Predictive factors that could possibly affect the cure and complication rates of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were investigated. Seventy-five consecutive patients with urodynamically proven SUI and who had undergone a TVT operation were evaluated according to a follow-up protocol. Median age was 51.2 (33-69). Thirteen (17%) of the patients had had previous anti-incontinence surgery. Sixteen (21%) patients had complained of pure stress and 59 (79%) of mixed incontinence. Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) values had been found to be below 60 cmH(2)O in 36 (48%) and over 60 cmH(2)O in 39 (52%) patients, while detrusor overactivity (DO) had been detected in six (8%) patients during urodynamic evaluation. Local, general, and epidural anesthesia had been performed in 43 (57%), 29 (39%), and three (4%) patients, respectively. Univariate analyses were done using Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests. Multivariate analyses were done using logistic regression test to determine predictive factors affecting cure and complication rates. Mean surgical and hospitalization times were 34.7 min (20-70) and 1.2 days (1-5), respectively. Mean follow-up was 21.6 months (6-38). Cure and improvement rates were 89 and 8%, respectively. Thirty-one complications were observed in 27 (36%) patients. Intraoperative bladder perforation and bleeding occurred in three (4%) and two (3%) patients, respectively. Sixty-six (88%) patients voided spontaneously after TVT while nine (12%) performed clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for a period of time. Seven of nine patients regained the spontaneous voiding ability within 1 month. The tape was cut in two of these retentive patients and one with severe storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) either unilaterally or bilaterally. On univariate (Fisher's exact test, p =0.018), and multivariate (Logistic regression, p =0.013) analyses, patient age was the only statistically significant parameter affecting the cure rate, which was significantly lower particularly over 55 years of age. No significant factor predicting the complications was detected. TVT is an effective and safe surgical procedure in the treatment of SUI. In this study age was the only significant predictive factor affecting the cure rate while no significant factor predicting the complications was detected. Cure rate was significantly lower in patients over 55 years of age.

Ethanol and STDS are simple, noninvasive, cost-effective, and well-tolerated sclerosants for the treatment of simple renal cysts. We prefer STDS as a first choice because it causes less pain.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare form of chronic pyelonephritis. With the review of the literature, we reported two cases of XPN with psoas muscle abscesses caused by Staphylococci aereus in one of the patient and Serratia mascerentes in the other. Both of the patients had renal calculus. We performed nephrectomy with psoas abscess drainage and started appropriate antibiotics, but one of the patients died of septic shock. Other patient is free of symptoms at the end of 5 years follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with ultrasonography-guided renal access in the flank position without the use of fluoroscopy in any stage of the procedure. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed in flank position under the guidance of ultrasound (USG) without the use of fluoroscopy between December 2008 and January 2010 on 43 patients who had kidney stones bigger than 20 mm. Access to the kidney's proper calyx was achieved by dilatation through the guide wire placed after insertion of the needle through the needle director under the guidance of transrectal ultrasound probe placed on the patient's flank area. A convex USG probe was used for imaging during dilatation and lithotripsy instead of fluoroscopy. Access to the targeted calyx was achieved successfully in all patients (100%). The percentage stone free rate was 86.1% (37 patients). Residual stones were detected in six patients. Their dimensions ranged from 5 to 12 mm. The mean stone diameter was 29 (20-41) mm, duration of surgery was 87.1 ± 43.2 (55-210) min and duration of hospital stay was 3.1 (2-8) days. Blood transfusions were given to two patients; none of the patients had major intraoperative or postoperative complications. In comparison with standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy in flank position under ultrasonographic imaging instead of using fluoroscopy seems to be safe and effective. This procedure has to be limited to selected cases with one or maximum two big stones in the pelvis or in a single calyx in absence of complex intrarenal anatomy. Both surgical team and the patients were protected from the harmful effects of radiation. Regarding anesthesia, flank position is more comfortable for the patient than prone position.

Primary pure small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder is a rare condition. It is an aggressive tumor with an average five-year survival rate of less than 10% as cited by multiple case reports. We report a 48 year-old male patient with primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder who was treated with TUR-T, adjuvant carboplatin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient is free of disease at the end of 30 months with a normally functioning bladder.