Predictors of renal function deterioration at one year after off-clamp non-renorrhaphy partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of renal function is an important goal in renal cell carcinoma-related surgery. Although several case-dependent techniques for renal pedicle clamping and hemostasis have been used, their effects on long-term renal function are controversial. METHODS: The clinical records of 114 patients who underwent off-clamp non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation was calculated, and predictors of eGFR decline 12 months post-surgery and overtime deterioration of renal function were identified using a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The median patient age was 65 years, and the median tumor size was 27 mm. The mean eGFR preservation at 1, 3, and 12 months post-surgery were 90.1%, 89.0%, and 86.9%, respectively. eGFR decline at 1 and 3 months were associated with poor eGFR preservation at 12 months with the odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 1.97 and 3.157, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that tumor size was an independent predictor of eGFR decline at 12 months. Among 65 patients with eGFR preservation over 90% at 1 month post-surgery, eGFR value of 28 patients deteriorated below 90% at 12 months post-surgery compared with preoperative eGFR. Tumor size and eGFR preservation at 1 month were independent predictors of long-term renal function deterioration. CONCLUSION: Tumor size predicted eGFR decline 12 months post-surgery. Only a mild decline in eGFR was observed between 3 and 12 months after open partial nephrectomy. Tumor size and eGFR preservation at 1 month predicted the deterioration of renal function over time.

Advantages of enhanced recovery after surgery program in robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Radical cystectomy is a gold-standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We recently introduced robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). The medical records of patients with bladder cancer who underwent open radical cystectomy (ORC) or RARC/ERAS at NTT Medical Center Tokyo were retrospectively reviewed to compare the surgical outcomes, hospital stay, and medical costs between groups. Multidisciplinary full ERAS items were provided for the RARC/ERAS group. The median estimated blood losses in the ORC and RARC/ERAS groups were 650 and 100 mL, and the median operative times were 312 and 445 min, respectively. In addition, the median times to liquid food intake in these groups were 6 and 0 days, the median times to first flatus and first defecation were 2 and 1 day, and 3 and 1.5 days, respectively. The rates of postoperative ileus in the ORC and RARC/ERAS groups were 27.5% and 4.5%, and the median postoperative hospital stays was 26.5 and 12 days, respectively. Medical costs excluding surgery were significantly lower in the RARC/ERAS group. In conclusion, RARC/ERAS represents a safe treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer with decreased perioperative complications and lower medical costs.

Predictive factors for postoperative renal function after off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy partial nephrectomy.

Background: There is limited information on perioperative renal function during off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to identify predictive factors of perioperative decline in renal function after off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy. Methods: Clinical records of 138 patients with renal tumors who underwent off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy at our institution were reviewed. Off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy partial nephrectomy was performed using a soft coagulation system. Perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation was calculated, and predictors were identified using multivariate regression analysis at 5 days, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Results: The median operation time was 122 minutes, and the median volume of estimated blood loss was 155 mL. The mean eGFR preservation at 5 days, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery was 95.3%, 91.0%, and 90.7%, respectively. Estimated blood loss was an independent predictor of perioperative decline in eGFR 5 days after surgery [odds ratio (OR): 0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 0.98; P<0.001]. Preoperative eGFR and estimated blood loss were independent predictors of perioperative decline in eGFR 1 month after surgery (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.95; P=0.007 and OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99; P<0.001, respectively). Age, preoperative eGFR, and estimated blood loss were independent predictors of perioperative decline in eGFR 3 months after surgery (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.81; P<0.001, OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.85; P<0.001; and OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99; P=0.004, respectively). Conclusions: Estimated blood loss during surgery was a predictor of perioperative decline in eGFR within 3 months after off-clamp, non-renorrhaphy open partial nephrectomy. Age was a predictor of perioperative decline in eGFR 3 months after surgery.

Assessment of surgical outcomes of off-clamp open partial nephrectomy without renorrhaphy for ≥T1b renal tumours.

PURPOSE: To assess the surgical outcomes of off-clamp open partial nephrectomy without renorrhaphy. In the era of robot-assisted surgeries, open partial nephrectomy remains a surgical option for ≥ T1b renal tumours. Although the necessity of renal pedicle clamping and renorrhaphy in open partial nephrectomy for larger tumours remains to be discussed, reports on this issue are rare. METHODS: Twenty-seven open partial nephrectomies for ≥ T1b renal tumours were performed without renal pedicle clamping or renorrhaphy. A soft coagulation system was used to control bleeding from the resection bed. Surgical results, complications, and predictors of perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation at 1 month and 3 months after surgery were analysed. RESULTS: The median estimated volume of blood loss was 420 mL. The rates of perioperative eGFR preservation were 88.9 and 87.3% at 1 and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Tumour size was an independent predictor of perioperative eGFR preservation at 1 month after surgery, whereas age and exophytic/endophytic properties of the tumour were independent predictors of perioperative eGFR preservation at 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Open partial nephrectomy without renal pedicle clamping or renorrhaphy could be safely performed for ≥ T1b renal tumours, even when tumours were entirely endophytic and located close to the renal pedicle. Mild perioperative eGFR reduction was observed. Although surgical indications should be carefully considered in these cases, off-clamp open partial nephrectomy without renorrhaphy is a feasible procedure for patients with ≥ T1b renal tumours.

Endovascular catheter arterial embolization effectively treats secondary hypertension and increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide level accompanied by idiopathic renal arteriovenous fistula.

A 65-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation was referred to our hospital following detection of microscopic hematuria. Physical examination showed continuous vascular murmur with the maximum point on the right side of the umbilicus. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a right renal aneurysmal-type arteriovenous fistula. She underwent endovascular catheter arterial embolization. Following this, her blood pressure was virtually normalized, and her levels of plasma BNP were significantly reduced. We recommend that patients with microscopic hematuria should be auscultated around the navel, because renal AV shunt is treatable; this may facilitate cure of secondary hypertension and cardiac load.

[A CASE REPORT OF Xp11.2 TRANSLOCATION RENAL CELL CARTINOMA SUSPECTED RENAL PELVIC CARCINOMA].

The patient was a 33-year-old female who visited the Department of Gastroenterology of this hospital after experiencing lower abdominal pain and nausea. The patient was referred to this department after suspicions of right kidney hemorrhage revealed by non-contrast computed tomography (CT). We also identified hematuria macroscopically, and contrast-enhanced CT scans revealed uneven deep staining in the upper right kidney during the early phase. Furthermore, by the late phase, we identified a 29-mm solid tumor with no staining. There was no clear pseudomembrane and no clear boundary with the kidney parenchyma. Additionally, there was no metastasis to the lymph nodes and other organs. Based on the above findings, we suspected renal parenchymal infiltration of right renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or right renal pelvic carcinoma. Since the patient was young, we considered the risk of the residual tumor and performed total nephroureterectomy and lymph node dissection with an enlarged view. The inside of the resected tumor specimen showed significant necrosis and hematoma spread, which had infiltrated the renal pelvis. Based on the characteristic histological findings and genetic results obtained using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) approach, we diagnosed the patient with Xp11.2 translocation RCC. No additional treatments were provided after surgery, and even now the patient is being followed-up through outpatient visits, but there has been no recurrence or new metastasis. There have only been a few reported cases of Xp11.2 translocation RCC; therefore, in many cases, treatments and follow-up duration according to the disease stage and disease prognosis have not been determined. In this study, we report a case of Xp11.2 translocation RCC experienced at our hospital, with additional literature considerations.

[A CASE REPORT OF PRIMARY MUCOSA ASSOCIATED LYMPHOID TISSUE LYMPHOMA OF THE PROSTATE].

The patient was a 53-year-old man who was referred to the department of urology of our hospital after screening results indicated elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The PSA level was 5.33 ng/ml, and rectal examination revealed that the prostate was elastic and hard with mild prostatic hyperplasia. Because magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signals in the prostatic transition area, prostate cancer was suspected and the patient underwent transrectal prostate needle biopsy. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma (Gleason score 5+5 = 10). After using thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy to confirm that metastasis had not occurred, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) was performed. Prostate cancer was not detected during pathologic diagnosis of the surgical specimen, and on the basis of the results of re-examination with immunostaining, a diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma was made. In addition, an upper and lower endoscopy examination, positron emission tomography (PET) -CT, and bone marrow biopsy confirmed that generalized tumor lesions and lymph node swelling were not present, and the patient was diagnosed with primary MALT lymphoma of the prostate. Currently, 12 months since surgery, the patient continues to undergo follow-up as an outpatient and no recurrence has been observed. There have been only a few reports of primary MALT lymphoma of the prostate, in English or Japanese, and herein, we present our experience with a patient for whom a definitive diagnosis was difficult, along with a review of the literature.

[IMMERSIVE SURGICAL NAVIGATION USING SPATIAL INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL REALITY AND HOLOGRAPHIC AUGMENTED REALITY].

This paper describes the potential role and limitations of current three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and holography for image-guided surgery. We developed a new surgical spatial navigation system using VR, AR, and virtual holography. An interactive stereo display is used to view the interactions between the surgeon and stereo images of the patient's anatomy depicted on the display by tracking the surgeon's head and hand/arm positions. Sensing the surgeon's head position creates motion parallax information, an immersive depth cue that can be added to the binocular parallax already present in the display. The beneficial applications of VR/AR devices (head-mounted devices, 3D tablets, and motion sensors) are also discussed. They allow the user to manipulate the spatial attributes of VR, which can enhance spatial reasoning and AR.

Laparoscopic versus open adrenalectomy for adrenal myelolipoma.

INTRODUCTION: Earlier reports of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for adrenal myelolipoma are limited. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Between June 2000 and September 2012, we performed right adrenal resections using LA and open adrenalectomy (OA) in patients with myelolipoma (n = 3 and n = 3, respectively). Then, we evaluated patients' background characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes for both groups. The median maximum diameters of tumors were 3.5 (3.0-4.4) cm and 7.1 (7.0-9.5) cm for the LA and OA groups, respectively. The median durations of the operation were 152 (117-188) min and 218 (153-230) min, and the median blood loss volumes were 50 (20-160) mL and 290 (62-1237) mL in the LA and OA groups, respectively. The median postoperative lengths of hospital stay were 4 (4-4) days and 11 (11-13) days for the LA and OA groups, respectively. Conversion from LA to an open approach during surgery was not necessary in any of the cases. Additionally, perioperative morbidity and mortality were not observed. DISCUSSION: The limitation of this study is its methodological design; it is a case series and not a matched-control study, which would be difficult to conduct owing to the rare nature of adrenal myelolipoma. However, we esteem that LA will become widespread in the future because it is feasible, cosmetic, and less invasive. CONCLUSION: LA was a safe, feasible, and effective approach to adrenal myelolipoma, assisted by advancement in preoperative imaging diagnostic techniques.

[Prostatectomy-pros and cons on open surgery/laparoscopic surgery/robot-assisted surgery].

We have 3 options when perfoming prostatectomy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Those are retropubic radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We compared the characteristics and results of these techniques. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy could be superior to the others in many ways. However, it would be very difficult to adopt it in Japan because it would pose economical difficulties. The administrative assistance in the insurance systems requireds much more than we have.

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

AIM: To study the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure in prostate cancer patients who underwent prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two prostate cancer patients whose PSA levels were less than 0.2 ng/ml 3 months after surgery were randomized to either an EPA group (n=32) or a control group (n=30). EPA (2.4 g/day) was administered in the EPA group for 2 years. PSA was measured every two months. RESULTS: The EPA concentration increased but the docosahexaenoic acid concentration decreased significantly (P<0.001) in erythrocytes. The PSA recurrence rates during a mean follow-up of 53.8 months were not different between the two groups (p=0.16). CONCLUSION: A longer and/or larger intervention or docosahexaenoic acid supplementation might be necessary to identify significant preventive effects of mega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on PSA recurrence.

The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on prostate-specific antigen.

The "Study of EPA Effects on Prostate Cancer" (SEEPC) Group has been conducting a clinical trial with patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. The main purpose of the SEEPC is to evaluate whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) prevents prostate cancer (PC) recurrence. As the surrogate marker of recurrence, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was measured. However, if EPA affects the PSA values independently of PC, PSA may not be a good marker of recurrence in the event of EPA treatment. Thus, in the present study, whether EPA affected the PSA values was investigated using non-PC volunteers. Twenty men, of at least 50 years of age, were recruited, mostly from hospital staff The volunteers were randomly allocated either to the EPA group or the control. The subjects in the EPA group were administered EPA-ethyl ester a dose of 2400 mg/day for 12 weeks, whereas the controls were administered none. Fasting blood samples were obtained before the start of EPA administration and 4 and 12 weeks later. The EPA concentrations in erythrocytes increased in all the subjects in the EPA group (174+/-96%) with no significant changes in the control group (8.5+/-14.0%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the serum PSA levels, allowing the conclusion that the PSA is an appropriate surrogate marker of recurrence in prostate cancer.

The Val158Met polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene is associated with the PSA-progression-free survival in prostate cancer patients treated with estramustine phosphate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to find out the good responders for estramustine phosphate (EMP) therapy in patients with prostate cancer. We have focused on the metabolism of EMP and studied the association between a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (Val158Met of COMT) and PSA-progression-free survival in Japanese patients with prostate cancer treated by EMP. METHODS: Seventy-two Japanese patients with previously untreated prostate cancer who were found to be eligible for low-dose EMP therapy were enrolled in the study. Genotyping of the Val158Met polymorphism of COMT was conducted by both the polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method and TaqMan assay. RESULTS: Patients with the Val/Val genotype of COMT had a significantly higher PSA-progression-free rate as compared to those with the Val/Met or Met/Met genotype (p=0.027). The adjusted hazard ratio of biochemical PSA failure for the Val158Met genotype of COMT was 2.164 (95% CI, 1.111 to 5.525). CONCLUSIONS: The Val158Met polymorphism of COMT is associated with the PSA-progression-free rate of EMP-treated patients in prostate cancer.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase genes might predict the risk of side-effects of estramustine phosphate sodium in prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Estramustine phosphate sodium (EMP) frequently causes side-effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and edema in extremities. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B) genes, which are involved in the metabolism of EMP, to predict the risk of EMP side-effects in prostate cancer patients. METHODS: We performed genotyping of SNP in the HSD17B genes of 44 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. The association of SNP and individual EMP side-effects was evaluated. RESULTS: Peripheral edema occurred more frequently in patients with C/C genotype of IMS-JST123219 than in those with C/G genotype (OR: 5.47, 95% CI: 1.27-23.64). Haplotype analysis showed that appetite loss was associated with the G allele of IMS-JST123219 and the T allele of IMS-JST123218 (OR: 9.13, 95% CI: 1.15-72.76). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data demonstrated that analyses of SNP in the HSD17B genes might predict the occurrence of side-effects from EMP.

Prolonged renal parenchymal retention of 99mTc mercaptoacetyltriglycine after nephron-sparing surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Nephron-sparing surgery is a treatment in which a part of a diseased kidney is resected and some parenchyma of the kidney is spared. Impairment of spared renal parenchyma after the surgery may cause prolonged prarenchymal retention in renal scintigraphy with Tc mercaptoacetyltriglycine (Tc-MAG3). The aim of this study was to determine whether or not parenchymal retention of Tc-MAG3 is prolonged after nephron-sparing surgery. METHODS: Twenty-two patients underwent a total of 29 Tc-MAG3 studies within 1 year after nephron-sparing surgery. In 17 patients (23 examinations) who had bilateral kidneys, the presence of diffuse prolongation of parenchymal retention was determined for the operated kidney. In all patients, the presence of regional prolongation around the surgical margin was assessed. RESULTS: Diffuse prolongation was observed in four of 10 examinations performed within 1 month after surgery and in none of 13 examinations performed later than 1 month after surgery. Regional prolongation was shown in 10 of 14 examinations performed within 1 month after surgery and in three of 15 examinations performed later than 1 month after surgery. In five patients who were studied both prior to and later than 1 month after surgery, regional prolongation was noted on the first study. On the second study, regional prolongation was improved and initial renal uptake around the surgical margin was intensified. CONCLUSIONS: Renal parenchymal retention of Tc-MAG3 is frequently prolonged in the early period after nephron-sparing surgery. Renal scintigraphy with Tc-MAG3 may aid in characterizing acute renal damage after nephron-sparing surgery.

A clinical study of PMCJ-9 (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Connaught strain) treatment of superficial bladder cancer and carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is now a standard treatment for Ta, T1 carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder. In Japan, however, only BCG Tokyo 172 strain is commercially available. We therefore designed a clinical study of PMCJ-9 (BCG Connaught strain) for obtaining approval from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. METHODS: In the phase I-II study, PMCJ-9 40.5, 81 (standard dose overseas) or 121.5 mg in saline was instilled into the bladder of patients with Ta, T1 or CIS once weekly for 8 weeks. The recommended dose was decided and similarly administered in the late phase II study. RESULTS: In the phase I-II study, 49 patients were evaluable for efficacy. The complete response (CR) rates were 60.0% (9/15), 68.2% (15/22) and 75.0% (9/12) in the 40.5, 81 and 121.5 mg groups. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was similar in all groups, but four 121.5 mg group patients developed severe ADRs. Thus, 81 mg was the recommended dose for the late phase II study. In that study, 39 patients were evaluable, showing CR rates of 71.8% (28/39) overall and 61.5% (16/26) and 92.3% (12/13) for the Ta, T1 and CIS cases. The safety was assessed in 42 patients and three (7.1%) were discontinued owing to ADRs. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose for the BCG Connaught strain was decided as 81 mg. PMCJ-9 administration at this dose level weekly for 8 weeks showed a clear antitumor effect and good safety profile against Ta, T1 and CIS transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

[Surgical outcomes of nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors].

PURPOSE: We retrospectively assessed the surgical outcomes of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for patients with renal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1985 to March 2001, a total of 99 NSSs were performed on 94 patients with renal tumors. The patients were divided into three groups. Group I comprised of 22 patients who underwent imperative surgeries for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The tumors were found in 18 patients bilaterally (including 8 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease), in 3 with solitary kidney, and in 1 with chronic renal failure. The mean +/- standard deviation of patient age and tumor diameter was 46 +/- 23 years and 36 +/- 23 mm, respectively. Twenty-three in situ NSSs were performed on 18 patients in Group I, and the remaining 4 patients were treated with 3 simultaneous operations for bilateral renal tumors with or without 2 ex vivo surgeries. Group II consisted of 49 patients who had small RCCs with the normal contralateral kidney and underwent NSSs (elective indication). The mean age and tumor diameter was 54 +/- 10 years and 28 +/- 11 mm, respectively. Group III consisted of 23 patients with non-RCC tumor (10 angiomyolipomas, 8 cystic tumors, 2 adenomas, 2 metastatic tumors, and 1 degenerative lesion), all of whom were treated with NSS. The mean age and tumor diameter was 47 +/- 14 years and 41 +/- 29 mm, respectively. RESULTS: In Group I, 3 patients died of cancer including 2 patients who had had multiple lung metastases preoperatively. The five-year tumor specific survival rate was 87.3% with a postoperative follow-up of 49 +/- 36 months. In Group II, there were few peri-operative complications or no local recurrence at follow-up of 52 +/- 38 months. A patient developed lung metastasis, which was removed surgically with no evidence of recurrence at 159 months after NSS. Postoperative renal scintigraphy on 35 patients showed well-preserved renal function of the operated kidney. Improvement in surgical techniques resulted in less-invasive surgery in 22 operations during the last 4 years. The patients of Group III were also operated uneventfully, although 1 experienced postoperative bleeding. In 12 patients with solitary kidney (11 in Group I and 1 in Group III) serum creatinine level increased transiently, decreased to 1.3 times of preoperative values within 3 months, and almost recovered at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Excellent outcomes in cancer control and preservation of renal function support the validity of nephron-sparing surgery to treat renal tumors. The candidate patients may include those with bilateral kidney tumors, tumor occuring in the solitary kidney or small renal cell carcinomas with the normal contralateral kidney. Earlier detection of small lesions and less invasive surgical techniques will facilitate a wider indication of NSS.