Objective To evaluate the impact of maintenance haemodialysis and live‐related renal transplantation on the reproductive potential of men with end‐stage renal disease. Patients and methods The plasma levels of testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined, and semen analysed, in 19 men (22–41 years old) with advanced uraemia after 6 months of dialysis and again 6 months after renal transplantation. Eight patients who had azoospermia or severe oligospermia underwent testicular biopsy after 6 months of dialysis and again 6 months after the transplant. Results Following dialysis, levels of testosterone were low in 17 patients and levels of LH and FSH were elevated in 15 and eight patients, respectively. Four patients each had azoospermia and severe oligospermia. The testicular tissue was hypospermatogenic in three patients, showed late‐maturation arrest in four and germ cell aplasia in one. After renal transplantation, testosterone and LH levels returned to normal in 15 and 13 patients, respectively, while FSH levels became normal in only two patients. The recovery of testosterone and LH levels after transplantation was statistically significant. Semen quality improved in 13 patients, with the improvement in sperm density and motility being statistically significant. Testicular histology revealed normal spermatogenesis in four patients, while three continued to show late‐maturation arrest. The wives of five of the transplanted patients conceived. Conclusions The impairment of testicular function seen in advanced uraemia is not reversible by maintenance haemodialysis. In contrast, after successful transplantation, steroidogenic function became almost normal while spermatogenic function showed a striking if incomplete recovery.

A series of 62 patients with chyluria received instillations of 1% silver nitrate in the renal pelvis over an 8-year period; 51 patients responded well but 11 showed no response to treatment. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 7 years. The treatment was found to be safe, effective and minimally invasive.

Objective  To present the results of surgical lymphorenal disconnection and its advantages in patients with severe chyluria. Patients and methods  Seventy‐eight patients (40 men and 38 women, age 22–58 years) with severe chyluria of variable duration (5 months to 14 years), underwent surgical disconnection of the lymphorenal communication after confirming the diagnosis of chyluria by urine examination for fat globules, lymphangiography to delineate the side, site and extent of lymphorenal communication, and cystoscopy to decide the side to be operated. The areolar tissue containing dilated lymphatics travelling to the kidney in the perirenal and hilar region was dissected and divided between ligatures, thus stripping these structures completely; only one side was operated at a time. Results  All 78 patients were available for a minimum follow‐up of 1 year, with the longest follow‐up 15 years. Lymphangiography showed unilateral communication in 52 (66%) and bilateral in 26 (34%). If the patient was given a high‐fat meal before surgery, the intra‐operative visualization of the lymphatics was improved. With unilateral surgery, clearance was achieved in 74 (94%) immediately, with final success in 69 (88%) patients. Of the 26 (34%) patients with bilateral lesions, nine (12%) required bilateral surgery, giving a clearance rate of 97%. In two cases of failure, repeat surgery was successful in one; thus the overall success rate was 98%. Conclusion  Lymphorenal disconnection for chyluria is simple, successful as a permanent cure and with almost negligible complications. Bilateral lymphorenal communication seen on lymphangiography does not always warrant bilateral surgery.

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