[Local consultations by specialists in urology: an answer to patients' expectations and dwindling physician numbers?]. / Les consultations avancées d'urologie peuvent-elles être une réponse satisfaisante aux attentes des patients et au problème de la démographie médicale?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients' views with regards to local consultations given by specialists in urology and to an offer of pre- and postoperative visits in the local general hospital with surgical interventions taking place at the university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An opinion survey by mail questionnaire was carried out in all 473 patients who had had a consultation with a specialist in two local general hospitals between November 2009 and April 2010. RESULTS: Response rate was 74%. Mean patient age was 65.5 ± 12 years [range, 20-90]. The reason for the consultation was cancer-related in 31.2% of patients. The majority (89%) made the journey to hospital under their own steam and would have had to travel a 4 times greater distance if the consultation with the specialist had taken place at the university hospital. Overall, 54.6% of patients were willing to travel 20 km further to see a specialist and 76.5% were willing to travel 20 km further for a surgical intervention. Virtually all of the patients (>99%) saw benefits to local consultations given by specialists. The offer of a consultation at the general hospital and intervention at the university hospital met with the approval of 60.8% patients and 56.3% had already experimented this offer. CONCLUSION: Local consultations by specialists might be an answer to demographic issues in France, that is, to the small number of urologists practicing in general hospitals.

[Analysis of macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in glaucoma]. / Analyse du complexe cellulaire ganglionnaire maculaire (GCC) en tomographie par cohérence optique (SD-OCT) dans le glaucome.

Early detection of ganglion cell loss is possible with new algorithms for the assessment of the Macular Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC) by SD-OCT. The various data acquisition protocols used by the various versions of software, as well as their accuracy and reproducibility, must be taken into account. Current results show similar ability to detect glaucoma as compared to Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer thickness (RNFL), with some limitations, possible artifacts, and interpretation pitfalls which must be taken into account. The role of the significance map and of various indices (Focal Loss Volume, Global Loss Volume, GCIPL minimum...); data obtained in the setting of various clinical entities (tilted disc, peripapillary atrophy, large and small optic discs, high myopia...); and detection of progression, especially in advanced glaucoma, underline the role of macular GCC analysis as a complementary method to peripapillary RNFL thickness. The diagnostic precision and better reproducibility of these new software protocols offer new perspectives in the detection and management of progression in various stages of the management of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

[Importance of thorough removal of all affected tissues before grafting epidermolysis bullosa lesions: ten-year follow-up of one patient with multiple grafts]. / Nécessité d'une exérèse complète des tissus lésés dans les épidermolyses bulleuses : suivi sur dix ans d'une patiente multigreffée.

We present the case of a patient suffering from dominantly inherited dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and followed over a period of ten years. Skin lesions of this patient have been treated with multiple thin skin grafts applied over Integra®. The experience proved that, in order to have a perfect graft take, it was necessary to remove all the affected tissues, which includes an abnormally thickened dermis, and also a portion of the subcutaneous tissue.

Erectile dysfunction and sexual health after radical prostatectomy: impact of sexual motivation.

The life expectancy of patients with localized prostate cancer at treatment initiation has increased, and post-treatment quality of life has become a key issue. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of Radical prostatectomy (RP) on patients' sexual health and satisfaction according to sexual motivation using a self-administered questionnaire completed by two groups of RP patients, with high or lower levels of sexual motivation. A total of 63 consecutive patients were included (mean age, 63.9 years), of whom 74.6% were being treated for erectile dysfunction (ED). After RP, patients reported lower sexual desire (52.4%), reduced intercourse frequency (79.4%), anorgasmia (39.7%), less satisfying orgasm (38.1%), climacturia (25.4%), greater distress (68.3%) and/or lower partner satisfaction (56.5%). Among the most sexually motivated patients, 76.0% reported loss of masculine identity, 52% loss of self-esteem and 36.0% anxiety about performance. These rates were lower among less motivated patients (52.6, 28.9, and 18.4%, respectively). Mean overall satisfaction score was 4.8 ± 2.9. The score was significantly lowered in motivated than less motivated patients (3.4 vs 5.8) (P = 0.001). In conclusion, RP adversely affected erectile and orgasmic functions but also sexual desire, self-esteem and masculinity. The more motivated patients experienced greater distress and were less satisfied.

[Modification of sexual desire and orgasm after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer]. / Modification de la libido et de l'orgasme après prostatectomie totale.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of RP on patients' sexual desire and orgasm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional survey using a 16-item self-administered questionnaire. We assessed relevant domains of male sexual function (erectile function, sexual desire, and orgasm), psychological impact and treatment of ED. RESULTS: A total of 63 consecutive patients after RP were included (mean age: 63.9). Median time between questionnaire and RP was 26.8 months (range 6-67). After RP, 74.6 % of patients used ED treatments. Lower sexual desire and intercourse frequency were reported in respectively 52.4 and 79.4 %. Orgasm was modified in most patients: 39.7 % described loss of orgasm and 38.1 % reported decreased intensity. Involuntary loss of urine at orgasm (climacturia) was reported in 25.4 %. Negative psychological impact was reported in 68.3 % (loss of self-esteem, loss of masculinity, anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: RP adversely affected erectile and orgasmic functions but also sexual desire, self-esteem and masculinity despite treatments. Candidates for RP should be aware of ED but also of other postoperative sexual dysfunctions.

Use of cutaneous flap for continent cystostomy (daoud technique).

PURPOSE: We present the results of a new technique using a pedicled cutaneous flap for continent cystostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 boys and 8 girls (mean +/- SD age 13.4 +/- 6.4 years) underwent continent cystostomy for neurogenic bladder (20), bladder exstrophy (2) and sequelae of hypospadias (1) between 1999 and 2008. In this procedure a rectangular pedicled flap is surgically elevated from a hairless area on the abdomen. The flap is tubularized and passed through the anterior abdominal wall directly into the bladder. A submucosal detrusor incision is made to expose the bladder mucosa, and the distal part of the flap is anastomosed to the bladder mucosa in a circular manner. The tube is positioned along the incised detrusor, which is closed over. Viability of the flap, self-catheterization management and continence status are then evaluated. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD followup was 4.5 +/- 3.1 years. There was 1 case of distal necrosis of the flap, which required a secondary surgery using the Mitrofanoff technique. The 22 remaining flaps were initially viable, although 2 patients were eventually lost to followup and 3 subsequently presented with false-passage incidents requiring a few days of calibration using a balloon catheter. Dryness was achieved immediately in 73% of the cases. After adding a complementary bulking agent the dryness rate reached 77%. CONCLUSIONS: We present a novel approach to continent cystostomy that is safe and easy to perform. This technique is a less invasive and more efficient alternative to other commonly used approaches.

Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer: review of technical incidents and morbidity after 5 years of use.

The objective of this study was to report on technical incidents and early and late complications occurring in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of patients with localized prostate cancer. We performed a retrospective review of patients who were treated by Ablatherm at our centre. We recorded all technical incidents, treatment discontinuations and early (<1 month) and late complications. A total of 74 HIFU procedures were performed in 65 patients (55 first-line HIFU treatments and 10 cases of salvage therapy after radiotherapy) over a 5-year period. Median follow-up was 41 months (10-64 months). All the procedures were well tolerated and no intra- or peri-operative deaths occurred. Six technical incidents in the overall population (8.1%) led to discontinuation of the procedure. The early complication rate in patients undergoing first-line HIFU was 36.4%: urinary retention (20%), dysuria (5.4%), urinary infection (3.6%), haematuria (3.6%) and urethral stenosis (3.6%). The late complication rate was 12.7%: urethral stenosis (9%) and dysuria (3.6%). There were no cases of rectourethral fistula. The long-term urinary incontinence rate was 20% and the de novo erectile dysfunction rate was 77.1%. Nine complications (16.4%) required surgical management. The overall complication rate was 49%. Ablatherm is a reliable technique with a relatively high complication rate. However, most complications were minor and required surgical management in a few cases only. Our results confirm that all patients who are offered HIFU treatment should be properly informed of the risks, in particular with regard to continence and sexual function.

[Eyelid reconstruction according to Hübner's technique: About the use of 12 tarsomarginal grafts]. / Reconstruction palpébrale selon la technique de Hübner : à propos de l'utilisation de 12 greffons tarsomarginaux.

PURPOSE: The repair of full-thickness eyelid defect must fulfill multiple surgical requirements that are determined by the anatomical and functional features of the eyelids. Many reconstructive procedures are available, each and anyone of them presenting their own peculiar goals and constraints. Among them, we have tried to determine the place and the reliability of Hübner's tarsomarginal grafts. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Through a retrospective study of 11 patients treated with 12 grafts, over a period of 3 years, we evaluated our indications, technical principles and results of this procedure. RESULTS: The full-thickness eyelid defects represented between one quarter and three quarter of the marginal border length. They principally resulted from malignant tumors resection. In most of the cases, their management required a single graft, harvested on the contralateral homologous eyelid. Complications were minor and rare. Functional and aesthetical results were satisfactory. There was no functional sequel on the donor site. CONCLUSION: Tarsomarginal grafts in eyelid reconstruction provide multiple advantages. With this simple and versatile technique, wide and complex eyelid repairs can be managed in a one-step surgery. This procedure is very reliable; it gives good functional and aesthetical results. Hübner's technique is a major tool in eyelid reconstructive surgery.