Not-so-simple nephrectomy: Comparative analysis of radical and simple nephrectomy in a high-volume tertiary referral center.

OBJECTIVES: Simple nephrectomies can be challenging with significant morbidity. To prove the hypothesis of "not-so-simple" nephrectomy, we compared demographics, perioperative outcomes, and complications between simple and radical nephrectomy in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: We analyzed 473 consecutive radical nephrectomies (January 2018-October 2020) and simple nephrectomies (January 2016-October 2020). Univariate and multivariate analysis of perioperative outcomes utilized the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, Mantel-Haenszel test of trend, and multiple linear regression. Radical nephrectomies were classified in cT1, cT2a, and cT2b-T3 subgroups and compared to simple nephrectomies. Minimally invasive and open techniques were compared between the two groups. Infected versus non-infected simple nephrectomies were compared. RESULTS: A total of 344 radical and 129 simple nephrectomies were included. Simple nephrectomy was an independent predictor of increased operative time (p = 0.001), length of stay (p = 0.049), and postoperative complications (p < 0.001). Simple nephrectomies had higher operative time (p < 0.001), length of stay (p = 0.014), and postoperative morbidity (p < 0.001) than cT1 radical nephrectomies and significantly more Clavien 1-2 complications than cT2a radical nephrectomies (p = 0.001). The trend was similar in minimally invasive operations. However, conversion to open rates was not significantly different. Infected simple nephrectomies had increased operative time (p < 0.001), length of stay (p = 0.005), blood loss (p = 0.016), and intensive care stay (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing simple nephrectomy experienced increased operative time and morbidity. Simple nephrectomy carries higher morbidity than radical nephrectomy in tumors ≤10 cm. Robotic simple nephrectomies may reduce open conversion rates. Postoperative intensive care and enhanced recovery may be essential in simple nephrectomy planning with infected pathology.

Protocol for a MULTI-centre feasibility study to assess the use of 99mTc-sestaMIBI SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of kidney tumours (MULTI-MIBI study).

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of renal tumours is increasing and anatomic imaging cannot reliably distinguish benign tumours from renal cell carcinoma. Up to 30% of renal tumours are benign, with oncocytomas the most common type. Biopsy has not been routinely adopted in many centres due to concerns surrounding non-diagnostic rate, bleeding and tumour seeding. As a result, benign masses are often unnecessarily surgically resected. 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT has shown high diagnostic accuracy for benign renal oncocytomas and other oncocytic renal neoplasms of low malignant potential in single-centre studies. The primary aim of MULTI-MIBI is to assess feasibility of a multicentre study of 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT against a reference standard of histopathology from surgical resection or biopsy. Secondary aims of the study include obtaining estimates of 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT sensitivity and specificity and to inform the design and conduct of a future definitive trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A feasibility prospective multicentre study of participants with indeterminate, clinical T1 renal tumours to undergo 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT (index test) compared with histopathology from biopsy or surgical resection (reference test). Interpretation of the index and reference tests will be blinded to the results of the other. Recruitment rate as well as estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value will be reported. Semistructured interviews with patients and clinicians will provide qualitative data to inform onward trial design and delivery. Training materials for 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT interpretation will be developed, assessed and optimised. Early health economic modelling using a decision analytic approach for different diagnostic strategies will be performed to understand the potential cost-effectiveness of 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted (UK HRA REC 20/YH/0279) protocol V.5.0 dated 21/6/2022. Study outputs will be presented and published nationally and internationally. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN12572202.

Comparison of Long-term Outcomes for Young and Healthy Patients with cT1a and cT3a Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Partial Nephrectomy.

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is recommended for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of <4 cm. We hypothesized that there is no difference in all-cause mortality (ACM) between cT1a, cT1b, and cT3a <4 cm RCC following PN. The National Cancer Database was interrogated to identify patients aged <60 yr with a Charlson comorbidity index ≤1 diagnosed between 2004 and 2017. Cox proportional-hazard models stratified for cT stage were used to predict 10-yr ACM. A total of 30 195 patients (25 121 cT1a, 4884 cT1b, and 190 cT3a <4 cm) who underwent PN with median follow-up of 64.36 mo (interquartile range 42.91-93.77) were included. Cox analysis revealed no significant difference in 10-yr ACM between cT1a and cT3a <4 cm (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-1.90; p = 0.88). However, the cT1b group had higher ACM (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.15-1.48; p < 0.01). The positive surgical margin (PSM) rate was higher for cT3a <4 cm than for cT1a tumors (14.2% vs 6.3%; p < 0.01). However, there was no difference in 10-yr ACM rate between cT1a and cT3a <4 cm (10.9% vs 9.7%; p = 0.42). Our results suggest that PN is an option for cT3a RCC <4 cm, particularly in cases in which maximum nephron preservation is essential, such as patients with chronic kidney disease or a solitary kidney, although a higher PSM risk should be appreciated. PATIENT SUMMARY: We found that partial removal of the kidney for localized advanced kidney cancer is safe. The rate of surgical margins positive for the presence of tumor is higher in localized advanced kidney cancer than for less advanced cancers, but there was no difference in 10-year predicted mortality.

Overactive bladder: not just a normal part of getting older.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common yet under-reported condition affecting both men and women. Prevalence rises with age, but OAB can affect people of any age. It is associated with increased physical and mental health problems and may lead to social isolation and escalating care needs. It is a clinical diagnosis with symptoms of urgency, with or without urge incontinence and usually with urinary frequency and nocturia. Management includes conservative, medical and surgical treatments, which can significantly improve quality of life. This review aims to raise awareness of this under-reported condition and to empower health professionals to open discussions on bladder health with all those in their care.

The benefits of virtual learning webinars to both low- and high-income countries.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about many changes in the relationships between high-income countries and partner organisations in low- or low-middle-income countries, such as predominate in sub-Saharan Africa. Medicine, surgery and in particular urology is no exception to the changes that COVID-19 has demanded. Urolink represents the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) on the global urology stage and has been deleteriously impacted by the pandemic. Education, one of the pillars of Urolink's founding philosophies, has conventionally been delivered by face-to face teaching, training, or mentoring by UK urologists at their host's site outside of the UK. As a consequence of the inability to travel due to the pandemic, BAUS Urolink has evolved a virtual on-line webinar package evolved by, and delivered between, urologists in Lusaka, Zambia, and various centres in the UK. The aim was to deliver curricular-based educational topics to trainees in both countries. This programme has generated a number of live webinars and archived recordings during the pandemic that has proven accessible and educationally acceptable to trainees in the UK and Zambia. This webinar series has also generated relationships between young urologists on different continents, given each a different view of healthcare delivery outside of their country of origin at no appreciable cost, and would appear to be an educational mechanism that is durable for, and applicable to, a wider participation in the post-pandemic world.

Understanding cultural and logistical contexts for urologists in low-income countries.

The provision of effective urological management in low- and middle-income countries requires the delivery of appropriate and effective care adapted to the needs, capability and resources of the host country. However, a deeper cognisance of the culture, the religious practices and the logistics of healthcare in that environment determines the ability to effectively to 'twin', that is, to provide a long-term healthcare partnership. Patient beliefs can have profound effects on the understanding of the aetiology of illness, its relevance to their long-term health and the stigmatization of their family's social status. Consequently, individuals may have a greater willingness to seek help from practitioners of traditional medicine due to its availability as well as the lower costs of such medicine by comparison to those of medicine from high-income countries (HICs). This can influence the treatment of many urological conditions and lead to late-presenting states such as malignant ureteric obstruction. Social mores, such as cultural paternalism, can also influence many practices that are assumed by HICs to be part of normal healthcare provision, including the delivery of patient information and provision of informed consent to treatment. Doctor's status and dress have greater importance in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) than in the UK and the modes of greeting and addressing colleagues and patients can affect the fluency and effectiveness of clinical interactions. A local cultural and religious knowledge is essential, therefore, to optimize the assimilation of external help. Logistics are perhaps the most important factor that needs to be grasped to provide a sustainable healthcare environment. Limitations in resource allocation are a major factor in planning effective urological treatment in many countries in sSA, whether this is the provision of trained personnel, basic infrastructure, a tenable workspace, equipment or drugs. This paper explores all of these factors, and looks at how their recognition assists urologists in providing a twinning process.

Association of age with response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the association of patient age with response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 1105 patients with MIBC. Patients age was evaluated as continuous variable and stratified in quartiles. Pathologic objective response (pOR; ypT0-Ta-Tis-T1N0) and pathologic complete response (pCR; ypT0N0), as well survival outcomes were assessed. We used data of 395 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to investigate the prevalence of TCGA molecular subtypes and DNA damage repair (DDR) gene alterations according to patient age. RESULTS: pOR was achieved in 40% of patients. There was no difference in distribution of pOR or pCR between age quartiles. On univariable logistic regression analysis, patient age was not associated with pOR or pCR when evaluated as continuous variables or stratified in quartiles (all p > 0.3). Median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 6-37). On Cox regression and competing risk regression analyses, age was not associated with survival outcomes (all p > 0.05). In the TCGA cohort, patient with age ≤ 60 years has 7% less DDR gene mutations (p = 0.59). We found higher age distribution in patients with luminal (p < 0.001) and luminal infiltrated (p = 0.002) compared to those with luminal papillary subtype. CONCLUSIONS: While younger patients may have less mutational tumor burden, our analysis failed to show an association of age with response to preoperative chemotherapy or survival outcomes. Therefore, the use of preoperative chemotherapy should be considered regardless of patient age.

Impact of the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic on a tertiary referral centre for kidney cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a centralized specialist kidney cancer care pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient and pathway characteristics including prioritization strategies at the Specialist Centre for Kidney Cancer located at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFH) before and during the surge of COVID-19. RESULTS: On 18 March 2020 all elective surgery was halted at RFH to redeploy resources and staff for the COVID-19 surge. Prioritizing of patients according to European Association of Urology guidance was introduced. Clinics and the specialist multidisciplinary team (SMDT) meetings were maintained with physical distancing, kidney surgery was moved to a COVID-protected site, and infection prevention measurements were enforced. During the 7 weeks of lockdown (23 March to 10 May 2020), 234 cases were discussed at the SMDT meetings, 53% compared to the 446 cases discussed in the 7 weeks pre-lockdown. The reduction in referrals was more pronounced for small and asymptomatic renal masses. Of 62 low-priority cancer patients, 27 (43.5%) were deferred. Only one (4%) COVID-19 infection occurred postoperatively, and the patient made a full recovery. No increase in clinical or pathological upstaging could be detected in patients who underwent deferred surgery compared to pre-COVID practice. CONCLUSION: The first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted diagnosis, referral and treatment of kidney cancer at a tertiary referral centre. With a policy of prioritization and COVID-protected pathways, capacity for time-sensitive oncological interventions was maintained and no immediate clinical harm was observed.

Percutaneous microwave ablation of renal masses in a UK cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To report a tertiary referral centre's experience of microwave ablation (MWA) for suspected renal cell carcinoma (RCC), describing complications and oncological outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive MWA procedures (n = 113) for renal masses (October 2016 to September 2019) were maintained on a prospective database. Data describing patient, disease, procedure, complications, and oncological outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: The median (range) age was 68 (33-85) years, 73% were male, and the median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 0. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) tumour diameter was 25 (20-32) mm. In all, 95% had renal mass biopsy, with histologically confirmed cancer in 75%. The median (IQR) R.E.N.A.L. (Radius, Exophytic/Endophytic, Nearness, Anterior/Posterior, Location) nephrometry score was 7 (6-8). The median ablation time was 6 min and length of stay was 1 day for 95% of the patients. Clavien-Dindo complication Grades I, II, IIIb and IV occurred in 18%, 1.8%, 0.9% and 0.9%, respectively. The median follow-up was 12 months and the median (IQR) renal function change was -4 (-18 to 0)%. One patient (0.9%) had local recurrence, treated with re-ablation; two developed metastatic progression; and two (1.8%) had indeterminate findings on follow-up (one lung nodule and one possible local recurrence), managed with ongoing protocolised computed tomography surveillance. Post-procedure complications were associated with total ablation time (odds ratio [OR] 1.152/min, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.040-1.277) and total ablation energy (OR 1.017/kJ, 95% CI 1.001-1.033). CONCLUSIONS: We describe the largest UK series of MWA treatment for T1a/small T1b renal masses to date. MWA was well tolerated, with 95% discharged the following day and low complication/re-admission rates. Current follow-up demonstrates favourable disease control. MWA appears to be safe and effective and should be considered in future prospective comparisons of treatments for T1a/small T1b renal masses.

CALIBER: a phase II randomized feasibility trial of chemoablation with mitomycin-C vs surgical management in low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the activity of intravesical mitomycin-C (MMC) to ablate recurrent low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and assess whether it may enable patients to avoid surgical intervention for treatment of recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CALIBER is a phase II feasibility study. Participants were randomized (2:1) to treatment with four once-weekly MMC 40-mg intravesical instillations (chemoablation arm) or to surgical management. The surgical group was included to assess the feasibility of randomization. The primary endpoint was complete response to intravesical MMC in the chemoablation arm at 3 months, reported with exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Secondary endpoints included time to subsequent recurrence, summarized by Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: Between February 2015 and August 2017, 82 patients with visual diagnosis of recurrent low-risk NMIBC were enrolled from 24 UK hospitals (chemoablation, n = 54; surgical management, n =28). The median follow-up was 24 months. Complete response at 3 months was 37.0% (20/54; 95% CI 24.3-51.3) with chemoablation and 80.8% (21/26; 95% CI 60.6-93.4) with surgical management. Amongst patients with complete response at 3 months, a similar proportion was recurrence-free by 12 months in both groups (84%). Amongst those with residual disease at 3 months, the 12-month recurrence-free proportion was lower in the surgical management group (40.0%) than in the chemoablation group (84%). Recruitment stopped early as chemoablation did not meet the prespecified threshold of 45% complete responses at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Intravesical chemoablation in low-risk NMIBC is feasible and safe, but did not demonstrate sufficient response in the present trial. After chemoablation there may be a reduction in recurrence rate, even in non-responders, that is greater than with surgery alone. Further research is required to investigate the role and optimal schedule of neoadjuvant intravesical chemotherapy prior to surgery for NMIBC.

Impact of sex on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of patient's sex on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with clinically nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: Complete pathologic response, defined as ypT0N0 at radical cystectomy, and downstaging were evaluated using sex-adjusted univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling. We used interaction terms to account for age of menopause and smoking status. The association of sex with overall survival and cancer-specific survival was evaluated using Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,031 patients were included in the analysis, 227 (22%) of whom were female. Female patients had a higher rate of extravesical disease extension (P = 0.01). After the administration of NAC, ypT stage was equally distributed between sexes (P = 0.39). On multivariable logistic regression analyses, there was no difference between the sexes or age of menopause with regards to ypT0N0 rates or downstaging (all P > 0.5). On Cox regression analyses, sex was associated with neither overall survival (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.75-1.45, P = 0.81) nor cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.58, P = 0.77). CONCLUSION: Our study generates the hypothesis that NAC equalizes the preoperative disparity in pathologic stage between males and females suggesting a possible differential response between sexes. This might be the explanation underlying the comparable survival outcomes between sexes despite females presenting with more advanced tumor stage.

The prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an attractive marker because it is derived from routine bloodwork. NLR has shown promise as a prognostic factor in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) but its value in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before radical cystectomy (RC) is not yet established. Since NLR is related to an oncogenic environment and poor antitumor host response, we hypothesized that a high NLR would be associated with a poor response to NAC and would remain a poor prognostic indicator in patients receiving NAC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with nonmetastatic MIBC (cT2-4aN0M0) who received NAC prior to RC between 2000 and 2013 at 1 of 19 centers across Europe and North America. The pre-NAC NLR was used to split patients into a low (NLR ≤ 3) and high (NLR > 3) group. Demographic and clinical parameters were compared between the groups using Student's t test, chi-squared, or Fisher's exact test. Putative risk factors for disease-specific and overall survival were analyzed using Cox regression, while predictors of response to NAC (defined as absence of MIBC in RC specimen) were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were available for 340 patients (199 NLR ≤ 3, 141 NLR > 3). Other than age and rate of lymphovascular invasion, demographic and pretreatment characteristics did not differ significantly. More patients in the NLR > 3 group had residual MIBC after NAC than the NLR ≤ 3 group (70.8% vs. 58.3%, P = 0.049). NLR was the only significant predictor of response (odds ratio: 0.36, P = 0.003) in logistic regression. NLR was a significant risk factor for both disease-specific (hazard ratio (HR): 2.4, P = 0.006) and overall survival (HR:1.8, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: NLR > 3 was associated with a decreased response to NAC and shorter disease-specific and overall survival. This suggests that NLR is a simple tool that can aid in MIBC risk stratification in clinical practice.

LAP-VEGaS Practice Guidelines for Reporting of Educational Videos in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Joint Trainers and Trainees Consensus Statement.

OBJECTIVE: Consensus statement by an international multispecialty trainers and trainees expert committee on guidelines for reporting of educational videos in laparoscopic surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Instructive laparoscopy videos with appropriate exposition could be ideal for initial training in laparoscopic surgery, but there are no guidelines for video annotation or procedural educational and safety evaluation. METHODS: Delphi questionnaire of 45 statements prepared by a steering group and voted on over 2 rounds by committee members using an electronic survey tool. Committee selection design included representative surgical training experts worldwide across different laparoscopic specialties, including general surgery, lower and upper gastrointestinal surgery, gynecology and urology, and a proportion of aligned surgical trainees. RESULTS: All 33 committee members completed both the first and the second round of the Delphi questionnaire related to 7 major domains: Video Introduction/Authors' information; Patient Details; Procedure Description; Procedure Outcome; Associated Educational Content; Peer Review; and Use in Educational Curriculae. The 17 statements that did not reach at least 80% agreement after the first round were revised and returned into the second round. The committee consensus approved 37 statements to at least an 82% agreement. CONCLUSION: Consensus guidelines on how to report laparoscopic surgery videos for educational purposes have been developed. We anticipate that following our guidelines could help to improve video quality.These reporting guidelines may be useful as a standard for reviewing videos submitted for publication or conference presentation.

An Evaluation of the Role of Simulation Training for Teaching Surgical Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 5 billion people worldwide lack access to any surgical care, whilst surgical conditions account for 11-30% of the global burden of disease. Maximizing the effectiveness of surgical training is imperative to improve access to safe and essential surgical care on a global scale. Innovative methods of surgical training have been used in sub-Saharan Africa to attempt to improve the efficiency of training healthcare workers in surgery. Simulation training may have an important role in up-scaling and improving the efficiency of surgical training and has been widely used in SSA. Though not intended to be a systematic review, the role of simulation for teaching surgical skills in Sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed to assess the evidence for use and outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was used to retrieve relevant studies from electronic databases PubMed, Ovid, Medline for pertinent articles published until August 2016. Studies that reported the use of simulation-based training for surgery in Africa were included. RESULTS: In all, 19 articles were included. A variety of innovative surgical training methods using simulation techniques were identified. Few studies reported any outcome data. Compared to the volume of surgical training initiatives that are known to take place in SSA, there is very limited good quality published evidence for the use of simulation training in this context. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training presents an excellent modality to enhance and improve both volume and access to high quality surgical skills training, alongside other learning domains. There is a desperate need to meticulously evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of simulation training in SSA, where simulation training could have a large potential beneficial impact. Training programs should attempt to assess and report learner outcomes.

Introduction of robot-assisted radical cystectomy within an established enhanced recovery programme.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the implementation phase of a robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) programme including side-effect profiles and impact on length of stay (LOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 114 consecutive patients (82% male) underwent RARC and urinary diversion between April 2013 and December 2015 [ileal conduit (97 patients) and orthotopic neobladder (17)]. Surgery was performed by two surgeons within a designated regional cancer centre. No exclusion criteria were applied. All patients were managed on the Exeter Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) in a unit where embedded enhanced recovery practice was already established. Data were collected prospectively on the national cystectomy registry - the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Complex Operations Dataset. RESULTS: RARC was technically feasible in all but one case. The mean operating time was 3-5 h with an overall transfusion rate of 8.8%. There were higher-grade complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV) in 18.4% of patients, with a 30-day mortality rate of 0.9%. The median (range) LOS after RARC was 7 (3-68) days, with a re-admission rate of 18.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The present series shows that RARC can be safely implemented in a unit experienced in robot-assisted surgery (RAS). Case-selection in this setting is not deemed necessary. There are benefits in terms of lower transfusion rates and reduced LOS. The side-effect profile appears to differ from that of open RC, and despite the fact that complication rate is equivalent; 'technical' complications are over-represented in the RAS group. As such, they should improve with experience, recognition, and modification of surgical technique. ERPs can be safely applied to all patients undergoing RARC to maximise the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Use of a Simulated Model to Teach Male Adult Circumcision in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Male adult circumcision (MC) has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in men by 50-60 %. An upscaling in the training of providers to perform circumcision is necessary to meet demand since MC is a key component of essential surgery in the context of universal health coverage. We piloted a low-cost, high-fidelity model for training adult circumcision. Multi-centre, multinational data were collected on 74 trainees and clinicians (trainers) in sub-Saharan Africa. Both trainers and trainees gave excellent feedback for the model (content and face validity). The simulated model enables a safe and realistic simulation experience to perform MC. The model is quick to set up and easily transportable to multiple teaching sites.