Evaluation of predictive factors of renal function recovery in renal failure secondary to urinary tract obstruction.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with renal function recovery in individuals with kidney failure due to obstruction in the urinary tract. METHODS: The prospective, descriptive study was conducted July 2020 to August 2021 at the Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, and comprised adult patients of either gender who had renal failure secondary to obstructive urinary tract. Baseline data regarding patients' variables, including age, gender, duration of symptoms (<25 days or >25 days), haemoglobin (<9.85g/dl or >9.85g/dl), serum creatinine and renal cortical thickness (<16.5mm or >16.5 mm), was noted on a proforma. The variables were stratified to assess impact on renal recovery. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients, 43(34.13%) were males and 83(65.87%) were females. The overall mean age was 44.13±14.18 years. Renal recovery occurred in 67(78.8%) patients having duration of symptoms ≤25 days, and in 13(31.7%) patients with duration of symptoms >25 days (p<0.001). Renal recovery occurred in 41(58.6%) patients having haemoglobin ≤9.85g/dL and in 39(69.6%) patients having haemoglobin >9.85g/dL (p=0.2). Renal recovery occurred in 26(37.7%) patients with parenchymal thickness ≤16.5mm and in 54(94.7%) patients with renal cortical thickness >16.5mm (p<0.001). Conclusion: Symptom duration ≤25 days, and renal parenchymal thickness >16.5mm were found to be predictive factors of good recovery in renal failure cases secondary to obstructive uropathy.

Augmentation Cystoplasty in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment.

Bladder augmentation is beneficial in patients with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and tuberculous bladder. This retrospective study was done to determine the outcome of augmentation cystoplasty in adult patients with renal dysfunction. The study was done at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi from January 2010 till December 2019. A total of 153 patients underwent augmentation cystoplasty. Among these, 28 patients met the inclusion criteria of adult patients with age >18 years, and renal impairment at the time of the procedure. Exclusion criteria were patients with normal renal functions. Out of 28 patients, 17 (60%) showed improvement in renal functions post-augmentation cystoplasty, while 2 (7.14%) deteriorated and 9 (32.13%) patients showed static function in the same chronic kidney disease stages. Results from this study showed that augmentation cystoplasty is a safe operative procedure even in renal failure patients. It leads to improvement in renal functions in a significant number of patients. Key Words: Adults, Augmentation cystoplasty, Renal failure, Bladder compliance.

Stricture of Urethra: Patterns and Outcomes of Management from a Single Centre in Pakistan Over 7 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes of urethroplasty and its complications from a large cohort of patients managed in a single centre. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi, from January 2010 to December 2016. METHODOLOGY: A total of 546 patients with stricture urethra at different locations underwent urethroplasty from January 2010 to December 2016 were included. All patients had an ascending urethrogram followed by retrograde ± antegrade urethroscopy to assess the location and length of the stricture. Technique of urethroplasty was chosen according to the site, length and etiology. Following appropriate procedure, patients were followed up in the dedicated urethral stricture clinic. Procedure was considered successful if either no further therapeutic intervention was required and the maximum flow rate (Qmax) was >20 ml/sec with a voided volume of at least 200 mls. The procedure was regarded as unsuccessful, if further treatment was required or Qmax was <10ml/sec. RESULTS: A total of 546 patients with mean age of 32.3 +13.1 years (range: 12-74) involving anterior (n=323, 59.2%) or posterior (n=223, 40.8%) urethra were treated. Mean follow-up was 43.6 months (range: 3-84). The success rates of bulbar urethral strictures after excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) was 93. 3%, non-transecting urethroplasty 84.6% and oral mucosal graft (OMG), 81.8%. In penile urethral strictures, OMG, Orandi procedure and Johanson's techniques yielded success rates of 88.4%, 66.6% and 57.1%, respectively. In posterior urethral strictures, after excision and bulboprostatic anastomosis, good results were seen in 88.3%. In pan-urethral strictures, abdominal skin graft repair, combined tissue transfer and OMG urethroplasty yielded success rates of 74%, 78.5% and 75%, respectively. The complications/ adverse events were encountered in 251 / 546 (45.9%) patients in this series. CONCLUSION: Anastomotic urethroplasty yielded best outcomes followed by OMG urethroplasty. In the long-term follow-up, erectile dysfunction (ED), infertility and recurrence of stricture are the main complications which need individualised management.

Surgical outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 3402 patients and results of stone analysis in 1559 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of a series of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures in a single centre over 18 years in terms of patient and stone characteristics, indications, stone clearance and complications, along with the results of chemical analysis of stones in a subgroup. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of PCNL in 3402 patients, who underwent the procedure between 1997 and 2014, obtained from a prospectively maintained database. Data analysis included patients' age and sex, laboratory investigations, imaging, punctured calyx, duration of operation, volume of irrigation fluid, radiation exposure time, blood transfusion, complications and stone-free status at 1-month follow-up. For the present analysis, outcomes in relation to complications and success were divided in two eras, 1997-2005 and 2006-2014, to study the differences. RESULTS: Of the 3402 patients, 2501 (73.5%) were male and 901 (26.5%) were female, giving a male:female ratio of 2.8:1. Staghorn (partial or complete) calculi were found in 27.5% of patients, while 72.5% had non-staghorn calculi. Intracorporeal energy sources used for stone fragmentation included ultrasonography in 917 patients (26.9%), pneumatic lithoclast in 1820 (53.5%), holmium laser in 141 (4.1%) and Lithoclast® master in 524 (15.4%). In the majority of patients (97.4%) a 18-22-F nephrostomy tube was placed after the procedure, while 69 patients (2.03%) underwent tubeless PCNL. The volume of the irrigation fluid used ranged from 7 to 37 L, with a mean of 28.4 L. The stone-free rate after PCNL in the first era studied was 78%, vs 83.2% in the second era, as assessed by combination of ultrasonography and plain abdominal film of the kidney, ureter and bladder. The complication rate in the first era was 21.3% as compared with 10.3% in the second era, and this difference was statistically significant. Stone analysis showed pure stones in 41% and mixed stones in 58% of patients. The majority of stones consisted of calcium oxalate. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series of PCNL reported from any single centre in Pakistan, where there is a high prevalence of stone disease associated with infective and obstructive complications, including renal failure. PCNL as a treatment method offers an economic and effective option in the management of renal stone disease with acceptable stone clearance rates in a resource-constrained healthcare system.

Utility of digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigen, and transrectal ultrasound in the detection of prostate cancer: a developing country perspective.

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of digital rectal examination (DRE), serum total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) estimation, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with abnormal DRE, TRUS, or serum tPSA >4ng/ml, in any combination, underwent TRUS-guided needle biopsy. Eight cores of prostatic tissue were obtained from different areas of the peripheral prostate and examined histopathologically for the nature of the pathology. RESULTS: PCa was detected in 151 (50.3%) patients, remaining 149 (49.7%) showed benign changes with or without active prostatitis. PCa was detected in 13 (56.5%), 9 (19.1%), 26 (28.3%), and 103 (74.6%) of patients with tPSA <4 ng/ml, 4-10 ng/ml, 10-20 ng/ml and >20 ng/ml respectively. Only 13 patients with PCa had abnormal DRE and TRUS with serum PSA <4 ng/ml. The detection rate was highest in patients with tPSA >20 ng/ml. The association between tPSA level and cancer detection was statistically significant (p<0.01). Among 209 patients with abnormal DRE and raised serum PSA, PCa was detected in 128 (61.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PCa increases with increasing serum level of tPSA. The overall screening and detection rate can be further improved by using DRE, TRUS and TRUS-guided prostate needle biopsies.

Experience at a stricture clinic in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience of 37 years regarding etiology, complications and evolving practice of the management of stricture urethra patients at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi. METHODS: The retrospective descriptive study included 1600 cases of stricture urethra admitted to the Urology Section of the institute from 1972 to 2009. Files of all patients were reviewed; age, gender, site of stricture, etiology, diagnostic methods, clinical symptoms and management, as well trends and patterns were noted. RESULTS: There were 1600 patients of whom 1595 (99.4%) were males and 5 (0.4%) were females with age ranging from 14-80 years. Pelvic fracture urethral disfraction defects (n = 655; 49.5%) and fall astride (n = 123; 9.2%) were the commonest causes. Of the total, 92 percent presented with retention of urine. In the first decade, rail-road and dilatation was the mainstay of treatment. In the second decade, rail-road, dilatation and direct visual internal urethrectomy were the mainstay, but in the last 5 years, urethroplasty replaced the old methods. CONCLUSION: Trauma is the main cause of stricture. Over the years, urethroplasty and direct visual internal urethrotomy are the mainstay of management. Stricture clinic plays an important role in the early diagnosis of complications of stricture urethra and in the rehabilitation of these patients.

Holmium laser urethrotomy for treatment of traumatic stricture urethra: a review of 78 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term results of laser urethrotomy as minimally invasive treatment for traumatic stricture urethra. METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2008, 78 male patients were treated with Holmium Laser urethrotomy. 16 Fr urethroscope was used through which 600um laser fiber was introduced through side channel. Stricture was visualized and incised at 12 o'clock position with energy set at 1500-2000 MJ at pulse rate of 10-12. Two other incisions were given at 2 and 10 o'clock positions. Further ablation was done till 16Fr Foley's catheter was passed. Patients were followed in a stricture clinic. RESULTS: Patients age ranged from 15-73 years. All strictures were due to trauma, Road traffic accident in 40 (52%) post catheter trauma 4 (5%), fall as ride 27 (35%) and failed urethroplasty 7 (8%). Site of stricture was bulbar 57 (73%), bulbomembranous 16 (20%) and membranoprostatic 5 (2.5%). Length of stricture ranged from 0.8-2.5 cms. At 3 months follow-up, 60 (77%) patients remained catheter and symptoms free while 18 (23%) developed recurrence of stricture but at the end of 36 months follow-up success rate decreased to 47 (60%). Among those who developed re-strictures, 6 ( 7.6%) had 2nd sitting laser while 4 (5.1%) had urethroplasty, and others were on intermittent dilatation. Immediate complications were sepsis 10 (13%), extravasation 2 (4%), failed urethrotomy 2 (4%) and mild haematuria 3 (5.8%). Hospital stay ranged from day care to 3 days. CONCLUSION: Laser urethrotomy is minimally invasive and an effective treatment for short strictures in bulbarurethra. The recurrence rate is 40% in the long-term follow-up and is more commonly seen in completely obliterated strictures.

Management of stone disease: 17 years experience of a stone clinic in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To review 17 years experience of the stone clinic with incorporating the changes in practice over the years and to report the benefits of stone clinic in a developing country. METHODS: The SIUT Stone clinic was established in 1990 with installation of HM4 Lithotriptor. This clinic is run jointly by a Urologist, Dietitian, Nephrologist, Biochemist and Radiologist. From 1990 - 2007, about 38,749 stone patients received treatment with ESWL (55%), PCNL (6.0%), URS (15.5%), litholopaxy 4.0% and open surgery 19.7%. These patients after treatment were followed in the stone clinic with stone analysis and 24 hours urine metabolic studies where indicated. Dietary and oral hydration programme combined with medical therapy was also instituted. Recurrence rate was noted in those patients who were advised diet modification, oral hydration and medical treatment. Complications of stone disease were documented during the follow-up period. RESULTS: In ESWL group 8226 patients were followed in the stone clinic for 5 years. In this group, 185 (2.2%) had recurrence of renal calculi. In PCNL group 1306 patients were followed, and 16 (1.1%) had recurrence. In the open surgery group of 1294 patients, 17 (1.3%) had recurrence of renal calculi. The complications of stone disease noted were renal failure and infections in 162 (1.5%) patients, during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: This study shows the beneficial effect of a stone clinic in a developing country and positive effect on the reduction of recurrence and complications of stone disease. Our experience promotes the need to open more specialized stone clinics in areas where stone disease is highly prevalent.