Prospective study to compare antibiosis versus the association of N-acetylcysteine, D-mannose and Morinda citrifolia fruit extract in preventing urinary tract infections in patients submitted to urodynamic investigation.

BACKGROUND: The abuse of antimicrobical drugs has increased the resistance of microorganisms to treatments, thus to make urinary tract infections (UTIs) more difficult to eradicate. Among natural substances used to prevent UTI, literature has provided preliminary data of the beneficial effects of D-mannose, N-acetylcysteine, and Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, due to their complementary mechanism of action which contributes respectively to limit bacteria adhesion to the urothelium, to destroy bacterial pathogenic biofilm, and to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the administration of an association of D-mannose, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Morinda citrifolia extract versus antibiotic therapy in the prophylaxis of UTIs potentially associated with urological mini-invasive diagnostics procedures, in clinical model of the urodynamic investigation. METHODS: 80 patients eligible for urodynamic examination, 42 men and 38 women, have been prospectively enrolled in the study and randomised in two groups (A and B) of 40 individuals. Patients of group A followed antibiotic therapy with Prulifloxacine, by mouth 400 mg/day for 5 days, while patients of the group B followed the association of mannose and NAC therapy, two vials/day for 7 days. Ten days after the urodynamic study, the patients were submitted to urine examination and urine culture. RESULTS: The follow up assessment didn't show statistical significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of UTI. CONCLUSIONS: The association of mannose and NAC therapy resulted similar to the antibiotic therapy in preventing UTIs in patients submitted to urodynamic examination. This result leads to consider the possible use of these nutraceutical agents as a good alternative in the prophylaxis of the UTI afterwards urological procedures in urodynamics.

Combined laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and endoscopic pyelolithotripsy for staghorn calculi: long-term follow-up results from a case series.

PURPOSE: Staghorn renal stones are a challenging field in urology. Due to their high recurrence rates, particularly those associated with an infective process, a complete removal is the ultimate goal in their management. We report our experience with a combined approach of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and endoscopic pyelolithotripsy, the stone clearance rate, and long-term, follow-up outcomes. METHODS: From June 2012 to October 2014, nine adult patients with large staghorn renal calculi (mean size, 7.2 cm; range, 6.2-9.0 cm) underwent a combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach. The technique comprised laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and holmium-YAG laser stone fragmentation with the use of a flexible cystoscope introduced through a 12 mm trocar. RESULTS: The average operative time was 140 min (range, 90-190 min). The mean estimated hemoglobin loss was 0.6 mmol/l (range 0.5-0.7 mmol/l). None of the patients required an open- surgery conversion. The mean hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2-6 days). A computed tomography urogram control at 6 months of follow up did not show any stone recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy combined with endoscopic pyelolithotripsy could be a therapeutic option in cases where mini-invasive procedures, that is, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopic lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) have failed. This technique has a high stone-clearance rate (75-100%) comparable with open surgery and PCNL. However, it could be technically demanding and should be performed by skilled laparoscopy surgeons.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy after previous transurethral resection of prostate using a catheter balloon inflated in prostatic urethra: Oncological and functional outcomes from a matched pair analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the surgical, oncological and functional outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in patients who have undergone transurethral resection of the prostate, using a catheter balloon inflated in the prostatic urethra. METHODS: A total of 25 patients were randomly assigned to the no balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group (n = 12) and the with balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group (n = 13). Two matched pairs analyses were carried out to identify the 12 (control A) and 13 (control B) surgery-naïve patients. The outcomes were compared between the groups with previous transurethral resection of the prostate (no balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and with balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy groups) and the controls. The rate of intra- and postoperative complications was assessed. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and the International Index of Erectile Function 5 were used for symptoms evaluation. RESULTS: The mean blood loss was higher in patients submitted to transurethral resection of the prostate, with statistically insignificant reduced blood loss in the with balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group. The no balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group had longer operative time compared with both the with balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and control A groups (P < 0.05). International Index of Erectile Function 5 showed a significant difference between no balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and its control group; the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the no balloon previous transurethral resection of the prostate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and control A groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a catheter balloon inflated in the prostatic urethra seems to facilitate laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in patients with previous transurethral resection of the prostate, ultimately reducing the rate of perioperative complications. These findings warrant further investigation on a larger case series with a longer follow up.

Endoscopic rendezvous procedure for ureteral iatrogenic detachment: report of a case series with long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Injury to the ureter is the most common urologic complication of pelvic surgery, with an incidence that ranges from 1% to 10%. Most cases of ureteral injuries are related to gynecologic procedures. The ureter is particularly vulnerable to detachment or ligation during hysterectomy because of its position from the lateral edge of the cervix. We report a case series of female patients who underwent the ureteral rendezvous procedure for ureteral detachment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and April 2013, 18 ureteral rendezvous procedures were performed for patients with complete detachment. We assessed the operative and clinical outcomes of these patients over a mean follow-up duration of 26.5 months and describe the three most representative cases. RESULTS: The endoscopic rendezvous technique was performed in all cases to manage ureteral detachment. CT urography at discharge and 6 and 12 months after discharge confirmed the restoration of ureteral integrity without any leakage in 66% (12/18) patients, indicated ureteral stenosis in 22% (4/18) patients, and indicated ureteral leakage in 12% (2/18) patients. The overall long-term success rate for all 18 patients was 78% (14/18) at a mean follow-up of 26.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic rendezvous procedure reduces the need for invasive open surgical repair and represents the optimal initial option in patients with iatrogenic ureteral lesions before invasive procedures with higher morbidity are attempted.

Synchronous primary neoplasms of the bladder, skin and breast in a male patient: a case report.

The incidence of multiple primary malignant neoplasms increases with age, reflecting an increase in overall cancer risk in older patients. Cases of two or more concurrent primary cancers are still rare, although its incidence is increasing. Here, we report the case of a 57-year-old man who was referred to our institution with synchronous squamous cell carcinoma of the skin on the forehead, infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, and transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in literature of this combination of primary neoplasms.

Prospective randomized study of radiofrequency versus ultrasound scalpels on functional outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of patients with prostate cancer currently involves laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) or robot-assisted LRP. Continence and nerve-sparing procedures in these techniques are supported by dissection and hemostatic surgical devices powered by different types of energy. The aim of this study was to assess recovery of continence and erectile function after laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy comparing two surgical devices for dissection and hemostasis-radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasound (US) scalpels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 132 men with localized prostate cancer were prospectively enrolled and scheduled for extraperitoneal LRP. Patients were randomly assigned to the RF group (LigaSure; n=66) or the US group (UltraCision; n=66). Outcomes were measured by the self-administered questionnaires (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence [ICIQ-UI] and International Index of Erectile Function 5 [IIEF 5]) 15 days before surgery, 90 and 180 days after prostatectomy to assess recovery of urinary continence and erectile function. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding operative time, intra- and perioperative complications, or time of hospital stay. At 180 days after surgery, patients in the RF-treated group showed better recovery in terms of continence and erectile function compared with patients in the US group (ICIQ-UI: p=0.0016; IIEF 5: p=0.0352). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the RF scalpel provided better functional outcomes compared with the US scalpel in patients undergoing extraperitoneal LRP. This might be attributed to the low contiguous damage of those tissues, which are not directly involved in dissection and hemostasis, achieved using the RF device.

A multistep approach to manage Fournier's gangrene in a patient with unknown type II diabetes: surgery, hyperbaric oxygen, and vacuum-assisted closure therapy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier's gangrene is an infectious necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genital regions and has a high mortality rate. It is a synergistic infection caused by a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic organisms and predisposing factors, including diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, malnutrition, and low socioeconomic status. We report a case of Fournier's gangrene in a patient with unknown type II diabetes submitted to 24-hour catheterization 15 days before gangrene onset. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient, a 60-year-old Caucasian man, presented with a swollen, edematous, emphysematous scrotum with a crepitant skin and a small circle of necrosis. A lack of resistance along the dartos fascia of the scrotum and Scarpa's lower abdominal wall fascia combined with the presence of gas and pus during the first surgical debridement also supported the diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene. On the basis of the microbiological culture, the patient was given multiple antibiotic therapy, combined hypoglycemic treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and several surgical debridements. After five days the infection was not completely controlled and a vacuum-assisted closure device therapy was started. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the successful multistep approach of an immediate surgical debridement combined with hyperbaric oxygen and negative pressure wound therapy. The vacuum-assisted closure is a well-known method used to treat complex wounds. In this case study, vacuum-assisted closure treatment was effective and the patient did not require reconstructive surgery. Our report shows that bladder catheterization, a minimally invasive maneuver, may also cause severe infective consequences in high-risk patients, such as patients with diabetes.

Incidental diagnosis of a retroperitoneal schwannoma in a patient with chronic leukemia undergoing prostatic biopsy.

We present a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma incidentally diagnosed in a patient undergoing surgical drainage of a pelvic abscess as a complication of a prostatic biopsy. A 50-year-old male, suffering from lymphatic leukemia, came to our observation due to lichen ruber planus and ejaculatory pain. The patient underwent a trans-perineal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the right seminal vesicle and of a hypoechoic area documented by ultrasonography. 48 hours after the procedure, the patient had developed: cold sores, shortness of breath with dyspnea, and high fever (40°C). The patient was hospitalized, underwent an emergency CT which documented a right presacral and pararectal liquid mass (abscess). The patient underwent emergency laparotomy and drainage of the abscess. The lesion histological examination revealed a retroperitoneal schwannoma with inflammatory phenomena and hyperplasic lymphadenitis. The retroperitoneal schwannoma is a silent disease whose only clinical manifestation coincides with the compression of adjacent anatomical structures. In many cases, the symptoms, even if present, as in this case (ejaculatory pain with compression of the seminal vesicle), are non-specific, thus delaying diagnosis and the therapeutic approach.