PURPOSE: Despite the large number of analytical reports regarding the learning curve in the transition from open to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), few comparative results with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) have been reported. Thus, we evaluated operative and postoperative outcomes in RARP versus 100 simultaneously performed LRPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single surgeon had performed more than 1,000 laparoscopic operations, including 415 cases of radical nephrectomy, 85 radical cystectomies, 369 radical prostatectomies, and treatment of 212 other urological tumors, since 2009. We evaluated operative (operation time, intraoperative transfusion, complications, hospital stay, margin status, pathological stage, Gleason score) and postoperative (continence and erectile function) parameters in initial cases of RARP without tutoring compared with 100 recently performed LRPs. RESULTS: Mean operation time and length of hospital stay for RARP and LRP were 145.5+/-43.6 minutes and 118.1+/-39.1 minutes, and 6.4+/-0.9 days and 6.6+/-1.1 days, respectively (p=0.003 and p=0.721). After 17 cases, the mean operation time for RARP was similar to LRP (less than 2 hours). Positive surgical margins in localized cancer were seen in 11.1% and 8.9% of cases in RARP and LRP, respectively (p=0.733). At postoperative 3 months, sexual intercourse was reported in 14.0% and 12.0%, and pad-free continence in 96.0% and 81.0% in patients with RARP and LRP, respectively (p=0.796 and p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Previous large-volume experience of LRPs may shorten the learning curve for RARP in terms of oncological outcome. Additionally, previous experience with laparoscopy may improve the functional outcomes of RARP.
Coitus ; Cystectomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve* ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Robotics ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Hepatoprotective effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been verified in numerous animal experiments but not so apparent in clinical trials. Although the reason for this discrepancy in clinical results is still unknown, one possible explanation is the instability of PGE1. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of lipo-PGE1, which is known to be stable during pulmonary circulation and have more targeting effect, was investigated in canine partial liver allotansplantation. In order to reckon in the possible injury during harvest of partial liver, lipo-PGE1 was infused from the start of living graft harvest procedure. METHODS: Mongrel dogs weighing about 25 kg were divided into control (n=6) and lipo-PGE1 (n=6) group. Partial liver allotransplantation was performed. In lipo-PGE1 group, lipo-PGE1 was slowly infused through splenic venous cannulation during the donor liver harvesting procedure (50 mg) and continuously infused (60 mg/day) for 48 hrs after reperfusion. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were monitored. RESULTS: The AST and ALP levels of the lipo-PGE1 group were significantly lower than that of the control group at both 1 hour and 48 hours after reperfusion. The LDH level in lipo-PGE1 group was lower at 1 hour and 48 hours after reperfusion, but no significant differences were shown between two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of the lipo-PGE1 against ischemia-reperfusion injury in canine partial liver allotransplantation.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Allografts* ; Alprostadil* ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Catheterization ; Dogs ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Brain Abscess* ; Brain* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Protons*

PURPOSE: Our objective was to evaluate the use of a holmium laser for transurethral deroofing of a prostatic abscess in patients with severe and multiloculated prostatic abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to April 2014, eight patients who were diagnosed with prostatic abscesses and who underwent transurethral holmium laser deroofing at Pusan National University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Multiloculated or multifocal abscess cavities were found on the preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan in all eight patients. All patients who underwent transurethral holmium laser deroofing of a prostatic abscess had successful outcomes, without the need for secondary surgery. Of the eight patients, seven underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for the removal of residual adenoma. Markedly reduced multiloculated abscess cavities were found in the follow-up CT in all patients. No prostatic abscess recurrence was found. Transient stress urinary incontinence was observed in three patients. The stress urinary incontinence subsided within 3 weeks in two patients and improved with conservative management within 2 months in the remaining patient. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral holmium laser deroofing of prostatic abscesses ensures successful drainage of the entire abscess cavity. Because we resolved the predisposing conditions of prostatic abscess, such as bladder outlet obstruction and prostatic calcification, by simultaneously conducting HoLEP, there was no recurrence of the prostatic abscesses after surgery. We recommend our method in patients requiring transurethral drainage.
Abscess/etiology/radiography/*surgery ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Calcinosis/complications/surgery ; Drainage/methods ; Holmium ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Diseases/etiology/radiography/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction/complications/surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of androgen deprivation treatment (ADT) between continuous and intermittent ADT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and May 2015, 603 patients were selected and divided into continuous ADT (CADT) (n=175) and intermittent ADT (IADT) (n=428) groups. The median follow-up in this study was 48.19 (1.0-114.0) months. The primary end point was time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The types of ADT were monotherapy and maximal androgen blockade (i.e., luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and antiandrogen). RESULTS: The characteristics of patients showed no significant differences between the CADT and IADT groups, except for the Gleason score (p<0.001). The median time to CRPC of all enrolled patients with ADT was 20.60±1.60 months. The median time to CRPC was 11.20±1.31 months in the CADT group as compared with 22.60±2.08 months in the IADT group. In multivariate analysis, percentage of positive core (p=0.047; hazard ratio [HR], 0.976; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.953-1.000), Gleason score (p=0.007; HR, 1.977; 95% CI, 1.206-3.240), lymph node metastasis (p=0.030; HR, 0.498; 95% CI, 0.265-0.936), bone metastasis (p=0.028; HR, 1.921; 95% CI, 1.072-3.445), and CADT vs. IADT (p=0.003; HR, 0.254; 95% CI. 0.102-0.633) were correlated with the duration of progression to CRPC. The IADT group presented a significantly longer median time to CRPC compared with the CADT group. Additionally, patients in the IADT group showed a longer duration in median time to CRPC in subgroup analysis according to the Gleason score. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that IADT produces a longer duration in median time to CRPC than does CADT.
Adenocarcinoma/*drug therapy/pathology/secondary ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgen Antagonists/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Disease Progression ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/drug therapy/pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the demographics and semen parameters of males with cancer who banked their sperm prior to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 66 cases referred for sperm banking prior to initiation of chemotherapy over a 15-year period (1999~2014). Patients who had previously received cancer treatment including chemotherapy or radiotherapy were not included in this study. RESULTS: We studied a total of 66 cancer patients referred for cryopreservation of sperm prior to chemotherapy. The mean age of the patients at the time of banking was 32.0+/-7.9 years (range, 19~58 years). The types of cancer were testicular cancer (31 cases, 47.0%), non-Hodgkin's disease (10 cases, 15.1%), Hodgkin's disease (5 cases, 7.6%), leukemia (8 cases, 12.1%), gastrointestinal malignancy (5 cases, 7.6%), and musculoskeletal malignancy (5 cases, 7.6%). There were significant differences in sperm concentration and viability among the various types of cancer, but no significant difference in semen volume or sperm motility and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found that sperm quality could decrease even before chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy can also negatively affect spermatogenesis, sperm cryopreservation prior to treatment should be strongly recommended for cancer patients of reproductive age.
Cryopreservation* ; Demography ; Drug Therapy* ; Hodgkin Disease ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Male ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis* ; Sperm Banks ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa* ; Testicular Neoplasms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes between adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) and salvage radiotherapy (SRT) in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer or with adverse pathologic factors including positive surgical margin and high Gleason score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the literature published from January 2000 until December 2014 at MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library. To be specific, included were studies comparing ART and SRT settings if they followed up oncologic outcomes more than 5 years. RESULTS: Overall, 3 retrospective, nonrandomized, observational studies, 1 matched control analysis, and 3 prospective randomized controlled studies met our inclusion criteria including a total of 2,380 patients (1,192 ART vs. 1,188 SRT). Higher favorable results were found in ART than in SRT was seen in the 5-year and 10-year biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival (risk ratio [RR], 0.61 and 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.69 and 0.63-0.76). ART had a significantly higher 5-year progression-free survival rate than that in SRT (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.80), but this was not the same for the 10-year progression-free survival rate (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72-1.08). There was no significant difference for the 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates between ART and SRT (RR, 0.80 and 0.94; 95% CI, 0.59-1.07 and 0.80-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: ART showed favorable results in BCR-free survival during the 5-year follow-up period. However, the 10-year progression-free survival and overall survival did not show any difference between ART and SRT.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*radiotherapy/surgery ; Publication Bias ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Salvage Therapy/*methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome

In Uremic condition, Secondary Hyperparathyroidism ensues due to phosphate retention, low level of calcitriol, decreased calcium absorption from intestine, skeletal resistance to the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), hypocalcemia and eventually parathyroid hyperplasia. Theoretically, Reversal of hyperparathyroidism can be expected after successful kidney transplantation. However, Some patients show continuous increase of parathyroid function due to autonomous excretion of PTH, in which case, we could assume a tertiary hyperparathyroidism. There were sporadic reports for the treatment of tertiary hyperparathyroidism after successful kidney transplantation. And in some aspects, there remains a controvesrsy about the timing of parathyroidectomy. The occurrence of a single parathyroid adenoma after kidney transplantation is ever unusual finding. In our hospital, we have experienced a case of parathyroid adenoma who had taken successful kidney transplantation. The patient was 62 year old man who had a long duration of hemodialysis for 10 years. His hypercalcemic findings were managed medically for 1 year. As the patient's hypercalcemic symptom aggrevated, he was admitted and parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed by a CT scan and parathyroid scan. After excsion of the parathyroid adenoma, his general condition and kidney function improved. In our conclusion, there may be a debate for the timing of subtotal parathyroidectomy in the patient with tertiary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation. But when the patient shows a hypercalcemic profile, the parathyroid scan, CT scan, Neck Ultrasonography must be considered to detect single parathyroid adenoma which is so simple to remove surgically.
Absorption ; Calcitriol ; Calcium ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hyperplasia ; Hypocalcemia ; Intestines ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Parathyroid Neoplasms* ; Parathyroidectomy ; Renal Dialysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of adult cryptorchidism, which have been difficult to establish, given the small number of patients presenting to outpatient clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 20 adult patients with cryptorchid testis was performed. We analyzed their palpation of testis, location, surgical method, marital status, number of children, histologic findings, and semen analysis. RESULTS: In 17 cases with unilateral cryptorchidism, the mean age at surgery was 31.1+/-12.5 years. Fourteen patients had a palpable, small cryptorchid testis. The location of the testis, as verified, was inguinal in 14, prepubic in 2, and intra-abdominal in 1, respectively. We performed orchiopexy in 14 out of 15 patients who sought to have this procedure. Four among 6 married patients had children. Testis biopsy was performed in 12 patients, and all showed abnormal histologic findings. Three among 4 patients, performed semen analysis, showed abnormal findings. In three cases of bilateral cryptorchidism, the mean age at surgery was 35.7+/-12.5 years. All of these patients had palpated cryptorchid testes in the inguinal area and sought to have a bilateral orchiopexy. Two patients have been married but had no children. All showed abnormal findings in both testis biopsy and semen analysis. No testicular neoplasm was detected during the duration of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most adult patients with cryptorchidism preferred orchiopexy to orchiectomy. However, most of patients showed abnormal histology of the testis and semen analysis. Therefore, orchiopexy with regular scrotal examination may be considered a suitable treatment options for adult cryptorchidism.
Adult* ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Biopsy ; Child ; Cryptorchidism* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Orchiectomy ; Orchiopexy ; Palpation ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Analysis ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of adult cryptorchidism, which have been difficult to establish, given the small number of patients presenting to outpatient clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 20 adult patients with cryptorchid testis was performed. We analyzed their palpation of testis, location, surgical method, marital status, number of children, histologic findings, and semen analysis. RESULTS: In 17 cases with unilateral cryptorchidism, the mean age at surgery was 31.1+/-12.5 years. Fourteen patients had a palpable, small cryptorchid testis. The location of the testis, as verified, was inguinal in 14, prepubic in 2, and intra-abdominal in 1, respectively. We performed orchiopexy in 14 out of 15 patients who sought to have this procedure. Four among 6 married patients had children. Testis biopsy was performed in 12 patients, and all showed abnormal histologic findings. Three among 4 patients, performed semen analysis, showed abnormal findings. In three cases of bilateral cryptorchidism, the mean age at surgery was 35.7+/-12.5 years. All of these patients had palpated cryptorchid testes in the inguinal area and sought to have a bilateral orchiopexy. Two patients have been married but had no children. All showed abnormal findings in both testis biopsy and semen analysis. No testicular neoplasm was detected during the duration of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most adult patients with cryptorchidism preferred orchiopexy to orchiectomy. However, most of patients showed abnormal histology of the testis and semen analysis. Therefore, orchiopexy with regular scrotal examination may be considered a suitable treatment options for adult cryptorchidism.
Adult* ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Biopsy ; Child ; Cryptorchidism* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Orchiectomy ; Orchiopexy ; Palpation ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Analysis ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis