Functional and oncologic outcomes of prostate capsule-sparing radical cystectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radical cystectomy (RC) is the gold standard treatment for patients with organ-confined bladder cancer. However, despite the success of this treatment, many men who undergo orthotopic neobladder substitution develop significant erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, including daytime and nighttime urinary incontinence. Prostate-capsule-sparing radical cystectomy (PCS-RC) with orthotopic neobladder (ONB) has been described in the literature as a surgical technique to improve functional outcomes in appropriately selected patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of manuscripts on PCS-RC with ONB published after 2000. We included retrospective and prospective studies with more than 25 patients and compared PCS-RC with nerve-sparing or conventional RC. Studies in which the entire prostate was spared (including the transitional zone) were excluded. Comparative studies were analyzed to assess rates of daytime continence, nighttime continence, and satisfactory erectile function in patients undergoing PCS-RC compared with those undergoing conventional RC. Fourteen reports were included in the final review. Our data identify high rates of daytime (83%-97%) and nighttime continence (60%-80%) in patients undergoing PCS-RC with ONB. In comparative studies, meta-analysis results demonstrate no difference in daytime continence (RR:1.12; 95% CI: 0.72-1.73) in those undergoing PCS-RC compared to those undergoing conventional RC. Similarly, nighttime continence was similar between the 2 groups (RR:1.85; 95% CI: 0.57-6.00. Erectile function was improved in those undergoing PCS-RC (RR 5.35; 95% CI: 1.82-15.74) in the PCS-RC series. Bladder cancer margin positivity and recurrence rates were similar to those reported in the literature with conventional RC with an average weighted follow-up of 52.2 months. While several studies utilized different prostate cancer (CaP) screening techniques, the rates of CaP were low (incidence 0.02; 95% CI:0.01-0.04), and oncologic outcomes were similar to standard RC. PCS-RC is associated with improved nighttime continence and erectile function compared to conventional RC techniques. Further work is needed to standardize CaP screening before surgery, but the data suggest low rates of CaP with similar oncologic outcomes when compared to RC.

Economic Outcomes of Hexaminolevulinate Blue-Light Cystoscopy in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A 5-Year, Medicare-Based Model.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat on a per-patient basis. Blue light cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate (BLC) has demonstrated improved diagnostic accuracy compared with white light cystoscopy (WLC) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). With higher upfront costs, questions remain about long-term BLC cost outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to investigate the 5-year cost comparison of BLC and WLC from the Medicare payer perspective. METHODS: A representative 5-year NMIBC management model was constructed and Medicare reimbursement values were overlaid. The primary outcome was mean year-over-year cumulative cost discounted to present value at a 3% annual percentage rate. The secondary outcome was the rate of clinical events. RESULTS: Patients in the BLC cohort experienced fewer recurrences. On a cumulative present value cost basis, BLC was more expensive per patient in years 1, 2, and 3 than WLC, however, in years 4 and 5, BLC was economically favorable. Year 5 BLC mean cumulative cost savings was $1,172 per patient. Overall, 31.6% of all patients in the BLC group generated cumulative cost savings compared to WLC at year 1 compared with 50.9% at the end of year 5. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher initial annual cost, a slight cumulative economic advantage of BLC is realized after surveillance year 3. Additionally, a greater proportion of patients who received BLC achieved cost savings at the end of year 5. As novel technology emerges, economic models can help health care systems predict associated costs and quality improvements.

Postoperative rhabdomyolysis following robotic renal and adrenal surgery: a cautionary tale of compounding risk factors.

This study aimed at reviewing a contemporary series of patients who underwent robotic renal and adrenal surgery by a single surgeon at a tertiary referral academic medical center over a 6-year period, specifically focusing on the unique and serious complication of post-operative rhabdomyolysis of the dependent lower extremity. The cases of 315 consecutive patients who underwent robotic upper tract surgery over a 6-year period from August 2008 to June 2014 using a standardized patient positioning were reviewed and analyzed for patient characteristics and surgical variables that may be associated with the development of post-operative rhabdomyolysis. The incidence of post-operative rhabdomyolysis in our series was 3/315 (0.95%). All three affected patients had undergone robotic nephroureterectomy. Those patients who developed rhabdomyolysis had significantly higher mean Body Mass Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and median length of stay than those who did not. The mean OR time in the rhabdomyolysis group was noted to be 52 min longer than the non-rhabdomyolysis group, though this value did not reach statistical significance. Given the trends of increasing obesity in the United States and abroad as well as the continued rise in robotic upper tract urologic surgeries, urologists need to be increasingly vigilant for recognizing the risk factors and early treatment of the unique complication of post-operative rhabdomyolysis.