In vitro comparison of simulated intrapelvic pressure in an artificial kidney model during retrograde intrarenal surgery among various single-use ureteroscopes.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares intrapelvic pressure (IPP) during retrograde intrarenal surgery with various single-use flexible ureteroscopes (f-URS) in an artificial kidney model. METHODS: We created an artificial kidney model with a pressure sensor using a bladder evacuation device. The model was completely closed and the only backflow was on the side of the ureteroscope inside the ureteral access sheath (UAS). We tested five single-use f-URSs (LithoVue, Wiscope, PU3022A, PU3033A, and AXIS) with six different types of UAS (9.5/11.5-14/16 Fr). Using the automatic irrigation system, 30 s of irrigation was performed at various pressures (40-180 mmHg) and steady-state IPP was recorded. IPP was compared between the five single-use f-URSs. IPP cutoff value was determined at 30 mmHg. The diameter of the endoscope tip and the curved and shaft parts were also measured and recorded. RESULTS: The diameters of all parts were significantly different between single-use f-URSs. The maximum IPP tended to be higher in ureteroscopes with larger diameters of the proximal parts (curved part/shaft part). In LithoVue and Uscope PU3022A f-URSs, the maximum IPP did not exceed 30 mmHg when UAS ≥12/14 Fr was used. In AXIS and Wiscope f-URSs, it did not exceed the cutoff value when the UAS ≥11/13 Fr was used. In Uscope PU3033A f-URS, it did not exceed 30 mmHg when the UAS ≥10/12 Fr was used. CONCLUSIONS: Maximum IPP tended to be higher in f-URSs with larger diameters of the proximal part and the appropriate size of the UAS differed between various single-use f-URSs.

Prognostic significance of pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin grade in metastatic urothelial carcinoma receiving pembrolizumab.

BACKGROUND: Pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin grade is a useful biomarker for predicting prognosis in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced malignancies. We evaluated the prognostic impact of pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin grade in patients receiving pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, we calculated pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin scores of 96 patients who received pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma between January 2018 and March 2022. Patients were classified according to albumin-bilirubin grade. Progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival were compared between the groups. To evaluate the prognostic impact of pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin grade, we also performed Cox proportional regression analyses for progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: The median pre-treatment albumin bilirubin score was -2.52 (quartile: -2.76 to -2.10), and albumin-bilirubin grade was grade 1 in 37 patients (39%), grade 2a in 30 patients (31%), 2b in 22 patients (23%) and grade 3 in 7 patients (7%). The median progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival were 2 and 7 months, respectively. Progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival were significantly different between the albumin-bilirubin grade groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively) and prognosis became poorer as albumin-bilirubin grade increased. High albumin-bilirubin grade was shown in multivariable Cox proportional analyses to be independently associated with both poor progression-free survival and poor cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: High pre-treatment albumin-bilirubin grade could be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients receiving pembrolizumab for advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Bladder neck size and its association with urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: This study aims to determine whether bladder neck size (BNS) measured during surgery is associated with urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: Between June 2015 and March 2019, 365 consecutive eligible patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were enrolled into a prospective observational cohort study. The primary outcome was patient-reported urinary continence status at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively, with continence defined as 0 pad/day. The primary exposure was BNS (largest diameter) measured intraoperatively just before performance of vesicourethral anastomosis. Other covariates included age, body mass index, NCCN risk category, nerve-sparing, membranous urethral length measured intraoperatively and weight of the resected specimen. Results: Well-preserved neurovascular bundle (bilateral/unilateral/none) was highly correlated with urinary continence status at every point after surgery. No difference could be seen between the group with BNS ≤17 mm and the >17-mm group at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery, but there was better urinary rate of continence in narrow BNS group (≤17 mm) at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Multivariate analysis showed both nerve sparing and bladder neck diameter to be independent factors affecting urinary continence at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Conclusion: Preservation of neurovascular bundles was associated with better urinary continence after surgery. Smaller BNS was associated with better urinary continence in late stages after surgery (12-24 months after surgery).

Modified 5-Item Frailty Index Score as Prognostic Marker After Radical Cystectomy in Bladder Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: A modified 5-item frailty index was recently developed as a predictor of patient comorbidity-based mortality and morbidity. We evaluate the association between preoperative modified 5-item frailty index score and prognosis after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, we calculated modified 5-item frailty index scores of the 238 patients that underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between March 2009, and March 2018. The patients were classified into high frailty index score (≥ 2) or low frailty index score (≤ 1) groups for comparison of overall and cancer-specific survival between them. To evaluate the prognostic impact of the preoperative frailty index, we also performed Cox proportional regression analyses for overall, and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Of 238 patients, 53 patients were classified into the high frailty index score group and 185 patients into the low frailty index score group. Overall, 70 patients died of bladder cancer (29%), and 21 patients died of other causes (9%). The patients with high frailty index score had significantly lower rate of overall survival than those with low frailty index score (P < .01). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival rate between the 2 groups (P = .07). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that high modified 5-item frailty index score was independently associated with poor overall survival (P = .01), but not with poor cancer-specific survival (P = .15). CONCLUSION: High preoperative modified 5-item frailty index score could be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer.

Myosteatosis as a novel predictor of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy without nerve sparing between December 2012 and March 2019. Psoas muscle index and average total psoas density, which were measured on preoperative computed tomography images at level L3, were used to evaluate sarcopenia and myosteatosis, respectively. In addition, several magnetic resonance imaging variables associated with pelvic muscles, the urethra and the prostate were measured. Urinary continence was defined as non-use or use of just one incontinence pad per day. Logistic regression analyses aimed to identify the predictors of urinary incontinence 3 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 121 patients were included in the analysis. The incidence rates of urinary incontinence 3 and 12 months after surgery were 42% (51/121 cases) and 16% (19/121 cases), respectively. Logistic multivariable analysis showed that low average total psoas density was the only significant independent predictor of urinary incontinence 3 months after surgery (P < 0.01), and low obturator internus muscle thickness (P = 0.01), short membranous urethral length (P = 0.01) and low average total psoas density (P < 0.01) were significant independent predictors of urinary incontinence 12 months after surgery. By contrast, psoas muscle index was not statistically associated with urinary incontinence after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Myosteatosis (low average total psoas density) could be a novel predictor of urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Natural History of Asymptomatic Pseudoaneurysm Soon After Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy: Single-center Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the natural history of asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm after robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy was undertaken for 67 patients between July 2014 and July 2018. Patients who could not undergo enhanced CT were excluded, so 60 patients were finally included in the present study. We prospectively investigated the presence of pseudoaneurysm based on early enhanced CT scan on postoperative day 7. According to our treatment policy, patients with symptomatic pseudoaneurysm underwent selective transarterial embolization. Meanwhile, patients with asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm were observed with follow-up CT imaging, regardless of the size of the aneurysm. RESULTS: Overall incidence of pseudoaneurysm on postoperative day 7 was 18% (11/60 cases). The median size of the pseudoaneurysm was 9 mm (quartile: 6-12 mm). Two patients with symptomatic pseudoaneurysm underwent selective transarterial embolization. Nine patients had asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm; in 8 of these it disappeared without therapeutic intervention. The median period from surgery to confirmed disappearance of the aneurysm was 19 days (quartile 14-32 days). In the remaining 1 patient, small asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm (2 mm) could still be observed even 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study showed high incidence of pseudoaneurysm 1 week after robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy that mostly disappeared without therapeutic intervention. Routine enhanced CT screening and pre-emptive embolization may not be necessary for asymptomatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the prostate in a young man.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate sarcoma is an extremely rare disease with a poor prognosis. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma has never been described in the prostate.Case presentation: A 27-year-old man complained of frequent urination and dysuria for several years. Various examinations were suggestive of prostate sarcoma. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed as prostate sarcoma via ultrasound-guided transrectal needle biopsy. Because the location of the tumor in the prostate was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, we performed robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The final pathological diagnosis was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Local recurrence occurred at the front of the rectum 2 months after surgery. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy were initially effective, he died 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the prostate is believed to have a poor prognosis. When selecting the surgical procedure, functionality should be considered for individual cases with complete resection.

Upper urinary tract stone disease in patients with poor performance status: active stone removal or conservative management?

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial as to whether active stone removal should be performed in patients with poor performance status because of their short life expectancy and perioperative risks. Our objectives were to evaluate treatment outcomes of active stone removal in patients with poor performance status and to compare life prognosis with those managed conservatively. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3 or 4 treated for upper urinary tract calculi at our four hospitals between January 2009 and March 2016. Patients were classified into either surgical treatment group or conservative management group based on the presence of active stone removal. Stone-free rate and perioperative complications in surgical treatment group were reviewed. In addition, we compared overall survival and stone-specific survival between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to investigate predictors of overall survival and stone-specific survival. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (70.3%) underwent active stone removal (surgical treatment group) by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (n = 6), ureteroscopy (n = 39), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n = 6) or nephrectomy (n = 1). The overall stone-free rate was 78.8% and perioperative complication was observed in nine patients (17.3%). Conservative treatment was undergone by 22 patients (29.7%) (conservative management group). Two-year overall survival rates in surgical treatment and conservative management groups were 88.0% and 38.4%, respectively (p < 0.01) and two-year stone-specific survival rates in the two groups were 100.0% and 61.3%, respectively (p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, stone removal was not significant, but was considered a possible favorable predictor for overall survival (p = 0.07). Moreover, stone removal was the only independent predictor of stone-specific survival (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Active stone removal for patients with poor performance status could be performed safely and effectively. Compared to conservative management, surgical stone treatment achieved longer overall survival and stone-specific survival.

Comparison between various densities of pore titanium meshes and e-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane regarding bone regeneration induced by low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in rabbit nasal bone.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare bone regenerative capability following use of polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane against that when various densities of pore titanium meshes are used with and without low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male white rabbits were divided into 8 groups. In 4 groups, after incising along the nasal bone, four 3 × 8 mm bone defects were made in both sides and covered by an ePTFE membrane (group E: n = 15), a high density pore titanium mesh (group H: n = 15), a low density pore titanium mesh (group L: n = 15), and no mesh (control) (group C: n = 15). Furthermore, LIPUS was irradiated after surgery in 4 groups (groups EL, HL, LL and CL, in each n = 15). The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2 and 8 weeks postoperative, and formalin-fixed specimens were embedded in acrylic resin. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. For immunohistochemical analysis, the specimens were treated with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 antibody. RESULTS: Group H had significantly higher values than groups L, E, and C regarding bone area ratio and labeling index of BMP-2 positive cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Group HL also had significantly higher values than the other groups regarding bone area ratio and labeling index of BMP-2 positive cells at 1, 2 and 8 weeks postoperative (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that high density pore titanium mesh could induce new bone regeneration more than low density pore titanium mesh and ePTFE membrane. New bone formation may increase following LIPUS application.

Bone regeneration by periosteal elevation using conventional orthodontic wire and uHA/PLLA mesh.

This study evaluated bone regeneration by periosteal elevation using conventional orthodontic wire and an unsintered hydroxyapatite (u-HA)/poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) mesh in rabbit frontal bone. Thirty two rabbits (12-16 weeks: 2.5-3.0 kg) were used in this study. In the experimental group, 1 week after the mesh was inserted under the periosteal membrane, it was elevated by traction using the mesh connected with wire and two anchor screws. In the control group, the mesh was kept inserted under the periosteal membrane. Four animals were killed in each period in both groups, at 2, 3, 5 and 9 weeks postoperatively. Operated parts in the frontal bone were removed and prepared for radiological and histological assessment. The distance between the mesh and pristine bone (elevation length), the bone area and the expression of BMP-2 were evaluated. The value in the experimental group was significantly higher when compared to the control group (length P < 0.0001, bone area P < 0.0010, BMP-2 P = 0.0015). The BMP-2 labelling index after 3 weeks tended to be the largest in both groups. This study suggests that bone regeneration can be induced by periosteal elevation using a conventional orthodontic wire and an uHA/PLLA mesh.

The time-course change in the lip closing force in Class III malocclusion after orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes with time in lip pressure after orthognathic surgery for skeletal Class III patients. STUDY DESIGN: The subjects consisted of 63 patients (32 female and 31 male) diagnosed with mandibular prognathism who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy with and without Le Fort I osteotomy. Maximum and minimum lip closing forces were measured with Lip De Cum(®). The changes with time were compared statistically. RESULTS: The maximum and minimum lip closing force increased time-dependently in men and women after surgery and there were significant differences between men and women with changes with time in the maximum lip closing force (p = 0.0086) and the minimum lip closing force (p = 0.0302). After 1 year, the Class III group maximum lip closing force was significantly smaller than the control group in both men (p < 0.0001) and women (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there was significant difference in over time in the lip closing force between men and women in Class III patients. Although the maximum lip closing force increased with time, it did not reach the level of the control group after 1 year.

Evaluation of recovery in lip closing pressure and occlusal force and contact area after orthognathic surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lip closing force, occlusal contact area and occlusal force after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Class III patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects consisted of 54 patients (28 female and 26 male) diagnosed with mandibular prognathism who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy with and without Le Fort I osteotomy. Maximum and minimum lip closing forces, occlusal contact area and occlusal force were measured pre-operatively, 6 months and 1 year post-operative. RESULTS: Maximum and minimum lip closing forces, occlusal contact area and occlusal force increased with time after surgery, however a significant increase was not found in the occlusal contact area in women. In increased ratio (6 months/pre-operative and 1 year/pre-operative), the maximum lip closing force was significantly correlated with the occlusal contact area (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that orthognathic surgery could improve the occlusal force, contact area and lip closing force, and an increase ratio in maximum lip closing force was associated with an increased ratio in occlusal contact area.

Evaluation of soft tissue morphologic changes after using the alar base cinch suture in Le Fort I osteotomy in mandibular prognathism with and without asymmetry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of alar base cinch suture in Le Fort I osteotomy in mandibular prognathism with and without asymmetry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy were divided into an asymmetry group and a symmetry group (n = 20 each). Computed tomography (CT) was taken in all patients before and 1 year after surgery. The CT-3D volume rendering data with Aquarius Net (TeraRecon, Foster City, CA, USA) was reconstructed and the soft tissue was measured as follows, the distance between the bilateral alar base (Alar base width), the distance between the bilateral alar (Alar width), the angles between the FH plane and the line between the bilateral alar base (Alar base angle), the angle between the FH plane and the line between the bilateral alar (Alar angle), the angle between the FH plane and the line between the bilateral corners of the mouth (Lip angle), and the angle between the perpendicular line to the FH plane and the Philtrum (Philtrum angle). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the Alar width (P = 0.0448), the Alar angle (P = 0.0044), the Lip angle (P < 0.0001), and the Philtrum angle (P = 0.0057) between before and after surgery in the asymmetry group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the alar base cinch suture could prevent increases in the alar base width in both groups and help to improve the angle of soft tissue in the asymmetry group, although alar width significantly increases after surgery.

Evaluation of overlapped cortical bone area after modified plate fixation with bent plate in sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate bony change in an overlapped cortical bone area at the anterior site of the proximal segment after modified plate fixation with a bent plate in sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 66 patients (132 sides) who underwent bilateral SSRO setback surgery. After the surgery in SSRO, an overlapped area of cortical bone at the anterior site of the proximal segment was not removed to keep the contact area between the proximal and distal segments intact, and was fixed with a bent plate and 4 screws in each side of the mandible. At the posterior site, a 3-7 mm gap was maintained between the proximal and distal segments to prevent inward-rotation of the condylar long axis. Ramus width, lateral cortex width and lateral cortex step angle were assessed in a coronal image immediately after the surgery, and 1-year postoperative by computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Ramus width after 1-year was significantly larger than that before surgery and smaller than that immediately after surgery in both sides (P < 0.0001). Lateral cortex width after 1-year was significantly larger than the preoperative value and smaller than that immediately after surgery in both sides (P < 0.0001). Lateral cortex angle after 1-year was significantly larger than the preoperative value in both sides (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The above findings suggested that the overlapped cortical bone decreased thickness and the cortical bone step disappeared following favourable bone remodelling after 1-year, even though the cortical bone was not removed at the anterior site of the proximal segment.

An odontoma found in the wake of maxillary sinusitis onset.

Sinusitis of dental origin is a relatively frequent entity, and odontomas are considered to be the most common odontogenic tumors of the oral cavity. Eruption and infection of odontomas are extremely rare. Here, we report an interesting case where odontoma was found in the wake of the maxillary sinusitis onset.