Surgical templates for inguinal lymph node dissection in cN0 penile cancer: A comparative study.

PURPOSE: Modified and superficial inguinal lymph node dissection (MILD and SILD) are the 2 widely used templates for surgical staging of clinically node negative (cN0) penile cancer (PeCa); however, no previous reports have compared their outcomes. We compared these 2 surgical templates for oncological outcomes and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of cN0 PeCa patients who underwent MILD/SILD at our cancer care center from January 2013 to December 2019. Patients who developed a penile recurrence during follow up were excluded from analysis of oncological outcomes. The 2 groups (MILD and SILD) were compared for baseline clinico-pathological characteristics. The primary outcome was the groin recurrence free survival (gRFS). Secondary outcomes included the false negative rate (FNR) and disease free survival (DFS) for both templates and also the post-operative wound related complication. RESULTS: Of the 146 patients with intermediate and high risk N0 PeCa, 74 (50.7%) and 72 (49.3%) underwent MILD and SILD respectively. The 2 groups were comparable with regards to the distribution of T stage, tumor grade and the proportion of intermediate and high-risk patients. At a median follow up of 34 months (47 for SILD and 23 for MILD), a total of 5 groin recurrences were encountered; all of them occurred in the MILD group. The gRFS and DFS for the MILD group was 93.2% and 91.8% respectively; while that for the SILD group was 100% and 94.4% respectively. Too few events had occurred to determine any statistically significant difference. The FNR for MILD and SILD was 26.3% and 0% respectively. The overall complication rate was significantly higher in the SILD group (46% vs 20.3%, p=0.001), especially for Clavien Dindo 3A complications. CONCLUSION: MILD can fail to pick up micro-metastatic disease in a small proportion of cN0 PeCa patients, while SILD provides better oncological clearance with no groin recurrences. This oncological superiority comes at the cost of a higher incidence of wound-related complications.

Adjuvant versus early Salvage radiation therapy for prostate cancer with adverse pathological features on radical prostatectomy-Do we finally have an answer?

Background: The presence of adverse pathological features like extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle involvement, or positive margins at radical prostatectomy incurs a high risk of postoperative recurrence. Currently, adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) is the standard of care in these patients, while early salvage radiotherapy (eSRT) is a potential alternative strategy. Aims: The purpose of this paper is to review the latest evidence comparing outcomes of adjuvant versus early SRT in this clinical scenario. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, and EMBASE was done to identify relevant studies published in the English language, regarding outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy and early SRT in post radical prostatectomy patients. Twelve studies, including six randomized trials, four retrospective studies, one systematic review, and one metanalysis were included in the final analysis. Results: We found that initial randomized trials demonstrated better event-free survival with adjuvant radiotherapy when compared to observation alone. However, ART was associated with increased risk of overtreatment and thus increased radiation-related toxicity rates. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence from recently reported RCTs suggests that eSRT may provide equivalent oncological outcomes to ART in prostate cancer patients with adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy while decreasing unnecessary treatment and radiation-related toxicity in a significant proportion of patients. However, the final verdict would be delivered after the long-term metastasis-free survival and overall survival outcomes are available.

Role of Macroscopic Image Enhancement in Diagnosis of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: An Analytical Review.

Early diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is of paramount importance to prevent morbidity and mortality due to bladder cancer. Although white light imaging (WLI) cystoscopy has long been considered the gold standard in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, it can miss lesions in a substantial percentage of patients and is very likely to miss carcinoma in situ and dysplasia. Tumor margin detection by WLI can be inaccurate. Moreover, WLI could, sometimes, be inadequate in distinguishing inflammation and malignancy. To improve the diagnostic efficacy of cystoscopy, various optical image enhancement modalities have been studied. These image enhancement modalities have been classified as macroscopic, microscopic, or molecular. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), narrow band imaging (NBI), and Storz image 1 S enhancement (formerly known as SPIES) are macroscopic image enhancement modalities. A relevant search was performed for literature describing macroscopic image enhancement modalities like PDD, NBI, and image 1 S enhancement. The advantages, limitations, and usefulness of each of these in the diagnosis of bladder cancer were studied. Photodynamic diagnosis requires intravesical instillation of a photosensitizing agent and a special blue light cystoscope system. PDD has been shown to be more sensitive than WLI in the detection of bladder cancer. It is superior to WLI in the detection of flat lesions. Bladder tumor resection (TURBT) by PDD results in more complete resection and reduced recurrence rates. PDD-guided TURBT may have some role in reducing the risk of progression. Narrow band imaging provides increased contrast between normal and abnormal tissues based on neovascularization, thereby augmenting WLI. NBI requires a special light source. There is no need for intravesical contrast instillation. NBI is superior to WLI in the detection of bladder cancer. The addition of NBI to WLI improves the detection of flat lesions like carcinoma in situ. NBI is not useful in predicting invasive tumors or grades of tumors. NBI-directed TURBT reduces recurrence rates and recurrence free survival. But its efficacy in retarding progression is unproven. Image 1 S-enhancement utilizes software-based image enhancement modes without the need for a special light source or intravesical contrast instillation. This system provides high-quality images and identifies additional abnormal-looking areas. Another advantage of this system is simultaneous side-by-side visualization of WLI and enhanced image, providing WLI images as the control for comparison. As with PDD, S-enhancement produces a lower rate of a missed bladder cancer diagnosis. The system significantly improves the diagnosis of NMIBC. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of image 1 S enhancement increase with the increase in cancer grade. A negative test by S-enhancement effectively rules out NMIBC. All the image enhancement modalities have proven their utility in improving detection and short-term cancer control. But none of these modalities have proven their utility in delaying progression, or in long-term cancer control. Cancer progression and long-term control are governed by the biological nature of cancer cells. Early detection by optical enhancement may not be of utility in this regard. Well-designed studies are needed to establish the efficacy of these modalities in the evaluation of patients with bladder cancer. The last word, in this regard, is yet to be written.

Neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section examination robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: outcomes from 500 consecutive cases in the UK.

The purpose is to report the United Kingdom's largest single-centre experience of robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RALP), using the neurovascular structure-adjacent frozen-section (NeuroSAFE) technique. We describe the utilisation and outcomes of this technique. This is a retrospective study from 2012 to 2019 on 520 patients undergoing NeuroSAFE RALP at our Institution. Our Institution's database was analysed for false-positive frozen-section (FS) margins as confirmed on paraffin histopathological analysis: functional outcomes of potency, continence, and biochemical recurrence (BCR). The median (range) of console time was 145 (90-300) min. In our cohort, positive FS was seen in 30.7% (160/520) of patients, with a confirmatory paraffin analysis in 91.8% of our patients' cohort (147/160). The neurovascular bundles (NVBs) that underwent secondary resection contained tumour in 26.8% (43/160) of the cases. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was 6.7% (35/520), of which FS was positive in 40% (14/35) of those cases. There were insufficient evidence of a statistical association of urinary incontinence and positive surgical margin rates according to NS or NVB resection. NeuroSAFE enables intraoperative confirmation of the oncologic safety of a NS procedure. Patients with a positive FS on NeuroSAFE can be converted to a negative surgical margin (NSM) by ipsilateral wide resection. This spared 1 in 4 men from positive margins posterolaterally in our series. Limitations are the absence of a matched contemporary cohort of NS RALP without NeuroSAFE in our centre.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in indian men of age 75 years and above: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Older men undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) have been thought to have worse perioperative, functional and oncological outcomes than younger men. However, there is a dearth of matched studies on this subject in the currently available literature. Our study is a matched pair analysis of perioperative, oncological and functional outcomes of RARP in men < 75 years of age versus ≥ 75 years (62 in each group). There was no statistically significant difference in complications, length of stay, pathological stage, positive surgical margins (PSM) and nodal involvement. Older men were less likely to undergo nerve sparing in our study (8.0 vs 75.8% p = 0.01). Potency rates were too low to be compared. The 1-year continence rates, time to continence and the proportion of men with biochemical recurrence (BCR) were similar between the groups. Men ≥ 75 years developed BCR much earlier than < 75 years (30 versus 78 months p = 0.07). However, this was not statistically significant. Age ≥ 75 years was associated with a statistically insignificant 53.5% rise in the risk of BCR. It was also not associated with any increased risk of postoperative complications or PSM. RARP is a safe procedure in senior adults. The oncological and functional outcomes of RARP in senior adults are similar to younger men.

Does prior transurethral resection of prostate affect the functional and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy? A matched-pair analysis.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is challenging in men with prior history of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Few studies analyze this peculiar group of patients, and hence we sought to investigate the outcome of RARP in post-TURP men. We interrogated our prospectively maintained database containing 643 patients who underwent RARP from January 2012 to December 2020. We matched 36 men with prior history of TURP consecutively to 72 men without prior TURP. The groups were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), serum PSA, International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups and clinical stage. Men with prior history of stricture surgeries, pelvic radiation, ablative laser procedures, Urolift and Rezum were excluded from the study. Fisher's Exact test/Chi-square was used for the comparison of categorical variables. Mann-Whitney test (Independent group/Unpaired data) and Wilcoxon sign rank test (for paired data) were employed to analyze continuous variables. The complication rates, median day of drain removal and length of hospital stay were similar between the groups. The TURP group required bladder neck reconstruction twice as often as the non-TURP group (58.3% versus 29.1%, p = 0.0035) and a longer duration of postoperative catheterization (10 versus 8 days, p = 0.0005). The rate of positive surgical margins was higher in the TURP group (30.5% versus 25%, p = 0.5414), albeit statistically insignificant. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) at one year (48.8% versus 60%, p = 0.0644) and zero pad/one safety-pad continence rates at one, three, six and twelve months were also not significantly different (14.3%, 35.4%, 59.2%, 81.6% for non TURP group versus 9.1%, 28.6%, 53.6%, 76.0% for TURP group). On multivariate analysis, prior TURP was not associated with a higher risk of BCR, margin positivity or incontinence. The oncological and functional outcomes of RARP post-TURP are comparable to men without prior TURP.

Selecting lymph node-positive patients for adjuvant therapy after radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy: An outcome analysis of 100 node-positive patients managed without adjuvant therapy.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of deferred androgen deprivation therapy on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and other survival parameters in node-positive prostate cancer patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection (RARP + EPLND). Materials and methods: Of the 453 consecutive RARP procedures performed from 2011 to 2018, 100 patients with no prior use of androgen deprivation therapy were found to be lymph node (LN) positive and were observed, with initiation of salvage treatment at the time of BCR only. Patients were divided into 1 or 2 LNs (67)-and more than 2 LNs (33)-positive groups to assess survival outcomes. Results: At a median follow-up of 21 months (1-70 months), the LN group (p < 0.000), preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA, p = 0.013), tumor volume (TV, p = 0.031), and LND (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with BCR. In multivariate analysis, only the LN group (p = 0.035) and PSA level (p = 0.026) were statistically significant. The estimated BCR-free survival rates in the 1/2 LN group were 37.6% (27%-52.2%), 26.5% (16.8%-41.7%), and 19.9% (9.6%-41.0%) at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, with a hazard of developing BCR of 0.462 (0.225-0.948) compared with the more than 2 LN-positive group. Estimated 5-year overall survival, cancer-specific, metastasis-free, and local recurrence-free survival rates were 88.4% (73.1%-100%), 89.5% (74%-100%), 65.1% (46.0%-92.1%), and 94.8% (87.2%-100.0%), respectively, for which none of the factors were significant. Based on cutoff values for PSA, TV, and LND of 30 ng/mL, 30%, and 10%, respectively, the 1/2 LN group was substratified, wherein the median BCR-free survival for the low- and intermediate-risk groups was 40 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: Nearly one fourth and one fifth of 1/2 node-positive patients were BCR-free at 3 and 5 years after RARP + EPLND. Further substratification using PSA, TV, and LN density may help in providing individualized care regarding the initiation of adjuvant therapy.

Microbiome studies in urology- where do we stand and where can we reach?

The role of microbiome milieu in the urinary tract, their interplay in diverse urological conditions and their therapeutic implications are not completely understood. The microbiome has contributed towards urinary tract infections, urolithiasis and urological cancers. The possibility of manipulating microbiome for diagnosis and treatment is evolving. Probiotics might help in overcoming the problems of recurrent infection and antibiotic resistance. Novel applications like stents and catheters coated with non-pathogenic organisms are being developed. Research in the urinary microbiome has progressed from using mouse models to the presently available three- dimensional cultured organoids, thus making it more feasible. As our knowledge regarding the urinary microbiome increases, justice can be done to many patients in whom the advancements can be used for prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and even in improving their quality of life. The growing amount of antibiotic resistance is also a matter of concern and probiotics might be the answer to this upcoming calamity. In this review, we have discussed the role of the urinary microbiome in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions and pondered upon its future prospects.

Radical Cystectomy in England from 2013 to 2019 on 12,644 patients: An analysis of national trends and comparison of surgical approaches using Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Introduction: We evaluate the data of 12,644 Radical Cystectomies in England (Open, Robotic and Laparoscopic) with trends in the adaption of techniques and post-operative complications. Methods: This analysis utilised national Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) from NHS England. Results: There was a statistically significant increase (P < .001) in the number of Robotic assisted radical cystectomies from 10.8% in 2013-2014 and 39.5% in 2018-2019.The average LOS reduced from 12.3 to 10.8 days for RARC from 2013 to 2019 similarly the LOS reduced from 16.2 to 14.3 for ORC. The rate of sepsis (0-90 days) did rise from 5% to 14.5% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 for the entire cohort (P < .001). Acute renal failure (ARF) increased over the years from 9.5% to 17% (P < .001). The rate for fever, UTI, critical care activity and ARF were higher for ORC than RARC (P < .001).The comparison of all episodes within 90 days for conduit versus non-conduit diversions showed significantly higher rates of sepsis, infections, UTI and fever in non-conduit group .Overall complications were significantly higher in non-conduit group throughout the duration except was year 2016-17(P < .001).The robotic approach has increased in last 5 years with nearly 40% of the cystectomies now being robotically in 2018-19 from the initial percentage of 10.8% in 2013-14. Conclusion: This evaluation of the HES data from NHS England for 12,644 RC confirms an increase in the adoption of Robotic Cystectomy. Our data confirms the need to develop strategies with enhanced recovery protocols and post-operative close monitoring following Radical Cystectomy in order to reduce post-operative complications.

Low-risk prostate cancer in India: Is active surveillance a valid treatment option?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Carcinoma prostate is considered highly aggressive in Asian countries such as India. This raises an argument whether active surveillance (AS) gives a false sense of security as opposed to upfront radical prostatectomy (RP) in Indian males with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). We analyzed our prospectively maintained robot-assisted RP (RARP) database to address this question. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-seven men underwent RARP by a single surgical team from September 2013 to September 2019. Of these, 46 (8.1%) were low risk considering the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. Gleason grade group and stage were compared before and after surgery to ascertain the incidence of upgrading and upstaging. Preoperative clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed for association with the probability of upstaging and upgrading. RESULTS: The mean age was 60.8 ± 6.8 years. Average prostate-specific antigen level was 6.7 ± 2.0 ng/mL. 40 (86.9%) patients had a T1 stage disease and 6 (13%) patients were clinically in T2a stage. A total of 25 (54.3%) cases were either upstaged or upgraded, 19 (41.3%) showed no change, and the remaining 2 (4.3%) had no malignancy on the final RP specimen. Upstaging occurred in 8 (17.4%) cases: 5 (10.9%) to pT3a and 3 (6.5%) to pT3b. Upgrading occurred in 23 (50%) cases: 19 (41.3%) to Grade 2; 3 (6.5%) to Grade 3; and 1 (2.2%) to Grade 4. CONCLUSIONS: There is a 50% likelihood of upstaging or upgrading in Indian males with low-risk PCa eligible for AS. Decision to proceed with AS should be taken carefully.

The clinical and financial implications of a decade of prostate biopsies in the NHS: analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics data 2008-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and financial implications of a decade of prostate biopsies performed in the UK National Health Service (NHS) through the transrectal (TR) vs the transperineal (TP) route. METHODS: We conducted an evaluation of the TR vs the TP biopsy approach in the context of 28 days post-procedure complications and readmissions. A secondary evaluation of burden of expenditure in NHS hospitals over the entire decade (2008-2019) was conducted through examination of national Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data. RESULTS: In this dataset of 486 467 prostate biopsies (387 879 TR and 98 588 TP biopsies), rates of infection and sepsis were higher for the TR compared to the TP cohort (0.53% vs 0.31%; P < 0.001, confidence interval 99% ). Rates of sepsis have more than doubled for TR biopsies in the last 2 years compared to the previous decade (1.12% vs 0.53%). Infective complications were the main reasons for readmissions in the TR cohort, whereas urinary retention was the predominant reason for readmission in the TP cohort. Over the last decade, non-elective (NEL) readmissions seem higher for the TP group; however, in the last 2 years these have reduced compared to the TR group (3.54% vs 3.74%). The cost estimates for NEL readmissions for the entire decade were £33,589,527.00 and £7,179,926.00 respectively, for TR and TP cohorts (P < 0.001). Estimated costs per patient readmission were £2,225.00 and £1,758.00 in the TR and TP groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of nearly half a million prostate biopsies in the NHS over the entire decade gives sufficient evidence for the distinct advantages of the TP route over the TR route in terms of reduced infections and burden of expenditure. In addition, there is a potential for savings both in upstream and downstream costs if biopsy is performed under a local anaesthetic.

Implementation of ERAS protocol in robot-assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: An outcome analysis beyond the learning curve.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal ileal conduit (IIC) urinary diversion treated in line with the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. METHODS: After approval from the institutional ethics committee, we conducted an analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing RARC + IIC using ERAS protocol by a single surgical team with the da Vinci Xi® system from March 2016 till December 2018. To minimize the effect of the learning curve of this complex procedure, we excluded the first thirty patients from analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-five consecutive patients (33 males and 2 females) with a median age of 69 years (range: 50-82) were evaluated. The median total console time and console time for diversion were 253 min (range: 191-370) and 80 min (range: 65-90), respectively. The median estimated blood loss was 300 cc (range: 50-500). The median length of stay was 8 days (range: 4-30). Per-urethral pelvic drain was removed at a median of 2 days (range: 1-17). Overall, complications occurred in 16/35 (45.7%) patients, of which major complications (≥Grade 3) were seen in 5/35 (14.3%) patients, without any 90-day mortality. The median follow-up for the cohort was 14 months (1-34). CONCLUSIONS: While the initial outcomes of this combined treatment strategy appear promising in terms of complication rates and perioperative parameters, greater insight is required from multi-institutional data sets and prospective comparative studies to establish the true value of RARC + IIC and ERAS protocol for bladder cancer.

"Polar flip" technique for transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy - Evolution of a novel technique for posterior hilar tumors.

Posterior hilar renal tumor extirpation by partial nephrectomy is a unique challenge for transperitoneal laparoscopy. We describe our novel technique of "polar flip" for these tumors. Kidney is rotated by around 45 -60 degrees after mobilisation so that lower pole faces anteriorly and upper pole faces posteriorly, thereby exposing the posterior surface for maneuverability. Technical highlights are hilar control, complete kidney mobilisation, initial flipping with dissection in Gil Vernet's plane to clip posterior segmental renal artery, en mass hilar clamping in normal lie, polar flipping, dissection in Gil Vernet's plane till renal sinus fat, completion of tumor excision, selective vascular ligation, renorhaphy and nephropexy.

Predictors for severe hemorrhage requiring angioembolization post percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A single-center experience over 3 years.

CONTEXT AND AIM: About 1% of the patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) have bleeding severe enough to require angioembolization. We identified factors which could predict severe bleeding post-PCNL and reviewed patients who underwent angioembolization for the same. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a single-institutional, retrospective study over a period of 3 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 583 patients undergoing PCNL at our institute from 2013 to 2016. We analyzed nine patients (three from our institute and six referred patients) who underwent angioembolization for severe bleeding post-PCNL. We analyzed the preoperative characteristics, intraoperative findings, and postoperative course of these patients and compared this with those patients who did not have a severe post-PCNL bleeding. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Fischer's exact test and Chi-square test were used in univariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used in multivariate analysis with a value of P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Three of the 583 patients (0.51%) who underwent PCNL at our institute required embolization to control bleeding. Preoperative characteristics that were significant risk factors for severe bleeding were a history of ipsilateral renal surgery (P = 0.0025) and increased stone complexity (P = 0.006), while significant intraoperative factors were injury to the pelvicalyceal system (P = 0.0005) and multiple access tracts (P = 0.022). Angiography revealed arteriovenous fistula in two patients and a pseudoaneurysm in seven patients. All patients underwent successful superselective angioembolization with preserved renal perfusion in six patients on control angiography postembolization. CONCLUSIONS: History of ipsilateral renal surgery, increased stone complexity, multiple access tracts, and injury to the pelvicalyceal system are risk factors predicting severe renal hemorrhage post-PCNL. Early angiography followed by angioembolization should be performed in patients with severe post-PCNL bleeding who fail to respond to conservative measures.