Transurethral enucleation of the prostate versus transvesical open prostatectomy for large benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral enucleation of the prostate (TUEP) versus transvesical open prostatectomy (OP) for the management of large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TUEP and OP were identified from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to February 28, 2015. A meta-analysis was conducted with the STATA 12.0 software.

Results

Nine RCTs including 758 patients were enrolled in our meta-analysis. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the maximum urinary flow rate at 1, 3, 6 months, 1 and 2 years: postvoiding residual urinary volume, prostate-specific antigen, international prostate symptom score and quality of life score at 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year; or international index of erectile function at 3, 6 months and 1 year. Perioperative outcomes including hemoglobin level drop, catheter period, irrigation length and hospital stay favored TUEP, while operative time and resected prostate weight favored OP. There was significantly less blood transfusion with TUEP, but no significant differences were found in other complications such as recatheterization, urinary tract infection, reintervention for clots and bleeding control, incidence of pneumonia and infarction, transient incontinence, bladder neck contracture, urethral stricture and recurrent adenoma.

Conclusions

TUEP can be performed effectively and safely with functional outcomes and complications similar to OP for large BPH, whereas it has the advantages of a shorter catheter period, shorter hospital stays and less blood transfusion. These findings seem to support TUEP as the next-generation “gold standard” of surgery for large BPH.

     

Utility of “open‐Y” anastomosis technique in the use of superior thyroid artery as recipient vessel for head and neck reconstruction with free flap

Background: The superior thyroid artery (STA) is the most commonly used recipient vessel in free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction. Size discrepancy between recipient and donor vessels might affect the patency rate. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the “open‐Y” technique in end‐to‐end anastomoses between the STA and donor arteries to those of conventional anastomoses to the STA. Patients and methods: A total of 337 patients with free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction with the STA as the recipient artery were recruited between September 2011 and August 2013. The “open‐Y” technique of anastomosis was used in 72 cases, whereas the conventional technique was applied in 256 cases. The arterial anastomotic site‐related complications and size discrepancy rates of both groups were evaluated and compared. Results: The flap success rate was 98.6% (71/72) in the “open‐Y” group, which was similar to the conventional group [97.4% (245/252); P = 0.999]. Size discrepancy rate was higher in the “open‐Y” group [48/72(66.7%)] compared to that in the conventional group [31/265(11.7%), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference regarding arterial anastomotic site‐related complications between the “open‐Y” and conventional groups (1.4% vs.4.2%; P = 0.473). Others complications, including re‐exploration, venous thrombosis, hematoma, fistula, infection, partial flap necrosis and total flap necrosis, had similar presentations. Conclusion: The utility of the “open‐Y” technique, applied to STA as a recipient vessel, appeared to be a reasonable option for head and neck reconstruction. This technique seems to be promising for cases with vessels size discrepancy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:391–396, 2016.     

Prevalence and risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major complication in renal failure patients, but very little information is available on the cardiovascular parameters in these patients. The prevalence and risk factors for PAH were systematically evaluated in patients with end-stage renal diseases (ESRD) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2014, 177 ESRD patients (85 males and 92 females) undergoing CAPD therapy were recruited. General data, biochemical parameters and echocardiographic findings were collected and PAH risk factors studied. Results: Study participants consisted of 65 patients (36.52%) with PAH (PAH group) and 112 patients without PAH (non-PAH group). The interdialytic weight gain, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure and hypertensive nephropathy incidence in the PAH group were significantly higher than the non-PAH group (all p?p?p?p?Conclusion: We observed a high incidence of PAH in ESRD patients undergoing CAPD. Logistic regression analysis revealed that DBP, NT-proBNP, LAD, RVID, RVOTD, LVEF, TAPSE and E/E’ are high-risk factors for PAH in ESRD patients undergoing CAPD.     

Increased risk of strontium ranelate-related SJS/TEN is associated with HLA

Summary

Severe adverse drug reactions (ADR) of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) in some patients receiving strontium ranelate have been reported, but the risk factors are unclear. We show that HLA-A*33:03 and B*58:01 are significantly associated with patients who developed SJS/TEN; and provide the first evidence that genetic risk factors are involved in strontium ranelate-associated SJS/TEN.

Introduction

In this study, HLA as a genetic risk factor was assessed among osteoporotic patients prescribed with strontium ranelate that developed severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) compared with those who were tolerant.

Methods

Genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients was HLA typed using sequencing-based typing method to determine their HLA profiles.

Results

Osteoporotic patients who are currently on strontium ranelate were enrolled in the study (n?=?76). Tolerant controls were defined as patients who received strontium ranelate for a minimum of 3 months (range 3 months to 8 years) with no reports of any cutaneous reactions as these reactions usually occur within the first 12 weeks after starting treatment. Retrospective cases of SJS/TEN were also identified (n?=?5). The majority of the accrued samples were of Han Chinese descent: controls (n?=?72) and cases (n?=?4). All cases and controls were genotyped at four HLA genes, namely HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-DRB1. In comparing the samples of Han Chinese descent (72 controls and 4 cases), we found significant associations with HLA-A*33:03 (p?=?0.002) and HLA-B*58:01 (p?=?0.023). There was no significant association with any HLA-C or HLA-DRB1 alleles.

Conclusions

This study reveals that the occurrence of SJS/TEN in Han Chinese patients receiving strontium ranelate is HLA associated. This has important clinical implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms for this ADR as well as evaluating the potential role of genetic pre-screening for osteoporotic patients who may be prescribed strontium ranelate.

     

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic sequelae and quality of life in survivors of malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma

Purpose

The impact of chemotherapeutic sequelae on long-term quality of life (QoL) for survivors of malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is unknown. The incidence of chemotherapeutic toxicity in patients treated for malignant SCT and possible effects on the QoL were analyzed.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of patients ≥18 years treated for SCT in the Netherlands was performed. Present QoL was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. The results of survivors of malignant SCT were compared to those of patients treated for benign SCT.

Results

Fifty-one of 76 traceable patients consented to participate. The results of 47 (92.2 %), 9 men and 38 women (median age 25.4 years, range 18.3–41.2), were analyzed. Eleven had been treated for malignancy; 63.6 % suffered from at least one chemotherapeutic sequel with hearing loss as the most common one. Results for both groups were similar on all but one SF-36 subcategory; those treated for malignant tumor scored significantly lower on the subcategory physical functioning (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Despite the high incidence of chemotherapeutic sequelae among survivors of malignant SCT, their QoL does not differ from that of those treated for benign SCT. Even though their physical functioning is restricted, daily activities and psychosocial functioning of survivors of malignant SCT are not restricted.

     

PKM2 released by neutrophils at wound site facilitates early wound healing by promoting angiogenesis

Neutrophils infiltration/activation following wound induction marks the early inflammatory response in wound repair. However, the role of the infiltrated/activated neutrophils in tissue regeneration/proliferation during wound repair is not well understood. Here, we report that infiltrated/activated neutrophils at wound site release pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) by its secretive mechanisms during early stages of wound repair. The released extracellular PKM2 facilitates early wound healing by promoting angiogenesis at wound site. Our studies reveal a new and important molecular linker between the early inflammatory response and proliferation phase in tissue repair process.