IJU this issue

Abstract

Seven Original Articles with three Editorial Comments, two Reviews with two Editorial Comments, three Urological Notes with three Editorial Comments and one Editorial were published in this issue of the International Journal of Urology. The Review Article on preventing infectious complications after prostate biopsy provided very important information. Togo and Yamamoto (Hyogo, Japan) presented a straightforward antimicrobial prophylaxis flow chart for the transrectal biopsy procedure. Risk factors, including large prostate volume, diabetes mellitus, steroids, severe dysuria, immunocompromised status and previous antimicrobial use should be considered for this procedure. Takagi et al. (Tokyo, Japan) presented the surgical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease who had undergone a partial nephrectomy. Renal function was preserved equally after robot-assisted laparoscopic and an open procedure. However, the robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was less invasive in terms of estimated blood loss, ischemic time and postoperative complications. Two randomized studies on urinary disturbance carried out in Japan are presented in this issue. Yamanishi et al. (Mibu, Japan) reported the results of the DIrecT Study. That study was a randomized, open-label, controlled trial consisting of two treatment arms, namely, the tamsulosin + dutasteride group and the tamsulosin + dutasteride + imidafenacin group. Patients pretreated with tamsulosin (at least 8 weeks) with a large prostate volume (≥30 mL) were enrolled. Adding dutasteride offered significant improvements to the overactive bladder symptoms score and the International Prostate Symptom Score. The combination with imidafenacin provided further significant improvements to both symptom scores. Another study reported by Takeda et al. (Yamanashi, Japan) combined tadalafil with an ongoing alpha-1 blocker in men with lower urinary symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Adding tadalafil did not clinically change blood pressure or pulse in that study, but offered a significant reduction in the International Prostate Symptom Score voiding subscore. These studies provide new information on how to treat urinary dysfunction. None declared.