Ehab Eltahawy

Management of recurrent anastomotic stenosis following radical prostatectomy using holmium laser and steroid injection

To present our experience with the management of recurrent and resistant anastomotic stenosis following radical prostatectomy (RP) using transurethral laser incision of the stenotic area and injection of steroids.

Outcomes of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Solitary Renal Stones in the CROES URS Global Study

PURPOSE We determined the efficacy and safety of flexible ureterorenoscopy for single intrarenal calculi and further stratified efficacy by stone burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS CROES collected prospective data on consecutive patients with urinary stones treated with ureterorenoscopy at 114 centers worldwide for 1 year. Only patients who underwent flexible ureterorenoscopy for a solitary renal stone were included in study. Preoperative and intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Relationships between stone size and the stone-free rate, operative time, complications, hospital stay and need for re-treatment were determined. RESULTS A total of 1,210 patients with a solitary kidney stone less than 10 (52.2%), 10 to 20 (43.2%) and greater than 20 mm (4.6%) were treated with flexible ureterorenoscopy. The stone-free rate negatively correlated with stone size when adjusted for body mass index. Operative time positively correlated with stone size when adjusted for body mass index. The single session stone-free rate was 90% and 80% for stones less than 10 and less than 15 mm, respectively. Patients with stones greater than 20 mm achieved a 30% stone-free rate, more often needed re-treatment and were more often rehospitalized. There was no difference in the overall complication rate by stone size. However, patients with a stone greater than 20 mm showed a higher probability of fever after flexible ureterorenoscopy than those with a smaller stone. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that flexible ureterorenoscopy for a single intrarenal stone is a safe procedure. Best results after single session flexible ureterorenoscopy were obtained for stones less than 15 mm.

SIU/ICUD consultation on urethral strictures: Anterior urethra - Primary anastomosis

The management of primary and recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease has been a source of controversy with the choice being between endoscopic urethrotomy and open urethroplasty. Further debate exists with regard to the choice of urethroplasty--either excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) or augmentation with a graft or flap. Using PubMed, a 35-year literature search was conducted (1975-2010) for peer-reviewed articles on bulbar strictures treated using EPA. Exclusions included articles with <10 patients, duplications, reviews, or in which the cohort was mixed and the data could not be separately analyzed. Seventeen articles fulfilled the criteria with a total of 1234 patients. Overall success was 93.8%. Reported complications were <5%, and there was no evidence of persistent loss of sexual function. The authors conclude that EPA is associated with a high success rate with low complication rate. Our recommendation is that it should be performed in patients with short isolated bulbar strictures, when expected success rates of other procedures are <90%.

Long-term follow-up for reconstruction of strictures of the fossa navicularis with a single technique

In a paper from the USA the authors describe their experience with the ventral transverse skin island flap elevated on a dartos fascia flap for reconstructing strictures of the fossa navicularis. They found it to be effective, with good functional and aesthetic results.

Renal Artery Stenosis: Optimizing Diagnosis and Treatment

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is the most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, with fibromuscular dysplasia being the most frequent among other less common etiologies. A high index of suspicion based on clinical features is essential for diagnosis. Revascularization strategies are currently a topic of discussion and debate. When revascularization is deemed appropriate, atherosclerotic RAS is most often treated with stent placement, whereas patients with fibromuscular dysplasia are usually treated with balloon angioplasty. Ongoing randomized trials should help to better define the optimal management of RAS.

A comparative study of open, laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy in obese patients

Objectives: Partial nephrectomy is a standard intervention for the treatment of small renal tumors. Our study compares the outcomes of three different partial nephrectomy methods (open, laparoscopic and robotic assisted) in obese (≥30 Kg/m 2 ) patients with renal tumors. Materials and Methods: Between 2005-2011, 66 obese patients had partial nephrectomy. Patients were divided into three groups according to intervention received: Open (n = 21), laparoscopic (n = 31) and robotic (n = 14). The outcome variables of blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complications were assessed. Results: Mean blood loss in the laparoscopic group (100 mls) was significantly less than open group (300 mls) and no difference between laparoscopic and robotic groups (150 mls). We observed a shorter median hospital stay in the laparoscopic group (two days) than open group (four days) and no difference between laparoscopic and robotic groups (three days). Three patients in the laparoscopic group had complications: Two grade II and one with grade III (based on Clavien-Dindo classification). Tumor location, pathology, grade, stage, patient gender, age, preoperative creatinine and postoperative creatinine were not different among the groups (P > 0.05). The mean tumor size in the laparoscopic group (2.70 cms) was significantly smaller than that of the open group (4.22 cm) (P; < 0.05), but not statistically different from that of the robotic group (2.99 cm). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that in obese patients, both laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy are associated with less blood loss than open partial nephrectomy. Second, the length of the hospital stay was not related to the type of utilized intervention.

Review of continent urinary diversion in contemporary urology

Continent urinary diversion (CUD) continues to be widely accepted by both urologists and patients for urinary reconstruction after cystectomy and some complicated cases of urinary incontinence. Different operative techniques and modifications have been contributed in the last 3 decades. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique have long been debated. Ureterosigmoidostomy is the oldest form of CUD but has lost favor in recent decades. The other 2 broad categories of CUD are cutaneous and orthotopic CUD. This review presents and discusses the current common forms of continent urinary diversions.

Coronary stent fracture: a cause of cardiac chest pain?

Inherent risks of coronary artery stenting include restenosis and thrombosis. More recently, stent fractures (SF) have emerged as a complication. Lengthy coronary stents, overlapping stents, saphaneous vein graft stents, and right coronary artery lesions treated with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES; Cypher, Cordis, Miami Lakes, Florida, USA) are some of the predisposing factors that have been linked to fractures. Early detection and management may help alleviate the complications of SF including acute thrombosis and restenosis at the site of fracture. We present an interesting case of a SES fracture in the left main coronary artery.

Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study: Outcomes from a contemporary series of 713 patients

To evaluate the outcome in patients undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction as part of the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study.

Management of renal cell carcinoma presenting as inflammatory renal mass

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can have a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. In the immunocompromised patient fever and an inflammatory renal mass can harbor RCC. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients who were managed at our department during 1998-2008 as renal abscess or perinephric collection. Renal ultrasound and subsequently abdominal CT was done. Medical treatment in the form of antibiotics, control of diabetes and drainage was done. Percutaneous or open biopsy, pus cultures, and histopathology were used to guide therapy. With a positive biopsy radical surgery was considered, while with a negative result a follow up CT was planned. Results: We identified 11 patients who had high fever, a renal abscess (in 4), or a suspicious mass with perinephric collection (in 7), and were eventually diagnosed to have RCC. Mean patient age was 66 years (53-82). 8 patients had uncontrolled diabetes. Five patients had a percutaneous drainage biopsy; of those two had a positive histopathology, the other three patients had a persistent enhancing mass on follow-up CT scan. Of this group three patients underwent radical nephrectomy. Another five patients had open drainage and biopsy, four patients had very poor performance status. One patient had radical surgery without the need for biopsy. Conclusion: In the elderly and immunocompromised patient renal cancer may present as renal abscess or perinephric collection. Histopathology and bacteriology are the mainstay of diagnosis. If biopsy was negative, follow up should include a CT scan to exclude any residual enhancing masses.