Laparoscopic orchiopexy: report of 203 cases with review of diagnosis, operative technique, and lessons learned.

Background And Purpose: Proper management of the nonpalpable testicle requires an accurate diagnosis. Laparoscopic orchiopexy (LO) has become the standard for diagnosis and treatment. We classified the location of nonpalpable testicles, reviewed the technique of LO in detail, and report the results of our series, the largest described to date.

Chemosensitization of carmustine with maitake beta-glucan on androgen-independent prostatic cancer cells: involvement of glyoxalase I.

Objective: To improve the poor efficacy (< 10%) of chemotherapy for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, we investigated a possible cytotoxic effect of carmustine/beta-glucan combination on prostatic cancer PC-3 cells, focusing on a glutathione-dependent detoxifying enzyme, glyoxalase I (Gly-I).

Methods: Carmustine (BCNU) is an anticancer agent and a putative inhibitor of Gly-I, while beta-glucan is a unique, nontoxic polysaccharide extracted from maitake mushrooms. The cytotoxic effects of BCNU or other anticancer agents with beta-glucan on PC-3 cells were assessed by cell-viability testing and Gly-I activity was measured using the spectrophotometric method.

Salvage extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy after failed distal ureteroscopy.

Background And Purpose: When intervention is necessary, controversy remains as to the best treatment modality for stones of the distal ureter. In general, ureteroscopy is favored over extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) as the treatment of choice for distal ureteral stones. Although uncommon, ureteroscopy failures have traditionally necessitated repeat ureteroscopy to retrieve retained stone fragments.

Holmium laser enucleation for large (greater than 100 mL) prostate glands.

Background: To evaluate the holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) using the transurethral soft tissue morcellator (TUSTM), as a primary surgical treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with prostate glands > 100 mL.

Methods: Eighteen patients with preoperative prostate volumes > 100 mL underwent the HoLEP procedure. The criteria for surgery were determined by a preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), a prior failure of medical therapy, and urinary retention.