Introduction: There are not enough studies showing the degree to which the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the semen parameters after coronavirus infection in comparison to before they were infected. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen parameters. Methods: Patients were screened if they had had semen analysis performed from October 1, 2019, to December 1, 2020, in the assisted reproduction unit and later had positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients’ semen parameters were recorded before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection, along with degrees of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dates of SARS-CoV-2 infection, durations between the treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the second semen analysis, time of symptom onset, duration of their symptoms, ages, comorbidities, and any medications patients were taking. Results: Forty-one patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 31.29±5.95 years. The mean duration from first semen analysis to the PCR test was 7.74±3.03 months. The mean duration between the PCR test and later semen analysis was 2.35±1.35 months. The median sperm concentration for the patients before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection were 24 mil/ml and 13 mil/ml, respectively (p<0.001). The normal morphology percentage before infection was 3.16±0.92, while it was 2.44±1.04 after infection (p=0.011). In 26 patients, the period from the time of infection to the second semen analysis was over 70 days, while this period was less than 70 days in the other 15 patients; however, in both patient groups, a significant decrease was detected in the sperm concentrations and total sperm count. Conclusions: In the semen samples we assessed, we observed a significant decrease in the mean sperm concentration, total sperm count, and mean percentage of samples with normal morphology after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Carneiro Pereira AL, et al. J Adv Prosthodont. 2022 Aug;14(4):212-222. https://doi.org/10.4047/jap.2022.14.4.212

This study aimed to evaluate the cyberchondria levels of patients who applied to the urology outpatient clinic. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cyberchondria severity and health anxiety in these patients. The present prospective observational study was conducted at the urology outpatient clinic of two tertiary centers in our city between September and December 2021. Eligible patients were the adult patients (>18 and ≤60 years) who used the Internet for health purposes and had no self-reported psychological or mental disease. The patients were divided into following groups according to their complaints: general urology, uro-oncology, andrology, functional urology, and endourology (stone disease). The level of cyberchondria and health anxiety was evaluated for these patients by using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) and a short-form version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). This study enrolled 578 patients (190 female, 388 male). The mean age of patients was 43.4 ± 13.3 years (18–60 years). The mean CSS-12 was 28.1 ± 12.1, and the mean value of SHAI was 18.9 ± 13.6. The patients had andrological symptoms, is uniquely related to higher CSS and health anxiety, and followed by uro-oncological diseases. However, the least relationship was observed in patients with functional urological diseases (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p < 0.001 for CSS-12; p < 0.001 for SHAI). In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the CSS and SHAI (Pearson's correlation = 0.782). The increased level of cyberchondria causes increased health anxiety and an increased disease burden in these patients. Therefore, physicians should consider this increased treatment burden during the treatment of patients.

Introduction: Ultrasound (US)-guided puncture has the benefits of avoiding radiation and limiting the risk of visceral injury. We aimed to evaluate the results of two different renal access techniques during pediatric supine mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (smPCNL) in a comparative manner. Patients and Methods: Data obtained from pediatric patients undergoing smPCNL by single surgeon between September 2021 and 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. Children were divided into two groups namely; biplanar 0°−90° fluoroscopy (Group-F) and US−fluoroscopy combined (Group-C). In all cases, preoperative, operative, and postoperative findings were recorded. Success was defined as the determination of either no (complete stone-free status) or < 4 mm residual fragments (CIRF) on US and X-ray (postoperative 3rd month) images. Complications were evaluated according to modified Clavien−Dindo classification. Results: Data of 54 patients with a mean age of 8.6 years (Group-F = 30, Group-C = 24) are reviewed. In addition to the similar success rates in both groups (Group-F = 86.7% Group-C = 87.5% p = 0.928), similar minor complications were noted in the majority of the cases. No child required transfusion and/or angioembolization. Although the fluoroscopy and operation time were lower in Group-C, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: US–fluoroscopy combined access technique can be applied with similar success and complication rates in pediatric smPCNL. Ultimately, as experience is gained, this technique may lower radiation exposure, although this was not observed in the current study.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the observed rates of postoperative urethral stricture between patients undergoing thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) using a 22 Fr miniaturised instrument strategy and those treated using a standard 26 Fr strategy. Methods: This prospective, two-centre comparative cohort study included 208 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and a prostate volume of less than 150 mL who underwent thulium fibre laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) between 2024 and 2026. Patients were grouped according to the resectoscope sheath used at each centre: Group 1 comprised 99 patients treated with a 22 Fr miniaturised sheath and Group 2 comprised 109 patients treated with a standard 26 Fr sheath. The primary endpoint was the development of postoperative urethral stricture. Patient demographics and preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were also recorded. Results: Demographic and operative parameters were comparable between the groups. No significant difference was observed in mean prostate volumes (68.8 ± 34.1 vs. 70.8 ± 25.7 mL). Although the enucleation efficiency (g/min) was numerically higher in Group 1, the difference did not reach statistical significance (2.2 ± 1.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6; p = 0.082). Postoperative urethral stricture was observed in 2 patients (2.0%) in Group 1 and in 10 patients (9.2%) in Group 2. The incidence of stricture was significantly higher in Group 2 (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The 22 Fr ThuFLEP strategy was associated with a lower observed urethral stricture rate. However, the independent effect of sheath diameter could not be separated from centre- and surgeon-related factors. Further randomised studies are required to confirm these findings.

Bayraktar AM, et al. Investig Clin Urol. 2026 Nov;67(6):554-561. https://doi.org/10.4111/icu.20260204