Although SWL is the preferred treatment option for patients with medium-sized (10-20 mm) renal stones, endourologic methods also have been found to have a significant role. Relatively lower complication rates along with higher stone-free status observed with the RIRS technique compared with percutaneous approaches have made this method a valuable option in the management of such stones in recent years.

To determine the possible predictive value of certain acute phase reactants CRP and ESR as well as radiologic parameters on the degree of impaction in ureteral stones. A total of 80 adult patients with a single opaque proximal ureteral stone were evaluated. A non-contrast CT was performed in all cases and all possible radiologic predictive parameters calculated. Additionally, to outline the degree of impaction at the stone site, two serum acute phase reactants namely CRP and ESR levels were also assessed. Patients were divided into two groups as follows; Group 1 (n:42) patients with normal CRP levels and Group 2 (n:38) patients with elevated levels of CRP. The data obtained in the subgroups were first comparatively evaluated with radiological parameters and the possible correlation between CRP values and these parameters was well evaluated. While the serum CRP levels were normal in 42 cases, they were elevated in 38 cases. Evaluation of the data from CRP subgroups and radiologic parameters showed that elevated levels of serum CRP were closely related with mean values of ureteral wall thickness (UWT) as well as mean level of hydronephrosis with a statistically significant difference. Additionally, a correlation analysis between serum CRP levels and all other parameters mentioned above demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between UWT, degree of hydronephrosis and serum ESR values. Evaluation of serum CRP and ESR values could let us to predict the UWT, a parameter which is closely related with the degree of stone impaction.

Our findings indicated that MET for ureteral calculi during watchful waiting period could increase the HRQOL scores by lowering the number of both renal colic attacks and ED visits resulting in decreased analgesic need.

Purpose: Evaluate the results of urinary continence on patients who had undergone radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) for clinically localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods:We analyzed the continence data of 120 patients with pathology of cT1-cT2N0M0 prostate cancer and who had undergone RPP. Continence was assessed on the day of catheter removal, at the end of the first and third month, and the first year postoperatively. The patients who were continent immediately after catheter removal were classified in the group of "immediately continent" while the patients who became continent during the 3 postoperative months were classified as "early continent." Results: Mean duration of catheterization was 10 (10-25) days. Of 120 patients, 44 (36.7%) were immediately continent. At the end of the first and third months, 65 (54.1%) and 87 (72.5%), respectively, were early continent. At the one-year follow-up, 95.3% of 107 cases whose one-year follow-up data were available were continent. When the relationship between patients' age and continence was analyzed, it was found that the early continence rates were 77.7% (7/9), 73.3% (33/45), 73.4% (36/49), and 64.7% (11/17) in the groups of ≤ 49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥ 70 years, respectively (p = 0.68). Conclusions: The majority of patients who underwent RPP rapidly regained continence within 3 months. RPP is an exceptional alternative approach for radical surgery in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to evaluate the anorectal functions of prostate cancer patients who have undergone radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) or radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) surgery.Material and methodsThirty-seven patients with an indication for radical prostatectomy were included after informed consent. Anorectal manometry was performed before and one month after the surgery in 22 RPP and 15 RRP patients in our clinic. Clinical assessment was evaluated by anorectal functions with anal incontinence scoring (AIS) (Fernandez; no incontinence = 0; maximal incontinence = 12). Patients with a history of anorectal surgery were excluded from the study. The following data were recorded: external anal sphincteric pressure (EASP), internal anal sphincteric pressure (IASP), minimum ano-rectal reflex volume (MARRV) and minimum rectal sensory volume (MRSV).ResultsIn the RPP and RRP groups, the mean age was 66 (56-75) and 64.3 (52-73) years, respectively. In the RPP group, EASP and IASP values showed a significant decrease after the surgery. In the RRP group, EASP and IASP were also decreased after the surgery, but without statistical significance. No significant change was seen in MARRV and MRSV of either group. When the scores of AIS were analysed, no significant clinical difference between pre- or post-operative scores was seen in RPP and RRP groups.ConclusionsPerineal or retropubic surgery may injure pelvic floor muscles and/or supplying nerves, which likely causes anorectal dysfunction. Although there is a significant decrease in early postoperative EASP and IASP after RPP, it has no clinical significance according to AIS.