Vijaya M. Vemulakonda

Enhanced ATP release from rat bladder urothelium during chronic bladder inflammation: effect of botulinum toxin A.

The effects of mechanoreceptor stimulation and subsequent ATP release in cyclophosphamide evoked chronic bladder inflammation was examined to demonstrate: (1) whether inflammation modulates ATP release from bladder urothelium and (2) whether intravesical botulinum toxin A administration inhibits urothelial ATP release, a measure of sensory nerve activation. ATP release was measured from rat bladders in a Ussing chamber, an apparatus that allows one to separately measure resting and mechanoreceptor evoked (e.g. hypoosmotic stimulation) ATP release from urothelial and serosal sides of the bladder. Cystometry was utilized to correlate changes in ATP release with alterations in the frequency of voiding and non-voiding bladder contractions, in vivo measures of bladder afferent activity. The resting urothelial release of ATP was not significantly affected by either cyclophosphamide or botulinum toxin A treatment. However, evoked ATP release following hypoosmotic stimulation was significantly increased (i.e. 94%) in chronic cyclophosphamide treated bladder urothelium compared to control bladders. In addition, botulinum toxin A treatment significantly reduced hypoosmotic shock induced ATP release in cyclophosphamide treated animals by 69%. Cystometry revealed that cyclophosphamide and botulinum toxin A treatments altered non-voiding (i.e. cyclophosphamide increased, botulinum toxin A decreased) but not voiding contraction frequency suggesting that alterations in urothelial ATP release selectively diminished underlying bladder C-fiber nerve activity. Finally, intravesical instillation of botulinum toxin A did not affect ATP release from the serosal side implying that its effects were confined to the urothelial side of the bladder preparation.

Metastatic Adenocarcinoma After Augmentation Gastrocystoplasty

PURPOSE Augmentation gastrocystoplasty has been proposed as an alternative to enterocystoplasty because of potential benefits, including decreased risk of mucus production, stone formation and urinary tract infections. Although cancer has rarely been reported in this patient population, it is a well recognized potential risk of all augmentation cystoplasties. To define better the risk of malignancy associated with gastric augmentation and the appropriate surveillance protocol for these patients, we describe our experience in 2 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma following gastrocystoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who had undergone augmentation gastrocystoplasty between 1990 and 1994. Of the 72 patients identified 2 were diagnosed with a primary malignancy arising from the augmented bladder. Charts were reviewed for medical history, clinical outcomes and pathology. RESULTS Two patients were identified with a primary bladder malignancy after gastrocystoplasty. Both patients had metastatic disease at initial presentation. Neither patient had a history of gross hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infections or pain before initial presentation. Mean patient age at augmentation was 5.5 years. Mean age at diagnosis of malignancy was 19.5 years, with a mean time from augmentation of 14 years. CONCLUSIONS Although the risk of bladder cancer is low after gastric augmentation, the effects may be life threatening. Therefore, we advocate routine annual surveillance with cystoscopy, bladder biopsy and upper tract imaging in all patients who have undergone augmentation gastrocystoplasty.

Surgical Management of Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: A Pediatric Health Information System Database Study

PURPOSE Although laparoscopic pyeloplasty has gained popularity, to our knowledge no multi-institutional study has evaluated the prevalence of this approach in children. We used a multicenter database to determine trends in the treatment of congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Pediatric Health Information System database contains data on 37 freestanding hospitals for children across the United States. We extracted data on 0 to 19-year-old patients from 2001 to 2006 with the ICD-9 diagnosis code for congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction and the procedure code for the correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. We identified laparoscopic cases based on hospital charges for 1) laparoscope, 2) trocar, 3) insufflating needle or 4) insufflator and tubing. Data were then analyzed using the chi-square and Student t tests to determine management trends. RESULTS We identified 2,353 patients, of whom 2,177 (92.5%) underwent open pyeloplasty and 176 (7.5%) underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. The percent of pediatric pyeloplasties performed laparoscopically increased from 2001 to 2003 (2.53% to 9.73%) and has since remained stable. Patients undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty were significantly older than those in the open group (age 8.2 vs 3.3 years, p <0.0001). Average hospital charges were significantly higher in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (

Management of lower urinary tract dysfunction: A stepwise approach

23,295.71 vs

Prenatal hydronephrosis: postnatal evaluation and management.

16,467.49, p <0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of race, gender or length of stay. CONCLUSIONS The percent of pediatric pyeloplasties performed laparoscopically has increased with time. However, laparoscopic pyeloplasty is associated with higher hospital charges than open surgery without a significant decrease in length of stay.

Contributing Factors for Cancellations of Outpatient Pediatric Urology Procedures: Single Center Experience

PURPOSE To evaluate management patterns of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction and establish a treatment algorithm to guide pediatric healthcare providers. METHODS 390 children with non-neurogenic LUT dysfunction were followed over 7 months; 115 patients were excluded due to incomplete data. Children were categorized based on presenting complaints and pelvic ultrasound into three groups: daytime urinary incontinence (UI) with complete emptying (CE), UI with incomplete emptying (IE), or IE without UI. Every child underwent behavioral modification (BM) including timed voiding, double voiding, deep breathing, and treatment of constipation if present. BM failures received secondary treatment including medications (alpha blockers, anticholinergics), physical therapy, and/or botulinum toxin type A injection of the external sphincter at a dose of 100 units. RESULTS BM improved symptoms in 152 (55%): 68% (46% dry), 49% (27% dry), and 59% (29% dry) from the three groups, respectively. Of the 45% who showed no change in symptoms, 98 (80%) improved with addition of medication, the majority (89) after starting alpha blocker therapy. Children with IE responded better to alpha blockers, 83 (77%) compared to 38% with CE, whereas those with CE demonstrated more symptom resolution with anticholinergics, 6 (38%) compared to 13% of those with IE. Only 6 (2%) patients were refractory to non-operative treatment with all showing improvement after injection of botulinum toxin type A, 4 (67%) of whom became completely dry. CONCLUSION Diagnosis of UI and/or IE with stratification of children into particular symptom groups appears beneficial in determining the appropriate therapy for children with LUT dysfunction.

Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic refluxing renal transplant ureteroneocystostomies in children

Congenital hydronephrosis is one of the most common anomalies identified on antenatal ultrasound. The underlying etiology of congenital hydronephrosis is multifold, ranging from transient hydronephrosis in utero to clinically significant congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. While traditional management of hydronephrosis was aimed at relieving symptoms, the advent of routine prenatal ultrasound has led to a shift in the goal of treatment to prevention of renal injury in the asymptomatic patient. However, despite this focus on renal preservation, the diagnostic criteria for identification of children “at risk” for renal damage that can be alleviated by surgical treatment remain a subject of debate. Both antenatal and postnatal imaging studies have been evaluated as indicators for potential reversible renal damage and have been used as potential indicators of the need for surgical intervention. The aim of this review is to discuss the current literature regarding the role of postnatal clinical and radiographic evaluation to identify children who may benefit from early surgical intervention.

Primer: diagnosis and management of uncomplicated daytime wetting in children

PURPOSE Surgery cancellations in the pediatric population are often due to preventable causes and can lead to decreased operating room efficiency. We hypothesized that clinical and demographic patient factors are associated with preventable cancellations of scheduled outpatient pediatric urology procedures at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of cancelled outpatient pediatric urology procedures from January 1 to July 31, 2010 was performed. Data regarding demographics, procedure type, time to surgery from preoperative visit, reason for cancellation, potential operating room and surgeon lost revenue, and ultimate patient outcome were extracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS We identified 114 cancellations during the study period, comprising 13.3% of scheduled outpatient procedures. Preventable cancellations included insurance/financial related (11.4%), preoperative fasting violation (8.8%) and condition improved the day of surgery (4.4%). Nonpreventable cancellations included patient illness (40.3%), weather/traffic related (1.7%) and other nonspecified reasons (29%). Compared to nonpreventable cancellations, preventable cancellations were more likely associated with circumcision (OR 2.39, CI 1.04-5.46). Preventable cancellations were also associated with a shorter distance to the hospital (p = 0.03). There was no significant association between preventable cancellations and age, race/ethnicity, caregiver type or time to surgery. Potential associated lost revenue averaged

Recurrent nephrogenic adenoma in a 10-year-old boy with prune belly syndrome : a case presentation

4,802 per cancellation. CONCLUSIONS While the most common cause of surgical cancellation is patient illness, a significant number of cancellations are preventable. These findings suggest that future targeted hospital interventions, including improved evaluation of insurance status and preoperative parental education regarding preoperative requirements, may improve operating room use.

The Current State of Diversity and Multicultural Training in Urology Residency Programs

Vemulakonda VM, Koyle MA, Lendvay TS, Risk MC, Kirsch AJ, Cheng EY, Cisek LJ, Campbell JB. Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic refluxing renal transplant ureteroneocystostomies in children. Pediatr Transplantation 2010:14:212–215.