Publications by authors named "Philip S Li"

Background: This study aimed to characterise the infant penile (coronal sulcus) microbiome and the effects of early infant male circumcision (EIMC), following a standard surgical method (Mogen Clamp) and a non-surgical alternative (ShangRing).

Methods: We collected coronal sulcus swabs at baseline and on days 7 and 14 post-circumcision from infants assigned to receive EIMC by Mogen Clamp (n = 15) or ShangRing (n = 15), in a randomised trial in Rakai and Kakuuto, Uganda. We used 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing and broad-coverage qPCR to characterise the infant penile microbiome and assess the effects of EIMC in both study arms.

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Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the optimal timing for device-based infant circumcision under topical anaesthesia.

Subjects/patients: We include infants aged 1-60 days who were enrolled in a field study of the no-flip ShangRing device at four hospitals in the Rakai region of south-central Uganda, between 5 February 2020 and 27 October 2020.

Methods: Two hundred infants, aged 0-60 days, were enrolled, and EMLA cream was applied on the foreskin and entire penile shaft.

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Background: Use of medical devices represents a unique opportunity to facilitate scale-up of early infant male circumcision (EIMC) across sub-Saharan Africa. The ShangRing, a circumcision device prequalified by WHO, is approved for use in adults and adolescents and requires topical anaesthesia only. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the ShangRing versus the Mogen clamp for EIMC in infants across eastern sub-Saharan Africa.

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Over the past few decades, there have been significant advances in male infertility, particularly in the development of novel diagnostic tools. Unfortunately, there remains a substantial number of patients that remain infertile despite these improvements. In this review, we take heed of the emerging technologies that will shape the future of male infertility diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.

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There have been significant advancements in male infertility microsurgery over time, and there continues to be significant promise for new and emerging techniques, technologies, and methodologies. In this review, we discuss the history of male infertility and the evolution of microsurgery, the essential role of education and training in male infertility microsurgery, and new technologies in this space. We also review the potentially important role of artificial intelligence (AI) in male infertility and microsurgery.

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Testicular torsion (TT) is a common urologic emergency that can occur at any age. It is most common in newborns and during puberty. Prompt evaluation and management is required to salvage the testis following an episode of torsion.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The review highlights MC's effectiveness in reducing risks of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, HPV, and others, which can affect male reproductive health.
  • * Evidence suggests that MC could significantly contribute to preventing infections and improving male fertility outcomes.
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Varicoceles are dilated veins within the spermatic cord and a relatively common occurrence in men. Fortunately, the large majority of men are asymptomatic, however, a proportion of men with varicoceles can suffer from infertility and testosterone deficiency. Sperm and testosterone are produced within the testis, and any alteration to the testicular environment can negatively affect the cells responsible for these processes.

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Many couples initially deferred attempts at pregnancy or delayed fertility care due to concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One significant fear during the COVID-19 pandemic was the possibility of sexual transmission. Many couples have since resumed fertility care while accepting the various uncertainties associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, including the evolving knowledge related to male reproductive health.

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Objective: To evaluate a 4K3D video microscope in the operating room of an outpatient surgical center during male infertility microsurgery procedures.

Design: Video presentation.

Setting: University of Miami outpatient surgical center.

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Objective: To describe detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus 2 (CoV-2) in seminal fluid of patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to describe the expression profile of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) within the testicle.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

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Background: Attention has recently turned toward the use of device-assisted male circumcision to help scale up male circumcision services in sub-Saharan Africa, with increasing emphasis on younger age groups. We assessed the use of the ShangRing for circumcising the subset of boys aged 10 to 12 years who were enrolled in two randomized clinical trials in Kenya.

Methods: We performed a sub-analysis of outcomes in 197 boys aged 10 to 12 years; a subset who were enrolled in two randomized clinical trials to assess the use of the no-flip ShangRing circumcision technique in men and boys.

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Ejaculatory duct obstruction is a rare condition identified in up to 5% of infertile men. Patients with ejaculatory duct obstruction can present with aspermia, azoospermia or oligoasthenospermia, painful ejaculation, hematospermia, prostatic pain, or male infertility. Semen analysis, transrectal ultrasonography, pelvic computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are often used in the diagnostic work up, but with limited accuracy.

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Article Synopsis
  • The ShangRing is a disposable circumcision device that offers a quicker, less painful alternative to traditional circumcision methods for males aged 10 and older, providing high client satisfaction and comparable adverse events.
  • A study assessed the safety and effectiveness of using topical anesthesia versus injectable anesthesia during ShangRing circumcision, focusing on pain levels, ease of use, and participant satisfaction.
  • Results showed that the topical anesthesia group experienced significantly less pain and fewer adverse events, leading to high satisfaction rates, with nearly all participants willing to recommend the ShangRing to others.
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Men seeking fertility after elective sterilization can be treated with a wide array of interventions. Reconstruction of the reproductive tract remains the gold standard and most cost-effective option for the appropriately selected candidate. In the following review, the treatment algorithm for men desiring vasectomy reversal is outlined.

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To assess safety of the no-flip ShangRing male circumcision technique and to determine clinical course and safety of spontaneous detachment (i.e., allowing the device to fall off), we conducted a case series of no-flip ShangRing circumcision combined with a randomized controlled trial of removal 7 days postcircumcision versus spontaneous detachment at two health facilities in Kenya.

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In the past two decades, with the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology and particularly the technological advances in male infertility microsurgery, many obstructive azoospermia-related infertile couples can now acquire the chances of natural pregnancy via reconstruction of the seminal tract. This article highlights the latest advances in surgical reconstruction of the seminal tract for the treatment of obstructive azoospermia, such as the application of laparoscopic and robotic techniques, with a discussion on microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and preservation, potential use of absorbable sutures or the bio-suture tape for microsurgical anastomosis in the management of obstructive azoospermia.

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Purpose: Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy are technically challenging microsurgical reconstructive procedures necessary for men with obstructive azoospermia at the level of the vas deferens or epididymis. Patency rates following vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy have been widely described in the literature. However, few reports have discussed the timing of sperm return to the ejaculate after reconstruction as well as the proportion of men in whom late failure develops following vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy.

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There is an abundance of devices for adolescent and adult male circumcision (MC). It has been shown that the safety and efficacy of device-assisted MC are equal to or better than those for MC via conventional surgery. MC devices have the potential to simplify the procedure and increase the acceptability of circumcision among patients.

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Microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) has been widely used to treat epididymal obstructive azoospermia since 2004. Although the deferential vasculature plays an important role in supplying blood to the testis and epididymis, little attention has been paid to the potential benefits of sparing the deferential vessels during the anastomosis in LIVE. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferential vessel-sparing LIVE in humans.

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While 7 % of the men are infertile, currently, a genetic etiology is identified in less than 25 % of those men, and 30 % of the infertile men lack a definitive diagnosis, falling in the "idiopathic infertility" category. Advances in genetics and epigenetics have led to several proposed mechanisms for male infertility. These advances may result in new diagnostic tools, treatment approaches, and better counseling with regard to treatment options and prognosis.

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Background: Men's understanding of counseling messages after voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) plays an important role in whether they follow them. Data on triggers for early resumption of sex may be useful as scale-up of VMMC for HIV prevention continues in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Data on understanding of post-VMMC abstinence recommendations, resumption of sex, condom use, and triggers for resuming sex were collected from participants during a follow-up interview 35-42 days after ShangRing circumcision in Kenya and Zambia.

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Background: Devices can potentially accelerate scale-up of voluntary medical male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have demonstrated advantages of the ShangRing device over conventional circumcision. With the need to train providers rapidly for scale-up, concerns arise about the transferability of techniques and the expertise of new trainees.

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Spermatogenesis is an extraordinary complex process. The differentiation of spermatogonia into spermatozoa requires the participation of several cell types, hormones, paracrine factors, genes and epigenetic regulators. Recent researches in animals and humans have furthered our understanding of the male gamete differentiation, and led to clinical tools for the better management of male infertility.

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