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Objective: Dismembered pyeloplasty through dorsal lumbotomy to correct ureteropelvic junction obstruction is mainly successfully performed in children under 5 years old for technical reasons. We compared children who underwent dorsal lumbotomy by age group (<5 vs. ≥5 years old) to determine if the surgical success and long-term results were comparable. Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 134 children undergoing a pyeloplasty. Group 1 consisted of children <5 years old (n = 90) and Group 2 consisted of children ≥5 years old. Patients' characteristics, as well as hospital stay, narcotic use, radiologic follow-up and success rate, were compared. Success was defined by absence of symptoms and ≥50% reduction in renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter and/or scintigraphic normalization of the drainage T1/2 when obtained. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the groups. Results: Mean age (years) and weight (kg) at surgery for Groups 1 and 2 were 1/8 kg and 11/35 kg, respectively. Mean operative time was 98 minutes versus 120 minutes, respectively; mean hospital stay was 2.5 days for both groups and analgesia requirement was 50% higher in Group 2. A Pippi-Salle stent was used in 90% (n = 120) of cases. Mean follow-up was 26 months and the success rate was 89% and 90% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed comparable success rates. We can infer that, as a technique, dismembered pyeloplasty is effective and safe in the younger and older children.

Introduction: We compared the efficacy of three slings in the longterm treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI): tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O), and an in-house two-layered polypropylene mesh with a submicronic polytetrafluoroethylene (Composix™). Our primary endpoint was the objective measurement of continence (24-hour pad test). Secondarily, we measured the satisfaction and complication rates. Methods: This prospective, non-randomized study included 128 patients with SUI. Preoperative evaluation included medical history, physical exam, 24-hour pad test, Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (IQOL), FPSUND, and global satisfaction questionnaires. Patients were followed at one month postoperative, biannually for two years, and then annually for a total of five years. Followup visits included a focused questionnaire, physical exam, satisfaction questionnaire, 24-hour pad test, IQOL, and FPSUND questionnaires. Results: Composix, TVT, and TVT-O groups included 60, 34, and 34 patients, respectively. No significant differences were found in baseline characteristics except for the pad test. Length of catheterization was the only immediate operative significant parameter (Composix 4.7 days vs. TVT 1.1 days vs. TVT-O 2.6 days; p=0.03). The entire cohort had significant improvements in their IQOL, FPSUND, and pad test at one and four years (p<0.01). The cohortwide 24-hour pad test average weight was 30.4 g preoperatively vs. 5 g at 12 months (p<0.00001) (Composix 37 to 5 g, TVT 83 to 4 g, and TVT-O 55 to 5 g). The Composix group had a higher number of minor complications (Clavien I, II) and secondary procedures. Conclusions: This single-surgeon cohort with five-year followup demonstrated a large improvement and maintenance of continence in all three surgical groups. The Composix-based sling provided comparable continence outcomes at a fraction of the cost; however, its increased morbidity and higher complication rate raise concerns over future use