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The most dreaded complication of penile prosthesis (PP) implantation is device infection. We sought to assess whether inadequate cleaning and sterilization of the reusable Furlow inserter may represent one of the last etiologies of infection in PP patients. We performed a prospective analysis of cultures of the Furlow inserter used for PP surgeries from seven centers between May 1st and June 30th, 2019. Once the Furlow was received for surgery, the surgical team inspected the device for assembly status (disassembled or not) and the presence of visible stains, pieces of tissue or discoloration on either the interior of the barrel or the plunger. Swab aerobic and anaerobic bacterial and fungal cultures were then obtained from the internal component, after removal from the external component if assembled, and after introduction and immediate removal from the external component if disassembled. A total of 83 Furlow devices were cultured. Median age of surgical instrument was 4 years (2–10 years). Methods of sterilization included autoclave, wet autoclave, steam, and Sterad. Median time from sterilization was 3 days (1–22). On initial presentation, 79 devices were disassembled (95.1%) and 4 devices were still assembled (4.9%). Three external components were discolored (3.6%), while internal components demonstrated two stains (2.4%) indicative of improper cleaning which were thought to be residual blood products. Overall, 2/83 (2.4%) devices revealed positive swab cultures for Staphylococcus epidermidis. Swab cultures were negative for fungi and anaerobic bacteria. This patient cohort will continue to be followed to see if device infection occurs but it is unlikely to be meaningful since contaminated Furlows were discarded. Improper cleaning and/or sterilization of the Furlow Insertion Instrument may represent a source of infection for patients undergoing PP implantation.

Objective To explore whether a “no touch” enhancement to the surgical technique of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPPs) implantaion will further decrease infection rates. Materials and Methods A single surgeon performed 2347 IPPs between January 2002 and June 2011. Patients receiving each manufacturer's implants were stratified for age and diabetes. Since 2003, infection retardant–coated IPPs were implanted through the standardized penoscrotal approach. Since 2006, the “no touch” enhancement was added to the surgical procedure. Infection rates in the noncoated IPP, coated IPP with standard technique, and coated IPP implanted with “no touch” enhancement were calculated and subjected to statistical analysis. The two company's implants were scrutinized for their individual infection rates in each group. Results Patients in all the groups were similar for age and diabetes. 132 noncoated implants had an infection rate of 5.3%. In the years 2003-2005, 704 coated devices had a statistically significant improvement in incidence of infection to 2%. In the years 2006-2010, the “no touch” technique enhanced the standard surgical procedure in 1511 patients. Only 7 infections were seen yielding an infection incidence of 0.46%. There was no difference in the two manufacturer's infection rates. Differentiation between virgin and revision operation displayed no bias in the infection rate. Conclusion Infection-retardant coatings lower the risk of infection from 5.3% to 2%. The “no touch” enhancement to the surgical procedure further decreases the rate of infection to 0.46%. Neither manufacturer showed statistical superiority in survival from revision for infection.

Objectives Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infection remains a devastating surgical complication. American Medical Systems recently introduced an IPP with a coating of minocycline HCL and rifampin (InhibiZone). We report our experience with this coating and compare the rate of infection with our historical rate. Methods A total of 467 patients receiving InhibiZone-coated IPPs were followed up for infection. The patients were stratified into four groups: nondiabetic, first-time (virgin) implants; diabetic, virgin implants; revision without washout; and revision with antiseptic solution washout. All patients were observed for longer than 1 year. The infection rates were compared with our published data of noncoated IPPs. Results No infections developed among the 223 virgin implants in nondiabetic patients. Of the 83 diabetic patients with virgin implants, 1 developed an infection (1%). Of the 39 revision patients without washout, 4 (10%) had infections. When an antiseptic washout was used in patients requiring revision, the infection rate dropped to 3% (4 of 123). Compared with our previous publications of infection rates with noncoated implants, InhibiZone-coated IPPs showed a statistically significant reduction in infection in virgin nondiabetic, virgin diabetic, and revision with washout implants. No reduction in the infection rate occurred among revision patients without washout. Conclusions Antibiotic-coated implants become infected less often in virgin, nondiabetic and virgin, diabetic patients than in our historical experience with noncoated implants. However, antibiotic-coated implants used in revision surgery did not reduce the infection rate unless adjunctive antiseptic solution washout was also used.

The American Medical Systems (AMS) 800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has developed into a sophisticated system for the treatment of patients with incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. In this review article, we describe the development and mechanics of the device before considering the indications for its use. We present a comprehensive review of the recent literature concerning long term outcomes and complications of AUS implantation in various populations and also describe some of the newer techniques used in AUS implantation surgery.

T HE USE of a portacaval shunt in treating the complications of portal hypertension and cirrhosis has been associated with a disturbing incidence of hepatic encephalopathy [I-3]. Although the exact nature of this complex biochemical aberration remains poorly defined, there is evidence to suggest that its occurrence may be related to the fall in total liver blood flow frequently associated with any type of portal-systemic shunt [3-G]. Periarterial neurectomy of the hepatic artery was first used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis [7]. Its use has been suggested in the management of cirrhosis and portal hypertension [S], and the technic has been applied in conjunction with a splenorenal shunt in two reported instances [9]. Previous studies in this laboratory have failed to demonstrate any significant effect of periarterial neurectomy of the hepatic artery upon liver blood flow in the normal dog [IO] although this effect has been demonstrated by others [II-131. However, the possibility that this procedure might serve to augment liver blood flow in the presence of a suitable stimulus led to the present investigation. The encouraging results in the laboratory appeared to justify a clinical trial. LABORATORY INVESTIGATION