Deterioration in the renal function and risk of microalbuminuria after radical, simple and donor nephrectomy: A long-term outcome

Women as Urologists in Saudi Arabia: Career Choice and Practice Challenges: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Background

There is limited research on whether women choose urology as a future career. Therefore, we aimed in this study to assess the influencing and challenging factors among female physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We approached 552 female physicians, including 29 (5.2%) urologists and 523 (94.7%) non-urologists. A cross-sectional survey was carried out, which included five sections and 46 items to assess and compare the perspectives of (urologists and non-urologists regarding influencing factors to choose urology, challenges toward applying to urology, and challenges during and after urology residency. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Responses were presented as frequencies and percentages, while associations were studied using the Chi-squared test/Fisher's exact test. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Out of 552 female physicians, 466 completed the survey. The survey items compared urologists and non-urologists among female physicians. Among both cohorts, the most influencing factors in choosing urology were the diversity of practice and urological procedures (p =0.002, p<0.001). There were no social barriers or challenges when applying for urology residency (p<0.001). Overall, the majority of female urologists reported a high level of agreement that they have more time to work at the clinic (55.2%), they are satisfied as they are currently being urologists (75.8%), satisfied with their current lifestyle (72.6%). They would choose urology again as a future career (58.6%). Non-urologist female physicians 326 (74.6%) think they are more likely to have experienced gender discrimination than urologists 15 (51.7%) (p<0.001). Female urologists were less likely to face social barriers when applying for urology residency than non-urologists (p<0.001).

Conclusion

As urologists, we must understand women's struggles, such as gender discrimination, a lack of academic advancement, and a lack of mentorship. To foster women's careers in urology, we must understand their unique needs, provide adequate mentorship, exterminate gender discrimination bias, and improve mentorship.

Study Habits of Urology Residents in Saudi Arabia: Identifying Defects and Areas for Curricular Development - A Trainee-Based Survey

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the study habits of Saudi urology residents throughout their residency training. It examines the study time and quality of study materials used by Saudi urology residents and identifies ways to maximize study benefits.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An online questionnaire was distributed to 152 registered residents in regions throughout Saudi Arabia (response rate: 93.4%). The questionnaire addressed study habits throughout training, motivations for studying, preferred study resources, impressions on teaching quality, study preparation methods, and exam preparedness among junior and senior residents.

RESULTS

Among all residents, 37.3% read for 2-5 hours weekly. Juniors read significantly more than seniors (P = 0.034). Marital status affects seniors' study habits (P = 0.029). For most seniors, preparation for the final board exam is the greatest motivation for studying (P = 0.006). The AUA/EAU guidelines were useful information source for seniors (P = 0.001). Fifty-four percent (54.4%) of residents felt that their residency program did not provide protected study time prior to the board exams. Moreover, the majority (64.8%) felt that the training program did not adequately prepare them for the board exams.

CONCLUSION

We recommend that local program directors implement more effective teaching methods. Structured reading habits and specific study materials were found to be positive predictors of successful performance. Residents should also be educated in balancing working hours, social life, and study.

Comparing the complications of laparoscopically performed simple, radical and donor nephrectomy

Bacground/aim

The aim of this study was to compare the complications of laparoscopic simple, radical and donor nephrectomies performed in a single center.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted on 392 patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in University of Health Sciences, Ankara Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2008 and January 30, 2019. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. Postoperative complications were recorded and graded as per Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC). All analyses were performed on SPSS v21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 49.13 ± 15.45 years. The frequency of comorbidities and ASA scores were significantly higher in the laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). Amount of bleeding was significantly lower in the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Classification of complications according to CDC showed that complications occurred in 17.01% (n = 25) of the LRN group, 7.02% (n = 12) of the laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (LSN) group, and 2.70% (n = 2) of the LDN group. Length of stay in hospital was significantly higher in the LRN group than in the LSN group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, the frequency of complications in LRN procedures was found to be higher than the LSN and LDN procedures. Patients with LRN may have more adverse health conditions before the operation. Considering the results of this study, variables such as patient and hospital characteristics, surgeon experience and skills should be evaluated in future studies. In addition, it is important to determine the frequency of complications using a standardized classification in order to enable correct interpretation of results.

Postoperative Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Nephrectomy: Development of a Prediction Model Using Preoperative Risk Factors and 51Cr-EDTA Clearance

Objectives: To analyze the preoperative variables associated to the postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) outcomes after nephrectomy for benign and malignant conditions, measured by the reference isotopic technique ⁵¹Cr-ethylene diamine tetra-acetic (⁵¹Cr-EDTA) and to create a model to predict the short-term postoperative GFR. Secondary aim was to evaluate which of the common equations for GFR estimation (Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] or Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD-EPI]) has the best correlation with the ⁵¹Cr-EDTA. Methods: Patients undergoing unilateral nephrectomy from 2014 to 2018 were selected. Pre- and postoperative variables were prospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify independent risk factors associated with renal function outcomes and to create a model to predict the postoperative GFR. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of various serum creatinine-based equations for GFR estimation compared with ⁵¹Cr-EDTA. Results: In total, 107 patients were evaluated. After univariate and multivariate analyses, older age (p = 0.008), higher split function of the operated kidney on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy (p < 0.001), and lower preoperative ⁵¹Cr-EDTA (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for higher GFR decline. Correlation analyses showed that GFR estimated by CKD-EPI equation had the best concordance to GFR measured by ⁵¹Cr-EDTA. Conclusions: Based on our findings age, DMSA and lower preoperative ⁵¹Cr-EDTA are predictors of postoperative renal function after unilateral nephrectomy. For the assessment of estimated GFR, CKD-EPI equation appears to have the best concordance with ⁵¹Cr-EDTA.

Comparison of long-term kidney functions after radical nephrectomy and simple nephrectomy

Objective

To determine if there is a difference in proceeding to CKD between patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy (RN) and simple nephrectomy (SN) for different indications by comparing the short- and long-term renal function.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of all patients who underwent nephrectomy (either for malign or benign indications) in our clinic between January 2007 and September 2017. The patients were divided into 2 groups according the type of surgery: 1) Radical nephrectomy Group, 2) Simple Nephrectomy Group. Renal function was evaluated with Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) calculated using the MDRD formula.

Results

A total of 276 patients were included in the study. There were 202 patients in RN Group and 74 patients in SN Group. The mean age of the patients in RN Group and SN Group were age 59,2 ± 11,5 and 49,9 ± 15,1 years, respectively (p = 0.001). GFR levels of patients in RN Group versus SN Group were as follows: Preoperative period: 84.9 vs. 81 mL/min/1.73 m²; postoperative 1st day: 60.5 vs. 84.4 mL/min/1.73 m², postoperative 1st month 58.9 vs. 76 mL/min/1.73 m², postoperative 1st year: 59.5 vs. 74.1 mL/min/1.73 m²; at last control 60.3 and 76.1 mL/min/1.73 m². While preoperative GFR was found to be similar in two groups (p = 0.26), postoperative GFR values were found to be significantly lower in Group RN (p < 0.001). In comparison of the decrease in GFR in two groups at last follow-up, significantly higher decrease was observed in RN Group, 29% vs. 6%, (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The decrease in GFR exists more common and intensive after RN compared to SN. In long-term, compensation mechanisms that develop after sudden nephron loss like radical nephrectomy deteriorates kidney function more than gradual nephron loss as in benign etiologies which indicates simple nephrectomy.