Quality and functional aspects of sperm retrieved through assisted ejaculation in men with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess semen quality, sperm DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial activity in fertile men as well as in men with spinal cord injury who were collecting semen through different methods. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. SETTING: Academic research environment. PATIENT(S): Men with spinal cord injury who achieved ejaculation through electroejaculation (n = 12) and penile vibratory stimulation (n = 10); 30 fertile control men without spinal cord injury. INTERVENTION(S): Electroejaculation or penile vibratory stimulation, semen analysis according to World Health Organization guidelines, morphology by Kruger's strict criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen was analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines; morphology was analyzed according to Kruger's strict criteria. Sperm DNA fragmentation, as assessed by the TUNEL technique, was classified as percentage positive. Mitochondrial activity was assessed by incorporation of diaminobenzidine by mitochondria. Cells were classified as I (all active) to IV (all inactive). RESULT(S): The control group presented a statistically significantly higher percentage of sperm with active mitochondria and a statistically significantly lower percentage of sperm with inactive mitochondria. Although sperm DNA fragmentation was not significantly different when considering collection method (electroejaculation: 30; 8.4; penile vibratory stimulation: 31.2; 8), both groups presented statistically significantly higher DNA fragmentation than did controls (11.8; 4.5). A strong inverse correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation (assessed by in situ DNA nick end labeling) and mitochondrial activity in the case of electroejaculation (r = -0.714), but not in the case of penile vibratory stimulation (r = 0.060). CONCLUSION(S): Spinal cord injury led to a decrease in sperm mitochondrial activity and an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation, and the latter is a sign of testicular alterations. Studies should focus on improving the testicular environment in these men.

The "boatman's knot": a new option for renal hilum ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: The authors present and describe an original adaptation for the use of "boatman's knot" in renal vein ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy. This procedure may replace the need for the endovascular stapler, which is considered the standard of care, but not available in several institutions in Brazil. The knot presented is also known as the "pig's knot" in several farms in Brazil. METHODS: Fourteen laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed by the same surgeon in a standard fashion in seven female pigs. Both the renal artery and vein were ligated using the "boatman's knot" as the only method for hemostasis with conventional intracorporeal technique. Two knots were applied in each artery and vein; one knot was tied proximally and the other distally. The vessels were then sectioned in between both knots. This technique is based on the intracorporeal confection of two loops by the right hand pair of dissectors with the help of the left hand. The arteries and the veins were then sectioned and the capability to accomplish full hemostasis was observed. RESULTS: All the laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed successfully. The "boatman's knot" was performed by the same surgeon with neither complications nor difficulties during the confection of the knot. In all cases hemostasis was fully achieved using only the "boatman's knot" as the hemostatic method. CONCLUSION: The "boatman's knot" is feasible and safe for hilum control during laparoscopic nephrectomy in pigs and total hemostasis can be achieved using it as the only method of hemostasis. However, the safety and the capacity of others to learn how to apply it should be tested before it may be advised to use it routinely.

The boatman's knot: a new option for renal hilum ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy

OBJETIVO: Os autores apresentam e descrevem uma adaptação original para o uso do nó de barqueiro na ligadura da veia renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica. O procedimento pode substituir a necessidade da sutura mecânica endovascular, considerada o tratamento padrão, mas não disponível em muitas instituições no Brasil. Este nó é tembém conhecidocomo "nó de porco" em várias fazendas no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Quatorze nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas pou um único cirurgião utilizando a técnica padrão em sete porcas. A veia e a artéria renal foram ligadas utilizando o "nó de barqueiro" como o único método de hemostasia. Dois nós foram colocados tanto na artéria quanto na veia renal, um deles proximal e o outro distal, e os vasos seccionados entre os nós. Esta técnica é baseada a confecção intra-corpórea de duas alças pela mão direito com um par de pinças, com o auxílio da mão esquerda. Após a secção dos vasos, as condições da hemostasia foram observadas. RESULTADOS: Todas as nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas com sucesso. O "nó de barqueiro" foi realizado pelo mesmo cirurgião sem complicações nem dificuldades, obtendohemostasia completa em todos os casos como técnica única. CONCLUSÃO: O nó de barqueiro é uma técnica factível e segura para o controle do hilo renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica em porcos. Entretanto, a eficácia e segurança desta técnica deve ser avaliada por outros cirurgiões antes da recomendadção do emprego na prática clínica.

Solitary fibrous tumor in bladder wall.

The solitary fibrous tumor is a rare mesenchymal tumor, occurring preferentially in pleura, which has recently been described in extrathoracic sites. There are 6 reports on primary solitary fibrous tumor of bladder. They affect preferably men with mean age around 57 years, are usually asymptomatic and, despite eventually presenting morphologic features of malignancy, tumor resection is considered curative. We report the seventh case of solitary fibrous tumor in bladder wall, discussing differential diagnoses, and call the attention to this rarely occurring entity, which has benign behavior and should be managed conservatively.

Solitary fibrous tumor in bladder wall

The solitary fibrous tumor is a rare mesenchymal tumor, occurring preferentially in pleura, which has recently been described in extrathoracic sites. There are 6 reports on primary solitary fibrous tumor of bladder. They affect preferably men with mean age around 57 years, are usually asymptomatic and, despite eventually presenting morphologic features of malignancy, tumor resection is considered curative. We report the seventh case of solitary fibrous tumor in bladder wall, discussing differential diagnoses, and call the attention to this rarely occurring entity, which has benign behavior and should be managed conservatively.

Value of various PSA parameters for diagnosing prostate cancer in men with normal digital rectal examination.

OBJECTIVES: The risks of identifying prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with serum total PSA (tPSA) between 4 and 10 ng/dl are between 25 and 35%. There are no data in Brazil showing the incidence of disease when all variables for PSA assessment are considered altogether, specifically tPSA, free fraction, PSA velocity and PSA stratified by age. The objective in this work was to define the incidence of disease in a population of men with abnormal values of PSA variables and normal digital rectal examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 2003, 273 prostate biopsies were performed by the same radiologist and analyzed by the same pathologist. All patients had a normal digital rectal examination and biopsy had been indicated due to tPSA above 4 ng/dl or free-to-total PSA ratio (F/T PSA) below 15% or PSA velocity higher than 25% per year or a PSA level regarded as high for the age range. The relationship between these parameters and the positivity for prostate caner was determined. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 63.8 years, and PCa was identified in 135 cases (49.5%). The incidence of PCa, related to unitary variations in tPSA, ranged from the limits of 33 to 80%, respectively, in tPSA < 3 and PSA between 15.1 to 20. When the other PSA parameters were assessed (free PSA, PSA according to age, rise velocity) PCa was detected in more than 25.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: When patients with normal digital rectal examination are selected for prostate biopsy due to tPSA levels above 4 or F/T PSA ratio lower than 15% or PSA velocity higher than 25% per year or high PSA for the age range, the incidence of PCa is quite higher than that observed in a population selected exclusively with basis on total PSA value.

Cystectomy with orthotopic reconstruction following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

The development of infiltrative bladder carcinoma in patients previously treated with radical prostatectomy due to prostate adenocarcinoma represents a challenging perspective. Radical cystectomy remains the best option for invasive bladder cancer, however, there are few reports about the best approach to such individuals. Nevertheless, despite possible technical difficulties found during surgery, the orthotopic urinary shunt is a reasonable option in selected cases.