Kumaresan Ganabathi

Experience with the Management of Urethral Diverticulum in 63 Women

The presentation and management are reviewed of 63 women with urethral diverticulum seen at a single institution in 10 years. Of the women 36 (61.9%) had urinary incontinence as a presenting symptom and 20 (31.7%) had incontinence as the only presenting complaint. Diverticula were suspected in 57 cases (90.5%) based on the presence of a periurethral mass during pelvic examination. Investigations included voiding cystourethrogram, excretory urogram, urodynamic studies and recently transvaginal ultrasound. Voiding cystourethrography adequately demonstrated the diverticulum in 60 of the 63 women (95.2%). Urodynamic studies performed in 58 women revealed abnormal findings in 36 (62%), including genuine stress urinary incontinence in 28 (48.3%). The location/number/size/configuration, communication, continence classification was used to define the characteristics of the diverticula. Seven women either refused operation or had small asymptomatic diverticula not requiring treatment. Transvaginal diverticulectomy was performed using a 3-layer closure in 56 women. Concomitant bladder neck suspension was performed in 27 women with documented stress urinary incontinence and/or urethral hypermobility. With a mean followup of 70 months (range 6 to 136) 48 women (85.7%) were completely relieved of the presenting complaint. Complications of diverticulectomy included 2 small distal recurrent diverticula, 1 urethrovaginal fistula and 6 transient early urinary tract infections. None of the women had urethral stricture or recurrent urinary tract infection. Six women (22.2%) who underwent diverticulectomy and bladder neck suspension, and 3 (10.3%) treated with diverticulectomy alone had minimal urinary incontinence requiring less than 2 pads a day.

Transurethral incision of the prostate: An objective and subjective evaluation of long-term efficacy

The emergence of less invasive therapies has demanded the reassessment of surgical procedures for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study was designed to evaluate the long term efficacy of transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) using objective (urodynamic), and subjective (symptom score and assessment of satisfaction) parameters, and investigate sexual function. Forty one men after TUIP (mean age of 63.4 years) were reviewed, with a mean follow up of 53 months (range 12-96). Pre operative symptom score (based on Madsen-Iversen score) and urodynamic evaluation were compared to recent post TUIP symptom score, urodynamic evaluation, and satisfaction interview. Total symptom score, as well as obstructive and irritative components, significantly decreased after TUIP (p < 0.0001). Mean detrusor pressure at peak flow decreased from 85 to 44 cm H2O (p < 0.0001), and mean maximal detrusor pressure decreased from 114 to 55 cm H2O (p < 0.0001). Mean peak uroflow rates increased from 10.3 to 15.3 cc/sec (p = 0.019). Thirty two of the men (82%) reported long term improvement after TUIP, with an overall satisfaction rate of 67% (range 0-100). Regardless of objective urodynamic criteria (indicating obstruction or relief of obstruction), the number of men reporting subjective improvement, and the degree of improvement, were similar. Only 4 men (11%) reported new retrograde ejaculation. The proportion of men improved after TUIP compares favorably to long term data available on TURP. Assessing the degree of improvement (overall satisfaction) is unique and has not been previously reported. These results clearly demonstrate that, in selected patients, TUIP is an effective procedure for long term relief of outlet obstruction.

Peyronie's Disease: Surgical Treatment Based on Penile Rigidity

Operative treatment of Peyronies disease has the risk of penile shortening and/or loss of erection. To avoid these complications, we used plaque incision together with polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) graft insertion in men with preserved penile rigidity and only implanted a penile prosthesis in men with erectile failure. Between August 1986 and July 1992, 24 men 36 to 72 years old (mean age 53 years) underwent surgery. Of the men 16 with adequate penile rigidity by history and/or RigiScan study, and severe curvature underwent plaque incision and polytetrafluoroethylene graft insertion. Eight men had erectile failure, including 4 with distal flaccidity as demonstrated by RigiScan study. These 8 men received a penile prosthesis (semirigid in 6 and inflatable in 2). In addition, 2 of these men also required plaque incision because of persistent curvature. With a mean followup of 47 months (range 20 to 92), all 16 men with incision and a polytetrafluoroethylene graft had excellent erections with satisfactory intercourse. Minimal curvature away from the plaque incision site, not causing any difficulty with sexual performance, occurred in 7 patients. The men with a penile prosthesis engage in normal intercourse without residual or recurrent curvature. Incision of Peyronies plaque and polytetrafluoroethylene graft insertion is associated with an excellent functional result in men with normal preoperative penile rigidity. A penile prosthesis should be reserved for men with erectile failure.

Role of the four-corner bladder neck suspension to correct stress incontinence with a mild to moderate cystocele

OBJECTIVES Women undergoing four-corner bladder neck suspension were evaluated for subjective and objective results of the procedure. Patients were evaluated for continence, prolapse, and symptomatic status postoperatively. METHODS Forty-seven women underwent four-corner bladder neck suspension for moderate cystocele with (44) or without (3) stress urinary incontinence. Mean and median follow-up were 37 months (range 15 to 80). To assess results of the four-corner bladder neck suspension, two sets of outcome measures were used (subjective questionnaire, including patient satisfaction, and objective physical examination, with standing voiding cystourethrogram) to compare pre- and postoperative data. RESULTS At the time of follow-up, 25 patients (53%) reported no incontinence, 14 (30%) reported one incontinent episode per week, and 8 (17%) reported daily loss of urine. Twenty-seven (57%) had grade I or grade II cystoceles on follow-up examination and voiding cystourethrogram; however, only 12 (26%) experienced recurrent prolapse symptomatology. Overall patient acceptance of the procedure was high (70%). CONCLUSIONS The four-corner bladder neck suspension is an effective option in the management of moderate cystocele.