Flexible ureterorenoscopy for upper urinary tract treatment using new 7.5 F 270 degree deflectable ureteroscope: Siriraj Hospital early experience.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and report our experience of using a flexible ureterorenoscopy in the diagnosis and therapy for upper urinary tract disease. Methods: Between September 2005 and June 2008, 21 upper urinary tract procedures were performed with 7.5 F actively deflectable, flexible ureteroscope. Of these 13 were for diagnostic reasons and eight for therapeutic purposes. A retrospective data of these procedures was collected. The indication, diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, operative time, success rate and postoperative course were analyzed. Results: The procedures were performed in 21 patients (mean age 66.71 years; range, 47-85 years; 11 procedures in males and 10 procedures in females). The indications were lateralizing essential hematuria (2), hematuria with upper tract radiolucent lesions (11), upper tract lesions without hematuria (3) and stones (5). In the diagnostic group, the mean operative time was 50 min (range 15-120). The procedure was completed successfully in all patients. The most common endoscopic finding was urothelial carcinoma in hematuria with upper tract lesions (9/11). In the therapeutic group (stone removal five, tumor fulguration three), the mean operative time was 83.12 min (range 30-160). The success rate of these therapeutic procedures was 62.5% (5/8). There was no intra and postoperative major complication. With an average follow up of 14 months (range 1-33), no patient had a late complication, such as ureteral stricture. The flexible ureteroscope did not need repair during this study. Conclusion: Flexible ureterorenoscopy is an effective and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tool for upper urinary tract disease.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in dialysis dependent patients and comparison with open surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes and morbidity of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy compared with open nephrectomy for dialysis dependent patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between November 2002 and August 2007, 14 hemo or peritoneal dialysis patients underwent nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy at Siriraj Hospital. Of the 14 patients, seven were treated with retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy and seven with open nephrectomy. A retrospective review and data were carried out. The patient factors, type of surgery, perioperative outcomes and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no conversion rate in the retroperitoneoscopic group. The mean estimated blood loss, analgesic requirement and time before starting oral intake were lower in the retroperitoneoscopic group (141.4 +/- 95 versus 292.8 +/- 226 ml, 5.0 +/- 4.5 versus 7.6 +/- 1.9 mg and 14.5 +/- 16.1 versus 23.1 +/- 23.3 hours, respectively). On the other hand, the mean operative time in the retroperitoneoscopic group was longer than the open group but with no significant difference (177.14 +/- 51 versus 160.71 +/- 84 min, p = 0.521). Two patients in the open group required intraoperative blood transfusion. There were two complications. One patient developed a large retroperitoneal hematoma after retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. Another had a perivesical collection in the open nephrectomy group. No mortality related to the procedures occurred. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for dialysis dependent patients. This has all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery such as reduced blood loss, minimal post operative pain leading to faster convalescence.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: preliminary result of Thailand series.

OBJECTIVES: Several published series from Western countries have demonstrated that laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a safe and feasible approach to the management of localized prostate cancer. The authors report the initial experience with the first 56 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between June 2001 and November 2005, 56 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Their mean (range) age was 64.98 (50-77) years, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was 9.92 (2.1-33.8) ng/ml, and Gleason sum was 6.28 (3-8). RESULTS: Complete laparoscopic removal of the prostate was achieved in 47 cases and conversions to open surgery were needed in 9 cases. The mean (range) operating time was 350 (200- 750) min. and blood loss was 883 (200-2050) ml. The transfusion rate was 27.6%. Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy was done in 31 cases and all were negative. The positive surgical margin rate was 29.8%. There were 20 postoperative complications; catheter dislodged (2), urine leakage more than 2 weeks (5), peroneal nerve numbness (1), flank hematoma (1), pelvic collection (1), late recto-urethral fistula (1), anastomotic stricture (2), port site hernia (1), and inguinal hernia (6). Median catheter time was 7 (6-90) days. The complete continence rate at 3, 6 and 12 months were 27.7%, 55.9% and 72.2%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a demanding procedure that is a feasible option for the surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer Intraoperative results were improved once experience was gained. Some parameters of the present results, i.e. transfusion rate, positive surgical margin and continence rate were still inferior compared to those reported by other centers.

Prevalence of prostate cancer in aging males receiving PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening test (A campaign for celebration of Siriraj Established Day).

Prostate cancer is a potential men's health problem. The prevalence of prostate cancer continues to rise. Serum PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) can be used as a screening tool for detection of early prostate cancer However, a screening program for prostate cancer has not yet been accepted as cost-effective and long term survival benefits have not been shown. Nevertheless, some doctors request PSA testing in men who present with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to detect prostate cancer OBJECTIVE: To study for prevalence of prostate cancer in healthy men seeking medical check-up for prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: During the anniversary celebration of Siriraj established day (26/07/1888), a cohort study of Prevalence of prostate cancer in aging males using PSA Screening Test was carried out, 200 men over 45 years of age were invited to PSA testing and prostate glands check-up including, IPSS (international prostatic symptoms score), QOL (quality of life score) and DRE (digital rectal examination). Patients with elevated PSA were advised to undergo transrectal-ultrasound-guided-biopsy of the prostate (TRUS-biopsy). Cancer detection rate was calculated according to symptoms described by patients, IPSS and age groups. Data was compared using Chi-Square test. RESULTS: Median values from data of men's ages, IPSS, QOL and PSA were 63 years, 11, 2, and 1.23 ng/ml, respectively. 9 of 200 patients (4.5%) were found to have prostate adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Most of the cancer cases showed a localized lesion. Prostate cancer was found more common in patients who described themselves as having abnormal urination. There was no prostate cancer found in patients with a mild degree of LUTS (IPSS less than 8). Prostate cancer tended to be more common in men with high IPSS. CONCLUSION: Screening prostate cancer by PSA testing detected the cancer in 4.5%. Most cancers were found on symptomatic patients. Patients with LUTS should be made aware of prostate cancer and PSA testing may be offered in such patients. However screening of prostate cancer in all men regardless of symptoms must wait for a larger study looking at long term survival benefit, cost-effectiveness of screening, and lastly, quality of life of patients on a screening program.

Is radical prostatectomy in thai men a high morbidity surgery for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the morbidity of radical prostatectomy in Thai patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 151 patients with prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, between 1994 to 2003. Operative complications and long term morbidity were evaluated with clinical stage T1, T2 and T3. RESULTS: Mean operative duration, blood loss and blood transfusion were 162 minutes (range 71-540), 1088 ml (range 200-4000) and 1.7 unit (range 0-12), respectively. Of 151 patients, 139 (92.6%) did not have perioperative complications and 42 (2 7.8%) did not have blood transfusion. Of 12 patients with morbidity, all patients were safely managed. There was no mortality. Of 140 patients with follow up results, 131 (93.7%) had no incontinence. Seven patients had mild stress incontinence. Only 2 patients had a significant incontinence. Eight patients had stricture of anatomosis. Strictures were simply managed with dilatation. There was no significant difference of operative time, blood loss, blood transfusion, incontinence and stricture parameters among clinical T stage (all p value > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Radical prostatectomy in Thai men is not a high morbidity surgery in terms of immediate complications and long term morbidity. For clinical T3 prostate cancer, morbidity is not significantly higher than in patients with clinical localized disease.

Tension free vaginal tape (TVT) : Experience in Siriraj Hospital.

Early experience of a TVT operation in 39 patients was reported. Retrospective data was collected from patients’ files. All of the patients experienced symptoms of stress incontinence and 9 patients had stress incontinence and overactive bladder. Of 39 patients, 8 patients and 6 patients underwent A-P Repair and Anterior repair in the same setting of the TVT operation, respectively. Mean operative time was 51.41 minutes. Estimated blood loss was 65 mls. with average catheterization time of 3.1 days. Only minor complications were reported, including urge incontinence2, urinary retention 1, bladder perforation 1 and urethral injury 1. Stress incontinence was cured in 36 patients after 1 month follow up. The TVT operation was safe, simple and suitable for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The efficacy of Thai capsaicin in the treatment of primary detrusor instability and hypersensitive bladder.

Our an objective was to study the efficacy of Capsaicin extracted from Capsaicin frutescen in treating the patients with hypersensitive bladder and primary detrusor instability. Eleven patients, 3 males and 8 females, with average age of 60.3ฑ14.3 years were treated by intravesical instillation 1 mM/L Capsaicin in 30% ethanol in an amount half of the bladder capacity for 30 minutes after instillation 2% xylocaine without adrenaline for 15 minutes three out of the 11 patients who could not tolerate the pain by this method were anesthesized with regional or general anesthesia. The results were as follow :- 1. Clinical symptoms were improved significantly, i e. the frequency was reduced from day : night = 19.45ฑ17.99 : 7.09ฑ6.30 to 12.00ฑ8.91 : 4.09ฑ3.8 at p < 0.05 and leakage almost disappeared. 2. Maximal bladder capacity increased from 197.45ฑ156.06 ml to 323.45ฑ129.46 ml which was statistically significant (p=0.009). 3. Detrusor pressure at maximal bladder capacity increased from 32.63ฑ22.76 cmH2O to 36.63ฑ19.21 cmH2O but was not statistically significant (P=0.823). 4. Voiding pressure nonsignificantly increased from 47.1ฑ6.4 cmH2O to 48.1ฑ6.6 cmH2O (p=0.959). The adverse effects found were burning pain at suprapubic area, sweating and hematuria.

Bladder perforation from capsaicin infusion : A case report.

We reported a 36 year old patient, with a spinal cord lesion who had bladder perforation during an infusion of 400 mls of Capsaicin (1mMol in 30% alcohol) for treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia. Under spinal anesthesia during the procedure he was restless and complained of chest discomfort. The operation was therefore terminated and a cystogram was carried out. Cystography showed extraperitoneal leakage of contrast media. He was treated conservatively and had an uneventful post-operative period. To prevent this complication, we therefore recommend an infusion volume of Capsaicin of between half to two-thirds of the patients bladder capacity together with pressure monitoring during the procedure.