Management of pelvic lymphoceles after radical prostatectomy: a multicentre community based study.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic lymphoceles (LC) following radical prostatectomy (LC-RP) have an incidence up to 27%. LC-managements constitute 50% of surgical interventions performed in post-RP patients. OBJECTIVES: To describe a therapeutic algorithm for LC-managements based on a community based representative retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicentre data from 304 patients with LC-RP were retrospectively examined for LC-managements. RPs were performed by various surgeons from 67 urological departments. All patients had undergone 3 weeks rehabilitation in a specialized hospital where the data base was generated. Indications and results of therapeutic manoeuvres were used to develop a general concept for planning therapy decisions. - RESULTS: Median age was 64 years. Complications occurred in 9% (28/304) of patients. Median LC-volume was 36ml (range 20-1800ml). There were more complications for LCs with ≥ 100ml volume than those <100ml (27% versus 17%, p = 0.346). Conservative therapy was the standard in uncomplicated cases (87%, 239 of 276 patients), while intervention was done in 13% (puncture and/or drainage, surgery). Surgical intervention was performed significantly more often in complicated cases (82%, 23 from 28 patients; p<0.001). Based on these data, LCs can be stratified into 3 groups depending on the size and clinical presentation. Therapeutic decisions were used to develop the illustrated new therapy algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: This study based treatment algorithm provides a rationale approach with an accurate LC-classification as regard the indications and decision making for the available LC-RP-therapies. This could facilitate management decisions. Evaluation of this concept prospectively in large patient cohort is mandatory.

[Incontinence surgery-quality criteria and structured follow-up]. / Inkontinenzchirurgie ­ Qualitätskriterien und strukturiertes Follow-up.

The following article summarizes the current evidence including postoperative success rates and complications for various surgical options in the treatment of urinary incontinence. Due to different inclusion criteria and inconsistent definitions of study endpoints, the analysis of available studies is difficult. Thus, comparative studies with new devices for established treatment options should be planned. Structured processes used in certified continence centers improve the quality of care. Furthermore by documenting relevant complications, comparisons of treatment results thus become possible and provide evidence for the use of different surgical options in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Conservative management of rectal perforation after nerve sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (nsEERPE) in a patient with a past history of polypectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal polypectomy causes thinning (or even perforation) of the rectal wall in addition to thermic injury at the polypectomy site. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of spontaneous rectal perforation after uncomplicated nerve sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in a patient with a previous history of rectal polypectomy at the perforation site. The patient could be treated conservatively. There was complete healing of the fistula without any effect on functional results. This Conservative therapy for such rectal perforations is indicated if the patient's general condition remains stable without any signs of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Polypectomy is an important risk factor for rectal perforation during nsEERPE. Adequate time interval should be given to allow healing and avoid adding further thermal wall damage which may obscure healing leading to complications like fistula. Conservative therapy for small missed rectal perforations constitutes an attractive, feasible and non invasive treatment entity. Following this principle we have not faced this complication in following similar cases.

Micro-endoscopy of the human vas deferens: a feasibility study of a novel device in several ex vivo models.

The aim of this study was to show limitation as well as potential of micro-endoscopy techniques as an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approach in andrology. Two kinds of custom-made micro-endoscopes (ME) were tested in ex vivo vas deferens specimen and in post-mortem whole body. The semi-rigid ME included a micro-optic (0.9 mm outer diameter [OD], 10.000 pixels, 120° vision angle [VE], 3-20 mm field depth [FD]) and an integrated fibre-optic light source. The flexible ME was composed of a micro-optic (OD = 0.6 mm, 6.000 pixels, 120° VE, 3-20 mm FD). The ex vivo study included retrograde investigation of the vas deferens (surgical specimen n = 9, radical prostatectomy n = 3). The post-mortem investigation (n = 4) included the inspection of the vas deferens via both approaches. The results showed that antegrade and retrograde rigid endoscopy of the vas deferens were achieved as a diagnostic tool. The working channel enabled therapeutic use including biopsies or baskets. Using the flexible ME, the orifices of the ejaculatory ducts were identified. In vivo cadaveric retrograde cannulation of the orifices was successful. Post-mortem changes of verumontanum hindered the examinations beyond. Orifices were identified shaded behind a thin transparent membrane. Antegrade vasoscopy using flexible ME was possible up to the internal inguinal ring. Further advancement was impossible because of anatomical angle and lack adequate vision guidance. The vas deferens interior was clearly visible and was documented by pictures and movies. Altogether, the described ME techniques were feasible and effective, offering the potential of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for use in the genital tract. Several innovative indications could be expected.

Results of a prospective study comparing the clinical efficacy of cryoablation of renal cell cancer followed by immediate partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: Evaluation if cryoablation of small renal tumours (RT) would facilitate the technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in a prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective non-randomised study between April 2007 and October 2009, 16 patients with a mean age of 68 years (48-80 years) and a peripherally located RT were candidates for nephron-sparing surgery (5 open partial nephrectomy (OPN), 11 LPN). Cryoablation of RT was followed in the same session by open (K-OPN) and laparoscopic (K-LPN) partial nephrectomy. Perioperative and follow-up parameters were estimated. A matched-pair cohort of 41 patients (20 OPN, 21 LPN) who underwent standard operations due to the same indication has been selected for retrospective comparison (controls). RESULTS: Mean age for K-OPN was 74 years (69-83) with mean blood loss 140 ml (50-200); for K-LPN: 66.6 years (48-80) with 100 ml (50-700). All procedures were completed successfully without conversions (K-LPN), transfusions or intra-operative complications. Compared to OPN/LPN, K-OPN and K-LPN were associated with a longer operative time (P < 0.05) and a comparable postoperative hospital stay. There were no early postoperative complications. Cryoablation has not affected the histopathological evaluation of tumours or resection margins. Histopathology showed cytologic changes suggesting fresh coagulative necrosis, glomerular vascular congestion and interstitial haemorrhages following cryotherapy. One patient (K-LPN) developed a pararenal abscess necessitating puncture after 7 weeks. The follow-up (9-42 months) was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that K-LPN is feasible without increasing procedure morbidity or compromising surgical and oncological outcomes. It adds no advantage to tumour excision. Pathological findings document early cryoablation effects but viable tissue.

[Oncological and functional results of open intrafascial radical prostatectomy]. / Onkologische und funktionelle Ergebnisse der offenen intrafaszialen radikalen Prostatektomie.

BACKGROUND: According to the recently published German-language S3 guidelines, various treatment options such as surgical management or radiation therapy are available to patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: Particularly the establishment of minimally invasive endoscopic surgical techniques, which provide better optical images, has made it possible to visualize tissue layers that are usually difficult to identify with the open surgical technique. This contribution describes a pilot study on the establishment of open intrafascial radical prostatectomy. AIM: The goal of the study is to critically analyze both the functional and especially the oncological results, which should not be compromised by the nerve-sparing approach.

[Laparoscopic radical and partial nephrectomy: an overview]. / Laparoskopische radikale und partielle Nephrektomie : Ein Uberblick.

Laparoscopy has been progressively gaining acceptance in the urologic arena. The start with renal surgery was slow; however, after complete establishment for benign indications the breakthrough occurred due to the success of laparoscopy in the field of oncologic surgery. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for stage T1 and T2 tumours, whether transperitoneal or retroperitoneal, can be performed safely. The surgical steps duplicate the open procedure. The overall complication rate is low and does not significantly differ from that of the open procedure. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is, in contrast, a technically challenging procedure despite its realisation laparoscopically. Although the intermediate outcomes are comparable to those of the open procedure, there are concerns related to warm ischemia time and the risk of major complications such as urinary leakage and haemorrhage requiring transfusion, so that it should be performed only in centres with expertise.