National-wide data on the treatment of BPH in Korea

The healthcare system in Korea provides coverage to all the people who are residing in Korea, so the data of the Korea healthcare system are national-wide and relatively accurate. We obtained the recent 5-year data (2004–2008) on the treatment of BPH from the national health insurance system. We tried to determine the trends or changes of BPH treatments in Korea. Over 3.8 million men visited clinics and were prescribed one or more BPH medications, and more than 44 000 men underwent surgical treatment during 2004–2008. Compared with the year 2004, two times the patients were prescribed BPH medications in 2008. With respect to the surgical treatment, the number of cases was increased 1.6 times in 2006 compared with the previous years. The most commonly used surgical option was TURP before 2006, but laser therapy was carried out as much as TURP in 2006 and in the following years. The relative risk of laser therapy in the 50 s is 1.53 (95% CI is 1.47–1.59). In conclusion, our national-wide data for the Korean BPH patients show that these patients' medical treatment increased during the 5 years from 2004 to 2008. Laser treatment had increased and it might replace TURP in several years

The relationship between uretero-cloacal structure in birds and sigmoidorectal pouch surgery

Purpose: The present study was planned to investigate morphological, functional and histological properties of the natural ureterocloacal for in birds as well as to provide an appropriate information which may contribute to rectosigmoidal pouch surgery and to decrease its complications. Materials and Methods: Thirty chickens (Gallus domesticus, 26 broilers, 4 layers) with a mean weight of 1870 +/- 88 g were used for this study. Histological and morphological evaluation of the cloaca was performed. Urethral reflux was estimated using X-rays. Results: We found that the cloaca had three parts from cranial to caudal: coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum respectively. A coprourodeal fold (CUF) between the coprodeum and urodeum and a uroproctodeal fold between the urodeum and proctodeum were detected. Settling of the muscle clusters both in the ureter and urodeum near the opening area appeared to be a strong sphincter structure and the ureters are opened to a structure covered by a transitional epithelium, which is similar to bladder in humans (connecting two identical epithelia). According to X-rays following the administration of a radio-opaque substance, there was no ureteral reflux in any of them. Conclusions: The natural urointestinal structure in birds has a spontaneous ureterointestinal anti-reflux opening. The coprourodeal fold that prevents the mixing of faeces and urine, inhibits the effects of increased pressure and prevents the reflux of urine to the upper segments is provided with many of desired hinders properties for urointestinal diversion

Relation between serum anti-p53 antibodies and microvessel density in bladder cancer patients

Introduction: Etiology of serum anti-p53 antibodies in bladder cancer patients is still unknown. In this study we evaluated the relationship between serum anti-p53 antibodies and microvessel density in bladder cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were assessed prospectively (18 Ta, 30 T-1, 28 T-2 greater than or equal to). Serum anti-p53 antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tumor p53 overexpression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Vessels were stained immunohistochemically using an antibody against platelet endothelial cell-adhesion molecule CD31. Spearman correlation test and t test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Serum anti-p53 antibodies were positive in 25 (60%) of 41 tumor p53-positive patients. While the mean (SD, range) microvessel density was found to be 43 (7.59, 8-99) in patients who had positive serum anti-p53 antibodies, it was found to be 23 (4.53, 6-98) in patients who had negative serum anti-p53 antibodies. There was a good correlation between serum anti-p53 antibodies and microvessel density (p0.05). Conclusions: We found that there is a significant correlation between the microvessel density and serum anti-p53 antibodies. This result may show the role of angiogenesis in the etiology of serum anti-p53 antibodies in bladder cancer patients. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Association of positive serum anti-p53 antibodies with poor prognosis in bladder cancer patients

Aims: To assess the association of serum anti-p53 antibodies and overexpression of tumor p53 protein with survival and prognostic factors in patients with urinary bladder tumors

Bowel preparation and peri-operative management for radical cystectomy in Turkey: Turkish Urooncology Association multicenter survey

PubMed ID: 21656469Purpose: To investigate the preferences and practice patterns of urooncologic surgeons in Turkey on bowel preparation and peri-operative management for radical cystectomy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by Turkish Urooncology Association as a multicenter survey. Participants were asked to fill in questionnaires dispensed at annual oncologic meeting or using internet access to the website of Urooncology Association. The questionnaire consisted of multiple choice or open-ended questions related to frequency of cystectomy, surgical technique and type of diversion, bowel preparation protocol, nasogastric tube applications, antibiotic prophylaxis, and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. Collected data from the survey were presented descriptively. Results: Forty-four questionnaires from 44 surgeons of different centers were evaluated. All participants answered that they always perform bowel preparation before cystectomy. Four participants reported that they had an experience of cystectomy without bowel preparation. Bowel preparation methods included long conservative methods, short enema protocols, and Golytely, but there were significant differences in application of each method. Of participants, 88.6% perform diversion by themselves whereas others ask help from a general surgeon. Antibiotic prophylaxis is preferred mostly by 2 agents using third-generation cephalosporins and metronidazole for a period of 5 days or more in the majority. Type, duration, and dosage of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis differed among participants.Conclusion: There are significant individual differences in peri-operative management of radical cystectomy, which render deficient and sometimes inadequate patient care. There is a need to establish standard protocols for bowel preparation and adequate peri-operative management for radical cystectomy