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Introduction: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has become popular worldwide for the surgical treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. Holmium laser is considered an ideal transurethral thermomechanical device for enucleating the prostate. Although there is evidence on Ho:YAG laser-related heat generation, the studies mainly investigated ex vivo temperature generation during holmium laser lithotripsy. In this in vivo study, we aimed to assess for the first time the real-time heat generated during HoLEP. Methods: Fifteen HoLEP procedures were included. The study was conducted over a time period of 16 months. To investigate the temperature generation, a preoperatively inserted rectal temperature probe and a temperature sensor within a suprapubic bladder catheter were used to record the temperature change during enucleation and coagulation. Results: The mean values of the temperature change during the laser enucleation and coagulation were −0.35 ± 0.203 K (IQR: 0.23) and +0.14 ± 0.259 K (IQR: 0.3), respectively, in rectal measurements. Temperature differences during laser use and coagulation were 37.1°C during the procedures and no temperature values considered harmful to the human body. Conclusion: Sufficient irrigation flow rates and irrigation monitoring during HoLEP are obligatory. To prevent a high and uncontrolled temperature rise, the surgeon or operating room staff should pay attention to the irrigation’s continuity.

Introduction: The aim of this randomised prospective trial was to evaluate a novel hands-on endourological training programme (HTP) and compare it to the standard endourological colloquium (SC). Methods: A new HTP was created based on a sequence of theoretical, video-based, and practical elements emphasising contemporary teaching methods. An existing SC in which live endourological operations were attended served as a comparison. Medical students were enrolled in a ratio of 1:2 (SC:HTP). Objective knowledge questionnaires (5 questions, open answers) and subjective Likert-type questionnaires (rating 1–3 vs. 4–5) were used for evaluation. Primary endpoint was urological knowledge transfer; secondary endpoints were learning effects, progression, and urological interest. Results: 167 students (SC n = 52, HTP n = 115) were included. The knowledge assessment showed a significant increase in knowledge transfer benefitting the HTP on all 5 surveyed items (mean: n = 4/5/4/3/2 vs. n = 2/3/1/1, p < 0.0001). Interest and duration of the course were rated significantly more positively by HTP students (100.0/95.0% vs. 85.0/70.0%, p < 0.0001). The HTP students were significantly more confident in performing a cystoscopy independently (HTP 43.5% vs. SC 11.5%, p < 0.0001) and significantly claimed more often to have gained interdisciplinary and urological skills during the course (HTP 90.0/96.5% vs. SC 23.1/82.7%, p < 0.0001/p = 0.003). HTP students were also more likely to take the course again (HTP 98.2% vs. SC 59.6%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Modifying endourological teaching towards hands-on teaching resulted in stronger course interest, greater confidence regarding endourologic procedures, and significantly increased urologic knowledge transfer.

Purpose: We evaluated a system for noninvasive quantitative motion tracking to recognize differences in the movement pattern of experienced surgeons and beginners. Since performing endoscopic procedures requires extensive training, and tissue damage due to disruptive movements with sudden acceleration is possible, the learning curve for beginners is of clinical relevance. Steepening this curve may improve patient outcome. Materials and Methods: We used a commercial gyroscope sensor with a wireless data link, which was attached to the resectoscope handle (RH). After recording, orientation was retrieved by application of the calculated rotation matrices to the RH vector relative to the sensor under the boundary condition of rotational movement around and quasi-constant distance to the pivot point at pelvic floor level. Data alignment, normalization, interpolation, and analysis were performed in custom software scripts. Results: Experienced surgeons and beginners were recorded in n = 36 and n = 14 holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), respectively. Prostate size, patient age, and recorded procedure duration were comparable. Mean lever angle of the individual normalized motion patterns was considerably lower (19.28 ± 0.54° [SEM]) in the advanced than in the beginners’ group (24.52 ± 1.00°; p = 0.0001). Further parameters such as velocity and motion variation demonstrated additional differences between both groups. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of motion tracking in HoLEP. Pronounced differences exist between different stages of surgeon experience with this procedure. The method can easily be adopted to aide young surgeons in resectoscope handling and identification of improvable motion patterns. Damage to the pelvic floor and surrounding tissue may thus be reduced.

Introduction: To assess the current diagnostic, treatment, and documentation strategies for bladder cancer (BC) in German-speaking countries. Materials and Methods: A 14-item web-based survey was distributed among members of the German, Austrian, and Swiss Associations of Urology, addressing physicians who perform cystoscopies and transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURB). Results: The survey was responded to by 308 of 5,564 urologists with a mean age of 49.5 years (response rate: 5.5%). The majority of participants (57.3%) practice in an outpatient setting. White light cystoscopy only is used by 60.2%, with additional photodynamic diagnosis and narrow band imaging by 36.8 and 12.5%, respectively. Endoscopic findings are documented in written form by 93.5%, followed by image capture (33.7%) and a central data archive (20.8%). Inpatient hospital urologists document cystoscopic findings by freehand drawing (21.4 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.017), and with a fixed bladder scheme (31.3 vs. 7.4%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Significant differences exist in the approach to documenting and communicating cystoscopic BC findings. Accurate graphic documentation of lesions, visualization of the mucosa’s totality, and meticulous consultation of previous surgical reports require improvements to reduce recurrence and progression rates.

Background: The Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) is a validated, standardised scale that classifies iatrogenic ureteral lesions during ureteroscopy (URS). Objective: To determine risk factors for the various PULS-grades caused by URS. Method: We prospectively investigated the independent influence of various risk factors in correlation with PULS-Grade 1+ and 2+ on 307 patients with ureterorenoscopic stone treatment from 14 German urologic departments. Results: The following are the outcomes of the study: 117 (38.4%) and 188 (61.6%) of the calculi (median stone size 6 mm) were found in the kidney or ureter; 70% and 82.4% underwent preoperative or postoperative ureteral stenting; 44.3 and 7.2% received laser or ballistic lithotripsy; 60% of the patients presented with PULS grade 1+ and 8% with PULS grade of 2+. Only intracorporal lithotripsy revealed a significant independent risk factor for PULS grade 1+ or 2+. Both laser and ballistic therapies raised the probability of PULS grade 1+ by the factors 3.6 (p < 0.001) and 3.9 (p = 0.021), respectively. The ORs in conjunction with PULS grade 2+ were 3.1 (p = 0.038) and 5.8 (p = 0.014) respectively. Neither endpoint exhibited a significant difference regarding the lithotripsic procedure (laser vs. ballistic). Conclusion: Intracorporal lithotripsy is associated with a significant increase in damage to the ureter; further research is needed to determine its long-term effects.

Purpose: To assess the impact of primary surgery, partial and total penectomy, and of inguinal lymphadenectomy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the sexual function of penile cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We invited 15 patients surgically treated for penile cancer in the Regional Hospital of Specialized Medicine of the Yucatan Peninsula between 2012 and 2016 to complete the SF-36 quality of life and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) sexual function questionnaires. We evaluated the impact of primary surgery type and inguinal lymphadenectomy on the outcome of HRQoL and sexual function. Results: A total of 10 patients (66%) completed the SF-36 questionnaire. Surgery type and extent of resection were overall not associated significantly with worse outcomes on the assessed domains of quality of life. However, men treated with partial penectomy reported significantly more pain (p = 0.0547) than men treated with total penectomy. Similarly, men who underwent lymphadenectomy reported significantly more pain (p = 0.0547) than those who were spared from the procedure due to the ­primary tumor´s stage and grade. Sexual function was severely affected (IIEF mean = 6.5) in patients treated with partial penectomy. Conclusions: Although partial penectomy and lymphadenectomy were significantly associated with more postoperative pain, no differences were observed in other HRQoL domains. Sexual function was severely affected in patients treated with partial penectomy.

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the impact of the Memokath 051 stent (MK) on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and split renal function in the management of ureteroileal anastomotic strictures. Materials and Methods: We treated 6 patients in the ages of 66–77 years, 2 of whom had bilateral strictures, with a total of 8 ureteroileal strictures using the MK stent. Five patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to MK insertion. Mean time between conduit surgery and MK insertion was 28.4 months. Serum creatinine, GFR, and MAG-3 renography were determined before stent insertion and postoperatively at 3 months. Results: Postoperative complications at 3-month follow-up included migration in 2 patients, occlusion in 2 patients, and urinary tract infection in 4 patients. The mean stent indwelling time was 353.4 ± 169.3 days. Mean preoperative creatinine, GFR, right, and left split renal function were 158.3 ± 76.3 μmol/L, 43.6 ± 32.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, 52.8 ± 22.2%, and 47.1 ± 22.2%, respectively. Mean postoperative values were 168.1 ± 84 μmol/L (p = 0.84), 40.8 ± 28.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.56), 51.1 ± 18.3% (p = 1), and 48.8 ± 18.3% (p = 1), respectively. Conclusion: MK stent is a safe and efficient minimally invasive long-term treatment option to preserve GFR in patients who develop CKD through ureteroileal anastomotic stricture. In spite of MK stent insertion and alleviation of obstruction, it was presumably inserted too late to improve renal function.

Introduction and Aim: Surgical vasectomy remains the gold standard for fertility control in men. Endoluminal occlusion of the seminal ducts, thus avoiding an external incision, may become an appealing alternative to this approach. As our group has shown, nontraumatic endoscopic inspection of the seminal ducts is feasible in the human cadaver. We investigated the feasibility and reliability of occlusion using several commercially available medical sealing agents in the porcine vas deferens (VD). Methods and Main Outcome Measures: Tests were conducted using 25 porcine spermatic ducts (10 cm length) ex vivo. The explanted specimens were fixed and cannulated using the Seldinger technique. We administered 5 different agents (n-butyle-2-cyanoacrylate, n-butyle-2-cyanoacrylate in combination with a platinum vascular coil, Tissucol Duo S®, Gelita Spon® and AFP Plug®) endoluminally. Tightness was evaluated after 5, 15, 60, 360, 720, and 1,440 min for each of the five grades, respectively, using a solution of methylene blue and saline injected under controlled pressure of 300 mm Hg followed by histological examination. Results: All agents were administered into the porcine seminal ducts (4 out of 5 via a ureteric catheter). Gelita Spon® and Tissucol Duo S® did not occlude the lumen sufficiently, whereas n-butyle-2-cyanoacrylate, n-butyle-2-cyanoacrylate in combination with coil, Tissucol Duo and AFP Plug® performed satisfactorily. In particular, cyanoacrylate combined with a coil was able to close the seminal duct tightly and for a long time. Histological findings confirmed this sealant's gapless adhesion. AFP Plug® application revealed similarly good results. However, its form needs to be optimized to ensure its suitability for endoscopic use. Conclusion: Various developments regarding minimally invasive fertility control methods have been underway for decades. Further miniaturization of endoscopy and novel materials may pave the way for endoscopic fertility control in males in the future. We demonstrated the potential of commercially available medical sealing agents to reliably occlude the porcine VD.

Subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass graft (SPBG) is a urinary diversion treatment option for ureteral obstruction. Initially its use was limited to palliative care patients. However, the indication profile has been extended to selected patients with benign conditions causing ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis. Occlusion of SPBGs is rarely reported and mostly related to infections. We describe the clinical case of a patient with SPBG after iatrogenic ureteral stricture who was not suitable for other reconstructive treatment forms due to distinct retroperitoneal scarring after multiple previous surgeries. Several months after the SPBG insertion, the patient developed complete occlusion of the system with uric acid stone material. Sufficient endoscopic intervention was not feasible. After forced chemolitholysis, the stone mass could be completely dissolved. Since then the patient has remained symptom-free.

Introduction: We recently reported a novel modification of the Barcat technique termed glandular resection and central embedding (GRACE). Here, we report results from a large patient population and apply this modification also to Duckett hypospadias repair. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 488 patients who had undergone primary or secondary hypospadias repair by Barcat or Duckett using the GRACE modification. Results: For all GRACE repairs, cosmetic appearance was favorable regarding meatal position, shape and overall appearance. Maximum and average flow were above the 5th percentile in at least 95%. In Barcat and Duckett repairs, urethrocutaneous fistulas occurred in 5 and 30.7%, urethral strictures in 3 and 20.8%, and meatal strictures in 5 and 25.3%, respectively. Conclusions: The initially reported favorable cosmetic and functional results were confirmed both for Duckett and Barcat repair using the GRACE modification. Complication rates were favorably low for Barcat and higher, but consistent with published results, for Duckett repair.

Objective: Evaluation of the true incidence of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) among boys younger than 10 years. Methods: In a period of 13 months, 75 boys younger than 10 years were treated for phimosis. Suspicion of BXO was raised in phimosis grade 2 or 3 (classification by Kikiros). Patients were offered primarily either circumcision or conservative therapy and circumcision secondarily (if treatment failed in the conservative group). Each circumcision specimen was examined histopathologically. Results: Circumcision was primarily performed in 29 and secondarily in 17 patients. The mean age was 3.7 years (range 1-10). BXO, chronic inflammation, and normal histological results were found in 8/26/12 (17.4/56.5/26.1%) cases, respectively. The mean follow-up was 8.1 months. No recurrences were reported. Conclusions: The incidence of BXO appears to be higher than previously reported. The clinical appearance in children may be confusing. The preoperative BXO suspicion did not correlate with the final histopathological results.

Partial circumcision techniques frequently lead, on account of the remaining foreskin, to functional complications and unsatisfactory cosmetic results requiring re-operation. A series of pictures taken from our own sample of patients illustrates the problem. Review of the literature also attests to higher complication rates after partial circumcision. From a medical point of view, complete circumcision is preferable.