A novel technique to achieve cutaneous continent urinary diversion in spinal cord-injured patients unable to catheterize through native urethra

The Role of Upper Extremity Motor Function in the Choice of Bladder Management in Those Unable to Volitionally Void due to Neurologic Dysfunction

It is estimated that 425,000 individuals with neurologic bladder dysfunction (spinal cordinjury, spina bifida and multiple sclerosis) are unable to volitionally void and must rely oncatheter drainage. Upper extremity (UE) motor function is one of the most important factors indetermining the type of bladder management chosen in individuals who cannot volitionally void. Novel bladder management solutions for those with impaired UE motor function and concurrent impairments involitional voiding continue to be an area of need. Those with poor UE motor function more often choose an indwelling catheter, whereas those with normal UE motor function more often choose clean intermittent catheterization.

Synthetic mid-urethral slings for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of synthetic mid-urethral slings (sMUS) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane controlled trials databases were systematically searched from January 1995 to April 2021. Studies including adult women with NLUTD who had a sMUS for SUI were considered for inclusion. Primary outcome was success of the surgery according to study criteria. Secondary outcomes were complications, especially de novo urgency, urinary retention, tape exposure and revision for complications.

RESULTS

A total of 752 abstracts were screened and 9 studies were included, representing 298 patients. The mean age was 52 years and median follow-up was 41.3 months. sMUS insertion was successful in 237 patients (79.5%). The median rate of de novo urgency was 15.7% (range 8.3-30%). In patients with spontaneous voiding, the median rate of retention was 19.3% (range 0-46.7%) and 21 out of 26 patients required intermittent self-catheterisation. Four cases of tape exposure were reported, and 8 patients underwent a revision for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that sMUS might offer interesting success rates and acceptable morbidity and could be considered for the treatment of SUI in women with NLUTD. Further studies are required to define which patients would be more likely to benefit from this intervention, as well as its place among the other surgical treatments for SUI.

Neurogenic bladder - concepts and treatment recommendations

Introduction:

Bladder and urinary sphincter malfunctioning that results from some change in the central and/or peripheral nervous system is defined as neurogenic bladder. The urinary tract symptoms that can be related to its filling, emptying, or both have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals. The present review was based on the document prepared for the public health system in Brazil as a treatment guidelines proposal.

Material and Methods:

Survey questions were structured as per PICO (Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome). Search strategies were defined and performed in the MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, Epistemonikos and Google Scholar databases. The selection of articles followed the evidence hierarchy concept; evidence body was identified, and the quantitative study data were extracted. The quality of evidence and grade of recommendation were qualitatively assessed according to GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations).

Results:

A total of 2.707 articles were identified, with 49 of them being selected to compose the basis for this review. Neurogenic bladder treatments were classified according to their focus on filling or emptying symptoms and sub- classified in pharmacological and surgical treatments.

Conclusion:

Treatment guidelines are important tools for the public health system to promote the best practice when treating neurogenic bladder patients.

Long-term results of continent catheterizable urinary channels in adults with non-neurogenic or neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term results after the construction of a Continent Catheterizable Urinary Conduit (CCUC) in adults. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the charts of 41 adults from two tertiary centers who received a CCUC. The demographics, underlying diseases, indications for a CCUC and outcomes such as the reoperation rate and the occurrence of complications were extracted. The patient reported outcome was measured with the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale and four additional questions about continence, leakage and stomal problems. Results: Twenty-nine patients were women. The median age at surgery was 32 years, with a median follow-up of 52 months. Twenty-six patients had a neurogenic bladder. The reoperation rate was 48.8%, with a median of 10.5 months after constructing the CCUC. Superficial stomal stenosis was the most common registered complication (20 times) and stoma revision was the most often performed reoperation (12 times). Twenty-four patients completed the PGI-I; the mean improvement rating was 2 (=much better). Conclusion: The construction of a CCUC in adults is associated with a high complication and reoperation rate. The high reoperation rate is in accordance with the sparse literature. Despite this, patients reported 'much better' on the PGI-I.

Continent catheterizable tubes/stomas in adult neuro-urological patients: A systematic review

AIMS

To systematically review all available evidence on the effectiveness and complications of continent cutaneous stoma or tube (CCS/T) to treat bladder-emptying difficulties in adult neuro-urological patients.

METHODS

The search strategy and studies selection were performed on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane using the PICOS method according to the PRISMA statement (CRD42015019212; http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).

RESULTS

After screening 3,634 abstracts, 11 studies (all retrospective, enrolling 213 patients) were included in a narrative synthesis. Mean follow-up ranged from 21.6 months to 8.7 years (median: 36 months, IQR 28.5-44). At last follow-up, the ability to catheterize rate was ≥84% (except in one study: 58.3%) and the continence rate at stoma was >75%. Data comparing health-related quality-of-life before and after surgery were not available in any study. Overall, 85/213 postoperative events required reoperation: 7 events (7 patients) occurring ≤3 months postoperatively, 22 events (16 patients) >3 months, and 56 events (55 patients) for which the time after surgery was not specified. Sixty additional complications (60 patients) were reported but did not require surgical treatment. Tube stenosis occurred in 4-32% of the cases (median: 14%, IQR 9-24). Complications related to concomitant procedures (augmentation cystoplasty, pouch) included neovesicocutaneous fistulae, bladder stones, and bladder perforations. Risk of bias and confounding was high in all studies.

CONCLUSIONS

CCS/T appears to be an effective treatment option in adult neuro-urological patients unable to perform intermittent self-catheterization through the urethra. However, the complication rate is meaningful and the quality of evidence is low, especially in terms of long-term outcomes including the impact on the quality-of-life.

Dysfunction of lower urinary tract in patients with spinal cord injury

Over the past 50 years, the mortality for urorenal cause in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) has decreased from over 75% to 2.3%, as a result of dramatic improvements in the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). The aims of this chapter are to assess the physiopathology of upper and lower motor neuron lesion on bladder and sphincter function after SCI, to give an overview of required clinical and instrumental examination and to discuss treatment modalities. Videourodynamic examination plays a key role in the assessment and follow-up of LUTD in SCI patients, in conjunction with neurophysiological and radiological examinations. The cornerstone of bladder management in SCI is clean intermittent self-catheterization, but often other treatments are needed to achieve full continence, to reduce infections and stone formation, to protect the upper urinary tract from excessive bladder pressure, and to prevent chronic renal failure. Treatments may be pharmacologic (i.e., anticholinergic drugs and botulinum toxin) or surgical (by enterocystoplasty or urinary diversion). In selected cases, neuromodulation and sacral root stimulation can be used to reduce detrusor overactivity and empty the bladder. Management of LUTD in SCI patients requires a deep knowledge of spinal cord medicine and functioning of patients with neurologic disability.

A modification to augmentation cystoplasty with catheterizable stoma for neurogenic patients: technique and long-term results

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of a modified Indiana continent urinary reservoir, the Indiana augmentation cystoplasty (IAC), for patients with neurogenic bladder (NGB). NGB with incontinence can be devastating for patients with neurologic illness. Augmentation cystoplasty with a continent catheterizable stoma creates a continent, low-pressure storage system, with catheterizable cutaneous stoma, leading to decreased urinary tract morbidity and increased quality of life.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of the IAC procedure in a single center from 1993 to 2010 was performed and included subjects with NGB and minimum 1-year follow up. Patients' demographics, NGB diagnosis, surgery details, urodynamic findings, concurrent operations, complications, and continence outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at time of surgery was 39.8 years. Neurologic diagnoses included multiple sclerosis (n = 12), spina bifida (n = 9), and spinal cord injury (n = 14). Concurrent surgeries included: bladder neck closure (n = 3), pubovaginal sling (n = 4), hysterectomy (n = 3), artificial urinary sphincter (n = 1), and cystolithotomy (n = 1). Mean estimated blood loss was 461.8 mL. Short-term postoperative complications were prolonged ileus (n = 2), wound infection (n = 1), and transfusion (n = 1). Median follow-up was 31 months. Long-term complications occurred in 15 (44.1%) patients: recurrent urinary tract infections (n = 4), pyelonephritis (n = 1), pelvic abscess (n = 1), seroma (n = 1), bladder stones (n = 2), and stomal revision in (n = 4). All patients were continent at latest follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This modification of the Indiana continent urinary reservoir is an excellent surgical option providing a low-pressure reservoir with a reliable continence mechanism and easily catheterizable stoma, with few complications or need for reoperation.

[Continent cystostomy: monocentric experience]

AIMS

To evaluate the feasibility, the efficiency, the results of continent cystostomy in adult population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study of patients who underwent a continent cystostomy between 1987 and 2011.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients underwent a continent cystostomy (13 men and 30 women). The mean age at surgery was 53.4±14.6years. The mean BMI was 25kg/m(2). No death in relation with the cystostomy was reported. Thirty-two patients had a neurological pathology (74.4%), 11 a pathology other than neurological (25.6%). A retention bladder was reported for 12 patients (27.9%), 17 (39.5%) were incontinent, and 14 (32.6%) had a mixed symptomatology. All patients had urodynamics and an evaluation of the urinary tract. Nineteen appendicovesicostomy were made, 15 double Monti-procedure, six simple Monti-procedure, three channels were made of an association of ileon and appendix. Seventeen patients underwent an augmentation cystoplasty in combination with the continent catheterizable conduit. The mean follow-up was 47.6±29months. Continence was achieved in 37 patients (86%), two patients underwent a Bricker. Stomal stenosis occurred in eight patients (18.6%), with a median time of 16.1±20.4 months. Leakage occurred after bladder neck closure for two patients (4.6%). Clean intermittent catheterization were performed by 30 patients, catheterization by a care giver for four patients, seven did not use their stomy because of the evolution of their causal pathology, or because of an intercurrent pathology. No difference between the channels (Mitrofanoff versus Monti) was reported.

CONCLUSION

Continent catherizable cystostomy were a feasible method of continent urinary diversion in an adult population. This study demonstrated their feasibility in an adult population and their long-term efficiency with a mean follow-up of 47.6months and 127months for one of them. With a rate of continence upper than 80%, it was an effective technique of urinary diversion associated with intermittent catheterization.

Managing the urinary tract in spinal cord injury

This review sets out to provide an overview of the author's approach to the management of the urinary tract in the patient who has suffered from an injury to their spinal cord. Emphasis is given to the need to understand the fundamental pathophysiological patterns that are seen with injuries that involve the sacral segments of the cord (the conus) and those that spare the conus but interrupt communication between the sacral parasympathetic and somatic centers and the brain (supraconal lesions). The importance of patient participation in management decisions is highlighted by considering the different ways in which the urinary tract can be managed and how the clinician needs to try to meet patient expectations and requirements while establishing safe urological management. Finally, consideration is given to the importance of establishing an appropriate follow up regime and managing urinary tract complications effectively.