[Infection control practices while performing prostate biopsies in France: A CIAFU survey]. / Maîtrise du risque infectieux entourant la réalisation des biopsies de prostate en France : une enquête du Comité d'infectiologie de l'AFU.

In 2008, the French Public Health Committee admitted that associating ultrasound probe protection, and related precautions, and low-level disinfection would be equivalent to the intermediate level disinfection. In 2010, the French Urology Association (AFU) updated guidelines regarding trans-rectal prostate biopsies, namely preventive measures related to cross-transmission of infections. We report an evaluation of compliance to them, driven in 2016 by AFU's infection committee. Although not recommended, almost one third of the urologists still perform biopsies under general anesthesia, and two thirds of them ask for a urine culture before biopsies. Several improvements are still needed: sterilization of needle guide should always be done when not of single use, the ultrasonography gel should be sterile, probes protection should be EC labeled, and compliance to probe processing between two patients should increase. Most of urologists happened to experience blood or feces contamination of probes. Less than half of probes are entirely floodable, and when intermediate level disinfection is done, glutaraldehyde is still referred as disinfectant by one third of the urologists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Guidelines from the Infectious Disease Committee of the French Association of Urology and The Neuro-Urology Committee of the AFU: antibiotic prophylaxis for sacral neuromodulation]. / Recommandations de bonnes pratiques cliniques : antibioprophylaxie et neuromodulation des racines sacrées par le Comité d'infectiologie de l'Association française d'urologie (CIAFU) et le Comité de neuro-urologie de l'AFU.

INTRODUCTION: In urology, antibiotic prophylaxis is advised by the French Association of anesthesiology (SFAR) and the Infectious Disease Committee of the French Association of urology guidelines published in 2010. No guideline exists concerning the implantation of neuromodulation implants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A literature analysis was performed on sacral modulation and antibiotic prophylaxis. Then guidelines were discussed by reviewers. Items that showed no consensus were then discussed again to arrive at recommendations. RESULTS: Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended during the test phase as well as in the case of installation of sacral neuromodulation (Grade C). Antibiotic recommended (Grade B) are: cefotetan or cefoxitin, 2g dose by slow intravenous injection or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid at a dose of 2 g, intravenously or, in the case of allergy vancomycin at a dose of 15 mg/kg or the clindamycin has 600 mg intravenously. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of high level of evidence, antibiotic prophylaxis seems necessary when setting up of electrode case of sacral neuromodulation.

[Flexible cystoscopes: disinfection and microbiological surveillance practices among French urologists]. / Cystoscopes souples : pratiques de désinfection et de surveillance microbiologique parmi les urologues français. Une enquête du comité d'infectiologie de l'AFU.

INTRODUCTION: According to the French regulatory authorities, the highest level of disinfection must be achieved for flexible cystoscopes, as they enter a sterile cavity, the current method being peracetic acid disinfection and sterile water terminal rinsing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concordance between regulations and the routine was researched using a self-administered questionnaire sent to all French urologists. RESULTS: Responses from 78 urology units, totalling 317 urologists (26% response rate) were analysed. As a whole, 51.2% of centers followed all recommendations on disinfection. There was no microbiological surveillance in 16.6% of centers, although microbiological tests were performed in two out of three centers before using a new endoscope or when returning from maintenance. CONCLUSION: Improvements are needed, both in the disinfection process and the microbiological surveillance. Low temperature sterilization and the use of sterile disposable sheaths may represent an alternative.

Malignant epithelioid renal angiomyolipoma involving the inferior vena cava in a patient with tuberous sclerosis.

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are mesenchymal tumors that occur either sporadically or are associated with tuberous sclerosis, and are generally considered to be benign. Malignant AML is extremely rare, and most are found to be epithelioid histopathologically. The authors report the case of a patient followed for renal AML. On CT surveillance, this lesion developed features of a malignant tumor involving the renal vein and inferior vena cava. The patient was treated by nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Histological examination demonstrated renal AML with a malignant epithelioid contingent. The various aspects of this histological and radiological variant are discussed.

[Oncological and functional results of total prostatectomy: an objective open analysis versus laparoscopy]. / Résultats carcinologiques et fonctionnels de la prostatectomie totale: une analyse objective comparant chirurgie ouverte et chirurgie laparoscopique.

Based on a systematized literature analysis, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is associated with less peroperative blood loss than open surgery. Operative time is shorter using an open approach. In terms of cancer control and functional results, no difference was found between both approaches.

Lymphoproliferative disorder presenting as a tumor of the renal allograft.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLDs) constitute a group of potentially life-threatening complications in solid organ transplantation, occurring in 1-2% of kidney transplant recipients. The absolute number of cases occurring at each transplant center remains small, making it difficult to assess incidence, prognosis, and treatment. We report a case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder that developed in the allograft renal parenchyma 2 years after renal transplantation. This case implies that partial nephrectomy may be a safe and effective treatment protocol for renal lymphoma in allograft kidneys.

[Prophylaxis of thromboembolic events during urologic surgery]. / Prévention de la maladie thromboembolique en chirurgie urologique.

Few scientific evidences are available in the literature, and the methodologic quality of the studies is often under average. Nevertheless, the conclusions are the following. Nephrectomy, renal transplantation, open surgery of the lower urinary tract and lumbar or pelvic lymph nodes dissection are at high risk for thromboembolic events. Other open or endoscopic urological procedures are at low risk. The laparoscopic approach doesn't change the risk associated with the procedure itself. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended in high-risk procedures. There was no evidence to recommend starting the prophylaxis before more than after the procedure. The use of low molecular weight heparin is recommended for prophylaxis. It can be associated with compressive stockings. It is recommended to treat for around seven days after the procedure. In case of cancer surgery, prophylaxis could be needed for four to six weeks.

The loss of E-cadherin mRNA transcripts in rat prostatic tumors is accompanied by increased expression of mRNA transcripts encoding fibronectin and its receptor.

We compared the levels of mRNA transcripts encoding E-cadherin, N-cadherin, beta 1 integrin subunit, alpha 5 integrin subunit and fibronectin in the normal rat prostate gland, as well as in tumors derived from three invasive sublines (G, MatLyLu, AT-2) of the Dunning R-3227 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma. E-cadherin mRNA transcripts were only detectable in total RNA extracts prepared from normal rat prostates, whereas N-cadherin mRNA transcripts were only found in normal rat brains. In contrast, the mRNA transcripts encoding the beta 1 integrin subunit, alpha 5 integrin subunit and fibronectin were all elevated in the tumors, as compared to the levels of these transcripts in normal tissues. Our results suggest that there is an inverse correlation between cadherin and integrin mRNA levels in rat prostatic tumors.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy of native kidneys in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in transplant recipients and in other patients scheduled for nephrectomy. METHODS: From February 1994 to July 1996, 15 transplant recipients and 17 other patients underwent a total of 36 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies for various indications. Operative time, morbidity, and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The average operating time for the 36 procedures was 95+/-38 min (range, 35-180 min). It was shorter in transplant recipients (81+/-32 min) than in other patients (100+/-39 min, P<0.05). There was one postoperative complication in the transplant recipient group. The average length of the postoperative hospitalization was 3.7+/-1.4 days (range, 2-8 days). CONCLUSIONS: The retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for nephrectomy is as safe and effective in renal transplant recipients as in other patients. Postoperative stay and delay to resumption of oral immunotherapy are short. This approach has become our first-line approach for native nephrectomy in transplant recipients.

Evaluation of FDG uptake by renal malignancies (primary tumor or metastases) using a coincidence detection gamma camera.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of FDG scanning using an ordinary gamma camera equipped with coincidence detection (CDET) for 2 renal cancer indications: characterization and staging of renal masses before nephrectomy and search for recurrence after nephrectomy. METHODS: Between September 1997 and June 1998, a whole-body scan and at least 1 tomoscintigram were obtained on 23 occasions in 22 patients (fasting for at least 6 h) using a Prism XP 2000 CDET gamma camera; scanning was begun 45 min after intravenous injection of 150-250 MBq FDG. RESULTS: Postoperative histologic evidence was obtained from 13 of 16 patients who underwent FDG using a CDET gamma camera before renal surgery; 4 renal masses did not accumulate FDG (3 true-negatives, 1 false-negative), whereas 9 renal tumors accumulated FDG (8 true-positives, 1 false-positive). In the other 3 patients, only 1 extrarenal site of FDG uptake was checked and confirmed on histologic examination: a bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in 2 cases and lymph node metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma (3 true-positives). The primary local and regional staging of the malignant renal tumors was accurate in the 9 patients who underwent nephrectomy (8 true-negatives, 1 true-positive). The primary distant staging was positive in 1 case (focus in the chest corresponding to a probable true-positive on follow-up). In the 7 examinations performed because of suspected recurrence of renal cell carcinoma several months after nephrectomy, metastases were visualized by FDG in 4 patients, confirmed by biopsy in 2 patients, and confirmed by conventional imaging or follow-up (or both) in 2 patients. The other 3 patients had negative FDG scans, corresponding to probable true-negative results on follow-up. CONCLUSION: FDG using a CDET gamma camera can be used effectively for the staging and restaging of renal tumors and might be useful for characterization of the primary renal tumor in doubtful cases.

Endothelial and macrophage upregulation of urokinase receptor expression in human renal cell carcinoma.

The binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) to a specific cell surface receptor (uPA-R) has been shown to enhance plasminogen activation, a process involved in extracellular matrix degradation and cell migration during angiogenesis and tumor growth. We investigated the expression of u-PA and uPA-R in renal cell carcinomas (n = 11). By immunohistochemistry using monoclonal and polyclonal anti-uPA-R antibodies, we found that tumoral capillary endothelial cells (von Willebrand factor and CD31 positive cells) overexpressed uPA-R, whereas vascular endothelial cells of the normal human kidney do not. In addition, tumor-associated macrophages (CD68-positive cells) strongly expressed uPA-R. In contrast, few tumoral cells and stromal fibroblasts expressed uPA-R. By in situ hybridization using a cDNA S35-labeled probe specific for uPA-R, we confirmed the local expression of uPA-R messenger RNA. We also detected the induction of u-PA in tumoral capillary endothelial cells and in tumor-associated macrophages. In two cases, tumoral cells themselves were also stained by anti-u-PA antibodies in focal areas. Finally tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was also overexpressed by tumoral capillary endothelial cells as compared with endothelial cells of normal human kidney vessels. These findings indicate an active invasive phenotype of endothelial cells in renal cell carcinoma and suggest a role for the plasminogen activation system in tumoral angiogenesis and invasion.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: the lessons learned.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the operative, oncologic, and functional results of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy based on an initial series of 350 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and May 2000, 350 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy according to our technique. The study of operative morbidity was based on all intraoperative and postoperative complications. The oncologic assessment was based on clinical, laboratory, and intraoperative and postoperative pathological data. Postoperative functional results were assessed by the ICS-male self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: No deaths were observed in this series. Conversion was required in seven cases, exclusively among the first 70 patients. The mean operating time was 217 +/- 59 minutes, including the lymphadenectomy phase that was considered necessary in 21.4% of patients, and 195 +/- 56 minutes for the most recent 200 patients. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 354 +/- 250 mL. The overall transfusion rate was 5.7% and 2.8% in the last 250 patients. Intraoperative complications were reported in 14 patients (4%), and the reoperation rate was 3.7%. The mean postoperative bladder catheterization time was 5.8 +/- 3.3 days, and the catheter could be removed before the 5th day in 41% of patients. The mean hospital stay was 6 +/- 3.9 postoperative days (range 2-33 days). By pathologic stage, the positive surgical margin rate was 3.6% for pT2a specimens (3 patients), 14% for pT2b specimens (29 patients), 33% for pT3a specimens (12 patients), and 43.5% for pT3b specimens (10 patients). In the first 75 patients with pT2N0/Nx negative-margin specimens and a follow-up of >12 months, the PSA concentrations was <0.2 ng/mL in 92% of patients. The continence rate (no protection necessary either during the day or at night) among the first 133 patients was 85.5% and the postoperative erection rate was 59% among 22 selected consecutive patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the value, in our experience, of the laparoscopic approach to radical prostatectomy, which allows satisfactory cancer control associated with low perioperative morbidity and encouraging functional results in terms both of continence and erectile function.

In vivo inaccessibility of somatostatin receptors to 111In-pentreotide in primary renal cell carcinoma.

The presence of somatostatin receptors on human renal cell carcinomas in surgically removed kidneys has been demonstrated by autoradiography. The aim of this study was to detect to in vivo presence of somatostatin receptors in primary renal tumours and their possible metastases before surgery, using 111In-pentreotide scintigraphy. 201Tl was used as a sensitive tumour-seeking agent with blood flow-dependent uptake. Fifteen patients were imaged before surgical removal of the renal tumour. Thirteen tumours were malignant. The large tumours (more than 4 cm in diameter) did not accumulate 111In-pentreotide or 201Tl. In contrast, the single small tumour accumulated both tracers. A scalp skin metastasis was demonstrated in one patient by 201Tl and 111In-pentreotide uptake. In one case, known lung metastases were visualized with both 201Tl and 111In-pentreotide, but the lung metastases of another three patients as well as one case of epidural metastasis were not identified. In one patient with a photopaenic lesion, positive labelling of the surgically removed tumour was demonstrated by in vitro autoradiography. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with 111In-pentreotide appears to have little value for the detection of metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma, as some metastases (especially those of the lungs) were missed. The absence of 111In-pentreotide uptake by large primary tumours is an interesting finding, suggesting inaccessibility of these very large tumours to drugs.

[Polycystic renal dysplasia in children]. / La dysplasie rénale multikystique chez l'enfant.

Ultrasonography has profoundly modified the diagnostic conditions of polycystic renal dysplasia in children. Non-palpable forms, which were previously most frequently missed, can now be detected during the antenatal period. In infants, ultrasonography generally provides a definite diagnosis, which can be confirmed by aspiration-opacification of the cysts. On the basis of a series of 40 cases and a review of the literature, the authors discuss the therapeutic implications of these new data. Surgery remains essential in cases of palpable polycystic renal dysplasia, especially when it is complicated. However, in the sub-clinical forms, as the risks of malignant degeneration and the incidence of post-operative complications are minimal in the one case and undefinable in the other, surgical excision is possible but not essential.

[The results of a 1993 AFU survey on laparoscopy in urology]. / Résultats de l'enquête AFU 1993 sur la coelioscopie en urologie.

The development of laparoscopy in the field of urology has been considerable since 1991. In order to evaluate the use of this technique in the French urology community and the need to develop evaluating and teaching structures for this technique, a postal questionnaire was sent to 714 members of the Association Française d'Urologie (AFU) on June 23, 1993. The reply rate was 22% and 72 of the responders (46%) performed urological laparoscopy. A total of 684 laparoscopic urological procedures were reported, corresponding to an average of 9.5 procedures per operator. 45 operators had performed fewer than 16 laparoscopic procedures. The complication rate was 5% with a perioperative mortality of 0.3%. These figures should be considered to be minimal values. Eighty six responders (54%) did not perform laparoscopy. Forty seven of them (57%) were waiting for these techniques to demonstrate their practical value. Eighty two urologists thought that laparoscopic lymph node dissection had a role to play in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of prostatic cancer. One hundred and thirteen urologists (85%) considered that the development of urological laparoscopy would be moderate. Eighty nine urologists answer the question concerning possible training in these techniques and 77 of them intended to learn laparoscopic techniques.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The value of PSA density for the diagnosis of prostatic cancer and for the indication of radical prostatectomy]. / Intérêt de la densité de PSA pour le diagnostic de cancer prostatique et pour l'indication de la prostatectomie radicale.

We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of PSA density (PSAD) in a prospective study of 100 men consulting for various urinary tract disorders. PSAD was calculated by the ratio of serum PSA over the ultrasonographic volume of the prostate gland, and was expressed in ng/ml/ml. The mean PSAD of 31 patients with prostate cancer was significantly higher than that of the 69 patients without prostate cancer (p = 0.0003). The patients were classified into two groups according to the serum PSA value. Forty nine patients had a serum PSA < or = 10 ng/ml, 31 of whom had a PSAD < or = 0.15 ng/ml/ml and 29 of these 31 patients (94%) did not have prostate cancer; 18 patients had a PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/ml and six of them (33%) had prostate cancer (p = 0.04). Fifty one patients had a serum PSA > 10 ng/ml and 23 of them (45%) has prostate cancer; 14 of these 51 patients had a PSAD < or = 0.30 ng/ml/ml and two of them (14% à had prostate cancer; 37 patients had a PSAD > 0.30 ng/ml/ml, 21 of whom (57%) had prostate cancer (p = 0.016). Twenty one of these 31 patients with prostate cancer were candidates for radical prostatectomy. Four patients were N+ and 17 underwent radical prostatectomy. Capsular invasion was significantly correlated with PSAD. None of the four patients with PSAD < or = 0.30 ng/ml/ml showed capsular invasion, while 11 of the 13 patients (85%) with PSAD > 0.30 ng/ml/ml had capsular invasion. In conclusion, in patients with PSA < or = 10 ng/ml, calculation of the PSAD avoids approximately two-thirds of prostatic biopsies, with a very low risk of missing a clinically significant cancer. On the other hand, PSAD is of more limited value in patients with PSA > 10 ng/ml. In cancers considered to be operable clinically, the cut-off value of 0.30 ng/ml/ml for PSAD is predictive of capsular or lymph node invasion with a diagnostic accuracy of 94%.

[Urethro-vesical stenosis after radical prostatectomy]. / Sténoses uréthro-vésicales après prostatectomie radicale.

Stricture of the urethrovesical anastomosis is an uncommon complication of radical prostatectomy, but it can affect the patient's quality of life. From January 1991 to December 1993, 50 patients underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localised prostatic cancer (41 via a retropubic incision and 9 via a perineal incision). We retrospectively studied the influence of several factors on the incidence of anastomotic stricture: history of prostatic surgery, surgical incision, blood loss, pathological stage, presence of a contrast agent leak during follow-up urethrocystography, postoperative adjuvant treatment, oncological status at the time of the stricture. Seven patients developed clinically significant anastomotic stricture (14%). The time to onset was 1.5 to 10 months (median: 3 months). We were unable to demonstrate any pre-, intra- or postoperative or histological factors able to predict the development of anastomotic stricture. The transperineal approach appears to be associated with a lower incidence, but this finding must be confirmed in a larger series of patients. The seven patients with an anastomotic stricture were treated by endoscopic scalpel incision of the stricture, followed by insertion of a 22 F Foley catheter for 48 hours. No patient has developed a recurrent stricture with a mean follow-up of 8 months (0 to 13 months). Postoperative continence was normal in every case.

[Radical prostatectomy: comparison of the perineal and retropubic route (40 patients). Preliminary results]. / Prostatectomie radicale: comparaison de la voie périnéale et de la voie rétropubienne (40 patients). Résultats préliminaires.

Transperineal radical prostatectomy, described at the beginning of the century for the treatment of prostatic cancer, is currently being reappraised following the development of surgical techniques allowing the dissection of subvenous external iliac nodes via a limited incision. Twenty four patients (group 1) underwent transperineal prostatectomy and 16 (group 2) underwent retropubic prostatectomy. The choice of surgical approach was left to the operator. We retrospectively compared the two groups. All patients had histologically proven prostatic cancer, clinically confined to the prostate. The operating time, the development of complications. the preoperative-postoperative haemoglobin difference, the number of patients transfused and the number of units transfused, urinary continence at three months and the histological results were studied. Three patients operated via the perineal approach and one patient operated via the retropubic approach suffered an operative rectal injury. The number of transfused patients (12.5% in group 1 and 37.5% in group 2) and the preoperative-postoperative haemoglobin difference for non-transfused patients (mean of 2.9 g/100 ml in group 1 vs 4.6 g/100 ml in group 2) were significantly different. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of invasion of the prostatic capsule or seminal vesicles. Overall, only 106 out of 40 patients had a truly intraprostatic tumour, corresponding to understaging of the cancer in 60% of cases. Although the number of patients with imperfect continence was higher in group 1, the difference observed was not significant. The transperineal approach allows prostatectomy to be performed under similar oncological conditions to those of retropubic prostatectomy, while decreasing the operative blood loss.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Sub-venous iliac lymphatic dissection with celioscopy for the staging of prostatic cancer (16 patients)]. / Curage lymphatique iliaque sous-veineux par coelioscopie pour le bilan des cancers prostatiques (16 patients).

Subvenous external iliac lymph node dissection is an essential element for the staging of prostatic cancer. 7 to 30% of patients with intracapsular prostatic cancer have lymph node metastases despite normal imaging examinations. Laparoscopic surgery allows lymph node dissection through a limited incision. Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LLND) for prostatic cancer. The mean duration of the operation was 100 +/- 50 minutes (35-180 min: 130 minutes for the first nine operations, then 60 minutes for the last seven operations). One patient died on the second day from a cerebral vascular accident. There was one technical failure (pneumoperitoneum leak), one vascular injury, one ureteric injury, one transient paresis of the obturator nerves and one case of perineal lymphoedema. The mean number of lymph nodes removed in bilateral lymph node dissection was 7.5 +/- 2 (14-20) per patient. Three patients had lymph node metastases. The mean hospital stay related to laparoscopy was 4 +/- 2 days with a median of 2 days. Laparoscopic surgery, like any conventional or innovative surgical technique, requires specific training to become safe and effective. It allows complete histological examination of the lymph nodes removed and planning of prostatectomy, which may be subsequently performed through a perineal approach.

[Kidney surgery using lumbar endoscopy: initial experiences]. / Chirurgie rénale par lomboscopie: expérience initiale.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and clinical value of lumboscopy for the treatment of upper urinary tract diseases. METHODS: Six nephrectomies, one renal biopsy and one renal cystectomy were performed by retroperitoneoscopy (lumboscopy) in 7 patients. These cases represent the beginning of our experience. The operating time, incidence of intraoperative or postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were studied. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 134 min for nephrectomy, 180 min for cystectomy and 30 min for renal biopsy. No complications were observed. No conversion into laparotomy was required. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3 days in the patients who were submitted to a single operation. CONCLUSION: Lumboscopy is a relatively easy, safe and reliable technique, and its use in urology warrants further study and development. Dissection of the retroperitoneal space with low pressure CO2 is possible and simplifies the procedure, without increasing the risks for the patient. The indications, especially for nephrectomy, are currently under evaluation.