Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Hypospadiac Penis in Children

INTRODUCTION: Identifying key anatomical features of the hypospadiac penis is crucial to better understanding this pathology and guiding surgical reconstruction plans, thereby achieving superior functional and cosmetic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To Assess the feasibility and precision of penile ultrasonography (PUG) in determining key structural features for hypospadias cases (including distal extent of the spongiosal component of the urethral plate, to elucidate the healing process following tubularised incised-plate urethroplasty). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five children with hypospadias were assessed using PUG prior to surgical repair and then again under general anesthesia. Preoperative images were acquired using ultrasonography in sagittal and transverse planes, then later compared with anatomical findings obtained during surgical repair of urethral hypoplasia. RESULTS: Median patient age was 1.2 years (range 0.5–12) and hypospadias types included coronal 17/25 (68%), mid-penile 5/25 (20%), and proximal penile 3/25 (12%). Distinct layers of the corpus spongiosa and mucosal layer, Buck fascia, tunica albuginea, glans, corpora cavernosa, and penile skin were delineated so that their spatial inter-relationship could be assessed. Distal extent of the spongiosal component of the urethral plate was determined by the mid-glans B-B line. The extent of urethral hypoplasia identified by PUG was relatively similar to measurements obtained intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: PUG is a feasible and accurate approach to evaluating penile configuration in children with hypospadias. Distal extent of the spongiosal component of the urethral plate was accurately determined, hence PUG could potentially be used to improve surgical planning and appraisal of current repair procedures

Bilateral Neonatal Testicular Torsion; Hidden Surgical Nightmare

Perinatal testicular torsion is a relatively rare event that remains unidentified in many situations and managed only after an avoidable delay of time. Its current management approaches include watchful observation, delayed contralateral orchiopexy, and emergent contralateral orchiopexy. On the other hand, bilateral torsion is now being more frequently reported. However, the assessment of the contralateral testis through physical examination and imaging can be inaccurate in cases of perinatal torsion. We report a case of prenatal testicular torsion with incidentally discovered metachronous contralateral extravaginal testicular torsion. Therefore, immediate surgical intervention is recommended both when uni- or bilateral testicular torsion is suspected. Whenever possible, affected testes should be preserved as some endocrine function may be retained

Oman Medical Specialty Board An Unusual Cause of Gastrointestinal Obstruction: Bezoar

Abstract Bezoars are concretions of swallowed hair, fruit vegetable fibers, and similar substances found in the alimentary canal. The first description of a postmortem human bezoar was by Swain in 1854. Although the prevalence of bezoars in humans is low, an absence of treatment has been associated with mortality rates as high as 30%, primarily because of gastrointestinal bleeding, destruction, or perforation

Does Number of Ports Affect Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy? Retrospective Chart-Review Study

Background. Although open Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy is the gold standard for the surgical management of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, laparoscopic pyloromyotomy has been found highly successful. Various factors, however, can affect the outcomes of surgical interventions in these patients. We observed a relationship between the number of ports used and outcome in patients undergoing laparoscopic pyloromyotomies. Methods. We retrospectively assessed the medical records of selected group of patients who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in our institution. Factors analyzed included operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and time to postoperative full feeding. Results. We observed failure of myotomy in both two patients who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy using only two working ports compared to successful myotomies in the remaining patients. Conclusion. Laparoscopy provides good results in terms of intraoperative exposure and cosmesis. However, standardized surgical technique with two working ports is advisable, and this can trigger further research to be ascertained

Congenital Mid Ureteric Valve Stenosis Revisited: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Congenital mid ureteric valve (MUV) stenosis is a very rare entity. Definitive preoperative diagnosis is clinically challenging, and most patients are misdiagnosed preoperatively. Intraoperative identification is therefore very important. Curative treatment consists of excision of the involved ureteric segment and anastomosis. This report describes the clinical findings in a patient with congenital mid ureteric valve stenosis, including radiological and histological workup and operative management. Routine intraoperative retrograde pyelography is important in the diagnosis of such rare pathologies

Management of neuropathic bladder secondary to spina bifida: Twenty years' experience with a conservative approach

IntroductionTreatment of neuropathic bladder secondary to spina bifida is an ongoing challenge. Although different management strategies and protocols are available in the literature, reliance on expert opinion remains fundamental. A conservative approach can be utilized, but patients must be closely monitored throughout the management process. The objective of this study was to review the management and outcomes of neuropathic bladder in spina bifida by appraising long-term bladder and renal function in patients treated at a medical center utilizing a conservative management style.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective review of urology care for all spina bifida patients 5–19 years of age with a neuropathic bladder who attended follow-ups between April 2000 and April 2020. Only patients with more than 5 years of follow-up were included. Renal functions, continence and results of invasive video urodynamics (IUD) and any surgical interventions were recorded.ResultsSeventy-one patients (mean age = 10.5 years) were identified after exclusions. Bladder compliance between first and last IUDs increased significantly (p = 0.0056). Anticholinergic treatment was started at the first outpatient appointment. Intravesical botulinum toxin injection was the second line treatment in ten patients. 94% of patients had an end fill pressure below 40 cm H2O in their last IUD. 82% were socially continent (dry or occasional damp patches) with or without catheterisations at the age of 11.5 years. One patient in the cohort had bladder augmentation.ConclusionThe optimal management of neuropathic bladder secondary to spina bifida remains controversial. Bladder and renal functional outcomes can be improved with close monitoring and less invasive management

Urine as a Main Effector in Urological Tissue Engineering-A Double-Edged Sword

In order to reconstruct injured urinary tract tissues, biodegradable scaffolds with autologous seeded cells are explored in this work. However, when cells are obtained via biopsy from individuals who have damaged organs due to infection, congenital disorders, or cancer, this can result in unhealthy engineered cells and donor site morbidity. Thus, neo-organ construction through an alternative cell source might be useful. Significant advancements in the isolation and utilization of urine-derived stem cells have provided opportunities for this less invasive, limitless, and versatile source of cells to be employed in urologic tissue-engineered replacement. These cells have a high potential to differentiate into urothelial and smooth muscle cells. However, urinary tract reconstruction via tissue engineering is peculiar as it takes place in a milieu of urine that imposes certain risks on the implanted cells and scaffolds as a result of the highly cytotoxic nature of urine and its detrimental effect on both growth and differentiation of these cells. Both of these projections should be tackled thoughtfully when designing a suitable approach for repairing urinary tract defects and applying the needful precautions is vital

Laparoscopic Management of Intra-Abdominal Testis: 5-Year Single-Centre Experience—A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Background. Undescended testis is one of the most common urological problems in children, affecting about 1% of boys at age of 1 year. Of these, about 20% have a nonpalpable testis with a very high probability that the testis is absent. This may have a significant impact on the possibility of malignancy in these testes, as well as on the later fertility of these subjects. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical findings, as well as immediate and 6-month outcomes, in 91 patients diagnosed with impalpable undescended testes between January 2006 and December 2010. Results. Of the 91 patients, 9 had bilateral and 82 had unilateral impalpable testes. All 100 testes were managed laparoscopically. The largest group of intra-abdominal testes in this series, 42 testes, was entering the internal ring; in these, laparoscopic exploration and standard open orchiopexy resulted in a 66% success rate. The total success rate was 63.3%. Conclusion. Laparoscopy is extremely useful in both the diagnosis and treatment of impalpable testes. Objectively measured mobility of the testis towards the contralateral internal inguinal ring is an excellent intraoperative indicator for type of orchiopexy. Standardization of management may increase the success rate of orchiopexy