Delayed closed-suction drain removal following inflatable penile prosthesis placement: a multi-institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: There are little published data regarding longer percutaneous drain durations following inflatable penile prosthesis placement; despite this, drain proponents suggest reduced scrotal hematoma formation, while detractors cite the risk of retrograde device seeding. AIM: Here, we quantify the outcomes of a multi-institutional cohort with drain durations of 48 hours or greater. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively for patients undergoing primary 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement who had a postoperative drain placed. Cases were performed by 3 surgeons at 3 high-volume centers between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022. It was the routine practice of these surgeons to leave percutaneous drains for an interval of 48 hours or greater. R software was used to perform statistical analysis and data visualization. OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes included rates of infection and hematoma formation. Secondary outcomes included device explantation. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 224 patients meeting initial inclusion criteria. Of these, 15 patients had their drains removed before 48 hours, leaving 209 patients for the analysis. Mean drain duration was 67 ± 24.7 hours. The mean follow-up interval was 170 days. Diabetes mellitus was present in 84 (40%) patients with a mean hemoglobin A1c of 7.2%. Penoscrotal and infrapubic approaches were employed (n = 114 [54.5%] vs n = 95 [45.5%]). Reservoir location was split between space of Retzius and high submuscular, with space of Retzius being more common (n = 164 [78.5%] vs n = 45 [21.5%]). Discrete hematomas were observed in 7 patients, with subsequent operative intervention on 2. Notably, both of these were infection cases. There were 3 (1.4%) total device infections. Revision for noninfection causes was required in 9 (4.3%) patients. Fisher's exact testing demonstrated significant association between hematoma formation and anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy (P = .017). On multivariable logistic regression, only anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy remained significant (P = .035). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Maintaining percutaneous closed-suction bulb drains for >48 hours following IPP placement is safe. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This multi-institutional study fills a hole in IPP perioperative literature, as there have been no previously published data regarding drain durations >48 hours. The primary limitations are the retrospective nature and lack of a control population. CONCLUSION: Maintaining closed-suction bulb drains for >48 hours following IPP implantation is safe and associated with infection rates comparable to other modern cohorts and a very low rate of hematoma formation.

Host-parasite relationship Octopus tehuelchus - Aggregata valdessensis in Patagonian coast, southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Histopathology associated with the apicomplexan Aggregata valdessensis in the wild population of Octopus tehuelchus was studied. Moreover, to analyze the impact of the prevalence and infection intensity on the dorsal mantle length, sex, maturity stages, condition index and total hemocyte counts on wild O. tehuelchus, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were applied. Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to compare growth parameter (RNA/DNA ratios) in infected and uninfected octopuses. Lesions including hypertrophy of host cells and destruction of the tissue organ architecture as well as the replacement of host tissue by parasites were associated with infection. The infection caused an inflammatory defensive response in form of hemocytic infiltration.. The prevalence of apicomplexan increased with octopus dorsal mantle length (GLM, t = 2.68; p = 0.007). Infection intensity was significantly higher in male octopus (GLM, t = 2.69; p = 0.009) and decreased at higher temperatures in both sexes (GLM, t = -2.42; p = 0.018). The digestive gland condition index did not significantly vary with infection intensity, and no significant relationship between total hemocyte counts and coccidian infection was found (Lineal Model, t = 0.46; p = 0.64). The acid nucleic ratio was significantly lower in octopuses infected by A. valdessensis (Kruskal Wallis test, H = 4.8; p = 0.02), suggesting a detrimental effect on O. tehuelchus growth caused by the coccidian.

Long-term lower urinary tract sequelae following AUS cuff erosion.

AIMS: To examine the rate of lower urinary tract complications (LUTC) and urinary diversion (UD) after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) explantation with the acute reconstruction of AUS cuff erosion defects. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent in-situ urethroplasty (ISU) for AUS cuff erosion from June 2007 to December 2020. Outcomes included LUTC (urethral stricture, diverticulum, fistula), AUS reimplantation, and UD. Defect size was prospectively estimated acutely and a subanalysis was performed to determine the impact of erosion severity (small erosions [<33% circumferential defect] and large erosions [≥33%]) on these outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to compare survival between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent ISU for urethral cuff erosion. The median patient age was 76 years old with a median erosion circumference of 46%. The overall LUTC rate was 30% (12/40) with 35% (14/40) of patients requiring permanent UD. Secondary AUS placement occurred in 24/40 (60%) patients with 11/24 (46%) leading to repeat erosion. On subanalysis, small erosion was associated with improved LUTC-free and UD-free survival but not associated with AUS reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract complications are common after AUS cuff erosion and can lead to the need for permanent UD. Patients with larger erosions are more likely to undergo UD and reach this end-stage condition earlier compared to patients with small erosions.

Application of a remote-sensing three-source energy balance model to improve evapotranspiration partitioning in vineyards.

Improved accuracy of evapotranspiration (ET) estimation, including its partitioning between transpiration (T) and surface evaporation (E), is key to monitor agricultural water use in vineyards, especially to enhance water use efficiency in semi-arid regions such as California, USA. Remote-sensing methods have shown great utility in retrieving ET from surface energy balance models based on thermal infrared data. Notably, the two-source energy balance (TSEB) has been widely and robustly applied in numerous landscapes, including vineyards. However, vineyards add an additional complexity where the landscape is essentially made up of two distinct zones: the grapevine and the interrow, which is often seasonally covered by an herbaceous cover crop. Therefore, it becomes more complex to disentangle the various contributions of the different vegetation elements to total ET, especially through TSEB, which assumes a single vegetation source over a soil layer. As such, a remote-sensing-based three-source energy balance (3SEB) model, which essentially adds a vegetation source to TSEB, was applied in an experimental vineyard located in California's Central Valley to investigate whether it improves the depiction of the grapevine-interrow system. The model was applied in four different blocks in 2019 and 2020, where each block had an eddy-covariance (EC) tower collecting continuous flux, radiometric, and meteorological measurements. 3SEB's latent and sensible heat flux retrievals were accurate with an overall RMSD ~ 50 W/m2 compared to EC measurements. 3SEB improved upon TSEB simulations, with the largest differences being concentrated in the spring season, when there is greater mixing between grapevine foliage and the cover crop. Additionally, 3SEB's modeled ET partitioning (T/ET) compared well against an EC T/ET retrieval method, being only slightly underestimated. Overall, these promising results indicate 3SEB can be of great utility to vineyard irrigation management, especially to improve T/ET estimations and to quantify the contribution of the cover crop to ET. Improved knowledge of T/ET can enhance grapevine water stress detection to support irrigation and water resource management. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00271-022-00787-x.

Permanent urethral ligation after AUS cuff erosion: Is it ready for prime time?

AIMS: Although artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has long been the gold standard treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence, poor tissue quality in patients with prior cuff erosions may preclude this option. Formal supravesical diversion and/or bladder neck closure comprise alternative salvage options but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We review our experience with permanent urethral ligation (PUL) among patients deemed not to be candidates for AUS replacement following cuff erosion. METHODS: From a single-center database of 396 patients undergoing AUS from 2014 to 2020, 20 men underwent PUL with suprapubic tube (SPT) diversion. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using chart review, Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index (M-ISI), and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). RESULTS: PUL resulted in continence in 18 (90%) men; 15 after the initial surgery and three after repeat ligation. Patients were elderly (average age 75) with significant comorbidities. A total of 11 (55.5%) patients experienced complications in the 90-day postoperative period (seven Clavien-Dindo Grade II, four Grade III). Over an average follow-up of 30.3 months (interquartile range: 15.75-48.75), four patients underwent cystectomy and one underwent perineal urethrostomy. In the remaining patients managed by PUL, 13 had satisfactory M-ISI scores and indicated overall improvement on PGI-I. CONCLUSIONS: For men with AUS cuff erosion who are poor candidates for replacement, PUL with chronic SPT drainage represents an acceptable alternative option to restore continence and improve QOL. Though complications are not uncommon, the morbidity profile still compares favorably to more invasive formal urinary diversion.

Most men with artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion have low serum testosterone levels.

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between serum testosterone (T) levels and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff erosion in a population of incontinent men who underwent AUS placement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our single-surgeon AUS database was performed to identify men with T levels within 24 months of AUS placement. Men were stratified into two groups based on serum testosterone: low serum testosterone (LT) (<280 ng/dl) and normal serum testosterone (NT) (>280 ng/dl). Multivariable analysis was performed to control for risk factors. The outcome of interest was the incidence of and time to spontaneous urethral cuff erosion; other risk factors for cuff erosion were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among 161 AUS patients with serum testosterone levels, 84 (52.2%) had LT (mean: 136.8 ng/dl, SD: 150.4 ng/dl) and 77 (47.8%) had NT (mean: 455.8 ng/dl, SD: 197.3 ng/dl). Cuff erosion was identified in 42 men (26.1%) at a median of 7.1 months postoperatively (interquartile range: 3.6-13.4 months), most of whom (30/42, 71.4%) were testosterone deficient. LT levels were less common (54/119, 45.4%) in the non-erosion cohort (p = 0.004). Men with low T were nearly three times as likely to suffer AUS erosion than men with normal T (odds ratio = 2.519, p = 0.021). LT level was the only factor associated with AUS erosion on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: LT is an independent risk factor for AUS cuff erosion. Men with LT are more likely to present with cuff erosion, but there is no difference in time to erosion.

State of the Reservoir: Current Concepts of Penile Implant Reservoir Placement and Potential Complications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss mechanical and surgical innovations in inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery and their implications on reservoir placement and patient outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The past decade has seen a new emphasis on optimizing outcomes and minimizing complications associated with IPP reservoirs. Innovations in device design have accordingly yielded safer, more durable IPP outcomes over the past four decades. Modifications in surgical approach for reservoir placement abound for both traditional space of Retzius and ectopic reservoir placement techniques. Surgical and medical history, patient anatomy, and patient preference should all be considered when choosing approach for IPP reservoir placement. Prosthetic urologists should be proficient in multiple approaches to provide the best care to their patients.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter Complications: Risk Factors, Workup, and Clinical Approach.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review risk factors for AUS complications and present a systematic approach to their diagnosis and management. RECENT FINDINGS: Established risk factors for AUS complications include catheterization, channel TURP, pelvic radiation, urethroplasty, anticoagulation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, frailty index, hypertension, low albumin, and low testosterone. We present our algorithm for diagnosis and management of AUS complications. Despite being the gold standard of treatment for men with SUI, major and minor complications can occur at any point after AUS insertion. Careful consideration of the urologic, medical, and operative risk factors for each patient can help prevent complications. A systematic approach to early and late complications facilitates their identification and effective management. The evaluating urologist must have a thorough understanding of potential AUS complications in order to restore quality of life in men with bothersome SUI.

Standing cough test stratification of moderate male stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: Patient-reported history of pads per day (PPD) is widely recognized as a fundamental element of decision-making for anti-incontinence procedures. We hypothesize that SUI severity is often underestimated among men with moderate SUI. We sought to compare patient history of incontinence severity versus objective in-office physical examination findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our single-surgeon male SUI surgical database from 2007-2019. We excluded patients with incomplete preoperative or postoperative data and those who reported either mild or severe SUI, thus having more straightforward surgical counseling. For men reported to have moderate SUI, we determined the frequency of upgrading SUI severity by recording the results of an in-office standing cough test (SCT) using the Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale (MSIGS). The correlation of MSIGS with sling success rate was calculated. Failure was defined as >1 PPD usage or need for additional incontinence procedure. RESULTS: Among 233 patients with reported moderate SUI (2-3 PPD), 89 (38%) had MSIGS 3-4 on SCT, indicating severe SUI. Among patients with 2-3 PPD preoperatively, sling success rates were significantly higher for patients with MSIGS 0-2 (76/116, 64%) compared to MSIGS 3-4 (6/18, 33%) (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Many men with self-reported history of moderate SUI actually present severe SUI observed on SCT. The SCT is a useful tool to stratify moderate SUI patients to more accurately predict sling success.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cuff Erosion Heat Map Shows Similar Anatomical Characteristics for Transcorporal and Standard Approach.

PURPOSE: We describe and compare artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion sites and associated clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed men who presented with artificial urinary sphincter erosion treated by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2019 at a tertiary medical center. Transcorporal indications included complications of prior anti-incontinence procedures and prior urethral reconstruction. Location of artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion defects was assessed by cystoscopy prior to device explantation, and findings were stratified into patients who had transcorporal vs standard artificial urinary sphincter placement. RESULTS: Out of 723 artificial urinary sphincter cases in 611 patients we identified 54 (7.5%) cuff erosions. Erosion developed in 15 of 82 (18.3%) cases of transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter and 39 of 641 (6.1%) cases of standard artificial urinary sphincter (p <0.05). Artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosions occurred predominantly ventrally in both groups (66.7% for transcorporal and 79.5% for standard artificial urinary sphincter, p=0.4) followed by lateral urethral location (33.3% transcorporal and 20.5% standard, p=0.3). Dorsal erosions were rare in both groups (20% transcorporal and 5.1% standard, p=0.1). History of artificial urinary sphincter and previous erosion were associated with transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter erosion. History of radiotherapy, prior urethroplasty, hypogonadism and urethral cuff size were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosions appear to occur ventrally and laterally in most patients regardless of cuff placement. Dorsal erosions were the least common in both groups. The protective effect of transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter could not be conclusively demonstrated.

Avoiding deep pelvic complications using a 'Five-Step' technique for high submuscular placement of inflatable penile prosthesis reservoirs.

OBJECTIVES: To compare our extended experience with high submuscular (HSM) reservoir placement to traditional space of Retzius (SOR) placement and to present our current, refined 'Five-Step' technique (FST) for HSM placement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on patients undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement between January 2009 and June 2019. Re-operative cases were excluded. Reservoir-related complications and subsequent revisions were compared between SOR (2009-2012) and HSM reservoir groups (2012-2019). HSM patients were subdivided into two cohorts: 'Initial Technique' (2012-2014) and FST (2014-2019). The refined FST protocol was developed in 2014 to optimise outcomes and includes the following steps: (i) Position and Access; (ii) Develop Lower HSM Pocket; (iii) Develop Upper HSM Pocket; (iv) Reservoir Delivery (fill and fine-tune); (v) Confirm and Connect. RESULTS: Between January 2009 and June 2019, 733 total IPP procedures (586 HSM, 147 SOR) were performed by a single surgeon at our institution, 561 of which were virgin cases (430 HSM, 131 SOR) and included in this analysis. Overall, surgical revision was required in 10/430 (2.3%) HSM cases (one delayed bowel obstruction, nine herniations) and six of 131 (4.6%) SOR cases (one bladder erosion, two vascular injuries, and three herniations, P = 0.22). When comparing the FST to the Initial Technique, we noted a significant decrease in complications requiring surgical revision (P = 0.01). Among 133 cases performed with the Initial Technique, seven (5.3%) required surgical revision (one bowel obstruction after placement into the peritoneal cavity, six herniations). Among 297 FST cases, three (1.0%) required revision, all due to herniation. CONCLUSION: HSM placement of IPP reservoirs is a safe alternative to traditional SOR placement. Major deep pelvic reservoir complications were minimised using our current refined FST.

Favourable multi-institutional experience with penoscrotal decompression for prolonged ischaemic priapism.

OBJECTIVES: To report our multi-institutional experience using penoscrotal decompression (PSD) for the surgical treatment of prolonged ischaemic priapism (PIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records for patients with PIP treated with PSD between 2017 and 2020. Priapisms were confirmed as ischaemic based on clinical presentations and cavernosal blood gas abnormalities. Treatment with irrigation and injection of α-agonists in all patients had failed prior to PSD. Patient characteristics, peri-operative variables and outcomes, and changes in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores were evaluated. RESULTS: We analysed 25 patients who underwent a total of 27 PSD procedures. The mean duration of priapism at initial presentation was 71.0 h. Irrigations and injections in all patients had failed, while corporoglanular shunt treatment in 48.0% of patients (12/25) had also failed prior to PSD. Of the 10 patients who underwent unilateral PSD, two (20.0%) had priapism recurrence. Both were treated with bilateral PSD, with prompt and lasting detumescence. Among the 15 patients undergoing primary bilateral PSD, none had priapism recurrence. Of the 15 patients with documented sexual function status at last follow-up, nine (60%) reported spontaneous erectile function adequate for penetration, while six (40%) reported erectile dysfunction. The median (interquartile range) decrease in IIEF-5 score was 3.5 (0-6.75) points after PSD. Two patients underwent uneventful inflatable penile prosthesis placement following PSD. CONCLUSIONS: Penoscrotal decompression presents a simple, safe, highly effective and easily reproducible procedure for resolution of PIP. PSD should be considered as a viable salvage or alternative strategy to corporoglanular shunt procedures.

Explantation of High Submuscular Reservoirs: Safety and Practical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, high submuscular (HSM) placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs has emerged as a viable alternative to space of Retzius (SOR) placement; however, data comparing the feasibility and complications of HSM vs SOR reservoir removal do not presently exist. AIM: To present a comparison of the safety, feasibility, and ease of removal of HSM vs SOR reservoirs in a tertiary care, university-based, high-volume prosthetic urology practice. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on patients who underwent IPP reservoir removal between January 2011 and June 2020. Cases were separated into 2 cohorts based on reservoir location. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact and Chi-squared tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Timing from IPP insertion to explant was compared between the HSM and SOR groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. OUTCOMES: Time from IPP insertion to explant, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and need for a counter incision were compared between the HSM and SOR groups. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and June 2020, 106 (73 HSM, 33 SOR) patients underwent IPP removal or replacement by a single surgeon at our institution. Average time from IPP insertion to removal was 43.6 months (24.2 HSM, 52.7 SOR, P = .07)-reservoir removal occurred at the time of device explant in 70 of 106 (66%) cases. More HSM reservoirs were explanted at the time of IPP removal compared with the SOR cohort (54 of 73, 74% HSM vs 16 of 33, 48.5% SOR, P = .01). Similar rates of complications were noted between the HSM and SOR groups (1.9% vs 6.3%, P = .35). There was no significant difference in need for counter incision between the 2 groups (24 [42%] HSM vs 4 [25%] SOR, P = .16) or in average operative times (76.5 ± 38.3 minutes HSM vs 68.1 ± 34.3 minutes SOR, P = .52). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our experience with explanting HSM reservoirs supports the safety and ease of their removal. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Although the absolute cohort size is relatively low, this study reflects one of the largest single-institution experiences examining penile implant reservoir removal. In addition, reservoir location was not randomized but was instead determined by which patients presented with complications necessitating reservoir removal during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: HSM reservoir removal has comparable perioperative complication rates and operative times when compared with SOR reservoir removal. Kavoussi M, Bhanvadia RR, VanDyke ME, et al. Explantation of High Submuscular Reservoirs: Safety and Practical Considerations. J Sex Med 2020;17:2488-2494.

Hyaluronic acid family in bladder cancer: potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

BACKGROUND: Molecular markers of clinical outcome may aid in designing targeted treatments for bladder cancer. However, only a few bladder cancer biomarkers have been examined as therapeutic targets. METHODS: Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and bladder specimens were evaluated to determine the biomarker potential of the hyaluronic acid (HA) family of molecules - HA synthases, HA receptors and hyaluronidase. The therapeutic efficacy of 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU), a HA synthesis inhibitor, was evaluated in vitro and in xenograft models. RESULTS: In clinical specimens and TCGA data sets, HA synthases and hyaluronidase-1 levels significantly predicted metastasis and poor survival. 4-Methylumbelliferone inhibited proliferation and motility/invasion and induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Oral administration of 4MU both prevented and inhibited tumour growth, without dose-related toxicity. Effects of 4MU were mediated through the inhibition of CD44/RHAMM and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT axis, and of epithelial-mesenchymal transition determinants. These were attenuated by HA, suggesting that 4MU targets oncogenic HA signalling. In tumour specimens and the TCGA data set, HA family expression correlated positively with ß-catenin, Twist and Snail expression, but negatively with E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the HA family can be exploited for developing a biomarker-driven, targeted treatment for bladder cancer, and 4MU, a non-toxic oral HA synthesis inhibitor, is one such candidate.

Molecular marker for predicting treatment response in advanced renal cell carcinoma: does the promise fulfill clinical need?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is largely diagnosed incidentally on imaging taken for unrelated reasons. The management of localized lesions is primarily extirpative with excellent results. Treatment of advanced RCC has evolved over recent years with the use of targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and antibody-mediated therapies. The treatment response to these targeted therapies is highly variable, with no clear clinical method of identifying patients who will benefit from or not tolerate therapy. The field of molecular markers has evolved significantly in the last decade, with a multitude of markers identified that predict treatment response and drug toxicity. The following review critically evaluates those molecular markers that have been assessed for their utility in predicting treatment response in patients with advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Identifying the ideal treatment for these patients will improve responses to therapy, minimize morbidity, and save significant healthcare dollars.

Characterization and Outcomes of Iatrogenic Urethral Catheterization Injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic injury during urethral catheterization is a common reason for inpatient urologic consultation and is associated with increased morbidity and resource utilization. Literature defining the patient population, interventions, or outcomes associated with traumatic catheterization is scarce. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consults for adult urethral catheterization at a single tertiary care center (July 2017-December 2019), with focus on patient characteristics and complications. Traumatic urethral catheterization was defined as catheterization by the primary team with at least 1 of these conditions: gross hematuria, meatal blood, or cystoscopic evidence of urethral trauma. Characteristics collected included urologic history, catheterization circumstances, procedural intervention, and subsequent visits. RESULTS: Three hundred urology consults for urethral catheterization were identified, including 98 (33%) traumatic events (5.3 incidents/1000 catheters placed). All traumatic catheterization consults were in men (median age 69 years). Most (71%) patients sustaining injury had significant urologic history (eg, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture). Sixty-three (64%) consults were determined to be uncomplicated (not requiring any procedural intervention for catheter placement). Gross hematuria was the most common sequela (50% of patients). The 30-day catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate was 13%, and 2 patients developed sepsis. Complications required a total of 52 additional hospital admission days, 19 of which were intensive-care level, as well 113 outpatient urology visits. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic urethral catheterization is associated with increased need for procedural intervention, risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and additional resource utilization. Further studies on traumatic catheterization are needed to guide systemic efforts for minimizing injury and cost.

A narrative review of sperm selection technology for assisted reproduction techniques.

Background and Objective: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become increasingly prevalent even in cases without significant male factor infertility; however, stagnant live-birth rates, both nationally and internationally, have driven more research into sperm selection. To date, nothing has replaced swim-up and density-gradient preparation methods and therefore we sought to review the state of the science. Methods: A PubMed search was performed between years of 1989 and 2024 for English research articles reporting data on sperm selection technology in assisted reproductive technology. Key Content and Findings: IVF with ICSI is increasingly prevalent even in men with normal semen parameters. Despite technologic advances and widespread use, reproductive outcomes with ICSI have been stagnant. This market for opportunity growth has allowed for sperm selection techniques to grow exponentially with heterogeneity in utilization and a paucity of positive reproductive outcomes. Swim-up and density-gradient centrifugation remain the most utilized sperm selection techniques. Various future technologies show promise including epigenetics, sperm biomarkers and a potential role of artificial intelligence; however, more research is needed. Conclusions: Given unchanged IVF success rates, sperm selection technologies hold promise to improve reproductive outcomes beyond traditional ICSI. At present, no technique has shown superiority to swim up and density centrifugation.

Is low-intensity shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction a durable treatment option?-long-term outcomes of a randomized sham-controlled trial.

Background: Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) is an emerging non-invasive and restorative therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) with demonstrated efficacy and few adverse events. Although LiSWT has been shown to improve erectile function amongst men with ED, few studies have examined its long-term durability. We present the long-term results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing erectile function after LiSWT. Methods: A total of 30 patients with baseline ED seen at the University of Virginia were randomized to LiSWT or sham treatment. Patients in the sham group crossed over at 1 month and were unblinded. After initial trial completion, patients enrolled in the long-term outcome study were considered one combined cohort. Patients were treated twice weekly for 3 consecutive weeks with a Storz® Duolith™ device delivering 3,000 shockwaves at 0.1 mJ/mm2 to the distal penis, the base of the penis, and the crura. Primary outcomes were changes in Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Erection Hardness Score (EHS) from baseline (3 months pre-treatment) up to 36 months post-treatment. Changes in SHIM and EHS scores were evaluated using linear mixed effects models. Patient satisfaction was assessed with the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) index. Results: The mean baseline SHIM score was 10.8±0.94. At 12-, 24-, and 36-month assessment following treatment, the mean SHIM scores were 15.6±1.27 (P<0.001), 15.0±1.14 (P<0.001), and 12.2±1.43 (P=0.31). The mean baseline EHS score was 1.87±0.17. At 12-, 24-, and 36-month assessment following treatment, the mean EHSs were 2.70±0.24 (P<0.001), 2.66±0.21 (P<0.001), and 2.29±0.26 (P=0.10). The median [interquartile range (IQR)] EDITS score was 48.9 (22.7, 74.4), indicating moderate satisfaction with LiSWT. There were no adverse events recorded. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates sustained long-term improvement in erectile function after LiSWT for a heterogeneous cohort. While limited by population size, the results suggest durable improvement in erectile function for the first 2 years with a peak treatment effect at 1 year. Treatment effect appears to decline between 2 and 3 years. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04434352.

The impact of cognitive impairment in urologic implants: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: With the general population aging and thus more patients developing bothersome erectile dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, there will likely be a higher demand for three common interactive implants in urology, the penile prosthesis, artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM). Further, the prevalence of mild and major neurocognitive disorders (also known as mild cognitive impairment and dementia, respectively) is expected to increase. While the aforementioned urologic implants have excellent short and long term outcomes, there are also known device issues such as malfunction or misuse that may require surgical removal and/or revision. The objective of this narrative review is to describe the association of cognitive impairment and urologic implants. Methods: We performed a search on PubMed between the years 1975-2023 for English language articles that reported on any type or severity of cognitive impairment and its association with penile prosthesis, AUS and/or SNM. While peer-reviewed published manuscripts were prioritized, abstracts that fit our search criteria were also included. Key Content and Findings: Data assessing outcomes of patients with cognitive impairment who undergo placement of a urologic implant are limited. There is an association between AUS failure or misuse with cognitive impairment. SNM is efficacious in this population in the short term. In patients who develop dementia, an inflatable penile prosthesis can be deflated via in-office needle puncture and an AUS can be deactivated. The Memory Alteration Test, Quick Screen for Mild Cognitive Impairment and the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination are relatively quick screening tests with good sensitivity and specificity for mild cognitive impairment. Conclusions: While data on the association between urologic implants and cognitive impairment are sparse, there are tools that urologists can use to screen patients for cognitive impairment. With screening, urologists can provide appropriate preoperative counseling (including recommending against implantation) and can provide closer postoperative monitoring. Further study is required to assess which patients should be excluded from device implantation and how to properly assess for cognitive impairment in a manner that is both beneficial for the patient and convenient and efficient for a urologist.