OBJECTIVE: To document the VMMC Urethral Dilatation Protocol, established in Veterans MemorialMedical Center for male patients with urethral stricture who underwent urethrotomy and to determineif there is a significant difference in the International Prostate Symptom Score and Uroflowmetrystudies after urethral dilatation in male patients with urethral stricture who underwent urethrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The is a descriptive, retrospective chart review of male patients in VeteransMemorial Medical Center diagnosed with urethral strictures via voiding cystourethrogram or flexiblecystoscopy who underwent urethrotomy. A total of 24 patients were enrolled in this study, all ofwhom were post TURP patients. All patients with recurrent urethral stricture, history of trauma andpatients with infectious causes of stricture were excluded. Each patient's International ProstateSymptom Score and Uroflowmetry studies prior to urethrotomy and post urethrotomy who underwentthe VMMC urethral dilatation were collected. Median and range (Minimum-Maximum) were usedto describe the variables of the study. These variables are IPSS, peak flow rate, average flow rate,voided volume, and residual volume. RESULTS: The IPSS, was statistically lower after urethrotomy with urethral dilatation and theuroflowmetry parameters (peak flow rate, average flow rate, voided volume, and residual volume)were statistically improved after urethrotomy with urethral dilatation. CONCLUSION The Urethral Dilatation Protocol established in Veterans Memorial Medical Center andwhich is done every week for 1 month, then every 2 weeks for another 1 month, and monthly untilthere is markedly improved International Prostate Symptom Score showed that this timing may helpimprove IPSS and patient symptoms but not lessen recurrence rates.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview on the impact of healthcare disruption by the COVID-19 pandemic to urology training programs in the Philippines. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was used in collaboration with the study done by Rosen, et al. last May 2020. Telephone survey of the study population was done determining the status of resident staffing, workload, health/wellness, and didactics. Numerical and categorical data were analyzed and descriptive statistics are provided. RESULTS: All the observations on resident time in the workplace, including assignment to teams (81%), redeployment responses (55-97%), and remote clinical work (65%) were significant. Fifty one percent of residents have decreased research load. Eighty one percent have didactics in small groups. Fifty-five percent have 1 to 2 Video-based learning/conferences per week (p=0.007) followed by those with 3-4 with 98% (p=0.120) and those with >5 with only 6% (p=0.729). For Resident health and wellness, 87% of the residents were exposed to COVID-positive patients, but only 8% of residents were COVID positive (p=0.591). Lastly, 59% of the participants do not have access to wellness programs. CONCLUSION Data from respondents revealed significant changes in the different aspects of the present study. Urology residents spent more time away from their specialties, and have been re-deployed to COVID-19 floors. Ambulatory services, conferences, educational lectures have mostly shifted to virtual platforms. Resident concerns for COVID-19 exposure have been addressed properly; however, wellness programs have not been widely available for residents. As a first national survey, the present study may give significant insights on program changes and may be used as preliminary data for future studies.
Philippines