[Cost-effectiveness analysis of extracorporeal lithotripsy]. / Analyse coûts-efficacité de la lithotripsie extra-corporelle.

The recent introduction of extracorporeal lithotripsy (ECL) for the treatment of urinary stones has raised new questions for doctors and economic policy decision makers. This study presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of extracorporeal lithotripsy conducted in an Italian hospital which has used a Sonolith 3000 lithotriptor since 1989. The overall cost of treatment by ECL (of a simple case of urinary stones) is 5,080 FF and the cost per cured case (taking into account the number of sessions per patient and the percentage of cured cases) varies between 6,200 FF and 9,500 FF. The results obtained (influenced by the lack of certain clinical data due to the recent use of this technique) appear to be in favour of extension of ECL treatments in comparison with surgical treatment due to their lower cost, lower morbidity and shorter convalescent period.

[Comparison of efficacy and tolerability among 3 quinolones in the treatment of lower urinary tract infections (cinoxacin versus ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin]. / Confronto su efficacia e tollerabilità fra tre chinolonici nel trattamento delle infezioni delle basse vie urinarie (cinoxacina versus ciprofloxacina e pefloxacina).

A clinical trial was carried out in 150 patients with lower urinary tract infections in order to compare the efficacy and tolerability of three quinolone drugs (cinoxacin, ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin). The satisfactory therapeutic efficacy of all three drugs is underlined, as is the excellent tolerability of cinoxacin.

[Scrotal injuries]. / Traumi scrotali.

The authors report their experience in the surgical treatment of scrotal trauma and underline the diagnostic importance of ultrasound as well as the necessity of an early surgical control, in order to prevent permanent damage of the testicle.

[Perineal functional rehabilitation in female urinary stress incontinence]. / La rieducazione funzionale perineale nella incontinenza urinaria femminile da stress.

Since January 1985 13 female patients with urinary incontinence induced by pure stress have been subjected to perineal functional rehabilitation at the S. Giovanni Battista Hospital Functional Rehabilitation Service and Turin Health Service Unit 23 in collaboration with the hospital's Urology Division. The results are encouraging and suggest that this treatment may be a valid alternative to surgery.

[Urinary tuberculosis today]. / La tubercolosi urinaria oggi.

From our data urinary tuberculosis, clearly reduced as regards past decennia, now results constant in annual number of cases. The reduced frequency sometimes requires some problems of differential diagnosis. After a few considerations about anatomo-pathologic aspects, we examine the diagnostic procedures starting from that urinary tuberculosis has not pathognomic clinical signs, except identification of M. tuberculosis in urine. The medical treatment consists in administering three drugs (rifampin, isoniazid, ethambutol) for 3 months and then two drugs for 6-9 months, on the ground of clinical course. Surgical treatment can be divided in destroying and preserving surgery. At last, endoscopic treatment takes aim at dilating ureteral stenoses.

[Cryotherapy in 141 cases of carcinoma of the prostate reviewed after 5 years (author's transl)]. / La cryothérapie en 141 cas de cancers prostatiques contrôlés après 5 ans.

141 patients with prostatic cancer, checked by biopsy, have been treated since 1975 till 1980 with cryotherapy and hormonotherapy. They have been compared with 60 patients who have received only hormones. There is a statistical difference in favour of the patients treated with cryotherapy, particularly in T3 and T4 stage. The best survival is plain especially in the first and third year. This improvement might depend on an immunologycal answer.