Biomedical subjects

Thomas M T Turk

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas M T Turk.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Urothelial-cell carcinoma and solitary kidney: outcomes with renal-sparing management.

PURPOSE: To review our experience with renal-sparing approaches for upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma (UT-TCC) associated with solitary kidneys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with UT-TCC associated with solitary kidneys who were managed with renal-sparing approaches from 2000 to 2004 were identified. Patient data were gathered retrospectively, and a patient interview was conducted. A literature review was performed, and our results were compared with those from selected other authors. The mean follow-up was 33 months. RESULTS: Eight patients (80%) developed recurrence after initial treatment necessitating further intervention. The average number of procedures was nine per patient, and an average of two cycles of topical therapy was given. At the end of the follow-up period, 6 patients (60%) were disease free. Of these 6 patients, 2 (33%) required interval nephroureterectomy because of disease progression in one and renal insufficiency leading to dialysis in the other. Metastatic disease occurred in four patients during the surveillance interval, including one patient with a nephrostomy-site recurrence. Three patients died from their disease during the follow-up period, and one patient remained alive after chemotherapy. The overall survival rate was 70% at 33 months. Of the living patients, 6 (86%) could be reached for comment, and all were very satisfied with their renal-sparing management. CONCLUSIONS: Renal-sparing approaches remain an option in motivated patients with solitary kidneys and UT-TCC. Patients should realize that management tends to involve multiple procedures that are associated with potential morbidity, entails lifetime follow-up, and often requires long-term nephrostomy access for topical treatment or relief of obstruction. Long-term patient quality-of-life and cancer-specific outcomes for renal- sparing management compared with quality-of-life and survival on dialysis are unknown.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Assessment of novel ureteral occlusion device and comparison with stone cone in prevention of stone fragment migration during lithotripsy.

PURPOSE: To present the initial ex-vivo results of a new ureteral-occlusion device (Cook Urological, Spencer, IN) for preventing the retrograde migration of particles during ureteroscopy and its comparison with the Stone Cone (Microvasive-Boston Scientific Corp., Spencer, IN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed an ex-vivo model using a porcine kidney with an intact ureter. Standardized plastic beads were placed in the proximal ureter. Each device was deployed proximal to the beads during ureteroscopy, and the number of beads impeded by each device was recorded. RESULTS: The new device was successful at preventing retrograde migration of beads > or = 1.5 mm. Furthermore, 1.0-mm beads were impeded by the center of the device, although they passed through the periphery. The Stone Cone blocked the retrograde migration of beads > or = 2.5 mm. CONCLUSION: The new occlusion device was efficacious in an ex-vivo model. It appears to prevent the migration of smaller particles than are blocked by the Stone Cone.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Endoscopic injection of fibrin glue for the treatment of urinary-tract pathology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Urinary-tract fistulas present unique clinical challenges that often necessitate open surgical excision with interposition of healthy tissue. Advances in retrograde instrumentation have enabled endourologists to employ more minimally invasive approaches to urologic disease, including fistulas. We reviewed our experience with endoscopic injection of fibrin glue for the treatment of urinary-tract pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the eight patients at our institution who have undergone retrograde endoscopic injection of fibrin glue for the treatment of urinary-tract pathology. The data collected included age, presentation, treatment technique, method/duration of follow-up, complications, and success, which was defined as subjective and objective resolution of the treated pathology. RESULTS: One of these patients was treated for a caliceal diverticulum refractory to percutaneous ablation. The other seven patients were treated for fistulas, including one colovesical fistula, two vesicovaginal fistulas, one ileal conduit-cutaneous fistula, one ureterocutaneous fistula, one urethrocutaneous fistula, and one ureterorectal fistula. All lesions except the urethrocutaneous fistula and the ureterorectal fistula were treated with a single injection of fibrin glue. At a mean follow-up of 11.75 months, this technique was successful in six cases (75%). Two (33%) of the successfully treated patients required two injections. There were no complications. Failures were apparent at initial follow-up. CONCLUSION: Retrograde endoscopic injection of fibrin glue offers a novel approach to ablation of caliceal diverticula. Additionally, although open surgical excision of urinary-tract fistulae remains the gold standard treatment, endoscopic injection of fibrin glue offers a safe, minimally invasive approach that may avoid the morbidity of open surgery in such challenging patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Load-release points of two novel ureteral stone-trapping devices.

PURPOSE: We compared the load-release points of the Stone Cone and the new Cook Urological NTrap devices using an in vitro model of the ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A strictured-ureter model was created using urethane tubing with a wire tie around it. A plastic bead was lodged above this narrowing. The Stone Cone, then the NTrap, was deployed in turn above this bead. The force required for each device to undeploy was measured over five trials. RESULTS: Each device released the bead in every trial. The Stone Cone released at a mean of 0.190 lb, while the NTrap yielded at 0.861 lb. CONCLUSIONS: Both of the devices released the plastic bead reliably and at low loads, although the NTrap did require statistically significantly more force than the Stone Cone. However, the loads for both devices were <1 lb, so the devices are unlikely to result in ureteral trauma. Whether a slight increase in load-release force or differences in design result in better stone-clearing ability of one device should be assessed in clinical trials.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of laparoscopy-assisted partial nephrectomy using digital compression versus purely laparoscopic nephrectomy using vascular pedicle clamp in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy raises a number of technical issues, particularly in the control of bleeding. We compared digital compression during hand assistance with a vascular clamp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic transperitoneal bilateral lower-pole partial nephrectomy was performed on six pigs, with a vascular clamp being used on one side and digital pressure through an Omniport or Lapdisk on the other. The pigs were then euthanized and the kidneys harvested for histologic examination. RESULTS: Good hemostasis was obtained regardless of the technique. However, the estimated blood loss was significantly greater with digital compression (96.7 versus 9.6 mL). There were no significant micropathological differences in the kidneys. The surgeons rated suture tying and placement much easier with the purely laparoscopic technique. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are feasible. In experienced hands, the purely laparoscopic technique takes no longer than the hand-assisted technique and is associated with less blood loss, easier suturing, and better cosmesis. However, long-term follow-up is needed before clinical use can be contemplated.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Office-based transurethral microwave thermotherapy using the TherMatrx TMx-2000.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is an effective therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but the trade-off between the magnitude of clinical improvement and side effects and patient tolerance has limited its appeal to patients and urologists. This study, using the TherMatrx TMx-2000, a TUMT device that directly heats the transition zone to greater than 50 degrees C, has been focused on resolving these issues and developing a truly office-based therapy that is well tolerated with a benign post-treatment course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was multi-institutional and designed as a blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled trial. A series of 200 patients with an AUA Symptom Index (AUASI) of >12, a peak flow rate of <12 mL/sec, and cystoscopic evidence of BPH were randomized 2:1 (active to sham) and treated in seven physician offices under a Food and Drug Administration-supervised and audited premarket approval protocol. No intravenous sedation was used in any patient. Follow-up for the sham-treatment group was 3 months, at which time, patients could cross over to an active treatment. A total of 119 patients have completed 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The active and sham groups were statistically identical at baseline. The 1-hour total treatment was extremely well tolerated using urethral lidocaine and oral medications; not a single prostate block or parental dose of medication was required. The active-treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in AUASI at 3 months compared with sham treatment, with an AUASI decrease from 22.4 to 12.4 (n = 124) for active v 22.9 to 17 for sham (n = 62). For the 119 patients in the active arm who have reached 12 months, the AUASI has fallen to 10.6 points (47.1% decrease), and the peak flow rate has increased 5.0 mL/sec (58.1%). Postprocedure catheterization was typically 2 or 3 days, and the 16.8% of patients who failed their first voiding trial all voided within 1 week. No major adverse events such as stricture, rectal findings, or ejaculatory changes have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the TherMatrx TMx-2000 TUMT effectively treats symptomatic BPH in the physician office with minimal morbidity.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Acute and long-term outcomes of radio frequency bladder neck suspension.

PURPOSE: A new treatment modality for women with stress urinary incontinence secondary to urethral hypermobility is radio frequency bladder neck suspension. Radio frequency energy is a form of electromagnetic energy that is reliable and highly controllable. This thermal therapy can produce well-defined areas of tissue heating. The technology has been used extensively in dermatological and orthopedic surgery for tissue shrinkage and ablation. Radio frequency thermal therapy is now being applied to the endopelvic fascia at the bladder neck and urethra for treating hypermobility in patients with stress urinary incontinence. The purported mechanism is shrinkage of the collagenated tissue that supports the bladder neck and proximal urethra. We report our acute and long-term experience with laparoscopic radio frequency bladder neck suspension for stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enrolled in this prospective multicenter trial were 94 women with a mean age of 48.4 +/- 7.6 years who had urethral hypermobility with an average cotton swab angle change of 41 degrees and Valsalva leak point pressures greater than 90 cm. water at 250 ml. bladder capacity. Detrusor instability was excluded by cystometry. In all cases precisely controlled radio frequency energy was applied to the endopelvic fascia to heat and shrink the tissue. The primary end points were physician assessment of continence, patient reported pad use and the number of patient reported episodes of urinary incontinence daily 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Average operative time was less than 60 minutes and 98% of the patients were discharged home from the recovery room. Treatment surface area decreased an average of 17% in length and 21% in width. Preoperatively 78% of patients had an average of 1 or more episodes of urinary incontinence daily. At 1, 3, 6 and 12 months there was an average of 1 or fewer episodes of urinary incontinence daily in 84.7%, 85.6%, 85.9% and 77.4% of patients, respectively, and at 12 months 83.5% reported being continent or improved. Preoperatively 41.2% of patients reported using 1 pad or less daily, while at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months 85.6%, 90.4%, 87.2% and 86.9%, respectively, required 1 pad or less daily. Urodynamic evaluation at 12 months showed no leakage during the Valsalva maneuver in 78% of cases. There were no major postoperative complications and the minor complication rate was 5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Early results of thermal treatment of the endopelvic fascia indicate that radio frequency bladder neck suspension is safe and effective for improving stress urinary incontinence in women. The improvement in symptomatology appears to be durable in most patients at the 1-year followup. Longer followup is needed to assess the durability of results and it is currently in progress.

Catheter Ablation↗