Urethrocutaneous fistula following hypospadias repair: regional anesthesia and other factors.

BACKGROUND: Urethrocutaneous fistula is a well-known complication of hypospadias surgery. A recent prospective study by Kundra et al. (Pediatr Anesth 2012) has suggested that caudal anesthesia may increase the risk of fistula formation. We sought to evaluate this possible association and determine if any other novel factors may be associated with fistula formation. METHODS: Children who underwent primary hypospadias repair between January 1, 1994 and March 31, 2013 at our tertiary care center were included in this study. Reviewed surgical data included repair type, duration of procedure, use of local anesthetic infiltration, and subcutaneous epinephrine. Analgesic factors included use of caudal and/or penile block, opioid usage, postoperative pain scores, and nausea/vomiting. Postoperative surgical complications and estimates of family household median income by zip code were also reviewed. RESULTS: Fistula occurrence was not associated with caudal or penile block, severity of postoperative pain, or surgeon experience. A more proximal location of the urethral meatus, longer operating time, and use of subcutaneous epinephrine were significantly more common in patients who developed fistula. As assessed by home address zip code, distance of more than 100 miles and median household income in the bottom 25th percentile of our study population were not associated with fistula, as compared to closer distance or higher income. CONCLUSION: In this series, we found no association between the use of caudal regional anesthesia and fistula formation. Location of the starting urethral meatus, prolonged surgical duration, and subcutaneous epinephrine use were associated with fistula formation. Our findings call into question the routine use of epinephrine in hypospadias repair.

Pediatric urethral catheter consultations: understanding driving factors.

PURPOSE: Pediatric urethral catheterization is often straightforward. However, it can be challenging and may require urological consultation. Possible critical factors are patient anatomy and comorbidities, and insertion technique. To better understand pediatric catheter consultations, we reviewed our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All pediatric catheter consultations between July 2009 and June 2012 were identified. A retrospective review was then performed, focusing on demographics, reasons for consultation and difficulty of catheter placement. The 4 categories of difficulty noted were easy, challenging, extremely difficult and could not be placed. Patients were excluded from analysis if catheter placement was not needed, the consultation was for a catheterizable stoma or they were status post urological surgery. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between patient factors and difficulty of placement. RESULTS: A total of 93 consultations were identified, of which 57% were inpatient, 28% intraoperative and 15% other source. Of the inpatient consultations 75% were from an intensive care unit, the majority (80%) of which were for catheter placement, with the remainder for removal, nondraining catheter, trauma or other. After exclusions 65 patients remained, of whom 80% were male and 32% had a urological comorbidity. By difficulty level 69.2% of cases were easy, 15.4% were challenging, 9.2% were extremely difficult and 6.2% could not be placed. Location of consult, gender, urological comorbidity and history of prematurity were not significantly associated with difficult catheter placement. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric catheter consultations are largely straightforward. Comorbidities do not significantly impact catheter placement. Correct catheter technique may be more important than patient comorbidities, giving us a basis to shape catheter insertion training within pediatric hospitals.

Risk factors for delayed hematuria following photoselective vaporization of the prostate.

PURPOSE: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate has become an increasingly popular option for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, delayed bleeding has been raised as a potential issue as more cases are performed. We characterize delayed bleeding after photoselective vaporization of the prostate and identify associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We defined delayed gross hematuria as any complaint of hematuria following hospital discharge, and further stratified it as delayed gross hematuria requiring emergency department evaluation, hospital admission, continuous bladder irrigation, transfusions or reoperation. We performed an explicit chart review of 290 patients who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate at a single center from 2002 through 2009. Exposures of interest included age, prostate volume, followup duration, operative factors (watts/joules), and use of oral anticoagulation therapy or 5α-reductase inhibitors. RESULTS: Delayed gross hematuria occurred in 33.8% of patients during an average followup of 33 months. For 8.5% of patients the bleeding was severe enough to prompt presentation to the emergency department. For 4.8% of patients hospitalization was required and for 4.5% reoperation was required. Multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of bleeding increased with prostate size (OR 1.08, 1.03-1.14), longer followup (OR 1.35, 1.12-1.62) and anticoagulant use (OR 3.35, 1.43-7.83), and decreased with increasing age (OR 0.71, 0.51-0.98) and use of a 5α-reductase inhibitor (OR 0.41, 0.24-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed hematuria occurs commonly after photoselective vaporization of the prostate but severe hematuria is rare. Larger prostate size, longer followup and use of anticoagulation were associated with a higher risk of delayed gross hematuria while preoperative 5α-reductase inhibitor use and older age were protective.