Correlates of urinary symptom scores in men.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the prevalence of urinary symptoms and their relationship to characteristics of a cohort of men in Beaver Dam, Wis, from 1993 to 1995. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire concerning urinary symptoms (the American Urological Association Urinary Symptom Questionnaire) was administered. RESULTS: All outcomes were associated with age and history of enlarged prostate. Urinary frequency (57%) and nocturia (65%) were the most common individual symptoms. Diuretic usage, diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, and smoking were related to specific symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: While urinary symptoms are associated with age and history of enlarged prostate, symptoms may also be attributable to other diseases and exposures.

Impact of drug therapy on benign prostatic hyperplasia-specific quality of life.

Quality of life (QOL) is an important issue when assessing medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are many QOL questionnaires available, and disease-specific questionnaires are being developed. Currently, most patients undergoing treatment for BPH receive alpha-blockers or finasteride. To determine which QOL measures are being used, we did a Medline search covering the past 10 years and found 11 studies in which BPH-QOL was investigated. The wide variety of questionnaires used made comparison between drug studies difficult. When comparing studies that used at least one similar questionnaire to that of another drug study, we found alpha-blocker treatment excelled over finasteride in improving BPH-QOL in the areas of earlier response, larger decreases in mean changes, and reduced sexual side effects. QOL assessment should be a routine part of BPH treatment, and more standardized and validated measures should be used to allow for comparative, meaningful analyses.

The effects of transurethral needle ablation and resection of the prostate on pressure flow urodynamic parameters: analysis of the United States randomized study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of transurethral needle ablation and prostate resection on pressure flow urodynamic parameters in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), compared symptomatic and objective parameters of efficacy 6 months after initial treatment, and determined whether urodynamic assessment may predict symptomatic improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 121 patients with clinical BPH, American Urological Association symptom index of 13 or greater and maximum urinary flow of 12 ml. per second or less in a randomized study comparing transurethral needle ablation to prostate resection at 7 institutions in the United States. Patients underwent baseline and followup assessments at 6 months, including pressure flow studies. RESULTS: Patients who underwent each procedure had statistically and clinically significant improvement in symptom index, BPH impact index and quality of life score. After needle ablation and prostate resection maximum flow improved from 8.8 to 13.5 (p<0.0001) and 8.8 to 20.8 ml. per second (p<0.0001), detrusor pressure at maximum flow decreased from 78.7 to 64.5 (p = 0.036) and 75.8 to 54.9 cm. water (p<0.001), and the Abrams-Griffiths number decreased from 61.2 to 37.2 (p<0.001) and 58.3 to 10.9 (p<0.001), respectively. At 6 months the differences in transurethral needle ablation and prostate resection were significant in terms of maximum flow (p<0.001) and the Abrams-Griffiths number (p<0.001) but not detrusor pressure at maximum flow or symptom assessment tools. The presence or absence of urinary obstruction at baseline did not predict the degree of symptomatic improvement in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral needle ablation and prostate resection induce statistically and clinically significant improvement in various quantitative symptom assessment questionnaires at 6 months. The parameters of free flow rates and invasive pressure flow studies also significantly improve after each treatment. However, transurethral prostate resection induces a significantly greater decrease in the parameters of obstruction. Baseline urodynamic parameters do not predict the degree of symptomatic improvement and they may not be helpful in patient selection for transurethral needle ablation.

Efficacy of finasteride is maintained in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated for 5 years. The North American Finasteride Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this open-label study extension was to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of finasteride in the treatment of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A Phase III North American BPH trial originally enrolled 895 men, 297 of whom were randomized to receive finasteride 5 mg. An enlarged prostate gland by digital rectal examination, symptoms of urinary obstruction, and a maximal urinary flow rate of less than 15 mL/s were required for entry. Patients who completed the initial 12-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were invited to participate in an open-label extension for 4 additional years. RESULTS: Of the 297 patients initially randomized to receive finasteride 5 mg, 259 completed 12 months in the double-blind period and 186 completed 48 months of open-label therapy. Prostate volume reached a nadir of -24.6% at month 24, and the effect was maintained through month 60. Compared with baseline values, month 60 prostate volume was decreased by 22.7% (P<0.001), the quasi-American Urological Association symptom score was decreased by 4.3 points, and maximal urinary flow was increased by 2.3 mL/s (P<0.001) on average. Finasteride was well tolerated, with no significant increase in the prevalence of sexual adverse events over time. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with finasteride 5 mg maintained an initial decrease in prostate volume and improvement in symptom score and maximal urinary flow rate over 5 years.

Variability in urinary flow rate and prostate volume: an investigation using the placebo arm of a drug trial.

PURPOSE: We analyzed a large data set to study reproducibility of peak urinary flow rates and prostate volumes in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal data were analyzed from 284 placebo treated patients in a double-blind, placebo controlled benign prostatic hyperplasia drug trial. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in mean maximum flow rate was seen in the initial 3 measurements, as well as after adjusting for voided volume and time between uroflows. The mean maximum flow rate increased from 8.61 to 9.36 ml. per second at measurement 4 (8.7%). Of the patients 43% had 2 consecutive prostate volume determinations within +/- 10%. Within patient variability accounted for 7% of total prostate volume variability. CONCLUSIONS: With subsequent voidings maximum flow rate increases in a large group of patients. At least 4 uroflows must be performed to reach a plateau for maximum flow rate. Explanations for this finding may be the increasing experience of the patient and regression to the mean. These findings may impact on comparison of large trials of treatment efficacy. Within patient variability of prostate volume is substantial and, in addition to measurement method and lack of reader blinding to time and patient identity, may be caused by other yet unknown factors.

Position-related changes in voiding dynamics in men.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate by urodynamic study position-related changes in uroflowmetry and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) in men because altered bladder function in the supine position may be a predisposing factor for urinary tract infections in the institutionalized elderly. METHODS: Two healthy men, 34 and 59 years of age and living at home, and 53 nursing home residents (mean age 71.8 years, range 46 to 92) were evaluated with uroflowmetry in the standing and recumbent positions (lying on the left or right side); corresponding PVRs were measured by transabdominal ultrasonic bladder scanning. The two healthy men were monitored longitudinally with multiple recordings in both voiding positions, and the nursing home residents were subjected to two observations: one measurement of the variable parameters in either position. Differences were considered to be significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The 34-year-old man performed 51 3 flows (368 standing and 145 recumbent). The mean of all the peak flow rates in the upright (28.2 +/- 4.2 mL/s) versus the recumbent (16.8 +/- 4.1 mL/s) position revealed a highly significant difference (P = 0.0001). Sixteen urinary flows and corresponding PVRs were completed by this subject in either voiding position. The difference between PVRs in the standing (13.1 +/- 14.7 mL) versus recumbent (15.3 +/- 17.5 mL) position was not statistically significant. The 59-year-old man completed 156 flows (128 standing and 28 recumbent). A highly significant difference was noted between the mean of all peak flows in the upright (18.9 +/- 4.1 mL/s) versus recumbent (12.6 +/- 2.0 mL/s) position (P = 0.0001). Thirty-seven urinary flows and corresponding PVRs were completed by this individual (10 PVRs were determined after voiding in the standing and 27 after voiding in the recumbent position). No significant difference was noted between PVRs in the standing (24.6 +/- 34.4 mL) versus recumbent (16.5 +/- 60.0 mL) position. In the nursing home residents, the difference between the mean peak flow rates in the standing (14.5 +/- 8.6 mL/s) versus recumbent (12.4 +/- 6.7 mL/s) position also reached statistical significance (P = 0.0084). The difference between PVRs in the standing (60.5 +/- 125.6 mL) versus recumbent (84.8 +/- 186.2 mL) position barely reached statistical significance (P = 0.0497). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary flow rate decreases in the recumbent position. Bedridden residents may be predisposed to urinary tract infections because of alterations in voiding dynamics in the supine position. This area needs further study.

A high-efficiency microwave thermoablation system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of a randomized, sham-controlled, prospective, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness, safety, and impact on patient quality of life (QOL) of a novel transurethral microwave thermoablation system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A total of 169 patients with BPH were randomized to undergo a 1-hour microwave (n = 125) or sham (n = 44) procedure using the Urologix Targis thermoablation system on an outpatient basis, without general or regional anesthesia. Symptoms, flow rates, and QOL scores were determined before the study procedure and periodically thereafter up to 6 months. RESULTS: Mean American Urological Association (AUA) score in the microwave group diminished 50% (P <0.0005) by the 6-month evaluation (10.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.2 to 11.8) compared with baseline values (20.8, 95% CI 19.8 to 21.9). The sham group also exhibited lower postprocedural AUA scores; however, the magnitude of the postprocedural decline in AUA score in the microwave group was significantly greater (P <0.01) than that in the sham group. Half the microwave group had an AUA score of less than 9 by 6 months, and the decrease in symptoms was similar among patients with initially moderate versus initially severe symptoms. Mean peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) in the microwave group increased 51% (P <0.0005) by 6 months to 11.8 mL/s (95% CI 10.7 to 13.0) versus a pretreatment value of 7.8 mL/s (95% CI 7.4 to 8.2). The magnitude of the postprocedural increase in Qmax was significantly greater in the microwave than the sham group (P <0.05). In nearly half the microwave group (47%), Qmax increased 50% or more by 6 months compared with 24% of the sham group. Microwave treatment resulted in a significantly greater (P <0.05) positive impact on patient QOL than did the sham procedure. By 6 months, the QOL score in microwave-treated patients (2.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.4) averaged 48% lower (P <0.0005) than that at baseline (4.2, 95% CI 4.0 to 4.4). Significantly greater durability of treatment effects was also evident with microwave than with sham treatment, as judged by the higher proportion of microwave-treated patients (98.4%) requiring no further treatment during the 6-month study period versus 83.3% of sham control patients (P <0.0005). Microwave treatment was well tolerated, and complications were generally minor, readily manageable, and transitory. CONCLUSIONS: The microwave thermoablation system proved to be an effective and safe treatment modality for BPH, with a positive impact on patient QOL.

5-year outcome of surgical resection and watchful waiting for men with moderately symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a Department of Veterans Affairs cooperative study.

PURPOSE: We determine outcomes after 5 years of followup for men who were randomized to receive transurethral resection or watchful waiting for moderate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 556 patients were evaluated up to 60 months after randomization providing 966 patient-years of followup for transurethral prostatic resection and 990 for watchful waiting. Patients randomized to watchful waiting were evaluated according to whether they remained on treatment or crossed over to surgery. Outcomes included treatment failure, a genitourinary symptom score, peak flow rate, post-void residual urine volume and the degree of bother from genitourinary symptoms. RESULTS: All outcomes were significantly better for transurethral prostatic resection than for watchful waiting. Treatment failure rates were 10% for transurethral prostatic resection versus 21% for watchful waiting (p = 0.0004). The crossover rate at 5 years was 36% and was positively associated with the degree of bother. Men with low pretreatment peak flow rates who were randomized to transurethral prostatic resection had 85% greater improvement in peak flow rate than comparable men who were randomized to watchful waiting and eventually crossed over to resection. However, after crossover, bother from genitourinary symptoms was similar to that of the resection group. CONCLUSIONS: For men with moderate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia transurethral prostatic resection has more favorable outcomes up to 5 years of followup compared to watchful waiting. While many men do well on watchful waiting, those who undergo transurethral prostatic resection after a trial of watchful waiting have less improvement in measures of bladder function than men randomized to resection, although there is no difference in serious adverse outcomes or bother from genitourinary symptoms.

Comprehensive patient evaluation for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

It is time to consider new approaches to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Previously, obstruction, prostatism, and hyperplasia of the prostate were considered to be almost synonymous. Today, there is increasing awareness that some men have hyperplasia, some have symptoms, and others obstruction. Currently, BPH is discussed in terms of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Symptom questionnaires, uroflowmetry, prostate volume determination, residual urine volume determination, and pressure-flow studies continue to be the instruments used for assessing BPH patients. Prostate enlargement, prostatic muscle tone, and bladder function all impact voiding function. A large part of BPH symptomatology may be explained by bladder dysfunction, which tends to be discounted in discussions about BPH. In the future, bladder dysfunction must receive more attention, and better measures should be developed to quantify it. Postvoid residual urine is a sign of abnormal bladder function rather than the result of BOO. However, variability limits the predictive value of residual urine volume. Uroflowmetry is also criticized for excessive variability, which is increased among men with LUTS secondary to BPH. Approximately 70% of men with uroflow < 15 mL/sec are obstructed, which means that at least 10 million men in the United States have BOO. Therefore, alleviation of obstruction would be a daunting and overwhelming task. It is still widely believed that prostatism is due to an enlarged prostate and can be cured by reducing the size of the prostate. Prostate volume can be used to select treatment, but it is not reasonable to decide whether to treat a patient with LUTS on the basis of prostate size. One of the problems with symptom-based treatment is that LUTS is not gender specific. Questions about LUTS in patients with BPH may elicit very inconsistent responses, and numeric improvement in symptom score is not proportional to how bothered the patient is. Bother, not symptom score or objective measures such as postvoid residual urine and uroflowmetry, is what drives the decision-making process in BPH management. The most recent international guidelines for BPH treatment emphasize that the degree to which the patient is bothered is more important than symptom score. More than a third of all elderly men (and women) have moderate or severe LUTS, and not all of them should receive treatment. In the future, measuring bother due to LUTS and impact on the patients' quality of life with the BPH impact should be imperative and central to treatment decisions.

Recent developments in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A new era in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has emerged in the past decade. A variety of less invasive treatment modalities have been introduced and well-established surgical treatments are being reassessed. Although progress has been made in the management of BPH, the substantial economic burden to the healthcare system caused by BPH emphasizes the importance of cost-effective treatment. Open prostatectomy is the most efficient BPH treatment for relieving symptoms and improving uroflow, but it is also the most invasive and morbid. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still the "gold standard" for treatment of BPH, but open prostatectomy has been reported to have a lower perioperative mortality than TURP, and low retreatment rates reduce the long-term cost. The morbidity associated with TURP, such as impotence or urinary incontinence, has been reduced in recent years while new features, such as performing TURP under local anesthesia and bipolar electrosurgical techniques, have been introduced. Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) is a recent modification of TURP that has rapidly gained popularity. TVP greatly reduces TURP syndrome, provides good hemostasis, and may reduce catheterization and hospitalization times. Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is another safe and inexpensive procedure that is well-documented and comparable to TURP in long-term efficacy. TUIP is an underused procedure with which the newer, less invasive treatments should be compared. Whereas the well-established surgical treatments primarily relieve obstruction by tissue ablation, some of the newer treatment modalities may ameliorate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with minimal urodynamic change. In some of the newer nonresection treatments, no major significant postoperative reduction in prostate volume can be demonstrated. Laser treatments are based on a broad variety of techniques, generators, and fibers, of which most have initially demonstrated promising results. Well-known techniques include visually laser-assisted prostatectomy (VLAP) and interstitial laser coagulation (ILC). The laser techniques are generally not as effective as TURP, but are safe under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis with low complication rates. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) and radiofrequency transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) are minimally invasive, safe new therapies. There is some evidence that the procedures create long-term, alpha-adrenoceptor-like blockade. Complications, except for transient catheterization in up to 40% of patients, may be practically nonexistent. The cost is difficult to estimate and the long-term outcome is still to be assessed. If the newer, less invasive treatment modalities provide stable long-term results and competitive costs, they will be tempting alternatives to prostate resections and may also challenge medical therapy.

Dog model for studying detrusor instability secondary to acutely induced variable bladder outlet obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Involuntary detrusor contractions often cause irritative symptoms such as urgency and incontinence. A dog model for acutely induced variable bladder outlet resistance was developed to investigate the possible role of prostatic afferent nerve fibers in the development and maintenance of detrusor instability. METHODS: Fifty-eight mongrel dogs (weight range 19.5-36.5 kg) were divided into five groups: group I (n = 11) had surgically induced bladder outlet obstruction. Group II (n = 14) had urinary obstruction and bilateral sectioning of the lowest branches of the pelvic plexus supplying the prostate. Group III (n = 10) had prostate denervation only. Groups IV (n = 10) and V (n = 13) were sham-operated and controls, respectively. In the obstructed groups (I and II), an artificial urinary sphincter (length 4.5-6.0 cm) was placed around the bladder neck and connected to a reservoir placed subcutaneously to allow postoperative adjustments of urinary resistance. All dogs were evaluated at baseline and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume, cystometry as well as serum creatinine, and urinalysis. RESULTS: Occurrences of detrusor instability were not associated with prostatic denervation input. The mean peak flow rates decreased significantly in the obstructed groups at all follow-ups, but did not change significantly in the nonobstructed groups. Postoperatively, the mean maximum bladder capacity was significantly decreased for groups I and II only. However, a significant correlation between maximum bladder capacity and maximum detrusor pressure could not be detected at any time point in any of the groups. Mean postvoid residual urine volume varied considerably in all groups over time. Creation of a urinary model of infravesical obstruction was associated with considerable problems. CONCLUSIONS: In our dog model of bladder outlet obstruction, prostatic sensory nerve fibers appear not to be involved in detrusor instability. Surgical induction of a constant model of bladder outlet obstruction was difficult even in a large animal. The observations from the present study raise questions about the validity of obstructive urinary animal models.

Long-term experience with pentosanpolysulfate in interstitial cystitis.

OBJECTIVES: An oral preparation of pentosanpolysulfate sodium (PPS) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for interstitial cystitis (IC). Previously published articles have documented improvement in symptoms in 28% to 63% of patients, but no long-term studies have been published. No unique characteristics except for Hunner's ulcer have been found in patients experiencing relief from PPS. We report our experience with PPS following patients up to 116 months and analyze baseline parameters in an attempt to characterize long-term responders. METHODS: Baseline and follow-up data from 97 patients with IC and enrolled in a compassionate use study with PPS at the University of Wisconsin from 1987 to 1995 are analyzed. Previous treatments had failed, and patients had to pay for PPS. Patients continuing treatment with PPS were monitored every 3 months with questionnaires and laboratory tests. In 1996 an update on medication and a questionnaire developed by the National Institutes of Health Interstitial Cystitis Database were sent to patients who had discontinued treatment. RESULTS: By the end of the study period 11 (11.3%) of the patients were still taking PPS, with 6 (6.2%) doing so continuously for more than 18 months. Three (3%) patients who discontinued PPS were in long-term remission. An additional 15% had remission for a substantial period. Except for a weak correlation between less constant pain (P = 0.0439), no correlations were found between baseline parameters and duration of treatment with PPS. CONCLUSIONS: On a long-term basis, between 6.2% and 18.7% of patients with IC benefit from PPS. The only baseline factor predicting response to PPS was less constant pain.

Transurethral needle ablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 12-month results of a prospective, multicenter U.S. study.

OBJECTIVES: To report the safety and efficacy of the transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) procedure for the treatment of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: One hundred thirty patients with BPH were enrolled in two identical protocols and treated by the TUNA procedure. Entry criteria included an American Urological Association symptom index (AUA SI) of 13 points or higher and a peak flow rate of 12 mL/s or less. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Efficacy parameters included the AUA SI, AUA problem index, BPH impact index (BPH II), quality of life (QOL) score, and peak flow rate. At each visit, side effects were elicited. Follow-up data are available for 93 patients at 12 months. All patients were given intraurethral lidocaine augmented by oral and/or parenteral sedation. No patient received spinal or general anesthesia. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure well, and there were no deaths. Forty-one percent of patients (n = 53) had a catheter placed immediately after the procedure. At 12 months, the AUA SI had decreased from 23.7 to 11.9 (P < 0.0001) and the BPH II from 7.5 to 2.5 (P < 0.0001), whereas the peak flow rate had increased from 8.7 to 14.6 mL/s (P < 0.0001). Irritative voiding symptoms were noted in 20 patients (16%) at some point during follow-up. Two patients reported erectile dysfunction, and 1 reported retrograde ejaculation. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study of 130 patients with clinical BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms, TUNA provided substantive and lasting improvement according to AUA SI, BPH II, and QOL scores as well as peak flow rate over 1 year. The TUNA procedure was well tolerated, with few major side effects and complications noted. Longer follow-up is needed to document the maintenance of clinical benefit beyond 12 months.

Economics of transurethral thermotherapy of the prostate.

Costs of BPH management is increasing dramatically and may represent as much as 1% of total National Health Service expenditure. It is important to offer the patients effective treatment and to offer the society cost-effective treatment. The ideal cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analysis includes not only evaluation of outcome but also socioeconomic and intangible costs ("quality of life" costs). Studies on economics of the newer less invasive treatment modalities for BPH such as transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) are scarce. Parameters important in the consideration of economy in TUMT are capital and disposable costs, retreatment rate and discount percentage. More studies are needed to make precise cost estimations for TUMT, but at present, TUMT seems comparable to TURP in cost-effectiveness.

Office evaluation of men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

In the past decade, the symptom score has been considered the essential part of the evaluation of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). At the University of Wisconsin, the author's have stopped routine use of symptom scores because of their limited utility in dealing with the patient's concerns. Except from men electing invasive treatment, the authors do not serve the patients better with urodynamic testing either. Bothersomeness, not symptom score or objective measures is what drives the decision making process in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) management. Generally, the authors now select patients for treatment according to the degree to which they are bothered by their LUTS.

Surgical and nonsurgical invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A third era in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) utilizes less invasive treatment modalities. Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA) and a wide variety of laser treatments are the most conspicuous new treatment modalities approved or awaiting approval. In general, the alternative treatments produce less improvement in symptoms and peak urinary flow rates (Q(max)) than open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which remains the "gold standard". However, most are promising, particularly because they are associated with low morbidity. Long-term outcome has yet to be assessed with any of the newer treatments and total costs are difficult to calculate. Most have proved safe, are feasible on an outpatient basis and which, provided a low retreatment rate, will presumably reduce the socioeconomic costs. Although differences are found in outcome, morbidity and costs, none of the newer treatments has demonstrated convincing superiority or established a well-defined niche. In the future, controlled randomized studies against well-documented treatments like TURP or transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), focusing on long-term outcome, quality of life and socioeconomic costs, are needed.

Preservation of bladder tissue in different solutions for varying times.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three popular storage media and the effect of 24-hour cold storage on bladder tissue. METHODS: Guinea pig bladders were stored in three solutions: UW solution (a media used for transplant organs), Reznikoff solution [cell culture medium], and Krebs' solution with and without aeration. RESULTS: Cell potassium and sodium concentrations and total tissue water (a measurement of cell swelling) are important parameters for evaluating tissue damage. Reznikoff solution and Krebs' solution without gases maintained tissues for 24 hours with the least tissue damage; these solutions require no special equipment or attention. Twenty-four hour uniterrupted aeration of Krebs' solution caused the greatest degree of cell swelling with possible redistribution of receptors and required adjustment and regulation of the preservation apparatus. UW solution induced dehydration of cells, required the longest recovery period after cold storage, and is far more expensive than the other solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Reznikoff solution caused consistent relative changes in smooth muscle receptors and was superior to aerated Krebs' and UW solutions for 24-hour bladder tissue storage. It is unnecessary to aerate Krebs' solution during 24-hour cold storage.

Pelvic pain following radical retropubic prostatectomy: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate subacute and chronic pelvic pain after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) performed for clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients undergoing RRP completed pain, quality-of-life, and incontinence questionnaires. They also wore pads for 24 hours to measure urine loss objectively before and after surgery. RESULTS: Three patients had pelvic pain preoperatively. Thirteen, 7, and 5 patients had pelvic pain at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, after RRP. At 6 months, none of the 5 patients with pelvic pain required analgesic medication. There was a strong relationship between pain and cancer worry, as well as between pain and incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients have subacute pelvic pain after RRP but improve over time. Severe chronic pain is unlikely after RRP.