Salvage surgery after failed treatment of synthetic mesh sling complications.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of refractory synthetic sling complications in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of consecutive women with failed treatments for mesh sling complications. Before and after surgery the patients completed validated questionnaires and voiding diaries, and underwent uroflow with post-void residuals, pad test, cystourethroscopy and videourodynamic studies. Treatment was individualized, and results were subdivided into the 2 groups of conditions and symptoms. Outcomes were assessed with the Patient Global Impression of Improvement with success classified as a score of 1, improvement as 2 to 3 and failure as 4 to 7. RESULTS: A total of 47 women 35 to 83 years old (mean 60) had undergone at least 1 prior operation (range 1 to 4) to correct sling complications. Original sling composition was type 1 mesh in 36 patients and types 2 and 3 in 11. Surgical procedures included sling incision, sling excision, urethrolysis, urethral reconstruction, ureteroneocystotomy, cystectomy and urinary diversion, and enterocystoplasty. Median followup was 2 years (range 0.25 to 12, mean 3). Overall a successful outcome was achieved in 34 of 47 patients (72%) after the first salvage surgery. Reasons for failure were multiple for each patient. Of the 13 patients with treatment failure 9 subsequently underwent 14 operations. Success/improvement was achieved in 5 women (56%) after continent urinary diversion (1), continent urinary diversion and cystectomy (1), partial cystectomy and augmentation cystoplasty (1), biological sling and sinus tract excision (1), and vaginal mesh excision (1). CONCLUSIONS: Success after the initial failure of mesh sling complications repair is possible but multiple surgeries may be required. Each symptom should be addressed separately.

The pathophysiology of large capacity bladder.

PURPOSE: We describe the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and urodynamic findings in patients with a large capacity bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of 100 consecutive patients with voiding dysfunction and a cystometric bladder capacity of greater than 700 ml. Clinical data, cystometric bladder capacity and other urodynamic findings were evaluated. Bladder outlet obstruction and impaired detrusor contractility were defined by the Schaefer nomogram in men and the Blaivas-Groutz nomogram in women. RESULTS: A total of 56 men and 44 women 36 to 97 years old (median age 75, mean 71.2) with a bladder capacity of 700 to 5,013 ml (median 931, mean 1,091) were studied. The primary pathophysiological diagnoses were bladder outlet obstruction in 48% of cases, impaired detrusor contractility in 11%, absent detrusor contractility in 24% and normal detrusor pressure/uroflow study in 17%. Bladder outlet obstruction was attributable to anatomical obstruction in 34% of patients, acquired voiding dysfunction in 11% and detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia in 3%. In patients with detrusor contractions the initial contraction occurred at a median of 1,000 ml (mean 1,154, range 86 to 5,000). Associated diagnoses in men included benign prostatic enlargement in 52% and neurological disease in 14%, and in women they were pelvic organ prolapse in 27%, stress incontinence in 18% and neurological disorders in 9%. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of large capacity bladder is multifactorial and often a potentially remediable underlying condition exists. A large capacity bladder may be accompanied by bladder outlet obstruction, impaired or absent detrusor contractions, or normal detrusor pressure/uroflow studies. When detrusor contractions are present, they usually occur only at large bladder volumes. Therefore, it is important during cystometry to fill the bladder until capacity is achieved.

Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2-Associated Renal Amyloidosis: A Case Report.

Amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by the deposition of abnormal protein fibrils in tissues. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-associated amyloidosis is a recently recognized entity and is characterized by a distinctive clinicopathologic type of amyloid deposition manifested in adults by varying degrees of impaired kidney function and proteinuria. There are only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. We present a 64-year-old Hispanic female with a history of hypertension who was referred for chronic kidney disease management. The review of her laboratory tests revealed a serum creatinine of 1.5-1.8 mg/dL and microalbuminuria (in the presence of a bland urine sediment) in the past year. She denied any history of diabetes, rheumatologic disorders or exposure to intravenous contrast, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, herbals, and heavy metals. Serological workup was negative. A renal biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of glomerulus with pale eosinophilic material strongly positive for Congo red stain and a similar eosinophilic material in the interstitium, muscular arteries, and arterioles. Electron microscopy showed marked infiltration of the mesangium, capillary loops, and interstitium with haphazardly arranged fibrillary deposits (9.8 nm thick). Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) amyloid deposition. LECT2 amyloidosis (ALECT2) should be suspected in renal biopsy specimens exhibiting extensive and strong mesangial as well as interstitial congophilia. Individuals with LECT2 renal amyloidosis have a varying prognosis. Therapeutic options include supportive measures and consideration of a kidney transplant for those with end-stage renal disease.