Life Cycle of Amblyomma romitii (Acari: Ixodidae) Under Laboratory Conditions.

The life cycle of Amblyomma romitii Tonelli-Rondelli, 1939 is reported for the first time, using rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for larvae and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) for nymphs and adults, as experimental hosts. Developmental periods of free-living stages were observed in an incubator at 27 ± 1°C, 80 ± 10% relative humidity (RH), and 24-h darkness. The life cycle of A. romitii in the laboratory could be completed in an average period of 216.4 d. The overall sex ratio (M:F) was 1:1.4. The results showed that rabbits are quite suitable as experimental hosts for the larval stages of A. romitii, while capybaras are suitable experimental hosts for nymphs and adults.

Peyronie's disease: surgical correction of 40 patients with relaxing incision and duramater graft.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of a long-term follow-up of a previously described technique to correct the curvature of the penis in Peyronie's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients (43-69 years old) were operated between 1989 and 1999. The eligibility criteria for surgery were: lesion stabilised during, at least, one year; angulation of 40 degrees or more; and difficult or impossible sexual intercourse. Moreover, the patients had to have good libido, maintained erections and interested sexual partners. The operative technique consisted in making an I-shaped relaxing incision in the zone of higher angulation of the tunica albuginea and the defect created in the tunica was covered with a human duramater graft. RESULTS: The follow-up varied from 1 to 6 years (70%, > or =2 years). Cosmetic results: 95% good, 5% satisfactory (not needing further correction). Functional results: 85% good, 15% erectile dysfunction (10% moderate and 5% severe). COMPLICATIONS: one recurrence, one partial necrosis of the foreskin, nine decreases in the sensibility of the glans (eight recovered after 4-12 months post-operatively). CONCLUSIONS: The I-shaped relaxing incision and duramater graft procedure had a satisfactory success rate in the correction of severe Peyronie's disease. The utilisation of ready to use material (homo or hetero graft) avoids additional surgery, reduces the operative time and possible complications. Like in other procedures, the major problem of this surgery is the erectile dysfunction rate.

Surgical correction of severe Peyronie's disease without plaque excision.

We report 7 cases of severe Peyronie's disease treated with a modified surgical technique of the one described in 1989. This second version consists of making only one I-shaped incision on the dorsal face of the penis, in order to relax and create a defect in the tunica albuginea, which is then covered with a patch of human lyophilized dura mater. The plastic and sexual results were identical to the ones described previously, but the operative time was shortened. This type of surgery is indicated to correct severe angulation and shortening of the penis in men with normal sexual lives.

Surgical correction of severe Peyronie's disease without plaque excision. A new approach.

We report 5 cases of severe Peyronie's disease treated by a new procedure. It consists of making parallel I-shaped incisions on the dorsal face of the penis so that the shortened part of the albuginea can increase. The 2 defects are covered with 2 patches of dura mater. All the cases except one had good results, either plastic or sexual. We think this type of surgery is indicated to correct severe angulation and shortening of the penis in men with normal sexual lives.