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During robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), clamping of the vascular pedicle before excision of the tumor is the key to minimize blood loss and maintain adequate visualization. Multiple options for hilar control exist, including recently introduced robot-specific bulldog vascular clamps. The relative efficacy of these new clamps has not been assessed. We conducted a comparative analysis of robotic and laparoscopic vascular clamps focusing on clamp force and flow across a clamped model vessel.We compared 10 different vascular clamps used in RAPN and LPN: The Klein robotic; Klein laparoscopic short, medium straight, medium curved, and long; Aesculap short straight, short curved, long straight and long curved; and a laparoscopic Satinsky clamp. Force testing was performed at 1 cm and 2 cm distances from the fulcrum and at the tip. To simulate a clamped vessel, a quarter inch Penrose was clamped and the proximal end attached to a pressure flow monitor. Flow across the tubing at various pressures and leak point pressure (LPP) were recorded. Comparative analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and t tests.The Klein robotic clamp exerted significantly less clamp force along the length of the clamp compared with the laparoscopic placed Klein, Aesculap, and Satinsky clamps (P0.001). In our vascular model, the Klein robotic clamp had a LPP of 8.3 mm Hg vs 36.3 mm Hg (Klein lap) and170 mm Hg (Aesculap) (P0.001). At all pressures, the robotic clamp allowed more flow compared with laparoscopic clamps.Robotic vascular bulldog clamps produce significantly less clamping force than laparoscopic bulldog or Satinksy clamps and thus allow more flow across the clamped segment. This difference appears to be intrinsic to the clamp itself. This may translate into poorer hemostasis intraoperatively.

We determine the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli in patients scheduled for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, characterize the Escherichia coli strains recovered from this patient population, and characterize the mechanisms responsible for β-lactam and ciprofloxacin resistance.Rectal swabs from 991 patients were cultured for ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli with a selective medium. Recovered E. coli isolates were further analyzed with susceptibility testing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, plasmid isolation and sequencing.A total of 193 ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli were recovered and of these isolates 167 (87%) were E. coli. The prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli in the study population was 17%. Only 38 (26%) of the 149 E. coli isolates that received susceptibility testing were susceptible to ampicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam. In select isolates transferrable plasmids carrying β-lactamase were responsible for the resistance to the β-lactam agents and other nonβ-lactam antimicrobials. Diverse combinations of gyrA and parC mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were identified. Strain typing and plasmid typing indicated that the E. coli isolates did not share a common origin.Of the patients in our study 17% carried ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli. Analysis of resistance mechanisms and plasmid analysis along with strain typing demonstrated that this patient population harbored organisms with heterogeneous phenotypic susceptibility, indicating that universal prophylaxis would not provide optimal coverage for patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

Purpose: Results of retrograde transurethral collagen injection for treatment of stress urinary incontinence have been generally disappointing for men with intrinsic sphinchter deficiency following radical prostatectomy. We described a new technique of antegrade transvesical collagen injection using suprapublic percutaneous bladder access.Materials and Methods: Between October 1994 and January 1996, 20 patients underwent antegrade collagen injection for post-radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Evaluation by pad test, urodynamics and subjective scores was performed before and after injections.Results: At a mean followup of 8.5 months 9 of 20 patients (45 percent) had significant subjective improvement and 5 (25 percent) were totally dry.Conclusions: Antegrade collagen injection is a promising and simple method of correcting post-radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Further study and longer followup are necessary to determine its precise role in the treatment of this con...

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men. This year 317,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States, and approximately 41,400 men will die of it.37 It has been estimated that up to one third of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer undergo radical prostatectomy, translating to an estimated 70,000 radical prostatectomies in 1995.15 The increase in the number of radical prostatectomies to treat men with prostate cancer has occurred for several reasons. First is the dramatic increase in the detection of prostate cancer that has occurred over the past several years owing primarily to the use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in conjunction with digital rectal examination (Fig. 1)?g6 By comparison, 10 years ago in 1986, prior to widespread use of PSA testing, 90,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed.26 Thus, in 1996 there are more than 3 times more new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed than 10 years ago in the United States, and this trend may continue as a higher proportion of the population undergoes early detection. Second, the last few years have witnessed a profound “stage and age migration” for newly detected prostate cancer: Whereas only about 60% of cancers of the prostate detected in 1984 and 1990 were clinically organ-confined,15 more than 95% of tumors detected in aggressive early-detection programs are clinically organ-confined” Therefore, a higher proportion of newly detected tumors are potentially amenable to radical prostatectomy. Moreover, the application of early-detection strategies to younger men in their forties and fifties (as recommended by the American Cancer Society and American UroIogical Association) has also tended to increase the proportion of men with newly diagnosed organ-confined cancer who are suitable operative candidates. This increased and earlier (in terms of both patient age and tumor stage) detection of prostate cancer has coincided with a substantial increase in our

This article describes the technique and early results of antegrade collagen injection into the bladder neck and proximal urethra of men with stress incontinence postprostatectomy. Twenty men underwent collagen injection under general anesthesia. Follow-up ranges from 5 to 15 months, with a mean of 9.5 months. A mean of 14.5 cc of collagen was injected (range 5-25 cc). According to a subjective self-grading system, preoperative and postoperative urodynamics, and pad usage before and after treatment, significant improvement was seen in 14 patients (70%), and subjective cure was reported by 5 (25%). Six patients (30%) had no subjective or objective improvement after the injection. The antegrade collagen injection technique is a promising and simple method of correcting postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Further study and longer follow-up is necessary to determine its precise role in the treatment of men with this problem.

We report the formation of a staghorn calculus in a transplanted kidney caused by infection with a urea-splitting Corynebacterium group D2 organism. The stone was debulked percutaneously followed by intravenous vancomycin administration and urinary acidification with oral acetohydroxamic acid, leading to clearance of nearly all of the stone.

OBJECTIVE: Topiramate is a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide anticonvulsant used as adjunctive therapy for intractable refractory seizures. It is report a case of topiramate-induced urolithiasis. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old man presented with acute, right-sided, colicky flank pain. He denied hematuria or dysuria. He was in use of phenytoin, risperidone, phenobarbital, and topiramate. The total daily dose of topiramate was 375 mg. A CT scan showed a 7 x 1 mm curvilinear density at the right ureterovesical junction with proximal hydrouretronephrosis. He was managed with rigid ureteroscopic stone extraction and the calculus metabolic analysis revealed the stone was composed of carbonate apatite (70%), calcium oxalate dihydrate (20%), and calcium oxalate monohydrate (10%). COMMENTS: The present case typifies many features of topiramate-induced urolithiasis. Those who care for patients with urinary stone disease should be aware of this association.

We quantify the causes of elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in men whose prostate biopsies repeatedly showed no cancer.The effects of prostate volume, inflammation, echogenicity on ultrasound and calculi were examined in a large PSA-based screening population of 148 men with serum PSA concentrations greater than 4.0 ng./ml., findings suspicious for cancer on digital rectal examination and multiple negative biopsies. These men were selected and compared to 64 men with suspicious rectal examinations, multiple negative biopsies and serum PSA concentrations of 4.0 ng./ml. or less.The high PSA group had larger prostates (68 versus 33 cc, p = 0.0001) and significantly more subclinical prostatic inflammation. Acute and chronic inflammation was more prevalent in the high PSA group (63% versus 27%, p = 0.0001 and 99% versus 77%, p = 0.0001, respectively). A simultaneous regression analysis showed that prostatic size accounted for 23%, inflammation 7%, prostatic calculi 3% and nonisoechoic ultrasound lesions 1% of the serum PSA variance.Prostate volume and inflammation are the most important factors contributing to serum PSA elevation in men without clinically detectable prostate cancer.

Herein we report the initial experience with a completely extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach to bladder diverticulectomy combined with a drainage procedure (transurethral incision of the prostate).

To assess the technical feasibility and safety of trajectory image-guided percutaneous renal cryoablation in a porcine model.Six pigs (12 kidneys) were utilized. Only the posterior and lateral regions of the kidneys were considered. A bone-anchored dynamic reference frame (DRF) was inserted into the iliac crest and the O-Arm and StealthStation TREON System (OASSTS, Medtronic, CO, USA) was used to acquire 3-dimensional (3D) imaging of the kidneys. A hand-held pointing device was crafted from a cryoablation needle (Galil Medical, MN, USA) and an optical reference frame. The hand-held pointer/cryoablation needle ("cryoprobe") was then optically recognized by the OASSTS. The cryoprobe was then used to navigate its tip into a randomly chosen renal region of interest using 3D trajectory images. Two freeze-thaw cryoablation cycles were then performed. We assessed treatment times and effective radiation doses. We also assessed concordance between projected iceball location on trajectory imaging and cryolesion location on necropsy.The mean total treatment time was 24.0 minutes. The mean effective radiation dose was 23.7 mSv per kidney treated. The trajectory-guided images used to place the cryoprobe tips into the renal region of interest agreed with the necropsy-determined location of the cryolesion in all cases. Injury to a lumbar muscle and a renal pelvis were observed in two separate cases, respectively.Trajectory image-guided percutaneous renal cryoablation using OASSTS is technically feasible, appears safe, and is associated with acceptable levels of radiation exposure. Comparison of trajectory image-guidance and cryolesions on necropsy demonstrated concordant needle placement.

The long-term efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has not been established. We describe the tumor-free status of patients 11 years after BCG treatment. Long-term followup for the patient population (mean 74.3 +/- 3.5 months, range 6 to 129) yielded a 28% (29 of 104 patients) tumor-free status for a single 6-week course of BCG. Of 66 patients who received a second 6-week course of BCG for recurrent tumors after failing the initial 6-week course 27 (41%) have remained tumor-free. Overall, 56 of 104 patients (54%) remain tumor-free after 1 or 2 courses of BCG. Analysis of recurrences with respect to 3 intervals (2 or less, 2 to 5 and more than 5 years) revealed recurrence rates of 61% (63 of 104 patients), 23% (7 of 30) and 22% (5 of 23), respectively, after 1, 6-week course of BCG. Similarly, recurrence rates for the same periods for patients receiving a second 6-week course of BCG were 42% (28 of 66), 21% (6 of 28) and 23% (5 of 22), respectively. Patients receiving either 1 or 2, 6-week BCG courses who were tumor-free at 2 years experienced essentially identical recurrence rates during the 2 to 11-year followup (36% and 33%, respectively). Overall, 23 of 66 patients (35%) who were tumor-free at 2 years had recurrent tumors during the 2 to 11-year followup. We conclude that while BCG is effective therapy for superficial bladder tumors, a continuous potential for tumor recurrence exists for responding patients necessitating life-long followup.

Pancreatic duct stones, which are most often a result of alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis, can lead to chronic abdominal pain, pseudocysts, and exocrine and endocrine failure of the pancreas. Others have reported success using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) for pancreatic stones. We report our experience with pancreatic ESWL using the LithoTron (Healthtronics, Marietta, Georgia) and HM3 (Dornier) lithotripsy machines.We performed pancreatic ESWL in 23 patients in 4 years, including in 12 with the LithoTron and in 11 with the HM3. After ESWL endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) was performed in all cases. Stone-free status was defined as no stone fragments visualized or the elimination of all post-ESWL stones by ERCP.Stone-free status was documented in 83% and 82% of patients treated with the LithoTron and HM3, respectively, and 2 per group later required open surgical intervention. There were no changes in pancreatic enzymes and no cases of sepsis or fever after ERCP.In association with post-procedure ERCP pancreatic ESWL is an effective and safe procedure that enables patients with obstructing pancreatic duct stones recalcitrant to primary endoscopic extraction to avoid a potentially morbid open procedure. The HM3 and LithoTron have comparable efficacy and safety. This modality is particularly effective for a stone aggregate of less than 20 mm., while a larger stone burden of greater than 20 mm. in aggregate and multiple stones are clear risk factors for treatment failure.

To determine differences in patients' characteristics, operative time and procedures, and perioperative outcomes between prone and supine positioning in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PCNL Global Study database. Between November 2007 and December 2009, prospective data were collected on a total of 5803 consecutive patients who were treated over a 1-year period at each of 96 participating global centers. Patients with data on body position were dichotomized into prone or supine PCNL. The majority of PCNL treatments were performed in the prone position (n=4637; 80.3% of sample). Differences in patient characteristics included in the prone group: A greater proportion of males (57.4% vs 52.2%); younger age (48.8 y vs 51.0 y); less frequent history of shockwave lithotripsy (19.5% vs 28.6%); greater frequency of American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 1 (54.7% vs 46.8%); and a Clavien grade of 2 or more (10.0% vs 7.2%). The mean operative time was significantly lower for prone vs supine PCNL (82.7 min vs 90.1 min) regardless of the method of tract dilation, while the stone-free rate was significantly higher (77.0% vs 70.2%). Compared with supine patients, prone patients exhibited higher rates of blood transfusions (6.1% vs 4.3%) and fever (11.1% vs 7.6%), but lower rates of failed procedures (1.5% vs 2.7%). Since operative time and stone-free rates favor prone PCNL, but patient safety favors supine PCNL, the choice of patient position should be tailored to individual patient characteristics and the surgeon's preference

We compared laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty to identify factors associated with procedural efficacy.We conducted a retrospective multicenter trial incorporating 865 cases from 15 centers. We collected perioperative data including anatomical and procedural factors. Failure was defined subjectively as pain that was unchanged or worse per medical records after surgery. Radiographic failure was defined as unchanged or worsening drainage on renal scans or worsening hydronephrosis on computerized tomography. Bivariate analyses were performed on all outcomes and multivariate analysis was used to assess factors associated with decreased freedom from secondary procedures.Of the cases 759 (274 laparoscopic pyeloplasties with a mean followup of 15 months and 465 robotic pyeloplasties with a mean followup of 11 months, p0.001) had sufficient data. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty, previous endopyelotomy and intraoperative crossing vessels were associated with decreased freedom from secondary procedures on bivariate analysis, with a 2-year freedom from secondary procedures of 87% for laparoscopic pyeloplasty vs 95% for robotic pyeloplasty, 81% vs 93% for patients with vs without previous endopyelotomy and 88% vs 95% for patients with vs without intraoperative crossing vessels, respectively. However, on multivariate analysis only previous endopyelotomy (HR 4.35) and intraoperative crossing vessels (HR 2.73) significantly impacted freedom from secondary procedures.Laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty are highly effective in treating ureteropelvic junction obstruction. There was no difference in their abilities to render the patient free from secondary procedures on multivariate analysis. Previous endopyelotomy and intraoperative crossing vessels reduced freedom from secondary procedures.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) is the most expensive, yet most common, surgical treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Furthermore, its popularity continues to grow despite the lack of evidence for functional and oncologic superiority over other treatments. As a result, we modified operating room (OR) processes to determine if the times and costs that are associated with RALRP in an academic setting could be reduced.Four modifications in OR processes were implemented: Trainee adherence to time-oriented surgical goals; use of a dedicated anesthesia team; simultaneous processing by nursing and urology house staff during case turnover; and identification and elimination of unused disposable instruments. Total surgical, anesthesia, and OR turnover times were measured. Payroll, surgical supply, OR time, and anesthesia costs were also measured. One hundred RALRP cases before and after the modifications were implemented were compared.Patients undergoing RALRP were similar both before and after the modifications were implemented. Total surgical, anesthesia, and turnover times were reduced by 17.4 (6.8%, P=0.041), 4.5 (19.1%, P=0.006), and 12.1 (28.1%, P=0.005) minutes, respectively. Payroll, surgical supply, and OR costs were reduced by $330 (25%), $609 (15.7%), and $1638 (27.7%), respectively. There was no fiscally significant change in anesthesia costs.Using simple modifications, it is possible that RALRP efficiency can be improved by decreasing its associated times and costs. These modifications were implemented in an academic setting but may be used in any institution. These modifications represent an initial attempt to improve RALRP cost-competitiveness with other treatment modalities.

• To compare the Cyberwand (Gyrus/ACMI, Southborough, MA, USA), a dual-probe ultrasonic lithotrite, with a single-probe ultrasonic lithotrite. • The Cyberwand incorporates coaxial high- and low-frequency ultrasonic probes that work synergistically.• An institutional review board-approved, multicentre, randomized controlled trial to compare the Cyberwand to the Olympus LUS-II (Olympus America, Inc., Melville, NY, USA) single-probe lithotrite was performed. • Patients undergoing a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with a target stone2 cm in diameter were eligible for the study. • The primary outcome was the time to removal of the targeted stone.• A total of 57 PCNLs were performed after randomization: 25 Cyberwand and 32 LUS-II. • There was no difference (P0.05) observed between the two devices for target stone surface area (Cyberwand 526.6 cm³ vs LUS-II 540.1 cm³), time to clearance of target stone (Cyberwand 15.8 min vs LUS-II 14.2 min) and target stone clearance rate (Cyberwand 61.9 mm²/min vs LUS-II 75.8 mm²/min). • Of the patients with stone analysis, hard stones (calcium oxalate monohydrate, brushite and cystine) were noted in 14 (56.0%) of the 25 Cyberwand and 18 (62.1%) of the 29 LUS-II patients. • Fifteen of the 25 (60.0%) Cyberwand and 20 of the 32 (62.5%) LUS-II patients were stone-free after the initial PCNL. • Those patients not rendered stone-free went on to receive a secondary PCNL. • Device malfunction occurred in eight of 25(32.0%) Cyberwand and five of 32 (15.6%) LUS II patients. • Complications were similar in both treatment groups.• No appreciable difference between the dual-probe Cyberwand and the standard ultrasonic Olympus LUS-II lithotrites can be identified.

• To determine whether patients with postoperative clinically detected anastomotic urine leaks are at increased risk for poorer erectile function, urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture (BNC) after robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.• A retrospective review of all patients undergoing RALRP from October 2005 until December 2009 by a single surgeon (R.B.N.) was conducted. Clinically detected anastomotic urine leak was defined as drain output consistent with urine at more than 24 h postoperatively. The presence of BNC was identified on cystoscopy. • Erectile function was measured with the Sexual Healthy Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Incontinence was measured by patient-reported daily pad use. • Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Outcomes were assessed at the most recent follow-up.• Among 213 patients eligible for inclusion, 27 experienced an anastomotic urine leak (12.7%). • At a mean long-term follow-up of 24.2 months, there was no difference in SHIM scores (7.0 vs 13.1; P= 0.101), continence rates (87.5% vs 85.2%; P= 0.999) or risk of BNC (7.4% vs 3.2%; P= 0.268) between patients with and without postoperative anastomotic urine leaks, respectively. • The results did not change after controlling for covariates in a multivariate analysis.• The present study suggests that patients with clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leaks do not necessarily have worse long-term outcomes of erectile function, continence and risk of BNC.

Objective • To determine whether patients with postoperative clinically detected anastomotic urine leaks are at increased risk for poorer erectile function, urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture (BNC) after robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Patients and methods • A retrospective review of all patients undergoing RALRP from October 2005 until December 2009 by a single surgeon (R.B.N.) was conducted. Clinically detected anastomotic urine leak was defined as drain output consistent with urine at more than 24 h postoperatively. The presence of BNC was identified on cystoscopy. • Erectile function was measured with the Sexual Healthy Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Incontinence was measured by patient-reported daily pad use. • Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Outcomes were assessed at the most recent follow-up. Results • Among 213 patients eligible for inclusion, 27 experienced an anastomotic urine leak (12.7%). • At a mean long-term follow-up of 24.2 months, there was no difference in SHIM scores (7.0 vs 13.1; P= 0.101), continence rates (87.5% vs 85.2%; P= 0.999) or risk of BNC (7.4% vs 3.2%; P= 0.268) between patients with and without postoperative anastomotic urine leaks, respectively. • The results did not change after controlling for covariates in a multivariate analysis. Conclusion • The present study suggests that patients with clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leaks do not necessarily have worse long-term outcomes of erectile function, continence and risk of BNC.

The experience and use of hand assisted laparoscopic renal surgery continues to expand among urologists.1‐3 Hand assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy appears to be a safe, effective technique that provides intact specimen removal and appropriate pathological staging.4 However, as with the standard laporoscopic approach to nephroureterectomy, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal technique for excising the distal intravesical ureter with an adequate bladder cuff. Classic oncological protocol requires resection o fa1c m. bladder cuff around the involved ureteral orifice to excise and remove completely the distal intravesical ureter. In an attempt to adhere to these oncological principles, a variety of endoscopic techniques have been used for complete resection of the distal intravesical ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. These approaches include transurethral unroofing of the ureteral orifice before laparoscopic nephrectomy, endoscopic extravesical clipping or stapling of the bladder cuff, combination bladder port/transurethral unroofing of the ureteral orifice, transurethral bladder cuff excision alone and the “pluck” technique with or without transurethral resection.1‐ 6 Since the most safe and effective method to complete distal intravesical ureteral resection has not been agreed upon by laparoscopic urologists, all of these techniques continue to be used, each with their own specific advantages and disadvantages. We describe an alternative approach to the removal of the distal ureter with a surrounding bladder cuff during hand assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The potential advantages of this approach may facilitate hand assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. METHODS A 62-year-old man initially presented with gross hematuria. Computerized tomography and retrograde pyelography revealed a 3 3 3 3 5 cm. left renal pelvis mass. Left renal pelvic cytology and ureteroscopy confirmed the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma. Cystoscopy and cytology of the bladder revealed no evidence of carcinoma, and metastatic evaluation indicated no evidence of distant disease. After informed consent was obtained a general anesthetic was given and the patient was placed in the left lateral position without the use of the kidney rest. Hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed through a 6.5 cm. midline, periumbilical incision using a pneumosleeve with 2, 5 to 12 mm. ports, 1 of which was in the midclavicular line

To present our operative and postoperative functional outcomes of sutured compared with endovascular staple ligation of the dorsal venous complex (DVC) during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Ligation of the DVC during RALP with an endovascular stapler has purported advantages of decreased apical positive surgical margin (PSM) rate, blood loss, and operative time when compared with suture ligation.In all, 162 patients who underwent RALP between October 2005 and April 2008 by one surgeon (R.B.N.) were assessed. We retrospectively analysed two different treatment groups: group 1 underwent DVC ligation with a single suture, while group 2 underwent endovascular staple ligation.Of the 162 patients evaluated, 67 had suture ligation (group 1) and 95 had staple ligation (group 2) of the DVC. Baseline patient characteristics (age, body mass index, biopsy Gleason score, clinical stage) and tumour characteristics (specimen weight, tumour volume, pathological Gleason score and stage) did not differ between the groups. Estimated blood loss (494 mL vs 288 mL), time to dissect out, ligate and transect the DVC (30 min vs 24 min), apical PSM rate (13.4% vs 2.1%) differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 respectively, favouring staple ligation of the DVC. At 6 months follow-up, there was no difference between the groups for PSA recurrence (3.7% vs 0%), complete continence (63.4% vs 55.7%) and Sexual Health Inventory for Men score (8.4 vs 8.6).In the present study, staple ligation of the DVC during RALP resulted in improved apical PSM rates, faster operative times and less blood loss.

We report the management of a nephroenteric fistula with percutaneous fulguration in a patient with recurrent pyelonephritis and urolithiasis. A nephrostogram at 6 weeks and retrograde pyelogram at 18 weeks after fulguration showed no evidence of a recurrent fistula. We believe this to be the first reported case of a nephroenteric fistula treated successfully with fulguration.

Weck Hem-o-Lok clip migration into the bladder has been reported after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). We report a case of Weck clip migration into the rectum presenting as a mass on colonoscopy.A 61-year-old male with a prostate specific antigen level of 4.84 ng/ml underwent transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate revealing a Gleason's 3 + 3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate involving 20% of the sampled tissue for the left apex. He was subsequently treated with a transperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Weck Hem-o-Lok clips were used to ligate the prostate vascular pedicles. The vesicourethral anastomosis was performed using a double armed running technique.Final pathology demonstrated a Gleason 4 + 3 pT2cN0Mx adenocarcinoma of the prostate with negative margins. Four lymph nodes were negative for malignancy. No intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively, patient was found to have a Weck Hem-o-Lok clip that migrated into his rectum. This was found on colonoscopy performed for diverticular disease of the colon. The clip was removed without complication.Judicious use of Weck clips during RALP and communication with physicians participating in patient care for those who have undergone RALP is crucial in minimizing complications and avoiding subsequent procedures.

Obesity is associated with adverse outcomes with certain urologic procedures and may make patient positioning more difficult. We describe our technique of awake intubation and prone patient self-positioning before percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and review the literature regarding prone positioning in obese patients and the impact of obesity on PCNL.Patient preparation begins with detailed preoperative counseling regarding the procedure. Premedication with a sedative and antisialagogue is followed by airway topicalization to suppress gag reflex and pain. Fiberoptic bronchoscope intubation is then carried out. The patient then positions himself/herself comfortably before induction of general anesthesia.We have successfully performed awake intubation and patient prone self-positioning followed by PCNL, most recently in a 58-year-old (body mass index 51.3 kg/m(2)) man with a history of gastric bypass, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, without added morbidity. Adverse effect on patient cardiopulmonary dynamics can be minimized in the prone position.The technique of awake intubation with prone patient self-positioning can be helpful for positioning morbidly obese patients before PCNL and has been safe and effective in properly selected patients. Efficacy of PCNL should not be impacted by obesity or prone positioning and morbidity minimized provided that surgical and anesthesia teams understand and safeguard against potential complications.

Introduction and Objective: Specimen morcellation during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is controversial. We seek to evaluate the safety and efficacy of specimen morcellation and LRN for treatment of presumed malignant renal lesions. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent LRN at three academic institutions from 1996 to 2007. One hundred eighty-eight patients underwent specimen morcellation after LRN for enhancing solid or cystic renal masses. Results: LRN was successfully performed on all the patients. Patient age ranged from 36 to 94. One hundred sixty-seven patients were in clinical stage T1, 19 patients T2, and unknown in two. The specimen was manually morcellated within a Cook Lap Sac or Endocatch II bag under laparoscopic or direct observation. On histological review of morcellated specimens, 165 patients were confirmed to have RCC, 17 had an oncocytoma, and 2 had benign cysts. At least 13 patients with RCC were pathologically upgraded to stage T3. Mean operative time was 225 minutes (range 94-650). Mean hospital stay was 2.5 days (range 1-8). In patients with RCC, 11 developed recurrent disease with mean follow-up of 21 months (range 0.3-111). In one patient, a port site recurrence occurred in concert with renal fossa and lymph node metastases. Conclusions: Intracorporeal mechanical morcellation after LRN appears to be safe and effective in clinical stage T1 and T2 RCC. This supports the use of morcellation as an alternative for intact specimen removal in properly selected patients. © Copyright 2009, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Objectives: Despite nearly equivalent outcomes between open and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) for organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa), the role of primary treatment with RALP in men with locally advanced (T3 or greater) PCa has not been described in detail. We report our experience with RALP for pathologically advanced disease. Patients and Methods: From October 2005 to November 2008, 220 RALPs were performed by a single surgeon (R.B.N.). Outcomes were assessed prospectively in an institutional review board-approved database. Results: Of 220 RALPs, 35 (15.9%) were performed for pT3 PCa; none of them were identified preoperatively. There was no difference in operative time compared with patients with pT2 disease (271 vs. 295 minutes, p = 0.09). The positive surgical margin (PSM) rate was 20% compared with 4.9% for pT2 ( p = 0.004). Sural nerve grafts were performed in 20%, and 57% had bilateral nerve sparing. The use of bilateral or unilateral nerve sparing was not associated with increased PSM ( p = 0.85). Biochemical recurrence occurred in 28.6% of men with pT3 disease over an average of 13 months of follow-up time, 30% of which occurred in men with a PSM. At 6 months, an 85% continence rate was achieved, and at 1 year continence was 100% for pT3. Compared with pT2, men with advanced disease had similar recovery after RALP based on postsurgery questionnaires. Conclusions: RALP is a feasible approach to patients with pathologically advanced PCa as 71% were without evidence of disease at 13 months postoperatively. PSM rate (20%) is comparable to previously reported open PSM rates (24-66%).

OBJECTIVES To assess the outcomes of elderly men with prostate cancer treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), because more healthy elderly men will present with localized prostate cancer and many will seek surgical treatment as the population ages. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 2005 and 2008, 203 men had RARP performed by one surgeon; patients were categorized into two groups based on their age (≥70 vs

We report a case of a patient who developed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis from papillary necrosis secondary to ingestion of commercial toilet bowl cleaner. Eight days after her ingestion, acute renal failure prompted a renal ultrasound that showed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. Emergent bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes were placed and subsequent ureteroscopy revealed a large amount of obstructing necrotic material consistent with papillary necrosis. Ureteroscopic removal of the material and bilateral ureteral stents improved renal function. The etiology of this patient's papillary necrosis was likely due to a combination of hypovolemia, systemic acidosis from the ingestion, and direct toxicity of the substance on the renal vasculature. This case demonstrates the importance of early recognition of renal insults and the extra intestinal manifestations of toxic household ingestions.

Spontaneous nephroduodenal fistula formation is a rare occurrence. An otherwise healthy young patient presented with worsening chronic right flank pain and fevers. Retrograde pyelogram and computed tomography studies eventually led to a diagnosis and successful management of a right nephroduodenal fistula.

Background and Purpose: Minimally invasive approaches to manage bladder diverticula have become increasingly popular; however, intracorporeal identification of bladder diverticula may be challenging. We report a novel technique for diverticular illumination using flexible cystoscopy. Patients and Methods: After management of bladder neck obstruction, two patients with bladder diverticula and persistent lower urinary tract symptoms underwent robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy. Cystoscopic illumination was used in both cases to aid diverticular identification and dissection. Results: Our technique was simple to perform and facilitated identification and dissection of bladder diverticula. Postoperative cystography revealed no evidence of residual diverticula. Conclusions: Cystoscope-assisted illumination provides a straightforward method of identifying bladder diverticula during robot-assisted laparoscopic diverticulectomy.

The usefulness of plain film chest radiography (CXR) in evaluation for thoracic complications after laparoscopic urologic procedures is uncertain. Our objectives were to examine the association between radiographic findings and clinical manifestations of thoracic complications after laparoscopic urologic procedures and to determine the prevalence of postoperative CXR at our institution.We performed a retrospective review of 195 patients who underwent laparoscopic renal/adrenal urologic procedures at our institution from 1998 to 2005. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the rate of radiographic abnormalities and thoracic complications between different types of laparoscopic procedures.A total of 96 patients (96/195, 49%) had postoperative CXR, and abnormalities were noted in 75 (75/96, 78%). The abnormalities seen on CXR included atelectasis, pleural effusions, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumonia. Retroperitoneal laparoscopy had significantly more incidental subclinical pneumothoraces (P = 0.000469) and subcutaneous emphysema (P = 0.043) identified by CXR than either transperitoneal, hand-assisted, or cryosurgery. Overall, eight patients (8.3%) had clinical manifestations of a thoracic complication but only five (5.2%) were clinically significant complications detected by CXR. Thus, while 75 CXRs were noted as abnormal, 70 (93%) documented incidental findings that did not affect patient care.Thoracic complications after laparoscopic urologic procedures are uncommon events. Although the majority of CXRs after such procedures do contain abnormalities, most abnormalities are subclinical and do not affect postoperative management. Patients with significant radiographic findings demonstrated significant clinical symptoms. Thus, routine CXR after urologic laparoscopy does not appear to be necessary to identify thoracic complications and may be overused.

Objectives Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is becoming widely used for the management of prostate cancer. Although prostate size does not affect operative times for RALP, the effect of a large median prostate lobe has not been described. Methods One hundred fifty-four men underwent RALP by one surgeon between 2005 and 2007. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of a large median prostate lobe identified during RALP. The RALP was divided into sections from bladder mobilization to vesicourethral anastomosis. Operative times and outcomes were recorded prospectively. Results Of the 154 patients, 29 (18%) of the men had large median prostate lobes. Men with large median lobes were slightly older, but had similar prostate-specific antigen, body mass index, clinical and pathologic stage, biopsy and prostatectomy Gleason grade, tumor volumes, and surgical margin rate compared with men without median lobes. Yet, prostate weight, estimated blood loss, and hospital stay was significantly greater in men with large median lobes. The overall operative time for the RALP was greater in men with a large median lobe caused by an increased time required for posterior bladder neck and seminal vesicle dissection. There was no difference in complications such as urine leaks, bladder neck contractures, and migration of Hem-o-lok clips into the bladder. Continence at 3 and 6 months after RALP were not significantly different in men with large median lobes. Conclusions Despite equivalent oncological outcomes, we demonstrate a significant increase in operative times among men with large median lobes.

As nephron-sparing surgery becomes more commonly used for the management of renal masses, the incidence of complications unique to this procedure will increase. Urine leak after partial nephrectomy (PN) is a common occurrence that can be difficult to manage if conservative measures fail. We describe our approach for persistent urine leaks after PN.Two patients presented with urine leaks after PN. After an upper-pole heminephrectomy, fever developed in the first patient. CT showed an intra-abdominal fluid collection, and percutaneous drainage confirmed a urine leak with persistently high outputs from an upper-pole calix. Conservative management, including ureteral stent, Foley catheter, and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) drainage failed. The calix was then directly accessed percutaneously, dilated to 30F, and a 22F nephrostomy tube was placed through the tract into the renal pelvis. The urine leak quickly resolved. The second patient had a lower pole heminephrectomy, and a urine leak with nephrocutaneous fistula from the posterior aspect of the upper-pole remnant developed. Again, conservative measures failed before percutaneous endoscopy. The PCN tract was dilated to 30F, and 3 weeks later the leaking calix was fulgurated through the tract with a flexible ureteroscope.Both patients had complete resolution of urine leaks, stable creatinine levels, and required no further intervention.Urine leak after PN remains a complex problem if conservative measures are unsuccessful. We describe a novel technique to percutaneously manage persistent urine leak after PN through a minimally invasive approach.

As nephron sparing surgery is used more frequently for select renal tumors, the incidence of urine leaks will likely increase. To our knowledge the risk factors of and management strategies for urine leaks have not been studied. We report our experience with the risk factors of and management for urine leaks after open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.We retrospectively reviewed the records of 127 consecutive patients who underwent partial nephrectomy between 2001 and 2007, including 70 with open and 57 with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, as performed by 3 surgeons. Urine leak was defined as drain output consistent with urine greater than 48 hours after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.Of the patients 21 experienced a urine leak after partial nephrectomy, including 13.3% overall, and 10.5% after laparoscopic and 18.5% after open partial nephrectomy. Patients with a urine leak had significantly greater tumor size (3.2 vs 2.4 cm, p0.044), endophytic locations (57% vs 19%, p0.00027) and repair of collecting system defects during partial nephrectomy (95% vs 56%, p0.00072). There was no association with the number of tumors removed, estimated blood loss, ischemia time, body mass index, age or other surgical complications. The median duration of urine leak was 20 days. While most urine leaks resolved with prolonged drainage, 38% of cases required further intervention. Patient age at surgery was the only factor that correlated with prolonged (greater than 30 days) urine leak.Urine leak is a complication unique to partial nephrectomy that is more commonly noted when a larger endophytic mass involves the renal collecting system. Most leaks resolve with prolonged drainage or replacement of a ureteral stent.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) is useful for prostate cancer detection in men from different age groups, and whether the same PSAV thresholds can reasonably be applied to all men aged ≥40 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS From a large prostate cancer screening study, 13 615 men had data on age and a calculable PSAV. We used statistical analysis to examine the ability of PSAV to predict prostate cancer risk in each age decade. RESULTS For men of all ages, the median PSAV was 0.6–0.7 ng/mL/year in men with prostate cancer, and 0–0.1 ng/mL/year in men with no prostate cancer (P

Although the use of stents after ureteroscopy has been studied extensively, relatively little has been published about stent placement before complicated ureteroscopic procedures. In this study, we examined our experience with stent placement before ureteroscopic management of renal and ureteral stone disease.A total of 90 patients underwent ureteroscopic surgery on 115 renal units by a single surgeon from 2001 to 2006. All patients had documented follow-up with imaging either by CT or intravenous urography (IVU) with tomography. Patients were classified into two groups depending on whether they had a stent placed before ureteroscopy. Baseline characteristics, operative indications for stent placement, stone-free rates, and complications were compared between groups.Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The majority of patients received stents before stone management because of technical considerations during surgery (17/36, 47%) or infection (13/36, 37%). Strict stone-free rates after ureteroscopic treatment were 47% in the 79 procedures without previous stents, compared with 67% in the 36 procedures with prestenting (P0.05). Including small fragments (2 mm or smaller), stone-free rates improved to 54% v 78%, respectively (P0.02). Complications were not significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.70).Although routine stent placement is not necessary before all ureteroscopic procedures, we demonstrate that it is associated with good stone-free rates and few complications. In this retrospective cohort, prestenting was associated with significantly higher stone-free rates. Prestenting should be considered in challenging cases.

Accurate prediction of shock wave lithotripsy success for given patient and radiographic parameters will lead to improved selection of patients for shock wave lithotripsy vs more invasive treatment. In this study we determined which radiographic parameters are the most predictive of shock wave lithotripsy success, and present a method to incorporate these into current and future models based on nonradiographic parameters.A retrospective case-control study was performed to determine average, maximum and standard deviation of stone attenuation values, stone size and skin-to-stone distance on preoperative noncontrast computerized tomography for 220 patients successfully treated with shock wave lithotripsy and 105 patients in whom shock wave lithotripsy failed.Average stone attenuation is the best independent predictor of shock wave lithotripsy success as determined by the Student t test (p0.0001) and receiver operating characteristic curves. Odds and likelihood ratios are provided for shock wave lithotripsy success for incremental average HU cutoffs. An average HU cutoff can be established over which the refined probability of success is below an arbitrary minimally acceptable cutoff of a 60% stone-free rate. Using pre-test probabilities of shock wave lithotripsy success from nomograms in the literature, our data suggest that shock wave lithotripsy should be first line therapy for solitary 6 to 10 mm stones with an average stone attenuation of less than 1,000 and 640 HU for the proximal ureter and renal pelvis, respectively.Average stone attenuation is a convenient radiographic measure that can be used to refine a known probability of shock wave lithotripsy success. Clinical HU cutoff guidelines can be determined based on current or future predictive nomograms based on other parameters.

To evaluate the effect of increasing age of urology patients on the outcome of laparoscopic procedures.We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing laparoscopic urologic procedures from 1998 to 2005, comparing patients 75 or older with all other patients undergoing the same procedures. Data were available on 175 patients. Length of hospitalization, complications, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, ASA class, and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) were taken from hospital and outpatient records. Subgroup analysis was performed on older patients, one group aged 65 to 74 years and the otheror =75 years. Statistical analysis was done using a two-tailed t-test and chi-square test.Patients aged 75 or older had no statistically significant differences in operative time (318 minutes v 319 minutes; P = 0.967), EBL (271 mL v 331 mL; P = 0.487), or complication rate (14.6% v 12.9%; P = 0.434). However, there was a significant increase in the length of stay (6.06 days v 3.74 days; P = 0.0015). In the subgroup analysis of patients 65 to 74 years vor =75 years, a significant increase in the length of hospitalization was still present despite controlling for complications.Laparoscopic procedures in patients 75 years and older entail a significantly longer hospital stay than in younger patients despite similar medical comorbidities. Overall, there was no significant increase in perioperative complications related to age.

Introduction Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a common procedure used in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. Despite how often it is performed, not much is known about the risk factors for complications. Traditional surgery has an increase in morbidity and mortality with increasing operative duration. We assess the effect of operative duration on TURBT complications. Methods The years 2006 to 2012 of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) were queried for patients undergoing TURBT. We separated patients into 4 groups based on operative time: 0 to 30 minutes, 30.1 to 60 minutes, 60.1 to 90 minutes, and greater than 90 minutes. Standard statistical analysis including multivariate regression was performed to determine predictors of complications. Results A total of 10,599 TURBTs were included in our analysis. The overall complication rate for TURBT was 5.8% and there was an increase in the rate of complications seen as operative duration increased, which remained after controlling for age, comorbidities, tumor size, and American Society of Anesthesiology classification. Increased operative duration was associated with a greater risk of postoperative urinary tract infection, sepsis or septic shock, pulmonary embolism/deep venous thrombosis, reintubation or failure to wean, myocardial infarction, and death. Larger tumors were related to an increased odds of requiring blood transfusions. Conclusions Using a contemporary multicenter cohort of TURBTs from the ACS NSQIP database, we demonstrate that increased operative duration is associated with serious postoperative complications. This association was found to persist even after adjusting for patient age, comorbidities, tumor size, and functional status.

We previously reported that the median prostate specific antigen for men 40 to 49 years old is 0.7 ng/ml and that a baseline prostate specific antigen between 0.7 and 2.5 ng/ml is associated with a 14.6-fold increased risk of prostate cancer. Although this suggests the need for close followup of men in their 40s with a prostate specific antigen level greater than 0.7 ng/ml, the appropriate screening strategy for men with a level less than the age specific median is unclear.From a large prostate cancer screening study 581 participants 40 to 49 years old with a baseline prostate specific antigen level less than 0.7 ng/ml were identified. All men were classified as high risk due to a positive family history and/or black heritage. Changes in prostate specific antigen over time, the cancer detection rate and pathological tumor features were examined as a function of the baseline prostate specific antigen.At a median followup of 13 months 2 patients with an initial prostate specific antigen level less than 0.7 ng/ml reached the threshold for biopsy, and a single patient was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A significantly greater proportion of men with a baseline prostate specific antigen level greater than the age specific median had a prostate specific antigen velocity greater than 0.75 ng/ml per year (9% vs 3%, p=0.009) and were diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 50 (4.6% vs 0.16%, p0.0001).Men 40 to 49 years old with a prostate specific antigen less than the age specific median have a low risk of prostate cancer in the short term. Performing a baseline prostate specific antigen measurement in the fifth decade led to few additional biopsies, and was extremely useful for risk stratification since men with levels greater or less than the age specific median had strikingly different risk profiles.

Several studies suggest that obesity may be associated with more aggressive prostate cancer. Similarly the rate of serum prostate specific antigen change is associated with adverse tumor features and prostate cancer specific mortality rates after radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy. We examined the associations among obesity, prostate specific antigen velocity and adverse tumor features in men treated with radical prostatectomy.A total of 587 men with documented preoperative height and weight measurements underwent radical prostatectomy. Prostate specific antigen velocity and other clinicopathological features were compared among men with a body mass index of less than 25, 25 to 29.9 and 30 or greater.Although Gleason score and prostate volume were similar among groups, there was a significantly lower proportion with organ confined disease and fewer low volume tumors as body mass index increased. Of patients with a body mass index of 30 or greater 52% had a preoperative prostate specific antigen velocity of more than 2 ng/ml yearly compared to 34% with a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 and 26% with a body mass index of less than 25 (p = 0.04). Although on univariate analysis body mass index was associated with adverse clinical and pathological tumor features, on multivariate analysis with other preoperative variables body mass index did not add significant independent predictive information concerning pathological stage (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.96-1.08).Obesity was significantly associated with several adverse pathological features. However, it did not provide independent predictive information concerning final pathological tumor stage. Nevertheless, obesity was significantly associated with increased preoperative prostate specific antigen velocity. Additional studies are needed to further clarify the links between body mass index, prostate specific antigen velocity and prostate cancer progression, and determine whether weight reduction could lead to improved outcomes.

Purpose: We describe a case in which the tip of a resectoscope sheath broke off in the bladder during transurethral resection of the prostate.Materials and Methods: A holmium laser was used to fragment a detached ceramic 26Fr resectoscope sheath tip, which was dislodged into the bladder during transurethral resection of the prostate. The fragments were then retrieved using grasping forceps.Results: This procedure caused minimal trauma.Conclusions: The procedure represents a novel and safe approach to the intravesical fragmentation and subsequent removal of an iatrogenic foreign body from the bladder.

Pelvic lymphocele is an infrequent complication of pelvic surgery, usually presenting shortly after surgery. We report a case of an infected pelvic lymphocele presenting more than 1 year after a staging pelvic lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This case illustrates that late infection of pelvic lymphoceles can occur following a pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy.