Female non-obstetric urogenital fistula repair: long-term patient-reported outcomes and a scoping literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term and patient-reported outcomes, including sexual function, in women undergoing urogenital fistula (UGF) repair, addressing the lack of such data in Western countries, where fistulas often result from iatrogenic causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis at a tertiary referral centre (2010-2023), classifying fistulas based on World Health Organisation criteria and evaluating surgical approaches, aetiology, and characteristics. Both objective (fistula closure, reintervention rates) and subjective outcomes (validated questionnaires) were assessed. A scoping review of patient-reported outcome measures in UGF repair was also performed. RESULTS: The study included 50 patients: 17 (34%) underwent transvaginal and 33 (66%) transabdominal surgery. History of hysterectomy was present in 36 patients (72%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) operating time was 130 (88-148) min. Fistula closure was achieved in 94% of cases at a median (IQR) follow-up of 50 (16-91) months and reached 100% after three redo fistula repairs. Seven patients (14%) underwent reinterventions for stress urinary incontinence after transvaginal repair (autologous fascial slings). Patient-reported outcomes showed median (IQR) scores on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ-FLUTS) of 5 (3-7) for filling symptoms, 1 (0-2) for voiding symptoms and 4.5 (1-9) for incontinence symptoms. The median (IQR) score on the ICIQ Female Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module (ICIQ-FLUTSsex) was 3 (1-5). The median (IQR) ICIQ Satisfaction (ICIQ-S) outcome score and overall satisfaction with surgery item score was 22 (18.5-23.5) and 10 (8.5-10), respectively. Higher scores indicate higher symptom burden and treatment satisfaction, respectively. Our scoping review included 1784 women, revealing mixed aetiology and methodological and aetiological heterogeneity, thus complicating cross-study comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Urogenital fistula repair at a specialised centre leads to excellent outcomes and high satisfaction. Patients with urethrovaginal fistulas are at increased risk of stress urinary incontinence, possibly due to the original trauma site of the fistula.

Advancing Intraoperative Assessment of Urethral Stricture Anatomic Variation: A Prospective Proof-of-Concept Study.

INTRODUCTION: Urethral strictures, particularly those refractory to endoscopic interventions, are commonly treated through open urethroplasty. However, predicting recurrence in homogeneous patient populations remains challenging. METHODS: To address this, we developed an intraoperative urethral stricture assessment tool aiming to identify comprehensive risk predictors. The assessment includes detailed parameters on stricture location, length, urethral bed width, spongiosum thickness, obliteration grade, and spongiofibrosis extension. The tool was prospectively implemented in 106 men with anterior one-stage augmentation urethroplasty from April 2020 to October 2021. RESULTS: An intraoperative granular assessment of intricate stricture characteristics is feasible. Comparative analyses revealed significant differences between bulbar and penile strictures. Bulbar strictures exhibited wider urethral beds and thicker spongiosum compared to penile strictures (all p < 0.001). The assessment showed marked variations in the degree of obliteration and spongiofibrosis extension. CONCLUSION: Our tool aligns with efforts to standardize urethral surgery, providing insights into subtle disease intricacies and enabling comparisons between institutions. Notably, intraoperative assessment may surpass the limitations of preoperative imaging, emphasizing the necessity of intraoperative evaluation. While limitations include a single-institution study and limited sample size, future research aims to refine this tool and determine its impact on treatment strategies, potentially improving long-term outcomes for urethral strictures.

Mucomucosal anastomotic non-transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty: a ventral modification for obliterative strictures.

OBJECTIVES: To present a surgical modification for the repair of bulbar urethral strictures containing short, highly obliterative segments and report on long-term objective and patient-reported outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We considered patients undergoing bulbar buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) between July 2016 and December 2019. Eligibility criteria for mucomucosal anastomotic non-transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty were strictures of ≥2 cm with an obliterative segment of ≤1.5 cm. The stricture is approached ventrally to avoid extensive dissection and mobilisation. Dorsally, the scar is superficially excised and the spongiosum is left intact. Dorsal mucomucosal anastomosis is complemented by ventral onlay graft. Perioperative characteristics were prospectively collected including uroflowmetry data and validated patient-reported outcome measures on voiding, erectile, and continence function. We evaluated functional follow-up, incorporating patient-reported (lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] score) and functional success. Recurrence was defined as need of re-treatment. RESULTS: Of 641 men treated with anterior BMGU, 54 (8.4%) underwent MANTA urethroplasty. Overall, 26 (48%) and 45 (83%) had a history of dilatation and urethrotomy, respectively, and 14 (26%) were redo cases. Location was bulbar in 38 (70%) and penobulbar in 16 patients (30%), and the mean (SD) graft length was 4.5 (1.4) cm. At a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 41 (27-53) months, the functional success rate was 93%. Whereas the median LUTS score significantly improved from baseline to postoperatively (13 vs 3.5; P < 0.001), there was no change in erectile function (median International Index of Erectile Function - erectile function domain score 27 vs 24) or urinary continence (median International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form sum score 0 vs 0; all P ≥ 0.4). All patients were 'satisfied' (27%) or 'very satisfied' (73%) with the outcome of their operation. CONCLUSION: With excellent long-term objective and patient-reported outcomes, MANTA urethroplasty adds to the armamentarium for long bulbar strictures with a short obliterative segment.

Oncological validation and discriminative ability of pentafecta criteria after open radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the pentafecta criteria (PC) proposed by the PROMETRICS group for outcome reporting after radical cystectomy in an open radical cystectomy (ORC) cohort with long-term follow-up and to assess the discriminative ability of PC attainment for oncological endpoints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2017, 420 patients underwent ORC with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion for non-metastatic bladder cancer. The PC were defined as reported by the PROMETRICS group. The primary endpoint was PC attainment, and oncological outcomes comprised further endpoints. We used uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess predictors of PC attainment. The discriminative ability of PC for overall mortality (OM), cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and cumulative incidence functions. After stratification by the number of PC attained, the association between PC attainment and the survival endpoints was tested on multivariable Cox regression and competing-risks models. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (26%) fulfilled all PC, while 195 (46%), 77 (18%), 35 (8.3%) and five (1.2%) attained 4/5, 3/5, 2/5 and ≤1/5 PC, respectively. Increasing age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (odds ratio [OR] 0.80, P = 0.015) and incontinent diversion (OR 0.38, P = 0.005) were independent predictors of PC non-attainment. The median follow-up was 73 months. PC attainment (≥4/5 vs 3/5 vs ≤2/5 PC attained) was used to stratify patients into groups at significantly different risk of death (P < 0.001). A decreasing number of PC attained (<4/5) was associated with unfavourable survival estimates for both OM and CSM (all P ≤ 0.005) but not for OCM (all P ≥ 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The PC proposed by the PROMETRICS group represent accurate quality indicators for oncological outcome reporting after ORC for non-metastatic bladder cancer and have a distinct discriminative ability to predict long-term OM and CSM.

Anesthetic Technique (Spinal vs. General Anesthesia) in Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Retrospective Analysis of Procedural and Functional Outcomes among 1,159 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare procedural efficacy, early and late functional outcomes in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) under spinal anesthesia (SA) versus general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing HoLEP at our institution between 2012 and 2017. Standard pre-, peri-, and postoperative characteristics were compared according to anesthetic technique. Multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVAs) were employed to study the impact of SA on procedural efficacy and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Our study cohort consisted of 1,159 patients, of whom 374 (32%) underwent HoLEP under SA. While a medical history of any anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy except low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was significantly more common among patients undergoing GA (16% vs. 10%, p = 0.001), no other significant differences in preoperative characteristics were noted including age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification (ASA), prostate size, or International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life scores. Patients under SA exhibited shorter times of enucleation 42 min (interquartile range [IQR]:27-59 vs. 45 min [IQR: 31-68], p = 0.002), and combined time of enucleation/morcellation/coagulation (57 min [IQR: 38-85] vs. 64 min [IQR: 43-93], p = 0.002), as well as fewer complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) (12 [3.2%] vs. 55 [7%], p = 0.013). These associations were confirmed in MVA. Patients did not differ significantly with regard to early micturition including post-void residual volume and maximum flow-rate improvement. At a median follow-up of 33 months (IQR: 32-44), patients with SA had a lower IPSS score (median 3 [IQR: 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR: 2-7], p = 0.039). However, no significant differences were observed with respect to any urinary incontinence, urge symptoms, and postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: In this large retrospective series, HoLEP under SA was a safe and efficacious procedure with comparable early and long-term functional outcomes.

Learning benefits of live surgery and semi-live surgery in urology-informing the debate with results from the International Meeting of Reconstructive Urology (IMORU) VIII.

PURPOSE: To analyze the perceived learning opportunities of participants of the International Meeting on Reconstructive Urology (IMORU) VIII for both live surgery demonstrations (LSD) and semi-live surgery demonstrations (SLSD). Safety and educational efficacy of LSD and SLSD at live surgery events (LSE) have been debated extensively, however, objective data comparing learning benefits are missing. METHODS: We conducted a detailed survey, which employed the Kirkpatrick model, a well-established assessment method of training models, to investigate participants preferences as well as the learning benefit of LSE. Furthermore, we employed an audience response system and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), a well-established assessment method of surgery skills, to let our participants rate the perceived learning opportunity of LSD and SLSD. RESULTS: Of 229 participants at the IMORU VIII, 39.7% returned our questionnaires. 90% stated that they prefer LSD. On all levels of Kirkpatrick's training evaluation model, the IMORU received high ratings, suggesting a high learning benefit. For the assessment of OSATS, a total of 23 surgical cases were evaluable. For all six utilized items, LSD scored significantly better ratings than SLSD. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there is still a rationale for LSD, as participants attributed a statistically significant higher learning benefit to LSD over SLDS. Evaluation of the survey showed that for LSE such as the IMORU VIII, a high learning benefit can be expected. Considering that most of our participants are active surgeons with high caseloads, their opinion on the educational value of LSE is of high relevance.

Exploring the intersection of functional recurrence, patient-reported sexual function, and treatment satisfaction after anterior buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the interplay of stricture recurrence, sexual function, and treatment satisfaction after substitution urethroplasty. METHODS: Observational study of men undergoing 1-stage buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture between 2009 and 2016. Patients were dichotomized by self-reported treatment satisfaction. Sexual function was assessed by validated and non-validated patient-reported outcome measures. Functional recurrence was defined as symptomatic need of re-intervention. Bivariate analyses, Kaplan-Meier estimates, qualitative and quantitative analyses by uni- and multivariable regression were employed to evaluate the interplay of sexual function, functional recurrence, and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: Of 534 men with bulbar (82%), penobulbar (11%), and penile strictures (7.3%), 451 (84%) were satisfied with the surgery. There were no differences in stricture location, previous treatment, graft length, or surgical technique between satisfied and unsatisfied patients (all p ≥ 0.2). Recurrence-free survival was 85% at a median follow-up of 33 mo and decreased significantly with each Likert item towards increasing dissatisfaction (p < 0.001). Dissatisfied patients more often reported postoperative loss of rigidity, tumescence, reduced ejaculatory volume, ejaculatory pain, and reduced penile length (all p ≤ 0.042). In 83 dissatisfied men, functional recurrence (28%) and oral morbidity (20%) were the main drivers of dissatisfaction in qualitative analysis. Multivariable analyses revealed functional recurrence and impaired postoperative ejaculatory function as independent predictors of treatment dissatisfaction (all p ≤ 0.029) after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: We found an association of both functional success and sexual function with patient-reported treatment satisfaction after substitution urethroplasty. Such findings validate the clinical significance of defining the symptomatic need for re-intervention as an endpoint and underline the importance of further research evaluating sexual function before and after open urethral reconstruction.

Predictive value of De Ritis ratio in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Predictive markers can help tailor treatment to the individual in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). De Ritis ratio (DRR) is associated with oncologic outcomes in various solid tumors. OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of DRR in prognosticating survival in mRCC patients treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI). METHODS: Overall, 220 mRCC patients treated with TKI first-line therapy were analyzed. An optimal cut-off point for DRR was determined with Youden's J. We used multiple strata for DRR, performed descriptive, Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox-regression analyses to assess associations of DRR with progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Patients above the optimal cut-off point for DRR of ≥ 1.58 had fewer liver metastases (p = 0.01). There was no difference in PFS (p > 0.05) between DRR groups. DRR above the median of 1.08 (HR 1.42; p = 0.03), DRR ≥ 1.1(HR 1.44; p = 0.02), ≥ 1.8 (HR 1.56; p = 0.03), ≥ 1.9 (HR 1.59; p = 0.02) and ≥ 2.0 (HR 1.63; p = 0.047) were associated with worse OS. These associations did not remain after multivariable adjustment. In the intermediate MSKCC group, DRR was associated with inferior OS at cut-offs ≥ 1.0 (HR 1.78; p = 0.02), ≥ 1.1 (HR 1.81; p = 0.01) and above median (HR 1.88; p = 0.007) in multivariable analyses. In patients with clear-cell histology, DRR above median (HR 1.54; p = 0.029) and DRR ≥ 1.1 (HR 1.53; p = 0.029) were associated with OS in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSION: There was no independent association between DRR and survival of mRCC patients treated with TKI in the entire cohort. However, OS of patients with intermediate risk and clear-cell histology were affected by DRR. DRR could be used for tailored decision-making in these subgroups.

High level of EZH2 expression is linked to high density of CD8-positive T-lymphocytes and an aggressive phenotype in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic part of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), has a prognostic role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and was recently shown to modulate the immune response by reducing tumor cell immunogenicity. METHODS: To investigate whether the prognostic role of EZH2 might be driven by a modified immune environment, more than 1800 RCCs were analyzed in a tissue microarray for EZH2 expression and CD8 positive lymphocytes were quantitated by automated digital imaging. RESULTS: EZH2 positivity was found in 75.2% of 1603 interpretable tumors. In clear cell RCC, high EZH2 expression was significantly linked to high ISUP, Furmann, and Thoenes grade (p < 0.0001 each), advanced stage (p < 0.0001), nodal (p = 0.0190) and distant metastasis (p < 0.0001) as well as shortened overall (p < 0.0027) and recurrence free survival (p < 0.0001). The density of CD8+ cells varied from 0 to 5048 cells/mm2 (Median 120 cells/mm2). A high CD8+ count was significantly associated with high ISUP, Fuhrmann, and Thoenes grade (p < 0.0001 each), advanced tumor stage (p = 0.0041), distant metastasis (p = 0.0026) as well as reduced overall survival (p = 0.0373) and recurrence free survival (p = 0.0450). The density of CD8+ cells continuously increased with raising EZH2 levels (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data support a striking prognostic role of both EZH2 expression and the density of CD8+ cells in RCC. The tight relationship of EZH2 expression and CD8+ cell counts in RCC is consistent with models suggesting that EZH2 overexpression can be caused by high lymphocyte content in certain tumor types. Such a mechanism could explain the unique finding of high lymphocyte counts driving poor prognosis in RCC patients.

Continence and Complication Rates of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Devices (AMS 800) for Parkinson and Stroke Patients with Incontinence after Prostate Surgery: Retrospective Analysis of a Prospective Database.

OBJECTIVES: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). According to the literature, patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) or stroke (ST) show adverse continence outcomes after prostate surgery and, therefore, constitute a challenging cohort for continence surgery. However, little is known with respect to the results of AUS surgery in these patients. A retrospective analysis of our institutional, prospectively maintained AUS database aims to address this aspect with a focus on surgical and functional outcomes. METHODS AND PATIENTS: All data of patients with an AUS implantation were prospectively collected in our database since 2009. The AUS was implanted according to a standardized protocol and activated at 6 weeks postoperatively at our institution. Further follow-up (FU) consisted of pad-test, uroflowmetry, residual urine, and radiography as well as a standardized questionnaire including the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-Quol) and International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ-SF) and is scheduled at 6 and 24 months and every 2 years thereafter. Patients received a preoperative urodynamic evaluation (UD). Patients with normal voiding and storage function were considered for AUS implantation. All patients performed a preoperative test for manual dexterity. Patients with a history of ST or PD were grouped and compared to nonneurological patients. Primary/secondary endpoints of the study were complications/continence. RESULTS: 234 patients were available for analysis. The median FU was 24 months (interquartile range 7-36). Twenty-four patients (10%) had a neurological history (PD and ST). Neurological patients showed significantly worse outcomes regarding continence (objective/subjective/social continence; p = 0.04/p = 0.02/p = 0.1). Significant differences concerning explantation rates were not observed (p = 1). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference regarding explantation-free survival (log-rank p = 0.53). CONCLUSION: AUS implantation shows significantly worse continence rates for neurological patients, despite the fact that all patients showed normal UD results and sufficient manual dexterity. Although neurological patients showed worse outcomes for continence, AUS implantation seems to be a safe and viable treatment for patients with a history of neurological disease.

Clinical Recommendations From the European Society for Sexual Medicine Exploring Partner Expectations, Satisfaction in Male and Phalloplasty Cohorts, the Impact of Penile Length, Girth and Implant Type, Reservoir Placement, and the Influence of Comorbidities and Social Circumstances.

INTRODUCTION: To date, several aspects of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgical procedure have been poorly studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to review the evidence associated with IPP implantation and provide clinical recommendations on behalf of the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM). Overall, 130 peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews, which were published from 2007-2018 in the English language, were included. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and open-label prospective and retrospective studies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The panel provided statements exploring patients and partner expectations, satisfaction in male and phalloplasty cohorts, the impact of penile length, girth and implant type, reservoir placement, the influence of comorbidities, and social circumstances. Levels of evidence were provided according to the Oxford 2011 criteria and graded as for the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendations. RESULTS: In the preoperative setting, it is fundamental to identify and interact with difficult patients with the intention of enhancing the surgeon's ability to establish the surgeon-patient relationship, reduce physical and legal risk, as well as enhancing patient satisfaction. To address this need, the mnemonic Compulsive, Unrealistic, Revision, Surgeon Shopping, Entitled, Denial, and Psychiatric ("CURSED") has been suggested to identify patients who are at high risk of dissatisfaction. The current recommendations suggest improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Available evidence suggests evaluating transplant recipients with the criteria of Barry, consisting of stable graft function for >6 months, avoidance of intra-abdominal reservoir placement, and low-dose immunosuppression. HIV status does not represent a contraindication for surgery. Smoking, peripheral vascular disease, and hypertension may be associated with an increased risk of revision surgery. Patients with spinal cord injury may receive IPP. Patients aged ≥70 years, as well as obese patients, can be offered IPP. The IPP implantation can be performed in patients with stable Peyronie's disease. Ectopic high submuscular reservoir placement can be considered as an alternative method. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There is a relevant lack of high-level data and definite conclusions in certain areas remain difficult to draw. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: All studies have been evaluated by a panel of experts providing recommendations for clinical practice. Because of lack of sufficient prospective data, some of the included studies are retrospective and this could be stated as a limitation. CONCLUSION: This ESSM position statement provides recommendations on optimization of patient outcome by patient selection, and individualized peri- and intra-operative management. ESSM encourages centers to collaborate and to create prospective, multicenter registries in order to address this topic of increasing importance. Osmonov D, Christopher AN, Blecher GA, et al. Clinical Recommendations from the European Society for Sexual Medicine Exploring Partner Expectations, Satisfaction in Male and Phalloplasty Cohorts, the Impact of Penile Length, Girth and Implant Type, Reservoir Placement, and the Influence of Comorbidities and Social Circumstances. J Sex Med 2020;17:210-237.

A critical outcome analysis of Asopa single-stage dorsal inlay substitution urethroplasty for penile urethral stricture.

PURPOSE: To critically report outcomes from a contemporary series of patients undergoing single-stage Asopa dorsal inlay urethroplasty for penile stricture. METHODS: First, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent Asopa urethroplasty for penile stricture between 2009 and 2016 at our department. Clinical and surgical characteristics were compared across treatment groups (proximal penile, mid-penile, distal penile). Recurrence-free survival was plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using a validated outcome measurement tool. Second, a literature review was performed through Medline to summarize the available evidence on Asopa urethroplasty and put our own results into context. RESULTS: Of 125 patients, 38 (30%), 74 (59%), and 13 (10%) had distal penile, mid-penile, and proximal penile stricture, respectively. Patients with distal strictures were younger and graft length was shorter compared to other groups (P ≤ 0.009). The majority of strictures were iatrogenic (38%), followed by hypospadias related (24%), congenital (17%), traumatic (10%), inflammatory (9%), and post-infectious strictures (2.4%). At a median follow-up of 36 months, overall success rate was 70%. In sensitivity analyses, success rates were only marginally improved to 71% after exclusion of hypospadias- and lichen sclerosus-associated strictures. Patients with mid-penile strictures were significantly more satisfied compared to other groups. Overall, 272 patients from 9 studies in the literature review underwent Asopa urethroplasty and success rates ranged from 73 to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Success rates of Asopa urethroplasty in penile strictures are lower than previously reported. This is most likely due to both complex stricture etiology and surgical history and last resort single-stage surgery in many cases. Pre-operative counseling must consider high recurrence risk and staged urethroplasty should be discussed in selective cases to optimize patient satisfaction.

The impact of surgical sequence on outcome rates of artificial urinary sphincter implantation: comparative effectiveness of primary, secondary and repeat implantation.

PURPOSE: To determine whether salvage artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation after prior incontinence surgery achieves outcomes comparable to primary AUS implantation. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data of patients undergoing AUS implantation from 2009 to 2014. Functional outcome was objectified by 1-h stress pad test, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine measurement, clinical examination, and chart review. Complications were categorized according to Clavien-Dindo classification system. Kaplan-Meier analysis determined explantation-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were included of whom 165 (70.2%) underwent primary AUS. In 70 patients, salvage incontinence surgery was performed, with 24 (10.2%) patients undergoing AUS reimplantation after prior AUS surgery (repeat AUS) and 46 (19.6%) patients undergoing AUS surgery after any other type of incontinence surgery (secondary AUS). There were no significant differences in rates of continence among primary AUS and repeat AUS patients. Patients undergoing secondary AUS had significantly better continence rates than primary and repeat AUS patients. Three-year explantation-free survival rates after AUS insertion were 82.3% (primary AUS), 78.6% (repeat AUS) and 81.5% (secondary AUS). There were no differences in complication rates among the groups. CONCLUSION: AUS is a safe option in the treatment of severe incontinence even after prior AUS or any other prior incontinence surgery and can still achieve satisfactory outcomes as salvage treatment.

Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for radiation-induced urethral strictures: an evaluation using the extended Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (USS PROM).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate objective treatment success and subjective patient-reported outcomes in patients with radiation-induced urethral strictures undergoing single-stage urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Monocentric study of patients who underwent single-stage ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for a radiation-induced stricture between January 2009 and December 2016. Patients were characterized by descriptive analyses. Kaplan-Meier estimates were employed to plot recurrence-free survival. Recurrence was defined as any subsequent urethral instrumentation (dilation, urethrotomy, urethroplasty). Patient-reported functional outcomes were evaluated using the validated German extension of the Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (USS PROM). RESULTS: Overall, 47 patients were available for final analyses. Median age was 70 (IQR 65-74). Except for two, all patients had undergone pelvic radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Predominant modality was external beam radiation therapy in 70% of patients. Stricture recurrence rate was 33% at a median follow-up of 44 months (IQR 28-68). In 37 patients with available USS PROM data, mean six-item LUTS score was 7.2 (SD 4.3). Mean ICIQ sum score was 9.8 (SD 5.4). Overall, 53% of patients reported daily leaking and of all, 26% patients underwent subsequent artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Mean IIEF-EF score was 4.4 (SD 7.1), indicating severe erectile dysfunction. In 38 patients with data regarding the generic health status and treatment satisfaction, mean EQ-5D index score and EQ VAS score was 0.91 (SD 0.15) and 65 (SD 21), respectively. Overall, 71% of patients were satisfied with the outcome. CONCLUSION: The success rate and functional outcome after BMGU for radiation-induced strictures were reasonable. However, compared to existing long-term data on non-irradiated patients, the outcome is impaired and patients should be counseled accordingly.

Single-stage buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for meatal stenoses and fossa navicularis strictures: a monocentric outcome analysis and literature review on alternative treatment options.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the operative technique and report outcomes from the largest series of patients who underwent single-stage dorsal inlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) for isolated meatal stenoses and fossa navicularis strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: First, we evaluated patients who underwent single-stage BMGU for distal urethral strictures (meatus and fossa navicularis) between 2009 and 2016 at our department. Clinical and surgical characteristics were prospectively collected in an institutional database. Recurrence was defined as symptomatic need of any instrumentation during follow-up, was retrospectively assessed by patient interview, and recurrence-free survival was plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Second, a systematic literature review was performed through Medline to summarize the available evidence on distal urethroplasty using flaps or grafts. RESULTS: Of 32 patients, 16 (50%) presented with a hypospadias-associated stricture, followed by seven (22%), five (16%), and four (13%) patients with iatrogenic, inflammatory, and congenital strictures, respectively. At a median follow-up of 42 months (IQR 23-65), single-stage dorsal inlay BMGU was successful in 22 patients (69%), and estimated recurrence-free survival rates were 79% and 74% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Overall, 62 patients from five studies in the literature review underwent BMGU for isolated distal strictures and success rates ranged from 56 to 100%. CONCLUSION: Recurrent meatal stenoses and fossa navicularis strictures represent some of the most complex uro-reconstructive challenges. Inlay BMGU proves to be a valid and efficient last-resort single-stage technique. However, higher recurrence risk must be considered and staged urethroplasty should be discussed individually. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to prove the superiority of flaps, grafts or staged approaches over each other in this context.

Chromosome 17p13 deletion is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Deletions of 17p13 recurrently occur in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but their prognostic role seems to be uncertain. METHODS: To determine prevalence, relationship with tumor phenotype, and patient prognosis, a tissue microarray containing samples from 1809 RCCs was evaluated using dual labeling fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 17p13 and chromosome 17 centromere probes. RESULTS: A 17p13 deletion was found in 72 of 1429 interpretable tumors. The frequency of 17p13 deletions varied greatly between RCC subtypes and was highest in chromophobe RCC (24/72; 33.3%). 17p13 deletions were also found in 35 (3.7%) of 946 clear cell RCC, 9 (4.3%) of 208 papillary RCC, 1 of 121 oncocytomas (0.8%), as well as in several rare cases of comprising 1 of 7 Xp11.2 translocation cancers, 1 of 3 collecting duct carcinomas, and 1 of 20 not otherwise specified (NOS) carcinomas. In clear cell carcinomas, 17p13 deletions revealed a strong and consistent association with higher Fuhrman, ISUP, and Thoenes grade (p < 0.0001 each), and linked to advanced tumor stage (p = 0.0168), large tumor diameter (p = 0.0004), distant metastases (p = 0.0077), cancer-specific survival (p = 0.0391), and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0072). In multivariate analysis, 17p13 deletions showed in clear cell RCC a dependent prognostic role for established clinical-pathological parameters. CONCLUSION: 17p13 deletions have a dual role in RCC. They are associated with disease progression in clear cell RCC and possibly other subtypes and they are linked to the development of chromophobe RCC-a subtype with a particularly favorable prognosis.

Characterization of a Standardized Postoperative Radiographic and Functional Voiding Trial after 1-Stage Bulbar Ventral Onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty and the Impact on Stricture Recurrence-Free Survival.

PURPOSE: We sought to characterize a standardized postoperative radiographic and functional voiding trial, and determine its impact on outcomes after substitution urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational, monocenter study of men who underwent 1-stage ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture between January 2009 and December 2016. Patients were stratified by voiding trial success vs failure, including radiographic (extravasation or residual narrowness) and functional (post-void residual volume greater than 100 ml) failure, 21 days postoperatively. End points were voiding trial failure and recurrence-free survival. Regression models were created to determine risk factors of voiding trial failure and evaluate the impact of voiding trial failure on recurrence. RESULTS: The voiding trial succeeded and failed in 437 (85.2%) and 76 (14.8%), respectively, of 513 men. Of the latter men 54 (71.1%) showed evidence of extravasation and 22 (28.9%) had residual narrowness or functional failure. On multivariable logistic regression analyses no preoperative predictor of voiding trial failure was found (all p >0.05). At a median followup of 32 months Kaplan-Meier analyses (log rank test p = 0.033) and multivariable Cox regression analyses (HR 1.86, p = 0.037) revealed an association of voiding trial failure and stricture recurrence. When further stratifying voiding trial failure, residual narrowness or functional failure (HR 4.60, p <0.001) but not extravasation (HR 1.08, p = 0.9) was a risk factor for recurrence. Limitations include the retrospective assessment of investigated end points. CONCLUSIONS: Residual narrowness or functional failure at an early voiding trial after buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty may predict stricture recurrence. Identifying intraoperative complexity factors predicting initial voiding trial failure might be a key to identifying those individuals with early recurrence.

Functional outcomes of artificial urinary sphincter implantation with distal bulbar double cuff in men with and without a history of external beam radiotherapy: an analysis of a prospective database.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse functional outcomes and complication rates of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation with a distal bulbar double cuff (DC) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men with and without a history of external beam radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of all patients undergoing AUS implantation with a distal bulbar DC (DC-AUS) were collected prospectively from 2009 to 2015. Indications for DC implantation were based on urethral risk factors in terms of RT and previous proximal bulbar urethral interventions including, endoscopic or open surgery for urethral stricture or SUI. Implantation was carried out to a standardised protocol. Activation of the AUS was performed 6 weeks after implantation. Further follow-up (FU) included pad test, uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine measurements, radiography, and a standardised questionnaire. Continence and complication rates were compared between patients with a history of RT and non-RT patients. Explantation-free survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. Firth's penalized Cox-regression analyses were performed to analyse proportional hazard ratios for explantation. RESULTS: In all, 150 men (median age 70 years, interquartile range [IQR] 66-74) after DC-AUS implantation were available for analysis. Overall, 73 men (48.7%) had a history of RT. The median (IQR) FU was 24 (7.25-36) months. Baseline clinical characteristics only differed regarding previous open SUI surgery (P = 0.016). Social and objective continence was achieved in 94.8% and 84.3% of all patients treated by implantation of a DC-AUS, respectively. Between the RT and non-RT patients there were no statistically significant differences in continence rates [social continence: 100% vs 90.2% (P = 0.194); objective continence: 87% vs 82% (P = 0.877)]. For complications rates there were no significant differences between RT and non-RT patients after DC-AUS implantation [infection (P = 0.09), erosion (P = 0.31), mechanical failures (P = 0.14)]. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis explantation rates in patients with a history of RT (26.0%) vs non-RT patients (20.8%), estimated explantation-free survival, and AUS durability, did not differ significantly (log-rank P = 0.219). CONCLUSION: Our data from a large institutional series indicate DC-AUS implantation to be an effective and safe treatment strategy in men with SUI and a history of RT.