Long-term results of ProACT primary and repeat implantation for treatment of stress urinary incontinence in men.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence in men after radical prostatectomy affects strongly quality of life. If conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment consists of implantable devices. If the requirement of manual dexterity in the artificial sphincter is to be avoided, the ProACT system offers a readjustable system, which shows good continence, but also high revision rates. Aim of our single-centre, single-surgeon study was to evaluate the success and revision rates of ProACT over long-term follow-up and if repeat ProACT implantation after failure would be a reasonable strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In May 2017, follow-up of all patients who underwent ProACT implantation between 2003 and 2013 was obtained. Parameters were numbers of pads used, filling volume of balloons, and patient-reported satisfaction. Furthermore, revisions were noted. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2013, 134 patients were implanted a ProACT system. Median age was 71 years; median follow-up was 118 months. 112 implantations were successful (82.6%) and the number of pads used decreased significantly (p < 0.005). 63 patients were revised and 49 were successful (77.8%). No differences in success rate, pads used, or filling volume were seen (all p > 0.8). In a second revision, again, no differences in success rate or pads used were noted (all p > 0.7). Patients' personal satisfaction was high despite the high revision rate. CONCLUSION: In the hands of an experienced surgeon, ProACT is a safe and effective therapy for post-prostatectomy incontinence especially if mayor surgery is to be avoided. Revision rates are high, but the results of ProACT reimplantation are comparable to the results after the first implantation.

Surgical treatment of large volume prostates: a matched pair analysis comparing the open, endoscopic (ThuVEP) and robotic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To compare open simple prostatectomy, endoscopic enucleation and laparoscopic, robot-assisted enucleation of high-volume prostate in terms of operation time, blood loss, transfusion and complication rates and early continence rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with BPH treated endoscopically (ThuVEP, Hamburg and Hannover) or robotically (Mainz) were evaluated prospectively for prostate size, free flow and validated questionnaires (IPSS, QoL). 35 patients were matched to patients after open prostatectomy (Mainz) for age, prostate size, IPSS and QoL scores. Operation time was noted from the first cut to the last suture; blood loss was estimated by the drop of haemoglobin preoperatively and one day after surgery. Transfusion rates were documented. Early continence was estimated by pad use over the first 24 h after catheter removal. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: No significant differences in prostate size, age and preoperative questionnaires were found (p > 0.3). Postoperative flow and the results of the questionnaires were significantly improved (all p < 0.05), without difference between the approaches (p > 0.8). Endoscopic surgery showed superiority in operation time (both p < 0.05); blood loss and transfusion rates were significantly lower compared to open surgery (both p < 0.01) and lower than in robotic surgery without reaching significance (p = 0.18, p = 0.36). Similar results were seen in early continence rates. CONCLUSION: Due to our results, endoscopic surgery should be considered as first-line therapy unless there are comorbidities like diverticula and/or bladder calculi that can be easily treated simultaneously by robotic surgery. Against the background of these findings, indications favouring open surgery are getting sparse.

Survival outcomes in patients with large (≥7cm) clear cell renal cell carcinomas treated with nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy: Results of a multicenter cohort with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Does the dogma of nephron sparing surgery (NSS) still stand for large renal masses? Available studies dealing with that issue are considerably biased often mixing imperative with elective indications for NSS and also including less malignant variants or even benign renal tumors. Here, we analyzed the oncological long-term outcomes of patients undergoing elective NSS or radical tumor nephrectomy (RN) for non-endophytic, large (≥7cm) clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS: Prospectively acquired, clinical databases from two academic high-volume centers were screened for patients from 1980 to 2010. The query was strictly limited to patients with elective indications. Surgical complications were retrospectively assessed and classified using the Clavien-Dindo-classification system (CDS). Overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier-method and the log-rank test. RESULTS: Out of in total 8664 patients in the databases, 123 patients were identified (elective NSS (n = 18) or elective RN (n = 105)) for ≥7cm ccRCC. The median follow-up over all was 102 months (range 3-367 months). Compared to the RN group, the NSS group had a significantly longer median OS (p = 0.014) and median CSS (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In large renal masses, NSS can be performed safely with acceptable complication rates. In terms of long-term OS and CSS, NSS was at least not inferior to RN. Our findings suggest that NSS should also be performed in patients presenting with renal tumors ≥7cm whenever technically feasible. Limitations include its retrospective nature and the limited availability of data concerning long-term development of renal function in the two groups.

Bowel function in patients with urinary diversion: a gender-matched comparison of continent urinary diversion with the ileocecal pouch and ileal conduit.

PURPOSE: To evaluate stool habits and associated quality of life (QoL) in a matched pair analysis of patients who underwent continent cutaneous diversion using the ileocecal segment [Mainz pouch I (MzPI)] with an intussuscepted ileal nipple as efferent segment with those receiving an ileal conduit (IC) after radical cystectomy. METHODS: We identified 250 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion (UD) with either MzPI with an ileal nipple or IC in our database. A detailed history of stool habits using the modified Wexner score was obtained, and questions addressing general lifestyle, comparison of symptom differences before and after surgery considering bowel function as well as bowel-associated QoL were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-five age- and sex-matched pairs could be compared. Overall, stool incontinence (p = 0.481) and the Wexner score (p = 0.464) revealed no differences between both groups. However, patients with MzPI as compared to those with IC had significant higher rates of stool frequency (53 vs 31 %), softer stool consistencies (60 vs 13 %), diarrhea (62 vs 20 %) and a lower rate of constipation (4 vs 22 %). Patients with MzPI had a trend toward lower bowel-associated QoL compared with patients with IC. Similarly, the MzPI group reported a significantly impaired overall postoperative QoL (51 %) compared to the IC group (29 %) (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Patients following UD by MzPI have an increased stool frequency and softer stool consistency. However, there is no difference between both groups in terms of de novo stool incontinence. Change in bowel habits should be part of preoperative informed consent in any kind of UD. Careful patient selection is of paramount importance.

[Long-term results after robot-assisted adenoma enucleation]. / Langzeitergebnisse nach roboterassistierter Adenomenukleation.

For selected patients with large-volume prostates, open simple prostatectomy is an effective and durable treatment option. Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy potentially reduces intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rates, length of hospital stay, and complications, but has longer operative times. In all, 16 series with level 3 evidence have been published and demonstrated its safety and efficacy. Long-term data are lacking and comparative outcome studies are needed to establish its benefits compared to open, simple prostatectomy and transurethral laser enucleation techniques.

Erectile function after treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma of prostate and bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) accounts for 5% of all pediatric tumors; 15-20% of these tumors are located in the urogenital tract, mostly originating from the prostate or bladder. In the light of the steadily improving prognosis for patients with RMS through interdisciplinary-multimodal study protocols with 60-70% long-term survivors, non oncological aspects such as erectile function (EF) have become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to evaluate EF in patients having undergone treatment for RMS of the bladder and prostate. DESIGN: The medical records of 24 male patients having undergone surgical treatment for pelvic RMS between 1975 and 2014 were reviewed, and follow-up was obtained. Erectile function was determined using the Self-Estimation Index of Erectile Function-No Sexual Intercourse (SIEF-NS) and the Erection Hardness Scale (EHS). Potential prognostic factors were evaluated in respect to their impact on EF. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included in the study (median age 20 years). Median follow-up period was 12.7 years (1.09-39.85). All patients completed the EHS; nine patients completed the SIEF-NS. All three patients with preserved erectile function (EHS = 4) showed a score indicating no or minimal impairment on sexual function on SIEF-NS (median 33). None of these patients had undergone external radiotherapy, and radical cystoprostatectomy had been performed before the third year of life in two out of three. The remaining patients had erectile dysfunction (EHS = 0). Three patients had an unsatisfying treatment attempt with sildenafil. Seven patients, including all with failures of oral PDE-5-inhibitors, were successfully treated with intracavernous injection of Alprostadil (Summary Table). DISCUSSION: This was the largest study, to date, evaluating erectile EF in patients treated for RMS of the bladder or prostate. EF was preserved in some patients, despite aggressive treatment modalities. Patients affected by erectile dysfunction after therapy showed limited response to PDE-5 inhibitors, but even after failure of the latter, an intracavernous injection of Alprostadil showed a significant improvement in EHS and SIEF-NS. Limitations of the study included the retrospective nature, small sample size, and heterogeneity of underlying disease, stage, and treatment modalities used. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that in a subset of patients, EF was preserved after radical surgical treatment of RMS, especially in young boys. Intracavernous injection of Alprostadil was effective, even after failure of PDE-5-inhibitors, and should be offered to patients without spontaneous erections, whereas PDE-5-inhibitors appeared to be largely ineffective. External radiation therapy appeared to have a negative impact on EF.

Tissue engineered pre-vascularized buccal mucosa equivalents utilizing a primary triculture of epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts.

Artificial generated buccal mucosa equivalents are a promising approach for the reconstruction of urethral defects. Limiting in this approach is a poor blood vessel supply after transplantation, resulting in increased morbidity and necrosis. We generated a pre-vascularized buccal mucosa equivalent in a tri-culture of primary buccal epithelial cells, fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells, using a native collagen membrane as a scaffold. A successful pre-vascularization and dense formation of capillary-like structures at superficial areas was demonstrated. The lumen size of pre-formed blood vessels corresponded to the capillary size in vivo (10-30 µm). Comparing native with a highly cross-linked collagen membrane we found a distinct higher formation of capillary-like structures on the native membrane, apparently caused by higher secretion of angiogenic factors such as PDGF, IL-8 and angiopoietin by the cells. These capillary-like structures became functional blood vessels through anastomosis with the host vasculature after implantation in nude mice. This in vitro method should result in an accelerated blood supply to the biomaterial with cells after transplantation and increase the succes rates of the implant material.

Pubic symphysitis after transurethral resection of the prostate.

PURPOSE: Pubic symphysitis (PS) after urological operations is uncommon. This is a systematic single-institution review of patients with transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) with the aim to determine the incidence of PS after TUR-P and to identify a risk profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the past 15 years, 12,118 transurethral operations were performed in our department, 33.4% (n = 4045) were TUR-P, and 84.6% (n = 3421) had routine suprapubic trocar placement. A systematic retrospective analysis identified 12 patients, who developed PS (0.297%). RESULTS: Median age was 69.5 years (64-83). All patients had voiding difficulties. Urine culture had been positive in three cases. All 12 TUR-Ps were monopolar resections, and n = 11 patients had a suprapubic trocar. Median resection weight was 47.5 g (10-100). Two patients had a perforation of the capsule. Histopathological examination revealed chronic prostatitis in nine cases. After 1.0 ± 1.2 months, all patients developed pain in the pubic region. All patients underwent MRI, which suggested PS. Symptomatic and antibiotic medications were administered. Final outcome was resolution of symptoms in all patients after 3.8 ± 5.6 months. No patient retained voiding difficulties. CONCLUSION: PS remains a rare complication after TUR-P. We could not identify a single cause for developing PS. In our study, suprapubic trocar placement (11/12), chronic prostatic inflammation (9/12), previous UTI (3/12) and extended resection (2/12) were overrepresented. Inflammatory, thermic and/or surgical damage of the capsule may be causative. Patients require antibiotic and symptomatic medication. However, prognosis for remission is excellent.

[Perioperative Outcomes in Correlation to the Learning Curve for Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: The First 109 Cases of our Clinic]. / Perioperatives Outcome in Korrelation zur Lernkurve bei robotisch assistierter partieller Nephrektomie: Die ersten 109 Fälle unserer Klinik.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, the approach of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) shows a steep learning curve with shorter warm ischaemia times (WIT) and comparable postoperative outcomes. Therefore RAPN is considered a good minimally-invasive surgical procedure for patients presenting with a renal cell carcinoma in clinical stage cT1a. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of our patients after RAPN and to illustrate the learning curve based on characteristic perioperative parameters such as WIT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 109 patients treated by RAPN in our clinic between January 2010 and April 2015 were retrospectively analysed regarding perioperative, laboratory and oncological outcomes. Postoperative complications until 30 days after surgery were documented. We analysed the data of the largest patient population treated by a single urologist, comparing WIT, operating time, blood loss and decline of the glomerular filtration rate between the first and the second 30 consecutive cases. RESULTS: Mean WIT was 18.4 min (SD±10.2), mean operating time was 199 min (SD±20), and mean estimated blood loss was 657 millilitres (SD±715 ml). Mean loss of GFR was reported to be 4.99 mg/dl/1.73 m (2) (SD±15.44). 83 (76%) malignant lesions were removed. 11 patients (10%) had a R1 resection, one patient had a R2 resection and in 2 cases the resection status was Rx. 22% of patients developed postoperative complications. Intraoperative complications were documented in 2 cases. According to the Clavien-Dindo Classification, 6% of patients had grade 1 and 2 complications and 13% developed grade 3 and 4 complications. WIT was significantly lower after 30 consecutive cases treated by one urologist. Regarding operating time, GFR or blood loss no significant correlation was found. CONCLUSION: Our data is in line with the surgical outcomes described in the literature. RAPN is a safe surgical technique with a steep learning curve. In our experience, 30 surgical cases provide a urologist with sufficient expertise to achieve good perioperative results. Weaknesses of this report include the retrospective design and insufficient documentation in some cases.

[Gap between postulated and real outcome quality of radical prostatectomy]. / Kluft zwischen postulierter und realitätsbezogener Ergebnisqualität nach radikaler Prostatektomie.

BACKGROUND: Certified Prostate Centers proclaim congruent process and outcome quality results for treatment of prostate carcinoma. Therapy in accordance with the guidelines after presentation of the patient in an interdisciplinary conference and regular documented follow up are not in themselves a guarantee for good quality results (complication free, continence, erectile function, negative surgical margins, biochemical recurrence free), and are significantly influenced by factors not contained within the certification framework. DISCUSSION: An association between exceeding the minimum number of operations and quality assurance exists, if at all, only vaguely and on no account justifies the absolute numbers necessary for certification. Although good measuring instruments for a Pentafecta analysis are available, the gathering of quality results for a center are limited to questionnaires for functional quality results and in the non-differentiated request for a pT2R1 rate of under 10 % for oncological quality results. CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for this systematic ignoring of the for the patient so important quality results with a simultaneous excessive regard for standardizing organizational procedure processes are manifold. They comprise valid verifiability of process quality, the unclear effects of standardized treatment pathways on actual operation quality and the capitulation to statistical and patient determined problems with sufficient acquisition of comparable functional OP results. Whereas the outcome quality is more important than the process quality for patients with prostate carcinoma, the certified centers conduct themselves in exactly the opposite manner, thus creating a virtually insoluble dilemma.

[Asymptomatic kidney stones: active surveillance vs. treatment]. / Asymptomatische Nierensteine: Wann Active Surveillance, wann Therapie?

The prevalence of kidney stones is increasing worldwide. Asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones are increasingly detected as an incidental finding on radiologic imaging, which has been performed more frequently over the last decades. Beside the current interventional treatment modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), active surveillance of asymptomatic kidney stones has been a focus of discussion lately, not only for attending physicians, but even more so for patients. The current German and European guidelines recommend active surveillance for patients with asymptomatic kidney stones if no interventional therapy is mandatory because of pain or medical factors. Herein we review the current literature on risks and benefits of active surveillance of asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones.

[Prevascularization of an in vitro buccal mucosa equivalent for regeneration of the urethra]. / Prävaskularisierung eines In-vitro-Mundschleimhautäquivalents zur Regeneration der Urethra.

For reconstructive interventions on the urethra the use of autologous buccal mucosa has a proven value. The aim of this study was to generate an in vitro preparation which is already infiltrated by capillary-like structures and is more rapidly incorporated after implantation. Commercially available collagen matrices which have been approved for use in humans were used as the substrate. Application possibilities of such artificial tissue in addition to reconstruction of the urethra include coverage of large defects in the oral, neck, nasal and aural areas, in gynecology and in ophthalmology.

[Vesicovaginal fistula. Incidence, etiology and phenomenology in Germany]. / Urogenitalfistel. Inzidenz, Ätiologie und Phänomenologie in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Vesicovaginal fistulae are much more common in developing countries along the equatorial fistula belt than in industrialized countries. However, although the classical obstetric fistula caused by lack of medical support through pregnancy and delivery in adolescent primiparae has almost vanished in Germany, we are now facing new and predominantly iatrogenic variants. Increasing frequency of gynecological surgery as well as pelvic radiation, forgotten vaginal foreign bodies, or uninhibited cancer growth are the modern causes for vesicovaginal fistula in elderly patients. Comorbidities and genital atrophy impair surgical therapy in view of a limited success rate of conservative transient transurethral catheterization. METHODS: Diagnostics should start early and should be initially limited to vaginal inspection, cystourethroscopy, and the blue dye test. Radiological investigations including CT and MRI are only indicated in patients suspicious for ureterovaginal fistula or with inconclusive findings or malignant fistula. The surgical armamentarium comprises vaginal, abdominal, and combined approaches, which all underlie basic principles of fistula repair: protection of the ureteral orifices, complete excision of the fistula canal, accurate separation of the organs connected to the fistula, sufficient tissue mobilization for tension-free suturing, interposition of padding material for prevention of recurrency. CONCLUSION: Depending on the degree of sphincter damage, stress urinary incontinence might persist despite successful fistula repair, requiring further incontinence surgery or ultimate urinary diversion in recurrent cases that are hopeless.

[Continent urinary diversion following anterior exenteration]. / Kontinente Harnableitung nach vorderer Exenteration.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life after anterior or total exenteration is determined, among other factors, by the type of urinary diversion. There are two different types of urinary diversion: incontinent diversion (ureterocutaneostomy, ileal conduit, and colonic conduit) and continent diversions (continent cutaneous pouch, orthotopic neobladder, and rectal reservoir). RESULTS: Invasive bladder cancer and advanced or recurrent gynecological tumors are the main indications for continent urinary diversion in women. In patients with non-irradiated bladder cancer, an orthotopic neobladder (except those with tumor invasion of the bladder neck or urethra) or a rectal reservoir is an option. In patients who had received preoperative radiotherapy, non-irradiated bowel segments should be used for urinary diversion (e.g., the transverse colon). In patients with planned postoperative radiation, the urinary diversion should be outside the radiation field. CONCLUSION: Advantages and disadvantages of all types of urinary diversion should be objectively discussed with the patient. Especially exenteration for advanced or recurrent gynecological cancers should be performed in centers with a multidisciplinary team (gynecologist, urologist, radiotherapist, and in cases with complete exenteration the gastrointestinal surgeon).

[Neurogenic bladder function disorders in patients with meningomyelocele: S2k guidelines on diagnostics and therapy]. / Neurogene Blasenfunktionsstörungen bei Patienten mit Meningomyelozele : S2k-Leitlinie zu Diagnostik und Therapie.

The treatment of children and adolescents with meningomyelocele has experienced a clear change in the last 30 years. The establishment of pharmacotherapy, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and infection prophylaxis have improved the prognosis for patients and have led to new therapeutic strategies. The interdisciplinary cooperation between neonatologists, neurosurgeons, pediatric neurologists, pediatric urologists, pediatric nephrologists, pediatric orthopedists and pediatric surgeons leads to optimization of individualized therapy. These guidelines present definitions and classifications, investigations and timing which are described in detail. The conservative and operative therapy options for neurogenic bladder function disorders are described and discussed with reference to the current literature. The brief overview provides in each case assistance for the treating physician in the care of this patient group and facilitates the interdisciplinary cooperation.

[Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy]. / Robotisch assistierte radikale Prostatektomie.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has been rapidly adopted as a standard approach for surgical treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer. Despite additional costs, RALP seems to provide better functional and oncological outcomes and less blood loss compared to open radical prostatectomy (ORP). However, prospective randomized studies are still missing. PURPOSE: Based on the current literature, this review reports about the role of RALP in prostate cancer treatment. Its functional and oncologic outcomes as well as complication rates are compared to ORP. Particularly, the role of RALP in nonorgan-confined tumors will be discussed. RESULTS: Based on the current literature, RALP provides better continence and potency rates as compared to ORP. Moreover, the incidence of positive surgical margins seems to be reduced. However, there is conflicting data regarding the role of RALP in nonorgan-confined prostate cancer. Regarding long-term oncologic outcomes, RALP seems to be comparable to ORP.