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Purpose: This study aimed to explore the impact of psychological stress on erectile dysfunction (ED) in male patients following the Gaziantep-Kahramanmaras earthquake. The investigation aimed to establish correlations between earthquake-induced stress and changes in sexual function using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on male ED patients from a Gaziantep urology clinic post-earthquake (March to August 2023). Patients with deteriorated erectile function post-earthquake (group 1) and those with pre-existing ED experiencing worsened symptoms post-earthquake (group 2) were included. Data collected encompassed sexual histories, IIEF scores, laboratory tests, and PHQ-9/GAD-7 evaluations. Patients were also evaluated mild and mild to moderate ED, moderate and severe ED according to IIEF erectile function. Results: Seventy-six patients were evaluated (24 in group 1 and 52 in group 2). Significant reductions in total IIEF scores (58 to 40 in group 1 and 49 to 33 in group 2) were observed post-earthquake in both groups (p

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy, intracorporeal urinary diversion, and extended lymph node dissection in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive bladder tumors, followed by robot-assisted radical cystectomy, extended lymph node dissection, and intracorporeal urinary diversion. Demographic, operative, and postoperative information of the patients was retrospectively evaluated. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin and cisplatin plus etoposide regimens were used as neoadjuvant treatments. Early and late-term complications were recorded. Results: In the early postoperative period (0-30 days), Clavien-Dindo grade 2 complications occurred in 6 patients and grade 3 complications in 2 patients. In the late postoperative period (31-90 days), Clavien-Dindo grade 2 complications occurred in 1 patient and grade 3 complications in 1 patient. The mean follow-up period was 15.5±5.7 months. Conclusion: Although the intracorporeal technique is more demanding in terms of learning and use, preoperative chemotherapy application should not be seen as a limitation in the application of this technique.

Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the early period iatrogenic benign ureteroenteric anastomotic stricture formation between robotic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion, robotic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion [without using indocyanine green (ICG)] and robotic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (with using ICG).Materials and Methods:A total of 30 patients (59 renal units) who underwent robotic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion intracorporeally or extracorporeally for muscle-invasive bladder cancer between 2014 and 2021 were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic data and perioperative results. The primary endpoint of our study was the ureteroenteric stricture formation rate at the 6th week after the single-J ureteral catheter removal.Results:From our study cohort; 13 of these patients (26 renal units) urinary diversions were performed using extracorporeal approach (group 1), 10 of these patients (20 renal units) urinary diversions were performed by intracorporeal approach without using ICG (group 2) and 7 of these patients (13 renal units) urinary diversions were performed by intracorporeal approach with using ICG (group 3). The overall incidence of early period ureteroenteric stricture formation (post-operative 6th week after the single J catheter removal) was 8.5% (5 renal units); 11.5% (3 renal units) after extracorporeal approach (group 1); 10% (2 renal units) after intracorporeal approach without using ICG (group 2). None of the patients with intracorporeal approach using ICG (group 3) had a demonstrable ureteroenteric stricture at post-operative 6th week after the single J catheter removal.Conclusion:Robotic intracorporeal urinary diversion with using ICG is a promising approach in terms of preventing benign ureteroenteric strictures.

Purpose Perineal electromyography (EMG) is a crucial part of urodynamic studies. Many researchers focused on the standardization of techniques in urodynamics, but no study has yet evaluated the differences with various reference electrode placements. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal placement of the reference electrode for recording pelvic floor activity in urodynamic studies. Methods Children over 6 years of age without anatomic or neurological abnormalities were invited to participate in the study. Four reference electrodes were placed on the right kneecap, the inner surface of the right inner thigh, the right anterior iliac spine (AIS), and the skin over the left gluteal muscles for simultaneous recording. The EMG signal formed by pelvic contraction during forceful straining was recorded both in the supine and sitting positions. The root mean square (RMS) value of each muscle contraction signal was calculated. Results Twenty-one participants (10 boys and 11 girls) were included. The mean age was 10.19±3.20 years. The highest RMS values were obtained with the reference electrode on the thigh in the supine position and the AIS in the sitting position. Significant differences were found between the mean RMS values of the knee and other locations of reference electrodes in the supine position, as well as between mean RMS values in all regions except the thigh and gluteus in the sitting position. The minimum mean RMS values in both positions were obtained with the reference electrode on the knee. Conclusions During urodynamic studies, reference electrodes shall be placed on AIS in the sitting and on the inner thigh in the supine position. The knee is not a suitable option for reference electrode placement. This information may help improve EMG recordings in the evaluation of pelvic floor muscles.

Objective:Rezum™ system is a safe minimal invasive treatment modality for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of Rezum™ therapy in our center.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively collected the data of 28 patients with symptomatic BPH who underwent Rezum™ therapy in our center. All patients’ pre-operative and post-operative; post-void residual volume (PVR), Qmax, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, serum total prostate-specific antigen levels were obtained. The number of injections administered during the procedure, operation time, catheter removal time, complications and mean duration of follow-up was recorded.Results:Our study group consisted of 28 patients with a mean age of 65.1±8.9 years, median prostate volume 64 [interquartile range (IQR) 44.8-89.5] mL. The median procedure time was 12 (IQR 11-13.8) minutes, the median catheter removal time was 6.5 (IQR 5-8.8) days for our study group. None of the patients had experienced Clavien-Dindo 3 complications. Pre-operative median Qmax and PVR were 8 (IQR 6-9) mL/s and 110 (IQR 80-187.5) cc and post-operative Qmax and PVR were 12.5 (11-14.8) mL/s and 40 (IQR 18.8-70) cc, respectively. We observed a significant increase in IPSS and QoL score at post-operative 3rd month after the Rezum™ therapy. Conclusion:Rezum™ procedure is an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic BPH in the short term. Rezum™ system provides a significant increase in Qmax and significant decrease in PVR and IPSS. QoL scores after the 3rd month of the procedure is significantly lower compared to the pre-operative status.

Introduction: The OSNA technique is based on reverse transcription loop-mediated DNA amplification for the detection of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) messen-ger RNA (mRNA). The purpose of our paper, which represents the first study in the literature, is to test the accuracy of this method in the detection of lymph node metastases in patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy with lymph node dis-section. Methods: Our cohort consisted of patients that have undergone robotic radical prostatectomy with extended lymph node dissec-tion. Lymph nodes were evaluated with imprint technique and then with frozen section examination. The remaining tissue was evaluated by OSNA method. Lymph nodes were defined as ‘neg-ative’ or ‘positive’ according to mRNA copy number. Results: 7 patients and 25 lymph nodes were included in our cohort. Two patients were found negative with all pathology methods. In one patient the standard stains revealed a suspi-cious outcome but it was positive for micrometastasis with OSNA. In another patient the outcome was positive for standard stains and negative for OSNA. Finally, 2 patients were found positive for OSNA and negative for imprint methods. Conclusions: One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) method using CK19 seems to fail in detection of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection.

Introduction The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which usually leads to a swift surge in blood pressure in the morning hours (MBPS) may be the cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in early autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. We studied the association between MBPS and LVH in ADPKD patients with preserved renal functions. Methods Patients with ADPKD with preserved renal functions were enrolled. Prewaking MBPS was calculated using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The patients were categorized as MBPS (≥median) and non-MBPS (

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Double J stent (DJS) insertion during open partial nephrectomy (OPN) on postoperative prolonged urinary leakage. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was made in consecutive cases of OPN performed between 2002 and 2020 for localized kidney tumors at our tertiary center. Urinary leakage was defined as drainage > 72 hours after surgery by biochemical analysis consistent with urine or radiographic evidence of urine leakage. The patients were divided into two groups according to intraoperative DJS placement, and compared regarding clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative and postoperative outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with urinary leakage after the operation. Results: Review of records identified 182 patients who were included in the study. In 73 (40%) patients PN was performed without insertion of a DJS. Thus, 109 (60%) of patients had a DJS inserted. Apart from higher preoperative eGFR values among patients with DJS (96.6 vs. 94.3 mL/min/1.73 m²; p = 0.03), demographic characteristics were similar between groups. The two groups were not different regarding perioperative, postoperative and clinicopathologic outcomes. Patients with DJS had longer ischemia times (31 vs. 23 min; p = 0.02) and longer length of stay (6 vs. 5 days; p = 0.04). Urinary leakage was seen in 7.6% (n = 14) of all patients and it did not differ according to DJS placement (DJS+ 9.2 vs. DJS- 5.5%; p = 0.41). On multivariate analysis, the tumor nearness to the collecting system was the sole independently significant factor (p = 0.04) predicting postoperative urine leak. Conclusions: Routine intraoperative DJS insertion during OPN does not appear to reduce the probability of postoperative urine leak.

Purpose: To test the efficacy and safety profile of robotic radical nephroureterectomy compared to the open approach. Methods: We enrolled 45 consecutive patients who suffered from non-metastatic, upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma from September 2019 to March 2021 and underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Patients were divided in two groups: group A consisted of 29 patients (open approach) and group B consisted of 16 patients (robotic approach). The factors which were taken into consideration were age, sex, body mass index, tumour size, side and grade, cancer stage, ASA score, operation time, drain removal time, foley time, hospitalization time, estimated blood loss, surgical margins, preoperative and postoperative creatinine, Hct and bladder recurrences. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of SPSS version 26 and p < 0.05 was the cut-off for reaching statistical significance. Results: The mean age in group 1 was 67.12 years and in group 2 68.12 years, whereas the mean body mass index (BMI) in group 1 was 26.54 kg/m2 and in group 2 25.20 kg/m2. Operative time was better in group A (124 vs 186 mins p < 0.001) and estimated blood loss were better in group B compared to group A (137 vs 316 ml p < 0.001). Length of stay (LOS) was significantly less in the robotic group (5.75 vs 4.3 days p = 0.003) and the same applied for time required for drain removal (4.5 vs 3.3 days p = 0.006). Conclusions: Robotic radical nephroureterectomy is a safe and efficient alternative to open approach. It provides a favorable perioperative profile in patients suffering from upper urinary tract carcinoma without metastasis.

Objective: To compare the surgical results, complications, and satisfaction levels of patients who underwent malleable penile prosthesis implantation (M-PPI) and Ambicor penile prosthesis implantation (A-PPI). Material and methods: One hundred forty two patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation [M-PPI (Promedon- Tube®, Cordoba, Argentina): 81, and A-PPI (American Medical Systems, Minnesota, USA): 61] between 2013-2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients’ age, body mass index, smoking history, etiological factors, modified “Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) Questionnaire” scores, shortening of the penis, and complications were recorded. Results: The patients who performed A-PPI implantation were younger (56.27 ± 10.81 vs. 51.47 ± 11.79, p = 0.009). The EDITS scores of 31(38.2%) patients who underwent M-PPI and 44 (72.4%) patients who underwent A-PPI were available. It was observed that the scores on the following questions were statistical significantly higher in the A-PPI group: “Overall, are you satisfied with your penile prosthesis?, How much of your expectations did penile prosthesis meet?, How often do you use your penile prosthesis?” (p = 0.05, p = 0.048, p = 0.038). No difference was observed between the groups in terms of the scores on the other three questions (p = 0.447, p = 0.326, p = 0.365). A 61.3% of patients in MPPI (19/31) group, and 56.8% of patients in A-PPI (25/44) group stated penile shortening (p = 0.417). Mean shortening was reported as 2.1 ± 0.45 cm, and 2.12 ± 0.52 cm, in M-PPI and A-PPI groups, respectively (p = 0.90). Conclusion:It is remarkable that the patients who underwent A-PPI experienced higher satisfaction with their prosthesis. Even though it has not been evidenced in the current literature data, patients who have had either M-PPI or A-PPI should be informed about the risk of penile shortening.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of immune failure and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) association on the mortality and morbidity of the Fournier's Gangrene (FG), and interrelatedly, the usability of HbA1c level in the prediction of prognosis. Materials and Methods: The data of 38 patients with the diagnosis of FG were investigated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups as patients with DM (Group 1, n = 18) and non-diabetics (Group 2, n = 20). The patients in group 1 were also divided into two subgroups as patients with HbA1c value ≥7 (Group 1a) and HbA1c value 38°C) (n = 22, 57.8%), purulent discharge from genital or perineal areas (n = 13, 34.2%), skin bruises (n = 11, 28.9%) and general state disorder in five patients that were admitted from day care center (13.1%). DM, as the most often comorbid disease, was detected in 18 patients (47.3%). Six patients (15.7%) were deceased during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In the present study, the researchers determined that diabetic patients with HbA1c level of 7 or higher had worse prognosis, and increased mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate effects of Cajal-like cells on human renal pelvis and proximal ureter on peristalsis. Materials and Methods: 63 patients submitted to nephrectomy due to atrophic non-functional kidney associated with hydroureteronephrosis were included as study group and 30 cases with nephrectomy due to other reasons were included as control group. Samples from renal pelvis and proximal ureters were obtained and sections of 5μ form paraffin blocks of these samples were prepared; layers of lamina propria and muscularis mucosa were examined by immune-histochemistry using CD117 in order to determine count and distribution of Cajal-like cells. Results: During immune-histochemical examinations of sections, obtained from renal pelvis and proximal ureter of hydronephrotic kidneys by CD117, Cajal-like cells number determined in lamina propria and muscularis propria was statistically significantly lower compared to control group (p

ABSTRACTPurpose:To compare transobturator midurethral sling (TOS) and single-incision sling procedures in terms of their effects on urinary incontinence and the quality of life in overweight (BMI ≥25-29.9 kg/m2) female patients using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire scoring form (ICIQ-SF) and Quality of Life of Persons with Urinary Incontinence scoring form (I-QOL).Materials and Methods:In this prospective trial, the patients were divided into two groups consecutively; first 20 overweight female patients underwent the TOS (Unitape T®,Promedon, Cordoba, Argentina) procedure and the subsequent 20 consecutive overweight female patients underwent the single-incision sling [TVT-secur (Ethicon Inc., Sommerville, USA)] procedure. Age, urinary incontinence period, parity and daily pads usage were recorded. No usage of pads was defined as subjective cure rate postoperatively. Before the operation and 6. month after the surgery, the patients completed the ICIQ-SF and I-QOL.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age, duration of incontinence, parity, and BMI (p>0.05). ICIQ-SF and I-QOL revealed that the patients in the TOS group showed significantly better improvement (76.20% versus 64.10%, p=0.001, 81.31% versus 69.28%, p=0.001, respectively). In addition, subjective cure rates were found higher in TOS group (75% versus 55%, p=0.190).Conclusions:The existing data is showed that incontinence symptoms and the quality of life have higher improvement in overweight female patients who underwent the TOS procedure. It is likely that the TOS procedure may provide stronger urethral support and better contributes to continence in this group of patients.

A subset of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients has been shown to respond to anti-EGFR therapy. As KRAS and BRAF mutations are associated with poor response to anti-EGFR therapy in some cancers, it has been suggested that screening for KRAS and BRAF mutations in RCC may be a promising strategy to identify patients who might respond to EGFR-targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the mutation status of EGFR, KRAS and BRAF in RCC patients. Renal tumors and normal renal samples from forty-eight patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer were used in this study. Histological classification of the tumors was performed according to International Union against Cancer (UICC) / American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. Seventeen patients (48%) had clear-cell RCC, 7 (20%) had chromophobe RCC, and 11 patients (32%) had papillary RCC. DNA isolated from the samples was subjected to melting curve mutation analysis for EGFR, BRAF and KRAS using ABI-3130 DNA sequencer. DNA sequencing analysis of RCC samples, when compared with morphologically normal matched regions, did not show any exon mutations. Our results do not support the notion that EGFR, KRAS and BRAF might be mutated in RCC.

Purpose To demonstrate the effect of a 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet on the nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats. Materials and Methods Twenty four healthy male Wistar rats, weighing between 220 - 260grams, were divided into three groups. The rats were randomly assigned to either the gentamicin injection without garlic supplementation group (Group I, n = 8), gentamicin injection with garlic supplementation group (Group II, n = 8), and control group (Group III, n = 8). Urine from the rats was collected and the volume (mL), microalbumin (mg/L), creatinine (mg/dL), Na (mmol/L), K (mmol/L), Cl (mmol/L), P (mg/dL), N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) (U/L) and pH values were measured. Then urea (mg/dL), creatinine (mg/dL), total protein (g/dL) and cystatin (mg/L) values were measured for the blood samples obtained from tail veins. Results The median NAG value for the control group (52.050 U/L) was similar to value for Group II (56.400 U/L), which received gentamicin and the garlic diet. However, the median NAG value for Group I (77.030 U/L), which received gentamicin without garlic supplementation, was determined to be statistically significantly higher (p = 0.010) than the value for the control group. In addition, the mean cystatin value for Group II (1.360 U/L) was found to be statistically significantly lower than the value for the Group I (2.240 U/L) (p = 0.015). Conclusions In this study we showed the effect of 4% pulverized garlic supplemented diet for preventing nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats by using as parameters NAG in urine samples and cystatin C in serum samples.

Aims: To demonstrate the effects of intravesical ozone treatment on inflammation and epithelial cell damage in chemical cystitis animal model. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 New Zealand rabbits were divided into six groups. Cystitis was conducted with transurethral intravesical hydrochloric acid instillation on the subjects in Groups IA, IB, IIA, and IIB. Then, Group IA-IB subjects were transurethrally administered intravesical ozone therapy twice a week, while Group IIA-IIB subjects were only given intravesical isotonic NaCl instillation. Group IIIA-IIIB subjects were administered intravesical isotonic NaCl instillation without conducting chemical cystitis in order to create the same stress. Treatment schemes of all groups were arranged in the same manner. Following a 3-week (early period) and 6-week (late period) therapy, the rabbits were sacrificed and histopathologic investigations were carried out in order to demonstrate changes in the urinary bladder. Results: In our study, we observed that the basal membrane and mucosal integrity were maintained, inflammatory cells were suppressed in Group IA-IB (Early and late period), which received ozone therapy. However, it was also observed that mucosal integrity was spoiled, numerous inflammatory cells were accumulated in Group IIA-IIB, which was administered isotonic NaCl. Conclusion: Due to its low cost and minimal side effects; ozone therapy could be a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

ABSTRACT Objective: The prototype artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed using data from patients with renal stone, in order to predict stone-free status and to help in planning treatment with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stones. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from the 203 patients including gender, single or multiple nature of the stone, location of the stone, infundibulopelvic angle primary or secondary nature of the stone, status of hydronephrosis, stone size after ESWL, age, size, skin to stone distance, stone density and creatinine, for eleven variables. Regression analysis and the ANN method were applied to predict treatment success using the same series of data. Results: Subsequently, patients were divided into three groups by neural network software, in order to implement the ANN: training group (n=139), validation group (n=32), and the test group (n=32). ANN analysis demonstrated that the prediction accuracy of the stone-free rate was 99.25% in the training group, 85.48% in the validation group, and 88.70% in the test group. Conclusions: Successful results were obtained to predict the stone-free rate, with the help of the ANN model designed by using a series of data collected from real patients in whom ESWL was implemented to help in planning treatment for kidney stones.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the effect of vaginal hysterectomy-anterior/posterior colporrhaphy with Kelly's plication(VH-KP), versus vaginal hysterectomy-anterior/posterior colporrhaphy-transobturator tape(VH-TOT) surgeries on incontinence, quality of life, and sexual functions in patients with pelvic organ prolapse(POP), and concurrent obvious stress urinary incontinence(SUI). Materials and Methods: Between 2013 and 2017, fifty patients treated with VH-KP(n = 25), and VH-TOT(n = 25) due to POP and SUI, were evaluated prospective consecutively. Age, parity, duration of urinary incontinence, and the daily pad use were recorded. Patients were filled “rinary Distress Inventory-6(UDI-6)”, “Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7(IIQ-7)” and “Index of Female Sexual Function(IFSI)” questionnaire forms at preoperatively, and postoperative 6th month. No usage of pads was accepted as subjective cure rate. Intraoperative, and postoperative complications were noted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups, for the mean age of the patients, parity, duration of SUI, and the daily pad use, preoperatively (p > 0.05). Decreased UDI-6 scores, IIQ-7 scores and daily pad usage, and increased IFSF scores were found statistical significantly in each group, at the postoperative 6 th month (p < 0.05). However, VH-TOT group had higher improvement rates, on UDI-6 scores (69.5% vs 63.0%, p = 0.04). In addition, it was notable that the the rates of the patients had IFSF scores ≥ 25 was higher in VH-KP group (p = 0.05). Four (16%) patients had recurrent SUI in the VH-KP group (p = 0.039) and vaginal extrusion occurred in 2 (8%) patients in the VH-TOT group (p = 0.153), postoperatively. Conclusions: Although the effects of VH-TOT surgery are superior to conventional methods for incontinence and quality of life; negative effects on sexual functions are notable. In addition, although recurrence rates of TOT are low, complications such as vaginal extrusion are accompanied by drawbacks of mesh usage.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze post pubertal results of pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication with non-absorbable sutures in the correction of CPC. Materials and Methods: The files of patients who underwent tunica albuginea plication without incision (dorsal/lateral) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients younger than 13 years of age at the time of operation and older than 14 years of age in November 2015 were included. Patients with a penile curvature of less than 30 degrees & more than 45 degrees and penile/urethral anomalies were excluded. All of the patients underwent surgery followed by circumcision. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of the operation was 9.7 years (range, 6-13 years). The mean degree of ventral penile curvature measured during the operation was 39 degrees while it was 41 degrees in the lateral curvatures. All of the patients were curvature-free at the end of the operation. At the time of the follow-up examination, the mean age was 16.7 years (range, 14-25 years). Six patients had a straight (0-10 degrees) penis during erection and seven patients had recurrent penile curvatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. Conclusion: Pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication of congenital penile curvature (30-45 degrees) with non-absorbable sutures performed without incision is a minimal invasive method especially when performed during circumcision. However, recurrence might be observed in half of the patients after puberty.