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Introduction and Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) leads to psychological disturbances, especially anxiety and loss of self-esteem. We try to understand the emotional changes, based on self-esteem and relationships in a group of Spanish men with ED after sildenafil treatment, with the use of the the SEAR questionnaire (Self-Esteem And Relationship)., Materials and Methods: The patients recruited in Spain, where selected from an international, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sildenafil study designed to assess self-esteem and relationships in men with ED. We compared the changes in the different domains of the SEAR questionnaire (Self-steem, sexual activity, self-confidence and general relationships) that was administered before and after treatment; the different domains of the IIEF was evaluated as well. We also calculated the correlation between changes in self-esteem domain of the SEAR questionnaire. The statistical study was based on an analysis of covariance of change in scores and a correlation analysis., Results: The Spanish group of researchers included 119 patients. The erectile function domain score showed significantly greater improvement for the group of sildenafil. The difference in change in total mean score of the SEAR after treatment was 16.9 (95% CI 8.9, 24.8) for sildenafil over placebo (p=0.0001), with a significantly higher score improvement in all the domains of the SEAR for Sildenafil. There was a significant correlation between the changes in the domain of self-esteem of the SEAR and the IIEF erectile function domain for both treatment groups., Conclusions: Emotional improvement was confirmed in patients treated with sildenafil based on improved self-esteem, self-confidence and relationships. Changes in the IIEF erectile function domain correlate with the SEAR self-esteem domain.

We present our penile curvature treatment experience in Peyronie's disease and cogenital curvature, using a modificated plication technique of the tunica albuginea with Prolene inverted sutures covered with Vicryl ones. The first suture gives security to the plication and the second one hides the first dots avoiding the nonabsorbable sutures bother.

Objective: To compare patient preference for sildenafil citrate (sildenafil) vs. tadalafil and for their respective dosing instructions in a cohort of Spanish patients with erectile dysfunction (ED)., Material and Methods: Sixty four Spanish patients from a multicenter, two period, cross-over, double-blind study (265 patients enrolled in total) were randomized to receive on-demand sildenafil 50 mg or tadalafil 20 mg for 12 weeks and afterwards were crossed over to the alternate regimen for another 12 weeks to assess drug preference in an extension period of the study. Similarly, to evaluate preference for their respective dosing instructions, 30 patients were randomized to one of the 2 arms treated with tadalafil: one with sildenafil (S) dosing instructions and the other with tadalafil (T) dosing instructions., Results: Seventy percent of 56 patients completing the study chose to receive tadalafil treatment versus sildenafil treatment (30%) in the extension period (p<0.01). Correspondingly, 73% of 13 evaluating each drug dosing instructions preferred T dosing instructions (p>0.05). Preference did not vary with age, concomitant diseases and previous use of sildenafil., Conclusions: In this study, 7 out of 10 patients preferred tadalafil and its dosing instructions to sildenafil, for the treatment of their ED.

In Spain, based on the IIEF, 19% of males between 25 and 70 years old present some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). Therefore, around 2,000,000 Spanish men present this condition and could require medical attention for it. Here, we present an up-date of the most important aspects of erectile dysfunction (pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment). We review, in detail, the oral treatments and future drugs that are presently in the premarketing experimental phase. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of the patient with erectile dysfunction should be individualized, taking into account the goals of each patient. It is highly recommendable to carry out a basic assessment (comprehensive clinical history, physical examination, recommended lab testing). If previously undiagnosed diseases are discovered (diabetes, arteriosclerosis, etc.) these should be treated and modifiable risk factors should be corrected. There are numerous therapeutic options for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Replacement therapy with testosterone should only be used in males with ED and low levels of this hormone, under medical supervision. At present, first line treatment consists of the administration of oral drugs (sildenafil, apomorphine). There are two new PDE 5 inhibitors (tadalafil and vardenafil) that will be released on the market 2003, which will provide better selectivity. Moreover, several drugs for oral administration are in the initial phases of research that will facilitate erection via a direct penile action. When oral drugs are contraindicated, are not effective or when they are unpopular with the patient, the second line of treatment is intracavernous injection. Prostaglandin E1 is the initial drug of choice in patients using intracavernous autoinjection for the first time and has a high efficacy. Implantation of a penis prosthesis and penile revascularisation are appropriate for highly selected patients. Psychotherapy can be an option for men with ED of psychogenic origin, either as a monotherapy or combined with sildenafil or apomorphine.

Traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum of the penis is rare, and has been reported infrequently. We present a case with this type of trauma, with immediate surgical management, with good morphologic and functional results.

Objective: To evaluate the results obtained with management by modified plication of the tunica albuginea in patients with congenital penile incurvation., Material and Methods: Between January 1992 and December 1996, a modified plication technique of the tunica albuginea was used to correct congenital and acquired penile incurvations; the procedure was performed in 27 cases of patients with congenital penile incurvation and 17 patients with de la Peyronie's disease. Mean age was 22.8 years (range 15-40 years), single ventral incurvation being the most frequent (51.8%) type. A modified technique of tunica albuginea plication was used., Results: Complete correction of the incurvation was achieved in all patients (100%), with a low rate of complications., Conclusions: Modified plication of the tunica albuginea is a simple and effective surgical technique to achieve correction of congenital penile incurvations.

Purpose: To review our series of 416 renal transplants, with special reference to the surgical complications and their management., Methods: From June, 1986 to October 1997, we are performed 416 heterotopic renal transplants, harvested from cadavers. Reconstruction of the urinary tract reconstruction was by ureteroneocystostomy in practically all the cases., Results: There were some urological complications in 80 patients (19.2%). The most common urological complication was obstruction of the urinary tract arising from stenosis (3.3%), lymphocele (4.3%) and clotting (1.2%). 78.1% of these urological complications were resolved by endourological techniques. Urinary fistula was observed in 12 cases (2.8%). Vascular complications in 22 (6.9%), lithiasis in 5 (1.2%), and eventrations in 11 (2.6%). The treatment of these complications is described. The actuarial survival rates were 87.8% and 77.3% at one and five years respectively for the graft, and 92.4% and 83.5% for the patients., Conclusions: Our surgical complication rate in patients undergoing renal transplantation was 19.2%. The most common complication was urinary tract obstruction from stenosis (3.3%), lymphocele (4.3%) and clotting (1.6%); 78.1% of these obstructive complications were resolved by endourologic techniques. Percutaneous drainage and esclerotherapy of the lymphoceles resolved 66.6% of them. Renal biopsy performed with a 14G needle caused 5 severe hemorrhagic complications. There were no complications when an 18G needle was utilized.

Intracavernous injection of vasodilators has been the greatest diagnostic and therapeutical breakthrough in erectile dysfunction (E.D.). After 15 years experience, these vasodilators have demonstrated efficacy rates over 85%. This suggests that most cases of E.D. are the result of and inability of the smooth muscle to relax. This paper presents an overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic use of intracavernous vasodilating drugs. It includes an extensive review of the literature and our personal series with regard to efficacy, indications, contraindications and side-effects of these compounds. Alprostadil i.c. injection (PGE1) is an effective (> 70%) and safe treatment, and its use has been accompanied by an increased quality of life of patients, with very few side effects. Currently, PGE1 is a first choice drug in the treatment of impotence. When no response is seen, or pain develops after PGE1 administration, a number of vasoactive compounds associations can be used instead (phentolamine + PGE1, papaverine + phentolamine, and papaverine + phentolamine + PGE1). The phentolamine + VIP association has shown encouraging results. Prior to prescribe IC treatment with vasoactive drugs it is necessary to conduct a basic diagnostic study, and advise the patient. If treatment is finally accepted, the performance of adequate training and detailed medical follow-up is crucial.

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common sequela from radical prostatectomy. The authors evaluate the incidence of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy, study the likely causative vascular mechanisms and assess the efficacy of the treatments employed. Two hundred and four (204) radical prostatectomies were analyzed. 163 (80%) patients referred adequate erections prior to surgery. In 82 cases, surgery was performed with the intention of preserving one or both bands. For the remaining cases, radical surgery with exeresis of both bands was performed. Due to secondary erectile dysfunction, 75 patients were studied by preparing: clinical history, laboratory tests, penile neurophysiological studies and intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection test. Dynamic drug-cavernosmetry was performed in 36 patients. After radical prostatectomy, only 9.2% previously potent patients retained adequate erections. Of the 82 cases where preservation of one or both bands was attempted, 9 (11%) patients retained their erections. Changes in neurophysiological parameters were found in 69.2% cases and general vascular injury detected in 23 (63.8%) patients by drug-cavernosmetry, the main injuries being cavernous arteries insufficiency in 58.3% and veno-occlusive failure in 33.3%. Of the 75 patients studied, 48 accepted the treatment: 40 (81.6%) used intracavernous auto-injection, 8 had penile prosthesis inserted, and one patient uses a vacuum device. Intracavernous Pg E1 auto-injection has provided adequate stiffness in 95% patients and, at 6 months from onset of treatment, a decrease of the minimal effective dose has been seen which is more noticeable in men under 60 and patients who start treatment within 6 months.

Objective: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is an elective therapeutical procedure for localized prostate cancer. The paper describes the critical analysis of our 10-year series., Material and Methods: A total of 216 RP have been performed between June 1986 and December 1996 (60 of them in the last year); with the purpose of securing a minimum follow-up of 4 months, the 204 procedures performed up to October 1996 were studied. Mean age was 64.9 years and PSA median 10.8 ng/ml. Intraglandular clinical stage was found in 192 cases versus 12 cases extraglandular. Up to the end of 1993 Walsh's technique with erectors' preservation was being used although the poor results obtained with regard to potency as well as the existence of positive borders have compelled us to perform the standard extracapsular technique since beginning of 1994., Results: Mean follow-up in our series has been 29.62 months. Post-operative complications reached 29.9%, anastomosis fistula (21 cases) among the early ones and anastomosis stenosis (16 cases) among the late ones. 82.04% patients have total continence or minimal incontinence, the percentage of obstruction being 3.58%. Total impotence is estimated at 92.77%. One patient (0.49%) died in the immediate post-operative. Understaging was observed in 36.7%. 84 patients had extracapsular disease. Our percentage of positive surgical borders is of around 43.13%. Progression has been seen in 47 of 204 patients (23.03%): 8 local relapses, 12 metastasis, 3 with both conditions and 24 biological progression. Progression has been related to pathological stage, pre-operative PSA and Gleason's sum of the specimen. Difference was statistically significant. Overall survival at 1 and 5 years is 99.2% and 95.5% respectively while tumour specific survival is 97.8% and 75.8% at 1 and 5 years., Conclusions: RP is a surgery with minimal mortality but noticeable morbidity (incontinence 14.35%; impotence 92.77%; other complications from surgical technique 29.9%). Our clinical understaging is of around 36.7%. Progression is related to the specimen's pathological stage, and pre-operative PSA and Gleason. Our overall survival at 1 and 5 years is 99.2% and 95.5% respectively while tumour specific survival is 97.8% and 75.8%.

Presentation of a case reporting an infrequent association of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT) with a long-standing renal polylithiasis and multifocal metastasis in contralateral kidney. A description is made of the incidence, etiology, prognostic factors as well as diagnosis and therapeutical approach.

Analysis of results and complications of retrograde rigid ureterorenoscopies (URS) performed in our unit between August 1985 and June 1990. Our series includes 122 URS performed in 106 patients: 68% female and 32% male. A rigid ureteroscopy Storz 11.5 Ch was used. URS indications were: 72% treatment of ureteral lithiasis, 14% diagnosis, 7% treatment of ureteral tumores and 3% other reasons. Treated lithiasis were predominantly located in the pelvic ureter. Overall success in the treatment of lithiasis was 92.86% in "primary" lithiasis, and 71.43% in post-ESWL. URS allowed us to resolve troubles of differential diagnosis in 93.75% of cases. With a complications rate of 19.7%, only 3.28% were considered relevant.

Report of our experience of complications arisen from treatment of urinary lithiasis with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, using a Dornier HM3 lithotripter in 218 elderly patients (over 65 years). No complications arose during lithotripsy in 160 patients (73.39%). Most frequent complications (when they happened) were skin disorders, which occurred in 33 patients (15.13%). One hundred and thirty-six (62.38%) patients had no post-lithotripsy non-obstructive urological complications, but when these occurred, renal colic, evident in 52 patients (23.85%), was the most frequent one. During the post-lithotripsy period, 88.53% patients (193) had no obstructive urological complications. When they emerged, they usually developed asymptomatically (13 patients, 5.95%). With regard to the approach used to treat the obstructive cases, the most common one was medical, representing 56%. Surgery was used only in 2 occasions. A total of 175 patients (80.27%) presented no post-lithotripsy complication, fever of up to + 38 degrees C being the most prevalent condition (9.65%).

With the description of this new case of urachal adenocarcinoma in the vesical cupula we provide a review on the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical aspects of this rare tumour, as well as a diagnostic and therapeutical approach. Its subepithelial infiltrant nature delays discovery and denotes both an insidious evolution and poor prognosis. Mucinoid production, nodes pattern and certain immunohistochemical substances as well as abnormalities in the cell's DNA content are attributes of this entity. Only surgery, either partial or exeresis, is effective since this is a radioresistant and dubiously chemosensitive tumour.

We present a case of incoercible hemorrhagic cystitis provoked by the therapeutic association of systemic cyclophosphamide and pelvic radiotherapy in a woman with disseminated mammary carcinoma disease. The conservative treatment, including vesical irrigation with aluminum salts, did not succeed in stopping the bleeding. A "sauvatage" cystectomy was carried out with Bricher-Wallace II type urinary derivation. We conclude by pointing out how the simultaneity of two therapies with individual vesical toxicity risk were boosted and how cystectomy continues to be the definitive treatment once conservative measures have been used up.

We present a case of malignant Schwannoma (MS) of uncommon, retroperitoneal and retrovesical localization in a 42-year-old male, which provoked bilateral ureteral obstruction as a urological manifestation. We show our therapeutic strategy by means of a schedule of systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, decarbacine combined with exeresis and urinary continuity reconstruction surgery. We point out that it is a low incidence but highly aggressive tumour and that treatment continues to be local radical excision, whilst chemotherapy probably continues to have little value.

We present a case of renal angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis affecting the regional lymphatic ganglia. We analyse the possible etiopathogenesis of this affection and conclude, like most authors, that it may reflect the multifocalization of this tumour rather than malignity or metastatic lesion.

A case is presented of spontaneous rupture of a double-J catheter in a 61-year-old patient suffering from carcinoma of the prostate gland with urethral entrapment. The patient did not attend visits for periodical catheter changes, suffering the rupture of the catheter in two occasions remaining under those conditions for 20 and 18 months respectively. Removal of the fragments and placing of a new double Pit-Tail, required in both occasions a combination of cystoscopic and percutaneous maneuvers.

We present a new case of emphysematous cystitis, commenting on some of the more interesting aspects of the etiopatogeny diagnosis and treatment of this entity. We underline the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease as well as of the coadjuvant factors.