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We evaluated the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy in patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.Between 1991 and 1999, 67 laparoscopic radical nephrectomies were performed for clinically localized, stages cT1/2 NXMX, pathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma. During this period 54 patients who underwent open radical nephrectomy with pathologically confirmed stages pT1/2 NXMX disease were also identified. Medical and operative records were retrospectively reviewed and telephone followup was done to assess patient status.In the laparoscopic and open groups average tumor size was 5.1 (range 1 to 13) and 5.4 cm. (range 0.2 to 18), respectively, which was not statistically significant. No patient had laparoscopic port site, wound or renal fossa tumor recurrence in either group. All patients were followed at least 12 months. In the laparoscopic group 2 cancer specific deaths occurred at a mean followup of 35.6 months. In the open group there were 2 cancer specific deaths and 3 cases of disease progression at a mean followup of 44 months. Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival and actuarial survival analysis revealed no significant differences in the laparoscopic and open radical nephrectomy groups. Also, no differences were noted in the complication rate.Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is an effective alternative for localized renal cell carcinoma when the principles of surgical oncology are maintained. Initial data show shorter patient hospitalization and effective cancer control with no significant difference in survival compared with open radical nephrectomy.

A small incision (minilaparotomy) radical retropubic prostatectomy is described and evaluated. A newly designed self-retaining retractor was used as a robot and functioned as a second operative assistant.A total of 522 consecutive patients underwent minilaparotomy radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon (F. F. M.) between 1991 and 1997. The technique of minilaparotomy radical retropubic prostatectomy (a 7 to 8 cm. midline incision) is described in detail.A questionnaire was mailed to all 522 patients and there were 265 responses. Satisfactory continence was achieved in the short term in 85% of patients (0 to 1 pad). Of the patients 83% had a prostate specific antigen of less than 0.2 ng./ml. at average followup of 2.6 years. There was no operative mortality and the overall complication rates were similar to other patients treated by the same department staff with a larger incision. The typical patient was discharged home 3 days postoperatively.Minilaparotomy radical retropubic prostatectomy compares favorably with standard radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Purpose: Controlled ligation and division of the renal hilum are critical steps during any nephrectomy procedure. The use of the endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) stapling device for control of the renal vessels during laparoscopic nephrectomy has become standard practice. However, malfunction can lead to serious consequences which require emergency conversion to an open procedure. We report our experience with GIA malfunction during laparoscopic nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: From July 1993 to September 1999, 565 patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at 2 institutions for benign and malignant diseases, and for live renal donation. Retrospective chart reviews and primary surgeon interviews were conducted to determine etiology of failure, intraoperative management and possible future prevention.Results: Malfunction occurred in 10 cases (1.7%). In 8 cases the renal vein was involved and malfunctions affected the renal artery in 2. The estimated blood loss ranged from 200 to 1,200 cc....

We evaluated the concordance between post-digital rectal examination and post-prostate biopsy urine samples using conventional methylation specific polymerase chain reaction analysis of 3 gene promoters in patients with suspected or confirmed prostate cancer.Voided urine specimens were collected from 17 men after 15-second digital rectal examination and again after transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate for suspected malignancy or for followup biopsy as part of an expectant management protocol. Urine sediment DNA was isolated and subjected to bisulfite modification. Methylation of GSTP1, EDNRB and APC promoters was determined by conventional methylation specific polymerase chain reaction analysis in post-digital rectal examination and post-biopsy samples, and correlated with clinical information.Prostate cancer was detected on prostate biopsy in 12 of 17 patients (71%). Promoter methylation was detected in post-digital rectal examination urine specimens for GSTP1 (24%), APC (12%) and EDNRB (66%). Promoter methylation was detected in post-biopsy urine specimens for GSTP1 (18%), APC (18%) and EDNRB (77%). The concordance between post-digital rectal examination and post-biopsy urine samples was 94% for GSTP1 and APC, and 82% for EDNRB. Overall 100% of patients with biopsy proven prostate cancer had at least 1 gene methylated in urine vs 60% of those without evidence of prostate cancer on biopsy.Gene analysis using conventional methylation specific polymerase chain reaction is a reliable method for detecting abnormal DNA methylation in voided urine samples obtained following digital rectal examination or prostate needle biopsy. The concordance between post-digital rectal examination and post-biopsy urinary samples for promoter methylation is high (82% to 94%), suggesting that urine collected after digital rectal examination may be used for genetic analysis with results similar to those in post-biopsy urine samples.

This report assesses the long-term oncological efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy compared with open radical nephrectomy in patients with clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.We analyzed the data from 121 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy between 1991 and 1999 for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed with emphasis on tumor recurrence and survival. Statistical comparison was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.The median followup was 73 months for the laparoscopic group and 80 months for the open group. Of the 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, 53 survived without any recurrence of disease, 2 are currently alive with metastasis, 2 died of metastatic disease in months 12 and 17, and 10 patients died without any disease recurrence. Laparoscopic port site metastasis did not develop in any patients. Of the 54 who underwent open surgery, 34 survived without any recurrence of disease, 1 currently has metastasis, 6 died of metastasis within 17 to 74 months, and 13 died without any disease recurrence. A comparison of the 5 and 10-year disease-free survival rates of the laparoscopic and open groups revealed no significant differences. In addition, the 5 and 10-year cancer specific and actuarial survival rates were not significantly different.Based on long-term followup, our evaluation confirmed for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0 that laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is oncologically equivalent to open radical nephrectomy.

Positive surgical margins adversely affect biochemical recurrence-free survival after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for prostate cancer. We retrospectively reviewed a large series of men who underwent RRP at a single academic university urology program to define the change in the incidence of organ confined (OC) disease and positive surgical margin (SM+) during the last 2 decades.Between 1982 and 2001, 9,035 men underwent RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer (T1 to T3a) at a single institution. We compared the incidences of OC disease and SM+ in this population.An increasing proportion of men presented with OC disease over time. The incidence of SM+ in the overall RRP population decreased dramatically over time. However, in men with nonorgan confined disease (pT3), the proportion with SM+ was stable and consistently elevated (22.7% to 27.8%), after the initial decrease from the early 1980s (53%).Widespread early detection programs for prostate cancer resulted in a downward stage migration in men presenting with clinically localized prostate cancer at our institution during the last 2 decades. The decrease in the percentage of men with SM+ was due to the increasing number of men with organ confined disease. These results imply that the decrease in surgical margin rates in the overall RRP population is most likely due to stage migration and improved patient selection, rather than major improvements in surgical technique. The stable percentage of SM+ among men with pT3 disease dictates the need for continued evaluation of surgical technique and the need for effective adjuvant therapy.

High intensity focused ultrasound is an ablative technology capable of producing thermal coagulative necrosis of sub-surface structures without injuring intervening tissues. We assessed the feasibility of using high intensity focused ultrasound to produce occlusion of the canine vas deferens.A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer was incorporated into a hand held clip specially designed to grasp the vas deferens transcutaneously. Slots within the jaws of the clip ensured that the vas deferens and high intensity focused ultrasound target zone were properly co-located. We ablated 10 vasa using a range of power and time parameters. At 2 weeks after ablation each vas, epididymis and testis was surgically harvested en bloc. Retrograde vasography was performed to assess vasal occlusion, followed by pathological analysis.High intensity focused ultrasound occlusion of the vas deferens was confirmed in 4 specimens ablated with parameters at the upper end of the parameter range, 2 of the 2 ablated with 7 W. for 60 seconds and 2 of the 4 ablated with 7 W. for 30 seconds. Histological injury was noted in 8 of the 10 ablated specimens. Skin burns that developed over 4 of the targeted vasa were conservatively managed. Bilateral sham procedures in a control dog resulted in patent vasa and no associated skin burns.We demonstrated the feasibility of noninvasive, transcutaneous high intensity focused ultrasound occlusion of the vas deferens with ablation powers at the upper end of the tested range, that is 7 W. Modifications of the hand held clip and optimization of ablation parameters would likely improve the success rate of this procedure. Refinement of this technology may provide a rapid noninvasive alternative to conventional vasectomy.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was developed as a minimally invasive alternative to an open procedure for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Long-term followup has not yet been reported. We present experience with the first 100 consecutive cases of laparoscopic pyeloplasty performed at our institution.A retrospective review of 100 consecutive laparoscopic pyeloplasties in 99 patients (means age 37.3 years) between August 1993 and January 1999 was performed. All patients had radiographic evidence of obstruction with signs, symptoms or deterioration of renal function. Repair was for primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 83 patients and secondary obstruction in 17. The 4 types of repairs performed were Anderson-Hynes dismembered (71 cases), Y-V plasty (20), Heineke-Mirhulicz (8) and Davis intubated ureterotomy (1). Type of repair used was dictated by intraoperative findings. Twenty patients had nonobstructing renal stones and underwent concomitant pyelolithotomy. All patients were assessed for symptoms and radiographic evaluation for anatomical obstruction.Average operating room time was 4.2 hours, which decreased with surgeon experience. Average blood loss was 181 cc and hospital stay was 3.3 days. Two patients required blood transfusion. A crossing vessel was found in 57 patients. With a mean clinical and radiographic followup of 2.7 and 2.2 years, respectively, 96% of the patients were free of obstruction on followup radiographic imaging. Of the patients who underwent concomitant pyelolithotomy, 18 (90%) were stone-free at last followup. All failures occurred within the first postoperative year. There were 12 complications in this series.In experienced hands laparoscopic pyeloplasty is an effective alternative treatment for symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The results appear durable and comparable to open pyeloplasty with decreased postoperative morbidity.

We present our experience with laparoscopic pyeloplasty plus pyelolithotomy in patients in whom stones were not the cause of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.A transperitoneal approach was used for laparoscopic pyeloplasty and pyelolithotomy in 19 patients (20 renal units). Before ureteropelvic junction repair stones were extracted through a small pyelotomy that was eventually incorporated into the final pyeloplasty incision. Stones in the renal pelvis were removed with rigid graspers under direct laparoscopic vision. A flexible cystoscope introduced through a port was used to extract stones in the calices. The renal pelvis was reconstructed based on the anatomy of the ureteropelvic junction.A median of 1 stone (range 1 to 28) was recovered. In 11, 8 and 1 patients the Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty, Y-V plasty and the Heinecke Mickulicz procedure were performed, respectively. At 3 months 2 patients had residual calculi for a procedural stone-free rate of 90%. There was no evidence of obstruction in 18 of the 20 cases (90%), as confirmed by negative diuretic scan or radiological improvement of hydronephrosis. At a mean followup of 12 months (range 3 to 57) 2 additional patients had recurrent stones for an overall long-term stone-free rate of 80% (16 of 20).Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is feasible when combined with pyeloplasty. Our results are comparable to those of stone removal during open pyeloplasty or percutaneous endopyelotomy. The advantages of open surgery appear to be maintained in this minimally invasive approach.

No specific cause is identified in most cases of chronic orchialgia. Nonsurgical therapies, including management at a chronic pain clinic, are generally recommended. Only when multiple conservative measures fail are patients offered surgical intervention, such as orchiectomy. We evaluate laparoscopic testicular denervation as an organ preserving and minimally invasive surgical alternative.Since 1993, 9 patients with chronic orchialgia have undergone transperitoneal laparoscopic testicular denervation after nonsurgical modalities failed. Using 1, 10 mm. and 1 or 2, 5 mm. ports, the gonadal vessels were isolated circumferentially and divided cephalad to the vas deferens and its vasculature. Preoperative treatment modalities, morbidity and outcome were documented. A cord block provided temporary relief in all 9 patients. Analog scales were used to assess long-term pain relief (0 no pain to 100 worst pain) and activity levels (0 bedrest to 100 no restrictions).Average symptom duration before laparoscopic testicular denervation was 4.1 years. Of 9 patients 8 had undergone prior scrotal surgery. Failed nonsurgical modalities included anti-inflammatory drugs in 7 patients, antibiotics in 6, pain clinic consultations in 4 and antidepressant medications in 2. Mean pain score decreased from 69.4 (range 35 to 90) preoperatively to 30.6 at a mean followup of 25.1 months. Excluding the 2 cases that had no pain relief (less than 10-point reduction), average pain score decreased from 69 to 19 postoperatively (mean reduction 71%). Activity levels improved in all cases. There were no significant complications, including testis atrophy. One patient who had no pain relief underwent subsequent hydrocelectomy for pain, which also failed.Laparoscopic testicular denervation can provide significant long-term pain relief and appears to be a reasonable alternative in select cases with chronic orchialgia refractory to medical therapy. Larger series and prospective evaluations are necessary.

A 70-year-old man presented with gross hematuria. Computerized tomography revealed left hydronephrosis. History was significant for recurrent grade 1, Ta transitional cell carcinoma and the patient had undergone right distal ureterectomy, transurethral resection of the bladder and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy. Initial evaluation with cystoscopy and bilateral retrograde pyelograms revealed multiple bladder tumors, several small filling defects in the right ureter and a large filling defect in the left ureter overlying the iliac vessels (fig. 1). Transurethral resection of the bladder was performed and the ureteral tumors were biopsied. All tumors demonstrated low grade and stage disease. An ureteroscopic approach was initially chosen. The 3 small tumors on the right side were treated with holmium laser ablation. However, on the left side endoscopy revealed a 3.5 cm. tumor overlying the iliac vessels and a second 1.0 cm. proximal tumor, which affected a total ureteral length of more than 4.0 cm. After 2 sessions, it was clear that the tumor burden was excessive and a nonureteroscopic approach would be necessary. Right nephroureterectomy was not considered due to the bilateral nature of the disease and the low potential for progression. Bladder capacity was only 300 cc and deemed insufficient for a large bladder (Boari) flap. After consideration of multiple options, including distal ureterectomy with transureteroureterostomy, ileal interposition and autotransplantation, the patient elected to proceed with laparoscopic assisted autotransplantation. A transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed using 3 trocars (12, 10 and 5 mm.) with division of the ureter just above the ureteral tumors. The kidney was removed through a separate 6 cm. umbilical incision with a Accepted for publication December 15, 2000.