A randomized study to assess the efficacy of herbal product to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and antioxidant activity of an herbal product that made from multiple plants in a rat model of kidney dysfunction induced by intraperitoneal cisplatin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into four different groups namely: Group 1 - control healthy animals without any specific medication, Group 2 - Herbal product only 5 mg/kg, Group 3 - cisplatin only and Group 4 - Herbal product 5 mg/kg + cisplatin. RESULTS: Evaluation of our findings demonstrated a significant (p = 0.017) reduction in Catalase activities and a significant increase (p = 0.001) in renal tissue Malondialdehyde levels in cisplatin- treated rats when compared with the control group. Also, Glutathion and Glutathione peroxidase content revealed significant (p = 0.031) reduction in renal tissues of cisplatintreated rats compared with the control group. Pre-treatment of rats with the herbal product ameliorated these cisplatininduced changes of the antioxidant enzymes. No statistically significant changes were demonstrated in Superoxide dismutase activities in the tissue specimens of any group. CONCLUSIONS: This potent antioxidant herbal medicine was found to have potential antioxidant activity, which may in turn to be effective in the protection of kidney tissue resulting from cisplatin application. Therefore, much attention should be given to the possible role of natural dietary antioxidants for protecting the kidney.

Does Transient Cessation of Antiplatelet Medication Prior to Shock Wave Lithotripsy Have Any Safety Concern: Evaluation of the Short Term Safety Results.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the true safety of transient cessation of the antiplatelet medication before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on bleeding-related complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty cases undergoing SWL for renal pelvic stones were included and depending on the use of antiplatelet medication they were divided into 2 groups namely: group 1, cases under antiplatelet medication in whom the medication was stopped before ESWL; and group 2, cases without any antiplatelet medication. Comparative evaluation of patient, stone and treatment-related parameters were done in both groups. RESULTS: Although microscopic hematuria was present in all cases, the incidence of macroscopic hematuria was higher in cases undergoing antiplatelet medication when compared with the other cases. Regarding the microscopic hematuria again, the mean number erythrocytes per field of analysis was significantly higher in group 1 cases. The mean value of the hematoma size was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that SWL can be applied safely in patients under antiplatelet therapy following the cessation of medication for a certain period of time. However, among the cases treated with this concept in our study, we clearly observed that the incidence of procedure-related hematoma formation and macroscopic hematuria were more common in such cases than in the normal ones.

Ureteral wall thickness at the impacted ureteral stone site: a critical predictor for success rates after SWL.

The aim of the study was to determine the possible predictive value of certain patient- and stone-related factors on the stone-free rates and auxiliary procedures after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with impacted proximal ureteral calculi. A total of 111 patients (86 male, 25 females M/F: 3.44/1) with impacted proximal ureteral stones treated with shock wave lithotripsy were evaluated. Cases were retrieved from a departmental shock wave lithotripsy database. Variables analyzed included BMI of the case, diameter of proximal ureter and renal pelvis, stone size and Hounsfield unit, ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site. Stone-free status on follow-up imaging at 3 months was considered a successful outcome. All patients had a single impacted proximal ureteral stone. While the mean age of the cases was 46 ± 13 years (range 26-79 years), mean stone size was 8.95 mm (5.3-15.1 mm). Following shock wave lithotripsy although 87 patients (78.4%) were completely stone-free at 3-month follow-up visit, 24 (21.6%) cases had residual fragments requiring further repeat procedures. Prediction of the final outcome of SWL in patients with impacted proximal ureteral stones is a challenging issue and our data did clearly indicate a highly significant relationship between ureteral wall thickness and the success rates of shock wave lithotripsy particularly in cases requiring additional procedures. Of all the evaluated stone- and patient-related factors, only ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site independently predicted shock wave lithotripsy success.

The use of suprapubic cystoscopy in perineal urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior urethral strictures are difficult cases to treat for urologists. Anastomotic open urethroplasty is the major surgical treatment option, and various modifications/manipulations to the procedure have been recommended in the literature. We aimed to assess the advantages of performing antegrade endoscopy through the suprapubic cystostomy tract during perineal urethroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six perineal urethroplasties combined with suprapubic cystoscopy were performed in 33 adult male patients between 2005 and 2011. Pre-and peri-operative records of the patients were evaluated, with a particular focus on suprapubic cystoscopy findings during urethroplasty. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 41 years, and the mean lesion length was 2.6 cm (range 1-10 cm). Lesions were secondary to pelvic trauma in 21 patients, to a history of prostatic surgery in 8 patients, and to other miscellaneous causes in the 4 remaining patients. In 23 cases with normal bladder necks, the anastomosis was created under the guidance of antegrade cystoscopy with fluoroscopy. In 10 cases, stiff guide wires or paddles were used in addition to endoscopic light to identify the correct anastomosis site. In two procedures, fistula openings were identified during endoscopy, and fistula repair was performed along with anastomosis. In one case involving the longest lesion with involvement of the bladder neck, a combined perineal-transpubic urethroplasty was performed. The mean follow up duration was 19 (3-38) months. The overall success rate was 91%, and the re-operation rate was 9%. CONCLUSION: Suprapubic cystoscopy is an easy-to-perform adjunctive modality in perineal urethroplasty. This method provides the benefits of supplementary endoscopic findings and feasibility of certain maneuvers that facilitate debridement and anastomosis formation concurrent with perineal urethroplasty.

Fragmentation without extraction in ureteral stones: outcomes of 238 cases.

We aimed to evaluate the success rates, auxiliary procedures and complications after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) during which the fragments left in situ for spontaneous passage after complete disintegration into a acceptable (<4 mm) size. 238 patients with ureteral stones were treated with URS between 2005 and 2011, and disintegrated fragments (<4 mm) were left in situ for spontaneous passage. Patients were followed with radiography for 3 months and evaluated with respect to the success rates (stone-free), auxiliary procedures, complication rates and additional analgesic requirement. The median age was 42.2 ± 13.7 years, and overall stone size was 8.79 ± 2.94 mm. Significantly lower rate of stone-free status was achieved in proximal stones (p < 0.05). A second URS was necessary in 5% (n = 12) of the patients. Double-J catheter placement during initial URS did not cause any change in the rate of secondary URS (p = 0.620). Additional oral or intramuscular analgesia was required in 41% (n = 97) and 25% (n = 59) of the patients, respectively, after discharge. The overall stone-free rate was 95% and mean time to complete clearance was 5 days. Severe colic pain within 24 h was noted in 21 (9%), and transient hydro-ureteronephrosis in 31 (13%) patients, as minor complications. Leaving the fragments (<4 mm) in place for spontaneous passage following a successful disintegration in URS could be a reasonable approach with acceptable and comparable stone-free rates, and this approach appears to give chance of shortening the duration of operation and also avoiding from the potential morbidity of repeated manipulations during the both further disintegration and extraction.