Ureterorenoscopic stone removal without antibiotic prophylaxis.

Purpose To assess the feasibility of sparing routine antibiotic prophylaxis in patients without preoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) undergoing a ureterorenoscopy (URS) for stone removal. Patients and Methods A retrospective, monocentric study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of a modified perioperative antibiotic management strategy according to the principles of antibiotic stewardship (ABS). Patients with preoperative unremarkable urine culture received no antibiotic prophylaxis for ureterorenoscopic stone removal (NoPAP). The NoPAP group was compared to a historic URS cohort, when antibiotic prophylaxis was standard of care. Analysis focused on postoperative complications. Results Postoperative fever occurred in 1% of the NoPAP and 2% of the PAP patients (p= 0.589). Clavien 1-3 complications did not differ between groups with 9% in the NoPAP and 6.2% in the PAP (p= 0.159). No Clavien 4-5 complications were seen. We identified a residual stone (p=0.033) and an ASA-Score 3-4 (p=0.004) as significant risk factors for postoperative fever. By sparing routine antibiotic prophylaxis the overall antibiotic usage was reduced from 100% (PAP) to 8.3% (NoPAP). Conclusion Sparing a routine antibiotic prophylaxis during URS for stone removal seems feasible in patients with unremarkable preoperative urine culture for most of the patients. A prospective validation is warranted.

Ureteroplasty with buccal mucosa graft without omental wrap: an effective method to treat ureteral strictures.

PURPOSE: Successful treatment options for ureteral strictures are limited. Surgical options such as ileal interposition and kidney autotransplantation are difficult and associated with morbidity and complications. Techniques such as Boari flap and psoas hitch are limited to distal strictures. Only limited case studies on the success of open buccal mucosa graft (BMG) ureteroplasty exist to this date. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of open BMG ureteroplasty without omental wrap. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study between July 2020 and January 2023, we included 14 consecutive patients with ureteric strictures who were treated with open BMG ureteroplasty without omental wrap. The primary outcome was the success of open BMG ureteroplasty. Further endpoints were complications and hospital readmission. Outcome variables were assessed by clinical examination, kidney sonography, and patient anamnesis. RESULTS: Out of 14 patients, 13 were stricture and ectasia-free without a double-J stent at a median follow-up of 15 months (success rate 93%). No complications were observed at the donor site, and the complication rate overall was low with 3 out of 14 patients (21%) having mild-to-medium complications. CONCLUSIONS: Open BMG ureteroplasty without omental wrap is a successful and feasible technique for ureteric stricture repair.

A novel grading approach predicts worse outcomes in stage pT1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a prognostically relevant scoring system for stage pT1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) incorporating tumour budding, growth pattern and invasion pattern because the World Health Organisation grading system shows limited prognostic value in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tissue specimens and clinical data of 113 patients with stage pT1 NMIBC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour were retrospectively investigated. Tumour budding, and growth and invasion patterns were evaluated and categorised into two grade groups (GGs). GGs and other clinical and histopathological variables were investigated regarding recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The integration of two tumour budding groups, two growth patterns, and two invasion patterns yielded an unfavourable GG (n = 28; 24.7%) that had a high impact on oncological outcomes. The unfavourable GG was identified as an independent RFS and OS predictor (P = 0.004 and P = 0.046, respectively) and linked to worse PFS (P = 0.001) and CSS (P = 0.001), irrespective of the European Association of Urology risk group. The unfavourable GG was associated with higher rates of BCG-unresponsive tumours (P = 0.006). Study limitations include the retrospective, single-centre design, diverse therapies and small cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We present a morphology-based grading system for stage pT1 NMIBC that correlates with disease aggressiveness and oncological patient outcomes. It therefore identifies a highest risk group of stage pT1 NMIBC patients, who should be followed up more intensively or receive immediate radical cystectomy. The grading incorporates objective variables assessable on haematoxylin and eosin slides and immunohistochemistry, enabling an easy-to-use low-cost approach that is applicable in daily routine. Further studies are needed to validate and confirm these results.

Risk factors for bladder neck contracture after transurethral resection of the prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most frequently used treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia with a prostate volume of <80 mL. A long-term complication is bladder neck contracture (BNC). The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for BNC formation after TURP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all TURP primary procedures which were performed at one academic institution between 2013 and 2018. All patients were analyzed and compared with regard to postoperative formation of a BNC requiring further therapy. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVAs) were performed to identify possible risk factors for BNC development. RESULTS: We included 1368 patients in this analysis. Out of these, 88 patients (6.4%) developed BNC requiring further surgical therapy. The following factors showed a statistically significant association with BNC development: smaller preoperative prostate volume (p = 0.001), lower resected prostate weight (p = 0.004), lower preoperative levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA, p < 0.001), shorter duration of the surgery (p = 0.027), secondary transurethral intervention (due to urinary retention or gross hematuria) during inpatient stay (p = 0.018), positive (≥100 CFU/mL) preoperative urine culture (p = 0.010), and urethral stricture (US) formation requiring direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) postoperatively after TURP (p < 0.001), in particular membranous (p = 0.046) and bulbar (p < 0.001) strictures. Preoperative antibiotic treatment showed a protective effect (p = 0.042). Histopathological findings of prostate cancer (PCA) in the resected prostate tissue were more frequent among patients who did not develop BNC (p = 0.049). On MVA, smaller preoperative prostate volume (p = 0.046), positive preoperative urine culture (p = 0.021), and US requiring DVIU after TURP (p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors for BNC development. CONCLUSION: BNC is a relevant long-term complication after TURP. In particular, patients with a smaller prostate should be thoroughly informed about this complication.

Onlay Pedicled Transverse Skin Flap versus One-Stage Inlay Buccal Mucosal Graft in Penile Urethroplasty: A Prospective Matched-Pair Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare urethroplasty using onlay pedicled transverse skin flap (PSF) versus one-stage inlay buccal mucosa graft (BMG) in repair of penile urethral strictures. METHODS: We conducted a prospective matched-pair analysis of 44 male patients receiving penile urethroplasty between June 2016 and June 2019. There were 22 patients who received PSF and 22 patients who received BMG. Matching was performed according to stricture length. Patients with strictures caused by lichen sclerosus, prior hypospadias repair, or failed prior urethroplasty were excluded. Treatment was considered successful if no recurrence was observed. Successful repair, complication rates, patients' satisfaction, and quality of life improvement were endpoints of this study. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 40.3 months. PSF and BMG showed comparable success rates (90.9% vs. 86.4%, p = 0.713). Recurrent stricture occurred in 2 patients (9.1%) who received PSF and in 3 patients (13.6%) who received BMG. Operation time was significantly longer for PSF than for BMG (108.4 min vs. 78.1 min, p = 0.01). Univariable logistic regression analysis revealed no relevant risk factors for stricture recurrence. CONCLUSION: Early results indicate comparable success rates of PSF and BMG in penile urethroplasty. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to evaluate subtle differences between both techniques.

Early Revision after Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation Does Not Impair the Long-Term Treatment Success.

INTRODUCTION: After implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) due to stress urinary incontinence, in some cases revision procedures may be necessary. This is mostly due to device infection or cuff erosion in the long term. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of early revision procedures (prior to or immediately after AUS activation) on the long-term outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent primary AUS implantation between 2006 and 2019. Patients with previous radiotherapy, urethroplasty, urethral stent placement, or repeat AUS implantation were excluded. Early revision was defined as prior to or immediately after AUS activation and comprised pump repositioning or cuff size adaptation due to difficulties in using the pump, persistent urinary incontinence, or urinary retention. Patients were compared with regard to complication rates, functional outcome, and patient satisfaction. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze risk factors for early AUS revision. Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated explantation-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included. Twenty patients (8%) required early revision (pump repositioning in 15 cases [75%], cuff downsizing in 3 cases [15%], and cuff upsizing in 2 cases [10%]). Mean follow-up was 78.6 months. 96.4% of all patients were objectively continent at the time of last follow-up without differences between both groups, and patient satisfaction was high in both groups. No differences with regard to mechanical implant failure, tissue atrophy, and AUS explantation due to cuff erosion or implant infection were observed. Explantation-free survival was comparable in both groups. On univariable logistic regression analysis, coronary artery disease and transcorporal cuff placement were associated with early AUS revision. CONCLUSION: Early revision after AUS implantation can be performed without negative impact on the long-term outcome.

High BMI, Aggressive Tumours and Long Console Time Are Independent Predictive Factors for Symptomatic Lymphocele Formation after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphocele (LC) formation is a common complication which may cause severe symptoms after robot-assisted radical prostatovesiculectomy (RARP) with concomitant pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). Compared to open radical prostatectomy, the amount of data on potential risk factors for LC formation is still limited. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for symptomatic LC formation (sLC) after RARP with PLND. METHODS: We used the data of a prospective multicentre series of 232 RARP patients which were treated between March 2017 and December 2017. The primary endpoint was the presence of sLC within 90 days. Asymptomatic LC (aLC) formation was also recorded. We evaluated clinical, perioperative, and histopathological criteria and compared their distribution in patients with and without post-operative sLC. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVAs) were performed to identify potential predictors for LC formation. Regarding the influence of patients' BMI, 2 models were calculated: BMI continuously (model 1) and BMI dichotomized with cut-off 30 kg/m2 (WHO definition, model 2). RESULTS: Post-operative sLC was present in 21 patients (9.1%), while aLC was detected in 49 patients (21.1%) 90 days after RARP with PLND. Patients with sLC showed higher median baseline PSA levels (9.8 vs. 8.1 ng/mL), higher prevalence of obesity (BMI >30; 42.9 vs. 19.9%), and longer median console time (180 vs. 165 min) compared to patients without sLC. On MVA higher BMI {model 1: OR 1.145 (confidence interval [CI] 1.025-1.278); model 2: OR 2.761 (1.045-7.296)}, longer console time (model 1: OR 1.013 [1.005-1.021]; model 2: OR 1.013 [1.005-1.020]) and an ISUP grade ≥3 (model 1: OR 3.247 [1.182-8.917]; model 2: OR 2.791 [1.050-7.423]) were identified as independent predictors for sLC development. CONCLUSION: Patients with aggressive tumours and higher BMI should be informed about a potentially increased risk for sLC formation. In case of a long console time, a close and regular follow-up should be considered to check for LC development.

Epidemiology and therapy of symptomatic lymphoceles after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

BACKGROUND: Lymphoceles are a common postoperative complication after radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Therapeutic options include cannulation and drainage (CD), drainage and instillation (DI), or laparoscopic fenestration (LF). The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of symptomatic lymphoceles (SLC) and evaluate the treatment options. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our clinic from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. All documented lymphoceles of these patients were recorded and analysed with regard to symptoms, possible infection and the treatment option (or options) chosen. RESULTS: We were able to include all 1,029 patients who underwent RARP in the aforementioned period of time. Of these, 18.1% were diagnosed with a lymphocele either when discharged or when readmitted and 6.9% experienced an SLC requiring treatment. Thirteen-point-seven percent of patients readmitted with SLC showed an accompanying thrombosis. Due to recurring or bilateral SLCs receiving different treatment options for each side, there was a total of 115 SLCs treated. CD was carried out in 102 cases. Twenty-point-six percent of patients were sufficiently treated this way, the rest required further treatment or experienced recurrences not requiring further treatment. DI was carried out in 56 cases. Of those patients, 46.4% were sufficiently treated. LF was carried out in 54 cases (either after CD, or after DI, or primarily). Of those patients, 98.1% were treated sufficiently. LF had a statistically significant higher success rate compared to CD and DI (P<0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the significance of SLC as a common complication after RARP. LF turned out to be the most effective treatment option for SLC, while CD as well as DI have not been proven effective.

Obesity leads to a higher rate of positive surgical margins in the context of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Results of a prospective multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Current results concerning the effect of body mass index (BMI) on positive surgical margins (PSMs) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients with localized prostate cancer are inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further analyse the association between BMI and PSMs after RARP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2017 and December 2017 a multicentre, prospective, randomised, single-blind series with a blinded outcome assessment of 232 RARP patients was performed. Multivariate logistical regression models were used to analyse the independent effect of obesity, with body-mass-index (BMI) dichotomised at 30 kg/m2 (model-1) and at 90th percentile (model-2), on PSMs. RESULTS: Median BMI was 27.2 kg/m2, PSMs were found in 15.5% (n = 36). In multivariate model-1, obesity did not have a significant effect on PSMs (OR 2.34, p = 0.061). However, if BMI was dichotomized at the 90th percentile (BMI ≥33.7 kg/m²), patients with a higher BMI showed PSMs four-times more frequently (OR 3.99, p = 0.013). In both models, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and pathological tumour stage had a significant effect on PSMs. There was no significant correlation between BMI and the extent of PSMs, nor a significant difference between the BMI groups and the localisation of PSMs. There was a higher percentage of posteriolateral PSM localisation in obese patients compared to patients with a BMI of less than 30 kg/m2 (58.3% and 25.3% of the localisations were posterolateral in obese and non-obese patients, respectively), however this effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.175). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to a longer operation time and about twice as many complications, patients with a BMI of ≥33.7 kg/m² had a higher PSM rate after RARP. Differences in localization of PSMs in relation to obesity should be evaluated in future research.