Initial experience of laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy in an academic hospital in Malaysia.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (LRPN) is a technically demanding kidney surgery due to the limited space and unfamiliar approach in the retroperitoneal space. The aim of this study is to review the outcome of our initial experience in performing this procedure. All patients who underwent LRPN between 2019 to 2022 were included in this retrospective review. A total of 23 patients underwent LRPN. The mean operating time was 178±43 minutes and mean warm ischemia time was 20±5 minutes. The average estimated blood lost was 89±68ml and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.6±0.8 days. Two patients (11.1%) had positive margin and no local recurrence was seen after mean follow up of 15.8±12.0 months. Our initial experience on LRPN showed promising results to perform partial nephrectomy safely and effectively.

Massive penile lipogranuloma following olive oil injections.

Penile self-injections are performed with the purpose of increasing the size of the penis. Commonly, mineral oils or mineral oil-like substances are used for this purpose. However, there are very few publications describing on the complications from vegetable oil injections especially olive oil. Following the injection, the resulting deformity of the male genitalia is described as penile paraffinomas lipogranuloma of the penis. We would like to report a case of penis augmentation by a 50-year-old gentleman using olive oil injections that caused a massive, severely deformed of the penis and scrotum. Surgical excision and reconstruction was done. The patient was discharged after five days postoperatively, with full graft take. Injecting any oily substances into the human body is hazardous. The differential diagnosis of nodules following injections should be kept in mind and in doubtful cases, biopsy should be done. Regular follow-up is essential to prevent the further inflammatory event. Safe and legal procedures should be implemented for penile enlargement so as to avoid self-injections and in the prevention of such debilitating problems.

Accuracy of ultrasound versus computed tomography urogram in detecting urinary tract calculi.

AIM: To determine the (i) sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (USG) in the detection of urinary tract calculi, (ii) size of renal calculi detected on USG, and (iii) size of renal calculi not seen on USG but detected on computed tomography urogram (CTU). METHODS: A total of 201 patients' USG and CTU were compared retrospectively for the presence of calculi. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of USG were calculated with CTU as the gold standard. RESULTS: From the 201 sets of data collected, 59 calculi were detected on both USG and CTU. The sensitivity and specificity of renal calculi detection on USG were 53% and 85% respectively. The mean size of the renal calculus detected on USG was 7.6 mm ± 4.1 mm and the mean size of the renal calculus not visualised on USG but detected on CTU was 4 mm ± 2.4 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of ureteric calculi detection on USG were 12% and 97% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of urinary bladder calculi detection on USG were 20% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the accuracy of US in detecting renal, ureteric and urinary bladder calculi were 67%, 80% and 98% respectively.