[Factors influencing the postoperative resolution of varicocele-associated scrotal pain].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors influencing the postoperative resolution of varicocele-associated scrotal pain. METHODS: Using the keywords "varicocele", "testicular pain", "scrotal pain", "painful varicocele", "ligation", and "varicocelectomy", we searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration's Database, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP Database up to October 2016 for the studies relating to surgical treatment of varicocele-associated scrotal pain. We assessed the quality of the cohort studies included using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and that of the randomized controlled trials included with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. We conducted a meta-analysis using the RevMan software. RESULTS: Finally 14 studies were included in this meta-analysis, of which, 2 involved the history of disease, 8 involved the nature of pain, 2 involved the intensity of pain, 9 involved the grade of varicocele, 3 involved the side of varicocele, 9 involved surgical approaches, 3 involved surgical techniques, and 4 involved postoperative recurrence. The pain resolution rate was significantly higher after subinguinal ligation than after high or inguinal ligation (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.76－0.89, P <0.01; RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86－0.99, P = 0.02), and so was it after microsurgery than after laparoscopic varicocelectomy (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.60－0.99, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Subinguinal varicocelectomy and microsurgery are more effective options than laparoscopic and high or trans-inguinal ligation of the spermatic vein for resolution of varicocele-associated scrotal pain, while the history of disease, the nature and intensity of pain, the grade and side of varicocele, or postoperative recurrence cannot be regarded as the influencing factors.

[Nocturnal penile tumescence and the effect of tadalafil on erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the results of the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test and the efficacy of tadalafil in the treatment of ED. METHODS: A total of 188 ED patients were divided into a normal NPT group (n = 136) and an abnormal NPT group (n = 52) according to the results of the NPT test. All of them were treated with tadalafil at 20 mg 3 times a week. The IIEF-5 score, SEP2, SEP3 and GAQ score were compared between the two groups before and 1 month after the treatment. RESULTS: Tadalafil treatment significantly improved IIEF-5 score, SEP2 and SEP3 of both groups of the patients (P < 0.01). Compared with the abnormal NPT group, the normal NPT group showed a remarkable increase in the IIEF-5 score, SEP2, SEP3 (P < 0.05) and GAQ score (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: After 1 month of tadalafil treatment, the normal NPT group achieved a more significant improvement of erectile function and sexual satisfaction than the abnormal NPT group, suggesting that tadalafil has a better therapeutic effect for ED patients with normal NPT.