Impact of cell-free DNA screening on parental knowledge of fetal sex and disorders of sex development.

OBJECTIVE: Discrepancies between cfDNA and ultrasound predicted fetal sex occur, possibly indicating disorders/differences of sex development (DSDs). Among expectant/recent parents, this study assessed cfDNA knowledge/use, fetal sex determination attitudes/behaviors, general knowledge of DSD, and possible psychological impact of discrepancy between fetal sex on cfDNA and ultrasound. METHOD: Parents were surveyed about fetal sex determination methods, knowledge of cfDNA and DSD, distress related to possible cfDNA inaccuracy. RESULTS: Of 916 respondents, 44% were aware of possible discrepancy between cfDNA and ultrasound, 22% were aware of DSD. 78% and 75% would be upset and worried, respectively, with results showing fetal sex discrepancy. Most (67%) revealed predicted fetal sex before delivery. 38% were offered cfDNA. Of those revealing fetal sex, 24% used cfDNA results, 71% ultrasound, and 7% both. cfDNA users were more frequently aware of possible discrepancy between cfDNA and ultrasound (76% vs 41%, P < .0001), but not of DSD (29% vs 23%, P = .29). CONCLUSION: Fetal sex determination is favored, and cfDNA is frequently used for predicting fetal chromosomal sex. Many parents are unaware of possible discrepancies between cfDNA and ultrasound, and potential for DSD. Most would be distressed by discordant results. Accurate counseling regarding limitations cfDNA for fetal sex determination is needed.

Multipotent bone marrow cell-seeded polymeric composites drive long-term, definitive urinary bladder tissue regeneration.

To date, there are no efficacious translational solutions for end-stage urinary bladder dysfunction. Current surgical strategies, including urinary diversion and bladder augmentation enterocystoplasty (BAE), utilize autologous intestinal segments (e.g. ileum) to increase bladder capacity to protect renal function. Considered the standard of care, BAE is fraught with numerous short- and long-term clinical complications. Previous clinical trials employing tissue engineering approaches for bladder tissue regeneration have also been unable to translate bench-top findings into clinical practice. Major obstacles still persist that need to be overcome in order to advance tissue-engineered products into the clinical arena. These include scaffold/bladder incongruencies, the acquisition and utility of appropriate cells for anatomic and physiologic tissue recapitulation, and the choice of an appropriate animal model for testing. In this study, we demonstrate that the elastomeric, bladder biomechanocompatible poly(1,8-octamethylene-citrate-co-octanol) (PRS; synthetic) scaffold coseeded with autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells support robust long-term, functional bladder tissue regeneration within the context of a clinically relevant baboon bladder augmentation model simulating bladder trauma. Partially cystectomized baboons were independently augmented with either autologous ileum or stem-cell-seeded small-intestinal submucosa (SIS; a commercially available biological scaffold) or PRS grafts. Stem-cell synergism promoted functional trilayer bladder tissue regeneration, including whole-graft neurovascularization, in both cell-seeded grafts. However, PRS-augmented animals demonstrated fewer clinical complications and more advantageous tissue characterization metrics compared to ileum and SIS-augmented animals. Two-year study data demonstrate that PRS/stem-cell-seeded grafts drive bladder tissue regeneration and are a suitable alternative to BAE.

Single Port and Multiport Approaches for Robotic Vaginoplasty With the Davydov Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility, surgical technique, and initial outcomes of robotic vaginoplasty with peritoneal flap (Davydov) technique for vaginal reconstruction. METHODS: Following appropriate preoperative patient counseling, 11 consecutive patients underwent robotic vaginoplasty with the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale CA) multiport Xi and single port robotic platforms. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of interest were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Between March 2019 and October 2019, a total of 11 patients have undergone robotic vaginoplasty with peritoneal flap technique at our institution-9 using the da Vinci single port platform and 2 using the da Vinci Xi platform. Reasons for vaginoplasty included primary gender-affirming genital reconstruction, vaginal stenosis after gender confirmation surgery, and vaginal hypoplasia secondary to disorders of sexual development. Mean operative time was 267.2 ± 85.9 minutes. Initial postoperative mean vaginal depth was 13.9 ± 0.5 cm. Mean estimated blood loss was 131.8 ± 92.9 mL. Mean length of stay was 5.2 ± 0.6 days and time to return of bowel function was 1.7 ± 0.9 days. Thirty-day readmission rate was 18% (N = 2/11) with 1 patient (9%) requiring surgical revision of the neovagina. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted Davydov technique is a potentially applicable, efficacious, and safe method of vaginal reconstruction in cisgender and transgender individuals.

Optimized Clinical Decision-making: A Configurable Markov Model for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To present a configurable mathematical method to optimize long-term clinical decision-making for benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: We designed a Markov chain model to simulate the different health states associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and the transition between these states based on specific interventions: observation, pharmacotherapy, and 4 types of minimally invasive laser surgery. Transition probabilities, disutility scores, and costs for each health state were derived from the literature, expert opinion, and hospital administration data. Disutility was defined as the complement to one of the utility (1-utility), with utility representing the overall quality of life associated with a particular state. Linear programming was used to compute the Markov decision model. Primary outcomes include cost-effectiveness curves comparing the average treatment cost across permitted disutility levels while considering all modeled interventions. RESULTS: To achieve optimal patient outcomes (low International Prostate Symptoms Score), the model favored surgical interventions and increased costs of treatment. Between different desired disutility values (breakpoints), the model recommends performing 2 recommend treatments in relative proportions to achieve the lowest cost and optimal outcome. The model is limited by its theoretical basis and reliance on literature for transition probabilities and quality of life assessment. CONCLUSION: This model provides a tool for doctors, administrators, and patients to optimize cost-efficacy when considering multiple treatments and different severities of benign prostatic hyperplasia and may be configured to other disease states or clinical practices. Further studies are necessary to validate this model for real-life application.

Use of a Novel Articulating Laparoscopic Needle Driver for Partial nephrectomy: An Initial Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the clinical feasibility of an articulated laparoscopic needle driver to assist in the performance of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Previous studies have demonstrated under-utilization of minimally invasive techniques for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN). METHODS: Consecutive patients with renal masses amenable to PN underwent LPN with an articulating laparoscopic needle driver. A consecutive cohort of patients who previously underwent robot assisted laparoscopic PN (RALPN) was selected as a comparison cohort. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative variables were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients underwent PN with 10 patients assigned to each of the LPN and RALPN cohorts. Median R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores assigned to the LPN and RALPN cohorts were 7 and 6 respectively (P= .31). Median warm ischemia time for patients in the LPN and RALPN groups was 25.5 and 18.5 minutes respectively (P= .36). Median estimated blood loss for LPN and RALPN was 200 and 50 mL (P= .03). Median operative time for LPN and RALPN was 203 and 194 minutes respectively (P= .76). Median Length of stay after LPN and RALPN was similar (3.0 vs 2.5 nights, P= .26). Following LPN, 3 patients required blood transfusion as compared to 2 patients in the RALPN cohort (P= .61). CONCLUSION: Our initial results demonstrated the clinical safety and feasibility of a new surgical device for performing LPN. Patients who underwent LPN with a novel articulating needle driver demonstrated equivalent results to RALPN across several key outcomes.