The relationship between the force applied and perceived by the surgeon during ureteral access sheath placement: ex-vivo experimental model.

PURPOSE: To define a peak force of insertion (PFOI) threshold for ureteral damage during ureteral access sheath (UAS) placement on an experimental ureteral orifice model. METHODS: A specially designed water tank using 2 laparoscopic 5 mm ports and 2 different size (10 Fr and 8 Fr) sealing cap adaptors (SCA) as ureteral orifices was used to perform the test. A 10-12 Fr UAS was fixed to a load cell and the force of insertion (FOI) was continuously recorded with a digital force gauge.13 experts in the field of endourology who participated performed 3 UAS insertions. The FOI was recorded initially with 10 Fr followed by 8 Fr SCA. On the final insertion, the orifice was obstructed, leaving a 5 cm length to insert the UAS. The experts were asked to "Stop at the point they anticipate ureteral damage, and they would not proceed in real life". RESULTS: Using 10 Fr SCA the PFOI was 2.12 ± 0.58 Newton (N) (range:1.48-3.48) while 8 Fr SCA showed a PFOI 5.76 ± 0.96 N (range:4.05-7.35). Six of the experts, said they would stop proceeding when they reached above 5.1 N. Three experts had PFOI < 5.1 N and the other 4 stated they would go with PFOIs of 5.88, 6.16, 6.69 and 7.35 N when using SCA of 8 Fr.The highest load they would stop proceeding had a PFOI of 6.09 ± 1.87 N (range: 2.53-10.74). CONCLUSION: The PFOI threshold for ureteral damage inserting UAS of the experts is variable. Although FOI is a subjective perception, experience suggests that ureteral injury may occur at an average of 6.05 N perceived by surgeons' tactile feedback. In-vivo measurement of UAS PFOI may confirm a threshold.

Multidrug refractory aggressive metastatic TFE3 (+) renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) related renal cell carcinomas constitute a very small percent of all renal tumors in adults. Prognosis mainly depends on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis which is often poor. There is yet to be a standardized treatment protocol. Treatment options include agents identical to TFE3(-) cell renal carcinoma treatment. We present a case of a young woman with a rapidly progressing metastatic TFE3 (+) renal cell carcinoma. CASE REPORT: A 31 year old female presented with abdominal mass, distension, nausea. Initial tests and tumor markers found to be normal. Abdominal CT scan revealed a left retroperitoneal mass along with three other neighboring masses in liver manifesting as metastases. Trucut biopsy and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the retroperitoneal mass as TFE3 (+) renal cell carcinoma.Management and outcome: Sunitinib, pazopanib, nivolumab, axitinib treatments are consecutively given after surgery. It is noteworthy that rapid progression was observed under nivolumab treatment. DISCUSSION: During surveillance, rapid progression is noted under consecutive immunotherapy which was unexpected. Thus, there is a need for more standardized treatment protocols and invention of new agents for management of TFE3 (+) renal cell carcinoma.

Can serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and SMAD-2 levels predict lamina propria invasion in bladder urothelial carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has a role in the destruction of lamina propria (LP) of the bladder wall and SMAD-2 promotes cell-to-cell adhesion. This study aimed to investigate the association between LP invasion and serum protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 in bladder cancer (BC) patients. METHODS: Serum samples were taken from 57 patients with suspicious BC before TUR-BT (Group 1) and 20 patients with benign diseases as control (Group 2). The mRNA expression and serum protein levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were analyzed using Real-Time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. The comparison of protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were done statistically between Group 1 and 2, as well as for different T stages of BC. RESULTS: The protein levels of MMP-9 (2448 vs 637.5 pg/mL, P = .0001) and SMAD-2 (6.85 vs 1.61 P = .0001) were significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 (P = .89) and SMAD-2 (P = .99) did not significantly differ between the groups. The protein levels of MMP-9 in T1 patients were significantly higher from both of pTa patients (P = .018) and pT2 (P = .02). The protein levels of SMAD-2 were not statistically different between T stages. Similarly, the mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were not different between T stages. CONCLUSIONS: The protein levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were increased in BC patients while mRNA expressions were not different. Furthermore, the increased protein level of MMP-9 in T1 patients was more pronounced which may be related to LP invasion of the tumor.

Diagnostic accuracy of core biopsies of renal masses: Experience in a real-life setting from a tertiary center.

OBJECTIVE: To document and analyze diagnostic accuracy of renal core biopsy (RCB), its diagnostic correlation with resection specimens, and to question the need for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the preoperative diagnosis of renal masses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: RCBs performed at a reference center between 2007 and 2017 were included. Pathological, clinical, and radiological data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Among 302 biopsies included in this study, 274 (90.7%) were diagnostic. Two hundred sixty-six were neoplastic and 179 were of primary renal origin. The most common secondary neoplasms were hematolymphoid (n = 35) and metastatic (n = 17). Sixty-nine tumors were classified as small renal masses (SRMs) (≤4 cm in diameter) and 53 of them were malignant. Nephrectomy was performed in 58 patients. Overall diagnostic accuracy between resections and RCBs was 88.7%. IHC was performed in 160 (53%) cases. In 15 of those, a definite diagnosis could not be rendered. Renal cell origin and subtype were determined by histomorphology alone in 81 and 75 cases, respectively. Sixty primary neoplasms of renal cell origin required IHC for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: RCB is a safe and highly accurate method for the diagnosis of both primary and secondary renal neoplasms. IHC is mostly required for the diagnosis of secondary tumors. Histomorphology is still the primary diagnostic tool, highly dependent on the experience of the surgical pathologist.

The clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice: first 3-month multicenter results from Istanbul

Background/aim: The aim of this paper was to determine the general tendencies of urology patients and effect of COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice at tertiary centers located in the most affected area in Turkey. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 39,677 patients (group 1) that applied to 6 different large-volume tertiary centers in Istanbul for outpatient consultation, surgery, or other procedures in the 3-month period between March 16 and June 14, 2020. The distribution of the number of patients who applied to subspecialty sections of urology outpatient clinics and inpatient services were recorded by weeks. That data was compared to data obtained from 145,247 patients that applied to the same centers in the same period of the previous year (group 2). The reflection of worldwide and Turkish COVID-19 case distribution on the daily urological practice was analyzed. Results: There was a decrease in the number of patients in all subspecialty sections the in group 1 compared to group 2; however, there was a significant proportional increase in urooncology and general urology admissions. A decrease of approximately 75% was observed in the total number of surgeries (p < 0.001). We detected a negative correlation between the numbers of admission to all outpatient clinics and COVID-19 cases or deaths in Turkey (p < 0.05). The same negative correlation was present for all surgical procedures and consultations (p < 0.05). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the number of cases in Turkey, and the number of deaths worldwide affect the number of outpatient clinic admissions (R2 = 0.38, p = 0.028) and urological surgery (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.020) in Turkey negatively. Conclusion: This novel pandemic has implications even for urology practice. Urological surgical procedures were more affected by COVID-19-related deaths in Turkey and worldwide. Outpatient admissions and urological surgeries decreased significantly by increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Turkey and worldwide deaths.

The clinical predictive factors and postoperative histopathological parameters associated with upgrading after radical prostatectomy: A contemporary analysis with grade groups.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) is an ongoing problem since first description of Gleason score. In this retrospective study, our aim is to investigate upgrading after RP in grade groups (GG) and clinical predictive, and postoperative histopathological factors associated with GG upgrading (GGU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 753 patients undergoing RP between January 2006 and June 2019 at our institution were investigated. Overall cohort were divided into two groups according to GGU status after RP as nonupgrading and upgrading. Retrospectively documented preoperative clinical and postoperative histopathological parameters were compared between two groups. Furthermore, we investigated a subgroup of institutional cohort (n = 398) whose prostate biopsy (Pbx) and RP were performed in our institution and we also divided this cohort into two groups according to GGU status. χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for comparative analyses. The independent preoperative predictive and postoperative histopathological factors associated with GGU were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The total GGU was 55.8% in overall cohort and 45.2% in institutional cohort. The GGU was found as the most common in bioptic GG1 group in both overall (64.0%), and institutional (54.5%) cohorts. In multivariate analyses, the noninstitutional Pbx (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-3.51; P < .001), tumor positive core numbers in Pbx (OR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.04-1.19; P = .003), increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) density (OR = 3.59; 95%CI: 1.03-12.52, P = .045) and age (OR = 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00-1.05, P = .046) were independent clinical predictors of GGU in overall cohort whereas only increased PSA density (OR = 5.94; 95%CI: 1.28-27.50; P = .023) was independent predictor in institutional cohort. Among postoperative histopathological factors, perineural invasion (OR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.70-3.87; P < .001 and OR = 2.53; 95%CI: 1.46-4.40; P = .001, respectively), increased maximum tumor diameter (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.23-1.73; P < .001 and OR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.07-1.66; P = .010, respectively), and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) existence at tumor surrounding tissue (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.32-2.90; P = .001 and OR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.10-3.21; P = .022, respectively) were independently associated with GGU after RP, in both of overall and institutional cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Noninstitutional prostate biopsy, increased PSA density, higher tumor positive cores in Pbx and older age are the clinical predictors of upgrading after RP in contemporary GG. Perineural invasion, increased maximum tumor diameter, and HGPIN existence at tumor surrounding tissue are postoperative histopathological factors associated with GGU.

The pathological upgrading after radical prostatectomy in low-risk prostate cancer patients who are eligible for active surveillance: How safe is it to depend on bioptic pathology?

BACKGROUND: Active surveillance (AS) is one of the treatment alternatives in low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). The pathological upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) were investigated in patients who were eligible for AS in the present study. METHODS: Between August 2006 and July 2017, 627 patients underwent RP in our institution. One hundred and thirty-six patients who were eligible for AS at the time of RP were included in this study. The previously defined AS criteria Gleason 3 + 3=6 adenocarcinoma at maximum two biopsy cores, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/mL and clinical T stage ≤ 2a were used in the study. The demographics, clinical, and histopathological outcomes were retrospectively compared between two groups, which were divided in accordance with the upgrading status at final pathology as Group 1 (n = 67, upgrading) and Group 2 (n = 69, nonupgrading). RESULTS: Gleason upgrading (GU) was found in 67 (49.3%) patients, and 17 patients (12.5%) were upstaged to pT3a. The upgrading to Gleason 3 + 4 was reported in 38.7% of patients, however, 7.4%, and 3.7% of the patients were upgraded to Gleason 4 + 3, and Gleason 4 + 4, respectively. The 10.3% of the patients had extraprostatic involvement, and the rate (19.4% vs 1.4%, P = .002) was significantly higher in Group 1. PSA density (P = .001), tumor size (P < .001), tumor percentage (P < .001), apical involvement (P = .013), and perineural invasion (P < .001) in RP specimen were higher in Group 1. Multivariate analysis showed that perineural invasion (OR = 4.26; 95%CI: 1.76-10.33; P = .001) and pathologic T stage (OR = 5.45; 95%CI: 1.08-27.4; P = .04) were independently associated with GU. CONCLUSIONS: Since 12.5% of the patients upstaged to pT3a disease, and there is a possible risk of Gleason 4 pattern, upgrading of the tumor should carefully be kept in mind before offering AS to low-risk patients with PCa.

Prospective evaluation of complications in laparoscopic urology at a mid-volume institution using standardized criteria: Experience of 1023 cases including learning curve in 9 years.

AIM: To evaluate the laparoscopic operations performed in our department according to the modified Clavien classification system of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September, 2005 and February, 2014, a total of 1023 laparoscopic cases were performed. This period was divided into three terms (Terms 1, 2 and 3 consisting of 38, 32 and 32 months, respectively). According to the European Scoring System (ESS), easy (E), slightly difficult (SD), fairly difficult (FD), difficult (D), very difficult (VD) and extremely difficult (ED) cases were 35, 88, 170, 390, 203 and 137, respectively. The perioperative complications were evaluated based on the 3 time periods, with a specific emphasis on determining the learning curve according to the modified Clavien classification system of complications. RESULTS: A total of 236 (23.1%) complications were observed according to the modified Clavien classification. The minor (Clavien I-II) and major (Clavien III, IV and V) complication rates were 20.5% (n = 210) and 2.4% (n = 26), respectively. Clavien I was the most frequently encountered type of complication (n = 120, %11.7). No significant difference was observed among all 3 time periods regarding total complication rates. The D cases had the highest complication rate compared to E, SD, FD, VD and ED cases among all three terms. The total number of complications increased significantly with increasing grade of technical difficulty according to the ESS. CONCLUSION: Complications encountered in our laparoscopic surgery experience were predominantly minor, and the rate of complications was not significantly increased during the learning curve. The present data can provide guidance and manage expectations for surgeons introducing laparoscopy into their practice.

Robotic Flexible Ureteroscopy: A Step-by-Step Video by Using Roboflex Avicenna Platform.

BACKGROUND: The management of kidney stones, particularly those in the renal pelvis, is a critical aspect of urology. The European Association of Urology guidelines recommend Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy or Endourology methods, encompassing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Ureterorenoscopy (URS), for stones ranging from 10-20 mm. Robotic-assisted urological procedures have gained prominence in recent years, promising enhanced precision and safety. OBJECTIVE: To provide a detailed account of the technical aspects and outcomes of a robotic URS (robo-URS) procedure in a 63-year-old male patient with a 15-mm renal pelvis stone, serving as a reference for urologists considering this approach. MATERIALS: The patient presented with right flank pain, and an unenhanced computed tomography scan confirmed the presence of a 15 × 12 × 13 mm stone in the right renal pelvis. After assessment and preparation, robo-URS was performed using the Roboflex Avicenna robotic platform (ELMED, Ankara, Turkey) in conjunction with conventional urological instruments and laser technology. RESULTS: The procedure was completed successfully in 50 minutes without any detectable blood loss or intraoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Robo-URS is a promising approach for managing renal pelvis stones. The procedure, demonstrated in this video article, underscores its technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy, making it a valuable resource for urologists seeking to expand their knowledge in stone management techniques.

Peak Force of Insertion During Ureteral Access Sheath Placement In An Ex-Vivo Experimental Model With Different Commercially Available Access Sheaths.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the force necessary to win the resistance during insertion of ureteral access sheaths (UAS) in an experimental homemade model and to compare the peak force of insertion (PFOI) of different commercially available UASs. METHODS: Three investigators (2 novice and 1 expert) inserted the UASs into 2 different adapters with diameters of 10 Fr and 8 Fr. The force of insertion was continuously measured with a digital force gauge connected to the UAS during each insertion. Four different brands of UAS with different diameters, totally 11 different UASs were used for the experiment. The PFOI of each UAS was compared among each other and adapter diameters. RESULTS: The mean PFOI in adapters 1 and 2 were 1.85 N and 5.32 N, respectively. All of the mean PFOIs were significantly lower in adapter 1 compared to adapter 2, regardless of the novice vs expert surgeons and the UASs. (P <.001) In adapter 1, the mean PFOI was lowest with the UAS-1 and highest with the UAS-8. In adapter 2, the mean PFOI was lowest with the UAS-3 and highest with the UAS-9. For adapters 1 and 2, no statistical difference was found when comparing an expert and the 2 novice surgeons. CONCLUSION: The PFOI during UAS placement is not solely correlated with UAS thickness and adapter diameters. Other factors such as hydrophilic coating, UAS flexibility, inner dilator properties, UAS smoothness, and the actual measured external diameter of UASs should be taken into consideration. The clinical relevance and ureteral injury risk of the UAS PFOI need to be studied.