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Biomedical subjects

A J Costello

Publications and source records attributed to A J Costello.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate--long-term results.

Continuing experience with the use of Nd:YAG laser-fibre prostatectomy over the past 4 years has produced encouraging results. Of the 198 patients we treated with the 60-W/60-s technique, 74 were available for evaluation after undergoing laser ablation of the prostate between October 1990 and July 1994. In all, 29/74 and 9/74 patients were available for 24 and 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom scores, peak uroflow (Qmax) rates and post-void residual urinary volumes show marked improvement. Following laser ablation of the prostate (LAP), complications have included 16 patients with post-procedural recurrent obstructive symptoms requiring revision. Three patients developed urinary tract infection, two developed bladder-neck stenosis, four fully anticoagulated patients with clot retention required blood transfusion and three patients had epididymo-orchitis. The results show a sustained reduction in AUA symptom scores and maintained improvement in peak flow rates and residual volumes, with stabilization of the above-mentioned parameters occurring within 12-36 months. The results demonstrate the continued durability of the outcome of LAP.

Aged↗

Noncontact sidefire laser ablation of the prostate.

Continuing experience with Nd:YAG noncontact sidefiring laser fibers over the past 4 years has shown encouraging results. Thus far, of the 198 patients treated with the 60 W/60 seconds technique since October 1990, a total of 74 were available for long-term evaluation (69 at 12 months and 29 at 24 months). The AUA Symptom Scores, Qmax (peak uroflow rates), and postvoiding residual urine volumes demonstrated marked improvement. The complications included 16 instances of recurrent obstructive symptoms necessitating revision. Three patients suffered urinary tract infections, two patients developed bladder neck stenosis, four anticoagulated patients with clot retention required blood transfusions, and three patients had epididymoorchitis. Follow-up at 12 and 24 months showed sustained reduction in AUA Symptom Scores and maintained improvement of the peak flow rates and residual volumes. These results demonstrate the safety and clinical applicability of laser ablation of the prostate and its potential usefulness as a less invasive therapy for benign hyperplasia.

Aged↗

Further evaluation of transurethral laser ablation of the prostate in patients treated with anticoagulant therapy.

Transurethral Nd:YAG laser ablation of the prostate gland was used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 20 patients on Warfarin anticoagulant therapy, and in two patients with abnormal coagulation parameters secondary to haematologic disorders. Preliminary results for the first 10 of these patients has been reported previously. The mean pre-operative international normalized ratio (INR) was 2.6 (range 1.19 to 5.25) and the mean prostate volume was 56 cc (13.6-112 cc). All patients had significant subjective and objective indicators of prostatic obstruction and six patients were in urinary retention. Postoperative improvement in symptom score, maximum flow rate and post-void residual was noted in 82% of patients at 3 months, 89% at 6 months and 75% at 1 year. Two patients have required revision laser or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for persistent obstruction, while one patient required revision TURP for intractable haematuria. Three patients developed haematuria requiring transfusion while four patients had mild haematuria requiring no intervention. Laser ablation of the prostate can be used successfully and safely to treat prostatic obstruction in patients with abnormal coagulation parameters, or in those who are fully anticoagulated. Anticoagulation can be maintained during surgery in this group unlike TURP where pre-operative reversal is necessary with reinstitution of therapy several days postoperatively. Other authors report at least a 50% blood transfusion rate in this group. Laser prostatectomy appears the more appealing surgical option in these patients.

Aged↗

A randomised single institution study comparing laser prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate.

We concluded a prospective randomised study comparing conventional electrocautery transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to laser prostatectomy using a right-angled Nd:YAG beam reflector. Seventy-one patients were evaluable, 34 laser and 37 TURP. Fifty patients have completed 6 months of follow-up. Using standard post prostatectomy outcome parameters of maximum flow rate and post void residual urine, laser prostatectomy shows equivalence at 6 months, with mean maximum flow rates of 8.76 ml/sec preoperatively improving to 15.47 ml/sec at 6 months, whilst for TURP patients, flow rates improved from a mean of 9.48 ml/sec preoperatively to 19.1 ml/sec at 6 months. Symptom scores remain higher for the laser patients at this time with a mean score of 9.27 compared to 4.43 for TURP patients. However, morbidity in the laser group is less, particularly given the absence of postoperative bleeding and the necessity for blood transfusion.

Aged↗

CO2 laser subcapsular orchidectomy in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

Hormonal manipulation remains the main method of treatment in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Traditional techniques of surgical castration may result in complications due to bleeding within the scrotum. Because of its cutting and hemostatic properties, superior to that seen with traditional scalpel incisions in vessels < 1.5 mm diameter, the carbon dioxide laser has been used in performing subcapsular orchidectomy in an attempt to reduce such complications. Postoperative hormonal assays have demonstrated a response identical to orchidectomy, and no treatment complications were encountered in our series. Subcapsular orchidectomy using the carbon dioxide laser may offer an advantage over traditional methods of surgical castration by reducing the frequency of postoperative hematoma.

Humans↗

Second-generation delivery systems for laser prostatic ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a second-generation laser delivery system (Side-Fire) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty-three patients with documented BPH were treated and evaluated pre- and post-operatively with a follow-up period of twelve to thirty-six weeks. RESULTS: There was marked improvement demonstrated at three months post lasing in all patient outcome parameters (symptom score, flow rate, and post-void residual volume) using the new Side-Fire right-angled delivery system. CONCLUSION: Side-Fire catheter laser ablation therapy produces an excellent transition zone ablation in established BPH.

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Histopathological changes in human prostatic adenoma following neodymium:YAG laser ablation therapy.

Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate is a procedure currently under evaluation as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Removal of prostatic tissue by endoscopic resection or open surgical techniques from 7 patients in whom prostatic laser ablation was previously attempted offered an opportunity to evaluate the sequential effects of such energy upon the human prostate at varying intervals after treatment. A progressive inflammatory and necrotic response, initially akin to that demonstrated after a thermal burn, together with evolving vascular changes within the residual viable prostatic tissue were demonstrated. Our study demonstrates the changes in the human prostate whereby neodymium:YAG laser energy causes a deep coagulative necrosis and arterial thrombosis in the prostatic adenoma. These changes differ significantly from those noted in canine studies. A slower cavitation effect is observed in the human compared with the canine, and this finding mirrors the continuing clinical improvement in voiding parameters with time.

Aged↗

Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia by transurethral laser ablation in patients treated with warfarin anticoagulation.

Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate gland was used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia in 10 patients on warfarin anticoagulant therapy who had either significant clinical symptoms or who were in urinary retention. Anticoagulant therapy did not require alteration at any stage during treatment. All patients noticed improvements in symptom score assessments, flow rates and residual urine volumes following this procedure, and no significant complications were encountered. The hemostatic nature of neodymium:YAG laser energy as applied in this procedure appears to result in a technical improvement upon conventional transurethral resection for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients taking warfarin anticoagulant therapy.

Aged↗

Anaesthesia for laser prostatectomy.

A retrospective review was undertaken to examine current anaesthetic practice in a single institution for the management of patients undergoing laser ablation of the prostate for benign prostatic hypertrophy at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Melbourne. Two groups of patients (totalling 72) were identified, one undergoing the surgery with a regional anaesthetic technique and a smaller group on full anticoagulant therapy for associated medical problems where general anaesthesia was preferred.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

CO 2 laser subcapsular orchidectomy in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Hormonal manipulation remains the main method of treatment in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Traditional techniques of surgical castration may result in complications due to bleeding within the scrotum. Because of its cutting and hemostatic properties the carbon dioxide laser has been used in performing subcapsular orchidectomy in an attempt to reduce such complications. Postoperative hormonal assays have demonstrated a response identical to orchidectomy, and no treatment complications were encountered in our series. Subcapsular orchidectomy using the carbon dioxide laser may offer an advantage over traditional methods of surgical castration by reducing the frequency of postoperative hematoma.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Renal cell carcinoma in both moieties of crossed fused ectopia.

Crossed fused renal ectopia is an uncommon condition and cases of malignant tumours in such anomalies are exceedingly rare. The first case where simultaneous involvement of both moieties and perirenal fat by tumour occurred is reported here. A comparison of the appearances of radiological investigations with the anatomical specimen is presented, as is a literature review of this topic.

Aged↗

Evolving experience with radical prostatectomy.

Thirty-six radical prostatectomies were performed over an 8-year period; 25 suitable patients (70%) presented with symptoms of bladder outflow obstruction. In 15 cases (44%), initial digital rectal examination was not indicative of malignancy. The primary tumour was understaged pre-operatively in 17 patients (48%). In 14 cases (41%) the pre-operative biopsy grade was different from the grade assigned to the tumour following radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is being performed with increasing frequency: trends in morbidity have been identified.

Adult↗

Randomised study of the effect of midnight versus 0600 removal of urinary catheters.

A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to determine the effects of midnight removal of urinary catheters on patients' voiding patterns and subsequent discharge from hospital. Patients whose urinary catheters were removed at midnight showed a greater volume of initial void than those whose catheters were removed at the usual time of 0600. Removal of urinary catheters routinely at midnight permits earlier assessment of patients' voiding, which may allow for earlier discharge from hospital.

Humans↗