Evaluating post radical prostatectomy mechanisms of early continence.

BACKGROUND: To identify the periprostatic structures associated with early return of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: We compared total continence results between four different techniques of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Specifically, we studied 1-week and 1-month zero-pad continence rates of anterior (n = 60), posterior (n = 59), a novel hybrid posterior-anterior (n = 12), and transvesical (n = 12) approaches of RARP. Each technique preserved a unique set of periprostatic anatomic structures, thereby, allowing evaluation of the individual impact of preservation of nerves, bladder neck, and space of Retzius with associated anterior support structures on early continence. Urethral length was preserved in all approaches. The space of Retzius was preserved in posterior and transvesical approaches, while the bladder neck was preserved in posterior and hybrid approaches. Nerve sparing was done per preoperative oncological risk. For all patients, 24-h pad usage rates and 24-h pad weights were noted at 1 week and 1 month after catheter removal. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of early continence. Data were obtained from prospective studies conducted between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: At 1 week, 15%, 42%, 45%, and 8% of patients undergoing anterior, posterior, hybrid, and transvesical RARP approaches, respectively, were totally continent (p = 0.003). These rates at 1 month were 35%, 66%, 64%, and 25% (p = 0.002), respectively. The transvesical approach, which preserved the space of Retzius but not the bladder neck, was associated with the poorest continence rates, while the posterior and hybrid approaches in which the bladder neck was preserved with or without space of Retzius preservation were associated with quickest urinary continence recovery. Bladder neck preservation was the only significant predictor of 1-week and 1-month total continence recovery in adjusted analysis, Odds ratios 9.06 (p = 0.001) and 5.18 (p = 0.004), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effect of the Retzius-sparing approach on early continence recovery maybe associated with bladder neck preservation rather than space of Retzius preservation.

Vaginal Free Graft Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Female urethral stricture is a rare, but often underrecognized, cause of voiding dysfunction in females.1 Vaginal free graft urethroplasty has been shown to have good efficacy and durability in treating urethral stricture, though accessible descriptions of technique are not widely available.1,2 Accordingly, we set out to describe and demonstrate our technique for vaginal mucosal free graft dorsal onlay urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A fifty-one year old female with long-standing history of voiding dysfunction and incomplete emptying presented to our urology clinic, and was diagnosed with urethral stricture. Following evaluation to ensure adequate vaginal mucosal tissue, treatment with vaginal graft urethroplasty was offered. Tenets for success in performing vaginal free graft urethroplasty include adequate dorsal urethral dissection and mobilization, incision of entire length of stricture, removal of underlying fibromuscular tissue from graft, and tension-free anastomosis of graft to urethra. Appropriate selection of vaginal graft harvest site is key to avoid excessive narrowing of the vagina. RESULTS: In this patient, vaginal free graft urethroplasty provided a successful and durable treatment of her urethral stricture. Vaginal free graft urethroplasty is an approachable and reproducible technique for treating urethral stricture in a female, while avoiding the morbidity associated with buccal graft harvest. CONCLUSION: This video provides a step-by-step description of technique for performing vaginal free graft dorsal onlay urethroplasty to treat urethral stricture in a female.

Patient Tolerability With Office Transperineal Biopsy Using a Reusable Needle Guide.

OBJECTIVE: Transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostate biopsy is associated with a 1%-5% risk of severe sepsis, despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy in the outpatient setting under local anesthetic (LA). We demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of our technique for performing TP biopsy under LA in the clinic setting using a reusable needle guide. METHODS: A biplanar ultrasound probe with an attached adjustable, reusable needle guide was evaluated for transperineal biopsy. A 17 gauge x 10 cm coaxial needle is attached to the needle guide. The skin is infiltrated, bilaterally, approximately 2 cm anterolateral to the anal verge with 1% lidocaine using a 25 gauge needle. A deeper prostatic block is then performed using a 20 gauge spinal needle. Administration of the anesthetic is delivered to the musculature of the pelvic floor, superficial-to-deep. Prostate samples are obtained using an 18 gauge x 25cm biopsy gun. All biopsies on a side can be obtained utilizing a single perineal skin puncture site. Patients who underwent office TP biopsy after May 2019 also completed a 10-item patient experience questionnaire regarding pain or discomfort experienced during the procedure. RESULTS: In 2019, a total of 74 patients underwent office TP prostate biopsy under local anesthesia using a reusable needle guide, while 564 underwent office TRUS biopsy. Prostate biopsy was positive for malignancy in 58.1% of TP patients vs 57.6% in TRUS patients (P = .93). TP biopsy had a lower utilization of prophylactic antibiotics compared to TRUS biopsy: 33.8% vs 99.5% (P < .001), yet there were no admissions, UTI, or sepsis for TP patients, compared to 6 admissions (1.1%) for TRUS biopsy (P = .01)). The mean VAS score ± SD for pain or discomfort caused by the overall office TP biopsy was 3.68 ± 1.96. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that office TP biopsy under LA with a reusable needle guide can be safely introduced with equivalent cancer detection rates whilst nearly eliminating the risk of urinary sepsis. This was achieved while also significantly reducing the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The procedure was well tolerated, with the most common complaint being local infiltration of anesthetic. We believe that office TP biopsy under LA can be performed with good patient tolerability, as almost 94% of patients were willing to undergo the procedure again. There is also the potential for reduction in overall cost with the use of a reusable needle guide.

Use of ultra-low dose computed tomography versus abdominal plain film for assessment of stone-free rates after shock-wave lithotripsy: implications on emergency room visits, surgical procedures, and cost-effectiveness.

The aims of this investigation were: (1) to compare residual stone-fragment (RSF) detection rates of ultra-low dose computed tomography (ULD-CT) and abdominal plain film (KUB) in urolithiasis patients undergoing shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), and (2) to evaluate the downstream sequelae of utilizing these two disparate imaging pathways of differing diagnostic fidelity. A retrospective chart-review of patients undergoing SWL at two high-volume surgical centers was undertaken (2013-2016). RSF diagnostic rates of ULD-CT and KUB were assessed, and the impact of imaging modality used on subsequent emergency room (ER) visits, unplanned procedures, and cost-effectiveness was investigated. Adjusted analyses examined association between imaging modality used and outcomes, and Markov decision-tree analysis was performed to identify a cost advantageous scenario for ULD-CT over KUB. Of 417 patients studied, 57 (13.7%) underwent ULD-CT while the remaining 360 underwent KUB. The RSF rates were 36.8% and 22.8% in the ULD-CT and KUB groups, respectively (p = 0.019). A 5.6% and 18% of the patients deemed stone-free on ULD-CT and KUB, respectively, returned to the ER (p = 0.040). Similarly, 2.8% and 15.1% needed an unplanned surgery (p = 0.027). These findings were confirmed on multivariable analyses, Odds ratios CT-ULD versus KUB: 0.19 and 0.10, respectively, p < 0.05. With regards to cost-effectiveness, at low ULD-CT charges, the ULD-CT follow-up pathway was economically more favorable, but with increasing ULD-CT charges, the KUB follow-up pathway superseded. ULD-CT seems to provide a more 'true' estimate of stone-free status, and in consequence mitigates unwanted emergency and operating room visits by reducing untimely stent removals and false patient reassurances. Further, at low ULD-CT costs, it may also be economically more favorable.

Managing Urology Consultations During COVID-19 Pandemic: Application of a Structured Care Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a risk-stratified triage pathway for inpatient urology consultations during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This pathway seeks to outline a urology patient care strategy that reduces the transmission risk to both healthcare providers and patients, reduces the healthcare burden, and maintains appropriate patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consultations to the urology service during a 3-week period (March 16 to April 2, 2020) were triaged and managed via one of 3 pathways: Standard, Telemedicine, or High-Risk. Standard consults were in-person consults with non COVID-19 patients, High-Risk consults were in-person consults with COVID-19 positive/suspected patients, and Telemedicine consults were telephonic consults for low-acuity urologic issues in either group of patients. Patient demographics, consultation parameters and consultation outcomes were compared to consultations from the month of March 2019. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square test and continuous variables using Mann-Whitney U test. A P value <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Between March 16 and April 2, 2020, 53 inpatient consultations were performed. By following our triage pathway, a total of 19/53 consultations (35.8%) were performed via Telemedicine with no in-person exposure, 10/53 consultations (18.9%) were High-Risk, in which we strictly controlled the urology team member in-person contact, and the remainder, 24/53 consultations (45.2%), were performed as Standard in-person encounters. COVID-19 associated consultations represented 18/53 (34.0%) of all consultations during this period, and of these, 8/18 (44.4%) were managed successfully via Telemedicine alone. No team member developed COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most urology consultations can be managed in a patient and physician safety-conscious manner, by implementing a novel triage pathway.

Rare Histological Variants of Prostate Adenocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

PURPOSE: The American Joint Committee on Cancer recognizes 6 rare histological variants of prostate adenocarcinoma. We describe the contemporary presentation and overall survival of these rare variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 1,345,618 patients who were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2015 within the National Cancer Database. We focused on the variants mucinous, ductal, signet ring cell, adenosquamous, sarcomatoid and neuroendocrine. Characteristics at presentation for each variant were compared with nonvariant prostate adenocarcinoma. Cox regression was used to study the impact of histological variant on overall mortality. RESULTS: Few (0.38%) patients presented with rare variant prostate adenocarcinoma. All variants had higher clinical tumor stage at presentation than nonvariant (all p <0.001). Metastatic disease was most common with neuroendocrine (62.9%), followed by sarcomatoid (33.3%), adenosquamous (31.1%), signet ring cell (10.3%) and ductal (9.8%), compared to 4.2% in nonvariant (all p <0.001). Metastatic disease in mucinous (3.3%) was similar to nonvariant (p=0.2). Estimated 10-year overall survival was highest in mucinous (78.0%), followed by nonvariant (71.1%), signet ring cell (56.8%), ductal (56.3%), adenosquamous (20.5%), sarcomatoid (14.6%) and neuroendocrine (9.1%). At multivariable analysis, mortality was higher in ductal (HR 1.38, p <0.001), signet ring cell (HR 1.53, p <0.01), neuroendocrine (HR 5.72, p <0.001), sarcomatoid (HR 5.81, p <0.001) and adenosquamous (HR 9.34, p <0.001) as compared to nonvariant. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroendocrine, adenosquamous, sarcomatoid, signet ring cell and ductal variants more commonly present with metastases. All variants present with higher local stage than nonvariant. Neuroendocrine is associated with the worst and mucinous with the best overall survival.

Impact of timing on salvage radiation therapy adverse events following radical prostatectomy: A secondary analysis of the RTOG 9601 cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The use of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after radical prostatectomy (RP) is very limited in prostate cancer patients mainly due to concerns for worsening of functional outcomes with early delivery of RT. We sought to test the impact of timing between RP and RT on adverse events rate. METHODS: Using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9601 trial cohort, we performed post hoc analysis of 760 men with biochemical recurrence after RP, who received subsequent RT. Bowel adverse events (rectal urgency, diarrhea, and hematochezia); bladder adverse events (urinary frequency, dysuria, hematuria, and incontinence); and new onset of erectile dysfunction were documented as acute (<90 days after starting RT) or chronic, at each visit, per trial protocol. Regression analysis tested the impact of time between RP and RT on the aforementioned adverse events, after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The rate of acute bladder, acute bowel, late bladder, late bowel, and late impotence adverse events was, respectively, 49.3%, 60.9%, 61.2%, 48.8%, and 13.6% in patients with a time period between RP and RT ≤ 2.1 years (the median) vs. 47.5%, 63%, 59.1%, 47%, and 14.5% in patients with >2.1 years (all P > 0.5). At multivariable analysis, time from RP to RT was not an independent predictor of acute bladder (odds ratio [OR]: 1.002), acute bowel (OR: 1.024), chronic bladder (OR: 0.976), chronic bowel (OR: 1.023), and late impotence (OR: 1.031) adverse events (all P > 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: There was no impact of timing between RP and RT on urinary, bowel, and erectile adverse events related to RT. Thus, our RTOG 9601 post hoc analysis challenges the current belief that early postsurgical RT compromises functional outcomes more than late RT and support additional research to evaluate the perceived benefit in terms of adverse effects by prolonging the time between RP and RT.

Urologic Pathology: Key Parameters from a Urologist's Perspective.

Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer represent the 3 most common urologic malignancies, and form a heterogenous group of disease processes, with a wide range of pathologic features. As a urologist, a strong understanding of the pathologic features of urologic malignancies is essential to prognosticate and counsel patients and to determine the most effective course of treatment. This review discusses the pathologic features of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, and examines how detailed pathologic reporting is critical to today's practicing urologist.

A Review of Male Sexual Health and Dysfunction Following Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Review how the various surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms impact on male sexual health and function. RECENT FINDINGS: The interplay between benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile function is complex, and the conditions seem linked. Most cavitating procedures to improve male voiding will degrade ejaculatory and possibly erectile function. Many of the newer minimally invasive therapies appear to preserve sexual function in the short term while sacrificing some of the voiding improvements realized with more complete removal of the prostate adenoma. Benign prostatic hyperplasia will affect the majority of men at some point in life, and surgical treatment remains an integral option for managing the associated urinary symptoms. These treatments are associated with variable rates of sexual side effects, including ejaculatory, erectile, and orgasmic dysfunction. As the impact of these treatment modalities on sexual dysfunction has become more widely acknowledged, there has been a rise in interest in modalities that minimize adverse sexual side effects. Recent studies have sought to further elucidate the relationship between surgical treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and sexual outcomes, and a number of studies have demonstrated that treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia can actually result in improved sexual function for some patients. This work intends to review the proposed pathophysiology behind the sexual side effects resulting from the surgical treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and review the literature regarding both established and emerging surgical techniques.