Adult anterior urethral strictures: a national practice patterns survey of board certified urologists in the United States

PURPOSE: We determined the methods and patterns of the evaluation of and treatment for adult anterior urethral stricture disease by practicing urologists in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide survey of practicing members of the American Urological Association was performed by a mailed questionnaire. A total of 1,262 urologists were randomly selected from all 50 states, of whom 431 (34%) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Most urologists (63%) treat 6 to 20 urethral strictures yearly. The most common procedures used by those surveyed for urethral strictures were dilation (92.8%), optical internal urethrotomy (85.6%) and endourethral stent (23.4%). Minimally invasive procedures are used more frequently that any open urethroplasty technique. Furthermore, most urologists (57.8%) do not perform urethroplasty surgery. When used, the most common urethroplasty surgeries performed were end-to-end anastomotic urethroplasty, perineal urethrostomy and ventral skin graft urethroplasty. Few urologists (4.2%) performed buccal mucosa grafts. For a long bulbar urethral stricture or short bulbar urethral stricture refractory to internal urethrotomy 20% to 29% of respondents would refer to another urologist, while 31% to 33% would continue to manage the stricture by minimally invasive means despite predictable failure. Of the urologists 74% believed that the literature supports a reconstructive surgical ladder, in which urethroplasty is only performed after repeat failure of endoscopic methods. CONCLUSIONS: Most urologists in the United States have little experience with urethroplasty surgery. Most urologists erroneously believe that the literature supports a reconstructive surgical ladder for urethral stricture management. Unfamiliarity with the literature and inexperience with urethroplasty surgery have made the use of endoscopic methods inappropriately common.     

Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulates Myeloid Cell Trafficking in AKI

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury is mediated by a complex cascade of events, including the immune response, that occur secondary to injury to renal epithelial cells. We tested the hypothesis that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which is protective in ischemia-reperfusion injury, regulates trafficking of myeloid-derived immune cells in the kidney. Age-matched male wild-type (HO-1^+/+), HO-1–knockout (HO-1^−/−), and humanized HO-1–overexpressing (HBAC) mice underwent bilateral renal ischemia for 10 minutes. Ischemia-reperfusion injury resulted in significantly worse renal structure and function and increased mortality in HO-1^−/− mice. In addition, there were more macrophages (CD45⁺ CD11b^hiF4/80^lo) and neutrophils (CD45⁺ CD11b^hi MHCII⁻ Gr-1^hi) in HO-1^−/− kidneys than in sham and HO-1^+/+ control kidneys subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. However, ischemic injury resulted in a significant decrease in the intrarenal resident dendritic cell (DC; CD45⁺MHCII⁺CD11b^loF4/80^hi) population in HO-1^−/− kidneys compared with controls. Syngeneic transplant experiments utilizing green fluorescent protein–positive HO-1^+/+ or HO-1^−/− donor kidneys and green fluorescent protein–negative HO-1^+/+ recipients confirmed increased migration of the resident DC population from HO-1^−/− donor kidneys, compared to HO-1^+/+ donor kidneys, to the peripheral lymphoid organs. This effect on renal DC migration was corroborated in myeloid-specific HO-1^−/− mice subjected to bilateral ischemia. These mice also displayed impaired renal recovery and increased fibrosis at day 7 after injury. These results highlight an important role for HO-1 in orchestrating the trafficking of myeloid cells in AKI, which may represent a key pathway for therapeutic intervention.     

Effect of the First Tarsometatarsal (Modified Lapidus) Arthrodesis on Hindfoot Alignment

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of first tarsometatarsal (modified Lapidus) arthrodesis on hindfoot alignment. We reviewed the radiographs of 39 patients, 40 feet (16 right feet and 24 left feet in 6 males and 34 females; mean age 43 years) who underwent hallux valgus reconstruction and isolated first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis. Patients who had ancillary osseous procedures were excluded from the study, with the exception of proximal phalangeal osteotomy to address hallux interphalangeus.The mean time to follow up was 33.78 weeks (8.45 months), median 21.5 weeks. Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative measurements for talar declination (?3.3 ± 3.5), lateral talocalcaneal angle (?3.1 ± 3.9), lateral Meary's angle (?4.2 ± 4.9), medial cuneiform height (3.5 ± 4.6), medial cuneiform to fifth metatarsal distance (4.7 ± 4.5), AP talocalcaneal angle (?2.8 ± 5.3), and percentage of talar head uncovering (?6.6 ± 7.6). Our results suggest that first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis can affect hindfoot alignment on AP and lateral radiographs.     

Comparison of benign and malignant insulinoma

BackgroundHow malignant insulinomas present relative to benign insulinomas is unknown.MethodsA single-institution retrospective study identified patients with insulinoma. Malignancy was defined by distant metastases, positive lymph node(s), T stage of 4, direct invasion into surrounding peripancreatic tissue, or presence of lymphovascular invasion. Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used.ResultsA total of 311 patients were identified: 51 malignant and 260 benign. Patients with malignant insulinoma presented with higher levels of insulin, proinsulin, and c-peptide. Malignant lesions were larger: 4.2 ± 3.2 vs 1.8 ± 0.8 cm in benign lesions, p < 0.01. Overall survival at 5 years was 66.8% vs 95.4% for malignant and benign insulinoma respectively, p < 0.01.ConclusionsLarger size of insulinoma and increased serum β-cell polypeptide concentrations were associated with malignancy. Malignant insulinoma has poorer survival. Further work-up to rule out malignancy may be indicated for larger pancreatic lesions and for patients with higher pre-operative insulin and pro-insulin.     

Surgical Treatment of Hallux Rigidus Using a Metatarsal Head Resurfacing Implant: Mid-term Follow-up

The treatment of advanced hallux rigidus remains controversial, with many authors discussing arthrodesis versus arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to report mid-term outcomes after implantation of a motion-preserving metatarsal head–resurfacing prosthetic and to present our technical considerations and modifications to the published technique to further enhance the clinical benefit of the procedure. Thirty-two implantations were performed in 30 patients. Twenty-three patients were women, 9 men. The average age was 62.8 years (range, 39-86 years). Patients were graded at baseline according to Hattrup and Johnson and completed the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgery metatarsophalangeal clinical rating system preoperatively and postoperatively and a patient satisfaction question at final follow-up. Seventy-two percent of implantations were grade III hallux rigidus and 28% were grade II. The average follow-up was 27.3 months (range, 12-43 months). The mean change score for the overall American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgery scale was 236.8% (SD = 146.62, confidence interval [CI] = 186-287.6). A similar result was achieved between grade II (250.9%, SD = 240.3, CI = 93.9-407.9) and grade III (231.3%, SD = 95.83, CI = 195.14-270.46). No implants were revised or removed, and all patients stated that they were happy with their outcome and would repeat the procedure again if needed. In conclusion, metatarsal head resurfacing in combination with joint decompression, soft tissue mobilization, and debridement can achieve excellent results in grade II and III hallux rigidus. Salvage arthrodesis remains an option if future revisions are indicated.     

Geriatrics for surgeons: infusing life into an aging subject

PURPOSE: Geriatric patients have specific medical and social needs for which surgeons must become adept at caring. In an effort to improve the care of the elderly, we have committed to developing a geriatric component for our surgical curriculum that is part of our PGY2-protected block curriculum. Competencies covered by this curriculum plan include medical knowledge, systems-based practice, professionalism, patient care, practice-based learning, and communication skills. METHODS: The geriatrics curriculum is imbedded in our current protected block curriculum and includes 5 separate sessions during the PGY2 year. During the protected block curriculum, the residents (N = 7) are relieved of all clinical activity, including call. A needs assessment survey assessed the residents' perceptions of the residency program's current focus on geriatric principles. The geriatric portion of this curriculum uses small-group instructional methods consistent with adult learning principles that include practice-based learning, case-based learning, patient simulation using Objective Structured Video Examination (OSVE), and didactic sessions. Faculty instruction is a shared responsibility between geriatricians and general surgeons. The longitudinal geriatrics curriculum includes approximately 10 hours of learner activities over a single-year period. EVALUATION: The curriculum will be evaluated by assessing participant knowledge through the use of multiple-choice testing. Resident performance on OSVEs will likewise be assessed. This method will allow for assessment of higher decision making and clinical reasoning. Finally, a family meeting OSCE will be used to assess professionalism and communication skills further. Overall, all 6 competencies will be assessed using our specific assessment tools. The curriculum content and instructional delivery will be evaluated using longitudinal and session evaluation forms. RESULTS AND EXPERIENCE TO DATE: The geriatrics curriculum will be implemented fully over 2 years. Three sessions will be introduced during the 1st year, and 2 more will be implemented in the 2nd year. The needs assessment survey results demonstrated a lack of sufficient educational focus on geriatrics topics and a low comfort level in caring for the elderly patient. The 1st session of the curriculum has taken place with positive results. The 1st session was a case-based session that focused on critical care and end-of-life issues in the elderly. Although the medical knowledge data are limited thus far, the average pretest score was 57% compared with the 86% posttest score. The resident evaluations (N = 7) of the session demonstrated an average 4.7 (1-5 Likert scale) for content and a 3.9 (1-4 Likert scale) for instructional delivery. CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS: Elderly surgical patients have multiple challenges. Specific geriatric training for surgical trainees is lacking. Over the next 2 years, the curriculum will be developed and evaluated even more for its ability to provide adequate instruction in the specific care of the elderly surgical patient. The ultimate goal is to improve the care of the elderly surgical patient.     

Spinal canal narrowing during simulated frontal impact

Between 23 and 70% of occupants involved in frontal impacts sustain cervical spine injuries, many with neurological involvement. It has been hypothesized that cervical spinal cord compression and injury may explain the variable neurological profile described by frontal impact victims. The goals of the present study, using a biofidelic whole cervical spine model with muscle force replication, were to quantify canal pinch diameter (CPD) narrowing during frontal impact and to evaluate the potential for cord compression. The biofidelic model and a sled apparatus were used to simulate frontal impacts at 4, 6, 8, and 10 g horizontal accelerations of the T1 vertebra. The CPD was measured in the intact specimen in the neutral posture (neutral posture CPD), under static sagittal pure moments of 1.5 Nm (pre-impact CPD), during dynamic frontal impact (dynamic impact CPD), and again under static pure moments following each impact (post-impact CPD). Frontal impact caused significant (P<0.05) dynamic CPD narrowing at C0-dens, C2-C3, and C6-C7. The narrowest dynamic CPD was observed at C0-dens during the 10 g impact and was 25.9% narrower than the corresponding neutral posture CPD. Interpretation of the present results indicate that the neurological symptomatology reported by frontal impact victims is most likely not due to cervical spinal cord compression. Cord compression due to residual spinal instability is also not likely.     

Enhanced accumulation of A2E in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for mutations in BEST1 (VMD2)

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BMD) is an autosomal dominant inherited macular degenerative disease caused by mutations in the gene BEST1 (formerly VMD2). Prior reports indicate that BMD is characterized histopathologically by accumulation of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). However, this accumulation has not been quantified and the chemical composition of lipofuscin in BMD has not been examined. In this study we characterize the histopathology of a donor eye from a rare individual homozygous for a mutation (W93C) in BEST1. We find that this individual's disease was not any more severe than has been described for heterozygotes. We then used this tissue to quantify lipofuscin accumulation by enriching intracellular granules from RPE cells on sucrose gradients and counting the granules in each density fraction. Granules from the homozygous donor eye as well as a donor eye from an individual heterozygous for the mutation T6R were compared with age-matched control eyes. Interestingly, the least dense fraction, representing classical lipofuscin granules was either not present or significantly diminished in the BMD donor eyes and the autoflourescence associated with lipofuscin had shifted to denser fractions. However, a substantial enrichment for granules in fractions of higher density was also noted in the BMD samples. Inspection of granules from the homozygous donor eye by electron microscopy revealed a complex abnormal multilobular structure. Analysis of granules by HPLC indicated a approximately 1.6- and approximately fourfold overall increase in A2E in the BMD eyes versus age-matched control eyes, with a shift of A2E to more dense granules in the BMD donor eyes. Despite the increase in A2E and total intracellular granules, the RPE in the homozygous donor eyes was relatively well preserved. Based on these data we conclude that the clinical and histopathologic consequences to the homozygous donor were not any more severe than has been reported previously for individuals who are established or presumptive heterozygotes. We find that A2E is a component of the lipofuscin accumulated in BMD and that it is more abundant than in control eyes suggesting that the etiology of BMD is similar to Stargardt's disease and Stargardt-like macular dystrophy. Finally, the changes we observe in the granules suggest that the histopathology and eventual vision loss associated with BMD may be due to defects in the ability of the RPE to fully degrade phagocytosed photoreceptor outer segments.