Perioperative Rates of Incidental Prostate Cancer after Aquablation and Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Aquablation and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) have evolved as established therapeutic options for men with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). We sought to compare the rates of incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) after aquablation and HoLEP. METHODS: At our center, between January 2020 and November 2022, 317 men underwent aquablation, and 979 men underwent HoLEP for BPO. Histopathological assessment of resected tissue was conducted in all cases. If iPCa was detected, the Gleason score and percentage of affected tissue were assessed. Differences in important predictive factors for prostate cancer between study groups were accounted for by additional matched pairs analysis (with matching on age ± 1 year; PSA ± 0.5 ng/mL; and prostate volume ± 5 mL). RESULTS: Histopathology revealed iPCas in 60 patients (4.6%): 59 (6.03%) after HoLEP and 1 (0.3%) after aquablation (p = 0.001). Of 60 of incidental cancers, 11 had a Gleason score ≥7 (aquablation: 1/1 [100%]; HoLEP: 10/59 [16.9%]). The aquablation and HoLEP study groups differed in patient age, preoperative PSA, and prostate volume. Therefore, matched pairs analysis (aquablation: 132 patients; HoLEP: 132 patients) was conducted to improve comparability. Also after the matching procedure, significantly fewer iPCas were diagnosed after aquablation than HoLEP (aquablation: 0 [0%]; HoLEP: 6 [4.5%]; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Significantly fewer iPCas were identified after aquablation than HoLEP procedures. Histopathologic assessment of tissue after aquablation is feasible and may lead to the diagnosis of clinically significant iPCa. Therefore, histopathologic examination of the aquablation resective tissue should not be omitted.

Impact of Peritoneal Interposition Flap on Patients Undergoing Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

CONTEXT: Symptomatic lymphocele (sLC) occurs at a frequency of 2-10% after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). Construction of bilateral peritoneal interposition flaps (PIFs) subsequent to completion of RARP + PLND has been introduced to reduce the risk of lymphocele, and was initially evaluated on the basis of retrospective studies. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of PIF on the rate of sLC (primary endpoint) and of overall lymphocele (oLC) and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications (secondary endpoints) to provide the best available evidence. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses statement for observational studies in epidemiology, a systematic literature search using the MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and EMBASE databases up to February 3, 2023 was performed to identify RCTs. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the revised Cochrane RoB tool for randomized trials. Meta-analysis used random-effect models to examine the impact of PIF on the primary and secondary endpoints. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Four RCTs comparing outcomes for patients undergoing RARP + PLND with or without PIF were identified: PIANOFORTE, PerFix, ProLy, and PLUS. PIF was associated with odds ratios of 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.93) for sLC, 0.51 (95% CI 0.38-0.68) for oLC, and 0.41 (95% CI 0.21-0.83) for Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications. Functional impairment resulting from PIF construction was not observed. Heterogeneity was low to moderate, and RoB was low. CONCLUSIONS: PIF should be performed in patients undergoing RARP and simultaneous PLND to prevent or reduce postoperative sLC. PATIENT SUMMARY: A significant proportion of patients undergoing prostate cancer surgery have regional lymph nodes removed. This part of the surgery is associated with a risk of postoperative lymph collections (lymphocele). The risk of lymphocele can be halved via a complication-free surgical modification called a peritoneal interposition flap.

High BMI and Surgical Time Are Significant Predictors of Lymphocele after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Lymphoceles (LC) occur in up to 60% after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND). In 2-10%, they are symptomatic and may cause complications and require treatment. Data on risk factors for the formation of lymphoceles after RARP and PNLD remain sparse in the urologic literature and are inconclusive to date. The underlying data of this secondary analysis were obtained from the prospective multi-center RCT ProLy. We performed a multivariate analysis to focus on the potential risk factors that may influence lymphocele formation. Patients with LC had a statistically significant higher BMI (27.8 vs. 26.3 kg/m2, p < 0.001; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2: 31 vs. 17%, p = 0.002) and their surgical time was longer (180 vs. 160 min, p = 0.001) In multivariate analysis, the study group (control vs. peritoneal flap, p = 0.003), BMI (metric, p = 0.028), and surgical time (continuous, p = 0.007) were independent predictors. Patients with symptomatic lymphocele presented with higher BMI (29 vs. 26.6 kg/m2, p = 0.007; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2: 39 vs. 20%, p = 0.023) and experienced higher intraoperative blood loss (200 vs. 150 mL, p = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 vs. < 30 kg/m2 was an independent predictor for the formation of a symptomatic lymphocele (p = 0.02). High BMI and prolonged surgical time are general risk factors for the development of LC. Patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had a higher risk for symptomatic lymphoceles.

Impact of Surgical Experience Before Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy on Surgical Outcomes: A Multicenter Analysis of 2500 Patients.

Background: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a challenging procedure that is influenced by a multitude of factors. Objective: To assess the impact of prior surgical experience on perioperative outcomes in RAPN. Design setting and participants: In this retrospective multicenter study, results for 2548 RAPNs performed by 25 surgeons at eight robotic referral centers were analyzed. Perioperative data for all consecutive RAPNs from the start of each individual surgeon's experience were collected, as well as the number of prior open or laparoscopic kidney surgeries, pelvic surgeries (open, laparoscopic, robotic), and other robotic interventions. Intervention: Transperitoneal or retroperitoneal RAPN. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The impact of prior surgical experience on operative time, warm ischemia time (WIT), major complications, and margin, ischemia, complication (MIC) score (negative surgical margins, WIT ≤20 min, no major complications) was assessed via univariate and multivariable regression analyses accounting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists score, PADUA score, and RAPN experience. Results and limitations: BMI, PADUA score, and surgical experience in RAPN had a strong impact on perioperative outcomes. A plateau effect for the learning curve was not observed. Prior laparoscopic kidney surgery significantly reduced the operative time (p < 0.001) and WIT (p < 0.001) and improved the MIC rate (p = 0.022). A greater number of prior robotic pelvic interventions decreased WIT (p = 0.011) and the rate of major complications (p < 0.001) and increased the MIC rate (p = 0.011), while prior experience in open kidney surgery did not. One limitation is the short-term follow-up. Conclusions: Mastering of RAPN is an ongoing learning process. However, prior experience in laparoscopic kidney and robot-assisted pelvic surgery seems to improve perioperative outcomes for surgeons when starting with RAPN, while experience in open surgery might not be crucial. Patient summary: In this multicenter analysis, we found that a high degree of experience in keyhole kidney surgery and robot-assisted pelvic surgery helps surgeons in achieving good initial outcomes when starting robot-assisted kidney surgery.

Bilateral Peritoneal Flaps Reduce Incidence and Complications of Lymphoceles after Robotic Radical Prostatectomy with Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection-Results of the Prospective Randomized Multicenter Trial ProLy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a surgically constructed bilateral peritoneal flap (PIF) as an adjunct to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) on the incidence of lymphoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 530 men with localized prostate cancer underwent a RARP with bilateral extended standardized PLND in a prospective randomized controlled trial. In group A, a PIF was created by suturing the margins of the bladder peritoneum to the ipsilateral endopelvic fascia at 2 points on each side. In group B, no PIF was created. The patients were followed 30 and 90 days after the surgery to assess the incidence, extent and treatment of lymphoceles. RESULTS: Lymphoceles occurred in 22% of group A patients and 33% of group B patients (p=0.008). Symptomatic lymphoceles were observed in 3.3% of group A patients and 8.1% of group B patients (p=0.027). Lymphoceles requiring intervention occurred significantly less frequently in group A patients (1.3%) than in group B patients (6.8%, p=0.002). The median lymphocele size was 4.3 cm in group A and 5.0 cm in group B (p=0.055). No statistically significant differences were observed in minor or major complications unrelated to lymphocele, blood loss, or surgical time between groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral PIFs in conjunction with RARP and PLND significantly reduce the total incidence of lymphoceles, the frequency of symptomatic lymphoceles and the rate of associated secondary interventions.

Aquablation with subsequent selective bipolar cauterization versus holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) with regard to perioperative bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the surgical methods of Aquablation followed by selective hemostasis by bipolar cauterization with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) with regard to the risk of perioperative bleeding complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective comparison was carried out on a total of 382 patients who had undergone either Aquablation (n = 167) or HoLEP (n = 215) at our hospital between April 2018 and July 2020. The following were studied: Hb loss, the need for packed red blood cell transfusions and surgical revisions due to bleeding from the prostatic fossa. RESULTS: Transfusions were not necessary in the Aquablation group, while one man who underwent HoLEP had to receive a transfusion. Revision surgery due to bleeding was necessary during the early postoperative course in 13.2% of Aquablations and in 9.8% of HoLEPs (statistically not significant; p = 0.329). The perioperative Hb loss was comparable in both entire collectives (Aquablation 1.37 +/- 1.13 mg/dL, HoLEP 1.22 +/- 1.03 mg/dL; statistically not significant; p = 0.353). For subgroup analysis the groups Aquablation and HoLEP were into three subgroups respectively according to sonographically determined preoperative prostate volume ('small' < 40 mL, 'medium' 41-80 mL, 'large' > 80 mL). There were no significant differences between the subgroups regarding need for transfusions and hematuria-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of perioperative hematuria related complications of Aquablation with subsequent selective hemostasis equals those found after holmium laser enucleation.

Aromatase inhibition abolishes LTP generation in female but not in male mice.

Inhibitors of aromatase, the final enzyme of estradiol synthesis, are suspected of inducing memory deficits in women. In previous experiments, we found hippocampal spine synapse loss in female mice that had been treated with letrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor. In this study, we therefore focused on the effects of letrozole on long-term potentiation (LTP), which is an electrophysiological parameter of memory and is known to induce spines, and on phosphorylation of cofilin, which stabilizes the spine cytoskeleton and is required for LTP in mice. In acute slices of letrozole-treated female mice with reduced estradiol serum concentrations, impairment of LTP started as early as after 6 h of treatment and progressed further, together with dephosphorylation of cofilin in the same slices. Theta-burst stimulation failed to induce LTP after 1 week of treatment. Impairment of LTP was followed by spine and spine synapse loss. The effects were confirmed in vitro by using hippocampal slice cultures of female mice. The sequence of effects in response to letrozole were similar in ovariectomized female and male mice, with, however, differences as to the degree of downregulation. Our data strongly suggest that impairment of LTP, followed by loss of mushroom spines and spine synapses in females, may have implications for memory deficits in women treated with letrozole.