Pudendal nerve block in HDR-brachytherapy patients: do we really need general or regional anesthesia?

Purpose

In male patients, the pudendal block was applied only in rare cases as a therapy of neuralgia of the pudendal nerve. We compared pudendal nerve block (NPB) and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) in order to perform a pain-free high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in a former pilot study in 2010. Regarding this background, in the present study, we only performed the bilateral perineal infiltration of the pudendal nerve.

Methods

In 25 patients (71.8 ± 4.18 years) suffering from a high-risk prostate carcinoma, we performed the HDR-brachytherapy with the NPB. The perioperative compatibility, the subjective feeling (German school marks principle 1–6), subjective pain (VAS 1–10) and the early postoperative course (mobility, complications) were examined.

Results

All patients preferred the NPB. There was no change of anesthesia form necessary. The expense time of NPB was 10.68 ± 2.34 min. The hollow needles (mean 24, range 13–27) for the HDR-brachytherapy remained on average 79.92 ± 12.41 min. During and postoperative, pain feeling was between 1.4 ± 1.08 and 1.08 ± 1.00. A transurethral 22 French Foley catheter was left in place for 6 h. All patients felt the bladder catheter as annoying, but they considered postoperative mobility as more important as complete lack of pain. The subjective feeling was described as 2.28 ± 0.74. Any side effects or complications did not appear.

Conclusions

Bilateral NPB is a safe and effective analgesic option in HDR-brachytherapy and can replace CSE. It offers the advantage of almost no impaired mobility of the patient and can be performed by the urologist himself. Using transrectal ultrasound guidance, the method can be learned quickly.     

William and Charles Mayo: Their Influence on American Medicine

In a little-known Midwest town named Rochester, Minnesota, a talented physician grew in fame and respect: Dr. William Worrall Mayo, who was influential in the evolution of medicine. He was a steadfast learner and raised two sons, William and Charles, to follow in his footsteps and further medical knowledge. They were leaders in surgery and in the creation of advanced and sophisticated medical facilities. Their talents, the issues surrounding medical practice, and unexpected opportunity all came into play for the Mayos. Two hospitals, St. Mary's Hospital and later the Methodist Hospital, witnessed and influenced the advancement of medicine through the Mayo Clinic heritage and dynasty in Minnesota and the rest of the world. In this article, we focus on the role of the Mayo brothers and their influence over the increasing acceptance of hospital care in America and abroad.     

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in adult liver transplant recipients: a South American multicenter experience

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a major and potentially life‐threatening complication after solid‐organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to describe the disease characteristics, clinical practices, and survival related to PTLD in adult orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients in South America. We conducted a survey at four different transplant groups from Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Among 1621 OLT recipients, 27 developed PTLD (1.7%); the mean age at diagnosis was 53.7 (±14) yr with a mean time of 39.7 (±35.2) months from OLT to PTLD diagnosis. Initial therapy included reduction in immunosuppression alone in 23.1% of the patients. Either rituximab or chemotherapy was employed as initial or second‐line therapy in 76.9% of the patients. PTLD location was frequently extranodal (80.7%) and mostly involving the transplanted liver (59.3%). The overall survival at one and five yr post‐PTLD diagnosis was 53.8% and 46.2%, respectively. Significant univariate risk factors for post‐PTLD mortality included lactate dehydrogenase ≥250 U/L (HR 9.66, p = 0.02), stage III/IV PTLD (HR 5.34, p = 0.004), and HCV infection (HR 7.68, p = 0.01). In conclusion, PTLD in OLT adult recipients is predominantly extranodal, and although mortality is high, long‐term survival is possible.     

C.E.R.A. maintains stable hemoglobin in Latin American patients on dialysis

Background

C.E.R.A. is a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator with characteristics that permit a once-monthly schedule of administration for the maintenance treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The main objective of this study was to assess the maintenance of Hb concentration with once-monthly intravenous and/or subcutaneous C.E.R.A. therapy in Latin American dialysis patients with chronic renal anemia previously treated with epoetin alfa s.c or i.v 1–3 times per week.

Methods

This was a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, 32-week study of anemic patients with CKD previously treated with epoetin alfa sc or iv 1–3 times per week. After a 4-week screening period, during which mean Hb levels were maintained between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL on their previous erythropoiesis stimulating agent, eligible patients entered a 16-week C.E.R.A. dose titration period followed by a 4-week efficacy evaluation period (EEP) and a 28-week safety follow-up. The starting dose of C.E.R.A. was based on the previous dose of epoetin alfa. Doses of C.E.R.A. were then adjusted to maintain Hb levels within ±1.0 g/dL of the reference concentration and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL. The Hb reference concentration was defined as the mean of all Hb levels during screening. The primary end point was the proportion of patients maintaining a mean Hb concentration (g/dL) within ±1 g/dL of their reference Hb and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL during the EEP.

Results

A total of 163 patients from 27 centers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela entered the treatment period and 102 completed the prescribed course of C.E.R.A. Forty-five patients (43.7 %) maintained a mean Hb concentration within ±1 g/dL of their reference Hb value and between 10.5 and 12.5 g/dL during the EEP. The median monthly dose remained constant at 120 μg during the titration period and during the EEP. On the average, there were only 2.3 dose changes per patient in 28 weeks of treatment, covering 7 C.E.R.A. scheduled administrations. 53 % of all dose changes were dose decreases, 47 % increases. A total of 10 AEs and 4 SAEs were considered to be related to the study treatment.

Conclusions

Once-monthly C.E.R.A. treatment effectively maintains stable Hb concentrations in patients with chronic renal anemia undergoing dialysis with a good safety and tolerability profile.     

Delayed wound healing in aged skin rat models after thermal injury is associated with an increased MMP-9, K6 and CD44 expression

Age-related differences in wound healing have been documented but little is known about the wound healing mechanism after burns. Our aim was to compare histological features and immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), collagen IV, K6 and CD44 in the burn wound healing process in aged and young rats.     

Predictors of Health-related Quality of Life and Adjustment to Prostate Cancer During Active Surveillance

Background

Active surveillance (AS) is emerging as an alternative approach to limit the risk of overtreatment and impairment of quality of life (QoL) in patients with low-risk localised prostate cancer. Although most patients report high levels of QoL, some men may be distressed by the idea of living with untreated cancer.

Objective

To identify factors associated with poor QoL during AS.

Design, setting, and participants

Between September 2007 and March 2012, 103 patients participated in the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance (PRIAS) QoL study. Mental health (Symptom Checklist-90), demographic, clinical, and decisional data were assessed at entrance in AS. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate version and Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer outcomes were assessed after 10 mo of AS.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of low (<25th percentile) HRQoL, adjustment to cancer, and a global QoL index at 10 mo after enrolment.

Results and limitations

The mean age of the study patients was 67 yr (standard deviation: ±7 yr). Lack of partner (odds ratio [OR]: 0.08; p = 0.009) and impaired mental health (OR: 1.2, p = 0.1) were associated with low HRQoL (p = 0.006; area under the curve [AUC]: 0.72). The maladaptive adjustment to cancer (p = 0.047; AUC: 0.60) could be predicted by recent diagnosis (OR: 3.3; p = 0.072). Poor global QoL (overall p = 0.02; AUC: 0.85) was predicted by impaired mental health (OR: 1.16; p = 0.070) and time from diagnosis to enrolment in AS <5 mo (OR: 5.52; p = 0.009). Influence of different physicians on the choice of AS (OR: 0.17; p = 0.044), presence of a partner (OR: 0.22; p = 0.065), and diagnostic biopsy with >18 core specimens (OR: 0.89; p = 0.029) were predictors of better QoL. Limitations of this study were the small sample size and the lack of a control group.

Conclusions

Factors predicting poor QoL were lack of a partner, impaired mental health, recent diagnosis, influence of clinicians and lower number of core samples taken at diagnostic biopsy. Educational support from physicians and emotional/social support should be promoted in some cases to prevent poor QoL.     

Obesity Is Associated with Increased Prostate Growth and Attenuated Prostate Volume Reduction by Dutasteride

Background

Although obesity has been associated with larger prostate volumes (PV), few studies have actually investigated whether obesity enhances PV growth, especially among men using 5α-reductase inhibitors.

Objective

To examine whether obesity is associated with enhanced PV growth measured by serial transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) measurements.

Design, setting, and participants

We conducted a secondary analysis of the REduction by DUtasteride of prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial, which was originally aimed at cancer risk reduction among high-risk men with a single negative prestudy biopsy.

Intervention

Per-protocol randomization to placebo or dutasteride and mandatory TRUS-guided biopsies at 2 yr and 4 yr.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Percentage change in PV at 2 yr and 4 yr from baseline. We tested its association with baseline body mass index (BMI) groups of <25, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m² using multivariable linear regression. Secondarily, we tested whether BMI was associated with the likelihood of having no PV reduction among men randomized to dutasteride using multivariable logistic regression.

Results and limitations

Of 8122 participants, we analyzed 71.8% and 54.5% with complete 2-yr and 4-yr PV data, respectively. In multivariable analysis, men on placebo with BMI ≥30 versus <25 kg/m² had enhanced PV growth from baseline (at 2 yr: 17.0% vs 10.7%, p < 0.001; at 4 yr: 29.4% vs 20.1%; p = 0.001). Men on dutasteride with BMI ≥30 versus <25 kg/m² had attenuated PV reduction from baseline (at 2 yr: −14.3% vs −18.5%; p = 0.002; at 4 yr: −13.2% vs −19.3%; p = 0.001) and higher likelihood of having no PV reduction (at 2 yr: odds ratio [OR]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.93; p = 0.014; at 4 yr: OR: 1.62; 95% CI, 1.18–2.22; p = 0.003). We found no significant interactions between BMI and dutasteride on PV change at 2 yr and 4 yr (p interaction ≥0.36). No clinical outcomes or effects of weight change were assessed.

Conclusions

Obesity enhanced PV growth and attenuated PV reduction by dutasteride. The null interaction between obesity and dutasteride for PV change implies that the effect of obesity on dutasteride-treated men is likely a combination of dutasteride-driven PV reduction with obesity-driven PV growth rather than decreased dutasteride efficacy.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT00056407.