Urorectal fistula repair using different approaches: operative results and quality of life issues

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate efficacy of urorectal fistula (URF) repair using different approaches and the clinical factor determinant of success, and also the morbidity associated to the procedure and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in male survivors of pelvic malignancies. Material and Methods: Retrospective evaluation of 39 patients with URF primarily intervened in three institutions using different surgical approaches. Success was defined as effective fistula closure. Variables evaluated included demographics, previous treatments, surgical approach, ancillary surgeries, complications and HRQoL by using a standardized non-validated specific questionnaire. Median follow-up from surgery to interview was 55 months (interquartile range 49, range 4-112). Factors determinant of success were investigated using logistic regression. Safety of the procedure was evaluated by Clavien-Dindo scale. Deterioration of continence and erectile function and other HRQoL issues were evaluated. Results: Prostate cancer treatment was the predominant etiology. The success rate for fistula repair was 89.5%. The surgical approach was not related to failed repair (p=0.35) or complications (p=0.29). Factors associated with failure were complications (p=0.025), radiotherapy (p=0.03), fistula location (p=0.04) and fistula size (p=0.007). Multivariate analysis revealed fistula size was the only independent determinant of failure (OR 6.904, 1.01-47.75). Complications occurred in 46.2% and severe complications in 12.8%. The mortality related to the procedure was 2.6%. Urinary incontinence was present before repair in 26.3% and erectile dysfunction in 89.5%. Fistula repair caused de novo urinary incontinence in 7.9% and deterioration of erectile status in 44.7%. Globally 79% were satisfied after repair and only 7.9% rated HRQoL as unhappy. Trans-sphincteric approach was related to less deterioration of erectile function (p=0.003), and higher perceived satisfaction in QoL (p=0.04). Conclusions: The surgical approach elected to correct URF is not determinant of success nor of complications. Fistula size appears as independent determinant for failure. Transsphincteric approach could be advantageous over other procedures regarding HRQoL issues.

Supervivencia del cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración en la práctica clínica y el papel del tratamiento / Survival of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Clinical Practice and the Role of Treatment

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar en un contexto de práctica clínica la ventaja de supervivencia para pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a castración (CPRC) tratado activamente con diversos tratamientos que incluyen acetato de abiraterona (AA) y prednisona con o sin docetaxel. Material y método: Se analiza la supervivencia de pacientes con CPRC y se compara un grupo tratado con AA y prednisona (n = 33) con un control histórico formado por pacientes consecutivos tratados una década antes en la misma institución exclusivamente con retirada de antiandrógeno y medidas paliativas (n = 31). Se analizan variables clínico-patológicas predictivas de pronóstico en la población activamente tratada. Se evalúa la respuesta global a AA y el intervalo libre de progresión radiológica. Resultados: La supervivencia cáncer específica a 2 años fue 79% para pacientes tratados activamente y 17,2% para control (log-rank, p < 0,0001). Cinco de 13 pacientes con AA post-docetaxel (38,5%) recibieron después de AA quimioterapia de segunda línea (4 cabazitaxel y 1 vinorelbina) y 1 (7,7%) hormonoterapia con enzalutamida. Tres de 20 pacientes tratados con AA sin quimioterapia (15%) recibieron enzalutamida y solo 1 (5%) fue tratado con docetaxel. Los pacientes de menor edad (<65años; p = 0,02) y sin metástasis al diagnóstico (p = 0,04) tuvieron mejor pronóstico. Aquellos de PSA más alto (>45ng/ml; p = 0,09) y patrón de Gleason 5 en la biopsia se comportaron de manera más desfavorable. Globalmente el 75,8% tuvieron respuesta a AA (80% pre- y 69,2% post-quimioterapia; p = 0,1) y el 52,4% estuvieron libre de progresión radiológica al año (47,9% pre y 49,8% post-quimioterapia; log-rank, p = 0,3). Conclusión: El tratamiento de pacientes con CPRC prolonga la expectativa de supervivencia en un entorno de práctica clínica y es posible identificar factores predictivos de pronóstico en estos pacientes.

Abstract Purpose: To assess, in a clinical practice context, the survival advantages of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) actively treated with several treatments that include abiraterone acetate (AA) and prednisone, with or without docetaxel. Material and Methods: An analysis was performed on patient survival with CRPC, and was compared to a group treated with AA and prednisone (n = 33), with a historical control treated exclusively with anti-androgen withdrawal and palliative measures (n = 31). In the population actively treated, variables predictive of prognosis were analysed, as well as an evaluation of the overall response to AA and radiographic progression-free survival. Results: Cancer-specific survival at 2 years was 79% for patients actively treated and 17.2% for control group (P<.0001). Five (38.5%) of 13 patients treated with AA post-docetaxel received second-line chemotherapy after AA (4 cabazitaxel, 1 vinorelbine), and one (7.7%) enzalutamide. Three (15%) of 20 patients treated with AA without chemotherapy received enzalutamide and 1(5%) docetaxel. The younger patients (<65yrs; P=.02) without metastases at diagnosis (P=.04) had better prognoses. Patients with higher PSA levels (>45 ng/ml; P=.09) and a Gleason pattern 5 in the biopsy had less favourable outcomes. There was a 75.8% over response to AA (80% preand 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 52.4% were radiographic progression-free at 1 year of treatment (47.9% pre- and 49.8% post-chemotherapy; P=.3). Conclusion: Treatment of CRPC patients extends survival expectations in a clinical practice setting and prognostic predictors can be identified in these patients.

Umbilical KeyPort bilateral laparoscopic orchiectomy in patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

MAIN FINDINGS: A 22-year-old woman with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) presenting with primary amenorrhea and normal female external genitalia was referred for laparoscopic gonadectomy. She had been diagnosed several years earlier but was reluctant to undergo surgery. CASE HYPOTHESIS: Diagnosis of this X-linked recessive inherited syndrome characterizes by disturbance of virilization in males with an AR mutation, XY karyotipe, female genitalia and severely undescended testis with risk of malignization. The optimal time to orchidectomy is not settled; neither the real risk of malignancy in these patients. Early surgery impacts development of a complete female phenotype, with enlargement of the breasts. Based on modern diagnostic imaging using DCE-MRI and surgical technology with single port laparoscopic access we hypothesize that the optimum time for gonadectomy is not at the time of diagnosis, but once feminization has completed. PROMISING FUTURE IMPLICATIONS: An umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site access for bilateral gonadectomy appears to be the first choice approach as leaves no visible incision and diminishes the psychological impact of surgery in a patient with CAIS absolutely reassured as female. KeyPort, a single port access with duo-rotate instruments developed by Richard Wolf facilitates this surgery and allows excellent cosmetic results.