[Prognostic impact of tumors localized at the prostatic apex]. / Impact pronostique des tumeurs localisées à l'apex prostatique.

OBJECTIVE: The apex is a particular region of the prostate in its surgical dissection and pathological analysis. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of the apical localization of prostate tumors. METHOD: From 1988 to 2010, data pre- (age, clinical stage, preoperative PSA, biopsy Gleason score) and postoperative (prostate weight, pathologic stage TNM 2010, Gleason score, margin status) of 2765 total prostatectomies were collected prospectively. These data were compared according to existence or absence of tumor at the apex. The prognostic impact of tumor at the apex on biochemical recurrence-free survival (PSA>0.2 ng/mL) has been studied in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred seventeen tumors had a location at the apex (65.7%). In univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in the clinical stage, the biopsy and pathological Gleason score, the result of curage, the pathological stage and the margin status between apical tumors and others. With a mean decline of 34.6 months, 502 patients had a biochemical recurrence (18.1%). Disease-free survival at 10 years was 60.7% for tumor at the apex versus 65.9% in other cases. The location at the apex was significantly associated with biochemical recurrence on univariate analysis (P=0.01). After adjustment for clinical and pathological stage, PSA level, Gleason score and surgical margins, the apex was not anymore a pejorative independent predictor (P=0.0087). CONCLUSION: The existence of tumor in the prostatic apex was associated with more aggressive tumoral criteria and was an independent and pejorative predictor of biochemical recurrence-free survival at 10 years in univariate analysis. The apical localization could be an additional argument in the decision of adjuvant therapy after prostatectomy.

[Are therapeutics decisions homogeneous in multidisciplinary onco-urology staff meeting? Comparison of therapeutic options taken in four departments from Paris]. / Les décisions sont-elles homogènes en réunion de concertation pluridisciplinaire (RCP) en onco-urologie ? Comparaison des choix thérapeutiques dans quatre RCP parisiennes.

OBJECTIVE: One of the priorities of the "Plan against the Cancer" in France is to ensure the discussion of all cancer cases in a multidisciplinary meeting staff (RCP). The multidisciplinary collaboration is proposed to guarantee a discussion between specialists in every cases, particularly in complex cases. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic decision taken in four RCP in Paris Île-de-France academic centres for three identical cases. MATERIAL: Three cases of urological oncology (prostate cancer [PCa], renal cell carcinoma [RCC] and bladder tumour) were selected by a single urologist, not involved in further discussion. These cases were blindly presented in four academic urology department from Paris: Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Mondor Hospital, the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital and Foch Hospital. RESULTS: The four centres met the criteria of quality of RCP in terms of multidisciplinarity, frequency and standardization. The therapeutic suggestions were similar in the RCC cases, there were differences in the surgical approaches and preoperative work-up in the PCa case and, lastly, the proposals were different for the bladder cancer case. CONCLUSION: The decisions relies on clinical data and preoperative work-up but also on the experience and habits of the centre of excellence. For complex cases that does not fit with current guidelines, the panel discussion can lead to different therapeutic options from a centre to another and is largely influenced by the local organisation of the RCP.

[Pathological findings after radical prostatectomy in men eligible for active surveillance (French trial SURACAP): is the misclassification rate acceptable?]. / Surveillance active du cancer de prostate ayant des critères de latence: les critères SURACAP sont-ils suffisants?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze pathological data of the radical prostatectomy specimen in patients operated for clinically-localized prostate cancer and who meet strict criteria for active surveillance necessary to be included in the French trial SURACAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy at our institution between 1998 and 2010 were reviewed. We only included the patients that met the usual criteria for active surveillance: clinical stage T1-2a tumor, PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL, biopsy Gleason sum inferior or equal to 6 with no pattern of grade 4 or 5, cancer involvement inferior or equal to two biopsy cores, inferior to 3 mm of malignant tissue in each positive biopsy core. From them, only those who were diagnosed from a second line biopsies cores were included for further analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 48 patient who met the "SURACAP" criteria had a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at out institution. Mean age was 65.4 years. The mean preoperative PSA was 6.1 ng/mL. Clinical stage of the tumor was T1c in 95% of patients and T2a in 5%. Biopsy Gleason score was 6 (3+3) in 100%. Pathological analysis of the surgical specimen showed that 19% of patients had a seminal vesicle invasion or an extracapsular extension. The Gleason score of the pathological specimen was 6 (3+3) in 57% of patients, 7 (3+4) in 38% and 8 (4+4) in 5% of patients. The Gleason score upgrading was 43% of patients. CONCLUSION: In our experience, 19% of patients who meet the criteria for active surveillance show an extracapsular extension or a seminal vesicle invasion on pathological analysis. Active surveillance is still under evaluation.

[Renal medullary carcinoma: remission with gemcitabine-cisplatin and review of therapeutic perspectives]. / Carcinome médullaire du rein : rapport d'une rémission sous gemcitabine-cisplatine et revue des perspectives thérapeutiques.

We report a case of renal medullary carcinoma concerning a 38-year-old woman. Heterozygote sickle cell trait was noticed in her past medical history. The physical examination was unremarkable. The CT-scan revealed a left renal mass of 48 mm x 20 mm, hypovascularised, located in the lower pole of the kidney with extension into the sinus. There were also enlarged lymph nodes laterally to aortic artery and between the aorta and the vena cava. A left radical nephrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. The histological examination with immuno-histo-chemical analysis revealed a renal medullary carcinoma T1N2R0 (TNM 2002). An adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine-cisplatin was administered. A regression of the residual lymph nodes was noticed after the six cycles of chemotherapy and the PET-Scan was negative. The patient underwent a second operation and the residual mass was excised. No tumor cell was found at the histological examination of the residual nodes. The patient had no clinical or radiological symptoms of progression eight months after the radical nephrectomy. We discuss the diagnostic criteria and analyse the therapeutic perspectives.

[Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the elderly (>75 years old): oncological and functional results]. / Prostatectomie radicale laparoscopique chez la personne âgée (>75ans): résultats carcinologiques et fonctionnels.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer incidence increases with age. Radical prostatectomy (RP) seems to be feasible for elderly well-selected patients. We report our experience with patients older than 75 years old who underwent laparoscopic RP. METHODS: From 2000 to 2007, 22 patients older than 75 years old at time of surgery were included in the study. The patient clinical characteristics, the peri- and postoperative data, and the pathological data were collected retrospectively. The overall, specific and PSA-free survival were analysed with Kaplan-Meier method. The functional results such as continence and erectile function were assessed by self-questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 75 years (75-81), the median PSA level was 10.77 ng/ml (5-30). The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.1 (2-3). Two (9%) perioperative complications occurred but no conversion was necessary. Five patients (23%) had a pT3 disease and the overall positive surgical margins rate was 14%. With a median follow-up of 42 months, no patient has died and five had a biochemical recurrence. At 12-month follow-up, 82% of patients were continent (no pad) and potency (erection sufficient for intercourse) rate was 36% with or without the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic RP is feasible for localized prostate cancer in elderly well-selected patients with satisfactory oncological and functional outcomes although the incontinence rate is increased comparing to younger patients.

[Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the bladder: a new case report and literature review]. / Le carcinome lymphoepithelioma-like de la vessie: présentation d'un nouveau cas et revue de la littérature.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the bladder is rare tumour which is called so because of the histological similitude with lymphoepithelioma carcinoma of nasopharynx. Its pathogenic aspects have been unknown and conservative treatment has taken a main place in the management of pure cases. The authors report a new case and discuss pathogenic aspects, prognosis factors and therapeutic aspects.

[Do broader indications for partial nephrectomy result in excess morbidity?]. / Elargir les indications de la néphrectomie partielle induit-il un surcroît de morbidité? Une étude multicentrique française.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morbidity of partial nephrectomy (PN) according to tumour size and the type of indication based on a multicentre retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven French teaching hospitals participated in this study. Data concerning tumour size, indication for PN (elective or necessity), age, gender, TNM stage, histological type, Fuhrman grade, ASA score and performance status (ECOG) were analysed. Medical and surgical complications, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate and length of hospital stay were also studied. Statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative variables was performed with Chi-square test (Fisher's test) and Student t-test. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety one patients were included. The median tumour diameter was 3cm (0.4-18). Tumours measuring less or equal to 4cm and incidental tumours represented 77.7 and 80.7% of cases, respectively. Clear cell carcinomas represented 75.1% of malignant tumours. Some 89.1% of tumours were T1, 1.6% were N+ and 2.3% were M+. In the 486 elective indications: the operating time (p = 0.03), mean blood loss (p = 0.04), and urinary fistula rate (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in tumours greater than 4cm. These differences were not associated with an increase in the medical (p = 0.7) or surgical complication rate (p = 0.2), or the length of hospital stay (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Broader indications for elective PN is associated with an increased morbidity but which remains acceptable. This is an important point for patient information and to guide the choice of surgical strategy, particularly in elderly, frail patients or patients with major comorbidities.

[What is the clinical practice of partial nephrectomy in France?]. / Quelle pratique de la néphrectomie partielle en France ?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice of partial nephrectomy (PN) in France and assess its results in terms of morbidity and cancer control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven French University Hospitals in which nephron sparing surgery represents at least 30% of the total number of nephrectomies for renal tumour, participated in this study. All centres included, as exhaustively as possible, all their PN cases. For each patient, 70 variables were harvested in order to characterize the patient population, the indications, the operative technique, the per- and postoperative course and complications, the tumor specificities, the carcinologic control and renal function follow-up. RESULTS: Seven hundred and forty-one PN, of which 579 for malignant tumours were analysed. The mean tumour size was 3.4+/-2.1 cm (0.1-18) and 20.8% of the tumours were larger than 4 cm. In 30.1% of cases, the indication was imperative. Among the PN, 12.2% were performed laparoscopically. The mean operating time was 151+/-54.2 min (55-420). The medical and surgical complications rates were respectively 15.2 and 14.7%. At a mean 38 months follow-up, the local recurrence rate was 3.5% and the specific death rate was 4.5%. CONCLUSION: PN is nowadays getting a more and more widely used technique in France. This expansion is completely justified by its results and urologists must consider nephron sparing surgery as the gold standard treatment for renal tumours measuring less than 4 cm.

[Laparoscopic approach in partial nephrectomy]. / Néphrectomie partielle par voie laparoscopique laparoscopic approach in partial nephrectomy.

Except for segmental parenchymal atrophies, partial nephrectomy is more and more often indicated when treating isolated small renal tumours. During the last few years this technique has been increasingly accepted for the excision of tumours less than 4 centimetres. In order to diminish the operative morbidity, the laparoscopic approach has been proposed. During the last decade, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy "has come to maturity" and this technique is now well standardized. Knowledge and operative skills are required for both trans-peritoneal and extra-peritoneal route. Extra-peritoneal approach is more suitable for posterior lesions or at the level of the lower pole while the trans-peritoneal route is preferred in case of tumours near the renal hilum or on the anterior surface. Different methods offering temporary arrest of renal perfusion have been elaborated. There is a clear tendency for renal parenchyma sectioning without the use of any kind of thermal energy. This allows a better identification of renal lesions. Sectioned collecting system, blood vessels and renal parenchyma are systematically sutured. Despite its complexity, this technique has become reproducible and reliable in specialized laparoscopic centres.

[Extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: a report of 65 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience with extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (EP-LRP) in the treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with diagnosed localized prostate cancer underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in 64 cases. Mean operating time was 172 min (range 100 to 440 min). Mean blood loss was 340 ml (range 150 to 800 ml). Seven (10.8%) of the 65 patients received transfusion with MAP of 24 units. Rectal injury occurred in 1 patient, 2 developed urethrovesical anastomotic leakage, 6 (9.2%) had positive surgical margins, 58 (89.2%) were fully continent with urination 3 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: EP-LRP, as a safe and feasible procedure for prostate cancer, which avoides violation of the peritoneal cavity, potentially decreases the risk of intraoperative complications and further reduces postoperative morbidity, is well worth popularizing.

Conservative treatment of bladder carcinoma by partial cystectomy and interstitial iridium 192.

From 1971 to 1984, 85 patients with bladder carcinoma were treated conservatively at the Henri Mondor Hospital by a combination of short course of pre-operative external pelvic irradiation, iliac node dissection, partial cystectomy, and iridium 192 implantation. There were 79 transitional cell carcinomas (G1: 12, G2: 25, G3: 36, Gx: 6) and 6 squamous cell carcinomas. By clinical stage, based on endoscopic resection, there were 43 T1, 30 T2, 5 T3, and 7 Tx. After partial cystectomy the pathologic stage distribution was: 41 pT1, 31 pT2, and 13 pT3. Crude disease-free survival at 5 years is 72% for T1 tumors and 55% for T2, but overall only 16% of patients died of bladder carcinoma. Local failures were seen in 11.5% of T1 and 0% of T2 tumors, and second bladder tumors developed at a distance from the treated site in 11.5% of T1 and 7% of T2. There is a non significant trend for intravesical recurrences (both local failures and second tumors) to occur more frequently for G1 tumors (25%) than for G2 (16%) or G3 (7%). At 5 years 95% of disease-free survivors have a functioning bladder. Regional or distant metastases occurred in 54% of patients with pT3 tumors and 10% of those with pT1 or pT2; within each stage there was no apparent influence of grade on metastatic risk. The four patients with histologically positive iliac nodes received additional post-operative external pelvic irradiation; three died of metastases and one is disease free at 10 years. No abdominal scar recurrences were seen. Late complications occurred in 6% of the population. For T1 tumors we suggest modification of the described protocol, eliminating the pre-operative irradiation and the lymph node dissection. If there is no doubt as to the pathologic stage after complete endoscopic resection, iridium 192 implantation delivering a dose of 60 Gy, without partial cystectomy, may be sufficient management. By contrast, for T2 tumors, all elements of the protocol seem important to obtain optimal results.

Interstitial radiation therapy for carcinoma of the penis using iridium 192 wires: the Henri Mondor experience (1970-1979).

From 1970 to 1979, a group of 50 patients was treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis by interstitial irradiation using an afterloading technique and iridium 192 wires. The group included 9 patients with T1 tumors, 27 with T2 tumors, and 14 with T3 tumors. Forty-five patients presented with no metastatic inguinal nodes (N0), 3 patients with N1 nodes, and 2 patients had N3 nodes. After treatment, 11 patients (1 T1, 6 T2 and 4T3) developed local recurrences; 10 of these 11 patients underwent penile amputation which controlled the tumor in 7 of the patients. One patient refused amputation. Three patients developed post-therapeutic necrosis which necessitated partial amputation in 2 cases. Eight patients developed post-therapeutic urethral stenosis, which required surgical treatment in three of the cases. Overall, at their last follow-up examinations, 74% of the patients were free of disease with conservation of penile morphology and function. Most patients without metastatic nodes (37/45) at diagnosis did not receive prophylatic treatment of the groin. Two of these patients developed delayed metastatic nodes; one was successfully salvaged. All 5 patients presenting with metastatic nodes at diagnosis died, four with uncontrolled regional disease. Twenty-one percent of the patients died of their disease. We advocate interstitial irradiation using iridium 192 wires for the treatment of non-infiltrating or moderately infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in which the largest dimension does not exceed 4 cm. Pre-implant circumcision and regular long-term follow-up are necessary. More extensive tumors are better managed surgically. When regular follow-up can be assured, it is reasonable to forgo prophylactic treatment of the inguinal nodes in patients presenting without groin metastasis.

Treatment of bladder tumors by iridium 192 implantation. The Créteil technique.

The technique and results of a treatment protocol for bladder cancer combining low dose pre-operative external beam irradiation followed by external iliac nodal dissection, limited partial cystectomy and curietherapy with iridium 192 are described. In 55 patients treated from 1971 to 1979, 37/45 (67%) are alive NED at 5 years--23/31 pT1, 10/14 pT2, 4/10 pT3--with 9/55 bladder recurrences at 5 years--7/31 pT1, 1/14 pT2, 1/10 pT3. Only two patients (total cystectomy) have not retained a functional bladder. These favorable results have been obtained in a carefully selected population; our indications for the technique being T1, T2, T3a tumors with a total surface area not exceeding 5 cm, not involving the bladder neck and unifocal or in some cases plurifocal, but closely grouped. The advantages and precise details of each stage of the technique will be described and compared with large series in which radium 226 is utilized and results of curietherapy will be compared with other modalities of treatment employed under similar circumstances for similar patient groups. We feel that curietherapy has certain advantages over other methods in the treatment of bladder cancer and that an afterloading technique employing iridium 192 wires permits the curietherapy to proceed under optimal conditions, allowing combination with partial cystectomy, optimal placement of sources, precise radiographic control and dosimetry, dose reduction in many cases, optimal conditions of radioprotection and widening of the indications for the technique.

Modulation of cytokeratin subtype, EGF receptor, and androgen receptor expression during progression of prostate cancer.

After initial regression in response to androgen deprivation, most prostate cancers develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Identification of cellular and molecular changes occurring during endocrine therapy-induced regression and subsequent hormone insensitivity may point to mechanisms underlying the transition to hormone-independent prostate cancer. A series of untreated (n = 24), regressed (n = 15), and endocrine therapy-resistant (n = 10) prostatic adenocarcinomas were analyzed using immunohistochemistry with regard to cytokeratin 5 and 18, androgen receptor (AR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expression in tumor cells. Using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, the amount of AR mRNA also was determined. In regressed and therapy-resistant prostate cancers, an increase in cytokeratin 5-positive tumor cells was noted when compared with untreated carcinomas. Similarly, the proportion of EGF-R-positive tumor cells increased in the treated cases, whereas the proportion of AR-positive tumor cells dropped in regressed carcinomas and increased in hormone-refractory cancers. In the latter group, an eightfold higher level of AR mRNA was observed when compared with the other cases. Changes in the proportion of cytokeratin 5 and EGF-R-positive tumor cells suggests that during androgen deprivation an enlarged subpopulation of tumor cells with combined features of basal and secretory phenotypes arises. The increased proportion of AR-positive tumor cells during the transition from the regression phase to the hormone escape phase points to an important role of AR overexpression in this process.

The importance of IL-6 protein expression in primary human renal cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study.

AIMS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is produced by some renal carcinoma cell lines in vitro. This might be biologically important because IL-6 is a cytokine of particular interest, owing to its involvement in the growth of renal cell carcinoma. In this study, the expression of IL-6 protein in tissue samples from primary renal cell carcinoma was analysed, and then its clinical importance was examined. METHODS: The distribution of IL-6 in renal cell carcinoma was examined by means of an immunohistochemical method in 47 untreated primary renal cell carcinoma samples. The search for a significant difference between histological patterns, Furhman's grading system, TNM classification, and IL-6 protein expression was carried out. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that IL-6 is expressed in 70% of primary tumours. There was no significant difference in the tumour size and grade between renal cell carcinomas with or without IL-6 expression. However, a relatively large number of high grade tumours expressed IL-6. CONCLUSION: The importance of IL-6 expression with regard to tumour size/local growth is questionable because IL-6 has been correlated with the development of metastatic disease. These data suggest that the production of IL-6 could exert a growth inhibitory effect on primary renal cell carcinoma.

Retroperitoneoscopy: a laparoscopic approach for adrenal and renal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Retroperitoneoscopy has gained acceptance for urologic surgery. We assessed the safety and efficacy of this procedure for renal and adrenal surgery. METHODS: Since December 1994, 20 patients (18 to 75 years old) have undergone laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy, including simple nephrectomy in 8, partial nephrectomy in 1, radical nephrectomy in 2, tumorectomy with cyst excision in 1, and adrenalectomy in 8. The retroperitoneal space was created by blunt dissection with the index finger, completed by insufflation, without balloon dissection. RESULTS: Average kidney size was 65 m (range 50 to 108), and average adrenal tumor size was 31 mm (range 20 to 40). The average operating time was 127 minutes (range 60 to 180) for nephrectomy and 84 minutes (range 45 to 140) for adrenalectomy. The average hospital stay was 3 days (range 1 to 7) for nephrectomy and 2.4 days (range 1 to 4) for adrenalectomy. Average blood loss was 65 mL for both nephrectomy and adrenalectomy. Conversion from the laparoscopic procedure to open surgery was never required. Peritoneal effraction and ureteral injury occurred in only 4 patients and 1 patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach is safe and effective for simple renal nephrectomy and for excision of small adrenal tumors. Perioperative morbidity and hospital stay are reduced.

Perineal approach to radical prostatectomy in kidney transplant recipients with localized prostate cancer.

Close urologic follow-up of renal transplant candidates and recipients often reveals prostate carcinoma at an early stage. Two patients who underwent renal transplantation for end-stage disease also underwent radical perineal prostatectomy for localized prostate carcinoma, 3 years after grafting in 1 patient and 4 years before grafting in the other. The perineal approach to prostatectomy may facilitate later renal transplantation and avoid allograft damage.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate our preliminary experience with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The indications for laparoscopy are currently being extended to complex oncologic procedures. METHODS: Forty-three men underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We used five trocars. The surgical technique replicates the steps of traditional retropubic prostatectomy, except that the rectoprostatic cleavage plane is developed transperitoneally at the beginning of the procedure. In the first 10 patients, we performed the vesicourethral reconstruction with interrupted sutures; in the remaining 33 patients, we performed it with two hemicircumferential running sutures. The specimen was removed through the umbilical port site. RESULTS: Once the developmental phase with the first 10 patients was concluded, the median operating time was 4.3 hours without pelvic lymphadenectomy, and the median postoperative bladder catheterization was 4 days. Two (4.7%) of 43 patients underwent transfusion. Twelve patients (27.9%) had positive surgical margins; all patients had a postoperative prostate-specific antigen level of less than 0.1 ng/mL at 1 month. Rectal injury occurred in 1 patient, requiring colostomy, and 4 patients had urethrovesical anastomotic leakages requiring surgical repair. One month postoperatively, 36 patients (84%) were fully continent (no leakage). Six patients had had erections, and four stated they had had sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has evolved to a fully standardized and reproducible procedure. The short-term oncologic and functional efficacy rates are equivalent to those for open surgery. The operating time is reasonable once the learning curve is over, and postoperative morbidity is diminished. Because of the improved visual accuracy, permitting more precise dissection, this technique has the potential to become an important advancement in urologic surgery.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: initial experience in 15 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. METHODS: From September 1996 to January 1999, 15 patients underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Aberrant vessels were noted in 4 patients. Dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 7 patients and nondismembered Fenger plasty in 7 patients. Pyeloplasty was not possible in 1 patient. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 15 procedures were successfully completed. The procedure was not possible in 1 patient who had already undergone endopyelotomy repair. The mean operating time was 178 minutes (range 100 to 250), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.8 days (range 1 to 14). Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (two hematomas and one urinoma). Radiographic assessment by intravenous urography 3 months after the procedure showed good results. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopy, by providing easy and rapid access to the retroperitoneal space, seems to be a valuable alternative treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Results of pyeloureterostomy after ureterovesical anastomosis complications in renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The most frequent urologic complications after renal transplantation involve the ureterovesical anastomosis (ie, leakage, stenosis, and reflux), with a frequency of 1% to 30% in different series. We present the results of pyeloureterostomy using the recipient's ureter. METHODS: From 1988 to 1996, 570 cadaveric renal grafts were performed at our institution. A Lich Gregoir ureterovesical anastomosis was used in every case. Complications involving the anastomosis occurred in 19 cases (3.3%), with 10 stenoses (1.7%), 6 cases of leakage (1.1%), and 3 of reflux (0.5%). The mean donor age was 36.2 years, and the mean duration of cold ischemia was 29.4 hours. The mean recipient age was 41.3 years. Corrective surgery was performed 0.09 years (range 0.01 to 0.22) after transplantation for leakage, 1.13 years (range 0.14 to 5.11) for stenosis, and 5.55 years (range 0.51 to 9.71) for reflux. The recipient's ureter was stented with a ureteral catheter before median laparotomy, except in 3 cases of early leakage (less than 3 days). The recipient's ureter was cut, without the need for ipsilateral nephrectomy, and sutured to the graft pelvis. A nephroureterostomia stent (Gil Vernet stent) (12 cases) or a double J ureteral stent (7 cases) was used for urinary drainage. RESULTS: One graft was lost on day 1 through renal vein thrombosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy was performed on day 2 to clear an obstruction of the double J ureteral stent in one case, and a double J ureteral stent was inserted on day 2 because the nephrouretrostomia stent was incorrectly positioned in another case. Pyelographic controls on day 15 were normal in every case. The mean follow-up was 2.25 years (range 0.24 to 6.1) (2.9 years for leakage, 2.08 years for stenosis, and 1.44 years for reflux). One patient died with a functional graft 3 years after surgery. One graft was lost 4 years after surgery through chronic rejection. There were no complications affecting the ipsilateral kidney. No further ureteral complications occurred after surgery. The mean creatinine level 3 years after surgery was 1.59 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Pyeloureterostomy is a safe and permanent treatment for complications of ureterovesical anastomosis and gives excellent results. The technique requires stenting of the recipient's ureter and graft drainage with a nephroureterostomia stent or a double J ureteral stent.