Diagnosis, Management, and Follow-Up of the Incidentally Discovered Adrenal Mass: CUA Guideline Endorsed by the AUA.

PURPOSE: Incidental adrenal masses are common and require a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and management that includes family physicians, urologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists. The purpose of this guideline is to provide an updated approach to the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of adrenal incidentalomas, with a special focus on the areas of discrepancy/controversy existing among the published guidelines from other associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This guideline was developed by the Canadian Urological Association (CUA) through a working group comprised of urologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists and subsequently endorsed by the American Urological Association (AUA). A systematic review utilizing the GRADE approach served as the basis for evidence-based recommendations with consensus statements provided in the absence of evidence. For each guideline statement, the strength of recommendation was reported as weak or strong, and the quality of evidence was evaluated as low, medium, or high. RESULTS: The CUA working group provided evidence- and consensus-based recommendations based on an updated systematic review and subject matter expertise. Important updates on evidence-based radiological evaluation and hormonal testing are included in the recommendations. This guideline clarifies which patients may benefit from surgery and highlights where short term surveillance is appropriate. CONCLUSION: Incidentally detected adrenal masses require a comprehensive assessment of hormonal function and oncologic risk. This guideline provides a contemporary approach to the appropriate clinical, radiographic, and endocrine assessments required for the evaluation, management, and follow-up of patients with such lesions.

The Globular C1q Receptor Is Required for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling during Candida albicans Infection.

During oropharyngeal candidiasis, Candida albicans activates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which induces oral epithelial cells to endocytose the fungus and synthesize proinflammatory mediators. To elucidate EGFR signaling pathways that are stimulated by C. albicans, we used proteomics to identify 1,214 proteins that were associated with EGFR in C. albicans-infected cells. Seven of these proteins were selected for additional study. Among these proteins, WW domain-binding protein 2, Toll-interacting protein, interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3), and the globular C1q receptor (gC1qR) were found to associate with EGFR in viable oral epithelial cells. Each of these proteins was required for maximal endocytosis of C. albicans, and all regulated fungus-induced production of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and/or IL-8, either positively or negatively. gC1qR was found to function as a key coreceptor with EGFR. Interacting with the C. albicans Als3 invasin, gC1qR was required for the fungus to induce autophosphorylation of both EGFR and the ephrin type A receptor 2. The combination of gC1qR and EGFR was necessary for maximal endocytosis of C. albicans and secretion of IL-1ß, IL-8, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by human oral epithelial cells. In mouse oral epithelial cells, inhibition of gC1qR failed to block C. albicans-induced phosphorylation, and knockdown of IFITM3 did not inhibit C. albicans endocytosis, indicating that gC1qR and IFITM3 function differently in mouse versus human oral epithelial cells. Thus, this work provides an atlas of proteins that associate with EGFR and identifies several that play a central role in the response of human oral epithelial cells to C. albicans infection. IMPORTANCE Oral epithelial cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal candidiasis. In addition to being target host cells for C. albicans adherence and invasion, they secrete proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit T cells and activated phagocytes to foci of infection. It is known that C. albicans activates EGFR on oral epithelial cells, which induces these cells to endocytose the organism and stimulates them to secrete proinflammatory mediators. To elucidate the EGFR signaling pathways that govern these responses, we analyzed the epithelial cell proteins that associate with EGFR in C. albicans-infected epithelial cells. We identified four proteins that physically associate with EGFR and that regulate different aspects of the epithelial response to C. albicans. One of these is gC1qR, which is required for C. albicans to activate EGFR, induce endocytosis, and stimulate the secretion of proinflammatory mediators, indicating that gC1qR functions as a key coreceptor with EGFR.

Outpatient Versus Inpatient Anterior Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Multisite, Comparative Analysis of Patient Safety Measures.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and complexity of spinal surgery performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is increasing. However, safety and efficacy data of most spinal procedures adapted to the ASC are sparse and have focused on anterior cervical surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the 90-day complication and readmission rates of anterior lumbar spine surgery performed in an ASC or inpatient setting. METHODS: We performed a retrospective comparative analysis of 226 consecutive anterior lumbar surgeries (283 levels treated) completed in an ASC (n = 124) or in an inpatient tertiary care hospital (n = 102) over a 3-year period. These included anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), artificial disc replacement (ADR), and hybrids. Patients undergoing simultaneous or staged posterior procedures within 3 months were excluded. Patient demographics and surgical parameters between the two surgical settings were compared. Ninety-day medical complications and readmission rates were assessed. One-way analysis of variance and Chi-square analysis were used. A P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The two study groups had similar baseline characteristics. While there was a trend toward fewer complications, reoperations, and readmissions for the ASC cohort, the differences were not statistically significant. There were 7 intraoperative complications (5.6% minor vascular injury) in the inpatient cohort and 0 in the ASC cohort. The overall 90-day postoperative complication rate was 5.6% for the inpatient cohort and 0.9% for the ASC cohort. The 90-day readmission rate was 1.9% in the ASC cohort and 1.6% in the inpatient cohort. The 90-day reoperation rate was 0.8% for the inpatient cohort and 0% in the ASC cohort. The average hospital stay was 2.3 ± 1.5 days for the inpatient cohort. CONCLUSION: The 90-day readmission rates were lower for outpatients than for inpatients, while the complication and reoperation rates were similar. Our results demonstrate that anterior lumbar procedures, including single-level and multilevel ALIF, ADR, and hybrid procedures, can be performed safely in an ASC. This has significant cost savings implications for the ASC setting.

Gunshot Fractures of the Forearm: A Multicenter Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a large series of open fractures of the forearm after gunshot wounds (GSWs) to determine complication rates and factors that may lead to infection, nonunion, or compartment syndrome. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective review. SETTING: Nine Level 1 Trauma Centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-eight patients had 198 radius and ulna fractures due to firearm injuries. All patients were adults, had a fracture due to a firearm injury, and at least 1-year clinical follow-up or follow-up until union. The average follow-up was 831 days. INTERVENTION: Most patients (91%) received antibiotics. Formal irrigation and debridement in the operating room was performed in 75% of cases along with either internal fixation (75%), external fixation (6%), or I&D without fixation (19%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications including neurovascular injuries, compartment syndrome, infection, and nonunion. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of patients had arterial injuries, and 40% had nerve injuries. Nine patients (5%) developed compartment syndrome. Seventeen patients (10%) developed infections, all in comminuted or segmental fractures. Antibiotics were not associated with a decreased risk of infection. Infections in the ulna were more common in fractures with retained bullet fragments and bone loss. Twenty patients (12%) developed a nonunion. Nonunions were associated with high velocity firearms and bone defect size. CONCLUSIONS: Open fractures of the forearm from GSWs are serious injuries that carry high rates of nonunion and infection. Fractures with significant bone defects are at an increased risk of nonunion and should be treated with stable fixation and proper soft-tissue handling. Ulna fractures are at a particularly high risk for deep infection and septic nonunion and should be treated aggressively. Forearm fractures from GSWs should be followed until union to identify long-term complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Perioperative Complications During Living Donor Nephrectomy: Results From a Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: While living kidney donation is considered safe in healthy individuals, perioperative complications can occur due to several factors. OBJECTIVE: We explored associations between the incidence of perioperative complications and donor characteristics, surgical technique, and surgeon's experience in a large contemporary cohort of living kidney donors. DESIGN: Living kidney donors enrolled prospectively in a multicenter cohort study with some data collected retrospectively after enrollment was complete (eg, surgeon characteristics). SETTING: Living kidney donor centers in Canada (n = 12) and Australia (n = 5). PATIENTS: Living kidney donors who donated between 2004 and 2014 and the surgeons who performed the living kidney donor nephrectomies. MEASUREMENTS: Operative and hospital discharge medical notes were collected prospectively, with data on perioperative (intraoperative and postoperative) information abstracted from notes after enrollment was complete. Complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo system and further classified into minor and major. In 2016, surgeons who performed the nephrectomies were invited to fill an online survey on their training and experience. METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to compare perioperative complication rates between different groups of donors. The effect of surgeon characteristics on the complication rate was explored using a similar approach. Poisson regression was used to test rates of overall perioperative complications between high- and low-volume centers. RESULTS: Of the 1421 living kidney donor candidates, 1042 individuals proceeded with donation, where 134 (13% [95% confidence interval (CI): 11%-15%]) experienced 142 perioperative complications (55 intraoperative; 87 postoperative). The most common intraoperative complication was organ injury and the most common postoperative complication was ileus. No donors died in the perioperative period. Most complications were minor (90% of 142 complications [95% CI: 86%-96%]); however, 12 donors (1% of 1042 [95% CI: 1%-2%]) experienced a major complication. No statistically significant differences were observed between donor groups and the rate of complications. A total of 43 of 48 eligible surgeons (90%) completed the online survey. Perioperative complication rates did not vary significantly by surgeon characteristics or by high- versus low-volume centers. LIMITATIONS: Operative and discharge reporting is not standardized and varies among surgeons. It is possible that some complications were missed. The online survey for surgeons was completed retrospectively, was based on self-report, and has not been validated. We had adequate statistical power only to detect large effects for factors associated with a higher risk of perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the safety of living kidney donation as evidenced by the low rate of major perioperative complications. We did not identify any donor or surgeon characteristics associated with a higher risk of perioperative complications. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: NCT00319579: A Prospective Study of Living Kidney Donation (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00319579)NCT00936078: Living Kidney Donor Study (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00936078).

CONTEXTE: Bien que le don vivant d'un rein soit sécuritaire chez un individu en santé, plusieurs facteurs sont susceptibles d'engendrer des complications périopératoires. OBJECTIF: Nous avons exploré l'association entre l'incidence des complications périopératoires et les caractéristiques du donneur, la technique chirurgicale employée et l'expérience du chirurgien au sein d'une vaste cohorte contemporaine de donneurs vivants d'un rein. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Une étude de cohorte multicentrique où certaines données (notamment les renseignements concernant le chirurgien) ont été recueillies rétrospectivement, après l'inclusion complète des sujets (donneurs vivants d'un rein). CADRE: Des centres de transplantation au Canada (n=12) et en Australie (n=5). SUJETS: Des individus ayant fait don d'un rein entre 2004 et 2014, et les chirurgiens qui ont procédé à la néphrectomie. MESURES: Les notes médicales au dossier, opératoires et à la sortie de l'hôpital, ont été recueillies de façon prospective; les données concernant les renseignements périopératoires (peropératoires et postopératoires) ayant été extraites des notes une fois l'inclusion du sujet complétée. Les complications ont été catégorisées selon la classification de Clavien-Dindo, puis caractérisées comme étant mineures ou majeures. En 2016, les chirurgiens ayant pratiqué les néphrectomies ont été invités à répondre à un sondage en ligne au sujet de leur formation et de leur expérience. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Des modèles de régression logistique multivariée utilisant des équations d'estimation généralisées ont été employés pour comparer les taux de complications périopératoires entre les différents groupes de donneurs. L'effet exercé sur le taux de complications par les caractéristiques du chirurgien a été exploré selon une approche similaire. Une régression de Poisson a été utilisée pour évaluer et comparer les taux globaux de complications entre les centres à volume élevé et les centres à faible volume. RÉSULTATS: Des 1 421 candidats répertoriés, 1 042 individus ont subi une néphrectomie, desquels 134 (13 % [IC 95 %: 11­15 %]) ont vécu un total de 142 complications périopératoires (55 peropératoires; 87 postopératoires). La complication peropératoire la plus fréquente était une lésion à l'organe, alors qu'un iléus s'est avéré la principale complication postopératoire. Aucun donneur n'est décédé en période périopératoire. La plupart des complications rencontrées étaient mineures (90 % des 142 complications répertoriées [IC 95 %: 86­96 %]). Toutefois, 12 donneurs (1 % des 1 042 donneurs [IC 95 %: 1­2 %]) ont souffert de complications majeures. Aucune différence significative du point de vue statistique n'a été observée entre les groupes de donneurs et le taux de complications. Des 48 chirurgiens admissibles, 43 (90 %) ont répondu au sondage en ligne. Les taux de complications périoperatoires n'ont pas varié de façon significative en fonction des caractéristiques des chirurgiens, ou selon le volume de patients de l'hôpital. LIMITES: La façon d'inscrire les renseignements médicaux (opératoires ou à la sortie de l'hôpital) dans les dossiers des patients n'est pas normalisée et varie d'un chirurgien à l'autre. Certaines complications pourraient ne pas avoir été notées. Le sondage en ligne destiné aux chirurgiens a été rempli rétrospectivement, il reposait sur des déclarations volontaires et n'avait pas fait l'objet d'une validation. Nous ne disposions d'une puissance statistique que pour détecter les effets importants des facteurs associés à un risque accru de complications périopératoires. CONCLUSION: Cette étude confirme le caractère sécuritaire d'un don vivant de rein, comme en témoigne le très faible taux de complications périopératoires majeures. Nous n'avons pu établir de caractéristiques, du donneur ou du chirurgien, qui soit associées à un risque accru de complications périopératoires.

Biomechanical Contribution of Tension-Reducing Rotator Cuff Sutures in 3-Part Proximal Humerus Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Using a cadaveric 3-part fracture model and cyclic loading protocol, our study objectives were to quantify the stabilizing effect of tension-reducing rotator cuff sutures in terms of fracture displacement across the surgical neck and greater tuberosity compared with a control group in which no sutures were used. METHODS: Six matched pairs of fresh frozen specimens underwent a standardized, 3-part, proximal humerus fracture and were split into 2 groups. The control group had the fracture fixed with a plate and screw construct only while the experimental group had additional suture fixation through the plate to each rotator cuff tendon. Active abduction through the rotator cuff was simulated for 100, 200, 300, and 400 cycles and to failure at 1000 N. A Mann-Whitney U test compared cyclic displacement of the greater tuberosity and surgical neck fracture gaps and load to failure between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in fracture gap between fixation methods at the surgical neck at 100 (P = 0.13), 200 (P = 0.07), 300 (P = 0.49), and 400 (P = 0.07) cycles. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between fixation methods in the fracture gap at the greater tuberosity at 100 (P = 0.39), 200 (P = 1.00), 300 (P = 0.31), and 400 (P = 0.59) cycles. There was no significant difference (P > 0.5) at 1000 N at the surgical neck (P = 0.70) or the greater tuberosity (P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: Tension-relieving rotator cuff sutures do not add stability to the repair of 3-part proximal humerus fractures. Varus collapse and greater tuberosity displacement are common complications associated with 3-part fractures. No mechanical data exist to demonstrate benefit of adding suture to a plate and screw construct for limiting fracture displacement.

An immunomics approach for the analysis of natural antibody responses to Plasmodium vivax infection.

High throughput immunomics is a powerful platform to discover potential targets of host immunity and develop diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. We screened the sera of Plasmodium vivax-exposed individuals to profile the antibody response to blood-stage antigens of P. vivax using a P. vivax protein microarray. A total of 1936 genes encoding the P. vivax proteins were expressed, printed and screened with sera from P. vivax-exposed individuals and normal subjects. Total of 151 (7.8% of the 1936 targets) highly immunoreactive antigens were identified, including five well-characterized antigens of P. vivax (ETRAMP11.2, Pv34, SUB1, RAP2 and MSP4). Among the highly immunoreactive antigens, 5 antigens were predicted as adhesins by MAAP, and 11 antigens were predicted as merozoite invasion-related proteins based on homology with P. falciparum proteins. There are 40 proteins that have serodiagnostic potential for antibody surveillance. These novel Plasmodium antigens identified provide the clues for understanding host immune response to P. vivax infection and the development of antibody surveillance tools.

Pulsatile perfusion reduces the risk of delayed graft function in deceased donor kidney transplants, irrespective of donor type and cold ischemic time.

BACKGROUND: The role of pulsatile perfusion (PP) across different cold ischemic times (CIT) within different donor groups is unclear. This study examined the association of PP with delayed graft function (DGF) in all (n=94,709) deceased donor kidney transplants in the US between 2000 and 2011, as a function of CIT and donor type. METHODS: Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data, all adult standard criteria donors (SCD, n=71,192), expanded criteria donors (ECD, n=15,122), and donors after circulatory death (DCD, n=8,395) kidney transplant recipients were identified. Within each donor group, transplants were stratified based on duration of CIT: 0 to 6 hours, 6.1 to 12 hours, 12.1 to 18 hours, 18.1 to 24 hours, 24.1 to 30 hours, 30.1 to 36 hours, and greater than 36 hours. Within each group, the odds of DGF with and without PP was determined after adjusting for donor, recipient, and transplant factors, including a propensity score for the likelihood of PP use, and clustering on transplant center using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: When stratified by donor type and CIT, the adjusted odds of DGF were lower with PP across all CIT in SCD transplants, when CIT was greater than 6 hours in ECD transplants, and when CIT was between 6 and 24 hours in DCD transplants. CIT was independently associated with a greater risk of DGF irrespective of storage method, but this effect was substantially modified by PP. CONCLUSION: PP is associated with a reduced risk of DGF irrespective of donor type and CIT. Although PP modifies the impact of CIT on the risk of DGF, it does not eliminate its association with DGF, suggesting the optimal strategy to reduce DGF is to minimize CIT and utilize PP in all deceased donor transplants.

Impact of renal lesion size on perioperative and pathologic outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The size of renal lesions managed with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has been increasing, especially as surgical volume and experience matures. The objective of this study was to assess the perioperative and pathologic outcomes of LPN when stratifying for size of renal lesion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of LPN performed at the University of Chicago by a single surgeon (ALS) between October 2002 to July 2007 was performed. Patients (153) were then stratified into three groups according to radiographic diameter of the lesion: < or = 2 cm (group A), 2 to 4 cm (group B), and > or = 4 cm (group C). Perioperative, operative, and pathologic data were compared using analysis of variance and Pearson test. Moreover, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: With regard to operative parameters, operative time was significantly longer in renal lesions > 2 cm (P = 0.0012), and the need for collecting system repair was also more prevalent as lesion size increased (P < 0.0001). Warm ischemia time was longest with lesions 2 to 4 cm (35.3 min) compared with masses < or = 2 cm (27.2 min; P < 0.001) or > or = 4 cm (30.3 min; P = 0.028). All other variables were similar among the three groups, including the rates of positive surgical margins, complications, estimated blood loss, conversion, and transfusion. Comparison of pathologic data suggests smaller lesions are more likely to be of lower grade compared with larger lesions. Postoperative renal function did not differ among the groups with a mean follow-up of 19.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although LPN for renal masses 2 to 4 cm necessitated longer warm ischemia, short-term postoperative renal function was not affected by lesion size. Differences in warm ischemia time cannot be attributed solely to lesion size but are likely influenced by a combination of tumor size, location, and depth. LPN can be performed safely in selected patients with larger renal lesions.

Rescue coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) after aortic composite graft replacement.

BACKGROUND: Aortic root replacement (ARR) has been recognized as the standard therapy for diseases of the aortic root since its introduction into clinical practice. ARR currently provides excellent long-term benefit with acceptable perioperative risk and excellent long-term morbidity and mortality. During ARR, coronary button misalignment may produce myocardial ischemia, ventricular arrhythmias, and pump failure leading to death if unrecognized. Here we review our experience with coronary insufficiency after ARR. METHODS: Between January 1995 and March 2006, 139 consecutive patients underwent ARR at Yale-New Haven Hospital. A retrospective review of their medical records was conducted. The mean age of the patients was 54.5 years. Aortic root aneurysm was the indication for surgery in 123 patients, acute type A dissection in 14, and endocarditis in two. RESULTS: All patients underwent a modified Bentall operation with a mechanical (87%) or biological (13%) valve prosthesis and coronary artery button reimplantation. The overall 30-day mortality was 4.3% (six patients). Three patients (2.2%) underwent rescue coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the left, right, or both coronary arterial systems for ischemia due to presumed coronary button misalignment. These patients presented with ventricular arrhythmias or hemodynamic compromise. All three showed excellent response to rescue CABG and remain alive and well in late follow-up. CONCLUSION: Coronary insufficiency after reconstruction of the aortic root is an uncommon but acutely life-threatening occurrence. This lethal condition may present with difficulty in weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass; echocardiographic signs of major wall motion abnormalities; and electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia, pump failure, and ventricular arrhythmias. Rescue CABG in this situation is life-saving. Immediate rescue CABG should be performed if coronary ischemia is suspected after composite graft replacement of the aortic root.

Pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy: complete intracorporeal--initial case report.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of complete intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy in a pediatric patient, outlining the surgical technique and short-term results. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The operative steps of the open procedure were replicated laparoscopically using robotic-assistance. In brief, 5 transperitoneal laparoscopic ports were placed before docking the da Vinci S robotic system. A 20-cm ileal segment was isolated, and the gastrointestinal anastomosis was performed in an end-to-end fashion using intracorporeal suturing. The appendix was anastomosed to the right posterior wall of the bladder over an 8F feeding tube in an extravesical fashion. The bladder was incised in a coronal plane, and the simple ileal on-lay patch was anastomosed to the posterior and anterior walls of the bladder. A suprapubic catheter and pelvic drain were placed, and the Mitrofanoff stoma was then fashioned. Cystography was performed at 4 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary first successful report suggests that robotic-assisted ileocystoplasty and appendicovesicostomy is feasible. A reasonable outcome with early recovery, resumption of normal activities, and excellent cosmesis can be achieved in selected patients. However, whether a robotic-assisted approach provides any significant advantages over conventional open procedures is yet to be determined with a large case series.

Laparoscopic port-site metastasis in urologic surgery.

PURPOSE: Port-site metastasis has been an increasing concern with the spread of laparoscopy in managing urologic malignancies. The purpose of this study was to provide a current review of port-site metastases reported in the urologic oncology literature, as well as etiologic factors and preventative measures. METHODS: A comprehensive Medline search (up to September 2007; subject headings: "neoplasm seeding," "laparoscopy," "urologic neoplasms") of all case reports and series related to laparoscopic urology surgery for malignant disease was performed. The references for each of these case reports and series were also reviewed for any additional reports of port-site metastases. RESULTS: Only 28 cases of port-site metastases involving urologic malignancies have been reported, with laparoscopic procedures involving upper tract transitional cell carcinoma comprising the majority (11/28 or 39%) of these. Recent reports involving renal cell carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, and bladder cancer have been published as well. SUMMARY: The incidence of port-site metastases is comparable with that seen following open surgery. The etiology is likely multifactorial, but adhering to proper surgical technique is the most effective preventative strategy.

Urinary and sexual quality of life 1 year following robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated urinary and sexual quality of life 1 year following robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and identified preoperative variables predictive of a severe decrease from baseline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a prospective robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy database we identified patients with greater than 1 year of postoperative followup. The UCLA-PCI SF-36v2 questionnaire was used to evaluate urinary and sexual quality of life before and 1 year after surgery. Severe worsening of the postoperative score was defined as a greater than 1 SD decrease. Demographic and preoperative clinical variables were evaluated along with baseline scores on univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Between February 2003 and September 2007 a total of 1,225 robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomies were performed at our center and 361 patients (52%) met inclusion criteria. On multivariate analysis baseline urinary function was the only predictor of significant worsening of urinary function (OR 1.04, p = 0.003). Baseline urinary bother was the only predictor of significant worsening of urinary bother (OR 1.05, p <0.0001). A significant decrease in sexual function was predicted by baseline sexual function (OR 1.03, p = 0.0001), baseline sexual bother (OR 1.03, p = 0.005) and nerve sparing technique (OR 0.31, p = 0.05). Predictors of a significant decrease in sexual bother were also baseline sexual function (OR 1.02, p = 0.0001), baseline sexual bother (OR 1.04, p = 0.0007) and nerve sparing technique (OR 0.38, p = 0.02). ORs indicated that higher baseline scores corresponded to a higher risk of postoperative score worsening. CONCLUSIONS: We found that overall better baseline sexual and urinary scores are associated with better postoperative outcomes. However, the risk of a significant decrease in urinary function, urinary bother, sexual function and sexual bother is higher in patients with better baseline scores. Nerve sparing positively affects sexual function and sexual bother.

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is becoming increasingly common since it was first described in 1991 for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma, with long-term data now emerging. The purpose of this study was to compare oncological outcomes between laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and open nephroureterectomy, investigate recurrence risks specific to laparoscopic nephroureterectomy techniques and review long-term outcomes after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently published long-term outcomes support the oncologic efficacy of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, confirming results from previous studies with short and intermediate follow-up. Rates of bladder, local and distant recurrence are comparable irrespective of the various methods of managing the distal ureter and bladder cuff currently employed. SUMMARY: As the oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy continue to mature, a laparoscopic approach for the renal portion of nephroureterectomy is widely accepted as the gold standard in the treatment of organ-confined upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. The roles of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma continue to evolve and remain to be defined.

Port site metastases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors and possible methods of reducing the risk of port site metastases following uro-oncological procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: To our knowledge, 28 cases of port site metastasis have been reported in the urologic literature. There has been an increased interest in the use of intraperitoneal instillation of various tumoricidals in order to reduce the risk of port site seeding. SUMMARY: The risk of port site metastases remains low, provided that surgeons rigorously adhere to the principles of oncological surgery.

Understanding participation in a trial comparing cryotherapy and radiation treatment.

BACKGROUND: To date, few two-arm active treatment randomized control trials (RCTs) have compared prostate cancer therapies. OBJECTIVE: To examine the difference and similarities between the reasons for accepting and declining participation in a two-arm active treatment RCT comparing external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) versus cryotherapy. METHODS: Eleven men with prostate cancer, selected purposively, participated in a 30-minute post-treatment semi-structured interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed for patterns with the assistance of the text management (TM) software (NVivo). RESULTS: RCT accepters participated principally with the hope of being randomized into the cryotherapy treatment arm. Consequently, randomization into the EBRT arm was often perceived as receiving the consolation prize. RCT decliners were either pushed away from cryotherapy and/or pulled towards another treatment (surgery, EBRT, brachytherapy). Factors influencing accepters'/decliners' treatment decisions include (1) personal factors such as patient research and treatment preference, cancer survivors, family/friends, and altruism, and (2) physician, trial, and treatment factors such as patient-physician rapport, RCT awareness and understanding, therapy convenience, expected outcome and perceived side effects. CONCLUSIONS: By better understanding patients' views about RCT participation, recruitment rates for prostate cancer RCTs can be improved.

Phoresy of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis marelatus by a non-host organism, the isopod Porcellio scaber.

Entomopathogenic nematodes are widespread in nature and commonly used in the biological control of insect pests. However, we understand little about how these organisms disperse. We show in a laboratory setting that the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis marelatus is phoretically dispersed by a non-host organism, the isopod Porcellio scaber. These species both inhabit tunnels excavated in the roots and lower stems of bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) by the nematodes' primary prey, larvae of the ghost moth Hepialus californicus. Phoretic dispersal via P. scaber may play a role in the metapopulation dynamics of this nematode.