Early Inflatable penile prosthesis implantation offers superior outcomes compared to delayed insertion following ischemic priapism: a narrative review.

Ischemic priapism is a urological emergency which may lead to irreversible erectile dysfunction. One of the accepted treatments is penile prosthesis implantation. Given the scarcity of studies directly comparing timing of penile prosthesis insertion after ischemic priapism, consensus remains elusive. We aim to compare different studies in the literature concerning advantages and disadvantages of early versus delayed inflatable penile prosthesis following ischemic priapism. We analyzed 8 articles that investigated immediate and delayed inflatable penile prosthesis placement after ischemic priapism. Early inflatable penile prosthesis placement is associated with better outcomes, including pain relief, priapism resolution, penile shortening prevention, and quicker sexual activity resumption. However, it still carries a high risk of complications like edema, infection, and distal perforations. Delayed inflatable penile prosthesis insertion poses surgical challenges due to the potential for extensive corporal fibrosis. Comparative analyses have shown elevated complication rates in patients with ischemic priapism who undergo delayed inflatable penile prosthesis insertion, as opposed to those with early insertion. In studies reporting complications rates, the total complication rate in the early group was 3.37%, significantly lower than the delayed group (37.23%). Most studies support the superiority of early inflatable penile prosthesis placement following ischemic priapism over delayed placement. Further research is, however, needed to establish a global consensus on timing of prosthesis insertion.

Search traffic for inflatable penile prosthesis increased following the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: a Google Trends analysis.

We aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on search trends for inflatable penile implants in the US. Search trends for inflatable penile implants ranging from 2016 through 2023 were analyzed utilizing Google Trends. Associations between search trends and US Census Bureau data, including average household income and per capita income, were analyzed. Pre- and post- COVID-19, the interest in inflatable penile implants has been steadily increasing on average in the US. The average household income for counties with the highest interest in inflatable penile implants during the pre-COVID era was $53,136, whereas for the counties with the highest interest in inflatable penile implants in the post-COVID era, the average decreased to $50,940. Similarly, the average per capita median decreased from $35,209 to $34,547. Search traffic for inflatable penile prosthesis increased following the pandemic in the US. Nevertheless, post-pandemic, individuals with lower income levels showed no change in interest in penile implant searches compared to the pre-pandemic period. Understanding this steadiness in interest can inform healthcare professionals and policymakers to tailor interventions and educational efforts to reach a broader audience, ensuring equitable access to information and healthcare resources.

The relationship between hematologic malignancies on male hypogonadism: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The associated symptoms of hypogonadism have been reported in patients with various types of cancer. However, the prevalence and significance of hypogonadism among certain hematologic malignancies have not been completely summarized in recent literature. OBJECTIVE: In this review we aimed to examine the current literature on hypogonadism in patients with hematologic malignancies, with emphasis on leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: This review included relevant studies published before July 2023 that were retrieved through a search of PubMed using the keywords "hematologic cancer," "hematologic malignancy," blood cancer," "leukemia," "lymphoma," "hypogonadism," "multiple myeloma," and "testosterone." RESULTS: The search yielded 214 studies, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Commonly reported findings were that patients who had received hematopoietic stem cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia as children had laboratory-confirmed hypogonadism as adults. However, the impact of these diseases on hypogonadal symptoms was variable in these studies.Studies reporting on lymphoma and hypogonadism had mixed results, with some studies finding that the degree of cytotoxic chemotherapy was associated with hypogonadism, while others showed no correlation. Regardless, multiple studies found that hypogonadism secondary to lymphoma treatment and symptoms of hypogonadism had no apparent association.The most comprehensive assessment of the frequency of hypogonadism in an MM cohort found that 74% of 561 MM patients were classified as hypogonadal compared to 33% of patients in a control population. Testosterone supplementation was found to lower interleukin-6 levels, which could potentially help manage some of the adverse effects of MM, including decreased bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between hematologic malignancies and hypogonadism, which is likely multifactorial. In this review we established that the most plausible factors are related to the secondary effects of gonadotoxic treatments and/or systemic inflammatory responses to the diseases.

Multiple sclerosis and hypogonadism: is there a relationship?

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and is widely recognized as a disease primarily affecting women. The relationship between MS and hypogonadism is complex and not fully understood, with recent evidence showing that hypogonadism may have a significant impact on the quality of life and disease progression of patients with MS. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the relationship between MS and hypogonadism, including the mechanisms underlying this relationship; the effects of hypogonadism on patients with MS; and the potential benefits and drawbacks of testosterone replacement therapy for patients with MS and hypogonadism. METHODS: This scientific review analyzed 19 articles that investigated the potential relationship among MS, testosterone levels, and hypogonadism. The articles were published between November 2008 and March 2022 and were identified through a comprehensive search of the PubMed database. The search terms used included "multiple sclerosis," "testosterone," "hypogonadism," and "MS and testosterone levels." RESULTS: Of the 19 articles reviewed, 11 described a positive correlation between low testosterone levels and dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in individuals with MS. These findings suggest that low testosterone levels may contribute to dysfunction within the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, which plays a crucial role in regulating testosterone production. The results also showed a relationship between sexual dysfunction and low testosterone levels, as well as a positive correlative relationship between these factors. CONCLUSION: The reviewed articles indicate a complex relationship among MS, testosterone levels, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, with low testosterone levels potentially contributing to dysfunction in this axis and to sexual dysfunction. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of testosterone therapy on MS and sexual dysfunction in patients with MS.

Successful bladder-sparing partial cystectomy for muscle-invasive domal urothelial carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation: a case report.

High-grade (HG) urothelial carcinoma (UC) with variant histology has historically been managed conservatively. The presented case details a solitary lesion of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) with sarcomatoid variant (SV) histology treated by partial cystectomy (PC) and adjuvant chemotherapy. A 71-year-old male with a 15-pack year smoking history presented after outside transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Computerized tomography imaging was negative for pelvic lymphadenopathy, a 2 cm broad-based papillary tumor at the bladder dome was identified on office cystoscopy. Complete staging TURBT noted a final pathology of invasive HG UC with areas of spindle cell differentiation consistent with sarcomatous changes and no evidence of lymphovascular invasion. The patient was inclined toward bladder-preserving options. PC with a 2 cm margin and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Final pathology revealed HG UC with sarcomatoid differentiation and invasion into the deep muscularis propria, consistent with pathologic T2bN0 disease, a negative margin, and no lymphovascular invasion. Subsequently, the patient pursued four doses of adjuvant doxorubicin though his treatment was complicated by hand-foot syndrome. At 21 months postoperatively, the patient developed a small (<1 cm) papillary lesion near but uninvolved with the left ureteral orifice. Blue light cystoscopy and TURBT revealed noninvasive low-grade Ta UC. To date, the patient has no evidence of HG UC recurrence; 8 years after PC. Patient maintains good bladder function and voiding every 3-4 h with a bladder capacity of around 350 ml. Surgical extirpation with PC followed by adjuvant chemotherapy may represent a durable solution for muscle invasive (pT2) UC with SV histology if tumor size and location are amenable. Due to the sparse nature of sarcomatous features within UC, large multicenter studies are required to further understand the clinical significance and optimal management options for this variant histology.

Comparison of the gut microbiome composition between men with erectile dysfunction and a matched cohort: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To-date there have been minimal studies to investigate an association between the gut microbiome and erectile dysfunction. There have been many inflammatory diseases linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis; such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. These same inflammatory diseases have been heavily linked to erectile dysfunction. Given the correlations between both conditions and cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome, we believe that it is worthwhile to investigate a link between the two. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential association between the gut microbiome and erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 28 participants with erectile dysfunction and 32 age-matched controls. Metatranscriptome sequencing was used to analyze the samples. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the gut microbiome characteristics, including Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes richness (p = 0.117), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes diversity (p = 0.323), species richness (p = 0.364), and species diversity (p = 0.300), between the erectile dysfunction and control groups. DISCUSSION: The association of gut microbiome dysbiosis and pro-inflammatory conditions has been well studied and further literature continues to add to this evidence. Our main limitation for this study was our small-sample size due to recruitment issues. We believe that a study with a larger population size may find an association between the gut microbiome and erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not support a significant association between the gut microbiome and erectile dysfunction. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between these two conditions.

Utility of noninvasive biomarker testing and MRI to predict a prostate cancer diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance and utility of the ExoDx IntelliScore and an OPKO4K score to predict prostate cancer in men presenting with elevated PSA-both as independent predictors and in combination with clinical/MRI characteristics. METHODS: Patients with elevated PSA were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormal tests were defined as an OPKO4K score ≥ 7.5% and an ExoDx IntelliScore ≥ 15.6. Four regression models and ROC curves were generated based on: (1) age, PSA, and DRE, (2) model 1 + OPKO4K 4Kscore ≥ 7.5%, (3) model 2 + ExoDx IntelliScore ≥ 15.6, and (4) model 3 + MRI PIRADS 4-5. RESULTS: 359 men received an OPKO4K test, 307 had MRI and 113 had ExoDx tests. 163 men proceeded to prostate biopsy and 196 (55%) were saved from biopsy. Mean age was 65.0 ± 8.7 years and mean PSA was 7.1 ± 6.1 ng/mL. Positive biopsies were found in 84 (51.5%) men. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of an OPKO4K score were 86.7% and 72.3%; values for an ExoDx test were 76.5% and 77.1%, respectively. On regression analysis, clinical markers (Age, PSA, DRE) generated an AUC of 0.559. The addition of an OPKO4K score raised the AUC to 0.653. The stepwise addition of an ExoDx score raised the AUC to 0.766. The combined use of both biomarkers, patient characteristics, and MRI yielded an AUC of 0.825. CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrates the high negative predictive value of both the OPKO4K score and ExoDX IntelliScore independently while demonstrating that the combination of an OPKO4K score, an ExoDX IntelliScore, and MRI increases predictive capability for biopsy confirmed prostate cancer.

Peyronie's disease response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum therapy is independent of baseline testosterone.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone plays an important role in collagen metabolism, transforming growth factor-ß1 expression, and wound healing, which are all critical factors in pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease. Some clinical studies have suggested an association between Peyronie's disease and hypogonadism. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether baseline total testosterone levels influence response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum in Peyronie's disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients receiving collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections with available total testosterone levels within 1 year of initial injection was conducted at a single institution. Baseline demographics, hypogonadal status, total testosterone, number of collagenase clostridium histolyticum cycles, and pre- and post-treatment degrees of curvature were collected. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <300 ng/dL. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Thirty-six men were included with mean age of 58.2 years (SD 10.4) and mean body mass index 26.8 (SD 3.2). The mean total testosterone was 459.2 ng/dL (SD 144.0), and four (11.1%) were hypogonadal. Mean pre-treatment curvature was 47.6°, and mean post-treatment curvature was 27.8°, with mean improvement of 19.9° (40.1%). Hypogonadal status was not significantly associated with more severe curvature, 46.4° among hypogonadal men as to 57.5° among eugonadal men (p = 0.32). On linear regression analysis, total testosterone did not significantly predict improvement in degrees (ß = -0.02; R2 = 0.06; p = 0.14) or percent (ß = 0.0; R2 = 0.05; p = 0.18). Improvement in neither degrees nor percent differed significantly by hypogonadal status (p = 0.41 and 0.82, respectively). The cycle number did significantly predict greater improvement in curvature on both univariate and multivariate analyses (ß = 5.7; R2 = 0.34; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Neither total testosterone nor hypogonadism is associated with a degree of improvement after collagenase clostridium histolyticum treatment.

Maximizing outcomes in penile prosthetic surgery: exploring strategies to prevent and manage infectious and non-infectious complications.

Inflatable Penile Prostheses (IPP) implantation is a surgical treatment for patients desiring definitive treatment for erectile dysfunction. While this procedure has proven to be effective, it also carries its own set of unique risks that need to be carefully considered. The article reviews the current understanding of complications associated with penile prosthetic surgery and provides strategies to mitigate these adverse events. This article covers various aspects of IPP implantation, including the risks of infection, bleeding, injury to nearby structures, glans ischemia, and device malfunction. It also discusses the importance of careful preoperative screening to identify risk factors and the implementation of infection reduction strategies such as antimicrobial prophylaxis, skin prep, and operative techniques. In addition, it emphasizes the need for postoperative vigilance and prompt management of any complications that may arise. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the risks and strategies for mitigating complications associated with IPP implantation. Our recommendations are given based on the current consensus in the field and highlight the importance of careful planning, attention to detail, and effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. Despite the potential risks, this review underscores the fact that complications following penile prosthesis implantation are relatively rare.

Safety outcomes of the first Rigi10™ malleable penile prostheses implanted worldwide.

Implantation of penile prosthesis is considered when conservative measures fail or are unacceptable to patients' wishing treatment for erectile dysfunction. In the United States (US), inflatable penile prostheses are more often used than malleable penile prostheses (MPP). Outside the US, the reverse is true because third-party reimbursement is not available, and MPP is considerably cheaper. Two American manufacturers make MPP; presently, a new manufacturer, Rigicon (Ronkonkoma NY), has recently begun to sell its MPP worldwide. Patient information forms submitted to the manufacturer between March 1, 2019, and December 8, 2022, were used to conduct an initial safety study for 605 first-time patients implanted with Rigicon10® by 46 physicians in 15 countries with a mean follow-up of 21.6 months. It has the same configuration of trimmable, paired silicone rods containing a twisted stainless-steel wire for bendability. However, it is available in six widths with hydrophilic coating compared to three widths offered by competitors. Revision or explantation was needed in 6 of 605 patients (0.99%) with half of those being removed for dissatisfaction (0.50%). Two (0.33%) suffered device infection and one (0.16%) required removal for erosion. Kaplan-Meier's statistical analysis showed three-year implant survival from revision = 99.2%. It demonstrated a comparable safety record with less than 1.00% of patients requiring reoperation.

Testosterone replacement therapy is associated with high satisfaction rates: results of a survey study.

Despite a well-documented increase in both the prevalence of Testosterone Deficiency (TD) and prescription of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), few studies have investigated the preferences of patients receiving TRT and factors associated with increased treatment satisfaction. To investigate the preferences of patients receiving TRT and factors associated with improved treatment satisfaction, an open survey was completed by 140 men receiving TRT at a single institution. Survey questions investigated demographics, symptom burden of TD, TRT regimen, treatment preferences, and treatment satisfaction. 62.7% of patients were satisfied with their current TRT regimen. Those using auto-injectors (91.7%, odds ration [OR] = 9.3), subcutaneous pellets (90.0%, OR = 15.2), and intramuscular injections (67.5%, OR = 5.7), were with significantly increased satisfaction rates (p < 0.05). The majority of patients indicated that they would prefer to receive TRT injections when self-administered or administered at home. While patients noted that treatment efficacy was a significant driving factor when evaluating a TRT regimen, few patients felt that cost was the most significant factor.

Survival From Revision Surgery for New Rigicon Infla10 Three-piece Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Is Comparable to Preceding Devices.

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of the reoperation surgeries of nearly all the Rigicon Infla10 implants performed since device introduction in 1/2019. Inflatable penile prosthesis has some of the highest survival from revision surgery of any medical device implanted in humans [1]. We expand on previous Rigicon Infla10 research, adding more patients and increasing follow-up duration [2]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 535 patients had Rigicon Infla10 devices implanted from 1/2019 to 8/2022. 103 surgeons from 26 centers in 15 countries participated in the study. Patient information forms were analyzed from virtually all implantations. Explantation or revision surgery for mechanical failure, infection, other medical reasons, and patient dissatisfaction were cataloged. SPSS 25.0 (IBM) was used for the statistical analysis of Kaplan Meier survival statistics. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 24.2months (7-43months). Mean patient age was 56years. Reoperation was necessary for 3.5% of subjects. Revision for mechanical failure occurred in 2.24% (12/535). The rate of explant for patient dissatisfaction was 0.56% (3/535). Revision for component out of place was 0.37% (2/535) with an infection rate and unsuccessful Peyronie's correction being 0.19% (1/535). Survival from requiring another corrective surgery at 1, 2, and 3years was 96.4%, 95.0%, and 94.0%, respectively. These initial survival rates compare favorably to devices currently available, which have been repeatedly enhanced to improve reliability. CONCLUSION: In its first 2-3years of availability, The Rigicon Infla10 inflatable penile prosthesis shows freedom from revision comparable to existing enhanced devices that have been on the market for decades.

Long-term assessment of the safety and effectivity of the mini-jupette sling: 5-year follow-up of the original series.

Background: In 2017, a prospective multicenter, multinational, investigational pilot study was conducted examining outcomes using a novel surgical technique, the Mini-Jupette sling, for the management of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients with climacturia and/or minimal stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostate procedures. Climacturia has been reported in up to 64% of patients following radical prostatectomy (RP). We sought to report the 5-year outcomes from this original cohort to assess long-term safety and effectivity of the mini-jupette sling in the treatment of ED and concomitant mild SUI and/or climacturia. Methods: This is a single-arm, multicenter, retrospective, observational study. We identified patients who were enrolled in the previous multicenter study with post-RP ED and climacturia and/or mild SUI- 2 PADS PER DAY (PPD) and underwent inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion with simultaneous placement of a mini-jupette sling. Data were collected including current PPD, subjective improvement in climacturia/SUI, complications, need for revision of IPP or additional urinary incontinence surgery, and date of most recent follow-up. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the original 38 patients, 5 have since died and 10 were lost to follow-up with 23/38 (61%) patients available for evaluation of long-term outcomes. The average follow-up time was 59 months (SD =8.8) with a mean age of 69 years (SD =6.8). Most patients (n=21, 91%) had subjective improvement of SUI and climacturia. One patient with persistent bothersome incontinence underwent artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement in 2018 with no complications, while the other is still considering a repeat procedure due to minor but persistent SUI. The mean PPD decreased from 1.4 preoperatively to 0.4 at a mean of 5 years of follow-up. Most patients reported satisfaction in their urinary symptoms with 91% and 73% reporting improvement in SUI and climacturia respectively, compared to 86% and 93% respectively in the original series. One (4.3%) patient had an IPP revision for pump malfunction. There were no device infections reported. Conclusions: The mini-jupette sling appears to be a safe and effective procedure with durable improvements in SUI and climacturia at 5 years of follow-up.

Endophytic upper tract urothelial carcinoma in a solitary kidney treated by cryotherapy: an unorthodox case for successful management.

BACKGROUND: Nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Considering the high risk of developing renal function impairment after surgery, the rationale for nephron sparing approaches in treatment of UTUC has been raised. In this case, renal cryoablation was able to achieve successful oncologic control while preserving renal function during 5 years of follow up without intraoperative or post operative complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79 year old male presents after three months of macroscopic hematuria. Imaging revealed a 3.6 × 3.1 × 2.7 cm endophytic mass in the interpolar region of the left kidney and an atrophic right kidney. After weighing the lesion's location with the patient's of complex medical history, he was counselled to undergo a minimally invasive percutaneous cryoablation as treatment for his solitary renal mass. A diagnostic dilemma was encountered as imaging suggested a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. However, the pre-ablation biopsy established an alternative diagnosis, revealing UTUC. Percutaneous cryoablation became an unorthodox treatment modality for the endophytic component of his UTUC followed by retrograde ureteroscopic laser fulguration. The patient was followed in 3 months, 6 months, then annually with cross sectional imaging by MRI, cystoscopy, urine cytology and renal function testing. After five years of follow-up, the patient did not encountered recurrence of UTUC or deterioration in renal function, thereby maintaining a stable eGFR. CONCLUSION: Although evidence for nephron-sparing modalities for UTUC is mounting in recent literature, limited data still exists on cryotherapy as a line of treatment for urothelial carcinoma. We report successful management of a low-grade UTUC using cryoablation with the crucial aid of an initial renal biopsy and long-term follow-up. Our results provide insight into the role of cryoablation as a nephron-sparing approach for UTUC.

The pandemic, telemedicine, and andrology: what have we learned?

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine gained wide acceptance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it was deemed critical for patient care when lockdowns were implemented worldwide. While there is evidence to suggest that urology patients were receptive to telemedicine, no systematic review has been done to date on andrology patients and their perception of telemedicine. METHODS: Three electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until June 2022 for relevant articles. Two independent teams reviewed abstracts and extracted data from the selected manuscripts. A meta-analysis was completed in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. For our study, we limited telemedicine to communication through videoconferencing or telephone encounters between patients and medical professionals. Positive response to telemedicine was defined as patients "wishing for telemedicine consultation", "preferring telemedicine over in person", "accepting the current telemedicine arrangement", "having needs addressed with teleconsultation", or "willingness to do a teleconsultation". RESULTS: Of the 1128 retrieved abstracts, 56 underwent full-text review and 12 were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of >4021 cases. Video visits were evaluated in 5 studies, telephone encounters were analyzed in 2 studies, and both methods were examined in 1 randomized control study. Three studies showed that andrology and sexual medicine are compatible with telemedicine, with few 30- and 90-day in-person revisit rates. Telemedicine was shown to save an average cost of US$149-$252 per patient, and 8 studies that directly assessed andrology patient perceptions of telemedicine showed that most patients had a "positive perception."Pooled analyses of the positive responses to telemedicine were 68.7% (95% CI, 49.4%-83.1%, P = 0.057), and those of patients who recommended telemedicine were 65.1% (95% CI, 18.4%-93.9%, P = 0.577). While the percentage of patients recommending telemedicine was high among studies using videoconferencing, the percentage dropped in studies using telephone visits only. The difference between recommending video and telephone practices was statistically significant, with 84.6% pooled proportion for recommending video practice compared to 38.9% pooled proportion for recommending telephone practice, P = 0.035. In the telephone-only encounters, up to 27.1% of patients preferred in-person visits, as security and privacy of any mode of telecommunication were of concern. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients have a positive perception of telemedicine, particularly with videoconferencing and less so with telephone visits. These results suggest that telemedicine will likely continue to play a pivotal role in andrology and sexual medicine practices.