Initial Experience and Clinical Assessment of the Karl Storz FLEX-XC1 Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscope.

INTRODUCTION: The Karl Storz FLEX-XC1 is a novel single-use flexible ureteroscope that uses the same videographics platform as its reusable digital counterpart. We evaluated the technical performance of the FLEX-XC1 in its initial clinical use. METHODS: We reviewed a series of consecutive ureteroscopy procedures performed by 2 endourologists using the FLEX-XC1 for indications for which we typically use a single-use device: total stone burden > 15 mm or > 10 mm in the lower pole, anticipated case duration > 60 minutes, bilateral procedure, or upper tract urothelial cancer procedures. We assessed device tip deflection, intraoperative mechanical failure, and clinical outcomes for each case. Surgeons rated visual clarity, image quality, and maneuverability on a 1 to 5 Likert scale. RESULTS: Of 29 procedures using FLEX-XC1, 27 (93%) were successfully completed. Preoperative upward deflection was < 270° in 6 (21%) cases, and downward deflection was < 270° in 9 (31%) cases. Three types of intraoperative malfunctions occurred: rotational twisting of deflectable tip (4 cases, 13%), device not advancing through distal ureter (1 case, 3%), and working channel not accommodating a 365-µm laser (1 case, 3%). Visual clarity, image quality, and maneuverability were rated as 5 "very good" or 4 "good" in 100%, 100%, and 97% of cases, respectively. No device-specific or general 30-day complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The FLEX-XC1 showed comparable image quality and maneuverability to reusable digital devices. We observed incomplete deflection in up to 31% of cases and mechanical failure in 2 cases. The FLEX-XC1 may be advantageous in prolonged cases where maintaining visual clarity is paramount.

Comparing and Contrasting Peyronie's Disease Guidelines: Points of Consensus and Deviation.

BACKGROUND: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a challenging clinical entity. To assist clinicians with diagnosis and management, four separate organizations have published PD guidelines over the past five years, but there remains a lack of consensus and data-driven recommendations for many aspects of diagnosis and treatment. AIM: To compare and contrast PD guidelines, highlighting key similarities and differences among the guideline panel recommendations and identify areas for further research. METHODS: We performed an extensive review to compare and contrast diagnosis and treatment recommendations from publically available published PD guidelines from four different organizations: American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, Canadian Urologic Association, and the International Society of Sexual Medicine. OUTCOMES: Key similarities and differences with regards to definition, evaluation, nonsurgical and surgical treatments were compared. RESULTS: Points of general consensus among the guideline panels included: History is adequate for diagnosis of PD, and intracavernosal injection is a gold standard to evaluate penile deformity prior to invasive intervention. Careful counseling with shared decision-making is required prior to treatment. In general, plication and incision and/or grafting surgery is reserved for patients with preserved erectile function whereas penile prosthesis implantation is the only surgical option for PD patients with erectile dysfunction. Overall, nonsurgical treatments have inferior evidence of efficacy with these being the main area of controversy; however, all societies recognize that intralesional injections may be used. 0Further research into the pathophysiology of PD may direct novel treatments targeted towards early intervention and rigorous outcomes research may direct best practices for the surgical treatment of PD in the future. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: PD is a challenging clinical entity. Direct comparison of the published PD guidelines highlights clear standards of care as well as areas where more research is needed to promote higher levels of evidence-based practice. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: To our knowledge this is the first report to directly compare and contrast published guidelines pertaining to the diagnosis and management of PD. Limitations include the lack of evidence-quality review pertaining to individual guideline recommendations, although this was not the aim of this review. CONCLUSION: We highlight consensus of major urologic societies on many aspects of work up and management of PD with notable exceptions which may guide further research. Manka MG, White LA, Yafi FA, et al. Comparing and Contrasting Peyronie's Disease Guidelines: Points of Consensus and Deviation. J Sex Med 2021;18:363-375.

Intraureteral indocyanine green augments ureteral identification and avoidance during complex robotic-assisted colorectal surgery.

AIM: Up to 10% of patients who undergo nonurological abdominopelvic operations suffer a ureteral injury. While preoperative ureteral stenting to facilitate identification of the ureter is common, it does not reduce the incidence of intraoperative ureteral injury and is not without risk. As we continue to broaden the application of minimally invasive surgical techniques, a new form of ureteral identification and avoidance that does not rely on tactile feedback is needed. We report our initial experience with intraureteral indocyanine green (ICG) for ureteral identification and avoidance during complex robotic-assisted colorectal surgery. METHOD: Patients undergoing adjunctive ureteral identification during robotic-assisted colorectal surgery were prospectively identified. Each patient underwent intraureteral ICG administration using rigid cystoscopy (22 Fr). A 5-Fr open-ended ureteral catheter was inserted up to 20 cm and used to inject 5 ml of 2.5 mg/ml ICG as the catheter was withdrawn to the ureteral orifice. Intraureteral ICG was then detected using near-infrared laser fluorescence technology (Firefly®). RESULTS: Successful ICG-enhanced ureteral identification and avoidance was performed in 15 of 16 (94%) patients undergoing robotic-assisted colorectal surgery. The median ICG instillation time was 11.5 min (range 4-21 min) and the median operative time with ICG visualization was 489 min (8 h 9 min) [range 268-738 min (4 h 28 min-12 h 18 min)]. No patient experienced intraoperative ureteral injury and there were no adverse sequelae or complications associated with intraureteral ICG administration. CONCLUSION: Intraureteral ICG is a safe and effective method of intraoperative ureteral identification and avoidance during complex robotic-assisted colorectal surgery. Precise and prolonged ureteral visualization was achieved, allowing for long operative times compatible with complex robotic-assisted operations.

Robotic-assisted bladder neck procedures in children with neurogenic bladder.

PURPOSE: To review the current status of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgical techniques for bladder neck procedures in children with incontinence secondary to neurogenic bladder. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature on robotic-assisted bladder neck procedures was conducted, with a focus on articles published in the last 25 years. These data were subsequently compared to published series of open bladder neck procedures and published results from robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction series completed at our institution. RESULTS: The principle bladder neck procedures for incontinence in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder include: Artificial Urinary Sphincter, Bladder Neck Sling, Bladder Neck Closure, and Bladder Neck Reconstruction. Continence rates range from 60 to 100% with a lack of expert consensus on the preferred procedure (or combination of procedures). Robotic-assisted approaches are associated with longer operative times, especially early in the surgical experience, but demonstrate equivalent continence rates with potential benefits including low interoperative blood loss, improved cosmesis, and decreased intra-abdominal adhesion formation. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted procedures of the bladder neck are safe, feasible, follow the same steps and principles as those of open surgery and produce equivalent continence rates. Robotic-assisted techniques can be adapted to a variety of bladder neck procedures and safely expanded to selected patients with the previous open abdominal surgery.

Robotic-Assisted Bladder Neck Procedures for Incontinence in Pediatric Patients.

Purpose: To review the current status of bladder neck procedures for incontinence in pediatric patients, focusing on the increasing role of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgical techniques. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on open and robotic-assisted bladder neck procedures was conducted, with a focus on articles published in the last 20 years. This data was subsequently compared with published results from robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction series completed at our institution. Results: The principal bladder neck procedures for incontinence in pediatric patients include: Artificial Urinary Sphincter, Bladder Neck Sling, Bladder Neck Closure and Bladder Neck Reconstruction. Continence rates range from 60 to 100% with a lack of expert consensus on the preferred procedure (or combination of procedures). Robotic-assisted approaches are associated with longer operative times, especially early in the surgical experience, but demonstrate equivalent continence rates with potential benefits including: low intraoperative blood loss, improved cosmesis, and decreased intra-abdominal adhesion formation. Conclusions: Robotic-assisted procedures of the bladder neck are safe, feasible, follow the same steps and principles as those of open surgery and produce equivalent continence rates. Robotic-assisted techniques can be adapted to a variety of bladder neck procedures and safely expanded to selected patients with previous open abdominal surgery.