A complete year of urology residency training under COVID-19: impact on education and health.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on clinical and surgical practice, educational activities, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urology residents after 1 year of socio-economic restrictions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic survey was e-mailed to all postgraduate (PG) students registered by the Brazilian Society of Urology. The survey inclu-ded an assessment of socio-demographic, clinical practice, educational, health-related and behavior parameters. We also evaluated which subareas of urology were predominantly affected. A similar survey was adapted and sent to the directors of all urology residency programs. RESULTS: COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the clinical, surgical, and educational activities of urology residents in Brazil. Urology residents reported >50% decrease in multiple surgical modalities. We highlight kidney transplantation surgeries (66.2%), minor surgeries (62.3%), endoscopic surgeries (42.6%) and reconstructive surgeries (38.8%). This could represent a critical skills gap that residents may face beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, PG students faced stressful situations that caused worsening of mental and physical health, such as getting redirected to assistance of COVID-19 patients (66.9%), and high rate of infection by SARS-CoV-2 (58.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the clinical, surgical, and educational activities of urology residents in Brazil. This could represent a critical skills gap that residents may face beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. PG students faced stressful situations that caused worsening of mental and physical health such as redirection to assistance of COVID-19 patients, concern about their own contamination and of family members.

Simulators in urology resident's training in retrograde intrarenal surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of simulators on the training of urology residents in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). METHODS: The study involved training eight urology residents, using two artificial simulators; one developed by the Universidade Estadual do Pará, using three-dimensional printing technology, and the other one patented by the medical equipment manufacturer Boston Scientific The qualification of residents took place through a training course, consisting of an adaptation phase (S0), followed by three training sessions, with weekly breaks between them (S1, S2 and S3). Study members should carry out a RIRS in a standardized way, with step-by-step supervision by the evaluator using a checklist. The participants' individual performance was verified through a theoretical assessment, before and after training (pre- and post-training), as well as by the score achieved in each session on a scale called global psychomotor skill score. In S3, residents performed an analysis of the performance and quality of the simulation, by completing the scale of student satisfaction and self confidence in learning (SSSCL). RESULTS: At the end of the course, everyone was able to perform the procedure in accordance with the standard. The training provided a learning gain and a considerable improvement in skills and competencies in RIRS, with p < 0.05. SSSCL demonstrated positive feedback, with an overall approval rating of 96%. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial simulators proved to be excellent auxiliary tools in the training of urology residents in RIRS.

Manejo de litiasis ureterales inferiores en el Hospital de Clínicas / Management of lower ureteral calculi in the Hospital de Clínicas

Introducción: La litiasis ureteral constituye una de las principales causas de consulta en urología. Dependiendo de la ubicación y características de los cálculos, se dispone de diversas técnicas terapéuticas. Objetivo: Evaluar el manejo y éxito del tratamiento de las litiasis ureterales inferiores en el Hospital de Clínicas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y observacional no probabilístico de casos consecutivos que incluyó a 31 pacientes diagnosticados con litiasis ureteral inferior. Se utilizaron técnicas como ureteroscopía, meatotomía y ureterolitotomía por incisión de Gibson. Se evaluó la tasa de éxito y complicaciones de cada procedimiento. Resultados: La tasa de éxito fue del 93% para ureteroscopía, 83% para ureterolitotomía y 100% para meatotomía/enfoque combinado. El uso de catéter tipo doble J fue mayor en los abordajes abiertos. El tiempo de recuperación postoperatoria fue menor para las técnicas endourológicas. Conclusiones: Todas las técnicas demostraron ser efectivas en el manejo de las litiasis ureterales inferiores. Las técnicas endourológicas ofrecen ventajas en términos de menor tiempo de recuperación y menor necesidad de catéteres. La elección del procedimiento debe considerar factores individuales del paciente y la disponibilidad de recursos.

Introduction: Ureteral lithiasis represents a substantial proportion of consultations within the field of urology. The therapeutic techniques that may be employed are contingent upon the location and characteristics of the stones in question. The objective of this study is to: The objective of this study is to evaluate the management and success of treatment of lower ureteral lithiasis at the Hospital de Clínicas. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational non-probabilistic study was conducted on consecutive cases comprising 31 patients diagnosed with lower ureteral lithiasis. Techniques such as ureteroscopy, meatotomy, and Gibson incision ureterolithotomy were utilized. The success rate and incidence of complications associated with each procedure were evaluated. The results: of the study are presented in the following section. The success rate was 93% for ureteroscopy, 83% for ureterolithotomy, and 100% for combined meatotomy/approach. The use of a double J catheter was more prevalent in open approaches. The postoperative recovery period was shorter for endourologic techniques. It can be concluded: that all techniques proved to be effective in the management of lower ureteral lithiasis. Endourological techniques offer the advantages of a shorter recovery period and a reduced need for catheters, which are typically required for open approaches. The selection of the most appropriate procedure should be based on an assessment of the individual patient's characteristics and the availability of resources, in order to ensure the most effective and appropriate treatment plan.

The applicability of the urine color scale in pediatric urology.

AIMS: To determine the level of agreement between healthcare professionals, patients and their parents/guardians in the interpretation of the urine color scale (UCS) in cases of urinary dysfunction, analyzing the applicability of the scale as a diagnostic tool determining the hydration status. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 5-17-year-old patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and enuresis. The study was conducted in a public healthcare referral center for pediatric urology in the Brazilian state of Bahia between October 2019 and March 2020. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the distribution of the variables. Agreement was assessed using the kappa coefficient and weighted kappa. The z-test was used to determine significant differences between the kappa and weighted kappa. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 14, and significance was established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included. The kappa value was 32.4% (p = 0.000) for the agreement between healthcare professionals and patients, 41.9% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and parents/guardians, and 25.0% (p = 0.001) for agreement between patients and parents/guardians. The weighted kappa was 70.6% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and patients, 82.4% (p = 0.000) for agreement between healthcare professionals and parents/guardians, and 51.5% (p = 0.001) for agreement between patients and parents/guardians. There was a statistically significant difference in kappa values when the healthcare professionals were compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were some inconsistencies in interpretation, the UCS proved to be a useful tool with which to evaluate patients' hydration status.

ChatGPT in Urology: Bridging Knowledge and Practice for Tomorrow's Healthcare, a Comprehensive Review.

Background: Among emerging AI technologies, Chat-Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) emerges as a notable language model, uniquely developed through artificial intelligence research. Its proven versatility across various domains, from language translation to healthcare data processing, underscores its promise within medical documentation, diagnostics, research, and education. The current comprehensive review aimed to investigate the utility of ChatGPT in urology education and practice and to highlight its potential limitations. Methods: The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review of the use of ChatGPT and its applications in urology education, research, and practice. Through a systematic review of the literature, with a search strategy using databases, such as PubMed and Embase, we analyzed the advantages and limitations of using ChatGPT in urology and evaluated its potential impact. Results: A total of 78 records were eligible for inclusion. The benefits of ChatGPT were frequently cited across various contexts. In educational/academic benefits mentioned in 21 records (87.5%), ChatGPT showed the ability to assist urologists by offering precise information and responding to inquiries derived from patient data analysis, thereby supporting decision making; in 18 records (75%), advantages comprised personalized medicine, predictive capabilities for disease risks and outcomes, streamlining clinical workflows and improved diagnostics. Nevertheless, apprehensions were expressed regarding potential misinformation, underscoring the necessity for human supervision to guarantee patient safety and address ethical concerns. Conclusion: The potential applications of ChatGPT hold the capacity to bring about transformative changes in urology education, research, and practice. AI technology can serve as a useful tool to augment human intelligence; however, it is essential to use it in a responsible and ethical manner.

Artificial Intelligence in Urology: Application of a Machine Learning Model to Predict the Risk of Urolithiasis in a General Population.

This research presents our application of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting urolithiasis risk. Previous applications, including AI for stone disease, have focused on stone composition and aiding diagnostic imaging. AI applications centered around patient-specific characteristics, lifestyle considerations, and diet have been limited. Our study comprised a robust sample size of 976 Chilean participants, with meticulously analyzed demographic, lifestyle, and health data through a comprehensive questionnaire. We developed a predictive model using various classifiers, including logistic regression, decision trees, random forests, and extra trees, reaching high accuracy (88%) in identifying individuals at risk of kidney stone formation. Key protective factors highlighted by the algorithm include the pivotal role of hydration, physical activity, and dietary patterns that played a crucial role, emphasizing the protective nature of higher fruit and vegetable intake, balanced dairy consumption, and the nuanced impact of specific protein sources on kidney stone risk. In contrast, identified risk factors encompassed gender disparities with males found to be 2.31 times more likely to develop kidney stones than females. Thirst and self-perceived dark urine color emerged as strong predictors, with a significant increase in the likelihood of stone formation. The development of predictive tools with AI, in urolithiasis management signifies a paradigm shift toward more precise and personalized health care. The algorithm's ability to process extensive datasets, including dietary habits, heralds a new era of data-driven medical practice. This research underscores the transformative impact of AI in medical diagnostics and prevention, paving the way for a future where health care interventions are not only more effective but also tailored to individual patient needs. In this case, AI is an important tool that can help patients stay healthy, prevent diseases, and make informed decisions about their overall well-being.

Prevalence of colorectal symptoms and anal incontinence in patients with pelvic organ prolapse attended at an outpatient urogynecology service.

Objective: To analyze data of patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse evaluated with PFDI20 and its subscales to report the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms and anal incontinence in the population of a public hospital and analyze its impact on quality of life. Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with symptomatic POP. Patients were evaluated with demographic data, POP-Q, pelvic floor ultrasonography, urological parameters, and pelvic floor symptoms (PFDI-20), and quality of life (P-QoL) surveys. Patients were classified as CRADI-8 "positive" for colorectal symptoms, with responses "moderate" in at least 3 and/or "severe" in at least 2 of the items in the CRADI-8 questionnaires. Results: One hundred thirteen patients were included. 42.5% (48) were considered positive for colorectal symptoms on CRADI-8. 53.4% presented anal incontinence. No significant differences were found in sociodemographic variables, POP-Q stage, ultrasound parameters, or urological parameters. Positive patients had a significantly worse result in PFDI-20, POPDI (48 vs 28; p<0.001), UDI6 (51 vs 24; p<0.001), and in the areas of social limitation (44.4 vs 22.2; p = 0.045), sleep- energy (61.5 vs 44.4; p = 0.08), and severity (56.8 vs 43.7, p=0.015) according to P-QoL. Conclusion: Moderate or severe colorectal symptoms are seen in 40% of patients with symptomatic POP in our unit. Full evaluation of pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms should be performed routinely in urogynecology units.(FONIS SA12I2I53 - NCT02113969).

Is the learning curve of the urology resident for conventional radical prostatectomy similar to that of staff initiating robot-assisted radical prostatectomy?

INTRODUCTION: The superiority of the functional results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomyis still controversial. Despite this, it is known that minimally invasive surgery obtains better results when analyzing blood loss, blood transfusion and length of stay, for example. Several studies have analyzed the impact of the resident physician's involvement on the results of urological surgeries. The simple learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostate surgery is estimated to be around 10 to 12 cases. Learning curve data for robotic surgeons is heterogeneous, making it difficult to analyze. Rare studies compare the results of a radical prostatectomy of an inexperienced surgeon starting his training in open surgery, with the results of the same surgeon, a few years later, starting training in robotic surgery. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the results of open radical prostatectomy surgeries (ORP) performed by urology residents, comparing them to the results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), performed by these same surgeons, after completing their training in urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a retrospective analysis of the cases of only 3 surgeons was performed. 50 patients underwent ORP (group A). The surgeons who operated on the ORP patients were in the 3rd and final year of the urology residency program and beginners in ORP surgery, but with at least 4 years of experience in open surgery. The same surgeons, already trained urologists, began their training in robotic surgery and performed 56 RARP surgeries (group B). For the comparative analysis, data were collected on age, number of lymph nodes removed, surgery time, hospitalization time, drain volume, drain permanence time, indwelling bladdercateter (IBC) permanence time, positive surgical margin, biochemical recurrence, risk classification (ISUP), intra and postoperative complications, urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). The console used was the Da Vinci Si, from Intuitive®. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk test verified that the data did not follow normality, the Levene test guaranteed homogeneity, and the Mann-Whitney test performed the comparative analysis of the quantitative data. For the analysis of qualitative data, the Chi-square test was used for nominal variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal variables. Additionally, the Friedman test analyzed whether there was an improvement in the perception of UI or ED over the months, for each group individually (without comparing them), and the post-hoc Durbin-Conover test, for the results with statistically significant difference. We used a p-value < 0.05, and the Jamovi® program (Version 2.0). RESULTS: there was no statistically significant difference between the groups for age, number of lymph nodes removed, positive surgical margin, biochemical recurrence, risk classification and urinary incontinence. Additionally, we observed that the surgical time was longer in group B. On the other hand, the length of stay, drain volume, drain time, IBC time, complication rate and levels of erectile dysfunction in the third and sixth months were higher in group A, when compared to group B. We also observed that there was no evolutionary improvement in ED over the months in both groups, and that there was a perception of improvement in UI from the 1st to the 3rd month in group A, and from the 1st to the 6th month, and from the 3rd to the 12th month, in group B. CONCLUSION: the learning curve of RARP is equivalent to the curve of ORP. In general, the results for the robotic group were better, however, the functional results were similar between the groups, with a slight tendency of advantage for the robotic arm.

Use of ChatGPT in Urology and its Relevance in Clinical Practice: Is it useful?

PURPOUSE: One of the many artificial intelligence based tools that has gained popularity is the Chat-Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). Due to its popularity, incorrect information provided by ChatGPT will have an impact on patient misinformation. Furthermore, it may cause misconduct as ChatGPT can mislead physicians on the decision-making pathway. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT answers regarding urological diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ChatGPT 3.5 version was used. The questions asked for the program involved Primary Megaureter (pMU), Enuresis and Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR). There were three queries for each topic. The queries were inserted twice, and both responses were recorded to examine the reproducibility of ChatGPT's answers. Afterwards, both answers were combined. Finally, those rwere evaluated qualitatively by a board of three specialists. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: ChatGPT simulated general knowledge on the researched topics. Regarding Enuresis, the provided definition was partially correct, as the generic response allowed for misinterpretation. For VUR, the response was considered appropriate. For pMU it was partially correct, lacking essential aspects of its definition such as the diameter of the dilatation of the ureter. Unnecessary exams were suggested, for Enuresis and pMU. Regarding the treatment of the conditions mentioned, it specified treatments for Enuresis that are ineffective, such as bladder training. Therefore, ChatGPT responses present a combination of accurate information, but also incomplete, ambiguous and, occasionally, misleading details.