Neurogenic bladder associated with xeroderma pigmentosum type A: A case report and literature review

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by a defect in deoxyribonucleic acid repair. Along with cutaneous symptoms, neurological symptoms are important clinical features of XP. However, information on neurogenic bladder occurrence among XP cases is rare. Herein, we describe a case of neurogenic bladder in a patient with XP type A (XPA). In this case, low bladder compliance, impaired bladder emptying, and urethral sphincter discoordination were significant cystometric findings, and frequent febrile urinary tract infection was a clinical problem. XPA patients often cannot express their symptoms because of cognitive dysfunction. Close follow-up and assessments are necessary.

Oral desmopressin in nocturia with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review of the literature

Objective

To evaluate the effect of oral desmopressin in patients with nocturia associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Patients and methods

With a rise of the use of oral desmopressin in the treatment of nocturia in patients with BPH, a systematic review was performed according to the Cochrane systematic reviews guidelines and in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist.

Results

The literature search yielded 18 studies. The studies were published between 1980 and 2017, and included 3072 patients. Eligible patients were men aged ≥50 years with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and persistent nocturia. There was a significant 43% reduction in nocturia after using desmopressin alone. Combined α-blockers and desmopressin lead to a decrease in the frequency of night voids by 64.3% compared to 44.6% when using α-blockers only. The first sleep period, significantly increased from 82.1 to 160.0 min and from 83.2 to 123.8 min when using desmopressin + α-blocker and α-blocker only, respectively. The desmopressin dose ranged from the lowest dose (0.05 mg) to the optimum dose (0.4 mg) at bed time. The incidence of hyponatraemia associated with desmopressin use was 4.4–5.7%.

Conclusion

Low-dose oral desmopressin therapy alone is an effective treatment for nocturia associated with LUTS in patients with BPH. Oral desmopressin combined with α-blockers is well tolerated and beneficial for improving the International Prostate Symptom Score and nocturnal symptoms. All patients should be educated about the mechanism of desmopressin action to avoid treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.

Autologous versus synthetic slings in female stress urinary incontinence: A retrospective study

Objective

To evaluate and compare the clinical (patient’s morbidity, quality of life [QoL]) and economic impact of autologous vs synthetic slings in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), as over the last decade, the introduction of synthetic vaginal tapes for managing SUI has gained wide acceptance being quicker with low morbidity. Synthetic vaginal tapes have been progressively replacing the use of autologous rectus fascia. However, the high cost of these synthetic tapes is almost always an obstacle for most patients of limited socio-economic resources in the Egyptian community.

Patients and methods

This retrospective study included 126 women with SUI. Data for patients that matched the study inclusion criteria were collected from the Urology Department of Ain-Shams University Hospitals from March 2011 to May 2013. Patients were categorised into two groups: Group I included 62 patients who underwent an autologous sling procedure using rectus sheath; and Group II included 64 patients that had a synthetic sling, using transobturator tape (TOT). The following variables were compared: operative time, postoperative pain scores, duration of indwelling urethral catheter, hospital stay, cost including the price of the synthetic tape when used, return to normal activity, and QoL assessment (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI-SF]) before and after discharge from hospital.

Results

Patients amongst the two groups were normally distributed with no statistically significant differences in patient’s demographic data and comorbidities. The mean hospital stay was longer and the return to normal activity was delayed in Group I compared to Group II. The highest mean postoperative pain score was recorded in Group I. The overall morbidity was 12.9% and 4.68% in groups I and II, respectively. The mean (SD) overall cost was 2571.65 (254.8) and 3502.34 (196.9) Egyptian pounds (local currency) in groups I and II, respectively, being insignificantly lower in Group I when compared to Group II (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between groups I and II for operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative pain scores. However, the differences in hospital cost amongst Group I and Group II were in favour of Group I. Post-surgical outcome was categorised into either complete cure (dry) or improved or failed with no significant differences in success rate and QoL amongst the study groups. The mean (SD) change in the QoL score was 10.95 (4.19) and 12.32 (4.1) in groups I and II, respectively. The higher success rate (complete cure) was in Group II, at 93.75%. Also, a statistically significant improvement of >70% of mean ICIQ-UI-SF score was shown in all groups when compared to baseline on both the 1- and 6-month follow-up visits.

Conclusion

Autologous grafts should be considered as a repair option in females with SUI in countries were health insurance policies do not cover the cost of synthetic materials in many instances. The cost-effectiveness of synthetic TOT slings, as a minimally invasive procedure with lower overall morbidity, has yet to be confirmed in larger scale studies with longer periods of follow-up, to confirm the durability of its successful outcomes and be considered as the primary treatment of choice in female SUI.

Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP): Results, complications, and risk factors in 139 consecutive cases

Objectives

To report our experience with the emerging technique of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for the treatment for prostate hyperplasia.

Patients and methods

Our inclusion criteria were an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of >15 and a quality-of-life (QoL) score of >3 in patients with confirmed bladder outflow obstruction, no longer responsive to medical therapy, with a significant post-void residual urine volume (PVR; >100 mL), with or without recurrent urinary tract infection and/or acute urinary retention. Patients with neurogenic bladder, urethral strictures, bladder stones, and previously failed transurethral prostate surgery were excluded.

Results

In all, 139 men were included in the study. The mean age was 67.8 years. The IPSS and QoL score improved by 17.6 and 2.6, respectively. The flow rate increased from a mean of 9.6 mL to 31.2 mL and the PVR decreased from a mean of 131 mL to 30 mL. On univariate and multivariate analyses, operating time was a predictive factor for haemoglobin drop during the operation. Heparin prophylaxis was the only risk factor identified for postoperative bleeding. Two patients (0.01%) required blood transfusion. One patient (0.007%) required re-intervention for bleeding control, and two patients developed urethral and bladder neck strictures (0.01%).

Conclusion

ThuLEP is safe and reproducible. Whilst it significantly reduces intraoperative bleeding as compared to transurethral resection of the prostate, operating time and perioperative heparin prophylaxis may still lead to a Hb drop and constitute a risk factor for postoperative bleeding. Therefore, a potential risk of deep vein thrombosis requiring heparin prophylaxis should be carefully considered and balanced with the expected clinical benefit of the operation.

Transurethral bipolar plasmakinetic vapo-enucleation of the prostate: Is it safe for patients on chronic oral anticoagulants and/or platelet aggregation inhibitors?

Objectives

To assess the safety and efficacy of bipolar plasmakinetic enucleation and resection of the prostate (PKERP) for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients on oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy and/or platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAIs).

Patients and methods

In all, 91 patients were recruited and underwent PKERP whilst they were receiving PAIs (aspirin, 56 patients; clopidogrel, three; aspirin and clopidogrel, 11). In all, 15 patients were receiving an OAC drug perioperatively, whilst another six patients were on dual PAIs and OACs. The primary outcomes were the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. The secondary outcomes were functional outcomes including maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max), International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), and post-void residual urine volume (PVR).

Results

The mean (SD) age of the patients was 65 (5.9) years, preoperative adenoma volume was 80.9 (30.4) mL, and the operative time was 67 (23) min. No patient developed serious perioperative cardiovascular complications. The mean (SD) duration of hospital stay was 1.79 (1) days and the postoperative catheterisation time was 1.14 (0.76) days. The mean (SD) haemoglobin drop was 0.74 (0.61) g/dL, blood transfusion rate was 2.2%, and the clot retention rate was 2.2%. The mean (SD) postoperative Q_max was 18.6 (4.37) mL/s as compared to 7.2 (3.2) mL/s preoperatively (P < 0.001), and the preoperative IPSS was reduced from 24.3 (6.1) to 5.7 (2.3) postoperatively (P < 0.05). Prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography was significantly reduced from a mean (SD) of 80.9 (30.4) mL preoperatively to 29.5 (10.6) mL postoperatively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Minimally invasive PKERP may be considered as a safe and effective treatment option for managing patients with BPH receiving OAC/PAI drugs.

Looking beyond oral mucosa: Initial results of everted saphenous vein graft urethroplasty (eSVGU) in long anterior urethral strictures

Objective

To prospectively evaluate the feasibility and initial results of an everted saphenous vein graft (eSVG) as a dorsolateral onlay, in patients with long anterior urethral strictures and/or chronic tobacco users.

Patients and methods

In all, 20 patients with long anterior urethral strictures (>7 cm) and/or chronic tobacco exposed oral mucosa were included in the study. The harvested SVG was hydro-distended, detubularised, and everted. Substitution urethroplasty using an eSVG was performed using a dorsolateral onlay technique. Symptoms were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry at 1, 3 and 6 months; and voiding and retrograde urethrograms, and urethroscopy were done at 3 months. Failure was defined as failure to void, need for interventions in form of direct-vision internal urethrotomy or endodilatation.

Results

Three patients were excluded because they underwent a staged urethroplasty. In all, 17 patients underwent eSVG substitution urethroplasty. The mean (SD, range) follow-up of our patients was 17.64 (5.23, 10–26) months. The mean (SD, range) length of the strictured segment was 14 (2.5, 10–18) cm and the length of the harvested SVG was 16.3 (2.7, 12–20) cm. The mean (SD) IPSS at 1, 3 and 6 months after catheter removal was 10 (2.8), 10 (3.4) and 10 (1.4) and the quality-of-life score was 1.76 (0.5), 2.05 (1.0) and 2.05 (1.0), respectively. Postoperatively, endodilatation was required in two patients. Complete failure occurred in one patient.

Conclusions

An eSVG, as a dorsolateral onlay graft, is a promising and prudent option for long anterior urethral strictures, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene and chronic tobacco use.

Day care bipolar transurethral resection vs photoselective vaporisation under sedoanalgesia: A prospective, randomised study of the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective

To conduct a prospective randomised study comparing the safety, effectiveness and treatment outcomes in patients undergoing bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (bTURP) and photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP) under sedoanalgesia, as sedoanalgesia is a safe and effective technique suitable for minimally invasive endourological procedures and although studies have confirmed that both TURP and PVP are feasible under sedoanalgesia there are none comparing the two.

Patients and methods

Between November 2014 and April 2016, all patients satisfying the eligibility criteria underwent either bTURP or PVP under sedoanalgesia after randomisation. The groups were compared for functional outcomes, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores (range 0–10), perioperative variables and complications, with a follow-up of 3 months.

Results

In all, 42 and 36 patients underwent bTURP and PVP under sedoanalgesia, respectively. The mean VAS pain score was <2 at any time during the procedure, with no conversions to general anaesthesia. PVP patients had a shorter operating time [mean (SD) 55.64 (12.8) vs 61.79 (14.2) min, P = 0.035], shorter duration of hospitalisation [mean (SD) 14.58 (2.81) vs 19.21 (2.82) h, P < 0.001] and a higher dysuria rate when compared to bTURP patients. However, the catheterisation time was similar and both intraoperative and postoperative complications were minimal and comparable. Improvements in the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine volume at 3 months were similar in both groups. None of our patients required re-admission or re-operation.

Conclusion

Both PVP and bTURP can be carried out safely under sedoanalgesia with excellent treatment outcomes.

Impact of transobturator vaginal tape on female stress urinary incontinence and sexual function

Objective

To evaluate the effect of vaginal transobturator tape (TOT) on female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and sexual function.

Patients and methods

In all, 145 patients with SUI underwent TOT repair using the 'outside-in' technique. All patients had been sexually active in the previous 6 months. Patients were evaluated by history, routine laboratory investigations, cough stress test, abdominopelvic ultrasonography, and full urodynamic studies. The preoperative data assessed included: age, parity, body mass index, menopausal status, and Stamey grade of SUI. The intraoperative data assessed included: operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay; intra- and postoperative complications were also assessed. At 2 weeks after discharge, patients were followed-up with a routine examination and cough stress test. After 6 months' patients were assessed by urodynamic studies, maximum urinary flow rate, post-void residual urine volume. The following questionnaires were completed before and at 6 months after TOT insertion: International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

All sociodemographic data of the 145 patients were collected. According to ICIQ-SF scores, 122 patients were cured, 19 had improved, and four failed. There were significant improvements in the UDI-6 and FSFI scores, indicating that the women had significant improvement in their sexual life. There were six cases of urinary tract infection, five cases had a fever, and eight patients complained of groin or thigh pain postoperatively.

Conclusions

Correction of SUI using TOT appears to have a positive effect on female sexual function.

A novel algorithm for the non-invasive detection of bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms

Objective

To determine the ability of bladder wall thickness (BWT) in combination with non-invasive variables to distinguish patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

Patients and methods

Patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and prostate size was measured by transrectal ultrasonography (US). Pressure-flow studies were performed to determine the urodynamic diagnosis. BWT was measured at 250-mL bladder filling using transabdominal US. Recursive partition analysis (RPA) recursively partitions data for relating independent variable(s) to a dependent variable creating a tree of partitions. It finds a set of cuts of the dependent variable(s) that best predict the independent variable, by searching all possible cuts until the desired fit is reached. RPA was used to test the ability of the combined data of BWT, maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), IPSS, and prostate size to predict BOO.

Results

In all, 72 patients were included in the final analysis. The median BWT, voided volumes, PVR, mean Q_max, and IPSS were significantly higher in patients who had an Abrams/Griffiths (A/G) number of >40 (55 patients) compared to those with an A/G number of ≤40 (17 patients). RPA revealed that the combination of BWT and Q_max gave a correct classification in 61 of the 72 patients (85%), with 92% sensitivity and 65% specificity, 87% positive predictive value, and 76% negative predictive value (NPV) for BOO (area under the curve 0.85). The positive diagnostic likelihood ratio of this reclassification fit was 2.6.

Conclusions

It was possible to combine BWT with Q_max to create a new algorithm that could be used as a screening tool for BOO in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

A prospective randomised controlled study comparing bipolar plasma vaporisation of the prostate to monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate

Objectives

To compare the safety and efficacy of bipolar transurethral plasma vaporisation (B-TUVP) as an alternative to the ‘gold standard’ monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective randomised controlled study.

Patients and methods

In all, 82 patients indicated for prostatectomy were assigned to two groups, group I (40 patients) underwent B-TUVP and group II (42 patients) underwent M-TURP. The safety of both techniques was evaluated by reporting perioperative changes in serum Na⁺, serum K⁺, haematocrit (packed cell volume), and any perioperative complications. For the efficacy assessment, patients were evaluated subjectively by comparing the improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score and objectively by measuring the maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max) and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) before and after the procedures.

Results

In group II, there was a significant perioperative drop in serum Na⁺ (from 137.5 to 129.4 mmol/L) and haematocrit (from 42.9% to 38.2%) (both P < 0.001). Moreover, one patient in group II had TUR syndrome. The remote postoperative complication rate was (15%) in group I and comprised of stress urinary incontinence (5%), bladder outlet obstruction (5%), and residual adenoma (5%). In group II, the remote postoperative complication rate was (4.8%), as two patients developed urethral stricture. There were statistically significant improvements in micturition variables postoperatively in both arms, but the magnitude of improvement was statistically more significant in group II.

Conclusion

B-TUPV seems to be safer than M-TURP; however, the lack of a tissue specimen and the relatively high retreatment rate are major disadvantages of the B-TUVP technique. Moreover, M-TURP appears to be more effective than B-TUPV and its safety can be improved by careful case selection and adequate haemostasis.

Prostate tissue retrieval after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate; assessment of non-morcellation approaches

Objectives

To review non-morcellation approaches for tissue retrieval after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and whether these approaches demolish the advantages of the HoLEP procedure.

Patients and methods

We reviewed our prospectively maintained laser prostate database for HoLEP procedures where non-morcellation approaches were used for retrieval of the enucleated adenoma. Non-morcellation approaches were adopted in cases of morcellator malfunction or whenever concomitant pathology indicated laparotomy. Patients were stratified into the laparotomy group (Group I) or the transurethral resection (TUR) group (Group II). Safety and efficacy of each approach were assessed and compared.

Results

Between August 2012 and July 2015, of 392 HoLEP procedures non-morcellation approaches were used for tissue retrieval in 37 (9.4%). In 19 procedures a laparotomy approach was adopted (17 mini-laparotomies and two conventional laparotomies for concomitant diverticulectomy). TUR of the enucleated adenoma was adopted in 18 patients. Baseline demographic data and indications for surgery were comparable between the groups. However, significantly larger prostates were treated in Group I. There were no significant differences between the groups for tissue retrieval time, histopathological findings of retrieved tissue, and peri-procedure biochemical changes. However, significantly more tissue was retrieved (median tissue weight 115 vs 38 g) and at a faster rate (4.6 vs 1.09 g/min) in Group I. The median hospital stay was similar in both groups, but the median time to catheter removal was longer in Group I (5 vs 2 days). Minimal and similar peri-procedure complications were reported in both groups and in both groups there was a significant and comparable improvement in all urinary outcome measures.

Conclusion

In the absence or malfunction of a tissue morcellator, or whenever concomitant pathology indicates laparotomy, non-morcellation tissue retrieval approaches are feasible options for endourologists practicing transurethral enucleation of prostate adenoma. These approaches are valid alternatives retaining most of the advantages of the transurethral prostate enucleation procedure.

Holmium laser enucleation versus simple prostatectomy for treating large prostates: Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To compare and evaluate the safety and efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and simple prostatectomy for large prostate burdens, as discussion and debate continue about the optimal surgical intervention for this common pathology.

Materials and methods

A systematic search was conducted for studies comparing HoLEP with simple prostatectomy [open (OP), robot-assisted, laparoscopic] using a sensitive strategy and in accordance with Cochrane collaboration guidelines. Primary parameters of interest were objective measurements including maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max) and post-void residual urine volume (PVR), and subjective outcomes including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL). Secondary outcomes of interest included volume of tissue retrieved, catheterisation time, hospital stay, blood loss and serum sodium decrease. Data on baseline characteristics and complications were also collected. Where possible, comparable data were combined and meta-analysis was conducted.

Results

In all, 310 articles were identified and after screening abstracts (114) and full manuscripts (14), three randomised studies (263 patients) were included, which met our pre-defined inclusion criteria. All these compared HoLEP with OP. The mean transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) volume was 113.9 mL in the HoLEP group and 119.4 mL in the OP group. There was no statistically significant difference in Q_max, PVR, IPSS and QoL at 12 and 24 months between the two interventions. OP was associated with a significantly shorter operative time (P = 0.01) and greater tissue retrieved (P < 0.001). However, with HoLEP there was significantly less blood loss (P < 0.001), patients had a shorter hospital stay (P = 0.03), and were catheterised for significantly fewer hours (P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the total number of complications recorded amongst HoLEP and OP (P = 0.80).

Conclusion

The results of the meta-analysis have shown that HoLEP and OP possess similar overall efficacy profiles for both objective and subjective disease status outcome measures. This review shows these improvements persist to at least the 24 month follow-up point. Further randomised studies are warranted to fully determine the optimal surgical intervention for large prostate burdens.

Transobturator vaginal tape (inside-out) for stress urinary incontinence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic reconstruction in women

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of the transobturator vaginal tape ‘inside-out’ (TVT-O) procedure for managing new-onset stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic W-neobladder construction in women.

Patients and methods

Between January 2004 and June 2010, 57 women were treated with RC and orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction. Six of these patients (median age 44 years, range 39–62; grade 2 muscle-invasive squamous cell carcinoma in four and transitional cell carcinoma in two) developed de novo SUI that was moderate in four and severe in two. The median (range) duration of SUI was 11 (9–18) months. All six patients underwent TVT-O for control of their SUI.

Results

Four patients were completely dry day and night (three of them can initiate voiding and one cannot, and uses intermittent catheterization). One patient improved, as assessed by using fewer pads (from 5–7 pads to 1 pad/day and night). She can initiate voiding but has minimal leakage only on moderate exertion. One patient who had severe SUI showed no improvement. Patients were followed for a mean (range) of 18 (17–32) months, with no deterioration in the continence status.

Conclusion

These encouraging results confirm the safety and clinical efficacy of TVT-O for managing new-onset SUI after RC and ileal neobladder construction, although a larger survey and a longer follow-up are needed.