Oral fosfomycin for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is a difficult-to-treat infection as only a few antibiotics achieve therapeutic concentrations in the prostate. Data on the efficacy and safety of oral fosfomycin for the treatment of CBP are limited. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the efficacy and safety of fosfomycin in CBP due to MDR pathogens. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, an oral regimen of 3 g of fosfomycin q24h for 1 week followed by 3 g q48h for a treatment duration of 6-12 weeks was administered. The outcome was clinical and microbiological cure rate at the end of treatment (EOT) and rate of relapse at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The study included 44 patients. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (66%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (14%) and Enterococcus faecalis (14%). Most strains were MDR (59%) and 23% had an ESBL phenotype; 33 of 44 strains were resistant to fluoroquinolones, but all were susceptible to fosfomycin (median MIC for Gram-negative pathogens 1.5 mg/L). In 25 patients, treatment was administered for 6 weeks, whereas in the remaining 19 patients it was prolonged to 12 weeks based on the presence of calcifications in the prostate. Cure rate was 82% at EOT and 80% and 73% at 3 and 6 months accordingly. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 86% and 77% at EOT and at 6 months, respectively. Failure was observed in 12 patients. The most common adverse event was diarrhoea (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Oral fosfomycin, particularly in the era of MDR prevalence, represents an attractive, safe and effective alternative to fluoroquinolones for the treatment of CBP.

Sequential robotic-assisted bladder diverticulectomy and radical prostatectomy. Technique and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired bladder diverticula (BD) in men over the age of 60 are usually due to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to prostatic enlargement. In cases of clinical significant BD with persistent symptoms or complications surgical excision should be considered. In the treatment of BD it is important to address the BOO with a bladder outlet procedure either simultaneously or in a staged fashion. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present to the best of our knowledge, the first case of sequential robotic-assisted bladder diverticulectomy (RABD) combined with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a patient with large diverticula and malignant prostate enlargement as the cause of BOO. DISCUSSION: Concomitant open radical prostatectomy and bladder diverticulectomy series have been described, while minimal invasive procedures combining BD excision with relive of BOO especially due to benign prostatic enlargement have been reported to be safe and effective. CONCLUSION: Concomitant RABD with RARP is a safe and effective procedure with excellent oncological and functional results.

Penile fractures: immediate surgical approach with a midline ventral incision.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with immediate surgical treatment of penile fractures, using a midline ventral incision, as the choice of either immediate surgical or conservative treatment in penile fractures, as well as the type of surgical incision, remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a period of 5 years (2002-2006) eight patients were treated in our department for a penile fracture. The diagnosis was established by a history and clinical examination. In six patients ultrasonography before surgery located the fracture in the right corpus cavernosum, distally from the penoscrotal junction. All patients had immediate surgery using a midline ventral incision and were followed for a mean of 1 year. RESULTS: All patients presented with a penile haematoma, while five and two had concomitant scrotal and perineal haematomas, respectively. Penile urethral rupture was associated with corporal cavernosal rupture in one patient. In all patients a 5-cm midline ventral incision was made at the penile raphe. There was unilateral rupture of the corpus cavernosum in seven patients and bilateral rupture with concomitant urethral rupture in one. The fascial defect was sutured in all patients and an end-to-end anastomosis made if there was urethral rupture. The early and late periods after surgery were uneventful. Erectile function was unaffected during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Immediate intervention for penile fractures, using a midline ventral incision, achieves good early and late results. Our technique has the advantage of direct access to both corpora cavernosa and the anterior urethra, with a minimal skin incision.

Eighteen-month results of a randomized prospective study comparing transurethral photoselective vaporization with transvesical open enucleation for prostatic adenomas greater than 80 cc.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None Take Home Message: This is a prospective randomized study showing that for large prostatic adenomas, photoselective vaporization of the prostate requires less blood transfusions, shorter catheterization time and shorter hospital stay compared to open prostatectomy, while achieving similar functional results at the same time. AIM: The effectiveness and the safety of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) was compared to that of open prostatectomy (OP) for the surgical treatment of large prostatic adenomas. METHODS: 125 patients with prostate glands>80 ml, were randomly allocated to PVP (n=65) or OP (n=60) and prospectively evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. International prostate symptom score (IPSS) and peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) were chosen as primary treatment-related endpoints. RESULTS: Longer length of operation time, shorter length of catheterization and hospital stay were experienced by patients who underwent PVP. Although patients who underwent OP showed a higher transfusion rate, adverse events in general were minor and of similar profile in both groups. All functional parameters improved significantly compared to baseline values in both groups. There was no difference in IPSS between the two groups at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Patients who underwent OP scored better in the IPSS-Quality of life score at 18 months postoperatively. At 18 months there were no significant differences between the two groups in the Qmax, post void residual urine volume and in the International Index for Erectile function-5 questionnaire. At three months prostate volume was significantly lower in the OP group and remained as such throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that for an 18 month period photoselective vaporization of the prostate is a highly acceptable treatment alternative to open prostatectomy.

Transurethral photoselective vaporization versus transvesical open enucleation for prostatic adenomas >80ml: 12-mo results of a randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and the safety of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) to open prostatectomy (OP) for the surgical treatment of large prostatic adenomas. METHODS: A total of 125 patients with prostate glands >80ml were randomly allocated to PVP (n=65) or OP (n=60) and prospectively evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and peak urinary flow rate (Q(max)) were chosen as primary treatment-related end points. RESULTS: The patients who underwent PVP experienced a longer length of operation time, shorter time of catheterization, and shorter hospital stay. Adverse events were minor and of similar profiles in both groups, although patients who underwent OP showed a higher transfusion rate. All functional parameters improved significantly compared to baseline values in both groups. The IPSS did not differ between the two groups at 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. Patients who underwent OP scored better in the IPSS quality of life score at 6 and 12 mo postoperatively. No significant differences between the two groups in the Q(max), postvoid residual urine volume, and International Index for Erectile Function-5 questionnaire were detected. At 3 mo prostate volume was significantly lower in the OP group compared to the PVP group (median value 10ml vs. 50ml; p<0.001) and remained as such throughout follow-up, whereas prostate-specific antigen values reached statistical difference at 6 mo (median value 2ng/ml vs. 2.4ng/ml; p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that for a 12-mo period PVP is a highly acceptable treatment alternative to OP.