The International Continence Society (ICS) report on the terminology for male lower urinary tract surgery

Neurourol Urodyn. 2020 Nov;39(8):2072-2088. doi: 10.1002/nau.24509. Epub 2020 Oct 12.

Abstract

Introduction: In the development of terminology of the lower urinary tract (LUT), due to its increasing complexity, the terminology for male LUT surgery needs to be updated using a male-specific approach and via a clinically-based consensus report.

Methods: This report combines the input of members of the Standardization Committee of the International Continence Society in a Working Group with recognized experts in the field, assisted by many external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a subclassification were developed to give a numeric coding to each definition. An extensive process of 14 rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus).

Results: A Terminology Report for male LUT and pelvic floor surgery, encompassing 149 separate definitions/descriptors, has been developed. It is clinically-based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in male LUT surgery. Figures have not been included to avoid any preference or bias towards a specific procedure.

Conclusions: A consensus-based Terminology Report for male LUT surgery has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

Keywords: lower urinary tract dysfunction; male surgery; terminology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Consensus
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostate / surgery*
  • Societies, Medical
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Urethra / surgery*
  • Urinary Bladder / surgery*
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male*
  • Urology*