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The aim of this study is to determine the early effects of partial outflow obstruction (POO) on the detrusor contractility of diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic rats. A total of 67 adult female Wistar rats with average weight of 214+/-3.1 g were randomized into five groups as control ( n=6), sham operated ( n=6), obstructed ( n=18), DM ( n=19), and DM with obstruction ( n=18). Intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin was performed to achieve DM. Partial bladder neck obstruction was created surgically by ligating the urethra around a 3F feeding tube. Bladder strips were obtained and inspected on days 3, 7, and 14 of both the diabetic period and POO. Mean detrusor weights were measured and the maximal contractile responses to carbachol (Car), adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), substance P (SP) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) of detrusor strips in all groups were studied in vitro. After 14 days of obstruction, no remarkable difference was observed between the maximal contractile responses to Car and SP of strips from obstructed-only (POO) and diabetic-obstructed (DM-POO) rats compared to the control group. The responses to EFS and ATP in the POO rats were significantly lower than the controls ( P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively). In the DM-POO group however, the responses were significantly better than the POO group, reaching almost similar levels with the controls. The contractile responses of DM-POO rats were higher than the POO group but lower than the DM group. Better contractile responses of the rats with DM-POO than POO group can be explained by the early enhancing effects of DM on detrusor contractility. In early DM+POO period, the negative effects of POO on detrusor muscle contractility is masked by diabetes mellitus.

Objective To determine if the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index is an accurate and reliable instrument for use in assessing the outcome after urethroplasty. Patients and methods The AUA Symptom Index questionnaire was answered by 33 men (mean age 31.3 years) who underwent end-to-end urethral reconstruction after complete urethral disruption; the index was completed at a mean of 6 months after surgery. The scores were then correlated with maximum¯ow rates (Q max ) and presence of re-stenosis on retrograde urethrography.Results The initial mean (SD) AUA score was 10.42 (9.6) and the Q max 22.12 (9.37) mL/s. Of the 33 patients, six (18%) had re-stenosis, with a mean score of 30 and Q max of 6 mL/s. There was a signi®cant inverse correlation between the AUA symptom score and Q max (r=x0.401, P<0.05). Conclusion The AUA Symptom Index is inversely correlated with Q max and may indicate the presence of re-stenosis after urethroplasty. The AUA score can thus be used as a cost-effective and easy method in the ®rst-line screening of the outcome of urethroplasty.

Performance of 16 (16 g) (n ¼ 103) and 18 gauge (18 g) (n ¼ 101) biopsy needles in transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided 10-core prostate biopsies were compared in terms of cancer detection and pre-defined specimen quality criteria in this prospective randomized study. Cancer detection rates of the two groups were similar, although the mean core volume of 16 g needles was almost twice that of 18 g needles. On the other hand, using 16 g needles significantly improved specimen quality by acquiring less empty cores, small cores and fragmented cores. There were no significant differences among the complication rates and VAS pain scores of the two groups. Sixteen gauge needles can safely be used in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies, as they improve specimen quality without increasing morbidity and patient discomfort.