Francisco de Badiola

Single distal ureter for ureterocystoplasty: a safe first choice tissue for bladder augmentation.

PURPOSE Recently, the use of ureter for bladder augmentation has gained wide acceptance due to a lower complication rate compared to gastrointestinal segments. Unfortunately, the presence of a severely dilated urinary tract implicates loss of function of a renal unit which is often not demonstrated at diagnosis. Conversely, many patients present with 1 or both ureters mildly dilated because of vesicoureteral reflux or functional obstruction. In these cases the use of a single distal ureter seems to be a good option. We report our experience and long-term followup with this subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between December 1994 and November 1998, 17 females and 5 males 1.5 to 15.7 years old (mean age 7.2) with a low capacity, poorly compliant bladder underwent ureterocystoplasty with a single distal dilated ureter. Diagnosis included myelomeningocele in 13 cases, central neurogenic bladder in 3, neurogenic nonneurogenic bladder in 2, congenital spinal cord injury in 2, sacral agenesis in 1 and giant sacral teratoma in 1. All but 2 patients complained of recurrent febrile urinary tract infections. Variable degrees of hydronephrosis were observed in all patients. Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 14 patients and was bilateral in 3. Five patients presented with chronic renal failure. Before surgery 19 patients were on clean intermittent catheterization and prophylactic antibiotics. The segments of ureter used for augmentation ranged from 9 to 14 cm. long (mean 11) and from 0.8 to 2.5 cm. in diameter (mean 1.3). The more distal piece of the ureter was kept unopened to preserve vascular supply. Simultaneous procedures included transureteroureterostomy in all 22 patients, appendicovesicostomy in 10, bladder neck continence procedures in 4 and ureteroneocystostomy in 3. Clinical, radiological and urodynamic evaluation was done 6 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. RESULTS Followup ranged from 12 to 60 months (mean 22). Of the patients 19 are dry on clean intermittent catheterization at 4-hour intervals and 6 have had 9 symptomatic urinary tract infections. Hydronephrosis resolved in 14 patients, improved in 6 and remained unchanged in 2. On urodynamics median increase in capacity less than 30 cm. pressure was 177% (range 11% to 560%). When comparing capacity less than 30 cm. water to normal expected capacity for age and weight, 50% of the cases reached or exceeded theoretical capacity while the rest reached 63% to 89% (mean 76%). Long-term complications included persistent reflux in 1 case, deterioration of bladder function without clinical impairment in 1 and spontaneous perforation of the ureteral patch in 1 requiring colocystoplasty. CONCLUSIONS Although increase in bladder capacity is not always optimal with the use of a distal dilated ureter, it is good enough to ensure a good clinical outcome and allow an adequate catheterization interval with a low complication rate in the long term, thus avoiding use of a piece of gut or stomach to perform bladder augmentation in nearly all patients.

New Application of the Gastrostomy Button for Clinical and Urodynamic Evaluation Before Vesicostomy Closure

PURPOSE We report use of the Bard gastrostomy button to occlude vesicostomy and provide access for intermittent catheterization before closure in children with vesicostomy. Evaluation of bladder function in such children usually relies on radiographic and urodynamic studies, which may fail to predict bladder compliance, emptying and continence after closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Buttons were placed before vesicostomy closure in 1 boy with the prune-belly syndrome and 2 girls with cloacal anomalies 2.5 to 10 years old. The patients had undergone vesicostomy using the Blocksom technique soon after birth because of urinary infection, and impairment of bladder emptying and renal function. RESULTS With the button in place bladder emptying, compliance, continence and possible upper tract changes could be evaluated during several weeks. Button coaptation to the vesicostomy was complete with no urine leakage around the device, allowing easy intermittent drainage through its channel. After 4 weeks the buttons did not have any encrustation or lithiasis and patients were free of urinary infection. Vesicostomy was closed in each patient and the period of temporary closure provided by the button was predictive of future bladder behavior. CONCLUSIONS This new and original application of the gastrostomy button as a temporary vesicostomy closure may be useful to predict the clinical and urodynamic responses of a defunctionalized bladder in patients with vesicostomy who are candidates for urinary undiversion.

Carcinoma transicional de vejiga en adolescentes: un diagnóstico para tener en cuenta

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has a high incidence in adults, but it is uncommon in children and adolescents. Hematuria is the most common symptom of presentation and vesical ecography the preferred diagnostic method. The diagnosis and treatment is performed with cystoscopy and endoscopic resection. We describe two patients: an 18 years old male, who presented with a pediculated tumor on the posterior bladder wall and a 15 years old female with a 1 cm long tumor on the posterior wall too; both were removed under endoscopic control. In both patients superficial transitional cell carcinoma was the final diagnosis and are disease free 3 and 5 years later. A review of the available literature was performed to clarify if this type of tumors must be considered malignant and try to define how long and by which way these patients must be controlled.

Anterior urethral valves: not such a benign condition….

Purpose: Anterior urethral valves (AUVs) is an unusual cause of congenital obstruction of the male urethra, being 15–30 times less common than posterior urethral valves (PUVs). It has been suggested that patients with congenital anterior urethral obstruction have a better prognosis than those with PUV, with less hydronephrosis, and a lower incidence of chronic renal insufficiency (5 vs. 30%). The long-term prognosis of AUVs is not clear in the literature. In this report we describe our experience and long-term follow up of patients with anterior urethral valve. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively identified 13 patients who presented with the diagnosis of AUVs in our institutions between January 1994 and June 2012. Two patients were excluded: one patient had no follow up after intervention; the other had a follow up <1 year. From the 11 patients included, we evaluated the gestational age, prenatal and postnatal ultrasound findings, voiding cystourethrogram findings, age upon valve ablation, micturition pattern, creatinine, and clinical follow up. Results: Between 1994 and 2012 we evaluated 150 patients with the diagnosis of urethral valves. Of this group, 11 patients (7.3%) had AUVs and an adequate follow up. Mean follow up is 6.3 years (2.5–12 years). Five (45.4%) patients had prenatal diagnosis of AUV. The most common prenatal ultrasonographic finding was bilateral hydronephrosis and distended bladder. One patient showed a large perineal cystic mass, which was confirmed to be a dilated anterior urethra. The mean gestational age was 37.6 weeks (27–40 WGA). Postnatally, 90% had trabeculated bladder, 80% hydronephrosis, and 40% renal dysplasia. The most common clinical presentation was urinary tract infection in five patients (45.4%), followed by weak urinary stream found in four patients (36.3%). The age at initial surgical intervention ranged between 7 days and 13 years. Seven (63.6%) patients had primary transurethral valve resection or laser ablation and three patients (27.2%) had primary vesicostomies. One boy (9.1%) had penile urethrostomy with excision of urethral diverticulum. Two (18.2%) patients developed end-stage renal disease. Conclusion: Anterior urethral valve is a rare congenital entity affecting the genitourinary system in males. Early urinary tract obstruction resulted in end-stage renal disease in 18% of our patient population. In our series, the complication rate and the evolution to renal failure are high and similar to patients with PUV. In patients with AUVs we recommend long-term follow up and close evaluation of patient’s bladder and renal function.

Prevalence of latex allergy in a population of patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele

INTRODUCTION Latex allergy is one of the main reasons of anaphylaxis in the operating room. The prevalence of this condition is higher among patients with myelomeningocele. Epidemiological data obtained from Argentine patients is scarce. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of latex sensitivity and latex allergy in a population of patients with myelomeningocele and to describe associated risk factors. POPULATION AND METHODS Descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Family and personal history of allergy, number of surgeries, history of symptoms caused by having been in contact with latex or cross-reactive foods, eosinophil count, measurement of total immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin E levels by means of skin and serologic testing for latex, aeroallergens and cross-reactive fruit. RESULTS Eighty-two patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele were assessed: 41 were males and their average age was 15.3 ± 7.66 years old. Out of all patients, two did not complete skin and serologic testing. Among the remaining 80 patients, 16 (19.51%) had latex allergy, 46 (57.5%) were not allergic, and 18 (22%) showed sensitivity but not allergy. Having undergone more than five surgeries was a risk factor associated with latex allergy (p= 0.035). No significant association was observed with the remaining outcome measures. CONCLUSION According to this study, the prevalence of latex allergy in this population of patients is 19.51% and the most important risk factor for this condition is a history of having undergone more than five surgeries.

V1-12 ROBOTIC-ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY AND CONTINENT URINARY STOMA (MITROFANOFF) IN A 7 YEAR CHILD.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Urethrectomy with appendicovesicostomy is a treatment option for low stage urethral cancer. We present a novel minimally-invasive surgical approach which allows for robotic appendicovesicostomy to be performed simultaneously with open urethrectomy. METHODS: A 71 year-old man presented with clinically-localized squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra. He underwent a traditional open urethrectomy with simultaneous robotic-assisted bladder neck closure, omental J flap interposition, and appendicovesicostomy. The robot was side-docked to allow for a perineal surgeon to work in tandem with the robotic surgeon. RESULTS: Total operating room time was 391 minutes. Robotic console time was 281 minutes. Length of stay was four days. There were no complications, and no secondary procedures were required. Final pathology demonstrated T2 squamous cell carcinoma with negative margins. At 6 months follow up, the patient is continent and cancer-free. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous extirpative surgery and minimally-invasive urinary tract reconstruction is possible for patients with urethral cancer. Side-docking the robot allows for two surgical teams to work concurrently. This approach may be applicable to other procedures requiring both open perineal and laparoscopic intraabdominal access.

Prevalencia de alergia al látex en una población de pacientes con diagnóstico de mielomeningocele

Resumen Introducción: La alergia al látex se encuentra dentro de las primeras causas de anafilaxia en el quirófano. La prevalencia de esta enfermedad es más elevada en pacientes con mielomenigocele. Existen escasos datos epidemiológicos en pacientes argentinos. Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de la sensibilidad y de la alergia al látex en una población de pacientes con mielomeningocele y describir los factores de riesgo asociados. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, observacional. Se analizaron los antecedentes familiares y personales de alergia, el número de procedimientos quirúrgicos, la historia de síntomas ante el contacto con látex o alimentos con reactividad cruzada, el recuento de eosinófilos, la inmunoglobulina E total y la inmunoglobulina E específica mediante pruebas serológicas y cutáneas para el látex, los aeroalérgenos y las frutas con reactividad cruzada. Resultados: Se evaluaron 82 pacientes con diagnóstico de mielomeningocele, 41 del sexo masculino (50%), con edad promedio de 15,3 ± 7,66 años. Del total de los pacientes, 2 no realizaron las pruebas cutáneas y serológicas. De los 80 restantes, 16 (19,51%) presentaban alergia al látex, 46 (57,5%) no eran alérgicos y 18 (22%) fueron sensibles pero no alérgicos. Se observó que haber tenido más de 5 cirugías representaba un factor de riesgo asociado a alergia al látex (p= 0,035). No se encontró una asociación significativa con el resto de las variables evaluadas. El estudio estima que la prevalencia de alergia al látex en esta población de pacientes es de 19,51% y que el factor de riesgo más importante para el desarrollo de esta patología es el antecedente de haber sido sometido a más de 5 intervenciones. Palabras clave: mielomeningocele, alergia, látex, factores de riesgo, cirugía.