). Para el análisis estadístico se consideró significativo un P<0.05.RESULTADOS: Se reclutaron 49 pacientes con edad promedio de 59,9 +/- 8,8 años. Un 14,3 por ciento presentaba DE severa, 36,7 por ciento moderada, 36,7por ciento leve-moderada y 12,2 por ciento leve. Al mes de tratamiento, el puntaje IIEF aumentó significativamente (P<0.0005), encontrándose un 18,4 por ciento sin DE, 53,1 por ciento con DE leve, 28,6 por ciento con DE leve-moderada y ninguno con DE moderada o grave. El 87,7 por ciento de los pacientes refirió mejores erecciones y el 81,6 por ciento una mejor capacidad para mantener la relación sexual. La satisfacción global con el tratamiento fue de 64,1 por ciento. CONCLUSIÓN: El tratamiento diario con Tadalafilo 5 mg es efectivo para el manejo de la DE y se asocia a niveles adecuados de satisfacción y confianza al cabo de un mes de tratamiento.

The base of the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) are the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, mostly available for “on demand” dosing. In 2008, the FDA approved Tadalafil 5mg for daily use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tadalafil 5 mg daily dose for the treatment of ED and the patient’s satisfaction with its use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with ED were enrolled between June 2011 and May 2012. Sociodemographic, clinical and andrologic data was recorded. The severity of ED was classified according to the score of the IIEF questionnaire. All patients started daily treatment with Tadalafil 5 mg and were reevaluated after one month. Satisfaction and quality of life was assessed using validated questionnaires (EDITS, SEAR and GAQ). A P<0.05 was considered significant in all statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were enrolled, with mean age of 59.9 +/- 8.8 years. A 14.3 ´percent suffered severe ED, 36.7 percent moderate, 36.7 percent mild-moderate and 12.2 percent mild. After one month, the IIEF score significantly increased (P<0.0005), finding a 18.4 percent of patients without ED, 53.1 percent with mild ED, 28.6 percent with mild-moderate ED and no cases with moderate or severe ED. 87.7 percent of patients reported better erections and 81.6 percent stated a better capacity to maintain erections during. The global satisfaction rate with the treatment was of 64.1 percent. CONCLUSION: The treatment with daily dose of Tadalafil 5 mg is effective for the management of ED and is associated with adequate levels of satisfaction and confidence after one month of use.

Tratamiento endoscópico de cálculos ureterales: experiencia en una serie de 102 casos / Endoscopic treatment of ureteral stones: experience in a series of 102 cases

INTRODUCCIÓN: La ureterolitectomía endoscópica (URS) es una técnica validada para el manejo de cálculos ureterales, ya que tiene alto poder resolutivo y es poco invasiva. El desarrollo de instrumentos flexibles ha facilitado el manejo endoscópico de los cálculos en uréter medio y proximal. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la experiencia de nuestro centro en URS. Material y metodos: Análisis retrospectivo de las URS realizadas en nuestro centro entre Diciembre 2009 y Mayo 2012. Se consignaron las características del cálculo, el método de fragmentación, la efectividad del procedimiento y las complicaciones. Se utilizaron los ureteroscopios semirrígido Wolf (6,0-9,5 Fr) y flexible Karl Storz Flex X2. Resultados: Se revisaron 102 ureteroscopías, 85 con ureteroscopio semirrígido y 17 con flexible. Los cálculos tuvieron un promedio de 5,7 mm y 642 UH. El 89,4 por ciento de los cálculos resueltos mediante URS semirrígida se localizaban en uréter distal y 52,9 por ciento de los resueltos con URS flexible en uréter proximal. Se realizó litotripsia con láser Holmium en un 25,9 por ciento y 70,6 por ciento de los casos con URS semirrígida y flexible, respectivamente. Se utilizó litotripsia pneumática en un 4,7 por ciento de los casos de URS semirrígida. En URS semirrígida y flexible, la tasa de stone-free + fragmentos < 2 mm fue de 89,4 por ciento y 88,2 por ciento, respectivamente. Sólo hubo una complicación en nuestra serie (infección urinaria febril en 1 caso con URS flexible). La mediana de hospitalización fue de 1 día (rango 1-5 días). Conclusion: Nuestros resultados reafirman a la URS como una técnica eficaz, segura y poco invasiva para el tratamiento de los cálculos ureterales.

INTRODUCTION: The endoscopic ureterolithotomy (URS) is a validated technique for the management of ureteral calculi, which is highly resolutive and minimally invasive. The development of flexible instruments has facilitated the endoscopic management of stones in the mid and proximal segments of the ureter. The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of our center in endoscopic ureterolithotomy. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of URS performed at our center between December 2009 and May 2012. We recorded the characteristics of the stones, the fragmentation method, the effectiveness of the procedure and complications. The Wolf semi-rigid (6.0 to 9.5 Fr) and the flexible Karl Storz Flex X2 ureteroscopes were used. RESULTS: We reviewed 102 URS, 85 with semi-rigid and 17 with flexible ureteroscope. The calculi were 5.7 mm and 642 HU in average. 89.4 percent of the stones treated with a semi-rigid URS were localized in the distal ureter and 52.9 percent of the calculi treated with a flexible URS were in the proximal ureter. Holmium laser lithotripsy was performed in 25.9 percent and 70.6 percent of the cases of semi-rigid and flexible URS, respectively. Pneumatic lithotripsy was used in 4.7 percent of the semi-rigid URS. In semi-rigid and flexible URS, the rate of stone-free + fragments < 2 mm was 89.4 percent and 88.2 percent, respectively. There was only one complication in our series (febrile urinary tract infection in 1 case of flexible URS). The median length of stay was 1 day (range 1-5 days). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that URS is an effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment for ureteral calculi.

[Trends among medical students towards general practice or specialization]. / Tendencia en el estudiante de medicina a ejercer como médico general o especialista.

BACKGROUND: A 60/40 ratio has been estimated as a country's ideal proportion between general practitioners and specialists. In Chile this proportion was 36/ 64 in 2004, exactly the opposite of the ideal. Trends towards specialization or general practice among medical students have not been thoughtfully studied. AIM: To assess trends among medical students towards becoming general practitioners or specialists, exploring associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive survey of 822 first to seventh year medical students at the University of Chile, School of Medicine. Desired activity to pursue (general practice or specialization) after graduation and general orientations within clinical practice were explored. RESULTS: Fifty three percent of students desired to enter a specialization program. Only 20% would work as a general practitioner (27% were still indecisive). Furthermore, a trend in early years of medical training towards an integral medicine is gradually reversed within later years. Seventh year students give significantly more importance to specialization than to integral medicine (p <0.01). Ten percent of this opinion change is related to the emphasis given to specialized medicine in the teaching environment. CONCLUSIONS: Most students prefer to enter a specialization program immediately after finishing medical school. Moreover, there is a social trend, at least within the teacher-attending environment, promoting not only the desire to specialize, but a pro-specialist culture.

Tendencia en el estudiante de medicina a ejercer como médico general o especialista / Trends among medical students towards general practice or specialization

Background: A 60/40 ratio has been estimated as a country's ideal proportion between general practitioners and specialists. In Chile this proportion was 36/ 64 in 2004, exactly the opposite of the ideal. Trends towards specialization or general practice among medical students have not been thoughtfully studied. Aim: To assess trends among medical students towards becoming general practitioners or specialists, exploring associated factors. Material and methods: Descriptive survey of 822 first to seventh year medical students at the University of Chile, School of Medicine. Desired activity to pursue (general practice or specialization) after graduation and general orientations within clinical practice were explored. Results: Fifty three percent of students desired to enter a specialization program. Only 20 percent would work as a general practitioner (27 percent were still indecisive). Furthermore, a trend in early years of medical training towards an integral medicine is gradually reversed within later years. Seventh year students give significantly more importance to specialization than to integral medicine (p <0.01). Ten percent of this opinion change is related to the emphasis given to specialized medicine in the teaching environment. Conclusions: Most students prefer to enter a specialization program immediately after finishing medical school. Moreover, there is a social trend, at least within the teacher-attending environment, promoting not only the desire to specialize, but a pro-specialist culture.