Posterior urethral valve in thai boys.

BACKGROUND: Posterior urethral valve (PUV) is the most common congenital bladder outlet obstruction in boys, causing renal damage beginning in utero. There are scarce data from Thailand regarding the long-term outcomes of PUV in boys, thus the aim of this study was to examine the presentation, clinical course, complications, outcomes and renal survival in PUV boys. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of PUV boys treated at the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, over a 30-year-period. RESULTS: Seventy-seven PUV boys were identified, with a median age at diagnosis of 4.8 months. The most common presentations were urinary tract infection (UTI), poor urine stream and urinary dribbling in 26 (33.8%), 19 (24.7%) and 11 (14.3%) boys, respectively. Renal ultrasound results in 70 boys showed 8 (11.4%) unilateral and 56 (80%) bilateral hydronephroses. Of 72 voiding cystourethrograms, 18 (25.0%) showed unilateral and 22 (30.6%) bilateral vesicoureteral refluxes. 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scans in 30 boys showed 12 (40%) unilateral and 8 (26.7%) bilateral renal damage. Fifty-nine (76.6%) boys had 149 UTIs; 42 (54.4%) had recurrent UTI. Forty-eight boys had valve ablation at the median age of 30.3 months. 22 boys (28.6%) developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) at a median age of 15.0 years. CONCLUSION: Of 77 PUV Thai boys, UTI was the most common presentation. Recurrence of UTI and CKD was the most common consequence. Lifelong follow-up for renal and bladder functions is essential for all PUV patients.

Laparoscopic repair of acquired rectourethral fistula by vesical peritoneal flap.

INTRODUCTION: A rectourethral fistula (RUF) is an infrequent complication that can be iatrogenic in most cases. Multiple surgical interventions were described for RUF repair including transsphincteric, transanal, transperineal, and transabdominal approaches. To this day, there is no consensus on a standardized surgery of choice for acquired RUF. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Our patient was diagnosed with RUF 4 weeks after undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection for midrectum adenocarcinoma, with failure of conservative treatment. A three-port transabdominal approach was used to dissect the rectoprostatic space and close the fistula orifice on the anterior rectal wall. With the technical impossibility to develop an omental flap, the peritoneum on the posterior vesical wall was carefully dissected to form a rectangular flap pedicled by its inferior aspect. The harvested peritoneal flap was then anchored between the prostate and the rectum. Follow-up imaging showed the absence of RUF, concurrently with total remission of RUF symptomatology. DISCUSSION: Management of acquired RUF can be challenging, especially after failure of conservative treatment. Laparoscopic repair of acquired RUF by vesical peritoneal flap is a valid option for a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of RUF.

EVALUATION OF VEST-OVER-PANT TECHNIQUE IN THE TREATMENT OF POST-HYPOSPADIAS URETHROCUTANEOUS FISTULA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: In this study, we present and evaluate the vest-over-pants technique as a simple way to correct urethrocutaneous fistulas after hypospadias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Between October 2018 and June 2020, twenty male patients aged 5 to 20 years came to us with post hypospadias repair fistula, these patients underwent vest-over-pant repair of their fistula. The size of fistula was ranging between 2.5-5 mm. The distribution of fistula was coronal (3 patients), distal penile (9 patients), midshaft (2 patients) and proximal penile (6 patients). In 14 patients there were single fistula and 6 patients had more than one fistula. Eleven of patients were exposed to a previous failed fistula repair procedure. RESULTS: Results: Six months after the operation, the fistula recurred only in 2 patients, and our operation was successful in 90% of cases without complications. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The vest-over-pants technique is a simple and effective way to treat penile fistulas after hypospadias in properly selected patients. It is a technically simple procedure with a short learning curve and no major postoperative complications.

Comparison of long-term results according to the primary mode of management of injury for posterior urethral injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The management of post-traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra remains controversial, leaving the choice between early endoscopic realignment (EER) or suprapubic catheterization with deferred urethroplasty. The objective is to compare the results of endoscopic realignment and those of urethroplasty in terms of voiding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We underwent a retrospective study collating all patients managed for post-traumatic complete urethral rupture between 2010 and 2020. These patients were subdivided into two groups: a first one including those who had an endoscopic realignment and a second one including those who had a deferred urethroplasty. We studied the quality of voiding and the complications that occurred in each group. The success of the technique was defined by the resumption of a satisfactory voiding, and the absence of recourse to the urethroplasty in case of endoscopic realignment. Satisfactory voiding was defined by a Qmax ≥ 15 mL/s and a post-void residual (PVR) < 150 ml by ultrasound. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were identified. The mean age was 32 ± 12 years. Endoscopic realignment was performed in 26 patients. Satisfactory voiding was reported in 16 patients (61.53%). Recourse to internal urethrotomy after realignment was reported in 7 patients (26.92%). Three failures of endoscopic realignment were reported, necessitating an urethroplasty. Two patients reported urinary incontinence. Urethroplasty was performed in 32 patients. Satisfactory voiding was noted in 22 patients (68.75%). The use of internal urethrotomy after surgery was reported in 5 patients (15.62%). Three patients had treated urinary incontinence. Comparing the two groups, there was no significant difference in postoperative IPSS, flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), satisfactory voiding, and stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: The voiding outcomes were comparable for both techniques. We conclude that endoscopic realignment can be indicated in first intention, provided certain conditions are met, in order to minimize the morbidity of prolonged suprapubic drainage.

Blunt traumatic female urethral and bladder neck injuries: a 15-year single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience in the management and outcomes of female patients with urethral or bladder neck (BN) injury at a high-volume Level 1 trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all female patients with urethral or BN injury by blunt trauma mechanism admitted to a Level 1 trauma center between 2005 and 2019 was performed. RESULTS: Ten patients met study criteria with median age 36.5 years. All had concomitant pelvic fractures. All injuries were confirmed operatively, with no delayed diagnoses. Two patients were lost to follow up. One patient was not eligible for early repair of urethral injury and had two repairs of a urethrovaginal fistula. Two of seven (29%) patients who underwent early repair of their injury had an early Clavien grade > 2 complication, with none reporting long-term complications at median follow-up of 15.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative evaluation is critical in the diagnosis of female urethral and BN injury. In our experience, acute surgical complications are not uncommon after the management of such injuries. However, there were no reported long-term complications in those patients who had prompt management of their injury. This aggressive diagnostic and surgical strategy is instrumental in attaining excellent surgical outcomes.

Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Urethral Diverticulectomy in a Pediatric Patient.

Urethral diverticula are rare in children, especially in the absence of trauma. We present a case of a 9-year-old girl with pain with micturition, incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Diagnosis of urethral diverticulum was made by magnetic resonance imaging. A robot-assisted transabdominal laparoscopic diverticulectomy was performed without complication. The patient experienced a significant improvement in symptoms.

[Male Refractory Urethral Diverticular Abscess Requiring Transurethral Fenestration : A Case Report].

An 85 year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a relapse of abscess after open surgical drainage of the right scrotum. Computed tomography (CT) showed fluid accumulation in the right scrotum and around the membranous urethra. The abscess was controlled by an open surgical drainage of the right scrotum, CT guided percutaneous drainage of the periurethral abscess and administration of antibiotics. However, the scrotal abscess recurred after 4 weeks. CT showed an enlarged abscess, and retrograde urethrography showed an urethral diverticulum extending into the scrotum associated with a scrotal abscess. Endoscopic urethral diverticulum unroofing and cautery were performed. The urinary catheter was removed 2 days after the operation. The abscess has been resolved without recurrence.

Technical details and long-term outcomes of P.A.D.U.A. for congenital urethral narrowing; a case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The P.A.D.U.A. technique is a method of addressing congenital urethral narrowing. It involves passive dilation with a series of progressively larger indwelling catheters. Utilization is limited by scant literature, particularly regarding technical details and long-term durability. Tools for achieving safe and reliable urinary drainage are critical in these patients, who require careful stewardship of their kidney and bladder function. OBJECTIVE: To describe long-term urethral patency and urinary function following P.A.D.U.A., and to provide sufficient technical detail to reproduce the technique. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with congenital urethral narrowing managed with P.A.D.U.A. were identified and chart review was performed. Details of catheter exchange sequences were compiled and described. The primary outcome was the attainment of adequate urethral caliber by successful completion of P.A.D.U.A., and the secondary outcome was voiding per urethra at most recent follow-up. RESULTS: P.A.D.U.A. achieved adequate urethral caliber in 9/11 (82%) of patients. This included seven patients with Prune Belly Syndrome, one with isolated urethral atresia, and one with a cloacal anomaly. P.A.D.U.A. failed to achieve urethral patency in one patient with urethral duplication, who was unable to progress through the catheter sequence, and one patient with Prune Belly Syndrome, who completed P.A.D.U.A. but developed recurrent narrowing one week later. There were no delayed failures of urethral patency. Patients who achieved patency underwent a median of seven catheter placements over 92 days. Median (range) initial and final catheter sizes were 3.5F (1.9-8F) and 14F (8-16F). While 82% achieved patency, only 3/11 (27%) were voiding spontaneously per native urethra at most recent follow-up. DISCUSSION: This series of patients undergoing P.A.D.U.A. for primary treatment of congenital urethral narrowing is the largest to date and provides granular technical details. It aligns with prior reports suggesting that P.A.D.U.A. achieves urethral patency in most patients with Prune Belly Syndrome or isolated urethral atresia, but has limited application in the hypoplastic duplicated urethra. Despite high rates of urethral patency in this select population, many patients will not achieve and maintain spontaneous voiding without catheterization. This is likely due to ongoing deterioration of bladder function caused by the prenatal developmental insult, paralleling the phenomenon seen in posterior urethral valves. CONCLUSION: P.A.D.U.A. is an effective and durable technique for achieving urethral patency. However, due to complicating factors such as the underlying bladder pathology present in many patients, urethral patency achieved with P.A.D.U.A. does not guarantee long-term safe and reliable spontaneous emptying per urethra.

Single center experience and long-term outcomes of implantable devices ACT and Pro-ACT (Uromedica, Irvin, CA, USA) - Adjustable continence Therapy for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed at evaluating the long-term adjustable peri-urethral balloons (PUB) durability in both male and female with neurogenic or non-neurogenic stress urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each consecutive patient who underwent surgery for PUB placement before 2008 was included in this study. A PUB was proposed for patients with refractory to perineal reeducation stress urinary incontinence (SUI) caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency. There were no exclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical and perioperative data were collected retrospectively from our clinical follow-up notes. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients were included in the study. Median [IQR] follow-up was 5 years [1.8-11.2]. The 3 main causes of SUI were radical prostatectomy (n=82, 46.3%), idiopathic intrinsic sphincter deficiency (n=55, 31.1%) and neurogenic sphincter deficiency (n=32, 18.1%). Complete continence (no pad necessary) was achieved for 109 patients (61.6%). At the end of the follow-up, the PUB global survival rate was 47.5% (Fig. 1). Median [IQR] PUB survival without removal was 57.8 months [42.3-81.7]. PUB survival without failure rate was 68.4% accounting for a median [IQR] survival duration of 116.9 months [86.2-176.9] CONCLUSION: In this study, we evidenced acceptable long-term efficiency and survival of PUB in the management of SUI in both neurogenic and non-neurogenic population. Given those results it could be a good alternative to AUS on unfit or unwilling population.

A multicenter prospective cohort study of endoscopic urethral realignment versus suprapubic cystostomy after complete pelvic fracture urethral injury.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) occurs in up to 10% of pelvic fractures. There is mixed evidence supporting early endoscopic urethral realignment (EUR) over suprapubic tube (SPT) placement and delayed urethroplasty. Some studies show decreased urethral obstruction with EUR, while others show few differences. We hypothesized that EUR would reduce the rate of urethral obstruction after PFUI. METHODS: Twenty-six US medical centers contributed patients following either an EUR or SPT protocol from 2015 to 2020. If retrograde cystoscopic catheter placement failed, patients were included and underwent either EUR or SPT placement based on their institution's assigned treatment arm. Endoscopic urethral realignment involved simultaneous antegrade/retrograde cystoscopy to place a catheter across the urethral injury. The primary endpoint was development of urethral obstruction. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the relationship between PFUI management and development of urethral obstruction. RESULTS: There were 106 patients with PFUI; 69 (65%) had complete urethral disruption and failure of catheter placement with retrograde cystoscopy. Of the 69 patients, there were 37 (54%) and 32 (46%) in the EUR and SPT arms, respectively. Mean age was 37.0 years (SD, 16.3 years) years, and mean follow-up was 463 days (SD, 280 days) from injury. In the EUR arm, 36 patients (97%) developed urethral obstruction compared with 30 patients (94%) in the SPT arm ( p = 0.471). Urethroplasty was performed in 31 (87%) and 29 patients (91%) in the EUR and SPT arms, respectively ( p = 0.784). CONCLUSION: In this prospective multi-institutional study of PFUI, EUR was not associated with a lower rate of urethral obstruction or need for urethroplasty when compared with SPT placement. Given the potential risk of EUR worsening injuries, clinicians should consider SPT placement as initial treatment for PFUI when simple retrograde cystoscopy is not successful in placement of a urethral catheter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

A urethral diverticulum presenting with pure stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To report the management for a urethral diverticulum presenting with pure stress urinary incontinence (SUI). CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old postmenopausal woman resorted to urogynecological outpatient department for the treatment of bothersome SUI. She denied other lower urinary tract symptoms and previous pelvic surgeries. On examination, there was stage I anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Urinalysis showed negative findings. Urodynamic studies revealed negative findings. An ultrasound disclosed a complex paraurethral lesion and no urethral hypermobility. A magnetic resonance image of the pelvis revealed a 4-cm circumferential urethral diverticulum. A urethral diverticulectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of urethral diverticulum. The patient recovered uneventfully and reported freedom from SUI postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In women deemed uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence after undertaking a holistic urogynecological evaluation including detailed clinical history, physical examination, and urodynamic studies, further image studies investigating lower urinary tract is required for disclosing other rare conditions that necessitate different management from anti-incontinence surgery.

Periurethral and Anterior Vaginal Wall Masses: Etiology, Presentation, and Treatment Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the etiology and presenting symptoms of periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses in a large series of patients in an academic institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 126 patients presenting and undergoing treatment for periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses between November 2001 and July 2021 was completed. Clinicopathologic data were extracted. Ethics approval was obtained. The primary objective of this study was to determine the etiology of these masses; secondary objectives included determining the rates of presenting symptoms, complications, resolution of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and de novo SUI. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 42 years. The most common etiology was urethral diverticula (39.7%), followed by Skene gland cysts or abscesses (30.2%). The rate of malignancy was 1.6%, and the rate of infection was 21.4%. The most common presenting symptoms were sensation of mass (78.6%), dyspareunia (52.4%), and discharge (46.0%). The rate of surgical complications was 9.5%. Three patients had recurrence on follow-up, but there were no recurrent urethral diverticula after excision. The rate of de novo SUI was 5.6%. The rate of resolution of SUI was 67.6%, and all patients who had slings reported resolution of SUI. CONCLUSION: Urethral diverticula and Skene gland cysts or abscesses accounted for 70% of periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses in this series. Treatment by complete excision is usually successful.

The Outcomes of Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injuries Stratified by Urethral Injury Severity: A Prospective Multi-institutional Genitourinary Trauma Study (MiGUTS).

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient outcomes across a range of pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) severity. PFUI is a devastating consequence of a pelvic fracture. No study has stratified PFUI outcomes based on severity of the urethral distraction injury. METHODS: Adult male patients with blunt-trauma-related PFUI were followed prospectively for a minimum of six months at 27 US medical centers from 2015-2020. Patients underwent retrograde cystourethroscopy and retrograde urethrography to determine injury severity and were categorized into three groups: (1) major urethral distraction, (2) minor urethral distraction, and (3) partial urethral injury. Major distraction vs minor distraction was determined by the ability to pass a cystoscope retrograde into the bladder. Simple statistics summarized differences between groups. Multi-variable analyses determined odds ratios for obstruction and urethroplasty controlling for urethral injury type, age, and Injury Severity Score. RESULTS: There were 99 patients included, 72(72%) patients had major, 13(13%) had minor, and 14(14%) had partial urethral injuries. The rate of urethral obstruction differed in patients with major (95.8%), minor (84.6%), and partial injuries (50%) (P < 0.001). Urethroplasty was performed in 90% of major, 66.7% of minor, and 35.7% of partial injuries (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In PFUI, a spectrum of severity exists that influences outcomes. While major and minor distraction injuries are associated with a higher risk of developing urethral obstruction and need for urethroplasty, up to 50% of partial PFUI will result in obstruction, and as such need to be closely followed.

Rectourethral fistula after external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer in a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a rare disease of unknown cause that causes segmental vasculitis in peripheral blood vessels. It is uncertain whether its presence causes serious adverse events in patients receiving external beam radiotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old Japanese man with prostate cancer underwent external beam radiotherapy. DIAGNOSIS: After completion of radiotherapy, fingertip pain occurred, leading to the diagnosis of TAO. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was instructed to stop smoking, but was unable to do so. OUTCOMES: Nine months after the completion of radiotherapy, fecaluria appeared, and a rectourethral fistula was diagnosed by contrast enema. The patient's TAO was poorly controlled, and the patient died from aspiration pneumonia 33 months after completion of the radiotherapy regimen. No tumor recurrence was observed during this process, and there were no risk factors other than TAO that may have formed a rectourethral fistula. LESSONS: This is the first report of rectourethral fistula caused by external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer in which TAO was suspected to be involved. Although little is known about the relationship between TAO and radiotherapy, it should be noted that radiotherapy itself may increase the risk of normal tissue toxicity in patients with TAO.

Suburethral Endometriosis as Clinical Finding of Extensive Disease.

Objective: Endometriosis spreading to the vagina is rare, present in only 0.02% of women with symptomatic endometriosis. Suburethral lesion site is exceptional. In an extensive literature review only 4 cases of suburethral endometriosis were identified. Our objective is to present a case of primary vaginal suburethral endometriosis in a 31-year old patient who underwent laparoscopic evaluation and to perform a literature review on this topic. Methods and Procedures: Case report presentation based on information extracted from patient database. A review of literature with a Medline search using key words urethral endometriosis, suburethral endometriosis, or urethral diverticulum was undertaken. Results: This case report describes a case of a 31-year old female patient referred for severe pelvic pain, worsening during menstruation. On physical examination a 2 cm suburethral endometriotic lesion was found as the initial presentation. Her examination was also significant for enlarged, tender uterus and adnexa. Based on examination and imaging, adenomyosis and endometriosis were suspected. Surgical evaluation revealed extensive endometriosis with lymph node involvement at laparoscopic exploration. The review of literature revealed only 4 cases where suburethral endometriosis was previously identified. Conclusion: Primary vaginal suburethral endometriosis, although rare, could be an indication of extensive endometriosis. This case highlights the importance of careful clinical examination, surgical excision, and laparoscopic evaluation when identifying suburethral vaginal endometriotic lesions.

Congenital aphallia associated with congenital urethrorectal fistula: A rare case report.

RATIONALE: Aphallia is an extremely rare congenital malformation of unknown cause, with few reports in the literature. It is usually associated with other urogenital and gastrointestinal anomalies and is believed to be a result of either the absence of a genital tubercle or chromosome polymorphism. Herein, we describe an extremely rare case of congenital aphallia with congenital urethrorectal fistula and describe our treatment for this patient. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 8-year-old boy was brought to our hospital by his parents because of congenital absence of the penis. The child was male per karyotype and had excess heterochromatin on chromosome 9 (46 XY with 9 qh+). No urethral orifice was identified, and urine passed rectally since birth; thus, urinary tract outlet obstruction led to urine reflux from the anus to the epididymis for a long time. The boy had to be placed on prophylactic antibiotics because he developed urinary tract infection and epididymitis almost every day. DIAGNOSIS: Congenital aphallia (46 XY normal male karyotype) associated with congenital urethroretal fistula. INTERVENTIONS: We performed urethral exteriorization via perineal urethroplasty and urethrorectal fistula repair. The parents approved for phallic reconstruction when the boy reached puberty. OUTCOME: A new external urethral orifice was created on the lower scrotum. The urinary reflux was corrected, and the epididymitis symptoms disappeared. The urethral fistula was then closed. At 8 months follow up, the patient was no longer on antibiotics and had no symptoms of urinary tract infection or epididymitis. CONCLUSIONS: Compatible treatment should be adopted to address urinary tract drainage and infection. Management requires a stepwise approach to address needs as they arise. Neophalloplasty should be performed by an experienced team in early adolescence.

Abdominal swelling and obstructive uropathy due to hematometrocolpos secondary to imperforate hymen: a case report.

Imperforate hymen is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the female genital tract and can lead to the collection of blood in the vagina and the uterus. Most patients are not diagnosed until menarche when they present with symptoms such as cyclic abdominal and pelvic pain, constipation, tenesmus, back pain, and difficulties with urination in association with lack of menses. We discuss the case of an adolescent female who presented with the complaint of an increasing abdominal swelling along with the urgency and a sense of incomplete urination. She had not attained menarche. A diagnosis of hematometrocolpos was made based on computed tomography findings. Subsequent perineal examination revealed a bulging imperforate hymen. Hymenotomy was performed with complete resolution of the symptoms. This case highlights the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for this condition in patients presenting with these symptoms and the importance of appropriate gynecologic examination.

Vesico-amniotic shunt insertion prior to the completion of 16 weeks results in improved preservation of renal function in surviving fetuses with isolated severe lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the outcome of human fetuses with isolated severe lower urinary tract obstructions (LUTO) that were first treated before the completion of 16 weeks of gestation to fetuses first treated later in gestation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vesicoamniotic shunt insertion (VAS) was performed in 63 subsequent fetuses with LUTO between 12 + 5 and 30 + 3 weeks. The fetuses were analyzed in three groups: Group-I-fetuses underwent their first intervention until the completion of 16 weeks, Group-II-fetuses were first treated between 16 + 1 and 24 + 0 weeks and Group-III-fetuses beyond 24 + 1 weeks. Renal and pulmonary outcome parameters and complicating factors were assessed. RESULTS: - All mothers tolerated the procedures well. Overall fetal survival was 47 of 63 (75%). The mean age at delivery of survivors was 35 weeks. 68% of Group-I-fetuses, 77% of group-II-fetuses, and 100% of group-III-fetuses survived beyond postnatal hospital discharge. Amongst the survivors the chance for normal renal function was higher for group I with 79% (15/19) compared to first fetal intervention after the completion of 16 weeks with 32% (9/28, p = 0.003, OR = 7.9 [2.0, 30.8] 95% CI). Clinically relevant pulmonary hypoplasia was observed in 11% of Group-I-, 27% of Group-II-, and 20% of Group-III-fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention in fetal LUTO before the completion of 16 weeks may achieve a higher rate of normal renal and pulmonary function in survivors than treatment beyond that point in time. This observation is important for the future management of this challenging patient population.

Adjustable continence therapy (ACT®) balloons to treat neurogenic and non-neurogenic female urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To compare efficacy and safety between neurogenic and non-neurogenic women after adjustable continence therapy (ACT®) balloons implantation to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. METHODS: In the present retrospective multicentric study, all neurogenic and non-neurogenic women implanted with ACT® balloons between 2000 and 2018 were considered for inclusion. Efficacy was compared 1 year after implantation, and women were allocated in three different groups as follows. Success: maximum 1 pad per day and patient's impression of improvement assessed using a numeral rating scale (NRS) ≥8/10. Improvement: decrease of daily pad use and/or NRS ≥5/10. Failure: increase or stability of daily pad use or NRS <5/10. Overall surgical complications and explantations were compared 1 year after implantation. RESULTS: Among the 277 included women, 51 presented with a neurologic underlying disease. Mean age at implantation was 68.5 years. There was no significant difference in efficacy between neurogenic and non-neurogenic women with a success rate of 39.2% and 36.3%, respectively (p = 0.69). Similarly, improvement rate was reported to be 31.4% and 33.6%, in neurogenic and non-neurogenic women, respectively (p = 0.92). The overall surgical complications rate (24% vs. 34.5%, p = 0.15) and the explantation rate (19.6% vs. 28.8%, p = 0.18) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: ACT balloons may be proposed to treat mixed or SUI in females with ISD. Efficacy and safety profiles appear to be similar in both neurogenic and non-neurogenic patients.