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Biomedical subjects

R O Parra

Publications and source records attributed to R O Parra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Staging laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Experience and indications.

Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection has proven to be a reliable, less-invasive method for staging prostate cancer. Presently, no clear indications for its performance prior to radical retropubic prostatectomy are available. With the purpose of identifying clinical parameters by which to better select patients who would benefit from laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection, we chose to perform the procedure only in patients considered at high risk for nodal metastasis: clinical stages B2 or C, poorly differentiated tumors, and/or a serum prostatic-specific antigen level of more than 20 ng/dL. We compared the results with those of patients not meeting such parameters. Of 80 men receiving treatment for clinically localized disease, 30 (38%) fulfilled one or more of the criteria. When considering the individual clinical parameters, clinical stage was predictive of nodal involvement in five (26%) of 19 patients, grade was predictive in three (37.5%) of eight patients, and prostatic-specific antigen level was predictive in six (40%) of 15 patients. Statistical analysis confirmed that the prostatic-specific antigen level was the single best predictor of nodal involvement. However, better predictive values were obtained when the different criteria were combined. Nodal involvement was predicted most consistently by a combination of clinical stage and prostatic-specific antigen level.

Aged

Testicular circulatory isolation: a phase I study.

Antineoplastic agents may damage germinal epithelium. Testicular circulatory isolation (TCI) is a regional drug exclusion technique designed to minimize this. We evaluated the technical and anaesthetic aspects of TCI in 10 patients who underwent bilateral orchiectomy immediately thereafter. A modified aortic clamp was placed trans-scrotally across the left testicular pedicle without pre-medication or anaesthesia and left in place for 1 h, occluding testicular blood flow. Minimal pain and anxiety were reported during the procedure. There were no complications related to TCI in any patient. This study supports the institution of trials of TCI in young men about to receive fertility-threatening chemotherapy.

Aged

Laparoscopic internal spermatic vein ligation: report of a new technique.

Over the past 22 months, 51 laparoscopic internal vein ligations have been performed to determine its application and practicality in treating the infertile male with varicoceles. Of the 33 cases available for a follow-up of greater than 6 months, 16 pregnancies are reported. Five patients reporting pregnancies refused to submit a postoperative semenogram. Of the reportable series, 17 of 33 had significant improvement in sperm density (51%), 15 of 33 (45%) in sperm viability, and 15 of 33 (45%) in sperm motility. No major complications were seen and minor complications were few and transient. Morbidity was extremely low. Laparoscopic internal spermatic vein ligations would appear to be a reasonable, practical, and effective method to correct varicoceles.

Adult

Laparoscopic diverticulectomy: preliminary report of a new approach for the treatment of bladder diverticulum.

Laparoscopic techniques have expanded the possibilities of endo-surgically approaching urological abnormalities that would otherwise be managed via an open operation. We report on another useful application of the laparoscope, bladder diverticulectomy. A large bladder diverticulum, responsible for incomplete bladder emptying and recurrent urinary tract infections in an 87-year-old man, was successfully excised endoscopically. The technique and possible future indications are described.

Aged

Laparoscopic cystectomy: initial report on a new treatment for the retained bladder.

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.

Adolescent

Sclerotherapy with tetracycline for hydroceles in renal transplant patients.

A total of 17 patients with hydroceles following renal transplantation underwent sclerotherapy with tetracycline hydrochloride (10 ml. of a 5% solution of tetracycline in 1% lidocaine). A successful outcome was obtained in 15 patients (88%). Post-sclerotherapy hydrocelectomy was necessary in 2 patients (12%). No major complications (testicular loss, scrotal abscess or necrosis) occurred in any patient. Pain at injection was the only adverse effect. Tetracycline sclerotherapy for hydroceles appears to be an effective and safe procedure in the renal transplant population. We recommend this procedure as the initial treatment modality for hydroceles in patients with a renal allograft.

Adult

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy: preliminary report of a new technique.

The use of varicocelectomy for the treatment of subfertility seems to be incontrovertible. However, there is a difference of opinion as to the proper surgical method of varicocele ablation. The inguinal and high retroperitoneal approaches are the most commonly accepted methods to date. However, significant postoperative morbidity is common and return to normal activity often is prolonged. Also, bilateral operations are being performed more commonly. These considerations have prompted many to search for alternative techniques. We developed a laparoscopic procedure that is as simple and effective as more traditional methods. In addition, it offers lower morbidity, allows for microscopic dissection with preservation of the spermatic artery and is amenable to bilateral ligation without a second incision. Ten patients 16 to 54 years old underwent laparoscopic ligation of the spermatic veins at the internal inguinal ring. The diagnosis was based on physical examination. Indications for the operation were infertility with a stress sperm pattern in 5 patients, testicular atrophy in 4 and scrotal pain in 1. Four patients underwent bilateral ligation. Preliminary followup showed resolution of the varicocele in all patients and disappearance of pain in the patient treated for this symptom. No morbidity related to this procedure has been encountered and all patients resumed normal activity within 2 days. We believe that this new method is a viable alternative for varicocelectomy.

Adolescent

Staging laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection: comparison of results with open pelvic lymphadenectomy.

A total of 24 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy was alternately designated to undergo either a modified open (12 men) or laparoscopic (12 men) lymphadenectomy. Both groups were similar in regard to age and clinical stage. Tumor grade and serum prostate specific antigen level for each group are reported. Nodal metastases were found in 1 patient in the open and 3 in the endoscopic group. The average total number of lymph nodes retrieved by open dissection was 11 +/- 5.7, which was not statistically different from the average number of 10.7 +/- 5.7 obtained laparoscopically. No statistically significant variance in the number of nodes harvested in regard to site of dissection was observed. In the 9 men who underwent radical prostatectomy after laparoscopic dissection no additional lymphatic tissue was obtained from the surgical margins. No morbidity related to either procedure occurred. The data suggest that laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy offers a reliable and minimally invasive alternative to open node dissection in selected patients.

Aged

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal marsupialization: report on a new treatment for lymphoceles.

Lymphocele formation, a common complication of pelvic surgery, can produce considerable morbidity. Treatment is problematic, with no single procedure considered optimal. We recently treated a 67-year-old man with a symptomatic lymphocele by laparoscopic internal marsupialization. Total operative time was 45 min, and the patient was discharged home the same day with minimal need for pain medications. Total resolution of the symptoms occurred within 24 h. In comparison to other methods compiled and analyzed from the literature, this highly effective, minimally invasive procedure offers a significant advantage to the patient.

Aged

Simultaneous laparoscopic varicocelectomy and removal of an intrascrotal atrophic testicle.

We report on the concomitant removal of an atrophic intrascrotal left testicle secondary to mumps orchitis and a right varicocelectomy for athenospermia done laparoscopically. The procedure proved to be quite simple to complete, avoiding the need for secondary incisions, which would have been required otherwise if a standard open approach was chosen. The convalescence period was uneventful with the patient returning to regular activities within 72 h of the procedure. We feel that in selected cases a laparoscopic orchiectomy offers distinct advantages to conventional open surgical approaches.

Adult

Treatment of posterior urethral strictures with a titanium urethral stent.

A total of 5 patients with recurrent posterior urethral strictures underwent endoscopic placement of an expandable endourethral stent made of titanium. Patient age ranged from 17 to 66 years (mean age 42.6 years). Followup ranged from 13 to 20 months (mean 14.1 months). Of the patients 4 presently have unobstructed voiding with no incontinence. To date no side effects have been directly related to the stents and no incrustations or calculi have formed. Our preliminary study supports the use of titanium urethral stents as an alternative form of treatment for selected urethral strictures.

Adolescent

A simplified technique for continent urinary diversion: an all-stapled colonic reservoir.

A simple continent colonic reservoir was constructed in its entirety with the aid of surgical stapling techniques in 17 men and 10 women. In 5 men an orthotopic pouch was created and in the rest a continent stoma was designed. Detubularization of the entire colonic segment assures a low pressure system with disruption of directional peristaltic activity. The ureters are implanted by simply burying them in a mucosal furrow. Operative time required for the creation of the reservoir (excluding time for cystectomy) has ranged between 70 and 140 minutes (mean 95.4 minutes). With a followup of 9 to 60 months (mean 22.8 months) continence has been achieved in all but 1 patient with no ureteral reflux or obstruction. Urodynamically the pouch has achieved a large capacity (mean 750 cc) with low filling pressures (8.1 cm. water) because of technical ease of construction together with a shortened operative time due to the stapling techniques. This form of bladder replacement offers an option for select patients in whom continent urinary diversion is contemplated.

Adult

Testicular seminoma in a long-term survivor of the prune belly syndrome.

Patients with the prune belly syndrome have cryptorchidism as a constant feature of the constellation of anomalies. Testes that do not spontaneously descend represent a well-known risk factor for the development of testicular cancer. In this paper, we present the second case of a primary testicular germ cell tumor in a long-term survivor with prune belly syndrome.

Adult