Peak retrograde flow a potential objective management tool to identify young adults with varicocele 'at risk' for a high sperm DNA fragmentation.

INTRODUCTION: Determining which patients are negatively affected by varicocele would enable clinicians to better select those men who would benefit most from surgery. Since conventional semen parameters, have been limited in their ability to evaluate the negative effects of varicocele on fertility, specialized laboratory tests have emerged. OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical and ultrasound parameters (including PRF) which would negatively influence standard and functional semen variables in young adults with a varicocele. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. PATIENT(S): Young volunteers between 16 and 26 years, Tanner 5, were recruited. INTERVENTION(S): Every participant had a scrotal ultrasound to calculate testicular volumes. If a varicocele was present, the grade, vein diameter, peak retrograde flow (PRF) in supine position and spontaneous reflux in standing position were measured. All participants provided a semen sample. Standard semen parameters were analyzed and sperm DNA fragmentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Of all clinical and ultrasound parameters tested, PRF was an objective tool identifying young adults with a varicocele. PRF was highlighted by the prevalence of SDF, both in the total and vital fractions of the spermatozoa, providing opportunities to manage such 'at-risk' adolescents/young adults. RESULT(S): Total SDF was significantly increased in grade 3 varicocele compared to grade 1 and 2 but no significant difference with vital SDF or standard descriptive semen parameters was seen. Total and vital SDF on the other hand were significantly increased when PRF was above 38.4 cm/s. Standard semen analysis showed no difference with PRF as an independent predictor. Testicular atrophy index, varicocele vein diameter and spontaneous reflux revealed no significant differences in both the descriptive and functional semen variables. DISCUSSION: Descriptive semen parameters showed no significant difference between the non-varicocele controls and the varicocele group with low and high PRF. Increased PRF negatively influenced sperm quality via increased DNA fragmentation both in the total as in the vital fractions of the semen. CONCLUSION(S): Of all clinical and ultrasound parameters tested, PRF was an objective non-invasive tool to identify varicocele patients at risk for a high SDF.

Laparoscopy-assisted ureterostomy- technique.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract anomalies in children at times pose challenges in which immediate urinary diversion is required before definitive reconstruction. Open cutaneous ureterostomy technique is a well-established approach for this scenario. We describe the laparoscopy-assisted alternative. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transperitoneal laparoscopy is performed with three ports. One trans-umbilical 5mm port for vision and two 3mm working instruments, one of which is through the proposed ureterostomy site minimising scarring. The position of the third port is carefully checked both externally and internally. Laparoscopic identification of the dilated ureter is quick and easy. The redundant ureter is mobilised and excess excised if needed. The ureteric loop is then exteriorised and the ureterostomy fashioned externally. Proximal and distal patency is checked both externally and laparoscopically. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent the procedure for primary VUR (n=6), neuropathic bladder 7, posterior urethral valve 4, and vesico-ureteric obstruction 2. The mean operative time was 40 minutes. the patients received three doses of perioperative antibiotics and were discharged in 72 hours (mean). At three months, clinical and ultrasound review have shown satisfactory and stable upper tracts and no episodes of UTI. DISCUSSION: The laparoscopic view gives the benefit of direct visualisation and identification with adequate dissection in order to bring the ureter to the surface in a tensionless manner. A redundant ureter can be easily addressed to correct tortuosity or redundancy appropriately. Bladder drainage can be ensured with careful dissection of the distal ureter and inspection at the end of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy-Assisted ureterostomy formation is easy and quick to perform. It is feasible even in the smallest of babies, assures the shortest segment of ureter to the bladder providing prompt drainage in a refluxing ureterostomy setting. Our early experience is promising with potential benefits.

The Development of an Electronic Portfolio for Postgraduate Surgical Training in Flanders.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary surgical postgraduate training is characterized by clear outcomes for the profession and an assessment program that shows that trainees master these outcomes. The tool used to collect assessment and feedback instruments is the portfolio, nowadays used in many countries worldwide. METHODS: The four Flemish surgical coordinators, together with experts from different universities, devised an electronic portfolio. This portfolio holds both the logbook, as imposed by the evaluation committee and assessment instruments used for the Master in Specialized Medicine. RESULTS: The e-portfolio is now used by a number of surgical trainees and has been approved by the evaluation committee. In 2015, all Flemish surgical trainees will be using one and the same e-portfolio. CONCLUSIONS: Although the e-portfolio for surgical training has now been devised and accepted by all major parties involved, a lot of work has to be done to implement the instrument. As resident duty hours show no improvement on education in surgery (but rather a perception of worsened education) surgery training is fazing huge challenges.

The Development of an Electronic Portfolio for Postgraduate Surgical Training in Flanders.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary surgical postgraduate training is characterized by clear outcomes for the profession and an assessment program that shows that trainees master these outcomes. The tool used to collect assessment and feedback instruments is the portfolio, nowadays used in many countries worldwide. METHODS: The four Flemish surgical coordinators, together with experts from different universities, devised an electronic portfolio. This portfolio holds both the logbook, as imposed by the evaluation committee and assessment instruments used for the Master in Specialized Medicine. RESULTS: The e-portfolio is now used by a number of surgical trainees and has been approved by the evaluation committee. In 1015, all Flemish surgical trainees will be using one and the same e-portfolio. CONCLUSION: Although the e-portfolio for surgical training has now been devised and accepted by all major parties involved, a lot of work has to be done to implement the instrument. As resident duty hours show no improvement on education in surgery (but rather a perception of worsened education) surgery training is fazing huge challenges.

Single incision retro-peritoneoscopic paediatric nephrectomy: early experience.

Single incision, single port, or single site surgery for retro-peritoneoscopic nephrectomy and nephro-ureterectomy in paediatric practice using an advanced access platform (GelPOINT Mini) is described in two patients. One patient had bilateral synchronous nephrectomy. The technique, advantages, and challenges are reported. Beyond the initial hurdles and learning curve, this technique is promising and has the potential to be extended to other procedures in paediatric urology.