Head-to-head comparison of retropubic, perineal and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE: As more patients are diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage, it is becoming increasingly important to refine the technique of surgical excision. For this purpose we have generated objective data comparing three different surgical approaches used by three experienced surgeons. METHODS: We prospectively compared three contemporary personal series of 50 consecutive radical prostatectomy (RP) patients. The health-related quality of life was evaluated preoperatively and in months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. RESULTS: Considering in turn the patients undergoing retropubic, perineal and laparoscopic RP, the median procedure time was 2 h and 27 min, 1 h and 50 min and 4 h, with a transfusion rate of 2, 0 and 8%, respectively. In the perineal group there were more wound infections. Median catheter drainage was 7, 10 and 7 days and zero, 13 and one patients needed reinsertion of a catheter. Early continence varied considerably, with 57.4, 11.4 and 6.3% of patients pad-free after 1 month, but there were no differences in social continence (zero or one pad) with 97.8, 97.8 and 91.9% after 2 years. The Litwin score for incontinence (preoperative minus postoperative) was -24, -41 and -63% after 1 month and -13, +3 and -29% after 2 years. Twenty-nine, five and 15 patients had a preoperative five-item version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score of > or = 17 points and a nerve-sparing procedure. After 2 years, 48.1, 0 and 0% had an IIEF-5 score of > or = 17 points without the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, but when including patients using inhibitors there were no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: A comparison of morbidity, short-term convalescence and long-term side-effects of different surgical techniques is strongly biased by both the preoperative status of patients and the skill of the surgeons. Overall, we found some differences in the short-term results (e.g. early continence) and comparable long-term results.     

Surgical treatment for ureterocele with special reference to lower urinary tract reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the results of surgical treatment for children with ureterocele, especially addressing the importance of the lower urinary tract reconstruction. METHODS: We present medical records of 91 children with ureterocele (31 with the intravesical type, and 60 with the ectopic type) treated during the last 14 years. As the initial treatment, we carried out transurethral incision of the ureterocele (TUI). In patients with persistent reflux, breakthrough urinary tract infection (UTI), or signs of bladder outlet obstruction due to a collapsed cele wall, we recommended that patients undergo lower urinary tract reconstruction irrespective of the renal function involved in ureterocele. The average follow-up period was 5 years (ranging 1 year and 6 months to 14 years). RESULTS: Transurethral incision of the ureterocele was carried out as the initial treatment on 68 patients (75%). A total of 34 patients (21 intravesical [68%] and 13 ectopic [22%]) were followed medically after TUI alone. Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract was carried out in 59 patients (65%). Nephroureterectomy combined with bladder level reconstruction was carried out in four children with single system and non-functioning kidney. Follow-up voiding cystourethrography showed that only one girl had reflux, which disappeared after the first follow-up examination. Postoperative UTI occurred in 12 patients (20%) with ectopic ureterocele. Voiding dysfunction was suspected in eight patients. CONCLUSION: We believe that the primary objective for patients with ureterocele, especially of the ectopic type, is to reconstruct the original pathology of the lower urinary tract that may give rise to reflux, obstruction, or abnormalities of urination. Although surgery at the bladder level can be challenging, the lower urinary tract reconstruction successfully corrects the vesicoureteral reflux and bladder outlet pathology under a cosmetically acceptable incision.     

乳头溢液的外科治疗（附207例分析）

目的探讨乳头溢液的渗断和治疗方法，为合理的治疗提供科学依据。方法回顾分析手术治疗的207例乳头溢液病例资料。结果（1）在非哺乳期间发生乳头溢液多属病理性溢液；（2）通过美蓝法或平针头指示法行区段切除术，安全准确。结论（1）乳头溢液特别足血性溢液应手术治疗．对早期发现和早期治疗乳腺癌有鼋要的临床意义。（2）乳头溢液伴肿块者，不沧年龄大小、溢液性质均应手术治疗。     

回收式自体输血在儿童先天性髋关节脱位手术中的应用

[目的]探讨儿童先天性髋关节脱位的股骨和骨盆联合手术中洗涤式自体血液回收的应用方法与前景。[方法]2003年8月~2005年12月,17例先天性髋关节脱位股骨和骨盆联合手术中,使用Cell Saver 5血液回收系统行术中的血液回收。观察回输自体血液后的并发症发生情况,记录术中估计失血量、实际回收血量,以及回输血前后的Hb、Hct、P lt、PT、APTT、HR、BP、SPO2等的变化情况。[结果]17例患儿术中血液回收总量2 090 m l,平均每人(171±53)m l。其中4例出现一过性血红蛋白尿,其他无并发症。患者术前和术后24 h的Hb、Hct、HR比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.01);患者术前和术后24 h的P lt、PT、APTT、SPO2、BP比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。[结论]儿童先天性髋关节脱位的股骨和骨盆联合手术中的血液回收是安全、有效的自体输血方式,明显节约异体血的用量,有效避免血液传播性疾病的发生。     

The effect of seamustard on blood lipid profiles and glucose level of rats fed diet with different energy composition

Recently, Korean people are consuming seaweeds almost 3.5 times more now than three decades ago. It is well known that seaweeds contain lots of soluble dietary fiber in addition to micronutrients such as β-carotene, iodine and some bioactive components. Seaweeds are considered to be effective for preventing chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cancer or constipation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seamustard intake on body weight gain, blood glucose level and lipid profiles in rats fed diets with different energy nutrient composition. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (average initial weight 103.7 g) were divided into groups for two experiments as follows; Control, M2.5 & M5 groups (Exp. I) and M5, M10, HCM5, HCM10, HFM5 & HFM10 groups (Exp. II). The rats were fed diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. In general, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and triglyceride concentration among groups. In Exp. I, serum LDL-cholesterol level of rats fed diet with 5% seamustard powder (M5) was significantly lower than that of control group, while HDL-cholesterol level, TC/LDL ratio and weight of adrenal gland were higher. In Exp. II, food intake, body weight gain and EER of high fat diet with 10% seamustard group (HFM10) were the lowest among groups. Except gastrocnemius muscle, all organ weights of HFM10 group were the lowest. Fecal cholesterol excretion and serum LDL-cholesterol concentration of HFM10 group were the highest, while serum HDL-cholesterol level was the lowest among groups. Interestingly, HDL-cholesterol concentration was the highest in HCM5 group among groups. From these results, it was suggested that seamustard intake might be more effective for body weight control, but not for improving blood lipid profiles in high fat diet than in high carbohydrate diet.     

Prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss using low doses of conjugated estrogens and the non-hormonal,bone-active drug ipriflavone

Hormone replacement therapy is the optimal therapeutic choice for postmenopausal syndrome. While low doses of estrogens (0.3 mg/day of conjugated estrogens) can counteract neurovegetative menopausal symptoms, higher doses (0.625 mg/day of conjugated estrogens) are required to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that ipriflavone, a non-hormonal isoflavone derivative, is effective in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy and toler-ability of ipriflavone and very low doses of equine conjugated estrogens on bone loss in early postmenopausal women. Eighty-three healthy postmenopausal women (50.3±0.7 years) were enrolled for this 1-year multicenter study. All subjects were randomly allocated to receive: double placebo (n=24; group A), placebo plus conjugated equine estrogens 0.30 mg/day (n=31; group B) or conjugated equine estrogens 0.30 mg/day plus oral ipriflavone 200 mg tris in die at meals (n=28; group C), according to a double-masked design. Among women who completed the treatment period (valid completers), those of group A showed a progressive decrease in forearm bone density (FBD; measured by dual photon absorptiometry) that reached 1.7% after 12 months. The women in group B maintained their FBD in the first 6 months of treatment but, at the end of the study, showed a bone loss of 1.4% compared with basal values. By contrast, women in group C showed a significant increase in FBD after 1 year of treatment (+5.6%;p<0.01). Bothvalid completers andintention to treat analyses revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) between group A and group C over the study period. None of the treatments produced significant changes of biochemical markers of bone turnover, while hot flushes and other climacteric symptoms were significantly reduced after the sixth month of treatment in women receiving estrogens. Adverse events were generally mild, and did not differ among the groups. The results of this study suggest that low doses of estrogens combined with ipriflavone could represent a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of the postmenopausal syndrome.     

Giving up driving in Alzheimer's disease—an integrative therapeutic approach

For patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a recommendation to stop operating a motor vehicle can be a serious event complicated by a loss of self-esteem and personal dignity. Patients are often reluctant to give up an activity so essential, both practically and symbolically, to independent living. We describe here a patient with moderately progressed AD who lacked insight of his need to cease driving. Through an integrative treatment approach, combining behavioral and psychodynamic modalities, we helped him to formulate effective ways of coping with his loss of access to independent transportation. We favor a psychotherapeutic strategy that combines behavioral and managerial measures with dynamic patient interaction, thereby developing the patient's insight of the need to give up driving while fostering his sense of autonomy.     

损伤性肝外胆管狭窄45例临床分析

目的：分析损伤性肝外胆管狭窄发生的原因和损伤后狭窄的修复术式选择。方法：损伤性肝外胆管狭窄45例，诊断方法以B超，PTC、ERCP为主，全组分别行胆管空肠吻合术，胆管十二指肠吻合术，肝门胆管整形术等手术治疗。结果：随访36例，末次手术行胆管空肠吻合术33例，优良87.9%。结论：可见性损伤和隐性损伤所致的瘢痕收缩是胆道狭窄的主要原因，损伤性肝外胆管狭窄的治疗方法以胆管空肠Y形吻合术较为理想。     

老年重症急性胰腺炎手术治疗探讨

目的：讨论老年重症急性胰腺炎的手术治疗。方法：我院1984年1月－2000年10月共收治60岁以上手术证实的重症急性胰腺炎26例，本对其手术治疗的方法和时机以及相应的并发症和死亡率进行回顾性分析。结果：本组术后死亡6例，其中4例死于MOF，2例死于ARDS。在发病24小时内手术8例中无1例死亡，24－36小时内手术14例有2例死亡，36小时后手术4例均死亡。结论：老年重症胰腺炎患多伴有心、肺、肾等重要器官慢性疾病，脏器代偿功能差，较易出现MOF，因此如有手术指证或经短期非手术治疗效果不明显，应及时手术，并在术中和术后采用合理的治疗措施，有利于减少术后并发症，降低手术死亡率。