No 1 (2023)

Objective. To juxtapose the microbiological efficacy of standard and targeted antibiotic therapy (ABT) based on the comparison of the results of extended bacteriology of biomaterial in patients suffering chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) before and after treatment.

Materials & methods. Study design: single-centre observational comparative study. Sixty patients with CBP aged 20 to 45 years were included in the study. All patients underwent an initial examination: questioning, Meares-Stamey 4-glass test, extended bacteriology of biomaterial samples, and determination of antibacterial susceptibility (ABS). After the initial examination, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups (30/30 patients). In group (G) 1, antibacterial drugs were prescribed following the EAU guidelines on Urological Infections (monotherapy), in G2, focusing on the results of ABS (mono or combination therapy). Evaluation of the treatment effectiveness and control bacteriology were carried out three months after therapy.

Results. In G1 vs G2, nine vs ten aerobes and eight vs nine anaerobes were identified in the expressed prostate secretion, respectively. The microbial load of the samples in ≥103 CFU / ml was established in G1 vs G2 for five vs ten aerobes and seven vs eight anaerobes, respectively. The highest ABS of bacteria was determined to moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin. Cefixime was the most active against anaerobes. After treatment, no significant changes in the bacterial spectrum were observed in both groups. A more reliable decrease in the frequency of microorganism identification and the microbial load of the samples was observed in patients with G2 after the targeted ABT.

Conclusion. Targeted ABT based on extended bacteriology can be considered an effective alternative to standard guideline-approved ABT for the treatment of CBP.

Introduction. The increase in the proportion of people with various urinary disorders, which are based on anatomical and functional bladder remodeling due to aging, is currently un-deniable. This problem becomes more relevant due to the elevation in life expectancy. At the same time, the features of bladder remodeling, in particular, the structural changes of its vascular bed, are still practically not described in the literature. In men, the lower urinary tract undergoes additional transformation associated with age due to bladder outlet obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite the long history of studying BPH, the morphological basics of its evolution have not yet been fully elucidated, including the development of lower urinary tract decompensation and, in particular, the role of vascular changes. In addition, structural re-modeling of the bladder muscles in BPH is formed in those with pre-existing age-related changes in both the detrusor and its vascular system, which cannot but influence the dynamics of disease progression.

Aim. To study the structural changes of detrusor and its vascular bed associated with age, and to establish the role of their patterns in patients with BPH.

Materials and methods. The material was a specimen of the bladder wall obtained dur-ing: a) autopsies of 35 men aged 60–80 years who died from diseases not related to urological or cardiovascular pathology; b) autopsies of 35 men aged 60–80 years who had BPH without blad-der decompensation; c) intraoperative biopsies of 25 men of the same age who undergone surgical treatment for chronic urinary retention (postvoid residual volume of more than 300 ml), bilateral hydronephrosis, as complications of BPH. As a control, we used the specimens obtained from 20 males aged 20–30 years who died as a result of violence.

Histological sections of the bladder wall were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, according to Mason and Hart. Standard microscopy and stereometry of detrusor structural components and morphometry of the urinary bladder vessels were performed using a special ocular insert with 100 equidistant points. During morphometric examination of the vascular bed the thickness of the middle layer of arteries wall (tunica media) was measured, as well as a thickness of the entire wall of the veins in microns. In addition, a Schiff test and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of these histological sections were performed. The IHC was evaluated using a semi-quantitative method, taking into account the degree of staining in 10 fields of vision (×200).

The digital material was processed with the STATISTICA program using the Student's t-test. The distribution of the obtained data corresponded to normal. The data were considered re-liable if the probability of making error did not exceed 5% (p<0.05).

Results and discussion. In the course of natural aging, a structural remodeling of bladder vascular bed was observed, from the development of atherosclerosis of extra-organ arteries to restructuring of intra-organ arteries due to arterial hypertension. The progression of angiopathy leads to the development of chronic detrusor ischemia, which initiates the formation of focal at-rophy of the smooth muscles, destructive changes in the elastic fibers, neurodegeneration and stroma sclerosis. A long-term BPH leads to compensatory detrusor remodeling with hypertrophy of previously unchanged areas. At the same time, age-related atrophic and sclerotic changes in smooth muscles are accompanied with hypertrophy of individual areas of the bladder detrusor.

To maintain adequate blood supply to hypertrophied detrusor areas in the arterial and venous bladder vessels, a complex of myogenic structures is formed that can regulate blood circulation, making it dependent on the energy consumption of specific areas. However, progressive age-related changes in the arteries and veins eventually lead to an increase in chronic hypoxia, impaired nervous regulation and vascular dystonia, increased blood vessels sclerosis and hyalinosis, and sclerosis of intravascular myogenic structures with loss of their function of blood flow regulation, as well as the development of vein thrombosis. As a result, increasing vascular decom-pensation in patients with bladder outlet obstruction results in bladder ischemia and accelerates the decompensation of the lower urinary tract.

Aim. To find the most safe and effective method of surgical treatment of POP.

Materials and methods. To evaluate the efficiency of surgical techniques, a retrospective study of 5031 medical records from an electronic database was carried out. As the primary endpoint, we assessed the duration of the procedure, the volume of blood loss and the length of stay. As a secondary endpoint, the number of intra- and postoperative complications was assessed. In addition to objective data, we assessed subjective measures using the validated PFDI20 and PISQ12 questionnaires.

Results. The best results in terms of blood loss were shown by unilateral hybrid pelvic floor reconstruction and three-level hybrid reconstruction (33±15 ml and 36±17 ml, respectively). Patients who underwent the three-level hybrid pelvic floor reconstruction technique had the highest result: 33±15 points of the PISQ12 questionnaire, 50±28 points of the PFDI20 questionnaire, which was significant in comparison with other techniques (p<0.001). The number of postoperative complications was also significantly lower for this procedure.

Conclusion. Three-level hybrid pelvic floor reconstruction is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. In addition, this procedure can be done in a specialized hospital with the appropriate skills of surgeons.

Introduction. Ejaculation disorders occur in 62-75% of patients after surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite the development and widespread introduction into clinical practice of laser procedures, which have reduced the overall incidence of complications, the frequency of ejaculatory disorders is still high. This complication negatively affects the quality of life of patients.

Aim. To study the nature of ejaculation disorders in patients with BPH after surgical treatment. In this work, we did not compare the effect of various surgical methods and techniques in patients with BPH on ejaculation. At the same time, we selected the most widely used procedures in routine urological practice and assessed the presence and development of ejaculatory dysfunction prior to and after surgery. It should be emphasized that we determined the disorders that occurred in the same patients in whom ejaculatory function was evaluated prior to surgery.

Materials and methods. A prospective study of the ejaculatory function of 224 sexually active men aged 49 to 84 years with LUTS/BPH before and after surgical treatment was performed. From 2018 to 2021, thulium laser enucleation of prostatic hyperplasia (ThuLep) was done in 72 patients, conventional TURP in 136 patients, and 16 patients underwent open transvesical simple prostatectomy. Surgical treatment was carried out by certified urologists with extensive experience. ThuLep and conventional TURP were not ejaculatory-sparing. All patients underwent a standard examination for LUTS/BPH pre- and postoperatively, including IPSS score, uroflowmetry to determine the maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), PSA, urinalysis, transrectal ultrasound examination with a calculation of prostate volume, postvoid residual. The erectile function was assessed according to the IIEF-5 score. Ejaculation function was evaluated according to the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ-EjD) preoperatively and at 3- and 6-months follow-up. For the diagnosis of premature ejaculation, CriPS questionnaire was used. For the differential diagnosis of retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation after surgical treatment, patients underwent an analysis of post-orgasmic urine for the presence and quantity of spermatozoa.

Results. The average age of patients was 64 years. At baseline, various ejaculatory disorders were detected in 61.6% of cases. In 48.2% of patients (n=108) a decrease in the ejaculate volume was found, while 47.3% (n=106) noted a decrease in the intensity of ejaculation. In 15.2% of cases (n=34), acquired premature ejaculation was detected, and 17% (n=38) men reported pain or discomfort during ejaculation. In addition, 11.6% (n=26) had delayed ejaculation during intercourse. There were no patients with anejaculation at baseline. The average score on the IIEF-5 scale was 17.9, and on the IPSS scale 21.5 points.

Three months after surgical treatment, the following disorders of ejaculation were documented: retrograde ejaculation in 78 (34.8%), anejaculation in 90 (40.2%) patients. In the remaining 56 (25%) men, antegrade ejaculation was preserved. Among those with antegrade ejaculation, an additional survey was carried out, which showed a decrease in ejaculate volume and in the intensity of ejaculation in 46 (20.5%) and 36 (16.1%) cases, respectively. Pain during ejaculation was noted by 4 (1.8%) men, however, there was neither premature nor delayed ejaculation after surgical treatment.

Conclusion. In patients with BPH, the predominate types of ejaculation disorders before surgical treatment were as following: a decrease in ejaculate volume (48.2%), a decrease in the speed (intensity) of ejaculation (47.3%), painful ejaculation (17%), premature ejaculation (15.2%), and delayed ejaculation (11.6%). After surgical treatment, retrograde ejaculation (34.8%, n=78) and anejaculation (40.2%, n=90) prevailed.

Aim. To investigate the specific mechanisms of action of Fertiwell in a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging of the reproductive system.

Materials and methods. C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups: intact mice (control group), a group of mice with artificial accelerated aging treated with D-galactose alone (Gal), D-galactose followed by Fertiwell (PP), and D-galactose followed by a combination of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine (LC). The artificial accelerated aging of reproductive system was induced by daily intraperitoneal administration of D-galactose at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 8 weeks. After the end of therapy in all groups, the characteristics of sperm, the level of serum testosterone, immunohistochemical parameters, and the expression of specific proteins were evaluated.

Results. Fertiwell had a pronounced therapeutic effect on testicular tissues and spermatozoa, restored testosterone levels to normal values, and, in addition, was more effective protector against oxidative stress in the reproductive system compared to L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, which are widely used in male infertility. Fertiwell at a dose of 1 mg/kg allowed to significantly increase the number of motile spermatozoa to 67.4±3.1%, which was comparable to indicators in the intact group. The introduction of the Fertiwell positively affected the activity of mitochondria, which was also expressed in an increase in sperm motility. In addition, Fertiwell restored the intracellular level of ROS to the values of the control group and reduced the number of TUNEL+ cells (with fragmented DNA) to the level of intact control. Thus, Fertiwell, containing testis polypeptides, has a complex effect on reproductive function, leading to a change in gene expression, an increase in protein synthesis, the prevention of DNA damage in the testicular tissue, and an increase in mitochondrial activity in testicular tissue and spermatozoa of the vas deferens, which leads to the subsequent improvement of testicular function.

Introduction. An important aspect of the prevention of complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is to reduce the likelihood of injury to the adjacent structures and perirenal tissues.

Aim. To determine the efficiency and safety of renal puncture during mini-PCNL with a new atraumatic needle MG.

Materials and methods. A total of 67 patients who underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy at the Institute of Urology and Human Reproductive Health of Sechenov University were included in the prospective study. For the purpose of homogeneity of the groups, those with staghorn nephrolithiasis, nephrostomy, a history of prior kidney surgery (including PCNL), renal and collecting system anomalies, acute pyelonephritis, and blood clotting disorders were not included. The main group consisted of 34 (50.7%) patients who underwent atraumatic kidney puncture with a new needle MG (MIT, Russia), while in the control group there were 33 (49.3%) patients, who underwent standard puncture with Chiba or Troakar needles (Coloplast A/S, Denmark). The outer diameter of all needles was 18 G.

Results. In patients with a standard access, a hemoglobin decrease in the early postoperative period was more pronounced (p=0.024). The incidence of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification did not differ significantly (p=0.351), however, a JJ stent was placed in two patients from the control group due to impaired urine flow and the development of urinoma.

Conclusion. Together with a similar stone-free rate, atraumatic needle allows to reduce a hemoglobin drop, as well as less development of severe complications.

Purpose: Investigation of the results of ureteral stricture single balloon dilation in children with primary obstructive megaureter.

Materials and methods. Since 2012 to 2020 79 children (65 boys and 15 girls) with primary obstructive megaureter of II and III grades who had 92 affected ureters were operated on by method of ureteral stricture balloon dilation. Duration of postoperative stenting period was Me=68 [48; 91] days, bladder catheterization period – Me=15 [5; 61] days. Follow-up was from 1 to 10 years.

Results. There were no intraoperative complications in the group of investigation. Pyelonephritis exacerbation in the early postoperative period occurred in 15 cases (18,98%). Control comprehensive examination revealed that urodynamics of 63 children (79,74%) tended to normalization what persisted in the future. There was no positive dynamics in 16 cases (20,25%). Vesico-ureteral reflux was revealed in 4 cases.

Discussion. Assessment of impact of various predictors (passport, urodynamic, infectious, anatomic, operation and postoperative period characteristics) on the treatment results proved that the effectiveness of the procedure depends on the following factors: ureteral stricture length (M-U Test U=202,5 p=0,0002) and

features of the stricture rapture during ballooning (Fisher exact p=0,0006). There was significant difference in results in the group of up to 10 mm inclusive stricture length and the longer stricture group (Fisher exact p=0,00001). High activity of pyelonephritis in postoperative period was the predictor of adverse outcome (Fisher exact p=0,00001).

Conclusion. Practically 80% of children with primary obstructive megaureter may be reliably cured by the method of ureteral stricture balloon dilation. The risk of intervention failure is greatly increased in case of the stricture length is more than 10 mm and technical difficulties of ballooning indicating a high resistance of the narrowed portion of the ureter to dilation.

The work is devoted to the description of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a patient who previously underwent liver transplantation. In case of immunodeficiency of any etiology, one-stage non-severe kidney injury is less dangerous compared to infectious and inflammatory complications, which naturally have more severe course compared to in those with intact immune system. Based on these considerations, the patient underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which allowed to remove the stone of 2.5 cm in size without any complications. The choice of surgical treatment and management tactics for this category of patients are described in detail in the article.

Full-text articles published in peer-reviewed journals dedicated to the results of onlay ureteroplasty using various materials, as well as monographs on surgical treatment of long ureteral strictures are presented in the article. Over the past decade, onlay technique for the treatment of long ureteral strictures using flaps or grafts on a vascular pedicle have been introduced. Experimental data on the results of onlay ureteroplasty using autologous vein or bladder mucosa, as well as the small intestine submucosa (SIS) have been published in the literature. Due to the availability and good survival rate, buccal and tongue mucosal flaps are widely recognized as the optimal graft for onlay ureteroplasty. There are also studies on the results of ureteroplasty using SIS or appendix graft onlay for the upper and middle ureteral strictures. A use of tissue-engineered flaps for ureteroplasty remains contradictory. Further research in this direction may allow to obtain optimal grafts for onlay ureteroplasty. However, oral mucosa or appendix are predominant materials, which are used for onlay ureteroplasty.

Determining and evaluation of predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR) is one of the essential aim, which may help to achieve the most effective treatment of prostate cancer. Obviously, positive surgical margins represent an independent risk factor for BR following radical prostatectomy. The development of methods determining the status of the surgical margin during surgery is an important direction which can upgrade the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment. Moreoverit is relevant to review modern methods for diagnosing the status of the surgical margin during radical prostatectomy.

This article presents a systematic review carried out at the Department of Urology and Andrology of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. In September 2021, we performed a PubMed/Web of Science search to include articles published in 1995–2020 evaluating the key words «prostate cancer», «surgical margin», «radical prostatectomy», «biochemical recurrence», «methods for determining the surgical margin». Nowadays the following technologies have been developed and being actively studied: the usage of aminolevulinic acid, optical coherence tomography, optical spectroscopy, confocal laser microscopy, 3D augmented reality, 3D modeling, the study of frozen samples.