Aetiology of vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and genital ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Syndromic management is widely used to treat symptomatic sexually transmitted infections in settings without aetiologic diagnostics. However, underlying aetiologies and consequent treatment suitability are uncertain without regular assessment. This systematic review estimated the distribution, trends, and determinants of aetiologies for vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and genital ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Global Health, Web of Science, and grey literature from inception until December 20, 2023, for observational studies reporting aetiologic diagnoses among symptomatic populations in SSA. We adjusted observations for diagnostic test performance, used generalised linear mixed-effects meta-regressions to generate estimates, and critically appraised studies using an adapted Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Of 4,418 identified records, 206 reports were included from 190 studies in 32 countries conducted between 1969 and 2022. In 2015, estimated primary aetiologies for vaginal discharge were candidiasis (69.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 44.3% to 86.6%], n = 50), bacterial vaginosis (50.0% [95% CI: 32.3% to 67.8%], n = 39), chlamydia (16.2% [95% CI: 8.6% to 28.5%], n = 50), and trichomoniasis (12.9% [95% CI: 7.7% to 20.7%], n = 80); for urethral discharge were gonorrhoea (77.1% [95% CI: 68.1% to 84.1%], n = 68) and chlamydia (21.9% [95% CI: 15.4% to 30.3%], n = 48); and for genital ulcer were herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (48.3% [95% CI: 32.9% to 64.1%], n = 47) and syphilis (9.3% [95% CI: 6.4% to 13.4%], n = 117). Temporal variation was substantial, particularly for genital ulcer where HSV-2 replaced chancroid as the primary cause. Aetiologic distributions for each symptom were largely the same across regions and population strata, despite HIV status and age being significantly associated with several infection diagnoses. Limitations of the review include the absence of studies in 16 of 48 SSA countries, substantial heterogeneity in study observations, and impeded assessment of this variability due to incomplete or inconsistent reporting across studies. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, syndrome aetiologies in SSA aligned with World Health Organization guidelines without strong evidence of geographic or demographic variation, supporting broad guideline applicability. Temporal changes underscore the importance of regular aetiologic re-assessment for effective syndromic management. PROSPERO NUMBER: CRD42022348045.

[Thirty-nine cases of suburethral diverticula in women: 30 years single center experience]. / A propos de 39 cas de diverticules sous-urétraux de la femme: expérience monocentrique sur 30 ans.

We here report a retrospective analysis of 30 years´ experience with 39 female patients suffering from suburethral diverticula. The average age of patients was 37 years of age (24-56 years). The average parity was 2 (1-7); 65% of deliveries were complicated by dystocia, with forceps used in 43% of cases. All patients had a history of urological or gynaecological infections. The revealing symptoms were heterogeneous but recurrent urinary tract infections (26 cases), pollakiuria (23 cases), post-micturition urethral discharge (21 cases), vaginal pain (17 cases) and a sensation of vaginal bulge (15 cases) were mostly reported. Radiological assessment were performed, including intravenous urography, retrograde and micturition urethrography, ultrasound, or MRI. Transvaginal diverticulectomy was the treatment of choice for all patients, with no reported intraoperative complications. At 4 years of follow up outcome was satisfactory. Four patients developed recurrence of diverticulitis. These data provide important information about clinical features, diagnostic results and long-term outcomes of transvaginal diverticulectomy, enabling better management of this rare condition.

Characterization of Urethral Diverticula in Women.

OBJECTIVE: Urethral diverticulum is a rare, yet important condition for the female pelvic surgeon. We aimed to characterize the women who have been seen for this condition across the three Mayo Clinic locations. METHODS: Medical record review was performed for patients across all three Mayo Clinic sites (Rochester, Arizona, Florida) that had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, (ICD-9) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, (ICD-10) codes corresponding to urethral diverticulum (ICD-9, 599.2; ICD-10, N36.1). We also performed a review of patients who underwent urethral diverticulectomy via Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 53235. Data were available for patients from June 1, 2003, to October 5, 2018. Patients were classified by age, etiology, presenting symptomatology, location, treatment, pathology, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-seven women met initial coding criteria for urethral diverticula, with 228 women having documented urethral diverticula. The most common presentations were irritative voiding symptoms (93) and infections (92). The most common diagnostic modality was radiographic imaging (198/228) with magnetic resonance imaging accounting for 157 cases. Etiology was unknown in the majority of cases (181/228). Of women who were diagnosed, 172 underwent diverticulectomy with 51 concurrent urethral sling placements. Final pathology demonstrated 2 cases of malignancy. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 0 months to 15 years (mean, 1.4 years; median, 4 months). Forty-three patients had persistent urinary symptoms after diverticulectomy with stress incontinence being the most common. Eight patients underwent subsequent sling placement. Fourteen patients had recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This appears to be the largest reported series on female urethral diverticula, a rare yet important entity that requires special consideration. Most surgical cases found resolution of symptoms after diverticulectomy. Importantly, less than 2% of urethral diverticula were associated with malignancy.

Time to event analysis for post-hypospadias repair complications: a single-surgeon experience.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal follow-up duration and frequency following hypospadias repair is unclear within the pediatric urology community. This analysis aims to delineate the time to various complications following primary hypospadias repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a single-surgeon hypospadias database over 2001-2017 was performed. The primary outcome of the study was determining the significant factors leading to complications over time. As a secondary outcome, subgroup analysis was performed to determine whether there was a significant difference in time to detecting voiding-related complications (fistula, stricture/stenosis, and diverticulum) based on age. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty-two patients were identified. The complication rates for distal, midshaft, and proximal hypospadias were 17.9% (112/625), 36.7% (40/109), and 55.1% (49/89), respectively (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves showed significance in three variables for time to complication: hypospadias severity (p < 0.0001), technique (p < 0.0001), and penile curvature > 30° (p < 0.0001). Cox-regression analysis showed that hypospadias severity and penile curvature were significantly contributing to the model (p < 0.0001, p = 0.044). Patients with proximal hypospadias and penile curvature developed complications earlier than other patients, with approximately 95% of complications occurring within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Complications from repair of proximal hypospadias with curvature > 30° are likely to occur within 2 years of surgery. Surgeons may consider more frequent follow-up within the first 2 years of surgery to detect these complications.

Urethrocutaneous fistulas after voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention-15 African Countries, 2015-2019.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an HIV prevention strategy recommended to partially protect men from heterosexually acquired HIV. From 2015 to 2019, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported approximately 14.9 million VMMCs in 15 African countries. Urethrocutaneous fistulas, abnormal openings between the urethra and penile skin through which urine can escape, are rare, severe adverse events (AEs) that can occur with VMMC. This analysis describes fistula cases, identifies possible risks and mechanisms of injury, and offers mitigation actions. METHODS: Demographic and clinical program data were reviewed from all reported fistula cases during 2015 to 2019, descriptive analyses were performed, and an odds ratio was calculated by patient age group. RESULTS: In total, 41 fistula cases were reported. Median patient age for fistula cases was 11 years and 40/41 (98%) occurred in patients aged < 15 years. Fistulas were more often reported among patients < 15 compared to ≥ 15 years old (0.61 vs. 0.01 fistulas per 100,000 VMMCs, odds ratio 50.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6-2060.0)). Median time from VMMC surgery to appearance of fistula was 20 days (interquartile range (IQR) 14-27). CONCLUSIONS: Urethral fistulas were significantly more common in patients under age 15 years. Thinner tissue overlying the urethra in immature genitalia may predispose boys to injury. The delay between procedure and symptom onset of 2-3 weeks indicates partial thickness injury or suture violation of the urethral wall as more likely mechanisms of injury than intra-operative urethral transection. This analysis helped to inform PEPFAR's recent decision to change VMMC eligibility policy in 2020, raising the minimum age to 15 years.

Effect of Caudal vs. Penile Block on the Incidence of Hypospadias Complications Following Primary Repairs: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Primary repair of hypospadias is associated with risk of complications, specifically urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence. Caudal block may potentially increase the risk of these complications. Therefore, we studied the incidence of hypospadias complications in children who underwent correction at our institution having received either penile or caudal block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed all primary hypospadias repair cases from December 2011 through December 2018 at Texas Children's Hospital with a minimum of 1-year followup for the presence of complications: urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence. Surgical (surgeon, operative time, block type, local anesthetic, meatal position) and patient (age at correction, prematurity) factors were additionally analyzed. RESULTS: For the primary aim, 983 patients underwent primary hypospadias correction with a minimum of 1 year of postoperative followup data. There were 897 patients (91.3%) in which no complications were identified and 86 (8.7%) with either urethrocutaneous fistula (81) or glanular dehiscence (5). Of the 86 identified complications, 45/812 (5.5%) were distal, 41/171 (24%) were proximal (p <0.001) with a complication. Rate of complications was not associated with caudal block (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41-1.09; p=0.11). On univariable analysis, age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20; p=0.04), surgical duration (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.02; p <0.001), prematurity <32 weeks (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.54-4.11 p <0.001) and position of meatus as proximal (OR 5.38 95% CI 3.39-8.53; p <0.001) were associated with an increased rate of complications. However, on multivariable analysis, associations of age (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.22; p=0.001), surgery duration (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02; p <0.001) and meatal position (OR 3.85, 95% CI 2.32-6.39; p <0.001) were associated with increased rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that meatal location, older age, extreme prematurity and surgical duration are associated with increased incidence of complications (urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence) following hypospadias correction. Analgesic block was not associated with increased hypospadias complication risk.

Predictors of urinary toxicity with MRI-assisted radiosurgery for low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: MRI-assisted radiosurgery (MARS) is a modern technique for prostate brachytherapy that provides superior soft tissue contrast. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate treatment planning factors associated with urinary toxicity, particularly damage to the membranous urethra (MUL) and external urethral sphincter (EUS), after MARS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 227 patients treated with MARS. Comparisons were made between several factors including preimplantation length of the MUL and EUS dosimetric characteristics after implantation with longitudinal changes in American Urological Association (AUA) urinary symptom score. RESULTS: Rates of grade 3 urinary incontinence and obstructive urinary symptoms were 4% and 2%. A piecewise mixed univariate model revealed that MUL and V200, V150, V125, and D5 to the EUS were all associated with increased rates of urinary toxicity over time. On univariate logistic regression, MUL >14.2 mm (odds ratio [OR] 2.03 per cm3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-3.77, p = 0.025), V125 to the EUS (OR 3.21 cm3, 95% CI 1.18-8.71, p = 0.022), and use of the I-125 isotope (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.55-7.70, p = 0.001) were associated with subacute urinary toxicity (i.e., that occurring at 4-8 months). Optimal dose-constraint limits to the EUS were determined to be V200 < 0.04 cm3 (p = 0.002), V150 < 0.12 cm3 (p = 0.041), V125 < 0.45 cm3 (p = 0.033), D30 < 160 Gy (p = 0.004), and D5 < 218 Gy (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: MARS brachytherapy provides detailed anatomic information for treatment planning, implantation, and quality assurance. Overall rates of urinary toxicity are low; however, several dosimetric variables associated with the EUS were found to correlate with urinary toxicity.

Clinical presentation of asymptomatic and symptomatic heterosexual men who tested positive for urethral gonorrhoea at a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic screening for gonorrhoea in heterosexual men is currently not recommended in many countries including Australia, given the prevalence is relatively low in the heterosexual population. We aimed to determine the proportion of urethral gonorrhoea cases among heterosexual men attending a sexual health clinic that was asymptomatic and symptomatic, the time since last sexual contact to the onset of symptoms and the time to clinic presentation following the onset of symptoms. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included heterosexual men aged 16 years or above attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) in Australia between August 2017 and August 2018. Gonorrhoea cases were diagnosed by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and/or culture. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all gonorrhoea cases including demographic characteristics, recent sexual practices, reported urethral symptoms and duration, sexual contact with a person diagnosed with gonorrhoea, investigations performed and laboratory results. RESULTS: There were 116 confirmed cases of urethral gonorrhoea in heterosexual men over the study period of which 6.0% (95% CI: 2.7-12.1%) were asymptomatic. Typical urethral discharge was present in 80.2% (95% CI: 71.9-86.5%) of men. The mean time between last sexual contact and the onset of symptoms was 7.0 days, and between the onset of symptoms to presentation to the clinic was 5.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of heterosexual men with urethral gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms. Heterosexual men with urethral symptoms usually seek for healthcare within a week, prompting rapid healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Reconstructing forked corpus spongiosum to correct glans droop in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair.

PURPOSE: We reviewed our experience and efficacy of reconstruction of a forked corpus spongiosum (FCS) to correct glans droop in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair. METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent distal/midshaft hypospadias repair by the same surgeon in our center from October 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were accompanied by different degrees of glans droop, which we corrected by cutting off and reconstructing the FCS along the plate. We recorded the degrees of glans droop, development of the FCS, and postoperative complications including residual chordee, fistula, diverticulum, glans dehiscence, meatus stenosis, and urethral stricture. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 37 months (mean, 19.7 months). Two patients (2.3%) developed a coronal fistula and underwent a second repair. Two patients (2.3%) developed a mild urethral diverticulum and underwent continued observation. One patient (1.2%) developed a meatus stenosis that resolved after 1 month of meatus expansion combined with external mometasone furoate. No patients developed postoperative residual chordee or urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of glans droop is closely associated with the development of an FCS. Reconstructing the FCS to correct the glans droop can yield satisfactory outcomes and should be popularized in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair.

Use of a Split Pedicled Gracilis Muscle Flap in Robotically Assisted Vaginectomy and Urethral Lengthening for Phalloplasty: A Novel Technique for Female-to-Male Genital Reconstruction.

The authors describe the technique of robotic vaginectomy, anterior vaginal flap urethroplasty, and use of a longitudinally split pedicled gracilis muscle flap to recreate the bulbar urethra and help fill the vaginal defect in female-to-male gender-affirming phalloplasty. Vaginectomy is performed by means of the robotically assisted laparoscopic transabdominal approach. Concurrently, gracilis muscle is harvested and passed through a tunnel between the groin and the vaginal cavity. It is then split longitudinally, and the inferior half is passed into the vaginal cavity; it is inset into the vaginal cavity. Following urethroplasty, the superior half of the gracilis flap is placed around the vaginal flap to buttress this suture line with well-vascularized tissue. From May of 2016 to March of 2018, 16 patients underwent this procedure. The average age of the patients was 35.1 ± 8.8 years, average body mass index was 31.4 ± 5.5 kg/m, and average American Society of Anesthesiologists class was 1.8 ± 0.6. The average length of surgery was 423.6 ± 84.6 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 246.9 ± 84.9 ml. Patients were generally out of bed on postoperative day 1, ambulating on postoperative day 2, and discharged to home on postoperative day 3 (average day of discharge, 3.4 ± 1.4 days). At a mean follow-up time of 361.1 ± 175.5 days, no patients developed urinary fistula at the urethroplasty site. The authors' use of the longitudinally split gracilis muscle in first-stage phalloplasty represents a novel approach to providing well-vascularized tissue to achieve both urethral support and closure of intrapelvic dead space, with a single flap, in a safe, efficient, and reproducible manner. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, IV.

Analysis of a 7-year national online audit of the management of open reconstructive urethral surgery in men.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an audit of the management of urethral pathology in men presenting for reconstructive urethral surgery in the UK. METHODS: Between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2017, data on men presenting with urethral pathologies requiring reconstruction were entered onto a secure online data platform. Surgeon-entered information was collected in 95 fields regarding the stricture aetiology, prior management, mode of presentation, type of surgery and outcomes, with a potential 283 variable responses in the 95 fields. Data were analysed to compare UK practice with that reported in the contemporary literature and with guidelines. RESULTS: Data on 4809 men were entered by 39 centres and 50 surgeons. Field completeness was 70.7%, 74.3% and 53.7% for preoperative, operative and follow-up data, respectively. Referral for stricture reconstruction frequently followed two prior endoscopic procedures and the stricture was not always assessed anatomically before surgery. Urinary retention was a common symptom in men awaiting reconstruction. Short unifocal strictures of the anterior urethra were the commonest reason for referral, whilst lichen sclerosus and hypospadias generated a significant volume of revisional stricture surgery. Lower numbers of very complex interventions are required for the management of posterior urethral pathology. Although precise criteria for determining success are not clear, management of urethral reconstruction in the UK was found to have a low risk of Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher complications, and was associated with outcomes similar to those reported in contemporary series except in the management of posterior urethral fistulae. CONCLUSIONS: Online databases can provide volume data on the management of reconstructive urethral surgery across a multiplicity of centres in one country. They can also indicate compliance with accepted standards of, and expected outcomes from, this tertiary practice.

Management of urethral atrophy after implantation of artificial urinary sphincter: what are the weaknesses?

The use of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence has become more prevalent, especially in the "prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-era", when more patients are treated for localized prostate cancer. The first widely accepted device was the AMS 800, but since then, other devices have also entered the market. While efficacy has increased with improvements in technology and technique, and patient satisfaction is high, AUS implantation still has inherent risks and complications of any implant surgery, in addition to the unique challenges of urethral complications that may be associated with the cuff. Furthermore, the unique nature of the AUS, with a control pump, reservoir, balloon cuff, and connecting tubing, means that mechanical complications can also arise from these individual parts. This article aims to present and summarize the current literature on the management of complications of AUS, especially urethral atrophy. We conducted a literature search on PubMed from January 1990 to December 2018 on AUS complications and their management. We review the various potential complications and their management. AUS complications are either mechanical or nonmechanical complications. Mechanical complications usually involve malfunction of the AUS. Nonmechanical complications include infection, urethral atrophy, cuff erosion, and stricture. Challenges exist especially in the management of urethral atrophy, with both tandem implants, transcorporal cuffs, and cuff downsizing all postulated as potential remedies. Although complications from AUS implants are not common, knowledge of the management of these issues are crucial to ensure care for patients with these implants. Further studies are needed to further evaluate these techniques.

Treatment of Urethral Pain Syndrome (UPS) in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Urethral Pain Syndrome (UPS) in women is a recurrent urethral pain without any proven infection or other obvious pathology. There are few studies on UPS, and evidence-based treatment is lacking. The primary aim was to study what treatments are used, and to compare the treatment tradition of UPS in Sweden in 2018, with what was used in 2006. METHODS: A questionnaire on the treatment of women with UPS was sent to all public gynecology, urology, gynecologic oncology and venereology clinics, and one public general practice in each county in Sweden in 2018. Private practice clinics in gynecology responded to the survey in 2017. Comparisons were made with the same survey sent to gynecology and urology clinics in 2006. FINDINGS: Of 137 invited clinics in 2018, 99 (72.3%) responded to the survey. Seventy-seven (77.8%) of them saw women with UPS and 79.2% (61/77) of these clinics treated the patients using 19 different treatment methods. Local corticosteroids and local estrogens were the methods most used. Treatments were similar in gynecology and urology clinics in 2006 and 2018, although strong corticosteroids had increased in use in the treatment regimens of 2018. More than half of the clinics used antibiotics. INTERPRETATION: Since there is no evidence-based treatment of UPS, a wide spectrum of treatments is used, and different specialties use different treatment strategies. Despite the lack of proven infection, a large number of clinics also treated the syndrome with antibiotics. There is thus a need for well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials to find evidence-based treatments of UPS.

Ultrastructural Analysis of Urethral Polyps against the Background of Urogenital Infection.

We performed an electron microscopic study of samples of urethral polyps obtained from 90 women (mean age 52.5±4.9 years). According to PCR and culture studies, the most common infectious agent in patients with urethral polyps is U. urealyticum (100% cases). In 70% cases, this infectious agent was present as monoinfection, of these, clinically significant concentration (>106 CFU/ml) were found in 53.3% cases. In 30% cases, associations with C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, and M. genitalium were found. We observed significant ultrastructural heterogeneity of the epithelial cells in urethral polyps, which manifested in a combination of hyperplastic and metaplastic changes and signs of cytodestruction. Detection of mycoplasma-like bodies in connective tissue mononuclear cells and viral particles in epithelial cells during ultrastructural study, including cases with negative PCR results, indicates the pathogenetic role of latent infection in the formation of urethral polyps.

Cowper's syringocele in the pediatric population: a retrospective study of 122 patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Syringocele is a rare cystic dilatation of the duct of Cowper's gland, afflicting mostly the pediatric population. Syringoceles have a wide range of symptoms and may cause urethral obstruction. The authors analyzed to clarify the clinical manifestation, diagnostic approach, management, and incidence in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients (122 cases) diagnosed with a syringocele at the department of Pediatric Urology in a tertiary referral university children's hospital between August 1991 and October 2016 were analyzed retrospectively by assessing medical charts. RESULTS: The clinical manifestation, diagnostic findings, and follow-up are summarized in the table. Half of the patients (50.0%) also had typical posterior urethral valves (PUVs) and/or a single valve in the 12 o'clock position (flap-valve). The symptoms of open and closed syringoceles showed no significant difference. Treatment consisted of incision of the syringocele with a diathermia hook. The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) before and after surgery in the group that had a syringocele only was significant different. The overall incidence of syringoceles seen at urethrocystoscopy in this series was 3.0%. DISCUSSION: This series suggests that the presenting age is strongly related to the consequences of syringoceles, as the youngest half of the patients had significantly more UTIs at presentation than older patients, who presented with significantly more obstructive voiding symptoms, postvoiding residuals, and incontinence. In addition, the younger group had a significantly higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux and dilatation of the upper urinary tract. The found association between syringoceles and PUV may be due to overgrowth of epithelium, as possible origin in both anomalies. CONCLUSION: With an incidence of 3.0%, syringoceles, in this tertiary referral series, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructive urethral lesions. The presentation ranges between signs of severe obstructions in the prenatal and postnatal period to mild urinary incontinence problems at later age. Urethrocystoscopy proved to be useful in confirming the diagnosis and allows for immediate transurethral incision.

Presenting Complications to a Reconstructive Urologist After Masculinizing Genital Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presenting complications of patients to reconstructive urologists after masculinizing gender affirming genital reconstructive surgery (GRS) performed elsewhere. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent revision surgery by one of the co-authors for sequelae of masculinizing GRS. We reviewed patient demographics, medical history, details of prior GRS, and complications from GRS. Specific attention was paid to the presence of the following: suprapubic tube dependence, vaginal remnant, urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) within the fixed urethra (pars fixa), UCF in the phallic urethra, phallic urethral stricture, meatal stenosis, and anastomotic urethral stricture. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher's exact test to determine differences in presenting symptoms by GRS. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients who had reconstructive surgery for complications from masculinizing GRS from September 2004 to September 2017 were identified. The median age at surgical correction was 33 years. Fifteen (27%) patients had prior metoidioplasty and 40 (73%) had prior phalloplasty. The median time from date of GRS to presentation to a reconstructive urologist was 4 months. Urethral strictures (n = 47, 86%) were the most common indication for subsequent surgery, followed by urethrocutaneous fistulae (n = 31, 56%) and vaginal remnant (n = 26, 47%). The majority of patients presented with 2 or more simultaneous complications (n = 40, 73%). CONCLUSION: There are several common presenting urologic complications after masculinizing GRS. Patients may present to reconstructive urologists early after GRS performed elsewhere. The long-term outcomes of GRS deserve further study.

Correlations of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among pharyngeal, rectal and urethral sites among Thai men who have sex with men: multicentre community-led test and treat cohort in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: Routine screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections in sexually exposed anatomical sites may be challenging in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of missed CT/NG diagnoses if a single anatomical site screening was performed among men who have sex with men (MSM) by examining the pattern of anatomical sites of CT/NG infections. METHODS: Thai MSM were enrolled to the community-led test and treat cohort. Screening for CT/NG infections was performed from pharyngeal swab, rectal swab and urine using nucleic acid amplification testing. The correlations of CT/NG among the three anatomical sites were analysed. RESULTS: Among 1610 MSM included in the analysis, 21.7% had CT and 15.5% had NG infection at any anatomical site. Among those tested negative for CT or NG infection at either pharyngeal, rectal or urethral site, 8%-19% had CT infection and 7%-12% had NG infection at the remaining two sites. Of the total 349 CT infections, 85.9%, 30.6% and 67.8% would have been missed if only pharyngeal, rectal or urethral screening was performed, respectively. Of the total 249 NG infection, 55.7%, 39.6% and 77.4% would have been missed if only pharyngeal, rectal or urethral screening was performed, respectively. The majority of each anatomical site of CT/NG infection was isolated to their respective site, with rectal site having the highest proportion of isolation: 78.9% of rectal CT and 62.7% of rectal NG infection. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of CT/NG infections would be missed if single anatomical site screening was performed among MSM. All-site screening is highly recommended, but if not feasible, rectal screening provides the highest yield of CT/NG diagnoses. Effort in lowering the cost of the CT/NG screening test or developing affordable molecular technologies for CT/NG detection is needed for MSM in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03580512; Results.

Management of urethrocutaneous fistulae complicating sacral and perineal pressure ulcer in neurourological patients: A national multicenter study from the French-speaking Neuro-urology Study Group and the Neuro-urology committee of the French Association of Urology.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiologic characteristics of urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCF) in sacro-perineal pressure ulcer (SPPU) in neurourological patients and to assess outcomes after surgical urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the French-speaking Neurourology Study Group and Association of Urology network, a retrospective multicenter study in nine major urology and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) units was conducted. All patients with SPPU associated with UCF between 2000 and 2016 were included. Data concerning: sociodemography, clinical, medical and biological comorbidities, neurological and urological history, pressure ulcer characteristics, and finally urinary diversion surgery were collected. Complications and SPPU healing/relapse were assessed. RESULTS: In all, 74 patients were included. The median age on diagnosis: 45.9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38.7-53.4) and median follow-up: 15.1 months (IQR, 5.7-48.8). A psychiatric disorder was the most frequent comorbidity (44.6%). Only 59.5% and 50% had regular PMR and urologic follow-up, respectively. Seventy-one patients (95.9%) underwent urinary diversion surgery. Among those, relapse occurred in 15 (21.1%) at the end of the follow-up. The diversion was noncontinent in 85.9%. The major complications rate was 26.8%. A total of 30 late complications in 21 patients were reported. The most frequent was obstructive pyelonephritis (n = 9). All of the patients who underwent surgical diversion without cystectomy (n = 5) developed a pyocyst. Finally, the pressure ulcer healing rate when patients underwent both urinary diversion and pressure ulcer surgery was 74.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective data suggest that UCF complicating SPPU is a rare and severe pathology. The combination of radical urinary diversion with cystectomy and pressure ulcer surgery should be performed as often as possible.

Musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap for phalloplasty in female to male gender affirmation surgery.

PURPOSE: Despite a variety of free flaps that have been described for creation of the neophallus in gender affirmation surgery, none present an ideal solution. We evaluated our patients and outcomes after gender affirmation phalloplasty using musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flap. METHODS: Between January 2007 and May 2017, 129 female transsexuals, aged 20-53 years (mean 24 years) underwent total phalloplasty using latissimus dorsi free flap. Urethral lengthening was performed by combining a vaginal flap, labia minora flaps and a clitoral skin flap. Suitable sized testicular implants are inserted into the new scrotum. Penile prosthesis implantation, additional urethral lengthening and glans reshaping were performed in the following stages. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 43 months (ranged from 13 to 137 months). There were one partial and two total flap necrosis. The average size of the neophallus was 14.6 cm in length and 12.4 cm in girth. Total length of the reconstructed urethra during the first stage ranged from 13.4 to 21.7 cm (mean 15.8 cm), reaching the proximal third or the midshaft of the neophallus in 91% of cases. Satisfactory voiding in standing position was confirmed in all patients. Six urethral fistulas and two strictures were observed and repaired by minor revision. Malleable and inflatable prostheses were implanted in 39 and 22 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap is a good choice for phalloplasty in gender affirmation surgery. It provides an adequate amount of tissue with sufficient blood supply for safe urethral reconstruction and penile prosthesis implantation.

The incidence, causes, and management of lower urinary tract injury during total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Determining the incidence and causes of lower urinary tract injury in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy and examining the procedures applied for management. METHODS: Patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy in a large referral center between 1 January 2015 and 31 October 2017 for benign gynecological reasons were included in the study. Patients who underwent laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy were not included in this study. The hospital records of all patients included in the study were examined and the incidence, causes and management of lower urinary tract injuries were reviewed. RESULTS: Total lower urinary tract injury rate was found as 2.01%, and these injuries were evaluated separately as bladder and ureter injuries. All the bladder injuries had occurred on the posterior wall of the bladder during vesicouterine dissection; six cases were intraoperatively detected and one case was detected on the first postoperative day. Most of ureteral injury cases were detected in the early postoperative period (75%). The rates of previous cesarean section and endometriosis were significantly higher in patients with injury to the bladder and ureter than in the control group (p<0,001). There was no significant difference between the patients with lower urinary tract injury and the control group regarding uterine weight, estimated blood loss, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the presence and location of fibroids, and laparoscopic or vaginal closure of the vaginal cuff. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hysterectomy may be a good option in appropriate patients, but in case of previous cesarean section and endometriosis cases, patients should be informed about the possible complications in detail before the operation and care should be taken during dissection.