Using hyperrealistic simulations to improve digital informed consent for endourological procedures.

OBJECTIVES: To show that digital informed consent (DIC) improves the subjective understanding of information and, therefore, informed consent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nonblinded randomized controlled trial was performed in 84 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of bladder, transurethral resection of prostate, or ureterorenoscopy between July 2017 and March 2018. The DIC group watched a hyperrealistic simulation on a tablet device before surgery. After surgery and again 30 days later, both groups completed a validated questionnaire that measured subjective understanding, anxiety, and utility of and need for information. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the participants was 68.7 ± 11.1 years. Nine of 84 patients (10.7%) did not complete the questionnaire. A total of 42 patients were allocated to the DIC group and 42 to the control group. The mean ± SD score for immediate subjective understanding in the DIC group was 14.5% higher than in the control group (72% ± 17.5% vs 57.5% ± 23.5%, respectively; P = 0.006). There was no statistical difference in anxiety, utility of and need for information relative to delayed subjective understanding. In subgroup analysis, subjective understanding scores were higher, but not significantly so, among patients with low and higher education levels in the DIC group than in the control group (68% ± 18.1% vs 54% ± 22.5% [P = 0.06] and 76% ± 18.3% vs and 66% ± 21.9%, respectively [P = 0.89]). CONCLUSION: Hyperrealistic simulations improved subjective understanding of information and, therefore, informed consent for endourological procedures.

From open to robotic partial nephrectomy.

The present study does not establish comparisons of the different techniques (open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery); rather, it analyzes the how, when and why of each of them from a historical perspective. This historical analysis begins in the late XIX century and extends up to the present time. The study examines the principles, the uncertainties regarding the feasibility of the techniques, the failures, the complications, the doubts about whether the right thing is being done, and the success of a surgical treatment which is presently beyond question. The historical account is summarized, since it covers a period of over one hundred years. It is the history written by innovating and inspired men and women who changed the course of the treatment of renal neoplastic disease.

[Training and research in urologic laparoscopic surgery. Design of training programs and experimental models of renal tumor]. / Formación e investigación en cirugía laparoscópica urológica. Diseño de programas formativos y modelos experimentales de tumor renal.

We present our experience with surgical training programs development for basic and advanced laparoscopic urological surgery. Both training programs consist of 21 and 28 hours respectively. Basic surgical programs start with general knowledge of ergonomics and instrumentation, there after, attendants acquire basic skills on physical simulator. Posteriorly, techniques on animal model are undertaken, always assisted by an expert. Advanced activities start with surgical tasks on physical simulator. Posteriorly, reconstructive urological surgical techniques are undertaken on animal model, focused on partial nephrectomy, and always assisted by an expert tutor. We present our results on exophytic renal tumour model creation based chromatic Alginate.

[Renal cell carcinoma molecular biology. Prognostic and therapeutic usefulness]. / Biología molecular en adenocarcinoma renal (RCC). Su utilidad pronóstica y terapéutica.

Renal cell adenocarcinoma requires different therapeutic pathways because it is one of the most therapy-resistant tumors, on the other hand it is biologically one of the most attractive tumors. Its pathological classification has a genetic base. There is an anomaly of the Von Hippel Lindau gene in 80% of adenocarcinomas, being this fact determinant to know the biological characteristics of tumor initiation and development, as well as the identification of factors susceptible to be used as therapeutic targets. Since 2005 a group of molecules have been used in the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinomas and, even though therapeutic results are significant but not clinically relevant yet, we are sure they are a key way for more efficient future developments. The present study tries to make a tour on the research of the biological anomalies in renal adenocarcinoma with special emphasis in the Von HippelLindau gene.

[New technologies in partial nephrectomy]. / Nuevas tecnologías en la nefrectomía parcial.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to analyse the role of new technologies in management of small renal cancer. METHODS: We perform a non-systematic review of the literature in Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews between period 2000-2012, using following mesh terms: partial nephrectomy, renal ablative technologies, and renal cancer. RESULTS: We don't review in this article ablative technologies such as cryotherapy, radiofrequency, as they are the subject of others manuscripts within this monographic issue. We focus on high intensity ultrasounds (HIFU) microwaves therapy, radiosurgery, laser and water jet dissection. CONCLUSIONS: New technologies in partial nephrectomy are under constant and vertiginous evolution. Although efficacy has been demonstrated in short term and isolated studies, more studies, better designed, with bigger sample size and longer follow up are needed.

Budget impact analysis of transurethral water vapor therapy for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the Spanish national healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Several surgical treatments are available for managing lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) is a new minimally invasive therapy. This study estimates the budget impact of introducing WVTT for LUTS/BPH into the Spanish health care system. METHODS: A model simulated the evolution of men over 45 years of age with moderate-severe LUTS/BPH after surgical treatment, over a 4-year time horizon, from the Spanish public health care service´s perspective. The technologies in scope included those most used in Spain: WVTT, transurethral resection (TURP), photoselective laser vapourization (PVP) and holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP). Transition probabilities, adverse events and costs were identified from the scientific literature and validated by a panel of experts. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying the most uncertain parameters. RESULTS: Per intervention, WVTT resulted in savings of €3,317, €1,933 and €2,661 compared to TURP, PVP and HoLEP. Over a 4-year time horizon, when performed in 10% of the cohort of 109,603 Spanish males with LUTS/BPH, WVTT saved €28,770,125 against the scenario without WVTT availability. CONCLUSIONS: WVTT could reduce the cost of managing LUTS/BPH, increase the quality of health care and reduce the length of procedure and hospital stay.

How does endorectal MRI, PET-CT and transrectal ultrasound contribute to diagnosis and management of localized prostate cancer.

We analyze the main imaging techniques (transrectal ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Position Emission Tomography) that are currently used in the diagnosis and management of localised prostate cancer patients. We analyze the results that may be obtained with transrectal US and describe the latest advances in this technique (Doppler, power doppler and contrast media). With Magnetic Resonance Imaging, we describe the underlying principles, results and indications as well as some new applications (diffusion, perfusion, spectroscopy and the use of lymphotrophic nanoparticles). Finally we will describe the current state of positron emission tomography in diagnosis, follow up and recurrence detection using the different radiomarkers that are available.

[Bladder leiomiosarcoma. A new case and a review of the literatura]. / Leiomiosarcoma vesical. Presentación de un nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

Bladder Leiomiosarcomas are exceptional mesenchimal tumours. Their differential diagnosis is basic to decide our therapeutic attitude. We present a new case of bladder leiomiosarcoma with a bad behavior and with multiple relapses, and perform a review of the literature in order to establish more properly the therapeutic attitudes.

[Usefulness of PET scans in diagnosing recurrent prostate cancer. Prostate with PSA level < 5 ng/ml]. / Valor de la PET en la recurrencia del cáncer de próstata con PSA < 5 ng/ml.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We intend to evaluate the usefulness of PET scans in diagnosing recurrent prostate cancer after a curative attempt using radical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 92 consecutive prostate cancer patients in biochemical progression following radical surgery (63) or radiation treatment (29) were studied with positron emission tomography (PET). In all cases two scans were performed in the same day (11C-choline and 18F-FDG). PET efficacy was evaluated both globally (by employing the results achieved with both 11C-choline and 18F-FDG) and using both radiotracers independently to detect recurrence in patients with biochemical progression. For this purpose, we used comparison of means for k-independent samples, 2 x 2 and 2 x X contingency tables and ROC curves. RESULTS: 1. Global PET: there is evidence of PET alteration regarding the PSA level (P=.003): the clinical stage (P=.01). There are no statistically significant PET alterations regarding the affected biopsy (uni or bilateral), surgical margins, pathological stage and time to progression. ROC curve PET-PSA is statistically significant (P< .0001) permitting calculation of different cut-off points, with a specificity of 91% (highest) for a PSA of 4.3 ng/ml. 2. PET 18FDG: the area under the ROC curve is statistically significant (P< .0001) with a specificity of 91% for a PSA of 6.51 ng/ml. 3. PET 11choline: the area under the ROC curve is statistically significant (P< .0001) with a specificity of 91% for a PSA of 5.15 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: PET is a useful tool for diagnosing prostate cancer recurrence after a curative attempt using radical treatment.

[Management of chylous fistulas, a rare complication after urologic surgery]. / Manejo de las fístulas de quilo, una rara complicación tras cirugía urológica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the different treatments for postoperative chylous fistulae. METHODS: A literature review of the main treatments for postoperative chylous fistula, providing our initial experience of two cases of patients with postsurgical chylorrea, with conservative treatment. RESULTS: There is very limited experience in the treatment of chylous ascites. According to the literature reviewed, Octreotide (somatostatin analogue) can be used, to decrease fistula output. Both our cases cases were treated successfully with subcutaneous octreotide, with drain debit decrease in about 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: The use of octreotide appears to be an effective treatment in the management of chylous fistulae, and it is suggested by some authors as first-line treatment in the management of these, thus decreasing the complications that can appear due to chyle loss.