Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers constructed a computer model for financial decision analysis of surgical approaches to testicular sperm extraction, which most U.S. residents must pay for out-of-pocket but is the only option for men with non-obstructive azoospermia who want to conceive a biological child.

A study led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers suggests occupational factors are linked to male fertility. Men who reported more physical activity at work had higher sperm concentrations and testosterone levels.

Recent U.S. legislation requires clinical trial sponsors to submit a diversity action plan for pivotal studies of new drugs. Still, Thomas J. Hwang, MD, and a colleague propose a combination of federal incentives and regulations to advance clinical trial equity and resolve gaps in participant representation.

Leaders from the Division of Urology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will present their latest research to international urologists at the American Urological Association’s (AUA) 2023 Annual Meeting, held April 28 – May 1 in Chicago, IL.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital modified a robotic-assisted cardiac catheter ablation device to treat kidney stones and compared it with a standard flexible ureteroscope. They found the robotic device was more maneuverable and facilitated precision aim at targets in each renal calyx.

In the first study of its kind, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers investigated whether the stromal‐predominant benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) subtype negatively affects outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate, as reactive stromal myofibroblasts support a progressive inflammatory response.

The 5-item Frailty Index (5i-FI) accurately predicts morbidity and mortality after radical prostatectomy, cystectomy, and partial nephrectomy. Now, Brigham researchers report the 5i-FI is also useful for predicting surgical complications after endoscopic treatment for benign prostatic obstruction.

Flexible ureteroscopy (URS) is the most commonly used surgical procedure to treat nephrolithiasis, and Brigham researchers have begun to evaluate how surgeon movements affect URS efficiency. They report results from a pilot study that should inform improvement in endoscopist training and evaluation.