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OBJECTIVE To report our initial experience with ureteral appendiceal interposition (UAI) in a series of adult patients undergoing ureteral reconstruction for ureteral stricture. METHODS We retrospectively collected data of patients who underwent UAI for ureteral stricture disease from December 2015 to March of 2020. Success of surgery was defined as one that required no subsequent procedural intervention for recurrent ureteral stricture disease, or loss of kidney function. RESULTS Eleven patients underwent UAI for ureteral stricture. Etiologies for stricture disease included radiation exposure, nephrolithiasis, and iatrogenic injury. Median follow-up was 363 days. Three patients had Clavien-Dindo class III complications during their hospitalization. No patient required repeat intervention due to recurrent ureteral stricture disease. On imaging, 9 patients had no obstruction on Lasix renal scan postoperatively, or improvement in hydronephrosis on CT scan. Two patients with poor renal function preop continued to show poor function after surgery. CONCLUSION The use of the appendix is a safe and feasible option for ureteral reconstruction in appropriately selected adult patients when primary ureteral repair is not possible.

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block that has been used to provide perioperative analgesia for a variety of indications. This case report describes the novel use of the sacral ESPB on a transgender patient undergoing male-to-female gender reassignment surgery for perioperative pain control. The sacral ESPB technique was described and post-operative pain score and opioid requirements were reported. The sacral ESPB was successfully used as an alternative to neuraxial, caudal, or peripheral nerve blocks for gender reassignment surgery.

Objective To identify risk factors for urologic reconstruction during surgery for endometriosis. Patients and Methods We retrospectively identified patients in a surgical pathology database undergoing surgery for endometriosis at our institution from 2010 to 2015 and subsequently identified those patients with ureteral involvement. Patients were categorized as requiring minimal urologic surgery (eg, ureterolysis only) or more extensive urologic surgery (eg, ureteral reimplant). All patients were undergoing surgery for endometriosis, and preoperative risk factors were then identified to predict the need for intraoperative extensive urologic surgery. Results Of 386 women undergoing surgery for endometriosis, 82 (21%) women required a surgical procedure on the ureter. Fifteen of these 82 patients (18.3%) with ureteral involvement required urologic surgical expertise in the form of either ureteral reimplantation with or without psoas hitch, or ureterolysis with ureteral stenting or omental wrap. The remaining 67 underwent ureterolysis alone or no intervention. The presence of flank pain, any urinary symptom, or hydronephrosis on preoperative imaging was a significant predictor of the need for major urologic intervention. Conclusion In patients with endometriosis undergoing surgery who complain of flank pain, any urinary symptom, or have hydronephrosis on preoperative imaging, one should have a high suspicion for needing to perform urologic reconstruction during surgery. Planning for this additional operation can afford the opportunity for appropriate urologic consultation and patient counseling.

Introduction Cancer survivorship is a concept that focuses on the complete medical and holistic care of the patient with cancer from the time of diagnosis to the time of death. In 2015 the number of cancer survivors in the United States was expected to exceed 14.5 million people and a significant portion of these patients have malignancies that affect the genitourinary health of the survivor. In this review we describe the concept of cancer survivorship and review the important role of the urologist in cancer survivor care. Methods A literature search concerning cancer survivorship and urogenital neoplasms was performed. We systematically searched Medline® from inception until July 2015 with the objective of identifying studies specifically targeting broad survivorship care concerns for genitourinary neoplasms. We also included nonsystematically identified publications, and governmental and agency produced reports that are currently available through various government entities and organizations. Results Systematic searching yielded 35 articles and 7 reports for inclusion in our literature review. Urology relevant Medline findings were categorized into review articles, biopsychosocial aspects of cancer care, guidelines or society recommendations, diet and exercise related materials, models or coordination of care, or other. We found that the development of guidelines and recommendations for survivorship care in urology has been limited by the quality of the studies published to date. Conclusions More patients are surviving cancer and living with the consequences of treatment of the primary disease. Awareness of the components of survivorship will be critical as more national organizations require specific survivorship care programs to address these issues. Given that a large number of cancer survivors in the United States have survived urological malignancy or have urological side effects of treatment, the urology community must be familiar with the global concept of survivorship.

Background: Pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) occur in up to 10% of pelvic fractures. It remains controversial whether initial primary urethral realignment (PR) after PFUI decreases the incidence of urethral obstruction and the need for subsequent urethral procedures. We present methodology for a prospective cohort study analyzing the outcomes of PR versus suprapubic cystostomy tube (SPT) after PFUI. Methods: A prospective cohort trial was designed to compare outcomes between PR (group 1) and SPT placement (group 2). Centers are assigned to a group upon entry into the study. All patients will undergo retrograde attempted catheter placement; if this fails a cystoscopy exam is done to confirm a complete urethral disruption and attempt at gentle retrograde catheter placement. If catheter placement fails, group 1 will undergo urethral realignment and group 2 will undergo SPT. The primary outcome measure will be the rate of urethral obstruction preventing atraumatic passage of a flexible cystoscope. Secondary outcome measures include: subsequent urethral interventions, post-injury complications, urethroplasty complexity, erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence rates. Results: Prior studies demonstrate PR is associated with a 15% to 50% reduction in urethral obstruction. Ninety-six men (48 per treatment group) are required to detect a 15% treatment effect (80% power, 0.05 significance level, 20% loss to follow up/death rate). Busy trauma centers treat complete PFUI approximately 1–6 times per year, thus our goal is to recruit 25 trauma centers and enroll patients for 3 years with a goal of 100 or more total patients with complete urethral disruption. Conclusions: The proposed prospective multi-institutional cohort study should determine the utility of acute urethral realignment after PFUI.

Objective To compare the length of the membranous (functional) urethra in male patients who underwent the male transobturator sling (TOS) for postradical prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI). The TOS is in established use for treatment of PPI; however, the precise mechanism of action is unknown. Materials and Methods This is a prospective case-controlled study on men undergoing male TOS surgery from 2008 to 2014. The comparison arm included patients without incontinence after radical prostatectomy. All participants underwent dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and this was repeated after TOS placement for those who underwent the procedure. Three standardized points were measured using MRI and compared in both groups in addition to clinical measures. Results Thirty-nine patients were enrolled and 31 patients completed the protocols. The controls (N = 14) had a longer vesicourethral anastomosis to urethra measured at the penile bulb (functional urethral length) distance compared to the pre-TOS group at rest (1.92 cm controls vs 1.27 cm pre-TOS, P = .0018) and at Valsalva (2.13 cm controls vs 1.72 cm pre-TOS, P = .0371). Placement of the sling (N = 17) increased the functional urethral length distance at rest (1.92 cm control vs 1.53 cm post-TOS, P = .09) and at Valsalva (1.94 cm post-TOS vs 2.13 cm control, P = .61), so that the difference was no longer statistically significant. Conclusion We identified that one possible mechanism in improvement in stress urinary incontinence post-TOS placement is the lengthening of the vesicourethral anastomosis to bulbar-urethra distance. This is the first such study utilizing dynamics MRI in post prostatectomy controls, incontinent pre-TOS, and post-TOS to assess and show these findings.

AIM To identify the costs of replacing an entire malfunctioning AUS device versus an individual component at the time of device malfunction. METHODS Decision analysis was performed by analyzing the costs associated with revising a malfunctioning artificial urinary sphincter using one of two techniques: either individual or entire device replacement. Costs were determined by including actual institutional costs. Model assumptions were based on a summary of published literature and were created based on a time horizon of 0-5 years since the original, primary AUS was placed, and models were created for malfunction of each individual component. Sensitivity analysis was done adjusting for costs of the device and failure rates. RESULTS Total costs to replace an individual component were $8330 for the pump, $7611 for the cuff, and $5599 for the balloon, while entire device replacement cost $15 069. Over a 5-year time horizon the cost per patient for replacement of a balloon, pump, or cuff were $14 407, $17 491, and $15 212, respectively, versus $18 001 if the entire device was replaced. To be less costly to replace the entire device, balloon, pump, and cuff failure rates would need to be >55%, >25%, or >37.5% during the first 2 years after placement. CONCLUSION In the event of failure of the artificial urinary sphincter, cost analysis demonstrates that removal and replacement of the entire device is more expensive than replacement of a malfunctioning component at any point up to 5 years after initial AUS placement.

Objective To review the diagnosis and management of nephrogenic adenoma (NA), an uncommon benign lesion found in the urinary tract. This lesion arises from a proliferation of implanted renal tubular cells. Although more common in adults, it can occur in all ages. NAs can recur and cause significant morbidity in patients. NAs are also a potential diagnostic pitfall as they can clinically and histologically mimic malignancy in the urinary tract. Materials and Methods We performed an Institutional Board Review approved search of our surgical pathology database from 2005 to 2015 for cases of NA. A retrospective chart review was performed with a focus on the clinical, pathologic, and radiographic findings in these patients. Results We identified 32 cases of NA in 31 patients. Lesions were most common in Caucasian males (male-to-female ratio of 2:1) with an average age at diagnosis of 55 years (range 25-77). Bladder was the most common site of occurrence (81.2%), followed by ureter (9.4%), urethra (6.3%), and intrarenal collecting system (3.1%). Most patients (72%) were symptomatic and presented with hematuria (41%), lower urinary tract symptoms (28%), pelvic or flank pain (6%), hydronephrosis (19%), or urinary incontinence (13%). NA was asymptomatic and identified incidentally in 9 (28%) patients. One patient (3%) had a renal transplant and 8 (26%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Twenty-six (84%) patients were managed with endoscopic resection of their tumors. Conclusion NAs are benign lesions that may cause significant morbidity and mimic malignant tumors. There should be increased suspicion in patients with predisposing factors.