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Introduction: This study assesses the effects of the recent changes to the urology residency match process., Methods: We emailed an anonymous, multiple-choice survey to each candidate who applied to any of our 3 urology programs for the 2024 Urology Residency Match., Results: Of the 433 candidates invited, 146 (33.7%) completed the survey. Of the 133 respondents who matched, 38.3% matched where they did an away subinternship (sub-I), 20.3% matched with their home program, and 91.0% matched with a program where they sent a preference signal (PS); only 8 respondents (6.0%) matched with a program where they did not complete a sub-I or send a PS. Of the 4 candidates who did not take Step 2 before submitting their application, only 1 matched. The 126 applicants who completed 3 or more sub-Is, including the home sub-I, had a higher match rate (95.2%) than the 20 applicants who completed 1 or 2 (65.0%, P < .0005). Disclosing any geographic preferences was associated with a decreased probability of matching (relative risk = 0.89, P < .05)., Conclusions: Taking Step 2 before submitting applications and completing 3 or more sub-Is were both correlated with a higher match rate. Geographic signaling was correlated with a lower match rate. There was little benefit to applying to programs outside of those where the applicant had completed a sub-I or sent a PS. Future candidates should consider these findings early in the application process. These findings should be taken into consideration when making future changes to the application process.

Objectives: To characterise the long-term success rate of ventral onlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (vBMG) in the management of bulbar urethral stricture disease (USD), assess patient-reported postoperative satisfaction and decision regret, and delineate clinical factors impacting patient-reported metrics., Subjects and Methods: Patients with prior vBMG for bulbar USD, performed at Cleveland Clinic between 2003 and 2022, were contacted and brief structured interviews were performed. Stricture recurrence and need for secondary procedures, baseline demographics, and patient-reported outcome surveys were collected. The surveys included the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), the Urethral Stricture Symptom Impact Measure (USSIM) and the 10-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form, version 1.2 (PROMIS-10). Descriptive, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed for clinical outcomes and survey responses., Results: A total of 104 patients recorded responses. The median patient age was 49 years and the median follow-up was 7.4 years at time of survey. The median graft length was 5 cm and 38% of patients underwent partial thickness augmented anastomotic urethroplasty. At time of follow-up, 10 patients underwent a secondary procedure. Moderate to severe regret on the DRS was found in 12% of patients, and greater regret was associated with recurrence. The mean physical and mental health PROMIS-10 Global Health T-scores were 52 and 53. The mean total USSIM score was 56. A significant correlation was found between USSIM and DRS scores, with higher DRS score and recurrence negatively impacting USSIM score. USSIM scoring across all domains was significantly worse in the moderate to severe DRS group., Conclusion: This study showed that vBMG for bulbar USD confers both high success rates and patient-reported satisfaction at extended follow-up, based on emerging and validated patient-reported outcome measures., (© 2024 The Author(s). BJU International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of BJU International.)

Introduction: Patient expectations and baseline health are important drivers of outcomes following major genitourinary reconstructive surgery for neurogenic bladder (NGB). Differences in expectations and quality of life (QoL) improvements among different populations with NGB remain insufficiently explored in the literature., Objective: To compare decisional regret (DR) and urinary-related QoL (UrQoL) in patients undergoing urinary diversion for NGB arising from spinal cord injury of acquired (A-SCI) and congenital (C-SCI) etiologies. We hypothesize that patients with A-SCI have higher expectations of improvement in QoL following surgery when compared with C-SCI, which may lead to higher DR and decreased UrQoL, postoperatively., Design: In this cross-sectional survey study, we compared A-SCI to C-SCI in terms of DR, UrQoL, and postoperative changes in self-reported physical health, mental health, and pain using validated patient-reported outcome measures., Setting: Participants were enrolled from a quaternary care institution via mail and MyChart., Participants: The A-SCI group consisted of 17 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury; the C-SCI group was composed of 20 patients with spina bifida., Interventions: Not applicable., Main Outcome Measures: The Decisional Regret Scale, Short form- Qualiveen (SF-Qualiveen), and Patient-reported outcomes measurement Information system-10 (PROMIS-10) Global Health surveys., Results: The A-SCI group displayed poorer preoperative physical health than the C-SCI cohort, but absolute postoperative changes in this score, along with mental health score and pain level, were not significant after adjusting for baseline scores and follow-up time. SF-Qualiveen scores revealed significantly worse impact of NGB in UrQoL for A-SCI than for C-SCI when adjusted for other factors. No differences in DR were seen between the groups., Conclusions: Patients with A-SCI demonstrate lower self-reported baseline physical health compared with patients with C-SCI, which may have implications in setting patient expectations when undergoing urinary diversion. In this small cohort, we found a milder self-reported postoperative impact of NGB in UrQoL in patients with C-SCI., (© 2024 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.)

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the recent changes to the urology residency application process on the criteria utilized by residency program directors (PDs) for interview invitations and their perspectives concerning these changes., Methods: One hundred thirty-seven urology residency PDs were invited to participate in an anonymous survey to explore interview selection criteria and the impact of the increase in preference signals (PS) per applicant., Results: Fifty-eight PDs (42.8%) completed the survey. The highest-ranked criteria were letters of recommendation (LoR) and successful sub-internship (sub-I) at the PD's institution, without statistically significant differences between these 2. Gender, ethnicity, and medical school prestige were the lowest rated criteria, without significant differences between these 3. Compared to before the increase in the number of PS per applicant, 80.7% of PDs reported that not receiving a PS from an applicant this cycle would more negatively impact the chances of offering an interview to that applicant. Moreover, 12.2% stated they would not interview any applicants who did not send a PS. Finally, 62.1% of PDs believed recent changes worsened the process., Conclusion: Recent changes impacted PDs applicant evaluation, with the highest ranked criteria being LoRs and sub-I. Paradoxically, the increase in the number of PS per applicant has increased their importance as applicants are much less likely to receive interview offers from programs they have not signaled. Lastly, most PDs believe changes have worsened the evaluation process., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors have any disclosures or conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the impact of posterior urethral stenosis or defect on outcomes following rectourethral fistula (RUF) repair, we present a cohort of 23 men who underwent posterior urethroplasty concurrent with RUF repair., Methods: We identified 130 men who underwent RUF repair at our institution between 2003 and 2021. Of these, 23 (18%) underwent simultaneous posterior urethroplasty. Fifteen men received prior radiation for prostate cancer. Of the 8 men who were not radiated, 4 had a history of radical prostatectomy, 2 pelvic trauma, and 3 inflammatory bowel disease. All 23 men underwent fecal diversion prior to surgery (median, 6 months preoperatively), and 20 men suprapubic catheter placement (median, 5.5 months preoperatively)., Results: RUF repair was performed via perineal approach in 22 cases (96%) and prone Kraske position in 1 (4%). Intraoperatively, 20 men (87%) had urethral stenosis, and 3 (13%) had significant urethral defects due to cavitation and tissue loss. There was stenosis/stricture involving the prostatomembranous urethra in 18 cases (78%) and vesicourethral anastomosis in 5 (22%). Urethroplasty was performed with anastomotic repair in 18 patients (78%) and using a buccal mucosal graft in 5 (22%). Gracilis flap interposition was performed in 21 cases (91%). At a median follow-up of 55.7 months (interquartile range (IQR), 23-82 months), 20 men (87%) had successful RUF closure, with 3 patients experiencing RUF recurrence requiring further surgery. Fourteen men (61%) reported postoperative urinary incontinence, with 7 (30%) ultimately undergoing artificial urinary sphincter placement. There were no isolated stricture recurrences requiring instrumentation., Conclusion: Posterior urethral stenosis associated with RUF complicates an already challenging problem. However, most of these patients can be successfully treated concurrent with RUF repair. This series demonstrates that patients with RUF should not be ruled out for restorative reconstructive surgery based on the presence of posterior urethral stenosis or defect., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Kenneth Angermeier: Boston Scientific - consultant. The other authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the rationale behind the choice of programs for preference signaling (PS) and subinternships by urology applicants in the 2023 cycle., Methods: We emailed an anonymous, multiple-choice survey to the 403 prospective candidates who applied to our institution for the 2023 Urology Residency Match., Results: 121 applicants (30.0%) responded to the survey. 81.8% were in favor of the continuation of PS, with 4.1% against it. When choosing where to PS or subinternship, geographic location and perceived quality of clinical training were the highest-ranked criteria. Racial/ethnic diversity of the residents influenced PS or subinternship choice for 77.8% of Black, 72.7% of Asian, 57.1% of Latinos, and 46.5% of White respondents (P < .05 for Black and Asian vs White). Institutional statements on diversity influenced PS or subinternship choice for 88.9% of Black, 55% of Asian, 64.3% of Latino, and 25.4% of White respondents (P < .05 for Black, Asian and Latino vs White). Females had an increased likelihood of PS or choosing subinternship programs with gender diversity of residents (81.6% vs 33.8, P = .002). A program with PS was associated with a 2.74 increase in likelihood of obtaining an interview compared to programs that were not PS. Of 107 matched applicants, 47.5% matched at a program where they completed a subinternship, and 25.7% matched at a signaled program., Conclusion: PS plays a major role in the match process. When choosing where to PS, applicants prioritize geographic location and perceived quality of training. Diversity of residents plays a major role in recruiting diverse applicants., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe a single-center experience with the management of ileal pouch-urethral fistulas (IPUF) following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA)., Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with documented IPUF managed at our institution from a urethral fistula cohort and analyzed their cases., Results: Thirteen patients who underwent surgeries for IPUF management from 2005-2022 were identified. Median age at IPAA was 29 years (range 11-53). Indications for IPAA included familial adenomatous polyposis (n=3) and ulcerative colitis (n=10). Median time from IPAA to fistula diagnosis was 15 years (range 0.5-38.5). Eleven patients were initially diverted with either loop (n=8) or end ileostomy (n=3). Overall, two patients had resolution of IPUF symptoms with a loop ileostomy alone and eight eventually underwent pouch excision with end ileostomy, one of which subsequently underwent redo IPAA. Seven patients were managed with primary closure of the urethral defect at the time of pouch excision, five of which also underwent gracilis muscle interposition. With a median follow-up of 4 years (range 0.3-13 years), all patients had resolution of their fistulae without any recurrences., Conclusion: IPUFs are a rare complication after IPAA. In this cohort, all patients had their urinary tract preserved, but most ultimately had permanent fecal diversion. These results can help guide management of this complex issue., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To define applicant response to the preference signaling program and continuing virtual aspects of the 2022 Urology Residency Match to guide future decisions surrounding this process., Methods: We emailed an anonymous, de-identified 20-question, multiple choice survey to all applicants to our institution for the 2022 Urology Residency Match (RedCap). Where appropriate, comparisons were made to already published data collected in an identical manner from applicants to our institution for the 2021 Urology Residency Match., Results: Of the 418 survey recipients, 155 (37%) responded to our survey. A majority of applicants (83%) thought that preference signaling should remain in future years, and 66% of applicants matched to a program to which they had signaled or where they completed a subinternship. Geographic location of programs was ranked to have the highest impact on choice of programs for preference signaling. Fifty-two percent of 2022 applicants thought that interviews should remain virtual compared with 39% of 2021 applicants (P = .03). Twenty-one percent of 2022 applicants agreed that pre/post-interview socials were well-replicated virtually compared with 10% of 2021 applicants (P = .04)., Conclusion: A majority of urology applicants were satisfied with the preference signaling program, suggesting that preference signaling should remain in future matches. A majority of urology applicants now favor the virtual interview platform. While it is gaining greater acceptance among applicants, the virtual platform generally still carries deficiencies. Further research of the urology match process is necessary for continued optimization of the program for all stakeholders., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To define urology applicant attitudes and usage trends of social media (SM) during the 2021 urology match cycle., Methods: We emailed an anonymous, de-identified 22-question, multiple choice survey to all applicants to our institution for the 2021 Urology Residency Match. We asked participants about use of SM and which aspects they found useful in the application process. Univariate descriptive analyses were conducted based on survey responses. Chi-square analyses were performed to define significant differences in use of social media and resultant match outcomes., Results: Of the 528 students who registered for the 2021 AUA Match, 398 received our survey (75%), and 144 responded (27% of applicants nationwide). Of survey participants, 49% made a new account on Twitter while 30% had a preexisting account. Most participants (71%) had a preexisting Instagram account, while only 3% made a new account. Most participants agreed Twitter was used as a source to gather information about programs (84%) and learn about events (89%). Participants found SM most helpful for announcing event dates (71%) and highlighting resident social life (59%). Applicants did not match more highly on their rank lists if they used Twitter (P = .427) or Instagram (P = .166) and were not more likely to get more interviews if they used Twitter (P = .246) or Instagram (P = .114) CONCLUSION: Applicants found Twitter to be an important source of information through the virtual interview process. Despite the use of SM by most applicants, published content did not impact rank list decisions nor did SM engagement predict match outcomes., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To define applicant response to the 2021 Urology Residency Match Process in the COVID-19 Pandemic and to extrapolate lessons to optimize the urology resident selection process after the pandemic., Methods: We emailed an anonymous, de-identified 22-question, multiple choice survey to all applicants to our institution for the 2021 Urology Residency Match, including a summary of the study with a survey link (RedCap)., Results: Of the 398 survey recipients, 144 responded (36%). Even if the match process were not limited by COVID-19, 39% of applicants thought interviews should remain in virtual format, 23% said "no," and 30% said "not sure." Nearly all applicants (97%) thought all interview offers should be released on the same day. Regarding the early match, 84% thought this should remain. When asked what factors had the most impact on rank lists, faculty and resident interviews were overwhelmingly favored. Open houses and resident "happy hours" were less important. Most applicants agreed that the faculty and resident interviews and informational talks were adequately replicated on the virtual platform. A majority of applicants (65%) spent under $2000 for the application cycle., Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the urology match process. The faculty and resident interviews remained the most important factors in program ranking, and most applicants agreed those were adequately replicated in the virtual format. A plurality of applicants felt that the interview process should remain virtual in a post-COVID-19 environment. The virtual application cycle reduced the cost of applying to residency., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Previously, incisionless plication (IP) for correction of congenital penile curvature (CPC) has been performed after penile degloving via a circumscribing incision., Aim: To describe our experience with non-degloving incisionless penile plication (NDIP) for correction of CPC and compare these outcomes with those of men who underwent degloving incisionless penile plication (DIP)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of men ≤ 45 years of age who underwent incisionless penile plication for correction of CPC between 2008 and 2020 at two adult tertiary hospitals. Patients underwent either NDIP, performed through a 2-3 cm longitudinal incision along the proximal-to-mid shaft opposite the point of maximum penile curvature, or DIP via a sub-coronal circumscribing incision., Main Outcome Measures: Surgical and patient-reported outcomes were compared between the non-degloving and degloving groups., Results: Among the 38 men (mean age, 26 years) who met the inclusion criteria, 25 underwent NDIP, including 6 patients with biplanar curvature (2 Ventral, 4 Dorsal, 6 Lateral). Thirteen patients underwent DIP, including 1 patient with biplanar curvature (1 ventral, 1 lateral). Curvature reduction was 50 ± 23 degrees for the NDIP group and 36 ± 10 degrees for the DIP group (P = .04). Five (20%) patients in the NDIP group and nine (69%) patients in the DIP group experienced a reduction in stretched penile length following plication (SPL) (P = .01). One patient in the NDIP group underwent an additional plication for recurrent curvature., Conclusion: Both NDIP and DIP are safe and highly efficacious techniques for the correction of CPC. Kusin SB, Khouri RK, Dropkin BM, et al., Plication for Correction of Congenital Penile Curvature: With or Without Degloving?. Sex Med 2021;9:100462., (Copyright © 2021 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

INTRODUCTION Patient-reported pads per day use is a widely used metric in grading the severity of stress urinary incontinence and guiding surgical decision-making, particularly in mild-to-moderate cases. We sought to compare patient-reported stress urinary incontinence severity by pads per day with objective findings on standing cough test. We hypothesize that patient-reported pads per day often underestimates stress urinary incontinence severity., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our male stress urinary incontinence surgical database and identified 299 patients with self-reported mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence who were evaluated with standing cough test prior to surgical intervention between 2007 and 2019. Patients were evaluated with the Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale for urinary leakage during a standing cough test. This test has been shown to reliably and accurately predict surgical success. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify parameters associated with stress urinary incontinence upgrading in a multivariable model., Results: Among 299 patients with reported mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence, 101 (34%) were upgraded to severe stress urinary incontinence by standing cough test. Prior stress urinary incontinence surgery (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0-8.0, p < 0.0001) and radiation (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7-5.7, p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale upgrading in multivariable analysis., Conclusions: Roughly one-third of men who report mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence actually have severe incontinence observed on physical examination. All men being evaluated for stress urinary incontinence should undergo standing cough test to accurately grade incontinence severity and guide surgical management.

Purpose of Review: To review risk factors for AUS complications and present a systematic approach to their diagnosis and management., Recent Findings: Established risk factors for AUS complications include catheterization, channel TURP, pelvic radiation, urethroplasty, anticoagulation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, frailty index, hypertension, low albumin, and low testosterone. We present our algorithm for diagnosis and management of AUS complications. Despite being the gold standard of treatment for men with SUI, major and minor complications can occur at any point after AUS insertion. Careful consideration of the urologic, medical, and operative risk factors for each patient can help prevent complications. A systematic approach to early and late complications facilitates their identification and effective management. The evaluating urologist must have a thorough understanding of potential AUS complications in order to restore quality of life in men with bothersome SUI.

Purpose: Patient-reported history of pads per day (PPD) is widely recognized as a fundamental element of decision-making for anti-incontinence procedures. We hypothesize that SUI severity is often underestimated among men with moderate SUI. We sought to compare patient history of incontinence severity versus objective in-office physical examination findings., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our single-surgeon male SUI surgical database from 2007-2019. We excluded patients with incomplete preoperative or postoperative data and those who reported either mild or severe SUI, thus having more straightforward surgical counseling. For men reported to have moderate SUI, we determined the frequency of upgrading SUI severity by recording the results of an in-office standing cough test (SCT) using the Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale (MSIGS). The correlation of MSIGS with sling success rate was calculated. Failure was defined as >1 PPD usage or need for additional incontinence procedure., Results: Among 233 patients with reported moderate SUI (2-3 PPD), 89 (38%) had MSIGS 3-4 on SCT, indicating severe SUI. Among patients with 2-3 PPD preoperatively, sling success rates were significantly higher for patients with MSIGS 0-2 (76/116, 64%) compared to MSIGS 3-4 (6/18, 33%) (p <0.01)., Conclusions: Many men with self-reported history of moderate SUI actually present severe SUI observed on SCT. The SCT is a useful tool to stratify moderate SUI patients to more accurately predict sling success., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.)

Objective: At present, excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) urethroplasty is a highly reliable method of reconstruction for short bulbar urethral strictures. Longer strictures are often managed with grafting techniques to ensure a tension-free repair. Here we report our initial experience with a new, extended anastomotic technique for long bulbar strictures that incorporates plication of the ventral corporal bodies to reduce the distance between the urethral ends and obviates the need for grafting., Methods: We reviewed records for all urethroplasties performed by a single surgeon at our institution between January 2018 and February 2020. We identified a cohort of older patients with complex strictures who underwent Extended Primary Anastomosis with Penile Plication (EPAPP). Patient demographics, stricture characteristics, perioperative 75 parameters, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated., Results: Of 346 urethroplasty records reviewed, 10 patients (2.9%) underwent EPAPP. Mean stricture length was 3.75 ± 1.4 cm. EPAPP patients were older than those repaired by other techniques (mean age 66.6 vs 55.6, P = .024), and most were not sexually active preoperatively. Postoperative voiding cystourethrogram confirmed urethral patency without extravasation in all patients. At a median follow up of 9.7 months (IQR 8.5-11.5) 8 patients remained asymptomatic after EPAPP alone and 2 patients required a single balloon dilation for stricture recurrence., Conclusion: EPAPP is a promising alternative option for the management of long bulbar strictures among appropriately selected patients., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

General Purpose: To review the various mechanical forces that affect fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and adipocytes at the cellular and molecular level as well as scar-reducing mechanical devices currently in clinical use., Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care., Learning Objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Compare and contrast the responses of various types of cells to mechanical forces.2. Identify the mechanical devices and techniques that can help restore skin integrity., Competing Interests: Acknowledgment: The authors thank The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation for the generous donation to the Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing Laboratory that helped accomplish this work. Dr Orgill has disclosed that he is a consultant to and recipient of grant research funding from Acelity, but that his spouse/life partner (if any) has no financial relationships with, or financial interests in, any commercial organizations relevant to this educational activity. Lippincott CME Institute and Lippincott Professional Development have identified and resolved all conflicts of interest concerning this educational activity. The remaining authors, faculty, staff, and planners, including spouses/partners (if any), in any position to control the content of this CME/NCPD activity have disclosed that they have no financial relationships with, or financial interests in, any commercial companies relevant to this educational activity., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To better understand the experiences of female and underrepresented minority (URM) medical students pursuing urology and determine if discrimination was perceived at any point during the application process., Methods: After the rank list submission deadline (January 2, 2020), we emailed an anonymous survey to all 353 applicants to our institution for the 2020 AUA Residency Match (80.0% of applicants nationally). The survey inquired about their experiences pursuing urology and the residency match process. Ordinal regression models were used to identify any significant predictors of survey responses., Results: One hundred ninety applicants (136 male [72%], 54 female [28%]) completed the survey. A significantly higher percentage of females vs males noted discrimination (odds ratio: 2.53; confidence interval: 1.37-4.74, Fig. 1). URM students also reported higher frequencies of discrimination than non-URM students (odds ratio: 2.27; confidence interval: 1.07-4.83). Thirty-two percent of respondents tested positive on the Maslach Burnout Inventory; we did not identify any predictors of burnout. Higher proportions of female residents, faculty and leadership at a particular program had a more favorable impact on the rank lists of female applicants compared with males. Higher proportions of URM residents, faculty and leadership at a particular program had a more favorable impact on the rank lists of URM applicants compared with non-URM., Conclusion: Our collective findings suggest that URM and female medical students have less favorable experiences interacting with urology trainees and faculty than do their nonminority and male counterparts. Higher percentages of female and URM urology residents and faculty promote effective recruitment of female and URM applicants., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Over the past decade, high submuscular (HSM) placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs has emerged as a viable alternative to space of Retzius (SOR) placement; however, data comparing the feasibility and complications of HSM vs SOR reservoir removal do not presently exist., Aim: To present a comparison of the safety, feasibility, and ease of removal of HSM vs SOR reservoirs in a tertiary care, university-based, high-volume prosthetic urology practice., Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on patients who underwent IPP reservoir removal between January 2011 and June 2020. Cases were separated into 2 cohorts based on reservoir location. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact and Chi-squared tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. Timing from IPP insertion to explant was compared between the HSM and SOR groups using the Mann-Whitney U test., Outcomes: Time from IPP insertion to explant, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and need for a counter incision were compared between the HSM and SOR groups., Results: Between January 2011 and June 2020, 106 (73 HSM, 33 SOR) patients underwent IPP removal or replacement by a single surgeon at our institution. Average time from IPP insertion to removal was 43.6 months (24.2 HSM, 52.7 SOR, P = .07)-reservoir removal occurred at the time of device explant in 70 of 106 (66%) cases. More HSM reservoirs were explanted at the time of IPP removal compared with the SOR cohort (54 of 73, 74% HSM vs 16 of 33, 48.5% SOR, P = .01). Similar rates of complications were noted between the HSM and SOR groups (1.9% vs 6.3%, P = .35). There was no significant difference in need for counter incision between the 2 groups (24 [42%] HSM vs 4 [25%] SOR, P = .16) or in average operative times (76.5 ± 38.3 minutes HSM vs 68.1 ± 34.3 minutes SOR, P = .52)., Clinical Implications: Our experience with explanting HSM reservoirs supports the safety and ease of their removal., Strengths and Limitations: Although the absolute cohort size is relatively low, this study reflects one of the largest single-institution experiences examining penile implant reservoir removal. In addition, reservoir location was not randomized but was instead determined by which patients presented with complications necessitating reservoir removal during the study period., Conclusions: HSM reservoir removal has comparable perioperative complication rates and operative times when compared with SOR reservoir removal. Kavoussi M, Bhanvadia RR, VanDyke ME, et al. Explantation of High Submuscular Reservoirs: Safety and Practical Considerations. J Sex Med 2020;17:2488-2494., (Copyright © 2020 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare our extended experience with high submuscular (HSM) reservoir placement to traditional space of Retzius (SOR) placement and to present our current, refined 'Five-Step' technique (FST) for HSM placement., Patients and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on patients undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement between January 2009 and June 2019. Re-operative cases were excluded. Reservoir-related complications and subsequent revisions were compared between SOR (2009-2012) and HSM reservoir groups (2012-2019). HSM patients were subdivided into two cohorts: 'Initial Technique' (2012-2014) and FST (2014-2019). The refined FST protocol was developed in 2014 to optimise outcomes and includes the following steps: (i) Position and Access; (ii) Develop Lower HSM Pocket; (iii) Develop Upper HSM Pocket; (iv) Reservoir Delivery (fill and fine-tune); (v) Confirm and Connect., Results: Between January 2009 and June 2019, 733 total IPP procedures (586 HSM, 147 SOR) were performed by a single surgeon at our institution, 561 of which were virgin cases (430 HSM, 131 SOR) and included in this analysis. Overall, surgical revision was required in 10/430 (2.3%) HSM cases (one delayed bowel obstruction, nine herniations) and six of 131 (4.6%) SOR cases (one bladder erosion, two vascular injuries, and three herniations, P = 0.22). When comparing the FST to the Initial Technique, we noted a significant decrease in complications requiring surgical revision (P = 0.01). Among 133 cases performed with the Initial Technique, seven (5.3%) required surgical revision (one bowel obstruction after placement into the peritoneal cavity, six herniations). Among 297 FST cases, three (1.0%) required revision, all due to herniation., Conclusion: HSM placement of IPP reservoirs is a safe alternative to traditional SOR placement. Major deep pelvic reservoir complications were minimised using our current refined FST., (© 2020 The Authors BJU International © 2020 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To evaluate urology applicants' opinions about the interview process during the COVID-19 pandemic., Material and Methods: An anonymous survey was emailed to applicants to our institution from the 2019 and 2020 urology matches prior to issuance of professional organization guidelines. The survey inquired about attitudes toward the residency interview process in the era of COVID-19 and which interview elements could be replicated virtually. Descriptive statistics were utilized., Results: Eighty percent of urology applicants from the 2019 and 2020 matches received our survey. One hundred fifty-six people (24% of recipients) responded. Thirty-four percent preferred virtual interviews, while 41% in-person interviews at each program, and 25% regional/centralized interviews. Sixty-four percent said that interactions with residents (pre/postinterview social and informal time) were the most important interview day component and 81% said it could not be replicated virtually. Conversely, 81% believed faculty interviews could be replicated virtually. Eighty-seven percent believed that city visits could not be accomplished virtually. A plurality felt that away rotations and second-looks should be allowed (both 45%)., Comment: Applicants feel that faculty interviews can be replicated virtually, while resident interactions cannot. Steps such as a low-stakes second looks after programs submit rank lists (potentially extending this window) and small virtual encounters with residents could ease applicant concerns., Conclusion: Applicants have concerns about changes to the match processes. Programs can adopt virtual best practices to address these issues., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To determine the role of slings and artificial urinary sphincters (AUS) in the management of mild and moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI)., Methods: A retrospective review of our single-surgeon male SUI database was completed. Men having AUS or AdVance sling procedures between 2008 and 2019 were included in the analysis. Those with severe incontinence and/or incomplete pre- or postoperative data were excluded. All patients were evaluated by standing cough test and stratified according to the Male Stress Incontinence Grading Scale. Scores of 0-1 and 2-3 defined mild and moderate SUI, respectively. We performed 2 analyses: (a) sling outcomes were compared between mild vs moderate SUI patients, and (b) for men with moderate SUI, we compared outcomes between slings and AUS. Treatment failure was defined as >1 pad per day or need for subsequent incontinence procedure., Results: Among 202 sling cases, those with mild SUI had significantly higher success rate (69/88, 78%) than those with moderate SUI (72/114, 63%; P = .02). Among the 179 men with moderate SUI, those who underwent AUS had significantly higher success rate (52/65, 80%) than those who underwent sling (72/114, 63%; P = .02)., Conclusion: Male slings are more effective for men with mild SUI than for men with moderate SUI. Men with moderate SUI have a higher success rate with AUS than with sling., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report our experience with isolated pressure regulating balloon (PRB) replacement for artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) malfunction in the setting of PRB herniation., Methods: A retrospective review of our large single-surgeon male AUS database was completed. We analyzed men with herniated PRBs palpable in the groin within an otherwise intact system. Patients with evidence of AUS fluid loss were excluded. PRBs were replaced in a submuscular location through a lower abdominal incision. Continence was defined as requiring ≤1 pad per day. Cystoscopic improvement of sphincter coaptation was confirmed intraoperatively., Results: Of the 725 patients who underwent AUS surgery between 2011 and 2019, we identified 23 (3.2%) with PRB herniation and persistent or bothersome stress urinary incontinence who underwent isolated PRB replacement (median age 72 years, interquartile range 66-80). Four of the 23 patients were excluded from the analysis for subsequent explant unrelated to PRB replacement. At a mean follow-up of 21.7 months (range 2-99 months), 94.7% of patients (18/19) noted significant improvement in their stress urinary incontinence, and 78.9% of patients (15/19) achieved continence. Median time between AUS placement and PRB revision was 13 months (interquartile range 6-34 months)., Conclusion: PRB replacement appears to be a safe and effective salvage therapy for AUS patients with PRB herniation and persistent incontinence without mechanical failure. Intraoperative cystoscopic confirmation of enhanced sphincter coaptation appears to be a reliable predictor of treatment success., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify institutional factors that predict medical student decision to apply for the urology match., Materials and Methods: American Urological Association (AUA) Match data from 2015 to 2019 were used to determine the number of applicants from each medical school who submitted rank lists. Associations between the applicant counts from each medical school and medical school characteristics were assessed using multivariable Poisson regression models. Data were obtained using publicly available datasets and a survey of urology program coordinators., Results: There were 1916 medical students from 199 medical schools who submitted rank lists to the urology residency match. After adjusting for class size, schools with a urology residency program produced significantly greater number of urology applicants (RR 2.7; 95% CI, 2.2-3.4, p<0.001). Additional predictors included a shorter preclerkship curriculum (less than 18 months; RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09-1.35, P <.001), number of urology residents (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.17, P <.001), urology faculty (RR 1.1; 1.04-1.2; P = .01; per 10 faculty), top 20 residency ranking on Doximity (RR 1.2; 1.1-1.4, P <.001), and presence of urology interest group (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, P = .005). Approximately 28% of applicants were female, and the percentage of female urology faculty at their institution significantly correlated with number of female applicants (β = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.01-0.44; P = .049)., Conclusion: To recruit more medical students into urology, departments should foster early preclinical exposure to specialty-specific interest groups, interaction with residents, and development of a diverse faculty., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Despite the competitiveness and high stakes of the urology residency match little research has focused on the application process from the applicants' perspective., Methods: In April 2018 we e-mailed a 23-question multiple-choice survey to all applicants to the 2018 urology residency match., Results: Of the 436 applicants 186 (42.7%) completed our survey. Among the most interesting findings was that most applicants (65.1%) would prefer limiting the number of applications per applicant to 60 or fewer, and the vast majority of applicants (89.8%) would prefer a system where interviews are organized by geographic region to reduce cross-country travel. Most applicants (86.6%) also prefer the January match over the National Resident Matching Program match in March., Conclusions: This study provides applicants' perspectives of the urology residency match process as well as a working framework for improving the application process at the national and individual program levels. Combining these findings with the perspective of the residency program directors should provide the optimal guidance for the structure of the match process going forward.

Background: Adipose tissue reaches cellular stasis after puberty, leaving adipocytes unable to significantly expand or renew under normal physiologic conditions. This is problematic in progressive lipodystrophies, in instances of scarring, and in soft-tissue damage resulting from lumpectomy and traumatic deformities, because adipose tissue will not self-renew once damaged. This yields significant clinical necessity for an off-the-shelf de novo soft-tissue replacement mechanism., Methods: A process comprising separate steps of removing lipid and cellular materials from adipose tissue has been developed, creating an ambient temperature-stable allograft adipose matrix. Growth factors and matrix proteins relevant to angiogenesis and adipogenesis were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, and subcutaneous soft-tissue integration of the allograft adipose matrix was investigated in vivo in both the athymic mouse and the dorsum of the human wrist., Results: Allograft adipose matrix maintained structural components and endogenous growth factors. In vitro, adipose-derived stem cells cultured on allograft adipose matrix underwent adipogenesis in the absence of media-based cues. In vivo, animal modeling showed vasculature formation followed by perilipin A-positive tissue segments. Allograft adipose matrix maintained soft-tissue volume in the dorsal wrist in a 4-month investigation with no severe adverse events, becoming palpably consistent with subcutaneous adipose., Conclusions: Subcutaneous implantation of allograft adipose matrix laden with retained angiogenic and adipogenic factors served as an inductive scaffold for sustaining adipogenesis. Tissue incorporation assessed histologically from both the subcutaneous injection site of the athymic nude mouse over 6 months and human dorsal wrist presented adipocyte morphology residing within the injected scaffold.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the cosmetic evaluation of autologous fat transfer (AFT) for various indications between surgeons and different laymen groups., Background Data: Despite the upsurge in AFT scientific/clinical interest, objectifying satisfaction has only recently progressed beyond simple Likert-type/Visual Analog Scales. Furthermore, differences in satisfaction between laymen and surgeons has not been thoroughly studied., Method: A photo comparison study between European plastic surgeons and different laymen groups was conducted to investigate agreement on cosmetic evaluation of AFT. Three sets of preoperative/postoperative photographs illustrating patients treated with External Vacuum Expansion (EVE) + AFT for various indications in breast surgery were scored according to the Harris Scale, and the interrater agreement was analyzed using Cohen's κ., Results: The overall agreement between the surgeons and the groups of former augmentation, control group, and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator patients was fair, moderate, and substantial, respectively. Interrater agreements among different laymen groups and surgeons from different countries among themselves was substantial to almost perfect. Finally, we found that laymen are generally more optimistic about postoperative results than surgeons., Conclusion: In our study, former augmentation patients showed the lowest agreement with surgeons, in the cosmetic appreciation of EVE + AFT and this group might benefit from a more thorough preoperative consultation regarding expectations when choosing AFT. However, overall laymen tend to be more optimistic about postoperative results and surgeon education in general does not seem influenced by surgeon nationality. The significant differences between surgeons and laymen in the cosmetic evaluation of EVE + AFT justifies further studies that focus on the qualitative aspects of these differences to further balance patients' and surgeons' expectations.

Objective: To better understand today's urology applicant., Methods: All 2016 Urology Residency Match applicants to the study-participating institutions were provided a survey via email inquiring about their paths to urology, their career aspirations, how they evaluate a training program, and how they perceive residency programs evaluate them., Results: Of a possible 468 applicants registered for the match, 346 applicants completed the survey. Only 8.7% had a mandatory urology rotation, yet 58.4% believed that a mandatory urology rotation would influence their career decision. Most applicants (62.1%) spent more than 8 weeks on urology rotations, and 79.2% completed 2 or more away rotations. Applicants were attracted to urology by the diversity of procedures, prior exposure to the field, and the mix of medicine and surgery, with mean importance scores of 4.70, 4.52, and 4.45 of 5, respectively. Female applicants were more likely to be interested in pediatric urology, trauma or reconstructive urology, and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Significant differences in survey results were noted when applicants were separated by gender. Three-fourths of respondents (75.7%) applied to more than 50 residency programs. Applicants ranked operative experience, interactions with current residents, and relationships between faculty and residents as the most important criteria when evaluating training programs. Of the subspecialties, 62.1% of applicants expressed most interest in urologic oncology. At this stage in their career, a significant majority (83.5%) expressed interest in becoming academic faculty., Conclusion: This study provides new information that facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of today's urology applicants., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Puncture wounds in the 1-mm range usually heal without scars. Stacking rows of these punctures offers a scarless method to generate tissue by mesh expansion. The authors developed a percutaneous mesh expansion procedure and present their experience for its wound closure application., Methods: Over a 6-year period, the authors applied percutaneous mesh expansion to 65 consecutive patients aged 58 to 101 years (mean, 72 years) with 67 full-thickness calvarial defects ranging in size from 2.5 × 3 cm to 7 × 8 cm (mean, 14 cm) that would have all required flaps for closure. Thirty-six were still anticoagulated, and 20 had prior scalp resections. After tumescent epinephrine anesthesia, the authors temporarily approximate the wound by placing it under strong tension. Using 1.1-mm cutting point needles that selectively sever tissues under tension, the authors inflict rows of staggered alternating punctures over a distance five times the defect width. This results in 20 percent expansion of the meshed area, generating the tissue necessary for defect coverage. When the tension is completely released, closure is performed with simple sutures or staples. The authors avoid overmeshing, especially close to the wound edges, and perform no undermining or additional incisions., Results: At 6-week follow-up, all defects were healed with only a straight resection scar. However, of the 10 defects larger than 5 × 5 cm, five had wound healing delay and three required a small skin graft. No other complication was observed., Conclusions: Percutaneous mesh expansion is a minimally invasive procedure that harnesses the body's natural capabilities to regenerate across small gaps. It sums these regenerated gaps in a mesh pattern that expands tissues to close complex wounds without flaps or additional incisions., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) penalizes hospitals for high all-cause unplanned readmission rates. Many have expressed concern that hospitals serving patient populations with more comorbidities, lower incomes, and worse self-reported health status may be disproportionately penalized by readmissions that are not clinically related to the index admission. The impact of including clinically unrelated readmissions on hospital performance is largely unknown. We sought to determine if a clinically related readmission measure would significantly alter the assessment of hospital performance., Methods: We analyzed Medicare claims for beneficiaries in Michigan admitted for pneumonia and joint replacement from 2011 to 2013. We compared each hospital's 30-day readmission rate using specifications from the HRRP's all-cause unplanned readmission measure to values calculated using a clinically related readmission measure., Results: We found that the mean 30-day readmission rates were lower when calculated using the clinically related readmission measure (joint replacement: all-cause 5.8%, clinically related 4.9%, p < 0.001; pneumonia: all cause 12.5%, clinically related 11.3%, p < 0.001)). The correlation of hospital ranks using both methods was strong (joint replacement: 0.95 (p < 0.001), pneumonia: 0.90 (p < 0.001))., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, while greater specificity may be achieved with a clinically related measure, clinically unrelated readmissions may not impact hospital performance in the HRRP.