Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Urological Surgery: Risk Factor or Not? Results From the National and Multicenter TOCUS Database.

PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to all urological surgeries breaching the mucosa. But little evidence supports this recommendation. At the least, risk stratification for postoperative UTI to support this strategy is lacking. The aim of this study was to define the associated factors for postoperative febrile infectious complications (UTI or surgical site infection) in urological surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicentric study including all consecutive patients undergoing any urological surgery with preoperative urine culture. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a UTI or surgical site infection occurring within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2023, in 10 centers, 2389 patients were included with 838 (35%) positive urine cultures (mono-/bi-/polymicrobial). Postoperative infections occurred in 106 cases (4.4%), of which 44 had negative urine cultures (41%), 42 had positive mono-/bimicrobial urine cultures (40%), and 20 had polymicrobial urine cultures (19%). In multivariable analysis, UTI during the previous 12 months of surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.43; 95% CI 2.07-5.66; P < .001), monomicrobial/bimicrobial preoperative urine culture (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.57-8.42; P = .002), polymicrobial preoperative urine culture (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.52-5.14; P < .001), and operative time (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04-1.15; P < .001) were independent associated factors for postoperative febrile infections. CONCLUSIONS: Positive urine culture, including preoperative polymicrobial urine culture, prior to urological surgery was associated with postoperative infection. Additionally, patients experiencing infectious complications also had a higher incidence of other complications. The effectiveness of systematic preventive antibiotic therapy for a positive urine culture has not been conclusively established.

Prevalence of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This review investigates the prevalence of male non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after renal transplant, as kidney transplantation is a transformative intervention for patients with end-stage renal disease significantly enhancing quality of life that might be diminished by LUTS. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A systematic search in the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using specific terms. Inclusion criteria considered male kidney transplant recipients, analysing outcomes in English-language studies. Discrepancies were resolved by consultation. RESULTS: Among 18 studies involving 29 086 recipients, the prevalence of non-neurogenic LUTS ranged from 5.8% to 33.0%. Studies predominantly used the International Prostate Symptom Score for evaluation. Surgical interventions, mostly for benign prostatic obstruction, ranged from 2.5% to 20.0%. Voiding and post-micturition symptoms were under-represented. CONCLUSION: This review found varied non-neurogenic LUTS prevalence and characteristics in male kidney transplant recipients, emphasising the need for standardised assessments, prospective studies, and improved understanding of LUTS mechanisms. Enhanced knowledge can guide interventions, additionally benefiting recipient quality of life.

Urinary tract dilation classification system for predicting surgical management and urinary tract infection in neonates and young infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The urinary tract dilation classification system has recently been developed to ensure a unified approach to describe urinary tract dilation in neonates and young infants. However, the predictive value of this system for surgical intervention or urinary tract infection (UTI) has not yet been evaluated in a meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the utility of a postnatal urinary tract dilation classification system for predicting surgical management or a UTI occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As the urinary tract dilation classification system was introduced in 2014, we searched Embase and PubMed databases for studies published between January 2014 and December 2022. Original articles that reported surgical interventions or UTI episodes according to postnatal urinary tract dilation grades were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated, using either the fixed-effects or random-effects model, given the lower urinary tract dilation grades as the base category. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Of the 285 articles reviewed, eight (comprising 2,165 children) were included in the analysis. The studies were of medium-to-high quality. Pooled analysis demonstrated that urinary tract dilation P3 (combined OR, 21.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.72-29.17) and urinary tract dilation P2-P3 (combined OR, 65.17; 95% CI, 33.08-128.38) were associated with surgical intervention. The urinary tract dilation P3 (combined OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.56-2.85) and urinary tract dilation P2-P3 (combined OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 2.43-4.63) were associated with UTI episodes. CONCLUSION: The postnatal urinary tract dilation classification system is useful for predicting the need for surgical management and UTI episodes in infants with hydronephrosis.

Gap analysis between trainees' subjective competencies and the competencies expected by instructors in urology: A need assessment survey in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: According to the rapid progress in surgical techniques, a growing number of procedures should be learned during postgraduate training periods. This study aimed to clarify the current situation regarding urological surgical training and identify the perception gap between trainees' competency and the competency expected by instructors in Japan. METHODS: Regarding the 40 urological surgical procedures selected via the Delphi method, we collected data on previous caseloads, current subjective autonomy, and confidence for future skill acquisition from trainees (<15 post-graduate years [PGY]), and the competencies when trainees became attending doctors expected by instructors (>15 PGY), according to a 5-point Likert scale. In total, 174 urologists in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The response rate was 96% (165/174). In a large proportion of the procedures, caseloads grew with accumulation of years of clinical practice. However, trainees had limited caseloads of robotic and reconstructive surgeries even after 15 PGY. Trainees showed low subjective competencies at present and low confidence for future skill acquisition in several procedures, such as open cystectomy, ureteroureterostomy, and ureterocystostomy, while instructors expected trainees to be able to perform these procedures independently when they became attending doctors. CONCLUSION: Trainees showed low subjective competencies and low confidence for future skill acquisition in several open and reconstructive procedures, while instructors considered that these procedures should be independently performable by attending doctors. We believe that knowledge of these perception gaps is helpful to develop a practical training program.

A Comprehensive Review of the Current State of Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Salvage Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Salvage robot assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) is performed for patients with biochemical or biopsy proven, localized prostate cancer recurrences after radiation or ablative therapies. Traditionally, sRARP has been avoided by lower volume surgeons due to technical demand and high complication rates. Post-radiation sRARP outcomes studies exist but remain few in number. With increasing use of whole gland and focal ablative therapies, updates on sRARP in this setting are needed. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of recently reviewed studies on the oncologic outcomes, functional outcomes, and complications after post-radiation and post-ablative sRARP. Tips and tricks are provided to guide surgeons who may perform sRARP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a non-systematic literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE for the most relevant articles pertaining to the outlined topics from 2010-2022 without limitation on study design. Only case reports, editorial comments, letters, and manuscripts in non-English languages were excluded. Key Content and Findings: Salvage robotic radical prostatectomy is performed in cases of biochemical recurrence after radiation or ablative therapies. Oncologic outcomes after sRARP are worse compared to primary surgery (pRARP) though improvements have been made with the robotic approach when compared to open salvage prostatectomy. Higher pre-sRARP PSA levels and more advanced pathologic stage portend worse oncologic outcomes. Patients meeting low-risk, EAU-biochemical recurrence criteria have improved oncologic outcomes compared to those with high-risk BCR. While complication rates in sRARP are higher compared to pRARP, Retzius sparing approaches may reduce complication rates, particularly rectal injuries. In comparison to the traditional open approach, sRARP is associated with a lower rate of bladder neck contracture. In terms of functional outcomes, potency rates after sRARP are poor and continence rates are low, though Retzius sparing approaches demonstrate acceptable recovery of urinary continence by 1 year, post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in the robotic platform and improvement in robotic experience have resulted in acceptable complication rates after sRARP. However, oncologic and functional outcomes after sRARP in both the post-radiation and post-ablation settings are worse compared to pRARP. Thus, when engaging in shared decision making with patients regarding the initial management of localized prostate cancer, patients should be educated regarding oncologic and functional outcomes and complications in the case of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer that may require sRARP.

[Efficacy and safety of mini-track, mini-nephroscopy and mini-ultrasonic probe percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-track, mini-nephroscopy and mini-ultrasonic probe percutaneous nephrolithotomy (3mPCNL) for the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones. METHODS: The perioperative data and postoperative follow-up data of a total of 25 patients with about 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones who underwent 3mPCNL under ultrasound guidance in Peking University People's Hospital from November 2023 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. During the matching period, the 25 patients with 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones receiving standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPCNL) were matched one-to-one according to the criterion that the absolute difference of the maximum diameter of stones between the two groups was less than 1 mm. The operative time, renal function changes, postoperative stone-free rate, hemoglobin changes, and complication rate of the two treatments were compared, and then the effectiveness and safety of 3mPCNL were preliminarily analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean age, preoperative median creatinine, preoperative mean hemoglobin, preoperative mean hematocrit, median stone maximum diameter, and median stone CT density between the 3mPCNL group and the sPCNL group. The median operation time in the 3mPCNL group was 60.0 (45.0-110.0) min, with no statistical significance compared with the sPCNL group, and all the patients underwent single-channel operations. The mean hemoglobin after operation in the 3mPCNL group was (115.3±15.5) mmol/L, and there was no significant difference between the preoperative group and the sPCNL group, and the mean hemoglobin decreased significantly between the sPCNL group and the sPCNL group [(9.5±2.2) mmol/L vs. (10.1±1.9) mmol/L]. The mean hematocrit after operation was (28.0±5.2)%, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before operation (t=2.414, P=0.020). The mean hematocrit drop was not statistically signi-ficant compared with the sPCNL group (2.3% vs. 2.7%). The median serum creatinine in the 3mPCNL group was 74.0 (51.0-118.0) µmol/L after operation, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that before operation (Z=-2.980, P=0.005). The stone-free rate in the 3mPCNL group and the sPCNL group was 96.0% and 97.3%, respectively, and the mean hospital stay was (4.3± 1.4) d and (5.5±2.0) d, respectively, with the statistical significance (t=0.192, P=0.025). After the operation, one patient in sPCNL group had massive hemorrhage after the nephrostomy tube was removed, which was improved after selective renal artery embolization. One patient in the 3mPCNL group developed mild perirenal hematoma, which was improved after conservative treatment, and no complications were observed in the other patients. CONCLUSION: 3mPCNL in the treatment of 1.5-2.5 cm kidney stones can achieve an effective rate comparable to sPCNL, and can achieve the ideal stone-free rate in a shorter operative time with a lower rate of surgery-related complications.

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Laparoscopic Palomo Surgery vs Scrotal Antegrade Sclerotherapy in Adolescent Varicocele.

PURPOSE: Varicocele is a common condition in adolescence and the most common correctable cause of infertility. This study aimed to analyze and compare the outcomes of scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy and laparoscopic Palomo surgery in a tertiary referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with left grade 3 varicocele indicated for surgery were prospectively enrolled and randomly allocated to the scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy and laparoscopic Palomo surgery groups, with their respective contralateral normal testes taken as controls. The primary outcome measures were clinical varicocele recurrence, testicular catch-up growth, and postoperative hydrocele. All patients were evaluated clinically and using Doppler ultrasound by radiologists. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, 113 patients completed the study and were statistically analyzed (scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy, n = 57; laparoscopic Palomo surgery, n = 56). All patients had significantly smaller testes preoperatively; the testicular volume differences with control testes were -23% in scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy and -19% in laparoscopic Palomo surgery. At 12-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical recurrences between the 2 groups (scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy = 5.3% vs laparoscopic Palomo surgery = 5.4%, P > .05, noninferiority test). Testicular catch-up growths were observed in both groups; the mean testicular volume difference between the treatment and control testes decreased from -23% to -8.1% in scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy (P < .001) and from -19% to -9.3% in laparoscopic Palomo surgery (P < .001) at 12-month follow-up. There was no postoperative hydrocele in the scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy group compared to 7 cases in the laparoscopic Palomo surgery group (0% vs 13%, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Both scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy and laparoscopic Palomo surgery are safe and effective procedures for treatment of adolescent varicocele with significant positive effect on testicular catch-up growth. Scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy is not inferior to laparoscopic Palomo surgery in terms of clinical recurrence rate and has significantly less postoperative hydrocele.

Robotic Bladder Autotransplantation: Preclinical Studies in Preparation for First-in-human Bladder Transplant.

PURPOSE: Human urinary bladder transplantation has never been performed. From a technical standpoint, challenges include the complex deep pelvic vascular anatomy, limited intraoperative visualization, and high procedural complexity. In preparation for a first-in-human clinical trial, we report preclinical studies to develop the technique of robotic retrieval and autotransplantation of vascularized composite bladder allograft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Institutional Review Board, and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) approvals were obtained, and IDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term Study) Reporting Guidelines were followed. Robotic vascularized composite bladder allograft recovery, back-table graft preparation, and robotic autotransplantation were performed in 3 vascularized model settings: living porcine (n=3), pulsatile human cadavers (n=2), and heart-beating brain-dead deceased research human donors (n=5). Our primary objective was to develop a reproducible technique for robotic vascularized composite bladder allograft transplantation. Technical success was defined by adequate, sustained vascularized composite bladder allograft reperfusion. Secondary objectives were intraoperative parameters, including operative time, graft ischemia time, and blood loss. RESULTS: Successful robotic vascularized composite bladder allograft autotransplantation was achieved in 2 porcine, 1 cadaver, and 3 brain-dead research donors. In the heart-beating research donors, console time decreased with successive surgeries, and visual inspection revealed healthy revascularized autografts with prompt, global indocyanine green immunofluorescence uptake. In 1 heart-beating donor who was hemodynamically maintained for 12 hours postoperatively, reinspection confirmed excellent maintained global vascularized composite bladder allograft vascularity and bladder mucosal integrity. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the first preclinical experience of bladder autotransplantation in vascularized models is reported, including robotic vascularized composite bladder allograft recovery, back-table reconstruction, and autotransplantation. This experience represents the essential preclinical work required to build toward the first-in-human trial of bladder transplantation, performed under a UNOS-approved genitourinary vascularized composite bladder allograft program (NCT No. 05462561).

Comparison Between Holmium:YAG Laser with MOSES Technology vs Thulium Fiber Laser Lithotripsy in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Kidney Stones in Adults: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis From the FLEXible Ureteroscopy Outcomes Registry.

PURPOSE: We evaluated stone-free rate and complications after flexible ureteroscopy for renal stones, comparing thulium fiber laser and holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from adults who underwent flexible ureteroscopy in 20 centers worldwide were retrospectively reviewed (January 2018-August 2021). Patients with ureteral stones, concomitant bilateral procedures, and combined procedures were excluded. One-to-one propensity score matching for age, gender, and stone characteristics was performed. Stone-free rate was defined as absence of fragments >2 mm on imaging within 3 months after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate independent predictors of being stone-free. RESULTS: Of 2,075 included patients, holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology was used in 508 patients and thulium fiber laser in 1,567 patients. After matching, 284 patients from each group with comparable baseline characteristics were included. Pure dusting was applied in 6.0% of cases in holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology compared with 26% in thulium fiber laser. There was a higher rate of basket extraction in holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology (89% vs 43%, P < .001). Total operation time and lasing time were similar. Nine patients had sepsis in thulium fiber laser vs none in holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology (P = .007). Higher stone-free rate was achieved in thulium fiber laser (85% vs 56%, P < .001). At multivariable analysis, the use of thulium fiber laser and ureteral access sheath ≥8F had significantly higher odds of being stone-free. Lasing time, multiple stones, stone diameter, and use of disposable scopes showed significantly lower odds of being stone-free. CONCLUSIONS: This real-world study favors the use of thulium fiber laser over holmium:YAG laser with MOSES technology in flexible ureteroscopy for renal stones by way of its higher single-stage stone-free rate.

Surgical Outcomes and Prediction of Complications Following High-complexity Buried Penis Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: With uniform modern approaches to adult acquired buried penis reconstruction, this study provides updated results on surgical outcomes for complex cases while evaluating the relative influence of medical, surgical, and socioeconomic factors on these results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing initial buried penis reconstruction including escutcheonectomy and penile skin grafting at 1 tertiary center from 2015 through 2022. Summary scores for frailty and socioeconomic status were calculated with the Modified Frailty Index and Area Deprivation Index, respectively. RESULTS: The cohort included 103 patients. Median age was 51 years (IQR 44-65), and median BMI was 43 (IQR 38-49). Frail patients (≥2 Modified Frailty Index risk factors) accounted for 27% of the population while socioeconomic disadvantage (≥85th percentile on Area Deprivation Index) affected 33% of patients. Twenty-eight percent of repairs included a panniculectomy. Rate of revision for a poor outcome was 3.9% with median follow-up of 11 months. Complications were frequent (50%) with most being Clavien I or II (41%) and related to wound dehiscence (31%) or infection (30%). Frail patients had a higher rate of complication (71% vs 41%, P = .01) and were 6 times more likely to experience a complication on multivariable logistic regression (OR 6.41, 95% CI: 1.77-23.22, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: The modern approach to complex buried penis reconstruction results in a low revision rate; however, low-grade complications are frequent. Patient frailty identifies those at highest risk for complication, offering an opportunity for counseling and preoperative preparation.

The outcomes of same-day discharge following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgeries: our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of Same-Day Discharge (SDD) following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective review of HoLEP surgeries at a single institution between January 2021 and March 2022 was performed. Patient demographic and operative data were collected, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated in terms of safety and efficacy and compared in both groups using a t-test and chi-square test. Logistic regression was also performed to identify factors that correlate with the failure of SDD. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were identified; 135 patients were successfully discharged on the same day and 20 were admitted (87% SDD rate). Admitted HoLEP patients had a significantly higher median prostate-specific antigen (5.7 vs 3.9 ng/dL, P < 0.001), prostate volume (152.3 vs 100.6 mL, P < 0.001), and enucleated tissue weight (90.3 vs 56.9 g, P = 0.04) compared to the SDD group. The SDD group had a 2.9% (n = 4) readmission rate and a 5.2% (n = 7) Emergency Department (ED) visit rate. There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative ED visits (P = 0.64), readmissions (P = 0.98), complications, and catheterization time (P = 0.98) between both groups. Preoperative predictors of SDD failure included prostate gland volume > 150 mL (OR = 7.17; CI 2.01-25.67; P < 0.01) and history of antiplatelet/anticoagulation use (OR = 6.59; CI 2.00-21.67; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Same-day discharge following HoLEP is a safe and effective approach that can be performed in most patients using a liberal discharge criteria and relying on postoperative findings only.

Management for Ureterovaginal Fistula: A Retrospective Study Comparing Early and Delayed Ureteral Reimplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The timing of surgical repair for ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) is under debate, here we introduce our experience to compare the safety and efficacy between early and delayed ureteral reimplantation for UVF. METHODS: Between January 2012 and January 2020, 22 patients who were diagnosed with UVF had received ureteral reimplantation. Baseline characteristics, history of previous abdominal surgery, operative profile, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 22 patients diagnosed with UVF, 12 patients received early ureteral reimplantation and others received delayed ureteral reimplantation. Both groups were comparable in baseline characteristics and detailed history of previous operations. The mean operative time of the early surgery group was 140.83 ± 35.28 min, while that of the delayed surgery group was 181.00 ± 43.83 min (p = 0.027). Patients of the early surgery group (183.33 ± 107.31 mL) had less blood loss compared with that of the delayed surgery group (285.00 ± 94.43 mL) (p = 0.030). After an overall mean follow-up of 34.55 months, the ureteral stricture rate of two groups was not statistically significantly different (16.67% in early repair vs. 40.00% in delayed repair, p = 0.348). CONCLUSION: With similar long-term outcomes, the early ureteral reimplantation had a shorter operative time and less blood loss. Moreover, the stress during the waiting period could be minimized. High-quality clinical studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the superior nature of early surgery.

CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF UROLOGIC PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, OSIJEK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER.

The postoperative care unit at the Department of Urology has significantly improved treatment of patients undergoing surgical procedures and reduced admission of urologic patients to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We examined the characteristics of urologic patients, time on mechanical ventilation, most common complications, and mortality in the period from January 2017 to March 2022. A total of 84 admissions to ICU were recorded, accounting for 1.5% of all patients having undergone surgical, therapeutic or diagnostic interventions under general or regional anesthesia at the Department of Urology. The most common reasons for admission to ICU were respiratory failure (79 patients), hemodynamic instability, and bleeding. The median time on mechanical ventilation was 9.7 [2.4-58.2] hours in urology patients vs. 6 [3-14.7] hours in the rest of surgical ICU patients (p=0.058). Hypertension and renal failure were more common in urologic than in the rest of surgical ICU patients (p<0.05). The overall mortality of urologic patients was lower than in the rest of surgical ICU patients (10.7% vs. 18.99%, p=0.08) but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Independently of the lower mortality, improvements in the outcome of urologic patients admitted to the ICU are feasible. Early identification of patients at risk of infections, postoperative respiratory failure, cardiovascular incidents, and bleeding may further reduce mortality and improve outcomes.

Evaluating Tools for Characterizing Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease: A Comparison of the LSE System and the Urethral Stricture Score.

PURPOSE: We evaluated if scores generated by the LSE classification system and the Urethral Stricture Score system are associated with intraoperative surgical complexity and stricture recurrence risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consenting patients who underwent single-stage anterior urethroplasty by a single surgeon at 2 institutions. Urethral Stricture Score and a numerical LSE "score" was calculated for each patient. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analyses were used to assess for a relationship between increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score and surgical complexity. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess for an association between Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score and stricture recurrence risk. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients with a mean age of 48 years (SD 16) and mean stricture length of 4.2 cm (SD 3.3) were included. Mean follow-up was 21 months. Forty-six patients recurred over time. We found a strong positive linear correlation between Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score (P < .001). Both increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score independently linearly correlated with increasing surgical complexity (both P < .0001). Univariable analysis demonstrated that increasing LSE score was significantly associated with an increased risk of stricture recurrence (HR 1.2, P = .02) but Urethral Stricture Score was not. Patients with a high LSE score (≥7) were nearly 3 times as likely to recur versus patients with a low LSE score (HR 2.7, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing Urethral Stricture Score and LSE score are both associated with increasing surgical complexity, but only LSE score is associated with stricture recurrence risk. Conversion of the LSE classification system into a numeric score adds functionality to this novel system.

The Lived Experience of Patients with Adult Acquired Buried Penis.

PURPOSE: We describe the lived experience of adults with acquired buried penis (AABP) through thematic analysis of patient interviews. We examine the challenges that patients face and the impacts of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This mixed-methods study utilized validated instruments and semi-structured interviews to capture pre- and postsurgical outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with open-ended questions to elicit the impact of AABP on a patient's quality of life in several domains including urinary function, sexual function, interpersonal relationships and mental health. Recruitment was completed once we achieved thematic saturation. RESULTS: Twenty patients participated in the study; 11 underwent surgical treatment for AABP. Semi-structured interviewee responses were coded into 12 different themes and 39 subthemes. The most common themes were problems with urinary (19/20, 95%) and sexual function (19/20, 95%). Most participants (16/20, 80%) reported negative impacts of AABP on social life. Interviewees struggled with relationships (8/20, 40%) and mental health (11/20, 55%), often avoiding romantic relationships and reporting fear of rejection with concomitant depression and/or anxiety. The majority (70%, 14/20) experienced difficulties accessing care. Among patients who underwent surgery, the majority discussed improvement in urinary and sexual function (82% [9/11] and 73% [8/11], respectively). Though weight gain was a precipitating factor, weight loss did not result in symptom improvement. Rather, in 4/20 (20%), weight loss made their condition worse. CONCLUSIONS: Patients living with AABP experience profound negative impacts on quality of life including their urinary and sexual function, social life and mental health. Many patients face issues with access to care.

The Multi-Institutional Experience in Single-Port Robotic Transvesical Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Management.

PURPOSE: Single-port (SP) robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) through the transvesical approach is a novel surgical option in the management of large prostatic glands. We present the first multi-institutional study to further assess the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of SP RASP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2019 to November 2021, 91 consecutive patients of 3 separate institutions underwent transvesical RASP using the da Vinci® SP robotic surgical system. Surgeries were performed by 3 experienced surgeons. Through a suprapubic incision and transvesical access, the SP robot is docked directly into the bladder, and the prostatic enucleation is performed. Prospective data collection, including baseline characteristics, perioperative and postoperative outcomes, was performed. The mean followup period was 4.6 months. RESULTS: The mean (SD) prostate volume was 156 (62) ml. The mean (SD) total operative time was 159 (45) minutes, and the median (IQR) estimated blood loss was 100 (50, 200) cc. The median (IQR) postoperative hospital stay was 21.0 (6.5, 26.0) hours; however, 42% of all patients were discharged the same day. The median (IQR) Foley catheter duration was 5 (5, 7) days. Only 3 patients (3%) developed Clavien grade 2 postoperative complications. At 9-month followup, the median (IQR) International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life score were 4 (2, 5) and 0 (0, 1), respectively, with a mean (SD) maximum flow rate and post-void residual of 21 (17) ml/second and 40 (55) ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a multi-institutional setting, the SP RASP promotes a pain-free procedure, same-day discharge, short Foley catheter duration, low complication rate and quick recovery.

Using hyperrealistic simulations to improve digital informed consent for endourological procedures.

OBJECTIVES: To show that digital informed consent (DIC) improves the subjective understanding of information and, therefore, informed consent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nonblinded randomized controlled trial was performed in 84 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of bladder, transurethral resection of prostate, or ureterorenoscopy between July 2017 and March 2018. The DIC group watched a hyperrealistic simulation on a tablet device before surgery. After surgery and again 30 days later, both groups completed a validated questionnaire that measured subjective understanding, anxiety, and utility of and need for information. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the participants was 68.7 ± 11.1 years. Nine of 84 patients (10.7%) did not complete the questionnaire. A total of 42 patients were allocated to the DIC group and 42 to the control group. The mean ± SD score for immediate subjective understanding in the DIC group was 14.5% higher than in the control group (72% ± 17.5% vs 57.5% ± 23.5%, respectively; P = 0.006). There was no statistical difference in anxiety, utility of and need for information relative to delayed subjective understanding. In subgroup analysis, subjective understanding scores were higher, but not significantly so, among patients with low and higher education levels in the DIC group than in the control group (68% ± 18.1% vs 54% ± 22.5% [P = 0.06] and 76% ± 18.3% vs and 66% ± 21.9%, respectively [P = 0.89]). CONCLUSION: Hyperrealistic simulations improved subjective understanding of information and, therefore, informed consent for endourological procedures.

Transvesical versus extraperitoneal single-port robotic radical prostatectomy: a matched-pair analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare our initial perioperative and postoperative outcomes of the single-port (SP) transvesical radical prostatectomy (TVRP) approach with the single-port extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (ERP) approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initial consecutive seventy-eight patients underwent SP TVRP between December 2020 and October 2021. Patients with extensive previous abdominal surgeries, or low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer were selected. Data of consecutive 169 patients treated with SP ERP between February 2019 and November 2020, were used for comparison. Optimal matched-paired analysis of PSA value, biopsy Gleason score, and prostate volume was performed. Preoperative, perioperative, and early functional outcomes were included in the analysis. The median follow-up was 7 months and 9 months for TVRP and ERP groups respectively. RESULTS: The median total operative time was longer in the TVRP compared to the ERP group (p = .002). There were no differences in intraoperative complications or surgical margin status. TVRP group had less rate of grade 3a Clavien-Dindo complications (p = .026). The Foley catheter duration was 3 (3, 4) days in the TVRP group compared to 7 (7, 8) days in the ERP group (p < .001). There was a consistently improved continence rate in the TVRP group at 6 weeks (72% TVRP, 48% ERP, p = .004), 3 months (97% TVRP, 81% ERP, p = .008), and 6 months postoperatively (100% TVRP, 93% ERP, p = .047). There was no difference in biochemical recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In our initial series, TVRP allows for a faster continence recovery, without other functional or oncological compromises.

Biparametric magnetic resonance imaging assessment for detection of muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if removing DCE from the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) influences the diagnostic accuracy of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We also explored using different reference standards on the MRI diagnostic performance. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases to June 26, 2021. Pooled biparametric MRI (bpMRI, T2WI+DWI) and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI, T2WI+DWI+DCE) sensitivities and specificities and the diagnostic performances of these methods for MIBC were compared using different reference standards. RESULTS: Seventeen studies with 2344 patients were finally included, of which 7 studies, including 1041 patients, reported the diagnostic performance of bpMRI. VI-RADS showed sensitivities and specificities of 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.77-0.91) at cutoff scores of 3, and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.90) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.89-0.96) at cutoff scores of 4. BpMRI showed sensitivities and specificities of 0.90 (95% CI 0.69-0.97) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.95), and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.88) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.87-0.99), respectively, for cutoff scores of 3 and 4. The sensitivities of bpMRI vs mpMRI for MIBC were not significantly different, but bpMRI was more specific than mpMRI at cutoff scores of 3 (p = 0.02) and 4 (p = 0.02). The VI-RADS studies using primary transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) as the reference standard had significantly higher sensitivities (p < 0.001) than those using secondary TURBT or radical cystectomy as the reference. DATA CONCLUSION: BpMRI and conventional VI-RADS had similar diagnostic efficacies for MIBC. Since MRI overestimated MIBC diagnoses using primary TURBT as the reference standard, we recommend using secondary TURBT as the reference standard. KEY POINTS: • Biparametric MRI without DCE had similar diagnostic efficacies for MIBC compared with conventional VI-RADS. • The sensitivity of VI-RADS was overestimated when referring to the primary TURBT results. • Biparametric MRI comprised of T2WI and DWI could be used for detecting MIBC in clinical practice.

Adolescent and Young Adult Urogenital Outcome following Childhood Hypospadias Repair: Perfection Revisited.

PURPOSE: We assessed the long-term surgical, functional urinary and sexual outcomes of adolescent and young adult men who underwent childhood hypospadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men born with nonsyndromic hypospadias and healthy male controls aged 16-21 years old were recruited, and their surgical, urinary, sexual functional and aesthetic outcomes assessed. Good outcome was defined as a patent and orthotopic meatus without fistulas, and straight erections (<30 degree curvature) without erectile or ejaculatory problems. Statistics included regression analyses, chi-square/Fisher exact tests and Student's t/Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients and 50 controls participated 16.4 years (range 8.2-21.2) after initial repair. At least 1 reintervention was performed in 39.2%. The highest reintervention rate was found in those younger than 12 months at initial repair, even when excluding proximal hypospadias cases. A disturbed urinary and/or suboptimal sexual functional outcome was seen in 52.9% of cases. Suboptimal voiding was found in 22.1%, although few had relevant residual urine. More reinterventions and proximal hypospadias cases were associated with suboptimal urinary outcome, and the latter also with impaired sexual function. Poor inter-observer agreements were found between physician and patient genital appraisal. CONCLUSIONS: In 52.9% of cases, at least 1 concern was identified that required long-term followup. Hypospadias repair below 12 months was associated with more reinterventions. Adopting a restrictive attitude toward aesthetic refinement, unless on the patient's own request, could improve urinary outcomes.