Flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS): technique and results.

Objectives: This paper has two main objectives: First, to expose the URS technique used in our Department because there are important differences with respect to others centres published, explaining same aspect that can benefit to the better development of the technique. Second, we present the results of a series of 100 cases. Flexible ureterorenoscopy (Flex URS) has been little used to date, mainly because of the technical difficulties created by the deficient quality of the instruments used, such as ureteroscopes offering scant visibility, poor illumination, a small working channel, deficient quality of the forceps and baskets, etc.

[Paraurethral adjustable continence therapy device (Pro-ACT) in the treatment of urinary incontinence after prostatic surgery].

Objectives: Prostate cancer early detection campaigns have led to the diagnosis of a greater number of patients with organ-confined disease candidates for intention-to-cure treatment. Radical prostatectomy is one of these treatments; despite the technical advances with the development of laparoscopic or robotic operations it still has urine incontinence as a side effect affecting patient's quality of life.

Methods/results: Based on the experience in the Urology Department at Hospital La Paz we describe the technique and our results, comparing with a bibliographic review of other techniques used for the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy from the Medline database.

[Prostatic specific antigen (PS), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and prostatic pathology (benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer). Relationship with malignancy].

Objectives: Cancer is a complex process in which cytokines play an important role. Cytokines are low-molecular weight soluble proteins involved in cellular transmission signals and several disorders. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6) are involved in prostate cancer development.

[Pheochromocytoma: laparoscopic treatment].

Objective: We report this clinical case not only for the laparoscopic approach of a pheochromocytoma but also because of its particular aggressiveness and oddity of its clinical presentation.

Methods: 44 years old male presenting with oppressive chest pain with accompanying vegetative symptoms, who was diagnosed of right adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Results: After the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was established and double adrenergic blockage implemented, transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery was performed.

[Paraurethral ballon implantation in the treatment of male urinary incontinence. La Paz University Hospital experience].

Objectives: We want to show our experience with paraurethral balloon implantation in the treatment of male urinary incontinence.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our series from March 2003 to March 2007, including 69 male patients with urinary incontinence, most of them after radical prostatectomy.

Results: 6 patients did not have their first follow-up visit after surgery.

Multi-institutional study of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in prostate cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: The true incidence of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is unknown. Our aim was to determine the incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE and the risk factors for these complications.

Methods: Fourteen surgeons from 13 referral institutions from both Europe and the United States provided retrospective data for all 5951 patients treated with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), with or without robotic assistance, since the start of their institution's experience.

[Bladder neurofibroma: case report and bibliographic review].

Objective: The prevalence of the disease is 1/3000 newborns; it is more frequent in men than in women with a 3:1 ratio in all races. Genitourinary tract neurofibromas usually arise from the pelvic and bladder nerves, and the prostatic plexus. Bladder is the most frequently affected organ of the urinary tract; bladder neurofibromatosis may present as a diffuse infiltrative process or an isolated neurofibroma.

Molecular biology in prostate cancer.

Genes involved in cancer generation are usually tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Progressive genetic alterations in these genes are involved in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis. In prostate cancer, additionally several chromosomal loci that should harbor mutated genes have been proposed.

[Ureteroenteric strictures: endourological treatment].

Objectives: To review the outcomes of the ureteroenteric strictures treated by endourological techniques in our department, and to compare our long-term results with other reported series with similar follow-up and number of patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 ureteroenteric strictures treated from March 1994 to June 2003, with a mean follow-up of 30.2 months (1 day-53 months).