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Background and Objective: Image-guided surgical navigation (IGSN) can enhance surgical precision and safety. The expansion of minimally invasive surgery has increased the demand for integration of these navigation systems into robot-assisted surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the integration of electromagnetic tracking with IGSN in robot-assisted sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)., Methods: We conducted a prospective feasibility study to test the use of IGSN in SLNB. In total, 25 patients scheduled for SLNB at The Netherlands Cancer Institute were included (March 2022 to March 2023). SLNB using IGSN was performed using a standardised technique with a da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) in four-arm configuration. Feasibility was determined as the percentage of sentinel nodes (SNs) successfully identified via IGSN. Successful SN resection was defined as SNs correctly localised via navigation and validated ex vivo with a gamma probe. Surgeon feedback on the robot-assisted IGSN workflow was evaluated using the System Usability Scale (SUS)., Key Findings and Limitations: In accordance with the protocol, the first five patients were used for workflow optimisation, and the subsequent 20 patients were included in the analysis. IGSN led to successful identification of 91% (50/55) of the SNs. There were no complications associated with navigation. The surgeon feedback (SUS) was 60.9, with lowest scores reported for the user interface and workflow integration., Conclusions: IGSN during robot-assisted surgery was feasible and safe. The technique allowed identification and removal of predefined small pelvic lymph nodes., Patient Summary: We carried out a study on the feasibility of imaging-guided navigation in robot-assisted prostate surgery. Our results show that this technique is feasible, safe, and effective., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report the intermediate- to long-term outcomes of bladder neck incision (BNI) for vesico-urethral anastomosis stricture (VUAS) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and the influence of pre- or post-RARP radiotherapy on these outcomes., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients who underwent BNI for VUAS after RARP in a high-volume prostatectomy centre between 2006 and July 2021. Data was collected from patient charts. The cohort was divided into 4 groups: VUAS after (1) RARP-only, (2) RARP, but before salvage radiotherapy (SRT) (VUAS pre-SRT), (3) RARP and after SRT (VUAS post-SRT), and (4) primary radiotherapy and salvage RARP (SRARP). The VUAS recurrence rates, the ability to perform functional transurethral micturition and the post-BNI urinary continence rates were reported., Results: BNI was performed in 90 patients. The median time between first BNI and last follow-up was 32 months (interquartile range 10-58, range 0-171). The majority of VUAS occurred within 6 months after (S)RARP. In those who underwent BNI, recurrent VUAS was reported in 12%, 57%, 29%, and 50% of patients after RARP-only, VUAS pre-SRT, VUAS post-SRT, and SRARP, respectively. Ultimately, transurethral micturition was possible in 94%, 93%, 71%, and 80%, respectively. Severe urinary-incontinence rates (>1 pads/d) were 6%, 16%, 10%, and 29% for RARP-only, VUAS pre-SRT, VUAS post-SRT, and SRARP patients, respectively., Conclusion: Primary radiotherapy before RARP and SRT after RARP significantly influenced the success rates of BNI. Those who underwent BNI after SRARP had worse outcomes than patients who underwent RARP only., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are used to provide recommendations for patient treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). They do not, however, take into account the widely used World Health Organization (WHO) 2004/2016 grading classification and are based on patients treated in the 1980s., Objective: To update EAU prognostic factor risk groups using the WHO 1973 and 2004/2016 grading classifications and identify patients with the lowest and highest probabilities of progression., Design, Setting, and Participants: Individual patient data for primary NMIBC patients were collected from the institutions of the members of the EAU NMIBC guidelines panel., Intervention: Patients underwent TURBT followed by intravesical instillations at the physician's discretion., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to the primary endpoint, the time to progression to muscle-invasive disease or distant metastases. Patients were divided into four risk groups: low-, intermediate-, high-, and a new, very high-risk group. The probabilities of progression were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves., Results and Limitations: A total of 3401 patients treated with TURBT ± intravesical chemotherapy were included. From the multivariable analyses, tumor stage, WHO 1973/2004-2016 grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, number of tumors, tumor size, and age were used to form four risk groups for which the probability of progression at 5 yr varied from <1% to >40%. Limitations include the retrospective collection of data and the lack of central pathology review., Conclusions: This study provides updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups that can be used to inform patient treatment and follow-up. Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and 1973 grading classifications, a new, very high-risk group has been identified for which urologists should be prompt to assess and adapt their therapeutic strategy when necessary., Patient Summary: The newly updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer provide an improved basis for recommending a patient's treatment and follow-up schedule., (Copyright © 2020 European Association of Urology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is hampered by side effects that may have a serious impact on quality of life, particularly stress urinary incontinence. Continence rates may be improved by surgical reconstruction of the pelvic floor., Objective: Video illustrations of different surgical techniques may be particularly worthwhile for practicing urologists in understanding the pelvic-floor anatomy and in the training of residents and fellows in urology., Design, Setting, and Participants: We describe and video-illustrate commonly performed pelvic reconstructive techniques in RARP, as performed by experts in the field., Surgical Procedure: Surgical techniques have been described, such as posterior musculofascial reconstruction, anterior reconstruction and periurethral suspension, preservation of membranous urethral lengthening, bladder-neck reconstruction, and combinations., Measurements: An overview of continence rates of the different techniques is given., Results and Limitations: All reconstructive surgical techniques result in similar short-term continence rates and good-to-excellent outcomes 1yr after surgery. There are only a few randomized clinical trials comparing a reconstructive technique with "no reconstruction" or a different reconstructive technique, and outcomes are conflicting., Conclusions: Although many of the procedures report a benefit with respect to early continence, benefits seem to diminish with longer follow-up. Whether any of the reconstructive techniques is superior to another is a matter of study., Patient Summary: Early continence rates might be improved by surgical reconstruction of the pelvic floor., (Copyright © 2018 European Association of Urology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) implantation of brachytherapy catheters (BTCs) can be a minimally invasive alternative to open retropubic implantation. Descriptions of the surgical technique and outcomes are sparse., Objective: To describe our technique and perioperative outcomes for RAL BTC implantation in urothelial carcinoma (UC) and urachal carcinoma (UraC)., Design, Setting and Participants: Between June 2011 and May 2016, 26 patients with cN0M0 solitary T1G3 or T2G1-3 UC of ≤5cm or cN0M0 UraC were scheduled for external beam radiotherapy (20×2Gy), RAL BTC implantation, and pulsed-dose (29×1.04Gy) or high-dose rate brachytherapy (10×2.50Gy). Median follow-up was 12 mo (interquartile range 4-20)., Surgical Procedure: RAL BTC implantation with or without pelvic lymph node dissection and/or partial cystectomy., Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Perioperative data, complications, disease-free-survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and cystectomy-free survival (CFS) were evaluated as well as the feasibility of the technique., Results and Limitations: BTC implantation was successful in 92% of the patients. Median hospitalisation was 5 d (interquartile range 4-7) and blood loss <50ml in all cases. DFS was 74% at 1 yr and 63% at 2 yr. LRFS was 80% at 1 and 2 yr, and CFS was 87% at 1 and 2 yr. Early (≤30 d) high-grade complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) occurred in 8% of the patients. The study is limited by the small sample size and short follow-up time., Conclusions: RAL BTC implantation is technically feasible and could serve as safe, minimally invasive alternative to open surgery in selected patients. The results of this study should be confirmed in larger studies., Patient Summary: Brachytherapy catheter (BTC) implantation is traditionally carried out via open retropubic surgery. We describe robot-assisted laparoscopic BTC implantation as a minimally invasive alternative. Perioperative outcomes are described and confirm the safety and feasibility of this procedure., (Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The efficacy of an immediate single chemotherapy instillation after transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) remains a topic of debate. Evidence is even more scarce when an immediate instillation is followed by adjuvant instillations., Objective: To compare the effect of a mitomycin C (MMC) instillation within 24h to an instillation 2 wk after TURBT in patients with NMIBC with or without adjuvant instillations., Design, Setting, and Participants: Between 1998 and 2003, 2844 NMIBC patients were randomised for immediate versus delayed MMC instillation after TURBT. Patients were categorised in low-risk (LOR), intermediate-risk (IMR), and high-risk (HIR) groups. Total numbers of instillations in these groups were 1, 9, and 15, respectively., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Primary end point was 3-yr recurrence risk for the IMR and HIR groups and 5-yr risk for the LOR group. Secondary outcomes were time to recurrence and incidence of adverse events. Analyses were performed with the log-rank test, Cox-regression, and χ 2 test in SPSS., Results and Limitations: A total of 2243 patients were eligible on an intention-to-treat basis. Recurrence risks were 43% and 46% in the LOR group (5-yr follow-up, p=0.11), 20% and 32% in the IMR group (3-yr follow-up, p=0.037), and 28% and 35% in the HIR group (3-yr follow-up, p=0.007), for an immediate and a delayed instillation, respectively. For all patients, the recurrence risk was 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24-30) in the immediate and 36% (95% CI, 33-39) in the delayed instillation group (p<0.001) with a 27% reduction in relative recurrence risk (hazard ratio: 0.73, 95% CI, 0.63-0.85, p<0.001). The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between treatment groups (immediate instillation 25%, delayed instillation 22%, p=0.08). The risk groups in our study differ slightly from the current guidelines, which is a limitation of our study., Conclusions: An immediate, single instillation after TURBT reduces the recurrence risk in NMIBC patients, independent of the number of adjuvant installations., Patient Summary: A single instillation of chemotherapy after the resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer reduces the recurrence risk, even if patients are treated with an adjuvant schedule of instillations., (Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We present a single institute experience of the four most widely used diversions after cystectomy in 281 patients, with an evaluation of the association between clinical factors, complication rates, functional results, and metabolic complications., Materials and Methods: Between 1990 and 2005, 281 consecutive cystectomies were performed at our institute. Four different diversions were offered: an ileal conduit according to Bricker (IC; 118 patients), an Indiana pouch (IP; 51 patients), and orthotopic diversions after cystectomy/neobladder (N; 62 patients), or sexuality-preserving cystectomy and neobladder (SPCN; 50 patients)., Results: Forty-four percent developed early complications: IC 48%, IP 43%, N 42%, and SPCN 38%. High ASA score was the only variable significantly associated with early major complications (ASA 1 vs. 3: HR, 0.32; 95%CI, 0.14-0.72). Late complication rate was 51% with fewer complications in the IC group, IC 39%, IP 63%, N 59%, and SPCN 60% (HR, 0.32; 95%CI, 0.14-0.72), which was explained by fewer uncomplicated urinary tract infections (one third of all late complications) in the IC group. There were no differences in experienced late major complications. We found no significant association between tumour stage, ASA, age, preoperative radiotherapy, gender, and diversion-related complication rates. Complete daytime and nighttime continence, respectively, was achieved in 96% and 73% after IP, 90% and 67% after neobladder, and 96% and 67% after SPCN. Metabolic changes were found in 24% of the patients: 21% after IC, 26% after IP, and 28% after orthotopic diversion (neobladder and SPCN combined); low vitamin B12 was measured in 23%, 15%, and 15% respectively., Conclusions: Cystectomy with any subsequent diversion remains a procedure with considerable morbidity. High ASA score was associated with more early complications. Orthotopic diversions provide good functional results, but at the cost of more late complications compared with ileal conduits. We found no evidence that age, ASA score, positive lymph nodes, extravesical tumour growth, or previous radiotherapy were contraindications per se for any diversion.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a therapeutic algorithm for the management of small cell carcinoma of the bladder derived from the treatment of small cell lung cancer., Methods: During a 10-year period, 25 patients (23 men and 2 women; median age 64 years, with 8 [32%] older than 75 years) with small cell carcinoma of the bladder were defined as having limited disease (LD) or extensive disease (ED) in analogy to the classification of small cell lung cancer. Patients with LD were eligible for chemotherapy and sequential radiotherapy. Patients unfit for chemotherapy were offered complete transurethral resection and radiotherapy or cystectomy for large symptomatic tumors. Patients with ED were offered palliative chemotherapy., Results: Of the 25 patients, 17 (68%) had LD and 8 (32%) ED. Without regard to stage, the median survival of those receiving chemotherapy was 15 months versus 4 months for those who did not. The median survival for those with LD was 12 months versus 5 months for those with ED. Nine patients (52.9%) with LD could not undergo chemoradiotherapy because of comorbidity and reduced performance (n = 7), progression (n = 1), or drug-related death (n = 1). Five of those patients underwent TUR and radiotherapy and two cystectomy., Conclusions: The prognosis of small cell carcinoma of the bladder is poor. This treatment algorithm offers bladder sparing for most patients, with few long-term remissions in patients with small, confined tumors. None of the patients died of locoregional tumor progression, supporting that cystectomy is not the treatment of choice for those with LD. With a significant proportion of elderly patients with comorbidities, chemoradiotherapy was not feasible in more than one half of the patients with LD.

Immediate adjuvant Mitomycin C (MMC) instillation is routine practice in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Despite relative safety we describe a case of MMC extravasation after intravesical instillation. This resulted in severe continuous pain in the pelvic region without tendency of spontaneous healing, and required surgical debridement. To assess perivesical soft tissue injury prior to surgery MRI imaging turned out to be more accurate than computer tomography. Suggestions about how to avoid, diagnose and treat this symptomatic extravasation are made.