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PURPOSE: To determine the composition and site of initiation of bacterial biofilm location on indwelling urinary catheters, and to track biofilm progression over time. MATERIALS & METHODS: Indwelling urinary catheters were collected from two tertiary care centers following removal from patients. Indwelling time was noted, and catheters were de-identified. Catheters were sectioned, stained for biofilms, and analyzed using spectrophotometry and visualization. Biofilm colonization patterns were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and bacterial composition was determined using next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: 33 catheters from 26 males and 7 females were collected with indwelling times ranging from 15 minutes to 43 days and analyzed. Biofilm colonization was consistently high on the region of the balloon throughout indwelling times. After week 1, the distal third of the catheter had higher biofilm colonization than the proximal third (week 2: p=0.034). At all indwelling times, the intraluminal surface of the catheter had greater biofilm colonization than the outer surface. Next-generation sequencing detected potential uropathogenic bacteria in 10 of 10 analyzed samples. CONCLUSIONS: The catheter balloon, its distal aspect, and its lumen were the predominant locations of biofilms, comprised of uropathogenic bacteria. Strategies to prevent or treat biofilms should be targeted to these areas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Sacral neuromodulation is an effective treatment for refractory overactive bladder. Based on standard culture, about 25% of explanted stimulators have been shown to be co...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The pulse width (PW) parameter in sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is understudied, with no evidence-based guidance available on alternative PW for bladder indications. The a...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most common degenerative neurologic disease worldwide. Overactive bladder (OAB) is prevalent in this population but can be challeng...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:The female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines state physicians should communicate with patients in the early postop period...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) permits a trial of sacral neuromodulation to determine candidates for permanent system implant in a single operation. Pre-fluoroscopy PN...

We investigated the influence of patient age on sacral nerve stimulation trial outcomes, device implantation and treatment durability.We analyzed a database of all sacral nerve stimulation procedures performed between 2012 and 2014 at a high volume institution for associations of patient age with sacral nerve stimulation indication, trial stimulation success, device revision and device explantation.In a cohort of 356 patients those with nonobstructive urinary retention and urgency-frequency were younger than patients with urgency urinary incontinence. Trial stimulation success did not differ by age in stage 1 and percutaneous nerve evaluation trials (p = 0.51 and 0.84, respectively). Logistic regression identified greater odds of trial success in females compared to males (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.32-6.04, p = 0.009) and for urgency urinary incontinence compared to urgency-frequency (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.39-6.50, p = 0.006). In analyzed patients there were 119 surgical revisions, including battery replacement, and 53 explantations. Age was associated with a decreased risk of revision with 3% lower odds per each additional year of age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, p 0.0001). While age did not influence explantation, for each body mass index unit there was a 5% decrease in the odds of explantation (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.98).In contrast to previous studies, older patients experienced no difference in the sacral nerve stimulation response in stimulation trials and no difference in the implantation rate. Furthermore, age was modestly protective against device revision. This suggests that age alone should not negatively predict sacral nerve stimulation responses.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Impedance changes over time, or “impedance drift”, in neuromodulation can influence the need for device reprogramming, lead revision, and battery replacement. Abnormal el...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The tined lead for use with InterStim sacral neuromodulation (SNM) was introduced in 2002. However, little data on lead breakage has been published. In 2010 the manufact...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:It is unclear what intraoperative factors predict progression from Stage I to Stage II in sacral neuromodulation (SNM), as well as the durability of the subsequent thera...

Aim We present the surgical management and outcomes of patients who underwent transvaginal neo-bladder vaginal fistula (NBVF) repair at our institution. Methods Between 2002 and 2012, eight patients underwent transvaginal NBVF repair. The surgical management entailed placing a Foley catheter into the fistula tract. A circumferential incision was made around the fistula tract after which a plane between the serosa of the neobladder and the vaginal epithelium was created. Interrupted polyglycolic acid sutures were used to close the fistula. An additional layer of vaginal wall, Martius, or omental flap was interposed before vaginal wall closure. A urethral catheter was placed for a minimum of 14 days and removed after a negative cystogram and pelvic exam with retrograde neobladder filling without leakage. Results All patients presented with a fistula following radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder. Two patients had failed two prior transvaginal fistula repairs. A unilateral Martius flap was used in five patients and an omental flap was used in one patient. The surgery was successful in all patients. After a mean follow up of 33 months [4–117], five patients underwent or are waiting to undergo management of stress urinary incontinence with bulking agents. No patient had a recurrent fistula. Conclusions Management of NBVF is challenging but cure is possible using a transvaginal approach. Most patients will suffer from incontinence after the repair because of a short and incompetent urethra. Patients should be counseled about the high probability of requiring a secondary procedure to achieve continence. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objective To examine any association between polypropylene mesh used in midurethral slings and malignancy in humans. Macroporous, monofilament polypropylene midurethral slings have been established as a safe and effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence. However, despite long-term studies supporting the efficacy and safety of midurethral slings, there have been concerns regarding the general risks of using mesh in transvaginal surgery. In addition, concerns have recently been raised about synthetic midurethral slings and a possible link with malignancy. Therefore, the goal of this work was to further assess any association between polypropylene mesh slings and malignancy. Materials and Methods All sling procedures performed at our institution from 2004 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. From within this group, the International Classification of Disease codes for urethral cancer, vaginal cancer, and bladder cancer were reviewed. Results From 2004-2013, 2545 procedures were performed. Of these, 2361 (96.3%) underwent polypropylene midurethral sling placement. Average follow-up after sling placement was 42.0 ± 38.6 months, with follow-up extending up to 122.3 months. The rate of bladder cancer after the sling procedure was 1 of 2361 (0.0%), with the same rate of vaginal cancer. No sarcomas were noted. Conclusion Overall, the rate of malignancy after polypropylene mesh midurethral sling placement in our series was 0.0% (2 of 2361). With a mean follow-up of almost 4 years and follow-up extending up to a maximum of 122.3 months, our series does not support any association between the polypropylene mesh used for midurethral slings and the development of malignancy in humans.

Human childbirth simulated by vaginal distention is known to increase the expression of chemokines and receptors involved in stem cell homing and tissue repair. We hypothesized that pregnancy and parturition in rats contributes to the expression of chemokines and receptors after vaginal distention.We used 72 age matched female Lewis rats, including virgin rats with and without vaginal distention, and delivered rats with and without vaginal distention. Each rat was sacrificed immediately, or 3 or 7 days after vaginal distention and/or parturition, and the urethra was harvested. Relative expression of chemokines and receptors was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mixed models were used with the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.Vaginal distention up-regulated urethral expression of CCL7 immediately after injury in virgin and postpartum rats. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor were up-regulated only in virgin rats immediately after vaginal distention. CD191 expression was immediately up-regulated in postpartum rats without vaginal distention compared to virgin rats without vaginal distention. CD195 was up-regulated in virgin rats 3 days after vaginal distention compared to virgin rats without vaginal distention. CD193 and CXCR4 showed delayed up-regulation in virgin rats 7 days after vaginal distention. CXCL12 was up-regulated in virgin rats 3 days after vaginal distention compared to immediately after vaginal distention. Interleukin-8 and CD192 showed no differential expression.Vaginal distention results in up-regulation of the chemokines and receptors expressed during tissue injury, which may facilitate the spontaneous functional recovery previously noted. Pregnancy and delivery up-regulated CD191 and attenuated the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in the setting of vaginal distention, likely by decreasing hypoxia.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical syndrome that fortunately or unfortunately is defined by the classic trilogy of lower urinary tract symptoms. Naturally, these include urinary urgency, with or without urge incontinence, urinary frequency (voiding eight or more times in a 24-h period), and nocturia (waking up during periods of deep sleep to void at night). Overactive bladder as a symptom complex has the potential to inflict destructive effects on almost all aspects of ordinary life. The impingement on socialization is often intense. Patients suffering with overactive bladder tend to significantly restrict their daily activities which can lead to isolation with associated varying degrees of depression. Furthermore, when nocturia is the primary component, it can lead to serious sleep disturbance and diminished quality of life. Other deleterious effects of overactive bladder include impaired domestic and sexual function, as well as impaired work-related productivity. At this point, one must acknowledge that all of these aspects of OAB have even more considerable consequences when we are dealing with an elderly population; especially, when significant medical comorbidities are associated. For instance, an elderly woman with urinary urge incontinence (UUI) becomes a much higher risk for falls leading to debilitating fractures when compared to women without UUI.

A urogenital fistula is an abnormal communication between the urinary tract and the vagina that causes urine to leak into the vagina via a route other than the urethral meatus. Vesicovaginal fistulae represent the most common type of fistula encountered by pelvic surgeons today. In developed countries, the more common etiologies include pelvic surgeries for hysterectomy, incontinence, or pelvic reconstructive procedures. In developing countries, pregnancy-related complications from obstructed labor result in ischemic injury to the bladder and vagina and can lead to very large fistulae that can be difficult to treat.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although early Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) trials excluded patients with neurologic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), an increasing number of small studies show outcomes in these patients are similar to those without NLUTD. The use of SNM in NLUTD remains off label. The aim of this study was to compare SNM in patients with NLUTD to those without NLUTD and determine clinical factors associated with successful utilization of SNM. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent SNM between 2011 and 2015 was completed. Patients with a neurologic diagnosis in the electronic chart were identified and placed in the NLUTD cohort. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the NLUTD and non-NLUTD cohort were identified. Rates of progression to stage 2, revision and explant were analyzed. The data were examined using Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher exact tests as appropriate. RESULTS: Out of 412 patients, 80 (19.4%) had NLUTD at time of SNM with a mean age was 54 17 years. 75% of the NLUTD group was female (N1⁄460). The neurogenic diagnoses were: spinal cord injury 28.8% (N1⁄423), multiple sclerosis 23.8% (N1⁄419), Stroke 15% (N1⁄412), cerebral palsy12.5% (N1⁄410), peripheral nervous system disorders 12.5% (N1⁄410) and Parkinson’s disease 7.5% (N1⁄46). The primary indication for SNM was urgency incontinence in 62.5% of the NLUTD group (N1⁄450) and 59.5% in the non-NLUTD group (N1⁄4197). Progression to stage 2 SNM was similar in both groups, 90% in NLUTD versus 87% in non-NLUTD. Revision rates were higher in the NLUTD cohort compared to non-NLTUD, 46% versus 35%, but this trend did not reach statistical significance (p1⁄40.09). There was a statistically significant higher explant rate in the NLUTD group, 33% vs 20% (p1⁄40.0194) and the most common reason for explant in both groups was loss of efficacy. Progression to stage 2, revision rates, and explant rates for each type of neurologic diagnosis did not have any statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The primary indication for SNM in both NLUTD and non-NLUTD was urgency incontinence. The specific neurologic diagnosis is not predictive of SNM success, revision, or explants rates. However, patients with NLUTD appear more likely to need the device explanted when compared to patients with nonNLUTD.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sacral neuromodulation is a highly effective therapy; however, up to 30% of patients who undergo sacral nerve stimulator (SNS) implantation will require lead revision within 5 years. Lead breakage can occur during revision, but the rate of breakage and the risk factors associated with it are not well described in the literature. The aim of this study is to describe the rate of lead breakage in our institution and identify potential risk factors for breakage. METHODS: A retrospective review of all SNS lead revisions or explantations performed in the urology department at a tertiary care center between 2010 and 2015 was performed. The clinical, demographic characteristics and lead breakage rate were analyzed. Descriptive statistics are presented as percentages, mean SD or median (interquartile range). T-test, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-Square or Fisher exact tests were used as appropriate. A logistic regression analysis was performed for incomplete lead removal as the dependent variable that included variables with p values < 0.1 in the univariate analysis as well as other clinically relevant variables. p

Purpose: Commercial prolapse mesh kits are increasingly used in the management of pelvic organ prolapse. We present our experience with the transvaginal/perineal management of synthetic mesh related complications from prolapse kits. In addition, we used the new ICS/IUGA (International Continence Society/International Urogynecological Association) prostheses/grafts complication classification system to report on our contemporary series.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent surgical removal of transvaginal mesh for mesh related complications after prolapse kit use from November 2006 to April 2010 at 1 institution was performed. We report our contemporary series of mesh complications using the new ICS/IUGA prostheses/grafts complication classification system. Postoperative pain, degree of improvement and presence of continued symptoms were reported by patients at last followup.Results: A total of 23 patients underwent transvaginal removal of mesh during the study p...

Objectives: Urinary and sexual function improve following sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for refractory overactive bladder. No significant associations between these changes have been found. Whether improvements in sexual function are independent of or secondary to improvements in urinary function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in urinary and sexual function in a homogeneous sample of patients undergoing SNS for urge urinary incontinence and subsequently identify associations between the two. Materials and Methods: A prospective database was created. Enrollees underwent a full history and physical examination at the first office visit. Multiple-day voiding diaries with validated and investigator-designed questionnaires were administered at baseline and follow-up as standard implantation procedures and to assess changes in urinary and sexual function, respectively. Analyses were completed using data from patients who were sexually active at baseline and follow-up. Results: Statistically significant improvements in urinary and sexual function occurred according to multiple metrics. Patient global impression scales categorized all patients' urinary conditions as improved, with most being less severe. Validated urinary symptom and quality of life scores improved significantly. After treatment, most patients were incontinent less often with sexual activity and felt less restricted from sexual activity by fear of incontinence. Validated quantification of sexual function demonstrated significant improvements in overall sexual function, arousal, and satisfaction. No significant associations between changes in urinary and sexual function were noted; however, trends appeared to exist between the two. Conclusions: Improved sexual function was not significantly associated with improved urinary function after SNS despite apparent trends between the two. Larger samples are required to definitively demonstrate this conclusion.

We evaluated the safety of a mid urethral sling postoperative care pathway using patient subjective reporting of force of stream to minimize length of stay and catheter placement.Women undergoing solitary mid urethral sling surgery were prospectively enrolled in our study. Force of stream after the sling therapy protocol consisted of retrograde bladder filling with 300 ml fluid within 1 hour after surgery. Patients rated force of stream compared to baseline on a visual analog scale. Those with a force of stream of 50% or greater were immediately discharged home regardless of post-void residual urine volume. Only those unable to void and those rating force of stream less than 50% with post-void residual urine volume greater than 500 ml were discharged home with a catheter. Patients were telephoned within 1 week of surgery and seen 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. The primary outcome was unexpected visits to the emergency room or office for voiding dysfunction or urinary retention.A total of 114 women were prospectively enrolled in our study, of whom 105 (92.1%) passed the protocol and were discharged home without a catheter. Of the patients 14 were discharged home with increased post-void residual urine volume (range 152 to 427 ml) but no catheter, representing those who would have been discharged with a catheter by many traditional voiding protocols. According to protocol 9 patients were discharged with a catheter. No patient presented to the emergency room or office in urinary retention or with voiding dysfunction before the scheduled visit.Patients who report a force of stream of 50% or greater can be safely and rapidly discharged home after an uncomplicated mid urethral sling procedure regardless of post-void residual urine volume. Scanned post-void residual urine volume does not add much value in those who can void. By following the force of stream after sling therapy protocol patients can be discharged home less than 3 hours after mid urethral sling surgery.

OBJECTIVES To present the largest reported cohort of women with urethral diverticula and to evaluate the surgical outcomes and long-term voiding symptoms after urethral diverticulectomy. Studies evaluating the outcomes after urethral diverticulectomy have been limited by small patient numbers and short-term follow-up. METHODS Women who had undergone diverticulectomy at our institution from 1996 to 2008 were mailed surveys. Urinary bother was assessed using the Urogenital Distress Inventory 6-item questionnaire, and patients were asked to report subsequent urethral or vaginal surgery and the number of urinary tract infections within the previous year. To determine the rate of surgical recurrence, the charts of women not responding to the survey were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 122 women were identified as having undergone urethral diverticulectomy during the study period. Of these, 13 (10.7%) had an eventual recurrence that required repeat surgical excision. Patients with a proximal diverticulum, multiple diverticula, or previous pelvic or vaginal surgery (excluding previous diverticulectomy) were more likely to develop recurrence (P = .01, P = .03, and P < .001, respectively). For the 61 women (50%) responding to our survey, the mean follow-up was 50.4 months. Of these 61 women, 24 (39.3%) had had a urinary tract infection within the previous year, with 14 (23%) women having had ≥3 within the previous year. Also, 16 (26.2%) had persistent pain or discomfort with urination. The mean ± SD total Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 score was 31.1 ± 25.5 for the survey responders. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, our study represents the largest study with the longest follow-up after urethral diverticulectomy. Patients with proximal or multiple diverticula and those with previous pelvic surgery should be counseled appropriately regarding the risks of recurrence and persistent voiding dysfunction.

Studies of the urothelium, the specialized epithelial lining of the urinary bladder, are critical for understanding diseases affecting the lower urinary tract, including interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infections and cancer. However, our understanding of urothelial pathophysiology has been hampered by a lack of appropriate model systems. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a non-transformed urothelial cell line (TRT-HU1), originally explanted from normal tissue and immortalized with hTERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase. We demonstrate responsiveness of the cells to anti-proliferative factor (APF), a glycopeptide implicated in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis. TRT-HU1 carries a deletion on the short arm of chromosome 9, an early genetic lesion in development of bladder cancer. TRT-HU1 urothelial cells displayed growth and migration characteristics similar to the low-grade papilloma cell line RT4. In contrast, we observed marked differences in both phenotype and gene expression profiles between TRT-HU1 and the highly malignant T24 cell line. Together, these findings provide the first demonstration of a non-transformed, continuous urothelial cell line that responds to APF. This cell line will be valuable for studies of both benign and malignant urothelial cell biology.

Objective measures show the AdVance() sling provides some benefit in post-prostatectomy incontinence. To our knowledge no validated, patient determined outcomes have been used to assess this procedure. We described the patient perceived effectiveness and postoperative complications.A retrospective chart review was followed by a telephone survey consisting of the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, Patient Global Impression of Severity, and questions about recommending the surgery, daily pad use and complications. Successful outcomes were Patient Global Impression of Improvement responses of very much better or much better without further incontinence treatment. Objective success is defined as pad-free or a reduction to 2 or less pads daily.A total of 35 patients received the sling a median of 25 months after prostatectomy. Telephone surveys were administered a mean of 35 weeks after the sling procedure and 33 patients were contacted. Of the cases 18 (51.4%) and 21 (60%) were patient determined and objective successes, respectively. Of the patients with subjective treatment failure 3 would recommend the surgery to a friend and 12 were undecided or would not. Furthermore, no patients with subjective treatment failure were pad-free and 10 (58.8%) had pads that were mostly wet on changing. For the entire population a reduction in median daily pad use from 2.5 to 1 was observed as well as a strong association (p0.01) between Patient Global Impression of Improvement and Patient Global Impression of Severity responses. Three individuals pursued further treatment with bulking agents and 3 had retention that resolved.The AdVance sling is safe, and demonstrates similar subjective and objective outcomes. The procedure can benefit some individuals with post-prostatectomy incontinence and, therefore, may be another treatment option for this condition.

OBJECTIVES To present a novel technique to remove intravesical polypropylene mesh through a single laparoscopic port placed directly into the bladder. METHODS A Triport single-site access system was placed transvesically and carbon dioxide was used for insufflation of the bladder. A combination of straight and articulating laparoscopic instruments was used to dissect the mesh away from the bladder mucosa and transect each end for complete removal of foreign bodies. Mucosal reapproximation was performed on the latter case. RESULTS Two patients were managed adequately in the outpatient setting. No suprapubic catheters were necessary, and patients were discharged within 23 hours. CONCLUSIONS Removal of foreign bodies of the bladder through a single transvesical laparoscopic port is technically feasible. This procedure offers excellent visualization of mesh material, especially near the bladder neck where these foreign bodies often reside. This approach offers patients a minimally invasive approach through a single small incision.

Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of single-port laparoscopic abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) for the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed to assess perioperative outcomes among women who were treated for symptomatic POP with laparoscopic, robotic, or single-port laparoscopic ASC. All patients underwent preoperative history and physical examination including POP quantification (POP-Q) staging and urodynamics. ASC with or without anti-incontinence surgery was performed via the aforementioned approaches. Demographic and perioperative data were obtained. Patients were followed up postoperatively at 3 and 6 months with POP-Q evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed. Results From October 2005 to July 2008, 30 female patients with symptomatic Stage II (6 patients), Stage III (23 patients), or Stage IV (1 patient) POP were treated with laparoscopic (10), robotic (10), or single-port laparoscopic (10) ASC. Mean age of the entire cohort was 61.1 years. Mean body mass index was 26.7 kg/m2. Seventeen patients demonstrated stress urinary incontinence and underwent concomitant sling placement. No intraoperative complications were encountered. No significant difference was noted in the 3 cohorts with respect to operative time, blood loss, mean visual analog pain score at discharge, or duration of hospitalization. At 6 months following surgery, 27 patients underwent follow-up POP-Q, with all patients demonstrating excellent apical support and prolapse reduction. Conclusions Single-port laparoscopic ASC offers comparable efficacy and superior cosmesis compared to alternative approaches. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm durability of repair.

Objectives To present the operative outcomes of the first natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy. Methods A 57-year-old woman with hypertension, right-sided flank pain, and radiographic evidence of an atrophic right kidney consented for NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved with a Veress needle inserted deep in the umbilicus. Under direct vision, a colpotomy was made and a transvaginal port positioned. Using standard and articulating operating instruments inserted transvaginally, the kidney was mobilized and the renal hilum was controlled with an endovascular stapler. The kidney was placed in a laparoscopic retrieval bag and extracted through the vaginal incision. Salient demographic and operative data were obtained. Results NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy was successfully completed, with all the operative steps performed transvaginally. Dense pelvic adhesions from a prior hysterectomy necessitated the use of a 5-mm umbilical port during vaginal port placement and for retraction of the ascending colon during division of the renal hilum. No intraoperative complications occurred. Operative time was 307 minutes, with 124 minutes dedicated to vaginal port placement and 183 minutes dedicated to adhesiolysis and nephrectomy. The duration of hospitalization was 23 hours. The visual analog pain scale score was 1 of 10 on postoperative day 2. Conclusions Our experience shows that NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy is technically feasible. Access to the peritoneal cavity should be performed under visual guidance and after insufflation through the umbilicus. Additional experience is needed to better define patient selection criteria and indications for NOTES transvaginal urologic surgery.

Objectives To assess efficacy and tolerability of tolterodine extended release (ER) in continent and incontinent subjects with overactive bladder (OAB). Methods This was a post hoc analysis of data from a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tolterodine ER (4 mg once daily). Subjects completed 7-day bladder diaries at baseline and week 12; those with one or more incontinence episode(s) in their diaries at baseline were considered incontinent. Subjects rated urgency associated with each micturition on a scale from 1 to 5, and micturitions were categorized post hoc by urgency rating as non-OAB (1-2), OAB (3-5), or severe OAB (4-5). Results At baseline, 40% of subjects were incontinent. Tolterodine ER (n = 429) reduced total, OAB, and severe OAB micturitions compared with placebo (n = 421) in continent and incontinent subjects. There was no difference between continent and incontinent subjects in terms of the magnitude of improvement with tolterodine ER relative to placebo for total, OAB, and severe OAB micturitions. Reductions in mean urgency and frequency-urgency sum ratings were significantly greater in the tolterodine ER group. Among incontinent subjects, tolterodine ER significantly reduced urgency urinary incontinence episodes and significantly increased the percentage of subjects achieving continence relative to placebo. Adverse event rates were low in both continent and incontinent subjects. Conclusions Tolterodine ER reduced micturitions associated with urgency (OAB or severe OAB) in both continent and incontinent subjects. Tolterodine ER also reduced urgency urinary incontinence episodes in incontinent subjects. These data show that tolterodine ER is effective and well tolerated in both continent and incontinent subjects with OAB.

The urologic chronic pain conditions such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis are syndromes whose evaluation and management are controversial. Part of the difficulty in diagnosis and therapy is the heterogeneity of etiologies and symptoms. We propose a six-domain phenotype, which can classify these patients clinically and can direct the selection of therapy in the most evidence based multimodal manner. The domains are urinary, psychosocial, organ specific, infection, neurologic and tenderness of skeletal muscles. This system is flexible and responsive to new biomarkers and therapies as their utility and efficacy are proven.

OBJECTIVES The most recognized complications after urethral diverticulum repair are urethrovaginal fistula, diverticula recurrence, and de novo urinary incontinence. Our objective was to determine the rate of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after urethral diverticulum repair. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of female patients who underwent urethral diverticulum repair without a simultaneous anti-incontinence procedure over 4.5 years. To determine the rate of SUI, we looked at responses to domain 3 of the urogenital distress inventory-short form (UDI-6), and the rate of subsequent procedures for the treatment of SUI. RESULTS A total of 50 female patients underwent urethral diverticulum repair. The median age was 44 years (range, 24 to 73) years. Median follow up was 23 months (range, 3 to 67 months). A total of 34 (68%) were white and 16 (32%) were black; 29 (58%) had simple diverticulum, 19 (38%) had horseshoe diverticulum, and 2 (4%) had circumferential diverticulum. Six (12%) had a history of recurrent diverticulum. Of 50 patients, 5 (10%) underwent a subsequent sling for SUI. Thirty-five patients completed the UDI-6. Eighteen (51%) patients reported no SUI, 10 (29%) reported "a little bit," 5 (14%) reported "moderate," and 2 (6%) reported being "greatly" bothered by SUI. Of patients with no preoperative urinary leakage, 5 of 15 (33%) had de novo SUI postoperatively. Of patients with preoperative urinary leakage, 8 of 11 (73%) had postoperative SUI. CONCLUSIONS De novo rate of SUI after diverticulum repair was 49% by UDI-6, although most often the SUI was mild. Twenty percent of patients reported moderate to severe bothersome SUI symptoms after diverticulum repair. Ten percent had a subsequent anti-incontinence procedure.

OBJECTIVES To present our initial experience with single-port laparoscopic urologic surgery using the Uni-X Single Port Access Laparoscopic System, a single port, multichannel cannula, with specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation. METHODS We performed single-port laparoscopic surgery in 10 patients, including renal cryotherapy in 4, wedge kidney biopsy in 1, radical nephrectomy in 1, and abdominal sacrocolpopexy in 4. For the transperitoneal approach, the multichannel port was inserted transumbilically, and for retroperitoneoscopy, the port was inserted at the tip of the 12th rib. Data were collected prospectively into our institutional review board-approved data registry. RESULTS Since September 25, 2007, a total of 10 patients have undergone single-port laparoscopic surgery for various upper abdominal and pelvic pathologic findings. All cases were completed successfully, without conversion to a standard laparoscopic approach. The total operative time for the various kidney procedures was 2.5 hours (range 2 to 3.2) and was 2.5 hours (range 2 to 3) for sacrocolpopexy. The mean blood loss was 100 mL for the renal procedures and 90 mL for sacrocolpopexy. The hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 1 to 8) for the kidney procedures and 2 days for sacrocolpopexy. One complication occurred in a patient with baseline congestive heart failure who underwent cryoablation and required oxygen mask ventilation postoperatively that delayed her hospital discharge for 1 week. The same patient, who was anemic preoperatively, was transfused with 3 U of packed red blood cells, although the postoperative computed tomography scan revealed a small perinephric hematoma. CONCLUSIONS Single-port laparoscopic renal cryotherapy, wedge kidney biopsy, radical nephrectomy, and abdominal sacrocolpopexy are safe and feasible. Additional experience and continued investigation are warranted.

Vaginal delivery is a risk factor for stress urinary incontinence. Rat models of simulated childbirth demonstrated hypoxia of the urogenital organs as well as the development of stress urinary incontinence following vaginal distention. Stromal derived factor-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 were identified as cytokines that are over expressed after myocardial ischemia and signal stem cell migration to ischemic sites in a rat cardiac model. Given the focal hypoxia observed with vaginal distention, we characterized stromal derived factor-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 expression by pelvic organ tissues after vaginal distention.A total of 16 female rats were randomized into 4 groups. Two groups underwent vaginal distention with harvest of pelvic tissues immediately or 24 hours after vaginal distention, a sham group underwent anesthesia only and a control group underwent no intervention. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed on RNA extracted from the urogenital organs.Monocyte chemotactic protein-3 expression in the urethra was increased 20 and 6-fold immediately and 24 hours after vaginal distention, respectively. Monocyte chemotactic protein-3 was 8 and 4-fold increased in the vagina after vaginal distention. There was no difference in monocyte chemotactic protein-3 expression in the rectum or bladder in any group. Stromal derived factor-1 was significantly under expressed immediately after vaginal distention in all tissues.Monocyte chemotactic protein-3 is significantly over expressed in rat urethral and vaginal tissues immediately following vaginal distention with above normal but decreasing expression 24 hours later. The association between monocyte chemotactic protein-3 over expression and targeted stem cell migration is under investigation. Successful characterization and control of such a repair mechanism in the lower urinary tract would introduce the potential for novel nonoperative treatments and/or preventive measures for stress urinary incontinence.

Men who become persistently incontinent after undergoing prostatectomy have a variety of options for regaining control, ranging from behavioral changes to surgery. To determine the best therapy, one should define the problem with a thorough urologic evaluation.