Renal autotransplantation

The Department of Urology in the Lahey Clinic has a considerable reputation in the treatment of renovascular conditions, and this month they have produced a review of renal autotransplantation. This interesting, if infrequently used, surgical technique is potentially useful to urologists in several different situations. Intermittent androgen suppression was introduced based on solid laboratory evidence, and has been accepted by many as a way of treating advanced prostate cancer. The authors from Vancouver, from the department where it was introduced, present a review on its use. Laser prostatectomy has gone through interesting developments since it was introduced some years ago. Many techniques and types of laser have come and gone, after initial excitement, but some have lasted the course. The author from New York, who has extensive experience in this area, has written an interesting review on the subject. The work of the Department of Urology in Bern relating to ileal orthotopic bladder substitution is well known, and their technique has been presented in last month's Surgery Illustrated Section in this Journal. Here they present a review of the postoperative management of such patients.