Oral quality of life after buccal mucosal graft harvest for substitution urethroplasty. More than a bite?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to analyze the oral quality of life (QoL) in patients with urethral stricture treated with BMG by using a validated questionnaire (OIDP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, observational single-centre study of a cohort of patients scheduled for BMG Urethroplasty was conducted. OIDP assesses the impact of oral conditions on daily activities including an oral QoL question (0-10). The questionnaire was self-administered before, 3 months postoperatively and at the end of the study. Means, pre- and postoperatively, were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for a low quality of life (<8) after surgery. RESULTS: We included 41 patients (2013-2017). The mean preoperative oral QoL was 9.33 points (SD1.16). Preoperative mean OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,5 (SD:0.02) and 0,8%. The most frequently preoperative altered aspect was hygiene. Mean oral QoL, 3 months after surgery, was 8,56 (SD1.89) and OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,67 (SD0.21) and 1,1%. Mean oral QoL at the end of the study (mean 3,12 years) was 8,50 (SD1.13). OIDP dimensional score and global score were 0,7 (SD 0.16) and 1,1%.The most frequently altered aspect at the end of the study was eating. No statistical (p = 0.07) decrease in oral QoL was found. The increase in OIDP dimensional and global score was also not statistically significant. Neither age nor smoking, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular morbidity, previous OIDP score, width, length of the graft, or surgery success could explain a low oral QoL alter graft harvesting. CONCLUSIONS: BMG harvesting is not free of problems at the donor site. Eating seems to be the most affected aspect after surgery. Nevertheless, those sequelae do not induce a reduction in oral QoL.

Recommendations on the use of intravesical hyaluronic acid instillations in bladder pain syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a complex syndrome, without a clearly defined etiology that encompasses different entities, such as interstitial cystitis. This leads to difficulties in establishing a precise definition, obtaining accurate prevalence data, and defining diagnostic criteria and standardized assessment methods. Moreover, there is no consensus regarding the treatment of BPS. Intravesical instillations with hyaluronic acid (HA) are an option, although no specific recommendations have been made yet. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the scientific evidence on the therapeutic options available for BPS and to establish a work plan and recommendations for the use of intravesical instillations with HA. The Spanish Association of Urology, through the Functional, Female, and Urodynamic Urology Group, created a commission of experts. This commission was in charge of reviewing literature (evidence), agreeing on the work plan, and proposing recommendations. RESULTS: There is great variability in literature on the treatment of BPS, without a standard regimen of intravesical instillation with HA (frequency and duration of initial and maintenance treatment). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical HA instillations (usual dose of 40 mg) are effective and safe. They can be combined with other options, with efficacy still to be determined in some cases. Treatment is divided into several initial weekly sessions, followed by maintenance treatment, usually monthly (unestablished duration of cycles). Recommendations on the management of BPS were agreed, with diagnostic criteria and guidelines for treatment with intravesical HA (initiation, reassessment, and follow-up).

Ventral Approach for the Non-transecting Bulbar Urethroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, short bulbar strictures refractory to one endoscopic treatment attempt could be managed with non-transecting urethroplasty technique as a first option.1 Jordan et al2 and Bugeja et al3 described a dorsal approach, sparing vessels, and spongiosum in the hope of a decrease of surgical side effects. OBJECTIVE: To describe the step-by-step technique of the ventral approach for the non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty in distal and mid short bulbar strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of a cohort of patients who underwent a ventral non-transecting bulbar urethroplasty for short mid or distal bulbar strictures from January 2016 to December 2018. We included 10 patients. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A ventral midline urethrotomy is made and extended to assure a good caliber lumen both distally and proximally (20 Fr). The mucosal scar tissue is marked and a mucosectomy is performed, preserving the spongiosum.We bring the distal and proximal edges of healthy mucosa together without tension with a 5/0 absorbable monofilament. Ventral stricturotomy is closed over a 20F catheter, in a Heinike-Mikulics fashion, with 5/0 absorbable monofilament for the mucosal anastomosis and a 4/0 absorbable monofilament for the spongioplasty. RESULTS: Mean age was 56,50 years (+/-17,27) and mean stricture length was 1,06cm (+/-1,82). The majority of strictures (90%) were located in the mid bulb. After a mean follow up of 27,25 months (+/-12,12), 9 patients remain recurrence-free (87,5%). A significant mean increase in Qmax was observed (12+/-4,53 ml/s, p=0,04). Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (USS-PROMS), items (Questions 1-6) related to urinate symptoms also showed a significant improvement(p=0,03). We didn't find any significant decrease in erectile function with this technique. CONCLUSION: The ventral approach for mid and distal short bulbar strictures is a feasible and reproducible technique with a significant increase in Qmax and improvement in USS-PROMS. Preliminary results show no decrease in erectile function.

Evolution of male patients with detrusor underactivity and conservative treatment. Five-year follow-up. / Evolución de pacientes varones con detrusor hipoactivo y tratamiento conservador. Seguimiento a cinco años.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to compare the evolution of male patients with neurogenic detrusor underactivity (NDU) versus non-neurogenic DU (NNDU) and to establish risk factors to predict the need for clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during the follow-up period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal, descriptive study of a cohort of patients diagnosed with DU, and 2,496 urodynamic studies (2008-2018) were reviewed. Patients with DU (ICS 2002 and/or Bladder contraction index (< 100)) without treatment were included. Patients with CIC or interventional treatment were excluded. Follow-up included flowmetry every six months. CIC was indicated in cases of high residual volume (PVR) > 200 mL or voiding efficiency (VE)<50%. The need for CIC during follow-up or the appearance of complications (urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder lithiasis) were compared. RESULTS: DU was found in 172 (6.89%) men. Neurological causes were observed in 106 (61,6%) cases. Finally, 62 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (+/- 2.6). Of these patients, 33 (53%) presented NDU and 29 (47%) NNDU. Six patients with NDU needed CIC versus none with NNDU (p = 0.04). Patients requiring CIC had higher PVR (p = 0.009) and lower VE (p = 0.017)), and there were also differences in terms of time until the need for CIC (log Rank: 0.009), which was 15.1 months [4-38]. In the multivariate analysis, none of the variables showed to be predictive of the need for CIC. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of DU is neurologic injury. Patients with NDU remain stable without requiring CIC. We have not detected any risk factors that identify patients at risk of needing CIC.

Adaptation to Spanish of the ICS Good Urodynamic Practices. / Adaptación al español de las Good Urodynamic Practices de la International Continence Society.

The standardisation working group of the International Continence Society has updated the Good Urodynamic Practice directives. This evidence-based ICS-GUP2016 has defined the terminology and standards of Urodynamic practice, for the laboratory and for individual practice, in quality control during cystometry and pressure-flow analysis. In addition, the working group included recommendations prior to the test and information about how to prepare the patient, as well as recommendations for the reporting of urodynamics. Based on earlier International Continence Society standardisations and current evidence, the practice of uroflowmetry, cystometry and pressure-flow study have been detailed with a view to ensuring that this Good Urodynamic Practice update contributes towards improving clinical and research quality in urodynamics.

Recomendaciones sobre el uso de las instilaciones endovesicales de ácido hialurónico en el síndrome de dolor vesical / Recommendations on the use of intravesical hyaluronic acid instillations in bladder pain syndrome

Introducción El síndrome del dolor vesical (SDV) es un síndrome complejo, sin etiología claramente establecida, que engloba diferentes entidades como la cistitis intersticial. Esto conlleva dificultades para establecer una definición precisa, obtener datos de prevalencia exactos y definir criterios diagnósticos y métodos estandarizados de estudio. Tampoco existe homogeneidad sobre el tratamiento del SDV. Las instilaciones endovesicales con ácido hialurónico (AH) son una opción, sin aún recomendaciones específicas.Objetivo Sintetizar la evidencia científica sobre las opciones terapéuticas disponibles para el SDV y consensuar un plan de trabajo y unas recomendaciones para el uso de las instilaciones endovesicales con AH.La Asociación Española de Urología, a través del Grupo de Urología Funcional, Femenina y Urodinámica, generó una comisión de expertos. Esta comisión fue la encarga de revisar la literatura (evidencia), consensuar el plan de trabajo y proponer recomendaciones.ResultadosExiste una gran variabilidad en la literatura sobre el tratamiento del SDV, sin un régimen estándar de instilación endovesical con AH (frecuencia y duración del tratamiento de inicio y mantenimiento).Conclusiones Las instilaciones endovesicales de AH (dosis habitual de 40mg) son efectivas y seguras. Pueden combinarse con otras opciones, siendo aún necesario comprobar la eficacia en algunos casos. El tratamiento se divide en varias sesiones iniciales semanales, seguidas de tratamiento de mantenimiento, generalmente mensual (duración de los ciclos no establecida).Se consensuaron recomendaciones sobre el manejo del SVD, con criterios diagnóstico y pautas para el tratamiento con AH endovesical (inicio, reevaluación y seguimiento) (AU)

Introduction Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a complex syndrome, without a clearly defined etiology that encompasses different entities, such as interstitial cystitis. This leads to difficulties in establishing a precise definition, obtaining accurate prevalence data, and defining diagnostic criteria and standardized assessment methods. Moreover, there is no consensus regarding the treatment of BPS. Intravesical instillations with hyaluronic acid (HA) are an option, although no specific recommendations have been made yet.Objective To synthesize the scientific evidence on the therapeutic options available for BPS and to establish a work plan and recommendations for the use of intravesical instillations with HA.The Spanish Association of Urology, through the Functional, Female, and Urodynamic Urology Group, created a commission of experts. This commission was in charge of reviewing literature (evidence), agreeing on the work plan, and proposing recommendations.ResultsThere is great variability in literature on the treatment of BPS, without a standard regimen of intravesical instillation with HA (frequency and duration of initial and maintenance treatment).Conclusions Intravesical HA instillations (usual dose of 40 mg) are effective and safe. They can be combined with other options, with efficacy still to be determined in some cases. Treatment is divided into several initial weekly sessions, followed by maintenance treatment, usually monthly (unestablished duration of cycles).Recommendations on the management of BPS were agreed, with diagnostic criteria and guidelines for treatment with intravesical HA (initiation, reassessment, and follow-up) (AU)

Hydrodistension plus Onabotulinumtoxin A in bladder pain syndrome refractory to conservative treatments. / Hidrodistensión bajo anestesia más inyección de Onabotulinumtoxin A en pacientes con síndrome de dolor vesical refractario a tratamiento conservador.

INTRODUCTION: For bladder pain syndrome (BPS) refractory to conservative treatment, the European guidelines consider bladder hydrodistention (HD) under anaesthesia and the injection of Onabotulinumtoxin A (OnabotA) jointly. The objective of this study was to assess our experience in implementing this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of 25 patients with BPS who underwent HD plus a submucosal injection of 100 U of OnabotA in trigone. The Hunner lesions were treated endoscopically using resection or electrocoagulation. Thirty-eight procedures were performed (25 first interventions and 13 reoperations). To study the clinical change, we evaluated the subjective improvement (Treatment Benefit Scale [TBS] and Patient Global Impression of Change [PGIC] scales), the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire and the voiding diary for 3 days. For the data analysis, we employed the Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. RESULTS: We observed subjective improvement in 21 patients (84%), which was significant in 47% of these patients, moderate in 41.2% and slight in 11.8%. Four patients did not improve. A post-treatment reduction in the pain VAS (from 7.1 to 1.8 points; P=.001), in daytime (from 11.8 to 7.5; P=.012) and night-time (from 5.9 to 3.6; P=.003) voiding frequency and in the BPIC-SS (from 27.9 to 11.2 points; P=.042). The degree of improvement was not related to age, the presence of bladder lesions or the treatment of relapses. The median duration of improvement was 7 months (95% CI 5.69-8.31), although this duration was somewhat longer for the patients younger than 65 years. Mild complications occurred in 23.7% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The joint implementation of HD plus OnabotA is a valid therapeutic option in refractory BPS, which provides good clinical results and maintains its effectiveness in retreatments.

[Causes, characteristics and mid-term course of acute urinary retention in women referred to a urodynamics unit]. / Causas, características y evolución a medio plazo de la retención aguda de orina en las mujeres remitidas a una Unidad de Urodinámica.

OBJECTIVES: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is uncommon in women and can be related to different conditions. Only some patients are referred to the urodynamics units for a more extensive study. We intend to describe the charcteristics and causes of AUR in women referred to our unit and to analyze their middle term evolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive retrospective study (January 1982-December 2006), including the women referred to our Uro-Neurology and Urodynamics Unit after suffering an AUR. Medical charts were reviewed with special emphasis on medical history, physical examination, and also complete urodynamics study during the AUR event and after its resolution. RESULTS: A total of 202 women were included, median age of 57 years (12-87 years). Prior to the AUR, 59 women (28.7%) reported voiding symptoms. The urodynamics findings were: 65 (32.2%) detrusor hypocontractility; 64 (31.7%) normal study; 37 (18.3%) detrusor acontractility; 21 (10.4%) bladder outlet obstruction; 15 (7.4%) poor pelvic floor relaxation. The causes of the AUR were: 53 neurological (26.2%); 46 unknown (22.8%); 19 gynecological (9.4%); 22 diabetes mellitus (10.9%); 16 urological (7.9%). Renal insufficiency was observed in 14 patients (6.9%). After the AUR 106 women (52.4%) needed some kind of prolonged treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, AUR in the female is mainly related to underlying neurologic/urogynecologic disease, even though the etiology could not be known in a significant percentage of patients. Half of the patients recovered completely and did not require any treatment.

[Reconstruction of the glans with free-skin graft applying the Bracka technique]. / Reconstrucción del glande con injerto cutáneo libre según técnica de Bracka.

INTRODUCTION: We analyse our experience in the conservative surgical management of penile cancer and/or penile skin pathologies at our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed all the skin grafting procedures performed in penile surgery in the last eight years. We show the indications and results of these surgical procedures and the detailed surgical technique originally described by Bracka. RESULTS: Ten patients had several types of partial penile removal surgery followed by free-skin graft resurfacing, creating a neoglans. There were no relevant or major complications; two patients suffered partial necrosis of the skin graft. There was no local recurrence. 6 Patients returned to normal sexual activity after complete healing. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant number of patients with penile cancer and/or other penile skin pathologies who can undergo definitive and non-mutilating surgery with excellent oncologic, cosmetic and functional results with skin grafting.

Causas, características y evolución a medio plazo de la retención aguda de orina en las mujeres remitidas a una Unidad de Urodinámica / Causes, Characteristics and Mid-Term Course of Acute Urinary Retention in Women Referred to a Urodynamics Unit

Objetivos: La retención aguda de orina (RAO) es poco frecuente en mujeres y puede relacionarse con distintas patologías. Sólo algunas pacientes son remitidas a una Unidad de Urodinámica para un estudio más exhaustivo. Se pretende describir las características y causas de RAO en las mujeres derivadas a nuestra unidad y analizar su evolución a medio plazo. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo (enero 1982- diciembre 2006) incluyendo las mujeres derivadas a la Unidad de Urodinámica tras sufrir una RAO. Se revisaron las historias clínicas con especial énfasis en antecedentes personales, exploración física, así como estudio urodinámico completo durante el episodio de RAO y una vez superado este. Resultados: Se incluyeron 202 mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 57 años (12- 87). Previamente 59 pacientes (28,7%) presentaban síntomas de vaciado. Los patrones urodinámicos que se encontraron fueron: 65 hipocontractilidad vesical (32,2%), 64 estudio normal (31,7%), 37 acontractilidad (18,3%), 21 obstrucción infravesical (10,4%) y 15 ausencia de relajación de suelo pélvico (7,4%). Las principales causas de RAO fueron: 53 neurológica (26,2%); 46 causa desconocida (22,8%); 19 ginecológica (9,4%); 22 diabetes mellitus (10,9%); y 16 urológica (7,9%). Deterioraron la función renal 14 mujeres (6,9%). Tras la RAO 106 mujeres (52,4%) necesitaron continuar con algún tipo de tratamiento. Conclusiones: En nuestra serie la RAO en mujeres suele ser consecuencia de una enfermedad neurológica o uroginecológica subyacente, aunque en un porcentaje importante de pacientes no se logra filiar la causa. La mitad de las pacientes se recuperaron totalmente y no precisaron ningún tipo de tratamiento (AU)

Objectives: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is uncommon in women and can be related to different conditions. Only some patients are referred to the urodynamics units for a more extensive study. We intend to describe the characteristics and causes of AUR in women referred to our unit and to analyze their middle term evolution. Material and Methods: We performed a descriptive retrospective study (January 1982-December 2006), including the women referred to our Uro-Neurology and Urodynamics Unit after suffering an AUR. Medical charts were reviewed with special emphasis on medical history, physical examination, and also complete urodynamics study during the AUR event and after its resolution. Results: A total of 202 women were included, median age of 57 years (12-87 years). Prior to the AUR, 59 women (28.7%) reported voiding symptoms. The urodynamics findings were: 65 (32.2%) detrusor hypocontractility; 64 (31.7%) normal study; 37 (18.3%) detrusor acontractility; 21 (10.4%) bladder outlet obstruction; 15 (7.4%) poor pelvic floor relaxation. The causes of the AUR were: 53 neurological (26.2%); 46 unknown (22.8%); 19 gynecological (9.4%); 22 diabetes mellitus (10.9%); 16 urological (7.9%). Renal insufficiency was observed in 14 patients (6.9%). After the AUR 106 women (52.4%) needed some kind of prolonged treatment. Conclusions: In our experience, AUR in the female is mainly related to underlying neurologic/urogynecologic disease, even though the etiology could not be known in a significant percentage of patients. Half of the patients recovered completely and did not require any treatment (AU)

Reconstrucción del glande con injerto cutáneo libre según técnica de Bracka / Reconstruction of the Glans With Free-Skin Graft Applying the Bracka Technique

Introducción: Analizamos nuestra experiencia en el manejo conservador y reconstructivo de los pacientes tratados de cáncer de pene y/o patologías cutáneas del pene en nuestra institución. Material y métodos: Hemos revisado retrospectivamente todos los procedimientos de injerto cutáneo realizados en la cirugía peneana a lo largo de los últimos 8 años. Se presentan las indicaciones y resultados de estas cirugías y el procedimiento quirúrgico detallado descrito originalmente por Bracka. Resultados: Diez pacientes fueron sometidos a extirpación parcial del pene seguida de técnica quirúrgica reconstructiva con injerto libre de piel creando un neoglande. No se han registrado casos de complicaciones mayores; dos pacientes tuvieron pérdida parcial del injerto y ninguno ha presentado recidiva local. Seis pacientes comunicaron haber reanudado su actividad sexual después de la curación completa. Conclusión: Existe un grupo importante de pacientes con cáncer de pene y/o otras patologías en el glande donde es posible realizar una cirugía reconstructiva peneana no mutilante con resultados oncológicos, estéticos y funcionales satisfactorios (AU)

Introduction: We analyse our experience in the conservative surgical management of penile cancer and/or penile skin pathologies at our institution. Material and methods: We have retrospectively reviewed all the skin grafting procedures performed in penile surgery in the last eight years. We show the indications and results of these surgical procedures and the detailed surgical technique originally described by Bracka. Results: Ten patients had several types of partial penile removal surgery followed by free-skin graft resurfacing, creating a neoglans. There were no relevant or major complications; two patients suffered partial necrosis of the skin graft. There was no local recurrence. 6 Patients returned to normal sexual activity after complete healing. Conclusions: There is a significant number of patients with penile cancer and/or other penile skin pathologies who can undergo definitive and non-mutilating surgery with excellent oncologic, cosmetic and functional results with skin grafting (AU)