Effect of pneumoperitoneum on renal perfusion and function: A systematic review

Background The precise physiologic consequences of insufflating carbon dioxide into the abdominal cavity during laparoscopy are not yet fully understood. This systematic review aimed to investigate whether pneumoperitoneum results in decreased renal blood flow (RBF) or renal function. Methods A literature search was conducted electronically using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane libraries on 1 July 2005. Various combinations of the medical subject headings—renal blood flow, pneumoperitoneum, renal function, and laparoscopy—were searched in all three databases. Reference lists from articles fulfilling the search criteria were used to identify additional articles. Results The literature search retrieved 20 articles concerning RBF and 25 articles concerning renal function during pneumoperitoneum. It was found that 17 of the 20 studies identified a decrease in RBF, and 20 of the 25 studies identified a decrease in renal function during pneumoperitoneum. Conclusion There appears to be sufficient evidence to conclude that both renal function and RBF are decreased during pneumoperitoneum. The magnitude of the decrease is dependent on factors such as preoperative renal function, level of hydration, level of pneumoperitoneum, patient positioning, and duration of pneumoperitoneum.     

Impact of pneumoperitoneum on renal perfusion and excretory function: beneficial effects of nitroglycerine

Background  Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) (pneumoperitoneum) during laparoscopic surgery may result in adverse effects on kidney function. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been fully determined. Objective  The present study was designed to: (1) investigate the effects of incremental increases in IAP on renal function in normal rats and (2) evaluate whether the nitric oxide (NO) system is involved in renal dysfunction characterizing pneumoperitoneum. Methods  Male rats were organized into two groups. The first group was subjected to IAP of 0 (baseline), 7 or 14 mmHg, over 1 h for each pressure, followed by a deflation period of 60 min (recovery). Two additional groups were pretreated with: (1) non-depressor dose of nitroglycerine (NTG) and (2) nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, before applying 14 mmHg for 1 h. Urine flow rate (V), Na+ excretion (U_NaV), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), and blood pressure were determined throughout the experiments. Results  There were no significant changes in V, U_NaV, GFR, and RPF during 7 mmHg insufflation. However, significant reductions in these parameters were observed during 14 mmHg: V from 8.49 ± 0.92 to 6.12 ± 0.54 μl/min, U_NaV from 1.29 ± 0.28 to 0.39 ± 0.09 μEq/min, and FE_Na from 0.37 ± 0.11 to 0.27 ± 0.04%. These alterations in excretory functions were associated with a considerable decline in GFR from 1.85 ± 0.09 to 0.88 ± 0.09 ml/min, p < 0.05, (−46.3 ± 5.2% from baseline) and RPF from 8.66 ± 0.62 to 4.33 ± 0.49 ml/min, p < 0.05, (−51.93 ± 5.24% from baseline), without a significant change in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). When the animals were pretreated with NTG, the adverse effects of pneumoperitoneum on V, U_NaV, GFR, and RPF were substantially improved, suggesting that NO system plays a beneficial counter-regulatory role during laparoscopy. In line with this notion, pretreatment with L-NAME remarkably aggravated pneumoperitoneum-induced renal hypoperfusion and dysfunction. Conclusion  Decreased renal perfusion and function are induced by IAP pressure of 14 mmHg. These adverse effects are probably related to interference with the NO system, and could be partially ameliorated by pretreatment with NTG. Bishara Bishara and Tony Karram contributed equally.     

预扩容对气腹环境下家兔血清微球蛋白和肾超微结构的影响

目的探讨血容量预扩充对气腹环境下家兔肾小球滤过功能和肾超微结构的影响。方法18只健康家兔随机分为三组,均以肌注氯胺酮和咪唑安定的方法全身麻醉。气腹前60 min,A组以15 ml.kg-1.h-1的速度输注6%羟乙基淀粉溶液,B组相同速度输注复方乳酸钠,C组为对照组。气腹后各组均以5 ml.kg-1.h-1的速度输注复方乳酸钠维持。在预扩容60 min(T1)、气腹后30 min(T2)及气腹后60 min(T3)测定平均动脉压(MAP),并测定相同时段的血清微球蛋白(MG)浓度。实验结束,解除气腹5 min后取右肾皮质组织作电镜分析。结果(1)MAP:A、B组较为稳定,C组气腹后明显上升。(2)血清MG:气腹前各组差异无显著意义。气腹后C组较气腹前明显上升(P<0.05);C组与A、B两组比较差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。(3)肾超微结构:均为可逆性改变,C组损害最重,A、B两组较轻。结论预扩容可明显增加气腹期间肾血流量和改善肾功能,缓解气腹所致的肾小球滤过功能下降及肾超微结构损害。     

Effect of increasing cardiac preload,sympathetic antagonism,or vasodilation on visceral blood flow during pneumoperitoneum

Background and aims An impaired visceral perfusion caused by pneumoperitoneum may contribute to morbidity after laparoscopic surgery. The following three therapeutic concepts: increasing cardiac preload, controlled vasodilation, or selective sympathetic antagonism, were evaluated regarding a possible increase of visceral blood flow during pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide.Methods Forty three pigs were assigned to treatment with an increase of preload and vasodilation (group A) or selective sympathetic antagonism with esmolol (group B). In both groups, pigs were assigned to head-up, head-down, or supine position. Perfusion of the vena porta and renal artery was measured by transonic volume flow meters and documented before capnoperitoneum, after induction of a 14-mmHg capnoperitoneum in each body position, after controlled vasodilation with sodium nitroprusside, and after controlled increase of intravascular volume by colloidal infusion.Results Increasing intravascular volume improved portal blood flow in all body positions (p<0.05), but not renal blood flow. Medication of esmolol did not alter the measured parameters in any body position compared to control. Vasodilation with sodium nitroprusside reduced renal blood flow in supine and in head-up position.Conclusion An optimal intravascular volume was most effective in improving portal blood flow during capnoperitoneum in this trial. Esmolol had no negative effects on portal and renal blood flow. Patients with renal dysfunction might be treated carefully with sodium nitroprusside during capnoperitoneum.     

Comparison of three perioperative fluid regimes for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Background Pneumoperitoneum (PP), as used for laparoscopic procedures, impairs stroke volume, renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and urine output. This study investigated whether perioperative fluid management can abolish these negative effects of PP on hemodynamics. Methods Twenty-one patients undergoing laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) were randomized into three groups: group 1 received overnight infusion and received a bolus of colloid before induction of anesthesia, followed by a bolus just before PP; group 2 received overnight infusion and a colloid bolus before anesthesia; group 3 served as controls and received only infusion during operation. All three groups received the same total amount of crystalloids and colloids until nephrectomy. Data analysis of the donor included; mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV), left ventricular ejection time (LVETc), perioperative urine output and renal function measured as the creatinine clearance (CrCl) until one-year post-operative. Results SV was significantly higher in group 1 compared to controls for all measurements. In the control group SV significantly decreased after changing from the supine to lateral position whereas there was no change in SV in both pre-hydrated groups. In all groups, MAP decreased after induction of anesthesia, and restored to pre-anesthetic values during PP. CrCl decreased in the control group during PP, but not in the other groups. From two days postoperative, CrCl was comparable between the three study groups. Conclusion Overnight infusion and a bolus of colloid just before PP attenuate hemodynamic compromise from PP. This study was performed at the Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam and was financially supported by this Department     

气腹对非紫绀型先天性心脏病患儿心功能的影响

目的观察气腹对先天性心脏病(非紫绀型)和无先天性心病脏患儿心功能的影响。方法选择术前检查ECG异常择期行腹腔镜疝修补术的患儿44例,ASAⅡ级,NYHA心功能Ⅰ级,根据有无合并先心病(非紫绀型)分为先心病组(A组,n=22)和无先心病组(B组,n=22),气腹压力设为9mm Hg。分别于气腹前和气腹后通过经胸超声心动图检测患儿左室射血分数(LVEF)、短轴缩短率(FS)、二尖瓣舒张早、晚期峰值速率比值(E/A)以及心肌工作指数(MPI,又称Tei指数)。结果与B组比较,A组气腹前和气腹后LVEF、气腹后E/A明显降低(P0.01)。与气腹前比较,气腹后两组HR明显增快,MAP明显升高(P0.01),两组间患儿HR、MAP差异均无统计学意义。结论气腹压为9mm Hg的情况下,非紫绀型先心病患儿行短小腹腔镜手术,对心功能不良影响小。     

Validation of esophageal Doppler for noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring under pneumoperitoneum

Background Commonly used perioperative measurements of hemodynamics, such as Swan-Ganz catheter assessment, are invasive and may not be reliable under pneumoperitoneum. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of esophageal Doppler for noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring under pneumoperitoneum in an experimental pig model. Methods Eight female pigs were submitted to two 30-min study periods, one each for the baseline (no interventions) and pneumoperitoneum (12-mmHg carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum) conditions. One pig was excluded because of tachycardia (>140 at baseline). A Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheter was used to measure cardiac output (CO-SG) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). An esophageal Doppler probe was inserted to record cardiac output (CO-ED) and corrected flow time (FTc), an index of preload. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and cardiac output (CO-TTE). Pearson correlation was used to assess individual associations between the measured hemodynamic parameters. Results There was good correlation between CO-ED and CO-SG (r = 0.577; p < 0.001) and excellent correlation between CO-ED and CO-TTE (r = 0.815; p < 0.001). There was no correlation between FTc and LVEDD or PCWP. These relationships were consistent when analyzed separately at baseline and during pneumoperitoneum. Conclusion Esophageal Doppler monitoring is a valid noninvasive method of estimating cardiac output at baseline and during pneumoperitoneum in a porcine model. Corrected flow time did not correlate with other estimates of preload at baseline or during pneumoperitoneum. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Dallas, TX, USA, April 2006     

Ultrashort intracorporeally maneuverable cryoprobes for laparoscopic renal cryoablation in the porcine model

AIM: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic renal cryosurgery using a novel ultrathin ultrashort intracorporeal cryoprobe in a porcine model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Novel cryoprobes 4 cm in length and 1.5 mm in diameter were manipulated intracorporeally after insertion via a designated 15 mm laparoscopic port. Renal cryoablative lesions were induced laparoscopically in four 40 kg female piglets. We correlated between intraoperative temperature, ice ball geometry, intraoperative ultrasonographic properties, and histology. RESULTS: Laparoscopic manipulation of the cryoprobes was straightforward. No port site bleeding occurred during insertion, freezing, thawing or upon removal of the probes. The 0 degrees C, -20 degrees C, and -40 degrees C isotherms were measured at 6, 8, and 12 mm from the probe circumferentially. Ice-ball volume stabilization as determined by ultrasound occurred after 10 min of activation. Lower temperatures were reached after 10 min of probe activation as compared with 5 min (ice ball diameter 30 mm, DeltaT = 13-21 degrees C). Using a second 10-min-long freeze cycle resulted in a 14-22 degrees C lower temperature within the ice ball compared to a single cycle. Full coagulative necrosis was noted in the areas between the inserted probes with an additional 1-2 mm circumferential rim of severe tubular damage and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel cryoprobe can be used effectively and conveniently in laparoscopic renal cryosurgery. Considering the size of the cryogenic lesion, using a cluster of probes may be advisable.     

脉搏指示连续心排血量技术在心脏前负荷测量的应用近况

监测心脏负荷变化对了解心脏功能具有十分重要的临床意义。中心静脉压(CVP)与右心前负荷虽存在一定关系,但不能完全反映左心前负荷。经动脉插管入左心房及肺动脉漂浮导管(Swan-Ganz导管)测量肺小动脉嵌顿压(PCWP)评估左心前负荷的方法,虽能为判断心脏前负荷提供较为可靠的依据,     

Strategies in the management of renal tumors amenable to partial nephrectomy

Purpose  The laparoscopic approach to radical and partial nephrectomy is becoming the standard of care for treating patients with renal tumors. Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (HALPN) provides some advantages over the pure laparoscopic approach which include manual manipulation of the kidney, tactile feedback, and timely specimen removal. Materials and methods  We describe our technique for HALPN and emphasize the implementation of an in-room pathologist to examine gross margins during the period of renal arterial occlusion. Between 2004 and 2007, 46 patients underwent HALPN performed by the same surgeons. Mean patient age was 59.5 years and mean tumor size was 2.55 cm. Twelve of these patients underwent significant concomitant procedures. Results  Our mean operating time was 173.26 min (range 90–306 min) and our mean warm ischemic time was 28.32 min (range 14–54 min). Average estimated blood loss was 116.82 ml (range 10–1000 ml) with no transfusions. Thirty-six (78%) tumors were renal cell carcinoma, seven (15%) were oncocytomas, and three (7%) were angiomyolipomas. The average length of stay was 5.17 days (range 3–9 days) and there were no positive margins. There was one postoperative bleed (2%) and two postoperative urine leaks (4.3%). Discussion  In our institution, the hand-assist approach to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has resulted in favorable perioperative outcomes. The use of an in-room pathologist to provide real-time assessment of gross tumor margins has allowed us to achieve a 0% positive final margin rate. We believe that the use of an in-room pathologist during the timely extraction of the specimen made possible by the hand-assisted approach provides a great advantage over pure laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. This low positive margin rate is also the result of maintaining a bloodless field of resection with temporary renal arterial occlusion as well as the avoidance of visual tissue distortion with cold, sharp scissor dissection. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Relation between renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy and promoter polymorphism of the erythropoietin gene in cardiac surgery

Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified to play a role in the occurrence and progression of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Recently, it was demonstrated that the T allele of SNP rs1617640 in the promoter of the erythropoetin (EPO) gene is significantly associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to increased EPO expression. This disease risk-associated gene and its potential pathway mediating severe microvascular complications in T-allele carriers could also play a role on renal dysfunction in patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB. We hypothesized that the patients' ability to produce increased EPO concentrations will affect morbidity and mortality after CPB. We conducted a prospective single center study between April 2006 and May 2007. In 481 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB we prospectively examined the SNP rs1617640 in the promoter of the EPO gene by DNA sequencing. The patients were grouped according to their genotype (GG, GT, and TT). The genotype distribution of SNP rs1617640 in the promoter of the EPO gene was 36% (TT), 49% (TG), and 15% (GG). There was no difference in age, body mass index, gender, CPB time, or length of stay in intensive care unit. The hospitalization was irrespective of the patients' genotypes. The baseline creatinine in the TT group was 0.2 points higher than in the other groups; however this was without statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. No significant difference was shown in Euroscore, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score II, Acute Renal Failure Score, or the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of Kidney Function Score. The mortality was equal across the genotypes. However, an association between the TT genotype and acute renal replacement therapy (P=0.03), intra-aortic balloon pump usage (P=0.02), and serum creatine phosphokinase-MB increase (P=0.03) were observed after cardiac surgery. Our analysis suggests that the risk allele (T) of rs1617640 plays a role in the development of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery with CPB. Patients with the TT risk allele required more frequent acute renal replacement therapy. Since our result is close to the border of significance, this hypothesis should be investigated in larger prospective studies with long-term follow-up to emphasize this polymorphism as a potential risk factor.     

抑炎因子IL-35与移植肾功能延迟恢复关系的研究

目的  探讨白细胞介素（IL）-35与移植肾功能恢复情况之间的关系。方法  回顾性分析45例心脏死亡器官捐献（DCD）供肾肾移植受体的临床资料。根据肾移植术后是否发生移植物功能延迟恢复（DGF）,所有受体分为早期肾功能恢复良好（IGF）组（32例）和DGF组（13例）。比较肾移植术后1、2、3、7、14、28 d及术后3个月、6个月、1年各时间点两组受体的血清肌酐（Scr）和估算肾小球滤过率（eGFR）水平;比较肾移植术后1、2、3、7、14、28 d各时间点两组受体血清和尿液IL-35含量。结果  DGF组受体术后肾功能恢复迟缓,术后7 d时Scr水平高于IGF组,eGFR水平低于IGF组,差异均有统计学意义（均为P < 0.05）。术后1年,两组受体Scr水平的差异无统计学意义,但eGFR仍存在较大差异,与IGF组相比,DGF组受体术后1年时eGFR仍降低（P < 0.05）。术后1、2、3、7、14 d,DGF组血清中IL-35含量均低于IGF组,两组比较差异均有统计学意义（均为P < 0.05）;术后28 d,与IGF组相比,DGF组血清IL-35含量反而升高,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。术后1、2、3、7 d,DGF组尿液中IL-35含量均低于IGF组,两组比较差异均有统计学意义（均为P < 0.05）;术后14、28 d,两组受体尿液IL-35含量进行比较,差异均无统计学意义（均为P > 0.05）。结论  肾移植术后受体血清和尿液中IL-35含量低与DGF发生存在一定的联系,提示术后早期受体全身和移植肾局部抑炎应答过弱,过度的炎症应答得不到有效控制,可能是DGF发生的重要原因。     

Nephroblastoma and end-stage renal failure with bilateral cystic kidneys

A child of 10 years 5 months presenting with chronic renal failure had bilateral cystic kidneys. Biopsy of a right lower-pole solid mass revealed nephroblastoma. At bilateral nephrectomy, both kidneys were both replaced by variable-sized cysts with a unifocal nephroblastoma on the right. Renal failure with nephroblastoma is uncommon and is usually either a manifestation of the Drash syndrome or a complication of chemotherapy. The need to assess both kidneys in a child with any other renal abnormality in addition to a renal mass should always be considered.     

Mild renal dysfunction predicts in-hospital mortality and post-discharge survival following cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of preoperative renal dysfunction on in-hospital mortality and late survival outcome following adult cardiac surgery. METHODS: Prospectively collected data were analysed on 7621 consecutive patients not requiring preoperative renal-replacement therapy, who underwent CABG, valve surgery or combined procedures from 1/1/98 to 1/12/06. Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula. Patients were classified in the four chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage classes defined by the National Kidney Foundation Disease Outcome Quality Initiative Advisory Board. Late survival data were obtained from the UK Central Cardiac Audit Database. RESULTS: There were 243 in-hospital deaths (3.2%). There was a stepwise increase in operative mortality with each CKD class independent of the type of surgery. Multivariate analysis confirmed CKD class to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (class 2 OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.1-2.35, p=0.001; class 3 OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.68-4.46, p=0.0001; class 4 OR 7.5, 95% CI 3.76-15.2, p=0.0001). The median follow-up after surgery was 42 months (IQR 18-74) and there were 728 late deaths. Survival analysis using a Cox regression model confirmed CKD class to be an independent predictor of late survival (class 2 HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, p=0.0001; class 3 HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.6-2.4, p=0.0001; and class 4 HR 3.2, 95% CI 2.2-4.6, p=0.0001). Ninety-eight percent (7517/7621) of patients had a preoperative creatinine <200 micromol/l, which is not included as a risk factor in most risk stratification systems. CONCLUSIONS: Mild renal dysfunction is an important independent predictor of in-hospital and late mortality in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中气腹压和气腹持续时间对病人内脏灌注的影响

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术中气腹压及气腹持续时间对病人内脏灌注的影响。方法 50例ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级、年龄<65岁的择期腹腔镜下单纯胆囊切除术病人,随机分为气腹压12 mm Hg 组(LC1)和气腹压15 mm Hg组(LC2),每组25例。全麻诱导气管插管后行机械通气,1．5％-2％异氟醚吸入,间断给予芬太尼、维库溴铵维持麻醉。术中维持PETCO2约34 mm Hg。于麻醉诱导前即刻 (T1)、气管插管后30min(T2)、气腹30min(T3)、60min(T4)、放气后30min(T5)、入麻醉恢复室后1 h (T6)、2 h(T7)、3 h(T8)监测并记录循环指标、血气分析及胃粘膜二氧化碳分压(PgCO2)。根据 Henderson-Hasselbalch公式计算胃粘膜pH(pHi)和胃粘膜与动脉血二氧化碳分压梯度(PCO2gap)。结果与T1比较,两组T6-8时PgCO2升高,pHi下降(P<0．01),PCO2gap差异无统计学意义。与T2比较, LC1组T3-5时PgCO2、pHi、PCO2gap差异无统计学意义。与T2、T3及LC1组比较,LC2组T4时PgCO2、 PCO2gap升高,pHi降低(P<0．01),T5上述参数恢复至气腹前水平。结论腹腔镜胆囊切除术中腹内压15 mm Hg时,随气腹时间的延长(60 min)可引起短时的内脏低灌注。腹腔镜胆囊切除术中腹内压维持在12mmHg较为适宜。     

感染性休克心肌细胞损害与心功能不全的关系

目的　观察感染性休克心肌细胞损伤情况 ,探讨其与心功能不全的关系。方法　 8只杂种犬于 2 0分钟内持续静脉注入内毒素 2 5 0 μg/kg ,建立感染性休克模型。插肺动脉导管测定休克前和休克后 1小时左心室每搏作功指数 (LVSWI) ;同时用抗心肌肌钙蛋白I单抗酶联免疫法测定血清心肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)。结果　 8只感染性休克犬休克 1小时后的LVSWI均明显低于休克前 ,其中6只的LVSWI<4 0g·m·m-2 。休克 1小时 ,4只犬的血清cTnI>0 6 μg/L[cTnI(1 96± 0 73) μg/L];这 4只犬的LVSWI明显低于其余 4只犬 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　感染性休克犬心肌细胞损伤常见 ,并与心功能不全密切相关     

Understanding the relationship between health care quality and the renal mass

Quality is increasingly important to all stakeholders of the U.S. health care system. Endeavors to measure and improve quality have moved forward in cardiovascular disease [1], diabetes care [2], and surgical wound infections [3]. However, in urology, such efforts have lagged. As a specialty, we are now faced with pressures, exerted primarily by payors, to roll out performance measures, or quality indicators, in the absence of science to support them. In this review, we discuss the broad concepts of health care quality and describe their relationships with small renal tumors.     

Effect of prolonged warm ischemia and pneumoperitoneum on renal function in a rat syngeneic kidney transplantation model

Background Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is associated with several advantages for the donor. However, graft function may be impaired due to use of pneumoperitoneum and prolonged warm ischemia. This study investigated the impact of pneumoperitoneum and prolonged warm ischemia on long-term graft function in a syngeneic rat renal transplant model. Methods A total of 27 Brown Norway rats were randomized for transplantation of kidneys after three different procedures: no insufflation and no warm ischemia (group 1), no insufflation with 20 min of warm ischemia (group 2), and CO₂ insufflation and 20 min of warm ischemia (group 3). Glomerular filtration rate (GRF), serum creatinine, urine volume, urine creatinine, and proteinuria were determined monthly for 1 year. One year after transplantation, the grafts were removed for histomorphologic analysis. Results No significant differences in GRF, serum creatinine, urine volume, and proteinuria were found among the three groups. Histologic analysis also showed no differences between the groups. Conclusion Warm ischemia in combination with CO₂ pneumoperitoneum, as used in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, does not result in a negative effect on long-term graft function. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), 2004.     

The relationship between total urinary testosterone and renal calculi

Summary It is generally known that age and sex are risk factors of urolithiasis. Therefore the total urinary testosterone concentrations of persons with and without renal stones were investigated by means of radioimmunoassay. The total testosterone level of the first morning midstream urine was comparable with 24 h urine samples of 16 healthy persons (r_s=0.9618). Investigation of the total urinary testosterone confirmed that the concentration is age dependent. A distinct decrease in total testosterone was observed in elderly persons. Therefore the total testosterone concentrations of the two groups, with and without stones, were studied within the same age interval (P=0.8292). The total testosterone level differed significantly for these two groups (P=0.0006). In general, the testosterone level of the kidney stone patients was lower than that of their healthy counterparts. In order to determine whether this variation in testosterone concentration would affect the urinary urokinase activity, a correlation study was undertaken. A positive correlation was found between the total urinary testosterone concentrations and the activity of urokinase (r_s=0.7305). It therefore seems that the total urinary testosterone concentrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of the multifactorial disease, urolithiasis.