Race and insurance status are risk factors for orchiectomy due to testicular trauma.

PURPOSE: Race and insurance status independently predict outcome disparities after trauma. Black patients, Hispanic patients, uninsured patients and patients who live farther from trauma centers have a worse outcome after trauma than others. To our knowledge it is unknown whether these factors have a role in the testicular salvage rate after testicular trauma. We used NTDB (National Trauma Data Bank®) to investigate whether socioeconomic status, race and rural location predict testicular salvage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who sustained testicular trauma were identified in NTDB, version 9.1. Procedure codes for orchiectomy vs testicular repair were used to determine the risk of testicular salvage. Rural location was determined by matching the injury with the urban influence code. Univariate analysis of the influence of patient age, injury severity, race, insurance status and rural location was performed. Multivariate longitudinal analysis was done to identify orchiectomy predictors. RESULTS: Of 635,013 trauma cases 980 (0.2%) involved testicular injury. Of these patients 108 (11.0%) underwent orchiectomy and 58 (5.9%) underwent testicular repair. Self-paying patients had a statistically higher rate of orchiectomy than those with private insurance (79.2% vs 48.0%, p = 0.006). Black patients had a statistically higher rate of orchiectomy than white patients (75.8% vs 53.7%, p = 0.009). No difference in the orchiectomy rate was seen between Hispanic and nonHispanic patients (68.0% vs 65.8%, p = 0.84). In terms of rurality the incidence location was similar for orchiectomy and testicular repair, including urban 46.3% and 39.7%, rural 6.5% and 3.5%, suburban 2.8% and 1.7%, and wilderness 0.9% and 3.5%, respectively (p = 0.55). No statistically significant differences were found in age (31 vs 29 years, p = 0.42), injury severity score (5.8 vs 5.8, p = 0.99), hospital stay (8.4 vs 6.7 days, p = 0.41), intensive care unit stay (14.4 vs 9.6 days, p = 0.41) or ventilator days (18.2 vs 10.2, p = 0.24) for orchiectomy and testicular repair cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although age, injury severity score, hospital stay, intensive care unit stay and days of ventilator support are similar for patients who underwent orchiectomy vs testicular repair, the orchiectomy rate was higher for uninsured and black patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the reasons for this disparity. Standardized protocols to manage testicular injury may decrease these disparities.

Is routine postoperative chest radiography needed after percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether routine postoperative chest radiography (CXR) is required after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the detection and possible management of hydropneumothorax. It is the standard for many urologists to obtain routine postoperative CXRs after PCNL to assess for hydropneumothorax. However, it has been our experience that in the few patients who develop hydropneumothorax, the CXR findings almost never affect the clinical management. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 214 PCNL procedures acquired from 2007 to 2010. The data analyzed included patient demographics, operative data, postoperative CXR findings, and complications. RESULTS: We reviewed 214 PCNL procedures, 49% of the 164 patients were men, with a mean age of 48 years and a mean stone burden of 2.4 × 2.5 cm. Renal access was obtained by the urologists in 47% of cases. Renal access was obtained in the upper pole (51%), midpole (26%), and lower pole (23%) through the 11th-12th intercostal space (21%) and below the 12th rib (78%). Renal access was unsuccessful in 2.8%. All patients underwent postoperative CXR. Only 2 patients (1%) had a hydropneumothorax, and both had clinical symptoms. One patient's postoperative CXR findings were minimal pleural effusion only. Both patients were treated with tube thoracostomy. The mean hospital length of stay was 1.6 days, and the mortality rate was 0.5%. CONCLUSION: Routine postoperative CXR is not needed after PCNL. Obtaining selective CXR when a recognized intraoperative hydropneumothorax has occurred, the physical examination reveals an abnormality, or the patient experiences respiratory difficulties in the postoperative period is safe, cost-effective, and reduces unnecessary radiation exposure to the patients.

Bicycle-related genitourinary injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To use the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) to evaluate bicycling-related genitourinary (GU) injury. Bicycling is a popular recreational and competitive sport with recognized risks. GU injuries associated with bicycling is unknown. METHODS: Patient cases were extracted from the NTDB, version 9.1, using the mechanism of injury Ecode for pedal cyclist and ICD-9 codes for GU injuries. The type of GU injuries, patient demographics, Injury Severity Score, surgical management, outcomes, and disposition were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 635,013 trauma cases evaluated, 16,585 were identified as trauma because of bicycle injury. GU injuries were sustained in 358 (2%) patients; 86% were male, with a mean age of 29 years. The most commonly injured GU organ was the kidney (75%), followed by bladder and urethra (15%), and penis and scrotum (10%). These injuries resulted in nephrectomy (0.4%), cystorrhaphy (11.3%), scrotorrhaphy (42.1%), testicular repair (3.1%), and penile repair (7.5%). Most common associated injuries included vertebral fracture (35%), pelvic fracture (25%), spleen (19%), and open head wound (15%). Patients who sustained a vertebral fracture commonly sustained a concomitant bladder and urethra (37.7%) or a renal injury (22.6%). CONCLUSION: GU injury is an infrequent occurrence with bicycle trauma, occurring in 2% of bicycle injuries, with kidneys being the most commonly injured GU organ. Physicians treating bicyclists who sustained a vertebral fracture should be aware of a possible concomitant renal or bladder injury. Young males appear to be principally at risk for GU injury.

Outcomes in geriatric genitourinary trauma.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric trauma patients (GTPs) are the fastest growing segment of patients admitted to trauma centers. We examined the characteristics and outcomes of genitourinary (GU) trauma sustained by GTPs compared with nongeriatric trauma patients (NGTPs). STUDY DESIGN: The National Trauma Data Bank v8.0 was searched by ICD-9 CM codes for GU injuries in GTPs 65 years or older compared with NGTPs aged 18 to 64 years. The incidence of GU trauma, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), surgical intervention, pre-existing comorbidities, hospital complications, discharge disposition, and mortality were analyzed. Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution for categorical variables and t-test was used to compare means of continuous variables between GTPs and NGTPs. RESULTS: Of the 9,470 patients with GU trauma, 852 patients (9.0%) were 65 years old or older, and 8,618 patients (91.0%) were 18 to 64 years. GTPs were more likely to sustain injury to the bladder or urethra (28.9% vs 20.5% p < 0.001), and less likely to the penis (0.5% vs 3.4% p < 0.001) and scrotum or testes (1.5% vs 7.7% p < 0.001). Rates of injury to the kidney (67.5% vs 65.9%) were similar. GTPs more commonly sustained blunt trauma (92.8% vs 74.4% p < 0.0001). Although the mean Injury Severity Scores for GTPs and NGTPs were similar (17.7 vs 18.1), GTPs were more commonly admitted to the ICU (41.8% vs 31.6% p < 0.001) and had a longer ICU stay (6.6 vs 5.7 days p = 0.02). Renal embolization, nephrectomy, and nonoperative management of renal injuries were similar in both cohorts. GTPs had significantly more comorbidities and hospital complications. The mortality rate was significantly higher for GTPs (18.5% vs 9.9%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: GTPs sustain a significant number of GU injuries. Penetrating GU injuries are less common in GTPs. Although GTPs and NGTPs had similar mean Injury Severity Scores, GTPs had more ICU admissions, longer ICU stays, and twice the mortality rate when compared with NGTPs.

Comparison of nonoperative management with renorrhaphy and nephrectomy in penetrating renal injuries.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience with penetrating renal injuries to compare nonoperative management of penetrating renal injuries with renorrhaphy and nephrectomy in light of concerns for unnecessary explorations and increased nephrectomy rates. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of 98 penetrating renal injuries from 2003 to 2008. Renal injuries were classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and analyzed based on nephrectomy, renorrhaphy, and nonoperative management. Patient characteristics and outcomes measured were compared between management types. Continuous variables were summarized by means and compared using t test. Categorical variables were compared using χ² test. RESULTS: Nonoperative management was performed in 40% of renal injuries, followed by renorrhaphy (38%) and nephrectomy (22%). Of renal gunshot wounds (n = 79), 26%, 42%, and 32% required nephrectomy, renorrhaphy, and were managed nonoperatively, respectively. No renal stab wound (n = 16) resulted in a nephrectomy and 81% were managed conservatively. Renal injuries managed nonoperatively had a lower incidence of transfusion (34 vs. 95%, p < 0.001), shorter mean intensive care unit (ICU) (3.0 vs. 9.0 days, p = 0.028) and mean hospital length of stay (7.9 vs. 18.1 days, p = 0.006), and lower mortality rate (0 vs. 20%, p = 0.005) compared with nephrectomy but similar to renorrhaphy (transfusion: 34 vs. 36%, p = 0.864; mean ICU: 3.0 vs. 2.8 days, p = 0.931; mean hospital length of stay: 7.9 vs. 11.2 days, p = 0.197; mortality: 0 vs. 6%, p = 0.141). The complication rate of nonoperative management was favorable compared with operative management. CONCLUSIONS: Selective nonoperative management of penetrating renal injuries resulted in a lower mortality rate, lower incidence of blood transfusion, and shorter mean ICU and hospital stay compared with patients managed by nephrectomy but similar to renorrhaphy. Complication rates were low and similar to operative management.

Smoking cessation assistance for patients with bladder cancer: a national survey of American urologists.

PURPOSE: Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for bladder cancer. How urologists address smoking cessation among patients with bladder cancer is not well-known. We assessed the practice patterns of American urologists regarding smoking cessation assistance for patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire regarding smoking cessation practice patterns was sent to 1,821 American urologists in the 2008 American Urological Association membership directory. Responses were summarized with frequency and percent. Statistical comparison was made using chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression was used to detect significant predictors of providing smoking cessation assistance. RESULTS: Responses were received from 601 urologists who collectively treated an estimated 14,713 patients with bladder cancer in the last year. More than half (55.6%) of urologists never discuss smoking cessation while only 19.8% always discuss smoking cessation with patients with bladder cancer. Of urologists who never discuss smoking cessation 40.7% believe that smoking cessation may not alter the course or outcome of the disease and 37.7% do not feel qualified giving smoking cessation counseling. Most urologists (93.7%) have never had formal smoking cessation training. Urologists with smoking cessation training were more likely to always provide smoking cessation assistance compared to those without training (20.6% vs 6.0%, p = 0.0011). Number of patients with bladder cancer treated (OR 3.96) and formal smoking cessation training (OR 13.49) were significant predictors of providing smoking cessation assistance. CONCLUSIONS: American urologists demonstrate a low rate of providing smoking cessation assistance to patients with bladder cancer. Urologists who are trained in smoking cessation most commonly provide smoking cessation assistance. We recommend integrating formal smoking cessation instruction into courses that address bladder cancer and strongly encourage the American Urological Association to adopt practice pattern guidelines.

Genitourinary injuries in pelvic fracture morbidity and mortality using the National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic fractures from blunt force trauma place the bladder and urethra at risk for injury, often resulting in significant complications. We sought to compare morbidity, mortality, and health care resource utilization in patients with and without genitourinary injuries (GUI) associated with pelvic fractures. METHODS: In this retrospective study of patients with blunt force pelvic fractures, the incidence of GUI, initial emergency department data, mechanism of injury, morbidity, health care resource utilization, associated injuries, discharge disposition, and mortality were investigated using chi tests for categorical variables and Student's t test for continuous variables comparing pelvic fractures with and without GUI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect significant predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Of the 31,380 patients with pelvic fractures, 1,444 had GUI. Men more commonly sustained pelvic fractures with GUI than women (66.14% vs. 33.86%). The incidence of urogenital, bladder, and urethral injuries for men and women was 5.34%, 3.41%, 1.54%, and 3.62%, 3.37%, 0.15%, respectively. Patients with GUI remained hospitalized longer (median 10 vs. 6 d, p < 0.001), had more intensive care unit stay days (median 3 vs. 1 d, p < 0.001), were less often discharged home (31.02% vs. 42.82%), and had an increased mortality rate (13.99% vs. 8.08%, p < 0.001) when compared with patients without GUI. Motor vehicle collisions were the most common mechanism of injury for all pelvic fractures. Spleen and liver were the most commonly injured abdominal organs associated with pelvic fractures as a whole. Pelvic fractures with GUI were more likely to result in associated injuries of the bowel, and reproductive organs. Although GUI was not found to be an independent predictor of mortality, age >or=65 years, initial systolic blood pressure in the emergency department 0 mm Hg to 90 mm Hg, Injury Severity Score >or=25, Glasgow coma score of