Urology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generating a rapid and tragic health emergency in Italy due to the need to provide assistance to an overwhelming number of infected patients and, at the same time, treat all the non-deferrable oncological and benign conditions. A panel of Italian urologists has agreed on possible strategies for the reorganization of urological routine practice and on a set of recommendations that should facilitate the process of rescheduling both surgical and outpatient activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the subsequent phases. This document could be a valid tool to be used in routine clinical practice and, possibly, a cornerstone for further discussion on the topic also considering the further evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also may provide useful recommendations for national and international urological societies in a condition of emergency.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urology residency training in Italy

In the global emergency scenario caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the Urology residents' training might be critically affected. To provide insights on this issue, a 25-item online Survey was sent to all Italian residents one month after the first case of COVID-19 in Italy, to evaluate their routine involvement in "clinical" (on-call duty, outpatient visits, diagnostic procedures) and "surgical" (endoscopic, open and minimally invasive surgery) training activities before and during the COVID-19 period. Overall, 351 of 577 (60.8%) residents completed the Survey. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of residents routinely involved in "clinical" and "surgical" activities ranged from 79.8% to 87.2% and from 49.3% to 73.5%, respectively. In the COVID-19 period, the proportion of residents experiencing a severe reduction (>40%) or complete suppression (>80%) of training exposure ranged between 41.1% and 81.2% for "clinical" activities while between 44.2% and 62.1% for "surgical" activities. This reduction was even more pronounced for residents attending the final year of training. Our study is the first to provide real-life data on how Urology residency training can be impaired during an emergency period. To address this challenge, strategies aiming to increase the use of telemedicine, "smart learning" programs and tele-mentoring of surgical procedures, are warranted.

Telehealth in Urology: A Systematic Review of the Literature. How Much Can Telemedicine Be Useful During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Context

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused increased interest in the application of telehealth to provide care without exposing patients and physicians to the risk of contagion. The urological literature on the topic is sparse.

Objective

To perform a systematic review of the literature and evaluate all the available studies on urological applications of telehealth.

Evidence acquisition

After registration on PROSPERO, we searched PubMed and Scopus databases to collect any kind of studies evaluating any telehealth interventions in any urological conditions. The National Toxicology Program/Office of Health Assessment and Translation Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies was used to estimate the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was performed.

Evidence synthesis

We identified 45 studies (11 concerning prostate cancer [PCa], three hematuria management, six urinary stones, 14 urinary incontinence [UI], five urinary tract infections [UTIs], and six other conditions), including 12 randomized controlled trials. The available literature indicates that telemedicine has been implemented successfully in several common clinical scenarios, including the decision-making process following a diagnosis of nonmetastatic PCa, follow-up care of patients with localized PCa after curative treatments, initial diagnosis of hematuria, management diagnosis and follow-up care of uncomplicated urinary stones and uncomplicated UTIs, and initial evaluation, behavioral therapies, and pelvic floor muscle training in UI patients, as well as follow-up care after surgical treatments of stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. The methodological quality of most of the reports was good.

Conclusions

Telehealth has been implemented successfully in selected patients with PCa, UI, pelvic organ prolapse, uncomplicated urinary stones, and UTIs. Many urological conditions are suitable for telehealth, but more studies are needed on other highly prevalent urological malignant and benign conditions. Likely, the COVID-19 pandemic will give a significant boost to the use of telemedicine. More robust data on long-term efficacy, safety, and health economics are necessary.

Patient summary

The diffusion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections has recently increased the interest in telehealth, which is the adoption of telecommunication to deliver any health care activity. The available literature indicates that telemedicine has been adopted successfully in selected patients with several common clinical urological conditions, including prostate cancer, uncomplicated urinary stones, uncomplicated urinary infections, urinary incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse. Likely, the COVID-19 pandemic will give a significant boost to the use of telemedicine, but more robust data on long-term efficacy, safety, and costs are necessary.

Clinical pathways for urology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

The public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a significant reallocation of health resources with a consequent reorganization of the clinical activities also in several urological centers. A panel of Italian urologists has agreed on a set of recommendations on pathways of pre-, intra- and post-operative care for urological patients undergoing urgent procedures or non-deferrable oncological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simplification of the diagnostic and staging pathway has to be prioritized in order to reduce hospital visits and consequently the risk of contagion. In absence of strict uniform regulations that impose the implementation of nasopharyngeal swabs, we recommend that an accurate triage for COVID-19 symptoms be performed both by telephone at home before hospitalization and at the time of hospitalization. We recommend that during hospital stay patients should be provided with as many instructions as possible to facilitate their return to, and stay at, home. Patients should be discharged under stable good conditions in order to minimize the risk of readmission. It is advisable to reduce or reschedule post-discharge controls and implement an adequate system of communication for telemonitoring discharged patients.

The role of preimplantation diagnosis for aneuploidies

The clinical application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for aneuploidy has confirmed the hypothesis that implantation failure and spontaneous abortions are frequently due to aneuploidy. Following PGD, a higher implantation rate and a lower incidence of spontaneous abortions are obtained in patient categories where aneuploidy is the main cause of reproductive failure: women in advanced reproductive age, patients with an altered karyotype due to translocations or gonosomal mosaicism, and patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions. In these cases, the transfer of euploid embryos overcomes the poor prognosis condition in these couples. As expected, aneuploidy increases proportionally with female age; however, not all the chromosomes studied show this trend, suggesting that segregation errors could occur at different rates for each chromosome in relation to maternal age. Furthermore, the retrospective analysis of the results obtained in patients who repeated at least twice a PGD cycle permitted to estimate their chances of reproducing the same pattern of chromosomal abnormalities and consequently evaluating their possibility of a pregnancy: when no euploid embryos are detected at the first attempt, the chance of on-term pregnancy is below 10%; however, this chance is approximately 30% for couples with at least two euploid embryos in the first cycle.

Color Doppler ultrasound investigation of varicocele

Varicocele, whose association with male infertility has been clearly documented in the literature, is a common finding in adolescents and adult men, being diagnosed in 20-40% of infertile patients. A correct and early diagnosis of this affliction is of great importance because, in most cases, a timely correction, usually performed using percutaneous sclerotherapy, leads to an improvement in semen quality. Currently, physical examination in a warm room is the mainstay of diagnosis, but this is affected by a low sensibility and specificity, especially in cases of low grade varicocele. Colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) is a new, reliable and non-invasive diagnostic method for the evaluation of varicocele testes which allows the detection of even subclinical varicocele thanks to its capacity for measuring the size of the pampiniformis plexus and blood flow parameters of the spermatic veins. At present, there is a lack of completely standardised diagnostic criteria, but when this problem is solved, clinical examination and CDU will certainly become the "gold standard" in the investigation of varicocele.

Perioperative Outcomes of Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study (The RECORd 2 Project)

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy (PN) has a non-negligible perioperative morbidity. Comparative evidence of the available surgical techniques is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the perioperative outcomes of open, laparoscopic, and robotic PN.

METHODS

Data of 2331 patients treated with PN for cT1 renal tumors were extracted from the RECORd2 database, a prospective multicenter project. Multivariable regression models assessed the relationship between surgical technique and surgical margins, warm ischemia time, postoperative complications, and acute kidney injury (AKI). The probability of achieving a modified trifecta (negative margins, warm ischemia time <25min, and no Clavien-Dindo ≥2 complications) was examined for each surgical approach.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive techniques had lower rate of Clavien-Dindo ≥2 complications than that of open surgery (odds ratio [OR] for robotic surgery: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.15-0.47, p< 0.0001; OR for laparoscopy: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.34-0.78; p= 0.002). The probability of receiving ischemia was highest for robotic PN (p< 0.001). Among on-clamp PN, laparoscopy had longer ischemia than open (estimate: 1.09; 95% CI: -0.00 to 2.18; p= 0.050) and robotic (estimate: 1.36; 95% CI: 0.31-2.40; p= 0.011) surgery. When compared with open PN, the risk of AKI was roughly halved for patients treated by robotic and laparoscopic surgery (both p< 0.0001). Positive margins rate did not differ between the groups (all p≥ 0.1). The likelihood to achieve a modified trifecta was not affected by surgical technique in the overall population (all p≥ 0.075). In Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score < 10 lesions, robotic surgery had higher probability of achieving a modified trifecta than open PN (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.09-2.53; p= 0.018) and laparoscopy (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.94-1.90; p= 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

In PADUA<10 renal tumors, robotic PN allows for higher rates of trifecta than open and laparoscopic surgeries. The impact of surgical technique on perioperative outcomes of PN might be limited in more complex lesions.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We evaluated the association between surgical technique and perioperative outcomes of partial nephrectomy. In less complex (Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical [PADUA] score < 10) lesions, robotic PN allows for higher rates of trifecta when compared with other surgical techniques.

Role of imaging and biopsy to assess local recurrence after definitive treatment for prostate carcinoma (surgery, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, HIFU)

PURPOSE

Defining the site of recurrent disease early after definitive treatment for a localized prostate cancer is a critical issue as it may greatly influence the subsequent therapeutic strategy or patient management.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching Medline from January 1995 up to January 2011. Electronic searches were limited to the English language, and the keywords prostate cancer, radiotherapy [RT], high intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU], cryotherapy [CRIO], transrectal ultrasound [TRUS], magnetic resonance [MRI], PET/TC, and prostate biopsy were used.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that diagnosis of a local recurrence is based on PSA values and kinetics, imaging by means of different techniques may be a prerequisite for effective disease management. Unfortunately, prostate cancer local recurrences are very difficult to detect by TRUS and conventional imaging that have shown limited accuracy at least at early stages. On the contrary, functional and molecular imaging such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), offers the possibility of imaging molecular or cellular processes of individual tumors. Recently, PET/CT, using 11C-choline, 18F-fluorocholine or 11C-acetate has been successfully proposed in detecting local recurrences as well as distant metastases. Nevertheless, in controversial cases, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the prostatic fossa or a biopsy of the prostate to assess the presence of a local recurrence under guidance of MRI or TRUS findings.

CONCLUSION

It is likely that imaging will be extensively used in the future to detect and localize prostate cancer local recurrences before salvage treatment.

Long-term results with Nesbit's procedure as treatment of Peyronie's disease

The objective was to assess sexual function at long-term follow-up after the Nesbit operation for Peyronie's disease. One hundred and fifty seven out of 213 patients treated between 1986 and 1998 using the Nesbit procedure were reassessed by means of IIEF-5 questionnaire together with two questions about residual deformity and treatment satisfaction. The results from this questionnaire together with the patient case records constitute the basis of this paper. After an average 72-month follow-up subjective patient determination of satisfaction indicated that 87.9% were satisfied with the results of surgery, 136 patients (86.7%) had good erectile function (IIEF-5 > 21). Shortening of the penis (from 1.5 to 3 cm) occurred in 22 patients (14%), but only in 2 (1.3%) was intercourse difficult because of excessive shortening. In conclusion, the Nesbit's operation results in the greatest amount of patient satisfaction about sexual function. When penile shortening occurs, it has not been a significant problem for patients who are properly counselled.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of androgen receptor and nerve structure density in human prepuce from patients with persistent sexual side effects after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia

Finasteride is an inhibitor of 5-α-reductase used against male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Reported side effects of finasteride comprise sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and loss of libido. Recently these effects were described as persistent in some subjects. Molecular events inducing persistent adverse sexual symptoms are unexplored. This study was designed as a retrospective case-control study to assess if androgen receptor (AR) and nerve density in foreskin prepuce specimens were associated with persistent sexual side effects including loss of sensitivity in the genital area due to former finasteride use against AGA. Cases were 8 males (aged 29–43 years) reporting sexual side effects including loss of penis sensitivity over 6 months after discontinuation of finasteride who were interviewed and clinically visited. After informed consent they were invited to undergo a small excision of skin from prepuce. Controls were 11 otherwise healthy matched men (aged 23–49 years) who undergone circumcision for phimosis, and who never took finasteride or analogues. Differences in AR expression and nerve density in different portions of dermal prepuce were evaluated in the 2 groups. Density of nuclear AR in stromal and epithelial cells was higher in cases (mean 40.0%, and 80.6% of positive cells, respectively) than controls (mean 23.4%, and 65.0% of positive cells, respectively), P = 0.023 and P = 0.043, respectively. Conversely, percentage of vessel smooth muscle cells positive for AR and density of nerves were similar in the 2 groups. The ratio of AR positive stromal cells % to serum testosterone concentrations was 2-fold higher in cases than in controls (P = 0.001). Our findings revealed that modulation of local AR levels might be implicated in long-term side effects of finasteride use. This provides the first evidence of a molecular objective difference between patients with long-term adverse sexual effects after finasteride use versus drug untreated healthy controls in certain tissues.

Diagnostic testicular biopsy and cryopreservation of testicular tissue as an alternative to repeated surgical openings in the treatment of azoospermic men

Between May 1996 and May 1998, 64 azoospermic patients underwent an investigative testicular biopsy combined with the cryopreservation of spermatozoa which were retrieved from a simultaneously examined fresh sample. Testicular tissue cryopreservation was carried out in 43 cases (67%) for late intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) attempts. In all, 23 couples underwent 26 assisted conception cycles; the fertilization rate was 64% with spermatozoa (139/218, 24 cycles), 40% with round spermatids (2/5, one cycle), and 69% with elongated spermatids (9/13, one cycle). The embryo cleavage rate was 84%. A mean number of 2.7 +/- 0.7 embryos were replaced in 24 patients. In two cases, embryo quality was very poor and they were not transferred. Eight clinical pregnancies resulted (35% per patient and 33% per transferred cycle) with an implantation rate of 14.1%: two patients have already delivered and six are ongoing. In conclusion, the cryopreservation of testicular tissue during the first diagnostic biopsy is an alternative to repeated surgical openings and permits patients to initiate an ovarian stimulation cycle with the certitude of having spermatozoa available. Moreover, since only one straw is routinely used for each ICSI cycle, the frozen tissue remains as a sperm source for multiple attempts.

Risk factors associated with positive surgical margins' location at radical cystectomy and their impact on bladder cancer survival

PURPOSE

To evaluate the risk factors associated with positive surgical margins' (PSMs) location and their impact on disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).

METHODS

We analyzed a large multi-institutional cohort of patients treated with upfront RC for non-metastatic (cT1-4aN0M0) BCa. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risk of PSMs at RC for each location after adjusting for clinicopathological covariates. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate DSS stratified by margins' status and location. Log-rank statistics and Cox' regression models were used to determine significance.

RESULTS

A total of 1058 patients were included and 108 (10.2%) patients had PSMs. PSMs were located at soft-tissue, ureter(s), and urethra in 57 (5.4%), 30 (2.8%) and 21 (2.0%) patients, respectively. At multivariable analysis, soft-tissue PSMs were independently associated with pathological stage T4 (pT4) (Odds ratio (OR) 6.20, p  <  0.001) and lymph-node metastases (OR 1.86, p  =  0.04). Concomitant carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) was an independent risk factor for ureteric PSMs (OR 6.31, p  =  0.003). Finally, urethral PSMs were independently correlated with pT4-stage (OR 5.10, p  =  0.01). The estimated 3-years DSS rates were 58.2%, 32.4%, 50.1%, and 40.3% for negative SMs, soft-tissue-, ureteric- and urethral PSMs, respectively (log-rank; p  <  0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PSMs' location represents distinct risk factors' patterns. Concomitant CIS was associated with ureteric PSMs. Urethral and soft-tissue PSM showed worse DSS rates. Our results suggest that clinical decision-making paradigms on adjuvant treatment and surveillance might be adapted based on PSM and their location.

Prognostic impact of variant histologies in urothelial bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate variant histologies (VHs) for disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with invasive urothelial bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed a multi-institutional cohort of 1082 patients treated with upfront RC for cT1-4aN0M0 urothelial BCa at eight centres. Univariable and multivariable Cox' regression analyses were used to assess the effect of different VHs on DSS in overall cohort and three stage-based analyses. The stages were defined as 'organ-confined' (≤pT2N0), 'locally advanced' (pT3-4N0) and 'node-positive' (pTanyN1-3).

RESULTS

Overall, 784 patients (72.5%) had pure urothelial carcinoma (UC), while the remaining 298 (27.5%) harboured a VH. Squamous differentiation was the most common VH, observed in 166 patients (15.3%), followed by micropapillary (40 patients [3.7%]), sarcomatoid (29 patients [2.7%]), glandular (18 patients [1.7%]), lymphoepithelioma-like (14 patients [1.3%]), small-cell (13 patients [1.2%]), clear-cell (eight patients [0.7%]), nested (seven patients [0.6%]) and plasmacytoid VH (three patients [0.3%]). The median follow-up was 2.3 years. Overall, 534 (49.4%) disease-related deaths occurred. In uni- and multivariable analyses, plasmacytoid and small-cell VHs were associated with worse DSS in the overall cohort (both P = 0.04). In univariable analyses, sarcomatoid VH was significantly associated with worse DSS, while lymphoepithelioma-like VH had favourable DSS compared to pure UC. Clear-cell (P = 0.015) and small-cell (P = 0.011) VH were associated with worse DSS in the organ-confined and node-positive cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 25% of patients harboured a VH at time of RC. Compared to pure UC, clear-cell, plasmacytoid, small-cell and sarcomatoid VHs were associated with worse DSS, while lymphoepithelioma-like VH was characterized by a DSS benefit. Accurate pathological diagnosis of VHs may ensure tailored counselling to identify patients who require more intensive management.

Risk of Virus Contamination Through Surgical Smoke During Minimally Invasive Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature on a Neglected Issue Revived in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

CONTEXT

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised concerns about the safety of laparoscopy due to the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diffusion in surgical smoke. Although no case of SARS-CoV-2 contagion related to surgical smoke has been reported, several international surgical societies recommended caution or even discouraged the use of a laparoscopic approach.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of virus spread due to surgical smoke during surgical procedures.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We searched PubMed and Scopus for eligible studies, including clinical and preclinical studies assessing the presence of any virus in the surgical smoke from any surgical procedure or experimental model.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

We identified 24 studies. No study was found investigating SARS-CoV-2 or any other coronavirus. About other viruses, hepatitis B virus was identified in the surgical smoke collected during different laparoscopic surgeries (colorectal resections, gastrectomies, and hepatic wedge resections). Other clinical studies suggested a consistent risk of transmission for human papillomavirus (HPV) in the surgical treatments of HPV-related disease (mainly genital warts, laryngeal papillomas, or cutaneous lesions). Preclinical studies showed conflicting results, but HPV was shown to have a high risk of transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Although all the available data come from different viruses, considering that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown in blood and stools, the theoretical risk of virus diffusion through surgical smoke cannot be excluded. Specific clinical studies are needed to understand the effective presence of the virus in the surgical smoke of different surgical procedures and its concentration. Meanwhile, adoption of all the required protective strategies, including preoperative patient nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19, seems mandatory.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this systematic review, we looked at the risk of virus spread from surgical smoke exposure during surgery. Although no study was found investigating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or any other coronavirus, we found that the theoretical risk of virus diffusion through surgical smoke cannot be excluded.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: fosfomycin trometamol, an attractive alternative

OBJECTIVE

To compare fosfomycin trometamol (FT) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) for antibiotic prophylaxis in transrectal prostate biopsy (TR-PB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data for 1109 patients (mean age 66.7 ± 8.45) who underwent TR-PB between March to September 2015 in seven Italian urological institutions were retrospectively reviewed, of which 632 received FT (Group 1) and 477 received CIP (Group 2) for prophylaxis. We reviewed all urine culture results obtained after the procedure, all adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to the drug and all febrile and/or symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) occurring within 1 month after TR-PB. The rate of symptomatic UTIs and the rate of ADRs were considered the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

In the total study population, 72/1109 (6.5 %) patients experienced symptomatic UTIs and among these 11 (0.9 % of total) had urosepsis. Out of 72, 53 (73.6 %) symptomatic UTIs were caused by fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. Out of 632, 10 (1.6 %) patients in Group 1 and 62/477 (12.9 %) patients in Group 2 had symptomatic UTIs (p < 0.001); in particular, 2/632 (0.3 %) patients in Group 1 and 9/477 (1.8 %) patients in Group 2 had urosepsis (p < 0.001). No differences were reported in terms of adverse events (0.6 vs 0.4 %; p = 0.70). A Charlson comorbidity index ≤1 and type of antimicrobial prophylaxis (FT) were found to be associated with a lower probability of symptomatic UTIs in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotic prophylaxis with FT for TR-PB had a lower rate of adverse events and a lower rate of symptomatic UTIs as compared with CIP. Fosfomycin trometamol appears as an attractive alternative prophylactic regimen in prostate biopsies.

Laparoscopic mobilization of neovagina to assist secondary ileal vaginoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals

OBJECTIVES

To describe 3 cases of successful laparoscopically assisted vaginal reconstruction using an ileal segment in patients with complete neovaginal stenosis.

METHODS

We evaluated 5 male-to-female transsexual patients who required laparoscopic-assisted vaginal replacement for complete neovaginal stenosis after sex reassignment surgery. We performed complete laparoscopic vaginal isolation and mobilization, external configuration of the vagina, and laparoscopic-assisted vaginal anastomosis.

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications occurred, and laparotomy conversion was not necessary. The mean length of the neovagina at the first postoperative visit was 13 cm. At a mean follow-up of 14 months, all patients were sexually active and completely satisfied with the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have confirmed the feasibility of laparoscopic perineal neovagina construction by ileal colpoplasty. The cosmetic, functional, and anatomic results were encouraging. Isolated ileal segments provided excellent tissue for vaginal replacement, resulting in excellent patient satisfaction and relatively low morbidity. Furthermore, we report a modified surgical approach to conventional ileal vaginoplasty according to the Monti channel principle.

Major Invasive Surgery for Urologic Cancer in Octogenarians with Comorbid Medical Conditions

OBJECTIVES

We retrospectively reviewed the records of the octogenarian patients who underwent major surgery for urologic cancer at two institutions. The aims of our study were to assess intra- and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, and to identify potential risk factors that can predict postoperative complications and, as a consequence, surgical outcome.

METHODS

Fifty-five patients (median age: 83 yr) underwent major surgery for urologic cancer. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 27 patients, radical cystectomy with urinary diversion was done in 20 patients, and nephroureterectomy was performed in the remainder. Significant comorbidity was present in 51 patients.

RESULTS

The perioperative mortality rate was 9%. The overall mortality rate was 69%; cancer-specific mortality was 28%. Intraoperative complications occurred in 11% of patients. Postoperative intensive care monitoring was required in 29% of patients. The early postoperative complication rate was 33%. Only the presence of more than two comorbidities (p<0.05) and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) (p=0.017) resulted in independent prognostic factors for morbidity. Sixteen percent of patients developed a late postoperative complication within the first 6 mo. Median hospital stay was 14 d (range: 6-55), and hospital stays were significantly longer among patients with complications (p<0.05). The 3-yr and 5-yr overall survival rates were 36% and 26%, respectively; these rates were significantly lower in patients with COLD (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between cancer-specific and non-cancer-specific survival rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Major surgery for urologic malignancies can be safely performed in selected octogenarian patients.

MR imaging in patients with male-to-female sex reassignment surgery: postoperative anatomy and complications

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of MRI in the evaluation of both the new female anatomy and complications in male-to-female sex reassignment surgery (MtF-SRS).

METHODS

71 consecutive patients with MtF-SRS had 74 MRI [age range, 21-63 years; mean (±standard deviation) age, 36 ± 10 years; median age, 37 years]. In 47 patients, MRI was performed to rule out early post-operative complications after gender conversion (n = 40), vaginoplasty (n = 6) or remodelling of the labia majora (n = 1). In 27 patients, MRI was performed 1-20 years after MtF-SRS for late post-operative complications, pain or dysuria, inflammatory changes or poor cosmetic outcome. Three patients had MRI both before and after the operation.

RESULTS

MRI allowed investigation of the new female anatomy in all cases. Soon after MtF-SRS, a small amount of blood was identified in all patients around the neoclitoris, urethral plaque and labia. Post-operative complications were clinically significant fluid collections (n = 5), labial abscesses (n = 2), severe cellulitis (n = 3), partial neovaginal prolapse (n = 3), focal necrosis and dehiscence of the vaginal wall (n = 2) and hypovascularization of the neoclitoris (n = 1). After ileal vaginoplasty, three patients developed clinically insignificant haematomas, one a large rectovaginal fistula with dehiscence of the intestinal anastomosis and bowel perforation (n = 1). In the 27 patients investigated 1-20 years after MfF-SRS, MRI demonstrated cavernosal remnants (n = 10), spared testis (n = 1) neovaginal strictures (n = 8), fistulas and abscesses (n = 3) and prolapse (n = 2). Three of these patients also had fibrotic changes. In the remaining three patients, no pathological features were identified.

CONCLUSION

After genital reconfiguration, MRI allows assessment of the post-operative anatomy and of post-operative complications. Advances in knowledge: Imaging features of the new anatomy and of surgical complications after SRS are discussed and illustrated.

Condylomata acuminata of the Neovagina in a HIV-Seropositive Male-to-Female Transsexual

We present an unusual case of condylomata acuminata arising in the transplanted skin of a neovagina in a male-to-female transsexual. The neovagina had been constructed using a penile and a scrotal skin flap. Resection of the larger condylomata was performed; then all visible lesions were ablated by electrovaporization. Microsocpic examination and DNA hybridization revealed condylomata acuminata due to human papillomavirus type 16, 31, and 33 infection.

Percutaneous temporary embolization of the internal pudendal arteries in idiopathic priapism: 2 additional cases

We report 2 cases of successful treatment of priapism by transcatheter embolization of the internal pudendal arteries. Recovery of penile blood flow was confirmed by Doppler flowmetry and potency was preserved. Embolization with autologous clot is at least partially reversible and interventional angiography warrants consideration in the treatment of priapism.

Effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on kidney and haemostatic function in cardiac surgical patients: a randomised controlled trial

Whether third‐generation hydroxyethyl starch solutions provoke kidney injury or haemostatic abnormalities in patients having cardiac surgery remains unclear. We tested the hypotheses that intra‐operative administration of a third‐generation starch does not worsen postoperative kidney function or haemostasis in cardiac surgical patients compared with human albumin 5%. This triple‐blind, non‐inferiority, clinical trial randomly allocated patients aged 40–85 who underwent elective aortic valve replacement, with or without coronary artery bypass grafting, to plasma volume replacement with 6% starch 130/0.4 vs. 5% human albumin. Our primary outcome was postoperative urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin concentrations, a sensitive and early marker of postoperative kidney injury. Secondarily, we evaluated urinary interleukin‐18; acute kidney injury using creatinine RIFLE criteria, coagulation measures, platelet count and function. Non‐inferiority (delta 15%) was assessed with correction for multiple comparisons. We enrolled 141 patients (69 starch, 72 albumin) as planned. Results of the primary analysis demonstrated that postoperative urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (median (IQR [range])) was slightly lower with hydroxyethyl starch (5 (1–68 [0–996]) ng.ml⁻¹) vs. albumin (5 (2–74 [0–1604]) ng.ml⁻¹), although not non‐inferior [ratio of geometric means (95%CI) 0.91 (0.57, 1.44); p = 0.15] due to higher than expected variability. Urine interleukin‐18 concentrations were reduced, but interleukin‐18 and kidney injury were again not non‐inferior. Of 11 individual coagulation measures, platelet count and function, nine were non‐inferior to albumin. Two remaining measures, thromboelastographic R value and arachidonic acid‐induced platelet aggregation, were clinically similar but with wide confidence intervals. Starch administration during cardiac surgery produced similar observed effects on postoperative kidney function, coagulation, platelet count and platelet function compared with albumin, though greater than expected variability and wide confidence intervals precluded the conclusion of non‐inferiority. Long‐term mortality and kidney function appeared similar between starch and albumin.