Optical internal urethrotomy

During a 20 month period, 38 patients with urethral strictures were treated by Optical Internal urethrotomy at East Avenue Medical Center. The surgical technique, parameters like etiology, location and length of stricture, and complications of the procedure were described. The overall success rate was 78.9%. Good results were achieved in 25 patients (65%) and satisfactory results were noted in 5 patients (13%). Failure rate was 21% while the complication rate was 18%. Patients with strictures more than 2 cm long had an unsatisfactory outcome. Optical Internal Urethrotomy was determined to be simple and determined to be safe technique that should be considered as an option before definitive urethroplasty.

Comparative study of available fixatives in the preservation of tumor cells from bladder washings

A comparative, single blind study is done on the effect and length of time of preservation of cancer cells from unrefrigerated, barbotaged urinary bladder washings with the use of available fixatives as follows: 10% formalin, 100% methanol, 95% ethanol, 100% methanol + acetone (1:1), 100% methanol + acetic acid (3:1) and 100% methanol + acetic acid (20:1). Fifteen (15) patients with transitional cell CA and two (2) patients with squamous cell CA of the urinary bladder are included in the study. Tumor cells are preserved up to 7 days with the optimum placed at 5 days. Methanol 100% and 100% methanol + acetone (1:1) are recommended as the fixative of choice.

The effects of local factors in testicular histology in patients with non-communicating hydrocele

The effect of local factors, e.g. intracavitary hydrocele pressure, hydrocele fluid volume and specific gravity, temperature and thickness of the tunica vaginalis testis, on spermatogenesis was investigated. A total of 17 patients with non-communicating hydrocele were included in this study. Sixteen patients had decreased spermatogenic activity which we believe was influenced by the increase pressure contributed by the above mentioned factors. It is possible that hydrocele surgery, often done for cosmetic purposes, may in fact contribute to the preservation of spermatogenic function.

Gross and microscopic testicular findings after spermatic vessel division

A high undescended testis is one of the major problems that face a urologist and transection of the spermatic vessels may solve the problem in bringing down the testis. Spermatic vessel transection was done on 21 cat testicles. Gross examination and biopsy was done, pre-transection followed by gross examination and orchiectomy 7 days post transection. Results revealed a decrease in size, 18/21 (85%) showed atrophy of the testis, change in color formation from pink to gray in 16/21 (76%) and 21/21 (100%) change in consistency from doughy to soft. Microscopic findings noted a significant decrease in the number of vessels in the interstitium, spermatogenic activity and germ cell content. There was no statistically significant change noted on the Leydig cell population (p0.05). Close observation and follow-up is warranted if this operation is done in humans because, according to the study, significant changes occur in the testis after transection of the spermatic vessels.