Erectile dysfunction in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma), a connective tissue disorder involving multiple organ systems, can be a causal factor in erectile dysfunction. We present a case report and a review of the literature. Awareness of this association can hasten the detection of this disorder and influence management choices.

Laparoscopic interstitial contact laser ablation of renal lesions: an experimental model.

Tissue ablation with the interstitial Nd:YAG contact laser is a rapidly evolving technique. The urologic applications of interstitial lasers have not been fully investigated. We developed a model to test the feasibility of using interstitial laser energy, administered under laparoscopic guidance, to ablate porcine renal tissue. Utilizing a synthetic sapphire interstitial Nd:YAG contact probe, minimal tissue effects were observed using total energies between 120 and 240 J. At energies of 480 J (8 W/60 seconds), there was predominantly coagulation necrosis of the renal parenchyma. At 720 J (12 W/60 seconds), there was pronounced tissue vaporization surrounded by a zone of coagulation necrosis approximately 1.5 cm across. This preliminary investigation demonstrates that the interstitial Nd:YAG contact laser probe can be used for both controlled coagulation necrosis and vaporization of renal parenchymal tissue. This approach may be applicable to the laparoscopic ablation of small renal lesions in selected patients.

Contact laser vaporization techniques for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Contact laser applications for the relief of bladder outlet obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate are different from the noncontact Nd:YAG laser methods. The noncontact techniques rely on coagulation necrosis or high power-density vaporization. The pure contact Nd:YAG laser allows cutting, coagulation, and vaporization of tissue with minimal penetration beyond the contact surface. In the contact laser prostatectomy technique, the laser probe directly touches and vaporizes the prostatic tissue. This results in immediate removal of the obstructing tissue, in a manner similar to the standard electrosurgical transurethral resection (TURP), and offers the patient the potential for decreased catheter time and a more rapid resolution of symptoms. Our initial experience suggests that the contact technique (contact laser ablation of the prostate or CLAP) may be better suited for the smaller prostate gland (i.e., less than 20-30 g). For prostates larger than 30 g, a newly described procedure known as coagulation and hemostatic resection of the prostate (CHRP) can be used. This method combines initial noncontact coagulation of the prostate with vaporization of a channel. The goal of CHRP is to allow more rapid removal of the catheter with a continued improvement in urine flow secondary to the coagulation effects. The contact laser is specifically designed to vaporize tissue such as the prostate and allows immediate observation of a TUR defect. Improvements in the delivery system and in the size of the contact laser probes have made CLAP a useful modality for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Noninsufflative laparoscopic access.

Standard laparoscopic surgery requires maintenance of the working cavity by continual carbon dioxide insufflation and exaggerated Trendelenburg positioning. Both cardiopulmonary and metabolic adverse effects may result from these maneuvers, which may be avoided by a gasless approach to laparoscopic surgery. We investigated a new mechanical retraction system designed to maintain exposure of either intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal contents in a gasless laparoscopic cavity and assessed its performance in both laparoscopic approaches. Gasless laparoscopic surgery was attempted using the Laprolift/Laparofan system for retroperitoneal procedures: left varicocele ligation (three cases), renal biopsy (one case), extraperitoneal pelvic lymph node dissection (one case), and intraperitoneal bilateral varicocelectomy (two cases). Renal biopsy and varicocelectomy were accomplished successfully with the gasless approach and with technical ease comparable to that of the standard insufflative laparoscopic approach. Gasless pelvic lymph node dissection and intraperitoneal varicocelectomy were converted to insufflative laparoscopic or open procedures because of inadequate exposure of the pelvic contents. This early experience with gasless laparoscopy indicates that it may best be reserved for retroperitoneal urologic procedures.

Laparoscopic urologic surgery outcome assessment.

Laparoscopic surgery is an evolving technique that began to be applied widely in urology in the early 1990s. We have conducted an ongoing multicenter study of laparoscopic urologic surgery to identify any changes in utilization, complications, and short- and long-term outcomes. Laparoscopic urologic surgical procedures were assessed in three successive phases: retrospective initial experience [P1] (before 1991), and prospectively, an intermediate phase [P2] (1991-1992) and a late phase [P3] (1993-1994). The late phase group was followed for 1 year through 1995 to identify any delayed complications. In the P1 group, 114 patients are included; 105 underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND), 7 underwent laparoscopic variocele ligation (LVL), and 2 underwent other procedures. The complication rates in P1 are 21% (total): 10.5% (major) and 10.5% (minor). The P2 group includes 148 patients; 132 underwent LPLND, 10 underwent LVL, and 6 underwent other procedures. The complication rates decreased to 16.2% (total): 6% (major) and 10.1% (minor). The latest group (P3) includes 326 subjects; 245 had LPLND, 39 had LVL, and 42 had other procedures. More improvement in outcome is shown in this phase with a 7.98% total complication rate: 0.92% major and 7.05% minor. In addition, other parameters such as operative time and hospital stay show improvement through the successive phases. There were no significant long-term complications in the latest study group. This study demonstrates a continual improvement in outcome and changes in utilization patterns as urologists become more experienced with laparoscopic surgery. The complexity of the procedures performed has increased with a decrease in the complication rates overall.

Laboratory parameters following contact laser ablation of the prostate for benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Contact laser ablation of the prostate is distinct from other Nd:YAG laser prostatectomy techniques. Most Nd:YAG lasers function in a noncontact manner and rely primarily upon coagulation necrosis and delayed sloughing of the prostate tissue. The contact laser removes the obstructing prostate at the time of the procedure through immediate vaporization of the tissue. Since there is removal of tissue with the contact technique, fluid absorption and blood loss is a theoretical concern. Thirty-four patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy who were candidates for traditional TURP were treated with contact laser ablation of the prostate (CLAP). Prostate sizes were 20-80 g, with a mean total gland size of 34 g. Serum hemoglobin and sodium levels were determined preoperatively and in the immediate postoperative period. The mean preoperative serum sodium level (mmol/L) was 138.4 (+/-3.6), and postoperatively 135.6 (+/-5.0). The mean change was -2.8 mmol/L (+/-4.8). The mean hemoglobin (g/dl) preoperatively was 14.4 (+/-1.5) and postoperatively 12.9 (+/-1.6). The mean change in hemoglobin was -1.5 g/dl (+/-0.8). No patient manifested any TUR syndrome or required transfusion. This study suggests that clinically significant changes in serum sodium and hemoglobin levels are not seen with contact laser vaporization of the prostate.

Controlled balloon dilatation of the extraperitoneal space for laparoscopic urologic surgery.

Laparoscopic urologic surgery has become increasingly more popular, with the majority of procedures and techniques that have been described based on intraperitoneal experience and anatomic considerations. Urologic surgery, traditionally confined mostly to the extraperitoneal space, has followed these intraperitoneal descriptions when undertaken laparoscopically. Our experience of controlled, laparoscopically monitored dilatation of the extraperitoneal space using a new trocar-mounted balloon dissector can create a working space in a surgical environment familiar to traditional open urologic surgery. We report our initial experience with the preperitoneal distention balloon in 15 patients, emphasizing the technique of extraperitoneal access and the laparoscopic visualization of anatomy relevant to pelvic lymph node dissection, varicocele ligation, nephropexy, and renal biopsy. In this early experience, laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection was performed successfully in 7 of 11 patients and in all other patients undergoing the retroperitoneal procedures. Patients with a prior history of hernia repair or appendectomy do not appear to be suitable to this approach when used for pelvic lymphadenectomy. The trocar-mounted balloon device allows direct visualization and control of the dissection process. Avoiding the transperitoneal approach may eliminate many of the complications associated with the transperitoneal access and procedure completion. We conclude that the extraperitoneal technique using this device merits further investigation and more widespread application in the laparoscopic approach to conventional extraperitoneal urologic procedures.

Similarity of the American Urological Association Symptom Index among men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), urethral obstruction not due to BPH and detrusor hyperreflexia without outlet obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the specificity of the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) versus other urodynamically verified micturitional dysfunction in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive men who had been referred for video-urodynamic evaluation of voiding symptoms were evaluated. The patients were divided into three groups: (i) BPH group (n = 24); (ii) non-BPH obstructed group (n = 20; nine bladder neck obstruction, 11 bulbous urethral stricture); and (iii) detrusor hyper-reflexia group: detrusor hyper-reflexia without outlet obstruction (n = 13). RESULTS: The mean AUA symptom score for the BPH group was 18.9 (range 7-28). The mean score for the 20 non-BPH obstructed group was 17.6 (range 4-28) and the mean score for the 13 men with detrusor hyper-reflexia was 20.5 (range 12-27). There was no statistical difference in the AUA symptom score among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The AUA Symptom Index does not specifically identify BPH or bladder outlet obstruction. The index cannot differentiate the site of obstruction as noted by the similar scores among men with BPH from those with bladder neck obstruction and urethral strictures. Moreover, The AUA Symptom Index scores are similar between men with voiding symptoms secondary to bladder dysfunction and bladder outlet obstruction.