Aquablation in Patients on Antithrombotics: Assessment of Safety, Postoperative Bleeding Rates and Clinical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of perioperative antithrombotic use on the bleeding outcomes following Aquablation. METHODS: One hundred sixteen men with who underwent Aquablation as part of the WATER prospective trial (NCT02505919) were assigned to 2 groups based on perioperative antithrombotic status. Antithrombotic cessation and restart timing were based on the surgeon's discretion. Methods of achieving intraoperative hemostasis consisted of no-cautery balloon tamponade or cautery. Primary endpoints included immediate postoperative hematuria rates and changes in hemoglobin. Secondary endpoints included 90-day bleeding complications and nonbleeding postoperative adverse events. RESULTS: Forty-one men took antithrombotic medications in the perioperative period while 75 men had no antithrombotic medication. Preoperative hemoglobin levels were comparable between both groups. Postoperative hemoglobin change from baseline (drop of 1.8 ± 1.5 g/dL among the antithrombotic group vs 1.8 ± 1.7 g/dL among the antithrombotic-naïve group) did not differ between both groups (P = .896). In total, 4 (9.8%) men in the antithrombotic group and 4 (5.3%) patients in the antithrombotic-naïve group experienced a Clavien-Dindo grade 1 complication (P = .451) in the 3-month postoperative period. Eight (19.5%) patients in the antithrombotic group and 11 (14.7%) patients in the antithrombotic-naïve group experienced a Clavien-Dindo grade 2 complication (P = .601), none of which is associated with bleeding in both groups. No men in either group demonstrated de novo erectile dysfunction. One patient (2.4%) in the antithrombotic group and none in the antithrombotic-naïve group required blood products (P = .353). CONCLUSION: Aquablation demonstrates comparable postoperative bleeding outcomes and other adverse effects for men with benign prostatic hypertrophy who are on antithrombotic therapy.

Pharmacotherapy vs. minimally invasive therapies as initial therapy for moderate-to-severe benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cost-effectiveness study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, minimally invasive therapies (MITs), such as water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) have become an alternative to surgery or pharmacotherapy to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), offering symptom relief with a favorable safety profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-utility of MITs (WVTT and PUL) compared to pharmacotherapy as initial treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe BPH. METHODS: In this model-based economic evaluation we simulated BPH progression in men (mean age 65 years, average International Prostate Symptom Score 16.6) over their lifetime and estimated healthcare costs (from the US public payer perspective) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), discounted at 3% annually. Various clinical scenarios were evaluated given that most men undergo several lifelong therapies up to surgical intervention and potentially thereafter. As such, in the study model men could receive up to three lines of therapy: (1) initial pharmacotherapy with MIT as second-line, and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or pharmacotherapy as third-line; (2) initial MIT (WVTT or PUL) with MIT again, TURP or pharmacotherapy as second-line, and TURP as third-line. Model was populated using data from the published literature. Probabilistic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Initial treatment with WVTT led to the highest QALYs (13.05) and the lowest cost ($15,461). The cumulative QALYs and lifetime costs were 12.92 QALYs and $20,280 for pharmacotherapy followed by WVTT, 12.87 QALYs and $22,424 for pharmacotherapy followed by PUL, 12.86 QALYs and $20,930 for initial treatment with PUL. In the cost-utility analysis, WVTT as initial treatment dominated all three strategies, i.e., generated more QALYs at a lower cost. CONCLUSION: WVTT is an effective and cost-saving procedure, and may be an appropriate first-line alternative to pharmacotherapy for moderate-to-severe BPH patients who seek faster improvement and no lifelong commitment to daily medications.

Cost-utility of minimally invasive therapies vs. pharmacotherapy as initial therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia A Canadian healthcare payer perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST s) have become an alternative to surgery or pharmacotherapy to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH ). This study evaluated the cost-utility of water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT ) and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) compared to pharmacotherapy as initial treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe BPH. METHODS: In this model-based economic evaluation, we simulated BPH progression in men (mean age 65 years, average International Prostate Symptom Score 16.6) over their lifetime and estimated healthcare costs (from the Canadian healthcare payer perspective) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), discounted at 1.5% annually. In the model, men could receive up to three lines of therapy: 1) initial pharmacotherapy with MIST as second-line, and TURP or pharmacotherapy as third-line; 2) initial MIST (WVTT or PUL) with MIST again, TURP, or pharmacotherapy as second-line, and TURP as third-line. The model was populated using data from the published literature. RESULTS: The expected lifetime QALYs and costs were 15.50 QALYs and $14 626 for initial treatment with WVTT, 15.35 QALYs and $11 795 for pharmacotherapy followed by WVTT, 15.29 QALYs and $13 582 for pharmacotherapy followed by PUL, and 15.29 QALYs and $19 151 for initial treatment with PUL. Strategies involving PUL procedures were dominated by strategies involving WVTT. The incremental cost per QALY gained was $18 873 for initial WVTT compared to initial pharmacotherapy followed by WVTT. CONCLUSIONS: WVTT appears to be a cost-effective procedure and may be an appropriate first-line alternative to pharmacotherapy for patients with BPH and prostate volume less than 80 cm3 who seek faster improvement and no lifelong commitment to daily medications.

Effect of Surgeon and Facility Volume on Outcomes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgery: Implications of Disparities in Access to Care at High-Volume Centers.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effect of surgeon and facility volume on outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and laser treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We also investigate disparities in access to care by identifying demographic predictors of receipt of treatment at high-volume facilities. METHODS: We used New York State Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) data. We included 18,041 (41.4%) and 25,577 (58.6%) adult patients that underwent TURP and laser procedures in the outpatient setting between January 2005 and December 2018, respectively. Average annual surgeon and facility volumes were broken down by tertile. The effect of volume on short-term outcomes (30-day and 90-day readmission) was examined using mixed-effect logistic regression models. Cox-proportional-hazard models were used to assess the association between volume and long-term stricture development and reoperation. Demographic predictors of treatment at high-volume facilities were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: High-volume facilities were more likely to offer laser procedures compared to low-volume facilities. Higher facility and surgeon volume were associated with lower odds of 30 and 90-day readmissions compared to low-volume facilities. There was no difference in reoperation and stricture development between surgeon volume groups. Medicaid insurance, Hispanic ethnicity, and Black race were inversely associated with treatment at high-volume facilities. CONCLUSION: Higher surgeon and facility volumes were associated with lower odds of readmission. Higher facility volume was associated with lower hazards of reoperation and developing strictures. Medicaid insurance and non-white race were associated with lower odds of treatment at high-volume facilities, highlighting racial and socioeconomic disparities in access to high-volume BPH surgery facilities.

Micro-cost analysis of single-use vs. reusable cystoscopy in a single-payer healthcare system.

INTRODUCTION: Single-use flexible diagnostic cystoscopy has recently been developed with comparable functionality to reusable cystoscopes. Prior studies have demonstrated considerable upfront costs of reusable cystoscopy. The objective of this study was to compare costs of reusable cystoscopy to single-use cystoscopy in a single-payer, socialized healthcare system. METHODS: A retrospective micro-cost analysis of reusable cystoscopy in a combined inpatient and outpatient setting at a single institution was performed. The cost analysis was divided into capital, maintenance, reprocessing, and labor. Annual costs were averaged over two fiscal years. Costs were amortized over five- and 10-year bases as appropriate. The results were compared to theoretical costs of single-use cystoscopes. RESULTS: There were 3415 annual average cystoscopy cases with 171 cases per reusable cystoscope. The capital, maintenance, reprocessing, and labor costs of reusable cystoscopy were $96 000, $99 867, $247 855, and $65 317, respectively. The total annual costs per case for reusable and single-use cystoscopy were $149.06 and $245.57, respectively. The costs of reusable cystoscopy decreased with the number of procedures per year and intersected the costs of single-use cystoscopes at 1265 procedures per year. All costs were calculated in Canadian dollars ($CAD). CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of reusable cystoscopes is dependent on cystoscopy volume due to considerable upfront costs. Single-use cystoscopes are more cost-effective if the total number of cases performed is less than 1265 per year. Additional investigation into the cost-effectiveness of single-use cystoscopes as supplements in the outpatient setting or primary endoscopes in inpatient/emergency settings should be performed.

A comprehensive analysis of clinical, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness outcomes of key treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Treatment options for men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have variable efficacy, safety, and retreatment profiles, contributing to variations in patient quality of life and healthcare costs. This study examined the long-term cost-effectiveness of generic combination therapy (CT), prostatic urethral lift (PUL), water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT), photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of BPH. A systematic literature review was performed to identify clinical trials of CT, PUL, WVTT, PVP, and TURP that reported change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for men with BPH and a prostate volume ≤80 cm3. A random-effects network meta-analysis was used to account for the differences in patient baseline clinical characteristics between trials. An Excel-based Markov model was developed with a cohort of males with a mean age of 63 and an average IPSS of 22 to assess the cost-effectiveness of these treatment options at 1 and 5 years from a US Medicare perspective. Procedural and adverse event (AE)-related costs were based on 2021 Medicare reimbursement rates. Total Medicare costs at 5 years were highest for PUL ($9,580), followed by generic CT ($8,223), TURP ($6,328), PVP ($6,152), and WVTT ($2,655). The total cost of PUL was driven by procedural ($7,258) and retreatment ($1,168) costs. At 5 years, CT and PUL were associated with fewer quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) than WVTT, PVP, and TURP. Compared to WVTT, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for both TURP and PVP were above a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY (TURP: $64,409/QALY; PVP: $87,483/QALY). This study provides long-term cost-effectiveness evidence for several common treatment options for men with BPH. WVTT is an effective and economically viable treatment in resource-constrained environments.

Review of the Economics of Surgical Treatment Options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this paper is to review the literature detailing US-based analyses for cost and cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment options for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and associated LUTS. RECENT FINDINGS: TURP offers the greatest degree of symptom improvement with its associated costs dependent upon operating room time, equipment, and length of hospital stay. Other studied surgical treatment modalities, including transurethral laser ablative, thermal ablative, and convective water vapor modalities as well as prostatic urethral lift and transabdominal procedures, generally carry higher costs and lower cost-effectiveness in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with specific exceptions. Compared to TURP, HoLEP and Greenlight PVP have demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness for mild, moderate, and severe BPH. Convective water vapor ablation, as with transurethral microwave/thermoablative therapies, has been observed to be less expensive per procedure than TURP on average. However, it conferred lower degrees of IPSS symptom improvement. Moreover, compared to TURP, prostatic artery embolization has demonstrated lower average costs coupled with inferior objective improvement in maximal flow rate, prostate volume reduction, PSA decline and minimal improvement in IPSS subjective outcome measures. For this review, selection bias, asymmetric patient groups, issues with study aggregation, and understudied cost contributors (including retreatment costs, long-term durability of symptom relief, recovery time, and work productivity limitations) were identified as key limitations. Nevertheless, this overview takes important steps to understand the costs of surgical treatment options for BPH, allowing for more informed clinical and policy decisions.

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact of Emerging Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most prevalent and costly chronic conditions among middle-aged and elderly men. Prostatic urethral lift (PUL) and convective water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) are emerging minimally invasive surgical treatments as an alternative to traditional treatment options for men with moderate-to-severe BPH. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of PUL and WVTT for men with BPH using long-term clinical outcomes. Methods: The cost-effectiveness and budget impact models were developed from a US Medicare perspective over a 4-year time horizon. The models were populated with males with a mean age of 63 and an average International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 22. Clinical inputs were extracted from the LIFT and Rezum II randomized controlled trials at 4 years. Utility values were assigned using IPSS and BPH severity levels. Procedural, adverse event, retreatment, follow-up, and medication costs were based on 2019 Medicare payment rates and Medicare Part D drug spending. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSAs) were performed. Results: At 4 years, PUL was associated with greater retreatment rates (24.6% vs 10.9%), lower quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (3.490 vs 3.548) and higher total costs (US$7393 vs US$2233) compared with WVTT, making WVTT the more effective and less costly treatment strategy. The 70% total cost difference of PUL and WVTT was predominantly driven by higher PUL procedural (US$5617 vs US$1689) and retreatment (US$976 vs US$257) costs. The PSA demonstrated that relative to PUL, WVTT yielded higher QALYs and lower costs 99% and 100% of the time, respectively. Conclusions: Compared to PUL, WVTT was a cost-effective and cost-saving treatment of moderate-to-severe BPH. These findings provide evidence for clinicians, payers, and health policy makers to help further define the role of minimally invasive surgical treatments for BPH.

Real World Performance of Sacral Neuromodulation and OnabotulinumtoxinA for Overactive Bladder: Focus on Safety and Cost.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the real world safety and cost of third line overactive bladder therapies, including onabotulinumtoxinA and sacral neuromodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an all-inclusive, population based cohort study of third line therapies of overactive bladder (sacral neuromodulation or onabotulinumtoxinA) using the statewide surgical data captured in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. The main outcome measures were 30-day safety events, and 1 and 3-year health care utilization costs. Propensity score matching was done to control for confounding factors and comparative analyses of safety events were also performed. RESULTS: Our cohort included 2,680 patients, of whom 1,328 underwent sacral neuromodulation and 1,352 received onabotulinumtoxinA from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016. Average ± SD age was 61.7 ± 16.3 years and 82.7% of the patients were female. Sacral neuromodulation implantation led to re-intervention in 15.8% of cases within 1 year and in 26.1% at 3 years. In this comparative analysis patients who received onabotulinumtoxinA therapy were at higher risk for urinary tract infection, hematuria, urinary retention and an emergency room visit compared to those treated with sacral neuromodulation. The overall cost of onabotulinumtoxinA was lower than the cost of the sacral neuromodulation device (cost at 1 year $2,896 vs $15,343 and at 3 years $3,454 vs $16,189, each p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation implantation was more expensive than onabotulinumtoxinA injection. However, patients who underwent sacral neuromodulation had a lower complication rate than patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA. A quality improvement collective database must be created to track information on onabotulinumtoxinA and sacral neuromodulation treatment. This would help generate better performance and comparative data for patient and physician decision making.

Robotic urologic surgery: trends in litigation over the last decade.

There is a lack of information regarding malpractice claims and indemnity payments associated with robotic cases in surgery. Malpractice claims and indemnity payouts will elucidate and mitigate harms of future adoption of new technology into surgery. We analyzed claims filed against Intuitive Surgical, Inc. from 2000 to 2017. A law librarian identified product liability claims from 2000 to 2017 with the defendant "Intuitive Surgical, Inc." using the Bloomberg Law database. We reviewed all available legal documents pertaining to identified claims, and extracted data points including filing date, surgery date, surgery type, robot type, instrument type, complications, and case outcomes. Since 2000, 123 claims were filed; 108 met criteria for inclusion. Gynecologic surgeries comprised the majority of claims (62%, 67 claims), followed by urologic surgeries (20%, 22 claims). Number of claims filed peaked in 2013 (30%, 32 claims) and then decreased each year, with 6% (7 claims) filed in 2016, and only 1% (1 claim) filed in 2017. Of the 22 claims regarding robotic urologic surgeries, 19 claims (86%) pertained to prostatectomy. Commonly alleged injuries in urologic cases were bowel injury (8 claims), erectile dysfunction (5 claims), bowel fistulas (4 claims), and incontinence (4 claims). Device failure was cited in only 2 claims. Early adopters of robotic surgery were at highest risk of litigation. This risk subsequently decreased despite the wide spread adoption of this technology. Almost all claims were secondary to surgical complications and not device failure, thus demonstrating a need for more systematic training for novel devices and early adopters.

Minimally invasive vs open nephrectomy in the modern era: does approach matter?

PURPOSE: To evaluate if the widespread adoption of a minimally invasive approach to radical nephrectomy has affected short- and long-term patient outcomes in the modern era. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent radical nephrectomy from 2001 to 2012 was conducted using the US National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program and Medicare insurance program database. Patients who underwent open surgery were compared to those who underwent minimally invasive surgery using propensity score matching. RESULTS: 10,739 (85.9%) underwent open surgery and 1776 (14.1%) underwent minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery increased from 18.4% from 2001-2004 to 43.5% from 2009 to 2012. After median follow-up of 57.1 months, minimally invasive radical nephrectomy conferred long-term oncologic efficacy in terms of overall (HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.75-0.95) survival and cancer-specific (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54-0.86) survival compared to open radical nephrectomy. Minimally invasive surgery was associated with lower risk of inpatient death [risk ratio (RR) 0.45 with 95% CI: (0.20-0.99), p = 0.04], deep vein thrombosis [RR: 0.35 (0.18-0.69), p = 0.002], respiratory complications [RR: 0.73 (0.60-0.89), p = 0.001], infectious complications [RR: 0.35 (0.14-0.90), p = 0.02], acute kidney injury [RR: 0.66 (0.52-0.84), p < 0.001], sepsis [RR: 0.55 (0.31-0.98), p = 0.04], prolonged length of stay (18.6 vs 30.0%, p < 0.001), and ICU admission (19.7 vs 26.3%, p < 0.001). Costs were similar between the two approaches (30-day costs $15,882 vs $15,564; p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: After widespread adoption of minimally invasive approaches to radical nephrectomy across the United States, oncologic standards remain preserved with improved perioperative outcomes at no additional cost burden.

Cost-effectiveness of Common Diagnostic Approaches for Evaluation of Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria.

Importance: Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (AMH) is highly prevalent and may signal occult genitourinary (GU) malignant abnormality. Common diagnostic approaches differ in their costs and effectiveness in detecting cancer. Given the low prevalence of GU malignant abnormality among patients with AMH, it is important to quantify the cost implications of detecting cancer for each approach. Objective: To estimate the effectiveness, costs, and incremental cost per cancer detected (ICCD) for 4 common diagnostic approaches evaluating AMH. Design, Setting, and Participants: A decision-analytic model-based cost-effectiveness analysis using inputs from the medical literature. PubMed searches were performed to identify relevant literature for all key model inputs, each of which was derived from the clinical study with the most robust data and greatest applicability. Analysis included adult patients with AMH on routine urinalysis with subgroups of high-risk patients (males, smokers, age ≥50 years) seen in the primary care or urologic referral setting. Interventions: Four diagnostic approaches were evaluated relative to the reference case of no evaluation: (1) computed tomography (CT) alone; (2) cystoscopy alone; (3) CT and cystoscopy combined; and (4) renal ultrasound and cystoscopy combined. Main Outcomes and Measures: At termination of the diagnostic period, cancers detected, costs (payer perspective), and ICCD per 10 000 patients evaluated for AMH. Results: Of the 4 diagnostic approaches analyzed, CT alone was dominated by all other strategies, detecting 221 cancers at a cost of $9 300 000. Ultrasound and cystoscopy detected 245 cancers and was most cost-effective with an ICCD of $53 810. Replacing ultrasound with CT detected just 1 additional cancer at an ICCD of $6 480 484. Ultrasound and cystoscopy remained the most cost-effective approach in subgroup analysis. The model was not sensitive to any inputs within the proposed ranges. Using probabilistic sensitivity analysis, ultrasound and cystoscopy was the dominant strategy in 100% of simulations. Conclusions and Relevance: The combination of renal ultrasound and cystoscopy is the most cost-effective among 4 diagnostic approaches for the initial evaluation of AMH. The use of ultrasound in lieu of CT as the first-line diagnostic strategy will optimize cancer detection and reduce costs associated with evaluation of AMH. Given our findings, we need to critically evaluate the appropriateness of our current clinical practices, and potentially alter our guidelines to reflect the most effective screening strategies for patients with AMH.

Role of concurrent vaginal hysterectomy in the outcomes of mesh-based vaginal pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Hysterectomy is often performed at the time of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery; yet, there is insufficient evidence regarding the specific effect of hysterectomy on outcomes. We sought to determine the outcomes and associated short-term complications of mesh-based POP surgery with and without concurrent hysterectomy. METHODS: We utilized the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperation System (SPARCS) database to identify patients under 55 years of age undergoing surgeries for POP with mesh between 2009 and 2014. Patients who had a hysterectomy at the time of mesh-based POP surgery were compared with those who underwent mesh-based POP surgery without hysterectomy. Outcome measures of the patient groups before and after propensity score matching were compared. We assessed the difference Chi-squared tests and log-rank tests in the entire cohort and Mantel-Haenszel stratified Chi-squared tests and Prentice-Wilcoxon tests in the matched cohort. RESULTS: A total of 1,601 women underwent mesh-based POP surgery. 921 patients underwent concurrent hysterectomy, whereas 680 had mesh-based uterine-preserving POP surgery. After propensity score matching, there was no difference in reintervention rates between groups for up to 3 years. Concurrent hysterectomy with mesh-based POP repair was consistently associated with longer hospitalization (20.0% vs 12.8% stayed longer than 2 days) and higher charges (median charges were $22,689 vs $19,273). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent hysterectomy during mesh-based POP surgery in patients under 55 years led to more expensive charges and a longer stay compared with uterine-preserving mesh surgery. There was no difference in reintervention rates between groups for up to 3 years.

Adoption of Technology and Its Impact on Nephrectomy Outcomes, a U.S. Population-Based Analysis (2008-2012).

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted surgery has been touted as offering superior outcomes in various oncologic surgeries. We sought to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN) compared with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in regard to hospital charges, complications, and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program-Medicare linked database, we identified patients over the age of 65 who underwent radical nephrectomy (RN) for nonmetastatic renal-cell carcinoma from 2008 to 2012. Patients who underwent RRN were compared with those who underwent LRN. We used propensity scoring matching to compare perioperative and survival outcomes, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival, major adverse events, and healthcare charges. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-one patients underwent RRN, and 574 patients underwent LRN. After propensity score matching, the adverse events rate and length of stay were similar between two groups (Major Events: 5.7% vs 6.1%, p = 0.84; prolonged LOS: 17.8% vs 16.1%, p = 0.62). The inpatient charges following RRN were significantly higher than those of LRN ($53,681 vs $44,161, p < 0.01). The mean follow-up of the cohort was 3.2 years. Estimated overall survival (88.0% vs 87.9%, p = 0.90) and cancer-specific survival (98.1% vs 96.4%, p = 0.25) were similar between the two matched cohorts at 3 years. CONCLUSION: The robotic platform showed no benefit over standard laparoscopy for RN, as we found no difference in oncologic efficacy or adverse event rates.

Trends in surgical management and pre-operative urodynamics in female medicare beneficiaries with mixed incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the surgical trends and utilization of treatment for mixed urinary incontinence among female Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: Data was obtained from a 5% national random sample of outpatient and carrier claims from 2000 to 2011. Included were female patients 65 and older, diagnosed with mixed urinary incontinence, who underwent surgical treatment identified by Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition (CPT-4) codes. Urodynamics (UDS) before initial and secondary procedure were also identified using CPT-4 codes. Procedural trends and utilization of UDS were analyzed. RESULTS: Utilization of UDS increased during the study period, from 38.4% to 74.0% prior to initial surgical intervention, and from 28.6% to 62.5% preceding re-intervention. Sling surgery (63.0%) and injectable bulking agents (28.0%) were the most common surgical treatments adopted, followed by sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) (4.8%) and Burch (4.0%) procedures. Re-intervention was performed in 4.0% of patients initially treated with sling procedures and 21.3% of patients treated with bulking agents, the majority of whom (51.7% and 76.3%, respectively) underwent injection of a bulking agent. Risk of re-intervention was not different among those who did or did not receive urodynamic tests prior to the initial procedure (8.5% vs. 9.3%) CONCLUSIONS: Sling and bulk agents are the most common treatment for MUI. Preoperative urodynamic testing was not related to risk of re-intervention following surgery for mixed urinary incontinence in this cohort. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:422-425, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Perioperative Outcomes, Health Care Costs, and Survival After Robotic-assisted Versus Open Radical Cystectomy: A National Comparative Effectiveness Study.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy is the gold-standard management for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and there is debate concerning the comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted (RARC) versus open radical cystectomy (ORC). OBJECTIVE: To compare utilization, perioperative, cost, and survival outcomes of RARC versus ORC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We identified bladder urothelial carcinoma treated with RARC (n=439) or ORC (n=7308) during 2002-2012 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare linked data. INTERVENTION: Comparison of RARC versus ORC. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used propensity score matching to compare perioperative and survival outcomes, including lymph node yield, perioperative complications, and healthcare costs. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Utilization of RARC increased from 0.7% of radical cystectomies in 2002 to 18.5% in 2012 (p<0.001). Women comprised 13.9% versus 18.1% (p=0.007) of RARC versus ORC, respectively. RARC was associated with greater lymph node yield with 41.5% versus 34.9% having ≥10 lymph nodes removed (relative risk 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.22, p=0.03) and shorter mean length of hospitalization at 10.1 (± standard deviation 7.1) d versus 11.2 (± 8.6) d (p=0.004). While inpatient costs were similar, RARC was associated with increased home healthcare utilization (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.26, p=0.009) and higher 30-d (p<0.01) and 90-d (p<0.01) costs. With a median follow-up of 44 mo (interquartile range 16-78), overall survival (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.74-1.05) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.66-1.26) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: RARC provides equivalent perioperative and intermediate term outcomes to ORC. Additional long-term and randomized studies are needed for continued comparative effectiveness assessment of RARC versus ORC. PATIENT SUMMARY: Our population-based US study demonstrates that robotic-assisted radical cystectomy has similar perioperative and survival outcomes albeit at higher costs.

Assessment of energy density usage during 180W lithium triborate laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Is there an optimum amount of kilo-Joules per gram of prostate?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of energy density (kJ/mL) applied on adenoma during photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) on functional outcomes, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After exclusions, a total of 440 patients who underwent GreenLight (tm) laser XPS-180W lithium triborate PVP for the treatment of BPH were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected from seven different international centres (Canada, USA, UK and France). Patients were stratified into four energy density groups (kJ/mL) according to intra-operative energy delivered and prostate volume as determined by preoperative transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS): group 1: <3 kJ/mL; group 2: 3-5 kJ/mL; group 3: 5-7 kJ/mL; and group 4: ≥7 kJ/mL. Energy density groups were chosen arbitrarily. PSA reduction and functional outcomes (International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, post-void residual urine volume, maximum urinary flow rate) were compared at 6, 12 and 24 months. Peri-operative complications and retreatment rates were also compared among the groups. RESULTS: The PSA reduction rates at 24 months after the procedure were 51, 61, 79 and 83% for the energy density groups <3, 3-5, 5-7 and ≥7 kJ/mL, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). This held true after accounting for baseline confounders. Energy density was not associated with higher complication rates, including haematuria, stricture formation, incontinence, refractory urinary retention, urinary tract infection and conversion to transurethral resection of the prostate. Functional outcomes at 2 years of follow-up were equivalent among the groups (P > 0.05 for all) and similar retreatment rates were observed (P = 0.36). CONCLUSION: Higher energy usage per cc of prostate was associated with a more significant reduction in PSA level (>50%) at 6, 12 and 24 months, suggesting increased vaporization of adenoma tissue; however, this did not translate into differences in functional outcomes at 2-year follow-up.

National study of utilization of male incontinence procedures.

AIMS: We explored re-interventions and short and long term adverse events associated with procedures for male incontinence among Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: All inpatient and outpatient claims for a simple random sample of Medicare beneficiaries for 2000-2011 were queried to identify patients of interest. All male patients with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition (ICD-9) diagnosis code for stress incontinence or mixed incontinence were included. Artificial urinary sphincter recipients, patients who underwent a sling operation and those receiving an injection of a bulking agent were identified with Current Procedure Terminology (CPT-4) and ICD-9 Procedure Codes. RESULTS: The entire cohort of 1,246 patients were operated on between 2001 and 2011. 34.9% of them received an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS), 28.7% with a bulking agent, and 36.4% with a sling. There were no statistically significant differences in demographics or comorbidities between the treatment groups, except that more sling patients were obese (P = 0.006) and fewer bulk patients had diabetes (P = 0.007). There are, however, significant changes in procedures selected over time (P < 0.001). In the first year and over the entire follow-up after surgery, patients treated with bulking agents had the most subsequent interventions (40.1% and 52.9%), followed by sling (10.4% and 15.5%), and AUS (2.3% and 20%) (P < 0.001). Post-operative and 90 day complications were low. CONCLUSIONS: All three treatments seem to be safe among Medicare beneficiaries with multiple comorbidities. The urological, infectious, and neurological complication occurrences were low.

Trends in Mesh Use for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair From the Medicare Database.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate recent trends in mesh use for pelvic organ prolapse (POP)-related reconstruction procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the 2001-2011 5% Medicare claims database, we identified POP diagnoses and related procedures. Transvaginal mesh use and sacrocolpopexy were first reported in 2005 and 2004, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 613,160 cases of vaginal and abdominal POP repair procedures were identified. The majority of procedures involved multiple compartments. The rate of mesh use increased dramatically from 2% of repairs in 2005 to 35% by 2008. After the Food and Drug Administration warning in 2008, mesh use plateaued and then decreased in 2011. Mesh was used more commonly in younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.722, P < .001), white (OR 0.712-0.791 for other races, P < .001) women in the South (OR 0.741-0.848 for non-South regions, P < .001). Starting in 2008, the rate of sacrocolpopexy procedures almost doubled yearly until 2011. Sacrocolpopexy was more common in younger patients (49% in women <70 years) and in white women (88%); the majority of sacrocolpopexies were performed in the South (60%) and laparoscopically (83%-98%). CONCLUSION: The treatment of POP has changed over time. The use of mesh increased significantly until 2008, after which it plateaued following the Food and Drug Administration warning regarding mesh-related complications. Concurrently, the number of sacrocolpopexy procedures increased significantly starting in 2008 as the use of laparoscopic and/or robotic technique and concern regarding transvaginal mesh increased.