World journal of urology
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World journal of urology · Dec 2007
Subcutaneous tunneling of the temporary testing electrode significantly improves the success rate of subchronic sacral nerve modulation (SNM).
Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) is an effective way to treat non-neurogenic dysfunctions of pelvic organs. For over 20 years, this technique has been used for the treatment of overactive bladder, urinary retention, pelvic pain and even more recently, fecal incontinence and constipation. The objective of the study is to improve the fixation of the temporary testing electrode (TTE) in order to obtain more reliable results in the testing phase which should lead to have a comparable success rate as the two-stage implant for a chronic implant. ⋯ The tunneled TTE maintains its place for consistent amplitude during the entire test duration. The modification of placing the TTE produces repayable results. This technique can be performed on an outpatient basis to evaluate sacral nerve modulation as an early treatment option for non-dysfunctions of pelvic organs before they are forwarded to a specialized center for a chronic SNM implantation.
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World journal of urology · Apr 2007
Functional improvement in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder by bladder augmentation using bladder acellular matrix graft in the rat.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) rostral to the lumbosacral level causes bladder hyperreflexia and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), which are accompanied by bladder hypertrophy. We hypothesize that bladder augmentation using a bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG) can improve the function of SCI-mediated neurogenic bladder. In female rats (n = 35), SCI was induced by transection of the spinal cord at the lower thoracic level. ⋯ Histological evaluation showed complete regeneration of BAMG in SCI-induced neurogenic bladder at 8 weeks after augmentation. This is the first report suggesting that the voiding function in SCI-induced neurogenic bladder can be improved by augmentation using BAMG. Improved voiding function was accompanied by histological regeneration of BAMG.
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World journal of urology · Dec 2005
Cyclic AMP-specific and cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in human cavernous arteries--immunohistochemical distribution and functional significance.
It has been well established that male erectile dysfunction is frequently associated with vascular diseases. The normal function of cavernous arteries is considered a prerequisite to maintain sufficient blood flow to the trabecular spaces in order to enable penile erection. Contractility of cavernous arteries is regulated by the peripheral autonomic nervous system and endogenous factors released from the endothelial cell layer. A significant increase of blood flow in the central cavernous arteries is the initial event leading to penile tumescence and rigidity. Besides the significance of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated mechanisms, the cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling pathway is also involved in the regulation of tone of the erectile tissue, and interactions between cGMP- and cAMP-mediated mechanisms have been demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate by means of immunohistochemistry the presence of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes 3, 4 (cAMP-specific PDEs) and 5 (cGMP-specific PDE) in thin sections of human central cavernous arteries (HCA) and their functional significance in the mechanism of vessel tone regulation. ⋯ The cGMP-dependent relaxation of cavernous arteries is not only dependent on the normal function of the peripheral autonomic nervous system but also on the functional integrity of the vascular endothelium. The expression of the cGMP-specific PDE5 and the ability of the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil to reverse the adrenergic tension of isolated segments of HCA underline the important role of the NO/cGMP pathway in the control of smooth muscle tone of human trabecular smooth musculature and penile cavernous arteries. Our results also suggest a significance of the cAMP-dependent signaling mechanisms in the regulation of tension of central HCAs. The present findings are also in support of the hypothesis of interactions between the cGMP- and cAMP-mediated signaling pathways in HCAs. Further investigations are indicated in order to outline potential differences between central HCAs and helicine resistance arteries. This may help to understand better the relations between structural and functional changes in the penile erectile tissue in patients with cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction.
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World journal of urology · Sep 2005
Comparative StudyEndoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer and previous laparoscopic inguinal mesh placement for hernia repair.
Since laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has become a frequently performed surgical procedure, it is inevitable that patients who have been candidates for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) may have had such prior intervention. The inguinal hernia repair might take the form of either total extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TEP) or transabdominal extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP), with mesh placement. The objective was to show that performing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) in such patients was safe and feasible, and also to suggest modifications of the technique to facilitate the surgery. ⋯ Although certain problems were presented by previous TEP/TAPP, it is nevertheless feasible to perform EERPE. By adapting port placements and surgical techniques the operation can be performed safely and with a good operative outcome.
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World journal of urology · Jul 2005
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialNew tined lead electrode in sacral neuromodulation: experience from a multicentre European study.
The use of a new tined lead electrode for sacral neuromodulation (SNS) was evaluated in a European study including 127 patients with chronic voiding dysfunction. The tined lead can be implanted during the first stage of the SNS procedure, which makes a longer test period possible before implanting the pulse generator in a second stage. Implantation of the tined lead was performed under local anaesthesia in 89% of patients. ⋯ This was sustained for up to 6 weeks. All of these patients received the pulse generator in a second stage. The outcome of this study supports the use of the tined lead electrode as a screening tool in SNS therapy.