Percutaneous ureteral stent placement for the treatment of a benign ureteral obstruction in a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

A 15-year-old, 113 kg intact male Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was evaluated for weight loss, polydipsia, and intermittent hematuria. The tiger was immobilized for diagnostic testing including blood work, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound. Laboratory testing demonstrated macro- and microhematuria, azotemia, and an increased urine protein:creatinine ratio. Abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ureterolithiasis as well as hydronephrosis and ureteral dilation. Ultrasonography performed 5 months later revealed worsening of the right-sided hydronephrosis and hydroureter and a decrease in the severity of dilation on the left side presumably from passage of the left-sided ureteral calculi. Nephroureteral decompression via the placement of a stent was elected. A pigtail ureteral catheter (8.2 French diameter) was placed in the right ureter via an antegrade percutaneous approach utilizing ultrasound and fluoroscopic-guidance. Following stent placement, macrohematuria resolved although microhematuria was noted in opportunistic urine samples. Five months after stent placement, the azotemia had mildly progressed, the urine protein:creatinine ratio was improved, the right hydronephrosis and hydroureter had completely resolved, and the ureteral stent remained in the appropriate position. The tiger had clinically improved with a substantial increase in appetite, weight, and activity level. Ureteral stenting allowed for nephroureteral decompression in the captive large felid of this report, and no complications were encountered. Ureteral stenting provided a minimally invasive method of managing ureteral obstruction in this patient and could be considered in future cases due to the clinical improvement and low morbidity.

Fibrin sealant for the management of genitourinary injuries, fistulas and surgical complications

PURPOSE

We report our preliminary experience with the use of fibrin sealant to manage iatrogenic urinary tract injuries, complex urinary fistulas, and urological surgical complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Topical fibrin sealant was used in 19 patients for iatrogenic urinary tract injury during gynecological or general surgical procedures (7), complex urinary fistulas (5) or urological surgical complications (7).

RESULTS

Successful resolution of the injury, fistula or complication was attained after a single application of fibrin sealant in the 18 patients (94.7%) in whom a direct injection technique was used. The only failure (formation of a vesicovaginal fistula) occurred with the air driven sprayed sealant delivery technique after sutured closure of iatrogenic cystotomy during vaginal hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid fibrin sealant appears to be safe and prudent for use in urological "damage control" from trauma, fistulas or surgical complications. Direct injection over a sutured urinary anastomosis appears to be highly effective in preventing urinary drainage. Additional study is needed to define further the role and best use of tissue adhesives in urology.

Prospective long-term results and quality-of-life assessment after Dura-II penile prosthesis placement

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate prospectively the long-term device reliability and patient satisfaction after Dura-II malleable penile prosthesis implantation.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 1996, 94 patients underwent Dura-II implantation for erectile dysfunction. Patients were prospectively examined and completed standardized questionnaires regarding sexual activity, prosthesis function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall quality of life. An independent statistician analyzed these data.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 63 years, and the mean patient follow-up was 5.7 years. Eighty-five patients were available for long-term evaluation. Fourteen patients died during the follow-up period. One patient was lost to follow-up, and eight prostheses (9%) were explanted; however, no mechanical defects were found in the explanted prostheses. Seventy-six percent and 87% of patients reported satisfactory rigidity and ease of concealing the device, respectively. Seventy-six percent of patients remained sexually active during the evaluation period, and 87% of patients reported that the prosthesis improved their overall quality of life. Eighty-five percent would undergo the implant surgery again, and 88% percent of patients would recommend the Dura-II prosthesis to a friend.

CONCLUSIONS

The Dura-II malleable penile prosthesis provides good rigidity, ability to conceal the device, and mechanical reliability, as demonstrated by the results of this long-term study. Most patients stated they would have the prosthesis placed again and would recommend it to a friend.

Mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation for urinary diversion surgery

PURPOSE

We reviewed the existing scientific literature regarding the efficacy of preoperative mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation for urinary diversion surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed MEDLINE searches of the literature from 1966 through 2000 and obtained additional references through a review of the bibliographies of select articles.

RESULTS

For urinary diversion surgery information regarding appropriate mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation is scant. The colorectal surgery literature indicates that oral sodium phosphate appears to be better tolerated than polyethylene glycol and is as effective, although the latter is preferred in patients with compromised renal, cardiac or liver function. A combination of oral and parenteral antibiotics should be used for all urinary reconstructive surgeries involving gastrointestinal tract segments. A parenteral second generation cephalosporin antibiotic should be given within 1 hour of skin incision and repeated at an interval of twice the antibiotic serum half-life or when blood loss exceeds 1 l.

CONCLUSIONS

For urinary diversion surgery contemporary methods of mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation appear to be safe, effective and better tolerated than traditional bowel preparation methods.

Colpocleisis for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

Most females with total vault prolapse undergo reconstructive procedures to restore normal anatomy and function; however, elderly patients who no longer desire sexual intercourse or are medically unstable can be treated effectively with a vaginal closure or colpocleisis. The traditional approach to colpocleisis has been to simply invert the vagina using pursestring sutures after removing the vaginal mucosa. Although simple to perform, after repairing referred treatment failures who used this approach, we began to use a different approach that emphasizes the strength of an anterior repair and extensive posterior repair that then is sutured together. This vaginal closure is reinforced with a strong perineorrhaphy. This multicompartment colpocleisis was performed in 38 elderly females (mean age 77, range 68 to 88) with total vault prolapse. No treatment failures were noted with a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 3 to 52 months), and all patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure. No significant complications occurred, and no patient has regretted the loss of sexual function. The aim of this article is to discuss the indications, procedural aspects, and results of performing a multicompartment colpocleisis and partial colpocleisis for total vault prolapse in elderly females.

Studies of the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by oxyhemoglobin using fluorigenic high-performance liquid chromatography

We noted a rise in acetaldehyde levels in clinical samples of venous whole blood containing ethanol that did not occur in samples from teetotalers. Experiments were performed to define the mechanism involved in acetaldehyde production. The addition of 0.10% ethanol to whole blood produced an immediate increase in acetaldehyde due to acetaldehyde in the stock solution followed by a subsequent increase that became statistically significant by 48 hr. Separation of blood into components documented that the increase in acetaldehyde was associated with the red cell but not plasma fraction. Incubation of isolated hemoglobin with ethanol produced a rise in acetaldehyde levels. Incubation of oxygenated whole blood with ethanol produced a linear increase in acetaldehyde, whereas nitrogen-exposed blood produced no increase. The rise of acetaldehyde in the presence of ethanol was dependent on the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin A0. Addition of inhibitors of catalase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and glycolytic enzymes (aminotriazole, azide, pyrazole, sodium fluoride, sodium citrate, and iodoacetate) did not inhibit the rise of acetaldehyde, but addition of the hemoglobin ligand cyanide abolished the rise in acetaldehyde. Kinetic analysis with oxygenated whole blood plus inhibitors revealed a Km of 2.5 mM and Vmax of 1.42 microM/min. We conclude that oxyhemoglobin contributes to the metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde. These findings may explain in part the high levels of acetaldehyde found in red cells compared with plasma. The results also have implications for the optimum storage of blood samples for acetaldehyde analysis.