Surgical cystectomy training using human cadavers embalmed using Thiel's method: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop the use of Thiel soft embalmed human cadavers (TeC) in open radical cystectomy (ORC) training for the first time, to investigate the effect of cadaveric training on surgical trainees' technical skills/performance and to determine how trainees perceive the use of cadaveric workshops. METHODS: A 3-day hands-on workshop was organised. Ten trainees performed ORC on five TeC, supervised by five experts. Feedback from trainees and mentors was evaluated on a five-point Likert scale. All procedures were completed in a fully equipped surgical environment and complied with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: The workshop participants evaluated the anatomical and manipulation characteristics of the TeC as similar to real-life conditions. The colour and consistency of the urethra and ureter differed little from those in live patients. The trainees stated that the TeC were beneficial for learning the stages of ORC and urinary diversion (UD), while their self-confidence increased. In terms of realism, all steps of radical cystectomy (RC) were rated 4 out of 5 or higher on the Likert scale by both trainees and faculty. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TeC for RC und UD was perceived as favourable by trainees and faculty. The TeC demonstrated a surprising ability to mimic real-life anatomy and represent a new and effective surgical training tool.

Prospective comparative study of postoperative systemic inflammatory syndrome in robot-assisted vs. open kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted kidney transplant (RAKT) recently proved to provide functional results similar to the preferred open kidney transplant (OKT), but with inferior wound morbidity. In a comparative prospective study, we explored the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after KT and compared OKT with RAKT. METHODS: Forty-nine patients underwent pre-emptive ABO-compatible kidney transplantations (KT) between January 2017 and December 2018 in 2 centers: 25 RAKT, 24 OKT. Postoperative SIRS was biologically assessed by serum markers (NGAL, CRP and IL-6) measured at: T0 (preoperative/baseline), T1(H1), T2(H6), T3(H12), T4(H24), T5(D2), T6(D3) and T7(D5) after KT. RESULTS: Inflammatory markers + eGFR were assessed in OKT vs. RAKT. IL-6 peak value occurred at H6 and reached ×9 from baseline. CRP peak occurred at H24 and reached ×28 from baseline (All P < 0.05). NGAL decreased after surgery with a plateau (divided by 2 from baseline) from H12 to D5. There was no significant difference in IL-6, CRP and NGAL kinetics and peak values between RAKT and OKT (All P > 0.05). Serum creatinine and eGFR on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7 were similar in RAKT and OKT (All P > 0.05). Delayed graft function was not observed. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory study, the biological evaluation of postoperative SIRS after living-donor kidney transplant revealed no significant difference between OKT and RAKT and similar functional outcomes in the short term. These results highlight the safety of RAKT as an alternative to OKT in this setting.

Robotic-assisted kidney transplantation in obese recipients compared to non-obese recipients: the European experience.

PURPOSE: The main objective was to compare minor (Clavien I-II) and major (Clavien ≥ III) intra- and postoperative complications of living donor robotic assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) in obese (≥ 30 kg/m2 BMI), overweight (< 30/ ≥ 25 kg/m2 BMI) and non-overweight recipients (< 25 kg/m2 BMI). METHODS: For the present retrospective study, we reviewed the multi-institutional ERUS-RAKT database to select consecutive living donor RAKT recipients. Functional outcomes, intra- and postoperative complications were compared between obese, overweight and non-overweight recipients. RESULTS: 169 living donor RAKTs were performed, by 10 surgeons, from July 2015 to September 2018 in the 8 European centers. 32 (18.9%) recipients were obese, 66 (39.1%) were overweight and 71 (42.0%) were non-overweight. Mean follow-up was 1.2 years. There were no major intra-operative complications in either study group. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 1 obese recipient, in 2 overweight recipients and no conversion occurred in non-overweight recipients (p = 0.3). Minor and major postoperative complications rates were similar in the 3 groups. At one-year of follow-up, median eGFR was similar in all groups [54 (45-60) versus 57 (46-70) versus 63 (49-78) ml/min/1.73 m2 in obese, overweight and non-overweight recipient groups, respectively, p = 0.5]. Delayed graft function rate was similar in the 3 groups. Only the number of arteries was an independent predictive factor of suboptimal renal function at post-operative day 30 in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: RAKT in obese recipients is safe, compared to non-overweight recipients and yields very good function, when it performed at high-volume referral centers by highly trained transplant teams.

Complications of the urinary incontinence system ATOMS: description of risk factors and how to prevent these pitfalls.

BACKGROUND: We report on our multicentre evaluation of the occurrence and management of complications with the ATOMS device (A.M.I., Austria). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 10/09 and 09/18, a total of 187 patients with persistent postoperative stress urinary incontinence received an ATOMS device in Madrid (n = 101) or Halle (n = 86). This prospective evaluation was carried out consecutively. In addition to complications, patient age, BMI, comorbidities and previous treatments for prostate cancer and urinary incontinence were examined. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 7® (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, USA); p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The average age of the overall population was 69.4 years, with a mean CCI of 4.3. In total, 18.2% of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 21.9% were irradiated, and 14.1% and 22.9% underwent previous surgery for urinary incontinence and urethral stricture, respectively. The overall success rate of the device was 80.2%. A total of 51 postoperative complications (51/187, 27.3%) were observed, with 18 grade I (9.6%), 1 grade II (0.5%), 3 grade IIIa (1.6%) and 29 grade IIIb (15.5%) complications. The most serious postoperative complications were primary wound infection (8/187, 4.3%) and long-term cutaneous erosion with subsequent infection (15/187, 8.02%). The main risk factors for complications were previous radiotherapy (p = 0.003) and surgery for urethral stricture (p = 0.017). No other parameters were significant in bivariate analysis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The most severe complications of ATOMS implantation were primary wound infection and cutaneous erosion, especially in the presence of previous radiotherapy. Particular focus on performing hygienic and accurate implantation techniques is recommended.

Minimally invasive robotic versus conventional open living donor kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE: First robotic-assisted kidney transplants (RAKT) were performed in Germany in 2016. To introduce and establish this method as a routine procedure for patients in transplantation medicine, our 2-year experiences are presented. METHODS: Non-randomized open-label cohort study to compare functional and operative results as well as complication rates between RAKT and standard open transplantation. Collected data are part of ERUS RAKT Group Registry. RESULTS: Since initiation of the RAKT program 21/27 transplantations after living kidney donations have been performed as RAKT. This represents the largest series of RAKT in Germany. Patient survival, transplant survival, and primary function rate are 100% (mean follow-up 12.9 ± 8.6 month). Mean incision to closure time was 306.1 ± 45.5, mean handling time 70.8 ± 13.1 min compared to 212.1 ± 40.6 min and 51.7 ± 9.9 min, respectively, in the standard group. Despite extended operating times using the robotic approach, comparable complication rates and graft function with significant reduction in median length of hospital stay (14 vs. 20 days) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: RAKT extends the options for recipients towards minimally invasive techniques. Compared to classic open surgery, RAKT appears to be safe in selected patients without influencing graft outcome or higher complication rates. However, RAKT till today is not suitable for all patients but seems to be one of the upcoming new standard techniques in kidney transplantation.

An overview of the ATOMS generations: port types, functionality and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: We report the multicentre comparison of the different port types of the adjustable transobturator male incontinence system (ATOMS, A.M.I., Austria). METHODS: Between 10/09 and 10/16, 383 patients received an ATOMS. Of these, 63% received the inguinal port (IP, 2009-2013), 23% the intraoperative manually connectable scrotal port (SP, 2013-2015), and 14% the pre-connected fully silicone-covered scrotal port (SSP, 2014-2016). During the follow-up period, continence parameters, pain and quality of life ratings and postoperative port-associated complications were evaluated and compared. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 7®, p < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Regarding preoperative parameters (BMI, ASA score, previous radiotherapy/incontinence surgery, and preoperative 24-h pad count/24-h pad test), no significant differences were found. Regarding perioperative parameters, the mean operative time was significantly shorter for the SP and SSP (IP vs. SP p < 0.0001, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0048, SP vs. SSP p = 0.697). Comparison of the postoperative 24-h pad count, 24-h pad test and uroflowmetry data revealed no significant differences. However, the postoperative ICIQ-SF score was significantly better for the SSP (p = 0.0232) than the SP. A significant difference was also observed in postoperative port-associated complications. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, we identified one grade I and 29 grade IIIb complications for the IP, 1 grade I and 6 grade IIIb complications for the SP, but only 2 grade IIIb complications for the SSP (IP vs. SP p = 0.0231, IP vs. SSP p = 0.0189 and SP vs. SSP p = 0.0453). CONCLUSION: The SSP shows fewer complications while retaining comparable efficacy.

European experience of robot-assisted kidney transplantation: minimum of 1-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate functional results, graft survival and late complications in patients who underwent robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) and who had a minimum of 1 year of follow-up data, and to analyse the correlations between surgical data and functional results at a minimum of 1-year postoperatively and between renal function in the immediate postoperative period and after 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A common prospectively collected RAKT database was created by the European Robotic Urological Section (ERUS) RAKT working group, which included eight different European centres. In each centre RAKTs were performed with kidneys from living donors. Data on demographic variables, surgical results, graft survival, functional outcomes (creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) on postoperative days 7 and 30 and at 1 year, and late complications were extracted from the common database. RESULTS: A total of 147 RAKTs were performed by the ERUS RAKT working group. Of the 147 patients, 83 had at least 1-year follow-up (mean [range] 21 [13-27] months). Of these 83 patients, 30 were women. The patients' median (range) age was 43 (30-75) years, body mass index was 25.3 (20-40) kg/m2 , pre-transplantation serum creatinine was 517 (198-1 414) µmol/L and estimated GFR (eGFR) was 10 (3-29) mL/min per 1.73 m2 . Of the 83 cases, 46 were pre-emptive. The median (range) overall ischaemia time was 116 (53-377) min. The median (range) rewarming time was 60 (35-110) min. At 1-year follow-up, the median (range) serum creatinine was 131 (66-244) µmol/L, with a median (range) eGFR of 57.4 (28-97) mL/min per 1.73 m2 . There was no statistically significant difference between functional data at postoperative day 30 and those at 1 year for creatinine (P = 0.78) or eGFR (P = 0.91). Regarding the correlation between the surgical data and the functional outcomes, the data showed that overall operating time and rewarming time did not affect the graft function at 1 year. Three cases of graft loss occurred as a result of massive arterial thrombosis within the first postoperative week. Late complications comprised one case of ureteric stenosis and one case of graft pyelonephritis. No late vascular complications or cases of incisional hernia were recorded. CONCLUSION: Findings at 1-year follow-up indicate RAKT from a living donor to be a safe procedure in a properly selected group of recipients. RAKT was associated with a low complication rate and there was maintenance of excellent graft survival and function. This is the first and largest study to report functional results after RAKT from a living donor with a minimum follow-up of 1 year.

Experience of a Tertiary-Level Urology Center in the Clinical Urological Events of Rare and Very Rare Incidence. III. Psychourological Events: 1. Psychic Anuria.

INTRODUCTION: Psychic anuria is an old term, referring to a very rare psycho-urological event that has scarcely been studied so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the patients with psychic anuria presented to Assiut Urology and Nephrology Hospital during the period July 1991-June 2016 was done. Psychic anuria was defined, and the demographic and clinical characteristics including the methods of diagnosis and management were studied. RESULTS: Of more than 3,800 cases of anuria, 9 female patients (0.24%) experienced psychic anuria in the age range of 17-43 years. Cardinal clinical findings included anuria for 36-72 h with absence of organic causes and normal renal function tests. Psychosocial risk factors were reported in the 9 cases. Anuria was documented by reliable history (56%) or observable urine collection (44%). Diagnosis was done by exclusion, where the investigations revealed no organic causes. Seven cases responded to the placebo intervention and 2 cases were self-limiting and resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Psychic anuria is an extremely rare urological emergency that presents, mainly, in young adult females with unknown mechanisms. Renal vasoconstriction following psychosocial stressors is suggested. It is diagnosed by exclusion and resolves spontaneously or responds to placebo intervention as a mental distraction technique.

Five-year experience with the adjustable transobturator male system for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence: a single-center evaluation.

BACKGROUND: We report on our 5-year experience with the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS®, A.M.I., Feldkirch, Austria). METHODS: Between 10-2009 and 10-2014, 54 patients received an ATOMS. The mean follow-up of this retrospective observational trial was 27.5 ± 18.4 (2.3-59) months. Within each follow-up, the following were evaluated: micturition protocol, 24-h pad count, uroflowmetry and residual volume. Statistical analysis was performed with SigmaPlot® 11.0, p < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) I°, II° and III° was seen in 1 (1.9 %), 16 (29.6 %) and 37 patients (68.5 %), respectively. In summary, 48.1 % of the patients became "dry" (0-"safty pad"/day), while 29.6 % achieved at least an "improvement" of about more than 50 % (1-2 pads/day), which corresponds to an overall success rate of 77.7 %. The mean number of pads/day decreased from 7.7 to 1.6. Regarding the initial degree of SUI, patients with mild or moderate incontinence had a significantly better outcome (p = 0.002, 95 % CI 0.9066 to 2.760). Postoperative complications were scaled according to the Clavien classification, in which we have seen 4 grade I-, 1 grade IIIa- and 9 grade IIIb-complications (overall 25.9 %). The evaluation of quality of life by ICIQ-SF showed a significant improvement (p = 0.0001, 95 % CI -14.56 to -11.75). CONCLUSION: The treatment of male SUI using the ATOMS incontinence system achieved the best results in patients with mild and moderate incontinence. For severe incontinent patients, the system represents an efficient alternative.

Costs analysis of laparoendoscopic, single-site laparoscopic and open surgery for cT1 renal masses in a European high-volume centre.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse intraoperative costs and healthcare reimbursements of partial/radical nephrectomy in open and minimal invasive surgery (MIS), as laparoscopy and laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS), for the treatment of renal tumour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a non-randomized retrospective study, we selected 90 patients who underwent (01/2010-12/2011) partial and radical nephrectomy for clinical renal masses ≤7 cm (cT1N0M0) and divided them into laparoscopic [laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN)], LESS [laparoendoscopic single-site partial nephrectomy (LESS-PN), laparoendoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy (LESS-RN)] and open groups [open partial nephrectomy (OPN), open radical nephrectomy (ORN)]. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index, ASA score and tumour side. Primary endpoints were evaluation of intraoperative costs (general, laparoscopic, sutures, haemostatic agents, anaesthesia, and surgeon/nurses fee), total insurance and estimated daily reimbursement. RESULTS: MIS showed longer operative time (p ≤ .02) and shorter hospital stay (p ≤ .04). Total costs were higher (p ≤ .03) in MIS (LRN: 4,091.5 ; LPN: 4,390.4 ; LESS-RN: 3,866 ; and LESS-PN: 3,450 ) if compared with open (OPN: 2,216.8.8 , ORN: 1,606.4 ). Laparoscopic materials incised mainly in total costs of MIS (38-58.1 %). Reusable instruments reduced LESS laparoscopic costs (LESS-PN: 1,312.2 vs. LRN: 2,212.2 , p < .0001). Intraoperative frozen section and DJ ureteric stenting (general costs) (p ≤ .008) and haemostatic agents use (p ≤ .01) were higher in nephron sparing surgery (NSS), due to more frequent use of ancillary procedures necessary for a safe management of such an approach. Estimated anaesthesia costs and doctor/nurses fee were higher in MIS (p ≤ .02). Whereas total final reimbursements were comparable (p ≥ .8), estimated daily reimbursements were lower in MIS (p < .001) due to higher intraoperative costs and longer operative time. CONCLUSION: Well-known advantages offered by MIS/NSS face higher total intraoperative costs and 'paradoxical' reduced healthcare reimbursement. We believe that local health systems should consider a subclassification with different compensations, which will incentive NSS and MIS approaches.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal ileal neobladder for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: technique and short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To report the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with extracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder (OIN) in patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2009 and December 2011, 37 patients with muscle-invasive UCB underwent a LRC with OIN. Indications included (a) muscle-invasive UCB T2-4a, N0-Nx, M0; (b) high-risk and recurrent non-muscle-invasive tumors; (c) T1G3 plus CIS; and (d) extensive non-muscle-invasive disease that could not be controlled by transurethral resection and intravesical therapy. Demographic data, perioperative, and postoperative variables were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The median operating time was 330 min, with a median estimated blood loss of 410 ml. Median length of stay was 12 days, and the mean length of the skin incision to extract the specimen and for the configuration of the neobladder was 7 ± 1 cm. The complication rate was 21.6 % (Clavien II). No Clavien III-V complications were reported. Daytime and nocturnal continence were preserved in 95 and 78 %, respectively. No local recurrence or port site metastasis occurred. Median time to disease recurrence was 14 months (IQR 9-24), and 1-year cancer-specific survival was 91.9 %. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal ileal neobladder is a challenging procedure but technically feasible, allowing low morbidity and oncological safety. Long-term oncological results are required to definitely recognize this procedure as a standard treatment for bladder cancer.

Challenges to establishing and maintaining kidney transplantation programs in developing countries: What are the coping strategies?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the optimal form of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal diseases. However, this health service is not available to all patients, especially in developing countries. The deceased donor KT programs are mostly absent, and the living donor KT centers are scarce. Single-center studies presenting experiences from developing countries usually report a variety of challenges. This review addresses these challenges and the opposing strategies by reviewing the single-center experiences of developing countries. The financial challenges hamper the infrastructural and material availability, coverage of transplant costs, and qualification of medical personnel. The sociocultural challenges influence organ donation, equity of beneficence, and regular follow-up work. Low interests and motives for transplantation may result from high medicolegal responsibilities in KT practice, intense potential psychosocial burdens, complex qualification protocols, and low productivity or compensation for KT practice. Low medical literacy about KT advantages is prevalent among clinicians, patients, and the public. The inefficient organizational and regulatory oversight is translated into inefficient healthcare systems, absent national KT programs and registries, uncoordinated job descriptions and qualification protocols, uncoordinated on-site investigations with regulatory constraints, and the prevalence of commercial KT practices. These challenges resulted in noticeable differences between KT services in developed and developing countries. The coping strategies can be summarized in two main mechanisms: The first mechanism is maximizing the available resources by increasing the rates of living kidney donation, promoting the expertise of medical personnel, reducing material consumption, and supporting the establishment and maintenance of KT programs. The latter warrants the expansion of the public sector and the elimination of non-ethical KT practices. The second mechanism is recruiting external resources, including financial, experience, and training agreements.

Laparoscopic vs open partial nephrectomy for T1 renal tumours: evaluation of long-term oncological and functional outcomes in 340 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term oncological and functional outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) compared with open partial nephrectomy (OPN) for pT1 renal tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective single-centre study, 340 consecutive patients underwent LPN and OPN for localized, incidentally discovered, renal masses of <7 cm (cT1). The patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, tumour side (right or left kidney) and tumour characteristics (RENAL nephrometry score). Demographic data, peri- and postoperative variables, including operating time, estimated blood loss, complications, hospital stay, renal function, histological tumour staging and grading, and metastasis rates were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The median (SEM) operating time for LPN and OPN was 145.3 (45.4) min and 155.2 (35.6) min, respectively (P = 0.07). The median (SEM) warm ischaemia time was 11.7 (2.2) min in the LPN and 14.4 (1.9) min in the OPN group (P = 0.03). The median (SEM) RENAL nephrometry scores for LPN and OPN were 5.9 (1.6) and 6.1 (0.3), respectively (P = 0.11). During follow-up, the biochemical markers of glomerular filtration were completely normalized, showing the absence of renal injury and there was no significant difference in glomerular filtration rate between the groups, with median (SEM) rates of 79.8 (3.0) mL/min/1.72 m(2) for the LPN and 80.2 (2.7) mL/min/1.72 m(2) for the OPN group at 5-year follow-up. The 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, were 94% and 91% in the LPN group, and 92% and 88% in the OPN group. CONCLUSION: LPN and OPN provide similar long-term oncological outcomes in the therapy of T1 renal cancer. With regard to renal function, no damage to the kidney was found after LPN and OPN, with a complete normalization of renal function at the 5-year follow-up in both groups.

Early results of a European multicentre experience with a new self-anchoring adjustable transobturator system for treatment of stress urinary incontinence in men.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with a new self-anchoring adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS®; AMI, Vienna, Austria) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 99 men, in a number of centres, were treated for SUI with the new ATOMS® device. The device was implanted in all patients using an outside-in technique by passing the obturator foramen and anchoring the device to the inferior pubic ramus. The titanium port was placed s.c. on the left symphysis region. Adjustments were performed via port access. Postoperative evaluation consisted of physical examination, 24-h pad test, and 24 h-pad count. Preoperatively and at 6-month follow-up, patients completed a validated quality-of-life questionnaire. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyse changes over time. Within-group effects for time were tested using post hoc Dunnett's contrasts of baseline values vs subsequent measurements. RESULTS: The most common indication was SUI after radical prostatectomy (92.9%). Failure of previous surgeries was present in 34.3% patients and 31.3% patients had undergone secondary radiation. The mean (SD; range) surgery time was 47 (13.8; 29-112) min. Temporary urinary retention occurred in two patients (2%) and transient perineal/scrotal dysaesthesia or pain was reported by 68 patients (68.7%) and resolved after 3-4 weeks of non-opioid analgesics. There were four (4%) cases of wound infection at the site of the titanium port leading to explantation. No urethral or bladder injuries related to the device or erosions occurred. The mean (SD; range) number of adjustments to reach the desired result (dryness, improvement and/or patient satisfaction) was 3.8 (1.3; 1-6). After a mean (SD; range) follow-up time of 17.8 (1.6; 12-33) months, the overall success rate was 92% and the mean pad use decreased from 7.1 to 1.3 pads/24 h (P < 0.001). Overall, 63% were considered dry and 29% were improved. CONCLUSION: Treatment of male SUI with this self-anchored adjustable system is safe and effective.

Prolapse surgery in octogenarians: are we pushing the limits too far?

PURPOSE: To report our experience with pelvic reconstructive surgery with transobturator mesh implants in elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 women aged >75 years with pelvic organ prolapse receiving anterior and/or posterior repair using transobturator mesh implants were included. Concomitant mid-urethral sling procedure was performed in 78 % women. Postoperative outcome data and quality-of-life measurements were recorded prospectively. Patients were followed for up to 24 months. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 82.8 ± 3.1 years. A total of 15 anterior repairs, 8 posterior repairs, and 9 posterior and anterior repairs were performed using transobturator mesh implants. Concomitant synthetic mid-urethral transobturator sling procedure was performed in 25 women (78 %). Mean operating time was 47.2 ± 22.3 min, and the mean hospitalization period was 5.9 ± 1.6 days. There were no systemic complications related to anesthesia or surgery. Two patients required intraoperative bladder suturing due to iatrogenic bladder lesion. There were no rectal injuries, no bleeding necessitating transfusion, voiding dysfunction, or erosions of synthetic implants. Pelvic floor testing at 24 months postoperatively showed 15 % of the patients presenting with stage II vaginal wall prolapse. Further, quality-of-life parameters, as measured by SF-36 questionnaire, were improved compared to baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic reconstructive surgery in elderly women is safe and enhances the quality of life. However, special caution should be paid to risks and benefits of such surgery in this patient population.

Laparoscopic versus open bilateral intrafascial nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy after TUR-P for incidental prostate cancer: surgical outcomes and effect on postoperative urinary continence and sexual potency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical and functional outcomes in nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (nsLRPT) and nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy (nsRRPT) after TUR-P for incidental prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and August 2011, 125 nsLRPT and 128 nsRRPT for incidental prostate cancer diagnosed after TUR-P were performed at our clinic. Demographic data, peri- and postoperative measurements and functional outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 153.1 ± 35.4 min for nsLRPT and 122.5 ± 67.5 min for nsRRPT (p = 0.03). The mean catheterization time was 8 ± 1 days in the laparoscopic group and 11 ± 2 days in the open group (p = 0.02). Also, the length of hospitalization presents statistical significant difference in the two groups. Positive margins were detected in 2.4 and 4.7% of patients with pT2c tumours in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively (p = 0.09). At a mean follow-up of 26.9 ± 9.3 months for the nsLRPT group and of 27.8 ± 9.7 months for the nsRRPT group, all patients were alive with no evidence of tumour recurrence. Twelve months postoperatively, complete continence was reported in 96.8% of patients who underwent an nsLRPT and in 89.4% of patients in the nsRRPT group (p = 0.02). At that time, 74.4% of patients in the nsLRPT group and 53.1% in the nsRRPT group reported the ability to engage in sexual intercourse (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: nsLRPT after TUR-P, performed by expert surgeons, results to be a safe procedure with excellent functional outcomes with regard to the urinary continence and sexual potency.

Preemptive living donor kidney transplantation: Access, fate, and review of the status in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Preemptive living donor kidney transplantation (PLDKT) is recommended as the optimal treatment for end-stage renal disease. AIM: To assess the rate of PLDKT among patients who accessed KT in our center and review the status of PLDKT in Egypt. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the patients who accessed KT in our center from November 2015 to November 2022. In addition, the PLDKT status in Egypt was reviewed relative to the literature. RESULTS: Of the 304 patients who accessed KT, 32 patients (10.5%) had preemptive access to KT (PAKT). The means of age and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 31.7 ± 13 years and 12.8 ± 3.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Fifty-nine patients had KT, including 3 PLDKTs only (5.1% of total KTs and 9.4% of PAKT). Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) failed to receive PLDKT due to donor unavailability (25%), exclusion (28.6%), regression from donation (3.6%), and patient regression on starting dialysis (39.3%). In multivariate analysis, known primary kidney disease (P = 0.002), patient age (P = 0.031) and sex (P = 0.001) were independent predictors of achievement of KT in our center. However, PAKT was not significantly (P = 0.065) associated with the achievement of KT. Review of the literature revealed lower rates of PLDKT in Egypt than those in the literature. CONCLUSION: Patient age, sex, and primary kidney disease are independent predictors of achieving living donor KT. Despite its non-significant effect, PAKT may enhance the low rates of PLDKT. The main causes of non-achievement of PLDKT were patient regression on starting regular dialysis and donor unavailability or exclusion.

Reasons and effects of the decline of willing related potential living kidney donors.

BACKGROUND: Although the availability of related living donors (LDs) provides a better chance for receiving kidney transplantation (KT), the evaluation protocols for LD selection remain a safeguard for the LD's safety. These protocols are variable from one center to another, resulting in variable rates of decline of the potential LDs (PLDs). The decline of willing PLDs may occur at any stage of evaluation, starting from the initial contact and counseling to the day of operation. AIM: To identify the causes of the decline of PLDs, the predictors of PLD candidacy, and the effect on achieving LDKT. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on the willing PLDs who attended our outpatient clinic for kidney donation to their related potential recipients between October 2015 and December 2022. The variables influencing their candidacy rate and the fate of their potential recipients were studied. Two groups of PLDs were compared: Candidate PLDs after a completed evaluation vs non-candidate PLDs with a complete or incomplete evaluation. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the factors contributing to the achievement of PLD candidacy. RESULTS: Of 321 willing PLDs, 257 PLDs (80.1%) accessed the evaluation to variable extents for 212 potential recipients, with a mean age (range) of 40.5 ± 10.4 (18-65) years, including 169 females (65.8%). The remaining 64 PLDs (19.9%) did not access the evaluation. Only 58 PLDs (18.1%) succeeded in donating, but 199 PDLs (62.0%) were declined; exclusion occurred in 144 PLDs (56.0%) for immunological causes (37.5%), medical causes (54.9%), combined causes (9.7%), and financial causes (2.1%). Regression and release occurred in 55 PLDs (17.1%). The potential recipients with candidate PLDs were not significantly different from those with non-candidate PLDs, except in age (P = 0.041), rates of completed evaluation, and exclusion of PLDs (P < 0.001). There were no factors that independently influenced the rate of PLD candidacy. Most patients who failed to have KT after the decline of their PLDs remained on hemodialysis for 6 mo to 6 years. CONCLUSION: The rate of decline of willing related PLDs was high due to medical or immunological contraindications, release, or regression of PLDs. It reduced the chances of high percentages of potential recipients in LDKT.

Semen quality changes during infection and recovery phases of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in reproductive-aged patients: a prospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Despite the documented effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on spermatogenesis, the reversibility of these effects is uncertain. We aimed to assess the changes of sperm quality between the infection and recovery phases of COVID-19 in reproductive-aged men. The semen quality of men with mild-to-moderated COVID-19 (defined by the degrees of symptoms and chest involvement on computed tomography) was studied during October, 2020-May, 2021 at our hospital. Two semen samples were analyzed at timings estimated to represent spermatogenic cycles during the infection and recovery phases of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included with mean ± SD (range) age of 24.6 ± 3.3 (21-35) years. During infection, 33% of patients had abnormal semen quality. However, a significant reduction was found in this abnormality from 33 to 11% (P < 0.001) after recovery from infection. In a comparison of the two semen analyses, there were significant improvements in the mean values of sperm progressive motility (P =0.043) and normal morphology (P < 0.001). However, the mean sperm concentration showed a statistically insignificant increase (P = 0.844). CONCLUSIONS: In reproductive-aged patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, the effects on seminal quality were recoverable, represented by significant improvements in the means of progressive sperm motility and normal morphology between the infection and recovery phases of COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials, NCT04595240 .

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Malgré les effets documentés de la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) sur la spermatogenèse, la réversibilité de ces effets reste incertaine. Notre objectif était d'évaluer les changements de la qualité du sperme entre les phases d'infection et de récupération de la COVID-19 chez des hommes en âge de procréer. La qualité du sperme d'hommes atteints d'une forme de COVID-19 de légère à modérée (définie par les degrés de symptômes et l'atteinte thoracique lors de la tomodensitométrie) a été étudiée entre octobre 2020 et mai 2021 dans notre hôpital. Deux échantillons de sperme ont été analysés à des moments estimés représenter les cycles de spermatogénèse pendant les phases d'infection et de rétablissement de la COVID-19. RéSULTATS: Au total, 100 patients ont été inclus avec un âge moyen ± ET (intervalle) de 24,6 ± 3,3 ans (21-35). Au cours de l'infection, 33% des patients avaient une qualité anormale de sperme. Une réduction significative de cette anomalie de 33 à 11% (p < 0,001) a toutefois été observée après la guérison de l'infection. La comparaison des deux analyses de sperme montre des améliorations significatives des valeurs moyennes de la motilité progressive (p = 0,043) et de la morphologie normale (p< 0,001) des spermatozoïdes. Cependant, la concentration moyenne de spermatozoïdes a montré une augmentation statistiquement non significative (p = 0,844). CONCLUSIONS: Chez les patients en âge de procréer atteints d'une forme de COVID-19 légère à modérée, les effets sur la qualité spermatique étaient récupérables, avec des améliorations significatives des valeurs moyennes de la motilité progressive et de la morphologie normale des spermatozoïdes entre les phases d'infection et de récupération de la COVID-19.

Predictors of graft function and survival in second kidney transplantation: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The increasing kidney retransplantation rate has created a parallel field of research, including the risk factors and outcomes of this advanced form of renal replacement therapy. The presentation of experiences from different kidney transplantation centers may help enrich the literature on kidney retransplantation, as a specific topic in the field of kidney transplantation. AIM: To identify the risk factors affecting primary graft function and graft survival rates after second kidney transplantation (SKT). METHODS: The records of SKT cases performed between January 1977 and December 2014 at a European tertiary-level kidney transplantation center were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Beside the descriptive characteristics, the survivals of patients and both the first and second grafts were described using Kaplan-Meier curves. In addition, Kaplan-Meier analyses were also used to estimate the survival probabilities at 1, 3, 5, and 10 post-operative years, as well as at the longest follow-up duration available. Moreover, bivariate associations between various predictors and the categorical outcomes were assessed, using the suitable biostatistical tests, according to the predictor type. RESULTS: Out of 1861 cases of kidney transplantation, only 48 cases with SKT were eligible for studying, including 33 men and 15 women with a mean age of 42.1 ± 13 years. The primary non-function (PNF) graft occurred in five patients (10.4%). In bivariate analyses, a high body mass index (P = 0.009) and first graft loss due to acute rejection (P = 0.025) were the only significant predictors of PNF graft. The second graft survival was reduced by delayed graft function in the first (P = 0.008) and second (P < 0.001) grafts. However, the effect of acute rejection within the first year after the first transplant did not reach the threshold of significance (P = 0.053). The mean follow-up period was 59.8 ± 48.6 mo. Censored graft/patient survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 90.5%/97.9%, 79.9%/95.6%, 73.7%/91.9%, and 51.6%/83.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Non-immediate recovery modes of the first and second graft functions were significantly associated with unfavorable second graft survival rates. Patient and graft survival rates of SKT were similar to those of the first kidney transplantation.