Comparison of surgical approaches to radical prostatectomy in our series beyond oncological and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) compared to those of open (ORP) and laparoscopic (LRP) surgery. The interest lies fundamentally in the quality-of-life (QoL) evaluation, postoperative recovery, and personal satisfaction of patients with the intervention (PS) beyond oncological and functional outcomes. METHODS: Six hundred eighty-five RPs were performed in our center between 2011-2018 (17,8% ORP, 22,2% LRP and 60% RARP). Patients were prospectively assessed through follow-up until April 2020 and a multiple questionnaire at 12-months post-RP that included ICIQ-SF, SHIM, IPSS, IQL and questions about pain, postoperative recovery and PS. Also baseline and postoperative patient- and treatment-related data were collected, and binomial logistic regressions were performed for the 1 vs.1 comparisons (ORP vs. RARP and LRP vs. RARP). RESULTS: RARP patients have overall fewer comorbidities, less tumor aggressiveness, more operative time requirements and more positive surgical margins than ORP and LRP patients. Nevertheless, RARP outperforms ORP in: hospital stay (days) (OR 0,86; 95% CI: 0,80-0,94), hemoglobin loss (OR 0,38; 95% CI: 0,30-0,47), transfusion rate (OR 0,18; 95% CI: 0,09-0,34), early complications (p = 0,001), IQL (OR 0,82; 95% CI: 0,69-0,98), erectile function (OR 0,41; 95% CI: 0,21-0,79), pain control (OR 0,82; 95% CI: 0,75-0,89), postoperative recovery (p < 0,001) and choice of a different approach (OR 5,55; 95% CI: 3,14-9,80). RARP is superior to LRP in: urinary continence (OR 0,55; 95% CI: 0,37-0,82), IPSS (OR 0,96; 95% CI: 0,93-0,98), IQL (OR 0,76; 95% CI: 0,66-0,88), erectile function (OR 0,52; 95% CI: 0,29-0,93), postoperative recovery (p = 0,02 and 0,004), PS (p = 0,005; 0,002; and 0,03) and choice of a different approach (OR 7,79; 95% CI: 4,63-13,13). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study globally endorse a positive effectiveness of RARP over ORP and/or LRP, both on functional issues, postoperative recovery, QoL and PS. Oncologic results should still be improved.

Surgical thromboprophylaxis in daily urologic surgery: Beyond bridge therapy. / La tromboprofilaxis quirúrgica en el día a día de la cirugía urológica: más allá de la terapia puente.

INTRODUCTION: With the advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery, thromboembolic prophylaxis in urologic procedures has traditionally been based on the experience of other surgical specialties. This paper aims to analyze the current recommendations, through a detailed study of the European clinical guidelines and bibliography, applying the recommendations of thromboprophylaxis to the daily urological practice. OBJECTIVES: To elaborate general recommendations to surgical patients in Urology, avoiding the risk of perioperative thromboembolic events. Optimize medication in chronic patients and accurately classify who are eligible for bridge therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the available literature and the European clinical guidelines was carried out. We analyzed the most recent consensus articles by studying the available bibliography, trials and reviews on which the European guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in urology are based. RESULTS: Thromboembolic prophylaxis should be targeted towards surgeries that require abdominal approaches, prolonged bed rest or oncological pathologies. Bridge therapies with low molecular weight heparins should be limited. Patients undergoing treatment for chronic conditions can benefit from bridge therapies in specific cases. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current guidelines, there might be an overuse of heparins in the daily clinical practice. The development of -direct oral- anticoagulants have shown to reduce the time to reintroduction of medication for chronic conditions as well as a more effective bleeding management.

Analysis of referrals after a synergic work between Primary Care and Urology. Impact of joint protocol implementation and a continuing education program in our healthcare area. / Evolución de las derivaciones desde Atención Primaria a Urología tras la creación de un grupo de trabajo y la instauración de protocolos y cursos de formación continuada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the evolution and adequacy of referrals from Primary Care to Urology, after the implementation of referral protocols on the most frequent urological diseases and the establishment of a continuing education program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Primary Care-Urology work group was created in 2011. Initially, performance and clinical practice protocols in prostatic pathology (BPH and PSA) were established. These were supported by training sessions for primary care physicians. After analysing the effect of the mentioned joint work, 3more (scrotal pathology, urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence) were included. We analysed and compared the referrals and their adequacy before and after the establishment of the protocols. RESULTS: The most common referral causes were symptoms of the lower urinary tract due to BPH, which initially represented 22.8% of the total, and decreased to 16.9%. After the introduction of the new algorithms, we observed a decrease in referrals for scrotal pathology (13-14% to 7.8%), an increase in urinary incontinence referrals (3% al 10.3%) and those related to urinary tract infections remained stable. The adequacy to the protocols improved progressively: LUTS from 46% to 65.3%; PSA from 55% to 84.4% and urinary incontinence from 66.2% to 73.1%. Adequacy in scrotal pathology decreased (de 67.1% a 63.3%), while in UTI it stayed much the same (around 76%). CONCLUSIONS: The joint work between Urology and Primary Care achieves an improvement in referrals adequacy regarding the most frequent urological pathologies.

Safety and efficacy of various strains of bacille Calmette-Guérin in the treatment of bladder tumours in standard clinical practice. / Eficacia y seguridad de distintas cepas de BCG en el tratamiento del tumor vesical en práctica clínica habitual.

BACKGROUND: The natural progression of bladder tumours (nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer [NMIBC]) is recurrence with a high rate of progression. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown effective in reducing these rates, but there are few comparative studies between strains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, prospective and multicentre registry studied 433 patients with a 12-month follow-up visit from 961 registered patients, assessing disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS) cancer-specific survival (CSS) and adverse effects. We studied the Tice, Russian, Tokyo, Connaught and RIVM strains. RESULTS: The sociodemographic data, NMIBC history, comorbidities, size, number, stage, grade, associated carcinoma in situ and transurethral resection were well balanced. DFS: There were 85 relapses (19.6%). The median DFS time was 20months. When comparing the various strains, we detected no statistically significant differences (log-rank test; P=.93). LPS: There were 33 cases of progression (7.62%). When comparing the various strains, we detected no statistically significant differences (log-rank test; P=.69). CSS: Seven patients died (1.68%). When comparing the various strains, we detected no statistically significant differences (log-rank test; P=.93). In terms of safety, 33.3% of the patients presented some type of adverse effect, mostly lower urinary symptoms (no urinary tract infections) <48h, >48h and haematuria. According to the Common Toxicity Criteria of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, 92.7% of the patients were grade1. There were no statistically significant differences between the strains. CONCLUSIONS: In this intermediate analysis, the risk of recurrence, progression, specific death and safety were independent of the BCG strain employed.

Adjuvant intravesical treatment for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: The importance of the strain and maintenance. / Tratamiento adyuvante intravesical en cáncer de vejiga no músculo invasivo: importancia de la cepa y el mantenimiento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is essential for preventing the recurrence and progression of superficial bladder tumours. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of the Connaught and Tice strains, as well as the importance of the maintenance regimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 110 patients with superficial bladder tumours who underwent adjuvant endovesical treatment. The patients were distributed into 3 groups, based on whether the treatment was with the Connaught strain, the Tice strain or both sequentially. We calculated the relapse-free survival rate in each group and compared the patients who completed the maintenance treatments against those who did not. To identify the predictors of relapse, we performed a multivariate analysis. We also assessed the toxicity by analysing the onset of BCGitis, urinary urgency, fever, urinary tract infection and treatment withdrawing due to adverse effects. RESULTS: We found no differences in the efficacy parameters. The patients in the Connaught group completed the maintenance to a lesser extent (38.4 vs. 72% for the Tice group and 76.3% for both groups; P=.010). The patients who completed the maintenance had better relapse-free survival at 60 months (88.5 vs. 74.2%; P=.036), regardless of the strain employed. The multivariate analysis identified a size larger than 3cm, more than 3 implants and not completing the maintenance as risk factors of relapse. The patients with the Connaught strain had higher rates of BCGitis, with no differences in the other events studied. CONCLUSION: Completing the maintenance phase is essential, regardless of the strain employed. The Connaught strain has a greater risk of BCGitis, and a sequential regimen could be useful in certain scenarios.

Uncontrolled non-heartbeating donors (types i-ii) with normothermic recirculation vs. heartbeating donors: evaluation of functional results and survival.

OBJECTIVE: Non-heartbeating donors (NHBD) are an alternative to heartbeating donors (HBD). Our objective was to compare functional results and kidney survival from NHBDs and HBDs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study comparing the results of 236 normothermically preserved kidneys from type i and ii type NHBDs with the results of 250 from HBDs that were transplanted in our center between 2005 and 2012. Homogeneity between groups was tested and we evaluated the presence of delayed graft function (DGF) associated with pretransplant variables of the donor and recipient. RESULTS: Both groups show homogeneity in pretransplant characteristics in terms of: age, HLA incompatibilities, and recipient hemodialysis time. Average follow-up time was 33 months (range 0-87) for NHBDs and 38 months (range 0-90) for HBDs. 5.5% of NHBDs showed primary non-function (PNF) vs. 4% of HBDs (P=.42) and 80.9% of DGF vs. 46.8% of HBDs (P<.001). At the end of the follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences in the survival of grafts (92.8% for NHBD vs. 93.6% for HBD, P=.71) and recipients (99.1% NHBD vs. 98.6% HBD, P=.28). CONCLUSIONS: Although the DGF percentage was greater for NHBDs, final creatinine as well as graft and recipient survival were similar for both groups. Therefore, in our experience, kidneys from NHBDs have similar results to those from HBDs and are an excellent source of organs for transplantation.

Lessons learned from the comparative study between renal mass biopsy and the analysis of the surgical specimen.

INTRODUCTION: The role of renal mass (RM) biopsy is currently under discussion. As a result of the progressive increase in the incidental diagnosis of RMs (which have a higher percentage of benignity and well-differentiated cancers), new approaches have emerged such as observation, especially with elderly patients or those with significant comorbidity. RM biopsy (RMB) should provide sufficient information for making this decision, but so far this has not been the case. We examine our prospective series of in-bench RMBs after surgery and compare them with the anatomy of the removed specimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained (prospectively, in-bench and with a 16-gauge needle) 4 biopsies of RMs operated on in our department from October 2008 to December 2009. These RMs were analyzed by 2 uropathologists and compared with the results of the specimen. RESULTS: We analyzed 188 biopsies (47 RMs); 12.75% were "not valid". The ability of biopsy to diagnose malignancy or benignity was 100%, and the coincidence in the histological type was 95%. The success in determining the tumor grade was 100% when the cancer was low-grade and 62% when high-grade. None of the analyzed data (necrosis, size, etc.) influenced the results in a statistically significant manner. CONCLUSION: RMB with a 16-G needle enables the differentiation between malignancy and benignity in 100% of cases, with a very similar diagnostic accuracy in the tumor type. Tumor grade is still the pending issue with renal mass biopsy.

Renal biopsy with 16G needle: a safety study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The development of percutaneous renal biopsy as a routinary diagnostic procedure for renal masses is topic of discussion for the last few years. However, this technique has been associated with some complications, although infrequent, and morbidity. Our objective is to carry out a descriptive study about complications and outcomes of orthotopic kidney biopsies with 16 G needle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 180 orthotopic ultrasound-guided renal biopsies performed in our service among January 2008 to May 2010 was carried out. The procedure was developed using an automated biopsy gun (16G needle). Multiple clinical variables, early post-procedure complications and its management were collected. Complication rates as well as the relationship between risk factors and occurrence of complications were studied. RESULTS: Mean age was 55.8 years. The average number of biopsy cylinders per intervention was 2.49. The overall complication rate was 5.6%. An interventionist attitude derived from complication of the procedure was necessary in only 3 patients (1.67%). No surgical interventions were required and no death as consequence of procedure was registered. No relationship between hypertension (P=.09) previous anticoagulation (P=.099) or previous antiaggregation (P=.603) and complications were demonstrated. In 2.8% of biopsies the material obtained was insufficient for diagnosing. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy with 16G needle is a safe technique with high diagnostic performance.

Quality of life in patients with ileal conduit cystectomy due to bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the variables that affect quality of life of patients treated by radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed quality of life using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. This questionnaire evaluates mobility, personal care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression and a self-rating scale of the health condition. We compared the result with demographic variables (gender, age, work situation, studies, income, partner) and clinical variables (ASA classification, tumor stage, time since cystectomy was performed, adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrent and complications of the stoma). The statistical analysis included a descriptive study, univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 69 years (47-84). Mean time from cystectomy was 43 months (12-83), with 61% complications associated to the stoma. Stoma complications were related with limitations in personal care, pain/discomfort, anxiety, depression and quality of life in general. Female gender was associated with limitations in daily activities and adjuvant chemotherapy with anxiety/depression and quality of life in general. The rest of the variables were not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The limitations in quality of life in patients with cystectomy and ileal conduit are associated with the stoma-associated complications. Other related variables are female gender and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Mesoblastic nephroma in the adult: report of a new case]. / Nefroma mesoblástico del adulto: aportación de un nuevo caso.

OBJECTIVE: A case of adult mesoblastic nephroma is presented. The clinical features, treatment, histological diagnosis and outcome are discussed. METHODS/RESULTS: A 68-year-old patient in whom a renal mass had been detected by ultrasound is described. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy. The anatomopathological analysis demonstrated a mesoblastic nephroma. No signs of recurrence have been observed at 3 years' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Mesoblastic nephroma of adulthood has a benign behavior and recurrence is rare after surgery.

[Burned out testicular tumor]. / Tumor testicular fundido.

OBJECTIVE: The present article reviews the different aspects of "burned out" testicular tumor. METHODS: A survey of the literature on "burned out" testicular tumor in Medline 1980-1999 was performed. The selected articles referenced in the present study were reviewed. RESULTS: The "burned out" phenomenon is the regression of a testicular tumor focus after distant metastasis whose cause is unknown. However, characteristic histological lesions have been identified, such as lesions comprised of collagen tissue containing neoplastic cells. The diagnosis is based on the anatomopathological study of the orchidectomy specimen, which should be performed in patients with extragonadal germ cell tumor and alterations detected on physical or ultrasound examination. CONCLUSIONS: "Burned out" testicular tumor should be taken into account in patients with extragonadal germ cell tumor. The importance of a thorough physical examination and testicular ultrasound evaluation is emphasized. Chemotherapy may not be effective. Orchidectomy may improve the outcome in these tumors.

[Percutaneous treatment of retroperitoneal abscesses]. / Tratamiento percutáneo de los abscesos retroperitoneales.

UNLABELLED: The retroperitoneal abscess is an uncommon disease, that must be treated by drainage. The progressive use of the percutaneous drainage, under ultrasound or computed tomography guidance (CT), has changed the therapeutical management and has demonstrated to be a valid alternative to surgical drainage. From 1986 to 1998, 16 patients with retroperitoneal abscesses were treated by percutaneous drainage (14 with CT and 2 with ultrasound guidance). This method eradicated the abscess in 13 cases, in 2 was necessary a new function to cure the abscess, and 1 patient, with a severe sepsis, died. Percutaneous drainage was the unique treatment used in 12 patients. In the remaining four, the patients' clinical status improved after percutaneous drainage, and they were able to undergo subsequent elective nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous drainage of retroperitoneal abscesses has been established as a viable alternative to surgical intervention. This method can resolve the abscess or improve the patient' clinical status to undergo elective surgery.

[Prostate leiomyosarcoma with perineal exophytic mass]. / Leiomiosarcoma prostático con masa exofítica perineal.

Report on one case of prostate leiomyosarcoma, an infrequent and usually highly aggressive urologic neoplasia. Emphasis on the imaging and pathoanatomical diagnosis, highlighting the high value of the later as immunohistochemistry is usually essential to establish its nature. Choice treatment is oncologically radical surgery. Quite often this is impossible to carry out and so chemo- and radiotherapy schedules are commonly associated as neoadjuvant, adjuvant or palliative therapies. The reported case showed aggressive evolution unresponsive to management. Also, during the condition development a rare complication such as occurrence of an exophytic tumoral mass in the perineum appeared.