Elizabeth A. Phillips

Current Status of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation and Reconstruction

We reviewed the literature on robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation and provide general considerations for indications, perioperative management, and steps of the case. Robot-associated laparoscopic procedures are becoming more common in urologic surgery. The uses of the da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) are expanding as well. We examine the use of the robot in distal ureteral reconstruction. A PubMed search was performed using keywords “robot” and “ureter,” “distal ureter,” “ureteral reimplant,” “psoas,” and “Boari.” Papers that discussed proximal ureteral reconstruction and nephroureterectomy were excluded. A total of nine papers were relevant. Personal experience was also drawn upon. Distal ureteral reconstruction using the robotic technique is feasible, safe, and becoming more and more prevalent as surgeon comfort with the robot increases.

Does a Surgical Career Affect a Woman's Childbearing and Fertility? A Report on Pregnancy and Fertility Trends among Female Surgeons

BACKGROUND Increases in pregnancy complication rates and use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been demonstrated in female urologists and orthopaedic surgeons when compared with the general US population. To determine if childbearing differences exist across specialties, we evaluated female surgeons in all fields, particularly with regard to fertility. STUDY DESIGN An anonymous, 199-item survey was distributed via specialty female surgeon interest groups and word of mouth to general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, podiatry, and urology. The 1,021 responses were analyzed and compared with Centers for Disease Control National Survey for Family Growth and National Institute of Health data to identify differences between populations. RESULTS Of women surgeons, 32% reported fertility difficulty; 84% of whom underwent infertility workup. Seventy-six percent of these women used ART to attempt pregnancy. In comparison, only 10.9% of women in the general US population report infertility, and 11% seek infertility services. Of all babies born to female surgeons, at least 13% were conceived using ART. Surgeons had 1.4 biological children, less than the national average. Age at first pregnancy was 33 years, compared with a national average of 23. If ART was implemented, surgeon age at first birth increased to 35.4 years. Highest rates of infertility existed in otolaryngology (29%), general surgery (22%), and orthopaedics (18%). CONCLUSIONS Female surgeons have first pregnancies later in life, fewer children, and report more issues with infertility. Assisted reproductive technology is implemented more often by female surgeons than the general population. Differences in fertility exist between specialties and warrant additional study.

Recurrent Penile Fracture: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report the case of a 49-year-old man presenting with a recurrent penile fracture 1-year after undergoing delayed repair for a previous penile fracture. To the authors′ knowledge, this case represents the first documented instance of repeat fracture occurring after delayed repair. Risk factors for repeat penile fracture are not well documented due to the rarity of this condition. A review of literature regarding repeat penile fracture and the impact of delayed repair is discussed.

Acute penile trauma and associated morbidity: 9-year experience at a tertiary care center.

Penile fracture is an uncommon urologic emergency, defined as traumatic rupture of the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum. It occurs mainly in young adults during sexual activity. In the United States, urethral injury is associated with 10–38% of all penile fractures. Diagnosis can be made clinically with the classic triad of an audible crack, detumescence, and appearance of hematoma. We sought to identify characteristics associated with true penile fracture vs. other diagnoses, and determine associated morbidity and risk factors for complications. Retrospective operative chart review identified 39 patients (mean age 39.4 years) with clinical features of penile fracture presenting to Boston Medical Center from June 2004 to May 2013. Average time from injury to presentation was 76 h (range 0.5 h–9 days) and the mechanism of injury was coital in 32 (82%) patients. Thirty‐two patients (82%) had confirmed penile fracture, 7 (18%) had isolated vascular injury. Of confirmed fractures, 4 (13%) had bilateral corporal injury and associated urethral injury. Imaging was utilized in a total of 21 cases, penoscrotal ultrasound (US) in 17 cases, retrograde urethrogram (RUG) in 3 cases, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 1 case. Penile exploration was carried out via degloving (n = 5, 13%) or penoscrotal (n = 34, 87%) incisions. At follow‐up, six patients (15%) had complications: 2 wound infections, 2 new‐onset erectile dysfunction (ED), 1 urethral stricture, 1 fistula and 1 wound dehiscence. Urethral injury increased the risk of post‐operative complications (p = 0.015). Penile fracture is primarily a clinical diagnosis, however imaging may be helpful if diagnosis is uncertain. Urethral injury should be suspected in cases of bilateral corporal injury and may be associated with increased morbidity. Surgical approach does not affect morbidity, but may facilitate surgical repair.

Sex Offenders Seeking Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction—Ethics, Medicine, and the Law

INTRODUCTION The treatment of sexual dysfunction in patients with prior sexual offenses poses ethical and legal dilemmas. Sex offenders are not obligated by law to disclose this history to medical professionals. Over 20% of sex offenders experience sexual dysfunction; however, the number of sex offenders seeking evaluation for sexual dysfunction is unknown. AIMS The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and characteristics of sex offenders seeking treatment in our clinic; and to review data regarding sex offender recidivism and ethics pertaining to the issue as it relates to treating physicians. METHODS Sex offenders were identified via three methods: new patient screening in a dedicated sexual medicine clinic, chart review of those on intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), and review of patients status-post placement of penile prosthesis. Charts were cross-referenced with the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website. Patient characteristics and details of offenses were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measures used were a self-reported sexual offense and national registry data. RESULTS Eighteen male sex offenders were identified: 13 via new patient screening; 3 by review of ICI patients; 1 by review of penile prosthesis data; and 1 prior to penile prosthesis placement. All were primarily referred for ED. Of those with known offenses, 64% were level 3 offenders (most likely to re-offend). The same number had committed crimes against children. All those with complete data had multiple counts of misconduct (average 3.6). Ninety-four percent (17/18) had publicly funded health care. Twelve (67%) were previously treated for sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Registered sex offenders are seeking and receiving treatment for sexual dysfunction. It is unknown whether treatment of sexual dysfunction increases the risk of recidivism of sexual offenses. Physicians currently face a difficult choice in deciding whether to treat sexual dysfunction in sex offenders.

Active Polysubstance Abuse Concurrent With Surgery as a Possible Newly Identified Infection Risk Factor in Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement Based on a Retrospective Analysis of Health and Socioeconomic Factors

INTRODUCTION Since the introduction of inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs), risk of infection has decreased. However, concurrent substance abuse has not been investigated in prosthetic urology. AIMS To determine whether substance abuse would stand out as a relevant risk factor for infection in patients undergoing IPP implantation. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted on charts from the past 12 years at our institution, where a single surgeon completed 602 primary IPP surgeries, with only 12 cases (2%) resulting in postoperative infection. Five of these patients (42%) were actively misusing at least one substance at the time of operation (ie, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, other illicit substances, and prescription narcotics). Substance abuse was identified in the medical chart by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code or by clear documentation by a provider. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of infection as a function of demographic, physical, and treatment variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Logistic regression analysis was used to determine statistically significant correlations between risk factors and IPP infection. RESULTS Polysubstance abuse, poorly controlled blood sugar, and homelessness at the time of procedure positively correlated with postoperative infection. Use of the mummy wrap correlated with decreased infection. CONCLUSION Active polysubstance abuse, poor glycemic control, and homelessness increase infection risk at IPP implantation. We encourage other implanters to discuss active polysubstance abuse with their patients and to tread cautiously because of the increased risk of infection.

Distal corporoplasty using an autologous tunica in the management of penile prosthesis pseudo aneurysm

Inflatable penile prosthesis placement is an effective and safe treatment option for erectile dysfunction.1 The 5-year revision rate is low (7%) and revisions are most likely due to infection or mechanical problems with the device.2 Penile prosthesis aneurysm is a rare complication that is managed surgically. The choice of graft used during tunical reinforcement is critical to avoid subsequent complications. The use of autologous grafts from distant tissue often leads to deformations of penile tissue in addition to the increase in operative time, morbidity, and cost of the operation.4 The use of synthetics increases the susceptibility to infection and decreases long-term pliability of the penile tissue. More recently, a publication in plastics reconstructive literature suggests the use of an acellular porcine graft.5 We believe using the patients own tunica as an autologous graft should be more closely investigated.