Clinical comparison of two new minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Twister™ Diode Laser System vs. BiVap (Richard Wolf®) saline vaporization of the prostate.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate complications and postoperative follow-up outcomes of the recently developing endoscopic techniques of BiVap (Richard Wolf®) and Twister™ system in patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). METHODS: Eighty patients treated with BiVap (Richard Wolf®) (N.=46) and Twister™ system (N.=34) were included in the study. Operation, hospitalization and catheter removal time were noted. Postoperative complications including urinary tract infection, transient hematuria, severe dysuria, and fever >38° C, urinary incontinence and urethral stricture were also noted. All patients were evaluated at the postoperative 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month and preoperative and postoperative values of IPSS score, QoL score, total PSA, IIEF 15, PVR, Qmax and Qave were compared. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 18. A P-value<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 64.1 ± 7.1 years. Significant improvement was observed for IPSS, Qmax, Qave, PVR, and QoL score by the postoperative first month compared to the preoperative values in both groups. In group 1 maximum improvement in the IPSS, Qmax, Qave, QoL score and PVR were achieved at postoperative 3, 3, 12, 3 and 12th months, respectively. In group 2 maximum improvement in the IPSS, Qmax, Qave, QoL score and PVR were achieved at postoperative 6, 3, 6, 6 and 3rd months, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of IPSS, Qmax, Qave, QoL, PSA, PVR, IIEF (Total), IIEF-EF, IIEF-IS, IIEF-OF, IIEF-SD and IIEF-OS during the 1 year follow-up period. Total IIEF and subgroup scores improved to their preoperative levels by the postoperative 3rd month in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both BiVap (Richard Wolf®) and Twister™ systems are safe and highly effective minimal invasive techniques, which can be used in the surgical treatment of BPO.

The role of stem/progenitor cells and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the patients with prostate cancer.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to investigate the possible effect of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and relationship with Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway progressing of prostate cancer. METHODS: Thirty men with a pathological diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) (group 1, N.=10), prostate cancer with a gleason score of ≤6 (group 2, N.=10), and prostate cancer with a gleason score of >6 (group 3, N.=10) were included in the study. The patients' groups were compared in terms of immunoreactivity strength of prostatic stem/progenitor cell surface markers including CD133 and CD117. We also compared the immunoreactivity of Wnt7a, a part of Wnt signaling pathway which has a potential role in the progression of several cancers including prostate cancer. The immunoreactivity of Frizzled 6 (Fzd 6) which is the receptor of Wnt family was also evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that although CD133 immunoreactivity was positive in all groups, immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in group 3 when compared to other groups. While CD117 immunoreactivity was negative in group 1 and 2, it was positive in group 3. Wnt7a immunoreactivity was weak in all groups and Fzd 6 immunoreactivity was stronger in group 1 and 3 when compared to group 2. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that CSCs and Wnt signaling pathway have a potential role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.

Testicular sperm retrieval method: histological effects of location of incision.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of a transverse vs. longitudinal incision for testicular sperm retrieval. Rats were divided into 4 groups: I: control, II: sham operation, III: longitudinal incision TSRM, IV: transverse incision TSRM. Group II (sham operation) had a dissection of left testis/spermatic cord, then closure of wound. Group III underwent dissection of left testis, then a "longitudinal" incision (15 mm long) of testis, which was fully opened then closed again and sutured with 5-0 Vicryl sutures. Group IV underwent dissection of the left testis, opening of the testis with a "transverse" incision, then closure with 5-0 Vicryl. The seminiferous tubule diameter was 0.118-0.224 mm in all groups. Inflammation and abscess formation occurred in one testis each in the sham and longitudinal incision groups, and in two testes in the transverse incision group. There were no differences in histopathology or scoring between the longitudinal and the transverse incision.

Aetiological factors of bladder cancer in the Aegean region of Turkey between the years 1985-1996.

A great majority of urological cases are bladder tumours. The purpose of this study is to bring out the aetiological factors related to bladder tumours. The parameters such as age, sex, profession, age at tumour occurrence, smoking, drinking habits, such as the level of consumption of tea and coffee, and accompanying urological diseases were evaluated. Three hundred and forty-seven patients with bladder tumours were included in this study. Of them 332 (95.6%) were males and 15 (4.4%) females. The average age was 62.1 (22-87) years. Of the patients 326 (93.9%) smoked, 175 (50.4%) lived in cities and the other 49.6% lived in the countryside. Of the tumours 89.9% were transitional cell carcinomas. In conclusion, bladder tumours are closely related to consumption of tobacco factors and profession. The risk of tumour development increases progressively in people who are exposed to industrial agents and agricultural chemicals.

Use of intraoperative venography in varicocelectomy.

We performed intraoperative venography in 22 patients, of whom 8 had persistent varicocele. The results of the outpatient procedure were encouraging.