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Aim: Intravesical recurrence (IVR) after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is relatively frequent, occurring in about 30-50% of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of the prognosis and IVR between open and laparoscopic surgery and to elucidate the risk factor of IVR., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 403 patients with UTUC treated with laparoscopic or open nephroureterectomy at six affiliated hospitals between 1990 and 2015. The clinicopathological factors of each group were examined using Kaplan-Meier plots, and univariate and multivariate analyses., Results: There was no difference in recurrence and cancer-specific mortality between open and laparoscopic surgery in univariate and multivariate analyses. There was no significant difference in IVR rate between the laparoscopic and open groups (p = .22). Among the patients with IVR, 84% of patients relapsed within 2 years. Univariate analysis of IVR showed a significant increase in patients with low-grade (p = .03, HR = 1.64) or low-stage urothelial carcinoma (pT1 or lower, p = .006, HR = 1.77) with no lymph node involvement (p = .002, HR = 10.3) or lymphovascular invasion (p = .009, HR = 1.79). Surgical modality was not an independent factor. In multivariate analysis, there was no independent predictive factor for IVR., Conclusions: There was no difference in recurrence, cancer-specific mortality, and IVR between open and laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, our results suggested that the low malignant potential tumor may be a risk factor for IVR. This finding provides insight into IVR, which may help with the development of personalized prevention and treatment strategies., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

INTRODUCTION To explore postoperative operation-side renal functional outcome after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) using dynamic renal scintigraphy., Materials and Methods: Between July 2006 and December 2014, 62 patients with localized renal tumor received ischemic LPN at our institution. Preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and 12 months postoperative split renal functions were evaluated by dynamic renal scintigraphy using radionuclide technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine. Postoperative operation-side renal function was calculated. To assess the significant factors affecting postoperative operation-side renal functional decrease, simple regression and multiple regression analyses were carried out., Results: Postoperative operation-side renal functions were significantly decreased to 86.6% at 6 months and 86.9% at 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Simple regression analyses revealed that postoperative operation-side renal functions were significantly decreased with prolonged warm ischemia time at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.0058 and 0.0032, respectively). Multiple regression analysis identified warm ischemia time as an independent predictive factor for operation-side renal functional decreases at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.0158 and 0.0109, respectively)., Conclusions: Irreversible renal damage using dynamic renal scintigraphy after LPN was observed. With prolongation of warm ischemia time during LPN, postoperative operation-side renal function was significantly decreased.

We report a case of retroperitoneal mature teratoma which was successfully treated by laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A 37-year-old woman complaining of right abdominal discomfort was referred to our hospital because computed tomography showed an adrenal tumor at another hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 10 cm adrenal tumor that consisted of fat with calcification. Endocrine examination showed no abnormal findings. Under the suspicion of myelolipoma, we performed laparoscopic right adrenalectomy. Histological diagnosis was mature teratoma. The patient had no recurrence at 5 years after surgery.

Objective: We compared the perioperative outcomes of patients with bladder cancer according to three different procedures: robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RALC), laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC), and open radical cystectomy (ORC)., Methods: From April 2008 to March 2017, 36 consecutive patients underwent radical cystectomy and ileal conduit with RALC (n = 10), LRC (n = 10), or ORC (n = 16). All patients underwent RALC and LRC with extracorporeal urinary diversion. Perioperative data were patient demographics, perioperative laboratory data including hematocrit and creatinine, intraoperative crystalloids and colloids, estimated blood loss (EBL), allogeneic transfusion, respiratory parameters including maximum end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO 2 ) and respiratory rate, arterial blood gas data including highest pH, partial pressure of CO 2 (PaCO 2 ), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2 ), operative time, opiate consumption including intraoperative and postoperative anesthesia, time of hospital stay, time to oral intake and normal diet, and adverse events., Results: EBL was less for RALC than for other procedures (p = 0.0004). No blood transfusions were performed for RALC, but ORC required significant blood transfusions (p = 0.003). Respiratory rate was highest and PaCO 2 was lowest for RALC. Preoperative creatinine levels were significantly worse for the RALC group, but no significant differences were noted after surgery. There were no significant differences among the groups in regard to hematocrit levels. Operative time, laparoscopic time, intraoperative anesthesia, and postoperative anesthesia did not differ among the groups. High-grade adverse events were only seen for ORC., Conclusion: Although RALC required a steep Trendelenburg position, which might add elements of risk, RALC was safe even for this small cohort., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LPP) for lower functioning kidney, we investigated the outcome of this procedure for patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction with decreased renal function, defined as less than 20% split renal function., Patients and Methods: Between October 1998 and June 2015, we performed transperitoneal dismembered LPP in 224 patients. Among them, 15 patients with less than 20% split renal function were included in this study. Patient characteristics, perioperative split renal functions, complications, and surgical outcomes were retrospectively investigated., Results: Fourteen of 15 patients had preoperative symptoms, including flank pain in 13 patients and gross hematuria in 1 patient. Preoperative 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renogram revealed no response to diuretic injection and median split renal function was 16.5%. Median operative time and blood loss were 170 minutes and 20 mL, respectively. There were no complications during the perioperative period. Postoperative MAG3 renogram at 6 and 12 months after the operation revealed significantly increased split renal function (median: 23.8% and 23.7%, p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively) and response to diuretic injection in all patients. Preoperative symptoms disappeared and no recurrence was seen during the follow-up period for all patients except for one who experienced flank pain again 4 months after the surgery. He subsequently underwent open pyeloplasty, and flank pain disappeared soon after., Conclusions: LPP for patients with low split renal function and flank pain significantly improved symptoms and split renal functions. Although the long-term clinical effects of LPP are unknown, we recommend performing LPP before considering nephrectomy for patients with lower functioning kidney.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems have been introduced worldwide for surgical instrumentation. A difficulty of laparoscopic surgery involves converting two-dimensional (2D) images into 3D images and depth perception rearrangement. 3D imaging may remove the need for depth perception rearrangement and therefore have clinical benefits., Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial to compare the surgical outcome of 3D-high-definition (HD) resolution and 2D-HD imaging in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), in order to determine whether an LRP under HD resolution 3D imaging is superior to that under HD resolution 2D imaging in perioperative outcome, feasibility, and fatigue. One-hundred twenty-two patients were randomly assigned to a 2D or 3D group. The primary outcome was time to perform vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA), which is technically demanding and may include a number of technical difficulties considered in laparoscopic surgeries., Results: VUA time was not significantly shorter in the 3D group (26.7 min, mean) compared with the 2D group (30.1 min, mean) (p = 0.11, Student's t test). However, experienced surgeons and 3D-HD imaging were independent predictors for shorter VUA times (p = 0.000, p = 0.014, multivariate logistic regression analysis). Total pneumoperitoneum time was not different. No conversion case from 3D to 2D or LRP to open RP was observed. Fatigue was evaluated by a simulation sickness questionnaire and critical flicker frequency. Results were not different between the two groups. Subjective feasibility and satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the 3D group., Conclusions: Using a 3D imaging system in LRP may have only limited advantages in decreasing operation times over 2D imaging systems. However, the 3D system increased surgical feasibility and decreased surgeons' effort levels without inducing significant fatigue.

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of the Politano-Leadbetter and Cohen techniques in laparoscopic pneumovesicum approach for ureteral reimplantation., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 24 patients who underwent transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation during the period from 2007 to 2014. The patients were treated with either the Cohen or Politano-Leadbetter technique. Operative duration, duration of hospital stay, and success and complication rates were compared., Results: Operative duration was 1 h longer for the Politano-Leadbetter technique than for the Cohen technique (P < 0.05). Foley catheters were removed 2-3 days after the procedures. The mean hospital stay was 3.6 days. Reflux completely resolved in 21 patients (35 ureters, 94.6%), but not in two patients (2 ureters). There was no difference in the success rate or durations of catheterization or hospital stay between patients treated with the Politano-Leadbetter technique and those treated with the Cohen technique., Conclusions: The Politano-Leadbetter and Cohen techniques are both reliable for transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation. Despite a longer operative time, because of the higher surgical complexity, the Politano-Leadbetter ureteral reimplantation offers important physiological advantages over other techniques., (© 2015 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in patients with secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction after failed primary interventions., Methods: Between August 2000 and October 2012, transperitoneal dismembered laparoscopic pyeloplasty was carried out in 13 patients with a surgical history of failed prior surgical interventions. Perioperative outcomes as well as long-term results were assessed. These outcomes were compared with those of the same procedure carried out for primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction by a single surgeon during the same study period., Results: Laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty was completed successfully in all cases without converting to open surgery or requiring blood transfusion. The preoperative symptoms in 12 of 13 patients all disappeared soon after the operation. Asymptomatic severe hydronephrosis found in a 2-year-old boy reduced in size postoperatively. When comparing the primary with the secondary laparoscopic pyeloplasty carried out by the same surgeon, the mean operative time was longer (183 vs 241 min, P = 0.002), estimated blood loss was larger (33 vs 66 mL, P = 0.03) and the complication rate was higher (8.8% vs 22.2%, P = 0.01) in the secondary group. Success rates were 97.9% and 100% (P = 0.41) at a mean follow up of 25.9 and 40.0 months (P = 0.14) for the primary and secondary groups, respectively., Conclusions: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is an excellent option for patients who failed previous surgical management. This approach provides durable long-term outcomes comparable with those of primary treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction., (© 2015 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Background and Purpose: The Japanese Urological Association and Japanese Society of Endourology established a urologic laparoscopic skills qualification system called the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification (ESSQ) System in Urological Laparoscopy in 2004. The reliability of video assessments by referees was evaluated., Materials and Methods: Videos of nephrectomies or adrenalectomies performed by the applicants were assessed by two referees selected among a pool of 42 referees. From 2004 to 2011, 1308 urologists applied and 60.2% were qualified after video assessments. The results of skills assessments on 1220 videos that had fixed points by two referees were analyzed statistically., Results: The average number of videos that each referee assessed was 58.1, with a range of 16 to 87. The accordance rate of the results of the video assessment, pass or fail, by the two referees was 68.9%. The scores of the video assessment by each referee averaged 62.7±2.4 (standard deviation) (full score was set at 75 points and ≥60 points was needed to pass). There was a statistically significant difference in the average video assessment score among the referees (P<0.001), and five referees showed significantly higher or lower average scores than the other referees. The percentage qualification of the final decision made by the Referee Committee on the videos originally assessed by each referee showed no significant differences among the 42 referees. The accordance rate of the results from the video assessment by each referee with the final decision by the committee showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the number of videos assessed by each referee (r=0.404, P=0.0080)., Conclusions: The ESSQ system showed moderate reliability for the video assessments by the referees. It was concluded that the video assessments by the referees were fair for all applicants, because the final qualification rates showed no significant differences among the referees.

Purpose: Port site metastasis is a rare occurrence after minimally invasive treatment for renal cell carcinoma. However, its prognostic implications are unclear because reports in the literature are heterogeneous in detail and followup. We clarify the significance of port site metastasis in cancer specific survival and broaden our understanding of this phenomenon., Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE® search for published studies of renal cell carcinoma port site metastasis was performed. Contributing factors to port site metastasis, stage, Fuhrman grade, pathology, port site metastasis treatment method, followup protocol and long-term outcomes were collected. The corresponding authors of each publication were contacted to fill in details and provide long-term outcomes. We added 1 case from our recent experience., Results: A total of 16 cases from 12 authors (including ourselves) were found. Of the 12 authors 8 were available for correspondence and 9 cases were updated. Eventual outcomes were available for 11 of the 16 cases and survival curves showed poor prognosis with a 31.8% overall 1-year survival rate. Of the 16 cases 12 were radical nephrectomy and 4 were partial nephrectomy, and 13 involved multiple metastases in addition to the port site metastasis. Nine of the cases had no identifiable technical reason for port site metastasis formation such as specimen morcellation, absence of entrapment or tumor rupture. These tumors were uniformly aggressive, Fuhrman grade 3 or higher., Conclusions: Port site metastasis after minimally invasive surgery for renal cell carcinoma is a rare occurrence with a poor prognosis. In most cases port site metastasis is not an isolated metastasis but instead is a harbinger of progressive disease. While technical factors can have a role in port site metastasis formation, it appears that biological factors like high tumor grade also contribute., (Copyright © 2014 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Treating adrenal metastases from primary malignancies with laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and efficiency of LA for solitary adrenal metastasis., Methods: From November 2003 to September 2012, eight consecutive patients with adrenal metastasis were treated with LA. A retrospective study was conducted, and clinical and histological data were analyzed., Results: All LA were successfully performed. There were no major complications, blood transfusions or conversions to open adrenalectomy. The patients included seven men and one woman with a median age of 59 years at the time of operation. Adrenal metastases were most commonly noted to be from non-small-cell lung cancer (four patients) and renal cell carcinoma (four patients). The majority of adrenal metastases were unilateral (right: one patient; left: seven patients). One patient had bilateral metastases. The median overall survival was 14 months. Four patients (two with non-small-cell lung cancer; two with renal cell carcinoma) were alive with no evidence of metastatic disease as of October 2013., Conclusion: LA is a safe and effective procedure for patients with isolated metastases. Surgical resection with LA for a solitary adrenal metastasis from primary malignancy can achieve a good prognosis., (© 2013 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Introduction: The objective of this study is to clarify whether symphysiotomy is an essential procedure combined with the laparoscopic pyeloplasty for the surgical treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction related to horseshoe kidney., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed five horseshoe kidney patients with symptomatic hydronephrosis who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty without symphysiotomy between July 2002 and October 2011., Results: All procedures were completed successfully without open conversion. Mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 209 min and 40 mL, respectively. Anterior crossing vessels were observed in all cases, and four of them were defined as a principle cause of the obstruction. In the remaining case, intrinsic stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction was noted. Crossing vessels were transposed behind the ureter with ureteropelvic anastomosis at the anterior aspect of these structures. Preoperative symptoms were absent postoperatively in all cases. Diuretic renogram showed that renal function of the side with hydronephrosis was unchanged, but diuretic excretion half-time was diminished in all cases., Conclusion: The present data suggest that symphysiotomy can be avoided in many, if not all, cases of hydronephrosis related to horseshoe kidney. Laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty with transposition of anterior crossing vessels seems effective, especially if aberrant vessels are strongly suspected to be present from the preoperative imaging examination., (© 2013 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Introduction: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is now widely recognized as a minimally invasive alternative for the surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. However, there have been insufficient reports describing the long-term outcomes and the stability of the results. In addition, late complications have not been thoroughly discussed., Methods: Between October 1999 and December 2010, we performed laparoscopic pyeloplasty on 125 consecutive ureters in 119 patients with an obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction. We performed dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, Fenger plasty and Y-V flap in 108 (86.4%), 15 (12.0%), and 2 ureters (1.6%), respectively., Results: All procedures were completed successfully. Median operative time was 200 min (range, 80-775 min) and median estimated blood loss was 20 mL (range, 20-250 mL). Intraoperative and postoperative complications categorized as Clavien grade II and III occurred in 11 (8.9%) procedures. Among them, three were observed after 12 months postoperative and all involved renal stones in the collapsed pelvis. In 120 (96%) ureters, hydronephrosis improved and/or obstructive pattern on diuretic renography disappeared during a median follow-up period of 45 months (range, 5-146 months). The degree of hydronephrosis steadily improved for more than 2 years, and re-obstruction was never observed after 1 year postoperative., Conclusion: The efficacy of laparoscopic pyeloplasty seems to be durable over 2 years postoperatively. Because obstruction recurrence was not observed after 12 months postoperative, patients with complete disappearance of hydronephrosis may unnecessarily be followed longer than 2 years. However, cases with persisting hydronephrosis should be regularly monitored because of the remaining possibility of stone formation., (© 2012 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Purpose: We studied the construct validity of the LapMentor, a virtual reality laparoscopic surgical simulator, and the correlation between the data collected on the LapMentor and the results of video assessment of real laparoscopic surgeries., Materials and Methods: Ninety-two urologists were tested on basic skill tasks No. 3 (SK3) to No. 8 (SK8) on the LapMentor. They were divided into three groups: Group A (n=25) had no experience with laparoscopic surgeries as a chief surgeon; group B (n=33) had <35 experiences; and group C (n=34) had ≥35 experiences. Group scores on the accuracy, efficacy, and time of the tasks were compared. Forty physicians with ≥20 experiences supplied unedited videotapes showing a laparoscopic nephrectomy or an adrenalectomy in its entirety, and the videos were assessed in a blinded fashion by expert referees. Correlations between the videotape score (VS) and the performances on the LapMentor were analyzed., Results: Group C showed significantly better outcomes than group A in the accuracy (SK5) (P=0.013), efficacy (SK8) (P=0.014), or speed (SKs 3 and 8) (P=0.009 and P=0.002, respectively) of the performances of LapMentor. Group B showed significantly better outcomes than group A in the speed and efficacy of the performances in SK8 (P=0.011 and P=0.029, respectively). Analyses of motion analysis data of LapMentor demonstrated that smooth and ideal movement of instruments is more important than speed of the movement of instruments to achieve accurate performances in each task. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the average score of the accuracy in SK4, 5, and 8 had significant positive correlation with VS (P=0.01)., Conclusions: This study demonstrated the construct and predictive validity of the LapMentor basic skill tasks, supporting their possible usefulness for the preclinical evaluation of laparoscopic skills.

Background and Purpose: Despite clear trends toward minimally invasive surgery, information about laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in Japan is sparse. We conducted a retrospective survey to clarify time trends for LPN and analyze surgical and oncologic outcomes., Patients and Methods: A nationwide survey was performed. Between 1998 and 2008, 1375 patients underwent LPN at 54 institutions. Complications, patterns of tumor recurrence, and recurrence-free survival were analyzed., Results: Renal pedicle clamping was used in 1031 (75%) cases, and renal cooling was performed in 64%. Median warm/cold ischemic time was 37/53 minutes. Median tumor size was 2.26 cm (interquartile range 1.6 to 2.7). Multivariate analysis identified total operative time, operative blood loss, and surgical margin status as independently associated with high grade (grade 3-5) urologic and nonurologic complications. Despite increases in central tumor, a trend was seen toward shorter warm/cold ischemic time in recent cases, and the overall complication rate did not change throughout the study period. With a median follow-up of 26 months for 1193 malignancies, recurrence occurred in 22 (1.7%) patients, including local recurrence in 7 (0.5%), lung in 8 (0.7%), lymph nodes in 2 (0.1%), and bone in 4 (0.3%). Of the 26 cases with positive surgical margins, local tumor recurrence occurred in only one., Conclusions: This is the first nationwide survey of LPN in Japan to be reported. LPN could be performed with acceptable positive margins and complication rates. Most tumor recurrences occur as metastases, and surgical margin status appears to have little impact on oncologic outcomes.

The development of laparoscopic surgery has been accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of laparoscopic surgical procedures carried out in the field of urology. In 2002 laparoscopic nephrectomy was approved for coverage under Japanese national health insurance, and in 2003 there were over 1000 registered cases in which this procedure was carried out. This suggests that laparoscopic nephrectomy, a procedure formerly conducted at only a few institutions, is now spreading to hospitals across Japan. Laparoscopic surgery involves the use of specialized instruments within a restricted field of vision, and risky surgical techniques can potentially result in visceral or vascular damage. In order to promote the use of safe laparoscopic surgery procedures, the Japanese Urological Association and the Japanese Society of Endourology and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) have inaugurated a certification program for urologic laparoscopy. This program not only encourages development in this field of surgery and provides technical certification to ensure appropriate levels of expertise, but also reviews methods for the correct use of instruments such as trocars and hemostats. The purpose of this video is to present correct methods for the use of a variety of laparoscopic instruments, in order to increase the safety of this procedure. The video has been designed to be useful not only for practitioners who are just beginning laparoscopy, but also for those who already have extensive laparoscopic experience. The video discusses five laparoscopic instruments (trocar, electric surgical devices, ultrasonic surgery devices, clips and clip appliers and endo-staplers), and demonstrates their correct use. In addition, animal models are used to illustrate the potential complications that can be associated with some methods of use.

Migration of surgical materials into the urinary tract is very rare. We present a case of spontaneous migration of a metal clip into renal pelvis after laparoscopic pyeloplasty. A 44-year-old woman who had a long history of multiple sclerosis presented with symptomatic left hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Since antegrade endopyelotomy was unsuccessful, the patient underwent laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. The UPJ was wrapped with thick inflammatory tissue and a crossing vessel that firmly adhered to the UPJ was found and dissected. Metal clips were used for hemostasis. Although the hydronephrosis was improved and flank pain was completely dissolved, a stone was identified in the pelvis 22 months after the surgery. The stone was formed around a metal clip that had been possibly migrated into the renal pelvis. Transureteral lithotripsy was performed using an 8F ureterofiberscope and a clip was removed.

Laparoscopic cystectomy and bilateral ureteric ligation were performed on a 52-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Her volume of urine production was approximately 100 mL/day. Excisions of the bladder and uterus with ligation of the bilateral ureter were conducted completely laparoscopically. Total operative time was 280 min and the amount of blood loss was 60 mL. No complications were seen perioperatively and no adverse events regarding ureteric ligation arose. HD was performed on the second postoperative day. At a 12-month follow-up, the patient showed no evidence of disease.

Urethrorectal fistula is a relatively rare disease. The most frequent cause of acquired urethrorectal fistulas is known to be iatrogenic complications, such as rectal injuries during the prostate operations. Rectal injuries are usually noticed during the operation and the majority can be repaired in situ. We report a case of late-onset urethrorectal fistula that lacked obvious rectal injury during the operation. Ischemic change or heat denaturation of rectal wall may be the potential cause of the present urethrorectal fistula.

Laparoscopic unroofing of renal cyst has replaced open surgical intervention in recent years. We report our experience with this procedure on 6 patients with hydronephrosis due to peripelvic cyst. Four male and two female patients, ranging from 51 to 67 years, underwent laparoscopic unroofing of peripelvic cyst. All patients had various degrees of hydronephrosis. Two patients had lumbago and hematuria. The cause of this hematuria was probably due to the renal pelvic stone. Surgical approaches i.e., retro- or transperitoneal were selected depending on the location of cyst. The operative time ranged from 80 to 235 minutes (mean 167 minutes). The length of postoperative hospital stay ranged from 3 to 7 days (mean 4.6 days). Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 20 to 26 cc (mean 21 cc). Four weeks after the operation, all patients showed improvement of hydronephrosis. Laparoscopic unroofing of peripelvic cyst is a safe and efficacious procedure, and could be an' attractive alternative for management of peripelvic renal cysts.

Background: Open pyeloplasty has been the gold standard for surgical treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, enjoying a long-term success rate exceeding 90%. Unfortunately, this procedure requires a muscle incision that entails some degree of morbidity. We have, therefore, investigated the feasibility of laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction and report here the outcomes of our early cases. The median follow up is 25 months (range, 12-42 months)., Methods: Between March 1999 and September 2001 we performed laparoscopic pyeloplasty on 12 ureters in 11 patients presenting with symptomatic hydronephrosis, secondary to a short stenosis of the UPJ or to ventrally crossing vessels; bilateral pyeloplasty was performed as a single procedure in one patient. We performed dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, Fenger plasty and Y-V plasty in eight, two and two ureters, respectively. All procedures were carried out transperitoneally., Results: The procedure was completed successfully in all cases. Crossing vessels were noted in six of 12 ureters (50.0%). Mean operative time and blood loss in 11 patients (including one bilateral case) were 272.8 min (range, 175-480 min) and 96.4 mL (range, 20-340 mL), respectively. Postoperative complications were noted in two patients (18.2%): one instance of prolonged urine leakage and one anastomotic re-stricture. Eleven of 12 ureters (91.6%) demonstrated a patent UPJ on excretory urography and/or improvement of renal function on diuretic renography at a minimum follow up of 12 months., Conclusion: Although the procedure requires advanced laparoscopic skills, it can be safely and successfully completed as frequently as the conventional open procedure. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty seems to be a valuable alternative to open pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction.

Aim: To study the rate at which patients regained urinary continence during our institution's early experience with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy., Methods: The urinary continence of 34 patients was recorded at various intervals following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. These data were compared with those from 49 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy., Results: For laparoscopic prostatectomy patients, 2.9% had regained urinary continence at 1 month, 29.4% at 3 months, 46.9% at 6 months, 56.0% at 9 months and 60.0% at 12 months. For retropubic prostatectomy patients, the corresponding rates were 22.4% at 1 month, 63.3% at 3 months, 84.1% at 6 months, 92.9% at 9 months and 92.9% at 12 months. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that laparoscopic surgery itself significantly predicted urinary incontinence at every interval from 1 to 9 months following surgery (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Patients' postoperative recovery of urinary continence was not satisfactory in our early experience with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Further efforts to elucidate the reason for this poor functional outcome are mandatory before the procedure is accepted as part of standard practice.

Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is currently performed either by lateral flank approach or posterior lumbar approach. The retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy avoids invading the intraperitoneal cavity and possible injury to the abdominal organs. The posterior lumbar approach allows direct access to the main adrenal vascular supply before the gland is manipulated. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy by the posterior approach is technically feasible and most effective as regards the simplicity of vascular control. The lateral flank approach allows a more spacious working cavity, but a large tumor obscures the surgical plane to the adrenal vessels. The transection of the adrenal vein is performed at the end of the procedure. The operating time, perioperative morbidity and cost have been reduced with these retroperitoneal approaches. The retroperitoneal approach to the adrenal gland is technically simple and can be performed quickly, with a low postoperative morbidity and should be regarded as the routine approach for relatively small adrenal benign tumors that are less than 5 cm in diameter.