A new protocol for renal collecting system sterilization with antibiotic irrigation during lithotripsy in retrograde intrarenal surgery: a prospective, comparative study.

PURPOSE: To present a new protocol using antibiotic irrigation during lithotripsy in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) to provide sterility of the renal collecting system. METHODS: This prospective study included 102 patients who underwent RIRS between January 2022 and August 2023. The patients were examined in two groups as those who received antibiotic irrigation (n:51) and standard irrigation (n:51). In the antibiotic irrigation group, 80 mg of gentamicin was dissolved in normal saline in a 3 L irrigation pouch to obtain a 26.7 mg/L concentration. In the standard irrigation group, normal saline was used. Preoperative information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), ASA score, stone side, volume, and density, and the Seoul National University Renal Stone Complexity (S-ReSC) score. The groups were compared with respect to postoperative fever (> 38 °C), urinary tract infection (UTI), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), infectious complications such as sepsis, and stone-free rate. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to age, sex, BMI, ASA score, stone side, volume and density, and S-ReSC score (p > 0.05 for all). Statistically significant differences were determined between the groups with respect to postoperative fever (p = 0.05), SIRS (p = 0.05), and hospital length of stay (p = 0.05). Sepsis was observed in one patient in the standard irrigation group and in none of the antibiotic irrigation group. CONCLUSION: The reliability, efficacy, and utility of antibiotic irrigation during lithotripsy in RIRS were presented in this study as a new protocol for sterilization of the renal collecting system which will be able to reduce infectious complications.

A New Scoring System to Differentiate Bladder Cancer from Intravesical Prostatic Protrusion in the Bladder Neck: BCa-IPP Score.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the criteria that can predict bladder cancer among the lesions that could not be differentiated from intravesical prostate protrusion (IPP) and to create a scoring system using these criteria. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of patients with an ultrasound report indicating lesions in the bladder neck, for which differentiation between bladder cancer and IPP could not be determined. A total of 174 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer (n=102) or benign prostate lesion (n=72) according to the biopsy results were enrolled in the study. Hemoglobin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), bladder wall thickness (BWT), lesion height (LH), and the ratio of lesion width to base (LW/B) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: ROC analysis revealed an AUC value >0.7 for all factors, and the best cut-off value was identified for each factor. In the multivariate analysis, by determining a score for each factor according to the ORs, the BCa-IPP scoring system was developed to provide a total score in the range of minimum 0 and maximum 15. In the ROC analysis, the AUC value was 0.954 (95% CI: 0.923-0.986) for the BCa-IPP score. The best cut-off value was found to be 10, with sensitivity of 0.93 and specificity of 0.85. CONCLUSION: Using simple laboratory and ultrasound findings, the BCa-IPP scoring system was created, which was seen to have high predictive value and can be easily applied in the clinic. The BCa-IPP scoring system is a non-invasive test that can be successfully applied for the differentiation of bladder cancer from benign lesions.

A new position utilizing the effect of gravity in proximal ureteral stones, ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the reverse Trendelenburg position: a prospective, randomized, comparative study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the reverse Trendelenburg position in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones. METHODS: The study included 167 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureter stones between December 2020 and September 2022. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard lithotomy (n:55), 10° reverse Trendelenburg (n:55), and 20° reverse Trendelenburg (n:57). Preoperative information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), previous shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), stone side, volume, and density, distance to the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) of the stone, and hydronephrosis degree. Stone-free status was evaluated with computed tomography (CT) at 4 weeks postoperatively. The groups were compared in respect of stone migration, stone-free rate, use of flexible ureterorenoscope, operating time, postoperative length of stay in the hospital, and complications. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to age, sex, BMI, previous SWL, stone side, volume and density, distance to the UPJ of the stone, and hydronephrosis degree (p > 0.05 for all). Statistically significant differences were determined between the groups with respect to stone migration (p = 0.001), stone-free rate (p < 0.001), use of flexible ureterorenoscope (p = 0.01), operating time (p < 0.001), hospital length of stay (p < 0.001), postoperative fever (p = 0.002), and total complications (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A new patient position is presented in this study, which can be used in ureteroscopic lithotripsy performed for proximal ureteral stones. The reverse Trendelenburg position constitutes a surgical method that can be used safely and successfully in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04894058, 05/21/2021, Prospectively registered.

Optimal Dwelling Time for Ureteral Stents Placed for Passive Dilation after Impassable Ureteroscopy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between the dwelling time for a ureteral stent placed for passive dilation after impassable ureteroscopy and success and complications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who underwent stent placement after impassable ureteroscopy and a repeat ureteroscopy due to kidney stones. A total of 161 patients were included in the study between 2015 and 2022. Demographic, clinical, preoperative, and perioperative data were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed on the data showing a significant difference in the univariate analyses performed to determine the predictive factors of ureteroscopy after the stent dwelling period in terms of stone-free status and perioperative complications. RESULTS: Stone-free status was achieved in 110 (68.3%) of 161 patients, and perioperative complications were observed in 41 (25.4%). Factors that affected the stone-free status were determined as the dwelling time and the S-ReSC score, while factors affecting perioperative complications were the stent dwelling time and the operation time. The stone-free rates were observed to increase from 46.4% in the first 2 weeks to 72.9% after the 2nd week, an increase of 1.5-fold. Perioperative complications were determined at the rate of 17.5% during the first 5 weeks and increased 2.1-fold to 37.5% after the 5th week. CONCLUSION: It can be recommended that great care is taken during the stent dwelling period and ureteroscopy should be performed within 5 weeks (14-35 days) but no earlier than 2 weeks, so as not to affect the success of the procedure.

Efficacy of Adjusted Dose Tadalafil for Treating Erectile Dysfunction in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although erectile dysfunction is frequently seen in hemodialysis patients, little information is documented about the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and almost all the articles evaluate sildenafil. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chronic low dose tadalafil in this group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionairre was administered to patients under hemodialysis program. A total of 58 patients with ED (International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score < 26), each having a stable partner, between 18-60 years, receiving routine outpatient HD matched the inclusion criteria and divided into two equal groups; placebo and tadalafil 5 mg/3 days. Changes of the IIEF score was recorded after one month of treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.0±9.93 years. Duration of dialysis was 57.5(12-108) months. Hemoglobin (g/dl) and creatinin clearence (ml/Min) values of placebo and tadalafil groups were not significantly different; 10.9(8.8-14) vs 10.7(8.9-13) and 5.7±1.3 vs 6.0±1.4 respectively. There was a statistically significant increase for all subgroups related erectile dysfunction 9.28±4.17 vs 21.07±5.99 (p=0.037), intercourse satisfaction 8(3-9) vs 10(5-15) (p<0.001), orgasmic function 4(1-10) vs 8(4-10) (p<0.001), sexual desire 4(2-10) vs 7(3-9) (p<0.001) and general satisfaction 5(2-9) vs 6(2-9) (p<0.001) with low dose of tadalafil at the end of four weeks without any major side effects. There was only a significant increase in sexual desire 4(3-9) vs 6(4-10) (p<0.001),in placebo group with an insignificant change in all other IIEF domains. Total IIEF score of the placebo group was insignificantly increased from 21.13±7.73 to 21.99±7.04 (p=0.771) while there was a statistically significant increase in tadalafil group; from 20.87±8.84 to 30.75±7.04 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil 5 mg once in three days is appear to be efficacious and well tolerated for the treatment of ED in hemodialysis patients.

Impact of urinary incontinence on anxiety status during pregnancy: A prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the presence and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) on pregnancy-related anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective case-control study included 160 pregnant women. Pregnant women with UI (n = 80) were compared with continent pregnant women (n = 80; control group) in terms of scores on the Incontinence Consultation Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2) scale. Gynaecological examination was performed, and pelvic organ prolapse was diagnosed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. UI was classified as stress UI (SUI), urge UI (UUI) or mixed UI (MUI). RESULTS: The total PRAQ-R2 score was significantly higher in all pregnant women with UI, as well as the UI subgroups, compared with the control group [mean ± standard deviation; 21.77 ± 8.1 (UI), 19.39 ± 6 (SUI), 20.13 ± 7.2 (UUI) and 28.1 ± 9.5 (MUI) vs 15.76 ± 5.9 (control group); p < 0.0001, p = 0.002, p = 0.012 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Significant positive correlation was found between the total ICIQ-SF and total PRAQ-R2 scores (r = 0.533; p < 0.0001). The score for the fear of giving birth domain in PRAQ-R2 was higher in women with SUI and MUI compared with the control group (9.5 ± 4 and 11.1 ± 2.6 vs 5.43 ± 2.4; p < 0.0001). Concern about own appearance was greater in the UUI and MUI groups compared with the control group (9.68 ± 4.5 and 7.8 ± 3.1 vs 4.85 ± 2.3; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to report the impact of the presence and severity of UI on pregnancy-related anxiety. The current findings show that anxiety may be an important psychosocial consequence of UI in pregnancy. This may lead to a clinical approach focusing on both the physical and psychological well-being of pregnant women with UI.

Does COVID-19 Worsen the Semen Parameters? Early Results of a Tertiary Healthcare Center.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic which may affect multiple organs and systems including testes and disrupt the gonadal functions. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on the semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in infertile men. METHODS: The study included 21 patients who were evaluated in Ankara City Hospital, Andrology Clinic, for male infertility and have had the diagnosis of COVID-19. All the patients were evaluated in terms of semen parameters. The follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone (T) levels were also evaluated in 8 of the patients. The results were presented through 2 dependent group analyses, based on the data of the patients collected before and after the diagnosis of COVID-19. RESULTS: None of the patients needed to be hospitalized at any time through the course of COVID-19. There was a significant decrease in semen volume, percentage of total motility, percentage of progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology after COVID-19 (3 [1-8] vs. 2.5 [1.5-5], p = 0.005; 48.6 ± 22.1 vs. 34.7 ± 20.7, p = 0.001; 35.1 ± 21.7 vs. 21.8 ± 15.9, p < 0.001; 6 [3-24] vs. 5 [3-18], p = 0.015; respectively). There was also a significant decline in T level of the patients after the diagnosis of COVID-19 (350.1 ± 115.5 vs. 289.8 ± 103.3, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 may have unfavorable effects on the gonadal functions and may lead to further deterioration of the semen parameters in infertile men, which should be considered through the evaluation for infertility.

Which is the best radiological imaging method for predicting actual prostate weight?

In this study, we compared the weight of the prostate specimen removed after robotic radical prostatectomy with the prostate weight measured pre-operatively by four different imaging modalities. Pre-operative prostate weight before robotic radical prostatectomy was measured by Transabdominal Ultrasonography (TAUS), Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS), Abdominal Tomography (CT) and MultiparametricProstate Magnetic Resonance imaging (mpMRI). Of the 170 patients enrolled in the study, the mean age was 65.2 ± 7.08 (46-84) years and mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 9.6 ± 7.7 (1.8-50). The mean post-operative actual prostate weight was 63.1 ± 30 gr. The mean pre-operative prostate volumes measured by TAUS, TRUS, CT and MPMRI were 64.5 ± 28.5, 49.1 ± 30.6, 54.5 ± 30.5 and 68.7 ± 31.7 ml, respectively (p < .001). Post-operative actual prostate weight correlated with prostate weight measured by TAUS, TRUS, CT and mpMRI (r coefficient 0.776, 0.802, 0.768 and 0.825 respectively). The best of these was mpMRI. Although prostate weight measured by different imaging methods has a high correlation to predict actual prostate weight, actual prostate weight is best predicted by measurements with mpMRI. However, errors and deviations that may occur with these imaging methods should be taken into consideration.

Scintigraphic evaluation of renoprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 in a rat renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) may occur secondary to several reasons leading to renal failure. Coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) is a well-known antioxidant. However, the effects CoQ10 against RIRI have not been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate protective effects of CoQ10 to renal ischemia-reperfusion by biochemical, immunohistochemical and scintigraphic findings. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-albino rats were randomly separated into groups of 10; Group Sham; Group ischemia-reperfusion (IR) had left renal pedicle clamping; Group CoQ10+IR had IR and CoQ10. Twenty-four hours later after reperfusion, scintigraphy was performed and after that, rats were sacrificed. To demonstrate effects of RIRI, serum urea and creatinine levels and tissue levels oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Both kidneys were subjected to histopathological evaluation and to confirm RIRI-induced immunohistochemical aspects of apoptosis, terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated-deoxyuridine-triphosphate-nick-end-labeling assay and caspase-3 were assessed. RESULTS: Tissue oxidative stress, histopathologic changes, apoptosis scores and quantitative scintigraphic parameters were significantly higher in Group IR compared with Group Sham. Although tissue oxidative stress levels and histopathologic changes were not significant, quantitative scintigraphic parameters of contralateral kidney of Group IR were significantly increased. Compared with Group IR, Group CoQ10+IR presented decreased tissue oxidative stress levels; decreased scores of histopathology and apoptosis; and decreased quantitative scintigraphic parameters with increased split renal function in ischemic kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that other than its antioxidant properties, CoQ10 shows antiperoxidative, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory potential in protecting renal functioning of ischemic kidney. Furthermore, our results show that renal scintigraphy is a feasible method to detect early changes in renal functioning after RIRI.

Comparison of renal function after robot - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus retropubic radical prostatectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) on early renal function in this study. Materials and Methods: Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb, eGFR values of patients who had undergone RALP and RRP with prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis were recorded in our clinic. The percentages of change in these values are calculated. Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb and eGFR changes were compared with each other. Student-t test was used for intergroup comparison, and paired sample t test was used to compare changes between preoperative and postoperative values of the same group. Results: There were 160 and 93 patients in the RALP and RRP group, respectively. In the RALP group, postoperative urea and creatinine increased significantly compared to preoperative baseline values while eGFR was decreased (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, respectively). Except for Hb in the RRP group, the changes in these values were statistically insignificant (p = 0.50, p = 0.75, p = 0.30, respectively). Conclusions: We should be more careful when we perform RALP in patients at risk of impaired renal function despite being a minimally invasive surgical method with superior visual characteristics.

Comparison of renal function after robot - assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus retropubic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) on early renal function in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb, eGFR values of patients who had undergone RALP and RRP with prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis were recorded in our clinic. The percentages of change in these values are calculated. Preoperative and postoperative urea, creatinine, Hb and eGFR changes were compared with each other. Student-t test was used for intergroup comparison, and paired sample t test was used to compare changes between preoperative and postoperative values of the same group. RESULTS: There were 160 and 93 patients in the RALP and RRP group, respectively. In the RALP group, postoperative urea and creatinine increased significantly compared to preoperative baseline values while eGFR was decreased (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, respectively). Except for Hb in the RRP group, the changes in these values were statistically insignificant (p = 0.50, p = 0.75, p = 0.30, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We should be more careful when we perform RALP in patients at risk of impaired renal function despite being a minimally invasive surgical method with superior visual characteristics.