PURPOSE: Prenatal sonography resulted in increased recognition of renal duplication anomalies and, therefore, earlier urological referral and evaluation. However, surgical approach in very young children is debating. We attempt to investigate clinical features and to propose the management strategies in patients with prenatally detected ureteroceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1982 to 1997, there has been 35 patients (47 units) of duplex system ureter in which both preoperative and postoperative imaging studies including DMSA renal scan were available. Among these, detailed diagnosis and treatment of prenatally detected (PreD) ureteroceles associated with duplex system (9 patients or 12 ureteroceles) were assessed compared with post-natally detected (PND) ones (26 patients or 35 ureteroceles). RESULTS: There were 2 males and 7 female patients in PreD group, whose ureteroceles presented as 6 unilateral (right 1, left 5) and 3 bilateral units. There were 3 patients (33%) presented with urinary tract infection in PreD group and 24 patients (92%) in PND group. Functional evaluation by DMSA renal scan revealed that 8 units (67%) were functioning in PreD group while 37% in PND group, which was not significantly different between two groups. Initial treatment in PreD group were performed in 11 units; transurethral ureterocele incision (TUI, 8 units), ureteroureterostomy (UUO, 1) and upper pole nephrectomy (UPNx, 2). Additional surgery was performed in 8 units, all of which were initially performed TUI. When initial functional status of the upper pole (UP) determined by renal scan were analyzed by ultimate mode of treatment, initially nonfunctioning parenchyme resulted in UPNx in 4 units and 8 functioning moiety were led to parenchyme-sparing surgery, implying TUI actually had not modified ultimate clinical course. Taken both PreD and PND together, UUO and ureteral reimplantation showed lower secondary operation rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although statistics did not fully support our clinical impression, patients with PreD ureterocele have higher proportion in preserving UP function compared with that of a PND. Our results shows direct approach to the upper pole according to the functional status is preferred.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Referral and Consultation ; Replantation ; Succimer ; Ultrasonography ; Ureter ; Ureterocele* ; Urinary Tract Infections

Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy has been attempted in the management of the large, long-standing, impacted ureter stone. However it was not commonly used because of difficulties in technique. So we report 2 cases of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy using the gasless technique. We performed the laparoscopic ureterolithotomy in two patients with ureter stones by transperitoneal approach. We used the laparolift system which was connected by laparofan retractor. The abdominal wall was elevated effectively, and the ureters were exposed with ease. The stone was successfully removed in all two cases. The operative time was 120 and 140 miniutes respectively. There was no intraoperative or postoperative complication including urinary leak in all cases. Postoperative pain was minimal. This gasless technique is convenient and safe because an operator can use the conventional surgical instruments and avoid the complications directly associated with pneumoperitoneum.
Abdominal Wall ; Humans ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Instruments ; Ureter

Ureterocystoplasty is a known useful method for the management of selected cases with dilated ureters, high pressure and poorly compliant bladders. It precludes the potential complications of enterocystoplasty. In two cases of posterior urethral valve with urinary incontinence, bilateral dilated ureters, and poorly compliant bladders, we performed ureterocystoplasties using dilated lower end of the ureter after transuretero-ureterostomy and ureteral reimplantation. Both patients were almost continent day and night. The bladder capacities and compliances were improved. There was no deterioration of renal functions. In conclusion, we suggest that the ureterocystoplasty using dilated distal ureter after transureteroureterostomy is an appropriate procedure in selected cases of posterior urethral valve.
Humans ; Replantation ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence

Management of impalpable testis is one of the most controversial issues in cryptorchidism. There is wide variation in approach to this subset of patients. In the child with an impalpable testis, laparoscopy is increasingly used as the diagnostic study of choice. We have recently extended its value by using it as a therapeutic tool. Ten laparoscopic surgical procedures were performed in 10 patients with 12 intra-abdominal testes. In 2 adults with a small intra-abdominal testis and normal contralateral testis, laparoscopic orchiectomy was performed. In 3 patients with 5 intra-abdominal testes, the first phase of two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed. These patients underwent an open surgical procedure three or four months later. In 3 patients, one stage orchiopexy was performed without dividing the spermatic vessels. In 2 Patients these testes could be mobilized after division of the spermatic vessels (laparoscopic one-stage Fowler-stephens orchiopexy). follow-up ranged from 3 months to 35 months (mean 16.8 months). At follow up 9 of 10 testes (90%) are in the scrotum without atrophy, while 1 (10%) is atrophic. Our early results suggest that increased experience will allow laparoscopic surgery to be a valuable option in the treatment of impalpable testis
Adult ; Atrophy ; Child ; Cryptorchidism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy* ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Orchiopexy ; Scrotum ; Testis*

PURPOSE: Previous infravesical outflow obstruction study of rat bladder has demonstrated the increased expression of collagen genes after partial obstruction. But there are few reports about the electromicroscopic findings of rat urinary bladder after partial outlet obstruction. This investigation was carried out to study the ultrastructural changes in smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers after partial obstruction of rat bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infravesical outflow obstruction was induced in Sprague-Dawley female rats. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks, the hypertrophied bladders were removed, fixated, embedded for electron microscopy and examined the ultrastructure of the bladder musculature. RESULTS: Clumping of nuclear chromatin, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrias, depletion of ribosomes, disarrangement of the myofilaments and dense bodies, collagen deposition, and thickening and multiplying of basal lamina were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that partial bladder outlet obstruction in the rat results in numerous changes of the organelles of smooth muscle cells and collagen deposition in the detrusor, which will be able to explain the resultant alteration in detrusor contractility and compliance.
Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Chromatin ; Collagen ; Compliance ; Female ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Myofibrils ; Organelles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ribosomes ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: Many operative procedures in pediatric urology can be performed by laparoscopy. We report our experiences with laparoscopic nephrectomy and heminephrectomy and evaluate its usefulness in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1996 and December 1997, a total of 10 children aged between 2 and 9 years underwent laparoscopic renal surgeries in Seoul National University Hospital. The laparoscopic nephrectomy (including nephroureterectomy) was performed in 8 patients(4 multicystic kidneys, 2 dysplastic kidneys associated with ectopic ureter, 2 nonfunctioning kidneys associated with vesicoureteral reflux), and heminephrectomy was done in the other 2 patients(duplex kidney). RESULTS: All laparoscopic nephrectomies were completed as planned. Operative time ranged 120 to 300 minutes(mean 180 minutes) and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Oral intake and mobilization were started from postoperative one day and the patients had hospitalized for an average 3.6 days. Laparoscopic heminephrectomy in one patient was performed successfully. Total operative time recorded 240 minutes and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. But the other patient experienced bleeding from the injured upper pole artery and subsequent conversion to an open surgery was needed. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy in children is feasible as its morbidity and complication rate are low. Laparoscopic heminephrectomy is thonght to be a technically demanding procedure, requiring more experience.
Arteries ; Child ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney ; Laparoscopy ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney ; Nephrectomy* ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Seoul ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Ureter ; Urology

PURPOSE: Pretreatment knowledge of prostate gland histology may help to select medical therapy for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). Our objective was to determine whether prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD) correlated to the relative amount of epithelium in BPH tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 32 men with pathologically proven BPH who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. All clinical findings which were age, symptom scores, maximal flow rate, total serum PSA, PSAD, prostate volume, transitional zone volume, transitional zone ratio were correlated with mean epithelial score(MES), which measures semi-quantitatively to represent the relative amount of epithelium in the resected BPH tissues. RESULTS: Prostatic size, serum PSA and PSAD showed significant correlation with MES in univariate analysis, but multivariate analysis showed that only PSAD was statistically significant(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that PSAD be related to the histological composition of the prostate in men with BPH. Therefore it might be useful as an evaluation to direct BPH therapy.
Epithelium ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*

PURPOSE: Bax promotes apoptosis and is up-regulated by p53, which is not required for androgen ablation-induced apoptosis of the prostatic cells. We investigated the change of lax during the involution of the rat prostate following castration. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Adult male rats were castrated and the ventral prostatic glands were removed daily for a week following castration. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of lax protein were performed using anti-bax rabbit polyclonal IgG. RESULTS: The prostatic weight decreased and the apoptotic cells began to appear 2 days following castration. Western blot analysis showed that lax was absent in the control prostate but began to increase 4 days following castration. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that bars was confined to the cells which had morphological characteristics of the late stage of programmed cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Present results suggest that bars might be involved in the late stage of castration-induced apoptosis of the rat prostatic cells.
Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Castration* ; Cell Death ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Prostate* ; Rats*

PURPOSE: Recent studies have proved that bladder compliance is closely related to the collagen content of the bladder. It has been shown through human fibroblast, condrocyte, and rat myofibroblasts that interferon(IFN)-gammadecreased collagen synthesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the alteration of collagen deposition and gene expressions in collagen types I and III by partial bladder outlet obstruction and to compare the changes during IFN-gamma treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following 4 weeks of partial bladder outlet obstruction in 200-250gm. SD rats, the bladder tissues were evaluated for collagen deposition by an immunohistochemical staining using the polyclonal antibodies and the messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) contents of the collagen type I and III were evaluated by Northern hybridization. Recombinant IFN-gamma(100,000 units) was administered once a day for 4 weeks by subcutaneous injection. RESULTS: In the control bladders, the immunohistochemical staining for type I and type III collagen protein showed an intense localization in the lamina propria with modest localization in the inter-fascicular region. With obstruction type I and type III collagen staining intensified, especially in the inter-fascicular region. The IFN-gamma administration reduced the inter-fascicular deposition of collagen type I and III. There was an up-regulation of collagen type I and III gene expression after the obstruction. In the obstructed bladders proalpha1(I) and proalpha1(III) collagen mRNA intensity was increased 3.4 and 5.1 folds than the control groups, respectively. This up-regulation was down-regulated by IFN-gamma administration. CONCLUSIONS: The down regulation of collagen types I and III gene expression, and decreased protein deposition after IFN-gamma treatment demonstrated that the effect of IFN-gamma was, in part, transcriptionally regulated. These results suggest that the recombinant IFN-gamma may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with poorly compliant bladder.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Collagen* ; Compliance ; Down-Regulation ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Interferon-gamma ; Interferons* ; Mucous Membrane ; Myofibroblasts ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Bladder*

We investigated the feasibility of the extracorporeal suture technique in laparoscopic pyeloplasty and laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy in child with ureteropelvic junction obstruction or duplex kidney. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy were performed in a child with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and in a 3-year old child with duplex kidney, respectively. Ureteropelvic junction or ureters were dissected laparoscopically and were drawn out of the abdominal cavity through the 10mm trocar tracts and subsequently anastomosed extracorporeally. We were able to draw the ureteropelvic junction or the ureters out of the abdominal cavity without difficulty owing to the laxity and thin abdominal wall in children. Operating time was 120 minutes in both cases, and all anastomses between ureter and pelvis were completed without any intraoperative complication. There was no postoperative complication. Significant improvements in urinary drainage were shown in both children on postoperative intravenous pyelogram. These early results suggest that the extracorporeal suture technique in children is feasible and easy to perform. Therefore, the drawbacks of intracorporeal suture technique during the laparoscopic pyeloplasy or ureteroureterostomy could be overcome by using this novel teehnique.
Abdominal Cavity ; Abdominal Wall ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drainage ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Kidney ; Laparoscopy ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Instruments ; Suture Techniques ; Ureter*