Penile lichen sclerosus after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) often complicates allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and affects mainly the gut, liver, lung and skin. The microscopic morphological features of late-phase sclerodermatous chronic GVHD in the skin, namely epidermal atrophy, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, dense dermal fibrosis and adnexal atrophy, are histologically indistinguishable from those in sporadic systemic sclerosis, morphoea and the related condition of lichen sclerosus. Mucosal orifices including those of the genitourinary system may be severely affected. We present three SCT recipients with chronic GVHD and severe posthitis leading to phimosis requiring surgery. The excised prepuces showed features of lichen sclerosus including epidermal atrophy and a subepidermal zone of eosinophilic, homogeneous and hyalinized collagen above a band-like lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. These cases add further evidence to support the notion that penile lichen sclerosus should be included within the expanding sclerodermoid spectrum of late-stage cutaneous chronic GVHD.     

Ballooning of the foreskin and physiological phimosis: is there any objective evidence of obstructed voiding?

OBJECTIVES To determine whether physiological phimosis with or without ballooning of the prepuce is associated with noninvasive urodynamic or radiological evidence of bladder outlet obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS From August 2001 to October 2002 all boys with a foreskin problem and referred to one paediatric surgeon were assessed in special clinics. Those with physiological phimosis were recruited for the study and had upper tract and bladder ultrasonography (US), followed by uroflowmetry and US-determined postvoid residual urine volumes (PVR). Data were compared between boys with and with no ballooning of the prepuce. The project was approved by the local research ethics committee and informed consent was obtained from all study participants. RESULTS In all, 54 patients were referred for circumcision; 32 boys with physiological phimosis completed the uroflow and US investigations. Ballooning of the foreskin was present in 18 boys (mean age 6.8 years, range 3-12); 14 had physiological phimosis with no ballooning (mean age 6.5 years, range 4-11). Upper tract US and bladder wall thickness were normal in all boys. The mean maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)) was not significantly different in boys with ballooning and those without (mean 15.3 mL/s, sd 4.4, range 9-24, vs 15.4, sd 2.9, range 10.7-20, P = 0.96). In addition, all Q(max) values were within the normal range when correlated with voided volume and compared with age-related nomograms. Most boys had flow rate patterns showing a normal bell-shaped curve; a few (9%) had subtle changes in the flow-rate profile, with either a plateau-type curve or slow initial increase in flow and prolonged time to achieve Q(max). The two groups had comparable mean PVRs (3.5 mL, sd 5.1, range 0-18 with ballooning vs 6.1, sd 10.7, range 0-38 without, P = 0.37). Only one patient had a marginally abnormal PVR. CONCLUSIONS Physiological phimosis with or without ballooning of the prepuce is not associated with noninvasive objective measures of obstructed voiding. Minor abnormalities in the flow-rate pattern in this patient group deserve further study.     

Changing trends in a decade of circumcision in Scotland

Purpose

There has been a move toward conservative management of foreskin problems. The aim of this study was to examine overall trends for circumcision in Scotland to see if there has been a decrease in the number of operations performed.

Methods

Retrospective analysis looking at the number of circumcisions performed each year over a 10-year period (1990 to 2000), in the 0 to 13-year age group. The principal indication for circumcision in each case was ascertained as were the number of preputioplasties performed over the corresponding period.

Results

A total of 15,605 circumcisions were performed during the 10-year period; 10,888 (69.8%) for phimosis, 2,724 (17.5%) for nonmedical/religious reasons, and 1993 (12.8%) for all other indications. There was a 33.7% decrease in total number of circumcisions performed between the first and second halves of the study period. The fall in operations performed is almost solely attributable (94.5%) to a reduction in number of procedures carried out for phimosis. There was a corresponding increase in preputioplasties performed over the study period.

Conclusions

There has been a steady decrease in circumcision rates in Scotland. This is in keeping with greater appreciation of pathologic phimosis as distinguished from a healthy nonretractile foreskin, which does not require circumcision.     

Outcome after repair of congenital penile malformations

Penile malformations seen and treated during childhood may result in voiding disorders and sexual malfunction in adults. Preputial synechia and phimosis will seldom be the reason for these problems, although some men do seek treatment to correct radical circumcision. Little is known about the satisfaction of men with neonatal or childhood circumcision. Congenital penile curvature is seen in 0.4-0.6% of men. Slight bends do not need any operative treatment and young men should be given advice and counselling accordingly. If treatment is needed, a standard Nesbit procedure or one of its modifications is used in order to avoid urethral manipulation. A hypospadiac position of the urethral meatus together with a more or less prominent ventral bending of the penis is seen in another 0.3-0.5% of boys. Reports on more than 200 operations to correct this deformity have been published. Between 5 and 25% of early complications such as fistula formation, stenosis of the neourethra and skin problems result from hypospadias repair. Long-term follow-up studies have shown that adulthood satisfaction with respect to voiding and sexual function is achieved in 2/3 and some degree of dissatisfaction in 1/3 of cases. Epispadias repair is a much more complicated procedure and long-term results are seldom reported. Nevertheless, quite good results with respect to continence (approximately 80%) and sexual function may be achieved.     

三种包皮环切术的临床应用比较

目的:比较包皮环切缝合器手术、包皮环切吻合器手术与传统包皮环切术治疗包皮过长或包茎患者的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析我院泌尿外科门诊采用包皮环切缝合器手术(110例)、包皮环切吻合器手术(105例)、传统包皮环切术(520例)治疗包皮过长或包茎的735例患者的临床资料,比较三种术式的手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症等指标。结果:包皮环切缝合器手术、包皮环切吻合器手术在手术时间和术中出血量等方面要优于传统包皮环切术(P0.05);且三种术式在手术并发症上的差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:三种术式各有优缺点,最后的术式选择需根据患者的病情、年龄、经济状况、对美观的要求和手术者对不同术式的手术技巧的熟悉程度等多方面来综合考虑决定。     

一次性包皮环切吻合器与包皮环扎和传统包皮环切术的疗效比较

目的:探讨应用一次性包皮环切吻合器与包皮环扎和传统包皮环切术式的临床疗效比较。方法:对包茎和包皮过长患者,分别采用一次性包皮环切吻合器环切术、包皮环扎术、传统包皮环切术,并对其术前、术中、术后三方面进行比较。结果:一次性包皮环切吻合器环切术除价格相对较贵外,其它方面都优于包皮环扎术和传统包皮环切术。结论:一次性包皮环切吻合器环切术简单、安全、无需缝合、外观美观,值得临床推广应用。     

双“V”形切口包皮整形术

目的:探讨双"V"形切口切除、系带重建法治疗包皮过长及包茎的方法和临床价值。方法:首先辨别冠状前沟及后沟,以冠状后沟为内板切除的定位标志,以阴茎勃起长度确定外板切除长度,以内外板标记处环形切开皮肤,系带处取"V"形切口,于浅筋膜层分离并切除多余皮肤,系带区行V-Y成形术重建系带使其向下延长1～1.5cm。结果:已治疗包皮过长及包茎患者100例,术中出血少,术后包皮及系带水肿、疼痛轻,无继发出血及感染,恢复快,愈合后切口及外形美观。结论:双"V"形切口包皮整形术减少了术者的主观与经验因素,具有可操作性,手术效果好,术后外形自然、美观。     

Paediatric urology

Paediatric urology covers all aspects of urological care in children. Many conditions are specific to children and, although there is some crossover with adult urology, diagnosis and management can be significantly different. Paediatric urology is increasingly undertaken in tertiary centres and many adult urologists will only deal with basic paediatric urology in their practice. A broad knowledge of the topic, however, and the implications on development and adult presentations is essential. This article will covers all the relevant topics for a broad understanding of paediatric urology, antenatal hydronephrosis including pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction, vesico-ureteric reflux and megaureter, posterior urethral valves, urinary tract infection, incontinence, undescended testis, hypospadias, hydrocoele, phimosis, the acute scrotum, disorders of sexual development and bladder extrophy and epispadias.