Penile intracavernosal pillars: lessons from anatomy and potential implications for penile prosthesis placement.

The objective of this study was to anatomically describe the relationship of penile intracavernosal pillars to penile surgery, specifically corporal dilation during penile prosthesis placement. Corpora cavernosa from four embalmed male cadavers were dissected and subjected to probe dilation. Corpora were cross-sectioned and examined for the gross presence and location of pillars and dilated spaces. Infrapubic penile prosthesis insertion was performed on one fresh-frozen cadaveric male pelvis, followed by cross-sectioning. A single patient had intracavernosal pillars examined intraoperatively during Peyronie's plaque excision and penile prosthesis insertion. Intracavernosal pillars were identified in all cadavers and one surgical patient, passing obliquely from the dorsolateral tunica albuginea across the sinusoidal space to the ventral intercorporal septum. This delineated each corpus into two potential compartments for dilation: dorsomedial and ventrolateral. Dorsal dilation seated instruments and prosthetics satisfactorily in the dorsal mid glans and provided additional tissue coverage over weak ventral areas of the tunica albuginea, while ventrolateral dilation appeared to result in ventral seating and susceptibility to perforation. Intracavernosal pillars are an important anatomic consideration during penile prosthesis placement. Dorsal dilation appears to result in improved distal seating of cylinder tips, which may be protective against tip malposition, perforation or subsequent erosion.

Simplified technique with short and long-term followup of conversion of an ileal conduit to an Indiana pouch.

PURPOSE: We report a simplified technique for converting an existing conduit to an Indiana pouch as well as short and long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1988 to February 1998 we evaluated short and long-term outcome and complications in 23 patients 14 to 82 years old (average age 51.8) who underwent conversion of a conduit to an Indiana pouch. When no obstruction of the existing ureteroileal anastomoses was identified, the conduit was freed from the abdominal wall and surrounding bowel. The proximal conduit and ureteral anastomoses were not dissected. The conduit was opened along the antimesenteric wall proximal to the ureteral anastomoses and attached to 25 to 28 cm. of detubularized right colon as a refluxing Studer limb. The pouch was completed in the usual fashion and the stoma was matured at a virgin site. RESULTS: Surgical indications included stomal complications in 10 patients, an infected nonfunctioning kidney in 2 and patient preference in 11. There were no perioperative deaths although 3 patients died of cancer progression. Average operative time was 6.6 hours, estimated blood loss 518 cc and length of stay 7.8 days. Average followup after conversion was 4.7 years (range 0.2 to 11.0). Six late complications developed in 4 cases, including pyelonephritis in 2, severe pouchitis in 1, dehydration in 1 and stomal revision in 2. Renal function was well preserved with an average preoperative and postoperative creatinine of 0.91 and 1.14 mg./dl., respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This technique simplifies conversion and decreases bowel requirements. The low complication rate and stable serum creatinine support the finding that conversion of a conduit to an Indiana pouch is a safe, viable procedure.

A comparative study of postoperative complications associated with the modified Indiana pouch in elderly versus younger patients.

PURPOSE: We defined the nature and risk of complications associated with the modified Indiana pouch in patients older than 75 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical course of 25 elderly patients and a control group of 25 selected randomly from the cohort of those younger than 75 years. All patients underwent the modified Indiana pouch procedure. Charts were reviewed for type of operation, mean patient age, length of hospital stay, medical conditions, and early and late morbidity and mortality. Comparisons were made between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Simultaneous cystectomy or anterior exenteration was performed in 84% and 95% of patients in the elderly and younger groups, respectively. Mean age was 78.5 years in the elderly and 59.3 years in the younger group. Medical illnesses and early postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Mean hospital stay was increased but not significantly in the elderly group (12.4 versus 11.1 days). There were 2 perioperative deaths in the elderly group (8%) and 1 in the control group (4%). Mean followup was 24.5 months (range 4 to 64) in the elderly versus 29.5 months (range 6 to 69) in the younger group. Late complications with the pouch were also similar (16% in the elderly and 12% in the control group). Of the elderly patients 9 died (intercurrent medical disease in 1 and cancer progression in 8) compared to 4 in the younger group (intercurrent medical disease in 1 and cancer progression in 3). Of the elderly patients 13 are alive (mean age 81 years) with a well functioning continent diversion. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Indiana pouch can be created with acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients, and it provides an excellent functional result.

Continent urinary diversion using a Modified Indiana Pouch in elderly patients.

A total of 25 patients at least 75 years old underwent continent urinary diversion via a modified Indiana Pouch during a 68-month period, 21 of these with simultaneous radical cystectomy or anterior exenteration. The preoperative medical conditions as well as the early and late operative morbidity and mortality are reviewed with a mean follow up of 27 months. Average age of patients was 78.5 years, and the mean age of survivors is 81 years. There were two early mortalities attributed to ileal gangrene with secondary sepsis and aspiration pneumonia. Postoperative complications (superficial wound infection, middle colic vein bleed, right ureteral leak, ileus) occurred in five patients, two of whom required re-operation. Mean hospital stay was 12.4 days and ranged from 9-20. There were only six late complications [ureteral stricture (3), small bowel obstruction (1), incontinence (1)] necessitating re-hospitalization and surgical intervention. Late infectious complications included recurrent urinary tract infections (3), pyelonephritis (2), and C. Difficile enterocolitis (2) all managed medically. In addition, 10 other patients have died, 9 from metastatic disease and 1 from intercurrent medical problems. Of the 13 remaining patients, 11 are disease free and all are continent with a mean follow-up time of 33 months. We conclude that continent urinary diversion via a modified Indiana pouch with radical cystectomy or anterior exenteration can be performed with minimal morbidity or mortality, even in an elderly population.

Modified Indiana pouch.

The modified continent Indiana pouch is based upon the terminal 8 to 12 cm. of ileum and 26 to 30 cm. of right colon. Our modifications include complete detubularization of the colonic segment with an easier appendectomy, a transcolonic ureteral reimplantation that is technically simple and reinforced plication of the ileocecal junction. This procedure was performed in 70 patients (ages 27 to 85 years) with followup ranging between 3 and 24 months. There have been 5 hospitalizations for urinary tract infections or gastrointestinal complications. Open surgical revision (4%) has been necessary for incontinence in 1 case, for a redundant ileal limb and difficult catheterization in 1, and for ureteral stenosis in the mid portion of the left ureter in 1. A revision procedure is pending for inadequate reservoir volume. Endoscopic meatotomy of ureterocolonic junction strictures has been necessary in 2 cases. All patients are continent day and night with easy catheterization of volumes ranging between 400 and 800 cc. The modified Indiana pouch should be considered for any patient requiring cutaneous urinary diversion because of a low complication and revision rate, and an excellent continence rate.

A comparative study of the ileal conduit, Kock pouch and modified Indiana pouch.

Between July 1986 and July 1988, 55 urinary diversion procedures were performed: 18 ileal conduits, 12 Kock pouches and 25 Indiana pouches. The different forms of urinary diversion were compared for patient selection, operative technical demands, postoperative complications, perioperative renal function, and short-term followup including re-hospitalizations, revisions, and pouch function. Patient selection was the same for the ileal conduit and Indiana pouch patients. Kock pouch patients were more highly selected for youth and health status. The operative technical demands of the ileal conduit and Indiana pouch were similar. The average operative time and blood loss for cystectomy and ileal conduit was 5:27 hours and 1290 cc's versus 5:30 hours and 1201 cc's for the Indiana pouch group. Postoperative complications and changes in renal function were similar among all three groups except for an increase in urinary anastomotic leaks in heavily irradiated ileal conduit patients. The ileal conduit patients required no re-hospitalizations or revisions; the Indiana pouch group had four re-hospitalizations and no revisions; the Kock pouch group had nine re-hospitalizations and three revisions. The day and night-time continence rate was 100% in both the Indiana and Kock pouch groups. The Indiana pouch has similar technical demands as the ileal conduit, has similar postoperative complications as the ileal conduit or Kock pouch, and functions well with a low revision rate. We conclude that the modified Indiana pouch can be just as safely and effectively accomplished in any patient requiring an ileal conduit.

Nonrefluxing ileal ureteral replacement using the intussuscepted ileal nipple: laboratory studies.

A new technique for nonrefluxing ureteral replacement using ileum has been developed. Five adult mongrel dogs were operated using this nonrefluxing ileal ureteral technique. Subsequent reoperation showed in every case the preservation of renal function, a nonrefluxing system and no evidence of pyelonephritis or hydronephrosis. Based on the intussuscepted ileal nipple used in the Kock continent ileostomy, this technique has application in candidates for urinary undiversion, situations of ureteral loss due to trauma and fibrosis, and in patients with tuberculous strictured ureters.

A juvenile animal model to study the growth potential of bowel segments in the urinary tract.

A juvenile animal model has been developed to study the growth potential of ileum in the urinary tract. Patch ileocystoplasties of known surface area were constructed in dogs of Group 1. Nonrefluxing ileal nipple valves of known length were created to replace one ureter in dogs of Group 2. After the juvenile animals grew and at minimum doubled their weight, they were reoperated and augmentation surface areas were remeasured at various physiologic intravesical pressures. Nipple valve lengths were remeasured after cystograms ruled out reflux. Results show that the bowel augmentation and an identical control segment increased in surface area proportionate to animal growth and that hydrostatic dilation caused further surface area increase. Nipple valves did not grow and in fact shortened, but remained nonrefluxing. The conclusion is that in the pediatric population, consideration should be given to downscaling the size of bladder augmentations or diversions in anticipation of future bowel growth, but that one should not shorten the ileal nipple valves.

A comparative study of the ileal conduit, Kock pouch and modified Indiana pouch.

Between July 1986 and July 1988, 55 urinary diversions were performed, including 18 ileal conduits, and 12 Kock and 25 Indiana pouch procedures. The different forms of urinary diversion were compared for patient selection, operative technical demands, postoperative complications, perioperative renal function and short-term followup, including rehospitalizations, revisions and pouch function. Patient selection was the same for the ileal conduit and Indiana pouch groups. Kock pouch patients were more highly selected for youth and health status. The operative technical demands of the ileal conduit and Indiana pouch were similar. The average operative time and blood loss for cystectomy and ileal conduit were 5 hours 27 minutes and 1,290 cc versus 5 hours 30 minutes and 1,201 cc for the Indiana pouch group. Postoperative complications and changes in renal function were similar among all 3 groups except for an increase in urinary anastomotic leaks in heavily irradiated ileal conduit patients. The ileal conduit patients required no rehospitalizations or revisions, the Indiana pouch group had 4 rehospitalizations and no revisions, and the Kock pouch group had 9 rehospitalizations and 3 revisions. The day and nighttime continence rate was 100% in the Indiana and Kock pouch groups. The Indiana pouch has similar technical demands as the ileal conduit, similar postoperative complications as the ileal conduit or Kock pouch, and functions well with a low revision rate. We conclude that the modified Indiana pouch can be accomplished safely and effectively in any patient requiring an ileal conduit.

The hemi-Kock augmentation ileocystoplasty: a low pressure anti-refluxing system.

Experiences with various methods of using intestinal segments for bladder augmentation and urinary undiversion, as well as with clinical applications of the Kock continent ileostomy for urinary diversion have led us to develop the hemi-Kock augmentation ileocystoplasty for selected patients requiring a nonrefluxing bladder augmentation. In 6 of 7 patients this bladder augmentation technique fulfilled the requirement for a low pressure nonrefluxing reservoir. Renal function has been preserved and electrolyte problems have not occurred. Nocturnal incontinence has been eliminated. Although 2 of 7 patients required surgical revision patient acceptance has been excellent. Prerequisites to implementing this approach are appropriate patient selection and familiarity with the surgical principles of the continent ileal reservoir.

Hyperammonemic coma due to Proteus infection.

Hyperammonemic coma without liver disease or associated deficiencies in urea cycle enzymes is rare. We report a case and discuss the pathophysiological findings of hyperammonemic coma secondary to Proteus mirabilis urinary tract infection.

Warfarin necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the male external genitalia.

Gangrene of the male external genitalia is an uncommon urologic problem with a limited differential diagnosis. To the etiologic spectrum we add warfarin-induced penile gangrene. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Early diagnosis by liver scan of a right-sided traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.

A case of right-sided diaphragmatic rupture from blunt trauma in a 37-year-old man is described. Diagnosis was established by a liver scan obtained in the acute stage of injury. Primary repair was followed by uneventful recovery. Attention is called to this test for its potential in evaluating the integrity of the right diaphragm.