Addressing recurrent hypoglycaemia through thoracic surgical intervention: understanding Doege-Potter syndrome, a rarity in syndromes.

Doege-Potter syndrome (DPS), a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon characterised by non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH), presents clinicians with intricate diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This comprehensive review consolidates current understanding, clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic interventions, and emerging trends in managing DPS. The pathophysiology of DPS revolves around dysregulated insulin-like growth factors (IGF), particularly IGF-2, produced by mesenchymal tumours, notably solitary fibrous tumours (SFT). Clinical manifestations encompass recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes, often distinct from typical hypoglycaemia, with implications for insulin and counterregulatory hormone levels. Diagnosis necessitates a multidisciplinary approach integrating biochemical assays, imaging studies, and histopathological confirmation of the underlying neoplasm. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, complemented by adjunctive therapies to manage persistent hypoglycaemia. Prognosis is influenced by successful tumour resection and long-term surveillance for recurrence. A patient-centred approach, incorporating supportive services and multidisciplinary care, is essential for optimal outcomes in individuals affected by DPS.

Secondary aortoenteric fistula: a narrative review of the view of the surgeon.

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is defined as the abnormal communication between the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract. AEFs are divided into primary and secondary usually after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) recovery and are a rare but quite dangerous cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that the general surgeon may face during his/her career. Secondary AEF was first described in 1953 to a 44-year-old woman 3 months after an AAA operation. This review presents the role of the surgeon in the management of secondary aortoenteric fistulas. AEFs are a rare but fatal gastrointestinal bleeding cause that the general surgeon may be asked to manage. Diagnosis requires the combination of strong clinical suspicion and the presence of a history of AAA surgery. Although a vascular surgery case, general surgeons play a role in choosing the technique of restoring the intestinal tract, which seems to be significantly related to subsequent morbidity and mortality.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with varicose veins in Albania: a retrospective, single-centre analysis.

Introduction: Chronic venous disease (CVD) constitutes a frequently underdiagnosed pathological condition that progressively diminishes patients' quality of life and imposes an escalating strain on healthcare resources. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the epidemiological landscape of varicose vein disease, examining age group distributions, gender patterns, residence influences, marital status correlations, weight considerations, educational impacts, and various aspects related to varicose veins. Material and methods: This was a single-centre retrospective analysis, in Albania from May 2018 to September 2023. Data were collected retrospectively through hospital records. Data collection involved administering a structured questionnaire to study participants, categorically organised into three sections. The first section focused on collecting demographic information, the second section involved self-perception of identifying risk factors associated with varicose veins, and the final section included inquiries about the history of variceal surgery. Results: The CEAP classification distribution in our cohort revealed a predominant presence of C2 (varicose veins) in 53.3% of patients, followed by C3 (oedema) at 29.2%, and C4 (changes in skin and subcutaneous tissue secondary to CVD) at 10.5%, whereas C5 (healed venous ulcer) and C6 (active venous ulcer) were less frequent. Based on the body mass index (BMI) scale, data from patients indicated that 9.7% were in the category of underweight, 54.8% had a normal BMI, and 35.5% were categorised as overweight. Conclusions: The study's thorough exploration of patient perspectives, risk factors, and treatment choices contributes to a holistic understanding of varicose vein management, emphasising the importance of personalised approaches that account for demographic variations and individual beliefs.

Novel Robotic Platforms for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery in Urology: A Narrative Review.

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has been integrated into clinical practice to overcome several limitations of conventional open or laparoscopic surgery. After the expiration of the long key patent period of Intuitive Surgical, various robotic systems (RSs) have been developed aiming at improving certain characteristics of the first robotic platform, the Da Vinci RS. This narrative review provides an overview of the current RSs used in urology along with the initial results from their application in urologic procedures. Nine robotic platforms are being analyzed regarding their unique characteristics as well as their efficacy, safety, feasibility, and outcomes in urologic, oncological, or non-oncological operations. The main barrier to the wide application of RAS has been the increased cost that refers to both acquisition and maintenance costs. Besides, the health inequality resulting from the lack of expert robotic surgeons and the difficulty of performing robot-assisted procedures in provincial hospitals should be overcome. However, large properly designed comparative studies are required to establish the role of newly introduced RSs. In addition, urologists should keep abreast of new developments and research in robot-assisted urologic procedures.

High-power Holmium:Yag lithotripsy in bladder urolithiasis: Is it safe and effective? A combined clinical and experimental study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Holmium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in bladder lithotripsy using high-power settings > 100 W. Materials and Methods: A combined experimental and clinical study was conducted. The Quanta Cyber: Ho 150 with a 550 µm Quanta optical fiber was utilized in all set-ups. Ablation rates for soft and hard artificial stones were tested in vitro using 100 W and 20 W power settings. In the experiment, a porcine bladder was used. The optical fiber was inserted through a rigid cystoscope, whilst a K-type thermocouple was inserted in the bladder dome. The tested high-power settings were 152 W, 120 W and 105 W. In every trial, the lasing time was over 60 s. In the clinical study, 35 patients underwent transurethral high-power bladder lithotripsy. Laser settings were set between 100 W and 150 W. Results: Stone mass (stone weight) was significantly lower after stone ablation independently of the stone type or the laser settings. Significantly higher mass decrease and ablation rate were detected in high-power compared to low-power settings. In the experiment, the highest temperature recorded was 32°C at 152 W. At 120 W and 105 W, the peak temperatures didn't reach 30°C. In the clinical study, a stone-free rate of 100% and a mean operative time of 43 ± 18 min were reported. All patients stayed in the hospital for one day except for one who presented minor hematuria. Additional complications did not occur. Conclusion: Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy > 100 W is an effective, fast and safe modality for the treatment of bladder calculi.

Challenges and pitfalls in the perioperative management of mediastinal mass syndrome: an up-to-date review.

The perioperative management of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operations presents a persistent challenge across multiple clinical specialties. General anesthesia administration further increases the risk of perioperative cardiorespiratory decompensation. The interdisciplinary team plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe perioperative period. However, due to the rarity and variability of mediastinal mass syndromes, specific management protocols are lacking. This review aims to outline the multitude of challenges and pitfalls encountered during perioperative management in patients with the mediastinal mass syndrome. We describe diagnostic evaluation, preoperative optimization, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative care strategies, emphasizing the paramount significance of a multidisciplinary approach and personalized treatment plans. Preoperative multidisciplinary discussions, meticulous anesthetic management, and well-established protocols for emergency situations are pivotal to ensuring patient safety. Healthcare providers involved in the care of patients with mediastinal mass syndrome must grasp these challenges and pitfalls, enabling them to deliver safe and effective perioperative management.

Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate with Thulium Fiber Laser (ThuFLEP). A retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present, retrospective study was to describe our initial experience and early outcomes of Thulium Fiber Laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) with the use of the FiberDust™ (Quanta System, Samarate, Italy) in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. METHODS: From June 2022 to April 2023, all patients who underwent endoscopic enucleation of the prostate at Urology Department of the University Hospital of Patras were included. A single surgeon utilizing the same standardized operative technique performed all the surgeries. The primary endpoints included the uneventful completion of the operation, the surgical time and any minor or major complication observed intra- or post-operatively. RESULTS: Twenty patients with benign prostate hyperplasia were treated with ThuFLEP. All the surgeries were completed successfully and uneventfully. The enucleation phase of the operation was completed in a mean time of 45±9.1 min, while the average time needed for the morcellation was 17.65±3.42 min. No significant complications were observed intra- or post-operatively. The average hemoglobin drop was calculated to be 0.94±0.71 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS: All the operations were successfully and efficiently completed with the use of the FiberDust™ (Quanta System, Samarate, Italy) in ThuFLEP. Significant blood loss or major complications were not observed.

Nonpapillary Prone Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery (ECIRS): Five-Year Experience and Outcomes from a High-Volume Center.

Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) provides simultaneous retrograde and percutaneous access to the upper urinary tract. The purpose of this study is to present revised data, tips and tricks, and technique modifications arising from our five-year experience with ECIRS. The data of 62 patients who underwent nonpapillary prone ECIRS from January 2019 to November 2023 were prospectively collected. All cases were performed in the prone position. Inclusion criteria were complex stone cases with stones in multiple calyces requiring either multiple accesses or multiple sessions to achieve stone-free status. Patients' mean age was 54.4 ± 12.39 years, while the mean stone size was 39.03 ± 13.93 mm. The mean operative time was 51.23 ± 17.75 min. Primary and final stone-free rates were 83.8% and 90.3%, respectively. In total, nine patients presented with postoperative complications, which were all Grade II ones. The holmium-YAG laser type during retrograde lithotripsy was associated with significantly shorter operative times compared to the thulium fiber laser. Nonpapillary prone ECIRS is a feasible, safe, and efficient approach for patients with specific stone and anatomy characteristics. The implementation of more, higher-evidence studies is of utmost importance so that safer conclusions can be drawn.

How long do we need to reach sufficient expertise with the avatera® robotic system?

PURPOSE: To investigate the learning curve in four basic surgical skills in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, and evaluate the approximate time needed to reach sufficient expertise in performing these tasks with the avatera® system. METHODS: Twenty urology residents with no previous experience in dry-lab and robotic surgery were asked to complete four basic laparoscopic tasks (peg transfer, circle cutting, needle guidance, and suturing) laparoscopically and robotically. All participants were asked to complete the tasks first after watching the Uroweb educational material and, second, after undertaking a 2-hour training in robotic and laparoscopic dry-lab. Thereafter, all trainees continued to undertake 2-hour training programs until being able to complete the tasks with the avatera® robot at the desired time. Paired t test and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze time differences between the groups. RESULTS: Time needed to complete all tasks either robotically or laparoscopically was significantly less in the second compared to the first attempt for all Groups in each Task. In the robotic dry-lab, time needed to complete the tasks was significantly less than in the laparoscopic dry-lab. A significant effect of previous laparoscopic experience of the participants on the training time needed to achieve most of the goal times was detected. CONCLUSION: The results of the study highlight the role of previous laparoscopic experience in the training time needed to achieve the performance time goals and demonstrate that the learning curve of basic surgical skills using the avatera® system is steeper than the laparoscopic one.

IDEAL-D Phase 0 Evaluation of the Avatera System in Robot-Assisted Prostate, Bladder and Renal Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the utilization of novel Avatera system in urological operations according to the IDEAL-D framework recommendations for high-risk invasive surgical devices. Materials and Methods: Three surgeons attempted to perform 23 upper and lower urinary tract operations on human cadavers and in live porcine models using the Avatera system. Total operative time and the duration of the substeps were evaluated. Surgical performance was assessed with the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) score. Suturing was rated using the technical checklist for the assessment of suturing in robotic surgery. Attending surgeons rated their satisfaction with the Avatera system on a scale of 1-5. Results and Limitation: Seventeen out of 18 operations performed on cadavers were completed, while one pyeloplasty was discontinued. All five operations performed in porcine models were completed. Although 1 pig was euthanized on the fifth postoperative day, its symptoms were unrelated to surgery. Mean GEARS and Suturing scores in the upper urinary tract were 29 ± 0.7 and 29.5 ± 0.95, respectively, and in the lower urinary 28.5 ± 1.2 and 29.5 ± 0.5, respectively. Surgeons' satisfaction was high or very high for all procedures. Conclusions: The Avatera system was associated with good surgical performance and high surgeons' satisfaction rates. All urological procedures performed were shown to be feasible, with comparable risks to other robot-assisted surgery systems.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the avatera system™: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a minimally invasive, safe procedure preferred in the management of localized prostate cancer. In this study, we present our initial experience with the avatera™ system (avateramedical GmbH, Jena, Germany) in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of fourteen patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using this newly introduced system in our department from June 2022 to October 2022. The primary endpoints of the study were the time and the successful completion of the operation, the hemoglobin drop and the presence of complications. The pathologic tumor stage and the presence of positive surgical margins were also recorded. Follow-up of the patients for the functional outcomes over a period of 3 months took place. RESULTS: The completion of all the surgeries was successful. The median draping and docking times were 9.5 minutes (7-13) and 10 minutes (5-40), respectively. The median console time was 103.5 minutes (90-121). No conversion to laparoscopic or open prostatectomy was necessary. The median hemoglobin drop was 1.95 g/dL (0.3-2.7), while positive surgical margins were present in two patients postoperatively. No major complications or need for transfusion were noticed. Six months after the procedure, 78.6% of the participants were continent while 77.7% of the nerve-sparing patients reported erections adequate for intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: All the operations were completed successfully without major complications or significant blood loss. The functional outcomes were acceptable according to the literature. Based on the early outcomes, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with the avatera™ system (avateramedical GmbH) could be considered feasible, safe, and efficient.

Replicating Florence Intracorporeal Neobladder Technique in Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the feasibility of Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder technique in laparoscopic radical cystectomy. METHODS: Fourteen patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy and Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder between September 2021 and February 2023. Patients' characteristics, pathology data, perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed laparoscopically. The median total operative time was 343 minutes, and the median estimated blood loss was 169.5 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The median hospitalization time was 7days, while the median time to regular diet was 3days. Clavien Dindo Grade < III complications appeared in five patients within 30days postoperation. No other complications were noted over the 90days follow-up. Organ-confined disease was confirmed in 11 patients and locally advanced disease in three patients. At 3months follow-up, eight and four patients were daytime and night-time continent, respectively. CONCLUSION: Replicating Florence robotic intracorporeal neobladder in laparoscopic radical cystectomy is safe, feasible, and repeatable, based on the encouraging perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of our study. However, further prospective studies on a larger scale are required to prove its long-term results.

Feasibility study of a novel robotic system for transperitoneal partial nephrectomy: An in vivo experimental animal study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of partial nephrectomy with the use of the novel robotic system in an in vivo animal model. METHODS: Right partial nephrectomy was performed in female pigs by a surgical team consisting of one surgeon and one bedside assistant. Both were experienced in laparoscopic surgery and trained in the use of the novel robotic system. The partial nephrectomies were performed using four trocars (three trocars for the robotic arms and one as an assistant trocar). The completion of the operations, set-up time, operation time, warm ischemia time (WIT) and complication events were recorded. The decrease in all variables between the first and last operation was calculated. RESULTS: In total, eight partial nephrectomies were performed in eight female pigs. All operations were successfully completed. The median set-up time was 19.5 (range, 15-30) minutes, while the estimated median operative time was 80.5 minutes (range, 59-114). The median WIT was 23.5 minutes (range, 17-32) and intra- or postoperative complications were not observed. All variables decreased in consecutive operations. More precisely, the decrease in the set-up time was calculated to 15 minutes between the first and third attempts. The operative time was reduced by 55 minutes between the first and last operation, while the WIT was decreased by 15 minutes during the consecutive attempts. No complications were noticed in any operation. CONCLUSIONS: Using the newly introduced robotic system, all the advantages of robotic surgery are optimized and incorporated, and partial nephrectomies can be performed in a safe and effective manner.

Robot-assisted pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: initial experience with the novel avatera system.

PURPOSE: This pilot study was designed to interpret the technically specific features of the avatera robotic system and present our initial experience with this novel platform in robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP). METHODS: A single-center prospective study was conducted including all patients who underwent RAP with the avatera robotic system from June 2022 to October 2022 in our Department. Transperitoneal robot-assisted dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in all cases. The trocar placement and the surgical technique were similar in all patients. The successful completion of the procedures, operation time (including draping, docking and console time), decrease in hemoglobin postoperatively, and presence of any complications were the study's primary endpoints. RESULTS: In total, nine patients underwent RAP using the avatera system. All procedures were successfully completed. The draping of the robotic unit was completed in a median time of 10 min (range 7-15), while the median docking time was 17 min (range 10-24). The median console time was 88 min (range 78-116) and no complications were noticed. The median hemoglobin drop was calculated to 0.7 g/dL (range 0.4-1). During the mean follow-up of 9.33 ± 2.78 months, no late postoperative complications were noticed. CONCLUSION: The early outcomes of the use of the novel avatera system in RAP are presented. All operations were successfully completed with safety and efficacy, without complications or significant blood loss.

Percutaneous trans-hepatic bilateral biliary stenting in Bismuth IV malignant obstruction.

AIM: To investigate the clinical efficiency of percutaneous trans-hepatic bilateral biliary metallic stenting for the management of Bismuth IV malignant obstructive disease. METHODS: Our hospital's database was searched for all patients suffering from the inoperable malignant biliary obstruction Bismuth IV, and treated with percutaneous bilateral trans-hepatic placement of self-expandable nitinol stents. The indication for percutaneous stenting was an inoperable, malignant, symptomatic, biliary obstruction. An un-correctable coagulation disorder was the only absolute contra-indication for treatment. Bismuth grading was performed using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Computed tomography evaluation of the lesion and the dilatation status of the biliary tree was always performed prior to the procedure. All procedures were performed under conscious sedation. A single trans-hepatic track technique was preferred (T-configuration stenting) and a second, contra-lateral trans-hepatic track (Y-configuration stenting) was used only in cases of inability to access the contra-lateral lobe using a single track technique. The study's primary endpoints were clinical success, defined as a decrease in bilirubin levels within 10 d and patient survival rates. Secondary endpoints included peri-procedural complications, primary and secondary patency rates. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients (18 female, 51.4%) with a mean age 69 ± 13 years (range 33-88) were included in the study. The procedures were performed between March 2000 and June 2008 and mean time follow-up was 13.5 ± 22.0 mo (range 0-96). The underlying malignant disease was cholangiocarcinoma (n = 10), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 9), pancreatic carcinoma (n = 5), gastric cancer (n = 2), bile duct tumor (n = 2), colorectal cancer (n = 2), gallbladder carcinoma (n = 2), lung cancer (n = 1), breast cancer (n = 1) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1). In all cases, various self-expandable bare metal stents with diameters ranging from 7 to 10 mm were used. Stents were placed in Y-configuration in 24/35 cases (68.6%) using two stents in 12/24 patients and three stents in 12/24 cases (50%). A T-configuration stent placement was performed in 11/35 patients (31.4%), using two stents in 4/11 cases (36.4%) and three stents in 7/11 cases (63.6%). Follow-up was available in all patients (35/35). Patient survival ranged from 0 to 1763 d and the mean survival time was 168 d. Clinical success rate was 77.1% (27/35 cases), and peri-procedural mortality rate was 5.7% (2/35 patients). Biliary re-obstruction due to stent occlusion occurred in 25.7% of the cases (9/35 patients), while in 7/11 (63.6%) one additional percutaneous re-intervention due to stent occlusion resulting in clinical relapse of symptomatology was successfully performed. In the remaining 4/11 patients (36.4%) more than 1 additional reintervention was performed. The median decrease of total serum bilirubin was 60.5% and occurred in 81.8% of the cases (27/33 patients). The median primary and secondary patency was 105 (range 0-719) and 181 d (range 5-1763), respectively. According to the Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis, the estimated survival rate was 73.5%, 47.1% and 26.1% at 1, 6 and 12 mo respectively, while the 8-year survival rate was 4.9%. Major and minor complication rates were 5.7% (2/35 patients) and 17.1% (6/35 patients), respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous bilateral biliary stenting is a safe and clinically effective palliative approach in patients suffering from Bismuth IV malignant obstruction.

Ureteral metal stents: 10-year experience with malignant ureteral obstruction treatment.

PURPOSE: Ureteral patency in malignant ureteral obstruction cases is a therapeutic challenge. We report our long-term experience with palliative treatment for extrinsic malignant ureteral obstruction with percutaneous placement of metal mesh stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2005, 90 patients with a mean age of 59 years (range 35 to 80) with ureteral obstruction due to extrinsic ureteral compression and/or encasement by primary or metastatic tumors, or retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy underwent implantation of self-expandable metal mesh stents. A total of 119 ureters were managed. Followup included urinalysis, blood biochemistry tests and transabdominal ultrasound or intravenous urography. RESULTS: The technical success rate of percutaneous antegrade insertion of ureteral self-expandable metal mesh stents was 100%. Renal biochemistry normalized and hydronephrosis gradually resolved 1 to 2 weeks after stent insertion. Median followup was 15 months (range 8 to 38). Hyperplastic reaction and/or encrustation, or tumor ingrowth developed in 45 stents. Secondary intervention, such as repeat balloon dilation and coaxial stenting, was done to improve patency. Migration was observed in 13 metal stents. The primary and secondary patency rates during followup were 51.2% and 62.1%, respectively. A double pigtail or external-internal stent was inserted in 45 cases in which secondary interventions did not ensure patency. CONCLUSIONS: Internal drainage of extrinsic malignant ureteral obstruction with metal mesh stents provides long-term decompression of the upper urinary tract in select cases. Certain problems limit the application of metal mesh stents in the ureter. Further studies are warranted to identify independent predictors of ureteral patency after the application of metal stents for malignant obstruction.

Neuropsychological functioning in buprenorphine maintained patients versus abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapy.

RATIONALE: Methadone and buprenorphine are among the most widely employed pharmacological treatments currently available for opioid addiction. Cognitive effects of buprenorphine in abstinent heroin abusers are nevertheless far from being understood. METHODS: Neuropsychological performance of 18 buprenorphine-maintained patients (BMP) was evaluated relative to that of 32 currently abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapy (FHAN), and 34 non-drug dependent controls. The three groups were demographically balanced. Clinical groups reported histories of similar patterns of drug use and had increased periods of abstinence from any illicit substance use including heroin. RESULTS: The BMP group performed poorer than controls on the RAVLT (encoding and delayed recall of verbal information), CTT (conceptual flexibility, executive functions) and the RBANS figure copy (visual perception) and delayed recall of visual information. There were no significant differences in any of the cognitive measures between the BMP and FHAN groups or between the FHAN group and controls. Furthermore, the non-differing percentage of abnormal cases between the two patient groups led us to infer that treatment with either BPM or FHAN is not accompanied by qualitative differences in the cognitive profiles of these patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, results suggest that treatment with naltrexone in abstinent heroin abusers may result in less impairment of cognitive functions compared to treatment with buprenorphine. These findings are relevant for improved prognosis and treatment strategies in opioid dependence.

Salvage laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy after failed high-intensity focused ultrasound and radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of salvage endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) in cases of recurrent prostate cancer after high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy (HIFU) or radiotherapy. METHODS: Nine patients underwent salvage EERPE with curative intent for biopsy-proven, locally recurrent prostate cancer. Of these 9 patients, 3 had previously undergone HIFU and 6 radiotherapy. Perioperative parameters (operation time, estimated blood loss, conversion to open surgery rate, transfusion rate, transurethral catheter time), functional outcome, and short-term oncologic outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.3 years (range 48 to 74 years). Mean preoperative PSA value was 12.64 ng/mL and mean prostate weight was 49.2 g. Mean blood loss was 238 mL. There was no need for conversion to open surgery or transfusion. Mean operation time was 148 minutes, and mean total transurethral catheter time was 6 days. No intraoperative complications were reported. There was no clear difference in operation difficulty between the post-HIFU and postradiotherapy EERPE. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, 7 patients were completely continent, and 2 needed 1 to 2 pads per day. Three patients were potent before the surgical treatment, but no patient reported potency postoperatively. In 1 patient a PSA relapse (1.20 ng/mL) was recognized 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage EERPE after failed HIFU and radiation therapy is a safe and efficient method to treat locally recurrent prostate cancer. Short-term oncologic and functional outcomes are promising, but further study should be made on the long-term oncologic outcomes of this technique.

Role of laparoscopy for reconstructive urology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laparoscopic reconstructive urology is a challenging and technically demanding field of urology. As urologists' experience strengthened and technical modifications developed, urologic laparoscopy was applied in the treatment of malignancies and evolved from simple to technically demanding reconstructive techniques. This article reviews the latest published literature in the field of laparoscopic reconstructive urology and introduces our own persuasion for the role of this approach in urology. RECENT FINDINGS: Some laparoscopic procedures like orchidopexy, ureterolithotomy, pyelolithotomy and pyeloplasty require "a middle class level of laparoscopic skills" whereas other reconstructive techniques such as radical prostatectomy and cystectomy and partial nephrectomy are technically demanding and are still being developed with promising results. The reconstructive part of partial nephrectomy is small and refers to good hemostasis whereas in radical prostatectomy and cystectomy, the reconstructive part--urethrovesical anastomosis and urinary diversion, respectively--is an important factor, affecting the patient's postoperative quality of life. SUMMARY: The development of new instrumentation as well as the amelioration of urologists' laparoscopic skills will pave the way for the establishment of laparoscopic reconstructive urology in everyday practice. So far, laparoscopic reconstructive urology seems to be a well tolerated and effective treatment modality but still with not a completely clear role.