Body Image Following Radical Cystectomy and Ileal Neobladder or Conduit in Korean Patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the body images of patients who underwent radical cystectomy with an orthotopic ileal neobladder or an ileal conduit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 adult patients who underwent radical cystectomy between March 2006 and December 2012 at a single institution, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital in Korea, were evaluated in this retrospective chart-review study. Forty-two patients (29 orthotopic ileal neobladder and 13 ileal conduit) who completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis; the remaining patients were excluded. The patients were assessed with two questionnaires: the Korean version of the Body Image Scale (K-BIS) and the self-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The results did not differ significantly by age at surgery, time from surgery to survey, pathologic stage, grade, histologic subtype, education, residency, or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, but did differ significantly by age at survey and sex. The mean summary score for K-BIS showed significant differences between the two groups (p=0.001). We found that patients who underwent an orthotopic ileal neobladder had a significantly better body image. The self-designed questionnaire score was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.572). CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective analysis, patients who underwent orthotopic ileal neobladder had a superior body image compared with those who underwent an ileal conduit.

Effect of Stress on the Expression of Rho-Kinase and Collagen in Rat Bladder Tissue

PURPOSE: We examined the effect of stress on the pathophysiology of bladder stability in terms of enzyme levels, Rho-kinase, and bladder relaxation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in scheduled stress environments for 7, 14, and 28 days; 24 rats were in the control group and 24 rats were in the test (stressed) group. RESULTS: Estrogen decreased significantly whereas testosterone and dopamine increased significantly in the stress group (p<0.05). Rho-kinase was significantly increased in the rats exposed to stress stimuli for 14 days (p<0.05). Collagen types I and III in the bladder tissue were significantly higher in rats exposed to stress for 14 days and 28 days (collagen type I in the 14-day group, p<0.01; collagen type I in the 28-day group, p<0.05; collagen type III in the 14-day and 28-day groups, p<0.05). Voiding frequency increased significantly as the duration of stress exposure was prolonged, in addition to a significant decrease in volume per voiding (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed in micturition pattern, factors that contribute to smooth muscle contraction, and relaxation in the female rat bladder support the hypothesis that stress affects bladder stability.