Feasibility of Sacral Neuromodulation in Patients With Underlying Neurologic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Fecal Incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients with underlying neurologic conditions and compare outcomes to non-neurogenic patients. METHODS: Between 2017-2022 patients undergoing 2-staged implantation of InterStim II were included in a single-center retrospective study. Patients were allocated into two groups: underlying neurologic conditions (group 1) or non-neurogenic (group 2). Efficacy and safety were evaluated by comparing patients' bladder/bowel logs pre- and post-operative. Patients' demographics, indications, preimplantation urodynamic study variables, surgery duration, number of postop visits, and time to revision/removal procedures were compared and included in the data analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients (64.2% female) with a mean age of 63.23 ± 14.15years were included in the study - 16/67(23.9%) patients assigned to group 1. There is no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the indication for the treatment. The most common indication was nonobstructing urinary retention (NOUR) in both study groups. The common neurologic pathologies were multiple sclerosis, disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Overall and subgroup (based on an indication for SNM implantation) analyses showed no significant difference in patients' demographics, the surgery duration, or the chances for clinical success with a similar follow-up period. During the follow-up, the device was removed in 4 (25.0%) and 10 (19.6%) of the patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .912). There was no significant difference between the groups in the time till InterStim II removal (P = .905). All NOUR patients with clinical success in group 1 had an improvement of at least 75% from the baseline compared to 69% of patients in group 2 (P = .42). Univariate analysis in NOUR patients demonstrated that maximal cystometric capacity below 430 mL and the presence of detrusor contraction at voiding were statistically significant predictors of successful SNM. Overall, at the end of the follow-up period, 8 (50.0%) and 29 (56.9%) patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively, were defined as clinical success (P = .775).

[POSITION STATEMENT FOR INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION OF URINARY BLADDER].

INTRODUCTION: A position paper presents the standpoint of the Israeli Urological Association on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for all physicians and nurses. The position paper is based on international guidelines and professional literature and is adapted to medical activities in Israel. CIC is indicated for the treatment of temporary/permanent disability in the emptying of the bladder, which is expressed by large post-voided urine/urine retention and related complications. There are a few contra-indications for CIC (low bladder volume or compliance, pressure sores/external infection of the urethra, anatomical, functional or cognitive disorder that does not allow to perform CIC, recurrent macrohematuria or urethrorrhagia, urethral pain that does not allow frequent catheterization, patient unwillingness to perform CIC by himself or by another person). There are alternatives to performing CIC permanent urethral or suprapubic catheter, urinary tract diversion, sphincterotomy. Before starting to perform CIC, the patient should be verified as being able to perform CIC and adhere to a predetermined schedule. It is recommended to perform the CIC at regular intervals during the day. During training and early stages of the CIC, it is recommended to catheter every 4-6 hours to assess bladder volume at these time intervals (urinary volume per catheterization). It is recommended to record drinking volumes, voiding volumes, and catheterization volumes for adjusting and timing the CIC. In order to determine the right number of catheterizations, several factors should be taken into account, such as the patient's ability to void, bladder capacity, and various urodynamic variables. In some cases additional therapy might be administered to reduce bladder pressure. If a patient cannot perform CIC on his own, a caregiver or a family member may be instructed to perform the procedure. The Committee described the methods and techniques to perform CIC and described possible complications (although rare) such as urinary tract infections (UTI), urethral and/or bladder damage, and the difference between a condition of asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTI. The Committee recommends that preventive antibiotic treatment should not be given to CIC patients. Antibiotic treatment should be given only in the case of UTI. The Committee recommends active participation of medical, nursing, social workers, family members and direct caregivers to improve the quality of life of CIC patients. Long-term follow-up is needed to diagnose and prevent complications of CIC/underlying disease leading to CIC. Different follow-up tests should be performed based on underlying disease, complications or changes in patient symptoms. The Committee described different types of catheters and recommends that the use of single-use catheters is preferable. Pre-shielding should be used before using the catheters without external coating.

Outcomes of Male Sling Mesh Kit Placement in Patients with Neuropathic Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Single Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mainstay of therapy in patients with neuropathic stress urinary incontinence (nSUI) has been through the use of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). AUS infection/erosion rates are higher in nSUI patients and these patients tend to be younger, increasing the likelihood of multiple AUS revisions in the future. We review our experience with mesh male slings for patients with nSUI. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had mesh sling placement. RESULTS: Twenty patients were identified between 2003 and 2011. 14/20 (70%) (5 = AdVance, 8 = InVance, 1 = Virtue) were available for long-term evaluation; in 6/20 (30%) the sling was removed for either infection or perineal wound breakdown. The mean time from injury to male sling was 148.2 (29-449) months. Pre-/post-op fluorourodynamic study was performed in 13 and 7 patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in ALPP (46.4 vs. 55.7 cm H2O, p = 0.106) and MCC (456.6 vs. 608 ml, p = 0.21) in the 7 patients who had a post-op study: five patients had new onset low bladder compliance and two had new onset detrusor overactivity post-sling. With a mean follow-up of 24.7 (1-66) months, 4/14 (28.6%) had no UI. CONCLUSIONS: With short-term follow-up, mesh male slings are a feasible option to treat nSUI. There appears to be a lower success rate for UI resolution, which may be attributable to new onset detrusor failure or wound infection requiring sling removal.

Long-term efficacy of repeat incisions of bladder neck/external sphincter in patients with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of repeat bladder neck incision (BNI), with or without external sphincterotomy (ES). BNI/ES has been commonly used for management of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of institutional review board-approved SCI database. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients underwent BNI/ES over a period of 40 years. During the period reviewed, a solitary redo BNI/ES was done in 46 patients, a second redo BNI/ES was done in 23 patients, and a third redo BNI/ES was done in 7 patients with success rates of 50%, 68.2%, and 85.7%, respectively. The most common indications for surgery failure and need for repeat surgery were elevated residual for the first repeat BNI/ES, recurrent urinary tract infections for the second, and elevated residual for the third repeat BNI/ES. All patients had a normal serum creatinine level at the end of the follow-up. Mean elapsed follow-up after the last redo BNI/ES was 119 months (range, 6-408 months) for all patients evaluated. Mean durability of successful redo BNI/ES was 109.1 months, which was significantly longer than mean durability of failed redo BNI/ES at 69.4 months (P <.05). CONCLUSION: SCI patients undergoing BNI/ES may require repeat BNI/ES to optimize lower urinary tract management. The success rate ranges from 50% to 85.7% after 3 repeat BNI/ES procedures with acceptable long-term durability and low perioperative complication rates.

Potential risk factors and outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter placement after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion.

AIMS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a known possibility after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) urinary diversion. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes and complications of patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for treatment of SUI and evaluated potential risk factors (PRFs) for AUS failure. METHODS: Patients who underwent AUS placement after RC/ONB from 1994 to 2009 were identified. Variables evaluated included: demographics, cancer type, AUS characteristics, urinary incontinence (UI), revision procedures data, and PRFs for AUS failure. RESULTS: Demographic data was reviewed on 36 patients. Mean age at AUS placement was 72 (58-79) years. Mean time to AUS after RC/ONB was 28 (2-120) months. Mean follow up after AUS was 40 (2-132) months. TCC was the indication for RC in 94% of patients. The most commonly placed AUS cuff and reservoir size was 4.5 cm and 61-70 H2 O, respectively. Incontinence data was available in 29 patients. Pre-AUS placement 22, 3, and 4 patients were totally, daytime and nighttime only incontinent, respectively. Post-AUS placement, incontinence persisted in 5, 1, and 2 patients with total, daytime and nighttime incontinence, respectively. Prior to AUS placement 11/36 patients received chemotherapy and 10/36 had radiation. Mean time to the first revision/explantation due to UI/erosion/infection/malfunction was an average of 28 (3-96) months after AUS placement and occurred in 21/35 (60%) patients. There was no significant correlation noted between PRFs and UI pre-/post-AUS or between PRFs and the need for AUS revision. CONCLUSIONS: AUS is a safe, effective treatment with an acceptable complication rate for patients after RC/ONB with SUI.

Differences in urodynamic study variables in adult patients with neurogenic bladder and myelomeningocele before and after augmentation enterocystoplasty.

AIMS: To evaluate urodynamic parameters in myelomeningocele patients with native bladders and after augmentation, continence rates and check the longevity of these parameters after lower urinary tract (LUT) reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of adult myelomeningocele patients with UDS. RESULTS: 118 adult patients with NGB secondary to myelomeningocele were identified. 58/118 (49.1%) had UDS performed in our clinic: 18/58 (31%) after prior reconstruction ("Augment" group) and 40/58 (69%) during annual urologic follow up ("NoSx" group). Urodyanmic findings after augmentation included: Pdet@MCC 31.1 (1-95) cmH(2)O, MCC 495.9 ml, NDO in 3/18 (16.7%), mean DLPP 54.0 (48-60) cmH(2)O and mean ALPP 39.6 (20-110) cmH(2)O in 5/18 with an incompetent sphincter. Patients in "NoSx" group had the following findings: Pdet@MCC of 39.6 (1-60) cmH(2)O, MCC 407.5 ml, 18/40 (45%) had NDO, mean DLPP of 48.1 (15-95) cmH(2)O and mean ALPP = 51 (17-78) cmH(2)O in 10/40 with incompetent sphincter. In the "NoSx" group, 19/40 (47.5%) had normal bladder compliance. Mean time from the surgery to UDS was 10.4 years. Continent patients in the "NoSx" group had a significantly higher MCC than incontinent patients in the same group (475 vs. 352 ml, P = 0.029). 8/17 (47.1%) continent patients in "NoSx" group had normal UDS. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients after augmentation maintain low bladder pressures for more than 10 years. Close long-term follow up should be maintained, especially in those patients that have not had prior augmentation. Urinary incontinence may be secondary to poor sphincteric function in patients with and without prior augmentation. Moreover, we should continue to follow patients after reconstruction as elevated detrusor pressures can still be seen. Strict follow up after LUT reconstruction still continues to be important.

HIF1A C1772T polymorphism leads to HIF-1α mRNA overexpression in prostate cancer patients.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) gene polymorphisms have been investigated for a possible role in mediating genetic predisposition to cancer. Our previous data show that men homozygous to C1772T polymorphism had 4-fold risk to develop prostate cancer. Therefore, we studied the effects of C1772T polymorphism on HIF-1α expression. HIF-1α mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in peripheral blood leukocytes of prostate cancer patients with the TT genotype compared with the CC genotype. Expression of C1772T HIF-1α in HIF-1α knockout cancer cells showed higher expression levels and stabilization of HIF-1α mRNA compared with the wild-type. Mutated HIF-1α protein half-life was similar to that of the wild-type. Hence, our data provide evidence that C1772T polymorphism causes activation of HIF-1α as a gain-of-function mechanism driven by stabilization of HIF-1α mRNA. These findings may also explain the increased risk of men homozygous to this mutation to develop prostate cancer.

The impact of early sonographic evaluation on hospital admissions of children with suspected acute appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Early ultrasound (US) evaluation of children with abdominal pain and suspected acute appendicitis (AA) is an important diagnostic tool. Since 2007, US has become part of routine emergency room (ER) work-up performed for suspected pediatric AA in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively compared hospital admissions from 2007 to 2008 with those from 2005 to 2006, when most ultrasounds were done after admission to Pediatric Surgery for observation. RESULTS: During the study (2005-2008), 6,511 children came to the ER with acute abdominal pain. Although pediatric ER sonography increased from 28.1% (865/3,079) in 2005-2006 to 51.7% (1,775/3,432) in 2007-2008 (p < 0.0001), hospitalizations decreased from 33 to 30.1% (p = 0.011). Concurrently, ER US for AA increased from 20.8% (639/2,440) to 38.9% (1,336/2,096) (p < 0.0001), admissions for suspected AA decreased from 51.8% (331/639) to 42% (561/1,336) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Sonography led to a significant decline in admissions and better selection of patients who required surgery for AA. Recurrent ER referrals for the same complaint within 2 weeks was very low (2.9%) with no difference between the two study periods (p = 1); none had AA. These findings encourage us to continue early US in children with suspected AA. This effective tool decreases unnecessary hospital stays, investigative procedures, and surgery, while reducing costs.

Management of acute appendicitis: an imaging strategy in children.

The pre-operative diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) has markedly changed during the last couple of decades due to the advent of modern imaging technology. Nowadays, the use of imaging has dramatically changed the way we approach children admitted to emergency room for abdominal pain with suspected AA. This change is mainly manifested in our diagnostic strategy.

Urological implications of concurrent bladder and lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Multiple primary malignancies are increasingly being detected among cancer patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the co-occurrence of primary bladder cancer and primary lung cancer, two established smoking-related neoplasms characteristically associated with increased risk of secondary cancers. METHODS: A retrospective search of the patient registry in our institution identified 25 patients (23 men and 2 women) who were diagnosed with both bladder cancer and lung cancer during the period 1990-2005. Medical records were reviewed and clinical and pathological data were extracted. RESULTS: In 21 patients (84%) bladder cancer was the first primary tumor and in 4 (16%) the second primary tumor. More than 90% of the patients had a history of smoking. Mean smoking exposure was 62.1 pack years (range 30-120). All bladder cancers were transitional cell carcinomas with the majority being superficial at presentation. Most lung cancers were of the non-small cell type. Second primary lung cancers were significantly more advanced at diagnosis. Overall, mean follow-up was 105.8 months (range 6-288). Seven patients (28%) were alive at the time of evaluation; 68% died of lung cancer, while none died of bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Second primary lung cancer may occur in patients with bladder carcinoma and vice versa. In view of the relatively frequent involvement of the genitourinary tract as a site of multiple primary tumors, urologists may have a key role in the detection of second primary tumors arising in the genitourinary tract, or second primary tumors that occur in patients with primary genitourinary tract malignancies.

[The role of nonoperative management of penetrating renal trauma].

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating renal trauma has been treated traditionally by renal exploration. In view of the successful outcome of nonoperative treatment of major blunt renal trauma, there has been a gradual shift in the approach to penetrating renal injuries, in selected cases. This study reviews the local experience with the conservative approach to penetrating renal injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The researchers retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with penetrating renal injuries during a period of 10 years at two medical centers (Meir in Kfar Saba and Hillel Yaffe in Hadera). The data included mechanisms of injury, grading of the injury, homodynamic stability presence of hematuria, associated injuries, management conservative versus operative, complications and outcome. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 18 patients, with mean age of 22.5 years (15-40 years). The mechanisms of injury were stab wounds (10 patients) and gunshot injuries (8 patients). Nine patients (50%) required surgical intervention for associated injuries. Nonoperative treatment of the urological injury was selected in 10 patients (55.5%), 4 of them required surgery for associated abdominal injuries but did not undergo renal or retroperitoneal exploration, 8 patients (44.5%), were managed primarily by renal exploration. Grade I-II renal injuries were treated conservatively while all grade V injuries were explored. Of grade III injuries, 3 were treated conservatively and renal exploration was performed in 2. Half of grade IV injuries (4 patients) were treated conservatively. Follow-up of conservatively treated patients, demonstrated a viable kidney in all cases. Nephrectomy was performed in 3/8 patients who were treated primarily by renal exploration. These patients had grade IV or V injuries. Renorrhaphy was performed in the remaining 5 patients of whom one required delayed nephrectomy. Overall, the injured renal unit was lost in half of the operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study presents a successful conservative approach to penetrating renal injuries in 10 out of 18 cases. All renal units in the nonoperated patients were preserved in comparison to only half in the surgically treated patients. Hence, nonoperative treatment is a reasonable option for the majority of minor penetrating renal injuries as well as in many selected high-grade injuries. This approach provides maximal preservation of the injured kidney with manageable complications.

[Epidemiology of transitional cell carcinoma among Israeli Arabs].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Environmental, nutritional and hereditary factors are known to influence the epidemiology and the course of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCCB) and hence attribute to major ethnic and national differences. The focus of this study was on the characteristics of TCCB among Israeli Arabs who form a particular ethnic group in the Israeli population and were treated in our medical centers. METHODS: All the Arab patients who presented with TCCB between 1993-2003 to 3 medical centers (Meir, Kfar Saba; Soroka, Beer Sheba and Hillel Yaffe, Hadera) were included in this study. Data was collected retrospectively, with special attention given to epidemiological parameters, risk factors, and treated history of TCCB among these patients. RESULTS: Of 1638 patients who presented with TCCB between 1993 and 2004 at those 3 medical centers, 100 (6.1%) were Israeli Arabs. Male to female ratio among Arabs was 13.4:1 (93 males, 7 females). The prevalence of smoking was 91% and 14% among Arab men and women respectively. The mean age at presentation was 64 (22-93). Arab women were older than men at the time of presentation (mean age 75.7 and 63.1 respectively). Eighty-three percent of patients presented with superficial TCCB and 17% were diagnosed with invasive disease: 80% of patients who presented with superficial TCCB did not progress during the follow-up. In 15% of the patients with stage Ta TCCB progressed to stage T1, while 20% of the patients with superficial TCCB progressed to an invasive stage. The distribution of tumor grades at presentation was 21%, 47% and 32% for grades 1, 2 and 3 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates some major differences in the epidemiology of TCCB among Israeli Arabs in comparison to the general Jewish population. The male to female ratio is significantly skewed towards male predominance. The mean age of the Arab men at presentation with TCCB is younger in comparison to Jewish men as well as to Arab women. The prevalence of smoking among Arab men who present with TCCB is especially high. On the other hand, the treated history and course of TCCB among Arabs seems to follow the known figures of TCCB. Environmental, life style, nutritional and hereditary factors characteristic to the Israeli Arab population may be associated with these ethnic epidemiological differences.