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: transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative results between Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (T-LRP) and Extraperitoneal Endoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (E-LRP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective reviews of 125 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by single surgeon (C.N) for stage T2-T3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate between May 2001 and July 2006 at Siriraj Hospital. Fifty-six cases had T-LRP and 69 cases had E-LRP The preoperative data (age, presenting PSA, and Gleason score), perioperative data (prostatic weight, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, the day of full oral diet, length of drain, and catheter time), pathologic stage, and margin status were compared. RESULTS: Mean age and Gleason score were comparable in both groups. Mean presenting PSA was lower in T-LRP (9.93) as compared to E-LRP (21.84) (p = 0.046). The mean prostatic weight was comparable in both T-LRP and E-LRP. The mean operative time of T-LRP (350) was significant longer than E-LRP (220) (p < 0.001). Mean intraoperative blood loss was more in T-LRP (883) as compared to E-LRP (605) (p = 0.001). Average blood transfusion was higher in T-LRP (1.23 unit) as compared to E-LRP (0.32). Postoperative full oral diet, length of drain, and catheter time in E-LRP were shorter than T-LRP (full diet: median 2 days vs. 3 days, p = 0.001) (length of drain: 4.98 days vs. 6.69 days, p = 0.002) (Catheter time: 8.9 days vs. 11.9 days, p = 0.002). Margin status were comparable in both groups but mean postoperative Gleason score was higher in E-LRP as compared to T-LRP (7.2 vs. 6.85, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: E-LRP resulted in significant less operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative oral diet, length of drain and catheter time where as the pathological margin status was the same in both T-LRP and E-LRP.

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.

Is laparoscopic radical prostatectomy after transurethral prostatectomy appropriated?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the appropriateness and morbidity of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in patients who had previous trans urethral prostatectomy (TURP). MATERIAL AND METHOD: From February 2005 to February 2006, 27 patients with clinical localized prostate cancer underwent LRP with the same technique by a single surgeon. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with trans rectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUSBX) and eight patients were diagnosed with TURP Operative data and pathological outcomes were evaluated between the two group. RESULTS: Mean operative time and blood loss in TURSBX group were 233 minutes and 610 ml while those in TURP group were 251 minutes and 812 ml, respectively. These were not significantly different (all p valve > 0.1). There was no significant complication or mortality in either groups. LRP could achieve high free margin rate. Of 19 patients with pathological localized disease, 17 (89.4%) had free margin. It was found in 12 of 14 patients (85.7%) in TRUSBX group and in all patients in the TURP group. CONCLUSION: LRP is appropriate to undergo in prostate cancer patients with previous TURP LRP after TURP did not have a higher morbidity than LRP after TRUSBX and did not compromise free margin rate.

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.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy vs open pyelolithotomy for renal pelvis calculi.

Objective: To compare the stone free rate and morbidity of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and open pyelolithotomy for a single renal pelvis stone. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing case records of patients who underwent stone removal surgery between August 1994 and March 1999. The inclusion criteria was a single renal pelvis stone which was not smaller than 3 cm2 in surface area. Patients in the open pyelolithotomy group who had concurrent nephrotomies were excluded. There were a total of 46 patients of which 25 had undergone PCNL and 21 had undergone pyelolithotomy. Both groups were compared in terms of age, sex, stone surface area, haematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, operative time, complications, stone free rate, adjunctive procedures, doses of postoperative analgesic injection, length of hospital stay, and time to return to normal work. Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square test and t-test. Results: Preoperative status of the two groups were similar. The operative time was comparable between the two groups. The stone free rate of the PCNL group and the pyelolithotomy group were 92% and 95% respectively which was not statistically different. Five patients in the PCNL group needed ancillary procedures while only one patient in pyelolithotomy group did. Overall complications of the PCNL group and the pyelolithotomy group were 28.6% and 28% respectively which were comparable. Severe bleeding due to arterio-venous fistula occurred in 2 patients of the PCNL group. However, the complication could be managed successfully by selective embolisation. Disruption of uretero-pelvic junction occurred in one patient of the pyelolithotomy group and was repaired successfully. The number of doses of postoperative pethidine injection to lessen pain was lower in the PCNL group when compared with the pyelolithotomy group (mean 0.96 dose vs 1.95 doses, p<0.003). Length of hospital stay was comparable between the two groups. Time to return to normal work was shorter in the PCNL group when compared with the pyelolithotomy group (mean 13.7 days vs 36.3 days, p<0.001). Conclusions: PCNL is a safe and effective method to treat renal pelvis stones compared to open pyelolithotomy and offers less postoperative discomfort and shorter recovery period.

Treatment of penile incarceration: A case report (string method).

Cases of penile incarceration with constrictive band are occasionally seen in the emergeney room, and treatment is to remove the constrictive band. We report a case of penile incarceration in a 50-year-old man, the penis was encircled by a metallic nut. This paper describes a simple method to deal with such an emergency in which no special skill is required and no immediate or long term morbidity related to the treatment.