To Save or not to Save the Kidney: Relieving Unilateral Obstruction May Significantly Improve an Initially Low Split Renal Creatinine Clearance

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in acute/subacute unilateral renal function after the relief of complete unilateral ureteral obstruction by nephrostomy. Materials and Methods Thirty patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. All had ureteral stone, which were located in the upper ureter in 24 (80%) and in the middle ureter in 6 (20%) patients. As all patients had high-grade hydronephrosis, a percutaneous nephrostomy catheter was placed for the relief of obstruction. At the first week of urinary diversion, 24-hour creatinine clearance (CC) of both affected and normal kidneys were evaluated. In order to determine the difference, same evaluation was performed on the fourth week of nephrostomy placement. Results The mean age of the patients was 44.6 (36-54) years. The mean CC of the affected kidney was 38.8 similar to 4.9 ml/min in the first week of urinary diversion and increased to 42.5 similar to 5.4 ml/min at the end of the fourth week (p<0.001). All patients showed an improvement in CC levels ranging between 2.3% and 17.3% with a mean rate of 8.5 similar to 4.7%. Conclusion According to our results, kidney function may improve during the first month after the relief of obstruction. This improvement may be significant for borderline renal function to determine the curative treatment of an obstructed kidne

Assessment of Voiding Dysfunction and Nocturnal Enuresis Rates in Primary School Children in an Anatolian City with a Validated Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System Questionnaire

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of voiding dysfunction (VD) and nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Turkish primary school children using a previously validated Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) questionnaire and a self-administered questionnaire.Materials and Methods:The previously validated DVSS questionnaire was completed by the parents of 3015 randomly selected children. Another questionnaire was also administered for studying VD and NE rates, demographic characteristics, and learning or behavioral problems of children.Results:Of all children, 6.6% (n=199) had a score suggesting VD and 6.1% (n=185) had NE. No significant differences were found between children with and without VD in terms of age, gender, and fluid intake. Children with VD had significantly high rates of constipation (19.7% vs 5.2%; p<0.001) and fecal soiling (32.1% vs 5.1%; p<0.01) compared with children without VD. Children with a higher DVSS score had more frequent behavioral or psychological problems (20.7% vs 4.7%; p<0.01) and learning disabilities (14.7% vs 5.5%; p<0.01). VD had no correlation with overall maternal education level and the type of school (government or private).Conclusion:VD and NE are highly frequent in early childhood and positively correlated with children’s learning disabilities and psychological problems

How should prospective research be designed to legitimately assess the value of urodynamic studies in female urinary incontinence?

Aims: Since formal evidence demonstrating the value of urodynamic studies (UDS) in functional urology remains elusive, we aimed to consider how best to design robust research for this purpose in female urinary incontinence. Methods: An expert group was convened to debate the following considerations: (a) precedents for formally proving the value of a gold standard diagnostic test, (b) key research principles, (c) defining a study population, (d) selecting endpoints, (e) defining interventional and controls arms, (f) blinding, (g) powering the study, and (h) duration of follow-up. In each case, we considered the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches in terms of scientific validity, ethical acceptability, practicality, and likelihood of bias. Results: We agreed that unlike evaluating therapies, attempting to judge the value of a diagnostic test based on eventual treatment success is conceptually flawed. Nonetheless, we explored the design of a hypothetical randomized controlled trial for this purpose, agreeing that: (1) the study population must sufficiently reflect its real-world counterpart; (2) clinical endpoints should include not only continence status but also other lower urinary tract symptoms and risks of management; (3) participants in the interventional arm should receive individualized management based on their UDS findings; (4) the most scientifically valid approach to the control arm—empiric treatment—is ethically problematic; (5) sufficient statistical power is imperative; and (6) ≥ 2 years' follow-up is needed to assess the long-term impact of management. Conclusions: Although a perfect protocol does not exist, we recommend careful consideration of our observations when reflecting on past studies or planning new prospective research

ICS educational module: The practice of uroflowmetry in adults

Aim: To present the body of evidence behind the International Continence Society (ICS) educational module on “Practice of uroflowmetry in adults” which consists of a PowerPoint® presentation. Methods: This evidence review has been prepared by a working group instituted by the ICS Urodynamics Committee. The method used included systematic literature review, consensus formation by the members of the Working Group, and review by members of the ICS Urodynamics Committee core panel. Results: A total of 104 articles were included in this systematic review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Evidence analysis was conducted along the following themes: physiology of voiding, pathophysiology of lower urinary tract dysfunction, technique of uroflowmetry, quality check of the uroflowmetry test, interpretation and reporting of uroflowmetry findings. Conclusions: Uroflowmetry is the most commonly utilized diagnostic test in the evaluation of adults presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. The practice of uroflowmetry exhibits variations which might lead to inconclusive or inaccurate assessments. The ICS educational module on the Practice of Uroflowmetry in Adults provides up-to-date and evidence-based guidance in an effort to establish standards in the technique, interpretation, and reporting of uroflowmetry

Upper urinary tract deterioration and possible etiologies in intractable voiding dysfunction: Role of occult spinal malformation

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of upper urinary tract deterioration (UUTD) and accompanying pathologies in children treated with the diagnosis of non-neurogenic bladder-sphincter dysfunction (NNBSD). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 316 consecutive patients with NNBSD who were treated. All cohort were grouped into two: Group I (Treatment success; n=284), Group II (Treatment failure with any form of occult spinal pathology; n=32). Thirty-four children with treatment-failure and normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were excluded. Groups were compared for pre- and posttreatment pediatric lower urinary tract symptom score (PLUTSS), presence of UUTD and urodynamic findings. Results: The mean PLUTSS was significantly less in Group I compared with Group II at pre-treatment and 3 months thereafter the initial treatment (12.20 ± 5.90 and 5.20 ± 4.90 vs 20.3 ± 2.14 and 18 ± 3.4, respectively p<0.01). The mean cystometric capacities and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) of Group II prior to initial treatment and after 6 months of the untethering surgery were found to be 194, 267 mL and 28, 12cm H2O, respectively (p<0.05). Presence of UUTD was significantly correlated with DLPP >20 cm H2O and presence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)

A Survey Study on Evaluation and Management of Nocturnal Enuresis in Pediatricians and Family Physicians

Objective:Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is one of the most common disorders in pediatric urology, and patients often turn to family physicians (FP) and pediatricians (P) initially. The aim of this study was to understand the awareness, self-confidence and suggestions of physicians regarding the management of NE.Materials and Methods:In this study, 360 FP and family medicine residents (FMR), as well as 280 P and pediatrics residents (PR), were contacted through a cellular phone texting system. A simple multiple-choice questionnaire (Surveymonkey®) consisting of 10 questions was used to gather data. The survey included questions about their experience, training, evaluation, and management of NE.Results:A total of 119 FPs and Ps (18.5%) filled the questionnaire. Thirty (25.21%) of the participants were P, 27 (22.69%) PR, 3 (2.52%) FP and 59 (49.58%) FMR. The rate of physicians who encounter at least 5 children with NE per month is 31.33%. The mean self-confidence in the management of NE was 4.5 out of 10. The self-confidence of pediatricians was significantly higher than that of PR and FMR (p<0.001, p<0.001). Most (n=78, 65.55%) of the participants stated that they received training on EN during medical faculty and 62 (52.10%) during residency. Psychological problems (89.92%), sleep disorders (78.15%), and excessive fluid intake (75.63%) were the most frequently considered factors in etiology. While most responders (75.63%) considered dietary regulation and behavioral interventions as the first-line treatment, 25.21% consult a pediatric urologist and only 1.6% recommend medical treatment.Conclusion:Although FP and P admit they had training on NE, they mostly felt incompetent to manage NE and exclusively avoided pharmacological treatment

Sling Surgery for Female Incontinence

The pelvic floor is at an increased risk of damage during the lifespan of women. Pregnancy, vaginal delivery, aging, menopause, previous pelvic surgery, and lifestyle factors have a negative influence on the connective tissue and muscular components of the pelvic floor leading to urinary incontinence (UI). Pregnancy and vaginal delivery have been identified as the most important risk factors for incontinence. Cystocele, rectocele, uterine, vault prolapse, and/or incontinence can occur due to lacerations of the connective tissue support at different levels. Moreover, muscular damage of the levator complex can lead to widening of the levator hiatus, giving way to the descent of pelvic organs resulting in UI. Although some genetic abnormalities have been identified, their clinical implications remain unclear. Diagnostic evaluations should be performed in accordance with established evidence-based guidelines. Although short-term results of single-incision midurethral slings indicate similar efficacy to conventional midurethral slings, their long-term outcome is still not determined. Scientists continue to investigate the exact causes of stress UI as well as the optimum substitute material using the best surgical reconstructive approach. The recent European Association of Urology consensus statement underlines an imperative requirement for an optimal solution using minimal amount of material related to the indication and higher competence of surgeons for this surgery. High-quality trials with a longer follow-up are currently an unmet need. (C) 2018 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved