Although a wide array of interventions exist for men seeking fertility after vasectomy, up to 6% of them will elect for a vasectomy reversal. While the widespread adoption of telemedicine promises convenience and improved access, lack of ability to do a physical examination may hinder appropriate counselling. Although vasectomy reversal is successfully completed in most of the men either with a vasovasostomy or a vasoepididymostomy, there could be various reasons for the inability to successfully complete the operation. Our commentary outlines the reasons why a vasectomy reversal is not possible or successful. We also discuss a pre-operative management algorithm in men seeking vasectomy reversal to ensure appropriate counselling with a thorough pre-operative history, physical examination and on occasion, hormonal evaluation.

Introduction

Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) remains the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medical treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD). The initial IMPRESS I and II trials (Investigation for Maximal Peyronie's Reduction Efficacy and Safety), which led to Food and Drug Administration approval, revealed a rate of treatment-related adverse events as high as 84%. Studies fail to provide clear definitions of complications.

Objectives

To review complications, provide a CCH complication atlas, and propose management strategies for commonly encountered complications.

Methods

We performed a literature review using PubMed. A photographic atlas was provided regarding complications in patients in a high-volume CCH center for PD.

Results

Complications were identified and classified by nature and severity. We followed a standardized previously published grading system for hematomas. Complications include bruising, swelling, hematoma formation, back pain, and, rarely, corporal rupture. Complications were discussed, and hematomas were graded by penile surface area. Complication photographs were graded and displayed. Treatment-related adverse effects do not affect overall results.

Conclusion

Recognizing and grading complications associated with CCH therapy for PD is crucial for effective patient management and informed decision making. A standardized grading system allows for consistency in reporting and comparing hematoma complication rates across studies and patient populations. Herein we provide images that will help clinicians identify and confidently manage common complications that may occur in any CCH program.

Objective

To analyze AUA urology residency program websites to determine visibility of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. There is growing interest in DEI initiatives by urology applicants, and in recent years, urology programs have invested in efforts to promote DEI.

Methods

All ACGME-accredited urology residency program with a website were assessed. Military programs were excluded. A DEI Score Card was developed using published pillars of DEI, including five domains: departmental inclusion, pipeline growth, departmental education, community engagement, and faculty demographics. Program Doximity rank, address, and surrounding demographics were collected to determine predictors of investing in DEI.

Results

One hundred forty-one urology residency websites were included for analysis. Only 40.7% of programs referenced DEI on their webpage, and 21.4% offered funded mentorship opportunities. Department education and community engagement were the least popular initiatives. The Western, Northeastern, and North Central sections had the highest DEI total score with wide variation across domains. Mention of DEI was not associated with program's county-level social vulnerability or percent minority but was associated with being a top 50 program (OR=4.0; 95% CI 1.8, 8.9; P = .0007).

Conclusion

Less than half of academic urology programs' websites referenced DEI initiatives. Using a DEI score card, our study shows that investment in DEI varies widely by AUA section, and greater investment is positively correlated with program rank. Our DEI score card serves as a tool that programs can use to assess their current DEI investment, identify areas for improvement, and ensure existing initiatives are visible to applicants.

Objective

To understand how the lack of a physical examination during new patient video visits can impact urological surgery planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 590 consecutive urology patients who underwent new patient video visits from March through May 2020 at a single academic center. Our primary outcome was procedural plan concordance, the proportion of video visit surgical plans that remained the same after the patient was seen in-person, either in clinic or on day of surgery. Median days between video and in-person visits were compared between concordant and discordant cases using the Mann-Whitney U test; P < .05 was significant.

Results

Overall, 195 (33%) were evaluated by new patient video visits and had a procedure scheduled, of which, 186 (95%) had concordant plans after in-person evaluation. Further, 99% of plans for in-office procedures and 91% for operating room procedures were unchanged. Four patients (2.1%) had surgical plans altered after changes in clinical course, two (1%) due to additional imaging, and three (1.5%) based on genitourinary examination findings. Days between video visit and in-person evaluation did not differ significantly in concordant cases (median 37.5 [IQR, 16 - 80.5]) as compared to discordant cases (median 58.0 [IQR, 20 - 224]; P = .12).

Conclusions

Most surgical plans developed during new patient video visits remain unchanged after in-person examination. However, changes in clinical course or updated imaging can alter operative plans. Likewise, certain urologic conditions (eg, penile cancer) rely on the genitourinary examination to dictate surgical approach.

Abstract: Background: Prior studies have examined patient-specific predictors of reoperation following penile prosthesis (PP) insertion at the local and regional level, but little is known about patient factors and volume-outcome relationships at the national level. Aim: To assess the impact of patient characteristics and surgeon volume on reoperation rates following PP placement in a Medicare population. Methods: We utilized the 100% Medicare Standard Analytical Files to identify men aged ≥65 years who underwent PP implantation between 2018 and 2021. Surgeon volume data were obtained from the Atlas All-Payor Claims dataset, and quartiles were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between reoperation rates, patient characteristics, and surgeon volume. Outcomes: The reoperation rate at 1-year post-implantation, the cause of reoperation, and factors associated with a higher reoperation rate. Results: Among 8343 patients, 2.3% required reoperation at 90 days and 6.3% at 1 year. The most common comorbidities were diabetes (35.2%), cardiovascular disease (23.9%), Peyronie’s disease (15.4%), and obesity (11.5%). Surgeon volume quartiles were calculated, with the highest-volume surgeons performing >31 cases annually versus <6 for the lowest quartile. Lower surgeon volume, older patient age, and smoking were associated with higher reoperation rates. Patients treated by top-quartile surgeons had 25%-28% lower odds of reoperation at 1 year [OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.56-0.93; OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.97]. Clinical Implications: While higher surgeon volume was associated with lower reoperation rates, PP surgery remained safe across all volume levels. Strengths and Limitations: Strengths include the use of a nationally representative Medicare dataset and All-Payor volume-outcome analysis. Limitations include accuracy of claims data, inability to fully characterize reoperations, and lack of data for procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers. Conclusion: In a nationally representative Medicare cohort, PP reoperation rates were low (6.3%), with mechanical complications accounting for 41% of reoperations (2.6% of the cohort). Higher-volume surgeons had lower reoperation rates, but outcomes remained acceptable across all volume levels, reinforcing the overall safety of the procedure.