Multicentered Assessment of Clinical Outcomes and Factors Associated With Failure of the Adjustable TransObturator Male System (ATOMS).

OBJECTIVE: To assess postoperative outcomes from the Adjustable TransObturator Male System (ATOMS) and identify factors influencing failure to achieve continence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentered analysis was performed on all patients treated for postprostatectomy incontinence using the third-generation ATOMS at 9 Canadian tertiary referral centers. The primary outcome was continence (defined as requiring ≤1 pad postoperatively for patients requiring ≥2 pads preoperatively and 0 pads for those requiring 1 pad preoperatively). Secondary outcomes included improvement (>50% change in pad use), patient satisfaction, explantation, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty nine patients with a mean age of 68.9 years were analyzed. Pre-operatively mean pad per day use was 4.2 (1-12), 31.5% of patients reported severe incontinence (≥5 pads/day), 33.9% had concurrent radiotherapy and 19.4% had failed previous incontinence surgery. Overall continence rate was 73.3% (n = 212) at a mean follow-up of 19.6 months. More than eighty nine percent (89.3%) (n = 258) of patients experienced >50% improvement, 84.4% (n = 244) of patients were satisfied with the results of surgery. More than seven percent (7.9%) (n = 23) required device explantation. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, concurrent radiotherapy (hazard ratio [H.R.] 2.3, P < .001), diabetes (H.R. 2.2, P = .007) and increased pre-operative pad usage (H.R. 1.1, P = .02) were each associated with failure to achieve continence, while patient age (P = .60), obesity (P = .08), prior urethral stenosis (P = .56), and prior incontinence surgery (P = .13) were not. Radiation therapy was also associated with device explantation (H.R. 2.7, P = .02). CONCLUSION: ATOMS is a safe and efficacious for treatment of postprostatectomy incontinence. However, patients with prior radiation, increased pre-operative pad use, or diabetes are less likely to achieve continence.

Objective and quality-of-life outcomes with bone-anchored male bulbourethral sling.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the success rates and quality-of-life outcomes with the male bulbourethral sling using the validated Male Urogenital Distress Inventory (MUDI) and Male Urinary Symptom Impact Questionnaire (MUSIQ). These validated incontinence questionnaires for men have not been reported in the sling population. METHODS: A total of 31 consecutive patients underwent placement of a male bulbourethral bone-anchoring sling from October 2002 through May 2005. The preoperative information included history and physical examination, pad history, urodynamic findings, and MUDI and MUSIQ results. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated clinically and completed a MUDI and MUSIQ every 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients, 24 completed the questionnaires and follow-up protocol. Of the other 7 patients, 4 underwent sling removal and 3 were lost to follow-up. The average follow-up time was 15 months (range 9 to 21). After surgery, the pad use decreased from a median of 3.7 pads/day (range 1 to 12) to 1.3 pads/day (range 0 to 6). Of the 24 analyzed patients, 18 (75%) were dry or using 1 pad or less per day, and 9 (38%) no longer needed pads. Subjectively, 75% of the patients were satisfied. The mean MUDI and MUSIQ scores decreased from 56.8 and 29.9 preoperatively to 44.8 (P <0.0001) and 14.6 (P = 0.002) after sling placement, respectively. When all 31 patients were included, our clinical success rate of 1 pad/day or less decreased to 58%. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 24 patients with follow-up data, 75% were satisfied and were clinically cured. A significant improvement was seen after surgery in the MUDI and MUSIQ scores, severity of incontinence, and average pad use. The MUDI and MUSIQ scores paralleled patient satisfaction and clinical success after male bulbourethral sling placement.

Pediatric kidney stones: long-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the specific risks for recurrent stone disease and which initial evaluations resulted in an effective reduction of risk, we undertook a long-term follow-up study of children who had experienced upper tract urinary stones. METHODS: Identified patients were contacted and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The patient data were subcategorized and analyzed. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that our population had a recurrence rate similar to the reported adult stone recurrence rates. No evidence was found of impaired growth or development. Our population of noncircumcised boys did not demonstrate a high risk of struvite stones. Surgical techniques have evolved. Anatomic and metabolic factors were not a predictor of an adverse risk of recurrence. Cystinuria may carry extra risk, although our numbers were not sufficient to be sure. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive metabolic screening of children with upper tract urinary stones is not supported by the data from our patients. Testing for cystinuria is justified. The principles of screening and surveillance should match the recommended care of adults with stone formation.

Evaluation and management of malfunctioning sacral neuromodulator.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a strategy for revising the malfunctioning InterStim device and to provide an algorithm for evaluation and management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients who had undergone InterStim placement. Ten patients (eight women and two men) experienced complications and subsequently underwent revision of their device between October 2001 and October 2003. Five patients had originally received a permanent implant after a successful percutaneous test stimulation trial, and five had undergone a test stimulation using the tined lead. Indications for revision included gradual onset of recurrent voiding dysfunction (n = 2), lead migration (n = 5), generator malfunction (n = 1), generator site pain and infection (n = 1), and genital/rectal pain with stimulation (sensory discomfort; n = 1). RESULTS: Of the 10 patients who underwent revision, 7 experienced complete resolution of their problem. Eight patients had lead site changes and two had generator replacements. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in the revision cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, 70% of patients who undergo revision of the malfunctioning InterStim can expect success. In this study, no difference in success appeared to be related to the original cause of malfunction. In the management of malfunctioning sacral neuromodulators, we recommend an attempt at revision before permanent explantation.

Conservative strategies for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The conservative treatment of stress urinary incontinence for women has many facets. Each intervention may have value and patients may benefit from simple, reversible recommendations and techniques versus invasive surgery. Starting with a thorough history, lifestyle modifications may lead to decreased incontinence. Depending on the patient's goals and clinical situation, they may benefit from a pessary or anti-incontinence device. Finally, the use of pelvic floor muscle exercises has been shown to benefit a significant number of patients. Regardless of the degree of stress urinary incontinence, conservative strategies should be considered a fundamental part of the treatment plan.

Renal splenosis presenting as a renal mass.

Splenosis should be considered in the differential of any patient with a history of splenic trauma or removal and a solid enhancing mass near or within the kidney. Splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue associated with splenic trauma or surgery, and can be diagnosed preoperatively, avoiding unnecessary surgery.

An update on slings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to review the year's literature on the treatment of female incontinence with suburethral slings. RECENT FINDINGS: The use of slings to treat female stress urinary incontinence has had resurgence with new surgical techniques. The tension-free vaginal tape created in 1996 was the basis of most of the studies performed over the past year. The device was compared with more traditional surgical techniques as well as new techniques such as the trans-obturator tape. In addition the tension-free vaginal tape was examined in women with pelvic organ prolapse and older in age. The complications of the device are well known and several studies recounted these with an attempt to predict patients who will have success. Modifications to surgical technique are described to improve patient results as well as further analysis of outcomes with post-surgical urodynamic-based studies. SUMMARY: The majority of papers center on the tension-free vaginal tape and comparing other methods of incontinence surgery with the tape's success. With 7-year data, the device has secured its place in the treatment of female stress incontinence. Newer methods are being explored and are now compared with the tension-free vaginal tape's outcomes.