Triple-compartment strategy for abdominal sacral colpopexy using PVDF mesh: one-year report of anatomical and subjective outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Abdominal Sacral Colpopexy (ASC) is one of the best surgical methods to repair apical or uterine prolapse. We aimed to evaluate the short-term results of a triple-compartment open ASC strategy using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh in the treatment of patients with severe apical or uterine prolapse. METHODS: Women with high-grade uterine or apical prolapse with or without cysto-rectocele were prospectively enrolled in the study from April 2015 to June 2021. We performed all-compartment repair using a tailored PVDF mesh for ASC. We assessed the severity of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system at baseline and 12 months after the operation. The patients completed the International Continence Society Questionnaire Vaginal Symptom (ICIQ-VS) questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-five women with a mean age of 59.8±10.0 years were included in the final analysis. Stage III and stage IV prolapse was evident in 12 and 25 patients, respectively. After 12 months, the median POP-Q stage was significantly lower compared to the baseline (4 vs 0, p=<0.0001). Vaginal symptoms score was also reduced significantly at 3-month (7.5±3.5), 6-month (7.3±3.6), and 12-month (7.2±3.1) compared to the baseline (39.5±6.7) (p values < 0.0001). We did not observe any mesh extrusion or high-grade complications. Six (16.7%) patients had cystocele recurrence during the 12-month follow-up, and two of them needed reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Our short-term follow-up showed that using an open ASC technique with PVDF mesh in treating high-grade apical or uterine prolapse is associated with a high rate of procedural success and low rates of complication.

Implementation and Impact of a Risk-Stratified Prostate Cancer Screening Algorithm as a Clinical Decision Support Tool in a Primary Care Network.

BACKGROUND: Implementation methods of risk-stratified cancer screening guidance throughout a health care system remains understudied. OBJECTIVE: Conduct a preliminary analysis of the implementation of a risk-stratified prostate cancer screening algorithm in a single health care system. DESIGN: Comparison of men seen pre-implementation (2/1/2016-2/1/2017) vs. post-implementation (2/2/2017-2/21/2018). PARTICIPANTS: Men, aged 40-75 years, without a history of prostate cancer, who were seen by a primary care provider. INTERVENTIONS: The algorithm was integrated into two components in the electronic health record (EHR): in Health Maintenance as a personalized screening reminder and in tailored messages to providers that accompanied prostate-specific antigen (PSA) results. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcomes: percent of men who met screening algorithm criteria; percent of men with a PSA result. Logistic repeated measures mixed models were used to test for differences in the proportion of individuals that met screening criteria in the pre- and post-implementation periods with age, race, family history, and PSA level included as covariates. KEY RESULTS: During the pre- and post-implementation periods, 49,053 and 49,980 men, respectively, were seen across 26 clinics (20.6% African American). The proportion of men who met screening algorithm criteria increased from 49.3% (pre-implementation) to 68.0% (post-implementation) (p < 0.001); this increase was observed across all races, age groups, and primary care clinics. Importantly, the percent of men who had a PSA did not change: 55.3% pre-implementation, 55.0% post-implementation. The adjusted odds of meeting algorithm-based screening was 6.5-times higher in the post-implementation period than in the pre-implementation period (95% confidence interval, 5.97 to 7.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary analysis, following implementation of an EHR-based algorithm, we observed a rapid change in practice with an increase in screening in higher-risk groups balanced with a decrease in screening in low-risk groups. Future efforts will evaluate costs and downstream outcomes of this strategy.

Floating docking technique: a simple modification to improve the working space of the instruments during single-port robotic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the range of motion and ergonomic characteristics of single-port robotic instruments in the setting of the "floating" versus "flat" docking technique using the GelPOINT® system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The basic principle of the floating docking technique resides in the GelSeal cap and trocar (s) being 8 cm off the skin level with the Alexis® acting as a conduit between the trocar (s) and the body while preserving insufflation. In the setting of a dry lab study, we measured the range of motion of one robotic instrument with the "floating" and the "flat" docking technique in two different situations depending on whether the distance between the incision and the target was more or less than 10 cm. RESULTS: The minimum required distances between the target and the tip of the cannula for activation of the wrist and elbow were 5 and 10 cm, respectively. When the target was near to the cannula (i.e., less than 10 cm), the floating technique was associated with a significant increase in the range of motion of the instrument in all directions. The working space volume of the instrument was increased by more than 390% (from 101 to 497 cm3) when the surgeon switched from flat (standard) to the floating technique in the setting of a target close (i.e., less than 10 cm) to the cannula CONCLUSION: The floating docking technique is a simple and effective way to increase the working surgical space, especially in confined and narrow surgical fields with a target closer than 10 cm from the skin.

Predictive factors of postoperative complications and hospital readmission after implementation of the single-port robotic platform: A single-center and single-surgeon experience.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the incidence, and identify potential risk factors of conversion, postoperative complication and readmission for patients treated with urological robotic single-port surgery. METHODS: All consecutive urological surgery procedures carried out with the single-port robotic platform by the same surgeon in a single institution between September 2018 and March 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis. Demographic data, main perioperative outcomes and information related to the surgical technique were gathered and analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to assess predictive factors for any grade and high-grade (e.g. Clavien grade ≥3) postoperative complications, as well as predictive factors for readmission. RESULTS: Analysis included 221 patients, of whom 194 (88%) underwent pelvic surgery and 27 (12.2%) underwent upper urinary tract surgery. Only one patient was converted to open surgery in the entire cohort. A total of 40 patients (18.1%) experienced postoperative complications, with grade ≥3 postoperative complications in 7.6% of the entire cohort. On multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with the risk of postoperative complication of any grade were diabetes (P < 0.001), perineal approach (P < 0.01) and postoperative pain management with opioids (P = 0.01). Only diabetes (P = 0.03) predicted a grade ≥3 complication. Overall, 17 patients (7.7%) were readmitted during the 3 months after surgery. A body mass index >30 kg/m2 was the only identified predictor of readmission (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A wide range of pelvic, extraperitoneal and upper-tract urological procedures can be carried out using the robotic single-port platform with a minimal conversion rate and low complication or readmission rate.

Extraperitoneal versus Transperitoneal Single Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: A Comparative Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We compared intraoperative and perioperative outcomes between extraperitoneal and transperitoneal radical prostatectomy performed using a "purpose-designed" single port robotic platform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients underwent single port robotic prostatectomy using the da Vinci SP® robotic system with extraperitoneal (group I, 52) vs transperitoneal (group II, 46) approach. Demographics and perioperative data including postoperative recovery outcomes were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Groups were similar in terms of demographics and prostate cancer risk category. Mean operative time (201±37.5 vs 248.2±42.3 minutes, p <0.00001) as well as median postoperative hospital stay (4.3 vs 25.7 hours p <0.0001) was significantly shorter with the extraperitoneal approach. Overall need for pain medications or narcotics as well as the required amount of narcotics per patient (if administered) were significantly lower with the extraperitoneal approach. Extraprostatic extension was detected in 48.1% vs 41.3% of patients in groups I and II, respectively. Surgical margins were positive in 26.9% in group I vs 41.3% in group II (p=0.13). More than 80% of patients with positive surgical margins had high risk features on final surgical pathology. The 90-day continence rate was similar between the 2 groups (60% vs 62.5%, p=0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Extraperitoneal and transperitoneal single port robotic radical prostatectomy are safe and feasible approaches. The extraperitoneal approach is associated with a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay and decreased need for postoperative narcotics. Randomized trials with adequate sample size and postoperative followup are advisable for further evaluation of the outcomes to clarify patient selection criteria for each approach.

Current status and future directions of the use of novel immunotherapeutic agents in bladder cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To report the available information on the current status and future direction of the use of checkpoint inhibitors as novel immunotherapeutic agents in bladder cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past 3 years, five immunotherapies targeting programmed cell death 1 (Pembrolizumab and Durvalumab) or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (Atezolizumab, nivolumab and Avelumab) pathways have been approved in second-line setting for patients who progressed during or after cisplatin-based chemotherapy. According to the most recent update, these patients should be PD-L1-positive to be eligible for immunotherapy. The use of novel checkpoint inhibitors was also very promising in other settings: Metastatic urothelial carcinoma without prior systemic treatment (IMvigor-130), as neoadjuvant treatment before radical cystectomy in patients with muscle invasive disease (PURE-01), and in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) refractory nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (KEYNOTE 057). SUMMARY: Ongoing trials on the role of checkpoint inhibitors in bladder cancer may change our approach to different stages of bladder cancer. For metastatic urothelial carcinoma, the role of combined immune and chemotherapy may improve survival. For localized bladder cancer, immunotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy may be associated with less toxicity and better tolerability. Finally, in the setting of a BCG-refractory or BCG-naïve nonmuscle invasive disease checkpoint inhibitors may reduce/delay the risk of progression and subsequent cystectomy.

The impact of post-procedural ureteric stent duration on the outcome of retrograde endopyelotomy for management of failed open pyeloplasty in children: a preliminary report.

Background: To evaluate the outcome of retrograde endopyelotomy as a minimally invasive option for management of failed open pyeloplasty in children and assess how the duration of post-procedural stenting may affect the endopyelotomy outcome. Methods: A total of 15 patients with secondary UPJO (Ureteropelvic junction obstruction) underwent retrograde endopyelotomy. The procedure was done using low-energy monopolar electrocautery hook under direct vision of pediatric ureteroscope and control of fluoroscopy. Double J stent was placed after the operation in all cases. Stent was removed in another session, 8 weeks (Group A, n=7) vs. 12 weeks (Group B, n=8) after endopyelotomy. Patients in both Groups were followed one, six and twelve months after the stent removal, and the anteroposterior renal pelvis diameter (APD), renal cortical thickness (CT) and degree of hydronephrosis (HDN) were recorded using the repeated measure test. P-value less than 0.05 were significant. We analyzed the data using SPSS software, version 20. Results: The median interquartile range (IQR) age at time of surgery for group A and B were 24 (62) months and 12 (50) months respectively. Median (IQR) times between previous pyeloplasty and endopyelotomy were 6 (6) months and 12 (8.5) months in groups A and B, respectively. The success rate of endopyelotomy after 12 months was 57.1% in group A and 87.5% in group B. The resolution of HDN was more prominent in the 12 week stenting group compared to the 8 week group during the 12 months follow-up period (p=0.030). The APD and CT in group B compared to group A was improved during follow-up period. Conclusion: A higher one-year success rate of retrograde endopyelotomy in terms of improvements in the degree of HDN, APD and CT was observed when the double j stent was remained for 12-weeks rather than 8-weeks. This observation need to be validated in a large cohort study with a long term post procedural follow up.

Influence of African American race on the association between preoperative biopsy grade group and adverse histopathologic features of radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The current study was performed to evaluate the influence of race on the association between biopsy grade group (GrGp) and the risk of detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and adverse histopathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: Data regarding 4073 men (1344 African American men; 33%) who were treated with RP were categorized based on the 5-tiered GrGp system. Logistic regression was used to test the association between biopsy GrGp and PSA nadir (<0.1 ng/mL) after RP as well as adverse pathological features among all patients and stratified by race. RESULTS: Those patients with a higher biopsy GrGp were found to have lower odds of achieving a PSA nadir <0.1 ng/mL after RP on unadjusted and multivariable analysis (both P < .001). On unadjusted and multivariable analysis, higher GrGp was associated with increased odds of each of the adverse pathological features, namely, GrGp ≥3, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, positive surgical resection margin, and positive lymph nodes (all P < .001). Race had no significant interaction with biopsy GrGp in the prediction of PSA nadir after RP (P = .91) or any adverse pathological features (all P > .06) except positive lymph nodes. When the models were stratified by race, the associations between preoperative biopsy GrGp and having a PSA nadir <0.1 ng/mL, high-grade final pathology, or other adverse histopathologic features were similar in both races except as noted for positive lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Higher preoperative biopsy GrGp is associated with increased odds of adverse histopathological findings as well as lower odds of a PSA nadir <0.1 ng/mL after RP. These associations are largely independent of race, suggesting that GrGp is an accurate tool for risk stratification in both black and white men.

Evaluation and Active Treatment versus Active Surveillance of Localized Prostate Cancer in Renal Transplant Patients in the Era of Low and Very Low Risk Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Current trends in renal transplantation, such as improved allograft/recipient survival and expanded organ transplantation eligibility criteria in older recipients, are concomitant with increasingly detected low risk prostate cancer in candidates for or recipients of renal transplantation. We reviewed the evidence regarding prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and management in renal transplant candidates and recipients. We focused on published reports of prostate cancer incidence and diagnosis in patients with end stage renal disease, pretransplant screening recommendations, and recommendations regarding waiting time between treatment and active wait listing after the prostate cancer diagnosis in renal transplant candidates. In addition, we examined the natural history of prostate cancer development after renal transplantation in the setting of standard immunosuppression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the English language literature using search terms including prostate cancer, end stage renal disease, renal transplantation, prostate cancer screening, prostate specific antigen, prostate cancer treatment and active surveillance in various combinations. RESULTS: Prostate cancer screening is still widely done in almost all patients with end stage renal disease before and after transplantation. Active treatment of any patients with prostate cancer and a 5-year waiting period before transplantation can negatively affect the collective pool of participants and the overall survival of patients on dialysis. Several groups have proposed a shorter waiting time to kidney transplantation in patients with low risk prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There are no standardized guidelines for screening and management of prostate cancer before and after transplantation. In the era of low risk prostate cancer end stage renal disease is a significant competing mortality risk factor. The role of active surveillance in these complex cases has yet to be well investigated. Further studies and nomograms are urged to integrate risk stratified screening and treatment protocols before and after renal transplantation.

Prostate Specific Antigen Density as a Predictor of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer When the Prostate Specific Antigen is in the Diagnostic Gray Zone: Defining the Optimum Cutoff Point Stratified by Race and Body Mass Index.

PURPOSE: We assessed the predictive value of prostate specific antigen density to detect clinically significant prostate cancer, defined as prostate cancer grade group 2 or greater, in a series of men undergoing prostate biopsy with prostate specific antigen 4 to 10 ng/ml. We sought to define an optimum cutoff point for prostate specific antigen density and assess how race and body mass index affects prostate specific antigen density performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data on 2,162 men, of whom 56% were African American, with serum prostate specific antigen 4 to 10 ng/ml who underwent prostate biopsy. We compared the AUC between prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen density to predict clinically significant and any prostate cancer vs no cancer. We calculated the negative predictive value of prostate specific antigen density cutoff points ranging from 0.05 to 0.15 by every 0.01 step. We a priori defined the optimal cutoff point of prostate specific antigen density as a negative predictive value of 95% and tested whether the cutoff was sensitive to body mass index and race by comparing the negative predictive value across strata. RESULTS: Median prostate specific antigen was 5.6 ng/ml (IQR 4.8-7) and median prostate specific antigen density was 0.15 ng/ml/cc (IQR 0.1-0.22). Prostate specific antigen density improved the performance of prostate specific antigen to detect significant cancer (AUC 0.58 to 0.68) and any cancer (AUC 0.55 to 0.69, each p <0.001). We identified a prostate specific antigen density cutoff point of less than 0.08 ng/ml/cc with a 96% negative predictive value for grade group 2 or greater. This was largely unchanged among different races and body mass indexes. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of race or body mass index men with prostate specific antigen density less than 0.08 were unlikely to harbor grade group 2 or greater disease when prostate specific antigen was 4 to 10 ng/ml. If validated, prostate specific antigen density is a simple inexpensive and available tool that can be used to identify men who can likely forego prostate biopsies, thus reducing the over detection and morbidity of unnecessary biopsies.

Three-dimensional localization and targeting of prostate cancer foci with imaging and histopathologic correlation: establishing a multidisciplinary team for quality improvement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current trend in image-based identification and characterization of prostate cancer (PCa) utilizing multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) has affected diagnostic and treatment planning in terms of targeted biopsy, risk stratification and prognostic evaluation, clinical management and follow-up. However, the accuracy of MRI to detect clinically significant disease is variable between different institutions. The role of quality control initiatives to increase the concordance between clinical-imaging-histopathological data and to improve accurate targeting of the suspicious lesions cannot be overemphasized. This article describes the approaches to correlate mpMRI findings with histopathology and the role of multidisciplinary teams for quality improvement and feedback interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Validating the mpMRI and image-targeted fusion biopsy findings with prostatectomy specimen histopathology as the gold standard is essential for assessment of the concordance between clinical-imaging-histopathological data. Utilization of a MRI-derived patient-specific prostate mold enables a direct comparison between histopathological versus imaging characteristics of cancer foci in the same sectional plane of the specimen versus MRI. Furthermore, 'reverse fusion' technology provides the ability to audit the quality of targeting following fusion biopsy. SUMMARY: The development of a multidisciplinary team approach with group discussions, workflows to integrate and correlate clinical, imaging and histological data, as well as feedback and audit interventions can improve the quality of care when an image-based PCa diagnostic program is implemented. This needs to be executed at the local level to better understand each institutions' performance characteristics of mpMRI and image-targeted intervention.

Minimally Invasive Management of Concomitant Vesicovaginal and Ureterovaginal Fistulas After Transabdominal Hysterectomy: Laparoscopic Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair With Ureteroneocystostomy Using a Boari Flap.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a laparoscopic approach for repair of concomitant vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistulas as a troublesome complication of transabdominal hysterectomy (TAH). DESIGN: Video presentation with narration demonstrating a laparoscopic approach for repair of a vesicovaginal fistula and ureter reimplantation using a bladder (Boari) flap (Canadian Task Force Classification III). SETTING: Mothers and Children Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The local Institutional Review Board deemed this video exempt from formal approval. INTERVENTIONS: This 55-year-old woman had a history of continuous urine leakage from the vagina for 10 days after undergoing a complicated TAH. She had sustained an injury to the posterior bladder wall and right ureteral transection during TAH, which had been recognized and managed by ureteroneocystostomy into the posterior bladder wall over a double-J stent and bladder repair. A 4-week course of conservative therapy failed to manage her continuous urine leakage. After cystoscopic evaluation and catheterization of the fistula tract and left ureter, 4-port transperitoneal laparoscopy was performed. The right ureter was identified, divided, and mobilized. The vesicovaginal pouch was entered, the posterior wall of the bladder was opened at the level of the fistula, and the fistula tract was dissected. Once the bladder was separated from the vaginal cuff, both were repaired with absorbable sutures, and an omental flap was interposed between them. The Retzius space was developed, and a 7 × 2-cm bladder (Boari) flap was harvested from the anterior bladder wall to bridge the gap between the bladder and the ureter. After the bladder flap was tabularized, it was anastomosed to the right ureter, and the anterior bladder wall was closed. The total operating time was 250 minutes. Excellent laparoscopic visualization and magnification, along with the presence of a catheter in the fistula tract, allowed for meticulous dissection in the retrovesical space between the bladder and the vaginal cuff, as well as resection of the fistula tract with minimal manipulation of the bladder, without the need for a large cystotomy. The Foley and the ureter catheters were removed at 2 and 4 weeks after the operation, respectively. Intravenous pyelography at 3 months postsurgery showed no hydronephrosis, and the patient remained symptom-free during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: With adequate laparoscopic experience and patient counseling, complex genitourinary fistulas can be approached with a minimally invasive technique. The laparoscopic approach provides excellent exposure to a poorly exposed area of the retrovesical space while minimizing bladder manipulation.

Assessment of the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on knowledge and attitude of general practitioners about andropause.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Andropause is one of the clinical and biochemical syndromes in aging men associated with the decrease in serum testosterone levels. With the increase in aging male population, life span in Iran, and focus on quality of life, andropause will become a major health issue that needs to be addressed in order to prevent disability. General practitioners, as the first level of health care providers, are in the best position to assess their knowledge and attitude about andropause period, so a structured instrument is necessary to assess them. This study aimed at the assessment of the validity and reliability of the self-made questionnaire on knowledge and attitude of general practitioners about andropause. METHOD: This is a descriptive study done on 402 general physicians working in public and private sectors. The instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire that was developed based on the literature review and recourses available on andropause and was designed to find out the level of knowledge and attitude of andropause. In order to determine the content and face validity of the questionnaire, judgments of experts were used. Cronbach's coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. SPSS 18 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Content and face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts. The reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha of (0).895 for the part on knowledge and (0).839 for the part on attitude. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the study, this questionnaire had appropriate validity and reliability to assess the knowledge and attitude of general practitioners about andropause.

Select black men are potential candidates for prostate hemi-ablation based on radical prostatectomy histopathology for intermediate-risk prostate cancer-a multicenter SEARCH cohort study.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVE: Partial gland ablation (PGA) is increasingly popular as a treatment for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR-PCa) to preserve functional outcomes while controlling their cancer. We aimed to determine the impact of race and clinical characteristics on the risk of upstaging (≥pT2c) and having adverse pathological outcomes including seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), extra prostatic extension (EPE) and lymph node invasion (LNI) at radical prostatectomy (RP) among men with IR disease eligible for PGA with hemi-ablation (HA). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Multicenter. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASURES: We studied patients diagnosed with unilateral IR-PCa treated with RP between 1988 and 2020 at 9 different Veterans Affairs hospitals within the SEARCH cohort. We analyzed differences in clinicopathological characteristics and outcome variables (odds of ≥pT2c and SVI, EPE and LNI) by race using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Among 3127 patients, 33% were African American (AA) men with unilateral IR-PCa undergoing RP. Compared to non-AA men, AA individuals were younger (61 vs. 65 years, p < 0.001), presented with a higher prostate specific antigen (PSA) category (≥10 ng/ml; 34 vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and had a lower clinical stage (p < 0.001). Among the 2,798 (89.5%) with ≥pT2c stage, AA men exhibited higher ≥ pT2c rates (93 vs. 89%, p < 0.001), primarily due to increased pT2c staging (64 vs. 57%), where upstaging beyond pT2 was lower than non-AA men (29 vs. 32%). On multivariable analysis, AA men were found to have higher odds of ≥pT2c (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39 CI, 1.02-1.88, p = 0.04), lower odds of EPE (OR: 0.73 CI, 0.58-0.91, p < 0.01) and no statistically significant associations with LNI (OR: 0.79 CI, 0.42-1.46, p = 0.45) and SVI (OR: 1 CI, 0.74-1.35, p = 0.99) compared to non-AA men. On multivariable analysis, clinical features associated with higher odds of ≥pT2c were pre-operative PSA ≥ 15 (OR = 2.07, P = 0.01) and higher number of positive cores (HPC) on biopsy (OR = 1.36, P < 0.001). Similarly, PSA ≥ 15, Gleason grade ≥3 and HPC on biopsy were associated with higher odds of SVI, EPE and LNI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In men with IR-PCa undergoing RP, AA men demonstrated an overall higher likelihood of ≥pT2c with lower upstaging beyond pT2, lower likelihood of EPE and no significant difference in likelihood of SVI and LNI compared to non-AA men. These findings support select AA men to be potential candidates for PGA, such as HA. Clinical factors are predictive of higher pathological stage and adverse pathological outcomes at RP and could be considered when selecting candidates for PGA.

European genome-wide association study identifies SLC14A1 as a new urinary bladder cancer susceptibility gene.

Three genome-wide association studies in Europe and the USA have reported eight urinary bladder cancer (UBC) susceptibility loci. Using extended case and control series and 1000 Genomes imputations of 5 340 737 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we searched for additional loci in the European GWAS. The discovery sample set consisted of 1631 cases and 3822 controls from the Netherlands and 603 cases and 37 781 controls from Iceland. For follow-up, we used 3790 cases and 7507 controls from 13 sample sets of European and Iranian ancestry. Based on the discovery analysis, we followed up signals in the urea transporter (UT) gene SLC14A. The strongest signal at this locus was represented by a SNP in intron 3, rs17674580, that reached genome-wide significance in the overall analysis of the discovery and follow-up groups: odds ratio = 1.17, P = 7.6 × 10(-11). SLC14A1 codes for UTs that define the Kidd blood group and are crucial for the maintenance of a constant urea concentration gradient in the renal medulla and, through this, the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. It is speculated that rs17674580, or other sequence variants in LD with it, indirectly modifies UBC risk by affecting urine production. If confirmed, this would support the 'urogenous contact hypothesis' that urine production and voiding frequency modify the risk of UBC.

Laparoscopic management in stone disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: While most renal and ureteral stones can be efficiently managed using endourologic techniques, the use of laparoscopy for the management of urolithiasis is increasing. The application of laparoscopy for stone removal will further reduce the need for open stone surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy, pyelolithotomy, and anatrophic nephrolithotomy are highly successful techniques with regard to their one-session, high stone-free rates. These procedures could be considered as the preferred approaches when endourologic procedures are not available or have failed. Laparoscopic stone surgery (LSS) in patients with urinary tract anomalies offers a reliable minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to a complex endourologic technique. SUMMARY: Although laparoscopy still has a limited role in the urologist's armamentarium for the surgical management of urolithiasis, it can further reduce the need for open stone surgery in complex circumstances. LSS duplicates its open counterpart and offers a high one-session, stone-free rate in most patients with a lower morbidity and quicker convalescence. More comparative studies are needed to define the role and indications of LSS in relation to endourologic and open techniques, especially in complex circumstances.

Superselective α-adrenergic blockers versus transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective comparison of health-related quality of life outcome after treating patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated the impact of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) versus superselective α-adrenergic blocker treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with clinically diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 219 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by BPH were recruited in this study. Treatment modalities consisted of standard TURP (n = 104) and tamsulosin medical treatment (n = 115). HRQOL was assessed by SF-36-Item Health Survey 1.0. LUTS were estimated by The International Prostate Symptom Score. Patients' outcome 4 weeks after treatment was compared to pre-treatment status and to that of the other group. Statistically significant changes in each HRQOL scale from baseline to follow-up period were investigated. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups except for the duration of disease before treatment that was longer in TURP group. Both treatments resulted in statistically significant improvements from pre-treatment in all scales of QOL after 4 weeks, with no significant differences observed between the two groups. In medical treatment group, there was a significant association between higher educational level and better QOL in all 8 scales. Our outcomes revealed a significant decrease in the IPSS in both groups but this improvement was more evident in TURP group. CONCLUSION: All scales concerning HRQOL were favorably improved 4 weeks after both surgical and medical treatment, and no significant differences were observed between these two treatment modalities for patients with symptomatic BPH. This information may aid patients when deciding which treatment option to take.

Minimally-Invasive Radical Nephrectomy and Left-Sided Level II Caval Thrombectomy: A New Combined Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To present a combined multiport robotic and open approach for left radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy in patients with a primary left renal mass and level II inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus. METHODS: A 69-year-old female was diagnosed with an 8.9cm left renal neoplasm with level II IVC thrombus. She was placed in the left-side-up flank position. The descending colon was mobilized and the left gonadal vein was identified. The left renal vein was identified and fully dissected. The left renal artery was dissected and stapled. The kidney was dissected and left detached with exception of the renal vein. The robot was undocked and the patient was positioned supine. Through a supra-umbilical midline incision, the ascending colon and duodenum were mobilized medially. The right renal vein and IVC were identified and dissected to the level of hepatic veins. The IVC was clamped using a Satinsky clamp. The right renal artery and vein remained patent during thrombectomy. The IVC was opened, the thrombus was evacuated, and IVC was closed. Clamps were removed and the kidney was removed. RESULTS: Operative time was 405 minutes. IVC clamp time was 14 minutes. Estimated blood loss was 500cc. Recovery was uncomplicated. Length of stay was 4 days. Pathology showed clear cell carcinoma with negative margins. CONCLUSION: IVC thrombectomy is challenging on left sided tumors. Combining a robotic and open technique together is feasible and allows a smaller supra-umbilical midline incision compared to standard open incision.