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Introduction and Objectives: ureteroscopy is now a widely used procedure in urology. Technological advances in endourology are used to manage the majority of ureteral stones (1). In this study we evaluated retrospectively our cases of ureteral lithiasis treated by ureteroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although several new measurements for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) have recently been developed, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) remains the gold standard for screening and one of the most widely used questionnaires. The Italian translation of the FSFI has been used in several studies conducted in Italy, but a linguistic validation of the Italian version does not exist., Aim: The aim of this study was to perform a linguistic validation of the Italian version of the FSFI., Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 14 urological and gynecological clinics, uniformly distributed over Italian territory. We performed all steps necessary to determine the reliability and the test-retest reliability of the Italian version of the FSFI. The study population was a convenience sample of 409 Italian women., Main Outcome Measures: The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, which was considered weak, moderate, or high if its value was found less than 0.6, between 0.6 and 0.8, or equal to or greater than 0.8, respectively. The test-retest reliability was assessed for all women in the sample by calculating Pearson's concordance correlation coefficient for each domain and for the total score, both at baseline and after 15 days (r range between -1.00 to +1.00, where +1.00 indicates the strongest positive association)., Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficients for total and domain score were sufficiently high, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 for the total sample. The test-retest procedure revealed that the concordance correlation coefficient was very high both for FSFI-I total score (Pearson's P = 0.93) and for each domain (Pearson's P always >0.92)., Conclusion: For the first time in the literature, our study has produced a validated and reliable Italian version of the FSFI questionnaire. Consequently, the Italian FSFI can be used as a reliable tool for preliminary screening for female sexual dysfunction for Italian women., (© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Laser vaporisation of the prosthesis (LP) is now regarded as the most valid alternative to endoscopic resection (TUR). It is a safe, relatively non-invasive and clinically effective method but requires the use of very expensive instruments., Aim: In order to obtain the same results but at a lower cost, an innovative technique has recently been introduced: "prostatic electrovaporisation" which uses a combination of coagulation and electrosurgical tissue vaporisation, and achieves the same biological effect as laser treatment using equipment already available for standard TUR merely by modifying the operator electrode., Methods: From February to September 1995, a total of 105 patients (38 with benign prostatic hypertrophy, 7 with advanced prostate carcinoma, 60 with multifocal superficial vescical carcinoma with a mean diameter of 2.5 cm) underwent transurethral tissue vaporisation using a rotary, constant flow ACMI resector with a grooved roller ball which enables the contemporary coagulation and vaporisation of tissues., Results: In terms of benign and malignant prostate pathology, surgery is slightly shorter than TUR (5-10 minutes on average), blood loss is minimum (hemotransfusion is never required), the post-TVP catheter stage is comparable to that of TUR; late hematuria never occurs caused by scab removal and there are no episodes of urinary incontinence. Cervical deobstruction has always proved valid when controlled by RT scan, micturitional cystography and uroflowgraph with very slight irritative symptoms following the recovery of spontaneous micturition. In the case of vescical neoplasia it has always shown a good destructive effect on the oncotic mass with an oncological radicality comparable to that of TUR. There is a very low risk of accidental perforation of the vescica, and the intensity of the obturating reflex is also considerably diminished; bleeding is almost absent. This has led to a shorter hospital stay and a marked reduction in hospitalisation costs. Like LP, TVP does not allow a precise histological evaluation. In order to avoid this drawback, prior to tissue vaporisation treatment it is worth carrying out a clinical study to exclude malignant pathology (transrectal prostate ecotomography, PSA and/or PSA density and/or preoperative prostate biopsy), and intraoperative biopsy resection., Conclusion: In short, with due respect for the clinical indications, tissue vaporisation should be preferred: a) to standard TUR, essentially on account of limited bleeding and consequent drastic reduction in hospital stay; b) to laser treatment, basically because of the reduced costs and scarcity (or absence) or post-treatment irritative disorders.

Owing to its numerous biological characteristics, Tissucol fibrin cement is widely used in general and specialised surgery. In urology it is used on both the renal parenchyma and on the entire urinary tract. The authors report their experience regarding the use of Tissucol in the execution of urethro-vescical anastomosis during radical prostatectomy and cystectomy with orthotopic neovescica according to Camey II. A group of 25 patients were examined of whom 10 with vescical neoplasia and 25 with cancer of the prostate. Anastomosis was always performed using four or five suture stitches in Dexon 2/0 and subsequently sealed with Tissucol. Suture condition was regularly checked using contrastography. The suture only gave way in one case of orthotopic neovescica with consequent urinary fistula; in all the other cases the anastomosis showed a perfect seal in both the short and long term. In the authors' opinion the good immediate result of anastomosis can significantly reduce the postoperative hospitalization.