What is the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical therapies in the treatment of ischemic priapism in patients with sickle cell disease? A systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines Panel

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobin disorder characterized by the occlusion of small blood vessels by sickle-shaped red blood cells. SCD is associated with a number of complications, including ischemic priapism. While SCD accounts for at least one-third of all priapism cases, no definitive treatment strategy has been established to specifically treat patients with SC priapism. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of contemporary treatment modalities for acute and stuttering ischemic priapism associated with SCD. The primary outcome measures were defined as resolution of acute priapism (detumescence) and complete response of stuttering priapism, while the primary harm outcome was as sexual dysfunction. The protocol for the review has been registered (PROSPERO Nr: CRD42020182001), and a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane controlled trials databases was performed. Three trials with 41 observational studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review. None of the trials assessed detumescence, as a primary outcome. All of the trials reported a complete response of stuttering priapism; however, the certainty of the evidence was low. It is clear that assessing the effectiveness of specific interventions for priapism in SCD, well-designed, adequately-powered, multicenter trials are strongly required.

Surgical and minimally invasive treatment of ischaemic and non-ischaemic priapism: a systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines panel

Surgical treatments for ischemic priapism (IP) include shunts or penile implants. Non-ischemic priapism (NIP) is usually the result of penile/perineal trauma causing an arterial fistula and embolisation may be required. We conducted a systematic review on behalf of the EAU Sexual and Reproductive health Guidelines panel to analyse the available evidence on efficacy and safety of surgical modalities for IP and NIP. Outcomes were priapism resolution, sexual function and adverse events following surgery. Overall, 63 studies (n = 923) met inclusion criteria up to September 2021. For IP (n = 702), surgery comprised distal (n = 274), proximal shunts (n = 209) and penile prostheses (n = 194). Resolution occurred in 18.7-100% for distal, 5.7-100% for proximal shunts and 100% for penile prostheses. Potency rate was 20-100% for distal, 11.1-77.2% for proximal shunts, and 26.3-100% for penile prostheses, respectively. Patient satisfaction was 60-100% following penile prostheses implantation. Complications were 0-42.5% for shunts and 0-13.6% for IPP. For NIP (n = 221), embolisation success was 85.7-100% and potency 80-100%. The majority of studies were retrospective cohort studies. Risk of bias was high. Overall, surgical shunts have acceptable success rates in IP. Proximal/venous shunts should be abandoned due to morbidity/ED rates. In IP > 48 h, best outcomes are seen with penile prostheses implantation. Embolisation is the mainstay technique for NIP with high resolution rates and adequate erectile function.

Patients' attitude with surgery for Peyronie's disease: results from a multicentric European study

BACKGROUND

Despite the existence of conservative therapies for Peyronie's disease (PD), surgery is commonly utilized for the treatment of bothersome curvatures due to its potential effectiveness, although it carries intrinsic risks and may not universally lead to satisfactory outcomes.

AIM

To explore the rate and factors influencing patients' willingness to undergo surgery for PD.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected in 5 European academic centers between 2016 and 2020. Data included age, time from PD onset, penile pain, curvature degree, difficulty at penetration, hourglass deformity, erectile dysfunction (ED), and previous treatments. All patients were offered conservative treatments, either medications or injections. Tunical shortening or lengthening procedures were offered as an alternative to conservative treatments, when indicated. Penile prosthesis was offered to those with concomitant ED. Patients' attitudes with surgery were recorded. Logistic regression analyses tested the profile of patients who were more likely to be willing to undergo surgery.

OUTCOMES

Patients' willingness to undergo surgery for PD.

RESULTS

This study included 343 patients with a median age of 57.3 years (IQR, 49.8-63.6) and a median penile curvature of 40.0° (IQR, 30.0°-65.0°). Overall, 161 (47%) experienced penetration difficulties and 134 (39%) reported ED. Additionally, hourglass deformity and penile shortening were reported by 48 (14%) and 157 (46%), respectively. As for previous treatments, 128 (37%) received tadalafil once daily; 54 (16%) and 44 (13%), intraplaque verapamil and collagenase injections; and 30 (9%), low-intensity shock wave therapy. Significant curvature reduction (≥20°) was observed in 69 (20%) cases. Only 126 (37%) patients were open to surgery for PD when suggested. At logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounders, younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-1.00; P = .02), more severe curvatures (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.06; P < .0001), and difficulty in penetration (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.04-3.41; P = .03) were associated with a greater attitude to consider surgical treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The need for effective nonsurgical treatments for PD is crucial, as is comprehensive patient counseling regarding surgical risks and benefits, particularly to younger males with severe curvatures.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Main limitations are the cross-sectional design and the potential neglect of confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PD, having a lower inclination toward surgery, emphasize the need for effective nonsurgical alternatives and accurate counseling on the risks and benefits of PD surgery, particularly for younger men with severe curvatures.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Penile Size Abnormalities and Dysmorphophobia: Summary of the 2023 Guidelines

CONTEXT

Recommendations regarding the management of penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia are important in guiding evidence-based clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To present a summary of the 2023 European Association of Urology sexual and reproductive health evidence-based recommendations for the management of penile size abnormalities and dysmorphophobia.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A broad and comprehensive scoping exercise covering all areas of the guidelines was performed. Databases searched included Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Libraries. A level of evidence and a strength of recommendation were assigned for each recommendation according to the evidence identified. The evidence cutoff date for the 2023 guidelines is June 1, 2022.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Well-structured studies reporting high level of evidence, with standardized PROMS were deficient on penile size abnormalities and dysmorphohobia. A shared definition for short penis/micropenis was also lacking. Categorisation of penile abnormalities according to congenital, acquired, and dysmorphophobic aetiology is deemed compulsory. A detailed medical and psychosexual history and precise measurements of penile size are essential in the diagnostic pathway. Patients with normal penile size who are seeking penile augmentation should be referred for psychological evaluation for potential dysmorphophobic disorders. Penile length and girth enhancements can be achieved via a multitude of treatments, but a personalised management plan is crucial for satisfactory results. Endocrinological therapies, when indicated, are effective in the prepubertal setting only. Vacuum therapy has a limited evidence base in treatment protocols, although acceptable outcomes have been reported for penile traction therapy. Surgical techniques to enhance penile length and girth have limited evidence and should only be proposed after extensive patient counselling.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of penile abnormalities and dysmorphophobia is a complex issue with considerable ethical concerns. The adoption of a structured diagnostic and therapeutic pathway is crucial, as recommended in the guidelines.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Requests for medical/surgical treatments to increase penis size have increased dramatically worldwide. Several conservative and surgical treatments are available. However, few patients receive clear information on the benefits and possible harms of these treatments. These guidelines aim to provide a structured path to guide both physicians and patients in the selection of appropriate treatment(s) to increase penis size.

Efficacy and safety of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS): Results of a large multi-institutional cohort of patients with mid-term follow-up

AIMS

To assess efficacy and safety as well as predictive factors of dry rate and freedom from surgical revision in patients underwent AUS placement. The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is still considered the standard for the treatment of moderate to severe post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, data reporting efficacy and safety from large series are lacking.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 16 centers in Europe and USA. Only primary cases of AUS implantation in non-neurogenic SUI after prostate surgery, with a follow-up of at least 1 year were included. Efficacy data (continence rate, based on pad usage) and safety data (revision rate in case of infection and erosion, as well as atrophy or mechanical failure) were collected. Multivariable analyses were performed in order to investigate possible predictors of the aforementioned outcomes.

RESULTS

Eight hundred ninety-two men had primary AUS implantation. At 32 months mean follow-up overall dry rate and surgical revision were 58% and 30.7%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients without previous incontinence surgery had a higher probability to be dry after AUS implantation (OR: 0.51, P = 0.03). Moreover institutional case-load was positively associated with dry rate (OR: 1.18; P = 0.005) and freedom from revision (OR: 1.51; P = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that AUS is an effective option for the treatment of SUI after prostate surgery. Moreover previous incontinence surgery and low institutional case-load are negatively associated to efficacy and safety outcomes.

Impact of lymph node dissection at the time of radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy on oncological outcomes: Results from the International Renal Cell Carcinoma-Venous Thrombus Consortium (IRCC-VTC)

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of lymph node dissection (LND) at the time of nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy on oncological outcomes in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and tumor thrombus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of 1,978 patients with RCC and tumor thrombus who underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy from 1985 to 2014 at 24 centers were analyzed. None of the patients had distant metastases. Extent and pathologic results of LND were compared with respect to cancer-specific survival (CSS). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to quantify the effect of multiple covariates.

RESULTS

LND was performed in 1,026 patients. In multivariable analysis, the presence of LN metastasis, the number of positive LNs, and LN density were independently associated with cancer-specific mortality (CSM). Clinical node-negative (cN-) disease was documented in 573 patients, 447 of them underwent LND with 43 cN- patients (9.6%) revealing positive LNs at pathology. LN positive cN- patients showed significantly better CSS when compared to LN positive cN+ patients. In multivariable analysis, positive cN status in LN positive patients was a significant predictor of CSM (HR, 2.923; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of positive nodes harvested during LND and LN density was strong prognostic indicators of CSS, while number of removed LNs did not have a significant effect on CSS. The rate of pN1 patients among clinically node-negative patients was relatively high, and LND in these patients suggested a survival benefit. However, only a randomized trial can determine the absolute benefit of LND in this setting.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass has No Significant Impact on Survival in Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy and Level III-IV Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy: Multi-Institutional Analysis

PURPOSE

The impact of cardiopulmonary bypass in level III-IV tumor thrombectomy on surgical and oncologic outcomes is unknown. We determine the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on overall and cancer specific survival, as well as surgical complication rates and immediate outcomes in patients undergoing nephrectomy and level III-IV tumor thrombectomy with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 362 patients with renal cell cancer and with level III or IV tumor thrombus from 1992 to 2012 at 22 U.S. and European centers. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare overall and cancer specific survival between patients with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Perioperative mortality and complication rates were assessed using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Median overall survival was 24.6 months in noncardiopulmonary bypass cases and 26.6 months in cardiopulmonary bypass cases. Overall survival and cancer specific survival did not differ significantly in both groups on univariate analysis or when adjusting for known risk factors. On multivariate analysis no significant differences were seen in hospital length of stay, Clavien 1-4 complication rate, intraoperative or 30-day mortality and cancer specific survival. Limitations include the retrospective nature of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

In our multi-institutional analysis the use of cardiopulmonary bypass did not significantly impact cancer specific survival or overall survival in patients undergoing nephrectomy and level III or IV tumor thrombectomy. Neither approach was independently associated with increased mortality on multivariate analysis. Greater surgical complications were not independently associated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Diabetes mellitus without metformin intake is associated with worse oncologic outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

AIMS

Evidence suggests a detrimental effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on cancer incidence and outcomes. To date, the effect of DM and its treatment on prognosis in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains uninvestigated. We tested the hypothesis that DM and metformin use impact oncologic outcomes of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for UTUC.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 2492 patients with UTUC treated at 23 institutions with RNU without neoadjuvant therapy. Cox regression models addressed the association of DM and metformin use with disease recurrence, cancer-specific mortality and any-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 365 (14.3%) patients had DM and 194 (7.8%) patients used metformin. Within a median follow-up of 36 months, 663 (26.6%) patients experienced disease recurrence, 545 patients (21.9%) died of UTUC and 884 (35.5%) patients died from any cause. Diabetic patients who did not use metformin were at significantly higher risk of disease recurrence and cancer-specific death compared to non-diabetic patients and diabetic patients who used metformin. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, DM treated without metformin was associated with worse recurrence-free survival (HR: 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.90, p = 0.009) and cancer-specific mortality (HR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.11-2.00, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic UTUC patients without metformin use have significantly worse oncologic outcomes than diabetics who used metformin and non-diabetics. The possible mechanism behind the impact of DM on UTUC biology and the potentially protective effect of metformin need further elucidation.

Impact of histologic subtype on cancer-specific survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND

Although different prognostic factors for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and vena cava tumor thrombus (TT) have been studied, the prognostic value of histologic subtype in these patients remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the impact of histologic subtype on cancer-specific survival (CSS).

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 1774 patients with RCC and TT who underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy from 1971 to 2012 at 22 US and European centers.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable ordered logistic and Cox regression models were used to quantify the impact of tumor histology on CSS.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall 5-yr CSS was 53.4% (confidence interval [CI], 50.5-56.2) in the entire group. TT level (according to the Mayo classification of macroscopic venous invasion in RCC) was I in 38.5% of patients, II in 30.6%, III in 17.3%, and IV in 13.5%. Histologic subtypes were clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC) in 89.9% of patients, papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) in 8.5%, and chromophobe RCC in 1.6%. In univariable analysis, pRCC was associated with a significantly worse CSS (p<0.001) compared with cRCC. In multivariable analysis, the presence of pRCC was independently associated with CSS (hazard ratio: 1.62; CI, 1.01-2.61; p<0.05). Higher TT level, positive lymph node status, distant metastasis, and fat invasion were also independently associated with CSS.

CONCLUSIONS

In our multi-institutional series, we found that patients with pRCC and vena cava TT who underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy had significantly worse cancer-specific outcomes when compared with patients with other histologic subtypes of RCC. We confirmed that higher TT level and fat invasion were independently associated with reduced CSS.

Risk of cancer-specific mortality following recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy

PURPOSE

To describe the natural history and identify predictors of cancer-specific survival in patients who experience disease recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

METHODS

Of 2,494 UTUC patients treated with RNU without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 597 patients experienced disease recurrence. A total of 148 patients (25 %) received adjuvant chemotherapy before disease recurrence. Multivariable Cox regression model addressed time to cancer-specific mortality after disease recurrence.

RESULTS

The median time from RNU to disease recurrence was 12 months (interquartile range 5-22). A total of 491 (82 %) of 597 patients died from UTUC, and 8 patients (1.3 %) died from other causes. The median time from disease recurrence to death of UTUC was 10 months. Actuarial cancer-specific survival estimate at 12 months after disease recurrence was 35 %. On multivariable analysis that adjusted for the effects of standard clinicopathologic characteristics, higher tumor stages [hazard ratio (HR) pT3 vs. pT0-T1: 1.66, p = 0.001; HR pT4 vs. pT0-T1: 1.90, p = 0.002], absence of lymph node dissection (HR 1.28, p = 0.041), ureteral tumor location (HR 1.44, p < 0.0005) and a shorter interval from surgery to disease recurrence (p < 0.0005) were significantly associated with cancer-specific mortality. The adjusted 6-, 12- and 24-month postrecurrence cancer-specific mortality was 73, 60 and 57 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 80 % of patients who experience disease recurrence after RNU die within 2 years after recurrence. Patients with non-organ-confined stage, absence of lymph node dissection, ureteral tumor location and/or shorter time to disease recurrence died of their tumor more quickly than their counterparts. These factors should be considered in patient counseling and risk stratification for salvage treatment decision making.

Impact of distal ureter management on oncologic outcomes following radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal approach to the bladder cuff during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

OBJECTIVES

To compare the oncologic outcomes following RNU using three different methods of bladder cuff management.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective analysis of 2681 patients treated with RNU for UTUC at 24 international institutions from 1987 to 2007.

INTERVENTION

Three methods of bladder cuff excision were performed: transvesical, extravesical, and endoscopic.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Univariable and multivariable models tested the effect of distal ureter management on intravesical recurrence, recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Of the 2681 patients, 1811 (67.5%) underwent the transvesical approach; 785 (29.3%), the extravesical approach; and 85 (3.2%), the endoscopic approach. There was no difference in terms of RFS, CSS, and OS among the three distal ureteral management approaches. Patients who underwent the endoscopic approach were at significantly higher risk of intravesical recurrence compared with those who underwent the transvesical (p=0.02) or extravesical approaches (p=0.02); the latter two groups did not differ from each other (p=0.40). Actuarial intravesical RFS estimates at 2 and 5 yr after RNU were 69% and 58%, 69% and 51%, and 61% and 42% for the transvesical, extravesical, and endoscopic approaches, respectively. In multivariate analyses, distal ureteral management (p=0.01), surgical technique (open vs laparoscopic; p=0.02), previous bladder cancer (p<0.001), higher tumor stage (trend; p=0.01), concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) (p<0.001), and lymph node involvement (trend; p<0.001) were all associated with intravesical recurrence. Excluding patients with history of previous bladder cancer, all variables remained independent predictors of intravesical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The endoscopic approach was associated with higher intravesical recurrence rates. Interestingly, concomitant CIS in the upper tract is a strong predictor of intravesical recurrence after RNU. The association of laparoscopic RNU with intravesical recurrence needs to be further investigated.

Nerve Advancement with End-to-End Reconstruction after Partial Neurovascular Bundle Resection:A Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is clear that some patients with prostate cancer require a total or partial neurovascular bundle (NVB) resection for oncologic safety to be guaranteed. Nerve grafting is an alternative for these patients to maintain erectile function; however, we report on a feasible option where the NVB is released, and both terminal nerve fibers are approximated; this is the "nerve advancement technique (NAT)."

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since 2005, a total of 215 men aged 48 to 70 years (mean 59 years) with a Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score of 22 have undergone robotic radical prostatectomy for cancer. We selected prospectively seven men to have NAT performed because of clinical high-risk criteria (serum prostate specific antigen [PSA] concentration >20 mg/dL, Gleason score = 8, and stage cT(2c) or higher), intraoperative criteria (difficulty separating the tissues around the prostate), and evidence of extracapsular extension (ECE) on magnetic resonance imaging. We performed unilateral partial resection, nerve advancement, and, finally, end-to-end anastomosis in six patients, whereas in one patient, we did a bilateral partial excision. We analyzed the results in terms of oncologic safety (positive surgical margins and PSA) and SHIM score after 18 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Pathologic examination revealed stage T3 disease in six patients; one had a positive surgical margin. Two patients are receiving salvage radiotherapy for PSA relapse, and five continue to have undetectable PSA concentrations after a median follow-up of 20 months. Five of the seven men recovered erectile potency with or without a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and their median SHIM score is 18.

CONCLUSIONS

We are encouraged by the initial results of NAT. The procedure may be an alternative for men who require extensive NVB dissection. However, further experience, longer follow-up, and independent trials are necessary.