A single-institution experience with the Optilume Urethral Drug Coated Balloon for management of urethral stricture disease.

Background: Urethral stricture disease is detrimental to quality of life. The Optilume Urethral Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) offers a solution utilizing a paclitaxel-coated balloon to expand strictures and prevent recurrence. Following the ROBUST trials, it has been proposed that DCB is more effective than conventional endoscopic management for recurrent, small anterior urethral strictures. Our study provides insights into practical applications and outcomes using DCB for urethral stricture disease. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent DCB for urethral strictures at our institution from November 2022 to August 2023 with follow-up evaluated through January 2024. Demographics, stricture characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Primary endpoint was need for repeat intervention as determined by symptomatic burden and subsequently postoperative post-void residual if obtained. Secondary endpoint was complication rate. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA/BE17.0 software to create Kaplan-Meier curves for time to repeat intervention after treatment with DCB. Results: Of 43 patients, 16 had no prior treatment. The other 27 had endoscopic treatment and of this group, 11 also had additional urethroplasty. Stricture etiologies included 20 iatrogenic, 14 idiopathic, 5 radiation-related, 2 inflammatory, and 2 traumatic. Stricture locations were 2 fossa navicularis, 7 pendulous, 17 bulbar, 7 membranous, 3 prostatic, and 7 bladder neck contractures. Mean balloon dilation lasted 8.4±2.7 minutes. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 150 days postoperatively and the mean duration of follow-up for the cohort was 290.3±87.0 days. The average postoperative post-void residual was 33.4±90.6 milliliters. Two patients had immediate complications: 1 with urinary retention after catheter removal requiring suprapubic tube placement and 1 with urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics. Four patients required repeat interventions: 1 endoscopic dilation, 1 graft urethroplasty, and 2 repeat DCB procedures. Mean time to repeat intervention was 203.5±82.6 days, and no patient required repeat intervention within 145 days of initial surgery. Conclusions: DCB offers a safe and less invasive treatment for both treatment-naïve and recurrent urethral strictures with paclitaxel coating to prevent recurrence. Repeat intervention was not required for 90.7% of our cohort within an average follow-up duration of 9 months postoperatively. As DCB grows in clinical use, investigation into its long-term efficacy is justified.

Gender-Affirming Robotic Tubularized Peritoneal Vaginoplasty: Feasibility and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted tubularized peritoneal vaginoplasty (RATPV) for trans-feminine patients desiring genital gender-affirming surgery (gGAS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients (adults ≥ 18 years old) who underwent RATPV for gGAS at our institution (July 2020-July 2022). Initial technique involved anastomosing the peritoneal flap to the introitus. The updated technique anastomosed the flap intraperitoneally to inverted penile shaft skin. Patient demographics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes are described. RESULTS: In 33 patients, the median age was 26 years old (IQR:24-37) and BMI 26 (IQR:23-32). Median operative time was 406 minutes (IQR: 370-434) and robotic console time 177 minutes (IQR:154-220). Intraoperatively, the median vaginal depth was 17cm and diameter 3+cm. Median length of stay was 7 days. One-third (n=11) of patients had a complication within 30 days postoperatively (40% Clavien Dindo I and 60% Clavien II). No patient had a Clavien III+ complication. At a median follow up of 499 days (range: 137-835), some degree of vaginal stenosis occurred in 48% (11/23) of patients with the original approach versus 10% (1/10) of those with the newer approach (p=0.05). Median vaginal depth was 11.3cm. Three patients (9%) required revision vaginoplasty, all of whom had the original approach and had difficulty dilating postoperatively. All had clitoral sensation. CONCLUSIONS: RATPV is a safe and effective option for individuals seeking gender affirming vaginoplasty that obviates the need for laser hair removal prior to surgery. More research is needed into long term outcomes of this technique.

Long-term Renal Preservation and Complication Profile With Ileal Ureter Creation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine long-term ileal ureter replacement results at over 32 years at our institution. Long segment or proximal ureteral strictures pose a challenging reconstructive problem. Ureteroureterostomy, psoas hitch, Boari flap, buccal ureteroplasty, and autotransplantation are common reconstructive techniques. We show that ileal ureter remains a lasting option. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing open ileal ureter creation from 1989-2021. Patient demographics, operative history, and complications were examined. All patients were followed for changes in renal function. Demographic data were analyzed and Cox proportional hazard models were performed. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight patients were identified with median follow-up time of 40 months. Eighty-one percent had a unilateral ileal ureter creation. Fifty percent were female, median age was 53.3. Twenty-seven percent of patients had radiation-induced strictures. Preoperatively, 56.3% of patients were chronic kidney disease stage 1-2 and 43.7% were stage 3-5. Post-operatively, 54% were stage 1-2 and 46% were stage 3-5. Cox proportional hazard models demonstrated no significant correlation between worsening renal function and stricture cause, bilateral repair, complications, or sex (biologically male or female). Seventy-seven percent had no 30-day complications. Clavien complications included grade 1 (18), grade 2 (4), grade 3 (9), and grade 4 (5). Long-term complications included worsening renal function (3%), incisional hernia (8.2%), and small bowel obstruction (6.9%). Five (3.1%) patients ultimately required dialysis and 5 (3.1%) patients developed metabolic acidosis. CONCLUSION: Ileal ureteral reconstruction is often a last resort for patients with complex ureteral injuries. Clinicians can be reassured by our long-term data that ileal ureteral creation is a safe treatment with good preservation of renal function and low risk of hemodialysis and metabolic acidosis.

Female Bladder Dysfunction Following Boari Bladder Flap Ureteral Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our institution's experience with Boari flap ureteral reconstruction, specifically focusing on the development of postoperative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: A retrospective review of all Boari flaps performed at our institution between 2013 and 2023 was performed, excluding patients with urothelial carcinoma and males, given the frequency of LUTS from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Primary outcome was the development of new onset LUTS and subsequent treatment. Secondary outcomes included postoperative infections and ureteral stricture. RESULTS: Twenty-nine total patients were identified. Mean age was 52.2 years (standard deviation (SD) 13.1). Mean follow-up was 22.3 months (SD 25.3). Primary reasons for ureteral reconstruction were radiation damage (37.9%) and iatrogenic surgical injury (37.9%). A concurrent psoas hitch was performed in 18/29 (62%) cases, nephropexy was utilized in 1/29 (3.4%) cases, and contralateral bladder pedicles were ligated in 10/29 (34.5%) for increased bladder mobilization. Postoperatively, 8 patients (27.6%) developed new-onset LUTS, effectively managed with oral anticholinergics. Recurrent urinary tract infections occurred in 5 patients (17.2%) and pyelonephritis in 1 (3.4%) patient. Two patients (6.9%) developed ureteral strictures, one treated with ileal ureter replacement and the other with ureteral balloon dilation. CONCLUSION: Boari bladder flap ureteral reconstruction leads to moderate rates of new onset LUTS postoperatively, which is important information when counseling women on reconstructive options. Boari flap ureteral reconstruction has a high success rate, and serious complications are rare. In the setting of ureteral injury, reconstruction using Boari flaps with or without psoas hitch should be considered for definitive management.

A review of the literature and proposed algorithm for penile fracture management.

INTRODUCTION: In the management of penile fractures, immediate surgical repair has resulted in better outcomes when compared with a conservative approach; however, there is currently no consensus on the treatment of patients presenting beyond the immediate period (>24 hours) following injury. OBJECTIVES: To examine the latest literature on management strategies in penile fracture and propose an optimal algorithm for the treatment of patients with delayed presentation. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted following the PRISMA-P 2020 guidelines. A search was performed in several databases with the following strategy: ("Penile fracture" OR "fracture of penis" OR "rupture of corpora cavernosa" OR "rupture of tunica albuginea") AND (management OR treatment OR surgery OR "surgical reconstruction" OR "surgical repair"). This resulted in 108 relevant articles. Two independent reviewers screened these articles according to the inclusion criteria. Full-text review of 56 articles was performed, and ultimately 20 studies were selected. Measures included the use of diagnostic imaging, timing of surgical repair (immediate, <24 hours after injury; delayed, >24 hours), surgical approach, and long-term complications (ie, erectile dysfunction and penile curvature). RESULTS: The review highlighted the benefits of immediate surgical repair in penile fractures, demonstrating improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, it found that surgical repair should be considered even in cases with delayed presentation (>24 hours after injury). To better evaluate the long-term impact of delayed surgical intervention on patient outcomes, we recommend standardized postoperative follow-up, with routine assessments of erectile function and penile curvature. CONCLUSION: Contemporary literature suggests that immediate and delayed surgical repair of penile fractures leads to adequate postoperative outcomes, and patients presenting >24 hours after injury should still be considered for surgery.

Ileal Ureter Utilization in Patients With Previous Urinary Diversions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a subset of patients who develop strictures requiring Ileal Ureter (IU) in the setting of prior urinary diversion or augmentation (ileal conduits, neobladders, continent urinary diversions). To our knowledge, there are no prior studies on patients with IU substitution into established lower urinary tract reconstructions. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients (18 years) undergoing IU creation from 1989 to 2021 was performed. A total of 160 patients were identified. In total, 19 (12%) patients had IUs into diversions. We examined demographics, stricture cause, diversion type, renal function, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were identified. Sixteen were male. Mean age was 57.7(SD 17.0) years. Diversions included continent urinary reservoirs (4), neobladders (5), ileal conduits (7), and bladder augmentations with Monti channels (3). Fifteen had unilateral surgery, and 4 had bilateral "reverse 7" IU creation. Average length of stay was 7.6 days (SD 2.9). Average follow-up was 32.9 months (SD 27). Mean preoperative creatinine was 1.5 (SD 0.4); mean postoperative creatinine at most recent follow-up was 1.6 (SD 0.7). There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative creatinine (P = .18). One patient had a ventriculoperitoneal Shunt infection resulting ventriculoperitoneal shunt externalization, 1 had Clostridium difficile infection potentially causing an entero-neobladder fistula, 2 with ileus, 1 urine leak, and 1 wound infection. None required renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with urinary diversions and prior bowel reconstructive surgeries with subsequent ureteral strictures are a challenging cohort of patients. In properly selected patients, ureteral reconstruction with ileum is feasible and preserves renal function with minimal long-term complications.

Impact of American Society of Anesthesiologists score on postoperative holmium enucleation of the prostate outcomes and complications.

INTRODUCTIONS: The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) is a validated risk stratification method for patients undergoing surgery. There is an increased prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and comorbidities in our aging population. The role of ASA related to postoperative complications in patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has not been described. METHODS: A review of our database was performed for patients who underwent HoLEP from July 2018 to December 2020. Patients were stratified based on ASA score. Preoperative, perioperative, and complication data were analyzed using SAS analytics software. RESULTS: Of 472 patients undergoing HoLEP, 320 (67.8%) were ASA 3-4 patients. There was a statistically significant difference found in age (72.3 ± 9.8 vs. 69.1 ± 9.0 years, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (29.0 ± 5.9 vs. 27.3 ± 4.2, p = 0.004), and use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications (14.6% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001) in the ASA 3-4 group. There was no significant difference between prostate volume (p = 0.158) or catheter-dependent urinary retention (p = 0.376). No difference was found in enucleation time (52.76 ± 24.8 vs. 54.16 ± 23.7 min, p = 0.587), OR specimen weight (70.24 ± 58.5 vs. 81.53 ± 65.9, p = 0.094). or intraoperative complications (2.8% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.330). There were higher postoperative complications in the ASA 3-4 group (12.8% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.03), but no difference in Clavien ≥3 complications (p = 0.068). ASA 3-4 patients had similar postoperative international prostate symptom score (p = 0.159). CONCLUSION: HoLEP is feasible and effective in patients who are ASA 3-4. The high-risk cohort had an increased rate of low-grade complications. Patients with an ASA score of 3-4 should be counseled regarding a higher rate of low-grade complications.

The role of urethral ligation after AUS failure and end stage urethra.

PURPOSE: To provide our single-center experience with an approach to refractory stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with permanent urethral ligation (PUL) and suprapubic tube (SPT) placement, in hopes of contributing to the limited body of research surrounding this surgical treatment option for patients with end-stage urethra (ESU). METHODS: All patients undergoing PUL with SPT placement from 01/01/2018 to 04/30/2022 were identified from an institutional database. Institutional Review Board exempt status was granted for the conduct of this study. Patients were seen postoperatively at 1 month and 1 year. If there were any concerns of incontinence, an antegrade urethrogram via the SPT was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate patients. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent PUL with SPT in our timeframe and were included in the study. All patients previously had an AUS placed, and two patients had a urethral sling previously placed. The median follow-up time was 21 months, ranging between 2 and 48 months. Complications included bladder spasms (43%) and continued leakage per urethra (14%). Of the 7 patients, 6 have reported continence through their urethra at their most recent follow-up. CONCLUSION: This initial data suggest that PUL with SPT placement may be a viable surgical approach to treating refractory SUI, especially for patients with ESU who wish to avoid the morbidity associated with more formal supravesical diversion. Further study of this technique and longer follow-up is required to determine its long-term efficacy and tolerability for patients.

Improving resident learning on vasectomy: a national survey on urology resident vasectomy training.

INTRODUCTION: Resident training in vasectomy, especially in the office setting on the awake patient, may be limited. The aim of this study is to understand resident exposure to vasectomy and to identify barriers to learning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous 18-question survey was distributed to urology residents of the 135 ACGME-accredited urology residencies in the United States. Residents were asked to specify the total number of vasectomies they had performed and in what environment (operating room versus office), their comfort performing vasectomy independently, and any barriers to learning the procedure. RESULTS: In total, 119 residents responded to the survey, representing a 10% response rate. Vasectomy case volumes were variable, with 36.7% of residents logging ≤ 20 vasectomies by their final year of training. Total of 23.4% indicated they did not receive training in perioperative counseling for patients considering vasectomy. Only 64.7% of all residents felt comfortable in the office setting versus 89.1% who felt comfortable in the operating room (p < 0.001). This difference persisted throughout training, and 16.7% of residents in their final year of residency were uncomfortable performing office vasectomy. Total of 60.5% of respondents cited one or more barriers to training, with lack of surgical volume (38.7%), lack of vasectomies in the resident clinic (29.4%), and lack of autonomy when performing the procedure (22.7%) being the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Residents are significantly less comfortable performing vasectomy in the office setting versus in the operating room, including in their graduating year. Residents describe low volume and lack of autonomy as barriers to vasectomy training.