Two-stage functional and aesthetic reconstructive surgery in melanoma in situ of the glans penis and urethra.

Melanoma in situ including glans penis and fossa navicularis is unique and represents a challenging dilemma since surgery should not be very aggressive. We present a case of melanoma in situ treated with a two-stage penile and urethral reconstructive surgery, with emphasis on functional and aesthetic results. At the first-stage surgery an anatomic glansectomy was perfomed, and combined preputial and full-thickness skin grafts were used to prepare the urethral plate and restore the aesthetic aspect of the corpora cavernosa. After 6 months, the distal urethra was repaired including the configuration of an orthotopic meatus and a neo-glans.

Renal trauma in adolescent skateboarders.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney is the most commonly injured organ of the genitourinary tract after trauma. Half of blunt renal injuries are caused by traffic accidents, but sport activities are also included as frequent causes. Skatebording is popular among young people but it deserves being considered a potential cause of severe injuries. A number of published medical reports mainly refer to bone, joint and head injuries but no cases have been reported on urologic or kidney trauma. METHODS: We present two cases of renal trauma in adolescent males occurred while doing skateboarding. RESULTS: The first patient had a grade 3 renal trauma with urinary extravasation, managed conservatively with ureteral stenting. The second patient had a grade 4 to 5 renal trauma with cardiovascular instability requiring an urgent nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We would emphasize these cases as an emergent urological warning. Scientific information and medical education should be addressed from physicians to a targeted population, in order to reduce among teens the incidence of injuries of such at-risk activity.

Renal trauma in adolescent skateboarders / Traumatismo renal en patinadores adolescentes

OBJECTIVE: Kidney is the most commonly injured organ of the genitourinary tract after trauma. Half of blunt renal injuries are caused by traffic accidents, but sport activities are also included as frequent causes. Skatebording is popular among young people but it deserves being considered a potential cause of severe injuries. A number of published medical reports mainly refer to bone, joint and head injuries but no cases have been reported on urologic or kidney trauma. METHODS: We present two cases of renal trauma in adolescent males occurred while doing skateboarding. RESULTS: The first patient had a grade 3 renal trauma with urinary extravasation, managed conservatively with ureteral stenting. The second patient had a grade 4 to 5 renal trauma with cardiovascular instability requiring an urgent nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We would emphasize these cases as an emergent urological warning. Scientific information and medical education should be addressed from physicians to a targeted population, in order to reduce among teens the incidence of injuries of such at-risk activity

OBJETIVO: El riñón es el órgano del tracto genitourinario que se lesiona con más frecuencia en los traumatismos. La mitad de las lesiones renales por traumatismos cerrados son consecuencia de los accidentes de tráfico, aunque las actividades deportivas también se incluyen cómo causas frecuentes. El monopatín es popular entre los jóvenes pero se merece estar entre las causas potenciales de lesiones graves. Algunas comunicaciones publicadas se refieren principalmente a lesiones óseas, articulares y de la cabeza pero no se han comunicado casos de traumatismos urológicos o renales. MÉTODOS: Presentamos dos casos de traumatismo renal en varones adolescentes ocurridos mientras montaban en monopatín. RESULTADOS: El primer paciente tenía un traumatismo renal grado 3 con extravasación de orina, fue manejado de forma conservadora con catéter ureteral. El segundo paciente tenía un traumatismo renal grado 4 o 5 con inestabilidad cardiovascular, requiriendo una nefrectomía de urgencias. CONCLUSIONES: Destacaríamos estos casos como una señal urológica emergente. La información científica y la educación médica deben ser transmitidas desde los médicos a una población diana, para reducir la incidencia de lesiones por dicha actividad de riesgo entre los adolescentes

Fast-track surgery and technical nuances to reduce complications after radical cystectomy and intestinal urinary diversion with the modified Indiana pouch.

OBJECTIVES: With the purpose to reduce the complications of radical cystectomy and intestinal urinary reconstruction a perioperative protocol based on fast-track surgery principles and technical modifications of the original surgical technique was applied to patient candidates for etherotopic bladder substitution. Our protocol included pre-, intra-, and postoperative interventions. The technical variations of the modified Indiana pouch technique were focused on intestinal anastomosis to restore bowel continuity, uretero-colonic anastomoses, and capacity of the reservoir. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: From 2003 to 2010, 68 consecutive patients participated in the study. Two patients died due to surgical complications (2.9%). Overall, 24 of 68 patients experienced complications (35.3%). Surgery was needed under general anaesthesia for seven patients (10.2%) and under local anaesthesia for four (5.9%). Medical complications were encountered in 13 of 68 patients (19.1%). According to Clavien grading, complications were grade 5 in two patients, grade 4 in two patients, grade 3b in five patients, grade 3a in four patients, grade 2 in nine patients, and grade 1b in two patients. A limitation of our series is that patients were recruited at a single urologic centre and were operated by a single surgeon. Findings need validation. CONCLUSIONS: Progress in the perioperative management of major surgery and technical refinements can contribute to reduced complications. In addition, the use of objective reporting tools will facilitate comparison of studies.

Prognostic significance of fluorescent in situ hybridisation in the follow-up of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the potential contribution of a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as prognostic indicator of the risk of recurrence or progression in patients undergoing follow-up for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 126 consecutive patients with a history of NMIBC being followed-up with urinary cytology and cystoscopy at a referral centre were studied. Patients with carcinoma in situ, or tumour stage higher than pT1 were excluded. A UroVysion FISH kit was used to detect four chromosomal abnormalities, specifically, locus 9p21, Ch 3, 7, and 17. Three FISH patterns were defined: negative; low-risk positive, i.e. positive staining for 9p21 and/or Ch3 abnormalities; and high-risk positive, i.e. positive staining for Ch7 and/or 17. RESULTS: Overall 73 out of 126 patients (57.9%) had a positive urinary FISH test. After a median time of 14 months, 46 FISH-positive patients underwent recurrence (36.5%) and in 15 patients there was progression of disease (11.9%). Among positive patients, the low-risk category was found in 34, and the high-risk in 39. Low-risk FISH-positive patients had a higher rate of recurrence as compared to FISH-negative patients, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.6. The recurrence rate was even greater in patients with a high-risk positive test, with an HR of 1.9. The limitation of the study was that the impact of intravesical treatment was not assessed. CONCLUSION: The urinary FISH test can be used as an aid in predicting the risk of recurrence during follow-up of patients with history of NMIBC.

Short-time ureteral catheterization after operative ureteroscopic lithotripsy: an alternative to stent versus no stent evaluated in a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Stent-less procedure following ureterolithotripsy needs a definition for patient selection and procedure criteria. To mediate stenting versus no stenting, a retrospective study was performed to evaluate the insertion of an ureteral open-tip catheter for 24 hours. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 2002 to 2006 255 ureterolithotripsy were performed (176 male - 79 female, mean age 51.5 y.o.). Stone was in the upper ureter in 101 cases, in the mid in 89 and the lower in 65. Patients were retrospectively separated into 3 groups: in Group A a stent was placed because of complicated lithotripsy and left for 15 days. In Group B an open-tip catheter was placed for 24 hours. In Group C no catheter was left. All patients were evaluated for symptoms as need of antalgic substances. RESULTS: In Group A 134 patients were stented. The mean stone dimensions were 8.7mm. Flank pain was reported in 52 patients (38%) on post-op 15 days, 77 patients (57.4%) referred lower urinary tract symptoms, 2 patients reported hematuria. In Group B 105 patients (41.1%) were stented with open-tip catheter. The mean stone dimension was 6.3 mm. Pain was referred in 43 patient (40.9%) after the catheter removal. In 12 cases (11.4%) hospital readmission was necessary due to pain. Group C was represented by 16 patients (6.27%). Mean stone dimension was 6mm. No postoperative pain was reported. A statistical difference (p < 0.005) is significative comparing the operative time for the stent vs open-tip group. CONCLUSIONS: No rules establish if it is correct to stent or to avoid this procedure, so trying to resolve the dilemma by inserting an open tip catheter for 24 hours seems a good response. The operating time is reduced for no stenting or positioning catheter vs stenting. To reduce immediate post-ureteroscopy complication placing an open-tip catheter for 24 hours seems to be a simple and cheap procedure.

The UroVysion F.I.S.H. test compared to standard cytology for surveillance of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential contribution of urinary fluorescent in situ hybridization in the prediction of the risk of recurrence and progression of men undergoing followup for NMIBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a history of NMIBC being followed with urinary cytology and cystoscopy were included in the study. Patients with Carcinoma in situ or tumour stage higher than pT1 were excluded from this analysis. F.I.S.H. Test consisted in the UroVysion kit, able to detect four chromosomal abnormalities, specifically, 9p21, Ch 3, 7 and 17. RESULTS: Of a total of 133 evaluable patients that constitute the subject of the present report 87 patients had a positive urinary F.I.S.H. At a median follow up time of 36 mos 58 patients underwent recurrence (43.6%). In this group 42 (72.6%) and 27 (46.6%) patients had a positive F.I.S.H. and UC, respectively (p = 0.005). A total of 17 patients (12.8%) underwent progression of stage or grade; of those with a positive F.I.S.H. Test and positive UC were 14 (82.4%) and 8 (47.1%), respectively (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: In patients with history of NMIBC, F.I.S.H. showed a statistically significantly greater capability that UC in identifying patients with recurrence and progression of disease.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of an early single intravesical instillation of gemcitabine after endoscopic resection of superficial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The tolerability and plasma absorption of gemcitabine administered at 40 mg/ml after small and extensive endoscopic transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURB) were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine patients with a history of recurrent superficial bladder cancer were eligible for a single immediate, post TURB, intravesical instillation of gemcitabine. The endoscopic resection was small in 5 patients and extensive in 4. The drug was administered at 40 mg/ml concentration (2000 mg in 50 ml saline) and held in the bladder for 1 hour. Plasma concentrations of gemcitabine and its metabolite (2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine) were determined with a validated HPLC assay. The blood count and chemistry were performed one day and one week postoperatively. RESULTS: Toxicity was comparable for patients who underwent small or large TURB. The most significant side-effects were grade 2 vomiting and a transient grade 2 leukopenia after small and large TURB respectively. Mean maximum gemcitabine concentrations were 1.47 microg/ml in small TURB and 2.8 microg/ml in large TURB. The highest peak concentration of 4.26 microg/ml was found after extended bladder resection. CONCLUSION: A single, immediate postoperative, intravesical instillation of gemcitabine at high concentration is feasible with acceptable toxicity, and it may be considered as an option taking into account patient performance status, tumor characteristics and TURB extension.

Short-schedule intravesical gemcitabine with ablative intent in recurrent Ta-T1, G1-G2, low- or intermediate-risk, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: to assess ablative efficacy and tolerability of short-schedule intravesical gemcitabine for intact, low- and intermediate-risk, recurrent superficial bladder tumours. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: to assess effect on prophylaxis. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of recurrence and a history of previous superficial, low- or intermediate-risk bladder tumours were selected for the study. They received 2000 mg gemcitabine in 50 ml, that is 40 mg/ml, intravesically, weekly for 4 wk, followed by resection of any residual lesions. Complete responses consisted of absence of any macroscopic, histologically confirmed, residual lesion, and no response in the presence of residual lesions. The effect on prophylaxis was measured in months as disease-free interval to first recurrence, and as percentage of patients recurring within the first 12 mo. Toxicity was assessed as local and systemic. RESULTS: Of 34 recruited patients, 28 consecutive patients were evaluable, with complete responses observed in 13 of 28 (46.4%) and no response in 15 (53.6%). Median time to first recurrence was 9.1 mo (range: 2.9-26.5) for 19 of 28 (67.8%) patients experiencing recurrence during the first year. Local or systemic toxicity was observed in 9 of 34 (26.4%) patients, resulting in protocol interruption in 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical gemcitabine alone showed ablative efficacy in nearly one half of the patients under study. Drug tolerability was good, both locally and systemically.

Cancer detection with TRUS-guided 10-core biopsy of the prostate. an institutional assessment at the first, repeated and surgical specimen biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively investigated the results of the 10-core scheme that our institute has adopted for three years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cancer detection rate in different sets of biopsies (first, second, third and surgical specimen biopsy). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer based on abnormal digital rectal examination, increase of PSA or hypoechoic lesion at transrectal ultrasound were subjected to a 10-core biopsy. Ten biopsies were taken following the traditional sextant technique and 4 more biopsies were obtained from the lateral peripheral zone. In addition, a group of 19 specimens of retropubic radical prostatectomy were biopsied immediately following surgery. RESULTS: Of 664 patients 247 (37.2%) were positive for prostate cancer at first biopsy. Eighty-one out of 664 patients were subjected to a second biopsy for persistent elevation or increasing of PSA, or in case of tumor associated histological findings such as high PIN and ASAP. The cancer detection rate in this group was 19.8% (16/81). Of the remaining 65 patients who were negative at second biopsy, 12 received a third biopsy for persistent clinical suspect of cancer, and 2 were positive (16.7%). In 19 surgical specimens, 14 biopsies were confirmed positive and 5 were negative (73.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The extended biopsy such as the 10-core scheme showed to be a reliable protocol, taking an adequate cancer detection rate either at first or repeated biopsy with no increase in morbidity.

Results and complications with the mini-laparotomic incision in 52 consecutive radical retropubic prostatectomies.

OBJECTIVES: We describe a simple mono-institutional study to prospectively assess the benefits and complications of the mini-laparotomic incision for radical retropubic prostatectomy with the anatomic approach. METHODS: Radical retropubic prostatectomy with the anatomical approach, as described by Walsh, was performed through a 4 to 8 cm incision. Median operative time, body weight, prostate weight, pathologic stage, incidence of positive surgical margins, urinary continence, the need for post-operative analgesics, peri-operative complications, are the parameters we assessed. Blood losses were calculated with the aid of a specific formula instead of simply recording the suction or weighing the sponges. RESULTS: 52 patients were consecutively operated on through a mini-laparotomic incision. Median incisional length was 8 cm (range 4 to 8 cm). Median operating time was 116 minutes (105-141), calculated blood loss was 1108.797ml, incidence of positive margins was 14%, urinary continence was observed in 48/50 patients (98%), and there was a complication rate of 4/52 (7.6%). CONCLUSION: The results we obtained with the mini-laparotomic incision are comparable to previous reports of the standard incision, also by our group, though with a lower need for postoperative analgesia. They also compare with laparoscopic prostatectomy in the length of time of catheterization and post-operative analgetic consumption.

Still a place for the classical systematic sextant technique? Cancer detection rates and complications in 1025 consecutive prostatic biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To verify if there might still be an indication to the sextant biopsy technique we reviewed the cancer detection rate obtained and the complications encountered during a five years interval, at our hospital. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2002 we have submitted to prostatic biopsy a total of 1025 consecutive patients with a clinical suspect of prostate cancer. A total of six cores were obtained in all the patients with an additional core at suspect lesions. RESULTS: Overall, prostate cancer was present in the biopsies of 444 of 1025 patients giving a detection rate of 43.3%. In patients with serum PSA levels between 4.1 and 10 ng/ml., 169 of 466 biopsies were positive, for a detection rate of 36.3%. An increase in percentage of positivity was observed with increasing decades of age. Overall complication rate was 1.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients older than 70 years, and with PSA levels higher than 10 ng/ml, the sextant technique may offer cancer detection rates comparable with techniques using an increased number of cores, and with lower complication rates.

Intravesical gemcitabine in recurrent superficial bladder carcinoma: preliminary results on ablative efficacy and tolerability.

BACKGROUND: The ablative potential and toxicity of gemcitabine, administered intravesically in low stage and grade superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with a history of recurrent Ta-T1, GI-G2 bladder TCC were considered eligible for the study. Gemcitabine was administered intravesically at 40 mg/mL concentration (2000 mg in 50 ml saline) in one weekly instillation for 4 consecutive weeks. Fifteen days after the last instillation, patients were submitted to transurethral resection (TUR). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 20 were evaluable for response, 6 patients being excluded due to toxicity. A complete response was achieved by 10 out of 20 patients (50%), whereas no response was documented in the remainder. Toxicity leading to treatment interruption was grade 3 in 1 patient and grade 2 in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Intravesical gemcitabine administered at 40 mg/mL showed the capability of ablating small volume, superficial TCC in 50% of the population under study, with acceptable tolerability.

Peri-operative management of ablative and reconstructive surgery for invasive bladder cancer in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for muscle invasive bladder cancer is a demanding surgical procedure usually followed by a variable period of inability. It might be even more delicate in the elderly. We describe our protocol of pre, intra, and post operative management aimed at minimising the impact of bladder cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were submitted to reduced pre-operative fasting (6-8 hours), no mechanical bowel preparation, and insertion of an epidural cannula. Intra-operative Intra-operatively the protocol included: combined anesthesia (general+epidural), controlled hypotension, correction of blood losses in excess of 10% of the estimated total blood volume, O2 supplementation and insertion of a je, junal cannula for nutrition. Post-operatively: early removal of naso-gastric tubing (2-6 hours), parenteral and enteral nutrition started ion POD1. RESULTS: The feasibility study was conducted on 18 patients, 14 males and 4 women, median age 70 years (range 55 to 82). Six patients belonged to category ASA II, and 12 to ASA III-IV. The protocol was completed by 10 patients and no completed by 8. The only step of the protocol that was not completed was the enteral nutrition that caused symptoms of bowel distension. Among the patients who completed the protocol the return of peristalsis and of normal bowel function were observed on POD 1, and POD 2, respectively, whereas, the recovery required one day more in the remaining patients. DISCUSSION: The protocol was feasible, and contributed to an accelerated recovery of intestinal function. Compliance to the protocol was independent from age. The study is ongoing for a more precise evaluation of the outcomes of the protocol.