PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Thomas M Kessler

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas M Kessler.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Intermittent catheterisation in older people: a valuable alternative to an indwelling catheter?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether intermittent catheterisation is a valuable alternative to an indwelling catheter in patients older than 70 years with post-void residuals more than 50% of the bladder capacity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 patients (14 women, 7 men) older than 70 years in whom intermittent catheterisation was initiated because of voiding dysfunction with post-void residuals more than 50% of the bladder capacity resistant to other treatment. Twelve patients mastered the technique of intermittent self-catheterisation, seven were catheterised by their partners and two by nurses. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 76.5 years (range 71-83 years) and the mean observation period with regard to intermittent catheterisation was 27.9 months (range 5-129 months). For those relying on intermittent catheterisation, the urinary tract infection rate was 0.84 per year and patient (range 0-3), and urinary continence was restored in all of the six previously incontinent patients. Eighteen of the 21 patients reported a significantly improved quality of life owing to the restoration of urinary continence, decreasing of daytime frequency, nocturia and urge, and the lowering of the urinary tract infection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent (self-) catheterisation is a safe and valuable technique in older people with significant post-void residuals owing to detrusor underactivity. Urinary continence is restored, urge, daytime frequency and nocturia are decreased, and the urinary tract infection rate is diminished, resulting in improved quality of life. Therefore, intermittent (self-) catheterisation is strongly recommended in older people.

Aged↗

Ileal orthotopic bladder substitute combined with an afferent tubular segment: long-term upper urinary tract changes and voiding pattern.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the long-term morbidity of the upper urinary tract and of the voiding pattern in men with an ileal orthotopic bladder substitute with an afferent tubular segment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men surviving more than 5 years after radical cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution were evaluated. The urinary tract was regularly assessed with ultrasound and IVU while functional reservoir capacity and continence status were prospectively assessed by voiding volume diaries and a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: After 5 years 129, after 10 years 45 and after 15 years 8 patients were evaluable. Median age at surgery was 63 years (range 36-80) and median follow-up was 73 months (range 60-201). Of the 254 renal units assessed between April 1985 and September 1998, 199 (78%) had some degree of dilatation in the 20-minute IVU film but rarely at 60 minutes. In 246 (97%) the parenchyma size was normal. Ureteral obstruction presented in 9 (3.5%) units, 4 of which were complete (3 had obstruction preoperatively and 1 postoperatively). Mean creatinine levels remained unchanged from the preoperative values. Functional reservoir capacity averaged 462 ml after 1 year, remained stable and then decreased slightly after 5 years. The daytime continence rate was 94% and 91% after 5 and 10 years, while the nighttime rate was 72% and 60% respectively. Patient age at the time of surgery was an important determinant for reservoir capacity and continence status. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that an orthotopic bladder substitution combined with an afferent tubular segment offers a sufficient protection of the upper tract with a low complication rate and has good long-term voiding and continence results. Meticulous lifelong follow-up is an important factor for satisfactory functional long-term outcome.

Aged↗

Attempted nerve sparing surgery and age have a significant effect on urinary continence and erectile function after radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal orthotopic bladder substitution.

PURPOSE: We assessed factors influencing urinary continence and erectile function after radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal orthotopic bladder substitution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 381 consecutive men undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal orthotopic bladder substitution between April 1985 and June 2003, 331 (87%) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier models and multivariate analysis applying Cox regression were used to evaluate factors influencing postoperative urinary continence and erectile function. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, attempted nerve sparing and age younger than 65 years were significantly associated with better daytime (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively) and nighttime continence (p = 0.036 and p = 0.005, respectively). In multivariate analysis the rate of daytime continence was significantly higher in patients with attempted nerve sparing (hazards ratio [HR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.87) and nighttime continence was significantly better in patients younger than 65 years (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.07-1.8). Daytime continence was significantly better (p <0.0001) and was achieved more quickly than nighttime continence (p <0.0001). The time to achieve daytime continence was shorter for patients with attempted nerve sparing (p = 0.012). In multivariate analysis erectile function recovered significantly more often in patients with attempted nerve sparing (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.24-5.39) and in those younger than 65 years (HR 2.98, 95% CI 1.83-4.85). CONCLUSIONS: After radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal orthotopic bladder substitution, attempted nerve sparing and age younger than 65 years are associated with improved urinary continence. Attempted nerve sparing has the greatest impact on daytime continence and age has the greatest impact on nighttime continence. Attempted nerve sparing and younger age are both associated with more frequent recovery of erectile function.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Long-term results of surgery for urethral stricture: a statistical analysis.

PURPOSE: We assessed the long-term results of surgery for urethral stricture by statistical methods using guidelines for survival analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 267 patients who underwent surgery for urethral strictures between March 1993 and December 1999, 238 (89%) were followed prospectively. The primary end point was success rate of urethroplasty. Secondary end points were variables that might influence success rates. Survival data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression using guidelines for survival analysis. RESULTS: The success rate of all urethroplasties was 82% (95% CI 66 to 89) at 7.5 years. A 6.5-year success rate of 86% (95% CI 70 to 95) was achieved by flap, of 86% (95% CI 66 to 100) by anastomotic, of 79% (95% CI 64 to 94) by mesh graft and of 56% (95% CI 20 to 100) by graft urethroplasty. No significant difference was found among the surgical procedures using the log rank (p = 0.269) or Gehan-Wilcoxon (p = 0.259) test. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of failed urethroplasty in patients previously treated with urethral stents (HR 3.69, 95% CI 1.27 to 10.8) and by 2 or more urethrotomies (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.05 to 4.8). CONCLUSIONS: Using standardized success criteria and statistical methods that applied guidelines for survival analysis conclusions were drawn. Excellent results are achievable by all forms of urethroplasty, justifying a more liberal indication for urethral reconstruction.

Adult↗

Treatment of a case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: is adjuvant hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy justified?

OBJECTIVE: We present a case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in a 38-year-old woman. STUDY DESIGN: The tumor was resected with a segment of adjacent descending colon. Five years after the operation, the patient is well, without evidence of recurring disease, based on clinical investigation and modern imaging techniques. RESULTS: In the light of the literature, it appears most likely that this rare tumor is caused by coelomic metaplasia. On the basis of the histopathologic findings in our case and the reports from the literature, we recommend radical tumor excision en bloc with all infiltrated adjacent structures. CONCLUSION: Added removal of unaffected uterus and adnexes makes young women infertile and climacteric and is not yet validated by long-term results.

Adult↗

Patient satisfaction with the outcome of surgery for urethral stricture.

PURPOSE: We assessed patient satisfaction with the outcome of surgery for urethral strictures and compared it with objective clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 267 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for urethral stricture between March 1993 and December 1999 were questioned regarding satisfaction. Mailed questionnaires or a telephone interview, if questionnaires were not returned, provided information on the urinary tract, voiding, sexual function, overall satisfaction and miscellaneous impairments after surgery for urethral strictures. The response rate was 87% (233 of 267 patients). Subjective data were compared with objective clinical findings. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients who underwent successful urethroplasty 159 (78%) and 24 of the 30 (80%) in whom urethroplasty was considered a failure from the physician viewpoint were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of urethral surgery. Patients who underwent re-intervention for complications other than re-stricture and those who complained of a weak or very weak urinary stream were considerably less satisfied. Factors influencing sexual function also had an important impact on patient satisfaction. Patients with marked or severe penile curvature, penile shortening, erection deterioration and a markedly or severely impaired sexual life were especially dissatisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Patients consider the outcome of surgery for urethral strictures differently than physicians. The outcome of urethroplasty should be assessed not only by objective, but also by subjective criteria. Patients need appropriate preoperative counseling. With realistic expectations most men are satisfied with surgery for urethral stricture.

Adult↗