Photocoagulation with GREENLIGHT© laser in radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis: Results of a single-center series.

INTRODUCTION: Radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis (RIHC) is one complication of the pelvic radiotherapy. The GREENLIGHT© laser (GL) has been barely studied in the treatment of radiation cystitis. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of GL in refractory RIHC patients (RRC) in a single-centre series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were treated by GL bladder photocoagulation (GLBP). These patients showed signs of refractory haematuria in the context of RIHC. The primary endpoint was the absence of haematuria that would require a subsequent surgical intervention. Secondary endpoints were postoperative hospitalization length of stay, the occurrence of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, the occurrence of functional urinary disorders and the number of cystectomies. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 30 months, 24 (82.7%) patients had no recurrence of haematuria. No postoperative complications were reported. A disabling overactive bladder secondary to the procedure occurred in 9 patients (31.0%). Two patients needed a cystectomy at 1 and 11 months. CONCLUSION: GLBP may constitute an efficient line of treatment for RIHC. Despite overactive bladder it allowed to avoid or delay cystectomy.

Uretero-arterial fistula: Six new cases and systematic review of the literature.

AIM: Secondary uretero-arterial fistulas (SUAF) are uncommon, underrated and threatening for any patient. Gross hematuria is a clinical symptom of this pathology for patients with history of pelvic radiotherapy, complex pelvic surgery or long-term ureteral stenting. The purpose of this work is to assess risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of SUAF. METHODS: Monocentric and retrospective series of 6 new cases illustrated by a literature review through MedLine and Pubmed using the keywords "arterio-ureteral fistula", "arterio iliac fistula" and "ilio-ureteral fistula". We excluded uretero-arterial fistula following vascular surgery. RESULTS: Our series included 4 men and 2 women. All patients had a history of complex pelvic surgery and long-term ureteral stenting. Three patients had history of pelvic radiotherapy. They all had inaugural macroscopic haematuria episode. Two fistula cases were diagnosed on 5 repeated CT-scans. In 2 out of 5 cases, arteriography highlighted the fistula. Fistulas were generally located at the left common iliac artery. An endovascular stent was placed in 5 out of 6 cases. One patient needed open surgery. After treatment, 3 patients remained alive, 3 patients died either by a fistula relapse or by complications late in the treatment. CONCLUSION: SUAF are uncommon, but serious. Today, there is no specific recommendation regarding complex treatment of these fistulas. Endovascular stents seem to be a good therapeutic option. LEVEL OF PROOF: 3.

[Renal cell carcinoma of the kidney transplant: The French guidelines from CTAFU]. / Recommandations françaises du Comité de transplantation de l'association française d'urologie (CTAFU) : Carcinome à cellules rénales du transplant rénal.

OBJECTIVE: To propose recommendations for the management of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) of the renal transplant. METHOD: Following a systematic approach, a review of the literature (Medline) was conducted by the CTAFU to evaluate prevalence, diagnosis and management of RCC arousing in the renal transplant. References were assessed according to a predefined process to propose recommendations with levels of evidence. RESULTS: Renal cell carcinomas of the renal transplant affect approximately 0.2% of recipients. Mostly asymptomatic, these tumors are mainly diagnosed on a routine imaging of the renal transplant. Predominant pathology is clear cell carcinomas but papillary carcinomas are more frequent than in general population (up to 40-50%). RCC of the renal transplant is often localized, of low stage and low grade. According to tumor characteristics and renal function, preferred treatment is radical (transplantectomy) or nephron sparing through partial nephrectomy (open or minimally invasive approach) or thermoablation after percutaneous biopsy. Although no robust data support a switch of immunosuppressive regimen, some authors suggest to favor the use of mTOR inhibitors. CTAFU does not recommend a mandatory waiting time after transplantectomy for RCC in candidates for a subsequent renal tranplantation when tumor stage

[Localized Prostate cancer in candidates for renal transplantation and recipients of a kidney transplant: The French Guidelines from CTAFU]. / Recommandations françaises du Comité de transplantation de l'Association française d'urologie (CTAFU) : cancer de la prostate localisé chez le patient transplanté rénal ou en attente de transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To define guidelines for the management of localized prostate cancer (PCa) in kidney transplant (KTx) candidates and recipients. METHOD: A systematic review (Medline) of the literature was conducted by the CTAFU to report prostate cancer epidemiology, screening, diagnosis and management in KTx candidates and recipients with the corresponding level of evidence. RESULTS: KTx recipients are at similar risk for PCa as general population. Thus, PCa screening in this setting is defined according to global French guidelines from CCAFU. Systematic screening is proposed in candidates for renal transplant over 50 y-o. PCa diagnosis is based on prostate biopsies performed after multiparametric MRI and preventive antibiotics. CCAFU guidelines remain applicable for PCa treatment in KTx recipients with some specificities, especially regarding lymph nodes management. Treatment options in candidates for KTx need to integrate waiting time and access to transplantation. Current data allows the CTAFU to propose mandatory waiting times after PCa treatment in KTx candidates with a weak level of evidence. CONCLUSION: These French recommendations should contribute to improve PCa management in KTx recipients and candidates, integrating oncological objectives with access to transplantation.

[Urinary stones in renal transplant recipients and donors: The French guidelines from CTAFU]. / Recommandations françaises du Comité de transplantation de l'association française d'urologie (CTAFU) : lithiase urinaire chez le receveur ou le donneur en transplantation rénale.

OBJECTIVE: To define guidelines for the management of kidney stones in kidney transplant (KTx) donor or recipients. METHOD: Following a systematic approach, a review of the literature (Medline) was conducted by the CTAFU to report kidney stone epidemiology, diagnosis and management in KTx donors and recipients with the corresponding level of evidence. RESULTS: Prevalence of kidney stones in deceased donor is unknown but reaches 9.3% in living donors in industrialized countries. Except in Maastrich 2 donors, diagnosis is done on systematic pre-donation CT scan according to standard french procedure. No prospective study has compared therapeutic strategies available for the management of kidney stones in KTx donor: ureteroscopy or an extra corporeal lithotripsy in case of living donor prior to donation, ex vivo approach (pyelotomy or ureteroscopy), ureterocopy in the KTx recipient or surveillance. De novo kidney stones result from a lithogenesis process to be identified and treated in order to avoid recurrences. The context of solitary functional kidney renders the prevention of recurrence of great importance. Diagnosis is suspected when identification of a renal graft dysfunction, hematuria or urinary tract infection with renal pelvis dilatation. Stone size and location are determined by computed tomography. There are no prospective, controlled studies on kidney stone management in the KTx. The therapeutic strategies are similar to standard management in general population. CONCLUSION: These French recommendations should contribute to improve kidney stones management in KTx donor and recipients.

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with levels III and IV tumor thrombus using the « flush ¼ technique.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate feasibility and results of the flush technique by hands for the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with levels III and IV inferior vena cava thrombus (VCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study for all patients who underwent a surgical treatment for RCC with levels III and IV VCT in our department between June 2010 and July 2017. Sixteen patients were identified. RESULTS: All tumors were resected using a subcostal incision for right RCC and a chevron incision for the left RCC. Vena cava control was performed only on its subhepatic portion. After renal artery ligature, anesthesiologists were asked to generate a positive pressure in the small circulation. Subsequently, the vena cava was incised longitudinally to the orifice of the renal vein and the thrombus dissected and extracted of the upper part of the vena cava. Only once the supra-renal part of the vena cava was free of thrombus, the supra-renal portion of the vena cava could be clamped. We never had to perform neither thoracotomy nor hepatic mobilization. Therefore, support of a hepatic, vascular or cardiac surgeon was not necessary. The mean operative time was 201 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 2040 ml. No patient died during hospitalization, and mean hospitalization stay duration was 16.6 days. CONCLUSION: The flush technique allows a limitation of the dissection extent. It requires neither hepatic mobilization nor thoracotomy. This results in a decrease in the operative time and blood loss.

Management of renal transplant urolithiasis: a multicentre study by the French Urology Association Transplantation Committee.

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis is rare among renal transplant recipients and its management has not been clearly defined. METHODS: This multicentre retrospective study was organised by the Comité de Transplantation de l'Association Française d'Urologie (French Urology Association transplantation committee). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 19 software. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included in this study. Renal transplant urolithiasis was an incidental finding in 55% of cases, mostly on a routine follow-up ultrasound examination. One half of symptomatic stones were due to urinary tract infection and the other half were due to an episode of acute renal failure. The initial management following diagnosis of urolithiasis was double J stenting (27%), nephrostomy tube placement (21%), or watchful waiting (52%). Definitive management consisted of: watchful waiting (48%), extracorporeal lithotripsy (13%), rigid or flexible ureteroscopy (26%), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (11%) and surgical pyelotomy (2%). All transplants remained functional following treatment of the stone. The main limitation is the retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lithiasis could be higher in kidney transplanted patients due to a possible anatomical or metabolical abnormalities. The therapeutic management of renal transplant urolithiasis appears to be comparable to that of native kidney urolithiasis.

Prostate cancer before renal transplantation: A multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical issues of renal transplantation (RT) after localized prostate cancer (PC) treatment and oncological outcomes after transplantation in patients on the waiting list with a history of PC were unknown. We conducted a retrospective multicentre study including all patients with PC diagnosed before the kidney transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were included from December 1993 to December 2015. The median age at diagnosis of PC was 59.8years old. RESULTS: The median PSA rate at diagnosis was 7ng/mL. Twenty-seven, Twenty-four, and one PC were respectively low, intermediate and high risk according to d'Amico classification. Forty-three patients were treated by radical prostatectomy (RP): 28 retropubic, 15 laparoscopic and 3 by a perineal approach. Eighteen patients had a lymph node dissection. Four patients were treated with external radiotherapy and 2 by brachytherapy. Eight patients underwent radiotherapy after surgery. The median time between PC treatment and RT was 35.7 months. The median operating time for the renal transplantation was 180min (IQR 150-190; min 90-max 310) with a median intraoperative bleeding of 200mL (IQR 100-290; min 50-max 2000). A history of lymphadenectomy did not significantly lengthen operative time (P=0.34). No recurrence of PC was observed after a median follow of 36months. CONCLUSION: PC discovered before RT should be treated with RP to assess the risk of recurrence and decrease waiting for a RT. If the PC is at low risk of recurrence, it seems possible to shorten the waiting time before the RT after a multidisciplinary discussion meeting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Genito-urinary sequelae after carcinological rectal resection: What to tell patients in 2017.

Although we have seen revolutionary changes with multi-disciplinary management of patients with rectal cancer, the evaluation of genito-urinary sequelae remains of great concern. Precise pre-operative evaluation with validated scores allows detection of urinary disorders in 16 to 23% of patients, and sexual disorders in nearly 35% of men and 50% of women. Regardless of the surgical approach, it is fundamental to respect the autonomic innervation during total mesorectal excision in order to prevent these sequelae. Identification of these nerves can be facilitated by intra-operative neuro-stimulation. In spite of these precautions, de novo urinary sequelae are observed in nearly 33% of patients and bladder evacuation disorders in 25% of patients. Advanced age, pre-operative urinary disorders, female gender, and abdomino-perineal resection are independent risk factors for urinary sequelae. Early post-operative urodynamic abnormalities might be predictive of these sequelae and justify early physiotherapy. Likewise, sexual sequelae such as erectile and/or ejaculatory disorders, dyspareunia and lubrication deficits result in de novo cessation of sexual activity in 28% of men and 18% of women. Advanced age, neo-adjuvant radiation therapy, and abdomino-perineal resection are independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Pharmacotherapy with sildenafil has proven useful in the treatment of erectile disorders. Genito-urinary and ano-rectal sequelae occur concomitantly in more than one of ten patients, suggesting a potential common pathophysiology.

[Polycystic kidney disease and kidney transplantation]. / Prise en charge de la polykystose rénale autosomique dominante avant transplantation rénale.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a state of the art about autosomal dominant polykystic kidney disease (ADPKD), management of its urological complications and end stage renal disease treatment modalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An exhaustive systematic review of the scientific literature was performed in the Medline database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and Embase (http://www.embase.com) using different associations of the following keywords (MESH): "autosomal dominant polykystic kidney disease", "complications", "native nephrectomy", "kidney transplantation". Publications obtained were selected based on methodology, language, date of publication (last 10 years) and relevance. Prospective and retrospective studies, in English or French, review articles; meta-analysis and guidelines were selected and analyzed. This search found 3779 articles. After reading titles and abstracts, 52 were included in the text, based on their relevance. RESULTS: ADPKD is the most inherited renal disease, leading to end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or renal transplantation in about 50% of the patients. Many urological complications (gross hematuria, cysts infection, renal pain, lithiasis) of ADPKD required urological management. The pretransplant evaluation will ask the challenging question of native nephrectomy only in case of recurrent kidney complications or large kidney not allowing graft implantation. The optimum timing for native nephrectomy will depend on many factors (dialysis or preemptive transplantation, complication severity, anuria, easy access to transplantation, potential living donor). CONCLUSION: Pretransplant management of ADPKD is challenging. A conservative strategy should be promoted to avoid anuria (and its metabolic complications) and to preserve a functioning low urinary tract and quality of life. When native nephrectomy should be performed, surgery remains the gold standard but renal arterial embolization may be a safe option due to its low morbidity.

[Evaluation of a teaching tool for learning the surgical technique of inguinal orchidopexy]. / Évaluation d'un outil pédagogique pour l'apprentissage de la technique chirurgicale d'abaissement testiculaire.

INTRODUCTION: Practical training of the surgery resident is based on the companionship currently hampered in particular by the increase of the number of residents in training. We created a teaching tool to promote learning and validation of a technique of classic urologic surgery, inguinal orchidopexy. The objective is to evaluate the applicability and the relevance of this tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The tool is a technical evaluation sheet made from reference documentation. The trainers evaluated the residents at 3 times of the semester (hetero-evaluation at 0, 3 and 6 months). Residents evaluated themselves monthly on the same items. RESULTS: Three trainers and 6 residents in surgery participated in the study between May and November 2013. The initial evaluation confirmed that the theoretical knowledge was acquired prior to the practical learning. The level of residents was very uneven at the beginning of the study but not at the end of the semester. The monthly evaluations gave a progressive and significant increase of notes. The notes of the intermediate and final hetero-evaluations rose gradually and they were always superior to those previous self-assessments (P<0.05). The tool was considered simple and useful for the participants. CONCLUSION: This tool is applicable and relevant to the technical teaching of inguinal orchidopexy in this population. A larger study would be helpful to confirm it. This type of tool could be applied to the simple and common surgery techniques to enrich the educational tools used in the training. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic trapezo-metacarpal arthritis after prostate laser vaporization.

Prostatic laser vaporization resection is a new and fast growing technique. Most publications compare this technique to the standard diathermic snare prostate resection without considering its particular complications. Septic arthritis of the trapezio-metacarpal joint is particularly rare if it has a haematogenous origin. We present here the case of a 65-year-old man with an isolated trapezio-metacarpal Pseudomonas aeruginosa arthritis with a haematogenous origin following a laser vaporization prostate resection.

Bortezomib, C1-inhibitor and plasma exchange do not prolong the survival of multi-transgenic GalT-KO pig kidney xenografts in baboons.

Galactosyl-transferase KO (GalT-KO) pigs represent a potential solution to xenograft rejection, particularly in the context of additional genetic modifications. We have performed life supporting kidney xenotransplantation into baboons utilizing GalT-KO pigs transgenic for human CD55/CD59/CD39/HT. Baboons received tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids and recombinant human C1 inhibitor combined with cyclophosphamide or bortezomib with or without 2-3 plasma exchanges. One baboon received a control GalT-KO xenograft with the latter immunosuppression. All immunosuppressed baboons rejected the xenografts between days 9 and 15 with signs of acute humoral rejection, in contrast to untreated controls (n = 2) that lost their grafts on days 3 and 4. Immunofluorescence analyses showed deposition of IgM, C3, C5b-9 in rejected grafts, without C4d staining, indicating classical complement pathway blockade but alternate pathway activation. Moreover, rejected organs exhibited predominantly monocyte/macrophage infiltration with minimal lymphocyte representation. None of the recipients showed any signs of porcine endogenous retrovirus transmission but some showed evidence of porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) replication within the xenografts. Our work indicates that the addition of bortezomib and plasma exchange to the immunosuppressive regimen did not significantly prolong the survival of multi-transgenic GalT-KO renal xenografts. Non-Gal antibodies, the alternative complement pathway, innate mechanisms with monocyte activation and PCMV replication may have contributed to rejection.

FR104, an antagonist anti-CD28 monovalent fab' antibody, prevents alloimmunization and allows calcineurin inhibitor minimization in nonhuman primate renal allograft.

Selective targeting of CD28 might represent an effective immunomodulation strategy by preventing T cell costimulation, while favoring coinhibition since inhibitory signals transmitted through CTLA-4; PD-L1 and B7 would not be affected. We previously showed in vitro and in vivo that anti-CD28 antagonists suppress effector T cells while enhancing regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression and immune tolerance. Here, we evaluate FR104, a novel antagonist pegylated anti-CD28 Fab' antibody fragment, in nonhuman primate renal allotransplantation. FR104, in association with low doses of tacrolimus or with rapamycin in a steroid-free therapy, prevents acute rejection and alloantibody development and prolongs allograft survival. However, when FR104 was associated with mycophenolate mofetil and steroids, half of the recipients rejected their grafts prematurely. Finally, we observed an accumulation of Helios-negative Tregs in the blood and within the graft after FR104 therapy, confirmed by Treg-specific demethylated region DNA analysis. In conclusion, FR104 reinforces immunosuppression in calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-low or CNI-free protocols, without the need of steroids. Accumulation of intragraft Tregs suggested the promotion of immunoregulatory mechanisms. Selective CD28 antagonists might become an alternative CNI-sparing strategy to B7 antagonists for kidney transplant recipients.

Nephron sparing surgery for De Novo kidney graft tumor: results from a multicenter national study.

Nephron sparing surgery (NSS) results in the transplanted population remain unknown because they are only presented in small series or case reports. Our objective was to study renal sparing surgery for kidney graft renal cell carcinomas (RCC) in a multicenter cohort. Data were collected from 32 French transplantation centers. Cases of renal graft de novo tumors treated as RCC since the beginning of their transplantation activity were included. Seventy-nine allograft kidney de novo tumors were diagnosed. Forty-three patients (54.4%) underwent renal sparing surgery. Mean age of grafted kidneys at the time of diagnosis was 47.5 years old (26.1-72.6). The mean time between transplantation and tumor diagnosis was 142.6 months (12.2-300). Fifteen tumors were clear cell carcinomas (34.9%), and 25 (58.1%) were papillary carcinomas. Respectively, 10 (24.4%), 24 (58.3%) and 8 (19.5%) tumors were Fuhrman grade 1, 2 and 3. Nine patients had postoperative complications (20.9%) including four requiring surgery (Clavien IIIb). At the last follow-up, 41 patients had a functional kidney graft, without dialysis and no long-term complications. NSS is safe and appropriate for all small tumors of transplanted kidneys with good long-term functional and oncological outcomes, which prevent patients from returning to dialysis.