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Volume 22, Number 2Review Articles

Implementation of a Centralized, Cost-effective Call Center in a Large Urology Community Practice

Original Research

Gary M KirshStephen F KappaChris McClainKrista WallacePaul CinquinaDon LawsonMary M SmithEarl WalzBrooke Edwards

Call centers provide front-line care and service to patients. This study compared call-answering efficiency and costs between the implementation of an internal, centralized call center (January to July 2019) and previously outsourced call-center services (January to July 2018) for a large urology community practice. Retrospective review of call metrics and cost data was performed. Internal call-center leadership, training, and culture was examined through survey of staff and management. A total of 299,028 calls with an average of 5751 calls per week were answered during the study periods. The Average Speed of Answer (ASA) was 1:42 (min:s) for the outsourced call center and 0:14 for the internal call center (P < 0.001), with 70% of outsourced calls answered under 2 minutes compared with 99% of calls for the internal call center (P < 0.001). The Average Handle Time (AHT) for each outsourced call was 5:32 versus 3:41 for the internal call center (P < 0.001). The total operating expenses were 7.7% lower for the internal call center. Surveys revealed the importance of engaged leadership and staff training with feedback, simplified work algorithms, and expanded clinical roles. We found that internal, centralized call centers may provide a call-answering solution with greater efficiency and lower total operating expense versus an outsourced call center for large surgical practices. A culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and empowers call-center staff with expanded clinical roles may ultimately enhance patient communication and service. [Rev Urol. 2020;22(2):67–74] © 2020 MedReviews®, LLC

Cost effectivenessCall centerTelehealthOrganizational efficiency

TelemedicineView Articles

Volume 23, Number 4Editorial

2024 LUGPA Advocacy Year in Review: Confronting Challenges, Advancing Progress

Matthew Glans

In 2024, independent practices nationwide faced new and mounting challenges, including increasing and expanding regulatory obligations and growing patient demands against a background of rising input costs and financial pressures. Amid a shifting health care landscape, urologists were tasked with the pressing challenge of doing more with less.

Telemedicinehealth care costsinsurance, healthhealth services accessibility

TelomeraseView Articles
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Volume 9, Number 3Meeting Reviews

Best of the 2007 AUA Annual Meeting

Meeting Review

Dean G AssimosDanil V MakarovEllen ShapiroAlan W PartinMichael B ChancellorJ Curtis NickelJacob RajferClaus G RoehrbornMichael K Brawer

Highlights from the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association May 19-24, 2007 Anaheim, CA [Rev Urol. 2007;9(3):133-154]

Prostate cancerObesityBenign prostatic hyperplasiaAntibiotic prophylaxisNocturiaLower urinary tract symptomsBotulinum toxinProstate-specific antigenBiomarkersPCA3TestosteroneUrinary tract infectionsUrolithiasisLaser ablationEndourologyMale voiding dysfunctionLHRH antagonistsAntimuscarinic agentsCircumcisionRepeat biopsyHuman glandularkallikreinExpectant managementCRISP-3MSPMicrovesseldensityEndoglinSurvivinTelomeresInterleukin-8PDE-5 inhibitorsAcute urinaryretention5Alpha-reductase inhibitorsDoxazosinFinasterideTransurethral microwave thermotherapyTURPPerioperative blood lossMicrobialbiofilmsHIVStem cell injection

TemplateView Articles

Volume 16, Number 4Review Articles

Extent of Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection During Radical Cystectomy: Is Bigger Better?

Management Review

Debasish SundiRobert S SvatekMatthew E NielsenTrinity J Bivalacqua

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is a standard component of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. The optimal anatomic PLND template remains undefined. An extended PLND template can potentially improve survival through the eradication of micrometastatic disease and improved pathologic staging. However, this benefit could be compromised by a potential increase in perioperative complications and cost. Two randomized controlled clinical trials that will clarify this question are ongoing. Many important retrospective studies have provided insights into the optimal PLND extent. Here the authors review the key evidence that informs how urologists may tailor the PLND template during RC depending on patient and tumor characteristics. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(4):159-166 doi: 10.3909/riu0626] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Radical cystectomyPelvic lymph node dissectionTemplateMicrometastatic disease

Tension-free vaginal tapeView Articles
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Volume 9, Number 4Review Articles

Alpha Blockers for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Treatment Update

Herbert Lepor

The evolution of alpha blocker therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has focused on improving convenience and tolerability. Indications for treating BPH include reversing signs and symptoms or preventing progression of the disease. The indication that most commonly drives the need for intervention is relief of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with the intent of improving quality of life. Alpha blockers are the most effective, least costly, and best tolerated of the drugs for relieving LUTS. Four long-acting alpha 1 blockers are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of symptomatic LUTS/BPH: terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, and alfuzosin. All are well tolerated and have comparable dose-dependent effectiveness. Tamsulosin and alfuzosin SR do not require dose titration. Alfuzosin, terazosin, and doxazosin have all been shown to be effective in relieving LUTS/BPH independent of prostate size. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(4):181-190]

Benign prostatic hyperplasiaLower urinary tract symptomsQuality of lifeTamsulosinAlfuzosinDoxazosinTerazosin

terminal careView Articles

Volume 23, Number 2Meet The Expert

Meet the Expert: Lillie Shockney, RN, MAS

Joelle Hamilton

Discussions with patients with cancer who are facing metastatic disease progression must be handled with empathy and compassion. In this interview, Lillie Shockney, RN, MAS, the University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer and a professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shares her approach to handling delicate end-of-life conversations with her patients.

Neoplasm metastasisadvanced care planningterminal carepatient-centered care

TesticleView Articles

Volume 21, Number 2Review Articles

Evaluation and Management of Chronic Scrotal Content Pain—A Common Yet Poorly Understood Condition

Management Review

Matthew J ZiegelmannRyan FarrellLaurence A Levine

Chronic scrotal content pain (CSCP) refers to bothersome pain localized to structures within the scrotum that has been present for ≥ 3 months. Etiologies include infection, trauma, and referred pain from the spine, abdomen, and retroperitoneum. However, in many patients there is no obvious identifiable cause. The initial evaluation should include a thorough history and physical examination with adjunctive imaging and laboratory tests as indicated. Treatments vary based on the underlying etiology and include both nonsurgical and surgical options with high levels of success when selectively utilized. The spermatic cord block with local anesthetic is an important tool that helps identify those patients who may benefit from surgery such as microscopic denervation of the spermatic cord. Other treatments including pelvic floor physical therapy may also be indicated in specific circumstances. Using a thoughtful and thorough approach to evaluation and treatment of CSCP, urologists can work with patients to achieve significant improvements in quality of life. [Rev Urol. 2019;21(2/3):74–84] © 2019 MedReviews®, LLC

OrchialgiaTesticlePain inguinalDenervation

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Volume 21, Number 2Reviews in Urology

Massive Intra-abdominal Germ Cell Tumors: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Nirmish SinglaAditya BagrodiaDaniel G Wong

Intra-abdominal testes are at increased risk of malignant transformation and can manifest as large abdominal masses with a wide variation in presenting symptoms. In the setting of cryptorchid or nonpalpable testes, large abdominal masses are highly suspect for germ cell tumors. Without standard guidelines, management can vary extensively. Surgical management may not be trivial and can entail a major abdominal operation in the context of a multimodal approach. The use of biopsy and serum tumor markers may effectively guide sequence of management based upon expected histology. In advanced cases, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be pursued, and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may be accomplished at the time of orchiectomy to minimize morbidity. The development of these massive late stage tumors reaffirms current guidelines on the early correction of cryptorchidism. [Rev Urol. 2019;21(2/3):136–140] © 2019 MedReviews®, LLC

TesticularSeminomaNonseminomatous

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Volume 9, Number 4Case Review

Bilateral Testicular Infarction and Orchiectomy as a Complication of Polyarteritis Nodosa

Case Review

Donald S CrainShannon R HerreraSean P Stroup

We report an unusual case of a 28-year-old male with constitutional symptoms and bilateral testicular pain. After diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis, his constitutional symptoms and testicular pain worsened despite treatment for epididymoorchitis. Ultrasound was concerning for infarction. Exploration in the operating room revealed bilateral testicular infarction requiring bilateral orchiectomy with subsequent androgen hormone replacement. Pathologic diagnosis was polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). PAN is a rare systemic vasculitis that affects multiple organs. There are no previous reports of PAN-induced vasculitis leading to bilateral testicular infarction and bilateral orchiectomy. [Rev Urol. 2007;9(4):235-238]

Testicular infarctionPolyarteritis nodosaAndrogen replacement therapy

Testicular neoplasmView Articles

Volume 23, Number 2Case of the Quarter

Case of the Quarter: Kaposi Sarcoma in a Patient With Testicular Germ Cell Tumor and HIV: A Case Report and Literature Review

Daniela V. CastroDonald HannounTanya B. DorffAlexander Chehrazi-RaffleWesley YipAbhishek TripathiBenjamin MercierRegina Barragan-CarrilloHedyeh EbrahimiSalvador Jaime-Casas

Testicular germ cell tumors are the leading cause of cancer in male patients 15 to 39 years old. Extensive treatments are available, and the regimen of choice depends on clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic characteristics. Patients with HIV are at increased risk of developing solid malignancies, including testicular germ cell tumors. All patients with HIV should start on highly active antiretroviral therapy, but the drug interactions between chemotherapy for testicular germ cell tumor and highly active antiretroviral therapy have not been extensively evaluated. This case review highlights the importance of optimal therapeutic agent selection in patients with HIV and solid malignancies.

Testicular neoplasmGerm cellHIVTesticular neoplasmsSarcoma

Testicular neoplasmsView Articles

Volume 23, Number 2Case of the Quarter

Case of the Quarter: Kaposi Sarcoma in a Patient With Testicular Germ Cell Tumor and HIV: A Case Report and Literature Review

Daniela V. CastroDonald HannounTanya B. DorffAlexander Chehrazi-RaffleWesley YipAbhishek TripathiBenjamin MercierRegina Barragan-CarrilloHedyeh EbrahimiSalvador Jaime-Casas

Testicular germ cell tumors are the leading cause of cancer in male patients 15 to 39 years old. Extensive treatments are available, and the regimen of choice depends on clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic characteristics. Patients with HIV are at increased risk of developing solid malignancies, including testicular germ cell tumors. All patients with HIV should start on highly active antiretroviral therapy, but the drug interactions between chemotherapy for testicular germ cell tumor and highly active antiretroviral therapy have not been extensively evaluated. This case review highlights the importance of optimal therapeutic agent selection in patients with HIV and solid malignancies.

Testicular neoplasmGerm cellHIVTesticular neoplasmsSarcoma

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Volume 17, Number 4Review Articles

Fertility Preservation Options for Men and Women With Cancer

Management Update

Malgorzata E Skaznik-WikielSara Babcock GilbertRandall B MeachamLaxmi A Kondapalli

Approximately 0.2% of Americans aged 20 to 39 years are childhood cancer survivors. Advances in cancer detection and therapy have greatly improved survival rates for young cancer patients; however, treatment of childhood cancers can adversely impact reproductive function. Many cancer patients report a strong desire to be informed of existing options for fertility preservation and future reproduction prior to initiation of gonadotoxic cancer therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This article discusses, in detail, the effects of cancer treatment on fertility in men and women, and outlines both current and experimental methods of fertility preservation among cancer patients. [Rev Urol. 2015;17(4):211-219 doi: 10.3909/riu0666] © 2016 MedReviews®, LLC

Fertility preservationChildhood cancerSperm cryopreservationTesticular tissue cryopreservationSpermatogonial stem cell cryopreservationEmbryo cryopreservationOocyte cryopreservationOvarian tissue cryopreservation

Testicular torsionView Articles

Volume 16, Number 4Case Review

Intratesticular Epidermoid Cyst Masquerading as Testicular Torsion

Kevin M SlawinJeremy Slawin

Epidermoid cysts are benign tumors that comprise approximately 1% of all testicular masses. They usually present as painless masses that can be identified on scrotal ultrasound as well-demarcated intratesticular lesions with mixed echogenicity. This case report describes a rare presentation of an extremely large intratesticular epidermoid cyst with clinical and radiologic findings more consistent with testicular torsion. The sizeable cyst obliterated the surrounding testicular parenchyma, causing it to appear on scrotal Doppler ultrasound as a testicle devoid of blood flow. This obliteration also resulted in failure to identify a testicular mass on physical examination or imaging. The current literature contains previous reports of extratesticular epidermoid cysts presenting as torsion; however, this is the first report of an intratesticular epidermoid cyst presenting in this manner. Though smaller cysts may be managed effectively with testicular-sparing surgery, optimal management of a cyst this size requires orchiectomy. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(4):198-201 doi: 10.3909/riu0633] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

Epidermoid cystTesticular torsionAcute testicular painIntratesticularDoppler

Testicular tumorView Articles

Volume 10, Number 2Case Review

Leydig Cell Hyperplasia Revealed by Gynecomastia

Case Review

Mohamed Jamal El FassiMoulay Hassan FarihMohamed Fadl TaziSoufiane Mellas

Leydig cell tumors are rare and represent 1% to 3% of all tumors of the testis. Leydig cell tumors affect males at any age, but there are 2 peak periods of incidence: between 5 and 10 years and between 25 and 35 years. Their main clinical presentation is a testicular mass associated with endocrinal manifestations that are variable according to age and appearance of the tumor. Our patient, a 17-year-old adolescent, presented with an isolated and painless hypertrophy of the right mammary gland. Clinical examination found gynecomastia and no testicular mass. Hormonal levels and tumor markers were normal. Testicular sonography showed an ovular and homogeneous right intratesticular mass 6 mm in diameter. We treated the patient with an inguinal right orchidectomy. The anatomopathological study found a nodule of Leydig cell hyperplasia. The patient recovered without recurrence at 8-month follow-up. The patient opted for mammoplasty 2 months after his orchidectomy rather than wait for the spontaneous gradual regression of his gynecomastia, which requires at least 1 year. Leydig cell hyperplasia manifests in the adult by signs of hypogonadism, most frequently gynecomastia. Although many teams prefer total orchidectomy because of the diagnostic difficulty associated with malignant forms, simple subcapsular orchidectomy should become the first-line treatment, provided it be subsequently followed by close surveillance, as it preserves maximum fertility, and these tumors usually resolve favorably. [Rev Urol. 2008:10(2):164-167]

FertilityTesticular tumorLeydig cell hyperplasiaNonseminomatous germ celltumorsGynecomastia

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Volume 23, Number 1Men's Health

Contemporary Management of Male Hypogonadism

Andrew Y Sun

Male hypogonadism affects up to 40% of men and is becoming more prominent because of increasingly prevalent medical comorbidities. Because various forms of treatment are available today, physicians should discuss drug efficacy and safety while simultaneously ensuring that therapy forms are in alignment with patient preferences. Treatment adherence is critical to sustaining patient health outcomes.

HypogonadismHormone replacementtestosterone deficiency

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Volume 16, Number 3Review Articles

Management of Erectile Dysfunction in the Hypogonadal Man: A Case-Based Review

Management Review

Jason M ScovellRanjith RamasamyNathan A WilkenJason R KovacLarry I Lipshultz

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has emerged as an important marker of cardiovascular and overall health, independent of other known conventional risk factors. ED often precedes coronary artery disease in half of affected subjects, and could indicate the presence of cardiovascular pathology. The pathophysiology and role of androgens in sexual function are described, along with the relevant literature on the effects of aging in erectile and gonadal function. The concept of testosterone supplementation (TST) in men with ED is reviewed. The authors utilize clinical vignettes to discuss the appropriate management of two clinical cases of men at different life stages who have ED in the setting of hypogonadism and propose a treatment algorithm. In patients of all ages, proper identification of the underlying pathophysiology of decreased libido and erectile function is paramount in choosing between the use of TST, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, or both, in the management of these disorders. [Rev Urol. 2014;16(3):105-109 doi: 10.3909/riu0623] © 2014 MedReviews®, LLC

HypogonadismErectile dysfunctionTestosterone supplementationPhosphodiesterase