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Objective: To evaluate the impact of three different AEEP techniques on the training performance of novices using a realistic hydrogel prostate phantom model. Material and methods: The experimental setup utilized realistic prostate phantom model provided by the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Germany. For the enucleation, we utilized a new solid-state pulsed thulium laser (Thulio®, Dornier MedTech, Weßling, Germany). We explored three different AEEP techniques–bilobar, trilobar, and en-bloc–repeated ten times each, totaling 30 procedures. Results: Median enucleation time was 9.5 min (range: 6–16), median laser time was 4.29 min (3.21–6.34), median total energy used was 25.8 kJ (19.4–38.1), and median number of laser pulses was 12.8 thousand (9.7–17). There were no significant differences in operation time, laser time, pulses, or joules among the en-bloc, two-lobe, and three-lobe techniques (p = 0.113, 0.143, 0.148, 0.141 respectively). Ultrasound evaluations showed the one-lobe technique to be superior in accuracy, smoothness, and circularity (p = 0.0002, 0.012, 0.00005 respectively) (Figs. 9, 10, 11), despite having the highest perforation rate, which was not statistically significant compared to other techniques (p = 1.4). The one-lobe technique's higher accuracy may increase the risk of perforation. In contrast, the three-lobe technique had the lowest perforation rate and removal efficiency due to its lower accuracy. Conclusion: The en-bloc, bilobar, and trilobar enucleation techniques exhibited comparable operation times. The one-lobe method emerged as superior in terms of accuracy, smoothness, and circularity. However, it also presented the highest rate of perforation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the effects of RALP and LRP on health-related QoL following radical prostatectomy, focusing on studies performed via validated QoL questionnaires measuring particularly general health-related QoL. Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed (MEDLINE) on 15 January 2023 with the following search terms solely or in combination: "robotic radical prostatectomy", "laparoscopic radical prostatectomy," and "quality of life". After retrieving the titles and abstracts of selected articles, the full texts of related articles were screened. Results: After full-text evaluation, among 185 articles, 23 articles were found eligible for inclusion. Hoze et al. reported that the global health status at the 12th month of the surgery was almost the same in both groups according to EORTC- QLQ-C30 scores (76.3 in the RALRP group vs. 76.1 in the LRP group). Wang et al. reported a 75 point of EORTC-QOL-C30 global health status ten years after LRP. Wyler et al. found that the 1-3 month EORTC-QLQ-C30 global health score was significantly worser than the baseline score, 65.3±18.3 vs. 77.2±18.2; however, it returned to baseline in 13-24 months (77.7±16.8) even proceed baseline score in experienced hands at 49-58 months follow up, 78.2±17.8 vs. 85.3±15.5. The frequently used patient-reported quality of life questionnaire following RALRP was EORTC-QLQ. Conclusion: Both robotic-assisted and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are valid treatment options to achieve a good quality of life following surgery. The intermediate and long-term results in regard to QoL are comparable between the two procedures. RALRP might be superior to LRP in terms of immediate health-related quality of life, which might contribute to early recovery of urinary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young patients with penile lesions and no risk factors. A 37-year-old heterosexual man with no other medical history applied presented with a non-itchy and painless penile lesion, for three months. The HIV 1-2 serology was negative via ELISA test. Histopathological analysis of the lesion revealed a tumor composed of atypical spindle cells, below a partially ulcerated surface. There was also an abundance of plasma cells admixed within the neoplastic cells. The patient was diagnosed as HIV-negative, HHV-8 positive Kaposi sarcoma. Although penile Kaposi sarcoma is extremely rare, classical Kaposi sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of penile lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in laser technology and surgical telescopic systems have propelled retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) to the forefront as a viable alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Currently, RIRS is being increasingly utilized as a treatment option, even for kidney stones larger than 2 cm. In this narrative review, we aimed to take a snapshot of current practice in renal stone treatment and the latest technological and technical developments and to evaluate the efficacy of RIRS in larger renal stones. With low complication rates and acceptable stone-free rates, RIRS offers patients a less invasive option with favorable outcomes. There are insufficient data comparing PCNL with RIRS using a new-generation high-power laser and suctioning ureteral access sheath (UAS). Further studies with novel lasers and UAS could provide superiority in terms of RIRS. It is crucial to take into account various patient-specific considerations, such as stone location and burden, when deciding on the appropriate treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: On February 6, 2018, the European Atomic Energy Community reduced the annual equivalent dose limit for the lens from 150 to 20 mSv/year, because of its association with cataracts at low radiation doses. Our aim was to estimate the radiation doses received by the lens during endourologic procedures that require fluoroscopy. Materials and Methods: Multicenter study including prospective data of annual eye dosimeters between 2017 and 2020. Four endourologists used an eye dosimeter in endourologic procedures that require fluoroscopy (ureteroscopy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy). Surgeons 1 and 2 wore leaded glasses; surgeon 1 also used the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) protocol. Descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS 25.0 was conducted. Results: Surgeons 1, 2, 3, and 4 performed a median of 159, 586, 102, and 129 endourologic procedures per year, respectively, for a total of 641, 2340, 413, and 350 procedures between 2017 and 2020. The median annual dose of lens radiation exposure was 0.16, 1.18, 3.79, and 1.42 mSv per year, respectively, which corresponds to 0.001, 0.009, 0.024, and 0.012 mSv per procedure. The two surgeons who used leaded glasses registered a lower radiation dose per procedure (0.001 vs 0.027). Similarly, the urologist who used the ALARA protocol registered the lowest lens radiation dose compared with the three surgeons who did not use it (0.001 vs 0.023). Conclusions: The endourologists who participated in this study effectively comply with current guidelines on radiation exposure to the lens. Registered eye lens radiation does not seem to be related to the number of procedures but rather to the use of leaded glasses and the ALARA protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]