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Background: Renal cell carcinoma forming a venous tumor thrombus (VTT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) has a poor prognosis. Recent investigations have been focused on prognostic markers of survival. Thrombus consistency (TC) has been proposed to be of significant value but yet there are conflicting data. The aim of this study is to test the effect of IVC VTT consistency on cancer specific survival (CSS) in a multi-institutional cohort. Methods: The records of 413 patients collected by the International Renal Cell Carcinoma–Venous Thrombus Consortium were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy. Kaplan–Meier estimate and Cox regression analyses investigated the impact of TC on CSS in addition to established clinicopathological predictors. Results: VTT was solid in 225 patients and friable in 188 patients. Median CSS was 50 months in solid and 45 months in friable VTT. TC showed no significant association with metastatic spread, pT stage, perinephric fat invasion, and higher Fuhrman grade. Survival analysis and Cox regression rejected TC as prognostic marker for CSS. Conclusions: In the largest cohort published so far, TC seems not to be independently associated with survival in RCC patients and should therefore not be included in risk stratification models. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:764–768. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

• To compare oncological outcomes in patients undergoing open radical nephroureterectomy (ONU) with those in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU).• A total of 773 patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy at nine centres worldwide; 703 patients underwent ONU and 70 underwent LNU. • Demographic, perioperative and oncological outcome data were collected retrospectively. • Statistical analysis of data was performed using chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U- and log-rank tests, and Cox regression analyses. • The median (interquartile range) follow-up for the cohort was 34 (15-65) months.• The two groups were well matched for tumour stage, presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS). • There were more high-grade tumours (77.1% vs. 56.3%; P0.001) but fewer lymph node positive patients (2.9% vs. 6.8%; P= 0.041) in the LNU group. • Estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 73.7% and 63.4% for the ONU and LNU groups, respectively (P= 0.124) and estimated 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 75.4% and 75.2% for the ONU and LNU groups, respectively (P= 0.897). • On multivariable analyses, which included age, gender, race, previous endoscopic treatment for bladder cancer, technique for distal ureter management, tumour location, pathological stage, grade, lymph node status, LVI and concomitant CIS, the procedure type (LNU vs. ONU) was not predictive of RFS (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; P= 0.534) or CSS (HR 0.96; P= 0.907).• The present study is the second large, independent, multicentre cohort to show oncological equivalence between ONU and LNU for well selected patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer, and the first to suggest parity for the techniques in patients with unfavourable disease.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an uncommon disease characterized by the presence of mucinous peritoneal implants associated with an abdominal neoplasm. Our objective is to consider the characteristics of this entity in our western Mediterranean urban population.All cases diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei by our hospital during a period of 16 years were reviewed. Data from their clinical records and the biopsy samples were analyzed.We found 21 cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei with a male/female ratio of 10/11 and a mean age of 59 years. The predominant presentation symptom was abdominal pain (17 cases, 6 of them with acute abdomen). The most frequent primary site of origin of the pseudomyxoma was the appendix (10 cases). The histologic diagnosis was malignant (associated with carcinoma) in 17 cases and indeterminate behavior in 4. The follow-up was available for 15 patients (mean follow-up of 41 months), while six patients have been lost. Nine patients have died during the follow-up and the other 6 patients are still alive after follow-up.Laparotomy is the main tool for diagnosing pseudomyxoma peritonei. The appendix is the most frequent primary site of origin of pseudomyxoma peritonei, followed by bowel; the latter being more important than previously described. In most cases the histology is malignant. The prognosis is bad with a mortality greater than 60% at 5 years.

Introduction: Several urological conditions that share an impairment of tissue oxygenation can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy; limited evidence is available of its impact on patients undergoing male-to-female gender affirmation surgery. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjuvant treatment for surgical site infections in patients undergoing male-to-female gender affirmation surgery. Methods: This research was conducted as an observational retrospective study. Patients undergoing male-to-female gender affirmation surgery at the principal investigators’ institution from January 2009 to September 2019, with a discharge diagnosis of complicated superficial or deep wound infections, were included. All patients underwent standard management of wound infection. Subjects received/not-received hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the surgeon's discretion and were assigned to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy versus non-hyperbaric oxygen therapy group accordingly. Complete wound healing rate (primary outcome), duration of antibiotic therapy, perineal drain time, bladder catheter time, and hospital stay were recorded. All adverse events that occurred during the study period were described. Results: A total of 156 patients underwent male-to-female gender affirmation surgery in the study period. Thirty-three patients were enrolled. Fifteen subjects belonged to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group, the other 18 to the non-hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at baseline. Penile inversion vaginoplasty and intestinal vaginoplasty were performed in nine (60%) and six (40%) patients of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. Only penile inversion vaginoplasty was performed in subjects of the non-hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. Complete wound healing was obtained in 15 patients (100%) of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group and 17 patients (94.4%) of the non-hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (p=0.35). Duration of antibiotic therapy, perineal drain time, bladder catheter time, and hospital stay were significantly lower in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (p&nbsp

Background: Acute myocarditis (AM) is thought to be a rare cardiovascular complication of COVID-19, although minimal data are available beyond case reports. We aim to report the prevalence, baseline characteristics, in-hospital management, and outcomes for patients with COVID-19–associated AM on the basis of a retrospective cohort from 23 hospitals in the United States and Europe. Methods: A total of 112 patients with suspected AM from 56 963 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were evaluated between February 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. Inclusion criteria were hospitalization for COVID-19 and a diagnosis of AM on the basis of endomyocardial biopsy or increased troponin level plus typical signs of AM on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We identified 97 patients with possible AM, and among them, 54 patients with definite/probable AM supported by endomyocardial biopsy in 17 (31.5%) patients or magnetic resonance imaging in 50 (92.6%). We analyzed patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes among all COVID-19–associated AM. Results: AM prevalence among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 2.4 per 1000 hospitalizations considering definite/probable and 4.1 per 1000 considering also possible AM. The median age of definite/probable cases was 38 years, and 38.9% were female. On admission, chest pain and dyspnea were the most frequent symptoms (55.5% and 53.7%, respectively). Thirty-one cases (57.4%) occurred in the absence of COVID-19–associated pneumonia. Twenty-one (38.9%) had a fulminant presentation requiring inotropic support or temporary mechanical circulatory support. The composite of in-hospital mortality or temporary mechanical circulatory support occurred in 20.4%. At 120 days, estimated mortality was 6.6%, 15.1% in patients with associated pneumonia versus 0% in patients without pneumonia ( P =0.044). During hospitalization, left ventricular ejection fraction, assessed by echocardiography, improved from a median of 40% on admission to 55% at discharge (n=47; P Conclusions: AM occurrence is estimated between 2.4 and 4.1 out of 1000 patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The majority of AM occurs in the absence of pneumonia and is often complicated by hemodynamic instability. AM is a rare complication in patients hospitalized for COVID-19, with an outcome that differs on the basis of the presence of concomitant pneumonia.

Context The European Association of Urology (EAU) has updated its guidelines on sexual and reproductive health for 2021. Objective To present a summary of the 2021 version of the EAU guidelines on sexual and reproductive health, including advances and areas of controversy in male infertility. Evidence acquisition The panel performed a comprehensive literature review of novel data up to January 2021. The guidelines were updated and a strength rating for each recommendation was included that was based either on a systematic review of the literature or consensus opinion from the expert panel, where applicable. Evidence synthesis The male partner in infertile couples should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors causing fertility impairment. Infertile men are at a higher risk of harbouring and developing other diseases including malignancy and cardiovascular disease and should be screened for potential modifiable risk factors, such as hypogonadism. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing has emerged as a novel biomarker that can identify infertile men and provide information on the outcomes from assisted reproductive techniques. The role of hormone stimulation therapy in hypergonadotropic hypogonadal or eugonadal patients is controversial and is not recommended outside of clinical trials. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to support the widespread use of other empirical treatments and surgical interventions in clinical practice (such as antioxidants and surgical sperm retrieval in men without azoospermia). There is low-quality evidence to support the routine use of testicular fine-needle mapping as an alternative diagnostic and predictive tool before testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), and either conventional or microdissection TESE remains the surgical modality of choice for men with NOA. Conclusions All infertile men should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors. Increasing data indicate that infertile men are at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and of developing cancers and should be screened and counselled accordingly. There is low-quality evidence supporting the use of empirical treatments and interventions currently used in clinical practice; the efficacy of these therapies needs to be validated in large-scale randomised controlled trials. Patient summary Approximately 50% of infertility will be due to problems with the male partner. Therefore, all infertile men should be assessed by a specialist with the expertise to not only help optimise their fertility but also because they are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer long term and therefore require appropriate counselling and management. There are many treatments and interventions for male infertility that have not been validated in high-quality studies and caution should be applied to their use in routine clinical practice.

In the present study we aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of patients with persistent penile curvature (PC) after Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) intraplaque injections. Data from 90 patients with persistent PC after CCH in a multicentre study from 6 andrological centres were retrospectively reviewed. Three standardized surgical techniques were performed. Group 1: plaque incision grafting (PIG) with penile prosthesis implant (PPI); Group 2: PIG without PPI; Group 3: Nesbit technique. Hospital stay, operative time, postoperative complications and PC persistency/recurrence (> 20°) were evaluated. Overall satisfaction and functional outcomes were assessed through International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), Peyronie’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) administered pre and 3 months postoperatively. Of all, 25 (27.8%) patients received grafting procedure + PPI (Group 1), 18 (20.0%) patients belonged to Group 2, and 47 (52.2%) to Group 3. Bovine pericardium graft and collagen fleece have been used in in 22 (51.2%) and 21 (48.8%) patients, respectively. Median penile length after surgery was 13.0 cm (IQR 12.0–15.0). After surgery, Group 1 showed higher increase in penile length after surgery and better improvements in terms of PDQ-PS. In contrast, both IIEF-EF and FSFI scores did not differ among groups. Overall, 86 (95.6%) did not report any complication. 4 (4.4%) patients had PC recurrence; of those, 2 (8.0%), 1 (5.6%) and 1 (2.1%) cases were observed in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, respectively. In case of persistent PC after CCH, surgical correction by grafting with or without concomitant PPI or Nesbit technique emerged as a technically feasible, effective and safe procedure, with no significant postoperative complications. post-print 1243 KB

Accumulating evidence has highlighted the contribution of oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in the pathophysiology of male infertility. SDF has emerged as a novel biomarker of risk stratification for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Studies have also supported the use of testicular over ejaculated sperm at the time of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, as testicular sperm may have lower SDF than ejaculated samples. The European Association of Urology Working Panel on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health provides an evidence-based consultation guide on the indications for SDF testing in male infertility and also for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in nonazoospermic men. We present the limitations and advantages of SDF testing and a framework to ensure that it is appropriately utilised in clinical practice. Furthermore, we critically appraise the current literature advocating the use of TESE in nonazoospermic men. Patient summary: This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of sperm DNA fragmentation testing in the assessment of male infertility and testicular sperm extraction in nonazoospermic men. The European Association of Urology Guidelines Panel on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health recommends the measurement of sperm DNA fragmentation in unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss either from natural conception or from assisted reproductive technologies. The evidence supporting the use of testicular sperm extraction for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in nonazoospermic men is limited by a lack of randomised controlled trials and no cost-benefit analysis.

Background andObjective: Plaque formation ordinarily takes place in the acute phaseof Peyronie’s disease. There is no unanimous consent regarding the management of the acute phase ofPeyronie’s disease.The objective of this study was to evaluate the advantages of using a single intralesional injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum in patients with the active phase of Peyronie’s disease and to assess its effect on disease progression by reducing penile curvature and ameliorating pain during sexual intercourse. Methods: Sexually active men aged older than 18years with the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease were enrolled. All patients received treatment with a single intralesional injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum. The primary outcome of the study was the change in penile curvature after treatment while secondary outcomes were the change in sexual function (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5]) and in the Peyronie Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) and its sub-scores, PDQ-PS (psychological symptoms), PDQ-PP (penile pain) and PDQ-BD (bother disease). Results: Overall, 74 patients were enrolled. Mean penile curvature at baseline was 41.1° ± 12.2°. The mean changes before and at the 3-month evaluation in terms of penile curvature, Visual Analog Scale score at rest, and Visual Analog Scale score during intercourse were − 19.3 ± 8.4 (p < 0.0001), − 0.8 ± 1.1 (p < 0.0001) and − 3.8 ± 0.9 (p < 0.0001) with the benefit persisting also after 6months. Moreover, improvements of mean IIEF-5 score (1.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.03; 0.9 ± 0.5, p = 0.02), PDQ-PS (− 2.7 ± 2.2; − 2.5 ± 2.0, p = 0.01), PDQ-PP (− 1.2 ± 1.6; − 1.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.02) and PDQ-BD (− 3.8 ± 3.4; − 3.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.001) were observed 3 and 6months after the end of treatment, respectively. At the multivariable regression analysis, the time since disease onset (modelled with non-linear terms) and baseline curvature were independently associated with the degree of curvature improvement (coefficient: 0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.44) after a single intralesional injection (all p < 0.03). Conclusions: Although intralesional therapy with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum is not yet indicated for the acute phase of Peyronie’s disease, thesepreliminary results suggest the effectiveness of this minimally invasive option by improving penile curvature and IIEF-5 and PDQ scores.

Despite considerable public health initiatives in the past century, there remains a significant gender inequality in life expectancy. The Global Burden of Diseases study has highlighted that the life expectancy for men is 70.5 years, compared with 75.6 years for women. This discrepancy in mortality appears to be related to a disproportionately higher number of preventable and premature male deaths. Whilst there has been an increased focus on men's health, as evidenced by the establishment of men's health charities and governmental legislation promoting equality, a recent World Health Organization report has highlighted that there is still a prevailing misconception that the higher rate of premature mortality amongst men is a natural phenomenon. We explore the association of male sexual and reproductive health–related diseases and the potential role of a urologist in addressing gender inequality in life expectancy. Patient summary: In this report, we discuss the causes for the gender gap in life expectancy and highlight that men continue to have a higher rate of premature death than women, which is associated with diseases of the male reproductive system. Furthermore, this not only appears to be related to a number of metabolic and lifestyle factors, but may also be the result of the increased risk of cancer in men with sexual and reproductive health–related diseases. Globally, the life expectancy for men is 5.1 yr less than that of women. We describe the association between diseases of the male reproductive system and cardiovascular disease and cancers, and highlight the important role of a urologist in reducing premature male death.

Objectives To assess the feasibility and the safety of conservative surgery to treat spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma. Methods Patients undergoing inguinoscrotal exploration in 10 different Urological Centers with diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma were enrolled. Preoperative evaluation included physical examination, Scrotal US, Abdominal CT and Scrotal MRI in selected cases. Patients underwent organ sparing surgery or orchiectomy in case of intraoperative FSE was positive for a local infiltration. Data collected were: age, presence of infiltration, length of the lesion, number of lesions, definitive histological outcome, pre and postoperative testosterone level. Follow up was performed with abdomen CT scan and scrotal US. Results From January 2007 to December 2013, 23 patients (mean age: 64.7 yrs) were diagnosed with spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma. Each patients underwent scrotal US. 10 patients underwent radical orchiectomy and 13 patients underwent conservative surgery. Mean follow up was 36.5 months. 5 patients (21.7%) developed a recurrent disease, 18 patients (78.3%) had a negative follow up (mean time: 40.8 months). Statistical analysis reveals that there is a significant correlation between number of lesions, length of the lesions and recurrent disease. Conclusions Spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma is a rare disease. Conservative surgical treatment of spermatic cord leiomyosarcoma is a feasible therapeutic option for small, single and not infiltrating lesion.