The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on reconstructive urologic surgery and andrology Spanish units' practice during the state of alarm in 2020: National survey.

INTRODUCTION: In Spain the state of alarm secondary to COVID-19 dramatically changed the medical and surgical assistance activity of other pathologies. Regarding urological pathologies, those considered as "non-urgent" (andrology and reconstructive surgery) were postponed or even unattended. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In May 2020, once the first COVID-19 wave was almost over and still in the state of alarm, a 24-item survey was sent to 120 urologists from the Andrology Group and the Urologic Reconstructive Surgery Group of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU). Its aim was to determine the impact on clinical and surgical practice in both subspecialties. RESULTS: We observed a response rate of 75.8% with 91 answered surveys. Before the state of alarm, 49.5% of urologists had 1-2 weekly surgical sessions available, surgical waiting list was 3-12 months for the 71.4%, and 39.6% attended between 20-40 patients weekly in office. During the state of alarm, 95.6% were given any kind of surgical guidelines, prioritizing emergency and oncologic pathologies. In the 85.7% of the hospitals neither andrology nor reconstructive surgeries were performed. In office, around 50% of patients were attended not on-site, most of them through telemedicine (phone calls and e-mails). CONCLUSIONS: The negative pandemic implications in relation to the andrology and reconstructive surgery pathologies were truly important. After almost 2 years from the start of the pandemic, the true final impact on our health system has yet to be determined.

[The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on reconstructive urologic surgery and andrology Spanish units' practice during the state of alarm in 2020: National survey]. / Impacto de la pandemia en la actividad de las unidades de cirugía reconstructiva urológica y de andrología en España durante el estado de alarma (COVID-19) en 2020: resultados de una encuesta nacional.

Introduction: In Spain the state of alarm secondary to COVID-19 dramatically changed the medical and surgical assistance activity of other pathologies. Regarding urological pathologies, those considered as «non-urgent¼ (andrology and reconstructive surgery) were postponed or even unattended. Material and methods: In May 2020, once the first COVID-19 wave was almost over and still in the state of alarm, a 24-item survey was sent to 120 urologists from the Andrology Group and the Urologic Reconstructive Surgery Group of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU). Its aim was to determine the impact on clinical and surgical practice in both subspecialties. Results: We observed a response rate of 75.8% with 91 answered surveys. Before the state of alarm, 49.5% of urologists had 1-2 weekly surgical sessions available, surgical waiting list was 3-12 months for the 71.4%, and 39.6% attended between 20-40 patients weekly in office. During the state of alarm, 95.6% were given any kind of surgical guidelines, prioritizing emergency and oncologic pathologies. In the 85.7% of the hospitals neither andrology nor reconstructive surgeries were performed. In office, around 50% of patients were attended not on-site, most of them through telemedicine (phone calls and e-mails). Conclusions: The negative pandemic implications in relation to the andrology and reconstructive surgery pathologies were truly important. After almost 2 years from the start of the pandemic, the true final impact on our health system has yet to be determined.

Surgical Wound Dehiscence in Kidney Transplantation: Risk Factors and Impact on Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND: Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation (KT) but there is not enough evidence of its impact on graft survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including all KT patients with SWD in our center from January 2015 to July 2020 was performed. A case-control study was performed and for each case of SWD, 2 controls were selected (2:1). To identify risk factors for SWD, a logistic regression analysis was carried out and a multivariable Cox regression was used to describe risk factors for graft survival. RESULTS: In our center, 503 KT were performed, and 39 patients presented SWD. They were older (62.1 vs 57.1 years; P = .030), most had diabetes mellitus (59% vs 28.6%; P = .002) and their body mass index was higher (31 vs 26.9 kg/m2; P < .001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (P = .024) and a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 at time of transplantation (P = .018) were predictors of SWD. A higher rate of delayed graft function was described in SWD (P = .013) and it was associated with a longer hospital stay (20.9 vs 15 days; P = .004). Graft survival was lower in patients with SWD (P = .036). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, time in renal replacement therapy (P = .020) and SWD (P = .028) were predictors of shorter graft survival. CONCLUSION: SWD is a risk factor for graft survival. The presence of diabetes mellitus and a higher body mass index are predictors for the appearance of this complication.

Empiric therapy for idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. / Tratamiento empírico de la oligoastenoteratozoospermia idiopática.

Male infertility accounts for 50% of the causes of infertile couples, being more than 30% of unknown etiology. In these cases, empiric treatment can be an option prior to the application of assisted reproduction techniques. Empiric treatment can be categorized as hormonal, such as gonadotropins, antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors, and antioxidant, with vitamins, trace elements and carnitine, among others. Although scientifically acceptable evidence is limited due to the absence of large randomized and controlled clinical trials, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that treatment with gonadotropins, antiestrogens and antioxidants increases pregnancy and live birth rates and improves seminal parameters. Empiric medical treatment for idiopathic infertility can be considered in specific cases in order to improve semen quality and spontaneous fertility.

Minilaparoscopy in urology: Systematic review. / Minilaparoscopia en urología: revisión sistemática.

CONTEXT: There has been a boom in recent years in urological procedures using minilaparoscopy (ML). OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the published evidence on ML and its current role in urology. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: We performed a search on MedLine spanning October 1983 to December 2016 according to PRISMA criteria. A total of 6 comparative articles and 13 series were selected for this manuscript. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE: Only 1 study was randomised, 4 studies were prospective and comparative, and most were case series in which the operations were performed with 3-mm instruments. The most common procedures were adrenalectomy, followed by nephrectomy, living donor and pyeloplasty. Other minor conditions were also operated on, including cyst decortications, pyelolithotomies, lymphadenectomies, varicocelectomies and orchiectomies. DISCUSSION: There have been significant technical improvements in recent years in the materials of ML. Most procedures were for reconstructive surgery and by transperitoneal approach, with a gradually increasing number of cases of oncologic surgery. Only 36.8% of the series assessed the cosmetic results with validated questionnaires, and 68.4% of the studies used the visual analogue scale to measure pain during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The level of evidence of most published studies is low. ML is a reproducible technique for urological surgery and is safe even for operations on large surgical masses. The procedure's cosmetic and pain results after surgery are superior to those of conventional laparoscopy, although these conclusions should be taken with caution given the limitations of the current studies.

Transumbilical single port surgery with conventional laparoscopic instruments in horseshoe kidney.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery is following a natural course as it decreases surgical aggression on the abdominal wall without undermining the curative and functional results. Although it is still being developed, single port surgery has meant an advance in this sense. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the first single port laparoscopic pyelolithectomy surgery in horseshoe kidney, using conventional rigid instruments. The case of an 18-year old patient with BMI of 19 in whom the imaging tests (urogram and computed tomography) showed a horseshoe kidney with left coralliform lithiasis and discrete calyceal ectasia is presented. The lithiasis was extracted using umbilical access with single port device and conventional rigid instruments. RESULTS: The surgery was performed without complications. Surgery time was 110 minutes and bleeding 50 cc. On incision of the urinary system, there was purulent urine extravasation that conditioned fever of 38 °C in the post-operatory period. During the intervention, a double J stent was placed via percutaneous approach. The patient was discharged on the third day of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Single port laparoscopic access for pyelolithectomy surgery in horseshoe kidney is a reasonable alterative. The use of conventional rigid instruments facilitates the performance of this surgery with good triangulation, without conflict regarding hands and safety for the patient.

[New perspectives of treatment with fesoterodine fumarate in patients with overactive bladder]. / Nuevas perspectivas de tratamiento con el fumarato de fesoterodina en pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of the treatment with fesoterodine fumarate in patients with overactive bladder, as an alternative in case of failure of the usual anticholinergic treatment, due to either lack of therapeutic efficacy or due to intolerance to side effects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of 158 patients with overactive bladder was carried out. The patients were divided into two groups; the first group; 56 patients where the anticholinergic treatment showed to be ineffective, and the second group; 102 patients who presented intolerance to anticholinergic side effects. RESULTS: For the first group where fesoterodine fumarate was used to improve effectiveness of the anticholinergics, improvement in the components of urinary urgency (p=0.001), insufficient emptying (p=0.001), incontinence (p=0.009), and in the number of pads/day (p<0.001) was detected. As to the second group where fesoterodine fumarate was used as an alternative to anticholinergics to avoid side effects, a high reduction in the incidence of dry mouth (p<0.001) and constipation (p=0.015) was seen, as well as a significant clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Fesoterodine fumarate is an optimal treatment option when the clinical response to anticholinergics has not been satisfactory, either by the lack of therapeutic action or by intolerance to side effects, and especially when the treatment is expected to be long.