Is it Safe to Continue Aspirin in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate peri-operative outcomes in patients on chronic aspirin therapy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), with and without discontinuation of aspirin. Anti-coagulation and anti-platelet therapy are contraindications for PCNL per American Urological Association guidelines due to bleeding risk. However, there is potentially increased cardiovascular risk with peri-procedural aspirin withdrawal. METHODS: Patients on chronic aspirin undergoing PCNL between January 2014 and May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and stratified by continued or discontinued aspirin >5 days preoperatively. Hematologic complications, transfusions, and thrombotic complications were assessed with logistic regression model. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-five patients on chronic aspirin therapy underwent PCNL-85 continued and 240 discontinued aspirin. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin change, estimated blood loss, transfusions, creatinine change, thrombotic complications, 30-days re-admissions, complications, or 30-day emergency department visits. Patients who continued aspirin had longer length of stay (1.6 vs 1.9 days, P = .03). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 (OR 3.2, P = .02, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [1.2-8.4]), ASA score of 4 (OR 4.0, P = .02, 95% CI [1.2-13.1]), Black race, and previous smoking (OR 2.1, P = .02, 95% CI [1.1-3.9]) was associated with continued aspirin. Body mass index ≥30 was associated with aspirin discontinuation (OR 0.9, P = .004, 95% CI [0.9-1.0]). Increased postoperative hematologic complications were associated with additional anticoagulation medication (OR 2.9, P = .04, 95% CI [1.0-4.4]). CONCLUSION: Continued aspirin use did not increase in postoperative complications in patients undergoing PCNL. Patients who are on additional anticoagulation medication are at risk of hematologic complications.

Ergonomics in the OR: An Electromyographic Evaluation of Common Muscle Groups Used During Simulated Flexible Ureteroscopy - a Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of different surgeon positions and ureteroscope types on muscle activation as measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) during simulated ureteroscopy in an endourology box-trainer model and the kidney phantom. METHODS: For this exploratory study, sEMG was used to quantify muscle activation of 3 endourology fellows during various ureteroscopic tasks. Electrodes were placed on the ureteroscope-holding side of the following muscles: thenar, forearm flexor, forearm extensor, biceps, triceps, deltoid, and trapezius. Subjects wore fitted lead aprons in an operating room and used a cystoscopy table with surgical drapes and an endoscopic video tower. Trials were completed with a disposable and reusable ureteroscope, both in the standing and sitting positions. Each subject performed an identical set of tasks in a phantom silicone kidney and ureteroscopy box trainer to recreate the procedural components of basketing, navigating a renal collecting system, and dusting. Raw EMG data for each task was processed and normalized as a percent of each subject's maximum voluntary contraction to allow comparison. RESULTS: The forearm extensor was the most heavily utilized muscle. The trapezius and deltoid muscles were activated more during sitting whereas the forearm flexors had increased activity during standing. The heavier reusable ureteroscope had increased forearm extensor activation compared to the disposable ureteroscope. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data show measurable differences in muscle activation based on both surgical posture and type of ureteroscope used. This highlights the need for more extensive EMG studies to identify techniques and equipment to optimize ergonomics and potentially minimize injury during flexible ureteroscopy.

Acute kidney injury and percutaneous nephrolithotomy: incidence and predictive factors.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for patients with large stones. The risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been reported in the Western world. Our objective was to assess the frequency of AKI in patients undergoing PCNL and to identify independent predictors of AKI. METHODS: A retrospective review of PCNL cases performed between January 2014 and June 2019 was reformed. Demographic, laboratory, and intraoperative date were obtained. Perioperative AKI was defined as (1) Increase in serum creatinine by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL (≥ 26.5 micromol/L) within 48 h, or (2) increase in serum creatinine to ≥ 1.5 times baseline. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing AKI. A p value of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 566 patients were included. Mean age was 58 ± 14.4 years. The frequency of AKI was 4.4% (n = 25). The risk factors for AKI after PCNL were having a baseline creatinine > 1.54 mg/dl (p = 0.03, odds ratio [OR] = 2.66, confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-6.6), and a preoperative hemoglobin of less than 10.6 g/dL (p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 2.47, confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-5.5). Patients without AKI had a median hospitalization of 2 days, while those with an AKI were hospitalized for a median of 3 days, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative AKI occurs in 4.4% of patients undergoing PCNL. Preoperative hemoglobin and serum creatinine can identify those at increased risk, in whom it may be important to avoid nephrotoxic agents.

Ureteral Diameter as Predictor of Ureteral Injury during Ureteral Access Sheath Placement.

PURPOSE: We determined the association between ureteral diameter and ureteral injury during ureteral access sheath placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled in the study from July 2014 to September 2015. All patients underwent preoperative noncontrast computerized tomography and had a 12Fr to 14Fr ureteral access sheath placement without pre-stenting. A measurement of proximal ureteral diameter was carried out by 2 urologists and 1 radiologist. Ureteral wall injuries were evaluated by 2 endourologists using the 5-grade classification. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included and the overall success rate for sheath placement was 94.1% (64). Among this group 46 patients (71.9%) had evidence of any type of injury to the ureter wall and the rate of high grade injuries was 26.1% (12). The ureteral diameter of patients who had a high grade injury was significantly smaller compared to those with low grade injuries (mean±SD 3.29±0.46 mm vs 4.5±0.97 mm, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis narrower proximal ureteral diameter was associated with a higher risk of high grade ureteral injury (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-3.4, p <0.001), regardless of age, gender, body mass index, and middle and distal ureteral diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The proximal ureteral diameter is associated with high grade ureteral injury. A smaller ureteral diameter increases the risk and the severity of ureteral injury. Therefore, preoperative measurement of the ureteral diameter is recommended for ureteral access sheath placement to predict the risk of ureteral injury.

Magnetic-Assisted Robotic and Laparoscopic Renal Surgery: Initial Clinical Experience with the Levita Magnetic Surgical System.

Introduction: The Levita™ Magnetic Surgical System (LMSS) is a new device that can provide retraction using magnets and can reduce the number of ports used during laparoscopic and robotic procedure. It is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bariatric operation, and robotic radical prostatectomy. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the magnetic surgical system during renal procedure. Methods: We performed a prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label study to assess the safety and performance of the LMSS. The system includes a deployable, single-use magnetic grasper and a reusable external magnet. Selected patients undergoing either laparoscopic or robotic renal procedure from April 2019 to August 2019 were included. Robotic procedures were performed with the da Vinci Xi or single-port (SP) surgical platforms. Preoperative demographic, intraoperative data, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Results: Ten procedures were performed using the LMSS. Cases included Xi robotic partial nephrectomy (n = 3), Xi robotic radical nephrectomy (n = 2), SP robotic partial nephrectomy (n = 2), SP robotic pyeloplasty (n = 1), laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (n = 1), and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (n = 1). No cases required conversion to an open procedure. Issues included one small liver capsular tear from the device jaws necessitating fulguration and occasional robotic "recoverable fault" errors when the external magnet was placed too close to the robotic arms. All patients were discharged home on postoperative day 1 or 2, and there were no readmissions within 30 days. Conclusions: This is the first report on the use of the LMSS for renal procedure. Its use for laparoscopic and robotic renal procedure appears safe and feasible. The grasper is especially useful for exposing the renal hilum during dissection and the ureteropelvic junction during SP robotic procedures, mimicking multiport techniques. Further study is required to optimize use of the LMSS and evaluate its cost effectiveness.

Indocyanine Green (ICG) in Urologic Surgery.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a dye used for fluorescent-guided surgery. This review article addresses the recent surge in reported uses of ICG in various surgical fields and provides a comprehensive and up to date review of the uses of ICG in urologic surgery.

Exosomes from bulk and stem cells from human prostate cancer have a differential microRNA content that contributes cooperatively over local and pre-metastatic niche.

The different prostate cancer (PCa) cell populations (bulk and cancer stem cells, CSCs) release exosomes that contain miRNAs that could modify the local or premetastatic niche. The analysis of the differential expression of miRNAs in exosomes allows evaluating the differential biological effect of both populations on the niche, and the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Five PCa primary cell cultures were established to originate bulk and CSCs cultures. From them, exosomes were purified by precipitation for miRNAs extraction to perform a comparative profile of miRNAs by next generation sequencing in an Illumina platform. 1839 miRNAs were identified in the exosomes. Of these 990 were known miRNAs, from which only 19 were significantly differentially expressed: 6 were overexpressed in CSCs and 13 in bulk cells exosomes. miR-100-5p and miR-21-5p were the most abundant miRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed miRNAs are highly related with PCa carcinogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, differentiation and migration, and angiogenesis. Besides, miRNAs from bulk cells affects osteoblast differentiation. Later, their effect was evaluated in normal prostate fibroblasts (WPMY-1) where transfection with miR-100-5p, miR-21-5p and miR-139-5p increased the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2, -9 and -13 and RANKL and fibroblast migration. The higher effect was achieved with miR21 transfection. As conclusion, miRNAs have a differential pattern between PCa bulk and CSCs exosomes that act collaboratively in PCa progression and metastasis. The most abundant miRNAs in PCa exosomes are interesting potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Nefrolitectomía endoscópica transpiélica durante pieloplastía laparoscópica asistida por robot: Combinación de técnicas endourológicas para la resolución de un caso de estenosis pieloureteral asociado a nefrolitiasis / Endoscopic nephrolithotomy transpielic during a robot assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty: Combination of endourological techniques for solving a case of pelvi-ureter stenosis associated with nephrolithiasis

La estenosis pieloureteral (EPU) puede predisponer al desarrollo de nefrolitiasis debido a estasis urinaria. Inicialmente la endopielotomía percutánea fue la alternativa mínimamente invasiva de elección frente a la cirugía abierta para la resolución de los casos de EPU con nefrolitiasis concomitante. Sin embargo, el bajo éxito de la endopielotomía percutánea ha favorecido el uso de la laparoscopía convencional o asistida por robot para el tratamiento de las EPU. Se han reportado casos de pieloplastías laparoscópicas en los cuales se ha introducido un nefroscopio flexible a través de un trócar para resolver la nefrolitiasis por vía transpiélica. Acá reportamos nuestra experiencia en un caso.(AU)

The pelvi-ureter stenosis may predispose to the development of nephrolithiasis due to urinary stasis. Initially, a percutaneous endopyelotomy was minimally invasive alternative of choice versus open surgery for resolving cases of EPU with concomitant nephrolithiasis. However, the low success of percutaneous endopyelotomy has favored the use of conventional laparoscopy or robot-assisted treatment of the pelvi-ureter stenosis. There have been reports of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in which a flexible nephroscope is inserted through a trocar to solve nephrolithiasis by a transpielic via. Here we report our experience in one case.(AU)

Impact of CYP1A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms in overall and specific prostate cancer survival.

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic biomarkers that distinguish between patients with good or poor outcome can be used to guide decisions of whom to treat and how aggressively. In this sense, several groups have proposed genetic polymorphisms as potential susceptibility and prognostic biomarkers; however, their validity has not been proven. Thus, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the potential role of single and combined CYP1A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genotypes as modifiers of cancer survival in Chilean patients with prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 260 histologically confirmed patients were recruited from a voluntary screening, and genomic DNA was obtained from their blood samples for genotyping analyses to detect the CYP1A1*2A polymorphism and GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions. The progression of illness and mortality were estimated with a median follow-up of 8.82 years. Adjusted estimated genotype risks were evaluated by hazard ratio and 95% CI using the Cox proportional model. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier survival method and log-rank test were used to evaluate patient survival with regard to genotype. RESULTS: The 9-year overall and specific survival rates were 67.6% and 36.6% in the GSTT1null group, 67.6% and 58.7% in the GSTM1non-null group, 69.0% and 51.6% in the *1A/*2A group, 63.9% and 61.5% in the *2A/*2A group vs. 76.2% and 62.3% in the GSTT1non-null group, 82.3% and 50% in the GSTM1null group, and 83.7% and 56.3% in the *1A/*1A group, respectively. The hazard ratios and the Kaplan-Meier curve results demonstrate that the GSTM1non-null, GSTT1null, and CYP1A1*2A genotypes are significantly associated with mortality. Our study has two main limitations: a relatively small sample size and a low global mortality percentage (25.4%); thus, we need to continue the follow-up to confirm these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the GSTM1non-null, GSTT1null, and CYP1A1*2A genotypes may be good prognosis markers, particularly in patients with high-risk tumors.

Increased SNAIL expression and low syndecan levels are associated with high Gleason grade in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a leading male oncologic malignancy wideworld. During malignant transformation, normal epithelial cells undergo genetic and morphological changes known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Several regulatory genes and specific marker proteins are involved in PC EMT. Recently, syndecans have been associated with malignancy grade and Gleason score in PC. Considering that SNAIL is mainly a gene repressor increased in PC and that syndecan promoters have putative binding sites for this repressor, we propose that SNAIL might regulate syndecan expression during PC EMT. The aim of this study was to analyze immunochemically the expression of SNAIL, syndecans 1 and 2 and other EMT markers in a tissue microarray (TMA) of PC samples and PC cell lines. The TMAs included PC samples of different Gleason grade and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples, as non­malignant controls. PC3 and LNCaP cell lines were used as models of PC representing different tumorigenic capacities. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed on TMAs and fluorescence immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis were conducted on cell cultures. Results show that SNAIL exhibits increased expression in high Gleason specimens compared to low histological grade and BPH samples. Accordingly, PC3 cells show higher SNAIL expression levels compared to LNCaP cells. Conversely, syndecan 1, similarly to E-cadherin (a known marker of EMT), shows a decreased expression in high Gleason grades samples and PC3 cells. Interestingly, syndecan 2 shows no changes associated to histological grade. It is concluded that increased SNAIL levels in advanced PC are associated with low expression of syndecan 1. The mechanism by which SNAIL regulates the expression of syndecan 1 remains to be investigated.

Utilidad del tacto rectal en pacientes con cáncer de próstata y antígeno prostático menor a 4 ng/ml / Usefulness of DRE in patients with prostate cancer and PSA less than 4ng / ml

Actualmente la necesidad de incorporar el tacto rectal en protocolos de tamizaje ha sido tema de debate. Existe una gran proporción de cáncer de próstata (CaP) que son diagnosticados solo con tacto rectal (TR) sospechoso, aportando además importante información pronostica. En nuestro trabajo, evaluaremos la utilidad que tiene el tacto rectal sospechoso en aquellos pacientes con cáncer de próstata y APE < 4 ng/ml. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realiza un estudio transversal y se registran pacientes de un hospital público que fueron controlados entre los años 2010 y 2012 con sospecha de CaP. Resultados: De un total de 268 pacientes que fueron sometidos a biopsia prostática por sospecha de CaP se obtuvo lo siguiente: 8 pacientes con APE < 2.5 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 70 años (61-82;7.4), destacó que el 87.5 por ciento tenía TR alterado y un 25 por ciento se confirmó cáncer, otorgando al TR una sensibilidad de 100 por ciento y valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 28.5 por ciento. 17 pacientes con APE 2.5-4.0 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 64.7 años (55-74;6.9), en donde un 29.4 por ciento tenía TR alterado y en un 35.3por ciento se confirmó cáncer, la sensibilidad del TR resultó 33por ciento y el VPP de 40 por ciento. 243 pacientes con APE 4.1-10 ng/ml. cuya media de edad fue 66.7 años (44-84;7.1), tenían TR alterado en 17.3porciento y confirmación de cáncer en un 27.3 por ciento, la sensibilidad del TR fue un 28.3 por ciento y el VPP 38 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: La probabilidad de tener cáncer prostático con tacto rectal alterado es mayor a medida que aumenta el APE, destacando un VPP de 28.5 por ciento y VPN de un 100 por ciento en pacientes con APE < 2.5por ciento. En los pacientes con APE de 2.5-4.0 ng/ ml., el tacto rectal obtiene un VPP 40 por ciento y VPN 66.6 por ciento. Estos valores sugieren que aún es importante realizar el TR de manera rutinaria, ya que aproximadamente un tercio tendrá o desarrollara un cáncer de próstata.

Currently the need to include a rectal examination in screening protocols has been the subject of debate. There is a large proportion of prostate cancer (CaP) who are diagnosed only with suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE), also providing important prognostic information. In our work, we will evaluate the usefulness suspicious digital rectal examination in patients with prostate cancer and PSA <4 ng / ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted and a public hospital patients who were followed between 2010 and 2012 with suspected PCa are recorded. RESULTS: From the 268 patients who underwent prostate biopsy for suspected CaP the following was obtained: From 8 patients with PSA <2.5 ng / ml. whose average age was 70 years (61-82; 7.4), it was noted that 87.5 percent had altered DRE and in 25 percent cancer is confirmed, giving DRE a 100 percent sensitivity and a positive predictive value of (PPV) 28.5 percent. 17 patients with APE 2.5-4.0 ng / ml. whose mean age was 64.7 years (55-74; 6.9), where 29.4 percent had altered DRE and in 35.3 percent cancer is confirmed, the sensitivity of DRE was 33 percent and a PPV of 40 percent. 243 patients with APE 4.1-10 ng/ml. whose mean age was 66.7 years (44-84; 7.1) DRE was altered in 17.3 percent and confirmation of cancer was 27.3 percent, sensitivity was 28.3 percent and PPV 38 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The chance of having prostate cancer with altered DRE is greater with increasing PSA, highlighting a PPV of 28.5 percent and NPV of 100 percent in patients with PSA <2.5 percent. In patients with PSA of 2.5-4.0 ng / ml., DRE get a PPV 40 percent and NPV 66.6 percent. These values suggest that it is still important to the TR routinely, because approximately one third have or develop prostate cancer.

Modulación del metabolismo de esfingolípidos en cáncer de vejiga como una potencial estrategia para optimizar resultados de terapias intravesicales para tumores de vejiga no musculoinvasores / Modulation of sphingolipid metabolism in bladder cancer as a potential strategy to optimize outcomes of intravesical therapies for non-muscle invasive bladder cancers

El cáncer de vejiga representa un problema de salud pública importante a nivel mundial. En Chile su relevancia es aún mayor en la región de Antofagasta. Este cáncer se caracteriza por una alta tasa de recurrencia, por lo que los pacientes requieren un seguimiento estricto que afecta su calidad de vida e implica elevados costos para los sistemas de salud. Esto explica la necesidad de optimizar los tratamientos actuales (quimioterapia e inmunoterapia con BCG intravesical) para reducir las tasas de recurrencia y progresión. Los esfingolípidos son lípidos bioactivos que a nivel celular cumplen funciones relacionadas con la regulación del crecimiento, proliferación, migración, invasión, resistencia a drogas y apoptosis. La evidencia disponible a la fecha sobre el rol de los esfingolípidos en cáncer de vejiga es escasa, pero sugiere que en este cáncer existe un metabolismo esfingolipídico desplazado hacia la reducción de los niveles intracelulares de ceramida y esfingosina (esfingolípidos pro-apoptóticos) y aumento de esfingosina 1-fosfato (esfingolípido anti-apoptótico). La manipulación del metabolismo esfingolipídico para invertir esta relación se propone en esta revisión como una estrategia que podría ayudar a optimizar el efecto de las terapias disponibles actualmente para reducir las recurrencias y progresiones de los tumores de vejiga no músculo-invasores...

Bladder cancer is an important health problem worldwide. In Chile it has particular relevance in the region of Antofagasta. This cancer is characterized by a high recurrence rate, for which patients need a strict follow up that impairs their quality of life and determines increased costs for health care systems. These facts explain the necessity of optimizing the actual treatments (chemotherapy and BCG immunotherapy) for reducing the rates of recurrence and progression. Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids that at a cellular level have roles related to the regulation of growth, proliferation, migration, invasiveness, drug resistance and apoptosis. To date, the available evidence about the role of sphingolipids in bladder cancer is scarce, but suggests that in this cancer there is a sphingolipid metabolism shifted towards a reduction of the intracellular levels of ceramide and sphingosine (pro-apoptotic sphingolipids) and an increase of sphingosine 1-phosphate (anti-apoptotic sphingolipid). In this review we propose that the manipulation of the sphingolipid metabolism to invert this balance can contribute to optimize the effect of the actual therapies to reduce the rates of recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers...

Evaluación de la calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de próstata tratados mediante prostatectomía radical: estudio prospectivo y resultados a dieciocho meses de seguimiento / Evaluation of quality of life in patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy: prospective study and results after eighteen months of follow-up

El cáncer de próstata (CaP) representa un grave problema de salud en el mundo occidental. Actualmente se dispone de diferentes alternativas terapéuticas para el cáncer localizado, por lo que cobra gran importancia la calidad de vida (CDV) de los pacientes. Nuestro objetivo consistió en evaluar la CDV de los pacientes con cáncer de próstata localizado antes y después de ser tratados mediante prostatectomía radical (PR). Estudio de cohorte abierta prospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a PR por CaP localizado en el servicio de Urología de dos instituciones de salud. Se evaluaron parámetros de CDV mediante la aplicación del cuestionario UCLA-PCI previo al tratamiento, y luego de la cirugía a los 3, 6, 9, 12 y 18 meses. Se compararon los puntajes obtenidos mediante U Mann Whitney, estableciendo como significativo un p < 0,05. Mediante análisis multivariado se estudiaron factores protectores para recuperar al menos un 70 por ciento de la función inicial. Fueron incluidos cincuenta y cinco pacientes con un seguimiento mínimo de doce meses. La media de edad fue de 65.3 años (rango 44-78; DE: 7.8). En la evaluación de los 3 meses, se obtuvo una caída significativa en la función urinaria (80 v/s 59; p<0.001) y sexual (53 v/s 24; p<0.001) con respecto al basal. La función intestinal no sufrió un detrimento significativo durante todo el tiempo de evaluación. Tanto la función urinaria (59 v/s 69.1; p=0.03) y sexual (24 v/s 33.8; p=0.02) muestran una recuperación significativa a los 18 meses, con respecto a la caída evidenciada al tercer mes. El análisis multivariado determinó que la edad, el nivel de APE, el no recibir radioterapia postoperatoria y la preservación de haces neurovascualres (HNV) constituyen factores protectores para presentar un deterioro menor al 30 por ciento de la función sexual y urinaria inicial. Las funciones urinaria y sexual presentan una caída significativa en pacientes sometidos a PR, sin embargo tienden a recuperarse...

Prostate cancer continues to be a major public health problem in both industrialized and developing countries worldwide. Use of PSA has increased significantly the number of tumors diagnosed in early stages. Men undergo different therapeutics methods can generally expect excellent long-term survival, thus consideration of health related quality of life (HRQOL) after treatment is of great importance. Our objective was to evaluate HRQOL after radical prostatectomy in men with localized prostate cancer. Prospective cohort study with duration of two years (study ongoing). A total of 52 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were prospectively enrolled at two institutions (Clinica Las Condes and Hospital San Borja, Santiago, Chile) between august 2011 and January 2012. HRQOL parameters were evaluated (sexual potency, urinary continence and bowel function) by applying the UCLA-PCI questionnaire before treatment and after surgery at 3 and 6 months. T-student was used to compare means. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: A total of fifty two patients were recruited with a minimum follow up of nine months. The mean age was 65.6 years (range 44-78, SD: 8.5). The evaluation conducted at three months showed a significant decline in urinary function (74.7 v / s 58.4, P = 0.046) and sexual (55.9 v / s 19.2; p = 0,001) compared to baseline. The domain assessed that showed the highest decline in three months evaluation, was the sexual function, showing a fall of 78.2 percent compared to baseline. Of the three domains evaluated, urinary function (74.7 v / s 73.1, P = 0.83) and bowel function (80.1 v / s85.8, P = 0.86) showed a significant recovery at six months, with respect to the initia measurement. Sexual function when measured at six months showed a significant recovery in the three months evaluation (55.9 v / s 40, p = 0.048); however, did not reach the baseline.Although there is a pronounced worsening in three months evaluation, the...

Vaporización fotoselectiva prostática con láser greenlight: ¿existen más complicaciones en pacientes octogenarios? / Photoselective prostatic vaporization with greenlight laser: are there more complications in octogenarians?

Durante décadas la resección transuretral de próstata (RTU) se ha considerado el tratamiento de elección para la hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) sintomática. Los efectos adversos se reportan entre un 7 a 14 por ciento de los pacientes. Desde la introducción de la vaporización fotoselectiva prostática (VFSP) con láser GreenLight® su uso se ha propagado extensamente reportándose similar efectividad y mayor seguridad. Por otra parte, en los últimos años ha aumentado importantemente el número de procedimientos en octogenarios. Hoy se operan pacientes más añosos y con más comorbilidades. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue evaluar si los pacientes octogenarios sometidos a VFSP con láser GreenLight® presentan más complicaciones que los menores de 80 años. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, de casos y controles. Se incluyeron pacientes con HPB sintomática sometidos a VFSP con láser GreenLight® entre los años 2005 y 2012. Se registró número de comorbilidades, número de fármacos, riesgo ASA y tiempo quirúrgico. Como complicaciones se consideró fiebre, requerimiento de transfusión, retención aguda de orina, estenosis de cuello, síntomas irritativos vesicales y otras. Se utilizó t-student y chi-cuadrado para comparar los grupos. Se obtuvo Odds ratio (OR) para las complicaciones. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 104 pacientes, 33 de ellos tenían 80 años o más. No existieron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. La estadía hospitalaria fue mayor en los pacientes octogenarios (60h vs 26h, p<0,001, IC 95 por ciento 14,9-54,2). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a las complicaciones (36,4 por ciento vs 23,9 por ciento, p=0,24) con un OR de 1,82 (IC 95 por ciento 0,74 - 4.44).Conclusiones: Los octogenarios sometidos a VFSP con láser GreenLight® no presentan más complicaciones que aquellos de menor edad por lo que éste tratamiento podría considerarse como una alternativa segura y razonable para este grupo de pacientes...

For decades, transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) has been considered the treatment of choice for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Adverse effects were reported between 7-14 percent of patients. Since the introduction Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (VFSP) with GreenLight ® laser its use has spread widely with similar effectiveness and increased safety being reported. Moreover, in recent years the number of procedures in octogenarians have significantly increased. Today more elderly patients with comorbidities are operated. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether octogenarians undergoing VFSP with GreenLight ® laser present more complications than those under 80.Methods: A retrospective, case-control study. Patients with symptomatic BPH that underwent GreenLight ® laser VFSP between 2005 and 2012 were included. Number of comorbidities, number of medications, ASA risk and operative time were recorded. As complications we considered: fever, transfusion requirements, acute urinary retention, bladder neck stenosis, bladder irritative symptoms and others. T-student and chi-square test were used to compare the groups. Odds ratio (OR) was obtained for complications. Results: The study included 104 patients, 33 of them were 80 years or older. There were no significant differences between groups. The hospital stay was higher in octogenarians (60h vs 26h, p <0.001, 95 percent CI 14.9 to 54.2). No significant differences were found in terms of complications (36.4 percent vs 23.9 percent, p = 0.24) with an OR of 1.82 (95 percent CI 0.74 - 4.44).Conclusions: Octogenarians undergoing VFSP with GreenLight ® laser did not have more complications than those younger patients, so this treatment could be considered as a safe and reasonable alternative for this group of patients...

Nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica: experiencia de 135 casos / Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: experience of 135 cases

Introducción: La nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica (NPL) es considerada hoy una alternativa terapéutica para el manejo de tumores renales menores de 4 cm. Sus principales ventajas son permitir un excelente control oncológico, además de preservar la unidad renal. Por otro lado ha permitido acortar los tiempos de hospitalización, disminuir el dolor postquirúrgico y lograr menores tiempos de recuperación en los pacientes. El objetivo del presente estudio es presentar nuestra experiencia en nefrectomías parciales laparoscópicas durante los últimos 12 años. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de sometidos a NPL entre los años 2000 y 2012. En todos los casos la cirugía fue realizada por un mismo cirujano. Se obtuvo información demográfica de los pacientes, tamaño y ubicación del tumor, vía de abordaje, tiempo quirúrgico, sangrado intraoperatorio, tiempo de hospitalización y complicaciones. El análisis de los datos se llevo a cabo con el programa SPSS v17. Se consideró significativo un p<0.05.Resultados: En el periodo descrito se realizaron NPL en 135 pacientes (70.4 por ciento hombres). El promedio de edad fue de 56.9+/-12.8 años. Ochenta y dos cirugías fueron izquierdas y 53 derechas. Con respecto a la ubicación de la masa dentro del riñón, se encontraron un 25.2 por ciento en el polo superior, 46.7 por ciento en la porción media y 28.1 por ciento en el polo inferior. En el 40 por ciento de los casos los tumores se ubicaron en una posición calificada como técnicamente compleja. Con respecto al abordaje quirúrgico, un 42.2 por ciento fueron realizadas por vía transperitoneal y un 57.8 por ciento por vía retroperitoneal. Se realizaron 8 conversiones a cirugía abierta. El tamaño promedio de los tumores fue de 3.26+/-1.6 cm...

Introduction: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has become the first-line surgical technique for the management of renal tumors smaller than 4 cm. Its main advantages are an excellent oncologic control together with the preservation of nephron units. Moreover it implies a shorter-length of hospital stay, less postoperative pain and shorter recovering times for patients. The aim of this report is to show our experience and compare it with the resuls reported in the international literature. Materials and methods: All patients that underwent LPN within years 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively studied. In all cases surgery was performed by the same surgeon. Data was collected retrospectively, including clinical and histopathologic information, as well as surgical and functional results. Results: One hundred and thirty five were included (70.4 percentmale). Mean age was 56.9 +/- 12.8 years. Eighty-two surgeries were left and 53 right. Regarding to the location of the mass within the kidney, 25.2 percent were found at the upper pole, 46.7 percent in the middle portion, and 28.1percent at the lower pole. In 40 percent of cases the tumor was located in a position described as technically complex. Regarding to the surgical approach, 42.2 percent were performed by transperitoneal and retroperitoneal 57.8 percent for. There were eight conversions to open surgery. The average tumor size was 3.26 +/- 1.6 cm. Mean operative time was 106.2 +/- 38.2 minutes. The median blood loss was 100cc (range <50-3000). Two patients required transfusion. Median hospital stay was 48 hours (range 23-120). Eleven patients (8.14 percent had complications related to surgery. The most of the cases (n = 5) were due to intraoperative bleeding. Conclusions: The LPN is a challenging surgical technique. The results of this study confirm that laparoscopic surgery is a safe technique for the management of renal tumors with a low rate of complications and shorter hospital stays.

Porcentaje de subgraduación del puntaje de Gleason en la biopsia transrectal de pacientes candidatos a vigilancia activa / Percentage of Gleason score under grading in transrectal biopsies of patients candidates to active surveillance

La vigilancia activa (VA) constituye una alternativa de manejo válida para pacientes con cáncer de próstata que cumplen con ciertos criterios que incluyen las características anatomopatológicas de la biopsia preoperatoria transrectal. La subgraduación del puntaje de Gleason en la biopsia preoperatoria respecto de la biopsia definitiva se reporta en un 24-39 por ciento de los casos, lo que constituye un problema al momento de querer incluir a un paciente en un protocolo de vigilancia. El objetivo principal de este estudio consistió en determinar el porcentaje de subgraduación del score de Gleason en biopsias preoperatorias de pacientes que cumplían criterios para VA pero que fueron sometidos a prostatectomía radical y la relación con el número de punciones realizadas y el porcentaje de subgraduación. Se incluyó restrospectivamente a 167 pacientes sometidos a prostatectomía radical, que por sus características preoperatorias cumplían criterios para ingresar a un protocolo de VA. Se evaluó la concordancia entre las biopsias preoperatorias y definitivas y además la relación entre el número de punciones realizadas y el nivel de subgraduación. 52 pacientes (31,1 por ciento) tuvieron un puntaje de Gleason mayor a 6 (GS 7 n=49; GS 8 n=3) en la biopsia definitiva. El menor porcentaje de subgraduación (23.4 por ciento) se observó en el grupo de pacientes que se sometió a biopsias preoperatorias que incluyeron 15 o más punciones. La biopsia prostática preoperatoria presenta un significativo porcentaje de subgraduación respecto a la biopsia definitiva, que tiende a disminuir al aumentar el número de punciones realizadas. Estos factores deben ser considerados al momento de ofrecer al paciente su ingreso a un protocolo de VA.

Active surveillance (AS) is a validated alternative for the management of patients with prostate cancer that meet certain criteria including the histopathological characteristics of preoperative transrectal biopsy. The down-grading of preoperative Gleason score compared to postoperative biopsy is reported in 24-39 percent of cases, which represents a significative problem to include a patient in a AS protocol. The main objective of this study was to determine the percentage of down-grading Gleason score compared to postoperative biopsy is reported in 24-39 percent of cases, which represents a significative problem to include a patient in a AS protocol. The main objective of this study was to determine the percentage of down-grading of the preoperative Gleason score compared to the definitive score in biopsy specimens from patients that met criteria for AS but that were subjected to a radical prostatectomy, and the relation between the number of punctures and the percentage of downgrading. 167 patients subjected to radical prostatectomy were retrospectively included, all of them having preoperative characteristics that fulfilled the criteria for entry into an AS protocol. We evaluated the correlation between preoperative and postoperative biopsies. We also evaluated the relationship between the number of punctures and the percentage of down-grading in the preoperative biopsy. RESULTS: 52 patients (31.1 percent) were found to have a Gleason score higher than 6 (GS 7 n=49; GS 8 n=3) in the definitive biopsy. The lowest percentage of downgrading (23.4 percent) was observed in the group of patients with preoperative biopsies that included 15 or more punctures. The preoperative prostatic biopsy has a significant percentage of downgrading compared to the definitive biopsy, which tends to decrease with increasing the number of punctures. These factors must be considered when offering AS to a patient.

Riesgo de malignidad en masas renales sólidas menores a cuatro centímetros / Risk of malignancy in solid renal masses less than four centimeters

El tratamiento de las masas renales sólidas menores de cuatro centímetros constituye un tema de debate. La “vigilancia activa” se ha propuesto como alternativa para su manejo, sin embargo, estudios publicados recientemente, señalan que un porcentaje no despreciable de estos tumores resultan ser malignos, e incluso en un 6 por ciento de los casos pueden producir metástasis. El objetivo del presente estudio consiste en determinar el riesgo de malignidad en masas renales sólidas menores de cuatro centímetros en un grupo de pacientes sometidos a Nefrectomía Parcial Laparoscópica (NPL). Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a NPL. Se seleccionaron aquellos que presentaron lesiones renales sólidas menores a 4 cm informadas por TAC y/o RMN. Se crearon intervalos de tamaño (<2 cm, 2-2.9 cm, 3-4 cm). Se realizó un análisis univariado para determinar el riesgo de malignidad de acuerdo al tamaño del tumor, estableciendo el Odds Ratio correspondiente y el intervalo de confianza (95 por ciento). Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados mediante el programa SPSS v17. Se consideró como significativo un p< 0.05. Entre los años 2000 y 2012 se efectuaron 135 nefrectomías parciales laparoscópicas por la presencia de una masa renal sólida. Noventa y dos casos presentaron lesiones menores a cuatro centímetros, los que fueron incluidos en este estudio. Del total de tumores el 9.8% resultó ser benigno en el estudio histopatológico definitivo. No existieron diferencias significativas (p=0,67) con respecto a la media del tamaño (2,2 y 2,57 cm respectivamente) entre los tumores benignos y malignos. El porcentaje de tumores malignos aumentó significativamente (p = 0,025) en las masas mayores de 2 cm, al compararlo con aquellas de menor tamaño (69 por ciento v/s 86.7 por ciento). Mediante el análisis univariado se estableció que el riesgo de malignidad se incrementa 4.9 veces (p=0.027) en aquellas masas renales sólidas mayores de 2 cm...

The treatment of solid renal masses less than four centimeters (cm) is a subject of debate. Active surveillance has been proposed as a management option, however, recently published studies indicate that, in a substantial proportion, these tumors are malignant; and even at 6 percent of the cases can produce metastases. The aim of this study was to determine the malignancy risk in solid renal masses less than four cm in a group of patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).A retrospective study of patients undergoing LPN was performed. We selected those who had solid renal lesions smaller than 4 cm reported by CT and/or MRI. Size ranges were set (<2 cm, 2-2.9 cm, 3-4 cm). Univariate analysis was performed to determine the risk of malignancy according to tumor size, obtaining the corresponding odds ratio and confidence interval (95 percent). Data were analyzed using SPSS v17. P-value < 0.05 was considered stadistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty five laparoscopic partial nephrectomies were performed due to a solid renal mass between 2000 and 2012. Of them, ninety-two cases had a lesion less than four cm, which were included in this study. From the total of tumors, 9.8 por ciento were proved benign on final histopathology. No significant difference was found between benign and malignant tumors when mean sizes were compared (2.2 and 2.57 cm, respectively, p =0.67). The percentage of malignant tumors was significantly higher in masses larger than 2 cm, compared with those of smaller size (86.7 percent v/s 69 percent respectively, p=0.025). Univariate analysis established that the malignancy risk is increased 4.9 times in solid renal masses larger than 2 cm (p = 0.027). Our study shows that although the risk of cancer increases significantly in renal masses from the 2 cm there is a considerable percentage of malignancy in masses below this size.