Lower bleeding volume contributes to decreasing surgical site infection in radical cystectomy: A propensity score-matched comparison of open versus robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) between robot-assisted and open radical cystectomies and investigate the risk factors for SSI after radical cystectomies. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy between July 2008 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and characteristics of SSI after open and robot-assisted radical cystectomies were compared, and the risk factors for SSI were investigated using propensity score matching. RESULTS: This study enrolled 231 patients (open: 145, robot-assisted: 86). In the robot-assisted group, urinary diversion was performed using an intracorporeal approach. SSI occurred in 34 (open: 28, robot-assisted: 6) patients, and the incidence was significantly lower in the robot-assisted group (19.3% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.007). After propensity score matching cohort (open: 34, robot-assisted: 34), increased bleeding volume, blood transfusion, and delayed postoperative oral feeding were significantly associated with SSI. Only increased bleeding volume remained a significant risk factor in the multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.13 [per 100 mL increase]; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.25; p = 0.001). The cutoff bleeding volume for predicting SSI was 1630 mL with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.773, 0.73, and 0.75, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SSI after robot-assisted radical cystectomy was significantly lower than that after the open procedure. However, decreased bleeding volume, which was significantly associated with robot-assisted procedures, was an independent and more significant factor for reducing SSI after radical cystectomy than the differences of the surgical procedure even after propensity score matching.

Early recovery of urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is associated with membranous urethra and neurovascular bundle preservation.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the correlation between surgical outcomes and postoperative urinary continence recovery in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: Patients who underwent RARP in our institution (n = 195) were included in this study. Preserved urethral length (PUL) was assessed during the procedure. Other outcomes of the surgical procedure were collected from operative records. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was used to compare urinary continence recovery rate with the PUL, sparing of the neurovascular bundle (NVB), and other surgical procedures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards model, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Patients with a PUL ≥26 mm had 10.0%, 24.7%, 36.6%, and 89.0% continence recovery rates at 30, 60, 90, and 365 days after surgery, respectively, while patients with a PUL <26 mm had 0%, 17.8%, 26.1%, and 80.9% recovery rates, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly better postoperative urinary continence recovery at 30 days after RARP in patients with a PUL ≥26 mm than those with a PUL <26 mm (p = 0.0028) and in patients with NVB preservation than those with no NVB preservation (p = 0.014). Urinary continence recovery within 30, 60, and 90 days after surgery was 90.6% for patients with a PUL of ≥26 mm and NVB preservation, while only 82.3% for patients with a PUL of <26 mm or no NVB preservation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a PUL ≥26 mm and NVB preservation after RARP correlate with a significantly higher postoperative rate of recovery of urinary continence.

Histological and radiological evaluation of thermal denaturation depth using soft coagulation during partial nephrectomy in living pigs.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate thermal denaturation depth using soft coagulation in kidneys in vivo. METHODS: In experiment 1, nine kidneys from five pigs were cauterized using five soft-coagulation settings at 80 W with effect 7 by VIO300D and one monopolar-coagulation setting. The surface of the kidney was cauterized over a period of 2, 5 and 10 s. The temperature change was measured at depths of 5 and 10 mm. In experiment 2, three kidneys from two pigs were excised in a semicircular shape with a diameter of 5, 10 and 20 mm without clamping the renal artery. Cauterization was carried out until hemostasis was confirmed by soft coagulation at 80 W with effect 7. After completion of the experiments, pathology examinations of the kidneys were carried out. RESULTS: Experiment 1 showed that with proper saline dripping, denaturation spread with increased cauterization time, reaching a depth of 4 mm at 10 s with or without clamps. The depth remained at 2-3 mm at 10 s in the absence or excess of saline. The temperature increased by 15.6°C at a depth of 5 mm and 8.8°C at 10 mm. In experiment 2, the depth was 4.6 mm from the incision surface regardless of the cauterization time or excision size. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that soft coagulation can be useful for preserving renal function and reducing complications in partial nephrectomy.

Clinical outcomes in donors and recipients of kidney transplantations involving medically complex living donors - a retrospective study.

We retrospectively compared the post-transplantation graft survival and the donor's estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) following living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) involving medically complex living donors (MCLDs) (the elderly and patients with obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or reduced renal function) and standard living donors (SLDs). The clinical data on patients who underwent LDKTs at our institution from 2006-2019, including 192 SLDs and 99 MCLDs, were evaluated. Regarding recipients, the log-rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed a higher incidence of overall and death-censored graft loss in the recipients who received kidneys from MCLDs (Hazard ratio = 2.16 and 3.25, P = 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), after adjusting for recipient-related variables including age, sex, duration of dialysis, ABO compatibility, and donor-specific antibody positivity. Regarding donors, a linear mixed model showed significantly lower postdonation eGFRs (-2.25 ml/min/1.73 m2 , P = 0.048) at baseline in MCLDs than SLDs, but comparable change (difference = 0.01 ml/min/1.73 m2 /year, P = 0.97). In conclusion, although kidneys from MCLDs are associated with impaired graft survival, the donation did not adversely affect the MCLDs' renal health in at least the short-term. LDKTs involving carefully selected MCLDs would be an acceptable alternative for recipients with no SLDs.

Sunitinib versus sorafenib for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal impairment before the immune-oncology therapy era.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and safety of sunitinib versus sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal impairment remains poorly documented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the efficacy and safety of sunitinib and sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 by reviewing the medical records of patients treated at Jichi Medical University Hospital, Japan, between May 2008 and August 2016. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were treated with sunitinib and 14 with sorafenib. Median progression-free survival in sunitinib- and sorafenib-treated patients was comparable, at 6.6 vs 5.8 months, respectively (HR, 1.618; 95% CI, 0.689-3.798; P = 0.2691). Median overall survival was also comparable, at 65.9 vs 58.0 months (HR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.389-2.479; P = 0.9748). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were significantly more frequent in the sunitinib-treated than sorafenib-treated patients (P = 0.0357). Compared to pre-treatment values, estimated glomerular filtration rate at the discontinuation of treatment was not decreased in either group. In contrast, estimated glomerular filtration rate was decreased on long-term treatment, particularly in previously nephrectomized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib and sorafenib had similar efficacy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and severe renal impairment. Although renal function was not markedly impaired in either group, close attention to decreased renal function may be necessary in previously nephrectomized patients on long-term treatment.

Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage for patients with extremely high-risk history of preterm delivery.

Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage was carried out in 12 such patients who were at high-risk of premature delivery. Patients who underwent transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage had undergone conization, cervical radical hysterectomy or another form of extensive cervical resection, or had a history of third-trimester miscarriage or premature delivery despite having previously undergone cervical cerclage several times for cervical incompetence. There were seven cases of pregnancy after extensive conization, and four had a history of failed cervical cerclage. Two of these cases were the same individual, who became pregnant twice after extensive conization and gave birth to a live infant each time. The mean age at surgery was 35.7 years, and cerclage was performed at 11-19 weeks' gestation. All of the infants survived to hospital discharge. Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage may be considered effective for patients with the history of recurring pregnancy loss due to previous failure of prophylactic cerclage.

DNA methyltransferase-3 like protein expression in various histological types of testicular germ cell tumor.

OBJECTIVE: DNA methyltransferase 3-like plays an important role in germ cell development. The aim of this study was to analyse the DNA methyltransferase 3-like protein expression in testicular germ cell tumors. METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of DNA methyltransferase 3-like was examined in 86 testicular germ cell tumor specimens in various clinical settings. The association between DNA methyltransferase 3-like expression and disease stage was analyzed. RESULTS: DNA methyltransferase 3-like was strongly expressed in seven of the eight pure embryonal carcinomas (87.5%). Partial DNA methyltransferase 3-like expression was observed in 6 of 23 (26.1%) pure seminomas. Various degrees of DNA methyltransferase 3-like expression was observed in all four pure yolk sac tumors, of which three were prepubertal yolk sac tumors. In mixed germ cell tumors, DNA methyltransferase 3-like protein was expressed in various degrees in elements of the embryonal carcinoma (14/18, 77.8%), seminoma (4/11, 36.4%), teratoma (4/7, 57.1%) and choriocarcinoma (3/3, 100%) but not in the yolk sac tumors (0/4). When DNA methyltransferase 3-like expression was analyzed according to disease stages, it was significantly correlated with advanced seminoma rather than Stage I seminoma (46.2 vs. 0%, P = 0.019), whereas there was no significant difference in the DNA methyltransferase 3-like-positive proportion between Stage I and advanced disease in the mixed germ cell tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that DNA methyltransferase 3-like protein may play roles not only in the development of embryonal carcinoma but also in the development of advanced pure seminoma and pure yolk sac tumor.

Self-organization of axial polarity, inside-out layer pattern, and species-specific progenitor dynamics in human ES cell-derived neocortex.

Here, using further optimized 3D culture that allows highly selective induction and long-term growth of human ES cell (hESC)-derived cortical neuroepithelium, we demonstrate unique aspects of self-organization in human neocorticogenesis. Self-organized cortical tissue spontaneously forms a polarity along the dorsocaudal-ventrorostral axis and undergoes region-specific rolling morphogenesis that generates a semispherical structure. The neuroepithelium self-forms a multilayered structure including three neuronal zones (subplate, cortical plate, and Cajal-Retzius cell zones) and three progenitor zones (ventricular, subventricular, and intermediate zones) in the same apical-basal order as seen in the human fetal cortex in the early second trimester. In the cortical plate, late-born neurons tend to localize more basally to early-born neurons, consistent with the inside-out pattern seen in vivo. Furthermore, the outer subventricular zone contains basal progenitors that share characteristics with outer radial glia abundantly found in the human, but not mouse, fetal brain. Thus, human neocorticogenesis involves intrinsic programs that enable the emergence of complex neocortical features.

Expression of the clustered NeuAcα2-3Galß O-glycan determines the cell differentiation state of the cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent stem cells from early embryos, and their self-renewal capacity depends on the sustained expression of hESC-specific molecules and the suppressed expression of differentiation-associated genes. To discover novel molecules expressed on hESCs, we generated a panel of monoclonal antibodies against undifferentiated hESCs and evaluated their ability to mark cancer cells, as well as hESCs. MAb7 recognized undifferentiated hESCs and showed a diffuse band with molecular mass of >239 kDa in the lysates of hESCs. Although some amniotic epithelial cells expressed MAb7 antigen, its expression was barely detected in normal human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. The expression of MAb7 antigen was observed only in pancreatic and gastric cancer cells, and its levels were elevated in metastatic and poorly differentiated cancer cell lines. Analyses of MAb7 antigen suggested that the clustered NeuAcα2-3Galß O-linked oligosaccharides on DMBT1 (deleted in malignant brain tumors 1) were critical for MAb7 binding in cancer cells. Although features of MAb7 epitope were similar with those of TRA-1-60, distribution of MAb7 antigen in cancer cells was different from that of TRA-1-60 antigen. Exposure of a histone deacetylase inhibitor to differentiated gastric cancer MKN74 cells evoked the expression of MAb7 antigen, whereas DMBT1 expression remained unchanged. Cell sorting followed by DNA microarray analyses identified the down-regulated genes responsible for the biosynthesis of MAb7 antigen in MKN74 cells. In addition, treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer cells with MAb7 significantly abrogated the adhesion to endothelial cells. These results raised the possibility that MAb7 epitope is a novel marker for undifferentiated cells such as hESCs and cancer stem-like cells and plays a possible role in the undifferentiated cells.

Expression of the oncoprotein gankyrin and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein in human testis and testicular germ cell tumor.

OBJECTIVE: The oncoprotein, gankyrin, is known to facilitate cell proliferation through phosphorylation and degradation of retinoblastoma protein. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of gankyrin and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein in human testis and testicular germ cell tumors. METHODS: The effects of suppression of gankyrin by locked nucleic acid on phosphorylation status of retinoblastoma and cell proliferation were analyzed using western blot analysis and testicular tumor cell line NEC8. The expressions of gankyrin, retinoblastoma and retinoblastoma protein were analyzed in 93 testicular germ cell tumor samples and five normal human testis by immunohistochemistry. The retinoblastoma protein expression was determined using an antibody to retinoblastoma protein, Ser795. RESULTS: Gankyrin was expressed in NEC8 cells as well as a normal human testis and testicular tumors. Suppression of gankyrin by locked nucleic acid led to suppression of retinoblastoma protein and cell proliferation in NEC8 cells. Immunohistochemistry of normal testis showed that gankyrin is expressed dominantly in spermatocytes. In testicular germ cell tumors, high expressions of gankyrin and phosphorylated-retinoblastoma protein were observed in seminoma and embryonal carcinoma, whereas the expressions of both proteins were weak in histological subtypes of non-seminoma. Growing teratoma and testicular malignant transformation tissues expressed phosphorylated-retinoblastoma protein strongly, but gankyrin faintly. CONCLUSION: Gankyrin is dominantly expressed in normal spermatocytes and seminoma/embryonal carcinoma, and its expression correlates well with retinoblastoma protein expression except in the growing teratoma and testicular malignant transformation cases. These data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of normal spermatogenesis and pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors.

Factors affecting the use of a three-dimensional model during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify cases that require a three-dimensional-printed kidney model in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. METHODS: We enrolled 93 patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal tumors at a single institution between November 2018 and May 2021. The endpoints were how often and how long the surgeon consulted the three-dimensional-printed model, determined using intraoperative video. Multivariate analyses of the endpoints were adjusted by preoperative patient and kidney characteristics, including renal vascular complexity that was defined as the number of vascular branches penetrating the surface tangential to the ventral side of the kidney. RESULTS: Of the 93 cases, the median frequency and duration of intraoperative three-dimensional-printed model consultation were four times and 39 s, respectively. The multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the frequency of intraoperative three-dimensional-printed model consultation by the surgeon was significantly related to the complexity of the arterial structure (≥4 branches), presence of hilar tumor, and high Mayo Adhesive Probability score; the regression coefficients were 1.81, 2.79, and 1.34, respectively. All p-values were ≤.03. The duration of the three-dimensional-printed model consultation was significantly related to the complexity of the arterial structure (≥4 branches) and the presence of hilar tumor; the regression coefficients were 21.6, and 29.0 s, respectively. All p-values were <.01. CONCLUSION: During robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, a three-dimensional-printed model would be helpful in cases with a complex arterial structure or hilar tumor.

Intratubular trophoblasts in the contralateral testis caused elevation of serum human chorionic gonadotropin following complete remission of stage II testicular tumor: a case report.

We report the case of a 22-year-old male who had a history of metastatic right testicular tumor successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgery. Twenty-one months after the initial treatment, the serum human chorionic gonadotropin started to increase gradually, but whole body imaging including the left testis revealed no abnormal finding except testicular microlithiasis. A biopsy of the left testis revealed intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified type. After the human chorionic gonadotropin level reached 6.6 mIU/ml, he underwent left high orchiectomy. Histology demonstrated a small malignant germ cell tumor as well as intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified type, both of which were negative for human chorionic gonadotropin staining. Besides these lesions, there were tiny foci of human chorionic gonadotropin-immunoreactive intratubular trophoblasts. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin normalized immediately after the orchiectomy, and he had no sign of recurrence at 6 months. The present case will provide new insight into the diagnosis of testicular tumor recurrence with isolated elevation of a serum tumor marker.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease after chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the patterns of and risk factors for deterioration of renal function after chemotherapy in metastatic testicular cancer survivors using the estimated glomerular filtration rate. METHODS: A total of 96 patients who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer between January 1981 and December 2010 were enrolled in this study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was based on the serum creatinine concentration using the formula of the Japanese Society of Nephrology. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease were examined by multivariate logistic-regression analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 70 months (range 15-342). The median pretreatment estimated glomerular filtration rate was 98 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (range 44-216), and it gradually decreased for 1 year after the end of chemotherapy, although there was no significant change in estimated glomerular filtration rate beyond 1 year. One year after chemotherapy, 22 of 96 patients (23%) showed chronic kidney disease (less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) estimated glomerular filtration rate). The multivariate analysis showed that the patients with mild renal damage (estimated glomerular filtration rate 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) and elevated blood pressure (higher than 130/80 mmHg) before treatment had a significant risk with odds ratios of 2.63 (95% confidence interval 1.09-6.73) and 4.22 (95% confidence interval 1.45-12.6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of renal function is important for at least 1 year after chemotherapy for testicular cancer, especially in patients having elevated blood pressure and/or mild renal damage before chemotherapy.

Left testicular and pulmonary metastases of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: We present a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate with testicular and lung metastases following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, androgen deprivation therapy, and radiotherapy. Case presentation: A 73-year-old man with a prostate-specific antigen level of 4.3 ng/mL was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following the robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, the pathological diagnosis was mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (pT3bpN0, Gleason score of 4 + 4). Salvage hormonal therapy and irradiation were performed after the prostatectomy. Enlargement of the left testis was noted, and 28 months after prostatectomy, computed tomography detected a left testicular tumor and nodular lesions in the bilateral lungs. The histopathological diagnosis of left high orchiectomy was metastasis of a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Chemotherapy with docetaxel followed by cabazitaxel was initiated. Conclusion: Mucinous prostate adenocarcinoma with distal metastases following prostatectomy has been managed for longer than 3 years with multiple treatments.

3D printed kidney model could be an important educational tool for residents.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate whether it is useful for junior physicians to use a three-dimensional (3D) kidney model when evaluating the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An expert and four urology residents retrospectively evaluated the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores of 64 renal tumors (62 patients) that underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy at our hospital. The expert evaluated 64 R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores with computed tomography (CT), whereas four residents evaluated 32 cases using CT alone and the other 32 cases using CT and a 3D kidney model. The consistency between the expert and residents was assessed by Cohen's kappa score. Patient-specific 3D kidney models were created in a gird style using a 3D printer based on CT or magnetic resonance imaging of the patient. RESULTS: For all four residents, the accuracy of the overall R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score was significantly higher with the 3D model and CT than with CT alone (P < .001). Regarding the individual components of the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score, the accuracy rates of "E," "N," "A," and "L" scores were higher with the 3D model and CT than with the CT alone (P = .020-.089). CONCLUSION: Patient-specific 3D-printed kidney models could improve the resident's understanding of the renal tumor complexity and could be an important educational tool for residents.

Management of ureteral obstruction in advanced testicular tumor with lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: Ureteral obstruction is one of the complications of testicular tumor with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis that requires ureteral stenting for management. We elucidated the clinical courses of ureteral obstructions and changes in renal functions in patients with indwelling ureteral stenting. METHODS: The medical records of 56 patients who were treated for metastatic testicular tumors by chemotherapy at a single institute between 2002 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among 56 patients, 12 patients needed ureteral stenting before chemotherapy. The proportion of patients requiring ureteral stenting was significantly higher in seminoma than non-seminoma (47 and 12%, respectively, P < 0.05). The ureteral stent was removed after chemotherapy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in all patients, except for one patient who died of cancer during chemotherapy. At retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, ureters were spared in three patients, a partial ureterectomy was needed in one patient, and no case underwent adjunctive nephrectomy. These 11 patients presented no local and distant recurrence at median follow-up of 44 months. Ureteral stenting increased the estimated glomerular filtration rate to more than 60 ml/min before chemotherapy in all patients, but it decreased to <60 ml/min in 6 of 11 patients after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral obstruction due to testicular tumor was relieved after chemotherapy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Ureteral stenting was effective to improve renal function before chemotherapy, although we should pay special attention to deterioration of renal function during or after chemotherapy.

A concomitant case of giant cell arteritis and microscopic polyangiitis with hemoperitoneum by rupture of the gastroepiploic artery.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) mainly involves large-sized arteries, while microscopic polyangiitis (mPA), characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing vasculitis, mainly affects small-sized vessels. We report a very rare concomitant case of GCA diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy and mPA with a high titer of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia, and suspected rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The patient died by sudden rupture of the gastroepiploic artery (medium-sized vessel), which may have been triggered by GCA and/or mPA.

The cutoff value of transitional zone index predicting the efficacy of dutasteride on subjective symptoms in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the efficacy of dutasteride add-on therapy to α-1 adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in relation to the transitional zone index (TZI) and evaluated the cutoff value of TZI that predicted improvements of subjective symptoms at 6 months. METHODS: Male BPH patients with prostate volume (PV) ≥ 30 mL receiving dutasteride 0.5 mg/d for 6 months as add-on therapy along with α-1 adrenoceptor antagonists were enrolled. PV, transitional zone volume (TZV), TZI, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetry parameters before and at 6 months with dutasteride add-on treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included. The changes of total IPSS, IPSS voiding subscore, IPSS quality of life score, and voided volume were significantly correlated with TZI. Among baseline parameters, TZV and TZI were significantly associated with the changes of total IPSS in univariate analysis, and only TZI remained as an independent predictive factor for improving total IPSS in multivariate analysis (odds ratio -8.3, P = .048). The cutoff point of TZI for predicting an improvement of the total IPSS by 6 points or more was 0.67 (area under the curve 0.71, sensitivity 0.62, specificity 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: A higher TZI was significantly associated with improvement of subjective symptoms but not uroflowmetric findings for BPH patients with 6 months of dutasteride add-on therapy along with α-1 adrenoceptor antagonists, and the predictive value of TZI for effective dutasteride add-on therapy was higher than 0.67. BPH patients using α-1 adrenoceptor antagonists with a TZI higher than 0.67 can be good candidates for add-on dutasteride therapy.

Less invasive and equivalent short-term outcomes with simultaneous en bloc robot-assisted radical cystectomy and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: Comparison with conventional open radical cystectomy and nephroureterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To clarify the safety and efficacy of en bloc simultaneous robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) for synchronous muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) or UTUC of a solitary kidney, we evaluated the perioperative and short-term outcomes of this surgical procedure compared with those of simultaneous open radical cystectomy and nephroureterectomy. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients receiving en bloc simultaneous RARC and LNU between December 2018 and March 2020 at two institutes. Patients' characteristics, surgical, perioperative, and pathological outcomes and recurrence rate within 6 months were compared with a historical control receiving simultaneous open radical cystectomy and nephroureterectomy. RESULTS: Ten patients receiving simultaneous RARC and LNU and 17 receiving simultaneous open radical cystectomy and nephroureterectomy were included in the study. Simultaneous RARC and LNU significantly reduced bleeding volume and blood transfusion (P < .0001, P < .0001, respectively) and significantly prolonged operating time (P = .035). RARC and LNU significantly shortened hospitalization after operation (P = .003) and showed reduced tendency of postoperative complications within 30 days but not significantly (P = .25). Pathological characteristics and recurrence within 6 months were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that en bloc simultaneous RARC and LNU were safer surgical procedures with equivalent short-term oncological outcomes compared to conventional open procedures. It can be a standard minimally invasive surgical method in countries where robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy is inaccessible.