In the absence of large trials, it is important for us to discuss whether a well-conducted meta-analysis of smaller randomized controlled trial (RCT) can replace large trials or not. We have evaluated the quality of original literature and methodological quality. The difference between meta-analysis of smaller RCT and the largest randomized trials have also discussed.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of pedicled scrotal septal flap urethroplasty on longsegment posterior urethral stricture and to assess its appl ication value. Methods From January 2003 to December 2007, 24 patients (age range, 6-54 years old) with long-segment urethral stricture underwent pedicled scrotal septal flap urethroplasty.The duration of the disease was 1-5 years. The stricture was caused by traumatic urethral injury or disruption in 22 cases,postoperative compl ication of suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy in 1 case, and recurrent urethral infection due to long-term indwell ing urinary catheter in 1 case. Urethroscopy or cystourethrography examination confirmed that all cases had urethral stricture 2.0-5.5 cm in length. Eleven cases were compl icated with urethral false passage, 6 with urethral fistula, 2 with intestinal fistula, and 6 with erectile dysfunction. The result of excretion urography of bilateral upper urinary tracts was negative in all cases. Pedicled scrotal septal flap 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm-6.5 cm × 2.5 cm in size was harvested during operation, and urethroplasty was performed. Results Volume of blood loss during operation was 100-500 mL (average 270 mL). The operative time was 90-220 minutes (average 135 minutes). All flaps survived. All wounds healed by first intention. All patients had normal urination after operation. Over the follow-up period of 12-36 months (average 18.6 months), 1 of the 24 patients suffered from urinary incontinence, 2 from urethral stricture, 1 from urethral stricture and urethral fistula, and 1 from urethral diverticulum around the distal anastomosis. Those patients got normal urination after symptomatic treatment. No urethral stone, urinary incontinence, and new case of erectile dysfunction occurred. The maximum urinary flow rate 16 months after operation was 14-21 mL/s (average 17.6 mL/s). Voiding cystourethrography 22 months after operation showed unblocked urinary tract and no formation of stricture and fistula. Conclusion Pedicled scrotal septal flap urethroplasty, featured by simple operative method, easy flap harvest, and high survival rate of flap, is one of safe and effective methods for treating long-segment posterior urethral stricture.
Prostate disease is one of the most common urological disease. A large number of studies have shown that prostate disease is related to changes in the local microenvironment. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Its pathogenesis may involve many factors. Periodontitis may have adverse effects on cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and endocrine systems. Recent studies have found that chronic periodontitis is associated with the occurrence and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis, but the relationship is not clear. Therefore, further research is needed. This article elaborates on inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis, periodontitis and prostatitis, and periodontitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, aiming to provide certain ideas for clinical research and diagnosis and treatment.
Objective To review the current research status and clinical application progress of extracellular matrix (ECM) material in tissue engineering. Methods The literature about the latest progress in the preparation, biocompatibility, mechanical property, degradability, and clinical application of ECM material was extensively reviewed. Results The improvement of the ECM preparation method and thorough understanding of the immunological properties have laid the foundation for the repair and reconstruction of the tissue. Moreover, a series of animal studies also confirm that the feasibility and effectiveness of the ECM such as small intestinal submucosa, bladder ECM grift, and acellular dermis which have been applied to the repair and reconstruction of the urethra, bladder, arteries, and skin tissue. It shows a wide prospect of clinical application in the future. Conclusion ECM material is a good bio-derived scaffold, which is expected to become an important source of alternative materials for the repair and reconstruction of the tissue.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the progress and cl inical appl ication of cellular therapy for stress urinaryincontinence (SUI). Methods The l iterature about cellular therapy of SUI was extensively reviewed. Results Becauseof having no or poor regeneration capacity, the cl inical application of chondrocytes and myoblasts were l imited. Based on the rapid progress in stem cell biology, an increasing number of animal experiments and cl inical trials about cellular therapy of SUI have been reported with encouraging results. All these show that cellular therapy has great potential in cl inical application. Stem cells are considered as ideal seeded-cells for treatment of SUI. Conclusion Cellular therapy, especially stem cells, provides a novel approach for treatment of SUI, but the mechanism needs further study.
Objective To sum up the research advances in urethra reconstruction with tissue engineering techniques. Methods The recent original articles about urethra reconstruction with engineering techniques were extensively reviewed. Results At present, human urothelium and smooth muscle cells have been successfully harvested，cultivated, and expanded in vitro in sufficient quantitiesfor reconstruction. Tissue engineering for urethral reconstruction includes matrices alone, the body’s natural ability which induces new tissue growth, or the use of matrices with cells. Conclusion The tissue engineering materials for urethral reconstruction has been used successfully to repair defect of hypospadias and urethral strictures. The reconstructionof complex urethral defects need to be improved and developed.
Objective To assess the efficacy of finasteride in treating perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBase (1984 to 2004), CBM (1980 to 2005), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2005) and relevant journals to identify cl inical trials involving finasteride in patients undergoing TURP. We also checked the references in the reports of each included trial. The qual ity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed according to the methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration, and the qual ity of non-RCTs was assessed based on the methods recommended by Jiang-ping Liu, Stroup and Hailey. Two reviewers extracted data independently and data analyses were conducted with The Cochrane Collaboration’ s RevMan 4.2. Result We included 4 RCTs and 1 non-RCT. The qual ity of 3 RCTs was graded C and the other one was graded B. The quality of the non-RCT was relatively high. Meta-analyses showed that with comparable age, international prostate symptom score, prostate specific antigen, preoperative volume of prostate and excision volume between the two groups (Pgt;0.05), the perioperative bleeding volume (WMD –85.44, 95%CI –117.31 to –53.58), the bleeding volume per gram of resected prostate tissue (WMD –3.5, 95%CI –6.34 to –0.58) and hemoglobin reduction (WMD –1.61, 95%CI –1.96 to –1.26) of the finasteride group were significantly smaller than those of the control group. Conclusion The evidence currently available indicates that preoperative use of finasteride may reduce bleeding in patients undergoing TURP.
Objective To access the efficacy and safety of Holmium laser prostatectomy technique compared to TURP. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1996 to 2004), EMBASE (1984 to 2004), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2004), CNKI, VIP, CMCC and CBMdisc; and handsearched the relevant Chinese journals. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included. The quality of trials was evaluated and meta-analysis was performed. Non-randomized controlled trials were also included to evaluate the safety and efficacy. Results We found 4 randomized controlled trials. A total of 480 participants were in the trials ranging from 60 to 200. There was no statistical difference between the two techniques at 12 or 48 months follow-up in terms of quality of life (QOL) improvement（WMD=-0.19, 95%CI -0.81 to 0.44, Z=0.59, P=0.56; WMD=-0.30, 95%CI -0.90 to 0.30, Z=0.98, P=0.33); Qmax improvement（WMD=1.63 ml/s, 95%CI -0.32 to 3.59, Z=1.64, P=0.10; WMD=3.80 ml/s, 95%CI -1.36 to 8.96,Z=1.44, P=0.15); I-PSS or AUA (WMD=-0.06, 95%CI -1.01 to 0.89, Z=0.12, P=0.91; WMD=-1.40, 95%CI -3.91 to 1.11, Z=1.09, P=0.27) and the urethral stricture complication rate (RR=0.75, 95%CI 0.35 to 1.60, Z=0.74, P=0.46). However hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Holmium laser prostatectomy groups (total WMD=-24.89, 95%CI -28.56 to -21.21, Z=13.27, P＜0.000 01). We can not draw consistent conclusions in terms of blood loss according to the present data. One study indicated Holmium laser prostatectomy technique was more cost-effective than TURP. Conclusions In short period Holmium laser prostatectomy is as safe as TURP in terms of hospital stay, urethral stricture and blood loss complication. This new technique is as effiective as TURP in terms of I-PSS (AUA), Qmax and QOL. More RCTs and more long term follow-up is necessary.
New interventions are rapidly progressing into clinical practice through the preclinical study stage. The animal experiments should be comprehensive and critically evaluated for their pivotal role in this process. To integrate the evidence of animal studies by systematic review throws light on intervention outcomes and could decrease risk of participants in human trials. The methodological weakness of animal studies is easy to highlight but robust methods to synthesize evidence is essential. Here, we discuss some problems in systematic review of animal experiments and whether animal models of diverse species contribute to bias of meta-analysis conclusions.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of increasing water intake for the prevention of urinary calculi and its recurrence. Methods We defined the searching area, which included Medline, Embase, Cochrane CCTR and CBMA, and found the relevant materials by computer search and document search. At least two reviewers assessed trials quality and extracted data independently. Results A total of 4 studies met the inclusion criteria (I RCT, I CCT and 2 prospective cohort studies). Meta-analysis’ results showed that the aggregate OR and 95%CI of the effect of increasing water intake for the prevention of urinary calculi were 0.64 and 0.53-0.77; the aggregate OR and 95%CI of the effect of increasing water intake for the prevention of recurrence were 0.56 and 0.37-0.84; increasing water intake can prolong the recurrence interval (P=0.016). Each result had statistical significance. Conclusion Increasing water intake can prevent urinary calculi and its recurrence. Increasing water intake can prolong the recurrence interval.