Primary and reoperative hypospadias repair with the Snodgrass technique

This report documents our experience with primary and reoperative repair of anterior and middle hypospadias using the tubularized, incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty (Snodgrass technique) and provides a detailed description of the operative procedure. A total of 31 patients (27 primary; 4 reoperative) underwent TIP urethroplasty. The patients' age at primary of reoperative hypospadias repair ranged from 5 months to 26 years. Excellent functional and cosmetic results were achieved in all but one patient, who developed an urethrocutaneous fistula. On the basis of our experience we feel that the Snodgrass TIP urethroplasty is a technique to be strongly considered for primary and reoperative repair of distal and, in some instances, midshaft hypospadias. Further experience is necessary to determine the applicability of this technique for repair of more proximal and complex hypospadias defects.

A single-system ectopic ureter draining an ectopic dysplastic kidney: delayed diagnosis in the young female with continuous urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To document the array of diagnostic modalities, the variety of errant diagnoses and treatments. and the time from initial presentation to ultimate diagnosis in girls with an ectopic single-system ureter draining an ectopic hypoplastic and/or dysplastic kidney.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 1997, seven females were identified who had an ectopic hypoplastic and/or dysplastic kidney with an ectopically draining ureter, and who were treated at our institutions, either initially or upon referral. The nature and number of all diagnostic evaluations, previous diagnoses and treatments, and the time from presentation to definitive diagnosis were recorded.

RESULTS

All seven females had a classical history of successful toilet training, a normal voiding pattern and continuous urinary incontinence. Typically, a solitary kidney was noted on the initial diagnostic evaluation by ultrasonography and/or intravenous urography. The mean (range) age at initial presentation was 3.2 (2-6) years. Additionally, voiding cysto-urethrography, urodynamics, radionuclide scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopy were performed. The age at definitive diagnosis was 3-16.5 years and the mean (range) time from initial presentation to diagnosis was 5.7 (1-10) years. Nephroureterectomy was curative and all kidneys were dysplastic.

CONCLUSION

Continuous urinary incontinence in females with a normal voiding pattern should prompt an evaluation for ureteric ectopia. When the initial evaluation yields the diagnosis of a solitary kidney, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a hypoplastic and/or dysplastic, often ectopic, contralateral kidney with an ectopically draining ureter. Identification of this entity should allow curative surgical treatment.

Age specific prostate specific antigen reference ranges: population specific

PURPOSE

We determined whether 60 to 79-year-old men with a negative digital rectal examination and a serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) within age specific PSA reference ranges could safely forgo prostate biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all 60 to 79-year-old men at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center who had a PSA assay, digital rectal examination and subsequent prostate biopsy for an abnormal rectal examination and/or PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. from January 1991 through August 1995. We compared our results using the standard reference range of 0 to 4.0 ng./ml. with those obtained had we used any of 4 different age specific PSA reference ranges.

RESULTS

We performed 1,280 prostate biopsies in 1,046 men with available PSA and digital rectal examination data. Using age specific PSA reference ranges 73 of 1,280 biopsies (5.7%) would have been avoided. Of those 73 avoided biopsies 15 (20.5%) had cancer that would have gone undetected and 9 of 15 (60%) undetected cancers had unfavorable histology. Results were not statistically significantly different among the 4 age specific PSA reference ranges. Regarding race, cancer detection rates were significantly higher for black compared with white men but there was no statistically significant difference for missed cancers or missed cancers with unfavorable histology.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to previous reports of unfavorable histological characteristics in only 5% of missed cancers using age specific PSA reference ranges, 60% of missed cancers in our patients exhibited unfavorable histology. We conclude that age specific PSA reference ranges did not safely eliminate the need for prostate biopsy in our study population. In 60 to 79-year-old men with a negative digital rectal examination we continue to use PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. as an indication for prostate biopsy.

Circumcision: successful glanular reconstruction and survival following traumatic amputation

PURPOSE

Circumcision remains the most common operation performed on male individuals in the United States. Unfortunately various complications may occur during circumcision ranging from trivial to tragic. We report 7 cases of traumatic amputation of the glans penis and/or urethra during circumcision. In addition, errors in circumcision technique as probable mechanisms of injury, principles of repair and limits of tissue viability are discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 7 patients who underwent traumatic circumcision amputation of the glans penis and/or urethra were reviewed. Glanular amputation occurred in 6, 8-day-old neonates during ritual circumcision and in 1, 5-month-old infant circumcised by a physician.

RESULTS

Excised glanular tissue remained viable up to 8 hours after injury. Followup ranged from 8.5 to 108 months. All patients had an acceptable cosmetic result. No long-term complications developed in the 8-day-old group but a distal urethral fistula formed in the 5-month-old patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful selection of technique and device as well as strict attention to detail at circumcision should eliminate most injuries. On the basis of our results we recommend reanastomosis of the glans and/or urethra following distal amputation even when there is a delay in surgical repair of up to 8 hours.

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis and dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis and dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism are 2 forms of male pseudohermaphroditism that present with absent müllerian regression and ambiguous genitalia. We present a retrospective analysis of 10 patients with the diagnosis of either mixed gonadal dysgenesis or dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism encountered during a 16-year period at our institution. We assigned a female gender to 4 patients and a male gender to 3. Three patients were assigned a male gender before referral (2 for whom we would have preferred female assignment). All intra-abdominal gonads were removed except in 2 patients assigned a male gender who underwent bilateral orchiopexy. Patients underwent hypospadias repair or feminizing genitoplasty depending upon the gender assigned. Although female gender assignment is usually preferred, male assignment is a justifiable alternative in instances of extreme virilization and a descended testis. However, in these male assigned patients, consideration must be given to the role of periodic testicular biopsies. In light of tumor potential, all intra-abdominal gonads should be removed. When necessary, appropriate surgical genitoplasty should be performed at an early patient age.

Unilateral multicystic dysplasia in 1 component of a horseshoe kidney: case reports and review of the literature

We report on 3 pediatric patients with multicystic dysplasia involving 1 component of a horseshoe kidney. Including our cases, 18 cases of unilateral multicystic dysplasia in a horseshoe kidney have been reported. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of these cases are briefly reviewed. The association of multicystic dysplastic kidney and horseshoe kidney presents a unique diagnostic challenge. Because of the rarity of unilateral multicystic dysplasia in a horseshoe kidney and the size of the dysplastic component, which crossed the midline in our patients, we chose to excise that component. Cross-sectional imaging techniques, that is computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, were helpful in diagnosis and in planning operative treatment.

Unilateral single vaginal ectopic ureter with ipsilateral hypoplastic pelvic kidney and bicornuate uterus

We report on 2 patients with a unilateral vaginal ectopic ureter associated with a single system, ipsilateral hypoplastic pelvic kidney and bicornuate uterus. Although there are many reports of concomitant urinary and reproductive system malformations, a review of the literature shows these unique associations in the same patient to be extremely rare. These findings provide further evidence of the intricate interaction between mesonephric (wolffian) and paramesonephric (müllerian) ducts in the development of the urogenital system. Embryological aspects as well as clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and treatment applicable to this group are discussed.