Upper urinary tract urothelial cell carcinoma: location as a predictive factor for concomitant bladder carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the existence of predictive factors for concomitant, primary UUT-UCC and BC. Upper urinary tract urothelial cell carcinoma (UUT-UCC) is a pan-urothelial disease of the transitional epithelial cells. Although several studies have shown the association of bladder recurrence following UUT-UCC, little is known on the incidence of concomitant UUT-UCC and bladder cancer (BC) without previous BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 673 patients diagnosed and treated for UUT-UCC was performed. Patients with history of BC were excluded. We investigated age, sex, location of the upper tract tumor (calyx, renal pelvis, upper ureter, mid-ureter, lower ureter), multifocality, clinical symptoms, tumor grade and pathological stage. Contingency tables and chi-square test were used for categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for quantitative variables. RESULTS: 450 patients eligible for inclusion were identified. Of these, 76 (17 %) presented concomitant primary UUT-UCC and BC. Location of primary UUT-UCC was in calyx and/or renal pelvis in 25 patients (34 %), upper ureter 8 (11 %) and lower ureter 37 (49 %). In 6 patients (8 %), data were missing. Concomitant BC was found in 10, 18, and 33 % of patients with primary caliceal/renal pelvis, upper ureter and lower ureter UUT-UCC, respectively. On multivariate analysis, location of UUT-UCC was the only predictive factor for concomitant bladder tumor (OR: 1.7; 95 % CI, 1.007-2.906 p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the possibility of concomitant BC in primary diagnosed patient with UUT-UCC is as high as 33 % and mainly depends on upper tract tumor location.

Key areas in the learning curve for robotic urological surgery: a Spanish multicentre survey.

BACKGROUND: The number of robotic-assisted procedures offered in Spain is rapidly increasing despite a lack of consensus criteria for training and credentialling. OBJECTIVE: This national multicentre study was designed to analyze the different areas of the robotic urological surgery learning curve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 13 urology units in Spain with an active robotics programme requesting information on training and problems encountered. RESULTS: In most centres (n = 11, 84.6%), training programmes were animal-based; cadavers were used at only 2 (15.4%). Proctoring in initial procedures was practiced by 12 groups (92.3%). When initiating the robotics programme, the console was shared at 8 units (61.5%). Prior experience in open and/or laparoscopic surgery was reported by 10 of the groups (76.9%), and experience in open surgery only by 2 (15.4%) or robotic surgery alone by 1 (7.7%). The procedure with which the robotics programme was started in all 13 participating units was radical prostatectomy. The number of cases needed to complete the learning curve for this procedure was 20-25 cases according to 8 (61.5%) surgery teams. CONCLUSIONS: Up until March 26, 2010, 1,692 operations, mostly radical prostatectomies, were conducted using the da Vinci robot in our country.

[The Open Access Initiative (OAI) in the scientific literature]. / La Iniciativa Open Access (OAI) en la literatura científica.

According to the declaration of the Budapest Open Access Initiative (OAI) is defined as a editorial model in which access to scientific journal literature and his use are free. Free flow of information allowed by Internet has been the basis of this initiative. The Bethesda and the Berlin declarations, supported by some international agencies, proposes to require researchers to deposit copies of all articles published in a self-archive or an Open Access repository, and encourage researchers to publish their research papers in journals Open Access. This paper reviews the keys of the OAI, with their strengths and controversial aspects; and it discusses the position of databases, search engines and repositories of biomedical information, as well as the attitude of the scientists, publishers and journals. So far the journal Actas Urológicas Españolas (Act Urol Esp) offer their contents on Open Access as On Line in Spanish and English.

[Non-sparing surgery of a transplanted kidney]. / Nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica en riñón trasplantado.

There is an increasement on the incidence of tumours within the population of renal transplanted, from three to five times over general population. Related to urological tumours, it emphasizes an increase in the incidence of the renal carcinoma, around 4,7% against 3% on general population. In this case, we present a 56-year-old patient, who suffered a renal transplant 8 years ago. Incidentally, it is diagnosed a 3 cm mass at the back face of the transplanted kidney, suggestive of renal neoplasm. Given the characteristics of the mass, of the patient and because of the good graft function, we propose the non-sparing surgery of the transplanted kidney as treatment. The patient went back home 6 days after the surgery, with a creatinine value of 106 micromol/L. The pathology of the piece was a papilar carcinoma, type II, pT1aG3, free margins of tumour. The non-sparing techniques like the partial nephrectomy, the criotherapy and the radiofrequency ablation, can be useful and must be considered when it is tried to preserve the renal function, overall in case of bilateral tumours or solitary kidney, and in small and/or eccentric tumours. Renal neoplasms necessarily does not imply the loss of the graft and allows a similar handling to transplanted patient, applying conservative techniques in selected cases.

[Female urethral stricture: etiology, diagnostic and treatment]. / Estenosis uretral en la mujer: etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Female urethral stricture is an infrequent cause of bladder outlet obstruction, which is also a rare clinical entity in women. The most frequent etiology is the previous urogenital surgery. Periurethral fibrosis is the final cause regardless the etiology. Considerably controversie surrounds in the diagnostic criteria but the estrictures are structural obstructions which involve media and distal third of the female urethra. There is no treatment consensus, but less agresive maneuvers such as dilatations and urethrotomies are chosen to treat primary estrictures, although the high recurrence rates. Reconstructive tecniques with the use of several flaps and grafts should be considered in recurrent cases and when there is a partial or total urethral defect.

[Robotic radical prostatectomy: first 100 patients in Fundació Puigvert]. / Prostatectomía radical robótica: análisis después de 100 casos en la Fundació Puigvert.

OBJECTIVE: We present the 100 first robotic radical prostatectomy with Da Vinci (RRPdaV), corresponding to the first experience in Spain. METHODS: We reviewed the first 100 patients that underwent transperitoneal RRPda performed in Fundació Puigvert between July 2005 and January 2007. All cases were performed by 5 surgeons, being the learning curve for all of them. We analyzed surgical time, blood loss, conversion rate, intra and postoperative complications, hospital stay and days of bladder catheterization. Also, rates and location of surgical margins, as well as functional outcomes with an average follow up of 10.3 months. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 180 minutes (100-310) and blood loss 210 mL (100-390). Blood transfusion was required in 2 cases. There were no intraoperative complications and neither any conversion to open surgery. There were 3 outstanding postoperative events, a compartmentalize syndrome, an acute urinary retention after removal of urethral catheter, and a paresthesias due to brachial plexus compression. Mean hospital stay were 3.7 days. (2-21). We had 21 cases of positive surgical margins (21%). The most frequent location was posterior lateral. 69 of 100 patients (69%) reached early (<3 months) total continence, 91% achieved in 9 months, and remaining 9% required use of at least one pad. Concerning to sexual function, 13 of 100 patients (13%) had preoperative erectile dysfunction, of remaining cases, 62% preserved potency at review, and 38% had postoperative erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: RRPDAv is a safe and reproducible procedure, and offers promising oncological and functional results with a minimal invasive technique. In spite of include the learning curve of 5 surgeons; we obtain an excellent rate of continence, and an acceptable sexual function. The individual improvement, with more experience, and a longer follow-up, will allow to value evolution of the technique, and it results.

[Robotic radical cystoprostatectomy: oncological and functional analysis]. / Cistoprostatectomía radical robótica: análisis oncológico y funcional.

INTRODUCTION: The da Vinci robotic laparoscopic surgery, has been shown in radical prostatectomy, optimal functional and oncological results with a lower learning curve, greater comfort and vision for the surgeon, and proper preservation of the neurovascular bundles. This has led to begin the experience with robotic radical cystectomy (RRC). OBJECTIVES: Review our initial experience in CRR, evaluating surgical and functional results obtained, and also immediate and short-term complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 2007 and January 2009 we performed nine robotic radical cystoprostatectomy and in seven patients robotic lymphadenectomy (LDN). Five patients had a muscle-invasive disease and 4 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The median age was 57 years (range 34-81). Urinary diversion was performed extracorporeally in all cases, 3 cases an ileal conduit and 6 an Studer neobladder in 3 of these 6 cases, the urethra-neobladder anastomosis was performed intracorporeally. RESULTS: The average time of surgery was 300 minutes (range 280-420) in the ileal conduit and 360 (range 330-540) in the Studer. No cases required conversion or blood transfusion. The median number of nodes removed by LDN robotics was 10 (range 6-18). The pathology revealed 3 pT0. 2 CIS, 3 pT3, 1 pT4b (positive margins). With a median follow up of 7 months there have been no peritoneal implant and only one ureteral stenosis. Oral diet was initiated in 5 cases at 48 hours. Of the 6 patients with preserved sexual function preoperatively and followup of more than 3 months, 2 had full erection at 1 month, 2 at 3 and 6 months, and the remaining 2 presented with a full erection with 5 PD inhibitors at 3 and 9 months. All patients with neobladder presented correct daytime continence. The average hospital stay was 8.5 days (range 7-19). CONCLUSIONS: The radical robotic cystectomy with extracorporeal reconstruction of the urinary diversion offers good early functional and surgical outcomes. The careful preservation of the neurovascular bundles in radical pelvic surgery provides excellent results in urinary and sexual function.

[Spanish bottled and tap water analysis and their relation with urinary lithiasis]. / Análisis de las aguas embotelladas y de grifo españolas y de las implicaciones de su consumo en la litiasis urinaria.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a chemical analysis of all the available waters in Spain with the idea of offering consume recommendations to lithiasic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information research of the chemical composition of Spanish tap and bottled water in publications, supermarkets and Internet. A descriptive study, and a correlation study between water components by means of Pearson test were performed. RESULTS: Information about composition from tap water of most of the main Spanish cities and 85 bottled water brands was found. A significant correlation between calcium and magnesium concentration (p = 0.0001) and high correlation between bicarbonate and sodium concentration (p = 0.0001, Pearson coefficient 0.958) was found. It is also offered water classifications according to calcium, bicarbonate, sodium and magnesium concentrations. CONCLUSION: A guideline about water election for lithiasic patients is offered according to their geographical origin and dietetic preferences, mainly lactic consume.

[Limits of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of renal tumors]. / Límites de la cirugía laparoscópica en el tratamiento del tumor renal.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is considered to be the technique of choice in the mangement of stage T1 and T2 renal cancer, though increased mastery of this alternative type of surgery has served to expand its indications. In any case, these procedures have a series of limitations which are tied to the intrinsic characteristics of laparoscopic surgery, and which are associated with the patient and tumor characteristics, and the experience of the surgeon. The present study discusses the different indications and establishes the current limits of laparoscopic surgery applied to the management of renal tumors. Its role in cell-reducing therapy in metastatic disease, and the methods available for reducing tumor implantation in the surgical ports are also commented.

[Laparoscopic renal cryotherapy: preliminary experience]. / Crioterapia renal laparoscópica: experiencia inicial.

OBJECTIVE: Renal cryotherapy has been described as a minimally invasive procedure that represents an alternative for selected patients with small renal tumors. Our preliminary experience with this procedure is reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] Eighteen patients with 21 tumors with a mean tumor size of 2.2 cm (1-4) in the preoperative CT scan underwent renal cryotherapy using a double freeze-thaw cycle. The group consisted of 14 males (64%) and 4 females (18% with a mean age of 68 years (32-84). All patients had undergone prior surgery for renal tumor in the treated or the opposite kidney. A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used in all patients. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 196 minutes (120-140), and no patient received transfusions during or after surgery. No complications occurred in 14 patients (64%). Perirenal abscess, splenic laceration, ureteral lesion, and polar artery lesion occurred in one patient each. Peroperative biopsy was performed in 5 patients (22.7%) and was positive for renal cancer in two cases, while material was insufficient in three patients. Mean hospital stay was 6 days (2-16). Creatinine levels were 106 mg% (48-230) before surgery and 123 mg/% (52-270) 6 months after surgery. A CT scan was performed in all patients one and six months after surgery, showing a residual enhancement area in two of them. Sixteen patients (88.8%) are disease-free after a mean follow-up time of 46 months (6-116). Metastatic disease occurred in two patients (11%) in the setting of a prior renal tumor in the same or the opposite kidney and required treatment with antiangiogenic agents. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series reporting renal cryosurgery in Spain, in complex cases and with adequate follow-up. Results are encouraging and allow for considering renal cryotherapy among the minimally invasive procedures for nephron-sparing surgery.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guèrin for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Intravesical instillations with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is considered the treatment of choice in the prophylaxis of high-grade superficial bladder carcinoma and in the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. METHODS: There is no previous experience with BCG treatment in patients with renal transplantation. Theoretically, immunosuppression is a contraindication because of the risk of severe morbidity and sepsis. We present our experience with endovesical BCG in three renal transplant patients, under immunosuppressive treatment, with high-grade superficial bladder cancer and CIS. RESULTS: Two patients are free of disease at 17 and 60 months. One patient developed disease recurrence and underwent a radical cystectomy. There was neither change in renal function nor any clinical evidence of tuberculous infection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical BCG in superficial bladder cancer and/or CIS is a valid option, with no added morbidity to renal transplant patients.

The Spanish linguistic validation of the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire (USSQ) is an intervention-specific health-related quality-of-life (HrQoL) measure. We describe development and validation of the Spanish version. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed established methods to develop the Spanish version of the original USSQ. After pilot testing, we conducted a formal validation study; 70 patients, undergoing placement of ureteral stents, successfully completed the Spanish USSQ as well as the EuroQoL-5D (male and female), the ICIQ male and female lower urinary tract symptoms questionnaires at weeks 1 and 4 after stent insertions, and at week 4 after their removal. In addition, 40 healthy people acted as a control group and completed the same questionnaires twice at 3-week intervals. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the Spanish USSQ. RESULTS: After revision of the initial two drafts after translation, back translation, and pilot testing, a final draft was developed that underwent field testing. Psychometric analyses revealed satisfactory internal consistencies (Cronbach alpha coefficients: 0.73-0. 85) and test-retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient: >0.6) for the domains of urinary symptom, body pain, and general health. It demonstrated satisfactory discriminant validity (sensitivity to change, p<0.01), convergent validity (good correlations between the domains of the USSQ and existing validated questionnaires), and test-retest reliability (p<0.001). Analysis of the domains of the sexual matter (21.4%) and work performance (35.7%) were limited because of the small proportion of the study population for whom it was applicable. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our development and validation study demonstrate that the new Spanish version of the USSQ is a psychometrically valid intervention-specific measurer for use in the second most common language in the world. It is a reliable outcome measure that could be used for both clinical and research purposes.

Intravesical instillations with bacillus calmette-guérin for the treatment of carcinoma in situ involving prostatic ducts.

OBJECTIVES: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has proven its efficacy in the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the prostatic urethra. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the use of intravesical instillations of BCG in patients with carcinoma in situ involving prostatic ducts after complete transurethral resection (TUR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eligibility for the study was CIS of the prostatic urethra involving prostatic ducts. Previous instillation with BCG was an exclusion criterion. Patients were treated with intravesical BCG Connaught (81 mg) administered once a week, over a 6-wk period. TUR loop biopsies of the prostate were performed only when a macroscopic tumor was present. RESULTS: In this retrospective study of 11 patients, 8 (73%) presented with macroscopic tumor in the prostatic urethra. Ten patients (91%) had a simultaneous superficial bladder carcinoma. Eight patients (73%) had tumoral involvement of the bladder neck region. After a median follow-up of 27 mo (n=10 patients), the response in the prostatic urethra was 82%, and the response in the bladder due to superficial tumor recurrence was 64%. Two patients with residual ductal disease in the prostatic urethra were subsequently treated with cystoprostatectomy and are currently free of disease. In one of those patients, the cystoprostatectomy specimen did show prostatic stromal invasion. Another patient developed distant metastatic disease and died a few months after diagnosis. Thus, progression was encountered in two patients (18%). Currently, 90% of patients are alive without evidence of disease and 72.7% have benefitted from this bladder preservation strategy. CONCLUSION: Intravesical BCG is a feasible treatment option for patients with CIS involving prostatic ducts. In this retrospective study, bladder preservation was successful in 8 of 11 patients (70%) and there was only one oncologic death. Obviously, these patients need a careful follow-up with cystoscopy and cytology to detect either recurrence or progression and in those with persistent disease after the initial BCG induction therapy, prompt cystectomy is indicated.

[Radical prostatectomy in patients with history of transurethral resection of the prostate]. / Prostatectomía radical en pacientes con antecedentes de RTU próstata.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a retrospective evaluation of surgical complications and morbidity in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) as elective treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer in our center with previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: Between 1980-2004 we performed 59 radical prostatectomies in patients with previous TURP. We analyze the morbidity and mortality of the RRP, its functional outcomes, and the accordance between clinical and pathological stage. RESULTS: Mean time between TURP and RRP was 16 months. Mean patient age at the time of diagnosis was 63 years. Clinical stage: 16 T1a, 18T1b, 20T1c, 3T2a, 2T2b. Average surgical time was 180 minutes. Intraoperative events: technical difficulties in the dissection of the gland 57%, bladder neck preservation 27%, neuro vascular bundles preservation 3.39%, ureter ligation 1.69%, rectal laceration 1.69, urethrorrhagia 1.69%, urinary leak 5%, and blood transfusions 11.8%. Postoperative complications: urinary tract infection 10.17%, wound infection 10.17%, pelvic hematoma 5.08%, deep vein thrombosis 1.69%, and one sudden death of unknown cause one month after surgery. Pathologic report: 49pT2b, 8 pT3 and 2pT4. Late complications: erectile dysfunction 85.7%, vesicourethral anastomosis stenosis 10.3%, and complete urinary incontinence 3%. CONCLUSIONS: Radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with previous TURP is technically more difficult and has comparable outcomes to RRP patients without previous TURP.

[Determination of P53 in infiltrative primary bladder tumors as a prognostic factor for understaging]. / La determinación de p53 en tumor vesical primario infiltrante como factor pronóstico de subestadiaje.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if p53 expression in patients with infiltrative bladder cancer is a prognostic factor on clinical staging and cancer specific survival. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of p53 in 34 patients (33 males and 1 female) undergoing radical cystectomy for infiltrative bladder cancer, with a mean follow-up of 16 months. RESULTS: p53 overexpression was detected in 18 patients (64%). In the p53 positive group two patients were stage T1G3, 18 patients T2, 1 patient T3, and 2 patients T4. In the negative group a better correspondence between TUR and cystectomy stage was found, with stage worsening only in 3 patients. On follow-up, p53 positive patients showed worse outcomes due to their worse stages, although no statistical differences were found (p = 0.24). In the group of patients following a bladder sparing protocol (n = 6), p53 negative patients had complete remission of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: We see significant differences on understaging/more aggressive local outcome in p53 positive patients, with no greater mortality in this group. P53 expression does not contraindicate the inclusion of a patient in a bladder sparing protocol, although larger studies would be necessary to confirm these results.

Acute bacterial prostatitis: two different sub-categories according to a previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract.

Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) (NIH Category I), has not undergone any modification in the update of prostatitis classification. ABP was diagnosed in 614 patients in our centre over 9 years (1993-2001). We analyse the clinical pattern of ABP and the role of bladder outlet obstruction in its etiology, as well as whether two different ABP sub-categories could be defined as a function of a history of previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract. The results of the study show that the clinical pattern of a patient suffering from ABP does not differ from the statements of previous publications. On the other hand, patients with ABP have been shown to present with no bladder outlet obstruction. Finally, this study has disclosed the fact that the cases of ABP elicited by previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract (10%) show a different pattern from those cases where no previous manipulation has occurred (90%). The patients with ABP secondary to manipulation are older, have a higher risk of prostate abscess and higher frequency of multiple infections and also infections by pathogens other than Escherichia coli. Due to all of these reasons, it would be advisable to subdivide category I within the classification of prostatitis.

[Renal cell carcinoma associated with contralateral metacronous renal oncocytoma]. / Carcinoma de células renales asociado a oncocitoma renal contralateral metacrónico.

OBJECTIVES: To report one case of renal cell carcinoma and contralateral metacronous oncocytoma, and to perform a bibliographic review on the topic. METHODS: 52-year-old male patient with history of right radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. On his ten-year follow-up multiple lesions appeared in the left kidney. Partial nephrectomy was performed. Pathological study showed three oncocytomas. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of metacronous lesions in the contralateral kidney of a patient with history of renal cell carcinoma is rare. The presence of the same histological type of tumor should always be suspected and the management should follow this suspicion. Contralateral metacronous oncocytoma is a rare pathology which has not been reported in the literature so far.

[Prostatic abscess: report of a case]. / Absceso prostático: a propósito de un caso.

OBJECTIVES: To report one case of prostatic abscess which required emergency surgical treatment because of its aggressive evolution. METHODS: We describe the case of a 61-year-old male patient who was diagnosed of prostatic abscess in the emergency room, and initially underwent conservative treatment with antibiotics and urinary diversion. Due to clinical impairment to septicemia and upper urinary tract involvement we decided to perform a surgical perineal drainage. RESULTS: The septic clinical picture resolved immediately, but he presented a prostatic-perineal fistula in the intermediate postoperative period which resolved with prolonged urinary diversion by cystotomy catheter. HIV serologies were performed considering the aggressiveness of picture; they were positive. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize this case because of the great aggressiveness that presented, possibly due to factors such as diabetes and immunosuppression (HIV). Provided the great variety of presentations of this disease, a high degree of suspicion must be exercised for its diagnosis, and once the diagnosis is got immediate treatment is recommended. We review etiopathogenic factors, clinical findings, diagnosis and therapeutic options.