Intermediate-Term Oncological Outcome Assessment for Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Comparing Retzius Sparing to Standard Approach in a Randomized Control Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Retzius sparing prostatectomy was promoted with the early continence result. The long-term oncological outcome is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to compare the Intermediate-term oncologic outcomes of these two approaches in patient's cohort who was treated as part of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were previously randomized equally to receive retzius sparing (RS-RARP) versus standard robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (S-RARP) between January 2015 to April 2016. Baseline, surgical, and pathological characteristics as well as oncologic outcomes were assessed. The analysis was done based on the treatment received. RESULT: Sixty-three patients underwent S-RARP while 57 patients underwent RS-RARP. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline nor surgical characteristics. The median follow up was 71.24 (IQR 59.75 - 75.75). There were more pathological T3 diseases in RS-RARP. There was no significant difference in the positive margin status nor the biochemical recurrence rate among both groups. After S-RARP and RS-RARP, 6 and 10 patients had biochemical recurrence and the 5-years biochemical recurrence free survival were 91% and 85%, respectively. (p= 0.21) Conclusion: In this cohort, there was no difference in biochemical recurrence in the patients who received either technique. Further mutli-institutional studies with a larger sample size and longer follow up are required.

Prostate Specific Antigen Screening on a Nationwide Level: Featuring the Contribution of Race and Life Expectancy in Decision Making.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of life expectancy (LE) is important for the relative benefit of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening. Limited data exists regarding screening for Black men with extended LE. The aim of the current study was to assess temporal trends in screening in United States (US) Black men with limited vs. extended LE, using a nationally representative dataset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the National Health Institution Survey (NHIS) 2000 to 2018, men aged ≥40 without prior history of prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent PSA screening in the last 12 months were stratified into limited LE (ie, LE <15 years) and extended LE (ie, LE≥15 years) using the validated Schonberg index. LE-stratified temporal trends in PSA screening were analyzed for all men, and then in Black men. Weighted multivariable analyses and dominance analyses identified the predictors of PSA screening. RESULTS: PSA screening declined over the study period both for all eligible men with limited and extended LE, particularly between NHIS 2008 and 2013 (27.9%-20.7% in the extended). Screening increased significantly in Black men with extended LE (17.6% in 2010-25.7% in 2018). However, LE was not an independent predictor of screening in the Black cohort. Prior recipient of colonoscopy (55%-57%) and visit to health care provider (24%-32%) were the most important determinants for screening. CONCLUSION: For US men with extended LE, only 1 in 4 receive PSA screening, with a decline over the study-period. Screening rates increased for Black men. However, these changes were not driven by LE consideration itself, but participation in other screenings and access to a provider.

Successful robotic kidney transplantation for surgeons with no experience in minimally invasive surgery: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Robotic kidney transplantation (RKT) is a novel and welcomed innovation yielding good surgical outcomes. However, data on the feasibility and safety of performing RKT by surgeons with a lack of prior minimally invasive surgery (MIS) experience are limited. The authors aimed to evaluate the surgical and functional results of RKT and present the learning curves (LC) of RKT by a single surgeon with no prior experience in MIS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all RKT performed between November 2019 and April 2023 at Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The authors analyzed surgical and functional outcomes, as well as complication rates of RKT in comparison to open kidney transplantation (OKT). The authors evaluated LCs using the cumulative summation method to describe the number of cases associated with the competency of a single surgeon. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients who underwent RKT and 104 patients who underwent OKT were included in this study. In RKT group, the median surgical console time was 193 min (interquartile range, 172-222) and the median vascular anastomoses time was 38 min (35-44). Total operation time was 323 min (290-371) and rewarming time was 62.5 min (56.0-70.0) in RKT group compared to 210 min (190-239) and 25 min (21-30), respectively, in OKT group. Despite extended surgical durations with a robotic technique, both groups had comparable intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, as well as renal function. Estimated blood loss and post-transplant hospital stays were significantly lower in RKT group than in OKT group. LC analysis of RKT by the single surgeon revealed that surgical competence was achieved after 15 cases. CONCLUSION: Even if surgeons do not have prior experience with MIS, they can rapidly overcome the LC and safely perform RKT with adequate preparation and acquisition of basic robotic surgical techniques.

15-year biochemical failure, metastasis, salvage therapy, and cancer-specific and overall survival rates in men treated with robotic radical prostatectomy for PSA-screen detected prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: An informed decision regarding a treatment option requires data on its long-term efficacy and side-effect profile. While the side-effects of robotic radical prostatectomy have been well-quantified, the data on its long-term efficacy are lacking. We here provide 15-year oncological outcomes of clinically-localized prostate cancer (CLPCa) patients treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: We treated 1,807 men with CLPCa with RALP between 2001 and 2005 and prospectively collected follow-up data through 2020. We examined the rates of biochemical failure (BCF), metastatic progression, secondary therapy use, PCa-specific mortality (PCSM), and overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier and competing-risk cumulative incidence methods as appropriate. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 14.1 years. Six hundred eight and 312 men had D'Amico intermediate- and high-risk disease, respectively. Overall, the 15-year rates of BCF, metastasis, secondary therapy use, PCSM, and OS were 28.1%, 4.0%, 16.3%, 2.5%, and 82.1%, respectively. The rates of oncologic failure increased with increasing D'Amico (preoperative) and Diaz (postoperative) risk scores - BCF, metastasis, and PCSM rates in D'Amico low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups at 15-years were 15.2%, 38.3%, and 44.1% [BCF], 1.1%, 4.1%, and 13.0% [metastasis], and 0.5%, 3.4%, and 6.6% [PCSM], respectively, and in Diaz risk groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 5.5%, 20.6%, 41.8%, 66.9%, and 89.2% [BCF], 0%, 0.5%, 3.2%, 20.5%, and 60.0% [metastasis], and 0%, 0.8%, 0.6%, 13.5%, and 37.5% [PCSM], respectively. The OS rates in D'Amico low-to-high and Diaz 1-to-5 risk groups at 15-years were 85.9%, 78.6%, and 75.2%, and 89.4%, 83.2%, 80.6%, 67.2%, and 23.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Men diagnosed with clinically-localized prostate cancer in the contemporaneous PSA-screening era and treated with RALP achieve durable long-term oncological control. The data reported here (in a risk-stratified manner) represent the longest follow-up after robotic radical prostatectomy, and as such, should be of value when counseling patients regarding expected oncologic outcomes from RALP.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Advancements in surgical technique and perioperative care.

We reviewed the evolving strategies, practice patterns, and recent advancements aimed at improving the perioperative and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for the management of localized prostate cancer.

Impact of prostate biopsy technique on outcomes of the precision prostatectomy procedure.

Objective: To assess the impact of iterative changes in preoperative and postoperative biopsy techniques on the outcomes of men undergoing the precision prostatectomy procedure. Precision prostatectomy is a novel surgical treatment for prostate cancer that aims to maximally preserve erectogenic nerves via partial preservation of the prostate capsule. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Single tertiary care center. Participants: This study included 120 patients who consented to undergo prostate cancer treatment with the precision prostatectomy procedure. Patients were originally enrolled in one of two separate prospective protocols studying precision prostatectomy. Interventions: Preoperatively, 60 patients were screened with transrectal (TR) biopsy and 60 were screened by transperineal (TP) biopsy. Ultimately, 117 patients underwent precision prostatectomy. Of the 43 postoperative biopsies, 19 were TR; 17 were TP with ultrasound; and 7 were TP with microultrasound (mUS). Main outcome measures: Preoperatively, we evaluated whether the transition to TP biopsy was associated with differences in postoperative treatment failure defined as a neoplasm-positive postoperative biopsy. Postoperative biopsies were compared with respect to their ability to sample the remnant tissue, specifically percentage of cores positive for prostate tissue. Results: Preoperatively, 9/60 (15%) positive postoperative biopsies occurred in the TR group and 6/60 (10%) in the TP group; Kaplan-Meier survival estimates did not differ between groups (p=0.69 by log rank). Postoperatively, the numbers of cores positive for prostate tissue were 99/160 (62%), 63/107 (59%), and 36/39 (92%) in the TR biopsy, TP with ultrasound, and TP with mUS groups, respectively; this difference was statistically significant versus the rate in the TR and standard TP groups (p=0.0003 and 0.0002). Conclusion: We found no significant improvement in patient screening, preoperatively-though limited by small sample size and relatively short follow-up. The incorporation of high-frequency mUS for postoperative biopsies improved the ability to sample the remnant tissue with a higher efficiency.

The first robotic kidney transplantation in Korea: a case report.

Minimally invasive surgery reduces perioperative pain and morbidity, facilitating rapid recovery. However, the field of kidney transplantation has lagged in this regard, its customary open surgical techniques going nearly unchanged until recently. Robotic kidney transplantation (RKT) is a novel and welcomed innovation yielding good surgical outcomes. In Korea, the first RKT performed (November 2019) involved a 30-year-old man (body mass index, 22 kg/m2) with end-stage hypertensive nephrosclerosis. A left donor kidney from his 28-year-old sister was successfully transplanted using the daVinci Robotic Surgical System. Transperitoneal regional hypothermia (Vattikuti Urology Institute-Medanta technique) was also implemented across the main periumbilical incision (up to 6 cm). Total operative time was 260 minutes (cold ischemia, 34 minutes; rewarming, 54 minutes), with 50 mL of blood loss. There was immediate graft function, unencumbered by surgical complications (e.g., postoperative bleeding, leakage, or lymphocele). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8, with serum creatinine at 1.27 mg/dL. RKT with regional hypothermia may be a viable, minimally invasive intervention that is safe and effective in select patients, showing good surgical results.

Anti-Androgen Therapy Overcomes the Time Delay in Initiation of Salvage Radiation Therapy and Rescues the Oncological Outcomes in Men with Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy: A Post Hoc Analysis of the RTOG-9601 Trial Data.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether the addition of anti-androgen therapy (AAT) to late salvage radiation therapy (sRT) can lead to oncological outcomes equivalent to that of early sRT in men with recurrent prostate cancer (CaP) after surgery. METHODS: Data on 670 men who participated in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)-9601 trial and who experienced biochemical recurrence were extracted using the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) data archive platform. Patients were stratified into four treatment groups: early sRT (pre-sRT prostate-specific antigen [PSA] < 0.7 ng/mL) and late sRT (pre-sRT PSA ≥ 0.7 ng/mL) with/without concomitant AAT, based on cut-offs reported in the original trial. Time-varying Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Gray competing-risk regression analyses assessed the adjusted hazards of overall mortality, CaP-specific mortality, and metastasis among the four treatment groups. RESULTS: At 15-years (median follow-up of 14.7 years), for patients treated with early sRT, early sRT with AAT, late sRT, and late sRT with AAT, the overall mortality, CaP-specific mortality, and metastasis rates were 22.9, 22.8, 40.1, and 22.9% (log-rank p = 0.0039), 12.1, 3.9, 22.7, and 8.0% (Gray's p = 0.0004), and 18.8, 14.6, 35.9, and 19.5% (Gray's p = 0.0004), respectively. Time-varying multivariable adjusted analysis demonstrated increased hazards of overall mortality in patients receiving delayed sRT versus early sRT (hazards ratio [HR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.17); however, no difference remained after the addition of concomitant AAT to late sRT (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.55-1.32, referent early sRT). Likewise, the hazards of cancer-specific mortality and metastatic progression were worse for late sRT when compared with early sRT, but were no different after the addition of AAT to late sRT. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer outcomes associated with late sRT in men with recurrent CaP may be rescued by delivery of concomitant AAT.

Evaluating post radical prostatectomy mechanisms of early continence.

BACKGROUND: To identify the periprostatic structures associated with early return of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: We compared total continence results between four different techniques of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Specifically, we studied 1-week and 1-month zero-pad continence rates of anterior (n = 60), posterior (n = 59), a novel hybrid posterior-anterior (n = 12), and transvesical (n = 12) approaches of RARP. Each technique preserved a unique set of periprostatic anatomic structures, thereby, allowing evaluation of the individual impact of preservation of nerves, bladder neck, and space of Retzius with associated anterior support structures on early continence. Urethral length was preserved in all approaches. The space of Retzius was preserved in posterior and transvesical approaches, while the bladder neck was preserved in posterior and hybrid approaches. Nerve sparing was done per preoperative oncological risk. For all patients, 24-h pad usage rates and 24-h pad weights were noted at 1 week and 1 month after catheter removal. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of early continence. Data were obtained from prospective studies conducted between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: At 1 week, 15%, 42%, 45%, and 8% of patients undergoing anterior, posterior, hybrid, and transvesical RARP approaches, respectively, were totally continent (p = 0.003). These rates at 1 month were 35%, 66%, 64%, and 25% (p = 0.002), respectively. The transvesical approach, which preserved the space of Retzius but not the bladder neck, was associated with the poorest continence rates, while the posterior and hybrid approaches in which the bladder neck was preserved with or without space of Retzius preservation were associated with quickest urinary continence recovery. Bladder neck preservation was the only significant predictor of 1-week and 1-month total continence recovery in adjusted analysis, Odds ratios 9.06 (p = 0.001) and 5.18 (p = 0.004), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effect of the Retzius-sparing approach on early continence recovery maybe associated with bladder neck preservation rather than space of Retzius preservation.

High-intensity local treatment of clinical node-positive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder alongside systemic chemotherapy improves overall survival.

PURPOSE: Clinical node-positive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (cN+UCaB) is a rapidly fatal disease with limited information on comparative-effectiveness of available treatment options. We sought to examine the impact of high-intensity vs. conservative local treatment (LT) regimens in management of these patients alongside systemic chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 3,227 patients within the National Cancer Data Base who underwent multiagent systemic chemotherapy along with either high-intensity or conservative LT for primary cN+UCaB between 2004-2016. Patients who received no LT, TURBT alone, or <50 Gy radiation therapy to the bladder were included in the conservative group, while patients that received radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy or ≥50 Gy radiation therapy with TURBT were included in the high-intensity group. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusted Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess overall survival (OS). Additionally, to assess whether the benefit of high-intensity LT differs by baseline mortality risk, we tested an interaction between 5-year predicted life-expectancy and the LT type. RESULTS: Overall, 784 (24.3%) and 2,443 (75.7%) cN+UCaB patients underwent high-intensity and conservative LT, respectively. IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated OS to be significantly higher in the high-intensity group compared to the conservative group: 5-year OS 28.4% vs. 18.3%, respectively (Log-rank P<0.001). IPTW-adjusted multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed the benefit of high-intensity LT in prolonging OS (HR 0.63, P<0.001). Interaction analysis showed that high-intensity LT approach was associated with longer OS in all patients regardless of their baseline 5-year life-expectancy (Pinteraction=0.79). CONCLUSION: Eligible patients with cN+UCaB should be considered for aggressive local treatment alongside multiagent systemic chemotherapy. Prospective trials are needed to validate these preliminary findings.

Description of Surgical Technique and Oncologic and Functional Outcomes of the Precision Prostatectomy Procedure (IDEAL Stage 1-2b Study).

BACKGROUND: The existing treatment options for men with intermediate- or high-volume low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) are associated with a substantial risk of over- or undertreatment. The development of risk-adjusted therapies is an unmet need for these patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe our novel technique of precision prostatectomy, a form of surgical focal therapy that allows radical excision of the index PCa lesion along with >90% prostatic tissue extirpation while preserving the prostatic capsule and seminal vesicle/vas deferens complex on the side contralateral to the dominant cancer lesion, and to report on medium-term functional and oncologic outcomes in the first 88 consecutive men who underwent this procedure between December 2016 and January 2020. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Men with (1) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤20 ng/ml, (2) clinical T stage ≤cT2, (3) a dominant unilateral lesion with Gleason ≤ 4 + 3 disease with any number or percentage of cores involved ipsilaterally on prostate biopsy, (4) no primary Gleason ≥4 lesion contralaterally, and (5) a preoperative Sexual Health Inventory of Men (SHIM) score of ≥17 (out of 25) with/without phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor use who consented to undergo precision prostatectomy were included in this single-arm, single-center, IDEAL stage 2b prospective development study. INTERVENTION: Robotic precision prostatectomy. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The safety and urinary, sexual, and oncologic outcomes of the precision prostatectomy technique were studied. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess 12-mo urinary continence (0-1 pad), 12-mo sexual potency (SHIM score ≥17), 36-mo freedom from clinically significant PCa (grade group ≥2), secondary treatments, metastatic disease, and mortality. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: At study entry, the median age, PSA, and SHIM score were 60.0 yr (interquartile range [IQR] 54.2-65.9), 5.7 ng/ml (IQR 4.2-7.1), and 22 points (IQR 19-24), respectively. The median follow-up was 25 mo (IQR 14-38). At 12 mo, all patients were continent (0-1 pads), with 90.9% of patients using 0 pads. The median time to urinary continence was 1 mo (IQR 1-4). At 12 mo, 85% of all-comers and 90.2% of the preoperatively potent men were potent. The median time to sexual potency was 4 mo (IQR 4-12). From an oncologic standpoint, at 36 mo an estimated 93.4% of the patients were free from clinically significant residual PCa and 91.7% had not undergone any additional treatment. All patients were alive and free of metastatic disease at 36 mo. CONCLUSIONS: Precision prostatectomy is technically safe and reproducible and offers excellent postoperative functional results. At 36-mo follow-up, the oncologic outcomes and secondary treatment rates appear to be superior to existing ablative focal therapy results. Pending long-term data, a risk-stratified surgical approach to PCa may avoid whole-gland therapy and preserve functional quality of life in men with localized PCa. PATIENT SUMMARY: Precision prostatectomy is a new form of focal therapy for intermediate-risk prostate cancer in which a 5-10-mm rim of prostate capsule is left on the opposite side of the gland to where the dominant cancer is located. The technique appears to be safe and efficacious and adds to the growing armamentarium of risk-adapted therapies for treatment of localized prostate cancer that avoid the adverse effects on urinary and erectile function of whole-gland treatments.

Subtotal surgical therapy for localized prostate cancer: a single-center precision prostatectomy experience in 25 patients, and SEER-registry data analysis.

BACKGROUND: We recently described a novel form of focal therapy for prostate cancer (CaP)-the precision prostatectomy. Here we report on the first 25 consecutive patients. Further, utilizing Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-registry data, we assess long-term oncological efficacies of various focal therapy techniques. METHODS: Men who met the criteria: (I) PSA ≤15 ng/mL, (II) stage ≤cT2, (III) dominant unilateral lesion with Gleason ≤4+3 with any number or percentage (%) of cores involved ipsilaterally on biopsy, (IV) no primary Gleason ≥4 contralaterally, and (V) preoperative erectile function score (IIEF-5/SHIM) of ≥17 with/without PDE-5i were included in this prospective, single-arm, IDEAL stage 2b study (December 2016 to July 2017). Safety of the technique, and intermediate-term urinary, sexual and oncological outcomes were studied. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis were used to assess 12-month urinary continence (0-1 pad), 12-month sexual potency (SHIM ≥17), and 36-month freedom from clinically-significant CaP (grade group ≥2), radical treatment, metastatic disease and mortality. SEER-registry was queried to evaluate CaP-specific survival in patients undergoing hyperthermia, cryotherapy, or segmental prostatectomy. RESULTS: At study entry, the median (IQR) age, PSA and SHIM score were 56.5 (53.1-62.3) years, 4.2 (3.8-5.9) ng/mL and 23 [20-25], respectively. Only 1 patient met the Epstein criteria for active surveillance. All patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. At 12 months, from a functional standpoint, all patients were continent. Twenty-three (92%) patients were potent at 12 months. From an oncological standpoint, at 36 months, the KM analysis (95% CI) demonstrated a 96.2% (92.9-98.7) rate of freedom from clinically-significant CaP and a 92.7% (88.9-97.2) rate of freedom from radical treatment. All patients were alive and free of metastatic disease at the latest follow-up. Analysis of the SEER-registry data demonstrated 10-year CaP-specific survival rates of 91.6% to 97.7% among the 3 studied modalities, P=0.298. CONCLUSIONS: Precision prostatectomy is feasible, technically safe, and offers excellent postoperative functional results. At 36 months of follow-up, the oncological outcomes and secondary procedure rates appear to be at-par with the ablative forms of focal therapy.

Impact of Lymphovascular Invasion on Overall Survival in Patients With Prostate Cancer Following Radical Prostatectomy: Stage-per-Stage Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The detrimental impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in prostate cancer (PCa) on biochemical recurrence has been described; the impact of LVI on overall survival (OS) remains unclear. This investigation sought to evaluate the impact of LVI on OS in patients with PCa. METHODS: We examined men with nonmetastatic PCa treated with radical prostatectomy between 2010 and 2015. Only men with documented LVI status were included (n = 232,704). Patients were stratified according to final pathologic T stage (pT2, pT3a, and pT3b). RESULTS: Of the 232,704 patients who met inclusion criteria, 17,758 (8%) were found to have LVI on final pathology. Overall, 174,838 (75%), 40,281 (17%), and 17,585 (8%) patients had pT2, pT3a, and pT3b disease, respectively. Median follow-up was 42.7 months (27.1-58.7). At 5 years, the OS in LVI versus non-LVI patients was 94% versus 95% in pT2 (P = .0004), 92% versus 95% in pT3a (P < .0001), and 86% versus 92% in pT3b (P < .0001). On multivariable analysis, LVI status was not an independent predictor of OS in pT2 disease (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.36; P = .2). In pT3a and pT3b disease, presence of LVI had 1.2-fold (95% CI, 1.03-1.44; P = .02) and 1.4-fold (95% CI, 1.20-1.59; P < .001) higher overall mortality than their counterparts without LVI. CONCLUSIONS: Our report demonstrates the detrimental impact of LVI on OS in locally advanced PCa (pT3a and higher). This information may prove valuable when risk stratifying based on final pathology.

Robot-assisted Transplant Ureteral Repair to Treat Transplant Ureteral Strictures in Patients after Robot-assisted Kidney Transplant: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of robotic-assisted transplant ureteral repair (RATUR) for treating transplant ureteral stricture (TUS) in 3 patients who had undergone robot assisted kidney transplant (RAKT). METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of 3 patients who experienced TUS after RAKT and who underwent RATUR between 2017 and 2020. The patients' RAKT, post-transplant clinical course, endourological interventions, reoperation, and recovery were assessed. RESULTS: All patients diagnosed with TUS presented with deterioration of kidney function after RAKT. Method of diagnosis included ultrasound, antegrade ureterogram, and CT scan. All 3 patients had a short (<1 cm) area of TUS and underwent RATUR. For 2 patients, distal strictures were bypassed with modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy reimplantation. One patient was treated with pyelo-ureterostomy to the contralateral native ureter. No intraoperative complications, conversions to open surgery, or significant operative blood loss requiring blood transfusion for any patient were observed. Also, no patients had urine leaks in the immediate or late postoperative period. After RATUR, 2 patients developed Clavien grade II complications with rectus hematoma or urinary tract infection. CONCLUSION: RATUR is a technically feasible operation for kidney transplant patients with TUS after RAKT. This procedure may provide the same benefits of open operation without promoting certain comorbidities that may occur from open surgical procedures.

Robotic Kidney Transplantation with Regional Hypothermia versus Open Kidney Transplantation for Patients with End Stage Renal Disease: An Ideal Stage 2B Study.

PURPOSE: We report on comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive versus traditional open kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a prospective cohort study of 654 patients who underwent open or robotic kidney transplantation at a single tertiary care hospital between January 2013 and December 2015. Primary outcome was delayed graft function, defined as the need for dialysis within 1 week of surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, pain, graft rejection, and graft and patient survival. Nonparsimonious propensity score and Ding-VanderWeele analytical methods were used to account for confounding bias. RESULTS: Within the 1:3 matched cohort (robotic 126, open 378; well matched with standardized mean difference ∼10%), the robotic approach was associated with lower rates of wound infections (0% vs 4%, p=0.023) and symptomatic lymphoceles (0% vs 7% at 36 months, p=0.003), as well as reduced postoperative pain, requirement for narcotic analgesia and blood loss. There were no differences between the 2 groups, robotic versus open, with respect to graft function (delayed graft function 0% vs 2.4%, p=0.081), hospital stay (median 8 days for both, p=0.647), graft rejection (16.2% vs 18.6% at 36 months, p=0.643), and graft (95.2% vs 96.3% at 36 months, p=0.266) and overall survival (94.5% vs 98.1% at 36 months, p=0.307). Ding-VanderWeele analysis suggested minimal influence of unknown confounders on study findings. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic kidney transplantation with regional hypothermia was associated with a lower rate of postoperative complications and improved patient comfort in comparison to open kidney transplantation. Graft function, and graft and overall survival were comparable between the 2 techniques.

Omission of Cortical Renorrhaphy During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative Database Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcomes of patients in whom cortical (outer) renorrhaphy (CR) was omitted during robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). METHODS: We analyzed 1453 patients undergoing RPN, from 2006 to 2018, within a large multi-institutional database. Patients having surgery for bilateral tumors (n = 73) were excluded. CR and no-CR groups were compared in terms of operative and ischemia time, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, surgical margins, hospital stay, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and need of angioembolization. Inverse probability of treatment weighting with Firth correction for center code was performed to account for selection bias. RESULTS: CR was omitted in 120 patients (8.7%); 1260 (91.3%) patients underwent both inner layer and CR. There was no difference in intraoperative complications (7.4% CR; 8.9% no-CR group; P = .6), postoperative major complications (1% and 2.8% in CR and no-CR groups, respectively; P = .2), or median drop in eGFR (7.3 vs 10.4 mL/min/m2). The no-CR group had a higher incidence of minor complications (26.7% vs 5.5% in CR group; P < .001). EBL was 100 mL (IQR 50-200) in both groups (P = .6). Angioembolization was needed in 0.7% patients in CR vs 1.4% in no-CR group (P = .4). Additionally, there was no difference in median operative time (168 vs 162 min; P = .2) or ischemia time (18 vs 17 min; P = .7). CONCLUSION: In selected patients with renal masses, single layer renorrhaphy does not significantly improve operative time, ischemia time, or eGFR after RPN. There is a higher incidence of minor complications, but not major perioperative complications after no-CR technique.

Predicting intra-operative and postoperative consequential events using machine-learning techniques in patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: a Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative database study.

OBJECTIVE: To predict intra-operative (IOEs) and postoperative events (POEs) consequential to the derailment of the ideal clinical course of patient recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative is a multi-institutional dataset of patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephectomy for kidney tumours. Machine-learning (ML) models were constructed to predict IOEs and POEs using logistic regression, random forest and neural networks. The models to predict IOEs used patient demographics and preoperative data. In addition to these, intra-operative data were used to predict POEs. Performance on the test dataset was assessed using area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and area under the precision-recall curve (PR-AUC). RESULTS: The rates of IOEs and POEs were 5.62% and 20.98%, respectively. Models for predicting IOEs were constructed using data from 1690 patients and 38 variables; the best model had an AUC-ROC of 0.858 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.762, 0.936) and a PR-AUC of 0.590 (95% CI 0.400, 0.759). Models for predicting POEs were trained using data from 1406 patients and 59 variables; the best model had an AUC-ROC of 0.875 (95% CI 0.834, 0.913) and a PR-AUC 0.706 (95% CI, 0.610, 0.790). CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the ML models in the present study was encouraging. Further validation in a multi-institutional clinical setting with larger datasets would be necessary to establish their clinical value. ML models can be used to predict significant events during and after surgery with good accuracy, paving the way for application in clinical practice to predict and intervene at an opportune time to avert complications and improve patient outcomes.

Ten-year disease progression and mortality rates in men who experience biochemical recurrence versus persistence after radical prostatectomy and undergo salvage radiation therapy: A post-hoc analysis of RTOG 9601 trial data.

PURPOSE: To compare local/metastatic disease progression and overall mortality rates in men with node-negative prostate cancer at radical prostatectomy (RP) that experience biochemical recurrence vs. persistence postoperatively and undergo salvage radiation therapy (sRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 760 men who participated in the RTOG 9601 trial were extracted using the NCTN data archive platform. Patients were stratified into biochemical recurrence (nadir-PSA ≤0.4 ng/ml) or persistence (nadir-PSA >0.4 ng/ml) groups, based on the cut-off reported in the original trial. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) methodology was utilized to minimize the baseline differences among groups. Competing-risk and Kaplan-Meier analyses estimated the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence vs. recurrence on local and metastatic disease progression and overall-mortality in the IPTW-adjusted model; a 2-sided P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: All patients received sRT, and about 50% of the patients in either group received concomitant antiandrogen therapy (P = 0.951). The median follow-up was 12 years. After IPTW, the 2 groups were well-matched with standardized mean differences ∼10%. In the IPTW-adjusted cohort, the 10-year local and metastatic disease occurrence rates were 3.2% vs. 1.4% (Gray's P = 0.0001) and 28.6% vs. 10.1% (Gray's P < 0.0001) in patients with persistent vs. recurrent PSA, respectively. Similarly, the 10-year overall-mortality rates were 24.9% vs. 11.9% (Log-rank P = 0.029), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with biochemical persistence after RP are approximately 2.5 times more likely to experience local/metastatic failure and death, compared to patients with biochemical recurrence after RP, despite equivalent sRT with/without antiandrogen therapy use. These data may facilitate patient counseling and shared treatment selection.

The Precision Prostatectomy: "Waiting for Godot".

Precision prostatectomy may allow patients to choose a risk-stratified surgical approach for treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Clonal evaluation of early onset prostate cancer by expression profiling of ERG, SPINK1, ETV1, and ETV4 on whole-mount radical prostatectomy tissue.

BACKGROUND: Expression profiles of erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene fusions and serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) in early onset prostate cancer have not been thoroughly explored. METHODS: We retrieved 151 radical prostatectomy specimens from young men with prostate cancer (<55 years) and characterized the expression of ETS-related gene (ERG), SPINK1, ETS Variant 1 (ETV1), and ETV4 by dual immunohistochemistry and dual RNA in situ hybridization. Age, race, family history, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, biochemical recurrence, and pathological variables using whole-mount radical prostatectomy tissue were collected. RESULTS: A total of 313 tumor nodules from 151 men including 68 (45%) Caucasians and 61 (40%) African Americans were included in the analysis. Positive family history of prostate cancer was seen in 65 (43%) patients. Preoperative prostate-specific antigen ranged from 0.3 to 52.7 ng/mL (mean = 7.04). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 123.7 months (mean = 30.3). Biochemical recurrence was encountered in 8 of 151 (5%). ERG overexpression was observed in 85 of 151 (56%) cases, followed by SPINK1 in 61 of 151 (40%), ETV1 in 9 of 149 (6%), and ETV4 in 4 of 141 (3%). There were 25 of 151 (17%) cases showing both ERG and SPINK1 overexpression within different regions of either the same tumor focus or different foci. Higher frequency of ERG overexpression was seen in younger patients (≤45 years old; 76% vs 49%, P = .002), Caucasian men (71% vs 41% P = .0007), organ-confined tumors (64% vs 33%, P = .0008), and tumors of Gleason Grade groups 1 and 2 (62% vs 26%, P = .009). SPINK1 overexpression was more in African American men (68% vs 26%, P = .00008), in tumors with high tumor volume (>20%) and with anterior located tumors. ETV1 and ETV4 demonstrated rare overexpression in these tumors, particularly in the higher-grade tumors. CONCLUSION: This study expands the knowledge of the clonal evolution of multifocal cancer in young patients and support differences in relation to racial background and genetics of prostate cancer.