Overactive Bladder and Continence Guidelines: implementation, inaction or frustration?

Guidelines for the management of continence and overactive bladder are generally available across Europe. For a majority of countries, these have been adopted by professional societies in either urology or gynaecology for local use. There has, however, been little monitoring of formal implementation of these guidelines and seldom any attempt to audit their operation. The state of continence care therefore remains largely unknown. This article reviews current guidelines and their status across Europe and examines what might be relevant from other disease areas to promote successful implementation.

[Urethral cancer: report of three cases and review of the literature]

OBJECTIVE

To review the various clinical forms of female urethral cancer in the light of three clinical cases with a review of the corresponding treatment guidelines.

METHOD

The authors report three cases of female urethral cancer. Case 1 consisted of squamous cell carcinoma in a 56-year-old woman with no particular history. Case 2 was a urothelial tumour arising in a urethral diverticulum in a 60-year-old smoker. Case 3 was a 69-year-old woman patient with invasive urothelial carcinoma.

RESULTS

Case 1 was treated by segmental urethrectomy with no adjuvant therapy and a favourable course. Case 2 was treated by anterior pelvic exenteration with no adjuvant therapy. This patient relapsed in the form of peritoneal carcinomatosis two years later and died. Case 3 was initially treated by anterior pelvic exenteration followed by a chemoradiotherapy combination after local recurrence with a favourable course.

CONCLUSION

There are many clinical presentations and histological forms of female urethral cancer. Localized distal lesions can be treated by simple circumferential resection. The treatment of other lesions comprises anterior pelvic exenteration and platinum- or M-VAC-based chemoradiotherapy. The main prognostic factors for these tumours are their size, histological type, site and the presence of pelvic lymph node extension.

Chapitre C-2 D - Bandelettes sous-uréthrales et incontinence urinaire d’effort par insuffisance sphinctérienne neurologique chez la femme

The management of stress urinary incontinence in patients with neurogenic bladder raises specific problems. This treatment is guided by the preoperative clinical and urodynamic assessment focussing on the characteristics of incontinence and on the potential for progression of the neurological disease. Retropubic insertion of suburethral tape is probably the preferred technique in the case of predominant urethral hypermobility.

Lymphoproliferative disorder presenting as a tumor of the renal allograft

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLDs) constitute a group of potentially life-threatening complications in solid organ transplantation, occurring in 1-2% of kidney transplant recipients. The absolute number of cases occurring at each transplant center remains small, making it difficult to assess incidence, prognosis, and treatment. We report a case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder that developed in the allograft renal parenchyma 2 years after renal transplantation. This case implies that partial nephrectomy may be a safe and effective treatment protocol for renal lymphoma in allograft kidneys.

Overactive bladder: The importance of new guidance

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects an estimated 49 million people in Europe, but only a minority receive appropriate treatment. Others are bothered by unacceptable levels of symptoms that severely impair their quality of life and represent a significant financial burden to themselves and to their healthcare providers. Recently updated guidelines from the International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI) and the European Association of Urology (EAU) take account of important new developments in the management of bladder problems in both primary and secondary care. However, local implementation of previous guidance has been variable, with many patients with OAB and other bladder problems failing to gain full benefit from current clinical and scientific understanding of these conditions. The recent expansion of the range of treatments available for OAB and stress urinary incontinence makes it especially important that physicians become aware of the differential diagnosis of these conditions - the questions they need to ask, and the investigations which will help determine the most appropriate course of action.

Efficacy, tolerability and safety of darifenacin, an M(3) selective receptor antagonist: an investigation of warning time in patients with OAB

This double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled, multicentre study evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of 12 weeks' treatment with controlled release darifenacin 15 mg once daily (qd), in 445 patients with overactive bladder (OAB). The primary endpoint was warning time (time from first sensation of urgency to voiding), and secondary endpoints included urge incontinence episodes and volume voided. Darifenacin treatment resulted in numerical increases in warning time, but these were not significant compared with placebo -- highlighting difficulties in assessing this parameter. Significant improvements were seen with darifenacin vs. placebo in urge incontinence episodes/week, volume voided and quality of life (QoL). Darifenacin was associated with increases in urgency-free time (UFT; time between any void to the next urgency event) vs. placebo. Treatment was well tolerated; the most commonly reported adverse events were the typical antimuscarinic effects of dry mouth and constipation, both infrequently leading to discontinuation. This study demonstrated the difficulty in measuring warning time, due in part to its subjective nature; the authors believe further investigation is warranted to allow urgency to be better defined. Further investigation of UFT is required to determine its role in evaluating urgency. The study confirmed that darifenacin 15 mg qd is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for OAB, which improves QoL.

Persistence with antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition, which impacts patients' health and quality of life. The primary symptoms of OAB are distressing and may interfere with work, psychosocial and sexual functioning. OAB also is associated with increased risk of urinary tract infections, fractures from falls, skin infections and depression. Patient's concerns about the effects of incontinence on lifestyle highlight the need to restore continence. The mainstay of treatment is antimuscarinic drug therapy, which may often produce only modest reductions in OAB symptoms and may be accompanied by bothersome adverse effects, leading to poor adherence to prescribed medications. Successful treatment of OAB depends on persistence with the prescribed medication, and efficacy and tolerability are key influencers of persistence. New antimuscarinic agents are now available for treating OAB that significantly improve symptoms of incontinence, urgency and frequency with few adverse effects. An improved efficacy and tolerability profile should result in greater patient satisfaction and persistence with therapy during long-term therapy.

Long-term open-label solifenacin treatment associated with persistence with therapy in patients with overactive bladder syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To examine safety and tolerability findings as primary endpoints, and efficacy outcomes as secondary endpoints, of solifenacin treatment over a period of up to 1 year. Long-term efficacy in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome depends in part on the patient's persistence with pharmacologic therapy. Agents with a favourable therapeutic index supporting high levels of patient satisfaction and persistence are needed.

METHODS

The present study was a 40-week open-label extension of two 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies of solifenacin treatment in patients with OAB. Patients who completed the 12-week studies were offered participation in the open-label extension study. All patients who entered the open-label extension study initially received solifenacin 5 mg daily for 4 weeks, after which a flexible dosing regimen allowed patients to individualise their treatment (5 mg or 10 mg) at each of the 3 study visits. Safety and tolerability assessments (the primary variable) included adverse event reporting. Efficacy data were collected from micturition diaries completed at weeks 16, 28, 40, and 52.

RESULTS

Ninety-one percent (1637/1802) of patients who completed the two 12-week randomised studies chose to participate in the long-term open-label extension study. A total of 81% of patients completed 40 weeks of open-label treatment. Solifenacin treatment was safe and well tolerated, and rates of anticholinergic side effects were relatively low. Only 4.7% of patients discontinued treatment owing to adverse events. Improvements in major symptoms of OAB were noted for all patients for up to 52 weeks of treatment. In patients randomised to solifenacin in the double-blind studies, there were small incremental improvements in all efficacy parameters (reductions in episodes per 24 hours of urgency, reductions in frequency and urge incontinence, and increases in volume voided per micturition) over the course of the extension study. Efficacy was confirmed when outcomes were assessed as a function of total solifenacin exposure. Patient satisfaction with solifenacin tolerability (85%) and efficacy (74%) were high. These results indicate that long-term treatment with solifenacin was well tolerated and associated with improvements in efficacy parameters based on patient diary data recorded over the 12-month treatment period. Moreover, the high level of patient satisfaction reported appeared to correlate well with the quantified improvements in key symptoms demonstrated in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term therapy with solifenacin resulted in a favourable tolerability profile, and was associated with improvements in efficacy parameters based on diary data recorded over a 12-month period. This balance of tolerability and efficacy with solifenacin was associated with excellent persistence with therapy. These results suggest that solifenacin may be useful for the long-term treatment of the chronic symptoms associated with OAB.

Darifenacin, an M3 selective receptor antagonist, is an effective and well-tolerated once-daily treatment for overactive bladder

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of darifenacin, a once-daily M3) selective receptor antagonist (M3 SRA), in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS

This multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study enrolled 561 patients (19-88 years; 85% female) with OAB symptoms for >6 months, and included some patients with prior exposure to antimuscarinic agents. After washout and a 2-week placebo run-in, patients were randomised (1:4:2:3) to once-daily oral darifenacin controlled-release tablets (3.75 mg [n=53], 7.5 mg [229] or 15 mg [n=115]) or matching placebo (n=164) for 12 weeks. Patients recorded daily incontinence episodes, micturition frequency, bladder capacity (mean volume voided), frequency of urgency, severity of urgency, incontinence episodes resulting in change of clothing or pads and nocturnal awakenings due to OAB using an electronic diary during weeks 2, 6 and 12 (directly preceding clinic visits). Tolerability data were evaluated from adverse event reports.

RESULTS

Darifenacin 7.5 mg and 15 mg had a rapid onset of effect, with significant improvement compared with placebo being seen for most parameters at the first clinic visit (week 2). This effect was sustained through week 12. At this time the number of incontinence episodes per week was reduced from baseline by 67.7% with darifenacin 7.5 mg and 72.8% with darifenacin 15 mg compared with 55.9% with placebo (p=0.010 and p=0.017, respectively, versus placebo). The 3.75 mg group (null dose arm) was included for proof of concept of dose flexibility, therefore formal sample sizing and statistical analysis were not performed for this group. Darifenacin 7.5 mg and 15 mg, respectively, were significantly superior to placebo for improvements in micturition frequency (p<0.001, p<0.001), bladder capacity (p<0.040, p<0.001), frequency of urgency (p<0.001, p=0.005), severity of urgency (p<0.001, p=0.002) and number of incontinence episodes leading to a change in clothing or pads (p<0.001, p=0.002). There was no significant reduction in nocturnal awakenings due to OAB. The most common adverse events were mild-to-moderate dry mouth and constipation. However, no patients withdrew from the study as a result of dry mouth and discontinuation related to constipation was rare (0.6% placebo versus 0.9% darifenacin). In addition, there was a low need for laxative use, with no difference between the darifenacin groups and those taking placebo. There were no reports of blurred vision and the CNS and cardiac safety profile was comparable to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Darifenacin significantly improves the major symptoms of OAB. No significant CNS (primarily M1-receptor mediated) adverse events or cardiac (primarily M2-receptor mediated) adverse events were identified in this study, as may be predicted from the M3 selective receptor profile of darifenacin.

Understanding the Burden of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Europe: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to better define the prevalence, risk factors, as well as the economic and human burden of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in Europe that will help health care providers better understand the impact of this condition.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIDS, HealthStar, HSRProj, and HSTAT databases to review the European literature (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) on SUI between 1990 and 2001. Clinical experts on UI provided advice on this review.

RESULTS

In all European countries studied SUI was identified as a distinct and highly prevalent form of urinary incontinence, and in some countries, as many as 80% of all incontinent women were diagnosed with SUI. However, epidemiological figures varied widely between studies, due to different definitions of diagnostic criteria and disease states and study designs used. Parity and vaginal birth were identified as major risk factors for developing SUI. Only a few studies have examined the economic burden of SUI, but have found it to be significant on patients and society. SUI also significantly affects the quality of women's lives.

CONCLUSION

There is a clear need for harmonisation in defining SUI, standardising survey methods and validation criteria, and outcome measures, if results are to be compared with any validity. A better understanding of the burden of SUI is essential for future research.

[Retroperitoneal fibrosis]

The rare occurrence of retroperitoneal fibrosis contrasts with the multitude of publications. Its clinical expression also contrasts with the severity of its repercussion on renal function. Now, diagnostic and therapeutic are more standardized to improve chances of preserving renal function. However, no surgical or medical therapy has been tested in a randomized, controlled trial. This article proposes an update of knowledge on this subject.

Apport du VLPP dans l’examen urodynamique

The Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) is fully part of urologic assessment. Several factors can influence it: the patient's position, the bladder volume, the presence or absence of the urethral catheter, and the way of observing the leakage (direct visualisation or video-urodynamics). Sometimes VLPP is not feasible because patients cannot push strong enough. Nevertheless, a standardisation of the methodology has been suggested by the Société internationale francaphone d'urodynamique (SIFUD). Values below 60 cmH2O should be considered suggestive for sphincter insufficiency. Conversely, the diagnosis of urethral sphincter insufficiency should rely on the tripod: clinical examination (low urethral mobility), low closure pressure and low VLPP.

Atteinte vésicale dans la sclérodermie : à propos de 3 cas

Lower urinary tract involvement is the common manifestation of systemic sclerosis. It may represent a troublesome disturbance affecting the quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients. We report three patients with progressive systemic sclerosis who manifested pathologic abnormalities in the urinary bladder. The first patient manifested a recurrent macroscopic hematuria requiring transfusions. Both other patients developed functional and urodynamic abnormalities. With a review of the literature on this involvement of the bladder in systemic sclerosis we try to more understand urinary symptoms and urodynamics features of vesical involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.

Emergency extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for obstructing ureteral stones

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate emergency treatment of obstructing ureteral stones by in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) during acute renal colic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1994 to February 2000, 200 patients (mean age: 42 years) were treated by ESWL (EDAP LT-02) for obstructing ureteral stones causing acute renal colic refractory to medical treatment or recurring within 24hours of such treatment. Stones were visualised by fluoroscopic imaging and/or ultrasound. Follow-up included radiological and/or ultrasound examinations and lasted three months.

RESULTS

Mean stone size was 7mm (3-20mm). At three months, 164/200 (82%) patients were stone-free. This rate ranged from 79% to 83% according to the location of the stone, and from 75% to 86% according to the size of the stone. These differences in rate were not significant. Two or three ESWL sessions were required in 79 patients. ESWL was well tolerated in 90% of patients. The only complication was a case of pyelonephritis requiring the placement of a JJ stent, administration of antibiotics, and distant ureteroscopy. The 36 patients, in whom ESWL failed, underwent ureteroscopy (n=23) or lithotripsy with a Dornier machine (n=13).

CONCLUSION

Non-deferred ESWL for acute renal colic secondary to obstructing ureteral stones has a satisfactory success rate and very low morbidity.

[Hemorrhagic cystitis: etiology and treatment]

Haemorrhagic cystitis consists of acute or insidious diffuse bleeding from the bladder mucosa. Although the aetiology of haemorrhagic cystitis is varied, the two predominant causes are chemical and irradiation. The chemical compounds most frequently responsible for haemorrhagic cystitis are oxaphosphorines (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide). Haemorrhagic cystitis may also be due to toxic or infectious causes (bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral). Finally, haemorrhagic cystitis can occur in the context of a systemic disease or may be isolated and idiopathic. Prevention of haemorrhagic cystitis, based on general measures and specific measures, is essential, but is not always effective. In the case of proven haemorrhagic cystitis, various treatment options are available, including and can associate clot extraction, continuous bladder irrigation, bladder instillations of haemostatic factors, formalin, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, arterial embolization or salvage surgery. Although therapeutic management is usually effective, it can sometimes be difficult due to the severity of the bleeding and its repercussions on the patient's general state. Deaths are not exceptional, emphasizing the seriousness of haemorrhagic cystitis. Based on a review of the literature, the authors review the aetiology and treatment of haemorrhagic cystitis.

Tension-free vaginal tape: why an unusual concept is so successful

The surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence has been dramatically changed during the last 5 years, after Ulmsten introduced the tension-free vaginal tape procedure. This technique is based on a series of experimental investigations of the urethral closure mechanisms in women. The procedure is easy to learn, could be performed on an outpatient basis, and is recognized as a minimally invasive surgery. Despite these arguments, the most probable reason for its present success is the reproducibility of the results in the various published series. The success rate is estimated at between 85 and 95% for correction of genuine stress urinary incontinence. However, longer follow-up will be necessary to confirm these preliminary results, and probably to determine what are the most valuable prognostic factors.

[Treatment of stress urinary incontinence with percutaneous colposuspension: unsatisfactory technique]

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of a percutaneous needle colposuspension technique with bone fixation (Vesica system) in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence (USI) of the woman, with a minimum follow-up of one-year.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

34 women aged 35 to 86 years (mean: 62 years) were treated for USI due to bladder neck hypermobility according to the Vesica technique. All patients had a positive preoperative Bonney manoeuvre without sphincter incompetence on urethral pressure profile.

RESULTS

Overall, 1 year postoperatively, 9 patients (26%) were completely dry and did not wear any protection, 19 (56%) were improved, but still presented occasional leaks and 6 (17%) were considered to be failures. Physical examination revealed postoperative leaks in 24 patients with recurrence of hypermobility and positive Bonney manoeuvre in every case. There was one subcutaneous abscess and 2 cases of persistent pain at the bone implant site. No cases of bone infection or screw explantation were observed. No cases of retention beyond the 3rd postoperative day were observed.

CONCLUSION

The percutaneous colposuspension technique gives disappointing results at one year due to recurrence of urethral hypermobility in every case.

[Metastasis to trocar site after lymphadenectomy with retroperitoneal laparoscopy]

The authors report a case of trocar site metastasis, one year after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. This is the seventh published case of trocar site metastasis in laparoscopic urological surgery. The lymph node resection procedure and the histological type of the tumour appear to be risk factors for the development of wall metastases.

La pyélonéphrite emphysémateuse bilatérale

Based on a case report and a review of the literature, the authors describe the features of bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis. This rare disease with a poor prognosis constitutes a difficult clinical diagnosis. The positive diagnosis is based on urgent computed tomography. The reference treatment is emergency nephrectomy in an intensive care context.

Results of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for the treatment of type II stress urinary incontinence at a minimum followup of 1 year

PURPOSE

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for treating type II stress urinary incontinence in females.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 1998 and April 1999, 62 women 28 to 86 years old (mean age 62.8) were treated consecutively for stress urinary incontinence with the tension-free vaginal tape procedure. Preoperative evaluation included history, physical examination and multichannel video urodynamics. All patients had type II stress urinary incontinence, none had preoperative detrusor instability or significant pelvic prolapse and in 16 previous surgery for stress incontinence had failed.

RESULTS

All patients were followed at least 12 months after the procedure (median 16.2). A total of 42 and 20 women received spinal and local anesthesia, respectively. We noted 6 bladder perforations, including 5 in patients with a history of surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Blood loss was less than 200 cc in all cases. We observed no prolonged postoperative pain, infection or sling rejection. Post-void residual urine was less than 100 cc the day after surgery in 59 cases. Only 3 patients self-catheterized a maximum of 4 days. At followup 54 women (87.1%) were cured of stress urinary incontinence, 6 were improved (9.6%) and 2 had failure (3. 3%), while 4 (6.4%) had new onset detrusor instability without evidence of bladder outlet obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The tension-free vaginal tape procedure appears to be a minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment for type II stress urinary incontinence. A history of surgery for stress incontinence seems to be a risk factor for bladder perforation.

[Balloon catheter parieto-renal dilatation in percutaneous kidney surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To compare two techniques of parieto-renal dilatation for percutaneous surgery: Alken dilators and balloon catheter.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective, non-randomized study was conducted between July 1999 and April 2000 in 20 patients undergoing percutaneous renal surgery. 10 patients were dilated with a balloon catheter (NephroMax, Boston Scientific) and the other 10 patients were dilated with Alken metal dilators. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULT

The dilatation time and x-ray exposure time were shorter during balloon catheter dilatation (statistically significant difference) and the two techniques were associated with a comparable morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Balloon catheter parieto-renal dilatation significantly decrease dilatation and x-ray exposure times and very considerably simplifies this operative step, essential to the success of percutaneous surgery.

[Pelvic endometriosis with ureteral obstruction. Case report]

The authors report 1 clinical case of pelvic endometriosis. The urinary symptoms and the radiological appearance of endometriosis with compression of the ureter are non specific. The diagnosis was established by histological examination of the resection specimen. The authors describe the therapeutic approach based on radical surgery designed to eradicate the endometriosis, while remaining as conservative as possible in order to allow subsequent pregnancy, and the place of urological surgery combined with medical treatment with LHRH analogue.

[Predictive factors of successful treatment of lower caliceal calculi with Edap LT02 extracorporeal lithotripsy]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the predictive factors of success of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for lower caliceal stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The case files of 100 patients with a single stone in the lower pole of the kidney, ranging in size from 6 to 25 mm, treated by EDAP LTO2 extracorporeal lithotripsy between 1994 and 1997, were studied. Pretreatment intravenous urography was reviewed to assess the characteristics of the stone, to measure the pyelocaliceal angle and to study the anatomy of the lower pole of the kidney.

RESULTS

The overall stone-free rate at 3 months was 57%. The success rate was 67.18% for stones smaller than 1 cm and 38.88% for stones larger than 1 cm. Stones denser than bone were successfully treated in 45.5% of cases, those less dense than bone were successfully treated in 71.11% of cases. The success rate was 86.04% when the pyelocaliceal angle was greater than 90 degrees and 35.08% when this angle was less than 90 degrees. The stone-free rate was 75% when the caliceal stalk was less than 3 cm and 37.5% when the stalk was greater than 3 cm.

CONCLUSION

In this series, the size of the stone, its density, the pyelocaliceal angle and the length of the caliceal stalk were predictive elements of the success of ESWL for lower caliceal stones. The pyelocaliceal angle was the most significant factor. A very dense stone on the plain abdominal film with a diameter of 1 cm or more and presenting unfavourable anatomical factors should be treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy as the first-line procedure.

[Peroperative erection in lower urologic surgery]

Erection is a rare event during lower urinary tract surgery. When it is extremely refractory, endoscopy is impossible and the lower urinary tract surgery may need to be deferred. The development of erection during spinal anaesthesia is due to manipulations before complete installation of sensory block or incomplete blockade of sacral segments (S2 to S4) supplying the nervi erigentes. The mechanism of erection during general anaesthesia remains poorly elucidated. General anaesthesia may suppress central or peripheral sympathetic control of flaccidity. The peripheral target could be the smooth muscle of the cavernous tissue, either by a direct action or via alpha-adrenergic receptors. Psychogenic and reflexogenic stimuli have also been proposed, possibly facilitated by amplification of sensations during stage II anaesthesia. The various treatments are based on experience acquired in the field of priapism. Systemic treatments such as ketamine an beta 2 mimetics or benzodiazepines are not always effective and are associated with considerable adverse effects. Intracavernous injections of alpha-adrenergic drugs constitute the treatment of choice. Phenylephrine and etilefrine are preferred because of their rapid efficacy and particularly their only moderate cardiovascular adverse effects.

[Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women]

INDICATION FOR SURGERY: Exercise-induced urinary incontinence is responsible for more than 75% of all cases of urinary incontinence in women. Surgery can provide excellent cure if the initial indication is established properly.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

The aim is to correct the mechanical alterations leading to urine leakage: sphincter anomalies and cervico-urethral hypermobility. Colpo-suspension using the indirect Burch procedure and the direct Goebell-Stoeckel procedure are indicated for physically active patients. For sphincter failure, an artificial sphincter with a fixed bladder neck is indicated. Simplified transvaginal colpo-suspension is indicated for elderly women. TENSION FREE VAGINAL TAPE: The recently developed, this new technique appears extremely promising for the treatment of urethral hypermobility.

[Epididymal gaseous abscess after BCG treatment]

The authors report a case of unilateral epididymitis with caseous abscess after BCG-therapy for superficial bladder tumour. The severity of the lesions required orchidectomy, followed by four-agent tuberculostatic therapy.

[Value of cloverleaf double J ureteral stents in the treatment of extrinsic ureteral compression]

The authors report three cases of extrinsic bilateral ureteric stenoses in which standard double J ureteric stents did not allow medium-term improvement of renal function or resolution of pyelocaliceal cavity dilatation on ultrasonography. A favourable course was observed after insertion of cloverleaf double J ureteric stents.

[Outpatient treatment of pelvic ureteral calculi with extracorporeal lithotripsy. Report of a series of 200 patients consecutively treated]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the feasibility of first-line outpatient treatment of symptomatic stones of the pelvic ureter (sometimes immediately following an episode of renal colic), without anaesthesia, by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy using a latest generation apparatus (EDAP LT02) with concomitant dual guidance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The mean age of the patients was 45 years. The mean stone diameter was 7 mm (range: 3 to 25 mm). Lithotripsy was performed under dual ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance. All patients were reviewed at 3 months with follow-up and x-rays.

RESULTS

Fragmentation was considered to be complete in 79% of cases, partial in 10.5% of cases and absent in 10.5% of cases. Overall, 87% of stones were completely eliminated at 3 months. The only complication was fever of 38.5 degrees C requiring urinary tract drainage and subsequent ureteroscopy. Complementary treatment was necessary in 26 cases: ureteroscopy (n = 20), alkalinization (n = 1), Dornier ESWL (n = 5).

CONCLUSION

ESWL by EDAP LT02 allows first-line outpatient treatment of stones of the pelvic ureter with a satisfactory success rate.

[Comparison of biomechanical properties of the vaginal fixation in bladder neck suspensions according to the Burch technique and a percutaneous technique]

Bladder neck suspension or colpo-suspension can be performed via retropubic or percutaneous transvaginal approaches. A higher success rate is observed for retropubic procedures. One of the hypotheses proposed, but not yet verified, is that the retropubic approach allows better quality vaginal fixation than the percutaneous approach.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of vaginal fixation according to the Burch procedure and according to a percutaneous technique (Vesica; Boston Scientific).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed bladder neck suspension according to the Burch technique (2 points) on the left and according to the Vesica percutaneous technique on the right, on 6 fresh cadavers (mean age 8-5 years), using the same suture material. Vaginal fixations were subsequently excised. The depth of penetration into the vagina was measured and a computerized traction test (Lloyd Instruments, France) was performed on these fixations. The maximum force of traction before rupture was measured.

RESULTS

No significant difference was demonstrated for any of the measurements.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal fixation of bladder neck suspension performed according to the Burch technique or via a percutaneous technique (Vesica) present equivalent biomechanical properties.

[Physiopathology and evaluation of urinary incontinence in non-institutionalized aged patients]

The prevalence of urinary incontinence increases with age, with a predominance of incontinence due to detrusor instability. The development of incontinence in an elderly person can be explained pathophysiologically by the development of age-related histological and functional alterations of the bladder, by increased nocturnal diuresis at the expense of diurnal diuresis and finally, in women, by a reduction of urethral pressure. The initial assessment is essentially clinical and must comprise evaluation of concomitant diseases and drugs likely to favour the development of incontinence, a voiding diary and assessment of the post-voiding residual volume. Only a test for urinary tract infection by dipsticks or urine culture constitutes an essential first-line complementary investigation, as urodynamic studies can be reserved for more complex situations.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis: apropos of a case and review of the literature]

Based on a case report and a review of the literature, the authors describe the features of emphysematous pyelonephritis. This rare disease with a poor prognosis constitutes a difficult clinical diagnosis. The positive diagnosis is based on urgent computed tomography. The reference treatment is emergency nephrectomy in an intensive care context.

[Fixation of the vaginal vault by high midline levator myorrhaphy]

The treatment of prolapse of the vaginal vault is complex and requires abdominal or vaginal procedures associated with significant morbidity. For the last 10 years, the authors have been using a simple transvaginal vault fixation technique, which satisfies the requirements of functional surgery: restoration of anatomy, reduced morbidity, easeto learn. This article is intended to precisely describe the surgical technique and to present the results based on a series of 51 patients operated bwiththis technique.

[Contribution of pressure-flow relationship studies in the evaluation of benign hypertrophy of the prostate]

Pressure-flow studies consist of simultaneously measuring urine flow rate and the detrusor pressure required to achieve this flow rate. It is the reference test for the diagnosis of bladder neck obstruction, characterized by the combination of high detrusor pressure and low urine flow rate. Pressure-flow studies are essentially indicated in the presence of voiding disorders of undetermined aetiology, with a discordance between clinical history, clinical examination and uroflowmetry, or in the presence of neurological disease associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or when surgical treatment of BPH is associated with particular morbidity in order to document bladder neck obstruction.