Healthcare utilization during transition to adult care in patients with spina bifida A population-based, longitudinal study in Ontario, Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with spina bifida (SB) may experience negative health outcomes because of an informal transition from pediatric to adult care that results in using the emergency room (ER ) for non-acute health problems. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of all people with SB in Ontario, Canada turning 18 years old between 2002 and 2011. These patients were followed for five years before and after age 18. Primary outcome was the annual rate of ER visits. Secondary outcomes included rates of hospitalization, surgery, primary care, and specialist outpatient care. We estimated the association between age and primary and secondary outcomes using negative binomial growth curve models, adjusting for patient-level baseline covariates. RESULTS: Among the 1215 individuals with SB, there was no trend of ER visits seen with increasing age (relative risk [RR ] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.02); however, there was a significant increase in the rate of ER visits associated with turning 18 years (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.27). Turning 18 years old was also associated with a decreased rate of hospital admissions (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.95) and no change in surgeries (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-1.02). Visits to primary care physicians remained stable over the same period (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.01), while visits to SB-focused specialists decreased after age 18 (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SB, the rate of ER visits increased significantly at 18 years old, while hospital admissions and specialist physician visits decreased at the same time. Models of transitional care can aim to reduce non-urgent ER visits and facilitate regular specialist care.

Prevalence and Predictors of Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Women With Chronic Urinary Symptoms and a History of Urethral Sling Surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to review patients with chronic urinary symptoms and remote urethral sling surgery to determine the prevalence and predictors of obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed on patients referred with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms (>6 months) and a history of urethral sling surgery. Obstruction was identified by urodynamics using the Blaivas criteria or fluoroscopy. Clinical findings for patients with and without obstruction were compared. Logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of urodynamic obstruction. The need for sling revision and post-revision outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: In total 105 patients were included, median age 61 years (IQR 19), median time since sling surgery 5.0 years (IQR 8). Sixty percent (63/105) met the definition for obstruction. Patients with obstruction had higher mean detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow rate (35 vs 19 cm H2O) and lower maximum urinary flow rate (6.0 vs 14 mL/s; P < .05). A tight suburethral band and increased post-void residuals were significantly associated with urodynamic obstruction (P < .05). Fifty-nine (59/105; 56%) patients underwent suburethral sling excision. The incidence of improvement in storage and voiding symptoms at 6 months was 43% and 87%, respectively. At 30 months post-excision, the probability of being incontinence-free was 56% (95% CI 41, 69) and the probability of being free from redo sling surgery was 75% (95% CI 55, 87). CONCLUSIONS: Obstruction is common in patients with chronic urinary symptoms and history of urethral sling surgery. Patients undergoing sling revision should be observed for persistent storage symptoms and recurrent incontinence.

Intravesical botulinum toxin: Practice patterns from a survey of Canadian urologists.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to conduct a survey of intravesical botulinum toxin administration practices in Canada, to compare practices based on level of training, and to identify barriers to delivery. METHODS: A voluntary online survey was sent to all members of the Canadian Urological Association. Respondents who provide intravesical botulinum toxin were questioned on training, surgical volume, workup, technique, and followup practices. Those with formal training in functional urology were compared to those without. Barriers to treatment delivery were identified. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 26% (148/570). Most providers (59%) perform 1-10 treatments/month. Preoperatively, 51% perform cystoscopy and 43% perform urodynamics. A majority (66%) give routine antimicrobial prophylaxis; however, regimen and duration varied. Most (79%) perform some treatments under local anesthetic, and 66% instill lidocaine solution for analgesia. There was a wide variation in technique with regards to the number of injections administered (range <10 to >20), volume administered per injection (range 0.5-2 mL), location of injections (bladder body vs. trigone vs. both), and depth of injection. Postoperative followup ranged from three days to three months. Respondents with fellowship training in functional/reconstructive urology performed more treatments per month and administered fewer injections per treatment. Common barriers to delivery included lack of experience/training among non-providers (45%), lack of resources (34%), and lack of medication funding (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite intravesical botulinum toxin being a widely accepted treatment, significant variability in practices and several barriers to delivery exist in Canada. Further study is required to optimize treatment access and quality.

Hemi-Kock Continent Stoma With Augmentation Cystoplasty: Modifications and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes and impact of surgical modifications on the need for secondary surgery of the Hemi-Kock continent catheterizable stoma, comprising a detubularized ileal segment with an attached stapled ileoileal intussusception of the catheterizable channel, in patients with complex lower urinary tract disorders. The technique may be used for augmentation in patients with reduced bladder capacity who require a continent catheterizable channel. Compared to the flap and ileocecal valve procedures, the hemi-Kock technique has not been widely adopted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series including all patients who underwent a hemi-Kock catheterizable channel with cystoplasty from a single institution. Surgical technique and modifications in valve construction and tapering of the catheterizable limb are described. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients, with a median age of 38 years (range 18-72), underwent the procedure. At a mean of 10.4 years, 98 patients (90%) reported that they were managing with clean intermittent catheterization ± pads; 11 (10%) were failures. A total of 70 (64.2%) patients underwent secondary interventions with >60% performed endoscopically or under local anesthesia, mainly for bladder stones. Fourteen patients (12.8%) required valve revisions. However, the rate decreased from 18.2% (8/44) to 9.3% (6/65) following incorporation of the surgical modifications. CONCLUSION: We present the largest cohort to date of patients managed with a Hemi-Kock catheterizable channel and cystoplasty. Valve revision rate improved with surgical modifications. We demonstrate long-term durability and maintenance of stomal catheterization in the vast majority of patients.

Association between radical cystectomy prophylactic antimicrobial regimen and postoperative infection.

INTRODUCTION: Infections are common after radical cystectomy. The objective of this study was to determine the association between antimicrobial prophylactic regimen and infection after radical cystectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients who underwent radical cystectomy at one tertiary Canadian center between January 2016 and April 2020. Patients received antimicrobial prophylaxis based on surgeon preference (cefazolin/metronidazole or ampicillin/ciprofloxacin/metronidazole, or other). A univariable and multivariable logistic regression model was created to determine the association between antimicrobial regimen and postoperative infection within 30 days. The association between patient demographic factors, as well as preoperative and intraoperative variables and infection, was also determined. Infection characteristics, including type, timing, and antimicrobial susceptibilities were reported. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five patients were included. Mean age was 69.8 years, 121 (73.3%) were male, and 72 (43.6%) received orthotopic neobladder diversion. Ninety-six patients (58%) received cefazolin/metronidazole prophylaxis, 50 (30%) received ampicillin/ciprofloxacin/metronidazole, and 19 (11.5%) received another regimen. Fifty-four patients (32.7%) developed a postoperative infection (surgical site infection or urinary tract infection). Surgical site infection occurred in 35 patients (21.2%) and urinary tract infection occurred in 34 (21.0%). There was no association between antimicrobial regimen and incidence of postoperative infection (surgical site infection or urinary tract infection, relative risk 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.50-1.99). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of infection was 32.7% following radical cystectomy. The preoperative prophylactic antibiotic regimen used was not associated with incidence of postoperative infection.

Stress Incontinence Surgery Does Not Cause Pelvic Malignancy: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine if stress urinary incontinence surgery (mesh or nonmesh) is associated with the development of pelvic malignancies later in life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2002 and October 31, 2015 of all women in Ontario, Canada without a history of pelvic malignancy who underwent an index stress incontinence surgery. The primary outcome was a composite of any pelvic malignancy (including urological and gynecological cancers) following stress incontinence surgery. Secondarily, we considered each cancer individually. A survival analysis using a Cox proportional-hazards model with a 3-level categorical exposure (mesh surgery, nonmesh surgery, and control) was performed. Patients were followed until death, emigration or the study end (October 31, 2017). RESULTS: Of the women 74,968 underwent stress urinary incontinence surgery during the study period. There were 5,505,576 women in the control group. Over a median followup of 8.5 years (IQR, 5.5-11.9), 587 pelvic malignancies occurred in the surgery group. Women who underwent stress incontinence surgery had a reduced risk of pelvic malignancy independent of surgery type, compared to controls (Wald type 3 p <0.001; mesh HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.62-0.76]; p <0.0001; nonmesh HR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.29-0.46]; p <0.0001). The individual pelvic cancers similarly demonstrated a reduced risk of malignancy following stress incontinence surgery. CONCLUSIONS: At a median followup of 8.5 years, women had no increased risk of pelvic malignancy following either mesh or nonmesh stress urinary incontinence surgery in a large population-based cohort.

Triamcinolone acetonide injections for the treatment of recalcitrant post-radical prostatectomy vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis: A retrospective look at efficacy and safety.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the success of bladder neck injections of triamcinolone at the time of transurethral bladder neck incision (BNI) for prevention of recurrent vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) following prostate cancer treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study examining patients with recurrent VUAS post-radical prostatectomy (RP) ± radiation treated with triamcinolone injections at the time of BNI. VUAS was diagnosed by symptoms followed by cystoscopy or urethrography. The outpatient procedures were done under general anesthesia. Cold knife incisions were made at the three, nine, and 12 o'clock BN positions, followed by triamcinolone injections (4 mg/mL) into the three and nine o'clock incision sites. Treatment outcomes were determined with cystoscopy. RESULTS: Eighteen men underwent 25 procedures over a four-year period. Median age at diagnosis of VUAS was 65 (interquartile range [IQR] 61-68); median time to VUAS from RP was eight months (IQR 5-12). Fourteen patients (78%) had radiation treatment. The cohort had 128 unsuccessful VUAS treatments, with a median of five failed treatments per patient (IQR 3-10). Failed treatments included BN dilation, BNI, BN injection of mitomycin C, and urethral stent placement. Success rate after a mean of 16.3 months (standard deviation [SD] 8.1) from the time of triamcinolone injection was 83% (15/18). Six patients went on to have successful incontinence surgery. Five patients (28%) had treatment complications (bleeding, urinary tract infection, pain, and urinary extravasation). The three non-responders are stable and awaiting re-treatment with triamcinolone injection. CONCLUSIONS: Triamcinolone bladder neck injections for post-RP VUAS are a useful and safe treatment for recurrent stenosis.

Gas in the inferior vena cava from severe emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening, urologic emergency. We present the case of a 54-yearold female who was found to have a large volume of air in her renal vein and inferior vena cava from severe emphysematous pyelonephritis. In this case report, the medical and operative management of this patient are reviewed, and the literature on the management of emphysematous pyelonephritis is summarized.

Placenta percreta into the urinary bladder: the importance of the urologist.

The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum is on the rise. The most serious entity within this spectrum is percreta: extension beyond the uterus. The bladder is most commonly involved in these cases and is especially relevant for the urologist. Important sequelae include hemorrhage, massive transfusion, maternal mortality and urinary tract injury. Approaching this disorder as well as associated urinary tract involvement in a standardized and multi-disciplinary fashion significantly improves outcomes and reduces morbidity. Herein, we present a case of complete placenta percreta involving the bladder that was successfully managed with minimal obstetrical and genitourinary morbidity.

Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection following Mid Urethral Sling Surgery.

PURPOSE: Mid urethral sling surgery is common. Postoperative urinary tract infection rates vary in the literature and independent risk factors for urinary tract infection are not well defined. We sought to determine the incidence of and risk factors for urinary tract infection following mid urethral sling surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of females who underwent sling surgery was captured from the 2006 to 2014 NSQIP® (National Surgical Quality Improvement Program®) database. Exclusion criteria included male gender, nonelective surgery, totally dependent functional status, preoperative infection, prior surgery within 30 days, ASA® (American Society of Anesthesiologists®) Physical Status Classification 4 or greater, concomitant procedure and operative time greater than 60 minutes. The primary outcome was the incidence of urinary tract infection within 30 days of mid urethral sling surgery. Risk factors for urinary tract infection were assessed by examining patient demographic, comorbidity and surgical variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the ORs of individual risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression was then performed to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: A total of 9,022 mid urethral sling surgeries were identified. The urinary tract infection incidence was 2.6%. Factors independently associated with an increased infection risk included age greater than 65 years (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22), body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2 (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.23-2.92) and hospital admission (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.37-3.11). Mid urethral sling surgery performed by urologists carried a reduced risk of infection compared to the surgery done by gynecologists (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.40-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary tract infection risk following mid urethral sling surgery in NSQIP associated hospitals is low. Novel patient and surgical factors for postoperative urinary tract infection have been identified and merit further study.

Urinary tract infection in the neurogenic bladder.

There is a high incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract function. This results in significant morbidity and health care utilization. Multiple well-established risk factors unique to a neurogenic bladder (NB) exist while others require ongoing investigation. It is important for care providers to have a good understanding of the different structural, physiological, immunological and catheter-related risk factors so that they may be modified when possible. Diagnosis remains complicated. Appropriate specimen collection is of paramount importance and a UTI cannot be diagnosed based on urinalysis or clinical presentation alone. A culture result with a bacterial concentration of ≥10(3) CFU/mL in combination with symptoms represents an acceptable definition for UTI diagnosis in NB patients. Cystoscopy, ultrasound and urodynamics should be utilized for the evaluation of recurrent infections in NB patients. An acute, symptomatic UTI should be treated with antibiotics for 5-14 days depending on the severity of the presentation. Antibiotic selection should be based on local and patient-based resistance patterns and the spectrum should be as narrow as possible if there are no concerns regarding urosepsis. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) should not be treated because of rising resistance patterns and lack of clinical efficacy. The most important preventative measures include closed catheter drainage in patients with an indwelling catheter and the use of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) over other methods of bladder management if possible. The use of hydrophilic or impregnated catheters is not recommended. Intravesical Botox, bacterial interference and sacral neuromodulation show significant promise for the prevention of UTIs in higher risk NB patients and future, multi-center, randomized controlled trials are required.