EDITORIAL

Invention, Innovation, and Evocation

The recurrent theme that characterizes this issue of CJU is “innovation” — in technique, technology, and theory. It is this spirit of willingness to take the uncharted path, to exchange the safety of the well-known for the quest for the unknown, that leads to great discoveries. Nothing exemplifies this better than the reflections by the legendary Pat Walsh — not only about developing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy, but also about his burning desire to constantly improve and perfect this technique (page 4230). It is this unrelenting drive for innovation and the critical assessment of the outcome measures that are at the heart of discoveries that can withstand the test of time.

In back-to-back articles, Macnab and Stothers (page 4233, 4242) describe a novel technology, near-infrared spectroscopy, and its applicability to urology. The utility of this technique for evaluation of bladder outlet obstruction is but the tip of the iceberg. It is a new modality waiting for widespread utilization.

DiBlasio and colleagues (page 4249) focus attention on a previously unrecognized and often ignored sequel of androgen deprivation — its effect on mental health, including depression and anxiety. As astutely noted by Dr. Morales in his editorial comment, it is as critical to recognize this untoward association as the many other well-known consequences of hypogonadism, and the relationship deserves further investigation.

Rehman and associates (page 4263) describe the technique of performing robotic radical prostatectomy in men with a pre-existing inflatable penile prosthesis. Although this was a small series, and the combination of prostatectomy and inflatable prosthesis is rare, the surgeons share pearls of their experience, which can be priceless when the need arises.

Dangle, Wang, and Pohar (page 4269) describe serious complications of intravesical mitomycin installation, complications that are becoming increasingly recognized. This is a good example of the need to communicate rare events that do not lend themselves to the accumulation of a large series, but which nevertheless represent important observations from multiple sources and individual case reports.

In addition to these and many other evocative, original articles in this issue of CJU, the reader is invited to peruse abstracts that are being presented at the North Central Section of the American Urological Association meeting, on September 24-27, 2008, in Chicago.

Gabriel P. Haas, MD, FACS Syracuse, New York, USA Editor-in-Chief

Do you agree with what you just read? Or maybe you disagree. Let us know and we will publish your thoughts as a Letter to the Editor.

© The Canadian Journal of Urology™; 15(5); October 2008

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