Management of Disastrous Complications of Penile Implant Surgery.

RATIONALE: Penile Prosthesis Implantation (PPI) is the definitive treatment for Erectile Dysfunction not responsive to conservative management strategies. Furthermore, it is a staple of surgical treatment of severe Peyronie's Disease (PD) and phallic reconstruction. Expert implantologists occasionally face disastrous complications of penile implant surgery which can prove to be very challenging. In this article we present a selected number of case reports which exemplify this kind of situations and discuss management strategies while also commenting on plausible aetiologies. PATIENTS' CONCERNS: The first case describes a PPI performed in end-stage fibrotic corpora after multiple instances of implantation/explant. The second and third cases show two diametrically opposed approaches to the management of glans necrosis after PPI in post-radical cystectomy patients. The fourth case describes the history of a diabetic patient suffering from glandular, corporal and urethral necrosis after a complicated PPI procedure. The fifth case reports the surgical treatment of a case of recurring PD due to severe scarring and shrinking of a vascular Dacron patch applied in a previous operation. DIAGNOSIS: Complication diagnosis in all patient was mainly clinical, intra- and postoperative, with Penile Color Doppler Ultrasonography performed when needed in order to demonstrate penile blood flow. INTERVENTIONS: The patients underwent complex surgical procedures that addressed each specific complication. Complex penile implants with fibrosis-related complications, penile prosthesis explant with and without surgical debridement of necrotic areas, penile prosthesis explant with necrotic penile shaft and urethral amputation with perineostomy, and complex corporoplasty with scar tissue excision and patch application with PPI were performed in the five patients. OUTCOMES: Penile anatomy and erectile function with PPI was achieved in 4 out of 5 patients. 1 of 5 patient is scheduled to undergo a total phallic reconstruction procedure at the time of this writing. LESSONS: Management of disastrous complications of penile implant surgery can be very challenging even in expert hands. In-and-out knowledge of possible PPI and PD complications is required to achieve an acceptable outcome. Bettocchi C, Osmonov D, van Renterghem K, et al. Management of Disastrous Complications of Penile Implant Surgery. J Sex Med 2021;18:1145-1157.

Graciloplasty for recurrent recto-neovaginal fistula in a male-to-female transsexual.

Rectovaginal fistula is usually a challenging condition for surgeons, but a fistula between the rectum and the neovagina in male-to-female transsexual is even more difficult to treat as it is a rare complication occurring in a patient with modified anatomy of the perineum, with heavy psychological implications for the patient. Here, we report a case of recurrent recto-neovaginal fistula in a male-to-female transsexual successfully treated by perineal graciloplasty.

Value of prolonged scrotal drainage after penile prosthesis implantation: a multicenter prospective nonrandomized pilot study.

We aimed to understand the risks and benefits of post-inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation drainage and optimal duration. Our patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 114) had no drain placed, Group 2 had a drain placed for 24 h (n = 114) and Group 3 had a drain placed for 72 h (n = 117). Postoperative scrotal hematoma and prosthesis infection rates were compared between the groups. The patients from Group 3 demonstrated a statistically significant lower incidence of hematoma on the 10th postoperative day: (n = 1, 0.9%) compared to Group 2: (n = 11, 9.6%) and Group 1: (n = 8, 7%), (p = 0.013). However, on the 3rd postoperative day, there was a statistically significant lower incidence of hematoma in both Groups 3 and 2: (0.9% and 6.1%, respectively) vs. Group 1: (11.4%), (p = 0.004). Hematoma rates followed the same group order after the first day of surgery: 1.7% (n = 2), 5.3% (n = 6), and 8.8% (n = 10), respectively, (p = 0.05). Five patients (4.4%) in Group 1 and four patients (3.5%) in Group 2 developed an IPP associated infection, opposed to only a single patient (0.85%) in Group 3, (p = 0.210). We concluded that prolonged scrotal drainage for 72 h after virgin IPP implantation significantly reduces hematoma and infection rates.

What is the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical therapies in the treatment of ischemic priapism in patients with sickle cell disease? A systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines Panel.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobin disorder characterized by the occlusion of small blood vessels by sickle-shaped red blood cells. SCD is associated with a number of complications, including ischemic priapism. While SCD accounts for at least one-third of all priapism cases, no definitive treatment strategy has been established to specifically treat patients with SC priapism. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of contemporary treatment modalities for acute and stuttering ischemic priapism associated with SCD. The primary outcome measures were defined as resolution of acute priapism (detumescence) and complete response of stuttering priapism, while the primary harm outcome was as sexual dysfunction. The protocol for the review has been registered (PROSPERO Nr: CRD42020182001), and a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane controlled trials databases was performed. Three trials with 41 observational studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review. None of the trials assessed detumescence, as a primary outcome. All of the trials reported a complete response of stuttering priapism; however, the certainty of the evidence was low. It is clear that assessing the effectiveness of specific interventions for priapism in SCD, well-designed, adequately-powered, multicenter trials are strongly required.

Surgical and minimally invasive treatment of ischaemic and non-ischaemic priapism: a systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines panel.

Surgical treatments for ischemic priapism (IP) include shunts or penile implants. Non-ischemic priapism (NIP) is usually the result of penile/perineal trauma causing an arterial fistula and embolisation may be required. We conducted a systematic review on behalf of the EAU Sexual and Reproductive health Guidelines panel to analyse the available evidence on efficacy and safety of surgical modalities for IP and NIP. Outcomes were priapism resolution, sexual function and adverse events following surgery. Overall, 63 studies (n = 923) met inclusion criteria up to September 2021. For IP (n = 702), surgery comprised distal (n = 274), proximal shunts (n = 209) and penile prostheses (n = 194). Resolution occurred in 18.7-100% for distal, 5.7-100% for proximal shunts and 100% for penile prostheses. Potency rate was 20-100% for distal, 11.1-77.2% for proximal shunts, and 26.3-100% for penile prostheses, respectively. Patient satisfaction was 60-100% following penile prostheses implantation. Complications were 0-42.5% for shunts and 0-13.6% for IPP. For NIP (n = 221), embolisation success was 85.7-100% and potency 80-100%. The majority of studies were retrospective cohort studies. Risk of bias was high. Overall, surgical shunts have acceptable success rates in IP. Proximal/venous shunts should be abandoned due to morbidity/ED rates. In IP > 48 h, best outcomes are seen with penile prostheses implantation. Embolisation is the mainstay technique for NIP with high resolution rates and adequate erectile function.

Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk: a review of current findings.

Introduction: A large body of evidence has clearly documented that erectile dysfunction (ED) represents not only a complication of cardiovascular (CV) diseases (CVD) but often an early sign of forthcoming CVD.Areas covered: All the available data from meta-analyses evaluating the association between ED and CV risk were collected and discussed. Similarly, all available meta-analyses investigating the significance of ED as a possible early marker for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analyzed. In addition, data originally obtained in a Florence cohort, dealing with a large series of patients seeking medical care for sexual dysfunction, will be also reported.Expert opinion: Available evidence indicates that ED represents a risk factor of CV mortality and morbidity. Not only conventional CV risk factors but also unconventional ones, derived from a perturbation of the relational and intrapsychic domains of ED, might play a possible role in CV risk stratification of ED subjects. Finally, penile doppler ultrasound can give important information on CV risk, especially in younger and low risk subjects. The presence of ED should become an opportunity - for the patient and for the physician - to screen for the presence of comorbidities improving not only sexual health but, more importantly, men's overall health.

Clinical and metabolic evaluation of subjects with erectile dysfunction: a review with a proposal flowchart.

Erectile function is a haemodynamic phenomenon depending on the integrity of neurological, vascular, endocrinological, tissue (corpora cavernosa), psychological and relational factors; changes in any one of these components may lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). ED and its comorbid conditions share common risk factors such as endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and metabolic and hormonal abnormalities. Furthermore, although cross-sectional studies have shown a clear age-dependent association between ED, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases, longitudinal evidence has recently emphasized that ED could be an early marker of these conditions. Recently, the European Association of Urology and American Urology Association provided consensus guidelines for the management of ED patients. However, the metabolic aspect of ED is rather neglected or not sufficiently treated. In this study, more emphasis will be placed on the presence of ED comorbid metabolic factors. The primary and secondary goals of therapy, according to current guidelines and to prevent their clinical evolution, will also be provided. We review the concepts of metabolic diseases related to ED and their treatment. Criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism, metabolic and vascular disease related to ED were analysed. ED can mark the starting point for the evaluation and prevention of significant severe diseases (such as diabetes, MetS, dyslipidaemia, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, ischaemic cardiopathy, neuropathy, etc.) hitherto unknown by the patients. Most widely used criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases were reported. We suggest a clinical approach which allows the identification of metabolic and others systemic pathologies contributing to the development of ED. This approach may constitute an improvement in disease prognosis and either induce a spontaneous reduction of ED or facilitate its specific therapy.

"Deviceless" hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HLN) in living donors is a minimally invasive surgical modality that uses classic laparoscopic techniques combined with the surgeon's hand as a support tool during renal dissection. We describe our experience with 14 donors undergoing HLN with a novel "deviceless" technique (DL-HLN). We used a midline or a paramedian incision. The first 10-mm trocar (camera) was inserted near the umbilicus and another 10-mm trocar placed under laparoscopic vision at the level of the anterior axillary line above the iliac crest. DL-HLN was performed in 14 patients (11 women and 3 men) of overall mean age of 40 years (range=33-60). Left nephrectomy was performed in all cases. Mean surgical time was 105 minutes (range=60-150). Estimated blood loss was 50 to 800 mL (mean=200 mL). Mean warm ischemia time was 3.5 minutes (range=2-11). Mean hospital stay was 4 days (range=3-6). In one case, uncontrollable hemorrhage developed due to a renal vein lesion at the level of the adrenal vein outlet, requiring conversion to open surgery. As to graft function, recipient serum creatinine on day 7 ranged from 0.9 to 2.6 mg/dL (mean=1.6). We used no device in our technique. The pneumoperitoneum was maintained by the sealing effect of the muscular fascia around the surgeon's wrist. Moreover, the kidney was removed through the hand port without an Endobag. Our modified HLN technique avoids the use of costly disposables and offers the advantages of a smaller incision.

Incidentally discovered yellowish lesions in a renal graft from a deceased donor.

The opening of Gerota's fascia, soon after harvesting the kidney, is a standard kidney donor procedure in Italy to exclude a renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a frequent finding in older donors. Herein we have reported our experience with the diagnosis and management of subcapsular yellow areas suggestive of RCC on the kidney surface during back-table procedures. From 2001 to 2006, 12/445 grafts showed a single yellowish subcapsular nodule during the back-table procedure which was excised for frozen section (FS) to rule out RCC. The affected donors were 7 males and 5 females of overall mean age of 60 years (range, 25-77 years). The mean nodule diameter was 0.75 cm (range, 0.3-1.2 cm), and all lesions were located in the upper renal pole. In 5 cases, a diagnosis of RCC could not be excluded by FS, and both kidneys were discarded. The final histology confirmed RCC in only 3 cases, and adrenal heterotopia (AH) in the other 2. In the remaining 7 cases, FS showed AH in 4, 1 angiomyolipoma, and 2 areas of infarction confirmed by histology. The adrenal foci consisted of clear cells and scattered cells with eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm and small round nuclei, some with small nucleoli. Immunostains for cytokeratins, CD10, and epithelial membrane antigen were negative, confirming the adrenal origin. AH is the most common pathological yellowish lesion in the upper kidney pole found incidentally during back-table preparation. A histological differential diagnosis with RCC at FS is difficult, relying on the distinction of normal corticoadrenal spongiocytes from Fuhrman grade 1 clear cancer cells. In Italy, for any renal mass suggestive of RCC, a graft discard is mandatory, even if several reports have described cases of renal transplantation performed after back-table excision of small unifocal tumors.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is not an androgen-dependent neuromediator of penile erection.

The effects of castration on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunostaining in human corpus cavernosum (CC) and the relationship between VIP immunostaining and erectile function were studied in patients with localised prostate cancer who had (Group 1 = castrated) or had not (Group 2 = control) undergone 3-month neoadjuvant chemical castration before radical prostatectomy. Evaluation of erectile function included medical and sexual history, physical examination, and measurement of total serum testosterone. CC biopsies were taken at the end of radical prostatectomy and samples immunostained with anti-human VIP antibody. Specific staining was quantified by image analysis and expressed in arbitrary units (AU). Chemical castration induced erectile function deterioration in 70% of patients due to loss of sexual interest and confidence in the ability of having an erection rather than reduced ability of obtaining sexually induced erections. Average VIP content was 34.5 AU in Group 1 and 39 AU in Group 2 and this difference was not statistically significant. Chemical castration does not influence VIP immunostaining of human CC, suggesting that VIP is not an androgen-dependent neuromediator of penile erection and that it can be responsible for sexually induced erections in castrated patients.

Double J stent with antireflux device in the prevention of short-term urological complications after cadaveric kidney transplantation: single-center prospective randomized study.

The placement of a double J stent to protect a uretero-vesical anastomosis in a kidney transplant is a widespread procedure performed to reduce the incidence of fistula and stenosis at the anastomosis. However, the presence of a double J stent may cause vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), predisposing one to urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may be a significant source of morbidity for the graft. We evaluated whether a ureteral stent incorporating an antireflux device can reduce the incidence of ureteral reflux and UTIs. From January to December 2003, 44 kidney transplant recipients were randomized to receive a 14-cm 4.8-F double J stent with (group A) or without an anti-reflux device (group B). Primary end points were the reduction of the incidence of VUR and of UTIs. The secondary end point was the graft function, on the basis of mean serum creatinine level at 3, 6, and 12 months. We failed to observe statistically significant differences in terms of either the incidence of VUR and UTIs, or the short-term outcomes of the grafts. We concluded that the anti-reflux device does not have an impact on the incidence of stent-related side effects.

The effects of androgen depletion on human erectile function: a prospective study in male-to-female transsexuals.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of androgen depletion on erectile function in a population of male-to-female transsexuals. The erectile function of 25 consecutive male-to-female transsexuals on androgen depletion treatment and scheduled for surgical gender reassignment was prospectively evaluated using medical and sexual history, physical examination, total serum testosterone, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire, penile colour-coded Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) after pharmacological stimulation and nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test. All but one had undetectable or low testosterone. Subjective erectile function, according to IIEF-15 scores, and penile CDU findings did not correlate with testosterone levels, whereas NPT test findings correlated well with testosterone levels. These findings would suggest that nocturnal erections are androgen-dependent whereas sexually induced erections are androgen-independent. It can also be assumed that testosterone is important but not essential for male erectile function and that other androgen-independent pathways can be responsible for sexually induced erections.

A review of testicular intratubular germ cell neoplasia in infertile men.

A group of 2,739 infertile men whose testes were biopsied during the investigation of infertility in the period from January 1955 to December 1992 have been reviewed. Unilateral intratubular germ cell neoplasia was seen in the testicular biopsies of 16 patients and was always associated with testicular atrophy (Johnsen score lower than 4). Germ cell tumors of the testis occurred in 50% of untreated patients within 6 years and the longest period of tumor-free follow-up was 10 years. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the incidence of tumors in a subset of 1,639 infertile men biopsied between 1955 and 1982. Three of the patients, without intratubular germ cell neoplasia on the biopsy, were found to have developed a germ cell tumor. The incidence and management of intratubular germ cell neoplasia in infertile men is discussed.

[Utility of ultrasonography in patients with ambiguous external genitalia: a clinical case]. / Utilità dell'ultrasonografia in pazienti con ambiguità dei genitali esterni: caso clinico.

We report a case in which the use of ultrasonography in the perinatal evaluation of ambiguous genitalia could have avoided psychological, physiological and also medico-legal problems for the patient.

[Role of dynamic penile color Doppler echography in the evaluation of the patient with La Peyronie's disease]. / Ruolo dell'ecocolor Doppler penieno dinamico nella valutazione del paziente con malattia di La Peyronie.

From March 1995 to February 1996, sixteen consecutive patients with Peyronie's Disease (PD) were routinely submitted to penile dynamic colour-coded doppler ultrasonography (CCDU). The test yielded normal results in 6 patients who had no erectile problems and in other 4 patients who conversely complained of reduced erectile function. In the other 6 patients who complained of reduced erectile function, the test pointed out pure arteriogenic failure in 1 case, pure venogenic failure in 4, and mixed arteriogenic and venogenic failure in 1. CCDU enables a precise assessment of erectile function as well of the site, kind and entity of the penile curvature to be corrected. These data are very useful when planning the surgical approach for each patient.

[Penile dynamic color Doppler echography in the diagnosis of erection disorders]. / Ecocolor Doppler penieno dinamico nella diagnostica dei disturbi dell'erezione.

Penile dynamic colour-coded doppler ultrasonography (CCDU) provides reliable information on both hemodynamic factors, arterial inflow and veno-occlusive mechanism, involved in erectile function. However false negative results may occur due to sympathetic discharge and consequent incomplete smooth muscle relaxation. From March 1994 to February 1996, 150 patients suffering from ED were submitted to penile dynamic CCDU after high-dose (40 micrograms) pharmacostimulation and manual genital stimulation. False negative results occurred only in 3 (2%) patients. This experience suggests that high-dose pharmacostimulation and manual genital stimulation may reduce the occurrence of false negative results, further increasing the diagnostic value of CCDU.

Effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury in kidney transplantation: risk factors and early and long-term outcomes in a single center.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) causes a high rate of delayed graft function (DGF), the most frequent complication in the immediate postoperative period after cadaveric donor kidney transplantation. Herein we evaluated the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on DGF development in terms of the incidence of acute rejection episodes, hospital stay, renal function, and long-term graft and patient survivals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1998 and July 2011, 761 patients underwent cadaveric donor kidney transplantations. DGF was defined as the need for dialysis in the first week. Patients were subdivided according to initial graft function as immediate graft function (IGF) or DGF. RESULTS: DGF observed in 241 patients (31.6%) was associated independently with expanded criteria donors, extended cold ischemia time, Karpinsky histological score, and prior dialysis duration both univariate and multivariate analysis. The incidence of acute rejection episodes was 18.1% among the DGF group versus 1.3% in the IGF group (P < .01). DGF significantly reduced both graft and patient survivals at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months. CONCLUSION: DGF was responsible for a longer hospital stay, worse early and long-term renal function, a higher incidence of acute rejection episodes as well as reduced graft and patient survivals.

Advanced age is not an exclusion criterion for kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Renal transplantation in patients older than 60 years has long been regarded with skepticism owing to the increased risk of complications although, as compared with dialysis treatment, a graft seems to improve not only the quality of life but also long-term patient survival. This study sought to analyze the impact of recipient age older than 60 years on patient and graft outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of 761 kidney transplant recipients from cadaveric donors performed between February 1998 and July 2011. While 69 subjects were at least 60 years of age (group A), 692 were younger than 60 years (group B) at the time of transplantation. RESULT: Mean follow-up was 60.1 ± 38.5 months. Delayed graft function (DGF) requiring dialysis was observed in 36 group A (52.1%) and 205 group B (29.6%) subjects (P = .001). However, there were also significant differences between group A and group B in terms of mean donor age (60.3 vs 44.6 years; P < .001) and mean donor estimated creatinine clearance (57.8 vs 83.4 mL/min; P < .001). There were no significant differences in death-censored graft survival between the two groups, but elderly patients experienced worse survival (P = .0005). The most common causes of patient death were myocardial infarction, other cardiovascular complications, and tumors. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation is a good option for elderly recipients with end-stage renal disease, providing long graft survival and a good quality of life, although these patients are more likely to develop cancer or cardiovascular disease. Our findings suggested that older patients should not be excluded a priori from transplantation, but meticulous screening for cancer and heart disease should be always be performed to improve outcomes.

Middle and long-term outcomes of dual kidney transplant: a multicenter experience.

INTRODUCTION: Dual kidney transplantation (DKTx) to reduce the disparity between demand and supply of organs was evaluated in two Italian centers (Bari and Novara). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2000 and October 2011, we performed 97 DKT (26 ipsilateral/71 bilateral) following routine biopsy of all kidneys obtained from expanded criteria donors by Remuzzi-Karpinsky scores. The reference group was 379 single grafts from donors older than 60 years single kidney transplantation ([SKT] × > 60). RESULTS: Good postoperative renal function was observed in 56 DKTx (57.7%); whereas acute tubular necrosis requiring dialysis was observed in 41 (42.3%) patients. After a mean follow-up of 60 months, DKTx graft survivals were 96%, 93%, and 90% and patient survivals, 96%, 91%, and 91% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Complications in expanded criteria donor kidney transplantations included a high rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease especially dual kidney cases. DKTx represented the only independent risk factor for CMV disease upon multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-4.2; P = .006). We did not observe any significant difference in graft or patient survival between DKTx and SKTx > 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: We observed good outcomes up to 5 years after transplantation in terms of graft and patient survival despite the use of inferior grafts. Comparing DKTx and SKT > 60, we noted that the mean Karpinski score for SKTx was significantly better than DKTx, although patient and graft survivals were similar. This trend confirms that the use of a biopsy to allocate expanded criteria donor kidneys may be too protective; therefore, the criteria to select DKTx require further refinement.