The role of transcorporal cuff placement in high-risk and ultra-high-risk patients: are they actually helpful?

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) explant in high-risk patients and to evaluate the relationship between transcorporal cuff (TCC) placement and explant risk in this population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all AUS insertions performed on high-risk patients by a single surgeon from 2010 to 2020. "High-risk" was defined as having ≥ 1 urethral risk factor: pelvic radiation, urethroplasty, recalcitrant urethral/bladder neck stenosis, urethral stenting, or previous AUS erosion/infection. Patients with ≥ 2 factors were "ultra-high-risk." Time-to-event analyses were used to assess all-cause-, infection/erosion-related-, and mechanical failure-related explant-free survival. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with a history of radiation and urethral dissection. RESULTS: The final cohort included 68 men, mean age of 67 years (SD 11), and 77 AUS cuffs. Mean follow-up was 32 months (IQR 6-50). 29% of cuffs (n = 22) were transcorporal. 32 cuffs (42%) were explanted. All-cause explant-free survival was 64% at 1 year and 52% at 2 years. Classification as "ultra-high-risk" was not associated with explant risk (all p-values > 0.05). TCC placement was associated with an increased risk of explant for infection/erosion across all patients (HR 2.74, p = 0.03) and in radiated patients (n = 50; HR 4.1, p = 0.04), but not in patients with prior urethral dissection (n = 52; HR 1.98, p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: High-risk patients have a high rate of AUS explant and TCC placement may not be protective in this population. TCC placement was associated with an increased risk of infection/erosion in radiated patients, but not in those with a history of open urethral surgery.

Is colorectal mucosa a reasonable graft alternative to buccal grafts for urethroplasty?: A comparison of graft histology and stretch.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the histological properties and stretch of colorectal mucosal grafts (CMG) and buccal mucosal grafts (BMG) and to evaluate the impact of age, medical comorbidity and tobacco use on these metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of BMGs from patients undergoing augmentation urethroplasty were sent for pathologic review. CMGs were collected from patients undergoing elective colectomy. CMGs were harvested fresh, at full thickness from normal rectum/sigmoid. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, prior radiation, or chemotherapy were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy two BMGs and 53 CMGs were reviewed. While BMGs and CMGs were both histologically composed of mucosal (epithelium + lamina propria) and submucosal layers, the mucosal layer in CMG had crypts. The outer epithelial layers differed significantly in mean thickness (BMG 573µm vs. CMG 430µm, p=0.0001). Mean lamina propria thickness and submucosal layer thickness also differed significantly (BMG 135µm vs. CMG 400µm, p<0.0001; BMG 1090µm vs. CMG 808µm, p = 0.007, respectively). Mean delta stretch, as to length and width, was greater for CMG (118% x 72%) compared to BMGs (22% x 8%), both p<0.001. CONCLUSION: CMGs and BMGs significantly differ histologically in layer composition, width and architecture, as well as graft stretch. Given its elastic properties, CMG may be useful in covering large surface areas, but its thin epithelium, thick lamina propria and additional muscularis mucosal layer could impact graft take and contracture.

Evaluating Tools for Characterizing Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease: A Comparison of the LSE System and the Urethral Stricture Score.

PURPOSE: We evaluated if scores generated by the LSE classification system and the Urethral Stricture Score system are associated with intraoperative surgical complexity and stricture recurrence risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consenting patients who underwent single-stage anterior urethroplasty by a single surgeon at 2 institutions. Urethral Stricture Score and a numerical LSE "score" was calculated for each patient. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses were used to assess for a relationship between increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score and surgical complexity. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess for an association between Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score and stricture recurrence risk. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients with a mean age of 48 years (SD 16) and mean stricture length of 4.2 cm (SD 3.3) were included. Mean follow-up was 21 months. Forty-six patients recurred over time. We found a strong positive linear correlation between Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score (P < .001). Both increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score independently linearly correlated with increasing surgical complexity (both P < .0001). Univariable analysis demonstrated that increasing LSE score was significantly associated with an increased risk of stricture recurrence (HR 1.2, P = .02) but Urethral Stricture Score was not. Patients with a high LSE score (≥7) were nearly 3 times as likely to recur versus patients with a low LSE score (HR 2.7, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score are both associated with increasing surgical complexity, but only LSE score is associated with stricture recurrence risk. Conversion of the LSE classification system into a numeric score adds functionality to this novel system.

One-Stage Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty for Lichen Sclerosus-Related Urethral Stricture Disease: A Systematic Review and Pooled Proportional Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Performing 1-stage urethroplasty in patients with urethral strictures caused by lichen sclerosus (LS) is hotly debated among reconstructive urologists due to conflicting reports of success. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the pooled incidence of stricture recurrence following 1-stage buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty in patients with LS, to determine the impact of surgical technique on recurrence and to compare recurrence risk between patients with and without LS after 1-stage repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA criteria. The primary outcome was pooled incidence of recurrence, which was calculated using a Der-Simonian-Laird binary random effects model with a Freeman-Tukey arcsine transformation. A total of 21 studies were included, of which 15 provided data for comparative analyses. RESULTS: Pooled data from 625 LS patients revealed a stricture recurrence rate of 10% (95% CI 6-14). Among studies with longer followup (≥24 months), this increased to 18%. Among patients with penile urethral involvement, studies utilizing a penile skin incision had significantly higher pooled recurrence rates than those utilizing penile invagination (p=0.004). Across all studies, there was no evidence to suggest a difference in pooled recurrence rate between patients with and without LS (p=0.36). However, across only long-term studies, recurrence risk was significantly higher for patients with LS (OR 1.83, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One-stage BMG urethroplasty is likely a viable surgical option for patients with LS-related strictures; however, high-quality data are limited. Future multi-institutional, long-term prospective studies are needed to assess durability of 1-stage repair.

The Impact of Preoperative Oral Health on Buccal Mucosa Graft Histology.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have elucidated the unique macroscopic and histological properties of buccal mucosa that make it a viable and durable graft for urethral augmentation. However, no prior literature has directly investigated the impact of preoperative oral health on these features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed all consenting patients who underwent buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty at our institution from 2018 to 2020. Validated oral health surveys, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Kayser-Jones Brief Oral Health Status Examination (BOHSE) were completed preoperatively. A staff pathologist analyzed BMG histology and quantified oral mucositis using a modified Oral Mucosa Rating Scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 51 patients with a median age of 40 years (IQR 31-58). Mean BOHSE score was 1.1 and OHIP-14 score was 1.4. Median epithelial thickness was 530 µm and lamina propria thickness was 150 µm. On age-adjusted analysis, increasing BOHSE and OHIP-14 were associated with decreasing epithelial thickness (p values <0.05). Higher BOHSE scores also correlated with thinner lamina proprias (p=0.05) and increased graft stretch (p=0.03). The 2 patients with postoperative urine leaks and available graft histology had lamina propria thicknesses well below the cohort median, at 50 µm and 60 µm. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that oral health conditions impact graft histology and stretch. Although much remains to be learned, our findings shed light on the potential importance of optimizing oral health prior to BMG urethroplasty, and raise the question of if preoperative mucosal biopsy could help inform surgical decision making and discussions regarding surgical success.

Lower Urinary Tract Stenosis Following Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the mechanisms, risk factors, evaluation and current management options for iatrogenic lower urinary tract stenosis, including urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture, caused by surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of iatrogenic stenosis following endoscopic BPH surgery ranges from 0 to 9.7%. New endoscopic techniques and technologies for treating BPH do not appear to substantially mitigate this risk. However, new advances in our understanding of urethral sphincter anatomy combined with both innovative open urethroplasty techniques and utilization of robotic surgery for bladder neck reconstruction, offer promise in improving treatment outcomes for this patient population. Treating patient with stenosis following BPH-related surgery can be challenging, especially in patients with recurrent disease. Optimizing outcomes and patient satisfaction relies on performing a thorough work-up and openly discussing treatment choices, risks and postoperative expectations with patients. Future research and emerging technology in both endoscopic BPH treatment surgical options and management of postoperative stenosis is critical to continuing to improve patient care.

Urology Consultation and Emergency Department Revisits for Children with Urinary Stone Disease.

PURPOSE: We determined the association between urology consultation and emergency department revisits for children with urinary stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients 18 years old or younger who presented to an emergency department in South Carolina with a urinary stone from 1997 to 2015. The primary exposure was urology consultation during the index emergency department visit. The primary outcome was a stone related emergency department revisit occurring within 180 days of discharge from an index emergency department visit. Secondary outcomes included computerized tomography use, inpatient admission and emergent surgery. RESULTS: Of 5,642 index emergency department visits for acute urinary stones 11% resulted in at least 1 stone related emergency department revisit within 180 days. Of revisits 59% occurred within 30 days of discharge and 39% were due to pain. The odds of emergency department revisit were highest within the first 48 hours of discharge home (OR 22.6, 95% CI 18.0 to 28.5) and rapidly decreased thereafter. Urology consultation was associated with a 37% lower adjusted odds of emergency department revisit (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.90) and 68% lower odds of computerized tomography use across all emergency department visits (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.69). Among patients who revisited the emergency department the frequency of pain complaints was 27% in those with a urological consultation at the index visit and 39% in those without. CONCLUSIONS: Urology consultation was associated with decreased emergency department revisits and computerized tomography use in pediatric patients with urinary stones. Future studies should identify patients who benefit most from urology consultation and ascertain processes of care that decrease emergency department revisits among high risk patients.

Nocturia in women.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nocturia in women is a notable health concern, associated with significant morbidity and decreases in health-related quality of life. It is implicated in daytime somnolence and poor sleep quality, and has been found to negatively impact household activities, work, exercise, and sexual activity. This review is intended to relay new information regarding the prevalence, cause, risk factors, ramifications, and treatment options for nocturia in women as it gains traction as a clinical entity in and of itself. RECENT FINDINGS: New literature exposes the prevalence and burden of nocturia among young, healthy nulliparous women; reveals its presence in women without daytime symptoms; suggests its relationship with abnormal bowel function; and supports its association with obesity, cardiac burden and poor sleep. The link between nocturia and menopause has been challenged, and recent nomenclature describing the genitourinary symptoms of menopause excludes it from the list. Desmopressin and tamsulosin trials in women have demonstrated safety and efficacy in limiting nocturia frequency and severity, as well as in improving sleep parameters. SUMMARY: Nocturia is an impactful health issue at risk of being missed, especially in younger female patients. Open dialogue, purposeful questioning, and screening surveys can help elicit this symptom in women who are embarrassed or who accredit it to normal aging and therefore do not seek medical attention. In light of a growing geriatric population, nocturia is a clinical entity of increasing importance as it can be a clue to underlying systemic disorder or it can be an isolated symptom with significant clinical implications if left unaddressed.

Bladder-Related Quality of Life After Spinal Cord Injury: Findings from the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group Spinal Cord Injury Registry.

The Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG) was formed with the mission to optimize quality of life (QoL), surgical outcomes, and clinical care of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. One of the original priorities of the organization was to support creation of the NBRG Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Registry. The aim of this Registry was to establish a prospective database, in order to study bladder-related QoL after SCI. The study enrolled close to 1500 participants from across North America over an 18 month time-period (January 2016-July 2017).

The Utility of Renal Mass Biopsy in Shared Decision-Making for Renal Mass Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of renal mass biopsy (RMB) in shared decision-making for renal mass treatment. Underutilization of RMB for patients with renal masses is due in part to physicians believing that results have limited clinical utility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of all patients referred for RMB from October 2019 to October 2021. Patients and physicians completed pre- and post-RMB questionnaires. Questionnaires assessed both parties' perceived utility of RMB and the impact of biopsy results on treatment preference using Likert scales. RESULTS: We enrolled 22 patients with a mean age of 66years (SD 14.5) and mean renal tumor size 3.1 cm (SD 1.4). Five were lost to follow-up (three pre-RMB, two post-RMB). Pre-RMB, 100% of patients believed that a biopsy would help them choose a treatment and 45% were unsure of their treatment preferences. After RMB, 92% perceived their biopsy results as useful and only 9% were unsure of treatment preference. Overall, 100% of patients were glad they had a biopsy. Results led patients and physicians to change their treatment preference in 57% and 40% of cases, respectively. Patients and physicians disagreed about treatment in 81% of cases prior to biopsy, but in only 25% of cases after biopsy. CONCLUSION: Discordance between patient and physician treatment preference for renal masses is higher in the absence of RMB data. Select patients are willing to undergo RMB and RMB data can increase patient confidence and comfort in a shared decision-making approach for renal mass treatment.

Biologic adjuvant urethral coverings for single-stage primary hypospadias repairs: A systematic review and pooled proportional meta-analysis of postoperative urethrocutaneous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: The use of barrier layers between the neourethra and skin is associated with lower rates of post-operative urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) following hypospadias surgery. Recent studies have evaluated the ability of biologic adjuvant urethral coverings (BAUCs) - namely acellular matrix (AM), tissue adhesives (TAs), and autologous platelet-rich plasma or fibrin (PRP/PRF) - to prevent wound complications following hypospadias surgery. In general, however, these studies are small and conducted at single institutions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of BAUCs on the rate of UCF following single-stage primary hypospadias repair. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the rate of postoperative UCF in pediatric patients undergoing single-stage, primary hypospadias repairs using either AM, TA, or PRP/PRF as a layer interposed between the neourethra and skin. We then performed a pooled proportional meta-analysis of post-operative UCF. Patients within each study who underwent comparable surgery but did not receive a BAUC were used as controls. RESULTS: 10 studies were included in our review. The meta-analysis included 280 patients from 7 studies who underwent hypospadias repairs with BAUCs. The pooled incidence of UCF was 10% (95% CI 6-14%). Mean follow-up ranged 5-23.5 months in the 5/7 studies reporting specific durations, and ≥6 month and 14-30 months, respectively, in the other two studies. Patients in whom a BAUC was used had significantly lower odds of UCF than control patients (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24-0.64, p = 0.0002). In subgroup analyses, significant superiority held for AM and TA; proximal or penoscrotal cases; transverse preputial island flap (TPIF) technique; when both cases and controls had local flaps; and when neither cases nor controls had flaps. DISCUSSION: The use of BAUCs was associated with decreased rates of post-operative UCF in single-stage primary hypospadias repairs and may be most beneficial in more severe cases and when used in addition to local flaps or when using a flap is not possible. In 2/3 studies of PRP/PRF and 2/4 studies of tubularized incised plate (TIP) technique, dartos flaps were used in controls but not BAUC patients, which may explain the lack of benefit demonstrated for these subgroups. This meta-analysis is limited by the quality of evidence in the included studies, which are not uniformly randomized. Furthermore, the follow-up durations and methods for assessing complications are not standardized between included studies. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis herein suggests that using BAUCs may reduce UCF rates following hypospadias surgery. Rigorous prospective evaluation is needed to validate this benefit.

A Hard Day at Work: An Analysis of Occupational Genitourinary Injuries in the United States Workforce.

OBJECTIVE: To use national data to identify risk factors for occupational genitourinary (GU) injuries and to expose potential workplace safety issues requiring national regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried to identify all adults who suffered a work-related GU injury from 2007 to 2016. Injury was stratified by individual organ and by organ type: intra-abdominopelvic (IAP) vs external genitalia (EG). Distinct multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between prespecified risk factors and GU injury (organ and type) and to identify predictors of intensive care unit and operating room (OR) transfer. RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred thirty-nine patients (total of 2681 GU injuries), were included. A mean of 1.3 GU organ injuries and 7.6 total injuries were suffered per patient. 72% suffered an IAP GU injury, 23% an EG injury, and 5% suffered both. Patients working in agriculture/forestry/fishing, (OR 2.3, P = .003), manufacturing (OR 1.9, P = .05), and natural resources/mining (OR 2.3, P = .012) were at significantly increased risk of EG injury. The penis and urethra were particularly at-risk in agriculture/forestry/fishing (OR 4.0, P = .005; OR 3.0, P = .002) and the urethra in natural resources/mining (OR 3.4, P = .004). IAP GU injury was a significant predictor of intensive care unit transfer (OR 1.8, P <.001), whereas EG injury was a significant predictor of OR transfer (OR 2.5, P <.001). CONCLUSION: Occupational GU injuries remain a major issue for blue-collar workers. External genitalia are particularly at-risk, and injuries often require emergent surgery. National occupational health agencies need to continue to enhance on-the-job safety for those at-risk.

Hospital Ownership, Geographic Region, Patient Age, Comorbidities, and Insurance Status Appear to Influence Patient Selection Robot-Assisted Ureteral Reimplantation for Benign Disease: A Population-Based Analysis.

Background: Robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR) is a relatively new minimally invasive procedure. As such, research is lacking, and the largest adult cohort studies include fewer than 30 patients. Our aim was to be the first population-based study to report on national utilization trends, factors associated with patient selection, inpatient outcomes, and the relative cost of RAUR for adults with benign ureteral disease (BUD). Materials and Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (2010-2015) was queried to identify all elective, nontransplant-related, open and robot-assisted reimplants for adult BUD. Survey-weighted logistic regression using Akaike Information Criterion identified patient-/hospital-level factors associated with robotic procedure. Survey-weighted regression models examined the association of robotic procedure with outcomes and charges. Results: A weighted total of 9088 cases were included: 1688 (18.6%) robot assisted and 7400 (81.4%) open. There were significantly increased odds of RAUR across consecutive years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, p < 0.001) and among patients operated on at private for-profit hospitals (OR: 2.1; p = 0.01), but significantly decreased odds among older patients (OR = 0.98, p < 0.001), those with Medicaid (OR = 0.5, p = 0.02), those with 2+ comorbidities (OR = 0.6, p = 0.009), and those operated on in western (OR = 0.5; p = 0.005) states. RAUR was significantly associated with a reduced length-of-stay (incidence rate ratio: 0.60; p < 0.001), decreased odds of blood transfusion (OR = 0.40; p < 0.001), and a lower mean ratio of total hospital charges (ratio: 0.71; p = 0.006). Conclusions: This is the first population-based study to report on the utilization and clinical benefits of RAUR for adult BUD. Open reimplantation remains the most common surgical technique utilized, despite the potential benefits of RAUR. Future research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind patient-/hospital-level factors and surgical selection. Work to investigate potential barriers in access to robotic procedure can help us provide equitable care across patient populations.

Press Ganey Ratings in Urology: Who is at Risk of Bias?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of patient and physician demographics on Press Ganey (PG) survey ratings for urologists. METHODS: PG surveys (02/2020-08/2021) for urologists at a single tertiary care center were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between patient and physician-level covariates and the primary outcome of a "topbox" Overall Doctor Rating (topbox-ODR) score of 9 or 10 of 10. RESULTS: A total of 4155 surveys of 20 attending urologists (8 female (F)) across 7 subspecialties, were assessed. Mean ODR score for F physicians was 9.2 (SD 1.7) compared to 9.5 (SD 1.3) for males (M), P < .001. Univariate regression demonstrated that F patients are less likely (OR 0.27, P < .001) to give topbox-ODRs than M patients, and F physicians are 58% less likely (OR 0.42, P = .01) to receive topbox-ODRs than M physicians. Oncologists are more likely to receive topbox-ODRs (OR 3.3, P = .009) than all other subspecialists. Multivariate regression demonstrated that M patients are more likely to give M physicians top-box-ODRs (OR 0.32, P = .02), while F patients are less likely to give topbox-ODRs to physicians of both genders (M: OR 0.24, P < .001; F: 0.21, P < .001). Physicians in practice for >10 years are 66% less likely to receive topbox-ODRs (OR 0.33, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Urologists who care for F patients are at risk of being affected by bias in PG physician ratings. M physicians who care for M patients appear to be at the least risk; while F physicians who care for F patients appear to be at the highest risk.

Early fluid resuscitation reduces morbidity among patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Early fluid resuscitation is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients with acute pancreatitis, although the impact of this intervention has not been quantified. We investigated the association between early fluid resuscitation and outcome of patients admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Nontransfer patients admitted to our center with acute pancreatitis from 1985-2009 were identified retrospectively. Patients were stratified into groups on the basis of early (n = 340) or late resuscitation (n = 94). Early resuscitation was defined as receiving ≥one-third of the total 72-hour fluid volume within 24 hours of presentation, whereas late resuscitation was defined as receiving ≤one-third of the total 72-hour fluid volume within 24 hours of presentation. The primary outcomes were frequency of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), organ failure, and death. RESULTS: Early resuscitation was associated with decreased SIRS, compared with late resuscitation, at 24 hours (15% vs 32%, P = .001), 48 hours (14% vs 33%, P = .001), and 72 hours (10% vs 23%, P = .01), as well as reduced organ failure at 72 hours (5% vs 10%, P < .05), a lower rate of admission to the intensive care unit (6% vs 17%, P < .001), and a reduced length of hospital stay (8 vs 11 days, P = .01). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that these benefits were more pronounced in patients with interstitial rather than severe pancreatitis at admission. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute pancreatitis, early fluid resuscitation was associated with reduced incidence of SIRS and organ failure at 72 hours. These effects were most pronounced in patients admitted with interstitial rather than severe disease.

The Rising Incidence of Penile Prosthesis Surgery as the First Line Surgical Treatment for Peyronie's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peyronie's disease is a potentially debilitating connective tissue disorder of the penis that at times requires surgical intervention. There is a dearth of multi-center or community-level data regarding management trends. The aim of this study was to perform the first population-based assessment of surgical practice patterns in the treatment of Peyronie's disease among New York State urologists. METHODS: We used the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database to identify all patients who underwent surgical treatment for Peyronie's disease between 2003 and 2016. We used descriptive statistics and multinomial regression modeling to assess predictors of treatment choice. RESULTS: Among 1,733 patients who underwent surgical treatment for Peyronie's disease, 30% underwent insertion of a penile prosthesis alone and 40% underwent insertion of a penile prosthesis with concurrent auxiliary procedures. Penile prosthesis (alone or in combination) was the first line surgical treatment in 21% of patients without documented erectile dysfunction. Relative rates of performing tunical plication and penile grafting decreased over time (both p <0.05), while insertion of a penile prosthesis/insertion of penile prosthesis with concurrent auxiliary procedures rates correspondingly increased (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of penile prosthesis is by far the most commonly performed primary procedure for Peyronie's disease in New York State, with 1 in 5 patients without erectile dysfunction receiving an implant. While this trend cannot be explained by an administrative data set alone, it does warrant further exploration, as the declining utilization of alternate surgical treatments could compromise surgeon comfort in performing penile grafting and/or tunical plication in the future and may exacerbate disparities in treatment over time.

Efficacy of an Online Blended Learning Curriculum to Improve Medical Student Urologic Education.

OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, limitations on in-person medical school clerkships created a deficit in urologic learning opportunities. We sought to develop and evaluate a blended curriculum of interactive online modules with small-group discussion to enhance the educational experience for medical students in urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created a curriculum of four online case-based urology modules. Between July and October 2020, 14 fourth-year medical students completed the modules. Students answered questions on a discussion board and engaged in asynchronous dialogue with 16 physicians, in addition to a weekly live review session. Students and physicians completed anonymous surveys to assess satisfaction and perceived learning outcomes, with questions scored on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Thirteen students (93% response rate) and 12 physicians (75% response rate) completed the survey. Overall, 12/13 students and 11/12 physicians "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" that the modules improved the rotation. Students and physicians perceived that the modules were effective for learning/teaching foundational knowledge (average ratings 4.8 and 4.5, respectively) and facilitating performance assessment (4.4 and 4.0). Students reported high learning scores across multiple Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies, and 12/13 students found the modules fun/engaging. The majority of students (12/13) and physicians (10/12) felt that the online modules should be incorporated into future urology electives. CONCLUSIONS: A blended learning curriculum utilizing online modules is an effective tool for enhancing urologic education, improving perceived learning outcomes and facilitating performance assessment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01427-3.