Levels and drivers of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic among a diverse group of resident physicians.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence has shown significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on physicians. We hypothesized that these effects would impact surgical and non-surgical resident education differently, with non-surgical specialties being more heavily impacted by frontline work and surgical specialties losing elective cases. METHODS: We examined well-being and burnout among resident physicians in surgical and non-surgical specialties during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic using the Mayo Physician Well-Being Index (WBI). RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from 110 residents, 55% of whom were in a surgical training program. 35% of respondents were identified as 'at risk' for burnout. Increased demands from work (adj. OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.50, 9.59, p = 0.005) was associated with an increased likelihood for being 'at risk' compared to those without increased demands. Odds of having increased stress level were higher amongst residents with fear/anxiety of the unknown (adj. OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.63, 10.90, p = 0.003) and more demands outside work (adj. OR 10.54, 95% CI 2.63, 42.16, p = 0.001) but lower amongst residents with more time for studying (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09, 0.64, p = 0.005). Risk for burnout was not significantly different between surgical and non-surgical specialties when adjusting for increased demands from work (adj. OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.60, 3.37, p = 0.0.418). CONCLUSION: Perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic upon residents' educational experience was mixed: reduced clinical volume had a negative impact, while increased time for study was perceived favorably. These findings suggest potential strategies and targets to mitigate the stress and burnout of a future crisis, whether large or small, among surgical and non-surgical trainees.

Dissecting the role of radical cystectomy and urinary diversion in post-operative complications: an analysis using the American College of Surgeons national surgical quality improvement program database

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the contribution of the extirpative and reconstructive portions of radical cystectomy (RC) to complications rates, and assess differences between urinary diversion (UD) types. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing UD alone or RC+UD for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2017 using ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary outcome was major complications, while secondary outcomes included minor complications and prolonged length of stay. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to assess the association between surgical procedure (UD alone or RC+UD) and outcomes, stratified by diversion type. Lastly, we examined differences in complication rates between ileal conduit (IC) vs. continent UD (CUD). Results: When comparing RC + IC and IC alone, PSM yielded 424 pairs. IC alone had a lower risk of any complication (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.75), venous thromboembolism (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.91) and bleeding needing transfusion (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.52). This trend was also noted when comparing RC + CUD to CUD alone. CUD had higher risk of complications than IC, both with (56.6% vs 52.3%, p = 0.031) and without RC (47.8% vs 35.1%, p=0.062), and a higher risk of infectious complications, both with (30.5% vs 22.7%, p<0.001) and without RC (34.0% vs 22.0%, p=0.032). Conclusions: RC+UD, as compared to UD alone, is associated with an increased risk of major complications, including bleeding needing transfusion and venous thromboembolism. Additionally, CUD had a higher risk of post-operative complication than IC.

Dissecting the role of radical cystectomy and urinary diversion in post-operative complications: an analysis using the American College of Surgeons national surgical quality improvement program database.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the contribution of the extirpative and reconstructive portions of radical cystectomy (RC) to complications rates, and assess differences between urinary diversion (UD) types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing UD alone or RC+UD for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2017 using ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary outcome was major complications, while secondary outcomes included minor complications and prolonged length of stay. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to assess the association between surgical procedure (UD alone or RC+UD) and outcomes, stratified by diversion type. Lastly, we examined differences in complication rates between ileal conduit (IC) vs. continent UD (CUD). RESULTS: When comparing RC + IC and IC alone, PSM yielded 424 pairs. IC alone had a lower risk of any complication (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.75), venous thromboembolism (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.91) and bleeding needing transfusion (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.52). This trend was also noted when comparing RC + CUD to CUD alone. CUD had higher risk of complications than IC, both with (56.6% vs 52.3%, p = 0.031) and without RC (47.8% vs 35.1%, p=0.062), and a higher risk of infectious complications, both with (30.5% vs 22.7%, p< 0.001) and without RC (34.0% vs 22.0%, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: RC+UD, as compared to UD alone, is associated with an increased risk of major complications, including bleeding needing transfusion and venous thromboembolism. Additionally, CUD had a higher risk of post-operative complication than IC.

Innovative Approaches to Battling Resident Burnout in a Urology Residency Program.

INTRODUCTION: Data suggest many U.S. physicians experience burnout, affecting up to 65% of U.S. urology resident physicians. We implemented a multifaceted Urology Resident Wellness Curriculum and measured its effect on burnout reported among our trainees. METHODS: We created a 5-pronged Resident Wellness Curriculum: 1) faculty-sponsored Resident Wellness Fund, 2) social groups between 1 faculty and 2-3 trainees, 3) one-on-one structured mentorship, 4) resident-organized social outings using the Resident Wellness Fund, and 5) wellness education. We administered 2 validated burnout questionnaires, the Maslach Burnout Index-Human Services Survey and the Expanded Mayo Physician Well Being Index, to our resident physicians at 4 time points, immediately before and following curriculum implementation. At study conclusion, resident physicians were asked to rank the most meaningful interventions. RESULTS: At 4 timepoints over 3 academic years, 54 completed instruments were collected from 32 unique resident physicians. Initial Maslach Burnout Index survey data indicated high levels of Depersonalization and Emotional Exhaustion with moderate levels of Personal Accomplishment. Over the study period, there was improvement in Depersonalization from high to moderate (28% decrease, p=0.04), improvement in Emotional Exhaustion from high to moderate (20% decrease, p=0.15) and preserved moderate Personal Accomplishment. The average Physician Well Being Index score decreased by 52% (p=0.006), demonstrating decreased levels of distress. Resident-organized social outings were ranked as the most meaningful intervention, with 63% of participants ranking it first. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of urology resident physician burnout were observed to be high at baseline, but improved significantly after introduction of a purposeful Resident Wellness Curriculum.

Penile vascular abnormalities in young men with persistent side effects after finasteride use for the treatment of androgenic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: The constellation of persistent sexual, neurological, and physical adverse effects in patients who discontinue 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) has garnered recent concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential penile vascular changes and persistent adverse effects of 5ARIs in men treated for androgenic alopecia (AGA). METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study with 25 subjects with a history of 5ARI use for AGA and 28 controls. Patient self-reported questionnaires including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) were used. Penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) results were evaluated in men with a history of 5ARI use. RESULTS: A significant difference in total IIEF score between the 5ARI (median: 35; IQR: 29-43) and control group (median: 29; IQR: 27-32) (P=0.035) was observed. Seventeen 5ARI subjects (68%) had a vascular abnormality on PDDU. The median (IQR) for total IPSS score for the 5ARI group was 10 [5-16] compared to 3 [2-8] for the controls (P<0.01). The 5ARI group had a higher median total PHQ-9 score than controls [10 (6.5-16) vs. 1 (0-2) (P<0.001)]. Two subjects (8%) committed suicide during or after the study. CONCLUSIONS: While the sexual side effects of 5ARIs are well known, there may be persistent genitourinary, physical, psycho-cognitive, anti-androgenic and penile vascular changes after 5ARI discontinuation. Use of 5ARIs for treatment of AGA may lead to persistent sexual, genitourinary, physical, psycho-cognitive, and anti-androgenic sequelae even after cessation of 5ARI therapy.

Pioglitazone's beneficial effects on erectile function preservation after cavernosal nerve injury in the rat are negated by inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor: a preclinical study.

To determine if the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway is involved in the improvement in erectile function recovery in rats after nerve crush injury treated with pioglitazone (Pio). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The first group received sham operation (n = 5). The second group underwent bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI, n = 7). The third group received BCNI and Pio treatment (BCNI + Pio, n = 7), whereas the fourth group underwent BCNI with Pio treatment and IGF-1 inhibition (BCNI + Pio + JB-1, n = 7). The IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was inhibited by JB-1, a small molecular antagonist of the receptor. After 14 days of treatment, erectile function was measured via intracorporal pressure normalized to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and the major pelvic ganglion and cavernous nerve harvested for western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of phosphorylated-IGF-1Rß (p-IGF-1Rß), phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and neuronal NOS (nNOS). BCNI + Pio animals exhibited improvements in ICP/MAP, similar to Sham animals, and BCNI + Pio + JB-1 rats demonstrated a reduced ICP/MAP similar to BCNI-only rats at all measured voltages. Western blot results showed upregulation of p-IGF-1Rß was observed in the BCNI + Pio group. Low levels of p-ERK1/2 were seen in the JB-1-treated animals. The immunoblot results were supported by IHC findings. Intense IHC staining of nNOS was detected in the BCNI + Pio group. The group treated with JB-1 showed minimal protein expression of p-ERK1/2, nNOS, and p-IGF-1Rß. Pio improves erectile function in rats undergoing BCNI via an IGF-1-mediated pathway.

Racial variations in response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum in men with Peyronie's disease.

BACKGROUND: An examination of potential racial variations between Caucasian American (CA) and African American (AA) men in the efficacy and safety of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for all patients treated with CCH for PD between 04/2014 and 05/2017. Patients were divided into two groups based on their self-reported race. The primary outcomes of interest were final change in curvature after CCH treatment regardless of number of CCH cycles received, and frequency of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were included in the study, of which 146 (91.8%) were CA while 13 (8.2%) were AA. Mean duration of PD was 28.3 months for CA patients and 16.8 months for CA patients (P=0.436). There was no significant difference in final change in curvature CA and AA patients (15.9° vs. 13.1° respectively, P=0.445). There was no statistically significant difference in frequency of TRAEs between CA patients (17, 12%) and AA patients (0, 0%) (P=0.208). CONCLUSIONS: Although racial variations in efficacy and safety of CCH in patients with PD have not been addressed in the literature, preliminary results from our study suggest that CCH therapy may be equally efficacious and safe in both CA and AA men. There was no statistically significant difference in final change in curvature, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores, penile length, or TRAEs after CCH treatment between CA and AA patients.

Effect of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum on penile vascular and morphological parameters in patients with Peyronie's disease.

BACKGROUND: To examine the changes in penile vascular parameters after the administration of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in patients with Peyronie's disease (PD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for all patients treated with CCH for PD between 04/2014 and 05/2017 who underwent penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) after pharmacologically induced erection both before and after four cycles of CCH treatment. The primary outcomes measured were changes in peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) after CCH treatment. Paired t-tests, chi-squared tests, and correlation coefficients were performed between functional and vascular parameters before and after four rounds of CCH to determine statistical significance (P<0.05). RESULTS: A total of 51 patients were included in the study. After four cycles of CCH therapy, there was no statistically significant change in PSV, EDV, RI, or International Index of Erectile Function score when compared to baseline. Similarly, there was no correlation between vascular parameters and change in curvature. There was a statistically significant change in penile curvature (60˚±16.9˚ to 40.8˚±14.9˚, P<0.001) and erect penile circumference (11.6±1.0 to 11.9±1.0 cm, P<0.05) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a significant change in penile curvature, this change did not correlate with changing penile vascular or morphological parameters. Overall, CCH therapy seems to have a negligible impact on penile vasculature, furthering evidence of its favorable safety profile.

Safety and Efficacy of Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum in the Treatment of Acute-Phase Peyronie's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Peyronie's disease (PD), defined as the abnormal formation of fibrous plaque(s) in the tunica albuginea of the penis, is a chronic condition that afflicts 3% to 13% of the US male population; there is no current research on the efficacy and safety of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in the treatment of acute phase PD. AIM: To examine the efficacy and safety of CCH in the treatment of acute-phase PD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for all patients treated with CCH for PD from April 2014 through April 2017. Patients who reported penile pain and duration of PD no longer than 12 months at presentation qualified as being in the acute phase of PD. The primary outcomes of interest were final changes in curvature after CCH treatment regardless of the number of CCH cycles received and frequency of treatment-related adverse events. OUTCOMES: Parameters of efficacy and safety were compared between acute- and stable-phase PD. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients were included in the study, of which 36 (22%) qualified as having acute-phase PD (group 1) and the remaining 126 (78%) qualified as having stable-phase PD (group 2). Median duration of PD was 8.5 months (range = 1-12) for group 1 and 18 months (range = 1-492) for group 2. There was no significant difference in final change in curvature between the acute and stable phases of PD (16.7° vs 15.6°; P = .654). There was no statistically significant difference in frequency of treatment-related adverse events between the acute phase (4 patients, 11%) and the stable phase (12 patients, 10%; P = .778). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CCH therapy is as safe and efficacious in acute-phase PD as it is in stable-phase PD. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the first report that assesses the safety and efficacy of CCH therapy focusing on acute-phase PD. This study was composed of a large cohort of patients receiving CCH therapy in acute- and stable-phase PD. Limitations include bias associated with retrospective studies, a small sample, and a single-center setting. CONCLUSIONS: Although CCH is not clearly indicated for treatment during the acute phase of PD, these results suggest that CCH use during this phase can be effective and safe. There was no statistically significant difference in final change in curvature or treatment-related adverse events after CCH therapy delivered between the acute and stable phases of PD. Nguyen HMT, Anaissie J, DeLay KJ, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum in the Treatment of Acute-Phase Peyronie's Disease. J Sex Med 2017;14:1220-1225.

Testosterone deficiency in adults and corresponding treatment patterns across the globe.

The global prevalence of testosterone deficiency (TD) ranges from 10-40%. The actual diagnosis of TD is controversial, as a wide range of total testosterone (TT) thresholds are used for diagnosis (200-400 ng/dL), and physicians differ in their emphasis placed on clinical symptoms. There are also significant global differences in the prescription patterns of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In the United States, prescription of TRT is significantly higher than the rest of the world, increasing 3-fold over the last 10 years and more so in eugonadal men. The majority of treating physicians emphasizes clinical symptomology of TD over laboratory values, and up to one-fourth of their patients do not even have serum testosterone levels. There are significant inter-physician differences in willingness to prescribe TRT in the setting of prostate cancer. Data is scarce on testosterone prescribing patterns in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. More literature is needed to better characterize how physicians from different regions diagnose TD.

Practice Patterns in the Diagnosis and Management of Hypogonadism: A Survey of Sexual Medicine Society of North America Members.

OBJECTIVE: To describe practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism, as the optimal approaches are controversial. Multiple therapeutic options are currently available for hypogonadal men and treatment patterns vary considerably. The safety of testosterone therapy (TTh) remains understudied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 23-question survey regarding diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism was sent to all members of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Subgroup analyses compared responses between sexual medicine fellows and non-fellows, as well as between academic and nonacademic physicians, using a chi-squared analysis. RESULTS: A total of 101 responses were included for analysis. The most common cutoff value used to diagnose hypogonadism was 300 ng/dL (55%, range = 200-400 ng/dL), and 31% felt comfortable giving TTh to a symptomatic patient with normal serum testosterone levels. No respondents felt that TTh increased a cardiovascular event risk. Of those surveyed, 68% would prescribe TTh to a hypogonadal man with severe lower urinary tract symptoms, and 64% would offer TTh to a man with low-risk prostate cancer on active surveillance. Fellowship-trained physicians were more likely to prescribe TTh to a man with hypogonadism but normal serum testosterone (P = .038), but they differed in the types of therapy they would use for men with hypogonadism who wish to preserve or regain fertility. CONCLUSION: Significant variety exists in the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism. The majority of physicians will only prescribe TTh in the setting of subnormal serum testosterone levels, despite the presence of symptoms. None of the surveyed physicians reported concern over the risk of cardiovascular events.

Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum in the treatment of Peyronie's disease: patient selection and perspectives.

The safety and efficacy of the use of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for the treatment of Peyronie's disease has been confirmed over the past several years. However, identification of the ideal patient population for use of this treatment is not well established. Multiple studies have attempted to delineate various patient-specific factors that may predict response to treatment with CCH, with the intent of enhancing patient selection. To date, these include baseline curvature severity, duration of disease, disease phase at presentation, plaque calcification, baseline erectile function, plaque size, age, comorbid diabetes, previous penile trauma, responsiveness to first treatment cycle, baseline penile shortening or pain, prior treatment with intralesional injection, compliance with plaque modeling, and atypical curvature. In addition, other studies have sought to explore various aspects of treatment with CCH that may affect patient perspective of treatment. They have focused on patient-reported outcomes, female partner considerations, cost of treatment, and potential confounders of patient satisfaction. This review provides a summary and analysis of currently available literature on topics of patient selection and perspectives in regard to treatment of Peyronie's disease with CCH.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing in the United States and, because of its strong association with male hypogonadism, has become a significant topic of interest in the sexual medicine community. At the center of this conversation is the efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as a therapeutic option for HG and MetS. AIM: To provide a review of the current literature pertaining to TRT and MetS. METHODS: A thorough literature review was performed to review the relation between TRT and MetS using the PubMed online database from 1976 through 2016 with the keywords testosterone, hypogonadism, metabolic syndrome, and testosterone therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes pertaining to MetS including weight, waist circumference, body mass index, blood glucose control, cholesterol parameters, blood pressure, and quality of life. RESULTS: From the plethora of contrasting literature on the efficacy and safety of TRT, it is increasingly clear that more well-designed studies are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of TRT. Although most of the current literature shows that TRT has the potential to significantly lower the studied outcome variables associated with MetS, several studies provide more mixed results. CONCLUSION: TRT has the potential to alleviate some of the morbidity associated with hypogonadism and MetS. Larger multicenter well-designed studies are needed to better describe and quantify the relation between MetS and TRT. Anaissie J, Roberts NH, Wang P, et al. Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:200-210.

Impact of Number of Cycles of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum on Outcomes in Patients With Peyronie's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the number of cycles of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) intralesional injection therapy on outcomes to further characterize CCH therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the records of all patients treated with CCH for Peyronie disease between April 2014 and March 2016. Collected variables included demographics, pre- and posttreatment sexual function, penile curvature, penile vascular findings, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were included in the study, of which 41 (53%) completed 4 cycles of treatment, consisting of 8 total injections. For all-comers regardless of numbers of cycles, curvature improved from 58.2° (standard deviation = 17.9°, range = 30°-105°) pre-treatment to 41.0° (standard deviation = 17.0°, range = 0°-85°) posttreatment (P < .001). In a repeated measures model, penile curvature improved significantly following the first 3 cycles, but not the fourth. Patients who had a ≥20% final reduction in curvature had a significantly greater change in curvature following the first injection (-16.2° vs -5.8°, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Intralesional CCH therapy is an effective minimally invasive treatment for Peyronie disease, although the therapeutic benefit may decline after the third cycle of treatment. Patients with ≥20% reduction in curvature at the conclusion of treatment documented a greater curvature improvement after the first cycle and received more cycles of CCH.

Left Atrial Enlargement on Transthoracic Echocardiography Predicts Left Atrial Thrombus on Transesophageal Echocardiography in Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Background. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is superior to transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) in detecting left atrial thrombus (LAT), a risk factor for stroke, but is costly and invasive, carrying a higher risk for complications. Aims. To determine the utility of using left atrial enlargement (LAE) on TTE to predict LAT on TEE. Methods. AIS patients who presented in 06/2008-7/2013 and underwent both TTE and TEE were identified from our prospective stroke registry. Analysis consisted of multivariate logistic regression with propensity score adjustment and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) analyses. Results. 219 AIS patients underwent both TTE and TEE. LAE on TTE was detected in 113 (51.6%) of AIS patients. Patients with LAE on TTE had higher proportion of LAT on TEE (8.4% versus 1.0%, p = 0.018). LAE on TTE predicted increased odds of LAT on TEE (OR = 8.83, 95% CI 1.04-74.83, p = 0.046). The sensitivity and specificity for LAT on TEE by LAE on TEE were 88.89% and 52.20%, respectively (AUC = 0.7054, 95% CI 0.5906-0.8202). Conclusions. LAE on TTE can predict LAT detected on TEE in nearly 90% of patients. This demonstrates the utility of LAE on TTE as a potential screening tool for LAT, potentially limiting unneeded costs and complications associated with TEE.

Current Perspectives on Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder that affects the lives of millions of male patients and their partners. Various medical and surgical therapies exist, with the most common being oral intake of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. One therapeutic strategy in preclinical development to treat ED is stem cell transplantation. AIM: To examine the studies that have investigated stem cells for the treatment of ED. METHODS: A literature review was performed through PubMed focusing on stem cells and ED. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An assessment of different types of stem cells and how they may be applied therapeutically in the treatment of ED. RESULTS: The stem cell types that have been investigated for the treatment of ED include bone marrow-derived mesenchymal, adipose-derived, muscle-derived, testes, urine-derived, neural crest, and endothelial progenitor. Depending on the cell type, research has demonstrated that with transplantation, stem cells exert a paracrine effect on penile tissue, and can differentiate into smooth muscle, endothelium, and neurons. CONCLUSION: Multiple stem cell lines are currently being studied for their potential to treat ED. To date, stem cells have proven safe and effective in both animal and human models of ED. More research is needed to understand their full therapeutic potential.

Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for the Treatment of Peyronie's Disease: A 'Real World' Clinical Perspective.

The introduction of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) as a treatment option for Peyronie's disease (PD), defined as the abnormal formation of collagen on the tunica albuginea of the penis, has provided patients with a promising new conservative therapy. Studies have shown that CCH improves curvature by an average of 17°, and although patient and sexual partner satisfaction is high, the improvement has arguable clinical implications. Similarly, the efficacy and cost of CCH contrasts strongly with more invasive surgical management, and is further limited by rare, but serious, complications and several contraindications. The future of CCH involves well-designed trials analyzing the effects of CCH on patients who are currently not indicated for therapy, and the optimal amount of treatment for the most efficient treatment possible. CCH provides a promising treatment option for patients who do not desire invasive management, but need further trials to fully elucidate its treatment implications.

Surgery is not indicated for the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is considered the most common male sexual disorder, affecting up to 75% of men at some point in their lives. While medical management is the mainstay of therapy, surgical options such as dorsal nerve neurectomy (DNN), hyaluronic acid (HA) gel glans penis augmentation, and circumcision have been studied as alternative forms of treatment. Preliminary studies have suggested that DNN and HA gel glans penis augmentation are relatively safe and effective, but due to a lack of large, multicenter, randomized-control trials with long-term follow-up, the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) has been unable to endorse DNN or HA gel glans penis augmentation as options in the treatment of PE. Conflicting data regarding the efficacy and safety of circumcision has similarly led to its exclusion from ISSM recommendations for the treatment of PE. Ethical concerns, particularly the fundamental concept of non-maleficence, are also barriers to the implementation of surgery for PE.

Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Wake-Up Stroke: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

GOAL: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the treatment of wake-up stroke (WUS) using propensity score (PS) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients meeting inclusion criteria were retrospectively identified from our stroke registry between July 2008 and May 2014, and classified as stroke onset less than or equal to 4.5 hours treated with tPA (control; n = 369), tPA-treated WUS (n = 46), or nontreated WUS (n = 154). The primary outcome of interest for safety was symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), defined as parenchymal hemorrhage associated with a greater than or equal to 4-point increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for confounders and PS for receiving IV tPA assessed outcomes, along with PS-matched average treatment effect on the treated (ATT). FINDINGS: No significant difference was found in rates of sICH between tPA-treated WUS, nontreated WUS, and controls (2.2%, .7%, and 3%, respectively), or in the odds of sICH between tPA-treated WUS and controls (OR = .53, 95% CI = .06-4.60, P = .568). Among WUS patients, tPA treatment was significantly associated with higher odds of good functional outcome in fully adjusted analyses (OR = 7.22, 95% CI = 2.28-22.88, P = .001). The ATT of tPA for WUS patients demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in NIHSS score at discharge when compared to nontreated WUS patients (-4.32 versus -.34, P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Comparable rates of sICH between treated WUS and stroke onset less than or equal to 4.5 hours treated with tPA suggest that tPA may be safely used to treat WUS. Superior outcomes for tPA-treated versus nontreated WUS subjects may suggest clinical efficacy of the treatment.

Clinical use of alprostadil topical cream in patients with erectile dysfunction: a review.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common and debilitating disorder seen in over 50% of men older than 70 years. Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment for ED, but cannot be used by a significant subset of patients due to systemic side effects and drug-drug interactions. Second-line therapy may include intracavernosal therapies, but are associated with poor compliance due to their invasive nature. Alprostadil has a mechanism of action different from that of PDE5 inhibitors. Clinical trials have shown topical alprostadil cream to be effective, increasing the erectile function (EF) score of the International Index of EF by up to 13 points from baseline. It has also proven to be safe and well tolerated, with mild-to-moderate and transient treatment-related adverse events that are generally localized to the application site. Topical alprostadil cream is a safe and effective second-line therapy for ED, indicated for those who cannot tolerate, or are not satisfied with, oral PDE5 inhibitor therapy.