Early sacral neuromodulation ameliorates urinary bladder function and structure in complete spinal cord injury minipigs.

Aims: To determine the effects of early sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and pudendal neuromodulation (PNM) on lower urinary tract (LUT) function, minipigs with complete spinal cord injury (cSCI) were analyzed. SNM and PNM have been proposed as therapeutic approaches to improve bladder function, for example after cSCI. However, further evidence on efficacy is required before these methods can become clinical practice.

A new technique for minimal invasive complete spinal cord injury in minipigs.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a minimal invasive complete spinal cord injury (SCI) minipig model for future research applications. The minipig is considered a translationally relevant model for SCI research. However, a standardized minimal invasive complete SCI model for pigs has not yet been established.

Structural Changes of the Urinary Bladder After Chronic Complete Spinal Cord Injury in Minipigs.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the structural changes of the urinary bladder after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in minipigs with the primary focus on the analysis of urinary bladder wall proteins and their quantitative distribution.

Methods: Seven Göttingen minipigs (adult, female) underwent a complete spinal cord transection. Follow-up time was 4 months during which the bladder was drained by frequent single catheterisation and data from the bladder diary and daily urine strip test were collected.

Development of a CT-guided standard approach for tined lead implantation at the sacral nerve root S3 in minipigs for chronic neuromodulation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a controlled approach for sacral neuromodulation (SNM) to improve both nerve targeting and tined lead placement, for which a new computed tomography (CT)-guided implantation technique was analyzed in minipigs.

Materials And Methods: This study included five female, adult Göttingen minipigs. In deep sedoanalgesia, the minipigs were placed in an extended prone position.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Accelerates Regeneration After Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury.

Background: Muscle injuries are among the most common sports-related lesions in athletes; however, optimal treatment remains obscure. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may be a promising approach in this context, because it has gained increasing importance in tissue regeneration in various medical fields.

Hypothesis: ESWT stimulates and accelerates regenerative processes of acute muscle injuries.

Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy and Ileal Neobladder for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer in Combination with One Stage Prophylactic Laparoscopic Sacrospinal Fixation to Avoid Future Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Background: Women who undergo cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder are more likely to have urinary retention and neocystocele mainly because of anatomical reasons than stress urinary incontinence. The risk is even higher in case of neurologic comorbidities, as in case of our patient.

Case Presentation: We present a laparoscopic mesh insertion for sacrospinal colposuspension to prevent a neocystocele and pelvic organ prolapse in combination with laparoscopic radical cystectomy in a female patient suffering from bladder cancer and chronic episodic multiple sclerosis.

New laparoscopic approach to the pudendal nerve for neuromodulation based on an anatomic study.

Aims: The aim was to develop a new laparoscopic technique for placement of a pudendal lead.

Methods: Development of a direct, feasible and reliable minimal-invasive laparoscopic approach to the pudendal nerve (PN). Thirty-one embalmed human specimens were dissected for the relevant anatomic structures of the pelvis.

Laparoscopic placement of a tined lead electrode on the pudendal nerve with urodynamic monitoring of bladder function during electrical stimulation: an acute experimental study in healthy female pigs.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a method for standard laparoscopic access to the pudendal nerve in pigs to implant an electrode for chronic neuromodulation studies.

Methods: Using routine laparoscopic surgical techniques, the pudendal nerve was located in 10 female pigs using standardized anatomical landmarks. A tined lead electrode was placed in parallel to the exposed pudendal nerve, and acute unilateral electrical stimulation was performed consecutively on both pudendal nerves.

Eraser laser enucleation of the prostate: technique and results.

Background: Eraser, a 1318-nm diode laser, has been used for 15 yr for resection of lung metastases. It was recently introduced in urology for small kidney tumors and for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction.

Objective: To demonstrate on video our technique of Eraser laser enucleation of the prostate (ELEP) and report our experience.

Safety and efficacy of Eraser laser enucleation of the prostate: preliminary report.

Purpose: We ascertained the safety and efficacy of the 1,318 nm diode Eraser laser (Rolle and Rolle, Salzburg, Austria) for transurethral enucleation of the prostate. This laser has been successfully used to resect lung metastasis. It cuts and coagulates vascular rich tissue safely and effectively.

A new technique for retrograde flexible ureteroscopy after Cohen cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation.

Purpose: Retrograde ureteral access after cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation can be challenging. We present our experience with retrograde ureteral catheterization and flexible ureteroscopy after Cohen cross-trigonal reimplantation in patients presenting with ureteral stones.

Materials And Methods: Cystoscopy is performed and a Tiemann ureteral catheter is inserted into the involved ureteral orifice.

A novel approach for a complete laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.

Background And Purpose: The dilemma in management of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy (NU) for transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract has delayed the development of a completely minimally invasive approach to NU in cases of TCC. Our aim is to present our technique of a purely laparoscopic nephroureterectomy performed entirely through laparoscopic ports, which mimics established principles of open surgical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision. Precluding the needed for patient repositioning, complex endoscopic procedures either before or after nephrectomy and leaving the bladder cuff defect to heal spontaneously.

Optimizing the approach for lymph node dissection during laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Background: Lymph node dissection (LND) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is one of the integral steps of radical cystectomy. In addition to staging, adequate LND has been found to alter both the prognosis for and the course of the disease after radical cystectomy.

Objective: To point out several essential steps that provide optimal exposure for LND during laparoscopic radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in males: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: There is no sufficiently validated therapy for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

Objective: To investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in 60 patients suffering from CPPS.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Sixty patients suffering from CPPS for at least 3 mo were investigated in two groups.

Complications of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Objectives: To review the current evidence about laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and its complications to define the role of this technique and to demonstrate specific operative modifications developed in a high volume laparoscopy centre.

Methods: The most recent literature was reviewed based on a PubMed search to evaluate the current types and rates of surgical complications following laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Own data and experiences were added.

Significant alterations of serum cytokine levels in patients with Peyronie's disease.

Objective: To determine the expression of the cytokines transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum from patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) compared to healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one consecutive PD patients aged 20 - 74 years were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with symptomatic PD for the first time and had a palpable penile plaque.

Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a feasibility study and the first clinical results.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcome of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

Patients And Methods: The study included 34 patients who had had CPPS for >or=3 months, who were investigated in two subsequent studies. ESWT was administered using a perineal approach with two different standard ESWT devices with and without an ultrasonographic positioning system.