Comparison of Positive Predictive Values of Biparametric MRI and Multiparametric MRI-directed Transrectal US-guided Targeted Prostate Biopsy.

Background Biparametric MRI (bpMRI) of the prostate is an alternative to multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), with lower cost and increased accessibility. Studies investigating the positive predictive value (PPV) of bpMRI-directed compared with mpMRI-directed targeted biopsy are lacking in the literature. Purpose To compare the PPVs of bpMRI-directed and mpMRI-directed targeted prostate biopsies. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated men who underwent bpMRI-directed or mpMRI-directed transrectal US (TRUS)-guided targeted prostate biopsy at a single institution from January 2015 to December 2022. The PPVs for any prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (International Society of Urological Pathology grade ≥2) were calculated for bpMRI and mpMRI using mixed-effects logistic regression modeling. Results A total of 1538 patients (mean age, 67 years ± 8 [SD]) with 1860 lesions underwent bpMRI-directed (55%, 849 of 1538) or mpMRI-directed (45%, 689 of 1538) prostate biopsy. When adjusted for the number of lesions and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score, there was no difference in PPVs for any PCa or clinically significant PCa (P = .61 and .97, respectively) with bpMRI-directed (55% [95% CI: 51, 59] and 34% [95% CI: 30, 38], respectively) or mpMRI-directed (56% [95% CI: 52, 61] and 34% [95% CI: 30, 39], respectively) TRUS-guided targeted biopsy. PPVs for any PCa and clinically significant PCa stratified according to clinical indication were as follows: biopsy-naive men, 64% (95% CI: 59, 69) and 43% (95% CI: 39, 48) for bpMRI, 67% (95% CI: 59, 75) and 51% (95% CI: 43, 59) for mpMRI (P = .65 and .26, respectively); and active surveillance, 59% (95% CI: 49, 69) and 30% (95% CI: 22, 39) for bpMRI, 73% (95% CI: 65, 89) and 38% (95% CI: 31, 47) for mpMRI (P = .04 and .23, respectively). Conclusion There was no evidence of a difference in PPV for clinically significant PCa between bpMRI- and mpMRI-directed TRUS-guided targeted biopsy. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Reporting of Harms in Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Urology Journals: An Updated Analysis.

PURPOSE: Harms are often overlooked, but important, outcomes of randomized controlled trial reporting. Our goal was to determine if harms reporting has improved in high-impact urology journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trials published in The Journal of Urology®, Urology, European Urology, and BJU International in 2012 and 2020 were analyzed. Each randomized controlled trial was evaluated by 2 authors in a masked-duplicate fashion to evaluate for adherence to harms reporting guidelines recommended by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) group. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two published studies met inclusion criteria. Between 2012 and 2020, there was a statistically significant increase in the median number of harms criteria reported between 2012 and 2020 (5.3 vs 7.2; P = .01). Methods criteria demonstrating the greatest improvements included item #3 "which harms were assessed," item #4a "when harm information was collected," and item #4b "methods to attribute harm to intervention." Results sections with the most improvement in reporting include item #6 "reasons for patient withdrawal," item #8a "effect size for harms," and item #8b "stratified serious + minor harms." CONCLUSIONS: Reporting of adverse events in randomized trials published in several top urology journals has demonstrated marked improvement. Studies published in 2020 reported approximately 70% of CONSORT-Harms criteria-an increase of nearly 40% since 2004. While these improvements mark significant change, deficits remain present and should be addressed to provide clinicians with the most complete perspective possible.

Hospital volume-outcome relationships for robot-assisted surgeries: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Associations between procedure volumes and outcomes can inform minimum volume standards and the regionalization of health services. Robot-assisted surgery continues to expand globally; however, data are limited regarding which hospitals should be using the technology. STUDY DESIGN: Using administrative health data for all residents of Ontario, Canada, this retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), total robotic hysterectomy (TRH), robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), or robotic portal lobectomy using 4 arms (RPL-4) between January 2010 and September 2021. Associations between yearly hospital volumes and 90-day major complications were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for patient characteristics and clustering at the level of the hospital. RESULTS: A total of 10,879 patients were included, with 7567, 1776, 724, and 812 undergoing a RARP, TRH, RAPN, and RPL-4, respectively. Yearly hospital volume was not associated with 90-day complications for any procedure. Doubling of yearly volume was associated with a 17-min decrease in operative time for RARP (95% confidence interval [CI] - 23 to - 10), 8-min decrease for RAPN (95% CI - 14 to - 2), 24-min decrease for RPL-4 (95% CI - 29 to - 19), and no significant change for TRH (- 7 min; 95% CI - 17 to 3). CONCLUSION: The risk of 90-day major complications does not appear to be higher in low volume hospitals; however, they may not be as efficient with operating room utilization. Careful case selection may have contributed to the lack of an observed association between volumes and complications.

Hospital learning curves for robot-assisted surgeries: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted surgery has been rapidly adopted. It is important to define the learning curve to inform credentialling requirements, training programs, identify fast and slow learners, and protect patients. This study aimed to characterize the hospital learning curve for common robot-assisted procedures. STUDY DESIGN: This cohort study, using administrative health data for Ontario, Canada, included adult patients who underwent a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), total robotic hysterectomy (TRH), robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), or robotic portal lobectomy using four arms (RPL-4) between 2010 and 2021. The association between cumulative hospital volume of a robot-assisted procedure and major complications was evaluated using multivariable logistic models adjusted for patient characteristics and clustering at the hospital level. RESULTS: A total of 6814 patients were included, with 5230, 543, 465, and 576 patients in the RARP, TRH, RAPN, and RPL-4 cohorts, respectively. There was no association between cumulative hospital volume and major complications. Visual inspection of learning curves demonstrated a transient worsening of outcomes followed by subsequent improvements with experience. Operative time decreased for all procedures with increasing volume and reached plateaus after approximately 300 RARPs, 75 TRHs, and 150 RPL-4s. The odds of a prolonged length of stay decreased with increasing volume for patients undergoing a RARP (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.82-0.92) or RPL-4 (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.68-0.87). CONCLUSION: Hospitals may adopt robot-assisted surgery without significantly increasing the risk of major complications for patients early in the learning curve and with an expectation of increasing efficiency.

Prevalence and Predictors of Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Women With Chronic Urinary Symptoms and a History of Urethral Sling Surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to review patients with chronic urinary symptoms and remote urethral sling surgery to determine the prevalence and predictors of obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed on patients referred with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms (>6 months) and a history of urethral sling surgery. Obstruction was identified by urodynamics using the Blaivas criteria or fluoroscopy. Clinical findings for patients with and without obstruction were compared. Logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of urodynamic obstruction. The need for sling revision and post-revision outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: In total 105 patients were included, median age 61 years (IQR 19), median time since sling surgery 5.0 years (IQR 8). Sixty percent (63/105) met the definition for obstruction. Patients with obstruction had higher mean detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow rate (35 vs 19 cm H2O) and lower maximum urinary flow rate (6.0 vs 14 mL/s; P < .05). A tight suburethral band and increased post-void residuals were significantly associated with urodynamic obstruction (P < .05). Fifty-nine (59/105; 56%) patients underwent suburethral sling excision. The incidence of improvement in storage and voiding symptoms at 6 months was 43% and 87%, respectively. At 30 months post-excision, the probability of being incontinence-free was 56% (95% CI 41, 69) and the probability of being free from redo sling surgery was 75% (95% CI 55, 87). CONCLUSIONS: Obstruction is common in patients with chronic urinary symptoms and history of urethral sling surgery. Patients undergoing sling revision should be observed for persistent storage symptoms and recurrent incontinence.

Obesity and Complication Risk From Radical Cystectomy: Identifying a Body Mass Index Threshold.

PURPOSE: There are conflicting reports regarding radical cystectomy complication risk from obesity subcategories, and a BMI threshold below which complication risk is notably reduced is undefined. A BMI threshold may be helpful in prehabilitation to aid patient counseling and inform weight loss strategies to potentially mitigate obesity-associated complication risk. This study aims to identify such a threshold and further investigate the association between BMI subcategories and perioperative complications from radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System, a prospective registry across 14 academic centers. Five hundred and eighty-nine patients were analyzed. Perioperative (≤90 days) complications were compared between BMI subcategories. Unconditional multivariable logistic regression and cubic spline analysis were performed to determine the association between BMI and complication risk and identify a BMI threshold. RESULTS: Perioperative complications were reported in 51 (30%), 97 (43%), and 85 (43%) normal, overweight, and obese patients (P = .02). BMI was independently associated with developing any complication (OR 1.04 95% CI 1.01, 1.07). Predicted complication risk began to rise consistently above a BMI threshold of 34 kg/m2. Both overweight (OR 2.00 95% CI 1.26-3.17) and obese (OR 1.98 95% CI 1.24-3.18) patients had increased risk of complications compared to normal BMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complication risk from radical cystectomy is independently associated with BMI. Both overweight and obese patients are at increased risk compared to normal BMI patients. A BMI threshold of 34 kg/m2 has been identified, which may inform prehabilitation treatment strategies.

Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI for Solid Renal Masses: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Biparametric (bp)-MRI and multiparametric (mp)-MRI may improve the diagnostic accuracy of renal mass histology. PURPOSE: To evaluate the available evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of bp-MRI and mp-MRI for solid renal masses in differentiating malignant from benign, aggressive from indolent, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) from other histology. STUDY TYPE: Systematic review. POPULATION: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL up to January 11, 2022 were searched. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5 or 3 Tesla. ASSESSMENT: Eligible studies evaluated the accuracy of MRI (with at least two sequences: T2, T1, dynamic contrast and diffusion-weighted imaging) for diagnosis of solid renal masses in adult patients, using histology as reference standard. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed using QUADAS-2. STATISTICAL TESTS: Meta-analysis using a bivariate logitnormal random effects model. RESULTS: We included 10 studies (1239 masses from approximately 1200 patients). The risk of bias was high in three studies, unclear in five studies and low in two studies. The diagnostic accuracy of malignant (vs. benign) masses was assessed in five studies (64% [179/281] malignant). The summary estimate of sensitivity was 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77%-99%), and specificity was 63% (95% CI: 46%-77%). No study assessed aggressive (vs. indolent) masses. The diagnostic accuracy of ccRCC (vs. other subtypes) was evaluated in six studies (47% [455/971] ccRCC): the summary estimate of sensitivity was 85% (95% CI: 77%-90%) and specificity was 77% (95% CI: 73%-81%). DATA CONCLUSION: Our study reveals deficits in the available evidence on MRI for diagnosis of renal mass histology. The number of studies was limited, at unclear/high risk of bias, with heterogeneous definitions of solid masses, imaging techniques, diagnostic criteria, and outcome measures. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate from the renal hypothermia trial: clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can replace measured GFR (mGFR) in partial nephrectomy (PN) trials, using data from a randomised clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the renal hypothermia trial. Patients underwent mGFR with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) plasma clearance preoperatively and 1 year after PN. The eGFR was calculated using the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) creatinine equations incorporating age and sex, with and without race: 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS), and the 2021 equation that only incorporates age and sex: 2021 eGFRcr(AS). Performance was evaluated by determining the median bias, precision (interquartile range [IQR] of median bias), and accuracy (percentage of eGFR within 30% of mGFR). RESULTS: Overall, 183 patients were included. Pre- and postoperative median bias and precision were similar between the 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) (-0.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.2 to 1.7, IQR 18.8; and -2.9, 95% CI -5.1 to -1.5, IQR 15, respectively) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS) (-0.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% CI -2.4 to 1.5, IQR 18.8; and -3.0, 95% CI -5.7 to -1.7, IQR 15.0, respectively). Bias and precision were worse for the 2021 eGFRcr(AS) (-8.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 , 95% CI -10.9 to -6.3, IQR 24.7; and -12.0, 95% CI -15.8 to -8.9, IQR 23.5, respectively). Similarly, pre- and postoperative accuracy was >90% for the 2009 eGFRcr(ASR) and 2009 eGFRcr(AS) equations. Accuracy was 78.6% preoperatively and 66.5% postoperatively for 2021 eGFRcr(AS). CONCLUSION: The 2009 eGFRcr(AS) can accurately estimate GFR in PN trials and could be used instead of mGFR to reduce cost and patient burden.

The evolving use of robotic surgery: a population-based analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic surgery has integrated into the healthcare system despite limited evidence demonstrating its clinical benefit. Our objectives were (i) to describe secular trends and (ii) patient- and system-level determinants of the receipt of robotic as compared to open or laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study included adult patients who, between 2009 and 2018 in Ontario, Canada, underwent one of four commonly performed robotic procedures: radical prostatectomy, total hysterectomy, thoracic lobectomy, partial nephrectomy. Patients were categorized based on the surgical approach as robotic, open, or laparoscopic for each procedure. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the temporal trend in robotic surgery use and associations of patient and system characteristics with the surgical approach. RESULTS: The cohort included 24,741 radical prostatectomy, 75,473 total hysterectomy, 18,252 thoracic lobectomy, and 4608 partial nephrectomy patients, of which 6.21% were robotic. After adjusting for patient and system characteristics, the rate of robotic surgery increased by 24% annually (RR 1.24, 95%CI 1.13-1.35): 13% (RR 1.13, 95%CI 1.11-1.16) for robotic radical prostatectomy, 9% (RR 1.09, 95%CI 1.05-1.13) for robotic total hysterectomy, 26% (RR 1.26, 95%CI 1.06-1.50) for thoracic lobectomy and 26% (RR 1.26, 95%CI 1.13-1.40) for partial nephrectomy. Lower comorbidity burden, earlier disease stage (among cancer cases), and early career surgeons with high case volume at a teaching hospital were consistently associated with the receipt of robotic surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of robotic surgery has increased. The study of the real-world clinical outcomes and associated costs is needed before further expanding use among additional providers and hospitals.

A Comparison of Percutaneous Ablation Therapy to Partial Nephrectomy for cT1a Renal Cancers: Results from the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous ablation therapy (AT) and partial nephrectomy (PN) are successful management strategies for T1a renal cancer. Our objective was to compare AT to PN with respect to recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients post-PN or -AT for cT1aN0M0 renal cancer from 2011 to 2021 were identified from the national Canadian Kidney Cancer information system. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using propensity score (PS) was used. The primary outcomes, RFS and OS, were compared using Kaplan-Meier log-rank test analyses and Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: A total of 275 patients underwent AT and 2,001 underwent PN, with a median followup of 2.0 years (IQR 0.6-4.1). Covariates were well balanced between the AT and PN cohorts following PS matching. Two-year RFS following IPTW PS analysis for patients undergoing AT and PN was 88.1% and 97.4% (p <0.0001), respectively, while 2-year OS was 97.4% and 99.0% (p=0.7), respectively. Five-year RFS following IPTW PS analysis for patients undergoing AT and PN was 86.0% and 95.1%, respectively (p=0.003), while 5-year OS was 94.2% and 95.1%, respectively (p=0.9). Following IPTW PS analysis, treatment modality (PN vs AT) was a predictor of disease recurrence (HR 0.36, p=0.003) but not for OS (HR 0.96, p=0.9). CONCLUSIONS: With short followup, PN offers better RFS than AT, although no significant difference in OS was detected following PS adjustments. Both modalities can be offered to appropriately selected patients while we await prospective randomized data.

Adverse events following robotic surgery: population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery was integrated into some healthcare systems despite there being few well designed, real-world studies on safety or benefit. This study compared the safety of robotic with laparoscopic, thoracoscopic, and open approaches in common robotic procedures. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective study of all adults who underwent prostatectomy, hysterectomy, pulmonary lobectomy, or partial nephrectomy in Ontario, Canada, between 2008 and 2018. The primary outcome was 90-day total adverse events using propensity score overlap weights, and secondary outcomes were minor or major morbidity/adverse events. RESULTS: Data on 24 741 prostatectomy, 75 473 hysterectomy, 18 252 pulmonary lobectomy, and 6608 partial nephrectomy operations were included. Relative risks for total adverse events in robotic compared with open surgery were 0.80 (95 per cent c.i. 0.74 to 0.87) for radical prostatectomy, 0.44 (0.37 to 0.52) for hysterectomy, 0.53 (0.44 to 0.65) for pulmonary lobectomy, and 0.72 (0.54 to 0.97) for partial nephrectomy. Relative risks for total adverse events in robotic surgery compared with a laparoscopic/thoracoscopic approach were 0.94 (0.77 to 1.15), 1.00 (0.82 to 1.23), 1.01 (0.84 to 1.21), and 1.23 (0.82 to 1.84) respectively. CONCLUSION: The robotic approach is associated with fewer adverse events than an open approach but similar to a laparoscopic/thoracoscopic approach. The benefit of the robotic approach is related to the minimally-invasive approach rather than the platform itself.

Performance Feedback May Not Improve Radical Prostatectomy Outcomes: The Surgical Report Card (SuRep) Study.

PURPOSE: Oncologic, urinary, and sexual outcomes are important to patients receiving prostate cancer surgery. The objective of this study was to determine if providing surgical report cards (SuReps) to surgeons resulted in improved patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective before-and-after study was conducted at The Ottawa Hospital. A total of 422 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were enrolled. The intervention was provision of report cards to surgeons. The control cohort was patients treated before report card feedback (pre-SuRep), and the intervention cohort was patients treated after report card feedback (post-SuRep). The primary outcomes were postoperative erectile function, urinary continence, and positive surgical margins. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Almost all patients (99%) were continent and the majority (59%) were potent prior to surgery. Complete 1-year followup was available for 400 patients (95%). Nerve sparing surgery increased from 70% pre-SuRep to 82% post-SuRep (p=0.01). There was a nonstatistically significant increase in the proportion of patients with a positive surgical margin post-SuRep (31% pre-SuRep vs 39% post-SuRep, p=0.08). There was no difference in postoperative erectile function (17% vs 18%, p=0.7) and a decrease in continence (75% vs 65%, p=0.02) at 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The SuRep platform allows accurate reporting of surgical outcomes that can be used for patient counseling. However, the provision of surgical report cards did not improve functional or oncologic outcomes. Longer durations of feedback, report card modifications, or targeted interventions are likely necessary to improve outcomes.

Hypothermia During Partial Nephrectomy for Patients with Renal Tumors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Surgeons induce renal hypothermia during partial nephrectomy to preserve kidney function, without strong evidence of benefit. This trial examined the effectiveness and safety of renal hypothermia during partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a parallel randomized controlled trial of hypothermia versus no hypothermia (control group) during partial nephrectomy at 6 academic hospitals. Eligible patients had a planned open partial nephrectomy for the treatment of a renal tumor. During surgery, after clamping the renal hilum, patients were randomized to the intervention or control arm in a 1:1 ratio using permuted blocks of variable lengths (2 and 4), stratified by institution, using a computer-based program. Surgeons and study coordinators were masked to treatment allocation until the renal hilum was clamped. Overall glomerular filtration rates were determined before, and 1-year after, surgery. The primary outcome was measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) assessed by the plasma clearance of 99mTc-DTPA. The trial (NCT01529658) was designed with 90% power to detect a minimal clinically important difference in mGFR of 10 ml/minute/1.73 m2 at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Of the 184 patients randomized, hypothermia and control patients had similar baseline mean mGFR (87.1 vs 81.0 ml/minute/1.73 m2). One hundred and sixty-one (79 hypothermia, 82 control) were alive with primary outcome data 1 year after surgery. The change in mGFR 1 year after surgery was -6.6 ml/minute/1.73 m2 in the hypothermia group and -7.8 ml/minute/1.73 m2 in the control group (mean difference 1.2 ml/minute/1.73 m2, 95% CI -3.3 to 5.6). Operated-kidney change in mGFR was similar between groups (-5.8 vs -6.3 ml/minute/1.73 m2; mean difference 0.5 ml/minute/1.73 m2, 95% CI -2.9 to 3.8). No clinically significant difference in the mGFR was observed when patients were stratified by pre-planned subgroups. Renal hypothermia did not impact the secondary outcomes of surgical complications and patient reported quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Renal hypothermia during partial nephrectomy does not preserve kidney function in patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function.

Advanced Prostate Cancer: AUA/ASTRO/SUO Guideline PART II.

PURPOSE: The summary presented herein represents Part II of the two-part series dedicated to Advanced Prostate Cancer: AUA/ASTRO/SUO Guideline discussing prognostic and treatment recommendations for patients with castration-resistant disease. Please refer to Part I for discussion of the management of patients with biochemical recurrence without metastatic disease after exhaustion of local treatment options as well as those with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. RESULTS: The Advanced Prostate Cancer Panel created evidence- and consensus-based guideline statements to aid clinicians in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Such statements are summarized in figure 1[Figure: see text] and detailed herein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The systematic review utilized to inform this guideline was conducted by an independent methodological consultant. A research librarian conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE (1998 to January Week 5 2019), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (through December 2018), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005 through February 6, 2019). An updated search was conducted prior to publication through January 20, 2020. The methodology team supplemented searches of electronic databases with the studies included in the prior AUA review and by reviewing reference lists of relevant articles. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline attempts to improve a clinician's ability to treat patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Continued research and publication of high-quality evidence from future trials will be essential to improve the level of care for these patients.

Advanced Prostate Cancer: AUA/ASTRO/SUO Guideline PART I.

PURPOSE: The summary presented herein represents Part I of the two-part series dedicated to Advanced Prostate Cancer: AUA/ASTRO/SUO Guideline discussing prognostic and treatment recommendations for patients with biochemical recurrence without metastatic disease after exhaustion of local treatment options as well as those with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Please refer to Part II for discussion of the management of castration-resistant disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The systematic review utilized to inform this guideline was conducted by an independent methodological consultant. A research librarian conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE (1998 to January Week 5 2019), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (through December 2018), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005 through February 6, 2019). An updated search was conducted prior to publication through January 20, 2020. The methodology team supplemented searches of electronic databases with the studies included in the prior AUA review and by reviewing reference lists of relevant articles. RESULTS: The Advanced Prostate Cancer Panel created evidence- and consensus-based guideline statements to aid clinicians in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Such statements are summarized in figure 1[Figure: see text] and detailed herein. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline attempts to improve a clinician's ability to treat patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Continued research and publication of high-quality evidence from future trials will be essential to improve the level of care for these patients.

Impact of Time to Surgery and Surgical Delay on Oncologic Outcomes for Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The time between radiographic identification of a renal tumor and surgery can be concerning for patients and clinicians due to fears of tumor progression while awaiting treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the association between surgical wait time and oncologic outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System is a multi-institutional prospective cohort initiated in January 2011. Patients with clinical stage T1b or greater renal cell carcinoma diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2019 were included in this analysis. Outcomes of interest were pathological up staging, cancer recurrence, cancer specific survival and overall survival. Time to recurrence and death were estimated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and associations were determined using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 1,769 patients satisfied the study criteria. Median wait times were 54 days (IQR 29-86) for the overall cohort and 81 days (IQR 49-127) for cT1b tumors (1,166 patients), 45 days (IQR 27-71) for cT2 tumors (672 cases) and 35 days (IQR 18-61) for cT3/4 tumors (563). Adjusting for comorbidity, tumor size, grade, histological subtype, margin status and pathological stage, there was no association between prolonged wait time and cancer recurrence or death. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of current surgeon triaging practices surgical wait times up to 24 weeks were not associated with adverse oncologic outcomes after 2 years of followup.

Achieving the "trifecta" with open versus minimally invasive partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The "trifecta" is a summary measure of outcome after partial nephrectomy (PN) that encompasses three parameters: negative surgical margin, ≤ 10% decrease in post-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and absence of urological complications. We assessed trifecta rates in patients undergoing open (OPN), laparoscopic (LPN), and robotic PN (RPN) for a clinical T1 renal mass (≤ 7 cm). METHODS: Clinical and pathologic parameters were extracted from the prospectively maintained Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System for patients treated between January 2011 and October 2018. Comparisons between groups were made using Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables and Chi-squared independence test for categorical variables. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of each component of the trifecta and the trifecta itself. RESULTS: Of 1708 total patients, 746 underwent OPN, 678 LPN, and 284 RPN for a T1 renal mass. A 'trifecta' was achieved in 53% OPN, 52% LPN and 47% RPN (p = 0.194). On multivariable analysis, OPN and LPN were associated with less frequent post-operative decline in eGFR and more frequent trifecta when compared to RPN, but there was no difference between OPN and LPN. OPN also predicted a higher rate of negative margins compared to RPN but not LPN. CONCLUSION: After correction for confounding variables, OPN and LPN were more likely than RPN to achieve the trifecta, which appeared to be due primarily to loss of renal function. No difference was observed between OPN and LPN. Analyses were limited by the lack of nephrometry score.

Prophylactic tranexamic acid use in non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces transfusion in a wide range of surgical populations, although its real-world use in non-cardiac surgeries has not been well described. The objective of this study was to describe prophylactic TXA use in non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for transfusion. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery at ≥5% risk of perioperative transfusion at five Canadian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2016. Canadian Classification of Health Interventions procedure codes within the Discharge Abstract Database were linked to transfusion and laboratory databases. TXA use was ascertained electronically from The Ottawa Hospital Data Warehouse and via manual chart review for Winnipeg hospitals. For each surgery, we evaluated the percentage of patients who received TXA as well as the specifics of TXA dosing and administration. RESULTS: TXA use was evaluable in 14 300 patients. Overall, 17% of surgeries received TXA, ranging from 0% to 68% among individual surgeries. TXA use was more common in orthopaedic (n = 2043/4942; 41%) and spine surgeries (n = 239/1322; 18%) compared to other surgical domains (n = 109/8036; 1%). TXA was commonly administered as a bolus (n = 2097/2391; 88%). The median TXA dose was 1000 mg (IQR 1000-1000 mg). CONCLUSION: TXA is predominantly used in orthopaedic and spine surgeries, with little uptake in other non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for red blood cell transfusion. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TXA and to understand the barriers to TXA administration in a broad range of non-cardiac surgeries.

Variation in prophylactic tranexamic acid administration among anesthesiologists and surgeons in orthopedic surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces red blood cell transfusion in various orthopedic surgeries, yet the degree of practice variation in its use among anesthesiologists and surgeons has not been described. To target future knowledge transfer and implementation strategies, and to better understand determinants of variability in prophylactic TXA use, our primary objective was to evaluate the influence of surgical team members on the variability of prophylactic TXA administration. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), hip fracture surgery, and spine fusion ± vertebrectomy at two Canadian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2016. We used Canadian Classification of Health Interventions procedure codes within the Discharge Abstract Database which we linked to the Ottawa Data Warehouse. We described the percentage of patients that received TXA by individual surgery, the specifics of TXA dosing, and estimated the effect of anesthesiologists and surgeons on prophylactic TXA using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In the 3,900 patients studied, TXA was most commonly used in primary THA (85%; n = 1,344/1,582), with lower use in hip fracture (23%; n = 342/1,506) and spine fusion surgery (23%; n = 186/812). The median [interquartile range] total TXA dose was 1,000 [1,000-1,000] mg, given as a bolus in 92% of cases. Anesthesiologists and surgeons added significant variability to the odds of receiving TXA in hip fracture surgery and spine fusion, but not primary THA. Most of the variability in TXA use was attributed to patient and other factors. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the routine use of TXA in primary THA, while observing lower utilization with more variability in hip fracture and spine fusion surgery. Further study is warranted to understand variations in use and the barriers to TXA implementation in a broader population of orthopedic surgical patients at high risk for transfusion.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'acide tranexamique (ATX) réduit la transfusion d'érythrocytes dans diverses chirurgies orthopédiques. Cependant, les variations de pratique quant à son utilisation parmi les anesthésiologistes et les chirurgiens n'ont pas été décrites. Afin de cibler les stratégies futures de transfert des connaissances et de mise en œuvre, et pour mieux comprendre les déterminants de la variabilité dans l'utilisation prophylactique d'ATX, notre objectif principal était d'évaluer l'influence des membres de l'équipe chirurgicale sur la variabilité de l'administration prophylactique d'ATX. MéTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude de cohorte rétrospective de tous les patients adultes subissant une arthroplastie totale primaire de la hanche (ATH), une chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et une fusion intervertébrale ± vertébrectomie dans deux hôpitaux canadiens entre janvier 2014 et décembre 2016. Nous avons utilisé les codes de procédure de la Classification canadienne des interventions en santé dans la Base de données sur les congés des patients, que nous avons liée à la banque de données d'Ottawa. Nous avons décrit le pourcentage de patients qui ont reçu de l'ATX par chirurgie individuelle, les détails du dosage de l'ATX, et avons estimé l'effet des anesthésiologistes et des chirurgiens sur l'ATX prophylactique en réalisant des analyses de régression logistique multivariées à effets mixtes. RéSULTATS: Parmi les 3900 patients étudiés, l'ATX était le plus fréquemment utilisé lors d'une ATH primaire (85 %; n = 1344/1582), avec une utilisation plus faible lors de chirurgie de fracture de la hanche (23 %; n = 342/1506) et de chirurgie de fusion intervertébrale (23 %; n = 186/812). La dose totale médiane [écart interquartile] d'ATX était de 1000 mg [1000 à 1000], administrés dans 92 % des cas sous forme de bolus. Les anesthésiologistes et les chirurgiens ont ajouté une variabilité significative aux probabilités de recevoir de l'ATX lors d'une chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et de fusion, mais pas lors d'ATH primaire. La majeure partie de la variabilité dans l'utilisation d'ATX était attribuable aux facteurs liés au patient et à d'autres facteurs. CONCLUSION: Nous avons confirmé l'utilisation de routine de l'ATX dans l'ATH primaire, tout en observant une utilisation moins répandue et plus variable lors de chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et de fusion intervertébrale. Une étude plus approfondie est nécessaire pour comprendre les variations d'utilisation et les obstacles à la mise en œuvre de l'ATX dans une population plus étendue de patients de chirurgie orthopédique à haut risque de transfusion.

Modifiable lifestyle behaviours impact the health-related quality of life of bladder cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine health behaviours in bladder cancer survivors including physical activity (PA), body mass index, diet quality, smoking and alcohol consumption, and to explore their relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional questionnaire packages were distributed to bladder cancer survivors (muscle-invasive bladder cancer [MIBC] and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer [NMIBC]) aged >18 years, and proficient in English. Lifestyle behaviours were measured using established measures/questions, and reported using descriptive statistics. HRQoL was assessed using the validated Bladder Utility Symptom Scale, and its association with lifestyle behaviours was evaluated using analysis of covariance (ancova) and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 586 participants completed the questionnaire (52% response rate). The mean (SD) age was 67.3 (10.2) years, and 68% were male. PA guidelines were met by 20% (n = 117) and 22.7% (n = 133) met dietary guidelines. In all, 60.9% (n = 357) were overweight/obese, and the vast majority met alcohol recommendations (n = 521, 92.5%) and were current non-smokers (n = 535, 91.0%). Health behaviours did not differ between MIBC and NMIBC, and cancer treatment stages. Sufficient PA, healthy diet, and non-smoking were significantly associated with HRQoL, and the number of health behaviours participants engaged in was positively associated with HRQoL (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bladder cancer survivors are not meeting guidelines for important lifestyle behaviours that may improve their overall HRQoL. Future research should investigate the impact of behavioural and educational interventions for health behaviours on HRQoL in this population.