Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: the Taiwan Robot Urological Surgery Team (TRUST) experience.

BACKGROUND: To report Taiwan's experience in robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (RANU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS: Twenty patients with a diagnosis of renal pelvic or ureteral urothelial carcinoma underwent RANU at three medical centers. We performed RANU by re-docking the robot after the nephrectomy with or without repositioning for excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. RESULTS: From November 2010 to July 2013, a total of 20 patients with a mean age of 70.1 +/- 9.9 years (range 43 to 92 years) and mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.9 +/-3.8 kg/m2 underwent RANU for renal pelvic or ureteral urothelial carcinoma. Mean operative time was 251.6 +/- 126.7 minutes (range 110 to 540 minutes), estimated blood loss was 50.0 +/- 42.9 mL (range 10 to 200 mL), and mean length of hospital stay was 6.7 +/- 2.4 days (range 4 to 12 days). Pathology data revealed 19 high and one low-grade urothelial carcinoma and staged Ta for three, T1 for five, T2 for five and T3 for seven. With a mean follow-up of 14.7 months (range 2 to 34 months), three intravesical recurrences developed in the bladder, and four of them also developed metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: The TRUST early experience showed that RANU is a safe and feasible minimally invasive procedure for UTUC.

Laparo-endoscopic single-site (LESS) bilateral nephroureterectomy for patients with end-stage renal disease.

We present the first report of LESS bilateral nephroureterectomy via the transperitoneal approach using the home-made single port. Two patients received LESS bilateral nephroureterectomies and bladder cuffs resection with homemade single ports, which were created by using an Alexis wound retractor as an access platform through a 4 cm incision. Distal ureters were resected through the same incision with Endo-loop. No additional ports were used and both procedures were completed successfully without traditional laparoscopic/open conversion or complication. LESS nephreoureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed in 460 and 635 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 50 and 400 mL, respectively. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 3 and 7, respectively. Our report demonstrates that LESS bilateral nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff resection is a safe and feasible procedure for urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract in patients at dialysis.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy to treat clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (HARRN) for treating clinically localized renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 46 patients who underwent HARRN and 50 patients who underwent conventional open radical nephrectomy (ORN) at our institution for clinical localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). RESULTS: The median follow-up period of the HARRN group was 56.5 months (range: 14.6-78.7 months); for the ORN group, the median follow-up period was 110.8 months (range: 15.5-123 months). Patient age, sex, body mass index, pathologic parameters, and classification based on the guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists were not significantly different between the two groups. The HARRN group had a significantly longer operative time (218 minutes vs. 178 minutes, p = 0.003) and less blood loss (203 mL vs. 670 mL, p < 0.001). The complication rates of the ORN and HARRN groups were similar (8% and 4.3%, respectively, p = 0.46). No conversions to an open procedure or intraoperative mortality occurred in the HARRN group. The disease-free and disease-specific survival rates were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that HARRN is a feasible, minimally invasive treatment for managing clinically organ-confined RCC with a good long-term oncological outcome.

Multifactorial causes of irritating bladder symptoms in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

UNLABELLED: AIMS Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are reported to have an increased severity of irritating bladder symptoms, including urinary frequency and urgency. The mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate the possible etiologies underlying this problem. METHODS: Data from 23 female patients with SS (15 primary and 8 secondary) who were treated in the urology clinic for chronic, irritating bladder symptoms were studied. Evaluation of each subject is composed of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), bladder diary entries, and urodynamic studies, which also included an ice water test (IWT) to detect the presence of a C-fiber mediated micturition pathway. Interstitial cystitis (IC) was diagnosed with post-hydrodilatation cystoscopic findings of glomerulations and a KCl test. RESULTS: These patients complained predominantly of overactive bladder symptoms (OAB), including frequency (n=20, 87%), nocturia (n=16, 66%), and urgency (n=12, 52%). Based on the aforementioned evaluations, four patients (17%) had polyuria with normal bladder function, nine patients (39%) had detrusor overactivity (DO), seven patients (32%) had bladder hypersensitivity (including two patients (9%) diagnosed with IC), and three patients (13%) had negative findings. Ice water instillation neither elicited novel involuntary contractions, both in those with or without DO. Five of the six patients (83%) with DO versus one of the four patients (25%) without DO responded to antimuscarinic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Various factors contribute to the irritating bladder symptoms in patients with SS, with DO being predominant. The LUTS developed in patients with SS are not due to any specific single etiology and that each patient must be individually carefully evaluated.

Laparoendoscopic single-site totally extraperitoneal adult inguinal hernia repair: initial 100 patients.

BACKGROUND: This report aims to describe the authors' initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair in 100 patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent an elective LESS TEP inguinal hernia repair between December 2008 and September 2010 in a single center were enrolled prospectively in this study. Patient demographic data, hernia characteristics, and operative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. An Alexis wound retractor was placed through the 2-cm subumbilical incision as a homemade transumbilical access platform after the preperitoneal space was created by a balloon dissector. Standard procedures of TEP all were finished using conventional straight laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients in this study, 2 underwent conversion to LESS transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. The remaining 98 patients received successful LESS TEP inguinal hernia repair by a single surgeon. No patient required open or conventional laparoscopic conversion. However, one patient did experience recurrence. The mean operative time was 64.2 min, and the hospital stay was 1.54 days. One patient with a history of bladder surgery had a minor intraoperative bladder injury. No major postoperative complication occurred, but 11 patients had seroma or hematoma, 2 had epididymitis, 2 had urinary tract infection, 1 had wound dehiscence, 1 had wound infection, and 1 had urinary retention. This single-arm observational study was limited by the absence of a control cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience, in the hands of experienced laparoscopic surgeons, LESS TEP repair for adult inguinal hernia using the homemade port as an access platform is feasible and safe and provides acceptable operative outcomes.

Retroperitoneoscopic laparo-endoscopic single-site radical nephrectomy (RLESS-RN): initial experience with a homemade port.

We successfully performed 6 LESS radical nephrectomy via the retroperitoneal approach (RLESS) using the Alexis wound retractor as a single access with conventional laparoscopic instruments. The results demonstrated that our RLESS technique of radical nephrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for management of localized renal cancer.

Chronic kidney disease affects the stone-free rate after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for proximal ureteric stones.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of renal function on the stone-free rate (SFR) of proximal ureteric stones (PUS) after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), as urinary obstruction caused by PUS can impair renal function, and elevated serum creatinine levels are associated with decreased ureteric stone passage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2007, 1534 patients had ESWL for urolithiasis, 319 having ESWL in situ for PUS; they were reviewed retrospectively. Patients requiring simultaneous treatment of kidney stones, placement of a double pigtail stent, or percutaneous pigtail nephrostomy tube were excluded. We divided patients into groups by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥ 60 and <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Stone-free status was defined as no visible stone fragments on a plain abdominal film at 3 months after ESWL. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the possible significant factors that influenced the SFR of PUS after ESWL, and to develop a prediction model. RESULTS: The overall SFR of PUS (276/319 patients) was 86.5%; the SFR was 93% in patients with an eGFR of ≥ 60 and 50% in those with an eGFR of <60 (P < 0.001). After univariate and multivariate analysis, the three significant factors affecting SFR were an eGFR of ≥ 60, stone width, and gender, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 19.54 (8.25-46.30) (P < 0.001), 0.67 (0.55-0.82) (P < 0.001) and 0.16 (0.05-0.50 (P = 0.002), respectively. A logistic regression model was developed to estimate the probability of SFR after ESWL, the equation being 1/(1 + exp [-(3.8137 - 0.3967 × (stone width) + 2.9724 × eGFR - 1.8120 × Male)]), where stone width is the observed value (mm), eGFR = 1 for eGFR ≥ 60 and 0 for <60, and male = 1 for male, 0 for female. CONCLUSIONS: Gender, eGFR ≥ 60 and a stone width of >7 mm were significant predictors affecting the SFR after one session of ESWL for PUS.

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) nephroureterectomy and en bloc resection of bladder cuff with a novel extravesical endoloop technique.

OBJECTIVE: To present the initial experience of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) nephroureterectomy via the transperitoneal approach using the Alexis wound retractor and bladder cuff resection by endoloop. METHODS: Two patients received LESS nephroureterectomies and bladder cuffs resection with homemade single ports, which were created by using an Alexis wound retractor as an access platform through a 4-cm incision. Distal ureters were resected through the same incision with endoloop. No additional ports were used and both procedures were completed successfully. RESULTS: Both LESS procedures were completed successfully without traditional laparoscopic conversion or complication. LESS nephreoureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed in 165 and 325 minutes with estimated blood loss of 30 and 65 mL, respectively. Patients were discharged on postoperative days 3 and 7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The initial results demonstrated that LESS technique of nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff resection with endoloop is a safe and feasible procedure for urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract.

Perirenal venous aneurysm presenting as retroperitoneal tumor treated successfully by laparoscopic excision.

We describe an unusually located venous aneurysm found incidentally in a 46-year-old man that was presumptively diagnosed as a retroperitoneal mass near the left renal hilum. He presented for constipation and weight loss; an abdominal ultrasound scan disclosed an anechoic lesion in the left retroperitoneum. Abdominal CT showed a 3-cm mass with low density located at the junction of the left para-aortic and perirenal hilar regions that was initially suspected of being metastatic lymphadenopathy with an unknown primary origin or a neurogenic tumor. The mass was resected by a laparoscopic approach, which revealed a round mass with a smooth capsule and roots connecting to the paraspinal muscles. On pathologic examination, the mass showed classic features of a venous aneurysm. At 12-month follow-up, no local recurrence or malignancy was documented.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in the urinary bladder with radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to the urinary bladder is very rare. We present the case of a 58-year-old female patient who was diagnosed to have both HCC and cervical cancer. She developed hemorrhagic cystitis 2 years after radiation therapy for cervical cancer. During endoscopic electrocauterization for hemorrhagic cystitis, three small reddish tumors measuring less than 1 cm in diameter and with a raspberry-like appearance were found. Transurethral bladder tumor resection was performed. Pathology confirmed metastatic HCC to the bladder. Due to the similar appearance, these tumors are liable to be misinterpreted as engorged vessels secondary to irradiation if biopsies are not taken. Differential diagnosis by pathology is mandatory for such patients.

Blockade of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Glutamate Receptor Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Renal Insufficiency.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in rat kidney reduces renal perfusion and ultrafiltration. Hypoperfusion-induced ischemia is the most frequent cause of functional insufficiency in the endotoxemic kidney. Here, we used non-hypotensive rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia to examine whether NMDA receptor hyperfunction contributes to acute kidney injury. Lipopolysaccharide-induced renal damage via increased enzymuria and hemodynamic impairments were ameliorated by co-treatment with the NMDA receptor blocker, MK-801. The NMDA receptor NR1 subunit in the rat kidney mainly co-localized with serine racemase, an enzyme responsible for synthesizing the NMDA receptor co-agonist, D-serine. The NMDA receptor hyperfunction in lipopolysaccharide-treated kidneys was demonstrated by NR1 and serine racemase upregulation, particularly in renal tubules, and by increased D-serine levels. Lipopolysaccharide also induced cell damage in cultured tubular cell lines and primary rat proximal tubular cells. This damage was mitigated by MK-801 and by small interfering RNA targeting NR1. Lipopolysaccharide increased cytokine release in tubular cell lines via toll-like receptor 4. The release of interleukin-1ß from these cells are the most abundant. An interleukin-1 receptor antagonist not only attenuated cell death but also abolished lipopolysaccharide-induced NR1 and serine racemase upregulation and increases in D-serine secretion, suggesting that interleukin-1ß-mediated NMDA receptor hyperfunction participates in lipopolysaccharide-induced tubular damage. The results of this study indicate NMDA receptor hyperfunction via cytokine effect participates in lipopolysaccharide-induced renal insufficiency. Blockade of NMDA receptors may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of sepsis-associated renal failure.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy versus Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Matched Comparison Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the perioperative and oncological outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HANU) and robotic-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU). METHODS: Patients who underwent RANU were matched by sex, age (± 5 years), and tumor location to those who underwent HANU; 18 matched pairs were included. RESULTS: Each group consisted of five men and 13 women. The mean age was 70.4 years in RANU group and 69.6 years in HANU group (p = 0.646). Each group contained 10 patients with tumor location in the renal pelvis, five in the ureter, and three in both sites. The median follow-up time was 6.1 months for the RANU group and 47.8 months for the HANU group. The demographic and pathological data did not differ significantly. The RANU group had significantly less blood loss (p < 0.001), resumed oral intake earlier (p = 0.043), and had shorter hospital stays (p = 0.014) but higher pain scores associated with their wounds (p = 0.043). The oncological outcomes were comparable with those of the HANU group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the RANU and HANU groups have comparable operative, early postoperative, and functional outcomes. A longer follow-up period would be needed for final comparison of oncological outcome.

Increased serum C-reactive protein level is associated with increased storage lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammation is considered as one of the contributing mechanisms of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level is the widely used biomarker of inflammatory status. This study investigated the association between serum CRP level in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) before and after medical treatment. METHODS: A total of 853 men with BPH and LUTS were enrolled. All patients completed the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire and urological examinations. The parameters of uroflowmetry (maximum flow rate, Qmax; voided volume, VV), post-void residual (PVR), total prostate volume (TPV) and transition zone index (TZI), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and serum CRP levels were obtained. All patients were treated with alpha-blocker or antimuscarinic agent based on the IPSS voiding to storage subscore ratio (IPSS-V/S). Correlation analyses were performed between serum CRP levels with age, IPSS, TPV, TZI, Qmax, PVR, VV, PSA and between baseline and post treatment. RESULTS: The mean age was 66.9 ± 11.6 years old and the mean serum CRP levels were 0.31 ± 0.43 mg/dL. Univariate analyses revealed serum CRP levels were significantly associated with age (p<0.001), PSA levels (p = 0.005) and VV (p = 0.017), but not significantly associated with TPV (p = 0.854) or PVR (p = 0.068). CRP levels were positively associated with urgency (p<0.001) and nocturia (p<0.001) subscore of IPSS, total IPSS (p = 0.008) and storage IPSS (p<0.001) and negatively associated with IPSS- V/S ratio (p = 0.014). Multivariate analyses revealed that serum CRP levels were significantly associated with age (p = 0.004) and storage IPSS subscore p<0.001). Patients with IPSS-V/S<1 and treated with tolterodine for 3 months had significant decrease of CRP levels after treatment. CONCLUSION: Serum CRP levels are associated with storage LUTS and sensory bladder disorders, suggesting chronic inflammation might play a role in the patients with storage predominant LUTS.

Increased risk of acute coronary syndrome among patients with urinary stone disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Urinary stones (US) are associated with systemic metabolic and endocrine disorders that share risk factors typically associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: For this investigation, 30,142 patients with US were set as the research group, and 121,768 randomly selected patients were set as the comparison group through frequency matching by age, sex, and index year. Each patient was individually tracked to identify those who developed ACS during the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were adopted to calculate the hazard ratios of ACS risk and plot the survival curve. RESULTS: Overall, 275 (13.4 per 10,000 person-y) and 736 events (9.1 per 10,000 person-y) were observed among patients in the research and comparison cohorts, respectively. The patients with US had a substantially lower ACS-free survival rate compared with that of the patients in the comparison cohort (P<.001). After adjusting for potential risk factors, the patients with US were observed to have a 1.22-fold higher risk of ACS compared with patients in the comparison cohort (95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.40, P<.001), particularly among younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that US is associated with increased risk of developing ACS, particularly among young (≤ 49 years) and male adults. Future studies should examine the possible mechanisms of US-related ACS morbidity by conducting multicenter recruitment and measurements of laboratory data.