Is Nonoperative Management the Best First-line Option for High-grade Renal trauma? A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: The management of high-grade (Grade IV-V) renal injuries remains controversial. There has been an increase in the use of (NOM) but limited data exists comparing outcomes with open surgical exploration. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to determine if NOM is the best first-line option for high-grade renal trauma in terms of safety and effectiveness. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for all relevant publications, without time or language limitations. The primary harm outcome was overall mortality and the primary benefit outcome was renal preservation rate. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and complication rate. Single-arm studies were included as there were few comparative studies. Only studies with more than 50 patients were included. Data were narratively synthesised in light of methodological and clinical heterogeneity. The risk of bias of each included study was assessed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Seven nonrandomised comparative and four single-arm studies were selected for data extraction. Seven hundred and eighty-seven patients were included from the comparative studies with 535 patients in the NOM group and 252 in the open surgical exploration group. A further 825 patients were included from single-arm studies. Results from comparative studies: overall mortality: NOM (0-3%), open surgical exploration (0-29%); renal preservation rate: NOM (84-100%), open surgical exploration (0-82%); complication rate: NOM (5-32%), open surgical exploration (10-76%). Overall mortality and renal preservation rate were significantly better in the NOM group whereas there was no statistical difference with regard to complication rate. Length of hospital stay was found be significantly reduced in the NOM group. Patients in the open surgical exploration group were more likely to have Grade V injuries, have a lower systolic blood pressure, and higher injury severity score on admission. CONCLUSIONS: No randomised controlled trials were identified and significant heterogeneity existed with regard to outcome reporting. However, NOM appeared to be safe and effective in a stable patient with a higher renal preservation rate, a shorter length of stay, and a comparable complication rate to open surgical exploration. Overall mortality was higher in the open surgical exploration group, though this was likely due to selection bias. PATIENT SUMMARY: The data of this systematic review suggest nonoperative management continues to be favoured to surgical exploration in the management of high-grade renal trauma whenever possible. However, comparisons between both interventions are difficult as patients who have surgery are often more seriously injured than those managed nonoperatively, and existing studies do not report on outcomes consistently.

Review of the current management of lower urinary tract injuries by the EAU Trauma Guidelines Panel.

CONTEXT: The most recent European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on urologic trauma were published in 2014. OBJECTIVE: To present a summary of the 2014 version of the EAU guidelines on urologic trauma of the lower urinary tract with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The EAU Trauma Panel reviewed the English-language literature via a Medline search for lower urinary tract injury (LUTI) up to November 2013. The focus was on newer publications and reviews, although older key references could be included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A full version of the guidelines is available in print (EAU Guidelines 2014 edition, ISBN/EAN 978-90-79754-65-6) and online (www.uroweb.org). Blunt trauma is the main cause of LUTI. The preferred diagnostic modality for bladder and urethral injury is cystography and urethrography, respectively. In the treatment of bladder injuries, it is important to distinguish between extra- and intraperitoneal ruptures. Treatment of male anterior urethral injuries depends on the cause (blunt vs penetrating vs penile-fracture-related injury). Blunt posterior urethral injuries can be corrected by immediate/early endoscopic realignment. If this is not possible, such injuries are managed by suprapubic urinary diversion and deferred (>3 mo) urethroplasty. Treatment of female urethral injuries depends on the location of the injury and is usually surgical. CONCLUSIONS: Correct treatment of LUTIs is important to minimise long-term urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. This review performed by the EAU trauma panel summarises the current management of LUTIs. PATIENT SUMMARY: Patients with trauma to the lower urinary tract benefit from accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment according to the nature and severity of their injury.

Review of the current management of upper urinary tract injuries by the EAU Trauma Guidelines Panel.

CONTEXT: The most recent European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on urological trauma were published in 2014. OBJECTIVE: To present a summary of the 2014 version of the EAU guidelines on upper urinary tract injuries with the emphasis upon diagnosis and treatment. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The EAU trauma guidelines panel reviewed literature by a Medline search on upper urinary tract injuries; publication dates up to December 2013 were accepted. The focus was on newer publications and reviews, although older key references could be included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A full version of the guidelines is available in print and online. Blunt trauma is the main cause of renal injuries. The preferred diagnostic modality of renal trauma is computed tomography (CT) scan. Conservative management is the best approach in stable patients. Angiography and selective embolisation are the first-line treatments. Surgical exploration is primarily for the control of haemorrhage (which may necessitate nephrectomy) and renal salvage. Urinary extravasation is managed with endourologic or percutaneous techniques. Complications may require additional imaging or interventions. Follow-up is focused on renal function and blood pressure. Penetrating trauma is the main cause of noniatrogenic ureteral injuries. The diagnosis is often made by CT scanning or at laparotomy, and the mainstay of treatment is open repair. The type of repair depends upon the severity and location of the injury. CONCLUSIONS: Renal injuries are best managed conservatively or with minimally invasive techniques. Preservation of renal units is feasible in most cases. This review, performed by the EAU trauma guidelines panel, summarises the current management of upper urinary tract injuries. PATIENT SUMMARY: Patients with trauma benefit from being accurately diagnosed and treated appropriately, according to the nature and severity of their injury.

EAU guidelines on iatrogenic trauma.

CONTEXT: The European Association of Urology (EAU) Trauma Guidelines Panel presents an updated iatrogenic trauma section of their guidelines. Iatrogenic injuries are known complications of surgery to the urinary tract. Timely and adequate intervention is key to their management. OBJECTIVE: To assess the optimal evaluation and management of iatrogenic injuries and present an update of the iatrogenic section of the EAU Trauma Guidelines. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic search of the literature was conducted, consulting Medline and the Cochrane Register of Systematic reviews. No time limitations were applied, although the focus was on more recent publications. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The expert panel developed statements and recommendations. Statements were rated according to their level of evidence, and recommendations received a grade following a rating system modified from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. Currently, only limited high-powered studies are available addressing iatrogenic injuries. Because the reporting of complications or sequelae of interventions is now increasingly becoming a standard requirement, this situation will likely change in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This section of the trauma guidelines presents an updated overview of the treatment of iatrogenic trauma that will be incorporated in the trauma guidelines available at the EAU Web site (http://www. uroweb.org/guidelines/online-guidelines/).

PSA density lower cutoff value as a tool to exclude pathologic upstaging in initially diagnosed unilateral prostate cancer: impact on hemiablative focal therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate prostate-specific antigen density as a predictor for pathologic upstaging in patients initially thought to have unilateral prostate cancer. METHODS: We analyzed 438 patients with unilateral prostate cancer in prostate biopsy samples that were treated with radical prostatectomy. Bilateral or extracapsular growth in the final surgical specimens was defined as upstaging. Using Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, we evaluated the oncologic effect of pathologic upstaging on biochemical recurrence-free survival. Prostate-specific antigen density was evaluated as a diagnostic tool to predict upstaging using ROC-curve analysis. RESULTS: Of the patients, 30.8% had bilateral prostate cancer or extracapsular extension in the surgical specimen. Prostate-specific antigen density was a diagnostic predictor for pathologic upstaging in patients initially thought to have unilateral prostate cancer (AUC 0.62, P < 0.001). Using a lower cutoff value of PSA density <0.056 ng/ml/cm3, upstaging could be excluded in patients with a sensitivity of >98%. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable amount of patients that are initially diagnosed with unilateral prostate cancer on biopsy are underdiagnosed and are upstaged in the radical prostatectomy specimen. In general, AUC of PSA density is too low to use PSA density as diagnostic tool to predict pathologic upstaging in all patients. Nonetheless, PSA density could be used for hemiablative focal therapy decision making using a lower cutoff value of <0.056 ng/ml/cm3.

Peyronie's Disease: Nonsurgical Therapy Options.

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrous inelastic scar of the tunica albuginea, leading to penile deformity, penile curvature, shortening, narrowing, and painful erections that subsequently lead to painful or unsatisfying sexual intercourse. No consensus exists yet on the ideal management of PD. This fact is a result of our limited knowledge of its etiology and causative factors. The acute presentation of PD is treated conservatively, and surgical approaches are only attempted if severe curvature, narrowing, or indentation persists for more than 1 year; PD stability exists for at least 3 months; curvature impedes sexual intercourse; and severe penile shortening occurs. This review focuses on new developments for conservative treatment strategies for PD.

Infantile Enuresis: Current State-of-the-Art Therapy and Future Trends.

Enuresis nocturna is a widespread problem among children, with up to 25% of all children possibly suffering from this condition. Several therapeutic modalities are currently available. This article reviews current state-of-the-art therapies, highlights current literature, and provides an update on recent developments within the field of enuresis nocturna.

Preoperative hydronephrosis predicts advanced bladder cancer but is not an independent factor for cancer-specific survival after radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hydronephrosis and BMI are analyzed together with established factors such as TNM stage and surgical margins in a multivariate modality to investigate their status as independent prognostic factors for bladder cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied a prospective cohort of 328 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at our institution. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, Kendall-tau rank correlation and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Hydronephrosis was positively correlated with advanced tumor stage, positive lymph node involvement and positive surgical margins. Adjusted for all other investigated parameters, BMI and hydronephrosis did not affect cancer-specific survival. In multivariate analysis only non-organ-confined disease (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04-1.87, p = 0.024), positive lymph node stage (HR 1.71: 95% CI: 1.12-2.61, p = 0.013) and positive surgical margins (HR 3.00, 95% CI: 1.74-5.15, p < 0.001) were prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Hydronephrosis at the time of radical cystectomy is significantly correlated with the presence of more advanced bladder cancer and positive surgical margins. However, the long-established parameters pT stage, pN stage and surgical margins predominantly influence cancer-specific survival for patients undergoing radical cystectomy irrespective of hydronephrosis and BMI status.

Challenging surgical management of a giant inguinoscrotal hernia: report of a case.

This report describes the surgical management of a giant inguinoscrotal hernia, which extended below the patient's knees, causing considerable physical discomfort and impairment of his quality of life. Initial management involved improving the patient's general condition and performing progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum over 18 days. Surgery involved debulking the contents of the massive hernia sac by performing right hemicolectomy and transverse colectomy, repositioning of the small bowel into the abdominal cavity, resection of the giant hernia sac, and plastic reconstruction of the penis and scrotal region. The abdominal wall was reinforced with composite mesh. Despite a complicated postoperative course, the patient recovered well and has progressively returned to normal activities. Although challenging and demanding, surgery represents the only mode of treatment that can offer the patient with a giant inguinoscrotal hernia a satisfactory level of function and quality of life.

Complications and long-term outcome of primary obstructive megaureter in childhood.

We assessed the clinical outcome of 49 children with 56 primary obstructive megaureters (POM) treated with the primarily conservative approach recommended by the 2001 German consensus guidelines. POM occurred more often in boys (71%) and on the left side (67%). Forty-three POM (77%) were treated conservatively. Four kidneys underwent immediate surgery and nine of 52 kidneys managed primarily conservatively worsened subsequently, requiring surgery. Urinary tract infections (UTI) were the most common complication (mean 1.3 per patient), with frequent hospital admission (45%). During the first year of life, the incidence of UTIs was 55% less during prophylactic antibiotic treatment (0.94 vs.0.42 UTIs per year, p < 0.05). Spontaneous regression occurred in 80% of POMs with dilated non-obstructive renogram, but in <20% with intermediate or relevant obstruction. All megaureters with <8.5 mm sonographic diameter regressed, but none over 15 mm. Eight patients had a poor outcome (partial kidney function <40% (n = 6), renal atrophy (n = 3)), but in seven of the patients, these findings were already present postnatally. In summary, the long-term outcome of POM appears favorable with mainly conservative treatment. UTI as the most common complication was 55% lower with antibiotic prophylaxis in infants. Adverse outcome was more closely related to congenital kidney hypoplasia than to degree of obstruction.

EAU Guidelines on Urethral Trauma.

CONTEXT: These guidelines were prepared on behalf of the European Association of Urology (EAU) to assist urologists in the management of traumatic urethral injuries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal evaluation and management of urethral injuries by review of the world's literature on the subject. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A working group of experts on Urological Trauma was convened to review and summarize the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary trauma, including urethral trauma. The Urological Trauma guidelines have been based on a review of the literature identified using on-line searches of MEDLINE and other source documents published before 2009. A critical assessment of the findings was made, not involving a formal appraisal of the data. There were few high-powered, randomized, controlled trials in this area and considerable available data was provided by retrospective studies. The Working Group recognizes this limitation. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The full text of these guidelines is available through the EAU Central Office and the EAU website (www.uroweb.org). This article comprises the abridged version of a section of the Urological Trauma guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Updated and critically reviewed Guidelines on Urethral Trauma are presented. The aim of these guidelines is to provide support to the practicing urologist since urethral injuries carry substantial morbidity. The diversity of urethral injuries, associated injuries, the timing and availability of treatment options as well as their relative rarity contribute to the controversies in the management of urethral trauma.

Survival in prostate cancer patients > or = 70 years after radical prostatectomy and comparison to younger patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and compare the survival in prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) < and > or = 70 years. METHODS: In a prospective cancer database, 626 patients with PCa underwent RP. Patients were categorised into two groups as follows: <70 years (n = 526, young) and > or = 70 years (n = 100, old). We evaluated the histopathological features as well as the clinical follow-up after RP. The median age was 64.4 years (41.1-80.1 years). The median follow-up was 5.3 years (0.1-15.8 years). The preoperative median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels for young and old patients were 8.8 ng/ml (0.4-230.0 ng/ml) and 9.9 ng/ml (0.3-165.0 ng/ml). RESULTS: Serum PSA levels were not different comparing the two groups (P = 0.356). The young and old patients had an organ-confined PCa in 56.3 and 58.0% (P = 0.826). They had well and moderately differentiated tumours in 78.7 and 75.0% of cases and poorly differentiated tumours in 21.3 and 25.0% (P = 0.198). Young and old patients had an ECOG > 1 in 2.3% and 7.0% of cases (P = 0.024). A 10-year PSA-free survival for young and old patients was 51.8 and 57.4% (P = 0.721), 10-year-disease-specific survival was 92.3 and 97.6% (P = 0.342), 10-year metastasis-free survival was 86.9 and 89.7% (P = 0.713), and 10-year-overall-survival was 78.1 and 71.2% (P = 0.565). Besides classical risk factors for adverse outcome on multivariate analysis, such as preoperative PSA-levels, extracapsular extension, tumour grade, and positive margin status, age was not a predictor for PSA-free- (P = 0.407), disease-specific- (P = 0.257), and overall-survival (P = 0.121). CONCLUSIONS: In a well-selected healthy, elderly population survival outcome is not worse than that of younger patients with a follow-up of 5.3 years and curative treatment should be recommended.

Is the body mass index a predictor of adverse outcome in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy in a mid-European study population?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the histopathological and clinical outcome in prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective urological cancer database, 620 patients with prostate cancer had a radical prostatectomy (RP) as a curative treatment. The patients were categorized into three groups of BMI (kg/m(2)); 25.0-30.0 (343, 'overweight') and >30.0 (87, 'obese'). We evaluated the histopathological features and the clinical follow-up after RP. The median (range) age of the men was 64.4 (41.1-80.1) years and the median follow-up 5.5 (0.1-15.1) years. The preoperative median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels for normal, overweight and obese patients were 9.0 (0.3-133.0), 8.9 (0.4-230.0) and 9.2 (0.5-194.0) ng/mL, respectively. RESULTS: Serum PSA levels were no different among the three groups (P = 0.92). The normal, overweight and obese patients had organ-confined prostate cancer in 53.7%, 57.1% and 58.6%, respectively (P = 0.34) and had lymph node metastases in 7.9%, 7.6% and 4.6% (P = 0.58). Tumour grading was no different for the three groups (P = 0.25). The PSA recurrence-free, prostate cancer-specific and overall survival for the three BMI groups did not differ significantly (each P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The BMI cannot be shown to be a predictor of adverse prognosis either for histopathological features or for the clinical outcome, e.g. PSA-free, prostate cancer-specific and overall survival, in a mid-European study population after RP.

Intestinal reconstruction of the lower urinary tract as a prerequisite for renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVE To report a two-stage protocol for children in whom bladder reconstruction was followed by kidney transplantation, as about a quarter of children requiring a kidney transplantation show significant lower urinary tract dysfunction, and consequently their bladder is unsuitable for a kidney transplant. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve children (median age 9.5 years, range 4.2-16.8) with end-stage renal disease had a lower urinary tract reconstruction before kidney transplantation. The cause of bladder dysfunction and renal failure included posterior urethral valves in five, neuropathic bladder in two, prune-belly syndrome in two, anal-rectum and urethral atresia syndrome in one, primary obstructive uropathy in one and caudal regression syndrome in one. Two children were diverted with an ileal conduit; four had a bladder augmentation, and four had a bladder augmentation with additional continent cutaneous stoma. A continent urinary reservoir was constructed in one boy, and one boy had a Mitrofanoff-only procedure. Subsequently, 11 children were transplanted. RESULTS The graft survival rate was 11 of 12 at 1 year and eight of 12 at 5 years. No patient lost the graft related to the reconstructed lower urinary tract. During the median (range) follow-up of 5.4 (1.6-12.5) years all but one child had free drainage of the upper urinary tract. All 10 children who did not have an ileal conduit are continent. CONCLUSION Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract followed by renal transplantation is a safe and efficient approach. It has the advantage of restoring the lower urinary tract before immunosuppressive therapy, and supplies the best possible reservoir for a transplanted kidney.

Vaporization of prostates of > or =80 mL using a potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser: midterm-results and comparison with prostates of <80 mL.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and outcome of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) Greenlight (Laserscope, AMS, Minnetonka, MN, USA) vaporization for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in prostates of > or =80 vs <80 mL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 204 consecutive patients were enrolled into this prospective study; 31 were excluded from analysis for various reasons, thus 173 (median age 66.8 years; 39 with prostates of > or =80 mL) were evaluated for maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)), postvoid residual urine (PVR), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality-of-life (QoL) score. The median follow-up was 11.7 months. Of the 173 men, 26.6% were anaesthesiological high-risk patients and 32.4% took anticoagulants. RESULTS: The Q(max) improved in prostates of > or =80 mL from 6.9 mL/s before to 15.3 mL/s immediately after catheter removal, and 23.4 mL/s after 3 months (P < 0.001). The improvement was similar to that in smaller prostates. There were equally effective changes in PVR (P < 0.001). The IPSS decreased from 19.0 before to 7.0, 4.0 and 5.5 at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery (P < 0.001). Changes did not differ from those in smaller glands. The results were similar for QoL (P < 0.001). During surgery there was no major bleeding and no transurethral resection syndrome. There was acute urinary retention after catheter removal in 10.4% of men; 4.6% developed urinary tract infections, whereas the rate was higher in men with larger prostates (10.3%). The re-operation rate was higher in men with larger prostates, at 23.1% vs 10.4% (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION KTP laser vaporization is a safe and effective procedure for surgically treating BPH. The functional outcome in larger prostates is similar to that in smaller glands, but there was a serious trend to a higher re-operation rate in men with larger prostates.

Ureteric replacement with Meckel's diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE: To report on four patients with obstruction of the upper urinary tract due to severe ureteric strictures at different levels, in whom a Meckel's diverticulum was used for ureteric replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients were aged 3-64 years at the time of operation. In every patient, a Meckel's diverticulum was used to bridge a ureteric defect after recurrent reconstructive procedures. RESULTS: The mean (range) follow-up was 36 (12-69) months. There were no surgical complications, apart from mucus production in one case and renal function was normal in all patients after surgery. In one case, the invaginated Meckel's diverticulum was used for reflux protection. CONCLUSIONS: A Meckel's diverticulum, if present, appears to be an ideal intestinal substitute for a ureteric defect. The advantages of its use are its unique blood supply, its mobility, and its minimization of functional bowel length resection.

Longitudinal dorsal dartos flap for prevention of fistula after a Snodgrass hypospadias procedure.

OBJECTIVES: The Snodgrass technique presents the procedure of choice for distal hypospadias. Fistula formation is the most common complication with various rates. We evaluated the importance of a urethral covering using vascularized dorsal subcutaneous tissue for fistula prevention. METHODS: Our study included 126 patients, aged 10 months to 16 years, who underwent hypospadias repair from April 1998 through June 2005. Of the patients, 89 had distal, 30 had midshaft and 7 had penoscrotal hypospadias. All patients underwent standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty, which was followed by reconstruction of new surrounding urethral tissue. A longitudinal dorsal dartos flap was harvested and transposed to the ventral side by the buttonhole manoeuvre. The flap was sutured to the glans and the corpora cavernosa to completely cover the neourethra with well-vascularized subcutaneous tissue. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 32 (6-87) months. A successful result without fistula was achieved in all 126 patients. In six patients, temporary stenosis of the glandular urethra occurred and was solved by dilation. CONCLUSIONS: A urethral covering should be performed as part of the Snodgrass procedure. A dorsal well-vascularized dartos flap that is buttonholed ventrally represents a good choice for fistula prevention. Redundancy of the flap and its excellent vascularization depend on the harvesting technique.

Penile surgery and reconstruction.

This review will highlight recent advances in the field of penile reconstructive surgery in the paediatric and adult population. It is based on the work published during the year 2001. Besides the anatomical and histological studies of the penis, major contributions have been described in congenital and acquired penile anomalies. Also, a few new techniques and modifications of old procedures are described in order to improve the final functional and aesthetic outcome. The techniques for penile enlargement present a trend in the new millennium, but are still at the stage of investigation.