[Case-based presentation of the S2k guideline for the surgical treatment of distal, middle and proximal hypospadias]. / Fallbasierte Vorstellung der S2k-Leitlinie zur operativen Behandlung der distalen, mittleren und proximalen Hypospadie.

Hypospadias is the most frequent genital variation in male newborns with an incidence of 1:200-300. The variation within this anomaly is very high, from isolated distal hypospadias to very complex penoscrotal cases with accompanying genital or nongenital anomalies, genetic anomalies or even disorders of sexual differentiation. In the literature one can find up to 250 different surgical techniques for hypospadias repair. The goal of the new S2k guideline on hypospadias (AWMF registry no. 006-026), developed by the German Association of Urology (DGU) and the German Association of Pediatric Surgery (DGKCH), was a certain standardisation of the preoperative diagnostic workup, the surgical management and the postoperative care of patients with distal, middle or proximal hypospadias. In this article, the most important facts of the guideline are presented using a fictional case of an infant with distal hypospadias. For further reading, we refer to the S2k guideline, which can be easily accessed by scanning the pictured QR code.

Best Practices in Robotic-assisted Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistula: A Consensus Report from the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section Scientific Working Group for Reconstructive Urology.

CONTEXT: Surgical repair of a vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) has been described extensively in the literature for several decades. Advances in robotic repair have been adopted since 2005. OBJECTIVE: A consensus review of existing data based on published case series, expert opinion, and a survey monkey. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This document summarizes the consensus group meeting and survey monkey results convened by the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) relating to the robotic management of VVF. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Current data underline the successful robotic repair of supratrigonal nonobstetric VVF. The panel recommends preoperative marking of the fistula by a guidewire or ureteral catheter, and placement of a protective ureteral JJ stent. An extravesical robotic approach usually provides a good anatomic view for adequate and wide dissection of the vesicovaginal space, as well as bladder and vaginal mobilization. Careful sharp dissection of fistula edges should be performed. Tension-free closure of the bladder is of utmost importance. Tissue interposition seems to be beneficial. The success rate of published series often reaches near 100%. An indwelling bladder catheter should be placed for about 10 d postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: When considering robotic repair for VVF, it is essential to establish the size, number, location, and etiology of the VVF. Robotic assistance facilitates dissection of the vesicovaginal space, harvesting of a well-vascularized tissue flap, and a tension-free closure of the bladder with low morbidity for the patient being operated in the deep pelvis with delicate anatomical structures. PATIENT SUMMARY: Robotic repair of a vesicovaginal fistula can be applied safely with an excellent success rate and very low morbidity. This confirms the use of robotic surgery for vesicovaginal fistula repair, which is recommended in a consensus by the European Association of Urology Robotic Section Scientific Working Group for reconstructive urology.

Airway Resistance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Following Robotic Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Because minimally invasive surgery can improve postoperative recovery, it became the preferred technique for patients with significant comorbidities. However, steep Trendelenburg position and abdominal CO2-insufflation can lead to a significant increase in upper airway resistance and an alteration of overall lung function. In particular, patients who already suffer from an obstructive airway disease like obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) might be at risk for postoperative airway complications. Therefore, we perioperatively performed spirometric tests in patients with OSAS undergoing robotic surgery in steep Trendelenburg position. METHODS: Twenty patients with OSAS were enrolled in the study. A day before surgery lung function measurements were performed and repeated preoperatively, 40, 120, and 240 minutes and 1 and 5 days postoperatively. We measured vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), maximal mid expiratory and inspiratory flow (MEF50, MIF50), arterial oxygen saturation, and nasal flow. RESULTS: The ratio of MEF50 to MIF50, as an indicator of upper airway resistance, was increased significantly postoperatively and normalized within 24 hours (p < 0.0001), while FEV1 and VC were significantly reduced and recovered only partially as much as the fifth postoperative day (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Airway resistance increased following robotic radical prostatectomy in Trendelenburg position in patients with OSAS. Two separate major effects can be observed. A significant increase of the upper airway resistance, which improved to preoperative conditions within 24 hours, and a reduction in FEV1 and VC, which recovered only partially as much as the fifth postoperative day.

Age and bupivacaine plasma concentrations following radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: Continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia can increase its plasma concentrations. Whether this effect can be aggravated with increasing age is unknown. Therefore, bupivacaine concentrations were prospectively monitored in patients undergoing radical cystectomies. METHODS: We analyzed plasma concentrations of bupivacaine in 38 consecutive patients scheduled for radical cystectomy. All patients received general and epidural anesthesia (10 ml bupivacaine 0.5% followed by bupivacaine 0.375% every 90 min) and postoperative continuous epidural analgesia (bupivacaine 0.25% with sufentanil 0.5 µg/ml). For 4 subsequent days, bupivacaine plasma concentrations were measured and the correlation of bupivacaine plasma concentrations with the patient's age were analyzed. Data (mean ± SD) were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis or regression analysis. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 70 years (range 41-86). Postoperatively, bupivacaine plasma concentrations increased significantly. No correlation of plasma concentrations and age could be found. Maximal bupivacaine concentrations of the younger patients were not different from the older patients. No neurological or cardiovascular symptoms of bupivacaine intoxication were found. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, continuous epidural administration of bupivacaine leads to increasing plasma concentrations. No age dependent differences in bupivacaine plasma concentrations could be found. Therefore, in our patients with intact liver function, we did not find a reason for an age-related restriction in the use of continuous epidural analgesia.

Simulated life-threatening emergency during robot-assisted surgery.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of robot-assisted techniques for urologic and gynecologic surgery in patients with severe comorbidities, the risk of a critical incidence during surgery increases. Due to limited access to the patient the start of effective measures to treat a life-threatening emergency could be delayed. Therefore, we tested the management of an acute emergency in an operating room setting with a full-size simulator in six complete teams. METHODS: A full-size simulator (ISTAN, Meti, CA), modified to hold five trocars, was placed in a regular operating room and connected to a robotic system. Six teams (each with three nurses, one anesthesiologist, two urologists or gynecologists) were introduced to the scenario. Subsequently, myocardial fibrillation occurred. Time to first chest compression, removal of the robot, first defibrillation, and stabilization of circulation were obtained. After 7 weeks the simulation was repeated. RESULTS: The time to the start of chest compressions, removal of the robotic system, and first defibrillation were significantly improved at the second simulation. Time for restoration of stable circulation was improved from 417 ± 125 seconds to 224 ± 37 seconds (P=0.0054). Unexpected delays occurred during the first simulation because trocars had been removed from the patient but not from the robot, thus preventing the robot to be moved. CONCLUSION: Following proper training, resuscitation can be started within seconds. A repetition of the simulation significantly improved time for all steps of resuscitation. An emergency simulation of a multidisciplinary team in a real operating room setting can be strongly recommended.

Migrations in clinical and pathological stage of prostatic carcinoma in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in the period between 1993 and 2003.

The aim of this study based on an analysis of personal material was to establish stage migration in a relatively large number of patients who had undergone radical retropubic ascendant prostatectomy (RRP). Between 01.07.1993. and 31.06.2003. RRP was performed in 801 patients at the urology department of the Kliniken-Essen-Mitte. Data regarding diagnostic workup, treatment and postoperative course were collected prospectively into a database. An analysis was made regarding clinical and pathological stage and numbers of patients with positive lymph nodes. During the observation period the number of radical prostatectomies increased significantly from 8 in 1993 to 130 in 2002. The number of organ-confined tumors increased continuously between 1997 and 2003. In contrast to this, advanced and metastatic tumors showed a continuous decrease from 76% in 1997 to 66% in 2002. Between 1994 and 2003 the number of T1c tumors increased by 20%. Introduction of systematic 12-cylinder biopsy (S12C) increased the detection of prostatic carcinoma by 38% and the number of diagnosed tumors of a lower clinical stage increased. These facts confirm a trend towards clinical and pathological stage migration resulting from extensive use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and S12C biopsy in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma.

Endourethral brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent urethral stricture following internal urethrotomy--first clinical experiences and results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of endourethral brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent urethral stricture after internal urethrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endourethral high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy was performed in 10 male patients with recurrent urethral strictures after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of prostatic adenoma. Brachytherapy commenced on the day of the actual intervention and continued over 3 days; the radiotherapy dose was 4 x 3 = 12 Gy for the first 3 patients and 4 x 4 Gy = 16 Gy for the following 7 patients. RESULTS: During follow-up (range: 8-27 months, mean: 14.8 months), 9 of 10 patients remained relapse-free, i.e., without recurrent strictures or requiring another urethrotomy. In 1 patient with a restricture after endourethral brachytherapy, a second brachytherapy course was performed; nevertheless, he experienced a further restricture 12 months after the second intervention. No radiation-induced acute toxicity occurred, but 1 patient developed incontinence after the current urethrotomy. Overall, patient satisfaction and compliance with the therapeutic procedures was high. CONCLUSIONS: Endourethral HDR brachytherapy proved to be a safe method that can reduce urethral restricture. Further follow-up is needed to prove long-term efficacy of this treatment. Further investigations are planned to evaluate the adequate fractionation and possible late treatment sequelae.