Satisfaction with sex and erection hardness: results of the Asia-Pacific sexual health and overall wellness survey.

The Asia-Pacific Sexual Health and Overall Wellness (AP SHOW) survey assessed sexual satisfaction and health and the association with erection hardness in 13 Asia-Pacific countries/regions. Adults aged 25-74 years who had sexual intercourse > 1 time in the past 12 months answered Internet surveys or participated in street-intercept interviews. Data were weighted by demographics and country/region size. Of 3957 (men, n=2016 and women, n=1941) respondents, 41% of men and 34% of women were completely or very satisfied with sex. Satisfaction with sex was linked to satisfaction with life priorities and overall health. Few respondents (men, 38% and women, 26%) were very or completely satisfied with erection hardness. Optimal erection hardness was reported by 45% of men (48% of women regarding their partners' erections). Erection hardness was associated with increased frequency of sex and importance of and satisfaction with erection-related elements of men's sexual performance. Approximately half of respondents (men, 57% and women, 47%) were at least moderately interested in improving the sexual experience. Most Asia-Pacific respondents were less than very satisfied with sex. Satisfaction with sex was associated with satisfaction with life priorities. Erection hardness was associated with sexual satisfaction and activity, satisfaction with life priorities and overall health.

Clinical outcome of open and laparoscopic surgery in Dukes' B and C rectal cancer: experience from a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term outcome of open and laparoscopic surgery for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A regional hospital in Hong Kong. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and local recurrence rates. PATIENTS: Patients with Dukes' B and C rectal cancers underwent elective curative open or laparoscopic surgery during the period December 2000 to December 2006. RESULTS: A total of 222 patients (open surgery, n=133; laparoscopic surgery, n=89) were assessed. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates for all patients were 72% and 58%, respectively. Local recurrence rates were similar in both groups. Laparoscopic group had better overall survival (P=0.014), however. The overall 3-year survival rates were 79% and 68% in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. The corresponding 5-year rates were 75% and 52%. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated that laparoscopic surgery was a significant independent factor for better survival. Chemotherapy, local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and poorly differentiated tumour were significantly associated with survival. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for Dukes' B and C rectal cancer was associated with more favourable survival than with open surgery.

The effect of alcohol drinking on erectile dysfunction in Chinese men.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), smoking, and alcohol drinking are common in middle-aged men. Although smoking has been shown to be a risk factor of ED in Chinese and other populations, the relationship between drinking alcohol and ED is not clear. The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong conducted the Men Health Survey in 2004. In all, 1506 men aged 20-70 years were recruited by stratified random sampling of the male population. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect information on drinking and smoking and other life style factors, morbidities, and sociodemographic status during household visits. The more sensitive information on sexual activity and ED was obtained by a self-completed questionnaire at the end of the interview. A total of 816 subjects aged 31-60 years currently active in sexual activity were included in the present analysis. Compared with never drinkers, alcohol drinkers who consumed three or more standard drinks (one standard drink equals 12 g of alcohol) a week were more likely to report EDs as defined by having both sexual dissatisfaction and erectile difficulty (odds ratio (OR)=2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.28-4.03) after adjusting for age and cigarette smoking. When analyzed separately by smoking habit, the risks were higher in current smokers (OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.01-5.11) than never smokers (OR=1.91, 95% CI=0.68-5.35). Our results suggest that alcohol drinking of three or more standard drinks per week might reduce sexual satisfaction and impair erectile function in current smokers and might have less effect in never smokers.

Palliation of distal malignant biliary obstruction: a selective approach.

A retrospective study of 39 patients with inoperable distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) treated between March 2001 and March 2004 was conducted. There were 20 men and 19 women, and their mean age was 72 years. Eighteen patients were treated with hepatico-jejunostomy (bypass group) and 21 with metal stent (stent group). At the time of analysis, 32 patients died, and 7 were still alive. The median survival was 4.2 months. Thirty-day mortality, in-hospital morbidity, and recurrent jaundice were 10.3% (4/39), 10.3% (4/39), and 12.8% (5/39), respectively. Gastric outlet obstruction occurred in 3 (7.7%) patients before their death. The median survival in the bypass group was significantly longer than that in the stent group (7.2 versus 3.6 months; P = 0.01). The finding that bypass operation confers better survival compared with the metal stent in the treatment of inoperable distal MBO needs to be validated by a randomized controlled trial.

Surgical treatment of penile curvature.

OBJECTIVE: To review long-term efficacy and complications of surgical treatment of penile curvature in a Chinese population. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS. Patients who underwent surgical treatment of penile curvature between January 1997 and March 2005 inclusive. INTERVENTION: Penile curvature corrective surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Penile curvature recurrence, early and late complications. RESULTS: Of 22 patients who underwent surgical treatment of penile curvatures, 19 had congenital and three had acquired diseases. The mean angle of deformity was 52.5 (range, 20-90) degrees. Ten patients had Nesbit procedures, ten had modified Nesbit procedures, and two underwent vein grafting. Twenty patients had residual or recurrent penile curvatures at a mean follow-up of 50.9 months. Fifteen patients had less than 30 degrees curvature and five had 30 to 60 degrees curvature. Early complications included wound infection (n=3), penile skin necrosis (n=1) treated by skin graft, and urethral injury (n=1). Three patients had erectile dysfunction; four complained of glans paraesthesia. Penile shortening (mean, 1.4 cm) and palpable knots were common late complications. A total of 19 patients were satisfied with the final outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of penile curvature produces long-term patient satisfaction. Preoperative counselling on potential recurrence and common minor complications is crucial to produce favourable outcomes.

Efficacy of multidisciplinary approach in treatment of constipation: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a multidisciplinary Hong Kong treatment programme for patients with constipation. DESIGN: Pilot study. SETTING: A joint collaboration among the departments of surgery, physiotherapy, and dietetics in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Thirty-one constipated patients with normal colonic transit and pelvic floor dyssynergia. INTERVENTION: Multidisciplinary treatment including dietary modification, bowel habit adjustment, and physiotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anorectal manometry, fibre intake, subjective improvement, bowel frequency, Bristol score, and straining time and effort. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found in mean fibre intake, straining time and effort, but not in anal manometric results. A total of 78% of patients demonstrated more than 50% improvement in subjective symptoms, whereas 70% of the patients enjoyed objective improvement in pelvic floor dyssynergia documented by electromyography and anal pressure during a push effort. CONCLUSION: The multidisciplinary rehabilitative programme for constipated patients significantly improved symptoms. Electromyography and anal pressure during a push effort are useful tools for objective assessment of the treatment effect.

Smoking and sexual dysfunction in Chinese males: findings from men's health survey.

To describe the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its association with smoking among the Chinese in Hong Kong, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 819 men (aged 31-60 years) who were randomly selected among the Hong Kong residents and interviewed by trained interviewers. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. We found that current smokers who smoked 20 cigarettes or more daily had more dissatisfaction, erection difficulty and ED than never smokers. The prevalence of dissatisfaction, difficulty in erection and ED increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing age. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers of more than 20 cigarettes daily had a greater risk of ED (age-adjusted odds ratio=1.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.16). Our results support that there are association between ED and smoking among the Chinese and suggest linking ED with smoking in the antismoking campaign and promoting smoking cessation to reduce ED among smokers.

Randomized clinical trial comparing blue dye with combined dye and isotope for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Use of blue dye alone as a marker for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is effective, but combining it with isotope marking can improve the success rate. Use of the isotope adds extra cost and there are potential radiation hazards. The two techniques were compared in a randomized trial. METHODS: Women with early breast cancer (less than 3 cm) and no palpable axillary nodes were recruited. Women older than 70 years with multicentric cancers or previous surgery to the breast or axilla were excluded. Patients were randomized to either blue dye alone or combined mapping for SLN biopsy. All women had a level I and II axillary dissection after the SLN biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were recruited, of whom five were excluded from analysis. Blue dye alone was used in 57 women and 61 had combined mapping. Baseline demographic data were similar in the two cohorts. The success rate of SLN biopsy was higher with combined mapping than with blue dye alone (100 versus 86 per cent; P = 0.002). The accuracy and false-negative rate were similar (accuracy 100 per cent for combined mapping versus 98 per cent for blue dye; false-negative rate 0 versus 5 per cent). CONCLUSION: Combined mapping was superior to blue dye alone in identification of the SLN, but accuracy and false-negative rates were similar.

Wire-guided excision of mammographic abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: A review of wire-guided excision of abnormal lesions viewed on screening mammography. DESIGN. Retrospective review. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent wire-guided excision of abnormalities visualised on screening mammography between 1999 and 2002. INTERVENTION: Wire-guided excision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Biopsy rate and positive biopsy rate. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients underwent wire-guided excision of an abnormal lesion previously identified by screening mammography. Twenty-one were benign, two were lobular carcinoma in situ, and 42 were malignant. Of the latter, 30 were identified as ductal carcinoma in situ, and 12 as invasive breast cancer. Thirty-eight of the 42 malignant cases required further treatment, and 24 of them underwent further operation. Radiological assessment of the 65 patients suggested that nine lesions were probably benign, 31 indeterminate, 20 suspicious, and five malignant. Malignancy was subsequently confirmed by histological examination in 6, 20, 13, and 3 cases of the respective group of radiological assessment. CONCLUSION: The biopsy rate was approximately 3.7 per 1000 screened women, with results benign in 1.19 per 1000. The positive biopsy rate was 64.6%, and invasion was evident in 28.6%.

Stapled haemorrhoidectomy in Chinese patients: a prospective randomised control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare stapled haemorrhoidectomy with open diathermy haemorrhoidectomy in Chinese patients with respect to the postoperative pain, symptom control, and manometric alterations. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A regional general surgical unit, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients with second- or third-degree haemorrhoids or who have had failed medical treatment. INTERVENTION: Open diathermy haemorrhoidectomy or stapled haemorrhoidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Structured questionnaire for symptoms, anorectal manometry, transrectal ultrasound, and postoperative pain. RESULTS: Stapled haemorrhoidectomy compared with open diathermy haemorrhoidectomy resulted in similar postoperative pain and drug requirements. Postoperative control of prolapse symptoms was significantly better with open diathermy haemorrhoidectomy than with stapled. The control of other symptoms was similar with regard to bleeding, pain, pruritus, and incontinence scores. Anorectal manometry showed a decrease in the maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure in both groups, but the decrease was only significant in the stapled haemorrhoidectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled haemorrhoidectomy is as effective as conventional haemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of haemorrhoids, but with the exception of skin tag prolapse. There is a need for long-term follow-up for the changes in manometric parameters after haemorrhoidectomy.

Treatment of early rectal tumours by transanal endoscopic microsurgery in Hong Kong: prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To summarise the results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of rectal villous adenoma and early rectal tumours. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients between November 1995 and January 2003. INTERVENTION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intra-operative morbidity and mortality, complication rate, operating time, postoperative morbidity and mortality, recurrence rate and correlation between preoperative ultrasonography staging and postoperative pathological staging. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with rectal villous adenoma and early rectal carcinoma were registered, 31 of whom (14 men and 17 women) were included in the study. The median tumour size was 2.5 (range, 1-8) cm and the median operating time was 95 (45-220) minutes. The median follow-up period was 23 (2-92) months, and there was no local recurrence. There was no operation-related mortality and the resection margins were all clear. Complications included temporary flatus incontinence (n=2), acute retention of urine (n=1), exacerbation of chronic obstructive airway disease (n=1), and secondary haemorrhage in a patient on aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a safe procedure and can achieve good local tumour control. It is ideal in the management of rectal villous adenomas at stages pT0 and pTis. Its application is now extended to the treatment of early rectal carcinoma at stage pT1 with curative intent. For tumours at stage pT2 or later, it can also serve as a good option for local palliation.

One-week ranitidine bismuth citrate, amoxicillin and metronidazole triple therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that ranitidine bismuth citrate-based, clarithromycin-containing triple therapy achieves a higher eradication rate than proton pump inhibitor-based regimens in areas with a high prevalence of metronidazole resistance. AIM: To evaluate whether this higher efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate over proton pump inhibitor can be extended to non-clarithromycin-containing regimens. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori-positive dyspeptic patients were randomized to receive either ranitidine bismuth citrate, 400 mg, amoxicillin, 1000 mg, and metronidazole, 400 mg, or omeprazole, 20 mg, amoxicillin, 1000 mg, and metronidazole, 400 mg, each given twice daily for 1 week. H. pylori eradication was confirmed by 13C-urea breath test 5 weeks later. The side-effects of the treatments were documented. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were eligible for analysis. By intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis, the eradication rates were 77% and 79%, respectively, in the ranitidine bismuth citrate-amoxicillin-metronidazole group and 77% and 82%, respectively, in the omeprazole-amoxicillin-metronidazole group (P = 0.58 and P = 0.65). However, patients in the omeprazole-amoxicillin-metronidazole group reported a significantly higher incidence of minor side-effects when compared to those in the ranitidine bismuth citrate-amoxicillin-metronidazole group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ranitidine bismuth citrate-amoxicillin-metronidazole was equally as effective as omeprazole-amoxicillin-metronidazole triple therapy, and may be considered as an alternative non-clarithromycin-based regimen in the Chinese population.

Double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study of four weeks of lansoprazole for the treatment of functional dyspepsia in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of functional dyspepsia is controversial and the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in functional dyspepsia is uncertain. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of different doses of lansoprazole for the treatment of functional dyspepsia in Chinese patients. METHOD: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of functional dyspepsia according to the Rome II criteria and normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited and randomised to receive: (1) lansoprazole 30 mg, (2) lansoprazole 15 mg, or (3) placebo, all given daily for four weeks. Dyspepsia symptom scores and quality of life (SF-36 score) were evaluated before and four weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 453 patients were randomised. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with complete symptom relief in the lansoprazole 30 mg (23%) and lansoprazole 15 mg (23%) groups compared with the placebo group (30%). The proportion of H pylori positive patients with a complete response was similar with lansoprazole 30 mg (34%) and lansoprazole 15 mg (20%) versus placebo (22%). All symptom subgroups (ulcer-like, dysmotility-like, reflux-like, and unspecified dyspepsia) had similar proportions of patients with complete symptom relief after treatment. CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitor treatment is not superior to placebo for the management of functional dyspepsia in Chinese patients.

Day-case inguinal herniotomy in Chinese children: retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of day-case procedures performed for inguinal hernia or hernia-hydrocele complex in Chinese children. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Day Surgery Centre of a district hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Medical records of 255 consecutive paediatric patients admitted to the Day Surgery Centre for inguinal herniotomy between July 1993 and December 1997 were reviewed. A telephone survey was conducted to assess any long-term morbidity relating to the operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, success of day-case herniotomy, short-term and long-term morbidity. RESULTS: There were 230 boys and 25 girls with a mean age of 8.8 years (range, 3 months to 18 years). Seven patients had bilateral herniotomy for bilateral hernia and 14 had circumcision for co-existing phimosis. Eight boys developed recurrence and three had a contralateral inguinal hernia. Postoperative ascent of the testis occurred in three patients, one of whom required orchidopexy. The unplanned admission rate was 1.6%, all for poor pain control. There were four herniotomy wound complications (two haematomas and two infections) and two circumcision wound haemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS: Day-case inguinal herniotomy is safe and acceptable to Chinese children. Given these satisfactory results, paediatric patients with inguinal hernia can be safely managed with ambulatory surgery performed by suitably experienced surgeons.

The influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: to investigate the influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass operations performed in Chinese patients with critical limb ischaemia. METHODS: we prospectively studied the results of 191 consecutive infrainguinal bypass operations (98 men, 93 women) for critical lower limb ischaemia in Chinese patients. RESULTS: the women were older than men (median 75 vs 70 years, p=0.001) and cigarette smoking was commoner in men (83% vs 37% p<0.001). The calibre of run-off arteries at the level of distal anastomosis was smaller in women (median 2.5 mm vs 2.0 mm, p=0.03). The 30-day mortality was 3% (five men vs one woman, p=0.09) and early graft failure occurred in 19 patients (12 women vs seven men, p=0.28). At 3 months limb loss occurred in 16 (10 women vs six men, p=0.35) patients. Survival (38% vs 60% at 4 years, p=0.12) was similar in men and women. However, women suffered from poorer primary (33% vs 49% at 3 years, p=0.03) secondary graft patency rates (35% vs 64% at 3 years, p=0.02) than men. Limb survival rate in two groups (75% vs 85% at 4 years, p=0.18) was comparable. CONCLUSION: following infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia, early results were similar in both gender groups. In the long-term, women patients suffered from significantly higher graft failure rate. However, their long-term survival and limb salvage rate remained comparable to those of men.

Rabeprazole-based 3-day and 7-day triple therapy vs. omeprazole-based 7-day triple therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Rabeprazole is a new proton pump inhibitor with more potent acid suppressive and anti-Helicobacter effects. AIM: To compare two different regimens of rabeprazole-based triple therapy vs. 7-day omeprazole-based triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. METHOD: Patients with proven H. pylori infection were randomized to receive: (i) 7-day rabeprazole, 10 mg, amoxicillin, 1000 mg, and clarithromycin, 500 mg, all twice daily; (ii) 3-day rabeprazole, 20 mg, amoxicillin, 1000 mg, and clarithromycin, 500 mg, all twice daily; or (iii) 7-day omeprazole, 20 mg, amoxicillin, 1000 mg, and clarithromycin, 500 mg, all twice daily. Endoscopy (CLO test, histology) was performed before randomization and 6 weeks after drug treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-three patients were randomized. H. pylori eradication rates (intention-to-treat, n=173/per protocol, n=167) were 88%/91% for 7-day rabeprazole-based therapy, 72%/72% for 3-day rabeprazole-based therapy and 82%/89% for 7-day omeprazole-based therapy, respectively. The per protocol eradication rate was significantly better in the 7-day rabeprazole-based therapy and 7-day omeprazole-based therapy groups when compared to the 3-day rabeprazole-based therapy group (P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively). Compliance was excellent and all three regimens were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of seven-day rabeprazole-based triple therapy is similar to 7-day omeprazole-based triple therapy for the eradication of H. pylori infection.

Diagnostic accuracy of vacuum-assisted biopsy device for image-detected breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: Non-palpable breast lesions present diagnostic difficulties. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a common method used to obtain a diagnosis, but FNAC is frequently inconclusive or insufficiently accurate. Recently a vacuum-assisted biopsy device (Mammotome, Ethicon, Endo-surgery, USA) has been introduced. The diagnostic accuracy of this biopsy device was assessed for lesions that were visible on ultrasound. METHODS: Fifty ultrasound-guided mammotome biopsies were performed. All were small breast lesions primarily detected by ultrasound. All received FNAC as initial assessment. Mammotome biopsy was performed whenever the breast lesion was considered indeterminate or if it was considered benign and there were associated risk factors such as a family history of breast cancer. RESULTS: Of 50 mammotome biopsies 45 had benign histology. Three of 45 lesions were excised at the patients' request and were confirmed to be benign. The remaining 42 patients received an ultrasound follow up at 6 months. The lesion size remained static in 39 patients. In three patients the lesion size increased and they were excised and histology was benign. For the four malignancies diagnosed with mammotome biopsy, three patients received definitive treatment and one patient defaulted. There was one failed mammotome biopsy in the present series. CONCLUSIONS: Mammotome biopsy is an acceptable diagnostic method for small breast lesions seen on ultrasound. It reduces the need for open biopsy without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

The impact of mastectomy, breast-conserving treatment and immediate breast reconstruction on the quality of life of Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: The psychosocial impact of breast surgery has been extensively studied in the Western population. There is a relative paucity of comparable data in Oriental women who are increasingly affected by cancer of the breast. The present study investigates the effects that different types of breast surgery have on the quality of life of Chinese women. METHODS: Forty-nine Chinese women with early breast cancer were interviewed at 6 months-2 years following their primary surgery (breast-conserving treatment (BCT, 17 patients), mastectomy (15 patients) and mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (17 patients)). Aspects of quality of life measured included general psychological well-being, body image, sexual functioning and social functioning. RESULTS: Patients who received BCT had significantly better body image scores compared to mastectomy patients. They were less worried about their appearance, had more freedom in the choice of clothing, felt less upset by the change in their body and felt more accepted by their partners. The three groups did not differ significantly in the other aspects of quality of life measured. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to mastectomy or mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, the most significant benefit of BCT is the preservation of a better body image.

Spontaneous intramural hematoma of stomach.

BACKGROUND: Intramural hematoma occurs uncommonly in the gastrointestinal tract and very rarely in the stomach. In case of a spontaneous gastric hematoma, the few previously reported patients all had certain predisposing factors. However, truly spontaneous intramural hematoma of the stomach without an identifiable cause has not been reported before. METHOD: Emergency total gastrectomy was performed in a 49-year-old man with such pathology and the diagnosis was made postoperatively. RESULTS: The patient required further laparotomy on day 10 for drainage and debridement of a subphrenic abscess. He recovered uneventfully from the second operation. After an extensive pathological search, no predisposing factors could be found. The patient remains in good health 18 months after the operations. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous intramural gastric hematoma is extremely rare. But even rarer is when predisposing conditions or lesions are absent.