Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Urology Residency Recruitment: Recommendations From the Society of Women in Urology.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a framework for diversifying the urologic workforce through residency recruitment by integrating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into program mission and values, application review, and interview process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this narrative review, the Society of Women in Urology Advancing DEI in Urology Residency Recruitment Task Force identified 4 areas for incorporating DEI into residency recruitment: defining a residency program's mission and values, holistic application review, an objective interview process, and implementing DEI principles into a program. Using PubMed and Google Scholar, we performed a non-systematic literature search of articles from January 2014 to January 2024. Search terms included combinations of "diversity", "equity", "inclusion", "residency", "holistic review", "applications", "interviews", and "initiatives". Additional resources were identified through citations of selected articles. Based on findings from these articles, Task Force members made recommendations for best practices. RESULTS: The diversity of practicing urologists is disproportionate to that of the United States population. Emerging evidence demonstrates that DEI efforts in healthcare are associated with better outcomes and reduction in healthcare inequities. We offer strategies for residency programs to integrate DEI initiatives into their recruitment, application review, and interview process. Furthermore, we address extending DEI principles into a program's mission and culture to create an inclusive environment conducive to training and supporting individuals from unique backgrounds. CONCLUSION: It is critical to recruit and retain diverse talent in urology to improve patient care. We urge residency programs and their supporting institutions to adopt DEI principles into their recruitment efforts.

Factors that influence preference for male or female urologist among underserved patients in New York City.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of patient preference for male or female urologic provider and explore which patient characteristics influence this preference. Materials and Methods: After obtaining hospital Institutional Review Board approval, a 14-question survey in English and Spanish was administered across four general urology clinic sites in a single hospital system in New York City. The survey asked demographic questions and preference for a male or a female urologist. The survey included questions pertaining to the nature of the clinic visit and subsequent provider preference as well. Statistics were performed using Stata 16 (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Results: A total of 540 patients completed the 14-question survey. The vast majority of survey respondents identified as male (90%). The largest proportion demographic groups were those aged 41-60 (47%), Hispanic or Latino (43%), Catholic (47%), unemployed (40%) and those with a high school level of education (34%). Most patients (60%) did not have a preference for a specific gender provider, whereas 37% preferred a male provider, and 3% preferred a female provider. On univariate analysis, patient age 25-40, less than high school education level and lack of employment were significant predictors of provider gender preference (p < 0.05), with most patients indicating a male provider preference. On multivariate analysis of gender, age, education level and employment status, gender and education level were not significant predictors of preference, whereas age 25-40 and being unemployed were significant predictors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patient gender, race and religion do not appear to influence their preference to be seen by a male or a female urologist in the clinic setting. However, patient age, unemployment and potentially educational attainment were significantly associated with a provider gender preference.

Does Gender Matter in Academic Surgery? Author and Mentor Gender Impact Publication Citations in Surgical Research.

OBJECTIVE: To examine female author representation within publications in the field of urology from the United States from 2000-2019. METHODS: All 25,787 articles with a U.S. correspondence address published in the two largest U.S. headquartered general urology journals, Urology and Journal of Urology, were analyzed from 2000-2019. Gender was assigned to each first and last author based on the author's first name. First names were matched to a database of U.S. Social Security Administration data to determine gender. RESULTS: Overall female authorship, female senior authorship, and female first authorship exhibited a significant upward trend from 2000 to 2019 (P <0.001, P <0.001, P = 0.002). As the number of female last authors increased, female last authors were significantly more likely to publish with female first authors, and significantly less likely publish with male first authors (P <0.001, P <0.001). Furthermore, we found a significant difference for female authors being less likely to get cited than male authors (p = 0.02), despite the greater proportion of females that authored research articles with higher citation counts compared to males (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the significant progress in female representation within urological publications, female-authored publications continue to constitute a smaller proportion of the urological literature and are less likely to be cited. Our study provides the first evidence on the current status of female underrepresentation within academic urology and literature productivity at this watershed moment. As the number of female urologists evolves, these findings will be of significant impact in the advancement of female investigators in urology.

Modern best practice in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the elderly.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), can be a debilitating disease in the elderly male. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard; however, many patients will choose to avoid surgery if possible. Medical therapy is an effective alternative, however, new studies are showing that there may be more side effects than previously realized in the elderly male. Newer, novel minimally invasive techniques, including UroLift® and Rezum™, are gaining favor as alternative office-based procedural techniques that do not require general anesthesia and may better preserve ejaculatory function. Though promising, at this point, these techniques are not approved for all patients. With a range of medical, procedural, and surgical options for treatment of BPH with LUTS, it is important to have a discussion with your patient regarding the short- and long-term risks and benefits, as well as alternatives, before deciding on a treatment plan for your patient with BPH.

Mentorship in Urology Residency Programs in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the status of mentorship programs for Urology residencies in the United States, highlight the importance of mentorship in the career of a urology resident, and identify the obstacles of implementing a mentorship program. METHODS: With Internal Review Board exemption and approval from the Society of Academic Urologists, a survey was sent to the Program Directors of the Urology Residency programs in the United States containing questions about the presence and structure of a mentorship program in their department. RESULTS: Response rate was 54%. Seventy-five percent of respondents approved of formal mentorship programs. Fifty-eight percent of respondents had 1 established. Five percent of programs had an official training course for faculty mentors. Thirty-eight percent of programs had no requirement on mentor and/or mentee meeting frequency. The most common reason for not having a formal mentorship program was because the program felt that informal mentorship sufficed. CONCLUSION: While the vast majority of Program Directors for Urology Residency programs in the United States approve of formal mentorship programs, only a little over half have 1 established. Programs should strive to create a formal mentorship program in their residency programs due to their recognized importance.

Long term results of augmentation cystoplasty and urinary diversion in multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data about augmentation cystoplasty (AC) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim of this study is to evaluate the long term outcomes and morbidity of these procedures in MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients (1984-2017) with MS and refractory LUTS who underwent AC with or without a continent/incontinent abdominal stoma or urinary diversion. Pre and postoperative evaluations included routine labs, videourodynamic studies (VUDS), cystoscopy, and upper tract imaging. Long term outcomes and complications were assessed by validated questionnaires and/or chart review. RESULTS: There were 17 patients (12 women, 5 men) ranging in age from 34-77 years. Thirteen patients were wheelchair-bound (10 quadriplegics, 3 paraplegics). Indications included neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in two, low bladder compliance (LBC) in 13 and both NDO and LBC in two. One patient committed suicide at 3 months, and one was lost to follow up. Of the remaining 15, median follow up was 13 years (range 4-22), and 11 were followed up until death. Overall, 14/15 (93%) had a successful outcome based on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). With respect to incontinence, 14/15 (93%) had a successful outcome based on the Simplified Urinary Incontinence Score (SUIS). Median bladder capacity increased from 180 mL to 605 mL (p < 0.001). Median maximum detrusor pressure decreased from 63 cm H2 O to 18 cm H2O (p < 0.003). Two patients underwent stomal stenosis revisions, four patients had pyelonephritis, and two patients developed de novo bladder stones. CONCLUSIONS: AC is a major surgical procedure with high potential morbidity, but these data suggest that AC is efficacious in the long term with acceptable morbidity and mortality. We believe it is an underutilized procedure for refractory LUTS in MS patients.

Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence: Autologous Fascial Sling.

This article describes the operative technique of autologous fascial pubovaginal sling (AFPVS) surgery, examines the senior author's outcomes with AFPVS, compares these outcomes with those of other large studies and meta-analyses, and compares the safety and efficacy of AFPVS with those of the synthetic midurethral sling (SMUS). Recently, the SMUS has become the treatment of choice for most surgeons. The efficacy of the SMUS remains unchallenged and comparable with that of AFPVS, but SMUS are associated with more severe complications. In the author's opinion, the AFPVS should remain the gold standard for treating SUI.

Long-term Consequences of Medical Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in men. Although transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard therapy for treatment of BPH and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), many patients choose to avoid surgery and instead choose medical therapy. Until recently, medical therapy for BPH has been thought to be both safe and effective. However, new studies have shown that some of these medications can have significant neurocognitive, psychiatric, and sexual side effects, including dementia and depression. As most patients taking these medications will continue them for the long term, it is vital for physicians to explain these potential risks to the patient prior to prescribing them for a quality-of-life condition.

A historical perspective and evolution of the treatment of male urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To describe the historical changes from antiquity until present in the presentation and treatment of male urinary incontinence. METHODS: A literature review of PubMed articles in English pertaining to male incontinence was performed. RESULTS: Male urinary incontinence was first mentioned in Egyptian manuscripts in 1500 B.C. In 1564, Ambroise Pare designed portable urinals for incontinent males. Wilhem Hildanus created the first condom catheter with pig bladder in the 1600s and was also credited with fashioning the first penile clamp. Lorenz Heister introduced a perineal bulbar urethral compression belt in 1747 which would provide the blueprint for air-inflated bulbar urethral compression devices such as the one designed by S.A. Vincent in 1960. Robert Gersuny performed the first periurethral paraffin injection bulking therapy in the late 19th century. In 1929, Frederic Foley introduced the modern catheter, and also credited with conception of the first artificial sphincter. From 1970 to 1973, Joseph Kaufman surgically created bulbar compression for post-prostatectomy incontinence, but not before designing the first male sling with John Berry in 1958. In 1973, F. Brantley Scott introduced the first multi-component artificial inflatable sphincter. Improvements upon periurethral bulking therapy occurred rapidly in the late 20th century with Teflon, collagen, autologous adipose, tissue and cross-linked silicone gels. Since 2007, stem cell injection therapy has emerged as a new therapeutic option for incontinence; however, results are mixed and remains experimental. CONCLUSION: Treatment for male urinary incontinence has evolved from noninvasive devices to various surgical procedures. Artificial sphincters remain the gold-standard therapy for male urinary incontinence.

The Impact of Transtomal Rigid Endoscopy in Continent Cutaneous Urinary Diversions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if transtomal rigid endoscopy damages the continence mechanism of continent cutaneous reservoirs. We report the largest and longest series to date from a single institution demonstrating the safety of transtomal rigid endoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of a prospectively accrued database of all patients with urinary diversions that underwent rigid endoscopic procedures for various reasons between 2000 and 2013. Pre- and postoperative continence, difficulty with catheterization, and need for surgical revision post procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2013, 71 patients with continent cutaneous diversions underwent 191 endoscopic procedures by a single surgeon. Mean follow-up was 603 days. Mean age was 58.4 years. The mean number of procedures per patient was 2.7 (1-7). All procedures were performed by gaining access through the stoma with an offset rigid nephroscope and a 28-30Fr access sheath. Two patients reported incontinence postoperatively; 1 patient was treated conservatively by way of indwelling catheter for 1 week and full continence returned. The second patient had small-volume incontinence preoperatively that worsened postoperatively. The procedure uncovered an existing efferent limb-cutaneous fistula. Patients undergoing repeated procedures were not at any higher risk of incontinence. There were no patients that had difficulty with catheterization postoperatively. No surgical revisions were required for worsened continence postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Transtomal rigid endoscopic procedures do not negatively affect the continence mechanism in continent cutaneous diversions. Transtomal rigid endoscopy allows for safe endoscopic access in these difficult to treat patients.

Trends and Utilization of Laser Prostatectomy in Ambulatory Surgical Procedures for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in New York State (2000-2011).

INTRODUCTION: There has been a significant change in surgical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) over the last two decades. Most importantly, laser surgery (coagulation, vaporization, or enucleation) has been growing in popularity as an alternative to standard transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) or other procedures. Our goal was to analyze the trends of BPH surgeries and compare outcomes of laser surgery to TURP, the two most common alternative surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperation System (SPARCS) data to identify patients diagnosed as having BPH who underwent BPH-related surgery from October 2000 to December 2011. Age, insurance, individual comorbidities, and average hospital volumes were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to analyze predictors of laser use. In-hospital outcomes were then compared between laser and TURP in a balanced propensity-matched cohort. RESULTS: Ninety thousand six hundred seventy patients underwent BPH surgery. Laser surgery usage increased from 6.4% to 44.5% over 10 years (p<0.0001). TURP declined significantly from 72.2% to 48.3% (p<0.0001). Patients with Medicaid were less likely to undergo laser therapy than those with private insurance (odds ratio [OR]: 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48, 0.69). Mid- and high-volume institutions were more likely to use laser treatment than low-volume centers (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.22, 4.2; OR: 4.07, 95% CI: 1.75, 9.46, respectively). In the matched cohort, both laser and TURP patients had similar complication rates with more frequent electrolyte disorders in TURP patients (2.9% vs 2.3%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TURP remains the most common procedure. However, the rate of use has declined over time. In contrast, laser use has significantly increased. Laser treatment was utilized more in younger patients, in those privately insured, in hospitals with high volumes of BPH procedures, and in patients with fewer comorbid conditions. Both surgeries are safe with no differences in terms of occurrences of morbidity and complications.

Evaluation and management of post-transurethral resection of the prostate lower urinary tract symptoms.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) continues to be the most common treatment in the operative management of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Several other modalities have shown equivalence to TURP. However, even after surgical treatment, up to one third of patients have bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This review discusses the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management options for patients with LUTS after TURP.

Potential risk factors and outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter placement after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion.

AIMS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a known possibility after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) urinary diversion. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes and complications of patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for treatment of SUI and evaluated potential risk factors (PRFs) for AUS failure. METHODS: Patients who underwent AUS placement after RC/ONB from 1994 to 2009 were identified. Variables evaluated included: demographics, cancer type, AUS characteristics, urinary incontinence (UI), revision procedures data, and PRFs for AUS failure. RESULTS: Demographic data was reviewed on 36 patients. Mean age at AUS placement was 72 (58-79) years. Mean time to AUS after RC/ONB was 28 (2-120) months. Mean follow up after AUS was 40 (2-132) months. TCC was the indication for RC in 94% of patients. The most commonly placed AUS cuff and reservoir size was 4.5 cm and 61-70 H2 O, respectively. Incontinence data was available in 29 patients. Pre-AUS placement 22, 3, and 4 patients were totally, daytime and nighttime only incontinent, respectively. Post-AUS placement, incontinence persisted in 5, 1, and 2 patients with total, daytime and nighttime incontinence, respectively. Prior to AUS placement 11/36 patients received chemotherapy and 10/36 had radiation. Mean time to the first revision/explantation due to UI/erosion/infection/malfunction was an average of 28 (3-96) months after AUS placement and occurred in 21/35 (60%) patients. There was no significant correlation noted between PRFs and UI pre-/post-AUS or between PRFs and the need for AUS revision. CONCLUSIONS: AUS is a safe, effective treatment with an acceptable complication rate for patients after RC/ONB with SUI.

Urinary functional outcome following radical cystoprostatectomy and ileal neobladder reconstruction in male patients.

PURPOSE: Orthotopic neobladder reconstruction is the preferred method of urinary diversion after radical cystoprostatectomy. We evaluated urinary functional outcomes in male patients after orthotopic neobladder using a patient questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2009 patients with bladder cancer were enrolled in a clinical trial, randomly assigned to undergo T pouch or Studer pouch diversion after radical cystoprostatectomy. Male patients were mailed a questionnaire 12 or more months after surgery including items on urinary function, intermittent catheterization, number/size/wetness of pads and mucus leakage. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 68%. Mean followup was 4.5 years (range 1 to 8). Only 22.3% of patients did not use pads. In the daytime 47% of patients used at least 1 pad, 32.2% used small/mini pads and 22.6% used diapers. At night 72% used pads, 14.7% used small/mini pads and 38.9% used diapers. During the day and night 47% said their pads were dry/barely wet. Overall 62.5% of patients reported mucus leakage. Only 9.5% of patients performed clean intermittent self-catheterization, of whom 70.6% started clean intermittent self-catheterization within the first year after surgery. Increasing age and diabetes mellitus were predictors of urinary function (p = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively) but did not affect pad use. CONCLUSIONS: Ileal orthotopic neobladder offers good functional results but most patients wear at least 1 pad and many require diapers at night. Increasing age and diabetes mellitus predict worse urinary function but are not associated with pad use. Emptying failure is uncommon and occurs early in the postoperative period. Pad size/wetness and mucus leakage should be considered when evaluating urinary incontinence.

Outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter placement in men after radical cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversions for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: the University of Southern California experience.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of male patients who have undergone artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), AMS-800 (American Medical Systems Minnetonka, MN) placement for iatrogenic stress urinary incontinence after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) diversion in a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002-2009, patients were prospectively randomized to undergo RC and Studer vs T-pouch neobladder reconstruction. We received IRB- approval to retrospectively review the charts of patients who underwent AUS placement for symptoms of SUI. Patients were mailed 2 validated questionnaires, International Continence Society Male-Short Form, the Incontinence Symptom Severity Index, and a pad questionnaire. RESULTS: Twelve male patients were identified. Average age at time of AUS placement was 73.8 years (range 52-82). Mean time between RC/ONB and AUS placement was 1.53 years (range 1-4). Mean follow-up time after initial AUS placement was 21.7 months (range 12-72). Ten patients (10/12; 83.3%) returned the validated questionnaires. In comparing pre-AUS to post-AUS continence, 90% of patients reported improvement in continence. Three patients deactivated their AUS during the day and activated it at night. There were no erosions (0%) or any mechanical malfunctions of the device (0%) in our cohort. There were no complications or injuries to the ONB during placement of the AUS components. CONCLUSION: AUS is a safe, effective continence procedure for patients with ONB and SUI. Complication rate, urinary symptoms, and quality of life these patients have as determined by validated questionnaires is acceptable.

Asthma: Effect of genotype on Response to Therapy in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of two beta2-adrenoreceptor (beta2AR) polymorphisms (A46G and C79G) in asthmatics presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) in relation to their response to standard therapy measured by change in Forced Expiratory Volume at one second (FEV1). Our hypothesis was that the polymorphisms in the beta2AR gene would predict clinical response to therapy with 46G and 79C displaying decreased response to inhaled therapy. METHODS: This was a pilot feasibility study of a convenience sample of patients seen in the ED for acute exacerbation of asthma. Baseline data collected included: age, gender, ethnicity, vital signs, baseline FEV1, body mass index (BMI), smoking history and medications taken prior to arrival to the ED. Patients received standard ED care and FEV1 was measured after each treatment. Blood was taken and genotyped. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled over a three-month period. Using mean improvement in FEV1 from baseline to the first treatment as the primary outcome of interest, we performed multivariable linear regression analyses, with the FEV1 change as the dependent variable. When modeled as an ordinal covariate representing the number of G alleles present, there was a significant positive trend for the C79G locus (p=0.035). Those who were GG homozygotes had a 0.284 L/min improvement in FEV1 (31%) after their initial albuterol treatment compared to 0.123 L/min (12%) in those who were CC homozygotes. This represents a 2.5 times relative difference and a 19% actual difference. Genotypes at the A46G locus were not associated with FEV1 change. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study of ED patients with acute asthma exacerbation, there was a significant effect of genotype on response to therapy.

Postchemotherapy residual masses in advanced seminoma: current management and outcomes.

Although pure testicular seminoma is most often confined to the testis, it can present with advanced-stage bulky retroperitoneal metastases in nearly a quarter of cases. While highly treatable with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, up to 80% of patients with advanced disease are found to have a radiographically detectable residual mass after chemotherapy. The management of these postchemotherapy residual masses remains controversial. Surgical resection is technically challenging due to a desmoplastic reaction resulting from seminoma treatment and regression. In addition, these residual masses often demonstrate a protracted period of regression that can span several months to years. Surveillance protocols, therefore, may be appropriate for most patients. Several retrospective studies have supported surgical resection only for discrete, well-delineated masses over 3 cm in size. Despite the highly radiosensitive nature of seminoma, radiation therapy in this setting has not been shown to provide significant benefit, and may limit the tolerability of subsequent salvage chemotherapy. The incorporation of noninvasive imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography, into the management algorithm may better delineate the presence of viable residual tumor and thus allow better risk stratification.