Objective To compare the outcome, advantages and disadvantages of retropubic and perineal approach to radical prostatectomy, as performed by one surgeon. Patients and methods This unrandomized study included 138 patients who underwent either radical retropubic (RRP) or radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP), based on the speci®c conditions or the patient's choice; 79 patients (mean age 64.6 years) underwent RPP and 59 (mean age 61.7 years) RRP. Outcome measures included estimated blood loss, the incidence of blood transfusions, positive margins and complications, operative duration, analgesic use, days in hospital and quality of life. Results There was no difference in operative duration, and the incidence of positive margins or complications between the groups. The mean estimated blood loss in the RPP and RRP groups was 415 and 1138 mL, respectively. The RPP group stayed a mean of 2.2 days less in hospital and took 2.8 days less to regain a full diet than the RRP group; the RPP group needed 1.7 days before using oral analgesics and the RRP group 3.8 days. Of patients in both groups, 85% were pad-free at one year and their overall quality of life was similar. Conclusions The results of RRP and RPP are comparable; the advantages of the perineal approach include minimal blood loss, low-intensity postoperative nursing care, low analgesic use and earlier discharge from hospital.

Paradoxical air embolism is a very rare complication associated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Incidence may be higher if patients also suffer from a septal heart defect. We report the case of a 76-year old male who presented for PCNL treatment of a right kidney lower calyceal calculus. During the procedure, the patient developed signs and symptoms consistent with that of air embolism. Intraoperative echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. Subsequent intraoperative and postoperative medical management was carried out and the patient was discharged after recovery three days later. This case highlights the importance of a rare but potentially fatal complication of PCNL.

Urachal neoplasms are rare entities which may be classified as cystic or non-cystic. Literature surrounding patient outcomes remains limited to non-cystic, urachal adenocarcinomas. Literature focusing on mucinous cystic neoplasms of the urachus is sparse. These mucinous cystic lesions may be subclassified as benign mucinous cystadenomas, mucinous cystic tumours of low malignant potential, and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. Mucinous subtypes have the potential to behave aggressively and may result in pseudomyxoma peritonei. We describe here the case of a 37-year-old male with a mucinous cystic tumour of low malignant potential after prior right orchiectomy and left hydrocelectomy. This case raises the interesting possibility of multiple genitourinary neoplasms arising in a similar time frame.

The novel coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2), otherwise known as “COVID-19”, spread across the globe in early 2020 resulting in unprecedented and overwhelming impacts on local health systems. Island Health (IH) authority which serves Vancouver Island, British Columbia, has been fortunate to have a low incidence of COVID-19. However, it has noticed a higher than expected male genitourinary (GU) injury  rate. We present six cases of GU trauma in the span of one week during the pandemic. One wonders whether behavioural changes secondary to COVID-19 restrictions, and the lifting of them, may correspond to an increase in male genitourinary complications.