Management of male anterior urethral strictures in adults. Results from a national survey among urologists in Spain. / Manejo de la estenosis de uretra anterior del varón. Resultados de una encuesta nacional entre urólogos que ejercen en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Assessment of urethral stricture (US) management seems important to evaluate the quality of attention and plan educational interventions. We aim to investigate the practice patterns on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to adult male anterior US among urologists in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23-question on-line survey conducted among all members of AEU (Spanish Urological Association). Demography data and practices on evaluation and treatment of US were included. 1737 invitation letters sent by email, with 21.7% response rate. Data were prospectively collected during 2016. Descriptive analysis and univariate comparisons conducted using X2 test. Statistical significance considered when P≤.05. RESULTS: Responders were mainly from Tertiary and Teaching University Hospitals. 63.2% treated≥10 patients/year with US. Retrograde urethrogram (RUG) was the commonest diagnostic tool followed by uroflowmetry (UF), and internal urethrotomy under direct vision (DVIU) the most frequent treatment. 84.4% limited DVIU for US≤1.5cm. 62.3% performed≤5 urethroplasties/year. Anastomotic urethroplasties were performed by 75.7% and graft repairs by 68.9%. Dorsal grafting was preferred rather than ventral. Non-transecting techniques were used by 23.9%. UF was the most common follow-up tool. 88.4% felt that referral units were required. Tertiary hospitals used Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) questionnaires more frequently than secondary centres. High-volume urologists were more likely to use non-transecting techniques and to choose urethroplasty as first choice procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Male anterior US in Spain are treated by many urologists, mainly using endoscopic procedures. RUG is preferred for diagnosis, and UF for follow-up. A high percentage of urologists perform urethroplasties, mainly anastomotic repairs, but in low volume.

Indication for early cystectomy in nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. Literature review. / Indicación de cistectomía precoz en el cáncer vesical no músculo infiltrante. Revisión de la literatura.

CONTEXT: High-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer is a disease that includes a heterogeneous group of patients, for whom close follow-up is recommended due to the risk of progression to a muscle-invasive tumour. The treatment of choice for these tumours is transurethral resection of the bladder tumour followed by a programme of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations. There is a subgroup of patients who have a greater risk of progression and who benefit from early radical treatment. OBJECTIVE: To identify which patient group with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer will benefit from early radical treatment. SEARCHING THE EVIDENCE: We performed a literature review to identify the risk factors for progression for these patients and thereby recommend a treatment that improves their survival rate. SYNTHESIS OF THE EVIDENCE: We identified the various prognostic factors associated with tumour progression: the persistence of T1 tumour in re-resection of the bladder tumour, the presence of carcinoma in situ, patients refractory to bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment, patients older than 70 years, tumours larger than 3cm, the substaging of T1 tumours, the presence of lymphovascular invasion and the presence of a tumour in the prostatic urethra. Similarly, we comment on the advantages of radical versus conservative treatment, considering that the performance of an early cystectomy due to a high-risk noninvasive vesical tumour has a better cancer prognosis than those in which the operation is deferred until the progression. CONCLUSIONS: In this disease, it is important to individualise the patients to provide them personalized treatment. For patients with the previously mentioned characteristics, it is recommended that early cystectomy not be delayed.

[Laparoscopic augmentation enterocystoplasty: initial experience]. / Enterocistoplastia de ampliación laparoscópica: experiencia inicial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the initial experience of our group in the realization of the augmentation enterocystoplasty by laparoscopyc approach. METHODS AND PATIENTS: We describe the augmentation enterocystoplasty technique with ileal segment completely achieved by laparoscopyc approach. We present the cases of two patients suffering from hyperreflexic bladder refractory to medical treatment who underwent this surgery. In both cases the technique was realized without intraoperative complications although it was needed a surgical time of 6 and 4.5 hours respectively. The results after 12 and 5 months were satisfactory in both patients, obtaining a low pressure bladder with a good continence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopyc augmentation enterocystoplasty is a complicated technique that requires a great experience, mainly in laparoscopyc suture. It reproduces completely the open surgery and it offers all the advantages inherent to the laparoscopyc surgery.

[Development of a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy program in an university center]. / Implantación de un programa de prostatectomía radical laparoscópica.

The aim of this article is to report our experience in setting up a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy programme. We believe that knowledge of the difficulties we faced at the start will be useful for those who wish to implement a programme like ours. We hope that by explaining the steps we took as well as our conclusions and recommendations this difficult task can be made easier.

[Analysis of a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy program with 544 cases]. / Prostatectomía radical laparoscópica. Revisión de la literatura. Nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: This article reviews the latest publications that refer to Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) up to 2005, and describes our series of patients for this type of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a search of the Internet and consulting journals of renowned prestige, we selected articles that refer to this technique and we summarise the latest developments in LRP. We also present our series of patients. RESULTS: In view of the good oncologic and functional results obtained with LRP, and the possibility of performing hernioplasty as in open surgery, this technique provides a high quality service for patients. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the advances in the safety and quality of this technique, such as the use of robots, 3 CCD cameras, and the surgeon's experience, LRP should be offered to our patients, if it is within our means.

[Diagnosis of urethral stenosis and follow-up after Urethroplasty]. / Diagnóstico de las estenosis uretrales y seguimiento después de Uretroplastia.

This article presents a review of the different tests used for the evaluation and follow-up of urethral strictures. Because there is no consensus on how to assess urethral pathology, we reviewed each of the next follow-up tests: questionnaires, uroflowmetry, ultrasound, urethroscopy, urethrogram, CT scan and MRI, outlining their benefits and limitations in the diagnosis and follow-up of urethral stricture. Urethrogram and urethroscopy are the most commonly used tests, as they are those that give us more information on the evaluation of stenosis and for surgery planning. Questionnaires and uroflowmetry play a key role in the follow-up of these patients. Ultrasonography has high sensitivity and specificity for evaluating the spongiofibrosis, however it is not done routinely. The CT/MRI is recommended in the evaluation of pelvic trauma associated with fractures.

[Use of intrarectal lidocaine gel in ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsies of the prostate]. / Uso de gel de lidocaína intrarectal en las biopsias transrectales ecodirigidas de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To know in a quantitative manner the degree of discomfort and pain of the biopsies of the prostate and to evaluate the effectiveness of the transrectal lidocaine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed 140 transrectal biopsies of the prostate, Patients were included on a random basis into two arms: one of them received intrarectal lidocaine, 20 mg (group 1, n = 71) and the other group received placebo (group 2, n = 28) both of them ten minutes prior the proceeding. RESULTS: The global pain mean was 3.7 (0 no pain, 10 highest pain) and the global discomfort mean was 3.5. The group 1 patients showed a trend to feel less pain and discomfort although it did not reach the necessary statistic significance (p = 0.7 y p = 0.5 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We do not achieve the good results obtained by other groups in order to decrease the degree of pain and discomfort with the use of intrarectal lidocaine. We did not find relationship between the PSA level, previous biopsies, intrarectal lidocaina and degree of information received and the degree of pain and discomfort.

[Prostate cancer in the Community of Madrid in the year 2000. III. Study of tumor extent]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. III--Estudio de extensión tumoral.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a potential relationship between two variables, risk of metastasis and use of imaging techniques, in an extension study in prostate cancer patients diagnosed in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,127 patients with available data on the tumour extension study were analysed. Performance and non performance of bone scans and CTs were correlated to risk variables for developing metastasis as described in the literature (PSA, Gleason and stage) and to therapy administered. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with risk variables for metastasis when bone scans were performed was between 7% to 14% greater than in patients with no variables. No differences were seen for CTs based on risk variables. With matching risk variables, more imaging techniques were used in patients receiving radiotherapy that in those managed with prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Based on current recommendations imaging techniques were used in excess in the extension study in patients with no risk variables for metastasis. Conduct of a further study in the Autonomous Community seems advisable to confirm the likelihood of implementing such recommendations considering our prevalence of metastatic disease.

[Prostate cancer in the Community of Madrid in the year 2000. IV. Treatment]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. IV Tratamiento.

OBJECTIVE: To know the therapeutic options used in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 1,745 patients referred by hospitals taking part in the study. Data on treatment used was available for 1,104 (63%) patients. Treatment modality was correlated to clinical stage and patient age. RESULTS: Most frequent choice was hormone therapy (35%) followed by radical prostatectomy (34%) and radiotherapy (25%). Prostatectomy was most commonly used in patients with localised (42.3%) disease while hormone therapy was preferred for locally advanced (45.6%) or disseminated (94%) disease. There are significant differences in therapeutic indications between the various Health areas participating in the survey. Median age of patients with localised and locally advanced disease was lower in patients managed with prostatectomy (65 and 64 years, respectively) than in those managed with radiotherapy (70 and 69 years, respectively). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic modality indicated by urologists in the Madrid Autonomous Community for managing patients with prostate cancer generally meets with literature recommendations.

[The prostate cancer in the community of Madrid in 2000 I.- Incidence]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. I--Incidencia.

OBJECTIVE: To know the incidence in the year 2000 of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid and its breakdown by Health Areas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Study of histologically confirmed prostate cancer case reports and retrospective data acquisition for 2000 in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, both from Public and Private Health Care hospitals. RESULTS: Gross incidence of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid was 100.4 cases per 100,000 males. The incidence adjusted for the Spanish, European and Worldwide population was 120.1, 103.5 and 68.6 cases per 100,000 males, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis was 70 +/- 7.8 (40-94) years, median of 70 years. The age group with higher incidence was 70 to 79 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of prostate cancer in the Autonomous Community of Madrid is lower than that in the US but higher than in most countries or regions in the EU. The different way of using PSA testing in the Health Areas of the Autonomous Community may explain the differences seen in terms of incidence by Area.

[The prostate cancer in the community of Madrid in 2000. II Presentation and diagnosis]. / El cáncer de próstata en la Comunidad de Madrid en el año 2000. II--Presentación y diagnóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To know the presentation form, diagnostic method and clinical stage at the time of diagnosis in subjects with prostate cancer (PC) in the Autonomous Community of Madrid in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data from 1745 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer obtained from 15 Hospitals participating in the study was analysed. The variables studied were: associated disease, reason for visiting the hospital, digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA, diagnostic method, graded Gleason score, tests performed in the tumoral extension study and tumour staging. The qualitative variables are given in percentages of the overall number and the quantitative variables are expressed as the median, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values and 25%, 50% (median) and 75% percentiles. RESULTS: 67% cases had an associated disease. In most (75%) patients the reason for visiting the hospital was prostatic syndrome. DRE revealed that 42.7% has no tumour. At the time of diagnosis half the patients had PSA levels lower than or equal to 11 ng/ml. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy was used for diagnosis in 93% subjects. The most commonly reported Gleason scores were 6 (31.3%) and 7 (28.7%). In 75% subjects the disease was considered to be clinically limited to the prostate, in 12.5% locally advanced and in 12.5% metastatic. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients came to the hospital because of symptoms not related to PC. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy is confirmed as the choice technique for PC diagnosis. When a comparison is made to historical series in our Autonomous Community a pattern of earlier diagnosis can be seen.

[Immunotherapy in superficial bladder carcinoma]. / Inmunoterapia en el carcinoma vesical superficial.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current status of superficial bladder cancer treatment with several immune response modifiers. METHODS: A review of the advances in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer with BCG, interferon, interleukin-2, bropirimine and keyhole-limpet hemocyanin was performed. RESULTS: Treatment with BCG has been demonstrated to be superior to intravesical chemotherapy and other immune response modifiers in the trials reviewed. BCG therapy, however, carries a higher toxicity. Several trials have demonstrated that in low and medium risk patients, it is better to administer low BCG doses to reduce the toxicity. Furthermore, the trials confirm the utility of maintenance schedules with BCG. CONCLUSION: The Calmette-Guérin Bacillus is the most effective adjuvant treatment in superficial bladder cancer, especially in the high risk patients. The other immune response modifiers are an alternative to this treatment.

[Scrotal invasive angiomyofibroblastoma. First reported case]. / Angiomiofibroblastoma invasivo escrotal. Primer caso descrito.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of locally invasive angiomyofibroblastoma of the scrotum. To our knowledge, this is the first case of invasive scrotal angiomyofibroblastoma reported in the literature. METHODS: A case of invasive angiomyofibroblastoma of the scrotum is presented. The literature is reviewed with special reference to the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of this rare soft tissue tumor. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The case described herein shows that angiomyofibroblastoma can be invasive.

[Treatment of erectile dysfunction with vacuum devices]. / Tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil con dispositivos de vacío.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results achieved with vacuum devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted on 150 patients undergoing treatment with a vacuum device. Of these, 89 responded; 79 of which were considered valid for the study. The duration and frequency of use, side effects and degree of patient and partner satisfaction were analyzed. Mean follow-up was 59.5 months. RESULTS: There were 14 dropouts early in the course of treatment. The remaining 65 patients used the device for a mean duration of 34.6 months, 3.7 times monthly. 63.3% of the patients achieved erection in more than half of the attempts. The most frequent side effects were pain (27 patients) and ecchymosis (7 patients). Forty-eight patients discontinued treatment at 10.8 months' mean follow-up. The most common causes for discontinuing treatment were lack of efficacy, refusal of the partner and pain. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of erectile dysfunction with the vacuum constriction device should be utilized as an alternative to intracavernosal drug-induced erection therapy when oral therapy fails or is contraindicated. A male with a stable partner and impotence arising from venous leakage or mild cavernous artery insufficiency is the ideal candidate.

[Inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma: report of a new case and review of the literature]. / Leiomiosarcoma de vena cava inferior: aportación de un nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS: To present an additional case of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava and review the literature, with special reference to the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this rare tumor. RESULTS: The patient was submitted to radical surgery and short course radiotherapy. Twelve months thereafter, the patient is asymptomatic and disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare and aggressive tumor. Treatment is by aggressive and radical surgery.

[Giant chondroid syringoma of the scrotum. First reported case]. / Siringoma condroide gigante de escroto. Primer caso descrito.

OBJECTIVE: Various tumors have been described in the scrotal area arising from skin and the underlying tissues: nevus, dermoid and epidermoid cysts, epidermoid carcinomas, lipomas, leiomyomas, angiokeratomas, lymphangiomas, granular cell tumors, granuloma, malignant tumors of the peripheral nerve tissue, and some 'pseudotumors' such as fibromatosis and nodular calcinosis. We describe for the first time a sweat gland tumor, which is also remarkable for its unusually large size. METHODS/RESULTS: A 76-year-old patient consulted for a painful left scrotal tumor that he had noted for some time and that had slowly and gradually grown. Ultrasound assessment of the GU system confirmed the presence of a 4.2 cm left, solid paratesticular mass that was removed under local anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Chondroid syringoma is a tumor arising from the sweat gland that is usually localized to the head and neck. It has an excellent prognosis and recurrence has only been described in patients in whom the tumor had not been completely resected.

[Prognostic value of inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract]. / Valor pronóstico del papiloma invertido del tracto urinario inferior.

OBJECTIVE: Inverted papilloma of the urothelium accounts for 2.2% of urothelial neoplasms. Its oncologic significance is unclear; its potential for recurrence and/or progression is not well-known. Our experience from 1976 to 1999 is reviewed. METHODS: From 1976 to 1999, 31 patients with urothelial inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract have been treated in our service: 17 presented previous and/or synchronous association with urothelial carcinoma (group I) and 14 had primary inverted papilloma (group II). The recurrence and progression rates for each group were determined and compared. The overall recurrence and progression rates were also determined. Two patients (one from each group) were lost to follow-up. The remaining 29 patients had a mean follow-up of 51.3 months (range 3-125). RESULTS: 12 patients (41.4%) showed recurrence in the form of bladder carcinoma; 10 from group I (10/16; 62.3%) and 2 from group II (2/13; 15.4%) (p < 0.05). Mean time to recurrence was 17.9 months (range 3-58). Disease free interval was higher in group II (p < 0.05). Progression to infiltrating tumor was observed in three patients; all three had associated superficial bladder carcinoma (group I). The mean time to progression was 30.7 months (range 18-38). No statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of progression between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inverted papilloma of the lower urinary tract showed a high incidence of association with urothelial carcinoma and a high recurrence rate, even in primary tumors. Therefore it should be considered a tumor of low grade malignancy that should be followed regularly.

[Development of a clinical pathway for radical prostatectomy]. / Implantación de una vía clínica para la prostatectomía radical.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical care path for retropubic radical prostatectomy of the La Paz teaching hospital and the results achieved after the first 6 months. METHODS: We have developed a clinical care path for radical prostatectomy with a hospital stay of 6 days. Thirty-one patients submitted to retropubic radical prostatectomy from June to November 1998 were included in the program. The mean length of total, preoperative and postoperative stay were analyzed and compared with those of 31 patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy before the program was developed. Readmissions, adverse effects and patient satisfaction were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients included in the clinical care path, 22 (71%) had a stay equal to or less than the program's length of stay. The mean total, pre and postoperative stay for the group of patients included in the clinical care path were 6.0 days (SD = 1.1), 1 day (SD = 0.0) and 4.9 days (SD = 1.1), respectively. The length of stay was significantly longer before the program was developed [mean total 10.2 days (SD = 4.9), mean preoperative 2.6 days (SD = 2.6) and mean postoperative 7.6 days (SD = 3.6)] (p < 0.001). Twenty-four patients (77.4%) completed the questionnaire on patient satisfaction, which was highly positive, the overall patient satisfaction rate being higher than the 90% standard. There were no readmissions or significant events ascribable to the program. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the clinical care path for radical prostatectomy is a useful tool to reduce the unwanted variability. Its design is based on the best possible evidence, therefore the scientific and technical quality, patient satisfaction and efficiency are enhanced. In our view, our results are attainable and feasible in any health care setting.