Analyzing the influence of expanding multispecialty adoption of robotic surgery on robotic urologic care: A decade-long assessment of two Canadian academic hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: Most robot-assisted surgery (RAS) systems in Canada are donor-funded, with constraints on implementation and access due to significant costs, among other factors. Herein, we evaluated the impact of the growing multispecialty use of RAS on urologic RAS access and outcomes in the past decade. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all RAS performed by different surgical specialties in two high-volume academic hospitals between 2010 and 2019 (prior to the COVID pandemic). The assessed outcomes included the effect of increased robot access over the years on annual robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) volumes, surgical waiting times (SWT), and pathologically positive surgical margins (PSM). Data were collected and analyzed from the robotic system and hospital databases. RESULTS: In total, six specialties (urology, gynecology, general, cardiac, thoracic, and otorhinolaryngologic surgery) were included over the study period. RAS access by specialty doubled since 2010 (from three to six). The number of active robotic surgeons tripled from seven surgeons in 2010 to 20 surgeons in 2019. Moreover, there was a significant drop in average case volume, from a peak of 40 cases in 2014 to 25 cases in 2019 (p=0.02). RARP annual case volume followed a similar pattern, reaching a maximum of 166 cases in 2014, then declining to 137 cases in 2019. The mean SWT was substantially increased from 52 days in 2014 to 73 days in 2019; however, PSM rates were not affected by the reduction in surgical volumes (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, RAS access by specialty has increased at two Canadian academic centers due to growing multispecialty use. As there was a fixed, single-robotic system at each of the hospital centers, there was a substantial reduction in the number of RAS performed per surgeon over time, as well as a gradual increase in the SWT. The current low number of available robots and unsustainable funding resources may hinder universal patient access to RAS.

Aquablation versus TURP: 5-year outcomes of the WATER randomized clinical trial for prostate volumes 50-80 mL.

INTRODUCTION: To report the 5-year efficacy and safety of Aquablation compared with transurethral resection of the prostate for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with prostate volumes 50-80 mL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a large double-blinded, multicenter, and prospective randomized controlled trial, 96 randomized men with 50-80 mL prostates who underwent Aquablation or transurethral prostate resection were prospectively identified for subgroup analysis. Follow up was performed for up to 5 years. The primary efficacy endpoint was the reduction in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 6 months. The primary safety endpoint was the occurrence of Clavien-Dindo (CD) postoperative complications grade 1 persistent and grade 2 or higher at 3 months. RESULTS: Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Reduction in IPSS score was significantly higher in the Aquablation group across 5 years of follow up (-14.1 vs. -10.8, p = 0.02). The Aquablation group achieved a significantly lower rate of CD1P and CD2 or higher events at 3 months follow up (risk difference of -23.1%). Among recorded adverse events, de novo postoperative ejaculatory dysfunction was notably lower in Aquablation (risk difference of -21.9%), while the risk of bleeding remained similar after 6 months. The surgical and medical retreatment rate at 6 months was also lower in Aquablation (risk difference of -14.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In the 50-80 mL prostate volume subgroup, Aquablation yields superior long-term symptom relief and lower complication rates than standard transurethral resection, with notably lower rates of ejaculatory dysfunction. This further supports the adoption of Aquablation for men with medium-sized prostates.

Development of a predictive tool for sacral nerve modulation implantation in the treatment of non-obstructive urinary retention and/or slow urinary stream: a study from the Neuro-Urology Committee of the French Association of Urology.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to seek predictive factors and develop a predictive tool for sacral nerve modulation (SNM) implantation in patients with non-obstructive urinary retention and/or slow urinary stream (NOUR/SS). METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective study including all patients who have undergone a two-stage SNM for NOUR/SS between 2000 and 2021 in 11 academic hospitals. The primary outcome was defined as the implantation rate. Secondary outcomes included changes in bladder emptying parameters. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed and determined odds ratio for IPG implantation to build a predictive tool. The performance of the multivariable model discrimination was evaluated using the c-statistics and an internal validation was performed using bootstrap resampling. RESULTS: Of the 357 patients included, 210 (58.8%) were finally implanted. After multivariable logistic regression, 4 predictive factors were found, including age (≤ 52 yo; OR = 3.31 CI95% [1.79; 6.14]), gender (female; OR = 2.62 CI95% [1.39; 4.92]), maximal urethral closure pressure (≥ 70 cmH2O; OR: 2.36 CI95% [1.17; 4.74]), and the absence of an underlying neurological disease affecting the lower motor neuron (OR = 2.25 CI95% [1.07; 4.76]). Combining these factors, we established 16 response profiles with distinct IPG implantation rates, ranging from 8.7 to 81.5%. Internal validation found a good discrimination value (c-statistic, 0.724; 95% CI 0.660-0.789) with a low optimism bias (0.013). This allowed us to develop a predictive tool ( https://predictivetool.wixsite.com/void ). CONCLUSION: The present study identified 4 predictive factors, allowing to develop a predictive tool for SNM implantation in NOUR/SS patients, that may help in guiding therapeutic decision-making. External validation of the tool is warranted.

COVID-19 transmission in surgical smoke during laparoscopy and open surgery: a systematic review.

AIM: To evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in surgical smoke and aerosols during laparoscopy and open surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021268366) was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles were selected based on the title and abstract as well as the type of publication. Primary objectives of the study were to assess potential risk of contamination as well as comparing laparoscopic and open procedures in terms of danger of SARS-COV-2 transmission. RESULTS: Fifty-three articles were identified and included in the review. No case of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to operating room personnel during open or minimally invasive surgery was identified at the time the review was conducted. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between smoke and aerosols generated from open surgery and those generated from minimally invasive surgery. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 transmission in surgical smoke and aerosols has yet to be observed. However, given the potential risk of viral transmission, caution should be exercised when performing surgery to ensure the safety of the operating room personnel. When clinically indicated and when protective measures can be implemented, minimally invasive surgery should be performed instead of open surgery to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Epididymal polar dissociation: A rare entity.

Epididymal fusional anomalies have been found to be associated with conditions of testicular maldescent with the several studies investigating this association reporting several variations in epididymal anatomy and epididymal-testicular fusion. To our knowledge, a single case of an isolated lower epididymal pole with a normal vas deferens, dubbed "Epididymal Polar Dissociation", has been reported in the literature. In this report, we report the second case of epididymal polar dissociation discovered in a 17-year-old during surgical management of left testicular torsion.

Classic Testicular Seminoma in Men Aged 50 Years or Over: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Testicular cancer is the most frequent solid tumor detected in young adult men. Germ cell tumors (GCTs), particularly seminomas, are the most common type of testicular neoplasms seen in that age population. Most publications have reported decreasing incidence of GCTs in patients above forty years of age. Since the biologic activity of seminomas appears similar across ages, recommended management of senior adults involves a multimodal therapy of radical inguinal orchiectomy with radiation or cytotoxic treatment as needed. Attenuating chemotherapy dosages are critical to ensure better tolerability of associated adverse events. Here we report a case series of 2 men older than fifty years of age with metastatic testicular seminoma. We aim to emphasize a rare clinical entity encountered in the senior adult population.

A Case of Symptomatic Cowper's Syringocele in an Adult Male: Diagnosis and Management.

Background: Cowper's syringocele is cystic dilation of the excretory bulbourethral gland duct. This entity is common in the pediatric population but is rare or underdiagnosed in the adult population. Syringoceles are usually classified based on the configuration of the duct's orifice to the urethra with symptoms varying between irritative and/or obstructive accordingly. To the best of our knowledge, only few cases were reported in the literature. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 27-year-old male patient presenting with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. Pelvis MRI, retrograde urethrography, and flexible cystourethroscopy were performed and a diagnosis of imperforate Cowper's syringocele was made. Endoscopic unroofing with holmium:YAG laser was performed. The patient is free of symptoms 12 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Cowper's syringocele is a rare entity that should be considered in certain adult patients presenting with either storage or voiding symptoms. Ultrasonography is useful in detecting closed cystic lesions; however, antegrade urethrography and retrograde urethrography are gold standards to rule out communication with the urethra. Symptoms tend to resolve spontaneously and initial treatment is conservative. With persistent symptoms, endoscopic unroofing or marsupialization with cold knife or holmium:YAG laser is recommended as standard treatment.

Non-Angled Intercostal Percutaneous Access Under Full Expiration: Safety Is Not an Issue Anymore.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a well-established procedure for the management of urinary calculi and can be performed intercostally or subcostally. Favoring one approach vs the other is still debatable, and literature has been inconclusive regarding the efficacy and safety of both approaches. Hence, this study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of direct non-angled intercostal technique performed under full expiration and to compare it to the subcostal approach. METHODS: PCNL was conducted among 361 patients during 2010-2015 at Saint George Hospital University Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. PCNL was done by one operator and by following a standard technique. After reviewing the medical records, 304 patients were included. Data analysis was conducted using Stata/IC 10.0. Bivariate analysis was conducted using Pearson's Chi-square, and logistic regression model was run. Alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 54.6% and 45.4% underwent intercostal (Group I) and subcostal (Group II) access, respectively. Mean drop in hemoglobin in Group II was 1.9 g/dL vs 1.48 g/dL in Group I (p-value = 0.0040). The mean difference in operation time between group I (88.61 minutes) and group II (102.58 minutes) was statistically significant (p-value = 0.0064). Patients were stone free in 88.05% of the intercostal cases and 78.52% of the subcostal cases. Group II patients were twice more likely to have residual stones compared to Group I (p-value = 0.029). No statistical significance was observed in postoperative complications among both groups. In addition, no cases of pneumothorax were reported. CONCLUSION: Compared to subcostal access, intercostal approach under full expiration is a safe technique that provides optimal approach to the intrarenal collecting system and allows less angulation, less bleeding, and yields higher stone clearance with minimal complications. When performed by a well-trained urologist, intercostal access should be advocated in PCNL to obtain a direct non-angled access to the tip of the desired posterior calix.