Soc. Int. Urol. J., Volume 4, Issue 3 (September 2023) – 14 articles , Pages 159-233

Introduction: The American Urological Association (AUA) and the European Association of Urology (EAU) currently recommend partial nephrectomy (PN) over ablation for cT1b lesions. However, recent series have shown comparable outcomes for cryoablation (CA) when compared to PN, making it an appealing alternative for a select group of patients. The objective of this manuscript is to assess treatment outcomes and complications of CA for cT1b lesions. Methods: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was done on MEDLINE and Cochrane Library electronic databases identifying studies that reported on outcomes and complications of CA for kidney tumors. Inclusion criteria included cT1b lesions between 4 cm and 7 cm, excluding treatment of other sizes. Results: A total of 347 patients with cT1b lesions identified on imaging underwent percutaneous or laparoscopic CA. The average age was > 65 years, the median size of lesions and RENAL score ranged between 4.3–4.8 cm and 8–9, respectively. The majority of patients had a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of 2, and median follow-up ranged between 13 months and 95 months. Across all the series, primary and secondary success rates were between 84%–98% and 92%–98%, respectively. The local recurrence ranged from 2.8% to 27%. For patients with documented RCC on biopsy, the 5-year overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) ranged from 56%–91%, 85%–100%, 70%–96.4%, and 90%–96%, respectively. The major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo III-V) was low, at 6.2%. Conclusion: With promising survival outcomes and low complication rates perioperatively, CA is acceptable in a select group of patients with T1b renal tumors, including those who are older, have multiple comorbidities, or have relative or absolute contraindication to surgery. Full article

Objectives: Post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI) is a common condition, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) assessment of voluntary pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function may be associated with PPI. This study investigates the relationship between PPI and pre- and postoperative displacement of anatomical landmarks related to PFM function. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 40 patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) by a high-volume single surgeon. All patients underwent PFM training pre- and postoperatively. TPUS was used to obtain sagittal images of pelvic structures during maximal voluntary PFM contractions: (1) preoperatively, (2) 3 weeks postoperatively, and (3) 6 weeks postoperatively. TPUS images were analyzed to calculate displacement of anatomical landmarks associated with activation of striated urethral sphincter (SUS), bulbocavernosus muscle (BC), and puborectalis muscle (PR). Continence was assessed at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively, defined as use of ≤ 1 pad/day. The relationship of continence to the displacement of SUS, BC, and PR was analyzed. Results: SUS, BC, and PR displacement decreased significantly 3 weeks postoperatively (P = 0.042, P = 0.002, P < 0.001, respectively). Continent men exhibited significantly greater SUS displacement (median, 5.13 mm) than incontinent men (median, 3.90 mm) 3 weeks postoperatively (P = 0.029). Between 3 and 6 weeks following RARP, there was significant increase in SUS, BC, and PR displacement (P = 0.003, P = 0.030, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: A significant decrease in PFM function occurs following RARP, with a subsequent recovery of postoperative PFM function between 3 and 6 weeks post-procedure in men who undergo PFM training. SUS activation was significantly greater in continent patients compared to incontinent patients at 3 weeks following RARP. Full article

Objective: To assess functional outcomes and classify postoperative complications of augmentation cystoplasty by the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Methods: A total of 197 adult patients undergoing augmentation cystoplasty between January 2016 and December 2020 at the Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), were included in the study after obtaining approval from the ethics review committee. Patients’ records were reviewed for assessment of complications up to 3 months of follow-up. Functional outcomes were assessed by comparing preoperative video urodynamics study (VUDS) findings with follow-up VUDS findings at 1 year. IBM SPSS v23 was used to record and analyze all the complications, treatments, and pre- and postoperative VUDS data. Results: Of the 197 patients included in this study, 127 (64.5%) were male and 70 (35.5%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 38.4 ± 9.92 years. Eighty-seven patients (44.2%) remained complication-free, 64 patients (32.5%) had grade I-II complications, 44 patients (22.3%) had grade III and IV complications, and only 2 patients (1%) had grade V complications. Stomal stenosis was the most frequent complication, occurring in 14.7% of patients, followed by renal function deterioration and high-grade fever, each noted in 13.7% of patients. Mean preoperative bladder capacity was 144.3 ± 63.09 mL, mean preoperative filling pressure was 43.34 ± 26.92 cm³ H₂O, while mean postoperative bladder capacity was 460.83 ± 70.69 mL and mean postoperative filling pressure was 7.47 ± 5.79 cm³ H₂O. Conclusion: Augmentation cystoplasty can increase bladder capacity and improve bladder function. Because of the potential for complications, it is essential to carefully choose patients for surgery and provide proper preoperative counseling. Additionally, it is crucial to give proactive postoperative care. Full article

Background: Most studies investigating the relationship between preoperative frailty and postoperative outcomes among bladder cancer patients only assess frailty retrospectively in patients who have undergone radical cystectomy. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a commonly performed procedure in outpatient settings for a large number of bladder cancer patients. The prevalence of frailty among bladder cancer patients and its impact on postoperative complications and mortality are not well studied. Methods: To assess the prevalence of frailty among bladder cancer patients planned for TURBT at a tertiary cancer center using the modified frailty index (mFI) and Risk Analysis Index (RAI) and further assess the impact of these indices on 30-day postoperative complications and mortality rates. Results: Between May 2020 and March 2021, 343 consecutive patients were enrolled. The mean age of the cohort was 64.8 ± 13.1 years, 86.6% were male, and 82% had non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The majority of the cohort (92%) was found to have low American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score class (I + II), while 35.3% were labeled as frail using mFI 2+, and 32.1% based on RAI (III, IV). The 30-day readmission, postoperative complications, and mortality rates in this cohort were 3.8%, 2.3%, and 6.6%, respectively. RAI was a better indicator of mortality compared to mFI. As such, patients with low RAI score (I, II) had 0.054 odds for 30-day mortality compared to the patients with high RAI score (III, IV) (OR 0.054; CI 95%, 0.004 to 0.784; P = 0.033). Conclusion: Frailty, as measured by Risk Analysis Index, is an independent predictor of early mortality in patients undergoing TURBT. Preoperative frailty assessment may improve risk stratification and patient counseling prior to surgery. Full article

Objective: To report age- and population-adjusted trends in the prevalence of inpatient vaginal prolapse (VP), rectal prolapse (RP), and concurrent VP/RP surgical procedures in women in Washington State over a 12-year period. Methods: The Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System, an inpatient claims database, was queried for female patients aged 20 years or older with a diagnosis of VP and/or RP and associated surgical procedures from 2008 to 2019. Rates for female patients were adjusted by age and population based on census results. Results: Between 2008 and 2019, inpatient admissions for concurrent VP/RP surgery remained stable, with adjusted rates ranging from 1.42 to 3.38 per 100 000, with a majority performed in patients < 80 years old. The population-adjusted rate of inpatient RP repairs remained stable at 3.12 to 5.14 per 100 000. The population-adjusted rate of inpatient VP repairs decreased dramatically, from 81.79 to 6.96 per 100 000. Conclusions: The rate of inpatient RP and combined RP/VP surgical procedures was low and remained stable, while inpatient VP surgical repairs decreased substantially. Since the dataset is limited to inpatient surgery, this trend may reflect a shift to outpatient settings for VP surgeries. Nationally in the United States, there has been a trend toward multidisciplinary surgical management of concurrent VP/RP. However, this same trend does not appear to be reflected in Washington State, suggesting that nationwide trends may not be reflective of trends within each state. Further study is needed to understand how and why local trends in the management concurrent VP/RP may differ from national trends, and potentially improve concurrent VP/RP management using multidisciplinary approaches. Full article

Background: Anatomic complications of the ureteroenteric anastomosis in ileal conduit (IC) cause significant morbidity in patients post-cystectomy and cystoprostatectomy. The Bricker technique has a perceived disadvantage of increased risk for stricture, whereas the Wallace technique runs the risk for ureteral malignancy affecting both ureteric ends, and bilateral ureteric obstruction from a stone lodged at the anastomosis. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and stricture rate of a novel hybrid ureteroenteric anastomosis technique. We compared these outcomes to the Bricker and Wallace anastomosis techniques for IC urinary diversion (ICUD). We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who had undergone ICUD after cystectomy for bladder cancer from 2011 to 2016. Patients were categorized into groups undergoing the Bricker, Wallace, and hybrid ureteroanastomosic techniques. Strictures were identified during clinical follow-up or hospital presentations with complications. Results: We identified 68 patients suitable for inclusion. They were separated by Bricker, Wallace, and hybrid anastomosis techniques, with 19 (27.9%), 20 (29.4%), and 29 (42.6%) patients, respectively. Ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures occurred in 9 patients (5 Bricker, 3 Wallace, 1 hybrid). This difference in stricture rates for Bricker versus hybrid (26.3% vs. 3.4%; OR, 10 [95% CI, 1.1 to 121.1]; = 0.02) was significant but was comparable for Wallace versus hybrid (15.0% vs. 3.4%; OR, 4.9 [0.7 to 66.0]; = 0.15) and for Bricker versus Wallace (26.3% vs. 15.0%; OR, 2 [0.4 to 8.6]; = 0.87). 15 patients (51%) in the hybrid group required oral antibiotics for a symptomatic urinary tract infection compared with 4 (21%) with Bricker and 8 (40%) with Wallace ( = 0.10). Median post-cystectomy follow-up and stricture formation time were 16 months (IQR, 4–36) and 9 months (7–32), respectively. Conclusion: The hybrid technique is a safe and efficacious alternative to the Bricker and Wallace anastomoses. It carries with it a risk for urinary tract infection that is eclipsed by substantially lowered rates of ureteric strictures requiring intervention while maintaining the advantage of separating the two ureters. Full article

Objective: To describe the genetic mutations and phenotype in the first African series of patients with cystinuria. Methods: Patients with cystinuria were recruited from a specialist metabolic renal stone clinic in Cape Town, South Africa, for DNA sequencing to detect mutations in SLC3A1 and SLC7A9. Chart reviews and patient interviews were conducted to record demographics, previous medical history, family history, stone-specific history, age at first presentation, cystinuria complications, urine cystine:creatinine ratio, stone analysis, and serum creatinine. Results: Nine patients were included: 3 male patients and 6 female patients. The mean age (± SD) of patients was 33.43 ± 19.96 years. The median age (± IQR) at initial diagnosis of cystinuria was 16 ± 18 years, but the age ranged from 2 to 66 years. Three of 9 patients included (33.3%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, none were receiving dialysis. Most patients initially presented with a staghorn calculus (4/9; 44.4%). The mean serum creatinine (± SD) was 84 ± 38 µmol/L. The mean urine cystine (± SD) was 2083 ± 1249 nmoL/mg creatinine. Eight patients had mutations in the SLC3A1 gene; 1 had mutations in both SLC3A1 and SLC7A9. Of the patients with only SLC3A1 mutations, 1 patient was homozygous and the rest were compound heterozygotes (two different mutations identified in the same gene). Four patients had a pathogenic variant in addition to an “uncertain significance” variant in SLC3A1. There were 9 mutations (5 pathogenic and 4 “unknown significance”) in SLC3A1 and 1 mutation in SLC7A9. Two of these were novel mutations. Conclusion: This “first in Africa” series of cystinuria patients showed marked heterogeneity in both phenotype and genotype, with a predominance of SLC3A1 mutations. This heterogeneity is similar to that reported in international cohorts. Full article