Journal Reviews
Risk stratified approach to early intervention for renal colic
Existing guidance on this topic is based on older and smaller studies, and there remains variation in practice. This review of database outcomes of 1168 out of 3081 (38%) patients who underwent early intervention after presentation to nine Canadian emergency...
Testicular masses – can the testis be spared?
The standard practice for testicular masses confirmed on ultrasound has been to offer an inguinal orchidectomy, on the presumption that the mass represents testicular cancer. The growing use of scrotal ultrasound for various indications has led to an increase in...
Hypospadias – detecting your complications
All hypospadias surgeons will encounter complications. They are estimated to occur in around 10% of distal hypospadias repairs and more than 50% for proximal forms. Some controversy exists regarding the length of follow-up needed to detect them. Some series have...
Call for standardised reporting of adverse events
This article will be of immense benefit to all of us involved in mortality and morbidity meetings and Clinical Governance, especially registrars and junior members of the team. The authors present data from the UK, USA and Europe. In prostate...
Delayed decompression of the infected obstructed kidney increases fatality
Well, we know this, I hear you all say. It is standard practice that the obstructed kidney with associated infection requires prompt decompression, and this is drilled into all UK trainees. It is surprising therefore that although we frequently deal...
Long-term risks of augmenting the bladder in spina bifida patients
Bladder augmentation is utilised to treat children with neuropathic bladders secondary to spina bifida that results in hostile urodynamics, renal deterioration and / or urinary incontinence. Whilst it is associated with an improved quality of life and low mortality, it...
Testosterone supplementation after prostatectomy – journey from bad to good
The role of androgens in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer is quite complex and is not entirely clear yet. Despite several reports suggesting testosterone use is safe in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, many clinicians are still reluctant to use...
Coronaviruses and kidney injury
This is a topical review of the effects of coronaviruses on the kidney and includes a description of the mechanisms of kidney damage by SARS, MERS and COVID-19. The authors quote two previous reports which estimate the incidence of acute...
Urological in-flight medical events
The future of air travel may seem uncertain at the present time, but up until the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 44,000 inflight medical emergencies occurred annually, averaging 1 in 604 flights. Some of you will have heard the heart-sink announcement “if...
Trade-offs between risks and benefits of localised prostate cancer treatments – the COMPARE study
We know little about the trade-offs men make when considering the oncological and functional outcomes of individual treatment options for localised prostate cancer, and decisions are often influenced by physician opinion. The likely compromised functional results are viewed as a...
Changing concepts in endourological training – SIMULATE trial
Skill acquisition for endourological procedures is markedly different from traditional open surgical procedures, questioning the applicability of the presently used apprenticeship model. The lack of a universal simulation training curriculum has hampered its adoption into mainstream urological training. This study...
Telemedicine – safe, convenient and economical
I am sure that most, if not all, readers of Urology News will have utilised some form of telemedicine over the last few months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This timely publication from Boston Children’s Hospital precedes the...
