Novel augmentation ileocystoplasty technique to manage non-compliant bladders in the presence of obstructed megaureters: the "fez procedure".

OBJECTIVES: To show the efficacy and safety of a novel modification of Studer's neobladder, herein defined as the "fez procedure." METHODS: The medical records of 21 children (mean age 9.4 ± 1.3 years) who underwent the "fez procedure" at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to manage refractory poorly-compliant bladders and concomitantly obstructed megaureters were retrospectively reviewed. The patients had been previously managed by either preliminary cutaneous ureterostomy (17 patients) or temporary nephrostomy (four patients) to improve and stabilize the renal functions. The "fez procedure" entailed augmentation ileocystoplasty and the use of an afferent tubularized ileal loop for direct ureteroileal anastomosis. The augmented bladder together with the tubularized loop were fashioned as a "fez" with its tassel. The outcome measures were changes in cystometric capacity, bladder compliance, glomerular filtration rate, serum creatinine, technetium 99m-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid diuretic renography (T1/2), ureteral diameter, vesicoureteral reflux, febrile urinary tract infections, continence and complications. RESULTS: The mean study follow-up period was 52.5 ± 12.8 months. Means of changes of cystometric capacity (273.2 ± 60.9 mL) and bladder compliance (15.6 ± 4.2 mL/cm H2 O) were significant (P < 0.0001). Resolution of ureteral obstruction was documented with improved T1/2 and ureteral diameter (P < 0.0001, each) of all patients. The initially improved renal functions after ureterostomies or nephrostomies were maintained after "fez surgery," with non-significant changes in the improved glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.22) and serum creatinine (P = 0.18). None of the patients experienced ureteral restenosis, vesicoureteral reflux, febrile urinary tract infections, incontinence or significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: The "fez procedure" represents a versatile and successful surgical option for these selected patients, as it offers improved bladder capacity/compliance, resolution of ureteral obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux, preservation of the renal function, control of urinary tract infections and urinary continence, and acceptable morbidity.

Botulinum Toxin A Intradetrusor Injection for Treating Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity, A Single Centre Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNTA) intradetrusor injections in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. METHODS: All patients provided clinical history and voiding diary, submitted to clinical examination, urine culture; serum creatinine; imaging, including plain abdominal X-rays, abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrogram; and urodynamic tests (CMG) . They were managed by intradetrusor injections of BoNTA. For the typical patient, 300 units of BoNTA were injected through 30 injections of 10 u/mL intradetrusally into equally spaced sites of the bladder wall, excluding the trigone, under cystoscopic guidance. Patients were commenced clean intermittent catheterizations (CICs) every 4-6 h post-injection. Follow up included voiding diaries, abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography, serum creatinine and CMG, were completed for all patients at 6 and 12 weeks. This study used IBM SPSS Version 20.0 for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (28 males and 17 females) with a mean age of 19.6 years were subjected to BoNTA intradetrusor injections. A good clinical response (dry patient either completely or more than 50% of the period between CICs) was observed in 68.9 and 66.7% of the patients after 6 and 12 weeks of follow up, respectively. In the group that responded well, the mean bladder volume increased post-injection by 48.2% and the mean maximum intravesical pressure decreased to 35.3 cm H2 O, a 33.4% improvement. No patients had side-effects related to BoNTA or to the procedure, and no patients experienced a deterioration of their renal functions. CONCLUSIONS: Intradetrusor BoNTA injections provide a good clinical response. The urodynamic parameters significantly improved in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Low power laser in the management of ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of the low power Holmium-Yag laser in management of ureteral stones, and to report the incidence rate of different types of stones. METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients underwent ureteroscopy and fragmentation of ureteral stones at the International Medical Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between March 2007 and August 2009. Stones were measured by their largest diameter on CT and classified according to their location from the ureter to the proximal middle and distal ureteral stones. We utilized 8-11 F Semi rigid or 7.5 F flexible ureteroscopes to identify the stones, and all stones were fragmented and evaporated using a 10 watt lower power Holmium-yag laser lithotripter. RESULTS: All stones were completely evaporated and fragmented using the Holmium-yag laser through ureteroscopy. The age of the patients varied between 21-76 years with a mean age of 38.6 years (males 113, and females 57). The largest diameter of the largest stone was 6-12mm (mean 8 mm) and classified according to its location in the ureter into proximal (93 [54.7%]), middle (26 [15.3%]), or distal ureteral stones (51 [30%]). We performed stone analysis in 122 patients (oxalate [n=87], uric acid [n=16], cystine [n=11], and calcium phosphate [n=8]). CONCLUSION: Laser lithotripsy using low power 10 watt laser lithotripter is safe and effective method for stone evaporation and disintegration, and can be carried out as a day care procedure. The types of stones in Saudi Arabia are same as it has been reported before in the literature.

Shock wave lithotripsy in patients with renal calculi.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the primary treatment of 1647 patients with renal calculi using a Dornier Doli U/50 lithotripter. METHODS: One thousand and six hundred forty-seven patients underwent SWL as day-cases at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between October 2001 and July 2007, using intravenous sedation (Pethidine 1mg/kg and Midazolam 5-10mg) for analgesia in 85.5% of the patients. The treatment outcome of 2241 renal calculi was analyzed and stratified according to the size and the site of the stones. Recorded data included shock waves intensity, number of shocks, treatment time, analgesia, stone related factors such as size, site, number, nature, composition, and any related complications. The stones were grouped into 5 groups according to the largest stone size in the kidney. Patients were followed up for 6-18 months, mean of 13 months. RESULTS: Complete clearance of the stones occurred in 2154 kidneys (89.5%). At 3-months follow up. The overall re-treatment rate was 57.2% and for each group it was 132 (23.5%) for Group I, 254 (36.1%) for Gourp II, 473 (85.5%) for Group III, 278 (100%) for Group IV and 147 100% for Group V. Treatment failed in 87 patients with stone size of 20-29mm in 57 patients, and in 30 patients with stone size of 30-39mm. Fifty-six were solitary pelvic stones treated with ureteroscopy, while 31 were calyceal stones treated by other modalities such as percutaneousnephro-lithotomy. The most common complication was pyelonephritis with or without obstruction. CONCLUSION: Shock wave lithotripsy treatment was a successful primary management of renal stones of variable sizes in 89.5% of the treated kidneys.

Laser prostatectomy in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term tolerability and outcome of high power green light potassium titanyl phosphate laser prostatectomy in high-risk patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: Eleven high risk operative patients were included in this study at the International Medical Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between January and September 2007. Patients enrolled in this study underwent preoperative and postoperative, cardiac and anesthesia evaluation. Clinical presentations, ultrasound of urinary tract, and preoperative laboratory investigation were recorded. All patients underwent high power green light laser prostatectomy using the green light photo vaporization system with setting of 120 watts. RESULTS: The intraoperative and postoperative complications, and follow up were recorded. The patients' age varied between 65-82 years with a mean age of 75.3+/-8.6 years old. Seven patients presented with refractory acute urinary retention, and 4 patients presented with severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The average prostate volume was 61.2 cc. All patients had uneventful intra- and postoperative course, without any significant complications, except one patient who required postoperative admission to the intensive care. The average blood loss was insignificant, and only one of the patients required blood transfusion. Foley catheters were removed one day after the procedure. All patients voided satisfactorily after removal of the catheter, and 8 patients complained of urgency. CONCLUSION: High power green light laser prostatectomy is a safe and effective method of treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with high operative risk.

Urethral polyp verumontanum.

Congenital posterior urethral polyps are rare benign lesions that can cause a variety of symptoms in young boys, the diagnosis is usually made by cystourethrogram and ultrasonography where the polyp appears as a soft tissue mass arising at the base of the urinary bladder. We present a case of verumontanum polyp in a 7-year-old boy who presented to us in October 2001 with terminal hematuria, dysuria, interrupted stream and suprapubic pain. The polyp was diagnosed by ultrasonography and cystourethrogram. Transurethral resection of the polyp was performed and pathological assessment revealed a fibroepithelial lesion which is consistent with congenital posterior urethral polyp. After 18 months follow up, the patient was free of symptoms. We reviewed the literature to identify the presentation, diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis of these polyps. In the past 20 years the posterior urethral polyp has become more common than before, and it should be considered in boys with lower urinary tract dysfunction and hematuria.

Long term results of pyeloplasty in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presenting symptoms, complications, stone coincidence in the adult patients with primary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction seen at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, (KAUH) Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are also reporting the success rate and long term results of adult pyeloplasty. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 34 patients who underwent 37 pyeloplasty operations during the period January 1992 through to June 2002. The preoperative radiological diagnosis made by intravenous urogram (IVU) or renal isotopes scan. We excluded from our study patients with previous history of passage of stones, renal or ureteral surgeries, large renal pelvis stone that may cause UPJ obstruction, or abnormalities that may lead to secondary UPJ obstruction such as vesicoureteral reflux. RESULTS: There were 26 male patients and 8 females, their age varied between 16 and 51-years, the mean age was 36.1-years, and 18 (52.9%) patients had concomitant renal stones. Ipsilateral split renal function improved by 3-7% post pyeloplasty in 23 patients, while in one patient the function stayed the same, and in another patient the split function reduced by 4%. T1/2 renal isotopes washout time became less than 15 minutes in 19 patients and less than 20 minutes in 6 patients. Intravenous urogram revealed disappearance of the obstruction at UPJ in 7 patients, while in 2 patients it became poorly functioning. CONCLUSION: Anderson Hynes pyeloplasty is an excellent procedure for treating UPJ obstruction in adults. Our success rate is comparable to the international reported rates, while our study revealed a higher incidence of concomitant renal stones than the international studies.

Fournier's gangrene in diabetic and renal failure patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the management of 9 patients with Fournier's gangrene seen in our institute, to identify the most common prognostic variables in our patients, and to evaluate the outcome of aggressive management in patients with Fournier's gangrene. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 9 patients admitted to King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 1999 until November 2002. Their age, sex, clinical presentation, predisposing factors, microbiology testing, management and prognosis were studied. RESULTS: Nine male patients were diagnosed and treated. The mean age was 68 years, 6 patients (66.6%) were diabetics and one of them had renal insufficiency not requiring dialysis, while 3 patients were on regular hemodialysis. Bacterial culture results revealed a single organism in 44.4%, and more than one organism in 55.6% of the cases. No anaerobes could be cultured, and one patient had Candida albicans. All patients had temporary suprapubic catheter diversion while stool diversion by colostomy was required in only one patient. In 7 patients, aggressive debridement and parental antimicrobial were successful to eradicate the infection, whereas 2 patients (22.2% of the cases) died of uncontrolled sepsis. CONCLUSION: Fournier's gangrene is a very serious disease, understanding the criteria of early recognition of the disease, referral to the specialist, and aggressive debridement with the use of appropriate antimicrobial therapy will improve the outcome of the patients and decrease the mortality rate.

Results of prostate biopsies in a teaching hospital in Western Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prostate cancer detection rate in 45 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS) guided biopsies at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and compare it with the previously reported national and international rates. METHODS: Forty-five charts reviewed for patients underwent TRUS guided biopsies in the period between July 1997 through to November 2002 at KAUH. Patients were entered in the study either as of high serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE), or both. Cases with large prostate size or suspected elevation of PSA due to causes other than prostatic cancer was excluded from the study. RESULTS: Out of the 45 patients who underwent TRUS guided biopsy; cancer of the prostate was detected in 13 (28.8%). The cancer detection rate in patients presented with abnormal DRE alone was 7.6%, and was 15.3% in the group with elevated PSA but normal DRE (stage T1c). When PSA was elevated to 4-10 ng/ml TRUS guided biopsy detected cancer in 21.4%, elevation of PSA to10-20 ng/ml lead to cancer detection in 40% of the patients, and when PSA was above 20 ng/ml all cases were positive for cancer. CONCLUSION: Cancer prostate is common in Western countries; national studies reported a low incidence of prostate cancer in KSA. Yet in our local patients using this precise method of investigation, our study confirms that the detection rate of prostate cancer through TRUS guided biopsies match the results of previously reported national studies and still lower than the international rates. Although the number of cases are small to draw solid and final conclusions; this study should stimulate further research and more reports on this important subject.