Incidence, Predictive Factors and Preventive Measures for Inguinal Hernia following Robotic and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Inguinal hernia is a known sequel of radical prostatectomy which contributes to patient morbidity and health care expenditure. In this systematic review we evaluated the incidence of inguinal hernia associated with minimally invasive radical prostatectomy, in addition to predictive factors and preventive measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed® and Embase® between 2000 and February 2018 using the search terms inguinal hernia and radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: In concordance with search terms and selection criteria we identified a total of 155 reports with 27 studies eligible for inclusion. Collated results demonstrated a variable prevalence of inguinal hernia after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy ranging from 4.3% to 8.3% and from 3% to 19.4 %, respectively. There was a higher mean prevalence of inguinal hernia after robotic assisted prostatectomy. Factors predicting inguinal hernia following minimally invasive radical prostatectomy included low body mass index, poor stream and straining prior to prostatectomy detected on symptom score instruments, a patent processus vaginalis or an intraoperative incidental inguinal hernia. Herniotomy or herniorrhaphy with onlay mesh repair was the most commonly reported intraoperative repair technique at the time of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. Recurrence of repaired incidental hernia is rare. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal hernia is common after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. There is a lack of high level evidence to clarify risk factors and preventive strategies for inguinal hernia after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. There is a justification for randomized controlled trials to further evaluate this under recognized clinical problem.

Semi-Automatic Electronic Stent Register: a novel approach to preventing ureteric stents lost to follow up.

BACKGROUND: Ureteric stents are indispensable tools in modern urology; however, the risk of them not being followed-up once inserted poses medical and medico-legal risks. Stent registers are a common solution to mitigate this risk; however, manual registers are logistically challenging, especially for busy units. METHODS: Western Sydney Local Health District developed a novel Semi-Automatic Electronic Stent Register (SAESR) utilizing billing information to track stent insertions. To determine the utility of this system, an audit was conducted comparing the 6 months before the introduction of the register to the first 6 months of the register. RESULTS: In the first 6 months of the register, 457 stents were inserted. At the time of writing, two of these are severely delayed for removal, representing a rate of 0.4%. In the 6 months immediately preceding the introduction of the register, 497 stents were inserted, and six were either missed completely or severely delayed in their removal, representing a rate of 1.2%. A non-inferiority analysis found this to be no worse than the results achieved before the introduction of the register. CONCLUSION: The SAESR allowed us to improve upon our better than expected rate of stents lost to follow up or severely delayed. We demonstrated non-inferiority in the rate of lost or severely delayed stents, and a number of other advantages including savings in personnel costs. The semi-automatic register represents an effective way of reducing the risk associated with a common urological procedure. We believe that this methodology could be implemented elsewhere.

A Case of Metastatic Melanoma in the Ureter.

Advances in the treatment of melanoma are resulting in patients living for extended periods after being diagnosed with metastatic disease. Metastases to the ureter are rare, but they have been described in the literature on a number of occasions. In this case report, we describe a patient with established metastatic melanoma who, whilst taking and responding to immunomodulatory therapy, was found to have an obstructive mass in the middle of his left ureter. Rather than performing either a nephroureterectomy or partial resection of the ureter, we opted to perform an endoscopic resection of the melanoma. Follow-up imaging at 12 months shows no evidence of local disease recurrence. We submit that primary endoscopic management of metastatic melanoma in the ureter is a viable alternative to a radical approach.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), is a common diagnosis among the ageing male population with increasing prevalence. Many risks factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, can increase the risk of development and progression of BPH and LUTS. The symptoms can be obstructive (resulting in urinary hesitancy, weak stream, straining or prolonged voiding) or irritative (resulting in increased urinary frequency and urgency, nocturia, urge incontinence and reduced voiding volumes), or can affect the patient after micturition (for example, postvoid dribble or incomplete emptying). BPH occurs when both stromal and epithelial cells of the prostate in the transitional zone proliferate by processes that are thought to be influenced by inflammation and sex hormones, causing prostate enlargement. Patients with LUTS undergo several key diagnostic investigations before being diagnosed with BPH. Treatment options for men with BPH start at watchful waiting and progress through medical to surgical interventions. For the majority of patients, the starting point on the treatment pathway will be dictated by their symptoms and degree of bother.

Men under the age of 55 years with screen detected prostate cancer do not have less significant disease compared to older men in a population of patients in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The American Urological Association (AUA) changed their Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening guidelines in 2013 to not recommend testing in men under 55 years of age without significant risk factors (such as a family history of prostate cancer or African ethnicity). The AUA argues that the rates of 'insignificant' prostate cancer (PC) in men under 55 are so high that the potential harms of PSA-testing in this population (over diagnosis and overtreatment) outweigh the benefits (early detection and treatment). Our study aims to identify and compare the rates of insignificant and high-risk PC in men diagnosed with PC ≤55 years and >55 years in two centres in Sydney, Australia. METHODS: Men with an abnormal screening PSA or DRE and diagnosed with PC by prostate biopsy were included in this study. A consecutive series of men were accrued from two major urology centres between the years 2006 and 2014. The analysis was divided into two parts, the first compared PC biopsy characteristics between men aged ≤55 years and those >55 years. The second analysis compared the prostatectomy pathological characteristics between the two groups. Differences were analysed by Chi squared and significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 598 prostate biopsies and 723 prostatectomy matched subjects were included. On prostate biopsies, 14.0 % of men ≤55 years and 11.9 % of men >55 years had insignificant PC (X(2) = 0.32, df = 1, p = 0.57), whilst 24.7 % of men ≤55 years and 25.1 % of men >55 years had high-risk PC (X(2) = 0.007, df = 1, p = 0.93). On prostatectomy specimens, 9.1 % of men ≤55 years and 6.5 % of men >55 years had insignificant PC (X(2) = 1.25, df = 1, p = 0.26), whilst 20.0 % of men ≤55 years and 24.0 % of men >55 years had high-risk PC (X(2) = 0.83, df = 1, p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in the rates of insignificant and high-risk PC between men ≤55 years and >55 years, in either the prostate biopsies or prostatectomy specimens. Further trials need to be performed with comparable sample sizes and controlling of risk factors to assess the utility of PSA screening in younger men.

Validation of a patient reported outcome questionnaire for assessing success of endoscopic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Several international committees involved in establishing standards of care have recommended that patients undergoing surgery for bladder outlet obstruction should be assessed with patient reported outcomes (PRO). The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) is an instrument designed to measure a patients interpretation of symptom changes following intervention. The objective of this study was to validate the PGI-I as a PRO assessment following surgery for bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Men undergoing photoselective vaporisation of the prostate were followed prospectively. Pre- and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of life (QoL) index, peak urinary flow (Qmax), and postvoid residual (PVR) assessments were done. The PGI-I was conducted and correlated at 3 months postoperatively to changes in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients were included. Following surgery, IPSS and QoL improved by 11 and 2.4 points (P<0.0001). PGI-I was found to correlate with postoperative changes in IPSS and QoL (Pearson correlation, 0.47 and 0.58, respectively; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to validate the PGI-I as a PRO measure to surgery for BOO. This suggests a potential for the PGI-I to be used to assess surgical therapies for BPH and may be a valuable addition for measuring outcomes in clinical trials evaluating surgical interventions for BPH.

A cost-effective, easily reproducible, suprapubic catheter insertion simulation training model.

INTRODUCTION: Suprapubic catheter (SPC) insertion is a basic skill required of surgical trainees. It is likely a trainee's first attempt at the procedure, will be undertaken without direct supervision at night and without access to aids of catheterization. Unfortunately, lack of simulation models and unpredictability of when SPCs are required, make it difficult to acquire this skill. Therefore, junior doctors frequently persist with urethral catheterization, with an increased risk of urethral injury. Improper catheterization has been cited as the causative factor for urethral strictures. The aim of this study was to develop an SPC model and assess its influence on a trainee's confidence in this procedure. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: An SPC model needs to fulfill a number of criteria. It should have anatomic characteristics of a bladder and provide realistic visual and sensory feedback. Cost effective copies of the model, which are able to be rapidly cycled through simulations are needed for effective clinical workshops. Finally, a trainee's understanding and confidence in performing the procedure should increase after using it. This prototype model has 3 anatomic parts: the bladder, the anterior abdominal wall, and the housing abdominal box. The most crucial component is the bladder, which is a balloon with Mefix tape that prevents leaking and "popping" on trocar insertion. CONCLUSION: This SPC model can be readily replicated by most clinical school and easily added to surgical workshops to ensure that trainees have hands on experience with this procedure before being required to perform it on patients.

Location and pathological characteristics of cancers in radical prostatectomy specimens identified by transperineal biopsy compared to transrectal biopsy.

PURPOSE: Anterior tumors are estimated to constitute 20% of prostate cancers. Current data indicate that transperineal biopsy is more reliable than transrectal biopsy in identifying these tumors. If correct, this superior reliability should result in an increased proportion of anterior tumors identified by transperineal biopsy. We investigated this hypothesis with reference to prostatectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radical prostatectomy histopathology records were retrospectively examined. Patients were grouped based on primary transperineal or transrectal biopsy as the modality used to identify the initial cancer. After grouping, tumor location and size were recorded and, thus, the proportion of anterior tumors was determined. RESULTS: A total of 1,132 (414 transperineal and 718 transrectal) prostatectomy specimens were examined. Overall mean tumor size (1.8 and 2.0 cm(3)), stage (pT2 63.3% and 61%) and significance (5.1% and 5.1%) for the transperineal and transrectal methods were similar. However, the transperineal method was associated with proportionally more anterior tumors (16.2% vs 12%, p = 0.046), and identified them at a smaller size (1.4 vs 2.1 cm(3), p = 0.03) and lower stage (extracapsular extension 13% vs 28%, p = 0.03) compared to the transrectal method. The pT3 positive surgical margin rate for anterior vs other tumors was 69% vs 34.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall transrectal and transperineal biopsy identify cancers that are similar in size, stage and significance. However, transperineal biopsy detected proportionally more anterior tumors (16.2% vs 12%), and identified them at a smaller size (1.4 vs 2.1 cm(3)) and stage (extracapsular extension 13% vs 28%) compared to transrectal biopsy. Identifying anterior tumors early is important because the positive surgical margin rate for anterior pT3 lesions is significantly higher.

Results of low threshold to biopsy following high-intensity focused ultrasound for localized prostate cancer.

CONTEXT: There are different treatment options for localized prostate cancer. The success of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is based largely on biochemical prostate specific antigen (PSA) results. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of using a low PSA threshold to perform prostate biopsies after HIFU in order to more accurately gauge treatment success. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Eleven patients underwent HIFU at Sydney Adventist Hospital in Sydney, 10 as primary and 1 as salvage therapy [post external beam radiation therapy (EBRT)]. The median age was 67 years (49-77 years). This was a prospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2008, the Sonoblate device was used. Prostate biopsies were 12-core biopsies performed under local anesthesia, if PSA was ≥0.5 ng/mL or after two consecutive rises in PSA. The statistical analysis involved prospective data collection of results to calculate median and ranges. RESULTS: The median PSA at diagnosis was 6.7 ng/mL (5.7-10.8 ng/mL). The median follow-up was 16 months (7-26 months). Nine men (82%) had post-HIFU biopsy. The median time to post-HIFU biopsy was 11.6 months (5-20 months), and all nine men had biopsy-proven residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: A low threshold to re-biopsy post-HIFU reveals a high local failure rate of 82%. Oncological efficacy is questioned, and using high threshold to biopsy may therefore be overestimating the effectiveness of HIFU as a primary treatment for localized prostate cancer.

Accuracy of primary systematic template guided transperineal biopsy of the prostate for locating prostate cancer: a comparison with radical prostatectomy specimens.

PURPOSE: We determined whether systematic template guided transperineal biopsies can accurately locate and sensitively detect prostate cancer. In addition, we reported discrepancies between diagnostic and pathological Gleason scores, and investigated whether prostate size had an effect on the cancer detection rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective diagnostic accuracy study compares the results of primary transperineal biopsies with the radical prostatectomy pathology of 414 consecutive patients treated at a single institution between November 2002 and August 2010. RESULTS: The average sensitivity and specificity for the detection of cancer in all prostates across all biopsy zones was 48% (95% CI 42.6-53.4) and 84.1% (95% CI 80-88.2), respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in the sensitivity of transperineal biopsy in larger prostates (t11=4.687, p=0.001). The overall Kappa value was 0.255 (95% CI 0.212-0.298). Grading concordance between biopsy and pathology specimens was achieved in 65.7% of patients. Upgrading of Gleason scores occurred in 25.6% of patients and downgrading occurred in 8.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our current transperineal biopsy method has only demonstrated fair agreement with the histopathology findings of the corresponding radical prostatectomy specimens. This finding is most likely due to the small, multifocal nature of prostate cancer in the patient series. The cancer detection rate was lower in larger prostates. Thus, clinicians may consider increasing the number of cores in larger prostates as a strategy to improve cancer detection.

Sexual function outcome following photoselective vaporisation of the prostate.

INTRODUCTION: There is little reported on sexual functional outcome following photoselective vaporisation of the prostate using the 120 W lithium triborate laser. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in sexual function at 3 and 12 months following PVP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The primary outcome measures were changes in voiding parameters and changes in erectile function in the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Change in erectile function was defined as mild (<5 IIEF points) or major (≥5 points). RESULTS: Results found that 75% of men had an IIEF-5 < 17 at baseline. At 3 months, the mean post-operative IIEF-5 score was unchanged compared to baseline (P = 0.13). A major decline in erectile function was seen in 12.4 and 24% of men at 3 and 12 months, respectively, and a major improvement in erectile function was seen in 8.3 and 6% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. There was no correlation in change in erectile function with urinary function, quality of life and loss of emission on orgasm. Loss of emission on orgasm was reported in 65% of respondents. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in erectile function are observed following PVP although a cause and effect relationship remains unclear.

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate in men taking clopidogrel.

AIM: To evaluate the peri-operative morbidity of men taking clopidogrel who underwent photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective database was collected. Between March 2005 and July 2010, 480 men underwent PVP. Of these, 18 men underwent PVP treatment while on clopidogrel. The surgery was carried out with either an 80W KTP laser or a 120W lithium triborate laser. RESULTS: In the peri-operative period there were no complications related to PVP. There were no urinary tract infections, nor did any patient require bladder re-catheterisation. No cardiovascular events were reported within 3 months of the procedure. At 3 months post operatively, the International Prostate Symptom Score±standard deviation had improved from was 17.5±10.6 to 9.2±6.1 P<0.05. While the Quality of Life±standard deviation improved from 4.7±1.2 to 2.2±1.5 P<0.01. The maximum flow rate (Qmax), and post void residual volume (PVR) improved from 6.2±3.0 mL/s to 19.7±9.1 mL/s (P<0.01), and 140±102 mL to 59±77 mL (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PVP is a safe and efficacious in the treatment of high risk patients with bladder outlet obstruction. Further, the ability to continue therapeutic anticoagulation and anti-platelet agents, is a significant advantage over Holmium enucleation of the prostate and conventional transurethral resection of the prostate. Larger studies with greater numbers of patients are required prior to PVP becoming the gold standard for high-risk patients with bladder outlet obstruction.

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate with the 120-W lithium triborate laser in men taking coumadin.

OBJECTIVE: To specifically evaluate perioperative morbidity associated with men who were taking coumadin and continued on this medication at therapeutic levels for the purposes of the prostate (PVP). Increasing numbers of men are taking coumadin for medical comorbidity and this creates clinical concerns for urologists treating such men with benign prostatic obstruction. Photoselective vaporization of the PVP has been shown to be an effective treatment for men receiving anticoagulation treatment, although previously published studies have evaluated a mix of men on aspirin, coumadin, or clopidogrel. METHODS: From a prospective database of men treated with the 120-W lithium triborate (LBO) laser from November 2006 to July 2010, 43 men were identified to have been on coumadin during their PVP. The mean age was 73.4 years (range, 55-90) and mean prostate size was 75.3 mL (range, 20-227). Perioperative morbidity and early functional outcomes were examined. RESULTS: No men required a blood transfusion, although 2 of 43 (4.7%) men had prolonged catheterization for bleeding. No patient required discontinuation of the coumadin during the perioperative period. Urinary tract infection occurred in 4 (9.3%) and recatheterization in 6 (14%). Apart from 3 outliers, the mean postoperative length of stay was 21.6 hours. At 3 months, improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score, peak urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual were similar to previously reported series of men not taking an anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: PVP in this high-risk group of patients has low perioperative morbidity and is associated with good early functional outcomes.

Long-term results of bipolar radiofrequency needle ablation of the prostate for lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: To report the first long-term experience on the efficacy of bipolar transurethral radiofrequency needle ablation (RFA) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms that are secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nonrandomized prospective cohort of 12 candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate underwent bipolar transurethral RFA in 2004 (mean age 63; prostate volume 34 cc). Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 12, 36, and 60 months postprocedure. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) index, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual volume (PVR), and need for a second procedure were evaluated at each follow-up interval. RESULTS: Significant improvement in urinary symptoms and voiding parameters occurred at 1 year after the procedure. Mean improvements for IPSS, QoL, and Q(max) were 12 points, 3.5 points, and 8 mL/s, respectively. Improvement, however, was not sustained in the long term. Nine patients ultimately had treatment failure necessitating a secondary procedure, one at 2 months, five after 3 years, and three by 5 years. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Only one patient had long-term benefit from the procedure. CONCLUSION: In the short term, bipolar RFA produced clinically meaningful improvement in symptom scores and voiding parameters. The majority of patients, however, eventually experienced treatment failure and needed additional surgical procedures. Only 8% of patients had long-term (>5 years) benefit.

Acceptance of repeat transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsies with local anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: • To measure patient discomfort associated with transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB) performed with periprostatic local anaesthetic (LA) infiltration and to document agreement to possible repeat biopsy, as a recent audit showed that 86% of Australian urologists performed prostate biopsies using sedation or general anaesthesia (GA), which implies many urologists think patients are unwilling to tolerate the procedure under LA block and/or may refuse a repeat procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • This was a prospective cohort study following all men undergoing TRUSPB in 2008. • Immediately after the procedure the men were asked to complete a visual analogue pain score. • They were then asked whether, if it was necessary to have a repeat biopsy, they would agree to LA again or request GA/sedation. RESULTS: • In all, 476 men participated in the study with a mean age of 64 years. • Of these, 464 men (97.5%) tolerated the procedure well and would, if required, agree to repeat biopsy with LA. • Only 12 men (2.5%) indicated they would request GA/sedation if a repeat biopsy was necessary. CONCLUSION: • The vast majority of men accepted having prostate biopsy with LA infiltration and therefore this should be the first method offered. • It may be possible to screen for men who would not tolerate biopsy under LA. • Resource saving by performing most biopsies under LA can be estimated to be >A$10 million annually.

Photoselective vaporization for prostatic obstruction with the 120-W lithium triborate laser: 1-year clinical outcomes.

There are few reports of the clinical outcomes of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using the 120-W lithium triborate (LBO) laser. The present study evaluates clinical outcomes of 76 men treated with the 120-W LBO laser by an experienced PVP surgeon with 12 months follow up. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual (PVR) were examined at baseline and at 3 and 12 months. These parameters at baseline and 12 months were 20 ± 7.0, 7.6 ± 3.5 mL/s, 155 ± 155 mL and 8.1 ± 6.1, 22.5 ± 10.3 mL/s, 59 ± 87 mL, respectively. Clinically, meaningful improvements in IPSS, Qmax and PVR were observed at 3 months and sustained at 12 months. There were few adverse events, with only 5.3% of patients requiring recatheterization. Clinical outcome at 12 months was similar to that at 3 months and to other published series.