Transurethral En Bloc Resection Versus Standard Resection of Bladder Tumour: A Randomised, Multicentre, Phase 3 Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Conventionally, standard resection (SR) is performed by resecting the bladder tumour in a piecemeal manner. En bloc resection of the bladder tumour (ERBT) has been proposed as an alternative technique in treating non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The objective of this study is to investigate whether ERBT could improve the 1-yr recurrence rate of NMIBC, as compared with SR. METHODS: A multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial was conducted in Hong Kong. Adults with bladder tumour(s) of ≤ 3cm were enrolled from April 2017 to December 2020, and followed up until 1 yr after surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either ERBT or SR in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was 1-yr recurrence rate. A modified intention-to-treat analysis on patients with histologically confirmed NMIBC was performed. The main secondary outcomes included detrusor muscle sampling rate, operative time, hospital stay, 30-d complications, any residual or upstaging of disease upon second-look transurethral resection, and 1-yr progression rate. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 350 patients underwent randomisation, and 276 patients were histologically confirmed to have NMIBC. At 1 yr, 31 patients in the ERBT group and 46 in the SR group developed recurrence; the Kaplan-Meier estimate of 1- yr recurrence rates were 29% (95% confidence interval, 18-37) in the ERBT group and 38% (95% confidence interval, 28-46) in the SR group (p = 0.007). Upon a subgroup analysis, patients with 1-3 cm tumour, single tumour, Ta disease, or intermediate-risk NMIBC had a significant benefit from ERBT. None of the patients in the ERBT group and three patients in the SR group developed progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer; the Kaplan-Meier estimates of 1-yr progression rates were 0% in the ERBT group and 2.6% (95% confidence interval, 0-5.5) in the SR group (p = 0.065). The median operative time was 28 min (interquartile range, 20-45) in the ERBT group and 22 min (interquartile range, 15-30) in the SR group (p < 0.001). All other secondary outcomes were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In patients with NMIBC of ≤ 3cm, ERBT resulted in a significant reduction in the 1-yr recurrence rate when compared with SR. The study results support ERBT as the first-line surgical treatment for patients with bladder tumours of≤ 3cm.

Use of indocyanine green angiography in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy - lessons learned from our initial experience

ABSTRACT Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) is generally considered the gold standard nowadays in view of the lower risk of complications and recurrence. To achieve complete ligation of veins while preserving testicular artery (TA) during the procedure remains challenging despite the application of high power optical magnification and micro-Doppler ultrasonography. The use of intraoperative indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with infrared fluorescence operative micro-scope in MSV potentially lowers the incidence of TA injury and shortens the learning curve of novice surgeons. We present our initial experience in the application of the technique in nine patients and explore the potential of the new adjunct.

Use of indocyanine green angiography in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy - lessons learned from our initial experience.

Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) is generally considered the gold standard nowadays in view of the lower risk of complications and recurrence. To achieve complete ligation of veins while preserving testicular artery (TA) during the procedure remains challenging despite the application of high power optical magnification and micro-Doppler ultrasonography. The use of intraoperative indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with infrared fluorescence operative micro-scope in MSV potentially lowers the incidence of TA injury and shortens the learning curve of nov-ice surgeons. We present our initial experience in the application of the technique in nine patients and explore the potential of the new adjunct.

Early postoperative outcome of bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To report the early postoperative outcome of bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate. Our results were compared with those published from various centres. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: A total of 28 consecutive patients who had undergone bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate by a single surgeon between January and June 2014. All patients were evaluated preoperatively by physical examination, digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography, and laboratory studies, including measurement of haemoglobin, sodium, and prostate-specific antigen levels. Patients were assessed perioperatively and at 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean resected specimen weight of prostatic adenoma in 28 patients was 48.2 g with a mean enucleation and resection time of 13.6 and 47.7 minutes, respectively. There was a mean decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen by 85.9% (from 6.4 ng/mL to 0.9 ng/mL) postoperatively. Prostate volume was decreased by 68.2% (from 71.9 cm(3) to 22.9 cm(3)) at 4 weeks postoperatively. The mean postoperative haemoglobin drop was 11.5 g/L. The rate of transient urinary incontinence at 3 months was 3.6%. Patients who underwent bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate had a short catheterisation time and hospital stay, which is comparable to conventional transurethral resection of the prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate should become the endourological equivalent to open adenomectomy with fewer complications and short convalescence. The technique of bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate can be acquired safely with a relatively short learning curve.

In vitro comparison of a novel facilitated ultrasound targeting technology vs standard technique for percutaneous renal biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the understanding of the epidemiology of renal cortical neoplasms through pretreatment biopsy, we evaluated a facilitated ultrasound targeting (FUT) technology. The technology allows a needle to be passed through the transducer probe and guided along a virtual dotted line on the monitor. We compared the FUT with standard percutaneous biopsy (PB) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight participants with various levels of training were recruited. Participants performed ultrasound-guided biopsies on phantom models using FUT and the standard biopsy technique in a randomized sequence. The phantom models consisted of pimento olives embedded in an opaque mold of Metamucil and Knox gelatin. Patients were given up to 10 attempts to achieve 3 complete specimens from the olives. Patients rated each biopsy technique. Results were stratified by level of experience. RESULTS: The mean time to obtain 3 complete biopsy specimens was significantly faster for FUT compared with the standard technique (140 seconds vs 246 seconds, P = .0001). The mean number of attempts needed to obtain 3 specimens was significantly less with FUT compared with the standard technique (4.3 vs 5.6 attempts, P = .0007). Patients reported that FUT was significantly easier to use compared with the standard technique (P = .0005). No significant order effect was observed. CONCLUSION: In this in vitro comparison, FUT increased the efficiency and efficacy of PB for users of all experience levels. FUT may allow urologists with limited PB experience to perform the procedure reliably and easily. Clinical evaluation of this technology is actively in progress.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: an 8-year retrospective review across four acute hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review our experience of managing patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN). METHODS: Case notes of patients with EPN were reviewed. The patients' demographic data, clinical presentation, investigation findings, treatment, and outcome were studied. RESULTS: Twelve patients were diagnosed with EPN. Majority (66.7%) of them had diabetes mellitus. All patients had been evaluated by computed tomography (CT). Using the classification proposed by Wan et al, five patients had type 1 EPN, whereas six, two, and four patients had Huang and Tseng CT class 2, 3a, and 3b EPN, respectively. Immediate nephrectomy was performed in six patients, whereas conservative treatment was adopted in the other six. In the nephrectomy group, one patient died of disseminated sepsis after a protracted course. Conservative treatment failed in three patients, who succumbed despite salvage nephrectomy in two of them. Analysis revealed that severe hyperglycemia and radiological CT class (both Wan and Huang systems) were significant predictors of mortality from EPN. CONCLUSION: Severe hyperglycemia and CT class of EPN are significant risk factors for death. CT is the investigation of choice for correct diagnosis of EPN. Additional intervention should be offered to EPN patients with Wan type 1 and Huang and Tseng class 3 CT features.

In vitro randomized comparison of a standard and novel echogenic needle for ultrasonography-guided renal targeting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Urologists are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of pretreatment percutaneous renal biopsy of small renal cortical neoplasms. A barrier to the routine performance of ultrasonography-guided percutaneous renal biopsy has been the technical challenges associated with the procedure. We evaluated a new modified needle, which incorporates an echogenic needle tip designed to improve the needle tip's visibility under ultrasonographic visualization. We evaluated and compared the ultrasonographic imaging quality of the echogenic needle (EN) and a standard needle (SN). METHODS: Forty-eight participants were recruited to perform ultrasonography-guided needle targeting and drainage of a simulated cyst within a phantom model. The simulated cysts were embedded in an opaque gel mold. Each participant was blinded to the type of needle being deployed and was asked to identify and aspirate the simulated cyst with each needle under ultrasonography guidance. Each needle was tested at three ultrasound-aiming angles, (0, 15, and 30 degrees). The quality of needle visibility under ultrasonographic imaging was assessed via a questionnaire, including needle preference and a visibility score (1-10) at each aiming angle. Participants were stratified by level of ultrasound experience. RESULTS: For each angle tested, the EN received higher visibility ratings. The mean visibility scores for the EN vs the SN were 6.44 vs 5.52 at 0 degrees (P=0.001), 7.77 vs 6.96 at 15 degrees (P=0.0004) and 8.33 vs 7.54 at 30 degrees (P=0.0001). Participants reported significantly greater comfort using the EN needle compared with the SN (P=0.001). These results held true regardless of the sequence of needle tested first. Also, there was a significant difference in visibility scores by angle (P=0.0001). Larger angles (30>15>0) resulted in higher scores. CONCLUSIONS: In this in vitro trial, the application of the EN improved needle visibility for users of all levels of experience. Clinical correlation is pending.

Photoselective vaporisation prostatectomy using a GreenLight High Performance System for patients with bleeding tendency.

OBJECTIVES: To report the results of a modified vaporisation incision technique using a GreenLight High Performance System in the treatment of benign prostatic disease in men receiving anticoagulants. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: From January 2007 to April 2010, 48 patients with a bleeding tendency or on oral anticoagulants who underwent photoselective vaporisation prostatectomy with a GreenLight High Performance System in the North District Hospital were studied. Data collected prospectively were analysed to determine perioperative and postoperative outcomes, including uroflowmetry parameters, serum prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume, and complications at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 76 (standard deviation, 7; range 62-94) years. The mean follow-up period was 13 (standard deviation, 9) months. Thirty-six (75%) patients had urinary retention prior to surgery. Bleeding tendencies were due to receipt of aspirin (n=36), two antiplatelet agents (n=6), warfarin (n=4) and clopidogrel (n=1), and to thrombocytopaenia (n=1). Preoperative transrectal ultrasonography showed a mean prostate size of 58 (standard deviation, 30; range, 18-154) mL. Of the patients, 81% were discharged without a catheter and their mean hospital stay was 3 days. Five patients were readmitted for secondary haemorrhage, two had a drop of more than 10 g/L in their haemoglobin level, but only one received a blood transfusion. Mean uroflowmetry parameters, namely, peak flow rate and residual volume, were 8.7 mL/s and 199 mL preoperatively and 14.7 mL/s and 50 mL 1 year after the operation. CONCLUSION: With an ageing population in which patients with various co-morbidities receive anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy, photoselective vaporisation prostatectomy using a GreenLight High Performance System is a safe treatment option.

The destruction of the lower urinary tract by ketamine abuse: a new syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical spectrum seen in young abusers of street-ketamine (regular recreational abusers of street-ketamine, for its hallucinogenic effects) in Hong Kong, presenting with significant lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) but with no evidence of bacterial infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the clinical presentations, pelvic pain and urgency/frequency scores, video-urodynamic studies, cystoscopy findings, histological features of bladder biopsies and radiological findings of 59 ketamine abusers who were referred to the urology units of Princess Margaret and Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, from March 2000 to December 2007. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, all had moderate to severe LUTS, i.e. frequency, urgency, dysuria, urge incontinence and occasionally painful haematuria. Forty-two (71%) patients had a cystoscopy that showed various degrees of epithelial inflammation similar to that seen in chronic interstitial cystitis. All of 12 available bladder biopsies had histological features resembling those of interstitial cystitis. Urodynamically, either detrusor overactivity or decreased bladder compliance with or without vesico-ureteric reflux was detected to some degree in all of 47 patients. Thirty patients (51%) had unilateral or bilateral hydronephrosis on renal ultrasonography, and four (7%) showed features suggestive of papillary necrosis on radiological imaging. Eight patients had a raised serum creatinine level. CONCLUSION: A syndrome of cystitis and contracted bladder can be associated with street-ketamine abuse. Secondary renal damage can occur in severe cases which might be irreversible, rendering patients dependent on dialysis. The present data do not establish the precise cause nor the incidence. Street-ketamine abuse is not only a drug problem, but might be associated with a serious urological condition causing a significant burden to healthcare resources.

Paraganglioma presenting as a vascular malformation: case report.

Paragangliomas are rare tumours that arise from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells or neuroectodermal chemoreceptor. They are high vascularised and can be functional, secreting catecholamines and other peptides. They occur anywhere from the skull base to the pelvic floor, within the paraganglion system. We present a case of paraganglioma with unusual location, atypical presentation and interesting vascular anatomy.