Assessment of changes in sexual function in patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for upper urinary tract lithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of endoscopic surgery on sexual function in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) lithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, prospective, longitudinal study with a single cohort of cases undergoing ureteroscopy (URS), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), or endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). Patients' sexual response was assessed with questionnaires in the 30 days prior to surgery, and at one and three months after surgery. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-t) was used in male patients, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used in female patients. RESULTS: Seventy patients - 34 men and 36 women - completed the study. Among men, the IIEF-t did not show significant difference between baseline scores (64.1 ±â€¯7.50) and those obtained at 3 months (63.8 ±â€¯9.51), with a non-significant decrease (p = 0.054) at the first month (61.4 ±â€¯10.4). Subdomains did not worsen at 3 months, and desire (IIEF-SD) improved from 7.3 ±â€¯1.9 to 8.0 ±â€¯1.8. Among women, the FSFI-t did not change significantly after surgery: baseline score (27.3 ±â€¯4.1), 1-month score (26.8 ±â€¯3.7) and 3-month score (27.5 ±â€¯4.2). No subdomain worsened at the third month. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic surgery for UUT is a safe technique in both sexes with no negative effect on sexual function. There are no differences between the baseline IIEF-t and FSFI-t scores and those obtained at 3 months.

Biochemical markers of bone turnover and clinical outcome in patients with renal cell and bladder carcinoma with bone metastases following treatment with zoledronic acid: The TUGAMO study.

BACKGROUND: Levels of bone turnover markers (BTM) might be correlated with outcome in terms of skeletal-related events (SRE), disease progression, and death in patients with bladder cancer (BC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with bone metastases (BM). We try to evaluate this possible correlation in patients who receive treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOL). METHODS: This observational, prospective, and multicenter study analysed BTM and clinical outcome in these patients. Serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (PINP), and beta-isomer of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX) were analysed. RESULTS: Patients with RCC who died or progressed had higher baseline ß-CTX levels and those who experienced SRE during follow-up showed high baseline BALP levels. In BC, a poor rate of survival was related with high baseline ß-CTX and BALP levels, and new SRE with increased PINP levels. Cox univariate analysis showed that ß-CTX levels were associated with higher mortality and disease progression in RCC and higher mortality in BC. Bone alkaline phosphatase was associated with increased risk of premature SRE appearance in RCC and death in BC. CONCLUSION: Beta-isomer of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and BALP can be considered a complementary tool for prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with BC and RCC with BM treated with ZOL.

Evolution and current status of the management of functional and pelvic floor pathology in the hospitals of the Community of Madrid.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) includes a large number of pathologies subjected to a significantly varied management, depending on the hospitals' resources and educational levels of their professionals. The aim of this study is to determine and describe the clinical variability in the management of PFD in the urology departments of the public health centers of the Community of Madrid, as well as the resources currently available in these centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was carried out in September 2021 and was addressed to physicians specialized in functional urology in the public hospitals of the Community of Madrid. This survey is based on the one performed in 2011 by Díez et al. for the same purpose. The characteristics of the healthcare services provided in the different centers and the management of the main functional pathologies of the pelvic floor were analyzed. The results were compared with those of the 2011 survey for equivalent questions. RESULTS: The number of Pelvic Floor Units (PFUs) has remarkably increased in the last 10 years. The use of adjustable devices in the treatment of male SUI has become widespread in the centers included in the survey. Laparoscopic/robotic sacrocolpopexy has become the gold standard treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary PFUs represent the reference framework for the management of PFD. Variability in the management of urinary incontinence, POP, bladder pain syndrome and pudendal nerve neuropathy is recognized.

Recommendations on the use of intravesical hyaluronic acid instillations in bladder pain syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a complex syndrome, without a clearly defined etiology that encompasses different entities, such as interstitial cystitis. This leads to difficulties in establishing a precise definition, obtaining accurate prevalence data, and defining diagnostic criteria and standardized assessment methods. Moreover, there is no consensus regarding the treatment of BPS. Intravesical instillations with hyaluronic acid (HA) are an option, although no specific recommendations have been made yet. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the scientific evidence on the therapeutic options available for BPS and to establish a work plan and recommendations for the use of intravesical instillations with HA. The Spanish Association of Urology, through the Functional, Female, and Urodynamic Urology Group, created a commission of experts. This commission was in charge of reviewing literature (evidence), agreeing on the work plan, and proposing recommendations. RESULTS: There is great variability in literature on the treatment of BPS, without a standard regimen of intravesical instillation with HA (frequency and duration of initial and maintenance treatment). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical HA instillations (usual dose of 40 mg) are effective and safe. They can be combined with other options, with efficacy still to be determined in some cases. Treatment is divided into several initial weekly sessions, followed by maintenance treatment, usually monthly (unestablished duration of cycles). Recommendations on the management of BPS were agreed, with diagnostic criteria and guidelines for treatment with intravesical HA (initiation, reassessment, and follow-up).

Consensus statement of the Spanish Association Of Urology on the use of meshes in pelvic organ prolapse. / Consenso de la Asociación Española de Urología sobre el uso de mallas en la cirugía del prolapso de órganos pélvicos.

INTRODUCTION: Recently the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of transvaginal meshes for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the United States. This has caused a worldwide impact on the management of pelvic floor pathology by different specialists. OBJECTIVE: To achieve a consensus on the use of meshes in the surgical treatment of POPs. ACQUISITION OF DATA/EVIDENCE: A Committee of experts of the Spanish Association of Urology (AEU) was organized to review the literature and analyze the safety and efficacy of the use of polypropylene meshes in POP surgery. RESULTS/EVIDENCE FROM THE LITERATURE: The evidence reflects that the use of meshes, compared to the use of native tissues, offers better efficacy at the expense of new complications and a higher rate of surgical reviews, these being minor in the hands of expert surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: POP surgery must be performed by experienced surgeons, properly trained and in referral centers. The patient should receive correct information about the different treatment options. Transvaginal meshes should only be indicated in complex cases and in recurrences after POP surgery. AEU PROPOSAL: Creation of a clinical guideline and a national registry for long-term evaluation. Preparation of an Informed Consent available to all professionals and patients, as well as a specific training plan to achieve better training in complex pelvic floor surgery.

[Mixed bezoar]. / Bezoar mixto.

The case of an adolescent psychopath who, following traumatic psychological experiences, ingested her own hair and cotton string over a 6 to 8 month period, is presented. This resulted in the formation of a mixed bezoar (hair and cotton string) with subsequent deterioration of her general condition. The diagnosis was made roetgenographically. Curative surgery was performed and psychotherapy was initiated. A review of the current literature is made and the frequency, clinical characteristics, treatment, management and recommended prophylactic considerations are discussed.

[Conservative treatment of renal cell carcinoma in kidney transplantation]. / Tratamiento conservador del carcinoma de células renales en el injerto renal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the new treatment strategies in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that affects the graft in renal recipients. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: A literature review is made, analyzing all the published cases of conservative surgery in renal graft RCC. SYNTHESIS OF EVIDENCE: A total of 51 partial nephrectomies in renal graft patients have been described, with a graft survival rate of 88% and a recurrence rate of 6%. Most of the patients (75%) were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and the mean lesion size was 2.8 cm. Enucleation was the most frequent technique employed. 77% of all immunosuppressor regimens included cyclosporine A. Six patients with graft RCC were subjected to radiofrequency ablation and two patients underwent percutaneous cryoablation, with a single case of relapse and a graft survival rate of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Nephron-sparing surgery is a good management option in renal graft RCC, affording good oncological control and graft survival. Modification of immunosuppression with the withdrawal of cyclosporine A and the introduction of mTOR inhibitors is an adequate measure in such patients.