A Retrospective Study of Immunotherapy Treatment with Uro-Vaxom (OM-89®) for Prophylaxis of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience with the long-term preventive effect of immunotherapy with Uro-Vaxom® on recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) in adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 79 patients with recurrent UTI treated with Uro-Vaxom. Recurrent UTIs were defined as ≥ 2 infections in 6 months or ≥ 3 in 12 months. Patients received a 6 mg Uro-Vaxom capsule daily for 90 days followed by discontinuation for 3 months and then administration for the first 10 days of subsequent months 7, 8 and 9 as a 'booster' regime. The primary outcome measure was the number of UTIs encountered in the 12 months pre-treatment compared to 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the mean number of UTIs in the year following initiation of Uro-Vaxom® compared to the year preceding administration 3.14 versus 1.53 (p < 0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION: Uro-Vaxom represents a safe and effective treatment option for prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs. In the UK, Uro-Vaxom is currently unlicensed. This study adds to a growing body of evidence in favor of non-antibiotic immune-prophylaxis for recurrent UTI.

Challenges of early renal cancer detection: symptom patterns and incidental diagnosis rate in a multicentre prospective UK cohort of patients presenting with suspected renal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency and nature of symptoms in patients presenting with suspected renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and examine their reliability in achieving early diagnosis. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Eleven UK centres recruiting patients presenting with suspected newly diagnosed RCC. Symptoms reported by patients were recorded and reviewed. Comprehensive clinico-pathological and outcome data were also collected. OUTCOMES: Type and frequency of reported symptoms, incidental diagnosis rate, metastasis-free survival and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: Of 706 patients recruited between 2011 and 2014, 608 patients with a confirmed RCC formed the primary study population. The majority (60%) of patients were diagnosed incidentally. 87% of patients with stage Ia and 36% with stage III or IV disease presented incidentally. Visible haematuria was reported in 23% of patients and was commonly associated with advanced disease (49% had stage III or IV disease). Symptomatic presentation was associated with poorer outcomes, likely reflecting the presence of higher stage disease. Symptom patterns among the 54 patients subsequently found to have a benign renal mass were similar to those with a confirmed RCC. CONCLUSIONS: Raising public awareness of RCC-related symptoms as a strategy to improve early detection rates is limited by the fact that related symptoms are relatively uncommon and often associated with advanced disease. Greater attention must be paid to the feasibility of screening strategies and the identification of circulating diagnostic biomarkers.

UK Multicenter Prospective Evaluation of the Leibovich Score in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma: Performance has Altered Over Time.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in outcome by the Leibovich score using contemporary and historic cohorts of patients presenting with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective observational multicenter cohort study, recruiting patients with suspected newly diagnosed RCC. A historical cohort of patients was examined for comparison. Metastasis-free survival (MFS) formed the primary outcome measure. Model discrimination and calibration were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression and the Kaplan-Meier method. Overall performance of the Leibovich model was assessed by estimating explained variation. RESULTS: Seven hundred and six patients were recruited between 2011 and 2014 and RCC confirmed in 608 (86%) patients. Application of the Leibovich score to patients with localized clear cell RCC in this contemporary cohort demonstrated good model discrimination (c-index = 0.77) but suboptimal calibration, with improved MFS for intermediate- and high-risk patients (5-year MFS 85% and 50%, respectively) compared to the original Leibovich cohort (74% and 31%) and a historic (1998-2006) UK cohort (76% and 37%). The proportion of variation in outcome explained by the model is low and has declined over time (28% historic vs 22% contemporary UK cohort). CONCLUSION: Prognostic models are widely employed in patients with localized RCC to guide surveillance intensity and clinical trial selection. However, the majority of the variation in outcome remains unexplained by the Leibovich model and, over time, MFS rates among intermediate- and high-risk classified patients have altered. These findings are likely to have implications for all such models used in this setting.

Perioperative Considerations in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma are complex, with the potential for significant complications, and require extensive pre-, peri-, and postoperative management. This article discusses, in depth, the necessary considerations in the treatment of these patients.

The physiologic and anesthetic considerations in elderly patients undergoing robotic renal surgery.

A number of patients are diagnosed with renal malignancies incidentally worldwide. Once a diagnosis of a renal malignancy is established, after a careful evaluation, patients can be offered a robotic nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. We present a review of the physiologic and anesthetic considerations in elderly patients who are being considered for robotic renal surgery.

"The Lister Technique": a new technique for the management of the distal ureter during radical robotic nephroureterectomy.

We describe "The Lister Technique"-a new 3 step procedure developed in our department for robotic assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (RANU). Our new technique facilitates the complete excision of the whole ureter including ureteric orifice and reduces this risk of tumour spillage from the distal ureter without the need for bivalving the bladder. Our initial data indicates that the technique is associated with reduction in bladder recurrence post-operatively in comparison to current published series. Longer follow up and larger patient numbers are required to validate these results further.

EAU guidelines on renal cell carcinoma: the 2010 update.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: The European Association of Urology Guideline Group for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has prepared these guidelines to help clinicians assess the current evidence-based management of RCC and to incorporate the present recommendations into daily clinical practice. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The recommendations provided in the current updated guidelines are based on a thorough review of available RCC guidelines and review articles combined with a systematic literature search using Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A number of recent prospective randomised studies concerning RCC are now available with a high level of evidence, whereas earlier publications were based on retrospective analyses, including some larger multicentre validation studies, meta-analyses, and well-designed controlled studies. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines contain information for the treatment of an individual patient according to a current standardised general approach. Updated recommendations concerning diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up can improve the clinical handling of patients with RCC.

Guía del carcinoma de células renales / Renal cell carcinoma guideline

Objetivos: El Grupo de trabajo de la Asociación Europea de Urología (AEU) sobre el Carcinoma de Células Renales (CCR)ha preparado esta guía para ayudar a los urólogos a evaluar la evidencia sobre el manejo del CCR y a incorporar sus recomendaciones a su práctica clínica. Material y métodos: Las recomendaciones proporcionadas en esta guía están basadas en una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura utilizando Medline, el Registro Central de Ensayos Controlados de la Cochrane, así como en publicaciones y artículos de revisión. Resultados: Hay un número limitado de estudios prospectivos aleatorizados con alto nivel de evidencia. La mayoría de las publicaciones acerca del CCR se basan en análisis retrospectivos, incluyendo algunos estudios multicéntricos más largos validados y estudios controlados bien diseñados. Conclusiones: se debe remarcar que esta guía contiene información para el tratamiento individual de un paciente de acuerdo a un enfoque general estándar. El manejo clínico de los pacientes con CCR puede mejorarse con recomendaciones actualizadas sobre diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento (AU)

Objectives: The European Association of Urology (EAU) Guideline Group for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) prepared this guideline to help urologists assess the evidence-based management of RCC and to incorporate the guideline recommendations into their clinical practice. Methods: The re commendations provided in the current guideline are based on a systematic literature search using MedLine, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and publications and review articles. Results: A Limited Number of prospective randomized studies are available with high-level evidence. Most publications concerning RCC are based on retrospective analyses, including some larger multicentre validation studies and well-designed controlled studies. Conclusions: It must be stressed that the current guideline contains information for the treatment of an individual patient according to a standardized general approach. Updated recommendations concerning diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up can improve the clinical handling of patients with RCC (AU)

Successful use of steroids and ureteric stents in 24 patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing obstructive nephropathy and renal failure. We reviewed our management of this condition. METHOD: All patients with RPF treated at a single center over a 15-year period were identified. A full review of notes and computer records was undertaken. RESULTS: Data was available on 27 patients, 3 of which were excluded from later analysis. Diagnosis was based on clinical history and cross-sectional imaging. Retroperitoneal biopsy was undertaken in 3 patients. 96% had significant renal impairment at presentation with a mean serum creatinine of 688 micromol/l. 46% required emergency hemodialysis. All patients were treated with a combination of ureteric stents and/or steroids with an excellent clinical response. The mean best creatinine reached by the cohort was 136 micromol/l, and renal function remained stable in the long term. No patients required chronic dialysis. Ureteric stents were removed within 12 months and low-dose steroids were continued for a mean of 34 months. Recurrent disease was observed in 25% of patients, who all responded well to further steroid therapy. Mean duration of follow-up was 76 months. CONCLUSIONS: RPF is very effectively treated by a combination of ureteric stents and steroids, with excellent long-term results using this approach. Continued follow-up is advised because of the possibility of recurrent disease.

Novel method for open-access laparoscopic port insertion using the killian nasal speculum: the lister technique.

PURPOSE: Safe insertion of the first port during laparoscopic surgery has always been problematic, from the early use of the Veress needle to the open Hasson technique. We describe a novel, safe, and well-illuminated technique of port entry using the Killian nasal speculum. This technique has been used successfully in transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy as well as extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in our department. The Killian nasal speculum has an built-in light source allowing excellent vision, and its narrow "beak" perfectly separates the fat and rectus sheath, and allows muscle splitting without the need for any other instrument or assistant. This technique has been employed in obese patients, allowing easy access, and it creates a tight, leakproof entry port. The Killian nasal speculum is available in all hospitals that offer an ear, nose, and throat service, and comes in four different sizes and lengths to suit all types of patients.

Renal cell carcinoma guideline.

OBJECTIVES: The European Association of Urology (EAU) Guideline Group for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) prepared this guideline to help urologists assess the evidence-based management of RCC and to incorporate the guideline recommendations into their clinical practice. METHODS: The recommendations provided in the current guideline are based on a systematic literature search using MedLine, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and publications and review articles. RESULTS: A limited number of prospective randomised studies are available with high-level evidence. Most publications concerning RCC are based on retrospective analyses, including some larger multicentre validation studies and well-designed controlled studies. CONCLUSIONS: It must be stressed that the current guideline contains information for the treatment of an individual patient according to a standardised general approach. Updated recommendations concerning diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up can improve the clinical handling of patients with RCC.

Complications of vasectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Vasectomy is a common method of sterilisation. However, it is less popular than tubal ligation world-wide. It is also a frequent cause of litigation relating to its complications. This article reviews the early and late risks associated with the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data collection was done using the internet to search Medline for obtaining evidence-based medicine reviews. Cross-references were obtained from key articles. Websites of government bodies and medical associations were searched for guidelines relating to vasectomy. DISCUSSION: Early complications include haematoma, wound and genito-urinary infections, and traumatic fistulae. Vasectomy failure occurs in 0-2% of patients. Late recanalisation causes failure in 0.2% of vasectomies. Significant chronic orchalgia may occur in up to 15% of men after vasectomy, and may require epididyectomy or vasectomy reversal. Antisperm antibodies develop in a significant proportion of men post-vasectomy, but do not increase the risk of immune-complex or atherosclerotic heart disease. Similarly, vasectomy does not enhance risk of testicular or prostate cancer. Vasectomy has a lower mortality as compared to tubal occlusion, but is still significantly high in non-industrialised countries because of infections. CONCLUSIONS: Vasectomy, though safe and relatively simple, requires a high level of expertise to minimise complications. Adequate pre-operative counselling is essential to increase patient acceptability of this method of permanent contraception.

Screening for biochemical abnormalities in urolithiasis patients.

BACKGROUND: The significance of biochemical screening in stone formers has been a debated topic. This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of biochemical abnormalities in our urolithiasis patients and to compare the abnormality between the first time and recurrent stone formers so that this information would help in assessing the value of biochemical screening in our practice. METHODS: Over a twenty-one month period, new and recurrent stone disease patients had one random blood specimen and two random 24-hour urine collections analysed for biochemical abnormalities. Serum was checked for calcium, urate, phosphate and creatinine. The urines were measured for volumes, calcium, oxalate, urate, citrate, cystine and pH. RESULTS: Out of total of 113 patients, 83 (73%) had some urinary or blood abnormality. Highest number of abnormalities were in urine. Low volume 33 (39.76%), hypercalciuria 33 (39.76%) and hyperoxaluria 20 (24.1%) were the main urinary abnormalities. Elevated serum creatinine in 10 (12.05%) was commonest blood abnormality. Females had significantly higher frequencies of low urinary volume (48% vs 21%, p=0.001), hyperoxaluria (38% vs 11%, p=0.002) and hypocitraturia (37% vs 0%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference of abnormality rate between first time and recurrent stone formers. CONCLUSION: A high frequency of urinary biochemical abnormality and equal abnormality frequencies among first time and recurrent stone formers highlights the significance of biochemical screening even in cases of initial stone presentation. We feel such diagnostic evaluation would help in providing precise treatment and efficient prophylaxis.

Oral sildenafil (Viagra) in male erectile dysfunction: use, efficacy and safety profile in an unselected cohort presenting to a British district general hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Sildenafil (Viagra) is one of the drugs used in the first line therapy of male erectile dysfunction (MED). We have recorded outcomes, adverse events and acceptability of Sildenafil (Viagra) therapy in an unselected group of men presenting with ED to a British district general hospital. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 147 men with ED were seen since Oct 1999. Study patients were reviewed at 4, 12 and 52 weeks. All the patients filled the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and were asked about their willingness to pay (WTP) for treatment. RESULTS: All suitable men accepted Viagra as first line therapy. 91% of our patients found sildenafil treatment successful. 80% of these patients were willing to continue with sildenafil therapy. Side effect profile of sildenafil was different in this study with much higher incidence of headache, dyspepsia, flushing and abnormal vision. 92% of men with ED expect to be treated by the NHS. Of those men eligible for treatment in the NHS, 30% qualify under the clinical categories and 18% under the 'distress' category. Only 55% of those with cardiovascular risk factors qualify for NHS treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil is widely accepted as first line therapy among British men with ED and has a success rate of 91%. Nearly half of men with ED qualify for NHS treatment. Nearly half of those with vascular risk factors do not qualify for NHS treatment. Most men with ED could possibly be managed in primary care.