MRI Findings of Renal Myxoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Renal myxomas are very rare benign tumors. To date, a few cases have been reported in English literature, mostly in pathology and urology journals. Thus, there are few reports on the radiological findings associated with renal myxomas. We report on the imaging findings in a case of renal myxoma in a 62-year-old male. MRI demonstrated a well-defined mass in the left renal sinus, with intermediate high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images. The tumor showed gradual enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images.

Enucleated Weight/Enucleation Time, Is It Appropriate for Estimating Enucleation Skills for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate? A Consideration of Energy Consumption

PURPOSE: To date, the parameters for evaluating enucleation efficiency have only considered enucleation time, although operators simultaneously consume both time and energy during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. This study was undertaken to find a better way of assessing enucleation skills, considering both enucleation time and consumed energy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred (n=100) consecutive patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate from April 2012 to April 2014 by a single surgeon were enrolled. Ten groups of 10 consecutive cases were used to analyze the parameters of enucleation efficiency. RESULTS: The mean enucleation time, consumed energy, and enucleated weight were 41.3±19.2 minutes, 66.2±36.0 kJ, and 26.6±21.8 g, respectively. Concerning learning curves, like enucleation time-efficacy (=enucleated weight/enucleation time), enucleation energy-efficacy (=enucleated weight/consumed energy) also had an increasing tendency. Enucleation ratio efficacy (=enucleated weight/transitional zone volume/enucleation time) plateaued after 30 cases. However, enucleation time-energy-efficacy (=enucleated weight/enucleation time/consumed energy) continued to increase after 30 cases and plateaued at 61 to 70 cases. Furthermore, one-way analysis of variance showed that group means for enucleation time-energy-efficacy (F=3.560, p=0.001) were significantly different, but that those of enucleation ratio efficacy (F=1.931, p=0.057) were not. CONCLUSIONS: When both time and energy were considered, enucleation skills continued to improve even after 30 cases and plateaued at 61 to 70 cases. Therefore, we propose that enucleation time-energy-efficacy should be used as a more appropriate parameter than enucleation ratio efficacy for evaluating enucleation skills.

Is Tamsulosin 0.2 mg Effective and Safe as a First-Line Treatment Compared with Other Alpha Blockers?: A Meta-Analysis and a Moderator Focused Study

PURPOSE: Tamsulosin 0.2 mg is used widely in Asian people, but the low dose has been studied less than tamsulosin 0.4 mg or other alpha blockers of standard dose. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin 0.2 mg by a meta-analysis and meta-regression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of efficacy of tamsulosin 0.2 mg using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-voided residual volume (PVR), and quality of life (QoL). Safety was analyzed using adverse events. Relevant studies were searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library from January 1980 to June 2013. RESULTS: Ten studies were included with a total sample size of 1418 subjects [722 tamsulosin 0.2 mg group and 696 other alpha-blockers (terazosin, doxazosin, naftopidil, silodosin) group]. Study duration ranged from 4 to 24 weeks. The pooled overall standardized mean differences (SMD) in the mean change of IPSS from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.02 [95% confidence interval (CI); -0.20, 0.25]. The pooled overall SMD in the mean change of QoL from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.16 (95% CI; -0.16, 0.48). The regression analysis with the continuous variables (number of patients, study duration) revealed no significance in all outcomes as IPSS, QoL, and Qmax. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies that tamsulosin 0.2 mg has similar efficacy and fewer adverse events compared with other alpha-blockers as an initial treatment strategy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Do Rotational Shifts Affect Micturition Patterns in Real Practice? A Pilot Study in Healthy, Young Female Nurses / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Healthy, young individuals are known to exhibit circadian variation in urinary functions. However, the effects of chronic circadian disturbance on voiding functions are largely unknown. The present work compared the effects of rotational shifts on the micturition patterns of female nurses to that in female nurses with routine daytime shifts. METHODS: A total of 19 nurses without lower urinary tract symptoms who worked rotational shifts for an average duration of 2 years were recruited. A voiding diary was kept for 9 consecutive days, and the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) questionnaire was completed three times, starting 3 days before their night duties until 3 days after completion of their night duties. For comparison, seven nurses with regular shifts completed a 3-day voiding diary and the OABSS questionnaire. RESULTS: Female nurses working rotational shifts had lower overall urine production and had decreased urination frequency and nocturia than female nurses working regular shifts, even when the nurses who worked rotational shifts had a regular night's sleep for at least 7 days. Upon reinitiation of night duty, overall urine production increased significantly, with no significant changes in urgency and frequency. When these nurses returned to daytime duty, the volume of urine decreased but nocturnal urine production remained high, and the incidence of nocturia also increased significantly. However, the effects on OABSS score were not significant under the study design used. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term rotational shifts resulted in adaptive changes such as decreased urine production and frequency in healthy, young female nurses. In addition, their micturition patterns were significantly affected by abrupt changes in their work schedules. Although working in shifts did not increase urgency or frequency of urination in healthy, young female nurses working rotational shifts for an average 2 years, large-scale studies are needed to systematically analyze the influence of shift work timings on micturition in humans.

Hand-Assisted Retroperitoneoscopic Nephroureterectomy With Bladder Cuffing After Preperitoneal and Retroperitoneal Perivesical Ballooning

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe the surgical technique of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (HARNU) with bladder cuffing after preperitoneal and retroperitoneal perivesical ballooning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2008 to September 2012, we performed HARNU and open bladder cuffing in 28 consecutive series of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. We performed HARNU according to the following procedure: (1) a camera port incision was made on the posterior axillary line; (2) multiple, repeated, preperitoneal and retroperitoneal ballooning was performed on both the posterior axillary line and in the umbilicus; (3) a 7.0 cm skin incision was made from the suprapubic to the lower inguinal with the balloon present in the extraperitoneal area; (4) hand-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy; (5) cessation of gas insufflation; and (6) extravesical cuffing as an open surgical procedure. RESULTS: The mean estimated blood loss was 250 mL. The mean operation time was 240 minutes. The mean time to oral intake and ambulation was 1.0 day and two days, respectively. As for postoperative complications due to the hand-assisted device, one patient developed febrile urinary tract infection within three weeks postoperatively and was hospitalized again to receive parenteral antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: We made a low Gibson incision for a route for the hand-assisted procedure as well as a window for open surgery in dissecting the distal ureter and extracting the surgical specimens. Thus, our results indicate that the HARNU might be a feasible surgical modality.

Modified Distal Urethral Polypropylene Sling (Canal Transobturator Tape) Procedure: Efficacy for Persistent Stress Urinary Incontinence After a Conventional Midurethral Sling Procedure / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Despite reports of persistent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients after the midurethral sling (MUS) procedure, there is no widely accepted definition or cause of the condition. In many cases, the mesh implanted in the previous MUS procedure has been found to have migrated proximally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified distal urethral polypropylene sling, or canal transobturator tape (TOT), procedure for persistent SUI after a conventional MUS procedure on the assumption that persistent SUI after MUS is due to the location of the sling. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2012, 31 female patients who underwent the canal TOT procedure presented with incontinence or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were included in this study. We identified patients who had been operated on by use of the conventional MUS procedure at other medical facilities, whose Valsalva leak pressure point was less than 120 cm-H2O by urodynamic study, and who were also diagnosed with persistent SUI. If vaginal or urethral mesh exposure was concomitant with persistent SUI, the mesh was removed completely or in part. Surgical procedures for canal TOT were identical to the original TOT procedures, except in the number and location of the vaginal incisions. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7) and Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6) scores were assessed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Twenty-eight patients (90.3%) showed improvement in incontinence or other LUTS. Postoperative scores of the IIQ-7 (0.65+/-0.48) and UDI-6 (3.48+/-2.28) were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores (1.26+/-0.58 and 7.52+/-4.30, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Improper sling location is one of the major causes of persistent SUI after the conventional MUS procedure. Our results demonstrate that canal TOT may be an alternative method in the treatment of persistent SUI after the conventional MUS procedure.

Is Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy a Feasible Technique for the Treatment of Staghorn Calculi?

PURPOSE: Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) remains a challenging technique for the surgical treatment of staghorn renal calculi. Our study was designed to compare surgical outcomes between conventional and tubeless PNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients who underwent conventional or tubeless PNL under general anesthesia performed by a single surgeon (H.J.) for the treatment of staghorn calculi between 2003 and 2012. All patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients who underwent conventional PNL and group 2 included patients who were managed by tubeless PNL for the treatment of staghorn calculi. Preoperative and postoperative parameters were analyzed between the two groups, including age, stone burden, complications, any interventions, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (group 1, 106; group 2, 59) were enrolled in the study. No significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, or stone laterality were observed between the two groups. The mean stone burdens (+/-standard deviation) of group 1 and group 2 were 633.6 (+/-667.4) and 529.9 (+/-362.8), respectively (p=0.271). The postoperative stone-free clearance rate was higher in group 2 (78.0%) than in group 1 (69.8%); however, the difference was not clinically significant (p=0.127). In addition, no significant differences in postoperative complications, including fever, bleeding, infection, or additional interventions, were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that tubeless PNL has the same effectiveness and safety as conventional PNL in the treatment of staghorn calculi. Tubeless PNL may be feasible for managing renal staghorn calculi.

A Novel Germline Mutation in Exon 15 of the APC Gene in Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Report of Two Cases

Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) is a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis with fewer than one hundred colorectal polyps and a later age of onset of the cancer. Here, we report two cases of AFAP within family members. Each patient demonstrated the same novel germ line mutation in exon 15 of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and was successfully managed with sulindac after refusal to perform colectomy: a 23-year-old man with incidentally diagnosed gastric adenoma and fundic gland polyps underwent colonoscopy, and fewer than 100 colorectal polyps were found; a 48-year-old woman who happened to be the mother of the 23-year-old man also showed fewer than 100 colorectal polyps on colonoscopy. Genetic analysis revealed a novel frameshift mutation in exon 15 of the APC gene. The deletion of adenine-guanine with the insertion of thymine in c.3833-3834 resulted in the formation of stop codon 1,287 in both patients. The patients were treated with sulindac due to their refusal to undergo colectomy. The annual follow-up upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in the following 2 years revealed significant regression of the colorectal polyps in both patients.

Hydrodynamic Relationship between Color Doppler Ultrasonography Findings and the Number of Internal Spermatic Veins in Varicoceles

PURPOSE: The improvement of testicular volume, testosterone levels and sperm concentration was suggested to be significantly associated with the number of internal spermatic veins (ISVs) ligated during varicocelectomy. Herein, we investigated preoperative color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) findings as potential preoperative predictors of the number of ISVs requiring ligation during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective evaluation of 40 patients, maximal vein size and maximal reflux velocity were measured, while the total cross-sectional area of the affected testicular veins during a Valsalva maneuver was calculated using CDU by a single uroradiologist. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies were performed by one urologist. RESULTS: Among the semen parameters, semen morphology showed significant improvement (p=0.033), which was much clearer in the patients with a higher number of ISVs ligated than a lower number of ISVs ligated. Among the various preoperative variables, maximal reflux velocity and total cross-sectional area on CDU were related to the number of ISVs ligated (r=-0.442, p=0.004; r=0.594, p=0.000, respectively). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses showed that maximal reflux velocity and total cross-sectional area on CDU were independent predictive factors of the number of ISVs ligated. CONCLUSION: Maximal reflux velocity and total cross-sectional area on CDU were related to the number of ISVs ligated. This means that the maximal reflux velocity and total cross-sectional area measured by preoperative CDU can predict the number of ISVs requiring ligation during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy, which might be related to significant improvement of semen parameters after varicocelectomy.

Open-label, Intermittent Dose, Prospective Study Evaluating the Effects of Tadalafil on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Function in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Continuation and Durability of Effects / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is often accompanied by age-related comorbidity, such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Recent data suggest an association between ED and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and increasing evidence indicates that the clinical use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors provides relief from LUTS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of tadalafil (20 mg once every 3 days for 12 weeks, p.o.) in men with moderate-to-severe ED and LUTS and to investigate the duration of the effects of tadalafil beyond treatment cessation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with an International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score of less than 11 (representing "moderate-to-severe" ED status) and with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of more than 8 (representing "moderate-to-severe" LUTS status) were enrolled. IPSS (total score, storage subscore, and voiding subscore) and IIEF-5 scores before treatment (baseline), during treatment (weeks 4 and 12 after treatment commencement), and after treatment (weeks 16 and 20after treatment commencement) were compared. RESULTS: IPSS and IIEF-5 scores were significantly different between baseline and week 12 after treatment commencement. Furthermore, these scores were significantly different between baseline and week 20 after treatment commencement. However, except for IIEF-5 scores, no significant differences were observed between week 12 and week 20. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 20 mg tadalafil (once every 3 days) had beneficial effects on LUTS and ED beyond treatment cessation in patients with moderate-to-severe ED and LUTS.

Life-Threatening Complication after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for a Renal Stone: A Hepatic Subcapsular Hematoma

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has revolutionized the management of urolithiasis since it was first introduced in 1980. ESWL is a well-established, safe and effective therapeutic alternative to surgical treatment for urolithiasis. Complications of ESWL do occur in a small number of patients, and when they do, they typically involve the kidney. We present a case of a young female patient who developed a huge hepatic subcapsular hematoma accompanied by hypovolemic shock after ESWL for a 9 mm stone in the right kidney. The hematoma measured 13x6 cm. Conservative care with no surgical intervention was chosen because there was no evidence of active bleeding on the computed tomography. After conservative therapy, the hematoma was gradually absorbed and the patient was discharged.

The Establishment of Dendritic Cell-Tumor Fusion Vaccines for Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer Cell

PURPOSE: Dendritic cell (DC)-based tumor vaccine is an attractive modality for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) because it has some efficacy and few side effects in patients with poor general conditions. The aim of this study was to establish which is the most effective DC vaccine for the treatment of HRPC. We compared DC vaccine sensitized with tumor lysate and a fusion vaccine of DCs and tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DU145 cancer cell line was purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. DCs were cultured from peripheral blood monocytes. Peripheral blood monocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with interleukin-4 (IL-4), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and 10% fetal calf serum. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was added on day 7 to support maturation. Functional activity was measured in three groups: the DC single-culture group, the DC culture group with DC vaccine sensitized with tumor lysates, and the DC culture group prepared with tumor fusion vaccine made from irradiated tumor cells and monocyte-derived DCs by the polyethylene glycol method. RESULTS: By FACS analysis, the rate of DC-tumor fusion vaccine was 20.3+/-3%. The IL-12 level produced by the DC-tumor fusion vaccine was significantly higher than that of DCs pulsed with tumor lysate (p<0.05). Also, the generation of interferon-gamma by tumor-specific T cells in the DC-tumor fusion vaccine group was superior to that of DCs pulsed with tumor lysate (p<0.05). In addition, the T cells of the tumor lysate-pulsed DCs and tumor fusion vaccine had 1.6 and 2.5 times the functional activity, respectively, of the DC single-culture group in killing tumor cells in the cytotoxicity assay. CONCLUSIONS: The DC-tumor fusion vaccine seems to be more effective than DC single-culture or DC-tumor lysate vaccine in the treatment of HRPC.

What is the best Treatment of Penile Fractures? Conservative or Surgical?: Experience in 34 cases / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Penile fracture is described as a traumatic rupture of the tunica albuginea because of blunt injury of an erect penis. In this study, we aimed to compare conservative and surgical treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 34 patients who visited our hospital with penile fracture and two treatment modalities were compared: conservative (Group I) and surgical (Group II). The five men who refused surgical treatment were treated conservatively, and the other 29 patients underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: The most common cause of fracture was sexual intercourse (21/34, 61.8%). The most common sites of fracture were the right (67.6%), ventral (67.6%), and proximal (47.1%) parts of the penis. In Group II, only complication was painful erection (2/29, 6.9%), whereas in group I, 80% (4/5) suffered complications such as wound infection, painful erection, penile nodules with curvature, and erectile dysfunction. All patients treated with surgery successfully recovered without erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Because surgical management gives excellent results, shorter hospitalization, less morbidity, surgical treatment is more effective approach than conservative treatment.

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Testis: A Case Report

A 51-yr-old man presented with an enlarged right testis for two months. The radically resected testis showed a relatively well-circumscribed ovoid mass, nearly replacing the normal architecture with central cystic changes. Microscopically, the mass was composed of ovoid shaped tumor cells of a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The central portion of the mass was filled with well-formed laminated keratinous materials and the remnant cavity lined by dysplastic squamous epithelium, indicated SCC may be derived from an epidermal cyst. SCC is among the most common types of neoplasm afflicting human beings, but it is rare in the testis. To our knowledge, this is the second report of the testicular squamous cell carcinoma occurring in a patient without other primary tumors, and the firstly reported case in Korea.

Surgical Outcomes after Distal Suburethral Sling Procedures for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Aged Patients

PURPOSE: There are few reports describing objective and subjective outcomes in aged patients undergoing distal urethral polypropylene sling (DUPS) and canal transobturator tape (canal TOT) placement, which make the submucosal mesh 'tension-free' state in the operating room. We evaluated surgical outcomes and subjective satisfaction in patients over 70 years of age who underwent DUPS and canal TOT for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 29 consecutive patients over 70 years of age who underwent DUPS and canal TOT for genuine SUI between January 2006 and April 2008. Surgical outcomes were determined on the basis of hemoglobin change, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Subjective satisfaction was determined on the basis of disease-specific quality of life, measured via the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-short form (IIQ-7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory-short form (UDI-6). RESULTS: No intraoperative or major postoperative complications were reported. No concomitant procedures were performed, including cystocele repair (n=0) or rectocele repair (n=0). The mean IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores both decreased significantly after DUPS and canal TOT. Moreover, 82% of patients reported no SUI symptoms under any circumstances, and 91% of patients reported being rarely or never bothered by SUI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes and subjective satisfaction seen with DUPS and canal TOT in this study were superior to those seen in other studies. However, it is possible that this study overestimated the effects of DUPS and canal TOT in aged women because of the small study sample. Therefore, additional studies are needed.

Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm that develops from the prostatic urethra. We present an 85-year-old man with an exophytic lesion in the prostatic cavity, which was diagnosed after transurethral resection of the prostate. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a ductal adenocarcinoma with endometrioid features and a Gleason score of 6.

Comparison of the Testicular Salvage Rate according to Treatment Method in Scrotal Trauma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the testicular salvage rate, visual analogue pain scale, and hospital stay according to treatment method in patients with scrotal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 103 patients who visited the emergency department with scrotal trauma between January 1996 and February 2009. Treatment methods for scrotal trauma were divided into four groups (total orchiectomy, partial orchiectomy, simple suture, and conservative treatment) for patients with testicular rupture and two groups (exploration and hematoma evacuation, conservative treatment) for patients with scrotal hematoma. We analyzed the testicular salvage rate, visual analogue pain scale, and hospital stay of each group. RESULTS: The study included 58 patients with testicular rupture and 45 patients with a scrotal hematoma. The patients' mean age was 26.8 years, and most cases occurred during the second decade of life. The main cause of scrotal trauma was assault, which included 41 cases (39.8%). Immediate surgical intervention for testicular rupture improved the testicular salvage rate, reduced the duration of hospital stay, and was associated with less pain. For patients who underwent partial orchiectomy and conservative management, the length of hospital stay and the reported pain were greater than for patients who had total orchiectomy and simple suturing. In addition, the testicular salvage rate in patients who underwent a partial orchiectomy or conservative management was lower than in cases with simple suturing. For scrotal hematoma, the testicular salvage rate in patients who underwent exploration and hematoma evacuation was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Because the testicular rupture patients treated by partial orchiectomy showed worse results than did the patients treated by other methods, a patient's status such as age, marital status, and number of children need to be carefully considered before a decision is made to perform a partial orchiectomy. For scrotal hematoma, patients treated by exploration and hematoma evacuation exhibited a higher testicular salvage rate than did patients treated with conservative management.

Postpartum Emphysematous Cystitis after Casarean Section

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare infectious condition of the urinary bladder. Underlying diabetes mellitus is present in over half of reported cases with women being affected twice as often as men. It also occurs in alcoholism, undernutrition, radiating and immunosuppressive treatments. We present a case of postpartum emphysematous cystitis after Casarean section (C-sec) in a young female without underlying disease.

Vardenafil Increases Cell Proliferation in the Dentate Gyrus through Enhancement of Serotonin Expression in the Rat Dorsal Raphe

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vardenafil (Levitra), a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, on cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and on 5-hyroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) expression in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups (n=5 in each group): a control group, a 0.5 mg/kg-1 day vardenafil-treated group, a 1 mg/kg-1 day vardenafil-treated group, a 2 mg/kg-1 day vardenafil-treated group, a 1 mg/kg-3 day vardenafil-treated group, and a 1 mg/kg-7 day vardenafil-treated group. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry was then performed to evaluate cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus. In addition, 5-HT and TPH immunohistochemistry was conducted to evaluate serotonin expression in the dorsal raphe. The results revealed that treatment with vardenafil increased cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus and enhanced 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. The findings demonstrate that the increasing effect of vardenafil on cell proliferation is closely associated with the enhancing effect of vardenafil on serotonin expression under normal conditions.

Preliminary Report on a Modified Surgical Technique Using Canal Transobturator Tape for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Canal transobturator tape(TOT) was developed to reduce the complications of TOT by modifying the sling procedure of TOT with using a distal urethral polypropylene sling(DUPS). The aim of this present study was to describe a modified surgical technique for the treatment of female urodynamic stress urinary incontinence and to assess the objective and subjective efficacy of Canal TOT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2006 and November 2007, 87 female patients with stress urinary incontinence were enrolled in this retrospective study. All the patients underwent the Canal TOT procedure. The Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7(IIQ-7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean operative time for Canal TOT was 22.4 minutes(range: 15-39). During the surgery, there were 10% intraoperative and postopreative complications, including De novo urgency(n=3), weak stream(n=4) and difficult emptying(n=2). Yet all these complications occurred in the short-term and they were transient. Concomitant procedures were performed, including cystocele repair(n=7), rectocele repair(n=5), rectocele and cystocele repair(n=14), laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n=5) and total vaginal hysterectomy(n=1). The average follow-up was 4.5 months(range: 3-12). Both the mean IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores significantly decreased after Canal TOT and all the patients showed significant improvement of their subjective symptoms of stress incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Canal TOT may be a safe and effective surgical method for treating urodynamic stress incontinence in Korean women and this procedure provides a high cure rate.