Preservación de la función eréctil tras la uretroplastia: ¿escisión y anastomosis primaria o injerto de mucosa oral? / The best method for erection function in urethroplasty; is excision and primary anastomosis or buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty?

Introducción El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar y comparar la función eréctil (FE) tras la uretroplastia por escisión y anastomosis primaria (UEAP) y la uretroplastia con injerto de mucosa oral (UIMO) en la estenosis de uretra bulbar. Métodos Se identificó retrospectivamente a los pacientes tratados mediante uretroplastia. Se determinaron como criterios de inclusión en el estudio la edad entre 18 y 70 años y ser sexualmente activo. Los criterios de exclusión fueron la disfunción eréctil grave preoperatoria, estenosis distinta de la uretra bulbar, incompatibilidad psicosocial, estenosis uretral relacionada con fractura pélvica y tiempo de seguimiento inferior a un año. Como criterio de valoración primario, se utilizó el International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) para la comparación de la FE en el preoperatorio y en el 3.°, 6.° y 12.° mes tras la intervención quirúrgica. El criterio de valoración secundario fue el efecto de los datos demográficos, las características de la estenosis y del tratamiento sobre la FE. Resultados Tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se identificó a 50 pacientes. De ellos, 30 fueron tratados mediante UEAP y 20 mediante UIMO. Al 3.er mes de la intervención, la FE mostró una disminución estadísticamente significativa en el grupo UEAP. En ambos grupos de pacientes se observó una mejoría de los efectos negativos postoperatorios sobre la EF en el 6.° mes, que recuperaron su nivel basal a los 12 meses. Conclusión Las técnicas UEAP y UIMO tienen un efecto similar sobre la FE a medio y largo plazo y ambas pueden utilizarse con seguridad y eficacia en el grupo de pacientes adecuado. (AU)

Introduction The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare erection function (EF) after excision and primary anastomosis urethroplasty (EPAU) and buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) in bulbar urethral stricture. Methods Patients who underwent urethroplasty were identified retrospectively. The criteria for inclusion in the study were determined as being over 18 years old and under 70 years old, being sexually active. Exclusion criteria are: preoperative severe erectile dysfunction, stricture outside the bulbar urethra, psychosocial incompatibility, urethral stricture related to pelvic fracture, follow-up time less than a year. As the primary endpoint, the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was determined as a comparison of EF in the preoperative and 3rd, 6th and 12th months after surgery. The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of the effects of demographic data, stricture and treatment characteristics on EF. Results Fifty patients were identified considering the inclusion/exclusion criteria. It was observed that there were 30 patients who underwent EPAU and 20 patients who underwent BMGU. At the third month after surgery, EF showed a statistically significant decrease in the EPAU group. In both patient groups, it was observed that the early negative effects after the operation in EF started to improve in the 6th month and returned to the baseline level by the first year. Conclusion EPAU and BMGU techniques have a similar effect on EF in the medium and long term. Both methods can be used safely and effectively in the appropriate patient group. (AU)

The best method for erection function in urethroplasty; is excision and primary anastomosis or buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare erection function (EF) after Excision and Primary Anastomosis Urethroplasty (EPAU) and Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty (BMGU) in bulbar urethral stricture. METHODS: Patients who underwent urethroplasty were identified retrospectively. The criteria for inclusion in the study were determined as being over 18 years old and under 70 years old, being sexually active. Exclusion criteria are; preoperative severe erectile dysfunction, stricture outside the bulbar urethra, psychosocial incompatibility, urethral stricture related to pelvic fracture, follow-up time less than a year. As the primary endpoint, the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was determined as a comparison of EF in the preoperative and third, sixth and twelfth months after surgery. The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of the effects of demographic data, stricture and treatment characteristics on EF. RESULTS: Fifty patients were identified considering the inclusion/exclusion criteria. It was observed that there were 30 patients who underwent EPAU and 20 patients who underwent BMGU. At the third month after surgery, EF showed a statistically significant decrease in the EPAU group. In both patient groups, it was observed that the early negative effects after the operation in EF started to improve in the sixth month and returned to the baseline level by the first year. CONCLUSION: EPAU and BMGU techniques have a similar effect on EF in the medium and long term. Both methods can be used safely and effectively in the appropriate patient group.

A trifunctional contraceptive gel enhances the safety and quality of sexual intercourse.

Current contraceptive methods come with a number of drawbacks, including low efficacy, in the case of commercial contraceptive gels, and a reduction in the quality of sexual intercourse, in the case of condoms. Adding pharmacologically-active agents to contraceptive gels holds the potential to improve sexual experience, and hardbor safety and hygiene. In this study, we fabricated a Carbomer-based contraceptive gel consisting of three agents: tenofovir, gossypol acetate, and nitroglycerin (TGN), with pH adjusted to 4.5 (to be compatible with the vagina). In vitro, the gossypol component of the contraceptive gel proved to be a significantly effective spermicide. When the concentration of gossypol acetate was 10 mg/ml, the spermicidal ability reached 100% after 30s. In addition, tenofovir in the gel significantly inhibited lentiviral transfection efficiency in cell-containing media. In 6 pairs of rats, the gel successfully prevented all females from conceiving after successful mating. Moreover, increased sexual frequency and enhanced erection, which were promoted by the nitroglycerin in the components, were observed in male rats that had the gel applied to their penises. This novel TGN contraceptive gel yielded a higher contraceptive success rate than that of the commercial contraceptive gel (Contragel®). In addition, it has the added benefits to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and improve male libido and erection function during sexual intercourse. Combining three FDA-approved and marketed agents together, our trifunctional TGN gel has a great potential for further translation and commercialization.

Serum vitamin D levels and erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Suboptimal levels of serum vitamin D levels have been implied to be associated with cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction, conditions closely associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the vitamin D levels in subjects with ED compared to controls and the 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) score in subjects with vitamin D deficiency compared to those without vitamin D deficiency in order to elucidate the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of ED. Studies evaluating the possible association between vitamin D levels and ED were initially screened and thus included following electronic literature search of database Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE and MEDLINE. Essential article information including outcome measures was extracted from the qualified studies by two independent authors, and STATA 12.0 software was used conducted the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted by vitamin D detection methods and sample size. The standard mean difference (SMD) as well as the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was applied to estimate the outcome measures. A total of seven articles were included in our meta-analysis with a total of 4,132 subjects. Pooled estimate was in favour of increased vitamin D levels in subjects without ED with a SMD of 3.027 ng/ml, 95%CI 2.290-3.314, p = 0.000. However, subgroup analysis showed an opposite trend, after one study with a sample size over 1,000 that could possibly influence the weight balance was excluded, with a SMD of 0.267, 95%CI -0.052 to 0.585, p = 0.101. We also identified about 0.320 higher in IIEF-5 score (95%CI = 0.146-0.494, p = 0.000) in subjects without vitamin D deficiency versus with vitamin D deficiency. Nevertheless, subgroup analysis based on vitamin D detection methods obtained differential results (radioimmunoassay subgroup, SMD(95%CI) = 0.573 (0.275-0.870), p = 0.000; immunoassay subgroup, SMD(95%CI) = 0.189 (-0.025 to 0.404), p = 0.084). In conclusion, results from the present meta-analysis did not provide a strong relationship between vitamin D and the risk of ED. However, the results should be interpreted with caution and more high quality studies are warranted.