Current status of nanotechnology in urology

Nanotechnology has been investigated for its applications in medicine. The objective of this review was to summarize the current applications of nanotechnology in Urology. A systematic search of literature was performed and relevant articles were analyzed with specific reference to applications in Urology. Nanotechnology has applications in diagnostic urology like in uroimaging using nanoparticles and nanosensors. It has therapeutic applications in infections, malignancies, genetic disease using targeted drug delivery, gene transfers, nano device-based manipulations etc. Nanotechnology has many applications in Urology. More efforts are required to make these applications practically feasible and affordable

General considerations in hypospadias surgery

Nonsystemic review of the literature was done for timing of surgery, preoperative evaluation and plan, anesthesia, suture materials, magnification, tissue handling, stent and diversion problems, intra and postoperative care, dressing, and follow-up protocol. The best time for hypospadias repair is between 6 and 18 months. Preoperative evaluation in proximal hypospadias includes hormonal and radiological examination for intersex disorders, as well as for upper tract anomalies along with routine evaluation. General anesthesia is a rule but local blocks help in reducing the postoperative pain. Magnification, gentle tissue handling, use of microsurgical instruments, and appropriate-sized stent for adequate period help in improving the results. Hormonal stimulation is useful to improve growth and vascularity of urethral plate and decrease the severity of chordee in poorly developed urethral plate with severe curvature. Urethral plate preservation urethroplasty with spongioplasty is the procedure of choice in both proximal and distal hypospadias. Algorithms are proposed for management of hypospadias both with curvature and without curvature. Two-stage urethroplasty has its own indications. A good surgical outcome may be achieved following basic surgical principles of microsurgery, fine suture materials, choosing one or two-stage repair as appropriate, proper age of surgery, and with good postoperative care. Future of hypospadiology is bright with up coming newer modalities like laser shouldering, robotics, and tissue engineering

Double breasting spongioplasty in tubularized/tubularized incise plate urethroplasty: A new technique

Introduction: The main disadvantage of currently described techniques of spongioplasty is superimposition of 3 suture lines (neourethra, spongioplasty, and skin closure) which is likely to increase the chances of a fistula. We describe and evaluate the results of a double breasting spongioplasty in urethroplasty. Methods: A prospective study of 60 primary hypospadias was undertaken by double breasting spongioplasty from August 2012 to March 2014. Mobilization of the urethral plate and the spongiosum is done by creating a plane just proximal to the meatus. Double breasting spongioplasty is done after tubularization of urethral plate. First layer of spongiosum is sutured toward lateral side of the neourethra covering the suture line. A second double breasting layer is sutured over the first layer with its suture line toward the opposite side covering the suture line of the first layer; thus avoiding overlapping of suture lines of all the three layers. Results: Age of the patients varied from 10 months to 16 years with a mean and median of 3.73 and 3.50 years, respectively. Hypospadias was distal, mid, and proximal in 38, 10, and 12 cases, respectively. Chordee was noticed in 35 cases and torque in 28 cases. Overall complication rate was 5% and fistula rate was 1.66%. Conclusions: Double breasting spongioplasty avoids superimposition of suture line and adds two layers of spongiosum over neourethra, thus decreases the chances of urethral fistula and gives cylindrical shape to neourethra

Severe congenital penile torsion with anterior urethral diverticulum: A case report

Introduction: We present a rare case of severe penile torsion of 180° along with giant congenital anterior urethral diverticula. Presentation of these two rare anomalies together is extremely rare and has not been reported yet. The extreme rarity of the case and its management warrants this presentation. Observation: A 5 years old boy presented to us as a case of epispadias with post-void dribbling and wetting of the underwears. On examination, he was found to be a case of severe congenital penile torsion with diversion and rotation of median raphae in a counterclockwise fashion upto the midline dorsally confirming 180° torsion. During voiding, there was appearance of a swelling in distal penile region with passage of urinary drops while compressing it. Micturating cystourethrogram showed diverticula in penile and bulbar urethra. Torsion was completely corrected by penile de-gloving in a plane between two layers of buck fascia and mobilization of the urethra along with spongiosum proximally upto the penoscrotal junction and distally upto the glans. Diverticula was laid open and underwent urethroplasty along with double breasting of thickened diverticular tissue. Torsion was completely corrected after surgery. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. Urine culture was sterile and uroflowmetry showed maximal urinary flow of 12 ml/s at 3 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Penile de-gloving and adequate urethral mobilization corrects the severe penile torsion of 180°. Correction of severe torsion and urethroplasty is feasible in a single stage with good results. Keywords: Penile torsion, Urethral diverticula, Congenital anomalies, Mobilization of urethra, Urethroplasty, Double Breasting, Correction of penile torsio

Results of tubularized urethral plate urethroplasty in Megameatus Intact Prepuce

Objective: The megameatus variant of anterior hypospadias with an intact complete foreskin occurs in approximately 1%–3% of hypospadias. Hence, the objective of the study was to evaluate the results of tubularized urethral plate urethroplasty (TUPU) in megameatus intact prepuce (MIP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study (June 1996–June 2015) of MIP from our hypospadias registry was conducted. All patients with megameatus, either with an intact prepuce or with one previously removed, were included in the study. Case sheets of clinical records, investigations, clinical photographs, and videos were reviewed. Patients were classified into, glanular, coronal, subcoronal, and distal penile. TUPU were done. Patients were called for follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and then yearly for the assessment of the cosmetic appearance and fistula, meatal stenosis, or other complications. Results: Of 1026 patients with hypospadias, we identified 13 cases of megameatus variant of hypospadias; three of the 13 had been circumcized previously. Glanular approximation was done for the one patients of the glanular variant, and another had frenuloplasty. These two patients were excluded from the study. Incision in the inner preputial skin was closed in 10 patients to have an intact prepuce. Follow-up period varied from 6 months to 4 years (median follow-up 2½ years). None of the patients developed complications such as fistula, meatal stenosis, and/or wound dehiscence. Conclusions: Surgical correction of MIP in the era of increased cosmetic awareness is justified. Excellent results are obtained with TUPU and along with spongioplasty and frenuloplasty because of availability of wide urethral plate and well-developed spongiosum in these patients. TUPU should be the preferred procedure in cases of MIP

Acute postoperative complications of hypospadias repair

Purpose: Complications in hypospadias surgery are higher than other reconstructive procedures. The incidence of complications can be reduced if proper preventive measures are taken. The review aims to highlight incidences, causes, and preventive measures of acute complications of hypospadias repair. Materials and Methods: Literature reports were reviewed in Pubmed by giving the key word acute complications of hypospadias repair, wound infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, edema, penile torsion, urethral fistula, bleeding and hematoma and urethral stents problems. Summaries of all articles were reviewed with full text of relevant article and results were analyzed. Results: Besides mentioning the complications of hypospadias repair in individual articles on the subject, we did not come across any separate article on this subject in the published English literature. Fistula is the commonest complication followed by edema and penile torsion. Conclusions: Most acute complications can be prevented with adherence to principles of plastic and microsurgery, meticulous preoperative planning, and judicious postoperative care. Deviation from these principles may lead to disaster and even failure of the repair. The aim in hypospadias surgery should be following these principles and bring down the complication rates < 5% in distal hypospadias and < 10% in proximal hypospadias

Comparison of antegrade percutaneous versus retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy for upper ureteric calculus for stone clearance, morbidity, and complications

Introduction: The optimal management of upper ureteric calculus remains controversial. We compare the outcomes of antegrade percutaneous ureterolithotripsy (APCUL) with retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) for upper ureteric calculus with respect to stone clearance, morbidity, and complication rates. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out from December 2014 to June 2016. A total of 117 patients with upper ureteric calculus sized (10–20) mm who underwent APCUL or URSL were included in the study. Results: APCUL and URSL were performed in 64 and 53 patients, respectively. The mean age and stone size were comparable between the two groups. The stone clearance rate at 1-month follow-up was 93.75% in the antegrade group and 81.13% in the retrograde group (P = 0.036). Mean anaesthesia time was significantly longer for the APCUL group while the actual mean operative time was significantly longer for the URSL group (P < 0.001). The overall complication rate was higher in antegrade group (P = 0.804), whereas most of the major complications (Clavien Grade III or more) occurred only in the URSL group (P = 0.007). Blood transfusion was required only in the APCUL group (7.8% versus 0%; P = 0.50). In the URSL group, stone retropulsion occurred in four patients, of which three subsequently required shock wave lithotripsy and one required percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a second sitting. Conclusion: APCUL has better stone-free rates as compared to URSL for an upper ureteric calculus of size 10–20 mm. Although the postoperative minor complications are higher in the antegrade group, severe complications occurred only in the retrograde group. Hence, antegrade approach can be considered as the preferred option to achieve better stone clearance in a single sitting with acceptable morbidity and complication rates

Spectrum of urinary stone composition in Northwestern Rajasthan using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of urinary stones and pattern of changes according to the patient's age in Northwestern Rajasthan using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 1005 urolithiasis patients was carried out in two tertiary care centers from September 2012 to September 2016. Chemical composition of urinary stones was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy, and a subgroup study based on the patient's age was done (8–12 years – Group A, 13–18 years – Group B, and >18 years – Group C). Results: Out of 1005 patients, 59 were in Group A, 104 in Group B, and 842 in Group C. Male predominance was found in all age groups. Mixed composition stones were much more common than pure one (74.83% vs. 25.17%). Overall, combination of calcium oxalate monohydrate with dihydrate was the most common composition (58.0%). Calcium oxalate was the predominant chemical composition in 91.54% of stones, followed by uric acid in 4.28%, struvite in 2.29%, calcium phosphate in 1.49%, and cystine in 0.4%. The proportion of calcium oxalate stone was increasing while that of struvite, uric acid, and cystine stone was decreasing with age. Most of the vesical calculi in pediatric age group (Group A; 8–12 years) patients were made up of combination of struvite, calcium phosphate, and uric acid. A total of 85.11% of staghorn calculi were of oxalates. Conclusion: In Northwestern Rajasthan, calcium oxalate is the most common composition of urinary stones in all age groups. Mixed stones are more common than pure ones. The incidence of calcium oxalate stone increases while that of struvite, uric acid, and cystine stone decreases with age