[Safety and feasibility of outpatient flexible ureteroscopy for urinary stones: A retrospective single-center study]. / Faisabilité de l'urétéroscopie souple en ambulatoire pour la prise en charge des calculs urinaires : une étude rétrospective monocentrique.

AIM: Management of urolithiasis has changed over the past decades. Outpatient surgery has become a major issue for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of outpatient flexible ureteroscopy. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study has been conducted including all patients who underwent an outpatient flexible ureteroscopy between January 2012 and December 2013. Failure of outpatient management was defined as length of hospital stay>12 hours or readmission within 48 hours after discharge. Univariate analysis was performed to seek for predictors of failure of outpatient management. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients who underwent a total of 174 procedures were included. They were mostly men (57.5 %), with a mean body mass index of 25.2kg/m2 (±4.3). The stones were mostly unique (64.3 %), with a mean size of 14.2mm (±11.2). Eighty patients had a double J stent preoperatively (46.5 %), and mean operative time was 64.2 minutes (±34.1). An ureteral access sheath was used in 39 procedures (22.4 %). A double J stent was left postoperatively in 103 patients (59.1 %). In total, 165 procedures (94.8 %) were performed successfully as outpatient surgery. On postoperative imaging, the stone-free rate was 69.5 %. Postoperative complications occurred in 3.4 % of cases and were mostly minor (i.e. Clavien 1-2; 83.3 %). Predictive factors of failed outpatient management were male gender (P=0.04), BMI (P=0.03), and anticoagulants intake (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Outpatient flexible ureteroscopy for urinary stones is feasible and its low failure and complications rate may allow a wider spread of its use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Oncologic and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy: A single-center prospective series]. / Résultats oncologiques et périopératoires de la cystectomie totale robot-assistée pour cancer : une série prospective monocentrique.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to report perioperative and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in a single-center series and to evaluate the impact of the experience on perioperative outcomes. METHODS: Between March 2012 and January 2016, 41 patients underwent RARC associated with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. All RARC included were performed by a single-surgeon in one center. Perioperative and oncological datas were collected prospectively. Recurrence-free (RFS), overall (OS) and cancer-specific survivals (CSS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier Method. The impact of the experience on perioperative data was estimated using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: Mean age was 67,7years (±10.6). Most patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (73.2%). Mean operative time and mean estimated blood loss were respectively 319.5minutes (±85.3) and 662.5mL (±360.9). Eight patients needed perioperative blood transfusion (19.5%). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 3 cases (7.3%). Ileal neobladder was performed in 26.8% of the cases (54.5% being performed intracorporeal), and non-continent urinary diversion in 73.2%. Mean nodal yield was 17.7 (±9.3). Positive surgical margins were observed in 1 patient (2.3%). Mean length of stay was 13.2 days (±9.8). Postoperative complication rate was 46,3%. After a median follow-up of 16months, estimated 2 year-OS and CSS were respectively 62 and 76.1%. Estimated 2-year RFS was 67.6%. Perioperative outcomes improved with experience with a significant decrease in operative time (P=0.04) and a significant increase of nodal yield (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: In this single-center prospective study, satisfactory perioperative and oncological outcomes after RARC were observed despite the learning curve. Perioperative outcomes improved with surgeon's experience. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Paracetamol, aspirin and indomethacin display endocrine disrupting properties in the adult human testis in vitro.

STUDY QUESTION: Do mild analgesics affect the endocrine system of the human adult testis? SUMMARY ANSWER: Mild analgesics induce multiple endocrine disturbances in the human adult testis in vitro. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Mild analgesics have recently been incriminated as potential endocrine disruptors. Studies of the effects of these widely used molecules on the androgenic status of men are limited and somewhat contradictory. This prompted us to investigate whether these compounds could alter the adult human testicular function. We therefore assessed in parallel the effects of paracetamol, aspirin and indomethacin on organo-cultured adult human testis and on the NCI-H295R steroid-producing human cell line. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Adult human testis explants or NCI-H295R adrenocortical human cells were cultured with 10(-4) or 10(-5) M paracetamol, aspirin or indomethacin for 24-48 h. The effect of 10(-5) M ketoconazole, used as an anti-androgenic reference molecule, was also assessed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Testes were obtained from prostate cancer patients, who had not received any hormone therapy. The protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of Rennes, France and informed consent was given by the donors. Only testes displaying spermatogenesis, as assessed by transillumination, were used in this study. Hormone levels in the culture media were determined by radioimmunoassay (testosterone, insulin-like factor 3), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (inhibin B) or Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay [prostaglandin (PG) D2, and PGE2]. Tissues were observed and cells counted using classical immunohistochemical methods. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The three mild analgesics caused multiple endocrine disturbances in the adult human testis. This was particularly apparent in the interstitial compartment. Effective doses were in the same range as those measured in blood plasma following standard analgesic treatment. The production of testosterone and insulin-like factor 3 by Leydig cells was altered by exposure to all these drugs. Inhibin B production by Sertoli cells was marginally affected by aspirin only. Our experiments also revealed that mild analgesics display direct anti-PG activity, which varied depending on the drug used, the dose and the duration of exposure. Nevertheless, associations between the alteration of the PG and testosterone profiles were not systematically observed, suggesting that a combination of mechanisms of endocrine disruption is at play. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Our studies were performed in vitro. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: We provide the first evidence that direct exposure to mild analgesics can result in multiple endocrine disturbances in the human adult testis. Caution, concerning the consumption of mild analgesics by men, should be strengthened, particularly in high-risk population subgroups such as elite athletes.

Human testis steroidogenesis is inhibited by phthalates.

BACKGROUND: Phthalic acid esters are widely used in the manufacture of plastics. Numerous studies have shown that these phthalates impair testicular testosterone production in the rat. However, the scarce and contradictory data concerning humans have cast doubt over whether these compounds are also anti-androgenic in man. We therefore investigated the direct effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on organo-cultured adult human testis and a human cell line. METHODS: Adult human testis explants or NCI-H295R adrenocortical human cells were cultured with DEHP or MEHP. The effects of ketoconazole, used as a reference molecule, were also assessed. RESULTS: In both models, DEHP and MEHP significantly inhibited testosterone production. The effects of both phthalates appeared to be specific for steroidogenesis, as INSL3 production by Leydig cells was not altered. Furthermore, the phthalates of interest had no effect on inhibin B production by Sertoli cells or on germ cell apoptosis. As only a small fraction of the phthalates added was found in the testis explants, and as these compounds were found to be metabolized, we estimate that the anti-androgenic effects observed occurred at concentrations of phthalates that are of the same order of magnitude as exposures reported in the literature for men. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence that DEHP and MEHP can inhibit testosterone production in the adult human testis. This is consistent with recent epidemiological findings of an inverse correlation between exposure to MEHP and testosterone concentrations.

[Renal LESS surgery: Slight modification or surgical revolution?]. / La néphrectomie laparoscopique par accès ombilical unique : évolution ou révolution chirurgicale ?

OBJECTIVE: to present our initial experience of laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) renal surgery. METHODS: between May 2009 and March 2010, nine nephrectomies and one cyst decortication were performed in nine patients. Eight of the procedures were done with three 5mm trocars inserted through a unique peri-umbilical incision. In two cases, a specific single-port device was used. All operations were achieved with a 5-mm 30° lens and conventional laparoscopic instruments. The specimens were entrapped in a 10mm endoscopic bag and extracted through the umbilical incision. RESULTS: mean age was 56 years old. Mean BMI was 23.5 [19-34]. Mean operative time was 149min [80-240], and estimated blood loss was 90ml [20-250]. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Mean length of stay was 4.1 days [3-5]. Only one major complication occurred (functional occlusion). One conversion to conventional laparoscopy was necessary in a case of inflammatory kidney. Histologic exam showed benign lesions (cyst and non functional kidney) in seven cases, and papillary carcinoma in three cases. CONCLUSION: LESS surgery is feasible. Its advantages over conventional laparoscopy are not clear. LESS is a new procedure that should benefit from the improvement of technical instrumentation.

[Study of the expression of Aurora kinases in renal cell carcinoma]. / Étude de l'expression des kinases Aurora dans le carcinome à cellules rénales.

OBJECTIVES: The Aurora kinase family plays a crucial role in the regulation of mitosis. Over-expression of Aurora A and B has been reported in many malignant tumors. The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of Aurora A and B in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its correlation with usual clinical and pathological parameters. METHODS: In a retrospective study, have been studied the tumoral samples of 40 consecutive patients who had been operated between 2003 and 2006 for a renal tumor. RNA was extracted from frozen corresponding tumoral samples. Thirty-one samples were retained based on RNA quality. RT-PCR was done on each of these samples to assess the expression of Aurora A and B genes. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test to compare Aurora A and B levels. RESULTS: Median age was 65 years (35-82). Seven (22%) patients had nodal invasion and eight (26%) had distant metastases. Most of the tumors (74%) were grade 3 or 4. Eighteen patients (58%) had clear cell cancer histology, 12 (39%) had papillary histology, and one a Bellini type tumor. Aurora A overexpression was associated with lymph node invasion (p=0.001). Aurora B over-expression was associated with both nodal involvement (p=0.02) and histologic subtype (significantly over-expressed in clear cell tumors; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Aurora A and B were differentially over-expressed in clear cell RCC and primary tumors of patients with lymph node involvement.

[Impact of low-dose CT in the diagnosis and treatment of renal colic in emergency department]. / Impact de la tomodensitométrie faible dose sur le diagnostic et la prise en charge des coliques néphrétiques aux urgences.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and the benefit in terms of management of low-dose CT for the imaging assessment of renal colic (CN) emergencies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-one patients admitted to emergency for CN were included in this study. Eighty-seven had a low-dose CT and 40 an ASP and an ultrasound (ASPE). Different parameters evaluating the diagnostic performance and efficiency of care were compared between the two groups. The quantitative and qualitative variables were compared by Student t test and χ(2) test, respectively. RESULTS: CT and ASPE confirmed the diagnosis of CN in 76% and 54% of patients, respectively (p=0.013). The average lengths of stay were 408 minutes versus 520 (p=0.013) in group scanner and ASPE, respectively. The scan was obtained more rapidly (139 min versus 224, p=0.002). There were more requests for expert advice (30% versus 20%, p=0.18) and gestures endo-urology (9.5% versus 5%, p=0.31) in the CT group compared to the group ASPE. Finally, the patients in the scanner have less painful recurrences (6% versus 12.5%, p=0.18) and fewer imaging examinations of second-line (0% versus 30%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The low dose CT has been more efficient than the couple ASPE for a CN diagnosis. It optimizes the management of emergency patients by reducing their length of stay, waiting time and the rate of second consultation.

[Optical spectroscopy: a new approach to assess urological tumors]. / La spectroscopie optique : une nouvelle approche pour l'étude des tumeurs urologiques.

INTRODUCTION: Optical spectroscopy refers to a group of novel technologies that uses interaction of light with tissues to analyze their structure and chemical composition. The objective of this article is to describe these technologies and detail their potential for assessing urological tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It has been shown that optical spectroscopy can accurately analyse multiple solid tumors. Several publications specifically aimed at assessing prostate cancers, renal carcinomas and urothelial tumors. RESULTS: There are three types of spectroscopy that all use light focussed on a tissue and thereafter collect a specific reflected optical signal. Optical spectroscopy can differentiate benign (adenoma or inflammation) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) prostatic tissues. It can also distinguish normal bladder tissue from inflammatory or cancerous cells. Regarding renal tumors, spectroscopy can identify normal and tumoral tissue and differentiate benign and malignant tumors. Its diagnostic accuracy is about 85%. However, reported studies only concentrate on in vitro or ex vivo specimen and the numbers of patients are quite small. CONCLUSION: Optical spectroscopy can be envisioned as an "optical biopsy" tool. Potential applications in the clinical field are promising. Larger studies on in vivo specimen need to be undertaken to confirm phase I preliminary reports.

[Prognostic value of erythrocyte polyamines levels in renal cell carcinoma. Prospective study in 418 cases]. / Valeur pronostique des polyamines érythrocytaires dans le cancer du rein. Etude chez 418 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Polyamines: Spermine (Spm) and Spermidine (Spmd), are essential for cell proliferation and differentiation. A measurement of erythocytes polyamines (EPA) was developed in our institution. Our objective was to evaluate this marker as a new prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A blood sample was prospectively taken before surgery, among 418 patients who had an enlarged nephrectomy (n=318) or a partial nephrectomy (n=100) to quantify EPA rates by using the HPLC technique. The qualitative and quantitative variables have been compared using chi(2) and Student statistical analyses. The survivals have been normalized by the Kaplan Meier and Cox methods. RESULTS: The average age of our population was 64 years (21-88). The average decline was 41 months (1-214). The median size of tumors was 6.5cm (1-24). The median rate of Spm and Spmd were respectively 4.7 (1-83) and 9 (2-86)nmol/8.10(9) erythrocytes. Spm and Spmd were linked to the T stage (p=0.001), and the ECOG (p=0.001 and 0,008). Spm was not linked at N and M stages but at the Fuhrman grade (p=0.001). Spmd was linked to the N, M stages (p=0.04). With univariate analysis, the tumor diameter, the TNM stage, the Fuhrman grade as well as Spm and Spmd (p<0.0001) were predictors of specific survival. With multivariate analysis, some prognostic factors remained independent: the TNM stage, the ECOG and Spmd, a continuous variable (p=0.0001), pushing the rank of Fuhrman out of the model. When Spm and Spmd were dichotomized in quantitative variables, they were both independent factors. CONCLUSION: The EPA is a new prognostic tool, before surgery, which will be tested for its integration into prognostic normograms.

Age as only predictive factor for successful sperm recovery in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome.

The study was performed to determine factors affecting successful sperm retrieval by testicular sperm extraction in patients with nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome (KS). From May 2001 to February 2007, 27 azoospermic patients were diagnosed as having nonmosaic KS. All patients underwent sperm testicular extraction. Patient's age, testicular volume, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B were assessed as predictive factors for successful sperm recovery. Of the 27 Klinefelter's patients examined, eight (29.6%) had successful sperm recovery. The comparisons of serum FSH, inhibin B and testicular volume between patients with and without successful sperm retrieval did not show any statistical significance. The patients with successful sperm recovery were significantly younger (28.6 +/- 3.11 years) than those with failed attempts (33.9 +/- 4.5 years, P = 0.002). The rate of positive sperm retrieval was significantly higher in patients younger than 32 years compared with patients older than 32 years (P = 0.01, chi-squared test). The study showed that clinical parameters such as FSH, inhibin B and testicular volume do not have predictive value for sperm recovery in patients with KS. The mean age of our patients with successful sperm recovery was significantly lower than that of men with unsuccessful results. Testicular sperm extraction or testicular sperm aspiration should be performed before the critical age of 32 years.

[What is the clinical practice of partial nephrectomy in France?]. / Quelle pratique de la néphrectomie partielle en France ?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice of partial nephrectomy (PN) in France and assess its results in terms of morbidity and cancer control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven French University Hospitals in which nephron sparing surgery represents at least 30% of the total number of nephrectomies for renal tumour, participated in this study. All centres included, as exhaustively as possible, all their PN cases. For each patient, 70 variables were harvested in order to characterize the patient population, the indications, the operative technique, the per- and postoperative course and complications, the tumor specificities, the carcinologic control and renal function follow-up. RESULTS: Seven hundred and forty-one PN, of which 579 for malignant tumours were analysed. The mean tumour size was 3.4+/-2.1 cm (0.1-18) and 20.8% of the tumours were larger than 4 cm. In 30.1% of cases, the indication was imperative. Among the PN, 12.2% were performed laparoscopically. The mean operating time was 151+/-54.2 min (55-420). The medical and surgical complications rates were respectively 15.2 and 14.7%. At a mean 38 months follow-up, the local recurrence rate was 3.5% and the specific death rate was 4.5%. CONCLUSION: PN is nowadays getting a more and more widely used technique in France. This expansion is completely justified by its results and urologists must consider nephron sparing surgery as the gold standard treatment for renal tumours measuring less than 4 cm.

[Do broader indications for partial nephrectomy result in excess morbidity?]. / Elargir les indications de la néphrectomie partielle induit-il un surcroît de morbidité? Une étude multicentrique française.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morbidity of partial nephrectomy (PN) according to tumour size and the type of indication based on a multicentre retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven French teaching hospitals participated in this study. Data concerning tumour size, indication for PN (elective or necessity), age, gender, TNM stage, histological type, Fuhrman grade, ASA score and performance status (ECOG) were analysed. Medical and surgical complications, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate and length of hospital stay were also studied. Statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative variables was performed with Chi-square test (Fisher's test) and Student t-test. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety one patients were included. The median tumour diameter was 3cm (0.4-18). Tumours measuring less or equal to 4cm and incidental tumours represented 77.7 and 80.7% of cases, respectively. Clear cell carcinomas represented 75.1% of malignant tumours. Some 89.1% of tumours were T1, 1.6% were N+ and 2.3% were M+. In the 486 elective indications: the operating time (p = 0.03), mean blood loss (p = 0.04), and urinary fistula rate (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in tumours greater than 4cm. These differences were not associated with an increase in the medical (p = 0.7) or surgical complication rate (p = 0.2), or the length of hospital stay (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Broader indications for elective PN is associated with an increased morbidity but which remains acceptable. This is an important point for patient information and to guide the choice of surgical strategy, particularly in elderly, frail patients or patients with major comorbidities.

[Combined liver-kidney transplantation: indications and results]. / Transplantation foie-rein combinée: indications et résultats.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to report our experience concerning the indications and results for combined liver-kidney transplantation in our centre. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 1991 to October 2006, 26 patients underwent combined liver-kidney transplantation in our establishment. This group comprised 16 men and 10 women with a mean age of 50.1 years (range: 19 to 68 years). The main indications were as follows: hepatorenal polycystic disease, type I hyperoxaluria, cirrhosis associated with end-stage renal failure. RESULT: The median follow-up was 62.73 (+/-50.9) months. Only two patients of this series died, one at 70 months from gastric cancer, and the other at 89 months from cerebral metastases. Nine patients developed surgical complications (29%). Liver function was normal in the 24 surviving patients. Only one case of loss of renal graft was observed at 12 years and this patient is currently on dialysis. The mean creatinine level in these patients (apart from the dialysed patient) at the last follow-up visit was 120.3 (+/-30.43)micromol/l. CONCLUSION: Combined liver-kidney transplantation can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality and excellent long-term results.

[Diagnosis and management of posterior urethra disruptions]. / Diagnostic et traitement des ruptures de l'urètre postérieur.

Rupture of posterior urethra is usually seen in major traumas with associated pelvic fractures. Clinical presentation classically associates blood at the uretral meatus and urinary retention. Urinary diversion should be achieved by suprapubic puncture and major associated traumatic injuries (abdominal, orthopaedic, and neurological lesions) must be treated prior to urological management. Retrograde uretrocystography is performed a few days later in order to localize and classify the urethral lesion. Treatment of posterior urethral ruptures has evolved over the years. Immediate open repair is no longer recommended. The supra-pubic catheter can be left in place until resorption of the pelvic hematoma. Obliteration occurs in 100% of the cases and is treated by open surgery at 3 months. More and more patients are treated by early endoscopic realignment which has diminished by half the incidence of urethral strictures. Impotence and incontinence secondary to trauma or surgery occur in 20% and 10% of the patients respectively. Long term follow-up should be achieved in every patient.

Effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the incidence of urinary disorders in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Women with multiple sclerosis frequently pose questions to physicians regarding the potential negative impact of pregnancy, especially on urinary disorders. About 50 to 80% of patients suffer from urinary disorders during the course of the disease. Trauma to the pelvic floor and the urethral sphincter during vaginal delivery may lead to the development of stress urinary incontinence. The purpose of this work was to study the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth on urinary problems. STUDY DESIGN: An inception cohort of 368 consecutive women suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the Poser criteria, were included in the study between June 1999 and June 2000. For each patient a full urological and obstetrical record was obtained. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-three women (74%) had had at least one pregnancy. The parous women were older at the time of the study (mean age: 45.5 years vs 35.5 years), and were older at MS onset (mean age: 32.8 years vs 25.7 years). The nulliparous women were more rapidly disabled, with a shorter time to reach an EDSS score of 3 from MS onset (mean time of 5.9 years versus 8.2 years in parous women). In parous women, 259 (95%) had had at least one vaginal delivery and 14 (5%) had had a caesarean only. Delivery modalities had no influence on urinary disorder frequency or the type of problems. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these data, there is actually no clear argument for systematically performing caesarean section in MS women. Urinary disorders in these women were mostly linked to the duration and the severity of the disease but not to pregnancy or delivery modalities. From our point of view, caesarean section must be decided only on classic obstetrical criteria as for healthy women independently of multiple sclerosis. However our data were open and retrospective.