The 2012 Briganti nomogram not only predicts lymph node involvement but also disease progression in surgically treated intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients with PSA <10 ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b

ABSTRACT Purpose We assessed the prognostic impact of the 2012 Briganti nomogram on prostate cancer (PCa) progression in intermediate-risk (IR) patients presenting with PSA <10ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b treated with robot assisted radical prostatectomy eventually associated with extended pelvic lymph node dissection. Materials and Methods From January 2013 to December 2021, data of surgically treated IR PCa patients were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients presenting with the above-mentioned features were considered. The 2012 Briganti nomogram was assessed either as a continuous and a categorical variable (up to the median, which was detected as 6%, vs. above the median). The association with PCa progression, defined as biochemical recurrence, and/or metastatic progression, was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results Overall, 147 patients were included. Compared to subjects with a nomogram score up to 6%, those presenting with a score above 6% were more likely to be younger, had larger/palpable tumors, presented with higher PSA, underwent tumor upgrading, harbored non-organ confined disease, and had positive surgical margins at final pathology. PCa progression, which occurred in 32 (21.7%) cases, was independently predicted by the 2012 Briganti nomogram both considered as a continuous (Hazard Ratio [HR]:1.04, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.01-1.08;p=0.021), and a categorical variable (HR:2.32; 95%CI:1.11-4.87;p=0.026), even after adjustment for tumor upgrading. Conclusions In IR PCa patients with PSA <10ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b, the 2012 Briganti nomogram independently predicts PCa progression. In this challenging subset of patients, this tool can identify prognostic subgroups, independently by upgrading issues.

The 2012 Briganti nomogram not only predicts lymph node involvement but also disease progression in surgically treated intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients with PSA <10 ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b.

PURPOSE: We assessed the prognostic impact of the 2012 Briganti nomogram on prostate cancer (PCa) progression in intermediate-risk (IR) patients presenting with PSA <10ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b treated with robot assisted radical prostatectomy eventually associated with extended pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2021, data of surgically treated IR PCa patients were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients presenting with the above-mentioned features were considered. The 2012 Briganti nomogram was assessed either as a continuous and a categorical variable (up to the median, which was detected as 6%, vs. above the median). The association with PCa progression, defined as biochemical recurrence, and/or metastatic progression, was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 147 patients were included. Compared to subjects with a nomogram score up to 6%, those presenting with a score above 6% were more likely to be younger, had larger/palpable tumors, presented with higher PSA, underwent tumor upgrading, harbored non-organ confined disease, and had positive surgical margins at final pathology. PCa progression, which occurred in 32 (21.7%) cases, was independently predicted by the 2012 Briganti nomogram both considered as a continuous (Hazard Ratio [HR]:1.04, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.01-1.08;p=0.021), and a categorical variable (HR:2.32; 95%CI:1.11-4.87;p=0.026), even after adjustment for tumor upgrading. CONCLUSIONS: In IR PCa patients with PSA <10ng/mL, ISUP grade group 3, and clinical stage up to cT2b, the 2012 Briganti nomogram independently predicts PCa progression. In this challenging subset of patients, this tool can identify prognostic subgroups, independently by upgrading issues.

Robot-assisted vesico-vaginal fistula repair: technical nuances

ABSTRACT Introduction: Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) is a rare event in Western countries and are mainly consequent to iatrogenic injuries (1, 2). When conservative management fails, surgical repair is needed, although timing and surgical approach (open or minimally invasive (3)) are still controversial (4, 5). Herein we present a step-by-step description of robot-assisted vesico-vaginal fistula repair. Material and Methods: From 2015 to 2018 six patients underwent robotic vesico-vaginal fistula repair. Pre-operative cystoscopy was performed to identify the fistulous tract. The ureters were stented. A small catheter was inserted in the fistula. A longitudinal cystotomy was performed, then a dissection of the posterior bladder from the anterior vaginal wall was performed and the fistolous tract was excised. The vagina was sutured horizontally. Four patients underwent omental flap and two pericolic fat interposition. The bladder was closed with a double-layer suture. Results: All the vesico-vaginal fistulas developed after previous gynaecological surgery. The median operative time was 160 minutes [interquartile range (IQR) (146-177)]. Intraoperative blood loss was 25 (IQR 0-50) mL. No post-operative complications were recorded. Ureteral stents were removed at 4th post-operative day. Catheter was removed 13 (IQR 11-15) days after surgery after cystography assessment. One patient had Clavien I complication (ileus). Surgical pathology report was negative. No fistula recurrence was reported during follow-up. Conclusions: In our experience, robot-assisted fistula repair is a feasible and safe procedure. It presents the advantages of minimally invasive approaches and seems to provide low morbidity and good outcomes. Compared to transvaginal approach, the robotics allows to manage more complex cases with high success rate (6).