John-Paul Capolicchio

A ventral rotational skin flap to improve cosmesis and avoid chordee recurrence in epispadias repair.

Objective  To describe a technical modification that facilitates dorsal skin closure, improves cosmesis and eliminates chordee recurrence secondary to contracture of the dorsal penile skin in the repair of epispadias.

Evaluation of Urinary Tract Dilation Classification System for Grading Postnatal Hydronephrosis.

PURPOSE We assessed the reliability and validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system as a new grading system for postnatal hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients who presented with hydronephrosis from 2008 to 2013. We included patients diagnosed prenatally and those with hydronephrosis discovered incidentally during the first year of life. We excluded cases involving urinary tract infection, neurogenic bladder and chromosomal anomalies, those associated with extraurinary congenital malformations and those with followup of less than 24 months without resolution. Hydronephrosis was graded postnatally using the Society for Fetal Urology system, and then the management protocol was chosen. All units were regraded using the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system and compared to the Society for Fetal Urology system to assess reliability. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the validity of the Urinary Tract Dilation classification system in predicting hydronephrosis resolution and surgical intervention. RESULTS A total of 490 patients (730 renal units) were eligible to participate. The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system was reliable in the assessment of hydronephrosis (parallel forms 0.92). Hydronephrosis resolved in 357 units (49%), and 86 units (12%) were managed by surgical intervention. The remainder of renal units demonstrated stable or improved hydronephrosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the likelihood of surgical intervention was predicted independently by Urinary Tract Dilation classification system risk group, while Society for Fetal Urology grades were predictive of likelihood of resolution. CONCLUSIONS The Urinary Tract Dilation classification system is reliable for evaluation of postnatal hydronephrosis and is valid in predicting surgical intervention.

A novel technique of stenting for laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children.

PURPOSE We introduce the novel technique of a percutaneous pyelo-ureterostomy stent for laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children, which overcomes the limitations of previously described stenting techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS A Chiba needle is passed percutaneously across the anterior wall of the renal pelvis after completion of the anterior pyelo-ureteric anastamotic line. A guide wire is inserted through the trocar followed by an angiocatheter over the wire. The stent is passed through the angiocatheter, over the wire and across the wall of the renal pelvis. The wire is withdrawn and the stent distal tip is advanced to the mid-ureter. The posterior anastamotic line is then completed and the renal pelvis closed. The stent is capped on postoperative day 1 and removed in the office on postoperative day 10. RESULTS Since 2007 we have used this approach for 14 laparoscopic pyeloplasties (5 right, 9 left) in children with a mean age of 8.8 years (range 5-17). Mean time of insertion was 9:55 min with no difficulties or perioperative complications noted. CONCLUSION The antegrade pyelo-ureteral stent is easily and quickly inserted percutaneously as well as removed in the office, thus obviating the need for a second anesthetic.

The anterior approach to retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in children: Technique

PURPOSE Very limited literature exists on minimally invasive adrenalectomy in children. Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (RPA) has the advantage of avoiding intra-abdominal organ retraction, but concerns have been expressed regarding RPA on the right side. Herein, we describe the second reported experience with the anterior approach to RPA in children, which appears to overcome the limitations previously ascribed to right RPA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two children, aged 8 and 14-years, presented with incidental right adrenal masses. Both patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position with lumbar hyper-extension. A 5-mm, 3-port approach was used, as demonstrated in the video. RESULTS Pathology revealed a 7-cm ganglioneuroma and a 5-cm pheochromocytoma with intact surgical margins. Operative time with these large masses and first experience with this technique was 5 h in the first case and 3.5 h in the second. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted, with minimal blood loss and a hospital stay of 36 h in both cases. CONCLUSION The anterior approach to RPA is feasible even in children with a smaller retroperitoneal space and a large adrenal mass. It provides excellent exposure of the adrenal gland and vein, even on the right side.

Dye-assisted lymphatic-sparing laparoscopic varicocelectomy in children

INTRODUCTION The ideal method for varicocelectomy in children remains controversial. We present our experience with dye-assisted lymphatic-sparing laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LSLV) in children, which overcomes the limitations of previously described techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five consecutive LSLVs were performed on children with a mean age of 15 years over a 4-year period. Varicocele grade was 3 in 21 cases and grade 2 in 4. Indications for intervention were hypotrophy in 12, pain in 11 cases and family preference in 2. A scrotal injection of lymphatic dye was utilized to spare at least one lymphatic and the remaining spermatic vessels were divided. RESULTS Lymphatic sparing was accomplished in all cases. Operative time varied from 30 to 140 min (mean 85 ± 26). No perioperative complications were noted. On average follow-up of 13 months a residual varicocele was noted in 2 cases, with no hydrocele and resolution of pain. Mean testicular volume difference diminished from 33% pre to 18% postoperatively. CONCLUSION This multi-surgeon experience demonstrates that dye-assisted LSLV is easily accomplished with promising results. It appears that preservation of a single spermatic lymphatic vessel is sufficient, although in some cases a second dye injection is required to visualize the lymphatics.

Comprehensive analysis of the clinical and urodynamic outcomes of secondary tethered spinal cord before and after spinal cord untethering

OBJECTIVE Secondary tethering of the spinal cord (TSC) occurs in 3-30% of patients with history of spinal cord dysraphism repair. As many patients with spinal cord dysraphism already have symptoms, it might be difficult to diagnose secondary TSC. Regular clinical/urodynamic (UDS) evaluation is therefore advised to pick-up changes early before they progress. This study aimed at presenting clinical/UDS outcomes for patients with secondary TSC who underwent spinal cord untethering (SCU). STUDY DESIGN Charts of patients with secondary TSC between 1998 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent pre/post SCU clinical/UDS evaluation were included. All patients were followed-up for a minimum of 5 years for proper clinical outcomes assessment. Urologic, neuro-orthopedic, and UDS outcomes were collected and studied. Continence status was assessed in children aged ≥5 years. Patients were considered continent if they were dry for ≥4 h or socially continent if they stayed dry most of the day using maximum 1-2 pads/day. Categorical data were compared using the Fisher-Exact test and continuous variables were compared using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Twenty-three patients met our inclusion criteria. The median age at time of SCU was 8.8 (range 2.3-16.2) years. The median age at time of UDS follow-up after SCU was 8.8 (range 2.9-17) years. The median follow-up time was 5 (range 5-13.4) years. Urological symptoms were reported in 56.5% of patients before SCU and improved in 61.5% post SCU. Neuro-orthopedic symptoms were reported in 87% of patients before SCU and improved in 65% post SCU. Continence was achieved in 73.9% of the entire cohort on long-term follow-up, while 26.1% had socially acceptable continence. UDS outcomes are summarized in the Table. CONCLUSIONS Patients with secondary TSC are expected to have progression of their symptoms over time if not untethered. From here comes the importance of closely performing clinical/UDS evaluation to pick-up changes early before they progress. Surprisingly, clinical outcomes after SCU with detailed description of the auxiliary management are sparse in the literature. Most studies focus on UDS outcomes. We provided in the current study a detailed discussion of the clinical outcomes, auxiliary-managements used to achieve continence, and the UDS outcomes. Careful periodic clinical/UDS evaluation is recommended for early pick-up of changes suggestive of TSC. SCU could improve existing symptoms, and prevent worsening or development of new symptoms. UDS parameters that showed most improvement were intravesical pressure at TCBC and bladder compliance.

Influence of postnatal hydroureter in determining the need for voiding cystourethrogram in children with high-grade hydronephrosis

Abstract Objective To evaluate the utility of hydroureter (HU) to identify high-grade vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in patients with high-grade postnatal hydronephrosis (PH). Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients’ charts that had antenatal hydronephrosis from 2008 to 2014. Patients were excluded if they presented with febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI), neurogenic bladder, posterior urethral valve, multi-cystic dysplastic kidney, and multiple congenital malformations. We reviewed postnatal ultrasonography images and patients with Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) Grades 3 and 4 hydronephrosis with a renal pelvic antero-posterior diameter of ≥10 mm were included. The ureter was assessed and considered dilated if the ureteric diameter was ≥4 mm. The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) studies, fUTI incidence, and surgical reports were reviewed. Results Of the 654 patients reviewed, we included 148 patients (164 renal units) of whom 113 (76.4%) were male and 35 (23.6%) female. SFU Grade 3 PH was identified in 49% of the renal units, with the remaining 51% being SFU Grade 4. HU was found in 50/164 renal units and was not detected in the remaining 114 units. VUR was diagnosed in four units (3.5%) without HU (low-grade VUR); whilst it was detected in 19 units (38%) with HU (72.7% were high-grade VUR) (P < 0.001). VUR was diagnosed on the contralateral side in four/105 patients with PH without HU and diagnosed in 10/43 patients with PH with HU (P < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 25.9 months, none of the renal units that had VUR without HU developed UTI or had surgeries. Conclusion Low-grade uncomplicated VUR was diagnosed in 3.5% of renal units without HU. Our results support limiting the use of VCUG to renal units with PH if associated with HU.