Superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Traditional multimodal analgesic strategies have several contraindications in cardiac surgery patients, forcing clinicians to use alternative options. Superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks, anesthetizing the anterior cutaneous branches of the thoracic intercostal nerves, are being explored as a straightforward method to treat pain after sternotomy. We sought to evaluate the literature on the effects of superficial parasternal blocks on pain control after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases for RCTs evaluating superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery via midline sternotomy published from inception to 11 March 2022. The prespecified primary outcome was opioid consumption at 12 hr. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations, assessments, development, and evaluations. Outcomes were analyzed with a random-effects model. All subgroups were prespecified. RESULTS: We reviewed 1,275 citations. Eleven RCTs, comprising 756 patients, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only one study reported the prespecified primary outcome, precluding the possibility of meta-analysis. This study reported a reduction in opioid consumption (-11.2 mg iv morphine equivalents; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.2 to -14.1) There was a reduction in opioid consumption at 24 hr (-7.2 mg iv morphine equivalents; 95% CI, -5.6 to -8.7; five trials; 436 participants; moderate certainty evidence). All five studies measuring complications reported that none were detected, which included a sample of 196 blocks. CONCLUSION: The literature suggests a potential benefit of using superficial parasternal blocks to improve acute postoperative pain control after cardiac surgery via midline sternotomy. Future studies specifying dosing regimens and adjuncts are required. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42022306914); first submitted 22 March 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Il existe plusieurs contre-indications aux stratégies analgésiques multimodales traditionnelles chez la patientèle de chirurgie cardiaque, ce qui oblige les clinicien·nes à se tourner vers d'autres options. Les blocs des plans intercostaux parasternaux superficiels, anesthésiant les branches cutanées antérieures des nerfs intercostaux thoraciques, sont l'une des méthodes simples actuellement explorées pour traiter la douleur après une sternotomie. Nous avons cherché à évaluer la littérature sur les effets des blocs parasternaux superficiels sur le contrôle de la douleur après une chirurgie cardiaque. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique et une méta-analyse des études randomisées contrôlées (ERC). Nous avons fait des recherches dans les bases de données MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL et Web of Science pour en tirer les ERC évaluant les blocs des plans intercostaux parasternaux superficiels chez les patient·es adultes bénéficiant d'une chirurgie cardiaque par sternotomie médiane publiées depuis leur création jusqu'au 11 mars 2022. Le critère d'évaluation principal préspécifié était la consommation d'opioïdes à 12 heures. Le risque de biais a été évalué à l'aide de l'outil Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias, et la qualité des données probantes à l'aide de l'outil GRADE. Les résultats ont été analysés à l'aide d'un modèle à effets aléatoires. Tous les sous-groupes étaient préspécifiés. RéSULTATS: Nous avons examiné 1275 citations. Onze ERC, comprenant 756 patient·es, remplissaient les critères d'inclusion. Une seule étude a rapporté le critère d'évaluation principal préspécifié, ce qui a exclu la possibilité d'une méta-analyse. Cette étude a rapporté une réduction de la consommation d'opioïdes (−11,2 mg équivalents de morphine iv; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, −8,2 à −14,1). Il y a eu une réduction de la consommation d'opioïdes à 24 heures (−7,2 mg équivalents de morphine iv; IC 95 %, −5,6 à −8,7; cinq études; 436 participant·es; données probantes de certitude modérée). Les cinq études mesurant les complications ont rapporté qu'aucune complication n'avait été détectée, en incluant un échantillon de 196 blocs. CONCLUSION: La littérature suggère un avantage potentiel de l'utilisation de blocs parasternaux superficiels pour améliorer le contrôle de la douleur postopératoire aiguë après une chirurgie cardiaque par sternotomie médiane. Des études futures précisant les schémas posologiques et les adjuvants sont nécessaires. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: PROSPERO (CRD42022306914); soumis pour la première fois le 22 mars 2022.

A systematic review of paediatric neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines and Research Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and critique current international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on management of paediatric neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) and assess the applicability of these guidelines to clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of all CPGs on NLUTD published in English from the year 2010 to 2022. Six reviewers independently used the Appraisal of Guidelines and Research Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument to appraise all eligible CPGs. This instrument is comprised of 23 items organised into six quality domains. The scores for each item and domain were tabulated for each reviewer and interrater reliability was assessed for each domain using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Six CPGs were appraised and these included: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), European Society for Paediatric Urology, International Children's Continence Society, Irish, Spina Bifida Association (SBA), and International Brazilian Journal of Urology guidelines. They had high mean standardised scores in the domain on 'scope and purpose' and 'clarity of presentation' but had low scores in the domain of 'applicability'. The top three CPGs based on overall score were the NICE, Irish and SBA guidelines and the reviewers had high degree of interrater reliability (ICC 0.912, P < 0.001). The mean scores in various domains for the top three guidelines were 95.8 (scope and purpose), 87.5 (stakeholder involvement), 69.1 (rigour of development), 94.0 (clarity of presentation), 68.4 (applicability), and 59.7 (editorial independence). The diagnostic and treatment recommendations of the top three guidelines were presented. CONCLUSION: The existing CPGs on paediatric NLUTD provide high-quality evidence based recommendations. The NICE, Irish and SBA guidelines were the top three CPGs identified. They scored high on most domains except applicability and editorial independence. These domains need to be considered for future updates to improve the utility.

External validation of the ISARIC 4C Mortality Score to predict in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19 in a Canadian intensive care unit: a single-centre historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: With uncertain prognostic utility of existing predictive scoring systems for COVID-19-related illness, the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) 4C Mortality Score was developed by the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium as a COVID-19 mortality prediction tool. We sought to externally validate this score among critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 and compare its discrimination characteristics to that of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. METHODS: We enrolled all consecutive patients admitted with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure between 5 March 2020 and 5 March 2022 to our university-affiliated and intensivist-staffed ICU (Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada). After data abstraction, our primary outcome of in-hospital mortality was evaluated with an objective of determining the discriminative properties of the ISARIC 4C Mortality Score, using the area under the curve of a logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 429 patients were included, 102 (23.8%) of whom died in hospital. The receiver operator curve of the ISARIC 4C Mortality Score had an area under the curve of 0.762 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.717 to 0.811), whereas those of the SOFA and APACHE II scores were 0.705 (95% CI, 0.648 to 0.761) and 0.722 (95% CI, 0.667 to 0.777), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ISARIC 4C Mortality Score is a tool that had a good predictive performance for in-hospital mortality in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 admitted to an ICU for respiratory failure. Our results suggest a good external validity of the 4C score when applied to a more severely ill population.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Compte tenu de l'utilité pronostique incertaine des systèmes de notation prédictive existants pour les maladies liées à la COVID-19, le score de mortalité ISARIC 4C a été mis au point par l'International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium en tant qu'outil de prédiction de la mortalité associée à la COVID-19. Nous avons cherché à valider en externe ce score chez les patient·es gravement malades atteint·es de COVID-19 admis·es dans une unité de soins intensifs (USI) et à comparer ses caractéristiques de discrimination à celles des scores APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) et SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). MéTHODE: Nous avons recruté toutes les personnes consécutives admises pour insuffisance respiratoire associée à la COVID-19 entre le 5 mars 2020 et le 5 mars 2022 dans notre unité de soins intensifs affiliée à l'université et dotée d'intensivistes (Hôpital général juif, Montréal, QC, Canada). Après l'abstraction des données, notre critère d'évaluation principal de mortalité à l'hôpital a été évalué dans le but de déterminer les propriétés discriminatives du score de mortalité ISARIC 4C, en utilisant la surface sous la courbe d'un modèle de régression logistique. RéSULTATS: Au total, 429 patient·es ont été inclus·es, dont 102 (23,8 %) sont décédé·es à l'hôpital. La fonction d'efficacité du récepteur (courbe ROC) du score de mortalité ISARIC 4C avait une surface sous la courbe de 0,762 (intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 0,717 à 0,811), tandis que celles des scores SOFA et APACHE II étaient de 0,705 (IC 95%, 0,648 à 0,761) et 0,722 (IC 95%, 0,667 à 0,777), respectivement. CONCLUSION: Le score de mortalité ISARIC 4C est un outil qui a affiché une bonne performance prédictive de la mortalité à l'hôpital dans une cohorte de patient·es atteint·es de COVID-19 admis·es dans une unité de soins intensifs pour insuffisance respiratoire. Nos résultats suggèrent une bonne validité externe du score 4C lorsqu'il est appliqué à une population plus gravement malade.

Echocardiography findings in amniotic fluid embolism: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a leading cause of obstetrical cardiac arrest and maternal morbidity. The pathogenesis of hemodynamic collapse is thought to be from right ventricular (RV) failure; however, there is a paucity of data documenting echocardiography findings in this population. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the echocardiography findings in patients with AFE. SOURCES: We retrieved all case reports and case series reporting AFE in Embase and MEDLINE from inception to 20 November 2021. Studies reporting AFE diagnosed by fulfilling at least one of three different proposed AFE criteria and echocardiography findings during hospitalization were included. Patient and echocardiographic data were retrieved, and univariate logistic regression analysis was performed for outcomes of interest. Bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute clinical appraisal tool for case series. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Eighty publications reporting on 84 patients were included in the final review. Fifty-five out of 82 patients with data (67%) showed RV dysfunction, including 11/82 (13%) with biventricular dysfunction; 14/82 (17%) had normal systolic function. No data on RV or left ventricular function were reported for two patients. The presence of RV dysfunction on echocardiography was associated with cardiac arrest (odds ratio [OR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 9.67; P = 0.009), and a composite risk of cardiac arrest, maternal death or use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR, 3.86; 95% CI, 1.43 to 10.4; P = 0.007). A low risk of bias was observed in 15/84 (18%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography is a common finding in AFE and is associated with a high risk of cardiac arrest. The finding of RV dysfunction on echocardiography may help diagnose AFE and help triage the highest risk patients with AFE. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42021271323); registered 1 September 2021.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'embolie amniotique (EA) est l'une des principales causes d'arrêt cardiaque obstétrical et de morbidité maternelle. Il est présumé que la pathogenèse du choc hémodynamique provient d'une défaillance ventriculaire droite (VD). Cependant, il y a peu de données documentant les constatations de l'examen échocardiographique dans cette population. Nous avons effectué une revue systématique des données probantes visant à évaluer l'utilité de l'échocardiographie chez les patientes atteintes d'embolie amniotique. SOURCES: Nous avons évalué tous les rapports de cas et séries de cas rapportant une EA dans les bases de données Embase et MEDLINE de leur création jusqu'au 20 novembre 2021. Les études rapportant une EA diagnostiquée en remplissant au moins l'un des trois critères d'EA proposés et les résultats échocardiographiques pendant l'hospitalisation ont été incluses. Les données sur les patientes et échocardiographiques ont été colligées, et une analyse de régression logistique univariée a été effectuée pour les issues cliniques d'intérêt. Le risque de biais a été évalué à l'aide de l'outil d'évaluation clinique de l'Institut Joanna Briggs pour les séries de cas. CONSTATATIONS PRINCIPALES: Quatre-vingts publications incluant 84 patientes ont été incluses dans la revue finale. Cinquante-cinq des 82 patientes présentant des données (67 %) avaient une dysfonction du VD incluant 11/82 (13 %) avec une dysfonction biventriculaire. Quatorze patientes sur 82 (17 %) avaient une fonction systolique normale. Aucune donnée sur la fonction du ventricule droit ou gauche n'a été rapportée pour deux patientes. La présence d'une dysfonction du VD à l'échocardiographie était associée à un arrêt cardiaque (rapport de cotes [RC], 3,66; intervalle de confiance à 95 % [IC], 1,39 à 9,67; P = 0,009), et à un risque composite d'arrêt cardiaque, de décès maternel ou d'utilisation de l'oxygénation par membrane extracorporelle (ECMO) (RC, 3,86; IC 95 %, 1,43 à 10,4; P = 0,007). Un faible risque de biais a été observé dans 15/84 (18 %) des cas. CONCLUSION: La dysfonction ventriculaire droite à l'échocardiographie est une constatation courante dans l'embolie amniotique et est associée à un risque élevé d'arrêt cardiaque. La découverte d'une dysfonction du VD à l'échocardiographie peut aider à diagnostiquer l'embolie amniotique et à identifier les patientes atteintes d'embolie amniotique les plus à risque. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUD: PROSPERO (CRD42021271323); enregistrée le 1er septembre 2021.

Neurodevelopmental disorders and incontinence in children and adolescents: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability-A consensus document of the International Children's Continence Society.

AIMS: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) are incapacitating disorders, which begin early in life, are mainly caused by genetic and neurobiological factors, and show a tendency to persist. They are associated with higher rates of incontinence in children and adolescents, including nocturnal enuresis, daytime urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and constipation. Without diagnosis and treatment, they will interfere with incontinence treatment leading to less favorable outcomes. The aim of this International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) document is to provide an overview of the three most important NDs, that is, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: This consensus paper was commissioned by the ICCS. A selective, nonsystematic review was performed. Guidelines, reviews, and selected studies were included. The recommendations are consensus-based. RESULTS: ADHD is the most common ND with special relevance in clinical practice. ASD and ID are less common, but more severe disorders than ADHD. Basic principles of the assessment and treatment of NDs are provided. Incontinence is common among patients with NDs. Specific modifications and practical approaches in the treatment of incontinence in children with NDs are outlined. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence in children and adolescents with NDs is common. Effective treatment of incontinence should be adapted and modified to the specific needs of patients with NDs. A multiprofessional approach is recommended.

Scoping review of recent evidence on the management of pediatric urolithiasis: summary of meta-analyses, systematic reviews and relevant randomized controlled trials.

This scoping review aimed to evaluate and summarize the recent 10 year pediatric urolithiasis literature with a particular focus on systematic reviews, randomized-controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analysis. The systematic literature search performed on September 1, 2021, restricted to the recent 10 years, focused on pediatric urolithiasis that are RCTs, meta-analysis and systematic reviews. The summarized literature included etiology, diagnostics, medical and surgical management. GRADE criteria are used to evaluate and standardize the reporting of evidence quality. A total of 33 relevant articles were included. The recent high-level studies included topics of genetic and diet association with pediatric stone formation, diagnostic assessment, medical management intervention including medical dissolution and expulsion therapy. The study extended to include the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery. However, evidence quality was ranked "very-low" or "low". Based on the GRADE criteria downgrading of the quality level was due to heterogeneity and low precision. A majority of the RCTs were categorized as having a "high" to "uncertain" risk of bias. The relevant RCTs, meta-analyses and systematic reviews within the past decade are of low quality. Consequently, the research provided no clear evidence-based recommendations for managing pediatric urolithiasis. More rigorous research and high-quality studies are needed to determine the best practices.

High prevalence of lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.

AIMS: To report the first noninvasive urodynamic screening of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in children, adolescents, and young adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). METHODS: We recruited 37 PWS patients with/without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from our hospital. Uroflowmetry was performed in 36 patients. In addition, 20 patients underwent postvoid residual urine (PVR) measurement by transabdominal ultrasound. LUTD is defined as abnormal uroflow patterns, low peak flow rate (Qmax ), or elevated PVR by age. Videourodynamic study (VUDS) was performed in selected cases. RESULTS: Mean and median age of the patients were 17.7 ± 7.8 years and 16 years. Male to female ratio was 15/22. Two patients were excluded from the following analysis because of voided volume less than or equal to 50 ml. Of the remaining 34 uroflowmetry examination, normal voiding pattern (bell shape) was observed in 22 (64.7%) patients. Abnormal uroflowmetry pattern were obstructive in 6 (17.6%), staccato in 3 (8.8%), intermittent in 2 (5.8%), tower in 1 (2.9%), and plateau in 0 patients. Ten (29.4%) patients had a Qmax less than 15 ml/s. Of 20 patients undergoing PVR tests 10 (50%) had elevated PVR by age ( > 6% of estimated bladder volume). In all, 17/34 (50.0%) PWS patients had at least one abnormality of the noninvasive tests. Of the three cases undergoing VUDS all showed detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. CONCLUSIONS: Half of PWS patients with/without LUTS had LUTD. Noninvasive study such as uroflowmetry and postvoid residual urine by ultrasound is recommended to all patients with PWS.

Asian guidelines for urinary tract infection in children.

The followings are the level of evidence (LE) and grade of recommendation (GR) on pediatric UTI in Asia. Classification according to the sites of infection (lower versus upper tract), the number of episode (first versus recurrent), the severity (simple versus severe), or the existence of complicating factor (uncomplicated versus complicated) is useful to differentiate children with UTI whether they are at risk of renal damage or not (LE: 2, GR: B). Diagnosis of UTI requires both urinalysis that suggests infection and positive urine culture (LE:3, GR B). For pre-toilet trained children, urine specimen for culture should be collected by urethral catheterization or suprapubic aspiration. For toilet trained children, midstream clean catch urine is reliable (LE: 3, GR: A). Urine culture is considered positive if it demonstrates growth of a single bacterium with the following colony counts: (1) any growth by suprapubic aspiration, (2) >5 × 104 CFU/ml by urethral catheterization, or (3) >100,000 CFU/ml by midstream clean catch (LE:3, GR: B). For children with febrile UTI, renal and bladder ultrasonography (RBUS) should be routinely performed as soon as possible (LE: 3, GR: C). RBUS should be followed up 6 months later in children with acute pyelonephritis and/or VUR (LE: 3, GR: C). Acute DMSA scan can be performed when severe acute pyelonephritis or congenital hypodysplasia is noted on RBUS or when the diagnosis of UTI is in doubt by the clinical presentation (LE: 3, GR: C). Late DMSA scan (>6 months after the febrile UTI) can be performed in children with severe acute pyelonephritis, high-grade VUR, recurrent febrile UTIs, or abnormal renal parenchyma on the follow-up RBUS (LE: 3, GR: C). Top-down or bottom-up approach for febrile UTI is suggested for the diagnosis of VUR. For top-down approach, VCUG should not be performed routinely for children after the first febrile UTI. VCUG is indicated when abnormalities are apparent on either RBUS or DMSA scan or both (LE: 2, GR: B). VCUG is also suggested after a repeat febrile UTI (LE:2, GR: B). Appropriate antibiotic should be given immediately after urine specimen for culture has been obtained (LE:2, GR: A). Initiating therapy with oral or parenteral antibiotics is equally efficacious for children (>3 months) with uncomplicated UTI (LE: 2: GR: A). The choice of empirical antibiotic agents is guided by the expected pathogen and the local resistance patterns (LE: 2, GR: A). For children with febrile UTI, the total course of antibiotic therapy should be 7-14 days (LE: 2, GR: B). Circumcision may, but not definitively, reduce the risk of febrile UTI in males and breakthrough febrile UTI in males with VUR. Circumcision should be offered to uncircumcised boys with febrile UTI and VUR in countries where circumcision is accepted by the general population (LE: 3, GR: B), while in countries where childhood circumcision is rarely performed, other measures for febrile UTI/VUR should be the preferred choice (LE: 4, GR: C). Bladder bowel dysfunction (BBD) is one of the key factors of progression of renal scarring (LE: 2). Early recognition and management of BBD are important in prevention of UTI recurrence (LE:2, GR: A). Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent recurrent febrile UTI is indicated in children with moderate to high grade (III-V) VUR (LE: 1b, GR: A). Surgical intervention may be used to treat VUR in the setting of recurrent febrile UTI because it has been shown to decrease the incidence of recurrent pyelonephritis (LE: 2, GR: B).

Intravenous lidocaine to prevent postoperative airway complications in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In surgical patients undergoing general anaesthesia, coughing at the time of extubation is common and can result in potentially dangerous complications. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of i.v. lidocaine administration during the perioperative period to prevent cough and other airway complications. METHODS: We searched Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System, Excerpta Medica database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for RCTs comparing the perioperative use of i.v. lidocaine with a control group in adult patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. The RCTs were assessed using risk-of-bias assessment, and the quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). RESULTS: In 16 trials (n=1516), the administration of i.v. lidocaine compared with placebo or no treatment led to large reductions in post-extubation cough (risk ratio [RR]: 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.86) and in postoperative sore throat at 1 h (RR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.32-0.67). There was no difference in incidence of laryngospasm (risk difference [RD]: 0.02; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.03) or incidence of adverse events related to the use of lidocaine. CONCLUSIONS: The use of i.v. lidocaine perioperatively decreased airway complications, including coughing and sore throat. There was no associated increased risk of harm.

Summary of the UAA-AAUS guidelines for urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections, genital tract infections and sexually transmitted infections are the most prevalent infectious diseases, and the establishment of locally optimized guidelines is critical to provide appropriate treatment. The Urological Association of Asia has planned to develop the Asian guidelines for all urological fields, and the present urinary tract infections, genital tract infections and sexually transmitted infections guideline was the second project of the Urological Association of Asia guideline development, which was carried out by the Asian Association of Urinary Tract Infection and Sexually Transmitted Infection. The members have meticulously reviewed relevant references, retrieved via the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, published between 2009 through 2015. The information identified through the literature review of other resources was supplemented by the author. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation for each management were made according to the relevant strategy. If the judgment was made on the basis of insufficient or inadequate evidence, the grade of recommendation was determined on the basis of committee discussions and resultant consensus statements. Here, we present a short English version of the original guideline, and overview its key clinical issues.

The standardization of terminology of lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents: Update report from the standardization committee of the International Children's Continence Society.

AIM: The impact of the original International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) terminology document on lower urinary tract (LUT) function resulted in the global establishment of uniformity and clarity in the characterization of LUT function and dysfunction in children across multiple healthcare disciplines. The present document serves as a stand-alone terminology update reflecting refinement and current advancement of knowledge on pediatric LUT function. METHODS: A variety of worldwide experts from multiple disciplines within the ICCS leadership who care for children with LUT dysfunction were assembled as part of the standardization committee. A critical review of the previous ICCS terminology document and the current literature was performed. Additionally, contributions and feedback from the multidisciplinary ICCS membership were solicited. RESULTS: Following a review of the literature over the last 7 years, the ICCS experts assembled a new terminology document reflecting current understanding of bladder function and LUT dysfunction in children using the resources from the literature review, expert opinion and ICCS member feedback. CONCLUSIONS: The present ICCS terminology document provides a current and consensus update to the evolving terminology and understanding of LUT function in children. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:471-481, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Elevated postvoid residual urine volume predicting recurrence of urinary tract infections in toilet-trained children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether toilet-trained children with a history of febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) and elevated postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume according to a recently published PVR nomogram were at greater risk of UTI recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One month after recovery from febrile UTI, constipation was diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria, and lower urinary tract (LUT) function was evaluated with two sets of uroflowmetry and PVR by ultrasonography. For children aged ≦ 6 and ≧ 7 years, elevated PVR is defined as >20 and >10 ml, respectively. Cox proportion hazards regression was used to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of UTI. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2011, 60 children aged 6.5 ± 2.5 years (boy:girl ratio 27:33) were enrolled for analysis. Univariate analysis showed that recurrent febrile UTI was more commonly observed in children with elevated PVR [repetitive elevated PVR: hazard ratio (HR) 5.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-23.4; one elevated PVR: HR 4.53, 95% CI 1.01-20.2] and high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR; HR 4.53, 95% CI 1.46-14.07). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.82, p < 0.01) and elevated PVR (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.44-5.73, p = 0.01) were significant, independent risk factors for recurrent febrile UTI--but not gender, presence of high-grade VUR and constipation. CONCLUSION: Elevated PVR defined by the new PVR nomogram predicted recurrent UTI in children with history of febrile UTI. Care should be taken to manage children with elevated PVR.

The standardization of terminology of lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents: update report from the Standardization Committee of the International Children's Continence Society.

PURPOSE: The impact of the original International Children's Continence Society terminology document on lower urinary tract function resulted in the global establishment of uniformity and clarity in the characterization of lower urinary tract function and dysfunction in children across multiple health care disciplines. The present document serves as a stand-alone terminology update reflecting refinement and current advancement of knowledge on pediatric lower urinary tract function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A variety of worldwide experts from multiple disciplines in the ICCS leadership who care for children with lower urinary tract dysfunction were assembled as part of the standardization committee. A critical review of the previous ICCS terminology document and the current literature was performed. In addition, contributions and feedback from the multidisciplinary ICCS membership were solicited. RESULTS: Following a review of the literature during the last 7 years the ICCS experts assembled a new terminology document reflecting the current understanding of bladder function and lower urinary tract dysfunction in children using resources from the literature review, expert opinion and ICCS member feedback. CONCLUSIONS: The present ICCS terminology document provides a current and consensus update to the evolving terminology and understanding of lower urinary tract function in children. For the complete document visit http://jurology.com/.

The Tzu Chi nomograms for maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) in children: comparison with Miskolc nomogram.

OBJECTIVE: To report the first ranking method-based age- and gender-specific nomograms for maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Healthy children aged 4-12 years were enrolled for two sets of uroflowmetry tests. The first and the higher value of the two consecutive Qmax of each child with a voided volume (VV) of ≥50 mL were included for establishing single- and dual-Qmax nomograms. Children with possible urinary tract infection or lower urinary tract dysfunctions were excluded. RESULTS: In all, 1128 children (583 boys and 545 girls) with a mean (sd) age of 7.7 (2.2) years were eligible for analysis and construction of nomograms. Multivariate analysis showed that the Qmax was significantly affected by age, VV and gender (all P < 0.01). The values of the corresponding percentile of the Qmax were significantly higher in the dual-Qmax nomogram compared with the single-nomogram. In boys aged 8-12 years, the 5th percentile line of the Miskolc nomogram was significantly lower than that of the present nomograms at all VVs. Minimally acceptable Qmax values, around the 10th percentile of the dual-Qmax nomogram, were >11.5 mL/s in children aged ≤6 years and >15.0 mL/s in children aged ≥7 years. External validation is required for the present dual-Qmax nomograms. CONCLUSION: We recommend repeating uroflowmetry in cases with a Qmax lower than the minimally acceptable age- and gender-specific Qmax values.

Learning curve of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

PURPOSE: To report the learning curve of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy for a surgeon naive to endoscopic surgery but trained in open microdiscectomy. METHODS: From July 2006 to July 2009, 57 patients underwent full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy and 66 underwent open microdiscectomy. The clinical results were evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation (rho) was used to assess the learning curves for the transforaminal and interlaminar procedures of full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy. RESULTS: After full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy, the VAS and ODI results of the patients followed up were comparable with those of open microdiscectomy. A steep learning curve was observed for the transforaminal procedure, but not the interlaminar procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve of the transforaminal approach was steep and easy to learn, while the learning curve of the interlaminar approach was flat and hard to master.

Diode laser (980 nm) enucleation of the prostate: a promising alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate.

With good hemostatic ability, the end-firing continuous-wave diode laser at 980 nm was used to enucleate the prostate (DiLEP) for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). The study compared the patients' demographics and surgical outcomes between DiLEP and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients with significant BPO and a total prostatic weight of 40 g or more who had undergone DiLEP (n = 74) or TURP (n = 52) during the same period at our hospital were enrolled for analysis. DiLEP was performed by a single surgeon (Yang), and TURP by three surgeons (Yang, Hsieh and Chang). The 4-U incision technique was developed for DiLEP. The diode laser ensured bloodless incision followed by blunt dissection using the resectoscope and laser fiber as an 'index finger' to enucleate the prostate. To prevent unexpected deep thermal damage, the power of the laser was set at 80 W and the laser beam was directed towards the bladder neck and not towards the prostatic capsule. Demographic data and perioperative parameters were comparable between the two groups, except that DiLEP resulted in a significantly lower drop in hemoglobin level (0.9 ± 1.0 vs. 1.6 ± 2.4 g/dl, p = 0.03), shorter catheterization time (41.2 ± 19.9 vs. 67.7 ± 33.3 h, p = 0.01), and shorter postoperative stay (2.9 ± 1.9 vs. 4.1 ± 6.2 days, p = 00.01). Delayed postoperative sloughing of necrotic tissue was not observed in the DiLEP group. Improvements in voiding parameters were comparable between the groups, and were sustained during a follow-up of up to 1 year. DiLEP provided better hemostasis than TURP as evidenced by less blood loss. The role of DiLEP treating BPO requires further investigation.

A global perspective on improving patient care in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: expert consensus and practical guidance.

OBJECTIVES: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are a common problem in female patients. Management is mainly based on empirical prescribing, but there are concerns about overtreatment and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in patients with recurrent uUTIs. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts met to discuss diagnosis, treatment, prevention, guidelines, AMR, clinical trial design and the impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice. RESULTS: Symptoms remain the cornerstone of uUTI diagnosis, and urine culture is necessary only when empirical treatment fails or rapid recurrence of symptoms or AMR is suspected. Specific antimicrobials are first-line therapy (typically nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and pivmecillinam, dependent on availability and local resistance data). Fluoroquinolones are not first-line options for uUTIs primarily due to safety concerns but also rising resistance rates. High-quality data to support most non-antimicrobial approaches are lacking. Local AMR data specific to community-acquired uUTIs are needed, but representative information is difficult to obtain; instead, identification of risk factors for AMR can provide a basis to guide empirical antimicrobial prescribing. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the management of uUTIs in some countries and may have long-lasting implications for future models of care. CONCLUSION: Management of uUTIs in female patients can be improved without increasing complexity, including simplified diagnosis and empirical antimicrobial prescribing based on patient characteristics, including a review of recent antimicrobial use and past pathogen resistance profiles, drug availability and guidelines. Current data for non-antimicrobial approaches are limited. The influence of COVID-19 on telehealth could provide an opportunity to enhance patient care in the long term.

Surgical outcomes of mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in infants.

PURPOSE: We compared surgical outcomes of mini laparoscopic and open herniorrhaphy in infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 55 infants undergoing herniorrhaphy, of whom 24 underwent mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy (bilateral in 17, unilateral in 7) and 31 open herniorrhaphy (bilateral in 9, unilateral in 22). Mean±SD patient age was 7.17±4.21 months in the mini laparoscopic and 5.39±4.11 months in the open groups (p=0.37). During laparoscopy a contralateral patent processus vaginalis of 2 cm or greater was noted and repaired simultaneously in 13 of 20 infants (65%) initially diagnosed with unilateral hernia. RESULTS: Mean±SD followup was 22.9±10.5 months in the mini laparoscopic group and 20.2±10.5 months in the open group (p=0.20). Contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia manifested in 4 of 22 patients (18%) initially presenting with unilateral hernia in the open group and in no patient in the mini laparoscopic group (p<0.05). Recurrence was noted in 1 of the 40 open herniorrhaphy sites and in none of the 41 mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy sites (p=0.49). For unilateral repair mean±SD operative time was significantly longer in the mini laparoscopic group (80.00±18.97 minutes) compared to the open group (51.15±23.27 minutes, p<0.05). For bilateral repair mean±SD operative time was comparable between the 2 groups (82.52±14.74 minutes for mini laparoscopy and 95.62±20.62 minutes for open repair, p=0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in infants may prevent contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia, and is as safe and effective as open herniorrhaphy. The drawback of mini laparoscopic repair is the longer operative time for unilateral herniorrhaphy, which may be overcome by increased experience.

Iron supplementation for patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Iron administration has been evaluated in several randomized controlled trials for the potential of increasing baseline hemoglobin values and decreasing the incidence of red blood cell transfusion during cardiac surgery. We describe the protocol for a study aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of perioperative iron administration in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: We will search MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Web of Science, from inception to Nov. 19, 2020, for randomized controlled trials in any language evaluating the perioperative administration of iron in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery; we will also include the first 50 results from Google Scholar. The primary outcome will be the incidence of red blood cell transfusion from the study intervention time until 8 weeks postoperatively. The secondary outcomes will be the number of red blood cell units transfused; change in ferritin level, reticulocyte count and hemoglobin concentration after iron administration; and adverse events. We will assess the risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool, and will analyze the primary and secondary outcomes using a random-effects model. INTERPRETATION: This study will summarize the current evidence about perioperative iron administration in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, help determine whether this intervention should be included in enhanced-recovery protocols, and shape future research if needed. The final manuscript will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO no. CRD42020161927.