Global viewpoints: proposals for the development of endourology in resource-limited countries in Africa.

Endourology plays an important role in modern urological practice. Compared to open surgery, it offers many advantages. In Africa, endourology is not widely practiced or non-existent in some referral centres. Several factors have been linked to this challenge. This article explores and proposes strategies to improve endourology practice in the African context. Recognising the unique challenges and opportunities in the region, the document discusses key initiatives and recommendations to promote the growth and development of endourological practices, including the identification of local needs, training, technological adaptation, etc. It aims to provide valuable information on the advancement of endourology in Africa.

Place of urolithiasis in the spectrum of urological pathologies, practices and use of endourological procedures in the management of calculi of the upper urinary tract: results of a survey of referral centres in Africa.

Our aim was to determine the current trend of endourology in the management of upper urinary tract calculi in Africa reference centres. We conducted an online multiple-choice questionnaire survey involving 46 centres from 27 countries using a structured well-designed Google Form (®) questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to the head of service through their emails. The questions collected demographic data about the centre, the epidemiology of urolithiasis, diagnostic means and management of upper urolithiasis, especially access to endourology procedures and their practices. Descriptive analyses were performed. The participation rate was 77.9%. Urinary lithiasis was one of the three main pathologies encountered in 42/46 centres. 33 centres had easy access to CT scanners and 34 had operating theatres equipped with endo-urological surgery equipment. Of these 34 centres, 30 perform endourology for the management of upper urinary tract stones. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main technique used by the centres. It is the only endourology technique used for stone management by 12 centres (40%). 7/30 (23.3%) have the option of performing rigid ureteroscopy, flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The frequency of procedures varies widely, with 43.3% rarely performing endourological surgery. Seventeen centres have their operating theatre equipped with a fluoroscope and 6/42 centres have extracorporeal lithotripsy. Open surgery is still used in 29/42 centres (69.1%). Laparoscopy is available in 50% of centres, but none reported performing laparoscopic lithotomy. In Africa, urinary lithiasis plays an important role in the activities of referral centres. Modern management techniques are used to varying degrees (not all centres have them) and with very variable frequency. Open surgery is still widely performed as a management. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main endourological technique. It is essential to develop the practice of modern urology in Africa, mainly endourology.

[Epidemiological, etiological and evolutionary profile of vesico-vaginal fistulas in Senegal]. / Profil épidémiologique, étiologique et évolutif des fistules vésico-vaginales au Sénégal.

AIM: To evaluate the epidemiological, etiological and evolutionary profile of vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVF) in university hospitals in Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective, descriptive, single-center study, collecting the records of patients followed for VVF between January 2014 and December 2019 at the Urology and Andrology Department of the Centre hospitalier universitaire Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal. The following parameters were studied: age, geographical origin, parity, and etiology of VVF. To assess the evolution of the epidemiological and etiological profile of VVF, we compared our results with those of series published by our structure. RESULTS: Forty-five (45) VVFs were identified over a period of 6 years. This represents an annual average of 7.5 fistulas. The average age was 40±15.13 years with extremes of 13 years and 75 years; 17 patients (37.8%) were older than 45 years. The average parity was 3 with extremes from 0 to 12 children. Multiparous women represented 68.8% of the patients. Obstetric VVF (OVF) was more frequent (48.9%) followed by iatrogenic VVF (33.3%). The mean age was higher in the IVF group compared to the VVF group (32 years) (P = 0.0004). Thirty patients were from the Dakar region and its suburbs (66.6%). The etiology of VVF did not vary according to the geographical origin of the patients (P=NS). VVF was frequently associated with the management of cervical cancer in 42.2% of cases. Comparison of our current data with previous series shows a reduction in the annual incidence of VVF. VVFs, although they have decreased significantly, are still predominant. There is a constant increase in the number of IVF. CONCLUSION: There is an evolution of the epidemiological and etiological profile marked by a decrease in the frequency of VVFs and an increase in that of IVFs. It is also worth noting the frequent association between cervical cancer and VVF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4: retrospective study.

[Outcomes of radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer at the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital]. / La prostatectomie radicale: résultats carcinologiques au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Aristide Le Dantec.

The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes of radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer. We conducted a retrospective single-center study in the Department of Urology and Andrology at the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar from June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2016. We collected data of 60 patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy associated with dissection of the iliac and obturator nodes. After radical prostatectomy, prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were undetectable (<0.1 ng/mL) in 20 patients (33.3%). Eleven patients (18.3%), who had biochemical relapse, received complementary hormone therapy. Patients achieved a response after initiation of treatment, and total PSA became undetectable again after an 8-month follow-up period. Mean overall survival was 17.5 months, with a median of 9.49. Cumulative overall survival rates at 1 year, 3 years and 4 years were 42.4, 13.6 and 6.8%, respectively. Mean relapse-free survival was 17.3 months, with a median biochemical relapse-free survival of eleven (11) months. The mean duration of specific survival was 8.1 months, with a median of 3 months. Seven patients had positive resection margins (11.6%). Four patients had lymph node involvement. Radical prostatectomy, suggested in some patients with prostate cancer in our practice, has been shown to be an effective therapeutic method leading to good outcomes.

Unusual Presentation of Priapism Associated with Acute and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Two Patients: Emergency Management.

Priapism is a rare urological emergency. It is rarely a telltale sign of myeloid leukemia. We report two cases of acute myeloid leukemia in a child and chronic myeloid leukemia in a young adult presenting with priapism. Puncture irrigation of the corpora cavernosa followed by systemic treatment to lower the hyperviscosity of the blood due to leukemia provided optimal outcome. Prompt emergency management is required to lower the complication of erectile dysfunction.

Impact of tumor cytoreduction in metastatic prostate cancer.

Objective: To assess the impact of tumor cytoreduction on cancer outcomes and patient survival in metastatic prostate cancer. Patients and methods: It is a prospective study spanning a two-year period between October 1st 2015 and March 31st 2017. We enrolled 102 cases of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Fifty-seven (57) patients had exclusively androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (group 1) and 45 had, in addition, an open prostatectomy or Transurethral resection of the Prostate (group 2). We compared both groups using the total PSA nadir, the time to PSA nadir, the overall survival (OS), and the progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The average nadir PSA was lower for the tumor cytoreduction group (16.8±1.6 ng/mL (0.01-193.5) versus 110.7±17.9 ng/mL (0.01-1379)). Median time to PSA nadir was shorter in patients in the ADT only group (8 months vs 3 months (p=0.025)). The OS was shorter in patients treated with ADT only compared to the tumor cytoreduction group (median 14 months vs 24 months, respectively (p=0.03)). Similarly, tumor cytoreduction had a positive impact on patient progression (median PFS 20 months (group 1) vs 43 months (group 2)). Conclusion: Tumor cytoreduction has a positive impact on the oncological results and the survival of patients under ADT.

[Testicular cancer is a rare condition in black people. We report 5 cases of testicular cancer in men with undescended testis]. / Cancer sur testicule non descendu intra-abdominal. A propos de 5 cas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We underwent a retrospective study of five cases of testicular cancer in undescended testis. The parameters of study were: age at diagnosis, circumstances of diagnosis, values of tumour markers, and pathological aspects of tumours after removal. The data were studied using the medical records of patients. RESULTS: Mean age was 30, 6 years (27; 34). Only 1 patient had a child at the time of diagnosis. All patients came to our clinic for a general state impairment associated to an abdominal palpable mass. The increase of the value of tumour markers was not constant. A capsular effraction was found in 3 cases with a rupture into the peritoneum. The pathology exam found 3 embryonic carcinoma and 2 seminomas, a lymph node involvement was found in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: The scarcity of these tumours should not make us ignore them. The early diagnosis of the tumour can be facilitated by testicular descent, because even if the descent of the testis does not prevent the tumour it can ease the follow-up.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord]. / Le léiomyosarcome du cordon spermatique.

Leiomyosarcomas of the spermatic cord are rare tumours. The authors report the case of a 65-year-old man presenting with painful mass of the left side of the scrotum with scrotal ulceration. Left transinguinal orchidectomy and left hemiscrotectomy were performed and histological examination of the operative specimen revealed leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord. No metastases were observed on thoracoabdominopelvic CT. One month after discharge from hospital, the patient presented with delayed healing and complementary scrotal resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were performed. Local and regional extension is frequently observed in leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord, justifying radical transinguinal orchidectomy with high ligation of the cord. Cases at greatest risk of recurrence (large tumour, early local recurrence, positive surgical margins) should be identified by multidisciplinary committees and may be eligible for adjuvant radiotherapy.