Objectives: To examine predictors of enucleation and morcellation time within a large cohort of men undergoing HoLEP for benign prostatic hypertrophy.Methods: Pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative clinical characteristics were available from men treated with HoLEP between 1998 and 2013 at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. Stepwise linear regression was performed to determine clinical variables which are associated with enucleation and morcellation times. Results:We identified 960 patients who underwent HoLEP. Average (range) enucleation time was 65.7 (11-245) minutes and morcellation time was 19.7 (3-260) minutes. History of anticoagulation was associated with a small decrease in enucleation time (p=0.013) while increasing HoLEP specimen weight was associated with increasing enucleation time (p<0.001).History of intermittent catheterization, urinary tract infections, presence of dense prostatic tissue (colloquially referred to as "beach balls"), and increasing specimen weight were associated with increasing morcellation time (p<0.05 each). Having HoLEP performed by a less experienced urologist was associated with longer enucleation and morcellation times. Conclusions:Prostate volume is significantly associated with increased enucleation and morcellation times during HoLEP. Additionally, history of UTI and CIC are associated with modest increases in enucleation and morcellation times. Dense enucleated prostate tissue significantly impacts the ability to morcellate effectively. Increasing surgeon experience can significantly improve both enucleation and morcellation efficiency.3

The current status of onchocerciasis in Abu Hamed, Northern Province, Sudan, was studied. Of 208 persons attending out-patient clinics in villages in this region, 71 were microfilariae-positive on skin snips or had palpable nodules. Microfilariae and worms in nodules were identified as Onchocerca volvulus. No microfilariae were seen in peripheral blood. Most nodules and microfilariae were found in the pelvic region, but the intensity of infection was uniformly low (av. less than 3 mf/mg). Despite this, signs of onchocercal dermatitis were common and severe, especially over the buttocks. Papular eruptions and scarring often appeared to lead to black-grey hyperpigmentation, but no cases were seen of the unilateral, hyper-reactive 'sowda' described in Arabs in Yemen. No microfilariae were detected in the eyes of any of the patients who had positive outer canthus snips. Serum retinol concentrations were normal but mildly elevated concentrations of serum IgG, IgM and IgA were detected in many patients. Immunoglobulin E values in a sample of 20 microfilariae-positive patients were markedly higher than normal, with most in the 4,000 to 15,000 U/ml range. Eosinophil levels in differential counts of peripheral blood from the 208 villagers were markedly elevated. In skin snip surveys of over 400 villagers and school pupils, sample prevalence rates of 2 to 17.5% were recorded. Simulium biting was seasonal (November to May) and peaked in March. Over-all, the results indicate that O. volvulus infection persists in the Abu Hamed region as a serious cause of skin disease in the absence of other complicating filariases.

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Introduction: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a well-established technique for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). With the growing aging population, a considerable percentage of octogenarians (80–90 years old) and nonagenarians (>90 years old) require surgical management for BPH. We aimed to assess the outcomes of HoLEP in those age groups. Methods: We reviewed a maintained database for HoLEP patients in a tertiary center. Patients were assigned to two groups: above (group A) and below (group B) 80 years old. Perioperative outcome and postoperative followup data were compared between both groups. Results: The study included 1090 patients, 201 and 889 in groups A and B, respectively. Median age was 83 and 70 years in groups A and B, respectively. Group A showed longer operative time, longer catheterization time, and higher 30-day emergency room visits and readmission rates. Hemoglobin drop was comparable, although associated with higher rate of blood transfusion in group A. Overall, 30-day postoperative complications were higher in group A (20.8% vs, 9.3%, p= 0.008), although the majority of complications in both groups were grade I and II. The rate of complications over Clavien-Dindo grade II were statistically comparable (3.4% vs. 1.79%, p= 0.133). Followup at six weeks, three months, and one year showed comparable functional outcomes in both groups. Conclusions: HoLEP is a safe and effective option in the geriatric population of octogenarians and even nonagenarians. HoLEP is associated with higher overall complication rate in older age groups; however, most complications were minor.