Abstract Background While the rate of physician burnout has been characterized as relatively high among urologists compared to other specialties, a specific examination of burnout and predictors of burnout among urologists specializing in sexual medicine has not been conducted. Aim The aim of this study was to collect demographic characteristics of urologists specializing in sexual medicine, assess the occurrence of and risk factors for burnout, and characterize satisfaction with career, compensation and work-life balance. Methods We surveyed 96 urologists specializing in sexual medicine to characterize demographic and practice characteristics and assess their satisfaction with career aspects and levels of burnout. Univariable and multivariable modeling with stepwise variable selection was utilized to identify predictive variables of burnout. Outcomes The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to assess personal burnout, work-related burnout, patient-related burnout, and overall burnout. Results Twenty-four percent (n = 23) of participants reported burnout with 35.4% (n = 34) reporting personal burnout, 38.5% (n = 37) reporting work-related burnout, and 24.0% (n = 23) reporting patient-related burnout. Younger age (P = 0.051), Black/African American or multiracial race compared to white race (P < 0.0001), Latino or Hispanic background (P = 0.034), female sex (P = 0.059), being unmarried (P = 0.047), and increased educational debt (0.030) were identified as predictive of overall burnout in adjusted analysis. Dissatisfaction with work-life balance was significantly related to an increase in all categories of burnout (P < 0.01). Clinical implications These findings may guide practice patterns and initiatives to support groups identified at increased risk of burnout, as well as function as a benchmark for future studies of burnout in the sexual medicine urology community. Strengths and limitations While this is the first study of burnout specifically among sexual medicine urologists and findings are consistent with the overall urology community, the small sample size may lead to a biased sample. Conclusion Several demographic and personal characteristics were identified to be predictive of burnout among the sexual medicine urology community, indicating opportunities for additional support.
New findings regarding predictors of Poor Corporal Integrity in Penile Implant Recipients: A Multicenter International Invesigation
Objectives To evaluate the pre‐ and intraoperative variables that impact the integrity of the corporal bodies over time after inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement, as predictors of intraoperative corporal perforation and delayed cylinder complications have not been well characterized. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed a 16‐centre multi‐institutional database of IPP surgeries performed by experienced implanters from 2016 to 2021. Poor corporal integrity (PCI) was defined as intraoperative (iPCI) corporal complications or postoperative (pPCI) corporal complications. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of PCI, iPCI, and pPCI. Primary outcomes included intra‐ and postoperative corporal complications. Results We identified 5153 patients for analysis from 5406 IPP cases, finding 152 (2.95%) cases of PCI. On multivariable analysis, predictors of PCI included revision IPP surgery (odds ratio [OR] 8.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.15–12.92; P < 0.001), sequential dilatation (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32–3.39; P = 0.002), coronary artery disease (CAD)/peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.18–2.77; P = 0.006), older age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04; P = 0.013), and corporal scarring (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.0–2.5; P = 0.049). Predictors of iPCI included revision IPP surgery (OR 7.34, 95% CI 4.18–12.88; P < 0.001), corporal scarring (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.64–4.69; P < 0.001), radiation therapy (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.0–5.04; P = 0.049), and older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.0–1.05; P = 0.025). Revision IPP surgery (OR 7.92, 95% CI 3.69–17.01; P < 0.001), sequential dilatation (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.61–7.19; P = 0.001), CAD/PVD (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.56–5.72; P = 0.001), and history of priapism (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.08–11.99; P = 0.038) were predictive of pPCI. Conclusion Coronary artery disease/PVD, being of older age, having corporal scarring, undergoing IPP revision surgery and sequential dilatation were predictive risk factors for complications associated with PCI. Identifying patients who are at risk of having PCI may improve patient‐specific counselling, consideration of referral to more experienced implanters, and surgical planning to potentially promote longer‐term device viability.
Does climate impact inflatable penile prosthesis infection (IPP) risk? Assessment of temperature and dew point on IPP infections
Abstract Background Variations in climate have been associated with a greater risk of surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in the skin microbiome; however, limited data exist on the impact of climate on inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infections. Aim We sought to evaluate the impact of climate on the risk of IPP infections in a large international, multicenter cohort. Methods We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients undergoing IPP surgery. We then evaluated whether the month or season, during which surgery was performed, affected device infections. Implant infections were defined as infections requiring device explantation. A univariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken. Outcomes Our primary outcome was implant infection. Results A total of 5289 patients with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.8 years received IPP placement. There was a fairly even distribution of implants performed in each season. A total of 103 (1.9%) infections were recorded. There were 32 (31.1%) IPP infections in patients who underwent surgery in the summer, followed by 28 (27.2%) in the winter, 26 (25.2%) in the spring, and 17 (16.5%) in the fall. No statistically significant differences were recorded in terms of season (P = .19) and month (P = .29). The mean daily temperature (P = .43), dew point (P = .43), and humidity (P = .92) at the time of IPP placement was not associated with infection. Clinical Implications These findings provide reassurance to prosthetic urologists that infection reduction strategies do not need to be tailored to local climate. Strengths and Limitations Climate data were not directly recorded for each hospital, but rather based on the monthly averages in the city where the surgery was performed. Conclusion The climate at time of IPP placement and time of year of surgery is not associated with IPP infection risk.