Reflective Practice About Retroperitoneal Laparoscopy in Comparison to Open Surgery for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Repair in Children Less Than 1 Year of Age

Introduction: The interest in laparoscopy in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children under 12 months of age remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility and benefits of retroperitoneal laparoscopy (RL) compared to open surgery in this age group.Materials and Methods: Between January 2012 and May 2017, we performed 222 pyeloplasties: 144 by laparoscopy and 78 by open surgery. From 2012, the choice of operative technique was decided according to the laparoscopic experience of the surgeon; two surgeons operated laparoscopically on all children <12 months of age, while others operated using posterior lumbotomy (PL). The RL is standardized and performed by 3 trocars (5, 3, 3). Pre, per and postoperative parameters were analyzed retrospectively. Statistical tests: Pearson, Fisher, Student and Mann-Whitney.Results: During this 5-year period, 24 RL and 53 PL were included with a median follow-up of 27 months (5–63). In the LR group, postoperative drainage was performed by JJ (13 cases) and external stent (11 cases). No conversion has been listed in this group. In each group there was one failure that needed redo pyeloplasty. Duration of hospitalization and intravenous acetaminophen use were significantly lower in the RL group (2.8 vs. 2.3 days, p = 0.02, respectively) while operating time was significantly longer (163 vs. 85.8 min, p = 0.001). The postoperative complication rate was statistically identical in each group (urinary tract infection, wall hematoma, hematuria…).Conclusion: RL is feasible in children under 1 year of age in the hands of well-experienced surgeons with longer operative time but without added morbidity. Subject to the retrospective nature of our study, the RL seems to offer a benefit regarding duration of hospitalization and analgesics consumption

Extravesical Ureteral Reimplantation Following Lich-Gregoir Technique for the Correction of Vesico-Ureteral Reflux Retrospective Comparative Study Open vs. Laparoscopy

Introduction: The aim is to compare the outcome of open versus laparoscopic Lich-Gregoir technique in patients with vesicoureteral reflux. We report a retrospective multicenter comparative study between open and laparoscopic extra-vesical ureteral reimplantation (EVUR) following Lich-Gregoir (LG) technique for the correction of Vesico-Ureteral Reflux (VUR).Materials and Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 96 patients with VUR (69 females and 27 males) and deterioration of the renal function, underwent EVUR following LG technique. Fifty patients (16 males and 34 females) were operated by open surgery (group A). The mean age was 4.22 years-old, (14–147 months). Laparoscopic approach (group B) was performed in 46 patients (11 males and 35 females). The mean age was 4.19 years-old (15–110 months). We compared the results in relation to degree of VUR, operative time, hospital stay, post-operative pain medications, recovery time, complications, successful rate, recurrence, and follow-up. Statistical analysis was done used Chi square test for categorical variables and the Student t-test for continuous variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: In both groups no correlation was identified between age or weight and operative time, length of stay or total analgesia used. The mean operative time for group A was 63.2 and 125.4 min for unilateral and bilateral VUR, respectively, and for the group B was 127.90 and 184.5 min, respectively. There was no conversion in the laparoscopic group. Perioperative mucosal perforation of the bladder occurred in 6 patients of group A and 4 patients of group B and was immediately repaired. One patient had to be reoperated for leakage in group B. The mean duration of Morphine, IV and PO analgesia was shorter in group B. The mean hospital stay was 5.46 days for group A and 1.54 days for Group B. The success rate was 98% in group A and 97, 8% in group B. The mean follow-up was 3.67 years for the open and 1.54 years for the laparoscopic group. Transitory voiding dysfunction occurred in bilateral EVUR in one case in each group.Conclusion: Laparoscopic or Open approach for the correction of VUR following Lich-Gregoir technique is effective in unilateral and bilateral VUR with similar results. Laparoscopic approach reduces significantly (p < 0.05 in each item) post-operative pain medication, hospital stay, and allows for a faster return to normal activity

Management of posterior urethral valves in fetuses and neonates: A critical point of view

SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

In search for a common pathway for health issues in men-the sign of a holmesian deduction

The evidence for the existence of a common pathway for health issues in men is presented in this review. Several epidemiological studies have shown that conditions like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome, diabetes, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate cancer, hypogonadism, depression and suicide can be associated as risk factors for each other. Thus, the risk of CVD is significantly increased in men with metabolic syndrome, ED, hypogonadism, prostate cancer and/or LUTS. In addition, the above mentioned conditions are more prevalent in atherosclerotic patients. In addition, growing evidence indicates that low androgen levels can cause metabolic syndrome. In addition, obesity, dyslipidaemia and diabetes can further reduce androgen levels potentiating their adverse effect. Low testosterone levels are also associated with a higher incidence of aggressive prostate cancer on biopsy and on definitive pathology, and lower probability of abiraterone response in the metastatic setting. Several recent studies point towards diffuse endothelial dysfunction and dysregulated pro-inflammatory state as the biological link between all these disorders. Our current hypothesis is that oxidative stress caused by these dysfunctions explains the pathogenesis of each of these conditions.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Pudendal nerve release for lower urinary tract symptoms in young males

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression in the improvement of refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in young males presenting with clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment with no known comorbidities that could explain their LUTS. Methods: This is a prospective pilot study involving patients suffering from LUTS refractory to standard treatment and clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment on physical examination. They underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximal flow (Qmax) on uroflowmetry were evaluated before and 3 months after the procedure. Results: Five male patients aged 34 ± 4 years were recruited. The median IPSS differed significantly before and 3 months after the procedure (18 vs 8, P =.042); likewise, median Qmax differed significantly before and 3 months after the procedure (12 vs 18 mL/s, P =.042). Conclusion: Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome should be considered as a main differential diagnosis for refractory LUTS in young males with no other comorbidities. When clinical features of pudendal nerve entrapment are present, laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal decompression relieves LUTS in these young males.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActifinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release for pudendal entrapment syndrome

Introduction: Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is an underdiagnosed pathology responsible of several urinary, sexual and anorectal complaints. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release in a large retrospective cohort of patients with pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome with both a short and long-term follow-up. Technical details and outcomes are also reported. Methods: A series of 235 patients with pudendal syndrome underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal canal release between June 2015 and February 2020. Operative data were recorded prospectively for all patients. A complete history, pain visual analog scale (VAS) for perineodynia, and three scores evaluating the main symptoms (USP, IIEF-5, PAC-SYM) were obtained before and at least 24 months after surgery for 32 patients only. Post-operative complications were also evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification at regular interval. Results: The mean operating time per side was 33.9 ± 6.8 min and the average hospital stay was 1.9 ± 0.3 days. Blood loss was 20 cc ± 10 cc with no patients needing transfusion. The only significant per-operative complication was hemorrhage (600 ml) in one patient induced by a pudendal artery laceration, successfully treated by laparoscopic suturing. Post-operative complications were noted in 18.7% of patients with no serious Clavien-Dindo complications. Perineodynia VAS dropped from 6.8 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 1.8 after surgery (p < 0.001). Mean IIEF-5 scores significantly improved one month after the surgery (15.2 vs 19.3, p = 0.036). Mean USP scores significantly improved for the dysuria domain (4.2 vs 1.6, p = 0.021) but not for stress urinary incontinence (3.9 vs 4.1, p = 0.082) or overactive bladder symptoms (14.1 vs 13.8, p = 0.079). Mean PAC-SYM scores significantly improved after the procedure (1.8 vs 1.1, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A complete laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery release, from the sciatic spine through the Alcock’s canal, is a fast and safe surgery with promising functional results. A large prospective trial is needed to validate such an approach.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActifinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe