Anna-Lisa V. Nguyen

Background: Scholarly activity is a key aspect of plastic surgery training, influencing resident selection and career progression. However, research productivity among Canadian plastic surgery residents has not been quantified. Methods: This cross-sectional study included Canadian plastic surgery residents enrolled between 2015 and 2024, identified through a systematic web search. Scholarly metrics were extracted from Scopus and PubMed. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics and research metrics of residents. Multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression analyses were used to identify associations and predictors of research productivity, defined as publications-per-postgraduate year (PGY). Results: Overall, 309 trainees were included (163 active, 146 graduates). Among 163 active residents, 53% identified as female, 41% held a graduate degree, and 11% of active residents were enrolled in a Clinician-Investigator Program (CIP). Mean publication-per-PGY was 0.62 ± 0.92. Higher research productivity was independently associated with preresidency publications (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.09, P < .001), CIP enrolment (IRR=1.88, P = .041), and female identification (IRR=0.58 for males, P = .017). Among 146 graduates, 58% were female, 46% held a graduate degree, and 84% pursued at least one fellowship. Twenty-seven percent hold faculty positions. Faculty appointment was associated with higher research metrics ( P < .001), and graduate degree status was the sole independent predictor (odds ratio = 3.41, P = .015). Program requirements and the productivity of PDs and RDs were not significant. Conclusions: Research productivity among Canadian plastic surgery residents is primarily influenced by individual factors, specifically preresidency research and CIP enrolment. Program-level factors such as research requirements and metrics of PDs and RDs are not associated with higher productivity in residents. Graduate degree status is a predictor of academic career pursuit, but not of fellowship. These findings aim to enhance scholarly involvement throughout the trainee lifespan and those aspiring for a faculty appointment.

Purpose:Urologists face challenges in obtaining public research funding, leading to increasing reliance on the industry for research support. This study aimed to examine the extent and trends in in...

Purpose To conduct a scoping review of the existing literature and recent developments on prostatic stents for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods A comprehensive search was performed on Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify English literature on prostatic stents for the treatment of BPH. Additional studies and upcoming devices were identified through grey literature search and expert consultation. Study characteristics and stent information were extracted and tabulated narratively. Results Of the 1171 search results, 64 studies were included in this review. iTiND was the prostatic stent with the most long-term evidence. iTiND is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for BPH that preserves sexual function. Adverse events are mild and transitory. Emerging stents (e.g. Zenflow, Butterfly, Urocross, and Exime) had 7/64 eligible studies, where no studies had long-term follow-up. These newer stents show promising results for quality of life and BPH symptom management; however, long-term monitoring and head-to-head comparisons are needed. Conclusion Over the last 50 years, prostatic stents have evolved and demonstrated improved clinical efficacy. iTiND provides a safe and effective outpatient treatment of LUTS secondary to BPH preserving erectile and ejaculatory function. Emerging prostatic stents are a promising, effective, and safe intervention in well-selected patients interested in its benefits.

Introduction Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases affecting men and can present with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Historically, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been considered the gold standard in the treatment of LUTS due to BPH. However, TURP and other traditional options for the surgical management of LUTS secondary to BPH are associated with high rates of sexual dysfunction. In the past decade, several novel technologies, including Aquablation therapy, convective water vapor therapy (Rezum), and transperineal prostate laser ablation (TPLA), have demonstrated promising evidence to be safe and effective while preserving sexual function. Methods In this review, we discuss three ablative minimally invasive surgeries: Aquablation, Rezum, and TPLA. We review their techniques, safety, as well as perioperative and functional outcomes. We go into further detail regarding sexual function after these ablative minimally invasive surgical therapies. Results Aquablation is a surgeon-guided, robot-executed, heat-free ablative waterjet procedure with sustained functional outcomes at 5 years while having no effect on sexual activity. Rezum is an innovative office-based, minimally invasive surgical option for BPH that delivers convective water vapor energy into prostate adenoma to ablate obstructing tissue. Rezum leads to significant improvements in Qmax, IPSS while preserving sexual function. TPLA is another office-based technology which uses a diode laser source to produce thermoablation. It leads to improvement in Qmax, IPSS, and QoL while preserving ejaculatory function. Conclusions Overall, ablative minimally invasive surgical therapies have demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy profiles while preserving sexual function. These modalities should be discussed with patients to ensure informed and shared decision-making. Ablative minimally invasive surgical therapies may be particularly interesting to patients who value the preservation of their sexual function.