Preoperative Age and Its Impact on Long-Term Renal Functional Decline after Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: Insights from a Tertiary Referral Center.

Background and Objectives: to investigate the impact of age on renal function deterioration after robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) focusing on a decline to moderate and severe forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods: This is a single center prospective analysis of patients who underwent RAPN. The outcomes include the development of de novo CKD-S 3a [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2)] and de novo CKD-S 3b (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73/m2). Multivariable analysis (MVA) via Cox regression identified predictors for CKD-S 3a/b. Kaplan -Meier Analyses (KMA) were fitted for survival assessment. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to identify the predictors of last-eGFR. Results: Overall, 258 patients were analyzed [low age (<50) n = 40 (15.5%); intermediate age (50-70) n = 164 (63.5%); high age (>70) n = 54 (20.9%)] with a median follow-up of 31 (IQR 20-42) months. MVA revealed an increasing RENAL score [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.32, p = 0.009], age 50-70 (HR 6.21, p = 0.01), age ≥ 70 (HR 10.81, p = 0.001), increasing BMI (HR 1.11, p < 0.001) and preoperative CKD 2 (HR 2.43, p = 0.014) are independent risk factors associated with an increased risk of CKD-S 3a; conversely, post-surgical acute kidney injury was not (p = 0.83). MVA for CKD-S 3b revealed an increasing RENAL score (HR 1.51, p = 0.013) and age ≥ 70 (HR 2.73, p = 0.046) are associated with an increased risk of CKD-S 3b. Linear regression analysis revealed increasing age (Coeff. -0.76, p < 0.001), increasing tumor size (Coeff. -0.31, p = 0.03), and increasing BMI (Coeff. -0.64, p = 0.004) are associated with decreasing eGFR at last follow-up. We compare the survival distribution of our cohort stratified by age elderly patients experienced worsened CKD-S 3a/b disease-free survival (p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Age is independently associated with a greater risk of significant and ongoing decline in kidney function following RAPN. Recognizing the impact of aging on renal function post-surgery can guide better management practices. Further investigations are required.

Clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate in biopsy-naïve patients with mpMRI and microultrasound topographically discordant lesions: A single-center retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has improved the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and microultrasound (micro-US) shows promise in enhancing detection rates. We compared mpMRI-guided targeted biopsy (MTBx) and micro-US-guided targeted biopsy (micro-US-TBx) in biopsy-naïve patients with discordant lesions at micro-US and mpMRI to detect csPCa (grade group ≥2) and clinically insignificant PCa (ciPCa; grade group 1) and assessed the role of nontargeted systematic biopsy (SBx). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 178 biopsy-naive men with suspected PCa and discordant lesions at mpMRI and micro-US. All patients underwent mpMRI followed by micro-US, the latter being performed immediately before the biopsy. Imaging findings were interpreted blindly, followed by targeted and SBx. Median age was 63 years (IQR, 57-70), median prostate-specific antigen level was 7 ng/mL (IQR, 5-9 ng/mL), and median prostate volume was 49 cm^3 (IQR, 35-64 cm^3). Overall, 86/178 (48%) patients were diagnosed with PCa, 51/178 (29%) with csPCa. RESULTS: Micro-USTBx detected csPCa in 36/178 men (20%; 95% CI: 26-46), and MTBx detected csPCa in 28/178 men (16%; 95% CI: 36-50), resulting in a -8% difference (95% CI: -10, 4; P = 0.022) and a relative detection rate of 0.043. Micro-USTBx detected ciPCa in 9/178 men (5%; 95% CI: 3, 15), while MTBx detected ciPCa in 12/178 men (7%; 95% CI: 5, 20), resulting in a -3% difference (95% CI: -2 to 4; P = 0.2) and a relative detection rate of 0.1. SBx detected ciPCa in 29 (16%) men. mpMRI plus micro-US detected csPCa in 51/178 men, with no additional cases with the addition of SBx. Similarly, MTBx plus micro-USTBx plus SBx detected ciPCa in 35/178 men (20%; 95% CI: 18, 37) compared to 9 (5%) in the micro-US pathway (P = 0.002) and 14/178 (8%; 95% CI: 6, 26) in the mpMRI plus micro-US pathway (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a combined micro-US/mpMRI approach could characterize primary disease in biopsy-naïve patients with discordant lesions, potentially avoiding SBx. Further studies are needed to validate our findings and assess micro-US's role in reducing unnecessary biopsies.

Robotic assisted vs open radical cystectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several randomized control trials (RCTs) have been published comparing open (ORC) with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). However, uncertainty persists regarding this issue, as evidences and recommendations on RARC are still lacking. In this systematic review and metaanalysis, we summarized evidence in this context. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria, using PubMed/Medline, Web Of Science and Embase, up to March 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. The primary endpoint was to investigate health-related quality of life (QoL) both at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints include pathological and perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications and oncological outcomes. Furthermore, we conducted a cost evaluation based on the available evidence. Eight RCTs were included, encompassing 1024 patients (515 RARC versus 509 ORC). QoL appeared similar among the two groups both after 3 and 6 months. No significant differences in overall and major complications at 30 days (p = 0.11 and p > 0.9, respectively) and 90 days (p = 0.28 and p = 0.57, respectively) were observed, as well as in oncological, pathological and perioperative outcomes, excepting from operative time, which was longer in RARC (MD 92.34 min, 95% CI 83.83-100.84, p < 0.001) and transfusion rate, which was lower in RARC (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.30-0.61, p < 0.001). Both ORC and RARC are viable options for bladder cancer, having comparable complication rates and oncological outcomes. RARC provides transfusion rate advantages, however, it has longer operative time and higher costs. QoL outcomes appear similar between the two groups, both after 3 and 6 months.