Genitourinary Fistula: 5 Years' Experience of Five Referral Centers in Iran.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Genitourinary fistula is a devastating ailment that has an impact on women's physical health, mental health, emotional health, and financial security. The management of genitourinary fistula depends on the type, size, and duration of fistula formation. The purpose of this study is to report the features of genitourinary fistula in Iranian women and our experience in the management of fistula. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews of 283 patients were performed to determine the cause of the fistula, prior repairs, tissue interposition, and the success rate. The operation was considered successful if the patient did not have any urine leakage during the observation time. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of women was 49.51 (19.39; range: 21-70) years, Of these, 137 (52.9%) had a history of previous genitourinary fistula surgery. The average fistula was 1.53 (0.041) cm in size. The median (interquartile range) operation lasted 70 (15) min. The success rate after fistula repair was 91.5%. The typical follow-up period lasted 13.26 (range: 1-88) months. Forty-three (15.2%) patients had a big fistula (>2.5 cm) and 4 patients (1.4%) had a history of pelvic radiation therapy, among other reasons for failure. After a second repair, all patients' initial failures were resolved. There were no significant complications, as classified by Clavien-Dindo class 2 or greater. Additionally, there were no bowel, ureteral, or nerve injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients with genitourinary fistula had a successful outcome following repair techniques, without any significant morbidity or mortality.

Comparison of Urinary Diversion in Patients With Prostatic Fistula to Those with Localized Radiation Injury After Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare characteristics and outcomes in patients who had radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa) and underwent urinary diversion (UD) due to prostatic fistula (Fistula) vs localized radiation injury (Localized). METHODS: This study was a retrospective single-institution study. Exclusion criteria included follow-up <3 months, large pelvic tumor, and surgery for cancer control. The Fistula group included fistulization outside of the urinary tract (rectal, soft tissue, thigh, pubic symphysis, and extensive necrosis surrounding the prostate). The group Localized had a multitude of problems; however, all were confined to the urinary tract. Patient characteristics, perioperative variables, and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included and had UD from 2009-2022. Median age and time from RT to UD were 73 (interquartile range (IQR) 67.9, 78.1) and 7.3 (IQR 3.2, 12.5) years. There were 29 (42%) and 40 (58%) patients in the Fistula and Localized groups. The Fistula group had a higher rate of abdominal/perineal approach (62.1% vs 12.5%, P <.001), a lower rate of right colon pouch (17.2% vs 40%, P = .043), and a longer operative time (515.7 vs 414.2 minutes, P = .017). Clavien-Dindo complications ≥3 were higher in the Fistula group (44.8% vs 20%, P = .027), including a higher rate of re-operation for recurrent pelvic abscess (37.9% vs 5%, P <.001). Survival for the cohort was 85.5% and did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with prostate fistula after RT for PCa undergoing UD had longer, more complex operations, and higher rates of complications, notably post-operative pelvic abscesses, compared to men with localized RT injury. Long-term survival was comparable in both groups.

Genitourinary Radiation Injury Following Prostate Cancer Treatment: Assessment of Cost and Health Care System Burden.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the healthcare resource impact of radiation injury following prostate cancer treatment. METHODS: Using IBM MarketScan, we performed a retrospective study of men with prostate cancer who were treated with radiotherapy and subsequently developed low-grade (LGRI) and high-grade radiation injury (HGRI). Radiation injury diagnoses included bladder neck stenosis, hematuria/cystitis, fistula, ureteral stricture, and incontinence. LGRI and HGRI included injury diagnosis without intervention and with intervention, respectively. Health care visits and costs were measured over 5 time periods including 2 years before radiation, 1 year before radiation, radiation to injury diagnosis, injury diagnosis to first intervention (LGRI), and following first intervention (HGRI). Negative binomial regression modeling was used to assess the effect of radiation injury on average cost adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2017, we identified 121,027 men who received radiotherapy following prostate cancer diagnosis of which 10,057 (8.3%) experienced a HGRI. The frequency of urologic visits and average costs were similar in those without injury and LGRI. However, men with HGRI experienced higher visit frequency and monthly costs. Amongst high-grade injuries, urinary fistula had the highest frequency of visit utilization at 378 visits before first intervention and 245 visits after first intervention. Following radiation injury diagnosis, the average monthly cost was twice as high in those with HGRI ($85.78) compared to LGRI ($38.66). CONCLUSIONS: HGRI was associated with increased urologic health care use and average monthly cost when compared to those who experienced LGRI or no injury. Urinary fistula was associated with the largest resource burden.

Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae: presentations, repairs and outcomes in a tertiary centre.

Background: Circumcision is regarded as the most common surgical procedure world over. It is also perceived to be a simple and safe procedure; however, it could be fraught with major urological complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF). Repair of these fistulae poses a great reconstructive challenge to the paediatric surgeon/urologist with varied outcomes. Aim: We seek to review the presentations, repair and outcome of post-circumcision UCFs managed in a tertiary centre. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all the consecutive cases of repaired post-circumcision UCFs in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, South-East Nigeria, over a period of 9 years (January 2012-December 2020). Data on demography, size of fistula, type of repair and outcome were retrieved from the Records Department and patients' case notes and were analysed using SPSS (version 22, Chicago, Illinois). Results: A total of 22 boys had post-circumcision UCF repair within the period, and they were aged between 2 weeks and 108 months with a median age of 4 months at presentation and aged between 8 months and 144 months with a median age of 24 months at the time of surgery. Circumcisions were by freehand technique in 21 (95.5%). Nurses performed most of the circumcisions in 19 (86.4%), and most of the circumcisions were performed in private hospitals 7 (31.8%), maternity homes 3 (13.6%) and general hospitals in 10 (45.5%) each, respectively. Most 17 (77.3%) fistulae were coronal, and the size of defect ranged from 1 mm to 10 mm. The most commonly employed technique of repair was simple closure in 16 (72.2%). Meatal stenosis and re-fistulation occurred in 2 (9.1%) and 4 (18.2%), respectively. Only two (12.5%) required reoperation. There was no relationship between the size of defect and re-fistulation, P = 0.377. Conclusion: Majority of the Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae were from free hand technique of circumcisions . These were performed mostly by nurses in general, private hospitals and maternity homes. Hence, there is a need to ramp up training of providers of neonatal circumcision in our environment. Most UCF in children could be repaired with simple closure technique reinforced with dartos flap.

Risk factors for and delayed recognition of genitourinary fistula following radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: a population-based analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for genitourinary fistulas and delayed fistula recognition after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of data collected in the Major Surgical complications of Cervical Cancer in China (MSCCCC) database from 2004-2016. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and hospital characteristics were extracted. Differences in the odds of genitourinary fistula development were investigated with multivariate logistic regression analyses, and differences in the time to recognition of genitourinary fistula were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: In this study, 23,404 patients met the inclusion criteria. Surgery in a cancer center, a women's and children's hospital, a facility in a first-tier city, or southwest region, stage IIA, type C1 hysterectomy, laparoscopic surgery and ureteral injury were associated with a higher risk of ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) (p<0.050). Surgery in southwest region, bladder injury and laparoscopic surgery were associated with greater odds of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) (p<0.050). Surgery at cancer centers and high-volume hospitals was associated with an increase in the median time to UVF recognition (p=0.016; p=0.005). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIA1-IIB was associated with delayed recognition of VVF (p=0.040). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative urinary tract injury and surgical approach were associated with differences in the development of UVFs and VVFs. Patients who underwent surgery in cancer centers and high-volume hospitals were more likely to experience delayed recognition of UVF. Patients with FIGO stage IIA1-IIB disease were more likely to experience delayed recognition of VVF.

Biologic adjuvant urethral coverings for single-stage primary hypospadias repairs: A systematic review and pooled proportional meta-analysis of postoperative urethrocutaneous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: The use of barrier layers between the neourethra and skin is associated with lower rates of post-operative urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) following hypospadias surgery. Recent studies have evaluated the ability of biologic adjuvant urethral coverings (BAUCs) - namely acellular matrix (AM), tissue adhesives (TAs), and autologous platelet-rich plasma or fibrin (PRP/PRF) - to prevent wound complications following hypospadias surgery. In general, however, these studies are small and conducted at single institutions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of BAUCs on the rate of UCF following single-stage primary hypospadias repair. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the rate of postoperative UCF in pediatric patients undergoing single-stage, primary hypospadias repairs using either AM, TA, or PRP/PRF as a layer interposed between the neourethra and skin. We then performed a pooled proportional meta-analysis of post-operative UCF. Patients within each study who underwent comparable surgery but did not receive a BAUC were used as controls. RESULTS: 10 studies were included in our review. The meta-analysis included 280 patients from 7 studies who underwent hypospadias repairs with BAUCs. The pooled incidence of UCF was 10% (95% CI 6-14%). Mean follow-up ranged 5-23.5 months in the 5/7 studies reporting specific durations, and ≥6 month and 14-30 months, respectively, in the other two studies. Patients in whom a BAUC was used had significantly lower odds of UCF than control patients (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24-0.64, p = 0.0002). In subgroup analyses, significant superiority held for AM and TA; proximal or penoscrotal cases; transverse preputial island flap (TPIF) technique; when both cases and controls had local flaps; and when neither cases nor controls had flaps. DISCUSSION: The use of BAUCs was associated with decreased rates of post-operative UCF in single-stage primary hypospadias repairs and may be most beneficial in more severe cases and when used in addition to local flaps or when using a flap is not possible. In 2/3 studies of PRP/PRF and 2/4 studies of tubularized incised plate (TIP) technique, dartos flaps were used in controls but not BAUC patients, which may explain the lack of benefit demonstrated for these subgroups. This meta-analysis is limited by the quality of evidence in the included studies, which are not uniformly randomized. Furthermore, the follow-up durations and methods for assessing complications are not standardized between included studies. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis herein suggests that using BAUCs may reduce UCF rates following hypospadias surgery. Rigorous prospective evaluation is needed to validate this benefit.

Time to event analysis for post-hypospadias repair complications: a single-surgeon experience.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal follow-up duration and frequency following hypospadias repair is unclear within the pediatric urology community. This analysis aims to delineate the time to various complications following primary hypospadias repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a single-surgeon hypospadias database over 2001-2017 was performed. The primary outcome of the study was determining the significant factors leading to complications over time. As a secondary outcome, subgroup analysis was performed to determine whether there was a significant difference in time to detecting voiding-related complications (fistula, stricture/stenosis, and diverticulum) based on age. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty-two patients were identified. The complication rates for distal, midshaft, and proximal hypospadias were 17.9% (112/625), 36.7% (40/109), and 55.1% (49/89), respectively (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves showed significance in three variables for time to complication: hypospadias severity (p < 0.0001), technique (p < 0.0001), and penile curvature > 30° (p < 0.0001). Cox-regression analysis showed that hypospadias severity and penile curvature were significantly contributing to the model (p < 0.0001, p = 0.044). Patients with proximal hypospadias and penile curvature developed complications earlier than other patients, with approximately 95% of complications occurring within 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Complications from repair of proximal hypospadias with curvature > 30° are likely to occur within 2 years of surgery. Surgeons may consider more frequent follow-up within the first 2 years of surgery to detect these complications.

Urethrocutaneous fistulas after voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention-15 African Countries, 2015-2019.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is an HIV prevention strategy recommended to partially protect men from heterosexually acquired HIV. From 2015 to 2019, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported approximately 14.9 million VMMCs in 15 African countries. Urethrocutaneous fistulas, abnormal openings between the urethra and penile skin through which urine can escape, are rare, severe adverse events (AEs) that can occur with VMMC. This analysis describes fistula cases, identifies possible risks and mechanisms of injury, and offers mitigation actions. METHODS: Demographic and clinical program data were reviewed from all reported fistula cases during 2015 to 2019, descriptive analyses were performed, and an odds ratio was calculated by patient age group. RESULTS: In total, 41 fistula cases were reported. Median patient age for fistula cases was 11 years and 40/41 (98%) occurred in patients aged < 15 years. Fistulas were more often reported among patients < 15 compared to ≥ 15 years old (0.61 vs. 0.01 fistulas per 100,000 VMMCs, odds ratio 50.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6-2060.0)). Median time from VMMC surgery to appearance of fistula was 20 days (interquartile range (IQR) 14-27). CONCLUSIONS: Urethral fistulas were significantly more common in patients under age 15 years. Thinner tissue overlying the urethra in immature genitalia may predispose boys to injury. The delay between procedure and symptom onset of 2-3 weeks indicates partial thickness injury or suture violation of the urethral wall as more likely mechanisms of injury than intra-operative urethral transection. This analysis helped to inform PEPFAR's recent decision to change VMMC eligibility policy in 2020, raising the minimum age to 15 years.

Effect of Caudal vs. Penile Block on the Incidence of Hypospadias Complications Following Primary Repairs: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Primary repair of hypospadias is associated with risk of complications, specifically urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence. Caudal block may potentially increase the risk of these complications. Therefore, we studied the incidence of hypospadias complications in children who underwent correction at our institution having received either penile or caudal block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed all primary hypospadias repair cases from December 2011 through December 2018 at Texas Children's Hospital with a minimum of 1-year followup for the presence of complications: urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence. Surgical (surgeon, operative time, block type, local anesthetic, meatal position) and patient (age at correction, prematurity) factors were additionally analyzed. RESULTS: For the primary aim, 983 patients underwent primary hypospadias correction with a minimum of 1 year of postoperative followup data. There were 897 patients (91.3%) in which no complications were identified and 86 (8.7%) with either urethrocutaneous fistula (81) or glanular dehiscence (5). Of the 86 identified complications, 45/812 (5.5%) were distal, 41/171 (24%) were proximal (p <0.001) with a complication. Rate of complications was not associated with caudal block (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41-1.09; p=0.11). On univariable analysis, age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20; p=0.04), surgical duration (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.02; p <0.001), prematurity <32 weeks (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.54-4.11 p <0.001) and position of meatus as proximal (OR 5.38 95% CI 3.39-8.53; p <0.001) were associated with an increased rate of complications. However, on multivariable analysis, associations of age (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.22; p=0.001), surgery duration (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02; p <0.001) and meatal position (OR 3.85, 95% CI 2.32-6.39; p <0.001) were associated with increased rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that meatal location, older age, extreme prematurity and surgical duration are associated with increased incidence of complications (urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular dehiscence) following hypospadias correction. Analgesic block was not associated with increased hypospadias complication risk.

Reconstructing forked corpus spongiosum to correct glans droop in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair.

PURPOSE: We reviewed our experience and efficacy of reconstruction of a forked corpus spongiosum (FCS) to correct glans droop in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair. METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent distal/midshaft hypospadias repair by the same surgeon in our center from October 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were accompanied by different degrees of glans droop, which we corrected by cutting off and reconstructing the FCS along the plate. We recorded the degrees of glans droop, development of the FCS, and postoperative complications including residual chordee, fistula, diverticulum, glans dehiscence, meatus stenosis, and urethral stricture. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 37 months (mean, 19.7 months). Two patients (2.3%) developed a coronal fistula and underwent a second repair. Two patients (2.3%) developed a mild urethral diverticulum and underwent continued observation. One patient (1.2%) developed a meatus stenosis that resolved after 1 month of meatus expansion combined with external mometasone furoate. No patients developed postoperative residual chordee or urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of glans droop is closely associated with the development of an FCS. Reconstructing the FCS to correct the glans droop can yield satisfactory outcomes and should be popularized in distal/midshaft hypospadias repair.

Risk factors for urethrocutaneous fistula following hypospadias repair surgery in Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital malformations with a worldwide increasing trend over the years. Despite advancements in hypospadias repair, complications still occur. One of the most common complications of hypospadias repair surgery is Urethrocutaneous fistula. Studies attempting to analyze the association between the complication and risk factors are always beneficial, especially for studies performed in different areas of the world. We hypothesize that several evaluated risk factors among Indonesian hypospadias patients could be associated with the occurrence of urethrocutaneous fistula after the repair procedure. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair surgery by collecting and analyzing data obtained from multiple centers in Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide, retrospective study with 12 hospitals in Indonesia of children with a diagnosis of hypospadias was conducted. The collected data, taken from patients admitted in 2018, from each center's medical records consisted of patient identity, repair technique used, neourethra length, percutaneous cystostomy, and splint size as independent variables speculated to be possible risk factors correlated to the presence of urethrocutaneous fistulae. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 to determine the relationship between urethrocutaneous fistulae as a post-repair complication and possible risk factors. RESULTS: We collected 591 hypospadias cases from 12 centers in 9 cities in Indonesia. Most patients came when they were already at the age of more than four years old (60.4%). The chordee-only and failed urethroplasty groups are excluded from the analysis as they are not classified as true hypospadias. Most repairs were performed by using the Tubular Incised Plate (TIP) with Thiersch-Duplay technique (44.16%). Most of the reconstructed neourethra are 2-3 cm in length (32.13%). The 8 Fr urethral splint (46.41%) was mostly used during the operation. Most surgeons decided not to perform cystostomy throughout the procedure (61.03%) based on personal preferences. Urethrocutaneous fistula was found in 80 patients (15.27%) out of the total patients who underwent the surgery. The binomial logistic regression analysis shows that age (OR = 1.398, p = 0.015), the decision to not perform cystostomy (OR = 2.963, p = 0.014), and splint size (OR = 1.243, p = 0.023) are significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the development of urethrocutaneous fistula. CONCLUSION: Age and splint size are significant risk factors for urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair in Indonesia, whereas performing percutaneous cystostomy during the repair decreases the risk for urethrocutaneous fistula occurrence.

Urinary flow measurement in hypospadias correlated to surgical procedure and risk of development of urethra-cutaneous fistula.

AIM: To explore the correlation between fistula development and urinary flow measurements after hypospadias repair with emphasis on patients with urethrocutaneous fistula complications and to identify risk factors for fistula development. METHODS: Urinary flow was examined in boys operated on for hypospadias. Outcome of maximum urinary flow (ml/s) (Qmax), voided volume for age (ml) (Volume), and pathological flow pattern (n) (Curve) was compared between the Byars, Mathieu, and Tubularized Incised Plate (TIP) surgical repair methods and between the groups of those who had and had not developed a fistula. Logistic regression analysis was performed for age at operation, genetics, comorbidity, or urinary flow measurements regarding the development of urethrocutaneous fistula. RESULTS: Seventy-three boys underwent hypospadias repair. Overall, the urinary flow measurements differed significantly between the three reconstructive methods, being favorable for the Mathieu procedure regarding Qmax (p < 0.01), volume (p = 0.04), and frequency of pathological voiding curve (p < 0.01; Table). The frequency of urethrocutaneous fistula was 18% (13/73) and did not differ significantly between the three different reconstructive surgery methods (Byar 33%, Mathieu 32%, and TIP 12%; p = 0.22). Urinary flow measurements did not differ between patients with and without fistula complications regarding Qmax 10 ml/s (4-16) vs. 8 ml/s (2-18), voided volume 74 ml (35-171) vs. 71 ml (9-270), or abnormal urinary flow pattern (23% vs. 30%). On logistic regression analysis, age at operation, genetics, comorbidity, and urinary flow measurement parameters did not turn out to be independent risk factors for development of urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair. DISCUSSIONS: The study demonstrated significant differences between the urinary flow measurement results between the three different repair methods, favoring the Mathieu procedure. A low Qmax was a common postoperative finding. Urinary flow measurements did not differ between boys developing fistula and those who did not. No risk factors for fistula development were identified. The study did not support that it would be possible, at an early postoperative stage, to identify those with an upcoming postoperative fistula neither with urinary flow measurements nor through risk factors. No similar reports have studied the possibility of using postoperative urinary flow measurements to determine patients at risk of fistula development after hypospadias repair. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary flow measurements were favorable after hypospadias reconstruction with Mathieu compared with Byars and TIP. Furthermore, urinary flow measurements did not differ between reconstructed with and without a fistula complication. No risk factor for fistula development was identified.

Baseline renal function and renal ultrasound findings in patients with obstetric fistulas (RENFRU): a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare baseline renal anatomy and renal function in patients with obstetric fistulas, and to evaluate whether preoperative renal testing and imaging may aid with operative decision making. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Fistula Care Centre in Malawi. POPULATION: Women with an obstetric fistula. METHODS: Baseline creatinine testing and renal ultrasounds were performed. Surgeons completed a short questionnaire on the usefulness of creatinine and renal ultrasound on operative decision making. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline creatinine and renal ultrasound findings. RESULTS: Four surgeons performed operations on 85 patients. The mean creatinine in patients with vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) was 0.60 ng/ml versus patients with uretero-vaginal fistulas (UVF) (0.79 ng/ml, P = 0.012). When a grade 3 or more hydronephrosis is absent on renal ultrasound, the negative predictive value of the presence of UVF is 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.6-96.2) with a specificity of 97.2% (95% CI 90.3-99.6). In cases of UVF, surgeons found the renal ultrasound results useful or very useful 87.5% of the time, and the creatinine useful or very useful 75% of the time. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, most patients with obstetric fistulas presented with a normal creatinine. In the absence of a grade 3 hydronephrosis or above on renal ultrasound, the probability of not having a UVF is 93.3%. Surgeons should consider performing preoperative renal ultrasound testing in all patients with an obstetric fistula, particularly in women with a prior laparotomy, as this population has risk factors for ureterovaginal fistula. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Most patients with obstetric fistulas have normal renal function. Preoperative renal ultrasounds should be performed.

Presenting Complications to a Reconstructive Urologist After Masculinizing Genital Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presenting complications of patients to reconstructive urologists after masculinizing gender affirming genital reconstructive surgery (GRS) performed elsewhere. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent revision surgery by one of the co-authors for sequelae of masculinizing GRS. We reviewed patient demographics, medical history, details of prior GRS, and complications from GRS. Specific attention was paid to the presence of the following: suprapubic tube dependence, vaginal remnant, urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) within the fixed urethra (pars fixa), UCF in the phallic urethra, phallic urethral stricture, meatal stenosis, and anastomotic urethral stricture. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher's exact test to determine differences in presenting symptoms by GRS. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients who had reconstructive surgery for complications from masculinizing GRS from September 2004 to September 2017 were identified. The median age at surgical correction was 33 years. Fifteen (27%) patients had prior metoidioplasty and 40 (73%) had prior phalloplasty. The median time from date of GRS to presentation to a reconstructive urologist was 4 months. Urethral strictures (n = 47, 86%) were the most common indication for subsequent surgery, followed by urethrocutaneous fistulae (n = 31, 56%) and vaginal remnant (n = 26, 47%). The majority of patients presented with 2 or more simultaneous complications (n = 40, 73%). CONCLUSION: There are several common presenting urologic complications after masculinizing GRS. Patients may present to reconstructive urologists early after GRS performed elsewhere. The long-term outcomes of GRS deserve further study.

[The role of open nephrolithotomy in the treatment of coralliform stones: a series of 53 patients]. / Place de la néphrolithotomie à ciel ouvert dans le traitement du calcul coralliforme: à propos d'une série de 53 patients.

This study aims to discuss the role of open surgery in the treatment of renal lithiasis, including coralliform stones, with the advent of new less invasive techniques. We report a series of 53 cases of coralliform stones whose data were collected in our Hospital during a period of 7 years, from January 2011 to January 2018. The patients underwent open nephrolithotomy by lombotomy. The mean post-operative length of stay was 10 days. The immediate and early postoperative outcomes were simple in 36 patients, 6 patients underwent blood transfusion, 2 had severe sepsis in the postoperative period, 5 had infection of the wall and 4 had urinary fistula, secondarily managed by endoscopic drainage. Residual stones were found in 9 cases (16.9%). Stones were essentially treated by extracorporeal lithotripsy. Late outcomes were characterized by renal atrophy in 2 patients, lithiasic recurrence in 9 patients, an improvement in creatinine clearance in 9 patients and a slight worsening in 5 patients. Open surgery presents the risk of multiple complications and it is not recommended for first-line treatment of renal lithiasis. However it is important to determine which patients would benefit from open nephrolithotomy.

Delayed recognition of lower urinary tract injuries following hysterectomy for benign indications: A NSQIP-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of and factors associated with lower urinary tract complications recognized in the immediate postoperative period following hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications using the NSQIP (National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) database. METHODS: Patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications from 2014 through 2016 were identified in the NSQIP database using Current Procedural Terminology codes and International Classification of Diseases codes. Patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, ASA classification system scores, and total operating time were collected. Data on 30-day postoperative complication rates, including rates of reoperation and readmission, were also captured. Genitourinary complications were defined as ureteral obstruction, ureteral fistula, and bladder fistula. RESULTS: A total of 45,139 patients met inclusion criteria during the study period. Mean age and body mass index were 31 ± 11years and 32 ± 8 kg/m2. The majority of patients were white (66%), had an ASA class of 2 (67%), and had no major medical comorbidities (68%). The most commonly performed primary surgery was laparoscopic hysterectomy (43%), followed by abdominal hysterectomy (27%). The incidence of any lower urinary tract complication was 0.2% (95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.28): 55 ureteral obstructions (0.1%, 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.16), 33 ureteral fistulae (0.07%, 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.1), and 28 bladder fistulae (0.06%, 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.09). In a multivariable logistic regression model, black race (adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.96), endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-3.52), and prior abdominal surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.28) remained significantly associated with the occurrence of any lower urinary tract complication recognized in the immediate 30-day postoperative window. CONCLUSION: Lower urinary tract complications recognized in the immediate postoperative period following hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease are rare, with ureteral obstruction being the most commonly reported complication. The risk of these complications may be higher in patients who identify as black, had prior abdominal surgery, and/or have a diagnosis of endometriosis.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma covering urethroplasty versus dartos flap in distal hypospadias repair: A prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome and complication rate of the platelet-rich plasma applied as a coverage layer and dartos flap layer during primary repair of distal hypospadias. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was carried out comprising 180 boys (age range 12-65 months) from October 2011 to December 2016 at Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. A single surgeon carried out all urethroplasty. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with platelet-rich plasma coverage layer) and group B (ventral dartos flap). Complication rates were compared between two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the occurrence of complications between the two groups. A total of 36 (20%) complications were recorded in 26 patients, just 12 (13.3%) reported in group A, but 24 (26.7%) complications were reported in group B. Urethrocutaneous fistula was observed in nine patients (10%) in group A, and 12 (13.3%) in group B. Partial glans dehiscence occurred in one patient in group A, and four patients in group B. No patient in group A had a superficial wound infection, compared with six patients in group B. One case of meatal stenosis and urethral stricture was recorded in each group, all of which were managed conservatively. The resultant urinary stream was single and good in 154 patients of both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma sheet might be considered as an alternative coverage layer for distal hypospadias repair, especially in the absence of a healthy layer.

The risk factors of Urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias surgery in the youth population.

BACKGROUND: The current research aims to evaluate the risk factors of urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias surgery among the youth in China. METHODS: One hundred twenty hypospadias patients were enrolled in our study. All of them were defined as Tanner 4 or 5. The information collected from the participants include age, urethral operation history, urinary comorbidities before operation, urine test before operation, body temperature before and after operation, type of surgical repair, chordee degree, urethral defect length and whether received vesicostomy after surgery or not. Independent t test, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were performed to evaluate the risk factor of urethrocutaneous fistula. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 39 patients (32.5%) developed urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair. Our result showed significant association between the group with urethrocutaneous fistula and the group without urethrocutaneous fistula with respect to age, pyuria before operation, urethral defect length and the urethral operation history. The following logistic regression showed that urethral defect length and the urethral operation history were the risk factors of urethrocutaneous fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral defect length and urethral operation history should be taken into consideration before undergoing hypospadias surgery since our study discovered that the risk of developing urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair is associated with urethral defect length and urethral operation history. Age, surgical procedure, type of surgical repair, chordee degree and other factors were not obviously related to the development of urethrocutaneous fistula.

Colpectomy Significantly Reduces the Risk of Urethral Fistula Formation after Urethral Lengthening in Transgender Men Undergoing Genital Gender Affirming Surgery.

PURPOSE: We assessed the effect of performing colpectomy before (primary) or after (secondary) gender affirming surgery with single stage urethral lengthening on the incidence of urethral fistula in transgender men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all transgender men who underwent gender affirming surgery with urethral lengthening between January 1989 and November 2016 at VU University Medical Center. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, fistulas and fistula management, and primary and secondary colpectomy were recorded. Descriptive statistics were calculated and incidence rates were compared. RESULTS: A total of 294 transgender men underwent gender affirming surgery with urethral lengthening. A urethral fistula developed in 111 of the 232 patients (48%) without colpectomy and in 13 of the 62 (21%) who underwent primary colpectomy (p <0.01). Secondary colpectomy resulted in 100% fistula closure when performed in 17 patients with recurrent urethral fistula at the proximal urethral anastomosis and the fixed part of the neourethra. CONCLUSIONS: Primary colpectomy decreases the incidence rate of urethral fistulas. Secondary colpectomy is also an effective treatment of fistulas at the proximal urethral anastomosis and the fixed part of the neourethra.

Predictors of Rectourethral Fistula Formation After Primary Whole-Gland Cryoablation for Prostate Cancer: Results from the Cryo On-Line Database Registry.

PURPOSE: To define the incidence and risk factors associated with rectourethral fistula (RUF) formation following primary whole-gland cryosurgery using a multicenter centralized registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Cryo On-Line Data (COLD) registry was queried for men undergoing primary whole-gland cryotherapy between 1990 and 2014 who developed a RUF. Patient factors and disease parameters were correlated with RUF using chi-square and the t-test. Variables with p < 0.25 were entered into a binary logistic regression with stepwise backward elimination to determine the factors associated with RUF formation. RESULTS: A total of 4102 men underwent primary whole-gland cryotherapy in the COLD registry at the time of analysis. Postoperative RUF was documented in 50 out of 4102 cases (1.2%). Patients with RUF had similar demographic data, prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, and clinical stage in comparison to those without fistula. On both univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative urinary retention (odds ratio [OR]: 6.30; confidence interval [95% CI] 3.43-11.58, p < 0.001), preoperative Gleason score of ≥7 (OR: 1.92; 95% CI 1.08-3.43, p = 0.027), and preoperative incontinence (OR: 2.95; 95% CI 1.12-7.76, p = 0.028) were the most significant risk factors associated with RUF formation. CONCLUSION: Primary whole-gland cryotherapy for prostate cancer is associated with a historically low rate (1.2%) of postoperative RUF formation. The rate decreased further to 0.55% over the last several years, suggesting better patient selection and technical improvement. Postoperative urinary retention, Gleason score ≥7, and preoperative urinary incontinence were the key demographic, clinical, and pathologic features associated with RUF formation in this study.