Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

The technique of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) and initial experience with it at a single center are provided. The technique is described step-by-step and further illustrated by a video to enhance reproducibility. Early oncological and functional results were evaluated. In total, 77 patients were included with a median follow-up of 11 months (range: 3-21 months). Fifty-one percent of patients had local high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer. There were no intra-operative complications, and all high-grade complications (2.6%) were related to pelvic lymph node dissection performed concomitant with RS-RARP. Median operation time was 160 min (range: 122-265 min) and median hospital stay was 3 (range: 3-8) days. A positive surgical margin was reported in 42.9%. One-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 90.1%. After 6 months, all patients were socially continent and after 1 year, 94.3% were fully continent. Of sexually active patients who underwent at least unilateral nerve-sparing, 43.3% were able to have sexual intercourse. This series underlines the surgical safety of performing RS-RARP by a standardized technique and confirms the beneficial effect on the early return of continence. The patient needs to be informed about the risk of a positive surgical margin.

Treatment of Meatal Strictures by Dorsal Inlay Oral Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: To report on the use of oral mucosa graft urethroplasty for meatal strictures using the dorsal inlay technique. METHODS: Patients who underwent a single-stage dorsal inlay oral mucosal graft urethroplasty between January 2000 and May 2021 were included in this study. A follow-up of a minimum of 12 months was necessary for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were stricture extension into the penile urethra, concomitant stricture at another location, flap urethroplasty for a meatal stricture, dorsal inlay urethroplasty with another type of graft, ventral onlay graft urethroplasty or staged urethroplasty. Recurrence was defined by the inability to pass a 14F metal sound through the reconstructed meatus irrespective of patients' complaints. RESULTS: Our study cohort included 40 patients. Buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty was used in 25 patients and 15 patients were treated with the aid of lingual mucosal graft (LMG). The median follow-up was 85 (IQR: 69-110) months. Seven (17.5%) patients suffered a stricture recurrence of which four (10%) needed re-intervention. The median 5-y recurrent free survival (RFS) for the entire cohort was 85 (±6)%. The median 5-y RFS was 96 (±4)% versus 65 (±13)% for respectively BMG and LMG (p = 0.03). Post-operative complications were identified in 11 (27.5%) patients with only one (2.5%) patient who had a grade 3a complication. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal inlay oral mucosa graft urethroplasty is a safe and feasible technique for selected patients with meatal stenosis.

Treatment of Urethral Strictures in Transmasculine Patients.

BACKGROUND: Urethral strictures are a common complication after genital gender-affirming surgery (GGAS) in transmasculine patients. Studies that specifically focus on the management of urethral strictures are scarce. The aim of this systematic review is to collect all available evidence on the management of urethral strictures in transmasculine patients who underwent urethral lengthening. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the management of urethral strictures in transmasculine patients after phalloplasty or metoidioplasty (PROSPERO, CRD42021215811) with literature from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis-(PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and risk of bias was assessed for every individual study using the 5-criterion quality appraisal checklist. RESULTS: Eight case series were included with a total of 179 transmasculine patients. Only one study discussed the management of urethral strictures after metoidioplasty. Urethral strictures were most often seen at the anastomosis between the fixed and pendulous urethra. For each stricture location, different techniques have been reported. All studies were at a high risk of bias. The current evidence is insufficient to favor one technique over another. CONCLUSIONS: Different techniques have been described for the different clinical scenarios of urethral stricture disease after GGAS. In the absence of comparative studies, however, it is impossible to advocate for one technique over another. This calls for additional research, ideally well-designed prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), focusing on both surgical and functional outcome parameters.

Female Urethroplasty: Outcomes of Different Techniques in a Single Center.

INTRODUCTION: Female urethral strictures and injuries are relatively uncommon compared to males. A wide range of possible causes and treatment modalities have been described. Lately female urethral reconstruction is gaining attention and is fortunately no longer a neglected topic within the reconstructive urology. As such, we aimed to describe our surgical techniques and outcomes for female urethroplasty from a tertiary center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of female patients who underwent a urethroplasty between July 2018 and May 2021 in our tertiary referral center were reviewed. Patients were subdivided in two groups: patients who suffered from a urethral injury and received an early repair urethroplasty, and patients with a true urethral stricture who received a delayed urethroplasty. Preprocedural, surgical and postoperative data were collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of five patients in group 1 and nine patients in group 2 were included. Etiology of the urethral injury in group 1 was iatrogenic in 80% and transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra in 20% of cases. A patency rate of 100% at a follow-up of 30 months was achieved with the different techniques. In group 2 etiology was idiopathic (44%), iatrogenic (44%) and due to external trauma in 12% of cases. Urethroplasty technique consisted of primary repair or dorsal onlay of a buccal mucosal graft. Patency rate was 100% at a median follow-up of 13 months. Three patients suffered from postoperative urinary incontinence, one in group 1 and two in group 2. CONCLUSION: Female urethroplasty is a relatively rare entity within reconstructive urethral surgery. This case series of 14 patients demonstrates that with appropriate surgical techniques, a high patency rate with a low complication rate can be achieved. Further prospective studies with standardized diagnostic workup and follow-up should be performed in order to optimize management strategy.

Gastric Perforation due to Giant Trichobezoar in a 13-Year-Old Child.

Trichotillomania and trichotillophagia can cause the formation of enormous intragastric hairballs. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl who was brought to the emergency service for evaluation of an acute abdomen. Abdominal CT scanner showed a giant gastric trichobezoar which had to be removed by susombilical laparotomy and transverse gastrotomy. This case illustrates the fairly uncommon perforation risk of these gastric bezoars.