Endoscopic Internal Urethrotomy in the Treatment of Male Urethral Stenosis in the Urology-Andrology Department of KARA Teaching Hospital (Togo)

Introduction: Endoscopic internal urethrotomy (EIU) is a method for stricture opening using transurethral incision by direct visualisation of the urethral channel, resulting in a widening of the urinary canal with the aim of improving the quality of bladder emptying. The aim of the study was to evaluate the indication and results of EIU in the treatment of stenosis of the male urethra in the Urology-Andrology Department of Kara Teaching Hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with retrospective data collection in the Urology-Andrology department of Kara Teaching Hospital. It involved 21 records of patients with urethral stenosis treated by endoscopic internal urethrotomy (EIU) in the said department during the period from January 2021 to September 2023. The following variables were evaluated: age, circumstance of discovery, site, length, number, etiology of the urethral stenosis and evolution of the patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.2 ± 11.7 years. Infectious etiology of stenosis was predominant with 10 patients (47.6%) followed by trauma with 5 cases (23.8%). The bulbar urethra was the most frequently observed site, with 11 cases (52.4%). The length was mostly less than 2 cm in 12 patients (57.1%). Stenosis was unique in 14 patients (66.7%). The mean postoperative follow-up time was 3.2 months. The result was immediately better in 11 patients (52.4%) and it was poor in 8 patients (38.1%) who required maintenance dilation sessions.

Male Urethral Stricture: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects in Kara

Background: Urethral stricture is a pathology frequently encountered in urological practice. Management is often surgical, with possible recurrences. What about this pathology in Kara, a semi-urban city? Objective: Assess the management of male urethral stricture in Kara. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive study with retrospective data collection. The study took place in the urology department of the teaching hospital of Kara, from December 2020 to December 2022. All cases of male urethral stricture, surgically treated at the teaching hospital of Kara, were listed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: any patient who had been treated surgically for male urethral stricture in the urology department of the teaching Hospital of Kara. The operating theater register and hospital records were used to collect the data. The diagnosis of urethral stricture had been made with retrograde urethrogram. A total of 24 patients were treated for male urethral stricture during the study period. The following variables were studied: age, reason for consultation, location, length, and etiology of the stricture;the type of treatment received: optical internal urethrotomy, or anastomotic urethroplasty, and the results. The result was considered good if, after removal of the urethral catheter, the patient regained his micturition without the need for dilatation;the result was considered average if, after removal of the urethral catheter, the patient needed one or more dilatation sessions to regain urination;the result was considered poor if, after removal of the catheter, the patient did not regain good micturition despite the urethral dilatation sessions. Microsoft excel and epi info 7 software were used for data processing. Results: The average age of our patients was 43.7 years ± 10.18 with extremes ranging from 27 to 70 years. The most represented age groups were that of 40 to 50 years, with 37.5% of cases;and that of 30 to 40 years with 33.3% of cases. The patients had consulted for urine retention in 66.6% of cases;the location of urethral stricture was bulbar in 45.8% of cases. The most found etiology was infectious in 58.3% of cases. Among our patients, 58.3% had received optical internal urethrotomy as treatment, while 41.6% of our patients had received anastomotic urethroplasty as treatment. Postoperatively, after removal of the urinary catheter, 87.5% of patients had benefited from one or repeated dilatation. In terms of results, we had a good result in 20.8% of patients;the result was average in 45.8% of patients, and poor in 33.3% of patients. The average duration of follow-up was 14.3 +/- 7.2 months (3-27). Conclusion: Male urethral stricture mainly affects young adults in Kara. Surgical management is done by optical internal urethrotomy and/or anastomotic urethroplasty.

Urological Emergencies at Kara Teaching Hospital (Togo): Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Profile

Background: The urology department of the teaching hospital of Kara is the second urology department in Togo, after that of the teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio, in Lomé the capital. It is a very young service, created less than 5 years ago. Urological emergencies were previously managed by general surgeons, for lack of urologists. The influx of patients with urological pathologies has increased with the arrival of urologists. The update on urological emergencies having been made in Lomé, we therefore wanted to take stock of urological emergencies at the teaching hospital of Kara. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of urological emergencies received at the teaching hospital of Kara. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive study with retrospective data collection. The study took place in the urology department, and in the surgical emergency department of the teaching hospital of Kara, over a period of 18 months, from January 2021 to June 2022. The on-call medical team consisted of the intern in on-call medicine, and an on-call urologist, whom the intern called upon when he received a urological emergency. Pediatric urological emergencies were managed by the pediatric surgeon and were not considered in our study. The operating room register, the surgical emergency consultation register, the urology department consultation register, and the records of patients hospitalized in the urology department were used for data collection. The following parameters were studied: age, sex, type of urological emergency, and therapeutic management;epi info 7 software was used for data processing. Results: The average age of the patients was 52.5 ± 19.6 years with extremes ranging from 16 years to 102 years. Note that 57.7% of the patients were over 50 years old. The sex ratio was 8.9. Urinary retention was the most common urological emergency in 47.7% (52) of cases;follow-up of infectious pathologies in 30.2% (33) of cases. Among the patients who had been seen for urinary retention, 84.6% (44) of the cases had presented with acute urinary retention. Urethral catheterization was the type of care most received by patients, in 30.2% (33) of cases;follow-up of medical treatment in 27.5% (30) of cases. The most common etiology of urinary retention was prostate tumours, in 71.1% (37) of cases, followed by urethral stricture in 15.3% (8) of cases. We also found in our series, traumatic emergencies in 10% of cases;these were traumatic urethral injuries, traumatic injuries of external genitalia, traumatic injury of bladder, and traumatic injury of kidney in respectively: 4.5% (5);2.7% (3);1.8% (2);and 0.9% (1) of cases. Torsion of the spermatic cord was found in 2.7% (3) of cases. Conclusion: Urine retention is the most common urological emergency at Kara University Hospital. They are most often found in elderly males. Urethral catheterization was the most common type of care.

Radical Prostatectomy: Indication, Technique and Results at Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center of Lomé

Aim: Radical prostatectomy started in TOGO for nearly a decade. We purposed to evaluate the indications, technique and result obtained by this practical in our context. Methods: Descriptive retrospective study over 6 years, involves patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the urology andrology department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé. Results: In 6 years, 24 radical prostatectomies were performed on 209 patients with prostate cancer (prevalence 12.92%). The average age of the patients was 63.8 ± 4.2 years. The average PSA rate was 27.9 ± 21.2 ng/ml. 58.3% were at high risk for d’Amico. The retropubic route with ilio-obturator lymph node dissection was the technique used for all patients. 80.9% of patients were continent and 33.3% had a satisfactory erection 12 months after the surgery. Recurrence-free survival at 1 year was 62.5% and 3 deaths or 12.5% were recorded in the first year in high-risk patients. Conclusion: Radical prostatectomy maintains its place of choice in the treatment of localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. It improves recurrence-free survival.

Trauma of the Male Genitals in the Teaching Hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lome: Lesional and Therapeutic Aspects

Introduction: Trauma of the external male genital organs (TEMGO) is multifaceted and rare. The objective of this work was to provide an overview of these lesions by describing the epidemiology, the diagnostic approach, their therapeutic and prognostic aspects. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study carried out over a ten-year period, from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. It included male patients, admitted and treated in surgical emergencies and in the urology department of the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lomé for trauma of male external genital organs. Results: Thirty-five cases had been collected. They had represented 1.5% of urological emergencies. The subjects were young with a mean age of 29.6 ± 3.1 years, with extremes of 18 and 60 years. Trauma to the penis was more frequent and found in 60% of cases, with the mechanism of coitus misstep in 54.3%, leading to a fracture of the penis. Testicular contusions were found in 22.9% of the cases. The ultrasound was performed in 6 patients. Four orchidectomies were performed for an unsustainable testicle found at scrototomy. The postoperative had been simple in all cases. Fifteen patients (42.8%) had been regularly followed on 18 months. Residual testicular pain and mode-rate erectile dysfunction was noted respectively in 3 and 2 patients. Conclusion: TEMGO, although rare, require perfect knowledge for adequate therapeutic decisions, as they can compromise the functional prognosis of concerned organs.

Experience with Open Prostatectomy in Lomé, Togo

Background: Open prostatectomy is the most commonly available surgical procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia and this is the case in most countries in West African even with all the limitations of the procedure. Objective: The objective is to determine the pattern and outcomes of open prostatectomy in Lomé. Patients & Methods: From December 2011 to November 2012, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on a series of patients treated for prostate adenoma. Dysuria was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The history of each patient was recorded, as well as paraclinical data. All patients were surgically treated via abdominal incision procedure. The data obtained included the patients’ demographics, clinical features, the IPSS scores, investigations, type of open prostatectomy, outcome and follow-up. The data were analyzed for means and frequencies using Epi Info version 3.5.3. Results: Fifty-four consecutive patients underwent surgery consecutively, their ages ranging from 40 to 92 years, with an average of 67.27 ± 12.50 years. In all, 46 (85.2%) patients presented with obstructive symptoms and 26 (48.1%) presented with urinary retention. The average prostate volume was 114.31 ± 20.11 cm3 with a range of 31 - 485 cm3. The average blood loss at surgery was 425.92 ± 38.2 ml with an average operating time of 66.05 ± 15.75 mins and the main complications were hemorrhaging and clot retention in 7 (13%), epididymo-orchitis in 9 (16.7%), and urinary incontinence in 6 (11.1%) patients. IPSS scores were under 7 in 92% of patients three months after surgery and the mortality rate was 3.7%. Conclusion: This study has shown that open prostatectomy in our environment is still the commonest surgical option for benign prostatic hyperplasia with good outcomes though with manageable complications.

Prostate Cancer Screening by General Practitioners in Lomé, Togo

Background: Prostate cancer is a common disease in men over 50 years. Only early detection by screening can guarantee a favourable outcome. Objective: The objective of the study is to report on the practice of prostate cancer screening by general practitioners in Lomé. Material and Method: This was a practice survey. A questionnaire administered to general practitioners allowed to examine the following parameters: the practitioner’s years of practice, the screening criteria, the screening tools and the factors motivating the request for urological advice. The data were analysed using the software Epi info 7.1.5. The P value was considered significant below 0.05. Results: One hundred and eighty (180) physicians average-aged 29 were administered among whom one hundred and fifty-seven (157) males and twenty-three (23) females. The average duration of the medical practice was 35.2 months (6 months - 204 months). The screening criteria were age (47.2%), family history of cancer (17.8%), and age over 50 years associated with symptoms of the low urinary tract (35%). The practitioner’s experience did not affect these criteria (p = 0.12). The screening tools were the digital rectal examination (DRE) associated with prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay (20.5%), PSA alone (29.5%), DRE alone (6.6%), suprapubic ultrasound (32.3%) and endorectal ultrasound (11.1%). The choice of the screening tool was related to the practitioner’s experience (p = 0.03). The determining factor for a urological consultation was a high PSA (>4 ng/ml) independent of the DRE. Conclusion: Prostate cancer screening is largely done by general practitioners in Lomé. However, the use of some criteria and tools for the screening is not optimal.

Evaluation of Knowledge of Medical Students of University of Lomé(Togo) on the Contribution of Prostate Biopsy in the Detection of Prostate Cancer

Background: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in humans in most developed countries. In Togo, around 59.8% of prostate cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage because of the insufficient screening in connection with the recent introduction of prostate biopsy and the late generalization of PSA (prostate specific antigen). Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé on the contribution of prostate biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Results: A total of 1017 students filled out the form, with an overall response rate of 95.3%. The range age of the subjects was 24.5 years, and a sex ratio (M/F) of 2.51. The majority of students were license (546, 53.69%). Five hundred and eighty-one (57.13%) of the students had not received any training in prostate cancer. Five hundred and eighty-two students (57.23%) had no knowledge of prostate biopsy. There is a statistically significant link between students’ knowledge of the prostate biopsy and age (OR 1, 95% CI [0.49 - 2.03], p = 0.0001), sex (OR 1, 95% CI [0.33 - 1.08], p = 0.0003), the study cycle (OR 2.5, 95% CI [1.02 - 5.06], p = 0.0047) and the effectiveness of an internship in urology department (OR 1, 95% CI [0.61 - 1.31], p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Medical students have little knowledge of the place of biopsy in the detection of prostate cancer. Educational efforts should focus on improving their knowledge so that they can make appropriate decisions in the future.

Urological Endoscopy: Results of the First 15 Months, in Kara (Togo)

Background: The urology department of the Teaching Hospital of Kara is the 2nd urology department in Togo, Kara being a semi-urban town located 400 km from Lomé the capital. While for a long time only open surgery was used, the acquisition of urological endoscopic equipment in February 2021, has revolutionized the urological management of patients. Objective: Report the results of the first 15 months of urological endoscopy practice at the Kara Teaching Hospital, identify the particularities, announce the prospects. Patients and Methods. This was a retrospective and descriptive study, which took place in the urology department of the Kara Teaching Hospital, from February 2021 to April 2022, i.e. a period of 15 months. The register of operative reports and patient records were used for data collection. The following parameters were studied: age, sex, diagnosis, indication, diagnostic or therapeutic nature of the procedure, and results. EPI INFO 7.2.4.0 software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 102 urological procedures (endoscopic and non-endoscopic) were performed during the study period;of the 102 interventions, 62 were endoscopic urological interventions, i.e., 60.7% of the interventions. The average age of patients treated was 55.5 years (±16.4) with extremes ranging from 28 to 87 years. Men accounted for 84% of patients treated. Prostatic hypertrophy was the most common urological pathology in our study, requiring endoscopic intervention in 40% of cases. Transurethral resection of the prostate was the most performed endoscopic procedure in our study with 43.5% of cases. The various endoscopic interventions resulted in success in 96.7% of cases. Conclusion: Urology nowadays cannot be done without endoscopy. At the Kara Teaching Hospital, the results are already promising after less than 24 months of endoscopic practice in urology. Advocacy must be made to political decision-makers, so that the situation is even better, for the good of both urologists and patients.

Place of Open Radical Nephrectomy, in the Era of Laparoscopy in Subsaharian Africa

Introduction: Kidney cancer is discovered in Africa often at advanced or locally advanced stages. These patients could be treated by radical nephrectomy or cytoreductive nephrectomy. Open surgery still retains its place due to the technical difficulties which are linked to the stage of the tumors in this era where laparoscopy is becoming the gold standard. Through this study, we wanted to highlight the advanced stages of patients operated by open surgery in our institution rather than laparoscopy, however, with good results. Patients and Method: It was a retrospective study over a period of 5 years. Were included all patients in whom radical nephrectomy had been performed during this period. Results: Thirty-five (35) open radical nephrectomies for kidney cancer were performed. The average tumor size was 11.6 cm (±3.4 cm). The mean operating time was 169 min ± 63.4 min with extremes of 115 min (1 h 55 min) and 360 min (6 h). This duration was longer for large tumors (p = 0.002). Intraoperative incidents occurred in 4 patients (11.4%);it was a vena cava injury (02) and a spleen injury (02). Blood loss was estimated on average at 535 ml. The mean follow-up time was 19 ± 11 months. The overall survival rate was 90% at 3 months, 53% at 12 months and 35.4% at 24 months. Conclusion: The large size of kidney tumor found in Africa may constitute an obstacle to performing nephrectomies by laparoscopy. However, mastering the laparoscopic technique with appropriate equipment can help reduce operative morbidity.

Spondylodiscitis, an Exceptional Complication of Prostate Biopsy: Case Report

Background: Transrectal prostate biopsy is a major prostate cancer diagnosis procedure that can cause infectious complications. Osteoarticular localization is uncommon. Aim: To report a case of spondylodiscitis due to a transrectal prostate biopsy and highlight therapeutical principles. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male underwent transrectal prostate biopsy performed because of high PSA level, and presented 48 hours later with back pain, fever at 40°C associated with an obnubilation. He was treated for malaria without favorable evolution. Persistance of pain and occurrence of neurologic manifestations motivated dorso-lumbar Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which permitted diagnosis of spondylodiscitis. The treatment was made by triple antibiotic therapy combining Imipenem 500 mg/8h (IV);Ofloxacin 200 mg/12h (IV) and Metronidazole 500 mg/8h (IV) over four weeks. Evolution under treatment was favorable. Conclusion: Spondylodiscitis is an exceptional complication of transrectal prostate biopsy. It may be evocated in case of bones pain after prostate biopsy.

Prostate Biopsy: Which Technique for Which Results at LoméUniversity Hospital in 2017?

Background: Diagnosis of prostate cancer is certified by histology true prostate biopsies. The aim of our study was to evaluate our prostate biopsy method. Material and Methods: It was a prospective study including patients underwent prostate biopsy. Inclusion criteria were prostate specific antigen (PSA) level up to 4ng/ml and/or abnormal prostate at digital rectal examination. Patients who had risk factors of bleeding have been excluded of the study. The preparation before biopsy included antibioprophylaxy (Ciprofloxacine-Tinidazole) and rectal hypertonic cleaning (Normacol*). Twelve cores have been taken in each prostate by transrectal digital-guided way, using Biopty Gun 18 Gauge. Local anesthesia has been done previously by intrarectal application of 20 ml of gel of Lidoca?ne. Two other cores were taken into each abnormal area at rectal examination. The follow-up have been done during twelve weeks. Results: Eighty patients of 65 years of age were included. Nine patients had familial history of prostate cancer. PSA levels ranged from 5 to 6400 ng/ml with a median of 26.77 ng/ml ± 11.2. Complications occurred in 11.25% of patients, principally infectious complications which caused death of one patient by septicemia. The rate of cancer detection was 20%. Prostate abnormality at digital rectal examination and the presence of familial history of prostate cancer were not predictive factors of the presence of cancer on cores. Conclusion: Our prostate biopsy method is limited by the lack of ultrasonographic guidance and is at important risk of infectious complications.

Epidemiological Profile of Diagnosed Disorders in Urological Consultation at Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lome

Context: Thanks to the increase in the number of urologists in Togo, urological activity is improving rapidly. Objective: This study aims at presenting the epidemiological aspects of the diseases diagnosed in urology consultation at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lome. Materials and Methods: This research was a two-year retrospective and descriptive study. The data for the analysis were collected from the records of patients received in consultation for urological pathology. The parameters taken into account are: frequency, age, sex, occupation, patient history and diagnosis. Results: 602 patients were admitted at the department of urology within two years, with an annual frequency of 301. The average age of the patients was 48.63 ± 19.69 years;the sex ratio (M/F) was equal to 12.08. Patients over 60 years of age accounted for 33.3% of the patients seen. The medical history of 88 cases showed that the bladder catheterization was most frequent (22 cases) followed by hypertension (15 cases). Benign prostatic hyperplasia was the most frequently diagnosed pathology accounting for 24.9% of the consultations. Conclusion: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most frequent pathology in urology consultation at the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital in Lome.

Management of Venous Priapism: Experience of Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé(TOGO)

Objective: To study the diagnostic, etiological, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of patients received at the Sylvanus Olympio Hospital in Lomé for venous priapism. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study, over 5 years (2012-2016), of 27 cases of low flow priapism treated at the Chu Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé. Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.14 years ± 8.6. The average time of consultation was 106 hours (04 days 10 hours) ± 208.02. In our study, 4 (14.81%) patients consulted before the 6th hour and 20 (74%) patients consulted after the 24th hour. The blood count required in all patients revealed a case of chronic myeloid leukemia. Hemoglobin electrophoresis resulted in 23 (85.1%) cases of sickle cell disease. The management was medico-surgical. After an average follow-up of 11 months, erectile function was evaluated in 18 patients, and erectile dysfunction was noted in 10 (55.5%) patients.