Clinical Trials
Clinical research in LSU Health’s Department of Urology is dedicated to advancing both new and established therapies and diagnostic techniques. Our faculty use scientific analysis to determine which treatments provide the best results for patients.
Our urology faculty care for patients in both clinic and hospital settings. Their hands-on clinical experience directly shapes their research. In turn, the discoveries made through research and clinical trials are quickly translated into improved patient care. By combining patient care with cutting-edge research, we work every day to improve how urologic conditions are treated and managed.
For questions about urologic clinical trials, contact the head of urologic research and clinical trials, Jaya Mishra,Ph.D,CCRP at jmishr@lsuhsc.edu.
Micheal F. Darson, MD, FACS
Clinical/Research Focus: Clinical focus: General Urology, BPH, minimally invasive therapies (Rezum), Resident education
Ryan M. Krlin, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: FPMRS, sacral neuromodulation, pelvic reconstruction.
Active IRB studies:
Sacral Neuromodulation for Male OverActive Bladder (MOAB) Study
The Sacral Neuromodulation for Male OverActive Bladder (MOAB) is designed to assess the Axonics SNM therapy System for the treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) (urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) and/or urinary frequency (UF)) in men with history of prostate related therapies and procedures alone or in combination, in participants who have failed or could not tolerate more conservative treatments.
Elizabeth A. Rourke, DO, MPH
Clinical/Research Focus:: female and male pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, urinary incontinence, sacral neuromodulation, neurourology and resident education
Active IRB studies:
Sacral Neuromodulation for Male OverActive Bladder (MOAB) Study
The Sacral Neuromodulation for Male OverActive Bladder (MOAB) is designed to assess the Axonics SNM therapy System for the treatment of the symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) (urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) and/or urinary frequency (UF)) in men with history of prostate related therapies and procedures alone or in combination, in participants who have failed or could not tolerate more conservative treatments.
Stephen M. LaCour, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: General urology, vasectomy, nephrolithiasis, men’s health
Aaron D. Martin, MD, MPH
Clinical/Research Focus: Pediatric urology, robotics, surgical innovation, spina bifida, urologic oncology, telemedicine
Active IRB studies:
Post-pyeloplasty Hydronephrosis Following Choice of Perioperative Stent Placement
This study assesses retrospective imaging data of pre and post pyeloplasty procedures depending on whether the patient received an intra-operative stent. It will help in determining whether stenting or not stenting in pyeloplasty yields better patient outcomes based on a physician's review of deidentified patient imaging.
Gonadal miRNA Expression in Patients with Differences in Sex Development
In collaboration with the University of Kentucky, this study is aiming to determine if serum miRNA-371 levels are correlated with GCNIS/GCT in patients with DSD who undergo gonadal surgery. This will be a prospective pilot study using prospectively biobanked specimens from multiple outside institutions, centrally stored and analyzed at the University of Kentucky, to determine the potential of miRNA-371 to be used as a screening tool to guide gonadectomy for patients with DSD.
Healthy Voider Clinic Database
This study collects health outcome measures on children with functional incontinence using a validated quality of life questionnaire related quality of life (HRQoL) before treatment and three months after treatment. By adding a validated quality of life questionnaire will provide valuable data of HRQoL in children with functional incontinence effecting on age, gender, and ethnic backgrounds taken into consideration.
Amanda Raines, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: Pediatric urology, robotics, spina bifida, patient safety and quality, resident education
Increasing compliance with voiding diaries with the use of technology: a quality improvement project
Christopher C. Roth, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: Pediatric urology, reconstructive surgery, nephrolithiasis, robotics
Active IRB studies:
An evaluation of surgical skin prep for children undergoing surgical circumcision.
This study aims to determine if there is a difference in surgical site infection rates based on surgical skin preparation. By identifying which of the predominantly used surgical skin preparation methods minimizes surgical site infections in patients following penile surgery and is most cost effective and minimizes environmental impact.
Experimental Assessment of Hemostatic Forces Generated by Newborn-style Circumcision Clamps
This study identifies the key characteristics in the design of the disposable Centurion vs reusable Gomco-style circumcision clamps that enhance or mitigate their hemostatic capabilities by determining what characteristics of each clamp are responsible for their success rate in creating a hemostatic seal during circumcision clinically by testing the force measuring apparatus using human prepuce.
Analysis of Fluoroscopy Use Following Implementation of Fluoroscopy Checklist
This study involves the impact of implementing a checklist in multiple endourologic procedures including ureteroscopy on the reduction in radiation exposure at Manning Family Children's Hospital New Orleans. The goal is to reduce the rates of unnecessary exposure and determine the most concise and effective checklist and if it is determined that it is impractical or ineffective, corrections in implementation and content of the checklist will be considered.
Hailey J. Silverii, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: Pediatric urology, surgical coaching, kidney transplant optimization, neurogenic bladder, robotics
Active IRB studies:
Development, validation, and impact of the Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Skills Assessment Rubric (PySAR)
With funding and support from the American Board of Medical Specialties through the Visiting Scholars project, Dr. Silverii aims to develop and evaluate a robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty skills assessment rubric (PySAR) through a multi-phase, multi-institution, mixed methods project. Phase 1 of the study which is now complete established validity evidence for the rubric with the help of an expert panel in a Delphi process. Phase 2 is ongoing and consists of testing the rubric for feasibility and relationship to variables such as surgeon skill level and case complexity. Phase 2 is a multi-institution endeavor. Lastly, with collaboration from the LSU School of Public Health's, Dr. Tung Sung Tseng, the final phase of the study is a qualitative investigation which aims to best understand the impact of utilizing this rubric through completion of semi-structured interviews with participants (trainees and faculty).
Increasing compliance with voiding diaries with the use of technology: a quality improvement project
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Stephen P. Carriere, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: General urology clinical practice, BPH, nephrolithiasis
Thomas L. Ewing, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: General urology clinical practice
Joseph Ortenberg, MD
Clinical/Research Focus: Pediatric urology, congenital anomalies, hypospadias, voiding dysfunction
Active IRB Studies:
Expanded Access for Compassionate Use of Sodium Hyaluronate for Bladder Instillation in a Child with Nephrogenic Metaplasia of the Bladder
Richard M. Vanlangendonck, Jr., MD
Clinical/Research Focus: Minimally invasive urologic oncology.
J. Christian Winters, MD, FACS
Clinical/Research Focus: Female urology, voiding dysfunction, urodynamics, institutional care improvement