The final stage of the laparoscopic procedure: exploring final steps.

Despite significant advances in laparoscopic technique and technologies, laparoscopic Urologic surgery remains technically demanding regarding various surgical steps including the challenge of specimen retrieval and extraction, whether to install a drainage system and the best option for wound closure. Laparoscopic specimen entrapment and extraction occurs at what is falsely considered the ″end of the procedure″. During open surgery, after the specimen has been mobilized, the specimen is simply lifted out of the larger incision which has been made to achieve the surgical objectives. In contrast, significant laparoscopic skill is required to entrapand safely extract laparoscopic specimens. Indeed, the Urologist and surgical team which are transitioning from open surgery may disregard this important part of the procedure which may lead to significant morbidity. As such, it is imperative that during laparoscopic procedures, the ″end of the procedure″ be strictly defined as the termination of skin closure and dressing placement. Taking a few minutes to focus on safe specimen entrapment and extraction will substantially reduce major morbidity. The following review focus on the technology and technique of specimen entrapment and extraction, on the matter of whether to install a drainage system of the abdominal cavity and the options for adequate closure of trocar site wounds. This article 's primary objectives are to focus on how to minimize morbidity while maintain the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach.

The final stage of the laparoscopic procedure: exploring final steps

Despite significant advances in laparoscopic technique and technologies, laparoscopic Urologic surgery remains technically demanding regarding various surgical steps including the challenge of specimen retrieval and extraction, whether to install a drainage system and the best option for wound closure. Laparoscopic specimen entrapment and extraction occurs at what is falsely considered the "end of the procedure". During open surgery, after the specimen has been mobilized, the specimen is simply lifted out of the larger incision which has been made to achieve the surgical objectives. In contrast, significant laparoscopic skill is required to entrap and safely extract laparoscopic specimens. Indeed, the Urologist and surgical team which are transitioning from open surgery may disregard this important part of the procedure which may lead to significant morbidity. As such, it is imperative that during laparoscopic procedures, the "end of the procedure" be strictly defined as the termination of skin closure and dressing placement. Taking a few minutes to focus on safe specimen entrapment and extraction will substantially reduce major morbidity. The following review focus on the technology and technique of specimen entrapment and extraction, on the matter of whether to install a drainage system of the abdominal cavity and the options for adequate closure of trocar site wounds. This article's primary objectives are to focus on how to minimize morbidity while maintain the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Contemporary applications and limitations of magnetic resonance imaging contrast materials.

PURPOSE: Improvements in imaging technologies have dramatically increased the ability to accurately diagnose and treat many urological disease processes. As urological patients often have chronic kidney disease, the well characterized nephrotoxicity of contrast induced nephropathy when using iodine based contrast materials has long been a concern. With the development of gadolinium based contrast agents it seemed that the concern regarding nephrotoxicity had been resolved. In 1997 a new disorder, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, appeared in patients with severe renal failure. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a serious and potentially devastating disorder characterized by progressive thickening and hardening of the skin and other body tissues, and complicated by flexion contractures of the joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a survey of the available literature on nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and magnetic resonance contrast media. We focused on mechanisms in the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis as well as its association with magnetic resonance contrast media, disease treatment and prevention, and its relevance to clinical urology. RESULTS: An association between nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium based contrast agents has been reported. Gadolinium is a toxic metal and it must be chelated to be a safe injectable contrast agent. It is now hypothesized that the majority of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis cases present with gadolinium based contrast agent exposure as the triggering factor, although this mechanism has not been elucidated. As gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool in the diagnosis and surveillance of urological diseases, the severe consequences of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis demand that practicing urologists understand and know its history and treatment strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides clarification of the gadolinium based contrast agent characteristics, tissue interactions that lead to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, prevention possibilities and available treatment options.

Where next for the endoscope?

The concept of examining the body's interior and its organs dates back to ancient times. The roots of modern endoscopy lie in early nineteenth century Europe, and the intervening centuries have seen a steady evolution of devices and techniques. Nowadays, a wide variety of urinary tract disorders are successfully managed in a minimally invasive manner thanks to the endoscope and related technologies. Distal-sensor, 'digital', endoscopes have the potential to revolutionize the field, and change the way in which we use and think about endoscopy. Virtual endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and a range of other techniques derived from physics and molecular biology all promise great improvements in visualization of the urinary tract and other urologic structures. Ultimately, the continued improvement of these minimally invasive technologies will enhance the quality of care that we can offer our patients.

[Autologous versus synthetic sling procedure: success rate and bladder outlet obstruction rates]. / Procedimiento cabestrillo autólogo versus sintético: tasa de éxito y frecuencia de obstrucción del tracto urinario inferior.

OBJECTIVES: Voiding dysfunction and urinary retention were frequent complications of sling. More recently synthetic supplies such as polypropylene mesh have been included in the armamentarium for sub urethral support. METHODS: A prospective non randomized study was conducted. Sling procedure was performed in 436 consecutive patients with SUI. Patients were divided in groups according to mesh type, being 210 on autologous and 226 on synthetic. Patients were surveyed on voiding condition, continence and satisfaction. Surgical results were assessed according to Blaivas classification. Results were considered significant p<0.05. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 48.4 years. Mean operative time for autologous sling was of 107.6 min versus 20.6 min for synthetic. Mean hospitalization was 36h on autologous versus 24h on synthetic and mean follow up was 25 months. We found 87.1% and 92.9% of patients continent in autologous and synthetic group, respectively. Failure was presented by 7% in autologous and 4.8% in synthetic group (p=0.1961). The global rate of BOO was of 4.5% (20/436), when analysed by groups we found on autologous a rate of 8.5% (18/210), compared to 0.9% on synthetics (2/226) (p=0.000126). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous and synthetic slings presented comparable success rates, however BOO was more common among patients treated by autologous slings.

Evaluation of bladder insufflants for transurethral cryoablation of the bladder.

OBJECTIVES: To compare helium and carbon dioxide gas insufflation for the creation of pneumocystis during bladder cryoablation in an effort to optimize the technique. METHODS: Nine pigs were divided into 3 groups. The pigs in groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent bladder cryoablation in a normal saline, carbon dioxide gas, and helium gas environment, respectively. Each group underwent 2 freeze-thaw cycles of the bladder dome. The bladder pressure measurements were recorded every 5 seconds throughout the cryoablation procedure. Bladder integrity was evaluated with both cystoscopic and laparoscopic visualization. All pigs were killed at the completion of the procedure, and the bladders were harvested for histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: All 9 pigs successfully underwent bladder wall cryoablation. Bladder integrity was maintained in all 6 pigs in groups 1 and 3. In group 2, 2 bladder ruptures were documented. All group 2 pigs had a significantly increased bladder pressure during the 2 thaw cycles of the cryoablation procedure, with the peak pressure >70-100 mm Hg before venting of the excess carbon dioxide gas. No intervention was required to stabilize the bladder pressure in groups 1 and 3. The average change in pressure per 5-second interval during both thaw cycles for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.16, 6.96, and 0.42 mm Hg/s, respectively (P = .0003). Group 3 showed mild hemorrhage on histologic examination. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of pneumocystis with helium gas reduces sublimation and eliminates the problems of rapidly fluctuating bladder pressures and decreased visibility previously noted with carbon dioxide gas during bladder cryoablation.

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence and clinical relevance of autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid antibodies in 524 patients with SLE. METHODS: The medical charts of SLE patients followed in our rheumatology unit were reviewed to determine the prevalence and clinical associations of autoimmune thyroid disease. These findings were compared with the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in 50 female adults. Chi(2) tests and Fisher exact tests were used in the comparison of the groups for the categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U test for the continuous variables. Spearman rank correlation was used to identify an association between thyroid symptoms and disease activity. RESULTS: Symptomatic autoimmune thyroid disease was observed in 32 of 524 (6.1%) SLE patients and in 1 of 50 controls (P > 0.05), predominantly hypothyroidism (28 SLE patients vs. in 1 control). Subclinical thyroid disease was identified in 60 (11.5%) and positive thyroid autoantibodies in the absence of thyroid disease in 89 of 524 (17%) SLE patients. Thyroid autoantibodies preceded the occurrence of clinical autoimmune thyroid disease in 70% of SLE patients. Sjögren syndrome (P = 0.001) and positive rheumatoid factor (P = 0.04) were more frequently observed in SLE patients with autoimmune thyroid disease when compared with SLE patients without autoimmune thyroid disease. Disease activity of the SLE was correlated with the presence of symptoms of hyperthyroidism (r = 0.4; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Our patients with SLE had a high prevalence of symptomatic and significantly more subclinical hypothyroidism and positive thyroid autoantibodies. Thyroid autoantibodies may precede the appearance of clinical autoimmune disease. Sjögren syndrome and positive rheumatoid factors were more frequently observed in SLE patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. We believe that, since symptoms of SLE and thyroid disease can be similar, that SLE patients should routinely been investigated for autoimmune thyroid disease.

Procedimiento Cabestrillo Autólogo versus Sintético: Tasa de éxito y frecuencia de obstrucción del tracto urinario inferior / Autologous versus Synthetic sling procedure: Success rate and bladder outlet obstruction rates

Introducción: Disfunción en el vaciamiento y retención urinaria son complicaciones frecuentes del cabestrillo. Recientemente se han incluido en el arsenal para el soporte sub-uretral, suministros sintéticos tales como la malla de polipropilenol. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un Estudio prospectivo no aleatorizado. El procedimiento cabestrillo se realizó en 436 pacientes consecutivos con IUE (Incontinencia Urinaria de Esfuerzo). Las pacientes fueron divididas en grupos según el tipo de malla, en autólogos 210 y 226 sintéticos. Las pacientes fueron evaluadas en cuanto a condición de vaciamiento, continencia y satisfacción. Los resultados quirúrgicos fueron evaluados en función de la clasificación de Blaivas. Se consideró significativo p<0,05. Resultados: La media de edad fue 48,4 años. El tiempo medio operatorio para los Cabestrillo autólogos fue de 107,6 minutos frente a 20,6 min para el sintético. El promedio de hospitalización fue de 36 horas para autólogos frente a 24 horas para los sintéticos y la media de seguimiento fue de 25 meses. Se encontró 87,1% y 92,9% de las pacientes continentes en los grupos autólogos y sintéticos, respectivamente. Fallo en el procedimiento se presentó en un 7% en el grupo autólogo y 4,8% en el sintético (p=0,1961). La tasa global de obstrucción del tracto urinario inferior fue de 4,5% (20/436), cuando se analizó por grupos, encontramos en el grupo autólogo una tasa de 8,5% (18/210), en comparación con el 0,9% en el grupo sintético (2/226) (p=0,000126).Conclusiones: Cabestrillos autólogos y sintéticos presentan las tasas de éxito comparables, sin embargo la obstrucción del tracto urinario inferior fue más común entre las pacientes tratadas con fascias autólogas (AU)

Objectives: Voiding dysfunction and urinary retention were frequent complications of sling. More recently synthetic supplies such as polypropylene mesh have been included in the armamentarium for sub urethral support. Methods: A prospective non randomized study was conducted. Sling procedure was performed in 436 consecutive patients with SUI. Patients were divided in groups according to mesh type, being 210 on autologous and 226 on synthetic. Patients were surveyed on voiding condition, continence and satisfaction. Surgical results were assessed according to Blaivas classification. Results were considered significant p<0.05.Results: Mean patient age was 48,4years. Mean operative time for autologous sling was of 107,6 min versus 20,6min for synthetic. Mean hospitalization was 36h on autologous versus 24h on synthetic and mean follow up was 25 months. We found87,1% and 92,9% of patients continent in autologous and synthetic group, respectively. Failure was presented by 7% in autologous and 4,8 % in synthetic group (p=0.1961). The global rate of BOO was of 4,5 % (20/436), when analysed by groups we found on autologous a rate of 8.5% (18/210), compared to 0.9% on synthetics (2/226) (p=0.000126).Conclusions: Autologous and synthetic slings presented comparable success rates, however BOO was more common among patients treated by autologous slings (AU)

Pilot study evaluating ureteric physiological changes with a novel 'ribbon stent' design using electromyographic and giant magnetoresistive sensors.

OBJECTIVE: To test a novel 'ribbon stent' (RS) design using an extraluminal bipolar electromyographic (EMG) and giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor system to characterize ureteric responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 11 female domestic pigs were divided into three groups to evaluate ureteric physiology: group 1 (two pigs) with an unstented ureter, group 2 (three) with a standard 6 F ureteric stent, and group 3 (six) with the RS. For all groups EMG/GMR evaluation was performed at baseline, immediately after stenting, and at 3 and 7 days after stenting. All pigs underwent standardized retrograde ureteropyelogram evaluation at these time points, and after the final evaluation the pigs were killed and the urinary tract was harvested for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: One stent in group 3 could not be deployed due to a problem with ureteric access. For groups 1, 2 and 3 the ureteric peristaltic activity was 109, 63, 72 events/h at baseline (P = 0.49); 61, 70, and 66 events/h immediately after stenting (P = 0.97); 66, 0, 8 events/h at 3 days after stenting (P = 0.002); and 61, 12, 0 events/h at 7 days after stenting, respectively (P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The RS was deployed easily and safely in the porcine model using a standard technique. As with a standard stent, there was significant ureteric dilation and decrease in peristalsis with the RS.

Urologic laser types and instrumentation / Tipos de láser en urología e instrumentos

Though the primary role of lasers in urology has always been in the treatment of urolithiasis, there are several other indications for their use. There are many different types of lasers currently available, each with unique properties conducive to treating certain disorders. As such, it is critical that today's urologist understands each laser's characteristics in order to optimize patient selection and treatment. The lasers which are primarily used in urologic applications include the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser; the Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG); the Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP) laser and the Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser. This review focuses on the unique characteristics of each of these lasers as well as the instrumentation needed utilize and deploy these tools in the urinary tract (AU)

Aunque el uso primario de láser en urología ha sido siempre el tratamiento de la litiasis, hay otras indicaciones para su utilización. Existen muchos tipos diferentes de láseres actualmente disponibles, cada uno de ellos con unas propiedades únicas que les permiten tratar ciertas enfermedades. Es crítico que el urólogo actual entienda las características de cada láser para optimizar la selección del paciente y el tratamiento. Los láseres utilizados primariamente en aplicaciones urológicas incluyen el láser de dióxido de carbono (CO2); el de Neodinio:Ytrio-Aluminio-granate (Nd:YAG); el láser de potasio titanilo y fosfato (KTP), y el de Holmio:YAG (Ho:YAG). Esta revisión está enfocada a las características únicas de cada uno de estos láseres, así como al instrumental necesario para utilizarlos en el aparato urinario (AU)

Urologic laser types and instrumentation.

Though the primary role of lasers in urology has always been in the treatment of urolithiasis, there are several other indications for their use. There are many different types of lasers currently available, each with unique properties conducive to treating certain disorders. As such, it is critical that today's urologist understands each laser's characteristics in order to optimize patient selection and treatment. The lasers which are primarily used in urologic applications include the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser; the Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG); the Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP) laser and the Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser. This review focuses on the unique characteristics of each of these lasers as well as the instrumentation needed utilize and deploy these tools in the urinary tract.