Study protocol for the Intraoperative Complications Assessment and Reporting with Universal Standards (ICARUS) global cross-specialty surveys and consensus.

Annually, about 300 million surgeries lead to significant intraoperative adverse events (iAEs), impacting patients and surgeons. Their full extent is underestimated due to flawed assessment and reporting methods. Inconsistent adoption of new grading systems and a lack of standardization, along with litigation concerns, contribute to underreporting. Only half of relevant journals provide guidelines on reporting these events, with a lack of standards in surgical literature. To address these issues, the Intraoperative Complications Assessment and Reporting with Universal Standard (ICARUS) Global Surgical Collaboration was established in 2022. The initiative involves conducting global surveys and a Delphi consensus to understand the barriers for poor reporting of iAEs, validate shared criteria for reporting, define iAEs according to surgical procedures, evaluate the existing grading systems' reliability, and identify strategies for enhancing the collection, reporting, and management of iAEs. Invitation to participate are extended to all the surgical specialties, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, OR Staffs and anesthesiology. This effort represents an essential step towards improved patient safety and the well-being of healthcare professionals in the surgical field.

Population-Based Assessment of Determining Predictors for Discharge Disposition in Patients with Bladder Cancer Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

Objective: To assess predictors of discharge disposition­either home or to a CRF­after undergoing RC for bladder cancer in the United States. Methods: In this retrospective, cohort study, patients were divided into two cohorts: those discharged home and those discharged to CRF. We examined patient, surgical, and hospital characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to control for selected variables. All statistical tests were two-sided. Patients were derived from the Premier Healthcare Database. International classification of disease (ICD)-9 (<2014), ICD-10 (≥2015), and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were used to identify patient diagnoses and encounters. The population consisted of 138,151 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2019. Results: Of 138,151 patients, 24,922 (18.0%) were admitted to CRFs. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, single/widowed marital status, female gender, increased Charlson Comorbidity Index, Medicaid, and Medicare insurance are associated with CRF discharge. Rural hospital location, self-pay status, increased annual surgeon case, and robotic surgical approach are associated with home discharge. Conclusions: Several specific patient, surgical, and facility characteristics were identified that may significantly impact discharge disposition after RC for bladder cancer.

An Assessment Tool to Provide Targeted Feedback to Robotic Surgical Trainees: Development and Validation of the End-To-End Assessment of Suturing Expertise (EASE).

Purpose: To create a suturing skills assessment tool that comprehensively defines criteria around relevant sub-skills of suturing and to confirm its validity. Materials and Methods: 5 expert surgeons and an educational psychologist participated in a cognitive task analysis (CTA) to deconstruct robotic suturing into an exhaustive list of technical skill domains and sub-skill descriptions. Using the Delphi methodology, each CTA element was systematically reviewed by a multi-institutional panel of 16 surgical educators and implemented in the final product when content validity index (CVI) reached ≥0.80. In the subsequent validation phase, 3 blinded reviewers independently scored 8 training videos and 39 vesicourethral anastomoses (VUA) using EASE; 10 VUA were also scored using Robotic Anastomosis Competency Evaluation (RACE), a previously validated, but simplified suturing assessment tool. Inter-rater reliability was measured with intra-class correlation (ICC) for normally distributed values and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted Kappa (PABAK) for skewed distributions. Expert (≥100 prior robotic cases) and trainee (<100 cases) EASE scores from the non-training cases were compared using a generalized linear mixed model. Results: After two rounds of Delphi process, panelists agreed on 7 domains, 18 sub-skills, and 57 detailed sub-skill descriptions with CVI ≥ 0.80. Inter-rater reliability was moderately high (ICC median: 0.69, range: 0.51-0.97; PABAK: 0.77, 0.62-0.97). Multiple EASE sub-skill scores were able to distinguish surgeon experience. The Spearman's rho correlation between overall EASE and RACE scores was 0.635 (p=0.003). Conclusions: Through a rigorous CTA and Delphi process, we have developed EASE, whose suturing sub-skills can distinguish surgeon experience while maintaining rater reliability.

Development and validation of an objective scoring tool to evaluate surgical dissection: Dissection Assessment for Robotic Technique (DART).

Purpose: Evaluation of surgical competency has important implications for training new surgeons, accreditation, and improving patient outcomes. A method to specifically evaluate dissection performance does not yet exist. This project aimed to design a tool to assess surgical dissection quality. Methods: Delphi method was used to validate structure and content of the dissection evaluation. A multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary panel of 14 expert surgeons systematically evaluated each element of the dissection tool. Ten blinded reviewers evaluated 46 de-identified videos of pelvic lymph node and seminal vesicle dissections during the robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Inter-rater variability was calculated using prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa. The area under the curve from receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess discrimination power for overall DART scores as well as domains in discriminating trainees (≤100 robotic cases) from experts (>100). Results: Four rounds of Delphi method achieved language and content validity in 27/28 elements. Use of 3- or 5-point scale remained contested; thus, both scales were evaluated during validation. The 3-point scale showed improved kappa for each domain. Experts demonstrated significantly greater total scores on both scales (3-point, p< 0.001; 5-point, p< 0.001). The ability to distinguish experience was equivalent for total score on both scales (3-point AUC= 0.92, CI 0.82-1.00, 5-point AUC= 0.92, CI 0.83-1.00). Conclusions: We present the development and validation of Dissection Assessment for Robotic Technique (DART), an objective and reproducible 3-point surgical assessment to evaluate tissue dissection. DART can effectively differentiate levels of surgeon experience and can be used in multiple surgical steps.

Impact of Implementation of Standardized Criteria in the Assessment of Complication Reporting After Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Systematic Review.

The definition of a surgical complication still lacks standardization, hampering evaluation of surgical performance in this regard. Over the years, efforts to address this issue have been carried out to improve reporting of outcomes. In 2012, the European Association of Urology (EAU) proposed a standardized reporting tool for urological complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of those recommendations on complication reporting for patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). A comprehensive systematic review of all English language publications on RPN was carried out. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality guidelines in evaluating articles retrieved from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (January 1, 2000 to October 31, 2016; updated June 2017). The quality of reporting and grading complications was assessed according to the EAU recommendations. Temporal comparison revealed an improvement in outcome reporting in terms of mortality rates and causes of death (p=0.05), definition of complications (p<0.001), procedure-specific complications (p=0.02), severity grade (p<0.001), postoperative complications presented by grade/complication type (p<0.001), and risk factors (p<0.001). Our analysis demonstrates an improvement in complication reporting and grading after the EAU recommendation on RPN. PATIENT SUMMARY: Complications are unexpected events that could negatively impact a patient's outcomes after surgery, but there is no agreement on the definition and reporting of complications. In 2012, the European Association of Urology proposed a standardized reporting tool for urological complications. This study shows an improvement in the way physicians report complications after robotic partial nephrectomy. The results underline the importance of standardization in medicine to improve clinical research.

Objective Assessment of Robotic Surgical Technical Skill: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Robotic surgeries, especially in urology, have grown exponentially during the last decade. Various skills assessment tools have been developed. We reviewed the current status, the current challenges and the future needs of robotic evaluations with a focus on urological applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) criteria 2 paired investigators screened the PubMed®, Scopus® and Web of Science® databases for all full text, English language articles published between 2006 and 2018 using the query (evaluation OR assessment) AND (robot-assisted surgery OR robotic surgery) AND (surgical performance OR surgical skill) AND training. The research design, validity and reliability of each study were ascertained and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 259 studies were identified, of which 109 were included in the final analysis. We grouped the studies into 2 categories, including manual and automated assessments. Manual evaluation included global skill, procedure specific and error based assessments. For automated assessment we summarized evaluations derived from robotic instrument kinematic tracking data, systems events and surgical video data, and we explored those associations with various domains by manual evaluation. We further reviewed the current progress in automated surgical segmentation and skill evaluation with machine learning and deep learning. Concerns remain regarding efficient and effective surgeon training and credentialing. CONCLUSIONS: No universally accepted robotic skills assessment currently exists. The purpose of assessment (training or credentialing) may dictate whether manual or automated surgeon assessment is more suitable. Moving forward, assessment tools must be objective and efficient to facilitate the training and credentialing of competent surgeons.

Contemporary evidence for robot-assisted radical cystectomy for treating bladder cancer.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is an evolving technique for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC); however, its effectiveness compared with open radical cystectomy (ORC) - the established modality - is debated. Six specific areas of evidence are critically important for supporting the continuing use of RARC for MIBC, including technical aspects of surgery, perioperative outcomes, complications, oncological outcomes, functional outcomes, and financial costs. Considerable progress has been made regarding these aspects and data show that RARC replicates the technical benchmarks of ORC in terms of success of cystectomy, lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion, and could offer advantages over the more-established technique. Despite some clear benefits of RARC (such as reduced blood loss) other perioperative outcomes, including duration of inpatient stay and 30-90 day complication rates, seem to be similar to those of ORC. Current data on oncological and functional outcomes are promising, but robust data from prospective studies will help determine the indications for use of RARC for treating MIBC in the future.

Multi-Institutional Validation of Fundamental Inanimate Robotic Skills Tasks.

PURPOSE: Our group has previously reported the development and validation of FIRST (Fundamental Inanimate Robotic Skills Tasks), a series of 4 inanimate robotic skills tasks. Expanding on the initial validation, we now report face, content and construct validity of FIRST in a large multi-institutional cohort of experts and trainees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 residents, fellows and attending surgeons completed the FIRST exercises at participating institutions. Participants were classified based on previous robotic experience and task performance was compared across groups to establish construct validity. Face and content validity was assessed from participant ratings of the tasks on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: A total of 51 novice, 22 intermediate and 23 expert participants with a median previous robotic experience of 0 (range 0 to 3), 10 (range 5 to 30) and 200 cases (range 55 to 2,000), respectively (p<0.001), were assessed across all 4 inanimate robotic skills tasks. Expert and intermediate groups reliably outperformed novices (p<0.01). Experts also performed better than intermediates on all exercises (p<0.01). A survey of participants on their perceptions of the tasks yielded excellent face and content validity. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm robust face, content and construct validity of 4 inanimate robotic training tasks in a large multi-institutional cohort. FIRST tasks are reliably able to discern among expert, intermediate and novice robotic surgeons. Validation data from this large multi-institutional cohort is useful as we incorporate these tasks into a comprehensive robotic training curriculum.

Quantitative assessment of solid renal masses by contrast-enhanced ultrasound with time-intensity curves: how we do it.

PURPOSE: To discuss the evaluation of the enhancement curve over time of the major renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes, oncocytoma, and lipid-poor angiomyolipoma, to aid in the preoperative differentiation of these entities. Differentiation of these lesions is important, given the different prognoses of the subtypes, as well as the desire to avoid resecting benign lesions. METHODS: We discuss findings from CT, MR, and US, but with a special emphasis on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). CEUS technique is described, as well as time-intensity curve analysis. RESULTS: Examples of each of the major RCC subtypes (clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe) are shown, as well as examples of oncocytoma and lipid-poor angiomyolipoma. For each lesion, the time-intensity curve of enhancement on CEUS is reviewed, and correlated with the enhancement curve over time reported for multiphase CT and MR. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative differentiation of the most common solid renal masses is important, and the time-intensity curves of these lesions show some distinguishing features that can aid in this differentiation. The use of CEUS is increasing, and as a modality it is especially well suited to the evaluation of the time-intensity curve.

Radical Prostatectomy or External Beam Radiation Therapy vs No Local Therapy for Survival Benefit in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

PURPOSE: We assessed survival after radical prostatectomy, intensity modulated radiation therapy or conformal radiation therapy vs no local therapy for metastatic prostate cancer adjusting for patient comorbidity, androgen deprivation therapy and other factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified men 66 years old or older with metastatic prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, conformal radiation therapy or no local therapy in the SEER-Medicare linked database from 2004 to 2009. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models before and after inverse propensity score weighting were used to assess all cause and prostate cancer specific mortality. Competing risk regression analysis was done to assess prostate cancer specific mortality. RESULTS: Of 4,069 men with metastatic prostate cancer radical prostatectomy in 47, intensity modulated radiation therapy in 88 and conformal radiation therapy in 107 were selected as local therapy vs no local therapy in 3,827. Radical prostatectomy was associated with a 52% decrease (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27-0.85) in the risk of prostate cancer specific mortality after adjusting for sociodemographics, primary tumor characteristics, comorbidity, androgen deprivation therapy and bone radiation within 6 months of diagnosis. Intensity modulated radiation therapy was associated with a 62% decrease (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.61) in the risk of prostate specific cancer specific mortality. Conformal radiation therapy was not associated with improved survival compared to no local therapy. Propensity score weighting yielded comparable results. Competing risk analysis revealed a 42% and 57% decrease (SHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.95 and SHR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27-0.68, respectively) in the risk of prostate cancer specific mortality for radical prostatectomy and intensity modulated radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Local therapy with radical prostatectomy and intensity modulated radiation therapy but not with conformal radiation therapy was associated with a survival benefit in men with metastatic prostate cancer. This finding warrants prospective evaluation in clinical trials.

External validation of Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS).

BACKGROUND: We demonstrate the construct validity, reliability, and utility of Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS), a clinical assessment tool designed to measure robotic technical skills, in an independent cohort using an in vivo animal training model. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional observational study design, 47 voluntary participants were categorized as experts (>30 robotic cases completed as primary surgeon) or trainees. The trainee group was further divided into intermediates (≥5 but ≤30 cases) or novices (<5 cases). All participants completed a standardized in vivo robotic task in a porcine model. Task performance was evaluated by two expert robotic surgeons and self-assessed by the participants using the GEARS assessment tool. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the GEARS performance scores to determine construct validity; Spearman's rank correlation measured interobserver reliability; and Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency. RESULTS: Performance evaluations were completed on nine experts and 38 trainees (14 intermediate, 24 novice). Experts demonstrated superior performance compared to intermediates and novices overall and in all individual domains (p < 0.0001). In comparing intermediates and novices, the overall performance difference trended toward significance (p = 0.0505), while the individual domains of efficiency and autonomy were significantly different between groups (p = 0.0280 and 0.0425, respectively). Interobserver reliability between expert ratings was confirmed with a strong correlation observed (r = 0.857, 95 % CI [0.691, 0.941]). Experts and participant scoring showed less agreement (r = 0.435, 95 % CI [0.121, 0.689] and r = 0.422, 95 % CI [0.081, 0.0672]). Internal consistency was excellent for experts and participants (α = 0.96, 0.98, 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: In an independent cohort, GEARS was able to differentiate between different robotic skill levels, demonstrating excellent construct validity. As a standardized assessment tool, GEARS maintained consistency and reliability for an in vivo robotic surgical task and may be applied for skills evaluation in a broad range of robotic procedures.

Face, content, construct and concurrent validity of dry laboratory exercises for robotic training using a global assessment tool.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate robotic dry laboratory (dry lab) exercises in terms of their face, content, construct and concurrent validities. To evaluate the applicability of the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) tool to assess dry lab performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were prospectively categorized into two groups: robotic novice (no cases as primary surgeon) and robotic expert (≥30 cases). Participants completed three virtual reality (VR) exercises using the da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), as well as corresponding dry lab versions of each exercise (Mimic Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA) on the da Vinci Surgical System. Simulator performance was assessed by metrics measured on the simulator. Dry lab performance was blindly video-evaluated by expert review using the six-metric GEARS tool. Participants completed a post-study questionnaire (to evaluate face and content validity). A Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used to compare performance between groups (construct validity) and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess simulation to dry lab performance (concurrent validity). RESULTS: The mean number of robotic cases experienced for novices was 0 and for experts the mean (range) was 200 (30-2000) cases. Expert surgeons found the dry lab exercises both 'realistic' (median [range] score 8 [4-10] out of 10) and 'very useful' for training of residents (median [range] score 9 [5-10] out of 10). Overall, expert surgeons completed all dry lab tasks more efficiently (P < 0.001) and effectively (GEARS total score P < 0.001) than novices. In addition, experts outperformed novices in each individual GEARS metric (P < 0.001). Finally, in comparing dry lab with simulator performance, there was a moderate correlation overall (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). Most simulator metrics correlated moderately to strongly with corresponding GEARS metrics (r = 0.54, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The robotic dry lab exercises in the present study have face, content, construct and concurrent validity with the corresponding VR tasks. Until now, the assessment of dry lab exercises has been limited to basic metrics (i.e. time to completion and error avoidance). For the first time, we have shown it is feasibile to apply a global assessment tool (GEARS) to dry lab training.

Comparative assessment of three standardized robotic surgery training methods.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three standardized robotic surgery training methods, inanimate, virtual reality and in vivo, for their construct validity. To explore the concept of cross-method validity, where the relative performance of each method is compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Robotic surgical skills were prospectively assessed in 49 participating surgeons who were classified as follows: 'novice/trainee': urology residents, previous experience <30 cases (n = 38) and 'experts': faculty surgeons, previous experience ≥30 cases (n = 11). Three standardized, validated training methods were used: (i) structured inanimate tasks; (ii) virtual reality exercises on the da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA); and (iii) a standardized robotic surgical task in a live porcine model with performance graded by the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) tool. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate performance differences between novices and experts (construct validity). Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to measure the association of performance across inanimate, simulation and in vivo methods (cross-method validity). RESULTS: Novice and expert surgeons had previously performed a median (range) of 0 (0-20) and 300 (30-2000) robotic cases, respectively (P < 0.001). Construct validity: experts consistently outperformed residents with all three methods (P < 0.001). Cross-method validity: overall performance of inanimate tasks significantly correlated with virtual reality robotic performance (ρ = -0.7, P < 0.001) and in vivo robotic performance based on GEARS (ρ = -0.8, P < 0.0001). Virtual reality performance and in vivo tissue performance were also found to be strongly correlated (ρ = 0.6, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We propose the novel concept of cross-method validity, which may provide a method of evaluating the relative value of various forms of skills education and assessment. We externally confirmed the construct validity of each featured training tool.

Cost-effectiveness of open versus laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy and urinary diversion.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide insight into the recently published cost comparisons in the context of open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy and to demonstrate the complexity of such economic analyses. RECENT FINDINGS: Most economic evaluations are from a hospital perspective and summarize short-term perioperative therapeutic costs. However, the contributing factors (e.g. study design, included variables, robotic amortization plan, supply contract, surgical volume, surgeons' experience, etc.) vary substantially between the institutions. In addition, a real cost-effective analysis considering cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained is not feasible because of the lack of long-term oncologic and functional outcome data with the robotic procedure. On the basis of a modeled cost analysis using results from published series, robotic-assisted cystectomy was - with few exceptions - found to be more expensive when compared with the open approach. Immediate costs are affected most by operative time, followed by length of hospital stay, robotic supply, case volume, robotic cost, and transfusion rate. Any complication substantially impacts overall costs. SUMMARY: Economic cost evaluations are complex analyses influenced by numerous factors that hardly allow an interinstitutional comparison. Robotic-assisted cystectomy is constantly refined with many institutions being somewhere on their learning curve. Transparent reports of oncologic and functional outcome data from centers of expertise applying standardized methods will help to properly analyze the real long-term benefits of robotic surgery and successor technologies and prevent us from becoming slaves of successful marketing strategies.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: oncological outcomes at 10 years or more.

PURPOSE: We present oncological outcomes at a followup of 10 years or greater after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1994 and March 1999 a total of 73 laparoscopic radical nephrectomies were performed by 2 surgeons for pathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma. Data were obtained from patient charts, radiographic reports, telephone followup and a check of the Social Security Death Index. RESULTS: Mean followup was 11.2 years (range 10 to 15). Each patient completed a minimum 10-year followup. Mean patient age at surgery was 60 years. Mean tumor size on computerized tomography was 5 cm (range 1.7 to 13). Pathological stage was pT1a in 41% of cases, pT1b in 30%, pT2 in 15%, pT3a in 10%, pT3b in 3% and pT4 in 1%. High grade tumors (Fuhrman 3 or greater) were present in 18 cases (28%). A positive surgical margin occurred in 1 case. Actual 10-year overall, cancer specific and recurrence-free survival rates were 65%, 92% and 86%, respectively. Overall, cancer specific and recurrence-free survival rates at 12 years were 35%, 78% and 77%, respectively. At a mean of 67 months 10 patients (14%) had metastatic disease, of whom 8 (11%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term oncological outcomes after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma are excellent and appear comparable to those of open surgery.

Is radiofrequency ablation more cost-effective than nephron-sparing surgery for small unilateral renal cell carcinoma?

A recent report suggesting significant cost-effectiveness advantage for renal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) over partial nephrectomy makes assumptions about rates of local cancer recurrence, estimates of which are inexact at this point in time. Uncertainty regarding the oncologic efficacy of RFA technology and the expense and challenges of adequate post-treatment surveillance further confound this comparison. Partial nephrectomy remains the standard of care for nephron-sparing surgery, and should remain the preferred treatment in patients with an acceptable risk profile. Until longer-term follow-up data are available, RFA should be reserved for elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities who have only a small renal mass.

Comparison of radical prostatectomy techniques: open, laparoscopic and robotic assisted.

INTRODUCTION: To review the current status of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) in relation to radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in the management of localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 2007 published literature was reviewed using the National Library of Medicine database and the following key words: retropubic, laparoscopic, robotic, robot-assisted, and radical prostatectomy. Special emphasis was given to the technical and cost considerations as well as operative, functional and oncologic outcomes. In particular, reports with pioneering work that have contributed to the evolution of the technique, presenting comparative outcomes and with large series encompassing intermediate/long term follow-up, were taken into account. RESULTS: After intermediate term follow-up, LRP and RALP achieved similar oncologic and functional results compared to RRP. However, LRP and RALP were associated with decreased blood loss, faster convalescence and better cosmetics when compared to RRP. The RALP technique is undoubtedly more expensive. CONCLUSIONS: The oncologic and functional outcomes for LRP and RALP are similar to RRP after intermediate term follow-up. Long term follow-up and adequately designed studies will determine the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the individual techniques in the management of localized prostate cancer.

Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: oncological outcomes at 7 years.

PURPOSE: We present long-term oncological outcomes following laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 1997 and August 2005, 100 patients underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma at our institution. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database, patient charts, telephone followup and a review of the Social Security Death Index. RESULTS: Median patient age at surgery was 73 years. Final pathological stage was pTis/pTa in 28% of patients, pT1 in 31%, pT2 in 13%, pT3 in 24% and pT4 in 4%. High grade lesions were present in 58% of patients, multifocal disease was present in 23% and lymphovascular invasion was present in 9%. Positive surgical margins occurred in 7 patients (7%). Median followup was 7 years (range 2 to 10). At 2, 5 and 7 years overall survival was 81%, 59% and 50%, cancer specific survival was 91%, 77% and 72%, and recurrence-free survival was 66%, 50% and 36%, respectively. Five-year cancer specific survival by stage was 80% for pTis/Ta, 70% for pT1, 68% for pT2, 60% for pT3 and 0% for pT4. On univariate analysis nonorgan confined disease and lymphovascular invasion affected cancer specific survival (p = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). On multivariate analysis only nonorgan confined disease was a significant factor (p = 0.04). Concomitant bladder tumor at diagnosis was associated with poor recurrence-free survival on univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge the largest long-term followup after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is presented. Long-term oncological outcomes appear comparable to those of open surgery.