"I think my vagina is still there?": Women's perspectives on sexual function and dysfunction following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Women's sexual health after radical cystectomy is an important but poorly understood aspect of bladder cancer survivorship. Dedicated investigation is needed to elucidate patient perceptions on sexual function and dysfunction in this setting. AIMS: In this study we sought to qualitatively examine women's perceptions and experiences of sexual health following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS: We conducted one-on-one qualitative telephone interviews with 40 women who underwent radical cystectomy in the past 6 months to 5 years and signed a research consent form to be contacted for future studies. We examined women's experiences of engaging in sexual activity after surgery and their attitudes toward sex and body image. We audio recorded, transcribed, and coded the interviews using ATLAS.ti software and applied grounded theory methods for analysis. OUTCOMES: For data that emerged during the qualitative interviews that was related to lack of knowledge about how physical and psychological sexual health would be affected after surgery, we reviewed and discussed transcripts that enabled coding of the data into emerging topic areas. RESULTS: Our analysis yielded 4 main themes. (1) Women reported receiving little to no information from providers about female sexual dysfunction prior to or after radical cystectomy. Women wished they had been provided more information about female sexual dysfunction from their clinicians, including strategies for postoperative self-pleasure and nonintercourse methods of sexual pleasure with partners. (2) Women shared that they were not sexually active following surgery due to physical and mental barriers. (3) When women did try to engage in sex, they described feeling disappointed that it did not feel the same as prior to surgery. (4) Some women found that physical therapy helped them to physically and mentally recover their strength to engage in sexual activity again. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians must directly address sexual health concerns with patients who undergo radical cystectomy. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study has several key strengths. Investigation into women's sexual function and dysfunction addresses a gap in understanding of this component of women's health-related quality of life after radical cystectomy, which represents an unmet need. The large number of interviews conducted as well as the in-depth information obtained through one-on-one interviews are additional strengths. This study also has limitations, including possible shortcomings of telephone interviews compared with in-person interviews. However, telephone interviews were beneficial because the interviews took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and spared patients from extra visits or from having to travel long distances to the respective medical centers. Other possible limitations were that patients may have been reluctant to share all of their experiences and that patients who underwent urostomies, also termed ileal conduits, were overrepresented in this study compared with women who underwent continent urine diversions, which allow greater control over urine output. CONCLUSION: Broadening the understanding of sexual health beyond sexual intercourse to encompass sexuality and self-pleasure can provide clinicians, patients, and their families with more effective preparation and strategies to care for an essential aspect of their wellbeing.

Determination of voiding pressure in infants with normal lower urinary tracts: Exploring the possible effect of sacral development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sacral underdevelopment, as defined by subnormal sacral ratio (SR) measurements, with increased maximum detrusor voiding pressure (P det. Max) in infants. METHODS: In this 2007-2015 retrospective cohort study, the medical records of all infants who underwent a pyeloplasty due to congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction were added. Their P det. Max was evaluated through the suprapubic catheter utilized for urinary drainage intraoperatively, without imposing any additional risk of urethral catheterization on the infant. SR was calculated via the plain kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) radiography film obtained during the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) evaluation before the surgery. Participants were categorized into SR < 0.74 or SR ≥ 0.74. P det. Max was subsequently compared between these two groups. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were included in our analysis. Twenty-eight (62.2%) patients had a (SR < 0.74), while 17 (37.8%) had a (SR ≥ 0.74). P det. Max was shown to be significantly higher in the SR < 0.74 compared to the SR ≥ 0.74 group (167.5 ± 60.8 vs. 55.7 ± 17.9 cmH2O, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, SR remained a significant contributor to P det. Max (p < 0.001). Physiologic detrusor sphincter dyscoordination (PDSD) rate was significantly higher in the SR < 0.74 versus SR ≥ 0.74 group (100.0% vs. 70.6%, respectively; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Lumbosacral underdevelopment, as indicated by subnormal sacral ratios, is associated with sphincter-detrusor dyscoordination, which causes PDSD and can ultimately result in higher P det. Max in infants.

A Urine-based DNA Methylation Marker Test to Detect Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: We explored the accuracy of a urine-based epigenetic test for detecting upper tract urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, urine samples were prospectively collected from primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients before radical nephroureterectomy, ureterectomy, or ureteroscopy between December 2019 and March 2022. Samples were analyzed with Bladder CARE, a urine-based test that measures the methylation levels of 3 cancer biomarkers (TRNA-Cys, SIM2, and NKX1-1) and 2 internal control loci using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes coupled with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results were reported as the Bladder CARE Index score and quantitatively categorized as positive (>5), high risk (2.5-5), or negative (<2.5). The findings were compared with those of 1:1 sex/age-matched cancer-free healthy individuals. RESULTS: Fifty patients (40 radical nephroureterectomy, 7 ureterectomy, and 3 ureteroscopy) with a median (IQR) age of 72 (64-79) years were included. Bladder CARE Index results were positive in 47, high risk in 1, and negative in 2 patients. A significant correlation was found between Bladder CARE Index values and tumor size. Urine cytology was available for 35 patients, of whom 22 (63%) results were false-negative. Upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients had significantly higher Bladder CARE Index values compared to the controls (mean 189.3 vs 1.6, P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Bladder CARE test for detecting upper tract urothelial carcinoma were 96%, 88%, 89%, and 96%, respectively.Conclusions:Bladder CARE is an accurate urine-based epigenetic test for the diagnosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma, with much higher sensitivity than standard urine cytology.

Management of Intractable Functional Constipation in Children by Interferential Therapy: Transabdominal or Pelvic Floor.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effectiveness of pelvic floor interferential (IF) therapy with trans-abdominal IF therapy in children with intractable functional constipation. METHODS: Information of 64 children (38 boys, 26 girls; mean age: 6.6 ± 2.2) with functional constipation who had been treated with IF therapy were considered for this retrospective study. Group A (n = 32) underwent pelvic IF electrical stimulation + pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises while the group B (n = 32) received transabdominal IF therapy + PFM exercises. A complete bowel habit diary, a constipation score questionnaire and a seeable pain scores had been recorded before, after the ending of treatment courses and six months later for children in both groups. Additionally, children had been assessed with a constipation-related quality of life questionnaire before and six months after treatment. RESULTS: The number of patients who compiled the diagnostic criteria for constipation significantly decreased in both groups after treatment, in which 27/32 (84.3%) of patients in each group had no constipation after the ending of therapy courses (P = 1). Fecal soiling episodes reduced in both groups after treatment, this finding was significantly higher in group A than in group B after the ending of therapy courses (P = 0.05) and six months later (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that using IF therapy both pelvic floor and transabdominal significantly boosts the effects of treatment among patients with functional constipation. Pelvic floor IF therapy is more effective in patients who had concomitant fecal soiling.

Role of blue-light cystoscopy in detecting invasive bladder tumours: data from a multi-institutional registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of blue-light cystoscopy (BLC) in detecting invasive tumours that were not visible on white-light cystoscopy (WLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the multi-institutional Cysview registry database, patients who had at least one white-light negative (WL-)/blue-light positive (BL+) lesion with invasive pathology (≥T1) as highest stage tumour were identified. All WL-/BL+ lesions and all invasive tumours in the database were used as denominators. Relevant baseline and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: Of the 3514 lesions (1257 unique patients), 818 (23.2%) lesions were WL-/BL+, of those, 55 (7%) lesions were invasive (48 T1, seven T2; 47 unique patients) including 28/55 (51%) de novo invasive lesions (26 unique patients). In all, 21/47 (45%) patients had WL-/BL+ concommitant carcinoma in situ and/or another T1 lesions. Of 22 patients with a WL-/BL+ lesion who underwent radical cystectomy (RC), high-risk pathological features leading to RC was only visible on BLC in 18 (82%) patients. At time of RC, 11/22 (50%) patients had pathological upstaging including four (18%) with node-positive disease. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of invasive lesions are only detectable by BLC and the rate of pathological upstaging is significant. Our present findings suggest an additional benefit of BLC in the detection of invasive bladder tumours that has implications for treatment approach.

Comparative Efficacy of Transcutaneous Functional Electrical Stimulation With or Without Biofeedback Therapy on Functional Non-retentive Fecal Incontinence in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: We compared the effects of transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (TFES) and biofeedback therapy with TFES alone in a cohort of children with functional non-retentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI). METHODS: This prospective, single-center randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 children with FNRFI. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal treatment groups. Group A (n = 20) underwent TFES + biofeedback therapy, and group B (n = 20) received TFES alone. All patients were assessed with a pediatric fecal incontinence (FI) score questionnaire, a visual pain score, and a bowel habit diary both before and at the end of treatment sessions and also at 6 months of follow-up. In addition, a FI quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire was recorded for all patients before and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: FI significantly improved in 13/20 (65%) patients in group A and 11/20 (55%) patients in group B (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in FI score was seen in each group at the end of treatment sessions and maintained at 6 months of follow-up (P < 0.05). A significant improvement in FI-QoL scores was seen in both groups at 6 months of follow-up in which there was no significant difference in terms of FI-QoL scores improvement between both groups after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of electrical stimulation in combination with other treatment methods improves symptoms in patients with FNRFI who are refractory to conventional treatment.

Management of post-surgical faecal incontinence due to anorectal malformations by pelvic floor rehabilitation.

AIM: Many patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) experience a long-lasting problem with faecal incontinence (FI). We assessed the effectiveness of a pelvic floor rehabilitation program including transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (TFES) in combination with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises on post-surgical FI in children with ARM. METHODS: Data of 40 children at the age of 4 years or older who had undergone surgical correction for ARM and suffered from persistent FI referring for pelvic floor rehabilitation were analysed respectively. Patients underwent TFES and PFM exercises for 20 sessions. TFES was applied for 20-min during each session, two times a week. A paediatric FI score questionnaire and a bowel habit diary were completed both before and after the treatment for all children. We completed a FI quality of life questionnaire before the therapy and again after treatment for all patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two out of 40 (55%) patients responded completely to the treatment (100% reduction in FI episodes) after the completion of treatment sessions, sustained in 19/40 (47.5%) patients after 6 months. Mean ± SD of FI score was 4.9 ± 3.6 at baseline that significantly reduced to 2.4 ± 1.3 and 2.4 ± 1.8 after completion of treatment sessions and 6 months later, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that TFES and PFM exercises have a considerable beneficial impact on post-surgical FI in children with ARM.

Non-retentive faecal incontinence in children: Conventional therapy alone or combined electrical stimulation.

AIMS: To compare the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) with conventional therapy and conventional therapy alone on improvement of faecal incontinence (FI) symptoms in a number of children with functional non-retentive FI. METHODS: Data of 28 children with FI were accepted for this retrospective study. The case group (n = 14) underwent FES + conventional therapy and the control group (n = 14) received conventional therapy only. Data of children with faecal retention, inflammatory, anatomic, metabolic and neurological disorders were excluded. Children were assessed with a paediatric FI score questionnaire, and a bowel habit diary both before treatment sessions, after they ended, and after 6 months. A FI quality of life questionnaire was completed before and after treatment for all children. RESULTS: Full response to the treatment (100% reduction in FI episodes) was significantly observed in 8/14 (57.1%) of children in the case group compared to 2/14 (14.2%) of children in the control group after the ending of treatment sessions (P = 0.005). The baseline mean ± SD of FI episodes per week was 3.7 ± 2.1 among both groups which significantly decreased after the ending of treatment sessions in the case group compared to the control group (1.4 ± 2.1 vs 3 ± 2.7; P = 0.05). Mean ± SD of FI score was significantly reduced in the case group compared to the controls after the ending of treatment sessions (3.9 ± 4.5 vs 8 ± 4.7; P = 0.02) and maintained after 6 months (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Functional electrical stimulation is a safe, effective, non-invasive, inexpensive, reproducible and easy-to-use modality for treatment of functional non-retentive faecal incintinence in children.

Safety and feasibility of urological procedures in Jehovah's Witness patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the safety and feasibility of urological transfusion-free surgeries in Jehovah's Witness patients. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved, retrospective review of Jehovah's Witness patients who underwent urological transfusion-free surgeries between 2003 and 2019 was carried out. Surgeries were stratified into low, intermediate and high risk based on complexity, invasiveness and bleeding potential. Patient demographics, perioperative data and clinical outcomes are reported. RESULTS: A total of 161 Jehovah's Witness patients (median age 63.4 years) underwent 171 transfusion-free surgeries, including 57 (33.3%) in low-, 82 (47.9%) in intermediate- and 32 (18.8%) in high-risk categories. The mean estimated blood loss increased with risk category at 48 mL (range 10-50 mL), 150 mL (range 50-200 mL) and 388 mL (range 137-500 mL), respectively (P < 0.001). Implementing blood augmentation and conservation techniques increased with each risk category (3.5% vs 29% vs 69%, respectively; P < 0.001). Average length of stay increased concordantly at 1.6 days (range 0-12 days), 2.9 days (range 1-13 days) and 5.6 days (range 2-12 days), respectively (P ≤ 0.001). However, there was no increase in complication rates and readmission rates attributed to bleeding among the risk categories at 30 days (P = 0.9 and 0.4, respectively) and 90 days (P = 0.7 and 0.7, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion free urological surgery can be safely carried out on Jehovah's Witness patients using contemporary perioperative optimization. Additionally, these techniques can be expanded for use in the general patient population to avoid short- and long-term consequences of perioperative blood transfusion.

Predictors of need for catheterisation and urinary retention after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder in male patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of catheterisation and urinary retention in male patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) and to identify potential predictors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using an Institutional Review Board approved, prospectively maintained bladder cancer database, we collected information using a diversion-related questionnaire from 299 consecutive male patients with bladder cancer upon postoperative clinic visit. Urinary retention was defined as ≥3 catheterisations/day or a self-reported inability to void without a catheter. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of catheterisation and urinary retention. RESULTS: Self-catheterisation was reported in 51 patients (17%), of whom, 22 (7.4% of the total patients) were in retention. Freedom from any catheterisation at 3, 5, and 10 years after RC was 85%, 77%, and 62%, respectively. Freedom from retention at 3, 5, and 10 years after RC was 93%, 88%, and 79%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression showed that higher body mass index (BMI; ≥27 kg/m2 ) significantly increased the need for catheterisation (hazard ratio [HR] 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-4.32) as well as retention (HR 5.20, 95% CI 1.74-15.51). Greater medical comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥2) correlated with the need for any catheterisation (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.02-3.3), but not retention. Pathological stage and type of diversion were not significant predictors of the need to catheterise or urinary retention. CONCLUSION: In males undergoing RC with ONB, retention requiring catheterisation to void is uncommon. Patients with a BMI of ≥27 kg/m2 are at significantly increased risk of retention and need for self-catheterisation.

Introduction on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Global Challenge.

By driving the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), coronaviruses have become a significant change in twenty-first-century medicine, healthcare systems, education, and the global economy. This chapter rapidly reviews the origin, immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and potential therapeutics of COVID-19. It would also explore the effects of the introduction of a single virus, the so-called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), on the public health preparedness planning.

Intrarectal Electromotive Botulinum Toxin Type A Administration in Children With Intractable Constipation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Children with refractory constipation might not respond to conventional medical treatments. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of intrarectal botulinum toxin type A/electromotive drug administration (BoNTA/EMDA) on constipation in these children and compared its efficacy with routine intrasphincteric BoNTA injection. METHODS: From 2017 to 2019, 60 children aged 5-13 years who fulfilled Rome III criteria for intractable constipation were enrolled and randomly assigned into 2 treatment groups. EMDA group (n = 30) underwent BoNTA/EMDA, whereas the control group (n = 30) received injection of BoNTA into the internal anal sphincter. A complete bowel habit diary (with data on the frequency of defecation per week, stool form, and the number of fecal soiling episodes), a constipation score questionnaire, and a visual pain score were recorded before treatment and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. In addition, children in both groups were assessed with a constipation-related quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: After 1-month follow-up, treatment reduced the number of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria in both EMDA (24/30, 80%) and injection (25/30, 83.3%) groups (P < 0.001). The stool form was normalized in 73.3% (22/30) in EMDA group and 80% (24/30) in injection group after treatment. The median of constipation score and pain score decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). DISCUSSION: BoNTA/EMDA seems to be as effective as intrasphincteric BoNTA injection for treatment of intractable constipation. In addition, this technique is associated with less comorbidity, is less costly, and can be performed in an office-based setting without general anesthesia.

Barriers to Women Entering Surgical Careers: A Global Study into Medical Student Perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Barriers to female surgeons entering the field are well documented in Australia, the USA and the UK, but how generalizable these problems are to other regions remains unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was developed by the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)'s Global Surgery Working Group assessing medical students' desire to pursue a surgical career at different stages of their medical degree. The questionnaire also included questions on students' perceptions of their education, resources and professional life. The survey was distributed via IFMSA mailing lists, conferences and social media. Univariate analysis was performed, and statistically significant exposures were added to a multivariate model. This model was then tested in male and female medical students, before a further subset analysis by country World Bank income strata. RESULTS: 639 medical students from 75 countries completed the survey. Mentorship [OR 3.42 (CI 2.29-5.12) p = 0.00], the acute element of the surgical specialties [OR 2.22 (CI 1.49-3.29) p = 0.00], academic competitiveness [OR 1.61 (CI 1.07-2.42) p = 0.02] and being from a high or upper-middle-income country (HIC and UMIC) [OR 1.56 (CI 1.021-2.369) p = 0.04] all increased likelihood to be considering a surgical career, whereas perceived access to postgraduate training [OR 0.63 (CI 0.417-0.943) p = 0.03], increased year of study [OR 0.68 (CI 0.57-0.81) p = 0.00] and perceived heavy workload [OR 0.47 (CI 0.31-0.73) p = 0.00] all decreased likelihood to consider a surgical career. Perceived quality of surgical teaching and quality of surgical services in country overall did not affect students' decision to pursue surgery. On subset analysis, perceived poor access to postgraduate training made women 60% less likely to consider a surgical career [OR 0.381 (CI 0.217-0.671) p = 0.00], whilst not showing an effect in the men [OR 1.13 (CI 0.61-2.12) p = 0.70. Concerns about high cost of training halve the likelihood of students from low and low-middle-income countries (LICs and LMICs) considering a surgical career [OR 0.45 (CI 0.25-0.82) p = 0.00] whilst not demonstrating a significant relationship in HIC or UMIC countries. Women from LICs and LMICs were 40% less likely to consider surgical careers than men, when controlling for other factors [OR 0.59 CI (0.342-1.01 p = 0.053]. CONCLUSION: Perceived poor access to postgraduate training and heavy workload dissuade students worldwide from considering surgical careers. Postgraduate training in particular appears to be most significant for women and cost of training an additional factor in both women and men from LMICs and LICs. Mentorship remains an important and modifiable factor in influencing student's decision to pursue surgery. Quality of surgical education showed no effect on student decision-making.

Urinary carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level as a biomarker in children with acute pyelonephritis.

Early and prompt diagnosis of pyelonephritis is of great importance in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urinary carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels for predicting acute pyelonephritis (APN) in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Patients were allocated into two groups of APN and acute cystitis according to their diagnosis. Urine samples of all patients were collected. Also, complete history was taken, and physical examination, kidney and bladder ultrasonography, 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal cortical scintigraphy, and urine analysis and culture were performed. Urinary CA19-9 was measured by an electrochemiluminescence enzyme immunometric kit. In addition, CA19-9 levels were measured in the APN group 2 weeks and 3 months later. A total of 100 children were included in this study (mean age 46 ± 31 months, 16 males and 84 females). CA19-9 levels were significantly greater in the APN group than acute cystitis group (510 ± 328 vs. 18.7 ± 18.6 U/ml, P < 0.001). During follow-up periods of the APN group, CA19-9 levels decreased to 180 ± 124 U/ml after 2 weeks (P < 0.001) and 30 ± 23 U/ml after 3 months (P < 0.001). Urinary CA-19-9 had 95.3% sensitivity and 80% specificity for the diagnosis of APN. The area under the curve value of CA19-9 was 0.904 (95% CI 0.831-0.977).Conclusion: Urinary CA19-9 level can be used as a reliable biomarker for early detection of APN prior to urine culture confirmation in children with UTI. What is known: • Early and prompt diagnosis of pyelonephritis is necessary in children to prevent renal damage. • Acute pyelonephritis can present with vague and nonspecific symptoms in infants and children. What is new: • Urinary carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is a reliable biomarker for early detection of acute pyelonephritis prior to urine culture confirmation. • Urinary carbohydrate antigen 19-9 has 95.3% sensitivity and 80% specificity for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis.

Resolution of Hydronephrosis in Children with Dysfunctional Voiding After Biofeedback Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

We assessed efficacy of biofeedback therapy and home pelvic floor muscle exercises in children with dysfunctional voiding (DV) associated with mild to moderate hydronephrosis. This prospective study comprised fifty seven children (21 boys, 36 girls; mean age 8.9 ± 2.6) with DV and mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Children were randomly allocated into two treatment groups including control group who underwent standard urotherapy and case group who received biofeedback therapy in addition to standard urotherapy. A 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mDTPA) scan, voiding cystoureterography, kidney and bladder ultrasounds, voiding diary and uroflowmetry with electromyography (EMG) were performed in all study participants at the baseline. Children with evidence of complete obstruction in DTPA scan and vesicoureteral reflux were excluded from enrollment. A complete voiding diary, kidney and bladder ultrasounds and uroflowmetry/EMG were also performed 6 months and 1 year after completion of the treatment. We noted a more significant decline in anteroposterior pelvic diameter in case group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The mean maximal urine flow rate prior to treatment was 16.5 ± 2.6 and 16.1 ± 3 ml/s in case and control groups, respectively. This finding increased significantly 1 year after the treatment in case group compared to controls (25 ± 7.2 ml/s vs. 18.4 ± 5.9 ml/s, respectively; P < 0.001). Improvement of various parameters in voiding diary was also more significant in the case group. Biofeedback therapy can effectively resolve non-refluxing and non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children with DV.

Traditional Biofeedback vs. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy-Is One Clearly Superior?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pelvic floor physical therapy is a worldwide accepted therapy that has been exclusively used to manage many pelvic floor disorders in adults and children. The aim of this review is to suggest to clinicians an updated understanding of this therapeutic approach in management of children with non-neuropathic voiding dysfunction. RECENT FINDINGS: Today, pelvic floor muscle training through biofeedback is widely used as a part of a voiding retraining program aiming to help children with voiding dysfunction which is caused by pelvic floor overactivity. Biofeedback on its own, without a pelvic floor training component, is not an effective treatment. Biofeedback is an adjunct to the pelvic floor training. In the current review, we develop the role of pelvic floor physical therapy in management of children with non-neuropathic voiding dysfunction and compare it with biofeedback therapy alone.

Effects of Interferential Electrical Stimulation Plus Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercises on Functional Constipation in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Functional constipation is a common condition in children. We assessed the effectiveness of combined interferential (IF) electrical stimulation and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises on functional constipation in children. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, double-blind randomized clinical trial study during 2014-2017 in Tehran, Iran. Ninety children, aged 5-13 years, who fulfilled Rome III criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Case group (n=45) underwent IF electrical stimulation and PFM exercises, whereas the control group (n=45) received PFM exercises plus sham stimulation. A complete bowel habit diary (with concerning data on the frequency of defecation per week, stool form, and the number of fecal soiling episodes), a constipation score questionnaire, and a visual pain score were recorded before, after the treatment and 6 months later for all participants. In addition, children in both groups were assessed with a constipation-related quality-of-life questionnaire before, after the end of treatment sessions, and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: Treatment success was achieved for 88.4% of children in the case group compared with 43.2% of children in the control group after the treatment (P<0.003). The median constipation score was reduced in both groups, with the cases having significantly lower scores after the treatment (4 vs. 8, P<0.000). Stool form normalized in 75.6% of the cases and 45.5% of the controls after the treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that using IF electrical stimulation as an adjuvant therapy to the medical and rehabilitation programs significantly boosts the effects of treatment among these patients.

Pelvic floor electromyography and urine flow patterns in children with vesicoureteral reflux and lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the different urine flow patterns and active pelvic floor electromyography (EMG) during voiding in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) as well as presenting the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of children diagnosed with VUR after toilet training from Sep 2013 to Jan 2016. 225 anatomically and neurologically normal children were included. The reflux was diagnosed with voiding cystourethrography. The study was comprised an interview by means of a symptom questionnaire, a voiding diary, uroflowmetry with EMG and kidney and bladder ultrasounds. Urine flow patterns were classified as bell shape, staccato, interrupted, tower and plateau based on the current International Children's Continence Society guidelines. RESULTS: Of 225 children with VUR (175 girls, 50 boys), underwent uroflowmetry + EMG, 151 (67.1%) had an abnormal urine flow pattern. An active pelvic floor EMG during voiding was confirmed in 113 (50.2%) children. The flow patterns were staccato in 76 (33.7 %), interrupted in 41 (18.2%), Plateau in 26 (11.5%), tower in 12 (5.3%) and a bell shape or normal pattern in 70 (31.5%). Urinary tract infection, enuresis and constipation respectively, were more frequent symptoms in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder/bowel dysfunction is common in patients with VUR that increases the risk of breakthrough urinary tract infections in children receiving antibiotic prophylaxis and reduces the success rate for endoscopic injection therapy. Therefore investigation of voiding dysfunction with primary assessment tools can be used prior to treating VUR.