Computed tomography-determined stone-free rates for ureteroscopy of upper-tract stones.

Background And Purpose: Most series on ureteroscopy for urolithiasis use postoperative plain radiography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder (KUB) or intravenous urography (IVU) to determine outcomes. These imaging modalities, however, are not very sensitive and may overestimate stone-free rates (SFRs). The aim of our study was to assess SFRs after ureteroscopy for urolithiasis using CT follow-up.

The effect of patient arrival time on overall wait time and utilization of physician and examination room resources in the outpatient urology clinic.

Introduction and objective. We examined patient waiting times, physician utilization, and exam room utilization in order to identify process improvements that may improve patient satisfaction. Methods.

Complications following urethral reconstructive surgery: a six year experience.

Purpose: We present a single institutional experience over 6 years of intra and postoperative complications following urethral reconstructive surgery, and the impact of these complications on overall results.

Materials And Methods: From June 2000 through May 2006, 153 consecutive urethral reconstructive procedures were performed on 128 patients by one surgeon (CMG). Complication rates were determined, and subgroups were categorized based on stricture etiology, patient age, length of stricture, location of stricture, type of repair, and presence of various co-morbid conditions.

Metastatic Crohn's of the genitalia in a child.

The pediatric urological involvement of Crohn's disease is not widely appreciated. We report a case of prolonged genital edema in a child with Crohn's disease who presented with genital edema prior to the diagnosis of Crohn's.

Pathologic outcomes during the learning curve for robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Objective: We report our initial experience with 62 patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), focusing on the primary parameter of positive surgical margins. The authors demonstrate that excellent oncologic outcomes can be attained with a less steep learning curve than previously hypothesized.

Materials And Methods: The first 62 patients undergoing RALP by a single physician (DPD) at our institution between November 2005 and August 2007 were retrospectively assessed.

Characteristics of prostate cancer detected by digital rectal examination only.

Objectives: To examine clinical and pathologic features and postoperative survival outcomes of men with prostate cancer detected by digital rectal examination (DRE) alone, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level alone, or abnormalities in both.

Methods: From 1989 to 2001, approximately 36,000 men participated in a prostate cancer screening study. We recommended biopsy for a PSA level greater than 4.

Predictors of metastatic disease in men with biochemical failure following radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: We determined clinical and pathological predictors of positive bone scans and computerized tomography (CT) in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients treated with RP at West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center was performed to identify men with biochemical recurrence. All postoperative bone scans and pelvic CT following recurrence and prior to the initiation of hormone ablation therapy were reviewed.