Outcomes of Robot-assisted Appendiceal Ureteroplasty From a Multi-institutional Experience.

Objective: To evaluate the viability of robot-assisted appendiceal ureteroplasty as an innovative surgical approach for the reconstruction of ureteral strictures in cases where traditional methods are unsuitable.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 14 patients who underwent robot-assisted appendiceal ureteroplasty for right-sided ureteral stricture disease at three academic centers between March 2018 and November 2022. Patients were selected based on stricture characteristics, tissue quality, and the need for tissue transfer techniques.

Three-dimensional printed hydrogel model vs cadaver: comparing inflatable penile prosthesis training and evaluation.

Background: Penile prosthesis implantation offers a durable, safe, and effective treatment option for male erectile dysfunction; however, many urologists feel apprehensive and uncomfortable placing penile prostheses due to limited training, low surgical experience, and intra- and postoperative complication management.

Aim: To compare a previously validated hydrogel inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) training model with cadaver simulations across 4 main categories: anatomic replication and realism, procedural replication and realism, educational effectiveness, and efficacy and safety.

Methods: An overall 88 participants (15 attendings, 18 fellows, and 55 residents) performed guided IPP placements on a cadaver and a hydrogel model.

Application of IRIS Three-Dimensional Anatomical Models As Preoperative Surgical Planning Tools in the Management of Localized Renal Masses.

The use of volume-rendered images is gaining popularity in the surgical planning for complex procedures. IRIS™ is an interactive software that delivers three-dimensional (3D) virtual anatomical models. We aimed to evaluate the preoperative clinical utility of IRIS for patients with ≤T2 localized renal tumors who underwent either partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN).

See Like an Expert: Gaze-Augmented Training Enhances Skill Acquisition in a Virtual Reality Robotic Suturing Task.

The da Vinci Skills Simulator (DVSS) is an effective platform for robotic skills training. Novel training methods using expert gaze patterns to guide trainees have demonstrated superiority to traditional instruction. Portable head-mounted eye-trackers (HMET) offer the opportunity for eye tracking technology to enhance surgical robotic simulation training.

The Future of Penile Prosthetic Surgical Training Is Here: Design of a Hydrogel Model for Inflatable Penile Prosthetic Placement Using Modern Education Theory.

Background: There is a significant need for a non-biohazardous, educational platform to equip and maintain the surgical skills required by urology trainees and low-volume implanters for inflatable penile prosthetic (IPP) placement.

Aim: To design and develop an anatomic, hydrogel-based simulation platform for training and evaluate IPP placement using modern education theory.

Methods: The backward design concept was used as a framework in the design and development of an IPP simulation platform.

A history of urolithiasis risk in space.

Introduction: The development of renal stones in space would not only impact the health of an astronaut but could critically affect the success of the mission.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical literature, texts and multimedia sources regarding the careers of Dr. Abraham Cockett and Dr.

Incorporation and validation of clinically relevant performance metrics of simulation (CRPMS) into a novel full-immersion simulation platform for nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (NS-RARP) utilizing three-dimensional printing and hydrogel casting technology.

Objectives: To incorporate and validate clinically relevant performance metrics of simulation (CRPMS) into a hydrogel model for nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (NS-RARP).

Materials And Methods: Anatomically accurate models of the human pelvis, bladder, prostate, urethra, neurovascular bundle (NVB) and relevant adjacent structures were created from patient MRI by injecting polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels into three-dimensionally printed injection molds. The following steps of NS-RARP were simulated: bladder neck dissection; seminal vesicle mobilization; NVB dissection; and urethrovesical anastomosis (UVA).

Bladder oxidative stress in sleep apnea contributes to detrusor instability and nocturia.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with voiding symptoms in humans and animals, and yet its effects on the urinary tract are poorly understood. We examined bladder structure and function, markers of oxidative damage and the redox survival pathway in a rat model of obstructive sleep apnea to identify changes.

Materials And Methods: To model obstructive sleep apnea we used a rat oxycycler system to create cyclical interruption in breathing oxygen, thereby producing intermittent hypoxemia.

Temperature rise after peginterferon alfa-2a injection in patients with chronic hepatitis C is associated with virological response and is modulated by IL28B genotype.

Background & Aims: Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C is associated with non-specific symptoms including fever. We aimed to determine the association of temperature changes with interferon antiviral activity.

Methods: 60 treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (67% genotype 1/4/6, 33% genotype 2/3) were admitted to start peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in a clinical trial.

Effect of ribavirin on viral kinetics and liver gene expression in chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: Ribavirin improves treatment response to pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) in chronic hepatitis C but the mechanism remains controversial. We studied correlates of response and mechanism of action of ribavirin in treatment of hepatitis C.

Design: 70 treatment-naive patients were randomised to 4 weeks of ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/d) or none, followed by PEG-IFNα-2a and ribavirin at standard doses and durations.