National Trends of Inpatient Radiation Cystitis: 2016-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Radiation cystitis with hematuria (RCH) is a potentially devastating complication after pelvic radiation. The cumulative incidence of RCH is debated, and certain severe manifestations may require hospital admission. We aimed to evaluate demographics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for RCH. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of hospitalized patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of RCH from 2016 to 2019 using the National Inpatient Sample. Our unit of analysis was inpatient encounters. Our primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included need for inpatient procedures, transfusion, length of stay (LOS), and cost of admission. We then performed multivariate analysis using either a logistic or linear regression to identify predictors of mortality and LOS. Cost was analyzed using a generalized linear model controlling for LOS. RESULTS: We identified 21,320 weighted cases of hospitalized patients with RCH. The average patient age was 75.4 years, with 84.7% male and 69.3% White. The median LOS was 4 days, and the median cost was $8767. The inpatient mortality rate was 1.3%. The only significant predictor for mortality was older age. The only significant predictor of both higher cost and longer LOS was an Elixhauser Comorbidity Score ≥ 3. CONCLUSIONS: RCH represents a significant burden to patients and the health care system, and we observed an increasing number of hospitalized patients over time. Additional research is needed to identify underlying causes of RCH and effective treatments for this sometimes-severe complication of pelvic radiation.

Radiographic Assessment of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoir Location Variability in Contemporary Practice.

BACKGROUND: Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs are typically placed into the Space of Retzius (SOR) or alternative locations including the High Submuscular (HSM) space via transinguinal (TI) or counter incision (CI) techniques. A cadaver study showed variability in reservoir location after TI-HSM placement. AIM: To evaluate reservoir location using cross-sectional imaging following IPP insertion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database and identified men who underwent virgin penoscrotal IPP insertion between 2007 and 2019. We then identified those men who subsequently underwent cross-sectional imaging prior to October 2019. Radiologists evaluated cross-sectional imaging in a blinded manner and categorized reservoir locations as follows: 1) submuscular; 2) posterior to the external oblique fascia and lateral to the rectus abdominis musculature; 3) preperitoneal; 4) retroperitoneal; 5) intraperitoneal; 6) inguinal canal; 7) subcutaneous. Patients were stratified by reservoir placement technique, transinguinal space of Retzius (TI-SOR), transinguinal high submuscular (TI-HSM), or counterincision high submuscular (CI-HSM). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were reviewed and compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. OUTCOMES: Variability exists in the TI placement of SOR and HSM reservoirs, CI-HSM reservoirs were associated with a low level of variability. RESULTS: Among 561 men who underwent virgin IPP insertion during the 12-year study period, 114 had postoperative cross-sectional imaging (29 TI-SOR, 80 TI-HSM, and 5 CI-HSM). Among the 114 patients imaged, TI-HSM reservoirs were more likely than TI-SOR to be located anterior to the transversalis fascia (48 vs 14%, P < .01) and were less likely to be located in the preperitoneal space (18 vs 62%, P < .01). Rates of intraperitoneal reservoir location were similar between the TI-HSM and TI-SOR groups (5 vs 7%, P = .66). Among imaged CI-HSM reservoirs, 4 (80%) were anterior to the transversalis fascia and 1 (20%) was within the inguinal canal. Among all 536 transinguinal cases (131 TI-SOR and 405 TI-HSM), rates of reservoir-related complications requiring operative intervention were similar between groups (5 vs 2%, P = .24). No complications were noted among the 25 patients in the CI-HSM cohort. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The level of variability seen in this study did not seem to impact patient safety, complications were rare in all cohorts. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first and largest of its kind in evaluating reservoir positioning in live patients with long-term follow-up. This study is limited in its retrospective and nonrandomized nature. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variability with both TI-HSM and TI-SOR techniques, reservoir related complications remain rare. Kavoussi M, Cook G, Nordeck S, et al. Radiographic Assessment of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoir Location Variability in Contemporary Practice. J Sex Med 2021;18:2039-2044.

Hospitalisation and readmission costs after radical cystectomy in a nationally representative sample: does urinary reconstruction matter?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of continent urinary diversion on readmissions and hospital costs in a nationally representative sample of radical cystectomies (RCs) performed in the USA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 2010-2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for patients with a diagnosis of bladder cancer who underwent RC. We identified patients undergoing continent (neobladder or continent cutaneous reservoir) or incontinent (ileal conduit) diversions. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of 90-day readmission, prolonged length of stay, and total hospital costs. RESULTS: Amongst 21 126 patients identified, 19 437 (92.0%) underwent incontinent diversion and 1 689 (8.0%) had a continent diversion created. Continent diversion patients were younger, healthier, and treated at high-volume metropolitan centres. Continent diversions resulted in fewer in-hospital complications (37.3% vs 42.5%, P = 0.02) but led to more 90-day readmissions (46.5% vs 39.6%, P = 0.004). In addition, continent diversion patients were more often readmitted for infectious complications (38.7% vs 29.4%, P = 0.004) and genitourinary complications (18.5% vs 13.0%, P = 0.01). On multivariable logistic regression, patients with a continent diversion were more likely to be readmitted within 90 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28, 1.88) and have increased hospital costs during initial hospitalisation (OR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.52, 2.61). Continent diversion led to a $4 617 (American dollars) increase in initial hospital costs ($36 640 vs $32 023, P < 0.001), which was maintained at 30 days ($48 621 vs $44 231, P < 0.001) and at 90 days ($56 380 vs $52 820, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a nationally representative sample of RCs performed in the USA, continent urinary diversion led to more frequent readmissions and increased hospital costs. Interventions designed to address specific outpatient issues with continent diversions can potentially lead to a significant decrease in readmissions and associated hospital costs.

Analysis of Hospital Readmissions After Prosthetic Urologic Surgery in the United States: Nationally Representative Estimates of Causes, Costs, and Predictive Factors.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction by prosthetic devices has become part of urologic practice, although sparse data exist at a national level on readmissions and hospital costs. AIM: To assess causes and costs of early (≤30 days) and late (31-90 days) readmissions after implantation of penile prostheses (PPs), artificial urinary sphincters (AUSs), or PP + AUS. METHODS: Using the 2013 and 2014 US Nationwide Readmission Databases, sociodemographic characteristics, hospital costs, and causes of readmission were compared among PP, AUS and AUS + PP surgeries. Multivariable logistic regression models tested possible predictors of hospital readmission (early, late, and 90 days), increased hospital costs, and prolonged length of stay at initial hospitalization and readmission. OUTCOME: Outcomes were rates, causes, hospital costs, and predictive factors of early, late, and any 90-day readmissions. RESULTS: Of 3,620 patients, 2,626 (73%) had PP implantation, 920 (25%) had AUS implantation, and 74 (2%) underwent PP + AUS placement. In patients undergoing PP, AUS, or PP + AUS placement, 30-day (6.3% vs 7.9% vs <15.0%, P = .5) and 90-day (11.6% vs 12.8% vs <15.0%, P = .8) readmission rates were comparable. Early readmissions were more frequently caused by wound complications compared with late readmissions (10.9% vs <4%, P = .03). Multivariable models identified longer length of stay, Charlson Comorbidity Index score higher than 0, complicated diabetes, and discharge not to home as predictors of 90-day readmissions. Notably, hospital volume was not a predictor of early, late, or any 90-day readmissions. However, within the subset of high-volume hospitals, each additional procedure was associated with increased risk of late (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03-1.09, P < .001) and 90-day (odds ratio = 1.03 95% CI = 1.02-1.05, P < .001) readmissions. AUS and PP + AUS surgeries had higher initial hospitalization costs (P < .001). A high hospital prosthetic volume decreased costs at initial hospitalization. Mechanical complications led to readmission of all patients receiving PP + AUS. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: High-volume hospitals showed a weaker association with increased initial hospitalization costs. Charlson Comorbidity Index, diabetes, and length of stay were predictors of 90-day readmission, showing that comorbidity status is important for surgical candidacy. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the first study focusing on readmissions and costs after PP, AUS, and PP + AUS surgeries using a national database, which allows ascertainment of readmissions to hospitals that did not perform the initial surgery. Limitations are related to the limited geographic coverage of the database and lack of surgery- and surgeon-specific variables. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of readmissions can provide better care for urologic prosthetic surgeries through better preoperative optimization, counseling, and resource allocation. Pederzoli F, Chappidi MR, Collica S, et al. Analysis of Hospital Readmissions After Prosthetic Urologic Surgery in the United States: Nationally Representative Estimates of Causes, Costs, and Predictive Factors. J Sex Med 2017;14:1059-1065.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Following Radical Cystoprostatectomy: Analysis of a Nationwide Insurance Claims Database.

INTRODUCTION: To improve care for patients after radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP), focus on survivorship issues such as sexual function needs to increase. Previous studies have demonstrated the burden of erectile dysfunction (ED) after RCP to be as high as 89%. AIM: To determine the rates of ED treatment use (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, injectable therapies, urethral suppositories, vacuum erection devices, and penile prosthetics) in patients with bladder cancer before and after RCP to better understand current patterns of care. METHODS: Men with bladder cancer undergoing RCP were identified in the MarketScan database (2010-2014). ED treatment use was assessed at baseline (during the 1 year before RCP) and at 6-month intervals (0-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24 months) after RCP. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of ED treatment use at 6-month intervals after RCP. OUTCOMES: ED treatment rates and predictors of ED treatment at 0-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24 month follow-up after RCP. RESULTS: At baseline, 6.5% of patients (77 of 1,176) used ED treatments. The rates of ED treatment use at 0 to 6, 7 to 12, 13 to 18, and 19 to 24 months after RCP were 15.2%, 12.7%, 8.1%, and 10.1% respectively. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors were the most commonly used treatment at all time points. In the multivariable model, predictors of ED treatment use at 0 to 6 months after RCP were age younger than 50 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.68-6.01), baseline ED treatment use (OR = 5.75, 95% CI = 3.08-10.72), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.13-2.61), and neobladder diversion (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.56-3.70). Baseline ED treatment use continued to be associated with ED treatment use at 6 to 12 months (OR = 5.63, 95% CI = 2.42-13.10) and 13 to 18 months (OR = 8.99, 95% CI = 3.05-26.51) after RCP. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: While the burden of ED following RCP is known to be high, overall ED treatment rates are low. These findings suggest either ED treatment is low priority for RCP patients or education about potential ED therapies may not be commonly discussed with patients following RCP. Urologists should consider discussing sexual function more frequently with their RCP patients. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the use of a national claims database, which allows for longitudinal follow-up and detailed information on prescription medications and devices. Limitations include the lack of pathologic and oncologic outcomes data. CONCLUSION: ED treatment use after RCP is quite low. The strongest predictor of ED treatment use after RCP was baseline treatment use. These findings suggest ED treatment is a low priority for patients with RCP or education about potential ED therapies might not be commonly discussed with patients after RCP. Urologists should consider discussing sexual function more frequently with their patients undergoing RCP. Chappadi MR, Kates M, Sopko NA, et al. Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Following Radical Cystoprostatectomy: Analysis of a Nationwide Insurance Claims Database. J Sex Med 2017;14:810-817.

Sickle Cell Disease in Priapism: Disparity in Care?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of sickle cell disease (SCD) on hospital resource use among patients admitted for priapism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a weighted sample of 12,547 patients was selected with a primary diagnosis of priapism from 2002 to 2011. Baseline differences for patient demographics and hospital characteristics were compared between SCD and non-SCD patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the effect of SCD on length of stay, use of penile operations, blood transfusion, and cost. RESULTS: The proportion of SCD patients was 21.5%. SCD patients were younger, more often black, more likely to have Medicaid insurance, and treated more frequently in Southern urban teaching hospitals. SCD was a significant predictor of having a blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 16.3; P <.001), and an elongated length of stay (OR, 1.42; P <.001). SCD was associated with less penile operations (OR, 0.40; P <.001). When SCD patients did have an operation, it was performed later in the admission (mean, 0.87 vs 0.47 days; P <.001). SCD was not a significant predictor of increased cost (OR, 1.02; P = .869). CONCLUSION: SCD patients represent a demographically distinct subgroup of priapism patients with different patterns of resource use manifested by longer hospital stays and more blood transfusions. Moreover, despite evidence that immediate treatment of priapism results in improved erectile function outcomes, SCD patients had less surgical procedures for alleviation of acute priapism events.

"Never events": Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services complications after radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe "never event" (NE) complications after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has denied reimbursement for 10 hospital-acquired conditions that were deemed "reasonably preventable." These NEs do not take into consideration pre-existing risk factors that make patients more susceptible. Radical cystectomy is a complex surgery that is often necessary in a population with extensive comorbidities. In this setting, the application of an unmodified system to deny reimbursement of adverse outcomes could have a significant effect on healthcare delivery. We hypothesized that measurable patient and hospital characteristics could predict the occurrence of NE complications after radical cystectomy. Using the weighted Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we identified 61,142 patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy from 2002 to 2009. The NE rates were calculated, and their effect on in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total hospital costs were determined by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The rate for any NE was 2.42%. Vascular-catheter infections (1.25%) were the most common. Black race and comorbidities increased the likelihood of a NE. The presence of any NE increased the average length of stay (by 15 days), total costs (by $37,000), and in-hospital mortality (8.0% vs 2.2%). CONCLUSION: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services NEs are more likely in older patients with comorbidities. NEs strongly predict for negative patient outcomes during hospitalization (length of stay, costs, in-hospital mortality). High-risk populations could benefit from risk adjustment before implementing a significant alteration in hospital or physician reimbursement policies.