Long-term outcomes of AMS Spectra® penile prosthesis implantation and satisfaction rates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical implantation techniques of AMS Spectra malleable penile prosthesis, its intraoperative and postoperative complications, and the rates of patient and partner satisfaction. Forty-six patients on whom AMS Spectra malleable penile prosthesis implantation was performed between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively examined. Any complications seen intraoperatively and postoperatively were determined. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5, total IIEF erectile function domain scores were calculated preoperatively. IIEF-5, total IIEF erectile function domain and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) scores were calculated in the postoperative third, sixth and twelfth months. The mean age of the patients was 63.6±7.28 (38-80) years. The mean erectile dysfunction period was 4.29±2.51 years, and the mean follow-up period was 3.19±1.6 years. The mean IIEF-5 score was 5.86±0.92 before surgery, and it was 22.5±0.62 at the end of the follow-up. The mean total IIEF erectile function domain score was 6.02±1.09 before surgery, and it was 26.02±0.21 at the end of the follow-up. The mean EDITS score was 71.06±3.16 at the end of the follow-up. The mean EDITS score of the patients partners was 65.08±4.34 at the end of the follow-up. The overall satisfaction rates were 96.2% for the patients and 84.6% for the partners. As a result of this study, the AMS Spectra penile prosthesis implantation is an effective, reliable and economic method. It can be used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in selected patient groups offering high patient and partner satisfaction rates.

The combination of penile revascularization surgery with penile corrective techniques as an alternative to prosthesis implantation in patients with Peyronie's disease having ED: preliminary results.

The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the surgical results of combining complex corrective techniques with penile revascularization in patients with Peyronie's disease having ED and consider the technique as an alternative to penile prosthesis implantation. Between 2008 and 2011 penile revascularization surgery along with penile corrective techniques was performed in nine patients with Peyronie's disease having ED. A preoperative urological evaluation was performed with penile color doppler ultrasonography, electromyography of the corpus cavernosum and cavernosometry. The degree of penile angulation was >40° in all patients. All the patients were asked to answer a 15-item questionnaire-the 'International Index of Erectile Function' (IIEF-15)-and a 5-item version of the IIEF (IIEF-5) preoperatively and during the postoperative follow-up. The operation was deemed an improvement or a failure according to the scores on the IIEF-5. The mean age of the patients was 51.4±4.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 18 months. None of the patients reported complications after surgery. Complete penile straightening was achieved in all patients. However, two (22.2%) patients reported penile shortening but did not express any dissatisfaction in this regard. All patients were satisfied with the final surgical results. The mean IIEF-5 score was 9.8±3.1 before the operation and it was reported to be 22.03±2.4 at the end of the follow-up period (P<0.05). The mean erectile function domain score was 12.6±3.7 preoperatively and 24.09±3.9 at the end of the follow-up period (P<0.05). We achieved statistically significant improvements on the IIEF scores, and with this satisfactory preliminary results we suggest that this combination could be an alternative to penile prosthesis implantation in highly selected patients with Peyronie's disease having ED; however, further studies are needed to validate this conclusion.

Evaluation of serum oxidative and antioxidative status in patients with erectile dysfunction.

We evaluated and compared serum oxidative and antioxidative parameters of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and control subjects. Twenty married male patients with ED for at least 12 months (Group 1) and 20 volunteer healthy, sexually active, married and age-matched men (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 1 and 2 were compared concerning serum mean total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase1 (PON1), arylesterase, total thiol and oxidative stress index (OSI). Mean patient age was 47.9 ± 8.1 and 44.4 ± 10.6, respectively, in Group 1 and 2. Serum TAC levels were 1.7 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 0.3, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.002). Serum TOS levels were 21.8 ± 20.5 and 11.7 ± 2.2, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.035). Serum PON1 levels were 69.8 ± 13.1 and 164.9 ± 56.5, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Serum arylesterase levels were 336 ± 12 and 370.4 ± 47.9, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.003). Serum total thiol levels were 733.1 ± 253 and 885.5 ± 95.3, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.016). Serum OSI was 0.14 ± 0.17 and 0.05 ± 0.11, respectively, in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.021). Mean blood platelet count was significantly higher in Group 1 (P = 0.001). A positive correlation between platelets and oxidative state and a negative correlation between platelets and antioxidative state were found. Oxidative stress was detected to be increased, whereas antioxidative parameters were detected to be decreased in patients with ED.

Quercetin has a protective role on histopathological findings on testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

We investigated the effects of quercetin on pathological findings on testicular ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Group 1, control (n = 5); Group 2, sham (n = 4); Group 3, I/R (n = 8); and Group 4, I/R + quercetin (n = 7). Bilateral testicular artery and vein were occluded for 1 h, followed by reperfusion in I/R and I/R + quercetin animals. Quercetin (20 mg kg(-1) per day) was administrated once daily by gavage to Group 1 and Group 4, respectively, after reperfusion. At the end of the study, bilateral orchiectomies were performed for histopathologic examination. The tissue damage was evaluated with light microscopy. Normal inter-stitium and seminiferous tubules were observed in control group. In the sham group, rats were seen minimal oedema around the seminiferous tubules and congested vascular structures. In Group 3, oedema, vascular congestion and haemorrhage between seminiferous tubules were observed. In Group 4, histopathologic features were markedly less than Group 3 (P = 0.03). Our study demonstrated that quercetin seems to have a protective effect on testis histopathology in rats with testicular I/R.

Comparison of spermatic vein histology in patients with and without varicocele.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare histological characteristics of spermatic veins in patients with and without varicocele. Between February 2009 and July 2009, spermatic veins were obtained from 13 patients with varicocele. Microsurgical subinguinal low ligation was performed in all patients. Spermatic veins of patients without varicocele were obtained from 12 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. Histologically, sections of veins were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Mean tunica adventitia thickness size of the spermatic veins was 0.35 ± 0.08 mm and 0.22 ± 0.1 mm respectively in patients with varicocele and control group (P = 0.001). Similarly, mean tunica media thickness size of the spermatic veins was 0.25 ± 0.05 mm and 0.09 ± 0.04 mm respectively in patients with varicocele and control group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were detected regarding the tunica adventitia and tunica media thicknesses when patients with grade 2 varicocele were compared with patients with grade 3 varicocele (P > 0.05). No significant differences were detected between the tunica adventitia and tunica media thicknesses of patients with varicocele and sperm parameters (P > 0.05). Our study demonstrated that tunica adventitia and tunica media thicknesses seem to be increased in patients with varicocele compared with normal subjects.

Pistachio diet improves erectile function parameters and serum lipid profiles in patients with erectile dysfunction.

We investigated the effects of Antep pistachio on International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores, penile color Doppler ultrasound (PCDU) parameters and serum lipid levels in patients with ED. A total of 17 married male patients with ED for at least 12 months were included in this prospective study. Patients were put on a 100 g pistachio nuts diet for 3 weeks. IIEF and PCDU were evaluated before and after the pistachio diet. In addition, plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride were measured before and after dietary modifications from all subjects. Mean IIEF-15 score was 36 ± 7.5 before the diet and 54.2 ± 4.9 after the diet (P=0.001). Similarly, an increase in all five domains of IIEF was observed after the diet (P<0.05). Mean peak systolic velocity values before and after the pistachio diet were 35.5 ± 15.2 and 43.3 ± 12.4 cm s(-1), respectively (P=0.018). After the pistachio diet, TC and LDL levels decreased significantly, whereas HDL level increased (P=0.008, 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). We demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved IIEF scores and PCDU parameters without any associated side effects in patients with ED. Furthermore, the lipid parameters showed statistically significant improvements after this diet.

Corpus cavernosum electromyography: could it be a parameter to predict ageing?

UNLABELLED: In this study, we investigated whether electromyography of corpus cavernosum (CC-EMG) results vary with age and whether CC-EMG could be a parameter to predict ageing of cavernous smooth muscle. Recordings of electrical activity of corpus cavernosum (EACC) were retrospectively investigated in 134 patients with erectile dysfunction. Penile colour Doppler ultrasonography and cavernosometry were also performed for all of the patients. The total number and duration of EACC and amplitudes between positive and negative peaks were compared between the flask state for 10 min and after intracavernosal papaverine injection. The mean age of the 47 patients in group 1 was 35.2 ± 6.3 years (range, 23-44), the mean age of the 45 patients in group 2 was 51.1 ± 3.1 years (range, 45-56) and the mean age of the 42 patients in group 3 was 61.8 ± 4.6 years (range, 57-77). Total IIEF-5 score was 7.6 ± 2.1 in group 1, 7.9 ± 2.4 in group 2 and 7.9 ± 2.1 in group 3. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups regarding electrical potential frequencies, durations and amplitudes of electromyographic recordings. CONCLUSION: We do not think that CC-EMG findings could be used efficiently as a predictor of ageing.

Does the type of the Peyronie's curvature effect penile vascular parameters in normopotent men?

The aim of this study is to assess whether the type of penile curvature in normopotent men with Peyronie's disease affects the penile vascular doppler ultrasound parameters. Fifty-three normopotent patients within the stabilization phase of Peyronie's disease were evaluated retrospectively by means of color doppler ultrasonography. Bilateral cavernosal artery diameters before and after intracavernous papaverine injections, peak systolic and end diastolic velocities and the amount of leakage in the deep dorsal penile vein were compared in dorsal and ventral curvature groups of Peyronie's disease. 61% of the patients in dorsal and 59% in ventral Peyronie's curvature group have normal ultrasonographic penile vascular system. 35% and 3.3% in dorsal curvature group and 36.4% and 4.5% in ventral curvature group have venoocclusive dysfunction and mixed vascular pathologies, respectively, having no statistical correlation between them (p > 0.05). No arterial pathology was observed in any group. There was no correlation between the type of Peyronie's curvature and the penile doppler ultrasonographic findings in normopotent patients.

Modified insitu vaginal wall sling in stress incontinence.

To assess the efficacy of a modified technique in stress incontinence, that is vaginal wall sling reinforced with two layers of vaginal wall sutured inferiorly. 27 patients with Type II incontinence, 4 with Type III and 14 with mixed type who completed two years follow up were included into the study. Cure, improvement and failure rates were 84.4%, 8.9% and 6.7% respectively. Temporary retention is observed in 30 of the patients, vaginal stenosis and pelvic pain in 1 and suture granuloma in 5 of the patients. Reinforced insitu vaginal wall sling which gives additional support to urethral hammock inferiorly offers a better solution to both types of stress incontinence.

Clam ileocystoplasty in adult nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of clam ileocystoplasty in patients with nocturnal enuresis with urodynamically proven detrusor instability which was recalcitrant to conservative therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients (10 males, 2 females) with ages ranging between 22 and 44 years (mean 32) underwent clam ileocystoplasty. In addition to cystometry all patients underwent pressure flow evaluation. Patients with obstruction; poor contractility and poor compliance that was diagnosed by pressure flow studies were not operated. RESULTS: In a mean 38 months of follow-up all patients were cured symptomatically and urodynamically except one. In this patient, symptomatic improvement was observed despite the persistence of detrusor instability. No patient needed intermittent self catheterization. There were no postoperative complications except an incisional hernia diagnosed after two years postoperatively and corrected surgically. CONCLUSION: Clam procedure could be the best treatment for patients with life long nocturnal enuresis recalcitrant to conservative therapy with coexistence of proven detrusor instability.

Relaxation degree: a new concept in erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical application of the new parameter' Relaxation Degree. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chart reviews of 150 patients were evaluated retrospectively of whom 96 had been diagnosed as pure cavernoocclusive dysfunction (COD) by using corpus cavernosum electromyography (CC-EMG) and cavernosometry and of whom 54 had been diagnosed as psychogenic erectile dysfunction by normal CC-EMG; cavernosometry and pulse doppler scanning. Relaxation degree was defined as the percent decrease in the amplitudes of the electrical activity of corpus cavernosum (EACC). RESULTS: Mean relaxation degree measurements were found as 66.5%, 66.28% and 16% in minimal, moderate and severe COD groups respectively. This value was 80% in psychogenic erectile dysfunction group. Statistical comparisons were found significant between minimal and severe and moderate and severe COD groups. All three organic erectile dysfunction groups were also compared with psychogenic erectile dysfunction group where differences were found significant. If the normal relaxation degree was accepted as more than 80%, COD could be diagnosed with 93% specificity and 98% sensitivity without performing cavernosometry. CONCLUSION: Relaxation degree parameter could be used in diagnosis of COD showing the percent relaxation ability of the cavernous smooth muscle as a non invasive method when compared with cavernosometry.

Deep dorsal vein arterialization in pure cavernoocclusive dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We report our 4-year experience with deep dorsal vein arterialization at 3 years' follow-up in young patients with pure cavernoocclusive dysfunction as an alternative to penile prosthesis implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a modified Furlow-Fisher operation (circumflex collaterals are preserved and the deep dorsal venous valves are not disrupted by a stipper) in 25 patients who did not have risk factors such as general arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and age (over 40 years). Patients with arterial disease diagnosed by Doppler examination were excluded from the study. Also, patients with abnormal penile biothesiometric and electromyographic findings were not included in the study. Beside the subjective and objective evaluation the efficacy of the operation was also assessed retrospectively in 18 patients by telephone according to items 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and 4 (ability to maintain an erection) of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 4-42) subjective and objective success rates were 80 and 72% at 1 year's 75 and 62.5% at 2 years', and 70 and 60% at 3 years' follow-up. According to items 3 and 4 of the 15 item IIEF questionnaire the mean postoperative scores reached 1.55-3.44 and 1. 33-3.27 for items 3 and 4, respectively (p<0.01). Two patients (8%) showed signs of glans hypervascularization as a major complication and minor complications such as penile skin edema, subdermal hematoma, loss of penile skin sensation and early thrombosis of the anastomosis were found in a total of 8 patients (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Deep dorsal vein arterialization is a preferable choice in highly selected young patients as an alternative to penile prosthesis.

The coexistence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency with type II stress incontinence.

PURPOSE: We investigate the coexistence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency and urethral hypermobility with type II stress incontinence and moderate cystocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal leak point pressure measurements were performed during cystometric evaluation with Valsalva's maneuvers in 50 consecutive women 33 to 73 years old (mean age 48.8) diagnosed with urethral hypermobility and moderate cystocele on pelvic examination and cotton swab test. Patients with unstable detrusor contractions or urgency with detrusor hypocompliance were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 50 women 36 (72%) had pure urethral hypermobility, and 14 (28%) were diagnosed with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency and hypermobility (mixed incontinence group), including 6 (42.8%) who had undergone previous surgery. No predisposing factor responsible for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency was noted in 8 mixed incontinence group patients (57.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency in patients with urethral hypermobility indicates that the incidence with stress incontinence may be greater than previously believed, and may influence the apparently higher failure rates after bladder neck suspension. We believe that leak point pressure measurements are not necessary with sling procedures which correct urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency but are required if bladder neck suspension is planned.

Our changing strategies on bladder neck suspension operations.

With currently changing strategies, we retrospectively reviewed our operative results in female stress incontinence to find a suitable solution to correct both urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter dysfunction with reasonable success rates. No Incision Bladder Neck Suspension (NIBNS), Modified Four Corner Bladder Neck Suspension (MFCBNS) and in situ vaginal wall sling operation with bone fixation were performed on 24, 26, 25 patients from 1992 to 1994, 1994 to 1996, 1996 to 1998, respectively, with pre- and postoperative evaluations and success rate determinations. Cure rates for NIBNS operations were 90.47, 72.2 and 50 per cent after 6 months, 2 years and 5 years, respectively. For MFCBNS operations cure rates were 96 and 75 per cent after 6 months and 2 years; for in situ vaginal wall sling by bone fixation the rates were 100 per cent in primary cases and 80 per cent in secondary cases after one year of follow-up. After two years the cure rate was 88.8 per cent in primary cases. By fixation and elevation of the urethrovesical junction and by external compression from under the urethra, in situ vaginal wall sling by bone fixation offers a better solution to urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter dysfunction for urinary stress incontinence.

Modified four corner bladder neck suspension in anatomical stress incontinence with moderate cystocele.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the short- and long-term results of the modified four corner bladder neck suspension (FCBNS) procedure in the correction of type 2 stress urinary incontinence with moderate cystocele. We studied retrospectively 26 consecutive patients who underwent modified FCBNS procedure during a 2-year period at our institution. The modifications that were made were the distal sutures starting from the midurethra as a coil fashion of three centimetres to the bladder neck and its fixation to the pubic bone. Preoperative questionnaires, hospital and clinical records, and postoperative questionnaires were reviewed to assess comparative outcome among the patients. Patient follow-up ranged from 22 to 47 months (mean 33.5). The mean age at the time of surgery was 55.3 +/- 11.6, and mean parity was 3.2 +/- 1.3. Twenty-five of 26 women (96%) were cured after six months and 24 of 26 (92%) were cured after twenty-one months. Cystoceles were completely reduced. Complications occurred in 15% of the patients. The modified FCBNS is a useful and effective operation in treating anatomical stress urinary incontinence and an associated moderate cystocele since it elevates and supports midurethra as well in selected patients and it is associated with a low incidence of postoperative complications.

Is apolipoprotein-(a) an important indicator of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction?

We aimed to investigate whether high peripheral and cavernosal plasma levels of apolipoprotein-(a) [Lp (a)] is an indicator for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. We determined Lp (a), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in peripheral and cavernosal blood in 39 patients with erectile dysfunction. Thirty-nine impotent patients have been divided into two groups: vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction (NVED), according to colour Doppler ultrasonic flowmetry, dynamic infusion cavernosometry, and the pressure difference between the brachial arterial systolic pressure and cavernosal arterial systolic pressure measurements. Biochemical values were compared in both groups. Lp (a) and TC levels were higher in both peripheral and cavernosal samples of VED group than in NVED group, with no differences between peripheral and cavernosal blood levels within the same groups. There were no significant changes in TG and HDL levels in either group. The detection of more than 31 mg/dl in Lp (a) level solely shows the vascular origin with a sensitivity and specificity of 95 and 82.3%, respectively. High Lp (a) levels can be considered an indicator of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Experiences with clam ileocystoplasty.

Clam ileocystoplasty was performed in 18 patients with urge incontinence, total incontinence or enuresis with instable detrusor. Although the persistence of detrusor instability was observed in 33.33% of the patients, complete clinical cure was found in 72.23 and symptomatic improvement was 22.22%.

Import catheter in erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We propose an alternative technique for intracavernous self-injection of sodium nitroprusside for erectile dysfunction by inserting a Medtronic ImPort* catheter with a valved tip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A silicone catheter was implanted in 3 patients with psychogenic impotence. The reservoir, which is used for vasoactive agent injection, was implanted laterally to the anterosuperior iliac spine and the distal tip of the catheter was inserted into the corpora cavernosa via a subcutaneous tunnel. The injection technique was taught to the patient and the initial injection was performed 1 week later. RESULTS: All patients and partners were satisfied with the technique and quality of erections at a mean followup of 14 months. There were no major local complications due to catheter implantation and no systemic complications due to sodium nitroprusside injection. CONCLUSIONS: An alternative technique for intracavernous pharmacotherapy of inserting an ImPort catheter prevented the complications of intracavernous injections in patients with erectile dysfunction.