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Objective To compare disease-free survival between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer. Methods We conducted a multicentric, propensity-matched study of patients with high-risk endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and staging between January 1999 and June 2016 at two centers. High-risk endometrial cancer included grade 3 endometrioid, serous, clear cell, undifferentiated carcinoma or carcinosarcoma with any myometrial invasion. Patients were categorized a priori into two groups based on surgical approach, propensity scores were calculated based on potential confounders and groups were matched 1:1 using nearest neighbor technique. Cox hazard regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves evaluated the association of surgical technique with survival. Results Of 626 eligible patients, 263 (42%) underwent minimally invasive surgery and 363 (58%) underwent open surgery. In the matched cohort, there were no differences in disease-free survival rates at 5 years between open (53.4% [95% CI 45.6-60.5%]) and minimally invasive surgery (54.6% [95% CI 46.6-61.8]; P=.82). Minimally invasive surgery was not associated with worse disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.63-1.16; P=.30), overall survival (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.73-1.48, P=.81), or recurrence rate (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.69-1.44; P=.99) compared with open surgery. Use of uterine manipulator was not associated with worse disease-free survival (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.65-1.58, P=.96), overall survival (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.71-1.96, P=.53), or recurrence rate (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67-1.87; P=.66). Conclusion There was no difference in oncologic outcomes comparing minimally invasive and open surgery among patients with high-risk endometrial cancer.

The aims of the study were to compare the change in the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life (WISQOL) score in patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) single-use ureteroscope or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with a calculation of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). 158 patients treated with urinary stone disease were randomly divided into 80 patients in the validation and 78 patients in the intervention arm. Patients in the intervention arm were randomly divided into the RIRS or the ESWL group. Linguistic validation of the WISQOL into the Slovak language was performed using a standardised multistep process. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing stone-forming patients to an additional 34 healthy individuals. Patients were asked to fill in the WISQOL before and in the 24th week after the intervention. The QALYs were calculated by the formula QALY = weight factor (WF) x time period after intervention. The Cronbach’s α of the WISQOL was 0.94, the Pearson’s coefficient for test–retest reliability was 0.91, and the discriminant validity confirmed a higher score for healthy individuals (p

Symptomatic lymphoceles present the most common complication of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). No surgical technique has so far shown success in reducing the incidence rate, but several retrospective studies have shown the beneficial effect of the fixation of the peritoneum.To introduce a modification in the technique of fixing the peritoneum to the pubic bone and to confirm whether this intervention reduces the incidence of lymphoceles.A prospective randomized (1:1) single-center one-sided blind study was conducted in patients with localized prostate cancer (cT1-2cN0M0) indicated for RARP with ePLND operated between December 2019 and June 2021. In the intervention group, the free flap of the peritoneum was fixed to the pubic bone. In the control group, the peritoneal flap was left free without fixation.In the intervention group, the free flap of the peritoneum was fixed to the pubic bone (PerFix) so that lateral holes were left, allowing drainage of lymph from the pelvis into the abdominal cavity, where it would be resorbed. The iliac vessels and obturator fossa remained uncovered by the peritoneum and the bladder.The primary objective was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic lymphoceles during follow-up. The secondary endpoints were the radiological presence of lymphoceles on computed tomography of the pelvis carried out 6 wk after surgery, the volume of the lymphoceles, and the degree of severe (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) complications.Of the 260 randomized patients, 245 were evaluated in the final analysis-123 in the intervention and 122 in the control group. The median follow-up was 595 d. There were no differences between the groups regarding clinical and pathological variables. The median of 17 nodes removed was the same in both groups (p = 0.961). Symptomatic lymphoceles occurred in 17 patients (6.9%), while in the intervention group these were found in three (2.4%) versus 14 (11.5%) in the control group (p = 0.011). The number of radiologically detected asymptomatic lymphoceles did not differ (p = 0.095). There was no significant difference in lymphocele volume between the two groups (p = 0.118). The rate of serious complications (Clavien 3a and 3b) was 4.8% in the intervention group and 9.1% in the control group (p = 0.587). A multivariate logistic regression model of symptomatic lymphocele occurrence was created with significant factors: body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.03, 1.26], p = 0.012) and intervention (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = [1.28, 16.82], p = 0.02).Fixation of the peritoneum (PerFix) reduced the incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles in RARP with ePLND. We found no difference in the frequency of asymptomatic lymphocele development. The volume of the detected lymphoceles was similar.In this study, we compared the rate of development of postoperative complications using the peritoneal fixation technique with that of a nonfixation control group for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Fixation of the peritoneum should obviate the development of severe complications in the postoperative period.

The dipeptide carnosine is a physiologically important molecule in the human body, commonly found in skeletal muscle and brain tissue. Beta-alanine is a limiting precursor of carnosine and is among the most used sports supplements for improving athletic performance. However, carnosine, its metabolite N-acetylcarnosine, and the synthetic derivative zinc-L-carnosine have recently been gaining popularity as supplements in human medicine. These molecules have a wide range of effects—principally with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiglycation, anticarbonylation, calcium-regulatory, immunomodulatory and chelating properties. This review discusses results from recent studies focusing on the impact of this supplementation in several areas of human medicine. We queried PubMed, Web of Science, the National Library of Medicine and the Cochrane Library, employing a search strategy using database-specific keywords. Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.

Introduction/Background* Randomized trials have shown comparable oncologic outcomes between open versus minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer. Limited data is available specifically in patients with high-risk disease. The aim of this study was to compare disease-free survival, overall survival, and recurrence rates between minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer. Methodology This was a multicentric, propensity score matched study of patients with high-risk endometrial cancer who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and staging between January 1999 and June 2016 at two referral cancer centers. High-risk endometrial cancer included uterine grade 3 endometrioid, serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma or carcinosarcoma with any degree of myometrial invasion. Patients were categorized a priori into two groups based on the surgical approach, propensity scores were calculated based on potential confounders and then both groups were matched in a 1:1 fashion using the nearest neighbor technique. Cox hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate effect of surgical technique on survival. Result(s)* A total of 626 patients were eligible, of which 263 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery and 363 open surgery. The median age was 67 years (IQR 60-74), and the median body mass index was 30.5 kg/m2 (IQR 25.5-35.8). After matching, both groups had 185 matched pairs with comparable demographics and clinical characteristics. In the matched cohort, there were no differences in disease-free survival rates at 5-years between open surgery (53.4% [95%CI 45.6-60.5%]) and minimally invasive surgery (54.6% [95%CI 95% 46.6-61.8]; P=0.82). Minimally invasive surgery was not associated with worse disease-free survival (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.16; P=0.30), overall survival (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.48, P=0.81), or recurrence rate (HR 0.99; CI 95% 0.69-1.44; P=0.99) compared to open surgery. Use of uterine manipulator was not associated with worse disease-free survival (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.58, P=0.96), overall survival (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.96, P=0.53), or recurrence rate (HR,1.12; CI 95% 0.67 to1.87; P=0.66). Conclusion* There was no difference in oncologic outcomes when comparing minimally invasive and open surgery among high-risk endometrial cancer patients

Antenatal hydronephrosis, dilatation of the upper urinary tract (UUTD), is a common finding on prenatal ultrasound. One of the most common causes is ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Although such prenatally diagnosed UUTD resolves spontaneously in most newborns, further examination of these children is advocated to prevent possible irreversible kidney damage, and ultrasound is mainly used for this. If the dilatation persists or becomes symptomatic, it is necessary to proceed to other relatively demanding and invasive diagnostic examinations for these small patients, where the question of the right timing of indications for possible surgical solutions is still unclear. For this reason, various biomarkers have been investigated in a number of clinical trials as potential mini-invasive diagnostic tools for determining when upper urinary tract dilatation in such children poses a threat to the developing kidneys and they should be operated on, and vice versa, when to proceed conservatively. The aim of this article is to review the findings on and current issues with the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of UPJ obstruction in children.

Introduction Primary surgery is effective in low-risk endometrial cancer (EC). However, in young women, this approach compromises fertility. Therefore, fertility-sparing management in the case of atypical endometrial hyperplasia, or grade 1 EC limited to the endometrium can be considered. Evidence acquisition We performed a literature review to identify studies involving women with EC or atypical hyperplasia who underwent fertility-sparing management. We conducted multiple bibliographic databases research from their inception to May 2020. Evidence synthesis Oral therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate is recommended based on extensive experience, although without consensus on dosages and treatment length. The pooled complete response rate, recurrence rate, and pregnancy rate of EC were 76.3%, 30.7% and 52.1%, respectively. Endometrial hyperplasia was associated with better outcomes. LNG-IUSs appears an alternative treatment, particularly in patients who do not tolerate oral therapy. In a randomized controlled trial, megestrol acetate plus metformin guaranteed an earlier complete response rate than megestrol acetate alone for endometrial hyperplasia. Hysteroscopic resection followed by progestogens is associated with a higher complete response rate, live birth rate, and lower recurrence rate than oral progestogens alone. Pooled complete response, recurrence, and live birth rates were 98.1%, 4.8% and 52.6%. Conclusions Fertility preservation appears feasible in young patients with grade 1 EC limited to the endometrium or atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Progestins are the mainstay of such management. The addition of Metformin and hysteroscopic resection seems to provide some improvements. However, fertility preservation is not the standard approach for staging and treatment, potentially worsening oncologic outcomes.

The aims of the study were to compare the change in the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life (WISQOL) score in patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) single-use ureteroscope or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with a calculation of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). 158 patients treated with urinary stone disease were randomly divided into 80 patients in the validation and 78 patients in the intervention arm. Patients in the intervention arm were randomly divided into the RIRS or the ESWL group. Linguistic validation of the WISQOL into the Slovak language was performed using a standardised multistep process. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing stone-forming patients to an additional 34 healthy individuals. Patients were asked to fill in the WISQOL before and in the 24th week after the intervention. The QALYs were calculated by the formula QALY = weight factor (WF) x time period after intervention. The Cronbach's α of the WISQOL was 0.94, the Pearson's coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.91, and the discriminant validity confirmed a higher score for healthy individuals (p 0.001). The median WISQOL score changed from 45.5 to 95.5 vs. 33.9 to 87.1 in the RIRS and ESWL groups, respectively (p 0.001). Patients from the RIRS group had a good possibility of reaching 19.727 QALYs gained during life expectancy compared to 15.780 for the ESWL group (p 0.001). RIRS single-use ureteroscope is significantly superior to ESWL in reaching more QALYs gained during life expectancy. The WISQOL Slovak version is valid, reliable and strictly specific for stone-forming patients.

Context: Urinary incontinence is the most threatening complication after radical prostatectomy. This disorder has an important impact on the quality of life of patients and its treatment is a challenge for urologists as well. Objective: The objective of this article is to report our experience with the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS, AMI, Austria) for the treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence. Material and methods: A total of 35 men with post-prostatectomy incontinence were treated. Before and after device implantation, the number of pads used per day was counted, and a one-hour pad test, uroflowmetry and postmicturition residual volume were assessed. Prior to surgery, anastomosis stricture was either ruled out or treated. To evaluate the success rate, ‘cured’ was defined as no pad use or one safety pad, ‘improved’ was defined as one or two pads or reduction of pad usage by more than 50%, respectively. All data about efficacy and safety were collected from all 35 patients. Results: After a median (range) follow-up of 21.2 (3–63) months, the success rate was 32 out of 35 patients (91.5%) with 22 patients (62.9%) ‘cured’ and 10 patients (28.6%) ‘improved’. Recovery of continence was achieved in seven patients (20.0%). The remaining patients (80%) needed an adjustment. The mean (range) number of adjustments to reach desired results (continence, improvement or patient satisfaction) was 4.3 (1–15). The most common adverse event was transient perineal pain, which was reported in 14 (40%) patients and disappeared within two weeks. Temporary urine retention appeared in one patient (2.9%). There were three cases (8.6%) of wound infection at the site of a port leading to explantation of the port in two patients (5.7%) and the removal of the system in one patient (2.9%). Conclusion: Treatment of post-prostatectomy incontinence with the self-anchoring ATOMS is safe and effective.

Introduction Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS, malignant mixed Mullerian tumor) is rare but aggressive form of endometrial cancer according to metastatic potential. Standard treatment is primary surgery. Adjuvant therapy improves survival in advance disease but its benefit remains unclear in stage I (FIGO 2009). Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis to compare influence of no adjuvant treatment (No AT) ± postoperative vaginal brachytherapy (VBT), adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) ±VBT, adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) ±VBT, and adjuvant CT + EBRT±VBT on survival in patients with stage I UCS after primary surgery including at least hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and lymphadenectomy. Prospectively stated selection criteria, data collection and comprehensive search strategy was registered on PROSPERO. Investigators independently extracted data. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate risk ratios (RR). Results We included 14 retrospective observational studies with 1,090 UCS patients (figure 1). No AT±VBT was associated with higher mortality and recurrence compared to CT±VBT and compared to CT+EBRT±VBT; but no significant difference from EBRT±VBT. Both, CT±VBT and CT+ EBRT±VBT, had significantly lower mortality and recurrence compared to EBRT±VBT. There was higher mortality associated with CT±VBT compared to CT+EBRT±VBT. Heterogeneity was minimal in all analyses; however, none of these comparisons were randomized and the estimates were imprecise due to the small number of events (figure 2). Conclusion/Implications Adjuvant chemotherapy appears to be effective in controlling recurrences and reduce mortality in early stage UCS.

Objectives To determine the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of a pre-mixed depot formulation of leuprolide mesylate subcutaneous injectable suspension (LMIS) 50 mg for up to 1 year of treatment for subjects with advanced prostate cancer. Patients and methods In this open-label, multicenter study, prostate cancer patients with indication for androgen ablation therapy received two subcutaneous injection of LMIS 50 mg 6 months apart and were followed for an additional 6 months. Two efficacy primary end points were the percentage of subjects with a serum testosterone level ≤ 50 ng/dL by Day 28 as well as the percentage of subjects with similar testosterone suppression from Day 28 to Day 336. Results Of the 137 enrolled subjects, 15 (10.9%) subjects did not complete the study, including 5 subjects who terminated early due to an adverse event. By Day 28, 98.5% (95% confidence interval 94.8–99.8) of the subjects achieved a castrate testosterone level. At the end of the study, 97% and 95.9% of the subjects had serum testosterone level ≤ 50 ng/dL and ≤ 20 ng/dL, respectively. LMIS 50 mg significantly reduced serum prostate-specific antigen levels after its first injection and this PSA declination effect remained until the end of the study. No statistically significant change was observed in worsening bone pain or urinary symptom assessments during the study. Hot flush (48.9%) and hypertension (14.6%) were the two most common adverse events reported. Conclusions LMIS 50 mg, administered at 6-month intervals, effectively suppressed serum testosterone level, and demonstrated a consistent safety profile.

Background The advent of robotics has facilitated new surgical techniques for radical prostatectomy. These allow adjustment of pelvic anatomical and functional relationships after removal of the prostate to ameliorate postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) and reduce the time to complete continence. Objectives To describe the results of a new surgical technique for reconstruction of vesicourethral anastomosis using the levator ani muscle for support during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Design, setting, and participants A prospective, randomised, single-blind study among 66 consecutive patients with localised prostate cancer (cT1–2N0M0) undergoing RARP from June to September 2014, 32 using the new technique and 34 using the standard posterior reconstruction according to Rocco. Surgical procedure In the advanced reconstruction of vesicourethral support (ARVUS) intervention group, the fibres of the levator ani muscle, Denonvilliers fascia, retrotrigonal layer, and median dorsal raphe were used to form the dorsal support for the urethrovesical anastomosis. Suture of the arcus tendineus to the bladder neck served as the anterior fixation. Measurements We compared demographic data and preoperative and postoperative functional and oncologic results for the two groups. The primary endpoint was continence evaluated at different time points (24h, 2, 4, and 8 wk, and 6 and 12 mo). The secondary endpoints were perioperative and postoperative complications and erectile function. Results and limitations Using a continence definition of 0 pads/d, the continence rates for the ARVUS versus the control group were 21.9% versus 5.9% at 24h ( p =0.079), 43.8% versus 11.8% at 2 wk ( p =0.005), 62.5% versus 14.7% at 4 wk ( p p p =0.013), and 86.66% versus 61.29% at 12 mo ( p =0.04). International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire results at 6 and 12 mo after surgery showed similar potency rates for the control group (40.0% and 73.33%) and the ARVUS group (38.8% and 72.22%). There were four postoperative complications (2 in each group): three haematomas requiring transfusion and one lymphocele that needed drainage. No urinary retention, anastomosis leak, or perineal pain was observed. Limitations include the small sample size and the single-institution design. Conclusions The ARVUS technique yielded better urinary continence results than standard posterior reconstruction, with no negative impact on erectile function, complication rate, or oncologic outcome. External validation is warranted before clear recommendations can be made. Patient summary We showed that postprostatectomy incontinence can be assuaged using a new technique for vesicourethral anastomosis reconstruction during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). This could significantly improve the quality of life of patients after RARP. More studies are needed to support our results.

Most research on American cranberry in the prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI) has used juices. The spectrum of components in juice is limited. This study tested whether whole cranberry fruit powder (proanthocyanidin content 0.56%) could prevent recurrent UTI in 182 women with two or more UTI episodes in the last year. Participants were randomized to a cranberry (n = 89) or a placebo group (n = 93) and received daily 500 mg of cranberry for 6 months. The number of UTI diagnoses was counted. The intent-to-treat analyses showed that in the cranberry group, the UTIs were significantly fewer [10.8% vs. 25.8%, p = 0.04, with an age-standardized 12-month UTI history (p = 0.01)]. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the cranberry group experienced a longer time to first UTI than the placebo group (p = 0.04). Biochemical parameters were normal, and there was no significant difference in urinary phenolics between the groups at baseline or on day180. The results show that cranberry fruit powder (peel, seeds, pulp) may reduce the risk of symptomatic UTI in women with a history of recurrent UTIs.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia increase with age. To date, several medications are available to treat LUTS, including herbal remedies which offer less side effects but lack robust efficacy studies. This 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed at evaluating the dose effect of 250 or 500 mg cranberry powder (Flowens™) on LUTS and uroflowmetry in men over the age of 45. A total of 124 volunteers with PSA levels

e16003 Background: Technetium Tc99m trofolastat chloride is a novel small molecule SPECT radiotracer with high affinity binding to the external domain of prostate specific membrane antigen highly e...