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Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common, but complex problem, with multiple therapeutic options and a lack of clear guidelines. Hence, there is considerable controversy and marked variation in the management of NOA. This survey evaluates contemporary global practices related to medical and surgical management for patients with NOA., Materials and Methods: A 56-question online survey covering various aspects of the evaluation and management of NOA was sent to specialists around the globe. This paper analyzes the results of the second half of the survey dealing with the management of NOA. Results have been compared to current guidelines, and expert recommendations have been provided using a Delphi process., Results: Participants from 49 countries submitted 336 valid responses. Hormonal therapy for 3 to 6 months was suggested before surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) by 29.6% and 23.6% of participants for normogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism respectively. The SSR rate was reported as 50.0% by 26.0% to 50.0% of participants. Interestingly, 46.0% reported successful SSR in <10% of men with Klinefelter syndrome and 41.3% routinely recommended preimplantation genetic testing. Varicocele repair prior to SSR is recommended by 57.7%. Half of the respondents (57.4%) reported using ultrasound to identify the most vascularized areas in the testis for SSR. One-third proceed directly to microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in every case of NOA while others use a staged approach. After a failed conventional TESE, 23.8% wait for 3 months, while 33.1% wait for 6 months before proceeding to mTESE. The cut-off of follicle-stimulating hormone for positive SSR was reported to be 12-19 IU/mL by 22.5% of participants and 20-40 IU/mL by 27.8%, while 31.8% reported no upper limit., Conclusions: This is the largest survey to date on the real-world medical and surgical management of NOA by reproductive experts. It demonstrates a diverse practice pattern and highlights the need for evidence-based international consensus guidelines., Competing Interests: The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2025 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology.)

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations., Materials and Methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 countries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations., Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoospermia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differentiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate., Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations., Competing Interests: The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology.)

Background: There is an ongoing search for standardized scales appropriate for each culture to evaluate professionalism, which is one of the basic competencies of a physician. The Professionalism Mini-evaluation Exercise (P-MEX) instrument was originally developed in Canada to meet this need. In this study, it was aimed to adapt the P-MEX to Turkish and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version., Methods: A total of 58 residents at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital were assessed with the Turkish version of P-MEX by 24 raters consisting of faculty members, attending physicians, peer residents, and nurses during patient room visits, outpatient clinic and group practices. For construct validity, the confirmatory factor analysis was performed. For reliability, Cronbach's alpha scores were calculated. Generalizibility and decision studies were undertaken to predict the reliability of the validated tool under different conditions. After the administration of P-MEX was completed, the participants were asked to provide feedback on the acceptability, feasibility, and educational impact of the instrument., Results: A total of 696 forms were obtained from the administration of P-MEX. The content validity of P-MEX was found to be appropriate by the faculty members. In the confirmatory factor analysis of the original structure of the 24-item Turkish scale, the goodness-of-fit parameters were calculated as follows: CFI = 0.675, TLI = 0.604, and RMSEA = 0.089. In the second stage, the factors on which the items loaded were changed without removing any item, and the model was modified. For the modified model, the CFI, TLI, and RMSEA values were calculated as 0.857, 0.834, and 0.057, respectively. The decision study on the results obtained from the use of P-MEX in a Turkish population revealed the necessity to perform this evaluation 18 times to correctly evaluate professionalism with this instrument. Cronbach's alpha score was 0.844. All the faculty members provided positive feedback on the acceptability, feasibility, and educational impact of the adapted P-MEX., Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the Turkish version of P-MEX had sufficient validity and reliability in assessing professionalism among residents. Similarly, the acceptability and feasibility of the instrument were found to be high, and it had a positive impact on education., Trial Registration: 2020/249, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations., Materials and Methods: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus., Results: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing., Conclusions: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians., Competing Interests: The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology.)

Introduction and Objective: Theaim of this study was to determine the effect formedby pelvic diameters preoperatively measured throughmultiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and different surgical positions on anesthesiaparameters used during perineal robot-assisted radicalprostatectomy (p-RARP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six different pelvimetricdimensions were determined preoperatively.Respiratory and hemodynamic variables of the patientswere measured separately and repeatedly in thesupine position, exaggerated lithotomy position at thebeginning of the 15° Trendelenburg position and the60th minute of insufflation. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in thepartial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in the exaggeratedlithotomy position compared to the supine position.There was no significant change in the partial pressureof carbon dioxide (PCO2) in the exaggerated lithotomyposition compared to the supine position. In the 60thminute of insufflation, there was a significant increasein the PCO2 compared to the supine and exaggerated lithotomy positions. There was no statistically significantchange in the end-tidal carbon dioxide tension(EtCO2), with surgical position or insufflation time. Asignificant negative correlation was observed betweenthe distance of the ischial spines (ISD) and PCO2 change,and a significant positive correlation was observedbetween the angle of the symphysis pubis-seminalvesicles (ASS) and PCO2 change. A significant positivecorrelation was observed between the ASS value andEtCO2 change between the 60th minute of insufflationand exaggerated lithotomy position. CONCLUSION: In our study, the effect caused by differingpelvimetric diameters, surgical positions, andduration of anesthesia during p-RARP on anesthesiaparameters were shown.

Objective: To define the relationship between cystoscopic findings, including novel findings such as the hypervascularization, of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and the response to intravesical therapy., Material and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated cystoscopy findings in patients who had a preliminary diagnosis of BPS/IC. All patients received early intravesical combined therapy (ICT), ie, within 2 hours after hydrodistention. Additionally, ICT was continued according to our protocol. Cystoscopic findings were classified as glomerulations, hypervascularization, and Hunner's lesion (HL). The therapy responses were evaluated at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12thmonths using the visual analog scale (VAS), O'Leary/Sant interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI), and interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI) scores., Results: Out of 61 patients, HL was diagnosed during cystoscopy in six (9.8%) patients, glomerulations in 35 (57.4%) patients, and hypervascularization in 15 (24.6%) patients. No pathological findings were defined in five (8.2%) patients. In the glomerulation and hypervascularization group, the median VAS, ICSI, and ICPI scores were lower than those in the preoperative period in the follow-up. In patients with HL, the median VAS scores were lower in the entire follow-up compared to the preoperative period, with an increase at 1st year compared to 6th month, and ICSI scores were lower than preoperative period in the entire follow-up, with an increase at 3rd month and 1st year. ICPI scores were also lower during the follow-up, with an increase observed in the 1st year., Conclusion: The presence of hypervascularization should be defined since it might show different characteristics that may affect the ICT response. Patients with glomerulations might be good candidates for early combined intravesical therapy.

The aim of this study was to compare two different graft techniques, namely saphenous vein (SV) and buccal mucosa (BM) used together with plaque incision for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) in terms of success, safety and patient and partner satisfaction. The study included 41 patients diagnosed with PD and treated with plaque incision and grafting between December 2015 and November 2019. Eighteen patients underwent plaque incision and BM grafting while the remaining 23 patients underwent plaque incision and SV grafting. Pre-operative plaque size, curvature angle, curvature start time and penis length were statistically similar between the SV and BM graft groups. No statistical difference was detected between the BM and SV graft groups in terms of the sixth- and 12th-month mean International Index of Erectile Function scores, Patient Global Impression of Improvement scores, penis lengths and final partner satisfaction rates during the follow-up period. Residual curvature was observed in three (13.1%) patients in the SV graft group and two (11.2%) patients in the BM graft group. With their high success and low side effect rates, both grafting techniques with plaque incision can be safely performed for tunical lengthening, based on the surgeon's experience., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objective: Perioperative myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgical operations. We aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients with intermediate- or high-risk Framingham scores., Methods: One hundred and one patients (62 males, 39 females) over 40 years of age (mean age 72±11 years) median 73 (65-81), min- max (46-96), with Framingham risk scores of 10% or higher, and scheduled for surgical interventions in the orthopedics and urology departments of our hospital were included in the study. Patient demographics, comorbidities, blood pressures, and biochemical data were recorded. Troponin values and electrocardiographic findings were obtained during the immediate preoperative period and on postoperative day 2 and then compared. Perioperative myocardial injury and infarction were diagnosed using the third universal definition of myocardial infarction., Results: In 44 (43%) patients, postoperative troponin values were compared with the preoperative values. In 26 (25%) patients, the changes were consistent with myocardial ischemia or damage. Alterations in troponin values with significant electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were found in 6 patients (6%)., Conclusion: The risk of postoperative myocardial damage was high in our patients with intermediate or high-risk Framingham scores. This im-plies that close follow-up of these patients with abnormal ECG and troponin values during the pre- and postoperative period is required.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) surgeries are performed with different patient positions, anesthesia methods and different-sized access sheaths in order to reduce the complication rates. Supine positioned PNL can be performed safely in the high-risk group patients with comorbidities. Herein, we present a patient who had a past surgical history of right pneumonectomy and underwent a supine PNL procedure under regional anesthesia for a staghorn renal stone in the right kidney.

Objective: Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) is frequently seen after prostate surgery because of various operative and postoperative factors. In this study, we aimed to present our results of perineoscopic bladder neck reconstruction, which is a new technique of the perineal approach in the treatment of patients with VUAS after prostate cancer surgery., Material and Methods: Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent perineoscopic bladder neck reconstruction in our clinic between July 2017 and March 2019 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, surgical history, postoperative continence status, and additional treatment requirements were recorded. Perineoscopic surgery is defined as the visualization of the surgical site with instruments used in laparoscopy and the surgeon performing the entire operative procedure through the screen., Results: The mean number of preoperative endoscopic bladder neck resections of the patients was 7±5.1, with a history of suprapubic cystostomy in 7 (43.7%) and radiotherapy in 5 (31.2%) patients before surgery. The mean surgical time was 126.2±13.1 min. The mean follow-up period was 13.2±6.8 months, and the success rate was 81.25%. During follow-up, two (12.5%) patients received perineoscopic re-do reconstruction because of stricture recurrence, and one (6.2%) patient was included in a urethral dilatation program., Conclusion: Improving visualization and ergonomics with the perineoscopic approach can increase the success rate of bladder neck reconstruction in comparison with the standard approach. In addition, the lack of need for expanded dissection (corporal separation, inferior pubectomy) reduces postoperative complication rates.

Objective: Our objective in this study was to evaluate the factors predicting female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM)., Subjects and Methods: The study included 149 women with DM. Sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, in which total scores under 26.55 characterized the occurrence of FSD (Group 1 > 26.55, Group 2 < 26.55). We recorded the patients' demographic, metabolic, and hormonal data. Ophthalmologic, neurologic, and renal complications were also evaluated. The antioxidant status of the patients in both groups was determined by measuring the activity of the enzymes paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE)., Results: Based on the FSFI scores, 60 patients were allocated to Group 1 (26.6 ± 12.3) and 89 to Group 2 (22.6 ± 9.5). Group 2 compared with Group 1 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean concentrations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, triglycerides, and insulin, along with higher rates of metformin use, smoking, retinopathy, and nephropathy. The mean serum ARE concentrations were significantly lower in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (p = 0.000), but the mean serum PON-1 concentrations were similar between both groups (p = 0.218). On multivariable regression analysis, age, ARE activity, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, and menopause were significant independent predictors of FSD (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: In this study, we evaluated the predictive factors determining FSD caused by DM. Despite the significant results found in our study, future randomized controlled studies with a long follow-up and a larger number of patients are required to determine how DM affects FSD.

Objective: We investigated when an indwelling ureteral catheter should be withdrawn for infection and evaluated the importance of urinary cultures in identifying colonized microorganisms and define the bacterial flora encountered in the study. Moreover, this study tried to determine the clinical role of stent culture in clinical practice., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between June 2018 and February 2019. Patients with ureteral stent implantation after endoscopic ureteral stone treatment were divided into two groups and each group consisted of 45 patients. Ureteral catheter was removed 15 and 30 days after ureteral stone treatment in group 1 and 2, respectively, and transferred for microbiological examination. The urine culture was obtained before and after ureteral stent implantation. The groups were compared in terms of demographics, urine and catheter cultures results. Urine analysis and catheter culture results were also compared., Results: Demographic data of patients were similar in both groups. 3 patients in group 1 and 12 patients in group 2 had positive urine culture before catheter retraction; 2 of 45 and 6 of 45 patients had positive catheter culture in group 1 and 2, respectively. Although 2 patients in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2 had urine culture sterile, they had growth in catheter culture. In Group 1, 1 of the microorganisms was E. fecalis and 1 was E. coli. In Group 2, 2 cases were E. fecalis, 3 were E. coli and 1 was MRSE. There was no significant difference between the urine analysis results of the patients before catheter retraction and catheter culture positivity., Conclusions: Pre-operative urine culture does not exclude catheter colonization, and the prolonged duration of the catheter associated with greater colonization and may be associated urinary tract infection. Ureteral catheter should be removed as early as possible.

Megalourethra is a rare congenital anomaly of the urethra that develops as a consequence of dysgenesis of the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum. Herein, we present three congenital abnormalities in one newborn ie; Down syndrome, posterior urethral valve (PUV) and scaphoid megalourethra. The patient was treated successfully by ablation PUV and reduction uretrophlasty. The postoperative period was uneventful and the renal functions could be preserved in the long term.