cT1a Renal Masses Less Than 2 versus 2 cm or Greater Managed by Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: A Propensity Score Matched Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We performed a single center evaluation to compare perioperative, pathological and functional outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy of T1a renal masses less than vs greater than 2 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Propensity score 1:1 matching of queried patients was performed using the institutional robotic partial nephrectomy database from January 2007 to January 2017. Matching was done by patient age, gender, race, body mass index, the Charlson comorbidity index, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ASA® (American Society of Anesthesiologists®) score, estimated glomerular filtration rate, chronic kidney disease stage and R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar line and abutting main renal artery or vein) score. We analyzed the records of 524 patients, including 262 with a renal mass less than 2 cm vs 262 with a renal mass 2 cm or greater. Perioperative, pathological and functional outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Smaller renal masses (less than 2 cm) were associated with significantly lower operative time, blood loss, ischemia time (mean ± SD 14.3 ± 9.58 vs 21.5 ± 9.51 minutes, p <0.001) and intraoperative transfusions (0% vs 2.7%, p = 0.015). Moreover, we found superior early renal functional outcomes as assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate on postoperative day 1 (mean 83.1 ± 21.3 vs 76.6 ± 22.0 mg/ml/1.73 m, p = 0.001), greater parenchymal preservation (mean 89.9% ± 9.45% vs 83.6% ± 8.20%, p <0.001) and a trend toward a lower rate of postoperative complications (13.5% vs 19.5%, p = 0.080). A higher incidence of malignancy was found in larger tumors (85.9% vs 74.8%, p = 0.002) but no difference was recorded in positive surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic partial nephrectomy tends to be a low morbidity treatment modality for renal masses less than 2 cm. Although active surveillance is a common option for such tumors, robotic partial nephrectomy remains an alternative in select patients.

Impact of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Disease Reclassification among Men on Active Surveillance for Localized Prostate Cancer with Favorable Features.

PURPOSE: We determined the effect of 5α-reductase inhibitors on disease reclassification in men with prostate cancer optimally selected for active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective review we identified 635 patients on active surveillance between 2002 and 2015. Patients with favorable cancer features on repeat biopsy, defined as absent Gleason upgrading, were included in the cohort. Patients were stratified by those who did or did not receive finasteride or dutasteride within 1 year of diagnosis. The primary end point was grade reclassification, defined as any increase in Gleason score or predominant Gleason pattern on subsequent biopsy. This was assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: At diagnosis 371 patients met study inclusion criteria, of whom 70 (19%) were started on 5α-reductase inhibitors within 12 months. Median time on active surveillance was 53 vs 35 months in men on vs not on 5α-reductase inhibitors (p <0.01). Men on 5α-reductase inhibitors received them for a median of 23 months (IQR 6-37). On actuarial analysis there was no significant difference in grade reclassification for 5α-reductase inhibitor use in patients overall or in the very low/low risk subset. The overall percent of patients who experienced grade reclassification was similar at 13% vs 14% (p = 0.75). After adjusting for baseline clinicopathological features 5α-reductase inhibitors were not significantly associated with grade reclassification (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.31-1.80, p = 0.62). Furthermore, no difference in adverse features on radical prostatectomy specimens was observed in treated patients (p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Among our cohort of men on active surveillance 5α-reductase inhibitor use was not associated with a significant difference in grade reclassification with time.

Do Renin-Angiotensin Blockers Affect Renal Function and Cardiac Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Partial Nephrectomy?

PURPOSE: Currently no data exist to guide renal surgeons on the perioperative use of renin-angiotensin blockers despite potential cardiorenal benefits. We aimed to assess the impact of resuming renin-angiotensin blockers on postoperative renal function and adverse cardiac events following partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational analysis of patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy from 2006 to 2014 at a single institution. The Wilcoxon rank sum and chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to assess the risk of adverse renal and cardiac events stratified by history and pattern of renin-angiotensin blockade perioperatively. RESULTS: We identified 900 patients with a median followup of 16.3 months (IQR 1.4-39.1). There were no significant differences in severe renal dysfunction at last followup on univariate analysis or adverse cardiac events at 30 days on multivariate analysis in patients stratified by a history of renin-angiotensin blockade. Of the 338 patients 137 (41.9%) resumed renin-angiotensin blockade immediately after surgery, which did not result in any significant difference in the postoperative glomerular filtration rate (p >0.05). Resuming renin-angiotensin blockade at discharge home was associated with a decreased risk of heart failure within 30 days of surgery (0.3% vs 11.8% of cases) and stage IV/V chronic kidney disease at last followup (2.6% vs 25.5%, each p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Renin-angiotensin blockers appear safe to continue immediately after renal surgery. Discharge home with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with a decreased risk of heart failure and severe renal dysfunction. However, this risk may be overstated as a result of the small number of patients discharged without resuming the home medication.

Intermediate-Term Outcomes for Men with Very Low/Low and Intermediate/High Risk Prostate Cancer Managed by Active Surveillance.

PURPOSE: We compare intermediate term clinical outcomes among men with favorable risk and intermediate/high risk prostate cancer managed by active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 635 men with localized prostate cancer have been on active surveillance since 2002 at a high volume academic hospital in the United States. Median followup is 50.5 months (IQR 31.1-80.3). Time to event analysis was performed for our clinical end points. RESULTS: Of the cohort 117 men (18.4%) had intermediate/high risk disease. Overall 5 and 10-year all cause survival was 98% and 94%, respectively. Cumulative metastasis-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 99% and 98%, respectively. To date no cancer specific deaths had been observed. Overall freedom from intervention was 61% and 49% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Overall cumulative freedom from failure of active surveillance, defined as metastasis or biochemical failure after local therapy with curative intent, was 97% and 91% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Of the men 21 (9.9%) experienced biochemical failure after deferred treatment and the 5-year progression-free probability was 92%. Compared to men with favorable risk disease those with intermediate/high risk cancer experienced no difference in metastases, surveillance failure or curative intervention. However, patients at higher risk were at significantly increased risk for all cause mortality, likely reflecting patient selection factors. These conclusions may be limited by the small number of events and the duration of our study. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with localized prostate cancer who are on active surveillance demonstrated a low rate of active surveillance failure, prostate cancer specific mortality and metastases regardless of baseline risk.

Optimum outcome achievement in partial nephrectomy for T1 renal masses: a contemporary analysis of open and robot-assisted cases.

OBJECTIVES: To compare optimum outcome achievement in open partial nephrectomy (OPN) with that in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using our institutional partial nephrectomy (PN) database, we reviewed 605 cases performed for unifocal clinical T1 renal masses in non-solitary kidneys between 2011 and 2015. Tetrafecta, which was defined as negative surgical margins, freedom from peri-operative complications, ≥80% renal function preservation, and no chronic kidney disease upstaging, was chosen as the composite optimum outcome. Factors associated with tetrafecta achievement were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, with adjustment for age, gender, race, Charlson comorbidity score, body mass index, chronic kidney disease, tumour size, tumour complexity and approach. RESULTS: The overall tetrafecta achievement rate was 38%. Negative margins, freedom from complications, and optimum functional preservation were achieved in 97.1%, 73.6% and 54.2% of cases, respectively. For T1a masses, the tetrafecta achievement rate was similar between approaches (P = 0.97), but for T1b masses, the robot-assisted approach achieved significantly higher tetrafecta rates (43.0% vs 21.3%; P < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, the robot-assisted approach had 2.6-fold higher odds of tetrafecta achievement than the open approach, primarily because of lower peri-operative morbidity, specifically related to wound complications. Positive surgical margin rates and renal function preservation were similar in the two approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Optimum outcomes are readily achieved regardless of PN approach. The robot-assisted approach may facilitate optimum outcome achievement for 4-7-cm masses by minimizing wound complications.

More Favorable Pathological Outcomes in Men with Low Risk Prostate Cancer Diagnosed on Repeat versus Initial Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy.

PURPOSE: We assessed the pathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy in men with favorable risk prostate cancer diagnosed on first/initial biopsy compared to those of men who were diagnosed on a subsequent/repeat prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 422 patients who met National Comprehensive Cancer Network® very low (199) and low risk (223) prostate cancer definitions who instead underwent radical prostatectomy. In each risk category we compared adverse pathological outcomes, defined as Gleason score upgrading, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and positive surgical margins, between men diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy vs repeat/subsequent prostate biopsy after a negative biopsy(-ies). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline clinical and demographic characteristics between the groups. However, men who were diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy demonstrated a higher median maximum cancer percent per single core (p <0.001) and higher median percent of positive cores (p <0.001). Compared to repeat/subsequent prostate biopsy, men diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy had a higher Gleason score upgrade (7 or greater) (57.7% vs 42.1%, p=0.005) and extraprostatic extension (14.1% vs 5.4%, p=0.01). On stratified analysis comparing initial prostate biopsy to repeat/subsequent prostate biopsy, very low risk disease was associated with Gleason score upgrade (49.3% vs 31.8%, p=0.02) and low risk disease demonstrated higher rates of extraprostatic extension (19.9% vs 6.0%, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of adverse pathological outcomes at radical prostatectomy is lower in men diagnosed with favorable risk prostate cancer on repeat/subsequent prostate biopsy than in men diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy, and may represent an important consideration in risk stratifying cases of favorable risk prostate cancer.

Outcomes of Prostate Biopsy in Men with Hypogonadism Prior or During Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and prostate cancer remains controversial. Most TRT studies show no change in prostate specific antigen (PSA) but some men do have PSA rise or develop an abnormal digital rectal exam (aDRE). Our objective was to examine the biopsy results of men with symptomatic hypogonadism before or during therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was extracted from our medical record on men with hypogonadism who had a prostate biopsy within the past 4 years done by 3 Urologists with guideline driven practice patterns. RESULTS: 96 men were identified. Mean age at biopsy was 63 (range 40-85) and median PSA was 3.78ng/dL (0.5-662). Of the 61 men not on TRT, median PSA was 4.34 (0.5 to 662) and mean total testosterone 254 (191-341). There were 29 (47.5%) prostate cancers found (6 Gleason score 6, 13 Gleason score 7, 10 Gleason score 8 or 9). Of the 35 men on TRT, median PSA was 3.27 (0.5 to 13.7). The %PSA increase ranged from 2 to 251% (mean 93.5%). Mean total testosterone was 383 (146-792). Of the 14 men treated < 2 years, none had cancer. Of the 21 men treated 2 or more years 5 had cancer (2 Gleason score 6, 3 Gleason score 7). CONCLUSIONS: Men with hypogonadism and a clinical indication for biopsy often have prostate cancer, many high grade. No men with an initial PSA rise on TRT had cancer. Men on long term TRT should be monitored with PSA and DRE per guidelines.

Long-Term Functional and Oncologic Outcomes Following Robotic Partial and Radical Nephrectomy: A Report from a Single Institution with up to 15 Years of Follow-Up.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term functional and oncologic outcomes after robotic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and radical nephrectomy (RARN). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 1816 patients who underwent RAPN and RARN at our institution between January 2006 and January 2018. Patients with long-term follow-ups of at least 5 years were selected. Exclusion criteria included patients with a previous history of partial or radical nephrectomy, known genetic mutations, and whose procedures were performed for benign indications. Statistical analysis was performed with results as presented. Results: A total of 769 and 142 patients who underwent RAPN and RARN, respectively, met our inclusion criteria. The duration of follow-up was similar after the two procedures with a median of ∼100 months. The 5- and 10-year chronic kidney disease (CKD) upstaging-free survivals were 74.5% and 65.9% after RAPN and 53% and 46.4% after RARN, respectively. Older age was identified as a potential predictor for CKD progression after RARN, whereas older age, higher body mass index, baseline renal function, and ischemia time were shown to predict CKD progression after RAPN. Renal cell carcinoma-related mortality rates for RAPN and RARN were equally 1.1%. No statistically significant differences were identified in the local recurrence, metastatic, and disease-specific survival between the two procedures. Conclusion: Compared with RARN, RAPN conferred a better CKD progression-free survival. Several factors were identified as potential predictors for clinically significant CKD progression both in the early and late postoperative phase. Long-term oncologic outcomes between the two procedures remained similarly favorable.

Identification of the variables associated with pain during transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy in the era of periprostatic nerve block: the role of transrectal probe configuration.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the different factors that are associated with pain perceived during transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (PBx), with special focus on the role of transrectal probe configuration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed prospective data on 1114 patients undergoing TRUS-guided PBx at our institute from January 2007 to August 2010. Patients completed questionnaires based on a 10-point visual analogue pain scale related to the consecutive steps of PBx: probe insertion, application of periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) and the obtaining of PBx cores. The variables of interest were age, prostate volume, DRE findings, number of previous biopsies, probe type and the number of retrieved cores. All variables were correlated to pain scores using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: At the probe insertion step, end-fire probes were more painful than side-fire probes. The Siemens G50 with metal, short plastic and long plastic needle guides (Siemens, Munich, Germany) had higher pain scores than the B&K probe (Bruel & Kjaer Medical, Copenhagen, Denmark; P = 0.09, 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). For pain at the PPNB application step, all G50(TM) guide subtypes and the Sonoline Prima probe (Siemens) had higher pain scores than the B&K probe, but this only reached statistical significance for the G50(TM) probe with short plastic guide (P = 0.03). On obtaining PBx cores, all G50(TM) subtypes had higher pain scores when compared with the B&K probe (P = 0.59, 0.38 and 0.69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The probe design and needle guide affect pain during each step of TRUS-guided PBx. Both the B&K and Sonoline Prima probes caused less pain when compared with the G50(TM) probe, regardless of needle guide.

Robotic single port suprapubic transvesical enucleation of the prostate (R-STEP): initial experience.

UNLABELLED: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Single port transvesical enucleation of the prostate (STEP) performed through a solitary suprapubic incision using a single access port inserted directly into the bladder has been demonstrated to be technically feasible but still challenging.3. Despite being feasible and providing adequate relief of bladder outlet obstruction, robotic STEP carries a high risk of complications. Further evolution of the technique is likely to be strictly dependent on the development of instrumentation. OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with a novel robot assisted single port procedure for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Between March 2009 and July 2010, nine patients with symptomatic BPH were scheduled for robotic single port suprapubic transvesical enucleation of the prostate (R-STEP). Prior to intervention, all were submitted to preoperative transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and uroflowmetry. The surgical procedure included an initial transurethral incision of the prostatic apex. With the patient in the supine position, an approximate 3 cm lower midline incision was made. A cystotomy was created and a GelPort(®) laparoscopic system positioned in the bladder. The da Vinci S™ robotic operating system was docked through the GelPort(®) platform and enucleation was performed. Perioperative outcomes and short-term postoperative functional outcomes were assessed. Intra-operative and postoperative complications, graded according to the Dindo-Clavien system, were recorded. RESULTS: One patient was excluded from the analysis as the procedure was aborted and converted to open simple prostatectomy. Median operative time was 3.9 h. Median visual analogue pain scale on discharge was 2. Estimated blood loss was 425 mL. Two patients required intra-operative blood transfusion. Postoperatively, two patients developed clot retention and required evacuation and fulguration (grade IIIb), one of them had a deep vein thrombosis (grade II) and a urinary tract infection (grade II). One patient was admitted to the intensive care unit after a myocardial infarction (grade IVa). All patients were discharged after a median of 4.5 days. There was almost three and four times postoperative improvement in both median maximum flow (Qmax) and average flow (Qave) rates, respectively. CONCLUSION: The first series of R-STEP is reported herein. Despite being feasible and providing adequate relief of bladder outlet obstruction, the procedure carries a high risk of complications. Further evolution of the technique is likely to be strictly dependent on the development of instrumentation. Thus, its role in the surgical armamentarium of BPH remains to be determined.

When serial prostate biopsy is recommended: most cancers detected are clinically insignificant.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Disagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Many patients undergo serial biopsy with a low rate of detection of prostate cancer, and the rate of detection declines as more biopsies are pursued. Furthermore, the clinical significance of detected cancer appears to decline as well. It is important to follow all possible methods to detect cancer; however, there should be a parallel consideration for the clinical value for detection of these tumours with low malignant potential. The present study investigated in detail the total rate of cancer detection in serial biopsy and how many of these were deemed clinically insignificant. Moreover, it addressed the impact of detecting premalignant lesions on further detection of cancer in serial biopsy. OBJECTIVE: Many patients pursue serial prostate biopsies after two consecutive negative biopsy sessions. The objective of this study is to determine the indications of serial prostate biopsy and to compare outcomes, including the risk of detecting clinically insignificant cancer using different biopsy protocols in this highly selected population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Most cases of prostate cancer are detected on initial or one repeat biopsy, but persistent suspicion of prostate cancer occasionally leads to serial biopsy, which we define as more than two biopsy sessions. We recently showed that transrectal saturation biopsy (sPBx) significantly increases cancer detection when compared with extended schemes (ePBx) in the initial repeat biopsy (second overall biopsy) population, and that most cases identified are clinically significant. • In the past decade, 479 men underwent 749 repeat prostate biopsies after two prior negative biopsy sessions. • The ePBx group included 347 biopsies with 10-14 cores. • The sPBx group included 402 biopsies with >20 cores. • We analysed overall cancer detection and risk of detecting clinically significant vs insignificant tumours. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 15.9% of 749 serial biopsies, representing a cumulative prostate cancer detection rate of 24.8% (119/479 patients). • The sPBx group had a significantly higher detection rate per biopsy session (18.6% vs 12.7%, P= 0.026). • Nevertheless, most positive biopsies 75/119 (63%) revealed clinically insignificant cancer, including 74.6% of cancers detected by sPBx. CONCLUSION: In men with two prior negative prostate biopsies, prostate cancer detection remains low regardless of clinical indication or transrectal biopsy protocol; most cancers identified are clinically insignificant, suggesting the threshold to repeat biopsy after more than one negative session should be very high.

Tamsulosin and doxazosin as adjunctive therapy following shock-wave lithotripsy of renal calculi: randomized controlled trial.

Alpha-blockers have been established as medical expulsive therapy for urolithiasis. We aimed to assess the effect of tamsulosin and doxazosin as adjunctive therapy following SWL for renal calculi. We prospectively included 150 patients who underwent up to four SWL sessions for renal stones from June 2008 to 2009. Patients were randomized into three groups of 50 patients each, group A (phloroglucinol 240 mg daily), group B (tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily plus phloroglucinol), and group C (doxazosin 4 mg plus phloroglucinol). The treatment continued up to maximum 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated for stone expulsion, colic attacks, amount of analgesics and side-effects of alpha-blockers. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding stone expulsion rates (84; 92 and 90%, respectively). The mean expulsion time of tamsulosin was significantly shorter than both control group (p = 0.002) and doxazosin (p = 0.026). Both number of colic episodes and analgesic dosage were significantly lower with tamsulosin as compared to control and doxazosin. Steinstrasse was encountered in 10 (6.7%) patients with no significant difference between the groups. 16 patients on tamsulosin and 21 on doxazosin experienced adverse effects related to postural hypotension. Moreover, 2 (4%) patients in the tamsulosin group reported ejaculatory complaints. In conclusion, adjunction of tamsulosin or doxazosin after SWL for renal calculi decreases the time for stone expulsion, amount of the analgesics and number colic episodes. There was no benefit regarding the overall stone expulsion rate. The side-effects of these agents are common and should be weighted against the benefits of their usage.

Office based transrectal saturation biopsy improves prostate cancer detection compared to extended biopsy in the repeat biopsy population.

PURPOSE: Multiple studies have shown significant prostate cancer detection for repeat biopsy. However, the best approach regarding core number and location remains controversial. Transrectal saturation biopsy is believed to increase cancer detection but to our knowledge no studies comparing it to 12 to 14-core extended biopsy have been published. We compared saturation and extended repeat biopsy protocols after initially negative biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,056 men underwent prostate biopsy after initially negative biopsy. The extended biopsy group included 393 men with 12 to 14-core repeat biopsy. The saturation biopsy group included 663 men with 20 to 24-core repeat biopsy. We analyzed demographics and prostate cancer between the 2 groups. We compared prostate cancer detection in patients with previous atypical small acinar proliferation and/or high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia as well as the risk of detecting clinically insignificant tumors. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 315 of the 1,056 patients (29.8%). Saturation biopsy detected almost a third more cancers (32.7% vs 24.9%, p=0.0075). In patients with a benign initial biopsy saturation biopsy achieved significantly greater prostate cancer detection (33.3% vs 25.6%, p=0.027). For previous atypical small acinar proliferation and/or high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia there was a trend toward higher prostate cancer detection rate in the saturation group but it did not attain statistical significance (31.2% vs 23.3%, p=0.13). Of 315 positive biopsies 119 (37.8%) revealed clinically insignificant cancer (40.1% vs 32.6%, p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to extended biopsy, office based saturation biopsy significantly increases cancer detection on repeat biopsy. The potential for increased detection of clinically insignificant cancer should be weighed against missing significant cases.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting a positive repeat prostate biopsy in patients with a previous negative biopsy session in the era of extended prostate sampling.

OBJECTIVE: To create a nomogram for predicting the probability of a positive biopsy in men with one or more previous negative biopsies, as the false-negative rate of prostate biopsy in contemporary series remains substantial, and there is a need to identify those with a negative result but with a high risk of having unrecognized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 408 patients from Cleveland Clinic who had one or more repeat biopsies after an initial negative biopsy from 1999 to 2008. Another 470 men with the same criteria were used to validate the nomogram. Nomogram variables included age, family history of prostate cancer, body mass index, findings on a digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, PSA slope, total prostate volume, months from initial negative biopsy session, months from previous negative biopsy, cumulative number of negative cores previously taken and history of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical small acinar proliferation. We calculated the nomogram predicted probability in each patient. These predicted outcomes were compared with the actual biopsy results. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated as a measure of discrimination. RESULTS: The mean number of previous negative biopsies was 1.5, and the mean number of cores per session was 19.1. Of the original development data, 129 men (31.6%) had prostate cancer. A nomogram was constructed that had a concordance index of 0.72, which was greater than any single risk factor. In the validation group the area under the ROC curve was 0.62. CONCLUSIONS: Our nomogram for predicting a positive repeat biopsy can provide important additional information to aid the urologist and patient with a negative biopsy in evaluating clinical options.

A nomogram for predicting upgrading in patients with low- and intermediate-grade prostate cancer in the era of extended prostate sampling.

STUDY TYPE: Diagnostic (exploratory cohort). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. OBJECTIVE: To develop a nomogram to predict the probability that the pathological Gleason sum (GS) will be higher than that indicated by the biopsy, suggesting a higher risk for the patient presumed to be at low risk, as a substantial proportion of patients with low and intermediate grade on biopsy are upgraded on interpretation of the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, but a similar clarification of accurate Gleason scoring is not available in patients with no surgical histology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 1017 patients who had RP after biopsy showing GS 6 and 7 (3 + 4) from 2000 to 2007. Nomogram predictor variables included age, race, digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, number of cores taken, number of positive cores, maximum percentage cancer in any core, number of previous biopsies, prostate volume, clinical stage, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, atypical small acinar proliferation, inflammation and perineural invasion. We calculated the nomogram-predicted probability in each patient. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated as a measure of discrimination, and the calibration was assessed graphically. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60 years, the mean PSA level 6.62 ng/mL; 336 patients were upgraded (33%), 623 remained the same (61.3%) and 58 were downgraded (5.7%). A nomogram for predicting the possibility of upgrading was constructed that had a concordance index of 0.68. The nomogram was well calibrated. CONCLUSIONS: Our nomogram for predicting upgrading provides important additional information for deciding on treatment to both the urologist and the patient with low- and intermediate-grade prostate cancer. It might prove useful when the possibility of a more aggressive Gleason variant can change the management, and is especially meaningful when management options other than surgery are selected based on the inability to recognize the true pathological actual GS.

Single-port transvesical enucleation of the prostate: a clinical report of 34 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with single-port transvesical enucleation of the prostate (STEP) in 34 patients with large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed STEP in 34 patients with large volume (>60 g) BPH (mean age 69 years, body mass index 26 kg/m(2), and American Society of Anesthesiology class 2). The mean prostate volume estimated by transrectal ultrasonography was 102.5 mL and the mean baseline prostate-specific antigen level was 6.7 ng/mL. A novel single-port device was inserted percutaneously into the bladder through a 2-3 cm incision in the suprapubic skin crease. After establishing pneumovesicum, the prostate adenoma was enucleated transvesically using standard laparoscopic instruments, and the adenoma was extracted in pieces through the port. Digital assistance expedited enucleation of the apical adenoma in 19 (55%) cases. RESULTS: Transvesical enucleation was completed in all 34 cases; the mean operative duration was 116 min, and the estimated blood loss was 460 mL. There was one death from postoperative bleeding from uncontrolled coagulopathy in a Jehovah's Witness who refused a transfusion of blood and blood products. There were three complications during STEP (one death, one bowel injury and one haemorrhage) and five afterwards (four bleeding, one epididymo-orchitis). Open conversion was necessary in two patients for complications, and extension of the skin incision by 1-2 cm was necessary in two to expedite apical digital enucleation. The mean hospital stay was 3 days and mean analogue pain score at discharge was 2. All 33 patients (excluding the patient who died) were voiding spontaneously at a maximum follow-up of 8 months, with a mean American Urologic Association symptom score of 3, a maximum urinary flow rate of 44 mL/s, and a postvoid residual of 30 mL at the latest follow-up. No patient developed urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: STEP is an effective treatment option for selected patients with large-volume obstructive BPH. Under pneumovesicum using laparoscopic visualization, the entire adenoma can be effectively enucleated and expeditiously extracted through the novel single port. Comparison of the STEP procedure with other open and transurethral techniques will determine its place in the surgical treatment of large-volume BPH.

Single-Port Robotic Urological Surgery Using Purpose-Built Single-Port Surgical System: Single-Institutional Experience With the First 100 Cases.

OBJECTIVES: To present a comprehensive report regarding our experience with single-port robotic surgery in our first 100 consecutive patients. We describe the diversity of procedures that can be performed with this platform as well as the challenges and complications we had with the application of this novel technology. METHODS: Between September 2018 and August 2019, data on 100 patients who underwent single-port robotic surgery were consecutively collected. Preoperative, intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes after various urologic procedures were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 100 patients (age [range] 35-84 years; 88 [88%] Male) underwent various single-port robotic surgeries for different indications (Retroperitoneal [n = 14], Pelvic surgeries [n = 86]). Transperitoneal (n = 37), extraperitoneal (n = 53) and transvesical (n = 10) approaches have been used to access the target organs. Of these procedures, 73 (73%) were for different oncological indications: Radical prostatectomy (n = 60), Partial nephrectomy (n = 6), Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (n = 1) and Radical cystectomy with intracorporeal diversion (n = 6). Surgery was successfully completed in all but 1 patient, in whom the surgery was converted to open surgery due to dense adhesions and failure to progress. Grades II-III postoperative complications were detected in (n = 9) patients. CONCLUSION: The purpose-built single-port robotic platform can be safely incorporated into the minimally invasive armamentarium. A wide range of pelvic and retroperitoneal urological procedures can be done with different approaches using this platform. Randomized trials with adequate sample size and postoperative follow up period is advisable for further evaluation of the outcomes and to determine the added value of this emerging technology.

The Association of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Training and Diagnostic Yield of Prostate Biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between urologic oncology fellowship training (UOFT) and diagnostic yield of prostate biopsy. METHODS: Retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent prostate biopsy across the Cleveland Clinic between 2000 and 2018. Biopsies done by urologists with and without UOFT were detailed via descriptive statistics and appropriate (chi-square, Student t, Wilcoxon rank-sum) tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between UOFT and positive prostate biopsy, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: A total of 11,241 biopsies by 129 urologists had complete information available for review. Sixteen urologists (12.4%) had UOFT; 113 either completed a different fellowship or no fellowship. Those with UOFT were more likely to use MRI-guided biopsy (7.80% vs 3.05%, P <.0001), more likely to get a positive biopsy (41.25% vs 32.72%, P <.0001), and more likely to obtain an adequate number (by ≥12) of cores (90.25% vs 74.53%, P <.0001). UOFT remained a significant predictor of positivity when adjusting for patient age and race, PSA, 5-alpha-reductase-inhibitor use, year of biopsy, years in practice, and type of biopsy (MRI or transrectal ultrasound guided). UOFT also predicted higher-risk biopsy (Gleason sum ≥7), adjusting for the same variables, though this association lost significance when adjusting for adequacy of biopsy. The learning curve to achieve a higher percentage of positive biopsies was steeper for nonurologic oncology fellowship trained than for UOFT urologists. CONCLUSION: UOFT is associated with higher diagnostic yield on prostate biopsy, higher uptake of MRI-guided biopsy, and less steep learning curve. This may be due to patient selection, technique, or, as we demonstrate here, adherence to guidelines.

Comparative Effectiveness of Transurethral Prostate Procedures at Enabling Urologic Medication Discontinuation: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that transurethral prostate procedures (TUPPs) eliminating tissue result in greater medication discontinuation and lower de novo initiation rates than procedures inducing tissue necrosis. METHODS: Retrospective review of all men undergoing first time TUPPs at a large tertiary center from 2001 to 2016 was completed. Procedure type and urologic medication use before, 3-12 months after, and greater than 12 months after TUPP were analyzed with simple open prostatectomy as a comparator. Tissue-eliminating TUPPs included transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy. Tissue-necrosing procedures included microwave therapy (transurethral microwave therapy) and radiofrequency ablation (transurethral needle ablation), which were grouped in analyses. Medication types were 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI), alpha blockers, anticholinergics, and beta-3 agonists (B3A). RESULTS: A total 5150 TUPPs were analyzed. Preoperative medication use significantly varied across TUPPs for 5ARI (P <.01), alpha-blockers (P .01), and anticholinergics (P .047), but not B3A (P .476). Transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy were associated with significantly higher medication discontinuation rates and lower resumption and initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing procedures. Relative to TUPPs, simple prostatectomy had significantly higher medication discontinuation, as well as the lowest resumption and initiation rates. CONCLUSION: Tissue-eliminating benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures were associated with better medication discontinuation, resumption, and de novo initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures.

Predictors of positive surgical margins in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy: A large single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative factors that predict positive surgical margins in partial nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using our institutional partial nephrectomy database, we investigated the patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for malignant tumors between January 2011 and December 2015. Patient, tumor, surgeon characteristics were compared by surgical margin status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of positive surgical margins. RESULTS: A total of 1025 cases were available for analysis, of which 65 and 960 had positive and negative surgical margins, respectively. On univariate analysis, positive margins were associated with older age (64.3 vs. 59.6, p<0.01), history of prior ipsilateral kidney surgery (13.8% vs. 5.6%, p<0.01), lower preoperative eGFR (74.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 81.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.01), high tumor complexity (31.8% vs. 19.0%, p=0.03), hilar tumor location (23.1% vs. 12.5%, p=0.01), and lower surgeon volume (p<0.01). Robotic versus open approach was not associated with the risk of positive margins (p=0.79). On multivariable analysis, lower preoperative eGFR, p=0.01), hilar tumor location (p=0.01), and lower surgeon volume (p<0.01) were found to be independent predictors of positive margins. CONCLUSION: In our large institutional series of partial nephrectomy cases, patient, tumor, and surgeon factors influence the risk of positive margins. Of these, surgeon volume is the single most important predictor of surgical margin status, indicating that optimal oncological outcomes are best achieved by high-volume surgeons.