Technical insights to multivisceral resections using the da Vinci Xi.

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports on the feasibility and safety of robotic multivisceral surgeries. The da Vinci Xi boasts significant upgrades that improve its applicability in combined resections. We report our early experience of multivisceral, multi-quadrant resections with the Xi system. METHODS: Between May 2015 and August 2019, 13 multivisceral resections were performed. Patient demographics, procedural data, and perioperative outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The procedures were completed at a median operative time of 290 (range, 210-535) minutes. The median postoperative length of hospital stay was 3.5 (range, 2-7) days. There was one case of readmission for anastomotic leak, but no positioning injuries, external robot arm collisions or issues arising from trocar position. There were no cases of perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Multivisceral resections can be safely accomplished using the Xi. Further studies are necessary to ascertain whether there are benefits of the robotic approach over conventional laparoscopy in these complex cases.

Bacteria-ball in the urinary tract: a rare entity.

A bacterial mass in the urinary tract is a very rare entity. We report the first case of a bacterial ball within the urinary tract of a patient with diabetic cystopathy on long term urinary indwelling catheter. She presented with fever and gross haematuria. CT scan of abdomen and pelvis revealed a gas containing hyperdense mass within the bladder suspicious of bladder stone. The lesion was resected, and histopathology revealed a matrix of acellular materials with bacteria colony.

Is there still a role of balloon dilatation of benign ureteric strictures in 2019?

Introduction and Objectives: Reconstructive surgery for benign ureteric strictures and long term nephrostomy are often invasive and lead to poor quality of life. Balloon dilatation has the potential to bridge this gap. We present the outcome of our series and examine the risk factors of stricture recurrence.Materials and Methods: There were 109 strictures in our series from August 2012 to July 2018 in our single center retrospective cohort analysis. All strictures were dilated retrogradely or antegradely and followed by stenting. Follow-up imaging was done to assess stricture recurrence.Results: Mean patient age was 57.7-years-old (SD ± 12.6). Mean follow-up was 20.2 months (SE ± 1.8). All strictures were successfully dilated and stented. Overall, mean patency rate was 63.7% at mean follow-up of 20.2 months (SE ± 1.8). Strictures caused by stone/inflammation had 28.0% (21/75) risk of recurrence compared to iatrogenic causes, 63.6% (7/11), and radiotherapy, 100.0% (5/5) (p = 0.001). Non-incidental strictures also had significantly higher risk of recurrence at 57.4% (27/47) vs. incidental strictures at 13.6% (6/44) (p = 0.000). The mean length of strictures was 12.5 mm (SE ± 1.7) in the recurrence group vs. 9.6 mm (SE ± 0.7) in those without recurrence (p = 0.001). The presence of ipsilateral atrophic kidney was associated with 72.2% (13/18) risk of recurrence vs. non-atrophic kidney 27.4% (20/73) (p = 0.000). The mean age of stricture was 14.5 months (SE ± 4.6) and 5.2 months (SE ± 2.1) in the recurrence and non-recurrence groups, respectively (p = 0.013).Conclusions: Balloon dilatation of benign ureteric stricture is a feasible option. Its effect can be long-lasting in selected patients, that is, non-irradiated, incidental, short strictures with normal kidneys. This will benefit patients unfit for reconstructive surgery.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Advantages and limitations.

PURPOSE: The use of ultrasound in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has not been shown to translate to better clinical and stone outcomes. To compare the operative outcomes, postoperative outcomes and complication rates of ultrasound-guided access PCNL (USGA-PCNL) versus fluoroscopy-guided access PCNL (FGA-PCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 184 consecutive patients who underwent PCNL from July 2008 to September 2014 were identified from our PCNL database. Seventy-two patients underwent USGA-PCNL and 112 FGA-PCNL. RESULTS: The patients were similar in age, sex, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, mean largest stone diameters, side of PCNL, number of stones and the degree of hydronephrosis between both groups. There were higher rates of upper pole (5.6% vs. 3.6%), mid pole (8.3% vs. 2.7%) and multiple pole punctures (4.2% vs. 0%) in USGA-PCNL compared to FGA-PCNL (p=0.027). There was no difference in the stone free rates of both groups in univariate analysis. Those who had FGA-PCNL were 2.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.75; p=0.029) times more likely to require a second-look procedure compared to USGA-PCNL on univariate analysis but not on multivariate analysis. There were no differences in Clavien-Dindo complications. No patient in the USGA-PCNL group experienced organ injuries during puncture compared to 1 patient in the FGA-PCNL group who had pneumothorax requiring urgent chest tube insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonography to guide access puncture during PCNL eliminates the risk of inadvertent organ injuries. Similar operative and stone outcomes show that the learning curve for USGA is minimal compared to conventional FGA.

Robotic assisted adrenalectomy: Is it ready for prime time?

Adrenal surgery is undergoing continuous evolution and minimally invasive surgery is increasingly being used for the surgical management of adrenal masses. With robotic-assisted surgery being a widely accepted surgical treatment for many urological conditions such as prostate carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, the use of the robot has been expanded to include robotic-assisted adrenalectomy, offering an alternative minimally invasive platform for adrenal surgery. We performed a literature review on robotic-assisted adrenalectomy, reviewing the current surgical techniques and perioperative outcomes.

Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy: current perspectives.

Robot-assisted surgery was just a medical curiosity until the development of the da Vinci robotic system, and since then, it has become a widely accepted surgical treatment for many urological conditions such as prostate carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. With the increase in the number of urologists using the robot and the improvement in surgeon experience, the use of the robot has been expanded to include performing radical nephroureterectomy (NU) for the treatment of primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma. We performed a literature review on robot-assisted laparoscopic NU with the aim of providing a current perspective on robot-assisted laparoscopic NU for the management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Surgical technique, perioperative outcomes, and oncological outcomes are discussed.

Coexistence of Malakoplakia and Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder.

Malakoplakia is a rare granulomatous disease that commonly involves the genitourinary tract, with the urinary bladder being the most frequently affected site. Grossly, malakoplakia can present as soft yellow plaques, nodules, bladder mass, or even without any visible lesion. In this article, we present a 74-year-old female with a background of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and poorly controlled diabetes who presented with sepsis of unknown origin. During the course of the investigation of the source of her sepsis, an incidental bladder tumor was discovered. She subsequently underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Histology revealed ordinary low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma that had small colonies of malakoplakia that appeared to have developed secondary to the tumor and presented concurrently. We seek to demonstrate the rare association of papillary urothelial carcinoma and malakoplakia.

A novel mathematical model to predict the severity of postoperative functional reduction before partial nephrectomy: the importance of calculating resected and ischemic volume.

PURPOSE: Preoperatively predicting postoperative kidney function is an essential step to achieve improved renal function and prevent chronic kidney disease. We introduce a novel formula especially to calculate resected and ischemic volume before partial nephrectomy. We examined whether resected and ischemic volume would have value for predicting postoperative renal function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 210 patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy between September 2006 and October 2013 at a tertiary cancer care center. Based on abdominopelvic computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging we calculated resected and ischemic volume by the novel mathematical formula using integral calculus. We comparatively analyzed resected and ischemic volume, and current nephrometry systems to determine the degree of association and predictability regarding the severity of the postoperative functional reduction. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis resected and ischemic volume showed a superior association with the absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (B = 6.5, p = 0.005/B = 6.35, p = 0.009). The ROC AUC revealed accurate predictability of resected and ischemic volume on the stratified event of an absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/event of percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to 3 representative nephrometry systems. The calibration plot of this model was excellent (close to the 45-degree line) within the whole range of predicted probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: We report a method of preoperatively calculating resected and ischemic volume with a novel formula. This method has superior correlation with the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to current nephrometry systems. The predictive model achieved a strong correlation for the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Clinical values of selective-clamp technique in robotic partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: In the era of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), several efforts on improved renal functional outcome have been reported. Selective-clamp is a novel technique that eliminates global ischemia, the clinical value of which needs to be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative functional outcomes of patients who underwent selective-clamp and total-clamping RPN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2009 to October 2012, a database of 126 consecutive patients who underwent RPN was retrospectively analyzed, 117 patients met our inclusion criteria and were stratified into two groups, 20 patients underwent selective-clamp RPN, and 97 patients underwent total-clamping RPN. Post hoc power analysis was subsequently performed for calculation of sufficient sample size. Demographics/tumor characteristics, functional outcomes and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: All selective-clamp RPN cases were successfully performed. Mean tumor size was 3.4 cm [standard deviation (SD): ±1.4], mean RENAL nephrometry score was 7.3 (SD: ±2.0), and no Clavien-Dindo III-V complications were recorded. Selective-clamp RPN group had a significantly lower percentage decrease in the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 week (1.8 vs. 20.8 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.001) and 3 months (0 vs. 9.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.032) when compared with the total-clamping RPN group. There were no significant differences in surgical margin and complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Selective-clamp confers improved renal functional outcomes in comparison to total-clamping RPN, with acceptable complications and oncological outcomes even in large and complex tumors.

Extended lymph node dissection in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: lymph node yield and distribution of metastases.

In this study, we reported our experience performing robotic extended lymph node dissection (eLND) in patients with prostate cancer. A total of 147 patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer who underwent robotic eLND from May 2008 to December 2011 were included in this analysis. The dissection template extended to the ureter crossing the iliac vessels. We assessed lymph node yield, lymph node positivity, and perioperative outcomes. Lymph node positivity was also evaluated according to the number of lymph nodes (LNs) removed (<22 vs ≥22). The median number of LNs removed was 22 (11-51), and 97 positive LNs were found in 24 patients (16.3%). While the obturator fossa was the most common site for LN metastases (42.3%, 41/97), the internal iliac area was the most common area for a single positive LN packet (20.8%, 5/24). Eight patients (33.3%, 8/24) had positive LNs at the common iliac area. The incidence of positive LNs did not differ according to the number of LNs removed. Complications associated with eLND occurred in 21 patients (14.3%) and symptomatic lymphocele was found in five patients (3.4%). In conclusion, robotic eLND can be performed with minimal morbidity. Furthermore, LN yield and the node positive rate achieved using this robotic technique are comparable to those of open series. In addition, the extent of dissection is more important than the absolute number of LNs removed in eLND, and the robotic technique is not a prohibitive factor for performing eLND.

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) reduces postoperative wound pain without a rise in complication rates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term functional outcomes and pain scale scores of patients who underwent laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS)- robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) to those who underwent conventional RAPN (C-RAPN), as LESS surgery is increasingly being adopted by urologists worldwide to reduce morbidities and scarring associated with surgical interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 167 consecutive patients who had RAPN were identified from our Institutional Review Board-approved computerised database between October 2006 to July 2012. Patients were stratified into two groups: 80 patients who underwent C-RAPN and 79 who underwent LESS-RAPN. RESULTS: The LESS-RAPN group had a longer warm ischaemia time [WIT, mean (sd) 26.5 (10.5) vs 19.8 (13.1) min; P = 0.001] and total operation time [TOT, mean (sd) 210.3 (83.4) vs 183.1 (76.1) min; P = 0.033] when compared with the C-RAPN group. While, the LESS-RAPN group and C-RAPN group were not significantly different for the number of patients with negative surgical margins [77 (96.2%) vs 73 (91.4%); P = 0.194), absolute change in postoperative renal function [mean (sd) -6.5 (16.7)% vs -7.6 (16.7)%; P = 0.738) and postoperative complications rate [12 (15.0%) vs 10 (12.6%); P = 0.279). Furthermore, the LESS-RAPN group had lower visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) scores at discharge [mean (sd) 2.1 (1.3) vs 1.7 (1.0); P = 0.048]. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a significantly longer WIT and TOT, the functional outcomes of LESS-RAPN were comparable to those of C-RAPN for tumours of similar mean sizes and complexities, without any detriments in oncological and complications outcomes. On discharge, patients who underwent LESS-RAPN also reported lower pain levels as one of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. With the development of instrumentation specifically designed for single-site surgery, LESS could be more easily conducted in patients who are interested in improved quality of life outcomes.

Retzius-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: combining the best of retropubic and perineal approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the early peri-operative, oncological and continence outcomes of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) with those of conventional RALP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 50 patients who underwent Retzius-sparing RALP and who had at least 6 months of follow-up were prospectively collected and compared with a database of patients who underwent conventional RALP. Propensity-score matching was performed using seven preoperative variables, and postoperative variables were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 581 patients who had undergone RALP were evaluated in the present study. Although preoperative characteristics were different before propensity-score matching, these differences were resolved after matching. There were no significant differences in mean length of hospital stay, estimated blood loss, intra- and postoperative complication rates, pathological stage of disease, Gleason scores, tumour volumes and positive surgical margins between the conventional RALP and Retzius-sparing RALP groups. Console time was shorter for Retzius-sparing RALP. Recovery of early continence (defined as 0 pads used) at 4 weeks after RALP was significantly better in the Retzius-sparing RALP group than in the conventional RALP group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that Retzius-sparing RALP, although technically more demanding, was as feasible and effective as conventional RALP, and also led to a shorter operating time and faster recovery of early continence. Retzius-sparing RALP was also reproducible and achievable in all cases.

Indenter study: associations between prostate elasticity and lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between prostate elasticity and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: From August 2009 to December 2009, 48 patients with no history of neoadjuvant therapy or previous prostate surgery who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were included in this study. A novel palpation system was used to measure the tissue elasticity of the prostate specimens. The elasticity of the prostate was defined as the mean elastic modulus (kilopascals [kPa]) of 21 sites from the posterior surface of prostate. All patients completed an International Prostate Symptoms Score questionnaire before surgery, and LUTS was defined as an International Prostate Symptoms Score total of ≥8. Significant voiding symptoms were identified by a score of ≥5 on the basis of patient responses to 4 questions (Q1, Q3, Q5, and Q6), and storage symptoms were identified by a score ≥4 on the basis of patient responses to 3 questions (Q2, Q4, and Q7). RESULTS: The median elastic modulus of the prostate was 20.8 kPa (interquartile range 15.6-22.9), and the LUTS incidences and voiding symptoms were significantly higher in patients with an elastic modulus >20 kPa. The multivariate logistic regression results indicated that a higher elastic modulus (as a continuous variable) was independently associated with voiding symptoms (odds ratio 1.18, P = .038) after controlling for age and prostate volume. However, the elastic modulus was not independently associated with LUTS or storage symptoms. CONCLUSION: Patients with greater prostate stiffness are more likely to develop LUTS. Specifically, prostate elasticity was independently associated with voiding symptoms.

Yonsei nomogram to predict lymph node invasion in Asian men with prostate cancer during robotic era.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel nomogram to predict lymph node invasion (LNI) in Asian men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) and pelvic LN dissection (PLND) for localised prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patient cohort included 541 patients who underwent robot-assisted RP and PLND by a single surgeon between January 2008 and December 2011. Patients with dissection of <10 LNs, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of >50 ng/mL, incomplete biopsy data, and treatment with neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) number of LNs removed was 17 (14-22) and 45 patients (8.3%) had LN metastases. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, PSA level, clinical stage and Gleason score were independent predictors of LNI. The bootstrap corrected area under curve of the model incorporating PSA level, clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason score was 0.883. With a cutoff value of 4%, PLND could be omitted in 326 patients (60.2%), missing only two patients (4.4%) with LNI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 95.6%, 65.3%, 20.0% and 99.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We report a nomogram to predict LNI in Asian men with prostate cancer. The model demonstrated high accuracy and could be used for counselling patients and the selection of candidates for PLND.

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) robot-assisted nephroureterectomy: comparison with conventional multiport technique in the management of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the peri-operative, pathological and oncological outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (LESS-RALNU) with those of multiport robot-asssisted nephroureterectomy (M-RALNU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 38 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma underwent LESS-RALNU (n = 17) or M-RALNU (n = 21) by a single surgeon at a tertiary institution. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: Patients' demographics and tumour characteristics were similar between the M-RALNU and LESS-RALNU groups. The mean follow-up was 48.4 months for M-RALNU and 30.9 months for LESS-RALNU (P = 0). The mean operating time, estimated blood loss and length of hospitalization for M-RALNU and LESS-RALNU were 251 min, 192 mL, 6.5 days and 247 min, 376 mL and 5.4 days, respectively (P > 0.05). Overall, there were no significant differences in complication rates, although three patients in the LESS-RALNU group required blood transfusion, whereas no patient in the M-RALNU group did (P = 0.081). The proportion of patients with bladder recurrence, local recurrence and distant metastases was similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival rates between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the oncological and peri-operative outcomes of patients who underwent LESS-RALNU compared well with those who underwent M-RALNU and with series of other surgical approaches, LESS-RALNU might result in greater intra-operative blood loss. We suggest careful selection of patient for this technique.

Assessing the anatomical characteristics of renal masses has a limited effect on the prediction of pathological outcomes in solid, enhancing, small renal masses: results using the PADUA classification system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether assessing the anatomical characteristics of renal masses increases the accuracy of prediction of tumour pathology in small renal masses (SRMs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1129 consecutive patients who underwent extirpative surgeries for a clinical T1 renal mass, for which the preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical (PADUA) classification were available. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of demographic and anatomical characteristics were performed. Nomograms to predict malignancy and high grade pathology were constructed using a basic model (age, sex and tumour size), and an extended model (anatomical characteristics incorporated into the basic model), and the area under the curve (AUC) between models was compared. RESULTS: Age, sex and tumour size were significantly associated with malignancy and high grade pathology in the T1 and T1a category (except sex for high grade pathology in T1a tumours). Exophytic rate (T1 and T1a) and renal sinus or urinary collecting system involvement (only T1a) were also significant predictors of high grade pathology. Nomograms using the extended model for malignancy showed an insignificant AUC increase compared with those using the basic model (T1, from 0.771 to 0.780, P = 0.149, and T1a, from 0.803 to 0.819, P = 0.055). For high grade pathology, the extended model achieved a significant AUC increase (from 0.595 to 0.643, P = 0.014) in the T1a category, but the AUC for both T1 and T1a tumours showed merely modest competence (0.654 and 0.643, respectively). CONCLUSION: Age, sex and tumour size are the primary predictors of tumour pathology of SRMs, and incorporating other anatomical characteristics has only a limited positive effect on the accuracy of prediction of pathological outcomes.