Evaluating the accuracy and readability of ChatGPT in providing parental guidance for adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and ventilation tube insertion surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the potential of ChatGPT as an accurate and readable source of information for parents seeking guidance on adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, and ventilation tube insertion surgeries (ATVtis). METHODS: ChatGPT was tasked with identifying the top 15 most frequently asked questions by parents on internet search engines for each of the three specific surgical procedures. We removed repeated questions from the initial set of 45. Subsequently, we asked ChatGPT to generate answers to the remaining 33 questions. Seven highly experienced otolaryngologists individually assessed the accuracy of the responses using a four-level grading scale, from completely incorrect to comprehensive. The readability of responses was determined using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) scores. The questions were categorized into four groups: Diagnosis and Preparation Process, Surgical Information, Risks and Complications, and Postoperative Process. Responses were then compared based on accuracy grade, FRE, and FKGL scores. RESULTS: Seven evaluators each assessed 33 AI-generated responses, providing a total of 231 evaluations. Among the evaluated responses, 167 (72.3 %) were classified as 'comprehensive.' Sixty-two responses (26.8 %) were categorized as 'correct but inadequate,' and two responses (0.9 %) were assessed as 'some correct, some incorrect.' None of the responses were adjudged 'completely incorrect' by any assessors. The average FRE and FGKL scores were 57.15(±10.73) and 9.95(±1.91), respectively. Upon analyzing the responses from ChatGPT, 3 (9.1 %) were at or below the sixth-grade reading level recommended by the American Medical Association (AMA). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding readability and accuracy scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT can provide accurate answers to questions on various topics related to ATVtis. However, ChatGPT's answers may be too complex for some readers, as they are generally written at a high school level. This is above the sixth-grade reading level recommended for patient information by the AMA. According to our study, more than three-quarters of the AI-generated responses were at or above the 10th-grade reading level, raising concerns about the ChatGPT text's readability.

Is there an association between a high monocyte/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and recurrence of urethral stricture after internal urethrotomy?

INTRODUCTION: Internal urethrotomy (IU) has been the most commonly used procedure for the treatment of urethral strictures (US) since it was described by Scahse in 1974. Although simple to perform and associated with a short recovery time, the main disadvantage is the high recurrence rate of stenosis. At present, there are no markers available for the prediction of recurrence after IU. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between MHR and recurrence rates. METHODS: The data of a total of 250 male patients who underwent IU for the first time for bulbar urethral stricture less than 2 cm in our hospital between January 2011 and January 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The MHR was calculated as the ratio of monocytes to HDL-C. RESULTS: 78 patients experienced a recurrence while the remaining 177 did not. The stricture recurrence rate was recorded as 31.2 % at the 3-year follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in stricture length and MHR (p=0.015 and 0.001 respectively). MHR was high in the recurrent group. As a result of the Chi-square test, the positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were 65.3 % and 89.7 %, respectively. ROC analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off value. The cut-off value was found to be 1.72. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, a high MHR may indicate the presence of immune inflammation, and it can be used as a prognostic factor for stricture recurrence after IU.

Minimally-Invasive Approach in the Setting of a Malignant Primary Cardiac Tumor.

A 71-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy without clinical complaints revealed a suspicious finding in checkup. After a multimodality cardiac imaging, the suspicion of a malignant primary cardiac tumor in the left ventricle was substantiated and the patient underwent minimally-invasive cardiac surgery for tumor resection. Postoperative chemotherapy with multiple cycles of liposomal doxorubicin was established and supported by proton beam radiotherapy. Two-year follow-up revealed no disease recurrence.

Efficacy of Aspiration-Assisted Ureteral Access Sheath (ClearPETRA) in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

Backgrounds: In the renal intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS) procedure, ureteral access sheath (UAS) is still used in the majority of surgeries to both protect the flexible ureteroscope (FURS) and reduce intrarenal pressure. ClearPETRA is a new UAS that has an integrated aspiration port. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of Aspiration-Assisted UAS (ClearPETRA) in the RIRS procedure. Methods: One thousand six hundred twenty patients who underwent RIRS between January 2021 and January 2024 were evaluated retrospectively and 512 patients were included in the study. According to stone size, patients with stones less than 2 cm and those with stones between 2 and 3 cm were analyzed separately. Patient's demographic data, stone size, body mass index, Extracoporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) history, stone side, stone density (Hounsfield Unit), operation time, stone-free rate (SFR), and the number of patients with sepsis were recorded. SFR was evaluated with kidney urinary bladder 3 months after surgery for opaque calculi. Nonopaque calculi patients were evaluated with noncontrast computed tomography 3 months after surgery. In the postoperative evaluation, patients with stones less than 4 mm were evaluated as SFR. P value of <0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patient's demographic data, stone characteristics, and history of ESWL were similar in the ClearPETRA and UAS groups (P > .05). A total of 328 patients who underwent RIRS for stones less than 2 cm were included (80 ClearPETRA, 248 UAS). Length of hospital stay, operation time, SFR, secondary intervention, or postoperative sepsis (P ≥ .01) were similar in both groups. The incidence of postoperative fever was statistically significantly lower in the ClearPETRA group (P = .006). A total of 184 patients who underwent RIRS for stones between 2 and 3 cm were included (42 ClearPETRA, 142 UAS). In the ClearPETRA group, operation time was statistically significantly shorter (P = .002), SFR was statistically significantly higher (P = .003), and the number of fever and sepsis were statistically significantly less (P = .003 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: We found that ClearPETRA reduces the likelihood of postoperative fever after RIRS surgeries. Moreover, we can say that the use of ClearPETRA in RIRS, especially for stones larger than 2 cm, reduces the operation time, increases the SFR, and also reduces sepsis rates.

Systemic Inflammatory Index: A Promising Non-Invasive Marker for the Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy prior to Cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The main challenge to the optimal use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the difficulty in selecting patients who may or may not benefit from NAC. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether the Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) predicts response to chemotherapy in patients who receive NAC prior to cystectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of patients who underwent NAC followed by cystectomy at our institution between January 2010 and September 2015 and whose 5-year follow-up was completed. All patients who underwent diagnostic biopsy with complete transurethral resection of bladder tumour at our hospital and whose pathology result was muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma were included in the study. At least 3 courses of gemcitabine/cisplatin NAC were given to all patients. A pathological response was defined as a reduction in cystectomy to a lower pathological stage after NAC. RESULTS: The SII was 320.8 ± 51 in the responders and 388.28 ± 50 in the non-responders. SII optimal cut-off of 350 was determined. The sensitivity and specificity of SII in predicting response were found to be 80% and 83%, respectively. Low SII (<350) was found to be a significant predictor of response compared with the other factors on multivariate analysis. The mean overall survival time was 55.4 months in patients with a low SII value and 40.3 months in the high SII group. CONCLUSION: SII, together with known clinicopathological factors and newer genetic and molecular markers, can be used to select patients for NAC.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement as a bridge to minimally invasive endoscopic mitral valve surgery in Elderly Patients in the era of ERAS and Fast Track TAVI concepts.

In this bicentric study, we report the outcomes of combined transcatheter aortic valve replacement combined with minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. We included a cohort of six patients (79.6 ± 3.2 years, 83% women) with high-risk profiles and deemed to be non-operable with combined mitral and aortic valvular disease. All patients had unsuitable anatomies for transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TEER). Moreover, most of the patients (5/6) suffered a combined aortic valve lesion, which complicates the efficiency of cardioplegia in the case of CBP through minimally invasive incisions. The first stage was implanting a TAVI valve to achieve aortic valve competency and hence facilitate the infusion of cardioplegia after clamping the aorta during endoscopic mitral valve surgery. After one week, we performed the minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Most patients (n = 5; 83%) underwent successful endoscopic mitral valve repair. Intraoperatively, the mean ischemic time was 42 min, and the total bypass time was 72 min. Postoperatively, the mean intubation time was 0 h. Postoperative complications included reoperation for bleeding in one patient (16.7%) and a new heart block requiring pacemaker implantation in one patient (16.7%). There was neither in-hospital mortality nor 1-year mortality.

Hybrid technique has lower stricture rates than Wallace and Bricker.

INTRODUCTION: A clear consensus has not yet been reached on the optimal ureteroenteric anastomosis technique for ileal conduit urinary diversion following radical cystectomy. This study aims to determine the incidence of strictures and their management associated with these anastomosis techniques. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between March 2014 and August 2022. Patients were categorized based on the ureteroenteric anastomosis technique used: Wallace, Bricker, or Hybrid. Strictures were identified through antegrade pyelography following nephrostomy placement. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients were included in the study, with 60 patients in the Wallace group (42 %), 42 patients in the Bricker group (30 %), and 39 patients in the Hybrid group (28 %). The overall incidence of ureteroenteric strictures was 15 %, with 7 patients in the Wallace group, 11 patients in the Bricker group, and 3 patients in the Hybrid group experiencing strictures. There was no statistically significant difference in stricture rates between the Wallace and Bricker groups (11 % vs. 26 %, p = 0.09) or between the Wallace and Hybrid groups (11 % vs. 7 %, p = 0.73). However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the Bricker and Hybrid groups (26 % vs. 7 %, p = 0.03). The mean time to stricture development was 9.2 ± 3.3 months for the Wallace group, 9.5 ± 3.7 months for the Bricker group, and 12.6 ± 5 months for the Hybrid group (p = 0.407). CONCLUSION: The Hybrid ureteroenteric anastomosis technique exhibits a lower stricture rate compared to the Bricker and Wallace techniques. It represents a safe and feasible alternative technique.

Systemic Inflammatory Index: A Novel Biomarker for Predicting the Progression in Active Surveillance in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate active surveillance (AS) for patients with prostate cancer to show the systemic inflammatory index (SII) progression and to evaluate whether SII will be an AS criterion in PCa patients. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Urology, University of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, from February 2015 to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: For active surveillance follow-up criteria, patients with prostate cancer who underwent AS with PSA <10 ng/ml, GS ≤6, clinical stage t1c-t2b, ≤2 core positive, and for each positive core had ≤50% tumour cells, were inducted and SII was determined. RESULTS: As a result of the univariate analysis, high SII values, number of cores involved, and length of the tumour in one core significantly affected progression (in order of p = 0.009, B = 1.830, Exp(B) = 6.233, CI [1.58-24.497]; p = 0.018, B = 0.682, Exp(B) = 1.978, CI [1.123-3.482]; p=0.006, B = 1.835, Exp(B) = 6.263 CI [1.692-23.181]). High SII values (>443.42) had better explanations for progression than the number of core involvement but were similar to the length of the tumour in one core. As a result of the multivariate analysis, high SII values (>443.42) and the tumour 's length in one core had similar effects on progression (in order of p = 0.011, B = 1.978, Exp(B) = 7.227, CI [1.570-33.269]; p = 0.009, B = 1.958, Exp(B) = 7.084, CI [1.642-30.555]). CONCLUSION: Th use of SII early in the course of treatment can help to identify which prostate cancer patients can be selected for active treatment instead of active surveillance, and to assess the probability of progression. KEY WORDS: Prostate cancer, Active surveillance, Systemic inflammatory index, Biomarker.

Lateral Overlay Sliding Transposition (LOST): A Novel Surgical Technique in Patients with Cephalic Malposition and Alar Retraction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to demonstrate a new surgical technique that can be applied in patients with cephalic malposition and patients with alar retraction. METHODS: In this technique, a cartilage incision is made between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 close to the caudal edge and parallel to the cephalic edge of the lateral crus. Following this incision, the cephalic lateral crus and middle crus are meticulously dissected away from the underlying vestibular skin. The prepared flap is transposed over the intact caudal part of the lateral crus and secured in position. RESULTS: The average age of the patients included in the study was 24 years. The mean follow-up period was nine months, ranging from 6 to 12 months. No complications were observed following the application of the technique. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Lateral overlay sliding transposition as a novel surgical technique has been demonstrated in patients presenting with cephalic malposition, mild to moderate alar retraction, and alar irregularity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The effect of urinary tract infection on overall mortality in elderly male patients.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infections are the most common bacterial infections in the older population.

Surgical correction of the lower lateral cartilage protrusion and external nasal valve pinching with lateral crural resection technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to demonstrate a novel surgical technique in the treatment of lower lateral crural protrusion and external nasal valve pinching. METHOD: The lower lateral crural resection technique was used in 24 patients who underwent open technique septorhinoplasty between 2019 and 2022. Fourteen of the patients were female and 10 were male. In this technique, excess part of crura's tail was excised from the lower lateral crura and placed in the same pocket. This area was supported with a diced cartilage and a postoperative nasal retainer was applied. We have corrected the aesthetic problem that occurs when the lower lateral cartilage is convex, and external nasal valve pinching that occurs when the lower lateral crural protrusion is concave. RESULT: The mean age of the patients was 23. The mean follow-up time of the patients was between 6 and 18 months. No complications were observed due to this technique. Satisfactory results were obtained in the postoperative period after surgery. CONCLUSION: A new surgical approach has been proposed for patients with lower lateral crural protrusion and external nasal valve pinching using the lateral crural resection technique.

Transducer Technologies for Biosensors and Their Wearable Applications.

The development of new biosensor technologies and their active use as wearable devices have offered mobility and flexibility to conventional western medicine and personal fitness tracking. In the development of biosensors, transducers stand out as the main elements converting the signals sourced from a biological event into a detectable output. Combined with the suitable bio-receptors and the miniaturization of readout electronics, the functionality and design of the transducers play a key role in the construction of wearable devices for personal health control. Ever-growing research and industrial interest in new transducer technologies for point-of-care (POC) and wearable bio-detection have gained tremendous acceleration by the pandemic-induced digital health transformation. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of transducers for biosensors and their wearable applications that empower users for the active tracking of biomarkers and personal health parameters.

Application of S.T.O.N.E. Nephrolithometry Score for Prediction of Stone-Free Status and Complication Rates in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Nephrolitotomy for Renal Stone.

Background: Renal stone disease is a common disorder in urology practice. Kidney stone has various treatment methods such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). In this study, we aimed to determine the value of S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score, which is considered as a new scoring system for predicting residual stone rate and complications in patients undergoing PCNL due to renal calculi. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients >18 years old who underwent PCNL were evaluated prospectively. Five parameters available from preoperative noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography were measured: stone size (S), tract length (T), obstruction (O), number of involved calices (N), and essence or stone density (E) and then S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score was calculated. The prediction of the stone-free rates and complication rates of this scoring was evaluated statistically. Results: When the age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores of the patients were evaluated according to the patients' postoperative stone-free status, no statistical difference was found between the groups. Patients had a stone-free rate of 78%. Patients' mean neuropilitometry score was calculated to be 7.75 S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score statistically significant (P = .001) for prediction of stone-free status. S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score was significantly correlated with operation time, estimated blood loss, duration of fluoroscopy, duration of hospital stay, and number of punctures. Complications were seen in 13 patients. Conclusions: S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score can be used as an objective criterion for predicting the complexity of the PCNL process. In addition, this scoring system is expected to provide more objective preoperative counseling and can provide standardization in academic studies.

The impact of myasthenia gravis on lower urinary tract functions.

AIM: To assess the functions of the lower urinary tract (LUT) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients (18 males and 18 females) with MG and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Participants completed a 3-day voiding diary and responded to questionnaires "Overactive Bladder Symptom Score" (OABSS) and "International Consultation on Incontinence-Short Form" (ICIQ-SF). All patients underwent uroflowmetry and ultrasonography (US). The data were compared based on the onset of disease and serological status. RESULTS: The most common urinary symptoms were nocturia (80.5%), incontinence (61%) and urgency (47%). OABSS was higher in patients than controls (P = .008). Duration of urinary symptoms was longer, and nocturia was more common in late-onset MG (LOMG) than in early-onset MG (EOMG; P = .029, P = .023). The duration of disease and urinary symptoms statistically increased in ACh-Ab (-) group compared with ACh-Ab (+) group (P = .003, P = .027). Night-time urination frequency significantly increased while daytime voided volume (VV) decreased in LOMG compared with EOMG (P = .003 and P = .01). Residual volume on the US was significantly higher in LOMG than that in EOMG (P = .004). The duration of disease was positively correlated with tQmax and daytime urination frequency (P = .013, r = .48; P = .016, r = .398). A negative association was found between duration of disease and daytime VV (P = .04, r = -.344). CONCLUSION: LUT dysfunction may manifest disease in MG, particularly in late-onset forms. The lack of ACh-Ab seemed to prolong the duration of disease and urinary disturbances.

Our laparoscopic cystectomy experiences.

PURPOSE: We aimed to present our laparoscopic cystectomy experience and demonstrate that it is a feasible technique with safe oncologic principles. METHODS: Total 19 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in our urology clinic (Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital) were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic data, operation technique and complications, tumour pathology and follow-up details of patients were recorded. RESULTS: Patients ranged from 40 to 73 years, with the average age of 60.8 and female/male rate was 2/17. The mean total operation time was 375 min (range 260-500). Mean hospitalisation time of patients was 10.3 days. The mean follow-up time was 11.2 months. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive approaches in urology are becoming the first line treatment by the time. Due to the high costs and limited availability, robotic surgery is still not exactly widespread in the world. Our series showed that conventional laparoscopic cystectomy is an appropriate approach until robotic surgery becomes widespread.

Statins are effective in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of statins and ɑ blockers drug therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of three hundred patients were randomly distributed into three groups of one hundred patients each. Group 1 received only ɑ-adrenoceptor antagonist (ɑ-blocker, AB) (Tamsulosin), group 2 received only statin (atorvastatin), and group 3 received AB plus statin (Tamsulosin + Atorvastatin). The efficacy measurement was assessed by analyzing the changes from baseline in the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), disease-specific QoL question score and maximum urinary flow rate at the end of 6 months in each group and between the three groups. RESULTS: Pre-treatment and post-treatment value of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and prostate volüme (PV) were not significantly different in AB group, while TG and PV were significantly lower in patients taking statin and combined therapy. The significant decrease was demonstrated in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in three groups. However, the most significant decrease was observed in the combination therapy group. IPSS, postvoid residual urine volüme (PVR), and Quality of Life score (QoL) significantly changed in three groups. CONCLUSION: We recommend of the use of statins in those men with BPH accompanied by MetS in which AB is ineffective alone.

Metabolic syndrome is associated worsened erectile function in patients undergoing TURP due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard method for surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). So, the complications of TURP is important, in which erectile dysfunction is the most important. The aim of the present study is to evaluate erectile dysfunction in patients undergoing TURP treatment for BPH and investigate the correlation between metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 120 patients who underwent surgery for BPH at Beylikdüzü State Hospital and Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital. IIEF-5 form was administered to the patients before the surgery and six months after the surgery. The Student's t-test, Wilcoxon, and chi-square test were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The patients were investigated by IIEF-5 scoring into three groups (severe, moderate, and non-ED (erectyl disfunction)-mild). The statistical analysis of IIEF-5 form administered to 120 patients who underwent surgery did not show any significant difference before surgery and six months after surgery (p > 0.05). Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction correlation were examined, and a significant correlation was obtained between metabolic syndrome and severe erectile dysfunction (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IIEF-5 results administered before and after surgery showed no significant difference. The study showed that patients with metabolic syndrome have a higher probability of having erectile dysfunction after TURP compared to patients without metabolic syndrome. Moreover, post-surgery, patients with metabolic syndrome seemed to be affected negatively regarding erectile dysfunction compared to patients with no metabolic syndrome.

Flexible graphene photodetectors for wearable fitness monitoring.

Wearable health and wellness trackers based on optical detection are promising candidates for public health uses due to their noninvasive tracking of vital health signs. However, so far, the use of rigid technologies hindered the ultimate performance and form factor of the wearable. Here, we demonstrate a new class of flexible and transparent wearables based on graphene sensitized with semiconducting quantum dots (GQD). We show several prototype wearable devices that are able to monitor vital health signs noninvasively, including heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate. Operation with ambient light is demonstrated, offering low-power consumption. Moreover, using heterogeneous integration of a flexible ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive photodetector with a near-field communication circuit board allows wireless communication and power transfer between the photodetectors and a smartphone, offering battery-free operation. This technology paves the way toward seamlessly integrated wearables, and empowers the user through wireless probing of the UV index.