Hello, everyone,
Sorry for falling behind with regards to updates, between foul weather, running a business, this, that, and the other thing..... I've had to shift my priorities elsewhere, although I have managed to keep up with email.
So here goes:
I/We am/are in the process of adding an additional resources page. Urethral Stricture Resources will, within a month, host a fairly impressive and (hopefully) one-stop shop for all of your informational needs. In order to do this, We need your help, as most of our information applies only to the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the U.K. . Our viewers (thus far) hail from 22 countries, many, in areas with no documented urological surgeons. So please, send your (subject to verification) applicable information to:
urethral[no spam]strictures at yahoo dot com
We will have listings for surgeons who specialize in urethral problems, vendors for catheters, ostomy and incontinence supplies, manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers - (brand and generic), pharmaceutical assistance programs, and other good stuff.
Many thanks for the visits to the site, it is our hope that your questions have been answered, and that we have been of help to you.
Per: Moderators Cesar and Timothy
Information, resources, and guidance for those with all phases of (traumatic or congenital) Urethral Stricture Disease. SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
Para nuestro sitio espejo, en español, por favor vaya a
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Frontiers in Reconstructive Urology, 2012- Part 1, The Center for Urologic Reconstruction® , Detroit, MI, U.S.A.
Preface:
May this year be more healthy, productive, peaceful and fulfilling than the last, and in that context, let's begin 2012 with the encouraging news that we are now (mutually) linked with RECONSTRUCTIVE UROLOGY , the website for dissemination of research and information by Doctors Richard Santucci, M.D., and Mang Chen, M.D. . We hope that which follows does their work for the advancement of knowledge, understanding, and utilization of novel surgical techniques in the field of reconstructive surgery of the lower urinary tract justice. Their site features in-depth information, resources, and HD video(s) on a myriad of topics with regards to reconstructive procedures of the lower urinary tract including the bladder, urethra, and external genitalia.
It is work such as theirs which provides hope that we can once again resume a normal life, free of the discomfort and constant concern which often accompanies the diagnosis of urethral stricture disease.
A little biographical info: These gentleman have been at the forefront of research into treatments for urethral stricture disease for (probably) longer than anyone in the United States. I (Moderator:Tim) remember reading references to the work(s) of Dr. Santucci during the latter days of CompuServe, Prodigy, and shortly before AOL began littering every (snail) mailbox on earth with floppy's and CD's.
Dr. Santucci's improvements in the techniques for the harvesting, preparation, and positioning of buccal mucosal onlay autograft material during urethroplastic procedures are included within the standard curriculum of many urology residency programs in the United States, and elsewhere. His group was the first to issue reports with regards to statistics of complications and recurrence following various urethral procedures, and were really the first to shed light on the fact that a more specialized field of reconstructive urethral urology was necessary. Dr. Santucci also travels abroad, often to under-served regions of the world, sharing his techniques and training local surgeons in advances in reconstructive urology.
We were tempted to write that Dr. Chen could very well be considered the "Robin" character to Dr. Santucci's "Batman", however, that would be unfair, as our research has shown that Dr. Chen is considered to be the "patron saint" of those in need of substantial reconstruction of the lower urinary tract. His work in advances in techniques in "reconstructive trauma urology" (for lack of a better term) are utilized in trauma centers and major hospitals throughout North America.
This may well be reaching for the stars, but our greatest hope for this working relationship would be the possibility that someone substantially benefits from information and/or resources provided through our mutual cooperation.
The Center for Urologic Reconstruction® at Detroit Receiving Hospital
Reconstructive Urology
Per: Moderators: Cesar and Timothy
May this year be more healthy, productive, peaceful and fulfilling than the last, and in that context, let's begin 2012 with the encouraging news that we are now (mutually) linked with RECONSTRUCTIVE UROLOGY , the website for dissemination of research and information by Doctors Richard Santucci, M.D., and Mang Chen, M.D. . We hope that which follows does their work for the advancement of knowledge, understanding, and utilization of novel surgical techniques in the field of reconstructive surgery of the lower urinary tract justice. Their site features in-depth information, resources, and HD video(s) on a myriad of topics with regards to reconstructive procedures of the lower urinary tract including the bladder, urethra, and external genitalia.
It is work such as theirs which provides hope that we can once again resume a normal life, free of the discomfort and constant concern which often accompanies the diagnosis of urethral stricture disease.
A little biographical info: These gentleman have been at the forefront of research into treatments for urethral stricture disease for (probably) longer than anyone in the United States. I (Moderator:Tim) remember reading references to the work(s) of Dr. Santucci during the latter days of CompuServe, Prodigy, and shortly before AOL began littering every (snail) mailbox on earth with floppy's and CD's.
Dr. Santucci's improvements in the techniques for the harvesting, preparation, and positioning of buccal mucosal onlay autograft material during urethroplastic procedures are included within the standard curriculum of many urology residency programs in the United States, and elsewhere. His group was the first to issue reports with regards to statistics of complications and recurrence following various urethral procedures, and were really the first to shed light on the fact that a more specialized field of reconstructive urethral urology was necessary. Dr. Santucci also travels abroad, often to under-served regions of the world, sharing his techniques and training local surgeons in advances in reconstructive urology.
We were tempted to write that Dr. Chen could very well be considered the "Robin" character to Dr. Santucci's "Batman", however, that would be unfair, as our research has shown that Dr. Chen is considered to be the "patron saint" of those in need of substantial reconstruction of the lower urinary tract. His work in advances in techniques in "reconstructive trauma urology" (for lack of a better term) are utilized in trauma centers and major hospitals throughout North America.
This may well be reaching for the stars, but our greatest hope for this working relationship would be the possibility that someone substantially benefits from information and/or resources provided through our mutual cooperation.
The Center for Urologic Reconstruction® at Detroit Receiving Hospital
Reconstructive Urology
Per: Moderators: Cesar and Timothy
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The advantages of in-home uroflowmetry, AN UPDATE - Part 1
The original post:
In the mid-1980's, my urologist urged me to use a device for uroflowmetry which looked like a small rectangular plastic fish-tank prior to commencing each office visit. The urine flowed through small "trap doors" which activated at four stages. The urine measured at each stage was compared to a chart that provided a mean-value which was charted for comparison to a base-line obtained soon after each urethral surgery. Eventually, I was prompted to purchase one of these now-extinct "manual urine flow gauges" (which lasted ten years) to track thrice-weekly measurements which really did help by forcing me to go for a dilitation/urethrotomy, or whatever - while the stricture was in a more open state, allowing for a "kinder instrumentation" or easier urethrotomy.
Ask your urologist if he or she feels this type of tracking would be beneficial in your case, there is a device *which is FDA approved, and made in the U.K. known as the Uflow urine meter which is not easily available in North America. With shipping, the cost is around $23.00 U.S. A base-line (in-office) uroflowmetric study will have to be done for comparison to your initial results. The savings in discomfort should be well worth the investment!
*a brief update: While researching for this post, I read documentation stating that the device was FDA (USA) approved. That information was apparently inaccurate, and that documentation has been withdrawn from publication. I have edited the original post to reflect this change. Today, 13 January 2012, I will make an effort to contact the manufacturer of the Uflow urine meter, Medical Devices Technology International, and report my findings as soon a possible. I can tell you that from what I have read, they seem to be very reputable and quality conscious (my opinion). I am told that the device may not require FDA approval.
Status: Will report
* another update 14 January 2012: we have been in contact with MDTI, and they provided a phone number to their product information and engineering department with statement that the gentleman there will answer our questions to the best of his ability. I will procure a VOIP phone on Monday, and proceed with a "thoughtful interrogation. They replied to the email request within an hour of its receipt, that's pretty good in my book!
Status: Will report after our conversation. If possible, I will also inquire into direct sourcing from within the U.S. , and make the case that there's probably a market here for the Uflow Urine Meter.
Per:Moderator Tim
In the mid-1980's, my urologist urged me to use a device for uroflowmetry which looked like a small rectangular plastic fish-tank prior to commencing each office visit. The urine flowed through small "trap doors" which activated at four stages. The urine measured at each stage was compared to a chart that provided a mean-value which was charted for comparison to a base-line obtained soon after each urethral surgery. Eventually, I was prompted to purchase one of these now-extinct "manual urine flow gauges" (which lasted ten years) to track thrice-weekly measurements which really did help by forcing me to go for a dilitation/urethrotomy, or whatever - while the stricture was in a more open state, allowing for a "kinder instrumentation" or easier urethrotomy.
Ask your urologist if he or she feels this type of tracking would be beneficial in your case, there is a device *which is FDA approved, and made in the U.K. known as the Uflow urine meter which is not easily available in North America. With shipping, the cost is around $23.00 U.S. A base-line (in-office) uroflowmetric study will have to be done for comparison to your initial results. The savings in discomfort should be well worth the investment!
*a brief update: While researching for this post, I read documentation stating that the device was FDA (USA) approved. That information was apparently inaccurate, and that documentation has been withdrawn from publication. I have edited the original post to reflect this change. Today, 13 January 2012, I will make an effort to contact the manufacturer of the Uflow urine meter, Medical Devices Technology International, and report my findings as soon a possible. I can tell you that from what I have read, they seem to be very reputable and quality conscious (my opinion). I am told that the device may not require FDA approval.
Status: Will report
* another update 14 January 2012: we have been in contact with MDTI, and they provided a phone number to their product information and engineering department with statement that the gentleman there will answer our questions to the best of his ability. I will procure a VOIP phone on Monday, and proceed with a "thoughtful interrogation. They replied to the email request within an hour of its receipt, that's pretty good in my book!
Status: Will report after our conversation. If possible, I will also inquire into direct sourcing from within the U.S. , and make the case that there's probably a market here for the Uflow Urine Meter.
Per:Moderator Tim