Ultrasound imaging of male urethral stricture disease: a narrative review of the available evidence, focusing on selected prospective studies.

PURPOSE: To synthetize the current scientific knowledge on the use of ultrasound of the male urethra for evaluation of urethral stricture disease. This review aims to provide a detailed description of the technical aspects of ultrasonography, and provides some indications on clinical applications of it, based on the evidence available from the selected prospective studies. Advantages and limitations of the technique are also provided. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using the Medline and Cochrane databases on October 2022. The articles were searched using the keywords "sonourethrography", "urethral ultrasound", "urethral stricture" and "SUG". Only human studies and articles in English were included. Articles were screened by two reviewers (M.F. and K.M.). RESULTS: Our literature search reporting on the role of sonourethrography in evaluating urethral strictures resulted in selection of 17 studies, all prospective, even if of limited quality due to the small patients' number (varied from 28 to 113). Nine studies included patients with urethral stricture located in anterior urethra and eight studies included patients regardless of the stricture location. Final analysis was based on selected prospective studies, whose power was limited by the small patients' groups. CONCLUSION: Sonourethrography is a cost-effective and safe technique allowing for a dynamic and three-dimensional urethra assessment. Yet, because of its limited value in detecting posterior urethral strictures, the standard urethrography should remain the basic 'road-map' prior to surgery. It is an operator-dependent technique, which can provide detailed information on the length, location, and extent of spongiofibrosis without risks of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The association of type and number of high-risk criteria with cancer specific mortality in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To assess the association between of type and number of D'Amico high-risk criteria (DHRCs) with rates of cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2016), we identified 34,908 RT patients with at least one DHRCs, namely prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/dL (hrPSA), biopsy Grade Group (hrGG) 4-5, clinical T stage (hrcT) ≥T2c. Multivariable Cox regression models (CRM), as well as competing risks regression (CRR) model, which further adjust for other cause mortality, tested the association between DHRCs and 5-year CSM. RESULTS: Of 34,908 patients, 14,777 (42%) exclusively harbored hrGG, 5641 (16%) hrPSA, 4390 (13%) had hrcT. Only 8238 (23.7%) harbored any combination of two DHRCs and 1862 (5.3%) had all three DHRCs. Five-year CSM rates ranged from 2.4% to 5.0% when any individual DHRC was present (hrcT, hrPSA, hrGG, in that order), versus 5.2% to 10.5% when two DHRCs were present (hrPSA+hrcT, hrcT+hrGG, hrPSA+hrGG, in that order) versus 14.4% when all three DHRCs were identified. In multivariable CRM hazard ratios relative to hrcT ranged from 1.07 to 1.76 for one DHRC, 2.20 to 3.83 for combinations of two DHRCs, and 5.11 for all three DHRCs. Multivariable CRR yielded to virtually the same results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates a stimulus-response effect according to the type and number of DHRCs. This indicates potential for risk-stratification within HR PCa patients that could be applied in clinical decision making to increase or reduce treatment intensity.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with venous tumor invasion: is there a role for mini-invasive surgery?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate early oncologic outcomes in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) with venous invasion (VI) treated using both open and mini-invasive approaches. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 4 international referral center databases, including all the patients undergoing adrenalectomy for ACC with VI from January 2007 to March 2020. According to CT scan or MRI, the tumor thrombus was classified into four levels: (1) adrenal vein invasion; (2) renal vein invasion; (3) infra-hepatic Inferior vena cava (IVC); and (4) retro-hepatic IVC. In addition, we divided our patients into patients who had undergone open surgery and mini-invasive surgery. RESULTS: We identified 20 patients with a median follow-up of 12 months. The median tumor size was 110mm. ENSAT stage was II in 4 patients, III in 13 patients, and IV in 3 patients. Tumor thrombus extended in the adrenal vein (n=5), renal vein (n=1), infra-hepatic IVC (n=9), or into the retro-hepatic IVC (n=5). Ten patients were treated with a mini-invasive approach. The patient treated with an open approach reported a more aggressive disease. The two groups did not differ in surgical margins, surgical time, blood losses, complications, and length of stay. The prognosis resulted worse in the patient undergoing open. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a difference in OS for the patients stratified by ENSAT stage (Log-rank p=0.011); we also reported a difference in DFS for patients stratified for thrombus extension (p=0.004) and ENSAT stage (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The DFS of patients with VI from ACC is influenced by the staging and the extension of the venous invasion; the staging influences the OS. The mini-invasive approach seems feasible in selected patients; however, further studies investigating the oncological outcomes are needed. A mini-invasive approach for adrenal tumors with venous invasion is an explorable option in very selected patients.

Impact of Assistant Experience on Perioperative Outcomes of Simple and Radical Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: Does It Really Matter?

Background and Objectives: While systematic reviews highlight the advantages of laparoscopic nephrectomy over traditional open surgery, the impact of an assistant's experience on surgical outcomes remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether the level of assistant expertise influences laparoscopic nephrectomy outcomes. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from our institutional database were analyzed for patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy between January 2018 and December 2022. Procedures were performed by a highly experienced surgeon, including postgraduate year (PGY)-3 to PGY-5 residents as assistants. Senior-level assistants had completed at least 10 procedures. Patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative details were collected. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were performed to test the effect of assistant experience (low vs. high) on estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), operative time (OT), and postoperative complications. Results: 105 patients were included, where 53% had highly experienced assistants and 47% had less experienced ones. Low assistant experience and higher BMI predicted longer operative time (OT), confirmed by multivariable regression (ß = 40.5, confidence interval [CI] 18.7-62.3, p < 0.001). Assistant experience did not significantly affect EBL or LOS after adjusting for covariates (ß = -14.2, CI -91.8-63.3, p = 0.7 and ß = -0.83, CI -2.7-1.02, p = 0.4, respectively). There was no correlation between assistant experience and postoperative complications. Conclusions: Assistant experience does not significantly impact complications, EBL, and LOS in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Surgeries with less experienced assistants had longer OT, but the overall clinical impact seems limited. Trainee involvement remains safe, guided by experienced surgeons.

Survival after radical prostatectomy versus radiation therapy in clinical node-positive prostate cancer.

AIM: To compare overall mortality (OM), cancer-specific mortality (CSM), and other cause mortality (OCM) rates between radical prostatectomy (RP) versus radiotherapy (RT) in clinical node-positive (cN1) prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) (2004-2016), we identified 4685 cN1 PCa patients, of whom 3589 (76.6%) versus 1096 (24.4%) were treated with RP versus RT. After 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression models tested the effect of RP versus RT on OM, while cumulative incidence plots and competing-risks regression (CRR) models addressed CSM and OCM between RP and RT patients. All analyses were repeated after the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). For CSM and OCM analyses, the propensity score was used as a covariate in the regression model. RESULTS: Overall, RT patients were older, harbored higher prostate-specific antigen values, higher clinical T and higher Gleason grade groups. PSM resulted in two equally sized groups of 894 RP versus 894 RT patients. After PSM, 5-year OM, CSM, and OCM rates were, respectively, 15.4% versus 25%, 9.3% versus 17%, and 6.1% versus 8% for RP versus RT (all p < 0.001) and yielded respective multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.63 (0.52-0.78, p < 0.001), 0.66 (0.52-0.86, p < 0.001), 0.71 (0.5-1.0, p = 0.05), all favoring RP. After IPTW, Cox regression models yielded HR of 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46-0.66) for OM, and CRR yielded HRs of 0.49 (0.34-0.70) and 0.54 (0.36-0.79) for, respectively, CSM and OCM, all favoring RP (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RP may hold a CSM advantage over RT in cN1 PCa patients.

Survival after Radical Prostatectomy versus Radiation Therapy in High-Risk and Very High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to compare cancer-specific mortality (CSM) rates between radical prostatectomy (RP) vs external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in National Comprehensive Cancer Network© (NCCN©) high risk (HR) patients, as well as in Johns Hopkins University (JH) HR and very high risk (VHR) subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2016), we identified 24,407 NCCN HR patients, of whom 10,300 (42%) vs 14,107 (58%) patients qualified for JH HR vs VHR, respectively. Overall, 9,823 (40%) underwent RP vs 14,584 (60%) EBRT. Cumulative incidence plots and competing-risks regression addressed CSM after 1:1 propensity score matching (according to age, prostate specific antigen, clinical T and N stages, and biopsy Gleason score) between RP and EBRT patients. All analyses addressed the combined NCCN HR cohort, as well as in JH HR and JH VHR subgroups. RESULTS: In the combined NCCN HR cohort 5-year CSM rates were 2.3% for RP vs 4.1% for EBRT and yielded a multivariate hazard ratio of 0.68 (95% CI 0.54-0.86, p <0.001) favoring RP. In VHR patients 5-year CSM rates were 3.5% for RP vs 6.0% for EBRT, yielding a multivariate hazard ratio of 0.58 (95% CI 0.44-0.77, p <0.001) favoring RP. Conversely, in HR patients no significant difference was recorded between RP vs EBRT (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.39-1.25, p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that RP holds a CSM advantage over EBRT in the combined NCCN HR cohort, and in its subgroup of JH VHR patients.

Patients' perceptions of quality of care delivery by urology residents: A nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a nationwide survey among urological patients to evaluate their perception of the quality of care provided by residents. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to patients who were referred to 22 Italian academic institutions. The survey aimed to investigate the professional figure of the urology resident as perceived by the patient. RESULTS: A total of 2587 patients were enrolled in this study. In all, 51.6% of patients were able to correctly identify a urology resident; however, almost 40% of respondents discriminated residents from fully trained urologists based exclusively on their young age. Overall, 98.2% patients rated the service provided by the resident as at least sufficient. Urology trainees were considered by more than 50% of the patients interviewed to have good communication skills, expertise and willingness. Overall, patients showed an excellent willingness to be managed by urology residents. The percentage of patients not available for this purpose showed an increasing trend that directly correlated with the difficulty of the procedure. Approximately 5-10% of patients were not willing to be managed by residents for simple procedures such as clinical visits, cystoscopy or sonography, and up to a third of patients were not prepared to undergo any surgical procedure performed by residents during steps in major surgery, even if the residents were adequately tutored. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that patients have a good willingness to be managed by residents during their training, especially for medium- to low-difficulty procedures. Furthermore, the majority of patients interviewed rated the residents' care delivery as sufficient. Urology trainees were considered to have good communication skills, expertise and willingness.

External validation of the Palacios' equation: a simple and accurate tool to estimate the new baseline renal function after renal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: To externally validate the Palacios' equation estimating the new baseline glomerular filtration rate (NB-GFR) after partial or radical-nephrectomy (PN, RN) for Renal cancer carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our research group recently published two studies that investigated the association between renal function and cancer-specific survival in RCC. The first one included 3457 patients undergone RN or PN for a cT1-2 RCC coming from five high-volume centers; the second one considered 1767 patients undergone RN or PN for a cT1-4 RCC in a single high-volume center. From such datasets, available complete patients' data were used to calculate the predicted NB-GFR through the Palacios' equation: predicted NB-GFR = 35.03 + 0.65 ∙ preoperative GFR - 18.19 ∙ (if radical nephrectomy) - 0.25 ∙ age + 2.83 ∙ (if tumor size > 7 cm) - 2.09 ∙ (if diabetes). The observed NB-GFR was calculated by the CKD-EPI equation on serum creatinine at 3-12 months after surgery. Concordance between observed and predicted NB-GFR was evaluated by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: 2419 patients were included (1210, cohort #1; 1219, cohort #2). The median observed NB-GFR value in cohorts #1 and #2 was 73.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 56.1-90.1) and 64.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 49.6-83); the median predicted NB-GFR was 71.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 58-81.5) and 62.6 ml/min/1.73m2 (IQR 47.9-75.9). The concordance line showed a slope of 0.80 and 0.86, and an intercept at 11.02 and 5.41 ml/min/1.73 m2 in the cohort#1 and #2, respectively. The Palacio's equation moderately over-estimated and under-estimated NB-GFR, for values below and above the cut-off of 50 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 35 ml/min/1.73m2 in cohort#1 and #2. The Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.79 (95% CI 0.77-0.81) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.82-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the predictive performances of Palacios' equation, supporting its utilization in clinical practice.

Simultaneous robotic partial nephrectomy for bilateral renal masses.

PURPOSE: There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy for patients presenting with synchronous bilateral renal masses. The decision to perform bilateral procedures on the same intervention or in staged procedures is debated. The aim of this manuscript is to analyse the outcomes of simultaneous robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in a series of patients with bilateral renal masses treated at five Italian robotic institutions. METHODS: Data from a prospectively maintained multi-institutional database on patients subjected to simultaneous RAPN between November 2011 and July 2019 were reviewed. RAPNs were performed with da Vinci Si or Xi surgical system by expert robotic surgeons. Baseline demographics and clinical features, peri- and post-operative data were collected. RESULTS: Overall, 27 patients underwent simultaneous bilateral RAPN, and 54 RAPNs were performed without need of conversion; median operative time was 250 minutes, median estimated blood loss was 200 mL. Renal artery clamping was needed for 27 (50%) RAPNs with a median warm ischemia time of 15 minutes and no case of acute kidney injury. Complications were reported in 7 (25.9%) patients, mainly represented by Clavien 2 events (6 blood transfusions). Positive surgical margins were assessed in 2 (3.7%) of the renal cell carcinoma. At the median follow-up of 30 months, recurrence-free survival was 100%. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that, in selected patients and expert hands, simultaneous bilateral RAPNs could be a safe and feasible procedure with promising results for the treatment of bilateral synchronous renal masses.

Changes in renal function after nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract carcinoma: analysis of a large multicenter cohort (Radical Nephroureterectomy Outcomes (RaNeO) Research Consortium).

PURPOSE: To investigate prevalence and predictors of renal function variation in a multicenter cohort treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS: Patients from 17 tertiary centers were included. Renal function variation was evaluated at postoperative day (POD)-1, 6 and 12 months. Timepoints differences were Δ1 = POD-1 eGFR - baseline eGFR; Δ2 = 6 months eGFR - POD-1 eGFR; Δ3 = 12 months eGFR - 6 months eGFR. We defined POD-1 acute kidney injury (AKI) as an increase in serum creatinine by ≥ 0.3 mg/dl or a 1.5 1.9-fold from baseline. Additionally, a cutoff of 60 ml/min in eGFR was considered to define renal function decline at 6 and 12 months. Logistic regression (LR) and linear mixed (LM) models were used to evaluate the association between clinical factors and eGFR decline and their interaction with follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 576 were included, of these 409(71.0%) and 403(70.0%) had an eGFR < 60 ml/min at 6 and 12 months, respectively, and 239(41.5%) developed POD-1 AKI. In multivariable LR analysis, age (Odds Ratio, OR 1.05, p < 0.001), male gender (OR 0.44, p = 0.003), POD-1 AKI (OR 2.88, p < 0.001) and preoperative eGFR < 60 ml/min (OR 7.58, p < 0.001) were predictors of renal function decline at 6 months. Age (OR 1.06, p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (OR 2.68, p = 0.007), POD-1 AKI (OR 1.83, p = 0.02), and preoperative eGFR < 60 ml/min (OR 7.80, p < 0.001) were predictors of renal function decline at 12 months. In LM models, age (p = 0.019), hydronephrosis (p < 0.001), POD-1 AKI (p < 0.001) and pT-stage (p = 0.001) influenced renal function variation (ß 9.2 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Age, preoperative eGFR and POD-1 AKI are independent predictors of 6 and 12 months renal function decline after RNU for UTUC.

Intravesical Therapy for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: What Is the Real Impact of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Variant on Oncological Outcomes?

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the oncological impact of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) variant in patients submitted to intravesical therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and January 2020, patients with conventional urothelial NMIBC (TCC) or urothelial NMIBC with SCC variant (TCC + SCC) and submitted to adjuvant intravesical therapies were collected. Kaplan-Meier analyses targeted disease recurrence and progression. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to test the role of SCC on disease recurrence and/or progression. Results: A total of 32 patients out of 353 had SCC at diagnosis. Recurrence was observed in 42% of TCC and 44% of TCC + SCC patients (p = 0.88), while progression was observed in 12% of both TCC and TCC + SCC patients (p = 0.78). At multivariable Cox regression analyses, the presence of SCC variant was not associated with higher rates of neither recurrence (p = 0.663) nor progression (p = 0.582). Conclusions: We presented data from the largest series on patients with TCC and concomitant SCC histological variant managed with intravesical therapy (BCG or MMC). No significant differences were found in term of recurrence and progression between TCC and TCC + SCC. Despite the limited sample size, this study paves the way for a possible implementation of the use of intravesical BCG and MMC in NMIBC with histological variants.

Awareness of European practitioners toward uncommon tropical diseases: are we prepared to deal with mass migration? Results of an international survey.

PURPOSE: The recent rise in migration from Africa through the Mediterranean basin into Europe has resulted in an increased incidence of uncommon diseases such as schistosomiasis and genito-urinary tuberculosis, which were previously largely unknown in this region. This study aimed to evaluate the insight of European urologists into diagnosing and managing these disease conditions and to determine whether they were adequately prepared to deal with the changing disease spectrum in their countries. METHODS: A survey including specific questions about the diagnosis and management of 'tropical' urological diseases was distributed among urologists working in Europe and Africa. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to detect the continent (African or European) effect on knowledge of and insight into tropical urological diseases. RESULTS: A total of 312 surveys were administered. African and European respondents accounted for 109 (36.09%) and 193 (63.91%) respondents, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant deficiency in the knowledge of tropical urological diseases in the European cohort compared with the African cohort (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the European cohort, markedly superior knowledge of tropical urological diseases was observed for respondents who had previously worked in a developing country. CONCLUSIONS: Though European urologists are not required to have the same insight as African urologists, they showed a very unsatisfactory knowledge of tropical urological diseases. The experience of working in a developing country could improve the knowledge of European urologists regarding tropical urological diseases.

Current status of urology surgical training in Europe: an ESRU-ESU-ESUT collaborative study.

PURPOSE: To determine the current status of surgical training amongst European Urology Residents, including their satisfaction with training and their confidence in performing procedures. METHODS: A 23-item survey was distributed to the 15th European Urology Residents Education Programme (EUREP) 2017 participants. An analysis of demographics, workload, training resources, surgical exposure, surgical caseload, satisfaction and confidence in performing each procedure was performed. RESULTS: A total of 152/350 participants completed the survey (response rate 43%), of which 14% think they perform enough surgeries during their training, and 83% would like to continue training with a fellowship. Confidence in performing procedures without supervision and satisfaction with training was associated with higher surgical caseloads. Confidence in all laparoscopic/robotic procedures (except for laparoscopic/robotic partial nephrectomy) was associated with laparoscopic and robotics training, participation in practical courses and having training resources in hospitals. Satisfaction with surgical training was statistically associated with working ≤  50 h per week, laparoscopic training and having laparoscopic training boxes. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical exposure of European Urology residents for major/minimally invasive procedures, confidence in performing these procedures, and overall satisfaction with training is low. A higher volume of cases, as well as resources for training are associated with higher individual confidence and satisfaction with training.

External validation of Cormio nomogram for predicting all prostate cancers and clinically significant prostate cancers.

PURPOSE: Recently, the Cormio et al. nomogram has been developed to predict prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa using benign prostatic obstruction parameters. The aim of the present study was to externally validate the nomogram in a multicentric cohort. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2019, patients scheduled for ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were prospectively enrolled at 11 Italian institutions. Demographic, clinical and histological data were collected and analysed. Discrimination and calibration of Cormio nomogram were assessed with the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve and calibration plots. The clinical net benefit of the nomogram was assessed with decision curve analysis. Clinically significant PCa was defined as ISUP grade group > 1. RESULTS: After accounting for inclusion criteria, 1377 patients were analysed. 816/1377 (59%) had cancer at final pathology (574/816, 70%, clinically significant PCa). Multivariable analysis showed age, prostate volume, DRE and post-voided residual volume as independent predictors of any PCa. Discrimination of the nomogram for cancer was 0.70 on ROC analysis. Calibration of the nomogram was excellent (p = 0.94) and the nomogram presented a net benefit in the 40-80% range of probabilities. Multivariable analysis for predictors of clinically significant PCa found age, PSA, prostate volume and DRE as independent variables. Discrimination of the nomogram was 0.73. Calibration was poor (p = 0.001) and the nomogram presented a net benefit in the 25-75% range of probabilities. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the Cormio nomogram can be used to predict the risk of PCa in patients at increased risk. Implementation of the nomogram in clinical practice will better define its role in the patient's counselling before prostate biopsy.

Supporting the role of penile trauma and micro-trauma in the etiology of Peyronie's disease. Prospective observational study using the electronic microscope to examine two types of plaques.

OBJECTIVES: The etiopathogenesis of Peyronie's disease (PD) remains not clearly understood. The most accepted theory attributes the histological lesions of PD to the effects of trauma to the corpora cavernosum of the penis. The aim of our study is to verify whether similar histological features exist between these two tissues, providing new evidence in favor of the traumatic theory in the etiopathogenesis of Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out at our institution from January 2013 to June 2018, involving patients having undergone surgery for PD and those with delayed surgery for penile trauma. Both excised PD and post-traumatic plaques were analyzed by blind pathologists with an 80kV potential acceleration electron microscope. RESULTS: Five patients were identified with a post-traumatic plaque (Group 1) and therefore an equal number of PD patients were enrolled for Group 2. The ultrastructural characteristics of the two types of preparations were very similar. In all the samples we showed an inflammatory reaction of the structure of the tunica albuginea, a production of the disorganized extracellular matrix, a proliferation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, we have found an increase in the density and collagen deposits grouped in the extracellular space and within the fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the theory that attributes lesions and symptoms typical of PD to the effects of cavernous body trauma.

Developing a five-step training model for transperineal prostate biopsies in a naïve residents' group: a prospective observational randomised study of two different techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a five-step training model for transperineal prostate biopsies (TPPB) and the differences in terms of the detection rate (DR) and the ease of execution when using either the "fan technique" (FT) or the use of a Free Hand technique (FH). METHODS: A prospective observational randomised study was conducted from September 2015 to November 2017. Six naïve residents, who underwent the same five-steps training model, were randomly subdivided into two different groups of three residents based on the selected TPPB technique: A (FT) and B (FH). Patient characteristics (age, PSA, prostatic volume, DRE, MRI), intraoperative (operative time, number of samples) and postoperative parameters (histologic, pain) were evaluated in the 2 groups. The overall and stratified DR for PSA ranges and prostate volume (PV), operative time and complications were compared. RESULTS: The overall detection rate was very high in both groups (FT 58.2% vs FH 59.6%) and not statistically different between the two techniques. There were no differences in terms of complication rates and pain. The FH showed a better detection rate in prostates smaller than 40 cc (p = 0.023) and a faster operative time (p = 0.025) compared to FT. CONCLUSIONS: Within the TPPB, FH is associated with a higher detection rate in patients with prostate < 40 cc compared to an FT when performed by inexperienced trainees. Standardised training organised in consecutive steps seems to contribute to the achievement of overall high detection rates with both methods.

Surgical Training in South Africa: An Overview and Attempt to Assess the Training System from the Perspective of Foreign Trainees.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no objective reports evaluating the quality of the South African surgical training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state of surgical training in South Africa from an external impartial point of view and to rate the experience of short-term supernumerary registrars and fellows (STSRF) within the South African training system. METHODS: A 29-item survey was distributed via e-mail and social media to non-South African trainees who worked in South Africa as STSRF for a period of at least 1 month during the past 5 years. The survey evaluated the surgical, clinical and academic training received during their elective period in a South African department. RESULTS: Sixty-four STSRF replied to the survey. Sixty-two percent of STSRF attended a trauma unit during their experience. For the majority of respondents, open and emergency surgical exposure, as well as experience as first surgeon, is significantly higher in the South African system, while minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery exposure is significantly less. Research project involvement is significantly less, for the STSRF, as opposed to lectures and teaching that constitute a higher percentage. No significant difference was found regarding exposure to hands-on activities. CONCLUSIONS: The South African system still provides excellent surgical and clinical exposure as well as teaching. However, minimally invasive surgery training and research are generally lacking for the STSRF. Exchange programs between South African and developed country institutes should be improved and encouraged in order to gain mutual benefits.