Introduction: In 2013, our institution underwent a change to the undergraduate medical curriculum whereby a clinical urology rotation became mandatory. In this paper, we evaluated the perceived utility and value of this change in the core curriculum. Methods: Third year medical students, required to complete a mandatory 1-week clinical urology rotation, were asked to complete a survey before and after their rotation. Fourth year medical students, not required to complete this rotation, were also asked to complete a questionnaire. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. Results: In total, 108 third year students rotated through urology during the study period. Of these, 66 (61%) completed the prerotation survey and 54 (50%) completed the post-rotation survey. In total, there were 110 fourth year students. Of these, 44 (40%) completed the questionnaire. After completing their mandatory rotations, students felt more comfortable managing and investigating common urological problems, such as hematuria and renal colic. Students felt they had a better understanding of how to insert a Foley catheter and felt comfortable independently inserting a Foley catheter. Importantly, students felt they knew when to consult urology and were also more likely to consider a career in urology. Compared to fourth year students, third year students felt urology was an important component to a family medicine practice and felt they had a better understanding of when to consult urology. Conclusion: The introduction of a mandatory urology rotation for undergraduate medical students leads to a perceived improvement in fundamental urological knowledge and skill set of rotating students. This mandatory rotation provides a valuable experience that validates its inclusion.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize morbidity of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) for testis cancer, we analyze a contemporary national database. PC-RPLND is the standard for residual radiographic masses ≥1 cm (nonseminoma) and positron emission tomographyavid masses ≥3 cm (seminoma). Morbidity for PC-RPLND is greater than primary RPLND, which may be mitigated by performing surgery at a high-volume cancer center.
METHODS
Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition codes identified men with testis cancer undergoing PC- or primary RPLND in MarketScan (2007–2012). Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors associated with receiving adjunctive procedures (ie, nephrectomy, vascular reconstruction), prolonged hospitalization, and 90-day readmission. Geographic variables assessed regionalization of PC-RPLND.
RESULTS
Of 559 men with claims for PC- or primary RPLND (206, 37% PC-RPLND), 19% of PC-RPLND underwent adjunctive procedures (vs 1% among RPLND, P < .01). For PC-RPLND, the nephrectomy rate was 10% and the vascular reconstruction rate was 8%. On multivariable analysis, PC-RPLND was associated with undergoing adjunctive procedures (odds ratio 41.9; 95% confidence interval 11.7, 150) and prolonged hospitalization (odds ratio 3.75; 95% confidence interval 1.68, 8.42) compared to primary RPLND. PC-RPLND was not associated with 90-day readmission. Up to 29% of PC-RPLNDs are performed in centers, billing just a single case through MarketScan in the 6 years studied.
CONCLUSION
PC-RPLND is associated with adjunctive procedures and longer hospitalizations. Given the morbidity of PC-RPLND in this young patient population, efforts are needed to establish quality benchmarks for, reduce the morbidity of, and to accurately discriminate risk during patient discussions prior to this complex, specialized surgery.
This study is the largest matched analysis comparing LRS and ORS for pT3a RCC. In matched patients, LRS showed no difference in oncologic outcomes compared with ORS and should be considered when technically feasible.
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