Cosmetic Surgery

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) injections show potential for providing a quick, easy, and safe treatment option for men with lower urinary tract symptoms related to BPH, but two small studies presented yesterday provided equivocal results regarding the efficacy of this investigational approach. U.S. researchers tested their 10-minute, ultrasound-guided technique in a two-part study. In the first part, 10 patients were injected with botulinum, 100 units, to assess safety, International Prostate Symptom Score, flow rates, and bother scores. In the second part, 30 patients received 200 units of botulinum in a sham-controlled, double-blind study, and sequential MRIs were taken pretreatment and at 1 and 3 months post-treatment to measure prostate volume.

Genitofemoral (GF) nerve grafting during radical retropubic prostatectomy can be performed safely with a low risk of postoperative morbidity and shows promising efficacy for returning erectile function after surgery involving wide nerve resection, according to the results of a retrospective study undertaken by urologists from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.

Istanbul, Turkey--Swiss data add to growing evidence that injecting botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the detrusor muscle is a safe and efficient treatment option in patients suffering from overactive bladder, particularly in cases that prove refractory to other more conventional treatment modalities, like anticholinergic agents and physiotherapy.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) reduces the frequency of gynecomastia and breast pain in prostate cancer patients taking bicalutamide (Casodex), according to a study in Lancet Oncology (2005; 6:295-300).

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) reduces the frequency of gynecomastia and breast pain in prostate cancer patients taking bicalutamide (Casodex), according to a study in Lancet Oncology (2005; 6:295-300).

Orlando, FL--Testosterone's effect on the development and progression of BPH and prostate cancer is well known, but a group of University of Tennessee researchers has been focusing on testosterone's less frequently studied "partner in crime"—estrogen.

If your patients see an office with poor lighting, drab colors, and ncomfortable chairs, they may translate those messages as shoddy medical care.

A chemical used in certain types of plastic may stimulate growth of a specific category of prostate cancer cells, according a study in Cancer Research (2005; 65:54-65).

Will leuprolide acetate (Lupron) reimbursement fall by 20% in 2005? When will it take place? And what will the reimbursement be?

A combination of brachytherapy and external radiation plus androgen deprivation gives prostate cancer patients with high-risk disease a better chance of survival than patients treated with radiation alone, according to a study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics (2005; 61:32-43).

FDA approves new 12-month LHRH implant for prostate Ca

The FDA approved the marketing of a histrelin implant (Vantas) for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

The infection rate was cut in half for the men with the InhibiZone antibiotic covering (1.36% vs. 2.41% in those receiving the untreated prosthesis).

Paris--A novel adjustable device for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency shows success in women with stress unitary incontinence after other surgeries have failed, according to findings from an international, multicenter study.

The procedure should be of a durationand complexity that will permit the patient to recover and be discharged.

Minnetonka, MN-The FDA has cleared for marketing American Medical Systems' 700 Tactile Pump, the latest addition to the AMS 700 line of penile prostheses.

Minnetonka, MN-The FDA has cleared for marketing American Medical Systems' 700 Tactile Pump, the latest addition to the AMS 700 line of penile prostheses.

‘TAP’ is used when curvature is

San Francisco--Still known primarily for its ability to smoothfacial wrinkles, botulinum toxin A (Botox) is gaining acceptance as a treatmentoption for refractory overactive and neurogenic bladder.

Bard's SourceLink Connector System offers a customized approach to performingstranded implants during prostate brachytherapy.

Trimedyne's OmniPulse Holmium:YAG Laser utilizes DoublePulse technology,which delivers the ablation effect of two laser pulses with the acousticeffect of one pulse when treating renal stones. It also reduces potentialrisks of ureteral wall injury compared with normal pulsed operation, thecompany says.

Known primarily for smoothing facial wrinkles, botulinumtoxin A (Botox) is gaining acceptance as a treatment option for refractoryoveractive and neurogenic bladder. The latest evidence comes from the Universityof Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where a 110-patient review of the off-labeluse of botulinum toxin for those indications produced promising resultsin terms of both safety and efficacy.

Vienna, Austria--The first analysis of the Early Prostate Cancer program-presented3 years ago at the European Association of Urology annual congress-revealedthat the anti-androgen bicalutamide (Casodex), 150 mg, cuts prostate cancerprogression risk almost in half in patients with localized or locally advanceddisease. A second analysis, presented at this year's meeting, confirmedthat the earlier finding holds true whether patients are treated with radicalprostatectomy, radiotherapy, or watchful waiting.

FDA OKs treatment for men with testosterone deficiency. Livingston, NJ-The FDA has approved Columbia Laboratories' testosterone buccal system (Striant mucoadhesive) for testosterone replacement therapy. The transbuccal treatment is for men with conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone, including hypogonadism.

Chicago-New research on efforts to lower the infection rate among men receiving penile prostheses will likely change how urologists approach this challenging problem, say researchers from three leading Southeastern institutions.

Chicago-Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy can be performed safely and effectivelywith IV sedation, eliminating the need for general or spinal anesthesia,until now a principal downside to the procedure, a New York stone specialistreported at the AUA meeting yesterday.

Chicago-Penile implants provide greater patient satisfaction than eithermedical therapy or intracavernosal injections for erectile dysfunction,said Detroit researchers during a presentation yesterday.

Italy-Encrustation of urinary tract biomaterial remains a challenging problem for urologists. Devices such as urinary stents and catheters invariably become encrusted with calcium oxalate after long-term placement and are difficult to later remove.

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Presented by Dean G. Assimos, MD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC.