Ahmed M. Moeen

Topical versus caudal ketamine/bupivacaine combination for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing inguinal herniotomy

Background: Multiple studies claim that caudal administration of ketamine causes effective postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of ketamine after caudal or topical administration in pediatric patients undergoing inguinal herniotomy. Patients and Methods: This randomized, comparative, double-blind study included eighty children (aged 6 months to 6 years) received either 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine/ketamine 0.5 mg/kg for caudal analgesia (caudal group) or 0.3 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine/ketamine 0.5 mg/kg sprayed by the surgeon around the spermatic cord and upon the ilioinguinal nerve before wound closure for topical analgesia (topical group). The duration of postoperative analgesia, pain scores, rescue analgesic consumption, sedation score, hemodynamic monitoring, and side-effects were evaluated 48 h postoperative. Results: Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of analgesia free time demonstrated a significant advantage of topical ketamine (TK) group over caudal ketamine (CK) group. The duration of postoperative analgesia was longer in TK group than in CK group (28.74 ± 2.88 vs. 21.43 ± 5.01 h, P < 0.000). Fewer children asked for oral analgesics in the topical group (24 of 36, 66.7%) than in the caudal one (28 of 32, 87.5%; P < 0.01). Postoperative pain scores at the 6th till 48th h were lower in topical group with comparable analgesic consumption between two groups. In the caudal group, four subjects suffered from retention of urine: Two presented with a residual motor block and two had photophobia. Conclusion: Wound instillation of bupivacaine/ketamine is a simple, noninvasive, and effective technique that could be a safe alternative to CK for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

Experience of a Tertiary-Level Urology Center in the Clinical Urological Events of Rare and Very Rare Incidence. VI. Unusual Events in Urolithiasis: 1. Long-Standing Urethral Stones without Underlying Anatomical Abnormalities in Male Children

Objectives: The study aimed to present our center’s experience with long-standing urethral stones in male children with normal urethra. Materials and Methods: Retrospective search of our center data was done for the cases of long-standing urethral stones with normal urethra in male children during the period July 2001 – June 2016. Demographic and clinical data were studied. Results: Of more than 54,000 urolithiasis procedures, 17 male children (0.031%) were operated for long-standing urethral stones with normal urethra. In 14 cases (82.4%), residence was rural and parental education levels were low or none. All children were regularly prompted voiding with a history of difficulty or dysuria. All the stones lodged in the posterior urethra with an approximate mean duration of 2 months. The mean stone size of 11.29 ± 3.88 mm and rough surfaces in 88.2% of cases represented the main predisposing factors. Major complications included rectal prolapse in 1 case and vesicoureteral reflux in 3 cases. Endoscopic push-back was followed by disintegration in 76.5% or cystolithotomy in 17.7%, while it failed in 1 case that was treated by cystolithotomy. Conclusions: Long-standing urethral stones in male children with normal urethra are very rare misdiagnoses. Stone topography and sociocultural factors predisposed to their lodgments and negligence. Endoscopic treatment is the best approach.

Experience of a Tertiary-Level Urology Center in the Clinical Urological Events of Rare and Very Rare Incidence. III. Psychourological Events: 1. Psychic Anuria

Introduction: Psychic anuria is an old term, referring to a very rare psycho-urological event that has scarcely been studied so far. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the patients with psychic anuria presented to Assiut Urology and Nephrology Hospital during the period July 1991–June 2016 was done. Psychic anuria was defined, and the demographic and clinical characteristics including the methods of diagnosis and management were studied. Results: Of more than 3,800 cases of anuria, 9 female patients (0.24%) experienced psychic anuria in the age range of 17–43 years. Cardinal clinical findings included anuria for 36–72 h with absence of organic causes and normal renal function tests. Psychosocial risk factors were reported in the 9 cases. Anuria was documented by reliable history (56%) or observable urine collection (44%). Diagnosis was done by exclusion, where the investigations revealed no organic causes. Seven cases responded to the placebo intervention and 2 cases were self-limiting and resolved spontaneously. Conclusions: Psychic anuria is an extremely rare urological emergency that presents, mainly, in young adult females with unknown mechanisms. Renal vasoconstriction following psychosocial stressors is suggested. It is diagnosed by exclusion and resolves spontaneously or responds to placebo intervention as a mental distraction technique.

Health related quality of life after urinary diversion. Which technique is better

OBJECTIVE To compare quality of life (QoL) after urinary diversion (UD) following radical cystectomy (RC) using validated questionnaires. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2011 and June 2016, 150 patients (121 men [80.7%] and 29 women [19.3%]) with invasive bladder cancer who underwent RC and UD were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups; group I included the orthotopic neobladder 50 (33.3%) and uretro-sigmoidostomy 41 (27.3%) and group II included uretero-cutanoustomy 33 (22.1%) and ileal conduit 26 (17.3%) patients. QOL was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder Cancer. The erectile function (EF) was assessed using the Sexual Health Inventory for Men Questionnaire. Evaluation was done before and after one year postoperatively. RESULTS The mean ± SD patient age was 55.0 ± 7.9 and 59.5 ± 8.5 years in both groups, respectively (p = 0.001). There was a significant difference in the physical, social/family, emotional and functional statuses that were significantly higher in group I. One year postoperatively, the emotional well-being became insignificantly different, but other QoL parameters remained significantly different between both groups. Regarding EF, there was a significant difference between patients who underwent nerve-sparing (No. 29) and non nerve-sparing RC (No. 59) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Which type of diversion is the best is still a controversial topic. Egyptian patients may prefer the continent UD to avoid the urostomy appliance and its associated daily-life constraints. Detailed patient counseling and active participation of the patient in selecting the treatment methods are important for better postoperative QoL.

Is Concealed Epispadias a Rare Variant

OBJECTIVE To present our experience with concealed epispadias and to estimate its actual share in the isolated male epispadias cases and its effect on the surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients with isolated male epispadias treated in our center between 2008 and 2015 were classified into concealed and classic epispadias. The 2 groups were compared regarding age at presentation, meatal location, incontinence, dorsal curvature, success rate, and complications. RESULTS Out of 51 patients with isolated male epispadias, 11 (21.6%) were concealed: 7 balanic and 4 penile shaft epispadias. Concealed epispadias cases were found to have significantly delayed age at presentation, more distal meatal location, and less incontinence rate than classic epispadias cases. None of the surgical outcome parameters showed significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION Concealed epispadias represents about one-fifth of isolated male epispadias cases. Impediment and delay of diagnosis are its main clinical impacts, with insignificant effect on the surgical outcome.

Management of neobladder complications: endoscopy comes first

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to report the functional outcome after endoscopic management of neobladder complications. Materials and methods: Out of 197 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction between 2007 and 2013, 30 patients with delayed postoperative complications were enrolled in this study. Complications were in the form of: eight patients with outflow obstruction, 12 with ureteroenteric stricture, nine with neobladder calculi and one with an isolated recurrent papillary tumor inside the neobladder. Patients were followed up regularly to assess the outcomes of endoscopic treatment. Results: The mean maximum flow rate and postvoiding residual urine after endoscopic treatment of outflow obstruction were 18.2 ± 3.9 ml/s and 28.7 ± 11 ml, respectively. Ten patients with ureteroenteric stricture showed resolution of hydronephrosis after antegrade dilatation and JJ-stent fixation, with two patients requiring open surgery owing to impassable strictures. Complete clearance of neobladder calculi occurred after endoscopic neocystolithotripsy, with two patients requiring two sessions owing to large calculi. Transurethral resection of the neobladder for isolated tumor recurrence was performed in one patient over two sessions, followed by adjuvant chemoirradiation. Conclusions: Endourological management of orthotopic neobladder problems is the safest choice. It avoids the difficulties and complications of open surgery and has durable results.

The Orthotopic Neobladder: Does the Length of the Isoperistaltic LimbMatter?

Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion is the standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer and some cases of T1G3 who failed intravesical therapy. The orthotopic neobladder is the summit of all urinary diversions as it is physiologically close to the normal bladder and provides a superior quality of life compared to other types of diversion.