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Seth I, Gibson D, Bulloch G, Joseph K, Cevik J, Qin KR, Shahbaz S, Rozen WM. Vasovasostomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing macroscopic, microsurgical, and robot-assisted microsurgical techniques. Andrology 2024; 12:740-767. [PMID: 37804499 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Vasovasostomy is a cost-effective procedure for the reversal of vasectomy. A water-tight adequately blood-supplied mucosal anastomosis is required for better outcomes. This review aimed to compare the outcome of vasovasostomy performed by three different techniques: macroscopic, pure microsurgical, and robot-assisted microsurgical techniques. METHODS Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant studies from January 1901 to June 2023. We conducted our quantitative syntheses using the inverse variance method in OpenMeta software. The study's protocol was registered on PROSPERO. RESULTS This review involved 95 studies of different designs, with a total sample size of 48,132. The majority of operations were performed bilaterally, and participants were monitored for up to 10 years. The pooled patency rate was the highest following robot-assisted vasovasostomy (94.4%), followed by pure microsurgical vasovasostomy (87.5%), and macroscopic vasovasostomy (83.7%). The pooled pregnancy rate following purely microsurgical vasovasostomy was higher than that of macroscopic vasovasostomy (47.4 vs. 43.7%). Definitive pregnancy rates in robotic vasovasostomy are yet to be determined. CONCLUSION Patency outcomes for vasovasostomy were best with robot-assisted microsurgical technique, followed by pure microsurgical technique, and conventional macroscopic technique. Further investigations of robot-assisted microsurgical vasovasostomy outcomes and randomized control trials are required to support this evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishith Seth
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School at Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien Gibson
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gabriella Bulloch
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Konrad Joseph
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jevan Cevik
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School at Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirby R Qin
- Department of Urology, Bendigo Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shekib Shahbaz
- Department of Urology, Monash Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren M Rozen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School at Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Huyghe E, Faix A, Methorst C. [Surgery to improve male fertility]. Prog Urol 2023; 33:681-696. [PMID: 38012911 DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At a time when increasing attention is being paid to the limitations and risks of in vitro fertilisation techniques, surgeries to improve male fertility are attracting growing interest. METHODS Systematic review based on a Pubmed search of surgeries to improve male fertility. RESULTS Vasovasostomy (VV) gives patency rates of 70-97% and pregnancy rates of 30-76%. Vasoepididymostomy (VE) gives patency rates of 80-84%, with pregnancy rates of 40-44%. The duration of obstruction and the age of the partner are 2 predictive parameters for the occurrence of a natural pregnancy. In cases of obstructive azoospermia due to pelvic obstruction (prostatic cyst, obstruction of the ejaculatory ducts), several surgical procedures may be proposed. Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts leads to an improvement in sperm parameters in 63-83% of patients, with spontaneous pregnancy occurring in 12-31% of cases. Microsurgical cure of varicocele by the subinguinal route is a benchmark technique with recurrence rates of less than 4%. It improves live birth and pregnancy rates, both naturally and by in vitro fertilization, as well as sperm count, motility and DNA fragmentation rates. CONCLUSION Whenever possible, the urologist should present the surgical options for improving male fertility to the ART team and to the couple, discussing the benefit/risk balance of the operation as part of a personalized approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Huyghe
- Département d'urologie, hôpital de Rangueil, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France; Service de médecine de la reproduction, hôpital Paule-de-Viguier, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France; UMR DEFE, Inserm 1203, université de Toulouse, université de Montpellier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Antoine Faix
- Clinique Saint-Roch, 560, avenue du Colonel-Pavelet-dit-Villars, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Charlotte Methorst
- Service de médecine de la reproduction, hôpital des 4-Villes, Saint-Cloud, France
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3
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Ergun O, Gudeloglu A, Parekattil SJ. Robotic Surgery for Male Infertility and Chronic Scrotal Content Pain. J Endourol 2022; 36:S48-S60. [PMID: 36154453 DOI: 10.1089/end.2022.0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Robot-assisted microsurgery is a trending approach for the treatment of male infertility and chronic scrotal pain. The advantages seem to include increased optical magnification, improved surgical efficiency, absent tremor, and similar outcomes with standard methods. This chapter covers robotic microsurgical application and techniques for: robot-assisted vasectomy reversal with vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy, varicocelectomy, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction, and targeted denervation of the spermatic cord.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sijo J Parekattil
- Avant Concierge Urology & University of Central Florida, Winter Garden, Florida, USA
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4
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Fantus RJ, Halpern JA. Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: indications, operative technique, and outcomes. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:1384-1392. [PMID: 33926720 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The basic principles of vasal reconstruction have endured since their initial description over a century ago, yet the nuances and technical approaches have evolved. Prior to performing vasectomy reversal, the clinician should perform a focused history, physical and laboratory assessment, all of which are critical for patient counseling and preoperative planning. Operative success is contingent on appropriate intraoperative decision making and technical precision in completing a tension-free, watertight, and patent anastomosis. Outcomes of vasectomy reversal differ on the basis of the type of reconstruction required, reconstructive technique, and patient-specific factors. Here we review the indications, surgical techniques, and outcomes of vasectomy reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Fantus
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Joshua A Halpern
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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5
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Gözen AS, Tokas T, Tawfick A, Mousa W, Kotb M, Tzanaki E, Rassweiler J. Robot-assisted vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: Current status and review of the literature. Turk J Urol 2020; 46:329-334. [PMID: 32915714 DOI: 10.5152/tud.2020.20257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Microscope-assisted vasovasostomy (MAVV) is a standard procedure used to reverse vasectomies. Robotic surgery has been established primarily for technically demanding urological procedures and has also been recently implemented in male reproductive surgery. We aimed to review the current evidence of robot-assisted vasovasostomy (RAVV) and robot-assisted vasoepididymostomy (RAVE). MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a systematic literature review using PubMed to identify relevant original articles. We identified 2017 records through database search, and after removing duplicates, 782 records remained for further analysis. RESULTS In total, 12 human and three animal studies were selected. Reported vasal patency rate ranges were 88%-100% for RAVVs and 55%-61% for RAVEs. The sperm count and postoperative pregnancy rates of RAVV ranged between 8.4 × 106-120 × 106 sperm/mL and 65%, respectively. Finally, procedure times in the human studies, recorded for extracorporeal RAVVs and RAVEs ranged from 97 to 238 minutes. CONCLUSION Robot-assisted vasal reversal is feasible with similar patency rates as for the microsurgical approach and showing comparable outcomes. Additional benefits of this technique include improved vision and movement precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Serdar Gözen
- Department of Urology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Germany.,Department of Urology, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Theodoros Tokas
- Department of Urology and Andrology, General Hospital Hall i.T.,Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Ahmed Tawfick
- Department of Urology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Germany.,Department of Urology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Waleed Mousa
- Department of Urology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Germany.,Department of Urology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Kotb
- Department of Urology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Germany.,Department of Urology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eirini Tzanaki
- University of Pavia, Medical School, Harvey Course, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jens Rassweiler
- Department of Urology, SLK-Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Germany
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Farber NJ, Flannigan R, Srivastava A, Wang H, Goldstein M. Vasovasostomy: kinetics and predictors of patency. Fertil Steril 2020; 113:774-780.e3. [PMID: 32228879 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the timing of patency and late failure (secondary azoospermia) after vasovasostomy (VV) using standardized kinetics definitions. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENT(S) Patients with obstructive azoospermia. INTERVENTION(S) Vasovasostomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Univariate and multivariate logistic regression assessed predictors of patency and late failure. Patency was defined as any sperm return to the ejaculate; and >2 million total motile sperm (TMS) in ejaculate. Late failure after VV was defined as azoospermia; or <2 million TMS in ejaculate. RESULT(S) 429 men underwent VV, with median follow up of 242 days. Mean time to patency was 3.25 months versus 5.29 months in the "any sperm" versus ">2 million TMS" groups. Finding sperm intraoperatively during VV significantly improved patency rates in multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR] 4.22). This association was further boosted when sperm was found bilaterally (OR 6.70). Late failure rate (azoospermia) was 10.6% at mean time of 14.1 months and 23% for <2 million, at mean time of 15.7 months. When assessing predictors of late failure, intraoperative motile sperm bilaterally was a statistically significant protective factor on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.22). CONCLUSION(S) Vasovasostomy remains highly efficacious in treating obstructive azoospermia. Young patients, shorter obstructive intervals, and sperm identified intraoperatively predict improved outcomes. Clinicians can expect VV patency in 3 months and late failure within the first 2 years after surgery. However, patency rates, late failure rates, and kinetics vary by definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Farber
- Division of Urology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Arnav Srivastava
- Division of Urology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Hanhan Wang
- Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Marc Goldstein
- Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
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Wang R, Pan W, Jin L, Li Y, Geng Y, Gao C, Chen G, Wang H, Ma D, Liao S. Artificial intelligence in reproductive medicine. Reproduction 2019; 158:R139-R154. [PMID: 30970326 PMCID: PMC6733338 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced rapid growth over the past few years, moving from the experimental to the implementation phase in various fields, including medicine. Advances in learning algorithms and theories, the availability of large datasets and improvements in computing power have contributed to breakthroughs in current AI applications. Machine learning (ML), a subset of AI, allows computers to detect patterns from large complex datasets automatically and uses these patterns to make predictions. AI is proving to be increasingly applicable to healthcare, and multiple machine learning techniques have been used to improve the performance of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Despite various challenges, the integration of AI and reproductive medicine is bound to give an essential direction to medical development in the future. In this review, we discuss the basic aspects of AI and machine learning, and we address the applications, potential limitations and challenges of AI. We also highlight the prospects and future directions in the context of reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Pan
- School of Economics and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuehan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yudi Geng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shujie Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of HUST, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence should be addressed to S Liao;
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8
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Halpern JA, Brannigan RE, Schlegel PN. Fertility-enhancing male reproductive surgery: glimpses into the past and thoughts for the future. Fertil Steril 2019; 112:426-437. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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9
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Chan P, Parekattil SJ, Goldstein M, Lipshultz LI, Kavoussi P, McCullough A, Sigman M. Pros and cons of robotic microsurgery as an appropriate approach to male reproductive surgery for vasectomy reversal and varicocele repair. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:816-823. [PMID: 30316417 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Chan
- Male Reproductive Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Urology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sijo J Parekattil
- South Lake Hospital, Orlando Health & University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Marc Goldstein
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Larry I Lipshultz
- Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Mark Sigman
- Division of Urology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Lifespan, Providence, Rhode Island.
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Hayden RP, Li PS, Goldstein M. Microsurgical vasectomy reversal: contemporary techniques, intraoperative decision making, and surgical training for the next generation. Fertil Steril 2019; 111:444-453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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11
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Namekawa T, Imamoto T, Kato M, Komiya A, Ichikawa T. Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: Review of the procedures, outcomes, and predictors of patency and pregnancy over the last decade. Reprod Med Biol 2018; 17:343-355. [PMID: 30377390 PMCID: PMC6194271 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the era of improving assisted reproductive technology (ART), patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) have 2 options: vasal repair or testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Vasal repair, including vasovasostomy (VV) and vasoepididymostomy (VE), is the only option that leads to natural conception. METHODS This article reviews the surgical techniques, outcomes, and predictors of postoperative patency and pregnancy, with a focus on articles that have reported over the last 10 years, using PubMed database searches. MAIN FINDINGS The reported mean patency rate was 87% and the mean pregnancy rate was 49% for a patient following microscopic VV and/or VE for vasectomy reversal. Recently, robot-assisted techniques were introduced and have achieved a high rate of success. The predictors and predictive models of postoperative patency and pregnancy also have been reported. The obstructive interval, presence of a granuloma, and intraoperative sperm findings predict postoperative patency. These factors also predict postoperative fertility. In addition, the female partner's age and the same female partner correlate with pregnancy after surgery. CONCLUSION In the era of ART, the physician should present and discuss with both the patient with OA and his partner the most appropriate procedure to conceive by using these predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Namekawa
- Department of UrologyGraduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Takashi Imamoto
- Department of UrologyGraduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Mayuko Kato
- Department of UrologyGraduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Akira Komiya
- Department of UrologyGraduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Tomohiko Ichikawa
- Department of UrologyGraduate School of MedicineChiba UniversityChibaJapan
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