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Biomedical subjects

P Dasgupta

Publications and source records attributed to P Dasgupta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and pyelopyelostomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a duplicated collecting system.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction can be associated with renal anomalies. We present a case of symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction associated with a duplicated collecting system that was successfully treated by laparoscopic pyeloplasty and concomitant pyelopyelostomy. The operative time was 210 minutes, and the blood loss was 20 mL. The inpatient stay was 4.5 days, and the patient returned to work after 28 days. Subsequent renograms confirmed improvement in renal function and resolution of obstruction. After 1 year, the patient remained asymptomatic. This is a feasible minimally invasive procedure for this condition that requires advanced reconstructive and intracorporeal suturing skills.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Robotic assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy -- first experience and the hybrid port technique.

Robot-assisted renal surgery is usually performed transperitoneally due to more available space for excursion of the robotic arms. To our knowledge, we report the first experience with robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy using the Da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and a hybrid port technique. Robotic retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy was performed on two male patients. One 37-year-old patient had a painful non-functioning hydronephrotic left kidney and megaureter; the other aged 76 had a muscle invasive lower left ureteric tumour. Both the procedures were successfully completed with the robot without conversion. Mean operative time was 182.5 min and estimated blood loss 75 ml. Histological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnoses; margins were clear in the patient with tumour. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. We report the technical feasibility of robotic retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy. However, as with all new technology, the benefits need to be further evaluated and proven before this technique can be widely accepted.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology, prescribing patterns and resource use associated with overactive bladder in UK primary care.

This study aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in the UK and analyse the use of anticholinergic/antispasmodic medications and other healthcare resources within UK general practice. Patients with a record of urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, urge incontinence or irritable/unstable bladder between 1987 and 2004 were identified from the General Practice Research Database. Demographic characteristics, referrals, consultations, investigations and prescriptions for medications licensed for use in OAB were identified. Regression analyses were used to identify the factors determining switches between medications, referrals and use of healthcare resources. The overall prevalence of OAB-related symptoms was 3.87 per 1000 persons, with an incidence of 2.79 per 1000 person-years. Among 68,910 patients with OAB symptoms, 19,444 (28.2%) received anticholinergic medication, of whom 14,454 (74.3%) received one drug and 4055 (20.9%) received two medications sequentially. Overall, 59.1% of patients were referred to relevant secondary care specialities, 2.8% underwent urinary tests/investigations in primary care and 0.2% were seen by a continence nurse. Resource use was higher among patients who tried several different medications. In conclusion, this study suggests that OAB may be under-diagnosed in the UK and that current guidelines recommending use of anticholinergic medication, continence nurse consultations and urinary tests/investigations are inadequately followed.

Cholinergic Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

Robotic technology in urology.

Urology has increasingly become a technology-driven specialty. The advent of robotic surgical systems in the past 10 years has led to urologists becoming the world leaders in the use of such technology. In this paper, we review the history and current status of robotic technology in urology. From the earliest uses of robots for transurethral resection of the prostate, to robotic devices for manipulating laparoscopes and to the current crop of master-slave devices for robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, the evolution of robotics in the urology operating theatre is presented. Future possibilities, including the prospects for nanotechnology in urology, are awaited.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic management of cryptorchidism in adults.

OBJECTIVES: Little is reported on the management of impalpable testis in adults. We present the impact of laparoscopy in this patient group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve adult patients have been referred to our centre over the last year, with impalpable testis. Pre-operative assessment was by either ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or both. Quality of life and patient satisfaction were assessed by validated SF8 and client satisfaction (CSQ-8) questionnaires. Patients were also administered a self constructed questionnaire specifically looking at the impact of a laparoscopic service on their condition. RESULTS: The mean age was 29 yrs (range: 19-36). Two patients declined treatment. Of ten patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopy, five had intra-abdominal testes treated by laparoscopic orchidectomy (none malignant), two had the vas going into the deep ring and needed inguinal orchidectomy for an impalpable nubbin while in three cases there were blind ending vessels and vas. SF8 scores for physical HRQoL were unchanged but mental scores were significantly improved (p < 0.03). All patients were completely satisfied with a mean CSQ-8 score of 30.6 out of a possible 32. The majority of patients indicated that the availability of a laparoscopic service had prompted them to seek medical advice. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic examination and orchidectomy is a safe and reliable procedure. Excellent patient satisfaction and quality of life are achievable. In particular mental health scores improve as previous uncertainty is removed. The advent of laparoscopy has encouraged adult patients to seek advice regarding a condition that has been present since childhood. We advocate the use of laparoscopy in evaluating and treating adult patients with maldescended testes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms: a review.

AIMS: To review the available literature on the application of botulinum toxin in the urinary tract, with particular reference to its use in treating detrusor overactivity (DO). METHODS: Botulinum toxin, overactive bladder (OAB), detrusor instability, DO, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and lower urinary tract dysfunction were used on Medline Services as a source of articles for the review process. RESULTS: DO poses a significant burden on patients and their quality of life. Traditionally patients have been treated with anti-cholinergic drugs if symptomatic, however, a significant number find this treatment either ineffective or intolerable due to side effects. Recent developments in this field have instigated new treatment options, including botulinum toxin, for patients' refractory to first line medication. Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous substances known to man, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin injections into the external urethral sphincter to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia has been successfully used for some years but recently its use has expanded to include voiding dysfunction. Intradetrusal injections of botulinum toxin into patients with detrusor overactivity and symptoms of the overactive bladder have resulted in significant increases in mean maximum cystometric capacity and detrusor compliance with a reduction in mean maximum detrusor pressures. Subjective and objective assessments in these patients has shown significant improvements that last for 9-12 months. Repeated injections have had the same sustained benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Application of botulinum toxin in the lower urinary tract has produced promising results in treating lower urinary tract dysfunction, which needs further evaluation with randomised, placebo-controlled trials.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗
PubMed2005

Telementoring facilitates independent hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy is a major advance but a challenging procedure to learn even after laparoscopic training. It requires significant previous training in both laparoscopic and transplant surgery. Telementoring has been shown to reduce the laparoscopic learning curve in other fields. Of six cases of hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) living donor nephrectomy at our institution, an on-site mentor supervised the initial two. We present the subsequent four cases as the first documented examples of telementored HAL live donor nephrectomy. Telelink was established with a Comstation (Zydacron, UK) incorporating a Z360 telementoring codec and four ISDN lines (512 kb/s) with time delay of 500 ms for both audio and video. The remote surgeon in Minnesota (USA) could change independently between the laparoscopic and external views. The operating surgeons were able to look at the mentor and converse with him throughout. There were no adverse events in recipients and graft function was excellent. With regards to the telementored group the mean operative time was 240 minutes, the mean warm ischemic time 189 seconds, the mean estimated blood loss 171 mL, and the mean length of hospital stay 3 days. Telementoring for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is feasible, effective, and likely to aid independent practice by providing continued supervision and reducing the learning period.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Decreased sensory receptors P2X3 and TRPV1 in suburothelial nerve fibers following intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin for human detrusor overactivity.

PURPOSE: Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is effective in the treatment of intractable detrusor overactivity (DO). In addition to its known inhibitory effect on presynaptic release of acetylcholine by motor terminals, there is increasing evidence that BoNT/A may affect sensory fibers. We investigated a possible effect of BoNT/A on human bladder afferent mechanisms by studying the sensory receptors P2X3 and TRPV1 in biopsies from patients with neurogenic or idiopathic DO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 patients (22 with neurogenic DO, 16 with idiopathic DO) with intractable DO were treated with intradetrusor BoNT/A, and bladder biopsies were taken at 4 and 16 weeks. Urodynamics and voiding diary were also recorded. Specimens were studied immunohistochemically for P2X3, TRPV1 and the pan-neuronal marker PGP9.5, in comparison with controls. RESULTS: P2X3-immunoreactive and TRPV1-immunoreactive (-IR) fibers were decreased at 4 weeks after BoNT/A, and more significantly at 16 weeks (paired t test p=0.0004 and p=0.0008, respectively), when significant improvements were observed in clinical and urodynamic parameters. P2X3-IR fiber decrease was significantly correlated with reduction of urgency episodes at 4 and 16 weeks (p=0.0013 at 4 weeks and p=0.02 at 16 weeks), but not maximum cystometric capacity or detrusor pressures. TRPV1-IR fiber decrease showed a similar trend. PGP9.5-IR suburothelial fibers remained unchanged after treatment at both followups (p=0.85 and p=0.21 at 4 and 16 weeks, respectively). Urothelial cell P2X3-IR and TRPV1-IR also appeared unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased levels of sensory receptors P2X3 and/or TRPV1 may contribute to the clinical effect of BoNT/A in detrusor overactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Urine cytology: appropriate usage maximizes sensitivity and reduces cost.

OBJECTIVE: Urine cytology is costly because of the skilled manpower required for analysis. Inappropriate requests are a significant drain both financially and on the cytopathologist's time. The present study aimed at identifying the extent and cause of this misuse and reduce it. METHODS: An audit of urine cytology usage was undertaken using the hospital results reporting system to identify requests. Patient case notes were then obtained to gain further clinical information. Initially a 2-week period was analysed, following which departmental guidelines for requesting urine cytology were produced and circulated. The audit loop was then closed. RESULTS: Over the initial 2-week period, 117 urine cytology requests were received. Thirty-three per cent were inappropriate, either because they were from patients with benign disease or because of duplication. Following the education programme this number fell to 6%. Expenditure on unnecessary samples thus decreased from pounds 2418 to only pounds 310, giving an annual overall saving of pounds 55,000. CONCLUSION: Significant cost and time savings can be made if urine cytology is sent appropriately. Simple guidelines and staff education are the key to reducing inefficiency. Our findings have implications not just for cytopathology costs but for laboratory and radiology requests in general.

Health Care Costs↗
PubMed2005

Volvulus--a rare complication of ileal conduit.

Conduit volvulus is a very rare complication of ileal conduit. To date, only seven surgically confirmed cases have been reported. Conduit volvulus is a potentially reversible cause of renal impairment in patients with urinary diversion. The diagnosis depends on accurate radiological evaluation. The length of the bowel to construct the ileal conduit, closure of defects around the conduit and its mesentery and retroperitonealization of ureteroileal anastomosis are the determining factors for such a complication.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Groin abscess: a vesico-cutaneous fistula to the groin. A rare complication of open prostatectomy.

In developed countries, open prostatectomy for benign disease is now reserved for large prostates. This is not the case in the developing world where Millin's prostatectomy continues to be an important procedure, perhaps due to lack of endoscopic technology and training. We report a case of vesico-cutaneous fistula as a late complication of open prostatectomy presenting as a groin mass. A review of the English language literature shows this to be the first case of its kind.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Eosinophilic cystitis and its management.

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is a rare clinicopathological condition characterized by transmural inflammation of the bladder predominantly with eosinophils, associated with fibrosis with or without muscle necrosis. The cause of EC remains unclear, although it has been associated with various aetiological factors, such as allergy, bladder tumour, bladder trauma, parasitic infections and chemotherapeutic agents. EC is, probably, caused by the antigen-antibody reaction. This leads to the production of various immunoglobulins, which, in turn, cause the activation of eosinophils and initiates the inflammatory process. The most common symptom complex consists of frequency, haematuria, dysuria and suprapubic pain. Cystoscopy and biopsy are the gold standard for diagnosis. Additional laboratory evidence supporting the diagnosis includes proteinuria, microscopic haematuria and peripheral eosinophilia, the last one occurring in few patients. There is no curative treatment for this condition. Current treatment modalities include transurethral resection of the bladder lesion along with non-specific medical therapy, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or steroids. Because the lesion tends to recur in spite of the above therapy, long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy for benign lower ureteric stricture: case study and literature review.

The surgical treatment of distal ureteric strictures depends on their length and aetiology. Laparoscopic procedures in this setting are uncommon. We describe a laparoscopic non-refluxing ureteroneocystostomy for a symptomatic distal ureteric stricture performed on a 26-year-old man. The operation was carried out successfully without complication. Blood loss was 100 ml with an operating time of 250 min. He was discharged on the fourth day and returned to work after 11 days. Retrograde ureterography and cystography after 1 month showed no evidence of obstruction or reflux. At 3 months, an intravenous urogram showed excellent drainage and at 6 months the patient remained asymptomatic. We advocate the use of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy for benign distal ureteric stricture refractory to endoscopic procedures. In symptomatic patients, it is a feasible, safe, minimally invasive procedure with all the added benefits of laparoscopy compared with open repair. A non-refluxing anastomosis is preferable. Reconstructive and intracorporeal suturing skills are needed to carry out this procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Syphilitic scrotal abscess: the great mimic returns.

We present an unusual case of a scrotal abscess. The patient's previous history of syphilis highlights the need for a thorough sexual history especially in light of the current increasing incidence of syphilis in the UK.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic nephrectomy: the new gold standard?

Laparoscopic nephrectomy has lesser blood loss, quicker recovery and return to work, shorter hospital stay, lesser post operative pain and analgesia requirement associated with it compared to open nephrectomy along with having oncological equivalence to open nephrectomy for T1, T2 renal tumours and for level 1 renal vein invasion by tumour thrombus. It has assumed the status of the New Gold Standard.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Follow-up of polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis.

The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous fistula allows vascular access for haemodialysis where a primary fistula or brachio-basilic vein transposition is not possible. We report patency rates and complications associated with these prosthetic grafts. Fifty-nine upper limb PTFE grafts in 48 patients were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 19 months (range 2-54 months). Three grafts (5%) were never used. The primary patency rate at 6 weeks was 90%. Cumulative secondary patency rates were 66% at 6 months, 36% at 12 months, 17% at 18 months, 3% at 24 months and 2% at 30 months. None of the grafts had remained patent at 3 years. Forty-six percent of the grafts studied thrombosed at least once and 32% became infected. Although the initial primary patency rate achieved compares favourably with that reported for brachio-basilic transposition fistulae, this study confirms that the use of prosthetic material is associated with a poor overall patency rate and high risk of complications. All options using autologous vein should be exhausted before considering prosthetic material.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Understanding the global properties of functionally-related gene networks using the gene ontology.

The global behavior of interactions between genes can be investigated by forming the network of functionally-related genes using the annotations based on the Gene Ontology. We define two genes to be connected when the pair of genes is involved in the same biological process. There has been other work on the analysis of different kinds of cellular and metabolic networks, such as gene coexpression network, in which genes are paired when they are found to be coexpressed in the microarray experiments. We observe that our functionally-related gene networks among humans, fruit flies, worms and yeast exhibit the small-world property, but all except the network of worms show the existence of the scale-free property.

Animals↗