Electrical stimulation of dog pudendal nerve regulates the excitatory pudendal-to-bladder reflex

Pudendal nerve plays an important role in urine storage and voiding.Our hypothesis is that a neuroprosthetic device placed in the pudendal nerve trunk can modulate bladder function after suprasacral spinal cord injury.We had confirmed the inhibitory pudendal-to-bladder reflex by stimulating either the branch or the trunk of the pudendal nerve.This study explored the excitatory pudendal-to-bladder reflex in beagle dogs,with intact or injured spinal cord,by electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve trunk.The optimal stimulation frequency was approximately 15–25 Hz.This excitatory effect was dependent to some extent on the bladder volume.We conclude that stimulation of the pudendal nerve trunk is a promising method to modulate bladder function.

Improving the Evaluation and Management of Cystotomy in Gynecologic Surgery with a Cadaver Surgical Curriculum

Objectives: Urinary tract injuries are a known complication of gynecologic surgery, occurring in 0.18% - 0.80% of procedures and most commonly involving the bladder. Appropriate identification, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up by gynecologic surgeons are important to reduce the associated long-term morbidities. The purpose of this study was to implement a comprehensive cadaver curriculum in cystotomy repair for OBGYN residents. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study including 10 OBGYN residents (PGY1-3) at a single institution in 2020 (56% of the 18 eligible residents). The curriculum consisted of a one-hour didactic lecture and one-hour hands-on surgical skills training with fresh frozen cadavers. Residents were evaluated in three domains: 1) knowledge, 2) surgical skills, and 3) confidence. Knowledge, confidence, and resident satisfaction were evaluated with pre- and post-surveys. The bladder model, derived from the ACOG Simulation Working Group, was used to evaluate surgical skills at baseline and at completion of the curriculum. Results: Across all three PGY levels, statistically significant improvements were observed in knowledge, surgical skills, and confidence after didactic and cadaver education (p = 0.001, p < 0.02, and p = 0.009 respectively). The largest increases in confidence occurred in residents’ ability to describe and perform cystotomy repairs. Conclusions: Educating and training OBGYN residents to manage and repair cystotomies can be challenging given the low incidence of injury in the operating room. The cadaver surgical skills curriculum was an effective training module and remains an important component of skills training in conjunction with simulation and traditional didactic sessions.

Management of complex and redo cases of pelvic fracture urethral injuries

Objectives:Pelvic fracture urethral injuries(PFUI)result from traumatic disruption of the urethra.A significant proportion of cases are complex rendering their management challenging.We described management strategies for eight different complex PFUI scenarios.Methods:Our centre is a tertiary referral centre for complex PFUI cases.We maintain a prospective database(1995e2016),which we retrospectively analysed.All patients with PFUI managed at our institute were included.Results:Over two decades 1062 cases of PFUI were managed at our institute(521 primary and 541 redo cases).Most redo cases were referred to us from other centres.Redo cases had up to five prior attempts at urethroplasty.We managed complex cases,which included bulbar ischemia,young boys and girls with PFUI,PFUI with double block,concomitant PFUI and iatrogenic anterior urethral strictures.Bulbar ischemia merits substitution urethroplasty,most commonly,using pedicled preputial tube.PFUI in young girls is usually associated with urethrovaginal fistula.Young boys with PFUI commonly have a long gap necessitating trans-abdominal approach.Our success rate with individualised management is 85.60%in primary cases,79.13%in redo cases and 82.40%in cases of bulbar ischemia.Conclusion:The definition of complex PFUI is ever expanding.The best chance of success is at the first attempt.Anastomotic urethroplasty for PFUI should be performed in experienced hands at high volume centres.

Is computed tomography cystography indicated in children with pelvic fractures?

Purpose: Pelvic fracture evaluation with abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) and formal CT cystography for rule out of urine bladder injury have been commonly employed in pediatric trauma patients. The additional delayed imaging required to obtain optimal CT cystography is, however, associated with increased doses of ionizing radiation to pelvic organs and represent a significant risk in the pediatric population for future carcinogenic risk. We hypothesized that avoidance of routine CT cystography among pediatric pelvic fracture victims would not result in an appreciable rate of missed bladder injuries and would aid in mitigating the radiation exposure risk associated with these additional images.Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving blunt trauma pelvic fractures among pediatric trauma patients (age<14) between the years 1997 and 2016 was conducted utilizing the Israeli National Trauma Registry. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS statistical software version 9.4 via the tests of Chisquare test and two-sided Fisher’s exact test. Ap value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 1072 children were identified from the registry for inclusion. Mean age of patients was 7.7 years (range 0-14) and 713 (66.5%) were male. Overall mortality in this population was 4.1% (44/1072). Only 2.1% (23) of pediatric patients with pelvic fractures had bladder injury identified, with just 9 children having intraperitoneal bladder rupture (0.8% of all the patients).Conclusion: The vast majority of blunt pediatric trauma victims with pelvic fractures do not have urine bladder injuries. Based on our study results we do not recommend the routine utilization of CT cystography in this unique population.