A new option in the treatment of erectile dysfunction highligheted in International Brazilian Journal of Urology

Abstract

The papers came from many different countries such as Brazil, Netherlands, Taiwan, USA and China, and as usual the editor´s comment highlights some of them. The editor in chief would like to highlight the following works:Dr. Vieiralves and collegues from Brazil, presented in page 428 (1) a nice review, the cover of the present edition, about the low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LIEST) for erectile dysfunction (ED) and concluded that literature presents little scientific evidence but suggests good results with the use of LIEST for ED. Despite a real optimism since it is a treatment modality capable of acting on the pathophysiology of ED, we must remain cautious, until a lar-ger volume of higher quality studies allows us to establish which patient profile, type of energy and application protocol will achieve clinically satisfactory results.Dr. van Kollenburg and collegues from Netherlands, presented in page 411 (2) a important systematic review about the Novel minimally invasive treatments for lower urinary tract symptoms and concluded that five minimally invasive treatments (MITs) for treatment of LUTS were identified. Aquablation is likely to result in functional outcomes most comparable to TURP. Second in ranking was prostatic artery embolization, a technique that does not require general or spinal anesthesia. MITs have a better safety profile compared to TURP. However, due to high study heterogeneity, results should be interpreted with caution.Dr. Carvalho and collegues from Brazil performed in page 452 (3) a nice study about the clinical and Urodynamic results of the Argus T® sling in moderate and severe male stress urinary incontinence treatment and concluded that a long-term efficacy and safety of Sling Argus T® as an alternative to mo-