Is Li-ESWT effective in diabetic patients with severe erectile dysfunction?

Noninvasive low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave treatment (Li-ESWT) has been widely used to treat erection disorders. There is no clear information regarding either the selection of patients for the treatment or the treatment protocol. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in diabetic patients with severe erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function-5 [IIEF-5] scores of 5 to 7). Sixty-three diabetes mellitus patients with erectile dysfunction having IIEF-5 scores of 5 to 7 and not showing a recovery of potency despite phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy for the past 6 months were included in the study. The patients were evaluated based on their IIEF-5 scores and Erection Hardness Scale scores. The IIEF-5 score (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) increased from 5.29 ± 1.67 to 5.56 ± 1.85, with a difference of 0.27 ± 0.18 (P > 0.05). The Erection Hardness Scale scores (mean ± s.d.), on the other hand, increased from 1.46 ± 0.50 to 1.48 ± 0.50, with a difference of 0.02 ± 0 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the response to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors did not change after extracorporeal shockwave treatment in diabetes mellitus patients with severe erectile dysfunction (IIEF-5 scores of 5 to 7).

The Effectiveness of Caudal Block with Low Doses of Dexmedetomidine and Pethidine in Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: Preliminary Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of caudal block (CB) using dexmedetomidine and pethidine instead of local anesthesia (LA) for prostate needle biopsy and the effect of CB on urinary retention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy (TRUS-Bx) was performed on 68 patients with a mean age of 65 ± 2.18 years. CB with a combination of dexmedetomidine and pethidine without LA was administered to the patients. The pain levels of the patients were determined using numeric rating scale (NRS) scores to evaluate the effectiveness of CB. Preoperative and postoperative postvoid residual urine volumes (PRUV) were also calculated. RESULTS: The CB success rate was 93.15%. The NRS scores were 0.79 ± 0.19 and 0.89 ± 0.22 during probe entry and manipulation and biopsy, respectively, without any significant differences between them (p = 0.382). The mean PRUVs before and after biopsy did not differ significantly (41 ± 15.6 vs. 71.93 ± 22.3, p = 0.379). The degree of sedation, as assessed using the Ramsay scale, was 2 or 3 in all patients. CONCLUSION: The combination of dexmedetomidine and pethidine for CB in TRUS-Bx provided quality analgesia for the patient and prevented the development of postoperative urinary retention.

The Effectiveness of Jet (Needle-Free) Injector to Provide Anesthesia in Child Circumcision under Local Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a needle-free (jet) injector in local anesthesia for circumcision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 children were divided into two groups as jet injector group (n = 32) and conventional needle group (n = 32). Ring block was applied 6-8 times with a jet injector that sprayed each time 0.1 ml (2 mg) of lidocaine in jet injector group. In conventional needle group, ring block was applied with 2 mg/kg lidocaine injection. Using FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) pain scale, pain score during local anesthetic injection, anesthesia start time and pain score during circumcision were determined for both groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 3.99 ± 1.41 years in jet injector group and 3.88 ± 1.33 years in conventional needle group. The mean FLACC pain score during the anesthesia procedure was 4.75 ± 0.25 in jet injector group, while it was 7.06 ± 0.24 in conventional needle group. FLACC pain scores were found to be significantly lower in jet injector group (p = 0.0001). During circumcision, the mean FLACC scores were 4.91 ± 0.29 and 2.31 ± 0.18 for jet injector group and conventional needle group, respectively. These FLACC pain scores were found to be significantly lower in conventional needle group (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that anesthesia using a jet injector can not provide sufficient analgesia so as to comfortably complete circumcision in pediatric circumcisions performed under local anesthesia.

Does length of prostate biopsy cores have an impact on diagnosis of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether core length is a significant biopsy parameter in the detection of prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed pathology reports of the specimens of 188 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who had undergone initial transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy, and compared biopsy core lengths of the patients with, and without prostate cancer. The biopsy specimens of prostate cancer patients were divided into 3 groups according to core length, and the data obtained were compared (Group 1; total core length <10 mm, Group 2; total core length 10 mm-19 mm, and Group 3; total core length >20 mm). Biopsy core lengths of the patients diagnosed as prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hyperplasia were compared, and a certain cut-off value for core length with optimal diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer was calculated. RESULTS: Mean age, PSA and total length of cores were 65.08±7.41 years, 9.82±6.34 ng/mL and 11.2±0.2 mm, respectively. Assessment of biopsy core lengths showed that cores with cancer (n=993, median length 12.5 mm) were significantly longer than benign cores (n=1185, median length=11.3 mm) (p<0.001). Core length analysis yielded 12 mm cores have an optimal sensitivity (41.9%) and specificity (62%) for detection of cancer (odds ratio: 1.08). CONCLUSION: Biopsy core length is one of the most important parameter that determines the quality of biopsy and detection of prostate cancer. A median sample length of 12 mm is ideal lower limit for cancer detection, and biopsy procedures which yield shorter biopsy cores should be repeated.

Fournier's gangrene: Causes, presentation and survival of sixty-five patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with Fournier's Gangrene (FG) over the past eight years and evaluate the predisposing factors which affect the mortality. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who were admitted to emergency surgical unit of our institution presenting with FG between January 2006 and August 2014 were included. The anatomical site of infective gangrene, predisposing factors, etiological factors, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Our cases included 8 women and 57 men. The average age of men was 51±13.9 (range 19-75) and the average age of women was 63±10.5 (range 52-76). Average hospitalization time was 9.2±6.6 days (range 5-25) days. The most frequent comorbid disease was diabetes mellitus and the most frequent etiology was perianal abscess. Colostomy was performed in 11 patients, orchidectomy in two patients, cystostomy in two patients. Notably, all of the 8 (12.3%) patients who died from FG had diabetes and low socioeconomic status. A total of six patients who died required more than one surgical debridement. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier's gangrene is a severe surgical emergency, with a high mortality rate. Low socioeconomic status, diabetes and more than one debridement play a major role in mortality and morbidity.

Isolated renal pelvis rupture secondary to blunt trauma: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated rupture of the renal pelvis is a very rare condition and thus causes delays in the diagnosis of the rupture. It is most commonly seen in the setting of obstructive ureteric calculus. Other rare causes include neoplasms, trauma, and iatrogenic procedures. Diagnosis is usually established on computed tomography (CT) which demonstrates the extravasation of the contrast in the peripelvic, perinephric, or retroperitoneal collections. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 27-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to multiple traumas associated with motor vehicle accidents. The patient had clear urine output. A large pelvic rupture was detected by abdominal contrast-enhanced CT and after consulting with other departments, emergency repair of the renal pelvis was performed and a ureteral stent was implanted. DISCUSSION: Only a few isolated cases of pelvis rupture with resultant extravasation have been reported in the literature. The treatment of pelvic rupture should be preceded by the removal of underlying causes, followed by conservative management. However, surgical intervention should be warranted in the emergency cases presenting with the symptoms that may impede the decision-making process and in the cases whose diagnosis cannot be clarified by radiological techniques. CONCLUSION: Renal pelvic injury must be considered in the differential diagnosis of blunt trauma. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases. We present a case who underwent surgery due to isolated renal pelvis rupture caused by blunt abdominal trauma.