Use of Digital Healthcare Communication to Improve Urologists' Surveillance of Lithiasis Patients Treated with Internal Urinary Drainage Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Period

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected lithiasis patients, which has led to an increase in the number of internal stents that have been installed. In this paper, two studies were carried out, a clinical study and a quantitative study. The aim of the first study was to evaluate the incidence and the prevalence of bacterial urinary colonization in patients with obstructive urolithiasis who needed internal stents implanted. In the second study, a multiple linear regression was created to identify the opinion of urologists regarding the importance of using digital technologies to improve the communication process. The result of the clinical study illustrates that the prevalence of urinary colonization in patients with internal stents carried out for obstructive urolithiasis was 35%, with this value being influenced by co-infection with COVID-19. The results of the quantitative study illustrated the fact that urologists are open to using new online technologies to facilitate communication with patients. The results have high importance for both doctors and patients, illustrating the main factors that have the ability to influence the communication process. The hospital managers should take into account the results obtained in this study when they choose to use certain online communication technologies with patients.

The Current State of Knowledge Regarding the Use of Double J Catheters in Treating Obstructive Urolithiasis

"Urinary lithiasis is a common pathology in the modern era. Its significance lies in the possible complications that may arise as well as in its potential for recurrence. The treatment and prevention of recurrences of urinary lithiasis often require the intervention of several specialists: urologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, biochemists, etc. In the last 20 years, the treatment strategy for urinary lithiasis has changed, with minimally invasive methods replacing laparoscopic or open surgery. These are effective and have rare complications. Whichever treatment method is chosen, it may be necessary to temporarily divert the upper urinary tract by inserting double J catheters for preventive, curative, or palliative purposes. Ureteral catheters have had to be improved over time to avoid two major incidents: their migration and colonization. Various materials were used, varying the shape, size, length, guide as well as approaches. The urinary infection-urolithiasis association is frequent, without always being able to specify the cause-effect relationship. The rate of urinary colonization appears to be influenced by the presence of stent colonization as well as the time since the implant. The association of chronic diseases or emergency insertion is associated with an increased risk of urinary colonization. Complications induced by the time of the double J catheter being implanted are rare, and minor and disappear with its removal. In the case of failure to insert a double J ureteral catheter, the alternative would be to perform an ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy. Double J ureteral catheter insertion is an effective minimally invasive option in the treatment of obstructive urolithiasis. "

Clinical significance of p16INK4a and p53 and their involvement in penile cancer development. A literature review

"Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncoproteins are vital for developing HPV induced penile carcinoma. The viral oncoproteins play a central role in oncogenesis by interacting with several cellular regulatory proteins, such as p16INK4a and p53. Many studies suggest that these proteins showed clinical utility in predicting nodal disease, cancer specific survival, overall survival and even tumor grade. Understanding the molecular mechanism involved in the carcinogenesis of penile cancer could offer biomarkers for disease progression, treatment response and potential targeted therapies; (2) Methods: This paper is a prospective study on a group of 100 patients who underwent prostate surgery during 2013 and 2014 in the Urology Clinic of “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital Bucharest. They were tested for HPV by PCR and IHC (p16) methods; (3) Results: 11 cases (22%) of HPV were found in the cluster of patients tested. PCR and P16 were the HPV diagnostic tests used. In order to determine the consistency of the 2 tests, the Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used at a p level < 0.05. The PCR method had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 94.9%. The P16 method had a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 89.7%."

Renal tumor biomarkers (Review)

One of the most common types of cancer worldwide (9th most commonly diagnosed) is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is more common in developed countries and it usually develops in individuals between 60 and 70 years of age. The earlier the disease is identified, the lower the morbidity. Therefore molecular markers that exist in blood and urine may be used for earlier detection and diagnosis but also for the follow-up of the patient after treatment, whether surgical or oncological. The trend is to analyze the gene and protein expression as they constitute a source for new biomarkers. These markers are promising but in clinical practice regarding disease management, they are rarely used. Biological markers can be employed in many tumors because they can identify the prognostic value for individual treatment. However, markers for RCC are not validated, and their analysis is currently under investigation. Previous findings have demonstrated that the metastatic potential of RCC can be predicted using the biological features of the tumor cell. It is believed that the transformation from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype gives the tumor cell the ability to metastasize. The purpose of this review was to identify the most valuable tumor markers that can be clinically used for the prognosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with renal tumors.

Malignant Priapism - What Do We Know About It?

Malignancy as an etiological factor involved in priapism pathogenesis is rare. Malignant priapism (MP) can arise as a result of penile tumor invasion, either from primary penile tumors or from metastatic penile tumors, or due to hematological malignancies. Non-urological penile metastases are associated with significant worse prognosis compared to urological penile metastases, the appearance of priapism in such cases affecting even more the prognosis and the survival of these patients. Patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies and priapism present significant higher survival rates compared to those who develop MP in the context of a non-hematological malignancy, this being related to the fact that hematological malignancies are more sensitive to chemo- and radiotherapy. Most malignant priapism cases are ischemic; therefore the management should be based on the initial steps of the IP therapeutic protocol. Considering the trigger factor that has led to the priapic event specific oncologic treatment can be added as well.

Benefits of erectile function recovery programs after radical prostatectomy (Review)

Radical prostatectomy is one of the most frequent therapeutic options used for the management of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Normal erectile function after radical prostatectomy is a great problem for numerous patients and a real challenge for urologists worldwide. The advancements that have been made over the years in terms of minimally invasive surgery, as well as in terms of surgical techniques, have reduced the incidence of erectile dysfunction, but even so, its rate remains high and the post-operative recovery of erectile function is a long and costly process. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors have provided excellent results and have become the first-line treatment for these patients, followed by intracavernous injections with alprostadil. Several studies have underlined the impact of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in terms of preventing the fibrotic changes that are responsible for the irreversible erectile dysfunction. The general opinion is that an erectile function recovery process should be started as soon as possible after surgery to prevent the negative effects of neuropraxia.

Renal Failure in Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the aberrant herniation or descent of the pelvic units from their regular sites or their normal location in the pelvis. The pelvic organs that may be interested include the vaginal apex or uterus, anterior wall of vagina-cystocele, or posterior wall of vagina-rectocele. A thorough review of the literature using PUB med and SCOPUS databases was conducted We focused on those patients with preoperatory renal failure and on the results that these patients have achieved after surgery regarding this rare complication of pelvic prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse can be considered an underdiagnosed disease. Many patients fail to present themselves to a doctor due to a false shame feeling. Fortunately renal failure is a rare complication of pelvic organ prolapse, often occurring in patients with asymptomatic or neglected POP. A major proportion of cases are able to recover some of their renal function but for some dialysis remains the only option.

Laser-driven radiation: Biomarkers for molecular imaging of high dose-rate effects

Recently developed short‐pulsed laser sources garner high dose‐rate beams such as energetic ions and electrons, x rays, and gamma rays. The biological effects of laser‐generated ion beams observed in recent studies are different from those triggered by radiation generated using classical accelerators or sources, and this difference can be used to develop new strategies for cancer radiotherapy. High‐power lasers can now deliver particles in doses of up to several Gy within nanoseconds. The fast interaction of laser‐generated particles with cells alters cell viability via distinct molecular pathways compared to traditional, prolonged radiation exposure. The emerging consensus of recent literature is that the differences are due to the timescales on which reactive molecules are generated and persist, in various forms. Suitable molecular markers have to be adopted to monitor radiation effects, addressing relevant endogenous molecules that are accessible for investigation by noninvasive procedures and enable translation to clinical imaging. High sensitivity has to be attained for imaging molecular biomarkers in cells and in vivo to follow radiation‐induced functional changes. Signal‐enhanced MRI biomarkers enriched with stable magnetic nuclear isotopes can be used to monitor radiation effects, as demonstrated recently by the use of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) for biomolecular observations in vivo. In this context, nanoparticles can also be used as radiation enhancers or biomarker carriers. The radiobiology‐relevant features of high dose‐rate secondary radiation generated using high‐power lasers and the importance of noninvasive biomarkers for real‐time monitoring the biological effects of radiation early on during radiation pulse sequences are discussed.

Mesh colposacropexy in the management of anterior vaginal compartment prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a frequent female pathology, often causing a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to present the results that we have achieved in 32 patients with anterior vaginal compartment prolapse, managed using the transvaginal mesh approach.

Over a period of twelve months, we have performed 32 transvaginal reconstructive procedures using a four arms polypropylene mesh. The superior arms of the mesh have been passed through the obturator foramen while the inferior arms have been passed through the sacrospinous ligament.

The surgery has lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life in this group of patients, this being assessed using self-administered questionnaires that evaluated the quality of life, the sexual function, and urinary continence. Anatomical success was achieved in 96.87% of the cases. In terms of postoperative complications, we mention one case of vaginal erosion, one case of de novo dyspareunia and three cases of pelvic discomfort. So far we have not encountered any mesh exposure cases nor prolapse recurrence.

Considering the results that we have achieved in our study, we can conclude that the transvaginal polypropylene mesh approach can prove itself to be a viable solution for the management of genital prolapse, especially if we consider the high postoperative rates of anatomical success and low rates of postoperative complications, as well as improving the patient’s quality of life. In spite of these encouraging results, the fact that in recent years FDA has emitted several warnings in terms of postoperative complications following such procedures, as well as the fact that our study was conducted on a small group of patients, limits the strength of our research, its only purpose being to present our experience for this surgical approach over a limited period of time.

The Role of Tranexamic Acid in Controlling Bloodloss During PCNL for Staghorn Calculi

The aim of this paper is to assess the efficiency and safety of the tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and the need for transfusion in patients diagnosed with staghorn calculi treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive technique used for large kidney stones. Hemorrhagic complications and urinary sepsis are serious complications associated with this type of surgery. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic drug that has the property of reducing intra or postoperative bleeding. The experience with tranexamic acid in preventing blood loss during percutaneous nephrolithotomy for is limited. The use tranexamic acid in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn type stones is safe and is associated with reduced blood loss and a lower transfusion rate.

The Control of Bloodloss During Percutanerous Nephrolithotomy Using Tranexamic Acid

The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency and safety of the tranexamic acid in reducing hemmorrhagic complications and transfusion requirements in patients with renal lithiasis treated by percutaneous approach. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive technique used for large kidney stones (]20mm). Urinary sepsis and intra or postoperative bleeding are the very serious complications associated with this type of procedure. Tranexamic acid is used in the treatment of many haemorrhagic conditions. The experience with tranexamic acid in preventing bloodloss during percutaneous nephrolithotomy is very limited. The use tranexamic acid in percutaneous nephrolithotomy is safe and is associated with reduced blood loss and a lower transfusion rate.

The Use of ELISA and PCR in Identifying Correlations between Viral Infection and Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is induced by a persistent local inflammatory process that leads to cell proliferation. Viral infections associated with immune deficiencies can trigger the chronic inflammation of the prostate. Therefore, we have investigated several viral expressions in BPH patients and tried to establish a link with the diagnosed hyperplasia. 50 patients with BPH without urinary tract infection were tested for the presence of the following viruses: human papilloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These viruses are the most common cause of asymptomatic viral infections. HPV-specific DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for freshly surgical removed tissue sample. Both anti-CMV (IgG, IgM) and anti-EBV (IgG, IgM) antibodies were detected in the patients� serum with standard enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique (ELISA). Specific HPV-DNA in prostate tissue was found only in 4% of patients, while 98% and 100% patients were positive for serum anti-CMV IgG or anti-EBV, proving intense earlier contact with the virus. IgM anti-CMV evaluation was found in around 10% of the cases which were also negative for EBV, sustaining that this was a non-acute infection. The findings showed that BPH may be associated with a chronic inflammation due to the post-viral infection with CMV or EBV, or secondary to the presence of these viruses in the prostate, while the involvement of HPV infection in BPH development is comparably lower. Our data suggests that viral investigation in BPH should be considered in the screening protocol of BPH as an indicator of possible inflammatory-mediated tumorigenesis of urinary tract.

Erectile dysfunction post-radical prostatectomy - a challenge for both patient and physician

Post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (post RP ED) is a major postoperative complication with a great impact on the quality of life of the patients. Until present, no proper algorithm or guideline based on the clinical trials has been established for the management of post RP ED. According to literature, it is better to initiate a penile rehabilitation program as soon as possible after surgery than doing nothing, in order to prevent and limit the postoperative local hypoxygenation and fibrosis. The results of numerous clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors therapy on post RP ED have made them the gold standard treatment. Encouraging results have been achieved in studies with vacuum erectile devices, intraurethral suppositories with alprostadil and intracavernosal injections, but due to their side effects, especially in the cases of intracavernosal injections and intraurethral suppositories, their clinical use was limited therefore making them a second line option for the post RP ED treatment. What should not be forgotten is that penile implant prosthesis has proven very effective, numerous studies confirming high rates of satisfaction for both patients and partners.

Medical nutrition therapy in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease--a review of literature

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease worldwide, with a prevalence of 20%-40% in Western populations. The purpose of this article is to review data related to lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD.

METHOD

We searched a public domain database (PubMed) with the following categories: disease (NAFLD, fatty liver, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) and intervention (lifestyle intervention, diet, nutrition) with each possible combination through 25 September 2014, for relevant articles. Review of articles was restricted to those published in English. We selected the studies involving adult patients only.

CONCLUSION

There is no consensus as to what diet or lifestyle approach is the best for NAFLD patients. However, patients with NAFLD may benefit from a moderate- to low-carbohydrate (40%-45% of total calories) diet, coupled with increased dietary MUFA and n-3 PUFAs, reduced SFAs. More CRT are needed to clarify the specific effects of different diets and dietary components on the health of NAFLD patients.

ABBREVIATIONS

NAFL = Non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFLD = non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NASH = non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, HCC = hepatocarcinoma, BEE = basal energy expenditure, CRT = A small clinical randomized trial showed that short-term carbohydrate restriction is more efficacious in reducing intrahepatic triglyceride, IHT = intrahepatic triglyceride, VLCD = Very low calorie diets, AST = aspartate aminotransferases, SFAs = saturated fatty acids.

Determining factors of diuresis in chronic kidney disease patients initiating hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) begin chronic hemodialysis with variable diuresis levels correlated to a comparable low glomerular filtration rate. Residual diuresis influences long-term evolution of the hemodialyzed patient, modifying the prognosis even if optimal Kt/ V is achieved.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study emphasizes the main determining factors of diuresis in a cohort of stage 5 CKD subjects at the beginning of hemodialysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

216 patients with stage 5 CKD starting chronic hemodialysis were included in the study, and were grouped according to their residual diuresis: group A (urine output ≤ 500 mL/ day); group B (urine output between 500-1200 mL/ day); group C (urine output ≥ 1200 mL/ day).

RESULTS

Glomerular etiology, cardiac systolic dysfunction, severe malnutrition, emergency dialysis initiation and lack of permanent vascular access were proved to be associated with significant low diuresis. Age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the presence of systemic hypertension did not influence the amount of daily diuresis.

CONCLUSIONS

In CKD stage 5 patients, residual diuresis presents large variations in conditions of comparable low GFR. Factors influencing residual diuresis may be distinct from those that influence residual GFR.

Surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases in urogenital cancers

INTRODUCTION

The malignant disease's ability to metastasize remains one of the major obstacles when treating patients with cancer. The indication of metastasectomy is currently limited to patients undergoing treatment of the primary tumor. Resections for lung metastases of high selected patients with urogenital cancer present minimal risks and can prolong survival. Prognostic factors that determine which patients will benefit from surgery are still unclear.

MATERIAL AND RESULTS

This article presents a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent lung metastases resection between 2008 and 2013 in our clinic. Among 148 patients, 8 (5.41%) had lung metastases after urologic cancers (UC), 18 (12.16%) after genital cancers (GC), 13 (8.78%) after breast tumors and 109 (73.65%) had lung metastases from other type of tumors. The overall 6 months survival was 100% for UC, 94.44 for GC, 84.62% for BC and 87.16% for others.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The criteria for surgery proved to have a positive predictive value and what should be considered are the following: prolonged disease-free interval (DFI), unilateral disease, the absence of systemic pathologies, oncological margins resecability and less than 3 radioimagistic detectable metastases. A negative prognosis was observed in those with primary tumor in the cervix, at least 3 metastases and a tumor larger than 3 cm. To determine how to select surgical candidates for pulmonary metastasectomy more precisely, further analysis of prognostic factors is evident and the need for a prospective, randomized, multicenter study is clear.

Giant condyloma acuminatum - Buschke-Lowenstein disease - a literature review

AIM

Buschke-Lowenstein disease or giant condyloma acuminatum represents a rare, sexually transmitted disorder, with a slow evolution and the tendency to infiltrate in the adjacent tissues; untreated, the outcome is unfavorable. The hallmark is the development of one or various prominent-sized vegetant tumors that usually ulcerate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present article summarizes both the etiopathogenic features and the current approach of treatment management.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive surgery along with local and systemic therapy is adequate in patients with small-sized lesions or high intraoperative risk. The main treatment remains extensive surgery with wide resection and often reinterventions to complete the excision.

CONCLUSIONS

giant condyloma acuminatum represents a continuous surgical challenge, because of the need of exhaustive surgical procedures that should consider both the oncological principles and a better anatomical resolution. No standard treatment protocol can be established, because of the infrequency of the disease. Radical surgery including full thickness excision of the affected areas represents the "gold standard" therapy. Other known forms of treatment present unsatisfactory results without statistical significance, the studies having been conducted on small groups of patients. An adequate, long-term follow-up of Buschke-Lowenstein patients is highly recommended, because of the increased recurrence rate.

Immunological investigations in prostatic pathology--a prospective study

BACKGROUND

BPH with prostatitis represents one of the most common urological pathologies affecting most men. The etiology of both conditions remains at the discretion of the various assumptions.

OBJECTIVES

The body's cellular immune response in prostate adenoma is a less studied aspect which we have focused on, in this paper. The correlation with a wide range of information from specific investigations such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and total histopathology was the secondary aim of this work.

METHODS

The study included 31 patients who underwent surgery for prostate adenoma (TUR-P, simple prostatectomy) between 08.2013 and 03.2014. Patients presenting urinary tract infection were excluded from the study. Preoperative evaluation of the immunological examination consisted of lymphocyte immunophenotyping (T, B, NK cells) from peripheral blood performed by flow cytometry. Total PSA was performed in serum by enzyme immunoassay EIA.

RESULTS

In all forms of anatomoclinical BPH we found the presence of two major cellular changes: decrease of suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells and decrease of B cells. These deficits may confer an increased susceptibility to viral infection and tumor transformation. NK cells were grown in BPH associated with inflammation. PSA-prostate specific antigen values were grown at less than 50% of the patients in all clinical forms of BPH.

Left renal cyst - left duplex kidney with compromised superior renal unit and ectopic ureteral orifice in the prostatic urethra

The urinary abnormalities are an important health problem. If they are not recognized in due time, they usually lead to the loss of the renal unit function. In many cases, the diagnosis is late and incidental.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of M.I., a 74-year-old male admitted in our surgical unit with diffuse left lumbar pain, low urinary tract symptoms and slow increase in abdomen volume in the past 4 years. Computer tomography scan and ecography showed a large left lumbar cyst like mass with a dilated supernumerary ureter with ectopic ureteral orifice in the prostatic urethra and apparently normal anatomic inferior renal unit. The goal was the excision of the "cyst like" mass (superior left renal unit) but because of the anatomical particularities (extensive fibrosis and local topographical changes) total nephrectomy was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Given a normal contralateral kidney, the discovery of a urinary abnormality can be a real challenge, their evolution being a silent one. This type of disease can be suspected only with the development of clinical symptoms. The anatomic particularities (duplex kidney) together with the long evolution of the disease changed the local topography making the preservation of the inferior left renal unit a difficult, almost impossible task for the surgeon.

Transobturator urethral suspension surgical treatment of urinary incontinence in men

INTRODUCTION

Urinary incontinence represents involuntary urethral loss of urine and represents a major health problem worldwide, mainly due to the psychosocial implications it determines. The surgical treatment of urinary incontinence in men is needed especially postoperatively, after radical retropubic prostatectomy, transurethral resection or vaporization of prostate, bladder neck incision etc. Surgical indications appear when all the other conservatory means of treatment have failed, including antimuscarinic medication or pelvic floor training.

TECHNIQUE

The surgical procedure is similar to the one used for women, TOT to be more precise. The meshes are made of polypropylene, identical to those used for women or especially designed for urinary incontinence in men. The surgical technique can be "in-out" or "out-in" according to surgeon preferences.

RESULTS

Postoperative recovery was fast and without major complications. The urethral catheter was removed 24 hours after the procedure and the patients were discharged 48-72 hours after surgery. After 30 days postoperative, urodynamics and abdominal echography showed no vesical residue. Success rate is about 80%.

COMPLICATIONS

Intraoperative complications are minimal (urethral, vascular or vesical) and can be avoided in the hands of experienced surgeons. Mesh rejection and rupture or urethral erosion can occur as rare postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Transobturator urethral suspension procedure proved to be efficient. It is a minimally invasive procedure, easy and with relatively short surgical time. Inbound time is short, making this procedure cost-effective.

Paraneoplastic syndrome in primitive retroperitoneal tumours

INTRODUCTION

Retroperitoneal tumours represent a particular oncological pathology. No other human pathology is so deceiving and scarce in specific clinical symptoms as these tumours. Usually borrowing the symptoms of nearby organs they are discovered in advanced or incurable stages.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We have tried to present to you the challenge of diagnosing some retroperitoneal tumours. One of the rarest signs was by far the paraneoplastic syndrome or the secretion of active biological substances. The study group is composed of histopatologically diagnosed patients. The vast majority were selected from urology and general surgery wards, but there were cases from gynaecology, neurosurgery and even from endocrinology and gastroenterology.

RESULTS

Paraneroplastic syndrome represents the secretion of various substances by the tumour, substances that make changes at bioumoral level. In our study we found 3 cases of 32 patients (9,37%) with paraneoplastic syndrome. What is to be noticed is that because of this syndrome the diagnosis was more difficult and was indirectly referred to a retroperitoneal tumour. We would like to present these cases and their particularities.

CONCLUSIONS

Every case was a surgical and diagnostic challenge. Biologic active substance secretion or the paraneoplastic syndrome makes the clinical picture even more complicated for primitive retroperitoneal tumours. The clinical symptoms of these tumours require a more careful approach of these patients. Close co-operation with other medical specialties in cases such as ours is mandatory.

Day case laparoscopic nephrectomy: initial experience

RATIONALE

Laparoscopic nephrectomy tends to become the new gold standard surgical technique in a selected population (non-functioning kidney, localised renal cell carcinoma). Day surgery is a popular pathway of care and, procedures of ever-increasing complexity are being considered.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to report the postoperative complications of day case laparoscopic nephrectomy, according to the Clavien system, and, to assess the feasibility of the procedure performed as a day case.

MATERIAL AND RESULTS

This study included all the patients considered for day case transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy between May 2008 and November 2009. Sixteen consecutive patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were ten procedures on the left hand-side and six on the right hand-side. Age ranges from 22 to 77 years old. Male to female ratio was 9:7. The preoperative diagnosis was non-functioning kidney in 9 cases and kidney tumour in the other 7 cases. All but two patients have been discharged in the same day (87.5%). The readmission rate was of 12.5%. One wheel-chair bonded patient was readmitted four days after the procedure, because of adynamic ileus, and another one three days later because of wound infection. There were two grade I and one grade IV complications (Clavien system). The patient readmitted with grade IV complication, wheel-chair bonded because of cerebral palsy, was not a typical day surgery patient.

DISCUSSION

The vast majority of complications were minor and resulted in no residual disability. In our small series, the day case laparoscopic nephrectomy was feasible and safe.

About the urachus and its pathology. A clinical case of urachus tumor

Urachus diseases represent a relatively rare kind of affliction in child or adult abdominal or urological surgical pathology. The preservation of the urachus lumen leads to rare afflictions, noticed mostly after birth or when they become clinically manifest by various complications. More often than not, these pathological entities require surgical interventions (if the urachal lumen does not close by itself), consisting of partial or total excision of the urachus. Tumor pathology is mostly malign, to a large extent represented by urachus adenocarcinoma. Its initial symptomatology is scarce and confusing. Its treatment is mainly by surgery and consists of the surgical excision of the urachal ligament, of the umbilicus, of a part of the front abdominal wall and partial or total cystectomy, as necessary. The prognosis is unfavourable, since urachal adenocarcinoma is deemed to be a particularly aggressive tumor, strongly influenced by the status of the excision edges, that is by the radicalness of the surgical intervention. Irrespective of the latter, an adjuvant oncological treatment is to be prescribed, mainly systemic cytostatic therapy. Urachus adenocarcinoma is rarely encountered and very often diagnosed in late metastatic stages, when the only solution is at most paleative surgery.

Peno-scrotal limphedema with giant hydrocele--surgical treatment particularities

INTRODUCTION

The necessity for complex and multidisciplinary approach of "border" surgical pathology has unanimously been agreed upon for such a long period of time, its advantages becoming even more obvious in rare, particular cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report the case of a 39 year-old man diagnosed with lymphangiomatosis back in his childhood. He is admitted with a giant pseudotumoral scrotal mass presenting an important scrotal enlargement (40/35 cm). Physical examination, blood tests, ultrasound, IVP, abdominal and chest CT, psychiatric and plastic surgery evaluation established the diagnosis: peno-scrotal lymphedema with gigantic hydrocele and depressive disorder. Taking into account the important enlargement of the scrotum associated with the alteration of the local skin, we decided to form a mixed surgical team: urology--plastic and reconstructive surgery. We performed bilateral surgical therapy of hydrocele with partial excision and eversion of sac edges, excision of penoscrotal skin and subcutaneous tissue surplus. At the end we made a reconstruction by using a partial-thickness graft from the normal skin of the left thigh.

RESULTS

Spinal anaesthesia was sufficient in order to perform a qualitative complex surgery. Intra and postoperative course was uneventful with minimal blood loss.

CONCLUSION

Rare cases like this one clearly reveal the advantages of a multidisciplinary surgical team by combining usual surgical procedures from different specialities that could lead to spectacular results.

The management of primitive retroperitoneal tumors--problems of clinical, imaging diagnosis, and treatment

Retroperitoneal tumors, whether primary or resulting from the metastasis of other tumors, are a real challenge for the surgeon, in terms of their diagnosis and treatment. They are relatively rare, under 0.2% of the total number of tumors. The clinical examination of retroperitoneal tumors is uncharacteristic and misleading, consisting mainly in palpation of the tumor proper and in assessment of pain. The other signs and symptoms often result from the affected neighboring organs. The imaging investigations used in diagnosing retroperitoneal tumors are ecography, intravenous pyelography, computed tomography, MRI, PET/CT. The main treatment is surgical, consisting either in total or partial excision of the tumor, or in biopsy samples to make a histopathologic diagnosis. Post-operative course depends mainly on the thoroughness of the surgical treatment, that is the complete excision of the tumor, which increases the chances of survival, while lowering the risk of relapse.

Notes concerning the peritonitis of urinary aetiology

Urinary peritonitis (the uroperitoneum) is categorized as a difficult to diagnose clinical entity due to its poor manifestations. Vesical trauma following pelvis bone fracture is the most frequently involved in the uroperitoneum aetiology, followed by spontaneous vesical rupture and intraoperative iatrogenic lesions. One of the most important and constant signs that can occur is diffuse abdominal tension, without tenderness. The imagistic procedure that sets the diagnosis is retrograde cystography showing intraperitoneal urine effusion. Vesical rupture is a surgical emergency. The uroperitoneum is a particular type of peritonitis that has hidden and misleading symptoms which can delay the diagnosis long enough to endanger the patient's life.

[Foreign bodies in the urogenital tract--between iatrogeny and autoerotism]

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to evaluate the cause, diagnosis and management of foreign bodies in the urogenital tract reviewing a 7 years experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2000 to 2007, 12 patients were treated in our department because of foreign bodies localized in the urogenital tract. We retrospectively analyzed the data regarding presentation, diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

The foreign bodies from the urogenital tract included: mascara, spray cap, wires, candle, swabs, plastic tube, remnants from JJ ureteral stent and nefrostomy tube. Diagnostic investigations varied from case to case and consisted of: KUB (kidney, ureter and bladder), abdominal ultrasound, urography, computer tomography, and also cystoscopy. The management was endoscopic in 4 (33%) cases, but in the great majority of them--8 (67.6%) it was necessary a classical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Foreign bodies localized in the urogenital tract, represents a relative rare pathology and in many situations those cases have legal implications. Investigations must include radiologic investigations in order to identify their exact location and size. In many cases the management can not be endoscopic and it is necessary a classic intervention.

[Primary retroperitoneal tumors -- the experience in the Urological Clinic of the Central Military Hospital]

Is a review of the 10 years experience in Urological Clinic of Central Military Hospital concerning the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal tumors, containing personal conclusions about this relatively rare, heterogeneous entity.

[Complicated sigmoid neoplasia with vesico-sigmoid fistula]

Being confronting with two apparently similar cases of entero-vesical fistulas, but complete different concerning the etiopathogeny, surgical management and prognosis, we believe that both communities--urologists and general surgeons--must know how to manage such cases. The tumors involving two or many systems or organs make the surgeon's decision be extremely difficult if not familiarized with both pathologies. We expose these unusual cases in order to demonstrate these affirmations.

[The indications and limits for the use of stents in urological pathology]

It is analyzed the authors' experience regarding the drainage of urinary tracts using autostatic ureteral stents, a widespread therapeutic method for a large variety of dysfunction. There were used double J stents 5 and 7 Ch, with variable length (22, 24, 26 cm) in 314 cases suffering the following dysfunction: renoureteral lithiasis--243 cases, obstructive anuria--37 cases, reconstructive surgery after congenital dysfunction--11 cases, acquired dysfunction--23 cases. In 216 cases (68.7%) double J stents were used before applying mini invasive therapeutic methods: ESWL, NPL, URSR, URSA. There are also mentioned some of the encountered complications: ureteral perforation, intrapelvic and intraureteral bend, spontaneous elimination at women, ascending in ureter, lithiasis of a loop and the resolving methods.

[The conversion of endourological operations: a failure or healthy "clinical thinking"?]

From a lot of 2567 of endourological "low" (TURP, TURB, UIO) and "high" (PNL, URSR, URSA) interventions there are analyzed 48 cases in which there was necessary the conversion to classical surgery. In endourology, just like in laparoscopic surgery, the conversion is divided into conversion of necessity and optional conversion. A reference is made to the way of solving these conversions. The main conclusion is that the urologist has to apply equally and efficiently both classical and endourological procedures.