Search

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression in the improvement of refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in young males presenting with clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment with no known comorbidities that could explain their LUTS. Methods This is a prospective pilot study involving patients suffering from LUTS refractory to standard treatment and clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment on physical examination. They underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximal flow (Qmax) on uroflowmetry were evaluated before and 3 months after the procedure. Results Five male patients aged 34 ± 4 years were recruited. The median IPSS differed significantly before and 3 months after the procedure (18 vs 8, P = .042); likewise, median Qmax differed significantly before and 3 months after the procedure (12 vs 18 mL/s, P = .042). Conclusion Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome should be considered as a main differential diagnosis for refractory LUTS in young males with no other comorbidities. When clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment are present, laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression relieves LUTS in these young males.

Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is an underdiagnosed pathology responsible of several urinary, sexual and anorectal complaints. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release in a large retrospective cohort of patients with pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome with both a short and long-term follow-up. Technical details and outcomes are also reported. A series of 235 patients with pudendal syndrome underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal canal release between June 2015 and February 2020. Operative data were recorded prospectively for all patients. A complete history, pain visual analog scale (VAS) for perineodynia, and three scores evaluating the main symptoms (USP, IIEF-5, PAC-SYM) were obtained before and at least 24 months after surgery for 32 patients only. Post-operative complications were also evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification at regular interval. The mean operating time per side was 33.9 ± 6.8 min and the average hospital stay was 1.9 ± 0.3 days. Blood loss was 20 cc ± 10 cc with no patients needing transfusion. The only significant per-operative complication was hemorrhage (600 ml) in one patient induced by a pudendal artery laceration, successfully treated by laparoscopic suturing. Post-operative complications were noted in 18.7% of patients with no serious Clavien-Dindo complications. Perineodynia VAS dropped from 6.8 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 1.8 after surgery (p

Summary Introduction There are no clear recommendations on how patients with testicular microlithiasis should be followed up. The aim of our systematic review is to give clinical guidelines based on the evidence in the literature. Methods A web search was conducted during February 2018 based on Pubmed data, Embase and Cochrane database. The eligibility of articles was defined using the PICOS method, in concordance with the PRISMA recommendations. Results Fifty three articles were selected for our final synthesis. Our review highlighted an association between testicular microlithiasis and the already known risk factors of testicular germ cell tumor. The presence of testicular microlithiasis in patients with such risk factors increases more the risk of cancer. In the absence of risk factors, the risk to develop testicular cancer is similar to the risk in general population. Conclusion In patients at risk to develop testicular cancer, observation versus testicular biopsy is debatable. We recommend an individualized approach based on the age of the patient, the presence of concurrent features of testicular dysgenesis syndrome, the fertility of the couple, the desire of paternity and the ultrasound pattern (bilateral and clustered vs. unilateral and limited).

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly becoming more common in young healthy males and is attributed mainly to psychogenic causes in these patients. Recent studies have reported that ED could be secondary to pudendal nerve or artery entrapment. This perspective assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression in young patients suffering from refractory ED, associated to a pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. After excluding patients with psychological ED and venous leakage, five young male patients with a history of both ED and pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome diagnosed based on the Nantes criteria were recruited. Pudendal nerve and artery release was performed using a laparoscopic transperitoneal approach. International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and erectile hardness score (EHS) improved significantly in all patients, 3 months after surgery. Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment could be therefore a reversible cause of ED in young healthy males, and its treatment by laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression seems to be safe and effective.

Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is an underdiagnosed pathology responsible of several urinary, sexual and anorectal complaints. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release in a large retrospective cohort of patients with pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome with both a short and long-term follow-up. Technical details and outcomes are also reported.A series of 235 patients with pudendal syndrome underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal canal release between June 2015 and February 2020. Operative data were recorded prospectively for all patients. A complete history, pain visual analog scale (VAS) for perineodynia, and three scores evaluating the main symptoms (USP, IIEF-5, PAC-SYM) were obtained before and at least 24 months after surgery for 32 patients only. Post-operative complications were also evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification at regular interval.The mean operating time per side was 33.9 ± 6.8 min and the average hospital stay was 1.9 ± 0.3 days. Blood loss was 20 cc ± 10 cc with no patients needing transfusion. The only significant per-operative complication was hemorrhage (600 ml) in one patient induced by a pudendal artery laceration, successfully treated by laparoscopic suturing. Post-operative complications were noted in 18.7% of patients with no serious Clavien-Dindo complications. Perineodynia VAS dropped from 6.8 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 1.8 after surgery (p 0.001). Mean IIEF-5 scores significantly improved one month after the surgery (15.2 vs 19.3, p = 0.036). Mean USP scores significantly improved for the dysuria domain (4.2 vs 1.6, p = 0.021) but not for stress urinary incontinence (3.9 vs 4.1, p = 0.082) or overactive bladder symptoms (14.1 vs 13.8, p = 0.079). Mean PAC-SYM scores significantly improved after the procedure (1.8 vs 1.1, p 0.001).A complete laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery release, from the sciatic spine through the Alcock's canal, is a fast and safe surgery with promising functional results. A large prospective trial is needed to validate such an approach.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly becoming more common in young healthy males and is attributed mainly to psychogenic causes in these patients. Recent studies have reported that ED could be secondary to pudendal nerve or artery entrapment. This perspective assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression in young patients suffering from refractory ED, associated to a pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. After excluding patients with psychological ED and venous leakage, five young male patients with a history of both ED and pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome diagnosed based on the Nantes criteria were recruited. Pudendal nerve and artery release was performed using a laparoscopic transperitoneal approach. International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and erectile hardness score (EHS) improved significantly in all patients, 3 months after surgery. Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment could be therefore a reversible cause of ED in young healthy males, and its treatment by laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression seems to be safe and effective.

Background: Premature ejaculation has a complex etiology, and its pathophysiology is still unclear, with penile hypersensitivity being the most accepted hypothesis. The aim was to investigate the e...

Introduction: The aim is to compare the outcome of open versus laparoscopic Lich-Gregoir technique in patients with vesicoureteral reflux. We report a retrospective multicenter comparative study between open and laparoscopic extra-vesical ureteral reimplantation (EVUR) following Lich-Gregoir (LG) technique for the correction of Vesico-Ureteral Reflux (VUR). Materials and Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 96 patients with VUR (69 females and 27 males) and deterioration of the renal function, underwent EVUR following LG technique. Fifty patients (16 males and 34 females) were operated by open surgery (group A). The mean age was 4.22 years-old, (14-147 months). Laparoscopic approach (group B) was performed in 46 patients (11 males and 35 females). The mean age was 4.19 years-old (15-110 months). We compared the results in relation to degree of VUR, operative time, hospital stay, post-operative pain medications, recovery time, complications, successful rate, recurrence, and follow-up. Statistical analysis was done used Chi square test for categorical variables and the Student t-test for continuous variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In both groups no correlation was identified between age or weight and operative time, length of stay or total analgesia used. The mean operative time for group A was 63.2 and 125.4 min for unilateral and bilateral VUR, respectively, and for the group B was 127.90 and 184.5 min, respectively. There was no conversion in the laparoscopic group. Perioperative mucosal perforation of the bladder occurred in 6 patients of group A and 4 patients of group B and was immediately repaired. One patient had to be reoperated for leakage in group B. The mean duration of Morphine, IV and PO analgesia was shorter in group B. The mean hospital stay was 5.46 days for group A and 1.54 days for Group B. The success rate was 98% in group A and 97, 8% in group B. The mean follow-up was 3.67 years for the open and 1.54 years for the laparoscopic group. Transitory voiding dysfunction occurred in bilateral EVUR in one case in each group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic or Open approach for the correction of VUR following Lich-Gregoir technique is effective in unilateral and bilateral VUR with similar results. Laparoscopic approach reduces significantly (p < 0.05 in each item) post-operative pain medication, hospital stay, and allows for a faster return to normal activity., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Current shortage in organ donors led to the expansion of criteria for organ donation placing organ preservation as one cornerstone for successful transplant, graft function and survival. The historical work of Belzer and Collins paved the way for key descriptions of physiopathology of cell ischemia and protection (cytokines roles, oxidative stress, energy shift to lactic acidosis and perfusion pressure changes). Good preservation means immediate recovery of function and prevention of chronic rejection. Two cooling approaches are available: static (SCS: simple cold storage) suitable for all organs, and dynamic (HMP: hypothermic machines perfusion) designed for kidneys and liver. A thorough discussion of historically manufactured and widely sold preservation solutions e.g. EuroCollins, UW solution (Viaspan®) as well as current used solutions e.g. Custodiol® and the new Celsior is available in this review. Obviously, every single organ exhibits different tolerance to warm and cold ischemia depending on its nature and demands after transplant. Future perspectives of organ preservation may be hidden in hibernators which may hold the enigmas of perfect human organ preservation.

The evidence for the existence of a common pathway for health issues in men is presented in this review. Several epidemiological studies have shown that conditions like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome, diabetes, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate cancer, hypogonadism, depression and suicide can be associated as risk factors for each other. Thus, the risk of CVD is significantly increased in men with metabolic syndrome, ED, hypogonadism, prostate cancer and/or LUTS. In addition, the above mentioned conditions are more prevalent in atherosclerotic patients. In addition, growing evidence indicates that low androgen levels can cause metabolic syndrome. In addition, obesity, dyslipidaemia and diabetes can further reduce androgen levels potentiating their adverse effect. Low testosterone levels are also associated with a higher incidence of aggressive prostate cancer on biopsy and on definitive pathology, and lower probability of abiraterone response in the metastatic setting. Several recent studies point towards diffuse endothelial dysfunction and dysregulated pro-inflammatory state as the biological link between all these disorders. Our current hypothesis is that oxidative stress caused by these dysfunctions explains the pathogenesis of each of these conditions., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

A 2 years old boy was admitted in our institution for abdominal mass. He presented a growing abdominal mass, associated with constipation, and recently complained of pain with walking. The computed tomography-scan showed a large mass of the retroperitoneum, compressing the right ureter with upper urinary tract dilation. The alphafoetoprotein (AFP) blood level was 7500 ng/mL.

We report the case of a 2.5 years old boy diagnosed with a painless testicular mass during a clinical exam before circumcision. Testicular ultrasound revealed a vascularized 2 × 2 cm lower pole right hypoechogenic intratesticular solid lesion with calcifications, heterogeneous and distinct from the normal parenchyma. Biological markers were negative (AFP, BHCG, and LDH).

We report the case of a Lebanese infant born by normal delivery at 40 weeks of gestation. Weight and height at birth were 3200 grams and 49 cm respectively. Serum creatinine in the first week of life was 323 mmol/l (normal value for age is less than 20 mmol/l). Kidney ultrasound confirmed diagnosis of hypoplastic small kidneys. Conservative treatment of renal failure was initiated from the first days of life. Conservative management of renal failure included careful attention to fluid balance, maintenance of adequate nutrition and correction of hyperkalemia, acidosis, hyperphosphatemia and prevention of renal osteodystrophy by the use of dietary phosphate binders and vitamin D analogs. After a slight decrease of serum creatinine in the first three months of life, creatininemia increased progressively despite conservative treatment associated to hyperkalemia and severe pruritis due to hyperphosphatemia. Faced with the progression of renal failure, we decided to start automated peritoneal dialysis at seven months of life. Weight and height were respectively 6200 g and 63 cm. Serum creatinine was 432 mmol/L. Pruritis improved after starting peritoneal dialysis as well as appetite. At 20 months of life and a weight of 9.7 kg, a familial kidney transplant was performed. Immunosuppressive treatment included SimulectO, on day 1 and day 4, associated to mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolymus and prednisolone. The immediate post-transplant period was complicated by urinay tract infection due to BSLE E. coli. After four episodes of urinary tract infection due to resistant E coli associated to a non obstructive stone of 15 mm in the allograft kidney, we performed two sessions of lithotripsy and placed a double J stent. Biochemical urinary analysis did not reveal any causes for lithiasis. Stone disappeared as well as infection after lithotripsy. Renal function is normal for age one year after the kidney transplant. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a successful kidney transplant in a Lebanese infant with kidney failure since birth with kidney transplant performed at less than 10 kg of weight on the transplant day. Peritoneal dialysis is the treatment of choice for infants with chronic kidney failure. Familial or cadaveric kidney transplant should be encouraged and performed even in infants weighing less than 10 kg allowing them to have normal growth as well as social and school integration.

Current shortage in organ donors led to the expansion of criteria for organ donation placing organ preservation as one cornerstone for successful transplant, graft function and survival. The historical work of Belzer and Collins paved the way for key descriptions of physiopathology of cell ischemia and protection (cytokines roles, oxidative stress, energy shift to lactic acidosis and perfusion pressure changes). Good preservation means immediate recovery of function and prevention of chronic rejection. Two cooling approaches are available: static (SCS: simple cold storage) suitable for all organs, and dynamic (HMP: hypothermic machines perfusion) designed for kidneys and liver. A thorough discussion of historically manufactured and widely sold preservation solutions e.g. EuroCollins, UW solution (Viaspan®) as well as current used solutions e.g. Custodiol® and the new Celsior is available in this review. Obviously, every single organ exhibits different tolerance to warm and cold ischemia depending on its nature and demands after transplant. Future perspectives of organ preservation may be hidden in hibernators which may hold the enigmas of perfect human organ preservation.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) represents nowadays a controversial issue regarding its diagnosis, screening and treatment for its potential renal damage is not clearly understood. We aim in this mini-review to study the pathogenesis of VUR mechanisms in order to understand its clinical presentation and then be able to evaluate evidence in its screening and diagnosis. Primary VUR is essentially related to short intravesical length of the ureter, while secondary reflux is more related to anatomic or neuro functional anomalies of the bladder. Prevalence of VUR is high in siblings and offspring of index patients making its genetic predisposition quite evident. Recommendations in evaluation of VUR in case of antenatal hydronephrosis or urinary tract infection (UTI) differ among experts and organizations with benefits and inconveniences to each attitude.

The presence of a renal agenesis with an ipsilateral seminal vesicle cyst and an ejaculatory duct obstruction is a rare congenital anomaly initially reported by Zinner in 1914. This anomaly can be responsible of perineal pain, hemospermia, hematuria, post-ejaculatory pain, urinary tract infection, infertility and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).