Pediatric intratesticular abscess managed with a testicular sparing approach: A case report.

Intratesticular abscess is a rare finding associated with advanced or untreated epididymo-orchitis, often in immunocompromised patients. Implicated pathogens can be spread hematogenously, by urine reflux in dysfunctional voiders, through aberrant mesonephric duct anatomy, or via a patent processus vaginalis in the setting of an intra-abdominal infection. A testicular-sparing surgical approach is often used in prepubertal populations and is associated with positive outcomes. We present the case of a 6-year-old male with a polymicrobial intratesticular abscess that was successfully managed with antibiotics, operative incision and drainage of abscess cavity, and primary wound closure with drain placement.

Factors Influencing Fluoroscopy Use During Ureteroscopy at a Residency Training Program.

Introduction: Ionizing radiation is used throughout urologic surgery and is known to cause a greater cancer risk with increasing exposure. The International Commission on Radiological Protection states that "it is the control of radiation dose that is important, no matter the source." However, there are few reports on the amount of radiation used by urology residents during ureteroscopy (URS). We present the largest database evaluating fluoroscopy (fluoro) use during URS at a resident training program. Our objective is to assess the amount of fluoro use at varying levels of experience and to identify factors that lead to increased fluoro use. Methods: Retrospective data from 242 URSs performed at two resident training sites were collected. In total, 105 surgeries were done by two attending physicians without and 137 surgeries with residents (Uro1-Uro3). Patient data were collected from the electronic medical record. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression (MLR). Results: Comparisons between years 1 and 2 revealed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased fluoro time (20.0 seconds) and operative time (OT) (12.2 minutes) for the year 2 resident. Total OT was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased (11.1 minutes) for attending physicians operating on their own compared with a year 1 resident. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations with fluoro time were demonstrated for OT, stone size, ureteral dilation, ureteral access sheath use, presence of a preoperative stent, resident year, and resident month. OT, ureteral dilation, and a preoperative stent placement were significant predictors of fluoro time on MLR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Fluoro time during retrograde URS was significantly reduced as residents gained more experience in the operating room. An increase in fluoro time was also associated with ureteral dilation, access sheath use, increasing stone size, and lack of prestenting. With knowledge of these factors, emphasis can be placed on using and teaching techniques that limit radiation exposure.

Nephroureterectomy vs. segmental ureterectomy of clinically localized, high-grade, urothelial carcinoma of the ureter: Practice patterns and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nephroureterectomy (NU) remains the gold-standard for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, nephron-sparing management (NSM), specifically segmental ureterectomy (SU) for urothelial tumors distal to the renal pelvis may offer decreased risk of renal insufficiency and equivalent cancer control. OBJECTIVES: To identify patient-specific and facility-related factors that are associated with the selection of SU vs. NU for patients with clinically localized, high-grade, ureteral UTUC. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: We searched the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2015 for patients with high-grade, clinically localized, primary ureteral UTUC managed by either NU or SU. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess patient, disease-specific, facility and treatment-related factors associated with SU vs. NU. Since surgical approach was only indexed after 2010, separate multivariable logistic regressions were performed including and excluding surgical approach in order to capture patients treated between 2004 and 2009. Survival analysis utilized Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Multivariate analysis including surgical approach demonstrated that among other factors, higher clinical stage (P = 0.034), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.002), and the utilization of minimally invasive surgery (P < 0.05) decreased the likelihood of patients receiving SU. In this same cohort, institutions with larger facility volumes (P = 0.038) and performing intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were associated with a higher probability of SU. Excluding surgical approach, once again more advanced clinical stage (P = 0.005), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.003) decreased the probability of patients receiving SU, while increasing age (P = 0.049) and intraoperative lymph node dissection (P < 0.001) were more closely associated with SU compared to NU. No differences were noted in pathological T stage (P > 0.05), 30-day readmission (P = 0.7), 30-day mortality (P = 0.09), and 90-day mortality (P = 0.157) on multivariate analysis between SU and NU. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in median overall survival between patients receiving SU or NU (53 vs. 50 months; P = 0.143). CONCLUSIONS: Comparable outcomes suggest segmental ureterectomy for high-grade ureteral UTUC is appropriate in well-selected patients. Practice patterns appear consistent with guideline recommendations (decreased tumor size and lower clinical stage favor SU), but treatment disparities may exist based on a multitude of patient, pathologic- and facility-related factors. Improved dissemination of knowledge regarding practice patterns and outcomes of SU for UTUC of the ureter has the potential to improve delivery of NSM in appropriate patients. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we examined factors associated with different surgical procedures for cancer of the ureter. We found that smaller tumor sizes, a less advanced clinical stage, intraoperative lymph dissection higher facility volumes tended to favor kidney-sparing treatment, while survival outcomes appear comparable to renal extirpation.

Complications of the neovagina in male-to-female transgender surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis with discussion of management.

Gender-affirmation surgery is often the final gender-confirming medical intervention sought by those patients suffering from gender dysphoria. In the male-to-female (MtF) transgendered patient, the creation of esthetic and functional external female genitalia with a functional vaginal channel is of the utmost importance. The aim of this review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the epidemiology, presentation, management, and outcomes of neovaginal complications in the MtF transgender reassignment surgery patients. PUBMED was searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for relevant articles (n = 125). Ineligible articles were excluded and articles meeting all inclusion criteria went on to review and analysis (n = 13). Ultimately, studies reported on 1,684 patients with an overall complication rate of 32.5% and a reoperation rate of 21.7% for non-esthetic reasons. The most common complication was stenosis of the neo-meatus (14.4%). Wound infection was associated with an increased risk of all tissue-healing complications. Use of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSL) was associated with a significantly decreased risk of prolapse of the neovagina. Gender-affirmation surgery is important in the treatment of gender dysphoric patients, but there is a high complication rate in the reported literature. Variability in technique and complication reporting standards makes it difficult to assess the accurately the current state of MtF gender reassignment surgery. Further research and implementation of standards is necessary to improve patient outcomes. Clin. Anat. 31:191-199, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Predictors of biochemical recurrence after primary focal cryosurgery (hemiablation) for localized prostate cancer: A multi-institutional analytic comparison of Phoenix and Stuttgart criteria.

BACKGROUND: The Phoenix definition (PD) and Stuttgart definition (SD) designed to determine biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with postradiotherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasound organ-confined prostate cancer are being applied to follow patients after cryosurgery. We sought to identify predictors of BCR using the PD and SD criteria in patients who underwent primary focal cryosurgery (PFC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent PFC (hemiablation) at 2 referral centers from 2000 to 2014. Patients were followed up with serial prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA levels, pre- and post-PFC biopsy, Gleason scores, number of positive cores, and BCR (PD = [PSA nadir+2ng/ml]; SD = [PSA nadir+1.2ng/ml]) were recorded. Patients who experienced BCR were biopsied, monitored carefully or treated at the discretion of the treating urologist. Cox regression and survival analyses were performed to assess time to BCR using PD and SD. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients were included with a median follow-up of 36.6 (interquartile range: 18.9-56.4) months. In all, 64 (39.5%) and 98 (60.5%) experienced BCR based on PD and SD, respectively. On multivariable Cox regression, the number of positive pre-PFC biopsy cores was an independent predictor of both PD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.4, P = 0.001) and SD (HR = 1.3, P = 0.006) BCRs. Post-PFC PSA nadir was an independent predictor of BCR using the PD (HR = 2.2, P = 0.024) but not SD (HR = 1.4, P = 0.181). Survival analysis demonstrated a 3-year BCR-free survival rate of 56% and 36% for PD and SD, respectively. Of those biopsied after BCR, 14/26 (53.8%) using the PD and 18/35 (51.4%) using the SD were found to have residual/recurrent cancer. Of those with prostate cancer on post-PFC biopsy, 57.1% of those with BCR by the PD and 66.7% of those with BCR by the SD were found to have a Gleason score ≥7. CONCLUSION: Both the PD and the SD may be used to determine BCR in post-PFC patients. However, the ideal definition of BCR after PFC remains to be elucidated.

Posterior subscapular dissection: An improved approach to the brachial plexus for human anatomy students.

Students of human anatomy are required to understand the brachial plexus, from the proximal roots extending from spinal nerves C5 through T1, to the distal-most branches that innervate the shoulder and upper limb. However, in human cadaver dissection labs, students are often instructed to dissect the brachial plexus using an antero-axillary approach that incompletely exposes the brachial plexus. This approach readily exposes the distal segments of the brachial plexus but exposure of proximal and posterior segments require extensive dissection of neck and shoulder structures. Therefore, the proximal and posterior segments of the brachial plexus, including the roots, trunks, divisions, posterior cord and proximally branching peripheral nerves often remain unobserved during study of the cadaveric shoulder and brachial plexus. Here we introduce a subscapular approach that exposes the entire brachial plexus, with minimal amount of dissection or destruction of surrounding structures. Lateral retraction of the scapula reveals the entire length of the brachial plexus in the subscapular space, exposing the brachial plexus roots and other proximal segments. Combining the subscapular approach with the traditional antero-axillary approach allows students to observe the cadaveric brachial plexus in its entirety. Exposure of the brachial dissection in the subscapular space requires little time and is easily incorporated into a preexisting anatomy lab curriculum without scheduling additional time for dissection.

Flexed-knee gait in children with cerebral palsy: a 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: While several studies have evaluated the short-term effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatment of flexed-knee gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP), few have explored the long-term outcomes using gait analysis. The purpose of this study was to examine, through gait analysis, the 10-year outcomes of flexed-knee gait in children with CP. METHODS: Ninety-seven children with spastic CP who walked with a flexed-knee gait underwent two gait evaluations [age 6.1 ± 2.1 and 16.2 ± 2.3 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I (12), II (45), III (37), IV (3)]. Limbs with knee flexion at initial contact >15° were considered walking with a flexed-knee gait and were included in the study (n = 185). Kinematic data were collected using an eight-camera motion analysis system (Motion Analysis, Santa Rosa, CA). Surgical and therapeutic interventions were not controlled. RESULTS: A comparison between the two gait studies showed an overall improvement in gait at 10 years follow-up. Significant improvements were seen in knee flexion at initial contact, Gait Deviation Index (GDI), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and gait speed (P < 0.01 for all). Outcome was also evaluated based on the severity of flexed-knee gait at the initial visit, with functional skills and overall gait (GDI) improving in all groups (P < 0.01 for all). The group with a severe flexed-knee gait exhibited the most improvement, while subjects with a mild flexed-knee improved the least. CONCLUSIONS: Children at a specialty hospital whose orthopedic care included gait analysis and multi-level surgery showed improvement of flexed-knee gait and gross motor function over a 10-year course, regardless of the initial severity.