scholarly journals Laparoscopic varicocelectomy in male infertility

Author(s):  
Felix Seiler ◽  
Philipp Kneissl ◽  
Claudius Hamann ◽  
Klaus-Peter Jünemann ◽  
Daniar Osmonov

Summary Background The suitability of laparoscopic varicocelectomy for assisted reproductive technology depends on the improvement of semen parameters. The present study analyzed the improvement of semen parameters following laparoscopic varicocele ligation. Material and methods A retrospective study of the laparoscopic varicocele clippings at the Department of Urology of University Hospital of Kiel between the years 2007 and 2019 was conducted. The semen analyses according to WHO standards (sperm count, density, motility and morphology) were conducted before and 12 months after surgery. Screening for surgical complications took place at the time of the follow-up seminal analysis. Included were patients with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and/or teratozoospermia (group 1, OAT) or with nonobstructive azoospermia (group 2, NOA). Results This study included data of 27 patients and 22 patients presented preoperative OAT (81%, group 1). Another 5 patients showed NOA (19%, group 2). Data of group 1 showed that semen parameters normalized in 32% of the patients after surgery. Significant improvement in total sperm count (p < 0.005), sperm density (p < 0.005) and total motile sperm count (p < 0.005) was observed. No deterioration of semen parameters was observed. In group 2 we detected spermatozoa in 1 case in the postoperative ejaculate. None of the patients showed complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, postoperative hydrocele formation or recurrence of varicocele at the time of control spermiogram. Conclusion Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a valid therapeutic approach to improve semen parameters for further assisted reproductive techniques. Spermatogenesis may be induced for patients with NOA. Normalization of semen parameters can be achieved for patients with OAT.

Author(s):  
Haytham M. Nasser ◽  
Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Gad M. Behairy ◽  
Mostafa Abdo

Abstract Background Varicocele is an abnormally dilated pampiniform plexus of the veins within the spermatic cord and is considered the most common correctable cause of male factor infertility. Many approaches are described for treatment either surgical (tradition inguinal, subinguinal, and laparoscopic) or non-surgical percutaneous embolization. During the period from August 2017 to December 2018, we prospectively analyzed the preoperative and post-operative alteration of semen parameters (at 3 and 9 months) of the data collected from 63 patients with clinically evident varicocele referred to our tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, thirty-three patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical ligation, and group 2, thirty patients who underwent percutaneous embolization. Results Sixty-three patients enrolled in this study were divided in two groups: group 1, patients who underwent surgery, and group 2, patients who underwent embolization; the mean age is 24.6 ± 1.27 years in group 1 and 23.7 ± 2 years in group 2; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. Bilaterality was present in 15.2% of group 1 patients and 10% in group 2 patients (P value 0.06). Most of the patients were classified as grades 2 and 3 with no statistical significance regarding severity of the disease. Preoperative semen parameters for patients including sperm count, motility, and abnormal forms showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Post-intervention semen analysis was done twice during follow-up after 3 months and 9 months from the date of intervention. After 3 months, the semen parameters were improved in both groups in spite of the higher sperm count in group 2 but with no statistical significance. After 9 months follow-up, semen analysis showed persistent increase in sperm mobility in group 1 patients in comparison to group 2 patients. Both groups had better improvement in count of normal form with no statistical significant change. Conclusion Improvement of semen parameters while treating primary varicocele by either subinguinal microsurgery approach or percutaneous embolization shows equivalent outcomes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 61 (3A) ◽  
pp. 566-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tânia A.M.O. Cardoso ◽  
Fernando Cendes ◽  
Carlos A.M. Guerreiro

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of leaving seizure-free patients on low-dose medication. METHOD: This was an exploratory prospective randomized study conducted at our University Hospital. We evaluated the frequency of seizure recurrence and its risk factors following complete or partial antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal in seizure free patients for at least two years with focal, secondarily generalized and undetermined generalized epilepsies. For this reason, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (complete AED withdrawal), and Group 2 (partial AED withdrawal). Partial AED withdrawal was established as a reduction of 50% of the initial dose. Medication was tapered off slowly on both groups. Follow-up period was 24 months. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were followed up: 45 were assigned to complete (Group 1) AED withdrawal and 49 to partial (Group 2) AED withdrawal. Seizure recurrence frequency after two years follow-up were 34.04% in group 1 and 32.69% in Group 2. Survival analysis showed that the probability of remaining seizure free at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after randomization did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.8). Group 1: 0.89, 0.80, 0.71 and 0.69; group 2: 0.86, 0.82, 0.75 and 0.71. The analysis of risk factors for seizure recurrence showed that more than 10 seizures prior to seizure control was a significant predictive factor for recurrence after AED withdrawal (hazard ratio = 2.73). CONCLUSION: Leaving seizure free patients on low AED dose did not reduce the risk for seizure recurrence. That is, once the decision of AED withdrawal has been established, it should be complete.


2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Zeynel Keskin ◽  
Salih Budak ◽  
Evrim Emre Aksoy ◽  
Cem Yücel ◽  
Serkan Karamazak ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) ratio on semen parameters and serum reproductive hormones. Materials and methods: The data of 454 patients who prsented to male infertility clinics in our hospital between 2014 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Weight, height, serum hormone levels and semen analysis results of the patients were obtained. BMI values were calculated by using the weight and height values of the patients and they were classified as group 1 for BMI values ≤ 25 kg/m2, as group 2 for BMI values 25-30 kg/m2 and as group 3 for BMI values ≥ 30 kg/m2. Results: The mean values of BMI, semen volume, concentration, total motility, progressive motility, total progressive motile sperm count (TPMSC), normal morphology according to Kruger, head abnormality, neck abnormality, tail abnormality, FSH, LH, prolactin, T/E2, total testosterone and estradiol parameters of the patients were considered. Patients were divided according to BMI values in Group 1 (n = 165), Group 2 (n = 222) and Group 3 (n = 56). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of all variables between the groups. Conclusions: We analyzed the relationship between BMI level and semen parameters and reproductive hormones, demonstrating no relationship between BMI and semen parameters. In our study, BMI does not affect semen parameters although it shows negative correlation with prolactin and testosterone levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Yusaku Miura ◽  
Yosuke Harada ◽  
Yoshiaki Kiuchi

Purpose. To compare short-term clinical outcomes between two different intraocular lens (IOL) types in the flanged IOL fixation technique. Methods. This study was a retrospective case series and included the patients who underwent flanged IOL fixation between June 2017 and July 2018 at the Hiroshima University Hospital. Two different 3-piece IOLs (NX-70 and PN6A) were used. Recipients of NX-70 and PN6A IOLs were classed into groups 1 (15 eyes) and 2 (25 eyes), respectively. Patient characteristics, surgical results, and postoperative complications were analyzed. We excluded patients with a postoperative follow-up of <1 month. Results. The mean follow-up period was 13.3 ± 11.7 weeks. The postoperative best corrected visual acuity, in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), was 0.10 ± 0.33 in group 1 and 0.26 ± 0.42 in group 2. The mean operation times for groups 1 and 2 were 11.2 ± 4.54 minutes and 7.00 ± 2.20 minutes, respectively (p=0.0024). Detachment of the IOL haptic from the optic during surgery occurred in four eyes in group 2 (16%), but did not occur in group 1. Iris capture of the optic was observed in 3 of the 13 eyes (23%) without a peripheral iridotomy in group 2. No peripheral iridotomies were performed on group-1 eyes, but iris capture did not occur in that group. Conclusions. There was a trend to fewer intraoperative and postoperative complications when using NX-70 IOLs. On the other hand, PN6A IOLs was easy to maneuver within the anterior chamber, and the operation time was shorter when using PN6A IOLs. Selection of optimal IOLs for flanged IOL fixation necessitates an understanding of their characteristics in terms of intraoperative and postoperative complications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Tsampoukas ◽  
Athanasios Dellis ◽  
Antigoni Katsouri ◽  
Dominic Brown ◽  
Konstantinos Deliveliotis ◽  
...  

Introduction: In comparison to its clinical analogue, the subclinical varicocele represents a questionable entity and specific guidelines for the optimal management are lacking. In our previous study of patients with subclinical varicocele, we showed that bilateral condition is associated with risk of dyspermia. In the present study, we evaluated the risk of deterioration of semen quality in men with bilateral disease and impaired motility according to WHO criteria. Materials and methods: Men with bilateral subclinical varicocele, not desiring fatherhood at the time of presentation, were included in study. During initial evaluation, the number of Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) was calculated and the patients’ age, total testicular volume (TTV), maximum venous size and mean resistive index (RI) of the intratesticular arteries were recorded. We classified the participants in five classes according to the TMSC reading: class A-: TMSC < 5 x 106, class A: TMSC between 5-10 x 106, class B: TMSC between 10-15 x 106, class C: TMSC between 15-20 x 106, and class D: TMSC > 20 x 106 per ejaculate. The participants were seen after 6 months for a repeat spermiogram and physical examination. If clinical varicocele was diagnosed or a new abnormality in the spermiogram was noted, the participants were excluded from the study. The remaining patients were allocated to two groups according to the repeat TMSC reading: patients sub-classified into a lower class (group 1), and patients remaining at the same class (group 2). A comparative analysis was performed between two groups. Results: Nineteen men were included. Nine patients were subclassified (group 1). Three patients moved to A- class (< 5 x 106). Ten patients remained in the same class having no deterioration (group 2). Comparing the two groups, no statistically significant difference was recognized for age, TTV, maximum venous size on both sides, and mean RI (p > 0.05). However, the initial reading for TMSC was 14.57 x 106 in group 1, and 22.84 x 106 in group 2, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, in a paired analysis there was a significant difference in TMSC after 6 months (p < 0.05), too. Summary Conclusions: Young men with bilateral varicocele and asthenospermia seem to be at risk of deterioration in their semen quality after a follow-up of 6 months. The measurement of TMSC can unmask patients at risk, whereas men with the lowest readings seem to be at highest risk for deterioration. The possibility of a worsening sperm quality should be considered in the appropriate clinical context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Proff ◽  
B Merkely ◽  
R Papp ◽  
C Lenz ◽  
P.J Nordbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronotropic incompetence (CI) in heart failure (HF) population is high and negatively impacts prognosis. In HF patients with an implanted cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device and severe CI, the effect of rate adaptive pacing on patient outcomes is unclear. Closed loop stimulation (CLS) based on cardiac impedance measurement may be an optimal method of heart rate adaptation according to metabolic need in HF patients with severe CI. Purpose This is the first study evaluating the effect of CLS on the established prognostic parameters assessed by the cardio-pulmonary exercise (CPX) testing and on quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Methods A randomised, controlled, double-blind and crossover pilot study has been performed in CRT patients with severe CI defined as the inability to achieve 70% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR). After baseline assessment, patients were randomised to either DDD-CLS pacing (group 1) or DDD pacing at 40 bpm (group 2) for a 1-month period, followed by crossover for another month. At baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups, a CPX was performed and QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The main endpoints were the effect of CLS on ventilatory efficiency (VE) slope (evaluated by an independent CPX expert), the responder rate defined as an improvement (decrease) of the VE slope by at least 5%, percentage of maximal predicted heart rate reserve (HRR) achieved, and QoL. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled in the study, 20 fulfilled the criterion for severe CI and entered the study follow-up (mean age 68.9±7.4 years, 70% men, LVEF=41.8±9.3%, 40%/60% NYHA class II/III). Full baseline and follow-up datasets were obtained in 17 patients. The mean VE slope and HRR at baseline were 34.4±4.4 and 49.6±23.8%, respectively, in group 1 (n=7) and 34.5±12.2 and 54.2±16.1% in group 2 (n=10). After completing the 2-month CPX, the mean difference between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 modes was −2.4±8.3 (group 1) and −1.2±3.5 (group 2) for VE slope, and 17.1±15.5% (group 1) and 8.7±18.8% (group 2) for HRR. Altogether, VE slope improved by −1.8±2.95 (p=0.31) in DDD-CLS versus DDD-40, and HRR improved by 12.9±8.8% (p=0.01). The VE slope decreased by ≥5% in 47% of patients (“responders to CLS”). The mean difference in the QoL between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 was 0.16±0.25 in group 1 and −0.01±0.05 in group 2, resulting in an overall increase by 0.08±0.08 in the DDD-CLS mode (p=0.13). Conclusion First results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of CLS in CRT patients with severe CI revealed that CLS generated an overall positive effect on well-established surrogate parameters for prognosis. About one half of the patients showed CLS response in terms of improved VE slope. In addition, CLS improved quality of life. Further clinical research is needed to identify predictors that can increase the responder rate and to confirm improvement in clinical outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Biotronik SE & Co. KG


Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijie Chen ◽  
Kaizhe Chen ◽  
Yufei Yan ◽  
Jianmin Feng ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of medial posterior tibial slope (PTS) on mid-term postoperative range of motion (ROM) and functional improvement of the knee after medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods Medical records of 113 patients who had undergone 124 medial UKAs between April 2009 through April 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up lasted 7.6 years (range, 6.2–11.2 years). Collected were demographic data, including gender, age, height, weight of the patients. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral knee radiographs of the operated knees were available in all patients. The knee function was evaluated during office follow-up or hospital stay. Meanwhile, postoperative PTS, ROM, maximal knee flexion and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score (pre−/postoperative) of the operated side were measured and assessed. According to the size of the PTS, patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (<4°), group 2 (4° ~ 7°) and group 3 (>7°). The association between PTS and the knee function was investigated. Results In our cohort, the average PTS was 2.7° ± 0.6° in group 1, 5.6° ± 0.9° in group 2 and 8.7° ± 1.2° in group 3. Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences among them (p < 0.01). The average maximal flexion range of postoperative knees in each group was 112.4° ± 5.6°, 116.4° ± 7.2°, and 117.5° ± 6.1°, respectively, with significant difference found between group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.05), and between group 1 and group 3 (p < 0.05). However, the gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) did not differ between three groups and there was no significant difference between groups in terms of pre−/postoperative HSS scores or postoperative knee ROM. Conclusion A mid-term follow-up showed that an appropriate PTS (4° ~ 7°) can help improve the postoperative flexion of knee. On the other hand, too small a PTS could lead to limited postoperative knee flexion. Therefore, the PTS less than 4° should be avoided during medial UKA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902199799
Author(s):  
Tianming Yu ◽  
Jichong Ying ◽  
Jianlei Liu ◽  
Dichao Huang ◽  
Hailin Yan ◽  
...  

Purpose: The study described a novel surgical treatment of Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fracture in tri-malleolar fracture and patient outcomes at intermediate period follow-up. Methods: All patients from January 2015 to December 2017 with tri-malleolar fracture of which posterior malleolar fractures were Haraguchi type 1, were surgically treated in this prospective study. Lateral and medial malleolar fractures were managed by open reduction and internal fixation through dual incision approaches. 36 cases of Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fractures were randomly performed by percutaneous posteroanterior screw fixation with the aid of medial exposure (group 1). And 40 cases were performed by percutaneous anteroposterior screw fixation (group 2). Clinical outcomes, radiographic outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were recorded. Results: Seventy-six patients with mean follow-up of 30 months were included. There were no significant differences in the mean operation time (81.0 ± 11.3 vs. 77.2 ± 12.4), ankle function at different periods of follow-up, range of motions and visual analog scale (VAS) at 24 months between the two groups ( p > 0.05). However, the rate of severe post-traumatic arthritis (Grade 2 and 3) and the rate of step-off rather than gap in radiological evaluation were lower in group 1 than that in group 2 ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Using our surgical technique, more patients had good outcome with a lower rate of severe post-traumatic arthritis, compared with the group of percutaneous anteroposterior screw fixation. Percutaneous posteroanterior screw fixation can be a convenient and reliable alternative in treating Haraguchi type 1 posterior malleolar fracture.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emre Erdem ◽  
Ahmet Karatas ◽  
Tevfik Ecder

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The effect of high serum ferritin levels on long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients is unknown. The relationship between serum ferritin levels and 5-year all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients was investigated in this study. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 173 prevalent hemodialysis patients were included in this study. The patients were followed for up to 5 years and divided into 3 groups according to time-averaged serum ferritin levels (group 1: serum ferritin &#x3c;800 ng/mL, group 2: serum ferritin 800–1,500 ng/mL, and group 3: serum ferritin &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL). Along with the serum ferritin levels, other clinical and laboratory variables that may affect mortality were also included in the Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighty-one (47%) patients died during the 5-year follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 38 (17.5–60) months. The 5-year survival rates of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 64, and 27%, respectively. In group 3, the survival was lower than in groups 1 and 2 (log-rank test, <i>p</i> = 0.002). In group 1, the mortality was significantly lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05–0.49]; <i>p</i> = 0.001). In group 2, the mortality was also lower than in group 3 (HR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.12–0.88]; <i>p</i> = 0.026). No significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2 was found (HR [95% CI]: 0.49 [0.23–1.04]; <i>p</i> = 0.063). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Time-averaged serum ferritin levels &#x3e;1,500 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients are associated with an increased 5-year all-cause mortality risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Constantin Roder ◽  
Uwe Klose ◽  
Helene Hurth ◽  
Cornelia Brendle ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background and Purpose:</i></b> Hemodynamic evaluation of moyamoya patients is crucial to decide the treatment strategy. Recently, CO<sub>2</sub>-triggered BOLD MRI has been shown to be a promising tool for the hemodynamic evaluation of moyamoya patients. However, the longitudinal reliability of this technique in follow-up examinations is unknown. This study aims to analyze longitudinal follow-up data of CO<sub>2</sub>-triggered BOLD MRI to prove the reliability of this technique for long-term control examinations in moyamoya patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Longitudinal CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI follow-up examinations of moyamoya patients with and without surgical revascularization have been analyzed for all 6 vascular territories retrospectively. If revascularization was performed, any directly (by the disease or the bypass) or indirectly (due to change of collateral flow after revascularization) affected territory was excluded based on angiography findings (group 1). In patients without surgical revascularization between the MRI examinations, all territories were analyzed (group 2). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Eighteen moyamoya patients with 39 CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI examinations fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up between the 2 examinations was 12 months (range 4–29 months). For 106 vascular territories analyzed in group 1, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.784, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and for group 2 (84 territories), it was 0.899, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001. Within the total follow-up duration of 140 patient months, none of the patients experienced a new stroke. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> CO<sub>2</sub> BOLD MRI is a promising tool for mid- and long-term follow-up examinations of cerebral hemodynamics in moyamoya patients. Systematic prospective evaluation is required prior to making it a routine examination.


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