Is continuous bladder irrigation after prostate surgery still needed?

Analysis of flow rate of continuous bladder irrigation according to the height of the irrigation infusion set

This is a control volume analysis to examine the flow rate of irrigation fluid according to the size of indwelling catheter and the height of the fluid bag in consideration of the temperature of irrigation fluid and intra-bladder pressure during continuous bladder irrigation. In case of minimum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were - 0.045 to 0.993 cc/sec for 18Fr, - 0.053 to 1.176 cc/sec for 20Fr, - 0.055 to 1.227 cc/sec for 22Fr, and - 0.055 to 1.243 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were - 0.180 to 0.868 cc/sec for 18Fr, - 0.212 to 1.028 cc/sec for 20Fr, - 0.220 to 1.072 cc/sec for 22Fr, and - 0.223 to 1.086 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of minimum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were - 0.028 to 0.365 cc/sec for 18Fr, - 0.033 to 0.749 cc/sec for 20Fr, - 0.034 to 0.781 cc/sec for 22Fr, and - 0.035 to 0.791 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were - 0.112 to 0.553 cc/sec for 18Fr, - 0.131 to 0.653 cc/sec for 20Fr, - 0.137 to 0.681 cc/sec for 22Fr, and - 0.139 to 0.689 cc/sec for 24Fr. This study is significant in that it utilized a fluid dynamics approach to provide basic data for continuous bladder wash care. Through the findings of this study, nurses can plan the exchange time of irrigation fluid and the pattern of urinary drainage when performing continuous bladder irrigation. It is also inferred that there may be an advantage in not having to calculate additional material costs for using an infusion pump for patients by determining the hourly injection rate of irrigation fluid based on the height of the infusion set's drop chamber.

The modified suprapubic prostatectomy technique is associated with improved hemostasis and decline in blood transfusion rate after open suprapubic prostatectomy compared to the freyers technique

Background

Open suprapubic prostatectomy is attended by significant perioperative haemorrhage and need for blood transfusion.

Aim

To share our experience on how the adoption of a modified suprapubic prostatectomy technique has led to improved hemostasis and decline in the blood transfusion rate after open suprapubic prostatectomy in our center.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective study comparing two open prostatectomy techniques. The patients in group 1 had Freyer's suprapubic prostatectomy while the patients in group 2 had a modified suprapubic prostatectomy technique. The groups were compared for the effectiveness of hemostasis using change in packed cell volume, clot retention, blood transfusion, and requirement of continuous bladder irrigation.

Results

Both groups were similar concerning age, body mass index (BMI), total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, presence of comorbidities, duration of surgery, and duration of follow-up. The clot retention rate was 34% in group 1 versus 16.4% in group 2, P = 0.030. The clot retention requiring bladder syringe evacuation occurred in 32.1% of the patients in group 1 versus 14.8% in group 2, P = 0.048. The mean change in the packed cell volume (PCV) in group 1 was 8.0 ± 5.3 versus 6.9 ± 3.5 in group 2, P = 0.175. The blood transfusion rate in group 1 was 40.0% versus 13.3% in group 2, P = 0.040. The complication rate in group 1 was 67.2% versus 41.9% in group 2, P = 0.004. A general decline in blood transfusion was noted from January 2011 to December 2019.

Conclusion

The modified suprapubic prostatectomy technique was associated with better hemostasis compared to the standard Freyer's prostatectomy technique. It should be a worthwhile addition to the numerous modifications of the original Freyer's suprapubic prostatectomy technique.

Safe Hb Concentration Measurement during Bladder Irrigation Using Artificial Intelligence

We have developed a sensor for monitoring the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the effluent of a continuous bladder irrigation. The Hb concentration measurement is based on light absorption within a fixed measuring distance. The light frequency used is selected so that both arterial and venous Hb are equally detected. The sensor allows the measurement of the Hb concentration up to a maximum value of 3.2 g/dL (equivalent to ≈20% blood concentration). Since bubble formation in the outflow tract cannot be avoided with current irrigation systems, a neural network is implemented that can robustly detect air bubbles within the measurement section. The network considers both optical and temporal features and is able to effectively safeguard the measurement process. The sensor supports the use of different irrigants (salt and electrolyte-free solutions) as well as measurement through glass shielding. The sensor can be used in a non-invasive way with current irrigation systems. The sensor is positively tested in a clinical study.

Same sized three-way indwelling urinary catheters from various manufacturers present different irrigation and drainage properties

Background:

The three-way indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) is used for continuous bladder irrigation and is considered the cornerstone for clinical treatment of patients with macroscopic hematuria. Although there seems to be a logical relationship between catheter size and efficacy of irrigation and drainage, we often observe relevant variations in these parameters between different brands of catheters available on the market. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of different models of latex and silicone three-way catheters in an in vitro setting that resembles clinical use.

Methods:

Three different three-way catheters were evaluated: Gold Silicone-Coated Rusch^® (Model A), 100% Silicone Rusch^® (Model B) and X-Flow Coloplast^® (Model C). Irrigation channel, drainage channel, and overall cross-sectional areas were all digitally measured. Irrigation and drainage channel flow rates were measured and correlated with their corresponding catheter cross-sectional area values.

Results:

Different catheter models of the same caliber have different internal irrigation port diameters, internal drainage port diameters and internal cuff port diameters. The Model C IUC internal irrigation port diameter is significantly larger than models A and B. When flows were evaluated, we found that in the same model, the increase in caliber of the IUC was related to an increased drainage flow, but not to an increased irrigation flow.

Conclusion:

Precise measurements of the internal architecture of the three-way catheter, rather than relying on the caliber itself, could assist surgeons in choosing the best product for each specific patient, while minimizing complications.

Evolution of Bloodless Surgery: A Case for Bloodless Suprapubic Prostatectomy

Allogeneic blood transfusion is commonly prescribed to patients undergoing suprapubic prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia as a treatment option to replace blood loss. Historically, suprapubic prostatectomy has been perceived as an extremely high hemorrhagic surgery, and this has led to the association of suprapubic prostatectomy with a high rate of allogeneic blood transfusion. However, the outcome of suprapubic prostatectomy has significantly improved over the years and has become less hemorrhagic in many hands - creating the opportunity to consistently avoid allogeneic blood transfusion. On the other hand, the efficacy of blood transfusion has come under more stringent scrutiny as many clinical studies have reported inconsistent effects of blood transfusion on patient outcome. In contemporary practice, a more conservative/bloodless approach in the perioperative management of anemia in surgical patients is strongly being advocated with convincing evidence that many surgical patients can be routinely and safely managed without allogeneic blood transfusion. There is no large-scale discussion on bloodless surgery in urology in the contemporary literature, especially in the area of suprapubic prostatectomy that has been historically associated with a high rate of blood transfusion. This review article will discuss the evolution of bloodless surgery including the ongoing controversies surrounding blood transfusion in general, and then the relatively small but ongoing penetration of bloodless surgical approach in the field of suprapubic prostatectomy. Furthermore, the authors' approach to bloodless suprapubic prostatectomy will be highlighted, and in doing so, it can be emphasized that suprapubic prostatectomy is no more as hemorrhagic as was historically perceived, but rather a routine bloodless suprapubic prostatectomy is now possible in many hands.

Combined urethral and suprapubic catheter drainage improves post operative management after open simple prostatectomy without bladder irrigation

AIM

To compare outcomes after open simple prostatectomy without bladder irrigation, in subjects drained by combined 2-way urethral catheter and suprapubic catheter (SPC) vs those drained by 2-way urethral catheter only.

METHODS

A total of 84 participants undergoing Freyer’s simple prostatectomy over an 18-mo period were randomized into 2 groups (n = 42). Subjects in group 1 were managed with 2-way urethral catheter and in situ 2-way SPC while subjects in group 2 had a 2-way urethral catheter drainage only. In group 1 subjects, the SPC was spigotted and only used for drainage if there was clot retention. The primary outcomes were number of clot retention episodes, and number of clot retention episodes requiring bladder syringe evacuation. Other secondary outcomes evaluated were blood loss, requirement of extra analgesics, duration of surgery, hospital stay and presence or absence of post-op complications.

RESULTS

The mean age in the groups was 65.7 (± 7.6) in group 1 vs 64.8 (± 6.8) in group 2. The groups were similar with respect to age, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, blood loss, duration of surgery, blood transfusion and overall complication rate. However statistically significant differences were observed in clot retention episodes between group 1 and 2: 0.8 (± 1.5) vs 3.5 (± 4.4), P < 0.000, clot retention episodes requiring evacuation with bladder syringe 0.4 (± 0.9) vs 2.6 (± 3.8), P = 0.001, requirement of extra analgesics 0.4 (± 0.5) vs 4.0 (± 1.5), P < 0.000 and duration of admission 8.6 d (± 1.2) vs 7.3 d (± 0.6), P < 0.000.

CONCLUSION

Subjects drained with a combination of urethral and SPCs have fewer clot retention episodes and reduced requirement of extra analgesics but slightly longer hospital stay.

A novel automatic regulatory device for continuous bladder irrigation based on wireless sensor in patients after transurethral resection of the prostate: A prospective investigation

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common progressive disease in aging men, which leads to a significant impact on daily lives of patients. Continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) is a supplementary option for preventing the adverse events following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Regulation of the flow rate based on the color of drainage bag is significant to prevent the clot formation and retention, which is controlled manually at present. To achieve a better control of flow rate and reduce inappropriate flow rate-related adverse effects, we designed an automatic flow rate controller for CBI applied with wireless sensor and evaluated its clinical efficacy.

METHODS

The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in patients receiving the novel automatic bladder irrigation post-TURP in the experimental group compared with controls receiving traditional bladder irrigation in the control group.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups-the experimental group (n = 76) and the control group (n = 70). The mean irrigation volume of the experimental group (24.2 ± 3.8 L) was significantly lower than that of the controls (54.6 ± 5.4 L) (P < 0.05). Patients treated with automatic irrigation device had significantly decreased incidence of clot retention (8/76) and cystospasm (12/76) compared to controls (21/70; 39/70, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to irrigation time (28.6 ± 2.7 vs 29.5 ± 3.4 hours, P = 0.077).

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that the automatic regulating device applied with wireless sensor for CBI is safe and effective for patients after TURP. However, studies with a large population of patients and a long-term follow-up should be conducted to validate our findings.