Michael E. Mayo

Incontinence after radical prostatectomy: detrusor or sphincter causes.

PURPOSE Prospective studies have shown a high prevalence of decreased compliance immediately after radical prostatectomy, which may be a temporary phenomenon in men in whom incontinence persists for more than 1 year. We examined the video urodynamic records of 74 consecutive men referred to our urodynamic laboratory with incontinence as the predominant symptom following radical prostatectomy to evaluate voiding parameters and bladder function. MATERIALS AND METHODS The urodynamic assessment was made an average of 3.8 years postoperatively. All men presented with persistent post-prostatectomy incontinence, and 64 underwent radical retropubic and 10 radical perineal prostatectomy. RESULTS A total of 42 men (57%) had sphincter weakness alone, 29 (39%) had detrusor instability and/or decreased compliance combined with sphincter weakness and only 3 (4%) had detrusor instability alone. Of 29 men with a combination of factors 8 had decreased compliance, with 3 also having detrusor instability. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 24% of the patients. A total of 31 patients voided by straining without demonstrable detrusor contraction (42% overall). CONCLUSIONS Decreased compliance is an infrequent finding after radical prostatectomy. Detrusor abnormalities in general are rarely the sole cause of incontinence, with sphincter weakness being present in the majority of patients.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Previous investigators have shown that in multiple sclerosis failure to empty the bladder was secondary to detrusor-distal sphincter dyssynergia or areflexia. However, our urodynamic evaluation of 46 female and 43 male patients with multiple sclerosis revealed that 63 percent of patients failed to empty their bladders because of a hypocontractile detrusor, and only 6 percent had areflexia. Detrusor-distal sphincter dyssynergia (6%) and bladder neck obstruction (6%) were present in only 12 percent of patients. Hyperreflexia was common (78%) and was associated with hypocontractility in 63 percent of patients. Urgency incontinence was significantly more common in females and voiding difficulty significantly more common in males. Sensation was also reduced in 74 percent of female and 77 percent of male patients. In conclusion, failure to empty the bladder in multiple sclerosis is most commonly associated with hypocontractility, and the combination of hyperreflexia and hypocontractility produces the symptoms of urgency and incomplete emptying.

Effect of Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy on Renal Function

In 15 patients with 17 stone-containing renal units renal function studies were performed before and 2 to 3 months after percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. The creatinine clearance of the operated renal units was calculated from the total creatinine clearance and differential renal function was obtained with radionuclides. Changes in the cortical images of the operated kidney also could be determined from the radionuclide scans. There was no significant change in the creatinine clearances when all of the operated kidneys were considered. However, there was significant improvement in the function of 12 units containing infectious stones in which preoperative function was reduced. Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy preserves or improves renal function and can be used for all types of renal stones.

LONG-TERM FOLLOWUP OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MULTICENTER UROLUME* TRIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF EXTERNAL DETRUSOR-SPHINCTER DYSSYNERGIA

PURPOSE We determine the long-term efficacy and safety of the UroLume stent as minimally invasive treatment for external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injured men. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 160 spinal cord injured men with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 36.3 +/- 12.1 years (range 16 to 74) were prospectively treated with an endoprosthesis at 15 centers as part of the North American UroLume trial for external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Urodynamic parameters, including voiding pressure, residual urine volume and bladder capacity, were compared before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after treatment. RESULTS Mean voiding pressure was 75.1 +/- 28.2 cm. water before treatment in the 160 patients, and 37.4 +/- 23.9 at year 1 in 97, 39.5 +/- 22.2 at year 2 in 84, 42.6 +/- 27.3 at year 3 in 61, 46.3 +/- 33.2 at year 4 in 57 and 44.2 +/- 28.9 cm. at year 5 in 41 after stent insertion (p <0.001). Residual urine volume decreased after stent placement and was maintained throughout the 5-year followup (p <0.001). Mean cystometric capacity remained constant from 269 +/- 155 before insertion to 337 +/- 182 ml. 5 years later (p = 0.17). Hydronephrosis and autonomic dysreflexia improved or stabilized in most patients with functioning stents. Stent explant was necessary in 24 patients (15%), of whom 4 (16.7%) had another stent implanted. CONCLUSIONS The UroLume stent demonstrates long-term safety and efficacy for the treatment of external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. The outcome was similar in men with and without previous sphincterotomy.

ENDOUROLOGICAL TREATMENT OF URETEROENTERIC STRICTURES: EFFICACY OF ACUCISE* ENDOURETEROTOMY

PURPOSE The Acucise endoureterotomy balloon catheter has proved to be a safe and effective alternative to open surgery for the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and benign ureteral stricture disease. The established management of ureteroenteric strictures following urinary diversion is open surgical revision. There are few reports evaluating the efficacy of Acucise endoureterotomy in patients with ureteroenteric strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Acucise cutting balloon catheter was used to treat 9 patients with 12 ureteroenteric strictures 2 cm. or less in length. Median time from diversion to stricture was 48 months (range 13 to 192). Success was defined as resolution of symptoms and radiographic confirmation of patency. RESULTS Recurrence of malignancy accounted for failure in 1 patient with bilateral strictures. Of the remaining 10 benign strictures 7 (70%) required open revision or serial stent changes. The remaining 3 strictures in 2 patients have remained patent at 30 and 18 months of followup for a success rate of 30%. There were no perioperative or operative complications. Mean followup was 9 months after Acucise treatment before intervention was necessary. CONCLUSIONS Acucise endoureterotomy for ureteroenteric strictures following urinary diversion is a low morbidity procedure. Although the success rate is only 30%, Acucise endoureterotomy offers an alternative to immediate open surgical revision.

Intraoperative Cardiovascular Collapse Secondary to Latex Allergy

An apparent allergic reaction has been noted in children undergoing open urological surgery. This condition is characterized by precipitous hypotension, tachycardia and upper body flushing, and it often causes termination of the procedure. Latex allergy has been identified as the possible inciting event. Contact of latex rubber gloves with intra-abdominal structures (handling bowel) appears to be the most dramatic trigger mechanism for this reaction. We report on 10 patients with latex allergy, 6 of whom have myelomeningocele, who have undergone reconstructive surgery. Severe anaphylactic shock developed intraoperatively in 5 patients and during a barium enema performed with a latex catheter in 1 patient. These 6 patients had previous allergic reactions to latex material, which was not detected preoperatively. In the remaining 4 patients latex allergy was diagnosed preoperatively. A total of 6 patients agreed to a skin prick test to liquid latex. Three patients reacted with a wheal size greater than or equal to a histamine control at a dilution of 1:1,000 and 3 patients at 1:100. In contrast, none of the 5 normal controls reacted to any of the concentrations including full strength latex. A history of exposure to latex products (balloons, surgical gloves, catheters, condoms and so forth) with allergic reactions should heighten surgeon awareness of a potentially severe intraoperative reaction. Furthermore, a skin prick test may be used to screen high risk patients such as those with myelomeningocele. A protocol involving preoperative corticosteroid and antihistamine therapy is recommended.

Multicenter trial in North America of UroLume urinary sphincter prosthesis.

We investigated the effectiveness and associated complications of treatment with an endoluminal urethral sphincter prosthesis in 153 spinal cord injury men (mean age 36 years, range 16 to 74 years) with urodynamically diagnosed detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia. These patients were prospectively treated with a urethral sphincter stent at 15 centers in North America. Followup ranged from 2 to 33 months. Voiding pressures averaged 76 +/- 28, 42 +/- 21, 44 +/- 38, 35 +/- 18 and 32 +/- 20 cm. water, respectively, before prosthesis insertion in 153 patients and at 3 months in 123, 6 months in 114, 12 months in 98 and 24 months in 22. A significant decrease in voiding pressure was noted in the 22 patients at 24 months compared with matched preoperative data (80 +/- 25 cm. water, p = 0.03). The residual urine decreased from 181 +/- 154 ml. before insertion to 82 +/- 93 ml. at 24 months (p = 0.01). Maximum cystometric capacity remained constant, with a mean of 195 +/- 158 ml. before insertion to 248 +/- 122 ml. at 24 months (p = 0.17). No significant differences were apparent after 24 months of followup in any of the urodynamic parameters between 44 patients with and 109 without previous external sphincterotomy. Hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion, obstructive hyperplastic epithelial overgrowth and soft tissue erosion did not occur. No deleterious effects were observed on renal or erectile function. Of the patients 43 (28.1%) required 2 prostheses to bridge the external sphincter completely. Stent removal was required in 10 patients. Seven explantations were required for prosthesis migration, 1 for pain and urethral edema, 1 for inability to maintain a condom catheter, and 1 for nonepithelialization and secondary bladder neck obstruction. A total of 13 patients (8.5%) required a subsequent operation for bladder neck obstruction. Therefore, the sphincter prosthesis is an attractive modality for the treatment of external sphincter dyssynergia in patients with and without previous external sphincterotomy because of its ease of deployment and minimal associated morbidity.

REMOVAL OF UROLUME ENDOPROSTHESIS: EXPERIENCE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN STUDY GROUP FOR DETRUSOR-SPHINCTER DYSSYNERGIA APPLICATION

PURPOSE We present the experience of the North American UroLume Multicenter Study Group with removal of the UroLume endoprosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 160 neurologically impaired patients were enrolled in the North American UroLume Multicenter Study Group for detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia application. Analysis was performed in 2 groups of patients in which the device was removed during insertion and after implantation, respectively. RESULTS Device retrieval was required during insertion in 21 patients (13%) mainly due to misplacement or migration in 17. Extraction was done with minimal complications and in all but 2 cases subsequent UroLume implantation was successful. Of 158 men with the device in place 31 (19.6%) required removal. In 34 procedures 44 devices were removed, mainly due to migration. Time from implantation to removal ranged from 4 days to 66 months (mean 22 months). The UroLume was removed en bloc in 20 cases and in parts or wire by wire in 19. The majority of patients had no or minimal complications after extraction. Only 2 patients had serious temporary complications, including bleeding and urethral injury, with no lasting consequences. No malignancy developed as a result of UroLume insertion. CONCLUSIONS While there is a potential for urethral injury and bleeding, UroLume endoprosthesis removal is largely a simple procedure with minimal complications and consequences.

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Cerebral Palsy

The urodynamic findings in 33 patients with cerebral palsy referred with lower urinary tract symptoms were reviewed. Difficulty urinating was the predominant symptom in approximately half of the patients and half of these also had hyperreflexia and urgency when full. Three patients had varying degrees of retention and the remaining 14 had difficulty initiating a urinary stream. The other half had urgency incontinence as a major presenting symptom and this was associated in nearly all cases with hyperreflexia. There were 10 adults: 5 with difficulty urinating and 5 with urgency. The more serious manifestations, such as retention, were found only in the adults, suggesting that difficulty urinating may progress in adult life. Classical detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia with bladder wall changes was seen only once, and the cause of difficulty urinating in the other patients seemed to be due to a lack of voluntary control over and the hypertonus of the pelvic floor.

Fate of upper urinary tracts in patients with indwelling catheters after spinal cord injury

Several modes of urinary tract drainage exist for the spinal cord-injured (SCI) patient, but the use of an indwelling catheter is discouraged. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of our traumatic SCI patients followed twenty years or more since initial injury to compare urinary tract preservation and the incidence of urologic complications in patients with neurogenic bladders voiding spontaneously with those using long-term indwelling catheters. Eighty-one patients with long-term injuries were identified; 73 of them fit the study criteria. Forty-one patients voided spontaneously having a balanced bladder or performing intermittent catheterization or have undergone sphincterotomy or vesicostomy, and 32 had indwelling suprapubic or Foley catheters. Renal function measured by creatinine clearance was similar in both groups: 81.3 +/- 20.2 mL/min for spontaneous voiders and 83.7 +/- 24.9 mL/min for catheterized patients. Review of urinary tract imaging and incidence of complications in both groups was very comparable, with the exception that the catheterized group had a higher prevalence of scarring and calicectasis on radiologic imaging of the upper urinary tracts which was statistically significant. Of the remaining population, in 6 of 81 patients, bladder cancer developed, and they underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion and 2 had proximal diversion alone. Of the 6 patients with bladder cancer, 2 were spontaneous voiders with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) developing. Three of the 6 patients had indwelling catheters: in 1 patient TCC developed, in 1 adenocarcinoma, and in 1 squamous cell carcinoma. In 1 patient TCC developed in a defunctionalized bladder after ileal conduit formation. Based on this study, we can conclude that in select groups of SCI patients, the choice of an indwelling catheter may be made if other methods fail, provided patients undergo regular upper urinary tract imaging and cystoscopy.