UNASSIGNED: Preserving the sexual function of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and reducing the incidence of postoperative retrograde ejaculation are critical for BPH patients with sexual needs.
UNASSIGNED: To explore the effect of complete preservation of the seminal tract during transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) on reducing retrograde ejaculation in BPH patients.
UNASSIGNED: BPH patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the Control group (traditional TURP) and the Experimental group (complete reserved ejaculatory duct) in a ratio of 1 : 1. Finally, data of 64 BPH patients - 34 in the Control group and 30 in the Experimental group - were analyzed. We measured the preoperative and postoperative maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QOL) score, semen volume, and ejaculation function.
UNASSIGNED: Compared with pre-operation values, patients in the two groups exhibited increased Qmax and decreased IPSS and QOL scores after the operation. However, there was no significant difference in Qmax, IPSS, or QOL between the Control and Experimental groups after the operation. The two groups of patients had a significant reduction in postoperative ejaculation. Compared with the Control group, the semen volume of patients was higher, and the incidence of retrograde ejaculation was lower in the Experimental group.
UNASSIGNED: Prostatectomy with complete preservation of the seminal tract is not different from conventional electrosurgical resection in improving urination symptoms, while the incidence of retrograde ejaculation is significantly lower.

UNASSIGNED: Although conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is highly successful in improving urinary symptoms and flow rates, a higher incidence of loss of antegrade ejaculation has been reported. Therefore, we aimed at prospectively comparing the efficacy and outcomes of a novel dual bladder neck and supramontanal sparing TURP to conventional TURP to improve voiding and ejaculation.
UNASSIGNED: Between January 2019 and November 2020, all patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) satisfying the eligibility criteria underwent either conventional TURP (Group 1) or combined bladder neck and supramontanal sparing TURP (Group 2) after randomisation. The groups were compared for functional outcomes including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rates, post-void residual urine, perioperative variables and postoperative complications. Ejaculation was assessed with International Index of Erectile Function-Question 9 (IIEF-9) and Ejaculation Projection score (EPS).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 90 patients were randomised, 45 each to Group 1 and 2 respectively. The demographic profiles across both groups were comparable. Retrograde ejaculation and bladder neck contracture were significantly higher in Group 1. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in the IPSS (26.12 ±2.88 to 4.69 ±0.87 (Group 1) vs 26.60 ±3.45 to 4.36 ±1.74 in Group 2) and Qmax (7.03 ±2.71 to 24.36 ±3.82 mL/s in Group 1 vs 6.29 ±2.64 to 25.28 ±4.33 mL/s in Group 2) at 3 months. However, a significant difference in IPSS and Qmax were recorded at 6 months. IIEF-9 score in Group 2 remained similar to preoperative profile (4.18 ±0.75) vs 2.58 ±0.86 (Group 1). EPS significantly decreased in Group 1 but remained similar to preoperative EPS in Group 2. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 88.89% in Group 2 as compared to 22.22% in Group 1.
UNASSIGNED: Dual bladder neck and supramontanal ejaculation preserving TURP is superior to conventional TURP in preventing retrograde ejaculation and bladder neck contractures in prostates <50 cc with comparable functional results, perioperative and postoperative morbidity.

The aortic plexus serves as the primary gateway for sympathetic fibers innervating the pelvic viscera. Damage to this plexus and/or its associated branches can lead to an assortment of neurogenic complications such as bladder dysregulation or retrograde ejaculation. The neuroanatomy of this autonomic plexus has only recently been clarified in humans; as such, the precise function of its constituent fibers is still not clear. Further study into the functional neuroanatomy of the aortic plexus could help refine nerve-sparing surgical procedures that risk debilitating neurogenic complications, while also advancing understanding of peripheral sympathetic circuitry. To this end, the current study employed an in vivo electrostimulation paradigm in a porcine model, in combination with lipophilic neuronal tracing experiments in fixed, post-mortem human tissues, to further characterize the functional neuroanatomy of the aortic plexus. Electrostimulation results demonstrated that caudal lumbar splanchnic nerves provide primary control over the porcine bladder neck in comparison to other constituent fibers within the aortic plexus. Ex vivo human data revealed that the prehypogastric ganglion contains a significant number of neurons projecting to the superior hypogastric plexus, and that these neurons are arranged in a topographic manner within the ganglion. Altogether, these findings suggest that a pivotal sympathetic pathway mediating bladder neck contraction courses through the caudal lumbar splanchnic nerves, prehypogastric and inferior mesenteric ganglia and superior hypogastric plexus.

Reports on perioperative complications after postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) for nonseminoma germ cell tumour (NSGCT) are from experienced single centres, with a lack of population-based studies.
To assess the complications of bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND.
A prospective, population-based, observational multicentre study included all patients with NSGCT who underwent PC-RPLND in Norway and Sweden during 2007-2014. Of a total of 318 patients, 87 underwent bilateral PC-RPLND and 231 underwent unilateral PC-RPLND. The median follow-up was 6 yr.
Bilateral and unilateral PC-RPLND were compared for the outcomes of intra- and postoperative complications (graded by Clavien-Dindo) and retrograde ejaculation (with or without nerve-sparing surgery). Complications were reported as absolute counts and percentages. The χ2 test was used for comparisons.
The incidence of intraoperative complications was higher for bilateral PC-RPLND than for unilateral PC-RPLND (14% vs 4.3%, p = 0.003), with ureteral injury as the most frequent reported complication (2% of the patients). Postoperative complications were more common after bilateral than after unilateral PC-RPLND (45% vs 25%, p = 0.001) with Clavien ≥3b reported in 8.3% and 2.2%, respectively (p = 0.009). Lymphatic leakage was the most common complication occurring in 11% of the patients. Retrograde ejaculation occurred more frequently after bilateral than after unilateral surgery (59% vs 32%, p < 0.001). Limitations of the study include reporting of retrograde ejaculation, which was based on a chart review.
Intra- and postoperative complications including retrograde ejaculation are more frequent after bilateral PC-RPLND than after unilateral PC-RPLND.
Lymph node dissection in patients with testicular cancer puts them at risk of complications. In this study, we present the complications after lymph node dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is controversial regarding the reported complication rates and cost. The authors aimed to assess the complication rates of performing ALIF using rhBMP-2.
METHODS: This is a prospective study of consecutive patients who underwent ALIF performed by a single spine surgeon and a single vascular surgeon between 2009 and 2012. All patients underwent placement of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage filled with rhBMP-2 and a separate anterior titanium plate. Preoperative clinical data, operative details, postoperative complications, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded for all patients. Clinical outcome measures included back and leg pain visual analog scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS and MCS) scores. Radiographic assessment of fusion was performed using high-definition CT scanning. Male patients were screened pre- and postoperatively regarding sexual dysfunction, specifically retrograde ejaculation (RE).
RESULTS: The study comprised 131 patients with a mean age of 45.3 years. There were 67 men (51.1%) and 64 women (48.9%). Of the 131 patients, 117 (89.3%) underwent ALIF at L5-S1, 9 (6.9%) at L4-5, and 5 (3.8%) at both L4-5 and L5-S1. The overall complication rate was 19.1% (25 of 131), with 17 patients (13.0%) experiencing minor complications and 8 (6.1%) experiencing major complications. The mean estimated blood loss per ALIF level was 115 ml. There was 1 incidence (1.5%) of RE. No significant vascular injuries occurred. No prosthesis failure occurred with the PEEK cage and separate anterior screw-plate. Back and leg pain improved 57.2% and 61.8%, respectively. The ODI improved 54.3%, with PCS and MCS scores improving 41.7% and 21.3%, respectively. Solid interbody fusion was observed in 96.9% of patients at 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with a vascular access surgeon and spine surgeon, using a separate cage and anterior screw-plate, provides a very robust and reliable construct with low complication rates, high fusion rates, and positive clinical outcomes, and it is cost-effective. The authors did not experience the high rates of RE reported by other authors using rhBMP-2.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed data obtained from a randomized controlled blinded study of the prostatic urethral lift (PUL) to evaluate the sexual side effects of this novel treatment.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether PUL, when conducted in a randomized study, significantly improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urinary flow rate while preserving sexual function.
METHODS: Men ≥50 years with prostates 30-80 cc, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >12, and peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≤12 ml/s were randomized 2:1 between PUL and sham. Sexual activity was not an inclusion criterion. In PUL, permanent transprostatic implants are placed to retract encroaching lateral lobes and open the prostatic fossa. Sham entailed rigid cystoscopy with sounds to mimic PUL and a blinding screen.
METHODS: Blinded groups were compared at 3 months and active arm then followed to 12 months for LUTS with IPSS and for sexual function with sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD). Subjects were censored from primary sexual function analysis if they had baseline SHIM < 5 at enrollment. Secondary stratified analysis by erectile dysfunction (ED) severity was conducted.
RESULTS: There was no evidence of degradation in erectile or ejaculatory function after PUL. SHIM and MSHQ-EjD scores were not different from control at 3 months but were modestly improved and statistically different from baseline at 1 year. Ejaculatory bother score was most improved with a 40% improvement over baseline. Twelve-month SHIM was significantly improved from baseline for men entering the study with severe ED, P = 0.016. IPSS and Qmax were significantly superior to both control at 3 months and baseline at 1 year. There was no instance of de novo sustained anejaculation or ED over the course of the study.
CONCLUSIONS: The PUL improves LUTS and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory function.