Utilizing the Ex-Vivo Bovine Model in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery Training.

OBJECTIVE: To present an ex-vivo bovine model for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model was specifically developed for a pre-congress course organized as part of the National Pediatric Urology Congress. The course involved a 2-day online theoretical segment followed by hands-on training. Bovine kidneys were chosen for their anatomical resemblance to human kidneys. The kidneys were sourced from a local slaughterhouse, ensuring the intactness of the pelvis, ureters, and perirenal fat. A Modified Larssen solution was used for tissue preservation. The tissue was positioned within a cardboard box, with specific preparation techniques to ensure realism. During the hands-on training, participants utilized a flexible ureterorenoscope for practice. After the course, participants completed an 18-question survey assessing the model and training experience. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants completed the training and survey. Four out of 8 procured kidneys were suitable. The model's cost was 18 euros. Around 87.5% of participants reported increased RIRS confidence. Those with prior course experience rated the model's anatomical resemblance higher (P = .016). No significant difference was observed in feedback on the model's durability or tactile feedback based on prior experience (P >.05). CONCLUSION: The ex-vivo bovine model provides a promising alternative for RIRS training. While further studies are needed to validate its widespread application, initial feedback suggests it offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and realistic training experience.

Urinary biomarkers can identify the need for pyeloplasty in presence of supranormal differential renal function in antenatally diagnosed unilateral hydronephrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Decision for surgery can be challenging in children with AH (Antenatal Hydronephrosis) especially in the setting of supranormal differential renal function (SnDRF). OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study is to investigate whether IP-10 (interferon gamma-induced protein 10), MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin), CA 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9), and KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1) can identify the need for pyeloplasty in presence of SnDRF in antenatally diagnosed unilateral hydronephrosis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospectively collected urinary biomarker database was used for the study. There was a total of 53 patients in the AH group. Nineteen children with no history of AH and a normal urinary ultrasonography were taken as controls. Patients with initial ipsilateral DRF (Differential Renal Function) over 50% were included in the SnDRF group while the remaining were named as non-SnDRF. Patients that didn't undergo surgery were classified as non-obstructive dilation (NOD) in both groups. RESULTS: Pyeloplasty was performed in 6/20 patients in SnDRF group, and in 19/33 patients in non-SnDRF group. Biomarker levels in the pyeloplasty and NOD groups were not affected by the presence or absence of SnDRF (p = 1.00, for both). Urinary NGAL, and CA 19-9 could determine the need for surgery in SnDRF group with 83% and 100% sensitivity, 86% and 79% specificity, respectively whereas urinary IP-10 and KIM-1 could with 84% and 83% sensitivity, 57% and 71% specificity, respectively. Urinary MCP-1 could differentiate patients who underwent surgery with 83% sensitivity and 50% specificity in SnDRF groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that biomarker levels were not affected whether the kidney has SnDRF. Furthermore, in patients with SnDRF, NGAL and CA 19-9 appear to better estimate requirement for surgical correction before deterioration of renal function.

Is the Reference Electrode Location Important for the Electromyography Evaluation of the Pelvic Floor in Urodynamic Studies?

PURPOSE: Perineal electromyography (EMG) is a crucial part of urodynamic studies. Many researchers focused on the standardization of techniques in urodynamics, but no study has yet evaluated the differences with various reference electrode placements. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal placement of the reference electrode for recording pelvic floor activity in urodynamic studies. METHODS: Children over 6 years of age without anatomic or neurological abnormalities were invited to participate in the study. Four reference electrodes were placed on the right kneecap, the inner surface of the right inner thigh, the right anterior iliac spine (AIS), and the skin over the left gluteal muscles for simultaneous recording. The EMG signal formed by pelvic contraction during forceful straining was recorded both in the supine and sitting positions. The root mean square (RMS) value of each muscle contraction signal was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-one participants (10 boys and 11 girls) were included. The mean age was 10.19±3.20 years. The highest RMS values were obtained with the reference electrode on the thigh in the supine position and the AIS in the sitting position. Significant differences were found between the mean RMS values of the knee and other locations of reference electrodes in the supine position, as well as between mean RMS values in all regions except the thigh and gluteus in the sitting position. The minimum mean RMS values in both positions were obtained with the reference electrode on the knee. CONCLUSION: During urodynamic studies, reference electrodes shall be placed on AIS in the sitting and on the inner thigh in the supine position. The knee is not a suitable option for reference electrode placement. This information may help improve EMG recordings in the evaluation of pelvic floor muscles.

Peyronie's disease surgery: Surgical outcomes of 268 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of the surgical techniques used in Peyronie's disease (PD) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-eight patients received surgical treatment for PD. Fifty four and 144 patients underwent simple corporoplasties (shortening procedure, SP, group 1) or plaque incision and grafting surgery (lengthening surgery, LP, group 2), respectively, whereas 70 patients with erectile dysfunction underwent penile prosthesis implantation. RESULTS: Penile plication and Nesbit surgeries were performed in 5 (9%) and 42 (78%) patients out of total 54 patients. In the remaining 7 (13%) patients, Nesbit and plication suture combination was required for complete penile straightening. Mean curvature degree was 52.2±12.3 degrees. Follow up time was 36.1±29.4 months. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two groups in the baseline features and co-morbidities except age. In 144 patients who underwent plaque incision and grafting, mean age and PD onset duration were 54.1±9.2 years and 28.2±17.3 months respectively. Mean curvature degree was 58.4±18.9 degrees. Post-operative follow up time of the second group was 51.1±39.6 months. Additional plication suture was used in 48 patients (33%) patients. Degree of curvature improvement was 37.9±19.1 and 52.1±23.5 in SP and LP respectively (p=0.01). The initial anatomic success rates were 90.4% and 87.5% at their early post-operative follow-ups for group 1 and 2 respectively. These rates dropped to 82.7% and 83.6% at the long term follow-up (36 and 51 months) respectively (p=0.9). Although the average follow-up time of LP group was longer than SP group (52.1 mo vs. 37.0 mo), recurrence rates of these two groups were comparable. The combined functional and anatomical success of patients were demonstrated to be 79% and 75% in shortening and grafting surgery. Shortening surgery was not statistically superior to grafting surgery for patients in terms of having erection with or without the aid of PDE-5 inhibitors (94.4% vs. 88.2%, p=0.28). Shortening surgery makes a difference in the long term follow-up for patients who had erections without the aid of PDE-5 inhibitors (90.7% vs. 67.3%, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Both SP and LP are successful in terms of penile straightening in the short and long-term follow-up. Curvature degree improvement is greater in LP. Patients who undergo LP surgery may suffer from ED in the long-term follow-ups. Greater percentage of patients who underwent LP require PDE-5 inhibitors usage for sexual intercourse. Despite stated shortcomings, combined success (anatomic and functional) is achieved in three out of four patients for both groups. Penile prosthesis implantation should be preferred for patients with ED and penile deformity.

Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Priapism.

INTRODUCTION: Priapism is defined as a full or partial erection lasting longer than 4 hours after sexual stimulation and orgasm or unrelated to sexual stimulation. The main goal of priapism management is to resolve the episode immediately to preserve erectile function and penile length. Corporal smooth muscle necrosis is likely to have already occurred, and medically refractory erectile dysfunction is expected in patients with a protracted episode. Penile prosthesis implantation (PPI) in the early or late phase of priapism can restore erectile function. AIM: To review the literature on PPI in priapism. METHODS: A PubMed search of all English-language articles published before 2017 was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement using the following search terms: penile prosthesis implantation, priapism, and corporal fibrosis. All publications reporting on PPI during or after priapism episodes were included for review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three types of priapism were reviewed for management using PPI. Surgical techniques, outcomes, and patient satisfaction were reported. RESULTS: Early implantation (during the episode) is technically easier and has lower complication rates compared with delayed (electively, after the erectile dysfunction is observed) surgery. Immediate PPI also allows preservation of penile length, which is related to higher satisfaction rates. CONCLUSIONS: The paradigm is shifting toward immediate PPI in the management of ischemic priapism. Patients with non-ischemic priapism or recurrent priapism, even without a major ischemic episode, are at high risk for erectile dysfunction and are candidates for PPI. Yücel ÖB, Pazir Y, Kadioglu A. Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Priapism. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:310-318.

An unanswered question in pediatric urology: the post pubertal persistence of prepubertal congenital penile curvature correction by tunical plication

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze post pubertal results of pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication with non-absorbable sutures in the correction of CPC. Materials and Methods: The files of patients who underwent tunica albuginea plication without incision (dorsal/lateral) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients younger than 13 years of age at the time of operation and older than 14 years of age in November 2015 were included. Patients with a penile curvature of less than 30 degrees & more than 45 degrees and penile/urethral anomalies were excluded. All of the patients underwent surgery followed by circumcision. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of the operation was 9.7 years (range, 6-13 years). The mean degree of ventral penile curvature measured during the operation was 39 degrees while it was 41 degrees in the lateral curvatures. All of the patients were curvature-free at the end of the operation. At the time of the follow-up examination, the mean age was 16.7 years (range, 14-25 years). Six patients had a straight (0-10 degrees) penis during erection and seven patients had recurrent penile curvatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. Conclusion: Pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication of congenital penile curvature (30-45 degrees) with non-absorbable sutures performed without incision is a minimal invasive method especially when performed during circumcision. However, recurrence might be observed in half of the patients after puberty.

22-year survival following radical nephrectomy and several metastasectomies in a case of renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy. Metastases can be seen both synchronously, at the time of diagnosis, and metachronously during follow-up. At the time of diagnosis, 23% of the patients have metastatic disease. and 25% of patients will develop metastasis during follow-up period after nephrectomy. Nearly 80% of them develop within the first 5 years. However late metastasis of RCC have been also reported within the postoperative 10 years in the literature. For metastatic lesions, if surgically feasible, metastasectomy, and targeted pharmaceutical agents have been recommended. However any randomized controlled study which aimed to determine treatment protocol in patients who develop multiple metastases has not been cited in the literature. Herein, we are presenting a case with renal cell carcinoma in whom within 22 years of follow-up after 10 years of survival multiple metastases in different organs were detected which were managed with surgical, and medical treatments. As far as we know, this case is the first patient with the longest survival whose non-pulmonary metastases had been treated with more than one surgical interventions.

An unanswered question in pediatric urology: the post pubertal persistence of prepubertal congenital penile curvature correction by tunical plication.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze post pubertal results of pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication with non-absorbable sutures in the correction of CPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of patients who underwent tunica albuginea plication without incision (dorsal/lateral) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients younger than 13 years of age at the time of operation and older than 14 years of age in November 2015 were included. Patients with a penile curvature of less than 30 degrees & more than 45 degrees and penile/urethral anomalies were excluded. All of the patients underwent surgery followed by circumcision. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time of the operation was 9.7 years (range, 6-13 years). The mean degree of ventral penile curvature measured during the operation was 39 degrees while it was 41 degrees in the lateral curvatures. All of the patients were curvature-free at the end of the operation. At the time of the follow-up examination, the mean age was 16.7 years (range, 14-25 years). Six patients had a straight (0-10 degrees) penis during erection and seven patients had recurrent penile curvatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. CONCLUSION: Pre pubertal tunica albuginea plication of congenital penile curvature (30-45 degrees) with non-absorbable sutures performed without incision is a minimal invasive method especially when performed during circumcision. However, recurrence might be observed in half of the patients after puberty.

The Case Report of Priapus and a Modern Approach to an Ancient Affliction.

INTRODUCTION: Priapism, taking its name from God Priapus, is total or partial erection lasting longer than 4 hours independent of sexual stimulus and can result in erectile dysfunction. There are three subtypes of priapism. AIM: To review the three subtypes of priapism, their pathophysiology, current treatment options, and complications. METHODS: The literature including priapism guidelines, review articles, and current trial studies was reviewed and the priapism type of God Priapus was investigated according to the mythology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All three types of priapism were reviewed for etiology, diagnosis, and management. Medical and surgical treatment options were reviewed in relation to the current literature. Special emphasis concerned current treatment strategies and controversial surgical topics. RESULTS: Ischemic priapism is the most common type, constituting 95% of all cases, and is an emergency. First-line treatments are blood aspiration and intracavernosal sympathomimetic drug injections. If these fail, then surgical shunt operations are recommended. A T-shunt combined with corporal tunneling is the currently popular option. Immediate penile prosthesis implantation is recommended for patients who present 48 to 72 hours after the onset of a priapism episode. High-flow priapism is caused by irregular arterial cavernosal blood flow, which usually occurs after a blunt perineal trauma. Antiandrogens and selective arterial embolization are the treatment options. Stuttering priapism is repetitive, self-limiting ischemic priapism and frequent in patients with sickle cell anemia. Ketoconazole is safe, cheap, and effective and appears to be a logical and suitable current treatment option to prevent further episodes, which is the primary treatment goal of stuttering priapism. CONCLUSION: Priapism is a relatively common condition but not well known by clinicians. The lack and delay of treatment result in irreversible complications such as erectile dysfunction. Each type of priapism should be diagnosed and treated correctly with caution.

Oxidized regenerated cellulose granuloma mimicking recurrent mass lesion after laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving hemostasis in laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery (LNSS), a technically demanding procedure, is challenging. Absorbable hemostatic agents, such as oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) are frequently used for hemostasis in laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery. Retention of this material is a very rare situation. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We are presenting a case of ORC granuloma after nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) mimicking recurrent renal mass. A 50-year-old woman diagnosed with upper pole renal mass underwent laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery. Oxidized regenerated cellulose was used to achieve hemostasis for an oozing from the perirenal tissue. Resection confirmed RCC. Imaging at 6th month follow-up revealed a lesion with contrast enhancement at the location of the adrenal gland. Positron emission tomography suggested inflammation or metastasis. Histopathological evaluation of the mass revealed foreign body granuloma. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery is becoming a standardized treatment of select renal tumors. Hemostatic agents, such as ORC, are frequently used to minimize complications in LNSS. In case of ORC application, which is completely absorbed in 8 weeks, to or to a location with close proximity to the primary resection site, surgical granuloma formation should be considered. However its use should not be discouraged and biopsy may be considered for definitive diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Oxidized regenerated cellulose granuloma may mimic different entities such as including invasive carcinoma. Thus it is of utmost importance, if ORC was used during LNSS, the location and use of this material should be noted precisely.

Laparoscopic excision of local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report a single center's experience with laparoscopic excision of local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Between January and August 2011, 5 patients who underwent laparoscopic excision of local recurrence were identified from the institutional laparoscopic surgery database. RESULTS: Four radical nephrectomies and 1 partial nephrectomy were performed for primary tumors. The mean ages of the patients were 57.4 y (range, 48 to 68) and 62.8 y (range, 53 to 71) at the time of primary surgery and laparoscopic recurrence excision, respectively. The average size of the primary tumor was 7.2cm (range, 4.5 to 11). The mean size of local recurrence was 3.46cm (range, 2.8 to 4.5). The original tumor T stages were T1b, T2b, and T4 in 3, 1, and 1 cases, respectively. The mean time to diagnosis of recurrence was 51.2 mo (range, 15 to 136). The pathology of one patient who had previously received targeted therapy with sunitinib, was necrosis, unlike the other 4 pathologies which revealed renal cell carcinoma. The mean operative time, estimated blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 86 min (range, 70 to 100), 100 mL (range, 20 to 300), and 4 d (range, 2 to 8), respectively. One pleural injury did not need open conversion and was repaired laparoscopically. At a mean follow-up of 8.4 mo, the cancer-specific and disease-free survival rates were 100% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic excision of local recurrence of RCC is a feasible technique in well-selected patients with low-volume mass not involving the adjacent organs.