Holmium laser percutaneous nephrolithotomy using a unique suction device.

Background And Purpose: Most percutaneous nephrolithotomies are performed with electrohydraulic, ballistic, or ultrasonic lithotripsy, with holmium laser use reserved for ureteroscopy or ureterorenoscopy. We evaluated the feasibility of holmium laser use in percutaneous nephrolithotomy with the assistance of a unique suction device.

Patients And Methods: The charts of 71 consecutive patients undergoing 90 percutaneous procedures were reviewed.

15-year experience with the management of extrinsic ureteral obstruction with indwelling ureteral stents.

Purpose: We assessed the success of retrograde placement of indwelling ureteral stents in the management of ureteral obstruction due to extrinsic compression.

Materials And Methods: Between July 1987 and December 2002 adequate followup was available for 101 patients who underwent primary retrograde ureteral stenting for extrinsic ureteral obstruction. Mean age at presentation was 61.

Alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists radiosensitize prostate cancer cells via apoptosis induction.

Background: Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells can undergo apoptosis in response to non-androgen ablative means such as ionizing radiation. Recent evidence documented the ability of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists, a widely used medical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), to induce apoptosis in benign and malignant prostate cells. In this study, we evaluated the potential additive/synergistic apoptotic effect of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists with ionizing radiation against human prostate cancer cells in vitro.