Robotic-assisted ileovesicostomy: initial results

Deep learning-based synapse counting and synaptic ultrastructure analysis of electron microscopy images

BACKGROUND

Synapses are the connections between neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) or between neurons and other excitable cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), where electrical or chemical signals rapidly travel through one cell to another with high spatial precision. Synaptic analysis, based on synapse numbers and fine morphology, is the basis for understanding neurological functions and diseases. Manual analysis of synaptic structures in electron microscopy (EM) images is often limited by low efficiency and subjective bias.

NEW METHOD

We developed a multifunctional synaptic analysis system based on several advanced deep learning (DL) models. The system achieved synapse counting in low-magnification EM images and synaptic ultrastructure analysis in high-magnification EM images.

RESULTS

The synapse counting system based on ResNet18 and a Faster R-CNN model had a mean average precision (mAP) of 92.55%. For synaptic ultrastructure analysis, the Faster R-CNN model based on ResNet50 achieved a mAP of 91.60%, the DeepLab v3 + model based on ResNet50 enabled high performance in presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane segmentation with a global accuracy of 0.9811, and the Faster R-CNN model based on ResNet18 achieved a mAP of 91.41% for synaptic vesicle detection.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed multifunctional synaptic analysis system may help to overcome the experimental bias inherent in manual analysis, thereby facilitating EM image-based synaptic function studies.

Management of the Transitional Urology Patient: the Role of the Adult Reconstructive Urologist

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with congenital urologic conditions present unique challenges as adults. Herein, we review the literature relevant to the adult reconstructive urologist confronted with complex surgical concerns affecting their patients with a history of hypospadias, spina bifida, and other syndromes affecting the genitourinary tract.

RECENT FINDINGS

Urethral stricture disease related to hypospadias is complex, but successful urethroplasty and penile curvature correction can be achieved with an anatomically minded approach. Multiple urinary diversion techniques can be considered in a patient-centered approach to bladder management in the adult spina bifida patient, but complications are common and revision surgeries are frequently required. Strong evidence is lacking for most surgical techniques in this population, but experiences reported by pediatric and adult urologists with genitourinary reconstruction training can help foster consensus in decision-making. Urologists trained in genitourinary reconstruction may be uniquely positioned to care for the transitional urology patient as they enter adolescence and adulthood.

Non-pharmacologic options for the management of voiding dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neuroinflammatory condition that can cause significant bladder dysfunction manifesting either as overactive bladder or impaired bladder emptying. Patients will often complain of urgency, frequency, nocturia, urgency incontinence, hesitancy, straining to void, and incomplete bladder emptying. While these symptoms can be treated with pharmacologic agents, often patients will require more significant treatments. Patients should first be evaluated with urodynamics in order to adequately diagnose the pathologic condition causing their symptoms. These interventions include catheter use, injection of botulinum toxin, neuromodulation, urethral stenting, sphincterotomy, suprapubic catheter with bladder neck closure, bladder augmentation and urinary diversion. The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence supporting each of these treatment options so urologic providers can better provide for this unique and complex patient population.

Completely intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy: initial results

We present a series of robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomies with bowel work performed completely intracorporeally. The four patients selected for this procedure were all diagnosed with neurogenic bladder and failed conservative medical therapy. Preoperative patient data included age, body mass index (BMI), and urodynamic (UD) study results. Intra-operative data included estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, and intra-operative complications. Post-operative data included return to bowel function, post-operative complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS). All bowel work was completed intracorporeally with the exception of stoma maturation. Four robotic ileovesicostomies were performed. Pre-operative urodynamic study results showed either elevated detrusor pressures or limited bladder capacities in addition to the inability to perform self-catheterization. The mean patient age was 40 years and mean BMI was 26 kg/m². Average EBL and operative time were 131 ml and 290 min, respectively. No intra-operative complications occurred. Bowel function, as defined as flatus, returned on average 3.8 days after surgery and average LOS, defined as discharge home or discharge to the spinal cord unit, was 7.5 days. Mean follow-up time was 25.8 months. Post-operative urodynamic studies revealed low stomal leak point pressure (<10 cmH₂O). This study is the first to describe a completely intracorporeally robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy with safe and effective outcomes after more than 2 years of follow-up.

Completely intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy

We present a report of a completely intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic ileovesicostomy with long term follow-up. The patient was a 55-year-old man with paraplegia secondary to tropical spastic paresis resulting neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The procedure was performed using a da Vinci Surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) and took 330 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 100 mL. The patient recovered without perioperative complications. He continues to have low pressure drainage without urethral incontinence over two years postoperatively.

Ileovesicostomy for the neurogenic bladder patient: outcome and cost comparison of open and robotic assisted techniques

OBJECTIVES

To compare the outcomes and cost of open and robotic-assisted ileovesicostomy techniques for the adult neurogenic bladder patient.

METHODS

Consecutive open and robotic-assisted ileovesicostomy procedures were retrospectively reviewed for demographic, operative, and postoperative recovery data. Surgical outcome was assessed by examining the incidence of postprocedure urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and upper tract compromise. Total cost was calculated through summation of inpatient costs, including room/board, operating/recovery room, surgical supplies, professional fees, intensive care unit, and robotic maintenance.

RESULTS

Fifteen ileovesicostomy procedures (7 open, 8 robotic) were reviewed. Both groups had similar demographic and urodynamic data. Operative times (293 min open vs 330 min robotic, P = .24) were similar between techniques. There were trends toward lower operative blood loss (100 mL vs 257 mL, P = .09) and shorter hospital stays in the robotic group (8 days vs 11 days, P = .14). Ileovesicostomy was associated with improved urinary continence (P = .02) and trended toward a decreased incidence of postoperative chronic UTI (P = .13) for the entire group, and there was no difference between techniques regarding continence, chronic UTIs, and complications. No patients in either group developed postoperative hydronephrosis. Total inpatient cost for the open and robotic groups was $14,356 and $17,344 (P = .05), which differed primarily because of higher robotic operating room supply costs ($609 vs $3770, P <.001).

CONCLUSION

Robotic and open ileovesicostomy had similar surgical outcomes in this patient cohort, although total inpatient costs were significantly higher in the robotic group.

Contemporary management of the neurogenic bladder for multiple sclerosis patients

Urinary symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (MS) present a complex challenge for the treating physician. However, several treatment options are available for the symptomatic patient once the physician understands basic MS disease epidemiology and pathophysiology. Depending of disease status and symptoms, MS urinary symptoms may respond to directed behavioral, pharmacologic, intravesical, neuromodulation, or surgical therapies.