The effect of an educational animation on knowledge of testicular health and fertility of adolescents.

STUDY QUESTION: Does the provision of an educational animation, developed with young people, about testicular health and fertility impact the knowledge of these topics among adolescents? SUMMARY ANSWER: The development and provision of education on testicular health and fertility were welcomed by adolescents and associated with a significant increase in knowledge. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Young people may know less than they should about testicular health and male fertility topics. Lack of knowledge can have implications for health including late medical help-seeking for signs and symptoms of scrotal disorders, such as torsion, for which late presentation frequently results in testicular damage. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A mixed methods experimental pre- and post-design was used with embedded qualitative data collection. High school students completed a pre-animation questionnaire, watched four animations on testicular health and fertility, and completed a post-animation questionnaire. Data were collected during Personal Social and Health Education lessons across a 2-week period. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Four animations on testicular health and fertility, informed by andrologists, academics, designers, boys, and young men, were developed. Eligible participants were boys and girls in the UK school years 8 and 9 (age 13-14 years). Participants completed a Time 1 (T1) survey (fertility knowledge, demographics) prior to watching the animations and a Time 2 (T2) survey (fertility knowledge, perceptions of the animations) immediately after the animations. Perceptions were rated on 10-point response scales (higher scores better). Participants additionally expressed in their own words positive and negative aspects of the animations. ANOVA was used to examine the effects of the animations using a 2 (time: T1, T2)×2 (gender: male, female) design on topic knowledge, perceived importance, usefulness, and style of the animations according to gender. Regression analysis examined the associations between gender, disability, class year, and knowledge at T2 while controlling for knowledge at T1. Qualitative data on perceptions of the animations were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Results showed that the animations significantly increased testicular health and fertility-related knowledge from T1 (x̄=41.84 ± 24.72) to T2 (x̄=79.15, ±15.04). Boys had significantly higher levels of knowledge compared to girls at T1 (x̄=44.74, SD = 25.16 versus x̄=37.79 ± 23.49, respectively) and T2 (x̄=80.07, SD = 15.68 versus x̄=77.89 ± 14.30, respectively) but knowledge gain from T1 to T2 was not significantly different according to gender (P = 0.11) as shown by non-significant gender×time interaction. There were no significant gender differences in the perceived usefulness and importance of the animations or liking of the style of the animations, with both genders considering the animations as useful, important, and likable. Regression analysis showed only knowledge at T1 to be significantly associated with knowledge at T2. Qualitative data showed three main themes: accessibility of important and useful information; information engagement and help-seeking behaviour; and inclusivity of information. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This was a pre- and post-study with a sample of young people from a selected educational institution without a control group. Only short-term effects of the animations were recorded. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Adolescents are interested in and learn from the provision of engaging fertility-related information. Boys and men should be considered as being a relevant target population for fertility education, not just girls and women. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research was carried out in partnership with the British Fertility Society, was financially supported by an Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Award (520792) and commercial sponsorship from iMediCare Ltd, Bayer AG, Merck Group, Cryos International given to the British Fertility Society, and a financial contribution from Orchid Cancer Appeal. The authors are fully responsible for the content of the animations and this manuscript, and the views and opinions described in the publication reflect solely those of the authors. J.B. reports a grant from Merck Serono Ltd outside the submitted work. C.H., G.G., A.D., E.B., U.G., M.L, B.W., and M.H. declare no conflict of interest. K.M. reports honoraria from Bayer and Merck. A.P. reports paid consultancy for Cryos International, Cytoswim Ltd, Exceed Health, and Merck Serono in the last 2 years, but all monies have been paid to the University of Sheffield. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

A BURST-BAUS consensus document for best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion: the Finding consensus for orchIdopeXy In Torsion (FIX-IT) study.

OBJECTIVES: To produce a best practice consensus guideline for the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion using formal consensus methodology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of 16 expert urologists, representing adult, paediatric, general, and andrological urology used the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Consensus Methodology to score a 184 statement pre-meeting questionnaire on the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. The collated responses were presented at a face-to-face online meeting and each item was rescored anonymously after a group discussion, facilitated by an independent chair with expertise in consensus methodology. Items were scored for agreement and consensus and the items scored with consensus were used to derive a set of best practice guidelines. RESULTS: Statements scored as with consensus increased from Round 1 (122/184, 66.3%) to Round 2 (149/200, 74.5%). Recommendations were generated in ten categories: consent, assessment under anaesthetic, initial incision, intraoperative decision making, fixation, medical photography, closure, operation note, logistics and follow-up after scrotal exploration. Our statements assume that the decision to operate has already been made. Key recommendations in the consent process included the discussion of the possibility of orchidectomy and the possibility of subsequent infection of the affected testis or wound requiring antibiotic therapy. If after the examination under anaesthesia, the index of suspicion of testicular torsion is lower than previously thought, then the surgeon should still proceed to scrotal exploration as planned. A flow chart guiding decision making dependent on intraoperative findings has been designed. If no torsion is present on exploration and the bell clapper deformity is absent, the testis should not be fixed. When fixing a testis using sutures, 3 or 4-point is acceptable and non-absorbable sutures are preferred. CONCLUSIONS: We have produced consensus recommendations to inform best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion.

Treatment Options and Outcomes for Men with Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review.

Penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is a rare skin condition with potential to progress to invasive penile cancer. We performed a systematic review of treatment options and outcomes for PeIN. Topical agents showed response and recurrence rates of 40-100% and 20% for imiquimod, and 48-74% and 11% for 5-fluorouracil, respectively. Discontinuation of topical agents because of side effects was observed in 12% of cases. Response rates for laser therapies were 52-100%, with recurrence in 7-48% of cases and a change in penile sensitivity in 50%. Circumcision cleared preputial PeIN. Rates of recurrence after surgical treatment of glans PeIN were 25% for wide local excision, 4% for Mohs surgery, 5% for total glans resurfacing, and 10% for glansectomy. There are limited data on factors predictive of treatment response and on sequencing of treatment options. PATIENT SUMMARY: Several treatment options are available for men with precancerous lesions of the foreskin or glans. Close follow-up is necessary as lesions can recur or progress to invasive penile cancer.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) status may impact treatment outcomes in patients with pre-cancerous penile lesions (an eUROGEN Study).

Penile intra-epithelial neoplasia (PeIN) is a known precursor for penile cancer. It may be undifferentiated or differentiated. The former is related to high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and associated with p16 over-expression. Patients may present with red patches or lesions on the penis which on occasion may affect sexual activity.This study will assess associations between p16 status, patient parameters, treatment choice and outcomes. Data were collected on patients diagnosed with PeIN, who were referred to a single European Network, between 2008 and 2018. The following parameters were collected utilising patient records: demographics, smoking status, performance status, comorbidities, HPV/p16 status, lichen sclerosus (LS) status, treatment and clinical response. Log rank, Kaplan-Meier, Pearson Chi-Squared and Fishers Exact test were utilised to determine significance. One hundred thirty-seven patients were identified with PeIN and no invasive cancer. Staining for p16 was available in 91 patients and 74 patients were p16+. There were no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) for smoking status, performance status, comorbidities and lichen sclerosus, although patients with lichen sclerosus tended to recur sooner. Overall, p16+ patients showed significantly better DFS over p16- patients (n = 67; 10.4 vs 7.4 months; p = 0.023). In p16+ patients receiving treatment with imiquimod alone or with surgery, response rates were 100% vs 54% without imiquimod (n = 56; p = 0.017). In p16- patients receiving treatment with imiquimod alone or with surgery, response rates were 100% vs 56% without imiquimod (n = 17; p = 0.99). Overall 13.6% of patients progressed to cancer. The results indicate treatment combinations with immunotherapy tend to provide better responses despite p16 status. Patients with p16+ disease have a longer disease-free survival. Approximately 14% of patients progress to invasive disease. However, given the limitations in this study, further research is required to confirm these findings.

A review of varicocele treatment and fertility outcomes.

Varicoceles are reported to be present in a significant proportion of men presenting with subfertility and are more common amongst this group than in the general population. Opinion still remains divided amongst clinicians managing male factor infertility as to whether varicoceles alter the probability of spontaneous conception and/or pregnancy and live birth rates after fertility treatment. The debate as to whether varicoceles should be treated or not has intensified in recent years. This is due to the concerns regarding the impact of varicoceles on not only conventional semen parameters, but also the potential effects that they may have at the cellular level (an increase in circulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in sperm DNA fragmentation, even when conventional semen parameters are within the normal reference ranges). It has been suggested that treating the varicocele may result in improvements in the semen parameters, the fertilization and pregnancy rates for both spontaneous pregnancy as well as following in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. ICSI can still be used for Assisted Reproduction Treatment (ART) in the presence of suboptimal semen parameters. However, it is an invasive and expensive technique with potential adverse effects on the offspring. As far as we are aware, there are no randomized controlled trials comparing the clinical/cost effectiveness of varicocele treatment versus the immediate use of ICSI on pregnancy rates. Previous modelling exercises are old and do not take into consideration current practices and trends such as rising female age and time to pregnancy. The conflicting advice that patients sometimes receive, challenges our commitment to evidence-based practice. The only way to resolve the controversy is to undertake an appropriately powered randomized trial, assessing clinical- and cost-effectiveness and the time to pregnancy following varicocele treatment and comparing this to a no treatment group.

Innovation in Urology: Three Dimensional Printing and Its Clinical Application.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows rapid prototyping of novel equipment as well as the translation of medical imaging into tangible replicas of patient-specific anatomy. The technology has emerged as a versatile medium for innovation in medicine but with ever-expanding potential uses, does 3D printing represent a valuable adjunct to urological practice? We present a concise systematic review of articles on 3D printing within urology, outlining proposed benefits and the limitations in evidence supporting its utility. We review publications prior to December 2019 using guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Of 117 identified articles, 67 are included highlighting key areas of research as the use of patient-specific models for patient education, surgical planning, and surgical training. Further novel applications included printed surgical tools, patient-specific surgical guides, and bioprinting of graft tissues. We conclude to justify its adoption within standard practice, further research is required demonstrating that use of 3D printing can produce; direct and measurable improvements in patient experience, consistent evidence of superior surgical outcomes or simulation which surpasses existing means' both in fidelity and enhancement of surgical skills. Although exploration of 3D printing's urological applications remains nascent, the seemingly limitless scope for innovation and collaborative design afforded by the technology presents undeniable value as a resource and assures a place at the forefront of future advances.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies - testicular trauma.

Male genital emergencies relating to the penis and scrotum are rare and require prompt investigation and surgical intervention. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the management of these conditions and may not work in a specialist centre with on-site expertise in genitourethral surgery. A series of consensus statements have been developed by an expert consensus comprising British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Andrology and Genitourethral Surgery together with experts from units throughout the UK. Testicular trauma requires prompt investigation and treatment in order to prevent the development of subfertility or hypogonadism. This series of consensus statements provide guidance for UK practice.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies - penile fracture.

Male genital emergencies relating to the penis and scrotum are rare and require prompt investigation and surgical intervention. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the management of these conditions and may not work in a specialist centre with on-site expertise in genitourethral surgery. The aim of these consensus statements is to provide best practice guidance for urological surgeons based in the UK which are developed by an expert consensus. Penile fracture is a rare emergency and in most cases requires prompt exploration and repair to prevent erectile dysfunction and penile curvature.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies - penile amputation.

Male genital emergencies relating to the penis and scrotum are rare and require prompt investigation and surgical intervention. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the management of these conditions and may not work in a specialist centre with on-site expertise in genitourethral surgery. A series of consensus statements have been developed by an expert consensus committee comprising members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Andrology and Genitourethral Surgery together with experts from urology units throughout the UK. Penile amputation is a rare genital emergency, which requires prompt intervention and microsurgical reconstruction. The consensus statements will outline the management of these cases for non-specialist units, as well as recommendations for reconstruction for specialists.

BAUS consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies: priapism.

Male genital emergencies relating to the penis and scrotum are rare and require prompt investigation and surgical intervention. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the management of these conditions and may not work in a specialist centre with on-site expertise in genitourethral surgery. A series of consensus statements have been developed by an expert consensus committee comprising members of the BAUS Section of Andrology and Genitourethral Surgery together with experts from urology units throughout the UK. Priapism requires prompt assessment and treatment and these consensus statements provide guidance for UK practice.

Considerations in fertility preservation in cases of testicular trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a review of the literature to assess the options for preserving fertility in patients with fertility threatening testicular injuries and their effectiveness to help guide surgeons who encounter these patients in the future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Embase and Cochrane library databases were searched using the keywords 'treatment', 'therapy', 'management', 'scrotal trauma/injury', 'testicular trauma/injury/amputation', 'fertility', and 'fertility preservation'. The inclusion criteria were studies reporting fertility preserving techniques with a history of testicular trauma with loss of one, both, or nearly all testicular parenchymal tissue. RESULTS: Two cases of testicular sperm extraction (TESE), eight cases of testicular replantation, and one case of cryopreservation after injury were identified. Presence of viable sperm after surgery was found in five of 11 patients. Common reasons for failure of replantation were prolonged ischaemic time and extensive crush injury to the vascular supply of the testis. Both cases of TESE and the single cryopreservation case obtained viable sperm. CONCLUSION: Scrotal trauma with threat to fertility is rare. It is important that urologists should consider fertility in any situation where complete or a large amount of testicular tissue loss is at risk of occurring and offer fertility preservation options as locally available.

The treatment of penile carcinoma in situ (CIS) within a UK supra-regional network.

OBJECTIVES: To review outcomes of the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the penis at a large supra-regional penile cancer network, where centralisation has permitted greater experience with treatment outcomes, and suggest treatment strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The network penile cancer database, which details presentation, treatment and complications was analysed from 2003 to 2010, identifying patients with CIS, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, looking at treatments administered and outcomes. RESULTS: In all, 57 patients with mean (range) age of 61 (34-91) years were identified. In all, 18 were treated by circumcision only, 20 by circumcision and local excision (LE) and 19 by circumcision and 5-flurouracil (5-FU). The mean (range) follow-up was 3.5 (2-8) years. Of those treated by circumcision none subsequently developed CIS on the glans. For those who underwent circumcision + LE, five of 20 (25%) developed recurrence requiring further treatment. Of those treated by circumcision + 5-FU, 14/19 (73.7%) completely responded. Of the five incomplete responders, two had focal invasive malignancy at repeat biopsy. One incomplete responder underwent glansectomy and four grafting. No complete responders relapsed. Complications of 5-FU included significant inflammatory response in seven (36.8%), with two requiring hospital admission and one neo-phimosis (5.3%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients undergoing circumcision for isolated CIS and complete responders to 5-FU may require only short-term follow-up, as recurrence is unlikely, whereas longer follow up is required for all other patients. However, numbers in this study are small and larger studies are needed to support this. An incomplete response to 5-FU dictates immediate re-biopsy, as it carries a significant chance of previously undetected invasive disease.

Confirmed testicular torsion in a 67 year old.

Torsion amongst the elderly population is rarely described. This case presents the oldest surgically confirmed case of testicular torsion, in a 67-year-old male, within the UK. Presenting to the emergency department with a 10-day history of left-sided testicular pain, initially treated with antibiotics. There was no pyrexia or urinary symptoms and negative urine dipstick. In adults above the age of 40, likely diagnoses include epididymo-orchitis, epididymitis, neoplasm or hydrocele. Clinical differentiation with epididymo-orchitis can be difficult in any age range. Clinical signs such as fever, elevated C-reactive protein and positive urine dipstick test are suggestive of epididymo-orchitis/orchitis. This case study demonstrates that testicular torsion can occur at any age, and clinical suspicion should always be high in patients presenting with testicular pain and a negative urine dipstick, regardless of age. Although risk in this subgroup is low, the identification of a potentially reversible testicular abnormality should be of high priority.

Incidental paraganglioma of the urinary bladder in a 66-year-old woman.

A 66-year-old female patient was referred to drology department when a bladder mass was incidentally found on a transvaginal ultrasound scan. Cystoscopy revealed a small, smooth mass just above the trigone which appeared to be covered with normal urothelium. The histology from this growth after transurethral resection revealed a paraganglioma of the bladder. We will discuss the management of this case and literature review of this finding in this study.

A case report of spontaneous rupture of a renal angiomyolipoma in a post-partum 21-year-old patient.

INTRODUCTION: Renal angiomyolipomas (AML) are benign tumours containing vascular, smooth muscle and fatty elements. The majority of renal AML run an asymptomatic, benign course. The main associated complication is that of retro-peritoneal or intra-tumoural haemorrhage. Treatment options include conservative management versus interventional procedures such as total or partial nephrectomy, cryotherapy or embolization. CASE: We describe a case of symptomatic, spontaneous rupture of AML in the immediate post-partum period of a patient treated under our care. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the presentation in the form of an acute abdomen in the immediate post-partum period. This is important as acute abdomen following delivery can be attributed to a number of other causes. It also demonstrates that further complications of renal angiomyolipoma rupture can arise, emphasising the importance of post treatment vigilance for signs of infection, further haemorrhage and post embolic events.