Comparison between dorsal onlay and one-sided dorsolateral onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty in long anterior urethral strictures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dorsal onlay (conventional Barbagli) and one-sided dorsolateral onlay (Kulkarni technique) buccal mucosa substitution urethroplasty techniques for the treatment of long anterior urethral strictures. METHODS: Demographic data, treatment outcomes and success rates of patients who underwent either conventional Barbagli or Kulkarni urethroplasty for the treatment of an anterior urethral stricture longer than 8 cm between January 2010 and March 2019 in our center were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Demographic parameters of patients who underwent the conventional Barbagli (n = 37) or Kulkarni procedure (n = 31) did not differ. The mean surgical duration and hospital stay were shorter for patients treated with the Kulkarni technique (179.5 ± 30.0 and 3.5 ± 1.2 vs 195.5 ± 28.9 min and 4.4 ± 1.8 days; P = 0.037, P = 0.002). Mean intraoperative blood loss and perioperative complication rates were signficantly lower in patients who underwent the Kulkarni technique than those who underwent the conventional Barbagli technique (164.3 ± 62.9 vs 202.4 ± 78.1 mL; P = 0.033 and 16.1% vs 37.8%; P = 0.046). The mean follow-up time period was 59.8 ± 24.7 and 63.5 ± 26.8 months for Kulkarni and conventional Barbagli techniques, respectively. Success rates based these follow-up time periods were 27 (87.1%) and 26 (70.3%) for the Kulkarni and conventional Barbagli techniques, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Kulkarni technique should be more preferred for the treatment of long anterior urethral strictures over the conventional Barbagli technique based on surgical outcomes and success rates.

Non-transecting urethroplasty in patients with bulbar urethral strictures shorter than three centimeters.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the success and postoperative complication rates of the novel non-transecting urethroplasty (NTU) technique and conventional excision-primary anastomosis (EPA) in the surgical treatment of short bulbar urethral strictures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of the patients who underwent excision-primary anastomosis or NTU procedures at our center for the surgical treatment of bulbar urethral strictures shorter than 3 cm between January 2010 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria for this study. Among these patients, 22 underwent NTU procedure while 25 underwent EPA. There was no difference between the two groups regarding age, stricture length, etiology, past surgical history, and duration of follow-up. The surgical success rates were 88% and 87,2% in the NTU and EPA groups, respectively (p = 0,603). The complication rates were 12% and 13,6% in NTU and EPA groups, respectively. Two groups were similar concerning complication rates (p = 0,603). CONCLUSION: The novel NTU and conventional EPA techniques are similar regarding surgical success and complication rates in the surgical treatment of bulbar urethral strictures shorter than three centimeters.

Factors influencing the decision-making in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal masses.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the factors affecting the decision on surgical approach such as hilum dissection, vessel clamping, and the warm ischemia time (WIT) in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for small renal masses (SRMs). METHODS: Patients who underwent LPN for SRMs between 2011 and 2021 in two centers were retrospectively screened. Standardized R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS) and each of the components were scored on a Likert scale and the effect on the surgical approach was examined by using them separately. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients, 85 of whom were on-clamp and 48 were off-clamp, were included in the study. Greater tumor size, low BMI, higher RNS, upper pole tumor, low exophytic rate, and nearness to the collecting system were statistically significant for both on/off-clamp and hilar dissection decisions. In multivariate analysis, greater tumor size, upper pole tumor, lower rate of exophytic part (E2), nearness to the collecting system (N3) were independent risk factors for vessel clamping. Greater tumor size and lower exophytic tumor rate (E2) were independent risk factors for hilum dissection. We could not identify any factor affecting WIT. CONCLUSION: Individual components of RNS may serve as a better tool for decision-making on vessel clamping and hilum dissection during LPN for SRMs.

The Association of Penile Fracture and Female Sexual Abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of female sexual abnormalities on the etiology of penile fracture, which is an important urological emergency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sexual function of the partners of patients with penile fracture (study group, n = 90) treated at our clinic and healthy women (control group, n = 90) were evaluated on a voluntary basis. In both groups, sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Each substance of the FSFI was evaluated separately by comparing both groups and the effect on the development of penile fracture was investigated. RESULTS: There was no difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between the study and control groups. Evaluation of sexual function with FSFI revealed that the scores of vaginal lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain subscales were lower in the study group (p < .001). Among these subscales, anorgasmia was determined as the factor with the largest effect on the development of penile fracture (OR = 7.333, 95% CI = 2.666-20.166, p < .001). No correlation was found between the largest dimension of penile fracture and FSFI total and subscale scores in the study group. CONCLUSION: We believe that female vaginal dryness and dyspareunia in particular are factors which could cause the development of penile fracture during sexual intercourse. The treatment could prevent the development of penile fracture in the male.

Assessments of ReDo buccal mucosal urethroplasty in terms of functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the success rates and functional outcomes of ReDo buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) following failed primary BMGU and evaluate the oral morbidity and changes in quality of life (QoL) after this surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of the patients with recurrent anterior urethral stricture who underwent ReDo BMGU after failed primary BMGU were retrospectively reviewed. The collected data included the results of the urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure-lower urinary tract symptoms (USS-PROM-LUTS) and euro-quality of life visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) questionnaires performed preoperatively before and one year after surgery. The cohort was divided into two groups according to procedural success, and these groups were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-two men patients were included. Among these, twenty-seven (84.3%) cases were considered successful following ReDo BMGU. The pre-ReDo BMGU mean stricture length was significantly longer in the failure group (2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 4.4 ± 1.2 cm, p = 0.001). Except for one patient with persistent oral numbness, no severe complication was reported postoperatively in the first year. The mean USS-PROM-LUTS score decreased significantly, while the mean LUTS-related quality of life score increased significantly following ReDo BMGU (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). In addition, the mean total EQ-VAS score increased significantly from 62.75 to 78.45, indicating remarkable improvement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although less favorable outcomes can be anticipated in ReDo BMGU due to extensive scar tissue formation and reduced vascularity, high success and patient satisfaction rates and low oral morbidity rates were detected in ReDo BMGU cases.

Utilization of Internet Resources by Surgeons for Continuous Professional Development in the Era of Prevailing COVID-19 Pandemic: Trends and Obstacles.

Background: To investigate the use of internet resources by surgeons for continuing professional development (CPD). Results: This cross-sectional study was carried out between July 1, 2021, to October 31, 2021, at the Department of Medicine, Health Sciences University Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, with participants from nine surgical specialties: General surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, plastic surgery, ear-nose-throat surgery, cardiovascular surgery, ophthalmology, and anesthesiology. All study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire comprising 23 questions regarding their age, duration of work experience, appointment status, venue, and time spent on internet resources and preferred online resources for CPD purposes. In addition, participants were divided into two groups according to their appointment status: academic faculty and staff surgeons. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 17.0. The target population consisted of 216 specialists. The survey was completed by 204 (94.4%) surgical specialists. The majority of the specialists (n = 137, 67.2%) reported using the internet for work-related purposes every day. Daily time spent on internet resources was reported to be 30-60 min by 39.2% (n = 80) participants, whereas 52 (25.5%) reported spending less than 30 min. The participants wished to spend more time on internet resources. The majority of surgeons found the hospital and home equally effective in using the internet and preferred to engage alone. The mean age, English language level, usage of online resources, and the attitude score toward the perceived credibility and usefulness of e-resources were significantly higher in the academic faculty group than staff surgeons (p < 0.005). On the other hand, the use of Google/Google scholar was similar between the two groups (p = 0.192). Technical difficulties such as slow internet, need for website registration, and article fees were considered drawbacks for internet resources among all the participants. Conclusions: This study showed that most surgeons use internet resources daily for CPD and stated they would like to engage longer despite technical difficulties. Institutions should address these technical difficulties.

Bilateral intra-abdominal testicular tumor: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral intra-abdominal testis is a very rare clinical entity. These testes may develop cancer in an adult patient with empty scrotum. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of a huge intra-abdominal solid mass in a 32-year-old gentleman is presented. Physical examination revealed an empty scrotum. Laboratory investigations, imaging studies, laparotomy and histopathological examination showed that the solid mass was a mixed germ cell tumor of the left testis. The contra-lateral testis also had a tumor. Resection of the solid mass and contra-lateral orchiectomy was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given. Six months after surgery, his follow-up parameters were all within normal limits. DISCUSSION: Since bilateral intra-abdominal testis tumor is a very rare clinical entity, there are no patient management guidelines available. Management strategies differ significantly among groups and they are based mainly on the experience reflected in the context of anecdotal case reports. CONCLUSION: Surgical exploration and adjuvant chemotherapy seems as a reasonable treatment option in the setting of bilateral intra-abdominal testis tumor in an adult patient.