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Objectives: Martini et al. developed a nomogram to predict significant (>25%) renal function loss after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and identified four risk categories. We aimed to externally validate Martini’s nomogram on a large, national, multi-institutional data set including open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Methods: Data of 2584 patients treated with partial nephrectomy for renal masses at 26 urological Italian centers (RECORD2 project) were collected. Renal function was assessed at baseline, on third postoperative day, and then at 6, 12, 24, and 48 months postoperatively. Multivariable models accounting for variables included in the Martini’s nomogram were applied to each approach predicting renal function loss at all the specific timeframes. Results: Multivariable models showed high area under the curve for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy at 6- and 12-month (87.3% and 83.6%) and for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (83.2% and 75.4%), whereas area under the curves were lower in open partial nephrectomy (78.4% and 75.2%). The predictive ability of the model decreased in all the surgical approaches at 48 months from surgery. Each Martini risk group showed an increasing percentage of patients developing a significant renal function reduction in the open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy group, as well as an increased probability to develop a significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction in the considered time cutoffs, although the predictive ability of the classes was

Background Few studies examined the role of prostate MRI in patients with abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or PSA > 10 ng/ml. In a cohort of non-screened patients with abnormal DRE, we investigated the rate of avoidable prostate biopsies and potentially missed clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) with negative MRI, and the concordance between targeted biopsy (TBx) and systematic biopsy (SBx) in detecting csPCa with positive MRI.Methods We retrospectively examined 199 biopsy-naïve patients with abnormal DRE who underwent prostate MRI before transperineal biopsy. Prostate Imaging - Reporting And Data System (PI-RADS) v2.1 ≥ 3 category of the index lesion defined a positive MRI. Combined TBx/SBx and SBX alone was performed for positive and negative MRI, respectively. An International Society of Urogenital Pathology Grade Group ≥2 defined csPCa. We calculated csPCa detection rate of TBx, SBx and combined TBx/SBx. The Cohen kappa statistic was used to measure the concordance between TBx and SBx.Results Ninety-one (45.7%) csPCa cases were detected. MRI was positive in 153 (76.9%) patients. In the 46 patients with negative MRI, SBx detected 5 (10.9%) csPCa cases. Prostate biopsy could, thus, be avoided in 41/199 (20.6%) patients at the cost of missing 5/91 (5.5%) csPCa cases. The concordance between TBx and SBx in detecting csPCa with positive mpMRI was substantial (k 0.70). Specifically, 6/86 (6.9%) csPCa cases were detected with TBx, and 17/86 (19.7%) with SBx alone. Concordance was almost perfect (k 0.82) in patients with PSA > 10 ng/ml. Only 4/38 (10.5%) csPCa cases were missed by TBx, and only 1 (2.6%) csPCa case was identified by TBx alone.Conclusion MRI in patients with abnormal DRE could avoid roughly 21% of unnecessary biopsies at the cost of missing approximately 6% of csPCa cases. Moreover, MRI and TBx complemented SBx in detecting csPCa in the subgroup with PSA > 10 ng/ml.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a complex cluster of synthetic derivatives of testosterone. AAS abuse is considered a major public health issue since it has increased among young/adolescent males. The use of steroids has a prevalence rate of 14% in young athletes and 30-75% in professional athletes or bodybuilders. AASs simulate the testosterone mechanism, binding the intracellular androgen receptor, and dysregulating the normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the same way as exogenous testosterone. Abuse can produce several side effects on organs, such as the genital system. The physio-pathological mechanisms that cause AAS abuse-related, genital system disorders in humans are still not completely known.This review focuses on the effect of AASs on the male reproductive organs in humans and animals.a systematic review was performed using SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences database up to 31 December 2021 using the keywords: "anabolic-androgenic steroids", "erectile dysfunction", "spermatogenesis" and "infertility"; (anabolic agents) "erectile dysfunction", "spermatogenesis" and "infertility". The review of the literature identified 66 articles published until 2021. 62 articles were included. The use of AASs induces testicular atrophy and azoospermia known as "anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism". Anabolic steroid induced infertility is characterized by oligo or azoospermia and abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology. Although sperm quality recovers in most cases within 4 months of stopping anabolic steroid abuse, the negative consequences on spermatogenesis can take up to 3 years to disappear. Human studies reported a positive correlation between AAS abuse in athletes and an increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Animal studies showed the destruction of Leydig cells and testicular atrophy in animals treated with cycles of AASs.The present review of the literature highlights how little is known about the action of AASs on the male genital system. However, although their use is prohibited in many countries, the black market for these substances is still very frequent. The scientific landscape still has a lot to invest in the research of AAS on the male genital system so as to make young people even more aware of the negative aspects of these substances, contributing to the reduction of these products in an inappropriate way.

The hexanic extract of

Introduction: The world population is ageing and surgical procedures for older patients are associated with higher perioperative morbidity and mortality rates than in younger patients. Segmental ureterectomy (SU) has been proposed as an alternative to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for selected upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC), to reduce post-operative morbidity, and preserve renal function. The aim of this study was to compare RNU and SU in terms of post-operative complications, functional outcomes, and overall survival (OS) in older patients treated for UTUC. Materials and methods: Data of patients aged 75 years or older and treated for UTUC were included. The primary outcome was to compare RNU versus SU according to post-operative complications, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) variation, and OS. Complications were defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. eGFR was calculated according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula. Un-adjusted OS curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Overall, 177 patients (150 RNU and 27 SU) were eligible for the analysis. Pre- and post-operative characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. RNU patients showed higher incidence of post-operative complications (34.0% vs. 7.4%, P = .011). The mean post-operative serum creatinine was lower in SU patients in comparison with the RNU ones (1.23 vs. 1.69 mg/dL, P = .046), but no differences were found in terms of eGFR variation (P = .258). At 3 years of follow-up, the OS was comparable between the two surgical techniques (P = .129). Conclusion: In older patients diagnosed with UTUC, SU could offer lower rates of post-operative complications without affecting survival.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia time during partial nephrectomy (PN) is among the greatest determinants of acute kidney injury (AKI). Whether this association is affected by the preoperative risk of AKI has never been investigated.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the interaction between the preoperative risk of AKI and ischemia time on the probability of AKI during PN.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data of 944 patients treated with on-clamp PN for cT1 renal tumors were extracted from the Registry of Conservative and Radical Surgery for Cortical Renal Tumor Disease (RECORD2) database, a prospective multicenter project.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We estimated the preoperative risk of AKI (defined according to the risk/injury/failure/loss/end-stage [RIFLE] criteria) according to age, baseline renal function, clinical stage, preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical (PADUA) score, and surgical approach. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis identified patients at "high" and "low" risk of AKI. Finally, we plotted the probability of AKI over ischemia time stratified by the preoperative risk of AKI.RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 235 (25%) patients experienced AKI after surgery. At multivariable analysis, older patients, those with more complex tumors, those with higher baseline function, and those treated with open surgery had an increased risk of AKI (all p ≤ 0.011). According to the first split at CART analysis, patients were categorized as those with "high" and "low" risk of AKI having a probability of >40% or 20 min of ischemia was 13% versus 28% (absolute risk increase 15%). The risk of AKI for high-risk patients who had 20 min of ischemia was 31% versus 77%. This corresponds to an absolute risk increase of 45%. Limitations include retrospective data analyses and lack of surgeons' prior experience.CONCLUSIONS: Ischemia time during PN has different implications for patients with different health status. Clamp time seems less clinically relevant for patients in good conditions who may endure prolonged ischemia with a mild increase in the risk of AKI, whereas frail patients seem to be more vulnerable to ischemic damage even for short clamp time. For individualized intra- and postoperative management, duration of ischemia needs to be questioned in the context of the individual health status.PATIENT SUMMARY: Functional sequelae related to ischemia time during partial nephrectomy depend on baseline health status. The correlation between the duration of ischemia and baseline health status should be taken into account toward individualized intra- and postoperative management.

Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is not yet universally accepted due to still limited functional data and some concerns on oncological safety compared to the standard one. We assessed perioperative, pathological and early functional outcomes in patients with clinically localised prostate cancer treated with Retzius-sparing versus standard RARP.A single-surgeon cohort of 207 consecutive patients undergoing RARP was analysed. A later study group of 102 patients receiving the Retzius-sparing approach was compared with an earlier control group of 105 patients receiving the standard one. Urinary continence recovery 1 week after catheter removal was the primary study outcome. Urinary continence recovery 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after catheter removal, potency recovery 6 months postoperatively, rate of perioperative complications and positive surgical margins were secondary study outcomes.Patients in the study group reported significantly higher urinary continence recovery rates 1 week (91.2% vs. 54.3%, p 0.001), 1 month (92.2% vs. 66.7%, p 0.001), 2 months (95.1% vs. 74.3%, p 0.001), 3 months (96.1% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.01), but not 6 months (97% vs 90.5%, p = 0.09) after catheter removal compared to controls. Potency recovery rates 6 months after catheter removal were significantly higher in the study than the control group (68.2% vs 51.6%, p = 0.03). On multivariable analyses, the Retzius-sparing approach was an independent predictor of 1-week urinary continence recovery, but not of 6-month potency recovery. There were significant differences neither in perioperative complication rate (9.8% in the study vs. 14.3% in the control group, p = 0.28) nor in positive surgical margin rate (9.8% in the study vs. 8.6% in the control group, p = 0.75).In a comparative study, we observed a significant improvement in immediate urinary continence, but not in early potency recovery, using the Retzius-sparing compared to the standard approach for RARP, with no increase in perioperative complication and positive surgical margin rate.

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation or deferment of many elective cancer surgeries. We performed a systematic review on the oncological effects of delayed surgery for patients with localised or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the targeted therapy (TT) era. Method The protocol of this review is registered on PROSPERO(CRD42020190882). A comprehensive literature search was performed on Medline, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL using MeSH terms and keywords for randomised controlled trials and observational studies on the topic. Risks of biases were assessed using the Cochrane RoB tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. For localised RCC, immediate surgery [including partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN)] and delayed surgery [including active surveillance (AS) and delayed intervention (DI)] were compared. For metastatic RCC, upfront versus deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) were compared. Results Eleven studies were included for quantitative analysis. Delayed surgery was significantly associated with worse cancer-specific survival (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.23–2.27, p

Background Urinary continence recovery after radical prostatectomy is a major issue even in the robotic era. Surgical techniques aimed at improving earlier return to continence are continuously sought. Objective To describe our novel surgical technique of urethral fixation during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to assess early urinary continence recovery and perioperative complications. Design, setting, and participants A prospective, single-center, single-surgeon cohort of 70 consecutive patients undergoing RARP between January and December 2019 was analyzed. A study group of 35 patients operated on with the urethral fixation technique was compared with a control group of 35 patients receiving standard vesicourethral anastomosis. Surgical procedure Urethral fixation versus standard vesicourethral anastomosis during RARP was evaluated. In the study group, the urethral stump was fixed to the dorsal median raphe posteriorly and to the medial portion of the levator ani muscle posterolaterally. The same posterior musculofascial reconstruction incorporating the vesicourethral anastomosis was performed in both groups. Measurements Urinary continence recovery, perioperative complications, operating room time, and estimated blood loss were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results and limitations The two groups were comparable with regard to all demographic, clinical, and pathological variables. Recovery of urinary continence at 3 mo after catheter removal was reported by 34 (97.1%) patients in the study and 28 (80%) patients in the control group (p = 0.02). Patients in the study group reported significantly higher rates of urinary continence even at 1 wk and 1 mo after catheter removal compared with the control group (68.6% vs 45.7%, p = 0.04, and 80% vs 54.3%, p = 0.04, respectively). No differences were observed in operating room time (p = 0.7) or estimated blood loss (p = 0.65). Ninety-day postoperative complications were observed in one (2.9%) patient in the study and in four (11.4%) in the control group (p = 0.3). The main limitation is the nonrandomized comparison of relatively small cohorts. Conclusions In our study, we observed a significant improvement in early urinary continence recovery, with no increase in operating room time or perioperative complications, using the novel urethral fixation technique compared with the standard vesicourethral anastomosis during RARP. Patient summary We describe our novel surgical technique of urethral fixation during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Compared with the standard technique, utilization of our technique was found to be associated with an improved early recovery of urinary continence, with no increase in operating room time or perioperative complications.

The objective of this subset analysis was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of two combination treatments for men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Data were from a real-world, open-label, prospective, and multicenter study performed in outpatient urology clinics. Men with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH received 6-month treatment with tamsulosin (TAM) in combination with either the hexanic extract of

Purpose To investigate the effects of different antibiotic prophylaxis regimens in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) candidates to trans-rectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB). Methods 143 outpatients with DM who underwent TRUSPB during the period 2018–2020 were selected from a cohort of 1150 patients in 3 different institutions. Exclusion criteria were allergies, concomitant anti-platelet therapies and uncontrolled DM. Different antibiotic prophylaxis regimens were adopted. Bacterial resistance levels to fluoroquinolones into the different communities were also collected. Univariable and multivariable binomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) testing the risk of infective complications' occurrence after adjusting for clinical covariates. Results Overall, DM patients were significantly associated with infective complications' occurrence (p 37 °C were found in 9.1% and 1.5% (p Conclusion Fluoroquinolones were active in antibiotic prophylaxis of diabetic patients who had undergone to TRUSPB independently from the level of bacterial resistance found in the community. These results conflict with the recent European warning and support the Japanese and American guidelines on the topic.

Objectives: To assess whether bladder neck angle and position on cystogram predict early urinary continence in patients scheduled for early catheter removal after radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods: A total of 103 patients undergoing open or robot-assisted RP by one expert surgeon between January and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A cystogram was performed on postoperative day 3 or 4 to evaluate anastomotic leakage, and, if none or minimal, the catheter was removed. Urinary continence was evaluated with a validated questionnaire at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after RP. Four investigators of different experience assigned bladder neck angle and relative position of bladder neck to pubic symphysis on archived cystogram images. Association between these two parameters and urinary continence rates at different follow-up times was assessed with logistic regression analysis adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics, and surgical technique. Interobserver agreement in assigning the two parameters was measured with k statistic. Results: Catheter was removed immediately after cystogram in 101 (98%) patients. On multivariable analysis, only relative position of bladder neck to pubic symphysis was an independent predictor of 1-week (odds ratio [OR] 30. 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 6-138, p Conclusions: Relative position of bladder neck to pubic symphysis on cystogram is a strong and reproducible predictor of early urinary continence after RP.

Context The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised concerns about the safety of laparoscopy due to the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diffusion in surgical smoke. Although no case of SARS-CoV-2 contagion related to surgical smoke has been reported, several international surgical societies recommended caution or even discouraged the use of a laparoscopic approach. Objective To evaluate the risk of virus spread due to surgical smoke during surgical procedures. Evidence acquisition We searched PubMed and Scopus for eligible studies, including clinical and preclinical studies assessing the presence of any virus in the surgical smoke from any surgical procedure or experimental model. Evidence synthesis We identified 24 studies. No study was found investigating SARS-CoV-2 or any other coronavirus. About other viruses, hepatitis B virus was identified in the surgical smoke collected during different laparoscopic surgeries (colorectal resections, gastrectomies, and hepatic wedge resections). Other clinical studies suggested a consistent risk of transmission for human papillomavirus (HPV) in the surgical treatments of HPV-related disease (mainly genital warts, laryngeal papillomas, or cutaneous lesions). Preclinical studies showed conflicting results, but HPV was shown to have a high risk of transmission. Conclusions Although all the available data come from different viruses, considering that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown in blood and stools, the theoretical risk of virus diffusion through surgical smoke cannot be excluded. Specific clinical studies are needed to understand the effective presence of the virus in the surgical smoke of different surgical procedures and its concentration. Meanwhile, adoption of all the required protective strategies, including preoperative patient nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19, seems mandatory. Patient summary In this systematic review, we looked at the risk of virus spread from surgical smoke exposure during surgery. Although no study was found investigating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or any other coronavirus, we found that the theoretical risk of virus diffusion through surgical smoke cannot be excluded.

Context: Over the last decade, several nephrometry scores (NSs) have been introduced with the aim of facilitating preoperative decision making, planning, and counseling in the field of nephron-sparing surgery. However, their predictive role remains controversial. Objective: To describe currently available nephrometry scores and to determine their predictive role for different outcomes by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Evidence acquisition: PubMed, Embase®, and Web of Science were screened to identify eligible studies. Identification and selection of the reports were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). A pooled analysis of NS predictive role of intraoperative, postoperative, oncological, and functional outcomes was performed. Odds ratio was considered the effect size. All the analyses were performed using Stata 15.0, and statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Evidence synthesis: Overall, 51 studies meeting our inclusion criteria were identified and considered for the analysis. Except for one prospective randomized trial, all the studies were retrospective. All the studies were found to be of intermediate quality, except for one of high quality. Most studies assessed the predictive role of the Radius-Exophytic/Endophytic-Nearness-Anterior/Posterior-Location (RENAL) and Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) scores, mostly regarding complications after nephron-sparing surgery. RENAL was an independent predictor of an on-clamp procedure (p < 0.001). Mayo Adhesive Probability score was related to adhesive perinephric fat (p = 0.005). Continuous and high-complexity RENAL scores were predictors of warm ischemia time (WIT; p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). Continuous (p < 0.001) and high-complexity (p < 0.001) PADUA scores were related to WIT. Continuous and high-complexity RENAL scores were predictors of overall complications (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). PADUA score was related to complications both as continuous (p < 0.001) and as a categorical value (p < 0.002). The RENAL scores R = 3 (p = 0.008), E = 2 (p = 0.039), and hilar location (p = 0.006) were predictors of histological malignancy. Continuous and categorical RENAL scores were independent predictors of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increase (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). The Diameter-Axial-Polar score (p = 0.018) and Peritumoral Artery Scoring System (PASS; p = 0.02) were also independent predictors. Conclusions: The literature regarding nephrometry scoring systems is sparse, and mostly focused on RENAL and PADUA, which are easy to calculate and have a good correlation with most outcomes. Renal Pelvic Score is the best predictor of pelvicalyceal entry/repair and urine leak, whereas Surgical Approach Renal Ranking and PASS strongly predict surgical approach and renal function variation, respectively. Other nephrometry scores based on mathematical models are limited by their complexity, and they lack evidence supporting their predictive value. Patient summary: We reviewed the medical literature regarding the use and value of so-called “nephrometry scores,” which are scoring systems based on radiological imaging and made to grade the complexity of a renal tumor. We analyzed whether these scoring systems can predict some of the outcomes of patients undergoing surgical removal of renal tumors. The literature on nephrometry scoring systems is sparse, and it is mostly focused on the Radius-Exophytic/Endophytic-Nearness-Anterior/Posterior-Location (RENAL) and Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) scores. The results of this study can aid in further research effort in this field and foster the development of better predictive tools

We investigated changes in symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) receiving the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr) and compared results with a matched group on watchful waiting (WW). Data was from a real-world, open-label, prospective, multicenter study. This sub-group analysis included patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms receiving either the HESr 320 mg/daily for six months (HESr) or who remained untreated for LUTS/BPH (WW). Changes in urinary symptoms and QoL were measured by IPSS and BII questionnaires. Two statistical approaches (iterative matching and propensity score pairing) were used to maximize between-group comparability at baseline. Tolerability was assessed in the HESr group. After iterative matching, data for analysis was available for 783 patients (102 WW, 681 HESr). IPSS scores improved by a mean (SD) of 3.8 (4.4) points in the HESr group and by 2.2 (4.5) points in the WW group (p = 0.002). Changes in BII score were 1.8 (2.4) points and 1.0 (2.2) points, respectively (p < 0.001). Three patients (0.9%) treated with the HESr reported mild adverse effects. Moderate-severe LUTS/BPH patients treated for six months with the HESr showed greater improvements in symptoms and QoL than matched patients on WW, with a very low rate of adverse effects.

Purpose: To investigate the inter-reader agreement of the Prostate imaging quality (PI-QUAL) for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).Methods: We included 66 men who underwent 1.5 T mpMRI in June 2020-July 2020 in center 1, with no exclusion criteria. mpMRI included multiplanar T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE). Two readers from center 2 (experience < 1000 to > 1500 examinations), blinded to clinical history but not to acquisition parameters, independently assessed PI-QUAL qualitative/anatomical items of each mpMRI sequence, final PI-QUAL score (1-5), and the Prostate imaging reporting and data system version 2.1 (PI-RADSv2.1) category of the index lesion. Cohen's kappa statistics (k) or prevalence-adjusted-bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) were used to calculate the inter-reader agreement in assessing the PI-QUAL (1-to-5 scale and 1-2 versus 3 versus 4-5), the diagnostic quality of each mpMRI sequence, qualitative/anatomical items, and PI-RADSv2.1 category.Results: The inter-reader agreement for PI-QUAL category was moderate upon 1-5 scale (k = 0.55; 95%CI 0.39-0.71) or 1-3 scale (k = 0.51; 95%CI 0.29-0.72), with 90.9% examinations categorized PI-QUAL > 3 by readers. The agreement in assessing a sequence as diagnostic was higher for T2WI (k = 0.76) than DCE (PABAK = 0.61) and DWI (k = 0.46), ranging moderate-to-substantial for most of the items. Readers provided comparable PI-RADSv2.1 categorization (k = 0.88 [excellent agreement]; 95%CI 0.81-0.96), with most PI-RADSv2.1 > 3 assignments found in PI-QUAL > 3 examinations (43/46 by reader 1, and 47/47 by reader 2).Conclusions: The reproducibility of PI-QUAL was moderate. Higher PI-QUAL scores were associated with excellent inter-reader agreement for PI-RADSv2.1 categorization.

Objectives: To compare the effect of different PSA density (PSAD) thresholds on the accuracy for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) of the Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System v.2.1 (PI-RADSv2.1). Methods: We retrospectively included 123 biopsy-naïve men who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transperineal mpMRI-targeted and systematic prostate biopsy between April 2019 and October 2020. mpMRI, obtained on a 3.0T magnet with a PI-RADSv2.1-compliant protocol, was read by two radiologists (>1500/>500 mpMRI examinations). csPCa was defined as International Society of Urogenital Pathology grading group ≥2. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to calculate per-index lesion sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of PI-RADSv.2.1 categories after adjusting for PSAD ≥0.10,≥0.15, and ≥0.20 ng/mL ml−1. Per-adjusted category cancer detection rate (CDR) was calculated, and decision analysis performed to compare PSAD-adjusted PI-RADSv.2.1 categories as a biopsy trigger. Results: csPCa prevalence was 43.9%. PSAD-adjustment increased the CDR of PI-RADSv2.1 category 4. Sensitivity/specificity/AUC were 92.6%/53.6%/0.82 for unadjusted PI-RADS, and 85.2%/72.4%/0.84, 62.9%/85.5%/0.83, and 92.4%/53.6%/0.82 when adjusting PI-RADS categories for a 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 ng/ml ml−1 PSAD threshold, respectively. Triggering biopsy for PI-RADS four lesions and PSAD ≥0.10 ng/mL ml−1 was the strategy with greatest net benefit at 30 and 40% risk probability (0.307 and 0.271, respectively). Conclusions: PI-RADSv2.1 category four with PSAD ≥0.10 ng/mL ml−1 was the biopsy-triggering cut-off with the highest net benefit in the range of expected prevalence for csPCa. Advances in knowledge: 0.10 ng/mL ml−1 is the PSAD threshold with higher clinical utility in stratifying the risk for prostate cancer of PI-RADSv.2.1 categories.

We investigated changes in symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) receiving the hexanic extract of

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Sepsis is one of the most feared complications of prostate biopsy: it’s incidence is 1-3%. Prevention of infection after biopsy procedure consists in prophylactic antibio...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:We have previously proposed a novel technique based on the concept of fixing the urethral stump laterally and posteriorly instead of supporting it, and have shown that ur...

Background Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (TR) approaches in a multi-institutional cohort of minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MI-PN). Material and methods All consecutive patients undergone MI-PN for clinical T1 renal tumors at 26 Italian centers (RECORd2 project) between 01/2013 and 12/2016 were evaluated, collecting the pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The patients were then stratified according to the surgical approach, TP or RP. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching was performed to obtain homogeneous cohorts, considering the age, gender, baseline eGFR, surgical indication, clinical diameter, and PADUA score. Results 1669 patients treated with MI-PN were included in the study, 1256 and 413 undergoing TP and RP, respectively. After 1:1 PS matching according to the surgical access, 413 patients were selected from TP group to be compared with the 413 RP patients. Concerning intraoperative variables, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of surgical approach (lap/robot), extirpative technique (enucleation vs standard PN), hilar clamping, and ischemia time. Conversely, the TP group recorded a shorter median operative time in comparison with the RP group (115 vs 150 min), with a higher occurrence of intraoperative overall, 21 (5.0%) vs 9 (2.1%); p = 0.03, and surgical complications, 18 (4.3%) vs 7 (1.7%); p = 0.04. Concerning postoperative variables, the two groups resulted comparable in terms of complications, positive surgical margins and renal function, even if the RP group recorded a shorter median drainage duration and hospital length of stay (3 vs 2 for both variables), p Conclusions The results of this study suggest that both TP and RP are feasible approaches when performing MI-PN, irrespectively from tumor location or surgical complexity. Notwithstanding longer operative times, RP seems to have a slighter intraoperative complication rate with earlier postoperative recovery when compared with TP.

Prostate cancer (PCa) gold-standard diagnosis relies on prostate biopsy, which is currently overly recommended since other available noninvasive tools such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) multiparametric MRI (mMRI) showed low diagnostic accuracy or high costs, respectively. The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy of a novel Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) test endorectal probe for the selection of patients candidate to prostate biopsy and in particular the clinical value of three different parameters such as resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PA) degree. One-hundred twenty-three consecutive candidates to prostate biopsy and 40 healthy volunteers were enrolled. PSA and PSA density (PSAD) determinations, Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), and the novel BIA test were analyzed in patients and controls. A 16-core prostate biopsy was performed after a mMRI test. The study endpoints were to determine accuracy of BIA test in comparison with PSA, PSAD levels, and mMRI and obtain prostate cancer (PCa) prediction by BIA test. The Mann-Whitney U-test, the Wilkoxon rank test, and the Holm-Bonferroni’s method were adopted for statistical analyses, and a computational approach was also applied to differentiate patients with PCa from those with benign disease. Combined PSA, PSAD, DRE, and trans-rectal ultrasound test failed to discern patients with PCa from those with benign disease (62.86% accuracy). mMRI PIRADS ≥3 showed a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 59%. The accuracy in discerning PCa increased up to 75% by BIA test (sensitivity 63.33% and specificity 83.75%). The novel finger probe BIA test is a cheap and reliable test that may help to improve clinical multifeature noninvasive diagnosis for PCa and reduce unnecessary biopsies.

Background: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is increasingly adopted for the treatment of localized renal tumors; however, rates and predictors of significant renal function (RF) loss after RAPN are still poorly investigated, especially at a long-term evaluation. Objective: To analyze the predictive factors and develop a clinical nomogram for predicting the likelihood of ultimate RF loss after RAPN. Design, setting, and participants: We prospectively evaluated all patients treated with RAPN in a multicenter series (RECORd2 project). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Significant RF loss was defined as >25% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from preoperative assessment at 48th month follow-up after surgery. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses for RF loss were performed. The area under the receiving operator characteristic curve (AUC) was used to quantify predictive discrimination. A nomogram was created from the multivariable model. Results and limitations: A total of 981 patients were included. The median age at surgery was 64.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 54.3–71.4) yr, and 62.4% of patients were male. The median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 1 (IQR 0–2), 12.9% of patients suffered from diabetes mellitus, and 18.6% of patients showed peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The median Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score was 7 (IQR 7–9). Imperative indications to partial nephrectomy were present in 3.6% of patients. Significant RF loss at 48th month postoperative evaluation was registered in 108 (11%) patients. At multivariable analysis, age (p = 0.04), female gender (p < 0.0001), CCI (p < 0.0001), CCI (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), PVD (p < 0.0001), eGFR (p = 0.02), imperative (p = 0.001) surgical indication, and PADUA score (p < 0.0001) were found to be predictors of RF loss. The developed nomogram including these variables showed an AUC of 0.816. Conclusions: We developed a clinical nomogram for the prediction of late RF loss after RAPN using preoperative and surgical variables from a large multicenter dataset. Patient summary: We developed a nomogram that could represent a clinical tool for early detection of patients at the highest risk of significant renal function impairment after robotic conservative surgery for renal tumors.