Orthotopic bladder substitution: Surgical aspects and optimization of outcomes.

Objectives: Orthotopic bladder substitution (OBS) is a management option for urinary diversion in men and women undergoing cystectomy. The aim of the procedure is to provide a functional continent urinary reservoir of adequate capacity, compliance and low pressure. We have provided a narrative review of the existing literature and highlighted areas where improvement and standardization can be recommended. Methods: Literature search included database search for publications from January 1970 to November 2020, using keywords including OBS, bladder reconstruction, neobladder, radical cystectomy, robotic cystectomy, intracorporeal neobladder, surgical technique, patient selection and outcomes. Results: Due to various factors including indications, operative technique and risk of complications, OBS is an enormous undertaking and commitment for patients, surgeons and health professionals involved in the care pathway. The main considerations for patient selection, the technical elements of the procedure and the rationale behind these are discussed. Previously considered to be a choice for a select few, the inclusion criteria have expanded over the last decade. Similarly, surgical techniques including the choice and configuration of bowel segments, construction of anastomosis and nerve or organ sparing procedures have evolved over the years. Minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic assisted surgery has added further perspectives to the existing literature on OBS. Understanding the principles of operative techniques and assessing the best evidence to influence patient management is crucial as it has a major impact on clinical outcomes. Peri- and post-operative care, focused on the prevention of complications and morbidity, affects long-term functional and oncological outcomes, which ultimately dictates the quality of life. Conclusions: This concise overview of OBS literature highlights the importance of pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative aspects with regards to the optimization of patient care. To achieve the best results, meticulous attention should be paid in all these areas, surgical and multi-disciplinary. Patient education and counseling, with shared decision making are central to the success of the procedure.

A national UK audit of suprapubic catheter insertion practice and rate of bowel injury with comparison to a systematic review and meta-analysis of available research.

OBJECTIVES: Limited data exist on the risks of complications associated with a suprapubic catheter (SPC) insertion. Bowel injury (BI) is a well-recognized albeit uncommon complication. Guidelines on the insertion of SPC have been developed by the British Association of Urological Surgeons, but there remains little evidence regarding the incidence of this complication. This study uses contemporary UK data to assess the incidence of SPC insertion and the rate of BI and compares to a meta-analysis of available papers. METHODS: National Hospital Episodes Statistics data were searched on all SPC insertions over an 18-month period for operating procedure codes, Code M38.2 (cystostomy and insertion of a suprapubic tube into bladder). Patients age, 30-day readmission rates, 30-day mortality rate, and catheter specific complication rate were collected. To estimate the BI rate, we searched patients who had undergone any laparotomy or bowel operation within 30 days of SPC insertion. Trusts were contacted directly and directed to ascertain whether there was SPC-related BI. PubMed search to identify papers reporting on SPC related BI was performed for meta-analysis RESULTS: 11 473 SPC insertions took place in the UK in this time period. One hundred forty-one cases had laparotomy within 30 days. Responses from 114 of these cases reported one BI related to SPC insertion. Meta-analysis showed an overall BI rate of 11/1490 (0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest dataset reported on SPC insertions showing a lower than previously reported rate of BI. We recommend clinicians use a risk of BI of less than 0.25% when counseling low-risk patients.

Risk factors for development of primary bladder squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder. MATERIALS A total of 90 cases of primary SCC of the bladder were identified through multicentre analysis. Patient demographics, stage and grade of cancer at presentation, management and outcomes were recorded. The presence of known risk factors (catheter use, neuropathic bladder, smoking history, recurrent urinary tract infection and bladder stones) was also documented. RESULTS Over half of the patients had at least one identifiable risk factor for the development of primary bladder SCC: 13.9% of patients had a history of catheter use (clean intermittent self-catheterisation [CISC] in 11.1%), 10.0% of patients had a neuropathic bladder, 27.8% were smokers or ex-smokers and 20.0% had a documented history of recurrent urinary tract infection. Statistical analysis of the results showed no association between risk factors and grade of tumour at presentation. CONCLUSIONS These data further support the association between primary bladder SCC and several of the well documented risk factors for its development. Chronic use of CISC may confer a greater risk for development of SCC than thought previously. Further evidence of the role of CISC in primary SCC is required to justify routine screening and to determine exactly when surveillance of the bladder should begin for this group of patients.

Patient reported outcome measures in male incontinence surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used to evaluate outcomes of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and the AdVance™ (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, US) male sling system (AVMS) for the symptomatic management of male stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: All male patients with stress urinary incontinence referred to our specialist clinic over a two-year period completed the ICIQ-UI SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Urinary Incontinence Short Form) and the ICIQ-MLUTS LF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Long Form) at consultation as well as at subsequent follow-up appointments. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test for non-parametric paired data was used for pre and postoperative comparisons. The chi-squared test was used for categorical variables. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (forty surgical cases) completed a preoperative and at least one follow-up questionnaire. There was a statistically significant improvement in PROMs postoperatively, regardless of mode of surgery (p<0.01). Analysis of the ICIQ-MLUTS LF showed that patients with higher preoperative scores (>25) had greater improvement with an AUS than with the AVMS (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study shows that completion and collection of PROMs as part of routine clinical practice is achievable and useful in the assessment of male stress incontinence surgery. PROMs are important instruments to assess effectiveness of healthcare intervention and they are useful adjuncts in surgical studies.

The difficult ureter: what is the incidence of pre-stenting?

INTRODUCTION: Difficulty may be encountered with retrograde access for rigid and flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS) due to anatomic abnormalities, a narrow ureteric lumen, tortuous ureteric path or previous instrumentation. Ureteric dilatation using a balloon or tapered dilator can occasionally fail and will usually lead to the placement of a ureteric stent. We present our experience and incidence of pre-stenting after failed standard access and dilatation techniques, the aim being to quote a figure for the patient at the time of consent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from a single surgeon at a regional tertiary referral stone unit. The outcomes of those patients pre-stented, for failed access, were recorded. RESULTS: Between December 2007 and December 2008, a total of 119 patients underwent flexible and rigid URS. Mean patient age was 49 years (range, 19-86 years). Of these, 107 cases were undertaken for urolithiasis and 12 cases for diagnosis of upper tract malignancy. 12% (13/107) of cases were for pain and non-diagnostic imaging and 8.4% (9/107) of patients were pre-stented because of failed access, without complication, and subsequently had successful interval treatment. Of the remaining successful cases of confirmed urolithiasis, 33% (28/85) and 67% (56/85) were undertaken for ureteric and renal calculi, respectively. Stone clearance rates were 83% (19/23) and 75% (3/4) for lower pole renal calculi 5-10 mm and > 10 mm in size, respectively. The overall clearance rate for lower pole calculi was 81% (22/27). The ureteric stone clearance rate was 86% (24/28) rising to 92% (24/26) in those solitary stones less than 10 mm in size. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ureteric pre-stenting in a tertiary referral unit was 8% and should be considered and indeed discussed with patients when obtaining pre-operative consent, especially for purely elective, non-urgent, upper tract cases. The alternative for these difficult, tight ureters is extensive balloon dilatation, with the risk of trauma and the potential for long-term stricture formation.

A critical appraisal of the evidence for improved fertility indices in undescended testes after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone therapy and orchidopexy.

Male fertility depends on the transformation of gonocytes into dark adult spermatogonia, during the first 3 months of postnatal life, and this is an androgen-dependent process. This essential developmental step appears to be defective in undescended testes, and in many patients orchidopexy alone (at the age it is currently performed) does not improve fertility indices, either because it does not address the underlying pathophysiology or the surgery is performed too late. Hormone therapy with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone creates a rise in testosterone levels, copying the postnatal gonadotrophin surge. This can improve germ cell numbers, with the implication of enhanced longer-term fertility. The role of hormone therapy has been controversial, and although favoured at the European Society of Paediatric Urologists' workshops in 2008 and 2009, it is not routine clinical practice in the UK or other countries. We performed a critical appraisal of the key papers in the world literature to evaluate the level of evidence for improved fertility indices, semen analysis and paternity rates following hormone therapy in undescended testes. We suggest that the evidence is sufficiently strong to recommend a change in clinical practice.