Long-term effect of conservative treatment versus low threshold endoscopic desobstruction on urine incontinence and urgency in boys with persistent overactive bladder symptoms: A cohort study.

AIMS: To assess the long-term effects of two treatment strategies (low threshold endoscopic desobstruction vs. conservative treatment) on urinary incontinence (UI) and urgency-frequency in boys. METHODS: Boys with persistent overactive bladder symptoms treated in two tertiary referral centers between 2006 and 2009 were included. Treatment strategy in center 1 was urethrocystoscopy (UCS) and in case of obstruction urethral desobstruction and in center 2 conservative. The primary outcome was time to being dry during daytime, secondary outcomes were being dry both day and night and presence of urgency-frequency, using the "provisional" International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Children's Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) questionnaire. RESULTS: Median age at start of treatment was 8.0 (IQR 6.4-9.4) years in center 1 and 8.4 (IQR 6.0-10.1) years in center 2. At baseline daytime incontinence was present in 100/104 children (96%, center 1) and 37/44 (84%, center 2). In center 1, UCS was performed in 98 (93%) boys, with desobstruction in 93 (88%), while in center 2 these numbers were 16 (36%), and 5 (11%). There were no differences between groups after a mean follow-up of 5 years concerning dryness at daytime (HR 0.86, 0.56-1.30), dryness day and night (HR 0.72, 0.51-1.14), and presence of urgency-frequency (HR 0.67, 0.38-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of a strategy including low-threshold UCS and endoscopic desobstruction in boys with urge incontinence and suspected infravesical obstruction to prevent LUTS and incontinence on the longer term could not be confirmed.

Risk of osteoporosis in testicular germ cell tumour survivors: A systematic review of the literature.

Context: Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) survivors are potentially at risk of developing osteoporosis, because of increased risk for disturbed bone remodelling associated with hypogonadism and anti-cancer treatment. A number of studies show bone loss and increased fracture risk in TGCT survivors, but data are scarce. There are no clinical guidelines or recommendations issued to address skeletal health in this group of patients potentially at high risk for osteoporosis. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of available literature addressing bone health in TGCT patients. Subgroup analysis was performed to identify risk factors for bone loss and increased fracture risk. Evidence Acquisition: Relevant databases, including MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library, including all English written comparative studies addressing bone health in TGCT patients, were searched up to December 2021 and a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using Cochrane ROBINS-I tool. Evidence Synthesis: Ten studies (eight cross-sectional and two longitudinal), recruiting a total of 1997 unique TGCT patients, were identified and included in the analysis. Bone health was reported in various ways in different studies, and subgroups were defined heterogeneously, resulting in a widely varying prevalence of osteoporosis of up to 73.2% of patients. Six studies reported low BMD associated with higher luteinizing hormone levels and one study showed a correlation between follow up duration and bone loss. Conclusions: TGCT survivors are at risk of developing osteoporosis and sustaining fragility fractures. Chemotherapy, pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction and ageing are key risk factors, although available data are scarce. With increasing survival of TGCT patients, a clear unmet need has been identified to systematically evaluate and monitor skeletal health in larger numbers of survivors in order to develop best clinical practice guidelines to manage the insidious but potentially preventable and treatable skeletal complications of TGCT.

Impact of comorbidity on complications after nephrectomy: use of the Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Tumour characteristics, physical status and comorbidities are considered important for surgical outcome and prognosis. The present study objectively evaluates the association between comorbidity and postoperative complications after nephrectomy for RCC, by using the modified Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications to grade complications after nephrectomy. OBJECTIVE: To present a single-centre experience of open nephrectomy for lesions suspected for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), evaluating the association between comorbidity and postoperative complications using a standardized classification system for postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological data of 198 patients undergoing open radical or partial nephrectomy for lesions suspected of RCC were retrospectively analysed. Comorbidity scored by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), body mass index, age, gender, surgical procedure and surgical history were examined as predictive factors for postoperative complications, which were scored using the modified Clavien Classification of Surgical Complications (CCSC). RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 34%: 7% grade I, 15% grade II, 5% grade III, 3% grade IV and 4% grade V. Preoperative comorbidities were present in 51% of all patients. There were significantly more major complications (CCSC >2) in patients with major comorbidities (CCI >2), at 16% vs 7% (P = 0.018). Patients with high-stage RCC had significantly more severe complications than low-stage RCC (P = 0.018). In multivariable analysis, comorbidity (odds ratio [OR] 7.55, P = 0.004) and tumour stage 3-4 (OR 6.23, P = 0.007) were independent predictive factors for major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Major complications occur significantly more often when major comorbidities are present. Comorbidity scores can be used in risk stratification for complications and should be considered during decision-making and counselling of patients before nephrectomy.

Do previous urethral endoscopic procedures and preoperative self-dilatation increase the risk of stricture recurrence after urethroplasty?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between clinically relevant stricture recurrence after first urethroplasty and prior endoscopic treatments (dilatation and/or direct visual internal urethrotomy) or intermittent self-dilatation (ISD). METHODS: Patients with bulbar urethral strictures treated with first urethroplasty between 2011 and April 2019 were included in a prospectively gathered database with standardized follow-up. Stricture recurrence was defined as any need for reintervention. Primary outcome was the analysis of recurrence risk after first urethroplasty in relation with the number of prior endoscopic treatments or performance of ISD. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 106 patients were included with a median follow-up of 12 months (interquartile range 8-13]. Reintervention was necessary in 16 patients (15%). Recurrence was more prevalent in patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments (28%, P = .009). No increased risk of recurrence was found in patients with 1 or 2 prior endoscopic treatments. The prevalence of prior ISD was twice as high in the stricture recurrence group (56% vs 26%, P = .014), and ISD was performed in 61% of the patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments (P < .001). The number of prior endoscopic interventions and performance of ISD were no independent predictors for recurrence in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the risk of recurrence after first urethroplasty is increased in patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments and in those who performed ISD. Patients performing ISD more often had ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments. Prior endoscopic treatment and performance of ISD were not independent predictors of stricture recurrence.

The Long-term Effect of Superficial Bladder Neck Incision on Ejaculation and Incontinence in Boys with Primary and Secondary Bladder Neck Obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Superficial bladder neck incision (SBNI) is controversial at young age, with retrograde ejaculation after puberty as main concern. The aim of the study is to investigate the long-term effect of SBNI on ejaculation and incontinence in boys with primary and secondary bladder neck obstruction (BNO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In boys with infravesical obstruction, SBNI was performed in case of a persistent BNO after earlier desobstruction or in case of primary severely obstructive bladder neck. SBNI was performed with a diathermy hook, always superficially (2-3 mm) and unilaterally at 7 O'clock. Males that had SBNI during childhood after posterior urethral valve incision or relief of other obstruction between 1986 and 2003 were included. Evaluation was done by International Continence Society male sex questionnaire, International Prostate Symptom Score, developmental International Consultation Modular Questionnaire on Urinary Incontinence, frequency volume chart, and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Of 79 traceable patients, 40 (50.6%) participated. Of these, 37 (92.5%) completed all questionnaires and 28 (70%) performed uroflowmetry. Median age at SBNI was 4.7 years [interquartile range (IQR) 0.6-8.5] and was 19.6 years (IQR 17.3-20.9) at follow-up. All men had antegrade ejaculation, 4/37 (10.8%) reported possibly reduced ejaculatory volume. Eight (22%) had moderate lower urinary tract symptoms and two (5.4%) had moderate incontinence. Median maximum flow rate was 30.1 mL/s (IQR 24.4-42.6). CONCLUSION: SBNI in boys with severe infravesical obstruction can be done safely with preservation of antegrade ejaculation and no additional lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Long-term follow-up after transurethral treatment of infravesical obstruction in boys.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether boys who underwent transurethral treatment of (mild) infravesical obstruction during childhood have lower urinary tract symptoms and complications at young adult age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Young adult men who underwent transurethral treatment for infravesical obstruction as a child were contacted. The following measurements were done: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire on Urinary Incontinence, frequency volume chart uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual. A group of 151 male students who completed IPSS and underwent uroflowmetry was used as reference group to compare with patients. RESULTS: Of 135 traceable patients, 87 men (median age 21.9 years; interquartile range [IQR] 19.6-25.6) returned the questionnaires, and 71 underwent uroflowmetry. Median age at initial treatment was 7.9 years (IQR 1.0-10.8). Compared with men in the reference group, patients had similar IPSS and quality of life scores; median IPSS was 3, and IPSS-quality of life 1 (IQR 0.0-1.0). Urgency incontinence and postmicturition incontinence were reported in 2.4% and 8.5%, respectively. Frequency volume charts (n = 29) showed normal frequency and voided volumes. Uroflowmetry results were comparable with the reference group, although 16 (22.5%) patients voided volumes >600 mL. One patient had urethral stricturing, and one a significant postvoid residual. CONCLUSION: Young adult men treated for (mild) urethral obstruction in childhood have few micturition symptoms and good uroflowmetry results, not different from a reference group. Some patients, however, report incontinence, and this group deserves close attention. Late complications were rare.

A systematic review on the accuracy of diagnostic procedures for infravesical obstruction in boys.

BACKGROUND: Infravesical obstruction leads to kidney and bladder dysfunction in a significant proportion of boys. The aim of this review is to determine the value of diagnostic tests for ascertainment of infravesical obstruction in boys. METHODOLOGY: We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases until January 1, 2013, to identify papers that described original diagnostic accuracy research for infravesical obstruction in boys. We extracted information on (1) patient characteristics and clinical presentation of PUV and (2) diagnostic pathway, (3) diagnostic accuracy measures and (4) assessed risk of bias. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We retrieved 15 studies describing various diagnostic pathways in 1,189 boys suspected for infravesical obstruction. The included studies reflect a broad clinical spectrum of patients, but all failed to present a standardised approach to confirm the presence and severity of obstruction. The risk of bias of included studies is rather high due to work-up bias and missing data. CONCLUSIONS: As a consequence of low quality of methods of the available studies we put little confidence in the reported estimates for the diagnostic accuracy of US, VCUG and new additional tests for ruling in or ruling out infravesical obstruction. To date, firm evidence to support common diagnostic pathways is lacking. Hence, we are unable to draw conclusions on diagnostic accuracy of tests for infravesical obstruction. In order to be able to standardise the diagnostic pathway for infravesical obstruction, adequate design and transparent reporting is mandatory.

A systematic review on renal and bladder dysfunction after endoscopic treatment of infravesical obstruction in boys.

BACKGROUND: Posterior urethral valves (PUV) may cause subtle to severe obstruction of the urethra, resulting in a broad clinical spectrum. PUV are the most common cause of chronic renal disease in boys. Our purpose was to report the incidences of kidney and bladder dysfunction in boys treated with endoscopic valve resection for PUV. METHODOLOGY: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until 1st of July 2011, to identify original papers that described outcome of endoscopic valve resection (EVR) in boys. We extracted information on (1) patient characteristics and clinical presentation of PUV related to outcomes and (2) the post-treatment absolute risks for kidney and bladder dysfunction. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thirty-four studies describing renal function, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), incontinence, and urodynamic bladder function after EVR in 1474 patients were retrieved. Patients treated for PUV show high percentages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end stage renal disease (ESRD), 22% (0-32%) and 11% (0-20%), respectively. Elevated nadir serum creatinine was the only independent factor associated with renal failure. Before treatment, VUR was present in 43% of boys and after EVR, VUR was present in 22%. Post treatment, 19% (0-70%) was reported to suffer from urinary incontinence. Urodynamic bladder dysfunction was seen in many patients (55%, 0-72%) after treatment of PUV. CONCLUSIONS: The reported cumulative incidence of renal and bladder dysfunction in patients with PUV after endoscopic PUV treatment varies widely. This may reflect a broad clinical spectrum, which relates to the lack of a standardised quantification of obstruction and its severity. Moreover, the risk of bias is rather high, and therefore we put little confidence in the reported estimates of effect. We found elevated nadir serum creatinine as a predictor for renal dysfunction. In order to be able to predict outcomes for patients with PUV, an objective classification of severity of obstruction is mandatory.