Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Hilar and Nonhilar Renal Masses: Comparison of Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Results in a Multicentre Prospective Cohort (NEPRAH Study, UroCCR 175).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A hilar location for a renal tumour is sometimes viewed as a limiting factor for safe partial nephrectomy. Our aim was to evaluate perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for hilar tumours (RAPN-H) in comparison to RAPN for nonhilar tumours (RAPN-NH). METHODS: We conducted an observational, multicentre cohort study using prospectively collected data from the French Research Network on Kidney Cancer (UroCCR). The registry includes data for 3551 patients who underwent RAPN for localised or locally advanced renal masses between 2010 and 2023 in 29 hospitals in France. We studied the impact of a hilar location on surgery, postoperative renal function, tumour characteristics, and survival. We also compared rates of trifecta achievement (warm ischaemia time [WIT] <25 min, negative surgical margins, and no perioperative complications) between the groups. Finally, we performed a subgroup analysis of RAPN without vascular clamping. Variables were compared in univariable analysis and using multivariable linear, logistic, and Cox proportional-hazards models adjusted for relevant patient and tumour covariates. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: The analytical population included 3451 patients, of whom 2773 underwent RAPN-NH and 678 underwent RAPN-H. Longer WIT (ß = 2.4 min; p < 0.01), longer operative time (ß = 11.4 min; p < 0.01) and a higher risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio 1.33; p = 0.05) were observed in the hilar group. Blood loss, the perioperative transfusion rate, postoperative changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate, and trifecta achievement rates were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). At mean follow-up of 31.9 mo, there was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-1.2; p = 0.3), cancer-specific survival (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.48-2.6; p = 0.79), or overall survival (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.52-1.53; p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patient and tumour characteristics rather than just hilar location should be the main determinants of the optimal surgical strategy for hilar tumours. PATIENT SUMMARY: We found that kidney tumours located close to major kidney blood vessels led to a longer operation and a higher risk of complications during robot-assisted surgery to remove the tumour. However, tumours in these locations were not related to a higher risk of kidney function loss, cancer recurrence, or death.

The Impact of Histological Variants on Oncological Outcomes After Surgical Resection of a Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus: A Multi-institutional Study.

Background: There is no definitive evidence of the prognosis impact of histological variants (HVs) in patients who undergo surgical resection of a nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (nm-RCC) with venous tumor thrombus (TT). Objective: To investigate the impact of HVs on the prognosis of patients with nm-RCC with TT after radical surgery. Design setting and participants: Patients who underwent radical nephrectomy with the removal of the venous TT for an nm-RCC were included in a retrospective study. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Three groups were identified: clear cell (ccRCC), papillary (pRCC), and chromophobe (chRCC) RCC. The primary outcome measures (disease-free and overall survival [OS]) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to study the impact of HVs on survival. Results and limitations: A total of 873 patients were included. The histological subtypes were distributed as follows: ccRCC in 780 cases, pRCC in 58 cases, and chRCC in 35 cases. At the time of data analysis, 612 patients were recurrence free and 228 had died. A survival analysis revealed significant differences in both OS and recurrence-free survival across histological subtypes, with the poorest outcomes observed in pRCC patients (p < 0.05). In a multivariable analysis, pRCC was independently associated with worse disease-free survival and OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71; p = 0.01 and HR: 1.24; p = 0.04), while chRCC was associated with more favorable outcomes than ccRCC (HR: 0.05; p < 0.001 and HR: 0.02; p < 0.001). A limitation of the study is its retrospective nature. Conclusions: In this multicentric series, HVs appeared to impact the medium-term oncological prognosis of kidney cancer with TT. Patient summary: This study investigated the differences in oncological outcomes among histological variants (clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe) in a cohort of nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma patients with venous tumor thrombus extension. We observed that these histological variants within this specific subgroup exhibit distinct outcomes, with papillary renal cell carcinoma being associated with the worst prognosis.

Prospective comparison of scar-related satisfaction and quality of life after laparoscopic versus open radical prostatectomy: no differences from patients' point of view.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare scar-related satisfaction in patients treated with open (ORP) versus laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We prospectively included all patients treated with ORP and LRP in our department between March and June 2010. Scar-related outcomes were collected at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Three months after surgery, all patients filled up a questionnaire concerning their scar-related symptoms, scar self-consciousness and satisfaction. These variables were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included for analysis. Of them, 48, 49 and 4 were treated with LRP, ORP and LRP converted to ORP, respectively. Age distribution was not statistically different between groups. Postoperatively, 5 patients experienced skin infection on their scar site, 2 in the ORP and 3 in the LRP group. The most frequently reported symptom was scar itching, that was more frequent after LRP, although difference was not significant (33 vs. 19%, p = 0.2). According to patient scar-related consciousness, satisfaction and impact on quality of life, no differences were reported between groups. Impact on quality of life was insignificant in 27 (55%) versus 21 (44%) patients after ORP and LRP, respectively (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: With an overall low impact on satisfaction and quality of life, scars gendered by LRP and ORP were not different from patients' point of view. In patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, the cosmetic aspect of scars does not seem to be a concern.

Low accuracy of routine ultrasound-guided systematic 12-core biopsies in prostate tumor mapping.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the accuracy of a 12-core biopsy protocol in assessing the location of prostate tumors within radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with T1c stage prostate cancer who had undergone 12 ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies prior to RP was considered. The locations of the biopsies from prostate gland mapping were compared with the locations of tumor tissues obtained after analysis of the prostate specimens. RESULTS: Overall, 78 patients (27.4%) were included. The median PSA level was 6 ng/mL. The median prostate weight was 45 g (range 22 to 102). Overall, 936 biopsies were performed in the 78 men, of which 254 biopsies were positive. The mean number of positive biopsies per patient was 3.7 (range 1 to 12). Pathologic examination of the surgical specimens revealed that 58 (74.4%) patients had pT2 disease and 20 patients (25.6%) had locally advanced disease (pT3). The biopsy protocol's sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for tumor location were 0.34, 0.83 and 0.84. The performance of the protocol was modest in assessing the exact tumor location (area under curve (AUC) 0.581, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.489-0.719). CONCLUSIONS: Routine, ultrasound-guided, systematic 12-core biopsies lack precision in prostate tumor mapping.

Robot-assisted AMS-800 Artificial Urinary Sphincter Bladder Neck Implantation in Female Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Widespread adoption of the AMS-800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in female patients has been hampered by the surgical morbidity of its implantation through an open approach. OBJECTIVE: To describe a standardized technique of robotic bladder neck AUS implantation in female patients, and to report the perioperative and functional outcomes obtained by multiple surgeons with this technique. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all female patients who underwent robotic AUS implantation for urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency between March 2012 and March 2017 in five institutions. Most of the 10 surgeons involved were not highly experienced in female AUS implantation and/or in robotic surgery. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: The AUS is implanted at the bladder neck through a transperitoneal robotic approach. The finger placed by the assistant surgeon in the vagina is paramount to expose the vesicovaginal space and guide the robotic surgeon throughout the bladder neck dissection. MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was the incontinence categorized as complete continence(ie, no pads used), improved incontinence, or unchanged incontinence. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Forty-nine female patients underwent a robotic AUS implantation. There were eight intraoperative complications (16.3%): five bladder neck injuries and three vaginal injuries. Nine patients experienced postoperative complications (18.3%), but only two were Clavien ≥3 (4.1%). After a median follow-up of 18.5 mo, one explantation (vaginal erosion, 2.1%) and three revisions (one mechanical and two nonmechanical failure, 6.1%) were needed. At last follow-up, 40 patients were fully continent (81.6%), six had improved incontinence (12.2%), and three had unchanged incontinence (6.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this first multicenter series of robot-assisted AUS implantation, our technique appeared feasible, safe, and reproducible with perioperative and functional outcomes in the early learning curve not inferior to those reported in large series of open AUS implantation from tertiary referral centers. PATIENT SUMMARY: Robot-assisted bladder neck AMS-800 artificial urinary sphincter implantation in female patients with stress urinary incontinence resulting from intrinsic sphincter deficiency is feasible, safe, and reproducible with promising outcomes.