Common Pediatric Urologic Conditions: Contemporary Management of Cryptorchidism, the Retractile Testis, and Phimosis.

Undescended testis is the most common genital disorder identified at birth. Boys who do not have spontaneous descent of the testis at 6 months of age, adjusted for gestational age, should be referred to pediatric urology for timely orchiopexy. Retractile testes are at risk for secondary ascent of the testes and should be monitored by physical examination annually. If there is concern for ascent of the testis, pediatric urology referral is recommended. Most cases of phimosis can be managed medically with topical corticosteroids and manual retraction of the foreskin.

Balanoposthitis in children: Analysis of treatment diversity and development of a treatment proposal.

INTRODUCTION: Balanoposthitis in boys with physiological phimosis is common. Publications on the topic are rare and literature provides no evidence-based guidelines on treatment efficacy. With this study, we aim to analyze treatments currently used, physicians' experience regarding the success and thus derive a treatment proposal. STUDY DESIGN: An online questionnaire was created to evaluate practice patterns and experience. A case scenario, open questions and multiple-choice questions were used to allow multilayered answers. Pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, pediatric urologists, and family practitioners were invited to participate. Demographic data and answers to multiple choice questions were analyzed descriptively. Free text comments were analyzed quantitively by coding the text entries and identifying relevant themes. The themes were then grouped into categories. RESULTS: Three-hundred-and-one data sets were analyzed. Predominantly, participants were from Germany and Switzerland, and most were specialized in either pediatrics or pediatric surgery. The analysis revealed a wide variability of treatments. Three main treatment forms were identified: baths, topical antiseptic treatment (wraps, gels), and topical antibiotics. Many participants use combinations of the above. Altogether, 53 treatment varieties and 27 categories were identified, including oral antibiotics and local irrigation. Treatment success was reported to be good for all treatment forms, baths were reported to be the best perceived treatment by the majority of participants. DISCUSSION: The online questionnaire generated valuable data on the wide variety of treatment used for posthitis. The fact that all treatments are reported to be highly effective suggests that little is necessary to treat the condition or that it might even be self-limiting. Further studies will be needed to prove this conclusion. Until those are available, three main concepts should be considered when choosing a treatment: avoid (traumatizing) manipulation, apply antibiotic stewardship and adhere to families' preferences and feasibility. CONCLUSION: We propose baths or local antiseptics, depending on the practitioner's and family's choice as the least invasive alternative. A prospective study to back our recommendation is scheduled.

Penile Emergencies.

The penis is an organ of enormous importance and is vital for both excretory and reproductive function. The anatomy of the penis itself can lead to many of its emergent conditions and a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology is central to recognition of these conditions. Physicians should have a high clinical suspicion for penile emergencies and perform a thorough physical examination to make a proper diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and proper management are essential for minimizing dysfunction of this vital organ.

Eficácia do uso de corticoides tópicos no tratamento da fimose primária em crianças e adolescentes / Efficacy of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of primary phimosis in children and adolescents / Eficacia del uso de corticoesteroides tópicos en el tratamiento de la fimosis primaria en niños y adolescentes

Introdução: A fimose primária é um problema frequente na consulta de saúde infantil, com prevalência de 11% aos 3 anos de idade. Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão é avaliar a evidência da eficácia do uso de corticoides tópicos (CCT) na redução da limitação da retratilidade do prepúcio em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos: Pesquisa efetuada nas bases de dados National Guideline Clearing House, Canadian Medical Association Pratice Guidelines Infobase, Cochrane Library, DARE, Bandolier, Evidence Based Medicine Online, Trip Database Online e Pubmed, utilizando os descritores "Phimosis and steroids". Pesquisaram-se normas de orientação clínica (NOC), meta-análises, revisões sistemáticas e ensaios clínicos aleatorizados e controlados (ECAC), nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola. Foi usada a escala Levels of Evidence of Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. Resultados: Foram encontrados 148 artigos, dos quais 6 cumpriram os critérios de inclusão: 1 NOC e 5 ECAC. A orientação da Sociedade Europeia de Urologia Pediátrica publicada em 2013 recomenda o uso de CCT na fimose primária. Os ECAC incluíram no total 624 crianças e adolescentes entre os zero e os 15 anos. Foram testados diferentes CCT e esquemas terapêuticos. Verificou-se uma melhoria da retratilidade do prepúcio comparativamente com o placebo, com uma eficácia terapêutica dos CCT descrita entre 66% e 90%. Conclusão: Os estudos suportam a eficácia dos CCT no tratamento da fimose primária em crianças e adolescentes. No futuro é pertinente o desenho de estudos metodologicamente homogêneos e de maior dimensão para clarificar qual o melhor CCT e esquema terapêutico.

Introduction: Primary phimosis is a frequent problem in child health clinic with a prevalence of 11% at 3 years of age. Objective: The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of topical corticosteroids (CCT) in reduction of foreskin retractile limitation in children and adolescents. Methods: The research was performed using the National Guideline Clearing House, Canadian Medical Association Practice Guidelines InfoBase, Cochrane Library, DARE, Bandolier, Evidence Based Medicine Online, Trip Database Online and PubMed databases using the terms "phimosis and steroids". Clinical guidelines, meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The Levels of Evidence of Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine were used. Results: A total of 148 articles were found, of which only six fulfilled the inclusion criteria: one guideline and five RCTs. Since 2013 the European Society of Pediatric Urology recommends the use of CCT in primary phimosis. The RCTs included a total of 624 children and adolescents aged between zero and 15 years and different CCTs and therapeutic approaches were tested. A significant improvement in prepuce retraction was observed with the use of CCT compared to placebo achieving a therapeutic efficacy of 66% and 90%. Conclusion: The studies used in this work support the use of CCTs in the treatment of primary phimosis in children and adolescents. However, we consider to be of added value the implementation of larger and methodologically homogeneous studies in order to clarify what is the best CCT therapeutic method.

Introducción: La fimosis primaria es un problema común en la consulta médica con una prevalencia del 11% a los 3 años de edad. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta revisión es evaluar la evidencia de la eficacia de los corticoesteroides tópicos (CCT) en la reducción de la limitación de retractilidad del prepucio en niños y adolescentes. Métodos: Se realizaron encuestas en las bases de datos de National Guideline Clearing House, Canadian Medical Association Pratice Guidelines Infobase, Cochrane Library, DARE, Bandolier, Evidence Based Medicine Online, Trip Database Online e Pubmed, utilizando las palabras clave "phimosis and steroids". Se incluyeron guidelines, revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis y ensayos controlados aleatorios (ECA), en portugués, inglés y español. Se utilizó la escala Levels of Evidence da Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. Resultados: Se han encontrado 148 artículos, de los cuales seis cumplieron los criterios de inclusión: 1 guideline y 5 ECA. La guideline de la Sociedad Europea de Urología Pediátrica publicada en 2013 recomienda el uso de CCT en la fimosis primaria. El ECA incluyó un total de 624 niños y adolescentes de entre cero y 15 años. Se ha mejorado la retractilidad del prepucio en comparación con el placebo a una efectividad terapéutica del CCT descrito entre 66% y 90%. Conclusión: Los estudios apoyan la efectividad del tratamiento con corticoesteroides en la fimosis primaria en niños y adolescentes. En el futuro es apropiado el diseño de estudios metodológicamente homogéneos y más grandes para probar cual es el mejor tratamiento de CCT.

Observation time and spontaneous resolution of primary phimosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate spontaneous resolution rate of a series of patients with physiologic phimosis in relation to observation time and presence of symptoms. METHODS: retrospective and longitudinal follow-up study of patients with physiologic phimosis, that did not apply topic treatment. These patients were invited for a new visit for reevaluation, or recent data were obtained by chart analysis. Spontaneous resolution rate was determined and statistically compared to age, presence of symptoms at first medical visit and time until reevaluation. RESULTS: seventy one patients were included. Medium time of observation from first visit to reevaluation was 37.4 months. There was spontaneous resolution of phimosis in 32 (45%) patients. Children with spontaneous resolution were younger at initial diagnosis and were observed during a longer period of time. Most asymptomatic patients at first visit presented spontaneous resolution. However, it was not possible to stablish a significant relationship between presence of symptoms and evolution of physiologic phimosis. CONCLUSIONS: time of observation was the main determinant of spontaneous resolution of patients with physiologic phimosis, reinforcing the current more conservative approach regarding circumcision of those patients.

Observation time and spontaneous resolution of primary phimosis in children / Tempo de observação e resolução espontânea de fimose primária em crianças

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate spontaneous resolution rate of a series of patients with physiologic phimosis in relation to observation time and presence of symptoms. Methods: retrospective and longitudinal follow-up study of patients with physiologic phimosis, that did not apply topic treatment. These patients were invited for a new visit for reevaluation, or recent data were obtained by chart analysis. Spontaneous resolution rate was determined and statistically compared to age, presence of symptoms at first medical visit and time until reevaluation. Results: seventy one patients were included. Medium time of observation from first visit to reevaluation was 37.4 months. There was spontaneous resolution of phimosis in 32 (45%) patients. Children with spontaneous resolution were younger at initial diagnosis and were observed during a longer period of time. Most asymptomatic patients at first visit presented spontaneous resolution. However, it was not possible to stablish a significant relationship between presence of symptoms and evolution of physiologic phimosis. Conclusions: time of observation was the main determinant of spontaneous resolution of patients with physiologic phimosis, reinforcing the current more conservative approach regarding circumcision of those patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar a taxa de resolução espontânea de uma série de pacientes com diagnóstico de fimose fisiológica e sua relação com o tempo de observação e com a presença de sintomas. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo e de seguimento longitudinal e observacional de pacientes em acompanhamento por fimose fisiológica, que não haviam realizado tratamento tópico. Estes pacientes foram convocados para uma consulta médica de reavaliação ou tiveram dados recentes obtidos a partir da análise dos prontuários. A taxa de resolução espontânea foi determinada e comparada estatisticamente de acordo com a idade, com a presença de sintomas no momento da primeira consulta e com o tempo transcorrido entre a primeira consulta e a reavaliação. Resultados: setenta e um pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. O tempo médio de observação, entre a primeira consulta e a reavaliação foi de 37,4 meses. Houve resolução espontânea da fimose em 32 (45%) pacientes. As crianças que apresentaram resolução espontânea eram mais jovens no momento do diagnóstico inicial e foram observadas por um maior intervalo de tempo. A maior parte dos pacientes assintomáticos na primeira consulta apresentou resolução espontânea. No entanto, não foi possível estabelecer uma relação significativa entre a presença de sintomas e a evolução da fimose fisiológica. Conclusões: o tempo de observação foi o maior determinante para a resolução espontânea de pacientes com fimose fisiológica, o que reforça a tendência atual mais conservadora em relação às indicações de circuncisão para estes pacientes.

[Clinical effect of circumcision stapler in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of circumcision stapler in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce. METHODS: We treated 120 patients with redundant prepuce or phimosis using circumcision stapler and another 60 by conventional dorsal-incision circumcision. We observed intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative pain, wound healing time, cosmetic appearance of the penis, and postoperative complications and compared them between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Stapler circumcision showed obvious advantages over the conventional method in intraoperative blood loss ([2. 3 ± 1. 3] vs [15.6 ± 2.9] ml), operation time ([7.1 ± 1.4] vs [22.6 ± 4.6] min), wound healing time ([12.0 ± 2.9] as [16.3 ± 3. 1] d), postoperative pain score (1. 9 ± 1. 3 vs 5. 2 ± 1. 7), incision edema, and cosmetic appearance of the penis (all P <0. 05). Besides, stapler circumcision exempted the patients from stitch-removal pain. However, the incidence rate of postoperative local ecchymosis was significantly higher in the circumcision stapler group than in the conventional circumcision group (20. 8% vs 8. 3% , P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: Circumcision stapler, with its advantages of easier manipulation, shorter operation time, better cosmetic penile appearance, less pain, and fewer complications, is superior to conventional circumcision in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

[Clinical effects of the circumcision stapler, foreskin cerclage, and traditional circumcision: A comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of the circumcision stapler, circumcision cerclage, and traditional circumcision in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce. METHODS: Using the circumcision stapler (group A), foreskin cerclage (group B), and traditional circumcision (group C), we treated 276 patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce. We made comparisons among the three groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and 24-hour postoperative pain scores, and incidence of postoperative complications. Results: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative pain score were (6.52 ± 2.45) min, (1.93 ± 0.82) ml, and 1.37 ± 0.68 in group A and (7.24 ± 1.86) min, (1.51 ± 0.72) ml, and 1.20 ± 0.79 in group B, all significantly lower than (28. 36 ± 4.22) min, (9.52 ± 3.29) ml, and 3.06 ± 0.75 in group C (P <0.05). The 24-hour postoperative pain score was remarkably higher in group B than in A and C (3. 18 ± 0. 82 vs 1. 85 ± 0. 63 and 1. 82 ± 0. 75, P <0. 05). The incidence rate of postoperative complications was markedly lower in group A than in B (5. 43% vs 14. 13%, P < 0.05), but with no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: The circumcision stapler, with its advantages of simple operation, minimal invasiveness, fewer complications, and better cosmetic result, deserves a wider clinical application.

Incidence of balanitis xerotica obliterans in boys younger than 10 years presenting with phimosis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the true incidence of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) among boys younger than 10 years. METHODS: In a period of 13 months, 75 boys younger than 10 years were treated for phimosis. Suspicion of BXO was raised in phimosis grade 2 or 3 (classification by Kikiros). Patients were offered primarily either circumcision or conservative therapy and circumcision secondarily (if treatment failed in the conservative group). Each circumcision specimen was examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Circumcision was primarily performed in 29 and secondarily in 17 patients. The mean age was 3.7 years (range 1-10). BXO, chronic inflammation, and normal histological results were found in 8/26/12 (17.4/56.5/26.1%) cases, respectively. The mean follow-up was 8.1 months. No recurrences were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BXO appears to be higher than previously reported. The clinical appearance in children may be confusing. The preoperative BXO suspicion did not correlate with the final histopathological results.

[Current and practice-relevant news from pediatric urology]. / Aktuelles und Praxisrelevantes aus der Kinderurologie.

Evidence-based medicine is established by conducting high-quality, well-structured, and ideally prospective randomized trials. The initiation and performance of such studies pose a challenge to pediatric urology. Several randomized studies on vesicoureteral reflux, stone treatment, and urinary incontinence in childhood have been published in recent years. In addition, relevant guidelines on the topic of vesicoureteral reflux and phimosis were issued. Comprehensive up-to-date data are also available on undescended testicles and correction of hypospadias from which a recommended course of action can be derived.

[Updated treatments for neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce].

Phimosis and redundant prepuce, as common problems in andrology, are found in the majority of male neonates. Early treatment of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce has the advantages of better cost--effectiveness and higher safety, and contributes much to the prevention of childhood urinary tract infection and adult sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to the improvement of genital hygiene. Neonatal circumcision is commonly performed in some countries, but remains at a low rate in China. This article updates surgical and non-surgical treatments of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce, introduces the benefits of neonatal circumcision, and appeals for more attention to the management of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce.