Clinical and Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Men Referred for Consideration of Surgery to Treat Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Baseline Results and Diagnostic Findings of the Urodynamics for Prostate Surgery Trial; Randomised Evaluation of Assessment Methods (UPSTREAM).

BACKGROUND: Clinical evaluation of male lower urinary tract symptoms (MLUTS) in secondary care uses a range of assessments. It is unknown how MLUTS evaluation influences outcome of therapy recommendations and choice, notably urodynamics (UDS; filling cystometry and pressure flow studies). OBJECTIVE: To report participants' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and initial diagnostic findings of the Urodynamics for Prostate Surgery Trial; Randomised Evaluation of Assessment Methods (UPSTREAM). UPSTREAM is a randomised controlled trial evaluating whether symptoms are noninferior and surgery rates are lower if UDS is included. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 820 men (≥18 yr of age) seeking treatment for bothersome LUTS were recruited from 26 National Health Service hospital urology departments. INTERVENTION: Care pathway based on routine, noninvasive tests (control) or routine care plus UDS (intervention arm). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome is International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the key secondary outcome is surgery rates 18 mo after randomisation. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires were captured for MLUTS, sexual function, and UDS satisfaction. Baseline clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and UDS findings were informally compared between arms. Trends across age groups for urinary and sexual PROMs were evaluated with a Cuzick's test, and questionnaire items were compared using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Storage LUTS, notably nocturia, and impaired sexual function are prominent in men being assessed for surgery. Sociodemographic and clinical evaluations were similar between arms. Overall mean IPSS and quality of life scores were 18.94 and 4.13, respectively. Trends were found across age groups, with older men suffering from higher rates of incontinence, nocturia, and erectile dysfunction, and younger men suffering from increased daytime frequency and voiding symptoms. Men undergoing UDS testing expressed high satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Men being considered for surgery have additional clinical features that may affect treatment decision making and outcomes, notably storage LUTS and impaired sexual function. PATIENT SUMMARY: We describe initial assessment findings from a large clinical study of the treatment pathway for men suffering with bothersome urinary symptoms who were referred to hospital for further treatment, potentially including surgery. We report the patient characteristics and diagnostic test results, including symptom questionnaires, bladder diaries, flow rate tests, and urodynamics.

Implementation of the Exeter enhanced recovery programme for patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with the implementation and refinement of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) for radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion. To assess the impact on length of stay (LOS), complication and readmission rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 165 consecutive patients undergoing open RC (ORC) and urinary diversion between January 2008 and April 2013 were entered into an ERP. A retrospective case note review was undertaken. Outcomes recorded included LOS, time to mobilisation, complication rates within the first 30 days (Clavien-Dindo classification) and readmissions. RESULTS: All patients were successfully entered into the ERP. As enhanced recovery principles became embedded in the unit, LOS reduced from a mean of 14 days over the initial year of the ERP to a mean of 9.2 days. The complication rate was 6.6% for Clavien ≥3, and 43.5% for Clavien ≤2. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.2%. The 30-day readmission rate was 13.9%. In the most contemporary subset of 52 patients: the median time after ORC to sit out of bed, mobilise and open bowels was day 1, 2 and 6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ERP described for patients undergoing ORC appears to be safe. Benefits include early feeding, mobilisation and hospital discharge. The ERP will continue to develop with the incorporation of advancing evidence and technology, in particular the introduction of robot-assisted RC.

Sterile water irrigation of the distal vas deferens at vasectomy: does it accelerate clearance of sperm? A prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of irrigation of the distal vas deferens with sterile water at the time of vasectomy on sperm clearance. Is it possible to accelerate clearance and avoid the problem of lingering sperm? METHODS: Two hundred men undergoing vasectomy were randomized to receive either a standard vasectomy or vasectomy plus irrigation of each vas deferens with sterile water. The interval between vasectomy and the production of two azoospermic semen samples was recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 37 patients were excluded for failing to follow the postvasectomy protocol for semen analysis, leaving 87 in the control group and 76 who received vasal irrigation. No statistically significant differences existed between the two groups with regard to the mean time to clearance (26.4 weeks, control group versus 28.6 weeks, flush group), proportion clear at 16 weeks (29% versus 21%), or proportion with lingering sperm at 40 weeks (22% versus 26%). CONCLUSIONS: Irrigation of the vas deferens with sterile water does not accelerate the clearance of spermatozoa after vasectomy. Men wishing to undergo vasectomy must be counseled about the possibility of lingering sperm.