Peyronie's disease response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum therapy is independent of baseline testosterone.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone plays an important role in collagen metabolism, transforming growth factor-ß1 expression, and wound healing, which are all critical factors in pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease. Some clinical studies have suggested an association between Peyronie's disease and hypogonadism. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether baseline total testosterone levels influence response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum in Peyronie's disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients receiving collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections with available total testosterone levels within 1 year of initial injection was conducted at a single institution. Baseline demographics, hypogonadal status, total testosterone, number of collagenase clostridium histolyticum cycles, and pre- and post-treatment degrees of curvature were collected. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <300 ng/dL. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Thirty-six men were included with mean age of 58.2 years (SD 10.4) and mean body mass index 26.8 (SD 3.2). The mean total testosterone was 459.2 ng/dL (SD 144.0), and four (11.1%) were hypogonadal. Mean pre-treatment curvature was 47.6°, and mean post-treatment curvature was 27.8°, with mean improvement of 19.9° (40.1%). Hypogonadal status was not significantly associated with more severe curvature, 46.4° among hypogonadal men as to 57.5° among eugonadal men (p = 0.32). On linear regression analysis, total testosterone did not significantly predict improvement in degrees (ß = -0.02; R2 = 0.06; p = 0.14) or percent (ß = 0.0; R2 = 0.05; p = 0.18). Improvement in neither degrees nor percent differed significantly by hypogonadal status (p = 0.41 and 0.82, respectively). The cycle number did significantly predict greater improvement in curvature on both univariate and multivariate analyses (ß = 5.7; R2 = 0.34; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Neither total testosterone nor hypogonadism is associated with a degree of improvement after collagenase clostridium histolyticum treatment.

Global Assessments of the Endockscope System: Long-Term Impact of Cyber Endoscopy.

Introduction: The disproportionate costs of state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment prohibit urologists from performing endoscopy in underserved countries. Given the global prevalence of smartphones, we engineered a $45 alternative endoscope utilizing three-dimensional printed attachments, an 8 × lens, and a 1000-lumen light-emitting diode cordless flashlight (Endockscope System [ES]). Materials and Methods: At the 34th World Congress of Endourology in Cape Town, South Africa (WCE 2016; 4-year group), and at the 39th Congress of the Société Internationale d'Urologie (SIU) in Athens, Greece (SIU 2019; 8-month group), a total of 40 ES kits were distributed free of charge to an international group of urologists. Participants were given instructions and a hands-on demonstration of the device. Urologists given an ES were subsequently asked to complete a survey between June and September 2020 that included questions regarding user satisfaction, comfort, and comparability of the ES to standard endoscopic systems. Results: Urologists from 23 countries received ES kits. Overall, 10 of 22 urologists (10/22; 45%) from the 4-year group and 18 of 18 urologists (18/18; 100%) from the 8-month group completed the survey. The ES device was used by 80% (8/10) and 83% (15/18) of urologists from the 4-year and the 8-month groups, respectively. Of note, the greatest impact of ES usage was among urologists from the most impoverished countries. Of those who used the ES, 44% (4/9) of urologists from the 4-year cohort and 47% (8/17) from the 8-month cohort reported they were able to perform more endoscopic procedures directly because of the ES. Moreover, 57% (4/7) of the 4-year participants and 67% (10/15) of the 8-month participants found the ES equal or superior in quality to their standard endoscopic equipment. Conclusion: The ES provided an effective and inexpensive system that enabled urologists in resource-challenged countries to effectively perform and expand their use of urologic endoscopy.

Interactive Virtual Reality Renal Models as an Educational and Preoperative Planning Tool for Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of interactive virtual reality (iVR) in providing a three-dimensional (3D) experience with the donor's anatomy for surgeons and patients, we present a retrospective, case-controlled study assessing the impact of iVR renal models prior to LDN on both surgical outcomes and patients' understanding of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing LDN were prospectively recruited; their contrast-enhanced CT scans were transformed into iVR models. An iVR platform allowed the surgeons to rotate and deconstruct the renal anatomy; patients could also view their anatomy as the procedure was explained to them. Questionnaires assessed surgeons' understanding of renal anatomy after CT alone and after CT+iVR. Surgeons also commented on whether iVR impacted their preoperative plan. Patients assessed their anatomical understanding and anxiety level before and after iVR. Surgical outcomes for the iVR cohort were compared to a retrospectively matched, non-iVR cohort of LDN patients. RESULTS: Surgeons altered their preoperative plan in 18 of 20 LDNs after viewing iVR models. Patients reported better understanding of their anatomy (5/5) and noted decreased preoperative anxiety (5/5) after viewing iVR. When compared to the non-iVR group, the iVR group had a 25% reduction in median operative time (P < .001). In terms of surgical outcomes, patients in the iVR group had a 40% lower median relative change in postoperative creatinine (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative viewing of iVR models altered the operative approach, decreased the operative time, and improved donor patient outcomes. iVR models also reduced patients' preoperative anxiety.

Ureteroscopic Doppler Ultrasonography: Mapping Renal Blood Flow from Within the Collecting System.

Introduction: Herein we provide the first report regarding in vivo porcine renal forniceal, papillary, and infundibular blood flow at the urothelial level using a novel ureteroscopic Doppler transducer. Materials and Methods: Nephroureteroscopy was performed on 11 female Yorkshire pigs to map the forniceal, papillary, and infundibular blood flow. A Doppler transducer was mounted to a 3F 120 cm catheter; the probe was passed through the working channel of a flexible ureteroscope. Blood flow was categorized from 0 (no flow) to 3 (highest flow) based on auditory intensity. At each site, a holmium laser probe was activated until it penetrated ∼1 cm into each of the examined areas; bleeding times were recorded. Results: The frequency of the Doppler transducer signal was proportional to the blood velocity within the vessel with expected increased bleeding times confirmed after puncture with a holmium laser. Analysis demonstrated that the 6 o'clock position of the fornix had significantly greater blood flow than any other forniceal location (p < 0.001). The center of each papilla had the least blood flow (p < 0.001). Blood flow was significantly higher at the infundibular level compared with the caliceal fornices at all locations (anterior, posterior, upper pole, midkidney, and lower pole) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In a porcine model, a miniaturized Doppler ultrasound probe used during ureteroscopy demonstrated that the renal papilla had the least amount of blood flow whereas the infundibula had the highest blood flow. These data may serve to inform site selection during percutaneous nephrostomy placement.

Ureteral Access Sheath Deployment: How Much Force Is Too Much? Initial Studies with a Novel Ureteral Access Sheath Force Sensor in the Porcine Ureter.

Introduction and Objectives: Ureteral injuries can occur during ureteral access sheath (UAS) deployment. The force exerted during deployment and the amount of force that results in ureteral injury is yet to be accurately quantitated. In this feasibility study, we developed and then tested a novel force-sensing device in our animal laboratory to identify the threshold force that results in a porcine ureteral injury. Methods: With Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, we measured ureteral dilator and UAS deployment force using our proprietary University of California, Irvine Ureteral Access Sheath Force Sensor (UAS-FS). The exerted force was measured during deployment from the moment that the tip of the UAS was passed into the urethral meatus until it reached the renal pelvis; progression of the UAS along the ureter was monitored with fluoroscopy. Ureteroscopic evaluation was performed after deployment of each catheter/sheath ≥8F to assess for ureteral injury using the Postureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS). Results: Six juvenile Yorkshire female pigs (12 ureters) were studied. No injuries were detected when the deployment force was <4 Newtons (N), which was the case when the catheter/access sheath was ≤13F. Increasing UAS size >13F resulted in greater peak forces. In five of the pigs, ureters selected for 14F UAS deployment without previous sequential dilation were injured (PULS ≥3) at a mean threshold force of 4.84 N. Serial dilation had a higher threshold for PULS ≥3 at 5.56 N. Overall, injury of PULS ≥3 was routinely noted when the force applied exceeded 8.1 N. Conclusions: The UAS-FS reliably measured forces while deploying a UAS. Significant ureteral injury can routinely be avoided if the applied force is <4.84 N; PULS ≥3 routinely occurred when forces exceeded 8.1 N. Serial dilation may allow safe passage at higher deployment forces, as much as 5.56 N.

Laser Endoscopic X-Ray-Guided Intrarenal Tract: Comparison Among Renal Access Modalities in the Porcine Kidney.

Introduction and Objectives: Laser endoscopic X-ray-guided intrarenal tract (LEXIT) is a recently described holmium laser retrograde access technique for creating percutaneous access during a percutaneous nephrolithotomy. We compared bleeding, ease of access, and the time to achieve access for each of the following three modalities: LEXIT, retrograde Lawson puncture wire, and antegrade 18-gauge nephrostomy needle access in the porcine kidney. Methods: Eight pigs underwent an average of five nephrostomy accesses per kidney under simultaneous laparoscopic vision at 5 mm Hg insufflation pressure. Data collected included: access time (seconds), bleeding intensity (scale: 1 [no bleeding] - 10 [severe bleeding]), bleeding duration (seconds), accuracy of caliceal entry, and surgeon comfort with the technique (scale: 1 [very easy] - 10 [very difficult]). Results: A total of 64 nephrostomy accesses were obtained. The speed of nephrostomy access with LEXIT was significantly faster than the nephrostomy needle and Lawson wire (p < 0.001). Bleeding intensity (p = 0.002) and severity (p = 0.001) were lower with the Lawson puncture wire, followed by LEXIT and then by the nephrostomy needle. LEXIT was rated as easier in acquiring access within the upper pole (p = 0.003) and interpolar calices (p < 0.001). Histopathology demonstrated no difference in parenchymal damage between LEXIT and nephrostomy needle (p = 0.18); however, LEXIT was associated with significantly increased peri-tract thermal injury, although within a narrow focus of 1.6 mm (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Among the three renal access techniques, LEXIT provided the fastest access times and greatest ease of access specifically for upper pole and interpolar calices. Also, bleeding with LEXIT was significantly less compared with the standard antegrade nephrostomy needle access. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that the holmium laser resulted in focal thermal tissue effects similar in range to the blunt tissue trauma caused by the 18-gauge nephrostomy needle.

Pilot Assessment of Immersive Virtual Reality Renal Models as an Educational and Preoperative Planning Tool for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) requires the urologist to have detailed knowledge of the stone and its relationship with the renal anatomy. Immersive virtual reality (iVR) provides patient-specific three-dimensional models that might be beneficial in this regard. Our objective is to present the initial experience with iVR in surgeon planning and patient preoperative education for PCNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2017 to 2018 four surgeons, each of whom had varying expertise in PCNL, used iVR models to acquaint themselves with the renal anatomy before PCNL among 25 patients. iVR renderings were also viewed by patients using the same head-mounted Oculus rift display. Surgeons rated their understanding of the anatomy with CT alone and then after CT+iVR; patients also recorded their experience with iVR. To assess the impact on outcomes, the 25 iVR study patients were compared with 25 retrospective matched-paired non-iVR patients. Student's t-test was used to analyze collected data. RESULTS: iVR improved surgeons' understanding of the optimal calix of entry and the stone's location, size, and orientation (p < 0.01). iVR altered the surgical approach in 10 (40%) cases. Patients strongly agreed that iVR improved their understanding of their stone disease and reduced their preoperative anxiety. In the retrospective matched-paired analysis, the iVR group had a statistically significant decrease in fluoroscopy time and blood loss as well as a trend toward fewer nephrostomy tracts and a higher stone-free rate. CONCLUSIONS: iVR improved urologists' understanding of the renal anatomy and altered the operative approach in 40% of cases. In addition, iVR improved patient comprehension of their surgery. Clinically, iVR had benefits with regard to decreased fluoroscopy time and less blood loss along with a trend toward fewer access tracts and higher stone-free rates.