[Caudal migration of the verumontanum and enlargement of the utricle in hypospadias]. / Die kaudale Migration des Verumontanums und Erweiterung des Utrikulus bei der Hypospadie.

Hypospadias is one of the morphological and functional alterations of the internal urogenital organs under the influence of androgen deficiency. In the time period 1974-1998 a total of 823 cases of hypospadias were surgically treated and the findings of the preoperative X-ray diagnostics with micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) and urethrocystogram (UCG) as well as urethrocystoscopy were analyzed. A caudal migration of the verumontanum could be detected in 55% of cases with hypospadias (453/823) and in 79% (322/403) of middle grade (penoscrotal) and high grade (scrotoperineal) cases of hypospadias. Enlargement of the utricle was present in 31.5% (259/823) cases of hypospadias and in 46.2% (186/423) of middle grade (penoscrotal) and high grade (scrotoperineal) cases of hypospadias.

Nerve injuries in urological surgery.

It is well known that surgical procedures are followed by different complications, connected with nerve injury at the site of wound. In case of complete lesion due to nerve suturing or nerve interposition the prognosis remains questionable and may be complicated by neuroma later on. The symptoms of nerve damage are Causalgia (in case of combined with lesion of Nn. splanchnici: extreme burning pain, maximum after weeks, decreasing later on); Posttraumatic neuralgia: located mostly in legs: long persistent dump pains; and Neuroma Following complete lesion with or without nerve suture or nerve interposition: extremely painful and usually revision is necessary. During the surgical access to the kidneys n. Intercostalis 11-T12, n. Iliohypogastricus T12-L1, n. Ilioinguinalis T12-L1, n. Iliohypogastricus T12-L1, n. Ilioinguinalis T12-L1 may get damaged, in case of groin incision-n. Cutaneus femoralis lateralis L2-L3, n. Pudendalis S2-S4 and in Psoas Hitch procedure-n. Genitofemoralis L1-L2, n. Femoralis L1-L4, Obturatorius L2-L5.

Mainz Pouch II technique: 10 years' experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term results with the Mainz Pouch II procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 2000 a Mainz Pouch II ureterosigmoidostomy was used in 123 patients (49 females and 74 males, mean age 43.6 years, range: 1-73). The indications for urinary diversion were cystectomy for bladder cancer in 92 patients, bladder exstrophy and/or incontinent epispadias in 26, irreparable traumatic loss of the sphincteric urethra in four and cloacal malformation (sinus urogenitalis) in one. In all, 102 patients with a follow-up of >/= 12 months were evaluated (mean 46.2 months). RESULTS: Day- and night-time continence rates were 97% and 95%, respectively. The remaining patients occasionally lose some drops of urine during coughing or straining, or reported minimal soiling of undergarments during the night. The mean voiding frequency was six during the day and once at night. There were 14 ureteric implantation stenoses (7.2% of 194 evaluated reno-ureteric units) and they were treated successfully by open repair (13) or antegrade balloon dilation (one). For metabolic disturbances, 69% of the patients had a capillary base excess of <-2.5 mmol/L and use oral alkalinizing drugs to prevent hyperchloraemic acidosis. There was no clinically evident metabolic acidosis. CONCLUSION: Applying the principles of detubularization and spherical reconfiguration to create a low-pressure reservoir and stratifying ureteric implantation between submucosal and serous-lined extramural tunnel techniques succeeded in giving better continence rates and long-term preservation of the upper urinary tract than a classical ureterosigmoidostomy. The Mainz Pouch II ureterosigmoidostomy is simple and reliable as a viable alternative for continent urinary diversion in selected patients.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder, prostate or vagina: the role of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyse the outcome of children with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the bladder, prostate or vagina who were treated with chemotherapy, with or without radical surgery or additional radiotherapy, at our institution since 1968. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a total of 107 children with RMS seen between 1968 and December 2001, 22 (mean age 5.9, range 0.5-18) had RMS of bladder/prostate or vagina. Twenty of the patients received primary polychemotherapy (vincristine, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and more recently including etoposide and ifosfamide), two had primary surgery and seven had additional radiotherapy. Fourteen patients had radical cystoprostatectomy, with continent cutaneous urinary diversion with an ileocaecal pouch in seven, in one each a transverse colonic pouch, orthotopic ileocaecal bladder substitution, a rectal reservoir and rectosigmoid pouch and a colonic conduit diversion in two patients. RESULTS: After a mean (range) follow-up of 8.6 (1.0-26) years, 17 patients had no evidence of disease. Five patients presenting initially with advanced tumour stages died from progressive RMS. Two patients with a continent urinary diversion required ureteric reimplantation for stenosis. In two patients severe bladder contraction after radiotherapy required bladder augmentation. CONCLUSION: Primary chemotherapy followed by radical surgery of RMS of the prostate and/or bladder allows complete tumour resection in most cases, and yields excellent cure rates.

Extended radical lymphadenectomy in patients with urothelial bladder cancer: results of a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Previous studies demonstrate a positive correlation between postoperative survival and the extent of pelvic lymphadenectomies in patients with bladder cancer. However, the distribution of nodal metastases has not been examined in sufficient detail. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive prospective analysis of lymph node metastases to obtain precise knowledge about the pattern of lymphatic tumor spread. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2002 we performed 290 radical cystectomies and extended lymphadenectomies. Cranial border of the lymphadenectomy was the level of the inferior mesenteric artery, lateral border was the genitofemoral nerve and caudal border was the pelvic floor. We made every effort to excise and examine microscopically all lymph nodes from 12 well-defined anatomical locations. RESULTS: Mean total number and standard deviation of lymph nodes removed was 43.1 +/- 16.1. Nodal metastases were present in 27.9% of patients. The percentage of metastases at different sites ranged from 14.1% (right obturator nodes) to 2.9% (right paracaval nodes above the aortic bifurcation). By studying cases of unilateral primary tumors or with only 1 metastasis we observed a preferred pattern of metastatic spread. However, there were many exceptions to the rule and we did not identify a well-defined sentinel lymph node. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly recommend extended radical lymphadenectomy to all patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer to remove all metastatic tumor deposits completely. The operation can be conducted in routine clinical practice and our data may serve as a guideline for future standardization and quality control of the procedure.

[Ranking of pelvic lymphadenectomy in therapy and prognosis of carcinoma of the bladder]. / Stellenwert der pelvinen Lymphadenektomie für Therapie und Prognose des Harnblasenkarzinoms.

PURPOSE: Due to the absence of internationally recognised guidelines on the necessary extent of lymphatic node removal in carcinoma of the bladder, we are still not sure as to which procedure is most favourable to therapeutic success. Hence, we checked retrospectively on the influence exercised by radical surgery on prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 506 patients were analysed retrospectively after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy with regard to the influence exercised on prognosis by clinical and histopathological variables. RESULTS: Statistically significant influential factors in univariate analysis were in the retrospective examination: the pT category (p < 0.0001), lymphatic node status (p < 0.0001), grading (p = 0.0145), proof of uronephrosis (p = 0.0007), number of performed transurethral resections (p = 0.0043), surgeon (p = 0.0033) and number of resected lymph nodes (p = 0.0012). There was a significant difference between surgeons at a median number of 14.3 removed lymphatic nodes (range 1 - 46) in respect of radicality (p = 0.001) and prognosis (p < 0.0049). Independent influential factors in multivariate analysis were: pT category (p = 0.003), pN category (p < 0.001) and the number of surgically removed lymphatic nodes (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: In our retrospectively examined group of patients extensive lymphadenectomy significantly improved the prognosis and was thus a potentially curative procedure. Basing on these results, prospective studies will have to clarify the level of the standard applicable to pelvic lymphadenectomy and also the advantages and prospects of radical surgery in respect of possible patient survival.

Screening for renal cell carcinoma using ultrasonography: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the practicability and efficacy of systematic screening for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by ultrasonography (US), as more small RCCs are being detected incidentally by US. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 2-year screening programme for RCC was established for the general population (aged >or= 40 years) in two German cities, Mainz and Wuppertal. In cooperation with different health insurers, the organisers recruited general practitioners, internists and urologists in private practice who were experienced in and equipped to conduct renal US. The screening was offered in the form of cost-free renal US in the first year and a re-examination in the second. For any equivocal or positive renal mass, a reference ultrasonogram was provided by the urology departments at the two university hospitals. RESULTS: In all, 9959 volunteers participated in the screening programme (49% men, 51% women, mean age 61 years, range 40-94) in the first year. Of these participants, 79% returned for re-examination in the second year. Thirteen (0.1%) subjects were found to have a renal mass, of which nine were RCC. The sensitivity of the programme was 82% (at the 1-year follow-up), and the predictive value 2% for equivocal findings on initial examination and 50% for positive findings. The incidence of other abnormal findings was 12%. CONCLUSION: The screening programme was well accepted by physicians in private practice and by the eligible population. The method was effective, especially if equivocal findings were re-assessed by reference US before using further imaging studies, e.g. computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

[Ultrasound screening of renal cell carcinomas]. / Sonographisches Screening von Nierenzellkarzinomen.

The increasing number of incidentally by ultrasound detected small renal cell carcinomas raises the question of the practicability and efficacy of a systematic screening for renal cell carcinoma by ultrasound. A two year screening program for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was established for the general population (age > 40 years) in two cities, Mainz and Wuppertal. In cooperation with different health insurers, the organizers recruited general practitioners, internists and urologists in private practice who were experienced in and equipped for performing renal ultrasound. The screening was offered in the form of a cost free renal ultrasound in the first year and a re-examination in the second year. For any equivocal/positive renal mass, a reference ultrasound was provided the urology departments at the two university hospitals. 9959 volunteers participated in the screening program (49% male, 51% female) in the first year. The mean age was 61 (40-94) years. 79% of these participants returned for re-examination in the second year. Thirteen (0.1%) subjects were found to have a renal mass, of which nine were RCC. The sensitivity of the program was 82% (one year of follow-up). The predictive value was 2% for equivocal findings on initial exam and 50% for positive findings. The incidence of other abnormal findings was 12%. The screening program was well accepted by physicians in private practice and by the eligible population. The method proved effective, especially if equivocal findings were re-studied by reference sonography before further imaging studies such as CT and MRI were performed.

[Significance of pelvic lymphadenectomy for the prognosis after radical cystectomy]. / Die Bedeutung der pelvinen Lymphadenektomie für die Prognose nach radikaler Zystektomie.

OBJECTIVE: In contrast to other carcinomas such as breast or colon cancer, there are no guidelines regarding the number and location of lymph nodes to be removed during radical surgery in patients with invasive bladder carcinoma. The therapeutic effect of pelvic lymphadenectomy and its influence on tumour staging has not been documented yet. METHODS: Here we present an evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes from 484 patients who underwent radical cystectomy with curative intention between 1986 and 1999. The number of lymph nodes was correlated with the depth of invasion of the primary tumour, occurrence of nodal metastases, clinical outcome, the operating surgeon, and the pathologist. RESULTS: There were 484 patients with a mean age of 62.7 years. Clinical follow up was available from 321 patients with a mean follow up period of 35.9 months. The average number of lymph nodes removed was 14.3 (range: 1-46). The number of lymph nodes removed varied significantly between different surgeons and did not correlate with the pathologists. There was a significant correlation between the number of lymph nodes removed and the tumour-free survival in pT2 or pT3 tumours and in patients without lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis revealed that pT-category (p < 0.01), pN-category (p < 0.01), and the total number of lymph nodes removed (p = 0.04) were the most important factors affecting survival. CONCLUSION: The more extensive lymphadenectomy significantly improved the prognosis of patients with invasive bladder cancer and therefore, represents a potentially curative procedure. The results indicate a need for a standardised lymph node dissection.

Prognostic value of p53, p21/WAF1, Bcl-2, Bax, Bak and Ki-67 immunoreactivity in pT1 G3 urothelial bladder carcinomas.

pT1 G3 bladder carcinomas are heterogeneous with respect to tumor recurrence and progression. Whereas some urologists treat these carcinomas by repeated transurethral resections often followed by intravesical chemotherapy or BCG instillation, others recommend cystectomy after tumor recurrence or early cystectomy after the initial diagnosis. Our goal was to determine the prognostic value of p53, p21/WAF1, Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, and Ki-67 immunoreactivity in these tumors. There were 30 patients with a new histopathological diagnosis of pT1 G3 urothelial carcinoma based on a transurethral resection specimen. Representative sections of these specimens were examined for the above markers. All patients were followed up regularly and were classified as being tumor free or having tumor recurrence or progression. The mean follow-up period was 43 months (range: 8-102 months). Twenty-five patients underwent radical cystectomy and 7 of these (28%) suffered from tumor progression and died of bladder cancer. In 5 patients, surgery was limited to a transurethral resection and 4 of these patients developed superficial tumor recurrence. There was a significant difference in tumor-free survival between patients with p53-immunoreactive (mean: 30 months) and p53-negative tumors (mean: 82 months; p = 0.0341). Bcl-2 positivity was also associated with decreased tumor-free survival (p = 0.043). The other markers had no significant prognostic impact. We conclude that p53 and Bcl-2 immunoreactivity labels the most aggressive pT1 G3 bladder carcinomas.

Inguinovaginal sling procedure for female stress incontinence: introduction of a minimally invasive technique.

PURPOSE: The inguinovaginal sling procedure is well accepted for surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Although the functional results are excellent, the operative trauma is higher compared to that of more recently used minimally invasive techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified inguinovaginal sling procedure was performed in 15 patients with urodynamically diagnosed intrinsic sphincter deficiency. With the assistance of a laparoscope, two fascial strips were dissected using two small suprapubic skin incisions. The pullthrough maneuver of the fascial slings was facilitated by opening the perivesical space with an inflatable balloon. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Mean follow-up of 7.7 months (range 4 to 11) was available in all patients. Stress incontinence was cured in 14 patients; only one woman reported using one pad per day. All patients were able to void spontaneously after a mean of 8 days (range 6 to 10). CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopically assisted inguinovaginal sling procedure is less invasive than the original technique. Good long-term results are known from the original inguinovaginal sling procedure, and there is no need for allografts or synthetic material.

The pelvic plexus and antireflux surgery: topographical findings and clinical consequences.

PURPOSE: Voiding dysfunction and urinary retention are rare complications of antireflux surgery. As mainly reported after bilateral antireflux surgery with extravesical technique, bladder insufficiency has been suspected to be caused by intraoperative damage to neural structures. We studied the topography of the pelvic plexus and assessed the injury to the plexus resulting from antireflux surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human cadavers fixed with Thiel solution were used for dissection. The superior hypogastric plexus and hypogastric nerves were identified as the pathway to the pelvic plexus. After dissecting the surrounding fatty tissue the S2 to S4 nerves and efferent nerve bundles from the pelvic plexus were identified. RESULTS: The main portion of the pelvic plexus was located about 1.5 cm. dorsal and medial to the ureterovesical junction. The bundles of the pelvic plexus ended at the distal ureter, trigone and rectum. When simulating an antireflux procedure, there was a high risk of injury to the pelvic plexus and its efferent nerves if dissection was performed distal to the ureter and dorsal trigone. CONCLUSIONS: Careful dissection close to the ureter avoids inadvertent injury to the pelvic plexus. To minimize the risk of voiding dysfunction bilateral antireflux surgery should be performed at 2 sessions unless the operative technique allows preservation of the neural structures.

Prognostic significance of histopathological grading and immunoreactivity for p53 and p21/WAF1 in grade 2 pTa transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVE: At present, there are no predictors of tumour behaviour for grade (G) 2 pTa transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder. Here we analyse the prognostic relevance of histopathological grading and the immunohistochemical detection of p53 and p21/WAF1. METHODS: 70 patients were newly diagnosed with G2 pTa TCC of the bladder based on transurethral resection specimens. Two pathologists, blinded with respect to the clinical outcome, confirmed the initial grade and subclassified the G2 lesions into G2a and G2b carcinomas based on the degree of nuclear atypia and the number of mitoses. Immunoreactivity for p53 and p21/WAF1 was evaluated semiquantitatively. RESULTS: There were 52 G2a and 18 G2b tumours, mean follow-up was 49.2 months. Of all patients, 31.4% remained tumour-free, 48.6% recurred with the same tumour grade and stage, and 20.0% showed tumour progression. Patients with G2a tumours developed tumour progression in 13% in contrast to 39% with G2b lesions (p = 0.037). Of 21 p53-positive tumours, 33% (7/21) developed progressive disease, whereas 14% (7/49) of p53-negative patients showed tumour progression (p = 0.102). Neither p21/WAF1 expression alone nor the combination of p53 and p21/WAF1 correlated with clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: The more detailed grading system but not p53 or p21/WAF1 immunohistochemistry was found to be an independent prognostic factor for tumour progression.