Prolonged indwelling catheter time after RARP does not lead to follow-up surgery.

BACKGROUND: Indwelling catheterization following radical prostatectomy is used to aid healing and urinary drainage. While early removal is well investigated, prolonged catheterization has only been investigated in terms of urinary incontinence. Other complications such as anastomotic strictures are unexplored so far. This study aims to analyze the sequelae of catheterization lasting more than 14 days after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: A prospective database of 3087 patients undergoing RARP was analyzed, focusing on 180 patients with catheterization exceeding 14 days (Group A) and 88 matched controls (Group B). Outcome measures included subsequent surgeries, complications, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Prolonged catheterization did not significantly increase the need for subsequent surgeries (6% in Group A vs. 7% in Group B, p = .95). However, anastomotic strictures were more common in Group A (3%) compared to Group B (0%) after exclusion of risk factors. Incontinence rates were similar between groups, although a subgroup analysis revealed higher incontinence rates in patients with catheterization exceeding 28 days. No significant differences were observed in erectile function or quality of life between the groups. CONCLUSION: Prolonged catheterization after RARP does not independently increase the risk of anastomotic strictures in the general population. However, in patients without risk factors, prolonged catheter dwell time may elevate the risk of strictures and subsequent surgeries. Additionally, patients with catheterization exceeding 28 days may experience higher rates of long-term incontinence. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the long-term implications of prolonged catheterization.

Distribution and reference values of peripheral perfusion index in neonates from population-wide screening.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral perfusion index (PPI) is useful in a variety of neonatal settings. Currently, available reference values are from small numbers and highly variable. METHODS: We sought to generate reference values of PPI by analysing previously collected data from newborns who underwent mandated universal pulse oximetry and PPI screening from 2018 to 2021 using uniform protocol and equipment. Q-Q plots and boxplots were used to visualise distributions. Kernel density estimation for heaped and rounded data was used to estimate percentiles of the distributions. RESULTS: Data from 388 205 newborns who underwent universal pulse oximetry screening in the first week of life were used for this analysis. Pre and postductal values showed a non-normal distribution and skewed to the left, the former had a thicker tail with more extreme values. Minor, but statistically significant differences were seen in the PPI values from day 1 to 7. Median preductal PPI (2.77, IQR:1.83-3.93) was significantly higher than postductal (2.38 IQR: 1.41-3.55) (p<0.01). PPI values increased with weight and boys had higher PPI. Kernel estimates of the percentiles in the overall sample and subgroups for gender and weight have been provided for preductal and post-ductal values. CONCLUSION: This study, based on the largest available dataset, provides reference values for PPI in newborns. A significant influence of gender and birth weight on PPI values in newborns has been identified. Future research on understanding the influence of age, sex, birth weight, gestational age, ambient temperature and genetic factors on PPI is recommended.

Predicting COVID 19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis Risk in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a life-threatening fungal infection. Studies focusing on CAPA in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Methods: This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India. Cases of CAPA were classified using the 2020 European Confederation of Medical Mycology/International Society for Human and Animal Mycology consensus criteria. A total of 95 cases were matched 1:1 with COVID-19 patients without CAPA. Matching was done based on age and period of admission. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for imbalances in COVID-19 severity and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Data on demographics, clinical details, microbiologic and radiologic data, and treatment outcomes were collected. A predictive score for CAPA was developed from baseline risk factors. Results: The predictive score identified lymphopenia, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer risk factors, and broad-spectrum antibiotic use as the main risk factors for CAPA. Positivity for bacterial pathogens in blood or bronchoalveolar lavage samples reduced the risk of CAPA. The predictive model performed well in cross-validation, with an area under the curve value of 82%. CAPA diagnosis significantly increased mortality and shift to ICU. Conclusions: The predictive model derived from the current study offers a valuable tool for clinicians, especially in high-endemic low- and middle-income countries, for the early identification and treatment of CAPA. With further validation, this risk score could improve patient outcomes.