ObjectiveTo explore the practicability and safety of the F4.8 visual miniature nephroscope in the diagnosis and treatment of hematospermia.

METHODSThis study included 12 cases of refractory hematospermia accompanied by perineal or lower abdominal pain and discomfort. All the patients failed to respond to two months of systemic anti-inflammatory medication and local physiotherapy. Seminal vesicle tumor and tuberculosis were excluded preoperatively by rectal seminal vesicle ultrasonography, MRI or CT. Under epidural anesthesia, microscopic examination was performed with the F4.8 miniature nephroscope through the urethra and ejaculatory duct orifice into the seminal vesicle cavity, the blood clots washed out with normal saline, the seminal vesicle stones extracted by holmium laser lithotripsy and with the reticular basket, the seminal vesicle polyps removed by holmium laser ablation and vaporization, and the seminal vesicle cavity rinsed with diluted iodophor after operation.

RESULTSOf the 10 patients subjected to bilateral seminal vesiculoscopy, 3 with unilateral and 2 with bilateral seminal vesicle stones were treated by holmium laser lithotripsy, saline flushing and reticular-basket removal, 2 with seminal vesicle polyps by holmium laser ablation and vaporization, and the other 3 with blood clots in the seminal vesicle cavity by saline flushing for complete clearance. The 2 patients subjected to unilateral seminal vesiculoscopy both received flushing of the seminal vesicle cavity for clearance of the blood clots. The operations lasted 10－55 (25 ± 6) minutes. There were no such intra- or post-operative complications as rectal injury, peripheral organ injury, and external urethral sphincter injury. The urethral catheter was removed at 24 hours, anti-infection medication withdrawn at 72 hours, and regular sex achieved at 2 weeks postoperatively. The patients were followed up for 6－20 (7 ± 2.3) months, during which hematospermia and related symptoms disappeared in 10 cases at 3 months and recurrence was observed in the other 2 at 4 months after surgery but improved after antibiotic medication.

CONCLUSIONSThe F4.8 visual miniature nephroscope can be applied to the examination of the seminal vesicle cavity and treatment of seminal vesicle stones and polyps, with the advantages of minimal invasiveness, safety and reliability.