Mechanism of continence after repair of posterior urethral disruption: evidence of rhabdosphincter activity.

PURPOSE: Controversy exists regarding continence mechanisms in patients who undergo posterior urethral reconstruction after pelvic fracture. Some evidence suggests that continence after posterior urethroplasty is maintained by the bladder neck or proximal urethral mechanism without a functioning distal mechanism. We studied distal urethral sphincter activity in patients who have undergone posterior urethroplasty for pelvic fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients who had undergone surgical repair of urethral disruption involving the prostatomembranous region underwent videourodynamics with urethral pressure profiles at rest, and during stress and hold maneuvers. Bladder pressure and urethral pressure, including proximal and distal urethral sphincter activity and pressure, were assessed in each patient. RESULTS: All 12 patients had daytime continence of urine postoperatively with a followup after anastomotic urethroplasty of 12 to 242 months (mean 76). Average maximum urethral pressure was 71 cm H2O. Average maximum urethral closure pressure was 61 cm H2O. The average urethral pressure seen during a brief hold maneuver was 111 cm H2O. Average functional sphincteric length was 2.5 cm. Six of the 12 patients had clear evidence of distal urethral sphincter function, as demonstrated by the profile. CONCLUSIONS: Continence after anastomotic urethroplasty for posttraumatic urethral strictures is maintained primarily by the proximal bladder neck. However, there is a significant contribution of the rhabdosphincter in many patients.

An animal model to study lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: the hyperlipidaemic rat.

OBJECTIVE: To present evidence that rats fed a high-fat diet could serve as a useful animal model to study both lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), as recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between LUTS and ED but the physiological basis behind this relationship is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: nine controls were fed a 'normal' diet and 15 were fed a high-fat diet (hyperlipidaemic rats). After 6 months all the rats had bladder and erectile functions evaluated using awake cystometry and cavernosal nerve electrostimulation, respectively. After the functional studies were completed, the penis, prostate and bladder were collected for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The hyperlipidaemic rats had significantly higher serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein than the controls (P < 0.05). The hyperlipidaemic rats also had significantly worse erectile function (P = 0.004) and developed more bladder overactivity (P = 0.004) than the controls. In the hyperlipidaemic rats there was significant muscle hypertrophy in the peri-urethral lobe of the prostate (P < 0.001) and in the bladder (P < 0.05). There was also greater P2X(1) (purinoceptor) staining as well as other molecular changes in the bladder of the hyperlipidaemic rats. CONCLUSIONS: In this hyperlipidaemic rat model three abnormalities were consistently detected: prostatic enlargement, bladder overactivity, and ED. This rat model could be a useful research tool for understanding the common causes of LUTS and ED, as well as facilitating the development of preventive measures and better therapies to treat both conditions.

Approach to management of penile fracture in men with underlying Peyronie's disease.

OBJECTIVES: To report on a series of patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) who experienced a penile fracture, examining the history, presentation, and management. Additionally, we describe an unreported surgical technique implementing combined fracture repair and tunica plication. PD is an acquired inflammatory condition of the penis that can cause fibrotic, nonexpansile thickening of the tunica albuginea, resulting in a focal bend or narrowing on erection. METHODS: From October 1999 to July 2003, 4 patients with nonsurgically treated PD had a penile fracture during sexual activity. The mean patient age was 43 years (range 29 to 52), with an average of 5.5 days (range 3 to 8) transpiring from the time of penile trauma to surgery in the men presenting early. Penile ultrasonography was used to locate the site of tunica laceration. RESULTS: Either circumcising or ventral midline incisions were selected to treat these patients. During penile exploration, the tunica defect in the corpus cavernosum was identified and closed with 2-0 Maxon suture. Subsequent artificial erection displayed penile curvature in 3 patients, and plication was then performed to straighten the tunica angulation using 2-0 TiCron suture. The fourth patient had a minimal bend with slight waisting, not requiring plication. No perioperative complications occurred. These 4 patients regained their preoperative level of erectile rigidity with lasting nonpainful correction of their deformity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PD who have a penile fracture are candidates for combined fracture repair and tunica plication at the same setting.

Crural ligation for primary erectile dysfunction: a case series.

PURPOSE: Some men with primary erectile dysfunction (ED) have maldevelopment of the crura of the penis. We report our experience with crural ligation for primary venous leakage ED in the last 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 1998 and March 2004, 11 patients with primary ED underwent crural ligation surgery for congenital venous leakage. All patients were evaluated with pertinent history and physical examinations, color duplex ultrasound, nocturnal penile tumescence study with RigiScan, cavernosometry and cavernosography. Localized crural leakage was the pathognomonic feature in these patients. Surgery involved reflection of the dorsal and cavernous arteries and nerves off of the crura, followed by ligation of the 2 crura proximal to the entrance of the cavernous artery with umbilical tapes. Followup was performed by telephone interview or personal interview at the clinic. A retrospective preoperative and postoperative questionnaire, that is the abridged 5-item version of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function, was given at the time of the interview. Statistical analysis was performed with the paired t test. RESULTS: Median patient age at surgery was 28 years (range 22 to 39) and mean followup after surgery was 34 months (range 6 to 58). Mean International Index of Erectile Function +/- SD preoperatively and postoperatively was 8.9 +/- 4.5 and 17.5 +/- 5.0, respectively. For questions 2, 3 and 5 mean postoperative scores were significantly better than postoperative scores (p <0.05). Marked improvement in erectile function was noted in 9 of our 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Penile venous surgery may not have a lasting result in men in whom venous leakage is due to systemic diseases or penile smooth muscle atrophy. However, in patients with a congenital venous leak abnormality of the crura ligation of the proximal crura with umbilical tapes seems to have a satisfactory, durable result.

The additive erectile recovery effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor combined with vascular endothelial growth factor in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that combined intracavernosal injection with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with adeno-associated virus-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (AAV-BDNF) synergistically facilitates the neural regeneration and erectile function after cavernosal nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: eight had a sham operation while 32 had bilateral cavernosal nerve freezing followed by an immediate intracavernosal injection with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), VEGF, AAV-BDNF, or AAV-BDNF + VEGF. Erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months, and samples of the major pelvic ganglia and penile tissue were evaluated histologically. RESULTS: In this animal model of impotence from nerve injury, the recovery of erectile function was greatest in those receiving AAV-BDNF + VEGF; the mean (sd) maximal intracavernosal pressure in this group was 87.2 (20.78) cmH2O, compared with 37.3 (11.39) for VEGF alone and 49.8 (29.58) for AAV-BDNF alone. No erectile dysfunction was identified in the sham group, with a pressure of 100.7 (22.70) cmH2O, while all treatment groups significantly outperformed the PBS (control) group, at 29.3 (13.52) cmH2O. Furthermore, all animals receiving monotherapy or combined treatment had more NADPH-diaphorase-positive nerve fibres than controls but less than in the sham group. CONCLUSION: Bilateral cavernosal nerve freezing causes erectile dysfunction with accompanying neurological changes. Intracavernosal injection with either VEGF or AAV-BDNF alone enhances nerve regeneration, with combined therapy (VEGF and AAV-BDNF) promoting neural and erectile recovery additively.

Combined external urethral bulking and artificial urinary sphincter for urethral atrophy and stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique of externally bulking the urethra with a soft-tissue graft before placing another artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), as when placing another AUS for recurrent male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) other manoeuvres, e.g. placing a tandem cuff or transcorporal cuff, must be used to obtain urinary continence in an atrophic urethra, and each is associated with morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to July 2004, five patients (mean age 74 years, range 62-84) treated by radical prostatectomy were referred for recurrent SUI after placing an AUS (four, including one with urethral erosion) or a male sling (one, with a resulting atrophic urethra). Each patient was treated with an external urethral bulking agent (Surgisis) ES, Cook Urological, Spencer, Indiana) and had an AUS placed. RESULTS: In each patient the greatest urethral circumference was <4 cm. To place a functional 4 cm cuff, the diameter of the urethra was enhanced by wrapping it with Surgisis ES. Continence was significantly improved in all patients except one 84-year-old man who had the replanted artificial sphincter removed because of erosion 14 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In cases of severe recurrent SUI from urethral atrophy after placing an AUS, externally bulking the urethra with Surgisis ES before placing another AUS is well tolerated, and gives satisfactory results.

Self-inflicted male urethral foreign body insertion: endoscopic management and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cause, diagnosis, management and complications of self-inserted urethral foreign bodies in men, reviewing a 17-year experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1986 to January 2004, 17 men were treated for self-inflicted urethral foreign bodies; the records were analysed retrospectively for presentation, diagnosis, management and complications. RESULTS: In all 17 patients the foreign bodies were clearly palpable. Objects included speaker wire, an AAA battery, open safety pins, a plastic cup, straws, a marble, and a cotton-tipped swab. The most common symptom was frequency with dysuria, but there was sometimes gross haematuria and urinary retention. The cause for inserting the foreign body varied; psychiatric disorder was the most common, followed by intoxication, and erotic stimulation was the cause in only five patients. All patients had diagnostic imaging; plain pelvic images were sufficient in 14, ultrasonography or computed tomography was needed in three. Endoscopic retrieval was successful in all but one patient, where a perineal urethrotomy was required. The most common complications were mucosal tears and false passages. Urethral strictures were associated with multiple attempts to insert the foreign body. CONCLUSION: Self-inflicted urethral foreign-body insertion in men is unusual. A radiological evaluation is necessary to determine the exact size, location and number of foreign bodies. Endoscopic retrieval is usually successful, and antibiotic coverage is necessary. A psychiatric evaluation is recommended for all patients, with appropriate medical therapy when indicated. Late manifestation has included urethral stricture disease, and a close follow-up, albeit difficult in these patients, is desirable.

Combined penile plication surgery and insertion of penile prosthesis for severe penile curvature and erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: For persistent penile curvature after corporeal dilation and prosthesis placement other maneuvers, such as plaque incision with or without grafting, or penile modeling, must be used to complete penile straightening. However, each of these techniques is associated with increased morbidity, which includes higher rates of infection and urethral injury. We describe a new technique for correcting severe penile curvature and erectile dysfunction using combined penile plication and placement of a 3 piece inflatable penile prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2000 and June 2003, 5 patients with erectile dysfunction and severe curvature for which other treatment modalities had failed were treated with combined inflatable penile prosthesis and additional plication to correct the severe malformation. Detailed medical and sexual history was obtained as well as preoperative duplex ultrasound prior to surgery. RESULTS: The age range of our patient population was 22 to 55 years. In each case penile prosthesis placement was insufficient to correct the malformation and the addition of multiple plication sutures was required. The malformation in all patients was corrected with this technique. To date no patients have reported any complications with followup (range 3 to 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: In cases of severe penile deformity and curvature with erectile dysfunction the combination of penile plication and inflatable penile prosthesis placement is a method of repair that is well tolerated.

Infections and urinary stone disease.

The relationship between urinary infections and stone formation has been recognized since antiquity and it has been over a century since bacterial degradation of urea was postulated to cause struvite stones. Specific therapy for urease-producing bacteria, such as urease-inhibitors and antibiotics, has allowed for treatment for this subset of urinary stones. Future directions for research include development of novel urease-inhibitors and chemicals to enhance the protective glycosaminoglycan layer. An improved understanding of the pathogenesis of calcium-based stones has led to the discovery of potential roles for nanobacteria and Oxalobacter formingenes. Methods of altering intestinal regulation of oxalate by reintroduction of lactic acid bacteria may significantly impact the treatment of calcium oxalate stones. The use of catheters, both urethral and ureteral, is common in the urinary tract and is associated with significant morbidity, primarily from associated infections. Catheters to prevent bacterial colonization and formation of biofilms have been created using various coatings, including ciprofloxacin, hydrogel, and silver. Use of these types of catheters may minimize infections and encrustation inherent with their placement in the urinary tract.