Morbidity of laparoscopic extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal radical prostatectomy verus open retropubic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Morbidity and postoperative pain after extraperitoneal (E-LRPE) and transperitoneal (T-LRPE) laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was compared to open extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (O-RPE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and October 2003, we evaluated 41 E-LRPE, 39 T-LRPE and 41 O-RPE prospectively. All operations were performed as standard procedures by the same group of surgeons and perioperative results and complications were evaluated. Pain management was performed with tramadol 50-100 mg on demand, and no other form of anaesthesia was given. Postoperative pain was assessed daily in all patients quantifying analgesic requirement and evaluation of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). All patients had at least a 12 month follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age, prostate volume, PSA and Gleason score were comparable between all three groups (p>0.05). Mean blood loss was lower with laparoscopy (189+/-140 and 290+/-254 ml), as compared to 385+/-410 ml for O-RPE (p=0.002). However, mean operating times were significantly longer in L-TRPE (279+/-70 min) as compared to E-LRPE (217+/-51 min) and O-RPE (195+/-72 min) (p<0.001), but E-LRPE and O-RPE showed no statistical difference (p=0.1143). Average VAS score on the 1st and 5th postoperative day for E-LRPE versus T-LRPE versus O-RPE was 4.9+/-1.0 versus 7.8+/-1.5 versus 5.8+/-1.9 and 1.6+/-0.9 versus 2.3+/-1.2 versus 2.3+/-0.9 respectively, which was significant lower (p=0.02) between E-LRPE versus T-LRPE (p<0.001) and O-RPE (p=0.008), but equal (p=0.655) between T-LRPE and O-RPE since postoperative day 3. Mean tramadol analgesic consumption within the first postoperative week was 290 versus 490 versus 300 mg respectively, which was statistical different between E-LRPE and T-LRPE (p<0.001), O-RPE and T-LRPE (p<0.001), but not between E-LRPE and O-RPE (p=0.550). Statistical analysis revealed a strong correlation of urinary leakage with increased postoperative pain (p=0.029) in all groups, especially for T-LRPE (p=0.007). Likewise, increased operating times (>240 min) were associated with increased post-operative pain (p=0.049). Full continence defined as no pads at one year was achieved in 36/41 (88%, E-LRPE) versus 33/39 (85%, T-LRPE) versus 33/41 (81%, O-RPE), respectively (p=0.2). CONCLUSION: E-LRPE resulted in a significant subjective (VAS Score, p<0.001) and objective (analgetic consumption, p<0.001) pain reduction compared to T-LRPE, but only in VAS Score compared to O-RPE (p=0.008). Analgetic consumption during first postoperative week was equal in E-LRPE (290 mg) and O-RPE (300 mg) (p=0.550). Shorter operating times, lower urinary leakage rates, lower stricture rates and lower blood loss in E-LRPE compared to T-LRPE are mainly explained due to the long learning curve in LRPE, which we did not overcome yet, and not due to the approach (extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal).

Research on basal stem rot (BSR) of ornamental palms caused by basidiospores from Ganoderma boninense.

Basidiospores were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma infecting oil palms from an estate in Johor and from ornamental palms (including oil palms) from Singapore. The spores were then germinated to obtain homokaryotic mycelia. Based on clamp connection formation in paired hyphal fusions, tester strains were identified from the homokaryons isolated. Compatibility tests were then carried out using these testers to determine the relatedness of the homokaryotic Ganoderma isolates, both from Johor and from Singapore. Results from the compatibility tests showed that Ganoderma from both locations belong to the same species, while the Ganoderma isolates from Singapore share some common alleles. The pathogenicity tests carried out on Chrysalidocarpus lutescens seedlings using inoculum growing on rubber wood blocks showed that dikaryotic mycelia can cause basal stem rot infection.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and intracorporeal lithotripsy for proximal ureteric calculi--a comparative assessment of efficacy and safety.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the treatment modality of choice of many urologists for proximal ureteric calculi. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of ESWL versus ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy for the treatment of this group of stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1999 and October 2000, 50 patients had ESWL and another 51 patients underwent ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy for proximal ureteric calculi. The two groups were similar in age, sex ratio and stone size. ESWL was performed with the Dornier Compact lithotriptor whereas holmium laser lithotripsy was performed via retrograde ureteric access with a Wolf 7.5 Fr semirigid ureteroscope. RESULTS: Ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy was significantly better in terms of the mean procedure time (56 min in ESWL; 25 min in ureteroscopy; P < 0.001) and the 1-month stone free rate (50% in ESWL; 80% in ureteroscopy; P = 0.001). The 3-month stone free rate was also higher for ureteroscopy (78% in ESWL; 90% in ureteroscopy) but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Minor complications of steinstrasse (6%) occurred in ESWL and proximal stone migration (8%) occurred during ureteroscopy. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy is a viable and safe alternative to ESWL for the management of proximal ureteric calculi.

Penile colour duplex ultrasonography as a screening tool for venogenic erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Vasculogenic impotence is one of the major causes of erectile dysfunction. Cavernosometry and cavernosography is traditionally the gold standard for evaluation of venogenic impotence. However, it is invasive and there are potentially significant complications. Penile colour flow Doppler imaging (PCDI) is non-invasive and can be used to assess venous incompetence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were referred for PCDI assessment from March 1998 to February 2001. Forty-three of these also had cavernosogram and cavernosometry done and were included in the study. RESULTS: The sensitivity was 93.9%, the specificity was 90.0%, the accuracy was 93.0% with a negative predictive value of 81.8% and a positive predictive value of 96.9%. Kappa value of 0.81 was obtained, indicating excellent agreement between PCDI and cavernosogram and cavernometry. CONCLUSIONS: Penile colour flow Doppler imaging is accurate in the assessment of venogenic erectile dysfunction. It can replace cavernometry and cavernosogram as a screening tool. Cavernometry and cavernosogram should only be done in cases when PCDI suggests venogenic impotence, and when surgery is contemplated.

Use of low molecular weight heparin for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in total knee arthroplasty--a study of its efficacy in an Asian population.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this paper were to study the incidence of deep vein thrombosis following total knee replacement in an Asian population and to evaluate the role of low molecular weight heparin for deep vein thrombosis in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied two groups of 100 consecutive patients undergoing total knee replacement separately. Group 1 did not receive any low molecular weight heparin and group 2 received low molecular weight heparin, nodraparin calcium (Fraxiparine) according to body weight. The sex distribution, age group, weight, preoperative knee and function scores, and postoperative rehabilitation were similar for both groups. A single ultrasound technician performed ultrasound duplex scan of both lower limbs on the seventh postoperative day. RESULTS: The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in group 1 was 14% (14 patients, 5 proximal vein thromboses and 9 distal vein thromboses) while in group 2, no patients developed deep vein thrombosis. There was no increased incidence, either local or systemic, of major bleeding complications with the use of low molecular weight heparin. CONCLUSION: While the incidence of deep vein thrombosis following total knee replacement in an Asian population appears lower compared to Western populations, the use of low molecular weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis appears to further reduce the incidence without major bleeding complications.

Sterilization and its reversal--the Singapore experience.

PIP: The incidence of sexual sterilization reached a peak of over 10,000 procedures in 1976--the year Singapore removed virtually all restrictions on eligibility and introduced social incentives promoting the procedure. 90% of sterilizations are performed on females and are increasingly performed in private sector facilities. Over 60% of female procedures take place in the postpartum period. As a result of this increased access to sterilization and other family planning services and liberalization of abortion laws, Singapore's gross reproduction rate has fallen from 3.19 in 1957 to 1.01 in 1975 and, in 1983, was 0.765--well below the replacement level of 1.025. Before 1986, no sterilization reversals were authorized. In 1987, however, as a result of concern over the precipitous decline in fertility, the Singapore Government revised this policy to allow reversal in government hospitals in cases where a woman has 2 or fewer children. In 1986-87, a total of 30 macrosurgical and 56 microsurgical tubal reanastomoses and 20 vas deferens reanastomoses were performed in government and private hospitals. In government hospitals, those seeking sterilization reversal must be screened and undergo counseling from a medical social worker. There are no such requirements in private facilities. Reversal of female sterilization costs US$3400-5000 in a government hospital. Although the procedure is not subsidized by the government, the medisave insurance scheme can be used for part of the costs. Since sterilization reversal is a difficult and costly procedure, greater emphasis should be placed on counseling sterilization seekers and on the promotion of alternative forms of fertility control such as Norplant.^ieng