D.A. Lazica

Ureteral Substitution With Reconfigured Colon: Long-Term Followup

PURPOSE Long defects in the mid and upper ureter are not amenable to end-to-end reconstruction. Therefore, we present the long-term results of our technique with reconfigured colon segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between June 1998 and July 2008, 14 patients underwent ureteral replacement at our institution with reconfigured colon. In 4 patients the substitute was anastomosed to the skin as a modified colon conduit. In 10 patients it was interposed with anastomosis to the ureter in 4, to the bladder in 5 and to the afferent loop of an ileal bladder substitute in 1. RESULTS At a median followup of 52.4 months (range 7 to 136) excellent renal function was confirmed in 10 of 14 patients. Now at a median followup of 95.8 months (range 38 to 136) 6 patients are alive, all without an indwelling stent and with no sign of obstruction of the ureteral replacement. Metabolic disorders, mucus obstruction and stricture or adhesive ileus were absent during followup. In this series death was unrelated to the procedure. In 7 patients 11 specific reinterventions were necessary including 4 cases of prolonged stenting after surgery, 3 which required secondary drainage, 3 cases of urinary tract infection at 4 weeks and 3 and 112 months, and 1 acute bowel obstruction due to peritoneal carcinosis. CONCLUSIONS Reconfigured colon segments can be used successfully to replace long ureteral defects. The advantages are use in patients with impaired renal function and lack of small intestine, proximity of the colon to the ureter, optimal cross-sectional diameter of the graft and less intraperitoneal surgical trauma than with ileal substitutes.

Second Transurethral Resection after Ta High-Grade Bladder Tumor: A 4.5-Year Period at a Single University Center

Purpose: We evaluated the results of second transurethral resections of the bladder (TURB) after pTa high-grade bladder cancer over a 4.5-year period. Patients and Methods: From July 2007 to December 2011, 2,159 TURBs were performed at our institution, of which 1,143 were initial resections for primary bladder tumor or recurrence. Of these, 142 revealed pTa high-grade bladder cancer, and here we investigated tumor characteristics of initial TURB and results of second resection. Results: The incidence of pTa high-grade tumor was 12.4% (n = 142). Of 87 patients who underwent a second resection, tumor was found in 36 (41.4%); tumors were multifocal in 25 (69.4%) and <3 cm in 29 (80.6%). Tumor was detected at the primary site in 38.9%, at other locations in 22.2%, and at both in 38.9%. Histology revealed pTa low-grade in 13 (14.9% of 87), pTa high-grade in 15 (17.2%), and pT1 in 5 (5.7%) patients. No muscle-invasive tumor was detected. A significant association was found for the number of tumors at initial TURB: in patients with tumor at second resection, 55.1% had had multiple tumors at first resection, more than twice those with solitary tumor (23.7%) (0.004). Conclusions: In our study, Ta high-grade tumors show a relevant rate of persistent tumor at second resection, most of them located at the primary tumor site. As recommended by the American and European clinical guidelines, patients with Ta high-grade tumor should undergo second resection.

Urinary retention: benefit of gradual bladder decompression - myth or truth? A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Urinary retention is a common emergency requiring immediate catheterization. Gradual decompression (GD) of the extended bladder is believed to minimize the risk of complications such as bleeding or circulatory collapse, but to date it has not been compared with rapid decompression (RD) in controlled trials. Materials and Methods: Male patients presenting with urinary retention (n = 294) were randomized to rapid or gradual catheterization. For the latter, the transurethral catheter was clamped for 5 min after every 200-ml outflow until the bladder was completely empty. Patients were monitored for at least 30 min thereafter with regular checks of vital signs and presence of macroscopic hematuria. Results: Of 294 patients, 142 (48.3%) were randomized to the GD and 152 (51.7%) to the RD group. Both groups showed no statistically significant difference with regard to age, anticoagulation treatment, catheter size and material, or volume retained. Hematuria occurred in 16 (11.3%) of the GD and 16 (10.5%) of the RD group; 6 patients in the former and 4 in the latter required further treatment. No circulatory collapse occurred. We noted a decrease in the previously raised blood pressure and heart rate in both groups, although without clinical significance. Conclusion: In this first randomized trial, no statistically significant difference was noted between gradual and rapid emptying of the bladder for urinary retention. Gradual emptying did not reduce the risk of hematuria or circulatory collapse. Therefore, there is no need to prefer gradual over rapid emptying, which is both easy and safe.

Harnleiterrekonstruktion nach ureterorenoskopischen Verletzungen

Ureteral injuries are caused by iatrogenic reasons in about 75% of cases. Among urological procedures ureterorenoscopy (URS) is mainly described as the reason for ureteral injury, although complication rates of URS are generally low. Injuries of the ureter are divided into five grades by the AAST. Grades I-II are referred to as partial and grades III-V as complex ureteral injuries. To avoid higher complication rates there should be no delay in confirmation of diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Correct therapy depends on grade of injury. Partial ureteral injuries are treated by endoscopic inlay of a ureteral stent for approximately 14-21 days. In complex injuries endoscopic ureteroureterostomy could be attempted but leads to rather poor long-term results depending on the length of devascularization of the injured ureter.Procedures with and without use of bowel for ureteral reconstruction and replacement have been described. The type of operative procedure should be selected based on location and degree of ureteral injury. Besides ureteral reconstruction, autotransplantation of the affected kidney can be required in individual cases.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Renal Mass Biopsy: An Ex Vivo Study of 100 Nephrectomy Specimens.

We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of renal mass biopsy in an ex vivo model, as well as compared the agreement of the preoperative radiological diagnosis with the final pathologic diagnosis. Two 18-gauge needle-core and 2 vacuum-needle biopsies were performed ex vivo from the tumors of 100 consecutive patients undergoing radical nephrectomy between 2006 and 2010. The median tumor size was 5.5 cm. There was no significant difference with regard to cylinder length or tissue quality between the sampling methods. At least 1 of 4 needle cores contained diagnostic tissue in 88% of patients. Biopsy specimens identified clear cell (54%), papillary (13%), or chromophobe (5%) renal cell carcinoma; urothelial carcinoma (6%); oncocytoma (5%); liposarcoma (1%); metastatic colorectal carcinoma (1%); squamous cell carcinoma (1%); unclassified renal cell neoplasm (1%); and no tumor sampled (12%). The sensitivity of the biopsy for accurately determining the diagnosis was 88% (95% CI: 79% to 93%). The specificity was 100% (95% CI: 17% to 100%). Biopsy grade correlated strongly with final pathology (83.5% agreement). There was no difference in average tumor size in cases with the same versus higher grade on final pathology (5.87 vs 5.97; P = .87). Appraisal of tumor histology by radiology agreed with the pathologic diagnosis in 68% of cases. Provided that the biopsy samples the tumor tissue in a renal mass, pathologic analysis is of great diagnostic value in respect of grade and tumor type and correlates well with excisional pathology. This constitutes strong ground for increasingly used renal mass biopsy in patients considering active surveillance or ablation therapy.

Das Urethralsyndrom: Fakt oder Fiktion – ein Update

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDas Urethralsyndrom („urethral pain syndrome“) ist ein Symptomenkomplex aus Dysurie, Pollakisurie/Urge, Nykturie und intermittierenden oder chronischen Schmerzen im Bereich der Harnröhre und/oder des kleinen Beckens bei fehlendem Nachweis einer Harnwegsinfektion. Überschneidungen mit ähnlichen Krankheitsbildern wie der interstitiellen Zystitis („bladder pain syndrome“) oder der überaktiven Blase sind häufig. Das Urethralsyndrom betrifft häufig, aber nicht ausschließlich Frauen.DiagnostikBei der Entstehung eines Urethralsyndroms werden infektiologische und psychogene Faktoren, Harnröhrenspasmen, Frühformen der interstitiellen Zystitis, Hypoöstrogenismus, Plattenepithelmetaplasien aber auch tokologische Risikofaktoren diskutiert. Somit erfolgt die Diagnostik hauptsächlich indirekt durch Ausschluss oder Bestätigung einzelner Kofaktoren. Pathophysiologisch muss von einem multifaktoriellen Geschehen mit einer gemeinsamen Endstrecke ausgegangen werden: geschädigtes Urothel verliert seine Barrierefunktion, was bakterielle wie abakterielle Entzündungsreaktionen vermittelt und in einer Fibrosierung endet.TherapieDie Therapie sollte multimodal und nach „Trial-and-Error-Prinzip“ erfolgen: Dabei kommen neben allgemeinen Maßnahmen Antibiotika, α-Rezeptorenblocker und Muskelrelaxanzien, Anticholinergika, Östrogensubstitution häufig alternative Verfahren zum Einsatz. Im Weiteren sind intravesikale und operative Therapien bei Nichtansprechen zu erwägen. Ziel dieses Updates soll es sein, bestehende Erkenntnisse zu bündeln und einen Überblick über die diagnostischen und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten zu geben.AbstractBackgroundUrethral pain syndrome is a symptom complex including dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia and persistent or intermittent urethral and/or pelvic pain in the absence of proven infection. These symptoms overlap with several other conditions, such as interstitial cystitis bladder pain syndrome and overactive bladder. Urethral pain syndrome may occur in men but is more frequent in women.DiagnosticThe exact etiology is unknown but infectious and psychogenic factors, urethral spasms, early interstitial cystitis, hypoestrogenism, squamous metaplasia as well as gynecological risk factors are discussed. These aspects should be ruled out or confirmed in the diagnostic approach. Despite the assumption of a multifactorial etiology, pathophysiologically there is a common pathway: dysfunctional epithelium of the urethra becomes leaky which leads to bacterial and abacterial inflammation and ends in fibrosis due to the chronic impairment.TherapyThe therapeutic approach should be multimodal using a trial and error concept: general treatment includes analgesia, antibiotics, alpha receptor blockers and muscle relaxants, antimuscarinic therapy, topical vaginal estrogen, psychological support and physical therapy. In cases of nonresponding patients intravesical and/or surgical therapy should be considered. The aim of this review is to summarize the preliminary findings on urethral pain syndrome and to elucidate the diagnostic and therapeutic options.BACKGROUND Urethral pain syndrome is a symptom complex including dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia and persistent or intermittent urethral and/or pelvic pain in the absence of proven infection. These symptoms overlap with several other conditions, such as interstitial cystitis bladder pain syndrome and overactive bladder. Urethral pain syndrome may occur in men but is more frequent in women. DIAGNOSTIC The exact etiology is unknown but infectious and psychogenic factors, urethral spasms, early interstitial cystitis, hypoestrogenism, squamous metaplasia as well as gynecological risk factors are discussed. These aspects should be ruled out or confirmed in the diagnostic approach. Despite the assumption of a multifactorial etiology, pathophysiologically there is a common pathway: dysfunctional epithelium of the urethra becomes leaky which leads to bacterial and abacterial inflammation and ends in fibrosis due to the chronic impairment. THERAPY The therapeutic approach should be multimodal using a trial and error concept: general treatment includes analgesia, antibiotics, alpha receptor blockers and muscle relaxants, antimuscarinic therapy, topical vaginal estrogen, psychological support and physical therapy. In cases of nonresponding patients intravesical and/or surgical therapy should be considered. The aim of this review is to summarize the preliminary findings on urethral pain syndrome and to elucidate the diagnostic and therapeutic options.

Imperative Zystektomie beim Risikopatienten

ZusammenfassungAufgrund des demographischen Wandels wird die Inzidenz von Blasenkarzinomen zunehmen. Bei muskelinvasiven Tumoren ist die radikale Zystektomie durch Fortschritte im perioperativen Management auch beim älteren Patienten indiziert. Durch die ebenfalls altersabhängige Zunahme von Komorbiditäten stellt sich die Frage nach der optimalen Harnableitung für den Risikopatienten.Das Ileumconduit stellt dazu aufgrund seiner sicheren, erprobten und risikoarmen Anwendung den Goldstandard dar. Aufgrund der Darmbeteiligung weist es jedoch relevante Komplikationsrisiken für den Risikopatienten auf. Eine noch einfachere und sichere Alternative stellt die Harnleiterhautfistel dar, die jedoch zunächst hohe Stenosierungsraten aufwies. Neuere Daten weisen allerdings darauf hin, dass vergleichbar viele Patienten ohne Harnleiterstent auskommen wie beim Ileumconduit. Auch Untersuchungen zur Lebensqualität zeigen vergleichbare Ergebnisse. Aus diesem Grund sollte die häufig zurückhaltende Einstellung gegenüber der Harnleiterhautfistel bei Risikopatienten überdacht werden.AbstractDue to the demographic trends, the incidence of bladder cancer will rise. Based on progress in perioperative management, radical cystectomy has become feasible also in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Also caused by the increase of age-related comorbidities, the question arises as to the optimal urinary diversion in patients at risk.The ileal conduit is the accepted standard due to its safe, well-proven, and low-risk performance. Nevertheless, it was shown to have relevant complication rates in patients at risk, mostly because of the bowel involvement. The ureterocutaneostomy is a safer and easier alternative, which was initially shown to have a high rate of stomal stenosis. However, new data suggest that the stent-free rate is comparable to the ileal conduit. In addition, quality of life analyses show comparable results. Therefore, ureterocutaneostomy should be considered as an option for urinary diversion in patients at risk.Due to the demographic trends, the incidence of bladder cancer will rise. Based on progress in perioperative management, radical cystectomy has become feasible also in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Also caused by the increase of age-related comorbidities, the question arises as to the optimal urinary diversion in patients at risk. The ileal conduit is the accepted standard due to its safe, well-proven, and low-risk performance. Nevertheless, it was shown to have relevant complication rates in patients at risk, mostly because of the bowel involvement. The ureterocutaneostomy is a safer and easier alternative, which was initially shown to have a high rate of stomal stenosis. However, new data suggest that the stent-free rate is comparable to the ileal conduit. In addition, quality of life analyses show comparable results. Therefore, ureterocutaneostomy should be considered as an option for urinary diversion in patients at risk.

[Non-bacterial cystitis: principles, diagnostics and etiogenic therapy options].

The therapy for non-bacterial cysitides is often based on purely symptom-oriented measures which in many cases relieve the patients symptoms but cannot stop the chronic progression of the disease. The present article summarises the most common forms of non-bacterial cystitis (interstitial, radiogenic, chemotherapy-induced) with their common pathophysiology and then introduces the most common therapeutic procedures. With regard to radiogenic and chemotherapy-induced cystitis it must be considered that optimal preventative measures can often markedly delay or even prevent the development of the inflammatory processes. The preventative therapeutic measures mentioned in this article should thus constitute a fixed part of the accompanying therapy within the framework of tumour-related treatment. As alternatives or supplements to symptomatic therapy, causal therapy options show good response rates. Besides successful hyperbaric oxygen therapy, this also holds for hyalurane that is instilled with the aim of repairing the damaged glycosamine layer in the endothelium of the urinary bladder and so opens new curative options in cases that were previously considered as therapy resistant. A prior potassium-sensitivity test is recommended as this allows the putative success of the therapy to be predicted with a high probability. However. It is equally important, especially in cases of interstitial cystitis, that the diagnosis is made as early as possible which was often not done in the past.

Mythos oder Wahrheit

Recurrent urinary tract infections are a frequent problem in urological practice. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis can cause resistance of some intestinal bacteria, and after therapy is stopped, infections often resume. In controlled studies, general recommendations for prophylaxis were shown to inhibit reinfection. One of these recommendations is the consumption of cranberries. A review of the literature in PubMed as well as the recently published Cochrane database systematic review confirmed that daily consumption of cranberries prevents recurrent urinary tract infections. In vitro studies have shown that binding of the P fimbriae of Escherichia coli to the uroepithelial tissue can be inhibited in the presence of proanthocyanidins, the active ingredient of cranberries. In clinical studies, the evidence is not so pronounced. Many other bacteria have fimbriae, but only a few subpopulations have P fimbriae. P fimbriae are frequent in E. coli, so this adhesion can be prevented. However, in a subanalysis of randomized and controlled studies, it was shown that women with recurrent urinary tract infections might profit from consuming cranberries.

Langzeitergebnisse der defunktionalisierten Blase nach Harnableitung

PURPOSE The remaining bladder is an almost forgotten entity. We analyzed the literature and present patient data from our institution. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied patients at our institution who received a supravesical urinary diversion without concomitant cystectomy and reviewed the relevant literature to extract pros and cons for daily practice. This retrospective study was performed in nine patients at our institution (seven women and two men) with a median age of 40 years who underwent supravesical urinary diversion without concomitant cystectomy between 1972 and 2008 for benign conditions such as incontinence, neurogenic bladder or bilateral megaureters. The median follow-up was 10 years. Additionally we performed an extensive literature search where all such patients who underwent urinary diversion without concomitant cystectomy for benign indications were identified in different retrospective analyses by various authors. RESULTS The most common complications were pyocystis (2/9), bleeding (3/9), and pain-related symptoms (1/9). Secondary carcinoma occurred in two cases. Secondary cystectomy was performed in one patient. In one patient the creation of a vesicovaginal fistula resolved the pyocystis completely. CONCLUSIONS The indication to leave the bladder in situ requires individual considerations. Due to potential complications and the progress in surgery with regards to maintaining sexual function a cystectomy should be offered to young patients. In the aging patient however a defunctionalized bladder can be discussed. The urologist should be aware of the potential complications and perform regular follow-up.