Does Vaginal Wall Surgical Trauma During Hybrid Transvaginal NOTES Nephrectomy Have Traumatic Effects On Sexual Functions? A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical trauma due to vaginal wall incision to extract the specimen during transvaginal hybrid Natural-Orifices-Transluminal-Endoscopic-Surgery (NOTES) nephrectomy can result in sexual dysfunction and have traumatic psychological impacts. We evaluated the alteration of sexual functions in the postoperative period. METHODS: Patients who underwent a transvaginal NOTES nephrectomy were prospectively enrolled. Patients and their partners were evaluated with the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaire pre- and post-operatively. Surgical characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (mean age: 52.72 ± 2.39 years; mean tumor size 4.77 ± 2.55 cm) were included. The total GRISS scores of all patients were similar in pre- and post-operative periods. Although females reported no change in the GRISS score, 60.4% of partners showed a drop in the total score. Non-communication and avoidance subdomains showed significant changes for females; males showed a significant change in avoidance, non-sensuality and dissatisfaction subdomains. Subgroup analyses showed that neither tumor stage nor nulliparous status did not affect total score changes for both genders. The trocar number and perioperative complication rates had no significant effects on total score changes. CONCLUSION: Sexual function can be affected after transvaginal NOTES nephrectomy and care should include a stringent approach to addressing sexual dysfunction. We support the transvaginal NOTES nephrectomy technique if adequate secondary measures to protect sexual function are taken.

Modern lymphatic dissection techniques for preventing post renal transplant lymphocele.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Development of a lymphocele is a well-known complication following kidney transplant. Among causative factors, recipient iliac lymphatics dissection plays an important role. Electrothermal bipolar sealing devices (LigaSureTM) have been shown to decrease lymphatic leakage in a number of instances. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of this device decreases post-operative lymphatic complications in kidney transplant. METHODS: 48 patients admitted for renal transplant were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to either conventional ligation or LigaSureTM during lymphatic dissection. RESULTS: One patient in the LigaSureTM arm and 5 patients in the conventional ligation arm developed lymphocele (p=0.04). Lymphatic drainage volumes were 99.8±39.87 ml in the LigaSure arm and 131.46±54.2 ml in the conventional ligation arm (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Electrothermal bipolar sealing devices exhibit safety and efficiency when used in renal transplant lymphatic dissection. In the present study, this technique proved to be superior to conventional ligation in terms of post-operative lymphatic complications.

In vivo assessment of bone marrow toxicity by gold nanoparticle-based bioconjugates in Crl:CD1(ICR) mice.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed at evaluating the biodistribution of Tween(®) 20-gold nanoparticle (GNP) conjugates and their potential toxicity on the bone marrow before moving on to Phase I clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tween(®) 20-conjugated GNPs were injected intravenously for 21 days in male Crl:CD1(ICR) mice. Body weight of the mice was evaluated each day. After the sub-chronic Tween(®) 20-GNPs administration, blood samples were harvested, and a full blood count was done individually. Total Au quantity from all major organs was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. One femur and the sternum obtained from each animal were used for histological assessment. RESULTS: Our data showed that the Tween(®) 20-GNP conjugates were found in large quantities in the bladder. Au was shown to accumulate in the hematopoietic bone tissue, with significant side effects such as leucopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. The mice had a higher white blood cell and platelet count as opposed to the control group. This suggested that the previously described leukopenic effects of isoflurane were overridden by the leucopoietic effects of Tween(®) 20-GNPs. CONCLUSION: It was uncertain whether the mice were reactive to Au as it is a foreign substance to the tissues or whether the side effects observed were a precursor condition of a more severe hematological condition. Au was found to be hepatotoxic, urging the need for further studies in order to achieve better in vivo compliance and exploit the immense potential of GNPs in cancer pharmacology.

Contrast enhanced harmonic ultrasonography for the evaluation of acute scrotal pathology. A pictorial essay.

Conventional ultrasonographic evaluation (grey scale and Doppler) represents the first line investigation in the acute pathology of the scrotum. Its diagnosis value in acute scrotal pathology is undoubted in regard with hypervascular lesions, but in the evaluation of isoechoic and hypo/avascular lesions i.v. contrast-enhanced harmonic ultrasonography (CEUS) is recommended in establishing a firm and certain diagnosis. Besides these, CEUS has an important role in the evaluation of the remaining viable testicular tissue in cases of testicular trauma, thus guiding a limited excision surgery. This paper aims to discuss the added diagnosis value of CEUS and to illustrate this through various ultrasonographic images suggestive for acute scrotum pathology.

Evaluation of the normal-to-diseased apparent diffusion coefficient ratio as an indicator of prostate cancer aggressiveness.

BACKGROUND: We tested the feasibility of a simple method for assessment of prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios between prostate cancer and healthy prostatic tissue. METHODS: The requirement for institutional review board approval was waived. A set of 20 standardized core transperineal saturation biopsy specimens served as the reference standard for placement of regions of interest on ADC maps in tumorous and normal prostatic tissue of 22 men with PCa (median Gleason score: 7; range, 6-9). A total of 128 positive sectors were included for evaluation. Two diagnostic ratios were computed between tumor ADCs and normal sector ADCs: the ADC peripheral ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal peripheral zone tissue, ADC-PR), and the ADC central ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal central zone tissue, ADC-CR). The performance of the two ratios in detecting high-risk tumor foci (Gleason 8 and 9) was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Both ADC ratios presented significantly lower values in high-risk tumors (0.48 ± 0.13 for ADC-CR and 0.40 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) compared with low-risk tumors (0.66 ± 0.17 for ADC-CR and 0.54 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) (p < 0.001) and had better diagnostic performance (ADC-CR AUC = 0.77, sensitivity = 82.2%, specificity = 66.7% and ADC-PR AUC = 0.90, sensitivity = 93.7%, specificity = 80%) than stand-alone tumor ADCs (AUC of 0.75, sensitivity = 72.7%, specificity = 70.6%) for identifying high-risk lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The ADC ratio as an intrapatient-normalized diagnostic tool may be better in detecting high-grade lesions compared with analysis based on tumor ADCs alone, and may reduce the rate of biopsies.

Ex-vivo perfusion machines in kidney transplantation. The significance of the resistivity index.

INTRODUCTION: With a growing shortage of organs for transplantation, finding ways of increasing the donor organ pool remains of utmost importance. Perfusion machines (PM) have been proven to enhance the potential for kidney transplants to function sooner, last longer, giving patients the opportunity for a better life quality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation between the resistance index provided by the PM, the postoperative resistance index measured by Doppler ultrasound and the initial graft outcome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 2012-December 2012, clinical data obtained from 82 consecutive renal transplants from brain death donors (BDD) which underwent PM maintenance were analyzed in a transversal study. Prior transplantation we recorded the solution temperature, filtration rate and the resistance index provided by PM. After the surgical intervention, each patient had standard follow-up. Doppler ultrasound resistivity index (RI) was recorded on the first postoperative day. RESULTS: Out of 115 renal transplants, 98 (85.21%) were performed with grafts from BDD. The PM was used for 82 renal grafts. The Doppler resistance index in relation to the resistance index shows a highly statistical correlation by linear regression (R=0.813, p<0.0001). Primary graft function was recorded in 74 patients (90.24%) and it was highly statistically significant correlated with the resistance index measured by PM. Out of 8 patients with primary non-function, 6 patients recovered with normal graft function at one year. CONCLUSION: The resistivity index recorded by the life-port machine is correlated with the vascular resistivity index measured by Doppler ultrasound and thus it may predicts the primary graft outcome.

Selective ex-vivo photothermal ablation of human pancreatic cancer with albumin functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

The process of laser-mediated ablation of cancer cells marked with biofunctionalized carbon nanotubes is frequently called "nanophotothermolysis". We herein present a method of selective nanophotothermolisys of pancreatic cancer (PC) using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with human serum albumin (HSA). With the purpose of testing the therapeutic value of these nanobioconjugates, we have developed an ex-vivo experimental platform. Surgically resected specimens from patients with PC were preserved in a cold medium and kept alive via intra-arterial perfusion. Additionally, the HSA-MWCNTs have been intra-arterially administered in the greater pancreatic artery under ultrasound guidance. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy combined with immunohistochemical staining have confirmed the selective accumulation of HSA-MWCNTs inside the human PC tissue. The external laser irradiation of the specimen has significantly produced extensive necrosis of the malign tissue after the intra-arterial administration of HSA-MWCNTs, without any harmful effects on the surrounding healthy parenchyma. We have obtained a selective photothermal ablation of the malign tissue based on the selective internalization of MWCNTs with HSA cargo inside the pancreatic adenocarcinoma after the ex-vivo intra-arterial perfusion.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy v classic lumbotomy for pyonephrosis.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience and operative technique for retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for pyonephrosis and to compare the results with those of open surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since October 1998, 23 successful retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies for pyonephrosis were performed in our institution (Group A). These patients were compared with 23 patients, matched by age, sex, and body weight, who underwent classic lumbotomy for pyonephrosis (Group B). The two groups were compared in terms of operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, wound complications, and time of return to previous occupation. RESULTS: All the features studied except operative time were significantly different in favor of laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Although technically difficult, retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for pyonephrosis is feasible. The extraperitoneal approach allows direct access to the renal hilum and helps avoid spillage of pus into the peritoneum.