Reconstruction of the Denonvillier's fascia and posterior ligament of the external urethral sphincter: Assessment of its effect on urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Objectives: Some studies have shown that rhabdosphincter reconstruction provides an earlier return to continence after radical prostatectomy. We aim to study the impact of this procedure in urinary continence along with comparing two specific surgical techniques for posterior reconstruction. Materials and methods: We studied a group of patients who were submitted to LRP with No Rhabdosphincter Reconstruction (NRR) and another group with Posterior Reconstruction of the Rhabdosphincter (PRR). The latter was further divided into two groups: "Rocco type stitch" group and "Bollens type stitch" group. We used three questionnaires (IIEF-5, ICIQ-SF and IPSS) to assess urinary continence and erectile function 90 days after surgery. Results: Patients of PRR group had a better full continence rate than patients of NRR group at 90 days (96.6% vs 33.3%, p < 0.001). Concerning urinary incontinence (p = 0.116), lower urinary tract symptoms (p = 0.543) and postoperative complication rates (p = 0.738), our results suggested that there were no differences between the techniques studied. Conclusions: Posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter has significant benefits for urinary continence recovery on patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. No differences were observed in continence recovery between the two techniques analyzed. Additionally, reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter appears to be a safe procedure with no increased risk of postoperative complications.

Peculiarities of feminizing surgical correction in children with disorders of sexual development

Purpose – to analyze own results of surgical treatment of serious forms of disorders of sexual development (DSD) in children after feminizing surgeries. To define practical protocol guides on the choice of the type of surgical correction. Materials and methods. Over the past 5 years surgeons of Lviv regional paediatric clinical hospital «OHMATDYT» have examined 12 children with DSD, signs of hermaphroditism (intersex). After complex examination the following states were diagnosed: androgenital syndrome in 5 girls (referred for further treatment to Kyiv paediatric medical centres); true hermaphroditism – 1 child; mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MCG) – 3 children; female pseudohermaphroditism (without determining genesis) – 1 child; partial testicular feminization syndrome, Morris syndrome (male pseudohermaphroditism) – 2 children. In connection with marked masculinization of external genitalia two children with MCG and the girl with pseudohermaphroditism underwent feminizing surgery, namely genital zone reconstruction, mobilization and excision of urogenital sinus walls, excision of genital cavernous bodies (in children with MCG) with clitoroplasty, vulvoplasty with labioplasty and vaginoplasty. Children with Morris syndrome are being prepared to feminizing surgery. Results. Each child had a personal examination plan. Verification of a child’s state lasted from several weeks to 2–3 months. Children who underwent feminizing surgery did not have male structures and had relatively well-developed female structures. More «natural», less traumatizing correction was preformed for each specific case. In all children who underwent surgery vagina opened into urogenital sinus lower than external urethral sphincter, so there was no need to form front vagina wall (back and side walls were formed). Out of all children treated in our hospital gender was legally changed to the opposite. Conclusions. The birth of a child with DSD is a most challenging problem for parents, doctors, psychologists and social workers. Such states require complex examination. Children with severe hypospadias must undergo genetic examination. Statistic data and our own experience show higher frequency of feminizing surgeries in such cases. The most difficult part of such surgeries proves to be the excision of genital cavernous bodies with clitoroplasty and clitoris translocation; the most responsible part in functional sense is vaginoplasty. Surgical treatment is not the final stage of treatment for such patients. Children with DSD require constant further dynamic checkups by gynaecologists, urologists, oncologists, endocrinologists, psychologists with relevant therapy correction. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of all participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: disorders of sexual development (DSD), hermaphroditism, feminizing correction.

Anatomy of Cowper’s gland in humans suggesting a secretion and emission mechanism facilitated by cooperation of striated and smooth muscles

This study presents the detailed anatomy of the Cowper’s gland in humans. Elucidating the mechanism of secretion and emission of the Cowper’s gland requires analysis of the muscles around the Cowper’s gland. We hypothesized that the Cowper’s gland involves not only smooth muscle but also the striated muscles of the pelvic floor. Here, we provide comprehensive and three-dimensional anatomy of the Cowper’s gland and its surrounding structures, which overcomes the current local and planar understanding. In this study, seven male corpses of body donors were used to conduct macroscopic anatomy, histology, and three-dimensional reconstruction. The Cowper’s gland was surrounded laterally and posterosuperiorly by striated and smooth muscles, respectively. The striated muscle bundle was connected from the superficial transverse perineal muscle, levator ani, and external anal sphincter to the external urethral sphincter (rhabdosphincter). The smooth muscle was part of the deep transverse perineal muscle and entered between the bilateral Cowper’s glands and lobules. Our findings indicate that the secretion and emission of the Cowper’s gland in humans are carried out through the cooperation of striated and smooth muscles.

Time course for urethral neuromuscular reestablishment and its facilitated recovery by transcutaneous neuromodulation after simulated birth trauma in rats

The aims of the study were to determine the time-course of urinary incontinence recovery after vaginal distension (VD), elucidate the mechanisms of injury from VD leading to external urethral sphincter (EUS) dysfunction, and assess if transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris facilitates recovery of urinary continence after VD. Rats underwent 4-h VD, 4-h sham VD (SH-VD), VD plus 1-h DNC TENS, and VD plus 1-h sham TENS (SH-TENS). TENS or SH-TENS were applied immediately and at days 2 and 4 post-VD. Micturition behavior, urethral histochemistry and histology, EUS and nerve electrophysiology, and cystometrograms were evaluated. VD induced urine leakage and disrupted EUS fibers and nerve-conduction. Urine leakage disappeared 13 days post-VD. Structural and functional recovery of the EUS neuromuscular circuitry started by day 6 post-VD but did not fully recovered by day 11 post-VD. TENS significantly decreased the frequency of urine leakage post-VD (p<0.01). We conclude that rat urinary continence function after VD requires 2 weeks to recover, although urethra structure is not fully recovered. Treatment to facilitate neuroregeneration should be applied within one-week after damage. TENS facilitated urinary continence recovery after VD. This treatment may have potential to decrease postpartum urinary incontinence in women.

The Right Instrument for the Right Purpose: Spreading the Use of Small Caliber Ureteroscope for the Inspection of the Male and Female Urethra

The inspection of the urethra in patients with documented or suspected urethral stricture should be carried out with small caliber ureteroscope of 6/7.5Ch. Different from flexible cystoscope (16Ch) or resectoscope (26Ch), small caliber ureteroscope allows a comprehensive evaluation of the stricture, including its length and the status of the mucosa in its proximity, without injuring or overstretching the urethra. With a small caliber ureteroscope it is also possible to cross the stricture, allowing the evaluation of the proximal urethra, the external urethral sphincter, and the bladder. A 6/7.5Ch ureteroscope also allows estimation of the real caliber of the stricture, providing a useful landmark for further treatment decisions.

Transurethral versus suprapubic catheterization to test urethral function in rats

Transurethral and suprapubic catheterization have both been used to test urethral function in rats; however, it is unknown whether these methods affect urethral function or if the order of catheterization affects the results. The aim of this cross-over designed experiment was to compare the effects of catheterization methods and order on leak point pressure (LPP) testing. LPP and simultaneous external urethral sphincter electromyography (EUS EMG) were recorded in anesthetized female virgin Sprague-Dawley rats in a cross-over design to test the effects of transurethral and suprapubic catheterization. There was no significant difference in peak bladder pressure during LPP testing whether measured with a transurethral or suprapubic catheter. There was no significant difference in peak bladder pressure between the first and second catheter insertions. However, peak EMG firing rate, as well as peak EMG amplitude and EMG amplitude difference between peak and baseline were significantly higher after the first catheter insertion compared to the second insertion, regardless of the catheter method. Our results suggest that route of catheterization does not alter urethral function, e.g. create a functional partial outlet obstruction. Either catheterization method could be used for LPP and/or EUS EMG testing in rats.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Urethral Sphincteric Botulinum Toxin Injections for Female Sphincter Dysfunctions and a Search for Predictive Factors

External urethral sphincter (EUS) dysfunction is a common, bothersome female voiding dysfunction. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of different types of female EUS dysfunction, as well as to determine the outcome predictors of sphincteric botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection. Women receiving sphincteric BoNT-A injections for refractory EUS dysfunction were retrospectively reviewed. A comparison of the baseline clinical, urodynamic parameters and the treatment responses were made for patients with different EUS dysfunctions. A total of 106 females were included. Significantly increased detrusor overactivity, detrusor contracting pressure and the bladder outlet obstruction index with decreased urge sensation were noted in patients diagnosed with dysfunctional voiding or detrusor sphincter dyssynergia comparing to those diagnosed with poor relaxation of the external urethral sphincter. The average subjective improvement rate was 67% for the injection. The therapeutic effect was not affected by the type of EUS dysfunction. The multivariate analysis revealed that bladder neck narrowing and catheterization history were predictive of negative outcomes. There is a distinct urodynamic presentation for each type of female EUS dysfunction. Sphincteric BoNT-A injection provides a good therapeutic outcome for refractory EUS dysfunction. A narrowing bladder neck and a history of catheterization suggest poor therapeutic outcomes.

Place of Duloxetine in Concervative Treatment Women and Men with Stress Urinary Incontinence

History of introduction of duloxetine in medical practice, mechanism of action and using of duloxetine in concervative treatment women and men with stress urinary incontinence are shown. Modern structure of external urethral sphincter in women and men was shown with increasing of sphincter tone under duloxetine influence. Duloxetine recommended by International Continent Society for initial treatment women with stress urinary incontinence but this drug gives only improvement of urine continence and quality of life with side effects. Duloxetine with connection with pelvic floor muscle training gives better results than using separately duloxetine and pelvic floor muscle training. Nausuea is the most frequency side symptom after using duloxetine. Results of own investigations were shown and indications for using duloxetine in women with stress urinary incontinence were summed up. The most positive results were obtained after combination of duloxetine with pelvic floor muscle training and electrostimulation of urethral sphincter. Duloxetine for treatment men with stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy is only clinical tested. Estimation of efficacy of duloxetine in treatment men with stress urinary incontinence after open prostatectomy due to benign prostatic hyperplasia is needed.

AGE-RELATED CHANGES OF THE FEMALE URETHRA

Минимальные и максимальные показатели длины, ширины, площади или объема органов и структур нижних мочевых путей в норме могут различаться до 2-3 раз. С возрастом у здоровых женщин не меняются абсолютная и относительная длина мочеиспускательного канала, уретровезикальный угол и наклон уретры. И гладкая, и поперечнополосатая мышечные ткани, входящие в состав различных отделов женской уретры, подвергаются атрофии в процессе старения организма. Гладкая мышечная ткань менее изменчива с возрастом, но поперечнополосатые мышечные симпласты иногда полностью отсутствуют в биоптатах уретры пожилых пациентов. С возрастом уменьшаются васкуляризация и плотность иннервации структур мочеиспускательного канала, но возрастает содержание соединительной ткани в наружном сфинктере уретры. Мобильность мочеиспускательного канала у молодых женщин более выражена, чем у пожилых. Явная недостаточность современных работ, посвященных возрастным изменениям нижних мочевых путей, указывает на актуальность и необходимость продолжения изучения трансформации органов и тканей мочевыводящей системы при старении. Это может быть важным для определения этиологии и патогенеза некоторых патологических состояний, таких как стрессовое недержание мочи, а также для дифференциальной диагностики между возрастной нормой и патологией. The minimum and maximum indicators of the length, width, area or volume of organs and structures in the lower urinary tract can normally vary up to 2-3 times. With age, at healthy women the absolute and relative length of the urethra, the urethrovesical angle, and the inclination of the urethra do not change. Both smooth and striated muscle tissues, which are part of various departments of the female urethra, undergo atrophy during the aging process. Smooth muscle tissue is less variable with age, but striated muscle symplasts are sometimes completely absent in urethral biopsies from elderly patients. With age, the vascularization and density of the innervation decrease in the urethral structures, but the content of connective tissue in the external urethral sphincter increases. Urinary tract mobility at young women is more pronounced than at older women. The apparent insufficiency of modern investigations about age-related changes in the lower urinary tract indicates the relevance and need to continue studying of the organ and tissue transformation in the urinary system during aging, this may be important for determining the etiology and pathogenesis of some pathological conditions, such as stress urinary incontinence, as well as for differential diagnosis between age norm and pathology.

Delivery of the 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist, DOI, Enhances Activity of the Sphincter Muscle during the Micturition Reflex in Rats after Spinal Cord Injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts spinobulbospinal micturition reflex pathways and results in urinary dysfunction. Over time, an involuntary bladder reflex is established due to the reorganization of spinal circuitry. Previous studies show that manipulation of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors affects recovered bladder function, but it remains unclear if this receptor regulates the activity of the external urethral sphincter (EUS) following SCI. To elucidate how central and peripheral serotonergic machinery acts on the lower urinary tract (LUT) system, we employed bladder cystometry and EUS electromyography recordings combined with intravenous or intrathecal pharmacological interventions of 5-HT2A receptors in female SCI rats. Three to four weeks after a T10 spinal transection, systemic and central blockage of 5-HT2A receptors with MDL only slightly influenced the micturition reflex. However, delivery of the 5-HT2A receptor agonist, DOI, increased EUS tonic activity and elicited bursting during voiding. Additionally, subcutaneous administration of DOI verified the enhancement of continence and voiding capability during spontaneous micturition in metabolic cage assays. Although spinal 5HT2A receptors may not be actively involved in the recovered micturition reflex, stimulating this receptor subtype enhances EUS function and the synergistic activity between the detrusor and sphincter to improve the micturition reflex in rats with SCI.