RETRACTION NOTE TO: Effect of Intra Uterine Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor vs. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin at Ovum Pick-Up Day on Pregnancy Rate in IVF/ICSI Cases With Recurrent Implantation Failure.

The Editorial Board has retracted this article. After publication, concerns were raised about this study's reported data. We reached out to the authors to request their raw data, but they could not provide. Therefore, the Editorial Board no longer has confidence in the results presented.

Use of Himplant® for correction of residual deformity following prior treatment of peyronie's disease: a case series.

Over the years, numerous non-surgical and surgical treatment options have been explored for Peyronie's disease. Current options may result in incomplete correction of the deformity, which can be bothersome to the patient. This is a two-center case series of three patients who had previously undergone treatment for Peyronie's disease. Patient 1 underwent plication with extratunical grafting. Patient 2 underwent a series of Xiaflex® injections and then subsequent surgical plication for residual curvature. Patient 3 underwent a series of Xiaflex® injections. The Himplant® subcutaneous silicone penile prosthesis was placed in a standardized manner through a scrotal incision in all cases to mask residual penile deformities and enhance penile girth after Peyronie's disease treatment. Patients were contacted and asked 18 questions regarding satisfaction and erectile function with the responses recorded. This pilot study presents findings of high patient satisfaction, increases in flaccid penile length and girth, and an acceptable profile of adverse events following Himplant® placement. Based on our limited experience, we would consider offering Himplant® implantation when residual curvature is <40° and the penile indentation does not cause instability/buckling during penetrative sexual activity. Further research and larger studies are warranted to validate these findings and assess long-term outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction.

'I Did No Harm': Compliance with GMC Guidelines for the Use of a Chaperone in Urology Outpatient Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of our urology team against GMC guidelines for using chaperone during intimate clinical examination. BACKGROUND DATA: intimate physical examination is an integral part of our urological practice. There is a paucity of literature regarding the use of chaperones among urologists. Given the importance of this topic for both patient safety and providing support for the urologist, we decided to assess our performance as per the GMC guidelines for good medical practice. METHODS: We completed an audit loop to evaluate the performance of 12 members in our urology team as regards compliance with GMC guidance for the documentation of chaperone use in urology clinic. Based on our scoring system, we objectively assessed both overall team performance as well as individual scores for documenting chaperone use. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the overall documentation rate in both clinical notes (+9.85%) and clinic letters (+36.65%). Raising awareness among team members managed to increase the individual performance scores as well. CONCLUSION: This is the first report using a scoring system for objective assessment of a pertinent topic such as the use of chaperone and its documentation. This managed to achieve a significant improvement in our practice.

Penile implants in low flow priapism.

Priapism is a persistent or prolonged erection, in the absence of sexual stimulation, that fails to subside. Prolonged ischaemic or low flow priapism is defined as a full or partial erection persisting for more than 4 h and unrelated to sexual interest or stimulation, characterised by little or no cavernous blood flow. Low flow priapism leads to progressive corporal fibrosis, which could, in turn, lead to long-lasting erectile dysfunction if left untreated. Penile prosthesis implantation is recognised as a management option in refractory and delayed low flow priapism for restoring erectile function with high patient satisfaction rates. However, the ensuing corporal fibrotic scarring poses a surgical challenge to clinicians, given the higher complication rates in this patient subset. Postoperative patient satisfaction has been closely linked to preoperative expectations and perceived loss of penile length. Therefore, thorough patient counselling concerning the risk and benefits of penile implants should be a priority for all clinicians. Moreover, there is a lack of consensus on the ideal prosthesis choice and procedural timing in refractory low flow priapism. In this review, we will examine the existing literature on penile implants in patients with priapism and discuss the options for managing complications associated with penile prosthesis surgery.

Effect of Intra Uterine Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor vs. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin at Ovum Pick Up Day on Pregnancy Rate in IVF/ICSI Cases With Recurrent Implantation Failure.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent implantation failure is defined as failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after the transfer of four or more good-quality embryos in a minimum of three fresh or frozen cycles in a woman aged less than 40 years. The objective is to compare between the effect of intrauterine G-CSF, hCG, and saline solution injection (as placebo) at the day of ovum pick-up on clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage rates in patients with recurrent implantation failure undergoing IVF/ICSI. METHODS: This prospective, double blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial included 150 patients equally divided into 3 groups, each containing 50 individuals. Subjects in Group 1 received intrauterine injections of G-CSF; Group 2: received intrauterine injections of 500 IU of hCG; and Group 3 received intrauterine injections of saline solution as placebo. The primary outcome measure is clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes are biochemical pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage rates. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, and implantation rates were highest in the group given G-CSF and lowest in the group administered saline solution; miscarriage rates were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine administration of G-CSF at a dose of 100 µg/1.0 cc at the time of ovum pick-up is associated with better clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, and implantation rates as compared with intrauterine saline solution administration. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum timing of intrauterine administration of G-CSF that achieves the best results, and longer follow-up is needed to determine take-home baby percentages.

Comparing sequential vs day 3 vs day 5 embryo transfers in cases with recurrent implantation failure: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The recent improvement in sequential media has refocused its attention on the role of human blastocysts in ART, not only because of its advantages but also because of the possible cancellation of embryo transfer when relying on blastocyst transfer only. Hence, the idea of sequential transfer on day 3 and day 5 was proposed. Objective: To compare the pregnancy outcomes of sequential embryo transfer on day 3 and day 5, versus cleavage transfer on day 3 and blastocyst transfer on day 5 in cases of recurrent implantation failure. METHODS: This was a prospective and randomized trial, in which 210 qualified patients with recurrent implantation failures undergoing IVF/ICSI were randomized into three groups, each group included 70 patients. Embryo transfer was performed in day 3 in the first group, day 5 (blastocyst transfer) in the second group and sequential embryo transfer in days 3 and 5 in the third group. We assessed pregnancy outcomes from all the three groups. Results: Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in the sequential group than either group day-3 or day-5 of embryo transfer in cases with recurrent implantation failures. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential embryo transfer in cases with recurrent implantation failures and adequate number of retrieved oocytes is associated with higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates, and it is advocated for patients having an adequate number of good quality embryos.

Relationship Between Ano-vaginal Distance and Bacterial Vaginosis (Cross-sectional Study).

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, owing to a shift in the vaginal microbial ecosystem. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the ano-vaginal distance and the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. In this cross-sectional study, the ano-vaginal distance was measured in 100 women participants complaining of vaginal discharge, divided into two groups. Group (1) consisted of 74 women who were negative for bacterial vaginosis, and group (2) consisted of 26 women who had bacterial vaginosis based on Amsel criteria. The negative cases for bacterial vaginosis had significantly longer ano-vaginal distance as compared with those who had bacterial vaginosis (3.85 ± 0.54 versus 3.38 ± 1.02). A positive correlation was detected between ano-vaginal distance and the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Further extensive studies are required to investigate this finding in different population groups.

SARS-CoV-2 tropism: what urologists need to know.

BACKGROUND: Apart from viral sexually transmitted diseases, viral infections in urology are not common and likely to be underreported. Initially, COVID-19 was thought to be only affecting our practice indirectly through reducing elective work that almost came to a stop. However, recent upcoming reports show that urologists can get involved far beyond that. MAIN BODY: Genitourinary tract can be directly affected based on the SARS-CoV-2 virus organotropism. The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive review of the data available and to highlight any possible similarity with the few known viral infections involving genitourinary organs with regard to its pathophysiologic impact. CONCLUSION: Urologists need to extrapolate their experience with viral infections in the urinary tract so as to be able to manage such possible COVID infections and its short- and long-term consequences.

RETRACTION NOTE TO: Comparing sequential vs. day 3 vs. day 5 embryo transfers in cases with recurrent implantation failure: randomized controlled trial

This corrects the article DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20200083.

BCG versus COVID-19: impact on urology.

PURPOSE: To search for evidence base for using BCG in the fight against COVID-19 and the possible impact of these clinical trials on urology practice. METHODS: A literature review about the basis of the ongoing clinical trials using BCG against COVID-19, as well as the use of BCG in urology and if there are any implications of these trials on our practice. RESULTS: Based on data from some epidemiological studies, there are some current clinical trials on the use BCG as a possible prophylactic vaccine against SARS CoV-2 which can affect urology practice. Urologists are already struggling with the global shortage of BCG which can be even more aggravated by such trials. In addition, if the ongoing trials proved the efficacy of BCG as a prophylaxis against COVID-19, this may open the door to more urological research opportunities to question the possibility that intra-vesical BCG, given its systemic immunologic effect, may have been protective to this subgroup of urological patients. CONCLUSION: The ongoing clinical trials using BCG against COVID-19 can affect our urology practice. We need to stay vigilant to such impacts: BCG shortage and possible new chances for urology research work.

Pre-operative tranexemic acid vs. etamsylate in reducing blood loss during elective cesarean section: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether etamsylate may be an alternative to tranexamic acid in reduction of blood loss during elective cesarean section. METHODS: Prospective double-blinded multi-center randomized controlled trial involving 180 qualified women equally divided into three groups each containing 60 women received either tranexamic acid, etamsylate or placebo 20 min before elective cesarean section and blood loss was estimated. RESULTS: Mean blood loss, cases needing blood transfusion and cases needing further interventions were significantly lower in tranexamic acid and etamsylate group than placebo group, while mean postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrite were significantly higher in both tranexamic acid and etamsylate as compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Etamsylate is an effective second-line therapy (after tranexamic acid) in reducing blood loss during elective cesarean section with low risk of side effects, therefore, it can be an effective alternative to tranexamic acid in cases with contraindications or anticipated to be at high-risk of developing side effects from tranexamic acid.

Urological surgery in the COVID-19 era: Patient counselling and informed consent.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is massively affecting our daily practice. Elective surgical service has been significantly altered, i.e. reduced overall service provision, special operating theatres' precautions, as well as considerations for testing patients before surgery. The process of counselling patients and obtaining their consent is a must before any surgical intervention. Several factors can affect this process particularly amid the current pandemic crisis. Only with a full understanding of all the relevant facts, including risks and available alternatives, can patients give an 'informed consent'. Therefore, we urologists need to be aware of the impact of the current COVID-19 situation on how to consent our patients. ABBREVIATIONS: COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; PPE: personal protective equipment.

A Syndrome of Apparent Renal Failure.

Pseudo-azotemia is the syndrome of hypercreatininemia and hyperkaliemia without a change in glomerular filtration rate or structure of the kidney. A 57-year-old vulnerable woman with learning difficulties experienced an intraperitoneal bladder rupture in the absence of a pelvic fracture after a fall. It is suspected that the blunt force compression of a distended bladder situated above the bony protection of the pelvis resulted in delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture. Urinary ascites resulted in pseudo-azotemia because of urinary creatinine reabsorption across the peritoneum. This "apparent" renal failure is fully reversible when diagnosis and treatment are prompt, with normalization of abnormal laboratory-investigation results often within 24 hours.

Intravesical BCG amid COVID-19: To give or not to give?

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there has been a reduction in the provision of all elective services. This poses enormous pressure on urologists as regards to patients with bladder cancer who need intravesical Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) treatment. The evolving situation of the pandemic mandates a pragmatic approach in clinical decisions; to date, there are no uniform consensus guidelines about how to manage these patients and the factors affecting our decision for service provision. These concerns need to be addressed not only for the current crisis but also for the upcoming next phase of the pandemic.