Endoscopic versus open hydrocelectomy for the treatment of adult hydroceles: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of endoscopic treatment of hydrocele with conventional open hydrocelectomy regarding complications and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Patients with clinically significant hydroceles were prospectively enrolled into two treatment groups. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of patients who underwent endoscopic (n = 27) and open surgical treatments (n = 27), respectively. Outcome measures were perioperative and postoperative complications and recurrence rates. RESULTS: Hydrocele recurred in the first two cases in Group 1 during the initial phase of the learning curve of the technique. No recurrence was encountered in Group 2. As a complication, moderate to severe edema occurred in 4 cases in the endoscopic group. In the open surgery group, significant edema and hematoma occurred in 8 and 2 cases, respectively. On the first and tenth postoperative days, endoscopic procedure was found more cosmetically acceptable and covered a more comfortable convalescence period when compared to open surgical group (P < 0.05). In Groups 1 and 2, 88 and 70% of the patients, respectively, declared that they would recommend this procedure to their friends (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic method is a viable option in the treatment of hydrocele. Outstanding feature of the endoscopic method is an earlier achievement of a better cosmetic outcome and a comfortable postoperative period when compared with the conventional treatment.

Hormonal and pathologic changes after chemoablation of testes with hypertonic saline solution as a treatment method alternative to orchiectomy in patients with hormone sensitive metastatic prostatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We tried to clarify whether less invasive and lower-cost method of injecting hypertonic saline solution could be an alternative to orchiectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult healthy male Wistar rats were used as experimental animals. Three groups were made as 0.9% NaCl administered to the first group, orchiectomy performed to the second group, and 20% saline solution administered to the third group. To measure baseline testosterone values were obtained from all rats 1 day before the procedure. Blood samples obtained to analyze total testosterone from all rats at days 1, 15, and 60 were centrifuged and stored in deep freeze. After blood samples were obtained at day 60, intramuscular 100 IU HCG (Pregnyl) was administered to all rats. Following HCG injection, new blood samples were obtained to analyze testosterone levels at 120 minutes. RESULTS: On microscopic examination, while extensive coagulation necrosis was seen in the third group, in only two samples in this group, an area of intact tissue was observed. Baseline, day 1, day 15, and month 2 testosterone levels of all groups were analyzed. When changes in testosterone levels between baseline values and month 2 control levels were compared, changes in the second and third group were detected statistically significant, and there was no statistically significant difference between these two groups. When month 2 and post-HCG stimulation test serum testosterone levels were compared, a statistically significant increase was found only in the first group. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that since there are nearly the same pathological and biochemical results with bilateral orchiectomy and no negative findings were found for comorbidity, bilateral injection of 20% hypertonic saline solution into the testes could be an alternative in the treatment of hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer.

Determination of aflatoxin B(1) levels in deep-red ground pepper (isot) using immunoaffinity column combined with ELISA.

Deep-red ground pepper, a variety of red ground pepper, is a special spices belonging to Sanliurfa and consumed both in Sanliurfa and other provinces of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) levels of deep-red ground pepper. For this purpose, 75 samples of deep-red ground pepper (isot) marketed in Sanliurfa (Turkey) were purchased from bazaars and herbal shops. The occurrence and concentration range of AFB(1) in the samples were investigated by microtitre plate Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method using immunoaffinity columns. Seventy-two of the 75 ground deep-red pepper samples (96%) contained AFB(1) in the range of 0.11-24.7 microg/kg. Eleven (14.7%) samples were above the regulatory limits used in the European Union and in Turkey. More precaution should be taken on hygiene controls in order to prevent microbiological and chemical hazards.