One Year Long-term Evaluation of Tamsulosin HCl(0.2 mg) in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Suggestive of Benign Prostatic Obstruction: Analysis of a Korean, Multicenter, Single-Blind Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily in Korean patients with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction(BPO) treated for up to 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eleven patients were enrolled from 6 centers and 146 patients were included in the analysis. The primary efficacy parameters were improvements in the total, obstructive and irritative International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS) and maximal urinary flow rate(Qmax). The secondary efficacy parameters were a decrease of >or=30% in IPSS and an increase of >or=30% in Qmax from baseline. Changes in parameters between baseline and 52 weeks were assessed using Student's paired t-test. RESULTS: Statistically significant, gradual improvements in all efficacy parameters were observed over the 1-year period. Tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day produced progressive improvements in total IPSS(41.1%) and Qmax(39.6%, 4.56 ml/sec)(p<0.001). Tamsulosin was well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events was only 6.2%. And There were no withdrawals as a result of adverse events. There were no significant changes in blood pressure or pulse rate during the study. CONCLUSION: Long-term 1-year treatment with tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily in Korean BPO patients is safe, well tolerated and effective in improving LUTS and urinary flow. The effect on symptoms was apparent after 12 weeks of treatment, and symptom improvement was achieved for up to 1 year at every follow-up period respectively.

Treatment of Urethral Obstruction after Wallstent Implantation in Traumatic Urethral Stricture / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Endoscopic intraluminal implantation of a self expandable stent has been increasing in patients with recurrent urethral strictures because of its simple and relative safe technique. There has been a few reports concerning luminal obstruction after implantation of Wallstent. We have experienced 4 cases of urethral obstruction after variable period of Wallstent implantation in the treatment of traumatic urethral stricture. Herein the methods for treatment of urethral obstruction are discussed. The patients were managed with two different types of treatment. The first one was transurethral resection of granulation tissue inside Wallstent. The other is reinsertion of Wallstent inside the first one after transluminal resection of granulation tissue in patients with urethral obstruction occurring within 5 months after Wallstent implantation. Retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy after 3 months have demonstrated patency of urethra and epithelial covering of the implant. Our experience shows that in all 4 patients with traumatic urethral stricture have developed variable degrees of urethral obstruction after a variable period of wallstent implantation. Therefore, we consider that our method is one of the alternatives to treat urethral obstruction after wallstent implantation in patients with traumatic urethral stricture.

An Experience of Augmentation Gastrocystoplasty in the Treatment of a Child with Spastic Neurogenic Bladder / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A small capacity, poor compliant neurogenic bladder is a difficult problem in children. Bladder augmentation with intermittent catheterization offers an alternative to indwelling catheterization. Ileum, cecum, and sigmoid colon have been most commonly used for enterocystoplasty but may, however, cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. The use of the stomach to create urinary reservoir has several theoretical and real advantages. Electrolyte reabsorption is diminished which makes the stomach the selected reservoir. Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis would not be a problem. In fact, in addition to presenting a barrier against the absorption of chloride and ammonium, the gastric mucosa secretes chloride ions. Gastric segment was isolated with right gastroepiploic artery as a pedicle. Bladder was opened vertically and augmented with gastric segment. This case had increased bladder volume and the dilatation of upper urinary tract decreased in size, including loss of VUR. Laboratory examination showed no metabolic derangement in blood gas analysis and electrolytes. We did not encounter any troubles in CIC such as the obstruction caused by mucus produced by gastric segment. Also, in patients in whom shortening of the bowel may be expected to lead to variable degrees of malabsorption, stomach is an attractive alternative. So, gastrocystoplasty is a reliable method of a creating a large and compliant urinary reservoir. We report a case of augmentation gastrocystoplasty in the treatment of spastic neurogenic bladder in a 6-year-old female.