Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy: surgical and mid-term oncological outcomes in over 1100 patients (ROBUUST 2.0 collaborative group).

OBJECTIVE: To analyse surgical, functional, and mid-term oncological outcomes of robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) in a contemporary large multi-institutional setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved from the ROBotic surgery for Upper tract Urothelial cancer STtudy (ROBUUST) 2.0 database, an international, multicentre registry encompassing data of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing curative surgery between 2015 and 2022. The analysis included all consecutive patients undergoing RANU except those with missing data in predictors. Detailed surgical, pathological, and postoperative functional data were recorded and analysed. Oncological time-to-event outcomes were: recurrence-free survival (RFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, with a 3-year cut-off. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was built to evaluate predictors of each oncological outcome. RESULTS: A total of 1118 patients underwent RANU during the study period. The postoperative complications rate was 14.1%; the positive surgical margin rate was 4.7%. A postoperative median (interquartile range) estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease of -13.1 (-27.5 to 0) mL/min/1.73 m2 from baseline was observed. The 3-year RFS was 59% and the 3-year MFS was 76%, with a 3-year OS and CSS of 76% and 88%, respectively. Significant predictors of worse oncological outcomes were bladder-cuff excision, high-grade tumour, pathological T stage ≥3, and nodal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The present study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the increasing adoption of RANU. The procedure consistently offers low surgical morbidity and can provide favourable mid-term oncological outcomes, mirroring those of open NU, even in non-organ-confined disease.

Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and clinically positive nodes Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma treated with Nephroureterectomy: real-world data from the ROBUUST 2.0 Registry.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy on survival outcomes, within a large multicenter cohort of Upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with Nephroureterectomy. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective analysis utilizing the Robotic surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer Study registry was performed. Baseline, preoperative, perioperative, and pathologic variables of three groups of patients receiving surgery only, neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy were compared. Categorical and continuous variables among the three subgroups were compared with Chi square and ANOVA tests. The impact of perioperative chemotherapy on survival outcomes was assessed with the Kaplan Meier method. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of survival. RESULTS: Overall, 1,994 patients were included. Overall and Clavien grade ≥3 complications rates were comparable among the three subgroups (p = 0.65 and p = 0.92). At Kaplan Meier analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved cancer-specific survival (p = 0.03) and overall survival (p = 0.03) probabilities of patients with cT ≥ 3 tumors and of those with positive cN (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was independently associated with an improvement of cancer-specific survival in cT ≥ 3 patients (HR 0.44; p = 0.04), and of both cancer-specific survival (HR 0.50; p = 0.03) and overall survival (HR 0.53; p = 0.02) probabilities in positive cN patients. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter retrospective analysis suggests significant survival benefit in Upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients with either locally advanced or clinically positive nodes disease receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These findings can be regarded as "hypothesis generating", stimulating future trials focusing on such advanced stages.

Preoperative aspirin and anticoagulants do not affect partial nephrectomy bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have reached mixed conclusions on the role of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents on postoperative complications of partial nephrectomies. This study examines whether preoperative anticoagulation use affected the risk of hemorrhagic complications after partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of all partial nephrectomies performed between 2017 and 2022 at a single institution. For each operation, preoperative data was gathered on whether the patient was on anticoagulation, the type and dose of anticoagulation, and how many days the anticoagulation was held preoperatively. Bivariate analyses for continuous measures were performed using Student's t-tests when there were two comparison groups and ANOVA models when there were more than two comparison groups and Chi-Square tests were used for categorical variables, with Fisher's Exact being used when expected cell counts were small. RESULTS: In this study, warfarin was held for an average of 5.43 days, clopidogrel was held for an average of 6.60 days, aspirin was held for an average of 7.65 days, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were held for an average of 4.00 days. There was no significant difference in hemoglobin (Hb) change, rate of intraoperative transfusion, postoperative transfusion, bleeding complication, pseudoaneurysm rate, or additional bleeding processes between patients on prior anticoagulation therapy and those not on therapy. There was no significant difference in intraoperative or postoperative outcomes based on history of aspirin use and continuation of aspirin through the surgery. While estimated blood loss appeared statistically significant initially, this difference was accounted for by the covariates of comorbidities, RENAL score, surgical approach, and type of renorrhaphy. Overall, there was no difference in complication rate based solely on aspirin use or continuation of aspirin through surgery. CONCLUSIONS: No difference in complication rate of partial nephrectomy was determined to be solely due to prior use of anticoagulation or aspirin use alone with appropriate cessation of anticoagulation preoperatively. Overall, patients on anticoagulation are not at a higher risk of intraoperative or postoperative bleeding complications when undergoing partial nephrectomy.

The impact of sestamibi scan on clinical decision-making for renal masses: An observational single-center study.

Introduction: We aimed to determine whether sestamibi scan changes management of renal masses. Methods: All patients undergoing sestamibi scan for renal masses between 2008 and 2022 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Data were gathered on patient demographics, pre- and postoperative creatinine, sestamibi scan parameters, and cross-sectional imaging characteristics. Outcomes included whether the patient underwent renal mass biopsy or surgical resection and the final pathological diagnosis if tissue was obtained from biopsy or resection. Data regarding postbiopsy as well as postoperative complications were also collected. The odds ratio (OR) for surgery or biopsy based on sestamibi result was calculated. Results: Forty-three patients underwent sestamibi scan from 2008 to 2022, with 10 scans consistent with oncocytoma and 33 with nononcocytoma. The mean tumor size at initial presentation was 4.0 ± 1.8 cm with a median RENAL score of 7 (range: 4-11). For patients with sestamibi scans negative for oncocytoma, the OR for surgery was 12.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-71.2, P = 0.005), and the OR for biopsy was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.005-0.39, P = 0.005). Conversely, for patients with sestamibi scans positive for oncocytoma, the OR for surgery was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.03-2.4, P = 0.24) and the OR for biopsy was 24.0 (95% CI: 2.6-222.7, P = 0.005). Creatinine at the last follow-up was similar between patients with positive and negative sestamibi scans. No patients experienced complications from surgery or biopsy. The median follow-up was 19 months (range: 2-163). Conclusions: A sestamibi scan positive for oncocytoma led to increased use of renal mass biopsy for confirmation. Sestamibi scans that were negative for oncocytoma were more likely to result in surgical resection without biopsy.

Physiological Metrics of Surgical Difficulty and Multi-Task Requirement during Robotic Surgery Skills.

Previous studies in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) have studied cognitive workload by modulating surgical task difficulty, and many of these studies have relied on self-reported workload measurements. However, contributors to and their effects on cognitive workload are complex and may not be sufficiently summarized by changes in task difficulty alone. This study aims to understand how multi-task requirement contributes to the prediction of cognitive load in RAS under different task difficulties. Multimodal physiological signals (EEG, eye-tracking, HRV) were collected as university students performed simulated RAS tasks consisting of two types of surgical task difficulty under three different multi-task requirement levels. EEG spectral analysis was sensitive enough to distinguish the degree of cognitive workload under both surgical conditions (surgical task difficulty/multi-task requirement). In addition, eye-tracking measurements showed differences under both conditions, but significant differences of HRV were observed in only multi-task requirement conditions. Multimodal-based neural network models have achieved up to 79% accuracy for both surgical conditions.

Outcomes of Lymph Node Dissection in Nephroureterectomy in the Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Analysis of the ROBUUST Registry.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate outcomes of lymph node dissection (LND) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis utilizing the ROBUUST (for RObotic surgery for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer Study) registry for patients who did not undergo LND (pNx), LND with negative lymph nodes (pN0) and LND with positive nodes (pN+). Primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Multivariable analyses evaluated predictors of outcomes and pathological node positivity. Kaplan-Meier analyses (KMAs) compared survival outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 877 patients were analyzed (LND performed in 358 [40.8%]/pN+ in 73 [8.3%]). Median nodes obtained were 10.2 for pN+ and 9.8 for pN0. Multivariable analyses noted increasing age (OR 1.1, p <0.001), pN+ (OR 3.1, p <0.001) and pathological stage pTis/3/4 (OR 3.4, p <0.001) as predictors for all-cause mortality. Clinical high-grade tumors (OR 11.74, p=0.015) and increasing tumor size (OR 1.14, p=0.001) were predictive for lymph node positivity. KMAs for pNx, pN0 and pN+ demonstrated 2-year OS of 80%, 86% and 42% (p <0.001) and 2-year RFS of 53%, 61% and 35% (p <0.001), respectively. KMAs comparing pNx, pN0 ≥10 nodes and pN0 <10 nodes showed no significant difference in 2-year OS (82% vs 85% vs 84%, p=0.6) but elicited significantly higher 2-year RFS in the pN0 ≥10 group (60% vs 74% vs 54%, p=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: LND during nephroureterectomy in patients with positive lymph nodes provides prognostic data, but is not associated with improved OS. LND yields ≥10 in patients with clinical node negative disease were associated with improved RFS. In high-grade and large tumors, lymphadenectomy should be considered.

An Adaptive Human-Robotic Interaction Architecture for Augmenting Surgery Performance Using Real-Time Workload Sensing-Demonstration of a Semi-autonomous Suction Tool.

OBJECTIVE: This study developed and evaluated a mental workload-based adaptive automation (MWL-AA) that monitors surgeon cognitive load and assist during cognitively demanding tasks and assists surgeons in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS). BACKGROUND: The introduction of RAS makes operators overwhelmed. The need for precise, continuous assessment of human mental workload (MWL) states is important to identify when the interventions should be delivered to moderate operators' MWL. METHOD: The MWL-AA presented in this study was a semi-autonomous suction tool. The first experiment recruited ten participants to perform surgical tasks under different MWL levels. The physiological responses were captured and used to develop a real-time multi-sensing model for MWL detection. The second experiment evaluated the effectiveness of the MWL-AA, where nine brand-new surgical trainees performed the surgical task with and without the MWL-AA. Mixed effect models were used to compare task performance, objective- and subjective-measured MWL. RESULTS: The proposed system predicted high MWL hemorrhage conditions with an accuracy of 77.9%. For the MWL-AA evaluation, the surgeons' gaze behaviors and brain activities suggested lower perceived MWL with MWL-AA than without. This was further supported by lower self-reported MWL and better task performance in the task condition with MWL-AA. CONCLUSION: A MWL-AA systems can reduce surgeons' workload and improve performance in a high-stress hemorrhaging scenario. Findings highlight the potential of utilizing MWL-AA to enhance the collaboration between the autonomous system and surgeons. Developing a robust and personalized MWL-AA is the first step that can be used do develop additional use cases in future studies. APPLICATION: The proposed framework can be expanded and applied to more complex environments to improve human-robot collaboration.

Delaying Cancer Cases in Urology during COVID-19: Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting hospital systems and the availability of resources for surgical procedures. Our aim is to provide guidance for urologists to help prioritize urological cancer surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed published literature on bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial carcinoma, penile cancer, testis cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer and adrenal cancer. RESULTS: For muscle invasive bladder cancer delays should be less than roughly 10 weeks and neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered. Patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer should be counseled appropriately based on risk and intravesical therapies can continue. Upper tract urothelial carcinoma should also be treated with minimal delays for high risk patients, especially with ureteral tumors. Surgery for T1 renal cancers when indicated can be delayed until adequate resources are available. Patients with T2 renal cancer should be considered for early surgery if there are unfavorable preoperative characteristics. Higher stage renal tumors should be considered for early surgery. An early multidisciplinary approach is recommended for metastatic renal cancers. High risk prostate cancer may need preferential treatment and consideration of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Penile cancer can have worse sexual or oncologic outcomes with prolonged surgical delay. Likewise, adrenal cancer is aggressive and needs early surgical treatment. Testicular cancer should be treated in a timely manner with surgery or chemotherapy, as indicated. CONCLUSIONS: This review should further assist urologists in recognizing patients with potentially aggressive tumor biology that warrants early treatment.

Robotic partial nephrectomy vs minimally invasive radical nephrectomy for clinical T2a renal mass: a propensity score-matched comparison from the ROSULA (Robotic Surgery for Large Renal Mass) Collaborative Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of minimally invasive radical nephrectomy (MIS-RN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in clinical T2a renal mass (cT2aRM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentre, propensity score-matched (PSM) comparison of RAPN and MIS-RN for cT2aRM (T2aN0M0). Cohorts were PSM for age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, clinical tumour size, and R.E.N.A.L. score using a 2:1 ratio for RN:PN. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), complication rates, and de novo estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Multivariable (MVA) and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses (KMSA) were conducted. RESULTS: In all, 648 patients (216 RAPN/432 MIS-RN) were matched. There were no significant differences in intraoperative complications (P = 0.478), Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥III complications (P = 0.063), and re-admissions (P = 0.238). The MVA revealed high ASA class (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, P = 0.044) and sarcomatoid (HR 5.3, P = 0.001), but not surgery type (P = 0.601) to be associated with all-cause mortality. Increasing R.E.N.A.L. score (HR 1.31, P = 0.037), high tumour grade (HR 2.5, P = 0.043), and sarcomatoid (HR 2.8, P = 0.02) were associated with recurrence, but not surgery (P = 0.555). Increasing age (HR 1.1, P < 0.001) and RN (HR 3.9, P < 0.001) were predictors of de novo eGFR of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 . Comparing RAPN and MIS-RN, KMSA revealed no significant differences for 5-year OS (76.3% vs 88.0%, P = 0.221) and 5-year DFS (78.6% vs 85.3%, P = 0.630) for pT2 RCC, and no differences for 3-year OS (P = 0.351) and 3-year DFS (P = 0.117) for pT3a upstaged RCC. The 5-year freedom from de novo eGFR of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 91.6% for RAPN vs 68.9% for MIS-RN (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RAPN had similar oncological outcomes and morbidity profile as MIS-RN, while conferring functional benefit. RAPN may be considered as a first-line option for cT2aRM.

Renorrhaphy techniques and effect on renal function with robotic partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: The role of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing small renal masses. Renal functional outcomes have been reported with relation to the amount of healthy renal parenchyma resected and ischemia time; however, there is limited data on the effect of renorrhaphy on long-term renal function. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of renorrhaphy technique on renal functional outcomes. METHODS: A nonsystematic literature review was performed to retrieve articles assessing renorrhaphy techniques and renal function outcomes, specifically focusing on single-layer vs. traditional two-layer renorrhaphy. RESULTS: Performing single-layer renorrhaphy while omitting cortical renorrhaphy appears to improve renal function postoperatively, based on very limited studies in the literature that were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Single-layer renorrhaphy may be associated with improved postoperative renal function and could prove to be useful in patients with chronic renal insufficiency or solitary kidney. The ongoing clinical trial NCT02131376 may provide further information on the impact of renorrhaphy technique on long-term renal function.

Eye-Tracking Metrics Predict Perceived Workload in Robotic Surgical Skills Training.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between eye-tracking measures and perceived workload in robotic surgical tasks. BACKGROUND: Robotic techniques provide improved dexterity, stereoscopic vision, and ergonomic control system over laparoscopic surgery, but the complexity of the interfaces and operations may pose new challenges to surgeons and compromise patient safety. Limited studies have objectively quantified workload and its impact on performance in robotic surgery. Although not yet implemented in robotic surgery, minimally intrusive and continuous eye-tracking metrics have been shown to be sensitive to changes in workload in other domains. METHODS: Eight surgical trainees participated in 15 robotic skills simulation sessions. In each session, participants performed up to 12 simulated exercises. Correlation and mixed-effects analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between eye-tracking metrics and perceived workload. Machine learning classifiers were used to determine the sensitivity of differentiating between low and high workload with eye-tracking features. RESULTS: Gaze entropy increased as perceived workload increased, with a correlation of .51. Pupil diameter and gaze entropy distinguished differences in workload between task difficulty levels, and both metrics increased as task level difficulty increased. The classification model using eye-tracking features achieved an accuracy of 84.7% in predicting workload levels. CONCLUSION: Eye-tracking measures can detect perceived workload during robotic tasks. They can potentially be used to identify task contributors to high workload and provide measures for robotic surgery training. APPLICATION: Workload assessment can be used for real-time monitoring of workload in robotic surgical training and provide assessments for performance and learning.

Robotic versus laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a large multi-institutional analysis (ROSULA Collaborative Group).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN) to those of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) for large renal masses. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of RRN and LRN cases performed for large (≥ cT2) renal masses from 2004 to 2017 and collected in the multi-institutional international database (ROSULA: RObotic SUrgery for LArge renal masses). Peri-operative, functional, and oncologic outcomes were compared between each approach. Descriptive analyses were performed and presented as medians with interquartile ranges. Inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted multivariable analyses were used to identify predictors of peri-operative complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models were used to assess survival outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 941 patients (RRN = 404, LRN = 537) were identified. There was no difference in terms of gender, age, and clinical tumor size. Over the study period, RRN had an annual increase of 11.75% (95% CI [7.34, 17.01] p < 0.001) and LRN had an annual decline of 5.39% (95% CI [-6.94, -3.86] p < 0.001). Patients undergoing RRN had higher BMI (27.6 [IQR 24.8-31.1] vs. 26.5 [24.1-30.0] kg/m2, p < 0.01). Operative duration was longer for RRN (185.0 [150.0-237.2] vs. 126 [90.8-180.0] min, p < 0.001). Length of stay was shorter for RRN (3.0 [2.0-4.0] vs. 5.0 [4.0-7.0] days, p < 0.001). RRN cases presented more advanced disease (higher pathologic staging [pT3-4 52.5 vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001], histologic grade [high grade 49.3 vs. 30.4%, p < 0.001], and rate of nodal disease [pN1 5.4 vs. 1.9%, p < 0.01]). Surgical approach did not represent an independent risk factor for peri-operative complications (OR 1.81 95% CI [0.97-3.39], adjusted p = 0.2). The main study limitation is the retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest known multi-center comparison between RRN and LRN. The two procedures seem to offer similar peri-operative outcomes. Notably, RRN has been increasingly utilized, especially in the setting of more advanced and surgically challenging disease without increasing the risk of peri-operative complications.

Preservation of truncal genomic alterations in clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas with sarcomatoid features: An intra- and intertumoral, multifocal fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis reveals limited genetic heterogeneity.

Understanding tumor genomic heterogeneity may offer vital information in an age of targeted therapy for renal cell carcinoma. We sought to investigate hallmark truncal chromosomal alterations between conventional, sarcomatoid, and matched metastatic tumor foci in clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas. A retrospective review identified 58 cases including clear cell (CCRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinomas (PRCC). All cases contained sarcomatoid transformation. Additionally, 10 of 58 patients had matched metastatic disease available for analysis. Three separate foci of conventional and sarcomatoid morphologies were analyzed in each tumor using dual color interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. In the CCRCC cohort, hallmark chromosome 3p deletion was identified in 71% of cases (37/52). Complete concordance of chromosomal status between intratumoral foci in sarcomatoid and conventional foci was 89% and 86%, respectively. Overall chromosome 3p status between matched conventional and sarcomatoid morphologies was identified in 98% of cases (51/52). Hallmark 3p deletion was present in 91% of CCRCC metastatic samples (10/11) and was concordant with the matched primary CCRCC tumor in 91% (10/11). In the PRCC cohort, trisomy 7 and 17 was identified in all six cases (6/6). Complete concordance between intratumoral foci of trisomy 7 and 17 was 83% (5/6). Trisomy 7 and 17 were identified in all metastatic PRCC samples with 100% concordance with the matched primary tumor. These data show the relative preservation of truncal chromosomal abnormalities between conventional and sarcomatoid morphologic as well as matched metastatic settings.

Safety and early effectiveness of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for large angiomyolipomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a multicentre series of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) performed for the treatment of large angiomyolipomas (AMLs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2016, 40 patients with large or symptomatic AMLs underwent RAPN at five academic centres in the USA. Patient demographics, AML characteristics, operative and postoperative clinical outcomes were recorded and analysed. Surgical outcomes were compared between patients who underwent selective arterial embolisation (SAE) before RAPN and patients who did not undergo pre-RAPN SAE. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR]) tumour diameter was 7.2 (5-8.5) cm, and the median (IQR) nephrometry score was 9 (7-10). Six patients (15%) had a history of tuberous sclerosis and 11 (28%) had previously undergone SAE. The median (IQR) operative time and warm ischaemia time was 207 (180-231) and 22.5 (16-28) min, respectively. A non-clamping technique was used in eight (20%) patients. The median (IQR) estimated blood loss was 200 (100-245) mL, and four patients (10%) received blood transfusion postoperatively. One intraoperative complication occurred (2.5%), and seven postoperative complications occurred in six patients (15%). During a median (IQR) follow-up of 8 (1-15) months, none of the patients developed AML-related symptoms. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation rate was 95%. There were no differences in operative or perioperative outcomes between patients who underwent SAE before RAPN and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy appears to be a safe primary or secondary (post-SAE) treatment for large AMLs, with a favourable perioperative morbidity profile and excellent functional preservation. Longer follow-up is required to fully evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

Native Nephrectomy with Renal Transplantation is Associated with a Decrease in Hypertension Medication Requirements for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

PURPOSE: We assessed hypertensive control after native nephrectomy and renal transplantation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood pressure control was studied retrospectively in 118 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who underwent renal transplantation between 2003 and 2013. Overall 54 patients underwent transplantation alone (group 1) and 64 underwent transplantation with concurrent ipsilateral nephrectomy (group 2). Of these 64 patients 32 underwent ipsilateral nephrectomy only (group 2a) and 32 underwent eventual delayed contralateral native nephrectomy (group 2b). The number of antihypertensive drugs and defined daily dose of each antihypertensive was recorded at transplantation and up to 36-month followup. RESULTS: Comparing preoperative to postoperative medications at 12, 24 and 36-month followup, transplantation with concurrent ipsilateral nephrectomy had a greater decrease in quantity (-1.2 vs -0.5 medications, p=0.008; -1.1 vs -0.3, p=0.007 and -1.2 vs -0.4, p=0.03, respectively) and defined daily dose of antihypertensive drug (-3.3 vs -1.0, p=0.0008; -2.9 vs -1.0, p=0.006 and -2.7 vs -0.6, p=0.007, respectively) than transplantation alone at each point. Native nephrectomy continued to be a predictor of hypertensive requirements on multivariable analysis (p <0.0001). The mean decrease in number of medications in group 2b from after ipsilateral nephrectomy to 12 months after contralateral nephrectomy was -0.6 (p=0.0005) and the mean decrease in defined daily dose was -0.6 (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease undergoing renal transplantation, concurrent ipsilateral native nephrectomy is associated with a significant decrease in the quantity and defined daily dose of antihypertensive drugs needed for hypertension control. Delayed contralateral native nephrectomy is associated with improved control of blood pressure to an even greater degree.

A Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Return of Urinary Continence after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy with or without a Small Intestinal Submucosa Bladder Neck Sling.

PURPOSE: Urinary continence is a driver of quality of life after radical prostatectomy. In this study we evaluated the impact of a biological bladder neck sling on the return of urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study compared early continence in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with a sling and without a sling in a 2-group, 1:1, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Patients were blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was defined as urinary continence (0 to 1 pad per day) at 1 month postoperatively. Inclusion criteria were organ confined prostate cancer and a prostate specific antigen less than 15 ng/ml. Exclusion criteria were any prior surgery on the prostate, a history of neurogenic bladder and history of pelvic radiation. A chi-squared test was used for the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were randomized (control 74, sling 73) and 92% were available for primary end point analysis at 1 month. There were no significant differences in baseline or perioperative data except that operating room time was 20.1 minutes longer for the sling group (p=0.04). The continence rate was similar between the control and sling groups at 1 month (47.1% vs 55.2%, p=0.34) and 12 months (86.7% vs 94.5%, p=0.15), respectively. Adverse events were similar between the control and sling groups (10.8% vs 13.7%, p=0.59). CONCLUSIONS: The application of an absorbable urethral sling at robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was well tolerated with no increase in obstructive symptoms in this randomized trial. However, the sling failed to show a significant improvement in continence.

Multi-Institutional Experience with Robotic Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy.

PURPOSE: Since the first report of robotic management of renal tumors with inferior vena cava tumor thrombi, few additional cases have been reported in the literature. We report our combined experience with this procedure, to our knowledge the first multi-institutional and largest series reported to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, multi-institutional review of robotic nephrectomy with inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy was performed with institutional review board approval. RESULTS: A total of 32 cases were performed among 9 surgeons at 9 institutions since the first known procedure in 2008. Of these cases 30 were level II and 2 were level III thrombi with no level I thrombi (renal vein only) included in the analysis. Each surgeon performed between 1 and 10 procedures. Mean patient age was 63 years (range 43 to 81) with a mean body mass index of 30 kg/m(2) (range 17 to 43) and mean maximal tumor diameter of 9.6 cm (range 5.4 to 20). The length of inferior vena cava tumor thrombi ranged from 1 to 11 cm (median 4.2) on preoperative imaging. The inferior vena cava required cross-clamping in 24 cases. One patient had 2 renal veins with 2 caval thrombi and 1 patient required synthetic patch cavoplasty. Mean operative time was 292 minutes (range 180 to 411) with a mean blood loss of 399 cc (range 25 to 2,000). There were no conversions to open surgery or aborted procedures and there were 3 transfusions of 1 to 3 units. All but 2 patients ambulated by postoperative day 1 and mean hospital stay was 3.2 days (range 1 to 7). Lymphadenectomy in 24 patients yielded a mean of 11 nodes and 8 patients had node positive disease. There were 7 patients who experienced distant recurrence at a mean followup of 15.4 months, including 4 who had node positive disease on postoperative pathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic nephrectomy in the setting of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus is feasible and was performed safely in selected patients. Despite the complex and critical nature of these procedures, our series demonstrates favorable outcomes and reproducibility with adequate robotic experience.

Laparoscopic Renal Denervation for Uncontrolled Hypertension Due to Medication Intolerance: A Case Report.

Resistant hypertension is challenging to treat, and most patients with the condition fail to achieve blood pressure control, putting them at increased risk for adverse long-term outcomes. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with resistant hypertension due to intolerance to nearly all antihypertensive medications. After failure to achieve blood pressure control over a 5-year period, with blood pressures as high as 220/110mmHg, the patient underwent surgical treatment with bilateral laparoscopic renal denervation. Immediately after the procedure, as well as at the 1-, 3-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups, the patient's blood pressure was reduced to the range of 120-140/80-90mmHg.

Management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and anatomy of renal innervation.

PURPOSE: Chronic pain is a prominent feature of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease that is difficult to treat and manage, often resulting in a decrease in quality of life. Understanding the underlying anatomy of renal innervation and the various etiologies of pain that occur in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease can help guide proper treatments to manage pain. Reviewing previously studied treatments for pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease can help characterize treatment in a stepwise fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search of the etiology and management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and the anatomy of renal innervation using PubMed® and Embase® from January 1985 to April 2014 with limitations to human studies and English language. RESULTS: Pain occurs in the majority of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease due to renal, hepatic and mechanical origins. Patients may experience different types of pain which can make it difficult to clinically confirm its etiology. An anatomical and histological evaluation of the complex renal innervation helps in understanding the mechanisms that can lead to renal pain. Understanding the complex nature of renal innervation is essential for surgeons to perform renal denervation. The management of pain in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease should be approached in a stepwise fashion. Acute causes of renal pain must first be ruled out due to the high incidence in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. For chronic pain, nonopioid analgesics and conservative interventions can be used first, before opioid analgesics are considered. If pain continues there are surgical interventions such as renal cyst decortication, renal denervation and nephrectomy that can target pain produced by renal or hepatic cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is often refractory to conservative, medical and other noninvasive treatments. There are effective surgical procedures that can be performed when more conservative treatments fail. Laparoscopic cyst decortication has been well studied and results in the relief of chronic renal pain in the majority of patients. In addition, renal denervation has been used successfully and could be performed concurrently with cyst decortication. Nephrectomy should be reserved for patients with intractable pain and renal failure when other modalities have failed.