Mehmet Pehlivaoğlu

and 5 more

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of intracavitary levobupivacaine infusion diluted with locally applied isotonic solution for pain control in cystoscopy. Methods: Included in this study are 100 patients who had previously undergone transurethral tumor resection for bladder tumor and were followed up by cystoscopy. The patients were randomized into five groups (n = 20). In the first, second, third, and fourth groups, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mL of levobupivacaine HCl (5.0 mg/mL) were mixed with 26, 24, 22, and 20 mL of isotonic solution, respectively. Hence, the total mixture was 30 mL for each group. The fifth group was the control group. In this group, the standard method commonly used in most clinics was utilized. That is, a gel containing Cathejell-2% lidocaine (25 mg lidocaine) was applied. Cystoscopic interventions were performed with a 17.5 Fr rigid cystoscope and 0°, 30°, and 70° lens. During cystoscopy and 30 min later, the pain status of patients was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction was questioned. Results: The mean VAS score during and after the cystoscopy procedure was significantly lower in the levobupivacaine groups compared to the lidocaine group. In addition, patient satisfaction in the levobupivacaine groups was significantly higher than in the lidocaine group. No drug-related side-effects were observed in all groups. Conclusion: Thus, levobupivacaine is a more effective drug than lidocaine alone to control pain during cystoscopy. The use of levobupivacaine is recommended to prevent possible complications of general anesthesia by eliminating the need for the aforementioned as well as its cost-saving advantage.

Serkan Akan

and 7 more

Aim: We aimed to investigate the predictor role of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) on Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) response in patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: A total of 96 patients with high-risk NMIBC, who received intravesical BCG, were enrolled in the study. BCG responsive group (group 1) and BCG failure group (group 2) were compared in terms of demographic and pathological data, peripheral lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, neutrophile lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), SII, recurrence free survival (RFS) and progression free survival (PFS). The prognostic ability of the SII for progression was analyzed with multivariate backward stepwise regression models. Results: The mean follow-up time 34.635±14.7 months. Group 2 had significantly higher SII, peripheral lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts than group 1. A ROC curve was plotted for the SII to predict the BCG failure and the cut-off point was calculated as 672.75. Effect of the SII to the model was statistically significant (p=0.003) and a higher SII increased the progression one-fold. A tumor greater than 30 mm in size and a high SII together increased the progression 3.6 folds. Conclusions: The SII might be a successful, non-invasive and low-cost parameter for prediction of BCG failure in patients with high-risk NMIBC. The cut-off value for SII is 672.75 and above this level BCG failure and progression to MIBC might be anticipated. However, these results should be validated in prospective randomized controlled studies with large patient groups.

Caner Ediz

and 6 more

Serkan Akan

and 5 more

Aim: We evaluated the COVID-19 threat in patients receiving intravesical BCG therapy which has immunotherapeutic effects and is of vital importance in most of the individuals with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and investigated the need for postponement of this therapy. Methods: A total of 71 patients, who were diagnosed with high-risk NMIBC and on intravesical BCG treatment regularly (induction or maintenance), were enrolled in the study. The patients were classified into two groups depending on whether they were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the pandemic period or not. Results: Of 71 patients, 26 underwent a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test with clinical suspicion during the pandemic period. Of these 26 patients, 4 were diagnosed with COVID-19. Age of the patients, working status (working/retired), compliance with containment measures against the pandemic, number of BCG courses, adverse effects after BCG therapy, and systemic immune-inflammation index, which is an inflammation-related parameter, were not different between groups (p>0.05). Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the COVID-19 positive group (p<0.05). COVID-19 positivity was higher in age groups 50-64 (6.6%) and 65-80 (5.8%) years than that in similar age groups of the normal population. Conclusion: Every effort should be made to administer intravesical BCG treatment in high-risk NMIBC patients even during the pandemic period. However, increased risk of COVID-19 transmission should be kept in mind and protective measures against COVID-19 for healthcare providers and patients before the procedure should be taken optimally. The procedure should be postponed in patients with lymphopenia in recent complete blood count.