Which men with non-malignant pathology at magnetic resonance imaging-targeted prostate biopsy and persistent PI-RADS 3-5 lesions should repeat biopsy?

PURPOSE: To assess predictors of clinically significant (cs) prostate cancer (PCa) in men who had a non-malignant Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-targeted biopsy and persistent Prostate Imaging-Reporting Data System (PI-RADS) 3 to 5 lesions in subsequent mpMRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed MRI-targeted biopsy database in three centers. INCLUSION CRITERIA: persistence of at least one PI-RADS ≥3 lesion found negative for cancer in a previous MRI-targeted plus systemic biopsy (baseline biopsy). EXCLUSION CRITERIA: downgrading to PI-RADS 1-2. A logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the predictors of csPCa. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included. Median interval between biopsies was 12.9(2.43) months. Median age was 68.0(12) years. Median PSA was 7.0(5.45) ng/ml. At follow-up, 24.6%, 54.4%, and 21% of patients had a PI-RADS score 3, 4, and 5 index lesion (IL), respectively. At re-biopsy, 28/57(49.1%) men were found to harbor PCa. Among these, 22(78.6%) had csPCa. csPCa was found outside the IL in only 2 patients. Eleven, 13, and 5 patients with PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5, respectively, had no cancer. Three patients with a PI-RADS 3 lesion had cancer (2 with Gleason score 3+3, 1 with Gleason score 3+4). 14/43 men with a PI-RADS 4/5 lesion harbored Gleason score ≥3+4 PCa. Logistic regression analysis found that PSA (HR 1.281, 95% CI: 1.013-1.619, P = 0.039) and IL size (HR 1.146, 95% CI: 1.018-1.268, P = 0.041) were the predictors of csPCa at re-biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-malignant pathology from PI-RADS ≥3 lesions targeted biopsy should be follow-up with mpMRI, and those with persistent PI-RADS 4 to 5 lesions should repeat MRI-targeted and systematic biopsy.

The combination of waterjet ablation (Aquabeam®) and holmium laser power for treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: early functional results.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term functional outcomes and the efficacy of hemostasis performed with holmium laser performed following prostatic hydroablation with the Aquabeam® system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 2019 and July 2020, 53 consecutive patients underwent Aquabeam® with our modified hemostasis approach with holmium laser. The following standard preoperative assessments were retrospectively recorded: prostate volume; International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (IPSS-QoL); uroflowmetry including Qmax and post void residual volume (PVR). RESULTS: Fifty-three patients consecutively underwent aquablation and holmium laser hemostasis. Median age at surgery, median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and median prostate volume were 62 years (IQR: 57-66), 2.95 ng/ml (IQR: 1.6-4.8) and 55 ml (IQR: 43-65), respectively.Median operative time was 60 minutes (IQR: 40-80). Median catheterization time and length of hospital stay were 2 days (IQR: 1-3) for both parameters. The median hemoglobin decrease between the preoperative values and those assessed on the second day was equal to 1.25 g/dl (IQR: 0.7-1.85).Continence rate was 100% at catheter removal. Thirty-six patients (72%) reported anterograde ejaculation preservation. IPSS (6, 3-21) and Qmax (19, 9-26) changed dramatically between baseline and 3 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Aquabeam® and holmium laser energy for hemostasis is a safe, reproducible technique to relieve moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) while preserving ejaculation in younger and sexually active individuals. The short-term results showed a lower rate of complications; the encouraging functional results confirm that this can be a valid surgical approach for treatment of BPH.

Prognostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy in defining prostate cancer anterior lesions.

PURPOSE: Diagnosis of anterior prostate cancer (PCa) can be quite challenging, often leading to delay in treatment. mpMRI-guided biopsy (GB) has been introduced aiming to increase the number of diagnoses of clinically significant PCa with fewer cores. The aim of our study is to compare pathological findings of prostate biopsy, In-bore or Fusion technique, with histopathological evaluation of radical prostatectomy. METHODS: We prospectively collected data from 90 consecutive patients who underwent either In-bore or Fusion biopsy following the detection of an index suspicious lesion at mpMRI in the anterior part of the prostatic gland. Bioptical pathological findings were compared with pathological findings reported after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Patients who underwent In-bore GB had a higher rate of previous negative prostate biopsies (19% vs 44%, p = 0.02). Median number of bioptic cores taken (13 vs 2) and number of positive cores (3 vs 2) were significantly superior in the Fusion group compared to the In-bore group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), whilst clinical International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade was homogeneous within groups. The concordance between anterior lesions detected at biopsy and those reported in the histopathological finding of radical prostatectomy was very high, without statistically significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Both Fusion and In-bore GB are accurate in detecting anterior PCa, with enhanced precision detecting clinically significant tumours, as evidenced by pathologic examinations which confirmed the presence of index anterior PCa in > 50% of patients overall. Additional sextant biopsy is still required, especially among biopsy-näive patients, to avoid missing clinically significant PCa.

Adding systematic biopsy to magnetic resonance ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy of the prostate in men with previous negative biopsy or enrolled in active surveillance programs: A prospective single center, randomized study.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) targeted biopsy (TBx) of the prostate demonstrated to improve detection rate (DR) of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in biopsy-naive patients achieving strong level of evidence. Nevertheless, the csPCa yield for TBx alone versus TBx plus systematic biopsy (SBx) after accounting for overlapping of SBx cores with TBx cores, in prior-negative or active surveillance (AS) patients has not been well established.The objective of the study was to investigate benefits in terms of detection rate and pathological stratification of prostate cancer (PCa) using contextual SBx during MRI-TBx.Patients previously submitted to negative-SBx (cohort A) and those enrolled in an AS program (cohort B) who showed at least 1 suspicious area with a PIRADSv2 score ≥ 3 were prospectively and randomly assigned to only TBx strategy versus TBx plus SBx strategy. SBx locations could not encompass the TBx sites, so that the results of each type of biopsy were independent and did not overlap.A total of 312 patients were included in the 2 cohorts (cohort A: 213 cases; cohort B: 99 cases). No significant differences were found in terms of overall PCa-DR (77.6% vs 69.6% respectively; P = .36) and csPCa-DR (48.2% vs 60.9 respectively; P = .12). The MRI-TBx alone cohort showed higher csPCa/PCa ratio (87.5% vs 62.2%; P = .03). The MRI-TBx plus SBx group subanalysis showed significantly higher csPCa-DR obtained at the MRI-TBx cores when compared with the SBx cores (43.7% vs 24.1%, respectively; P = .01). Independently to age, prostatic-specific antigen and prostate imaging-reporting and data system score, either in rebiopsy (OR 0.43, 0.21-0.97) or AS (OR 0.46, 0.32-0.89) setting, SBx cores were negatively associated with the csPCa-DR when combined to TBx cores.MRI-TBx should be considered the elective method to perform prostate biopsy in patients with previous negative SBx and those considered for an AS program. Adding SBx samples to MRI-TBx did not improve detection rate of csPCa.

"In-Bore" MRI-Guided Prostate Biopsy for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Results from 140 Consecutive Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS-GB) is the current reference standard procedure for diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) but this procedure has limitations related to the low detection rate (DR) described in the literature. The aim of the study was to evaluate the DR efficiency, and complication rate in a pure "in-bore" magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy (MRI-GB) series according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System, version 2 (PI-RADS v2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2015 to April 2018, a series of 142 consecutive patients undergoing MRI-GB were prospectively enrolled. According to the European Society of Urogenital Radiology guidelines, the presence of clinically significant PCa (csPCa) on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was defined as equivocal, likely, or highly likely according to a PI-RADS v2, score of 3, 4, or 5, respectively. RESULTS: Of 142 patients, 76 (53.5%) were biopsy naive and 66 (46.5%) had ≤ 1 previous negative set of random TRUS-GB findings. The MRI-GB findings were positive in 75 of 142 patients with a DR of 52.8%. Of the 76 patients with ≤ 1 previous set of TRUS-GB, 43 had PCa found by MRI-GB, with a DR of 57.3%. The DR in the 66 biopsy-naive patients was 48% (32/66). Of the 75 patients with positive biopsy findings, 54 (80.5%) were found to have csPCa on histological examination. Of these 54 patients, 28 had an International Society of Urological Pathology grade 2; 5 had grade 3, 19 had grade 4, and 2 had grade 5. Considering the anatomic distribution of the index lesions using the PI-RADS v2 scheme, the probability of PCa was greater for lesions located in the peripheral zone (55 of 75, 73.3%) than for those in the central zone (20 of 75, 26.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study conducted on 142 patients confirmed the greater DR of csPCa by MRI-GB, with a very low number of cores needed and a negligible incidence of complications, especially in patients with a previous negative biopsy. MRI-GB is optimal for the diagnosis of anterior and central lesions.

Not fatal venous air embolism after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: Case report and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: Holmium laser has demonstrated high efficacy in urethral disobstruction. Venous air embolism (VAE) is a rare complication of prostate surgery. Only two cases of venous air embolism (VAE) in patients submitted to HoLEP, have been described. In this paper we show a third case of not fatal VAE after HoLEP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case of VAE occurred in holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) due to obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a 70 years old patient. After the procedure, patient's end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels dramatically decreased at 17 mmHg, with pressure airway (PAW)16 mmHg; oxygen saturation level was at 75%, without any loss in the ventilation circuit and with arterial blood pressure of 94/54 mmHg. Due to the negativity for other suspicions, the suspect of VAE was postulated. RESULT: The immediate switching from laryngeal mask to Oro Tracheal Intubation increased the oxygen level. A cardiac transthoracic ultrasound was negative for air bubbles inside cardiac cavities, without any alteration in the cardiac kinetics. Arterial blood sample turned negative for any alteration compatible with VAE and catheter continuous vesical irrigation was started to obtain clear washing fluid without blood cloths. The extubated patient showed no neurological defects. CONCLUSIONS: An invasive monitoring system is the key to rapidly and correctly identify any embolic episode during this kind of surgery.

Surgical blood loss during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is not affected by short-term pretreatment with dutasteride: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial on prostate vascularity.

Five α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) are able to reduce prostate volume and are a useful treatment for reducing perioperative bleeding during prostate surgery. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an effective surgical technique for the definitive cure of benign prostate enlargement.We investigated whether pretreatment with dutasteride before HoLEP could reduce intraoperative bleeding. A total of 402 patients were included in this double-blind placebo-controlled trial to receive daily 0.5 mg of dutasteride or placebo over 8 weeks before HoLEP. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) were evaluated. Analysis was also stratified according to prostate volume (<70 mL vs ≥70 mL).Hemoglobin and hematocrit values before and after surgery were not statistically different between the two groups. MVD and VEGF index in smaller prostates were 23.35±1.96 and 4.06±0.76 in the treatment group and 19.04±0.96 and 2.55±0.55 in placebo (p<0.05); in patients with larger prostates MVD and VEGF were 26.83±2.812 and 8.54±1.18 in the treatment group and 20.76±0.79 and 3.21±0.54 in placebo (p<0.05).Vascularization of the prostate was affected by 5ARIs therapy. HoLEP is less burdened in perioperative bleeding and for this reason we did not find any difference in hemoglobin/hematocrit values pre- and post- surgery.

MRI/TRUS FUSION guided biopsy as first approach in ambulatory setting: Feasibility and performance of a new fusion device.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the detection rate of Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Transrectal Ultrasound (MRI/TRUS) Fusion Biopsy performed in a series of patients with suspicious prostate cancer in an ambulatory setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2018 and January 2019 a series of 155 patients undergoing MRI/TRUS fusionguided biopsy were prospectively enrolled. All patients presented a suspected diagnosis for prostate cancer because of raised Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) serum level and/or abnormal physical examination (digital rectal examination), and showed at least one suspicious area at the multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI). RESULTS: Of 155 patients, 58 (37.4%) were biopsy-naïve, 97 (62.6%) had at least 1 previous negative TRUS-guided biopsy. The median age of the patient cohort was 66 years (IQR, 61- 69); the median prebiopsy PSA value was 7.1 ng/ml (IQR, 5- 8.9). Overall, the Fusion-TB findings were positive in 94 of 155 patients with a detection rate (DR) of 60%; a significantly high DR was obtained in terms of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) by Fusion-TB (61 pts; 41.9%). The overall DR in the 121 biopsy-naive patients was 60.6%. In the subgroup of the 34 patients with at least 1 previous set of TRUS-GB, overall DR was 39.3% (35/50). CONCLUSIONS: The targeted MRI/TRUS fusion-guided biopsy represents a safe and accurate approach for diagnosis of csPCa, especially in patient with previous TRUS guided biopsy negative and suspicious prostate cancer.

"In-bore" MRI prostate biopsy is a safe preoperative clinical tool to exclude significant prostate cancer in symptomatic patients with benign prostatic obstruction before transurethral laser enucleation.

INTRODUCTION: Purpose of our study was to investigate the role of a negative in-bore MRI-guided biopsy (MRI-GB) in comparison to a negative multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) and a contextual negative transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate with regard to incidental prostate cancer findings in the surgical specimen of men who underwent to Holmium Laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) with a preoperative suspicion of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 117 of symptomatic patients for bladder outflow obstruction who subsequently underwent to HoLEP was retrospectively analyzed form a multicentric database. All patients had a raised serum PSA and/or an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) with a pre-interventional mpMRI. Prostate cancer was excluded either with an en-bore MRI-GB (group "IN-BORE MRI-GB" n = 57) in case of a suspect area at the mpMRI or with a standard biopsy (group "mpMRI + TRUS-GB" n = 60) in case of a negative mpMRI. Preoperative characteristic surgical and histological outcomes were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was performed to investigate independent predictors of incidental Prostate Cancer (iPCa). RESULTS: Both groups presented moderate to severe lower tract urinary symptoms: median IPSS was 19 (IQR: 17.0-22.0) in the IN-BORE MRI-GB group and 20 (IQR: 17.5-22.0) in the mpMRI + TRUS-GB (p = 0.71). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups besides total prostate volume with 68 cc (IQR: 58.0-97.0) in the IN-BORE MRI-GB group and 84 cc (IQR: 70.0-115.0) in the mpMRI + TRU-GB group (p = 0.01) No differences were registered in surgical time, removed tissue, catheterization time, hospital stay and complications rate. No different rates (p = 0.50) of iPCa were found in the IN-BORE MRI-GB group (14%) in comparison with mpMRI + TRUS-GB group (10 %); pT stage and ISUP Grade Group in iPCa stratification were comparable between the two groups. In multivariate analysis a statistically significant correlation with age as an independent predictive factor of iPCa was found (OR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.27; p = 0.02) while no correlations were revealed with PSA (OR 1.12; 95% CI: 0.99-1.28; p = 0.08) and a negative in-bore MRI-GB (OR 1.72; 95% CI: 0.51-5.77; p = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Including a mpMRI and an eventual in-bore MRIGB represents a novel clinical approach before surgery in patients with symptomatic obstruction with a concomitant suspicion of PCa, leading to low rate of iPCa and avoiding unnecessary standard TRUS-GB biopsies.

Can preoperative multiparametric MRI avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies before holmium laser enucleation of the prostate? Preliminary results of a multicentric cohort of patients.

BACKGROUND: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a surgical technique that allows to safely and effectively treat bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostate enlargement and retrieve an adequate surgical specimen. We investigated the role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate (mpMRI) as a tool to exclude incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) and to compare mpMRI alone with a contextual transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS-GB). METHODS: Retrospective multicentric evaluation of 244 patients underwent to HoLEP with a suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) due to raised PSA and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and a negative mpMRI (PI-RADS score <3), was performed. Of these, 118 patients had only a negative mpMRI (MRI group) while 126 had a negative mpMRI and a contextual preoperative negative TRUS-GB (MRI + TRUS-GB group). Comparison between the two groups, univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted in order to identify any predictive factors of iPCa. RESULTS: Median age, PSA, prostate volume and PSA density were 64.0 years (IQR: 58.0-69.0), 6.10 ng/mL (IQR: 4.76-9.65), 86.0 cc (IQR: 65.0-115.0), 50.0 cc (IQR: 37.5-80.0) and 0.08 ng/mL/cc (IQR: 0.06-0.10), respectively. In surgical specimen, iPCa was detected in 21 cases (8.8%). No statistically differences between MRI and MRI + TRUS-GB group were found in terms of iPCa (7.6% and 8.5%, respectively), pathological T stage and ISUP Grade Group. A contextual TRUS-GB added to mpMRI did not correlate to iPCa either at uni- and multivariate analysis while a significant correlation of a PSA density >0.15 ng/mL/cc was found only at univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Including a mpMRI in clinical evaluation of patients eligible to HoLEP with a preoperative PCa suspicion leads to low the rates of iPCa and might avoid unnecessary TRUS-GB.

Ejaculation Sparing Bladder Neck Incision with Holmium Laser in Patients with Urinary Symptoms and Small Prostates: Short-Term Functional Results.

BACKGROUND: The treatment options for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) widely range from self-monitoring to oral medications to surgical procedures. As far as concerns surgical treatment of obstructive LUTS, transurethral incision of the prostate is considered as the gold standard in patients with mild benign prostatic enlargement. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to describe this novel approach to perform ejaculation sparing Holmium laser bladder neck incision (ES-HoBNI), with particular regard to its effect on ejaculation and LUTS relief. METHODS: We evaluated prospective clinical data from 143 consecutive patients who underwent ES-HoBNI at our institution from January 2012 to February 2018. Procedures were performed with a continuous flow 26 Ch resectoscope and a 550 µm holmium laser end-fire fiber. The stenotic bladder neck was deeply incised at 3 and 9'o clock down to the prostatic capsule in a retrograde direction to either side in front of the veromontanum. RESULTS: Median Qmax, postvoid residual volume, International Prostate Symptom Score, and quality of life were 9 mL/s (7.4-10.2), 130 mL (100-190), 15 (13-19), and 3 (2-4), respectively. In total, 110 (76.9) reported regular anterograde ejaculation. Median operative time was 20 min (15-26). Median catheterization time and hospital stay were 3 days (3-4) and 22 h (20-24), respectively. Moreover, we have compared the frequency of anterograde ejaculation, which slightly increases after ES-HoBNI (77 vs. 81.2%) when compared to baseline data, despite not reaching statistical significancy. CONCLUSIONS: ES-HoBNI is a safe, reproducible technique to relieve obstructive LUTS in men with small prostates while preserving ejaculation in younger and sexually active individuals.

Bidirectional barbed suture for posterior musculofascial reconstruction and knotless vesicourethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the work is to describe an original technique of posterior musculofascial reconstruction (PMFR) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: From January 2015 to June 2016, 121 consecutives patients underwent RARP and were submitted to a novel technique of PMFR, using a single 3/0 barbed bidirectional (Filblock®, Assut Europe) suture. The first step of this new technique of PMFR, is to approximate the posterior layer of Denonvilliers fascia (DF) to the posterior part of the sphincteric apparatus. Then, the second step consists in the anastomosis of the posterior blabber neck edge with the posterior urethra edge. We realize the completion of anastomosis clockwise from 7 to 12 o'clock and anticlockwise from 5 to 12 o'clock. RESULTS: No leakage of anastomosis was observed and the catheter was removed in the 5th day after surgery. After catheter removal, the urinary recovery of early continence at 3 days was 45% and at 7 days was 75%, while the urinary continence recovery at 1 month was 88% and at 3 months was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience this novel approach results feasible in all patient, without extending the operation time and gives a good safety in terms of reduction of bleeding and leakage with shorter urinary continence recovery's time. The aim of the combination of the PMFR and the vesicourethral anastomosis with one bidirectional barbed suture is to have all the advantages of both techniques plus the stability of a single running suture.

Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy with the Use of Barbed Sutures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the principal advantages of posterior muscolo-fascial reconstruction using knotless barbed sutures (BS) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of principal BS (Quill™ SRS Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vancouver, Canada; V-Loc™ Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland; STRATAFIX™ Ethicon Inc., Somerville, New Jersey; Filbloc® Assut Europe S.p.A., Rome, Italy). RESULTS: We analysed the principal outcomes (operative time and suturing time of urethra-vesical anastomosis, length of catheterization, hospital stay, and postoperative complications rate) reported in literature. CONCLUSIONS: In light of our experience, we believe that the utilization of BS during RARP is safe as the development of a new surgical technique of urethrovesical anastomosis offers advantages in terms of continence rate, length of catheterization, and other surgical outcomes. Other studies (prospective trials) are necessary to investigate the real benefits of BS in comparison to conventional sutures (CS).

[An unusual case of massive funicular lipoma]. / Un inusuale caso di voluminoso lipoma funicolare.

Intrascrotal lipomas are benign diseases that originate from adipose tissue inside the scrotal sac or constituting the scrotal wall itself. Paratesticular spermatic cord lipomas are a rare type of intrascrotal lipomas. A 78 years old patient in good health comes to our attention for massive tense-elastic swelling of left hemiscrotum appeared about 3 years ago and slowly increasing. Ultrasound evaluation of the intrascrotal mass showed inhomogeneous images mainly hyperechoic, not infiltrating the ipsilateral testis and scrotal wall. The ultrasonography found a lipomatous lesion with benign characteristics and a surgical excision has been performed. The lipomatous mass removed presented a size equal to 25 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm and a weight of about 490 gr. The microscopic examination of the tissue showed only the presence of mature adipocytes in the absence of cellular atypia, of other cellular types and of vascular abnormalities.

Resident training in urology: bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate - a safe method in learning endoscopic surgical procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Modern medicine uses increasingly innovative techniques that require more and more capabilities for acquisition. In the urological department is increasing the presence of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the standard of care in their surgical treatment. We report our surgical experience and learning curve of using bipolar plasmakinetic devices in the training of urological residents to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 patients with benign prostatic enlargement due to BPH were enrolled in the study. TURP has been performed by three urological residents and by an expe- rienced urologist. Patients were evaluated before and 6 months after the endoscopic bipolar plasmakinetic resection using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum uri- nary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). RESULTS: Overall 60 procedures were performed, 18 PlasmaKinetic (PK)-TURP procedures were completed by the three residents. In the other 42 cases the procedures were completed by the experienced urologist. In eight cases there was a capsular perforation and the experienced urol- ogist replaced the resident to complete the resection. No complications have been reported in the procedures completed by the senior urologist. All complications caused by the residents were man- aged intraoperatively without changing the course of the procedure. Statistical differences were observed regarding IPSS, quality of life (QoL), and PVR at 6-month follow-up when procedures completed by urological residents were compared to those completed by the senior urologist. CONCLUSION: Bipolar device represents appropriate tools to acquire endoscopic skills. It is safe and it can be used at the first experience of BPH treatment by a resident who has not previ- ously approached this endoscopic surgical procedure.

A refined combined antero-retrograde approach for the resolution of a complex ureterovaginal fistula: an endourologic case report.

he onset of a ureterovaginal fistula is a not frequent, though it represents a dreaded and disabling complication of the pelvic surgery. The literature suggests to perform ureteroneocystostomy associated, if necessary, with a bladder suspension technique to Psoas muscle, or endoscopic procedures of ureteral stenting as the "gold standard" to repair this condition. We describe an innovative combined anterograde trans-nephrostomic and retrograde trans-ureteral surgical approach successfully carried out for the treatment of a rare ureterovaginal fistula associated with ipsilateral hydroureteronephrosis secondary to a complete obliteration of the ureteral orifice. We believe that this approach could be considered as a minimally invasive surgical option, an alternative to the traditional ones, for the repair of ureterovaginal fistulae complicated by a complete obliteration of the ipsilateral ureteral meatus.

TURP in the young man: is it possible to preserve the anterograde ejaculation?

INTRODUCTION: LUTS are fairly common in young men. BPO and intra-prostatic cyst localized near the bladder neck can determine a BOO in men younger than 50 years too. TURP remains the gold standard treatment, but the retrograde ejaculation or the decreased ejaculate volume after TURP was associated with considerable bother. In our study we have evaluated the possibility of obtaining a prostatic disobstruction without affecting the patient's sexual function and, specifically, the retrograde ejaculation, evaluating the sexual function after a 1-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 18 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean age of the patients at time of surgery was 41 years. Erectile and sexual functions have been evaluated according to the self-administered IIEF and MSHQ. Endoscopic procedure was performed with a resection of the bladder neck at 6 o'clock position followed by a resection at the 12 o'clock position. The same questionnaires were administered at 6 months and 1 year after endoscopic surgery. RESULTS: The mean baseline prostate volume was 36 mL, with a mean operative time of 22 minutes. No statistical differences were reported in IIEF and MSHQ domains at baseline and after 1 year. Qmax increased from 7.4 mL/s preoperatively to 23.6 mL/s at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: In young and selected patients with prostatic obstruction, it is possible to perform a mini-invasive surgery: "Minimally Invasive Nonexpensive TURP", an effective and safe procedure, not affecting sexual function, and particularly, retrograde ejaculation.

Plasmakinetic bipolar versus monopolar transurethral resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a single center randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and the efficacy of plasmakinetic bipolar resectoscope versus conventional monopolar in the transurethral resection of primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2009, 132 patients underwent endoscopic resection for primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. They were randomly assigned to two groups: 67 patients underwent a transurethral resection of the bladder with bipolar plasmakinetic energy transurethral resection of the bladder and 65 were treated with conventional monopolar transurethral resection. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 27 min for bipolar plasmakinetic energy transurethral resection of the bladder and 31 min for monopolar transurethral resection of the bladder. No significant differences in the mean change of hemoglobin and serum sodium level were observed. Mean catheterization time was 1.3 days and 2.3 days for bipolar plasmakinetic energy transurethral resection of the bladder and monopolar transurethral resection of the bladder, respectively. The mean hospital stay was shorter in the bipolar plasmakinetic energy transurethral resection of the bladder. Bladder perforation was reported in two cases for the monopolar transurethral resection of the bladder group and obturator nerve reflex occurred in a single case for both procedures. None of the patients experienced transurethral resection syndrome. The median time of bladder tumor recurrence after initial transurethral resection of the bladder was 12.4 months and 11.9 months for bipolar plasmakinetic energy transurethral resection of the bladder and monopolar transurethral resection of the bladder, respectively. No significant differences in the overall recurrence-free survival rate were observed comparing the two procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmakinetic bipolar transurethral resection represents a safe and effective procedure in the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Intrascrotal Abscess, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction. The Propionibacterium acnes and the Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii are occasional pathogenic bacteria. The intrascrotal localization of the Propionibacterium acnes is exceptional. The Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii is not able to colonize the urogenital apparatus but it is the most frequently responsible for blood culture contamination even if it can sustain, in particular conditions, systemic infections. Case Presentation. We report the case of a 72-year-old man who is under observation for pain and swelling of the left hemiscrotum associated to high fever. The scrotal ultrasound shows the presence of a left intra-scrotal abscess with didymus, epididymis, and intact didymus-epididymis tunicae. The blood culture executed for evening fever during antibiotic therapy has underlined an infection with Propionibacterium acnes. A following blood culture has shown an increase in Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii. Due to fever the patient has undergone left orchifunicolectomy with inguino-scrotal toilet. The anatomical pathological examination has also shown the presence of nonspecific granulomatous inflammation compatible with Propionibacterium acnes infection. Conclusion. The onset of an intrascrotal abscess likely sustained by Propionibacterium acnes complicated by a possible systemic Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii suprainfection is an exceptional event that, in our case, has been resolved with surgical toilet.

Does transrectal color Doppler ultrasound improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate whether TRUS guided biopsy associated with Color Doppler (CD) imaging improves the detection of PCa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2010, 144 subjects, with an increased PSA value or with a suspect digital rectal examination, were enrolled. Transrectal grey-scale Ultrasound (US) and CD examination were performed in all patients. CD US was considered positive or negative on the basis of the presence or absence of vascular abnormality. Prostate biopsy was performed immediately after grey-scale and Doppler evaluation, with a mean of 10 core-biopsy for each patient as well as a selective biopsy of all US abnormal areas (hypoechoic lesion or CD abnormality areas). RESULTS: PCa has been detected in 71 (49.3%) patients. 58 of the 71 patients had a hypoechoic area at US scan and 27 had a CD abnormality. The PSA value was < 4 ng/ml in 11 patients (Group 1), in 63 patients PSA ranged between 4 and 10 ng/ml (Group 2) and in 70 patients PSA was greater than 10 ng/ml (Group 3). The detection rate was 36.7, 36.5 and 62.8% respectively. In Group 1 we detected 5 hypoechoic areas and 4 CD abnormal areas. Moreover 6 of 11 patients had a positive DRE. In the Group 2, 20 patients were positive to DRE; we visualized 21 hypoechoic areas and 7 CD abnormality. In the Group 3, 38 patients had a positive DRE, with 32 hypoechoic areas and 16 CD abnormalities found. We obtained 1537 total bioptic cores, 1440 randomly from peripheral gland, 70 from hypoechoic areas and 27 from abnormal CD flow areas. The detection rate was 17.1, 65.7 and 22.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: CD US showed to be a complement to grey-scale imaging of prostate unless insufficiently sensitive to replace the standard systematic 8-12 core random peripherally biopsy. Furthermore it should be associated routinely to TRUS to easily focus suspect areas.