Robotic repair of vesicovaginal fistulas using fibrin sealant.

Introduction: Although infrequent, when encountered vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) are a difficult condition for both patients and physicians alike. After the first robotic repair was described in 2005, this has been an increasingly common treatment modality. At our institution between 2009 and 2014, eleven of these patients were evaluated and treated with robotic repair.

Analysis of Complications of Pelvic Mesh Excision Surgery Using the Clavien-Dindo Classification System.

Purpose: We describe and categorize complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification system in patients who underwent vaginal mesh excision surgery.

Materials And Methods: With institutional review board approval we retrospectively reviewed the records of 277 patients who underwent vaginal mesh extraction between 2007 and 2015 at a single institution. Surgical complications were stratified using the Clavien-Dindo classification system.

Female Urethral Diverticula in the Contemporary Era: Is the Classic Triad of the "3Ds" Still Relevant?

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between signs and symptoms of urethral diverticulum (UD), especially the classic triad of 3Ds including dysuria, dyspareunia, and postvoid dribbling, before and after transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy, in relation to anatomic configuration on imaging.

Materials And Methods: After IRB approval, records of 54 females who underwent transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Urinary symptoms before and after the procedure were correlated with the anatomical configuration of the UD on magnetic resonance imaging.

Smoothelin expression in the gastrointestinal tract: implication in colonic inertia.

Colonic inertia is a frustrating motility disorder to patients, clinicians, and pathologists. The pathogenesis is largely unknown. The aims of this study were to: (1) characterize the expression of smoothelin, a novel smooth muscle-specific contractile protein expressed only by terminally differentiated smooth muscle cells, in the normal gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and (2) determine whether smoothelin is aberrantly expressed in patients with colonic inertia.

Safe and effective obtainment of access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy by urologists: the Louisiana State University experience.

Background And Purpose: Access for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is critical to successful removal of stone burden and is often performed by a specialist other than a urologist. In many regions, however, there is limited availability of such personnel. We reviewed the complication rates that were related to PCNL access when performed at a teaching hospital to establish that access for PCNL may be safely taught to and performed by urology residents.