Radical Cystectomy after Previous Radiation or Pelvic Surgery: Is It Associated with Increased Morbidity?

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy is a complicated surgery with significant risks. Complications of Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 range from 25% to 40% while risk of mortality is 2%. Pelvic surgery or radiotherapy prior to radical cystectomy increases the challenges of this surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether radical cystectomy performed in patients with prior history of pelvic surgery or radiation was associated with increased frequency of Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher complications compared to patients without prior pelvic intervention. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated all patients who underwent radical cystectomy at our center over a 7-year period. All patients with pelvic radiation or surgery prior to radical cystectomy comprised group 1, while group 2 included the remaining patients. RESULTS: In our study, 65 patients required radical cystectomy at our institution during the study period. Group 1 was comprised of 17 patients and group 2 included 48 patients. Four patients from group 2 received orthotopic neobladder, while an ileal conduit procedure was performed in the remaining patients. Estimated blood loss and the amount of blood transfusions given was the only variable found to be statistically different between the two groups. One patient from group 1 had four pelvic interventions prior to surgery, and her cystectomy was aborted. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy may be safely performed in patients with a history of pelvic radiotherapy or surgery, with complication rates similar to those of non-irradiated or operated pelvises.

Analysis of a practical surgical skills laboratory for nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: With the rapidly expanding anatomical and technical knowledge surrounding nervesparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP), anatomical and operative textbooks have failed to keep pace with the literature. A surgical skill laboratory (SSL) was designed to educate urology trainees on surgical anatomy and techniques for NSRP. The objective was to assess the validity of a SSL program. METHODS: A low-fidelity, anatomically accurate prostate model with its appropriate fascial coverings and location of the neurovascular bundle was created. Participants were surveyed prior to a SSL workshop for their knowledge of NSRP focusing on clinical and anatomical considerations. An interactive 2-h tutorial and workshop was then undertaken outlining the clinical and anatomical nuances for NSRP, with participants then practising an intra and inter-fascial NSRP on the model. Participants were resurveyed immediately after the workshop and at 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty participants completed the NSRP workshop. Significant differences (p < 0.0001) in anatomical and clinical knowledge were noted after the workshop with improvements for both junior and senior trainees. The knowledge was retained at 6 months following the workshop. CONCLUSIONS: A low-fidelity bench-top model is a feasible and reproducible technique for improving the understanding of periprostatic anatomy and the different surgical approaches for NSRP. The SSL is useful and knowledge gained appears to be retained by workshop participants. SSL workshops are a valid hands-on approach to teaching surgical skills and should remain an integral part of urology training.

Magnetic resonance guided focused high frequency ultrasound ablation for focal therapy in prostate cancer - phase 1 trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of focal therapy for low-intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa) with magnetic resonance-guided high frequency focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) METHODS: This IRB-approved phase 1 prospective study enrolled eight patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 10 ng/ml, ≤ cT2a and Gleason score ≤ 7 (4 + 3) disease following informed consent. Under MRI guidance, focused high frequency ultrasound energy was delivered to ablate the target tissue. Treatment-related adverse events were recorded. Oncologic outcomes were evaluated with multiparametric MRI, PSA and TRUS biopsy at 6 months following treatment. RESULTS: Ten target lesions [six Gleason 6 lesions, two Gleason 7 (3 + 4) and two Gleason 7 (4 + 3)] were treated in eight men (prostate volume range, 25-50 cc; mean MRI time, 248 min per patient; mean sonication duration, 65 min). Mean target volume was 2.7 cc and mean post-treatment non-perfused volume was 4.3 cc. Quality of life parameters were similar between baseline and 6 months in 6/8 patients. All treated regions were negative on MRI; 4/8 patients and 6/10 target lesions (60%) were clear of disease on biopsy. One patient with 2-mm Gleason 8 disease in one of five cores from treatment site (4 + 3 disease at baseline) subsequently underwent prostatectomy with negative surgical margins. Three patients with low volume (5-15%) Gleason 6 residual disease were offered active surveillance. Mean PSA decreased from 5.06 at baseline to 3.4 ng/ml at 6 months. CONCLUSION: MRgFUS is a feasible and safe method of noninvasively ablating low-intermediate risk PCa with acceptable short-term oncologic outcomes. KEY POINTS: • Focal therapy selectively ablates locally confined, clinically significant index lesion with a margin while sparing rest of gland and adjacent vital structures. • Magnetic resonance-guided focused high frequency ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) combines MRI with HIFU. • MRgFUS provides ability to monitor treatments in real time and allows a targeted approach for focal ablation. • MRgFUS is a feasible, safe method of noninvasively ablating low-intermediate risk PCa. • MRgFUS provides acceptable oncologic outcomes at 6 months.

Spermatogenesis in Testicles with Germ Cell Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Almost 50% of patients with germ-cell tumors (GCT) are subfertile, and every step of the treatment may further impair fertility. As a result, sperm banking is often advised prior to radical orchiectomy. However, whether affected testes contribute to fertility is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether maximal tumor diameter (MTD) is correlated with ipsilateral fertility (IF) in patients treated for GCT. METHODS: We reviewed medical charts for demographic and clinical data of patients with GCT who had undergone orchiectomy at our institution between 1999 and 2015. The extent of spermatogenesis was categorized into three groups: full spermatogenesis, hypospermatogenesis, and absence of spermatogenesis. The presence of mature spermatozoa in the epididymis tail was also assessed. We defined IF as the combination of full spermatogenesis in more than 100 tubules and the presence of mature spermatozoa in the epididymis tail. Mann-Whitney was applied to determine the correlation between MTD and IF. RESULTS: Of 57 patients, IF was present in 28 (49%). Mean patient age was 32.8 years in patients with positive IF and 33.4 years those with negative IF. Seminoma was diagnosed in 46.4% of patients with positive IF and in 65.5% of patients with negative IF. Full spermatogenesis was observed in 33 patients (57.8%). In 48 (82.7%), mature epididymal spermatozoa were found. No correlation was found between MTD and IF. CONCLUSIONS: IF is present in almost half of the patients undergoing radical orchiectomy. Because IF cannot be predicted by MTD, routine pre-orchiectomy sperm banking is suggested.

Mechatronic system for in-bore MRI-guided insertion of needles to the prostate: An in vivo needle guidance accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: To present our experiences in initial clinical evaluation of a novel mechatronic system for in-bore guidance of needles to the prostate for MRI-guided prostate interventions in 10 patients. We report accuracy of this device in the context of focal laser ablation therapy for localized prostate cancer. METHODS: An MRI-compatible needle guidance device was developed for transperineal prostate interventions. Ten patients underwent MRI-guided focal laser ablation therapy with device-mediated laser fiber delivery. We recorded needle guidance error and needle delivery time. RESULTS: A total of 37 needle insertions were evaluated. Median needle guidance error was 3.5 mm (interquartile range, 2.1-5.4 mm), and median needle delivery time was 9 min (interquartile range, 6.5-12 min). CONCLUSION: This system provides a reliable method of accurately aligning needle guides for in-bore transperineal needle delivery to the prostate.

Real-Time MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Focal Therapy of Locally Confined Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Focal therapy is an emerging approach to the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to report the 6-month follow-up oncologic and functional data of the initial phase 1 trial of patients treated with focal transrectal MRI-guided focused ultrasound in North America. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 10 ng/mL or less, tumor classification cT2a or less, and a Gleason score of 6 (3 + 3) were prospectively enrolled in the study and underwent multiparametric MRI and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate systematic biopsy. Under MRI guidance and real-time monitoring with MR thermography, focused high-frequency ultrasound energy was delivered to ablate the target tissue. The incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events were recorded along with responses to serial quality-of-life questionnaires for 6 months after treatment. Oncologic outcomes were evaluated with multiparametric MRI and repeat transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Four patients with a total of six target lesions were treated and had complications graded Clavien-Dindo I or less. Quality-of-life parameters were similar between baseline and 6-months. All four patients had normal MRI findings in the treated regions (100%), biopsy showed that three patients (75%) were clear of disease in the treated regions, representing complete ablation of five target lesions (83%). All patients had at least one Gleason 6-positive core outside of the treated zone. CONCLUSION: MRI-guided focused ultrasound is a feasible method of noninvasively ablating low-risk prostate cancers with low morbidity. Further investigation and follow-up are warranted in a larger patient series with appropriate statistical analysis of oncologic and functional outcome measures.

Optimizing contrast agent concentration and spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence parameters for catheter visualization in MR-guided interventional procedures: an analytic solution.

PURPOSE: A critical requirement of MR-guided interventions is the visualization of an instrument (e.g., catheter, needle) during the procedure. One approach is to fill the instrument with a contrast agent. Previously, the optimization of contrast agent visualization was performed only empirically. In the present study, an analytic optimization of contrast agent SNR efficiency was performed for a spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence. METHODS: Optimal flip angle, repetition time, echo time, and contrast agent concentration were derived analytically. The solution is valid for any contrast agent, provided the relationship between T1 , T2 , and doping concentration is known. RESULTS: Phantom experiments validated the analytic optimization for Gd- and MnCl2 -based contrast agents. Results showed excellent agreement between experimentally predicted and theoretically observed magnetization behavior. In vivo experiments demonstrated optimized contrast agent visualization in brain, heart, and prostate applications. The results demonstrated the large SNR that can be achieved with analytic optimization. As a practical guideline, an 11% dilution of 500 mMol/L Gd-DTPA solution, repetition time ≈ 4 ms, echo time ≈ 1 ms, and θ ≈ 65° was found to provide a large SNR. CONCLUSION: This study derived and validated a method for analytically optimizing contrast agent SNR efficiency. This information may be useful for visualizing instruments during MR-guided interventions.

Evolution from active surveillance to focal therapy in the management of prostate cancer.

Organ-preserving therapies are widely accepted in many facets of medicine and, more recently, in oncology. For example, partial nephrectomy is now accepted as a preferred alternative over radical nephrectomy for small (up to 4 cm or T1) tumors. Focal therapy (FT) is another organ-preserving strategy applying energy (cryotherapy, laser ablation and/or high-intensity focused ultrasound) to destroy tumors while leaving the majority of the organ, surrounding tissue and structures unscathed and functional. Owing to the perceived multifocality of prostate cancer (PCa) technology limitations, in the past PCa was not considered suitable for FT. However, with the rise of active surveillance for the management of low-risk PCa in carefully selected patients, FT is emerging as an alternative. This is owing to technology improvements in imaging and energy-delivery systems to ablate tissue, as well as the realization that many men and clinicians still desire tumor control. With the postulated ability to ablate tumors with minimal morbidity, FT may have found a role in the management of PCa; the aim of FT a being long-term cancer control without the morbidity associated with radical therapies. Data for FT in PCa have been derived from case series and small Phase I trials, with larger cohort studies with longer follow-up having only just commenced. More data from large trials on the safety and efficacy of FT are required before this approach can be recommended in men with PCa. Importantly, studies must confirm that no viable cancer cells remain in the region of ablation. FT might eventually prove to be a 'middle ground' between active surveillance and radical treatment, combining minimal morbidity with cancer control and the potential for retreatment.

Single Instillation of Hypertonic Saline Immediately Following Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor for Recurrence Prevention -A Phase I Study.

BACKGROUND: Urologic guidelines recommend perioperative instillation of chemotherapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) to decrease tumor recurrence, yet implementation of this recommendation is partial due to associated morbidity. Hypertonic saline destroys cells by osmotic dehydration and might present a safer alternative. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of 3% hypertonic saline (Hypersal) intravesical instillation following TURBT in rats and in humans. METHODS: In 8 rats whose bladders were electrically injured, intravesical blue-dyed Hypersal was administered. We measured serum sodium levels before and after instillation and pathologically evaluated their pelvic cavity for signs of inflammation or blue discoloration. Twenty-four patients were recruited to the human trial (NIH-NCT04147182), 15 comprised the interventional and 10 the control group (one patient crossed over). Hypersal was given postoperatively. Serum sodium was measured before, 1 hour and 12-24 hours after instillation. Adverse effects were documented and compared between the groups. RESULTS: In rats, average sodium levels were 140.0 mEq/L and 140.3 mEq/L before and following instillation, respectively. Necropsy revealed no signs of inflammation or blue discoloration. In humans the average plasma sodium levels were 138.6 mEq∖L, 138.8 mEq∖L and 137.7 mEq∖L before, 1 hour and 12-24 hours after instillation, respectively. During the postoperative follow-up there was one case of fever. A month after the surgery, dysuria was reported by 5 patients while urgency and hematuria were reported by one patient each. The most severe adverse events were grade 2 on the Clavien-Dindo scale. Adverse events were similar in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hypersal instillation is safe and tolerable immediately after TURBT.

Randomized trial of stone fragment active retrieval versus spontaneous passage during holmium laser lithotripsy for ureteral stones.

PURPOSE: We assessed whether allowing spontaneous passage of small fragments is different from complete intraoperative extraction during semirigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients undergoing ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy were randomized to intraoperative fragment retrieval (group 1) or exhaustive lithotripsy and spontaneous fragment expulsion (group 2). The primary outcome was differences in unplanned medical and emergency room visits. Other outcomes were the rehospitalization, pain analgesia, time to complete recovery and 30-day stone-free rates. RESULTS: Patients in group 1 were younger (47 vs 54 years, p = 0.05). Other characteristics, including stone burden and site, presentation mode, and ureteral dilation and stent placement rates, did not differ between the groups. Group 2 patients had a higher rate of unplanned visits (3% vs 30%, OR 12.4, 95% CI 1.8-80.3, p = 0.01), a trend toward higher rates of rehospitalization (0% vs 10%, p = 0.24) and the need for ancillary treatment (0% vs 7%, p = 0.49), and a lower stone-free rate (100% vs 87%, p = 0.1). Complications developed in 1 group 1 patient and in 2 in group 2, including 2 with postoperative fever and 1 with mucosal undermining of the guidewire. CONCLUSIONS: Not actively retrieving fragments during semirigid ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy is associated with a higher risk of unplanned medical visits than complete intraoperative extraction. It also shows a tendency toward higher rates of rehospitalization, residual stones and the need for ancillary procedures.

Construction and evaluation of an anatomically correct multi-image modality compatible phantom for prostate cancer focal ablation.

PURPOSE: Focal therapy using lasers is emerging as an alternative strategy for prostate cancer treatment. However, to our knowledge no anatomically correct models are available to test imaging and ablation techniques. Animal models present ethical, anatomical and cost challenges. We designed and validated an inexpensive but anatomically correct prostate phantom incorporating tumor, rectum and urethra that can be used for simulated and experimental magnetic resonance guided focal intervention. Our secondary aim was to asses the phantom using other imaging modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phantom, which was constructed of ballistic gel, includes an 80 gm prostate with urethra, tumor, perineum and rectum. Gadolinium was added to make the gel visible to magnetic resonance imaging. To recreate a tumor an irregularly shaped 5 cc volume of coagulable gel was inserted into the prostate phantom. The phantom was evaluated using magnetic resonance, computerized tomography and transrectal ultrasound. Thermal ablation was delivered via interstitial placement of laser fibers. Magnetic resonance thermometry was done to record real-time tissue temperatures during thermal ablation. RESULTS: With all modalities tested the phantom emulated human prostate anatomy. The coagulable gel tumor allowed us to generate focal thermal lesions. The phantom had magnetic resonance imaging properties comparable to in vivo properties, allowing ablative zones to be accurately assessed and magnetic resonance thermometry to be done. CONCLUSIONS: The phantom is a useful tool to test different aspects of thermal focal ablation for prostate cancer using multiple imaging modalities, particularly magnetic resonance. It is inexpensive and easily constructed, and may be considered a valuable model to train on and teach focal therapy.

Radical prostatectomy in obese patients: Improved surgical outcomes in recent years.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for reduced disease-specific survival, increased positive surgical margin (PSM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between obesity and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing RP. METHODS: Medical records of 491 patients who underwent RP from 2004 to 2007 were retrieved from our institutional database. Patients were divided into three groups based on their body mass index (BMI): <25, 25-30 (overweight) and >30 kg/m (obese). Outcomes after RP were compared between the groups in terms of length of stay, perioperative complications, BCR, PSM and Gleason scores. RESULTS: Age, stage and preoperative prostate-specific antigen were similar between BMI categories. Operating time was prolonged in obese patients (146 vs 135 min, P = 0.01) and blood loss was greater (mean estimated blood loss 640 vs 504 mL, P = 0.02), but did not translate into higher transfusion rates. Early complication rates, PSM rates and Gleason scores were not statistically different between the groups. Significant differences in late outcomes, such as the need for adjunct procedures or BCR (hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.18-1.09), were not shown. CONCLUSION: As surgical experience with high BMI patients has developed, RP appears to be a well tolerated procedure in contemporary series, irrespective of BMI. In particular, early outcome parameters, such as PSM and BCR rates, are similar.

Developing Self-Management Application of Fall Prevention Among Older Adults: A Content and Usability Evaluation.

This paper presents a research and development project for studying aging and technology in fall prevention. Falls are an important global health problem in an aging global population. Up to 50% of serious falls may be fatal. Falls result from the cumulative effects of cognitive, musculoskeletal and sensory decline on postural control and substantially affect the activities of daily living, leading to a lower quality of life and physical injury. A near-fall, misstep and a prior fall are established risk factors for a more serious fall. The fear of falling may reduce physical activity and further predispose to falling. However, limitations in the reporting and documentation of fall events create "silent events"-events that are neither documented nor acted upon. An "Age-Techcare" Application (App) was designed using open innovation methods with local older adult populations and health care professionals through a mixed-methodology approach. The App comprised a digital diary for the self-reporting of fall events and an exercise video to strengthen balance as a fall-prevention intervention. The older adults recorded four fall events: a near-fall, the fear of falling, a fall, or no-fall. Prompts to watch the video and the number of times the video was watched were also recorded on the App. Reports retrieved from the App were analyzed after a 10-week pilot study among older adults accessing the App on their smartphones (n = 28) and through their smartTV (n = 23). All participants used the App to self-report fall events. Near-falls were the most frequently reported fall event among both smartphone and smartTV groups. The scale of silent falls (including a fear of falling and near falls) is greater than anticipated (according to prevailing literature) and significant, especially among the older cohort of participants who had previously experienced falls and are living alone. The exercise video was regularly accessed within a self-report-fall-prevention feedback loop. Watching a preventive exercise video clip as a preventive intervention is positively associated with self-reporting of all events. We have shown that the utility and effectiveness of an App in the self-management of fall events to raise self-awareness, document risk and prompt preventive action. As we address the health needs of an aging global population, Apps such as this will need to be further developed and interface with health and social care services. The facility for older adults to negotiate ideas and practices of risk and safety-the hallmark of the aging-in-place and healthy aging discourse-is important to them in their acceptance of dynamic and diverse technology.

A Novel Urine-Based Assay for Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: Multi-Institutional Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: CellDetect is a unique histochemical stain enabling color and morphological discrimination between malignant and benign cells based on differences in metabolic signature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to validate the performance of this assay in a controlled, blinded, multicenter study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study, conducted in nine hospitals, included patients with documented history of bladder cancer, monitored for urothelial carcinoma (UCC) or scheduled for bladder cancer surgery. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Cystoscopy and/or biopsy were used as a reference standard to determine sensitivity and specificity. Smears were stained by CellDetect and interpreted by two cytologists blinded to the patient's final diagnosis. The findings were compared with those of standard urine cytology and BTA stat. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Two hundred and seventeen voided urine specimens were included. Ninety-six (44%) were positive by histology and 121 (56%) were negative by either cystoscopy or histology. The overall sensitivity of CellDetect was 84%. Notably, the sensitivity for detecting low-grade nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer tumors was greater than this of BTA stat (78% vs 54%) and more than two-fold higher compared with standard cytology (33%, p ≤ 0.05). The specificity was 84% in patients undergoing routine surveillance by cystoscopy. At a median follow-up of 9 mo, 21% of the patients with positive CellDetect and negative reference standard developed UCC, which was significantly higher compared with the 5% of the true negative cases. Limitations include the lack of instrumental urine samples and the lack of patients with nongenitourinary cancers in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the performance of CellDetect as a urine-based assay to identify UCC in patients with history of bladder cancer. The high sensitivity was maintained across all cancer grades and stages without compromising the assay specificity. Further studies are required to test whether this novel stain can be incorporated in routine bladder cancer surveillance as a noninvasive alternative to cystoscopy. PATIENT SUMMARY: Surveillance of bladder cancer requires frequent invasive procedures. In the present study, we validate the ability of a novel biomarker to accurately identify early-stage tumors in urine specimens for the noninvasive monitoring of patients with history of bladder cancer.

[The therapeutic approach to adolescent varicocele].

The incidence of adolescent varicocele is 15% and it might cause damage to the developing testis and subsequently even impair fertility. Adolescent varicocele is usually asymptomatic and the diagnosis is often made during routine physical examination. The precise etiology of varicocele or the mechanism by which varicocele impairs fertility is not totally elucidated. The indications for interventional treatment are still controversial, though there appears to be a consensus that treatment should be offered to adolescents suffering from meaningful reduction of the ipsilateral testicular volume. There is also an ongoing controversy regarding the preferred surgical approach and the advantages of radiographic occlusion of the spermatic veins via venography. Eventually, in adolescents who receive timely treatment, there is a recovery in testicular volume, an up-rise in serum FSH, better response to gonadotropin stimulation and ultimately improved spermatograms. Herein, we review the current relevant literature with special focus upon the controversial issues.

An update on focal therapy for prostate cancer.

Globally, the increased uptake of serum PSA level screening led to an increase in the number of diagnoses of low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Traditionally, these patients have been considered for either active surveillance programmes or radical whole-gland therapies, such as prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Focal therapy is an emerging treatment option that involves the focal ablation of prostate cancer with preservation of surrounding healthy tissue. This approach might result in reduced morbidity when compared with whole-gland therapies. In current practice, much controversy surrounds optimal patient selection and preoperative tumour localization strategies. Focal therapy modalities include cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, laser ablation, photodynamic therapy, irreversible electroporation, radiofrequency ablation and focal brachytherapy. However, as long-term oncological data for focal therapies are lacking, formal recommendations for its use cannot be made.

Simplifying laparoscopic nephrectomy: the inferior approach with en bloc stapling of the renal hilum.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is likely the most common laparoscopic procedure performed by general urologists without formal laparoscopic training. The traditional technique is cumbersome because it entails making an early approach to the hilum with the risk of bleeding and need for conversion. We perform a different technique that we believe is simpler to learn and to teach. It consists of a complete dissection of the inferior and posterior aspects of the kidney, followed by en bloc stapling of the renal hilum. The present report is a detailed description of our technique including outcomes and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perioperative data of 129 consecutive patients who underwent LN between November 2003 and September 2007 were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Complications were reported using the Clavien classification system, and follow-up was performed according to our institution's protocol and included physical examination, blood count, blood chemistry, and renal function tests at every visit, in addition to abdominal computed tomography scan six months after surgery. Additional imaging was scheduled according to disease stage and grade. RESULTS: Mean patient age, tumor size, and operative time were 63±15.6 years, 6.3±2.4 cm, and 128±41.4 minutes, respectively. Median estimated blood loss was 0 mL (0.200). Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3.1% of patients, and 8% of the patients had a blood transfusion. Complications were recorded in 26% of the patients; 91% of them had Clavien grade scores of 1 or 2. CONCLUSION: We present a standardized technique for LN. Its main advantage is that postpones any manipulation of the hilum to a later step during the procedure when it is easy to identify and control. This decreases early bleeding and main vascular complications.

The effect of meeting physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors on quality of life following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Recent literature has shown that preoperative physical activity (PA) can positively influence surgical outcomes. It is unknown whether the effect of meeting PA guidelines for cancer survivors can impact quality of life following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. METHODS: We reviewed our institutional database of prostate cancer outcomes and included patients that underwent radical prostatectomy and completed the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), the Patient-Oriented Prostate Utility Scale (PORPUS), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Participants were categorized as meeting or not meeting the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors (150 min of moderate intensity or 75 min of vigorous intensity PA per week). Radical prostatectomy outcomes were measured preoperatively and at 6 and 26-weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: From June 2008 to August 2012, 509 men underwent curative, nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer and completed the GLTEQ, of whom 46% met the PA guidelines. Prior to surgery, men that met the PA guidelines reported higher quality of life (p < 0.001) and erectile function (p = 0.049) than men that did not meet the guidelines. Quality of life at all postoperative timepoints was higher for men that met the PA guidelines after adjusting for age, preoperative body mass index, and surgical approach (p = 0.02). Men that met the PA guidelines were 19% less likely to be incontinent at 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: PA volume may be a useful marker at predicting postoperative recovery of quality of life and urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors should be encouraged to meet PA guidelines prior to surgery in an effort to attenuate the decline in HRQOL and facilitate recovery.

Treatment planning for prostate focal laser ablation in the face of needle placement uncertainty.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of needle placement uncertainty on the expected probability of achieving complete focal target destruction in focal laser ablation (FLA) of prostate cancer. METHODS: Using a simplified model of prostate cancer focal target, and focal laser ablation region shapes, Monte Carlo simulations of needle placement error were performed to estimate the probability of completely ablating a region of target tissue. RESULTS: Graphs of the probability of complete focal target ablation are presented over clinically relevant ranges of focal target sizes and shapes, ablation region sizes, and levels of needle placement uncertainty. In addition, a table is provided for estimating the maximum target size that is treatable. The results predict that targets whose length is at least 5 mm smaller than the diameter of each ablation region can be confidently ablated using, at most, four laser fibers if the standard deviation in each component of needle placement error is less than 3 mm. However, targets larger than this (i.e., near to or exceeding the diameter of each ablation region) require more careful planning. This process is facilitated by using the table provided. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of completely ablating a focal target using FLA is sensitive to the level of needle placement uncertainty, especially as the target length approaches and becomes greater than the diameter of ablated tissue that each individual laser fiber can achieve. The results of this work can be used to help determine individual patient eligibility for prostate FLA, to guide the planning of prostate FLA, and to quantify the clinical benefit of using advanced systems for accurate needle delivery for this treatment modality.