Improved early and late continence following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with concurrent bladder neck fascial sling (RoboSling)

Objective

To describe a novel RoboSling technique performed at the time of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and its utility for enhancing urinary function recovery postoperatively.

Materials and Methods

The surgical technique involves harvesting a vascularised, fascial flap from the peritoneum on the posterior aspect of the bladder. Following completion of prostatectomy, the autologous flap is tunnelled underneath the bladder and incorporated into the rectourethralis and vertical longitudinal detrusor fibres at the posterior bladder neck with a modified Rocco suture. After urethra-vesical anastomosis is completed, the corners of the flap are hitched up to Cooper's ligament bilaterally with V-Loc sutures, tensioned and secured creating a bladder neck sling. A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was performed of 193 consecutive patients undergoing RARP between December 2016 and September 2019. The first 163 patients underwent standard RARP, and the last 30 patients had the RoboSling technique performed concurrently. Continence outcomes were the primary outcomes assessed using pad number and Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite (EPIC)-urinary domain questionnaire. Operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), complications and oncological outcomes were secondary outcomes.

Results

The two groups were comparable for demographics and clinicopathological variables. At 3 months, zero pad usage (p = 0.005) and continence rates, defined as EPIC score ≥ 85 (p = 0.007), were both higher in the RoboSling group. EBL, complication rate and positive surgical margin rate did not differ between the two groups. Superior zero pad usage was observed at 1 year in the RoboSling group (p = 0.029). The RoboSling technique added on average 16 min to OT.

Conclusions

The RoboSling procedure at the time of RARP was associated with earlier return to continence without negatively impacting other postoperative outcomes. This improvement in continence outcomes was maintained long term.

Plain language summary of safety and symptom improvement with vibegron in people with overactive bladder: results from the EMPOWUR study

What is this summary about? This is a plain language summary of an article originally published in the Journal of Urology. Overactive bladder (also called OAB) has been treated with the same type of medicine for more than 40 years. Vibegron is in a newer class of medicine for treating overactive bladder called beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonists. The EMPOWUR study was a phase 3 clinical trial that looked at whether vibegron was safe and improved symptoms in people with overactive bladder. Vibegron was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (also called the FDA) based in part on the results of this study. What were the results? Participants of the EMPOWUR study who took vibegron showed an improvement in their overactive bladder symptoms. These symptoms include the number of urinations (peeing), the urgent need to urinate, and accidental urination (bladder leaks). After 12 weeks, participants who took vibegron had significantly greater improvements than participants who took placebo. What do the results mean? This study suggests that vibegron could safely improve symptoms in people with overactive bladder. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03492281 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Psychological and mental impact of long-standing incontinence on children and adolescents with complex urologic disorders

PURPOSE

Incontinence has a negative impact on the quality of life and is associated with psychiatric disturbances in humans. This study evaluates the impact of long-standing incontinence on psychological and mental development.

METHODS

This is a cohort study carried out in a tertiary care urologic facility. After obtaining an IRB approval, we enrolled 49 children with severe incontinence (incontinence for at least 1 year duration and one surgical intervention) and interviewed between October 2019 and March 2020. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and intelligence quotient (IQ) testing was performed for each using Stanford-Binet-4th edition. An age-matched control group was recruited for comparison. A total of 51 children in the control group were later recruited from March 2020 to October 2020 from the Psychiatry Department.

RESULTS

A total of 49 children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 9.93 years, 31 males and 18 females. The etiology of incontinence was neuropathic bladder in 30, exstrophy in 8, incontinent epispadius in 4, valve bladder in 4; common urogenital sinus in 2, and refractory OAB in 1. Median number of procedures was 2 (Range 0-9). Median pads were 5 per day and median hospital stay was 32 days. Median total score of CBCL was 26.5 compared to 7 for the control group (p = 0.00023). Mean IQ of the study group was 88.3 as compared to that of the control (94.65), the difference is significant (p = 0.00023).

CONCLUSION

Children with severe degree of incontinence suffered from significant psychiatric disorders and negative affection of their intelligence. A multidisciplinary approach is advised for management of those children.

Holistically sustainable continence care: A working definition, the case of single-used absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) and the need for ecosystems thinking

Incontinence is a common health issue that affects hundreds of millions of people across the world. The solution is often to manage the condition with different kinds of single-use continence technologies, such as incontinence pads and other absorbent hygiene products (AHPs). Throughout their life cycle, these fossil-based products form a remarkable yet inadequately addressed ecological burden in society, contributing to global warming and other environmental degradation. The products are a necessity for their users' wellbeing. When looking for sustainability transitions in this field, focus on individual consumer-choice is thus inadequate - and unfair to the users. The industry is already seeking to decrease its carbon footprint. Yet, to tackle the environmental impact of single-use continence products, also societies and health systems at large must start taking continence seriously. Arguing that continence-aware societies are more sustainable societies, we devise in this article a society-wide working definition for holistically sustainable continence care. Involving dimensions of social, ecological and economic sustainability, the concept draws attention to the wide range of technologies, infrastructures and care practices that emerge around populations' continence needs. Holistically sustainable continence care is thus not only about AHPs. However, in this article, we examine holistically sustainable continence care through the case of AHPs. We review what is known about the environmental impact AHPs, discuss the impact of care practices on aggregate material usage, the future of biobased and degradable incontinence pads, as well as questions of waste management and circular economy. The case of AHPs shows how holistically sustainable continence care is a wider question than technological product development. In the end of the article, we envision an ecosystem where technologies, infrastructures and practices of holistically sustainable continence care can flourish, beyond the focus on singular technologies.

Incontinence during and following hospitalisation: a prospective study of prevalence, incidence and association with clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Incontinence is common in hospitalised older adults but few studies report new incidence during or following hospitalisation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe prevalence and incidence of incontinence in older inpatients and associations with clinical outcomes.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from consecutive consenting inpatients age 65 years and older on medical and surgical wards in four Australian public hospitals.

METHODS

Participants self-reported urinary and faecal incontinence 2 weeks prior to admission, at hospital discharge and 30 days after discharge as part of comprehensive assessment by a trained research assistant. Outcomes were length of stay, facility discharge, 30-day readmission and 6-month mortality.

RESULTS

Analysis included 970 participants (mean age 76.7 years, 48.9% female). Urinary and/or faecal incontinence was self-reported in 310/970 (32.0%, [95% confidence interval (CI) 29.0-35.0]) participants 2 weeks before admission, 201/834 (24.1% [95% CI 21.2-27.2]) at discharge and 193/776 (24.9% [95% CI 21.9-28.1]) 30 days after discharge. Continence patterns were dynamic within the peri-hospital period. Of participants without pre-hospital incontinence, 74/567 (13.1% [95% CI 10.4-16.1) reported incontinence at discharge and 85/537 (15.8% [95% CI 12.8-19.2]) reported incontinence at 30 days follow-up. Median hospital stay was longer in participants with pre-hospital incontinence (7 vs. 6 days, P = 0.02) even in adjusted analyses and pre-hospital incontinence was significantly associated with mortality in unadjusted but not adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSION

Pre-hospital, hospital-acquired and new post-hospital incontinence are common in older inpatients. Better understanding of incontinence patterns may help target interventions to reduce this complication.

Predictors of Long-Term Urinary Incontinence After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

Introduction

Urinary incontinence is a major complication after radical prostatectomy. We analyzed the predictors of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Material and Methods

One hundred twenty-one patients, whose urinary continence status was evaluable at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, were included from October 2016 to September 2021. Data were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. The continence status was evaluated by interviewing the patients about the number of urinary pads used per day. We compared the patients' age, body mass index, prostate volume, membranous urethral length on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, surgeon experience, and pathological findings between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Results

The urinary continence rates were 30%, 57.8% and 79.3% at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively, after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Twelve months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, 96 patients had regained continence and did not require urinary pads, whereas 25 patients had persistent urinary incontinence and required urinary pads. Membranous urethral length and surgeon experience were significantly different between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (P=0.05). However, no significant differences existed in age, body mass index, prostate volume, and pathological findings between patients with and without regained continence at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Conclusion

Membranous urethral length and surgeon experience are predictors of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Measuring the membranous urethral length is recommended before performing the operation.

Automated AUP (absorption under pressure): A novel method to characterise superabsorbent polymers

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a key constituent in baby diapers and adult incontinence products. To develop new SAPs, lab tests are used to measure properties that are considered important for these products. However, these manual tests are often time-consuming and tedious. This paper introduces an automatic method to measure absorption under pressure (aAUP) using industry robots. The new robotic method addresses limitations in an industry standard absorption under pressure (AUP) method. The new aAUP method can run continuously, generating more and better data to aid in product development. It enables to put the Buchholz theory on SAPs for predicting their properties to practice by reduction of manual effort and by producing excellent data quality. This has been shown on commercial polymers from different production processes, with varied particle size distributions and shapes. The aAUP data has also been shown to accurately predict other properties of SAPs relevant for their application in hygiene articles, making it a useful tool for understanding the underlying science and facilitating product development.

Functional Recovery after the Application of Amniotic Tissues and Methylene Blue during Radical Prostatectomy-A Pilot Study

Amniotic tissues and methylene blue (MB) provide the ability for neuroregeneration, and MB enables intraoperative neurostaining. We first combined the techniques to explore a neuroprotective effect on early functional outcomes in a retrospective proof-of-concept trial of 14 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). The patients were followed up at a median of 13 months, and the continence and potency rates were reported. Early recovery of continence was found after three months. No effect on potency was detected. The findings indicate the feasibility of this tissue-engineering strategy, and justify prospective comparative studies.

The Quality of Life of Patients Living with a Urinary Catheter and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt

BACKGROUND

In Arabic countries, no research has focused on the experience of patients with indwelling urinary catheters. This cross-sectional study is the first to evaluate the catheter-specific quality of life (QoL) of patients living with a urinary catheter in Egypt.

METHODS

This study was conducted from April to September 2017, using a convenience sample of patients from a University Hospital. Data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Long-Term Catheter QoL (ICIQ-LTCQoL) instrument, along with a demographic datasheet.

RESULTS

141 were enrolled, with 47.5% inpatients, 52.5% outpatients. A total of 70.9% reported problems with catheter function, and 92.2% reported that the catheter affected their daily lives. Place (inpatient or outpatient) was significantly associated with the total score of the ICIQ-LTCQoL (mean difference (MD) 6.34 (95% CI: 3.0 to 9.73)) and both subscales (catheter function subscale: MD = 4.92 (95% CI: 2.12 to 7.73) and lifestyle impact subscale: MD = 1.44 (95% CI: 0.3 to 2.63)), suggesting that outpatients have poorer QoL than inpatients. Moreover, catheter material was significantly related to the catheter function domain with Silicone Foley Catheter (100% Silicon) users experiencing poorer QoL related to catheter function than those with Latex Foley Catheter (Silicon-coated) (MD 4.43 (95% CI: 0.62 to 8.24). Workers/employees were found to have poorer QoL than those who were retired (MD = 4.94 (95% CI: 0.3 to 9.63)).

CONCLUSION

The results highlight the necessity of assessing function and concern regarding urinary catheter use and its impact on QoL, as well as its determinants. Evidence-based educational programs should be designed to enhance patients' self-care abilities to relieve their sense of distress and enhance their confidence in caring for their catheters.

Pelvic floor muscle exercise with or without duloxetine for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: A retrospective single-center study

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) and duloxetine treatment in the recovery from postprostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPUI). Participants were patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2018 and 2021 and who were able to attend follow-up appointments every 3 months for at least 12 months. Continence was defined as the use of ≤1 pad per day. PPUI was compared at each follow-up period by dividing the participants into the PFME group (PFME only after RP) and the PFME + DUL group (PFME and 30 mg duloxetine daily after RP). A total of 197 patients were included. No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. In the PFME group (n = 127), the PPUI was 77.17%, 27.56%, 17.32%, 12.60%, and 9.45% at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months, respectively. In the PFME + DUL group (n = 70), the PPUI was 62.50%, 17.86%, 12.50%, 8.93%, and 5.36%, respectively, at the same follow-up period. At 2 weeks, the PFME + DUL group demonstrated a better incontinence rate than the PFME group (P = .019). However, no significant differences were found in the incontinence rates between the 2 groups at each follow-up period after 3 months. Compared to PFME monotherapy, the combination therapy of PFME and duloxetine has short-term effectiveness in improving PPUI, but it does not have a significant long-term impact. Therefore, for early recovery from PPUI, duloxetine should be administered for a short period during PFME.

[Intussusception and Rectal Prolapse: A Common Cause for Defecation Disorders]

INTRODUCTION

A rectal prolapse is mainly a disease of the elderly population, occurring more frequently among women. The medical practitioner has an important role in the recognition and initiation of therapy for rectal prolapse. Appropriate therapy can have an important impact on symptom reduction and healthcare resources. Surgical therapy includes perineal or transabdominal surgery, with increasing use of minimally invasive techniques such as mesh rectopexy. This operation is indicated and feasible regardless of age. The management of the rectal prolapse in specialized pelvic floor centres with interdisciplinary expertise for diagnosis and therapy is recommended.

Prevalence and severity of bowel disorders in the third trimester of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Bowel-related disorders are common conditions associated with pregnancy and are a cause of significant distress and healthcare burden. However, there is a lack of data in the literature about these disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate bowel dysfunctions during the third trimester of pregnancy in a large cohort of women using the validated bowel domain of the Italian version of the Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in hospitals in Italy and Italian-speaking Switzerland. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete the Italian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

RESULTS

During the study period, 927 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy responded to the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Overall bowel dysfunctions were reported by 29.6% of patients. Constipation was reported by 66.6% of pregnant women, whereas symptoms of obstructed defecation were reported by 49.9% of patients. In contrast, urgency was reported by 41.1% of patients. Incontinence to flatus and incontinence to stool were reported by 45.1% and 2.8% of patients, respectively. Moreover, age >35 years, familiarity with pelvic floor disorders, nicotine abuse, and pelvic floor contraction inability were identified as independent risk factors for at least 1 bowel symptom.

CONCLUSION

Bowel symptoms are extremely common in the third trimester of pregnancy and can greatly affect a patient's quality of life; therefore, bowel symptoms deserve to be investigated and managed properly. The use of validated questionnaires represents a precious tool to investigate functional symptoms that could be very frequent and disabling in this particular period of life for women.

Should anorectal manometry be routine before stoma reversal in patients after an intersphincteric resection?

INTRODUCTION

Anorectal manometry (ARM) is sometimes performed before ostomy reversal in patients with an intersphincteric resection (ISR) to predict bowel function. However, no clinical predictive data exist regarding its utility.

METHODS

The single-centre, retrospective data of ISR patients who had an ARM prior to ostomy reversal, and bowel functional assessment with the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and Wexner incontinence scores at least 6 months after reversal, were considered. Correlation statistics were performed with each of the manometric parameters and functional outcome categories.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients were included. The median basal and squeeze pressures were 41 and 100 mmHg, respectively. Any LARS (score ≥20) and major incontinence (score ≥11) was observed in 51.7% and 16.9%, respectively. None of the manometric parameters (median basal or maximum squeeze pressure, anal canal length, volume at urge and the ability to expel) correlated with LARS or incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Anorectal manometry (ARM) before ostomy reversal to predict bowel function at 6 months or beyond was not helpful in patients with an ISR and diverting stoma. No manometric parameter correlated with the LARS or Wexner incontinence scores.

Application of anatomic reconstruction technique for periurethral structure in robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of patients underwent anatomic periurethral reconstruction during robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During August 2016 to May 2018, periurethral structure anatomic reconstruction was performed during RARP in 58 consecutive patients. The control group consists of another 50 patients had no reconstruction procedure during RARP. Perioperative data of these patients were collected retrospectively, including operation time, anastomosis time, intraoperative blood loss, duration of indwelling catheter, length of hospital stay, complications, postoperative pathology, and continence outcome at 1,3,6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

All cases were successfully performed without conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications.The percentage of patients maintain continence in the reconstruction group versus non-reconstruction group: At 1 month 84.5% (49/58)versus 70.0% (35/50), at 3 months 89.7% (52/58)versus 78.0% (39/50), at 6 months 91.3% (53/58)versus 86.0% (43/50) and 1 year after surgery 100.0% (58/58)versus 96.0% (48/50). Reconstruction group showed better continence outcome in 1 and 3 months (P<0.05). There is no statistical differences in 6 month and 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Anatomic reconstruction of periurethral structure during RARP is safe and feasible with reduced duration of indwelling catheter and better continence outcome.

Obesity in Nursing Home Patients: Association with Common Care Problems

(1) Background: There is not much research about obesity in nursing homes although knowledge will help us to develop customized treatment plans and prevention strategies, which may help to decrease the burden for all persons involved. The objective of conducting this study was to describe the prevalence of obesity and the association between obesity and care problems in nursing home patients. (2) Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of data collected in an annually performed cross-sectional study called "Nursing Quality Measurement 2.0". A standardized and tested questionnaire was used to collect data. (3) Results: In total, 1236 nursing home patients took part, and 16.7% of them were obese. The multivariate logistic regression analysis results show that urinary incontinence is significantly associated with the presence of obesity (OR 2.111). The other care problems of pressure injuries, fecal and double incontinence, physical restraints, falls, and pain were not associated with obesity. (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that, in the nursing home setting, healthcare staff should pay special attention to the patients' nutritional status and help patients to maintain a healthy weight and prevent a loss of muscle mass and function. Conducting more studies with larger sample sizes is recommended, as this will allow for differentiation among different obesity classes.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms over 20 years and subsequent lower urinary tract symptoms and impact among women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to examine the association between depressive symptoms and subsequent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and impact (a composite outcome) among women (N = 1,119) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.

METHODS

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was administered in 1990-1991 and every 5 years through 2010-2011. In 2012-2013, LUTS and impact data were collected for the first time. Accumulation of risk was examined in the following three ways: (1) mean CES-D score across 20 years (5 observations); (2) depressive symptom trajectory group, determined by group-based trajectory modeling; and (3) intercepts and slopes obtained from women's individual CES-D score trajectories through two-stage mixed effects modeling. For each approach, ordinal logistic regression analyses examined odds of having "greater LUTS/impact" for each unit change in a depressive symptom variable.

RESULTS

(1) With each one-unit increase in mean CES-D score over the 20-year period, women were 9% more likely to report greater LUTS/impact (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.07-1.11). (2) In comparison with women with consistently low depressive symptoms, women with consistently threshold depression or consistently high depressive symptoms were twice (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.59-2.69) and over five times (OR = 5.55, 95% CI = 3.07-10.06) as likely, respectively, to report greater LUTS/impact. (3) Women's individual symptom intercept and slope interacted. Increases in depressive symptoms across 20 years (greater slopes) were associated with greater LUTS/impact when women's initial CES-D score (intercept) was in the moderate-to-high range relative to the sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms over 20 years, examined with different degrees of nuance, were consistently associated with subsequently measured LUTS and impact.

The Prevalence of Bowel and Bladder Function During Early Childhood: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES

Our primary aim was to determine bowel and bladder function in children aged 1 month to 7 years in the general Dutch population. Second, we aimed to identify demographic factors associated with the presence of bowel and bladder dysfunction, and their coexistence.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional, population-based study, parents/caregivers of children aged from 1 month to 7 years were asked to complete the Early Pediatric Groningen Defecation and Fecal Continence questionnaire. Different parameters of bowel and bladder function were assessed using validated scoring systems such as the Rome IV criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population (N = 791) was 3.9 ± 2.2 years. The mean age at which parents/caregivers considered their child fully toilet-trained was 5.1 ± 1.5 years. Prevalence of fecal incontinence among toilet-trained children was 12%. Overall prevalence of constipation was 14%, with a constant probability and severity at all ages. We found significant associations between fecal incontinence and constipation [odds ratio (OR) = 3.88, 95% CI: 2.06-7.30], fecal incontinence and urinary incontinence (OR = 5.26, 95% CI: 2.78-9.98), and constipation and urinary incontinence (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.24-3.42).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though most children are fully toilet-trained at 5 years, fecal incontinence is common. Constipation appears to be common in infants, toddlers, and older children. Fecal incontinence and constipation frequently coexist and are often accompanied by urinary incontinence. Increased awareness of bowel and bladder dysfunction in infants, toddlers, and young children is required to prevent these problems from continuing at older ages.

Sacral Neuromodulation Therapy for Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Report of 6 Cases and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI) are challenging manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) that have historically been treated with limited success. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has provided successful resolution of UI and FI in the general population and in patients with neurologic conditions, including MS. We report on 6 patients with MS-related incontinence treated successfully with SNM and review the literature.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with MS seeking treatment for incontinence. Six patients were identified, and each is presented with follow-up assessment of the severity of UI or FI.

RESULTS

All 6 individuals with MS had severe incontinence that had been refractory to therapies that included medications and pelvic floor physical therapy. Five patients reported severe UI and 2 patients reported severe FI. Each patient was successfully treated with SNM, with large reductions of incontinence scores and improved quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case series, SNM was effective as a treatment for UI and FI among patients with MS. These findings confirm other published series that have reported the success of SNM in patients with MS with incontinence. Sacral neuromodulation should be considered as a potential treatment option for patients with MS and UI and/or FI.

Effect of a self-care program among women with urinary incontinence: A quasi-experimental study

Urinary incontinence is a multifactorial health problem that significantly affects women's quality of life. This quasi-experimental pre/post-test study aimed to evaluate the effect of a self-care program on women suffering from urinary incontinence. The study was conducted at the urodynamic unit within Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital, with a purposive sample of 100 women diagnosed with urinary incontinence, with no medical or surgical conditions, and who were not pregnant. A structured interview questionnaire and women's self-care practices checklists were used as study tools. The results showed that 72.0% of the study group and 68.0% of the control group were housewives. Significantly improved self-care practices and bladder retraining were observed in the study group compared to the control group post-intervention and during follow-up (p<0.001). Furthermore, the study group demonstrated a reduction in the severity of urinary incontinence and improved health practices, whereas the control group did not exhibit significant changes. These findings emphasize the significance of self-care programs in managing urinary incontinence and enhancing women's quality of life.

Experiences and management of urinary incontinence following treatment for prostate cancer: Disrupted embodied practices and adapting to maintain masculinity

This article explores men's experiences of and management strategies for urinary incontinence (UI) following treatment for prostate cancer. Qualitative interviews with 29 men, recruited from two prostate cancer support groups, explored their post-treatment experiences. Drawing on a conceptual toolkit connecting theories of masculinities, embodiment, and chronic illness, this paper identifies older men's experiences and strategies for managing UI and explores how these are shaped by their masculinities. This article identifies interdependence between managing stigma for UI and maintaining masculinity. Men's embodied practices for engaging in activities in public, crucial to masculine identity, were disrupted. In response, they adopted new reflexive body techniques to manage and resolve their UI, and thereby address the threat to their masculine identities, characterised in three strategies: monitoring, planning, and disciplining. The new embodied practices men described suggest three factors as important components for adopting new reflexive body techniques: routine, desire, and unruliness.

Friction between human skin and incontinence pads in the presence of barrier protection products

This novel experimental work aims to bring further knowledge of frictional performance of common barrier products used in the treatment of incontinence-associated dermatitis and determine how the skin-pad interface changes when a treatment is applied to the skin. Key data is reported and there is an in-depth analysis into friction profiles which reveals great differences between how different skin-pad tribosystems operate when exposed to commercially available barrier treatments. In a wet-pad state Barrier cream A (3M™ Cavilon™ Barrier cream) reduced friction and had much lower dynamic and static coefficients of friction than the other barrier treatments (Barrier cream B (Sorbaderm Barrier cream) and the Barrier spray C (Sorbaderm Barrier spray)). Barrier cream A provided stable friction coefficients in reciprocating sliding, whereas the other treatments, and untreated skin, did not display this unique characteristic. The barrier spray gave rise to high static friction coefficients and exhibited the most stick-slip. All three candidate barrier protection products were found to reduce directional differences in the static coefficient of friction: indicative of reduced shear loading. Knowledge of the desirable frictional properties would drive innovation in product development, and benefit companies, clinicians and users.

Barriers and enablers to providing evidence-based in-hospital urinary continence care: A cross-sectional survey informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework

AIMS

To identify the barriers and enablers perceived by hospital-based clinicians to providing evidence-based continence care to inpatients.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study of inpatient clinicians using a questionnaire.

METHODS

Acute care and rehabilitation clinicians from 15 wards that admit patients after stroke at 12 hospitals (NSW = 11, Queensland =1, metropolitan = 4, regional = 8) were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The 58 questions (answered on a 5-point Likert scale) were aligned to 13 of the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results were dichotomized into 'strongly agree/agree' and 'unsure/disagree/strongly disagree' and proportions were calculated. Data collection occurred between January 2019 and March 2019.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 291 participants with 88% being nurses. Barriers were found in nine domains including knowledge; skills; memory attention and decision making; emotion; environmental context and resources; behavioural regulation; social professional role; intensions, social influences; and beliefs about capabilities. Enablers were found in seven domains including goals; social influences; knowledge; skills; social, professional role and identity; reinforcement and beliefs about consequences.

CONCLUSION

This multi-site, multi-professional study that included predominantly nurses highlights the barriers and enablers to inpatient continence care. Future implementation studies in inpatient continence management should address these identified barriers and enablers to improve effectiveness of implementation of evidence-based care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

This study highlights that although there are many barriers to ward nurses providing evidence-based continence care, there are also several enablers. Both should be addressed to improve practice.

REPORTING METHOD

We adhered to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) (Supplementary File 1).

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Establishing barriers to practice gives a broader understanding of why practice does not occur and establishes areas where researchers and clinicians need to address in order to change behaviour.

One treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA relieves symptoms of overactive bladder in patients refractory to one or more oral medications

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) often undergo prolonged treatment with one or more oral OAB medications. OnabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA), a type A botulinum toxin, may provide an appropriate alternative to oral treatments in patients intolerant of or refractory to one or more oral OAB medications. The GRACE study demonstrated real-world benefits of onabotA treatment for OAB in patients refractory to oral medications. This exploratory post hoc analysis of data from the GRACE study aims to determine if treatment history impacts benefit from treatment with onabotA.

METHODS

This is a subanalysis of the GRACE study, a prospective observational study (NCT02161159) that enrolled patients with symptomatic OAB inadequately managed by at least one oral OAB medication. Patients had a treatment history of one or more anticholinergics (AC) and/or β-3 adrenoreceptor agonists (β-3) for relief of OAB; results were stratified according to treatment history. Patients in this analysis elected to discontinue oral medications upon treatment with onabotA. Safety was followed for 12 months in all patients that received at least 1 dose of onabotA; efficacy was determined over a 12-week period.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline levels, significant reductions in urinary incontinence (UI), urgency, micturition, and nocturia were noted as early as 1 week and were sustained at 12 weeks, regardless of the type and number of oral medications taken before treatment with onabotA. At 12 weeks post-onabotA, the mean change from baseline UI episodes/day for those with a treatment history of only one AC was -2.4 (n = 43, p ≤ 0.001); more than one AC, -2.4 (n = 52, p ≤ 0.001); one β-3, -3.3 (n = 12, p < 0.05); at least one AC and at least one β-3, -3.2 (n = 56, p ≤ 0.001). Pad and liner use was significantly decreased at 12 weeks post-onabotA across all treatment history groups. Reductions in diaper pant use varied, with less of a reduction in patients with a treatment history of more than one AC compared to patients with a history of at least one AC and one β-3 (p < 0.05) or those with a history of only one AC (p < 0.05). Overall, a total of 253/288 of patients (88%) reported improvements on the treatment benefit scale 12 weeks after treatment with onabotA, regardless of type and number of prior oral medications. In the population of patients that received at least one dose of onabotA (N = 504), 57 adverse events were reported in 38 patients (7.5%); 9 were serious (1.8%). Urinary retention was reported in 5 patients (1.0%); 1 was severe (0.2%). Symptomatic urinary tract infection was reported in 2 patients (0.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory post hoc analysis of real-world data from the GRACE study, there were few significant differences in outcomes based on the type and number of prior oral medications. Thus, patients who are refractory to one or more oral OAB medications may benefit from earlier treatment with onabotA.

Can you breathe yourself to a better pelvic floor? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Some authors suggest that breathing exercises should be recommended instead of or in combination with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to prevent and treat urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

AIMS

The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the evidence for breathing as an intervention alone or in addition to PFM contraction in treatment of UI and POP.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This systematic review included short-term experimental studies and randomize controlled trials (RCTs) indexed on PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro database. A form was used to extract data that was analyzed qualitatively due to the heterogeneity in interventions and outcome measures of the included studies. The individual methodological quality of RCTs was analyzed using the PEDro scale.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included, 374 participants from short-term experimental studies and 765 from nine RCTs. PEDro score varied from 4 to 8. Activation of the PFM during expiration was significantly less than during a PFM contraction. In general, the RCTs showed that training the PFM is significantly more effective to improve PFM variables and UI and POP than breathing exercises, and that adding breathing exercises to PFMT have no additional effect.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review indicates that the evidence for incorporating breathing exercise in clinical practice in addition to or instead of PFMT is scant or non-existing, both based on short-term experimental studies and small RCTs.

Hepatitis C: A Rare Cause of Subacute Paralysis

The effects of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the nervous system have been primarily reported with a pathology of the peripheral nervous system through the involvement of a vasculitic process via cryoglobulinemia. A review of the recent literature reinforced the likely association between chronic HCV infection and transverse myelitis (TM), but the causal relationship remains elusive. Here, we present a rare case of acute TM developing over the course of days from symptom onset and a concomitant new diagnosis of HCV infection. A 31-year-old male with a medical history of stimulant use disorder with intravenous methamphetamine use presented to the hospital for acute bilateral leg weakness. The weakness was predominantly in his thighs and later progressed to his calves over the course of days. He denied urinary or fecal incontinence; however, on hospital day two, he developed acute urinary retention requiring the insertion of a Foley catheter. An initial MRI of the spine revealed an intramedullary T2 hyperintense signal at the lower thoracic cord concerning for TM, multiple sclerosis, ischemia, or neoplasm. MRI of the brain was unremarkable. Lumbar puncture results also displayed no abnormalities. HCV screening should be considered in all patients who develop acute neurological deficits that are not otherwise explained, such as TM, given the significant morbidity associated with delayed treatment.

A narrative review: evaluation and surgical management of persistent and recurrent urinary incontinence after previous surgical treatment

Background and Objective

Urinary incontinence after prostate treatment is associated with significant morbidity and impact on quality of life. Stress urinary incontinence can be treated by insertion of a urethral sling or artificial urinary sphincter. Persistent or recurrent urinary incontinence after such treatment can be frustrating and require specific evaluation and approach to management to optimize chance of successful outcomes and patient satisfaction whilst avoiding further patient morbidity. The aim of this review is to outline the evaluation and management of persistent and recurrent urinary incontinence in men after previous surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence by way of narrative review.

Methods

A literature review was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar between 2010 to 2023. The search strategy included the following MeSH terms: device, men, urinary incontinence, persistence, recurrence, and revision. A total of 140 English-language articles were identified and reviewed; 68 articles were considered relevant to the aims and the findings have been outlined in this narrative review.

Key Content and Findings

There are many approaches currently practiced by surgeons in continence revision surgery. There is not clear consensus regarding optimum revision strategy for persistent and recurrent incontinence post urethral sling and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. Whilst small observational studies have reviewed different surgical approaches, there is a paucity of high volume comparative data from which to draw conclusions. However, there have been recent studies enabling a paradigm shift in the understanding of incontinence post artificial urinary sphincter insertion that may lead to improved revision strategies in future.

Conclusions

There are various surgical modalities used to manage incontinence following urethral sling and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. There is currently no clear consensus on the optimal surgical technique for persistent or recurrent urinary incontinence after surgery. Further comparative studies would be beneficial to help guide surgeons as to which revision approaches would be suitable for select patients.

A Spectrum of Age- and Gender-Dependent Lower Urinary Tract Phenotypes in Three Mouse Models of Type 2 Diabetes

Lower urinary tract symptoms are extremely common in people with diabetes and obesity, but the causes are unclear. Furthermore, it has proven difficult to reliably demonstrate bladder dysfunction in diabetic mouse models, thus limiting the ability to gain mechanistic insights. Therefore, the main objective of this experimental study was to characterize diabetic bladder dysfunction in three promising polygenic mouse models of type 2 diabetes. We performed periodic assessments of glucose tolerance and micturition (void spot assay) for eight to twelve months. Males and females and high-fat diets were tested. NONcNZO10/LtJ mice did not develop bladder dysfunction over twelve months. TALLYHO/JngJ males were severely hyperglycemic from two months of age (fasted blood glucose ~550 mg/dL), while females were moderately so. Although males exhibited polyuria, neither they nor the females exhibited bladder dysfunction over nine months. KK.Cg-A^y/J males and females were extremely glucose intolerant. Males exhibited polyuria, a significant increase in voiding frequency at four months (compensation), followed by a rapid drop in voiding frequency by six months (decompensation) which was accompanied by a dramatic increase in urine leakage, indicating loss of outlet control. At eight months, male bladders were dilated. Females also developed polyuria but compensated with larger voids. We conclude KK.Cg-A^y/J male mice recapitulate key symptoms noted in patients and are the best model of the three to study diabetic bladder dysfunction.

The relationship between frailty, incontinence severity, and treatment decisions for men with post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence: a mixed methods analysis

BACKGROUND

Frailty is common among urology patients in general as well as among men seeking evaluation for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with 6.1% of men undergoing artificial urinary sphincter placement considered frail. It is unclear if and how patient views on frailty and incontinence severity impact decision-making with regards to SUI treatment.

METHODS

We undertook a mixed methods analysis to evaluate the intersection of frailty, incontinence severity, and treatment decision-making is presented. To do so, we utilized a previously published cohort of men undergoing evaluation for SUI at the University of California, San Francisco between 2015 and 2020, selecting those who had evaluation with timed up and go test (TUGT), objective measures of incontinence, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A subset of these participants had additionally undergone semi-structured interviews, and these interviews were re-examined to thematically code them with a focus on the impact of frailty and incontinence severity on SUI treatment decision-making.

RESULTS

Among the original cohort of 130 patients, 72 had an objective measure of frailty and were included in our analysis; 18 of these individuals had corresponding qualitative interviews. Common themes identified included (I) impact of incontinence severity on decision-making; (II) the interaction between frailty and incontinence; (III) the impact of comorbidity on treatment decision-making; and (IV) age as a construct of frailty and impact on surgical choice and/or recovery. Direct quotations regarding each theme provides insight into patients' views and drivers of SUI treatment decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of frailty on treatment decision-making for patients with SUI is complex. This mixed methods study highlights the variety of patient views on frailty with regards to surgical intervention for male SUI. Urologists should make a concerted effort to personalize patient counseling for SUI management and take time to understand each patient's perspective in order to individualize SUI treatment decision-making. More research is needed to help identify factors that influence decision-making for frail male patients with SUI.

Differences in the Urinary Microbiome of Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome with and without Detrusor Overactivity on Urodynamic Measurements

INTRODUCTION

It has been hypothesized that the urinary microbiome might play an important role in OAB. Studies have been conducted on the association between OAB symptoms and the microbiome, although a possible causality still has to be determined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 12 female patients, ≥18 years of age, with 'OAB DO+' and 9 female patients with 'OAB DO-' were included. Patients were excluded if they met one of the following exclusion criteria: bladder tumors and previous bladder operations; sacral neuromodulation; injection of Botox in the bladder; and TOT or TVT operations. Urine samples were collected and stored with patient informed consent and with the approval of the Hospital Ethical Review Board (Arnhem-Nijmegen). All OAB patients underwent urodynamics before collecting urine samples, and the diagnosis of detrusor overactivity was confirmed by two individual urologists. In addition, samples from 12 healthy controls who did not undergo urodynamic evaluation were analyzed. The 16S rRNA V1-V2 region amplification and gel electrophoresis were used to determine the microbiota.

RESULTS

12 of the OAB patients had DO shown on their urodynamic studies; the remaining 9 patients had a normoactive detrusor on their urodynamic measurements. Overall, there were no substantial differences among the demographic characteristics of the subjects. The samples were classified as the following: 180 phyla, 180 classes, 179 orders, 178 families, 175 genera, and 138 species. The least commonly observed phyla were Proteobacteria, with an average presence of 10%, followed by Bacteroidetes with 15%, Actinobacteria with 16%, and Firmicutes with 41%. Most of the sequences could be classified according to the genus level for each sample.

DISCUSSION

Significant differences were observed in the urinary microbiome of patients with overactive bladder syndrome who have detrusor overactivity on urodynamics compared to OAB patients without detrusor overactivity and matched controls. OAB patients with detrusor overactivity have a significantly less diverse microbiome and show a higher proportion of Lactobacillus, particularly Lactobacillus iners. The results imply that the urinary microbiome could be involved in the pathogenesis of a specific phenotype of OAB. The urinary microbiome could be a new starting point to study the causes and treatments of OAB.

State of the Art Bowel Management for Pediatric Colorectal Problems: Anorectal Malformations

Up to 79% of patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) experience constipation and/or soiling after a primary posterior sagittal anoplasty (PSARP) and are referred to a bowel management program. We aim to report the recent updates in evaluating and managing these patients as part of the manuscript series on the current bowel management protocols for patients with colorectal diseases (ARMs, Hirschsprung disease, functional constipation, and spinal anomalies). The unique anatomic features of ARM patients, such as maldeveloped sphincter complex, impaired anal sensation, and associated spine and sacrum anomalies, indicate their bowel management plan. The evaluation includes an examination under anesthesia and a contrast study to exclude anatomic causes of poor bowel function. The potential for bowel control is discussed with the families based on the ARM index calculated from the quality of the spine and sacrum. The bowel management options include laxatives, rectal enemas, transanal irrigations, and antegrade continence enemas. In ARM patients, stool softeners should be avoided as they can worsen soiling.

A treatment prediction strategy for overactive bladder using a machine learning algorithm that utilized data from the FAITH study

AIMS

To use machine learning algorithms to develop a model to accurately predict treatment responses to mirabegron or antimuscarinic agents in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), using real-world data from the FAITH registry (NCT03572231).

METHODS

The FAITH registry data included patients who had been diagnosed with OAB symptoms for at least 3 months and were due to initiate monotherapy with mirabegron or any antimuscarinic. For the development of the machine learning model, data from patients were included if they had completed the 183-day study period, had data for all timepoints and had completed the overactive bladder symptom scores (OABSS) at baseline and end of study. The primary outcome of the study was a composite outcome combining efficacy, persistence, and safety outcomes. Treatment was deemed "more effective" if the composite outcome criteria for "successful," "no treatment change," and "safe" were met, otherwise treatment was deemed "less effective." To explore the composite algorithm, a total of 14 clinical risk factors were included in the initial data set and a 10-fold cross-validation procedure was performed. A range of machine learning models were evaluated to determine the most effective algorithm.

RESULTS

In total, data from 396 patients were included (266 [67.2%] treated with mirabegron and 130 [32.8%] treated with an antimuscarinic). Of these, 138 (34.8%) were in the "more effective" group and 258 (65.2%) were in the "less effective" group. The groups were comparable in terms of their characteristic distributions across patient age, sex, body mass index, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Of the six models initially selected and tested, the decision tree (C5.0) model was chosen for further optimization, and the receiver operating characteristic of the final optimized model had an area under the curve result of 0.70 (95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.85) when 15 was used for the min n parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

This study successfully created a simple, rapid, and easy-to-use interface that could be further refined to produce a valuable educational or clinical decision-making aid.

Association of poor oral health status and faecal incontinence in patients with dysphagia: A cross-sectional analysis from the Sarcopenic Dysphagia Database

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health status may alter oral and gut microbiota. Previous studies have shown that poor oral health can exacerbate gut inflammation. Therefore, poor oral health status may be related to faecal incontinence via changes in the gut.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence in inpatients with dysphagia.

METHODS

This multicentre cross-sectional study included 423 patients (mean age 79.8 ± 11.5 years, 48.2% female) with dysphagia. Oral health status was assessed at each facility using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) or the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). Poor oral health status was defined as an OHAT score of ≥3 or a ROAG score of ≥13. A multivariate logistic model was used to analyse the association between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence.

RESULTS

A total of 351 (83.0%) patients had poor oral health and 97 (22.7%) had faecal incontinence. Patients with poor oral health status had a higher proportion of faecal incontinence than those with normal oral health status (25.4% vs. 11.1%, p = .009). A multivariate logistic model revealed an association between faecal incontinence and poor oral health status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.501, 95% confidence interval = 1.065-5.873, p = .035).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor oral health status assessed by OHAT or ROAG in inpatients with dysphagia may adversely affect faecal incontinence. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between poor oral health status and faecal incontinence.

Severe Pressure Ulcers in Two Patients With Adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare X-linked disease that affects the metabolism of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), leading to cognitive deterioration, progressive spastic paraplegia, sensory disturbance, adrenocortical insufficiency, and bladder and bowel abnormalities. Although the symptoms of ALD correspond to the risk of developing pressure ulcers, a pressure ulcer has never been listed as a complication of ALD. We present two cases of ALD with severe pressure ulcers in the pelvic region and feet. The first case was a 27-year-old male patient with adolescent cerebral-type ALD who had pressure ulcers with bone exposure on the sacral and bilateral greater trochanter region. The second case was a 64-year-old male patient with adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) phenotype who had pressure ulcers on the sacral region and both feet. Both patients had VLCFA accumulation and a likely pathogenic variant in the ABCD1 gene, the causative gene of ALD. These cases indicate that ALD patients with immobility and incontinence have a higher risk of developing severe pressure ulcers, which requires the proactive identification of ALD patients and early multidisciplinary intervention for patients and their families to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Ich Nieu Khang Dietary Supplement for Overactive Bladder

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of plant-derived food supplement Ich Nieu Khang (INK) as a dietary supplement for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. A total of 50 patients 18-80 years of age with the diagnosis and symptoms of the OAB were enrolled in the study and followed up for 30 days. The INK treatment efficacy, in terms of changes in nocturnal and day-time urination frequency, urination incontinence episodes, level of OAB symptoms according to Homma's OABSS scale, sleep quality according to Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and possible side effects of the INK phytotherapy, was evaluated. INK significantly improved all OAB symptoms scores with a reduction of average nocturia from 4.06 ± 1.53 to 1.14 ± 0.94, the daily average urination urgency from 7.67 ± 5.00 to 5. 82 ± 3.70, the daily average frequency of urination from 9.96 ± 4.04 to 8.00 ± 3.70, weekly average incontinence of urination from 0.92 ± 1.56 to 0.60 ± 1.02, and OABSS Homma's score decreased from 9.31 ± 1.44 to 6.8 ± 2.21. INK phytotherapy also resulted in sleep quality improvement by PSQI score decreasing from 13.11 ± 1.33 to 10.54 ± 2.21. There were no adverse effects and abnormalities in paraclinical parameters with INK therapy. The results of our study suggest that INK dietary supplement is effective and safe phytotherapy for patients with primary OAB symptoms within 30 days of treatment. Larger control clinical trials are warranted to confirm our findings and promote wider use of INK for OAB and possible other age-related urination disorders.

The application of "S.I.S" technique improves long-term continence after robotic radical prostatectomy

AIMS

To propose a novel S.I.S technique during the robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), encompassing pubourethral suspension, posterior wall intensification, and bladder neck stripping, and to present functional and oncological outcomes with a special focus on long-term continence.

METHODS

From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, consecutive patients who underwent RARP were retrospectively investigated and separated into the S.I.S group and the conventional group. Preoperative patient characteristics, tumor status, and perioperative parameters were collected, followed by the assessment of self-reported status on continence, using an International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-urinary incontinence short form (ICIQ-UI-SF). Statistical comparisons were performed on variables between the two surgery groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictive factors for postoperative incontinence severity.

RESULTS

A total of 602 subjects were analyzed with a median follow-up of 24 months. There was no significant difference regarding baseline characteristics and perioperative parameters, except for a more advanced tumor stage in the S.I.S group. The application of the S.I.S technique did not jeopardize the positive surgical margin rate at the bladder neck or long-term tumor control. Notably, the patient-reported degree of incontinence was significantly reduced with the assistance of S.I.S technique, as evidenced by the diminished severe-to-very severe cases. On multivariate analysis, both preoperative body mass index and use of S.I.S modification were independent predictive factors for the long-term incontinence severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of S.I.S technique during RARP is feasible and superior compare with the conventional approach, with a significantly alleviated long-term incontinence severity, without compromising cancer control.

Retzius-sparing robotic prostatectomy is associated with higher positive surgical margin rate in anterior tumors, but not in posterior tumors, compared to conventional anterior robotic prostatectomy

Objectives

The analysis of the oncological outcomes and postoperative continence recovery between conventional robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (cRARP) and Retzius-sparing RARP (rsRARP), and the effect of the tumor location on them.

Materials and methods

A total of 317 patients who underwent cRARP (n = 228) or rsRARP (n = 89) from August 2017 to July 2020 were assessed. Patients were categorized into groups based on the tumor location by pathology. Positive surgical margin (PSM) rates and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survivals and continence recovery were compared between the two procedures.

Results

Patient age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, clinical stages, and Gleason score were not significantly different between the two groups. There was no significant difference in PSM rates (25.8% vs. 33.7%, p = 0.13) or BCR-free survivals (p = 0.28) between cRARP and rsRARP in patients. When tumor was located in the anterior lesion in the prostatectomy pathology, rsRARP was associated with significantly higher PSM rates than cRARP (53.3% in rsRARP vs. 27.0% in cRARP, p = 0.0086), while BCR-free survival did not vary significantly (hazard ratio: 2.15, p = 0.11). When tumors were identified in the posterior in prostatectomy pathology, PSM rates (28.8% in rsRARP vs. 24.7% in cRARP, p = 0.59) or BCR-free survivals (hazard ratio: 0.78, p = 0.51) did not differ significantly between the two groups. rsRARP yielded superior continence recovery in all time points compared to cRARP, which was not affected by the pathological tumor location.

Conclusion

In posterior tumors, rsRARP results in similar oncological outcomes as cRARP with superior continence recovery, while in anterior tumors, rsRARP may associate with higher PSM rate, combined with improved continence recovery.

Artificially sweetened beverages and urinary incontinence-a secondary analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine if higher artificially sweetened beverage intake is associated with higher prevalence of urinary incontinence symptoms.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Our analytic cohort included 80,388 women. Participants who answered questions about beverage consumption and urinary incontinence symptoms at a 3-year follow-up visit were included. Demographic characteristics were compared between three groups of beverage consumers: never to less than one serving per week, one to six servings per week, and greater than or equal to one serving per day. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to estimate odds and type of urinary incontinence and adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Most participants (64%) were rare consumers of artificially sweetened beverages, with 13% ( n = 10,494) consuming greater than or equal to 1 serving per day. The unadjusted odds of reporting urinary incontinence were 10% to 12% higher in women consuming one to six servings per week (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14) or greater than or equal to one serving per day (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07-1.18) versus never to less than one serving per week. In multivariable analyses, women consuming greater than or equal to one serving per day (ref: never to <1 serving/wk) had 10% higher odds of reporting mixed urinary incontinence (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19). There were no significant differences for stress or urgency urinary incontinence symptoms between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared to never to less than one serving per week, women consuming greater than or equal to one serving per day of artificially sweetened beverages had 10% greater odds of reporting mixed urinary incontinence after adjustments. Amount of artificially sweetened beverage consumption was not associated with stress or urgency urinary incontinence symptoms.

Cohort study of fistulotomy with external tract fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction in high trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano

AIM

Treatment of complex fistula-in-ano is challenging and there is no consensus on the optimal treatment that can provide complete healing and preserve sphincter function. The aim of this study was to evaluate fistulotomy with external tract fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction (FFSR) in the treatment of high trans-sphincteric fistula.

METHOD

This is a prospective single-centre study including patients with a high trans-sphincteric fistula who underwent FFSR from June 2017 to June 2018. All patients were evaluated preoperatively by pelvic MRI and clinical examination. Other types of complex fistula were excluded. All patients were followed up for 1 year for recurrence and incontinence.

RESULTS

Forty patients underwent FFSR during the study period, 62.5% were men and the mean age was 37.45 (range 20-60) years. The mean time to achieve complete healing was 8.4 weeks, 35 (87.5%) patients achieved primary healing within 8 weeks and 5 (12.5%) patients required more time to achieve delayed healing. Four (10%) patients developed recurrence with a mean time for recurrence of 20 weeks. Only four (10%) patients developed incontinence; one to liquid stools and three patients only to gas.

CONCLUSION

Fistulotomy with external tract fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction is a safe option in the treatment of high trans-sphincteric fistula in selected patients. This showed an acceptable recurrence rate when compared with other procedures with comparable sphincter function outcomes.

Voiding dynamics of pelvic organ prolapse: Large scale comparative study

PURPOSE

To determine the voiding dynamics of the patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective patient file review was performed of 877 female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. After exclusion criteria 373 female patients were eligible for the study. Two patient groups w/wo prolapse were identified. The symptoms, patient characteristics, patterns of free urine flow, and detrusor voiding pressure curves were compared between two groups. A comparison of the urodynamic findings between the subgroups (mild/moderate, severe, and w/o prolapse) was made and shown on a scatter plot graphics of P_det Q_max versus Q_max as well.

RESULTS

A total of 373 patients with median age 54 (18-92), 189 (51%) had varying degrees and forms of POP while 184 (49%) did not have any prolapse (p < 0.003). Logistic regression analysis results showed that older age [p = 0.023, odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, confidence interval (CI): (1.00-1.03)], weaker pelvic floor muscle strength [p = 0.032, OR = 1.67, CI: (1.04-2.69)], more frequent symptom of hesitancy [p = 0.003 OR = 2.15 CI: (1.29-3.58)], prolonged-tailed shaped curve pattern of free urine flow [p = 0.027 OR = 1.97 CI: (1.08-3.58)], and higher P_det Q_max (22 cmH₂ O) values [p = 0.002, OR = 1.02, CI: (1.00-1.03)] were the independent different features of the patients with prolapse. Subgroup urodynamic analysis showed significantly lower free flowmetry Q_max and higher P_det Q_max values in patients with severe prolapse. Prolonged/tailed-shaped curve pattern of free urine flow was significantly more frequent in patients with prolapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Voiding dynamics of the patients with prolapse were significantly different from the patients' w/o prolapse. They had higher P_det Q_max values, more frequent symptom of hesitancy, and prolonged shaped free flow curve pattern. Free flow Q_max values were lower in patients with severe prolapse.

Anorectal Malformations: Ideal Surgery Timing to Reduce Incontinence and Optimize QoL

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are rare and involve a wide spectrum of malformations. Prenatal diagnosis is often incomplete, and the diagnostic pathway is started during the newborn period to identify the type of malformation and the correct treatment. This retrospective study included patients between 8 and 18 y.o. diagnosed with ARM, referring to Our Clinic. We proposed two questionnaires, Rintala Bowel Function Score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, and we defined four groups referring to surgical timing (age in months < 3, 3-6, 6-9, >9). In total, 74 patients were recruited (mean age 13.05 ± 2.80 y.o.), and data analysis showed a significant relationship between comorbidity and surgical timing. Moreover, timing was related to outcome in terms of fecal continence (better if surgery performed before 3 months) and Quality of Life (QoL). QoL, however, is influenced by other factors (emotional and social life, psychological sphere and take of care of chronic disease). We considered rehabilitation programs, more often practiced by children who underwent surgery after 9 months, to maintain an appropriate relational life. This study highlights the importance of surgical timing as the first step of a multidisciplinary follow-up, taking care of the child in every phase of his growth, tailored to the single patient.

Role of Urological Botulinum Toxin-A Injection for Overactive Bladder and Voiding Dysfunction in Patients with Parkinson's Disease or Post-Stroke

Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) paralyzes muscle by blocking acetylcholine release at the synaptic junction. BoNT-A has shown its therapeutic effects in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and post-stroke spasticity. A high proportion of patients with PD and post-stroke develop neurogenic detrusor overactivity (nDO) and then develop urinary incontinence and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. This study aimed to disclose the safety and efficacy of BoNT-A injection in treating bladder and voiding dysfunction in PD and post-stroke patients by reviewing the current evidence. At present, intradetrusor injection of BoNT-A is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved third-line therapy for nDO and idiopathic OAB. Although intradetrusor injection of onaBoNT-A 200 U is already approved for nDO treatment, most researchers would like to manage PD and post-stroke patients by using onaBoNT-A 100 U intradetrusor injection to achieve long-term efficacy and reduce adverse effects. However, in contrast to its inclusion in the International Continence Society guidelines for PD treatment, the clinical use of BoNT-A for post-stroke patients is limited to experimental use due to the development of urinary retention in about one-fifth of patients. For treating urethral pseudodyssynergia, half of patients may respond to onaBoNT-A 100 U urethral injection. However, refinement is needed to reduce unwanted urinary incontinence.

Do larger cuff sizes with artificial urinary sphincter placement increase the risk of leakage after placement?

INTRODUCTION

To determine whether larger artificial urinary sphincters (AUS) cuff sizes of ≥ 5.0 cm have an impact on urinary incontinence after AUS implantation as compared to cuff sizes ≤ 4.5 cm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review of AUS implants performed at our institution from 1991 to 2021. Medical records were reviewed for demographics including body mass index (BMI), cause of incontinence, pelvic radiation, valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP), degree of leakage preoperatively and at 1-year post-AUS surgery, AUS revisions, erosion rate and the need for adjunct medication postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 44 patients had an AUS cuff size of ≥ 5.0 cm and 66 patients had a cuff size ≤ 4.5 cm. After AUS implantation at 1 year both groups had a median pad use of 1 pad per day. Lastly, the erosion rate was higher in the ≤ 4.5 cm cuff group (7.7% vs. 2.4%) but this was not statically significant. In all cases (6 patients) of cuff erosion, each patient had been radiated.

CONCLUSION

AUS cuff sizes of ≥ 5.0 cm do not appear to have a negative impact on the degree of incontinence at 1-year post AUS as compared to those with cuff sizes ≤ 4.5 cm. The erosion rate was higher in those with cuffs ≤ 4.5 cm but was not statistically significant. This would suggest that at AUS implantation, the surgeon should choose a larger cuff if there is any doubt especially in those with radiation.

Restoring bladder function using motor and sensory nerve transfers: a cadaveric feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

Bladder dysfunction after nerve injury has a variable presentation, and extent of injury determines whether the bladder is spastic or atonic. The authors have proposed a series of 3 nerve transfers for functional innervation of the detrusor muscle and external urethral sphincter, along with sensory innervation to the genital dermatome. These transfers are applicable to only cases with low spinal segment injuries (sacral nerve root function is lost) and largely preserved lumbar function. Transfer of the posterior branch of the obturator nerve to the vesical branch of the pelvic nerve provides a feasible mechanism for patients to initiate detrusor contraction by thigh adduction. External urethra innervation (motor and sensory) may be accomplished by transfer of the vastus medialis nerve to the pudendal nerve. The sensory component of the pudendal nerve to the genitalia may be further enhanced by transfer of the saphenous nerve (sensory) to the pudendal nerve. The main limitations of coapting the nerve donors to their intrapelvic targets are the bifurcation or arborization points of the parent nerve. To ensure that the donor nerves had sufficient length and diameter, the authors sought to measure these parameters.

METHODS

Twenty-six pelvic and anterior thigh regions were dissected in 13 female cadavers. After the graft and donor sites were clearly exposed and the branches identified, the donor nerves were cut at suitable distal sites and then moved into the pelvis for tensionless anastomosis. Diameters were measured with calipers.

RESULTS

The obturator nerve was bifurcated a mean ± SD (range) of 5.5 ± 1.7 (2.0-9.0) cm proximal to the entrance of the obturator foramen. In every cadaver, the authors were able to bring the posterior division of the obturator nerve to the vesical branch of the pelvic nerve (located internal to the ischial spine) in a tensionless manner with an excess obturator nerve length of 2.0 ± 1.2 (0.0-5.0) cm. The distance between the femoral nerve arborization and the anterior superior iliac spine was 9.3 ± 1.8 (6.5-15.0) cm, and the distance from the femoral arborization to the ischial spine was 12.9 ± 1.4 (10.0-16.0) cm. Diameters were similar between donor and recipient nerves.

CONCLUSIONS

The chosen donor nerves were long enough and of sufficient caliber for the proposed nerve transfers and tensionless anastomosis.

High risk of complications after a "low risk" procedure: A national study of nursing home residents and older adults undergoing haemorrhoid surgery

AIM

To evaluate 30-day complications and 1-year mortality for older adults undergoing haemorrhoid surgery.

METHOD

This retrospective cohort study evaluated older adults (age 66+) undergoing haemorrhoid surgery using Medicare claims and the minimum data set (MDS). Long-stay nursing home residents were identified, and propensity score matched to community-dwelling older adults. Generalized estimating equation models were created to determine the adjusted relative risk of 30-day complications, length of stay (LOS), and 1-year mortality. Among nursing home residents, functional and cognitive status were evaluated using the MDS-activities of daily living (ADL) score and the Brief Instrument of Mental Status. Faecal continence status was evaluated among a subset of nursing home residents.

RESULTS

A total of 3664 subjects underwent haemorrhoid surgery and were included in the analyses. Nursing home residents were at significantly higher risk for 30-day complications (52.3% vs. 32.9%, aRR 1.6 [95% CI: 1.5-1.7], p < 0.001), and 1-year mortality (24.9% vs. 16.1%, aRR 1.6 [95% CI: 1.3-1.8], p < 0.001). Functional and mental status showed an inflection point of decline around the time of the procedure, which did not recover to the baseline trajectory in the following year. Additionally, a subset of nursing home residents demonstrated worsening faecal incontinence.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated high rates of 30-day complications and 1-year mortality among all older adults (yet significantly worse among nursing home residents). Ultimately, primary care providers and surgeons should carefully weigh the potential harms of haemorrhoid surgery in older adults living in a nursing home.

Biofilms on Indwelling Artificial Urinary Sphincter Devices Harbor Complex Microbe-Metabolite Interaction Networks and Reconstitute Differentially In Vitro by Material Type

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is an effective treatment option for incontinence due to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency in the context of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, or stress urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy. A subset of AUS devices develops infection and requires explant. We sought to characterize biofilm composition of the AUS device to inform prevention and treatment strategies. Indwelling AUS devices were swabbed for biofilm at surgical removal or revision. Samples and controls were subjected to next-generation sequencing and metabolomics. Biofilm formation of microbial strains isolated from AUS devices was reconstituted in a bioreactor mimicking subcutaneous tissue with a medical device present. Mean patient age was 73 (SD 10.2). All eighteen artificial urinary sphincter devices harbored microbial biofilms. Central genera in the overall microbe−metabolite interaction network were Staphylococcus (2620 metabolites), Escherichia/Shigella (2101), and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum (674). An rpoB mutation associated with rifampin resistance was detected in 8 of 15 (53%) biofilms. Staphylococcus warneri formed greater biofilm on polyurethane than on any other material type (p < 0.01). The results of this investigation, wherein we comprehensively characterized the composition of AUS device biofilms, provide the framework for future identification and rational development of inhibitors and preventive strategies against device-associated infection.

"Urethral-Sparing" Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Critical Appraisal of the Safety of the Technique Based on the Histologic Characteristics of the Prostatic Urethra

BACKGROUND

The prostatic urethra (PU) is conventionally resected during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP). Recent studies demonstrated the feasibility of the extended PU preservation (EPUP).

AIMS

To describe the histologic features of the PU.

METHODS

The PU was evaluated using cystoprostatectomy and RALP specimens. Cases of PU infiltration by prostate cancer or distortion by benign hyperplastic nodules were excluded. The thickness of the chorion and distance between the urothelium and prostate glands were measured. Prostate-specific antigen expression in the PU epithelium was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS

Six specimens of PU were examined. Histologically, the following layers of the PU were observed: (1) urothelium with basal membrane, (2) chorion, and (3) prostatic peri-urethral fibromuscular tissue. The chorion measures between 0.2 and 0.4 mm. There is not a distinct urethral muscle layer, but rather muscular fibers that originate near the prostatic stroma and are distributed around the PU. This muscular tissue appears to be mainly represented in the basal and apical urethra, but not in the middle urethra. The mean distance between the chorion and prostatic glands is 1.74 mm, with significant differences between base of the prostate, middle urethral portion, and apex (2.5 vs. 1.49 vs. 1.23 mm, respectively). PSA-expressing cells are abundant in the PU epithelium, coexisting with urothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The exiguity of thickness of the PU chorion, short distance from glandular tissue, and coexistence of PSA-expressing cells in the epithelium raise important concerns about the oncologic safety of EPUP.

Hospital practitioner views on the benefits of continence education and best ways to provide training

AIM

The aim of the study was to explore practitioners' experiences and perspectives on continence training, in order to understand its relevance to practice and how take-up of, and engagement with, such training may be improved.

DESIGN

27 qualitative interviews were conducted with nursing, medical and allied health practitioners in three hospitals.

METHODS

We analysed data thematically, both manually and with the aid of NVivo software. The research adheres to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist.

RESULTS

Practitioners asserted the likely benefits of evidence-based continence training, including more judicious use of products, reduction in associated infection, better patient skin care and more facilitative communication with patients. Practitioners also identified preferred methods of continence training, according to their role and workload. To ensure better take-up of, and engagement with, continence training, it must be authorized as essential and provided in ways that reflect professional preferences and pragmatic resource considerations.

Assessing Quality-of-Life of Patients Taking Mirabegron for Overactive Bladder

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including urgency, frequency, and urgency incontinence, are highly prevalent in the general population and increase in prevalence with increasing age. All LUTS, but notable urgency and urgency incontinence, are associated with negative impact on quality-of-life (QoL), with multiple aspects of QoL affected. Urgency and urgency incontinence are most commonly caused by overactive bladder (OAB), the clinical syndrome of urinary urgency, usually accompanied by increased daytime frequency and/or nocturia in the absence of infection or other obvious etiology, which may be treated with conservative and lifestyle interventions, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, and, more recently, by mirabegron, a β3 agonist. This narrative review describes the impact of OAB on QoL, quantifies this impact, and outlines the evidence for the use of mirabegron in the treatment of, and improvement in QoL in, people with OAB.

Home pelvic floor exercises in children with non-neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Is fitball an alternative to classic exercises?

INTRODUCTION

Biofeedback with home pelvic floor exercises were recommended as non-pharmacologic treatment for non-neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in children. Fitball is recommended to improve all-over flexibility, balance, and coordination, especially for pelvic floor. Aim of the study was to investigate efficacy of standard home pelvic floor exercises versus exercises using fitball.

METHODS

From April 2021 to February 2022 to all children arrived in our clinic with non-neurogenic LUTS nonresponder at urotherapy, our pelvic floor rehabilitative program was proposed. During the rehabilitation children performed: standard urotherapy, pelvic floor animated biofeedback therapy and pelvic floor exercises in a standard way and using a fitball. After the first session, patients received prescription to repeat at home the same exercises performed at hospital. Children who chose classic exercises were enrolled in group A and they who chose fitball in group B. Continence rate, pelvic floor muscles activity, adherence and satisfaction were evaluated by means of bladder diary, external pubococcygeus test and Likert-type psychometric scale (from 1 = very unsatisfied to 5 = very satisfied) respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-six children affected by LUTS were enrolled: 13 in group A and 13 in B. At 4th control urinary incontinence was reduced by 72,5% in A and 71.4% in B. Pubococcygeus test increased in both groups. Adherence at home was 92% in group A and 62% in group B. Satisfaction with the treatment (4 or 5 points) was 95% in both groups. Four patients of group A and all of group B decided to maintain home exercises including fitball.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary study shows that efficacy of home exercises, with or without fitball, is comparable. Satisfaction with fitball is high, regardless results obtained, because parents and children have learned a new, interesting and stimulating way to manage urinary problems. The opportunity to perform these exercises using fitball, it's an important finding for pediatric population.