What is the impact of inflammasome mechanisms on male infertility?

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms to explain inflammation in male infertility of unknown cause are still being investigated. The inflammasome is a key regulator of innate immunity in the inflammatory response to infections. Our study aims to investigate the effects of varicocele on infertility, its relationship with antioxidant and inflammasome mechanisms, and how it could be guided in azoospermic or nonazoospermic patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at the department of urology in our university hospital. Eightyeight randomly selected men aged 20-45 admitted to our hospital because of infertility between September 2019 and July 2020 were included in the study. Patients were divided into four equal groups according to their clinical status, those with/without azoospermia and with/without varicocele. Blood and semen samples were taken from the patients. NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1 beta (IL1ß) and total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were measured in serum and semen, and the groups were compared statistically. RESULTS: Serum and semen NLRP3, IL1ß, TAS, TOS, and OSI values of the patients with varicocele or azoospermia were significantlyhigher than those without either varicocele or azoospermia (p < 0.05). The oxidative stress markers TAS, TOS, and OSI values were significantly higher in the other groups than those without azoospermia and varicocele (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Inflammasome mechanisms, such as NLRP3 and IL1-ß molecules, may provide additional benefit in evaluating the need and benefit of surgical or medical treatment in infertility with and without vascular pathology and with and without azoospermia.

Relationship between erectile dysfunction and Helicobacter pylori: A prospective controlled pilot study.

This study sought to investigate the correlation between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). This study included 30 patients diagnosed with ED due to penile arterial insufficiency, in accordance with the International Index of Erectile Function scores and penile Doppler ultrasonography results, and 30 healthy individuals without ED in the control group. The levels of fasting blood glucose, serum lipid and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the levels of Hp-specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the patient and control groups were 39.7 ± 23.2 and 21.0 ± 19.8 arbU/ml, respectively (p = .001); the mean CRP levels were 0.3 ± 0.2 and 0.1 ± 0.1 mg/dl, respectively (p = .01). A positive correlation was detected between ED and the levels of Hp-specific IgG and CRP. Further comprehensive studies supporting these preliminary results may facilitate the use of Hp seropositivity as an auxiliary marker in the diagnosis of ED. These findings may also guide future research on the clinical benefits of Hp eradication strategies for the prevention and treatment of ED.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness can predict the response of patients with erectile dysfunction to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.

This study investigated the role of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as a morphological marker of the response of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) patients to tadalafil, one of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5-I). Through March-December 2016, 51 men with vasculogenic ED aged over 30 years were enrolled in this prospective study. Vasculogenic ED was accepted as a normal testosterone level, with penile colour Doppler ultrasonography showing arteriogenic ED, venogenic ED or mixed arteriogenic and venogenic ED. All patients underwent biochemical and hormonal blood tests, ultrasonographic evaluation of the common carotid artery (CCA) IMT and penile colour Doppler ultrasonography. On-demand tadalafil (10 mg or 20 mg in cases of a non-response to 10 mg) was administered to each patient for 2 months. ED was assessed using the short form of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) before and after the drug therapy. According to the patients' responses to the medication, they were grouped as non-responders or responders. Thirty-one of the 51 patients responded to tadalafil. The mean CCA IMT of the non-responders and responders was 0.9 ± 0.2 mm and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm, respectively (P = 0.000). The IMT of 90% of the non-responders was >0.67 mm, whereas it was >0.67 mm in 40% of the responders. The data were analysed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Measurement of CCA IMT may offer an alternative and simple method to predict the response of vasculogenic ED patients to PDE5-Is.

Effects of Psychological Status on The Oxidation Parameters of Semen and Blood in Azoospermic Men.

PURPOSE: In limited number of studies performed concerning the psychological moods of female, and male with the diagnosis of infertility, data related to increased incidence of depression, and anxiety have been reported. The objective of this study is to determine whether azoospermia has any psychological effects on men, and investigate the potential effects of psychological mood on seminal, and plasma oxidative parametres. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients whose two consecutive semen analyses were reported as pellet -negative azoospermia constituted the azoospermic group, and 30 healthy individuals who applied to the infertility polyclinic with normal seminal parametres comprised the normozoospermic group. RESULTS: BECK Anxiety scores were significantly higher in the azoospermic group (P = 0.009). When compared with the normozoospermic group, higher levels of oxidative parametres, but lower levels of the antioxidative parametre were detected in the azoospermic group (P < 0.05). In the azoospermic group, a positive correlation was detected between BECK Anxiety and total oxidant status. Anxiety may increase oxidative parametres in both plasma, and seminal fluid (r = 473, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Anxiety may increase oxidative parametres in both plasma, and seminal fluid. Oxidative milieu may impair sperm quality, and affect the success rates of assisted reproductive treatments. The determination of oxida-tive potential in infertile men, thiol, and prolidase may be used as biomarkers.

Is urotherapy alone as effective as a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback in children with dysfunctional voiding?

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare standard urotherapy with a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback sessions and to determine the changes that these therapies promote in children with dysfunctional voiding. Patients and Methods: The data of 45 patients who participated in the study from January 2010 to March 2013 were evaluated. All patients underwent urinary system ultrasonography to determine post-void residual urine volumes and urinary system anomalies. All patients were diagnosed using uroflowmetry - electromyography (EMG). The flow pattern, maximum flow rate, and urethral sphincter activity were evaluated in all patients using uroflowmetry - EMG. Each patient underwent standard urotherapy, and the results were recorded. Subsequently, biofeedback sessions were added for all patients, and the changes in the results were recorded and statistically compared. Results: A total of forty - five patients were included, of which 34 were female and 11 were male and the average age of the patients was 8.4 ± 2.44 years (range: 5 - 15 years). After the standard urotherapy plus biofeedback sessions, the post-void residual urine volumes, incontinence rates and infection rates of patients were significantly lower than those with the standard urotherapy (p < 0.05). A statistically significant improvement in voiding symptoms was observed after the addition of biofeedback sessions to the standard urotherapy compared with the standard urotherapy alone (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback was more effective in decreasing urinary incontinence rates, infection rates and post - void residual urine volumes in children with dysfunctional voiding than standard urotherapy alone, and it also showed that this combination therapy corrected voiding patterns significantly and objectively.

Mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty in adults: Functional and cosmetic results.

PURPOSE: The study objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mini-laparoscopic pyeloplasty (mLP) in an adult population and to demonstrate the functional and cosmetic results. METHODS: Data for 29 patients (19 men and 10 women) undergoing mLP for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) from May 2014 to December 2016 in Turkey were collected in this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were age ? 18 years, body mass index (BMI) ? 30 kg/m2 and primary UPJO, and no previous surgery on the affected kidney or previous abdominal surgery. Postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores and the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) were used. Demographic data, perioperative parameters, complications, and postoperative functional and cosmetic results were recorded. All statistical analyses were done by SPSS software. P value of <05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-nine adults with a mean age of 29.4 ± 10.2 years (19-38 years) were included. The patients' mean BMI was 22.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2 (a range of 16-29 kg/m2). The procedures were performed using three ports (one 5 mm port for the camera and two 3 mm ports). Mean operative time was 119 ± 28.5 minutes (85-144 minutes). Major complications were not observed, as per the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications (grades IV-V). The mean VAS score was 1.2 ± 0.2 points. Functional obstruction was reported in one patient on renal scintigraphy at 12 months postoperatively. The success rate of mLP was 97%. The minimum and maximum PSAQ scores at month 3 postoperatively were 24 and 86, respectively. All the patients were satisfied with the intervention and with their cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: mLP is a safe, effective and feasible treatment method for UPJO in adult patients. This treatment modality offers excellent cosmetic and functional results following treatment for UPJO.

Is urotherapy alone as effective as a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback in children with dysfunctional voiding?

OBJECTIVE: To compare standard urotherapy with a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback sessions and to determine the changes that these therapies promote in children with dysfunctional voiding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 45 patients who participated in the study from January 2010 to March 2013 were evaluated. All patients underwent urinary system ultrasonography to determine post-void residual urine volumes and urinary system anomalies. All patients were diagnosed using uroflowmetry - electromyography (EMG). The flow pattern, maximum flow rate, and urethral sphincter activity were evaluated in all patients using uroflowmetry - EMG. Each patient underwent standard urotherapy, and the results were recorded. Subsequently, biofeedback sessions were added for all patients, and the changes in the results were recorded and statistically compared. RESULTS: A total of forty - five patients were included, of which 34 were female and 11 were male and the average age of the patients was 8.4 ± 2.44 years (range: 5 - 15 years). After the standard urotherapy plus biofeedback sessions, the post-void residual urine volumes, incontinence rates and infection rates of patients were significantly lower than those with the standard urotherapy (p < 0.05). A statistically significant improvement in voiding symptoms was observed after the addition of biofeedback sessions to the standard urotherapy compared with the standard urotherapy alone (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that a combination of urotherapy and biofeedback was more effective in decreasing urinary incontinence rates, infection rates and post - void residual urine volumes in children with dysfunctional voiding than standard urotherapy alone, and it also showed that this combination therapy corrected voiding patterns significantly and objectively.

Evaluation of apoptosis indexes in currently used oral alpha-blockers in prostate: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objectives: Apoptosis effect of oral alpha-blockers is known in the prostate. Apoptosis index of silodosin has not been proved, yet. Aims are to present apoptosis index of silodosin in prostate and to compare this with other currently used alpha-blocker's apoptosis indexes together with their clinical effects. Materials and Methods: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients were enrolled among those admitted to urology outpatient clinic between June 2014 and June 2015. Study groups were created according to randomly prescribed oral alpha-blocker drugs as silodosin 8mg (Group 1; n=24), tamsulosin 0.4mg (Group 2; n=30), alfuzosin 10mg (Group 3; n=25), doxazosin 8mg (Group 4; n=22), terazosin 5mg (Group 5; n=15). Pa- tients who refused to use any alpha-blocker drug were included into Group 6 as control group (n=16). We investigated apoptosis indexes of the drugs in prostatic tissues that were taken from patient's surgery (transurethral resection of prostate) and/or prostate biopsies. Immunochemical dyeing, light microscope, and Image Processing and Analy- sis in Java were used for evaluations. Statistical significant p was p<0.05. Results: There were 132 patients with mean follow-up of 4.2±2.1 months. Pathologist researched randomly selected 10 areas in each microscope set. Group 1 showed statisti- cal significant difference apoptosis index in immunochemical TUNEL dyeing and im- age software (p<0.001). Moreover, we determined superior significant development in parameters as uroflowmetry, quality of life scores, and international prostate symptom score in Group 1. Conclusions: Silodosin has higher apoptosis effect than other alpha-blockers in prostate. Thus, clinic improvement with silodosin was proved by histologic studies. Besides, static factor of BPH may be overcome with creating apoptosis.

Evaluation of apoptosis indexes in currently used oral alpha-blockers in prostate: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Apoptosis effect of oral alpha-blockers is known in the prostate. Apoptosis index of silodosin has not been proved, yet. Aims are to present apoptosis index of silodosin in prostate and to compare this with other currently used alpha-blocker's apoptosis indexes together with their clinical effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients were enrolled among those admitted to urology outpatient clinic between June 2014 and June 2015. Study groups were created according to randomly prescribed oral alpha-blocker drugs as silodosin 8mg (Group 1; n=24), tamsulosin 0.4mg (Group 2; n=30), alfuzosin 10mg (Group 3; n=25), doxazosin 8mg (Group 4; n=22), terazosin 5mg (Group 5; n=15). Patients who refused to use any alpha-blocker drug were included into Group 6 as control group (n=16). We investigated apoptosis indexes of the drugs in prostatic tissues that were taken from patient's surgery (transurethral resection of prostate) and/or prostate biopsies. Immunochemical dyeing, light microscope, and Image Processing and Analysis in Java were used for evaluations. Statistical significant p was p<0.05. RESULTS: There were 132 patients with mean follow-up of 4.2±2.1 months. Pathologist researched randomly selected 10 areas in each microscope set. Group 1 showed statistical significant difference apoptosis index in immunochemical TUNEL dyeing and image software (p<0.001). Moreover, we determined superior significant development in parameters as uroflowmetry, quality of life scores, and international prostate symptom score in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Silodosin has higher apoptosis effect than other alpha-blockers in prostate. Thus, clinic improvement with silodosin was proved by histologic studies. Besides, static factor of BPH may be overcome with creating apoptosis.

Detection of CYP1A1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms in bladder cancer patients in a Turkish population using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding genetic polymorphisms might facilitate the analysis of differences between individuals in their susceptibility to developing cancers as a result of environmental carcinogens. Skin, lung, colon and bladder cancers emerge from biological defects in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 gene expressions. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there was an association between CYP1A1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and bladder cancer in a Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 120 individuals (60 patients with bladder cancer and 60 healthy individuals), and their DNAs were isolated. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR - RFLP) method was used to detect the frequencies of CYP1A1 NM_000499.3: c.*1189T > C and GSTP1 NM_000852.3: c.313A > G polymorphisms in bladder cancer patients. RESULTS: The frequency of the CYP1A1: c.*1189 TC genotype and C allele were significantly different between bladder cancer patients and healthy individuals (p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). However, there was no significant difference for the GSTP1: c.313 AG genotype or G allele between both study groups (p=0.699 and p=0.360, respectively). CONCLUSION: A polymorphic site of the CYP1A1 gene might be involved in the development of bladder cancer. However, the investigated GSTP1 polymorphic site did not represent an important risk factor for the development of bladder cancer in a Turkish population.

Which way is best for stone fragments and dust extraction during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a commonly used type of minimally invasive treatment in kidney stone surgeries. Surgical success is assessed according to residual stone amount after surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the two methods' success and practicality that are applied after the fracture of the stone in the patients who applied PCNL and which enable the removal of the residual stones. Among 102 patients who underwent a single-session of PCNL at our department between June 2015 and November 2016 were evaluated. Previously identified irrigation method and our aspiration method which described used in post-operative patients divided into two groups of residual fragments was assessed by computed tomography. The results were evaluated in statistical analyses. Significant p was accepted as p < 0.05. The age and gender distribution of patients in the irrigation and aspiration groups did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). In irrigation and aspiration groups, stone size did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The amount of residue stones and dust remaining in the irrigation group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the aspiration group. Although many methods have been tried before, we think that the aspiration method we have described is a cheaper, more effective and feasible option.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is the main pathogenetic mechanism in bladder cancer among many other causes. We aimed to investigate whether a potential relationship exists between bladder cancer and the activities of paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) enzymes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 56 patients with bladder cancer, and 57 healthy individuals. The relationships between enzyme activity and tumour grade, stage, muscular invasion and tumour size were evaluated. For statistical analysis, One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Independent-T, ANOVA and Post-Hoc Bonferroni tests were used. RESULTS: Serum levels of PON1 and ARE enzymes, and total cholesterol were significantly lower in bladder cancer group. While other lipid parameters were similar in both the patient and the control groups. Levels of ARE were positively correlated with lipid parameters except for HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that decreased serum PON1 and ARE enzyme activities are related with tumour load and recurrence. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm predictive role of enzymatic activities of PON1 and ARE in the diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer.

Associated anomalies and clinical outcome in children with ectopic kidney.

Urological anomalies can be seen in children with renal ectopia (RE) and can result in renal impairment. Therefore, we evaluated associated anomalies and renal outcome in our patients with RE. Sixty-eight children who were diagnosed with RE between January 2009-May 2014 were retrospectively studied. A total of 68 patients, 36 (52.9%) boys, with a median age of 67 months (4-201) and a median follow-up period of 14 months (3-113) were included in the study. Simple RE (S-RE) was found in 51 (75%) patients, of which 46 were unilateral and five were bilateral (discoid kidney). Crossed RE (C-RE) was detected in 17 (25%) patients. Voiding cystourethrogram was performed in 21/51 (41.2%) patients in S-RE group and 5/17 (29.4%) in C-RE group. We did not find vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in any of the patients with C-RE, whereas, in S-RE group, VUR was demonstrated in six (6/21 - 28.6%) patients. Pelviureteric junction obstruction in ectopic kidney was found in two patients with S-RE and one with C-RE. Two patients (2/17 - 11.7%) had neurogenic bladder due to meningomyelocele, accompanied by imperforate anus in C-RE group. There were no significant differences in other associated urological anomalies between two groups. Renal impairment developed mostly in patients with additional urinary anomaly. The children with RE may have associated urinary anomalies, of which VUR is the most common. Complete urological investigation and regular follow-up are required in selected cases.

Comparison of Mini-percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Preschool-aged Children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (m-PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in treating renal stones in preschool-aged children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients treated with m-PCNL and 32 patients treated with RIRS for renal stones were compared retrospectively. The operative and postoperative outcomes of both groups were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age and gender were similar between the groups. The mean stone size was 19.30 ± 4.21 mm for the RIRS group and 21.06 ± 5.61 mm for the PCNL group (P = .720). The mean operative times, fluoroscopy times, and hospitalization times were statistically higher in the PCNL group. The stone-free rates (SFRs) after a single procedure were 84.4% in the PCNL group and 75% in the RIRS group (P = .036). After auxiliary procedures, the overall SFRs reached 91.1% for the PCNL group and 90.6% for the RIRS group (P = .081). No major complications were observed for both groups. Minor complication (Clavien 1-3) rates were 15.5% and 12.5% for the PCNL and RIRC group, respectively (P = .385). CONCLUSION: RIRS has some advantages over PCNL such as shorter hospitalization times, shorter fluoroscopy times, and shorter operative time in treating renal stones. However, PCNL achieves higher SFR after a single session.

Functional Results of Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Children: Single Institute Experience in Long Term.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in children for consecutive cases of single institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our laparoscopy database was investigated for children in terms of LP between June 2008 and April 2015. All the patients had ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and LP was performed. Demographic data including age, gender, side of UPJO, operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), hospital stay and complications according to Clavien classifications were recorded. Renal ultrasonography and diethylenetriamine penta-acetate (DTPA) scintigraphies were respectively performed 3, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Statistical analyses were performed and p value was accepted as significant at <0.05. RESULT: Mean follow-up was 34 ± 4.7 months. The mean age was 13 (6-72) months. A total of 153 (110 boys and 43 girls) LP patients enrolled. Of that, 93 (60.78%) LP were in left side and 60 (39.21%) were in right side. Three cases needed open conversation according to difficulties in anastomosis. Aberrant crossing vessel was observed in 12 (7.84%) patients. The mean operation time was 155 ± 21 min and the mean EBL was 22 ± 11.1 ml. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. Anastomotic leakage was the common complication (in 13 patients) that was successfully managed conservatively (Clavien 1). Eight patients experienced unsuccessful LP and underwent open pyeloplasty (Clavien 3b). The mean split renal function significantly increased in DTPA scintigraphy in follow-up. The overall success was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The LP procedure can be an effective and safe surgical method for childhood UPJO, specifically in the experienced hands of pioneer centers.

A case of an ectopic ureter with vaginal insertion diagnosed in adulthood.

Ectopic ureter which is one of the causes of urinary incontinence in adults is a rarely seen entity. In this case, diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence in a female patient thought to originate from an ectopic ureter will be evaluated. On magnetic resonance (MR) urograms double collecting system in both kidneys and also grade 3 hydroureteronephrosis in the collecting system which drained the upper pole of the right kidney were seen. The ureter draining the upper pole of the right kidney was seen to open into a 24 mm-wide cystic pouch inside the right lateral wall of the vaginal cuff. During vaginal examination an orifice of 3 mm was observed on the right wall of the vagina. Right ureteroneocystostomy was performed. Ureters with ectopic orifices are very rarely seen causes of urinary incontinence. To establish the diagnosis, this pathology must be recognized, should be kept in mind, and appropriate diagnostic methods must be used.

Genetic polymorphisms of hspa1b and hspa1l in infertile men.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the HSP 70 genepolymorphism and primary infertility in males with normal sperm-parameters. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted in Sanliurfa, Turkey, from September 2010 to August 2011and comprised infertile males as cases and healthy fertile controls. Deoxyribonucleicacid was isolated from the blood of both groups, and polymorphisms of the HSPA1B gene (NM_005346.4, GI: 3304):c.1059G>A, (PstI G>A; dbSNP: rs1061581G>A) and HSPA1L gene (NM_005527.3, GI: 3305) c.1478C>T (NcoIC>T, dbSNP: rs2227956) were analysed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. SPSS version 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 140males in the study, 68(28.5%) were infertile cases and 72(51.4%) fertile controls. There was no statistically significant difference between GA (heterozygous) and AA (homozygous, polymorphic) genotypes of the c.1059G>A polymorphic point of the HSPA1B gene or between the A allele of the cases and controls (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the CT (heterozygote) and TT (homozygous, polymorphic) genotypes of the c.1478C>T polymorphic area of the HSPA1Lgene or between the T alleles of the cases and the controls (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Infertility in males with normal sperm parameters was not significantly associated with HSPA1B:c.1059G>A and HSPA1L:c.1478C>T gene polymorphisms. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes and different gene groups are required to clarify the issue.

Endoscopic cystolithotomy by mini nephroscope: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a novel endoscopic surgical technique with mini-nephroscope by suprapubic transvesical route for cystolithotripsy in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a non-randomized study with a series of 12 boys, between February 2012 and September 2013. Demographic, operative, and postoperative data were recorded. Our new endoscopic surgery technique could be performed in all patients. Complications were noted. RESULTS: Mean age was 35.1 ± 8.6 months (19-46 months), the average stone size was 16.5 ± 5.2 mm (10-20 mm). Mean operation time was 28.9 min (21-40), and mean hospital stay was 2.2 (2-3) days. In all procedures, stones were successfully fragmented and extracted by the new surgical technique. There was no intraoperative and/or postoperative complication or urethral stricture during follow-up period. In stone analyses, the main components were ammonium acid urate, calcium oxalate, and struvite. CONCLUSIONS: The new endoscopic surgery technique is safe and effective for bladder stones in children. Thus, our technique can be a strong candidate for an alternative treatment of childhood bladder stones.

Can a four-session biofeedback regimen be used effectively for treating children with dysfunctional voiding?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of the open-ended six to ten sessions of biofeedback against a novel regime of four sessions of biofeedback to treat children with dysfunctional voiding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients from two centers using different methods were retrospectively analyzed. Group 1 comprised 20 patients treated with four sessions of biofeedback. Group 2 comprised 20 patients treated with six to ten sessions of biofeedback. Each group was evaluated with subjective and objective parameters pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment and 6 months post-treatment. RESULTS: All patients in Group 1 were treated with four sessions of biofeedback and in Group 2 the mean number of sessions was 7.35±1.30 (range 6-10). Normalized voiding flow curves after treatment were determined in 18 patients in Group 1 (90%) and 19 patients in Group 2 (95%) (p=0.553). There were seven patients (35%) in Group 1 and eight patients (40%) in Group 2 with reflux. When units were compared, there were 11 units (4 bilateral) in Group 1 and 13 units (5 bilateral) in Group 2 with reflux (p=0.747). At 6 months post-treatment, in Group 1, seven had resolved (63.6%), three had improved (27.2%) and one persisted (9.01%). In Group 2, ten had resolved (76.9%) and three had improved (23.1%) (p=0.553). CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback therapy is one of the most widely used techniques in dysfunctional voiding in children. The regime of use has not been well defined, and the results of this study showed that a regime of four sessions of biofeedback therapy may be as safe and effective as the previously defined open-ended six to ten sessions.