PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Ofer Z Shenfeld

Publications and source records attributed to Ofer Z Shenfeld.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Thrombocytosis accompanying urinary tract infection suggests obstruction or abscess.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive thrombocytosis can be found in patients with different types of infections, including upper urinary tract infection (UTI). In this study, we determined whether thrombocytosis in patients with upper UTI is a random phenomenon or is related to complications associated with the UTI. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of patients admitted to the urology department with a diagnosis of upper UTI and thrombocytosis (platelet count >500 x 10(9)/L) in the years 1991 to 2003 (study group). Patients admitted to the urology department in the year 2003 with a diagnosis of upper UTI without thrombocytosis served as the control group. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 83 patients admitted to the urology department with a diagnosis of upper UTI and thrombocytosis (mean platelet count, 593 x 10(9)/L; SD, 88; range, 501-949). The control group consisted of 99 patients. An obstructed kidney was found in 54 patients (65%) of the study group and in 18 patients (18%) of the control group (P < .00001). Perinephric abscess was found in 7 patients (8%) in the study group compared with none in the control group (P < .003). The positive predictive value of thrombocytosis for kidney obstruction or abscess in patients with upper UTI was 71%. Nephrectomy of a nonfunctioning infected kidney was required in 6 patients of the study group (7%) and 2 of the control group (P = .14). In 26 patients (31%) of the study group, the finding of thrombocytosis preceded the diagnosis of the complication (by a median period of 3 days). In these patients, thrombocytosis was essentially an early marker for the complication. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytosis in a patient with upper UTI is not a random phenomenon. It is a marker of kidney obstruction or perinephric abscess. The finding of thrombocytosis in a patient with upper UTI should alert the attending physician to actively search for these complications. Cross-sectional imaging study (abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography) should be performed.

Abscess↗
PubMed2006

Postoperative thrombocytosis as a marker for complications after urologic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether thrombocytosis after urologic surgery is a random phenomenon or if it is related to postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated the postoperative course of patients who had a normal platelet count before surgery and developed significant thrombocytosis (platelet count> 500 x 10(9)/l) after surgery during the years 1991-2003. The rate of postoperative complications was compared among patients who did and did not develop thrombocytosis for the three commonest surgical procedures associated with the condition (radical cystectomy, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and nephrectomy). RESULTS: A total of 179 patients developed thrombocytosis (mean+/-SD platelet count 580+/-105 x 10(9)/l; range 501-1,390 x 10(9)/l) after a mean of 13.6 days (SD 14.7 days) following surgery. In 90% of these patients, postoperative complications were diagnosed. The most frequent complications were as follows: urosepsis, n = 49 (27%); hemorrhage, n = 37 (21%); and thromboembolism, n = 15 (8.4%). These complications were diagnosed by means of clinical examination in 114 cases (64%), CT in 31 (17%), Doppler ultrasound in seven (4%) and other diagnostic modalities in nine. In 18 patients (10%), no apparent complication was diagnosed. The rate of postoperative complications was significantly higher among patients who developed thrombocytosis after surgery compared to those who did not (p < 0.00001). In 63 patients (35%), the finding of thrombocytosis preceded the diagnosis of the complication (by a median period of 5 days). In these patients, thrombocytosis was essentially an early marker for the impending complication. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative thrombocytosis is not a random phenomenon. It is a serious sign that should not be ignored. Septic and thromboembolic complications should be actively sought by means of thorough clinical evaluation. CT of the abdomen should be considered in appropriate clinical settings. The timing of thrombocytosis and the pathologic spectrum of diseases demonstrated by patients with it justify classifying it as a marker of the subacute phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Do atherosclerosis and chronic bladder ischemia really play a role in detrusor dysfunction of old age?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether atherosclerosis-induced chronic pelvic ischemia plays a role in the pathogenesis of aging bladder dysfunction. METHODS: Old (70 weeks of age), apolipoprotein E gene knockout (APOEKO) mice, known to develop atherosclerosis spontaneously were used. A group of 70-week-old C57B mice were used as controls. The mice were killed and bladder smooth muscle strips obtained for in vitro contractile force determinations. The maximal contractions in response to 110 mM KCl, 10(-5) M bethanechol, and resting muscle tone were compared. The abdominal aortas and iliac arteries were harvested from the mice, and computerized image analysis was used to determine the percentage of surface area of atherosclerosis in each mouse. RESULTS: Although the APOEKO mice had massive atherosclerosis of the abdominal aortas and iliac arteries (lesion surface area +/- SEM 15.93% +/- 3.02%, n = 4), the control mice (n = 5) had no atherosclerosis at all. No statistically significant difference was found in detrusor function (KCl 0.48 +/- 0.11 versus 0.49 +/- 0.05, bethanechol 0.11 +/- 0.02 versus 0.13 +/- 0.04, tone 0.063 +/- 0.019 versus 0.07 +/- 0.004, respectively) between the APOEKO mice (n = 6) and the control mice (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic atherosclerosis caused no statistically significant changes in bladder smooth muscle contractile responses to bethanechol, KCl, or resting tone. The difference between these and previously reported results may have been a result of the more gradual onset of atherosclerosis in our model, which better mimics pelvic organ ischemia in the elderly.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Anastomotic urethroplasty for failed previously treated membranous urethral rupture.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether delayed excision and primary anastomosis is appropriate after failed previous therapeutic attempts for post-traumatic membranous urethral strictures. Delayed excision and primary anastomosis is widely accepted as the first-line treatment of post-traumatic membranous urethral strictures. METHODS: A review of the medical records identified 13 patients who had undergone anastomotic urethroplasty as a second procedure for traumatic membranous urethral strictures. The previous treatments in these patients included anastomotic urethroplasty in four, staged urethroplasty in four, and endoscopic urethrotomy or primary catheter realignment in five. The mean stricture length was 2.8 cm. All patients underwent excision and primary bulboprostatic anastomosis using the perineal approach. RESULTS: Four patients required partial pubectomy and one required corporal rerouting to achieve anastomosis. The mean follow-up was 27 months. Urethrography performed 1 month postoperatively demonstrated a widely patent anastomosis in all cases. Flexible urethroscopy performed 1 year after surgery revealed a widely patent anastomosis with normal urethral mucosa in all patients but one. The mean maximal flow rate at the last follow-up visit was 23.5 mL/s compared with 3.9 mL/s preoperatively. No statistically significant postvoid residual urine volume was found in any patient. One patient developed an anastomotic stricture 3 months after surgery that was treated successfully by internal urethrotomy. Thus, the objective success rate was 92%. Subjectively, all patients but one reported satisfactory voiding. Complications were mild and included urinary tract infection, bladder stone formation, and decreased erectile function in 1 patient each. CONCLUSIONS: Even in patients with failed previous surgical attempts, excision and primary anastomosis is feasible and provides good surgical results in post-traumatic posterior urethral strictures. The complications were mild and easily treated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for infected, obstructed and non-functioning kidneys.

Since laparoscopic nephrectomy was introduced by Clayman et al, it has been doubted whether it should be employed in patients with extensive perirenal fibrosis. In this series, 20 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for obstructed, infected, non-functioning kidneys. Preoperative assessment included urine cultures, abdominal sonography, intravenous pyelography, computerized tomography and a renal scan. Laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed using either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal approach.Patients' mean age was 52 years (range 20-77, SD = 15.2). Three patients underwent previous open surgery on the same kidney and 15 had percutaneous nephrostomies. The etiology of obstruction was stone disease in 15 cases, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (3), iatrogenic ureteral injury (1), and infected multicystic kidney (1). Mean operative time was 224 minutes (range 140-325, SD = 57). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in one patient due to splenic injury. Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 2-6, SD = 1). Laparoscopic nephrectomy was feasible in cases of severe perirenal fibrosis, with an acceptable rate of complications, and may be considered in patients with obstructed, infected, and non-functioning kidneys.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Outcome analysis of tunica vaginalis flap for the correction of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistula in children.

PURPOSE: Urethrocutaneous fistula is the most common (2% to 10%) complication of hypospadias surgery. The correction of such fistula is associated with a 10% to 40% failure rate. The key measure to ensure a successful repair is separation of the suture lines in the urethra and skin, using well vascularized elastic tissue. If the dartos fascia is unavailable and local penile skin is fibrotic as a result of previous operations, a tunica vaginalis flap may be considered. We report our experience with tunica vaginalis flap as an adjunct to fistula repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used tunica vaginalis flap for the repair of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistulas in 14 children with a mean age of 7.6 years (range 3 to 15). All patients had undergone previous hypospadias repairs and previous attempts to close the fistula had failed. The mean number of fistulas per patient was 1.6 (range 1 to 4), and the locations were perineal (1), penoscrotal (3), midshaft (10), and subcoronal (8). The mean number of failed previous closures with local penile skin flaps was 2.4 (range 1 to 5). Surgery was initiated by injecting povidone solution via the urethral meatus to identify all fistulas. Calibration or cystoscopy excluded distal urethral strictures. Surgery was performed using a microscope and fistulas were closed primarily in 12 patients and with an onlay island flap in 2. The urethral suture line was covered with a flap of tunica vaginalis, which was harvested through a small scrotal incision and mobilized via a subcutaneous tunnel into the penis. The testis was then fixed to the scrotum. A urethral stent with or without suprapubic catheter drainage provided urinary diversion for 2 to 7 days. RESULTS: The repair was successful in all patients. During a mean followup of 44 months (range 8 to 60) there was no evidence of recurrent fistulas or urethral strictures. Penile cosmesis was excellent, and all parents reported a straight penis when erected. No postoperative complications were encountered in the testicles. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistulas with a tunica vaginalis flap is highly effective regardless of fistula location. This flap is easy to mobilize and provides excellent coverage of the urethral suture line. It is a simple procedure with no complications to the testicles.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Lateral decubitus position for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in the morbidly obese or kyphotic patient.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Morbidly obese or debilitated patients do not tolerate the prone position used for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) well and may suffer from severe cardiorespiratory compromise in this position. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a simple way to overcome this difficulty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two morbidly obese patients, ages 48 and 32 years, with Body Mass Indices of 47.5 and 43.2 and a 68-year old patient severely debilitated by multiple cerebral infarctions, ischemic heart disease, and kyphosis suffered from relatively high renal stone burdens. For PCNL, the patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position. To obtain an anteroposterior projection in this position, the C-arm fluoroscopy unit was tilted to one side and the operating table to the other. Tract dilation, stone fragmentation, and fragment extraction were performed with the patient in this position. RESULTS: An attempt to perform PCNL in the prone position in the first patient was aborted because of severe hypoxemia and hypercarbia. In the lateral decubitus position, the procedures were easily performed in all patients without any complications. It was noted that by rotating the C-arm to a perpendicular position, it was possible to perform nephroscopy and use fluoroscopy simultaneously. CONCLUSION: We highly recommend using the lateral position for PCNL in morbidly obese patients and in patients suffering from kyphosis. This position is safe and convenient.

Adult↗