Prostate Cancer: Under-representation of African American Men in Research Studies Used in the Latest NCCN Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate racial data in studies used in current NCCN prostate cancer guidelines. These guidelines represent the latest information that informs clinical practice. Prostate cancer disproportionately affects mortality in Black patients compared to White patients at a 2.1-fold higher death rate. However, this racial disparity is not accounted for when including patients in research. METHODS: The studies referenced in the latest NCCN guidelines were evaluated for inclusion of racial demographics, and whether they properly account for the higher mortality rate of prostate cancer seen in Black patients. We then analyzed topics within prostate cancer. RESULTS: After application of exclusion criteria, 547 of 878 studies were included for analysis; of those, only 32.4% included demographic data. Overall, Black patients accounted for 472,476 (12.8%) of total patients, while 3,023,007 (81.7%) patients were White. These findings were consistent with specific areas including risk stratification (12% vs 75%), imaging and staging (11% vs 80%), treatment (16% vs 81%), recurrence (15% vs 73%), castration-sensitive prostate cancer (9% vs 84%), castration-resistant prostate cancer (8% vs 73%), and metastatic bone disease (7% vs 84%). CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed consistently that although the guidelines utilize the best research, such studies often do not report racial demographics or have patient populations that do not reflect racial differences in mortality of prostate cancer. Our study questions the generalization of these studies to Black patients. Future research should emphasize inclusion of racial demographics and recruit appropriately representative study cohorts.

Finding the Next Resident Physicians in the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: An Applicant Survey on the 2020 Virtual Urology Residency Match.

OBJECTIVE: To assess interviewing applicant perceptions of a virtual urology residency interview in the setting of changes mandated by COVID-19 and to determine applicant preference for virtual or in person interviews. Applicant perceptions of multiple interview components were queried to identify program specific and interview modality specific strengths or weaknesses in the 2020 to 2021 Urology Match. METHODS: A 12 question multiple choice and free text survey was emailed to 66 virtually interviewed applicants for open residency positions at a metropolitan training program after conclusion of interviews. Items of interest included interview type preference, overall interview impression, and recommendations for improvement. RESULTS: A total of 50 of 66 (76%) applicants completed the survey corresponding to approximately 11% of the 2020 national urology applicant pool. A total of 49 of 50 (96%) respondents assessed faculty interaction and the virtual platform positively. A total of 38 of 50 (76%) was satisfied with their resident interaction and 32 of 50 (64%) applicants stated they were able to satisfactorily evaluate the site and program. Ultimately, 39 of 50 (78%) respondents would have preferred an in person interview to our virtual interview. Respondents cited challenges in assessing program culture and program physical site virtually. CONCLUSION: The majority of survey respondents indicated a preference for in person interviews. A smaller proportion of applicants preferred virtual interviews citing their convenience and lower cost. Efforts to improve the virtual interview experience may focus on improving applicant-resident interaction and remote site assessment.

The Two-Point Technique for Fluoroscopic-Guided Endoscopic Procedures in Urology: A Validation Study.

Introduction: The widespread use of diagnostic and therapeutic ionizing radiation raises concerns regarding excessive occupational and patient exposure. In this study, we test a novel fluoroscopic technique that has the potential to minimize radiation dose during urologic procedures. Materials and Methods: A prospective evaluation of all patients undergoing endoscopic urologic procedures in our institution was conducted. A "two-point technique (TPT)" is described in which the fluoroscope image intensifier (c-arm) is shifted between caudal and cephalad set points of the operative field. We wished to determine whether patient radiation exposure was lower with TPT than with a non-structured conventional technique, referred to as the cognitive fluoroscopic technique (CFT), in which the manipulation of the c-arm was at the discretion of the user. We obtained all clinical, radiographic, and fluoroscopic data of patients in the study period and used unpaired nonparametric statistical analysis of univariates entered stepwise into a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 106 endoscopic urologic procedures from January 2016 to November 2018 were reviewed. Forty-four (41.5%) cases were performed using TPT and 62 (58.5%) using CFT. The mean fluoroscopy time of TPT vs CFT was 71.1 (±60.8) seconds vs 104.5 (±91.6) seconds, respectively (p = 0.04), and the mean radiation dose on TPT vs CFT was 11.6 (±10.6) mGy vs 20.3 (±24.3) mGy, respectively (p = 0.03). TPT was an independent predictor of reduced operative room (OR) time and fluoro time (p < 0.05), while body mass index, age, and operator were not. Conclusion: The "TPT" helps reducing radiation dose and fluoroscopic time during endoscopic urologic procedures. The TPT is useful to lower radiation exposure to patients and OR staff.

Contemporary Trends in Percutaneous Nephrolithomy Across New York State: A Review of the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System.

Introduction and Objectives: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a complex multistep surgery that has shown a steady increase in use for the past decade in the United States. We sought to evaluate the trends and factors associated with PCNL usage across New York State (NYS). Our goal was to characterize patient demographics and socioeconomic factors across high-, medium-, and low-volume institutions. Materials and Methods: We searched the NYS, Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database from 2006 to 2014 using ICD-9 Procedure Codes 55.04 (percutaneous nephrostomy with fragmentation) for all hospital discharges. Patient demographics including age, gender, race, insurance status, and length of hospital stay were obtained. We characterized each hospital as a low-, medium-, or high-volume center by year. Patient and hospital demographics were compared and reported using chi-square analysis and Student's t-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively, with statistical significance as a p-value of <0.05. Results: We identified a total of 4576 procedures performed from 2006 to 2014 at a total of 77 hospitals in NYS (Table 1). Total PCNL volume performed across all NYS hospitals increased in the past decade, with the greatest number of procedures performed in 2012 to 2013. Low-volume institutions were more likely to provide care to minority populations (21.4% vs 17.3%, p < 0.001) and those with Medicaid (25.5% vs 21.5%, p < 0.001). High-volume institutions provided care to patients with private insurance (42.1% vs 34.0%, p < 0.001) and had a shorter length of stay (3.3 days vs 4.1 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data provide insight into the patient demographics of those treated at high-, medium-, and low-volume hospitals for PCNL across NYS. Significant differences in race, insurance status, and length of stay were noted between low- and high-volume institutions, indicating that racial and socioeconomic factors play a role in access to care at high-volume centers.

Device Malfunctions and Complications Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgery: Review of the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database.

Introduction and Objectives: Multiple surgical therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been developed to decrease complications and increase provider efficiency. We investigated contemporary BPH treatment device-related adverse events by searching a publicly available database. Materials and Methods: The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database was queried for contemporary BPH treatments. All devices were evaluated for malfunction, patient complications, and manufacturer review. The MAUDE adverse event classification system was used to standardize complications. Univariate analysis was performed to identify associations between BPH devices and adverse events. Results: A total of 2567 reports were identified: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) 197 (7.67%), holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) 39 (1.52%), GreenLight™ 2315 (90.2%), and UroLift® 16 (0.62%). The most common deviations for each modality included cutting loop detachment during TURP 116 (58.9%), morcellator dysfunction for HoLEP 23 (58.9%), tip fracture/detachment for GreenLight (68.8%), and failure to deploy during UroLift 10 (62.5%). Only 18 (0.7%) patients required medical/surgical management (MAUDE II-IV) due to a device complication. No significant relationship was seen between each modality and complications; however, morcellator use (27.8%) was observed in higher grade complications. Manufacturer review occurred in 61.7% of cases, with 41.3% of reviewed cases finding the operator the cause of the malfunction. Conclusion: Each BPH modality investigated had minimal patient harm with over 99% of patients experiencing no complication after device malfunction. Of note, great care should be taken with morcellator use during HoLEP as it had the greatest number of MAUDE II to IV complications among all devices. Manufacturer review revealed that over 40% of cases were due to misuse by the user. Therefore, urologists should select the modalities they are most familiar with to decrease patient harm and prevent device malfunctions.

Prostate Cancer Screening Trends After United States Preventative Services Task Force Guidelines in an Underserved Population.

Purpose: Prostate cancer screening is a controversial topic. We examined trends in Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing in an underserved population before and after the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against screening. Methods: Data were collected on all PSA and cholesterol screening tests from 2008 to 2014. We examined the trend of these tests and prostate biopsies while comparing this data to lipid panel data to adjust for changes in patient population. Results: A decrease in PSA screening was observed from 2010 through 2014, with the greatest decline in 2012. The age group most affected was patients aged 55-69 years. The amount of prostate biopsies during this period decreased as well. Conclusions: Decreased rates of PSA screening were observed in our urban hospital population that preceded the publication of the USPSTF guidelines. The incidence of prostate biopsies decreased in this timeframe. It now remains to be demonstrated whether decreased PSA screening rates impact the diagnosis of and ultimately the survival from prostate cancer.

Sepsis after elective ureteroscopy.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine our rate of postoperative sepsis after ureteroscopy as well as identifying associative factors, common antibiotic practices along with culture data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of all patients who underwent elective ureteroscopy from 2010 to 2015 at an urban tertiary care facility were retrospectively reviewed. Factors thought to be associated with infection were collected, along with comorbidities depicted as Charlson Age-Adjusted Comorbidity Index (CAACI) and American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) score. Each patient's course was reviewed to determine if they were treated for postoperative sepsis as defined by standardized criteria. RESULTS: A total of 345 patients underwent elective ureteroscopy with 15 (4.3%) being treated for sepsis postoperatively. This resulted in an additional 5.33 ± 3.84 days of hospitalization per patient. The sepsis group grew three gram positive organisms and five multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram negatives while 7/15 (46.7%) had negative cultures. The most common preoperative antibiotics used in the sepsis group were cefazolin (60.0%), gentamicin (48.5%) and ciprofloxacin (20.0%). Univariate analysis showed prior endoscopic procedures, recent treatment for urinary tract infections (UTI), multiple comorbidities and longer operative times associated with sepsis. However, significant variables after multivariate analysis were treatment for UTI within the last month, (OR) 7.19 (2.25-22.99), p = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple comorbidities, prior endoscopic procedures, longer operative times and especially those recently treated for a urinary infection should be carefully monitored after ureteroscopy for signs of sepsis. Perioperative antibiotics in these patients should be selected to cover both MDR organisms and gram positives.