Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Simulation: Analysis of Realism and Level of Difficulty by Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate-naïve Urologists.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the opinion of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)-naïve urologists about a surgical simulator and the level of difficulty at each step. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 40 HoLEP-naïve urologists in a course involving 4 steps: lecture introducing Holmium laser basics and technique; live surgery; video explaining prostate enucleation using simulators; and simulator trial. A survey was applied to evaluate content validity and face validity of the simulator. Subjects also ranked the level of difficulty of each surgical step. RESULTS: All urologists agreed on the importance of a validated HoLEP simulator in training; 95% agreed that simulation-based training is essential for patient safety. The mean rate of face validity of all analyzed components was 8.4 (8.1-9.0). Instrumentation was considered the most realistic component, followed by laser-tissue interaction. Positioning the fiber and bladder neck incisions (BNIs) at 5 and 7-o'clock were the easiest steps. Detaching the median lobe from the bladder neck, BNI at 12, dividing the mucosal bridge distally, and joining the upper and lower incisions were the most difficult steps. Residents found more difficulty in joining the BNIs distally (3.6 vs 2.4, P = .006) and in dividing the mucosal bridge distally (4.0 vs 3.0, P = .038) when compared to specialists. CONCLUSION: HoLEP-naïve urologists found this simulator useful and important for patient safety. Most components were considered realistic. Simulation was able to reproduce the levels of difficulty usually found in real life cases. The level of expertise may influence the learning process of some steps.

Low serum testosterone is a predictor of high-grade disease in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between serum total testosterone (TT) and prostate cancer (PCa) grade and the effect of race and demographic characteristics on such association. METHOD: We analyzed 695 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP), of whom 423 had serum TT collected. Patients were classified as having hypogonadism or eugonadism based on two thresholds of testosterone: threshold 1 (300 ng/dL) and threshold 2 (250 ng/dL). We evaluated the relation between TT levels and a Gleason score (GS) ≥ 7 in RP specimens. Outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses, accounting for race and other demographic predictors. RESULTS: Out of 423 patients, 37.8% had hypogonadism based on the threshold 1 and 23.9% based on the threshold 2. Patients with hypogonadism, in both thresholds, had a higher chance of GS ≥ 7 (OR 1.79, p=0.02 and OR 2.08, p=0.012, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, TT, body mass index (BMI) and race, low TT (p=0.023) and age (p=0.002) were found to be independent risk factors for GS ≥ 7. Among Black individuals, low serum TT was a stronger predictor of high-grade disease compared to White men (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Hypogonadism is independently associated to higher GS in localized PCa. The effect of this association is significantly more pronounced among Black men and could partly explain aggressive characteristics of PCa found in this race.

Low serum testosterone is a predictor of high-grade disease in patients with prostate cancer / Baixa testosterona sérica é prognóstica de doença de alto grau em pacientes com câncer de próstata

Summary Objective: To evaluate the relation between serum total testosterone (TT) and prostate cancer (PCa) grade and the effect of race and demographic characteristics on such association. Method: We analyzed 695 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP), of whom 423 had serum TT collected. Patients were classified as having hypogonadism or eugonadism based on two thresholds of testosterone: threshold 1 (300 ng/dL) and threshold 2 (250 ng/dL). We evaluated the relation between TT levels and a Gleason score (GS) ≥ 7 in RP specimens. Outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses, accounting for race and other demographic predictors. Results: Out of 423 patients, 37.8% had hypogonadism based on the threshold 1 and 23.9% based on the threshold 2. Patients with hypogonadism, in both thresholds, had a higher chance of GS ≥ 7 (OR 1.79, p=0.02 and OR 2.08, p=0.012, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, TT, body mass index (BMI) and race, low TT (p=0.023) and age (p=0.002) were found to be independent risk factors for GS ≥ 7. Among Black individuals, low serum TT was a stronger predictor of high-grade disease compared to White men (p=0.02). Conclusion: Hypogonadism is independently associated to higher GS in localized PCa. The effect of this association is significantly more pronounced among Black men and could partly explain aggressive characteristics of PCa found in this race.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre testosterona sérica total (TT) e grau do câncer de próstata (CP) e o efeito da raça e de características demográficas sobre essa associação. Método: Foram analisados 695 pacientes submetidos a prostatectomia radical (PR), dos quais 423 tinham medidas dos níveis séricos de TT. Os pacientes foram classificados como portadores de hipogonadismo ou eugonadismo com base em dois limites de testosterona: limite 1 (300 ng/dL) e limite 2 (250 ng/dL). Avaliou-se a relação entre nível de TT e escore Gleason (GS) ≥ 7 em amostras de PR. Os resultados foram avaliados por análises univariada e multivariada, com ajuste para raça e outros fatores prognósticos demográficos. Resultados: Do total de 423 pacientes, 37,8% apresentavam hipogonadismo com base no limite 1, e 23,9% com base no limite 2. Os pacientes com hipogonadismo, independentemente do limite de referência, tiveram uma chance maior de GS ≥ 7 (OR 1,79, p=0,02 e OR 2,08, p=0,012, respectivamente). Na análise multivariada, após ajuste para idade, TT, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e raça, baixo TT (p=0,023) e idade (p=0,002) foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para GS ≥ 7. Entre os indivíduos negros, baixo TT sérico foi mais preditivo de doença de alto grau em comparação com os brancos (p=0,02). Conclusão: O hipogonadismo é independentemente associado a escores mais altos de GS no CP localizado. O efeito dessa associação é significativamente mais pronunciado entre homens negros, o que poderia explicar, em parte, as características agressivas do CP observadas nessa população.

Impact of laparoscopic surgery training laboratory on surgeon's performance.

Minimally invasive surgery has been replacing the open standard technique in several procedures. Similar or even better postoperative outcomes have been described in laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures when compared to open surgery. Moreover, minimally invasive surgery has been providing less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and thus a faster return to daily activities. However, the learning curve required to obtain laparoscopic expertise has been a barrier in laparoscopic spreading. Laparoscopic surgery training laboratory has been developed to aid surgeons to overcome the challenging learning curve. It may include tutorials, inanimate model skills training (box models and virtual reality simulators), animal laboratory, and operating room observation. Several different laparoscopic courses are available with specific characteristics and goals. Herein, we aim to describe the activities performed in a dry and animal-model training laboratory and to evaluate the impact of different kinds of laparoscopic surgery training courses on surgeon's performance. Several tasks are performed in dry and animal laboratory to reproduce a real surgery. A short period of training can improve laparoscopic surgical skills, although most of times it is not enough to confer laparoscopic expertise for participants. Nevertheless, this short period of training is able to increase the laparoscopic practice of surgeons in their communities. Full laparoscopic training in medical residence or fellowship programs is the best way of stimulating laparoscopic dissemination.

Risk factors for male lower urinary tract symptoms: the role of metabolic syndrome and androgenetic alopecia in a Latin American population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and androgenetic alopecia in a Latin American population. METHODS: We enrolled 907 patients for prospective evaluation at a single institution. LUTS were evaluated with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Subjects were evaluated with respect to hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, previous cardiovascular events, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and a laboratorial investigation including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and gonadal steroids. Alopecia was classified according to the Norwood-Hamilton scale. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61.0 years; 57.5% of subjects had moderate/severe LUTS; MetS was present in 17.2% of subjects and 53.9% were classified as bald. Age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, alopecia, previous cardiovascular event, and elevated waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were associated with moderate/severe LUTS and with storage symptoms (P <.05). On multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-3.25), cardiovascular events (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.07-2.78), and WHR (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.13-2.40) were independent predictors for LUTS. For storage symptoms, age (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.28-2.54), cardiovascular event (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.27-3.39), WHR (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.06-2.25), and MetS (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.01-2.86) were independent risk factors. Age and cardiovascular event were the only independent predictors for voiding symptoms. CONCLUSION: Components of the MetS were strongly associated with moderate and severe LUTS. WHR and cardiovascular events were independent predictors of voiding and storage symptoms, and MetS was an independent predictor of storage symptoms. Alopecia was not an independent predictor of LUTS.

Prostate biopsy in patients with long-term use of indwelling bladder catheter: what is the rationale?

OBJECTIVE: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is expected to occur in 2% to 39% men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. To date, no study has elucidated the effect of long-term use of indwelling bladder catheter on serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and on the incidence of prostate cancer (CaP). The aim of the present study is to analyze the incidence of CaP in patients with long-term use of indwelling bladder catheter and determine some practice patterns on this issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of data from 1,651 patients who had undergone transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy from July 2004 to June 2009. Among these patients, 198 (12%) were using an indwelling bladder catheter during the biopsy for at least 1 month. The incidence of CaP was recorded according to total PSA levels. Other variables such patient age, free/total PSA rate, PSA density, prostate volume, and duration of catheter use was also analyzed. Men with a digital rectal examination suspicious for cancer were not considered for analysis. RESULTS: Median patient age was 71 years (37 to 89 years). Overall, 25% of patients presented a CaP diagnosis. CaP incidence according to the PSA levels was 0%, 18.9%, 24.5%, and 40.6% for patients with PSA ≤4.0, 4.1-10.0, 10.1-20.0, and >20.0 ng/ml, respectively. When prostate volume was analyzed together, we demonstrated that only 1 (2.4%) patient with PSA below 10.0 ng/ml and prostate volume >60 g had CaP. Median total PSA, PSA density, and prostate volume were statistically different between patients with and without CaP. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate biopsy should not be indicated for all patients with diagnosis of BPH and AUR who present an elevated PSA level. Patients with PSA below 10.0 ng/ml, and prostate volume >60 g should only undergo biopsy in selected cases. Patients with PSA >20.0 ng/ml and a prostate volume ≤60 g are at higher risk of CaP diagnosis.