Artificial urinary sphincter erosion and infection: a contemporary review of perioperative considerations and management.

Surgical treatment options have long been a part of the treatment armamentarium in the field of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and will continue to play an important role moving forward given the dramatic improvement they can have on a patient's quality of life and urinary tract function and control. The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is widely considered the gold standard treatment option for male SUI given its breadth of effectiveness in mild, moderate, and severe cases of SUI. As with any surgery, there are potential perioperative risks and complications that all patients must be aware of when weighing the pros and cons of different treatment options. Two of the most dreaded complications of AUS surgery are urethral cuff erosion and device infection, both necessitating a subsequent surgery for device explant. The goal of this clinical practice review article is to examine and discuss the perioperative factors and management of these complications. Effectively treating these complications is of utmost importance, not just to address the acute clinical problem for patient health and safety, but also to provide the patient with the best chance of pursuing AUS replacement surgery in the future, given that the vast majority of these patients will develop recurrent bothersome SUI after the eroded and/or infected device is removed. By reviewing pertinent patient factors, preoperative and postoperative considerations, device-specific characteristics, surgical techniques, and patient counseling, this article serves as a thorough and practical clinical review guide for practicing urologists who perform male incontinence surgery.

Changes and debates in male stress urinary incontinence surgery practice patterns: a contemporary review.

Surgery plays a crucial role in the definitive management of male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The most utilized and well-studied surgical options include the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and the male sling (MS). The AUS has long been considered the "gold standard" and more versatile option in this space, showing effectiveness in mild, moderate, and severe SUI cases, whereas the MS is preferred in cases of mild to moderate SUI. Not surprisingly, and importantly, much of the published literature on male stress incontinence has focused on determining the "ideal" candidate for each procedure and identifying which clinical, device-specific, and patient factors play an important role in the objective and subjective success rates. There are, however, more granular, and sometimes debatable, topics to assess regarding the real-life practice patterns of male SUI surgery. The aim of this clinical practice review is to examine current trends of several of these topics including: AUS vs. MS utilization, the prevalence of outpatient procedures, 3.5 cm AUS cuff use, preoperative urine studies utilization, and intraoperative and postoperative antibiotics. As with many things in surgery, dogma rather than evidence-based medicine can significantly influence everyday clinical decision making. We seek to highlight which practice patterns in male SUI surgery are changing and/or being challenged and debated.

Conservative Management of Lichen Sclerosus Male Urethral Strictures: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes and safety of conservative management of lichen sclerosus urethral stricture disease (LS-USD). METHODS: This multi-institutional study included patients with LS-USD managed with endoscopic procedures or clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) regimens between 2005 and 2019. Those with an obliterative stricture, a history of prior urethral reconstruction, or <3 months follow-up was excluded. Primary outcome measures were urinary tract infection (UTI), acute urinary retention (AUR), serum creatinine, and uroflowmetry values. Secondary outcome measures included patient-reported outcome measure questionnaires on urinary and sexual function. Failure was defined as progression to reconstructive surgery or permanent indwelling catheterization. RESULTS: 112 men were analyzed with a median follow-up of 30.0 months (IQR 12.0-55.5). Median age was 52.5 years (IQR 42.6-61.0) and median body mass index was 34.5 kg/m2 (IQR 29.9-40.7). Median stricture length was 12.0 cm (IQR 2.8-20.0). 89% of patients underwent urethral balloon dilation, with a median of 2 (IQR 1-3) per patient. CIC was performed in 46% of patients, with 31% of this subgroup using intraurethral steroids. 84% of patients avoided invasive surgery or permanent indwelling catheterization, with an improvement in urethral stricture patient-reported outcome measure scores (P = .0013). Those who failed were more likely to have a history of UTI (P = .04), urosepsis (P = .03), AUR (P <.001), and more likely to perform CIC (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Over medium-term follow-up, most patients with LS-USD were safely managed with conservative techniques. Caution is warranted in those who develop UTIs, urosepsis, and AUR and the potential long-term consequences of repetitive conservative interventions must be considered.

The Effect of Radiation Therapy on the Efficacy of Internal Urethrotomy With Intralesional Mitomycin C for Recurrent Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenoses and Bladder Neck Contractures: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, effect of radiotherapy, and complications of direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) and intralesional mitomycin C (MMC) for recurrent bladder neck contracture/vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (BNC/VUAS). METHODS: Patients who underwent DVIU with intralesional MMC for recurrent BNC/VUAS between 2007 and 2019 at 2 institutions were included. Cold knife incisions were performed in a reproducible fashion followed by injection of 0.3-0.4 mg/mL MMC at each incision site. Those with evidence of complete urethral obliteration, stenosis of the entire posterior urethra, or <3 months follow-up were excluded. Success was defined as the ability to pass a 17-French cystoscope postoperatively without the need for catheterization or additional procedures. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were analyzed over a median follow-up of 21.1 months. Around 91% had at least 1 prior DVIU, 56% had at least 1 prior dilation, and 44% presented with an indwelling catheter or performed intermittent catheterization. Success was achieved in 65% after 1 procedure, an additional 18% after 2 procedures, and another 7% after 3 or more procedures (90% overall success rate). Nonradiated patients showed a higher overall success rate compared to radiated patients (94% vs 76%, P = 0.04). Of the 9 cystoscopic failures, 5 were asymptomatic and pursued observation. Only 2 (5%) patients with a history of catheterization required this postoperatively. Two patients underwent subsequent urinary diversion surgery. No long-term complications were seen. CONCLUSION: DVIU with low-dose MMC remains a safe and effective BNC/VUAS treatment. A patent bladder neck was achieved in >90% of nonradiated patients and >75% of radiated patients.

Ventral Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty with Gracilis Muscle Flap for High Risk, Long Segment Urethral Strictures: A 20-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our 20-year experience of urethroplasty with ventral buccal mucosa graft (BMG) and gracilis muscle flap coverage for long segment urethral strictures unfit for standard repair due to a compromised graft bed and poor vascular supply. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1687 patients who underwent urethroplasty at our institution between 1999 and 2019. We identified 30 patients who underwent urethroplasty with a ventral BMG and gracilis muscle flap graft bed. Stricture recurrence was defined as the inability to pass a 17-French cystoscope. RESULTS: Mean stricture length was 7.6 centimeters (range 3.5-15). Strictures were located in the posterior urethra with or without involvement of the bulbar urethra in 60% of cases, the bulbomembranous urethra in 30%, the bulbar urethra in 6.7%, and the proximal pendulous urethra in 3.3%. Stricture etiology was radiation therapy in 60% of cases, prostatectomy in 23.3%, transurethral surgery in 13.3%, idiopathic in 13.3%, trauma in 10%, and hypospadias failure in 3.3%. Ten (33.3%) patients were previously treated with urethroplasty, 26 (86.7%) had prior endoscopic stricture management, and 3 (10%) previously underwent UroLume stent placement. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 23 cases (76.7%) at a mean follow-up of 32 months (range 4-92). Two of the patients in whom treatment failed underwent urinary diversion, 3 underwent suprapubic tube placement, 1 had endoscopic urethral dilation, and 1 had direct visual internal urethrotomy performed. Mean time to recurrence was 8 months (range 2-17). Postoperatively, 7 patients (23.3%) had incontinence requiring artificial urinary sphincter placement. CONCLUSION: Ventral BMG urethroplasty with gracilis muscle flap coverage can be successfully performed for high risk, long segment urethral strictures, avoiding urinary diversion in most patients.

Balloon dilation performs poorly as a salvage management strategy for recurrent bulbar urethral strictures following failed urethroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management strategy for recurrent urethral stricture disease (USD) following urethroplasty remains undefined. We aim to evaluate the role and efficacy of endoscopic urethral balloon dilation in temporizing recurrent USD after failed urethroplasty. METHODS: Between 2007-2018 at our institution, 80 patients underwent balloon dilation procedures for bulbomembranous urethral strictures. Balloon dilation was performed with an 8-cm, 24-French UroMax Ultra™ balloon dilator, under direct vision, guided by a 16-French flexible cystoscope. Patients who underwent concomitant open or endoscopic urethral procedures were excluded. Treatment failure was defined as the need for subsequent surgical intervention for stricture recurrence. Stricture characteristics including etiology, length, location, severity stage, and prior surgical procedures were compared between patients with and without treatment failure. RESULTS: Failure cases were more likely to have strictures following urethroplasty (21/27, 78%) [vs. the no-failure group (27/53, 51%)]. Among the 27/80 (33.8%) failures with a median follow-up of 8.4 months (IQR, 3.9-22.5 months), median time to recurrence was 4 months (IQR, 2-12 months). These patients had a greater incidence of prior stricture intervention in general (P=0.01) and prior urethroplasty specifically (P=0.03). On multivariable analysis, the number of prior treatments specifically independently remained associated with treatment failure. Complications of balloon dilation were uncommon (6/80, 7.5%) and minor in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic balloon dilation performs poorly as a salvage strategy after failed open urethral reconstruction in addition to prior urethral dilations.

An update on oxidized regenerated cellulose (fibrillar™) in reducing postoperative corporal bleeding following inflatable penile prosthesis surgery.

BACKGROUND: Scrotal hematoma formation is a dreaded complication of penile prosthesis surgery that increases patient pain and healthcare costs, as well the risk for eventual device infection and failure. The efficacy of hemostatic agents in reducing the incidence of scrotal hematoma development has not been extensively studied in urologic prosthetic surgery. In this paper we further evaluate our experience with oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC; Surgicel Fibrillar™) as an adjunct to standard hemostatic practices in inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation. METHODS: From April 2016 onward, intracorporal ORC pledgets were placed during corporotomy closure in all patients undergoing IPP implantation or revision by a single surgeon using an identical surgical technique. Perioperative parameters and outcomes-primarily postoperative cumulative drain output, secondarily patient phone calls in the postoperative period-were compared among successive cases with ORC (April 2016 to February 2019) and without ORC (April 2013 to March 2016). RESULTS: A total of 274 men underwent IPP implantation during the study period; 175 (64%) had ORC included in their corporotomy closures. Median drain output was significantly reduced in the ORC patients relative to the non-ORC group (50 vs. 65 mL; P=0.0001). A significant reduction in patient-initiated phone calls regarding scrotal pain, swelling, or discomfort in the first 4 weeks following surgery was also observed in the ORC group (average 0.69 vs. 1.1 calls per patient; P=0.03). A total of 9 patients underwent IPP explantation during the study period, all due to device infection; 5 of these were in the ORC group, while 4 were in the non-ORC group (P=0.73). ORC use did not constitute any additional infection risk. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral incorporation of ORC pledgets during corporotomy closure in IPP surgery significantly decreases postoperative scrotal drain output, a well-documented risk factor for scrotal hematoma formation.

Versatile algorithmic midline approach to perineal urethrostomy for complex urethral strictures.

PURPOSE: To present results of an algorithmic approach to perineal urethrostomy (PU) based on a midline perineal incision among men with complex urethral strictures. METHODS: A single surgeon retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent PU between 2008 and 2017 was performed. Patient demographics and outcomes were collected via medical record review. After a midline perineal incision, the PU was matured either by (a) mobilization of the urethral plate (loop) alone in cases with distal strictures or low body mass index (BMI), or (b) with creation of a lateral perineal skin flap (7-flap) for those with longer urethra-to-skin distances. Success was defined as functional voiding without the need for further procedures. Patients were contacted by phone and administered validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 62 PU patients, 20 (32.3%) underwent the loop technique, and 42 (67.7%) had the 7-flap procedure, 7 of which were reoperative for prior failed PU. Median age was 61.9 years (range 23-85) and the median stricture length was 8.0 cm (range 2.5-18 cm). Mean BMI was greater among 7-flap compared to loop patients (34.9 vs. 30.0 kg/m2, p = 0.01). Success rates were 92.9% (39/42) in the 7-flap group and 100% (20/20) in the loop PU cohort during a median follow-up of 30.7 months. Among 62 PU patients, 19 (30.6%) responded to the survey-median PGI-I score was 1.0 (range 1-2) indicating that symptoms were "very much improved". CONCLUSIONS: The algorithmic midline approach to PU offers a standardized, versatile solution with excellent surgical outcomes and high patient satisfaction, even in obese or refractory stricture patients.

Modified Transanosphincteric (York Mason) Repair of Nonradiated Rectourinary Fistulae: Patient-reported Fecal Continence Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with the modified York Mason (MYM) procedure in the treatment of rectourinary fistulas (RUFs) and to assess fecal continence using patient-reported measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent MYM repair of nonradiated RUF with gluteal free fat graft from 2008 to 2016 at a single institution. Success was defined as resolution of the fistula without need for further surgery. The Cleveland Clinic-Florida Wexner Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFFIS) and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) surveys were administered by phone. RESULTS: Of 17 patients who underwent MYM repair with a mean age of 61.8 years old, the most common fistula etiologies were prostatectomy in 11 patients (65%), cryoablation in 2 patients (12%), and transanal tumor excision (12%). Three patients (18%) failed prior perineal repairs. The mean fistula size was 10.1 mm (range 2-25), the median operative time was 231 minutes (range 151-365), and the median length of stay was 2.0 days (range 1-13). At the median follow-up of 39.4 months, 16 of the 17 patients (94%) had successful primary closures. The condition of the 10 patients who responded to the phone survey was "much better" (median PGI-I score 2), with 89.5% mean improvement. The mean CCFFIS was 1.4 (range 0-5) on a scale of 0 (total continence) to 20 (complete incontinence). Two patients (20%) reported rare (<1 per month) fecal incontinence, and 2/10 (20%) reported frequent flatal incontinence, but none reported significant lifestyle change or sought further treatment for bowel symptoms. CONCLUSION: The MYM technique has a high success rate in the treatment of nonradiated RUF with negligible impact on fecal continence.

Is Removal of the Pressure-regulating Balloon Necessary After Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cuff Erosion?

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the risk of delayed infectious complications from retained pressure-regulating balloons (PRBs) after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff erosion. METHODS: From our database of 530 AUS cases between 2007 and 2016, we identified 40 total AUS cuff erosions. Twenty-four (60%) presented without evidence of gross device infection and underwent explant of cuff and pump without removal of the PRB. Space of Retzius (SoR) and high submuscular (HSM) balloon locations were analyzed to assess for ease of removal. Presenting clinical features and retained balloon-related outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Of the 24 AUS cuff erosions with retained balloons, 6 (25%) men subsequently required PRB removal for infection during the median follow-up of 36 months (interquartile range 29-53). The median time to balloon infection after AUS erosion surgery was 4 months (interquartile range 4-16). Infection risk was reduced in those without concurrent inflatable penile prosthesis (20%) and in those who underwent "drain and retain" of the PRB (13%). The most common presenting clinical symptoms with retained PRB infection were pain and erythema near the site of the PRB (83%). No patient developed sepsis-related complications. The location of the PRB in this subcohort included 2 SoR and 4 HSM placements. The median operative time for balloon removal in the SoR was 3.5 times greater than that for HSM PRBs (133 minutes vs 38 minutes). CONCLUSION: With extended follow-up, three-quarters of the men with retained PRBs after AUS cuff erosion experienced no infectious complications. Removal of infected SoR PRBs was associated with greater operative times and surgical complexity relative to HSM PRBs.

Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (Fibrillar) Reduces Risk of Postoperative Corporal Bleeding Following Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC; Surgicel Fibrillar) as a hemostatic adjunct during inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beginning in April 2016, ORC pledgets were placed within the corporotomy closures of all men undergoing IPP insertion. Perioperative characteristics and outcomes including cumulative postoperative drain output were evaluated among consecutive cases with (April 2016 to October 2016) and without ORC (December 2015 to March 2016) using an identical surgical technique by a single surgeon. RESULTS: During the study period, 64 men underwent IPP implantation, of whom 32 (50%) received ORC. There was a significant reduction in median drain output relative to controls (33 mL vs 65 mL; P = .01). Postoperatively, ORC use was associated with a reduction in the number of patient phone calls for scrotal-related concerns in the immediate postoperative period (average 0.5 vs 1.1; P = .03). There were 3 IPP explantations in the non-ORC group (2/3 for infection)-one of which was directly related to an infected hematoma. After controlling for other clinical features, the use of ORC (ß -32, 95% confidence interval: -61 to -5; P = .02) was independently associated with a reduction in drain output. CONCLUSION: ORC use during IPP corporotomy closure reduces postoperative drain output, a known risk factor for hematoma-related complications.

Is Exam under Anesthesia Still Necessary for the Staging of Bladder Cancer in the Era of Modern Imaging?

BACKGROUND: The ability to accurately determine tumor stage in bladder cancer is critical because it impacts the management paradigm and overall prognosis. There is often discrepancy between clinical and pathologic staging. Historically, exam under anesthesia (EUA) has been recommended to assist in the staging of bladder cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this era of modern imaging technology, we sought to determine if EUA still contributes meaningfully to the local staging of bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 1898 patients from 1994-2013 in our radical cystectomy database at MD Anderson Cancer Center. There were 414 patients that had complete information including EUA and whose surgery was performed by one of two surgeons and included in the final analysis. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were generated to determine the ability of EUA, imaging, and other patient characteristics to predict pathological fat extension at the time of cystectomy. RESULTS: 38% of patients had≥pT3 disease at the time of cystectomy. 30.9% of patients had findings on EUA suggestive of T3 disease and 28.7% had radiologic findings suggestive of T3 disease. In a model including age, BMI, ethnicity, year of operation, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy among other factors, the only factors predictive of pT3 disease were EUA and imaging (p = 0.002). The combination of EUA and imaging improved the accuracy of clinical staging compared to either modality alone. CONCLUSIONS: Despite modern advances in imaging, EUA contributes meaningfully to accurate determination of local bladder cancer stage.

Immediate urethral repair during explantation prevents stricture formation after artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion.

PURPOSE: We compare stricture outcomes in patients with artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion managed with and without synchronous urethral repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter removal for cuff erosion from 2007 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Two cohorts of patients were evaluated, with those in group 1 treated with in situ urethroplasty and those in group 2 treated with a Foley catheter only. We compared demographic, clinical and radiological data to assess resultant stricture disease, and compared operative times between the cohorts. RESULTS: Of the 26 artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion cases identified 13 underwent in situ urethroplasty while 13 did not. Mean patient age was 73 years (range 61 to 83) with a mean followup of 24 months (range 8 to 69). The rate of urethral stricture formation after artificial urinary sphincter explantation was significantly reduced among patients treated with in situ urethroplasty (5 of 13, 38%) compared to those treated with Foley catheter only (11 of 13, 85%; p=0.047). Mean operative times were similar at 78 minutes (50 to 133) for the in situ urethroplasty group vs 70 minutes (51 to 92) for the Foley catheter only group (p=0.39). Those treated with in situ urethroplasty underwent significantly fewer procedures per patient before artificial urinary sphincter replacement (0.4 vs 1.1, p=0.004) and had a much higher rate of eventually undergoing secondary artificial urinary sphincter implantation (7 of 13, 54% vs 2 of 13, 15%, p=0.04) compared to those with cuff erosion treated with Foley catheter only. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral repair at the time of artificial urinary sphincter explantation for cuff erosion appears to prevent stricture development, thus facilitating successful artificial urinary sphincter replacement.

The advantages of free abdominal-based flaps over implants for breast reconstruction in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that, for obese patients, delayed abdominal-based free flap (rather than implant-based and immediate) breast reconstruction would result in fewer overall complications and reconstruction losses. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed consecutive implant- and abdominal-based free flap breast reconstructions performed in obese patients between 2005 and 2010 by utilizing the World Health Organization obesity classifications: class I, 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m2; class II, 35.0 to 39.9 kg/m2; and class III, ≥40 kg/m2. Primary outcome measures included flap failures and overall complications. Logistic regression analysis identified associations among patient, defect, and reconstructive characteristics and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The analysis included 990 breast reconstructions (548 flaps versus 442 implants) in 700 patients. Mean follow-up was 17 months. Age, smoking, medical illness, and body mass index greater than 37 predicted overall complications on regression analysis. Implants demonstrated a higher failure rate (15.8 percent) than flaps (1.5 percent). Although failure rates were similar for immediate and delayed flap reconstructions overall (1.3 versus 1.9 percent) and among obesity classifications, there was a trend toward more implant failures in immediate rather than delayed reconstructions (16.8 versus 5.3 percent). Differences between immediate implant versus flap reconstruction failure rates were highest among more obese patients [class II (24.7 versus 1.3 percent) and class III (25.4 versus 0 percent) compared with class I (11.7 versus 1.4 percent)]. CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients (particularly class II and III) experience higher failure rates with implant-based breast reconstruction, particularly immediate reconstruction. Free flap techniques or delayed implant reconstruction may be warranted in this population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.