Live surgery in reconstructive urology: evaluation of the surgical outcome and educational benefit of the international meeting on reconstructive urology (IMORU).

PURPOSE: The international meeting on reconstructive Urology (IMORU) is a live surgery event (LSE) where expert surgeons perform various reconstructive surgeries. To evaluate patient safety, an extended follow-up of the complications of two subsequent IMORU meetings were gathered. Also, a detailed survey concerning the participant's assessment of the educational benefit was performed. METHODS: All patients that were operated during the IMORU V and VI were included. Primary endpoint was the analysis of complications. Outcome was reviewed 36 months postoperatively via telephone survey and clinical database assessment, registrating any complications. At IMORU VII all participants were able to participate in a survey using a standardized, not-validated questionnaire concerning the learning effect and the quality of the surgeries. RESULTS: 57 operations by 32 different surgeons were reviewed. The total number of any complications (peri- or postoperative) was n = 9 (15.8%) with three major complications. Four (7%) perioperative complications and five (8.8%) postoperative complications were noted. The Charlson score proved to be the only significant recorded predictor of the incidence of any complication (p = 0.019; univariate logistic regression analysis). Participant survey showed that the surgeons, surgical technique, and surgical presentation were perceived as excellent. Improvement of knowledge and of the surgical armamentarium both received positive ratings. CONCLUSIONS: This is to our knowledge the first follow-up of LSE in the field of reconstructive urology. Rate of complications in general was acceptable. The performed survey showed participants value the quality and the educational benefit. Further studies are needed to improve learning possibilities.

Transperineal reanastomosis for treatment of highly recurrent anastomotic strictures after radical retropubic prostatectomy: extended follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To re-evaluate safety and efficacy of transperineal reanastomosis (TPRA) as a viable therapeutic option in highly recurrent anastomotic strictures (AS) after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). METHODS: Retrospective analysis by standardized questionnaire inquiring for recurrence of stricture, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), sexual function, satisfaction, and changes in quality of life (QoL) was performed in all patients undergoing TPRA. Validated questionnaires (ICIQ-UI, EQ-5D, and IPSS) were included. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 45.0 months. The average number of prior operations was 4.69. Success rate was 87% (20/23). Three recurrences were successfully treated via endoscopic means. All patients had urinary incontinence pre-op and post-op. Implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has been performed successfully in 73.9% (17/23). Rate of complications was low (8.7%; 2/23, Clavien-Dindo Grade II + III). EQ-5D-VAS showed a good general state of health (73.5/100). An improvement in QoL was noted in 63.6% (14/22) and patient satisfaction was high (72.7%; 16/22). CONCLUSIONS: This extended follow-up confirms the initial results for TPRA as an excellent treatment option for highly recurrent AS after RRP. Postoperative SUI as a consequence of transsphincteric urethral mobilization can be satisfactorily treated by the implantation of AUS. In case of AS recalcitrant to endoscopic treatment, the described procedure-even though technically challenging-represents a valuable treatment option.

Transperineal reanastomosis for the treatment for highly recurrent anastomotic strictures as a last option before urinary diversion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of open transperineal reanastomosis (TPRA) for highly recurrent anastomotic strictures (AS) after radical prostatectomy. While the majority of AS can be managed successfully by endoscopic treatment, in highly recurrent AS, open reanastomosis represents a viable therapeutic option. METHODS: Retrospective analysis by standardized questionnaire, inquiring for recurrence, incontinence, sexual function, satisfaction and changes in quality of life (QoL) in 15 patients undergoing TPRA 08/2007-03/2010. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65 years (51-75) and mean follow-up 20.5 months (5.8-37.0). Success rate was 93.3 % (14/15). The single recurrence was successfully treated by cold knife incision. Incontinence was found in 93.3 % (14/15) preoperatively and aggravated in 60 % (9/15) after surgery; no de novo incontinence occurred. Implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has been performed successfully in 10 patients, 2 refused implantation and 2 are scheduled for surgery. Erectile dysfunction was present in 86.7 % (13/15); 13.3 % (2/15) reported a severely declined rigidity. Compared to preoperative status, 33.3 % (5/15) complained about impaired erectile function after TPRA. A good or very good subjective overall health status and an improvement in QoL were noted in 86.7 % (13/15). Patient satisfaction with the outcome of TPRA was high or very high in 13; two were undecided. CONCLUSIONS: After repeated endoscopic treatment, TPRA is a valuable therapeutic option in selected patients with an overall success rate of 93.3 % (14/15) for anastomotic patency, which can even be raised to 100 % by further transurethral surgery. Incontinence can be easily treated by implantation of an AUS.

Open retropubic reanastomosis for highly recurrent and complex bladder neck stenosis.

PURPOSE: We assessed the success rate of open reanastomosis for highly recurrent bladder neck stenosis resistant to transurethral treatment. Due to the paucity of available data the success rate of this procedure is not well defined, although it can be a last treatment option before urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients were treated for bladder neck stenosis in 1998 to 2007, of whom 20 underwent open reanastomosis for highly recurrent or complex bladder neck stenosis after radical prostatectomy and were seen for followup 3 months postoperatively. They received a standardized questionnaire at the time of data acquisition in this retrospective analysis. RESULTS: The 20 patients underwent a mean of 3.7 previous surgeries. Median followup was 59.2 months. Stenosis recurred after reanastomosis in 8 patients (40%) while the remaining 60% were recurrence free. Seven recurrences were successfully treated endoscopically, resulting in an overall combined 95% success rate. Urinary diversion was performed in 1 patient with another recurrence after reanastomosis and transurethral resection. Four patients (31%) had new onset incontinence and 13 were completely incontinent, of whom 9 were successfully treated with artificial urinary sphincter implantation. In another patient artificial urinary sphincter implantation is scheduled and 3 elected no further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Open reanastomosis for recurrent bladder neck stenosis is a good therapeutic option in cases of endoscopic treatment failure. The initial success rate after reanastomosis was 60%, which increased to 95% after secondary treatment. There was a relatively high risk of new onset incontinence after reconstructive surgery but this was successfully treated with artificial urinary sphincter implantation in most patients.