The effects of drinking bicarbonate-rich mineral water in calcium oxalate stone formers: an open label prospective randomized controlled study in an Asian cohort.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of drinking bicarbonate-rich mineral water in patients with calcium oxalate stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an open label prospective randomized controlled study comparing the effects of a bicarbonate-rich mineral water versus plain water on urine biochemistry in patients with calcium oxalate stones. The mineral water group were instructed to consume 1.25 L of mineral water per day at meal times, and supplemented by plain water. Their total intake was up to 3 L/day. Control group consumed only plain water up to 3 L/day. 24 h urine analyses were performed at baseline, 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after starting protocol. RESULTS: 58 patients were recruited for the study. 51 patients were included in the final analysis. Baseline data were comparable between the two groups. Over the course of 12 weeks, compared to patients drinking plain water, those drinking mineral water had higher overall urinary volume (difference = 644.0 ml/24 h, 95% CI = (206.7, 1081.3)), higher overall urinary magnesium (difference = 1.894 mmol/24 h, 95% CI = (1.006, 2.782)), and pH (difference = 0.477, 95% CI = (0.149, 0.804)). However, there was no difference in urinary oxalate and Tiselius index. Mineral water group had net increase of urinary citrate (at each study point compared to baseline) which was sustained until week 12, whereas plain water group showed no significant change. CONCLUSIONS: Drinking bicarbonate-rich mineral water in calcium oxalate stone formers increased stone inhibitors such as magnesium, citrate and moderate degree of urinary alkalinization compared to patients drinking plain water, but it did not alter Tiselius index or urinary oxalate after 12 weeks.

Iatrogenic bladder injury from port insertion during laparoscopic appendicectomy.

A 26-year-old man underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy for acute appendicitis that was carried out uneventfully after initial urethral catheterisation to empty the bladder. Postoperatively, he developed oliguria associated with high drain output and elevated drain fluid creatinine. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography urography scan showed a small amount of contrast in the intraperitoneal space. A diagnostic laparoscopy performed for a suspected bladder injury revealed that the drain (inserted via the suprapubic port) had traversed the bladder. The drain was removed, and the bladder defects were repaired. The catheter was removed 2 weeks later uneventfully. It is important to recognise and avoid the urinary bladder during suprapubic port insertion during laparoscopic appendicectomy. This complication can be minimised via initial bladder decompression and introduction of the suprapubic port lateral to the umbilical ligaments. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose a small bladder injury.

Patients with small prostates and low-grade intravesical prostatic protrusion - A urodynamic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Despite high-grade intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) being closely related to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), up to 21% of patients with low IPP remain obstructed. This study evaluates the characteristics and urodynamic findings of men with small prostates and low IPP. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen men aged >50 years old with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were assessed with symptoms, uroflowmetry, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transabdominal ultrasound measurement of prostate volume (PV), IPP and post-void residual urine (PVRU). All patients underwent pressure flow studies. Patients with PV < 30 mL and IPP ≤ 10 mm were examined for parameters correlating with BOO or impaired detrusor contractility. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients had PV < 30 mL and IPP <10 mm. Nine patients (25.0%) had urodynamic BOO, all with normal bladder contractility. Fourteen patients (38.9%) had poor detrusor contractility and all had no BOO. PV, PVRU and IPP were significantly associated with BOO, with IPP showing greatest positive correlation. Both Qmax and IPP were significantly associated with detrusor contractility. At 5-year follow-up, most patients responded to medical therapy. Only three out of nine patients (33.3%) with BOO eventually underwent surgery, and all had a high bladder neck seen on the resectoscope. Only one patient (7.1%) with poor detrusor contractility eventually required surgery after repeat pressure flow study revealed BOO. CONCLUSION: In men with small prostates and low IPP, the presence of BOO is associated with higher PV, PVRU and IPP, and most respond well to medical management. BOO can possibly be explained by elevation of the bladder neck by a small subcervical adenoma.

Early outcome of transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate versus transurethral resection of the prostate

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Recurrent prostate adenoma is a long-term complication following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (TUERP) is more appealing, since the nodular adenoma can be completely removed through endoscopy. TUERP is also hypothesised to result in a lower frequency of recurrent adenoma. This study aimed to compare the early outcomes of TUERP and TURP, and assess the feasibility and safety of TUERP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We compared the outcome of 81 patients who underwent TUERP with that of 85 patients who underwent TURP. International prostate symptom score, quality of life score, prostate volume, degree of intravesical prostatic protrusion, maximum flow rate, post-void residual volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Complications (e.g. transfusion rate, incontinence, infection and urethral stricture) were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Operative time was significantly longer in the TUERP group compared to the TURP group (85.3 minutes vs. 51.6 minutes). After TUERP, the maximum flow rate was significantly higher (21.1 mL/s vs. 17.1 mL/s) and PSA level was significantly lower (1.2 ng/mL vs. 1.9 ng/mL) than after TURP. The rates of infection, transfusion and urethral stricture were similar for both groups, but the TUERP group had a higher rate of temporary incontinence (13.6% vs. 4.7%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lower PSA level and better maximum flow rate achieved following TUERP suggest that prostate adenoma removal was more complete with TUERP. Long-term follow-up is required to establish whether TUERP results in fewer resections for recurrent adenoma.</p>

The clinical presentation and diagnosis of ketamine-associated urinary tract dysfunction in Singapore.

Ketamine is a short-acting anaesthetic agent that has gained popularity as a 'club drug' due to its hallucinogenic effects. Substance abuse should be considered in young adult patients who present with severe debilitating symptoms such as lower urinary tract symptoms, even though the use of controlled substances is rare in Singapore. Although the natural history of disease varies from person to person, a relationship between symptom severity and frequency/dosage of abuse has been established. It is important to be aware of this condition and have a high degree of clinical suspicion to enable early diagnosis and immediate initiation of multidisciplinary and holistic treatment. A delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible pathological changes and increased morbidity among ketamine abusers.