Can natural killer cell activity help screen patients requiring a biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of natural killer cell activity (NKA) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PC). Materials and Methods The medical records of patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy (TRBx) at Korea University Ansan Hospital between May 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. NKA levels were measured using NK Vue® Tubes (ATgen, Sungnam, Korea). All blood samples were obtained at 8 AM on the day of biopsy. Patients with other malignancies, chronic inflammatory conditions, high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (>20ng/mL), or history of taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor or testosterone replacement therapy were excluded. Results A total of 102 patients who underwent TRBx for PC diagnosis were enrolled. Among them, 50 were diagnosed with PC. Significant differences in age and NKA level were observed between the PC and no-PC groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off of NKA level for the prediction of PC was 500pg/dL, with a sensitivity of 68.0% and a specificity of 73.1%. In addition, NKA level (0.630) had the greatest area under the ROC curve compared to those for the ratio of total PSA to free PSA (0.597) and PSA density (0.578). Conclusions The results of this pilot study revealed that low NKA and high PSA levels were likely to be associated with a positive TRBx outcome. NKA detection was easy and improved the diagnostic accuracy of PC.

Continuous suprascapular nerve block compared with single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block for pain control after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

OBJECTIVES: We compared the analgesic efficacy of a continuous suprascapular nerve block (C-SSNB) and a single-shot interscalene brachial plexus block (S-ISNB) for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: A total of 118 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomly allocated to the S-ISNB or C-SSNB groups. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. Supplemental analgesic use was recorded as total equianalgesic fentanyl consumption. RESULTS: The C-SSNB group showed significantly higher VAS scores at 0−1 h and 1−2 h after the surgery than the S-ISNB group (4.9±2.2 versus 2.3±2.2; p<0.0001 and 4.8±2.1 versus 2.4±2.3; p<0.0001, respectively). The C-SSNB group showed significantly lower VAS scores at 6−12 h after the surgery than the S-ISNB group (4.1±1.8 versus. 5.0±2.5; p=0.031). The C-SSNB group required significantly higher doses of total equianalgesic fentanyl in the post-anesthesia care unit than the S-ISNB group (53.66±44.95 versus 5.93±18.25; p<0.0001). Total equianalgesic fentanyl in the ward and total equianalgesic fentanyl throughout the hospital period were similar between the groups (145.99±152.60 versus 206.13±178.79; p=0.052 and 199.72±165.50 versus 212.15±180.09; p=0.697, respectively) CONCLUSION: C-SSNB was more effective than S-ISNB at 6−12 h after the surgery for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Can quadrivalent human papillomavirus prophylactic vaccine be an effective alternative for the therapeutic management of genital warts? an exploratory study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the treatment effect of genital warts, we investigated the quadrivalent HPV vaccine injection compared with surgical excision. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 26 patients (M:F = 24:2) who received HPV vaccine or surgical excision. After explanation of surgical excision or HPV vaccine, 16 patients underwent surgical excision and the others received HPV vaccine injections. Based on gross findings of genital warts, treatment outcomes were classified as complete response (no wart), partial response, and failed treatment. Results: Among enrolled patients, 42% (11 / 26) patients had recurrent genital warts. In vaccination group, complete response rates of genital wart were 60% following 3 times HPV vaccine. Partial response patients wanted to excise the genital lesions before the 3 times injection, because they worried about sexual transmission of disease to their sexual partners. One patient underwent surgical excision after 3 times injection. Excision sites included suprapubic lesions, but other sites including mid-urethra and glans showed complete response after injection. At a mean follow-up period of 8.42 ± 3.27 months, 10 patients (100%) who received HPV vaccine did not show recurrence. Conclusion: The response rates after HPV vaccine injection were 90% (complete and partial). Our results suggested that HPV vaccines could be effective in management of genital warts.

Laparoscopic single port cystolithotomy using pneumovesicum

ABSTRACT Purpose: Currently, several modalities are used to manage bladder stones. We report laparoscopic single port cystolithotomy using stone basket via pneumovesicum method.

Single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ multiple access port

Purpose Several surgical approaches have been used for varicocelectomy. We report single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ (Covidien, Norwalk, CT) multiple access port. Case The greade III varicocele patient was 23 years old and placed in supine position. About 2 cm vertical skin incision was made in a crease just lateral to the umbilicus and SILS™ port was placed with three 5-mm trocars. Incision to posterior peritoneum from the point 3 cm superior to the internal inguinal was made by needle holder with a broken 15th blade tip. The testicular vessels were exposed. The lymphatic vessels and testicular artery were identified and separated from the testicular vein with flexible laparoscopic instruments and conventional rigid instruments. Three testicular veins were clipped with hemoclips (EndoClip , Autosuture, Norwalk, CT). Posterior peritoneum was repaired with 4-0 vicryl with one side of 5 mm Hem-o-lok clip (Weck Research,Triangle Park, NC). Than the distal end of suture site was also closed with Hem-o-lok. Results The whole procedure was completed with no complication. The operative time was 85 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. The patient was discharged 2 days after the operation. Left scrotal pain and vein engorgement was disappeared. Conclusions Our single port varicocelectomy method is a safe and effective alternative to conventional method. This will provide minimally invasive surgical option for varicocele and we can expect more potential cosmetic benefit and less morbid. .