Female non-obstetric urogenital fistula repair: long-term patient-reported outcomes and a scoping literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term and patient-reported outcomes, including sexual function, in women undergoing urogenital fistula (UGF) repair, addressing the lack of such data in Western countries, where fistulas often result from iatrogenic causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis at a tertiary referral centre (2010-2023), classifying fistulas based on World Health Organisation criteria and evaluating surgical approaches, aetiology, and characteristics. Both objective (fistula closure, reintervention rates) and subjective outcomes (validated questionnaires) were assessed. A scoping review of patient-reported outcome measures in UGF repair was also performed. RESULTS: The study included 50 patients: 17 (34%) underwent transvaginal and 33 (66%) transabdominal surgery. History of hysterectomy was present in 36 patients (72%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) operating time was 130 (88-148) min. Fistula closure was achieved in 94% of cases at a median (IQR) follow-up of 50 (16-91) months and reached 100% after three redo fistula repairs. Seven patients (14%) underwent reinterventions for stress urinary incontinence after transvaginal repair (autologous fascial slings). Patient-reported outcomes showed median (IQR) scores on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules (ICIQ-FLUTS) of 5 (3-7) for filling symptoms, 1 (0-2) for voiding symptoms and 4.5 (1-9) for incontinence symptoms. The median (IQR) score on the ICIQ Female Sexual Matters Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module (ICIQ-FLUTSsex) was 3 (1-5). The median (IQR) ICIQ Satisfaction (ICIQ-S) outcome score and overall satisfaction with surgery item score was 22 (18.5-23.5) and 10 (8.5-10), respectively. Higher scores indicate higher symptom burden and treatment satisfaction, respectively. Our scoping review included 1784 women, revealing mixed aetiology and methodological and aetiological heterogeneity, thus complicating cross-study comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Urogenital fistula repair at a specialised centre leads to excellent outcomes and high satisfaction. Patients with urethrovaginal fistulas are at increased risk of stress urinary incontinence, possibly due to the original trauma site of the fistula.

Impact of Preoperative Plasma Potassium Levels on Oncological Outcomes, Major Complications, and 30-Day Mortality in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We examined the impact of preoperative plasma potassium levels (PPLs) on outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), hypothesizing that potassium imbalances might influence outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 501 UCB patients undergoing RC from 2009 to 2017 at a tertiary center were analyzed. Blood samples collected a week prior to surgery defined normal and abnormal PPL based on institutional standards. We assessed overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and non-organ confined disease. Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox proportional hazards, logistic regression, and decision curve analyses (DCA) were employed. RESULTS: 63 (13%) patients had abnormal preoperative PPLs, with 50 (10%) elevated and 13 (2.5%) decreased. In a 59 months median follow-up, 152 (31%) had disease recurrence, 197 (39%) died from any cause, and 119 (24%) from UCB. Multivariable cox regression analyses adjusting for perioperative parameters demonstrated abnormal PPL was associated with worse OS (HR=1.9, P=0.009), CSS (HR=2.8, P<0.001) and RFS (HR=2.1; P=0.007). Elevated preoperative PPLs also demonstrated significant associations with adverse outcomes in OS, CSS, and RFS (all P<0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, abnormal and elevated PPLs were not associated with 30-day mortality, major 30-day postoperative complications, positive nodal disease, pT3/4 stage, and non-organ confined disease (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal and elevated preoperative PPLs correlate with adverse oncologic outcomes in UCB patients treated with RC. Pending external validation, preoperative PPLs might be a cost-effective, easily obtainable supplemental biomarker for enriching accuracy of outcome prediction in this highly variable maladie.

Advancing Intraoperative Assessment of Urethral Stricture Anatomic Variation: A Prospective Proof-of-Concept Study.

INTRODUCTION: Urethral strictures, particularly those refractory to endoscopic interventions, are commonly treated through open urethroplasty. However, predicting recurrence in homogeneous patient populations remains challenging. METHODS: To address this, we developed an intraoperative urethral stricture assessment tool aiming to identify comprehensive risk predictors. The assessment includes detailed parameters on stricture location, length, urethral bed width, spongiosum thickness, obliteration grade, and spongiofibrosis extension. The tool was prospectively implemented in 106 men with anterior one-stage augmentation urethroplasty from April 2020 to October 2021. RESULTS: An intraoperative granular assessment of intricate stricture characteristics is feasible. Comparative analyses revealed significant differences between bulbar and penile strictures. Bulbar strictures exhibited wider urethral beds and thicker spongiosum compared to penile strictures (all p < 0.001). The assessment showed marked variations in the degree of obliteration and spongiofibrosis extension. CONCLUSION: Our tool aligns with efforts to standardize urethral surgery, providing insights into subtle disease intricacies and enabling comparisons between institutions. Notably, intraoperative assessment may surpass the limitations of preoperative imaging, emphasizing the necessity of intraoperative evaluation. While limitations include a single-institution study and limited sample size, future research aims to refine this tool and determine its impact on treatment strategies, potentially improving long-term outcomes for urethral strictures.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Ability of Comorbidity and Health Status Indices to Improve the Prediction of Perioperative Morbidity and Long-Term Survival Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy.

BACKGROUND: In the era of standardized outcome reporting, it remains unclear if widely used comorbidity and health status indices can enhance predictive accuracy for morbidity and long-term survival outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this monocentric study, we included 468 patients undergoing open RC with pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer between January 2009 and December 2017. Postoperative complications were meticulously assessed according to the EAU guideline criteria for standardized outcome reporting. Multivariable regression models were fitted to evaluate the ability of ASA physical status (ASA PS), Charlson comorbidity index (± age-adjustment) and the combination of both to improve prediction of (A) 30-day morbidity key estimates (major complications, readmission, and cumulative morbidity as measured by the Comprehensive Complication index [CCI]) and (B) secondary mortality endpoints (overall [OM], cancer-specific [CSM], and other-cause mortality [OCM]). RESULTS: Overall, 465 (99%) and 52 (11%) patients experienced 30-day complications and major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIb), respectively. Thirty-seven (7.9%) were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. Comorbidity and health status indices did not improve the predictive accuracy for 30-day major complications and 30-day readmission of a reference model but were associated with 30-day CCI (all P < .05). When ASA PS and age-adjusted Charlson index were combined, ASA PS was no longer associated with 30-day CCI (P = .1). At a median follow-up of 56 months (IQR 37-86), OM, CSM, and 90-day mortality were 37%, 24%, and 2.9%, respectively. Both Charlson and age-adjusted Charlson index accurately predicted OCM (all P < .001) and OM (all P ≤ .002) but not CSM (all P ≥ .4) and 90-day mortality (all P > .05). ASA PS was not associated with oncologic outcomes (all P ≥ .05). CONCLUSION: While comorbidity and health status indices have a role in predicting OCM and OM after RC, their importance in predicting postoperative morbidity is limited. Especially ASA PS performed poorly. This highlights the need for procedure-specific comorbidity assessment rather than generic indices.

[Evaluation and management of urethral strictures-guideline summary 2024 : Part 2-posterior urethra]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von Harnröhrenstrikturen ­ Leitlinienübersicht 2024 : Teil 2 ­ posteriore Harnröhre.

In light of recently published international guidelines concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of urethral strictures and stenoses, the objective of this study was to synthesize an overview of guideline recommendations provided by the American Urological Association (AUA, 2023), the Société Internationale d'Urologie (SIU, 2010), and the European Association of Urology (EAU, 2023). The recommendations offered by these three associations, as well as the guidelines addressing urethral trauma from the EAU, AUA, and the Urological Society of India (USI), were assessed in terms of their guidance on posterior urethral stenosis. On the whole, the recommendations from the various guidelines exhibit considerable alignment. However, SIU and EAU place a stronger emphasis on the role of repeated endoscopic treatment compared to AUA. The preferred approach for managing radiation-induced bulbomembranous stenosis remains a subject of debate. Furthermore, endoscopic treatments enhanced with intralesional therapies may potentially serve as a significant treatment modality for addressing even fully obliterated stenoses.

What do patients with Peyronie's disease expect from therapy? A prospective multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about patients' pre-treatment expectations in Peyronie's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in detail patients' expectations of conservative therapy and surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multi-center study prospectively enrolled 317 PD patients, who were scheduled to receive conservative therapy or surgery between 2019 and 2022 at the Department of Urology of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Medical Center Muenster, both Germany. The primary end-point was patients' pre-treatment expectations of conservative therapy and surgery, measured with the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale (SETS). Secondary end-points included patient-reported psychological and physical symptoms, penile pain, symptom bother and erectile function, measured with the Peyronie's disease questionnaire (PDQ) and International Index of Erectile Function Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF). RESULTS: In total, 239 (75%) and 78 (25%) patients were scheduled for the conservative therapy and surgery, respectively. Patients undergoing surgery had higher positive and negative mean SETS expectations scores (14 vs. 11, p < 0.001; 9.6 vs. 6.0, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, surgery was an independent predictor of positive and negative patients' pre-treatment expectations (all p ≤ 0.001). In thematic analysis, patients undergoing surgery emphasized distinct themes of pre-treatment expectations. Patients undergoing surgery had higher mean PDQ symptom bother as well as higher psychological and physical symptom scores (14 vs. 10, p < 0.001; 9.2 vs. 7.1, p = 0.001). There were significant positive correlations between SETS negative expectation score and PDQ symptom bother (|ρ| = 0.25; p < 0.001) as well as PDQ psychological and physical symptoms score, respectively (|ρ| = 0.21; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: PD patients expect both more benefit and more harm from surgery. In addition, patients undergoing surgery have more psychological and physical symptoms and more symptom bother. To set realistic expectations, it is of pivotal importance to assess patients' expectations before starting treatment.

[Evaluation and management of urethral strictures-guideline summary 2024 : part 1-anterior urethra]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von Harnröhrenstrikturen ­ Leitlinienübersicht 2024 : Teil 1 ­ anteriore Harnröhre.

In recent years, several international urological societies have published guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of urethral strictures, but a guideline for the German-speaking region has not been available to date. This summary provides a detailed comparison of the guidelines of the European Association of Urology (EAU), American Urological Association (AUA) and the Société Internationale d'Urologie (SIU) with regard to the treatment of anterior urethral strictures, i.e. from the bulbar urethra to the meatus. In the following work, differences and specific recommendations in the guidelines are highlighted. In particular, the three guidelines largely agree with regard to diagnostic workup and follow-up. However, divergences exist in the management of anterior urethral strictures, particularly with regard to the use of endoscopic therapeutic approaches and the use of urethral stents. In addition, the EAU provides more comprehensive and detailed recommendations on urethroplasty techniques and specific patient follow-up. The EAU guidelines are the most current and were the first to include instructions for urethral strictures in women and individuals with gender incongruence after genital approximation surgery. Reconstructive urology is a rapidly evolving specialty and, thus, the clinical approach has been changing accordingly. Although guideline recommendations have become more inclusive and comprehensive, more high-quality data are needed to further improve the level of evidence.

Rational peri-operative management of antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing radical cystectomy: A 30-day morbidity analysis based on the updated European Association of Urology guidelines for standardized complication reporting.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) in bladder cancer patients with cardiovascular comorbidity poses challenges due to the need for antithrombotic therapy and high perioperative risk. We aimed to assess 30-day complications after RC in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 416 bladder cancer patients (2009-2017) undergoing open RC with pelvic lymph node dissection, with or without antithrombotic therapy. Antithrombotic therapy and complication reporting followed European guidelines. Procedure-specific 30-day complications were cataloged, graded (Clavien-Dindo), and quantified using the 30-day Comprehensive Complication Index. Multivariable regressions evaluated antithrombotic therapy's independent effect on key morbidity outcomes. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years, 78% were male. Patients on antithrombotic therapy were mostly male, had higher comorbidity burden, worse kidney function, more frequent incontinent diversion, and shorter operative time (all p ≤ 0.027). Bleeding complications occurred in 135 patients (32%; 95%CI = 28-37%), more prevalent with antithrombotic therapy (46% vs. 29%; p = 0.004). Thromboembolic complications occurred in 18 patients (4.3%; 95%CI = 2.6-6.8%), no difference between patients with and without antithrombotic therapy (8.4% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.063). Prevalence of myocardial infarction, new-onset hypertension, acute congestive heart failure, and angina pectoris showed no difference (all p ≥ 0.3). Multivariable analyses indicated no association between antithrombotic therapy and cardiac complications, 30-day major complications, or cumulative morbidity (all p ≥ 0.2). Antithrombotic therapy was associated with bleeding complications (OR = 1.92; 95%CI = 1.07-3.45; p = 0.028), predominantly transfusion-related (75% of 152 bleeding complications). Limitations include retrospective data assessment with biases. CONCLUSIONS: RC in patients on antithrombotic therapy exhibits a higher incidence of adverse events due to underlying comorbidities. Adherence to thromboprophylaxis guidelines enables safe RC in patients with significant comorbidities, without substantial increase in major bleeding or severe thromboembolic events.

Association of Urinary Incontinence and Depression: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between urinary incontinence and depression. An estimated 21 million adults in the United States (U.S.) reported at least one major depressive episode. Urinary incontinence has a well-described negative impact on quality of life. METHODS: We included respondents aged ≥20 who participated in the 2017 - March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. Our dichotomous outcomes were depression and clinical depression. The predictor variable urinary incontinence was assessed using the validated incontinence severity index. We fitted an adjusted multivariable logistic regression and performed interaction analysis for urinary incontinence and our variable of interest. RESULTS: Among a weighted sample of 233.5 million people (unweighted 8256), 19.9 million (8.5%) reported depression (P < .001). The weighted population was 48.6% male, 55.2% married, and 63.4% non-Hispanic White (all P < .001). Moderate and severe urinary incontinence was associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3; 95%CI [1.5-3.3]; aOR 3.8; 95%CI [2.5-3.3]; P < .001). No association was observed between urinary incontinence and clinical depression. Interaction analysis showed that men (aOR 3.62; 95%CI [2.13-6.15]; Pint<.001) and participants at the lowest socioeconomic status (aOR 2.2; 95%CI [1.3-3.71]; Pint=.005) with moderate/severe urinary incontinence had higher odds of depression than their continent counterparts. CONCLUSION: We report that urinary incontinence is an independent predictor of depression in a nationally representative survey for men and those in the lowest socioeconomic tier. The association is most prominent among men and the socioeconomically disadvantaged population. This suggests that treatment for urinary incontinence may be important tool to reduce depression in the general population.

Mucomucosal anastomotic non-transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty: a ventral modification for obliterative strictures.

OBJECTIVES: To present a surgical modification for the repair of bulbar urethral strictures containing short, highly obliterative segments and report on long-term objective and patient-reported outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We considered patients undergoing bulbar buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) between July 2016 and December 2019. Eligibility criteria for mucomucosal anastomotic non-transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty were strictures of ≥2 cm with an obliterative segment of ≤1.5 cm. The stricture is approached ventrally to avoid extensive dissection and mobilisation. Dorsally, the scar is superficially excised and the spongiosum is left intact. Dorsal mucomucosal anastomosis is complemented by ventral onlay graft. Perioperative characteristics were prospectively collected including uroflowmetry data and validated patient-reported outcome measures on voiding, erectile, and continence function. We evaluated functional follow-up, incorporating patient-reported (lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] score) and functional success. Recurrence was defined as need of re-treatment. RESULTS: Of 641 men treated with anterior BMGU, 54 (8.4%) underwent MANTA urethroplasty. Overall, 26 (48%) and 45 (83%) had a history of dilatation and urethrotomy, respectively, and 14 (26%) were redo cases. Location was bulbar in 38 (70%) and penobulbar in 16 patients (30%), and the mean (SD) graft length was 4.5 (1.4) cm. At a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 41 (27-53) months, the functional success rate was 93%. Whereas the median LUTS score significantly improved from baseline to postoperatively (13 vs 3.5; P < 0.001), there was no change in erectile function (median International Index of Erectile Function - erectile function domain score 27 vs 24) or urinary continence (median International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form sum score 0 vs 0; all P ≥ 0.4). All patients were 'satisfied' (27%) or 'very satisfied' (73%) with the outcome of their operation. CONCLUSION: With excellent long-term objective and patient-reported outcomes, MANTA urethroplasty adds to the armamentarium for long bulbar strictures with a short obliterative segment.

Outcomes and Complication Rates of Cuff Downsizing in the Treatment of Worsening or Persistent Incontinence After Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the functional outcomes and complication rates of cuff downsizing for the treatment of recurrent or persistent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men after the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). METHODS: Data from our institutional AUS database spanning the period from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The number of pads per day was determined, a standardized quality of life (QoL) questionnaire and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) were administered, and postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 477 patients who received AUS implantation during the study period, 25 (5.2%) underwent cuff downsizing (median age, 77 years; interquartile range [IQR], 74-81 years; median follow-up, 4.4 years; IQR, 3-6.9 years). Before downsizing, SUI was very severe (ICIQ score 19-21) or severe (ICQ score 13-18) in 80% of patients, moderate (ICIQ score 6-12) in 12%, and slight (ICIQ score 1-5) in 8%. After downsizing, 52% showed an improvement of >5 out of 21 points. However, 28% still had very severe or severe SUI, 48% had moderate SUI, and 20% had slight SUI. One patient no longer had SUI. In 52% of patients, the use of pads per day was reduced by ≥50%. QoL improved by >2 out of 6 points in 56% of patients. Complications (infections/urethral erosions) requiring device explantation occurred in 36% of patients, with a median time to event of 14.5 months. CONCLUSION: Although cuff downsizing carries a risk of AUS explantation, it can be a valuable treatment option for selected patients with persistent or recurrent SUI after AUS implantation. Over half of patients experienced improvements in symptoms, satisfaction, ICIQ scores, and pad use. It is important to inform patients about the potential risks and benefits of AUS to manage their expectations and assess individual risks.

Time-to-complication Patterns After Radical Cystectomy: A Secondary Analysis of a 30-day Morbidity Assessment Using the European Association of Urology Quality Criteria for Standardized Reporting.

Complications following radical cystectomy (RC) have been extensively investigated but evidence on the timing of their occurrence is scarce. We aimed to decipher timing patterns for 30-d complications after open RC for bladder cancer at our institution between 2009 and 2017. Complication data were extracted according to a predefined, procedure-specific catalog following the European Association of Urology criteria for standardized reporting. Timing was assessed for each complication and patterns were compared across urinary diversion types and Clavien-Dindo grades. Overall, 2485 complications occurred in 503/506 patients (99%) in three timing patterns: very early during the first week (bleeding, cardiac, neurological), early after 1 wk (gastrointestinal), and intermediate after approximately 2 wk (wound, infectious complications). Some 90% of complications occurred within the first 2 wk. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa) occurred in 78 patients (15%) after a median of 10 days (interquartile range 4-15). Among patients with a continent diversion, the median time to infectious complications was longer (9 vs 7 d; p = 0.005) and major complications tended to occur later (median 13.5 vs 10 d; p = 0.4) over a wider time span in comparison to those with an incontinent diversion. Close clinical monitoring in both inpatient and outpatient settings after RC is mandatory to detect and adequately manage complications, particularly for more complex continent diversions. PATIENT SUMMARY: The time at which different complication types occur varies after surgical removal of the bladder. It is important to be aware of these times to improve patient-centered care and anticipate possible problems after surgery.

Anesthetic Technique (Spinal vs. General Anesthesia) in Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Retrospective Analysis of Procedural and Functional Outcomes among 1,159 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare procedural efficacy, early and late functional outcomes in holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) under spinal anesthesia (SA) versus general anesthesia (GA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing HoLEP at our institution between 2012 and 2017. Standard pre-, peri-, and postoperative characteristics were compared according to anesthetic technique. Multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVAs) were employed to study the impact of SA on procedural efficacy and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Our study cohort consisted of 1,159 patients, of whom 374 (32%) underwent HoLEP under SA. While a medical history of any anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy except low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was significantly more common among patients undergoing GA (16% vs. 10%, p = 0.001), no other significant differences in preoperative characteristics were noted including age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification (ASA), prostate size, or International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life scores. Patients under SA exhibited shorter times of enucleation 42 min (interquartile range [IQR]:27-59 vs. 45 min [IQR: 31-68], p = 0.002), and combined time of enucleation/morcellation/coagulation (57 min [IQR: 38-85] vs. 64 min [IQR: 43-93], p = 0.002), as well as fewer complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) (12 [3.2%] vs. 55 [7%], p = 0.013). These associations were confirmed in MVA. Patients did not differ significantly with regard to early micturition including post-void residual volume and maximum flow-rate improvement. At a median follow-up of 33 months (IQR: 32-44), patients with SA had a lower IPSS score (median 3 [IQR: 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR: 2-7], p = 0.039). However, no significant differences were observed with respect to any urinary incontinence, urge symptoms, and postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: In this large retrospective series, HoLEP under SA was a safe and efficacious procedure with comparable early and long-term functional outcomes.

Oncological validation and discriminative ability of pentafecta criteria after open radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the pentafecta criteria (PC) proposed by the PROMETRICS group for outcome reporting after radical cystectomy in an open radical cystectomy (ORC) cohort with long-term follow-up and to assess the discriminative ability of PC attainment for oncological endpoints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2017, 420 patients underwent ORC with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion for non-metastatic bladder cancer. The PC were defined as reported by the PROMETRICS group. The primary endpoint was PC attainment, and oncological outcomes comprised further endpoints. We used uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess predictors of PC attainment. The discriminative ability of PC for overall mortality (OM), cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and cumulative incidence functions. After stratification by the number of PC attained, the association between PC attainment and the survival endpoints was tested on multivariable Cox regression and competing-risks models. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (26%) fulfilled all PC, while 195 (46%), 77 (18%), 35 (8.3%) and five (1.2%) attained 4/5, 3/5, 2/5 and ≤1/5 PC, respectively. Increasing age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (odds ratio [OR] 0.80, P = 0.015) and incontinent diversion (OR 0.38, P = 0.005) were independent predictors of PC non-attainment. The median follow-up was 73 months. PC attainment (≥4/5 vs 3/5 vs ≤2/5 PC attained) was used to stratify patients into groups at significantly different risk of death (P < 0.001). A decreasing number of PC attained (<4/5) was associated with unfavourable survival estimates for both OM and CSM (all P ≤ 0.005) but not for OCM (all P ≥ 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The PC proposed by the PROMETRICS group represent accurate quality indicators for oncological outcome reporting after ORC for non-metastatic bladder cancer and have a distinct discriminative ability to predict long-term OM and CSM.

Nephrometry and cumulative morbidity after partial nephrectomy: A standardized assessment of complications in the context of PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. scores.

BACKGROUND: Nephrometry scores aid in clinical decision-making, yet evidence is scarce regarding their impact on cumulative morbidity following partial nephrectomy (PN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, monocentric study of 122 patients with suspicious renal masses undergoing open or robot-assisted PN between January 2019 and August 2020. Morbidity assessment followed European Association of Urology guidelines on complication reporting. 30-d complications were extracted using a PN-specific catalog, were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC), and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) values were calculated. The impact of nephrometry on cumulative morbidity was evaluated by (1) comparing morbidity estimates between Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA)/R.E.N.A.L. complexity groups, (2) by Pearson's correlation between nephrometry scores and CCI®, and (3) by multivariable regression models using any 30-d complication and 30-d CCI® as endpoints. RESULTS: Of 122 patients, 101 (83%) underwent open and 21 (17%) robot-assisted PN. Median PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. scores were 9 (interquartile range, IQR 8-10) and 8 (IQR 6-9), respectively. Of 218 complications in 92 patients (75%), the majority was classified as minor (CDC grade ≤IIIa). Median 30-d CCI® was 8.7 (IQR 0.50-15). There was a small positive correlation between PADUA or R.E.N.A.L. score with CCI® (all P ≤ 0.026), explaining 4.7% and 4.1% of the variation in CCI®, respectively. After adjustment, nephrometry scores were associated with any 30-d complication and the CCI® (all P ≤ 0.011). PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. high complexity tumors were positively associated with both morbidity endpoints compared to low complexity tumors (all P ≤ 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: At a referral center, PN may be safely performed, even if morbidity assessment follows a strict protocol. Nephrometry risk classification does only marginally translate into clinical relevant differences regarding short-term complications. Thus, nephron-sparing surgery should not be withheld from patients with high complexity renal masses.

Which Men Do or Do Not Achieve Long-Term Symptom Relief After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): 11 Years of HoLEP Experience.

Purpose: Apart from the existing level-one evidence, few centers have reported on long-term outcomes after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). Against this backdrop we aimed to report on our treatment experience and identify predictors of persistent/recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after the procedure. Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2017, 2566 men underwent HoLEP at our institution. Only patients with available, cross-sectional follow-up (F/u) ≥6 months were included. Perioperative and F/u characteristics were compared by duration of F/u in months (quartiles). Multivariable logistic regression models (MVAs) were used to identify predictors of persistent/recurring symptoms, defined as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >7 at F/u. Results: A total of 774 patients with a median age of 70 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 66-75), prostate volume of 80 mL (IQR = 60-105), American Society of Anesthesiologists score 2 (IQR = 2-3), IPSS of 19 (IQR = 14-24), and quality of life (QoL) of 4 (3-5) at the time of operation were analyzed. Median F/u was 52 months (IQR = 32-77), overall current median prostate-specific antigen was 0.91 mg/dL (0.5-1.8), median IPSS and QoL were 3 (IQR = 1-7) and 1 (IQR 0-2), respectively. LUTS medication was present in 20 patients (2.6%), 15 (2%) patients required reoperation, and permanent urinary incontinence was present in 17 (2.2%) patients. On MVA age at operation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.1; p = 0.013), prostate volume (OR = 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98-0.99;], p = 0.003), body mass index (OR = 1.06 [95% CI, 1.0-1.1], p = 0.043), presence of indwelling catheter (OR = 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32-0.81], p = 0.004), and anticholinergics before procedure (OR = 1.74 [95% CI, 1.01-3.0], p = 0.046) were predictors of persistent/recurring symptoms. Conclusions: Our HoLEP experience confirms durable and profound symptom relief in the vast majority men. A small fraction of patients complained about subjective persistent/recurring LUTS stressing the need for proper patient selection and timing of surgical intervention.

Transcroporal Artificial Urinary Sphincter Placement With Closure of Corporal Bodies-A Long-Term Analysis of Functional Outcomes.

Objectives: An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The transcorporal AUS (TC) placement constitutes the main salvage option in high-risk patients suffering from SUI with fragile urethras. The literature analyzing long-term outcomes with respect to explantation rates, continence, and erectile function is scarce. Methods and Patients: Retrospective data collection was performed in 2011. TC was applied according to a standardized protocol. TC was implanted after bulbar urethroplasty or double-cuff (DC) explantation. After TC placement, the tunica albuginea was closed in order to minimize the risk of postoperative bleedings and erectile dysfunction. Activation was performed 6 weeks postoperatively. Further follow-up (FU) was scheduled 6/24 months postoperatively and every 2 years thereafter. Primary/secondary endpoints were explantation/objective, subjective, and social continence rates. Objective or social continence was defined as the use of 0 pads/day or <2 pads/day, respectively. Thereupon, postoperative bleedings and erectile function were analyzed. Results: A total of 39 high-risk patients were available for analysis. The median age was 72 years. In total, 84.6%, 10.3%, and 2.6% had a history of radical prostatectomy, TURP, and radical cystectomy, respectively. In total, 61.5% had a history of radiation therapy of the prostate, 41% had a history of urethral surgery, and 95% had a history of double cuff explantation. The median FU was 27 months. Objective, subjective, and social continence were 54.5%, 69.7%, and 78.8%, respectively. The median pad usage was 1 pad/day [1-2.5]. Only one patient suffered from a postoperative hematoma. In total, 15.4% of the patients were able to have an erection preoperatively, compared to 7.7% after TC placement. The estimated mean explantation-free survival of the TC was 83 months in the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusions: TC AUS implantation constitutes a viable salvage approach in high-risk SUI patients with a mean device survival of almost 7 years and high social continence rates of almost 80%. An intraoperative closure of the tunica albuginea after TC placement allows for very low rates of postoperative hematoma and supports postoperative erectile rigidity.