A Comparative Observational Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Mid-Urethral Sling with Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Urinary Incontinence Patients.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of mid-urethral sling (MUS) with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) versus MUS only in women with mixed urinary incontinence. This was a comparative observational study, and total of 73 patients were enrolled. A total of 38 and 35 patients received MUS only and MUS with BoNT-A injection, respectively. The efficacy outcome included change in Urinary Incontinence Outcome Scores (UIOS), change in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and use of antimuscarinic agent or beta-3 agonist. Safety assessments included adverse events including urinary retention, increased postvoid residual volumes, and urinary tract infection. MUS with BoNT-A injection was insignificantly better than MUS only in urinary incontinence outcome (88% vs. 71%, respectively, p = 0.085) at week three. Among the 33 patients with detrusor overactivity (DO), patients who received BoNT-A had a higher cure rate of incontinence (88% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) and less required antimuscarinic agent or beta-3 agonist (31% vs. 94%, p < 0.001) compared to patients who did not receive BoNT-A injection. There was no significant difference in the incidences of adverse events between two groups. BoNT-A injection with MUS demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence, specifically for women with DO.

Predictive factors for persistence of preoperative overactive bladder symptoms after transvaginal mesh surgery in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effect of transvaginal mesh surgery on overactive bladder symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse and to identify predictive factors for persistence of a preoperative overactive bladder after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 102 patients who underwent transvaginal mesh surgery. All patients had stage 2 or greater pelvic organ prolapse accompanied by cystocele. The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, International Prostate Symptom Score, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual urine volume were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. To identify predictive factors for the persistence of a preoperative overactive bladder after surgery, preoperative parameters were statistically compared between patients with and without the persistence of preoperative overactive bladder symptoms. Receiver operator characteristic curves were generated, and the area under the curve was calculated. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 54 women (53%) had an overactive bladder. After surgery, the symptoms disappeared in 34 (63%) and persisted in 20 (37%) women. There were no significant differences in preoperative parameters including age, body mass index, parity, or severity of pelvic organ prolapse between patients with and without persistent preoperative overactive bladder. Preoperative Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score were significantly higher in patients with persistent preoperative overactive bladder symptoms. The International Prostate Symptom Score storage subscore had the highest area under the curve, with a cutoff value of 9.5. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal mesh surgery eliminates overactive bladder symptoms in about two-thirds of pelvic organ prolapse patients. The preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score storage subscore was the most useful predictive factor for the persistence of preoperative overactive bladder symptoms after surgery.

The Management and Efficacy of Surgical Techniques Used for Erosive Mesh in the Urethra and Bladder: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: This study reports the re-operation and symptom resolution rates of different techniques used in surgical excision of genitourinary mesh erosions. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review was completed after searching electronic databases for studies involving outcomes of mesh erosion in humans that were managed surgically using a transvaginal, cystoscopic, or abdominal approach. Surgical outcomes were reported in percentages, ranges, and simple pooling to generate trends in management techniques. RESULTS: There were 177 cases that met our inclusion criteria. Forty-one patients underwent cystoscopic removal of eroded urethral mesh while 40 cases underwent transvaginal removal of urethral mesh. CONCLUSIONS: For mesh eroded into the urethra, a transvaginal vs. cystoscopic approach showed a trend toward resolution of symptoms and fewer interventions. For mesh eroded into the bladder, abdominal and cystoscopic approaches had similar symptom resolution, but abdominal approach required fewer interventions.

Impact of ureteral access sheath force of insertion on ureteral trauma: In vivo preliminary study with 7 patients.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are commonly used in retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS). Despite their advantages, there is a risk of ureteral trauma during their placement and subsequent stricture following surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the UAS force of insertion (FOI) during placement and its impact on ureteral trauma. METHODS: Seven female patients who underwent RIRS for kidney stones were included in the study. A digital force gauge (Chatillon DFX II; Ametek Test and Calibration Instruments, Largo, Florida, USA) was connected to the distal end of the UAS and the UAS FOI was continuously measured during insertion. UASs of different sizes were used and ureteral injury was evaluated under direct vision with the Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) score. RESULTS: Five pre-stented patients and 2 non-stented patients were included in the study. The size of the UASs used in non-stented patients was 9.5/11.5-F and 10/12-F, whereas one 11/13-F and four 12/14-F sheaths were used in the pre-stented patients. The highest maximal UAS FOI observed was 5.9 Newton (N) in a pre-stented patient with a 12/14-F UAS, where a second attempt was performed after initial failure. The lowest maximal UAS FOI was 0.91 N in a non-stented patient using a 9.5/11.5-F UAS. A semirigid ureteroscopy with a 7.8-F sheath was performed in this patient prior UAS placement. The PULS score was 1 in the 2 non-stented patients and 0 in all of the pre-stented patients. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort, a preoperative JJ stent seemed to protect the ureter, even with larger diameter UASs of 12/14- F. Non-stented RIRS with a UAS is possible, but may cause low-grade ureteral trauma.

The Midurethral Fascial "Sling on a String": An Alternative to Midurethral Synthetic Tapes in the Era of Mesh Complications.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has been dominated recently by synthetic midurethral tapes. Increasing recognition of serious complications associated with nonabsorbable polypropylene mesh has led to resurgence in interest in alternative approaches, such as the autologous fascial sling (AFS). Despite being an efficacious and durable option in women with recurrent and complex SUI, there has been a reluctance to consider AFS in women with primary SUI due to a perception that it is only appropriate for treating patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and is associated with high rates of urinary retention and de novo storage symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The video presented demonstrates the technique for a loosely applied midurethral AFS. In contrast to AFS applied at the bladder neck, this technical modification in patients who demonstrate primary SUI without ISD avoids high rates of de novo storage symptoms and urinary retention. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective review of data on patients undergoing AFS at a tertiary referral unit. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: AFS placement in a "loose" fashion using a short length of fascia suspended on a suture bilaterally at the midurethral level rather than at the bladder neck and only using more tension in patients with ISD. MEASUREMENTS: Subjective cure rate, rates of postoperative storage symptoms, and urinary retention necessitating intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 106 patients underwent AFS; the mean follow-up period was 9 mo. The mean age was 52.6 (range 24-83) yr. In total, 46.2% had primary SUI, whilst all of the remaining 53.8% had undergone prior surgical intervention. Overall subjective cure occurred in 79.2% of patients; a further 15.1% described significant subjective improvement in symptoms, whilst 5.7% reported no change in symptoms. In those with primary SUI, rates of subjective cure, improvement, and nonresolution of symptoms were 87.8%, 12.2%, and 0%, respectively. In individuals with prior surgical intervention, rates of subjective cure, improvement, and nonresolution of symptoms were 72.0%, 17.5%, and 10.5%, respectively. De novo storage symptoms occurred in 8.2% of those with primary SUI compared with 14.0% of those with prior surgical intervention. Only 2.0% patients with primary SUI needed to perform ISC beyond 2 wk compared with 10.5% of those after prior surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A midurethral AFS appears to be effective and safe both in women with primary SUI who want to avoid the placement of permanent material and its attendant risks, and in more complex cases where this is less appropriate. PATIENT SUMMARY: A graft taken from the covering of the abdominal muscle or the outer aspect of the thigh is an alternative to a synthetic vaginal mesh in women who have stress urinary incontinence requiring surgical treatment. Placing the graft loosely at the midpoint of the urethral tube, rather than at the bladder neck, reduces the risk of postoperative voiding difficulty and overactive bladder symptoms. Long-term data have suggested an outcome at least as good as a synthetic nonabsorbable tape without the potential for sling erosion into adjacent structures, as it avoids the use of nonabsorbable material.

Autologous rectus fascia sling placement in the management of female stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Autologous pubovaginal sling placement remains a treatment option in index patients, given high, long-term success rates. This video reviews the technical considerations for performing an autologous rectus fascia sling. METHODS: The patient is a 47-year-old woman with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) refractory to conservative management. First, a 10-cm rectus fascial segment is harvested and prepped with placement of nonabsorbable stay sutures for later sling passage. Then, an inverted U-shaped incision is made in the anterior vaginal wall based on the bladder neck, and perforation of the endopelvic fascia is performed. Following passage of the sling in the retropubic space, it is secured to periurethral tissue. Cystoscopy is then used to evaluate for bladder perforation and to confirm sling tensioning. RESULTS: The patient was discharged on the same day of surgery with a suprapubic tube in place, which was removed on postoperative day 7 after passing a capping trial. At 6 weeks' follow-up, the patient had complete resolution of SUI, with no de novo urgency symptoms, and could empty her bladder to completion. CONCLUSION: Autologous pubovaginal sling placement remains an effective treatment option for the management of female SUI. This video highlights important technical considerations for this procedure.

Evaluación del uso de smart glasses en urología: potenciales aplicaciones en los ámbitos hospitalario y quirúrgico / Testing Smart Glasses in urology: Clinical and surgical potential applications

Objetivos: Explorar los potenciales beneficios del uso de smart glasses, dispositivos de visualización manejables en modo manos libres, en el quirófano y en consultas externas en urología. Materiales y métodos: Entre abril y noviembre de 2015 se invitó a 80 urólogos a usar Google Glass en su práctica quirúrgica y clínica diarias, así como a compartirlas con otros urólogos. Los participantes puntuaron la utilidad de estos dispositivos en una escala de 10 puntos y aportaron su percepción sobre los posibles beneficios del dispositivo mediante una entrevista telefónica. Resultados: Durante el periodo de experimentación 240 urólogos utilizaron las smart glasses y los 80 inicialmente invitados puntuaron su utilidad. Las puntuaciones medias de utilidad en el quirófano y en consultas externas fueron de 7,4 y 5,4, respectivamente. La entrevista reveló que las aplicaciones de las smart glasses consideradas más prometedoras en cirugía fueron la proyección de vídeos en tiempo real y reproducción de imágenes estáticas, la realidad aumentada, la navegación laparoscópica y el checklist digital de comprobación de seguridad. En consultas externas los participantes las consideraron útiles como sistemas de visualización para compartir resultados de pruebas, para buscar información en un vademecum digital y para consultar historias clínicas en situaciones de urgencia. Conclusiones. Los urólogos involucrados en nuestra experiencia identificaron diversas utilidades de las smart glasses con beneficios potenciales para su práctica diaria, especialmente en el ámbito de la cirugía urológica. Serán necesarios futuros estudios cuantitativos para explotar las posibilidades reales de las smart glasses y abordar sus limitaciones técnicas, con el fin de conseguir un uso seguro de estos dispositivos en la práctica clínica y quirúrgica

Objectives: We aimed to explore the potential benefits of using smart glasses - wearable computer optical devices with touch-less command features - in the surgery room and in outpatient care settings in urology. Materials and methods: Between April and November 2015, 80 urologists were invited to use Google Glass in their daily surgical and clinical practice, and to share them with other urologists. Participants rated the usefulness of smart glasses on a 10-point scale, and provided insights on their potential benefits in a telephone interview. Results: During the testing period, 240 urologists used smart glasses, and the 80 initially invited rated their usefulness. Mean scores for usefulness in the surgery room and in outpatient clinics were 7.4 and 5.4, respectively. The interview revealed that the applications of smart glasses considered most promising in surgery were live video streaming and static image playback, augmented reality, laparoscopic navigation, and digital checklist for safety verification. In outpatient settings, participants considered the glasses useful as a viewing platform for sharing test results, for browsing digital vademecum, and for checking medical records in emergency situations. Conclusions: Urologists engaged in our experience identified various uses of smart glasses with potential benefits for physician's daily practice, particularly in the urological surgery setting. Further quantitative studies are needed to exploit the actual possibilities of smart glasses and address the technical limitations for their safe use in clinical and surgical practice

Long-term outcomes of transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes as secondary continence procedures.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term patient-reported outcomes following TO-TVT as a secondary continence procedure in women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (R-SUI). METHODS: A secondary analysis of the 9-year follow-up of the E-TOT study was performed: 341 women with predominant SUI symptoms were randomised to undergo either Inside-out or Outside-in TO-TVT between April 2005 and April 2007. Forty-six women had R-SUI following previously failed continence surgery at time of randomisation and are the basis of this analysis as a one single cohort. Primary outcome was the patient-reported success rate defined as very/much improved on Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Secondary outcomes included late adverse events and impact on women's quality of life and sexual function. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent completed the 9-year follow-up. The success based on the PGI-I was 62.1% with no significant difference between groups (OR 5.33; 95% CI 1.03, 27.76; p = 0.094). Clinically significant improvement in QoL was found in 84.2%. Adverse events included vaginal erosions (n = 3) and groin pain (n = 2). The small sample size is a limitation in this study; nevertheless, this is one of the largest cohorts reported for women with R-SUI and the first to report the long-term outcomes of TO-TVT as a secondary continence procedure. CONCLUSIONS: TO-TVT operations are associated with good patient-reported success rates (62%) in women with previous failed continence surgery with up to 9-years follow-up. There is a non-significant trend towards better outcomes with the inside-out TO-TVT.

Rapid excision of massive localized lymphedema of the male genitalia with vessel sealing device.

INTRODUCTION: To present a series of patients who underwent surgical treatment for massive localized lymphedema (MLL) of the male genitalia and explore the utility of the LigaSure hemostatic vessel sealing device (VSD) for resection of advanced cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Although conservative and microsurgical treatments have been reported, MLL of the male genitalia requires open surgical resection with primary reconstruction. We reviewed our prospectively maintained database of all lymphedema excisions performed between January 2007 and December 2014 comparing resection with Bovie electrocautery to resection with the LigaSure VSD. Our analysis focused on any significant differences in rate of resection, estimated blood loss (EBL), and recurrence. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with MLL of the male genitalia underwent excision with either LigaSure (8 patients) or conventional Bovie electrocautery (11 patients). Rate of resection was significantly faster with LigaSure compared to Bovie (33.74 g/min versus 5.32 g/min, p = .035). Additionally, estimated EBL per gram of tissue resected was decreased in the LigaSure group (0.41 mL/g versus 0.17 mL/g, p = .057). Two of the 11 Bovie patients (18%) had recurrence of lymphedema requiring repeat resection, while none of the LigaSure patients developed recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of genital lymphedema using the LigaSure device offers promising results in managing advanced MLL of the male genitalia with the potential for faster resections, less EBL per tissue resected, and a lower rate of recurrence.

Biomechanical, Topological and Chemical Features That Influence the Implant Success of an Urogynecological Mesh: A Review.

Synthetic meshes are normally used to treat several diseases in the field of urogynecological surgery. Not-optimal selection of mesh and/or its not-correct implant may increase patient's pain and discomfort. The knowledge of mechanical behaviour and topological and chemical properties of a mesh plays a fundamental role to minimize patient's suffering and maximize the implant success. We analysed several papers reporting the meshes application for urogynecological pathologies, to extrapolate the principal parameters that normally are used to characterise the biomechanical, topological, and chemical properties, and to verify their influence on implant success. In this way we want demonstrate that, knowing these features, it is possible to foresee the success of a mesh implant. This review shows that the application of a mesh strictly depends on elastic modulus, failure load, porosity and pore size, filament diameter, polymer weight, and crystallinity. To increase the success of the implant and to help choice of optimal mesh for a clinical need, two indexes have been proposed for comparing, in an easier way, the mechanical performance of different commercially available meshes.

Preliminary Outcomes of a New, Safe, Tension-free Vaginal Tape Trocar.

The aim of this study is to introduce a new, safe, tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) trocar. Twenty-eight women with stress urinary incontinence who underwent a TVT procedure with a new trocar during a 6-month period were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the operations were performed by the same surgeon who developed the trocar. The trocar has two buttons, which make the tip of the device sharp or blunt. Median age of the study population was 52 years (range, 30-76 years), median number of vaginal deliveries was 3 (range, 1-10). And 57.1% of women were at menopause. Median body mass index was 30.0 kg/m² (range, 23.8-35.2 kg/m²). Preoperative median Valsalva leak point pressure was 78 cmH2O (range, 50-94 cmH2O), while the median maximum urethral closure pressure was 50 cmH2O (range, 14-74 cmH2O). Concomitant prolapse surgery was present in 23 women (82.1%). At the 6-month postoperative visit, objective and subjective cure rates were 89.3% for each. No serious intraopeartive or postoperative complication such as bladder, intestine, or major vessel injury occured. Only 3 women (10.7%) needed blood transfusion, and 2 women (7.1%) had postoperative voiding difficulty. Due to the modifiable tip, this new sling trocar seems safer than the conventional trocars. But large studies are necessary to prove this assumption. Due to the modifiable tip, this new sling trocar seems safer than the conventional trocars. But large studies are necessary to prove this assumption.

Comparison of clinical outcomes using "elevate anterior" versus "Perigee" system devices for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare clinical outcomes using the Perigee versus Elevate anterior devices for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and forty-one women with POP stages II to IV were scheduled for either Perigee (n = 91) or Elevate anterior device (n = 50). Preoperative and postoperative assessments included pelvic examination, urodynamic study, and a personal interview about quality of life and urinary symptoms. RESULTS: Despite postoperative point C of Elevate group being significantly deeper than the Perigee group (median: -7.5 versus -6; P < 0.01), the 1-year success rates for two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). Apart from urgency incontinence, women with advanced POP experienced significant resolution of irritating and obstructive symptoms after both procedures (P < 0.05), generating the improvement in postoperative scores of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) (P < 0.01). On urodynamics, only the residual urine decreased significantly following these two procedures (P < 0.05). Women undergoing Perigee mesh experienced significantly higher visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and vaginal extrusion rates compared with the Elevate anterior procedure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With comparable success rates, the Elevate procedure has advantages over the Perigee surgery with lower extrusion rate and postoperative day 1 VAS scores.

Loupe-assisted versus microscopic varicocelectomy: is there an intraoperative anatomic difference?

The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative difference in anatomic details between loupe-assisted and microscopic varicocelectomy within the same spermatic cord. Between April 2011 and August 2011, 26 men with 33 sides containing grade 2-3 varicocele were enrolled in this study. First, one surgeon performed the open inguinal varicocelectomy under × 3.5 loupe magnification. The presumed vascular channels and lymphatics were isolated and marked without ligation. Another surgeon then microsurgically dissected and checked the same spermatic cord using an operating microscope to judge the results in terms of the ligation of the internal spermatic veins and the preservation of the arteries and lymphatics. There were significant differences in the average number of internal spermatic arteries (1.51 vs 0.97), internal spermatic veins (5.70 vs 4.39) and lymphatics (3.52 vs 1.61) between the microscope and loupe-assisted procedures (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Meanwhile, in varicocele repair with loupe magnification, an average of 1.30 ± 1.07 (43/33) internal spermatic veins per side were missed, among the overlooked veins, 1.12 ± 0.93 (37/33) were adhered to the preserved testicular artery, as well as 0.55 ± 0.79 lymphatics and 0.36 ± 0.55 arteries that were to be ligated. In conclusion, microscopic varicocelectomy could preserve more internal spermatic arteries and lymphatics and could ligate more veins than the loupe-assisted procedure. To some degree, loupe magnification is inadequate for the reliable identification and dissection of the tiny vessels of the spermatic cord, as most of the overlooked veins were adhered to the preserved testicular artery.

[Initial management of female urinary incontinence by the general practitioner]. / Prise en charge initiale de l'incontinence urinaire chez la femme par l'interniste generalist.

Urinary incontinence is a frequent urological burden for women. It is subdivided in 3 etiological subcategories, each of them bearing specific symptoms, causes and treatment options. Due to its possible hybrid clinical presentation, diagnosis may seem complex, which often leads the general practitioner to refer immediately patients to the specialist. However, a simple, rigourous initial investigation procedure helps in identifying the best management options and finding the most suitable treatment in most of cases without requiring a specialized consult.

The role of the robot in treating urinary tract endometriosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To detail the recent advances in the use of computer-enhanced robotic technology to surgically treat urinary tract endometriosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Few studies have been published in this field. The studies are severely limited in scope. Further study is warranted. SUMMARY: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques have proven useful in the treatment of extensive endometriosis and may prove useful in the treatment of urinary tract endometriosis.

Transcorporal artificial urinary sphincter cuff placement is associated with a higher risk of postoperative urinary retention.

INTRODUCTION: To explore the association of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff sizes and placement techniques with the development of postoperative urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the outcomes of AUS cases performed by a single surgeon at a tertiary referral center from 2007-2010. Outcomes relating to urinary retention and suprapubic tube placement were analyzed in three groups: those with 3.5 cm cuff placement, ≥ 4 cm cuff placement, and transcorporal cuff (TC) placement of any size. RESULTS: Among 139 patients who underwent AUS placement from 2007-2010, 117 cases met inclusion criteria - 42 men received a 3.5 cm cuff, 53 received a ≥ 4 cm cuff, and 22 received a TC cuff (all ≥ 4 cm). TC patients had a significantly higher rate of urinary retention compared to the ≥ 4 cm group [7/22 (32%) versus 4/53 (8%), p = 0.02] as well as a higher rate of SPT placement [6/22 (27%) versus 1/53 (2%), p = 0.007]. CONCLUSIONS: Transcorporal cuff placement is associated with a significantly higher rate of urinary retention and suprapubic tube placement compared to traditional 4 cm cuff placement.