A systematic review of the patient reported outcomes that affect patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

Objectives: To determine the functional domains and symptom scales that affect patients most following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD), and if a single instrument (or combination) adequately captures these bothersome symptoms. It is unclear whether current patient reported outcome (PRO) instruments that have been used to assess quality of life in patients following RC and UD adequately cover the most bothersome symptoms affecting patients. Materials and methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cinahl and Cochrane was conducted from January 2000 to May 2023 for original articles of patients who had RC and UD since 2000 for muscle invasive bladder cancer. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) process was followed. Extracted data included the PRO measures used, domains reported and scores in the first 12 months post-surgery (short-term) and after 12 months (long-term). A conservative threshold of <70 for functional domains and >30 for symptom domains was used to determine which PRO domains were potentially concerning to patients in each study. Quality assessment was performed using the QUALSYST appraisal tool. Results: Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, including a total of eight unique PRO instruments. The main findings indicated that physical function was the most concerning PRO for patients with both neobladder (NB) and ileal conduit (IC) in the short and long term. Additionally, bowel, urinary and sexual bother were concerning symptoms for patients with NB in the long-term, but only in the short-term for those with IC. Conclusions: The main issues are adequately addressed using the combination of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BLM30 instruments.

Endoscopic stone management in an ectopic ureter inserting into the prostatic urethra.

We report a case of successful endoscopic stone management in a patient with ectopic ureteric insertion. The patient had a complete duplex collecting system, with the upper moiety ureter inserting ectopically into his prostatic urethra, and an obstructing ureteric stone in the distal portion of the ectopic ureter. This made both characterisation of the patient's anatomy and initial emergency stone management challenging.The case offers several learning points for clinicians who may encounter similar situations. By describing the challenges of managing this patient's presentation, we highlight considerations in imaging interpretation and operative approach that may help the reader manage a similar presentation to their practice. Additionally, we remind the urologist to consider the implications of an ectopic duplex ureter on future procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate or radical prostatectomy.

Desmoid fibromatosis involving the ureter: A rare presentation with intraoperative challenges.

Following failed retrograde and antegrade ureteric stenting, a 35-year-old male patient underwent an elective boari flap for marked proximal hydroureteronephrosis due to a periureteric mass in the right iliac fossa. Intraoperative vascular surgical assistance was required for control of arterial bleeding due to friable vessel wall. Histopathology demonstrated desmoid fibromatosis.

Outcomes of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer by a high volume surgeon from Australia: a case for centralisation.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies examining retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer in Australia. This study examines the perioperative outcomes, complications and survival rates following RPLND, by a high volume, single surgeon. METHODS: A retrospective, case series of a single surgeon, multi-centre study included all patients who underwent RPLND following testicular cancer at Westmead Public Hospital, Westmead Private Hospital, and Macquarie University Hospital 2005-2020. One hundred one patients identified, with 94 having sufficient available data. RESULTS: At time of operation, median age was 29.5 years. 84.2% had T1 or T2 primary tumours at diagnosis. Most common RPLND indication was residual mass post-chemotherapy (92.6%), with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP)x3 and BEPx4 most common chemotherapy regimens (50% and 35% respectively). Post-chemotherapy, largest residual mass ranged from 0.9 to 20 cm (median 3.32 cm). Post-chemotherapy, 95.7% masses were found in retroperitoneum (64.4% para-aortic region). 93.6% had open approach. 42.5% had bilateral nerve sparing. Majority (97.1%) did not require blood transfusion. No complications reported in 52.1% of patients. No deaths recorded within 90 days of surgery. At time of analysis, 91.5% had recurrence free survival, and 92.6% overall survival, at a median follow-up since surgery of 47.5 months (range 11 to 200 months). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study, addressing peri-operative surgical outcomes for RPLND surgery in Australia, is comparable to high-volume international urological centre studies, and shows that centralisation of post-chemotherapy RPLND to an experienced surgeon, results in low perioperative morbidity and mortality.

A comparison of prostate cancer prediction models in men undergoing both magnetic resonance imaging and transperineal biopsy: Are the models still relevant?

OBJECTIVE: To externally validate and compare the performance of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer risk calculator 3/4 (ERSPC-RC3/4), the Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group risk calculator (PBCG-RC) and the van Leeuwen model to determine which prediction model would perform the best in a contemporary Australian cohort undergoing transperineal (TP) biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review identified all patients undergoing TP biopsy across two centres. Of the 797 patients identified, 373 had the data required to test all three risk calculators. The probability of high-grade prostate cancer, defined as International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group >1, was calculated for each patient. For each prediction model discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration using numerical and graphical summaries, and net benefit using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Assessment of model discrimination for detecting high-grade prostate cancer showed AUCs of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.84) for the ERSPC-RC3/4, 0.81 (95% CI 0.77-0.86) for the van Leeuwen model, and 0.68 (95% CI 0.63-0.74) for the PBCG-RC, compared to 0.58 (95% CI 0.52-0.65) for prostate-specific antigen alone. The ERSPC-RC3/4 was the best calibrated in the moderate-risk range of 10-40%, whilst the van Leeuwen model was the best calibrated in the low-risk range of 0-10%. The van Leeuwen model demonstrated the greatest net benefit from 10% risk onwards, followed closely by the ERSPC-RC3/4 and then the PBCG-RC. CONCLUSION: The ERPSC-RC3/4 demonstrated good performance and was comparable to the van Leeuwen model with regard to discrimination, calibration and net benefit for an Australian population undergoing TP prostate biopsy. It is one of the most accessible risk calculators with an easy-to-use online platform, therefore, we recommend that Australian urologists use the ERSPC-RC3/4 to predict risk in the clinical setting.

Identifying prostate cancer in men with non-suspicious multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: To formulate clinical pathways for identifying clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) and avoiding insignificant prostate cancer (isPC) in those without suspicious regions of interest on multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate. METHODS: A retrospective review identified patients with negative mpMRI who underwent subsequent transperineal prostate biopsy across two centres. Patient characteristics and association with biopsy results were evaluated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were identified as having negative mpMRI and undergoing subsequent transperineal prostate biopsy; 18% (25/144) of the cohort were found to have csPC. Logistic regression analysis failed to identify statistically significant predictive factors. In this cohort, if all patients with prostate-specific antigen > 3.0 were biopsied the least amount of csPC is missed, at 20% (5/25) however all isPC would be diagnosed. The least amount of isPC is diagnosed with a biopsy threshold of >15% from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer calculator with 20% (5/25) of isPC diagnoses made however only 10.5% (2/19) csPC would be diagnosed. A biopsy threshold of >5% risk reduces the number of csPC missed to 37% (7/19) however increases isPC diagnoses to 54% (13/24) of the population. CONCLUSION: False-negative rates of prostate MRI for csPC are significant within our cohort at 18%. The decision to biopsy should be made in conjunction with a risk profile acceptable by the patient and clinician. The current study demonstrates that there is a need to balance the risk of missing csPC and harm of diagnosing isPC.

Transperineal systematic biopsies in addition to targeted biopsies are important in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether the addition of transperineal systematic biopsies (SB) to targeted biopsies (TB) improved clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) detection rates without high increase in insignificant prostate cancer detection rates in an Australian population. METHODS: In this retrospective review, a total of 254 patients who had a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System score between 3 and 5, and a transperineal TB and SB between 2014 and 2019 from two centres were included in this study. The primary outcome of this study was to determine csPC rates on TB and SB. The secondary outcome was a comparison of the Gleason Grade Group between TB and SB. csPC was defined as an International Society of Urological Pathology Gleason Grade Group of 2 or greater. RESULTS: SB alone detected more csPC overall compared to TB (152/254 (60%) versus 128/254 (51%), respectively). An additional 40 of 254 (16%) csPC cases were diagnosed with the addition of SB. Furthermore, the cost of diagnosing insignificant prostate cancer by SB when TB were negative was an additional 13/254 (5.1%). CONCLUSION: A combination of TB and SB provides the best outcomes for detecting csPC and is especially warranted for patients with a higher Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System score on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

Evaluating a low-fidelity inguinal canal model.

PURPOSE: The inguinal canal anatomy is of paramount clinical significance due to the common occurrence of direct and indirect inguinal hernias. However, the inguinal canal is often an area of great difficulty for medical students to understand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a low-cost, low-fidelity inguinal canal model as a teaching and learning aid. METHODS: A low-fidelity inguinal canal model was introduced as a learning aid in an anatomy tutorial on the inguinal region. Students were randomised into intervention (n = 66) and control (n = 40) groups. Following the tutorial, all students completed a multiple-choice question quiz on the inguinal canal. The intervention group also completed a questionnaire evaluating the positive and negative aspects of the model. RESULTS: Students taught with the inguinal canal model achieved higher scores (mean: 88.31% vs 81.7%, p = 0.087). Positive aspects of the model as described by the students included its simplicity and ability to improve their three-dimensional understanding of the inguinal canal. Students requested more hands-on time with the model during the tutorial. CONCLUSION: The present study supports current literature in that low-fidelity anatomy models are a useful adjunct to aid students' learning of complex anatomical concepts. Students may benefit from creating their own inguinal canal model to retain as a personal study tool.

Survey of nutritional practices in total gastrectomy and oesophagectomy procedures.

AIM: Total gastrectomy and Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy procedures are the mainstay of upper gastrointestinal cancer management. Maintenance of adequate nutritional intake is essential for positive patient outcomes. Although numerous nutritional support options exist, clear evidence-based guidelines on the optimal means and duration of nutritional support are lacking. The aim of this study is to establish preliminary data on the current perioperative nutritional practices of upper gastrointestinal surgeons performing these procedures across Australia and New Zealand. It is hoped this will help provide the platform for future research towards establishing evidence-based guidelines in upper gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: A questionnaire exploring the nutritional practices and considerations of surgeons was developed and emailed to the members of the Australia & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association. RESULTS: A total of 27.4% of Australia & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association members completed the questionnaire. Surgeons reported inserting a jejunostomy feeding tube intraoperatively in Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy procedures 80-100% of the time, compared to only 20-39% of the time in total gastrectomy procedures. For both procedures, surgeons often refer their patients to a dietitian preoperatively, and always postoperatively. Preoperative immune-enhancing nutrition is rarely administered. Patient age and BMI are deemed to be of low importance when determining the means of nutritional support. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the current nutritional practices employed in Australia and New Zealand for patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal surgery. Questions remain regarding the noted differences between procedures as well as the optimal means and duration of perioperative nutritional support.