Learning curve for radical retropubic prostatectomy

PURPOSE: The learning curve is a period in which the surgical procedure is performed with difficulty and slowness, leading to a higher risk of complications and reduced effectiveness due the surgeon's inexperience. We sought to analyze the residents' learning curve for open radical prostatectomy (RP) in a training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study from June 2006 to January 2008 in the academic environment of the University of São Paulo. Five residents operated on 184 patients during a four-month rotation in the urologic oncology division, mentored by the same physician assistants. We performed sequential analyses according to the number of surgeries, as follows: = 10, 11 to 19, 20 to 28, and = 29. RESULTS: The residents performed an average of 37 RP each. The average psa was 9.3 ng/mL and clinical stage T1c in 71 percent of the patients. The pathological stage was pT2 (73 percent), pT3 (23 percent), pT4 (4 percent), and 46 percent of the patients had a Gleason score 7 or higher. In all surgeries, the average operative time and estimated blood loss was 140 minutes and 488 mL. Overall, 7.2 percent of patients required blood transfusion, and 23 percent had positive surgical margins. CONCLUSION: During the initial RP learning curve, we found a significant reduction in the operative time; blood transfusion during the procedures and positive surgical margin rate were stable in our series.

Contribuições à técnica cirúrgica em transplante renal: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo / Contributions to the surgical tecniques of kidney transplantation: Clinic Hospital of São Paulo University School of Medicine

Não é infreqüente ouvir que, em transplante renal, inovações de impacto no âmbito cirúrgico já não são mais prováveis. No entanto, soluções de alto impacto econômico ainda surgem com freqüência e muitas delas têm surgido no Brasil, contribuindo significativamente para a mudança de conduta cirúrgica em transplante renal a nível mundial. A técnica cirúrgica do transplante renal propriamente dita está bem estabelecida há anos, sendo muito parecida entre os diversos serviços de transplante. Já no que se refere ao tratamento cirúrgico das complicações do transplante e dos pacientes com doenças associadas à insuficiência renal crônica dialítica (IRCD), observamos considerável controvérsia e variação nas condutas. Este estudo pretende oferecer um panorama sobre as técnicas cirúrgicas utilizadas no transplante renal, as complicações decorrentes deste procedimento e os resultados obtidos pelo Serviço de Transplante Renal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo...

Is not rare to hear that, on kidney transplantation, improvements on surgical aspects are not probable anymore. Although, solutions with high economical impact arises frequently and, many of them, in Brazil, contributing, significantly, for changes on surgical conduct on kidney transplantation worldwide. The surgical techniques for kidney transplantation are well established and do not change between the groups of transplants. Although, the surgical treatment of complicated outcomes and of patients with diseases related to chronic renal failure is still controversial. This study aims to offer a general overview about the surgical techniques of kidney transplantation, complications inherent to this procedure and the results obtained by the Kidney Transplantation Team of Clinic Hospital of São Paulo University Medical School.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable testis

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of the cryptorchid testicle is justified due to the increased risk of infertility and malignancy as well as the risk of testicular trauma and psychological stigma on patients and their parents. Approximately 20 percent of cryptorchid testicles are nonpalpable. In these cases, the videolaparoscopic technique is a useful alternative method for diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present data concerning 90 patients submitted to diagnostic laparoscopy for impalpable testicles. Forty-six patients (51.1 percent) had intra-abdominal gonads. In 25 testicles of 19 patients, we performed a two stage laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. The other 27 patients underwent primary laparoscopic orchiopexy, in a total of 29 testicles. RESULTS: We obtained an overall 88 percent success rate with the 2 stage Fowler-Stephens approach and only 33 percent rate success using one stage Fowler-Stephens surgery with primary vascular ligature. There was no intraoperative complication in our group of patients. In the laparoscopic procedures, the cosmetic aspect is remarkably more favorable as compared to open surgeries. Hospital stay and convalescence were brief. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric age group, the laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible. Furthermore, the laparoscopic orchiopexy presents excellent results in terms of diagnosis and therapy of the impalpable testis, which is why this technique has been routinely incorporated in our Department.