Implementation of Robot-assisted Urologic Surgeries using Hugo™ RAS System in a High-volume Robotic "Da vinci Xi" Center: outcomes and initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the trocar disposition, docking angles, surgical times, functional outcomes and complications experienced during the first 30 surgeries with Hugo™ RAS platform performed by a high volume Da Vinci Xi®`s surgeon. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, descriptive study was performed between May-December 2023. Safety and feasibility of the procedures were evaluated considering console and docking time (min), perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), blood loss (mL), collision of the arms during the procedures (Yes/No). For radical prostatectomies (RARP) the urinary continence and sexual function were also evaluated. RESULTS: RARP, simple prostatectomies (RASP), partial nephrectomies (RAPN), and cystectomy (RARC) were performed. Trocar placement, docking, and bed assistant ergonomics were important challenges. Patient positioning, trocar placement, and robotic arm positioning had to be adapted. The median console operative time for RARP and RASP was 78 (60-120) minutes and 79 (58-125) minutes, respectively. The median docking time for both RARP and RASP was 10 (5-20) minutes. Of patients undergoing RARP, 94.5% recovered sexual function and no patient used more than one PAD per day after 90 days of the surgery. The median console operative and docking time for RAPN was 82 (80-130) minutes and 12 minutes (7-19) minutes, respectively. Blood loss in all patients was less than 200 mL and all none procedure presented major complications. CONCLUSION: For a high volume surgeon with motivated and well-trained multidisciplinary team, the implementation of HUGO™ RAS system for urological program is safe and smooth. Adaptations were necessary to achieve equivalent surgical technique and results. Docking position and bed assistant ergonomics are the major challenges.

Capturing relationships between suturing sub-skills to improve automatic suturing assessment.

Suturing skill scores have demonstrated strong predictive capabilities for patient functional recovery. The suturing can be broken down into several substep components, including needle repositioning, needle entry angle, etc. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been explored to automate suturing skill scoring. Traditional approaches to skill assessment typically focus on evaluating individual sub-skills required for particular substeps in isolation. However, surgical procedures require the integration and coordination of multiple sub-skills to achieve successful outcomes. Significant associations among the technical sub-skill have been established by existing studies. In this paper, we propose a framework for joint skill assessment that takes into account the interconnected nature of sub-skills required in surgery. The prior known relationships among sub-skills are firstly identified. Our proposed AI system is then empowered by the prior known relationships to perform the suturing skill scoring for each sub-skill domain simultaneously. Our approach can effectively improve skill assessment performance through the prior known relationships among sub-skills. Through the proposed approach to joint skill assessment, we aspire to enhance the evaluation of surgical proficiency and ultimately improve patient outcomes in surgery.

Minimally invasive cytoreductive radical prostatectomy, exploring the safety and feasibility of a single-port or multi-port robotic platform.

BACKGROUND: Consolidative resection or cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (CRP) may benefit men with non-organ confined prostate cancer. We report the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic CRP using a single-port (SP) or multi-port (MP) platform. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive men with clinical node positive or metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer who underwent IRB-approved CRP and extended pelvic lymph node dissection using the da Vinci SP or MP Surgical Systems (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) from 2015-2022. Perioperative data and Clavien-Dindo 90-day complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four men with a median age of 61 (IQR 56-69) years and prostate-specific antigen of 32.1 (IQR 21.9-62.3) ng/mL were included. Clinical N1, M1, or N1 + M1 disease were detected in 8 (33%), 9 (38%), 7 (29%) patients, respectively. There was no difference in positive margins, 41% vs. 29% (P = 0.67), lymph node yield, 21 (IQR 14-28) vs. 20 (IQR 13.5-21) nodes (P = 0.31), or estimated blood loss, 150 mL (IQR 100-200) vs. 50 mL (IQR 50-125) (P = 0.06), between the MP and SP cohorts, respectively. Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter for the SP group, same-day discharge (IQR 0-0), compared to MP, 1-day (IQR 1-1), P < 0.001. One grade III bowel obstruction and lymphocele occurred in the MP cohort. No major complications occurred in the SP cohort. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic CRP is safe and feasible for select men with advanced castrate-sensitive prostate cancer.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Kidney Cancer, Version 2.2024.

The NCCN Guidelines for Kidney Cancer provide multidisciplinary recommendations for diagnostic workup, staging, and treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on the systemic therapy options for patients with advanced RCC and summarize the new clinical data evaluated by the NCCN panel for the recommended therapies in Version 2.2024 of the NCCN Guidelines for Kidney Cancer.

Long-term Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Following Salvage Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Modern Perspective.

Background and objective: Approximately two-thirds of men who undergo primary treatment for prostate cancer (PC) will experience biochemical recurrence (BCR). Salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) offers curative treatment in this disease setting and men who choose this option may avoid palliative androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The purpose of this study was to describe long-term outcomes and patient feedback following sRARP. Methods: We reviewed data for consecutive men with biopsy-proven localized BCR who underwent sRARP and pelvic lymph node dissection at a single tertiary referral center between 2004 and 2021. Perioperative data, Clavien-Dindo complications, and functional outcomes were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate prostate-specific antigen-free (≥0.2 ng/ml) survival (PSAFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS). Three Likert-type items (score 1-5) from the validated Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 were distributed to patients postoperatively. Key findings and limitations: We included 78 men, of whom 72 (92%) had undergone primary radiotherapy and six (8%) had received primary prostate ablation. Median follow-up was 10.1 yr (interquartile range 5.8-12.4). Final pathology identified ≥pT3N0M0 in 35 patients (45%) and positive margins in 23 (29%). The overall complication rate was 50%. Of the 26 (33%) major (grade ≥III) complications, anastomotic stricture (32%) was most common. The estimated 3-, 5-, and 10-yr survival rates were 85.6% and 80.2%, 83.5% for PSAFS (n = 11), and 74.1%, 83.5%, and 70.5% for MFS (n = 23), respectively. At last follow-up, postoperative ADT had been administered to 17 patients (22%), and 39 men (50%) remained alive a decade after sRARP. Continence and potency were maintained in 33/62 (53%) and 1/16 (6%) patients, respectively. Thirty-five respondents (45%) reported median questionnaire scores (≥4) in favor of sRARP. Limitations include the small single-center series and a single query point for patient feedback. Conclusions and clinical implications: Long-term outcomes of sRARP suggest that the technical challenges and morbidity of the procedure are qualified by patient feedback and the opportunity to evade the morbidity and mortality of biochemically recurrent PC. Patient summary: We reviewed the cancer outcomes and side effects of robot-assisted surgical removal of the prostate after treatment failure with radiation or ablation for prostate cancer. We found that this type of treatment has substantial risks and long-term side effects, but the surgery provides an opportunity to cure prostate cancer and/or avoid the consequences of indefinite hormonal treatment. Overall, most men who underwent this surgery were not disappointed with their decision despite the higher risks and consequences.

Indiana Pouch Continent Cutaneous Urinary Diversion After Robotic-assisted Radical Cystectomy: A 16-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Population-based practice patterns in the United States reveal continent diversions are only performed in 8%-10.4% of patients.1-4 Ideally, for patients undergoing radical cystectomy the choice of urinary diversion should be influenced by clinical factors and patient preference, with discussions surrounding quality of life. Unfortunately, receipt of continent diversion has been shown to be influenced by a plethora of other factors such as surgeon preference/training, geography, socioeconomic status, gender, and hospital volume.1-3 Thus, by providing detailed instruction and long-term follow-up, we hope to mitigate some of these disparities by changing the perceptions regarding feasibility and complications of continent diversions. OBJECTIVE: To provide step-by-step instruction and to report long-term clinical outcomes in bladder cancer patients receiving an Indiana pouch continent cutaneous urinary diversion (CCUD) after robot-assisted radical cystectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: After Institutional Review Board approval, a prospectively maintained bladder cancer database was queried for patients with T1-T4, N0-N1, M0 bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy with CCUD at a tertiary referral center from 2004 to 2020. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Complications at 30- and 90-day were recorded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Continence rates were recorded by chart review. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 97 patients were included with a median follow-up of 93months. Clinically, 91.8% had ≤T2 disease and 29.9% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median length of surgery was 8.0 hours, length of hospital stay was 8.3days, and urinary continence rate was 99.0%. The overall complication rate was 73.2% and 76.5% at 30- and 90-day, respectively. The major complication rate (Clavien III-V) was 17.5% at 30-day and 22.7% at 90-day. The most common major complications were abdominal infection and uretero-colonic stricture. The readmission rate was 21.4% and median overall survival was 108months. CONCLUSION: CCUD provides exceptional functional outcomes with acceptable complication rates compared to other diversion types. CCUD is a reliable reconstructive option and with this step-by-step video as a reference, we hope it will be offered to more patients.

Partial versus radical nephrectomy for complex renal mass: multicenter comparative analysis of functional outcomes (Rosula collaborative group).

BACKGROUND: Utility of partial nephrectomy (PN) for complex renal mass (CRM) is controversial. We determined the impact of surgical modality on postoperative renal functional outcomes for CRM. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a multicenter registry (ROSULA). CRM was defined as RENAL Score 10-12. The cohort was divided into PN and radical nephrectomy (RN) for analyses. Primary outcome was development of de-novo estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Secondary outcomes were de-novo eGFR<60 and ΔeGFR between diagnosis and last follow-up. Cox proportional hazards was used to elucidate predictors for de-novo eGFR<60 and <45. Linear regression was utilized to analyze ΔeGFR. Kaplan-Meier Analysis (KMA) was performed to analyze 5-year freedom from de-novo eGFR<60 and <45. RESULTS: We analyzed 969 patients (RN=429/PN=540; median follow-up 24.0 months). RN patients had lower BMI (P<0.001) and larger tumor size (P<0.001). Overall postoperative complication rate was higher for PN (P<0.001), but there was no difference in major complications (Clavien III-IV; P=0.702). MVA demonstrated age (HR=1.05, P<0.001), tumor-size (HR=1.05, P=0.046), RN (HR=2.57, P<0.001), and BMI (HR=1.04, P=0.001) to be associated with risk for de-novo eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Age (HR=1.03, P<0.001), BMI (HR=1.06, P<0.001), baseline eGFR (HR=0.99, P=0.002), tumor size (HR=1.07, P=0.007) and RN (HR=2.39, P<0.001) were risk factors for de-novo eGFR<45 mL/min/1.73 m2. RN (B=-10.89, P<0.001) was associated with greater ΔeGFR. KMA revealed worse 5-year freedom from de-novo eGFR<60 (71% vs. 33%, P<0.001) and de-novo eGFR<45 (79% vs. 65%, P<0.001) for RN. CONCLUSIONS: PN provides functional benefit in selected patients with CRM without significant increase in major complications compared to RN, and should be considered when technically feasible.

A Multi-institution Study on the Association of Virtual Reality Skills with Continence Recovery after Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) simulators are increasingly being used for surgical skills training. It is unclear what skills are best improved via VR, translate to live surgical skills, and influence patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess surgeons in VR and live surgery using a suturing assessment tool and evaluate the association between technical skills and a clinical outcome. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective five-center study enrolled participants who completed VR suturing exercises and provided live surgical video. Graders provided skill assessments using the validated End-To-End Assessment of Suturing Expertise (EASE) suturing evaluation tool. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A hierarchical Poisson model was used to compare skill scores among cohorts and evaluate the association of scores with clinical outcomes. Spearman's method was used to assess correlation between VR and live skills. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Ten novices, ten surgeons with intermediate expertise (median 64 cases, interquartile range [IQR] 6-80), and 26 expert surgeons (median 850 cases, IQR 375-3000) participated in this study. Intermediate and expert surgeons were significantly more likely to have ideal scores in comparison to novices for the subskills needle hold angle, wrist rotation, and wrist rotation needle withdrawal (p < 0.01). For both intermediate and expert surgeons, there was positive correlation between VR and live skills for needle hold angle (p < 0.05). For expert surgeons, there was a positive association between ideal scores for VR needle hold angle and driving smoothness subskills and 3-mo continence recovery (p < 0.05). Limitations include the size of the intermediate surgeon sample and clinical data limited to expert surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: EASE can be used in VR to identify skills to improve for trainee surgeons. Technical skills that influence postoperative outcomes may be assessable in VR. PATIENT SUMMARY: This study provides insights into surgical skills that translate from virtual simulation to live surgery and that have an impact on urinary continence after robot-assisted removal of the prostate. We also highlight the usefulness of virtual reality in surgical education.

Partial or radical nephrectomy for complex renal mass: a comparative analysis of oncological outcomes and complications from the ROSULA (Robotic Surgery for Large Renal Mass) Collaborative Group.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and minimally invasive radical nephrectomy (MIS-RN) for complex renal masses (CRM). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis of CRM patients who underwent MIS-RN and RAPN. CRM was defined as RENAL score 10-12. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence, and complications. Multivariable analysis (MVA) and Kaplan-Meier Analysis (KMA) were used to analyze functional and survival outcomes for RN vs. PN by pathological stage. RESULTS: 926 patients were analyzed (MIS-RN = 437/RAPN = 489; median follow-up 24.0 months). MVA demonstrated lack of transfusion (HR = 1.63, p = 0.005), low-grade (HR = 1.18, p = 0.018) and smaller tumor size (HR = 1.05, p < 0.001) were associated with OS. Younger age (HR = 1.01, p = 0.017), high-grade (HR = 1.18, p = 0.017), smaller tumor size (HR = 1.05, p < 0.001), and lack of transfusion (HR = 1.39, p = 0.038) were associated with CSS. Increasing tumor size (HR = 1.18, p < 0.001), high-grade (HR = 3.21, p < 0.001), and increasing age (HR = 1.02, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors for recurrence. Type of surgery was not associated with major complications (p = 0.094). For KMA of MIS-RN vs. RAPN for pT1, pT2 and pT3, 5-year OS was 85% vs. 88% (p = 0.078); 82% vs. 80% (p = 0.442) and 84% vs. 83% (p = 0.863), respectively. 5-year CSS was 98% for both procedures (p = 0.473); 94% vs. 92% (p = 0.735) and 91% vs. 90% (p = 0.581). 5-year non-CSS was 87% vs. 93% (p = 0.107); 87% for pT2 (p = 0.485) and 92% for pT3 for both procedures (p = 0.403). CONCLUSION: RAPN in CRM is not associated with increased risk of complications or worsened oncological outcomes when compared to MIS-RN and may be preferred when clinically indicated.

Cardiovascular profile of contemporary treatments of renal cell carcinoma: A single-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Emerging data suggest that these agents can result in clinically significant cardiotoxicity, compromising the care. METHODS: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study to evaluate the incidence of de novo cardiac dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography and blood biomarkers in mRCC patients receiving TKI with or without ICI followed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month. We recruited consecutive newly diagnosed mRCC patients treated at our institution between 2015 and 2018 as well as patients with localized RCC not treated with systemic therapies and healthy control (HC) subjects for comparison. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the mRCC group (a mean age of 65.2 ± 7.5 years), 29 patients in the localized RCC group (63.6 ± 8.9 years), and 20 volunteers in the HC group (52.9 ± 9.6 years). At baseline, patients from all three groups had normal cardiac function as measured by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), although patients with mRCC or localized RCC had significantly lower mean LVEF compared to HC (61.9%, 62.4%, and 68.1% respectively). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant changes in echocardiographic parameters or incidence of clinical heart failure from baseline to 6-months in patients with mRCC. Cardiac blood biomarkers including troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, and galectin-3 remained stable over time. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that contemporary treatment strategies of mRCC at this single institution are well tolerated without clinically meaningful overt declines in cardiac function over time. Further studies are warranted to include a larger number of patients to better assess the overall cardiovascular safety associated with contemporary treatments of mRCC.

Mechanism-Driven and Clinically Focused Development of Botanical Foods as Multitarget Anticancer Medicine: Collective Perspectives and Insights from Preclinical Studies, IND Applications and Early-Phase Clinical Trials.

Cancer progression and mortality remain challenging because of current obstacles and limitations in cancer treatment. Continuous efforts are being made to explore complementary and alternative approaches to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients. Epidemiological and nutritional studies have indicated that consuming botanical foods is linked to a lower risk of cancer incidence and/or improved cancer prognosis after diagnosis. From these observations, a variety of preclinical and clinical studies have been carried out to evaluate the potential of botanical food products as anticancer medicines. Unfortunately, many investigations have been poorly designed, and encouraging preclinical results have not been translated into clinical success. Botanical products contain a wide variety of chemicals, making them more difficult to study than traditional drugs. In this review, with the consideration of the regulatory framework of the USFDA, we share our collective experiences and lessons learned from 20 years of defining anticancer foods, focusing on the critical aspects of preclinical studies that are required for an IND application, as well as the checkpoints needed for early-phase clinical trials. We recommend a developmental pipeline that is based on mechanisms and clinical considerations.

Feasibility of perioperative remote monitoring of patient-generated health data in complex surgical oncology.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of remote perioperative telemonitoring of patient-generated physiologic health data and patient-reported outcomes in a high risk complex general and urologic oncology surgery population is evaluated. METHODS: Complex general surgical/urologic oncology patients wore a pedometer, completed ePROs (electronic patient-reported outcome surveys) and record their vitals (weight, pulse, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and temperature) via a telehealth app platform. Feasibility (% adherence) was assessed as the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with a median age 58 (32-82) years were included. The readmission rate was 33% and the incidence of ≥Grade 3a morbidity was 24%. Adherence to vital sign and ePRO measurements was 95% before surgery, 91% at discharge, and 82%, 68%, and 64% at postdischarge d2, 7, 14, and 30, respectively. There was significant worsening of mobility, self-care and usual daily activity at postdischarge d2 compared to preoperative baseline (p < 0.05). Median daily preoperative steps taken by patients with

Kidney Cancer, Version 3.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The NCCN Guidelines for Kidney Cancer focus on the screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients with relapsed or stage IV RCC typically undergo surgery and/or receive systemic therapy. Tumor histology and risk stratification of patients is important in therapy selection. The NCCN Guidelines for Kidney Cancer stratify treatment recommendations by histology; recommendations for first-line treatment of ccRCC are also stratified by risk group. To further guide management of advanced RCC, the NCCN Kidney Cancer Panel has categorized all systemic kidney cancer therapy regimens as "Preferred," "Other Recommended Regimens," or "Useful in Certain Circumstances." This categorization provides guidance on treatment selection by considering the efficacy, safety, evidence, and other factors that play a role in treatment selection. These factors include pre-existing comorbidities, nature of the disease, and in some cases consideration of access to agents. This article summarizes surgical and systemic therapy recommendations for patients with relapsed or stage IV RCC.

Novel Antibiotic-Irrigating Wound Protector Reduces Infectious Complications in Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy with Extracorporeal Urinary Diversion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of an antibiotic-irrigating wound protector (AWP) reduces infectious complications after robotic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion (RCUD). METHODS: A prospectively maintained bladder cancer database was queried for patients undergoing robotic RCUD at a tertiary referral center one year prior to implementing an AWP and one year after (2018-2020). All diversions were performed extra-corporally. 92 patients total. 46 consecutive patients using a traditional wound protector (TWP) and 46 consecutive with an AWP. Infections were classified as symptomatic urinary tract infection, blood stream infection, and surgical site infection. The incidence of infectious complications at 30- and 90-days were compared. RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences. The overall complication rate was 65.2% in the TWP group and 26.1% in the AWP group at 30-days, and 67.4% vs 30.4% at 90-days. Focusing on infections, the 30-day complication rate was 30.4% in the TWP group compared to 6.5% in the AWP group (P =.003). This pattern persisted at 90-days with 37.0% in the TWP group compared to 6.5% in the AWP group (P =.004). Most complications were symptomatic UTI and blood stream infections, 14/24 (58%), requiring parenteral antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: We provide preliminary data showing use of an AWP can reduce infectious complications after RCUD. While larger prospective studies are warranted, our findings are a significant step towards decreasing morbidity of an already highly morbid procedure.

Prostate Cancer Characteristics and Outcomes after Prostatectomy in Asian-American Men.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men, with striking differences between ethnic groups. Given the potential for lifestyle or genetic variations between subsets of Asian-American men to impact prostate cancer behavior, we sought to define the outcomes after radical prostatectomy among various Asian groups treated at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: The City of Hope IRB-approved prostatectomy database was searched from 2003 to 2015 to identify Asian-American men. Clinical and pathologic features were collected and analyzed for association with biochemical recurrence-free survival and overall survival (OS). Categorical data were evaluated using χ2and Fisher's exact tests. Survival curves were compared between groups using log-rank testing. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three Asian-American men were included in the dataset. While Asian men as a group had lower BMI than African-American and white men in the database, there was a wide range between ethnic sub-groups. Chinese men more commonly presented with D'Amico low risk disease features (P= .04) compared to other Asian men. Pacific Islander men had the lowest rate of ≥T3 stage and the highest biochemical recurrence-free survival. OS for Chinese men was better than for all Asian patients combined (P= .046). After controlling for D'Amico risk and in multivariate analysis, Chinese men still had improved OS than other Asian men after prostatectomy (P= .03). CONCLUSIONS: Asian-American men have differing prostate cancer characteristics. Future efforts to delineate and impact upon prostate cancer outcomes should categorize Asian men by subgroup in order to better elucidate biology, lifestyle factors and/or treatment preferences that may contribute to observed differences.

Readmission and complications after robotic surgery: experience of 10,000 operations at a comprehensive cancer center.

Evaluation of safety is of paramount importance with adoption of novel surgical technology. Although robotic surgery has become widely used in oncologic surgery, analysis of safety is lacking in comparison to traditional techniques. Standardized assessment of robotic surgical outcomes and adverse events following oncologic surgery is necessary for quality improvement with innovative technology. Between 2003 and 2016, 10,013 unique robotic operations were performed in 9,858 patients. Our prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed for hospital readmissions and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 2 complications within 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of surgical complications and hospital readmissions. Cases were stratified by discipline: genitourinary (n = 8240), gynecologic (n = 857), thoracic (n = 457), gastrointestinal (n = 322), hepatobiliary (n = 60), ear/nose/throat (n = 44) and general (n = 33). Intraoperative complications occurred in 42 surgeries (0.4%). Postoperative complications occurred in 946 patients [9.4%, highest grade 2 (n = 574), 3 (n = 288), 4 (n = 72), 5 (n = 10)]. Most frequent complications were ileus (154, 16.3%), anemia (91, 9.6%), cardiac arrhythmia (62, 6.6%), deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolus (47, 5.0%), wound infection (45, 4.8%) and urinary leak (43, 4.5%). 405 patients (4.0%) required readmission. Most common causes for hospital readmission were ileus (44, 10.9%), urinary leak (23, 5.7%), urinary tract infection (23, 5.7%), intra-abdominal abscess/fluid collection (23, 5.7%), and small bowel obstruction (19, 4.7%). On multivariable analysis, longer operative time and older age predicted complications and readmissions (p ≤ 0.02). Robotic-assisted surgery appears a safe for oncologic surgery with acceptable hospital readmission and complication rates. Older age and longer operative time were associated with complications and readmission.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Kidney Cancer, Version 1.2021.

The NCCN Guidelines for Kidney Cancer provide multidisciplinary recommendations for diagnostic workup, staging, and treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the guidelines, including changes to certain systemic therapy recommendations for patients with relapsed or stage IV RCC. They also discuss the addition of a new section to the guidelines that identifies and describes the most common hereditary RCC syndromes and provides recommendations for genetic testing, surveillance, and/or treatment options for patients who are suspected or confirmed to have one of these syndromes.

Robotic partial nephrectomy vs minimally invasive radical nephrectomy for clinical T2a renal mass: a propensity score-matched comparison from the ROSULA (Robotic Surgery for Large Renal Mass) Collaborative Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of minimally invasive radical nephrectomy (MIS-RN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in clinical T2a renal mass (cT2aRM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentre, propensity score-matched (PSM) comparison of RAPN and MIS-RN for cT2aRM (T2aN0M0). Cohorts were PSM for age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, clinical tumour size, and R.E.N.A.L. score using a 2:1 ratio for RN:PN. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), complication rates, and de novo estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Multivariable (MVA) and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses (KMSA) were conducted. RESULTS: In all, 648 patients (216 RAPN/432 MIS-RN) were matched. There were no significant differences in intraoperative complications (P = 0.478), Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥III complications (P = 0.063), and re-admissions (P = 0.238). The MVA revealed high ASA class (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, P = 0.044) and sarcomatoid (HR 5.3, P = 0.001), but not surgery type (P = 0.601) to be associated with all-cause mortality. Increasing R.E.N.A.L. score (HR 1.31, P = 0.037), high tumour grade (HR 2.5, P = 0.043), and sarcomatoid (HR 2.8, P = 0.02) were associated with recurrence, but not surgery (P = 0.555). Increasing age (HR 1.1, P < 0.001) and RN (HR 3.9, P < 0.001) were predictors of de novo eGFR of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Comparing RAPN and MIS-RN, KMSA revealed no significant differences for 5-year OS (76.3% vs 88.0%, P = 0.221) and 5-year DFS (78.6% vs 85.3%, P = 0.630) for pT2 RCC, and no differences for 3-year OS (P = 0.351) and 3-year DFS (P = 0.117) for pT3a upstaged RCC. The 5-year freedom from de novo eGFR of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 91.6% for RAPN vs 68.9% for MIS-RN (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RAPN had similar oncological outcomes and morbidity profile as MIS-RN, while conferring functional benefit. RAPN may be considered as a first-line option for cT2aRM.

Effect of Obesity and Overweight Status on Complications and Survival After Minimally Invasive Kidney Surgery in Patients with Clinical T2-4 Renal Masses.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of obesity and overweight on surgical, functional, and survival outcomes in patients with large kidney masses after minimally invasive surgery. Materials and Methods: Within a multicenter multinational dataset, patients found to have ≥cT2 renal mass and treated with minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) kidney surgery (radical or partial nephrectomy) during the period 2003 to 2017 were abstracted. They were stratified according to the body mass index classes as normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2). Mixed models and Cox proportional hazard regression tested differences in complication rates, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change over time, overall mortality (OM), and disease recurrence (DR) rates. Results: Of 812 patients, 30.6% were normal weight, 42.7% were overweight, and 26.7% obese. Overweight (odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-1.31, p = 0.406) and obese patients (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.44-1.47, p = 0.490) experienced similar complication rates than normal weight. Moreover, no statistically significant differences in eGFR were found for overweight (p = 0.129) or obese (p = 0.166) patients compared to normal weight. However, higher OM rates were recorded in overweight (hazard ratio [HR] 3.59, 95% CI: 1.03-12.51, p = 0.044), as well as in obese, patients (HR 7.83, 95% CI: 2.20-27.83, p = 0.002). Similarly, higher DR rates were recorded in obese (HR 2.76, 95% CI: 1.40-5.44, p = 0.003) patients. Conclusions: Obese and overweight patients do not experience higher complication rates or worse eGFR after minimally invasive kidney surgery, which therefore can be deemed feasible and safe also in this subset of patients. Nevertheless, obese and overweight patients seem to carry a higher risk of OM, and therefore, they should undergo a strict follow-up after surgery.