Ureteral substitution with a stapled neoureter: a simplified Boari flap.

PURPOSE: We evaluate a new technique that will quickly and easily replace a long segment of ureter by creating a tapered neoureter (Boari flap) with bladder wall and absorbable staples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A neoureter was created in 14 pigs with native bladder and 75 mm. Polysorb gastrointestinal anastomosis staplers (U. S. Surgical, Norwalk, Connecticut). Urine culture and serum creatinine were obtained before neoureter creation. Neoureter length and time to construct were recorded. At 6 weeks serum creatinine was repeated, and ureteral stent removed with evaluation of the staple lines for stones and residual staples. At 4 months intravenous pyelogram, cystogram and serum creatinine were obtained before necropsy. The bladder, neoureter and kidneys were examined grossly and histologically for hydronephrosis, staples, stones and stenosis. RESULTS: Mean neoureter length was 13.4 cm. and mean time to construct was 15 minutes. Laboratory results were unremarkable. Of the 14 pigs 2 died of pneumonia before stent removal, and at autopsy neither had evidence of hydronephrosis nor anastomotic stricture. In the remaining 12 pigs there was no evidence of residual staples or stone formation with mucosa covering the staple line at cystoscopy and necropsy. Successful neoureter substitution was performed in 9 pigs with no gross or histological changes. There were 3 pigs that had evidence of hydronephrosis with histological findings of chronic pyelonephritis and 2 of them appeared atrophic compared to the contralateral kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a new technique for ureteral substitution with bladder and absorbable staples that may be performed quickly and easily. Furthermore, we show that absorbable staples can be safely incorporated into the urinary tract with minimal worry about encrustation or calculus formation.

Hypospadias: a contemporary epidemiologic assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the incidence of hypospadias is increasing and whether racial differences among patients are significant, we evaluated the current incidence of hypospadias and patient race in an equal-access healthcare system. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of discharge records between 1990 and 1998 from 15 military treatment facilities to determine the total number of male live births and the number of male live births with hypospadias reported by race (categorized as white, black, Asian, Native American, and unknown). RESULTS: Among 99,210 male live births, 709 cases of hypospadias were identified (0.7%). Of the total male live births, 68,444 were white, 18,984 were black, 1761 were Asian, 175 were Native American, and 9846 were unknown, with an incidence of hypospadias of 0.8%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.6%, respectively. Racial differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The 0.7% incidence of hypospadias detected is near the upper limit of what has been historically reported. No significant difference between races was found, but the incidence of hypospadias in minorities is higher than previously reported.

Occult stress urinary incontinence and the effect of vaginal vault prolapse on abdominal leak point pressures.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the difference in abdominal leak point pressures (ALPPs) between patients with large cystoceles and severe vaginal vault prolapse and to assess the frequency of occult stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in these groups. METHODS: A total of 24 adult female patients with pelvic prolapse underwent prospective fluorourodynamic testing to determine the change in ALPP with and without reduction of the pelvic prolapse. Twelve patients had grade III-IV vaginal vault prolapse and 12 had large cystoceles without vault prolapse. ALPP testing was performed with the prolapse unreduced and then reduced using gauze packing and a vaginal speculum. RESULTS: In patients with vault prolapse, the frequency of occult SUI was 50% (6 of 12) and the mean decrease in ALPP was 59 cm H(2)O after prolapse reduction. In the patients with cystocele, all patients had overt SUI, and the mean change in ALPP was 11 cm H(2)O after prolapse reduction. A component of intrinsic sphincter deficiency was identified in 9 (75%) of 12 women with vault prolapse after reduction, and 8 (66%) of 12 women with no vault prolapse had a component of intrinsic sphincter deficiency before reduction, with an additional 2 (17%) of 12 patients after reduction. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of occult SUI in patients with vault prolapse and the ALPP after reduction is decreased to a much greater degree in patients with vaginal vault prolapse than in patients with cystocele alone. By reducing the pelvic prolapse during urodynamic testing, an accurate ALPP can be obtained, allowing the appropriate incontinence procedure to be performed.

The broken stone basket: configuration and technique for removal.

PURPOSE: We investigated the ease of breakage of endoscopic stone baskets with the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser and their resultant configuration. More importantly, possible safe methods of retrieval were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopic stone baskets from Bard (Platinum Class 2.4F Flat and 3.0F Helical Wire), Cook (3.2F Captura, 3.2F Atlas, 3.0F N-Circle, 4.5F N-Force), and Microvasive (2.4F Zero Tip, 3.0F Gemini, 3.0F Segura) were broken once using the holmium:YAG laser. The energy (kJ) required to break one of the wires was recorded. Configuration was documented using photographs. Baskets were disassembled and assessed for extraction through a 7F open-ended catheter, an 8F/10F set, and a 20F peel-away sheath. RESULTS: Tipless baskets (N-Circle, Zero Tip) broke the easiest (range 0.02-0.03 kJ). Tipped baskets (Segura, Platinum Class Flat and Helical, Gemini, Captura, N-Force, Atlas) were more resistant, but all broke within the range (0.06-0.78 kJ) typically used for intracorporeal lithotripsy. Broken segments of wire tended to protrude outward, with tipless baskets having less change in configuration than tipped baskets. Tipless baskets could easily be pulled into any of the extracting devices, whereas tipped baskets could not. CONCLUSIONS: Baskets break at typical holmium:YAG intracorporeal lithotripsy energy settings. Tipless baskets break easiest and assume a safer configuration. Tipless baskets are extracted easily through a 7F open-ended catheter, 8F/10F set, or 20F sheath, while tipped baskets are unable to be extracted through any of these.