Control4Life: A randomized controlled trial protocol examining the feasibility and efficacy of a combined pelvic health rehabilitation and exercise fitness program for individuals undergoing prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI), erectile dysfunction and cardiometabolic conditions are common after prostatectomy for prostate cancer (PCa). Although physical activity could improve overall survival and quality of survivorship, fear of UI can restrict participation in exercise. Individuals with PCa could benefit from therapeutic exercise programming to support continence recovery and cardiometabolic health. AIM: The main objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and the effects of a combined pelvic health rehabilitation and exercise fitness program on UI after prostatectomy. The combined exercise program will be delivered both in-person and virtually. METHODS: This study follows a modified Zelen, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial design. A total of 106 individuals with PCa will be recruited before prostatectomy surgery. Participants will be randomized between two groups: one receiving usual care and one receiving a combined exercise fitness and intensive pelvic floor muscle training program. Exercise programming will begin 6-8 weeks after prostatectomy and will last 12 weeks. Outcomes include: the 24-h pad test (primary outcome for UI); physical fitness, metabolic indicators, and patient-reported outcomes on erectile function, self-efficacy, severity of cancer symptoms and quality of life. Important timepoints for assessments include before surgery (T0), after surgery (T1), after intervention (T3) and at one-year after surgery (T4). CONCLUSION: This study will inform the feasibility of offering comprehensive exercise programming that has the potential to positively impact urinary continence, erectile function and cardiometabolic health of individuals undergoing prostatectomy for prostate cancer. CLINICALTRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06072911.

The Role of Postoperative Imaging after Ventral Onlay Buccal Mucosal Graft Bulbar Urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: Our primary objective was to determine the incidence of extravasation on imaging at the time of catheter removal after ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft bulbar urethroplasty from 2007 to 2017. Patients with imaging at the time of catheter removal were included. Urethroplasty success was defined as the ability to pass a 17Fr cystoscope at the time of followup cystoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 110 with a ventral onlay buccal mucosal graft and 119 with an augmented anastomotic urethroplasty with a mean stricture length of 4.4 cm. Imaging consisted of a voiding cystourethrogram in 210 and retrograde urethrogram in 19 patients at a median of 21.7 days after surgery. The incidence of extravasation was 3.1% (7/229). Of patients who had a documented followup cystoscopy (60%, 137/229), those with extravasation on imaging had a worse urethroplasty success rate (60%, 3/5) compared to those who did not (94%, 117/130) (p=0.047). On multivariate analysis those who had 5 or more endoscopic interventions were 9.6 times more likely to demonstrate extravasation (OR 9.6, p=0.0080). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of radiological extravasation after ventral onlay using a single buccal mucosal graft, with or without augmented anastomotic urethroplasty, is 3.1%. Given this low rate it is reasonable to omit routine imaging at the time of Foley removal in this population. It appears that extravasation may be associated with a worse cystoscopic patency rate but does not lead to more complications.

Better defining the optimal management of penile urethral strictures: A retrospective comparison of single-stage vs. two-stage urethroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare single-stage and two-stage urethroplasty techniques for the treatment of penile urethral strictures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all penile urethroplasties performed at a single centre between 2003 and 2017. The primary outcome was urethral patency, defined as the ability to easily pass a 16 Fr flexible cystoscope at six and 18 months of followup, and development of 90-day complications. RESULTS: Overall, 101 single-stage procedures (48 buccal mucosal graft [BMG] and 53 penile fasciocutaneous flap [PFF]) and 53 two-stage procedures were performed. There was no difference in median stricture length between groups (p=0.25). Cox regression analysis did not identify stricture etiology, length, age, obesity, prior reconstruction, or urethroplasty technique to be associated with failure. Log-rank testing did not demonstrate a difference in success rates between surgical techniques (91% [48/53] PFF vs. 83% [40/48] BMG vs. 87% two-stage [46/53]). Thirty-nine percent (60/154) of patients experienced a complication (51% [27/53] PFF vs. 29% [14/48] BMG vs. 36% [19/53] two-stage). Multivariate analysis found urethroplasty technique to be the only factor associated with development of complication (p=0.02); odds ratio relative to BMG was 3.1 (p=0.009) for PFF and 1.4 (p=0.43) for two-stage. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be little difference in success between penile urethroplasty techniques. The shift in technique to a single-stage BMG, when appropriate, appears to be founded on the basis of fewer operations for the patient, relative to a two-stage repair, and a lower complication profile, relative to single-stage PFF, without compromising success rates.

Impact of LUTS on urine volume in stone formers The impact of lower urinary tract symptomatology on urine volumes in stone formers.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to determine if there is a correlation between International Prostate Symptom scores (IPSS) and 24-hour urine collection volumes, as patients experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may have impaired ability to increase fluid intake for stone prevention. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre, retrospective review was performed of stone-formers presenting from 2014-2016. Inclusion criteria were completion of an IPSS questionnaire and a 24-hour urine collection. Exclusion criteria included symptomatic stone or urinary tract infection at time of IPSS completion, inadequate 24-hour collection, or incomplete IPSS questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients met inclusion criteria. Stratification by IPSS severity into mild (0-7), moderate (8-19), and severe (20-35) yielded groups of n=96, 28, and 7, respectively. Linear regression modelling did not reveal a correlation between IPSS score and volume (p=0.10). When compared to those with adequate urine volumes (>2 L/day, n=65), low-volume patients (<1 L/day, n=10) had a significantly higher total IPSS (11.7 vs. 6.1; p=0.036). These groups showed significant differences in their responses to questions about incomplete emptying (p=0.031), intermittency (p=0.011), and stranguria (p=0.0020), with higher scores noted in the low urine output group. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to examine the correlation between IPSS and 24-hour urine volume. Though our data does not show a linear relationship between urine output and IPSS, those with lower urine volumes appear to have worse self-reported voiding symptoms when compared to those with adequate volumes (>2 L/day) for stone prevention. The overall number of patients in our study is relatively small, which may account for the lack of a relationship between IPSS and 24-hour urine volumes.

Incidence and Predictors of Complications due to Urethral Stricture in Patients Awaiting Urethroplasty.

PURPOSE: We examined the incidence and predictors of complications due to urethral stricture in patients awaiting urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent urethroplasty from 2009 to 2013. The primary outcome was complications, defined as any unplanned interaction with the health care system due to urethral stricture during the period between the decision to perform surgery and urethroplasty. RESULTS: A total of 276 patients were identified for analysis. Median stricture length was 4.0 cm and 67.4% of strictures were in the bulbar urethra. The most common stricture etiologies were idiopathic in 47.8% of cases and traumatic in 15.9%. Overall 15.9% of patients presented with a complication with a median time to complication of 43 days. Median surgical wait time was 151 days. Complications included urinary tract infections in 56.8% of patients, acute urinary retention in 20.5%, genitourinary pain in 5.8% and catheter related issues in 15.9%. Univariate analysis suggested that catheter dependent status, number of prior endoscopic treatments, a hypospadias and/or trauma etiology, and prior urethroplasty were potential significant predictors of complications. Multivariate analysis yielded only catheter dependent status (HR 5.2, 95% CI 2.4-11.3, p <0.0001) and prior failed urethroplasty (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3, p = 0.03) as significantly associated with complications. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge our study is the first to examine and quantify the morbidity of urethroplasty wait time. Approximately 16% of patients experienced a complication while awaiting urethroplasty. The optimal wait time should be less than 43 days. Patients with prior urethroplasty and catheters at the time of the surgical decision should be prioritized as they may be more likely to experience complications.

Management of Voiding Dysfunction After Female Neobladder Creation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Functional complications after orthotopic neobladder urinary diversion (ONB), including urinary incontinence and urinary retention, present unique challenges. The purpose of this review is to outline contemporary treatment options for voiding dysfunction after ONB in females. RECENT FINDINGS: Meticulous surgical technique in the form of urethral nerve-sparing has been shown to play an important role in maintaining continence, as has sparing the uterus when possible. Data supporting the effectiveness of lifestyle measures, urethral bulking, pubovaginal slings, and transobturator slings in the treatment of urinary incontinence are widely variable and limited to case reports. Urinary retention is still most effectively managed with self-catheterization. Voiding dysfunction after ONB can be devastating. Recent advances focus on improving surgical techniques to decrease the risk of incontinence and retention, as post-operative management options are limited.

Better Defining the Spectrum of Adult Hypospadias: Examining the Effect of Childhood Surgery on Adult Presentation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the spectrum of adult presentations with hypospadias-related complications and examine the effect of childhood surgical repair on these adult presentations. METHODS: A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period, from August 2004 to December 2014, demonstrated 93 adult patients who presented to a reconstructive urologist with complications related to hypospadias. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with no prior hypospadias surgery (Group 1, N = 19) and those who underwent surgical correction as a child (Group 2, N = 74). Charts were reviewed for age at presentation, initial complaints, history of repair, and surgical intervention required. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 34.6 ± 0.6 years. Overall, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (49%) was the most common presenting complaint, followed by spraying (24%), urethrocutaneous fistula (18%), recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) (15%), and chordee (14%). Comparison demonstrated that Group 2 patients were more likely to present with LUTS (55% vs 26%; P = .038) and recurrent UTIs (19% vs 0%; P = .050). There was a trend toward Group 1 patients presenting more commonly with cosmetic dissatisfaction (16% vs 4%; P = .06). Urethral stricture was demonstrated more commonly in Group 2 (47% vs 11%; P = .0043). Of these, strictures were significantly longer in the previous surgery group (5.5 ± 0.6 cm vs 3.0 ± 0.6 cm, P = .019). CONCLUSION: Correction of hypospadias as a child likely increases the future risk of urethral stricture, recurrent UTIs, and subsequent LUTS, with a trend toward improving patient satisfaction with cosmesis compared to nonsurgical management. Follow-up of hypospadias repair patients should extend into adulthood, as a significant portion of adult presentations ultimately require surgical intervention.

Are We Banging Our Heads Against the Wall? The Effect of Treatment Head Wear on the Outcomes of Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The manufacturer for the Storz Modulith SLX-F2 lithotripter recommends treatment head exchange after 1.65 million shocks. However, there is no documentation describing longevity of the treatment head with continued usage. The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in stone fragmentation effectiveness with the treatment head at the beginning versus the end of its treatment life. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 200 patients-50 consecutive patients treated immediately preceding, and following, two separate treatment head exchanges. Primary outcome measures were stone-free rate (no stone), total stone fragmentation (any decrease in size), and fragmentation rate ≤4 mm (decrease in size with largest residual fragment ≤4 mm), based on most recent follow-up imaging post shockwave. RESULTS: There were no baseline characteristic differences between the pre-exchange and postexchange groups with respect to first time lithotripsy for the stone (85% vs. 77%), stone location, preoperative stenting (3% vs. 4%), mean stone density (912 hounsfield units [HU] vs. 840 HU), mean stone size (9.0 mm vs. 8.1 mm), stone location, and mean number of shocks delivered (3105 vs. 3089). Mean time to follow-up was 2.7 weeks in both groups, with most follow-up imaging consisting of a kidney ureter bladder X-ray (87% pre-exchange vs. 85% postexchange). Stone free (34% vs. 27%), total stone fragmentation (76% vs. 76%), fragmentation ≤4 mm (48% vs. 42%), re-treatment rates (38% vs. 51%), and complication rates (6% vs. 7%), were not statistically different between the pre and postexchange groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Exchanging the Storz Modulith F2 lithotripter head at the manufacturer recommended 1.65 million shocks does not affect the stone-free or fragmentation rate. If the manufacturer's recommendation for treatment head longevity is based on clinical outcomes, then there is likely room to extend this number without affecting treatment efficacy.

Initial Canadian experience with robotic simple prostatectomy: Case series and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) has been touted as an alternative to open simple prostatectomy (OSP) to treat large gland benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our study assesses our institution's experience with RASP and reviews the literature. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review from January 2011 to November 2013 of all patients undergoing RASP and OSP. Operative and 90-day outcomes, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay (LOS), transfusion requirements, and complication rates, were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified: 4 undergoing RASP and 28 undergoing OSP. There was no difference in mean age at surgery (69.3 vs. 75.2 years; p = 0.17), mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.5 vs. 3.5; p = 0.19), and mean prostate volume on TRUS (239 vs. 180 mL; p = 0.09) in the robotic and open groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean length of operation, with RASP exceeding OSP (161 vs. 79 min; p = 0.008). The mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the open group (835.7 vs. 218.8 mL; p = 0.0001). Mean LOS was shorter in the RASP group (2.3 vs. 5.5 days; p = 0.0001). No significant differences were noted in the 90-day transfusion rate (p = 0.13), or overall complication rate at 0% with RASP vs. 57.1% with OSP (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest RASP has a shorter LOS and lower intraoperative volume of blood loss, with the disadvantage of a longer operating time, compared to OSP. It is a feasible technique and deserves further investigation and consideration at Canadian centres performing robotic prostatectomies.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter Outcomes in the "Fragile Urethra".

OBJECTIVE: To assess artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) outcomes in challenging post-prostatectomy patients with a "fragile urethra" at risk for urethral erosion. METHODS: An institutional retrospective review of all AUS placements between August 2004 and March 2014 was performed. A "fragile urethra" was defined as a history of pelvic radiation, previous failed AUS, previous urethroplasty, or cystoscopic and/or clinical findings of urethral atrophy. The primary outcome was continence, defined as requiring ≤1 pad per day. Secondary outcomes included 90-day complications, need for further treatment, change in continence pads, and patient-reported satisfaction. RESULTS: Thirty patients were identified as having a "fragile urethra." Thirteen of these patients underwent a transcorporal AUS (TCAUS) and 17 had a standard AUS cuff placement. Seventeen patients had radiation, 8 had a previous eroded AUS, and 10 had a prior urethroplasty. Five patients had multiple risk factors for urethral erosion. Continence was achieved in 77% (23/30), 97% (29/30) were improved, and the mean change in pads was 6.0 ± 2.8. Only 7% (2/30) required explantation, both for erosion. When the TCAUS and standard AUS groups were compared, no differences were noted in continence rates (P = .43), improvement (P = 1.00), explantation rates (P = .18), or erosion rates (P = .18), despite TCAUS having a higher proportion of previous urethroplasties. CONCLUSION: AUS is a viable treatment option for post-prostatectomy incontinence, even in the fragile urethra. TCAUS may be utilized in patients with a very high risk for atrophy with similar continence and complication rates compared with standard AUS.

Stemming the tide of mild to moderate post-prostatectomy incontinence: A retrospective comparison of transobturator male slings and the artificial urinary sphincter.

INTRODUCTION: The AUS remains the gold standard treatment for post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI), although most patients with mild-moderate PPI prefer a sling without strong evidence of procedural equivalence. This study compares outcomes of 2 procedures for the treatment of mild-moderate PPI. METHODS: A retrospective review of 124 patients (76 transobturator sling, 48 AUS) with mild-moderate PPI requiring intervention over an 8-year period. The primary outcome was continence. Secondary outcomes included global patient satisfaction, improvement, and complication rates. Mild to moderate incontinence was defined as requiring ≤5 pads/day. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age (66.2 vs. 68.1 years; p = 0.17) or prostate cancer characteristics for slings and AUS, respectively. AUS patients had higher Charlson comorbidity scores and were more likely to have previous radiotherapy. Median length of follow up was 24 months for slings and 42 months for AUS. There was no difference in continence rates, 88.2% vs. 87.5% (p = 0.79), rate of improvement, 94.7% vs. 95.8% (p = 1.00), or patient satisfaction, 93.4% vs. 91.7% (p = 0.73), for slings and AUS, respectively. Complication rates were equivalent (19.7% vs. 16.7%; p = 1.00), though a significantly higher proportion of complications with AUS were Clavien Grade 3 (0% vs. 75%; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: For mild to moderate PPI there is no difference in continence, satisfaction, or improvement rates, between AUS and slings. AUS complications tend to be more severe. Our study supports the use of slings as first-line treatment for mild-moderate PPI.

Complications following breast cancer therapy in the adult spina bifida population: A case report.

Survival to adulthood in spina bifida has greatly increased with the advent of modern therapies. With this prolonging of life expectancy, patients are exposed to the risk of adult onset malignancies and the complications of subsequent treatment. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman born with a terminal lipomyelomeningocele, presenting with new fecal incontinence and a desire to undivert her ileal conduit. The deterioration was attributed to chemotherapy for breast cancer. We highlight the urologic challenges of breast cancer management in the neurogenic bowel population, as well as the utility of an adult spina bifida clinic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a spina bifida patient presenting with fecal and urinary complications from breast cancer chemotherapy.

Expanded use of a dorsal onlay augmented anastomotic urethroplasty with buccal mucosa for long segment bulbar urethral strictures: analysis of outcomes and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of a dorsal onlay augmented anastomosis using buccal mucosa to reconstruct long segment bulbar urethral strictures. The ideal treatment of long segment bulbar urethral strictures remains controversial. Urethroplasty with tissue transfer is typically required, but the optimal technique is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of 163 patients with complete follow-up data underwent dorsal onlay augmented anastomosis using buccal mucosa for long segment bulbar urethral strictures from November 2003 to March 2011. All patients underwent preoperative urethrography and cystoscopy. The follow-up protocol consisted of cystoscopy and subjective symptom assessment at 6 months and symptom assessment at 12 months, with repeat cystoscopy, if indicated. Annual symptom assessments were performed thereafter as required. Stricture recurrence was defined as a segment <16F on cystoscopy or the presence of intractable voiding symptoms. The secondary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative complications using a nonvalidated questionnaire. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the patency and complication rates between patient age and stricture length. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 31.0 months (range 6-91). Of the 163 patients, 157 (96.9%) had no evidence of stricture recurrence. Postoperative complications included postvoid dribbling (41.7%; 68 of 163), urinary tract infection (3.7%; 6 of 163), erectile dysfunction (3.1%; 5 of 163), orchalgia (10.4%; 17 of 163), and donor site morbidity (4.3%; 7 of 163). Age was not associated with recurrence, but stricture length ≥5 cm was associated with a lower patency rate (P = .010). CONCLUSION: Dorsal onlay augmented anastomosis using buccal mucosa demonstrated a 96.9% patency rate in our single-center prospective study and should be considered for reconstruction of long segment bulbar urethral strictures, especially with a focal segment of obliteration. Strictures ≥5 cm are prone to recurrence but are still amenable to dorsal onlay augmented anastomosis using buccal mucosa.

Outcomes following fecal continence procedures in patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Malone antegrade continence enema and cecostomy button improve quality of life in patients with neurogenic bowel. However, they have not been compared regarding fecal continence outcomes. We compared these 2 procedures with respect to continence, complications and conversions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent Malone antegrade continence enema or cecostomy at the University of Alberta between January 2006 and January 2011. A total of 26 patients underwent Malone antegrade continence enema, of whom 20 underwent concomitant Monti procedure and bladder augmentation, 5 a laparoscopically assisted procedure and 1 concomitant ileovesicostomy. A total of 23 patients underwent cecostomy, of whom 1 underwent ileovesicostomy, 1 bladder augmentation, 1 a Monti procedure with bladder augmentation and 1 laparoscopic cecostomy. Continence was defined as ability to wear underwear with no accidents at most recent annual followup, which was a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Fecal continence rates were 84.6% for Malone antegrade continence enema and 91.3% for cecostomy. There were no statistically significant differences in continence based on procedure (p = 0.48), age (p = 0.97) or gender (p = 0.54). Of patients who underwent cecostomy 8.7% switched to the Malone antegrade continence enema, while 11.5% with Malone antegrade continence enema switched to cecostomy. Mean length of hospital stay for patients undergoing cecostomy vs laparoscopically assisted Malone antegrade continence enema was 4.0 vs 5.2 days (p = 0.15). Complications included stomal pain (23.1% of patients) and difficulty with catheterizing (19.2%) following Malone antegrade continence enema, and difficulty flushing (26.1%) following cecostomy. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between Malone antegrade continence enema and cecostomy button with respect to fecal continence or complication rates. Each approach poses unique challenges, suggesting that patients and families need to understand the differences to make an individualized choice.

New concepts in median nail dystrophy, onychomycosis, and hand, foot, and mouth disease nail pathology.

Nails are underutilized as diagnostic tools, despite being involved in many dermatologic conditions. This paper explores new concepts in the treatment of median nail dystrophy (MND), onychomycosis, and the nail pathology of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). A Pubmed database literature search was conducted for MND treatment, onychomycosis treatment, and HFMD nail pathology. Only papers published after January 2008 were reviewed. The results showed that 0.1% tacrolimus ointment can be an effective treatment for MND. Early studies on laser therapy indicate that it is a safe and efficacious treatment option for onychomycosis, compared to conventional oral antifungal agents. Vicks VapoRub (The Proctor & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH) is effective against onychomycosis and is a reasonable option in patients who choose to forgo conventional treatments. Lastly, there is evidence to support a correlation between HFMD and onychomadesis.