Pure Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: A Single Institution Experience From a Middle Eastern Country.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is the most adopted technique for kidney transplantation. Several obstacles preclude brain-dead organ transplantation in the Middle East, going from social and cultural barriers to economical and structural difficulties. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report Lebanese experience with pure LLDN, and kidney transplantation. METHODS: We included 120 cases of pure LLDN performed at our center. Demographic, perioperative, and immediate postoperative data were analyzed. Surgical particularities of the technique are described. RESULTS: The reported laparoscopic technique allowed for minimal perioperative morbidity, with an overall complication rate of 3%. Operative time averaged 146 minutes and warm ischemia time averaged 4 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 3 ± 1 days. Postoperative hemoglobin and creatinine showed a mean absolute variation of 0.09 ± 0.06 g/dL for hemoglobin and 0.51 ± 015 µmoles/L increase for creatinine. No Clavien-Dindo III-V complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Strict adherence to the reproducible pure LLDN technique allowed for the performance of almost 45 cases per year with minimal morbidity and results comparable to similar series.

Sexual dysfunction due to pudendal neuralgia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The pudendal nerve is considered as the main nerve of sexuality. Pudendal neuralgia is an underdiagnosed disease in clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review is to highlight the role of pudendal neuralgia on sexual dysfunction in both sexes. METHODS: A PubMed search was performed using the following keywords: "Pudendal" AND "Sexual dysfunction" or "Erectile dysfunction" or "Ejaculation" or "Persistent sexual arousal" or "Dyspareunia" or "Vulvodynia". The search involved patients having sexual dysfunction due to pudendal neuralgia. Treatment received was also reported. RESULTS: Five case series, seven cohort studies, two pilot studies, and three randomized clinical trials were included in this systematic review. Pudendal nerve and/or artery entrapment, or pudendal neuralgia, is a reversible cause of multiple sexual dysfunctions. Interventions such as anesthetic injections, neurolysis, and decompression are reported as potential treatment modalities. There are no studies describing the role of pudendal canal syndrome in the pathophysiology or treatment of delayed ejaculation or penile shortening. DISCUSSION: Pudendal neuralgia is an underestimated yet important cause of persistent genital arousal, erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), ejaculation pain, and vulvodynia. Physicians should be aware of this entity and examine the pudendal canal in such patients before concluding an idiopathic cause of sexual dysfunction.

Multiparametric MRI with in-bore targeted biopsy in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer: Data from a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Accuracy of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for the detection of significant prostate cancer (CaP) varies in the literature as only few studies use radical prostatectomy specimens as their gold standard. On another hand, MRI-targeted prostate biopsy is emerging as an alternative to the traditional randomized biopsy, with a higher detection rate of high-grade cancers. However, data on MRI guided in bore biopsy is lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed every patient that had his mpMRI, MRI guided in bore biopsy and radical prostatectomy performed in our hospital between November 2015 and December 2020. The diagnostic performances of both mpMRI and MRI targeted biopsy in sampling PIRADS index lesions were studied, using radical prostatectomy specimens as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of mpMRI for detecting T3 stage, extra-capsular extension, seminal vesicles involvement and lymph node disease were also evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-two met our inclusion criteria. For PIRADS≥3 lesions, sensitivity and positive predictive value for detecting clinically significant CaP were of 83.5% and 94.7%. A total of 32.2% prostate cancers on targeted biopsy were upgraded on final pathology, with an upgrading to ISUP≥2 in 3.2% and to ISUP≥3 in 14.5%. A total of 20.9% of cancers were downgraded but without any downgrading to ISUP 1. When final pathology is taken as a gold standard, sensitivity of mpMRI was 31.8% for T3 staging prediction, 30.0% for extra-capsular extension, 28.7% for seminal vesicles involvement and 66.7% for lymph node disease prediction. Specificity was 89.3%, 93.1%, 95.3%, and 92.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: mpMRI has an acceptable accuracy for the prediction of significant CaP and index lesion detection but is unreliable for CaP staging. Comparison between pathology and biopsy results revealed that the in-bore biopsy technique has an upgrading and downgrading rate comparable in the literature to fusion biopsy, but higher than the combined biopsy approach.

Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in urological tumors: an umbrella review of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied as a biomarker for cancer prognosis, predicting survival in many tumors. The aim of this umbrella review was to combine the results from all systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the prognostic role of the NLR in patients with urological tumors. METHODS: A PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane search was undergone from inception through September 2020 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the prognostic value of NLR in urological tumors, subdivided into prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, urothelial bladder and upper tract carcinomas PROSPERO (CRD42020216310). RESULTS: The results have shown, with a high level of evidence, that an elevated NLR predicts worse overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in prostate cancer, worse OS, PFS and RFS in renal cell carcinoma, worse OS, PFS, RFS and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in muscle invasive bladder cancer, worse PFS and RFS in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, and worse OS, PFS, RFS and CSS in urothelial upper tract carcinoma. CONCLUSION: NLR has a significant prognostic value in urological tumors and should be included in prognostic scores of these cancers.

Laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release for pudendal entrapment syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is an underdiagnosed pathology responsible of several urinary, sexual and anorectal complaints. The aim of our study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release in a large retrospective cohort of patients with pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome with both a short and long-term follow-up. Technical details and outcomes are also reported. METHODS: A series of 235 patients with pudendal syndrome underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal canal release between June 2015 and February 2020. Operative data were recorded prospectively for all patients. A complete history, pain visual analog scale (VAS) for perineodynia, and three scores evaluating the main symptoms (USP, IIEF-5, PAC-SYM) were obtained before and at least 24 months after surgery for 32 patients only. Post-operative complications were also evaluated using Clavien-Dindo classification at regular interval. RESULTS: The mean operating time per side was 33.9 ± 6.8 min and the average hospital stay was 1.9 ± 0.3 days. Blood loss was 20 cc ± 10 cc with no patients needing transfusion. The only significant per-operative complication was hemorrhage (600 ml) in one patient induced by a pudendal artery laceration, successfully treated by laparoscopic suturing. Post-operative complications were noted in 18.7% of patients with no serious Clavien-Dindo complications. Perineodynia VAS dropped from 6.8 ± 0.9 to 2.2 ± 1.8 after surgery (p < 0.001). Mean IIEF-5 scores significantly improved one month after the surgery (15.2 vs 19.3, p = 0.036). Mean USP scores significantly improved for the dysuria domain (4.2 vs 1.6, p = 0.021) but not for stress urinary incontinence (3.9 vs 4.1, p = 0.082) or overactive bladder symptoms (14.1 vs 13.8, p = 0.079). Mean PAC-SYM scores significantly improved after the procedure (1.8 vs 1.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A complete laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery release, from the sciatic spine through the Alcock's canal, is a fast and safe surgery with promising functional results. A large prospective trial is needed to validate such an approach.

Early penile-only metastasis of urothelial bladder carcinoma.

Penile metastasis rarely occurs as a unique and early distant recurrence of urothelial bladder carcinoma. A 77-year-old male underwent a radical cystoprostatecomy for a pT3a urothelial bladder cancer. Preoperative imaging workup concluded to a disease confined to the bladder. The patient consulted 5 months later for a penile induration. Computed tomography imaging revealed a suspicious penile nodule with no other nodal or visceral lesion. Total penectomy after a confirmatory biopsy confirmed the infiltration of the corpora cavernosa, the corpus spongiosum and the urethra by a urothelial metastasis of bladder cancer. Distant recurrences after radical surgery for locally advanced bladder cancer may occur as a unique early metastasis located to the penis.

Prospective Multicenter Open-Label One-Arm Trial Investigating a Pumpkin Seed, Isoflavonoids, and Cranberry Mix in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Pilot Study.

Phytotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is progressively demanded by patients and trusted by physicians. The aim was to assess the efficacy of a mix of pumpkin seed extract, soy germ isoflavonoids, and cranberry (Novex®) in the management of mild to moderate LUTS in BPH patients. Male patients aged ≥40 years, who had had mild to moderate LUTS for >6 months at screening, with no previous therapy or who are still symptomatic despite current use of alpha-blockers, were recruited. Exclusion criteria were an IPSS >19 and an age >80 years. The mixed compound was administered orally, daily, for 3 months. Patients were evaluated by means of IPSS, urological quality of life (uQoL) index, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) at 3 visits: baseline (visit 1), 30 days (visit 2), and 90 days after treatment (visit 3). Among 163 screened patients, 128 patients (61.8 ± 9.9 years) were recruited. IPSS improved from 15 (Q1 : 12-Q3 : 17) in visit 1, to 11 (Q1 : 8-Q3 : 14) in visit 2, and to 9 (Q1 : 6-Q3 : 12) in visit 3 (p < 0.001). uQoL improved from 4 (3-4) in visit 1, to 3 (2-3) in visit 2, and to 2 (1-2) in visit 3 (p < 0.001). The patients had an IIEF-5 score of 15 (12-18.7) in visit 1, 15 (12-18) in visit 2, and 17 (13-19) in visit 3 (p=0.99 visits 1 vs. 2, p=0.004 visits 2 vs. 3, and p=0.001 visits 1 vs. 3). Treating mild to moderate LUTS/BPH patients with Novex® might therefore relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life, and have a mild beneficial effect on erectile function.

Minimally invasive simple prostatectomy in the era of laser enucleation for high-volume prostates: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available prospective and retrospective studies comparing the minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robot-assisted) simple prostatectomy (MISP) and laser enucleation of the prostate for treating male lower urinary tract symptoms in high-volume prostates, as laser enucleation of the prostate is the new trend for treating high-volume prostates (>80 mL) but many urologists now prefer MISP. METHODS: A systematic search was done using the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Cochrane databases in June 2019, with research terms including: 'laser', 'laparoscopy', 'enucleation', 'BPH', 'simple prostatectomy', 'Millins', and 'adenomectomy'. The meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Of 38 screened articles, six were analysed and a total of 975 men were included. The average operative time, length of stay and catheterisation time were significantly shorter in the laser enucleation group (P = 0.006, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The amount of prostatic tissue removed during surgery was comparable between both the laser enucleation and MISP groups (P = 0.39). The International Prostate Symptom Score, prostate-specific antigen level, maximum urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were also comparable at 3 months. Finally, similar transfusion rates and Clavien-Dindo complication rates were observed (P = 0.08 and P = 0.41, respectively). CONCLUSION: This systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis provide a further demonstration of the safety and effectiveness of both laser enucleation and MISP. While laser enucleation had a shorter catheterisation time and hospital stay than MISP, the latter still had unique and specific indications.Abbreviations: ELEP: eraser laser enucleation of the prostate; HoLEP: holmium laser enucleation of the prostate; PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PVR: post-void residual urine volume; Qmax: maximum urinary flow rate; (L)(MI)(RA)SP: (laparoscopic) (minimally-invasive) (robot-assisted) simple prostatectomy.

Bladder stone following intravesical migration of surgical clip five years after radical prostatectomy.

Bladder stone formation on iatrogenic foreign bodies following radical prostatectomy is an uncommon postoperative complication. We present the case of a bladder lithiasis that developed around a metallic clip five years after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Immunotherapy: last bullet in platinum refractory germ cell testicular cancer.

Testicular germ cell tumors are chemosensitive with very high cure-rates even in the metastatic setting. However, patients with platinum-refractory and relapsing tumors after autologous stem cell transplant have very poor outcomes despite salvage treatments, and with no effective alternative therapies. Immunotherapy, notably with PD-1 inhibitors, has proven to be very effective in treating various solid tumors. This review summarizes the experience with anti-PD-1 agents (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) in the treatment of testicular germ cell tumor relapsing after multiple lines of treatment, and exposes future trials evaluating newer checkpoint inhibitors in this setting.

Arcanobacterium pyogenes and encrusted pyelitis.

AIM: Trueperella pyogenes is known to affect cattle, but was never isolated as a cause of human urinary tract infections. CLINICAL CASE: A 69-year-old male presented for recurring low urinary tract symptoms after a 20-day ciprofloxacin regimen for prostatitis. He previously underwent open right nephrolithotomy and left ureterovesical junction reimplantation for an iatrogenic distal ureteral stricture. Computed tomography showed spontaneous cortical calcifications; renoscopy was performed and deep cultures from the pelvis were taken; culture on chocolate agar revealed T. pyogenes. Intravenous teicoplanin for 3 weeks resulted in resolution of low urinary tract symptoms with regression of bladder and ureteral thickening. CONCLUSION: T. pyogenes can cause encrusted pyelitis in humans especially evoked in a context of persisting or recurring urinary tract infections.