Measuring the quality of life in men with prostate cancer.

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) choose treatments based on known side effects that impact health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2).

Evaluation of three laparoscopic modalities: robotics versus three-dimensional vision laparoscopy versus standard laparoscopy.

Purpose: Standard laparoscopy has undergone many recent advances with the advent of three-dimensional visual systems and robotic surgical systems. In evaluating the usefulness of these new systems, it is difficult to objectively measure their advantages in the operating room. Therefore, we designed a trial using three different laparoscopic modalities to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each modality.

Interstitial laser ablation of the kidney: acute and chronic porcine study using new-generation diffuser tip fiber.

Background And Purpose: Many ablative techniques have been described for treatment of small renal tumors. We investigated interstitial laser ablation (ILA) of porcine kidneys with a new-generation diffuser tip fiber.

Materials And Methods: Six female farm pigs underwent bilateral lower-pole ILA of normal kidneys via a midline approach.

Laparoscopic retrieval of retroperitoneal vas deferens in vasovasostomy for postinguinal herniorrhaphy obstructive azoospermia.

Objective: Iatrogenic injury to the vas deferens is a well-documented complication of inguinal hernia repair. Recently obstruction related to the use of polypropylene mesh for hernia repair has been reported. We describe a case using laparoscopy to mobilize the retroperitoneal vas and deliver it to the healthy vas proximal to the vas trapped in the cicatrix induced by mesh thus allowing a tension-free microsurgical repair.

Digital rectal examination is barrier to population-based prostate cancer screening.

Objectives: To determine whether use of the digital rectal examination (DRE) results in decreased participation in prostate cancer (PCa) screening, which, in turn, would result in lower detection. Population-based PCa screening includes prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement with or without a DRE. PSA and DRE screening provide greater sensitivity than PSA alone; however, the increased participation rate resulting from PSA-alone screening may result in a greater detection rate.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is accepted by many as the standard of care for the majority of adrenal masses less than 8 cm. The question exists whether laparoscopic removal of metastatic lesions to the adrenal is more difficult than laparoscopic removal of primary adrenal lesions.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed at a single institution from 1998 to 2001, comparing laparoscopic adrenalectomies for primary lesions of the adrenal gland versus isolated metastatic lesions to the adrenal gland.

Bladder wall lipoma.

Bladder wall lipoma is a rare finding that includes mature, well-encapsulated fatty tissue within the submucosa of the bladder wall. We present a case of a submucosal bladder wall lipoma that was discovered incidentally during a workup for microhematuria. This lesion was seen during cystoscopy and removed using cold cup biopsy forceps.