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Objective: To evaluate the incidence of gender-affirming phalloplasty and postoperative complications in a large population-based dataset., Methods: Retrospective cohort study was done using the California Department of Health Care Access and Information datasets which include patient-level data from all licensed hospitals, emergency departments, and ambulatory surgery facilities in California. Adult patients 18 years or older undergoing gender-affirming phalloplasty in California from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019 were included. We examined phalloplasty-related complications using International Classification of Disease diagnosis and procedure codes and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Unique record linkage number identifiers were used to follow patients longitudinally. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis., Results: We identified 766 patients who underwent gender-affirming phalloplasty in 23 facilities. Of 475 patients with record linkage numbers, 253 (55.3%) had subsequent re-presentations to the inpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory surgery settings related to phalloplasty complications. Survival analysis indicated that 50% of patients re-presented by 1year post-phalloplasty. Asian/Pacific Islander patients had lower risk of complications, and California residents had higher risk of complications., Conclusion: This population-based study confirms that gender-affirming phalloplasty has a high complication rate, and demonstrates for the first time an association with high rates of return to hospitals, emergency departments, and ambulatory surgery centers. These findings provide additional higher-level evidence that may aid patient counseling, shared surgical decision-making, and institutional and government policy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors have no conflict of interest to report., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine if there is an association between patient race and physician time spent with the patient during outpatient urology consultations., Methods: We identified all adult urology new outpatient visits in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey dataset for 2012-2016. Patient race was dichotomized as White or non-White. Our primary outcome was time spent during the visit between the patient and urologist. Using population-level weighting, we compared differences in mean time spent during visits with White and non-White patients. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to adjust for confounding factors and to account for clustering among individual physicians. Secondary outcomes included number of services provided and if ancillary providers were seen., Results: Over the 5 year period, 1668 raw visits met criteria and were used to estimate 21million new outpatient urology visits nationwide. 80% of all visits were with White patients. Mean physician time spent among visits with white patients was 23.9 minutes and 24.4 minutes for non-White patients. There was no difference in number of services provided but visits with non-white patients were less likely to include an ancillary provider. After adjustment, there was no significant difference in mean time spent with the urologist among visits with White and non-White patients (difference 0.9 minutes, 95% CI: -0.6-2.4). There were also no differences in adjusted mean time spent among return visits or new visits for hematuria, urologic cancers, or BPH., Conclusion: We found no statistically significant difference in time spent with a urologist during outpatient office consultations between White and non-White patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To promote the recognition and care of patients with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), we aimed to evaluate the awareness, clinical experience and knowledge of FGM/C among female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) specialists. FGM/C is a cultural practice whereby there is removal of external female genitalia for non-therapeutic reasons. Despite the high prevalence of urogynecologic complications, there is a paucity of literature discussing FGM/C from the lens of urologists and urogynecologists., Methods: By cross-sectional design, we distributed a 27-item survey via email to members of the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. We collected variables pertaining to previous FGM/C education, clinical confidence, cultural and medical knowledge, and desire for future education., Results: A total of 54 US-based, mostly urologists and FPMRS specialists, completed the survey. All providers had heard of FGM/C; however only 13% received formal education during medical training. Over 50% had encountered a patient with FGM/C in clinical practice. Only 19% and 13% felt completely confident recognizing and discussing FGM/C, respectively. Seventy percent believed religious doctrine informed FGM/C practice and 24% correctly identified FGM/C type on clinical representation. Finally, only 17% of respondents were aware of FGM/C guidelines, and providers expressed a desire for increased availability of multimodal resources., Conclusion: Education regarding FGM/C remains sparse and variable for US FPMRS specialists. Cultural and clinical knowledge is also lacking, which is a detriment to patient care. In order to strengthen awareness and knowledge, we must develop high-quality FGM/C educational resources for urologists and gynecologists., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: To describe the use of Lean in urology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, a community safety-net and trauma hospital that serves as a major teaching site for the University of California San Francisco., Methods: We examined our process improvement activities from 2016 to 2018. Our Lean Daily Management System (DMS) includes a 15-minute team huddle ("urology Lean work") of service residents, faculty, clinic and operating room nursing staff, and anesthesia liaisons. Our DMS also includes a 5-minute preoperative huddle. Besides team-building, urology Lean work surfaces logistics, safety or equipment improvement ideas, and ensures progress and completion of initiated projects., Results: Over a 2-year period we developed and completed 67 projects. Projects impacted the outpatient setting (57%), followed by the operating room (22%), the Urology service (12%), and inpatient setting (9%). We completed projects in the following domains: safety (26%), quality (22%), care experience (21%), workforce care and development (13%), equity (11%), and financial stewardship (7%). Urology Lean work reduced new patient clinic access time (119-21 days) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin in clinic treatment time (180-105 minutes). The average proportion of urology on-time surgeries was better than the overall surgery on-time surgeries (71% v 61%)., Conclusion: Urology Lean work successfully applied DMS in a service specific yet holistic approach. Urology Lean work improved resident engagement in quality and safety endeavors and served as a DMS model throughout perioperative and clinic areas., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: To elucidate current understanding on the pathophysiological mechanism of genital lichen sclerosus (LS), urologic manifestations, and treatment options., Materials and Methods: The Medline/PubMed and Embase databases were systematically reviewed for publications pertaining to LS. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, references were assessed for relevance to the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of LS by title and abstract review by 2 independent reviewers, yielding 186 articles for assessment., Results: The contemporary understanding of the epidemiology and histology of LS is reviewed herein. Additionally, we explore in detail the 3 hypotheses regarding the pathophysiological mechanism contributing to disease presentation: infectious etiology, primary immune dysregulation, and the isotraumatopic response. We summarize the available biological evidence supporting each hypothesis. This discussion provides context for understanding LS morbidity and may spur new avenues of research. For the clinician, we review the clinical presentation of disease, including the risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma. The current medical and surgical treatment options are also detailed., Conclusion: LS remains a potentially insidious disease which may lead to debilitating urinary and sexual dysfunction. Cross disciplinary research should aim for earlier detection, as well as more effective and durable treatment. The exact cause of LS remains unknown., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)