Costs of medical care after open or minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MRP) and open radical prostatectomy (ORP) have similar short-term clinical and functional outcomes. MRP with robotic assistance is generally more expensive than ORP, but it is not clear whether subsequent costs of care vary by approach. METHODS: In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry linked with Medicare claims, men aged 66 years or older who received MRP or ORP in 2003 through 2006 for prostate cancer were identified. Total cost of care was estimated as the sum of Medicare payments from all claims for hospital care, outpatient care, physician services, home health and hospice care, and durable medical equipment in the first year from the date of surgical admission. The impact of surgical approach on costs was estimated, controlling for patient and disease characteristics. RESULTS: Of 5445 surgically treated prostate cancer patients, 4454 (82%) had ORP and 991 (18%) had MRP. Mean total first-year costs were more than $1200 greater for MRP compared with ORP ($16,919 vs $15,692; P = .08). Controlling for patient and disease characteristics, MRP was associated with 2% greater mean total payments, but this difference was not statistically significant. First-year costs were greater for men who were older, black, lived in the Northeast, had lymph node involvement, more advanced tumor stage, or greater comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based cohort of older men, MRP and ORP had similar economic outcomes. From a payer's perspective, any benefits associated with MRP may not translate to net savings compared with ORP in the first year after surgery.

Locally advanced prostate cancer: a population-based study of treatment patterns.

UNLABELLED: Study Type--Therapy (practice patterns). Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? And what does the study add? The treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer varies widely even though there is level one evidence supporting the use of multimodality therapy as compared with monotherapy. This study defines treatment patterns of locally advanced prostate cancer within the United States and identifies predicators of who receives multimodality therapy rather than monotherapy. OBJECTIVE: • To identify treatment patterns and predictors of receiving multimodality therapy in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: • The cohort comprised patients ≥66 years with clinical stage T3 or T4 non-metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2005 identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry records linked with Medicare claims. • Treatments were classified as radical prostatectomy (RP), radiation therapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) received within 6 and 24 months of diagnosis. • We assessed trends over time and used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of multimodality treatment. RESULTS: • Within the first 6 months of diagnosis, 1060 of 3095 patients (34%) were treated with a combination of RT and ADT, 1486 (48%) received monotherapy (RT alone, ADT alone or RP alone), and 461 (15%) received no active treatment. • The proportion of patients who received RP increased, exceeding 10% in 2005. • Use of combined RT and ADT and use of ADT alone fluctuated throughout the study period. • In all 6% of patients received RT alone in 2005. • Multimodality therapy was less common in patients who were older, African American, unmarried, who lived in the south, and who had co-morbidities or stage T4 disease. CONCLUSIONS: • Treatment of LAPC varies widely, and treatment patterns shifted during the study period. • The slightly increased use of multimodality therapy since 2003 is encouraging, but further work is needed to increase combination therapy in appropriate patients and to define the role of RP.

Temporal trends and predictors of pelvic lymph node dissection in open or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is an important component of prostate cancer staging and treatment, especially for surgical patients who have high-risk tumor features. It is not clear how the shift from open radical prostatectomy (ORP) to minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) has affected the use of PLND. The objectives of this study were to identify predictors of PLND and to assess the impact of surgical technique in a contemporary, population-based cohort. METHODS: In Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data linked with Medicare claims, the authors identified men who underwent ORP or MIRP for prostate cancer during 2003 to 2007. The impact of surgical approach on PLND was evaluated, and interactions were examined between surgical procedure, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and Gleason score with the analysis controlled for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Of 6608 men who underwent ORP or MIRP, 70% (n = 4600) underwent PLND. The use of PLND declined over time both overall and within subgroups defined by procedure type. PLND was 5 times more likely in men who underwent ORP than in men who underwent MIRP when the analysis was controlled for patient and tumor characteristics. Elevated PSA and biopsy Gleason score, but not clinical stage, were associated with a greater odds of PLND in both the ORP group and the MIRP group. However, the magnitude of the association between these factors and PLND was significantly greater for patients in the ORP group. CONCLUSIONS: PLND was less common among men who underwent MIRP, independent of tumor risk factors. A decline in PLND rates was not fully explained by an increase in MIRP. The authors concluded that these trends may signal a surgical approach-dependent disparity in prostate cancer staging and therapy.

Role of prostate specific antigen and immediate confirmatory biopsy in predicting progression during active surveillance for low risk prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We evaluated predictors of progression after starting active surveillance, especially the role of prostate specific antigen and immediate confirmatory prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 238 men with prostate cancer met active surveillance eligibility criteria and were analyzed for progression with time. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate predictors of progression. Progression was evaluated using 2 definitions, including no longer meeting 1) full and 2) modified criteria, excluding prostate specific antigen greater than 10 ng/ml as a criterion. RESULTS: Using full criteria 61 patients progressed during followup. The 2 and 5-year progression-free probability was 80% and 60%, respectively. With prostate specific antigen included in progression criteria prostate specific antigen at confirmatory biopsy (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.14-1.46, p <0.0005) and positive confirmatory biopsy (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.01-3.04, p = 0.047) were independent predictors of progression. Of the 61 cases 34 failed due to increased prostate specific antigen, including only 5 with subsequent progression by biopsy criteria. When prostate specific antigen was excluded from progression criteria, only 32 cases progressed, and 2 and 5-year progression-free probability was 91% and 76%, respectively. Using modified criteria as an end point positive confirmatory biopsy was the only independent predictor of progression (HR 3.16, 95% CI 1.41-7.09, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance is feasible in patients with low risk prostate cancer and most patients show little evidence of progression within 5 years. There is no clear justification for treating patients in whom prostate specific antigen increases above 10 ng/ml in the absence of other indications of tumor progression. Patients considering active surveillance should undergo confirmatory biopsy to better assess the risk of progression.

Renal oncocytosis: management and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Renal oncocytosis is a rare pathological condition in which renal parenchyma is diffusely involved by numerous oncocytic nodules in addition to showing a spectrum of other oncocytic changes. We describe our experience with renal oncocytosis, focusing on management and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with a final pathological diagnosis of renal oncocytosis from July 1995 through June 2009 were included in the analysis. Patient demographics, intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Median age at nephrectomy was 71 years (IQR 59-75). Of the patients 15 (75%) had bilateral disease. There were 23 operations (9 right side, 14 left side) performed on 20 patients, and of these procedures 13 (57%) were partial nephrectomies and 10 (43%) were radical nephrectomies. Median dominant tumor mass diameter was 4.1 cm (IQR 3-6.4, range 1 to 14.6). The most common dominant tumor histology was hybrid tumor between oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in 13 of 23 specimens (57%), followed by chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in 6 (26%), oncocytoma in 3 (13%) and conventional renal cell carcinoma in 1 (4%). Ten patients (50%) had preexisting chronic kidney disease before nephrectomy and chronic kidney disease developed in 5 more after surgery. After a median followup of 35 months no patients had metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with renal oncocytosis usually present with multiple and bilateral renal nodules. Half of the patients had chronic kidney disease at diagnosis and 25% had new onset of chronic kidney disease. No patient had distant metastatic disease during followup. Our management approach is to perform partial nephrectomy when possible and then use careful surveillance of the remaining renal masses.

Prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Prognosis (case series). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The reported incidence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in radical prostatectomy specimens ranges from 5% to 53%. Although LVI has a strong and significant association with adverse clinicopathologic features, it has almost uniformly not been found to be a predictor of biochemical recurrence (BR) on multivariate analysis. This study confirms that LVI is associated with features of aggressive disease and is an independent predictor of BCR. Given that LVI may play a role in the metastatic process, it may be useful in clinical decision-making regarding adjuvant therapy for patients treated with RP. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens has prognostic significance. The study examined whether LVI is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical recurrence (BCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: LVI was evaluated based on routine pathology reports on 1298 patients treated with RP for clinically localized prostate cancer between 2004 and 2007. LVI was defined as the unequivocal presence of tumour cells within an endothelium-lined space. The association between LVI and clinicopathological features was assessed with univariate logistic regression. Cox regression was used to test the association between LVI and BCR. RESULTS: LVI was identified in 10% (129/1298) of patients. The presence of LVI increased with advancing pathological stage: 2% (20/820) in pT2N0 patients, 16% (58/363) in pT3N0 patients and 17% (2/12) in pT4N0 patients; and was highest in patients with pN1 disease (52%; 49/94). Univariate analysis showed an association between LVI and higher preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels and Gleason scores, and a greater likelihood of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node metastasis and positive surgical margins (all P < 0.001). With a median follow-up of 27 months, LVI was significantly associated with an increased risk of BCR after RP on univariate (P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.82; P = 0.017). As a result of the relatively short follow-up, the predictive accuracy of the standard clinicopathological features was high (concordance index, 0.880), and inclusion of LVI only marginally improved the predictive accuracy (0.884). CONCLUSIONS: Although associated with features of aggressive disease and BCR, LVI added minimally to established predictors on short follow-up. Further study of cohorts with longer follow-up is warranted to help determine its prognostic significance.

The Wnt inhibitory factor 1 restoration in prostate cancer cells was associated with reduced tumor growth, decreased capacity of cell migration and invasion and a reversal of epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Aberrations in the Wnt pathway have been reported to be involved in the metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa) to bone. We investigated the effect and underlying mechanism of a naturally-occurring Wnt inhibitor, WIF1, on the growth and cellular invasiveness of a bone metastatic PCa cell line, PC3. RESULTS: The WIF1 gene promoter was hypermethylated and its expression down-regulated in the majority (7 of 8) of PCa cell lines. Restoration of WIF1 expression in PC-3 cells resulted in a decreased cell motility and invasiveness via up-regulation of epithelial markers (E-cadherin, Keratin-8 and-18), down-regulation of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, Fibronectin and Vimentin) and decreased activity of MMP-2 and -9. PC3 cells transfected with WIF1 consistently demonstrated reduced expression of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) transcription factors, Slug and Twist, and a change in morphology from mesenchymal to epithelial. Moreover, WIF1 expression significantly reduced tumor growth by approximately 63% in a xenograft mouse model. This was accompanied by an increased expression of E-cadherin and Keratin-18 and a decreased expression of vimentin in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that WIF1 regulates tumor invasion through EMT process and thus, may play an important role in controlling metastatic disease in PCa patients. Blocking Wnt signaling in PCa by WIF1 may represent a novel strategy in the future to reduce metastatic disease burden in PCa patients.

Impact of previous radiotherapy for prostate cancer on clinical outcomes of patients with bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: The impact of prostate cancer radiotherapy on the biological behavior of bladder cancer remains unclear. We compared the outcomes of patients with bladder cancer previously treated for prostate cancer with radiotherapy vs other treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 144 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer between January 1992 and June 2007 with a previous prostate cancer diagnosis. Clinicopathological data and outcomes were compared between patients with irradiated (brachytherapy and/or external beam radiation therapy 83) and nonirradiated (androgen deprivation therapy, radical prostatectomy and/or surveillance 61) disease. RESULTS: Median time between prostate and bladder cancer diagnoses was longer in the irradiated vs nonirradiated group (59 months, IQR 25 to 88, vs 24 months, IQR 2 to 87, p = 0.007). Patients in the irradiated group presented with higher tumor grade (high 92% vs 77%, p = 0.016) and had progression to higher stage disease (muscle invasive 70% vs 43%, p = 0.001) than those in the nonirradiated group. Of the patients undergoing cystectomy those previously treated with radiation had a numerically higher rate of nonorgan confined disease (75% vs 56% for nonirradiated, p = 0.1). Among all patients with bladder cancer 5-year cancer specific survival was 73% (95% CI 59-87) for irradiated vs 83% (95% CI 71-95) for nonirradiated (p = 0.07). Median followup was 53 months (IQR 24 to 75). CONCLUSIONS: More time elapsed between prostate and bladder cancer diagnoses for patients treated with radiation, and these patients also presented with more advanced disease. Future studies are needed to further establish clinical differences in bladder cancer between irradiated and nonirradiated cases, and whether biological differences exist.

Complications after radical and partial nephrectomy as a function of age.

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy may be underused compared with radical nephrectomy in elderly patients due to concerns about higher complication rates. We determined if the association of age and perioperative outcomes differed between nephrectomy types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between January 2000 and October 2008. Using multivariable methods we determined whether the relationship between age and risk of postoperative complications, estimated blood loss or operative time differed by nephrectomy type. RESULTS: Of 1,712 patients 651 (38%) underwent radical nephrectomy and 1,061 (62%) underwent partial nephrectomy. Patients treated with partial nephrectomy had higher complication rates than those who underwent radical nephrectomy (20% vs 14%). In a multivariable model age was significantly associated with a small increase in risk of complications (OR for 10-year age increase 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.32, p = 0.009). When including an interaction term between age and procedure type, the interaction term was not significant (p = 0.09), indicating there was no evidence the risk of complications associated with partial vs radical nephrectomy increased with advancing age. There was no evidence that age was significantly associated with estimated blood loss or operative time. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that elderly patients experience a proportionally higher complication rate, longer operative times or higher estimated blood loss from partial nephrectomy than do younger patients. Given the advantages of renal function preservation we should expand the use of nephron sparing treatment to renal tumors in elderly patients.

Comparative effectiveness of prostate cancer surgical treatments: a population based analysis of postoperative outcomes.

PURPOSE: Enthusiasm for laparoscopic surgical approaches to prostate cancer treatment has grown despite limited evidence of improved outcomes compared with open radical prostatectomy. We compared laparoscopic prostatectomy with or without robotic assistance vs open radical prostatectomy in terms of postoperative outcomes and subsequent cancer directed therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a population based cancer registry linked with Medicare claims we identified men 66 years old or older with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy from 2003 to 2005. Outcome measures were general medical/surgical complications and mortality within 90 days after surgery, genitourinary/bowel complications within 365 days, radiation therapy and/or androgen deprivation therapy within 365 days and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the 5,923 men 18% underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics, there were no differences in the rate of general medical/surgical complications (OR 0.93 95% CI 0.77-1.14) or genitourinary/bowel complications (OR 0.96 95% CI 0.76-1.22), or in postoperative radiation and/or androgen deprivation (OR 0.80 95% CI 0.60-1.08). Laparoscopic prostatectomy was associated with a 35% shorter hospital stay (p <0.0001) and a lower bladder neck/urethral obstruction rate (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.94). In laparoscopic cases surgeon volume was inversely associated with hospital stay and the odds of any genitourinary/bowel complication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic prostatectomy and open radical prostatectomy have similar rates of postoperative morbidity and additional treatment. Men considering prostate cancer surgery should understand the expected benefits and risks of each technique to facilitate decision making and set realistic expectations.

Developments in the surgical management of sporadic synchronous bilateral renal tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To examine our experience with managing sporadic bilateral renal masses, focusing on trends in surgical management over time, because as loss of renal function is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, nephron-sparing approaches are increasingly emphasized in the treatment of kidney tumours, creating new challenges for the treatment of bilateral tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy (PN or RN) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) during 1989-2008. We compared patients presenting with synchronous bilateral renal masses with those with unilateral tumour and evaluated trends in management using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 2777 patients studied, 73 (3%) presented with synchronous bilateral disease. The overall survival and clinical/pathological features between groups were similar. Of those patients receiving bilateral operations for synchronous tumours, three had bilateral RN (all before 2003), 28 (38%) had an RN followed by a PN, 10 (14%) had a PN then an RN, and 32 (44%) had bilateral PN. Over time, the proportion of patients receiving bilateral PN increased (P < 0.001); 13 of 14 patients after 2005 had bilateral PN, compared with only 34% (16 of 45) between 1995 and 2004. Forty-five patients (62%) had the larger tumour removed during the first operation. The concordance rate between tumours in a specific histological subtype was 70% (51/73), and concordance for benign vs malignant disease was 90% (66/73). CONCLUSION: The use of PN in the management of synchronous bilateral renal masses has increased over time. The contemporary treatment of synchronous bilateral renal masses at MSKCC involves staged PN when feasible, with the more involved kidney (often larger tumour) operated on first.

Long-term follow-up of 3-month neoadjuvant hormone therapy before radical prostatectomy in a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To report our long-term follow-up of an institutional randomized prospective trial of radical prostatectomy (RP) with or without a 3-month course of neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT), which results in pathological downstaging, but generally no reduction in biochemical recurrence (BCR) on early follow-up (at 3 years). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 1992 to June 1996, 148 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were randomized to RP only or 3 months of goserelin acetate and flutamide before RP. BCR was defined as a detectable serum prostate specific antigen level (>0.1 ng/mL) at least 6 weeks after surgery, with a confirmatory increase. RESULTS: The median follow-up for BCR-free patients was 8 years. There was no significant difference in BCR-free probabilities between groups (P = 0.7). The BCR-free probability at 7 years was 78% for patients undergoing RP only and 80% for patients undergoing NHT and RP (difference of 2%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 12-16%). A Cox regression showed no significant relationship between NHT and BCR (hazard ratio 1.16; 95% CI, 0.56-2.39, P = 0.7). Overall, two patients had local recurrence and six developed metastases, and were evenly distributed among the RP only and NHT groups. CONCLUSION: Although our study was not originally powered to detect differences in BCR, there was no overall benefit in BCR-free probability, local recurrence or metastasis with 3 months of NHT at 8 years of follow-up. Pending evidence of improvement in patient outcomes, NHT before RP appears to be unjustified outside of clinical trials.

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma than with other histologies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and histology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a contemporary cohort, as obesity is increasingly prevalent in the USA and might be contributing to the increasing incidence of RCC, but little is known about the relationship of obesity with the different histological subtypes of RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2007 we identified 1640 patients with renal cortical tumours undergoing surgical extirpation at our institution, and who had their BMI recorded. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the association of BMI with RCC histology. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) BMI was 28 (25-32) kg/m(2) and 38% of patients were classified as obese (BMI >30 kg/m(2)). After adjusting for tumour size, age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking, the BMI was significantly associated with clear-cell histology; the odds ratios were 1.04 for each unit of BMI (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.02-1.06; P < 0.001) and 1.48 when comparing obese vs non-obese patients (95% CI 1.19-1.84; P < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients with RCC (excluding benign renal cortical tumours), BMI was still an independent predictor of clear-cell histology (odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BMI is an independent predictor of clear-cell histology in patients with a renal cortical tumour. While the aetiology of this phenomenon requires further study, these findings might have implications in determining a patient's risk of harbouring a clear-cell RCC and in subsequent treatment recommendations.

Lymph node dissection during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: comparison of lymph node yield and clinical outcomes when including common iliac nodes with standard template dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of standard pelvic to full-template lymph node (LN) dissection (LND) during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 94 patients undergoing RALP with LND between January 2007 and August 2008, by one surgeon. In February 2008 the LND template was modified to include common iliac and medial hypogastric LNs. Clinical and pathological patient characteristics were analysed, including total number of retrieved and positive LNs in each area of dissection, operative duration and complications. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients, 62 underwent standard LND (group 1) and 32 underwent full-template pelvic LND (group 2). The median (mean) number of LNs retrieved in groups 1 and 2 were 12 (13.3) and 17.5 (21.4), respectively. Of the five patients with positive LNs (5%), four were in group 2 (13%); two of these patients had positive LNs in the common iliac dissection, and for one of these patients it was the sole site of involvement. Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or transient neuropraxia occurred in six patients (five in group 1 and one in group 2). The median additional operative time for resection of common and internal LNs was 25 min. CONCLUSIONS: LN yield increased and additional sites of LN metastases were identified during full-template pelvic LND during RALP. This modification was not associated with an increased rate of complications. Derived benefits of including additional nodal dissection and the effect on staging accuracy remain to be determined.

Annexin A2 positively contributes to the malignant phenotype and secretion of IL-6 in DU145 prostate cancer cells.

Several groups, including ours, have reported that annexin A2 (ANXA2) expression is reduced in most prostate cancer (CaP). More recently, however, we reported that ANXA2 is expressed in some high-grade tumors, but the biologic consequence of this is currently unknown. To elucidate the function of ANXA2 in CaP, we reduced its expression in DU145 cells using shRNA and tested the impact on characteristics of malignancy. Reduction of ANXA2 suppressed anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth without affecting invasiveness. Interestingly, interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion was reduced concomitantly with the reduction of ANXA2 but independently of S100A10. IL-6 expression was restored when wild type but not mutant ANXA2 was reexpressed in these cells. In a retrospective study of radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with nonmetastatic CaP, 100% of patients with ANXA2-positive tumors (n = 4) had a biochemical relapse while only 50% of patients with ANXA2 negative tumors (n = 20) relapsed, suggesting that ANXA2 expression in prostate tumors may be predictive of biochemical relapse. Significant cytoplasmic staining of ANXA2 was detected in 3 of 4 ANXA2-positive tumors, whereas ANXA2 is localized to the plasma membrane in benign prostatic glands. These finding, taken together, suggests a possible mechanism whereby ANXA2 expression positively contributes to an aggressive phenotype in a subset of CaP and suggest that ANXA2 has markedly different functions depending on its cellular context. Finally, this is the first description of a role for ANXA2 in IL-6 expression, and ANXA2 represents a new therapeutic target for reducing IL-6 in high-grade prostate cancer.

Robotic versus standard laparoscopic partial/wedge nephrectomy: a comparison of intraoperative and perioperative results from a single institution.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial/wedge nephrectomy, similar to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, is a technically challenging procedure that is performed by a limited number of expert laparoscopic surgeons. The incorporation of a robotic surgical interface has dramatically increased the use of minimally invasive pelvic surgery such that robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is commonly performed even by laparoscopically naïve surgeons. This analysis compares the outcomes of our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RLPN) performed by an experienced open surgeon to that of standard laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) performed by two experienced laparoscopic surgeons. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 11 consecutive patients who underwent 12 standard LPNs (EMM, RVC) (one patient had two unilateral tumors) and 10 consecutive patients (representing the first 11 of such robotic procedures performed at our institution) who underwent 11 RLPNs (one patient had bilateral tumors managed in an asynchronous manner) (DKO). RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 2.3 cm (range 1.7-6.2 cm) for LPN and 3.1 cm (range 2.5-4 cm) for RLPN. The mean total procedure time was 289.5 minutes (range 145-369 min) for LPN and 228.7 minutes (range 98-375 min) for RLPN (P=0.102). The mean estimated blood loss was 198 mL (range 75-500 mL) for LPN v 115 mL (25-300 mL) for RLPN (P=0.169). The mean warm ischemia time was 35.3 minutes (range 15-49 min) in the LPN group and 32.1 minutes (range 30-45 minutes) in the RLPN group (P=0.501). CONCLUSIONS: Introducing a robotic interface for laparoscopic partial/wedge resection allowed a fellowship-trained urologic oncologist with limited reconstructive laparoscopic experience to achieve results comparable to those for laparoscopic partial/wedge resection performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. In this regard, the learning curve appears truncated, similar to that with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Preoperative cystoscopy is beneficial in selection of patients for laparoscopic repair of intraperitoneal bladder rupture.

Intraperitoneal bladder rupture usually is caused by blunt external trauma to a distended bladder. Although such injuries generally necessitate a formal laparotomy, advances in minimally invasive surgery have allowed successful laparoscopic repair. We describe our preoperative evaluation and laparoscopic technique in a case of isolated intraperitoneal bladder rupture secondary to trauma.

Fossa navicularis strictures due to 22F catheters used in robotic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fossa navicularis strictures following radical prostatectomy are reported infrequently. We recently experienced a series of fossa strictures following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Fossa strictures are usually procedure-induced, arising from urethral trauma or infection; catheter size has not been reported as a factor. We describe herein our experience to determine and prevent fossa navicularis stricture development. METHODS: From June 2002 until February 2005, 248 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with the da Vinci surgical system at our institution. Fossa strictures were diagnosed based on acute onset of obstructive voiding symptoms, IPSS and flow pattern changes, and bougie calibration. During our series, we switched from an 18F to a 22F catheter to avoid inadvertent stapling of the urethra when dividing the dorsal venous complex. All patients had an 18F catheter placed after the anastomosis for 1 week. Parameters were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and the Student t test for means. RESULTS: The 18F catheter group (n=117) developed 1 fossa stricture, whereas the 22F catheter group (n=131) developed 9 fossa strictures (P=0.02). The fossa stricture rate in the 18F group was 0.9% versus 6.9% in the 22F group. The 2 groups had no differences in age, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, International Prostate Symptom Score, urinary bother score, SHIM score, preoperative PSA, operative time, estimated blood loss, cautery use, prostate size, or catheterization time. CONCLUSIONS: Using a larger urethral catheter size during intraoperative dissection appears to increase the risk 8-fold for fossa stricture as compared with the 18F catheter. The pneumoperitoneum and prolonged extreme Trendelenberg position could potentially contribute to local urethral ischemia.

Omental herniation through a 3-mm umbilical trocar site.

Omentum herniated through a 3-mm umbilical port site 6 days after laparoscopic exploration for a nonpalpable testicle in an 18-month-old boy. Fascial closure of even these small sites may be advisable.

Case report: robot-assisted laparoscopic reconstruction of a ureteropelvic junction disruption.

PURPOSE: We present our experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of a ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) disruption in a child. CASE REPORT: An 11-year-old boy was found to have a UPJ disruption after being struck by an automobile. After unsuccessful retrograde ureteral-stent placement, a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed for a planned delayed repair because of the patient's multiple injuries. One month later, the patient underwent laparoscopic repair with the DaVinci robotic system using a four-port transperitoneal technique. At 3 months' follow-up, a diuretic renogram demonstrated no obstruction. CONCLUSION: A minimally invasive laparoscopic approach using the DaVinci system is feasible in the repair of a traumatic UPJ disruption.