Background and Objectives:Renal cysts have a high prevalence in the general population, and their estimated incidence increases with age. Renal cyst aspiration (usually with sclerotherapy) or open/laparoscopic decortication is a generally effective and safe method in the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts. The success rates of laparoscopic decortication and percutaneous aspiration-sclerotherapy were compared to assist in the decision making for the procedure.Methods:A total of 184 patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts were treated with either laparoscopic decortication in 149 cases or percutaneous aspiration-sclerotherapy in 35 cases. The follow-up period was approximately 35 months, and the symptomatic and radiologic success rates of the 2 techniques were compared retrospectively.Results:Laparoscopic decortication was found to have high success rates, a low recurrence rate, and minimal morbidity. Percutaneous aspiration-sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure with a minimally higher recurrence rate.Conclusion:When a symptomatic cyst is encountered and treatment of the cyst is indicated, laparoscopic decortication is a more efficient method that offers better results than percutaneous aspiration-sclerotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the vascular complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) patients who have undergone previous open surgery, PCNL and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Patients and Methods: 360 patients who underwent a PCNL procedure were included into the study. The patients were divided into 4 groups: group 1: primary PCNL (n = 232); group 2: previous open nephrolithotomy (n = 42); group 3: previous PCNL (n = 33); group 4: previous ESWL (n = 63). The periods of operation and fluoroscopy use of the groups were compared in terms of residual stones, with haematuria, pre-operation and post-operation first-day haemoglobin values. Patients with persistent haematuria were assessed through ultrasonography (US), Doppler US, computed tomography and angiography. Results: Upon comparison of the patients' pre- and post-operative haemoglobin changes, haemoglobin was statistically higher in the previous open operation group than the others (p = 0.02). Permanent and intermittent haematuria were detected in 12 (3%) and 7 patients (1%), respectively. Angiography was done in 7 (1.94%) patients. This rate was 9.5% for group 2 and 3% for group 3. These rates were found to be statistically higher than compared to the other groups. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was detected in 4 of these patients and pseudoaneurysm in 1. While 1 of the patients with AVF improved spontaneously, embolisation was applied to 4 patients. Four of the patients had had a previous open operation, while 1 had had a PCNL treatment. Conclusions: Vascular complication is a rare complication of PCNL that can be successfully managed with angioembolisation. Our results indicate that previous open surgery significantly predicted the occurrence of these lesions.

None of the dilation methods was significantly superior in terms of surgical success, efficiency, or safety. Although balloon dilation was advantageous with respect to time parameters, the role of surgical experience should not be ignored.

Genetic and environmental factors are involved in prostate cancer (PCa) etiology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to the PCa pathogenesis. The goal of this study is to determine the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and haplotypes in the development and progression of sporadic PCa. One hundred and thirty-three PCa patients and 157 age-matched healthy controls were genotyped for the Apa I (rs7975232), Bsm I (rs1544410) and Taq I (rs731236) polymorphisms in VDR gene by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. An association was observed between the Apa I polymorphism and PCa predisposition (P = 0.03). When compared with AA genotype, there was a highly notable difference in the frequencies of the Aa (P = 0.02), aa (P = 0.026) and Apa I ''a'' allele carriers (Aa + aa) (P = 0.009) genotypes. Furthermore, we found a statistical difference in the allele frequencies of the Apa I polymorphism between the sporadic PCa patients and control subjects (P = 0.013). The genotype distribution for the Bsm I and Taq I polymorphisms were similar between cases and controls (P > 0.05). No clinically significant relationship was found between the three-locus haplotypes and development of sporadic PCa. The genotype frequencies for the three polymorphisms of the VDR gene within subgroups of PCa (defined by tumor stage, Gleason score, PSA levels) were also analyzed, but no statistically noteworthy difference was observed (P > 0.05). As far as we know, this is the first study which investigates the relationship between VDR genotypes and sporadic PCa in the Turkish population. Our findings suggest that the VDR ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphism may play a role in the development of sporadic PCa.

Objectives. To report our experience and present the largest series of testicular torsion cases in the inguinal canal. Material and Methods. The clinical data of 13 patients with testicular torsion in the inguinal canal treated between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. Recorded patient age, whether the testes were palpable or not, side of the affected testes, the presence of hernia, ischemia time, and operation outcomes were assessed. Results. Patient age ranged from 8 to 70 months (29.15 ± 20.22). Mean ischemia time was 16.5 ± 21.3 hours. Accompanying inguinal hernia was present in 92% of the cases (12/13). Four of the thirteen patients (30.8%) were treated by orchiectomy because the necrosis was present after prolonged ischemia time. Nine patients (69.2%) were treated by single session orchidopexy. Conclusion. Torsion of testes in the inguinal canal is a rare disease, but with rapid diagnosis, affected testes can be salvaged, but the key factor is to keep this condition in mind.