Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the success of endoscopic treatment of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation and identified factors predicting success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endoscopy was performed for symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation in 38 women and 20 men between January 2000 and December 2010. Reflux was documented by retrograde cystography and its symptomatic character was determined by at least 1 episode of acute graft pyelonephritis. The results of endoscopic treatment were evaluated clinically at 1 and 3 months, and annually, and by cystography at 3 months. Clinical success was defined as absent acute graft pyelonephritis during followup. Radiological success was defined as absent reflux on followup cystography at 3 months. RESULTS: Endoscopic treatment was clinically successful in 32 patients (56.1%), including 26 (65%) who received dextranomer-hyaluronic acid and 5 (33.3%) who received polydimethylsiloxane. Treatment was radiologically successful in 14 patients (26.4%) at a mean ± SD followup of 38 ± 33 months. On multivariate analysis male gender and dextranomer-hyaluronic acid were factors predictive of clinical success. Reflux grade did not predict success or failure. No high grade complication was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux of a transplanted kidney was effective in half of the cases regardless of the bulking agent used. However, dextranomer-hyaluronic acid appeared to be more effective than polydimethylsiloxane. Due to its minimally invasive nature and low morbidity endoscopic treatment with dextranomer-hyaluronic acid could be proposed as preoperative first line treatment for symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux of a transplanted kidney regardless of reflux grade.

High-intensity focused ultrasound in prostate cancer; a systematic literature review of the French Association of Urology.

We discuss the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in patients with prostate cancer, to define the best indications for HIFU in daily clinical practice as primary therapy. We searched Medline and Embase for clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of HIFU in prostate cancer (July 2007), and abstracts presented at the 2005-2007 annual meetings of the European Association of Urology and American Urological Association were screened. In all, 37 articles/abstracts were selected. As the data on HIFU as salvage therapy were limited, we focused on HIFU as primary therapy. Studies consisted of case series only. Included patients were approximately 70 years old with T1-T2 N0M0 disease, Gleason Score or=70 years) with T1-T2 N0M0 disease, a Gleason score of <7, a PSA level of <15 ng/mL and a prostate volume of <40 mL. In these patients HIFU achieves short-term cancer control, as shown by a high percentage of negative biopsies and significantly reduced PSA levels. The median-term survival data also seem promising, but long-term follow-up studies are needed to further evaluate cancer-specific and overall survival rates before the indications for primary therapy can be expanded.

Does management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy meet patients' expectations? Results of a national survey (REPAIR) by the French Urological Association.

INTRODUCTION: Little stress has been placed on patients' satisfaction with regard to management of erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP) and on how physicians' and patients' views may differ in this respect. AIM: To assess the extent to which urologists' perceptions of their patients' expectations and the actual needs expressed by these patients coincide with regard to ED and its management. METHODS: Those French urologists who provisionally accepted to participate in the survey (760/1,272; 59.7%) received a physician survey instrument, 10 patient data forms to be completed during the first 10 consultations of patients who had undergone RP less than 12 months previously, and 10 copies of a questionnaire for patients to complete. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES; Patient-reported sexual activity, satisfaction with sexual activity (Male Sexual Health Questionnaire), and treatment expectations; urologists' subjective assessment of the importance given by their patients to ED; the timing they propose for starting ED treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 535/1,272 urologists (42%) returned the physician survey instrument (45.6 +/- 8.7 years, 28-67) and 2,644 patients completed the patient questionnaire (64.0 +/- 6.1 years, 44-79). The percentage of patients having intercourse pre RP was highly age-dependent (89% at 55-59 years; 56% at > or = 70 years); 70-75% of patients claimed to be satisfied with their pre-RP sexual activity. Post RP, 27-53% of patients (depending upon length of follow-up), who were sexually active pre RP, had intercourse. Only 18% (< 5 months' follow-up) or 28% (> 5 months' follow-up) were satisfied. Over half (53%)--and especially the younger patients--expected early ED treatment (1 or 3 months post RP). Agreement between patients' expectations and urologists beliefs on timing of ED treatment was poor. At the 1- or 2-month visits, 73% of patients were already finding ED frustrating. CONCLUSIONS: Erectile dysfunction is an important issue for patients who have undergone RP. Urologists tend to underestimate patients' distress and desire for early treatment.

[Renal cancer and second cancer: critical review of the literature]. / Cancer du rein et deuxième cancer: analyse critique de la littérature.

This review was designed to determine whether patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) present an increased risk of developing a second cancer. Cancers statistically associated with RCC were determined by a review of epidemiological publications and the aetiological factors of these associations were then studied. The clinical implications of the results of this review are discussed at the end of this study. This review of the literature demonstrates an increased risk of bladder cancer and prostate cancer in patients with RCC, particularly in the case of the tubulopapillary subtype. The pathophysiology of these associations has not been clearly elucidated, but probably involves common genetic alterations. These epidemiological associations should be taken into account in the follow-up of patients with RCC.

[The prostate: how to treat this symbol of male vulnerability? An Association Française d'Urologie (AFU)-IPSOS qualitative survey]. / La prostate: identification des attentes du médecin généraliste. Une enquête qualitative. Association Française d'Urologie (AFU)-IPSOS.

INTRODUCTION: Information on prostate diseases, including prostate cancer, has been promoted by the Association Française d'Urologie (AFU) for several years, but is developing slowly in France. In 2005, a first communication was targeted to the male public and identified the reasons for the fatalistic attitude of men, and paradoxically, why the prostate incarnates the vulnerability of their sexual capital. As part of a second phase, this article presents the results of a complementary study conducted among general practitioners to identify their expectations and the most appropriate levers to promote screening. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The Ipsos survey company developed a Krisis qualitative protocol in October 2005 (after the first French prostate day on 15 September 2005). Three groups of general practitioners were defined: doctors who are very active in terms of screening, doctors who are uncomfortable with this problem and doctors who systematically refer their patients to urologists. RESULTS: The management of prostate diseases often highlights the ageing process for the patient. The ability to discuss these problems during the consultation depended on the doctor's degree of comfort with this subject, which is related to his/her training and relationships with urologists. To initiate the question of screening, general practitioners involved in this process asked simple questions about everyday practices without being afraid of making jokes or basing their approach on mediatization of the disease. Digital rectal examination is one of the important clinical elements but is not always easy to perform. PSA was found to be an examination that is not always appropriate, characterized by a lack of information on the conditions for ordering this test, its usefulness and its relevance for screening. Ultrasound could be a way of alerting the patient without dramatizing the situation, letting the urologist perform digital rectal examination. Female general practitioners preferred PSA and ultrasound. The doctors surveyed relied on mediatization of prostate diseases, a high level of interactivity with urologists and documents and brochures to be placed in waiting rooms to relay screening messages. CONCLUSION: General practitioners need their authorities, specialists and public health institutions to develop and mediatize andrology in the same way as gynaecology. Urologists play a major supportive role by means of conferences, postgraduate training or AFU invitations.

[Outcome of oncocytomas diagnosed by percutaneous renal biopsy]. / Devenir des adénomes oncocytaires diagnostiqués par biopsie rénale percutanée.

OBJECTIVE: Renal oncocytoma is a benign tumour that is usually diagnosed postoperatively. Its natural history is poorly defined. We studied the outcome of patients with renal oncocytoma diagnosed by percutaneous biopsy and not operated. MATERIAL: From January 1998 to April 2004, on a series of 148 renal tumour biopsies performed in our centre, 15 showed oncocytoma. The initial treatment was non-surgical. We report the follow-up of these patients and the course of these oncocytomas. The mean follow-up was 404 +/- 20.9 months. RESULTS: The mean age of these patients at diagnosis was 57.6 +/- 14.4 years and the mean tumour diameter was 3.49 +/- 2.43 cm with a mean volume of 62.3 +/- 135.4 cm3. Six of these 15 patients were operated: 4 total nephrectomies and 2 partial nephrectomies. The indications for surgery were the initial tumour volume (n = 1), tumour growth > 0.5 cm/year (n = 4) and the patient's preference (n = 1). Operated patients were younger (45.5 +/- 11.1 years vs 65.6 +/- 10.3 years) and had larger tumours at diagnosis (50 +/- 30.1 mm vs 27.3 +/- 10.5 mm). All 9 patients treated by watchful waiting were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The natural history of oncocytomas appears to be a more or less rapid increase in size. Treatment can be conservative. The initial tumour volume or rapid tumour growth are indications for resection. Partial nephrectomy, when allowed by the size and site of the tumour is currently the technique of choice.

[Treatment of precalyceal stones of Cacchi-Ricci disease by flexible ureterorenoscopy and Holmium-YAG laser]. / Traitement des calculs précaliciels de la maladie de Cacchi et Ricci par urétérorénoscopie souple et laser.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy combined with Holmium-YAG laser is an effective and reliable technique for the management of renal stones. Cacchi-Ricci disease is a frequent urological malformation characterized by precalyceal stone formation, for which no preventive treatment is available at the present time. Some complicated forms are difficult to manage because of the technical impossibility of treating these precalyceal stones. The objective of this article is to describe a technique allowing management of these precalyceal stones by flexible ureterorenoscopy combined with Holmium-YAG laser.

[Management of positive margins after total prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer]. / Prise en charge des marges positives après prostatectomie totale pour cancer localisé de la prostate.

Positive margins after total prostatectomy are frequently observed (10% to 40% of cases) in the everyday practice of urologists treating prostate cancer The presence of positive margins is correlated with the presence of residual tumour in about 50% of cases. It is difficult to clearly define optimal management in view of the marked heterogeneity of the published data concerning the significance and prognosis of positive margins. The objective of this review article was to analyse the various aspects of this situation and to propose practical management guidelines. This analysis was based on data of the literature derived from Medline. In practice, it is essential to more precisely define the concept of positive margins in histological terms by specifying the unifocal or multfocal nature, the total length of positive margins and their site. The decision to perform adjuvant or deferred therapy is based on these histopathological elements together with other prognostic criteria determined after total prostatectomy: pathological stage and Gleason score, tumour volume and postoperative PSA.

[Endoscopic management of urothelial tumours of the upper urinary tract]. / Prise en charge endoscopique des tumeurs urothéliales du haut appareil urinaire.

OBJECTIVE: The reference treatment for filling defects of the upper urinary tract is nephroureterectomy with excision of a perimeatal bladder segment. The authors evaluated the role of endoscopy and laser in the management of filling defects of the upper urinary tract. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Filling defects of the upper urinary tract were evaluated by biopsies performed during ureteroscopy followed by 10 Watt Holmium-YAG laser vaporisation. High-grade or incompletely vaporised tumours or multifocal tumours or tumours more than 2 cm in diameter received complementary treatment. Low-grade and completely vaporised tumours were followed by ureteroscopy at 3 months and then every 6 months. The authors conducted a prospective study from March 2002 to September 2004. Fifteen consecutive patients were managed according to this protocol. The mean age was 70 years (range: 53 to 85 years). Thirty nine tumours were treated. The mean tumour diameter was 1.05 cm (range: 0.3 to 2.5 cm). RESULTS: In this series of 15 patients treated according to this protocol, 39 tumours were diagnosed and treated. The grade was determined by biopsy in 66% of cases. Seven patients have a median recurrence-free survival of 18 months (range: 12 to 34 months). Overall, conservative management was able to be performed in twelve patients, corresponding to a 22-month kidney preservation rate of 80%. Two patients died during follow-up, one from prostatic cancer and the other from invasive urothelial bladder tumour. One patient who had had recurrence ans had been re-treated was lost for report. CONCLUSION: Filling defects of the upper urinary tract can be investigated by ureteroscopy to obtain a histological diagnosis and to perform treatment by laser vaporisation. Complementary treatment is then performed depending on the histological results, either by complementary vaporisation or by nephroureterectomy. Laser treatment ensures a high kidney preservation rate but with a recurrence risk. Conservative endoscopic treatment, which is considered to be acceptable in cases of necessity, may also be useful in the context of small, unifocal, minimally invasive tumours with a normal contralateral kidney.

[High intensity focused ultrasound in localized prostate cancer]. / Les ultrasons focalisés de haute intensité dans le cancer de la prostate localisé

Despite a follow-up too short to allow a relevant assessment of the HIFU efficacy in terms of definitive cure of localized prostate cancer, the last published results from the European multicentric study and from Gelet may consider the HIFU treatment as a valuable alternative option for well differentiated tumors, with an initial PSA<15 ng/ml, in men with a life expectancy more than 5 years. The main advantages of the HIFU treatment are its low morbidity, the option for repeated HIFU treatment, the possible treatment of patients who previously underwent prostate resection, the early local control with biopsies and, if needed, radiotherapy may be performed after HIFU, without increased morbidity.

[Current place of chemotherapy in the treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer]. / Place actuelle de la chimiothérapie dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate métastatique hormonorésistant.

The current management of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer is purely palliative. The use of chemotherapy in this indication was revised in 1996, based on the results of studies with a combination of mitoxantrone and prednisone. This combination demonstrated a significant improvement of quality of life (+48%) and pain (+30%), but without any overall survival benefit. Two studies using taxols, TAX_327 and SWOG_9916, were published in the New England Journal of Medicine on 7 October 2004, with, for the first time, a median overall survival benefit of 2 months. However, the encouraging results of these 2 studies, which will probably modify the management of hormone-refractory prostate cancer, need to be interpreted cautiously. First of all, they were conducted in selected study populations (mean age less than 70 years, Kamofsky index greater than 80% in more than 85% of cases, local disease control in more than 70% of cases). They also comprise many methodological imprecisions and biases with especially, in the TAX 327 study, a change of treatment arm in 1/3 of patients without exclusion of these patients from the final analysis. The results obtained are also at the limit of statistical significance. The target improvement of overall survival, +25% and +33%, respectively, was not achieved at the end of these studies. Finally, from a palliative point of view, only one of these 2 studies (TAX_327) demonstrated a palliative benefit compared to mitoxantrone: 9% for pain, for a sixfold higher cost. Adverse effects were significantly more frequent than with mitoxantrone. Patient selection and details about the indications are necessary. Taxols should not be used systematically in this indication. Furthermore, although several studies are underway, the benefit of taxols at earlier stages of the disease are unknown. Urologists must be aware of the place of chemotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer in order to remain at the centre of the treatment decision.

[Treatment of inferior caliceal stones by flexible ureteroscopy]. / Traitement des calculs caliciels inférieurs par urétéroscopie souple.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the treatment of inferior caliceal stones by flexible ureterorenoscopy and Holinium-YAG laser on a series of 69 operations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between April 1998 and December 2003, 69 flexible ureteroscopies were performed for 55 stones in 49 patients. The mean age of the patients was 51.6 years (range: 18-78). The mean stone diameter was 12.8 mm (range: 5-3 1). 46% of stones had been pretreated by ESWL, PCNL or surgery. Endocorporeal lithotripsy was performed by Holmium-YAG laser in 45 cases, Lithoclast in 5 cases and en bloc extraction in 3 cases. Technical features, efficacy and morbidity were studied. The results were classified into fragment-free (FS), residual fragments (RF) < or = 4 mm, RF > 4 mm and failures. The results were evaluated on D0-D1 and at 3 months on a plain abdominal x-ray and ultrasound. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 61 minutes (range: 25-120). Nine stones required several procedures. 20% of stones were cystine stones. A ureteric stent was placed in 67 cases. The mean length of stay was 2.5 days (D0-D8). At 3 months, after one or several ureteroscopies, the results were: 22% FS, 40% RF < or = 4 mm, 13% RF > 4 mm and 25% failures. One half of failures occurred during the first 14 ureteroscopy procedures. There were 13 minor complications and no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results of flexible ureteroscopy in the treatment of inferior caliceal stones are encouraging, especially with standardization of the technique. It appears to be a good compromise between ESWL and PCNL, particularly for stones between 10 and 20 mm, cystine stones and after failure of reference techniques.

[Tubulopapillary tumours of the kidney: prognostic value and therapeutic implications of the distinction between type 1 and type 2 based on a series of 58 cases]. / Les tumeurs tubulo-papillaires du rein: intérêt pronostique de la distinction type 1/type 2. A propos de 58 cas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prognostic value of subdivision of tubulopapillary tumours into 2 histological subtypes and to discuss the therapeutic implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study of 58 cases from a series of 414 patients operated for renal cancer between 1988 and 2001 based on review of histology slides (biopsies and operative specimens). The radiological assessment was based on ultrasound reports and review of CT scans. Karyotypes were described by cytogenetic analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Tubulopapillary tumours represented 14% of all kidney tumours with a male prevalence of 77% and a mean age of 56.5 years. The overall mean follow-up was 62.6 months. Treatment consisted of 25 right radical nephrectomies, 29 left radical nephrectomies and 4 partial nephrectomies. 84% of tumours were low-grade and 80% were low stage T1 or T2. Multifocal lesions were observed in 31% of cases. Synchronous bilateral lesions were observed in 12% of cases. The 5-year survival was 95% and the 10-year survival was 87%, correlated with stage, grade, tumour diameter, presence of necrosis and low enhancement. According to the data reported by Delahunt, 2 subtypes can be distinguished: Type I tumours (75%) with low grade and low stage were correlated with a high rate of multifocal lesions (30%) with a genetic predisposition. Type 2 tumours (25%), usually unifocal, were correlated with a higher grade and stage, confirmed by their poorer prognosis. Biopsy allows a distinction of the type and grade of the tumour. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, for equivalent mean tumour diameters (55 mm), tubulopapillary tumours treated by radical nephrectomy had a good prognosis regardless of their subtype. Classification of the tumour by biopsy prior to surgery could have implications for therapeutic management. For type 1 tubulopapillary tumours identified on preoperative biopsy, we propose radical nephrectomy due to the high risk of multifocal lesions (30%). Although partial nephrectomy may be indicated for type 1 tubulopapillary tumours less than 4 cm, the patient must be informed about the risk of recurrence and the importance of long-term follow-up. Studies including a larger number of patients must be conducted to compare the survival associated with type 2 tumours compared to that of the classical histological subtype.

[Prostate cancer at high risk of recurrence: results of 12 months of radiotherapy-hormone therapy]. / Cancer de la prostate à haut risque de rechute. Résultats d'une RT-HT de 12 mois.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of progression after conformal radiotherapy combined with 12 months of adjuvant hormone therapy in a series of patients with prostate cancer considered to be at high risk of progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2001, 63 consecutive patients classified at high-risk according to Amico's classification were treated by combined radiotherapy-hormone therapy. All patients presented at least one factor of the high-risk group of Amico's classification: TNM 92 stage T2c, T3 or T4, or Gleason score > or = 8 or baseline PSA > 20 ng/ml. All patients were treated by combined radiotherapy-hormone therapy with concomitant hormone therapy for 2 months and adjuvant hormone therapy for 10 months. Biochemical progression was defined according to the ASTRO criteria. The median follow-up was 36 months. RESULTS: The 3-year and 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 78%. No local recurrence was observed in 94% of cases and no metastases were observed in 93% of patients. On univariate analysis, only a baseline PSA greater than 22 ng/ml was identified as a predictive factor of early biochemical recurrence. The 3-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 96% for patients with baseline PSA < 22 ng/ml and 56% for patients with baseline PSA > or = 22 ng/ml (p=0.0017). CONCLUSION: The early results of 12 months of radiotherapy-hormone therapy in high-risk patients in our series were comparable to those reported in the literature. Only a high baseline PSA was predictive of early biochemical recurrence. Adjuvant hormone therapy (long-term, intermittent hormone therapy) could therefore be modulated as a function of the baseline PSA.

[Renal oncocytoma associated with renal cell carcinoma]. / Adénome oncocytaire rénal associé à un carcinome à cellules rénales chromophobes.

Renal oncocytoma is a benign tumour that can be associated with renal cell carcinoma in rare genetic syndromes. The authors report the case of a 62-year-old patient with no medical history, in whom assessment of low back pain in 1999 demonstrated a 40 mm tumour of the lower pole of the left kidney. Percutaneous needle biopsy of the tumour demonstrated oncocytoma confirmed by Hale's stain. Follow-up ultrasound demonstrated an increase in size (88 mm) and a nine-fold increase in volume over four years (210 cm3 in April 2003). Surgery was indicated in view of the rapid increase of the tumour volume. Histological examination of the operative specimen demonstrated a combination of oncocytoma and Fuhrman grade III renal cell carcinoma.

[Reduction of the renal transplantation cold ischaemia time by the use of a timesheet]. / Reduction des durées d'ischémie froide des transplants rénaux par la mise en place d'une fiche de traçabilité horaire.

OBJECTIVE: Reduction of the cold ischaemia time is one of the major objectives designed to improve the quality and cost of renal transplantation. Based on the experience of other centres, we report the impact of using a renal transplantation timesheet on the cold ischaemia time in our centre. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Since March 2004, we have used a renal transplantation timesheet with the collaboration of all personnel involved in transplantation (coordination, nephrologists, clinical pathologists). For each kidney harvested, the name of the personnel and the start and end times of their interventions were recorded. The authors report the results for the first 7 months. Cold ischaemia times and the incidence of delayed graft function were studied. RESULTS: 47 kidneys were harvested between 01/03/2004 and 30/9/2004 in our centre and 46 transplantations were performed. The mean cold ischaemia time was 14 h 51 min, i.e. a reduction of 8 hours 58 minutes compared to that observed in 2003 (23 h 50 min) (p < 0.01). Delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in 10/46 (21.74%) recipients. This DGF rate was significantly lower than that observed in 2003 (DGF 2003 = 30%), while the mean donor serum creatinine was higher (155 +/- 177 micromol/l vs 98 +/- 71 micromol/l in 2003, p < 0.05). The longest delays were those related to availability of an operating room (n=2: 10 h and 14 h). CONCLUSION: The use of a renal transplantation timesheet allowed a significant reduction of the cold ischaemia time and DGF rate. It requires the collaboration of all renal transplantation personnel and is an indicator of motivation. This timesheet allowed the correction of certain habits that can still be improved. These results should lead to an improvement of the results and cost of renal transplantation.

Neural cell adhesion molecule expression in renal cell carcinomas: relation to metastatic behavior.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is expressed by a subgroup of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and by a limited number of adult organs, including the central nervous system (CNS) and adrenal gland. Because the major function of NCAM is homophilic adhesion between homotypic and heterotypic cells, we hypothesized that NCAM-expressing RCCs should preferentially metastasize to the CNS and adrenal gland. We did a retrospective immunohistochemical analysis of NCAM expression both in 338 primary renal tumors, including 249 conventional RCCs and 31 metastases of conventional RCCs. In primary renal tumors, NCAM was expressed by only 38 (15.2%) conventional RCCs and by no other histological subtypes of renal tumor. This expression correlated with a higher risk of adrenal and CNS metastases (P <0.001). NCAM expression also correlated with tumor size (P <0.001), renal vein involvement (P = 0.02), perirenal invasion (P = 0.02), and Fuhrman grading (P < 0.001). Finally, patients with NCAM-expressing RCCs had a lower survival rate (P = 0.006), especially in the first 2 years after surgery. NCAM expression is of interest both for evaluating the prognosis of patients with conventional RCCs and for determining a subgroup of patients at high risk for adrenal and CNS metastases.

Transurethral ureterorenolithotripsy using new automated irrigation/suction system controlling pressure and flow compared with standard irrigation: a randomized pilot study.

PURPOSE: To compare in a random fashion an automated irrigation/suction pump system with the standard pressurized technique during transurethral ureterorenolithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2001 and December 2001, 47 patients were prospectively included. Prior to randomization, rigid instruments were allocated to 25 patients (group R) and flexible instruments to 22 patients (group F) according to stone location. The groups R and F were then randomized separately, and the pressurized technique was employed in groups R1 and F1, while the automated system was employed in groups R2 and F2. Operative time, amount of liquid consumed, and stone-free rate at the end of the procedure were analyzed. RESULTS: For the entire series, ureteroscopy time using the automated system (mean 42 +/- 17[SD] minutes; range 15-90 minutes) was 35% less than with the pressurized technique (mean 65 +/- 25 minutes; range 20-135 minutes) (P = 0.04 Wilcoxon score). The stone-free rate was significantly higher in groups R2 + F2 (92%) than in groups R1 + F1 (69%) (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: With the ENDO FMS UROLOGY system, there was a significant reduction in the mean ureteroscopy time: 32% less with the rigid instrument and 53% less with the flexible instrument. This seems to be attributable to a wider working space and highly improved visibility. The integrated suction at constant flow allows efficient evacuation of stone fragments while limiting cavity pressure. These results, obtained on 47 patients, should be confirmed by larger randomized studies.

[Flexible ureteroscopy in upper urinary tract diseases]. / L'urétéroscopie souple dans la pathologie du haut appareil urinaire.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of active deflection flexible miniureterorenoscopes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications in the management of upper urinary tract diseases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors report a series of 111 consecutive patients undergoing a total of 137 flexible ureteroscopies for upper urinary tract disease between November 1997 and April 2001. The procedures were performed for diagnostic purposes (54 cases: 39%) or therapeutic purposes (83 cases; 61%). A successful procedure was defined as achievement of the objective defined when establishing the indication for ureteroscopy. The mean age of the patients was 51 +/- 15 years. The main diseases investigated or treated were stones (66%) and urothelial tumours (25%). RESULTS: The mean operating time was 42 +/- 22 min. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range: 0-27 days). 8% of patients did not require any postoperative ureteric drainage. 78% of the flexible ureteroscopies performed were successful. Complications were observed in 8% of cases, mainly macroscopic haematuria, including 3 major complications in the form of ureteric perforation. Serious intraoperative equipment damage was observed in 4% of cases. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopy with a flexible mini-ureteroscope is an effective, reproducible and minimally traumatic diagnostic and therapeutic technique for lesions situated above the iliac vessels. The use of various instruments, including the Holmium:Yag laser, should increase the range of possibilities of endoscopic techniques. The major limitation of active deflection flexible mini-ureterorenoscopes remains their fragility.

[De novo cancer in a kidney transplant]. / Cancer de novo sur un rein transplanté.

Development of cancer on a kidney transplant is a rare complication of renal transplantation. In the light of a case of cancer on a kidney transplant, in a series of 729 consecutive renal transplantations performed between January 1987 and December 2000, the authors discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, treatment and prevention of this disease and emphasize the importance of regular and prolonged periodic ultrasound surveillance of kidney transplants. The reference treatment is transplantectomy with discontinuation of immunosuppression and resumption of haemodialysis. Under certain conditions, partial transplantectomy could appear be an alternative to the reference treatment.