Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Articles

Lower urinary tract symptoms in men after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia

BACKGROUND: The development of medical technologies has resulted into a significant increase in the number of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgeries for benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, 29.9–41% of patients after surgical treatment are not satisfied with the surgical treatment results. AIM: To assess the rate and nature of lower urinary tract symptoms in men after surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with various surgical techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A telephone survey was carried out among 6117 men aged 59.57 ± 11.11 years (48–83 years), who underwent surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia with various surgical techniques and 5960 of these patients were surveyed using the IPSS questionnaire in the period 2012–2022. Moreover, to assess urination, patients kept their voiding diaries for 72 hours, a questionnaire to evaluate the symptoms of overactive bladder; ultrasound of the bladder, prostate and upper urinary tract, uroflowmetry, and, if indicated, a urodynamic study were performed. RESULTS: The study showed that 2413 (40.5%) patients were “absolutely satisfied” with the surgical treatment results, 829 (13.9%) patients were “partially satisfied” and noted improved urination, although its quality was assessed as unsatisfactory, and 2718 (45.6%) operated men were “absolutely dissatisfied”. Lower urinary tract symptoms persisted in 2655 (47.9%) men which underwent surgery, and in 3.3% of cases (87 patients) their severity increased in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of dissatisfaction with the surgical treatment results of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia is caused by the persistence of irritative symptoms in the postoperative period and does not depend on the surgery performed. The origin of symptoms in most patients is not associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the surgery indications are overestimated.

Surgical treatment of hypospadias with lichen sclerosus: Long‐term outcomes from a single center

AbstractBackgroundHypospadias with lichen sclerosus (LS) poses surgical challenges due to lack of materials for urethral reconstruction and coverage and the limited number of reports on this clinical condition.ObjectivesTo report surgical strategies and outcomes for primary and redo hypospadias patients with LS.Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective observational descriptive study with 31 patients with primary/redo hypospadias and LS between 2013 and 2023. Of these patients, 9 had primary hypospadias with 7 distal types and 2 proximal types, and 22 were redo patients. Nineteen of the 31 patients underwent various surgical techniques, and 12 underwent the oral mucosa onlay procedure (OMOP). Postoperative uroflowmetry, hypospadias objective scoring evaluation (HOSE), and complications were evaluated.ResultsFor primary distal hypospadias with LS‐affected skin, five patients underwent circumcision; these patients had normal postoperative urinary flow, and only one patient had an inconspicuous penis after surgery. For the patients with primary proximal hypospadias with an LS‐affected urethra, one patient required perineal urethrostomy following a modified Koyanagi procedure for recurrent stricture; the other patient underwent two‐stage transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty with no postoperative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and satisfactory aesthetic scores. In two remaining cases of primary distal hypospadias with meatus/urethral LS, no LUTS or postoperative complications occurred following meatoplasty/circumcision and penile basal fixation. During reoperations, compared with those of patients who underwent other redo procedures, twelve patients who underwent OMOP had better Qmax and uroflowmetry (p = 0.002) and higher HOSE scores (p = 0.01).ConclusionsFor primary hypospadias patients with LS, enhanced exposure of the penile shaft and glans may benefit distal hypospadias, whereas staged surgery may be suitable for proximal hypospadias. The oral mucosa is favored for urethral augmentation in patients with redo hypospadias complicated with LS, and the OMOP can address neourethra coverage effectively.

Population-Based Survey of Urinary Incontinence, Overactive Bladder, and Other Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Five Developing Countries: Results of the BEBIC Study.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in five selected low and middle-income countries to provide appropriate evidence for other related studies. In this multinational population-based cross-sectional survey between August 2019 and April 2021, validated questionnaires were used to assess LUTS in adults over 18 years from Iran, Egypt, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Cameroon. A total of 1477 participants from five countries completed the questionnaires. The mean age of participants was 43.5 ± 15.7 years. 37.1% reported at least one episode of UI per week. UUI prevalence in different countries analysis showed that the commonest prevalence was reported in Cameron (40.0%; n = 30), while the lowest was 15.0% (n = 31) in Brazil. Stress UI was common in Iran (38.7%; n = 338), and Bangladesh had the lowest rate (7.8%; n = 16). Urinary urgency was the common LUTS among participants (59.9%, n = 818 out of 1477 participants). Nocturia was the other prevalent symptom among cases (50.6%; 748 out of 1477 cases), and this symptom had a higher rate in elderly populations. Men reported voiding and postmicturition symptoms more frequently than women. Storage symptoms except for nocturia, including frequency, urgency, and UI were common in women while voiding symptoms, including straining, and intermittency were reported more frequently in men than women. A high prevalence of urinary symptoms was reported in low to middle-income countries.

Clinical characteristics and survival of patients with de novo metastatic prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy in Uganda: a retrospective study.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. Mortality is highest among patients in resource-limited settings (RLS), in part due to late-stage disease. Among patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa), studies have shown significant improvement in overall survival with the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and taxane-based chemotherapy. However, outcome data among patients treated with chemo-endocrine therapy are scarce in many resource-limited settings. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients with de novo mPCa treated at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). A retrospective chart review study was conducted between 2015 and 2019, and the data of patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer and radiological evidence of metastasis were reviewed. Sample size was estimated for Cox Proportion Hazard regression. Data on clinical and laboratory characteristics, overall survival, and predictors of survival were extracted. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. A total of 300 patients were enrolled over the 5-year study period. The median age was 68 (IQR 61.5-74) years. At presentation, lower urinary tract symptoms were reported in nearly all patients (96.7%, n = 290), median total prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 414.75 ng/ml and 40% (n = 120) of patients had grade 5 histological scores. In addition to receiving ADT, majority of patients (70.3%, n = 211) received at least 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Overall survival at one year was 92.4% (95% CI: 88.6-94.9%), but it declined to 45.2% (95% CI: 36.8-53.2%) at 5 years. A high Gleason score, the presence of visceral metastasis and receiving less than 6 cycles of chemotherapy were predictors of poor outcomes. Patients with de novo mPCa in Uganda present with high histologic grades and high baseline Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels but have improved 5-year overall survival with a combination of chemotherapy and ADT as a first-line treatment. We recommend interventions to reduce late presentation and prospective studies to evaluate treatment efficacy in this population.

Urinary Retention After GreenLight Laser Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (GLL.PVP) Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A 3-6 Month Retrospective Follow-Up Study.

Objective Our study was designed to evaluate the postoperative urinary retention (UR) and success rate of the GreenLight Laser (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) photoselective vaporization of the prostate (GLL.PVP) procedure for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) patients, both with and without high-risk factors. Methodology We conducted a retrospective follow-up study of postoperative patients who underwent GLL.PVP for BPH. We collected data from clinical health records, including notes from the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) clinic, trial without catheter (TWOC) clinic, and emergency department presentations with UR. The analysis examined several parameters, including the patient's age, high-risk factors, prostate volume, and both preoperative and postoperative objective voiding parameters. These voiding parameters included post-void residual (PVR) and maximum flow rate (Qmax). Additionally, the analysis looked into whether the patient had a catheter or experienced urinary retention prior to the surgery. Results A total of 50 GreenLight Laser PVP surgeries were performed over a 14-month period from May 2023 to July 2024 at West Middlesex University Hospital in London. Most of the patients were between the ages of 60 and 80. Prior to the surgery, data indicated that 17 patients (34%) were using long-term catheters, whereas 33 patients (66%) were not. Additionally, 25 patients (50%) were identified as having high-risk factors, which included being on anticoagulation therapy, a history of urinary retention, and a prostate volume exceeding 100 cc.Notably, the patient without h/o urinary retention had an average preoperative PVR of 150 mL and an averageQmaxof 7 mL/second In our 3-6 month retrospective postoperative follow-up study, we found that eight cases (16%) developed urinary retention, while 42 cases (84%) did not, with an average PVR volume of 105 mL and an average Qmax of 13.5 mL/second. In patients with preoperative urinary retention, 13 cases (76%) did not develop UR postoperatively whereas four cases (24%) developed. Conclusion Our study conclusively found that 42 cases (84%) of patients did not experience urinary retention (UR) in the follow-up after undergoing the GLL PVP operation, irrespective of any history of urinary retention or other high-risk factors. This unequivocally demonstrates the operation's efficacy. Furthermore, our findings revealed that three-quarters of patients with a preoperative history of urinary retention also did not develop UR post-surgery. The GLL.PVP procedure is safe and effective, leading to rapid improvements in voiding parameters.

Impact of Covid-19 Infection on Incidence and Exacerbation of Overactive Bladder Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Background The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major global health concern. A key factor is the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in various organs, including the lungs, heart, bladder, and testicles. These receptors allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter cells, making these organs vulnerable to damage. This vulnerability may explain why some patients experience non-respiratory symptoms. Notably, overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and a condition called COVID-associated cystitis (CAC) have been reported to negatively affect the quality of life of COVID-19 patients. A systematic review is needed to summarize the current understanding of these urological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, considering both short- and long-term effects. Methods We conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to investigate urological complications of COVID-19, with a specific focus on OAB symptoms and CAC (characterized by frequent urination, urgency, and nocturia). We searched databases, including Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Scopus. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, and the quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results Our search identified 343 articles published up to March 2024, of which 12 were included in this review. Many of the studies utilized scoring systems such as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and OAB symptom scores. The evidence suggests that COVID-19 may trigger or worsen lower urinary tract symptoms, OAB, and cystitis in some patients, regardless of gender or age. However, these effects appear to be uncommon. Several studies reported an increase in IPSS scores, though it remains unclear whether this increase is temporary or long-lasting. A few studies found that symptoms resolved over several months. Conclusion This systematic review suggests that COVID-19 may affect the urinary system, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and nocturia. These symptoms can negatively impact the quality of life in COVID-19 patients.

LUTS in Older Adults: Definitions, Comorbidity Impact, Patient Priorities, and Treatment Strategies for Managing Daytime and/or Nighttime Symptoms - ICI-RS 2024.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent among older adults, a population that faces multiple medical challenges, with frailty being a major concern. Despite the high prevalence of LUTS, current treatment strategies for older adults are often inadequate. This paper aims to address these issues by defining daytime and/or nighttime LUTS and examining the impact of comorbid conditions on these symptoms. We will identify the priorities of older patients regarding LUTS management and propose treatment strategies to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population. This review is based on discussions at the ICI-RS 2024 meeting in Bristol, UK, alongside an extensive literature review examining LUTS in older adults. The review explores distinctions between daytime and nighttime symptoms, the impact of frailty, patient priorities, treatment strategies and the role of comorbidities. LUTS in older adults present a complex and multifaceted challenge, with notable differences between daytime and nighttime manifestations, which may coexist. Clear definitions are needed. There is a lack of evidence that treating associated comorbidities will improve LUTS or urinary incontinence. Personalized care approaches, integrated into broader geriatric health strategies, are essential for addressing these symptoms. An ideal treatment strategy is proposed, focusing on daytime, nighttime or combined day- and nighttime LUTS. Further research is needed to refine treatment pathways and optimize outcomes for this population. A comprehensive, individualized approach is necessary to address LUTS in older adults. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic definitions, exploring the interplay between comorbidities and LUTS, and developing patient-centered treatment strategies that account for both daytime and nighttime (or combined) symptoms.

Does Adding TENS to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Effect on Urodynamics and Clinical Results in Children With Spina Bifida?

Children with spina bifida (SB) experience a reduced quality of life due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction and the risk of renal failure later in life. Pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have gained prominence in recent years due to their positive effects in treating different types of bladder issues in both adults and children. Our study aims to investigate the effects of using these two methods together in children with SB and to delineate their potential value for clinical practice. Children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction due to SB who admitted to our spina bifida center were enrolled. Those patients, between 5 and 15 years of age, with only neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) were randomly divided into two groups using an online computer application. While only the PFR was applied to Group PFR (n = 14), TENS was used in addition to this therapy in Group PFR + T (n = 14). The PFR sessions included abdominal massage, strength exercises, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and contracting pelvic floor muscles. TENS was used in a standard fashion as previously described in patients with SB. Before and after treatment, patients' clinical data, dysfunctional voiding symptom score (DVSS), lower urinary tract symptoms, and quality of life scores due to urinary incontinence were evaluated. Urodynamic outcomes such as detrusor pressure, bladder capacity, contractility, and residual urine amount were also evaluated. Twenty eight children out of 750 SB patients were enrolled in our center. Children with only NDO due to SB were included in the study (Group PFR, mean age 8.3 ± + 2.7 years, 10 boys, four girls; Group PFR + T, 7.86 ± 2.03 years, eight boys, six girls). Treatment duration was 6 weeks (18 sessions). There was a decrease in voiding and lower urinary tract symptoms in both groups regardless of the use of TENS (p < 0.05). Maximum detrusor pressure significantly decreased only in the TENS group after treatment (from 82.143 ± 58.069 cmH2O to 58.077 ± 39.872 cmH2O) (p < 0.05). The difference in clinical parameters, quality of life scores and other urodynamic parameters were not found to be significant between groups. PFR and TENS may be effective in SB with NDO to reduce voiding symptoms, and protect bladder from increased pressures. PFR seems to be a useful conservative approach in patients with NDO, adjunt to standard treatment. Further studies are needed in delineation of a personalized holistic treatment approach in these patients. Addition of TENS to standard PFR in NDO may be effective in reducing maximum detrusor pressures, however, it does not seem to specifically contribute for improving incontinence and incontinence-related quality of life.

Can We Better Understand, Diagnose, and Treat Ketamine-Induced Uropathy, and Can It Be Reversed? ICI-RS 2024.

Ketamine, a versatile anesthetic, has seen increased recreational use, leading to significant health issues, including ketamine-induced uropathy (KIU). KIU manifests with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and can involve the upper urinary tract. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of KIU, addressing its pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies, and treatment options; and to define/identify future research priorities. During the 2024 meeting of the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) in Bristol, a dedicated Proposal (P) convened to explore KIU. This initiative involved a thorough review of existing literature, expert presentations, and consensus-driven discussions. The methodology ensured a comprehensive exploration of KIU from both clinical and pre-clinical perspectives, leading to actionable research recommendations. Understanding the mechanisms of KIU is crucial for developing effective treatment options targeting specific pathophysiological pathways. Key findings include bladder fibrosis driven by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), elevated purinergic responses and upregulated P2X1 purinoceptor expression, decreased barrier function due to increased expression of antiproliferative factor (APF), and functional loss of the bladder through Cav1.2 channel blockade. Research indicates that fibrosis, typically considered irreversible, may be mitigated. However, the exact timing and extent of fibrosis initiation and its impact on long-term outcomes require further research. LUTS typically improve after ketamine cessation but relapse upon resumption, indicating a hypersensitivity mechanism involving elevated serum IgE levels. Advanced stages of KIU do not always correlate with LUTS severity, shedding light on potential systemic effects and the need for evaluating liver enzymes. Furthermore, psychological dependency on ketamine, due to its positive perceptive and mood-altering effects, complicates cessation efforts. Long-term management requires a holistic approach, integrating medical treatments and supportive measures to help patients navigate life with potentially irreversible complications. This comprehensive review spans from fundamental pathology to practical clinical management, addressing both urological and systemic complications, and bridging insights from animal models to human applications. Developing effective treatment strategies necessitates addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of ketamine dependency.

A Programmatic Approach to En Bloc Transurethral Enucleation of the Prostate with Bipolar System (TUEB): A Single-Center Retrospective Report.

This study presents a systematic approach for en bloc transurethral enucleation of the prostate utilizing a bipolar system (TUEB), evaluating its effectiveness and safety. Furthermore, the research aims to pinpoint risk factors contributing to early stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after undergoing en bloc TUEB. The en bloc TUEB procedure is visually demonstrated through images and videos. A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the data of 88 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent en bloc TUEB between January 2018 and April 2023. Detailed perioperative and follow-up clinical data were collected and analyzed. Patients were categorized based on the occurrence of SUI, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. The mean surgical duration was 113.1 ± 50.0 minutes, resulting in an excised prostate gland weighing 58.0 ± 34.3 g and a hemoglobin drop of 14.3 ± 11.2 g/L. The average enucleation rate was 79.00 ± 11.01 %, enucleation efficiency was 0.54 ± 0.26 g/min and prostate specific antigen (PSA) reduction rate was 42.08 ± 22.85 %. There were no major complications during operation. Twenty-three patients (26.13%) developed early SUI after catheter removal, and 74% of them were in remission within 1 month. Importantly, no cases of persistent SUI were observed. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) duration was significantly different between patients with and without post-operative SUI. Residual urine volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) score were significantly improved in BPH patients after surgery (P < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery, only 2 patients (2.27%) had urethral stricture, although it recovered after transurethral dilation. En bloc TUEB is proven to be effective, practical, efficient and safe with minimal complications. This procedure could be standardized and widely adopted. LUTS duration can predict the risk of early SUI.

Efficacy of the Rezūm System for lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Long term results from a single centre prospective study.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urological condition leading to lower urinary tract symptoms. Minimal invasive surgical treatment (MISTs) such as Rezūm System are emerging aiming to relieve symptoms. We present results from a single centre prospective study. We prospectively followed patients undergoing Rezūm between 2021 and 2023 from a single centre. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), functional outcomes (maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and post-void urinary residual (PVR) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were assessed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Anterograde ejaculation was assessed at 12 months follow up. Linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) for repeated measures were applied to assess differences in the IPSS, maximum flow rate (Qmax), PVR, and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) from baseline (t0) to 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Results: After adjusting for prostate volume and symptoms severity, significant differences were observed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months for IPSS (p < 0.001), Qmax (p < 0.001), PVR (p < 0.001) and IPSS-QoL (p < 0.001) from baseline. No statistically significant changes were found in the IIEF-5 scores at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months from baseline. Anterograde ejaculation remained in 98% of patients after treatment. In conclusion, the study's findings indicate that patients undergoing Rezūm treatment experience sustained improvements in IPSS, Qmax, PVR and IPSS-related quality of life up to 24 months following the intervention. Anterograde ejaculation remained in 98% of patients after treatment.

Efficacy of the combination of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and mirabegron in women with overactive bladder in a prospective randomized controlled trial

The management of overactive bladder (OAB) in women encompasses a range of strategies, from behavioral modifications to pharmacotherapy and nerve stimulation techniques. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of the combination of TTNS and mirabegron in symptom improvement over three months in women diagnosed with OAB. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients were prospectively randomized into two groups. Twenty patients in the combination group accepted TTNS and mirabegron therapy, and the other 20 patients as control only accepted mirabegron therapy. Primary outcomes were changes from baseline in the lower urinary tract symptoms. The severity of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the validated OAB questionnaire (OAB-q). TTNS reduced the clinical symptoms of OAB, and the difference was statistically significant at all study sites (p < 0.05). Regarding secondary outcomes, the OAB-q symptom bother score was lower in the combination group than in the mirabegron group (p < 0.05). The OAB-q score in the combination group was statistically superior to that in the mirabegron group (p < 0.05). The incidence of complications was not statistically significant between the two groups.The combination of TTNS and mirabegron represents a promising therapeutic strategy for women with overactive bladder, significantly improving symptoms and quality of life with a favorable safety profile. Further research with a larger sample size and long-term follow-up is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of this combination therapy’s efficacy.

Perioperative outcomes and trends of transurethral surgeries for benign prostatic hyperplasia in octogenarians: a comprehensive analysis using the NSQIP database (2011-2022).

Advances in health care have resulted in an increasing octogenarian population in the United States. The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in this subgroup exceeds 70%. This study attempts to evaluate perioperative outcomes of different transurethral techniques in octogenarians and define their utilization trends from 2011 to 2022. We extracted data from the American College of Surgeons NSQIP for octogenarian patients who underwent prostatectomy for BPH. Procedures were categorized using CPT codes, and outcomes included postoperative complications, readmission, 30-day reoperation, and utilization trends from 2011 to 2022. A total of 21,314 octogenarians were included. TURP was the most performed procedure (53.13-71.17%), followed by PVP and HoLEP. HoLEP utilization increased reaching up to 19% by year 2022. Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were observed more frequently in the TURP group. HoLEP consistently exhibits the longest operative times. Initially relatively higher transfusion rates for HoLEP decreased to 0% by 2022. Urinary tract infection rates did not significantly differ among the procedures most years. TURP remained the most performed modality for BPH management in octogenarians amongst NSQIP-participating institutions. However, from 2011 to 2021, the utilization of HoLEP increased nearly by 2.5 folds, from 2.5 to 6.4%.

Prostatic stents: a systematic review and analysis of functional outcomes and complication rate.

This review aims to identify and summarize the current literature on the use of prostatic stents or nitinol devices as minimally invasive techniques for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted until October 2023. Only original articles written in English were considered for inclusion. This review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023474884). Thirty-eight articles were included (2618 patients). Generally, the risk of bias was deemed as high or very high. The most frequently investigated stents were the UroLume, followed by the Memokath/Memotherm. The mean age was 72.01 ± 5.6 years, with a mean prostate volume of 48.27 ± 12.8 cc and a mean urethral length of 40.53 ± 9.16 mm. Surgeries were usually performed under local anesthesia. The rates of catheter-free status and complications were 85.2% and 30.83%, respectively. The primary complications included urinary tract infections (17.2%), followed by calcifications (12.6%), irritative symptoms (12.2%), and acute urinary retention (10.4%). During a follow-up period of 12 months, the failure rate intended as stent removal or repositioning was 14.8%. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) showed an overall improvement of 9.85 points. The mean improvement in maximum flow rate and post-void residual volume were 6.62 ml/sec and 147 ml, respectively. Prostatic stents remain an efficient choice for addressing obstructive symptoms from BPH, offering the advantage of being performed under local anaesthesia, relieving symptoms with good functional outcomes and a low incidence of major complications. Prospective studies are needed to corroborate these results.

Small prostate associated with higher incidence of detrusor underactivity and tendency of combination with bladder stone in patients with bladder outlet obstruction.

Benign prostate hyperplasia is the leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms due to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in elderly male patients. The impact of prostate volume (PV) on clinical and urodynamic characteristics was evaluated in those patients with BOO requiring prostate de-obstruction maneuvers in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 301 patients underwent transurethral resection of prostate due to combination with urinary retention (UR) alone and bladder stone (BS) alone. The present study investigated the differences of subjective symptoms, sonographic parameters, and urodynamic characters and assessed the proportion of UR to BS as well as the incidence of detrusor underactivity (DU) in those patients according to PV. There was not a difference of age, international prostate symptoms scores, post-voiding residual, and peak flow rate (Qmax) among 3 groups (all P > .05), whereas increasing of intravesical prostate protrusion (IPP), bladder wall thick (BWT), detrusor pressure at Qmax, bladder contractility index, bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI), and quality of life scores with enlargement of PV was found (all P < .05). Correlations between PV and IPP (R = 0.251), Qmax (R = -0.188), post-voiding residual (R = 0.215), BWT (R = 0.170), and quality of life scores (R = 0.165) at large prostate and relationships between BWT and BOOI (R = 0.246) and bladder contractility index (R = 0.239) in moderate prostate as well as IPP and BOOI (R = 0.204) in large prostate were significantly found (all P < .05). Significant higher proportion of UR was found in patients with moderate (18%) and large prostate (47.6%) when compared to that of small prostate (3.7%), whereas higher proportion of BS was found in patients with small prostate (96.7%) compared to that of moderate (82%) and large (52.4%) prostate. Lower incidence of DU was discovered in large prostate (31.9%) compared with small (55.6%) and moderate (47.2%) prostate. BOO patients with small prostate were associated with less severity of BOO but higher incidence of DU and had a tendency of occurrence of BS, which gave a support for the theory that multifactor involved in the formation of BS rather than BOO only.

Outcomes of nephrostomy and double J stent in malignant ureteral obstruction in the Palestinian practice

BackgroundMalignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) is a serious health condition in which a malignant tumor compresses the ureter. The optimal decompressive intervention in MUO remains unclear. This study was conducted to assess and compare renal function, the occurrence of ureterohydronephrosis (UHN), intraoperative, and postoperative complications among patients with MUO who underwent double J stenting (DJS) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in the Palestinian practice.MethodsThis study was conducted in retrospective design in one of the main tertiary care hospitals in the West Bank of Palestine. The data were collected from the electronic health information system of the hospital for the patients with MUO who received either DJS or PCN as a decompressive intervention from January 2018 to January 2024.ResultsIn this retrospective analysis, 62 patients who had stage 2 to stage 4 cancer and suffered MUO were included. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 ± 13.6 years. Of the patients, 40 (64.5%) were male and 22 (35.5%) were female. Of the patients, 26 (41.9%) had urinary bladder cancer. Of the patients, 23 (37.1%) had flank pain and 16 (25.8%) had lower urinary tract symptoms. Of the patients, 34 (54.8%) experienced bilateral UHN and 28 (45.2%) experienced unilateral UHN. In this study, 43 patients (69.4%) received PCN, and 19 (30.6%) received DJS as a decompressive intervention. Of the patients, 36 (58.1%) suffered postoperative complications. Stent migration/slip, UTIs, and urosepsis were the most commonly reported postoperative complications. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, time elapsed from receiving the decompression intervention to the diagnosis of complications, ICU admission, prognosis of UHN, serum creatinine, and serum BUN between both decompressive interventions.ConclusionDespite improvements in renal functions, creatinine and BUN levels remained abnormal even after receiving a decompressive intervention. Postoperative complications were frequently reported among patients who received DJS or PCN as decompressive interventions. Larger prospective studies are still needed to determine the optimal interventions to improve outcomes, quality of life, and survival rates of patients with DJS or PCN.

Relationship Between Tooth Loss Due to Chronic Periodontitis and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Relationship Between Tooth Loss Due to Chronic Periodontitis and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Brunn’s cyst presenting as a rare cause of lower urinary tract symptoms – A case report

Brunn’s cyst in the region of the bladder neck is a rare cause of lower urinary tract obstruction. This case describes the ultrasonography and computed tomography urography findings of Brunn’s cyst as causing lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary retention.

Predictive factors of immediate continence after conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single-institution retrospective study.

To assess the predictive factors of immediate urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This study included 282 patients who underwent conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at our institution from April 2019 to March 2024. The primary outcome was immediate urinary continence, defined as the absence of urine leakage immediately after urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 6 or 7. In addition, the immediate urine loss rate, defined as the 24-h urine loss volume divided by the total urine volume after catheter removal, was calculated. The multivariable logistic model was used to assess the possible predictive factors of immediate continence (urine loss rate of 0%). The factors included age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, pre-existing lower urinary tract symptoms, presence of an inguinal hernia, prostate volume, membranous urethral length, stratified cancer risk, surgeon's experience, and nerve-sparing procedure. In addition, a multiple linear regression model was established to investigate the associations of the same predictors with immediate urine loss rate (%). We also presented our techniques to achieve immediate continence. The patients' median age was 70 (interquartile range: 63.0-73.0) years. Approximately 39% (n = 111) of patients presented with immediate continence. Age, inguinal hernia, membranous urethral length, and low risk for prostate cancer were associated with immediate continence. These were also statistically significant predictors of immediate urine loss rate. Our study identified factors predicting immediate urinary continence after conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This information is potentially valuable for preoperative counseling in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Use of radiofrequency ablation of the vaginal canal for genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent condition with a constellation of symptoms including burning, dryness, dyspareunia, and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms that result from vulvovaginal atrophic changes. Though hormonal therapy is a mainstay of treatment in GSM, some patients may pursue nonhormonal therapies. To determine the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of the vaginal canal with the MorpheusV applicator in reducing the symptoms of GSM. We conducted a multicenter prospective case series of women with GSM as confirmed by Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS). Subjects received 3 treatments of radiofrequency ablation ~4weeks apart with follow-up to 6-month posttreatment. The primary endpoint was VHIS at 6-month posttreatment. Secondary endpoints were VHIS at 3 months, Visual analog scale (VAS) pain with each treatment, 3- and 6-month measurements of urogenital distress inventory-6 (UDI-6), and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. From 2021 to 2023, 71 women were enrolled in the study with 51 followed to the 6-month follow-up time point. Treatments were found to be low in VAS pain score with mean values of 2.13 ± 2.1, 2.55 ± 2.38, and 2.18 ± 2.14 at treatments 1, 2, and 3 respectively. An improvement in VHIS score was seen from baseline to 3 months after the last treatment (15.00 ± 5.37 vs. 19.62 ± 4.44) and sustained at 6 months (20.23 ± 4.12) (P < .001). Significant improvements in both UDI-6 and FSFI were also noted. Between baseline and 6 months after treatment (FSFI: 18.81 ± 9.57 vs. 22.81 ± 10.34, P < 0.001; UDI-6: 39.58 ± 15.98 vs. 22.42 ± 14.03, P < 0.001). No adverse events were encountered by any subject during this study. A therapy that is safe and effective in the treatment of both GSM and lower urinary tract symptoms without the use of hormonal methods is clinically impactful for the many patients who cannot receive or do not desire to receive these medications. Strengths of this study include the utilization of 3 treatment sessions, with follow-up of subjects to 6-month posttreatment with a comprehensive assessment of patient symptoms. Limitations include the unblinded nature of the study and the lack of a comparator group. The data from this study suggests that radiofrequency ablation of the vaginal canal by the MorpheusV applicator is a safe and effective intervention for GSM. It also shows subjective improvements in stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, and sexual function.