Retzius-sparing vs. posterior urethral suspension: similar early-phase post-robotic radical prostatectomy continence outcomes.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a risk of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RP) which can be a frustrating problem for both surgeons and patients. We aim to compare short-term continence outcomes between patients undergoing Retzius Sparing RP (RS-RP) and those undergoing standard RP with the inclusion of a PUS suture technique and suprapubic tube (PUS-RP). A retrospective review of 105 consecutive patients who underwent RP was performed, comparing patients who underwent RS-RP and PUS-RP. Our main outcome was pad usage as a surrogate for SUI. Patients were evaluated 4 weeks following RP and again at approximately 3 months. Continence was defined as no pad usage or up to one safety pad per day. Risk factors associated with not being continent were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. In our cohort, 52 patients underwent RS-RP and 53 patients underwent PUS-RP. The two groups had similar patient demographics. Although not statistically significant, there was a higher rate of a positive surgical margin in the RS-RP compared to PUS-RP (25% vs 15%, p = 0.204). At one month follow-up for PUS-RP and RS-RP, there was no significant difference in the frequency of continent men (69.2% vs. 76.9%, p = 0.302). At 3-month follow-up for the two groups of patients, again, there was no significant difference in the frequency of continence for PUS-RP and RS-RP (86.2% vs 88%, p = 0.824). Patients who underwent RS-RP had similar rates of continence to those patients undergoing PUS-RP in the short-term post-operative period.

Patient-Reported Outcomes for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Extravascular Renal Vein Stent Placements for Nutcracker Syndrome.

Introduction: Nutcracker phenomenon is the compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the abdominal aorta. Nutcracker syndrome refers to the presence of nutcracker phenomenon with symptoms. Between 2016 and 2022, we performed 18 robot-assisted laparoscopic extravascular renal vein stent (RALERVS) placements. We sought to assess patient-reported outcomes of RALERVS placement by a single institution. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective review of 18 patients with a minimum of 3 months follow-up. Symptoms were assessed utilizing a questionnaire conducted with a 5-point Likert scale at a minimum of 3 months postoperatively. Five on the Likert scale was severe while 1 was none. Primary study outcomes compared pre- and postoperative patient-reported symptom scores. Results: Twelve out of 18 patients responded to the survey. The average length of time from date of operation to completion of survey was 2.6 years. Average age of the cohort was 36 years with a mean BMI of 19.4 kg/m2. There was only one man. Mean operative time was 137 minutes and mean estimated blood loss was 12 mL. Mean preoperative SMA angle was 19° and mean postoperative SMA angle was 36°. Patients reported that flank pain, abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, back pain, pelvic pain, and early satiety improved (p < 0.05). Ten of 12 respondents would recommend RALERVS for nutcracker syndrome. Conclusion: RALERVS demonstrates an effective treatment for nutcracker syndrome. Patients reported improved symptoms at 3 months postoperatively across multiple domains. Further studies need to be conducted to assess long-term durability of the extravascular renal vein graft.

Predictors of urinary outcomes following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Introduction: Incontinence and urgency are common after prostatectomy. The University of Virginia prostatectomy functional outcomes program (PFOP) was developed to comprehensively assess and optimise continence outcomes following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Patients are prospectively evaluated by a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery specialist. This study assessed for predictors of 3- and 6-month stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency symptom outcomes following RALP. Methods: We performed a post hoc review of patients from our PFOP receiving a minimum of 6-month follow-up. Urinary symptoms are prospectively assessed using the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) questionnaire and daily pad use (pads per day [PPD]). Primary study outcomes included ICIQ-MLUTS SUI and urgency domain scores and PPD. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify variables associated with outcomes at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Variables included patient, oncologic and surgical factors. Each variable was run in a separate model with pelvic floor muscle therapy and surgeon to reduce confounding and prevent overfitting. Results: Forty men were included. In assessment of ICIQ-MLUTS SUI domain score, at 3 months, body mass index (BMI) was associated with worse scores, and at 6 months, BMI, hypertension and estimated blood loss (EBL) were associated with worse scores, whereas bilateral nerve-sparing technique was associated with better scores. For ICIQ-MLUTS Urgency domain score, at 3 months, preoperative use of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medication was associated with better scores. No covariates predicted 6-month ICIQ-MLUTS Urgency domain scores. For PPD use, at both 3 and 6 months, BMI was a positive predictor, while preoperative use of BPH medication was a negative predictor. Conclusion: Increased BMI, EBL and hypertension are associated with worsened SUI outcomes following RALP, whereas bilateral nerve-sparing technique and preoperative BPH medication are associated with improved SUI outcomes. These data may inform patient counselling and help identify patients who may benefit from closer surveillance and earlier anti-incontinence intervention.

Comparison of In-person FPMRS-directed Pelvic Floor Therapy Program Versus Unsupervised Pelvic Floor Exercises Following Prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare comprehensive continence outcomes in patients receiving pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) vs standard unsupervised home pelvic floor exercise therapy (UPFE). METHODS: As part of the UVA prostatectomy functional outcomes program, participating patients complete a 12-month PFMT program under FPMRS specialist supervision. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected longitudinal outcomes in patients receiving PFMT vs UPFE through 12-month follow-up. Primary study outcome was ICIQ-MLUTS SUI domain score (SDS). Secondary outcomes included daily pad use (PPD), SUI Cure (SDS=0), and quality of life score (IIQ-7). Multilevel mixed effects linear regression was used to model SDS over time. RESULTS: Analysis included 40 men. No difference in patient characteristics was seen in comparison of PFMT vs UPFE cohorts (P = NS, all comparisons). Mean predicted SDS was significantly better in the PFMT vs UPFE cohorts at 6-month (0.81 ± 0.21 vs 1.75 ± 0.34, respectively) (P = .014) and 12-month (0.72 ± 0.17 vs 1.67 ± 0.30, respectively) (P = .004) time points. At 12-month follow-up, 11 (55%) vs 4 (20%) patients reported absence of SUI in PFMT vs UPFE cohorts, respectively. Predicted probabilities of SUI cure in PFMT vs UPFE cohorts at 12months were 0.52 ± 0.14 vs 0.23 ± 0.13, respectively (P = .14). At 12-month follow-up, the mean predicted PPD and IIQ score was 0.19 ± 0.10 vs 0.79 ± 0.33 and 2.86 ± 0.86 vs 2.55 ± 1.07 in PFMT vs UPFE cohorts, respectively (P = NS). CONCLUSION: In-person, FMPRS-directed PFMT is associated with improved SUI domain scores following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, a finding durable through 12-month follow-up.

Longitudinal urgency outcomes following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a well-known adverse outcome following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Although postoperative SUI has been extensively studied, little focus has been placed on understanding the natural history and impact of urgency symptoms following RALP. The UVA prostatectomy functional outcomes program (PFOP) was developed to comprehensively assess and optimize continence outcomes following RALP. The present study focuses on assessing urgency outcomes in this cohort. METHODS: PFOP patients with a minimum of 6-months follow up following RALP were included. The PFOP includes prospectively assessed incontinence and quality of life outcomes utilizing ICIQ-MLUTS, Urgency Perception Score (UPS), and IIQ-7 questionnaires. The primary study outcome was urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) as determined by ICIQ-MLUTS UUI domain. Secondary outcomes included urgency (UPS score) and quality of life (IIQ-7). RESULTS: Forty patients were included with median age 63.5 years. Fourteen (35%) patients reported UUI at baseline. UUI and QOL scores worsened compared to baseline at all time-points. Urgency worsened at 3-weeks and 3-months but returned to baseline by 6-months. Notably, 63% of patients without baseline UUI reported de-novo UUI at 6 months. Although QOL was lower in patients with versus without UUI (IIQ-7 score 3.0 vs 0.0, p = 0.009), severity of UUI was not associated with QOL when controlling for SUI severity. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate significantly worsened UUI from baseline and a large incidence of de-novo UUI following RALP. Further study is needed to inform how urgency and UUI and its treatment affect health-related quality of life following RALP.

Complex Foley Catheter Placement After Radical Prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a method for replacement of a dislodged critical urethral foley catheter following a robotic- assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. BACKGROUND: Following robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), a bladder drainage via catheter is necessary to allow for proper healing of the urethrovesical anastomosis. In most cases, this is done using a transurethral foley catheter.1,2 Early traumatic loss of the urethral catheter following RALP is consider a urologic emergency and can lead to vesicourethral anastomotic urine leak, ileus, infection or abscess, and future anastomotic stenosis.3 Replacing the urethral catheter in this situation can be difficult even in experienced hands and often requires imaging assistance. METHOD: A 53-year-old male with Grade Group 4 (Gleason 4 + 4) prostate cancer underwent an uncomplicated RALP. During his post-operative course, his urethral foley catheter fell out or was traumatically removed three times resulting in disruption of the posterior anastomosis. To replace the urethral catheter and prevent it from being dislodged again, a transabdominal approach under ultrasound and cystoscopic guidance was employed to replace the catheter into the bladder and secure it trans abdominally using a single G-tube safety Pexy T fastener. CONCLUSION: This case reports describes a technique used to replace and secure a urethral foley catheter in a patient who suffered from a posterior anastomotic disruption following repeated loss and traumatic removal of his urethral foley catheter during his RALP post-operative course. While replacement of a dislodged urethral foley catheter following a RALP can be challenging, the catheter can safely be placed and secured trans abdominally in these rare but serious situations where the conventional catheter secure devices and patient education alone are not sufficient to prevent removal.

Suburothelial Hematomas Masquerading as Neoplasms in a Patient with Supra-Therapeutic INR.

Suburothelial hemorrhages (Antopol-Goldman lesions) are a rare but important condition. When unsuspected in a patient with a bleeding diathesis on anticoagulation therapy, computed tomography may lead to incorrect diagnoses of renal or transitional cell carcinoma resulting in inappropriate nephrectomy. We present a patient with supratherapeutic international normalized ratio and thigh hematoma who was found to have nonenhancing solid lesions of the bilateral renal pelves consistent with suburothelial hemorrhage. The patient's INR was controlled, and he was discharged with hematology follow-up 4 weeks later.

Erdheim-Chester Disease Presenting as a Solid Renal Mass.

Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare, systemic histiocytic disorder, usually presenting due to bone manifestations. The most commonly seen urologic manifestation is retroperitoneal fibrosis, leading to ureteral obstruction. We describe a patient with a solid right renal mass, initially concerning for renal cell carcinoma, in addition to diffuse retroperitoneal fibrosis and a chronically obstructed left kidney. The renal mass and retroperitoneal fibrosis are thought to be caused by Erdheim-Chester disease based on imaging findings and biopsy results.

Case Report: Delayed presentation of penile epidermoid cyst following reconstruction for Peyronie's disease.

Penile masses are a concerning finding for both patient and clinician upon initial presentation. There is a wide differential for penile masses from the benign (fibrous plaques, cysts, ulcerative lesions, benign penile pearly papules, etc.) to more concerning malignant lesions. A proper history and physical is the first step to determining the etiology of the mass and any future clinical interventions. In this paper, we review a case of a 73-year-old male who is found to have an enlarging mass during work-up for possible placement of inflatable penile prosthesis. Fortunately, the mass was determined to be a benign epidermoid cyst presenting thirty years after reconstruction for Peyronie's disease using dermal penile skin graft. With this unique presentation we review the scant literature on penile mass formation following Peyronie's repair.