De Novo Vesicoureteral Reflux Following Ureterocele Decompression in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing Laser Puncture versus Electrosurgical Incision Techniques

Background: The available endoscopic techniques for ureterocele decompression include laser puncture (LP), electrosurgical incision (ES), and cold-knife incision. This systematic review was performed to compare the efficacy of LP versus ES techniques with special emphasis on de novo VUR. Methods: Four databases were systematically searched by the authors. The inclusion criteria were all comparative studies in which ureterocele decompression was performed by either LP or ES endoscopic techniques. Outcomes including the incidence of de novo VUR, the need for endoscopic retreatment of the ureterocele, and the need for secondary surgical procedures were studied. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for all outcomes and the Mantel-Haenszel method was utilized for the estimation of pooled RR. The methodological quality was assessed by the Downs and Black scale. Results: Five studies were considered for systematic review, while four of them were included in the meta-analysis. Out of 202 children, 67 developed de novo VUR. Significantly lower rates of reflux were observed in the LP group vis-a-vis ES group (RR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.32, p < 0.00001). Endoscopic retreatment rates (n = 20) demonstrated no significant difference among the two patient groups (RR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.26–1.68, p = 0.38). A total of 46 secondary procedures were performed in 170 children, mostly ureteral re-implantations, with a significantly lower need of secondary surgeries following LP versus ES (RR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.49, p < 0.0001). The risk of bias in the included studies was low-to-moderate. Conclusions: When compared to the ES technique, the LP technique is associated with a significantly low incidence of de novo VUR and requirement for secondary surgeries (particularly anti-reflux surgeries). Endoscopic retreatment rates showed no significant difference between the two techniques. However, due to the moderate risk of bias in two out of four included studies, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future.

Vocal outcomes after video assisted cold knife endolaryngeal phonosurgery of benign vocal fold lesions

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> This study focuses on therapeutic possibilities in managing benign superficial vocal fold lesions with video assisted cold knife endolaryngeal phonosurgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty patients with benign vocal fold lesions presented to us between September 2013 and October 2015 who failed conservative therapy were subjected to video assisted cold knife endolaryngeal phonosurgery. The pre and postoperative results were evaluated based on voice rating by visual analogue scale and GRBAS scale.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results</strong>: Encouraging results were achieved with cold knife endolaryngeal surgery as 96.3% of patients were symptom free without any recurrence after single operation. Most of them have achieved &gt;90% of voice outcome by 1 month postoperatively based on voice assessment and laryngoscopic evaluation.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Using a telescope with high definition video system for performing phonosurgery is economic, enables the surgeon to acquire static images and video sequences. Cold knife endoscopic laryngeal surgery is possibly a better option for addressing BVFLs.</p>

Evaluation of Holmium Laser versus Cold Knife in Optical Internal Urethrotomy for the Management of Urethral Stricture

Background : urethral stricture is one of the most difficult urological problems to cure adequately and is know to mankind since ages as it has been documented in ancient literature of Egyptians and Greeks. Aim of the work: the aim of our study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes of Ho:YAG laser urethrotomy with the conventional cold knife technique as regards treatment outcome, efficacy and complications Patients and methods: A total of 20 male patients presented to the urology department at El Maadi military hospital and Ain shams university hospitals diagnosed as urethral stricture requiring optical internal urethrotomy were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two groups : In group A (holmium group): 10 patients underwent internal urethrotomy with Holmium laser. In group B (cold knife group) 10 patients underwent internal urethrotomy with cold knife. Results: based upon uroflowmetry, assessment of treatment effectiveness and complications were made at 3 months follow-up. Post operative fall in the peak flow rate was noted during the follow up in both groups, but was highter fall in the holmium group than the cold knife group at the end of the third month.

Early Outcome of Cold Knife Ablation and Diathermy Fulguration of Posterior Urethral Valve; A Comparative Study

Background: Posterior urethral valve (PUV) is the most common obstructive anomaly of the urethra. Urethral valves have a wide range of clinical and anatomical presentations and today most patients are diagnosed in the prenatal or early neonatal period. Cold knife and diathermy fulguration are two of the technique of PUV ablation. Objective: To find out early outcome of posterior urethral valve ablation between cold knife and diathermy fulguration. Methodology: This prospective comparative interventional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric surgery in Dhaka Shishu Hospital (DSH), Dhaka. 54 patients with PUV, admitted for valve ablation during study period were included in this study. Patients were divided in to two group. Among them, 27 were in Group-A, whose PUV ablation were done by cold knife and 27 were in Group-B whose PUV ablation were done by diathermy fulguration. Successful ablation was confirmed under endoscopic vision as well as with the demonstration of good stream following supra pubic compression, at the end of the procedure. All patients were kept with 72 hours of urethral catheterization (All silicon self retaining Foley’s catheter according to body texture ) .Post PUV ablation pt. were given discharged with prophylactic antibiotics on 4th POD. Results: The mean age was found 18.37±16.13 months in cold knife ablation group and 12.70±11.03 months in diathermy fulguration group. Significant number (06/22.2%) of cases were associated with residual valve in diathermy fulguration group and non signicant number (301/3.7%) cases in cold knife ablation group . Significant number (04/14.8%) of cases were associated with post PUV ablation stricture urethra also in diathermy fulguration group and no stricture was found in cold knife ablation group . Significant hematuria. was present in 2(7.4%) in cold knife ablation group and 1(3.7%) in diathermy fulguration group. Conclusion: This study concludes that use of cold knife in case of ablation of PUV causes less post ablation obstruction (residual valve and stricture urethra) than using diathermy fulguration and can be regarded a safe and better option for PUV treatment.

Conservative treatment of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix stage IA1: Defining conization height to an optimal oncological outcome

Objective This paper searches an ideal cone height for stage definition and safe treatment of cervical microinvasive squamous carcinoma stage IA1 (MIC IA1), avoiding excessive cervix resection, favoring a future pregnancy. Methods A retrospective study was performed involving 562 women with MIC IA1, from 1985 to 2013, evaluating cone margin involvement, depth of stromal invasion, lymph vascular invasion, conization height, and residual uterine disease (RD). High-grade squamous lesions or worse detection was considered recurrence. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, including age, conization technique (CKC, cold-knife, or ETZ, excision of transformation zone), and pathological results. Conization height to provide negative margins and the risk of residual disease were analyzed. Results Conization was indicated by biopsy CIN2/3 in 293 cases. Definitive treatments were hysterectomy (69.8%), CKC (20.5%), and ETZ (9.7%). Recurrence rate was 5.5%, more frequent in older women (p = 0.030), and less frequent in the hysterectomy group (p = 0.023). Age ≥40 years, ETZ and conization height are independent risk factors for margin involvement. For ages <40 years, 10 mm cone height was associated with 68.6% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for positive margins, while for 15 mm and 25 mm, the NPV was 75.8% and 96.2%, respectively. With negative margins, the NPV for RD varied from 85.7–92.3% for up to 24 mm cone height and 100% from 25 mm. Conclusion Conization 10 mm height for women <40 years provided adequate staging for almost 70%, with 10% of RD and few recurrences. A personalized cone height and staging associated with conservative treatment are recommended.

Holmium: YAG Versus Cold Knife Internal Urethrotomy in the Management of Short Urethral Strictures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: our study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of Holmium: YAG laser internal urethrotomy compared to the cold knife internal urethrotomy. Methods: Eighty adult male patients presented with a urethral stricture less than 1.5 cm were included in our study; they were randomly allocated into 2 groups representing Holmium and cold knife internal urethrotomy. A careful evaluation with ascending cystourethrogram and uroflowmetry were done on all patients, and they were followed up for 1 year with uroflowmetry. Results: Each group included 40 patients sharing the same demographic data. The most common cause of a urethral stricture in both groups was iatrogenic injury. The mean operative time of the cold knife urethrotomy procedure was 10.98 ± 2.40 minutes compared to 15.43 ± 2.48 minutes in the holmium laser urethrotomy group with a highly significant difference. The results showed success rates of 90% and 80% for the holmium laser and cold knife internal urethrotomy groups respectively. The perioperative complication according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, showed no statistically significant difference in grade 1 and 2 complications. A recurrence rate with the need for redo surgery representing grade 3B complication was seen in 4 cases in the Holmium group compared to 8 cases in the cold knife group with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Both Holmium Laser and cold knife internal urethrotomy are an effective surgical option for the treatment of a urethral stricture less than 1.5 cm with a promising outcome after 1-year follow-up with a better success rate using the Holmium laser.