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.

Understanding and managing the suppression of spermatogenesis caused by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS).

Use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has increased over the last 20 years, coinciding with an increase in men presenting with infertility and hypogonadism. Both agents have a detrimental effect on spermatogenesis and pose a clinical challenge in the setting of hypogonadism and infertility. Adding to this challenge is the paucity of data describing recovery of spermatogenesis on stopping such agents. The unwanted systemic side effects of these agents have driven the development of novel agents such as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). Data showing natural recovery of spermatogenesis following cessation of TRT are limited to observational studies. Largely, these have shown spontaneous recovery of spermatogenesis after cessation. Contemporary literature suggests the time frame for this recovery is highly variable and dependent on several factors including baseline testicular function, duration of drug use and age at cessation. In some men, drug cessation alone may not achieve spontaneous recovery, necessitating hormonal stimulation with selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)/gonadotropin therapy or even the need for assisted reproductive techniques. However, there are limited prospective randomized data on the role of hormonal stimulation in this clinical setting. The use of hormonal stimulation with agents such as gonadotropins, SERMs, aromatase inhibitors and assisted reproductive techniques should form part of the counselling process in this cohort of hypogonadal infertile men. Moreover, counselling men regarding the detrimental effects of TRT/AAS on fertility is very important, as is the need for robust randomized studies assessing the long-term effects of novel agents such as SARMs and the true efficacy of gonadotropins in promoting recovery of spermatogenesis.

Penile implant surgery-managing complications.

Penile prosthesis surgery represents the end-stage treatment for erectile dysfunction. It is conventionally used only in cases of erectile dysfunction refractory to pharmacological treatments or vacuum constriction devices. Contemporary literature suggests that penile prothesis surgery is associated with a high satisfaction rate and a low complication profile. However, it must be appreciated that the complications of surgery can have devastating consequences on a patient's quality of life and satisfaction and include infection, prosthesis malfunction, penile corporal perforation and penile length loss. Several factors - such as appropriate patient selection, methodical preoperative assessment and patient optimization, specific intraoperative protocols and postoperative recommendations - can reduce the risk of surgical complications. This narrative review discusses the diagnosis and management of both intraoperative and postoperative complications of penile prosthesis surgery.

Use of intraoperative fluorescence to enhance robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy has become the standard of care for the removal of localized prostate cancer. Positive outcomes depend upon the precise removal of the prostate and associated tissue without damage to nearby structures. This process can be aided by fluorescence-guided surgery to enhance the visual contrast between different structures. Here the authors have conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify ten investigations into the use of fluorescence-guided surgery in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. These studies used fluorescent tracers to identify structures, including the prostate, neurovascular bundle and lymph nodes. These studies demonstrate the safe and effective use of fluorescence-guided surgery in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and pave the way for further developments in this field.

Pilonidal sinus disease of the penis: A case report and review of the literature.

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is an acquired pathological condition more commonly seen in the natal cleft of the sacrococcygeal area, although its presentation is not limited to the natal cleft and it can present in other regions of the body such as the breast, umbilicus, scalp and penis. We present the case of a 28-year-old gentleman who presented to his local Urology outpatient clinic with an unusual penile lesion that was later identified as a pilonidal sinus. This was treated with radical circumcision and penile reconstruction with a good functional outcome. For surgeons unaccustomed to PSD presenting on the penis, there is a potential for delay in diagnosis and sub-optimal management of this rare lesion.

Contemporary practice of testicular prosthesis insertion.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the practice of testicular prosthesis insertion (TPI) related to orchidectomy in one geographical region and to identify the difference in the rates of insertion among different age groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Males who underwent orchidectomy between 1989 and 2009 were identified from data collected from Scottish Morbidity Records. Patients were classified into six age groups. The TPI rate and relation to original orchidectomy were analysed according to different age groups. RESULTS: In all, 3364 patients underwent orchidectomy in the 20-year period of the study. The most common indications for orchidectomy were atrophy, undescended testes, torsion, and tumour. In the same period, 530 patients had a TPI, with 59.4% of them (316 patients) having TPI at initial surgery, 17.3% (92) as a second surgical procedure, and 22.8% (122) having the TPI without prior history of orchidectomy. Among patients who underwent TPI, postpubertal males were more likely to have simultaneous insertion at the time of orchidectomy than prepubertal males (83% vs 32%; odds ratio 10.44, 95% confidence interval 5.23-20.82; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Younger males are more likely to have TPI at a later date. Paediatric urologists should be mindful of the possibility of concurrent TPI at the time of initial scrotal/groin exploration.

Coital incontinence: what can we learn from urodynamic assessment?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of coital incontinence (CI) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to understand the pathophysiology of CI. METHODS: A database of all women who underwent urodynamic testing in a tertiary referral center in the United Kingdom, from January 1991 to December 2009, was retrospectively analyzed. All women reporting CI were included in the study. Urodynamic testing and interpretation of results were performed in accordance with the recommendations of the International Continence Society. RESULTS: The prevalence of CI in women with LUTS undergoing urodynamics was 11.8%, and they were significantly younger (mean age = 45.3 years; P <.001) than the rest of the group (mean age = 53.4 years). Obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m(2)) and parity were significantly associated with CI (P <.001). Women reporting CI significantly smoked cigarettes and used antidepressants (P <.001). There were fewer postmenopausal women (P <.001) with CI, and previous hysterectomy had a negative association with CI (P = .005). The majority of women had overactive bladder symptoms and stress urinary incontinence (P <.001). CI was significantly associated with urodynamic stress incontinence (UDSI; odds ratio = 2.35) and detrusor overactivity (DO; odds ratio = 1.22) but not DO incontinence (P <.001). Parity, overactive bladder symptoms, and UDSI reached statistical significance when analysis was performed for age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: CI is not uncommon in women with LUTS, and they present earlier than women with LUTS and no CI. CI is significantly associated with risk factors like parity, obesity, cigarette smoking, and antidepressant usage. CI is multifactorial and associated with UDSI and DO but not DO incontinence.

Radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma: a follow up of outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: To present the oncological outcomes in a series of patients with cT1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and its effect on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients (48 renal units) treated at the Belfast City Hospital, over 4 years. Average age is 61.5 years (range 41-80). Eighteen patients (22 renal units) were included with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II and III. The rest were ASA I. Average tumor size was 2.63 cm (range 1.2 cm-6 cm). Renal function before and after RFA was recorded by means of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the changes are presented. Oncological outcomes were established from follow up imaging. A satisfactory response was defined by disappearance or a persistence of non-enhancing lesion of smaller size at follow up. A partial response was defined by a persistent but non-enhancing similar size lesion. A failed response was defined by enlarging or persistently enhancing lesions. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 30.6 months (4-60 months). A good response was found in 33 (74%) patients. A partial response was found in 3 (8%) patients and failed response was identified in 8 (18%) patients. The average reduction in eGFR was 11 mL/min. Two patients had a 50% reduction in their eGFR. No patient required dialysis following treatment. CONCLUSION: RFA presents safe treatment choice for patients with RCC, particularly those that are high risk surgical candidates and those who refuse surgery. Short term results suggest good oncological outcomes and preservation of renal function.