Urothelial carcinoma of bladder in a pediatric patient case report of a rare disease.

Urothelial carcinoma is a very rare malignancy in the pediatric population. In spite of the extremely low amount of published cases, the incidence rate is between 0.4 and 0.1% before the age of 20. Insomuch that only less than 30 cases have been reported in the first decade. Those tumors were mostly solitary, non-invasive, with low-risk of progression and recurrence rate compared to adult-onset form. In this case report, we aim to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of a 10-year-old male patient with urothelial carcinoma of bladder who admitted to our clinic.

Does The Learning Curve Affect the Surgical, Functional, and Oncologic Outcomes in Bilateral Nerve-Sparing Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy?

Introduction Nowadays, the expectations for functional prostatectomy outcomes are quite high. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) has become an increasingly common treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer. In this study, we aimed to present the results of our bilateral nerve-sparing RALRP procedure and to evaluate the effects of the learning curve (LC) on perioperative data, early oncologic, and functional outcomes. Methods The records of 132 RALRP cases performed between January 2016 and March 2019 by a single surgeon experienced in open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy were evaluated retrospectively. Results of 91 cases with the bilateral nerve-sparing technique were analyzed. The learning curve was determined using the moving average method. LC analysis using the moving average method showed that the LC stabilized between cases 40 and 50. So, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of the first 45 cases, while group 2 consisted of 46-91st cases. The groups were compared in terms of surgical, functional, and oncologic outcomes. Results The mean duration of surgery was significantly reduced in the second group (250 vs 235 min, p <0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of hemoglobin decrease, hospitalization and catheterization time, and intraoperative and postoperative complication rates. The rates of pT2 cancers' positive surgical margins (PSMs) were 32.4% and 19.4%, respectively. The recovery rate of continence in all the patients was 90.1% at 12 months. The potency ratios were calculated as 33.8% at 12 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of potency and continence rates at 3 months and 12 months, postoperatively. Conclusion For surgeons experienced in retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) surgeries, RALRP is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for both oncological and functional outcomes even during the learning curve.

Retrospective study of endoscopic treatment in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux and multivariate analysis of factors for failure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate endoscopic treatment in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and conduct a multivariate analysis of factors for failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 2006 and January 2012, 216 children (32 boys and 184 girls) with primary VUR (grades I-IV) who underwent endoscopic treatment were analysed. Patients with grade V VUR were excluded. Hydrodistension tests and intraureteral injection techniques were performed, if applicable. Urinary ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography were studied 3-6 months after surgery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: In total, 172 children (21 boys and 151 girls) were enrolled, and 280 ureters were treated (108 bilateral, 64 unilateral; three with grade I, 34 with grade II, 214 with grade III and 29 with grade IV VUR). The median (± SD) age was 7.8 ± 3.1 years (boys 7 ± 3.1 years, girls 7.9 ± 3.1 years). The mean (± SD) follow-up was 24.4 ± 4.1 months (boys 28.2 ± 8.1 months, girls 21.4 ± 4.1 months). Mean injected volume per ureter was 1.8 ± 0.5 ml. A single injection resolved the reflux in 79.6% and a second injection resolved it in 90.4% of ureters. Eight children (4.6%) had postoperative febrile urinary tract infections (fUTIs). Postoperative fUTIs were significantly associated with failures in injection (p < 0.001). Renal scars were significantly associated with postoperative fUTI (p = 0.006). Haematuria occurred in three children (minor complication); a non-functional kidney was observed in one child (major complication) and a laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. Fourteen children underwent ureteroneocystostomy owing to unsuccessful VUR treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic injection of small-diameter microsphere (80-120 µm) non-animal dextranomer-hyaluronic acid copolymer seems to be an effective treatment for VUR. Only postoperative fUTI and the presence of a renal scar were correlated with failed endoscopic treatment of VUR.

Experience on semirigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy in children at a single center.

AIM: Ureteroscopy in children with miniaturized instruments is becoming popular with the advent of pediatric ureteroscopes and laser lithotriptors. We had been performing pediatric ureteroscopies with a 7.5 Fr. semirigid ureteroscope and pneumatic lithotriptor, used in adults as well. Herein, we present our experience in pediatric ureteroscopy with a semirigid 7.5 Fr. ureteroscope and pneumatic lithotriptor with a specific focus on changes in success and complication rates with time. MATERIALS METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients younger than 18 years old who underwent ureteroscopic intervention with a 7.5 Fr. semirigid ureteroscope and pneumatic lithotriptor at our institute between January 2000 and September 2009. Patient characteristics were recorded including date of surgery, age, sex, stone size and location, ureteroscopy technique, duration of surgery, the result of surgery, complication, postureteroscopy ureteral stenting, follow-up duration and final imaging. RESULTS: A total of 48 children (28 boys, 20 girls) with a mean age of 7.6 years (range: 9 months-18 years) have undergone 54 ureteroscopic intervention. Thirty-eight (79.1%) children were <10 years of age and 17 (35.4%) were <4 years of age. Stone-related ureteroscopy number was 51. Mean stone diameter was 6.6 mm (4-20 mm). Mean duration of surgery was 77 min (25-150 min). Overall success rate was 84.3%, and overall complication rate was 14.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopic management of ureteral stones is safe and effective in children >1 year of age with a 7.5 Fr. semirigid ureteroscope and pneumatic lithotriptor.

Initial pre-scrotal approach for palpable cryptorchid testis: results during a 3-year period.

PURPOSE: Pre-scrotal orchiopexy is emerging as an alternative approach for cryptorchid testes that can be preoperatively mobilized into the scrotum. We present our 3-year pre-scrotal orchiopexy series for all palpable cryptorchid testes regardless of their mobility into the scrotum preoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent pre-scrotal orchiopexy during a 3-year period. Data collected included preoperative and postoperative testicular position, mobility of the testis into the scrotum preoperatively or with the patient under general anesthesia, patency of processus vaginalis, operative times and complications. RESULTS: A total of 88 cryptorchid testes were treated using single pre-scrotal incision orchiopexy. Mean patient age was 4.9 years. Of the testes 74 (84.1%) could be milked down to the scrotum preoperatively and 14 (15.9%) could not. Of the 14 immobile testes 8 were intracanalicular and 6 were in the superficial inguinal pouch. Pre-scrotal orchiopexy was successful in all 74 testes that were mobilized into the scrotum preoperatively. However, 6 of 14 testes (43%) that could not be moved to the scrotum were effectively managed by a single pre-scrotal incision, while 8 (57%) required an additional groin incision for successful orchiopexy. No complications were observed during a mean followup of 7.1 months. CONCLUSIONS: Orchiopexy using a pre-scrotal approach is a viable alternative for palpable cryptorchid testes that can be preoperatively mobilized into the scrotum. Cryptorchid testes that are palpable but cannot be moved to the scrotum can be managed by the pre-scrotal approach alone in 40% of cases or with an additional groin incision in 60%.

Effects of chemical sympathectomy on contralateral testicular histology and fertility in unilateral vasectomy.

Unilateral obstruction or injury to the vas deferens can result in significant injury to the contralateral testicle. Although various pathways have been proposed, the mechanism of contralateral testicular deterioration remains controversial. The present animal study was performed to evaluate the effects of unilateral vasectomy on ipsilateral and contralateral testicular histology and fertility in rats that were chemically sympathectomized neonatally. The study comprised 40 male albino rats: 20 received a placebo and the other 20 underwent chemical sympathectomy neonatally. When 60 days old, each group of 20 rats was divided into two groups that underwent either a sham operation or an operation to create unilateral left vasectomy. Eight weeks after surgery, each male rat was housed with two known fertile female rats for 25 days, and then their testes were harvested. Mean seminiferous tubular diameters (MSTD) and mean testicular biopsy scores (MTBS) were determined for each testis. Although MSTD and MTBS were not significantly different between groups, chemical sympathectomy prevented the decrease in total fertility rates of the rats with unilateral left vasectomy in our study. Prevention of this decrease by chemical sympathectomy suggests that the sympathetic nervous system may play a role in the testicular degeneration associated with vasectomy.

Midline dorsal plication to repair recurrent chordee at reoperation for hypospadias surgery complication.

PURPOSE: Midline dorsal plication is an efficient and safe surgical technique to correct chordee. We investigated the efficacy of midline dorsal plication for recurrent chordee in complicated hypospadias reoperations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the charts of 25 boys who underwent reoperation between 1999 and 2004 due to complications of primary hypospadias repair other than meatal stenosis. A total of 15 cases were initially managed elsewhere for primary repair or complications. The etiology of recurrent chordee was defined at surgical correction. When recurrent chordee was noted a midline dorsal plication was performed. RESULTS: Of 25 patients 10 had previously undergone chordee repair. Nine of these patients were observed to have recurrent chordee and 1 had de novo chordee. A total of 10 patients had recurrent or delayed onset chordee. Mean patient age at primary repair was 6.28 years (range 1 to 33). Mean age at last operation for chordee was 15.9 years (range 4 to 66). Mean interval to recurrent chordee was 6 years (range 1 to 16), excluding a 66-year-old blind patient who did not know when recurrent chordee developed. Five patients had chordee recur before puberty at a mean interval of 2.6 years. Mean reoperation rate was 2.4 for recurrent chordee cases and 2.6 for chordee-free cases. Mean followup after midline dorsal plication for recurrent chordee repair was 22 months (range 8 to 56), while mean followup in pubertal and postpubertal cases was 20 months. No recurrence of chordee or surgery related morbidity was observed after recurrent chordee repair by midline dorsal plication. CONCLUSIONS: Chordee may recur during puberty following successful chordee repair. The midline dorsal plication technique is simple, efficient and safe even in patients who have undergone multiple surgeries for hypospadias and chordee repair.

The effect of location of the ureteric orifice on the efficacy of endoscopic injection to correct vesico-ureteric reflux.

OBJECTIVE: To review our 11-year experience and identify the mechanisms responsible for the failure of endoscopic injection for vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) with three different injectable agents, based on the location of the ureteric orifice on endoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and endoscopic video-photographs of 46 patients (26 girls, 20 boys, median age 6 years, range 2-16) with VUR treated once or twice by subureteric injection with PTFE, or polydimethylsiloxane or dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer, from 1992 to 2003. Five patients were lost to follow-up and six ectopic and/or duplicated ureters were excluded from the analysis; in all, 52 ureters were analysed. According to the international classification, the VUR was grades I to V in four (8%), 12 (23%), 16 (31%), 13 (25%) and seven (13%) ureters, respectively. RESULTS: After 3 months, voiding cysto-urethrography showed that VUR continued in six of 19, seven of 12 and eight of 21 ureters (38%), respectively, after subureteric PTFE, polydimethylsiloxane and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection; after the second injection, reflux continued in two of six, four of seven and three of eight ureters, respectively. Mound displacement and/or volume loss was the most common failure with all three bulking agents after both the first (62%) and second injections (44%) (P < 0.05). The first injection failed in 32% (11 of 35) normally located ureters and 10 of 17 lateral ureters (P < 0.05). The second injection failed in 11% (four of 35) normal and five of 17 lateral ureters (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A lateral ureteric orifice may decrease the efficacy of endoscopic injection, as the likelihood of a faulty injection is greater. However, a more careful second injection decreases the failure rate, particularly in those with low- to medium-grade refluxing ureters.

Comparison of hypospadiac and normal preputial vascular anatomy.

PURPOSE: Data about the differences between the vascularization of normal and hypospadiac prepuce are lacking. We investigated the course of the preputial arterial blood vessels in normal controls and children with hypospadias by using transillumination, arterial methylene blue injection and 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of serial histological sections focusing on arterial vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prepuce of 48 normal controls and 15 children with hypospadias was transilluminated by a front and back lighting technique and then photographed. All of the normal and 12 of hypospadiac prepuces not used for urethroplasty or penile body skin reconstruction were removed. The blood vessels of normal prepuce were also identified after arterial injection of methylene blue. Selected prepuce of normal controls and children with hypospadias was serially sectioned, and arterial and venous vessels were histologically distinguished. A 3-D computer reconstruction of the arterial system of normal and hypospadiac prepuces was performed. RESULTS: We confirmed the reliability of the transillumination technique to describe the arterial vascular anatomy of the prepuce by comparing the transillumination to methylene blue injection and 3-D reconstruction of histological sections. We classified the arterial vascular anatomy of normal prepuce as 1 artery predominant (41.67%), 2 arteries predominant (25%), H-type arching artery (12.5%) and net-like arterial system (20.83%). However, hypospadiac prepuce revealed a net-like arterial system more frequently (50%). We noted that the frequency of net-like arterial system was higher in more severe hypospadiac prepuce. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the differences between normal and hypospadiac prepuce vascular anatomy is germane to hypospadias surgery. The arterial blood supply of the hypospadiac prepuce is different than normal. A better knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the hypospadiac prepuce may improve the surgical results of hypospadias repair.