Minimally invasive cytoreductive radical prostatectomy, exploring the safety and feasibility of a single-port or multi-port robotic platform.

BACKGROUND: Consolidative resection or cytoreductive radical prostatectomy (CRP) may benefit men with non-organ confined prostate cancer. We report the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic CRP using a single-port (SP) or multi-port (MP) platform. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive men with clinical node positive or metastatic castrate-sensitive prostate cancer who underwent IRB-approved CRP and extended pelvic lymph node dissection using the da Vinci SP or MP Surgical Systems (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) from 2015-2022. Perioperative data and Clavien-Dindo 90-day complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four men with a median age of 61 (IQR 56-69) years and prostate-specific antigen of 32.1 (IQR 21.9-62.3) ng/mL were included. Clinical N1, M1, or N1 + M1 disease were detected in 8 (33%), 9 (38%), 7 (29%) patients, respectively. There was no difference in positive margins, 41% vs. 29% (P = 0.67), lymph node yield, 21 (IQR 14-28) vs. 20 (IQR 13.5-21) nodes (P = 0.31), or estimated blood loss, 150 mL (IQR 100-200) vs. 50 mL (IQR 50-125) (P = 0.06), between the MP and SP cohorts, respectively. Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter for the SP group, same-day discharge (IQR 0-0), compared to MP, 1-day (IQR 1-1), P < 0.001. One grade III bowel obstruction and lymphocele occurred in the MP cohort. No major complications occurred in the SP cohort. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic CRP is safe and feasible for select men with advanced castrate-sensitive prostate cancer.

Effect of stone composition on surgical stone recurrence: single center longitudinal analysis.

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study is to explore the association between urinary stone composition and surgical recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent kidney stone surgeries (between 2009-2017), were followed for > 1 year, and had ≥ 1 stone composition analyses were included in our analysis. Surgical stone recurrence (repeat surgery) was defined as the second surgery on the same kidney unit. Recurrence-free survival analysis was used. RESULTS: A total number of 1051 patients were included (52.7% men, average age 59.1 +/- 15.1 years). Over 4.7 +/- 2.5 years follow up, 26.7% of patients required repeat surgery. Patients' stone compositions were calcium oxalate (66.0%), uric acid (12.2%), struvite (10.0%), brushite (5.7%), apatite (5.1%) and cystine (1.0%). Results suggested that patients with cystine stones had the highest surgical recurrence risk; brushite had the second-highest surgical recurrence risk. Struvite, uric acid, and apatite stones were at higher risk compared with calcium oxalate stones (lowest risk in our cohort). When pre and postoperative stone size was controlled, patients with a history of uric acid, brushite, and cystine stones were at higher surgical risk. After controlling clinical and demographic factors, only brushite and cystine stones were associated with higher surgical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cystine stones had the highest surgical recurrence risk; brushite stones had the second highest surgical recurrence risk. Struvite, uric acid, and apatite stones were at higher risk compared with calcium oxalate stones. When pre and postoperative stone size, clinical and demographic factors were controlled, only those with brushite or cystine stones were at significantly higher risk of surgical recurrence.

Pathological characteristics and prognostic indicators of different histopathological types of urinary bladder cancer following radical cystectomy in a large single-center Egyptian cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in pathological features and prognostics across four bladder cancer histopathological types: urothelial carcinoma (UC), urothelial carcinoma with variant histology (UCV), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC), utilizing a large cohort of radical cystectomy (RC) patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RC at a single institution in Egypt between 1997 and 2004 was performed. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of pathological features including tumor stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and lymph node (LN) involvement in the different subtypes on disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: 1238 patients (975 male, 263 female) were included, of whom 577 (47%) had UC, 174 (14%) UCV, 398 (32%) SCC, and 89 (7%) ADC. Median age was 54 (20-87) years and median follow-up was 40 months (0-110). There were significant differences in stage, grade, LVI, LN involvement, and presence of schistosomiasis across the subtypes (all p < 0.05). The prognostic significance of LVI was more evident in SCC (HR 2.14, p = 0.003) and ADC (HR 2.17, p = 0.044) than in UC (HR 1.66, p = 0.008). LN involvement was the strongest prognostic factor in UCV (HR 2.14, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in clinicopathological features and their prognostic impact across bladder cancer subtypes. The prognostic significance of LVI is more evident in SCC and ADC, while LN involvement is more prognostic in UCV. Determining independent predictors in individual subtypes can guide multimodal treatment selection and clinical trial design.

Precise Characterization and 3-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Autonomic Nerve Distribution of the Human Ureter.

PURPOSE: We sought to characterize and 3-dimensionally reconstruct the distribution of the autonomic innervation of the human ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three male and 3 female pairs of ureters were evaluated at 2 mm serial transverse sections along the entire length of the ureter. The location of nerve tissue was immunohistochemically identified using the neuronal marker, S100 protein. ImageJ software was used to calculate nerve count and density in the adventitia and smooth muscle. Blender® graphics software was used to create a 3-dimensional reconstruction of autonomic nerve distribution. RESULTS: Within the adventitia nerve density was highest in the mid and distal ureter (females 2.87 and 2.71 nerves per mm2, and males 1.68 and 1.69 nerves per mm2) relative to the proximal ureter (females and males 1.94 and 1.22 nerves per mm2, respectively, p >0.0005). Females had significantly higher nerve density throughout the adventitia, especially in the distal ureter (2.87 vs 1.68 nerves per mm2, p <0.0005). In smooth muscle the nerve density progressively increased from the proximal to the distal ureter (p >0.0005). Smooth muscle nerve density was similar in the 2 genders (p = 0.928). However, in females nerve density was significantly higher in the first 2 cm of the distal ureter relative to the second 2 cm (3.6 vs 1.5 nerves per mm2, p <0.001) but not in males (3.0 vs 2.1 nerves per mm2, p = 0.126). CONCLUSIONS: Nerve density was highly concentrated at the distal ureter in the adventitia and smooth muscle of the male and female human ureters. The female ureter had greater nerve density in the adventitia, and in smooth muscle nerves were significantly concentrated at the ureteral orifice and the ureteral tunnel.

Development and evaluation of a retroperitoneal dialysis porcine model.

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to create a surgical model to evaluate the retroperitoneal space for the ability to transfer solutes through the retroperitoneal membrane. Our dual objectives were to develop a technique to assess the feasibility of retroperitoneal dialysis (RPD) in a porcine model. METHODS: We incorporated two 35-kg Yorkshire pigs for this pilot study. In the first animal, we clamped renal vessels laparoscopically. In the second animal, we embolized renal arteries. In both animals, we dilated the retroperitoneal space bilaterally and deployed dialysis catheters. We measured serum creatinine (Cr), urea, and electrolytes at baseline 6 hours before the dialysis and every 4 hours after. RESULTS: We successfully created retroperitoneal spaces bilaterally and deployed dialysis catheters in both animals. In the first animal, dialysate and plasma Cr ratio (D/P) on the left and right side were 0.43 and 0.3, respectively. Cr clearance by 40 minutes of dialysis treatment was 6.3 mL/min. The ratio of dialysate glucose at 4 hours dwell time to dialysate glucose at 0 dwell time (D/D0) for left/rights sides were 0.02 and 0.02, respectively. kt/Vurea was 0.43. In the second animal, D/P Cr for left/right sides were 0.34 and 0.33, respectively. kt/Vurea was 0.17. We euthanized the pigs due to fluid collection in the peritoneal space and rapid increase of serum Cr, urea, and electrolytes. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the feasibility of creation of a functionally anephric porcine model with successful development of retroperitoneal spaces using balloon inflation. Notwithstanding minimal clearance and limited diffusion capacity in this experiment, additional studies are needed to examine potential use of retroperitoneal space for peritoneal dialysis.

Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair in Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Inguinal hernia is a recognized complication of radical prostatectomy. Previous hernia repair, wound infection, midline incision, low BMI, and preexisting or subclinical hernia contribute to the risk of inguinal hernia following radical prostatectomy. Concomitant hernia repair at the time of pelvic surgery has risks and benefits. Repair during surgery prevents future hernia-related complications and saves the need for an additional procedure. However, hernia repair at the time of radical prostatectomy includes the risk of mesh infection, post-operative pain, adhesions, lack of experience, and overall minimal risk with watchful waiting. The robotic transperitoneal approach is the most commonly used technique for concomitant inguinal hernia repair with a modest addition to operative time and minimal postoperative complications. Recurrence rates following concomitant hernia repair during pelvic surgery are low.

C-SATS: Assessing Surgical Skills Among Urology Residency Applicants.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that surgical skills assessment could aid in the selection process of medical student applicants to a surgical program. Recently, crowdsourcing has been shown to provide an accurate assessment of surgical skills at all levels of training. We compared expert and crowd assessment of surgical tasks performed by resident applicants during their interview day at the urology program at the University of California, Irvine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five resident interviewees performed four tasks: open square knot tying, laparoscopic peg transfer, robotic suturing, and skill task 8 on the LAP Mentor™ (Simbionix Ltd., Lod, Israel). Faculty experts and crowd workers (Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills [C-SATS], Seattle, WA) assessed recorded performances using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS), and the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) validated assessment tools. RESULTS: Overall, 3938 crowd assessments were obtained for the four tasks in less than 3.5 hours, whereas the average time to receive 150 expert assessments was 22 days. Inter-rater agreement between expert and crowd assessment scores was 0.62 for open knot tying, 0.92 for laparoscopic peg transfer, and 0.86 for robotic suturing. Agreement between applicant rank on skill task 8 on the LAP Mentor assessment and crowd assessment was 0.32. The crowd match rank based solely on skills performance did not compare well with the final faculty match rank list (0.46); however, none of the bottom five crowd-rated applicants appeared in the top five expert-rated applicants and none of the top five crowd-rated applicants appeared in the bottom five expert-rated applicants. CONCLUSIONS: Crowd-source assessment of resident applicant surgical skills has good inter-rater agreement with expert physician raters but not with a computer-based objective motion metrics software assessment. Overall applicant rank was affected to some degree by the crowd performance rating.

Skin-to-tumor Distance Predicts Treatment Failure of T1A Renal Cell Carcinoma Following Percutaneous Cryoablation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of skin-to-tumor (STT) distance on the risk for treatment failure following percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PCA with documented T1a recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at 2 academic centers between 2005 and 2015. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative and postoperative course variables were collected. Additionally, we measured the STT distance by averaging the distance from the skin to the center of the tumor at 0°, 45°, and 90° on preoperative computed tomography imaging. RESULTS: We identified 86 patients with documented T1a RCC. The mean age at the time of surgery was 69 years (range: 37-91 years), and the mean tumor size was 2.7 cm (range: 1.0-4.0 cm). With a mean follow-up of 24 months (range: 3-63 months), 11 (12.8%) treatment failures occurred. Patients with treatment failure had significantly higher mean STT distance than those without: 11.0 cm (range: 6.3-20.1 cm) compared to 8.4 cm (range: 4.4-15.2 cm), respectively (P = .002). STT distance was an independent predictor of treatment failure (odds ratio: 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.69, P = .029). STT distance greater than 10 cm had a fourfold increased risk of tumor treatment failure (odds ratio: 4.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.19-16.39, P = .018). Tumor size, R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry score, and number of cryoprobes placed were not associated with treatment failure. CONCLUSION: STT, an easily measured preoperative variable, may inform the risk of RCC treatment failure following PCA.

Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Inguinal hernia is a recognized complication of radical prostatectomy. Previous hernia repair, wound infection, midline incision, low body mass index, and preexisting or subclinical hernia contribute to the risk of inguinal hernia after radical prostatectomy. Concomitant hernia repair at the time of pelvic surgery has risks and benefits. Repair during surgery prevents future hernia-related complications and saves the need for an additional procedure. However, hernia repair at the time of radical prostatectomy includes the risk of mesh infection, postoperative pain, adhesions, lack of experience, and overall minimal risk with watchful waiting. The robotic transperitoneal approach is the most commonly used technique for concomitant inguinal hernia repair with a modest addition to operative time and minimal postoperative complications. Recurrence rates after concomitant hernia repair during pelvic surgery are low.

Effect of tumor location on survival in urinary bladder adenocarcinoma: A population-based analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic significance of tumor location on survival outcomes in patients with urinary bladder adenocarcinoma (BAC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed cases of BAC with known tumor location from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1973 to 2012. Data regarding patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and oncological and survival outcomes were collected. Patients were subgrouped according to tumor location into urachal/dome (dome and urachus [UD]), lateral wall (anterior, posterior, and lateral bladder walls [LW]), and base (trigone, ureteral orifices, and bladder neck [BL]). RESULTS: A total of 1,361 cases of BAC with known tumor location were identified. More UD tumors were low grade (grade I and II; 51%) than LW (33%) and BL (43%) tumors (P<0.0001). UD lesions were the most likely to have metastatic spread (23% vs. 17% for LW and 15% for BL) (P<0.0001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 37.3% and 49.0%, respectively, for all BAC. Furthermore, the 5-year OS rates were 42.3%, 35.9%, and 28.4% for UD, LW, and BL lesions, respectively (P<0.0001), whereas the 5-year DSS rates were 50.2%, 51.7%, and 42.1% for UD, LW, and BL lesions, respectively (P = 0.0097). Multivariate Cox regression analysis controlling for tumor stage and grade demonstrated that both tumors of the LW (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.52 for OS and 1.30 for DSS) and BL (HR = 1.71 for OS and 1.57 for DSS) conferred a worse prognosis relative to those of the UD (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor location of BAC is an independent prognostic factor for disease outcome. Our results suggest that the urachal and dome locations are associated with relatively favorable survival and oncological outcomes, whereas basal location confers poorer outcomes.

Nephrolithometric Scoring Systems to Predict Outcomes of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Currently, there is no single agreement upon an ideal predictive model that characterizes the complexity of renal stones and predicts surgical outcomes following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). New predictive tools have recently emerged to systematically and quantitatively assess kidney stone complexity to predict outcomes following PCNL: the Guy's Stone Score, the CROES nomogram, S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry, and S-ReSC score. An ideal scoring system should include variables that both influence surgical planning and are predictive of postoperative outcomes. This review discusses the strengths, weaknesses, and commonalities of each of the above scoring systems. Additionally, we propose future directions for the development and analysis of surgical treatment for stone disease, namely, the importance of assessing radiation exposure and patient quality of life when counseling patients on treatment options.

Cost Comparisons Between Different Techniques of Percutaneous Renal Biopsy for Small Renal Masses.

PURPOSE: To compare the costs associated with ultrasound (US)-guided hospital-based (UGHB), CT-guided hospital-based (CTG), and US-guided office-based (UGOB) percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) for small renal masses (SRMs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patient demographics, tumor characteristics, R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores, and cost data of patients undergoing PRB for SRM at our institution from May 2012 to September 2015. Cost data, including facility costs, professional fees, and pathology, were obtained from the departments of urology, radiology, and pathology. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients were included in our analysis: 19, 31, and 28 UGHB, CTG, and UGOB, respectively. There was no difference in age, gender distribution, or tumor size among the three groups (p-values 0.131, 0.241, and 0.603, respectively). UGOB tumors had lower R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores (p=0.008). There were no differences in nondiagnostic rates between the UGHB, CTG, and UGOB groups [4 (21%), 5 (16%), and 6 (21%)] (p=0.852). There were no differences in final tumor treatment strategies utilized among the UGHB, CTG, and UGOB groups (p=0.447). There were 0, 2 (6%), and 0 complications in the UGHB, CTG, and UGOB biopsy groups. Total facility costs were $3449, $3280, and $1056 for UGHB, CTG, and UGOB PRB, respectively (p<0.0001). There was no difference between the urologist's and radiologist's professional fees (p=0.066). Total costs, including facility costs, pathology fees, and professional fees, were $4598, $4470, and $2129 for UGHB, CTG, and UGOB renal biopsy, respectively (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: For select patients with less anatomically complex, exophytic, and posteriorly located tumors, UGOB PRB provides equivalent diagnostic and complication rates while being significantly more cost-effective than either UGHB or CTG renal biopsy.

Prevalence of Hyperoxaluria in Urinary Stone Formers: Chronological and Geographical Trends and a Literature Review.

PURPOSE: To report chronological trends and geographical distributions related to the prevalence of hyperoxaluria in stone-forming patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed the existing literature between 1982 and 2013 seeking studies that assessed for hyperoxaluria (>45 mg/day [499.5 µmol/24 hour]) in recurrent stone formers. Studies that performed 24-hour urine analysis for urine oxalate in patients with recurrent urinary stones were included. Studies were divided chronologically and by geographical region, and prevalence rates of hyperoxaluria were compared between groups. RESULTS: Our literature search provided 22 peer-reviewed articles involving 3636 patients in total. Ten studies were performed between 1982 and 2000, and 12 studies were performed between 2001 and 2013. The prevalence of hyperoxaluria in stone-forming patient cohorts was 24.8% and 45.1% (p = 0.019) in studies performed between 1982 and 2000 and 2001 and 2013, respectively. Hyperoxaluria rates were significantly higher in non-American cohorts compared with American cohorts (40.7% vs 23.0%; p = 0.018). Reported hyperoxaluria rates were higher in Asian countries compared with Western countries (56.8% and 23.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyperoxaluria in stone-forming patients has increased over the past two decades and may be a contributing factor to the rising global prevalence of urolithiasis. A geographical disparity in hyperoxaluria may exist between Asian and Western countries. Future studies are needed to explain these trends and their consequences.

Attitudes towards Social Networking and Sharing Behaviors among Consumers of Direct-to-Consumer Personal Genomics.

UNLABELLED: Little is known about how consumers of direct-to-consumer personal genetic services share personal genetic risk information. In an age of ubiquitous online networking and rapid development of social networking tools, understanding how consumers share personal genetic risk assessments is critical in the development of appropriate and effective policies. This exploratory study investigates how consumers share personal genetic information and attitudes towards social networking behaviors. METHODS: Adult participants aged 23 to 72 years old who purchased direct-to-consumer genetic testing from a personal genomics company were administered a web-based survey regarding their sharing activities and social networking behaviors related to their personal genetic test results. RESULTS: 80 participants completed the survey; of those, 45% shared results on Facebook and 50.9% reported meeting or reconnecting with more than 10 other individuals through the sharing of their personal genetic information. For help interpreting test results, 70.4% turned to Internet websites and online sources, compared to 22.7% who consulted their healthcare providers. Amongst participants, 51.8% reported that they believe the privacy of their personal genetic information would be breached in the future. CONCLUSION: Consumers actively utilize online social networking tools to help them share and interpret their personal genetic information. These findings suggest a need for careful consideration of policy recommendations in light of the current ambiguity of regulation and oversight of consumer initiated sharing activities.