Robot-assisted ureteric reconstructive surgeries for benign diseases: Initial single-center experience with point of technique.

INTRODUCTION: We present our initial experience with robot-assisted reconstructive surgeries with the Da Vinci Xi robotic system for benign ureteric pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent robot-assisted reconstructive procedures for benign diseases of the ureter at our department from April 2018 to November 2022. Demographic and perioperative details were recorded. Patients were followed up and surgical success was evaluated on the basis of symptomatic, functional, and radiological improvement. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent robot-assisted reconstructions for benign ureteric pathologies by various techniques. Mean age, body mass index (BMI), hospital stay and follow-up duration were 36 years, 24.1 kg/m2, 5.29 days, and 7.08 months respectively. Procedures included pyeloplasty in eight, primary ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) in seven, Psoas hitch UNC in five, Boari flap UNC in six, Ureteroureterostomy in four, ureterocalicostomy in two and ileal ureteral transposition in two patients. Mean docking time, total operative time, and estimated blood loss were 31.5 min, 178 min, and 64.3 ml, respectively. All patients had radiologic or functional improvement on follow-up after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted reconstructive surgery for benign ureteric and bladder pathologies imparted excellent short-term outcomes without major complications with all the advantages of a minimally invasive approach.

Techniques in minimally invasive transperitoneal pyeloplasty: A compilation.

Context: Minimally invasive management (laparoscopic/robot assisted) is currently the standard of care for managing pelvi ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO). Open techniques of management of PUJO are well described in literature. However, there appears to be relative lack of description of minimally invasive techniques in the literature. Objective: This article is aimed at describing in detail, with images, the various techniques and modifications in laparoscopic or robot-assisted management of PUJO. Evidence Acquisition: A review of literature on PubMed was performed and all articles which detailed any technique of minimally invasive pyeloplasty were included. Evidence Synthesis: The various techniques of minimally invasive pyeloplasty as well as the authors' techniques are compiled and described in detail with intraoperative images. Conclusions: Operative techniques of minimally invasive pyeloplasty are not well described in literature. We have attempted to present a comprehensive resource of different techniques of minimally invasive pyeloplasty and the clinical scenarios in which they may be appropriate. This should prove to be a useful reference to the practicing urologist. Patient Summary: In this paper, we have compiled the various surgical techniques of treating obstruction at the PUJ of the kidney along with intraoperative photograph.

To determine correlation between VIRADS scoring and pathological staging in bladder cancer: A prospective study and review of literature.

The development of standardized reporting systems is of paramount importance in medical-imaging. Based on the "RADS" methodology, PIRADS and BI-RADS have been successfully used. The management of bladder cancer (BC) depends on the stage at the time of identification. Accurate assessment of the muscle-invasive stage can alter therapies that are radically different. MRI can accurately diagnose this in a standardized manner (Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System: VIRADS) and spare additional procedures. The aim of the study is to determine diagnostic accuracy of VIRADS scoring in evaluation of muscle invasiveness in patients with BC. This study was conducted in a single center over a period of 2 years from April 2020. A total of 76 patients with bladder SOL/diagnosed BC were included. Final VIRADS scoring was calculated and compared with histopathological report.76 patients were evaluated which included 64 males and 12 females. Most of the cases came under the VIRADS-II category (23, 30.26%) followed by VIRADS-V (17, 22.36%). VIRADS-I was reported in 14 cases (18.42%). A total of 8 cases (10.52 %) were reported as VIRADS III and 14 cases (18.42%) as VIRADS IV. VIRADS-III was taken as cut off and found to have a sensitivity of 94.44%, a specificity of 87.50%, a positive predictive value of 87.17% and a negative predictive value of 94.59%. Though number of cases are still less to accurately predict test characteristics of VIRADS, our results are consistent with previously done retrospective studies and VIRADS has got good correlation with pathological staging.

Frequency and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Pathogens from Cases of Urinary Tract Infection: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objectives Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common diagnoses in patients visiting urology clinics. Rampant use of empiric and inadequate doses of antibiotics leads to an increase in resistance and poses a huge financial burden. We evaluated UTI in relation to antibiotics used, frequency, susceptibility, and resistance pattern of different pathogens at a tertiary care center and made some important observations. Methods Prospectively 729 patients diagnosed with UTI attending a urology outpatient department from July 2018 to January 2020 were managed accordingly. Antibiotics were started on the basis of urine culture and sensitivity (c/s) or empirically and changed according to subsequent urine c/s. Repeat urine c/s was performed after 5 to 7 days of starting therapy and 10 days after completion of therapy. Results Out of 729 subjects, 417 (57.2%) were males and 312 (42.8%) were females. The most common symptom at diagnosis was dysuria 512 (70.2%), whereas 221 (30.3%) patients presented with fever. Escherichia coli was the most common organism isolated, 453 (62.1%). Among 729 patients, 239 took antibiotics without c/s report, whereas in 490 patients antibiotics were prescribed after the report. A total of 431 (59.1%) patients required one antibiotic session for clearance of pathogen, whereas 135 (18.5%) required two sessions, and three sessions were required in 66 (9%) cases. Among 239 patients whose culture came out to be positive, 145 (60.6%) were found to be resistant to the previously given antibiotic and the common pathogens isolated were E. coli (61 [42%]), Pseudomonas (28 [19.3%]), Enterococcus (22 [15.1%]), Klebsiella (14 [9.6%]), and others. Conclusion Unchecked, rampant, and inadequate use of antibiotics leads to complicated UTI with the increasing share of Pseudomonas, Klebsiella , or other dangerous microbes, which are difficult to treat as well as pose threat in the future.

Renal mucormycosis presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: A series of 11 cases from a tertiary care center in India.

Introduction: Renal mucormycosis has been documented to occur even in apparently immunocompetent individuals. Owing to the rarity of this disease, literature on its management is small. We present our experience of diagnosing and managing 11 cases of primary renal mucormycosis who presented during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients presenting to our institute with a diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis from March 2021 to September 2021. All patients with a radiological, microbiological, or histopathological diagnosis of renal mucormycosis were included in the analysis and all demographic and clinical details, including a history of COVID-19 disease and its treatment, were noted. All patients were treated by a combination of intravenous antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical debridement including nephrectomy and multivisceral resection as required. Predictors of mortality were evaluated by statistical analysis. Results: A total of 93 patients presented to our hospital with features of acute pyelonephritis of which 11 patients were suspected to have primary renal mucormycosis based on characteristic imaging features and confirmed on microbiological and histopathological examination. Of these, four patients had a history of COVID-19 infection. Only one patient had diabetes mellitus. Ten patients underwent nephrectomy and seven needed resections of surrounding organs. The colon was the most commonly involved organ. Five patients (45.5%) died of progressive sepsis. None of the predictors of mortality that were analyzed showed statistical significance. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion, early cross-sectional imaging, prompt institution of antifungal therapy, and aggressive surgical extirpation are very important for achieving good outcomes in patients of primary renal mucormycosis.

Patient REnal and Tumor Attribute Score (PRETA Score): a comprehensive renal nephrometry score for use in patients with renal masses planned for minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery.

Few comprehensive nephrometry scoring systems correlate renal morphology and patient factors like presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with the trifecta outcomes after partial nephrectomy (PN). We have proposed a new nephrometry score that correlates these factors to perioperative outcomes in minimally invasive PN. Records of all patients who underwent robot assisted laparoscopic PN at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline patient characteristics and imaging features were noted. Centrality Index or C-Index score and Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score were calculated. Intraoperative and post-operative outcomes along with trifecta outcomes of PN were also noted. A total of 63 patients underwent PN, of which 50 had positive and 13 had negative trifecta outcomes. A total of 22 patients developed post-operative complications, with the majority being Clavien-Dindo Grade 1 and Grade 2 complications. Size of the tumor, presence of CKD, Centrality Index, Mayo Adhesive Probability score, nearness to hilum, and presence of congenital anomaly of the kidney or solitary kidney were significant predictors of negative trifecta outcomes on multivariate analysis. Based on these parameters we developed the Patient REnal Tumor Attribute (PRETA) score. The score ranges from 6 to 14. Patients with a score of 6 were at low risk of negative trifecta outcomes, those with a score of 7-10 were at moderate risk, and those with a score > 10 were at high risk. Prospective validation of this score was then done on the next 15 consecutive PN patients. In developing this score, we have done away with redundant parameters and have incorporated patient factors which have an important effect on patient outcomes after minimally invasive PN.

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: A difficult diagnosis.

Mucinous Tubular and Spindle Cell Carcinoma (MTSCC) is infrequently seen renal malignancy with favorable outcome, when diagnosed in the early stage. Once out of kidney it is have lethal course. Radiologically MTSCC is heterogeneously hypo-enhancing renal mass in delayed phase, may mimic to papillary renal cell carcinoma and in histopathology showed these tumoral cells shows complex immunophenotype expression. As this does not show enhancement pattern of common renal cell carcinomas, radiological diagnosis may be challenging. Histopathological reporting is also tedious indeed necessary to reach definitive diagnosis, which help in tailoring follow up and prognosis. Metastatic disease has dismal outcome and responds poorly with adjuvant therapy and patient succumbs within short span of time.

Air vs contrast pyelogram for initial puncture access in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a standard procedure for large renal stones. Contrast (traditionally) as well as air is being used to delineate pelvi-calyceal system (PCS) to perform initial puncture. Contrast, when used has certain disadvantages including poor differentiation of anterior and posterior calyces. In this interim analysis of 122 patients of a prospective study subjects were stratified in two groups: in group 1, contrast was used while in group 2, air was used to delineate PCS. Out of 122,103 patients underwent puncture by contrast or air exclusively while 19 patients required mix of contrast and air (14 patients failed puncture using contrast while 5 using air). Mean dosage of radiation exposure (8.43 vs. 14.26 mGy), duration of radiation exposure (0.66 vs. 1.02 min), access time (3.72 vs. 5.84 min), were less in group 2 as compared to group 1. 84.5% of patients underwent puncture in single attempt in group 2 as compared to 56.25% in group 1. Five patients had post-operative fever and one had trans-pleural tract dilation. Complete stone clearance was seen in 94.8% of patients using air to only 75% of patients using contrast. Conclusion: Air pyelogram is a feasible, safe, cost effective and efficient access alternative to contrast pyelogram and in difficult situation a mixture of both is better than using one.

The Urological Society of India survey on urinary incontinence practice patterns among urologists.

INTRODUCTION: The Urological Society of India guidelines panel on urinary incontinence (UI) conducted a survey among its members to determine their practice patterns in the management of UI. The results of this survey are reported in this manuscript. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was carried out among members of the USI to determine their practice patterns regarding UI using a predeveloped questionnaire on using SurveyMonkey®. A second 4-question randomized telephonic survey of the nonresponders was performed after closure of the online survey. Data were analyzed by R software 3.1.3 (P < 0.05 significant). RESULTS: A total of 468 of 2109 (22.2%) members responded to the online survey. Nearly 97% were urologists, 74.8% were working at a private, and 39.4% were in an academic institution. Almost all were managing UI. 84.2% had local access to a urodynamics (UDS) facility. 85.8% would check postvoid residual urine for all the patients. Voiding diary, symptom scores, quality of life scores, pad test, Q-tip test, stress test, uroflow, and cystoscopy were ordered as part of evaluation by 86.0%, 49.8%, 24.4%, 22.0%, 6.0%, 71.8%, 69.2%, and 34.7%, respectively. 47.6% would order a UDS for patients with urgency UI who fail conservative treatment. 36.9% would get UDS prior to all stress UI surgery. Seventy-five percent would make a diagnosis of intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Solifenacin was the first choice for urgency UI in general and darifenacin was preferred in elderly. Botulinum was the first choice for refractory urgency UI. Midurethral sling was the commonest procedure for surgical management of SUI (95.1%). 147 of the 1641 non responders were randomly sampled telephonically. Telephonic respondents had similar access to UDS facility but had performed fewer lifetime number of post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) surgeries. Combining data from both surveys, total number of artificial sphincters and PPI surgeries ever performed by USI members was estimated at 375 and 718 respectively. CONCLUSION: This survey provides important new data and elicits critical differences in management practices based on demographics.

Monopolar versus bipolar transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Operative outcomes and surgeon preferences, a real-world scenario.

CONTEXT: Monopolar transurethral resection of prostate (M-TURP) is considered the gold standard for the management of bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its newly introduced modification, bipolar TURP (B-TURP), promises to overcome its most prominent shortcomings, namely bleeding and dilutional hyponatremia. Literature is conflicting regarding merits of B-TURP over M-TURP. AIMS: To find a difference, if any, in perioperative outcomes between M-TURP and B-TURP in a real-wold setting. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Operative outcomes of patients undergoing M-TURP and B-TURP from February 2014 to October 2015 were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Categorical data were compared by Fischer exact test and numerical data were compared by independent samples Mann-Whitney U-test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean size of prostate operated by bipolar technology was significantly greater than those operated by monopolar technology (38.12 ± 9.59 cc vs. 66.49 ± 22.95 cc; P < 0.001). The mean fall in postoperative serum sodium concentration was 0.99 ± 0.76 mEq/L for the B-TURP group as compared to 3.60 ± 2.89 mEq/L for the M-TURP group (P < 0.001). The mean drop in postoperative hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.28) was statistically insignificant, even though larger glands were operated by B-TURP. There were three instances of the transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome in the M-TURP group whereas no TUR syndrome occurred in the B-TURP group. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of various contrary viewpoints in literature, surgeons prefer to operate on larger prostates using bipolar technology. B-TURP definitely reduces the incidence of bleeding and dilutional hyponatremia, making it a contender to replace M-TURP as the new gold standard.

Transrectal impalement of an incense stick in a child presenting as foreign body in the urinary bladder.

The diversity of objects that can be found in the urinary bladder often surpasses the urologist's imagination and mostly they are introduced per urethrally. Impalement injuries of the rectum with bladder perforation have been rarely reported. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of bladder perforation while assessing patients presenting with rectal impalement. In this interesting case, a young male child presented with haematuria and dysuria. He had a history of accidentally sitting on an agarbatti (Indian incense stick) stand while playing, followed by perianal pain which subsided spontaneously. Next day he presented with haematuria and dysuria. Clinical examination was inconclusive. On thorough investigation, a linear echogenic foreign body was found in the urinary bladder. The child was operated and the foreign body (incense stick) was removed. This is the first reported case of rectal impalement injury with incense stick, migrated to the urinary bladder in a 2-year-old child.