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Biomedical subjects

R Gillitzer

Publications and source records attributed to R Gillitzer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Urethroplasty and simultaneous perineal prostatectomy after traumatic urethral disruption and carcinoma of the prostate].

We present a case of post-traumatic posterior urethral stricture and localized prostate cancer, which could be treated successfully with simultaneous radical perineal prostatectomy and membranous urethral stricture excision. After 6 months follow-up, the patient is continent with no evidence of stricture recurrence. Post-traumatic posterior urethral strictures can be managed surgically through a perineal approach with high success rates. Prostate surgery after pelvic fracture with posterior urethral distraction defects does not necessarily lead to stress urinary incontinence.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Pudendal nerve branch injury during radical perineal prostatectomy.

We report the first case of direct surgical injury to a pudendal nerve branch during radical perineal prostatectomy. A 65-year-old patient presented with typical symptoms of a pudendal nerve lesion after radical perineal prostatectomy. As the patient did not respond to conservative treatment, surgical exploration and exeresis of the injured sensory branch of the pudendal nerve was necessary, resulting in pain improvement. Urologic surgeons should be aware of the typical symptoms after iatrogenic injury to the pudendal nerve or its branches. Early diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention are important to obtain a more favorable outcome.

Aged↗

[Drug therapy of female urinary incontinence].

Drug treatment for female urinary incontinence requires a thorough knowledge of the differential diagnosis and pathophysiology of incontinence as well as of the pharmacological agents employed. Pharmacotherapy has to be tailored to suit the incontinence subtype and should be carefully balanced according to efficacy and side effects of the drug. Women with urge incontinence require treatment that relaxes or desensitizes the bladder (antimuscarinics, estrogens, alpha-blockers, beta-mimetics, botulinum toxin A, resiniferatoxin, vinpocetine), whereas patients with stress incontinence need stimulation and strengthening of the pelvic floor and external sphincter (alpha-mimetics, estrogens, duloxetine). Females with overflow incontinence need reduction of outflow resistance (baclofen, alpha-blockers, intrasphincteric botulinum toxin A) and/or improvement of bladder contractility (parasympathomimetics). If nocturia or nocturnal incontinence are the major complaints, control of diuresis is obtained by administration of the ADH analogue desmopressin. Future developments will help to further optimize the pharmacological therapy for female urinary incontinence.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

[Changes in the receptor profile of the aging bladder].

Future demographic developments will challenge urology with a steadily increasing incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) derived from the aging bladder. Obstruction, instability and hypocontractility, which may be caused by changes in the receptor profile of the detrusor, are typical pathophysiologic findings in geriatric bladder dysfunction. Benign prostatic hyperplasia and diabetes mellitus are age-associated comorbidities with an additional influence on bladder receptors. Muscarinic (M(2), M(3)), purinergic (P2X, P2Y) and adrenergic receptors (alpha(1), beta(3)) are targets of efferent sympathetic and parasympathetic bladder innervation. Although the results from animal experiments are somewhat inconsistent, aging and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) probably cause partial cholinergic denervation of the detrusor with a subsequent upregulation of muscarinic receptor sensitivity leading to bladder instability. The non-cholinergic (atropine-resistant) component of the detrusor contraction rises with aging and BOO to 50%, emphasizing the increasing impact of purinergic receptors in geriatric LUTS. alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors are modulated in the aging bladder by a shift from the predominant alpha(1a) subtype to the alpha(1d) subtype, which shows 100-fold higher affinity towards norepinephrine and increases alpha-adrenergic bladder susceptibility. No data are available on the changes in beta(3) receptor density or sensitivity with aging. Moreover, the role of sensory C-fiber receptors in geriatric LUTS remains completely unclear, although specific C-fiber blockers are already under clinical evaluation (capsaicin, resiniferatoxin).

Aged↗

Complete gangrene of penis in patient with arterial vascular disease.

We present a clinical case of distal penile gangrene in a patient with peripheral vaso-occlusive disease that did not correlate with the extension of the intraoperative finding and required total penectomy. Surgical intervention at the onset of wet gangrene avoids the complication of sepsis.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗

Treatment of recalcitrant pustular psoriasis with infliximab: effective reduction of chemokine expression.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is thought to play a major role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Good clinical responses of psoriasis to anti-TNF-alpha-based therapies have recently been demonstrated. We studied the effect of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha, on chemokine expression in pustular psoriasis. A 61-year-old man with a 2-year history of severe pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch type who did not respond to conventional therapies responded rapidly to treatment with infliximab. The clinical response was reflected by an immediate and effective reduction of the neutrophil-attractant chemokines interleukin (IL)-8 and growth-related oncogene (Gro)-alpha as well as of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, as determined by mRNA in situ hybridization of lesional skin. No expression before or after treatment was seen for monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma (MIG) and IFN-inducible protein (IP)-10. Thus, in pustular psoriasis the chemokine expression pattern is dominated by neutrophil-attractant chemokines and MCP-1 while, in contrast to plaque psoriasis, IFN-gamma-inducible lymphocyte-attractant chemokines such as IP-10 and MIG are not abundant. We conclude that anti-TNF-alpha treatment with infliximab is an effective therapy in severe pustular psoriasis which is reflected by downregulation of disease-promoting chemokines such as IL-8, Gro-alpha and MCP-1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Epidemiology and etiology of overactive bladder].

Bladder overactivity (OAB) is a common disease with a socioeconomic impact comparable to diabetes mellitus. As life expectancy rises in industrialized countries the importance of OAB will further increase. The International Continence Society (ICS) recently reported a modified terminology for lower urinary tract function and established the symptom-based term OAB. The etiology of OAB comprises neurogenic and non-neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity as well as detrusor hypersensitivity. Neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity may be caused by insufficient cortical inhibition, degenerative neuropathies, and spinal cord lesions, whereas bladder aging, bladder outlet obstruction, and chronic bladder irritation (UTI, stones, tumors) are possible causes for non-neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity. Since most epidemiologic surveys focus on urge incontinence without considering urgency frequency without incontinence, epidemiologic data concerning OAB are rare. Two recently published multinational prevalence studies from Europe and Asia show different prevalence values [Europe: 15.6% (men), 17.4% (women); Asia: 53.1%(women)], which may be due to methodological differences. Both studies report an increase of OAB prevalence corresponding with age. The cumulative incidence of OAB is rising faster in aging males than in aging females. Two-thirds of the European and one-fourth of the Asian individuals affected by OAB complained about impaired quality of life, but only 60% of the European and 21% of the Asian sufferers have talked to a doctor or sought treatment. One out of four patients visiting their health care professional for OAB symptoms is currently under medication. To avoid high treatment costs and side effects, pharmacotherapy (e.g., antimuscarinics) should only be given after detailed diagnostic evaluation.

Adolescent↗

[Diabetes mellitus and bladder function. What should be considered?].

Increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and rising patient life expectancy are causing an accumulation of urologic late complications-despite or due to steadily improving medical health care. The prevalence of diabetic cystopathy (impaired bladder sensation, increased bladder capacity, sometimes accompanied by voiding difficulties and residual urine) is 25% in non-insulin-dependent diabetics and 48% in insulin-dependent diabetics. Autonomic and peripheral neuropathy lead to detrusor hyposensitivity, and chronic overstretching of the bladder causes myogenic detrusor hypocontractility. Since diabetic cystopathy often develops insidiously and asymptomatically, prevention of secondary complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections, vesicorenal reflux, nephrolithiasis, and pyelonephritis requires the urologist's full attention as well as early and repeated urodynamic diagnostics. Comorbidities can lead to a variety of urodynamic findings. Therapeutic options are generally conservative (timed voiding, micturition training, CIC, pharmacotherapy) and should be part of an integrated interdisciplinary health care approach since undiscovered complications involving non-urologic organ systems create a higher long-term socioeconomic burden than preventive support provided by other specialists.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Technical advances in radical retropubic prostatectomy techniques for avoiding complications. Part I: apical dissection.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy is currently the most widely used surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer. This once cumbersome procedure has developed technically over the last 20 years, reducing dramatically the associated complications and morbidity, e.g. blood loss, incontinence and impotence. Currently the operation is safe and is the best choice for eradicating localized disease, with little loss in quality of life. However, differences in reported outcomes indicate that there is still a need for standardization and continued efforts for surgical excellence. This review focuses on the crucial steps of the procedure, in two parts: the first covers apical dissection and the second the steps related to vesico-urethral anastomosis and the nerve-sparing procedure. This evaluation of the technical modifications aims to offer a choice, to vary the procedure according to the individual situation and thus improve the results. Current trends in surgical technique are also presented.

Dissection↗

Perineal complications following radical perineal prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Radical perineal prostatectomy has recently attracted renewed interest and wider acceptance as an alternative route to the retropubic approach. While presumed lower morbidity is one reason for perineal prostatectomy we evaluated our patients for complications that are specific for the perineal approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed 412 patients who underwent perineal prostatectomy from 10/1996 to 12/2000. Patients for the perineal approach were selected on the base of preoperative PSA (10 ng/ml) and biopsy Gleason score (< 7) without the need for simultaneous lymphadenectomy. A cystogram was performed routinely on day 7 p. o. and the catheter removed when patent anastomosis was confirmed. Intra-, peri- and postoperative complications were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications encompassed 22 cases of rectal injury (5.5 %) with standard primary 2-layer closure, however 4 patients subsequently developed a stool fistula and 3 required a colostomy. Hematoma in the prostatic fossa was diagnosed in 21 patients (5.2 %) and was removed surgically due to infection or increasing size in 4 patients. In 6.5 % of the patients acute urinary retention occurred after catheter removal (91 % after 7 days), while 4.2 % showed urinary extravasation via the perineal wound. Both incidents healed uneventfully with prolonged catheterization in all except 2 cases with concomitant hematoma in whom open fistula closure with a tunica vaginalis graft was performed. The rate of perioperative transfusion was 6.4 %, transient paresthesia and weakness of the leg were observed in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Radical perineal prostatectomy seems to be a procedure with a low rate of complications and surgical reinterventions. However, the spectrum of observed complications is different to that of retropubic prostatectomy and requires specific management.

Biopsy↗

[The disturbing development of resistance in urinary tract infections].

Despite recent caveats about the rapid development of resistance to fluoroquinolones in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI), the good tolerability, bioavailability and the broad antibiotic spectrum of fluoroquinolons explain their increased use. We investigated the changes of bacterial spectra and cross resistance profiles in ambulatory and hospitalized UTI patients. A total of 430 positive urine cultures and resistograms were classified according to patient status as either ambulatory or hospitalized and retrospectively analyzed. Cross-resistance profiles of the most effective antibiotics (cotrimoxazol, levofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) were made before an analysis of cost-effectiveness was performed. Whereas Escherichia coli remains the predominant cause of UTI in ambulatory patients, Enterococcus faecalis is the most frequently detected bacterium in the urine cultures of hospitalized patients. This is one reason for the unacceptably high rate of primary resistance of UTI bacteria against cephalosporins. Primary resistance to cotrimoxazol, amoxicillin/cavulanic acid and levofloxacin are impressive and tend to favor the use of levofloxacin. However, high cross-resistance rates reduce the usability of one antibiotic in case of the lack of effectiveness of the other. The broad use of potent antibiotics in hospitals has led to a higher primary resistance and cross-resistance of UTI bacteria in hospitalized patients than in ambulatory patients. The primary resistance of UTI causing bacteria is generally high and worrying. The new fluoroquinolone levofloxacin exhibits surprisingly high primary resistance rates and shares high cross-resistance with other antibiotics that are as effective but much cheaper. Thus, we consider that it should not be a first line treatment option for ambulatory UTI patients in the absence of any resistogram, in order to ensure cost-effectiveness and a slow down in the rapid development of resistance.

Adolescent↗

Relative advantages and disadvantages of radical perineal prostatectomy versus radical retropubic prostatectomy.

In recent years prostate cancer has become the predominant malignancy in men. With the introduction of prostate specific antigen (PSA) the disease can be diagnosed at an early stage, at which surgical therapy can be curative. In the past century, the retropubic and the perineal routes were established as alternatives of surgical access to the gland for clinically localized prostate cancer. The selection of the operative route is mostly decided individually on the basis of surgical training and experience. The revived interest in perineal radical prostatectomy is explained by the fact that this technique has been associated with low morbidity. The differences of both surgical approaches of radical prostatectomy are elucidated and compared regarding tumor control and short and long term complication rates. Taking these results into consideration, specific advantages and disadvantages of radical perineal prostatectomy are emphasized.

Contraindications↗