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Aim: Our aim was to evaluate our experience in diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia in the clinic of Pathological pregnancy--Varna Medical University. We compared our results with the results of prominent western clinics., Material and Methods: We evaluated 140 patients with preeclampsia for the period of 2010 to 2013. A special file was fulfilled. It included: age, parity, gestational age, value of arterial blood pressure, urea, creatinine, common protein in blood, duration of treatment, oedema, urine protein., Results: The mean age of the patients was 30 years. The urea and creatinine were normal. The mean hospital stay was 5,71 days. The blood protein was 61 g/l, only 4.17% of the patients were with protein lower than 58 g/l. In 87.5% of the patients the systolic blood pressure was between 135 and 160 mmHg, in 12.5% the systolic blood pressure was over 160mm Hg. In 58.34% there was a proteinuria. The mean gestational age was 33 gestational weeks. The delivery was performed in the most suitable for the preeclampsia gestational age., Conclusions: According to our research work the patients with preeclampsia have a very high risk for cardio-vessel diseases and again of preeclampsia in their future pregnancies from 30%-40%. High prenatal care can prevent most of the complications connected with this disease.

Aim: Our aim was to demonstrate the diagnostic difficulties as well as the atypical clinical development of ovarian tumours in combination with pregnancy., Material and Methods: We present a rare case of large mucinous cystadenoma in 32-year old patient, who is 20 gestational weeks pregnant. Ultrasound examination and MRI were performed, which visualized a huge multilocular ovarian tumour formation with a small amount of ascites., Results: We performed laparatomy adnexectomy which included the ovarian cyst, partial omentectomy and we took 4 samples of smears from the whole abdominal cavity, as well as ascites samples for cytology. The pregnancy was preserved. The histological examinations reported: mucinous cystadenoma without morphological data for malignant transformation., Conclusions: In our rare case the organ preserving operation was a completely sufficient surgical staging procedure.

Unlabelled: The currently available treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections includes only antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Experience in the management of acute uncomplicated infections using non-antibiotic products is very limited. The aim of this observation was to study to what extent the response to Cystostop Rapid would be more rapid and more effective compared to antibiotic therapy in patients with acute uncomplicated urinary bladder infections. The secondary objective was to determine the time to improvement of cystitis symptoms following the start of treatment, as well as the duration of patients' disablement. A total of 158 female subjects were included, assessed microbiologically, and evaluated for incidence and severity of symptoms, before the start of treatment and after completion of treatment. A visual analogue scale was used for patient self-assessment of the severity of symptoms, the improvement of symptoms, as well as the time to improvement of symptoms., Results: 158 females, eligible according to the inclusion criteria of the study, were allocated to one of the two groups according to time of enrollment: Group A included 86 subjects: assigned to Cystostop Rapid for 3 days and administered according to the manufacturer's recommended regimen; and Group B included 72 women: assigned to ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 3 days according to the Product Registration File with the BDA. The clinical and microbiological effectiveness of Cystostop Rapid was comparable to that of ciprofloxacin, providing a two-fold more rapid improvement of cystitis symptoms, at a mean time to improvement of 24 hours (p < 0.02) versus 46 hours for ciprofloxacin. Clinical improvement within 48 hours of Cystostop Rapid regimen occurred in 97% (p < 0.02) of patients, vs. 65.3% of patients on ciprofloxacin. Improvement of symptoms within 12 hours was reported in 36% of patients on Cystostop Rapid vs. 5.5% of patients in the ciprofloxacin group (p < 0.02). No adverse events or intolerability to the therapy were reported throughout the course of the study.

Purpose: To share our experience about partial resection (nephron sparing) in localized (T1aN0M0) renal hypernephroid cancer as organ preserved operation. Opportunities and longterm results., Material and Method: For last 10 years we have done 89 partial resections in patients with localized renal hypernehroid cancer. In all cases we have done lymphatic dissection of relevant lymph region of the affected side., Results and Discussing: All operated patients had five years of survival. We observed developing contralateral hypernefroid carcinoma in one patient that necessary performing a partial resection in this place. In two patients we performed a partial resection of a solitarykidney. The results of surgery are very good when we stage properly cancer process that allows organ preservation.

Retroperitoneoscopic approach is gradually becoming the method of choice in many urologic diseases. In this article we analyse and present the first cases of urological retroperitoneoscopic operations performed in the Department of Urology of the University Hospital "Akeksandrovska". For the period from May 2006 to March 2009 35 extra- and retroperitoneoscopic operations were performed. A 26 retroperitoneoscopic decortications (unroofing) of renal cysts with different localization were performed. 5 pieloplasties without interruption of pieloureteral segment (3 by Fenger method. 2 cases with Y-V pyeloplasty), 2 ureterolithotomies, 1 pyelolithotomy and one radical extraperitoneoscopic prostatectomy. The mean operative time in retro-peritoneoscopscopic decortications of renal cysts was 49.62 minutes (15 to 95 minutes), and in pyeloplasties, ureterolithotomies and pyelolithotomies, mean operative time was 88.00 minutes (65 to 150 minutes). The average pararenal drainage secretion was 138 ml for 24 hours (from 50 ml to 150 ml. The average blood loss was 86 ml (from 50 ml to 120 ml). In one case conversion was required because of technical problems and little experience of the team. Postoperatively in 5 cases (13.51%) we observed subcutaneous emphysema. The benefits of retro-extraperitoneoscopic urological operations are associated with lower morbidity, short stay in hospital, shorter recovery period and less pronounced pain syndrome.

The local recurrence of the renal cell carcinoma in renal fossa after complete radical nephrectomy is uncommon. According to the latest articles related to this issue it ranges between 2% and 4%. For the period of 1999-2005 we evaluated 11 patients who underwent surgery for isolated renal cell carcinoma recurrence, all of them without clinical presence of distal metastases. 9 of the patients were operated for their first time in our department, and only two in other hospitals. These 9 patients represent 1.41% of the whole number of radical nephrectomies for RCC (637) which took place in our department for the same period of time. The tumor stage of the primary tumor varied from T1 to T3a. In addition lymph node dissection was performed on 7 of the patients. The average time for developing clinically significant fossa recurrence was 18 months. The current article has the purpose to present newer the data for the factors, which may be directly related to the risk of developing local recurrence in the renal fossa after complete radical nephrectomy--the initial tumor stage of the RCC, the relationship between the primary tumor and the histological type of the recurrent masses.

Since 1989, when Hodge and al. demonstrated transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, it has become a "gold standard" for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. According to the experience gained in the period 1999-2003 in the Department of Urology-Medical University, Sofia, in a prospective follow-up of 20 prostate cancer patients, we found relationship between the positive tru-cut biopsy cores and the rate of positive lymph nodes.

The method of echography is one of the basic diagnostic methods used in medicine. It's application is of a great importance for the clinical estimation of the cases of kidney stone disease. The authors put a stress on the use of the echography as a method of a brand-new conception aiming to get a vision of the kidney stone as a geometric figure, based on a mathematical principle.

The medicine science is in a progressive mode. One of the ever discussed problems is the stone kidney disease and the optimizing methods of its treatment. In this article the authors announced a new method of applying jelly, thus improving the efficiency of the Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL).

The development of the medicine itself, meets the current question of the common, interdisciplinary method of approach in the treatment of a series of diseases, such as biliurolithiasis. The attempt to make a classification is basic for making an optimal method of treatment of the biliurolithiasis. The biliurolithiasis is a disease influencing some new strategies of treatment in the combined efforts of the urologist and the surgeons both.

The classic operative methods are still topical. Applying some new operative techniques makes the medical science more complete and thus help better treatment of the variety of diseases encountered in medical practice. In this article the authors present brand - new operative method of pieloplasty, named by them X-pieloplasty.

Acute urinary retention is a problem a high medico-social importance. Many risk factors modify its incidence. Having un adequate information of the ethiology and the pathogenesis of the disease itself gives new opportunities for future therapeutic methods.

The review of literature offerred discusses the opinions of different authors about indications and contraindications for radical oncological procedures in cases of renal and ureteral diseases.

Severe uro-genital infections frequently complicate a wide range of urological conditions. The favorable outcome of these infections depends mainly on the choice of appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Cefrom is bactericidal beta-lactamase-resistant IV generation cephalosporine antibiotic. In 2003 we treated 20 patients with severe urinary tract infections with Cefrom. We achieved excellent therapeutic results--urinary tract infections were eradicated in all patients, as shown by the microbiological investigations of urine specimen after the antibacterial course of treatment. The wide antimicrobial spectrum, the good tissue permeability in the organs of the genito-urinary tract and the good tolerability of Cefrom make this antibiotic a drug of choice in patients with acute and complicated urological infections.

Early and late complications of nephrectomy include: chronic renal failure (CRF), haemorrhagic events, lumbar fistulas and other complications of different origin. This study covers 388 nephrectomies due to different diseases of the kidneys and the urethra. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of the patients are held at the Chair of Urology of the Alexandrovska Hospital for the period 1990-1995. There are established the following early and late complications: renal failure--in 37 patients (9.53%), haemorrhagic events--in 2 patients (0.51%), lumbar fistulas--in 4 patients (1.03%). Other complications are calculous anuria in 1 patient (0.25%), nephrectomy following plastic surgery of a kidney calyx--in 1 patient (0.25%), nephrectomy in a case with one functionally preserved kidney--1 patient (0.25%), nephrectomy in a case following kidney transplantation--1 patient (0.25%), and fatal outcome through the early postoperative period--in 2 patients (0.51%). Authors conclude that: 1) nephrectomy is followed by complications through the early and the late postoperative period; 2) complications following nephrectomy are rare but they are one of the most serious and important sequella in urologic surgery.

Basically no one has ever introduced into practice any better procedure in cases of hydrocele than those of Winkelmann and Bergman. We recommend always a resection of the covering sheets of the testis as a profilactic measure against recurrency. Our study included 192 patients with hydrocele who were operated during the period 2000-2001 in the Clinic of Urology, Medical University of Sofia. The surgical procedures included: Winkelmann's procedure--in 118 cases (61,45%); Bergman's procedure--in 63 cases (32,81%);Orchiectomy--in 3 cases (1.56%) of total testicular atrophy; Combination of hydrocele and co-existing groin hernia was found in 4 cases (2,08%); Orchiectomy--in 1 case (0.52%) of bleeding which lead to hematoma on the 4th postoperative day; Reoperation--in 1 case (0.52%) of compression of the testicular blood vessels (after Winkelmann's procedure); Suppuration of the operative wound-- in 2 cases (1.02%) after Winkelmann's procedures. The authors consider that: 1. Winkelmann's and Bergman's procedures prooved to be quite satifactory as surgical treatment of patients with hydrocele. 2. Diagnosis and surgical treatment are easy to be performed. Postoperative complications are possible in cases of poor surgical technics, damaged local status and shortened time for hemostasis. 3. The well-known method of Lord was not used in our practice, but we do not deny it.

The increasing number of renal transplantations in Bulgaria and the increased survival rate of renal transplantation patients lead to an increase of the number of complications (vascular, urological, liquid collections) requiring surgical intervention. One hundred and ninety renal transplantation patients have been treated in the Department of Renal Transplantation for the period 1997-2003. Of these 12 were admitted to the Clinic of Vascular Surgery. We observed 36 surgical complications: arterial thrombosis--7, venous thrombosis--1, arterial stenosis--7, lymphocoele--4, hematoma--4, ureteral fistula--6, ureteral stricture--6, ureterolithiasis--1. We undertook following surgical interventions: vascular reconstruction, thrombectomy, lymphocoele punction, fenestration towards peritoneal cavity, reimplantation techniques (a modo Gregoari, Boeminghausi, Boari), termino-terminal anastomosis with native ureter, uretero-enteric anastomosis, ESWL of ureteral stone. Renal transplantation complications requiring surgical interventions are serious urological problem. The severity, the type (vascular, liquid collection, urological), and the diagnosis of these complications determine patients' prognosis. Urgent surgical interventions lead to rapid recovery of graft function, eradication of the infection, amelioration of blood flow, and improved graft survival.

The authors describe a rare clinical case named penis "paraffinoma" or "lipogranuloma". This problem has been discussed in only 6 scientific reports and articles during the period 1996-2002 [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]. Jh. Jeong et al. (1996) operated 13 patients with penis paraffinoma and concluded that the plastic and reconstructive procedures are safe and without any complications.

Unlabelled: The successes in the kidney transplantation are closely connected with the successes of the immunology and the advance of the immunosuppressive therapy. The main task of the modern immunosuppressive therapy is the insurance of medicines with a minimum nephro-toxicity, and the optimum protection regarding the adoptive body against an early reaction of rejection. The polycomponent anti-T-limphocitic antibodies (ATG) give us the opportunity of that. The polycomponent anti-T-limphocitic antibodies or the antilimphocitic serum (ALS) are xenogenetic polycomponent antibodies, that are directed to the human T-limphocites, i.e. antitimocitic globuline (ATG). They are received by immunization of rabbits or horses with human thymus limphoid cells. They are received for the first time by horses, and later on by rabbits. The last patent medicines have more powerful effect. In spite of the side effects of the polycomponent ATG, the patent medicine is used for inductive treatment after transplantation of organs and for a treatment of acutely rejection of the graft. We have treated 15 patients after kidney transplantation with ATG for a period of an year in the ward of kidney transplantation in The Clinic of Urology. The patients with transplantation are at the age of 21 to 50 years old, and by sex--11 male and 4 female patients. 9 of them are transplanted from alive donor and 6--from a dead body. We have applied the patent medicine of ATG Timoglobuline in a phial of 5 mg\ml intravenally in a bank of 500 ml physiological solution according to the weight and the blood test of the patients. We have applied a fourfold immunosuppressive therapy: Urbazon, Imuran, CyA(Neoral) +ATG., Conclusions: ATG is a mixture of monocomponent polyspecific antibodies, which, in spite of its side effects, has been applied successfully in transplantation for more than 30 years. In the course of many years anti-CD3 patent medicine OKT3 has been the only one monocomponent antibody for the treatment of an acute rejection of the graft for inductive therapy in transplanted patients.A chimerical (baziliksimab) and humanized (daklizumab) monocomponent antibodies of the alpha-chain of the receptor for IL-2 (CD25) are used for the prophylaxis of the episodes of acutely rejection of the transplanted kidney during the last 10 years. ATG does not consists of anti-CD25 antibodies. That is why the simultaneously application of ATG with baziliksimab or daklizumab is expected to have an additional effect with a complementary mechanism of efficacy.

Unlabelled: The common occurrence, of inflammatory diseases in the urinary tract and the genitals in men, is quite a reason for identification of the agents and looking for some new chances of therapeutic treatment., Materials and Methods: For a period of two years (2002-2003) we accomplished 4810 microbiological tests of urine and prostate secretion on patients with uroinfections. The cultures are completed on standard nutrition medium, as the biochemical identification of the strains is accomplished by the systems mini API and "bio Merieux" BBL Crystal, "Becton Dickinson". Meanwhile for a period of one year, 113 patients with different uroinfections are treated and studied. In 16 (14.1%) Levofloxacin (Tavanic-R) is applied i.v. 500mg/daily as in the rest cases 97 (85.9%) Tavanic are applied per oral in different therapeutic doses., Results and Discussions: The most common agent in our study was the E. Coli, as for the year 2003 we read an increase of the infections caused by E.Coli with 3.4% comparing to the previous one (38.5% to 35.1%). The differentiation of patients treated with Levofloxacin in groups is completed as follows: with acute uncomplicated cystitis--pyelonephritis after ESWL--15.9%; with postoperative uroinfections--20.3%; with chronic post-tuberculosis pyelonephritis--4.4%; and with inflammatory diseases of the male genitals--37.2%.

Aim of the embolization of the renal artery is to provoke ischemia or shut out from blood supply of the kidney tissue including pathologically changed area. As a result of this procedure the affected kidney becomes suitable for surgical removal without significant loss of blood. In this study there are included 116 nephrectomies due to kidney carcinoma. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of the patients are held at the Clinic of Urology of the Alexandrovska Hospital for the period 1990-1995. Embolization of the renal artery is accomplished in 52 subjects (63.41%). The procedure was contraindicated in 10 subjects (8.62%). It was established intraoperatively that the affected kidney had good embolization in 46 subjects (88.46%), in 4 subjects (3.44%) it had excellent embolization, and in 2 subjects (1.72%) there was just peripheral embolization. Authors conclude that: 1) Nevertheless this method is invasive it still has a place in urologists' practice. 2) Preoperative embolization of the renal artery is a devise for surgical removal of the kidney as well as achieving maximum effect.

Unlabelled: The male urethra with its anatomic and tissue characteristics demands a differential approach in its reconstruction. The single stage operations, with using of a different plastic material as a treatment of some diseases of the male urethra (hypospadias, strictures), are already quite common to the urological practice. The authors are offering a retrospective analysis to the reconstructive operations of the male urethra with using a plastic material from the preputium and the skin of the penis., Materials and Methods: For a period of 10 years 94 patients were followed ont: hypospadias--51 (53.9%); strictures--27 (28.7%); fistulas--16 (18%). Were described different operative techniques, but in all patients were used a one stage act. In patients with hypospadias we used five different techniques according to the sort of hypospadias. In patients with strictures we used three methods: with preputial flap; with circular flap from the dorsum of the penis and with a parallel longitudinal to the urethra flap from the ventral surface of the penis., Results: From the first group of patients we had 17 (33.3%) with anterior hypospadias, 28 (54.9%) with middle, and 6 (11.8%) with posterior hypospadias. We achieved a full correction of the penis in 96.1% of the cases. We marked postoperative fistulas in 7 (13.7%) patients. In the second group of patients we marked 4 (14.8%) cases with postoperative Fistulas; restrictures in 2 (7.4%) cases and diverticul of the urethra in 1 (3.8%) case. In the third group fistulas were formed after urethroplasty in 11 (68.7%) cases and traumas and uroflegmons in 5 (31.3%) cases. We marked refistulisation in 5 cases., Conclusions: The urethroplasty with pedicular skin flaps from the preputium and the skin of the penis is a method of choice in patients with anterior strictures of the urethra. The single stage reconstructive operations of the male urethra are quite effective and promising.

The authors shared their experience in regard of treatment of complete urethral obliteration. In a 14-year they diagnosed and treated 37 patients (aged 22-74 years) with obstruction of the lower urinary tract as a result of complete urethral obliteration. The etiology include 14 patients after perineal urethral trauma, in 10 patients the main cause was urethral inflammation of posterior urethra, in 8--as a consequence of transurethral surgery and in 5--after suprapubic prostatectomy. Main diagnostic methods they used were retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy with 0 degree fiberoptic. In all patients an endoscopic incision of fibrotic tissue was carried out thus the entering the bladder cavity was successful. In some patients operative technique with a Benique through cystostomy cannel and bladder neck just opposite to the urethrotome knife was used. In three patients (8.2%) the procedure failed due to the massive urethral hemorrhage. They report recurrent urethral strictures in 24 patients (64.8%), treated with visual urethrotomy. The continence was compromised in 6 patients (16.2%).

Adenomectomy in its present-day modality has a millennium-long history. Chronologically, its development, justly or not, is marked by a great number of names among which it is worth noting Sir Peter Freyer (London) and his paper published in 1901, dealing with the radical treatment of the hypertrophied prostate by urinary bladder exposure. E. Fuller (USA) claims that the first practical implementation of the method six years previously is credited to him. Since then, there are no different opinions on the need of total gland enucleation, with some differences remaining in terms of operative access and hemostasis. Over the period 1998-1999, thirty-two adenotomies are performed according to Freyer's original method in the Department of Urology--University Hospital "Alexandrovska". An indwelling catheter with inflated balloon is inserted into the prostate bed for hemostasis without using packs or placing sutures. The obtained results are estimated as good.

The local relapse represents a unique variant of the advanced stage of a disease (A Esrig et 1992). Presumably, "fossa" carcinoma may result from incomplete resection or persisting tumor in the regional contiguous lymph nodes (JB D Kernion 1978). The average time interval for a relapse to occur is 31 months after nephrectomy, and in most patients it becomes manifest with symptoms, such as losing weight, fatigability and lumbar discomfort (D Esrig et al 1992). In cases with local recurrence a long-term survivorship may be attained by resorting to aggressive surgical intervention (S Tanguag et al 1996). This is a report on twenty-three patients with "fossa" carcinoma covering the period 1994 through 1999, with a total of 425 patients with renal carcinoma operated during the same period of time. All patients undergo operation--lumbar access is used in 22 cases, and transperitoneal--in one. In one patients resection of colon is necessitated, whereas in five the neoplastic mass hardly lends itself to complete excision, with enucleation alone being done. At follow-up study the survival terms are as follows: up to 1 year--18 patients, up to 3 year--16 patients, up to 5 year--12 patients.

Clinical cases presenting allergic contact balanitis from condoms are studied using a combination of patch testing and chemical analysis by gas chromatography and high-resolving liquid chromatography to identify the causative agents involved. It has been previously established that zinc ethylphenyl dithiocarbamate (ZEPC)--a dithiocarbamate-type accelerant (DTC)--is an etiological factor in the event of contact allergy to condoms. Later it is confirmed that DTCs, such as zinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate (ZDMC), zinc diethyl dithiocarbamate (ZDEC) and zinc dibutyl dithiocarbamate and amines, such as dimethylamine (DMA), diethylamine (DEA) and piperidine (PIP) are likewise implicated in condom-induced contact balanitis. As shown by the investigation along this line, although thiurams are believed to be more allergenic, as compared to the corresponding DTCs and amines, both DTCs (ZDMC, ZDEC, ZDBC, ZEPC) and amines (DMA, DEA and PIP) are noteworthy etiological factors of allergic contact balanitis from condoms.

The authors shared their experience in regard of treatment of complete urethral obliteration. In a 14-year they diagnosed and treated 37 patients (aged 22-74 years) with obstruction of the lower urinary tract as a result of complete urethral obliteration. The etiology include 14 patients after perineal urethral trauma, in 10 patients the main cause was urethral inflammation of posterior urethra, in 8--as a consequence of transurethal surgery and in 5--after suprapubic prostatectomy. Main diagnostic methods they used were retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy with 0. fiberoptic. In all patients an endoscopic incision of fibrotic tissue was carried out thus the entering the bladder cavity was successful. In some patients operative technique with a Benique through cystostomy cannel and bladder neck just opposite to the urethrotome knife was used. In three patients (8.2%) the procedure failed due to the massive urethral hemorrhage. They report recurrent urethral strictures in 24 patients (64.8%), treated with visual urethrotomy. The continence was compromised in 6 patients (16.2%).

Nephrectomy is a radical operation successfully used over more than a century. It should be resorted to only in exceptional situations whenever an organ salvaging operation is precarious for the patient's health (T Patrashkov, 1980). The indications for nephrectomy depend on the type of disease, extent of renal damage, state of the second kidney and the patient's general condition, established by the basic examination methods in urology (T Patrashkov 1982). The study covers 388 nephrectomies in cases presenting diverse diseases of the kidney and ureter, diagnosed and treated in the Department of Urology--University Hospital "Alexandrovska" in the period 1990 to 1995. The commonest causes leading to nephrectomy comprise: 1. Neoplasms of kidney and ureter--134 (34.54%). 1.1. Parenchymal tumors--116 (29.90%)/ 1.2. Papillary tumors--18 (4.64%). 2. Pyonephrosis--88 (22.68%). 3. Nephrolithiasis (presence of renal calculi)--53 (13.66%). 4. Secondary operations of the kidney and ureter--46 (11.86%). 5. Hydronephrosis--38 (9.80%). 6. Anomalies (hypoplasia)--8 (2.06%). 7. Cystic diseases--7 (1.80%). 8. Tuberculosis of kidney--6 (1.55%). 9. Renovasal hypertension--4 (1.02%). 10. Nephrectomy for other diseases--4 (1.02%). As shown by the results the rate of nephrectomy undertaken for renal malignancy is still the highest which is by no means considered as a favourable diagnostic sign.

Experience had with radical prostatectomy in patients presenting localized prostate carcinoma is shared. A modified technique for new bladder-neck formation contributing to continence preservation is used in five patients, yielding very good postoperative results. In four cases a full recovery of continence is achieved within 3 months of the operation without resorting to drug therapy. In one case medical treatment with parasympaticolytics and agonists of voluntary sphincter is applied. The final outcome is stress incontinence only and passage of urine in the event of micturition postponed with 3-3.5 hours.

Access to the kidney and technical performance of nephrectomy should be related to the stage of the disease and degree of pathological process development (I. Viktorov 1983, S. Lambrev and T. Andreev 1961, T. Patrashkov 1982, F. S. Judy et al 1995). Advanced pathoanatomical changes in the kidney and pararenal space greatly interfere with the operation, especially in the event of adhesions to peritoneum and contiguous tissues (N. A. Lopatkina et al 1986, N. Minkov 1987, T. Patrashkov and H. Kumanov 1988). In the authors' reports presented are analyzed 388 patients nephrectomized in the University Hospital "Alexandrovska", covering the period 1990 through 1995. All updated methods are used in diagnosing. The commonest intraoperative complications recorded in a series of 188 nephrectomies (48.45%) include: 1. Pus collections in the kidney--88 cases (46.80%). 2. Opening of peritoneum--64 (34.04%). 3. Decompressive puncture of the kidney--15 (7.97%). 4. Neoplastic masses escaping from the renal parenchyma into the operative field--7 (3.72%). 5. Opening of pleura--5 (2.66%). 6. Purposeful opening of the tumor itself for decompression--3 (1.95%). 7. Kidney removal gives rise to diffuse bleeding necessitating inserting a tampon for hemorrhage control--2 (1.06%). 8. Splenectomy--1 (0.53%). 9. Because of advanced neoplastic process only biopsy is taken--1 (0.53%). 10. Hemicolectomy--1 (0.53%). 11. Injury to v cava inferior--1 (0.53%). As shown by the experience gained, nephrectomy is a technically difficult operation, particularly in case of altered topoanatomical interrelations during secondary interventions on the kidney and ureter, or in case of concomitant pyelonephritis. Intraoperative complications are not life endangering provided treatment is undertaken in opportune time.

Following animal experiments (Combair 1803, Prevost and Dumas 1823) and accidental removal of the kidney in humans (Spillgellberg 1867, Peaslee 1868, Wolcott 1886), it has been established that elimination of a single kidney does not lead mandatorily to fatal outcome if the second functioning kidney is preserved. The chronology of nephrectomy development on a worldwide scale, and in Bulgaria as well, after the first routinely scheduled nephrectomy performed by Gustav Simon (2 Aug 1869), is presented. In 1897, almost 30 years later, Ivan Mikhaylovsky from the Plovdiv Hospital performed the first nephrectomy in this country. In the late 19th and early 20th century, nephrectomy becomes one of the most often used kidney operations (H Kumill, 1913--49.3 per cent), but gradually parallel to improving the diagnostic technique it is less frequently applied (W Lutzer et al, 1976--28 per cent) at the expense of organ-salvaging interventions. The last decade marks the introduction of laparoscopic nephrectomy (RV Clayman et al, 1991, AD Joce et al, 1992, JJ Rassweller et al, 1993, Sy Nakada et al, 1996, CC Abbou et al, 1998) which is a safe procedure even in patients with malignant renal pathology and adequately selected cases presenting various urological diseases.

In the past few years, the progress of science and technology, and introduction of new diagnostic and treatment methods (echography, isotope study, computerized axial tomography, renovasography, magnetic resonance imaging and others) have contributed greatly to early detection and timely treatment of pathological processes involving the kidney (ZK El-Zein, 1995). After practical implementation of new clinical methods of examination it becomes possible to gain better insight into the undelying causes and character of renal diseases (T. Patrashkov, 1982). The study covers 388 patients subjected to nephrectomy for various diseases of the kidneys and urether, diagnosed and treated in the Department of Urology-University Hospital "Alexandrovska", over the period 1990 through 1995. The commonest diagnostic methods used to make diagnosis prior to nephrectomy include: 1. Survey roentgenography of kidneys, urethers and urinary bladder (KUB)--364 (93.81%). 2. Venous urography--320 (82.47%). 3. Echography--302 (77.83%). (Antegrade pyelography--2 (0.51%). 4. Isotope nephrogram (ING)--212 (54.63%). 5. Scintography of kidneys--126 (32.47%). 6. Computerized axial tomography (CAT)--82 (21.13%)/(70.68%) among 116 renal tumor nephrectomies. 7. Renovasography--82 (21.13%). 8. Retrograde pyelography--48 (12.37%). 9. Gamma-camera--10 (2.57%). 10. Cystoscopy--6 (1.54%). 11. Ureterorenoscopy--2 (0.51%). Presumably, apart from the new "noninvasive" methods of study (computerized axial tomography--CAT and echography), the conventional venous urography has by no means lost its popularity.

Limitations in gaining better understanding of bladder tumor responsiveness do exist, and accordingly the therapeutic interventions undertaken in diverse forms of the disease are conspicuous for discrepancies (M. J. Droller, 1990). E. Bricker in 1950 is the first to practically implement ileal conduit for urine derivation, and thus initiates the new and newest continent derivations. Over the period 1992-1998, in the Chair of Urology are performed 76 cystectomies with different urine derivations, using seven methods for the purpose: [table: see text] Also discussed are the conditions a derivation should mandatorily meet. Emphasis is laid on the fact that the choice of derivation is still largely dependent on the skill and experience of urologists.

The improved intestinal dissection technique and antibiotic agents, and the development of new resorptive suture materials have led to renewed surge of interest in ureterosigmoidostomy as a practicable procedure for continent derivation. Based on data from urodynamic assessment of diverse forms of urinary derivation, M Fisch and R Hohenfellner in 1991 propose a modification of the classical technique of ureterosigmoidostomy, coined with the term Sigmarectum pouch or Mainz pouch (M Fisch, R. Wammack, R Hohenfellner 1991). Over the period 1992 through 1999, 46 operations type "Mainz II" are performed in the Department of Urology--University Hospital "Alexandrovska". The series includes 41 men and 5 women with age range 42 to 80 years. All patients present urinary bladder tumors. The usual surgical technique is used. The severest postoperative complications include: urinary fistulae--3 (6.52%), local relapse--4 (8.69%) and distant metastases--2 (4.35%). In six patients the outcome is fatal (0.7%). This type of continent derivation following cystectomy is recommended since it is convenient, practically atraumatic and well tolerated by the patients. Complications encountered seldom necessitate operative intervention.

We discuss vascular surgical problems in 59 kidney transplantations using alive donors. From April 96 till May 99 we harvested 59 kidneys from relatives (44 women and 15 men), mean age 54.33 years. Those kidneys were transplanted to 37 men (mean age 55.71 years), and 22 women (mean age 36.85 years). Preoperative dialysis was performed for a period of 5.015 years (mean). Thirty eight of the kidneys are right, and 21 of them are left. Six kidneys have two renal veins (10.16%), and 5 of them have two renal arteries (8.47%). We prefer end-to-end anastomosis between the donor renal artery and the recipient hypogastric artery. It ensures best regional hemodynamics, long-term patency and best positioning of the kidney avoiding vascular compression. The venous anastomosis is performed end-to-side to the iliac vein of the recipient. In 7 cases of short renal artery of the donor kidney greater saphenous vein is used as arterial conduit to ensure tension-free anastomoses. Only 1 patient (1.74%) of 59 cases (71 venous anastomoses) suffered thrombosis of the iliac vein, which caused kidney rupture. We had 5 cases of postoperative bleeding (8.47%), three of them were from the kidney hilus, and two from exposure sites. After reexploration all of them have normal function. Vascular anomalies and/or vascular disease do not preclude the procedure. Atraumatic harvesting of the kidney is critical.

Hypospadias is a common developmental anomaly in the male (8.2@1000). Over the last twenty years, one-stage operative techniques for the correction of this anomaly have been widely adopted. Two-stage procedures remain a method of choice in strictly selected cases only. In the period 1992 through 1997, thirty patients aged 2-19 years presenting different locations of hypospadias are picked out in the Department of Urology-"Alexandrovska" University Hospital. The following operative techniques are used: Magpai-Duplay-Fierlit, Flip-Flap, Duket De-Sey, Huchson, Ducet-Duplay, Ducet-Flip-Flap. The complications resulting are operatively closed within 3 months of plastic repair, and in case of stenosis of the meatus meatoplasty is done. The good results of one-stage operations in hypospadias, irrespective of the location, justify their adoption as a plastic repair method of choice.

Malignant tumors of the renal pelvis account for over 78 per cent of all malignant tumors of the kidney, and less than 1 per cent of all urogenital neoplasms. At the time of diagnosing, almost one third of these patients present with tumor of the ipsilateral ureter or bladder, and 40-50 per cent have ureteral tumor located elsewhere (D. Crawford, S. Das, 1990). After World War Two, the frequency of publications on cases of primary tumors of the pelvis show a noticeable increase, e.g. in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria the ratio of parenchymatous renal tumors to those of the renal pelvis is conspicuously altered. S. Petcovic (1970) and S. Lambrev (1972) attribute this fact to the existence of endemic "nephropathy" foci. It is the purpose of this work to analyze twenty-nine patients presenting carcinoma of the upper urinary ways, studied in the Chair of Urology in the period 1991 through 1997. Of them only four come from "endemic" regions. Over the period 1972-1975, fifty-nine patients with the same condition undergo treatment in the aforementioned Chair. It is worth noting that patients from the so-called "endemic" regions lack the typical signs of "endemic" nephropathy. The assumption is warranted that "endemic" nephropathy is a still not well enough clarified nosological entity, bearing resemblance to contamination with radioactive elements with a "boom" during the half-life period gradually subsiding.

A serious problem faced in renal carcinoma treatment are patients presenting bilateral tumor, or those with virtually one kidney. Over a 2-year period, in the Department of Urology three patients are subjected to operation--one with bilateral renal carcinoma, one with dysfunction of the contralateral kidney, and one with a large cyst of the contralateral kidney. In the patient presenting bilateral tumor, nephrectomy on one side and partial resection on the other are performed, and in the remainder two--enucleation of the neoplasm. The patient with contralateral loss of renal function is subjected to ipsilateral operation for calculosis before the intervention with ensuing lithotripsy--three times. Within a year of the operation the same patient undergoes operation for ipsilateral pyonephrosis. At the time of study, all three patients are in a good general condition with values of the residual nitrogen bodies within normal limits.

Over the period 1989-1994, thirty-three patients presenting solitary cysts, and 19--polycystosis undergo clinical study. A variety of examination and differential diagnostic methods are used, namely: echography, venous urography, gamma chamber scintigraphy, CAT and biochemical analysis of the cystic fluid. The listed methods contribute greatly to make exact diagnosis and undertake adequate treatment of the patients.

Echinococcus of the kidney is a rare form of hydatid disease, and accounts for 2 to 3 per cent of all echinococcoses. Over a ten-year period (1987-1996), eight patients with age ranging from 30 to 61 years are diagnosed and treated. Five of them (62.5 per cent) are discovered in the last two years. In seven instances (87.5 per cent) the diagnosis is made preoperatively on the ground of laboratory examinations; serological tests--intradermal test of Casoni and complement fixation after Ghedini-Weinberg, echographic and roentgenological methods. In two patients (33.3 per cent) scoleces and Echinococcus fragments are discovered in the urine. The serological tests are positive in five cases (62.5 per cent). All patients undergo operation, with nephrectomy performed in five (62.5 per cent), and capsula adiposa renis--in three (37.5 per cent). So far, no relapse of the disease is recorded.

Strictures of the urethra pose problems still disputable in the literature owing to the variety of etiological factors involved, and difficulties encountered in choosing the most adequate therapeutic approach. Ninety-six patients presenting urethral stricture are studied over a 5-year period (1991-1995). The commonest causes of stricture formation are postinflammatory (51 per cent), postoperative (34.4 per cent) and posttraumatic (14.6 per cent). The study covering 578 patients, treated by transurethral resection for other disease during the aforementioned period, shows that postoperative strictures develop in 2.6 per cent of them. In 81.2 per cent of cases the stricture involves the anterior urethra, and in 18.8 per cent--the posterior. The presence of multiple strictures is found in 27.1 per cent. Visual internal urethrotomy is the operative procedure most frequently used--in 85.4 per cent of cases. In 3.1 per cent urethroplasty with a pedicled preputial flap is performed. Recurrences are recorded in 7.3 per cent. Emphasis is laid on the direct interdependence existing between etiological factors and pathoanatomical stage having an essential practical bearing on the choice of optimal therapeutic approach.

Sixteen patients presenting benign prostate gland hyperplasia undergo conservative treatment with Finasterid over the period 1992 through 1995. Prior to treatment, in all patients the subjective complaints are assayed on the basis of the IPSS rating system for severity of complaints. Uroflowmetry along with evaluating the quantity of residual urine using an isotope method, and echographic determination of the prostate gland volume, are performed. During the six- to nine-month follow-up study, an increase in maximal urinary output by 3.2 ml/sec, as well as reduction of the prostate gland volume by 24.5 per cent are documented in 78 per cent of the patients against the background of alleviated subjective complaints in 69 per cent.

According to A. Someren (1989), R. Heicapell and R. Ackermann (1992), Ritchie A. W. S., de Kernion (1987) renal carcinoma is a condition clinically "imperceptible", lacking typical symptoms. The clinical characteristics presented by 509 patients, treated in the Department of Urology (Clinical Center of Urology at the Medical University--Sofia) over the period 1973--1994, are discussed. Symptoms typical of the urogenital system, and atypical ones as well, are separately classified. A catamnestic follow-up study of the complaints is also done. Pain is the most frequently noted (77.38 per cent), next ranking hematuria (59.92 per cent), tumor mass palpation (26.38 per cent), with the classical triad bing recorded in 11.50 per cent. Carcinoma of the kidney is considered as one of the major imitators, mimicking a diverse and atypical clinical picture.

Stricture of the urethra is produced by a cicatrix causing narrowing of the urethral lumen subsequent to trauma or inflammation. The strictures are considered as serious whenever the meatus is involved, and total--in the event of obliteration of the urethra (H. Sachse, 1978). The complications are associated with perineal, scrotal or suprapubic fistulae (C. Devine, P. Devine 1989). This is a report on 37 men presenting severe complicated strictures of the urethra, treated over the period 1981-1995 in the Clinical Center of Urology. According to underlying cause the strictures are divided in: postoperative--7 cases, iatrogenic--6, inflammatory--1, traumatic--23, and patients with scrotal fistulae--3. The patients are operated using a combined method through open and endoscopic manipulation; in 3 cases plastic repair of the urethra with a preputial flap is done. The overall results are estimated as good.

As pointed out by J. R. McLaughlin et al. (1983), in the various countries worldwide there is considerable difference in incidence and mortality rates of renal carcinoma. In the period 1973 to 1994, a total of 509 patients with renal carcinoma are admitted to the Department of Urology (Clinical Center of Urology, Medical University--Sofia). They represent 0.82 per cent of the total number of admissions during the stated period, and 7.71 per cent of the patients with diseases of the urogenital system. According to data submitted by the National Center of Oncology, the incidence of renal carcinoma amounts to 1.53 per 100,000 of population. As shown by the results most of the patients come from Vratsa and Vidin districts. By incidence rate of the disease Bulgaria is assigned to the moderate morbidity type in Europe. Patients in active age amount to 66.46 per cent, and old age pensioners--to 31.74 per cent.