Search

Objectives: To investigate the potential use of body mass index (BMI) and serum lipids in improving prostate-specific antigen (PSA) sensitivity in patients undergoing biopsy for suspicion of prostate cancer, as there is an established relationship between metabolic syndrome, obesity and serum lipids with prostate cancer. Patients and methods: A pilot study was conducted in a tertiary referral centre between June 2016 and August 2017 of patients undergoing transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy. After the result of TRUS-biopsy, the first 50 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (study group) and those with no prostate cancer (control group) were enrolled. BMI, serum PSA level, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]), were compared between the groups. Results: Higher BMI, cholesterol, LDL and lower HDL together with PSA were significantly associated with a positive biopsy. On multivariate analysis, LDL (odds ratio [OR] 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–24.9; P = 0.03) and total PSA level (OR 12.9, 95% CI 4.7–35; P

Objective: To review the incidence, predictors and prognosis of bladder cancer recurrence after management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who were surgically treated for UTUC from 1983 to 2013. The tumours were categorised according to the 1997 Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging and the three-tiered World Health Organization grading systems. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of any intravesical recurrence after treatment. We studied the possible risk factors that may contribute to development of intravesical recurrence, as well as the prognosis of the patients who had recurrence. Results: In all, 297 patients were eligible for analysis. Recurrent bladder tumours occurred in 139 patients (46.8%). The mean (range) time to recurrence after surgery was 33 (6–300) months. Neither sex, past history of bladder tumours, concomitant bladder tumour, the side of the tumour, UTUC stage, grade, presence of carcinoma in situ or multicentricity at the time of diagnosis of UTUC, were significant predictors of intravesical tumour recurrence. Ureteric tumour was the only identified risk factor (P = 0.02). Post-treatment bladder recurrence was a significant predictor of later urethral recurrence (P = 0.002). Conclusions: In our present series, bladder cancer recurrence of urothelial malignancy occurred in nearly half of the patients after surgical management of UTUC. Ureteric tumour was the only identifiable risk factor, thus patients with ureteric tumours may benefit from prophylactic intravesical chemoimmunotherapy. Bladder recurrence does not appear to affect the cancer-specific survival after surgical management of UTUC.

Objectives To investigate the effect of stone fragmentation on late stone recurrence by comparing the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and non-fragmenting percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and to investigate factors contributing to recurrent calculi. Patients and methods We evaluated stone recurrence in 647 patients who initially achieved a stone-free status after ESWL and compared the outcomes to 137 stone-free patients treated with PCNL without stone fragmentation. Patients were evaluated every 3 months during the first year and every 6 months thereafter to censorship or time of first new stone formation. Stone recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The effects of demographics, stone characteristics, and intervention on the recurrence rate were studied using the log-rank test and the Cox-regression analysis. Results For ESWL the recurrence rates were 0.8%, 35.8% and 60.1% after 1, 5 and 10 years, which were comparable to the 1.5%, 35.5% and 74.9%, respectively found in the PCNL group (P = 0.57). Stone burden (>8 mm) and a previous history of stone disease were significantly associated with higher recurrence rates regardless of the method of stone intervention (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). In the ESWL group, a stone length of >8 mm showed a higher recurrence rate (P = 0.007). In both the ESWL and PCNL groups, there was a significant shift from baseline stone location, with an increased tendency for most new stones to recur in the calyces as opposed to the pelvis. Conclusions In comparison with PCNL, ESWL does not increase long-term stone recurrence in patients who become stone-free. The stone burden appears to be the primary factor in predicting stone recurrence after ESWL.

Objective To study the effect of sildenafil citrate on spontaneous passage of distal ureteric stones (DUS). Patients and methods This was a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled study of 100 patients with DUS. Inclusion criteria were: male, age 18–65 years, normal renal function, and a single radiopaque unilateral DUS of 5–10 mm. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups, one that received placebo and the other that received 50 mg sildenafil citrate once daily. Both investigators and patients were masked to the type of treatment. Patients self-administered the medication until spontaneous passage of the DUS. In patients where there was uncontrolled pain, fever, an increase in serum creatinine of >1.8 mg/dL, progressive hydronephrosis or no further progress after 4 weeks, a decision was taken for further treatment. Results In all, 47 and 49 patients were available for analysis in both the placebo and sildenafil citrate groups; respectively. Both groups were comparable for age and stone characteristics. Spontaneous expulsion occurred in 19 of 47 patients (40.4%) in the placebo group and in 33 of 49 (67.3%) in the sildenafil citrate group (P = 0.014). The mean time to stone expulsion was significantly shorter in the sildenafil citrate group (P

Objective To identify patient and stricture characteristics predicting failure after direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) for single and short (

Objectives To compare the haemorrhagic and vascular complications between paediatric and adult renal transplant recipients with a long-term follow-up. Patients and methods Between March 1976 and December 2006, in all, 1865 live-donor renal transplants were carried out. Patients were stratified according to their ages into two groups; paediatric (⩽18 years; 259) and adult (>18 years; 1606). Variables assessed included incidence, risk factors, management and sequelae of vascular and haemorrhagic complications. The effect of these complications on patient and graft survival was compared. Results Haemorrhage requiring active intervention (percutaneous drainage or surgical exploration) was reported in seven children (2.7%) and 29 adults (1.8%), while thrombotic or stenotic complications were recorded in two children (0.77%) and 19 adults (1.18%; P

Background Increasing the living-donor pool by accepting donors with an isolated medical abnormality (IMA) can significantly decrease the huge gap between limited supply and rising demand for organs. There is a wide range of variation among different centres in dealing with these categories of donors. We reviewed studies discussing living kidney donors with IMA, including greater age, obesity, hypertension, microscopic haematuria and nephrolithiasis, to highlight the effect of these abnormalities on both donor and recipient sides from medical and surgical perspectives. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE, ISI Science Citation Index expanded, and Google scholar, from the inception of each source to January 2011, using the terms ‘kidney transplant’, ‘renal’, ‘graft’, ‘living donor’, ‘old’, ‘obesity’, ‘nephrolithiasis’, ‘haematuria’ and ‘hypertension’. In all, 58 studies were found to be relevant and were reviewed comprehensively. Results Most of the reviewed studies confirmed the safety of using elderly, moderately obese and well-controlled hypertensive donors. Also, under specific circumstances, donors with nephrolithiasis can be accepted. However, persistent microscopic haematuria should be considered seriously and renal biopsy is indicated to exclude underlying renal disease. Conclusion Extensive examination and cautious selection with tailored immunosuppressive protocols for these groups can provide a satisfactory short- and medium-term outcome. Highly motivated elderly, obese, controlled hypertensive and the donor with a unilateral small stone (

Purpose To analyse the long-term outcome in relation to multiple graft arteries (MGA) in live-donor renal transplantation, and assess its effect on graft and patient survival. Patients and methods Between March 1976 and November 2009, a total of 2100 live-donor renal transplants were carried out at our centre. Patients were stratified according to the number of graft arteries into two groups, i.e. MGA (two or more arteries; 237 patients) and single-graft artery (SGA; 1863 patients). Variables assessed included patient demographics, site of vascular anastomosis, ischaemia time, onset of diuresis, delayed graft function, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), acute rejection, vascular and urological complications. Moreover, long-term patient and graft survival were compared among both groups. Patients were followed up for a mean (SD) of 112 (63) months. Results Grafts with MGA were associated with a prolonged ischaemia time (P = 0.001) and ATN (P = 0.005). Vascular thrombosis (arterial and venous) had a higher incidence in MGA (2.5%) than SGA (0.6%) (P = 0.01). Both groups were not significantly different for the onset of diuresis, acute rejection and urological complications (P = 0.16, 0.23 and 0.85, respectively). Graft and patient survival were comparable in both groups. The mean (SD) 1-, 5-, 10- and 20-year graft survival rates (%) for MGA were 96.1 (1.26), 86.6 (2.39), 61.3 (4.42) and 33.8 (7.23), and 97.5 (0.36), 86.8 (0.84), 66.0 (1.35) and 37.3 (2.76) for SGA (P = 0.54). Conclusions Although there was a higher incidence of prolonged ischaemia time, ATN and vascular thrombosis in live-donor renal transplants with MGA, it did not adversely affect patient or graft survival. The early, intermediate- and long-term follow-up showed an outcome comparable to that in patients with SGA.

The authors have described their technique for managing panurethral strictures by applying buccal mucosal graft (BMG) dorsally and ventrally in the distal and proximal portions of the stricture, re...

Objectives To assess the probability of spontaneous stone passage and its predictors after drainage of obstructed kidney by JJ stent, as insertion of an internal ureteric stent is often used for renal drainage in cases of calcular ureteric obstruction. Patients and methods Between January 2011 and June 2013, patients for whom emergent drainage by ureteric stents were identified. The patients’ demographics, presentation, and stone characteristics were reviewed. The primary endpoint for this study was stone-free status at the time of stent removal, where all patients underwent non-contrast spiral computed tomography (NCCT) before stent removal. Ureteroscopic stone extraction was performed for CT detectable ureteric stones at the time of stent removal. Potential factors affecting the need for ureteroscopic stone extraction at the time of stent removal were assessed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results Emergent ureteric stents were undertaken in 196 patients (112 males, 84 females) with a mean (SD) age of 53.7 (16.2) years, for renal obstruction drainage. At the time of stent removal, 83 patients (42.3%) were stone free; with the remaining 113 patients (57.7%) undergoing ureteroscopic stone extraction. On multivariate analysis, stone width [odds ratio (OR) 15.849, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.83; P = 0.002) and radio-opaque stones (OR 12.035, 95% CI 4.65; P

Objective To determine the use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and digital rectal examination (DRE) findings to estimate the resected tissue weight (RTW) before transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients and methods We retrospectively analysed 983 patients who underwent TURP between December 2006 and December 2012. The primary outcome was the RTW required for clinical improvement, and was not associated with re-intervention. Age, PSA level, body mass index (BMI) and DRE findings were correlated and modelled with the RTW. The DRE result was defined as DREa (small vs. large) or DREb (small vs. moderate vs. large) according to the surgeon’s report. Equations to calculate RTW were developed and tested using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Results There were significant correlations between PSA level (r = 0.4, P 30 g, and 84% and 63% for estimating a RTW of >40 g, respectively. Conclusions The PSA level and DRE findings can be used to predict the RTW before TURP.

Objectives Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical complications due to anatomical and physiological differences. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve vascularity and functional outcomes by a paracrine mechanism. In a pilot study we investigated whether ADSCs can survive in the augmented bladder and improve its function. Materials and methods Autologous ADSCs were harvested from rat paragonadal fat and cultured before injection into a rat model of augmentation ileocystoplasty (study group). Control augmented bladders were injected with cell-free saline. Eight weeks later, rats underwent abdominal ultrasonography for upper tract changes and were examined by conscious cystometry to determine bladder function. After extirpation, augmented bladders were examined using Masson trichrome staining for connective tissue and muscle content, immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin, and rat endothelial cell antigen staining for endothelial cells. Changes in the extracellular matrix were assessed by determining the elastin content. ADSCs were labelled and tracked by 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine nuclear staining. Results Abdominal ultrasonography showed better preservation of upper tract function in the ADSC group than in the saline-treated group (P = 0.007). After 2 months there were no differences in the variables assessed by conscious cystometry between the ADSC and saline-treated groups. However, the bladder weight was significantly greater in the ADSC-treated group. On immunohistochemistry, the implanted ADSCs survived up to 8 weeks but did not transdifferentiate into smooth muscle or endothelial cells. Conclusion These results suggested a potential role of ADSCs in modifying the intestinal segment in augmented bladders; this role has to be further elucidated.