Single graft loss in dual renal transplant recipients: impact of graft placement on recipient outcomes.

We aimed to assess the impact of graft placement in dual renal transplantation on the risk for single graft loss and to report recipient outcomes. Between 2004 and 2007, 55 dual renal transplants were performed at our institution. Allografts were placed bilaterally (one in each iliac fossa) in 42 patients and unilaterally (both in the same iliac fossa) in 14 patients. Nine recipients (16.4%) underwent explantation of a single graft as a consequence of vascular thrombosis designated as the SINGLE group, whereas 46 had two functional allografts (DUAL group). There was a higher rate of graft loss in case of unilateral placement (n = 5/14) compared with bilateral placement (n = 4/41) (35.7% vs. 9.8%, P = 0.035). One-year glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the SINGLE group (29.4 ml/min/1.73 m(2) vs. 49.4 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in the DUAL group, P < 0.05). Significantly, none of the nine recipients of the SINGLE group returned to dialysis with a mean follow-up of 34.1 months. Graft survival at 1 year was 100% and 97.9% in SINGLE and DUAL groups, respectively. Unilateral placement of both allografts is associated with an increased risk of single graft loss and therefore lower renal function at 1 year. However, this strategy is safe in selected indications.

Capsular involvement in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma: an adverse pathological finding?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic impact of capsular involvement (CaI) in patients treated exclusively with partial nephrectomy (PN) for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as in these patients CaI was recently reported as an adverse prognostic factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients treated with PN for a sporadic and localized RCC (pT1-pT2N0M0) in our institution between 1985 and 2005. Univariate and multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis were conducted to identify significant predictors of oncological outcome for several clinical and pathological factors, i.e. imperative indication, histological type, Fuhrman grade, tumour size, T stage, CaI, and surgical margins. Disease-free and -specific survival rates of patients with CaI and no evidence of CaI were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: In all, 305 patients had a PN for localized RCC, of whom 22 (7.2%) had CaI in the PN specimen. The median (range) follow-up was 6 (1.5-23) years. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that imperative indication for PN and high-grade RCC were independently associated with worse disease-free and -specific survival, whereas CaI had no prognostic value. Disease-free and -specific survival in patients with and without CaI were not significantly different at 5 and 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary series of patients exclusively treated with PN for localized RCC, CaI was not predictive of disease recurrence and disease-specific mortality. These results do not support the use of any change in postoperative management in patients with CaI after PN.

Hybrid tumour 'oncocytoma-chromophobe renal cell carcinoma' of the kidney: a report of seven sporadic cases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether renal hybrid tumours (HT) appear as a specific clinical and radiological entity, as HT are characterized by the association of both oncocytes and chromophobe cells within the same tumour, and have been described in patients with oncocytosis and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 67 patients who had a partial or radical nephrectomy in our institution for renal oncocytoma (RO, 24), chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC, 36) and HT (seven), from January 2006 to October 2007. We report the clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of the seven cases of HT. RESULTS: The mean (range) age of the patients was 56 (41-68) year. None of the seven patients had any suspicion of RO, based on computed tomography (CT). Two patients had a history of kidney cancer. Five patients had partial and two a radical nephrectomy. The mean (range) maximum tumour diameter was 5.5 (1.8-9) cm. Two tumours were pT1a, two were pT1b and three were pT2. Pathological analysis showed RO-like and CRCC-like cells intermixed (six patients) or distinct (one). After a median (range) follow-up of 20 (8-25) months, none of the patients had any evidence of disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In a large series of patients with sporadic RO and CRCC, 10% of the tumours had hybrid morphological features, as described in oncocytosis and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. We were unable to identify any specific clinical characteristic. Most importantly, none of these HT showed any of the radiological characteristics of RO.

Conformal radiotherapy for detectable PSA following radical prostatectomy: efficacy and predictive factors of recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have analyzed outcomes following salvage radiation therapy (RT) after biochemical recurrence--defined as the presence of detectable serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA)--following radical prostatectomy (RP). However, the management of patients with detectable PSA following RP, which is not specific for tumor recurrence, is a matter of debate. This study aimed to evaluate oncological results of three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT) in patients who had biochemical recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients who underwent RP, who had a postoperative PSA level--determined between 2 and 4 months after surgery--that was greater than 0.1 ng/ml, and who subsequently received monotherapy with 3D-CRT on the prostate bed. The patients' clinical, characteristics and the pathological characteristics of their biopsy specimens were recorded. The main endpoint was biochemical failure after 3D-CRT, defined as three consecutive elevated PSA levels. RESULTS: The tumors in the 46 patients included 4 (9%) pT2a, 7 (15%) pT2b, 14 (30%) pT2c, 10 (22%) pT3a, 10 (22%) pT3b, and 1 (2%) pT4 tumor. The Gleason score was 7 or higher in 37 patients (80%). Positive surgical margins were seen in 37 patients (80%). The patients had a median postoperative PSA level of 0.29 ng/ml (range, 0.1-5.8 ng/ml) and a median PSA doubling time (PSADT) before RT of 6 months (range, 1-53 months). The rate of biochemical recurrence free survival after 3D-RT was 66% at 30 months. Preoperative PSA, PSADT before RT, and D'Amico scores were significantly associated with biochemical failure after 3D-CRT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In cases of persistent PSA following RP for prostate cancer, 3D-CRT can be used as monotherapy with a significant chance of recurrence free survival. Preoperative PSA, PSADT before RT, and D'Amico score are predictive factors of recurrence following RT.

[Medium-term results of grade 3 and 4 cystocele repair by porcine xenograft matrix (pelvicol)]. / Résultats à moyen terme du traitement des cystoceles de grade 3 et 4 par plaque de xénogreffe porcine (pelvicol).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the medium-term results of grade 3 and 4 (Baden-Walker classification) cystocele repair by transvaginal porcine xenograft matrix (Pelvicol). MATERIALS: Between February 2002 and October 2005, fifty patients with grade 3 or 4 cystocele were treated by Pelvicol matrix. The preoperative grade of prolapse and symptoms (urinary and pelvic heaviness) were recorded and a sexuality questionnaire was completed retrospectively (BISF-W questionnaire). All patients were reviewed in the outpatients department at 1 month and at the date of last follow-up. The success of the surgical procedure was defined by postoperative grades 0 and 1. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms and sexuality were compared. The operative morbidity was recorded. The success of the surgical procedure was compared in patients operated for the first time and in redo patients. RESULTS: The mean age was 69.4 years; 29 patients had a grade 3 cystocele (58%), and 21 had a grade 4 cystocele (42%). Preoperative symptoms consisted of dysuria (32%) and symptoms of overactive bladder (22%), accompanied by symptomatic (36%) or asymptomatic (20%) stress urinary incontinence. Pelvic heaviness was present in 100% of cases. An associated procedure was necessary in 70% of cases (29 suburethral tapes, 6 rectocele repairs, 3 vaginal hysterectomies). Mean follow-up was 27.2 months (95%CI [23.3-31.1]). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. During follow-up, no cases of rejection of material, vaginal erosion or delayed healing were observed. The surgical success rate was 94% (37 grade 0 and 10 grade 1). Dysuria and pelvic heaviness were significantly improved. None of the 10 women who were sexually active preoperatively reported postoperative discomfort. Among the 50 operated patients, 35 (70%) were treated by Pelvicol as first-line procedure and 15 were redo procedures (30%); no significant difference in surgical success rate was observed between these two groups (94.3% versus 93.4%). CONCLUSION: The use of a porcine xenograft matrix (Pelvicol) appears to be a safe and effective technique in the medium term for first-line treatment of grade 3 and 4 cystocele.

Kidney function following nephrectomy: similitude and discrepancies between kidney cancer and living donation.

OBJECTIVES: The reported long-term safety of kidney donation is inconsistent with the impairment of kidney function observed following nephrectomy for renal cell cancer. We aimed to investigate if indication for nephrectomy (kidney cancer vs. living donation) was an independent risk factor for kidney function deterioration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 2008, 124 patients with localized renal cell carcinoma who meet the criteria used for living donation, underwent radical nephrectomy (group 1) at our institution. Group 1 was retrospectively compared with 124 consecutive living donor nephrectomies (group 2) performed from 2004 to 2008. Kidney function evaluation was performed preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years postoperatively with calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate through the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD-eGFR) and the adjusted Cockroft and Gault (CG-eGFR) formula. Multivariate logistic regression included patients' characteristics and indication for nephrectomy as predictors of kidney function deterioration. RESULTS: Mean decrease in MDRD-eGFR was 30.4% and 32.4% in groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.30). Prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by MDRD-eGFR < 60 mL/min/m(2), varied from 42.3% to 71% in group 1 and from 41.6% to 56% in group 2 at different time points (P = 0.073). Prevalence of CKD at 4 years defined by MDRD-eGFR < 45 mL/min/m(2) was significantly increased in group 1 compared with group 2 (16.2% and 5.3%, P < 0.005, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed only baseline kidney function and patient age predicted a significant decrease in postoperative kidney function (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Renal cell carcinoma is not an independent risk factor for kidney function impairment following nephrectomy. Selected kidney cancer patients with few morbidities face the same deterioration of meanly 30% of kidney function compared with living donors, but their lower baseline function results in an increased risk for CKD.

Suture or hemostatic agent during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy? A randomized study using a hypertensive porcine model.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of 3 biologic hemostatic devices with that of conventional suture during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in a hypertensive porcine model. Improving hemostasis, urinary tract closure, and the warm ischemia (WI) time are important in the development of LPN. METHODS: A total of 40 pigs were randomized prospectively into 4 groups before bilateral LPN. Right LPN involved 30% of the renal parenchyma without a urinary tract opening, and left LPN involved 40% of the renal parenchyma with a urinary tract opening. The renal section was treated with fibrin/thrombin sealant, fibrin glue, thrombin/gelatin granules, and conventional suture in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At 10 days postoperatively, left retrograde pyelography was performed. The pigs were then killed and the kidneys sent for pathologic analysis. The main criteria were the estimated blood loss, perioperative WI time, leaking pressure during retrograde pyelography, and parenchyma necrotic-induced lesions. RESULTS: The estimated blood loss was lower in the pigs treated with either thrombin/gelatin granules or suture (P < .001). The use of thrombin/gelatin granules decreased the WI time compared with the use of suture (P < .001). However, the leaking pressure was greater in the pigs treated with suture (P < .01). The mean area of necrosis around the renal section was shorter when no suturing was performed (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of thrombin/gelatin granules alone controlled hemostasis as effectively as suture and significantly decreased the WI time. However, conventional suture of the urinary tract, when opened, should be considered. Additional evaluation in humans is required before any clinical recommendation can be made.