Update on the surgical approach for reconstruction of the male genitalia

Adult outcomes of urinary, sexual functions and fertility after pediatric management of differences in sex development: Who should be followed and how?

The management of Differences of Sex Development (DSD) has evolved considerably in recent years. The questioning of systematic early childhood treatment of DSD requires a better understanding of the outcomes of such treatments and long-term studies are therefore essential to better evaluate the prognosis of DSD. Unfortunately, limitations are numerous including the limited size of the series, the absence of standardized methodology, the evaluation of managements that no longer take place today and the absence of prospective and comparative studies. Despite these difficulties, the purpose of this paper is to present the current data on the long-term follow-up of patients with DSD from the urological, sexual and fertility points of view. Even if it remains difficult at present to establish precise recommendations, we recapitulate the most important points that should drive follow-up of these patients especially the constitution of a multidisciplinary team with a holistic approach, the organization of the transition between adolescence and adulthood, a particular attention to psychological care, a careful communication with the patients and his/her family and the use of standardized data collection systems.

Urine-derived exosomes and their role in modulating uroepithelial cells to prevent hypospadias

PURPOSE

Urethral hypospadias, a common congenital malformation in males, is closely linked with disruptions in uroepithelial cell (UEC) processes. Evidence exists reporting that urine-derived exosomes (Urine-Exos) enhance UEC proliferation and regeneration, suggesting a potential role in preventing hypospadias. However, the specific influence of Urine-Exos on urethral hypospadias and the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study focuses on investigating the capability of Urine-Exos to mitigate urethral hypospadias and aims to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify key gene targets in Urine-Exos potentially involved in hypospadias. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the regulatory effects of Urine-Exos on hypospadias.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics screening revealed syndecan-1 (SDC1) as a potential pivotal gene for the prevention of hypospadias. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Urine-Exos enhanced the proliferation and migration of UECs by transferring SDC1 and inhibiting cell apoptosis. Notably, Urine-Exos upregulated β-catenin expression through SDC1 transfer, further promoting UEC proliferation and migration. These findings were confirmed in a congenital hypospadias rat model induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

CONCLUSION

This study reveals the therapeutic potential of Urine-Exos in hypospadias, mediated by the SDC1/β-catenin axis. Urine-Exos promote UEC proliferation and migration, thereby inhibiting the progression of hypospadias. These findings offer new insights and potential therapeutic targets for the management of congenital malformations.

Fasciocutaneous foreskin twin flaps in hypospadias repair: Reconstructing a functional penis with freestyle design

BACKGROUND

Hypospadias is the most common congenital urological deformity in males; however, there is still no perfect solution or surgical method for one-stage operations to fix proximal hypospadias with ventral penile curvature (VPC). We developed a fasciocutaneous foreskin twin flap technique that can provide freestyle flap designs in hypospadias repair.

METHODS

A retrospective study including 26 patients was performed between January 2017 and June 2020. The surgical procedures included VPC correction, skin flap design, transfer and reconstruction. The urethra and shaft were reconstructed by twin flaps in one stage. All patients were followed up until 12 months.

RESULTS

All VPC cases were corrected after the operation. The fistula rate was 11.5% (3/26). No meatal stenosis, urethral diverticulum, or stricture was observed. A total of 92.3% (24/26) of patients were satisfied with their penis appearance.

CONCLUSIONS

The fasciocutaneous foreskin twin flaps provide freestyle designs in hypospadias repair, which can achieve a one-stage operation for proximal hypospadias with low fistula rates.

Interpretación medicolegal para el abordaje de individuos con desórdenes del desarrollo sexual en Colombia

Objetivo Los desórdenes del desarrollo sexual (DDSs) son un grupo de condiciones médicas cuyo manejo implica un enfoque transdisciplinario. En la legislación colombiana, no existe una regulación específica en materia de intervenciones médicas en individuos con DDSs. La Corte Constitucional Colombiana se ha encargado de proferir sentencias, en las cuales se han establecido unos lineamientos y parámetros para el manejo jurídico de los casos de ambigüedad genital.

Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, nos proponemos en este artículo exponer y analizar, desde la visión de un grupo transdisciplinario, las sentencias más relevantes que han sido proferidas por la Corte Constitucional Colombiana.

Métodos Se realizó una revisión narrativa en las bases de datos de la Corte Constitucional y de la literatura legal. Se recopilaron todas las sentencias disponibles, y se evaluaron lo casos clínicos identificados por el grupo transdisciplinario de DDSs del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Finalmente, los autores generaron por consenso un texto de discusión, como guía para los lectores, luego de analizar cada una de las sentencias y los casos presentados.

Resultados Se identificaron 9 sentencias y los antecedentes que llevaron a la elaboración de cada una de ellas. Los nueve casos presentados contienen conceptos importantes para la articulación por parte del grupo transdisciplinario, tales como, autonomía, consentimiento sustituto y asistido, e indicación médica del tratamiento. Se excluyeron las sentencias T-692/99 y la T-918/2012, dado que daban información duplicada con referencia a sentencias incluidas en este documento.

Conclusión La Corte Constitucional Colombiana ha proferido sentencias en las cuales no se ha contado con la participación de grupos de expertos. La terminología usada no describe apropiadamente el lenguaje técnico que se aplica al manejo de nuestros pacientes. Para el abordaje de individuos con DDSs, resulta muy importante conocer la relevancia de las sentencias basadas en un análisis individual de cada caso.

Management of 46,XY Differences/Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) Throughout Life

Differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) are a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions that result in discordance between an individual's sex chromosomes, gonads, and/or anatomic sex. Advances in the clinical care of patients and families affected by 46,XY DSD have been achieved since publication of the original Consensus meeting in 2006. The aims of this paper are to review what is known about morbidity and mortality, diagnostic tools and timing, sex of rearing, endocrine and surgical treatment, fertility and sexual function, and quality of life in people with 46,XY DSD. The role for interdisciplinary health care teams, importance of establishing a molecular diagnosis, and need for research collaborations using patient registries to better understand long-term outcomes of specific medical and surgical interventions are acknowledged and accepted. Topics that require further study include prevalence and incidence, understanding morbidity and mortality as these relate to specific etiologies underlying 46,XY DSD, appropriate and optimal options for genitoplasty, long-term quality of life, sexual function, involvement with intimate partners, and optimizing fertility potential.