Pain point system scale (PPSS): a method for postoperative pain estimation in retrospective studies.

PURPOSE: Pain rating scales are widely used for pain assessment. Nevertheless, a new tool is required for pain assessment needs in retrospective studies. METHODS: The postoperative pain episodes, during the first postoperative day, of three patient groups were analyzed. Each pain episode was assessed by a visual analog scale, numerical rating scale, verbal rating scale, and a new tool - pain point system scale (PPSS) - based on the analgesics administered. The type of analgesic was defined based on the authors' clinic protocol, patient comorbidities, pain assessment tool scores, and preadministered medications by an artificial neural network system. At each pain episode, each patient was asked to fill the three pain scales. Bartlett's test and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin criterion were used to evaluate sample sufficiency. The proper scoring system was defined by varimax rotation. Spearman's and Pearson's coefficients assessed PPSS correlation to the known pain scales. RESULTS: A total of 262 pain episodes were evaluated in 124 patients. The PPSS scored one point for each dose of paracetamol, three points for each nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug or codeine, and seven points for each dose of opioids. The correlation between the visual analog scale and PPSS was found to be strong and linear (rho: 0.715; P < 0.001 and Pearson: 0.631; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PPSS correlated well with the known pain scale and could be used safely in the evaluation of postoperative pain in retrospective studies.

Transurethral holmium laser intravesical tape excision following TVT procedure: results from seven patients in a 12-month follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the holmium:YAG laser for intravesical mesh excision in female patients with urinary bladder erosion complicated tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. METHODS: Between June 2, 2008 and December 31, 2009, seven patients who underwent laser excision of an intravesically protruding tape were followed up every 3 months for a total period of 1 year by disease-specific questionnaires, physical examination, cough stress test, urine analysis, urine bacterial culture, ultrasound and uroflowmetry. Filling cystometry was offered preoperatively and at the 3rd month, while cystoscopy was offered preoperatively and at the 1st month. The presenting symptoms were dysuria, urgency, hematuria, and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Holmium laser was used for ablation and removal of the tape. The postoperative period was uneventful. RESULTS: There was a substantial improvement in the urgency status, in the maximum flow rate (Q (max)) from 11.29 ml/s to 19.43 ml/s, in the voided volume (VV) from 185 ml to 251.43 ml and in the maximum cystometric capacity (C) from 237.86 ml to 310.64 ml pre- and postoperative, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium laser ablation represents a simple, safe and efficacious procedure to manage intravesical mesh complications following TVT procedure.

Large adrenal metastasis in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Case report and literature review.

Adrenal metastases are frequent in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We present a case of a large adrenal metastasis from NSCLC and we discuss the relevant literature. In such cases, early surgical intervention is recommended to avoid spontaneous rupture of the tumor and improve patient survival.

Endometriosis of the urinary tract in women of reproductive age.

AIM: We present our experience with diagnosing and treating 22 cases of urinary tract endometriosis in women of reproductive age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to January 2003, 22 women of reproductive age (mean age 34.8 years) were diagnosed suffering from endometriosis of the urinary tract. We used the Endoscopic Endometriosis Classification (EEC) for assessing the stage of endometriosis. RESULTS: Endometriosis was present in the bladder, the lower third of the ureter, and in a postnephrectomy ureteral stump in 15 (68.1%), six (27.2%) and one (4.5%) cases, respectively. The EEC classification revealed stages I, II, III and IV in four (18.1%), one (4.5%), one (4.5%), and 16 (72.7%) patients, respectively. Urinary symptoms were present in 14 (63.6%) patients. For the treatment of bladder endometriosis, 10 patients underwent partial cystectomy, while the remaining five patients were treated with transurethral resection. In four patients ureterolysis was performed, by laparoscopy in two cases and by open surgery in the other two cases. Ureterectomy and re-implantation with bladder psoas hitching took place in six patients. In the case of endometriosis of the ureteral stump, open surgical excision took place. During the mean follow-up period of 20 months (range 16-40) no long-term complication or relapse was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder and ureteral endometriosis should be considered in women of reproductive age with non-specific urinary tract or abdominal symptoms, and surgical treatment is recommended.

Sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch for continent urinary diversion in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of the sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch for urinary diversion in patients with invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (25 men and four women), aged 65-76 years, who had undergone radical cystectomy and the sigmoidorectal pouch procedure for invasive bladder cancer were included in this study. Postoperative evaluations included metabolic testing, standard laboratory screening, renal ultrasonography, pouchography, and intravenous urography or pouchoscopy when indicated. RESULTS: The median operative time was 175 min. Urine leakage was encountered in two patients (6.8%), deep vein thrombosis in one (3.4%), and ileus necessitating surgery in another one. Two patients developed pyelonephritis due to ureterocolonic stricture, which was treated with antegrade balloon dilatation. No local relapses of bladder cancer were found. All patients were continent during the day, but one patient was occasionally incontinent during the night. In the long term, six patients (20.6%) developed metastatic disease, and five patients (17.2%) died because of cancer-related causes. Overall survival was 100, 96 and 60% at 1, 2 and 3 years after the operation, respectively. The mean survival was 36.8 +/- 1.9 months, which was statistically significantly associated with the M stage (P < 0.001), but not with the T (P = 0.091) or N (P = 0.081) stages. CONCLUSIONS: The sigmoidorectal (Mainz II) pouch seems to be a feasible, safe and effective method for continent urinary diversion. It is able to provide good quality of life, and ensure good overall survival rates.

Effects of renal denervation of the contralateral kidney on blood pressure and sodium and eicosanoid excretion in the chronic phase of two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To define the role of the renal nerves of the contralateral kidney in the maintenance of two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) renovascular hypertension in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The contralateral kidney of 2K-1C rats was denervated 6 months after induction of hypertension and 4 weeks after nephrectomy of the clipped kidney. Blood pressure, sodium and potassium balance and eicosanoid excretion were measured. RESULTS: Denervation of the contralateral kidney induced normalization of blood pressure in post-Goldblatt hypertensive rats. This effect was not mediated by a negative sodium balance. Excretion of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 increased after denervation of the contralateral kidney in both post-Goldblatt hypertensive and post-Goldblatt normotensive rats, while urine extraction remained unaffected. CONCLUSION: Afferences from the contralateral kidney appear to participate in the maintenance of 2K-1C renovascular hypertension due to the activation of central mechanisms regulating blood pressure.

Leydig cell tumor of the testis. New cases and review of the current literature.

Leydig cell tumors are the most frequent non-germ cell tumors of the testis, accounting for 1-3% of all testicular tumors. They present most commonly as a testicular mass or with endocrine symptoms. We report three new cases of Leydig cell tumors that presented in different forms. The relevant literature is reviewed and the management of these tumors is discussed.