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A Really International Urological Journal
The
January – February 2009 issue of the International Braz J Urol presents
interesting contributions from many different countries, and as usual,
the editor’s comment highlights some papers.
Also, is again my great pleasure to confirm that
the International Braz J Urol is a truly international Journal. In this
issue, concerning articles and editorials, we present contributions from
12 different countries from different continents.
Doctor
Tyagi and colleagues, from William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan,
USA, investigated on page 76 the presence of functional ß1, ß2
and ß3-adrenoceptor in urothelium and detrusor muscle of human bladder
through in vitro pharmacology of selective ß3 adrenoceptor agonist
solabegron. They confirmed the presence of mRNA for ß1, ß2
and ß3-adrenoceptor in both human urothelium and detrusor. In an
in vitro functional bladder assay, solabegron and other agonists for ß-adrenoceptors
such as procaterol and isoproterenol evoked potent concentration-dependent
relaxation of isolated human bladder strips. It was concluded that selective
ß3-adrenoceptor agonist may be a potential new treatment for the
overactive bladder OAB syndrome. Also, the authors speculated that the
existence of ß3-adrenoceptor mRNA in the urothelium, in addition
to the detrusor muscle suggest multiple site of actions for the ß3-adrenoceptor
in the lower urinary tract. Dr. Atsushi Otsuka, from Hamamatsu University
School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan, provided an editorial comment to
this article.
Doctor
Castilho and colleagues, from Catholic University of Campinas evaluated
on page 24 the long-term follow-up (minimum 18 months) of 24 patients
undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. The authors
found intra-operative complications in 4 patients (16.7%) and postoperative
complications in 2 (8.3%). Eighteen (90%) of the 20 patients who had symptomatic
hypertension, returned to normal blood pressure immediately after surgery,
during the hospital stay. The authors found that the initial positive
results obtained in the treatment of 24 patients were confirmed after
a mean follow-up of 74 months. It was concluded that laparoscopic adrenalectomy
for pheochromocytoma is a safe and effective procedure, providing the
benefits of a minimally invasive approach. Dr. Tobias-Machado & Dr.
Maria Bicudo, from ABC Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil, Dr. Cassio
Andreoni, from Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil and Dr.
M Fau & Dr. Laurent Brunaud, from University of Nancy, France, provided
important editorial comments on laparoscopic treatment of pheochromocytoma.
Doctor
Lopes and co-workers, from Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia,
Brazil, presented on page 49 the use of a bovine pericardium graft in
corporoplasty for penile prosthesis implantation. Bovine pericardium was
used to cover large areas of implanted penile prostheses in 5 patients
with a history of erosion, infection and fibrosis and the use of the tunica
albuginea was unfeasible. The authors concluded that bovine pericardium
might substitute synthetic and autologous material with the additional
advantages of lower cost and greater availability. Dr. Paulo H. Egydio,
from the Center for Peyronie’s Disease, São Paulo, Brazil
and Dr. Nicolaas C. Lumen, from Ghent University Hospital, Belgium, provided
interesting editorial comments on this paper.
Doctor
Natalin and colleagues, from Columbia University, New York, USA, compared
on page 36 the ureteroscopic treatment outcomes of ureteral and renal
stones, stratified for stone size and location, between overweight, obese
and non-obese patients. A total of 107 patients underwent flexible or
semi-rigid ureteroscopy with Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy and met criteria
for review and analysis. The authors found an overall, initial stone-free
rates of 91%, 97%, and 94% in normal, overweight and obese individuals
respectively. When compared to non-obese patients, there were no significant
differences. For renal and proximal ureteral stones, the stone-free rate
in overweight and obese individuals was 94% in both groups; and a stone-free
rate of 100% was found for distal stones, also in both groups. It was
concluded that ureteroscopic treatment of stones in obese and overweight
patients is an acceptable treatment modality, with success rates similar
to non-obese patients. Dr. Mauricio Rubinstein, from Federal University
of State of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil and Dr. Eduardo Mazzucchi, from
University of Sao Paulo, USP, Brazil
Doctor
Nadu and collaborators, from Tel Aviv University, Israel, reported on
page 9 the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery combined with endourological
assistance for the treatment of renal stones in patients with associated
anomalies of the urinary tract. The authors studied 13 patients with ureteropelvic
junction obstruction, horseshoe kidney, ectopic pelvic kidney, fussed-crossed
ectopic kidney, and double collecting system. Treatment included laparoscopic
pyeloplasty, pyelolithotomy, and nephrolithotomy combined with flexible
nephroscopy and stone retrieval. Intraoperative complications were lost
stones in the abdomen diagnosed in 2 patients during follow up. Mean number
of stones removed was 12 (range 3 to 214). Stone free status was 77% (10/13)
and 100% after one ancillary treatment in the remaining patients. It was
concluded that laparoscopic and endourological techniques can be successfully
combined in a one-procedure solution that deals with complex stone disease
and repairs underlying urinary anomalies. Dr. Nasser Simforoosh, from
Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran and Dr.
Manickam Ramalingam, from K.G. Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Coimbatore,
India, provided important editorial comments on this paper.in the abdomen
diagnosed in 2 patients during follow up. Mean number of stones removed
was 12 (range 3 to 214). Stone free status was 77% (10/13) and 100% after
one ancillary treatment in the remaining patients. It was concluded that
laparoscopic and endourological techniques can be successfully combined
in a one-procedure solution that deals with complex stone disease and
repairs underlying urinary anomalies. Dr. Nasser Simforoosh, from Shaheed
Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran and Dr. Manickam
Ramalingam, from K.G. Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Coimbatore,
India, provided important editorial comments on this paper.
Dr.
Francisco J. B. Sampaio
Editor-in-Chief
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