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Introduction: Vasectomy is the simplest, safest, and most effective form of definitive fertility control in men [1]. Vasectomy is used for 10% of contraception worldwide but only for 2% in Germany [2]. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of sterilized men and their partners., Material and Methods: Vasectomized men and their partners were surveyed by means of the IIEF (International Index for Erectile Function) and the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) questionnaires. A total of 294 couples were surveyed; 90 men answered the IIEF, and 74 women answered the FSFI. The results of the questionnaires were compared to a historical comparison group. The men were also surveyed with a not validated questionnaire, which was returned by 95 men. The two-sample t-test for independent samples, the chi-squared test, and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test were carried out., Results: The vasectomized men had significantly better results than the healthy historical comparison group in the IIEF domains of erectile function, orgasm, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction. For the female partners of the sterilized men, there were almost no significant differences in any questions of the FSFI in comparison to the control group. A significant difference was observed only in the domain 'arousal'., Conclusions: Vasectomy does not have a negative impact on the sexual satisfaction of the affected couples. In fact, sexual satisfaction improved for the sterilized men, while the satisfaction of the women was not reduced by the vasectomy.

Purpose: Urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral or meatal stricture, to date, remain the commonest complications of hypospadias repair, with increased tissue tension being a major cause of failure. We developed a novel technique comprising glandular resection and central embedding of the neourethra to specifically address this critical issue. We report the results of the first 112 procedures, of which 7 cases were a secondary hypospadias repair., Materials and Methods: All patients who underwent hypospadias repair using the glandular resection and central embedding technique over a period of 10 years were included into this retrospective single-surgeon case series. An independent third-party observer carried out follow-up examinations including urometric evaluation., Results: The median follow-up was 37 months (range, 7-147 months). In the group of primary hypospadias repair, urethrocutaneous fistulas were observed in 4%, all requiring surgical revision, and meatal or urethral stricture were observed in 4% of the patients, treated either surgically or by dilatation. In 98% of the patients, the neomeatus was located at the tip of the glans. A cosmetically impeccable slitlike appearance of the meatus was achieved in 84%, and a cosmetically acceptable oval shape was achieved in 10% of the patients. Both maximum and average urinary flow rates were within the standard ranges for the respective age groups in 93.7% and 96%, respectively. There was no significant residual urine in 92% of the patients. In the group of secondary hypospadias repairs, both cosmetic and functional results were similar, and no complications were noted., Conclusions: Glandular resection and central embedding is a promising expansion of the repertoire of Barcat modifications. It allows safe embedding of the neourethra and glandular closure without detrimental tension. The cosmetic and functional results are encouraging., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

It is important that any patient with a urinary diversion can accept the psychological impact alongside the surgical and physical aspects. However, there are currently no validated methods or instruments available to allow direct measurement of this phenomenon in these patients. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is often high following different types of urinary diversion-this may suggest a high acceptance level and thus may act as a secondary end point. Such an assessment is a retrospective validation of successful patient selection, allowing us to redirect the nihilistic misinterpretation that urologists should return to offering ileal conduits as a standard. In modern urinary diversion, high patient acceptance develops from comprehensive counselling providing a realistic expectation, careful patient-to-method-matching, strict adherence to surgical detail during the procedure and a meticulous lifelong follow-up. Coping strategies, disease-related social support and confidence in the success of treatment are among other factors which contribute to acceptance of urinary reconstruction as either independent or combined factors. Significant experience is required in every respect, as misjudgement and mistakes in any of these issues may be detrimental to the patients' health. It should be acknowledged that there is no 'best' urinary diversion in general terms. A reconstructive surgeon must have all techniques available and choices need to be tailored to the individual patient.

We set out to critically assess the value of animal experimentation in urinary diversion through intestinal segments, as some authors question the effectiveness of animal research, criticising the methodological quality, lack of standardization, inadequate reporting and the few systematic reviews in this field. Based on a comprehensive MEDLINE literature search (MeSH database; search terms: urinary diversion, urinary reservoirs, continent, rat, dog, animal models) we retrieved and evaluated all full-length papers published in English, German, French, and Spanish languages from 1966 to 2011 reporting the use of animal models in the setting of urinary diversion. Studies were stratified according to the addressed research question. Within each category species, gender, number of animals, age at procedure, type of diversion, mortality, length of follow-up, experimental procedure and outcome were recorded and tabulated. In all, 159 articles were judged to be relevant and while there are numerous animal models only a few have been used in more than one study. Animals were used for the systematic study of new surgical techniques (93 articles) or metabolic and functional consequences of urinary reconstruction (66 articles). For the latter purpose, the most often used animal is the rat, whereas the dog model is preferred for technical experimentation. In many studies, the validity of the model is at least questionable. Animal experiments have repeatedly been conducted addressing the same question, often with striking discrepancies in outcome. Animal studies were even performed after a surgical technique had been pioneered in humans. The use of animal models in urinary diversion is far from standardized rendering the results less than ideal for comparison across studies. Due to differences in anatomy and physiology, the applicability of findings in animal experiments to clinical urology is limited. Continued effort is needed to optimise the use of animal models in experimental urology., (© 2011 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objective: To critically assess the biophysical properties and current status of outlet formation in heterotopic intestinal urinary diversion. As despite three decades of clinical experience with continent cutaneous urinary diversion through bowel segments, no consensus has been reached for the optimal efferent segment although its function largely determines patient satisfaction., Methods: A comprehensive Medline literature search using the Medical Subject Headings database (search terms: continent urinary diversion followed by either efferent segment, nipple, Mitrofanoff, Yang-Monti, Benchekroun, tapered ileum, intussuscepted ileum, Kock pouch, T-valve, or Ghonheim) was conducted to identify all full-length original articles addressing the various principles and techniques of outlet formation as well as their outcomes and complications. Examined series were published in English between 1966 and 2010. All studies were systematically evaluated using a checklist (study design, number of patients, etc.) and rated according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence (LoE)., Results: While there was a continuous flow of publications over the last three decades, the vast majority of studies were retrospective case series with numerous confounding factors and poorly defined, non-standardized outcomes (LoE, 3). Only a few investigations compare different efferent segments (LoE, 2a). No randomized studies exist. The major biophysical principles are based on the use of flap, nipple, and hydraulic valves. Vermiform appendix, intussuscepted ileal nipple, and the Yang-Monti tube are the most popular techniques and have well-established data on outcomes, complications, and failure rates. Artificial sphincter systems and tissue engineering have provided disappointing results thus far. Most reconstructive strategies are subject to a process of on-going improvement., Conclusions: The continuous quest for optimization has not led to a single universally applicable efferent segment in continent cutaneous urinary diversion. While all techniques have their unique set of advantages and disadvantages, they will always remain a compromise. Success depends on selecting the optimal strategy for individual patients. A major change in principles in the near future is unlikely., (© 2011 THE AUTHORS; BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.)

Objectives: To illustrate urological complications of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and discuss their management., Patients: Between April 2002 and February 2004, four men (aged 38-63 years) were treated for serious complications 2 days to 11 years after unilateral (1 patient) or bilateral (3 patients) laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty., Results: In all cases (extra and intraperitoneal bladder injury, purulent urocystitis due to mesh-erosion of the bladder, secondary retroperitoneal fibrosis) open revision with complete drainage of the urinary tract was chosen as an efficacious therapeutic strategy., Conclusions: Awareness of rare complications of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair may lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management.

Purpose: We provide the long-term results of renal transplantation into continent urinary intestinal reservoirs as a planned 2-stage procedure., Materials and Methods: Between November 1990 and January 2009, 18 patients underwent cadaveric or living related renal transplantation into continent urinary reservoirs (continent cutaneous diversion 16, orthotopic substitution 2). All patients were prospectively followed., Results: Of these patients 15 are currently free of dialysis. At a mean followup of 89.2 months (range 2 to 188) 13 patients had a serum creatinine ranging from 0.6 to 3.1 mg/dl (mean 1.49) after the first transplantation. Two patients underwent a second transplantation 12 and 122 months after loss of the transplant for renal vein thrombosis and chronic allograft dysfunction, respectively. Two additional patients had to resume hemodialysis 62 and 109 months after renal transplantation. The second transplantation was delayed mainly due to compliance problems. One patient died of fulminant septicemia after laparotomy elsewhere for bowel obstruction with normal renal function before that episode. The continence mechanism needed correction in 3 patients, and 2 further revisions were required for ureteral kinking and lymphocele. The patients with orthotopic substitution (2) voided to completion and showed complete continence. All patients with cutaneous diversion were continent day and night with easy catheterization., Conclusions: This study is among the largest single series to date of renal transplantation into continent urinary diversions. Long-term followup confirms that this approach is a safe and socially well accepted treatment option in carefully selected patients., (Copyright © 2010 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the long-term results of continent urinary diversion (CUD) and enterocystoplasty (ECP) in children with irreversible lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD)., Patients and Methods: The study included 44 children with irreversible LUTD who had a CUD or ECP between 1992 and 2007. Patients were followed for the functional outcome of surgery with a focus on complications related to the reservoir, bowel, uretero-intestinal anastomosis and upper urinary tract. Data were collected prospectively and outcomes were evaluated using a standardized protocol., Results: The median (range) follow-up was 7.3 (3.5-17) years. Complete continence was achieved in 94% overall, i.e. in 95% of patients with continent cutaneous diversion, 83% with ECP and all children with continent anal diversion. Upper urinary tract and renal function remained stable in 89% and 95%, respectively. Surgical intervention was required for adhesive small bowel ileus in 6%, stoma-related complications in 39%, ureteric stenosis in 8%, and stone formation in 19%. Of these complications, 54% required only minor interventions; 41% of patients needed prophylactic alkaline substitution. Bowel habits remained unchanged or improved in 68%., Conclusion: Our results show that CUD and ECP in children are effective procedures with acceptable long-term complication rates. However, conclusions from our data might be limited, as this was a small study including highly selected patients treated at one tertiary academic centre. Being an audit of practice in our institution and given the variety of concepts, these results might differ from those centres using other approaches in the surgical treatment of LUTD. Importantly, this type of surgery should be restricted to carefully selected patients in whom all attempts of restoring the LUT failed.

Ten years after his brother had been treated for seminoma, a 36-year-old male presented with a giant exulcerating mass involving the right testis and both inguinal regions. Subsequent biopsy revealed pure seminoma. Staging computed tomography (CT) showed bulky retroperitoneal and pelvic lymph node metastases. After seven courses of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, positron emission tomography suggested residual tumor in the right groin. The suspicious lesion and the right testis were resected showing no vital tumor tissue. Eight months after surgery there were no signs of disease progression at follow-up CT., (Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Purpose: To present the long-term outcome of high-risk prostate cancer patients treated by radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and stage-dependent adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy., Patients and Methods: Between 1989 and 2005, 2,655 patients underwent RRP by 9 surgeons. All cases (n = 372) with high-risk prostate cancer (serum PSA >20 ng/ml, and/or clinical stage T2c or greater, and/or biopsy Gleason score 8 or greater) were identified and analyzed retrospectively., Results: At 5 and 10 years, cancer-specific survival was 91.3 and 87.2%; overall survival was 84.3 and 72.1%; biochemical progression-free survival (BPFS) was 76.6 and 56.2%; clinical progression-free survival was 86.2 and 79.9%. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences with respect to pathological stage and Gleason score for cancer-specific survival, BPFS and clinical progression-free survival. In multiple analysis, the only preoperative predictor of BPFS at the 5% level was clinical stage (p = 0.0055)., Conclusion: In patients with high-risk prostate cancer and a life expectancy of more than 10 years, RRP with stage-dependent adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy is a viable alternative to radiation therapy., (Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objectives: To compare retrospectively the outcome of testis-sparing surgery (TSS) to radical orchiectomy (RO) in patients with Leydig cell tumor (LCT)., Methods: Between 1992 and 2008, 16 patients with LCT of the testis were identified. All but 1 tumor could be detected by ultrasonography. Alpha-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were normal in all patients. Eight patients underwent RO (mean age at surgery 42 years [27-61]; median tumor size 12.9 mm [10-25]) and the remaining 8 underwent TSS (mean age at surgery 34 years [18-49]; median tumor size 8.6 mm [4-23]). Staging (abdominal computed tomography and chest x-ray or thoracic computed tomography) was negative in all patients., Results: Median follow-up was 77 months (17-186) after RO and 42 months (1-86 months) after TSS. There was no local recurrence or metastasis in patients after RO. A metachronous LCT was removed from the spermatic cord 29 months after TSS of the ipsilateral testis in 1 patient. Another patient underwent surgical exploration of the testis 31 months after ipsilateral TSS because of a suspicious lesion identified in ultrasonography; a tumor was ruled out by histopathology., Conclusions: In the medium term, TSS is a safe procedure in patients with LCT <25 mm.

Metanephric adenomas in children are very rare. We present the case of a 2-year-old girl with a mass of the left kidney. The lesion was completely removed by nephron-sparing surgery. Histopathologic examination revealed a metanephric adenoma., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Prostate cancer is one of the principal medical problems facing the male population in developed countries with an increasing need for sophisticated imaging techniques and risk-adapted treatment options. This article presents an overview of the current imaging procedures in the diagnosis of locally advanced prostate cancer. Apart from conventional gray-scale transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) as the most frequently used primary imaging modality we describe computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). CT and MRI not only allow assessment of prostate anatomy but also a specific evaluation of the pelvic region. Color-coded and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, real-time elastography, dynamic contrast enhancement in MR imaging, diffusion imaging, and MR spectroscopy may lead to a clinically relevant improvement in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. While bone scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-bisphosphonates is still the method of choice in the evaluation of bone metastasis, whole-body MRI and PET using (18)F-NaF, (18)F-FDG, (11)C-choline, (11)C-acetate, and (18)F-choline as tracers achieve higher sensitivities.

Purpose of Review: There is an obvious discrepancy between the perceived advantages of the different forms of continent urinary diversion from an expert's point of view and the limited utilization of these techniques outside of academic and tertiary referral centers., Recent Findings: The vast majority of studies are retrospective with numerous confounding factors and often poorly defined outcomes. The rates of postoperative morbidity and need for reoperation varies widely among studies, even for the same procedure. The utilization of continent diversion depends on demographic, socioeconomic, provider-based, and clinical variables, with low case volume and lack of experience probably being the most obvious reasons for avoidance of more complex techniques. In contrast to the prevailing notion that patients undergoing continent diversion have superior quality of life than those receiving a conduit, existing studies fail to show significant advantages of one technique over the other., Summary: The current body of published literature is insufficient to conclude that there is a superior form of urinary diversion in terms of evidence-based medicine. It is quite clear, however, that not all patients are candidates for one type of diversion. The best results are obtained when a comprehensive concept is tailored to the individual patient.

Schwannomas of the penis are extremely rare. A 69-year-old man presented with a circumscribed asymptomatic tumor on the dorsum of the glans penis. Histopathologic examination of the surgical specimen showed a benign schwannoma.

Background: Neuroblastoma is a common malignancy in children, but rarely occurs in adults., Case Report: We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who was treated for her fourth recurrence of a pelvic neuroblastoma., Conclusions: Because of the rarity of these tumors during adolescence and adulthood, little information is available on the clinical course of patients with neuroblastoma in this age group. Currently there is no standard treatment for adult patients with neuroblastoma. Surgical resection and chemotherapy seem to be best of choice.

We report on a 14-year-old girl with pyelonephritis, secondary to a foreign body, in her urinary bladder. A self-inserted pencil led to stone formation and bladder perforation at two sites. Eighteen months after insertion, the pencil was removed by suprapubic cystotomy.

Background: The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) is characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in association with thrombotic disorders of the arterial and/or venous system, spontaneous abortion and thrombocytopenia. Several studies have shown that end-stage renal disease patients with APLS are at extremely high risk for graft thrombosis and graft loss after kidney transplantation., Material and Methods: We report on the treatment and clinical courses of 6 APLS renal transplant patients., Results: Of 3 patients treated with low-dose subcutaneous heparin two had early graft loss due to venous graft thrombosis; of those patients treated by systemic heparin (PTT goal 45-55 s) and followed by coumadin (INR 2.5-3.0) only one had early graft loss whereas 2 grafts are doing well 2 years post-transplant., Conclusion: Our experience as well as recently published data suggest that kidney transplantation can be performed successfully in APLS patients if anticoagulation therapy is performed consistently. A general APL antibody screening prior to kidney transplantation does not seem to be justified at present. A prospective, randomised multicenter study is warranted to evaluate the management of these patients with respect to intensity, type and duration of anticoagulation therapy.

Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is one of the most frequent urological symptoms in children, affecting about 20% of five year olds. It is a heterogeneous disorder with a whole variety of etiologic factors (genetic, endocrinological, neurobiological), particularly a dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. Despite the prevalence of enuresis many questions regarding the complex pathophysiological mechanisms remain unanswered. While nocturnal enuresis per se is clearly not a disease, psychosocial problems have been reported in up to 40% of affected children. Management strategies comprise behavioural and pharmacological approaches, either in isolation or combined. Although expectations were high, especially with pharmacological interventions, the results are usually disappointing with high recurrence rates. Extensive analyses of the available literature on the efficacy of enuresis treatment modalities reveal a poor quality of many trials with a whole range of methodological flaws. Therefore, further comparative studies of adequate methodological quality are needed.

We report the clinical outcome of more than 800 patients, who underwent continent cutaneous urinary diversion with an ileocecal reservoir (Mainz-pouch I) in two urological tertiary referral centers at a mean follow-up of 7.6 years. Complications related to the continence mechanism (intussuscepted ileal nipple vs. submucosally embedded in situ appendix) and the antirefluxive uretero-intestinal anastomosis (submucosal tunnel vs. serosa-lined extramural tunnel) were recorded retrospectively. Stomal stenosis was observed in 23.5% of the patients with appendix stoma and in 15.3% of the patients with intussuscepted ileal nipple. The incidence of calculi was 10.8% in reservoirs with intussuscepted ileal nipple and 5.6% in reservoirs with appendix stoma. Eleven patients (eight with appendix, three with ileal nipple) required reoperation because of ischemic degeneration of the continence mechanism. The overall continence rate (day and night) was 92.8%. Anastomotic strictures of the afferent limb occurred in 6.5% of renal units (RUs) with a submucosal tunnel and in 5.0% of RUs with a serosa-lined extramural tunnel. Continent cutaneous urinary diversion with an ileocecal pouch is a highly satisfactory and safe option for patients, in whom orthotopic urinary diversion is impossible or contraindicated.

The Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) is defined as a triad of cutaneous capillary malformations, venous varicosities, bone and soft tissue hemi-hypertrophy. The urinary tract is involved in up to 10%. We report the clinical presentation and surgical management of a 9-year-old boy with extensive lympho-venous malformations of the bladder which led to massive recurrent gross hematuria.

Purpose: We critically examined the evidence supporting the widely accepted notion that patients undergoing continent urinary tract reconstruction after cystectomy experience superior quality of life outcomes than patients receiving a conduit., Materials and Methods: Based on a comprehensive MEDLINE literature search we retrieved and evaluated all full-length articles published in the English, French, German, Italian and Spanish languages comparing conduit diversion with continent cutaneous diversion and/or orthotopic bladder substitution with respect to quality of life or similar concepts. All studies were rated according to the International Consultation on Urological Diseases modification of Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence., Results: The literature on quality of life after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer was rather extensive but generally of questionable quality. The main problems were flaws in the patient materials and methodologies used. To our knowledge not a single randomized, controlled study exists in the field. Because only few articles achieved a level of evidence better than III, the International Consultation on Urological Diseases rating system does not allow further differentiation among studies. Most studies showed that overall quality of life after cystectomy remained good in most patients irrespective of urinary diversion type., Conclusions: Existing studies are unable to prove that continent reconstruction after radical cystectomy is superior to conduit diversion. This review emphasizes the importance of performing well designed studies in the future.

The objective of this review is to examine the published data regarding quality of life (QOL) in patients with bladder cancer. Not a single, randomized controlled trial exists. Most studies are retrospective, cross-sectional, and have serious methodological flaws. There is no single QOL tool preferably used in bladder cancer. While there is no long-term data after therapy for superficial cancer, most investigations compared the impact of different forms of urinary diversion on QOL. In contrast to the prevailing notion that patients who underwent cystectomy undergoing continent urinary reconstruction have superior QOL than those receiving a conduit, existing reports fail to show significant advantages of one technique over the other.

We report on the long-term followup of a mixed dissociative (conversion) disorder after circumcision in childhood.

The interposition of bowel in continuity with the urinary tract has allowed for the preservation of renal function and continence in children with bladder exstrophy, as well as neurogenic and valve bladders. Although bladder augmentation with ileum or colon has been shown to be safe, the long-term effects of metabolic acidosis in addition to abnormalities in linear growth and bone metabolism remain largely unknown. We reviewed the literature to critically examine linear growth in children who have had bladder augmentation with a particular emphasis on the correlation between acid-base status, bone mineralization and growth. The majority of studies suggest that linear growth is not affected by bladder augmentation. In the short-term, children post-augmentation have varying degrees of metabolic acidosis which, overtime, appears to resolve with no affect on linear growth. In a single study, bladder augmentation led to significant bone demineralization almost a decade after surgery, however, even in these children no decrease in linear growth was noted. No alterations in bone density levels were seen with short-term follow-up.

Impaired bone metabolism following urinary diversion through intestinal segments has always been a controversial subject of unclear clinical relevance. Whereas the perpetuated pathophysiological considerations seem conclusive in theory, the role of acidosis and malabsorption is less clear in animal experimentation and, even more so, in the clinical reality of modern continent diversion. In hardly any of the available contemporary case series was overt derangement of the acid-base balance, rickets or osteomalacia encountered. No consistent changes in osteotropic serum parameters could be found with normal calcium and phosphate in all patients. The assumption that colonic reservoirs have a higher risk of developing metabolic bone disease could not be confirmed by clinical data. As early correction of base excess is easy and probably a common policy in patients with intestinal urinary reservoirs, it will be virtually impossible to further study the natural history of bone metabolism after urinary diversion. While there is no need for a bone specific follow-up in asymptomatic adults with a normal acid-base balance, particular attention should be paid to children and to all patients with impaired renal function.

Objective: To report 10 years' experience with ileal ureteric replacement as a last resort in complex reconstruction of the urinary tract., Patients and Methods: From March 1991 to February 2002 ileal segments were used for partial or total substitution of the ureter in 43 patients (mean age 45.6 years) with structural or functional ureteric loss secondary to irradiation, surgical complications or various other pathological conditions. Ileum was either implanted into the native urinary bladder (in 14) or an intestinal reservoir (in 29). In the latter group the technique was used at the time of primary urinary diversion in eight, in a secondary approach for treating early or late complications in nine and in undiversion or conversion procedures in 12. The ileal ureter was implanted into the urinary reservoir using a serous-lined extramural tunnel or distal intussusception for reflux prevention (in 31). All patients were followed prospectively according to a standardized protocol., Results: There were no perioperative deaths; the mean (range) follow-up was 40.8 (1.5-109.5) months. In 41 patients with dilatation of the upper urinary tract before surgery there was a significant improvement radiographically in 34, no change in five and deterioration in two. The serum creatinine level decreased or remained stable in all. Reflux occurred in the 12 cases without and in three with an antireflux mechanism. Shortening of an elongated kinking ileal ureter became necessary because of recurrent severe metabolic acidosis and mucus obstruction in two; in one case mucus obstruction was treated endoscopically. There was pyelonephritis only in three patients with refluxing implantation into an intestinal reservoir., Conclusion: Ileal ureteric replacement is a safe and reliable last resort even in difficult cases. Whenever feasible, antirefluxing implantation into intestinal urinary reservoirs is recommended.

The objective of the study was to investigate bone strength at four different skeletal sites in a chronic animal model of urinary diversion. Young male Wistar rats (120) were allocated randomly to four groups undergoing ileocystoplasty; ileocystoplasty and resection of the ileocecal segment; colocystoplasty; or sham operation (controls). After 8 months the lumbar vertebrae, femora, and tibiae were harvested at necropsy. Bone strength was assessed biomechanically at four different skeletal sites: vertebra L3, femoral middiaphysis, femoral neck, and distal femoral metaphysis. Bone mass and architecture were assessed using standard static histomorphometry of the proximal tibial metaphysis (trabecular bone volume [BV/TV]; trabecular number [Tb.N]) and ash weight. Statistically significant differences of biomechanical parameters between groups were observed at three skeletal sites with corresponding changes in tibial histomorphometry. Isolated ileocystoplasty resulted in decreased maximum load values of L3 (-16.4%; p < 0.0035) and a substantial reduction in tibial BV/TV (-34.7%; p < 0.05). Ileocystoplasty combined with resection of the ileocecal segment led to a significant loss of bone strength of L3 (-32.4%; p < 0.0015) and a dramatic reduction of tibial BV/TV (-45.9%; p < 0.01). Loss of tibial metaphyseal bone mass was predominantly caused by a decrease in Tb.N. (p < 0.01). Colonic augmentation had no significant effect on bone strength or histomorphometric values. In conclusion, this is the first experimental study to demonstrate the relevance of histomorphometrically proven bone loss after enterocystoplasty in terms of biomechanical variables.

Objective: The assumption that enterocystoplasty in children has a detrimental effect on linear growth has been based almost exclusively upon a chance finding in a retrospective study 10 years ago. We re-evaluated the same research question in a larger cohort and with a longer follow-up., Patients and Methods: Between 1982 and 1997, 242 children and adolescents underwent enterocystoplasty. Patients with conditions involving organ systems apart from the urinary tract, and those with myelomeningocele, malignant diseases, reduced glomerular filtration rate and incomplete notes were excluded. In the definitive study cohort (123; mean age at operation 8.6 years; mean age at investigation 16.8 years), enterocystoplasty had been undertaken using colon in 70, ileum in 37, a combination of both in 11, ileocaecal segments in three and stomach in two patients., Results: In all, 1215 height and weight measurements had been recorded. The distribution of percentile positions before and after enterocystoplasty showed a normal configuration, with 83 % and 80 % of patients growing within two standard deviations of the 50th percentile. After surgery, 85 % either remained the same or reached a higher percentile. Nineteen (15.5 %) were in a lower position, with a similar tendency in the weight percentile. A clinically relevant growth disorder was recognized in four patients with a complete endocrinological evaluation; in none of these was enterocystoplasty thought to be a causal factor., Conclusions: It is very unlikely that loss of the preoperative percentile position on the growth curve in 15 % of children after enterocystoplasty is a consequence of that particular surgery. Rather, it is a non-specific phenomenon that has to be considered in any clinical population of the same size and age distribution after the same length of time.

Objective: To investigate skeletal growth and bone metabolism in a chronic animal model of urinary diversion., Materials and Methods: Young male Wistar rats (120) were allocated randomly to four groups undergoing: ileocystoplasty, ileocystoplasty and resection of the ileocaecal segment, colocystoplasty, and controls. All animals received antibiotics for 1 week after surgery; half of each group remained on oral antibiotics. Bone-related biochemistry was measured in serum and urine. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were used to determine bone mass ex vivo., Results: Most (90%) of the rats survived the study period (8 months); six rats died from bowel obstruction at the level of the entero-anastomosis and four had to be killed because of persistent severe diarrhoea. Vital intestinal mucosa was found in all augmented bladders. There were no differences in bone length and volume. Loss of bone mass was almost exclusively in rats with ileocystoplasty and resection of the ileocaecal segment (-37.5%, pQCT, P < 0.01). There was no hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis or gross impairment of renal function. Hypomagnesaemia, hypocalcaemia and decreased insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 were the only significant findings on blood analysis. Deoxypyridinoline crosslinks in urine were higher in rats with an enterocystoplasty than in controls., Conclusions: Enterocystoplasty in rats neither impairs skeletal growth nor bone quantity, but leads to significant loss of bone mass when combined with resection of the ileocaecal segment. Rarefaction of the trabecular network is confined to the metabolically highly active cancellous compartment, most likely as a consequence of intestinal malabsorption.

We report on the long-term followup of a young woman after total extirpation of the urinary tract for panurothelial cancer with subsequent continent urinary diversion and renal transplantation. If a patient is willing to accept the associated risks, the staged procedure can be a highly satisfactory treatment option. Life-long close surveillance is critical for the success of this concept.

Objective: Most clinicians are aware of the importance of using "evidence based medicine" to support their clinical practice, but where does the evidence come from? The aim of this study was to examine the concordance between papers deemed "important" by urologists compared with those selected by the more objective criteria of the citation index., Method: To achieve this, two approaches were used; firstly "experts" in various fields of urology were asked to select what they felt were classic papers and secondly urology journals were searched to find the 100 most cited papers for 1982-1997 and 1935-1997. The results of both of these "league tables" were then combined., Results: The most cited papers varied depending on the time period studied. When the experts' selections were combined with those obtained via citation index it was found that the experts had chosen papers with a high citation index from non-urological as well as urological journals., Conclusion: It is possible to collate the classic papers within urology and the most effective means of doing so is to combine objective selection with expert choice. This is an exercise that can be repeated within any specialty.

Objectives: To report the short to medium-term results of one-stage buccal mucosa ventral onlay in the treatment of recurrent urethral stricture disease., Methods: Between April 1997 and July 2001, buccal mucosa was used as a ventral onlay graft in 38 patients with recurrent strictures of the bulbar (n = 30) and proximal penile urethra (n = 8). All patients had undergone at least 1 urethrotomy (range 1 to 10; mean 2.9) before reconstruction. Prospective follow-up included a simple questionnaire on patient satisfaction, uroflowmetry, and ultrasound estimation of postvoid residual urine volume and, in the case of recurrence, retrograde urethrography and cystoscopy., Results: The primary success rate at a mean follow-up of 22.8 months (range 8.7 to 40.7) was 80%. Stricture recurred in 7 patients, mostly within 12 months. A distinct residual irregularity at the former stricture site in the initial postoperative urethrogram was predictive of failed reconstruction. A second procedure was performed in 4 patients (1 urethrotomy and 3 re-buccal mucosa onlay grafts) with good results. Patient satisfaction was high in most instances. Three patients refused reoperation, preferring regular intermittent dilation., Conclusions: When end-to-end anastomosis is impossible, onlay urethroplasty using buccal mucosa is a rather simple alternative with encouraging short to medium-term results in the proximal segments of the male urethra.

Urologists are well aware of the importance of the quality of life (QoL) in determining the success of their treatments. The public are increasingly aware of this aspect of medicine. The advent of fetal ultrasonography has made knowledge of QoL in long-term survivors of congenital anomalies essential in counselling about pregnancy termination. It is becoming mandatory that clinical trials involving adults include an assessment of QoL. For children, measuring QoL has been restricted to life-threatening conditions such as cancer or transplantation medicine. Measuring QoL is difficult in children and adolescents, and this is reflected in the few suitable instruments available. The development of sexuality contributes a further difficulty as many anxieties typical of those with genital anomalies may be common to all teenagers. Several instruments rely on the opinions of a proxy (parent or carer) but self-assessment by the child is preferable where possible. The need for child self-assessment is supported by finding little concordance between child and proxy assessments. While measuring QoL is challenging, we provide a substantial case for greater consideration of QoL in paediatric urology.

Objective: To re-evaluate the assumption that enterocystoplasty in children has a detrimental effect on linear growth (which is almost exclusively based upon a chance finding in a retrospective study 10 years ago) in a larger cohort and with a longer follow-up., Patients and Methods: The original 12 children who had impaired linear growth in a previous study 10 years earlier were re-measured. A larger cohort was identified from the 242 children and adolescents who had undergone enterocystoplasty between 1982 and 1997. Patients with conditions involving organ systems apart from the urinary tract, and those with myelomeningocele, malignant diseases, reduced glomerular filtration rate and incomplete notes were excluded. In the definitive study cohort (123; mean age at operation 8.6 years; mean age at investigation 16.8 years) enterocystoplasty had been undertaken using colon in 70, ileum in 37, a combination of both in 11, ileocaecal segments in three and stomach in two patients., Results: Of the original 12 patients, six had regained or surpassed their preoperative position on their growth charts. In all patients with a known target centile range the final height was within their genetic growth potential. In the cohort of 123 patients, 1215 height and weight measurements had been recorded. The distribution of percentile positions before and after enterocystoplasty showed a normal configuration, with 83% and 80% of patients growing within two standard deviations of the 50th percentile. After surgery, 85% either remained on the same or reached a higher centile. Nineteen (15.5%) were in a lower position, with a similar tendency in the weight centile. A clinically relevant growth disorder was recognized in four patients with a complete endocrinological evaluation; in none of these was enterocystoplasty thought to be a causal factor., Conclusions: It is very unlikely that the loss of the preoperative percentile position on the growth curve in 15% of children after enterocystoplasty is a consequence of the surgery. Rather it is a non-specific phenomenon that has to be considered in any clinical population of the same size and age distribution after the same length of time.

Objective: To reevaluate the submucosally embedded in situ appendix as continence mechanism in a large single institutional series of ileocecal urinary reservoirs., Material and Methods: Between November 1990 and June 1999 an ileocecal reservoir with appendico-umbilical stoma was created in 118 patients (84 men, 34 women) aged 3.9-82.7 (mean 56.8) years as a primary urinary diversion or after failure of previous reconstruction. The most common indication for urinary diversion was bladder replacement after anterior exenteration for pelvic malignancies (n = 98), followed by functional or morphological bladder loss due to various benign conditions. The patients were followed prospectively according to a standard protocol., Results: There were no perioperative deaths. In 3 patients necrosis of the appendix resulted in total incontinence with subsequent replacement by an intussuscepted ileal nipple. Impaired catheterization due to stomal stenosis was observed in 19 patients with recurrence in 6 and a total of 25 minor revisions. With a mean follow-up of 60 months all patients are continent day and night., Conclusion: Over 10 years, the submucosally embedded in situ appendix has survived as a continence mechanism in the original technique reliably providing continence in ileocecal reservoirs.

Background: We prospectively assessed the safety of kidney transplantation into continent urinary intestinal reservoirs as a planned two-stage procedure in patients with absent or dysfunctional lower urinary tract., Methods: Between November 1990 and June 1999, 12 patients have undergone renal transplantation into continent urinary reservoirs, and a further patient with a diversion is awaiting transplantation. This was part of a larger series of 356 patients who had undergone continent diversions during that period. A further 174 patients (33%) had diversions into ileal conduits., Findings: Within a mean follow-up of 26.1 months (5-72) after transplantation renal function was stable with serum creatinine values ranging from 0.9 to 1.8 mg/dl. There were 5 reoperations in the 12 patients (40%). Two patients needed their continence mechanism replaced. One had renal vein thrombosis with loss of the transplant. The cause for this was unknown but it had been speculated that it could have been caused by graft/body size disproportion. A second kidney was successfully transplanted after 12 months. Two further revisions were required for ureteric kinking and lymphocele. The patient with orthotopic substitution voids to completion. The other patients are continent day and night with easy catheterization., Interpretation: This is one of the largest single series reported to date of renal transplantation into continent urinary diversions, and we commend the approach in carefully selected patients, but the difficulties must not be underestimated and the specific problems of intestinal urinary reservoirs have to be reckoned with. These procedures should be confined to centers with considerable experience with this type of surgery and its complications. Lifelong close surveillance is critical for the success of this concept.