No abstract

Open surgical partial nephrectomy remains the established standard for nephron sparing treatment of renal tumors. When applied to small renal tumors, the laparoscopic approach is associated with longer warm renal ischemia time, more major intraoperative complications and more postoperative urological complications. Our data also suggest that more deliberate efforts to achieve a wider surgical margin are necessary with the laparoscopic approach. Nevertheless, our data suggest that laparoscopic NSS is emerging as an effective, minimally invasive therapeutic approach with respect to renal functional outcome with the additional advantages of decreased postoperative narcotic use, earlier hospital discharge and a more rapid convalescence. Continued efforts are required to develop laparoscopic renal hypothermia techniques and facilitate intrarenal suturing, while minimizing warm ischemia time.

Analysis of decreased urinary ECM proteins and analysis of increased MMP activity may have value for the development of a sensitive, high throughput molecular screening assay to detect early stage renal cell carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo assess the reliability and reproducibility of abdominal ultrasonography (US) for measuring the postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and to compare measurements by a radiologist and urologist, in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), as a significant PVR is common in patients with LUTS and an assessment of the PVR could protect patients from unnecessary catheterisation.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective comparative study of 45 men aged ⩾45 years with LUTS attending a urological outpatient clinic from July 2011 to May 2012. A detailed history was taken, with an assessment of LUTS using the Arabic Validated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and complete general and local examination. The PVR was measured by US twice by a radiologist and urologist, and then repeated after 1 week. Within ⩽2 min after US a urethral catheter was used to measure the PVR.ResultsThe mean (range) age of the patients was 63.8 (45–88) years and the mean IPSS was 16.18. Reliability testing between the PVR measured by US and the catheterised measure of PVR showed that US was not reliable (Cronbach’s α < 0.7). The US measurement was reproducible for both single examiner over two sessions, and with two examiners in one session. The PVR obtained by the urethral catheter was significantly higher than the US measurement (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe measurement of PVR by US is reproducible by either a urologist or radiologist, but it is not reliable, as the urethral catheter estimate gives a significantly higher PVR.

We assessed the effect of smoking and/or obesity on semen parameters and testosterone/oestradiol (T/E) ratio among sub‐fertile men treated with sub‐inguinal varicocelectomy. In this prospective, controlled, clinical study, 80 sub‐fertile men with clinical varicocele who were subjected to sub‐inguinal varicocelectomy were assigned into four equal groups (n = 20/each), group A: obese and smokers, group B: obese and nonsmokers, group C: smokers and nonobese and group D: nonsmokers and nonobese. Semen parameters, serum testosterone, oestradiol, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, prolactin and calculation of T/E ratio were assessed at baseline and 6 months post‐varicocelectomy. The mean age ± SD of the study population was 26.1 ± 4.55. No statistical difference was detected among the study groups regarding age, residence, education, marital status and occupation (p > 0.05 for each). Post‐operatively, significant improvements in semen parameters were detected in all groups. There was a significant difference between groups A and B versus C and D (obese versus nonobese groups) and between groups A and C versus B and D (smokers versus nonsmokers; p < 0.05 for each) regarding semen parameters, testosterone level and T/E ratio. Smoking and/or obesity negatively affect(s) the favourable outcome of varicocelectomy, specifically improvement of semen parameters and hormonal pattern in sub‐fertile men with varicocele.