This study aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on erectile function in Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). A retrospective study was conducted on 657 CP/CPPS patients who visited The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (Changsha, China) from November 2018 to November 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timeline before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The severity of CP/CPPS, penile erection status, anxiety, and depression was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales, respectively. Compared with patients before the COVID-19 outbreak, more CP/CPPS patients developed severe erectile dysfunction (ED) due to depression and anxiety caused by the pandemic. After developing moderate-to-severe ED, mild and moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS patients exhibited more apparent symptoms of anxiety and depression ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), forming a vicious cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the psychological status of CP/CPPS patients, exacerbating their clinical symptoms and complicating ED. The exacerbation of clinical symptoms further worsens the anxiety and depression status of patients, forming a vicious cycle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, paying more attention to the mental health of CP/CPPS patients, strengthening psychological interventions, and achieving better treatment outcomes are necessary.
Male ; Humans ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Pandemics ; Penile Erection ; Prostatitis/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; East Asian People ; COVID-19/complications* ; Chronic Disease ; Pelvic Pain/complications*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of CO₂ laser moxibustion on endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis were randomized into a laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group, 38 cases in each group. In the laser moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) using CO₂ laser moxibustion instrument. In the sham laser moxibustion group, the manipulation of moxibustion was same as the laser moxibustion group, without laser output. The treatment was given once every other day, 30 min each time, 3 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment and follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the scores of Gracely box scale (GBS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed, the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the duration of the treatment and the average days of taking drugs were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05), while those in the sham moxibustion group had no significant differences (P>0.05). Compared with the sham moxibustion group, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up (P<0.05), the cases and average days of taking drugs were less in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CO₂ laser moxibustion can improve the pain symptom in patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis, and reduce the use of analgesic drugs.
Acupuncture Points ; Carbon Dioxide ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pelvic Pain/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Tailgut cysts are rare congenital or developmental lesions that arise from vestiges of the embryological hindgut. They are usually present in the presacral space. We report our single-center experience with managing tailgut cysts. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 24 patients with tailgut cyst treated surgically at the Colorectal Surgery Department of Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, between 2007–2018. RESULTS: This study included 24 patients (18 females) with a median age of 51.5 years (range, 21–68 years). Ten cases were symptomatic and 14 were asymptomatic. Cysts were retrorectal in 21 patients. Cysts were below the coccyx level in 16 patients, opposite the coccyx in 6, and above the coccyx in 2. Cysts were supralevator in 5 patients, had a supra- and infralevator extension in 18 patients, and were infralevator in 1. Ten patients were managed using an anterior laparoscopic approach, 11 using a posterior approach, and 3 using a combined approach. Mean cyst size was 5.5 ± 2.7 cm. Postoperative complications were Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification grade II in 9 patients (37.5%) and CD grade III in 1 (4.2%). The posterior approach group showed the highest rate of complications (P = 0.021). Patients managed using a combined approach showed a larger cyst size (P < 0.001), longer operation times (P < 0.001), and a greater likelihood of tumor level above the coccyx (P = 0.002) compared to other approaches. The tumors of 2 male patients were malignant: 1 was a neuroendocrine tumor treated with radiotherapy, while the other was a closely followed adenocarcinoma. Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 1–66 months) with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Tailgut cysts are uncommon but can cause perineal or pelvic pain. Complete surgical excision via an appropriate approach according to tumor size, location, and correlation with adjacent pelvic floor muscles is the key treatment.
Adenocarcinoma ; Classification ; Coccyx ; Colorectal Surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Muscles ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pelvic Floor ; Pelvic Pain ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of modified stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) combined with perioperative pelvic floor biofeedback therapy (POPFBFT) in treating obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS).

METHODSThirty female ODS patients underwent modified STARR (resection and suture was performed in rectocele with one staple) combined with POPFBFT in Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin university from October 2013 to March 2015. Before the modified STARR, patients received a course of POPFBFT (20 min/time, 2 times/d, 10 times as a course), and another 2 courses were carried out in clinic after discharge. Efficacy evaluation included general conditions of patients, morbidity of postoperative complication, overall subjective satisfaction (excellent: without any symptoms; good: 1 to 2 times of laxatives per month and without the need of any other auxiliary defecation; fairly good: more than 3 times of laxatives per month ; poor: with no improvement; excellent, good, fairly good are defined as effective), Longo ODS score (range 0 to 40 points, the higher the score, the more severe the symptoms), gastrointestinal quality of life index(GIQLI)(range 0 to 144 points, the lower the score, the more severe the symptoms), anorectal manometry and defecography examination. The follow-up lasted 12 months after operation (ended at April 2016).

RESULTSAverage age of 30 patients was 57(46 to 72) years and Longo ODS score of every patient was ≥9 before operation. The modified STARR was completed successfully in all the 30 patients with average operation time of 25 (18 to 34) min and average hospital stay of 6(4 to 9) d. Postoperative complications included pain(20%, 6/30), urinary retention (16.7%, 5/30), anorectal heaviness (6.7%, 2/30), and fecal urgency(26.7%, 8/30). Anaorectal heaviness and fecal urgency disappeared within 3 months. No severe complications, such as postoperative bleeding, infection, rectovaginal fistula, anastomotic dehiscence and anal incontinence were observed. The effective rate of overall subjective satisfaction was 93.3%(28/30) during the follow-up of 12 months. There was no significant difference in Longo ODS score between pre- POPFBFT and pre-operation (pre- POPFBFT: 32.95±3.22, pre-operation: 32.85±3.62, t=1.472, P=0.163). Compared with pre-POPFBFT, Longo ODS score at 1 week after operation decreased (t=4.306, P=0.000), moreover, score at 1 month after operation was lower than that at 1 week (13.05±7.49 vs. 15.00±7.17, t=7.322, P=0.000), while no significant differences were found among 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation (F=2.111, P=0.107). Likewise, there was no significant difference in GIQLI score between pre-POPFBFT and pre-operation (pre-POPFBFT: 79.39±17.14, pre-operation: 76.65±17.56, t=1.735, P=0.096). Compared with the pre-POPFBFT, GIQLI score at 1 week after operation increased (t=4.714, P=0.000), moreover, GIQLI score at 1 month after operation was higher than that at 1 week (102.26±19.24 vs 91.31±21.35, t=5.628, P=0.000), while no significant differences were found among 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation(F=1.211, P=0.313). In comparison with pre- POPFBFT, parameters of defecography examination at 12 months after operation showed obvious improvement: the rectocele decreased from (34.1±0.4) mm to (3.1±0.3) mm (t=6.847, P=0.000), anorectal angle during defecation increased from (123.8±6.7)degree to (134.7±8.5)degree, enlargement of anorectal angle during defecation increased from (29.1±3.5)degree to (37.1±5.3)degree, while no significant differences in descend of perineum, anorectal angles at rest as well as parameters of anorectal manometry were found (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified STARR combined with POPFBFT is safe and effective for ODS patients.

Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; physiology ; Constipation ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; Pelvic Floor ; physiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Quality of Life ; Rectocele ; Surgical Stapling ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Retention ; etiology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complication and recurrence rates in patients undergoing trocar-guided mesh implant for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed based on the medical records of patients who had undergone mesh implant by one surgeon from May 2006 to August 2013 at the Presbyterian Medical Center in Korea. We evaluated perioperative complications such as bladder injury, mesh exposure, urinary symptoms, infections, and chronic pelvic pain. Recurrence was defined as a POP-quantification system stage ≥II or any symptomatic prolapse. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were evaluated, and the mean age of patients was 65.4±7.2 years. Stage ≥III POP-quantification Ba was noted in 61 patients (91%). Intraoperative complications included three cases of bladder injury (4.5%). The mean follow-up period was 44.1±7.9 months. Postoperative complications occurred in seven women (10.5%): four cases of urinary symptoms (6%), two cases of infections (3%), and one case of chronic pelvic pain (1.5%). Mesh exposure did not occur (0%). Prolapse recurrence was reported in five patients (7.5%). CONCLUSION: Based on our operational result, the trocar-guided mesh implant seems to provide safe and effective outcomes.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Pelvic Pain ; Postoperative Complications ; Prolapse ; Protestantism ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Mesh ; Urinary Bladder

Lumbar disc herniation is a common male disease. In the past, More academic attention was directed to its relationship with lumbago and leg pain than to its association with andrological diseases. Studies show that central lumber intervertebral disc herniation may cause cauda equina injury and result in premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, priapism, and emission. This article presents an overview on the correlation between central lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and andrological diseases, focusing on the aspects of etiology, pathology, and clinical progress, hoping to invite more attention from andrological and osteological clinicians.
Chronic Pain ; etiology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; Polyradiculopathy ; etiology ; Premature Ejaculation ; etiology ; Priapism ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible pain mechanism of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODSThe models of CP/CPPS were established in male Wistar rats by the autoimmune method. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was detected using Von Frey filament. The expressions of the substance P and c-fos in the prostate and spinal L5-S2 segments were determined by immunohistochemistry followed by analysis of their correlation with CP/CPPS.

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, the CP/CPPS models showed significantly decreased PWT (P < 0.05), remarkable prostatic inflammation, enlarged scope of lesions, and obvious interstitial lymphocytic infiltration (P < 0.05). Both the expressions of substance P and c-fos were markedly elevated in the prostate and spinal dorsal horn (L5-S2) of the rat models (P < 0.05), but the expression of substance P in the prostate exhibited no correlation with that in the spinal cord (r = 0.099, P = 0.338), nor did that of c-fos (r = 0.027, P = 0.454).

CONCLUSIONThe upregulated expressions of substance P and c-fos in the spinal cord L5-S2 sections may be associated with the pain mechanism of CP/CPPS.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; metabolism ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; complications ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Syndrome ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on chronic pelvic cavity pain syndrome differentiated as kidney deficiency and stagnation of damp heat, and explore the impacts on plasma P substance (SP), plasma beta-endorphin (β-EP).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty cases were randomly divided into a catgut embedding group (90 cases) and a western medication group (90 cases). In the western medication group, tamsulosin capsules 0. 2 mg were prescribed for oral administration, once a day; indometacin sustained release tablets, 25 mg, three times a day. Totally, the oral administration for 8 weeks was required. In the catgut embedding group, the acupoint catgut embedding therapy was applied to Qugu (CV 2), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhibian (BL 54), Huiyin (CV 1) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), once every two weeks; the treatment of 4 weeks made one session, and two sessions were required. Before and after treatment, TCM symptom score, NIH-CPSI (the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) score, lecithin body numbers in prostatic fluid, score in SAS (self-rating anxiety scale), score in SDS (self-rating depression scale), the levels of SP and β-EP, etc. were observed in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was assessed in the two groups.

RESULTS(1) Ten cases were dropped in either group. The total effective rate was 91. 25% (73/80) in the catgut embedding group, higher than 78. 75% (63/80) in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (2) After treatment, TCM symptom score, total score in NIH-CPSI, pain score and the scores in SAS and SDS were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 05). After treatment, TCM symptom score, total score and pain score in NIH-CPSI, and the scores in SAS and SDS in the catgut embedding group were both lower than those in the western medication group (all P<0. 05). (3) After treatment, the lecithin body numbers were both increased as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0. 05), and the result in the catgut embedding group was higher than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (4)After treatment, the SP level was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (both P<0. 05); the level of p-EP was increased as compared with that before treatment (both P<0. 05). The SP level in the catgut embedding group was lower than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05); the level of β-EP was higher than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy apparently relieves the clinical symptoms of chronic pelvic cavity pain syndrome differentiated as kidney deficiency and stagnation of damp heat as well as the condition of anxiety and depression, increases lecithin body numbers in prostatic fluid and β-EP level and reduces SP level.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Prostatic Diseases ; complications ; metabolism ; Young Adult ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism

Endometriosis (EMs) is a common gynecologic disease that affects women's physical and mental health seriously. The pathogenesis is still unknown and the mechanism of endometriosis-associated pain remains unclear. Mast cells (MC) are known to be multifunctional players in the immune system. Recent studies have shown that nerve fibers in EMs lesions can release neural peptides such as nerve growth factor and substance P to induce MC degranulating and releasing histamine, proteases, cytokines, chemokines etc., which contributes to the development of pain and hyperalgesia in patients with endometriosis.
Endometriosis ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; pathology

Cervical stenosis is a challenging condition that often recurs despite intervention. Multiple therapeutic options have been described, but a clearly effective and reliable treatment method has yet to be identified. Patients with recurrent stenosis are at risk of developing severe complications such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility. We describe a case of congenital cervical stenosis with secondary haematometra in which repeated cervical dilatation, hysteroscopic canalisation and administration of medications to retard endometrial development were unsuccessful in relieving the obstruction and preventing re-accumulation of menstrual blood. Total hysterectomy was eventually mandated by spontaneous rupture of the haematometra.
Adult ; Constriction, Pathologic ; complications ; diagnosis ; Endometrium ; pathology ; Female ; Hematometra ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Infertility ; Pelvic Pain ; Recurrence ; Risk ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; complications ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Uterine Cervical Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; Uterine Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; complications ; diagnosis ; Uterine Rupture ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery