Importance of urodynamic evaluation of bladder function after secondary untethering in spina bifida patients: single center experience of 30 years.

INTRODUCTION: A TCS after primary closure of meningomyeloceles is a known complication of the spina bifida disease. Data on the outcome after SSCU surgery is heterogeneous and lacking standardization. Thus we aimed to find a reliable system for assessment of the bladder function before and after SSCU surgery and document postoperative outcome. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on a cohort of patients with spina bifida diagnosis. In total, 130 patients underwent 182 SSCU surgeries, 56 of those met our inclusion criteria. A classification system, including two different methods, was used. The AC system used baseline pressure and detrusor over activity to define three levels of bladder dysfunction, the second method ranked the severity of bladder dysfunction by awarding points from 0 to 2 for bladder capacity, maximal detrusor pressure during autonomous contractions, leak point pressure and vesicoureteral reflux A high score is correlated with a severe bladder dysfunction. RESULTS: Gender distribution was equally (male: n = 29; 51.8%; female: n = 27; 48.2%). The median age at SSCU was 902 years (range 0.5-22.8 years). After SSCU, the stage improved in 11 patients (19.6%), worsened in 11 (19.6%) patients and remained the same in 34 patients (60.7%) after intervention (AC score). Non-worsening was observed in a total of 45 cases (80.4%) (p < 0.001). MHS score (n = 27, 48.2%) improved, remained unchanged (n = 12, 21.4%), 17 patients worsened (30.4%). Non-worsening in postoperative bladder functional outcome was demonstrated in 39 cases (69.6%) over all (p < 0.005). Regardless of whether bladder function is categorized by AC or MHS, postoperative outcome worsened significantly when SSCU was performed due to increasing deterioration in motor function alone (p < 0.05). Of the 24 cases with NOD as indication, 22 (91.7%) had an unchanged (n = 10; 41.7%) or improved (n = 12; 50.0%), meaning positive neuro-orthopedic outcome, only 2 (8.3%) deteriorated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study presents reliable evaluation systems for bladder function in spina bifida patients. Since indications for SSCU surgery differ, it is important to know the possible effects on bladder function after this surgical procedure. Even a mild impairment of bladder function has a risk to deteriorate after SSCU surgery. Particularly interesting becomes this with regard to the fact that the prevalence of TCS might become more frequent with the rising numbers of prenatal closures of meningomyeloceles.

Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: Frameshift in Medical and Surgical Management. Does the Perioperative Setting Have an Impact on Transplant Outcome? A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Frameshift in medical management as well as in surgical thinking is putting the patient as a whole is the focus, rather than just the disease. To optimize the treatment of our pediatric transplant patients in our institution, we changed in 2013 the transplant program setting, treating, and operating all patients with pediatric transplant exclusively in a pediatric environment. The aim of this study was to analyze whether or not this change had an impact on patients safety, patient population, and patients and transplant outcome. Methods: In the retrospective analysis, we compared transplant outcome of two eras. Era1 (2008-2012) solely included patients treated in the adult facilities, era 2 (2013-2017) patients were exclusively treated in the pediatric environment. Results: There were 53 patients with renal transplant, with era 1 (28 patients) and era 2 (25 patients). Overall mortality was 5.6%. Median recipient age at transplantation was 13.2 years in era 1 and 8.59 years in era 2, median recipient weight at transplantation was 41.7 kg in era 1 vs. 26 kg in era 2, median size 149. 5 cm (era 1) vs. 123 cm in era2 (p = 0.05). The direct recipient/donor weight ratio remained stable in both eras, for recipients below 20 kg we saw a larger weight mismatch in era 1 (0.84 vs. 0.66). In the subgroup of patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) those were significantly younger at onset of dialysis (p < 0.001) and at time of transplantation (p < 0.001), also they were less in body weight (p < 0.01), and body size (p < 0.001), this subgroup was larger in era 2. HLA mismatch data, serum creatinine, and GFR yield comparable results in both groups. Median time to detection of DSA was 46.2 month (3.8 years). Conclusion: Since children with ESRD at the time of transplant trend to be younger and smaller, it is crucial to ensure a medical environment that is able to address their particular challenges. Even in this recipient cohort, renal transplantation can be performed safely as outlined by our data.

Introducing a New Technique for Fascial Closure to Avoid Renal Allograft Compartment Syndrome in Pediatric Recipients: The Use of Tutoplast® Fascia Lata.

Introduction: Renal allograft compartment syndrome (RACS) is a complication that infrequently occurs after renal transplantation. Tight muscle closure may lead to RACS due to compression of renal parenchyma or kinking of the renal vessels. Many techniques have been proposed in an attempt to achieve tension-free closure, which can be specially challenging in child recipients. We present our experience with Tutoplast® Fascia Lata (RTI Surgical Tutogen Medical GmbH Industriestrasse 6, 91077 Neunkirchen am Brand, Germany) closure. Methods: All pediatric patients who underwent renal transplantation in our center between 2012 and 2021 were reviewed. Eight patients with Tutoplast® Fascia Lata placed at the time of initial transplantation were identified. Donor and recipient characteristics, Doppler ultrasound findings, and overall patient and graft survival rates were analyzed. Results: Doppler ultrasound was performed intra-operatively after abdominal wall closure. If any sign of vascular compromise was seen, the abdominal wall was opened and the graft was revised. The Tutoplast® Fascia Lata implant was used to perform tension-free fascia closure and, afterwards, a Doppler ultrasound was performed to confirm the optimal renal artery perfusion and venous patency. Three of the renal transplantations were from a cadaver donor, with two of them en bloc. Living donor transplantation was performed in four cases. Among which, there was a case of auto-transplantation due to bilateral renal artery stenosis. None of the patients presented any complications of either short or long term that was derived from the abdominal closure with Tutoplast® Fascia Lata. There was also no record of graft failure till datum. Conclusions: Restricted volume of the recipient pelvic cavity and the size discrepancy between the recipient pelvic cavity space and the donor adult kidney may lead to RACS. Other situations that occur more infrequently, i.e., as en bloc or auto-transplantation, are prone to suffer the same problem. Tutoplast® Fascia Lata is a safe option for these patients.

Improvement of bladder function after bladder augmentation surgery: a report of 26 years of clinical experience.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the long-term effect of bladder augmentation surgery in patients with spina bifida and to identify risk factors for severe bladder dysfunction requiring bladder augmentation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 178 patients with spina bifida, 23 of them underwent bladder augmentation. Surgery outcome was evaluated according to urodynamic assessments at three follow-up time points per patient up to 120 months postoperatively. The results were compared to the preoperative situation and to the non-operated control group. Bladder function was evaluated using the modified Hostility score. To identify risk factors for bladder dysfunction requiring bladder augmentation, characteristics such as type of spina bifida, lesion level and therapy of bladder dysfunction were analyzed. RESULTS: A high spinal lesion level is a risk factor for requiring bladder augmentation. In the BA group, significantly more thoracic lesions were found than NBA group, BA: 26.1%, NBA: 8.4% (p = 0.021). With bladder augmentation surgery, the modified Hostility score decreased from a preoperative median value of 4.3 ± 1.4 to 1.6 ± 1.0 at the third postoperative follow-up (FU3 = 61-120 months after surgery). In the reference group, the score of the last urological assessment was 2.0 ± 1.5. The age at which clean intermittent catheterization or anticholinergic medication started had no significant influence on the decision to perform bladder augmentation. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Spina bifida patients with bladder augmentation had a significant improvement of the bladder function even at long-term follow-up. A high level of spinal lesion was a predisposing factor for requiring a bladder augmentation.

Immunological Risk Factors in Paediatric Kidney Transplantation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify factors impacting recipient sensitization rates and paediatric renal transplant patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this purpose, a retrospective analysis of 143 paediatric renal transplants was carried out. This included the evaluation of patient's and donor's demographic data, HLA mismatches, immunosuppressive therapy, rejection episodes, panel reactive antibody (PRA) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). RESULTS: The mean patient age at the point of transplant receival was 11.5 years with a mean follow up time of 9.33±5.05 years. It was noted that graft survival rates for donors over 59 years had the worst outcome. HLA match did not show statistically significant influence on graft outcome. Graft survival for more than one biopsy-proven rejection was also significantly shorter (p=0.008). PRA were found in 28% of the recipient's post-transplantation and showed association with lower graft survival rates (p<0.001). In the present study, 22.7% (5/22) of the patients with EBV infections presented a PTLD. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, good graft survival with reduced sensitization for future transplantations and minimize the risk of PTLD, can be ensured through a balance between donor age, HLA match and condition of the recipient should be sought. Furthermore, paediatric patients should preferably receive organs from donors between the age of 10 and 59. EBV infection could be a relevant factor for developing PTLD.

Sexual function in adult patients who have undergone augmentation surgery in childhood: what is really important?

Problems relating to the development of a healthy approach to sex and intimacy during puberty, after augmentation cystoplasty, are scarcely discussed in literature. Therefore, this may suggest that such issues are insufficiently addressed by pediatric urologists. We gathered four experts in the field as well as an experienced leader of a patient group and mother of a girl with spina bifida and asked questions relevant to the following areas of care: (a) diversion, urinary incontinence, and sexual life; (b) impact of a stoma on body image perception and self-esteem; (c) specific female concerns with regard to fertility and recurrent urinary infections; (d) specific male concerns on anejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Their answers are discussed in view of the available literature. All experts and the patient group representative agreed that most of these patients will experience: lack of self-confidence as the most frequent obstacle to starting a relationship and incontinence as a barrier to sexual activity. The cosmesis of the stoma and abdominal scars might influence self-esteem and therefore the sexual activity, however it appears to be a less common concern in males than females. Our results outline the importance and influence that the body image, self-esteem, and confidence present for the individual expectations of the patients related to sex life and sexual activity. Physicians should be encouraged to ask all postpubertal patients about their sexual concerns at every visit. Further studies and exchange of information between clinicians are needed to provide meaningful and analyzable patient-related outcome measures (PROMs).

Surgical Management of Neurogenic Sphincter Incompetence in Children.

We report on the results of a literature review regarding the indications and results of operations to increase bladder outlet resistance to achieve dryness in children with neurogenic sphincter incompetence (NSBD). The relative advantages and disadvantages of injection of bulking agents, periurethral slings, bladder neck reconfiguration, artificial sphincters, and bladder neck closure based on a literature review and our combined clinical experience are discussed. Based on this review and our experience, we propose that periurethral injection of bulking agents is not justified as a primary treatment. Likewise, operations that reconfigure the bladder neck are not very useful since most patients also require bladder augmentation and an abdominal catheterizable channel. Bladder neck slings with autologous tissues are effective, mostly in females bur in the majority of patients a bladder augmentation is necessary. There is a role also for implantation of artificial urinary sphincters but when done as an isolated procedure, close monitoring to detect possible detrusor changes is needed. Bladder neck closure is an effective measure when other methods have failed.

Effectiveness of Prenatal Intervention on the Outcome of Diseases That Have a Postnatal Urological Impact.

We reviewed the literature addressing outcomes of fetal intervention of conditions that require post-natal urological management including lower urinary tract obstruction, hydrometrocolpos, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and myelomeningocele. Despite several decades of fetal intervention for these conditions, benefits remain elusive in part because of the enormous difficulty of conducting prospective randomized studies. In this review, we reached the following conclusions: Prenatal intervention in lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) improves survival in the worst cases by improving pulmonary function and it may be advantageous for renal function, particularly in patients with adverse urine parameters.Prenatal treatment of female fetuses at risk of having congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) reduces virilization. Non-invasive fetal DNA analysis allows earlier diagnosis, reducing the risk of treating with dexamethasone males and non-affected fetuses.Fetal treatment of myelomeningocele (MMC) is gaining momentum. Prospective studies including standardized urologic evaluation will determine if the encouraging results reported by some hold on the long term follow-up.

Transperitoneal Mini-Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Flank Position: A Safe Method for Infants and Young Adults.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Open dismembered pyeloplasty has been the gold standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is becoming a standard procedure, but its acceptance is slow. We report our method for minilaparoscopy (MLP) in children using a tansperitoneal approach with the patient in the lateral flank decubitus which we found technically advantageous. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the records of 52 children and adolescents up to 18 years of age who underwent transperitoneal MLP at our institution during March 2012-October 2017 A 5 mm trocar is placed for the camera at the site of the umblicus by open technique, two 3 mm trocars placed in the upper and lower quadrants of the abdomen. No additional ports were necessary. 20cm long, 3-mm-diameter instruments are used. Few cases needed percutaneous fixation of the pelvis. The anastomosis is performed with 5-0 or 6-0 Polyglecaprone 25 (Monocryl®) with 13 mm half circle needle (TF plus) suture cut to 12-14 cm length and introduced through the 5-mm port. Needles are removed through the 3-mm port under direct vision. RESULTS: Fifty-two children (53 renal units) with a mean age of 82 months (range 3.5-204), a mean weight of 24,35 kg (range 7-57), and a mean follow-up of 20,44 months (6-60). Nine children were younger than 12 months, and 14 were ≤10kg. Six patients were >50kg. The mean of preoperative grade of dilatation was III (SFU scale) and postoperatively improved to SFU 0,60 (0-2). In 50 (94,3%) of the cases, there was complete resolution of hydronephrosis. There was no conversions to open surgery. Three patients suffered complications Clavien-Dindo Classification IIIb, 2 omental prolapses through a port site in two children which required general anaesthesia and one percutaneous drainage due to a leakage. No reinterventions related to stent complications or obstruction were found. Mean hospital stay was 4,69 (3-14) days. CONCLUSIONS: The method of mini LP described here has proven efficient and safe. Weight appeared not to be limitation for both groups ≤10 and >50 kg.

Long-Term Follow-Up after Paediatric Kidney Transplantation and Influence Factors on Graft Survival: A Single-Centre Experience of 16 years.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate graft- and patient survival after paediatric kidney transplantation and detecting influence factors, which affect the post-transplant time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed long-term survival rates and complications after paediatric kidney transplantation and searched for predictive parameters for graft function. RESULTS: In 132 patients, 143 kidney transplantations were performed. Graft failure occurred in 25%. Chronic rejections were the leading cause of graft loss (42.9%). Graft survival rates were 92.2% after 1 year, 85.5% after 5 years, 71.1% after 10 years and 62.1% after 15 years. The following parameters strongly influenced graft survival: number of transplants (p = 0.014), year of transplant (p < 0.0001 for 1997-2005), Epo-therapy post-transplant (p = 0.001), hypotension donor (p = 0.027), cold ischemia time (p = 0.023), anastomosis time >50 min (p = 0.008), delayed graft function (p = 0.003) and deceased donation (p = 0.039). The percentage of patients who died was 5.6%. Overall patient survival rates were 99.3% after 1 year, 95.2% after 5 years, 94.2% after 10 years and 90.7% after 15 years. Various types of infections (42.9%) were the main causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: The main causes of death after kidney transplantations in paediatric recipients are malignancy and infections. To avoid vascular complications especially in young recipients (<9 years), the cold ischemia time should be as short as possible.

Results of Onlay Preputial Flap Urethroplasty for the Single-Stage Repair of Mid- and Proximal Hypospadias.

AIMS: To report current results of preputial flap onlay urethroplasty using the principle of the total preputial flap (TPF) for the one-stage repair of mid- and proximal hypospadias. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients in a prospectively kept database of all hypospadias operations performed at two institutions from January 1 2011 to August 2017. Inclusion criteria: all patients who underwent hypospadias repair using a preputial only flap urethroplasty based on the principle of the TPF. Demographic data, duration of follow-up, complications, and reoperations were recorded. A successful result was considered to be a straight penis, a glanular meatus, and absence of voiding symptoms. Whenever possible an uroflow was obtained during the follow-up visits. RESULTS: Forty-nine children met the inclusion criteria. All patients had marked penile curvature. Three patients had chromosomal abnormalities. The mean age at the time of surgery was 22 months (11-110) and the mean duration of follow-up 23.4 months (1-79). In 48 cases, the urethral plate could be preserved without dividing it. The penile curvature was corrected with chordectomy alone in 10 patients, 38 required a dorsal plication of the tunica albuginea, and 1 required an additional ventral dermal graft. In 38 patients (77.5%), the initial operation was successful, and no further operations were needed. There were eight urethrocutaneous fistulas, three dehiscences of the glans approximation. One patient suffered a wound infection and partial loss of the flap. CONCLUSION: One-stage repair of mid- and proximal hypospadias preserving the urethral plate and using a TPF for the urethroplasty and coverage of the ventral penis is successful in 77.5% of cases. Complications in the remaining patients were easily managed or did not require treatment. Compared to a planned two-stage approach, the technique described in this report resulted in significantly fewer procedures till complete resolution of the problem.

Reduced Microvascular Density in Omental Biopsies of Children with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an early manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and consistently observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that CKD is associated with systemic damage to the microcirculation, preceding macrovascular pathology. To assess the degree of "uremic microangiopathy", we have measured microvascular density in biopsies of the omentum of children with CKD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Omental tissue was collected from 32 healthy children (0-18 years) undergoing elective abdominal surgery and from 23 age-matched cases with stage 5 CKD at the time of catheter insertion for initiation of peritoneal dialysis. Biopsies were analyzed by independent observers using either a manual or an automated imaging system for the assessment of microvascular density. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed for markers of autophagy and apoptosis, and for the abundance of the angiogenesis-regulating proteins VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, Angpt1 and Angpt2. RESULTS: Microvascular density was significantly reduced in uremic children compared to healthy controls, both by manual imaging with a digital microscope (median surface area 0.61% vs. 0.95%, p<0.0021 and by automated quantification (total microvascular surface area 0.89% vs. 1.17% p = 0.01). Density measured by manual imaging was significantly associated with age, height, weight and body surface area in CKD patients and healthy controls. In multivariate analysis, age and serum creatinine level were the only independent, significant predictors of microvascular density (r2 = 0.73). There was no immunohistochemical evidence for apoptosis or autophagy. Quantitative staining showed similar expression levels of the angiogenesis regulators VEGF-A, VEGF-receptor 2 and Angpt1 (p = 0.11), but Angpt2 was significantly lower in CKD children (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular density is profoundly reduced in omental biopsies of children with stage 5 CKD and associated with diminished Angpt2 signaling. Microvascular rarefaction could be an early systemic manifestation of CKD-induced cardiovascular disease.

Long-term outcomes of living donor kidney transplants in pediatric recipients following laparoscopic vs. open donor nephrectomy.

We compared long-term outcomes of LDKT in pediatric recipients following either laparoscopic (LDN) or ODN. In our retrospective single-center study, we compared 38 pediatric LDKT recipients of a laparoscopically procured kidney with a historic ODN group comprising 17 pediatric recipients. In our center, the first pure laparoscopic non-hand-assisted LDN for a pediatric LDKT recipient was performed in June 2001. Demographic data of donors and recipients were comparable between groups. Mean follow-up was 64 months in the LDN group and 137 months in the ODN group. Patient survival was comparable between groups. Graft survival at one and five yr was 97% (LDN) vs. 94% (ODN) and 91% (LDN) vs. 88% (ODN; p = n.s.), respectively. Serum creatinine at one and five yr was 1.16 ± 0.47 mg/dL (LDN) vs. 1.02 ± 0.38 mg/dL (ODN) and 1.38 ± 0.5 mg/dL (LDN) vs. 1.20 ± 0.41 mg/dL (ODN), respectively. The type and frequency of surgical complications did not differ between groups. DGF and acute rejection rates were similar between groups. In the ODN group, a higher proportion of right donor kidneys was used. In the ODN group, all kidneys had singular arteries, whereas in the LDN group five kidneys had multiple arteries. Arterial multiplicity was associated with a higher incidence of DGF. In our experience, LDN does not compromise long-term graft outcomes in pediatric LDKT recipients. Arterial multiplicity of the donor kidney may be a risk factor for impaired early graft function in the pediatric population.

Successful repair of post-transplant mycotic aneurysm of iliac artery with renal graft preservation: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful repair of a post-transplant iliac artery aneurysm with renal graft preservation. METHODS: An aneurysm was detected in an asymptomatic 47-year-old male recipient on routine Doppler ultrasonography that involved the right external iliac artery and the distal portion of the renal artery. Aneurysm resection was performed immediately after diagnosis 3 months after transplantation. A polytetrafluorethylene tube graft was used for reconstruction of the right external iliac artery. Reconstruction of the renal artery required interposition of a vena saphena graft between the proximal portion of the renal artery and the polytetrafluorethylene tube. RESULTS: The total warm ischemia time used for aneurysm repair and renal transplant revascularization was 90 minutes. The postoperative Doppler ultrasound scan showed homogeneous graft perfusion. Pathologic and microbiologic examination of the resected aneurysm revealed Candida albicans arteritis. The center in which the contralateral donor kidney was transplanted had previously reported Candida albicans contamination of the preservation solution. The recipient of the contralateral kidney lost his graft owing to bleeding complications. Information on this incident was acquired by our center only after aneurysm repair. Postoperatively, our recipient was given systemic antifungal therapy. At 6 months, the serum creatinine level was 1.7 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Although a high-risk procedure, repair of a mycotic aneurysm with renal graft preservation is feasible. Routine microbiologic screening of the preservation solution might help to detect and treat donor-transmitted infections in renal transplant recipients.

Morbidity and Quality of Life in Bladder Cancer Patients following Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion: A Single-Institution Comparison of Ileal Conduit versus Orthotopic Neobladder.

Objective. To evaluate and compare noncontinent and continent urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer. Methods. A total of 301 patients submitted to radical cystectomy at the Charité-University Hospital Berlin from 1993 to 2007 including 146 with an ileal conduit and 115 with an ileal neobladder. Clinical and pathological data as well as oncological outcome were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Quality of life was analyzed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BLM30 questionnaires. Results. 69.1% and 69.6% of all patients who received an ileal conduit and ileal neobladder, respectively, developed early complications. The two groups differed significantly concerning the occurrence of postoperative ileus (P = 0.02) favoring patients who received an ileal conduit but not with regard to any other early-onset complication evaluated. Patients with ileal neobladder had a significantly better global health status and quality of life (P = 0.02), better physical functioning (P = 0.02), but also a higher rate of diarrhoea (P = 0.004). Conclusion. Cystectomy with any type of diversion remains a complication-prone surgery. Even if the patient groups are not homogeneous in all respects, there are many arguments in favor of the ileal neobladder as the urinary diversion of choice.

Extraperitoneal radical cystectomy with extraperitonealization of the ileal neobladder: a comparison to the transperitoneal technique.

PURPOSE: Transperitoneal radical cystectomy with intraperitoneal ileal neobladder is the standard surgical treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. To reduce morbidity, we established in 2002 an extraperitoneal approach including extraperitonealization of the ileal neobladder. This retrospective study compares the results of the two procedures with a focus on the peri- and postoperative course. METHODS: Ninety-five male patients with invasive urothelial cancer who underwent radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder at our hospital from January 1998 to May 2007 were analyzed. Forty-seven patients underwent transperitoneal radical cystectomy with intraperitoneal ileal neobladder. The remaining 48 were submitted to the extraperitoneal technique with extraperitonealization of the neobladder. We compared both methods regarding operating time, intraoperative blood loss, complications and oncological outcome. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative ileus was significantly lower after the extraperitoneal than after the transperitoneal approach (2/48 vs. 10/47 cases; p = 0.012). However, pelvic lymphoceles were more frequent (6 vs. 0 cases; p = 0.014). The two techniques did not differ with regard to the other major and minor complications, the operating time (mean 377.4 vs. 405.4 min) or the intraoperative blood loss (mean 363 vs. 412 ml). Oncological outcome disclosed no difference between both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The extraperitoneal technique with extraperitonealization of the ileal neobladder is comparable in safety and reliability to the transperitoneal surgical approach and yields good peri- and postoperative results with regard to the parameters we examined. Noteworthy are the significant reduction of postoperative ileus and the higher incidence of lymphoceles. Both may be caused by the separate extraperitoneal regional healing processes.

[Postoperative and adjuvant intravesical therapy of superficial bladder tumours. Clinical practice and applied therapeutic agents]. / Intravesikale Instillationstherapie beim oberflächlichen Harnblasenkarzinom, Leitlinien und Wirklichkeit: Versorgungsstudie.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this questionnaire was to obtain an impression of the practice and applied therapeutic agents in postoperative and adjuvant intravesical therapy of superficial bladder tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Standardised questionnaires answered by urologists about instillation therapy in 351 patients were analysed. RESULTS: Results showed a discrepancy between the clinical practice and the guidelines in respect of the postoperative instillations and the use of BCG immunotherapy, respectively. CONCLUSION: It does not seem to be standard practice to treat every patient with one immediate post-operative instillation. Only a minority of high-risk patients received intravesical BCG instillations. Substances mainly used for instillation therapy were mitomycin C and doxorubicin.

Antisense treatment against Ki-67 mRNA inhibits proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

The Ki-67 protein is tightly regulated and depends on the proliferative status of a cell. It is present in the nuclei of proliferating cells but absent in resting cells. Since transformation of malignant cells is frequently associated with high cell proliferation and since proliferation is tightly associated with the Ki-67 protein labeling index, this antigen may represent a potential target for cancer therapy. In the present study we determined the ability of a phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) targeted against Ki-67 mRNA to inhibit tumor cell proliferation specifically in cell culture, in multicellular 3-dimensional spheroids (MCS) and in subcutaneous murine tumor models. Antisense treatment of 1 myeloid and different epithelial tumor cell lines in suspension and monolayer culture, respectively, resulted in specific reduction of Ki-67 mRNA and protein, inhibition of proliferation and increased apoptotic cell death. Multicellular human bladder carcinoma spheroids lost their 3-dimensional structure and underwent cell death after incubation with antisense oligonucleotides. The growth of subcutaneous syngeneic prostatic (p = 0.05) and transitional cell tumors (p = 0.001) in immunocompetent mice was significantly inhibited in antisense-treated animals. From these findings we conclude that antisense inhibition of Ki-67 protein expression may be a rational approach in anticancer therapy.