Effect of the American Urological Association Annual Review course on the results of the urology qualifying examination.

PURPOSE: In this study we assess the impact of a urology dedicated review course on the scores of the corresponding board qualifying examination for attendees of the urology review course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ABU (American Board of Urology) Qualifying Examination scores from 2009, 2010 and 2011 were categorized into group 1 candidates who attended the AUA (American Urological Association) Annual Review Course the same year, and group 2 candidates who did not attend the AUA Annual Review Course that same year, and were compared. The scores of the preceding year's In-Service Examination were also compared for the same groups of candidates and compared to their subsequent first time taken Qualifying Examination scores. RESULTS: There was no difference in Qualifying Examination scores of resident candidates attending vs not attending the AUA Annual Review Course in all 3 years. The overall failure rate was low, and essentially the same for all candidates in all years regardless of attendance at the AUA Annual Review Course at 2% in 2009, 2% in 2010 and 4% in 2011. Of group 1 candidates the majority (80% to 98%) considered the Annual Review Course helpful or very helpful in preparation for the Qualifying Examination. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of candidates are adequately prepared to pass their Qualifying Examination at the conclusion of their residency training program regardless of their attendance of the AUA Annual Review Course. This course may help bolster the confidence of the candidate preparing for their Qualifying Examination.

Clinical and consumer trial performance of a sensitive immunodiagnostic home test that qualitatively detects low concentrations of sperm following vasectomy.

PURPOSE: Compliance with post-vasectomy semen analysis could be improved with the availability of a simple, rapid and accurate home test. SpermCheck Vasectomy, a highly sensitive lateral flow immunochromatographic diagnostic device, was designed to detect extreme oligospermia or azoospermia in men after vasectomy. We report the results of clinical and consumer testing of SpermCheck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, noncomparative observational study assessed the ability of SpermCheck Vasectomy to predict post-vasectomy sperm counts obtained using a hemacytometer procedure based on standard World Health Organization methodology. Consumer studies evaluated ease of use. RESULTS: A cohort of 144 post-vasectomy semen samples was tested in the clinical trial. SpermCheck was 96% accurate in predicting whether sperm counts were greater or less than a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml, a level associated with little or no risk of pregnancy. Sensitivity was 93% (95% CI 79% to 98%) and specificity was 97% (91% to 99%). The positive predictive value of the test was 93% (79% to 98%), and most importantly the negative predictive value was 97% (91% to 99%). The test gave a positive result 100% of the time at sperm concentrations of 385,000/ml or greater. Consumer studies with 109 lay volunteers showed that SpermCheck was easy to use. Volunteers obtained the correct or expected test result in every case and the correct response rate on a 20 question survey about the test was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: SpermCheck Vasectomy, a simple and reliable immunodiagnostic test that can provide evidence of vasectomy success or failure, offers a useful alternative to improve compliance with post-vasectomy sperm monitoring. It is currently the only Food and Drug Administration approved test for this purpose.

Functional electrical stimulation for ejaculation.

The purpose of this collective review is to discuss the technique and effectiveness of rectal probe electroejaculation in conjunction with various assistive reproductive modalities. The electroejaculation probe is positioned inside the anal ring with the electrodes placed against the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, after which electrostimulation is begun. Rectal probe electroejaculation must be always employed in a hospital setting to detect and prevent autonomic dysreflexia. This technology is considered the best approach in patients with spinal cord injury levels below T10 or in other patients in which penile vibratory stimulation fails.