Spectral imaging enables contrast agent-free real-time ischemia monitoring in laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery has evolved as a key technique for cancer diagnosis and therapy. While characterization of the tissue perfusion is crucial in various procedures, such as partial nephrectomy, doing so by means of visual inspection remains highly challenging. We developed a laparoscopic real-time multispectral imaging system featuring a compact and lightweight multispectral camera and the possibility to complement the conventional surgical view of the patient with functional information at a video rate of 25 Hz. To enable contrast agent-free ischemia monitoring during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, we phrase the problem of ischemia detection as an out-of-distribution detection problem that does not rely on data from any other patient and uses an ensemble of invertible neural networks at its core. An in-human trial demonstrates the feasibility of our approach and highlights the potential of spectral imaging combined with advanced deep learning-based analysis tools for fast, efficient, reliable, and safe functional laparoscopic imaging.

Surgical site infections after radical prostatectomy: A comparative study between robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and retropubic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is defined as infection at or near surgical incisions within 30 days of an operative procedure and classified either incisional superficial and deep or organ/space. The aim of the study is to report and compare the incidence and management of SSIs after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the last 4 years, we identified 285 patients that underwent RRP, n=187 (66%) or RALP, n=98 (34%). We reviewed the frequency, types and way of management of SSI complications. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between RALP and RRP (2/98, 2% vs. 27/187, 14.4%; p<0.0001) as for SSIs. The time interval between the time of surgery and diagnosis of SSIs was longer in RALP relative to RRP (median 13.5 vs. 12.9 days, p=0.761). CONCLUSION: All types of SSIs could be developed after RP, however RALP patients only experienced organ or space SSIs and have a lower rate of SSIs and shorter treatment time.

Cancer-specific and overall survival in patients with recurrent prostate cancer who underwent salvage extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence who underwent salvage extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND), taking into consideration pre- and postoperative androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). METHODS: Salvage ePLND was performed in a cohort of 54 patients with PCa recurrence, and data from 45 patients were analyzed. The indications for salvage ePLND were biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa and suspect findings on (11)C-choline PET/CT. PSA-level, biochemical response (BR), duration of biochemical recurrence freedom (BCRF), number of metastases, OS and CSS were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 42.7 ± 20.8 months. Thirty-three patients (73.3 %, 95 % CI: 60.5-83.6 %) achieved BCRF during follow-up. The mean BCRF-period was 31.4 ± 19.7 months. CSS and OS were both 91.7 % ± 4.8 % (3-year survival) and 80.6 ± 8.6 % (5-year survival). Twenty-four patients (53.3 %, 95 % CI: 40.0-66.3 %) with castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) responded again to ADT after salvage ePLND. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage ePLND for selected patients with BCR and clinically recurrent nodal disease can achieve an immediate complete PSA response (i. e. BCRF) in nearly half of the patients. Patients with CRPC responded again to ADT after ePLND. Multicenter prospective studies with a control group are needed.

A study on the value of computer-assisted assessment for SPECT/CT-scans in sentinel lymph node diagnostics of penile cancer as well as clinical reliability and morbidity of this procedure.

BACKGROUND: Because of the increasing importance of computer-assisted post processing of image data in modern medical diagnostic we studied the value of an algorithm for assessment of single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT)-data, which has been used for the first time for lymph node staging in penile cancer with non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes. In the guidelines of the relevant international expert societies, sentinel lymph node-biopsy (SLNB) is recommended as a diagnostic method of choice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of the afore-mentioned algorithm and in the clinical context the reliability and the associated morbidity of this procedure. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2015, 25 patients with invasive penile cancer and inconspicuous inguinal lymph node status underwent SLNB after application of the radiotracer Tc-99m labelled nanocolloid. We recorded in a prospective approach the reliability and the complication rate of the procedure. In addition, we evaluated the results of an algorithm for SPECT/CT-data assessment of these patients. RESULTS: SLNB was carried out in 44 groins of 25 patients. In three patients, inguinal lymph node metastases were detected via SLNB. In one patient, bilateral lymph node recurrence of the groins occurred after negative SLNB. There was a false-negative rate of 4 % in relation to the number of patients (1/25), resp. 4.5 % in relation to the number of groins (2/44). Morbidity was 4 % in relation to the number of patients (1/25), resp. 2.3 % in relation to the number of groins (1/44). The results of computer-assisted assessment of SPECT/CT data for sentinel lymph node (SLN)-diagnostics demonstrated high sensitivity of 88.8 % and specificity of 86.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB is a very reliable method, associated with low morbidity. Computer-assisted assessment of SPECT/CT data of the SLN-diagnostics shows high sensitivity and specificity. While it cannot replace the assessment by medical experts, it can still provide substantial supplement and assistance.

Semi-rigid penile prosthesis as a salvage management of idiopathic ischemic stuttering priapism.

INTRODUCTION: Priapism is the persistent erection resulting from dysfunction of the mechanisms that regulate penile swelling, stiffness, and sagging. It is a full or partial erection that persists for a period more than 4 hours beyond sexual stimulation and/or orgasm or is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Ischemic priapism should be managed in a step-by-step fashion. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate step-by-step management of stuttering refractory ischemic priapism. We report a case of stuttering refractory ischemic priapism. Moreover, we reviewed different approaches to priapism management in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old male presented with a painful erection of 29 hours' duration, probably caused by consumption of alcohol. The penile blood gas showed a pH of 7.08, PCO2 of 75 mmHg and PO2 of 39 mmHg. Aspiration was followed by irrigation of an α-adrenergic, Winter and T-shunt operations were preformed, and finally a semi-rigid penile prosthesis was implanted to overcome the refractory stuttering ischemic priapism. CONCLUSION: In case of stuttering refractory ischemic priapism, immediate implantation of a penile prosthesis is a simple and effective procedure that manages both the acute episode and the inevitable erectile dysfunction that would otherwise occur, while preserving penile length.

Sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT regarding the detection of lymph node metastases in prostate cancer recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of choline PET/CT regarding the detection of lymph node (LN) metastases in recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: 49 patients with a biochemical recurrence of PCa (PSA >0.2 ng/ml) were included in the study. All patients were selected for further diagnostics with a choline-PET/CT. All patients underwent salvage extended lymphadenectomy. The PET/CT result and the histological findings were analyzed regarding the specificity and sensitivity and with respect to the localization of the metastases. The detection rate of LN metastases was analyzed with respect to interdependencies between the pre-PET/CT PSA-value as well as the role of prior ADT. RESULTS: 41 out of 49 (83.6%) patients showed positive PET/CT results. Positive LNs were found in 27 out of 49 patients (55.1%). 48.9% of the PET-CT-findings proved true positive, 36.7% were found to be false positive. 8.1% proved true negative and 8.1% false negative. This results in a specificity of 22.7% and a sensitivity of 85.1%. Out of the true positive PET/CT scans, 61.9% were not congruent regarding the localization of positive LNs. In patients with PSA [greater than or equal to] 5 ng/ml, the sensitivity of the PET/CT result was 93.7%, while specificity was 0%. In 24 patients who underwent ADT prior to the PET/CT diagnostics, the sensitivity was 84.6% and specificity 9.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of PET/CT imaging for detection of LN metastases is limited by a high false-positive rate. The influence of ADT further diminishes the PET/CT reliability. Sensitivity of the PET/CT is highest in patients with a PSA of [greater than or equal to] 5 ng/ml. Based on our results, we propose the following conclusions: 1. There is no well-established diagnostic alternative to Choline-PET/CT Scan. Therefore this method may continue to be performed in patients with BCR. 2. It is not sufficient to remove only those LNs that show up in the PET/CT. 3. Salvage extended lymphadenectomy should follow a predefined template (e.g. the "Kiel template") and not just the PET/CT scan results.

Extended salvage pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with recurrent prostate cancer.

Background. Treatment of patients with a biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) is generally difficult and without valid treatment options. Since 2004 we have been developing therapeutic possibilities for these patients. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 41 patients with a BCR of PCa and a mean followup of 40.3 ± 20.8 months. Group 1 (n = 10): salvage radical prostatectomy (sRP) with SePLND (salvage extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection) (initial treatment: combined brachytherapy). Group 2 (n = 22): SePLND (initial treatment: radical prostatectomy (RP)). Group 3 (n = 9): SePLND (initial treatment: RP and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT)). We observed PSA, PSA-velocity, localization of LNs and LNs+, BCR-free period, and BR (biochemical response). Results. Group 1: 60% with BCR-freedom (mean 27.2 months). Group 2: 63.6% with BCR-freedom (mean 17.5 months). Group 3: 33.3% with BCR-freedom (mean 17.6 months). In total, BCR-freedom was observed in 23 of 41 patients (56.1%) after salvage surgery. 75.6% of all patients showed a BR. 765 LNs were removed and 14.8% of these were LN+. Conclusions. The BCR-free period and BR are comparable in all three groups. Sensibility to ADT can be reestablished and prolonged as a result of SePLND. Multicenter studies are needed for a reliable output.