Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Kidney Transplantation: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Kidney transplantation offers a longer life expectancy and a better quality of life than dialysis to patients with end-stage kidney disease. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is thought to be a cornerstone in delayed or reduced graft function and increases the risk of rejection by triggering the immunogenicity of the organ. IRI is an unavoidable event that happens when the blood supply is temporarily reduced and then restored to an organ. IRI is the result of several biological pathways, such as transcriptional reprogramming, apoptosis and necrosis, innate and adaptive immune responses, and endothelial dysfunction. Tubular cells mostly depend on fatty acid (FA) ß-oxidation for energy production since more ATP molecules are yielded per substrate molecule than glucose oxidation. Upon ischemia-reperfusion damage, the innate and adaptive immune system activates to achieve tissue clearance and repair. Several cells, cytokines, enzymes, receptors, and ligands are known to take part in these events. The complement cascade might start even before organ procurement in deceased donors. However, additional experimental and clinical data are required to better understand the pathogenic events that take place during this complex process.

Sacral Neuromodulation: Device Improvement and Current Applications in Urology.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) offers a therapeutic approach to urological patients suffering from idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, with or without incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention (NOR), who are not responding to or are not compliant with conservative or medical therapies. The exact mechanism of action of SNM is not fully understood but modulation of the spinal cord reflexes and brain networks by peripheral afferents is regarded as the main pathway. Over the years, surgical techniques improved, leading to the development of the modern two-stage implantation technique. The quadripolar lead is positioned percutaneously under fluoroscopy guidance through the third sacral foramen following the trajectory of S3. The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia with the patient in prone position. Current applications of sacral neuromodulation in urology are increasing thanks to the recent improvements of the devices that make this a valuable option not only in conditions such as overactive bladder and non-obstructing urinary retention but also neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Novel Insights into Autophagy and Prostate Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

Autophagy is a complex process involved in several cell activities, including tissue growth, differentiation, metabolic modulation, and cancer development. In prostate cancer, autophagy has a pivotal role in the regulation of apoptosis and disease progression. Several molecular pathways are involved, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR. However, depending on the cellular context, autophagy may play either a detrimental or a protective role in prostate cancer. For this purpose, current evidence has investigated how autophagy interacts within these complex interactions. In this article, we discuss novel findings about autophagic machinery in order to better understand the therapeutic response and the chemotherapy resistance of prostate cancer. Autophagic-modulation drugs have been employed in clinical trials to regulate autophagy, aiming to improve the response to chemotherapy or to anti-cancer treatments. Furthermore, the genetic signature of autophagy has been found to have a potential means to stratify prostate cancer aggressiveness. Unfortunately, stronger evidence is needed to better understand this field, and the application of these findings in clinical practice still remains poorly feasible.

Renal Cell Carcinoma as a Metabolic Disease: An Update on Main Pathways, Potential Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most frequent histological kidney cancer subtype. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in identifying the genetic and metabolic alterations driving ccRCC development. In particular, an integrated approach using transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics has led to a better understanding of ccRCC as a metabolic disease. The metabolic profiling of this cancer could help define and predict its behavior in terms of aggressiveness, prognosis, and therapeutic responsiveness, and would be an innovative strategy for choosing the optimal therapy for a specific patient. This review article describes the current state-of-the-art in research on ccRCC metabolic pathways and potential therapeutic applications. In addition, the clinical implication of pharmacometabolomic intervention is analyzed, which represents a new field for novel stage-related and patient-tailored strategies according to the specific susceptibility to new classes of drugs.

Ventral-onlay buccal mucosa graft substitution urethroplasty for urethral stricture in women.

OBJECTIVE: To present our outcomes of ventral-onlay buccal mucosa graft (BMG) substitution urethroplasty in treating female urethral stricture (FUS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a review of a prospectively collected database of 22 consecutive women (median [range] age 50 [34-72] years) with urethral stricture who underwent ventral onlay BMG substitution urethroplasty after June 2012 and who had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (median 21.5, range 6-51 months). Data were analysed for stricture recurrence, change in median maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) and median post-void residual urine volume (PVR). Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Freedom from stricture recurrence was achieved in 21/22 (95.5%) women. The median (range) Qmax significantly improved, increasing from 7 (3.5-11) to 18 (5-37) mL/s (P <0.05). The median (range) PVR was significantly reduced from 100 (0-300) to 15 (0-150) mL (P < 0.05). Short- and longer-term complication rates were low. One woman developed mild de novo stress urinary incontinence, which settled with conservative management by 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Early and medium-term results indicate that ventral onlay BMG substitution urethroplasty is an excellent treatment for FUS that can avoid the need for the repeat procedures regularly required after traditional endoscopic management.

Urethral diverticulectomy with Martius labial fat pad interposition improves symptom resolution and reduces recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presenting features and medium-term symptomatic outcomes in women having excision of urethral diverticulum with Martius labial fat pad (MLFP) interposition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed our prospective database of all female patients having excision of a symptomatic urethral diverticulum between 2007 and 2015. Data on demographics, presenting symptoms and clinical features were collected, as well as postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: In all, 70 women with a mean (range) age of 46.5 (24-77) years underwent excision of urethral diverticulum with MLFP interposition. The commonest presenting symptoms were a urethral mass (69%), urethral pain (61%), and dysuria (57%). Pre-existing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was present in 41% (29) of the women. After surgery, at a mean (SD) of 18.9 (16.4) months follow-up (median 14 months), complete excision of urethral diverticulum was achieved in all the women, with resolution of urethral mass, dysuria and dyspareunia in all, and urethral pain in 81%. Immediately after surgery, 10 (24%) patients reported de novo SUI, which resolved with time and pelvic floor muscle training such that at 12 months only five (12%) reported continued SUI. There was one symptomatic diverticulum recurrence (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The commonest presenting symptom of a female urethral diverticulum is urethral pain followed by dysuria and dyspareunia. Surgical excision with MLFP interposition results in complete resolution of symptoms in most women. The incidence of persistent de novo SUI in an expert high-volume centre is 12%.

The uses and outcomes of the Martius fat pad in female urology.

PURPOSE: To assess the indications, morbidity, efficacy and outcomes of Martius fat pad (MFP) interposition in reconstructive female urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 159 women with MFP interposition as part of their primary procedure between 2 September 2005 and 2 July 2015 were prospectively collected. Patient demographics and the indications for MFP interposition along with the outcomes of their primary procedures and short- and long-term complications related to the MFP, along with patient reported perception of post-operative appearance, were noted. RESULTS: The main indications for MFP interposition were urethral diverticulum excision (74), vaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) (43), removal and repair of urethral erosion of mid-urethral tape (MUT) (24), female urethroplasty for stricture (12), vaginal closure of bladder neck for complex end-stage stress urinary incontinence (USUI) (4) and as a MUT wrap for protection of urethra and vagina in women with fragile urethras (2). The majority of patients (127 or 79 %) rated the post-operative appearance of their labia as good or excellent. Only 1 patient (0.6 %) felt the post-operative appearance was unsatisfactory. There were 2 post-harvest labial haematoma (1.25 %), 1 labial wound infection in an overweight diabetic patient (0.6 %) and no other significant short- or long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS: MFP interposition is associated with good cosmesis and a very low complication rate (<2 %). It appears to lower new onset post-procedure USUI, prevent erosion in the 'fragile' urethra and improve outcomes following repair of post-surgery VVF/UVF. MFP is a versatile and effective tool in the female urologists' armamentarium.

Total phallic reconstruction using radial artery based forearm free flap phalloplasty in patients with epispadias-exstrophy complex.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with total phallic construction using the radial artery forearm free flap in patients with bladder/cloacal exstrophy and micropenis-epispadias complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed notes on the 16 patients with bladder/cloacal exstrophy and micropenis-epispadias complex treated with total phallic construction using the radial artery based forearm free flap between January 2003 and October 2013. Surgical outcome, phallic cosmesis, complications, eventual need for revision surgery and patient satisfaction were recorded during followup. RESULTS: This technique allowed reconstruction of a cosmetically acceptable phallus in 15 patients. In 1 patient the distal third of the phallus was lost due to acute thrombosis of the arterial anastomosis immediately postoperatively. At a median followup of 20.5 months (range 2 to 38) 15 patients (93%) were fully satisfied with phallic cosmesis and size. Urethral stricture and fistula were the most common complications, which developed only at the native neourethral anastomosis. They were successfully managed by revision surgery. After revision surgery 11 of the 12 patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation achieved sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The radial artery based forearm free flap is a good technique for total phallic construction in patients with bladder/cloacal exstrophy and micropenis-epispadias complex, providing reliable cosmetic and functional results.

Impact of donor-recipient gender on kidney graft and patient survival: short- and long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: Donor and recipient gender influence on post-transplant kidney and patient survival is still controversial, and the literature data do not present unanimous conclusions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender disparities between donor and recipient in 963 kidney transplants performed at our center from January 2000 to December 2010. METHODS: The patients were subdivided into four groups according to recipient and donor gender: male donor-to-male recipient (MDMR; n = 305), male donor-to-female recipient (MDFR; n = 203), female donor-to-female recipient (FDFR; n = 206), and female donor-to-male recipient (FDMR; n = 249). Independent sample's t test and one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analyses. Graft and patient survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log rank test. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to age, cold ischemia time, delayed graft function, primary non-function, and episodes of acute and chronic rejection. Moreover, no difference in either graft (p = 0.92) or patient (p = 0.41) survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was observed. However, female recipients had significantly lower serum creatinine values and higher estimated GFR, particularly if they received a male donor kidney, and these findings were stable up to 3-year post-transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: No impact of gender on short- or long-term graft and patient survival was observed in deceased kidney transplantation. However, we report a lower creatinine level in the male donors to female recipients group as compared with other recipient-donor gender combinations, although this difference loses statistical significance after the third-year post-transplantation.

Robot-assisted buccal mucosal graft ureteroplasty for the treatment of proximal ureteral strictures.

The authors describe their initial experience with robot-assisted buccal mucosal graft (BMG) ureteroplasty for the management of proximal ureteral strictures.

The Role of MUC1 in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Mucins are a family of high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. MUC1 is widely studied for its role in distinct types of cancers. In many human epithelial malignancies, MUC1 is frequently overexpressed, and its intracellular activities are crucial for cell biology. MUC1 overexpression can enhance cancer cell proliferation by modulating cell metabolism. When epithelial cells lose their tight connections, due to the loss of polarity, the mucins become dispersed on both sides of the epithelial membrane, leading to an abnormal mucin interactome with the membrane. Tumor-related MUC1 exhibits certain features, such as loss of apical localization and aberrant glycosylation that might cause the formation of tumor-related antigen epitopes. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies and it is the most common kidney cancer. The exact role of MUC1 in this tumor is unknown. Evidence suggests that it may play a role in several oncogenic pathways, including proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, chemoresistance, and angiogenesis. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of MUC1 and the meaning of its overexpression in epithelial tumors and in particular in RCC.

Safety and efficacy of tixagevimab/cilgavimab for pre-exposure prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Immunocompromised patients show an impaired vaccine response and remain at high risk of severe COVID-19, despite vaccination. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been developed for prophylaxis and treatment. The combination tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442) has been authorized for emergency use as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19, but data on safety and efficacy in kidney transplant recipients during the Omicron period are limited. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including 253 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 98 were treated with tixagevimab/cilgavimab 150 mg/150 mg and 155 who received only four doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. RESULTS: Only 13.3% of patients developed SARS-CoV-2 infection after the administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab; in comparison, 34.2% of patients had been infected after the fourth dose of vaccine (p = 0.00013). Most infected patients in the AZD7442 group remained asymptomatic (92.3% vs 54.7%), 7.7% had mild symptoms and none had severe disease, need for hospitalization or died, while in the control group, 9.4% of patients had moderate or severe disease (p = 0.04). Using Kaplan-Meier curves we demonstrated that the controls presented early infection compared to the AZD7442 group (p = 0.000014). No changes in eGFR or proteinuria, assessed before and after the administration, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study showed that tixagevimab/cilgavimab 150/150 mg is effective and safe in preventing infection and severe disease when administered to patients with weak or no response to COVID-19 vaccine.

Serum sarcosine is a risk factor for progression and survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

AIM: Sarcosine has been identified as a differential metabolite that is greatly increased during progression from normal tissue to prostate cancer and metastatic disease. In this study we assessed the role of serum sarcosine in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: Data from 52 mCRPC patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curves, and Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Median sarcosine values were significantly higher in mCRPC versus non-mCRPC patients (0.81 vs 0.52 nmol/µl; p < 0.0001). A significant correlation resulted between serum sarcosine levels and the duration of hormone sensitivity (Spearman's correlation coefficient: -0.51; p = 0.001). At multivariate analysis sarcosine was an independent prognostic factor of outcome in terms of overall and progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: Serum sarcosine values were significantly increased in patients with metastatic disease. Moreover, this biomarker is a risk factor for progression and survival in chemotherapy-treated mCRPC patients.

Kinetics of humoral immune response and severity of infection after three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study we aimed to evaluate: (i) the seroconversion rate after BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, (ii) factors associated with humoral response, (iii) clinical outcome of COVID-19 in kidney transplanted patients. METHODS: We enrolled a cohort of 743 kidney transplant recipients followed up from March 2020 until April 2022. A subset of 336 patients, who received three-doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, was analyzed in terms of kinetics of humoral immune response and compared to a control group of 94 healthcare workers. Antibody response was tested before vaccination (T0), 15 and 90 days after the second dose (T1 and T2), on the day of the third dose (T3) and one month after the third dose (T4). RESULTS: We observed that 66 out of 743 subjects had COVID-19 infection pre-vaccination: 65.2% had severe symptoms, 27.3% were hospitalized (9 deaths), none were asymptomatic. After three doses, 51 patients had COVID-19 infection, 60.8% were asymptomatic, 27.5% reported mild symptoms, 3.9% showed severe symptoms, 7.8% were hospitalized (2 deaths). In the subset of 336 vaccinated patients, an antibody level > 0.8 U/ml was detected at T1, that increased at T2 and T3, peaking at T4. Independent factors associated with a negative antibody titer at T4 were decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate, time from transplantation, and antimetabolites (all p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The kinetics of humoral response after three doses of vaccine in kidney transplant patients is characterized by a late but effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2, reducing morbidity and mortality.

Patient and partner satisfaction after AMS inflatable penile prosthesis implant.

INTRODUCTION: The implantation of penile prostheses is an effective option for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), and nowadays it is used to treat those cases where pharmacological agents have not provided a useful result. AIMS: The primary aim of the present study was to verify the patient and their partner's satisfaction, in 80 patients who underwent AMS CX 700 prostheses implant in a single center, by the same surgeon, in the period between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: In the period between March 2004 and May 2008, 80 penile prostheses implantations have been performed. Any information regarding patients has been retrospectively collected consulting their case histories stored in our archive. Each patient was followed postoperatively, and surgical complications were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All the patients entered in this study were contacted by phone by a single operator who asked for their consent to collect information regarding their operation, the use of the prostheses, and the couple satisfaction. Once the consent was obtained, a nine-point questionnaire was administered. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (97%) affirmed to use penile prostheses frequently. Fifty-four patients (69%) and 70 partners (90%) affirmed that they never had problems with the use of the prosthesis and they considered themselves satisfied. Sixty-two patients (79%) answered that this therapeutic method has led to evident improvements in their sexual life. Sixty-two patients (79%) gave a score equal or major than seven and sixty-four partners (82%) gave a score equal or major than seven. All but two patients (97%) reported they would suggest this treatment to other people. CONCLUSIONS: Penile prosthetic surgery constitutes a valid therapeutic alternative, capable of modifying the prognosis and the course of ED. This consideration is emphasized by the high rate of patients and partner's satisfaction emerged in our series and in literature.

The role of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to enlight the role of endorectal ultrasonography in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer. METHODS: 83 patients having rectal cancer and candidates to surgery were studied with endorectal ultrasonography with a probe at a frequency up to 7.5 MHz probe. Eighteen patients were diagnosed with a cancer at A stage, 38 with a neoplasia at B stage and 37 at C stage. RESULTS: In all patients the examination revealed an involvement of the rectal muscular tunica. Sixtyseven patients presented mesorectal invasion, 17 patients showed the involvement of adjoining structures, and 27 patients presented pathological lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Endorectal ultrasonography allows to distinguish patients having rectal cancer limited to the mucosa or invading sub-mucosa regions from those having a more indepth invasion. Apart from this, endorectal ultrasonography is not able of discriminate reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones.

A prospective study on patient's erectile function following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: This study is intended to assess variation of sexual function in 222 patient at different treatment stages of prostate cancer with the aid of a validated questionnaire in comparison with patients diagnosed with a benign lesion. The questionnaire covers the period before carrying out prostate biopsy, the disclosure of histological examination, and the recovery period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 240 patients who were to undergo trans-rectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy due to suspected prostate cancer were consecutively and prospectively studied between January 2008 and January 2009. Patients were asked to complete an IIEF-15 questionnaire to assess sexual function during the initial consultation (T0), generally whilst they waited to be called forward for an ECG or to provide blood samples. The same questionnaire was re-administered 30 days following disclosure of results (T30) and, in all cases of confirmed malignancy, at pre-surgical admission (T pre-op). RESULTS: In this study we examined results on perceived sexual function following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy for suspected neoplasia. Eighteen of the 240 consecutive patients suitable for the study were excluded due to their inability to reliably complete the IIEF-15 questionnaires provided. Histological results led to the selection of 98 patients (44.1%) with neoplastic pathology, group A, and 124 (55.8%) with benign pathology, group B. At T0 a normal level of erectile function was evident in 50 group A patients (51%) and in 50 group B patients (40.3%), while ED has been reported in 48 individuals (49%) in group A and in 74 (59.7%) in group B. At T30 we observed in group A a decrease of the mean IIEF-15 score from 53.6 to 37.8 (p = 0.0013). We observed similar results in group B, where 10/50 patients developed ED with a consequent reduction of the IIEF average score from 55.9 to 48.3 (p = 0.04). Of the 16 patients in group A who developed ED after biopsy only 2 were eligible for surgery and there were no statistical differences in the IIEF scores comparing T30 with T-pre-surgery (p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, as previously documented in literature, no direct correlation was observed between ED in patients and the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The only seemingly correlative factor between ED and prostate cancer is biopsy itself. Further specific studies should be carried out to assess whether ED is a psychological result of an emotional stressful event or whether resulting physical damage following the biopsy procedure is to blame.

Semen quality and hormonal levels in infertile patients with varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to evaluate the semen quality and the serum concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Testosterone (T) in infertile patients with and without varicocele. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 365 infertile patients undergoing Assisted Reproduction Tecnique (ART) were retrospectively included in the study. All subject were evaluated by history, physical examination, semen analysis, semen culture, mixed anti-immunoglobulin reaction test (MAR) for demonstration of sperm agglutination antibodies IgG and IgA, serum FSH and T determination. RESULTS: We observed 97 (26.6%) patients affected by varicocele compared to 268 (73.4%) without varicocele. A significant reduced percentage of motile spermatozoa (24.58 +/- 21.68 vs 21.01 +/- 12.62, p < 0.001) and lower sperm concentration (15.50 +/- 23.30 vs 16.50 +/- 15.22, p < 0.001) were observed in patients with varicocele compared to patients without varicocele. No significant differences were observed in sperm vitality between the two population of men with and without varicocele. Serum FSH (10.42 +/- 10.84 vs 9.11 +/- 18.81, p < 0.001) and Testosterone (5.73 +/- 5.97 vs 5.21 +/- 2.43, p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in patients with varicocele compared to patients without varicocele. Detection of IgG and IgA sperm antibodies were negative in both man with and without varicocele. CONCLUSION: The direct connection between varicocele and infertility is not clear. The data of the present study suggest that the presence of a clinical varicocele rule out fertility in men affecting the hypothalamic pituitary-gonadal axis.

Management of severe complications following penile surgery for erectile dysfunction and Peyronie disease: Three case reports.

RATIONALE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's disease (PD) are conditions commonly observed in andrology. Despite the surgical refinement and the technical improvement in this field, even in expert hands, detrimental consequences have been reported and it can be related to patient's comorbidities or misconduct in the postoperative period. In this article we report anecdotal cases of severe complications following penile surgery for ED and PD in high volume centers, describe the strategies adopted to treat it and discuss the options that would have helped preventing these events. PATIENTS' CONCERNS: The first case describes a patient with history of ED and PD causing penile shortening and a slight dorsal deviation of penile shaft. In the second case it is described a corporeal necrosis and urethral fistula following inflatable penile prosthesis implant. In the last case it is described the migration of reservoir into the abdomen after inflatable penile prosthesis implantation post-radical prostatectomy. DIAGNOSIS: All 3 patients were investigated with a penile doppler ultrasound with PGE1 intracorporeal injection for ED and PD diagnosis. An abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging were ordered for patient of case three. INTERVENTIONS: The patients underwent different combined procedures depending on the case and including: glansectomy, penile prosthesis implantation associated with a penile elongation with double dorsal-ventral patch graft ("sliding technique"), penile urethroplasty with buccal mucosa graft, and laparotomy for reservoir removal. OUTCOMES: No further serious complications were reported after the procedures described. LESSONS: Penile surgery in patients with concomitant PD and systemic comorbidities can be at high risk of complications. As shown in this series there are possible dramatic evolution of these complications that may cause irreversible consequences to the patient. For this reason, a dedicated surgical and nursing team is necessary to reduce the chances that it happens. When this event occurs, a team trained in their management can improve the patient outcome.

Female bladder outlet obstruction: Common symptoms masking an uncommon cause.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women remains an underdiagnosed condition. Although diagnosed rarely in general urologic practice, its incidence in specialist centers has been reported to be up to 29%. In the present study we evaluated the incidence of female BOO in adult women referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary incontinence, assessing its etiology and correlating this with its clinical presentation. METHODS: The present study consisted of a retrospective review of a prospectively acquired videourodynamic database of 1142 consecutive women referred for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary incontinence from March 2007 to December 2012 and diagnosed with BOO. After exclusions, data from 1014 patients were analyzed. BOO was defined using a combination of radiographic evidence of obstruction during the voiding phase of the urodynamic study and pressure-flow criteria (Solomon-Greenwell nomogram). Diagnosis was confirmed by cystoscopy, maximal urethral closure pressure, and magnetic resonance imaging as clinically indicated. RESULTS: In all, 192 women (19%) were diagnosed with BOO. Functional sphincteric obstruction was diagnosed in 70 women (36%). The most common anatomical cause of BOO was previous anti-incontinence surgery, followed by urethral stricture, diagnosed in 21% and 20% of patients, respectively. The most common presenting symptoms were storage phase symptoms of daytime and night-time urinary frequency. CONCLUSIONS: BOO was present in 19% of women with LUTS. Functional sphincteric obstruction was the most common cause (36%), followed by obstruction after anti-incontinence surgery (21%). The most common presenting symptom was daytime urinary frequency. BOO should be suspected in women with refractory LUTS, especially those presenting with urinary frequency.