Continent Cutaneous Urinary Conversion

Objectives: After ileal or colon conduit diversion some patients; in particular in adolescence; desire a conversion into a continent form of diversion thus removing external devices and improving the quality of life. We report our long-term results of conversion from conduits into a continent cutaneous diversion. Methods: Between July 1986 and February 2001; a total of 32 patients (mean age: 18 years; range 6 to 49 years) underwent conversion of a colon (n=19) or ileal conduit (n=13) into an ileo-caecal pouch with a mean follow-up of 97 months (range 11-185 months). Conversion was performed using a simplified technique incorporating the preexisting colon/ileal conduit into ileocaecal Mainz pouch I. The morphology of the upper urinary tract; renal function; con-tinence and metabolic changes were analyzed. Results: A total of 17 patients (53) showed complications requiring surgical intervention; these included stoma stenosis (13); pouch calculi (28) as well as ureteric stenosis in 4/61 RU (7). Continence was achieved in 97of patients. Faecal frequency was unchanged in 75of patients without treatment while the rest required medical therapy (cholestyramine; loperamide). During follow-up; early substitution of alkalizing agents was performed at a base excess of -2.0 mmol/l for 15 patients (47); thus preventing acidosis. The renal function remained stable during follow-up. All patients are completely satisfied; in particular as compared to the previous situation. Conclusion: The inclusion of the preexisting colon or ileal conduit facilitates continent cutaneous conversion and decreases bowel requirements. An acceptable complication rate; a stable renal function and the patient's comfort support the conversion of a conduit into Mainz Pouch I as a safe and viable option on the long run

Simplified orthotopic ileocecal pouch (Mainz pouch) for bladder substitution.

OBJECTIVE: To report operative modifications that render construction of the orthotopic Mainz pouch more simple, namely formation of the pouch using absorbable staples and utilization of the ileocecal valve as an antireflux mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and May 2002 out of 92 cystectomy cases, 21 patients (20 males and 1 female) underwent a simplified orthotopic Mainz pouch. The ureters were implanted via Wallace or Nesbit technique in the supravalvular portion of the ileocecal valve. The mean (range) age was 58 (43 - 74) years and the mean follow-up is 11.6 months (range 1 - 27). RESULTS: No staple-related complications were encountered. Four renal units (8.8 %) were dilated, one secondary to an impacted ureteral stone and three secondary to ureteral stenosis requiring reimplantation. At 6 months follow-up, 5 renal units showed reflux (11.1 %) but without any clinical symptoms. 86.5 % of patients void spontaneously without significant residual urine. Continence was achieved in 74 % of cases during day and in 74 % at night. CONCLUSION: The simplified Mainz pouch is a versatile form of continent urinary diversion. The use of absorbable staples has simplified the pouch creation and yields functional results which favorably compare with other pouch forms. The ileocecal valve serves as an anti-reflux-mechanism.

Transerve colon pouch : an alternative to continent urinary diversion after pelvic irradiation

Objective Urinary diversion after pelvic irradiation is challenging. The use of irradiated bowel is mostly complicated and unsuccessful. Therefore; the use of an exclusively non-irradiated bowel segment; such as the transverse colon; is a good alternative in such situation. Patients and Methods Twenty-nine female patients who had received a high dose of irradiation underwent construction of a transverse colon reservoir as a primary form of urinary diversion. The indications were irreparable vesicovaginal fistula in 5; local recurrence of gynaecological tumors in 18 and invasive bladder carcinoma in 6 patients. They were followed up for a median of 5.6 (1-9) years. Results No pouch-related complications were observed. Hydronephrosis improved in 9 of 15 renal units that had preoperatively been dilated. Incontinence occurred in 3 patients due to an inefficient stoma that was revised; and all were continent thereafter. Conclusion The results suggest that the transverse colon reservoir in previously irradiated patients is safe and effective. It can; therefore; be recommended as the method of choice in this group of patients

Urological complications after living-donor renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and management of urological complications after 1200 consecutive live-donor renal transplantations, all of which were carried out in one centre; the possible risk factors and the effect on patient and graft survival were also assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved from an electronic database; the incidence of urological complications was determined, and correlated with relevant risk factors by univariate and multivariate analysis. The effect on patient and graft survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier statistics. RESULTS: There were 100 complications in 96 patients (8%); urinary leaks occurred in 37, ureteric strictures in 23 and lymphoceles causing ureteric obstruction in 17. Percutaneous needle biopsy was complicated by haematuria and clot anuria in six patients. Late complications included 11 cases of stones, four of bladder malignancy and two of haemorrhagic cystitis. There was evidence that the age of the recipients (< 10 years), method of establishing urinary continuity (uretero-ureteric anastomosis) and a high dose of steroids had an independent positive effect on the incidence of urological complications. However, their development did not influence graft or patient survival. CONCLUSION: When there is meticulous attention to the technical details, renal transplantation should incur few urological complications. Early intervention with percutaneous drainage reduces morbidity and the likelihood loss of graft function. Proper and prompt management should not affect the graft and/or the patient's survival.

Live-donor renal transplantation at the Urology & Nephrology Center of Mansoura: 1976-1998.

Based on more than 1,200 living donor transplants performed at the Urology & Nephrology Center at Mansoura University between 1976-1998, we report: 1. The overall graft survival rate was 75.8% and 51.9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, with a projected half-life of 10.7 years. 2. Three factors acted as independent variables that significantly influenced graft survival: the number of HLA mismatches, the number of acute rejection episodes and the presence of posttransplant hypertension. a. Grafts with 2 or fewer HLA-A, -B and -DR mismatches had a significantly better survival rate. b. The incidence and the number of early acute rejection episodes had a significant negative impact on graft survival. c. A significant reduction in graft survival was associated with hypertension uncontrolled by or newly developed after transplantation. 3. Bilharziasis had no impact on the outcome. 4. Despite improvements in tissue matching and immunosuppression, an important proportion of grafts is still lost following living-donor kidney transplantation. 5. Efforts must be directed to identify better regimens, which can provide adequate immunosuppression and minimal nephrotoxicity.

Urethral pathology.

In the present review the eligible data on urethral pathologies are critically analysed, with special attention given to unresolved controversies in this topic. The entities discussed are as follows: female circumcision as a ritualistic tradition, with many associated complications; prostatourethritis and urethral syndrome; urethral diverticula as an overlooked rare pathology in urological practice; urethrorectal fistula; pelvic fracture urethral injuries and its current standard treatment algorithm; and urethral strictures and new endoscopic or surgical reconstructive techniques.

Paediatric lower urinary tract rhabdomyosarcoma: a single-centre experience of 30 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyse the long-term outcome of children with bladder and/or prostate rhabdomyosarcoma who were diagnosed at the authors' institution over the last 17 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 30 children (26 boys and four girls, mean age 5 years, range 15 days to 15 years); 23 had stage III and seven had stage II disease. The initial biopsy showed an embryonal variant in 27 and round-cell sarcoma in three patients. All patients received eight weekly doses of vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide (VAC). Subsequent treatment depended upon the response to chemotherapy. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had a complete or partial response to chemotherapy (> 50% reduction in tumour size); they were maintained on VAC chemotherapy for 2 years. Twelve patients in this group survived with no evidence of disease for 7 months to 10 years. Additional therapies were used in three patients, i.e. radical cystectomy in one and external irradiation in two. Sixteen patients had a minimal response to chemotherapy; in six, radical cystectomy was feasible and was followed by one year of chemotherapy. All patients were free of disease for 4-11 years. Radiotherapy was given to the remaining 10 patients; thereafter radical cystectomy became feasible in five while partial cystectomy was possible in three. Only three of these 10 patients survived for 4-11 years. CONCLUSION: The tumour response to initial chemotherapy can be used to stratify patients into two risk-groups, i.e. low-risk patients with a complete or partial response in whom the bladder could be salvaged, and high-risk patients with a minimal response, in whom intensive treatment should be pursued, with no attempt at bladder salvage.

A predictive model of survival after radical cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of patient and tumour characteristics on the disease-free survival after radical cystectomy for infiltrating bladder cancer, and to use these to help in constructing a meaningful prognostic index. METHODS: The disease-free survival was initially evaluated in 1026 patients (the reference series, 1969-1990). A multivariate analysis showed that the tumour P stage, grade and nodal involvement were the only factors which had an independent and significant association with survival. The computed regression coefficients were then used to classify patients into one of four risk categories and the results then validated by applying the model to a prospective test series (1991-1995). RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival of both groups was similar. When the results for the risk categories of the reference series were compared with those of the test series, there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive prognostic model for the results of radical cystectomy was validated and verified in a prospective group of patients. Adjuvant therapies are indicated for patients with a high risk score.

Living-related-donor kidney transplantation outcome in recipients with primary focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis.

We studied the outcome of renal transplantation in 30 patients with primary focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and in 30 controls in whom renal failure was secondary to nonglomerular renal diseases. All patients received living-related-donor kidneys, and the majority had one-haplotype HLA matching. Within the follow-up period, the mean serum creatinine values were significantly higher in FSGS recipients as compared with the control group (p = 0.02). However, the frequency of acute rejection episodes and the mean blood pressure values were not significantly different between the two groups. There was a tendency of a higher incidence of proteinuria among FSGS recipients in comparison with the controls. Moreover, nephrotic-range proteinuria occurred only in 3 recipients of the FSGS group. Recurrence of FSGS was morphologically documented in 2 recipients 7 and 18 months, respectively, after transplantation. It is concluded that FSGS as the primary disease has a negligible impact on the living-related-donor kidney transplantation in the Egyptian population. Therefore, this disease should not discourage transplantation for this group of patients.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder: a report of 185 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome after the treatment of primary non-urachal vesical adenocarcinoma and to determine the significant prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 185 patients with vesical adenocarcinoma were reviewed. The pathological evaluation included the determination of pathological stage, tumour grade, presence or absence of mucin and its location, evidence of bilharzial infestation and flow-cytometric DNA analysis. The mean follow-up of the treated patients was 3.1 years. Disease-free survival was estimated and the results correlated with patient and tumour characteristics (univariate analysis). Cox's proportional hazards analysis was used to determine prognostic factors. RESULTS: The overall 5-year disease-free survival was 55%; only three factors had a significant impact on survival, the tumour pathological stage and grade, and lymph node involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy remains the only satisfactory treatment option for primary vesical adenocarcinoma. Tumour stage, grade and lymph node involvement are the only significant prognostic factors.

Renal diseases and transplantation in children.

The diseases that are most commonly responsible for renal damage and end-stage renal disease are unique in children. The devastating effect of chronic renal failure on the mental and physical development of children offers many challenging management problems. Although less than perfect, successful renal transplantation is considered the best available treatment option for children, with the alternative of dialysis often made difficult by access problems, growth retardation and renal osteodystrophy. Children comprise between 5 and 8% of our transplant programme, and we consider transplantation and dialysis to be complementary rather than competitive.

Radical cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder: critical evaluation of the results in 1,026 cases.

PURPOSE: We performed a critical analysis of the different prognostic factors affecting survival among patients with carcinoma of the bladder for whom cystectomy was indicated. The different patient and tumor characteristics were correlated to survival data by a univariate as well as multivariate analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1969 and 1990, 764 men and 262 women, average age plus or minus standard deviation 43 +/- 8 years, with invasive carcinoma of the bladder were eligible for 1-stage radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Patients were followed regularly and examined signs for and location of treatment failure. Followup ranged from 0 to 24.2 years, with a median plus or minus standard deviation of 4.05 +/- 4.16 years. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality was 4%. Most of the patients presented with advanced stage (greater than P3) disease. Squamous tumors accounted for 59% of cases, transitional carcinoma 22% and adenocarcinoma 11%. Bilharzial eggs were seen in 85% of the specimens. Regional lymph nodes were involved in 18.3% of the cases. The 5-year survival rate was 48%. The survival estimate was correlated to patient and tumor characteristics by univariate and multivariate analyses. Only tumor stage and grade, and lymph node status had a significant impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary cystectomy with continent diversion for muscle invasive disease provides minimal morbidity, offers good locoregional disease control and results in acceptable quality of life. The presence of positive regional lymph nodes is not a contraindication to this therapy.

Double folded rectosigmoid bladder with a new ureterocolic antireflux technique.

PURPOSE: We present a new method of urinary diversion to the rectum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 1995 a new surgical procedure was used in 32 women, 20 men and 12 children 3 to 60 years old (mean age plus or minus standard deviation 35.4 +/- 2.2). The main indication for diversion was invasive bladder carcinoma. Surgery entailed creation of an S-shaped double folded rectosigmoid reservoir with implantation of the ureters via an extramural serous lined antireflux technique. RESULTS: One patient died of a massive pulmonary embolism postoperatively. Followup ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean 19.2 +/- 7.0). During the observation period 6 patients died of local recurrence and/or distant metastasis within 8 months. Of the patients 57 are currently evaluable. All patients are continent during the day with an emptying frequency of 2 to 4 times. Nocturnal enuresis was observed in 4 children who responded favorably to imipramine hydrochloride therapy. Upper urinary tract function was maintained or improved in 95% of the patients. No clinical evidence of acidosis was observed, since all patients were kept on prophylactic oral alkalization. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure can circumvent some of the inherent disadvantages of ureterosigmoidostomy and is a good alternative to orthotopic bladder substitution when the urethra cannot be used.

Multiple but different urothelial tumours in one side of a urinary tract.

We present a combination of transitional cell carcinoma and a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the right side of the urinary tract of a bilharzial patient. The right renal pelvis and the right ureter demonstrated transitional cell carcinoma, while the right lateral wall of the bladder showed squamous cell carcinoma.

Clinical, radiological and histological features of adrenal myelolipoma: review and experience with a further eight cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review published reports of surgically treated adrenal myelolipomas and report experience with a further eight cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients (three men and five women, mean age 50.7 years) with adrenal myelolipoma were treated surgically because of the tumour size, symptomatology and/or associated renal pathology. Associated medical problems included hypertension in three patients and diabetes mellitus in one but none of the tumours was endocrinologically active. RESULTS: Five patients were diagnosed definitively by abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and angiography while the other three were incidentally diagnosed during surgical intervention for ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma in one patient, hydronephrotic kidney in another and multiple renal stones in the third. On pathological examination, the masses removed were surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule and compressed cortical tissue. A cut section was bright yellow with foci of red-brown discoloration. Microscopically, the tumour consisted mainly of mature adipose tissue with scattered islands of haemopoietic cells. There was no operative mortality and no gross morbidity. CONCLUSION: The management of adrenal myelolipoma should be appropriate to each individual case. Operative intervention should be reserved for symptomatic patients or those with large 'silent' tumours that may produce life-threatening shock secondary to spontaneous haemorrhage. Small asymptomatic tumours with definite radiological findings can be followed expectantly.

Late malignancy in bowel segments exposed to urine without fecal stream.

OBJECTIVES: This study was constructed so as to screen malignant transformation after uroenteric reconstructions using bowel segments exposed to urine without fecal stream for more than 10 years. METHODS: Follow-up data were available for 186 patients who underwent various uroenteric reconstructions using bowel segments exposed to urine without fecal stream for more than 10 years. There were 68 eligible patients with isolated rectosigmoid bladder, 23 with bladder augmentations (15 ileocystoplasty and 8 colocystoplasty), 57 with ileal ureter, and 38 with ileal loop conduit. Besides routine laboratory and radiologic investigations, urine for cytology was obtained from all patients. Moreover, endoscopy and random biopsy of the part of bowel exposed to urine were carried out in all patients. RESULTS: Uroenteric malignancy was diagnosed in 4 patients (2%): 2 adenocarcinoma in an isolated rectosigmoid bladder, 1 transitional cell carcinoma following augmentation colocystoplasty, and 1 squamous cell carcinoma after ileal ureter. None of the patients developed tumors in ileal loop conduits. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant changes do not only occur after ureterosigmoidostomy but are also observed after different uroenteric reconstructions not exposed to fecal stream. Hematuria, ureteral obstruction, and abnormal urine cytology are warning signs of malignancy. Routine cytology is recommended at least yearly beginning 10 years after surgery.

Postrenal transplant urethral Kock pouch.

We report on a man with schistosomal bladder who developed stage T3N0M0, grade II transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder 9 years following successful renal transplantation. Radical cystoprostatectomy was performed and urethral Kock pouch was implanted in the same setting. The patient was continent and the graft function was maintained without reflux or obstruction at a follow-up period of 2 years. No complications due to poor intestinal healing or intraabdominal sepsis were observed despite immunosuppression and electrolyte disorders were minor.