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Purpose We investigated the long-term survival and patient satisfaction with an inflatable penile prosthesis as a treatment for refractory erectile dysfunction (ED). Materials and Methods Between July 1997 and September 2014, a total of 74 patients underwent implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis. The present mechanical status of the prosthesis was ascertained by telephone interview and review of medical records, and related clinical factors were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazard regression model. To investigate current status and satisfaction with the devices, novel questionnaires consisting of eight items were administered. Results The mean (±standard deviation) age and follow-up period were 57.0±12.2 years and 105.5±64.0 months, respectively. Sixteen patients (21.6%) experienced a mechanical failure and 4 patients (5.4%) experienced a nonmechanical failure at a median follow-up of 98.0 months. Mechanical and overall survival rates of the inflatable penile prosthesis at 5, 10, and 15 years were 93.3%, 76.5%, and 64.8% and 89.1%, 71.4%, and 60.5%, respectively, without a statistically significant correlation with host factors including age, cause of ED, and presence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Overall, 53 patients (71.6%) completed the questionnaires. The overall patient satisfaction rate was 86.8%, and 83.0% of the patients replied that they intended to repeat the same procedure. Among the 8 items asked, satisfaction with the rigidity of the device received the highest score (90.6%). In contrast, only 60.4% of subjects experienced orgasm. Conclusions The results of our study suggest that excellent long-term reliability and high patient satisfaction rates make the implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis a recommendable surgical treatment for refractory ED.

Introduction The method of administration of oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors has been expanded to once-daily repeated administration with lower initial dosage than on-demand administration. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-daily udenafil as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) for intermediate-term period. Methods This multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial included 346 ED patients (placebo, udenafil 50 mg, udenafil 75 mg). Subjects were treated with each medication once daily for 24 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Subjects were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-erectile function (EF) domain at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks and the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was inspected. Results Both dosages of udenafil induced a significant increase in IIEF-EF compared with placebo at both 12 and 24 weeks. When patients were divided according to the severity of baseline EF score, significant improvement was observed only with udenafil 75 mg regardless of the degree of ED. At 24 weeks, the proportions of patients who reported a return to normal EF (IIEF-EF over 26) were 39.1% for udenafil 50 mg and 47.0% for udenafil 75 mg. In terms of safety, ADRs were observed in 6.1%, 12.9%, and 17.9% for placebo, udenafil 50 mg, and 75 mg, respectively. Although a statistically higher rate of ADRs was observed in the udenafil 75 mg group (P = 0.024), the majority were mild and recovered without treatment. Conclusions Once-daily administration of udenafil 50 mg and 75 mg for 24 weeks resulted in improvement of EF. In particular, udenafil 75 mg improves EF regardless of the baseline degree of ED.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure, we investigated the data from female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) ...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The midurethral sling (transobturator tape [TOT]) procedure has been widely performed for treatment of urinary incontinence; however, little has been reported regarding s...

Priapism is a persistent penile erection that continues for hours beyond, or is unrelated to, sexual stimulation. Priapism requires a prompt evaluation and usually requires an emergency management. There are two types of priapism: 1) ischemic (veno-occlusive or low-flow), which is found in 95% of cases, and 2) nonischemic (arterial or high-flow). Stuttering (intermittent or recurrent) priapism is a recurrent form of ischemic priapism. To initiate appropriate management, the physician must decide whether the priapism is ischemic or nonischemic. In the management of an ischemic priapism, resolution should be achieved as promptly as possible. Initial treatment is therapeutic aspiration with or without irrigation of the corpora. If this fails, intracavernous injection of sympathomimetic agents is the next step. Surgical shunts should be performed in cases involving failure of nonsurgical treatment. The first management of a nonischemic priapism should be observation. Selective arterial embolization is recommended for the management of nonischemic priapism in cases that request treatment. The goal of management for stuttering priapism is prevention of future episodes. This article provides a review of recent clinical developments in the medical and surgical management of priapism and an investigation of scientific research activity in this rapidly developing field of study.

Visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) is an option for the management of urethral stricture. However, little is known regarding sexual function after surgery.Seventy-six patients who underwent VIU were evaluated by using the Korean version of the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire. Three sexual functional domains of erection (EFD), satisfaction (SAD), and ejaculation (EjFD) were assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. We assessed clinical factors (age, etiology, and maximum flow rate) and radiologic factors (stricture site, stricture length, frequency of recurrence, and duration until first recurrence). We compared with each sexual functional domain score by age group (range: 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 years).A total of 76 men with mean age of 57.1±13.07 years completed this study. In univariate analysis, there were significant losses of EFD scores at postoperative 3 months for all age groups (P0.05). And these scores were regained after postoperative 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference in SAD. Age, length of stricture, frequency of recurrence, and duration until first recurrence were significant differences in EjFD (P0.001, P=0.006, P=0.005, and P=0.013, respectively). In 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 age groups, VIU improves EjFD (P0.001, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and stricture length were independent factors of VIU on EjFD (P0.001 and P=0.013, respectively).VIU can improve ejaculatory function in younger age group (40-59 years). Age and stricture length are independent predictive factors of VIU on ejaculatory function.

This study evaluates the erectile function of male patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery and surgery alone for locally advanced rectal cancer.A total of 112 men treated by total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation were included. Seventy-three patients were treated by preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery (RTS group), and 39 were treated by surgery alone (surgery group). Patients filled out the five-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) questionnaire at least 6 months after initial erectile function assessment. We analyzed the impact of age, surgery type, location, and size of tumor on erectile function.Total score was decreased significantly at follow-up compared to initial assessment in both RTS and surgery group (20.31 +/- 4.39 vs. 11.52 +/- 4.83, P = 0.012; 19.86 +/- 4.61 vs. 14.07 +/- 6.37, P = 0.031, respectively). Score difference was statistically higher in RTS group compared with surgery group (P = 0.028). In terms of surgery type for RTS group, score difference was statistically higher in the patients with abdominoperineal resection (APR) compared with those with lower anterior resection (P = 0.023). In comparison of score difference according to tumor location, difference was statistically higher in the patients with lower rectal cancer compared with those with upper rectal cancer (P = 0.017).The erectile functions of patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery are more affected than that of patients treated by surgery alone in locally advanced rectal cancer. Also APR and lower rectal cancer were significantly associated with erectile dysfunction in the patients treated by preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the longterm outcomes from the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure, we investigated the data from minimal 13-year follow-up and predictive risk factors affecting efficacy for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 206 (mean age, 59.2 8.8 years) women who underwent the TVT procedure for SUI were selected and followed up for at least 13 yr (mean, 162.4 months; range, 156-174) after TVT procedure. We analyzed the long-term results and the predictive parameters for success rates and patients0 satisfaction. RESULTS: At 13 years after surgery, the overall cure rate was 82.5%, with a satisfaction rate of 67.5%. Univariable analysis demonstrated an association of symptom grade of SUI with cure rates, while the presence of frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence showed an association with patients0 satisfaction. However, in multivariable logistic regression model, none of those variables were identified as an independent risk factor related to the cure and satisfaction rate. Twenty one patients (10.2%) had postoperative complications at 1-year follow-up after surgery. However, at 13-year follow-up after surgery, only 3 patients (1.5%) had postoperative complications, including mesh exposure in 1 patient and de novo urgency in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our long-term data which illustrated the absence of long-term adverse events secondary to TVT procedure and the high success rate both in subjective and objective goal regardless of any independent predictive factors suggest TVT procedure as a recommendable method for the management of female SUI.

A Korean multicenter study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of transurethral alprostadil with MUSE in 334 subjects with chronic erectile dysfunction (ED) who were enrolled in 21 clinical centers. Patients with psychogenic impotence comprised about 30% of subjects. Intraurethral alprostadil was titrated in a stepwise fashion in the clinics from 250 to 500 or 1000 mcg based on erectile response and tolerability. The erectile responses were evaluated using an erection assessment scale (score of 1-5). The dose that produced a maximal penile response of score 5 (full rigid erection) or 4 (full tumescence, partial rigidity) was selected for home treatment. Patients who showed partial erection (score of 3) with 1000 mcg were also included in the home-treatment group. In-clinic phase: 198 men (59.3%) had maximal penile responses of score 4 or 5. The rate of maximal responses was not related to patient age, etiology or duration of the ED. A total of 228 (68.3%) men progressed to home treatment. The overall level of comfort of the transurethral alprostadil was rated as uncomfortable or very uncomfortable in 12%. Home phase: During the two-month period of home treatment, 178 (78.1%) men had successful sexual intercourse at least once, and 78.2% of administrations (1976) resulted in successful intercourse. The main causes of drop-out were insufficient erectile response in 27 men (11.8%), adverse reactions (mostly penile or urethral pain) in 7 (3.1%) or both in 7 (3.1%). In conclusion, transurethral alprostadil could be a suitable treatment option for patients with ED regardless of age and etiology of ED. Efficacy in an Asian population (Korea) is comparable to that reported previously in Caucasians.

Objectives. To investigate the clinical efficacy of SS-cream, the topical agent made from the extracts of nine natural products for the treatment of premature ejaculation, we performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical study of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation in three medical centers. Methods. One hundred six patients (mean age 38.7 ± 0.61 years) completed this study. The ejaculatory latency measured by stopwatch and sexual satisfaction ratio of both partner and patient were investigated twice in the screening period and once after each treatment (1 placebo 0.20 g and 5 SS-cream 0.20 g for a total of six treatments). Patients were instructed to apply the cream on the glans penis 1 hour before sexual intercourse in a double-blind randomized fashion. Clinical efficacy was compared with the prolongation of ejaculatory latency and improvement of the sexual satisfaction ratio before and after each treatment. Results. In the screening period, the mean ejaculatory latency was assessed at 1.37 ± 0.12 minutes, and neither the patients nor their partners were satisfied with their sexual lives. After treatment, the mean ejaculatory latency was prolonged to 2.45 ± 0.29 minutes in the placebo group and 10.92 ± 0.95 minutes in the SS-cream group. The clinical efficacy of placebo and SS-cream as judged by an ejaculatory latency time prolonged more than 2 minutes was 15.09% and 79.81%, respectively. The improvement of sexual satisfaction to a grade higher than effective was 19.81% and 82.19%, respectively, for placebo and SS-cream. Of 530 trials of SS-cream, 98 (18.49%) resulted in a sense of mild local burning and mild pain. No adverse effect on sexual function or partner and no systemic side effects were observed. Conclusions. According to these results, SS-cream is effective and safe in the treatment of premature ejaculation, with mild local side effects.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) using the Gyrus™ PlasmaKinetic System compared with conventional monopolar TURP. This study included 102 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent TURP from January 2003 to March 2005. In all, 49 consecutive patients had bipolar and 53 had monopolar TURP. All patients were assessed by preoperative and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, transrectal ultrasonography, operative time, weight of resected tissue, change in serum sodium and hemoglobin, duration of catheter use, length of hospital stay, and complication rates. Significant improvement was seen postoperatively in both groups, and no difference was observed in the resection time, weight of resected tissue, change in serum sodium and hemoglobin, improvement of IPSS and peak flow rate (Qmax), or complication rates over the 12-month follow-up in both groups. There was, however, a significant difference in duration of catheter use and hospital stay. Duration of catheter use (2.28 days vs. 3.12 days) and hospital stay (3.52 days vs. 4.27 days) were shorter in the bipolar group (p = 0.012 vs. p = 0.034, respectively). Our results demonstrate that bipolar TURP using the Gyrus™ Plasma Kinetic System is as effective as conventional monopolar TURP with the additional advantage of reduced length of catheter use and hospital stay. Bipolar TURP is a promising new technique that may prove to be a good alternative to conventional TURP in the future.

We designed this study to compare the efficacy of using a three-dimension head mounted displayer (3-D HMD) and a conventional monitor in audio-visual sexual stimulation (AVSS) in differential diagnosis of psychogenic from organic erectile dysfunction (ED). Three groups of subjects such as psychogenic ED, organic ED, and healthy control received the evaluation. The change of penile tumescence in AVSS was monitored with Nocturnal Electrobioimpedance Volumetric Assessment and sexual arousal after AVSS was assessed by a simple question as being good, fair, or poor. Both the group of healthy control and psychogenic ED demonstrated a significantly higher rate of normal response in penile tumescence (P

Purpose: A nationwide survey was conducted of Korean urologists to illustrate physicians’ perceptions and real practical patterns regarding Peyronie disease (PD). Materials and Methods: A specially designed questionnaire exploring practice characteristics and attitudes regarding PD, as well as patient satisfaction with each treatment modality, was e-mailed to 2,421 randomly selected urologists. Results: Responses were received from 385 practicing urologists (15.9%) with a median time after certification as an urologist of 12 years. Regarding the natural course, 87% of respondents believed that PD is a progressive disease, and 82% replied that spontaneous healing in PD occurred in fewer than 20% of patients. Regarding diagnosis of PD, the methods used were, in order, history taking with physical examination (98%), International Index of Erectile Function questionnaires (40%), intracavernous injection and stimulation (35%), and duplex sonography (28%). Vitamin E was most preferred as an initial medical management (80.2%), followed by phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (27.4%) and Potaba (aminobenzoate potassium, 20.1%). For urologists who administered intralesional injection, the injected agent was, in order, corticosteroid (72.2%), verapamil (45.1%), and interferon (3.2%). The most frequently performed surgical procedure was plication (84.1%), followed by excision and graft (42.9%) and penile prosthesis implantation (14.2%). Among the most popular treatments in each modality, the urologists’ perceptions regarding the suitability of treatment and patient satisfaction were significantly different, favoring plication surgery. Conclusions: The practice pattern of urologists depicted in this survey is in line with currently available Western guidelines, which indicates the need for development of further local guidelines based on solid clinical data.

Purpose: To evaluate the actual impact of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on patients with lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), without benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) medication. Materials and Methods: Two hundreds forty-six patients underwent TRT using intramuscular injection of 3 months bases injection of testosterone 100 mg undecanoate over a year. Among them, 17 patients had moderate LUTS with a maximal flow rate of at least 10 ml/s but did not take any BPH-specific medication during TRT. The changes in prostate specific antigen (PSA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetery were measured before and after TRT. Results: After TRT, PSA remained unchanged after a year of treatment (p=0.078). Compared with their counterparts (n=229), the patients without BPH medication had similar baseline prostate characteristics in all variables, including prostate volume, IPSS, maximal flow rate, voiding volume, and PSA, except the median amount of residual urine, which was higher in the patients without BPH medication (21 ml vs. 10 ml). In the no-BPH medication group, the total IPSS score was decreased significantly (p=0.028), both in storage symptoms (questionnaire 2, 4, 7) and voiding symptoms (questionnaire 1, 3, 5, 6), while the maximal flow rate and residual urine amount remained unchanged after a year of TRT. During the median follow up of 15.1 months, no patients experienced urinary retention, BPH-related surgery, or admission for urinary tract infection. Conclusions: Over a year of TRT for the no-BPH medication patients with moderate LUTS and maintained a relatively high maximal flow rate and improved both storage and voiding symptoms, without the clinical progression of BPH or rising PSA.

Purpose We evaluated the effectiveness of microsurgical ligation for painful varicocele and predictive factors of pain resolution. Materials and methods Between January 2006 and March 2009, a total of 114 patients (mean age, 30.2 ± 8.9 years), who underwent microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy for painful varicocele, were included and followed up for 1 year after the surgery. The quantity of preoperative and postoperative pain was assessed by means of 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS). We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of surgical ligation and predictive factors of pain resolution using patient age, height, weight, body mass index, grade and location of varicocele, duration, quantity and quality (dull, dragging, aching) of pain, and postoperative pain resolution. Results In 104 patients (91.2%), complete or marked resolution of pain was reported at follow-up 1 year after surgery. Only 10 patients (8.8%) had recurrent or persistent pain (≥ 3 points in NRS scores). On multivariate analysis, low quantity (≤ 6 points in NRS scores) and dull or dragging natured preoperative pain were independent factors associated with surgical success rates (p=0.004; odds ratio=1.62, p=0.012; odds ratio=1.76, respectively). Conclusion Microsurgical ligation is an effective treatment of painful varicocele. The quantity and quality of preoperative pain are independent predictive factors of pain resolution after surgery.

The frequency of a bladder foreign body in the female is lower than in the male, and bladder stones attached to foreign bodies such as non-absorbable suture material are not common. Moreover, vesicovaginal fistulas due to migration or puncture of suture materials into the bladder are rare. In this report, we present a case of bladder stone and vesicovaginal fistula formation in a 29-year-old female patient who had been treated with the McDonald operation for an incompetent internal os of the cervix (IIOC) during pregnancy. The patient was successfully treated by cystoscopic removal of the bladder stone with suture material and conservative treatment for the vesicovaginal fistula.

Background: A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a congenital anomaly commonly afflicting the pediatric population. However, it occurs more frequently in adults than is generally appreciated. To assess their characteristics, we have here compared and analyzed the clinical manifestations, causes, and outcomes of UPJ obstruction found in children and adults. Materials and Methods: 102 patients (118 renal units) out of 182 patients (218 renal units), with diagnosed UPJ obstruction, were available for follow up. The follow-ups were retrospectively reviewed to determine the presenting symptoms, treatments, and clinical outcomes. Patients who were younger than 18 years of age were assigned to the pediatric group (44 patients), others the adult group (58 patents). Results: The majority of the patients presented with flank pain (pediatric group: 68%, adult group: 76%). The majority of patients underwent a pyeloplasty (pediatric group: 50.9%, adult group: 62.3%). And the major cause of the UPJ obstruction was an intrinsic stenosis (pediatric group: 53%, adult group: 56%). Conclusion: The prevalence of bilateral UPJ obstruction in adults is evidently less prevalent than in pediatrics, and despite the late diagnosis, the surgical outcome is similar. A further investigation of UPJ obstruction will lead us to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.

Some reports have shown a decreased effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) with newer lithotriptors. We compared the treatment results of ESWL with a second generation Northgate SD-3 and a third generation Modulith SLX device. A total of 2,000 patients underwent ESWL treatments for single urinary calculus between September, 1988 and July, 1998. 1,241 patients were treated with Northgate SD-3 between September, 1988 and December, 1995. And 759 patients were treated with Modulith SLX between January, 1996 and July 1998. The treatment results were compared using chi-square test to determine statistical significance. The overall success rate, success rate according to the location and size, the mean number of sessions, complication rate and retreatment rate were calculated, according to lithotriptor. The overall success rate was 90.6% with Northgate SD-3 and 89.1% with Modulith SLX. With Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX, the success rate according to the location was 91.0%(579/636) and 88.1%(236/268) in kidney: 93.2%(517/555) and 89.9%(258/287) in upper ureter: 83.3%10/12) and 94.4%167/177) in middle and lower ureter: 47.4%(18/38) and 55. 6%(15/27) in staghorn stone, respectively. The success rate according to the size of stone with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX for stones with the size under 10mm was 96.1%(612/637) and 93.1%(470/505); from 11mm to 20mm was 87.3%(421/482) and 86.4%(165/191); from 21mm to 30mm, 77.5%(62/80) and 67.5%(23/34): and for stones larger than 31mm was 69%(29/42) and 62.1%(18/29), respectively. Mean number of sessions for successful fragmentation was 1.21 and 1.69, respectively with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. Retreatment rate was 16.7% and 17.5%, respectively. The complications after treatment were severe pain(6.2% with Northgate SD-3 vs. 2.0% with Modulith SLX), steinstrasse(3.4% vs. 1.9%), fever(1.2% vs. 0.5%) and perirenal hematoma(0.2% vs. 0%) in order of frequency. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two lithotriptors. We concluded that ESWL with Modulith SLX is more safe compared to Northgate SD-3.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether a nephron sparing surgery might be feasible in patients with a small solid renal tumor. Materials and methods: Between 1988 and 1999, 21 patients with a radiologically detectable small solid renal tumor underwent enucleoresection, wedge resection and polar segmental nephrectomy. The mean age of the 11 men and 10 women in this study was 43 years (range 14 to 68). According to the preoperative radiological diagnosis, 15 among the 21 patients were considered to have renal cell carcinoma, 4 were considered to have angiomyolipoma, and in the remaining 2 patients, radiological differentiation of renal tumors was difficult. Among 15 patients considered to have renal cell carcinoma, 14 were found to have renal cell carcinoma and the remaining one patient was diagnosed as having oncocytoma on pathologic examination. Radiological determination of angiomyolipoma in four patients was confirmed to be correct on pathological examination. The 2 patients whose radiological diagnose was difficult were found to have cavernous hemangioma and angiomyolipoma. One patient with renal cell carcinoma developed arteriocaliceal fistula, the only immediate complication in this series and underwent nephrectomy on postoperative 10th day. The mean follow up duration for the 14 patients with renal cell carcinoma was 18.6 months (range:1-103). There was no other tumor involvement in the resection margins following the nephron sparing surgery. These results suggest that nephron sparing surgery provides an effective treatment for patients with a single, small, unilateral, localized renal tumor. Longer follow-up is suggested for more definite verification of the role of nephron sparing surgery.

Foreign bodies in genitourinary tract are common and almost of them are within the bladder. These foreign bodies were inserted or applied for autoerotic, psychiatric, therapeutic, or no definite reasons by the patient. Foreign bodies(a thermometer and a piece of cloth) in the bladder were inserted as a mean of masturbation in two cases, and a cooper wire in the posterior urethra was introduced by iatrogenic causes in one case. In one case, four magnets were inserted into the bladder for the purpose of forceful penile erection. Clinical history, symptom, radiologic study, and endoscopic examination were required to diagnose foreign body. They were easily removed by endoscopic manipulation or open surgical procedure.