Are we following the guidelines on non-muscle invasive bladder cancer?

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the clinical practice of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatment in Brazil in relation to international guidelines: Sociedade Brasileira de Urologia (SBU), European Association of Urology (EAU) and American Urological Association (AUA). Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study using questionnaires about urological practice on treatment of NMIBC during the 32nd Brazilian Congress of Urology. A total of 650 question forms were answered. Results There were 73% of complete answers (total of 476 question forms). In total, 246 urologists (51.68%) lived in the southeast region and 310 (65.13%) treat 1 to 3 cases of NMIBC per month. Low risk cancer: Only 35 urologists (7.5%) apply the single intravesical dose of immediate chemotherapy with Mitomicin C recommended by the above guidelines. Adjuvant therapy with BCG 2 to 4 weeks after TUR is used by 167 participants (35.1%) and 271 urologists (56.9%) use only TUR. High risk tumors: 397 urologists (83.4%) use adjuvant therapy, 375 (78.8%) use BCG 2 to 4 weeks after TUR, of which 306 (64.3%) referred the use for at least one year. Intravesical chemotherapy with Mitomicin C (a controversial recommendation) was used by 22 urologists (4.6%). BCG dose raised a lot of discrepancies. Induction doses of 40, 80 and 120mg were referred by 105 (22%), 193 (40.4%) and 54 (11.3%) respectively. Maintenance doses of 40, 80 and 120mg were referred by 190 (48.7%), 144 (37.0%) and 32 (8.2%) urologists, respectively. Schemes of administration were also varied and the one cited by SWOG protocol was the most used: 142 (29.8%). Conclusion SBU, EAU and AUA guidelines are partially respected by Brazilian urologists, particularly in low risk tumors. In high risk tumors, concordance rates are comparable to international data. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the reasons of such disagreement.

Avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa de formaldeído em produtos cosméticos para alisamento capilar / Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of formaldehyde in cosmetic products for hair straightening

O formaldeído, comercializado em solução aquosa a 37% (p/p), é um líquido incolor com odor forte e irritante. A presença deste agente cancerígeno em cremes cosméticos resulta em graves riscos à saúde tais como irritação, queimaduras na pele, ferimentos nas vias respiratórias e danos irreversíveis aos olhos e cabelos provocados pela inalação e contato com o produto. Seu uso foi permitido em concentração ≤ 0,2% (p/p) como conservante pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA; Brasil, 2001) até junho de 2014, e a substância era adicionada a produtos cosméticos utilizados em escovas progressivas com a finalidade de alisar os cabelos. Diante dos riscos verificados com a utilização da substância, objetivou-se determinar qualitativa e quantitativamente, a incidência deste aldeído em produtos para alisamento capilar, a fim de estimar a concentração que os profissionais e usuários estão expostos, para garantir sua segurança. Observouse que 84,6% das amostras analisadas apresentaram alguma irregularidade, sendo que 61,5% das amostras analisadas apresentaram maior quantidade de formaldeído do que era permitido pela legislação (Brasil, 2001) como conservante e 53,8% apresentou mais de 10 vezes o percentual permitido, concentração irritante para a população em geral. Tendo em vista a gravidade dos dados apresentados, é necessária uma rígida fiscalização da qualidade dos alisantes capilares e estratégias de conscientização sobre riscos à saúde do contato com a substância.

Formaldehyde marketed in a 37% (w/w) aqueous solution is a colorless liquid with a strong irritating odor. The presence of this carcinogen in cosmetics creams results in serious health risks, such as irritation, skin burns, airway injury and irreversible damage to the eyes and hair caused by inhalation and contact with the product. Although its use was allowed up to a concentration of 0.2% (w/w) as a preservative by Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA; Brazil, 2001) until June 2014, the substance is added to cosmetic products used in progressive brushes in order to straighten hair. Given the risks seen with the use of the substance, the objective was to determine qualitatively and quantitatively this aldehyde in products for hair straightening in order to estimate the concentration that professionals involved and users are exposed to ensure their safety. It was observed that 84.6% of the samples showed some irregularity, being that 61.5% of the samples have a higher amount of formaldehyde than allowed by law (Brazil, 2001) as preservative and 53.8% had more than 10 times the allowable percentage, irritating concentration for the general population. Considering the severity of the data presented, it is need a strict quality supervision hair straightening products and strategies to increase awareness about health risks from contact with the substance.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: are there predictive factors for success?

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is currently associated with great operative difficulty and surgical complications. Herein, we report on our single-center experience and describe predictive factors for successfully accomplishing this procedure. METHOD: Between March 1998 and April 2010, 66 patients (27 men and 39 women) underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for the treatment of a unilateral nonfunctioning kidney. These patients had previous diagnoses of renal chronic inflammation associated with calculi and previous pyonephrosis. All of the nephrectomies were performed using the transperitoneal approach, and a similar technique was used for radical nephrectomy. RESULTS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for the treatment of renal chronic inflammation was successful in 58/66 cases (87.9%). Eight cases were converted to the open technique because of difficulty in progression, which was related to the discovery of dense adhesions in the hilar or perirenal region. One major (colonic lesion) and two minor (wound infection) complications occurred in the conversion group. A diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis was confirmed pathologically for all of the specimens. Of the factors examined, a longitudinal renal length greater than 12 cm (laparoscopy group - 7.2±1.8 cm, versus open group - 13.6±1.5 cm; p<0.05) and time to access the renal vessels (laparoscopy group - 32±18 min, versus open group - 91±11 min; p<0.05) were associated with a higher conversion rate. Although the number of patients in the conversion group was small, the majority of these patients received right-sided nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for the treatment of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is feasible and associated with low levels of morbidity. Factors including the time required to control the renal vessels, renal length and right-sided nephrectomy were associated with higher chances of conversion into an open procedure.

Laparoscopic treatment of lymphoceles after renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Lymphocele formation following renal transplantation is a frequent complication and may affect as many as 49% of patients. Operative treatment of symptomatic post transplant lymphocele (PTL) consists of wide drainage of the fluid collection into the abdominal cavity by excising its wall, connecting the lymphocele cavity to the intraperitoneal space. Laparoscopic fenestration seems to be the best treatment as it combines satisfying success rates with a minimally invasive approach. The aim of the study was to review a single center experience on the laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic PTL and detail relevant aspects of the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgical treatment for a symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data and surgical results were assessed. Detailed surgical technique is provided. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2008, 991 patients received a kidney transplant at our institution. Twenty-five patients (2.52%) developed a symptomatic lymphocele and laparoscopic drainage was performed. The indications for surgical drainage were graft dysfunction (84%), local symptoms (16%) or both (32%). The mean time until surgical therapy was 14.2 ± 6 weeks. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 ± 0.2 days. Postoperative complications occurred in only 2 patients (8%) (one ureteral injury and one incisional hernia) and required reoperation. After a mean follow-up of 36.2 ± 4 months, only 1 patient had a symptomatic recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic fenestration is an effective surgical technique to treat symptomatic lymphocele following kidney transplantation with low recurrence rate and long standing results.