This study suggests that fragment size larger than 4 mm after ureteroscopy is associated with significantly higher rates of stone growth, complications and the need for re-intervention. Ensuring complete stone-free status is the most effective strategy to reduce stone events after ureteroscopy.

The true stone-free rate was 55% after PCNL. However, 82.5% were stone free or had RFs 4 mm or less, which correlates with previous studies. Larger RFs had higher rates of stone-related events and shorter time to occurrence of stone-related events. The growth and spontaneous passage of RFs was independent of RF size, emphasizing the importance of obtaining a stone-free status after PCNL.

Scrotal elephantiasis is a condition rarely encountered in developed nations. It is endemic in tropical regions due to the presence of filariasis (Wucheria bancrofti). We report 2 cases of idiopathic scrotal elephantiasis in Canadian citizens with no history of travel to endemic filariasis regions, malignancy, surgery or radiation. Both patients underwent complete excision of the involved tissue with reconstruction. We found that for advanced cases of scrotal lymphedema, surgery is currently the only solution. In our cases of advanced idiopathic disease, surgical treatment combining the expertise of a plastic surgeon and a urologist provided a successful functional and cosmetic result.

Objectives To evaluate the incidence and predictors of hospital readmission and emergency department (ED) visits in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a linked administrative dataset from Calgary, Canada. Participants were men who underwent their first TURP procedure between 2015 and 2017. We examined patient demographics, and type of surgery (elective or urgent). Comorbidities were scored using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). The primary outcomes were unplanned hospital readmissions and ED visits at 30, 60 and 90 days after TURP. The secondary aim was to identify potential predictors across these groups. Results We identified 3059 men, most of whom underwent elective TURP (83%). The mean (sd) patient age was 71.0 (10.0) years. A total of 224 patients (7.4%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, 290 (9.5%) within 60 days, and 339 (11.1%) within 90 days of discharge. The frequency of return visits within 30, 60 and 90 days of TURP were 21.4%, 26% and 28.6%, respectively. The most responsible diagnoses for ED visit within 90 days were haematuria (15.4%) and retention of urine (12.8%). Multivariable analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.61, P < 0.001), surgery type (OR 2.20, P < 0.001), and CCI score (OR 2.03, P < 0.001) were independently associated with odds of readmission and ED visits at all time points. Conclusion Older age, poorer health and urgent surgery predicted return to ED or readmission after TURP; efforts should be made to improve selection, counselling and preoperative optimization based on these risks.

Background: Research on prostate cancer survivorship patients has largely been on oncological outcome, incontinence and erectile dysfunction, with less data on the relationship between prostate cancer, bladder function and mental health. This study aims to elucidate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), overactive bladder (OAB), sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety in Canadian men with newly diagnosed localised prostate cancer.Methods: This is a single-centre prospective cross-sectional study of men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer recruited from June 2017 to July 2018. The patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instruments used in this study included the international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), OAB-V8, EQ-5D™, and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite short form (EPIC-26). Clinico-pathological data were extracted from medical records. The prevalence of LUTS, OAB, sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety were determined from the PROs.Results: A total of 83 patients were included in this study. The median age was 63. Based on IPSS scores, 55.3% of men had mild LUTS, 36.8% had moderate LUTS and 7.9% had severe LUTS. Based on OAB-V8 scores, 55.8% of men had a score of 8 or higher, suggestive of OAB. Only 55.8% of men reported erections adequate for intercourse. 23.1% of men reported to have a moderate to big problem with depression, and 28.8% of men reported to have a degree of anxiety or depression.Conclusions: OAB is a significant problem in men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer, with a prevalence of 55.8% based on this study. Baseline sexual dysfunction, anxiety and depression are also prevalent in this population.

Introduction: We sought to understand the contemporary pharmacologic management of overactive bladder (OAB) in a single-payer system. We examined temporal trends in the use of anticholinergic medications and assessed whether the likelihood of patients changing their anticholinergic therapy was predicted by their current therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, population-based analysis of prescription records from the PharmaNet database in BC, Canada. We identified patients treated with one or more anticholinergic prescriptions between 2001 and 2009. We characterized temporal trends in the use of anticholinergic medications. We used generalized estimating equations with a logit wing to assess the relationship between the type of anticholinergic medication and the change in prescription. Results: The 114 325 included patients filled 1 140 296 anticholinergic prescriptions. The number of prescriptions each year increased over the study, both in aggregate and for each individual medication. While oxybutynin was the most commonly prescribed medication (68% of all prescriptions), the proportion of newer anticholinergics (solifenacin, darifenacin, and trospium) prescribed increased over time (p<0.0001). Patients taking tolterodine (odds ratio [OR] 1.03; p=0.01) and darifenacin (OR 1.12; p=0.0006) were significantly more likely to change their prescription than those taking oxybutynin. There was no association seen for patients taking solifenacin (p=0.6) and trospium (p=0.9). Conclusions: There are an increasing number of anticholinergic prescriptions being filled annually. Patients taking newer anticholinergics are at least as likely to change therapy as those taking oxybutynin. The reimbursement environment in BC likely affects these results. Restrictions in the available data limit assessment of other relevant predictors.

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Introduction: We performed a decision analysis model of the cost-effectiveness of observation vs intervention for asymptomatic residual fragments less than 4 mm in diameter following ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy.Methods: Outcomes data from a retrospective analysis evaluating the natural history, complications and reintervention rates of asymptomatic residual stone fragments performed by the EDGE (Endourology Disease Group for Excellence) Research Consortium were used. A decision analysis model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of initial observation of residual fragments to immediate intervention. Cost of observation included emergency room visits, hospitalizations and reinterventions. The cost analysis model extended to 3 years to account for delayed reintervention rates for fragments less than 4 mm. Costs of emergency department visits, readmissions and reinterventions were calculated based on published figures from the literature.Results: Decision analysis modeling demonstrated that when comparing initial observation to immediate reintervention, the cost was $2,183 vs $4,424. The difference in cost was largely driven by the fact that over 3 years, approximately 55% of all patients remained asymptomatic and did not