Functional outcomes of Fournier's gangrene: a multi-institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier's gangrene (FG), is a progressive, necrotizing soft tissue infection of the external genitalia, perineum, and/or anorectal region. How treatment and recovery from FG impacts quality of life related to sexual and general health is poorly characterized. Our purpose is to evaluate the long term impact of FG on overall and sexual quality of life using standardized questionnaires through a multi-institutional observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-institutional retrospective data were collected by standardized questionnaires on patient-reported outcome measures including the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) and the Veterans RAND 36 (VR-36) survey of general health-related quality of life. Data were collected via telephone call, email, and certified mail, with a 10% response rate. There was no incentive for patient participation. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients responded to the survey, with 9 female and 26 male patients. All patients in the study underwent surgical debridement between 2007-2018 at three tertiary care centers. Further reconstructions were performed for 57% of respondents. Values for respondents with overall lower sexual function were reduced in all component categories (pleasure, desire/ frequency, desire/interest, arousal/excitement, orgasm/ completion), and trended toward male sex, older age, longer time from initial debridement to reconstruction, and poorer self-reported general health-related quality of life metrics. CONCLUSION: FG is associated with high morbidity and significant decreases in quality of life across general and sexual functional domains.

Computed tomography-based volume calculations of renal ischemia predicts post-traumatic renal function after renal infarction injury.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a systematic method to quantify the severity of renal infarction injury and assess its association with post-traumatic renal function after blunt trauma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who suffered an AAST grade IV renal infarction injury without active bleeding secondary to blunt trauma between 1/2010 and 10/2020. Only patients with a pre-traumatic eGFR within 12 months of injury and post-traumatic eGFR within 3-12 months were included. Percentage of renal ischemia was defined as: (ischemic volume/total volume) × 100%. Two radiologists reviewed computed tomography images to determine ischemic and overall cross-sectional areas using the polygon region of interest tool. These areas were multiplied by slice thickness to obtain ischemic and total volumes. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess consistency between radiologists. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between percentage of renal ischemia and post-traumatic renal function. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 140 (25.0%) patients met inclusion criteria. The median (IQR) pre-trauma eGFR was 107.7 ml/min/1.73m2 (90.6-121.8), percentage of renal ischemia was 8.4% (2.9-30.1), and decrease in eGFR after trauma was 12.9 ml/min/1.73m2 (0.4-32.6). There was excellent reliability in calculating ischemic volume (ICC = 0.987) and total kidney volume (ICC = 0.995) between two radiologists. When adjusting for pre-traumatic eGFR, patient age, and injury severity score, a 10% increase in ischemic volume was associated with a post-injury eGFR value that was 8.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI - 11.2, - 4.7) lower. CONCLUSIONS: CT-based volume calculation of renal ischemia may be utilized to quantify kidney injury and be associated with post-traumatic renal function loss.

Pathological characteristics of the large renal mass: potential implication for clinical role of renal biopsy.

INTRODUCTION: To assess whether patients with a large renal mass, treated by radical nephrectomy (RN), could have benefited from preoperative renal mass biopsy (RMB). The decision to perform partial nephrectomy (PN) for an organ-confined > 4 cm renal mass can be complex. Albeit often feasible, oncologic safety of PN in this cohort is debated. Yet, a significant portion of large renal masses that undergo RN prove benign or indolent, indicating a potential role for RMB to guide nephron preservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried prospectively maintained databases from three institutions to identify patients who underwent RN for localized > 4 cm renal mass. We excluded patients with nodal or distant metastases. Multivariable analysis assessed how clinicopathologic variables, mass anatomic complexity, and patient comorbidities related to the likelihood of harboring an indolent neoplasm. RESULTS: A total of 702 patients underwent RN for localized > 4 cm renal mass (median tumor size 7.0 cm (IQR 5.5-9.2); 12.8% (n = 90) of patients were diagnosed with oncocytoma/oncocytic neoplasm (n = 27, 3.8%) or chromophobe RCC (n = 63, 9.0%). When stratified by tumor size, indolent tumors comprised 10.1% of 4-7 cm masses, 15.6% of ≥ 7-10 cm masses, and 17.3% of ≥ 10 cm tumors. Upon multivariate analysis, younger age was associated with indolent tumors (p = 0.04, OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 8 patients with a renal mass > 4 cm harbored benign or low risk indolent potential lesions and were associated with younger age. As such, patients with large renal masses for whom risk trade-offs between PN and RN are unclear, present a unique opportunity for greater utilization of RMB.

Local Recurrence Following Resection of Intermediate-High Risk Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Anatomical Classification and Analysis of the ASSURE (ECOG-ACRIN E2805) Adjuvant Trial.

PURPOSE: We describe what is to our knowledge a novel classification system for local recurrence after surgery of renal cell carcinoma. We assessed its prognostic implications using prospective, randomized controlled data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the ASSURE (Sunitinib Malate or Sorafenib Tosylate in Treating Patients With Kidney Cancer That Was Removed By Surgery) (ECOG-ACRIN [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network] E2805) trial data for patients with fully resected, intermediate-high risk, nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma with local recurrence. We used certain definitions, including type I-single recurrence in a remnant kidney or ipsilateral renal fossa, type II-single recurrence in the ipsilateral vasculature, the ipsilateral adrenal gland or a lymph node, type III-single recurrence in other intra-abdominal soft tissues or organs and type IV-any combination of types I-III or multiple recurrences of a single type. Multivariable logistic regression and the log rank test were performed to identify clinicopathological predictors and compare survival, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 1,943 patients 300 (15.4%) had local recurrence, which was type I, II, III and IV in 66 (22.0%), 97 (32.3%), 87 (29.0%) and 50 (16.7%), respectively. Surgical modality (minimally invasive vs open) and type of surgery (partial vs radical) did not predict any local recurrence. Five-year cancer specific survival and overall survival were worse in patients with type IV recurrence (each p <0.001). There was no difference in survival among patients with types I to III recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate-high risk nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma local recurrence appears to be a function of biology more than of surgical modality or surgery type. The prognosis for solitary intra-abdominal local recurrences appear similar regardless of location (types I-III). Local recurrences involving multiple sites and/or subdivisions are associated with worse survival (type IV).

The use of indocyanine green during robotic ureteroenteric reimplantation for the management of benign anastomotic strictures.

PURPOSE: We describe our technique for using intraureteral and intraurinary diversion indocyanine green (ICG) during robotic ureteroenteric reimplantation and report our outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed eight patients who underwent ten robotic ureteroenteric reimplantations between August 2013 and July 2017. ICG was injected antegrade and/or retrograde into the lumen of the ureter, and retrograde into the lumen of the urinary diversion. All patients consented to off-label use of ICG. Postoperatively, all patients were assessed for: clinical success: the absence of flank pain; and radiological success: the absence of obstruction on renal scan and/or loopogram. RESULTS: Visualization of ICG under near-infrared fluorescence allowed for precise identification of the strictured ureter and urinary diversion, which fluoresced green; and localization the ureteroenteric stricture margins, which poorly fluoresced green. The median operative time was 208 min (IQR 191-299), estimated blood loss was 125 ml (IQR 69-150), and length of stay was 6 days (IQR 1-8). Three of eight (37.5%) patients suffered a minor (Clavien ≤ 2), and 2/8 (25.0%) patients suffered a major (Clavien > 2) post-operative complication. There were no complications related to ICG use. At a median follow-up of 29 months (IQR 21-38), 8/10 (80.0%) ureteroenteric reimplantations were clinically and radiologically successful. CONCLUSIONS: Intraureteral and intraurinary diversion ICG may be utilized as a real-time contrast agent during robotic ureteroenteric reimplantation to assist with identification of the strictured ureter and urinary diversion, and delineation of the ureteroenteric stricture margins. Despite this, RUER remains a technically difficult and morbid procedure.

A Review of Buccal Mucosa Graft Ureteroplasty.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review the buccal mucosa graft (BMG) ureteroplasty literature to evaluate its utility in the management of ureteral strictures, identify indications for which it is particularly useful, and highlight refinements in surgical technique. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent reports have described the efficacy of robotic BMG ureteroplasty and the utilization of near-infrared fluorescence to assist with precise identification of the ureteral stricture margins. BMG ureteroplasty is well-suited for ureteral reconstruction as it allows for minimal disruption of the delicate ureteral blood supply and facilitates a tension-free anastomosis. This technique is particularly useful in patients with long ureteral strictures not amenable to ureteroureterostomy and in patients with a recurrent ureteral stricture after a previously failed ureteral reconstruction.

Robotic Ureteroplasty with Buccal Mucosa Graft for the Management of Complex Ureteral Strictures.

PURPOSE: Surgical management of proximal and mid ureteral strictures that are not amenable to primary excision and anastomosis is challenging. Although a buccal mucosa graft is commonly used during substitution urethroplasty, its use in substitution ureteroplasty is limited. We describe our technique of robotic ureteroplasty with a buccal mucosa graft to manage complex ureteral strictures and we report our outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 12 patients who underwent robotic ureteroplasty with a buccal mucosa graft between September 2014 and June 2016. The indication for the procedure was a proximal or mid ureteral stricture not amenable to primary excision and anastomosis. The primary outcomes were clinical success, absent symptoms on ureteral pathology and radiological success, defined as absent ureteral obstruction on retrograde pyelography, renal scan and/or computerized tomography. RESULTS: Four of the 12 patients (33.3%) had a ureteropelvic junction stricture, 4 (33.3%) had a proximal stricture and 4 (33.3%) had a mid ureteral stricture. Eight of the 12 patients (66.7%) had previously undergone failed ureteral reconstruction. Median stricture length was 3 cm (range 2 to 5). Median operative time was 217 minutes (range 136 to 344) and mean estimated blood loss was 100 ml (range 50 to 200). Median length of stay was 1 day (range 1 to 6). At a median followup of 13 months (range 4 to 30) 10 of the 12 cases (83.3%) were clinically and radiologically successful. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic ureteroplasty with a buccal mucosa graft is associated with low inherent morbidity. It is an effective way to manage complex proximal and mid ureteral strictures.

Robotic Buccal Ureteroplasty: a Review of the Current Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study aimed to provide an overview of the literature on buccal mucosal ureteroplasty for ureteral stricture disease, with a specific focus on the application of the robotic platform to buccal ureteroplasty. RECENT FINDINGS: In our review, we highlight the results of Zhao et al. from the New York University School of Medicine Department of Urology, as well as our own results from Temple University Hospital. Zhao et al. published the first series of four patients who underwent robotic buccal ureteroplasty. Mean stricture length was 3.0 cm, and at a mean follow-up of 15 months, all repairs remained patent. We also describe our results in 10 patients who underwent robotic buccal ureteroplasty at Temple University Hospital. Median stricture length was 3.0 cm, and at a median follow-up of 5 months, all repairs remain patent. Robotic buccal ureteroplasty offers a promising option for repair of complex ureteral strictures.

Prevention of iatrogenic ureteral injuries during robotic gynecologic surgery: a review.

Iatrogenic ureteral injuries, more than half of which occur during gynecologic surgery, may have devastating consequences for both patients and physicians. Gynecologists have employed various techniques such as cystoscopy, ureteral stents, and lighted ureteral stents to prevent ureteral injuries. The emergence and increasing prevalence of robotic surgery necessitates that we not only reevaluate the utility of these techniques, but also develop new ones specific for the robotic modality. In the robotic setting, the surgeon lacks tactile feedback and must rely primarily on visual cues. The use of intraureteral indocyanine green and subsequent visualization under near-infrared fluorescence appears to be a promising technique to primarily and secondarily prevent ureteral injuries during robotic gynecologic surgery.

Complications of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Their Management.

Minimally invasive surgery, including both traditional laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic approaches, has increasingly become the standard of care for urologic abdominal and pelvic surgery. This is a comprehensive review of the contemporary literature regarding complications of laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery. The review highlights pertinent studies with the goal of providing the minimally invasive urologic surgeon with an up-to-date overview of general and procedure-specific complications and their management.

Robotic management of genitourinary injuries from obstetric and gynaecological operations: a multi-institutional report of outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of robotic repair of injuries to the ureter or bladder from obstetrical and gynaecological (OBGYN) surgery PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients from four different high-volume institutions between 2002 and 2013 that had a robot-assisted (RA) repair by a urologist after an OBGYN genitourinary injury. RESULTS: Of the 43 OBGYN operations, 34 were hysterectomies: 10 open, 10 RA, nine vaginally, and five pure laparoscopic. Nine patients had alternative OBGYN operations: three caesarean sections, three oophorectomies (one open, two laparoscopic), one RA colpopexy, one open pelvic cervical cerclage with mesh and one RA removal of an invasive endometrioma. In all, 49 genitourinary (GU) injuries were sustained: ureteric ligation (26), ureterovaginal fistula (10), ureterocutaneous fistula (one), vesicovaginal fistula (VVF; 10) and cystotomy alone (two). In all, 10 patients (23.3%) underwent immediate urological repair at the time of their OBGYN RA surgery. The mean (range) time between OBGYN injury and definitive delayed repair was 23.5 (1-297) months. Four patients had undergone prior failed repair: two open VVF repairs and two balloon ureteric dilatations with stent placement. In all, 22 ureteric re-implants (11 with ipsilateral psoas hitch) and 15 uretero-ureterostomies were performed. Stents were placed in all ureteric cases for a mean (range) of 32 (1-63) days. In all, 10 VVF repairs and two primary cystotomy closures were performed. Drains were placed in 28 cases (57.1%) for a mean (range) of 4.1 (1-26) days. No case required open conversion. Two patients (4.1%) developed ureteric obstruction after RA repair requiring dilatation and stenting. The mean (range) follow-up of the entire cohort was 16.6 (1-63) months. CONCLUSIONS: RA repair of GU injuries during OBGYN surgery is associated with good outcomes, appears safe and feasible, and can be used successfully immediately after injury recognition or as a salvage procedure after prior attempted repair. RA techniques may improve convalescence in a patient population where quick recovery is paramount.

Preoperative Predictors of Surgical Success for Robotic Ureteral Reconstruction of Proximal and Middle Ureteral Strictures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate predictors of surgical success for patients undergoing robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), proximal, and middle ureteral stricture disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our multi-institutional Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery database to identify all consecutive patients undergoing RUR for UPJO, proximal and/or middle ureteral stricture disease between April 2012 and December 2020. The specific reconstruction technique was determined by the primary surgeon based on clinical history and intraoperative findings. Patients were grouped according to whether they were surgical successful. Preoperative variables between both groups were compared using chi-square tests. All independent variables with associations of P <.2 then underwent a binary logistic regression analysis to determine predictive variables of success for RUR (P ≤.05 was considered statistically significant). RESULTS: Overall, 338 patients met inclusion criteria. Surgical success rates of RUR are shown in Table 1. Univariate analysis (Table 2) showed that there were a lower proportion of patients with diabetes (8.9% vs 25.7%, P <.01) and a higher proportion of patients who underwent ureteral rest (74.3% vs 48.6%, P <.01) in the surgical success group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (Table 3) further revealed the odds of surgical success in patients without diabetes was 3.08 times ((confidence interval) CI 1.26-7.54, P = .01) the odds of success for patients with diabetes. The odds of surgical success in patients who underwent preoperative ureteral rest were 2.8 times (CI 1.35-5.83, P = .01) the odds of success for patients who did not undergo preoperative ureteral rest. CONCLUSION: Surgical success of RUR for management of UPJO, proximal, and middle ureteral strictures may be influenced by factors including preoperative ureteral rest and presence of diabetes.

Leiomyoma Fistulization After Uterine Artery Embolization.

BACKGROUND: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been used to treat symptomatic uterine leiomyomas since 1995. This case report describes a rare complication of UAE, with delayed recognition, ultimately requiring definitive hysterectomy. CASE: A 53-year-old women with symptomatic leiomyomas underwent imaging demonstrating an enlarged (16.9×11.3×11.5 cm) uterus with multiple leiomyomas. She underwent UAE and, over the subsequent 3 months, and had five emergency department visits for abdominal pain and dysuria. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 4 months postprocedure showed nodular mural enhancement of the right anterior bladder dome, and cystoscopy demonstrated irregular tissue on the right dome of the bladder. The patient ultimately underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, partial cystectomy with reconstruction, and omental flap for bladder necrosis and leiomyoma fistulization. CONCLUSION: Bladder necrosis and leiomyoma fistulization are rare complications of UAE that can present with pelvic pain, hematuria, and recurrent bladder stones. Computed tomography and MRI can be useful tools in evaluating for complications, but clinicians should have a low threshold to use cystoscopy to directly visualize potential abnormalities identified on imaging. Patients with complex cases with suspected post-UAE complications warrant referral to tertiary care centers for a multidisciplinary approach.

Outcomes of Robotic Simple Prostatectomy After Prior Failed Endoscopic Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Background: We compared outcomes of robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) in patients with and without a history of prior prostate surgery for management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our multi-institutional database for all consecutive patients who underwent RASP between May 2013 and January 2021. Postoperatively, urinary function was assessed using the American Urological Association symptom score (AUASS) and quality of life (QOL) score. Results: Overall, 520 patients met inclusion criteria. Among the 87 (16.7%) patients who underwent prior prostate surgery, 49 (56.3%), 26 (29.9%), 8 (9.2%), 3 (3.4%), and 1 (1.1%) patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate, photoselective vaporization of the prostate, transurethral microwave therapy, prostatic urethral lift, or water vapor thermal therapy, respectively. There was no difference in mean prostate volume (p = 0.40), estimated blood loss (p = 0.32), robotic console time (p = 0.86), or major 30-day postoperative (Clavien >2) complications (p = 0.80) between both groups. With regard to urinary function, the mean improvement in preoperative and postoperative AUASS (p = 0.31), QOL scores (p = 0.11), and continence rates was similar between both groups. Conclusion: For management of patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms, RASP is associated with an improvement in urinary function outcomes and a low risk of postoperative complications. Perioperative outcomes of RASP are similar in patients who underwent prior prostate surgery vs those that did not undergo prior prostate surgery.

Blunt traumatic female urethral and bladder neck injuries: a 15-year single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience in the management and outcomes of female patients with urethral or bladder neck (BN) injury at a high-volume Level 1 trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all female patients with urethral or BN injury by blunt trauma mechanism admitted to a Level 1 trauma center between 2005 and 2019 was performed. RESULTS: Ten patients met study criteria with median age 36.5 years. All had concomitant pelvic fractures. All injuries were confirmed operatively, with no delayed diagnoses. Two patients were lost to follow up. One patient was not eligible for early repair of urethral injury and had two repairs of a urethrovaginal fistula. Two of seven (29%) patients who underwent early repair of their injury had an early Clavien grade > 2 complication, with none reporting long-term complications at median follow-up of 15.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative evaluation is critical in the diagnosis of female urethral and BN injury. In our experience, acute surgical complications are not uncommon after the management of such injuries. However, there were no reported long-term complications in those patients who had prompt management of their injury. This aggressive diagnostic and surgical strategy is instrumental in attaining excellent surgical outcomes.

Robotic ureteral reconstruction for recurrent strictures after prior failed management.

Objectives: To describe our multi-institutional experience with robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) in patients who failed prior endoscopic and/or surgical management. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS) database for all consecutive patients who underwent RUR between 05/2012 and 01/2020 for a recurrent ureteral stricture after having undergone prior failed endoscopic and/or surgical repair. Post-operatively, patients were assessed for surgical success, defined as the absence of flank pain and obstruction on imaging. Results: Overall, 105 patients met inclusion criteria. Median stricture length was 2 (IQR 1-3) centimetres. Strictures were located at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) (41.0%), proximal (14.3%), middle (9.5%) or distal (35.2%) ureter. There were nine (8.6%) radiation-induced strictures. Prior failed management included endoscopic intervention (49.5%), surgical repair (25.7%) or both (24.8%). For repair of UPJ and proximal strictures, ureteroureterostomy (3.4%), ureterocalicostomy (5.2%), pyeloplasty (53.5%) or buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty (37.9%) was utilized; for repair of middle strictures, ureteroureterostomy (20.0%) or buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty (80.0%) was utilized; for repair of distal strictures, ureteroureterostomy (8.1%), side-to-side reimplant (18.9%), end-to-end reimplant (70.3%) or appendiceal bypass (2.7%) was utilized. Major (Clavien >2) post-operative complications occurred in two (1.9%) patients. At a median follow-up of 15.1 (IQR 5.0-30.4) months, 94 (89.5%) cases were surgically successful. Conclusions: RUR may be performed with good intermediate-term outcomes for patients with recurrent strictures after prior failed endoscopic and/or surgical management.

Complex Penile Surgery: Plication, Grafting, and Implants.

Surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction are generally straightforward and associated with excellent outcomes. However, severe (>60°) and multidirectional curvature, hourglass deformity, severe penile shortening, and ossified plaque may complicate surgery in patients with Peyronie's disease. Similarly, a history of priapism, prior implant infection, and penile injury can pose challenges to successful implant surgery secondary to severe corporal fibrosis. Thus, when these pathophysiological processes cause severe fibrosis and loss of function of the tunica albuginea and deep cavernosal spaces, adjunctive reconstructive techniques are necessary. Herein, we integrate the literature regarding surgical management of complex Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction with emphasis on plication, grafting, and implants to achieve satisfactory outcomes across the full range of etiology and degree of surgical complexity.

Ureteral Injuries Secondary to Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A 15-Year Review of Presentation, Management, and Outcomes at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

OBJECTIVE: To report our contemporary experience with ureteral injuries secondary to blunt trauma, with diagnostic methods and management stratified according to injury severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective 15-year study (4/2005-4/2020) at a regional level I trauma center. Patients were categorized as having a partial or complete transection injury. Treatment success was defined as the absence of hydronephrosis or obstruction on follow-up imaging. RESULTS: Eighteen patients suffered 10 partial and 9 complete ureteral transections. All 16 patients who underwent initial evaluation with computed tomography were correctly graded as having partial or complete transections, and there were no missed injuries. Treatment of partial transections included observation (3/9), retrograde double-J stent placement (4/9), and Heineke-Mikulicz pyeloplasty (2/9). At a median follow-up of 9 (IQR 2-59) months, 8/9 (89%) partial transections were treated successfully. Treatment of complete transections included pyeloplasty (3/9), ureteroureterostomy (4/9), and ureteroneocystostomy (1/9). One patient who underwent attempted reconstruction 6 days after trauma required nephrectomy. At a median follow-up of 32 (IQR 4-82) months, 7/8 (89%) reconstructed complete transections were treated successfully. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography with delayed phase imaging is a sensitive test to detect ureteral injuries after blunt trauma, and computed tomography can distinguish between partial and complete transections. Partial transection injuries secondary to blunt trauma may be amenable to ureteral stent placement or close observation in select cases. Good intermediate-term outcomes can be achieved with early surgical intervention in the case of complete transections.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Distal Ureteroureterostomy for Distal Benign Ureteral Strictures with Long-Term Follow-Up.

Objectives: To demonstrate feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) ureteroureterostomy (UU) for benign distal ureteral strictures (DUS) in our robotic reconstruction series with long-term follow-up. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective review of our prospectively maintained RAL ureteral reconstruction database, we followed patients between June 2012 and February 2019 who underwent a UU for DUS. In addition to patient demographics, we recorded the etiology, stricture length, and recurrence rates. Recurrence was defined as findings of recurrent or persistent obstruction by postoperative mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renal scan or the need for additional intervention with ureteral drainage or revisional surgery. Results: We identified 22 patients who underwent a RAL-UU for DUS of benign etiologies. Median age was 42 years (interquartile range [IQR] 39-57) and 20 of 22 patients (90.1%) were women. Median stricture length was 1.5 cm (IQR 1-2). Iatrogenic surgical injury was noted in 16 patients (73%). All ureteral reconstruction was performed using RAL. Postoperative imaging consisted of renal ultrasonography, diuretic renal scan, or cross-sectional radiology within 3 months of the index operation. Further imaging was dependent on clinical judgment. Twenty patients (90.1%) had success with median follow-up time of 54.6 months with two recurrences necessitating RAL ureteroneocystostomy (UNC). Conclusion: RAL-UU for DUS is technically viable and shows promising efficacy in properly selected patients. This technique may serve a niche for preserving the natural anatomical drainage of the bladder and ureter in addition to obviating the sequela of vesicoureteral reflux as seen in UNC.

Perioperative and Functional Outcomes of Robot-assisted Ureteroenteric Reimplantation: A Multicenter Study of Seven Referral Institutions.

BACKGROUND: Open revision of ureteroenteric strictures (UESs) is associated with considerable morbidity. There is a lack of data evaluating the feasibility of robotic revisions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perioperative and functional outcomes of robot-assisted ureteroenteric reimplantation (RUER) for the management of UESs after radical cystectomy (RC). DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective multicenter study of 61 patients, who underwent 63 RUERs at seven high-volume institutions between 2009 and 2020 for benign UESs after RC, was conducted. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were reviewed for demographics, stricture characteristics, and perioperative outcomes. Variables associated with being stricture free after an RUER were evaluated using a multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among 63 RUERs, 22 were right sided (35%), 34 left sided (54%), and seven bilateral (11%). Twenty-seven (44%) had prior abdominal/pelvic surgery and five (8%) radiotherapy (RT). Thirty-two patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores I-II (52%) and 29 ASA III (48%). Forty-two (68%) RUERs were in ileal conduits, 18 (29%) in neobladders, and two (3%) in Indiana pouch. The median time to diagnosis of a UES from cystectomy was 5 (3-11) mo. Of the UESs, 28 (44%) failed an endourological attempt (balloon dilatation/endoureterotomy). The median RUER operative time was 195 (175-269) min. No intraoperative complications or conversions to open approach were reported. Twenty-three (37%) patients had postoperative complications (20 [32%] were minor and three [5%] major). The median length of hospital stay was 3 (1-6) d and readmissions were 5%. After a median follow-up of 19 (8-43) mo, 84% of cases were stricture free. Lack of prior RT was the only variable associated with better stricture-free survival after RUER (hazard ratio 6.8, 95% confidence interval 1.10-42.00, p = 0.037). The study limitations include its retrospective nature and the small number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: RUER is a feasible procedure for the management of UESs. Prospective and larger studies are warranted to prove the safety and efficacy of this technique. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we investigate the feasibility of a novel minimally invasive technique for the management of ureteroenteric strictures. We conclude that robotic reimplantation is a feasible and effective procedure.