The retained bladder of a 27-year-old paraplegic woman suffering from recurrent pyocystis was removed laparoscopically. Operative time was 130 minutes. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 days, which was significantly less than that in 5 similar patients undergoing open cystectomy for vesical empyema in whom the mean hospital stay was 20.6 days. We believe that laparoscopic cystectomy represents a plausible, minimally invasive alternative to standard cystectomy for the symptomatic bladder left behind after supravesical urinary diversion.

Testicular torsion in adults was more common in our series than expected. Salvage of the affected testis was better in younger patients, presumably due to less twisting of the cord.

No abstract

Women with severe leakage and previous bladder neck surgery are likely to have urethral dysfunction as demonstrated by Valsalva leak point pressure testing. A significant incidence of low Valsalva leak point pressures in patients without predisposing factors could account for many failures of routine suspension procedures.

To evaluate the role of laparoscopic nephrectomy in the management of benign renal diseases, 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy were compared to 13 undergoing a classical flank nephrectomy. Both groups were similar in regard to patient age and indications for surgery. The underlying pathological conditions included vesicoureteral reflux, tuberculosis, hydronephrosis, hypertension and failed pyeloplasty. Overall, operative time ranged from 105 to 360 minutes (mean 145) for the laparoscopic group and 60 to 240 minutes (mean 156.6) for the open surgery group. Hospital stay and interval to return to regular preoperative activities were 2 to 6 days (mean 3.5) and 10 to 21 days (mean 16) for patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy, which was significantly shorter than for those undergoing a flank procedure, 3 to 16 days (mean 8) and 35 to 84 days (mean 32.3), respectively. Pain medication requirements were also markedly decreased after laparoscopic nephrectomy. Of the patients in the laparoscopic group 2 experienced complications with only 1 requiring conversion to open nephrectomy. The laparoscopic technique is an effective as the flank approach for benign renal conditions, while providing a more rapid recuperation and superior cosmetic result.