Seven hundred and twenty-seven renal transplant patients are reviewed with respect to the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) after renal transplantation. UTI was defined as the detection of both bacteriuria (10(5) CFU/ml) and pyuria (10 leukocytes/hpf). UTI developed in 11 of the inpatients (20.8%) and in 30 (4.2%) of the outpatients during a one-year period. Among outpatients, 12 had symptomatic infections, comprising seven with acute pyelonephritis and five with acute cystitis. Asymptomatic UTI was detected in 18 patients. In addition, asymptomatic bacteriuria without pyuria was observed in ten (1.4%) patients. UTI was more common in patients with diabetes, and underlying urinary tract complications were present in some patients. Administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for about 4 months is suggested to reduce the frequency of UTI in the early period after renal transplantation.

The management of urinary incontinence for nursing homes residents through ultrasound-assisted prompted voiding seems to reduce the absorbent cost and to partially improve care workers' quality of life.

The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the outcome of renal transplantation (Tx) has been controversial. To determine the indication of renal Tx in patients infected by HBV, we investigated the long-term outcome of renal transplant patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We analyzed 980 patients, including 18 HBsAg carriers, who underwent renal Tx and were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin in our institute. Fourteen out of 18 patients (77.8%) showed hepatic dysfunction after an average period of 17.8 months (range 1-65) after Tx. Four out of 14 patients (28.5%) with hepatic dysfunction died of liver failure due to fulminant hepatitis with functioning grafts between 15 and 71 months after Tx. The remaining 10 patients with hepatic dysfunction are alive up to the time of last follow-up; however, 5 of them lost their grafts because of rejection between 44 and 92 months after Tx. Their liver function improved after withdrawal of cyclosporin. Only 4 patients did not develop chronic liver disease and have had functioning grafts for between 44 and 147 months. One patient died of subarachnoid hemorrhage 22 months after Tx. HBe antigen, antibody and HCV antibody status were not related to the occurrence of liver dysfunction after Tx. Four HB V-DNA-positive patients showed deteriorated liver function. Three patients with chronic active hepatitis confirmed by the biopsy were treated with interferon. Interferon improved liver function in 2 patients, however, 1 patient died of liver failure despite interferon therapy. Our data suggested that the presence of HBsAg is often associated with chronic liver disease leading to liver failure regardless of HBe and HCV status after Tx. The indication of renal Tx in patients with HBsAg should be determined carefully giving consideration to these results.

Nephrotic syndrome due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) frequently recurs even after renal transplantation and may cause renal allograft failure. From January 1983 though April 1995, 11 adult recipients with primary FGS received 11 kidney transplants at our institution, and 3 of them were treated with pretransplant plasma exchange (PE). Other patients did not receive any preoperative PE, and 4 patients lost their grafts due to recurrent FGS (50%). PE was completed 3 times before the transplantation to prevent posttransplant recurrence of FGS. Two recipients did not have any proteinuria or graft dysfunction without posttransplant PE. One patient had mild proteinuria immediately after transplantation, and histological examination showed recurrent FGS. The patient has been undergoing PE once a month (2 years posttransplant). Her renal function is excellent (sCr 1.2 mg/dl), and her FGS is being well controlled by PE. PE seems to be effective for the prevention of the recurrence of FGS following renal transplantation.

Objective To evaluate in an animal model the haemostatic ef®cacy of vaporizing-cutting (VC) electrodes recently developed for use in high-energy transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Materials and methods Four VC electrodes were assessed for their haemostatic ef®cacy in the muscle and liver of pigs (in vitro) and dogs (in vivo). The devices tested were the roller-cutting and Vapor Cut (Karl Storz GmbH, Germany); the Wedge (Boston Scienti®c Corp., Boston, USA); and the Uroloop (Endocare Inc., Irvine, CA). In each the depth of the desiccated zone was compared with that produced by a standard cutting loop electrode. Each electrode was attached to a scanning system (developed previously) that allowed the electrode pressure on the tissue surface (in 3% sorbitol solution) and the running speed to be adjusted. The same generator was used with all devices. The tissue (muscle or liver) was cut by running the electrode over the surface at 200, 250 or 300 W, with the loop electrode used as the reference. After completing the procedure, the surgical wound and the surrounding tissue were dissected out and the depth of the heat-affected zone (HAZ, de®ned as the desiccated zone) measured. Results In pig muscle (stroke speed 5 mm/s) there was no signi®cant difference in the depth of the HAZ between the four VC electrodes and the loop, or among the VC electrodes at any of the power levels tested. In pig liver (stroke speed 5 mm/s), the roller cutting and Vapor Cut electrodes produced a thicker HAZ than the loop at all power levels tested (P<0.01). The Wedge electrode produced a signi®cantly thicker HAZ than the loop at 200 and 300 W (P<0.01). There were no signi®cant differences in HAZ among the VC electrodes at any power level. In dog muscle in vivo (stroke speed 10 mm/s), the roller cutting, Vapor Cut and Wedge electrodes produced a signi®cantly thicker HAZ at 250 W than the loop at 150 W (the usual power for TURP) (P<0.01). There was no signi®cant difference among the VC electrodes. In dog liver in vivo (stroke speed 10 mm/s), the roller cutting electrode produced a signi®cantly thicker HAZ at 250 W than the loop at 150 W (P<0.01). Conclusions The present VC electrodes produced a thicker desiccation zone at higher powers (200± 300 W) than the standard loop at the usual power (150 W). The four VC electrodes produced a similar desiccation zone. With pig muscle and liver in vitro, regular loops used at a higher power created a desiccation zone that was 70±80% of the depth created by the VC electrodes.

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We investigated the collection and transfusion of autologous blood after treatment with EPO in 68 BPH patients (including 10 controls) who were scheduled to undergo TUR-P. All patients received oral and/or intravenous iron supplements. Assessments were made based on the preoperative increase in blood hemoglobin levels including autologous blood predonation (deltaHb). The deltaHb in patients undergoing collection of 600 ml of blood were as follows: control group: -0.36 +/- 0.57 g/dl; EPO group, 9 x 3000 units intravenously: 1.15 +/- 0.83 g/dl; EPO group, 6 x 6000 units intravenously: 0.79 +/- 0.80 g/dl; EPO group, 3 x 12,000 units subcutaneously: 1.47 +/- 0.62 g/dl. In patients undergoing collection of 800 ml of blood, the results were as follows: EPO group, 3 x 12,000 units subcutaneously: 1.80 +/- 0.69 g/dl; EPO group, 3 x 24,000 units subcutaneously: 2.03 +/- 0.77 g/dl. All EPO-treated patients successfully underwent surgery using their own blood, and none of them required homologous transfusion. The increase of Hb was greater in the patients treated with EPO than in controls, allowing safe preoperative blood collection even in elderly patients. In patients with relatively severe BPH, homologous transfusion could be avoided and surgery was performed safely.