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Objective To compare the accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) with the Partin tables and Memorial Sloan-Kettering (MSK) nomogram for predicting extracapsular extension (ECE) in prostate cancer and to create a tool for clinicians to estimate pathologic ECE risk. Methods A retrospective review of 112 patients who underwent 3T MP-MRI of the prostate and radical prostatectomy was performed. Regression analyses were carried out to identify predictors of ECE. Predictive accuracy of models based on nomogram and MP-MRI were compared. Results A total of 33 of patients (29%) had ECE on MP-MRI whereas 26 patients (23%) had ECE on final pathology. Mean age was 62.8 years and mean prostate-specific antigen was 8.2 ng/dL. MRI was a significant predictor of ECE that was independent of age, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, clinical stage, and percent positive cores on biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MP-MRI for ECE were 84.6%, 87.2%, 66.7%, and 94.9%, respectively. Areas under the curve for Partin and MSK nomograms for predicting ECE were 0.85 and 0.86, respectively. Area under the curve increased to 0.92 and 0.94, respectively, when MP-MRI was added to each nomogram. We provide an online tool that integrates Partin or MSK nomogram results with ECE status determined from MRI to predict pathologic ECE. Within the typical range of risks for ECE provided by the clinical nomograms (ie, 15%-40%), MRI was useful for predicting pathologic ECE. Conclusion MP-MRI may be a useful adjunct for clinically staging prostate cancer. MP-MRI improved accuracy of existing clinical nomograms for prediction of pathologic ECE.

Objective To understand the impact of cytoreductive nephrectomy on the ability to receive systemic therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Causes of delayed eligibility and effect on overall survival (OS) were investigated. Methods Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy between 2002 and 2010 were identified. Those ineligible to receive systemic therapy >2 months after surgery were considered delayed. Reasons for delay and effect on OS were investigated, including a thorough analysis of surgical morbidity. Results Of 65 patients identified, 28% experienced delayed eligibility for systemic therapy. Reasons for delay were related to surgery in 33%, disease progression in 56%, and both in 11%. Of the entire cohort, pT4 and sarcomatoid disease predicted poor outcomes with median OS of 9.8 and 7.6 months, respectively. Comparison of the delay vs no delay groups revealed more intraoperative complications (P = .01), a trend toward more high-grade postoperative complications (17% vs 4%, P = .09), and a median OS of 4.8 vs 18.9 months. Controlling for grade and stage, delay and sarcomatoid features independently predicted poor OS (HR, 2.61; P = .01 and HR, 2.25; P = .02, respectively). Conclusion Delay in eligibility for systemic therapy after cytoreductive nephrectomy adversely affects OS and is most commonly caused by disease-related factors, although high-grade complications may contribute. Those with evidence of T4 or sarcomatoid disease features may best be served by systemic therapy followed by cytoreductive nephrectomy only in those exhibiting response.

Surgical outcomes for a simplified LPN technique using a single-layer closure were reviewed for central and peripheral renal tumors.A total of 159 consecutive patients who underwent LPN were identified using a single-institution database. Renal tumors abutting the collecting system or renal sinus were considered central. After tumor excision, the tumor bed was repaired using a single layer closure by passing partially straightened CPX needles beneath the entire cut surface. Pathologic and postoperative outcomes were compared between the central tumor group (CTG) and the peripheral tumor group (PTG).There were 83 and 76 patients in the CTG and PTG, respectively. When compared with the PTG, the CTG had a larger mean tumor size (3.4 vs 2.3 cm, P.0001) and greater depth of tumor invasion (2.3 vs 1.1 cm, P.0001). In the CTG, 66 tumors were malignant, and 2 patients had a positive margin. In the PTG, 50 tumors were malignant, and 1 patient had a positive margin. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in operative times, estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, complications, positive margins, and length of hospital stays. The CTG had a longer warm ischemia time (24 vs 18 minutes, P = .0002), but this did not result in a significant difference in postoperative creatinine clearance (86 vs 87, P = .842).During LPN, a single-layer closure without bolsters is safe and effective, and early surgical outcomes are similar for central and peripheral tumors.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of previous robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) case volume on the outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy. Little is known regarding the effect of previous robotic surgical experience on the implementation and execution of robot-assisted radical cystectomy. METHODS Using the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium database, 496 patients were identified who had undergone robot-assisted radical cystectomy by 21 surgeons at 14 institutions from 2003 to 2009. The surgeons were divided into 4 groups according to their previous RARP experience (150 cases). The overall operative time, blood loss, lymph node yield, pathologic stage, and surgical margin status were compared among the 4 groups using chi-square analysis. RESULTS The mean operative time was 386 minutes (range 178-827). The mean estimated blood loss was 408 mL (range 25-3500). The operative time and blood loss were both significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P < .001). The mean lymph node count was 17.8 nodes (range 0-68). Lymph node yield and increased pathologic stage were significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P < .001). Finally, 34 (7.0%) of the 482 patients had a positive surgical margin. Margin status was not significantly associated with previous RARP experience (P = .089). CONCLUSIONS Previous RARP case volume might affect the operative time, blood loss, and lymph node yield at robot-assisted radical cystectomy. In addition, surgeons with increased RARP experience operated on patients with more advanced tumors. Previous RARP experience, however, did not appear to affect the surgical margin status. UROLOGY 76: 1111-1116, 2010. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc.

Objectives To assess the accuracy of renal biopsy for predicting the final nuclear grade and histologic subtype. Small renal masses can be safely observed in select patients who are poor surgical candidates. Renal biopsy may help identify patients who are candidates for observation. Methods A total of 81 patients (29 female, 52 male) underwent percutaneous biopsy of their renal mass with ultrasound or computed tomography guidance. Percutaneous 18-gauge biopsy cores were obtained, and all patients subsequently underwent radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. Preoperative biopsy results were compared with postoperative specimens. Results The mean tumor size was 5.3 cm (range, 1-17). Overall, biopsy correctly identified 71 of 81 (88%) histologic subtypes. The preoperative biopsy correctly identified 62 of 64 (97%) clear cell renal carcinomas, 9 of 10 (90%) papillary carcinomas, 0 of 3 (0%) chromophobe carcinomas, and 1 of 2 (50%) oncocytomas. The final pathologies for 2 nondiagnostic biopsies were clear cell renal carcinoma and inflammatory pseudotumor. For 67 tumors, the pathologists assigned a nuclear grade for both the biopsy and the final specimen. The biopsy correctly identified 29 of 67 (43%) final nuclear grades. The biopsy underestimated the nuclear grade in 37 of 67 (55%) cases. In 7 of 67 (10%) cases, the biopsy nuclear grade increased by 2 when compared with the final grade. The biopsy rarely overestimated the nuclear grade; 1 case (1%) that was assigned a grade 2 on biopsy was assigned a grade 1 after nephrectomy. Conclusions Core biopsies for renal masses underestimate nuclear grade in most cases; however, histologic subtype is more reliably assessed, particularly for clear cell renal tumors.

Objectives One series of robot-assisted radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection has been reported. We report our operative technique and initial experience. Methods Twenty consecutive patients underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and open urinary diversion for operable bladder cancer from October 2005 to June 2006. Data were collected prospectively on patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, pathologic staging, and postoperative outcomes. Results The mean patient age was 70 years (range 56 to 90). The mean body mass index was 26 kg/m 2 (range 17.3 to 36). Fourteen patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery. The mean operative time was 197 minutes for robot-assisted radical cystectomy, 44 minutes for pelvic lymph node dissection, and 133 minutes for urinary diversion. The mean blood loss was 555 mL. One case was converted to an open procedure because of the patient’s inability to tolerate the Trendelenburg position. The mean hospital stay was 10 days. Two patients had major complications. One patient had positive vaginal margins and 9 of 26 nodes were positive. Four patients had incidental prostate cancer. The mean time to the return to nonstrenuous activity was 4 weeks and to strenuous activity was 10 weeks. Conclusions Robot-assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed safely in patients who are considered candidates for open cystectomy. Long-term oncologic control data and functional outcomes are needed to assess the true benefits of robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

In real-life clinical practice, we determined the incidence of acute urinary retention (AUR) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related surgery in patients with BPH who received alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (alpha-blocker) and/or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor combination treatment.This retrospective study enrolled 341 patients with BPH who were prescribed an alpha-blocker and/or a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor as their first treatment from January 1997 to June 1999. Using follow-up data from a 6 to 8-year period, we calculated the incidence of AUR and BPH-related surgery in the alpha-blocker-only group and in the combination group.Of the 341 patients, 192 were in the alpha-blocker group and 149 were in the combination group. Of these, 17.7% in the alpha-blocker group and 12.1% in the combination group experienced AUR (P0.05). BPH-related surgery was performed in 10.9% of the alpha-blocker-only group and 6.0% of the combination group (P0.05). The incidence of AUR and BPH-related surgery was reduced by 32.3% and 48.9% when the prostate volume was larger than 35 g and by 49.4% and 60.6% when the prostate-specific antigen level was greater than 2.0 ng/mL, respectively, in the combination group compared with the corresponding values in the alpha-blocker group.Real-life clinical practice showed that long-term combination treatment with alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors reduced the risk of BPH progression, such as AUR or BPH-related surgery, compared with alpha-blocker-only treatment.

Objectives To perform a retrospective analysis to determine the operative morbidity in patients with substantial comorbidities requiring renal surgery. Increasing numbers of patients requiring renal surgery are presenting with substantial comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. Methods The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification was used to define perioperative risk. Of 1087 patients who underwent nephrectomy between 1989 and 2001, 237 patients were classified as ASA classification 1 or 2 (low risk), 297 were ASA classification 3 (intermediate risk), and 17 were ASA classification 4 (high risk). Results No statistically significant differences were found among the low-risk, intermediate-risk, or high-risk patients with regard to 1997 T stage distribution, mean tumor size, vascular and/or inferior vena cava involvement, percentage of partial nephrectomy, adjacent organ resection, or preoperative hemoglobin. Intermediate-risk patients did have a greater estimated blood loss (946 versus 739 mL, P = 0.05), leading to greater transfusion rates (42% versus 28%, P = 0.001). However, no increase occurred in intraoperative or postoperative morbidity. High-risk patients also had greater transfusion rates, as well as a greater rate of complications occurring more than 24 hours after surgery. Conclusions Partial or radical nephrectomy can be offered to patients with comorbid conditions. ASA classification 3 patients are more likely to require transfusion. This may have been a result of a lower threshold to transfuse patients with preoperative morbidities. However, the perioperative and postoperative complication rates were similar to those of low-risk patients. Not surprisingly, high-risk patients had greater rates of transfusions and complications.

To assess, using an Internet-based survey, the practice patterns of primary care physicians in the management of prostate disease and to assess the differences between family physicians and general internists. Prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia are common in the elderly population. The optimal management of these diseases is debated.An 18-item survey was designed and administered on an Internet website. Members of the Society of General Internal Medicine and members of the Illinois, North Carolina, and New York chapters of the Academy of Family Physicians were surveyed.A total of 354 responses were obtained from 381 primary care physicians who viewed the survey web page. For patients 50 years old and older, 75% of physicians (87% of family physicians and 69% of general internists; P0.001) recommended annual prostate cancer screening with digital rectal examination and 49% (67% of family physicians and 40% of general internists; P0.001) recommended annual prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen measurement. For patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, 76% of the primary care physicians estimated that less than one half of their patients are seen by a radiation oncologist. For the treatment and/or prevention of prostate cancer, 62% of physicians surveyed (76% of family physicians and 55% of general internists; P0.001) believe there is a potential role for alternative herbal and nutritional therapies.Compared with general internists, family physicians are more likely to screen for prostate cancer and are more likely to believe there is a role for alternative therapies for prostate cancer.

Objectives. To assess the durability of both autologous and cadaveric fascia using an animal model. The pubovaginal sling procedure can be performed using autologous, cadaveric, or synthetic materials. Few data are available about the strength and durability of these materials. Methods. Rectus abdominus fascia harvested from 6 female Sprague-Dawley rats was processed by Tutogen Medical. In 20 female Sprague-Dawley rats, three different types of fascia were implanted subcutaneously into each animal: autologous rectus abdominus fascia harvested at the time of surgery; rat cadaveric fascia processed by Tutogen; and human cadaveric fascia (Tutogen). The rats were killed at 2 months (10 rats) and 4 months (10 rats) after implantation. The mechanical properties of the tissue were assessed using the trouser tear test, and the fracture toughness was calculated. Results. Compared with the fracture toughness before implantation, the implanted rat autologous fascia decreased in toughness from 1763 to 1243 J/m2 (P = 0.12), the implanted rat cadaveric fascia decreased in toughness from 1539 to 1022 J/m2 (P = 0.02), and the implanted human cadaveric fascia decreased in toughness from 2120 to 1145 J/m2 (P = 0.09). The fracture toughness of the implanted rat cadaveric fascia and rat autologous fascia did not differ significantly (P = 0.29). Conclusions. The changes in strength or elasticity can be detected using the trouser tear test to calculate the fracture toughness. Both cadaveric and autologous fascial grafts may decrease in toughness with time. The long-term durability of the graft may only be a minor factor in determining the success of the pubovaginal sling procedure.

Objectives. To survey American urologists to assess practice patterns in treating female incontinence. Advances in the treatment of female incontinence have changed the way urologists practice. Methods. Postal and e-mail surveys were sent to 2502 members of the American Urological Association. Results. From the postal group (n = 1000), 419 (42%) responses were obtained; from the e-mail group (n = 1502), 160 (11%) responses were obtained. For types I, II, and III stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 239 (44%) of 546, 388 (68%) of 570, and 512 (94%) of 547 urologists, respectively, recommended a sling procedure. For type I SUI, 75 (53%) of the 143 respondents in practice for less than 10 years recommended a sling procedure. The sling was recommended by 62 (35%) of the 176 respondents in practice for longer than 20 years (P

Objectives. To determine whether preoperative biofeedback training improves urinary continence overall or the rate of return of continence in men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Methods. One hundred men scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy were randomized to receive graded pelvic muscle exercise training with biofeedback 2 to 4 weeks before surgery or to a control group performing pelvic muscle exercises without biofeedback. The biofeedback group was instructed to continue exercises four times per day until surgery and to resume exercises when the urethral catheter was removed following surgery. The control group received written and brief verbal instructions in pelvic muscle exercises before surgery and again after catheter removal. Urinary continence was assessed by personal or phone interviews. Results. Six months following surgery, the continence rates, as defined by the use of one pad or less per day, were 94% (44 of 47) and 96% (48 of 50) in the biofeedback and control groups, respectively (P = 0.596). Also, the rate of return as determined at time points 1, 2, 3, and 4 months after surgery was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions. Preoperative biofeedback training did not improve the outcome of pelvic muscle exercises on overall continence or the rate of return of urinary control in men undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Objectives. To compare the efficacy of single-dose oral ciprofloxacin with intravenous cefazolin as a prophylactic agent in patients undergoing outpatient endourologic surgery. Methods. One hundred patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized study to receive either ciprofloxacin (500 mg) or cefazolin (1 g) before surgery. A postoperative clinical evaluation and urine cultures were performed 5 to 10 days after surgery. Patients undergoing ureteral stent insertion or exchange, ureteroscopy, bladder biopsy, retrograde pyelography, collagen injection, and internal urethrotomy were included. Results. Postoperative urinary tract infection occurred in 7 (9.1%) of 77 patients, including 3 (8.1%) of 37 and 4 (10.0%) of 40 of those who received ciprofloxacin and cefazolin, respectively (P = 0.77). There were no episodes of sepsis, and no patient with infection required hospitalization. The total cost associated with the administration of prophylactic antibiotics in the study population was $3657 less in those 50 patients who received ciprofloxacin than in the 50 patients who received cefazolin. Conclusions. A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin in patients undergoing outpatient endourologic surgery was equally effective as cefazolin in preventing postoperative urinary tract infection, but was associated with markedly lower overall costs.

Objective To investigate gender effects on the type of nephrectomy performed for a stage I renal mass and differences that might account for disparity in treatment patterns according to gender. Methods Using a single-institution database, patients who underwent nephrectomy at a tertiary referral center for a localized, solitary tumor, ≤7 cm with a normal contralateral kidney were identified. Variables thought to affect selection for type of nephrectomy were compared between male and female patients. Using multivariable logistic regression, the effect of gender on the likelihood of radical vs partial nephrectomy and the likelihood of malignancy were assessed. Renal function outcomes were also compared. Results No difference between genders was seen in age, race, smoking status, body mass index, tumor size, RENAL score or operating surgeon. Only Charlson index and preoperative creatinine significantly differed with women having a more favorable comorbidity profile (Charlson >1 in 38% vs 50%; P = .027) and lower mean preoperative creatinine (0.09 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.3; P

Objectives To determine whether the presence of a median lobe can be predicted preoperatively and whether its presence affects postoperative urinary function and immediate pathologic outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods A retrospective review of 345 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at our institution from August 2004 to March 2007 was performed. Of these 345 patients, 29 (8%) were found at surgery to have a median lobe. All 29 patients were compared with 29 consecutive patients without a median lobe in terms of preoperative parameters, intraoperative parameters, and the pathologic and clinical outcomes. Results Of the preoperative parameters, the two groups were similar in age, race, preoperative Gleason score, and urinary bother score. Of the 10 patients with a median lobe who had undergone preoperative computed tomography scans, 7 (70%) had a visible median lobe. The presence of a median lobe did not increase the operative time required for bladder neck dissection or anastomosis (including reconstruction). Of the 29 patients with a median lobe, 16 (55%) required bladder neck reconstruction compared with 1 (4%) without a median lobe. Postoperatively, the two groups had similar Gleason score, but patients with a median lobe had larger prostates (60 cm 3 versus 26 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The surgical margins were similar between the two groups. No significant difference was found in the postoperative urinary bother score or the interval to social or perfect continence between the two groups. Conclusions The results of this study have shown that the presence of a median lobe does not alter the outcomes in patients who undergo robot-assisted prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES Accurate staging of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is important when risk-stratifying patients for clinical trials and identifying patients most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy. We investigated the feasibility and potential role of laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LND) in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy with clinically node-negative RCC. METHODS We retrospectively compared 50 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy without LND (Nx group) with 50 consecutive patients undergoing combined laparoscopic nephrectomy and retroperitoneal LND (LND group). RESULTS The two groups had similar clinical and pathological characteristics; the only difference was a higher proportion of non-clear cell histology in the LND group. In the Nx group, no patient was identified as having node-positive RCC; 5 of 50 patients (10%) in the LND group had nodal disease (P = 0.0155). Among a subgroup of patients with clinically localized RCC, 3 of 46 (6.5%) patients had node-positive disease identified by LND. All patients with positive nodes had primary tumors that were at least 7 cm in diameter, pT3 or pT4, and high grade. With increased surgeon experience, extent of the LND was incrementally increased. The mean number of nodes recovered was 7.8; however, a mean of 12.1 nodes were recovered using an extended LND. The mean numbers of nodes recovered from the paraaortic, interaortocaval, paracaval, and retrocaval regions were 9.8, 4.2, 2.4, and 5.0, respectively. The overall risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic LND in patients undergoing nephrectomy for RCC is safe and feasible, and may improve staging accuracy.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether radical prostatectomy requires urinary drainage. METHODS All patients with clinically localized prostate cancer had complete clinical and pathologic information recorded prospectively in a database. The criteria for omission of pelvic drainage were successful bladder neck preservation; urethrovesical anastomosis performed using 6 interrupted sutures in open cases or 12 continuous sutures in robotic cases; and a watertight urethrovesical anastomosis on irrigation. Most patients were discharged on the first or second postoperative day. The catheters were removed routinely on postoperative day 9. RESULTS A pelvic drain was not placed in 78% of 325 consecutive patients. A drain was omitted in 73% of 225 open cases and 90% of 100 robotic cases. The recovery of continence and the complication rates were similar between the two groups with and without pelvic drainage. Complications occurred in 11% of the group with pelvic drainage and 6% in the group without pelvic drainage. In the past 2 years, 17 of 126 patients required pelvic drainage. The frequency of complications in robotic versus open procedures was similar (chi-square test, P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pelvic drainage may be omitted after radical prostatectomy when the urethrovesical anastomosis is performed well. Drainage omission could contribute to shortened hospital stays and reduced costs, without added complications. These benefits can be extended safely to patients undergoing open or robotic radical prostatectomy.

Objectives. To compare the complications occurring during the first year of follow-up after radical cystectomy in two groups, one with and one without a history of pelvic radiation. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion is the treatment of choice for invasive bladder cancer. Methods. One hundred ninety-four cystectomies were performed between January 1995 and June 2000 by a single surgeon. Twenty-three patients were identified with a history of external beam radiotherapy to the pelvis (EBRT group), and 23 additional patients without a history of pelvic radiation were randomly selected to serve as the control group. Results. Although the overall risk of having a complication was not statistically different in the EBRT group (48%) than in the control group (30%; P = 0.183), complications directly related to surgery were higher in the EBRT group than in the control group (48% versus 26%; P = 0.045). The patients in the EBRT group were more likely to require an invasive procedure (39% versus 9%; P = 0.018). In addition, 5 (22%) of 23 patients in the EBRT group had a symptomatic fluid collection, which was diagnosed as a urine leak (n = 2) or an abdominal abscess (n = 3). In contrast, no patient in the control group developed a symptomatic fluid collection. Conclusions. Cystectomy after pelvic radiation is associated with acceptable morbidity; however, compared with cystectomy performed in a nonirradiated pelvis, the risk of complications that will require invasive intervention is increased. A history of prior pelvic radiation significantly increases the risk of a symptomatic fluid collection.

Objectives. To assess the degree of correlation between the pathologic characteristics of the specimens obtained from biopsy and radical cystoprostatectomy. The stage and grade of bladder urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma are important predictors of prognosis. Methods. We retrospectively identified 169 cases of urothelial carcinoma from 222 radical cystectomies performed at University of Chicago Hospitals from 1992 to 1999. Results. For all the cases in this study, the histologic grade, using the 1998 World Health Organization and International Society of Urological Pathologists (WHO/ISUP) classification, was identical when the biopsy specimen and radical cystectomy specimen were compared. However, when the same cases were assessed using the traditional three-grade system, the histologic grade increased or decreased by one grade in 19 (11%) and 8 (5%) of 169 cases, respectively. Patients with invasion of the lamina propria on biopsy had tumor extending outside the bladder in 15 (27%) of 55 cases. Patients with invasion of the muscularis propria on biopsy had tumor extending outside the bladder in 47 (49%) of 96 cases, including nodal metastasis in 22 (23%) of 96 cases. Overall, bladder biopsy underestimated the true extent of the disease in 78 (46%) of 169 cases. Conclusions. Using either the WHO/ISUP (1998) classification or the traditional three-grade system, the histologic grade of the biopsy specimen is a fairly good predictor of the final histologic grade. The preoperative biopsy tends to understage bladder cancer. Patients with muscularis propria invasion demonstrated by biopsy have a significantly higher risk of non-organ-confined disease than those with lamina propria invasion.

Objectives. To assess the use of new technology by American urologists. Methods. Using the American Urological Association directory, surveys were sent via the U.S. postal service to 1000 randomly selected American urologists and 3065 urologists who had an Internet address listed in the directory. Results. Responses were received from 601 urologists (415 postal, 186 Internet). Overall, 81% of survey respondents reported performing fewer or the same number of percutaneous procedures as compared with 3 to 4 years ago and 84% reported carrying out more or the same number of ureteroscopic procedures in the treatment of patients with stone disease. Open dismembered pyeloplasty (43%) and Acucise endopyelotomy (42%) were most frequently reported as the preferred treatment for adult patients with symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Although 60% of respondents reported that they have taken a laparoscopy course, 67% currently do not perform any laparoscopy in their practice. In addition, only 7% of urologists stated that laparoscopy comprises more than 5% of their practice. When stratified by the number of years in practice, those in practice less than 10 years were more likely than those in practice 10 to 20 years and those in practice longer than 20 years to have performed an endopyelotomy (77%, 60%, and 48%, respectively, P

Objectives. To determine whether preservation of the neurovascular bundles (NVBs), defined by a positive CaverMap response, correlates with the recovery of potency after radical prostatectomy. Methods. We studied a group of 60 men who were potent preoperatively who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy by one surgeon. The CaverMap was used after removal of the prostate to assess the integrity of the NVBs. Postoperative potency was assessed by a postal questionnaire and telephone interview, administered independently of the treating surgeon. Men were considered potent if they reported postoperative erections consistently sufficient for vaginal penetration with or without the use of sildenafil. Results. The mean patient age was 59 years, and the median follow-up was 365 days. A positive CaverMap response was obtained in 73 (77%) of the 95 NVBs tested. The overall potency rate was 18%. No patients with a bilateral negative CaverMap response were potent, and 2 (22%) of 9 with a unilateral CaverMap response (negative versus unilateral response, P = 0.46) and 6 (27%) of 22 with bilateral CaverMap responses (negative versus bilateral response, P = 0.32) were potent. Conclusions. A positive CaverMap response, suggesting that a successful nerve-sparing prostatectomy had been performed, was obtained in 77% of the NVBs tested. Nevertheless, with a median follow-up of 12 months, most patients with a positive CaverMap response remained impotent. This suggests that other factors are critical to the recovery of sexual function after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives. To compare how urinary symptoms affect the quality of life in groups of men with postprostatectomy incontinence treated with collagen versus artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Methods. Two cohorts of men, one which received urethral collagen injection and one artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation, were surveyed with a validated quality-of-life questionnaire to assess how their urinary dysfunction impacted their daily activities. The mean impact score and bother score for the two groups were compared. In addition, the overall degree of continence between the groups was assessed. Results. At a mean follow-up of 19 months, 8 (20%) of 41 patients treated with collagen injections were at least socially continent, requiring one pad daily or less. In comparison, 27 (75%) of 36 men treated with an AUS were at least socially continent (P

An infundibular stenosis is defined by a dilated calyx draining through a narrowed infundibulum into a nondistended renal pelvis. We describe the use of ureteroscopy and the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser to successfully treat an infundibular stenosis in a 27-year-old woman who presented with left flank pain. The holmium:YAG laser is well suited for this application. It can be applied with precise control of the direction and depth of the cut. The retrograde approach avoids the morbidity of a percutaneous nephrostomy and is well suited for treating an anterior infundibular stenosis.

Reduction of paraphimosis can be a painful and difficult process. Methods thus far proposed focus on decreasing the edema before reduction. We have used the basic surgical principle of traction and countertraction by applying a pair of Adson forceps directly to the band formed by the retracted preputial opening. To date we have successfully used this technique on 6 children and 3 adults.

Performing flexible ureteroscopy through a cystoscope sheath positioned with its tip near the orifice of the ureter prevents buckling of the ureteroscope and decreases the friction against the ureteroscope. This results in more precise translation of the surgeon's movements to the tip of the instrument and facilitates the procedure.