High-pressure balloon dilation for male anterior urethral stricture: single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively reviewed the urethral stricture cases treated in our tertiary center, and assessed the safety and feasibility of the high-pressure balloon dilation (HPBD) technique for anterior urethral stricture. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2012, a total of 31 patients with anterior urethral strictures underwent HPBD at our center, while another 25 cases were treated by direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU). Patient demographics, stricture characteristics, surgical techniques, and operative outcomes were assessed and compared between the two groups. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to evaluate the stricture-free rate for the two surgical techniques. RESULTS: The operation time was much shorter for the HPBD procedure than for the DVIU ((13.19±2.68) min vs. (18.44±3.29) min, P<0.01). For the HPBD group, the major postoperative complications as urethral bleeding and urinary tract infection (UTI) were less frequently encountered than those in DVIU (urethral bleeding: 2/31 vs. 8/25, P=0.017; UTI: 1/31 vs. 6/25 P=0.037). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in stricture-free rate at 36 months between the two groups (P=0.21, hazard ratio (HR)=0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34 to 1.26). However, there was a significantly higher stricture-free survival in the HPBD group at 12 months (P=0.02, HR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.87), which indicated that the stricture recurrence could be delayed by using the HPBD technique. CONCLUSIONS: HPBD was effective and safe and it could be considered as an alternative treatment modality for anterior urethral stricture disease.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for upper ureteral calculi: a report of 1171 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and values of transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. METHODS: A total of 1171 patients with upper ureteral calculi were recruited during September 1999 to February 2012. The etiologies included impacted calculi (n = 1100), non-impacted calculi (n = 71), multiple ureteral calculi (n = 51) and combined small calculi in unilateral kidney (n = 139). Maximum diameter of calculi was 1.5 (0.8-2.6) cm. All patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy and double J stent was implanted intraoperatively. RESULTS: Two cases were converted into open operation. Calculi moving up into pelvis occurred in 27 cases. And 25 cases converted into laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and stones were removed successfully. Two cases received extra extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy postoperatively. The remaining 1142 cases were treated successfully with an operative duration of 56.1 (26-160) min and an estimated volume of blood loss at 45.2 (10-250) ml. The period of drainage tube was 3.1 (1-7) days. Postoperative hospitalization stay was 4.8 (3-9) days. One patient suffered urine leakage and healed at Day 6 days post-operation. Ten cases suffered D-J stent bladder non-arrival or retraction and double J stents were extracted by ureteroscopy. One case suffered paralytic ileus and recovered 7 days later. Another case suffered severe hematuria. No intestine or adjacent viscera injury was observed. The follow-up period of 827 cases was 7.3 (24-108) months. Among 12 cases of ureteral stricture, ureteral dilation (n = 7) and ureteral anastomosis (n = 3) were performed. For 5 cases of renal atrophy, 3 underwent nephrectomy because of recurrent lumbago or persistent urinary infection. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy has the advantages of minimal morbidity, little postoperative discomfort and high stone clearance rate over open surgery. It should be widely adopted for the patients with upper ureteral impacted calculi.

Pure transperitoneal laparoscopic correction of retrocaval ureter.

BACKGROUND: Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital abnormality. Operative repair is always suggested in cases of significant functional obstruction. Laparoscopic procedures have been employed as the minimally invasive therapeutic option for retrocaval ureter. However, the laparoscopic techniques for retrocaval ureter might be technically challenging to some surgeons. The aim of this article was to present our experience and surgical techniques of pure transperitoneal laparoscopic pyelopyelostomy and ureteroureterostomy in nine patients with retrocaval ureter. METHODS: A total of nine patients of retrocaval ureter underwent pure laparoscopic pyelopyelostomy or ureteroureterostomy. The operation was performed with the patients placed in the 70-degree lateral decubitus position via a three port transperitoneal approach with two 10-mm and one 5-mm ports. The distal part of the dilated renal pelvis was transected at the ureteropelvic junction and the ureter was relocated anterior to the inferior vena cava. The tension-free pyeloureteral or ureteroureteral anastomosis was completed with the intracorporal freehand suturing and in situ knot-tying techniques combined with interrupted and continuous fashion. A double J ureteral stent was inserted in an antegrade manner during laparoscopy. Intravenous urography or computerized tomography and renal ultrasonography were performed after 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All operations were completed laparoscopically, and no open conversion was required. The mean operative time was 135 minutes (range, 70 - 250 minutes), with minimal blood loss (less than 60 ml). No intra-operative complications or significant bleeding occurred. All patients presented mild postoperative pain and quick convalescence. The symptoms disappeared and hydronephrosis decreased substantially after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pure transperitoneal laparoscopic correction for retrocaval ureter was associated with an excellent outcome, minimal invasiveness and short hospital stay. It is technically feasible and reliable for retrocaval ureter treatment. Laparoscopic surgery could be the standard treatment for retrocaval ureter.

Antitumor effects of human interferon-alpha 2b secreted by recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine on bladder cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (rBCG) that secretes human interferon-alpha 2b (IFNα-2b) and to study its immunogenicity and in vitro antitumor activity against human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and T5637. METHODS: The signal sequence BCG Ag85B and the gene IFNα-2b were amplified from the genome of BCG and human peripheral blood, respectively, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The two genes were cloned in Escherichia coli-BCG shuttle-vector pMV261 to obtain a new recombinant plasmid pMV261-Ag85B-IFNα-2b. BCG was transformed with the recombinant plasmid by electroporation and designated rBCG-IFNα-2b. Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood (PBMCs) and stimulated with rBCG-IFNα-2b or wild type BCG for 3 d, and then cultured with human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and T5637. Their cytotoxicities were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: BCG was successfully transformed with the recombinant plasmid pMV261-Ag85B-IFNα-2b by electroporation and the recombinant BCG (rBCG-IFNα-2b) was capable of synthesizing and secreting cytokine IFNα-2b. PBMC proliferation was enhanced significantly by rBCG-IFNα-2b, and the cytotoxicity of PBMCs stimulated by rBCG-IFNα-2b to T24 and T5627 was significantly stronger in comparison to wild type BCG. CONCLUSIONS: A recombinant BCG, secreting human IFNα-2b (rBCG-IFNα-2b), was constructed successfully and was superior to control wild type BCG in inducing immune responses and enhancing cytotoxicity to human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and T5637. This suggests that rBCG-IFNα-2b could be a promising agent for bladder cancer patients in terms of possible reductions in both clinical dosage and side effects of BCG immunotherapy.

[Construction of recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine secreting human interferon-alpha 2b].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (rBCG) secreting human interferon-alpha 2b (IFN alpha-2b). METHODS: BCG Ag85B signal sequence and IFN alpha-2b gene were amplified from the genome of BCG and of human peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. IFN alpha-2b gene was cloned in E. coli-BCG shuttle-vector pMV261 to get pMV261-IFN alpha-2b. A new recombinant plasmid pMV261-IFN alpha-2b was constructed by inserting BCG Ag85B signal sequence into pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. Then, BCG was transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation, and designated as rBCG-IFN alpha-2b. The DNA and protein expressions of IFN alpha-2b gene in rBCG were determined by PCR and Western blot respectively. Also the quantity of IFN alpha-2b protein secreted by rBCG in culture supernatants was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: By partial nucleotide sequencing, the DNA sequences of human IFN alpha-2b and BCG Ag85B were consistent with that in the Gene Bank, and were correctly inserted into the shuttle expression vector pMV261 to construct recombinant plasmid pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. BCG was successfully transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation and the recombinant BCG (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was capable of synthesizing and secreting cytokine IFN alpha-2b. The concentration of IFN alpha-2b in culture supernatants was quantified by ELISA and calculated to be approximately 301.45 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant BCG secreting human IFN alpha-2b (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was constructed successfully and the specific IFN alpha-2b protein can be expressed highly and steadily by rBCG vaccine.

The effect of intravesical instillation of antifibrinolytic agents on bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment of superficial bladder cancer: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: We determined whether intravesical instillation of antifibrinolytic agents could improve the antitumor effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin. We also investigated the impact of these antifibrinolytic agents on the dose of bacillus Calmette-Guerin required for a therapeutic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, prospective, double-blind, controlled pilot study 257 patients with superficial bladder cancer were randomized into groups A through E. They received 100 to 120 mg intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus 100 mg para-aminomethylbenzoic acid, 50 to 60 mg bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus 100 mg para-aminomethylbenzoic acid, 100 to 120 mg bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus 2.0 gm epsilon aminocaproic acid, 50 to 60 mg bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus 2.0 gm epsilon aminocaproic acid and 100 to 120 mg bacillus Calmette-Guerin alone, respectively. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time of each patient were determined at 2 hours after instillation, and adverse events were evaluated. Tumor recurrence was assessed every 3 months postoperatively by cystoscopy. Median followup was 26.0, 25.0, 24.5, 25.0 and 25.5 months, respectively. RESULTS: No significant change in prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time was observed, and analysis showed no significant difference in prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time among groups A through E (p = 0.693, 0.756). Recurrence rates at a minimum of median 2 years were 10.6%, 11.1%, 10.0%, 9.3% and 31.8% in groups A through E, respectively. The log rank test showed that recurrence-free probability was statistically different comparing groups A, B, C and D with group E, respectively (p = 0.023, 0.037, 0.031 and 0.020), while pairwise comparisons among groups A, B, C and D showed no significant differences (each p >0.05). The rate of serious adverse events in groups A through E was 9.6%, 3.9%, 15.7%, 5.9% and 13.5%, respectively. However, the differences were not significant (p = 0.222). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical instillation of para-aminomethylbenzoic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid is a more effective and safer method to improve the bacillus Calmette-Guerin antitumor effect, and can reduce the dose of bacillus Calmette-Guerin with the same effect as the full dose.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic modified lymph node dissection for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term clinical effect of transperitoneal laparoscopic modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LmRPLND) in the management of clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors. METHODS: From October 2004 to July 2006, 7 patients aged 26-36 (mean 30) years underwent LmRPLND with modified unilateral template dissection for clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors, which were 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 6.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 3.0 cm in size, 3 cases on the left and 4 on the right, all diagnosed by ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) and chest X-ray and confirmed by biopsy following radical orchiectomy. Those with positive lymph nodes received 3 courses of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Success was achieved in all the 7 cases, the operative time ranging from 120 to 210 min (mean 160 min), blood loss from 50 to 200 ml (mean 150 ml), and with no blood transfusion. The drainage tubes were removed 1-2 days after surgery. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.5 days. The follow-up lasted 6-32 (mean 14) months, which revealed normal erection and ejaculation in all the patients, but no major postoperative complications. Pathologically, lymph nodes were negative in 6 cases and positive (1/18) in 1. Normal results were obtained in HCG and AFP tests as well as in retroperitoneal ultrasound and chest X-ray examinations. The patient with positive lymph nodes was treated by adjuvant chemotherapy for 3 courses and found free of malignancy during a 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: LmRPLND is a safe and minimally invasive treatment option for patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular carcinoma. With fewer complications and faster recovery, it appears to be a desirable substitute for the open procedure.

Study on enhancement of fibronectin-mediated bacillus Calmette-Guérin attachment to urinary bladder wall in rabbits.

To clarify whether intravesical usage of fibrin clot stabilizer epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) or p-aminomethyl benzoic acid (PAMBA) and different injuries enhance fibronectin (FN)-mediated bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) attachment to bladder wall. Thirty New Zealand male white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups and the bladder wall of each rabbit was injured by electrocautery, cryocautery or knife cutting on left lateral wall, right lateral wall and posterior wall in different groups, respectively. Different drug was instilled into the bladder: Group A: pure PBS; B: PBS and radiolabeled BCG ((3)H-BCG); C: EACA and (3)H-BCG; D: PAMBA and (3)H-BCG; E: heparin and (3)H-BCG. After instillation, each injured and non-injured bladder wall were surgically harvested and digested. The quantity of BCG attachment was detected by liquid scintillation counter (scintillation times per min, STPM). Quantity of BCG attachment to injured bladder wall was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than that of non-injured one, no matter which injury was performed. The BCG attachment to bladder wall in Group C or Group D was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of Group B. The quantity of BCG attachment to bladder of Group E was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of Group B, C and D, respectively. Intravesical instillation of fibrin clot stabilizer (PAMBA, EACA) enhances FN-mediated BCG attachment to bladder wall while heparin inhibits this process. Injuries; e.g., cutting, cryocautery or electrocautery of bladder wall can significantly increase BCG attachment to the bladder wall.

[Clinical investigation on the effect of intravesical instillation of antifibrinolytic agents with bacillus Calmette-Guerin on preventing bladder cancer recurrence].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intravesical instillation of antifibrinolytic agents with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) on preventing recurrence of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) after surgical management. METHODS: A total of 326 cases of superficial BTCC undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) or partial cystectomy were divided into 5 groups. Then the different dosage BCG with or without antifibrinolytic agents was regular instilled into bladders (once a week, then once a month after 6 times). Group A including 66 cases received intravesical instillation of 100-120 mg BCG plus 100 mg para-aminomethyl benzoic acid (PAMBA). Group B including 64 cases: instillation of 50-60 mg BCG plus 100 mg PAMBA; Group C including 65 cases: 100-120 mg BCG plus 2.0 g epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA); Group D including 64 cases: 50-60 mg BCG plus 2.0 g EACA; Group E (control group) including 67 cases: 100-120 mg BCG. All the cases had been followed up for 4 to 69 months (mean, 28.5 months). Not only was cystoscopy performed every 3 months, but also biopsy was carried out to identify recurrence when necessary. Side effect was recorded after instillation. RESULTS: The rate of tumor recurrence of Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D was 12%, 10%, 9%, 9% respectively, which was significantly lower than that of Group E (30%) (chi(2) = 5.699, 6.818, 7.380, 7.867, P = 0.017, 0.009, 0.007, 0.005). And there was no significant difference of tumor recurrence rate between Group A and Group B or between Group C and Group D (Group A and Group C: high dosage BCG plus antifibrinolytic agents, while Group B and Group D: low dosage BCG plus antifibrinolytic agents) (P > 0.05). But the side effects developing in Group B and Group D after BCG instillation were less than those in Group A and Group C. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of BCG on prevention the recurrence of superficial BTCC can be enhanced when combined with antifibrinolytic agents. Even if the dosage of BCG was reduced by half, the efficacy didn't changed. A new approach of low dosage BCG plus antifibrinolytic agents is recommended in the prophylaxis of recurrence of bladder cancer.

[Confirmation of pipetting performances for fully-open automatic biochemistry analyzers].

This paper introduces a kind of evaluation method in pipetting performance on new fully automated biochemistry analyzers by experiments. The performance of sample pipetting volume is confirmed by dye dilution method, the performance of reagent pipetting volume and dummy volume is done by weighing method. Meanwhile, researches and comparative researches on dummy volumes in different conditions have been made, providing valuable reference for clinical applications of automatic biochemistry analyzers.

[Experimental study on attachment of bacillus Calmette-Guerin to bladder wall with different types of injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether different types of injury on bladder wall can influence bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) attachment. METHODS: The bladder mucosa of 24 rabbits were treated by electrocautery,cryocautery and incision on left lateral wall, right lateral wall and posterior wall, respectively. Then radiolabeled BCG ((3)H-BCG) was instilled into bladder. Two hours latter, the injured bladder wall with different methods and non-injured wall (anterior wall of bladder) were surgically removed and digested. The quantity of BCG of each specimen was determined by liquid scintillation counter. RESULT: The quantity of BCG attachment to bladder wall with different injuries was significantly higher than that of non-injured wall (P<0.001), meanwhile there was no statistically difference among the BCG levels of different injury types (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: BCG attachment is not influenced by different types of injury on the bladder wall.