Safety and Feasibility of Telehealth Only Preoperative Evaluation Before Minimally Invasive Robotic Urologic Surgery.

Purpose: Telehealth utilization has increased dramatically over the past few years due to improvement in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, no study has examined whether a telehealth visit alone for preoperative evaluation is safe and sufficient before surgery. We examined the safety and feasibility of preoperative telehealth visits alone before minimally invasive urologic surgery. Materials and Methods: Single institution retrospective review of robotic prostate, kidney, and cystectomy procedures between April and December 2020. Cases were dichotomized into those who underwent preoperative evaluation by telehealth only vs traditional in-person visits. Outcomes included complications, blood loss, conversion to open surgery rates, and operative times. We assessed efficiency of care by measuring time from preoperative visit to surgery. Results: Three hundred fourteen patients were included in the study, with 14% of cases (n = 45) being performed after a preoperative telehealth visit. The majority of cases included in analysis were robotic surgeries of the prostate (56.1% of all cases, n = 176) and the kidney (35.0% of all cases, n = 110). Patients seen via telehealth alone preoperatively had no significant differences in any grade of complications, perioperative outcomes, blood loss, operative time, and length of stay. There was no difference in change in anticipated procedure between the groups, and there was no case of conversion to open surgery in the telehealth only group. Time from preoperative visit to surgery was significantly shorter for the telehealth group by 13 days. Conclusions: Our study is the first to analyze the safety of telehealth only preoperative visits before minimally invasive urologic surgery. We found no difference in perioperative outcomes including conversion to open surgery or change in planned procedure. Furthermore, telehealth preoperative visits appeared to facilitate shorter time to surgery. This study has important implications for expediting patient care and medicolegal considerations.

Periurethral Abscess Following Urethral Reconstruction: Clinical Features and Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and prognostic details of periurethral abscess (PUA) formation following urethroplasty (UP). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify men who developed PUA after UP between 2007 and 2019 at a single tertiary care referral center. Patient demographics, stricture characteristics, and UP technique were recorded. Outcomes included time to PUA, presenting symptoms, wound cultures, imaging, and ultimate management. Comparative analysis between PUA and non-PUA patients was performed using Fisher's Exact test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: Among 1499 UP cases, 9 (0.6%) developed PUA. Mean stricture length was 4.6 cm with most located in the bulbar urethra (5/9, 56%), while 4/9 (44%) had undergone prior UP. PUA rates were 7/288 (2.4%) and 2/815 (0.3%) for substitution and anastomotic UP respectively. Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) demonstrated extravasation in 67% (4/6) of available UP cases imaged. Subsequent VCUG confirmed leak improvement or resolution in all cases. Wound cultures were frequently polymicrobial (4/6, 67%). Management included antibiotics with (6/9) and without (3/9) incision and drainage (I/D). Urinary drainage was performed in 5 patients using suprapubic tube (3/5) and foley placement (2/5). PUA resolution was observed in all patients while stricture symptom recurrence was observed in 2/9 (22%) patients with mean time to recurrence of 15 months. Overall mean follow-up time was 22 months. CONCLUSION: PUA is a rare complication of UP that may be more common in setting of postoperative urine leak. PUA is safely managed with I/D, urethral rest, and antibiotics, with low risk of recurrent stricture formation thereafter.

Distance From Critical Pelvic Structures: Radiographic Comparison of High Submuscular and Space of Retzius IPP Reservoir Placement Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distance from critical pelvic structures (CPS, defined as bladder and iliac vessels) among inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs placed into the space of Retzius (SOR) and high submuscular (HSM) locations using cross-sectional imaging. IPP reservoir placement into the HSM location has been proposed as a strategy to prevent injury due to greater distance from CPS. METHODS: Our institutional database was retrospectively reviewed to identify men who underwent IPP insertion between 2007 and 2020 and had available cross-sectional abdominopelvic imaging after the time of surgery. Patients were grouped based on reservoir placement technique (SOR vs. HSM). Staff radiologists blinded to placement technique evaluated reservoir position to determine the shortest distance between CPS and the reservoir and if a mass effect was present on CPS. Variables were analyzed using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and student's T-tests as indicated. RESULTS: Among 1,010 IPP cases performed during the study interval, 139 (13%) were imaged. Compared with SOR reservoirs (n = 32), HSM reservoirs (n =107) were significantly less likely to induce a mass effect on the bladder (72 vs. 9%, P = <.01) or iliac vessels (34 vs. 4%, P = <.01) and were located roughly 5 times further from the bladder (10 ± 22 vs. 49 ± 36 mm, P = <.01) and iliac vessels (5 ± 9 vs. 23 ± 26 mm, P = <.01). CONCLUSION: This study radiographically confirms that IPP reservoirs are located significantly further away from CPS following HSM placement compared to SOR placement.

Long-term lower urinary tract sequelae following AUS cuff erosion.

AIMS: To examine the rate of lower urinary tract complications (LUTC) and urinary diversion (UD) after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) explantation with the acute reconstruction of AUS cuff erosion defects. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent in-situ urethroplasty (ISU) for AUS cuff erosion from June 2007 to December 2020. Outcomes included LUTC (urethral stricture, diverticulum, fistula), AUS reimplantation, and UD. Defect size was prospectively estimated acutely and a subanalysis was performed to determine the impact of erosion severity (small erosions [<33% circumferential defect] and large erosions [≥33%]) on these outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to compare survival between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent ISU for urethral cuff erosion. The median patient age was 76 years old with a median erosion circumference of 46%. The overall LUTC rate was 30% (12/40) with 35% (14/40) of patients requiring permanent UD. Secondary AUS placement occurred in 24/40 (60%) patients with 11/24 (46%) leading to repeat erosion. On subanalysis, small erosion was associated with improved LUTC-free and UD-free survival but not associated with AUS reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract complications are common after AUS cuff erosion and can lead to the need for permanent UD. Patients with larger erosions are more likely to undergo UD and reach this end-stage condition earlier compared to patients with small erosions.

The effects of hysteroscopic morcellation of endometrial polyps on frozen embryo transfer outcomes.

OBJECTIVE(S): To determine if hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps, specifically via morcellation of polyps, affects implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), spontaneous abortion (SAB) rate, and live birth rate (LBR) in first frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review, with data abstracted from the charts of all first autologous oocyte frozen embryo transfer (FET) cases (n = 135) at a single fertility center from January 2018 through June 2020. Subjects were grouped into (A) hysteroscopic polypectomy prior to first FET (n = 25) or (B) no hysteroscopic polypectomy prior to first FET (n = 110). The primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR). Secondary outcomes were implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and spontaneous abortion (SAB) rate. RESULTS: We found no difference between the groups in terms of the primary outcome (LBR) or the secondary outcomes IR, CPR, and SAB rate. CONCLUSION(S): The data analyzed here suggest that hysteroscopic morcellation of endometrial polyps has no adverse effect on IR, SAB rate, CPR, or LBR among first FET cases after this type of polypectomy.

Radiographic Assessment of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoir Location Variability in Contemporary Practice.

BACKGROUND: Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs are typically placed into the Space of Retzius (SOR) or alternative locations including the High Submuscular (HSM) space via transinguinal (TI) or counter incision (CI) techniques. A cadaver study showed variability in reservoir location after TI-HSM placement. AIM: To evaluate reservoir location using cross-sectional imaging following IPP insertion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database and identified men who underwent virgin penoscrotal IPP insertion between 2007 and 2019. We then identified those men who subsequently underwent cross-sectional imaging prior to October 2019. Radiologists evaluated cross-sectional imaging in a blinded manner and categorized reservoir locations as follows: 1) submuscular; 2) posterior to the external oblique fascia and lateral to the rectus abdominis musculature; 3) preperitoneal; 4) retroperitoneal; 5) intraperitoneal; 6) inguinal canal; 7) subcutaneous. Patients were stratified by reservoir placement technique, transinguinal space of Retzius (TI-SOR), transinguinal high submuscular (TI-HSM), or counterincision high submuscular (CI-HSM). Clinical characteristics and outcomes were reviewed and compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. OUTCOMES: Variability exists in the TI placement of SOR and HSM reservoirs, CI-HSM reservoirs were associated with a low level of variability. RESULTS: Among 561 men who underwent virgin IPP insertion during the 12-year study period, 114 had postoperative cross-sectional imaging (29 TI-SOR, 80 TI-HSM, and 5 CI-HSM). Among the 114 patients imaged, TI-HSM reservoirs were more likely than TI-SOR to be located anterior to the transversalis fascia (48 vs 14%, P < .01) and were less likely to be located in the preperitoneal space (18 vs 62%, P < .01). Rates of intraperitoneal reservoir location were similar between the TI-HSM and TI-SOR groups (5 vs 7%, P = .66). Among imaged CI-HSM reservoirs, 4 (80%) were anterior to the transversalis fascia and 1 (20%) was within the inguinal canal. Among all 536 transinguinal cases (131 TI-SOR and 405 TI-HSM), rates of reservoir-related complications requiring operative intervention were similar between groups (5 vs 2%, P = .24). No complications were noted among the 25 patients in the CI-HSM cohort. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The level of variability seen in this study did not seem to impact patient safety, complications were rare in all cohorts. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first and largest of its kind in evaluating reservoir positioning in live patients with long-term follow-up. This study is limited in its retrospective and nonrandomized nature. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variability with both TI-HSM and TI-SOR techniques, reservoir related complications remain rare. Kavoussi M, Cook G, Nordeck S, et al. Radiographic Assessment of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoir Location Variability in Contemporary Practice. J Sex Med 2021;18:2039-2044.

Same Day Discharge Versus Overnight Observation Protocols - Similar Outcomes Following Artificial Urinary Sphincter Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze our institutional experience transitioning from overnight observation (OBS) to same day surgery (SDS) for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) procedures. Prior research has questioned the need for OBS following AUS surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed AUS surgeries performed by a single surgeon at our tertiary academic medical center between 08/2013 and 01/2020. Patients were grouped based on discharge status: OBS vs SDS. Cost savings associated with SDS were estimated using room and bed charges from a contemporary group of AUS patients. RESULTS: We identified 525 AUS cases that met inclusion criteria. Men in the SDS group (n = 318) were more likely to have undergone a virgin AUS insertion and were slightly younger and healthier. Men in the OBS group (n = 207) were more likely to suffer an immediate postoperative complication (1% vs 0%, P < .01) and to be readmitted within 90 days of surgery (15% vs 5%, P < .01). The groups did not vary with respect to multiple other perioperative outcomes measures. Among patients who underwent AUS surgery between 09/2017 and 08/2020, those with OBS status (n = 39) had mean additional room and bed charges of $ 745 ± 302 vs none for SDS patients (n = 183). CONCLUSION: SDS for AUS insertion is safe, effective, and associated with significant cost savings. Routine overnight observation after AUS insertion appears to be unnecessary.

Explantation of High Submuscular Reservoirs: Safety and Practical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, high submuscular (HSM) placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs has emerged as a viable alternative to space of Retzius (SOR) placement; however, data comparing the feasibility and complications of HSM vs SOR reservoir removal do not presently exist. AIM: To present a comparison of the safety, feasibility, and ease of removal of HSM vs SOR reservoirs in a tertiary care, university-based, high-volume prosthetic urology practice. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on patients who underwent IPP reservoir removal between January 2011 and June 2020. Cases were separated into 2 cohorts based on reservoir location. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact and Chi-squared tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Timing from IPP insertion to explant was compared between the HSM and SOR groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. OUTCOMES: Time from IPP insertion to explant, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and need for a counter incision were compared between the HSM and SOR groups. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and June 2020, 106 (73 HSM, 33 SOR) patients underwent IPP removal or replacement by a single surgeon at our institution. Average time from IPP insertion to removal was 43.6 months (24.2 HSM, 52.7 SOR, P = .07)-reservoir removal occurred at the time of device explant in 70 of 106 (66%) cases. More HSM reservoirs were explanted at the time of IPP removal compared with the SOR cohort (54 of 73, 74% HSM vs 16 of 33, 48.5% SOR, P = .01). Similar rates of complications were noted between the HSM and SOR groups (1.9% vs 6.3%, P = .35). There was no significant difference in need for counter incision between the 2 groups (24 [42%] HSM vs 4 [25%] SOR, P = .16) or in average operative times (76.5 ± 38.3 minutes HSM vs 68.1 ± 34.3 minutes SOR, P = .52). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our experience with explanting HSM reservoirs supports the safety and ease of their removal. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Although the absolute cohort size is relatively low, this study reflects one of the largest single-institution experiences examining penile implant reservoir removal. In addition, reservoir location was not randomized but was instead determined by which patients presented with complications necessitating reservoir removal during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: HSM reservoir removal has comparable perioperative complication rates and operative times when compared with SOR reservoir removal. Kavoussi M, Bhanvadia RR, VanDyke ME, et al. Explantation of High Submuscular Reservoirs: Safety and Practical Considerations. J Sex Med 2020;17:2488-2494.

High Submuscular IPP Reservoir Placement: The "Five-Step" Technique.

BACKGROUND: High submuscular (HSM) placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs is a promising new FDA approved alternative to traditional space of Retzius reservoir placement. In 2011, we began placing all reservoirs in a HSM position at our tertiary center. In 2014, we proposed a refined, "Five-Step" HSM reservoir placement technique (FST) to prevent deep pelvic complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe our HSM technique and report on our extended experience. MATERIAL: Our refined FST was developed to optimize outcomes and includes the following steps: (1) Position and Access; (2) Develop Lower HSM Pocket; (3) Develop Upper HSM Pocket; (4) Reservoir Delivery (Fill and Fine-Tune); (5) Confirm and Connect. Data was retrospectively collected on patients undergoing reservoir placement by FST between January 2014 and June 2019. A survey analyzing subjective outcomes and patient satisfaction was performed among 100 randomly selected patients. RESULTS: We placed 297 consecutive HSM IPP reservoirs via FST during this time period. Three patients (1.0%) required surgical revision (all for herniation). No deep pelvic (vascular, bladder, bowel) complications were reported. Of the 100 patients that were randomly surveyed, 86% of patients reported no palpability of the reservoir, and 95% of patients reported satisfaction with the procedure and would recommend the procedure to a friend. CONCLUSION: The FST for HSM reservoir placement is a simple and safe procedure with good outcomes and excellent patient satisfaction. This technique appears to effectively eliminate the risks of deep pelvic complications.

Avoiding deep pelvic complications using a 'Five-Step' technique for high submuscular placement of inflatable penile prosthesis reservoirs.

OBJECTIVES: To compare our extended experience with high submuscular (HSM) reservoir placement to traditional space of Retzius (SOR) placement and to present our current, refined 'Five-Step' technique (FST) for HSM placement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on patients undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement between January 2009 and June 2019. Re-operative cases were excluded. Reservoir-related complications and subsequent revisions were compared between SOR (2009-2012) and HSM reservoir groups (2012-2019). HSM patients were subdivided into two cohorts: 'Initial Technique' (2012-2014) and FST (2014-2019). The refined FST protocol was developed in 2014 to optimise outcomes and includes the following steps: (i) Position and Access; (ii) Develop Lower HSM Pocket; (iii) Develop Upper HSM Pocket; (iv) Reservoir Delivery (fill and fine-tune); (v) Confirm and Connect. RESULTS: Between January 2009 and June 2019, 733 total IPP procedures (586 HSM, 147 SOR) were performed by a single surgeon at our institution, 561 of which were virgin cases (430 HSM, 131 SOR) and included in this analysis. Overall, surgical revision was required in 10/430 (2.3%) HSM cases (one delayed bowel obstruction, nine herniations) and six of 131 (4.6%) SOR cases (one bladder erosion, two vascular injuries, and three herniations, P = 0.22). When comparing the FST to the Initial Technique, we noted a significant decrease in complications requiring surgical revision (P = 0.01). Among 133 cases performed with the Initial Technique, seven (5.3%) required surgical revision (one bowel obstruction after placement into the peritoneal cavity, six herniations). Among 297 FST cases, three (1.0%) required revision, all due to herniation. CONCLUSION: HSM placement of IPP reservoirs is a safe alternative to traditional SOR placement. Major deep pelvic reservoir complications were minimised using our current refined FST.

Long-term outcomes of anastomotic urethroplasty for radiation-induced strictures.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) of radiation-induced urethral strictures (RUS) in men, including risk factors for stricture recurrence and long-term recurrence rates. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent EPA of RUS between 2007 and 2018 at a single tertiary referral center. Demographic information, stricture location and length, complications, and stricture recurrence were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify variables impacting recurrence. RESULTS: EPA was performed in 116 patients with RUS. The majority of patients (86.2%, 100/116) underwent at least one prior urologic intervention. Mean stricture length was 2.3 cm. Stricture recurrence occurred in 19.0% (22/116) at a mean of 8.6 months. For patients with at least 1 year of postoperative follow-up (mean 30.7 months), stricture recurrence significantly increased to 36.6% (15/41; p = 0.03). On univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative complications were associated with stricture recurrence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: EPA remains a viable option for men with RUS. Nearly two-thirds of RUS patients remain recurrence-free with long-term follow-up following EPA.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Clomiphene Citrate for the Treatment of Hypogonadism.

PURPOSE: Clomiphene citrate may be used as an off label treatment of hypogonadism. There are few long-term data on clomiphene citrate efficacy and safety when administered for more than 3 years. We assessed improvements in testosterone and hypogonadal symptoms while on clomiphene citrate for extended periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review to identify patients treated with clomiphene citrate for hypogonadism (baseline testosterone less than 300 ng/dl) at a total of 2 institutions from 2010 to 2018. We assessed the duration of clomiphene citrate therapy, serum testosterone levels, symptom improvement and clomiphene citrate side effects. RESULTS: A total of 400 patients underwent clomiphene citrate treatment for a mean ± SD of 25.5 ± 20.48 months (range 0 to 84). Of the patients 280 received clomiphene citrate for 3 years or less (mean 12.75 ± 9.52 months) and 120 received it for more than 3 years (mean 51.93 ± 10.52 months). Of men on clomiphene citrate for more than 3 years 88% achieved eugonadism, 77% reported improved symptoms and 8% reported side effects. Estradiol was significantly increased following clomiphene citrate treatment. Results did not significantly differ between patients treated for more than 3, or 3 or fewer years. The most common side effects reported by patients treated more than 3 years included changes in mood in 5, blurred vision in 3 and breast tenderness in 2. There was no significant adverse event in any patient treated with clomiphene citrate. CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate is not typically offered as primary treatment of hypogonadism in men who do not desire fertility preservation. These data demonstrate that clomiphene citrate is safe and effective with few side effects when used as long-term treatment of hypogonadism.

Medical Treatments for Hypogonadism do not Significantly Increase the Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis Over General Population Risk.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in men treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or Clomiphene Citrate (CC) and assess other etiologies for DVT as contributing factors. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 1180 consecutive hypogonadal men who were treated with either TRT or CC. Sixty-four percent had mixed, 16% had primary, and 20% had secondary hypogonadism. RESULTS: Of the 1180 men with hypogonadism, 694 were treated with TRT, while 486 were treated with CC. Overall, 10 of 1180 (0.8%) men were diagnosed with a DVT during the treatment, 9 of whom were on TRT and 1 on CC. Of the 10 men diagnosed with DVT while on treatment, 7 (70%) had potential identifiable etiologies for DVT other than treatment for hypogonadism. None of the men were found to be polycythemic at the time of DVT diagnosis. There was a higher incidence of DVT in men treated with TRT than CC, however; the overall percentages of DVT in both treatment groups were relatively low. There was no difference in the percentages of men found to have other identifiable etiologies for DVT besides being on treatment between the TRT and CC groups. There was not a difference in testosterone levels between the TRT and CC groups. CONCLUSION: The overall rates of DVT for TRT and CC treated patients are relatively low, and the majority of patients with DVT had other identifiable etiologies for DVT. Polycythemia was not found to be a risk factor in the patients diagnosed with DVTs.

Interaction of Fluorescently Labeled Cadherin G Protein-coupled Receptor with the Cry1Ab Toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis.

The Cry1Ab toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis binds to a conserved structural motif in the 12th ectodomain module (EC12) of BT-R1, a cadherin G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) contained in the membrane of midgut epithelial cells of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. Toxin binding transmits a signal into the cells and turns on a multi-step signal transduction pathway, culminating in cell death. Using chromatographically purified Cry1Ab and EC12 proteins, we demonstrated the direct formation of a stable complex between these two proteins in solution and visualized it on a native polyacrylamide gel. Moreover, we generated a fluorescent EC12 probe by converting the 36th residue to cysteine to enable maleimide-mediated conjugation of Alexa-488 fluorescent dye to EC12 by site-directed mutagenesis. In addition, we changed the 44th residue of EC12 to tryptophan, which greatly improved accuracy of protein quantification and traceability. Using the fluorescently labeled EC12 probe for direct and competitive binding assays, we were able to determine binding specificity in solution. These accomplishments will facilitate identification and characterization of the interface sequences for both the Cry1Ab toxin and BT-R1.