Male overactive bladder: The role of urodynamics and anticholinergics

Millions of men suffer from overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms. The adverse effects on quality of life and costs associated with the condition have been well described. In men, the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms may be from a number of causes including bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity, or both. Increasing data and clinical experience support the efficacy and safety of anticholinergics in men; the rate of urinary retention has been equal to that of placebo in short-term studies. Urodynamics play a vital role in defining the bladder and/or outlet dysfunction and help direct one’s therapy.     

Effects of traditional “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Juci</Emphasis>” (contralateral acupuncture) on orofacial nociceptive behavior in the rat

Purpose “Juci”, one of the traditional acupuncture techniques, means contralateral acupuncture; i.e., implanting a needle into an acupoint to treat a given disease or disorder, but on the side of the body opposite to the diseased side. The aim of this study was: (1) to assess acupuncture effects on formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in the orofacial region in the rat, and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of Juci in the orofacial formalin test. Methods Forty-four adult male Wistar rats were used in the present study. A 1.0% formalin solution (25 μl s.c., diluted in saline) was injected into the right upper lip. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups. (1) The control group (n = 9), which received formalin injection without acupuncture pretreatment; (2) the ipsilateral Ho-ku (see note below) acupuncture group (n = 10); (3) the contralateral Ho-ku acupuncture group (n = 11); (4) the acupuncture plus naloxone group (n = 9), where intraperitoneal naloxone (1.0 mg·kg⁻¹) was injected immediately before acupuncture pretreatment; and (5) the sham acupuncture group (n = 5). “Ho-ku” is the term used for the “Large Intestine 4” acupoint, located between the first and second metacarpal bones. Results The injection of formalin produced the characteristic biphasic behavioral response. Acupuncture significantly inhibited the response in the early and late phases. Naloxone significantly reversed these effects. There were no statistically significant differences between the ipsilateral and Juci acupuncture groups. Sham acupuncture did not exert any significant effect on the formalin-induced behavior. Conclusion Our results showed that the degree of effectiveness of Juci was similar to that of the ipsilateral acupuncture technique. Therefore, the Juci technique is also useful for the treatment of orofacial pain.     

Surgical device closure a new technique of ASD closure

Background Conventional approach of atrial septal defect (ASD) closure with cardio pulmonary bypass using mid sternotomy, minimally invasive or endoscopic technique is time tested. We decided to use custom made device with direct minimally invasive approach without cardio pulmonary bypass. Percutaneous transfemoral route using custom made device is a well established procedure performed by interventional cardiologist with occasional trauma and vessels. Method We performed the procedure in 3 patients of secundum ASD deemed adequate for device closure. We used a mini Right anterior thoracotomy approach using a double umbrella device which was implanted through direct Right Atrial puncture. Results In two patients we were successful in deploying the device. The proedure lasted 30 minutes with small infra Mammary scar and the post operative period was uneventful. In the third case where our attempt at surgical device closure failed the inferior margin was only one mm. The optimal size device kept slipping into the right atrium when the guide-wire was tugged after final deployment. The placement of an oversize device distorted the mitral valve, may causing regurgitation. Conclusion We think that this is a simple and safe technique of secundum ASD closure without cardio pulmonary bypass.     

Sonographic assessment of normal kidney dimensions in the first year of life—a study of 992 healthy infants

The omission of standards for renal length in infants younger than 1 year may result in a statistically significant increase in the frequency of “spurious” nephromegaly. Nonetheless, there are only a few reports specifically dealing with normal kidney dimensions in infants. Based on sonographic assessments performed on a sample of 992 healthy infants, between January 2002 and December 2004, this paper sets up standards for normal kidney dimensions in children aged 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, and 9–12 months and establishes correlations between kidney dimensions (length, width, and volume) and body length and weight. Linear as well as non-linear nomograms, with percentiles for all the kidney variables examined, based on body length, are provided. Also, statistically significant differences in mean values (P = 0.000) for all the observed neonatal kidney parameters, depending on gestational age at birth, are demonstrated. Principal advantages of our nomograms are that they are based on a large number of examined healthy infants and that kidney dimensions are related to body length. In addition, subjects are divided into four sub-annual age groups demonstrating gender-related differences in renal growth dynamics. Our linear nomograms are easier to use for routine clinical practice, but the percentile-based non-linear nomograms we present cover a much wider range of variations in normal infant kidney dimensions.     

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy after endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer

Background There has been a trend toward minimally invasive treatment of early gastric cancer. We report the preliminary results of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy after endoscopic mucosal resection. Methods Six patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy after endoscopic mucosal resection between February 2002 and October 2005 at Mie University Hospital. These patients first underwent laparoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy and then laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy. Results No patient underwent conversion to open surgery during the operation. None of the patients had any postoperative complications. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 11.3 days. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified laparoscopically in five patients. There were 20 sentinel and 85 nonsentinel lymph nodes in the six patients. Postoperatively, tissue sections showed that none of the lymph nodes were metastasized. Immunohistochemistry with D2-40 antibody showed that there were normal lymphatics in the submucosal layer with mucosal defects at the endoscopic mucosal resection site. No patients had any tumor recurrence during followup. Conclusions Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy after endoscopic mucosal resection was a safe and curative procedure. Endoscopic mucosal resection before sentinel lymph node biopsy was acceptable for early gastric cancer.     

Midterm results of mobile-bearing knee replacements

We examined the clinical and radiographic results of 93 patients affected by knee arthritis or osteonecrosis subjected to unilateral cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty with the LCS prothesis (Depuy/Johnson & Johnson). The mean follow-up was 9.5 years (range, 7–12 years). Clinical evaluation was performed using the Knee Society rating system, while radiographic evaluation was done according to the Knee Society roentgenographic system. At the latest follow-up, the mean knee score was 87 points: the functional score improved from 40 to 90. Radiolucent lines were small and not progressive. The implant survival at 12 years was 88%. Six knees (7%) required revision for implant-related problems. We conclude that the mobile-bearing prosthesis is a successful device even at long-term follow-up.     

The effect of sucralfate,an agent for gastroprotection on the healing of split thickness skin graft donor sites

Skin is the most commonly used tissue for the transplantation. A meticulous care of the donor site is needed to prevent scarring, delayed healing, and pain. Various agents and dressing materials have been reported to help healing of skin graft donor sites. Sucralfate is an extensively used agent, which provides acute gastroprotection and acceleration of chronic ulcer healing. In this study, we assessed the effects of topical sucralfate on the healing of the split thickness skin graft donor sites in a prospective comparative way. The study was carried out on 32 randomly chosen patients undergoing surgery for various causes and requiring split thickness skin graft resurfacing. The upper halves of the skin graft donor sites on the thighs were simply covered with paraffin gauze and the lower half was covered with sucralfate-soaked paraffin gauzes. The day of full epithelization varied from 6 to 9 days and 8–12 days on the sucralfate-applied areas and on the control sites, respectively. The mean value of the healing was 7.01 days in the studied lower halves and 10.8 days in the upper halves. The healing rate was strikingly faster and less painful on the sucralfate-applied areas. We were able to discharge patients earlier than usual, and patients’ comfort increased. It seems that sucralfate is a promising topical agent to increase the healing rate and decrease the incidence of associated problems such as pain and hypertrophic scar.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> in Acute Pancreatitis

Purpose A Candida infection of the pancreas, which previously was considered extremely unusual, has been increasingly reported in recent years. The present study was conducted with the aim of performing a cohort analysis of our patients with acute pancreatitis to find out the incidence, sites, and species of Candida involvement; and to evaluate the risk factors, severity, and course of illness of such patients. Methods A total of 335 patients with acute pancreatitis were investigated for a possible Candida infection of the pancreas from January 2000 to May 2003. The clinical records of all those patients who were positive for Candida spp. isolation from pancreatic tissue were analyzed. The clinical records of 32 more cases, randomly selected from the patients who were investigated for candidal pancreatitis but were negative for Candida spp., were also analyzed in order to compare their findings with those patients with a true Candida infection of the pancreas. Results A true or possible Candida infection was observed in 41 (12.2%) of those 335 patients and Candida tropicalis was the most common isolate (43.9%). Candida spp. were isolated from pancreatic necrotic tissue in 22 (6.6%) patients (true infection). A possible Candida infection (positive drain fluid effluents at least twice, without any Candida isolation from pre/per operative samples from pancreas) was seen in 19 (5.7%) patients. Candida was also isolated exclusively from the blood in another 19 patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. A risk factor analysis showed that patients with severe injury to the pancreas, on prophylactic fluconazole, and after surgical intervention were significantly more prone to develop a Candida infection. Patients with a Candida superinfection also had a significantly increased hospital stay and higher mortality. Conclusion This study thus emphasizes the important role of Candida infection in patients with acute pancreatitis and demonstrates the need for early attention.     

ASKyphoplan: a program for deformity planning in ankylosing spondylitis

A closing wedge osteotomy of the lumbar spine may be considered to correct posture and spinal balance in progressive thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity caused by ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Adequate deformity planning is essential for reliable prediction of the effect of surgical correction of the spine on the sagittal balance and horizontal gaze of the patient. The effect of a spinal osteotomy on the horizontal gaze is equal to the osteotomy angle. However, the effect of a spinal osteotomy on the sagittal balance depends on both the correction angle and the level of osteotomy simultaneously. The relation between the correction angle, the level of osteotomy and the sagittal balance of the spine can be expressed by a mathematical equation. However, this mathematical equation is not easily used in daily practice. We present the computer program ASKyphoplan that analyses and visualizes the planning procedure for sagittal plane corrective osteotomies of the spine in AS. The relationship between the planned correction angle, level of osteotomy and sagittal balance are coupled into the program. The steps taken during an ASKyphoplan run are outlined, and the clinical application is discussed. The application of the program is illustrated by the analysis of the data from a patient recently treated by a lumbar osteotomy in AS. The software can be used free of charge on the internet at under the heading “research” in the menu.