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Urinary complications following radiation therapy are increasing in prevalence, challenging to treat, and often require out-of-the-box surgical strategies. In this roundtable discussion, Urology Times Editorial Council member Bradley A. Erickson, [...]

This is the first prospective multi-institutional study of PFUI. We found no difference in stricture rate between patients treated with primary realignment and SPT with delayed urethroplasty.

We sought to assess if COVID-19 infection recovery is associated with increased rates of newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction. Using IBM MarketScan, a commercial claims database, men with prior COVID-19 infection were identified using ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Using this cohort along with an age-matched cohort of men without prior COVID-19 infection, we assessed the incidence of newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction. Covariates were assessed using a multivariable model to determine association of prior COVID-19 infection with newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction. 42,406 men experienced a COVID-19 infection between January 2020 and January 2021 of which 601 (1.42%) developed new onset erectile dysfunction within 6.5 months follow up. On multivariable analysis while controlling for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, obesity, hypogonadism, thromboembolism, and malignancy, prior COVID-19 infection was associated with increased risk of new onset erectile dysfunction (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.1–1.5; P= 0.002). Prior to the widespread implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine, the incidence of newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction is higher in men with prior COVID-19 infection compared to age-matched controls. Prior COVID-19 infection was associated with a 27% increased likelihood of developing new-onset erectile dysfunction when compared to those without prior infection.

Urinary diversion selection depends highly on surgeon experience, patient comorbidities, operative indication, and preoperative risk assessment. Navigating this process in the setting of emerging surgical approaches, new operative technology, and evolving perioperative care plans can be difficult for general and reconstructive urologists alike. In this article, we highlight considerations for urinary diversion selection and review new updates in the literature regarding preoperative patient assessment and nutrition optimization. In addition, we review unique perioperative considerations including role of preoperative bowel prep and intraoperative maneuvers in the setting of obesity and prior radiation. Last, we examine postoperative expectations, long-term outcomes, and emerging technology to mitigate postoperative risk associated with urinary diversions.

Study design: Cross sectional. Objectives: To identify variables associated with severe bowel symptoms in spinal cord injured people. Setting: National cohort. Methods: Adult spinal cord injured (SCI) people were recruited for an online registry and 1373 were included for analysis. Univariate analysis and logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between severity of bowel symptoms and variables. Bowel symptoms were assessed by the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score and patients scoring ≥14 were categorized as having severe bowel symptoms. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) severity was measured using a six item questionnaire and reported as total AD score (0–24). Bladder management was categorized as: voiding, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), surgery (augmentation/diversion) or indwelling catheter. Results: Severe bowel symptoms were reported in 570 (42%) On multivariable logistic regression, every point increase of AD total score was associated with 5% increased odds of having more severe bowel symptoms [OR 1.05 95% CI 1.03–1.10]. Type of bladder management was also associated with more severe symptoms (p= 0.0001). SCI people with indwelling catheters (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.40–3.32) or reconstructive surgery (OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.08–3.32) were almost twice as likely to report more severe bowel symptoms than those performing CIC.

Study design: Prospective qualitative study using semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Objectives: To better understand psychosocial aspects of bladder management after spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: People with SCI, recruited through three tertiary care centres in North America. Methods: Thirty-four community-dwelling individuals with SCI were selected using purposive sampling to ensure men and women with both tetraplegia and paraplegia were represented. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. NVivo software was used to code psychosocial domains, medical complications, and methods of bladder management. A qualitative interpretive approach was used, and four participants participated in a debrief session to review the study findings. Results: The median age was 49 (IQR 40–62) years and 61% (21/34) were male. Most had complete injuries (AIS A, 47%, 16/34), and most had a cervical lesion (56%, 19/34). There was a large range of time living with a SCI (median 20 years, IQR 9–31), and most participants managed their bladder with intermittent catheterisation (67% 23/34). The five most common psychosocial domains were anxiety(often in the context of urinary infections, incontinence, or not being able to catheterise), loss of control(due to irregular bladder behaviour), and embarrassment(from incontinence occurring in public); the domains of confidenceand independence/planningincluded both positive and negative examples of bladder management experiences. Conclusions: This study demonstrated consistent psychosocial topics related to bladder management in people living with SCI. This information will help counsel people regarding bladder management and identify areas for education and optimisation of bladder function from a psychosocial perspective.

Traumatic bladder injuries are commonly associated with pelvic fractures. While the majority of intraperitoneal bladder injuries are surgically repaired, extraperitoneal bladder injuries (EBIs) can be managed nonoperatively in the absence of complex injury patterns such as bladder neck injury or presence of bone spicules in the bladder. Concern for pelvic hardware contamination is one of the most common reasons for repairing EBIs at the time of orthopedic interventions for pelvic fracture (usually open reduction and internal fixation). However, given the inconsistent and limited evidence, practice patterns are different and largely depend on surgeon preferences and institutional management. In this review, we explore the roots for this concern and summarize the current evidence on risk of pelvic hardware infection with nonoperative management of EBIs.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey of the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG) registry; a multicenter prospective observation study. Objectives: To assess how patient-reported urinary tract infections (PRUTIs) in spinal cord injury (SCI) affect quality of life (QOL). Setting: Multiple United States hospitals. Methods: 1479 participants with SCI were asked about neurogenic bladder-related QOL. Eligibility: age =?18 years with acquired SCI. PRUTI frequency over the last year was classified as 0, 1–3, 4–6, or >6. Four UTI QOL domains were assessed: (1) UTIs limited daily activities, (2) UTIs caused increased muscle spasms, (3) UTIs would not go away, and (4) UTIs made me avoid going out. Multivariable regression identified variables associated with poor QOL. Results: PRUTI frequency was 0 in 388 patients (26%), 1–3 in 677 (46%), 4–6 in 223 (15%), and more than 6 in 190 (13%). Increasing PRUTI rate was independently associated with worse QOL for all four questions. Compared with those with 0 PRUTIs, participants reporting >6 were more likely to limit daily activities (OR 9.0 [95% CI 8.1–21.2] p?<?0.0001), experience increased muscle spasms (OR 12.4 [95% CI 7.5–20.6] p?<?0.0001), perceive a UTI would not go away (OR 30.1 [95% CI 15.0–60.4] p?<?0.0001), and avoid going out because of UTIs (OR 7.2 [95% CI 4.2–12.4] p?<?0.0001). Conclusions: An increasing rate of PRUTIs is independently associated with worse QOL. Thorough evaluation and treatment may improve QOL in this population.

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The Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG) was formed with the mission to optimize quality of life (QoL), surgical outcomes, and clinical care of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. One of the original priorities of the organization was to support creation of the NBRG Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Registry. The aim of this Registry was to establish a prospective database, in order to study bladder-related QoL after SCI. The study enrolled close to 1500 participants from across North America over an 18-month time-period (January 2016 – July 2017). The purpose of the following manuscript is to review some of the key findings from the NBRG SCI Registry and the major relationships we discovered about the complex interaction between SCI and bladder-related QoL.

Study design: The Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG) registry is a multicenter prospective observational study. This manuscript is retrospective based on a cross-sectional survey. Objectives: To assess patient subjective assessment of urinary tract infection (UTI) frequency and severity are associated with the degree of use of catheters or incontinence products. Setting: Multiple hospitals across the United States. Methods: Eligibility included: age > 18 years and acquired SCI. Over 1.5 years, 1479 eligible participants were enrolled. We excluded those with surgical reconstruction or diversion of the bladder. In total, 1282 participants were grouped by bladder management: (1) indwelling catheter (IDC), (2) clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), (3) external devices (pads/condom), and (4) volitional voiding (Void). UTI frequency was classified as 0, 1–3, 4–6, or > 6 over the prior year. UTI severity was determined by hospitalization for UTI in the prior year. Multivariate regression compared these factors across groups. Results: UTIs were least frequent in Void followed by pads/condom, CIC, and IDC (all p≤ 0.001). UTI severity followed a similar pattern. Controlling for covariates, the adjusted odds of UTI frequency (Void = reference) were 2.28 (1.38–3.76) for pads/condom, 3.42 (2.25–5.18) for CIC, and 4.3 (2.59–6.70) for IDC (all p≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Patient subjective assessment of UTI frequency is highest with IDC, followed by CIC, pads/condom, and lowest with spontaneous voiding. The odds of hospitalization for UTI were three times higher for IDC than spontaneous voiding. UTI risk should be considered when counseling patients about bladder management options. These associations do not imply causation but warrant further investigation in a prospective manner. Sponsorship: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Award (CER14092138).

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

The implications of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) on quality of life pose a matter of great concern for urologists and patients alike. Efforts to mitigate this devastating complication have met with varying degrees of success and the literature has shown a discrepancy between patient- and surgeon-reported outcomes.

Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life assessments are essential to studying conditions such as neurogenic bladder in which multiple management strategies are approximately equally efficacious. Innovations for the treatment of neurogenic bladder need to be guided by both clinical and patient-reported outcomes that are rigorously tested via high-quality prospective cohort or randomized studies. Collaborative research groups in reconstructive urology are critical to the study of uncommon disease processes because they allow studies to be powered adequately, foster innovative treatment strategies through collaboration, and help moderate the risk of investigator and or institutional biases.

There is an evolving role for quality-of-life measures and patient-reported outcomes in the evaluation of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. We review available health-related quality-of-life instruments and patient-reported outcomes measures used in the assessment of patients with neurogenic bladder. We also discuss considerations for incorporation of these measures into clinical and patient-reported research. Emphasizing patient-reported outcomes in neurogenic bladder research will guide clinicians and other stakeholders to improve quality of life in this patient population.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the utility of serum biomarkers as clinical surrogates for the development and/or progression of ED is unknown.

Patients undergoing artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement often have complex medical and surgical histories, such as radical prostatectomy, endoscopic treatment of urethral strictures, previous AUS placement, and prior open urethral surgery. Urethral strictures at the bladder neck, membranous urethra, or site of a previous AUS erosion are problems that profoundly affect the timing and treatment success of AUS placement. Understanding the complexities and outcomes in this subset of patients is the only way to inform shared decision making about treatment of urinary incontinence.

This study aimed to analyze characteristics and outcomes of gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract at our Level I trauma center. Our hypothesis is that gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract have characteristic bullet trajectories, injury patterns, and associated injuries.

Appropriate imaging in renal trauma can avoid delayed recognition of collecting system injuries, allowing for prompt intervention and less morbidity. Current recommendations include obtaining abdominal and pelvic computed tomographic scans with intravenous contrast, followed by excretory images for high-grade injury or perinephric fluid. The purpose of this study was to evaluate compliance with this recommendation among adult Level I trauma centers in Utah.

We hypothesized that our compliance was low with recommended imaging for evaluation of traumatic bladder injury, which includes either a computed tomographic (CT) cystogram or plain cystogram. We sought to determine if poor compliance impacted diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with bladder injury.

Posterior urethral disruption is a traumatic injury to the male urethra, which most often results from pelvic fracture. After trauma, the distraction defect between the two ends of the urethra often scars and becomes fibrotic, blocking the urethra and bladder emptying. Increasing evidence suggests that many posterior urethral disruptions occur at the junction between the membranous urethra and the bulbar urethra, which is distal to the rhabdosphincter. In the acute setting, when a posterior urethral disruption is suspected, retrograde urethrography should be performed. Posterior urethral disruptions can be managed acutely by realignment of the urethra over a urethral catheter or by placement of a suprapubic catheter for bladder drainage only. Once fibrosis has stabilized, the patient can undergo posterior urethroplasty. In most cases, this procedure can be performed via a perineal approach in a single-stage surgery. The results of this single-stage perineal urethroplasty are excellent, and a patent urethra can be re-established in the majority of men who undergo surgery.

Background A 31-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis complex presented with a 1 week history of subjective fever, chills, rigors, poor appetite and dizziness.Investigations Physical examination, urine and blood analysis, CT of the abdomen, chest and brain, and chest X-ray.Diagnosis End-stage renal disease, septic shock and urinary tract infection secondary to huge bilateral angiomyolipomas of the kidney associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.Management Antibiotic therapy, vasopressor treatment and bilateral nephrectomy, followed by hemodialysis while awaiting renal transplantation.