Urological outcome with the use of salvage continent vesicostomy in pediatric reconstructive surgery. A single tertiary center experience.

PURPOSE: To report our experience and results in terms of complications, reoperation rate and urinary continence with the Salvage Continent Vesicostomy (SCV) technique in pediatric patients with history or need of enterocystoplasty and absent appendix. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with a history of a continent catheterizable channel surgery performed in our institution between June 2016 and January 2022. Only patients with a SCV surgery with a minimum 6-month post operative follow up were included in this cohort and divided in group 1 (history of previous bladder augmentation) and group 2 (simultaneous bladder augmentation and SCV). Primary outcome of the study was to assess both continence and postoperative complication rates. Early complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification (I-V). Late complications were focused on the need of further subfascial revision. RESULTS: 84 patients with a history of a continent stoma creation surgery were identified. In 20 of them (12 males) a SCV was performed. The mean age at surgery was 10.38 (range 4.87-15.6) years and the median postoperative follow-up time was 32 (range 6-64) months. Eleven patients were included in Group 1, while 9 patients in Group 2. Early complications occurred in 4 patients (20%), two of them required a re-intervention (Clavien-Dindo IIIb). Stoma subfascial revision was further required in 2 patient (10%). Continence rate at last follow up was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: In our early experience, the salvage continent vesicostomy has proven to be a simple continent stoma technique with acceptable both continence and complication rates that can be used in selected patients with a history or need of bladder augmentation and absent appendix.

Which classification system defines best prognosis of mucinous neoplasms of the appendix with peritoneal dissemination: TNM vs PSOGI?

AIMS: Several classification systems are used for pseudomyxoma peritonei. The four-tiered classification system proposed by Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) and the two-tiered proposed by the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) result from evolution in terminology and pathological insight. The aim is to evaluate the impact of PSOGI and eighth edition of the AJCC classifications on survival. METHODS: Pathological slides were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database including patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with peritoneal dissemination between January 2009 and December 2019. Patients were reclassified according to PSOGI and AJCC eighth edition criteria. Survival analysis evaluated the impact of each classification system on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) while the concordance-index evaluated their predictive power. RESULTS: 95 patients were identified; 21.1% were reclassified as acellular mucin, 55.8% as low-grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei, 8.4% as high-grade MCP (HGMCP) and 14 as HGMCP with signet ring cells. Median OS was not reached, 5-year OS and DFS were 86.1% and 51.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations with OS (PSOGI: HR 10.2, p=0.039; AJCC: HR 7.7, p=0.002) and DFS (PSOGI: HR 12.7, p=0.001; AJCC: HR 3.7, p<0.001). The predictive capacity of both classification systems was unacceptable for OS and DFS (concordance-index values <0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Both classification systems behaved similarly when stratifying our series into prognostic groups. The PSOGI classification provides better histopathological description, but histology alone is insufficient for adequate patient prognostication.

Nephro-urological outcomes of a proactive management of children with spina bifida in their first 5 Years of life.

INTRODUCTION: The proactive management of spina bifida (SB), especially of its severe form, myelomeningocele (MMC), has contributed to decreasing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study is to present the evolution of 5-year-old patient with MMC followed from birth with a proactive approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 55 cases with MMC of up to 5 years of age. All of them were admitted at birth and followed by a multidisciplinary group, with a proactive approach: CIC and anticholinergics. In the same group, the variables were compared within the first year and the within the fifth year of life. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined by: alterations on renal DMSA scintigraphy; alterations in microalbuminuria/creatininuria ratio, proteinuria 24 hs and decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated with Schwartz bedside equation. RESULTS: Although overactivity, UTI and VUR decreased throughout the first 5 years (49, 9 and 12%), reduced cystometric capacity, DLPP >40 cm of water and end-filling pressure (Pdet) >20 cm of water increased (41, 27 and 61%). All patients at 5 years of age required CIC. Reduced cystometric capacity and VUR were more significant with abnormal DMSA (36%) at 5 years old ( p: 0.03). Proteinuria and CKD increased to 25% and 49%. Similarly, the need for enalapril increased from 10% to 27%. The microalbuminuria/creatininuria ratio was pathological in 27.3%. 48 patients (87%) remained unchanged on DMSA scan and the other 7 underwent modifications (4 new cases with altered DMSA) over time. Of the 32 normal DMSA cases without changes, 81% did not present proteinuria and 88% continued to respond favorably to oxybutynin. GFR <90 ml/min/1.72m 2 was found in only 3 cases with abnormal DMSA. There was a RR 1.91 (IC95% 1.15-3.16) greater of renal compromise in cases that were anticholinergic-resistant compared to non-refractory cases. DISCUSSION: Over time, some patients suffered loss of bladder wall compliance, despite the proactive approach. There is an association between abnormal renal DMSA, reduced bladder capacity, and VUR at 5 years of age. Although proteinuria, CKD and enalapril requirement increased over 5 years, almost 90% did not show changes in renal DMSA status. CONCLUSIONS: Over time, some patients suffered loss of bladder wall compliance. Hence, even if a proactive approach is followed since birth, it is essential to continue with the ongoing monitoring of the renal status and thus avoid greater renal deterioration.

Bladder Volume Assessment in Pediatric Patients With Neurogenic Bladder: Is Ultrasound an Accurate Method?

OBJECTIVE: To define the accuracy of ultrasound to determine bladder volume in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder (NB). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of children with NB in treatment with urethral clean intermittent catheterization. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: bladder surgeries, and catheterization through a channel different than urethra. Bladder volume was measured with ultrasound using the formula: anteroposterior bladder diameter by side to side diameter by distance from dome to outlet tract by 0.523 (cm3). In the same act, the patient was performed urethral catheterization and the drained volume was measured in millimeters. Finally, postvoid residual volume (PVR) was assessed with ultrasound. RESULTS: We performed 318 measurements in 299 patients, mean age was 9.95 years (standard deviation: 4.6), 59% were female. Most frequent etiologies of NB were myelomeningocele and lipomyelomeningocele. Mean ultrasound-determined bladder volume was 213.9cm3 (range: 20-899 cm3) and mean bladder volume drain through catheterization was 336.4 mL (range: 30-1480 mL; P : .0001). In 67.3% of the patients (n: 214) PVR was not significant, and their mean ultrasound volume was 212.7 mL and the volume evacuated by catheterization was 339.9 mL (P : .0001). In all age groups ultrasound-determined bladder volume was statistically lower than catheterized bladder volume (P : .0001). The mean percentage error of the ultrasound-determined bladder volume was 15.58% ± 44.09. Linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot showed low agreement between both measurement techniques. CONCLUSION: In children with NB, ultrasound-determined bladder volume was statistically lower than catheterized bladder volume measured at the same moment, and this relation persisted regardless of sex, age, and the presence of PVR.

Long-term urological assessment and management of cloaca patients: A single tertiary institution experience.

PURPOSE: Preserving renal function and achieving urinary continence are the most important urological goals in the management of cloaca patients. Many prognostic factors have been described, such as the length of the common channel (CC) and urethra, the presence of spinal dysraphism, and associated urological anomalies. The aim of this study was to analyze urinary continence status and need for reconstructive procedures and their correlation with urological risk factors in a series with a long-term follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The institutional database of patients with anorectal malformations was reviewed. Patients with cloaca who underwent cloacal reconstructive surgery at our institution between January 1995 and May 2015 and who had a minimum postoperative follow-up of 5 years with complete urological care were included. Urologic and spinal anomalies, length of the CC, renal function, urodynamic study patterns, continence status, and urologic reconstructive surgeries were assessed. A CC was defined as long CC when its measure was longer than 3 cm in the cloacogram and then confirmed by cystoscopy. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five cloaca patients with a mean follow-up of 12 years (5-20) were included. A long CC was documented in 38 patients (69%). The sacral ratio (SR) was <0.4 in the AP projection in 30 (54.5%). Urodynamic evaluation revealed an inadequate detrusor contraction pattern in 65.4% of the cases. A CC >3 cm and SR <0.4 were significantly correlated with this urodynamic finding. A total of 50 patients (91%) achieved urinary continence, but only 30.9% had volitional voiding and 56% needed major urological reconstructive surgeries. Eighteen patients (32.7%) were in stage 2 or more of chronic kidney disease (<90 ml/min/1.73 m2) at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: Cloacal management requires a multidisciplinary and long-term follow-up. Early assessment of prognostic urological factors and accurate stratification of each patient are essential to avoid renal impairment and achieve urinary continence in the future. The length of the common channel and the presence of spinal dysraphism were correlated with the presence of neurovesical dysfunction specifically an abnormal bladder contraction efficiency. A significant number of these patients will need catheterization and reconstructive urinary tract surgeries to attain urinary continence. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. Retrospective comparative study.

Pediatric Urodynamic Study Without a Preprocedural Urine Culture, Is It Safe in Clinical Practice?

OBJECTIVE: To prove that incidence of UTI after a pediatric urodynamic study (UDS) is low, and that patients without urine culture (UC) analysis prior to a UDS will not have a significant increase in the incidence of UTI (post-UDS UTI). METHODS: Prospective cohort study including consecutive pediatric patients undergoing UDS in a single center for 1 year. Patients were divided in 2 groups: (G1) UDS with a previous negative UC and (G2) UDS without a previous UC analysis. A clean UC was obtained in all patients at the moment of the UDS (UDS-UC). Primary outcome was post-UDS UTI. Secondary outcome was to compare UC cost per patient and cancellation rates in each group. All patients were followed 15 days after the UDS to detect onset of UTI symptoms. RESULTS: Four hundred two patients were included, 198 patients in G1 and 204 patients in G2. Median age was 9 years old. Both groups were similar in terms of demographic and clinical records data except for a proportion of patients on CIC which was larger in G2 (P <.008). Overall incidence of post-UDS UTI was 0.7% (3/402), G2 incidence (0.98%) being slightly higher than G1 (0.50%; P <.58). UDS-UC was positive in 32% of G1 vs 55% in G2 (P <.001). About 98% of patients with positive UDS-UC did not progress to symptomatic UTI. G1 cost was 140% higher than G2. CONCLUSION: Overall incidence of post-UDS UTI is low (0.7%). Patients without UC prior to UDS did not have a significant increase in post-UDS UTI.

Efficacy and safety of Mirabegron as adjuvant treatment in children with refractory neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: When patients with neurogenic bladder become refractory, there are different alternatives, such as the use of ß3-adreceptor agonists. The aim of the present study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of Mirabegron as adjuvant treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 37 patients under 18 years of age who underwent Mirabegron were retrospectively studied. The inclusion criteria were: cases with neurogenic bladder who were under clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) programs and refractory to oral oxybutynin (Group A) and/or onabotulinumtoxinA (Group B). Once refractory neurogenic bladder was confirmed by clinical and/or urodynamic studies, Mirabegron 25 mg/day was indicated and evaluation was performed in the third month without stopping therapy. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure and transaminases were monitored. Paired t test and Pearson's chi - squared test were used. RESULTS: Maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly by 125 mL, from 322 to 446 ml (p < 0.0001). End-filling detrusor pressure decreased significantly by 12 cm H2O, from 44 to 31 cm H2O (p < 0.0001). The variation in both parameters was significant in Groups A and B. The presence of detrusor overactivity increased globally from 21 to 32% after starting Mirabegron, but the intensity of contractions was reduced in 20 cm H2O. Of the 18 patients who were incontinent before, 13 cases (72%) remained dry after initiating therapy with Mirabegron. None of the patients stated having suffered any adverse effects. Blood pressure and transaminases showed no significant difference. None of the patients discontinued treatment due to intolerance to Mirabegron (Summary Table). DISCUSSION: In our study the treatment with Mirabegron improved significantly the clinical and urodynamic parameters. A significant increase in bladder capacity and a significant decrease in end-filling detrusor pressure were observed in both groups. The intensity of overactivity was attenuated. According to the records of the voiding diary, over 70% of the incontinent patients became dry after the administration of Mirabegron. We did not observe any adverse effects. The most important limitations of the present study are its retrospective design, the small size of the sample population and of each group, and the use of only one dose of Mirabegron. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron as adjuvant treatment in children with refractory neurogenic bladder increased bladder capacity, reduced intravesical pressure and helped achieve continence in more than two thirds of the sample population. Mirabegron was safe and well tolerated by children.

Efectos psicológicos generados tras la ruptura de los lazos con el grupo primario de apoyo debido al fenómeno de prisionalización / Psychological effects caused after the breaking of the bonds with the primary support group due to the imprisonment phenomenon

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación que tuvo como objetivo comprender los efectos psicológicos generados tras la ruptura de los lazos con el grupo primario de apoyo debido al fenómeno de prisionalización, con el propósito de contribuir en la formulación de investigaciones que se interesen por la salud mental del interno en prisión desde una perspectiva de familia. La investigación fue cualitativa de tipo estudio de caso; contó con la participación de 5 internos del Complejo Carcelario y Penitenciario de Medellín - Pedregal (COPED), a quienes se les realizaron entrevistas en profundidad, que posteriormente fueron codificadas y categorizadas. El desarrollo de la investigación permitió diferenciar los efectos psicológicos generados por el estado de prisionalización, de los efectos psicológicos producto de la ruptura con el grupo primario de apoyo. Asimismo, permitió identificar las condiciones internas y externas que favorecen o impiden el sostenimiento de un contacto estable con el grupo familiar, mientras se está en estado de prisionalización. De esta manera, se concluye que la adaptación a la cultura carcelaria propicia un restablecimiento de los efectos psicológicos generados por el estado de prisionalización. Sin embargo, no acontece igual respecto a los efectos generados por la ruptura con el grupo primario de apoyo, máxime cuando las condiciones de internamiento dan lugar a que el penado tome la decisión de exacerbar la distancia con su grupo familiar. En ese sentido, los efectos psicológicos derivados de la ruptura con el grupo primario de apoyo tienden a complejizarse en relación con el tiempo de estancia en prisión.

The results of a research whose objective was to understand the psychological effects of breaking bonds with the primary support group because of prisonization are presented with the purpose of contributing in the formulation of researches related to the mental health of inmates in prison from a family perspective. For this purpose, the research aimed to deepen the most significant issues of a group of inmates (male and female) from the Complejo Penitenciario y Carcelario Medellín - Pedregal (COPED) related to family breakdown, being abandoned by the partner, insufficient or inexistent support networks outside the prison and the consequences or psychological reactions caused by them. It is important to mention that the participants in the research were identified by using chain sampling or network sampling. It is also important to note that being a qualitative research, indepth interviews were conducted and later coded and categorized, based on the categories of analysis, namely family background, prisonization and psychological effects. This process favors the transferability of results, based on the in-depth description of the phenomenon in its context (Martínez-Salgado, 2012). In consequence the research process enabled the identification of signs and symptoms that remained in the subjects of research beyond all adaptation processes, and it is because of this characteristic that such symptomatology may not be explained by the theories regarding the psychological effects as a consequence of internment, that is to say, prisonization itself, as they derive from a process of adaptation and assimilation of the culture in prison. In this regard, this research arguments the relevance of the involvement of the family group in the penitentiary processes, seeking to have a positive impact on the functioning of inmates in prison and also on their resocialization and later on their life in freedom. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge that the contact with the closest support group becomes an essential resource that, properly included in the support process for the inmate, leverages the development of prosocial competences, whilst reestablishing the self-image and preserving the family image create in persons deprived of liberty a commitment with resocialization, besides being the bridge that keeps them anchored to the outside world. This approach promotes the reformulation of the current understanding of the effects associated to the prisonization as immanent status of imprisonment; this idea is based on the fact that the particular conditions of inmates (Echeverri,2010) and the conditions of the institutional context of prison (Crespo, 2017), may not be assessed or intervened in isolation, while, as evidenced on the research herein, a person that is deprived of liberty experiences a series of physical and psychical impacts that are beyond the normalizing processes of adaptation, becoming problems that when transcending the prison premises, need to be understood as a public policy matter.

Ecografía renal en la evaluación inicial del hipospadias aislado. ¿Es necesaria? / Renal ultrasound in the initial evaluation of hypospadias isolated. It is necessary?

En la actualidad es frecuente la solicitud de ultrasonido renal pediátrico en pacientes con hipospadias. Si bien es necesario en hipospadias asociados con otras malformaciones, no parece ser útil en pacientes con hipospadias aislados

At present, the request for renal ultrasound is frequent pediatric in patients with hypospadias. Although it is necessary in hypospadias associated with other malformations, does not appear to be useful in patients with isolated hypospadias

Initial urological evaluation and management of children with neurogenic bladder due to myelomeningocele.

INTRODUCTION: The proactive management of children with myelomeningocele (MMC) has contributed to decreasing their progression to end-stage renal disease, thanks to early urological evaluation and timing implementation of treatments. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that early urological evaluation of the urinary tract in MMC shows functional alterations in most cases, and that it requires medical intervention, even when in some cases the complementary imaging studies do not show any abnormalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study including 60 patients aged <1 year with MMC who were followed by a multidisciplinary team. All of them underwent renal/bladder ultrasound, videourodynamic studies, renal scintigraphy/dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and laboratory tests for kidney function. The studied variables were: bladder capacity and pressure, presence of overactivity, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), urinary dilations and abnormalities on renal scintigraphy/DMSA. All the patients received clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). RESULTS: See Summary Table all the patients showed alterations in at least some of the assessed urodynamic variables: reduced cystometric capacity, 21.6%; detrusor overactivity, 55%; end filling detrusor pressure >20 cm H2O, 43.3%; inefficient bladder voiding, 98.3%; indirect dyssynergic patterns, 28.8%. The high-risk videourodynamic findings were observed in 28 cases (46.6%). DMSA was abnormal in 30%. Renal impairment was detected in 6.6% of cases. A total of 66% of cases received oxybutynin. DISCUSSION: Almost all the children in this sample population showed urinary dysfunction, and approximately half of them had high-risk videourodynamic findings. Although many cases showed reflex urinary contractions, almost the entire sample had inefficient bladder voiding. An important limitation of this work was the lack of simultaneity in obtaining each of the requested studies. CONCLUSIONS: In the initial urological evaluation of patients with myelomeningocele, almost all the urodynamic studies showed abnormalities and one-third showed abnormal DMSA, which led to therapeutic actions being initiated, although imaging studies were normal in a great number of patients. CIC alone, starting immediately after birth, is not sufficient. To eliminate or decrease upper tract damage, oxybutynin should be started in addition.