Bladder volume measurement is critical for early detection and management of lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Current gold standard is invasive, and alternative technologies either require trained personnel or do not offer medical grade information. Here, we report an integrated wearable ultrasonic bladder volume monitoring device for accurate and autonomous continuous monitoring of the bladder volume. The device incorporates flexible and air-backed ultrasonic transducers and miniaturized control electronics with wireless data transmission capability. We demonstrate the real-life application of the device on healthy volunteers with various bladder shapes and sizes with high accuracy. Apart from the lower urinary tract dysfunctions, the proposed technology could also be adapted for various wearable ultrasonic applications.
Contemporary minimally invasive surgical (MIS) treatment options of patients with male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in men with prostate glands >80 mL include Holmium Laser Enucleation Prostate (HoLEP), Thulium laser VapoEnucleation Prostate (ThuVEP), and Laparoscopic (LSP) or Robotic-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy (RASP). Implementing new laser technologies is costly, and the steep learning curve of these laser techniques limit their wide range use. This promoted the use of LSP and RASP in centers with readily established laparoscopy or robotic surgery programs. The aim of this study is to review case and comparative series of RASP. We systematically reviewed published data from 2008 to 2020 on RASP and have identified 26 non-comparative and 9 comparative case series. RASP has longer operation time but less time spent in hospital and less blood loss. The outcomes of improvements in symptom score, post-voiding residual urine (PVR), postoperative PSA decline, complications, and cost are similar when compared to open and laser enucleation techniques. These outcomes position RASP as a viable MIS treatment option for patients with male LUTS needing surgical treatment for enlarged prostates. Nevertheless, prospective, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with multicenter and large sample size are needed to confirm the findings of this systematic review.
21 August 2020 in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
Introduction: Hem-o-lok clip migration into the ipsilateral collecting system and formation of a distal ureteral stone after robot-assited partial nephrectomy (PN) is a rare condition of stone disease. Presentation of case: A 48-year-old male presented with hematuria. Physical examination was unremarkable. Urinalysis showed presence of red blood cells. Serum multiple analysis and ultrasonography were within normal limits. Contrast enhanced abdominal computerized tomography scan revealed an 8-mm right distal ureteral stone, which was not associated with ipsilateral hydronephrosis. Discussion: With the widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgery, it is not uncommon to utilize foreign bodies as surgical facilitators which also have the potential to migrate to the urothelium-lined urinary tract and act as a stone nidus when used for endoscopic PN Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of migrated hem-o-lok clips serving as a nidus for urinary tract stone formation in patients who have undergone endoscopic PN. Highlights: