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New high-power KTP laser technologies are leading to a number of urologic applications, including the treatment of strictures and--perhaps most promising--obstructive BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To determine the effects on balance and gait of a Wii-Fit program compared to a walking program in subjects with mild Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Methods. A prospective randomized (1 : 1) pilot study with two intervention arms was conducted in an assisted living facility with twenty-two mild AD subjects. In both groups the intervention occurred under supervision for 30 minutes daily, five times a week for eight weeks. Repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests were used to analyze changes. Results. Both groups showed improvement in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Test (TT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) over 8 weeks. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups over time. Intragroup analysis in the Wii-Fit group showed significant improvement on BBS (P = 0.003), and TT (P = 0.013). The walking group showed a trend towards improvement on BBS (P = 0.06) and TUG (P = 0.07) and significant improvement in TT (P = 0.06). Conclusion. This pilot study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of Wii-Fit in an assisted living facility in subjects with mild AD. Use of Wii-Fit resulted in significant improvements in balance and gait comparable to those in the robust monitored walking program. These results need to be confirmed in a larger, methodologically sound study.

Unlabelled: In a multicentre study from the USA, 3-year results of the high-power KTP laser prostatectomy are presented. The authors used preoperative PSA level as a marker of prostate volume and assessed its potential predictive value on the level of clinical efficacy for treating symptomatic BPH. They found that the overall results from the technique were positive and durable, and suggested that there was a significant difference in efficacy between patients presenting with a total PSA of <6 or >6 ng/mL. Many patients who have had a radical prostatectomy are followed for a prolonged period and several observations are presented from an Italian study of urinary incontinence. The authors present their detailed results, finding a considerable trend in incontinence and anastomotic stricture, which decreased over time., Objective: To report the 3-year results and analyse whether total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) levels and prostate volume before treatment can predict the level of clinical efficacy of photoselective vaporization prostatectomy (PVP) for treating obstructive benign prostatic disease, as high-power potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser prostatectomy was previously shown to be safe and to efficiently vaporize prostatic adenoma secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with minimal bleeding and morbidity., Patients and Methods: From October 2001 to January 2003, 139 men (mean age 67.7 years, sd 8.7) diagnosed with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH, had PVP with an average 80 W of KTP laser energy, at six investigational centres. A subanalysis evaluating each patient for tPSA and prostate volume before PVP was conducted, with a long-term assessment of the primary efficacy outcomes at 3 years after PVP. Each patient was assigned to one of two subgroups according to the tPSA level (group 1, < or = 6.0 ng/mL; group 2 > or = 6.1 ng/mL) and evaluated separately. Each subgroup was assessed for changes from baseline in American Urological Symptom Index (AUA SI) score, quality of life (QoL) score, peak urinary flow rate (Q(max)), prostate volume, and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) at 1, 2 and 3 years after PVP., Results: All tPSA subgroups had a sustained improvement in all efficacy outcomes maintained through the 3 years. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of improvement between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05) in AUA SI and Q(max) at 1, 2 and 3 years. The mean (sd) prostate volume for group 1 was 48.3 (16.7) mL (87 men), and was 83.1 (30.6) mL (52 men) in group 2. The mean percentage improvement in the AUA SI at 1, 2 and 3 years in group 1 and 2, respectively, was 86%, 92% and 85%, and 69%, 74% and 76%; the corresponding percentage improvement in Q(max) was 194%, 185% and 179%, and 124%, 145% and 139%, respectively. Overall treatment efficacy in all patients evaluated showed a mean 83%, 79%, 71% and 165% improvement in AUA SI, QoL, PVR and Q(max), respectively. Adverse events were minimal and the re-treatment rate was 4.3%., Conclusions: These results suggest that there is a significant difference in efficacy in patients with a tPSA of < or = 6.0 ng/mL or > or = 6.1 ng/mL before PVP. However, the overall results achieved with PVP were very positive and durable to 3 years, irrespective of tPSA level and prostate volume.

Purpose: We report the 1-year efficacy and safety of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for symptomatic and obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical trial was performed in 139 men clinically diagnosed with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH who were enrolled and treated with a high power, 80 W, quasicontinuous wave potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser at 6 American medical centers across the country. Efficacy parameters were mean and percent changes from baseline in the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) score, quality of life score (QOL), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and transrectal ultrasound prostate volume measurement. Patients were evaluated 1, 3, 6 and 12 months following treatment. At each followup evaluation side effects were elicited., Results: Significant improvements in AUA-SI score, QOL score, Qmax and PVR were noted as early as 1 month after PVP treatment. At 12 months the mean AUA-SI score decreased from 23.9 to 4.3 (p <0.0001) and the QOL score decreased from 4.3 to 1.1 (p <0.0001), while mean Qmax increased from 7.8 to 22.6 ml per second (p <0.0001). PVR decreased from 114.3 to 24.8 ml (p <0.0001), while the transrectal ultrasound volume reduction went from 54.6 ml at baseline to 34.4 ml. There was no significant blood loss or fluid absorption during or immediately after PVP. Complications consisted of transient hematuria, dysuria and urinary retention in 12 (8.6%), 13 (9.3%) and 7 (5%) patients, respectively., Conclusions: PVP is a unique, safe and effective outpatient modality that provides immediate symptomatic and urodynamic relief of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH. Long-term followup is needed to validate further the maintenance of clinical efficacy beyond 1 year.

Objectives: Extraperitoneal laparoscopic urethropexy (ELU) has recently been developed as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Use of the laparoscopic stapling device and Marlex mesh in the extraperitoneal space may allow for a technically easier procedure and shorter operative times compared with other laparoscopic techniques without compromising long-term efficacy. We present our initial results and 2.5-year interim analysis with this alternative method of laparoscopic urethropexy., Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients with urodynamically demonstrated genuine SUI underwent attempted ELU at a single institution from December 1994 to December 1995. Operative data were collected from the patient chart, and follow-up data were obtained by telephone interview. Treatment was considered successful if, at last follow-up, a patient was using one or fewer pads daily and would recommend the procedure to a friend., Results: ELU was completed in 22 of 24 patients. In 1 patient with a prior history of pelvic surgery, the preperitoneal space was not accessible. Of the 22 patients, 20 were available for follow-up. The mean operative time was 69 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. At initial follow-up (mean 10.5 months), 18 (90%) of 20 patients reported subjective cure of SUI (one or fewer pads daily). At a mean follow-up of 29 months (range 23 to 34), 16 (80%) of 20 patients had subjective cure of SUI. Six patients would not recommend the procedure to a friend, all of whom had de novo urgency and/or urge incontinence. Thus, using our strict criteria, ELU was successful in 14 (70%) of 20 patients at a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. No patient has had permanent urinary retention., Conclusions: ELU can be performed rapidly and safely in patients without previous pelvic surgery. De novo urgency incontinence may be problematic. Future analysis of this subset of patients will determine whether this procedure is durable in the long term.

Objectives: Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate (CSAP) and interstitial radiotherapy (IR) are relatively new procedures intended to be less invasive than radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Despite absence of long-term or intermediate data of efficacy, many patients choose one of these therapies because they presume their potency will be maintained. We report our experience with CSAP, IR, and post-procedure erectile dysfunction., Methods: Global sexual assessments were made in 12 months after therapy in 28 CSAP patients, and at 18 months in 37 IR patients. Each patient was contacted by telephone following his procedure. The patients were asked several questions regarding their sexual function both preoperatively and postoperatively. The questionnaire was administered only to the patient., Results: Twenty-eight of 36 patients who underwent CSAP responded to the questionnaire (78%). Twenty patients were potent preoperatively (71%). The mean age of the potent group was 69 years (range 54 to 82). Following therapy, 2 of these patients (10%) reported potency at 12 months. Thirty-seven of 42 patients who underwent IR responded to the questionnaire (88%). Twenty-seven were potent preoperatively (73%). The mean age of the potent group was 70 years (range 56 to 83). The mean follow-up was 18 months (range 5 to 36). Following therapy, 15 patients reported potency (55%). All of the patients who reported potency felt that the quality of their erections had decreased following radiation., Conclusions: Our short-term results with IR and CSAP suggest a significant adverse effect on erectile function. Our results suggest that enhanced preservation of potency should not be used as an enticement in the promotion of IR or CSAP.

Laser treatment for interstitial cystitis patients should be limited to those who are positively diagnosed and have failed more conservative forms of therapy. The results are not as beneficial for patients with intractable pain but show only signs of glomerulation. When the laser is used within the proper power settings and the amount of energy applied during any one operative procedure is limited, the treatment is safe and can be very beneficial.

Objective: Twenty cases of men treated with the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for meatal and/or urethral condyloma over five years were reviewed., Method: All patients underwent Nd:YAG laser treatment of visible lesions as outpatients under general anesthesia using the visual urethrotome sheath and 0 degree lens. Follow-up urethroscopy was performed at three-month intervals. Cure of the gross disease was defined as negative findings on two sequential follow-up urethroscopies., Results: All patients with gross condylomatous disease were verified to have type 6/11 human papillomavirus. Ninety-five percent had meatal condylomata of which 42 percent had concomitant distal urethral lesions. Thirty percent were cured of gross disease after one treatment, while 40 percent needed two, three, four, or five separate treatments before gross cure was obtained. Thirty percent had insufficient follow-up. Only 2 of the patients experiencing recurrence did so after negative finding on one follow-up urethroscopy., Conclusions: We believe attempts at cure of gross urethral condylomatous disease should be made because of its unsightliness and symptoms such as split stream and bleeding. Cure of gross disease with the Nd:YAG laser, as evidenced by our results, is possible. However, it may require several treatments. Follow-up urethroscopy is recommended in all patients because of the high incidence of recurrence and concomitant distal urethral involvement in those patients with meatal disease.

Objective: To determine whether the wording of the descriptions of life-sustaining interventions would affect the choices elderly patients make when completing advance directives., Methods: Survey., Setting: General community in Omaha, Nebraska., Patients: Two hundred one community-dwelling elderly were selected from a population-based sample., Main Outcome Measures: Subjects were asked whether they would accept or reject three life-sustaining interventions: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or tube feeding in three separate hypothetical case scenarios. The three life-sustaining interventions were each described positively, negatively, and exactly as they are worded in a widely used advance directive. Subjects reviewed each scenario three times with three different descriptions of the three interventions., Results: For the three interventions presented in three scenarios, subjects opted for the intervention 12 percent of the time when it was presented negatively, 18 percent of the time when it was phrased as in an advance directive already in use and 30 percent of the time it was phrased positively. One hundred fifty-five of the 201 subjects (77 percent) changed their minds at least once when given the same scenario but a different description of the intervention. Of these 155, 33 percent changed decisions one to three times, 33 percent changed decisions four to seven times, and another 34 percent changed decisions eight to seventeen times based solely on the description of the intervention., Conclusion: The decisions patients make about whether to accept or reject life-sustaining treatments are affected by the descriptions of the treatments. These findings emphasize the critical importance of doctor-patient consultation when patients execute advance directives.

In 1988 the KTP-532 laser was used to ablate a series of benign urethral strictures. Rather than using a single incision as in urethrotomy, strictures were treated with 360-degree contact photoradiation. Thirty-one male patients, average age 53.2 years, received thirty-seven treatments; 6 patients underwent a second laser treatment. Stricture etiology was commonly iatrogenic (32%), traumatic (16%), and postgonococcal (10%). Stricture location included mainly bulbar (49%), membranous (20%), and penile (12%) areas. The surgical technique consisted of circumferential ablation, followed by Foley catheter placement (mean, 10 days). Follow-up on 29 of 31 patients ranged from one to sixteen months (mean 9.7). Complete success occurred in 17 patients (59%) who had no further symptoms or instrumentation. Partial success was seen in 6 patients (20.5%) with symptom, but not stricture, recurrence. Six patients (20.5%) failed therapy, requiring additional surgery or regular dilations. No complications were seen. Although longer assessment is required, KTP-532 laser ablation of urethral strictures appears efficacious.

Recently published data have suggested a link between active human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of bladder cancer. This study was undertaken to test for HPV genomic material in the tumors of patients without evidence of ongoing viral infection. Twenty-three consecutive patients with clinical evidence of intravesical neoplasia and no history of HPV infection or clinical evidence of intercurrent disease, underwent cystopanendoscopy and biopsy as part of the routine evaluation and treatment of their tumor. Routine pathologic evaluation and southern blot analysis of biopsy material were done to establish the presence or absence of HPV DNA in the bladder tumors. Twenty-one tumors were identified by routine histology: 20 were low-to-moderate grade transitional cell carcinomas; 1 was found to be squamous cell carcinoma; 1 patient had moderate dysplasia; and 1 patient had evidence of inflammation. Four of the 20 transitional cell tumors (20%) were found to contain HPV DNA. In addition, the patients with dysplasia and cystitis were also shown to have HPV genomic material in their biopsy specimens. Viral types 6/11, 16/18, and 31/33 were found. The 20 percent incidence of HPV genomic material in bladder tumors from patients without clinical evidence of viral infection is in keeping with the observations of other investigators. We present the implication of these findings within the context of our current understanding of viral oncogenesis in the urinary bladder.

Fifty-nine males with bladder outlet obstruction were treated with transurethral ultrasonic aspiration of the prostate. Utilizing a 26.5F urethral sheath, surgery was accomplished with a 10F, 0-700-micron-vibration-level ultrasonic tip with an excursion rate of 39 kHz. Complete removal of the adenoma was accomplished followed by transurethral electrocautery biopsies of both lateral lobes to compare pathologic specimens. One year follow-up revealed satisfactory voiding patterns in 57 of 59 men (96%). Bladder neck contractures developed in 2 men. Pathologic comparisons showed 100 percent correlation between aspirated and TUR specimens (56 BPH, 3 adenocarcinoma). Forty-seven men were active sexually preoperatively (6 with inflatable penile prostheses). Post ultrasonic aspiration, 46 men had erectile function similar to preoperative levels with 1 patient suffering erectile dysfunction. Forty men (85%) had antegrade ejaculation while 7 (15%) experienced retrograde or retarded ejaculation. No patients were incontinent.

We evaluated 162 high risk male patients for the presence of subclinical anogenital human papillomavirus infection with magnified penile surface scanning. Infected patients were treated as outpatients with the carbon dioxide laser under local anesthesia. Of the patients 43 were followed for a mean of 8.7 months or 2.1 treatments after the initial treatment (range 3 to 30 months). A subset of 10 patients was followed for more than 20 months or 6.2 treatments. To date a 51% recurrence rate has been observed in the over-all population and a 50% recurrence rate was noted in the 20-month followup population. In a separate arm of this study a small number of patients (15) with deoxyribonucleic acid typed subclinical intraurethral disease plus subclinical skin lesions were treated with topical carbon dioxide laser therapy for the penile lesions and adjuvant intraurethral 5% 5-fluorouracil. Mean followup in the group was approximately 4 months. The addition of intraurethral therapy in this positive human papillomavirus reservoir group had no significant effect on the high rate of human papillomavirus recurrence.

Bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy was done in 91 consecutive patients for the staging of carcinoma of the prostate. Of the 91 patients 47 additionally received placement of radioactive gold grains or iodine seeds into the prostate. The incidence of positive nodes was 53 per cent in patients with clinical stage A2 disease, 17 per cent in stage B1, 29 per cent in stage B2 and 56 per cent in stage C disease. Pedal lymphangiography was shown not to be a useful staging procedure. Excellent correlation exists between histologic grade and pathologic stage. The surgical technique and low complication rate are discussed.

Thirty-four vesicovaginal fistulas of various causes were repaired using a suprapubic, transvesical approach modified after the original technique of O'Connor. Only four failures resulted. Two of the failures were attributed to residual or recurrent carcinoma and two to poor tissue healing resulting from an inadequate delay between the initial surgical procedure and an attempt at reconstructive surgery. Surgical complications included three wound infections and one instance of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Technical considerations thought to be important include excision of all diseased tissue in the bladder and vagina; complete separation of the bladder from the vagina with a margin of healthy tissue in all directions; careful, watertight closure of both bladder and vagina without tension; interposition of peritoneum or omentum between the closed bladder and vagina, and initial postoperative maintenance of an uninfected and dry suture line.

The use of deoxyribonucleic acid probes to examine the type of the human papillomavirus genome found in penile lesions is described at a technical level and in a clinical application. At least 40 different types of human papillomavirus have been identified and these types vary not only in their deoxyribonucleic acid base sequences but also in their clinical manifestations. Although deoxyribonucleic acid probes currently have a role only in a research setting, this study delineates the possible role of this technology in a clinical setting to detect subclinical intraurethral human papillomavirus. The results have widespread implications regarding the treatment of condyloma and the associated cervical dysplasia. In this series 25 grossly visible lesions were typed and 85 per cent contained human papillomavirus types 6 and 11. In contrast, microscopic lesions identified in the male partners of women with cervical dysplasia were shown to contain human papillomavirus types 16, 18 or 31 in 60 per cent of the cases. In addition, urethral brushings were obtained and were positive for human papillomavirus in 50 per cent of the cases despite normal urethroscopy. Human papillomavirus types 16, 18 or 31 accounted for 70 per cent of the positive urethral brushings.

A revised surgical technique to implant the inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder into the corpora cavernosa was used in 85 men. The technique places the inlet tube to the cylinder at the distal edge of the incision in the tunica albuginea. All sutures used to reapproximate the tunica are placed proximally over the solid components of the cylinder, eliminating the chance of sutures eroding the inflatable portion. The patients were followed for 12 to 24 months and have had no cylinder malfunctions.

Six patients with malignancies in a solitary kidney were treated with conservative renal parenchymal-sparing surgery utilizing the Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Three patients had transitional cell carcinoma in an upper pole calyx of a solitary kidney. The transitional cell carcinoma was treated definitively by the Nd:YAG laser through a nephroscope prior to partial nephrectomy. The 3 patients have been followed up for twenty-eight, eighteen, and six months, respectively. None of the patients has shown evidence of recurrent cancer on follow-up retrograde ureterograms or on urine cytology obtained from the renal pelves. Three patients with renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney had the tumor surgically excised utilizing the Nd:YAG laser in conjunction with standard surgical techniques. All the patients were elderly with compromised renal vasculature that prevented bench surgery with autotransplantation or occlusion of the renal artery. At sixteen, fourteen, and three months, respectively, there is no evidence of recurrent cancer on CAT scans obtained on these patients.

The vaginal diaphragm is currently less popular than other contraceptive methods, such as the pill, IUDs or surgical sterilization. It is however, regarded as one of the safest methods of contraception available and complications of diaphragm use are rare. This report describes a case in which a vesicovaginal fistula and genitourinary tract infections complicated the use of this contraceptive method.

Thirty-nine men with erectile impotence were treated with surgical implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis. The patients were followed for 6 months to 2 years. Thirty-five patients (90 per cent) have expressed long-term satisfaction with the appearance and performance of the prosthesis. Major complications developed in 9 patients (23 per cent), requiring 12 subsequent operative procedures.

Transpubic urethroplasty was done in 15 patients with prostatomembranous urethral disruption secondary to pelvic trauma. Satisfactory results were obtained in 13 patients (87 per cent). One patient remains partially incontinent, while 1 has a significant recurrent stricture. The operative technique to prevent complications is emphasized.

Forty-two incontinent males were treated with the surgical implantation of the AMS M800 GU sphincter from 1982 to 1987. Patients' ages ranged from twenty-four to eighty-four years. All patients had the M800 GU sphincter deactivated from six to sixteen weeks post implantation. Patients were followed from seven to sixty months postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 26.2 months. Thirty-two males (76%) were completely continent post insertion of the M800 GU sphincter while 4 men (9%) experienced minimal to moderate stress incontinence. Two patients (5%) were unable to manipulate the device secondary to physical and/or mental incapacity. Four patients (9%) required removal of components or the entire GU sphincter secondary to infection and/or erosion. Two of these men were subsequently reimplanted with the M800 sphincter and are now totally continent.

In 1974 a combined 3-hospital assessment was undertaken to evaluate the surgical treatment of erectile impotence. A comparison study on the inflatable penile and the rigid rod (Small-Carrion) prostheses was established. The inflatable penile prosthesis was implanted in 105 patients, while 45 men received the Small-Carrion prosthesis. A long-term success rate was achieved in 98 patients (93 per cent) who received the inflatable prosthesis. This prosthesis was removed in 7 cases because of infection, pain or inability to operate it. Functional success was achieved in 39 patients (88 per cent) with the Samll-Carrion prosthesis. This prosthesis was removed in 6 cases, mainly because of infection and erosion of the rods into the urethra or glans penis. A guide line to proper prosthetic selection is presented for various patient populations.

Twenty of 391 newly diagnosed cases of prostatic cancer (5%) had a prior prostatectomy for benign disease. Digital rectal examination in 16 of 19 patients (84%) revealed a significant prostatic abnormality. Continued serial digital rectal examination should be performed routinely after prostatectomy for benign disease.

Thirty patients with histologically proved metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma Stage D were treated with a single oral dose of 80 mg. per Kg. hydroxyurea every third day (based on ideal or actual weight, whichever is less) and 12 mg. chlorotrianisene per day. Toxicity was mild. The most common manifestations were nausea, occasional vomiting, and leukopenia. A definite attempt was made to depress the white blood count to approximately 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Hydroxyurea was not discontinued unless the white blood count decreased to less than 2,000 cells per cu. mm., after which a single dose was usually omitted. Omission of a single dose would allow the white blood count to return promptly to more than 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Objective tumor regression was demonstrated in 15 of the 30 patients, and most patients had a definite improvement in the quality of life.

Two hundred ninety patients have been followed up for at least one year or longer after implantation of the AMS M700 inflatable penile prosthesis. One hundred twenty-seven males have been followed up for two years or longer. Eighty-six impotent men had a follow-up of eighteen months or longer. The remaining 77 patients were studied for at least twelve months or longer. There have been 3 mechanical failures of cylinders implanted secondary to nonabsorbable surgical sutures remaining from previous prosthetic surgery. There were no reservoir or pump malfunctions. Eight patients had a slow leak from the nonkinking tubing. Since a revision of the manufacturing process of the nonkinking tubing in September, 1983, there have been no further leaks. Life table analysis for survival in this group of patients showed a probability of survival at three years of 97.9 per cent. The satisfaction rate among patients is greater than 90 per cent.

Subcutaneous administration of 5 mg. bethanechol chloride did not change significantly either flow rates or percentage residual urine in 11 patients with a positive bethanechol supersensitivity test. Therefore, a positive response to this test cannot be used to predict improved voiding function after subcutaneous or oral administration of the drug. Studies that purport to show a long-term rather than a short-term facilitory effect of this agent on voiding must satisfy rigid criteria, which include totally excluding a change in any other factor affecting the lower urinary tract.

Twenty-five inflatable and two semi-rigid rod type penile prostheses have been implanted in 27 patients with erectile failure following pelvic trauma. Reoperation was required in 13 patients in the inflatable prosthesis group but ultimate success and satisfaction were achieved in 92%. The etiology of erectile failure following various types of trauma is reviewed, as well as the approach to the evaluation of erectile failure in such a patient. Where etiology-specific corrective therapy is not possible, the penile prosthesis has proven to be an acceptable form of substitution therapy.

Urinary retention and the possible consequence of infection after total joint replacement is an important subject to urologists and orthopedic surgeons. A prospective, randomized study was performed in 77 elderly female patients with total joint replacement to test whether twenty-four-hour catheterization perioperatively or straight catheterization postoperatively in the recovery room might reduce the control group's incidence of postoperative urinary tract infection (9%), urinary retention (57%), and subsequent urinary catheterizations. In 16 percent of the patients who had straight catheterization in the recovery room a urinary tract infection developed postoperatively, and 65 percent of these patients required at least one more catheterization with 13 percent requiring a subsequent indwelling Foley catheter. The patients who had perioperative (immediately preoperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively) catheter drainage had a zero incidence of retention and only a 4 percent incidence of urinary tract infection. We recommend this regimen for elderly female patients undergoing total joint replacement under spinal anesthesia.

A discussion of the anatomy, neurophysiology, endocrinology, and organ pharmacology pertinent to erectile function is presented, highlighting recent innovations in the pharmacologic treatment of impotence. Both oral and intracorporal pharmacologic agents that affect erectile dysfunction are discussed.

Sixteen men with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis were treated primarily with the Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Five patients had TIS, 9 had T1 tumors, and 2 had T2 carcinoma. All patients had refused traditional therapy of partial penectomy and gave informed consent as to the investigational nature of the Nd:YAG laser photoradiation therapy. Circumcisions and deep tissue biopsies were performed on all patients prior to tumoricidal neodymium photoradiation treatment. The patients were followed from twelve to thirty-six months. At follow-up, 5 patients with TIS had no evidence of recurrent cancer. Of the 9 patients with T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, 6 (67%) were tumor-free at a mean follow-up of twenty-six months. The 2 men with T2 carcinoma of the penis had reduction of the tumor mass but were not cured. The obvious advantage of the Nd:YAG laser in treating carcinoma of the penis is preservation of the penis eliminating disfiguring amputation.

Metastases from urologic neoplasms often occur to the central nervous system or surrounding bony structures. Usually these metastases are discovered after the primary tumor has been identified. However, these tumors may present primarily with only manifestations of their central nervous system metastases. Five cases of different urologic tumors presenting as neurosurgical masses are presented, along with a brief review of the pertinent literature.

A 5 mg. subcutaneous dose of bethanechol chloride was given to 12 women with residual urine volumes equal to or greater than 20 per cent of bladder capacity but no evidence of neurologic disease, or anatomic or functional outlet obstruction and to 27 normal women wtih approximately the same mean age. The cystometric and some profilometric parameters did change, indicating that the drug was pharmacologically active. No improvement in voiding function was noted, as judged by residual urine volume and flow rate measurements. These results raise significant questions regarding the contemporary use of this drug, especially in the currently recommended oral dosages.

The lasers most amenable to urologic surgery are the CO2, argon, and neodymium:YAG lasers. An understanding of the characteristics of these lasers is essential to the choice of the proper laser for the individual urologic condition to be treated. The relative advantages and disadvantages of all modes of therapy for bladder carcinoma and condylomata are discussed.

The advantages of each of the laser types used in urologic surgery are discussed and evaluated. Use of the Nd:YAG laser in urologic surgery is a recent advancement.

From 1971 to 1981, 6 patients with scrotal and penile lymphedema were treated with total excision of the scrotal and penile skin. Split thickness skin grafts were used to cover the penis and form a neoscrotum. Of the patients 2 men had primary idiopathic lymphedema, while 4 had secondary lymphedema resulting from foreign body injections or trauma with subsequent chronic infection. Surgical considerations using split thickness skin grafts versus posterior lateral scrotal skin flaps are compared.

Two methods of ureterotomy closure, loose adventitial closure and an unsutured incision, were evaluated and compared in 89 cases of simple ureterolithotomy. The loose adventitial closure was associated with a significantly shorter period of postoperative urinary drainage and a lower incidence of ureteral narrowing found at follow-up urographic examination.

Mobilization of an intact omental pedicle graft for supportive use has been carried out in a variety of genitourinary reconstructive procedures. Mobilzation is accomplished by detachment of the omentum from the transverse colon and by separation from the greater curvature of the stomach. The right gastroepiploic artery is generally preserved as the blood supply to the omental pedicle. Further pedicle lengthening can be achieved as necessary by selective division of the omentum, based on the arterial anatomy. The rich vascular and lymphatic supply of the omentum and its attendant potential to contribute to healing, even in the presence of infection, while maintaining its suppleness and allowing epithelization to occur over its surface, makes the omental pedicle graft an extremely useful adjunct in the following difficult situations: complicated vesicovaginal, prostatorectal, and rectovaginal fistulas; reconstruction of the bladder neck and bulbo-membranous urethral areas; extensive injury to the bladder; and a variety of renal and ureteral reconstructive procedures.

Infusion urethral profilometry using carbon dioxide as a medium is an interesting study with a wide range of variability from day to day in a single individual, a fact that considerably reduces the value of a single measurement as a diagnostic tool. Presently, all forms of infusion profilometry must be considered to be interpretable only within the framework of the entire neurourologic evaluation. The study may be useful to make the clinician more secure about a particular diagnosis and as an objective measurement for medico-legal documentation. It also may be useful in predicting and objectively demonstrating treatment results if normal variability can be excluded. However, a high level of skepticism should be maintained regarding the value of the profile in those situations in which its interpretation does not correlate with the impression formed from the remainder of the neurourologic evaluation.

Previously we demonstrated a 68 per cent recurrence rate for subclinical penile human papillomavirus infections found by magnified penile surface scanning and treated with the carbon dioxide laser. In this report it is shown that the addition of a regimen of adjuvant topical 5-fluorouracil does not lower the recurrence rate. This knowledge combined with the evidence for a subclinical urethral reservoir of human papillomavirus implies that any strictly topical therapy will fail at 4 months of followup and that improved systemic therapy may be needed.