Successful retransplantation of a kidney allograft affected by thrombotic microangiopathy into a second transplant recipient.

The donor organ shortage has compelled transplant centers to use organs from nontraditional sources. One example is the reuse of a previously transplanted organ, such as a kidney or liver retrieved from a brain-dead allograft recipient. For the first time, we reused a previously transplanted kidney that experienced intractable recurrent thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) from a living allograft recipient. Within a few weeks posttransplantation, a deceased kidney allograft recipient developed intractable severe recurrent idiopathic TMA in the allograft despite intensive plasma exchanges and steroid and rituximab therapy. This required nephrectomy to cure TMA. The index recipient was believed to have a well-functioning allograft despite TMA (serum creatinine, 1.36 mg/dL [120 micromol/L]) and microalbuminuria with albumin of 1.2 g/dL [12 g/L]), and it appeared mildly damaged on biopsy examination. After donor and recipient informed consents were obtained and after approval of the French Agency of Biomedicine, the TMA allograft was reused and transplanted into a recipient whose original kidney disease was polycystic kidney disease. The retransplantation was uneventful, and at 6 months posttransplantation, the ultimate recipient's serum creatinine level was 1.06 mg/L (97 micromol/L) and albuminuria was 0.5 g/dL (5 g/L). A routine kidney biopsy showed mild glomerular lesions. After allograft nephrectomy, the donor's hematologic TMA symptoms dissipated within 10 days. We conclude that a kidney allograft with TMA recurrence can be successfully retransplanted into another recipient with excellent kidney function while still curing the first recipient of recurrent TMA. This might increase the number of kidney allografts from extended criteria donors.

Polyorchidism: presentation of 2 cases, review of the literature and a new management strategy.

OBJECTIVES: To present 2 cases with polyorchidism, to review the literature about polyorchidism, and to propose a rational therapeutic algorithm. METHODS: In our institution, we encountered 2 patients with polyorchidism: The 1st patient had bilateral double testis with testicular torsion, and the 2nd patient presented with an indolent scrotal mass. We also performed a literature search (PubMed) for other reports of polyorchidism. RESULTS: Polyorchidism is a rare congenital anomaly that is not well known by most urologists. So far, as illustrated by our 2 cases, the management of polyorchidism is rarely conservative, and usually the supernumerary testis is removed without any evidence supporting this attitude. Rare cases are complicated by torsion (case 1), cryptorchidism, or testicular neoplasm. In case of torsion, the conservative approach depends on the viability of the twisted testis. In case of cryptorchidism, notably in children or young adults, conservative management should be proposed, if technically feasible. In case of signs of malignancy, orchiectomy must be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment is advised in all uncomplicated cases. Complicated cases need a careful management, but several situations can be managed conservatively. Based on the literature, we propose a simple, rational therapeutic algorithm.

Lethal posttraumatic rupture of a pheochromocytoma: lesson from a postmortem diagnosis.

Pheochromocytoma is challenging to diagnose, and a life-threatening situation may occur if pheochromocytoma is incorrectly diagnosed and treated. We report the first case of a lethal posttraumatic rupture of an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma in a 46-year-old man who presented with peripheral vasoconstriction and signs of peritoneal irritation after being kicked by a horse. Computed tomography, arteriography, and two exploratory laparotomies were performed. The patient died of multiorgan failure 8 h after the trauma. The diagnosis of ruptured pheochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland was made during the postmortem examination. Pheochromocytoma should be considered in cases of blunt abdominal trauma associated with unstable blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction and adrenal hematoma.

[Vasectomy and vas deferens contraceptive surgery: legal and technical aspects]. / Vasectomie et chirurgies contraceptives déférentielles: aspects légaux et techniques.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse technical innovations, their results and the changing legislation in France concerning sterilizing or contraceptive vas deferens surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature was performed using the key words: male/contraception/vas deferens. From the 332 research articles obtained from PUBMED, we selected 54 articles for their methodological quality and the importance of their results. RESULTS: Vasectomy remains the only validated vas deferens surgical technique. Although microsurgical reconstructive techniques have improved the vas deferens restoration rate, vasectomy must be considered to be a definitive method of sterilization. The other contraceptive (reversible) vas deferens surgical techniques have not demonstrated sufficient efficacy to be used outside of the context of clinical trials. However the encouraging results ofsome ofthese studies could allow their development in the intermediate term. From a legal point of view, since the reform of sterilizing surgery in Article L2123-1 of the French Public Health Act, vasectomy is now authorized in a regulatory framework. CONCLUSION: The urology community must take into account progress in the field of contraceptive vas deferens surgical techniques.

Synchronous epidermoid cyst and mature teratoma of the testis: an unusual association.

We describe here the first case of a synchronous epidermoid cyst and mature teratoma of the testis occurring in a young man presenting a with bilateral testicular tumor. After a clinical, biological and ultrasound evaluation, testis-sparing surgery was performed on the left testis and a total orchiectomy on the right side in accordance with oncological principles. Histopathological examination revealed a simple epidermoid cyst on the left side and a mature teratoma on the right side, following Price's criteria. No metastasis was detected, and the patient was closely followed. The patient remains disease-free and has normal postoperative testosterone levels 3 years after the surgery.

[Partial nephrectomy by selective renal parenchymal clamping using a new clamp]. / Néphrectomie partielle par clampage parenchymateux sélectif utilisant un nouveau clamp.

OBJECTIVE: To study the results of open partial nephrectomy by selective renal parenchymal clamping using a new renal parenchyma clamp, the Réniclamp. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Partial nephrectomy was performed in 37 patients using the Réniclamp for an imperative indication in 7 patients (solitary kidneys) and an elective indication in 30 patients. The tumour was situated in a pole in 22 cases and on the lateral border of the kidney in 15 cases. The mean tumour diameter was 29 mm (range: 10 - 60 mm). RESULTS: The mean operating time was 147 minutes and the mean clamping time was 25 minutes. Mean blood loss was 191 cc (range : 50-450 cc) and no patient required blood transfusion. No cases of slipping of the clamp or renal parenchymal lesion due to the clamp were observed. COMPLICATIONS: A urinary fistula treated by endoscopy and obstructive clot of the upper urinary tract, which required endoscopic treatment and selective embolisation. The surgical margins were negative in every case. CONCLUSION: Partial nephrectomy by selective renal parenchymal clamping is an alternative to the pedicle clamping technique in almost every case of renal tumour except for central renal lesions. Réniclamp distributes the pressure homogeneously, avoiding damage to the parenchyma due to excess pressure on the proximal part of the clamp and bleeding due to insufficient pressure on the distal part of the clamp.

[Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for phaeochromocytoma: analysis of morbidity and haemodynamic instability]. / Chirurgie du phéochromocytome par laparoscopie rétropéritonéale: analyse de la morbidité et de l'instabilité hémodynamique.

OBJECTIVE: To study the morbidity and haemodynamic parameters on a consecutive series of adrenalectomies performed Jbr phaeochromocytoma by retroperitoneal laparoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprised 23 phaeochromocytomas in 20 patients treated by controlled retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. The following parameters were studied: intraoperatively: operating time, blood loss, blood pressure, heart rate, and postoperatively: infectious, haemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 156 minutes (range: 105-224). Mean blood loss was 58 ml (range: 0-300). Intraoperatively, 1500 of patients presented a peak SBP >220 mmHg and 70% presented a peak SBP >200 mmHg. In contrast, 200 of patients presented a nadir SBP <60 mmHg, but no patient presented a nadir SBP less than 40 mmHg. One case of intraoperative haemorrhage was observed (4.3%). Three postoperative complications (1 case of respiratory distress, 1 case of haemorrhagic shock, and 1 abscess) were observed (13%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for phaeochromocytoma is associated with a risk of haemodynamic instability. Phaeochromocytoma surgery should therejbre continue to be performed in specialized centres (surgical, anaesthetic and endocrinological).

Open partial nephrectomy with selective renal parenchymal control: a new reliable clamp.

We describe our experience of open partial nephrectomy with a parenchymal clamp, the Reni-Clamp, in 30 patients from January 2002 to May 2005. The mean operative and clamping time was 150 and 27 minutes, respectively, and the blood loss was 150 mL. The Reni-Clamp enabled us to perform partial nephrectomy safely in all cases of polar or external edge renal tumor.

[Efficacy and safety of Pelvicol in the vaginal treatment of prolapse]. / Efficacité et tolérance du Pelvicol dans le traitement des prolapsus par voie vaginale.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a porcine biomaterial (Pelvicol) in the transvaginal surgical treatment of urogenital prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective study from June 2001 to February 2004 based on 132 patients with a mean age of 67.6 +/- 9.89 years presenting major urogenital prolapse: 132 cystoceles and 84 rectoceles with 100% and 63.4% of grade 2 or 3, respectively. Patients were evaluated by questionnaire and clinical examination at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after the operation. Two hundred and sixteen Pelvicol implants were inserted via a vaginal approach: 132 anterior implants and 84 posterior implants. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 21 months [range: 6-24]. No intraoperative complication was observed. The postoperative complication rate was 11.3% (15/132) including 1 prosthetic exposure with a favourable outcome. After 6 months, 1 recurrence of cystoceles and 1 recurrence of rectoceles were found in 132 patients. Out of the 117 patients followed up for 12 months, 6 presented with grade 2 cystoceles and 1 grade 2 rectoceles. After 24 months, out of the 107 patients evaluated, 18 cystoceles and 9 rectoceles of grade 2 or 3 were found. Globally, 83.1% of patients did not present with grade 2 or 3 recurrences after 24 months. Safety was considered to be good with 10% of moderate pelvic pain and 6% of de novo dyspareunia at 12 months. The overall satisfaction rate was 94%. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results demonstrate an efficacy of 83.1% at 24 months and the good safety of Pelvicol in the transvaginal surgical treatment of urogenital prolapse.

[Epidural abscess after prostatic biopsies]. / Abcès epidural après biopsies prostatiques.

Prostatic biopsy is a routine clinical procedure often wrongly considered to be perfectly harmless. The authors report the first case of epidural abscess after prostatic biopsy, despite properly conducted antibiotic prophylaxis. Although the epidural space is a known site of infection, the relationship with prostatic biopsies has never been previously reported. This clinical case emphasizes the need for complete patient information and the importance of anti-infective prophylaxis guidelines.