Purpose
To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIRS, SWL and PCNL for lower calyceal stones sized 1–2 cm.
Materials and methods
Patients with a single lower calyceal stone with an ...evidence of a CT diameter between 1 and 2 cm were enrolled in this multicenter, randomized, unblinded, clinical trial study. Patients were randomized into three groups: group A: SWL (194 pts); group B: RIRS (207 pts); group C: PCNL (181 pts). Patients were evaluated with KUB radiography (US for uric acid stones) at day 10 and a CT scan after 3 months. The CONSORT 2010 statement was adhered to where possible. The collected data were analyzed.
Results
The mean stone size was 13.78 mm in group A, 14.82 mm in group B and 15.23 mm in group C (
p
= 0.34). Group C compared to group B showed longer operative time 72.3 vs. 55.8 min (
p
= 0.082), fluoroscopic time 175.6 vs. 31.8 min (
p
= 0.004) and hospital stay 3.7 vs. 1.3 days (
p
= 0.039). The overall stone-free rate (SFR) was 61.8% for group A, 82.1% for group B and 87.3% for group C. The re-treatment rate was significantly higher in group A compared to the other two groups, 61.3% (
p
< 0.05). The auxiliary procedure rate was comparable for groups A and B and lower for group C (
p
< 0.05). The complication rate was 6.7, 14.5 and 19.3% for groups A, B and C, respectively.
Conclusions
RIRS and PCNL were more effective than SWL to obtain a better SFR and less auxiliary and re-treatment rate in single lower calyceal stone with a CT diameter between 1 and 2 cm. RIRS compared to PCNL offers the best outcome in terms of procedure length, radiation exposure and hospital stay.
ISRCTN 55546280.
Abstract Purpose The current literature on the impact of different urinary diversions on patients' health related quality of life (HR-QoL) showed a marginally better quality of life scores of ...orthotopic neobladder (ONB) compared to ileal conduit (IC). The aim of this study was to update the review of all relevant published studies on the comparison between ONB and IC. Materials and methods Studies were identified by searching multiple literature databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, PubMed Data were synthesized using meta-analytic methods conformed to the PRISMA statement. Results The current meta-analysis was based on 18 papers that reported a HR-QoL comparison between IC and ONB using at least a validate questionnaire. Pooled effect sizes of combined QoL outcomes for IC versus ONB showed a slight, but not significant, better QoL in patients with ONB (Hedges' g = 0.150; p = 0.066). Patients with ileal ONB showed a significant better QoL than those with IC (Hedges' g = 0.278; p = 0.000); in case series with more than 65% males, ONB group showed a slight significant better QoL than IC (Hedges' g = 0.190; p = 0.024). Pooled effects sizes of all EORTC-QLQ-C30 aspects showed a significant better QoL in patients with ONB (Hedges' g = 0.400; p = 0.0000). Conclusions This meta-analysis of not-randomized comparative studies on the impact of different types of urinary diversions on HR-QoL showed demonstrated a significant advantage of ileal ONB compared to IC in terms of HR-QoL.
Background
Basophils, eosinophils and monocytes may be involved in BCG-induced immune responses and be associated with outcomes of bladder cancer patients receiving intravesical BCG. Our objective ...was to explore the association of baseline counts of basophils, eosinophils and monocytes with outcomes of patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer receiving a standard course of intravesical BCG.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with primary T1 HG/G3 bladder cancer. After re-TURBT, patients were treated with a 6-week course of intravesical BCG induction followed by intravesical BCG every week for 3 weeks given at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months from initiation of therapy The analysis of potential risk factors for recurrence, muscle invasion and cancer-specific and overall survival was performed using univariable Cox regression models. Those factors that presented, at univariate analysis, an association with the event at a liberal
p
< 0.1, have been selected for the development of a multivariable model.
Results
A total of 1045 patients with primary T1 HG/G3 were included. A total of 678 (64.9%) recurrences, 303 (29.0%) progressions and 150 (14.3%) deaths were observed during follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that logarithmic transformation of basophils count was associated with a 30% increment in the hazard of recurrence per unit increase of logarithmic basophils count (HR 1.30; 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.54;
p
= 0.0026). Basophil count modeled by quartiles was also significantly associated with time to recurrence second vs. lower quartile HR 1.42 (1.12–1.79);
p
= 0.003, third vs. lower quartile HR 1.26 (1.01–1.57);
p
= 0.041; upper vs. lower quartile HR 1.36 (1.1–1.68);
p
= 0.005. The limitations of a retrospective study are applicable.
Conclusion
Baseline basophil count may predict recurrence in BCG-treated HG/G3 T1 bladder cancer patients. External validation is warranted.
Surgical treatments for ischemic priapism (IP) include shunts or penile implants. Non-ischemic priapism (NIP) is usually the result of penile/perineal trauma causing an arterial fistula and ...embolisation may be required. We conducted a systematic review on behalf of the EAU Sexual and Reproductive health Guidelines panel to analyse the available evidence on efficacy and safety of surgical modalities for IP and NIP. Outcomes were priapism resolution, sexual function and adverse events following surgery. Overall, 63 studies (n = 923) met inclusion criteria up to September 2021. For IP (n = 702), surgery comprised distal (n = 274), proximal shunts (n = 209) and penile prostheses (n = 194). Resolution occurred in 18.7-100% for distal, 5.7-100% for proximal shunts and 100% for penile prostheses. Potency rate was 20-100% for distal, 11.1-77.2% for proximal shunts, and 26.3-100% for penile prostheses, respectively. Patient satisfaction was 60-100% following penile prostheses implantation. Complications were 0-42.5% for shunts and 0-13.6% for IPP. For NIP (n = 221), embolisation success was 85.7-100% and potency 80-100%. The majority of studies were retrospective cohort studies. Risk of bias was high. Overall, surgical shunts have acceptable success rates in IP. Proximal/venous shunts should be abandoned due to morbidity/ED rates. In IP > 48 h, best outcomes are seen with penile prostheses implantation. Embolisation is the mainstay technique for NIP with high resolution rates and adequate erectile function.
Background
Couple distress is a crucial point in premature ejaculation (PE). PE has been associated with significant bother, interpersonal problems, and dissatisfaction with sexual intercourse for ...both men and their partners.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of PE on female sexuality in female partners of men affected from PE. Secondary objectives were to assess the impact of PE on female sexual quality of life, to assess the presence of sexual problems of the male partner, and to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of comorbidities.
Materials and methods
Adult women aged 18 to 80 years old, sexually active, were randomly sampled from the patient lists of General Practitioners in Italy and were included in this observational, non‐interventional, cross‐sectional epidemiological study. Subjects were asked to fill: a general questionnaire regarding anthropometric data, lifestyle, marital status, education, occupation, economic conditions, general health status, comorbidities, and sexual habits; the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Female (SQoL‐F); the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS‐R‐PE); the Self‐rating Depression Scale (SDS); and Self‐rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). In addition, females reported about their partner's ejaculation time and the presence of sexual dysfunctions.
Results
A total of 3,104 women were included. Mean age was 45.1 years. Woman with PE partners presented a higher percentage of sexual dysfunction and reported more anxiety compared with female partners of men not affected from PE (42.69% vs. 20.56% and 30.95% vs. 15,34%, respectively). In addition, they referred more sexual dysfunction in their partners. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis, heart diseases, thyroid disease, a history of menopause, or hysterectomy resulted in significantly more prevalence in women with PE partners.
Discussion and conclusions
Female partners of PE patients present an increased prevalence of sexual distress, a reduced quality of sexual life, and an increased anxiety score when compared to women whose partners are not affected from PE.
Summary
Peyronie's disease (PD) is a common condition which results in penile curvature making sexual intercourse difficult or impossible. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is the first ...licensed drug for the treatment of PD and is indicated in patients with palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30° of curvature. However, only few monocentric studies are available in the current literature and this is the first national multicentric study focusing on this new treatment. In five Italian centres, 135 patients have completed the treatment with three injections of CCH using Ralph's shortened modified protocol. The protocol consisted of three intralesional injections of CCH (0.9 mg) given at 4‐weekly intervals in addiction to a combination of home modelling, stretching and a vacuum device on a daily basis. An improvement in the angle of curvature was recorded in 128/135 patients (94.8%) by a mean (range) of 19.1 (0–40)° or 42.9 (0–67)% from baseline (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in all IIEF and PDQ questionnaires subdomains (p < 0.001 in all subdomains). This prospective multicentric study confirms that the three‐injection protocol is effective enough to achieve a good result and to minimize the cost of the treatment.
Summary
Several intralesional therapeutic protocols have been proposed for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. Among all, hyaluronic acid (HA) and verapamil have been differently tested. We aimed to ...evaluate the efficacy of intralesional verapamil (ILVI) compared with intralesional HA in patients with early onset of Peyronie's disease (PD). This is a multi‐centre prospective double‐arm, randomized, double‐blinded study comparing ILVI vs. intralesional HA after 12‐weeks. Sexually active men, older than 18 years and affected by the acute phase of PD were eligible for this study. Patients have been double‐blinded randomly divided into two groups (1 : 1 ratio): Group A received intralesional treatment with Verapamil (10 mg in 5 mL of normal saline water) weekly for 12 weeks, while group B received intralesional treatment with HA (0.8% highly purified sodium salt HA 16 mg/2 mL) weekly for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was the change from the baseline to the endpoint (12 weeks after therapy) for the penile curvature (degree). The secondary outcome was the change in the plaque size and in the International Index of erectile Function (IIEF‐5) score. The difference between post‐ and pre‐treatment plaque size was −1.36 mm (SD ± 1.27) for Group A and −1.80 mm (SD ± 2.47) for Group B (p‐value = NS). IIEF‐5 increased of 1.46 points (SD ± 2.18) in Group A and 1.78 (SD ± 2.48) in Group B (p‐value ± NS). No difference in penile curvature was observed in Group A, while in Group B the penile curvature decreased of 4.60° (SD ± 5.63) from the baseline (p < 0.001) and vs. Group A. According to PGI‐I results, we found significant difference as concerning patient global impression of improvement (PGI‐I) (4.0 vs. 2.0; p < 0.05). This prospective, double‐arm, randomized, double‐blinded study comparing ILVI vs. HA as intralesional therapy showed greater efficacy of HA in terms of penile curvature and PGI‐I.