Low-pressure CO(2) pneumoperitoneum reduces the number of patients complaining of shoulder-tip pain and the intensity of the pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The addition of intraperitoneal normal saline infusion to low-pressure CO(2) pneumoperitoneum seems to reduce the intensity but not the frequency of shoulder-tip pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Bladder cancer cells illustrate major disruptions in their DNA methylation patterns as compared with normal ones. Authors aimed to identify epigenetic molecular markers in urine for early detection of bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the methylation status of RARb 2 and APC genes in urine samples from 210 bladder cancer patients, 61 patients with benign urological diseases, and 49 healthy volunteers by using methylation-specific PCR.Results: Methylated RARb 2 and APC were significantly higher in bladder cancer patients (62.8%, 59.5%) than benign (16.4%, 5%) but not detected in healthy volunteers (0%) at (P < 0.0001). Both methylated genes showed no significant difference among clinicopathologic factors; however, they were detected in all grades and stages. Among the 128 patients with bilharzial bladder cancer, 94 (73.4%) showed methylated RARb 2 and 86 (67.2%) showed methylated APC. Homoplasmic methylation pattern of both genes were only detected in bilharzial bladder cancer cases. Both sensitivities and specificities of the methylated genes for bladder cancer detection were superior to urine cytology and when altogether combined, the sensitivities improved to (91.8%), (93.5%), (91.9%), and (80.9%) in detection of: bladder cancer, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, low-grade tumors, and bilharzial associated bladder cancer, respectively.Conclusion: Thus, methylated RARb 2 and APC genes might be valuable urinary molecular markers for early detection of bilharzial and nonbilharzial bladder cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(8); 1657-64. Ó2011 AACR.

Purpose: Ureteric substitution using the Yang-Monti principle was reported as a modifi cation of simple ileal ureter replacement. In this study, we evaluate its safety, surgical outcome and impact on renal function. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients underwent ileal ureter replacement using the Yang-Monti principle to overcome long ureteric defects. Exclusion criteria included patients with elevated serum creatinine > 1.8 mg/dL, infl ammatory bowel syndrome or irradiated bowel. Antirefl ux implantation into the bladder was performed in 12 patients while 4 patients with intact healthy lower ureters underwent distal ileal-ureteral anastomosis. Follow-up protocol was carried out for up to 3 years in 9 patients. Results: No intra-operative or postoperative mortality or signifi cant complications occurred. There were minor complications in the form of urinary leakage that necessitated prolonged ureteric stenting in one patient, superfi cial wound infection in another one and 3 patients developed treatable urinary tract infection without late harmful effects. During follow up, no excess mucus production or metabolic abnormalities were encountered. All patients had preserved renal function (improved in 13 patients and stabilized in 3) without any evidence of urinary obstruction. Conclusions: The reconfi gured ileal segment for ureteric substitution is a safe technique with an excellent outcome. It uses short ileal segments for reconstruction of an ileal tube of adequate length and optimal caliber that permits easy antirefl ux implantation into the bladder so it is not associated with excess mucus production or metabolic abnormalities and offers a durable preservation of renal function without urinary obstruction.

Abstract. Objective:In a trial to improve the diagnostic efficacy of conventional urine cytology we determine survivin RNA and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in urine of bladder cancer cases. Method: Voided urine specimens were collected from patients with histologically confirmed bladder urothelial carcinoma (Group 1; n = 46), urological patients without urothelial carcinoma (Group 2; n = 20), and healthy volunteers (Group 3; n = 20). Urine cytology, survivin RNA was estimated by qualitative nested RT-PCR and MMP-2, MMP-9 activity were detected by gelatin zymography. The expression of survivin RNA and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in bladder cancer was compared with benign and normal cases. Results: Positivity rates of survivin RNA and MMPs zymography were significantly different among the 3 groups. Urine survivin detection by qualitative nested RT-PCR showed 76.1% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The overall sensitivity, specificity of urinary MMP zymography was 67.3%, 90% respectively. The combined use of urine cytology with urine survivin or MMPs zymography increased sensitivity of urine cytology from 50% to 84.7%. The highest sensitivity (95.6%) was obtained on combining the three markers. Conclusion: Survivin RNA and MMPS zymography can be considered as promising noninvasive markers for bladder cancer early detection. Combined use of the three markers improved the sensitivity for detecting bladder cancer.

Background/Aim: A cholangiocarcinoma, the second most common primary hepatic malignancy, can present with diagnostic dilemmas. The aim of this study is to assess the role of CA 19-9 in patients with a cholangiocarcinoma without primary sclerosing cholangitis. Methods: The prospectively collected information on patients with biopsy-proven cholangiocarcinomas who had the CA 19-9 level measured was obtained (n = 68) from our computer database and medical records. These patients were compared with patients who had benign liver tumours (n = 25) and benign bile duct strictures (n = 13) who also had their CA 19-9 concentration measured. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of a cholangiocarcinoma were 77.9 and 76.3%, respectively, when using a cut-off value of 35 kU/l, while sensitivity and specificity were 67.5 and 86.8%, respectively, when the cut-off value was raised to 100 kU/l. The specificity was found to be higher in patients with peripheral cholangiocarcinomas (96%) using a CA 19-9 cut-off value >100 kU/l. A CA 19-9 value >600 kU/l was associated with non-resectable tumours (p = 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CA 19-9 is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinomas without primary sclerosing cholangitis, especially in the diagnosis of peripheral cholangiocarcinomas. However, it does not provide a reliable guide for the pathological staging of these tumours.

PURPOSE:To assess the use of sigmoid colon in vaginal reconstruction of some patients with disorders of sex development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 31 patients with disorders of sex development of various causes. All were reared as females. Female gender was decided for all cases after complete medical assessment. All patients underwent sigmoid vaginoplasty. Assessment of surgical and functional outcomes was carried out in a follow up period of up to 6 years. RESULTS: The preoperative diagnoses included mullerian aplasia (16 cases), androgen insensitivity syndrome (12 cases) and previous failed vaginoplasty (3 cases). Associated surgical procedures were gonadectomy in 5 cases and gonadectomy combined with clitoroplasty and vulvoplasty in 7 cases. No intra-operative or early postoperative complications occurred. A cosmetic neovagina with adequate size was achieved in all cases. Long term follow up showed introital stenosis in 4 cases (12.9 %). Two of them responded to vaginal dilatation. The third one needed y-v plasty while the fourth one presented by acute abdomen secondary to ruptured vagina and was submitted to urgent laparotomy. Mucosal prolapse occurred in 1 case (3.2%). Reoperation rate was 9.6%. Sexual satisfaction was achieved among 9 sexually active cases. The subjective satisfaction score of the surgical outcome was 8.03. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with disorders of sex development of various etiologies, sigmoid vaginoplasty is the preferred technique for vaginal replacement. It is a safe technique that provides the patient with a cosmetic neovagina of adequate caliber and a satisfactory functional outcome

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