A Comparative Analysis of Bladder Pattern of Patients who Underwent In Utero Versus Postnatal Myelomeningocele Repair.

PURPOSE: In utero myelomeningocele closure is a valid alternative to postnatal repair with unclear benefits to bladder function. We compared bladder status in patients who underwent fetal myelomeningocele surgery versus postnatal repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our database, with group 1 consisting of in utero surgery and group 2 consisting of postnatal repair. Group 3 was a subgroup of group 2, including patients initially presenting at age less than 12 months. We recorded medical history, radiological investigation with renal ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography, urodynamic evaluation and clinical outcome of the bladder pattern after treatment. RESULTS: We identified 88 patients in group 1, 86 in group 2 and 38 in group 3. The incidence of urinary tract infection was higher in the postnatal period (45% vs 20%). Hydronephrosis occurred in 20.7%, 22.6% and 28.9% of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Vesicoureteral reflux was diagnosed in 15% in all groups. Urodynamic data showed a higher prevalence of detrusor overactivity in group 1 and no difference in other urodynamic parameters. The high risk bladder pattern at initial evaluation occurred in 56%, 50% and 46% of patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a trend to decrease the percentages of the high risk bladder pattern and to increase the normal pattern after treatment in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: In utero repair did not improve urological parameters compared to repair in the postnatal period.

An unusual presentation of urethral duplication presenting with chronic bladder retention, left scrotal transposition and left renal agenesis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Urethral duplication is a rare congenital anomaly, with roughly 200 cases reported in the literature (1). It is more frequent in males, with few cases reported in females. The clinical presentation differs according to the anatomical variant present. The duplication most commonly occurs in the sagittal plane with one urethra located ventrally and the other dorsally (2). Usually the ventral urethra is the more functional of both. Duplications occurring in the coronal plane are quite rare and they are usually associated with bladder duplication (3). The purpose of this paper was to present a video of a boy with an unusual urethral duplication form. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient was born premature due to oligohydramnios at 7 months-gestational age and he has initial diagnosis of hypospadia. Since then, he presented at least 7 febrile UTI and mother complained of difficult micturition and a presence of a mass at lower abdomen. Patient was referred to our institution and we identified urethral duplication with a glandar and scrotal meatus, palpable bladder and left penile-hemiscrotum transposition. US and CT-scan showed left kidney agenesis and overdistended bladder. VCUG and retrograde urethrography showed duplication, presence of contrast in the seminal vesicles and complete catheterizing of both urethras was not possible. RESULTS: The topic urethra was dysplastic and not patent to a 4Fr plastic tube so we were unable to access it endoscopically. We performed initially a Mitrofanoff procedure to allow CIC and treat chronic retention. Six months later, we assessed both urethras surgically and concluded that dorsal urethra was dysplastic after 3cm still in the penile area and scrotal urethra was not possible to be catheterized. We excised the ventral urethra because of dribbling complaints up to bulbar area and reconstructed the scrotal transposition, keeping the topic urethra for cosmetic issues. Patient had excellent outcome, performs CIC every 4 hours and has not presented further UTI episodes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The urethral duplication is an anomaly that has multiple anatomical presentations. There are several theories about the etiology, but none can explain all types of presentations. There is also more than one rating available, and the Effmann classification is the most detailed. The case exemplifies this varied spectrum of anatomic urethral duplication. It resembles the urethral duplication type IIa-Y, however, ventral urethra meatus was located in penoscrotal area and both urethras were at least partially hypoplastic/dysplastic associated with obstruction and bladder retention. In determining how to best manage a patient with Y-type urethral duplication, the caliber and quality of the orthotopic urethra must first be assessed. Published reports suggest that best outcomes are those using the ventral duplicated urethra for the reconstruction (4). In this case, none of urethras were functional and a supravesical outlet channel had to be provided. The treatment of this condition requires an individualized planning and a vast technical knowledge of reconstructive surgery.

Can a graft be placed over a flap in complex hypospadias surgery? An experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To develop a rabbit experimental study to test the hypothesis that surgical repair of hypospadias with severe ventral curvatures might be completed in one stage, if a graft, such as buccal mucosa, could be placed over the tunica vaginalis flap used in corporoplasty for ventral lengthening, with the addition of an onlay preputial island. flap to complete the urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental procedure with rabbits included a tunica vaginalis flap for reconstruction of the corpora after corporotomy, simulating a ventral lengthening operation. A buccal mucosa graft was placed directly on top of the flap, and the urethroplasty was completed with an onlay preputial island flap. Eight rabbits were divided into 4 groups, sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, and submitted to histological evaluation. RESULTS: We observed a large number of complications, such as fistula (75%), urinary retention (50%) and stenosis (50%). There were two deaths related to the procedure. Histological evaluation demonstrated a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction. No viable tunica vaginalis or buccal mucosa was identified. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal model, the association of a buccal mucosa graft over the tunica vaginalis flap was not successful, and resulted in complete loss of both tissues.

Penile prosthesis implantation in a patient with congenital aphallia treated using the De Castro technique 10 years previously. Is it feasible?

OBJECTIVE: Aphallia is a rare congenital abnormality with an incidence of 1 in 30 million births. In this video, we demonstrate implantation of a penile prosthesis in a neophallus performed 10 years previously in a patient aged 21. METHODS: Through a midline perineal incision aiming to reach the inferior surface of the pubic arch, we created a 16-cm tunnel for prosthesis insertion into the neophallus. We dressed the prosthesis with a polypropylene mesh to give stability to the component and avoid its extrusion. We anchored the lateral mesh to the inferior aspect of the pubic arch with 2.0 vicryl sutures in both sides. RESULTS: The patient had an excellent initial outcome, without any complaints of pain or other inflammatory findings. CONCLUSION: We acknowledge limited clinical experience with this technique. Further psychological evaluation will confirm if patients can have pleasant sexual experiences.

Neophalloplasty to congenital aphallia using two transverse skin-flaps: an alternative approach.

OBJECTIVE: Penile agenesis is a rare congenital abnormality with an incidence of 1 in 30 million births. We want to demonstrate in this video a new technique of neophalloplasty based on two transverse skin flaps from lower abdominal wall. METHODS: The patient was placed into a prone position; the urethral meatus was found inside the rectum, 2 cm from the anal border. An Anterior Sagittal Transrectal Approach (ASTRA) approach was performed; the urethra was isolated and repositioned as a perineal urethrostomy. We created the neophallus based on two flaps, each measuring 7 × 3 cm. After incision, flaps were rotated 90° and sutured to each other creating the neophallus. We also created a Mitrofanoff channel to secure bladder emptying in cases of urethrostomy stricture. RESULTS: The patient had an uneventful immediate postoperative evolution, but later showed some degree of penile retraction. He voids preferably through the urethrostomy and his mother uses the Mitrofanoff once a day. The current follow-up is 18 months. CONCLUSION: We acknowledge limited clinical experience with this technique. However, the same principle has been used to create catheterizable urinary channels, with favorable results and longer follow-up. The use of transverse skin flaps might be an interesting alternative for neophalloplasty in aphallia.

An unusual presentation of urethral duplication presenting with chronic bladder retention, left scrotal transposition and left renal agenesis

ABSTRACT Introduction and objective Urethral duplication is a rare congenital anomaly, with roughly 200 cases reported in the literature (1). It is more frequent in males, with few cases reported in females. The clinical presentation differs according to the anatomical variant present. The duplication most commonly occurs in the sagittal plane with one urethra located ventrally and the other dorsally (2). Usually the ventral urethra is the more functional of both. Duplications occurring in the coronal plane are quite rare and they are usually associated with bladder duplication (3). The purpose of this paper was to present a video of a boy with an unusual urethral duplication form. Materials and Methods Patient was born premature due to oligohydramnios at 7 months-gestational age and he has initial diagnosis of hypospadia. Since then, he presented at least 7 febrile UTI and mother complained of difficult micturition and a presence of a mass at lower abdomen. Patient was referred to our institution and we identified urethral duplication with a glandar and scrotal meatus, palpable bladder and left penile-hemiscrotum transposition. US and CT-scan showed left kidney agenesis and overdistended bladder. VCUG and retrograde urethrography showed duplication, presence of contrast in the seminal vesicles and complete catheterizing of both urethras was not possible. Results The topic urethra was dysplastic and not patent to a 4Fr plastic tube so we were unable to access it endoscopically. We performed initially a Mitrofanoff procedure to allow CIC and treat chronic retention. Six months later, we assessed both urethras surgically and concluded that dorsal urethra was dysplastic after 3cm still in the penile area and scrotal urethra was not possible to be catheterized. We excised the ventral urethra because of dribbling complaints up to bulbar area and reconstructed the scrotal transposition, keeping the topic urethra for cosmetic issues. Patient had excellent outcome, performs CIC every 4 hours and has not presented further UTI episodes. Discussion and conclusion The urethral duplication is an anomaly that has multiple anatomical presentations. There are several theories about the etiology, but none can explain all types of presentations. There is also more than one rating available, and the Effmann classification is the most detailed. The case exemplifies this varied spectrum of anatomic urethral duplication. It resembles the urethral duplication type IIa-Y, however, ventral urethra meatus was located in penoscrotal area and both urethras were at least partially hypoplastic/dysplastic associated with obstruction and bladder retention. In determining how to best manage a patient with Y-type urethral duplication, the caliber and quality of the orthotopic urethra must first be assessed. Published reports suggest that best outcomes are those using the ventral duplicated urethra for the reconstruction (4). In this case, none of urethras were functional and a supravesical outlet channel had to be provided. The treatment of this condition requires an individualized planning and a vast technical knowledge of reconstructive surgery.

Can a graft be placed over a flap in complex hypospadias surgery? An experimental study in rabbits

ABSTRACT Purpose: To develop a rabbit experimental study to test the hypothesis that surgical repair of hypospadias with severe ventral curvatures might be completed in one stage, if a graft, such as buccal mucosa, could be placed over the tunica vaginalis flap used in corporoplasty for ventral lengthening, with the addition of an onlay preputial island flap to complete the urethroplasty. Materials and methods: The experimental procedure with rabbits included a tunica vaginalis flap for reconstruction of the corpora after corporotomy, simulating a ventral lengthening operation. A buccal mucosa graft was placed directly on top of the flap, and the urethroplasty was completed with an onlay preputial island flap. Eight rabbits were divided into 4 groups, sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, and submitted to histological evaluation. Results: We observed a large number of complications, such as fistula (75%), urinary retention (50%) and stenosis (50%). There were two deaths related to the procedure. Histological evaluation demonstrated a severe and persistent inflammatory reaction. No viable tunica vaginalis or buccal mucosa was identified. Conclusions: In this animal model, the association of a buccal mucosa graft over the tunica vaginalis flap was not successful, and resulted in complete loss of both tissues.

Conhecimento sobre a prevenção do câncer genital masculino em Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brasil / Knowledge about prevention of male genital tract cancer in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento e a realização dos exames preventivos e diagnósticos do câncer do trato genital masculino pelos homens de Presidente Prudente - SP, buscando observar onde há falhas na prevenção. Métodos: Foram entrevistados 668 homens da cidade de Presidente Prudente - SP, com idades entre 20 e 76 anos. O questionário aplicado se constituiu de perguntas sobre o conhecimento e a realização dos exames preventivos do câncer de pênis, testículo e dos exames diagnósticos para o câncer de próstata. As perguntas foram feitas de forma individual e isolada, através de abordagem aleatória dos homens. Resultados: Dos entrevistados, 43,2% não conhecem o autoexame do pênis e testículo e apenas 10,6% o realizam mensalmente como preconizado. Embora os exames da próstata tenham um baixo índice de desconhecimento, 6% em média, o teste do PSA é realizado anualmente por apenas 34% dos homens acima de 40 anos e o toque retal e o ultrassom da próstata por 14,6% e 14%, respectivamente. A porcentagem de homens que desconhecem os exames preventivos de pênis e testículo e os exames diagnósticos do câncer da próstata é semelhante em todos os níveis de escolaridade, não havendo diferença estatística entre eles. Conclusão: Há uma alta porcentagem de desconhecimento sobre os exames preventivos e diagnósticos do câncer genital masculino, principalmente sobre o autoexame do pênis e testículo. É necessário um maior número de campanhas para orientação da população masculina sobre como se prevenir do câncer genital.

Use of the international prostate symptom score in the assessment of severity of lower urinary tract symptoms in men / Uso do escore internacional dos sintomas prostáticos para avaliação da gravidade dos sintomas urinários em homens

Prevalence of urinary symptoms are very common among men over 40 years due to an increase in prostate volume known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several studies have shown a decline in quality of life for patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Objective: To investigate the severity of LUTS among men aging over 40 years concerning the feasible impairment in quality of life. Material and Methods: 117 men over 40 years who had attended at the urology outpatient unit were interviewed. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was used to evaluate the severity of LUTS. Results: The most frequent complaint of the patients was the frequent waking at night with the urge to urinate (of these subjects 44,4% reported waking more than twice a night to urinate). 73,5% of the patients had mild symptoms, and 6% had severe symptoms. 37,2% of these subjects over the age of 61 years had moderate symptoms, and 14% had severe symptoms. 82,9% of patients was satisfied with their urinary condition. 54,2% of subjects having moderate symptoms and all subjects with severe symptoms reported some level of dissatisfaction. Conclusion: There is a close relation between the scores for urinary condition and patients? satisfaction. The International Prostate Symptom Score assess the severity of urinary symptoms and their impairment on quality of life as an important step toward an individualized treatment for patients.