Rajendra B. Nerli

Comparison of topical versus parenteral testosterone in children with microphallic hypospadias

IntroductionSurgical correction of genital defects was formerly proposed when the size of the penis was sufficient to permit easy surgical repair. To enlarge penile size, temporary stimulation with testosterone either topical or parenteral has been reported. Parenteral testosterone has been found to be effective; however, variable results have been reported with topical testosterone. This study was taken up as an attempt to compare the efficacy of parenteral versus topical testosterone application.Materials and methodsTwenty-one consecutive children with microphallic hypospadias were randomized to receive either topical or parenteral testosterone prior to surgery. Penile length, glans circumference and secondary effects were recorded before and after therapy by the same observer.ResultsSignificant penile growth was noticed in both the groups of children when compared with pre-therapy size.ConclusionsThe desired therapeutic effect of significant penile growth following testosterone was achieved in both the groups of children. There was no significant difference between the two routes of administration.

Complications of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children.

IntroductionLaparoscopic pyeloplasty in children has been proven to be safe and effective, with comparable results to open surgery. Due to the extension of laparoscopic indications from ablative to reconstructive procedures requiring endoscopic suturing, most centres have plateaued within their learning curve. Based on our own experience with a little more than 100 cases, we focus on the complications and the definitive learning curve of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children.Materials and methodsA total of 103 laparoscopic pyeloplasties were performed during the period January 2002 to June 2008. Of these, 102 underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and one underwent laparoscopic vascular hitch for crossing lower pole vessels. Intraoperative incidents/complications were analysed using the Satava classification, and the postoperative complications according to the Clavien classification.ResultsIntraoperative incidents occurred in 2.91% of the cases, mostly without consequences for the child including faulty port placement needing placement of an extra port and umbilical port side bleed. Postoperative complications occurred in 11.65% children and included prolonged ileus, prolonged urinary leak, fever, haematuria and recurrent ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stenosis. Recurrent UPJ stenosis occurred in 4.85% of children needing reoperation.ConclusionsLaparoscopic pyeloplasty in children is not only feasible, but safe and effective. Intraoperative incidents occur in up to 3% of the cases, and complications in 12.9–15.8%. Increased experience, training and knowledge regarding the incidence and management of complications will be able to further reduce these in the future.

Cystoscopy-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Cystectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Laparoscopic partial cystectomy is performed in selected patients with isolated diseases, such as bladder endometriosis, pheochromocytoma, leiomyoma, and malignant bladder tumors. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy is indicated for a solitary bladder tumor that is distant from the bladder neck, the ureteral orifices, and the trigone, to allow a resection margin of 1 to 2 cm. We report our experience with cystoscopy-assisted laparoscopic partial cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The bladder was mobilized adequately by laparoscopy. Intraoperative cystoscopy was performed Cystoscopic guidance was used for the initial cystotomy. Further excision of the bladder tumor with a safety margin of 1.5 to 2 cm was performed under laparoscopic vision. RESULTS Three patients underwent cystoscopy-assisted laparoscopic partial cystectomy. Cystoscopy aided in planning a proper and adequate safety margin around the tumor as well as helped in marking the initial cystotomy. CONCLUSIONS Cystoscopic assistance during laparoscopic partial cystectomy helps to properly place the initial cystotomy as well aids in planning the safety margin around the tumor. It is safe, easy, and does not add to increased operative time or morbidity.

Flexible Ureteroscopy for Upper Ureteral Calculi in Children

INTRODUCTION Ureteroscopy is one of the therapeutic options in the management of urinary stone disease in children. Previous literature has described ureteroscopy primarily in mid to distal ureteral calculi. We report our experience with flexible ureteroscopy in the management of upper ureteral calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS All children with upper ureteral stones were included prospectively in the study. Stone burden was measured in millimeters. Presentation, operative access, intraoperative complications, stone-free rates, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 80 children (69 boys and 11 girls) underwent 88 ureteroscopic procedures. In 72 (90%) children, complete stone clearance was achieved after a single ureteroscopic session. In 6 (7.5%) others, complete stone clearance was achieved after the second ureteroscopic session. CONCLUSIONS Complete stone clearance after single ureteroscopy is possible if the calculi are single, small (<10 mm), and below the level of the pelviureteral junction.

Transvesicoscopic Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistula

Introduction. Vesicovaginal fistula has been a social and surgical problem for centuries. Many surgical techniques have been developed to correct this abnormality, including transabdominal, transvaginal, and endoscopic approaches. The best approach is probably the one with which the surgeon feels most experienced and comfortable. Laparoscopy has become increasingly popular in urology, reducing the invasiveness of treatment and shortening the period of convalescence. We report our results of transvesicoscopic approach for VVF repair. Materials and Methods. Patients with VVF were offered repair using the transvesicoscopic route. With the patient under general anaesthesia and in modified lithotomy position cystoscopy was performed with gas insufflation. Under cystoscopic guidance the bladder was fixed to anterior abdominal wall and ports inserted into the bladder. The fistula was repaired under endoscopic vision. Results. Four women, who had VVF following abdominal hysterectomy, underwent this procedure. The operating time ranged from 175 to 235 minutes. There was minimal bleeding. Post operative complications included ileus in one and fever in another. No recurrence of VVF was noted in any patient. Conclusions. Transvesicoscopic repair of VVF is feasible, safe, and results in lower morbidity and quicker recovery time.

Genitourinary tuberculosis in pediatric urological practice

OBJECTIVE Genitourinary tuberculosis is a form of secondary tuberculosis with vague symptoms and presentation, and is rare in children. Antitubercular therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, although surgical intervention is required in a minority of the cases. We retrospectively evaluated our series of children with this disease, with special emphasis on the role of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Case records of 17 children diagnosed and admitted with genitourinary tuberculosis at our center were reviewed. Clinical features, organ involvement, investigations, treatment and outcome of therapy were studied. RESULTS There were 11 male and six female children with a mean age of 11.6 years, admitted during the period July 1990 to June 2005. The most common presentation was storage lower urinary tract symptoms. The most commonly involved organ was the ureter in seven (41%) cases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified on urinary examination in only five (29%) cases. A total of 28 procedures, including 15 endoscopic, four ablative and five reconstructive, were performed with some children requiring more than one procedure. Renal functional parameters stabilized or improved in four of five children (80%) in whom they were deranged at presentation. CONCLUSIONS Genitourinary tuberculosis presents with a wide variety of clinical features and pathological lesions. Diagnosis is often delayed because of late presentation and many children present with cicatrization sequelae. Antitubercular drug therapy and judicious application of surgery achieve satisfactory results in the majority of cases. With improved drug therapy and experience with the use of bowel segments in the urinary tract, more reconstructive procedures are being performed with satisfactory outcomes. Children undergoing surgical procedures and reconstruction in particular need to be followed up rigorously.

Posterior urethral injury in male children: Long-term follow up

OBJECTIVE Owing to the immature pelvis and the relative intra-abdominal position of the childs bladder, children with a posterior urethral injury differ from adults. We report our experience in the management of such injuries in male children. PATIENTS AND METHODS Children with suspected urethral injury underwent retrograde urethrography once their clinical condition was stable. Children with complete urethral injury underwent primary urethral realignment either endoscopically or by open surgical technique. Suprapubic cystostomy was performed in other children who were unfit to undergo primary realignment or in whom the management of other injuries took precedence over that of urethral injury. Children referred from elsewhere for further management of urethral injury and those with initial suprapubic cystostomy underwent delayed urethroplasty. RESULTS Twenty-two children with mean age of 11.3 years were treated at our centre for urethral injury. Seven children underwent primary endoscopic urethral realignment, five open surgical realignment and 10 initial suprapubic cystostomy followed by delayed urethroplasty. Six of the 12 children undergoing primary urethral realignment required additional endoscopic urethrotomy for managing the stricture, and three of these six children eventually underwent urethroplasty. Of the 10 children undergoing delayed urethroplasty, three required additional sessions of endoscopic urethrotomy and two of these required further correction graft urethroplasty. CONCLUSION Most male children with posterior urethral injuries need immediate realignment to prevent long-term complications.

Use of LMA Stonebreaker as an intracorporeal lithotrite in the management of ureteral calculi.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE LMA Stonebreaker is a new type of ballistic intracorporeal lithotrite that does not need external electric power or access to compressed air. It is small and portable. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of this lithotrite in the management of ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 110 patients with ureteral calculi necessitating intracorporeal lithotripsy were prospectively included in the study. The size of the stone, position of the stone, number of shocks needed to fragment the stone to effect complete clearance, and degree of retropulsion were documented in each case, and any evidence of urothelial trauma was noted. RESULTS All stones were fragmented, and all patients were rendered stone free. The mean number of shocks needed to fragment the stones was eight. The incidence of retropulsion was 6.36%. There was no evidence of urothelial trauma noted in any patient. CONCLUSION LMA Stonebreaker is a safe, effective, cost-effective, robust, and portable device for intracorporeal lithotripsy.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal masses in children

OBJECTIVE The laparoscopic approach to the adrenal gland was first reported in 1992. Since then numerous studies have been published, comprising of adults. Experience with the laparoscopic technique for adrenal disease in children and adolescents has been limited. We have reviewed our experience with laparoscopic adrenal surgery in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS All children with pathologic adrenal masses undergoing laparoscopic adrenal surgery were included. The primary study outcome measures included operative time, conversion to open surgery, complications, duration of hospital stay and outcome of surgery. RESULTS Eighteen children underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy during the period January 2003-July 2009. The mean operating time was 95 min, mean blood loss was 30 ml and the average postoperative hospital stay was 50h. There were no conversions to open surgery and no major intra- or postoperative complications noted. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible procedure with good results. It can be used to safely treat suspected benign and malignant adrenal masses in children with minimal morbidity and a shorter hospital stay.

Prepubertal testicular tumors: Our 10 years experience

BACKGROUND Testicular tumors in the pediatric population are distinct from those of the adults. In contrast to the prevalence data reported in tumor registries, several studies have shown that a majority of the prepubertal testis tumors are benign. We retrospectively analyzed a series of prepubertal testicular tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of all testicular tumors at our institution was done from Jan 1999 to Dec 2008. Data relating to presentation, evaluation, and management were collected. RESULTS A total of 22 children with prepubertal testicular tumors were identified. The mean age at presentation was 4.6 years. Mature teratoma, epidermoid cysts, immature teratoma, and yolk sac tumor accounted for 49.94%, 13.62%, 9.08%, and 18.16%, respectively. All surgeries were successful with respect to cancer control and testicular preservation. CONCLUSIONS Benign tumors formed the majority (72.64%) of the tumors that were encountered, with yolk sac tumors (18.16%) being a minority. Testicular preserving surgery appears to be a feasible option for benign tumors and is safe and efficacious in long-term follow-up.