Complications of the Mainz pouch II (sigma rectum pouch).

OBJECTIVE: The complications of the sigma rectum pouch were analyzed. METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent a construction of the Mainz pouch II was analyzed retrospectively. Data on early complications was available for all patients, while long-term follow-up data was available for 50 patients. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was nil. Early complications were encountered in 2 (3.3%) patients. Oral alkalizing supplementation therapy was required in 30 (60%) of the patients; 3 (6%) patients needed hospitalization for severe acidosis and hypokalemia. Hydronephrosis developed in 5 (5%) of 98 renoureteral units anastomosed. Acute pyelonephritis was observed in 3 (8%) patients. All of the patients were continent except for 1 female patient who had had previous radiotherapy to the pelvis. The mean voiding frequency during the day and night was 5.1+/-1.1 and 1.9+/-0.7, respectively. The psychological state and general health of 2 patients became progressively worse until they died of probable malnutrition and metabolic abnormalities. Mechanical bowel obstruction developed in 1 patient 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: The complication rate of the Mainz pouch II appears to be acceptable with a median follow-up of 31 months. Patient selection and cooperation are of paramount importance for a successful outcome.

Reconstructive surgery in voiding dysfunction: experience with 69 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To present our reconstructive surgery experience with voiding dysfunction due to both neurologic and non-neurologic etiology. METHODS: From March 1993 to January 2000, 69 patients (43 men and 26 women) with voiding dysfunction underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction. Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 34. 5 years (range 9 to 75). Voiding dysfunction had a neurologic etiology in 65.2% of the patients and a non-neurologic etiology in 34.8%. Urodynamic investigation revealed poor bladder compliance in 52%, detrusor hyperreflexia in 19%, and a combination of the two in 29% of the patients. Thirteen patients (19%) had coexistent intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. A total of 56.5% of the patients had upper urinary tract deterioration. Most patients (78%) had severe urinary incontinence. Augmentation cystoplasty was performed in 60 patients. Nine patients had augmentation cystoplasty with a continent stoma. Concomitant procedures were performed in 11 patients. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36.6 months (range 8 to 108). Marked improvement of the upper tracts was documented in 79% of the patients in the neuropathic and 73% in the non-neuropathic group. High continence rates were achieved in both groups (82% and 94%, respectively). Intermittent catheterization rate was 88.6% in the neuropathic and 44% in the non-neuropathic groups and patient satisfaction rate was 84% and 94%, respectively. Three major complications in 2 patients required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction to treat urinary incontinence and upper urinary tract deterioration gives satisfactory results in voiding dysfunction in the case of medical treatment failure.

The value of serum prostate specific antigen and other parameters in detecting bone metastases in prostate cancer.

The cut-off value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in prediction of bone metastases and the correlation of serum PSA with the clinical stage, grade, score and the rate of bone metastases have been investigated in cases of prostate cancer (PCa). The study population consisted of 160 patients with histologically proven PCa between April, 1993 and August, 1996. The negative predictive value and the sensitivity were the highest (94%) in patients with a serum PSA value less than 10 ng/ml. We claim that in patients with PSA values less than 10 ng/ml whole body bone scan is not necessary.

Multilocular cystic nephroma: an unusual localization.

We present a case of multilocular cystic nephroma with an unusual localization treated by a nephron-sparing procedure. A 21-year-old white woman presented with a history of hematuria and right lumbar pain. Imaging techniques revealed a multilocular cystic mass originating from the renal parenchyma but mainly involving the renal pelvis. The lesion was localized almost entirely within the renal pelvis at surgery and was treated by excision. Pathologic analysis was consistent with multilocular cystic nephroma. The patient remains free of recurrence with 10 years of follow-up. We conclude that multilocular cystic nephroma may present as a cystic lesion localized within the renal pelvis, and we advocate simple excision of these lesions.

Impact of transition zone biopsies in detection and evaluation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of 2 systematic transition zone (TZ) biopsies in addition to systematic sextant biopsies in an effort to establish the importance of cancer detected in the transition zone. METHODS: Between November 1995 and October 1996, TRUS-guided systematic sextant peripheral zone (PZ) and two additional TZ biopsies were performed on 189 consecutive men. Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) was performed to 13 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer. The biopsy results of the 52 patients with cancer and the pathological specimens of the patients who underwent surgery were compared. RESULTS: Of the 189 patients, 52 (27.5%) had prostate cancer of whom 20 (38.5%) both in the PZ and TZ, 31 (59.6%) only in the PZ, and 1 (1.9%) in the TZ only. Of the 96 patients with high serum PSA levels despite normal DRE, 14 had prostate cancer. TZ cancer only rate was 7.1% (1 in 14 patients) in this group. RRP was performed to 8 patients who had cancer only in the PZ and 5 patients in both TZ and PZ. The pathological stages of the postoperative specimens and extracapsular extension rates of those with cancer in the PZ and TZ were significantly higher (p = 0.029 and p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Routine TZ biopsy does not substantially increase the prostate cancer detection rate, however it can be useful in selected patient groups. If further studies reveal the relationship of cancer in the transition zone, higher capsular extension rate (pT3 cancer) and higher pathological stage after radical surgery, then TZ biopsies may yield additional information that might influence the therapeutic approach.

Modified "pluck" nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract disorders: combined endourologic and open approach.

Nephroureterectomy is the standard surgical approach for upper urinary tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) and many other conditions. In 1952, a modification of the conventional method was described in which a transurethral resection of the ureteral meatus and intramural ureter is undertaken until the remaining ureter has no attachment to the bladder. The resected area and the distal tip of the ureter are coagulated, and the ureter is removed in continuity with the kidney through a single flank incision. Since January 1990, we have performed 12 nephroureterectomies with this technique (9 men and 3 women with an average age of 61.8 years, ranging from 35 to 73). Six of them were operated on for a TCC of the upper urinary tract, and the postoperative follow-up of these patients was from 6 to 54 months (mean 18.6). Within the follow-up period, tumor has not recurred either at the resected trigonal area or in the retroperitoneum, and only one patient has had a tumor distant from the site of ureteric resection. One patient with bladder TCC, who had a suspect kidney mass on the left side detected by CT, underwent nephroureterectomy with this technique. Five patients had primary renal disorders and upper tract calculous problems, in which nephroureterectomy was required. After the transurethral resection, an indwelling catheter was left in the bladder for 4 days. We believe that our experience confirms the feasibility of this technique in order to improve and simplify nephroureterectomy. Therefore, we recommend the modified "pluck" technique in all patients who are candidates for an operation requiring nephroureterectomy, as it gives considerable benefit to the patient.