Da Vinci vs. Hugo RAS for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a prospective comparative single-center study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate Hugo RAS against the Da Vinci system for Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) in prostate cancer treatment. METHODS: We compared outcomes of 150 patients with prostate cancer undergoing RARP with either Hugo or Da Vinci systems. Our analysis included operative, postoperative, pathological, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Both groups had 75 patients. Baseline characteristics and tumor features were similar. Intraoperatively, Da Vinci had a shorter docking time (10.45 vs. 18.62 min, p = 0.02), but total operative times were comparable (145.34 vs 138.95, p = 0.85). Hugo outperformed in neck dissection and lymphadenectomy times (22 vs 13.67 min, p = 0.027 and 37.82 vs 45.77 min, p = 0.025). Postoperative metrics like stay duration, catheter time, and complications showed no significant difference. Functional results, using IPSS and IIEF5, were similar between systems. Six Da Vinci patients (8%) and nine Hugo patients (12%) experienced social incontinence (p = 0.072). Pathological outcomes like T stage, Gleason Score, and nodes removed were alike. However, Hugo had more positive surgical margins (20% vs. 10.67%, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: RARP outcomes using Hugo RAS were similar to the Da Vinci system in our study. More research and extended follow-up are required to ascertain long-term oncological and functional results.

The Failing Kidney Transplant Allograft. Transplant Nephrectomy: Current State-of-the-Art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides a critical literature overview of the risks and benefits of transplantectomy in patients with a failed allograft. Additionally, it offers a summary of related problems, primarily alloantibody sensitization in the event of nephrectomy and immunosuppression weaning. RECENT FINDINGS: Transplant nephrectomy has high morbidity and mortality rates. The morbidity of transplant nephrectomy (4.3 to 82%) is mostly due to hemorrhage or infection. Mortality rates range from 1.2 to 39%, and most are due to sepsis. Transvascular graft embolization has been described as a less invasive alternative technique for the management of symptomatic graft rejection, with minimal complications compared with transplantectomy. The number of patients with a failed allograft returning to dialysis is increasing. The role of allograft nephrectomy in the management of asymptomatic transplant failure is still controversial and up today continues to depend on the usual clinical practice of each institution. The less invasive transvascular embolization could have applicability in asymptomatic patients with the obvious lower morbidity and mortality rate.

Da Vinci and Hugo RAS Platforms for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: a preliminary prospective comparative analysis of the outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has emerged as the preferred approach for T1 renal-cell-carcinoma. As new robotic platforms like Hugo RAS emerge, we seek to understand their potential in achieving similar RAPN outcomes as the established Da Vinci system. METHODS: A prospective single-center comparative study was conducted, and 50 patients selected for RAPN were enrolled (25 Da Vinci Xi; 25 Hugo RAS). The choice of robotic system was based solely on hospital logistics criteria. Surgeries were performed by expert surgeons. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, operative details and postoperative outcomes were collected. SPSS version 22.0 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 62.52±9.47 years, with no significant differences in median age, sex, and nephrometry scores between groups. Da Vinci group showed a significantly shorter docking time (12.56 vs. 20.08 min; P<0.01), while other intraoperative measures like console time and warm ischemia time were similar. The Hugo RAS group had a shorter renorraphy time (14.33 vs. 18.84 min; P=0.024). Postoperative outcomes and surgical margin positivity showed no significant differences. Each group had one patient (4%) who developed major surgical complications (Clavien IIIa). Trifecta rates were comparable between both groups (Da Vinci 88% vs. Hugo RAS 84%; P=0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Initial findings suggest similar perioperative outcomes for RAPN when using Hugo RAS compared to the Da Vinci system. Further research with long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate oncological and functional outcomes.

Genital self-mutilation. Case report and bibliographic review.

OBJECTIVE: To report a very uncommon case of penile open wound made by self-mutilation in a 51-year-old man, and to perform a bibliographic review. METHODS: 51-year-old man presenting at the Emergency Department under Police guard after self-cutting his penis while he was urinating, presenting an almost complete circular section that required immediate surgical repair. RESULTS: Early surgical management showed the section of almost the whole penile circumference, from ventral to dorsal, including urethra and both cavernous bodies, respecting only the dorsal vascular penile complex. We performed a primary anastomosis of the damaged structures and careful haemostasis of the penis. CONCLUSIONS: Open traumas to the penis usually require an urgent surgical examination, being mandatory to try a primary reconstruction if the global clinical situation allows it. Cosmetic and functional postoperative results advise this attitude.

Bibliographic review about the usefulness of ultrasound contrast media in the study of renal masses.

OBJECTIVES: The microbubbles enhanced ultrasound contrast is a novel technique that informs us in real time of renal perfusion and microcirculation. METHOD: We reviewed the literature about its use in the study of renal masses in order to show their actual clinical performance in this condition. RESULT: This technique is useful in the differential diagnosis of pseudotumors, characterization and monitoring of small renal masses, the study of complex renal cysts and controlling the progression of renal masses that underwent ablative treatments. Like any diagnostic technique has some limitations on usage;its rapid contrast wash, being operator-dependent, require some experience and need special software to be correctly interpreted. CONCLUSIONS: The microbubbles enhanced ultrasound contrast is a useful and economic technique for the study and differential diagnosis of the renal masses.

Kidney Autotransplantation in the Management of Residual Retroperitoneal Mass in a Germ Cell Tumor.

The main indication for kidney autotransplantation is ureteric disease, although it is also performed to treat renovascular diseases or neoplasms, such as complex intrasinusal kidney tumors or in patients with a solitary kidney. Only a few cases of kidney autotransplantation in the context of resection of complex retroperitoneal masses have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 26-year-old man with history of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor who had undergone a left radical orchiectomy 3 months earlier. Follow-up computed tomography revealed a residual retroperitoneal postchemotherapy mass involving the renal hilum. It was surgically removed via en bloc resection and bench ex vivo nephron-sparing surgery, and subsequently autotransplantation, thereby avoiding the necessity of nephrectomy and the resulting risk of chronic kidney disease. The pathology of the excised specimen demonstrated mixed germ cell tumor, composed of immature teratoma and yolk sac tumor, and confirmed tumor-free margins. CONCLUSIONS: This technique should be taken into account in selected patients as an alternative to radical nephrectomy when a retroperitoneal tumor is unresectable using standard surgical techniques or when a radical nephrectomy is considered, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease or solitary kidney, or in young patients who will potentially need nephrotoxic chemotherapy.

Kidney Autotransplantation and Orthotopic Kidney Transplantation: Two Different Approaches for Complex Cases.

Introduction: Transplantation surgery teams often have to face complex cases. In certain circumstances, such as occlusion of the iliac vessels or prior pelvic surgery, heterotopic kidney transplantation may not be feasible and orthotopic kidney transplantation (OKT) could be a good alternative. Kidney autotransplantation (KAT) has been described as a potential treatment for complex renovascular, ureteral, or neoplastic conditions. There are scarce data regarding the complications and outcomes of these procedures; therefore, we present our experience. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of both 21 patients who had received OKT and 19 patients who underwent KAT between 1993 and 2020. We collected demographic features and data regarding surgical technique, complications, and graft outcomes. Kidney graft survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Regarding OKT, in 15 (71.43%) cases, it was the first kidney transplantation. The most common indication was the unsuitable iliac region due to vascular abnormalities (57.14%). The early postoperative complication rate was high (66.67%), with 23.81% of Clavien grade 3b complications. During the follow-up period (mean 5.76 -SD 6.15- years), we detected 9 (42.85%) graft losses. At 1 year, the survival rate was 84.9%. Concerning KAT, the most frequent indication was ureteral pathology (52.63%), followed by vascular lesions (42.11%). The overall early complication rate was 42.11%. During the follow-up period (mean of 4.47 years), 4 (15.79%) graft losses were reported. Conclusions: Although OKT and KAT have high complication rates, these techniques can be considered as two valuable approaches for complex cases, in the absence of other therapeutic options.

[Renal allograft transplant vascular complications. Diagnostic and treatment.] / Complicaciones vasculares del trasplante renal. Diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Vascular complications remain common after renal transplantation, occurring in 3% to 15% of patients. These complications can compromise graft function,with graft loss rates ranging from 12.6 to 66.7%.Vascular abnormalities of the graft, specifically the presence of multiple vessels, represent the most frequently studied risk factor for the development of vascular complications. Other risk factors identified for the development of vascular complications are linked to the characteristics of the recipient, or thromboembolic diseasesharing atherosclerosis and/or hypercoagulant state aspathogenic features.Although the most frequent vascular complication is renal artery stenosis, we will also address the complications according to their early or late on set in order to highlightthe potentially more severe complications that may affectgraft survival during the follow-up period.Early vascular complications include mainly arterial and venous thrombosis and lacerations or disruptions of artery and/or vein, as well as arterio-venous fistulas or intrarenal pseudoaneurysms. In contrast, late-onset complications include stenosis or kinking of the renal artery-and less commonly of the renal vein-, as well as extrinsic compression as a consequence of the presence of perigraft fluid collections. Finally, extrarenal pseudoaneurysm is a potentially severe complication in the late post-transplant period.Finally, this article explores special transplant situations such as complications derived from the paediatric donor in adult recipients, transplantation in the paediatric recipient and emerging techniques like robotic renal transplantation.

Las complicaciones vasculares siguen siendo frecuentes después del trasplante renal, ocurriendo entre el 3% y el 15% de los pacientes. Estas complicaciones pueden comprometer la función del injerto,con unas tasas de pérdida del injerto que varían entreel 12,6 ­ 66,7%.Las anomalías vasculares del injerto, y concretamente la presencia de múltiples vasos, representan el factor de riesgo más frecuente y estudiado para el desarrollo de complicaciones vasculares. Otros factores de riesgo de complicaciones vasculares se han relacionado con las características del receptor, o la enfermedad tromboembólica, compartiendo como características patogénicas la aterosclerosis y/o el estado hipercoagulante. Aunque la complicación vascular más frecuente está constituida por la estenosis de la arteria renal, expondremos las complicaciones en función de su presentación clínica temprana o tardía en un intento de destacar para el lector las complicaciones potencialmente más severas y que en cada momento del tiempo pueden condicionar la supervivencia del injerto.Las complicaciones de presentación preferentemente perioperatoria incluyen fundamentalmente la trombosis arterial y venosa y las laceraciones o disrupciones de arteria y/o vena, así como las fístulas arterio-venosas opseudoaneurismas intrarrenales. Por el contrario, otras complicaciones tienen comúnmente una presentación clínica más tardía. En este grupo incluimos la estenosiso acodamiento de la arteria renal y excepcionalmente de la vena renal, así como la compresión extrínseca de los vasos del injerto como consecuencia de la presencia de colecciones peri-injerto. Finalmente, una complicación severa que puede manifestarse de forma tardía enla evolución del receptor, es el pseudoaneurisma extrarrenal. Finalmente, haremos brevemente referencia a situaciones especiales del trasplante como las complicaciones derivadas del donante pediátrico en receptores adultos,del trasplante en el receptor pediátrico y de técnicas emergentes como el trasplante renal robótico.

The Usefulness of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Assessment of Early Kidney Transplant Function and Complications.

OBJECTIVES: The routine diagnostic method for assessment of renal graft dysfunction is Doppler ultrasound. However, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may provide more information about parenchymal flow and vascular status of kidney allografts. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of CEUS in the immediate post-transplant period, focusing on acute vascular complications. A brief review of available literature and a report of our initial experience is made. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 15 kidney transplant (KT) cases with clinical suspicion of acute surgical complication were assessed with CEUS and conventional Doppler ultrasound (US). In addition, bibliographic review was conducted through PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalKey databases. RESULTS: 10% of KT underwent CEUS, useful for detecting vascular complication or cortical necrosis in 4 (26%) and exclude them in 74%. Grafts with acute vascular complications have a delayed contrast-enhancement with peak intensity lower than normal kidneys. Perfusion defects can be clearly observed and the imaging of cortical necrosis is pathognomonic. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is a useful tool in the characterization of renal graft dysfunction with special interest on acute vascular complications after renal transplant. It is a feasible technique for quantitative analysis of kidney perfusion, which provides information on renal tissue microcirculation and regional parenchymal flow. Exploration could be done by a urologist at the patient's bedside while avoiding iodinated contrast.