Use of the subcutaneous ureteral bypass device and urethral stenting for treatment of malignant urinary outflow tract obstructions in cats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the technical success and outcomes of ureteral and urethral decompression using the subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device and transurethral self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) as a palliative treatment option for feline malignant urinary outflow tract obstructions. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 14 cats with ureteral and/or urethral obstructions secondary to diagnosed or suspected transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In all cats, a SUB device and/or a SEMS was placed to relieve the obstruction(s). Group 1 consisted of cats with ureteral obstructions, with or without concurrent urethral obstructions, and group 2 consisted of cats with only urethral obstructions. RESULTS: Eight cats were included in group 1 (seven with concurrent urethral obstructions) and six cats were included in group 2. TCC was confirmed in 8/14 cats. Repeat urethral obstruction due to tumor in growth occurred in 6/13 (46%) cats with a SEMS, and no cats developed recurrent ureteral obstructions after placement of the SUB device. Three cats had additional covered stents placed after urethral re-obstruction. The median survival time (MST) from the time of device placement was 52 days in group 1 (mean 92; range 14-349) and 80 days in group 2 (mean 96; range 7-209). The MST from the time of mass identification of the cats that did and did not receive adjunctive therapy was 349 days (mean 358; range 124-602) and 43 days (mean 113; range 14-423), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The use of bypass devices for feline malignant urinary outflow tract obstructions is a viable option to provide immediate renal and urinary bladder decompression. TCC in cats is locally aggressive and can result in urethral re-obstruction, prompting consideration for placing a covered urethral stent. The use of adjunctive therapies for malignant neoplasia should be considered to improve overall survival once the obstruction has been relieved.

Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on optimizing the port position and specimen retrieval.

INTRODUCTION: One of the factors that makes robot-assisted nephroureterectomy difficult is that the optimal port position differs between nephrectomy and bladder cuff excision. In addition, how best to retrieve the specimen after resection while minimizing the size of the wound is a challenge in robot-assisted surgery. To solve these problems, we designed a surgical technique for robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on port position optimization and specimen retrieval. This study describes the surgical technique of GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy and reports our initial experience with this technique. METHODS: Between January 2023 and May 2024, seven patients underwent robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform and 11 underwent conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy. We compared the patients' characteristics and surgical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group, the median operative time tended to be shorter in the GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group (280 vs. 357 min, respectively; p = .135). The maximum incision length tended to be longer in the GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group (7.0 vs. 6.0 cm, respectively; p = .078). The incidence of 30-day complications was similar between the two groups (28.5% vs. 18.2%, respectively; p = 1.000). No complications were associated with the use of the GelPoint Platform. CONCLUSION: The surgical outcomes of GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy are comparable to those of conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy, and it can be performed safely and effectively. GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy can be considered a feasible alternative for selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Advanced upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is indistinguishable from renal infection by imaging: A case report.

RATIONALE: The current diagnostic approach for urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) relies on symptoms and imaging. Nevertheless, the diagnosis can be challenging in advanced cases presenting with atypical imaging and symptoms. This article presents an unreported case with atypical imaging and symptoms to provide some experience in diagnosing advanced UTUC. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a 2-month history of persistent left scrotal pain and intermittent left lower back pain. DIAGNOSES: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left kidney infection. Paradoxically, the patient did not present with a fever, and the white blood cell count was within normal limits. To further clarify the diagnosis, urine cytology was performed. Surprisingly, malignant tumor cells were discovered. The diagnosis of UTUC was considered. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent radical tumor resection. OUTCOMES: The surgery was successfully performed. The patient received regular chemotherapy after surgery. No recurrence was found during the follow-up. LESSONS: This case is a rare and enlightening clinical scenario. When imaging reveals renal infection accompanied by varicocele or renal vein embolism, it is crucial to consider the possibility of advanced UTUC.

HER2 expression in upper tract urothelial carcinoma and the relationship with clinicopathological characteristics-an analysis of 155 patients in Southwest China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the expression of HER2 in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in Southwest China by using a relatively large cohort, and to determine the relationship between HER2 expression and clinicopathological characters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled the clinical data of 155 UTUC patients who have undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) from March 2019 to September 2022. HER2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and scored according to the HercepTest (Scores of 0 or 1 + were considered as negative and 2 + or 3 + as positive). Tumor molecular phenotype was classified by the panel of CK20, CK5/6, and CD44. RESULTS: HER2 was overexpressed in 55 (35.5%) patients. It was associated with pathologic characteristics such as grade (p = 0.017), tumor molecular phenotype (p < 0.001) and Ki-67 expression (p = 0.017). On univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, HER2 overexpression remained associated with higher grade (HR, 10.6; 95% CI 1.0-112.6; p = 0.050) and luminal molecular phenotype (HR, 8.0; 95% CI 1,6-38.4; p = 0.010). During disease progression after nephroureterectomy, the phenotype of the tumor might change and a switch phenomenon in phenotype after recurrence in the bladder was reported. CONCLUSION: According to our study, in Southwest China, one-third of UTUC patients overexpressed HER2. Tumors with high grade or luminal phenotype tended to be HER2 positive. HER2 may represent a promising target for therapy in UTUC.

The impact of bladder cuff excision on outcomes after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: An analysis of the ROBUUST 2.0 registry.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether bladder cuff excision and its technique influence outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A multicenter, international, retrospective analysis using the ROBotic surgery for Upper tract Urothelial cancer Study (ROBUUST) 2.0 registry identified 1,718 patients undergoing RNU for UTUC between 2015 and 2023 at 17 centers across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Data was gathered on (1) whether bladder cuff excision was performed and (2) what technique was used, including formal excision or other techniques (pluck technique, stripping/intussusception technique) and outcomes. Multivariate and survival analyses were performed to compare the groups. RESULTS: Most patients (90%, 1,540/1,718) underwent formal bladder cuff excision in accordance with EAU and AUA guidelines. Only 4% (68/1,718) underwent resection using other techniques, and 6% (110/1,718) did not have a bladder cuff excised. Median follow up for the cohort was 24 months (IQR 9-44). When comparing formal bladder cuff excision to other excision techniques, there were no differences in oncologic or survival outcomes including bladder recurrence-free survival (BRFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), overall survival (OS), or cancer-specific survival (CSS). However, excision of any kind conferred a decreased risk of bladder-specific recurrence compared to no excision. There was no difference in RFS, MFS, OS, or CSS when comparing bladder cuff excision, other techniques, and no excision. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cuff excision improves recurrence-free survival, particularly when considering bladder recurrence. This benefit is conferred regardless of technique, as long as the intramural ureter and ureteral orifice are excised. However, the benefit of bladder cuff excision on metastasis-free, overall, and cancer-specific survival is unclear.

No difference in oncological outcomes and perioperative complications between patients with ESRD with unilateral and bilateral UTUC receiving radical nephroureterectomy.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are at high risk of developing upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Due to high recurrence rate of UTUC in contralateral kidney and ureter, and high risk of complications related to surgery and anesthesia, whether it's necessary to remove both kineys and ureters at one time remains in debate. We utilized Taiwanese UTUC Registry Database to valuate the difference of oncological outcomes and perioperative complications between patients with ESRD with unilateral and bilateral UTUC receiving surgical resection. Patients with ESRD and UTUC were divided into three groups, unilateral UTUC, previous history of unilateral UTUC with metachronous contralateral UTUC, and concurrent bilatetral UTUC. Oncological outcomes, perioperative complications, and length of hospital stays were investiaged. We found that there is no diffence of oncological outcomes including overall survival, cancer specific survival, disease free survival and bladder recurrence free survival between these three groups. Complication rate and length of hospital stay are similar. Adverse oncological features such as advanced tumor stage, lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, and positive surgical margin would negatively affect oncological outcomes.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Propensity-Score Matched Studies.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) vs open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of studies based on propensity score-matched cohorts to compare the surgical and oncological outcomes of LNU and ONU in UTUC patients. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library until July 12, 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was utilized to assess the quality of eligible studies. Measurements of surgical and oncological outcomes were extracted and pooled including mean difference (MD), risk ratio (RR), hazard ratios (HR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Five high-quality retrospective studies were included, totaling 6422 patients; 2080 (32.4%) underwent LNU, and 4342 (67.6%) underwent ONU. With respect to surgical outcomes, patients in the LNU group experienced less estimated blood loss and had shorter hospital stay than those in the ONU group, but there was no significant difference in complication rates and operation time. In regard to oncological outcomes, there were no significant differences between the LNU and ONU groups in 3-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). However, 3-year intravesical recurrence free survival (IVRFS) was worse in the LNU group compared to the ONU group. CONCLUSION: LNU was associated with less estimated blood loss and shorter hospital stays than ONU, but there were no differences in OS and CSS between the surgical modalities. Nonetheless, LNU might result in poorer IVRFS than ONU.

Differential effect of surgical technique on intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with bladder cuff resection is the standard treatment in patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC). However, it is unclear which specific surgical technique may lead to improve oncological outcomes in term of intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients with UTUC. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical techniques and approaches of RNU in reducing IVR in UTUC patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Three databases were queried in January 2024 for studies analyzing UTUC patients who underwent RNU. The primary outcome of interest was the rate of IVR among various types of surgical techniques and approaches of RNU. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Thirty-one studies, comprising 1 randomized controlled trial and 1 prospective study, were included for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The rate of IVR was significantly lower in RNU patients who had an early ligation (EL) of the ureter compared to those who did not (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.94, p = 0.02). Laparoscopic RNU significantly increased the IVR compared to open RNU (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06-1.54, p < 0.001). Intravesical bladder cuff removal significantly reduced the IVR compared to both extravesical and transurethral bladder cuff removal (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51-0.83, p = 0.02 and HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.15-2.34, p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EL of the affected upper tract system, ureteral management, open RNU, and intravesical bladder cuff removal seem to yield the lowest IVR rate in patients with UTUC. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to conclusively elucidate the optimal surgical technique in the setting of single post-operative intravesical chemotherapy.

Do we need a re-TUR after en bloc resection of T1 stage bladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: A second look trans-urethral resection of the bladder (re-TUR) is recommended after the diagnosis of T1 high grade (T1HG) bladder cancer. Few studies have evaluated the results of re-TUR after a first en bloc resection (EBR) and none of them have specifically reported the pathological results on the field of previous T1 disease. OBJECTIVE: To report the rate of upstaging and the rate of residual disease (RD) on the field of T1HG lesions resected with EBR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 01/2014 and 06/2022, patients from 2 centers who had a re-TUR after an EBR for T1HG urothelial carcinoma were retrospectively included. Primary endpoint was the rate of RD including the rate of upstaging to T2 disease on the scar of the primary resection. Secondary endpoints were the rate of any residual disease outside the field. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included. No muscle invasive bladder cancer lesions were found after re-TUR. Among the 16 patients who had a RD, 4 were on the resection scar. All of these lesions were papillary and high grade. RD outside the field of the first EBR was observed in 12 patients. CONCLUSION: After EBR of T1HG disease, none of our patients had an upstaging to MIBC. However, the rate of RD either on and outside the field of the EBR remains quite significant. We suggested that predictive factors of residual papillary disease (number of tumors at the initial TUR and concomitant CIS) might be suitable to select patient who will benefit of the re-TUR.

Primary exophytic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: A case report.

RATIONALE: Bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common urinary system tumor that is generally diagnosed by cystoscopy combined with pathological biopsy. However, complete exophytic UC of the bladder is very rare and difficult to diagnose. Early diagnosis and accurate identification of such tumors, followed by aggressive surgical treatment, is essential for the management of these patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 84-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with dysuria, a poor diet, and significant weight loss. DIAGNOSIS: Pelvic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an exteriophytic round mass on the right lateral wall of the bladder. Cystoscopy revealed a necrotic mass on the right lateral wall of the bladder cavity, and no tumor cells were found following the biopsy. The tumor was removed via partial cystectomy, and the pathological result indicated high-grade muscle-invasive UC. INTERVENTIONS: The patient refused radical cystectomy and underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection followed by cisplatin plus gemcitabine chemotherapy. OUTCOMES: The patient's mental state and appetite were significantly improved after the urinary tube was removed 1 week after surgery. His general state was significantly improved after 1 month of follow-up but died of acute cerebral infarction 3 months after surgery. LESSONS: UC of the bladder may grow completely out of the bladder without symptoms such as gross hematuria; thus, early diagnosis is difficult. For high-risk individuals, regular imaging tests may help to detect tumors early. Partial cystectomy is a reliable surgical modality for bladder preservation in such patients.

Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for urothelial carcinoma: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) among muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) patients receiving adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) versus placebo/observation following radical surgery. METHODS: This was a systematic review/meta-analysis of all published phase 3 randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until April 4, 2024. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and relative risks (RR), plus confidence intervals (CI), were generated using frequentist random-effects modeling. RESULTS: Three trials were identified: IMvigor010, CheckMate 274, and AMBASSADOR. In the overall cohort, adjuvant ICIs significantly improved DFS by 23% (HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65-0.90). No DFS benefit was observed in patients with upper tract disease (HR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.86-1.64). The highest magnitude of DFS benefit was observed among patients who had received prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 0.69) and pathologic node-positive disease (HR = 0.75). A similar DFS benefit was observed irrespective of tumor PD-L1 status. Pooled OS demonstrated a 13% non-significant benefit (HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.75-1.01). Grade ≥ 3 immune-mediated AEs occurred in 8.6% and 2.1% of ICI and placebo/observation patients, respectively (RR = 4.35, 95% CI = 1.02-18.5). AEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 14.3% and 0.9% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant ICIs confer a DFS benefit following radical surgery for MIUC, particularly among node-positive patients and those who received prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The lack of benefit for upper tract disease suggests that alternate adjuvant approaches, including chemotherapy, should be considered for these patients. Tumor PD-L1 status is not a predictive biomarker, highlighting the need for biomarkers in this setting.

The impact of double-J ureteral stenting before radical cystectomy on the development of upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: It is controversial whether the use of a double-J stent (DJ) in patients with bladder cancer before radical cystectomy (RC) increases the risk of tumour seeding in the upper tract and thus the risk of metachronous upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of our study is to investigate the risk of upper tract recurrence after RC in patients previously managed with a DJ stent. METHODS: A total of 699 patients who had undergone RC between January 2003 and March 2022 with complete perioperative data and pathological outcome were included in our study. Patients treated preoperatively with a DJ stent were identified and compared for development of metachronous UTUC with those who did not receive prior internal stenting. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine predictors of UTUC occurrence among the possible pathological features; risk factors for mortality after RC were also examined. RESULTS: Of 699 patients, 117 (16.7%) were managed preoperatively with a DJ stent. The overall probability of metachronous UTUC was 1%, 4% and 6% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The groups with and without DJ stenting were comparable regarding their clinicopathologic features, except for the higher incidence of hydronephrosis in the DJ group. At similar follow-up periods (median follow-up 32 months), metachronous UTUC was detected in four (3.4%) patients in the DJ group and in 13 (2.2%) in the non-stented group (P=0.44). The median interval (IQR) from cystectomy to UTUC was 40.5 (20-49) months in the DJ group and 37 (24-82) in the non-stented group (P=0.7). In the multivariable analysis, only presence of CIS (HR 3.83, 95% CI 1.19-12.29, P=0.024) and positive ureteral margin (HR=5.2, 95% CI 1.38-19.57, P=0.015) were predictors of metachronous UTUC. The study is limited by the retrospective nature and relatively short follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral stenting for management of hydronephrosis in patients with bladder cancer undergoing RC is a viable option, without higher risk for UTUC or mortality. Patients with positive ureteral margin and CIS are considered high-risk groups for upper tract recurrence and should receive long-term, rigorous follow-up.

Prospective evaluation of surgical margins in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer following primary transurethral resection.

PURPOSE: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC) constitute approximately 75% of bladder cancer cases. Primary transurethral resection (TUR) plays a pivotal role in both diagnosis and treatment. However, despite initial resection, tumors are often missed, leaving behind microscopic residual tumors. This study aims to prospectively investigate the surgical margins of tumors, which may serve as a potential source of residual tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients diagnosed with NMIBC who underwent primary TUR were enrolled in this study. Following initial resection, samples were collected from the normal-appearing mucosa extending 1cm beyond the surgical margins. Lesions were categorized as 'healthy margins' for benign lesions, 'tumoral margins' for urothelial cancer, and 'dysplastic margins' for urothelial dysplasia. Clinical and pathological features of these groups were compared, and risk factors for detecting transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in the normal-looking mucosa were analyzed. RESULTS: The tumoral margins group showed a significantly higher rate of T1 stage tumors compared to the healthy margins group, and a significantly higher rate of high-grade (HG) tumors compared to the dysplastic margins group. Moreover, the tumoral margins group had a significantly higher proportion of high-risk patients (85.7%) compared to the other groups, while the healthy margins group had a significantly higher proportion of low-risk patients (35.3%) compared to the tumoral margins group (0.0%). Additionally, the tumoral margins group demonstrated a significantly higher rate of carcinoma in situ (CIS) compared to the healthy margins group (35.7% vs. 5.9%). Detection of urothelial cancer at the margins was associated with T1 stage, HG stage, and the presence of CIS based on univariate analyses. CONCLUSION: To minimize residual tumors and prevent recurrence in patients undergoing primary TUR, we advocate for the resection of macroscopically visible tumors with nearly 2cm of intact bladder tissue, thereby enhancing the quality of TUR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Level II evidence, based on its design as a prospective observational study. The findings are derived from well-designed cohort analyses, providing significant associations and insights into the factors affecting surgical margins in NMIBC patients.

Adjuvant Systemic Therapy Improved Survival After Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to test for survival differences according to adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) status in radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) patients with pT2-T4 and/or N1-2 upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER, 2007-2020), patients with UTUC treated with AC versus RNU alone were identified. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models addressed cancer-specific mortality (CSM). RESULTS: Of 1995 patients with UTUC, 804 (40%) underwent AC versus 1191 (60%) RNU alone. AC rates increased from 36.1 to 57.0% over time in the overall cohort [estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) ± 4.5%, p < 0.001]. The increase was from 28.8 to 50.0% in TanyN0 patients (EAPC ± 7.8%, p < 0.001) versus 50.0-70.9% in TanyN1-2 patients (EAPC ± 2.3%, p = 0.002). Within 698 patients harboring TanyN1-2 stage, median CSM was 31 months after AC versus 16 months in RNU alone (Δ = 15 months, p < 0.0001) and AC independently predicted lower CSM [hazard ratio (HR) 0.64; p < 0.001]. Similarly, within subgroup analyses according to stage, relative to RNU alone, AC independently predicted lower CSM in T2N1-2 (HR 0.49; p = 0.04), in T3N1-2 (HR 0.72; p = 0.015), and in T4N1-2 (HR 0.49, p < 0.001) patients. Conversely, in all TanyN0 as well as in all stage-specific subgroup analyses addressing N0 patients, AC did not affect CSM rates (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In RNU patients, AC use is associated with significantly lower CSM in lymph-node-positive (N1-2) patients but not in lymph-node-negative patients (N0). The distinction between N1-2 and N0 regarding the effect of AC on CSM applied across all T stages from T2 to T4, inclusively.

If not now, then when? The need for new evidence in the robotic management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Current guidelines recommend radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision as the standard surgical treatment for high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). While large evidence is available regarding open and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, data focusing on robotic nephroureterectomy (RNU) in UTUC are mostly limited with mixed results, especially in locally advanced disease. In light of the recent introduction of new robotic platforms, it is of utmost importance to further investigate oncologic outcomes associated with RNU. Moreover, stronger data exploring different operative settings (i.e. robotic arms and trocars placement) for the new robotic systems are eagerly warranted. To give an answer to such open clinical questions, the Junior ERUS/Young Academic Urologist Working Group on Robot-assisted Surgery designed a multicentric project involving different high-volume centers across the world. The aim of the study will be exploring surgical and oncologic outcomes of RNU, specifically focusing on several clinical unmet needs, such as best operative setting for new robotic platforms, lymph node dissection (LDN) template and robotic bladder cuff management.

Analysis of preoperative nutrition, immunity and inflammation correlation index on the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma surgical patients: a retrospective single center study.

BACKGROUND: SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI are prognostic scores based on inflammation, nutrition, and immunity. The purpose of this study was to examine the prognostic value of the SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI in patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of UTUC patients in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. The optimal critical values of SII, PNI, SIRI, and AAPR were determined by ROC curve, and LIPI was stratified according to the dNLR and LDH. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of UTUC patients. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with UTUC were included in this study. The optimal truncation value of PNI, SII, SIRI and AAPR were determined to be 48.15, 596.4, 1.45 and 0.50, respectively. Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that low PNI, high SII, high SIRI, low AAPR and poor LIPI group were effective predictors of postoperative prognosis of UTUC patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that high SII was an independent risk factor for postoperative prognosis of UTUC patients. According to ROC curve, the prediction efficiency of fitting indexes of PNI, SII, SIRI, AAPR and LIPI is better than that of using them alone. CONCLUSIONS: The SII, PNI, SIRI, AAPR, and LIPI was a potential prognostic predictor in UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.

Preoperative analysis of factors associated with prolonged pneumoretroperitoneum time during retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) for upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) can increase the frequency of intravesical recurrence after surgery. Therefore, it is important for urological surgeons to have knowledge on preoperative risk factors for prolonged LNU. However, few studies have investigated the risk factors for prolonged LNU. We hypothesized that the quantity of perirenal fat affects the pneumoretroperitoneum time (PRT) of retroperitoneal LNU (rLNU). This study aimed to investigate the preoperative risk factors for prolonged PRT during rLNU. METHODS: We reviewed the data of 115 patients who underwent rLNU for UTUC between 2013 and 2021. The perirenal fat thickness (PFT) observed on preoperative computed tomography (CT) images was used to evaluate the perinephric fat quantity. Preoperative risk factors for PRT during rLNU were analyzed using logistic regression models. The cutoff value for PRT was determined based on the median time.The cutoff values for fat-related factors influencing PRT were defined according to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The median PRT for rLNU was 182 min (interquartile range, 155-230 min). The cutoff values of posterior, lateral, and anterior PFTs were 15 mm, 24 mm, and 6 mm, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that a posterior PFT ≥ 15 mm (odds ratio [OR], 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-7.08; p = 0.0410) was an independent risk factor for prolonged PRT. CONCLUSIONS: Thick posterior PFT is a preoperative risk factor for prolonged PRT during rLNU. For patients with UTUC and thick posterior PFT, surgeons should develop optimal surgical strategies, including the selecting an expert surgeon as a primary surgeon and the selecting transperitoneal approach to surgery or open surgery.