Niki Kanaroglou

Is There a Role for Prophylactic Antibiotics after Stented Hypospadias Repair

PURPOSE Data are lacking on prophylactic oral antibiotic use in stented hypospadias repair cases. We evaluated the role of prophylactic oral antibiotics for preventing symptomatic urinary tract infections in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed consecutive patients treated with stented primary/redo hypospadias repair by a single surgeon from September 2009 to January 2012. All patients received antibiotics upon induction. Before April 1, 2011, patients also received prophylactic oral antibiotics while stented. They were compared to those who underwent surgery after April 1, who received no prophylactic oral antibiotics. The primary outcome was symptomatic urinary tract infections, as captured from patient records and verified by an electronic cross-check of ICD-10 codes. Secondary outcomes included cellulitis, fistula, dehiscence and meatal stenosis. RESULTS Of the 161 patients reviewed 11 were unstented and 1 underwent followup elsewhere. Of the remaining 149 patients 78 received prophylactic oral antibiotics and 71 did not. The groups were well matched for age, hypospadias characteristics, surgical technique and stent duration. Median followup was 17 months (range 0.2 to 33). No culture proven, symptomatic urinary tract infections developed in either group. One patient in the prophylactic group was treated for cellulitis by the pediatrician. The complication rate, including redo cases, was 18.2% in the prophylactic group and 15.3% in the nonprophylactic group (p = 0.8). CONCLUSIONS When postoperative prophylactic oral antibiotics were not administered, we identified no increased incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infections or complications. Our data suggest that prophylactic oral antibiotics may not be needed in cases of stented hypospadias repair. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the rational use of antimicrobials. It can potentially serve as a basis for a prospective, multicenter, randomized study.

The burden of attending a pediatric surgical clinic and family preferences toward telemedicine

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Indirect expenses for accessing health care may place significant fiscal strain on Canadian families. Telemedicine alternatives, using email, telephone, and video conferencing, can mitigate such financial burdens by reducing travel and related costs. Our objectives were to assess costs that families incur visiting an outpatient pediatric surgical clinic, and family attitudes toward telemedicine alternatives. METHODS A survey was offered pre-consult to all families who attended pediatric urology and general surgery outpatient clinics over a three-month period. RESULTS A total of 1032 of 1574 families screened participated (66.0%). Less than half (18.5%) of participants traveled over 200 km, and 32.9% spent over 4 hours in transit, round-trip. The proportion of participants who spent over

Inappropriate Use of Ultrasound in Management of Pediatric Cryptorchidism

50 on travel and ancillary expenses was 33.0%. In 74.0% of families, 1 or more adults missed work. The proportion of families who perceived costs as somewhat high or high was 29.1%. Perceived cost was positively correlated to distance traveled, money spent, and missed work (p<0.01). Most were comfortable with medical communication using technology; and 34.3%-42.7% would avoid an in-person clinic visit utilizing email, telephone, and video conferencing. Higher perceived cost (p<0.001) and distance traveled (p<0.01) were only weakly associated with greater willingness to substitute a clinic visit with video conferencing. CONCLUSIONS Many families face high costs related to routine outpatient clinical visits, and there is a substantial willingness by them to access telemedicine alternatives, rather than the traditional face-to-face clinical visit.

Measurement of Differential Renal Function by Scintigraphy in Hydronephrotic Kidneys: Importance of Conjugate Views for Accurate Evaluation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a limited role for ultrasound in the management of an undescended testicle (UDT). We hypothesized that ultrasound remains overused by referring physicians. Our goal was to characterize the trends, patterns, and impact of ultrasound use for UDT and to reaffirm its limited diagnostic value for this indication. METHODS: The records of boys aged 0 to 18 years with UDT in Ontario, Canada, between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed by using health administrative data housed at the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences (ICES). A second review of boys referred to our institution with UDT between 2007 and 2011 was conducted to complement the health administrative data. Trends in frequency, distribution, and costs of ultrasound use were assessed. Time delays between diagnosis and definitive management were compared between the ultrasound and non-ultrasound groups. Using our institutional data, we analyzed demographic patterns of ultrasound use and compared its diagnostic accuracy by using surgical findings as the gold standard. RESULTS: Ultrasound was used in 33.5% of provincial referrals and 50% of institutional referrals. Children who underwent ultrasound experienced an approximate 3-month delay in definitive surgical management. Ultrasound correctly predicted physical examination findings in only 54% of patients. Physicians in community practice, and those with fewer years in practice, were more likely to order ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound has limited value for the management of UDT but remains widely overused, with an increasing trend over time. This practice has negative implications for access to care and cost-containment. Widespread educational efforts should be undertaken, targeting current and future referring physicians.

Urinary tract abnormalities in boys with recurrent urinary tract infections after hypospadias repair

PURPOSE Traditionally a single posterior view is used to measure differential renal function during nuclear renal scintigraphy. Nevertheless, experimental data show important variation in this measurement in the setting of significant hydronephrosis. To date, the impact of degree of hydronephrosis on the accuracy of differential renal function determination has not been addressed. We evaluated the discrepancy between function measured by anterior and posterior views, and the relationship to varying degrees of hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed consecutive mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal scans from 2009 to 2011. Ultrasounds were reviewed and degree of hydronephrosis was recorded using anteroposterior pelvic diameter. Absolute percent difference in differential renal function between each view (anterior minus posterior) was calculated and correlated to anteroposterior pelvic diameter. Patients were stratified into 4 groups according to anteroposterior pelvic diameter, ie less than 10 mm, greater than 10 mm, greater than 15 mm and greater than 25 mm. RESULTS A total of 519 scans with corresponding ultrasounds were analyzed. Median patient age was 2.26 years. Kidneys with a larger anteroposterior pelvic diameter had a greater discrepancy in function on anterior and posterior views. There was a meaningful discrepancy for anteroposterior pelvic diameter greater than 10 mm (p = 0.034) and greater than 25 mm (p = 0.032). Several statistical models were used to identify a meaningful cut point of 15 mm, where the discrepancy in anterior and posterior views became significant (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The use of single views during nuclear renography for grossly hydronephrotic kidneys is often inaccurate. The discrepancy in differential renal function obtained on the anterior and posterior views is adversely impacted especially as anteroposterior pelvic diameter increases beyond 15 mm. Therefore, we suggest incorporation of conjugate views for estimating differential renal function in patients with hydronephrosis.

Preliminary report on a new surgical technique for the management of bothersome scrotomegaly in selected adolescent males.

To examine the development of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in boys who have undergone hypospadias repair.

Physiology of Minimally Invasive Surgery Versus Open Surgery

Idiopathic scrotomegaly in adolescent boys can be a bothersome and distressing complaint. The challenge lies in accepting its potential impact on the patients body image, offering a simple solution with minimal morbidity. Herein, we present a novel approach to reduction scrotoplasty, which adds to the limited published strategies available, and provides surgeons with a safe and effective procedure to correct this condition. Our report also calls attention to a potentially under-recognized medical problem in adolescents and young adults.

Impact of drainage technique on pediatric pyeloplasty: Comparative analysis of externalized uretero-pyelostomy versus double-J internal stents

Endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in pediatric urology affords many benefits when compared to open surgery but also introduces unique physiologic considerations. The surgical team must be aware of the physiologic changes associated with these approaches in order to avoid making MIS detrimental. The knowledge presented in this chapter should bring the anesthetist and the MIS surgeon together to uphold the success of these procedures and ultimately improve the care of children in this setting.