Intermittent catheterization: Clinical practice guidelines from Association Française d'Urologie (AFU), Groupe de Neuro-urologie de Langue Française (GENULF), Société Française de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation (SOFMER) and Société Interdisciplinaire Francophone d'UroDynamique et de Pelvi-Périnéologie (SIFUD-PP).

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to provide guidelines covering all aspects of intermittent catheterisation (intermittent self-catheterisation and third-party intermittent catheterisation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature based on Pubmed, Embase, Google scholar was initiated in December 2014 and updated in April 2019. Given the lack of robust data and the numerous unresolved controversial issues, guidelines were established based on the formal consensus of experts from steering, scoring and review panels. RESULTS: This allowed the formulation of 78 guidelines, extending from guidelines on indications for intermittent catheterisation, modalities for training and implementation, choice of equipment, management of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections, to the implementation of intermittent catheterisation in paediatric, geriatric populations, benign prostatic hyperplasia patients and continent urinary diversion patients with a cutaneous reservoir as well as other complications. These guidelines are pertinent to both intermittent self-catheterisation and third-party intermittent catheterisation. CONCLUSION: These are the first comprehensive guidelines specifically aimed at intermittent catheterisation and extend to all aspects of intermittent catheterisation. They assist in the clinical decision-making process, specifically in relation to indications and modalities of intermittent catheterisation options. These guidelines are intended for urologists, gynaecologists, geriatricians, paediatricians, neurologists, physical and rehabilitation physicians, general practitioners and other health professionals including nurses, carers….

Outcome comparison of different approaches to self-intermittent catheterization in neurogenic patients: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA); http://www.prisma-statement.org). OBJECTIVES: Different types of catheters and techniques have been described in the past three decades to identify the best self-intermittent catheterization method. Our aim is to review systematically the literature on the most appropriate material and technique to perform self-intermittent catheterization in the adult neurogenic population. METHODS: A systematic review search was performed through PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases to study all types of self-intermittent catheters, and analyzing their impact on urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethral trauma, cost-effectiveness, quality of life and patient's satisfaction. We used the following keywords: 'intermittent catheterization/catheterisation', 'neurogenic', 'urinary catheters for intermittent use' and 'urethral catheterization/catheterisation' published by November 2015. RESULTS: After screening 3768 articles, 31 were included in the final synthesis (level of evidence 1b to 2b). The 2188 trial participants were mainly spinal cord injury adults and women with multiple sclerosis. Hydrophilic-coated catheters tended to decrease the incidence of UTI as well as urethral trauma and improve patient's satisfaction when compared with non-hydrophilic-coated catheters. Similarly, prelubricated catheters were associated with better results in terms of patient satisfaction. Sterile technique seemed to decrease the incidence of recurrent UTI; however, these results are counter-balanced by significantly increasing cost compared with clean catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: The present review demonstrated advantages of hydrophilic-coated catheters in decreasing risk of UTI and urethral trauma as well as improving patient's satisfaction. Prelubricated catheters has been shown to be superior to conventional polyvinyl chloride catheters. Randomized controlled trials comparing hydrophilic and prelubricated catheters must be conducted to assess possible superiority and cost-effectiveness.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter: Report of the 2015 Consensus Conference.

PURPOSE: The AMS800™ device, by far the most frequently implanted artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) worldwide, is considered to be the "gold-standard" when male incontinence surgical treatment is contemplated. Despite 40 years of experience, it is still a specialized procedure with a number of challenges. Here, we present the recommendations issued from the AUS Consensus Group, regarding indications, management, and follow-up AMS800™ implantation or revision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under ICS auspices, an expert panel met on July 10, 2015 in Chicago, IL, USA in an attempt to reach a consensus on diverse issues related to the AMS800™ device. Participants were selected by the two co-chairs on the basis of their practice in a University hospital and their experience: number of implanted AUSs according to AMS (American Medical System Holdings Inc., Minnetonka, MN) records and/or major published articles. Topics listed were the result of a pre-meeting email brainstorming by all participants. The co-chairs distributed topics randomly to all participants, who then had to propose a statement on each topic for approval by the conference after a short evidence-based presentation, when possible. RESULTS: A total of 25 urologists were invited to participate, 19 able to attend the conference. The present recommendations, based on the most recent and relevant data available in literature as well as expert opinions, successively address multiple specific and problematic issues associated with the AMS800™ trough a eight-chapter structure: pre-operative assessment, pre operative challenges, implantation technique, post-operative care, trouble-shooting, outcomes, special populations, and the future of AUSs. CONCLUSION: These guidelines undoubtedly constitute a reference document, which will help urologists to carefully select patients and apply the most adapted management to implantation, follow-up and trouble-shooting of the AMS800™.

Intermittent catheterization in neurologic patients: Update on genitourinary tract infection and urethral trauma.

Intermittent catheterization is considered the standard of care in most neurologic patients with lower urinary tract disorders. However, in this context, genitourinary tract infection and urethral trauma represent specific challenges. Such conditions have been found to significantly deteriorate quality of life and complicate subsequent treatments. Only optimal prevention associated with appropriate treatment allows for the long-term continuation of such bladder management. Here, we discuss the diagnosis and therapeutic and preventive approaches associated with genitourinary tract infection and urethral trauma in this specific population. This "state-of-the-art" article results from a literature review (MEDLINE articles and scientific society guidelines) and the authors' experience. It was structured in a didactic way to facilitate comprehension and promote the implementation of advice and recommendations in daily practice. Genitourinary tract infection and urethral trauma associated with intermittent catheterization in neurologic patients should be managed with a global approach, including patient and caregiver education, optimal catheterization with hydrophilic-coated or pre-lubricated catheters and adequate use of antibiotic therapy.

Overview of the 2015 ICS Consensus Conference.

PURPOSE: The AMS800™ device is considered to be the "gold-standard" when male incontinence surgical treatment is contemplated. Despite 40 years of experience, it is still a specialized procedure with a number of challenges. Here, we present the recommendations issued from the AUS Consensus Group, regarding indications, management and follow-up AMS800™ implantation or revision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under ICS auspices, an expert panel met on July 10, 2015 in Chicago, IL, USA in an attempt to reach a consensus on diverse issues related to the AMS800™ device. Participants were selected by the two co-chairs on the basis of their practice in a University hospital and their experience: number of implanted AUSs according to AMS (American Medical System Holdings Inc., Minnetonka, MN) records and/or major published articles. Topics listed were the result of a pre-meeting email brainstorming by all participants. The co-chairs distributed topics randomly to all participants, who then had to propose a statement on each topic for approval by the conference after a short evidence-based presentation, when possible. RESULTS: The present recommendations, based on the most recent and relevant data available in literature as well as expert opinions, successively address multiple specific and problematic issues associated with the AMS800™ trough a 6-chapter structure: pre-operative assessment, pre operative challenges, implantation technique, post-operative care, trouble-shooting, and special populations. CONCLUSION: These guidelines undoubtedly constitute a reference document, which will help urologists to carefully select patients and apply the most adapted management to implantation, follow-up and trouble-shooting of the AMS800™. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:437-443, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Epidemiology, etiology and psychosocial impact of urogenital fistulas in a cohort of 170 consecutive patients managed in three treatment centers in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2012]. / Aspects épidémiologiques, étiologiques et impact psychosocial des fistules urogénitales dans une cohorte de 170 patientes consécutives, prises en charge dans trois centres du Burkina Faso de 2010 à 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the socio-demographical aspects, etiologies and psychosocial consequences of urogenital fistula patients (UGF) in Burkina Faso (BF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive study of a cohort of consecutive patients during a period of 18 months (December 1st 2010 to August 31st 2012) in three centers of treatment in BF. Each patient has had a standardized complete medical observation focused on sociodemographics, clinical finding, past medical history and etiologies of UGF. Some patients had an interview with a psychologist. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy patients with mean age 35 years (minimum: 16, maximum: 70) were enrolled during the study period. The majority of patients were housewives (90.5%, n=152) and illiterates (92.9%, n=158). Among the patients, 62.4% (n=106) lived in rural zones. Obstetrical fistula was the most common cause of UGF (87.6%, n=149) in our study and prolonged labor occurred in 93.3% (n=139) of cases with 17.5% (n=26) who delivered at home. The majority of our cases were vesico-vaginal fistula (70.6%, n=120). Fifty-five patients (32.4%) were divorced after the fistula. The sensation of humiliation and sadness were noted at all the patients who had a psychological evaluation and 87.5% (n=14) of them have had suicidal ideas. CONCLUSION: The UGF are frequent in Burkina Faso and obstetrical etiology is dominant. The physical and psychosocial repercussions are important for the women victims of this pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Management of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia in neurogenic bladder.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 11.5 to 53.4 individuals per million of the population in developed countries each year. SCI is caused by trauma, although it can also result from myelopathy, myelitis, vascular disease or arteriovenous malformations and multiple sclerosis. Patients with complete lesions of the spinal cord between spinal cord level T6 and S2, after they recover from spinal shock, generally exhibit involuntary bladder contractions without sensation, smooth sphincter synergy, but with detrusor striated sphincter dyssynergia (DESD). Those with lesions above spinal cord level T6 may experience, in addition, smooth sphincter dyssynergia and autonomic hyperreflexia. DESD is a debilitating problem in patients with SCI. It carries a high risk of complications, and even life expectancy can be affected. Nearly half of the patients with untreated DESD will develop deleterious urologic complications, due to high intravesical pressures, resulting in urolithiasis, urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), hydronephrosis, obstructive uropathy, and renal failure. The mainstay of treatment is the use of antimuscarinics and catheterization, but in those for whom this is not possible external sphincterotomy has been a last resort option. External sphincterotomy is associated with significant risks, including haemorrhage; erectile dysfunction and the possibility of redo procedures. Over the last decade alternatives have been investigated, such as urethral stents and intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection. In this review, we will cover neurogenic DESD, with emphasis on definition, classifications, diagnosis and different therapeutic options available.

Tolerability of solifenacin and oxybutynin immediate release in older (> 65 years) and younger (≤ 65 years) patients with overactive bladder: sub-analysis from a Canadian, randomized, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition whose prevalence increases with age. Antimuscarinic agents are the pharmacologic treatment of choice, but adverse events such as dry mouth may lead to early discontinuation. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the incidence and severity of dry mouth and other adverse events with solifenacin 5 mg/day and oxybutynin immediate release (IR) 15 mg/day in patients ≤ 65 years and >65 years in the Canadian VECTOR study (VEsicare in Comparison To Oxybutynin for oveRactive bladder patients). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: VECTOR was a randomized, multicentre, prospective, double-blind, double-dummy study in 132 subjects with ≥ 1 urgency episode per 24 h, with or without urgency incontinence, and ≥ 8 micturitions per 24 h for ≥ 3 months. After a 2-week washout, patients received solifenacin 5 mg once daily or oxybutynin IR 5 mg tid for 8 weeks. For the current post-hoc analysis, adverse events were evaluated in subgroups of patients ≤ 65 years and >65 years, using a full logistic regression model, multinomial logit regression model and reduced model. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00431041. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of dry mouth and other adverse events with solifenacin were similar between younger and older patients. In both age subgroups, solifenacin 5 mg/day was associated with fewer episodes and lower severity of dry mouth, and a lower discontinuation rate, compared with oxybutynin IR 15 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS: Solifenacin 5 mg/day was better tolerated than oxybutynin IR 15 mg/day in younger (≤ 65 years) and older (> 65 years) subgroups. Solifenacin was equally well tolerated in both age subgroups. Limitations of the analysis were that the study was not preplanned to perform post-hoc subgroup analysis, patients knew that dry mouth was a primary outcome, and the study used fixed doses of each drug.

Prognostic value of various morphometric measurements of tumour extent in prostate needle core tissue.

AIMS: Predicting prostatic cancer patients' outcome is a major objective for clinicians and patients. Several nomograms are currently implemented prior to treatment to help predict clinical and pathological outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of morphometric measurements of cancer on the needle biopsy specimen in relation to the final pathological stage or the biochemical failure status following radical prostatectomy, and to determine which measurement of tumour length in cases with discontinuous foci of cancer (DFC) is most reliably reflective of the pathological stage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 100 patients included in this study, 34% had high-stage disease (pT >or= 3 and/or pN1) and 16% experienced biochemical recurrence. The analysis showed that fraction of positive cores, total percentage of cancer and both total and greatest millimetric cancer lengths were the variables most closely associated with pathological stage and biochemical failure status. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the prognostic value of recording tumour extent in prostatic needle biopsy reporting. However, the results are inconclusive in determining the best method to record tumour length in cores with DFC and larger studies are needed to answer this question fully.

[Pharmacological treatment of neurogenic detrusor hyperactivity: intradetrusor botulinum toxin A injections]. / Traitement pharmacologique de l'hyperactivité détrusorienne neurologique: injections intra-détrusoriennes de toxine botulique A.

Botulinum toxins are among the most powerful of all natural poisons. They are responsible for human botulism and constitute potential chemical weapons, but are nevertheless used as therapeutic agents in an increasing number of indications and medical specialties. Botulinum toxins were used for the first time in urology by intrasphincteric injection by Dykstra in 1988 to treat detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injury patients. Schurch performed the first intradetrusor injections in 2000 to treat incontinence due to overactive bladder in adult spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis patients. This review of the literature presents the results and level of proof for the use of botulinum toxin intradetrusor injection to treat neurogenic voiding disorders. Botulinum toxin A intradetrusor injections constitute a safe, conservative, reversible and short-term effective (6-12 months) alternative after failure of anticholinergic therapy for overactive bladder and its clinical consequences in adult spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis patients (level 1b) and in children with neural tube defects (level 4). The efficacy of the first injection appears to be maintained at subsequent injections (up to 10 cycles) (level 4). Convergent and longer-term data are necessary to document and more clearly define the medium- and long-term efficacy profile of this approach, currently considered to be a major progress in neurourology.

A multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing tension-free vaginal tape surgery and no treatment for the management of stress urinary incontinence in elderly women.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that elderly women undergoing tension-free vaginal tape surgery (TVT) will have a better quality of life (QOL) and satisfaction compared to non-treated women despite age- and technique-related potential morbidity. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial enrolled a total of 69 women aged over 70 years who initially consented to be randomized to either undergo immediate TVT surgery or to wait for 6 months before submitting to the same surgery (control group). The main outcomes measured at every visit (pre-randomization, 8-12 weeks and 6 months) consisted of the Incontinence-Quality of Life (I-QOL) Questionnaire, the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Urinary Problems Self-assessment Questionnaire, among others. RESULTS: The analysis included 31 patients in the immediate surgery group and 27 subjects in the control group. Peri-operative complications in the immediate surgery group were bladder perforation (22.6%), urinary retention (12.9%), urinary tract infection (3.2%) and de novo urgency (3.2%). At 6 months, the mean I-QOL scores for the TVT and control groups were respectively 96.5 +/- 15.5 and 61.6 +/- 19.8 (P < 0.0001); mean Patient Satisfaction scores were respectively 8.0 +/- 2.7 and 2.0 +/- 2.4 (P < 0.0001); and mean Urinary Problems scores were respectively 4.5 +/- 4.3 and 11.6 +/- 3.5 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: At 6 months post-randomization, the group of elderly women who underwent immediate TVT surgery showed a significant improvement in QOL, patient satisfaction and less urinary problems compared to the group of women waiting for the same surgery.

Stability of the m.8993T->G mtDNA mutation load during human embryofetal development has implications for the feasibility of prenatal diagnosis in NARP syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations cause a wide range of serious genetic diseases with maternal inheritance. Because of the high transmission risk and the absence of therapy in these disorders, at-risk couples often ask for prenatal diagnosis (PND). However, because heteroplasmy load (coexistence of mutant and wild-type mtDNA) may vary among tissues and with time, the possibility that a single fetal sample may not reflect the whole neonate impedes prenatal diagnosis of mtDNA diseases. METHODS: We performed 13 prenatal diagnoses for the NARP (neurogenic weakness, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa) m.8993T-->G mtDNA mutation (p.Leu156Arg) in the ATP synthase subunit 6 gene. Analyses were performed on chorionic villous (CVS) and/or amniocyte samples carried out at various stages of pregnancy, using a method enabling quantification of low DNA amounts. RESULTS: Maternal mutant loads ranged from 0 to 75% in blood and had no predictive value for the fetus status, except for women with no detectable mutant DNA, whose fetuses were consistently mutation-free. In 8/13 PND, mutant load was <30%. These children are healthy at 2-7 years of age. In 5/13 PND, mutant load ranged from 65 to 100%, and parents preferred to terminate the pregnancies (15-22 weeks of gestation). Single-cell analysis of 20 trophoblastic cells and 21 amniocytes isolated from two affected fetuses found an average mutant load close to the overall CVS and amniocyte mutant load, despite striking intercellular variation. The m.8993T-->G mutant loads, assessed in 7, 17, 11, and 5 different tissues from 4 terminations, respectively, were identical in all tissues from a given individual (mean (SD) 78 (1.2)%, 91 (0.7)%, 74 (2)%, and 63 (1.6)% for the 4 fetuses, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the placental/amniotic mutant loads do reflect the NARP mutant mtDNA load in the whole fetus, even when the sample amount is small, and suggest that heteroplasmy level remains stable during pregnancy, at least after 10 weeks of gestation. Although these data establish the feasibility of PND for this mutation, assessing more precisely the correlation between mutant load and disease severity should further help in interpreting PND results.

Electrode-tissues interface: modeling and experimental validation.

The electrode-tissues interface (ETI) is one of the key issues in implantable devices such as stimulators and sensors. Once the stimulator is implanted, safety and reliability become more and more critical. In this case, modeling and monitoring of the ETI are required. We propose an empirical model for the ETI and a dedicated integrated circuit to measure its corresponding complex impedance. These measurements in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 100 kHz were achieved in acute dog experiments. The model demonstrates a closer fitting with experimental measurements. In addition, a custom monitoring device based on a stimuli current generator has been completed to evaluate the phase shift and voltage across the electrodes and to transmit wirelessly the values to an external controller. This integrated circuit has been fabricated in a CMOS 0.18 microm process, which consumes 4 mW only during measurements and occupies an area of 1 mm(2).