Development and assessment of an ex-vivo bench model aimed at laparoscopic ureteric reconstructive techniques.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Reconstructive and ablative urologic techniques require special technical mastery, especially the intracorporeal suturing. OBJECTIVE: To report the subjective evaluation of a versatile ex-vivo model aimed to practice laparoscopic ureteric reconstructive techniques (LURT) on box-trainer. STUDY DESIGN: The model is a continuous portion of porcine urinary bladder ("dilated pelvis"), the vesico-ureteral joint ("stenosis") and healthy ureter. All 127 participants (n = 119 urologists and n = 8 paediatric surgeons) performed on the model laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty, and then, in the animal model, different LURT procedures (ureteroneocystostomy, ureteric reimplantation and/or dismembered pyeloplasty). The model was subjectively evaluated (face and content validity), through a 12 items questionnaire, based on a Likert scale (1-5 points) and a global question (1-10 points). RESULTS: The total mean rating for 11/12 items was very high (>4points). Only one was rated under 3 points. The overall total mean rating from 1 to 10 points was very high (9.19 ± 0.82 points). In 10/12 items, expert's feedback (content validity) prevailed over non-experts (face validity). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The model was highly accepted for the practice of LURT techniques. Additionally, it is cost-effective, easy to assemble, ethically considerate, and realistic.

Medical-surgical activity and the current state of training of urology residents in Spain: Results of a national survey. / Actividad médico-quirúrgica y estado actual de la formación de los residentes de urología en España: Resultados de una encuesta nacional.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the actual state of medical-surgical activity and training for urology residents in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We designed 2 anonymous surveys, which were uploaded with the Google Docs© tool so that the respondents could answer the surveys online. The online collection period was September 2015 to January 2016. The collected data were processing using the statistical programme IBM SPSS for Windows, Version 21.0 and the programme R version 3.2.3. RESULTS: The total number of responders was 163. In reference to the number of physically present on-call residents, the majority conducted between 4 and 6 shifts a month. Eighty-four of those surveyed indicated that they were in the operating room less than 20hours a week, and 43 of these even less than 10hours. Thirty percent of those surveyed had not performed any transurethral resection. The majority had performed at least one prostatic adenomectomy, but had not performed any major oncologic procedure, either laparoscopically or openly. In the questions concerning training and training courses, we found that most of the residents trained in laparoscopy at the hospital or at home. The overall satisfaction for the residence was assessed at 2.6. Based on this score, the overall satisfaction could be considered moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be directed towards standardising the acquisition of surgical and nonsurgical skills, ensuring access to training courses, establishing a minimum of required operations per year and achieving an objective assessment of the specialty.

The assessment of surgical skills as a complement to the training method. Revision.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The acquisition and improvement of surgical skills constitute a fundamental element in the training of any practitioner. At present, however, the assessment of these skills is a scarcely developed area of research. The aim of this study was to analyse the peculiarities of the various assessment systems and establish the minimum criteria that a skills and knowledge assessment system should meet as a method for assessing surgical skills in urological surgery. ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE: Scientific literature review aimed at the various currently available assessment systems for skills and competencies (technical and nontechnical), with a special focus on the systematic reviews and prospective studies. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE: After conducting the review, we found that the various assessment systems for surgical competence have, in our opinion, a number of shortcomings. There is a certain degree of subjectivity in the assessment of surgeons by the evaluators. The assessment of nontechnical competencies is not formally recorded. There is no description of a follow-up assessment or any basic parameters associated with healthcare quality. There is no registration of associated competencies associated with the various surgical techniques. There is also no ranking of these competencies and the specific peculiarities for their application. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the development of a new assessment system for surgical competencies (technical and nontechnical) aimed at assessing urologists in the various surgical techniques is necessary. To this end, our team has worked on developing the Evaluation System for Surgical Competencies on Laparoscopy, which is based on the definition, ranking and assessment of competencies demonstrated by surgeons.

[A Spanish multicenter trial of TVT for female urinary incontinence]. / TVT para la incontinencia urinaria femenina: estudio multicéntrico español.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate results and complications of TVT in a large series from different hospital centers in Spain. METHOD: We retrospectively studied the results of TVT placement from 6 centers with 272 consecutive patients (median follow-up was 636 days). All types of stress urinary incontinence with a surgical indication were included and no previous conditions were established regarding the indication. No protocol was used for either the intervention or postoperative support measures. Data collection was protocolized and carried out using a common questionnaire that was completed by an urologist at each center from 3 to 6 months after the intervention and then annually. All patients who underwent intervention were asked about their satisfaction with the outcome. Multivariate studies were made to identify the factors that influenced the recovery of continence and the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: 92.1% of patients were continent and 2.4% have not shown any improvement. 91.6% of the patients claimed to be satisfied whereas only 2.7% were dissatisfied. After four years only 2.8% of patients showed mild incontinence with time and 0.4% had moderate incontinence. Only previous surgery for incontinence was found to be significantly unfavorable factor for achieving postoperative continence. CONCLUSION: We have reproduced a scenario closer to daily clinical reality than the results of series from a single institution or analyses using stricter selection criteria. This multicenter study verifies the viability and reproducibility of TVT with minimal complications in centers where patients are not selected and where not all urologists are specialized in urinary incontinence.

Has prostate cancer mortality stopped its decline in Spain?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of prostate cancer mortality in Spain during the period 1980-2013. SUBJECT AND METHOD: The prostate cancer mortality data and population data needed to calculate the indicators were provided by the National Institute of Statistics. We calculated the specific rates by age group, raw and standardised globally using the direct method (European standard population). The rates are expressed for 100,000 person-years. For the analysis of trends in the rates, we used joinpoint regression models. RESULTS: The overall rates adjusted for age in Spain decreased from 21.7 to 15.4 deaths per 100,000 men-years between the starting and ending date of the study period (annual percentage change: -.9%; P<.05). The joinpoint analysis reflects 2 periods: 1980-1998 (.7% annual increase; P<.05) and 1998-2013, during which the rates decreased significantly (-3%; P<.05). Except for the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla where the rates remained stable over the course of the study period, the communities showed 1 or 2 points of inflection in the trends, and all had a final period with a reduction in the rates (except for Galicia and Catalonia, where the rates stabilised in 2008-2013). CONCLUSION: The decline in prostate cancer mortality in Spain appears to have stopped in Galicia and Catalonia.

Comparison of pathological data between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimen in patients with low to very low risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between pathological data found in radical prostatectomy and previously performed biopsy in patients at low risk prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the characteristics of radical prostatectomies performed in our center from January 2012 to November 2014. The inclusion criteria were patients with low-risk disease (cT1c-T2a, PSA≤10ng/mL and Gleason score≤6). We excluded patients who had fewer than 8 cores in the biopsy, an unspecified number of affected cores, rectal examinations not reported in the medical history or biopsies performed in another center. RESULTS: Of the 184 patients who underwent prostatectomy during this period, 87 met the inclusion criteria, and 26 of these had<3 affected cores and PSA density≤.15 (very low risk). In the entire sample, the percentage of undergrading (Gleason score≥7) and extracapsular invasion (pT3) was 18.4% (95% CI 10.3-27.6) and 10.35% (95% CI 4.6-17.2), respectively. The percentage of positive margins was 21.8% (95% CI 12.6-29.9). In the very low-risk group, we found no cases of extracapsular invasion and only 1 case of undergrading (Gleason 7 [3+4]), representing 3.8% of the total (95% CI 0-12.5). Predictors of no correlation (stage≥pT3a or undergrading) were the initial risk group, volume, PSA density and affected cores. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume, PSA density, the number of affected cores and the patient's initial risk group influence the poor pathological prognosis in the radical prostatectomy specimen (extracapsular invasion and Gleason score≥7).

[Ureteroscopy as diagnostic and treatment method in ureteral processes: our experience]. / La ureteroscopia como método de diagnóstico y tratamiento en los procesos ureterales: nuestra experiencia.

Endoscopic approach to the ureter both as a diagnostic procedure in various diseases and treatment of low ureteral lithiasis is a widely used technique. Review of case reports where this technique was used over the last four years. A total of 73 ureteroscopies were conducted, 64 as therapeutic approach (89.04%) and 9 for diagnosis (10.96%) achieving an overall 94.4% success rate. Multiple variables such as type and location of the stones, patient's age and sex, diagnostic methods, length of stay etc. All the above data were used for a descriptive analysis of the situation in our centre. In our experience, ureteroscopy is a good therapeutic option for low ureteral lithiasis, mainly when no extracorporeal lithotrity is available, and an excellent diagnostic tool in other ureteral processes when more traditional methods fail.

[Transrectal ultrasonography in the assessment of patients after radical prostatectomy. Normal and pathologic ultrasonography anatomy of vesico-urethral anastomosis]. / La ecografía transrectal en la evaluación de los pacientes después de prostatectomía radical. Ecoanatomía normal y patológica de la anastomosis vésico-uretral.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ultrasound characteristics of the vesico-urethral anastomotic complex in patients with radical prostatectomy to separate normal prostate fossae from those affected by local recurrence or residual tumour. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 1999 15 ultrasound guided transrectal biopsies of vesico-urethral anastomosis or prostate fossae were performed in patients with radical prostatectomy. The selection criteria to perform puncture in these patients were a negative extension study (abdominal-pelvic CT and bone scan), PSA higher than 0.4 ng/mL and/or suspicious DRE. The study was completed with 10 transrectal ultrasound (TRU) after radical prostatectomy in patients with normal PSA and DRE. TRU parameters in patients with tumour-positive biopsies were compare to those from patients with negative biopsies and those obtained from TRU in patients with both normal PSA and normal DRE. RESULTS: The ultrasound parameters that best described prostate fossa abnormalities were the presence of hypoechoic masses or nodes and the integrity or not of the retro-anastomotic fat layer. When a hypoechoic mass or node was found at the anastomosis level, 80% biopsies were positive for tumour local recurrence. The percentage increases when changes are seen at the retro-anastomotic fat layer. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a good correlation between ultrasound abnormalities and positive biopsies, ultrasound findings from the vesico-urethral anastomosis in patients with radical prostatectomy are not well defined. Nodes or ultrasound irregularities can exist in normal prostate fossae as well as normal anastomosis ultrasound in the presence of tumoral relapses. We believe TRU of vesico-urethral anastomosis to be the best method available to evaluate local recurrence or tumoral persistence after radical prostatectomy.

[Percutaneous nephrostomy as management technique of obstructive uropathy: review of 105 cases]. / La nefrostomía percutánea como técnica resolutiva de la uropatía obstructiva: revisión de 105 casos.

105 percutaneous nephrostomies in 73 patients. Indication for nephrostomy was obstruction in the drainage system in all cases. Nephrostomy was bilateral in 24 cases. Reasons for nephrostomy were: lithiasis in 35 cases, carcinoma of the bladder in 17, post-surgical iatrogenic stenosis in 13, prostate carcinoma in 9, cancer of the rectum in 9, infection in 5, neoplasia of the upper urinary tract in 5, retroperitoneal fibrosis in 3, glandular cystitis cystica in 3, ovarian cancer in 3, congenital in 2, lymphoma in 1. Six case were single-kidney patients. Renal puncture through the lower calyceal group was the preferred approach. Purulent urine was extracted in 10 cases. Complications of nephrostomy included haematuria in 34 cases, contrast extravasation in 8, fever in 6, 1 case of death due to septic shock, 2 perirenal haematoma (nephrectomy was required in 1 case), and catheter detachment in 5 cases. All patients showed improvement of both clinical signs and symptoms, and lab results.

[Prostatic exfoliative cytology obtained from urine samples after massage. Initial results]. / Citología exfoliativa prostática obtenida en muestras de orina tras masaje. Primeros resultados.

INTRODUCTION: The same as the exfoliative cytology is a routine method to diagnose bladder tumour, the prostatic cytology obtained after massage may become a useful procedure to diagnose prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: To obtain suitable prostatic cytologic material. To establish the role of the exfoliative cytology to diagnose cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a prospective longitudinal descriptive study with 60 patients out of 150 (all of them with possible prostate cancer) for two years. We compared cytologic discoveries (urine after massage) with histological parameters (biopsies). RESULTS: When the cytology fulfills a series of requirements (a high number of prostatic cells, anisokariosis and antibodies Ki-67+) and these are compared with the histological data, we obtained a specificity of 100% and a sensibility of 67% for prostatic cancer. With this information the cytology reaches a predictive value of 100% and negative of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to obtain prostatic cytologic material in a simple and easy way. The prostatic cytology may become a valid and useful method to diagnose the carcinoma of the prostate. Also this material can be used for multiple diagnostic, follow-up and research procedures.

[Giant renal hydatid cyst. Report of a new case]. / Quiste hidatídico renal gigante. Aportación de un nuevo caso.

In this paper, we present a case of huge renal hydatic cyst. We review the literature with regard the clinical presentation, diagnosis methods and surgical technique of treatment.

[Primary lymphoma of the testicle]. / Linfoma primario de testículo.

Case report of a testicular lymphoma. A diagnosis of primary neoplasia of the testis was made since no involvement to the lymphoreticular system in any other organ was demonstrated. We review the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical aspects and make a note on the rarity of our case, a type T tumour, due to the exceptional nature of this variety within primary lymphomas of the testis.

[Bladder carcinosarcoma: case report with immunohistologic study]. / Carcinosarcoma vesical: aportación de un caso con estudio inmunohistológico.

We present a new case of carcinosarcoma of the bladder. This tumor is generally considered to be a rare one, has an uncertain aetiology and very poor prognosis, composed by mesenchymal and epithelial elements. It is an aggressive tumor with a short clinical course. At present radical cystectomy is the treatment of choice.

[Primary nontransitional neoplasms of the bladder]. / Neoplasias primitivas no transicionales de vejiga.

Revision of all primitive tumours of the bladder diagnosed in our Service between July 1990 and July 1998. Among a total of 703 neoplasms of the bladder only 14 were non-transitional primitive tumours, accounting for just 1.98%. Eleven were malignant neoplasms with a diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma in nine cases, one adenocarcinoma and one bladder adenocarcinoma. The other three were benign tumours: one haemangioma and two leiomyomas. From a clinical perspective, the predominant symptom was haematuria, followed by irritative symptoms. The two leiomyomas were accidental findings during a gynaecological examination (ultrasound) and a diagnostic examination for a nephritic colic (urography). The diagnostic means used and the extension studies were the same as used for transitional neoplasms. In general, treatment of benign neoplasms was partial cystectomy or transurethral resection while it was radical surgery for the malignant tumours when the existing criteria were an indication for that type of surgery (cystoprostatectomy with bypass), since there are no definite criteria with regards to therapy due to the low incidence of these tumours. Only three of the 11 patients with malignant neoplasms are still alive. All the others died within one year of diagnosis, an evidence of the aggressiveness of these tumours. These cases were considered primitive bladder tumours once it was concluded that there was no relation with any previous or simultaneous transitional neoplasms and that there had been no primitive tumour in a different organ.

[Melanoma of the female urethra: a very infrequent tumor]. / Melanoma de uretra femenina: un tumor muy infrecuente.

Case report of a melanoma of the urethra in a 75-year old female patient. A few months after diagnosis the patient died of multiple lung metastasis. This is a review of the clinical and diagnostic aspects of the neoplasia highlighting the therapeutical options that albeit debatable seem to be quite clear as to the master lines to follow.

[Glandular cystic cystitis]. / Consideraciones sobre la cistitis quística glandular.

Cystic-glandular cystitis is considered as part of the urothelial pre-neoplastic proliferative abnormalities. This group includes atypical hyperplasia. Von Brunn's nidus, and cystitis cystica. They are a consequence of the changes experienced at the urothelium level in response to inflammation, irritation or carcinogens. Diagnosis is mainly based in the pathoanatomical study of the biopsy obtained following endoscopic resection. The signs and symptoms it presents are varied and show a clear relationship to distribution and extension of cysts. Treatment is based in the removal of irritative factors. Cystectomy with urinary by-pass may be necessary if required by clinical evolution.

[Mullerian-type papillary serous tumor: exceptional pathology of the testis. Report of a case and discussion]. / Tumor seroso papilar tipo mülleriano: una patología excepcional del testículo. Presentación de un caso y discusión.

Within the exceptional tumoral pathology of the testis and paratesticular region are the common epithelial type tumors. Although, its histogenesis is under discussion, it has been interpreted as arising from the remnants of the müllerian duct, or from the mesothelium of the tunica vaginalis differentiating in a müllerian direction. Similarities with homologous ovarian tumors are well recognized and in generally we accept a good prognostic due to its low malignant potential or borderline type, more experience with these uncommon lesions is necessary to evaluate their biologic potential.

[Congenital bladder diverticulum and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: an unusual association]. / Divertículo vesical congénito y síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos: una rara asociación.

The existence of a vesical diverticulum in the context of a congenital connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome led us to consider the possibility of a relationship. Four types of diverticula can be found in the literature: congenital, acquired, iatrogenic and syndrome-associated. Within the later, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes type IV and IX, even type V, are associated to the existence of vesical diverticula. The potential spontaneous rupture of the diverticulum is a typical feature, as well as post-surgery relapse. The attitude towards such diverticula should be one of watchful waiting, and simple, plasty-free diverticulectomy on the bladder's neck is indicated when performing a surgical procedure.

[Second resection in patients with Ta-T1 bladder tumors]. / Segunda resección en pacientes con tumores vesicales Ta-T1.

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of "residual/recurrence" tumor after a second bladder resection (2nd TUR). METHODS: 40 patients with new or recurrent superficial bladder tumor underwent repeat transurethral resection within 3 months after the initial resection. 37 patients were staged as Ta-T1. We study the incidence of tumor after the 2nd TUR both macroscopically detected or included in the bladder scar. We also study the influence of possible factors as the time between both resections, stage, grade, number of tumor size, localization in the bladder, primary or recurrent tumor and tumor pattern. RESULTS: After the 2nd TUR we found tumor in 14 of 37 (37.8%) Ta-T1 bladder tumors. Among the 14 tumors, 10 (71.5%) were macroscopically visible tumors and 4 cases the tumor were found after resection of the bladder scar of the first resection. We did not find relation between the presence of tumor in the 2nd TUR and any of the variables. CONCLUSIONS: After a TUR of superficial bladder tumor the complete removal of tumor is not always achieved. The early 3 months cystoscopy may not find residual tumor. Although we have found tumor in 37.8% in the 2a TUR we can not recommend routine 2nd TUR in superficial bladder cancer.

[Early experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using the laparoscopic device for umbilical access SILS Port]. / Experiencia inicial en prostatectomía radical laparoscópica con el dispositivo de acceso laparoscópico umbilical Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Port.

Since 2007, various urological procedures have been performed with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS surgery), including nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, simple prostatectomy and, with the refinement of laparoscopic instrumentation, radical prostatectomy. This paper reports our initial experience in radical prostatectomy using the SILS Port from Covidiem and two lateral 5-mm trocars for triangulation. The SILS Port allows for accurate, simple insertion through a Hadson incision. The flexible port accommodates three 5-mm cannulas or two 5-mm cannulas and a 12-mm port for easier instrument exchange through a single incision. This approach decreases morbidity from bleeding, hernia and/or internal organ damage and improves cosmetic. One-port single-incision laparoscopy is part of the natural development of minimally invasive surgery. Future research is required to assess the intraoperative and postoperative benefits of LESS surgery as compared to standard laparoscopy.