Scandinavian journal of urology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Can low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improve erectile dysfunction? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) can be used as a treatment for men with erectile dysfunction of organic origin. ⋯ This placebo-controlled study over 5 weeks shows that 57% of the men who suffered from erectile dysfunction had an effect from LI-ESWT. After 24 weeks, seven (19%, active group) and nine (23%, active placebo group) men were still able to have intercourse without medication. This study shows a possible cure in some patients, but more research, longer follow-up in the placebo group and an international multicentre randomized study are needed.
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This article describes the authors' experiences with the implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for open radical cystectomy (ORC). Adherence to the ERAS cystectomy protocol was assessed; secondary outcome measures were impact on perioperative complication rate (Clavien-Dindo classification), time to first defecation, postoperative length of stay and hospital readmission rate. ⋯ Introduction of the ERAS protocol is clearly feasible in cystectomy, and may improve clinical outcomes in terms of faster return of bowel function and reduction of readmission within 30 days. However, more and larger studies are needed to prove the efficacy of ERAS for patients undergoing ORC.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of [(18)F]fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) in detecting lymph-node and bone involvement in comparison with conventional imaging, such as abdominal-pelvic CT and bone scan, in the initial staging of prostate cancer (PCa). ⋯ The efficiency of FCH PET/CT in detecting both bone and lymph-node involvement of PCa at initial staging was found to be higher than that of conventional imaging. Prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.