Magnetic double-J stent: Evaluation of tolerance and impact on quality of life compared to traditional double-J stent.

INTRODUCTION: The placement of a ureteral stent is one of the most widely performed procedures in urology. It can have a negative impact on the patients' quality of life, requiring a cystoscopy for its removal. The objective of this study is to evaluate the symptoms and impact on quality of life derived from the use of a magnetic double-J stent (Black Star®) and compare them to those presented in patients with a traditional double-J stent (OptiMed®). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a comparative, prospective, randomized study in 46 patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy with double-J stent placement between August 2019 and June 2020. Of all patients included, 23 had a traditional double-J stent placed (group A) and 23 had a magnetic double-J stent (group B) placed. We evaluated the results of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) in both groups, assessed the technical difficulty related to stent removal and the pain during the procedure using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We also reviewed the need for medical attention due to problems related to the stent or after its removal. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the answers in the USSQ and the complications related to the use of the stent. Group B showed less pain (1.52 vs. 4, VAS, p = 0.001) and less difficulty during removal (1.61 vs. 3, p < 0.001) associated with a shorter procedure duration (11.65 min vs. 22.17 min p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The tolerance shown by the use of magnetic double-J is comparable to the tolerance of traditional stent, since it does not cause an increase in urinary symptoms nor worsens the quality of life of patients during its use.

Treatment for rectourethral fistulas after radical prostatectomy with biological material interposition through a perineal access.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal injury is a rare complication after extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The development of rectourethral fistulas (URF) from rectal injuries is one of the most feared and of more complex resolution in urology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2020 we have operated on a total of 5 patients with URF after extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy through a perineal access using the interposition of biological material. All fistulas had a diameter of less than 6 mm at endoscopy and were less than 6 cm apart from the anal margin. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64 years old. All patients had a previous bowel and urinary diversion for at least 3 months. Under general anesthesia and with the patient in a forced lithotomy position, fistulorraphy and interposition of biological material of porcine origin (lyophilized porcine dermis [Permacol®]) were performed through a perineal access. Mean operative time was 174 min (140-210). Most patients were discharged on the third postoperative day. The bladder catheter was left in place for a mean of 40 days (30-60). Prior to its removal, cystography and a Gastrografin® barium enema were performed, showing resolution of the fistula in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The interposition of biological material from porcine dermis through perineal approach is a safe alternative with good results in patients submitted to urethrorectal fistulorraphy after radical prostatectomy.

Cost effectiveness analysis of fesoterodine compared to mirabegron in first-line therapy setting for overactive bladder with urge urinary incontinence, from the Spanish National Health System perspective. / Análisis de coste efectividad de fesoterodina comparado con mirabegron en el marco de tratamiento de primera línea para vejiga hiperactiva con incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, desde la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud español.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line treatment of Overactive Bladder (OAB) with fesoterodine relative to mirabegron, from the Spanish National Health System (NHS) perspective. METHODS: A decision tree model was developed to represent a typical clinical process of 52-week of treatment for an OAB patient with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) initiating first-line therapy with fesoterodine 4mg, including optional titration to 8mg, vs.mirabegron 50mg. Efficacy data were obtained from a Bayesian indirect treatment meta-analysis. Patients with UUI of less than one episode/day were defined as treatment responder and persistence was assessed at weeks 4, 12 and 24. At week 12, non-responders discontinued treatment permanently. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated based on time spent in responder and non-responder states. OAB-related drug and medical care costs including physician visits, laboratory tests, incontinence pads, and comorbidities (fracture, skin infection, urinary tract infections and depression) were modeled and expressed in €2015. RESULTS: At week 52, the percentage of responders was 20.8% for patients starting on fesoterodine 4mg who optionally titrated to 8mg and 19.4% for patients treated with mirabegron. QALYs were slightly higher with fesoterodine than mirabegron (0.7703vs. 0.7668, difference=0.0035). Fesoterodine treatment also had slightly higher total costs than mirabegron (3,296€vs. 3,217, difference=79€), resulting in a cost of 22,523/QALY€ gained for fesoterodine versus mirabegron. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the slight advantage of fesoterodine with a 61.1% probability of being cost-effective at the 30,000€ willingness-to-pay for 1QALY threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Given the relatively small 1-year cost difference between the two treatments, fesoterodine can be considered a cost-effective option relative to mirabegron for the first-line management of OAB with UUI in Spain.

Therapeutic benefit in patients switching tolterodine to other novel antimuscarinic agents.

OBJECTIVES: To explore in the daily clinical practice setting that antimuscarinic, Fesoterodine or Solifenacin, provides a greater clinical benefit after changing their prior Overactive Bladder (OAB) therapy with tolterodine extended-release (ER) to other novel antimuscarinic agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A post-hoc analysis of data from an observational multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Adult patients of both sexes, with OAB and OAB-V8 score≥8, who switched to fesoterodine or solifenacin within the 3-4 months before study visit from their prior tolterodine-ER-based therapy due to poor response were included. 92 patients were selected for each treatment group, matched (1:1) according to conditioned probability using the propensity score. Benefit of treatment change perceived by the physician and patient was evaluated by means of the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement subscale (CGI-I) and Treatment Benefit Scale (TBS), respectively. Degree of worry, bother and interference with daily living activities due to urinary symptoms, level of satisfaction, and preference for current treatment were also assessed. RESULTS: Fesoterodine provided a significantly greater improvement than solifenacina in terms of therapeutic benefit perceived by the physician according to ICG-I. 96.7% of the patients on fesoterodine treatment vs. 81.6% of the solifenacin group showed a score of improvement in TBS (P<.05). Fesoterodine was also better rated than solifenacin with regard to satisfaction and preference for the new treatment (93.4 vs. 78.2% P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: In daily clinical practice the switch from tolterodine LP to fesoterodine seems to provide greater benefits both from the physician's and the patient's point of view compared with those provided by solifenacin.

[Assessment of reasons for overactive bladder treatment change]. / Evaluación de los motivos del cambio de tratamiento para la vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVES: although efficacious, some patients do not respond optimally to overactive bladder (OAB) treatment. The objective of this study was to identify the reasons why some patients do not respond and to look for reasons for changes in treatment and patient satisfaction with the new treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: epidemiological, cross-sectional, non-interventional study to determine the reasons for OAB treatment switching and satisfaction with such OAB treatment switch. OAB patients (OAB-V8≥8), 18 years or more, who had modified their treatment during the previous 3-4 months, were recruited. Demographic data, symptoms, previous, current and concomitant treatments, reasons for treatment switch, clinical global impression (CGI) on disease severity and symptom improvement, Morinsky Green questionnaire, satisfaction with treatment, treatment preference and treatment benefit scale (TBS) were compared. RESULTS: out of 3,365 successive patients, 2,038 (61%) were eligible (61.1±11.2 years; 77% women). The physician decided to switch in 69% of the cases and 31% of patients asked for a change in treatment. Reasons for switching were lack of clinical benefit (60%), side effects (24%), patients' request (8%), non-compliance (6%) and other (2%). 52% of patients complied with new treatment. According to the CGI, 65.4% showed improvement with respect to their previous treatment. 60% were quite/very satisfied with current treatment, 91% preferred it to their previous treatment and 93% reported that their symptoms had improved. CONCLUSIONS: the lack of clinical benefit is the main reason for changing OAB treatment. Most of the patients that switched prefer their new treatment.

[Greenlight Laser Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). Surgical advantages in risk patients]. / Fotovaporización prostática (FVP) mediante láser verde. Ventajas quirúrgicas en pacientes de riesgo.

It is more and more common to have patients in our clinics with the diagnosis of BPH and indication for surgery who present limitations due to their medications, age, associated morbidity or psychosocial conditions. Transurethral resection of the prostate, though it is the surgical standard of reference, is not free from complications such as reabsorption syndrome, bleeding, or even blood transfusion in a percentage of cases. Laser PVP may be a valid alternative in this subgroup of patients. We review our experience with this procedure, as well as the published articles on this topic, and describe technical recommendations we consider useful to avoid complications when possible during surgery or the immediate postoperative period.

[Endoscopic treatment of the benign prostatic hyperplasia with local anesthesia and sedation in patients with high surgical or anaesthesical risk]. / Tratamiento endoscópico de la hiperplasia benigna de próstata bajo anestesia local-sedación en pacientes de alto riesgo.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: [corrected] The aging of the population causes an increase of the number of men affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with a large number of pathology associated that may limit its surgical treatment. In this study we try to show the effectiveness and security of local anaesthesia and sedation in the endoscopic treatment of the BPH in patients with high surgical-anaesthetic risk. METHODS: During the last 4 years, 38 patients underwent surgical treatment of BPH with ages between 78 and 86 years (average 81,4 +/- 3,2) with severe obstructive prostatic syndrome and high surgical-anaesthetic risk. 15 patients underwent, transurethral incision of prostate (TUIP) and in 23 patients, transurethral resection (TURP) was performed. The blockade anesthetic was made by transrectal periprostatic infiltration finger-guided with 10-15 millilitres of lidocaine 2%. During the procedure an intravenous perfusion of propofol and remifentanil was administered. The obtained results as well as the patient's satisfaction degree was evaluated by means of the elaboration of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The average length of the surgical treatment was of 12 +/- 5 minutes (rank 8 - 25), having itself not stated complications derived from the anesthetic technique. They referred a slight annoyance 4 patients (11%) that was treated increasing the rate of the sedative perfusión. The satisfaction's degree with the received treatment has been good in the 95% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: We considered that the TUIP as much as TURP made under local anesthesia with sedation are safe, effective methods and well tolerated, that fundamentally are indicated in aged patients and when the surgical-anesthetic risk is elevated.

[Correction of the penile curvature in ambulatory surgery]. / Corrección del pene curvo en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results obtained in the correction of the curved penis by means of Nesbit's technique during the four first years of integration of our Service in the Major Ambulatory Surgery Unit (CMA) of our Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January of 2000 to April of 2004 we intervened in ambulatory regime 21 patient suffering from curved penis (12 congenital and 9 with Peyronie's disease) by means of Nesbit's technique. The surgical-anesthetic performed procedure is described and also the criteria of inclusion and discharge are evaluated, as well as the results obtained and the degree of satisfaction by means of the elaboration of a questionnaire. RESULTS: None of the patients needed entrance for intrasurgery nor postsurgery complications. Thus, we obtained a null incidence of complications with the exception of the inevitable shortening of the penis, clearly independent from the regime of out-patient's process. The degree of satisfaction with the received treatment has been superior to 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The practical totality of the susceptible patients for surgical correction of penile curvature are candidates to be included in a CMA program, improving obviously the relation cost-efficacy, not diminishing for that reason the welfare quality nor the degree of patient's satisfaction.