Value of prolonged scrotal drainage after penile prosthesis implantation: a multicenter prospective nonrandomized pilot study.

We aimed to understand the risks and benefits of post-inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation drainage and optimal duration. Our patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 114) had no drain placed, Group 2 had a drain placed for 24 h (n = 114) and Group 3 had a drain placed for 72 h (n = 117). Postoperative scrotal hematoma and prosthesis infection rates were compared between the groups. The patients from Group 3 demonstrated a statistically significant lower incidence of hematoma on the 10th postoperative day: (n = 1, 0.9%) compared to Group 2: (n = 11, 9.6%) and Group 1: (n = 8, 7%), (p = 0.013). However, on the 3rd postoperative day, there was a statistically significant lower incidence of hematoma in both Groups 3 and 2: (0.9% and 6.1%, respectively) vs. Group 1: (11.4%), (p = 0.004). Hematoma rates followed the same group order after the first day of surgery: 1.7% (n = 2), 5.3% (n = 6), and 8.8% (n = 10), respectively, (p = 0.05). Five patients (4.4%) in Group 1 and four patients (3.5%) in Group 2 developed an IPP associated infection, opposed to only a single patient (0.85%) in Group 3, (p = 0.210). We concluded that prolonged scrotal drainage for 72 h after virgin IPP implantation significantly reduces hematoma and infection rates.

Analysis of the effects of different surgical approaches on corporotomy localization in inflatable penile implant surgery performed by expert implant surgeons.

Inflatable penile prostheses may be a solution for patients with erectile dysfunction. To our knowledge, no data exist regarding the effect of different surgical approaches used during implantation on the site of the corporotomy. The main purpose of this multicentre study was to investigate the influence of different surgical approaches on the corporotomy site.Data were collected from six expert implant surgeons. Surgical notes were searched for the incision site, proximal, distal and total corporal length measurement, total cylinder length, length of rear tip extenders, surgery time, type of implant, and reservoir placement. The association between the proximal/distal corporal length and the recorded covariates was examined using a linear mixed model.A total of 1757 patients who underwent virgin prosthesis implantation were included in the analysis. Analysis of proximal/distal measurements was performed on 1709 patients. The proximal/distal ratio had a mean of 0.8 ± 0.3 in penoscrotal incisions (n = 391), 0.7 ± 0.2 in infrapubic incisions (n = 832) and 0.7 ± 0.2 in subcoronal (n = 486) incisions. We observed no significant differences in proximal/distal measurements between the highest-volume surgeons.We could not draw a firm conclusion about the difference in corporotomy site between different surgical approaches, but we found no significant difference between the highest-volume surgeons using different techniques.

Prospective switch study comparing two irrigation systems for transanal irrigation in children.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Transanal irrigation (TAI) is used in children to treat constipation and incontinence. Belgium has 2 systems available: Colotip® (cheaper, however not designed for TAI) or Peristeen®. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This patient-control switch study is the first to compare 2 TAI systems. Children regularly using Colotip® for TAI were asked to participate, after consent, a visual analogue scale (VAS) rating the system and a 2-week diary (fecal continence, self-reliance, time spent on the toilet, pain, Bristol stool scale, irrigation volume and frequency of enema) were completed. Non-parametric statistics were used. RESULTS: Out of 26 children using Colotip®, 18 (69%) children participated and 5 refused (fear n=1, satisfaction Colotip® system n=7). Of these 18 children (interquartile range: 3-18 years, median 12.5 years, 9 girls) 5 patients stopped Peristeen® (pain n=1, fear n=1 and balloon loss n=3) and 2 were lost from follow up. Dropouts and included patients showed no statistical difference. In the 11 remaining patients, pseudo-continence (p 0.015), independence (p 0.01) and VAS score (p 0.007) were significantly better with Peristeen®, no difference was found in time spent on the toilet (p 0.288) and presence of pain (p 0.785). CONCLUSIONS: In children Peristeen® offered significantly higher pseudo-continence and independency. 30% refused participation because of satisfaction with the Colotip® and 30% spina bifida patients reported rectal balloon loss due to sphincter hypotony. To diminish Peristeen® failure, a test-catheter could be of value. Considering Colotip® satisfaction, both systems should be available. Patient selection for Peristeen® needs further research.

Management of Disastrous Complications of Penile Implant Surgery.

RATIONALE: Penile Prosthesis Implantation (PPI) is the definitive treatment for Erectile Dysfunction not responsive to conservative management strategies. Furthermore, it is a staple of surgical treatment of severe Peyronie's Disease (PD) and phallic reconstruction. Expert implantologists occasionally face disastrous complications of penile implant surgery which can prove to be very challenging. In this article we present a selected number of case reports which exemplify this kind of situations and discuss management strategies while also commenting on plausible aetiologies. PATIENTS' CONCERNS: The first case describes a PPI performed in end-stage fibrotic corpora after multiple instances of implantation/explant. The second and third cases show two diametrically opposed approaches to the management of glans necrosis after PPI in post-radical cystectomy patients. The fourth case describes the history of a diabetic patient suffering from glandular, corporal and urethral necrosis after a complicated PPI procedure. The fifth case reports the surgical treatment of a case of recurring PD due to severe scarring and shrinking of a vascular Dacron patch applied in a previous operation. DIAGNOSIS: Complication diagnosis in all patient was mainly clinical, intra- and postoperative, with Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography performed when needed in order to demonstrate penile blood flow. INTERVENTIONS: The patients underwent complex surgical procedures that addressed each specific complication. Complex penile implants with fibrosis-related complications, penile prosthesis explant with and without surgical debridement of necrotic areas, penile prosthesis explant with necrotic penile shaft and urethral amputation with perineostomy, and complex corporoplasty with scar tissue excision and patch application with PPI were performed in the five patients. OUTCOMES: Penile anatomy and erectile function with PPI was achieved in 4 out of 5 patients. 1 of 5 patient is scheduled to undergo a total phallic reconstruction procedure at the time of this writing. LESSONS: Management of disastrous complications of penile implant surgery can be very challenging even in expert hands. In-and-out knowledge of possible PPI and PD complications is required to achieve an acceptable outcome. Bettocchi C, Osmonov D, van Renterghem K, et al. Management of Disastrous Complications of Penile Implant Surgery. J Sex Med 2021;18:1145-1157.

A randomized trial regarding antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) in transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB).

PURPOSE: To determine whether omitting antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) in TURB is safe in patients undergoing TURB without an indwelling pre-operative catheter/nephrostomy/DJ and a negative pre-operative urinary culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-centered randomized controlled trial (RCT) from 17-09-2017 to 31-12-2019 in 5 hospitals. Patients with a pre-operative indwelling catheter/DJ-stent or nephrostomy and a positive pre-operative urinary culture (> 104 uropathogens/mL) were excluded. Post-operative fever was defined as body temperature ≥ 38.3 °C. A non-inferiority design with a 6% noninferiority margin and null hypothesis (H0) that the infection risk is at least 6% higher in the experimental (E) than in the control (C) group; H0: C (AMP-group) - E (no AMP-group) ≥ Δ (6% noninferiority margin). A multivariable, logistic regression was performed for AMP and post-TURB fever with covariates: tumor size and (clot-) retention. The R Project® for statistical computing was used for statistical analysis and a p value of 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: 459 Patients were included and 202/459 (44.1%) received AMP vs 257/459 (55.9%) without AMP. Fever occurred in 6/202 [2.9%; 95% CI (1.2-6.6%)] patients with AMP vs 8/257 [3.1%; 95% CI (1.5%-6.1%)] without AMP (p = 0.44). Multivariable, logistic regression showed no significant harm in omitting AMP when controlled for (clot-)retention and tumor size (p = 0.85) and an adjusted risk difference in developing post-TURB fever of 0.0016; 95% CI [- 0.029; 0.032]. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the safety of omitting AMP in patients undergoing TURB without an indwelling, pre-operative catheter/nephrostomy/DJ and a negative pre-operative urinary culture.

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: Results of a Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether omitting antimicrobial prophylaxis is safe in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate without preoperative pyuria and a preoperative catheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial from September 17, 2017 until December 31, 2019 in 5 hospitals. Patients with pyuria (>100 white blood cells/ml) and a preoperative indwelling catheter were excluded. Postoperative fever was defined as a body temperature ≥38.3C. A noninferiority design was used with a 6% noninferiority margin and null hypothesis (H0) that the infection risk is at least 6% higher in the experimental (E) than in the control (C) group; H0: C (antimicrobial prophylaxis group) - E (no antimicrobial prophylaxis group) ≥ Δ (6% noninferiority margin). A multivariable, logistic regression was performed regarding posttransurethral resection of the prostate fever and antimicrobial prophylaxis with co-variates: (clot-)retention and operating time. The R Project® for statistical computing was used and a p value of 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the patients 474 were included for multivariable analysis and 211/474 (44.5%) received antimicrobial prophylaxis vs 263/474 (55.5%) patients without antimicrobial prophylaxis. Antibiotics were fluoroquinolones in 140/211 (66.4%), cephazolin in 58/211 (27.5%) and amikacin in 13/211 (6.2%) patients. Fever occurred in 9/211 (4.4%) patients with antimicrobial prophylaxis vs 13/263 (4.9%) without antimicrobial prophylaxis (p=0.8, risk difference 0.006 [95% CI -0.003-0.06, relative risk 1.16]). We were able to exclude a meaningful increase in harm associated with omitting antimicrobial prophylaxis (p=0.4; adjusted risk difference 0.016 [95% CI -0.02-0.05]). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the safety of omitting antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate without preoperative pyuria and a preoperative indwelling catheter.

Not all pediatric intestinal polyps are alike.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In childhood, clinical presentation of intes- tinal polyps is variable. Painless rectal red blood loss is the most common presenting sign. Most polyps are sporadic, isolated and benign. However, it is important to correctly identify exceptions. Rare inherited polyposis syndromes need to be recognized because of their increased risk of intestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies. Furthermore, a correct diagnosis and treatment of rare gastro-intestinal malignancies is crucial. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2018 we encountered 4 different types of intestinal polyps. A database search was performed and patient files were checked for clinical manifestations and histo- pathology. Literature was searched to recapitulate red flags for these syndromes, probability of underlying genetic disorders and diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2018, 28 patients presented at the Ghent University Hospital with 30 juvenile polyps. Furthermore, we diagnosed juvenile polyposis syndrome, Li Fraumeni syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in 1 patient each, whilst 2 FAP patients were in follow-up. Each of these diagnoses has a different lifetime risk of (extra)-intestinal malignancy and requires a different approach and follow-up. Histopathology and genetic testing play an important role in identifying these syndromes in pediatric patients. CONCLUSION: Although most intestinal polyps in childhood are benign juvenile polyps that require no follow-up, rare inherited syndromes should be considered and correctly diagnosed since adequate follow-up is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal complications and malignancies.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in TURP: a prospective analysis concerning antibiotic stewardship and a potential reduction of antibiotic use in TURP.

PURPOSE: Antibiotic prophylaxis is standard procedure in transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). We evaluated the necessity of antibiotic (AB) prophylaxis in TURP due to increasing microbial antibiotic resistance. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 506 patients. Only patients with a pre-operative catheter/pyuria received AB-prophylaxis. Urine analysis (pre-operative, at discharge, and 3 week post-operative) was performed next to an analysis of the blood culture/irrigation fluid and of the resected prostatic tissue. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: 67/506 (13.2%) patients received prophylactic antibiotics. 56/67 (83.5%) patients had a pre-operative catheter and 11/67 (16.4%) had pre-operative pyuria in which a fluoroquinolone-resistance (FQ-R) rate of 69.2% in Escherichia coli (EC) was observed. Clinical infectious symptoms were present in 13/439 (2.9%) patients without antibiotic prophylaxis; 12/439 (2.7%) patients had uncomplicated fever (<38.5°) during or after hospitalization and only 1/439 patient (0.2%) was high degree fever (> 38.5°) observed. Uncomplicated fever developed in 7/67 (10.4%) patients who did receive AB-prophylaxis. FQ-R was observed in 60% of the positive urine cultures at discharge and in 53.8% 3 week post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show a low infectious complication rate (2.9%) in patients without a pre-operative catheter or pyuria,undergoing TURP without AB-prophylaxis. These findings might question the current use of AB prophylaxis in TURP in patients without a pre-operative catheter or pyuria, in times of antibiotic stewardship due to the high rate of microbial-resistance in our population.

Constipation and fecal incontinence in children with cerebral palsy. Overview of literature and flowchart for a stepwise approach.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Constipation and fecal incontinence are common problems in neurologically impaired children. This paper aims to give an overview on bowel problems in cerebral palsy children and to suggest a stepwise treatment approach. A pubmed search was performed looking at studies during the past 20 years investigating bowel problems in neurologically disabled children. RESULTS: The search revealed 15 articles. Prevalence and presentation was the subject of 8 papers, confirming the importance of the problem in these children. The other papers studied the results of different treatment modalities. No significant differences between treatment modalities could be demonstrated due to small studied cohorts. Therefore, no specific treatment strategy is currently available. An experienced based stepwise approach is proposed starting with normalization of fiber intake. The evaluation of the colon transit time could help in deciding whether desimpaction and eventually laxatives including both osmotic (lactulose, macrogol) as well as stimulant laxatives might be indicated. Or, in case of fast transit loperamide or psyllium can be tried. Surgery should be a last resort option. CONCLUSION: Studies investigating constipation and continence in neurologically impaired children are scarce, making it difficult to choose for the optimal treatment. A stepwise treatment approach is proposed, measuring the colon transit time to guide treatment choices.

Rectal red blood loss in a healthy toddler is not always a juvenile polyp.

Aim Heterotopic gastric mucosa is a well-known congenital anomaly in Meckel's diverticula and duplication cysts. Solitary heterotopic gastric mucosa in the rectum is a rare and frequently overlooked abnormality. Starting from a patient history, the literature is searched and all cases reported over the past 20 years are reviewed and compared to a summary of the older cases. Differences between adult and childhood presentation are outlined and our patient is compared with prior reported cases. Case A 3-year-old girl presented with recurrent rectal blood loss caused by heterotopic gastric mucosa without duplication cyst. She was endoscopically treated with two-stage endoscopic surgical dissection (ESD). Up to now, rectal heterotopic gastric mucosa has been reported in 34 adults and 24 children, including this patient. There is an overall male dominance (69%). Presenting complaints in children were recurrent fresh blood loss per anum (96%), pain (46%), perineal ulcers (25%), diarrhoea (8%) and one patient had an ano-cutaneous fistula. Endoscopy revealed a mucosal elevation with a slightly different aspect (33%), a polyp (42%) and a solitary ulcer (25%). Endoscopy in adults reveals more frequently polyps compared to children. Treatment in childhood is mainly surgical where adults are more frequently treated with endoscopic techniques. Conclusion In a child with recurrent rectal bleeding in good general health, it is important to withhold heterotopic gastric mucosa in the differential diagnosis and take sufficient biopsies during endoscopy.

Stretch due to Penile Prosthesis Reservoir Migration.

A 43-year old patient presented to the emergency department with stretch, due to impossible deflation of the penile prosthesis, 4 years after successful implant. A CT-scan showed migration of the reservoir to the left rectus abdominis muscle. Refilling of the reservoir was inhibited by muscular compression, causing stretch. Removal and replacement of the reservoir was performed, after which the prosthesis was well-functioning again. Migration of the penile prosthesis reservoir is extremely rare but can cause several complications, such as stretch.

Gastrostomy use in children: a 3-year single centre experience.

AIM: Monocentric retrospective paediatric study describing indications for gastrostomy and major complications, compared to literature data as part of a quality check. METHODS: Records of all gastrostomy patients consulting at the UZ Ghent paediatric gastro-enterology department between January 2007-December 2009 were reviewed in December 2010 regarding indication, age and weight at tube insertion, insertion method, major complications and current gastrostomy tube type. RESULTS: 178 patients were included of which 165 (93%) were placed using the endoscopic pull technique, the others were placed surgically (n = 13). Neurodevelopmental disability with oral motor dysfunction was the major indication (113, 63%). Other indications were failure to thrive due to concomitant disease (65, 37%). Median age at tube insertion was 3yr (interquartile range (IQR) 0.6-9) with median tube time of 3.9 yr (IQR 1.9-7.2). Immediate complications were 1 peritonitis and 1 post-insertion fever episode. Late complications (10, 5.6%) were 1 gastrocolic fistula, 1 dislocation and 8 buried bumpers after 4 yr (range 35-10.4) of tube insertion. The incidence of buried bumper increased significantly with increasing PEG tube time (P < 0.01). Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) led to Nissen fundoplication in 45 (25.3%) patients. The proportion of patients receiving a fundoplication remained about 20% over time but the time lapse between the 2 procedures decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: The development of buried bumper is associated to prolonged PEG tube use. In case of important GORD laparoscopic Nissen procedure and PEG placement can be performed simultaneously without increasing complication rate.

Anal canal duplication in an 11-year-old-child.

Anal canal duplication (ACD) is the least frequent digestive duplication. Symptoms are often absent but tend to increase with age. Recognition is, however, important as almost half of the patients with ACD have concomitant malformations. We present the clinical history of an eleven-year-old girl with ACD followed by a review of symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis based on all the reported cases in English literature.

Training models in laparoscopy: a systematic review comparing their effectiveness in learning surgical skills.

BACKGROUND: Surgery has traditionally been learned on patients in the operating room, which is time-consuming, can have an impact on the patient outcomes, and is of variable effectiveness. As a result, surgical training models have been developed, which are compared in this systematic review. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, CENTRAL, and Science Citation index expanded for randomised clinical trials and randomised cross-over studies comparing laparoscopic training models. Studies comparing one model with no training were also included. The reference list of identified trials was searched for further relevant studies. RESULTS: Fifty-eight trials evaluating several training forms and involving 1591 participants were included (four studies with a low risk of bias). Training (virtual reality (VR) or video trainer (VT)) versus no training improves surgical skills in the majority of trials. Both VR and VT are as effective in most studies. VR training is superior to traditional laparoscopic training in the operating room. Outcome results for VR robotic simulations versus robot training show no clear difference in effectiveness for either model. Only one trial included human cadavers and observed better results versus VR for one out of four scores. Contrasting results are observed when robotic technology is compared with manual laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: VR training and VT training are valid teaching models. Practicing on these models similarly improves surgical skills. A combination of both methods is recommended in a surgical curriculum. VR training is superior to unstructured traditional training in the operating room. The reciprocal effectiveness of the other models to learn surgical skills has not yet been established.

Multiple magnet ingestion: a real challenge for the paediatric surgeon.

The paediatric population aged 1-3 years represents about 80% of patients presenting with foreign body ingestion. Only 10 to 20% of ingested foreign bodies will fail to pass through the entire gastrointestinal tract. The decision to remove them is based on location, size and nature of the foreign body. In particular, ingestion of multiple magnets or magnets and other metallic objects require a more aggressive management.

Life-threatening side effects of malabsorptive procedures in obese patients necessitating conversion surgery: a review of 17 cases.

BACKGROUND: Malabsorptive surgery (MAS) can cause huge weight loss but is also known for its serious side effects. We investigated whether conversion surgery is an effective treatment for MAS-induced complications. METHODS: We searched our hospital database for patients who underwent conversion surgery after MAS. Any complication was recorded till time of conversion. The conversion techniques and their effect on the course of the patients were analyzed and compared to the situation after MAS. RESULTS: We identified 17 patients who suffered a wide range of complications after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) (n = 11), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) (n = 4), or distal gastric bypass (D-GBP) (n = 2). After a (mean +/- SD) period of 6.0 +/- 3.6 years the MAS was either converted to a gastric bypass (GBP) in 6 patients or an elongation of the common limb (ECL) in 9 patients. Two conversions were atypical. After a (mean +/- SD) follow-up of 2.4 +/- 2.5 years the majority of blood test results improved. The incidence of most complaints diminished except abdominal discomfort, critical illness polyneuropathy, need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN), wheelchair dependency, and asthenia. One patient died of irreversible liver failure after 3 liver transplantations. Two patients died of cachexia. The preferred conversion technique is still unclear. CONCLUSIONS: MAS can cause invalidating and life-threatening side effects. If there are signs of incipient deterioration in organ function and/or nutritional status, conversion surgery should not be delayed. Although we have the impression that early conversion causes better outcome, many patients experience lifelong postoperative complications.

Anaphylactic shock as a single presentation of Echinococcus cyst.

We describe the case of a 14-year-old boy of Turkish origin, presenting with anaphylactic shock after a minor abdominal trauma. Further investigations revealed a hepatic Echinococcal cyst without evidence of rupture. Anti-helminthic therapy was administered. Because of aggravating symptoms and recurrent anaphylaxis, surgical excision was performed. Intra-operative, a rupture into the biliary tree was seen. After surgery, the anaphylactic symptoms disappeared and the patient recovered. This case-report supports the fact that anaphylactic shock can be the only presentation of a hydatid cyst. Microscopic spillage can possibly be sufficient to cause major anaphylaxis.

Thoracic duct ligation as treatment of chylothorax due to vena cava superior thrombosis.

Thrombosis is a well known complication of subclavian vein catheterization. As collateral circulation develops, consequences are usually limited to the fact that this vein is no longer usable as an access route. However, one of the possible complications of a superior vena cava thrombosis is the development of a chylothorax. We describe an infant developing a chylothorax caused by a SVC thrombosis after subclavian vein catheterization for parenteral nutrition. The chylothorax did not resolve following conservative management, but was successfully treated by surgical ligation of the thoracic duct.

Invasive fungal infection in an elderly patient with defective inflammatory macrophage function.

Macrophages are known to be involved in pathogen recognition and mediate host immune responses, but, in the clinical setting, their purported central role in opportunistic fungal infections has not been demonstrated to date. Herein, we describe a patient with invasive testicular aspergillosis in whom we found, for the first time, a defect in macrophage function.