[Management of neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.] / Manejo del paciente neurourológico durante la pandemia COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES:  To report the recommendations of an expert panel to reorganize Neurourology units and to prioritize examinations and both conservative and surgical treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-systematic review of the literature and national experts' opinion summarizing the recommendations in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A modified nominal group technique was used due to extraordinary meeting and mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Neurourological patients have special physiological and pathological characteristics that make them more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. For prioritization purposes, they encompass in Functional Urology patients and their management is considered non-urgentor delayable with no specific deadline of recovery from normality. However, it is important to identify individual situations jeopardising the upper urinary tract, urinary retention or predisposing to urinary infections/sepsis. A classification is provided prioritizing conservative/outpatient management and the surgical treatment of the events occurring in neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: In neurourological patients we can find exceptional clinical situations in which a delayed treatment could develop irreversible changes in the upper urinary tract, advocating a more urgent treatment inspecific scenarios.

OBJETIVOS: Exponer las recomendaciones de un comité de expertos para la reorganización de las unidades de neurourología y la priorización de estudios y tratamientos durante la pandemia COVID-19.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión no sistemática de la literatura científica y opinión de expertos nacionales  para resumir las recomendaciones en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. Se utiliza una técnica de grupo nominal modificada debido a las restricciones extraordinarias de reunión y movilidad durante la pandemia COVID-19. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes neurourológicos poseen características fisiopatológicas especiales que les hace más vulnerables frente a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Han sido englobados en general en el grupo de la Urología Funcional, relegando su manejo al de las situaciones no urgentes y demorables sin plazo concreto de recuperación de la normalidad. Sin embargo, es importante identificar situaciones específicas en las que exista compromiso funcional del aparato urinario superior, retención urinaria, o desarrollo de infecciones/sepsis urinaria. Se realiza una clasificación según el nivel de prioridad tanto del manejo ambulatorio y conservador como del tratamiento quirúrgico de eventos relacionados con pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes neurourológicos encontramos situaciones clínicas excepcionales en las que un retraso de su tratamiento puede conllevar alteraciones irreversibles en el tracto urinario superior, dada su condición de vejiga de riesgo funcional, por lo que debe individualizarse un manejo más precoz en ciertos escenarios.

Manejo de la hiperplasia benigna de próstata durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Benign prostatic hyperplasia management during COVID-19 pandemia

OBJETIVOS: Exponer las recomendaciones de un comité de expertos para la reorganización de las unidades de neurourología y la priorización de estudios y tratamientos durante la pandemia COVID-19. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión no sistemática de la literatura científica y opinión de expertos nacionales para resumir las recomendaciones en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. Se utiliza una técnica de grupo nominal modificada debido a las restricciones extraordinarias de reunión y movilidad durante la pandemia COVID-19. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes neurourológicos poseen características fisiopatológicas especiales que les hace más vulnerables frente a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Han sido englobados en general en el grupo de la Urología Funcional, relegando su manejo al de las situaciones no urgentes y demorables sin plazo concreto de recuperación de la normalidad. Sin embargo, es importante identificar situaciones específicas en las que exista compromiso funcional del aparato urinario superior, retención urinaria, o desarrollo de infecciones/sepsis urinaria. Se realiza una clasificación según el nivel de prioridad tanto del manejo ambulatorio y conservador como del tratamiento quirúrgico de eventos relacionados con pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes neurourológicos encontramos situaciones clínicas excepcionales en las que un retraso de su tratamiento puede conllevar alteraciones irreversibles en el tracto urinario superior, dada su condición de vejiga de riesgo funcional, por lo que debe individualizarse un manejo más precoz en ciertos escenarios

OBJECTIVES: To report the recommendations of an expert panel to reorganize Neurourology units and to prioritize examinations and both conservative and surgical treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-systematic review of the literature and national experts' opinion summarizing the recommendations in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A modified nominal group technique was used due to extraordinary meeting and mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Neurourological patients have special physiological and pathological characteristics that make them more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. For prioritization purposes, they encompass in Functional Urology patients and their management is considered non-urgent or delayable with no specific deadline of recovery from normality. However, it is important to identify individual situations jeopardising the upper urinary tract, urinary retention or predisposing to urinary infections/sepsis. A classification is provided prioritizing conservative/outpatient management and the surgical treatment of the events occurring in neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: In neurourological patients we can find exceptional clinical situations in which a delayed treatment could develop irreversible changes in the upper urinary tract, advocating a more urgent treatment in specific scenarios

Manejo del paciente neurourológico durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Management of neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJETIVOS: Exponer las recomendaciones de un comité de expertos para la reorganización de las unidades de neurourología y la priorización de estudios y tratamientos durante la pandemia COVID-19. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión no sistemática de la literatura científica y opinión de expertos nacionales para resumir las recomendaciones en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. Se utiliza una técnica de grupo nominal modificada debido a las restricciones extraordinarias de reunión y movilidad durante la pandemia COVID-19. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes neurourológicos poseen características fisiopatológicas especiales que les hace más vulnerables frente a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Han sido englobados en general en el grupo de la Urología Funcional, relegando su manejo al de las situaciones no urgentes y demorables sin plazo concreto de recuperación de la normalidad. Sin embargo, es importante identificar situaciones específicas en las que exista compromiso funcional del aparato urinario superior, retención urinaria, o desarrollo de infecciones/sepsis urinaria. Se realiza una clasificación según el nivel de prioridad tanto del manejo ambulatorio y conservador como del tratamiento quirúrgico de eventos relacionados con pacientes neurourológicos durante la pandemia COVID-19. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes neurourológicos encontramos situaciones clínicas excepcionales en las que un retraso de su tratamiento puede conllevar alteraciones irreversibles en el tracto urinario superior, dada su condición de vejiga de riesgo funcional, por lo que debe individualizarse un manejo más precoz en ciertos escenarios

OBJECTIVES: To report the recommendations of an expert panel to reorganize Neurourology units and to prioritize examinations and both conservative and surgical treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-systematic review of the literature and national experts' opinion summarizing ther ecommendations in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A modified nominal group technique was used due to extraordinary meeting and mobility restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Neurourological patients have special physiological and pathological characteristics that make them more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. For prioritization purposes, they encompass in Functional Urology patients and their management is considered non-urgent or delayable with no specific deadline of recovery from normality. However, it is important to identify individual situations jeopardising the upper urinary tract, urinary retention or predisposing to urinary infections/sepsis. A classification is provided prioritizing conservative/outpatient management and the surgical treatment of the events occurring in neurourological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: In neurourological patients we can find exceptional clinical situations in which a delayed treatment could develop irreversible changes in the upper urinary tract, advocating a more urgent treatment in specific scenarios

Robotic colposacropexy. / Colposacropexia robótica.

OBJECTIVES: To review the role of robot- assisted laparoscopic colposacropexy (RALCS) as a treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) accordingly with the available literature and our own experience. METHODS: We have analyzed the studies with the results of robot-assisted colposacropexy (RALCS) and others in which this technique is compared with the abdominal (ACS) and/or the laparoscopic approach (LCS), including our own series. The main data collected are surgical time, blood loss, complications, clinical outcomes, quality of life and the different costs of LCS versus RALCS. We have reviewed the last systematic reviews and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were similar within both RALCS and LCS, surgical time was a bit longer for the robot-assisted compared with laparoscopy, blood loss was similar, as complications. The costs of RALCS were significantly higher than those of LCS, although we must conseconsider that the different studies used different variables to measure them. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that comparative studies are necessary, it is reasonable to assume that RALCS is a feasible and secure technique for the treatment of POP.

Colposacropexia robótica / Robotic colposacropexy

OBJETIVOS: Revisaremos la posición actual de la colposacropexia realizada mediante laparoscopia asistida por robot como manejo de los prolapsos de órganos pélvicos (POP), aportando las distintas evidencias publicadas en las revisiones disponibles en la literatura actual y nuestra propia serie. MÉTODOS: Comparamos según las series disponibles y la propia experiencia de nuestro Servicio la técnica robótica con otros abordajes disponibles en el arsenal terapéutico actual. Se recogen los datos referentes a tiempo quirúrgico, pérdida sanguínea, complicaciones, resultados clínicos, calidad de vida y coste de las dos técnicas en las últimas revisiones sistemáticas y metanálisis publicados. RESULTADOS: Los resultados clínicos de corrección de los POP con ambos abordajes son similares, el tiempo quirúrgico sigue siendo algo mayor con el acceso robótico con una estimación de pérdida de sangre durante el procedimiento similar. La incidencia de complicaciones intra o postoperatorias también es similar en ambas técnicas. El acceso robótico sigue presentando un coste mayor que el laparoscópico. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque se precisan más estudios comparativos con los otros abordajes disponibles, se debe reconocer al abordaje robótico como una técnica factible, reproducible y segura

OBJECTIVES: To review the role of robot-assisted laparoscopic colposacropexy (RALCS) as a treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) accordingly with the available literature and our own experience. METHODS: We have analyzed the studies with the results of robot-assisted colposacropexy (RALCS) and others in which this technique is compared with the abdominal (ACS) and/or the laparoscopic approach (LCS), including our own series. The main data collected are surgical time, blood loss, complications, clinical outcomes, quality of life and the different costs of LCS versus RALCS. We have reviewed the last systematic reviews and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were similar within both RALCS and LCS, surgical time was a bit longer for the robot-assisted compared with laparoscopy, blood loss was similar, as complications. The costs of RALCS were significantly higher than those of LCS, although we must consider that the different studies used different variables to measure them. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that comparative studies are necessary, it is reasonable to assume that RALCS is a feasible and secure technique for the treatment of POP

[Usefulness of urodynamics in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence in women with suburethral slings]. / Utilidad de la urodinámica en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria femenina mixta con slings suburetrales.

OBJECTIVE: The urodynamic results in suburethral slings (SS), are contradictory. We evaluate a series on patients with stress urinary incontinence (associated or not with bladder hyperactivity) that underwent suburethral slings (SS) operations. METHODS: 42 women (age 62±12 years) with urinary incontinence underwent suburethral slings (86% TOT, 12% TVT, 2% others), 36% of them with simultaneous pelvic organ prolapse correction. Medical history and a pre and postsurgery urodynamic studies (according to ICS instructions, except when specified) were performed. RESULTS: After surgery, the improvement of urinary incontinence was lower in patients with previous detrusor hyperactivity (DH) than without DH (60% vs 81 %), and the bladder capacity (BC) was lower (123±36 ml) in patients with previous mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) versus no MUI (241±83 ml) (p=0.004). The decrease of BC was higher with previous MUI (184±92 ml vs 123±36 ml) versus no MUI (240±91 ml vs 237±78 ml), and the DH was more frequent in previous MUI and DH. There was a significant decrease of maximum flow rate (Qmax) (p=0.000) (although without clinical manifestation), and post void residual urine (p=0.007). We demonstrated a significant increase (p=0.001) of mean urethral resistance (URA): 12±9 cm H2O versus 15±12 cm H2O (without reaching obstruction range), and an improvement of detrusor contractility (W80-20): (3±4 W/m2; vs 6±17 W/m2;). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated worst results in MUI in patients with urinary incontinence undergoing SS. The urodynamic study gives a better prognosis reliability in the treatment of female urinary incontinence with SS.

Utilidad de la urodinámica en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria femenina mixta con slings suburetrales / Usefulness of urodynamics in the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence in women with suburethral slings

OBJETIVO: Los resultados urodinámicos en casos de slings suburetrales (SUS) son contradictorios. Valoramos una serie de pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo IUE, asociada o no a hiperactividad vesical (HV) sometidas a SUS. MÉTODOS: 42 mujeres incontinentes (edad 62±12 años) tratadas con SUS (86% TOT, 12% TVT, 2% otros), 36% con corrección simultánea de prolapso pélvico. Se realizó historia clínica y estudio urodinámico (EUD) (pre/postcirugía), según normas ICS, excepto cuando se especifica. RESULTADOS: Postcirugía la mejoría de la IU fue menor en casos con hiperactividad del detrusor (HD) previa que sin HD (60% vs 81%), y la capacidad vesical (CV) fue menor (123±36 ml) en los casos de incontinencia urinaria mixta (IUM) previa vs sin IUM (241±83 ml) (p = 0,004). El descenso de la CV fue mayor con IUM previa (184±92 ml vs 123±36 ml) vs sin IUM previa (240 ±91 ml vs 237±78 ml), siendo la HD más frecuente en los casos de IUM y HD previa. Hubo disminución del flujo miccional máximo (p = 0,000) (aunque sin repercusión clínica) y del residuo postmiccional (p = 0,007) (ambas significativas) postcirugía. Se demostró incremento significativo (p = 0,001) de la resistencia uretral (URA: 'Urethral Resistance Average') (12±9 cm H2O vs 15±12 cm H2O), sin llegar a rangos de obstrucción y mejoría de la contractilidad del detrusor (W80-W20) (3±4 Watios/m2 vs 6±17 Watios/m2). CONCLUSIÓN: Se demostraron en nuestra serie peores resultados en los casos de IUM, sometidos a cirugía antincontinencia con SUS. El EUD completo ofrece una mayor fiabilidad pronóstica en el tratamiento de la IU en la mujer con SUS

OBJECTIVE: The urodynamic results in suburethral slings (SS), are contradictory. We evaluate a series on patients with stress urinary incontinence (associated or not with bladder hyperactivity) that underwent suburethral slings (SS) operations. METHODS: 42 women (age 62±12 years) with urinary incontinence underwent suburethral slings (86% TOT, 12% TVT, 2% others), 36% of them with simultaneous pelvic organ prolapse correction. Medical history and a pre and postsurgery urodynamic studies (according to ICS instructions, except when specified) were performed. RESULTS: After surgery, the improvement of urinary incontinence was lower in patients with previous detrusor hyperactivity (DH) than without DH (60% vs 81 %), and the bladder capacity (BC) was lower (123±36 ml) in patients with previous mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) versus no MUI (241±83 ml) (p = 0.004). The decrease of BC was higher with previous MUI (184±92 ml vs 123±36 ml) versus no MUI (240±91 ml vs 237±78 ml), and the DH was more frequent in previous MUI and DH. There was a significant decrease of maximum flow rate (Qmax) (p = 0.000) (although without clinical manifestation), and post void residual urine (p = 0.007). We demonstrated a significant increase (p = 0.001) of mean urethral resistance (URA): 12±9 cmH2O versus 15±12 cmH2O (without reaching obstruction range), and an improvement of detrusor contractility (W80-20): (3±4 W/m2 vs 6±17 W/m2))

AdVance/AdVance XP transobturator male slings: preoperative degree of incontinence as predictor of surgical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the AdVance transobturator male sling in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence and to identify the preoperative predictors of a successful outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were considered for sling placement 1 year after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate. The degree of incontinence was assessed using the 24-hour pad weight test. A preoperative urodynamic assessment and cystoscopy were performed in all cases. Patients without sphincter contractions during the "repositioning test" were excluded. Since September 2010, we have implanted the AdVance XP transobturator sling. Cure was defined as no pad use. RESULTS: From February 2008 to June 2011, 61 patients underwent transobturator sling (34 AdVance and 27 AdVance XP) insertion. In 26 cases, the sling was anchored with bioabsorbable sutures, and in 35 cases, it was not fixed. Of the 61 patients, 7 had a history of anastomotic stricture and 3 of radiotherapy. Preoperatively, median 24-hour pad weight was 200 g (range 25-1848). Finally, 26 patients had detrusor overactivity or low bladder compliance. The median follow-up was 26 months (range 12-53). The overall cure rate was 80% (49 of 61). Deterioration of continence was observed during follow-up in 2 patients. The preoperative variables (age, body mass index, 24-hour pad weight, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, adverse urodynamics, sling fixation, AdVance XP) and their association with the surgical outcome were analyzed. The preoperative 24-hour pad weight correlated inversely with the outcome (odds ratio 0.996), with a 0.4% decrease in cure rate for each 1-g increase in the preoperative 24-hour pad weight. The complications included perineal hematoma in 2, acute urinary retention in 9, perineal numbness in 5, and de novo storage symptoms (urgency) in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that the AdVance and AdVance XP male slings are safe and efficient in patients with mild postprostatectomy stress incontinence. The severity of incontinence was the only predictor of a successful outcome.

Prognostic significance of circulating tumor cell count in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between circulating tumor cell (CTC) levels and clinicopathologic parameters (prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, and TNM stage) in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) and to establish its prognostic value in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, 3-arm study was performed that included 30 patients with localized PCa; 30 patients with metastatic PCa, and 30 healthy volunteers. A single 7.5-mL peripheral blood sample was taken. The CTCs were isolated using an immunomagnetic method based on the CellSearch system. Kendall's tau and Spearman's rho coefficients of correlation were used. The multivariate Cox regression model addressed OS and PFS. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 42.9 months (interquartile range 27.14-49.5). A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the CTC level and all tumor burden markers (prostate-specific antigen and T, N, and M stage; P <.001), except for Gleason score (tau = 0.16). A cutoff of ≥ 4 CTCs/7.5 mL was chosen to distinguish patients with a poor prognosis. These patients had a significantly shorter median OS and PFS (24 vs 45 months and 7 vs 44 months, respectively; P <.001). As the CTC level increased, the OS and PFS decreased. The risk of mortality and progression for the patients with ≥ 4 CTCs was 4.1 (P = .029) and 8.5 (P <.001) times greater. Multivariate analyses indicated that a CTC of ≥4 was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio 5.9, P <.005). CONCLUSION: The CTC count in peripheral blood could provide a method of staging PCa correctly and be of value when assessing the prognosis of metastatic hormone-sensitive PCa.

Nueva técnica de reparación de los defectos del compartimento anterior mediante implante sintético y cubierta biológica: abordaje, fijación y anclaje transobturador / New technique for the repair of anterior pelvic floor compartment defects using a synthetic implant with biological coverage: approach, fixation and transobturator anchoring

OBJETIVOS: Describir los elementos que componen el sistema Avaulta anterior, sus indicaciones y la técnica quirúrgica mediante la que se implanta y ajusta adecuadamente. METODOS: El método quirúrgico consta de cinco pasos: 1º) incisión vaginal media y disección de la mucosa vaginal, 2º) Identificación del agujero obturador, diseño y realización de dos mini-incisiones superiores en ambos pliegues genitofemorales y otras dos ubicadas a 3 cm por debajo y a 1-2 cms laterales a las primeras, 3º) Introducción y paso de las agujas, pasando por la parte superior del agujero obturador, paralelas a la rama isquiopubiana y una vez pasada se enhebra la aguja con el «brazo» del implante, 4º) Introducción y paso de las agujas por las mini-incisiones inferiores, pasando por la parte inferior del agujero obturador en sentido vertical y dirigiendo la aguja con control bimanual hacia la teórica localización del cuello uterino, con conexión y enhebrado del brazo inferior de la malla sobre la aguja de punción y 5º) Ajuste sin tensión de la malla y cierre de las incisiones vaginal e inguinales. CONCLUSIONES: 1. Se trata de una técnica reproducible que permite corregir adecuadamente los defectos del compartimento anterior vaginal. 2. El diseño y tecnología de Avaulta pretende corregir los defectos del compartimento anterior, basándose en los principios de la malla ideal (AU)

Transobturator systems for anterior vaginal wall prolapse repair exemplify the current trend in pelvic floor surgery. They may be considered an approach and also a mesh fixation system, in opposition to free mesh cystocele repair where they work by the creation of fibrotic tissue after mesh implant (biological or synthetic). OBJECTIVES: To describe the elements of the Avaulta anterior system, its indications and the surgical technique to implant it and adequately adjust it. METHODS: The operation has five steps: (1) midline vaginal incision and mucosal dissection, (2) Obturator foramen identification, design and performance of 2 superior mini incisions in both the genitofemoral folds, and another two 3 cm below and 1-2 cm lateral to them, (3) Needle introduction and passage through the upper portion of the obturator foramen, parallel to the ischiopubic ramus, and once past needle charging with the arm of the implant, (4) Needle introduction and passage from the inferior incisions vertically through the inferior portion of the obturator foramen, directing the needle with bimanual control to the theoretical localization of the uterine.cervix, with connection and charging of the inferior arm of the mesh. (5) Tension free adjustment of the mesh and closure of the incisions. CONCLUSIONS: (1) It is a reproducible technique that adequately corrects the anterior vaginal compartment defects. (2) The design and technology of Avaulta aims to correct the anterior compartment defects, based on the principles of ideal mesh