Biomedical subjects

Saurabh Bhargava

Publications and source records attributed to Saurabh Bhargava.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Challenge of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with spinal neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical difficulties, associated complications and stone clearance rates in patients with spinal neuropathy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with spinal neuropathy underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the two centers studied between October 1995 and January 2002. They were nine patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, 10 patients with spina bifida and 10 with other heterogeneous causes for their spinal neuropathy. The group included 12 men and 17 women, with an average age of 44 years (14-80). Patients' medical records were reviewed retrospectively for data relating to their renal lithiasis. RESULTS: A total of 39 percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures were undertaken on 32 kidneys. Thirteen procedures were for staghorn calculi. Preoperatively, eight kidneys required nephrostomy and 5 J stent decompression. The average American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 3, and one patient had percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed under local anaesthetic as the risk of general anaesthetic was felt to be too high. The associated morbidity and mortality in this group is significant. There were two postoperative deaths. Major complications were associated with three procedures, and consisted of seizures, aspiration pneumonia and pressure necrosis. Nine patients experienced minor complications including fever, hypotension and nephrostomy site leakage. Nine patients required intensive therapy unit care postoperatively and the average hospital stay for the group was 13.32 days. Only 18 (62%) patients were rendered stone-free from their initial percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Seven patients required a further procedure for stone clearance: four underwent extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, two ureteroscopy and one nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with spinal neuropathy and renal lithiasis pose a significant operative challenge. Technical difficulties and potential complications should be considered carefully before undertaking percutaneous nephrolithotomy in these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

A rational approach to benign prostatic hyperplasia evaluation: recent advances.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this article we aim to outline the recent advances in the evaluation of a patient with symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We define the role of the clinical evaluation and techniques that are evolving for the appropriate management of a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Both non-invasive and invasive investigation techniques are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Initiating early and appropriate treatment is the primary aim of investigation for a patient with lower urinary tract symptoms. Both clinical history and examination and appropriate investigations are vital to establishing a diagnosis. Symptom scores, prostate specific antigen and prostate volume were found to closely relate in predicting the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia and in recent years increased interest has centred on the progression of this disease principally related to the development of new pharmacotherapy. Despite these positive findings further research is needed to develop reliable tools to predict progression. Newer ultrasound techniques hold promise for the future. Conventional pressure flow studies have a defined role in excluding patients who are less likely to benefit from prostatic surgery by providing information on detrusor function; and non-invasive urodynamic techniques need further evaluation but appear to be promising. SUMMARY: The minimal initial evaluation of a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia should include a thorough history, digital rectal and neurological examinations, symptom scoring (including quality of life and sexual score) and measurement of serum prostate specific antigen. Other methods should be reserved for more complex situations. Attempts should be made at identifying those patients in whom the disease process is likely to progress.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Rising awareness of the complications of synthetic slings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article will review the current literature on the complications of synthetic suburethral slings used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and the management of these complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Loosely applied mid-urethral synthetic slings are becoming the treatment of choice in the management of stress urinary incontinence. Despite the ease of carrying out these procedures there is still a learning curve and, whilst the current literature shows there has been a significant reduction in the complication rate in recent years with the use of modern synthetic slings, they still occur and can be a significant cause of morbidity. There has been interest in developing better imaging techniques for both establishing early diagnosis and in assisting in the treatment of complications; magnetic resonance imaging of the urethra has been one of the modalities that has been investigated. Further work is needed to predict those who are more likely to develop complications during the placement of suburethral slings; the use of urodynamic procedures has shown equivocal results. Inevitably with more experience the techniques have evolved for the management of complications, such as the treatment of urethral obstruction with transvaginal sling incision. SUMMARY: Synthetic materials for slings provide an effective and safe method for treating urinary stress incontinence in women, and have delivered improved efficacy; nevertheless, although the incidence of complications has significantly reduced in recent years, they still represent a significant and not unsubstantial morbidity.

Female↗