Induction of spermatogenesis in men with azoospermia or severe oligoteratoasthenospermia after antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicocele.

Aim: To evaluate the treatment outcome of antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy in men with non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligoteratoasthenospermia (OTA) as a result of varicocele.

Methods: Between September 1995 and January 2004, 47 patients (mean age 33.8 +/- 6.

Quality of life after laparoscopic and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: a comparison study.

Objectives: To compare the postoperative quality of life (QOL) and reconvalescence in patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) and the open procedure (O-RPLND).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with NSGCT who underwent transperitoneal L-RPLND were matched and compared with 29 patients who underwent O-RPLND. The operative, QOL, and recovery data and complications and cure rates were analyzed for both groups.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Peyronie's disease: an alternative treatment?

Aim: To determine retrospectively the safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with Peyronie's disease.

Methods: Fifty-three patients with stable Peyronie's disease underwent ESWT (group 1). Fifteen patients matched with the baseline characteristic of the patients in group 1, who received no treatment, were used as the control (group 2).

Retroperitoneoscopic versus open surgical radical nephrectomy for large renal cell carcinoma in clinical stage cT2 or cT3a: quality of life, pain and reconvalescence.

Objectives: To determine whether retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy for large renal cell carcinoma in stage cT2 or cT3a is a feasible, safe and effective therapy option and if it shows any advantage regarding quality of life in comparison to open procedure.

Methods: 23 patients who underwent RPNx for tumor size greater than 7 cm (group 1) were matched and compared with 25 patients, who underwent ONx (group 2) for tumor with similar size characteristics. Patient and surgical data, QoL variables and complications were statistically analyzed.