Propensity score matched survival analysis of octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: chemoradiation compared to radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy (RC) is an effective curative treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, chemoradiation (CRT) is an evolving bladder preservation protocol alternative to RC. With the increase in life expectancy, it is essential to understand the survival outcomes among octogenarians treated with RC and CRT. In this study, we use the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to compare the survival outcomes between RC and CRT in octogenarians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected the data of patients treated for bladder cancer between 2004 to 2018 from the NCDB. Our primary analytic cohort included patients with MIBC (cT2-T4N0M0). We identified the octogenarians and categorized them into RC and CRT arms. The RC arm included those who received RC. The CRT arm included those who received chemotherapy within 90 days of curative radiation therapy. After 1:1 propensity score matching, overall survival (OS) outcomes were compared between both arms. RESULTS: Among the octogenarians, the median OS for patients treated with RC was 26.1 months (95% CI, 23.9-28.2), and CRT was 28.7 months (95% CI, 26.8-30.6). Our covariate analyses showed that academic institutions performed more RC (49% RC and 29.7% CRT) and community programs served more CRT (45.7% CRT and 24.2% RC). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the mortality risk increased as the Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score and T stage increased. CONCLUSION: Octogenarians treated with RC and CRT had similar OS. As life expectancy increases, it is essential to individualize the treatment strategy based on risk assessment and its potential benefits.

Extramural venous invasion: a novel magnetic resonance imaging biomarker for adverse pathology in bladder cancer.

Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) recognized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an unequivocal biomarker for detecting adverse outcomes in rectal cancer: however it has not yet been explored in the area of bladder cancer. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of identifying EMVI findings on MRI in patients with bladder cancer and its avail in identifying adverse pathology. In this single-institution retrospective study, the MRI findings inclusive of EMVI was described in patients with bladder cancer that had available imaging between January 2018 and June 2020. Patient demographic and clinical information were retrieved from our electronic medical records system. Histopathologic features frequently associated with poor outcomes including lymphovascular invasion (LVI), variant histology, muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and extravesical disease (EV) were compared to MRI-EMVI. A total of 38 patients were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 73 years (range 50-101), 76% were male and 23% were females. EMVI was identified in 23 (62%) patients. There was a significant association between EMVI and MIBC (OR = 5.30, CI = 1.11-25.36; P = 0.036), and extravesical disease (OR = 17.77, CI = 2.37-133; P = 0.005). We found a higher probability of presence of LVI and histologic variant in patients with EMVI. EMVI had a sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 90%, 73%, 94% and 63% respectively in detecting extravesical disease. Our study suggests, EMVI may be a useful biomarker in bladder cancer imaging, is associated with adverse pathology, and could be potentially integrated in the standard of care with regards to MRI reporting systems. A larger study sample size is further warranted to assess feasibility and applicability.

Surgeon administered transversus abdominis plane block: anatomic principles and technique.

The Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block is a regional abdominal wall block that has been effectively used as an adjunct to alleviate postoperative pain. The ultrasound-guided TAP (USTAP) administered by anesthesiologists is the gold standard and has been effective for surgeries involving abdominal wall incisions. Recently, the TAP block has been administered by surgeons with the help of direct visualization during minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon-administered or laparoscopic-guided TAP block has been compared to the USTAP with no discernible difference in patient outcomes. Also, directly visualizing the injection in the surgeon-administered block can offset complications such as visceral injury and block failure (injectate in the wrong plane). This review explores the literature's surgeon-administered TAP blocks for minimally invasive surgery in the literature. In addition, the prerequisite anatomy of the anterolateral abdominal wall, various approaches, and other factors that influence the efficacy of the block are described to increase awareness of this analgesic tool among surgeons and achieve better postoperative pain management.

Natural history, and impact of surgery and radiation on survival outcomes of men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer at ≤ 55 years of age: a 25-year follow-up of > 60,000 men.

PURPOSE: Low-grade prostate cancer has low mortality rates at 10 years; however, it is unclear if the response is sustained for up to 25 years of follow-up. METHODS: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, the overall and cancer-specific mortality rates were compared among men ≤ 55 years of age diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer that either had radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, or no known treatment. RESULTS: Of the 62,772 men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer between 1975 and 2016, about 60%, 20% and 20% of men underwent radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and no known treatment, respectively. At a median follow-up of 10 years, almost 2% and 7% of men died of prostate cancer and other causes, respectively. The overall mortality was significantly better in radical prostatectomy group compared to no known treatment group (HR 1.99, CI 1.84-2.15, P value < 0.001), but not between the radiotherapy and no known treatment groups. Moreover, the overall and cancer-specific mortality rates in the radiotherapy group were almost two and three times compared to the radical prostatectomy group, respectively (HR 2.15, CI 2.01-2.29, P value < 0.001 for overall mortality and HR 2.87, CI 2.5-3.29, P value < 0.001 for cancer-specific mortality). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms low mortality rates in men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer for over 25 years' follow-up. While radical prostatectomy improves survival significantly compared to no known treatment, radiotherapy is associated with an increase in overall and cancer-specific mortality, which may be related to long-term toxicities.

Pathology grade influences competing mortality risks in elderly men with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines recommend active management of prostate cancer (CaP), especially high-risk disease, in elderly men. However, descriptive data from a large cohort with extended follow up on the risk of death from CaP in men diagnosed over 70 years of age and its relationship to Gleason score (GS) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level is lacking. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we evaluated the influence of GS and serum PSA levels on the risks of mortality from PC (PCM) and mortality from other causes in localized (LPC) and metastatic (MPC) disease in elderly population. METHODS: Men diagnosed with PC over 70 years of age between 2004 and 2016 were divided into LPC and MPC groups, categorized by age: 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and ≥90 years and stratified by GS <7, 7, and >7, and serum PSA level <4, 4-10, 10-20, 20-50, and >50 ng/mL. Competing risk estimates for PCM and mortality from other causes were generated for both groups. RESULTS: Of the 85,649 men, 85.5 % were LPC at diagnosis. Overall, at a median follow up of 4 years, 15% of the men had died including a third from PC. While <15% of men with GS ≤7 died from PC, the PCM was >30% in men with GS >7 in LPC group, which accounted for almost half of total deaths for age 70-84 years. The GS >7 was also significantly associated with PCM in men with MPC. Furthermore, PCM directly correlated with serum PSA levels, with mortality rates reaching up to 50% and 70% for PSA >50 ng/dl for LPC and MPC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial risk of dying in men diagnosed with LPC over 70 years of age with GS >7 or a serum PSA >20 ng/mL. Furthermore, the risk for death for MPC directly correlated with GS with PCM increasing from 10%-30% for GS ≤7 to >50% for GS >7. The data, in conjunction with other clinical parameters such as comorbidities could be used to counsel elderly men on management options of PC for both localized and metastatic PC.

An Indirect Comparison of Newer Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Network Meta-Analysis Model.

Objective: This study was designed to provide an indirect comparison of the urinary and sexual domain outcomes and complications after newer minimally invasive surgical therapy (MIST) of Aquablation, Rezum, and UroLift for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Methods: We searched Embase, Medline, and Cochrane in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, in December 2019. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported outcomes after treatment of BPH for prostate less than 80 g with Aquablation, Rezum, or UroLift were included in the analysis. Results: A total of four RCTs reporting the outcomes after treatment with newer MIST for BPH were identified. Patients undergoing the resective procedures, that is, TURP and Aquablation, had greater improvement in urinary domain outcomes: International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, peak flow rate, and postvoiding residual compared to patients undergoing nonresective procedures: UroLift and Rezum. Patients in UroLift group maintained a higher sexual function domain score compared to TURP, but not Aquablation. Our multiple comparison analysis did not reveal a significant difference in urinary and sexual domain scores between patients undergoing UroLift and Rezum at 24 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Aquablation and TURP necessitate general or regional anesthesia and both produced significantly better urinary domain scores compared to Rezum and UroLift. On the other hand, UroLift demonstrated better sexual function domain scores compared to TURP, but not Aquablation. There was no significant difference in urinary domain scores between UroLift and Rezum at 24 months of follow-up.

Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal urinary diversion following robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis, cumulative analysis, and systematic review.

Over the last decade, the increased utilization of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) in the surgical treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer has led to an uptrend in intracorporeal urinary diversions (ICUD). However, the operative results comparing ICUD to extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) have varied widely. We performed a meta-analysis to analyze perioperative outcomes and complications of ICUD compared to ECUD following RARC. This study is registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42020164074. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases in August 2019. A total of six studies comparing ICUD vs ECUD were identified and meta-analysis was conducted on these studies. In addition, a cumulative analysis was also performed on 83 studies that reported perioperative outcomes after RARC and ICUD or ECUD. The Weighed Mean Difference of operative time and blood loss between ICUD and ECUD group was (16; 95% confidence interval - 34 to 66) and (- 86; 95% confidence interval - 124 to - 48), respectively. ICUD and ECUD had comparable early (30-day) and mid-term (30-90-day) complication rate (RR 1.19; 95% confidence interval 0.71-2.0; p = 0.5) and (RR 0.91; 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.15 p = 0.4) respectively. In the 83 studies that were included in the cumulative analysis, the mean operative time for ileal conduit and neobladders by ICUD were 307 and 428 min, respectively, compared to ECUD 428 and 426 min, respectively. ICUD and ECUD have comparable short- and mid-term complication rate. The ICUD group has lower blood loss and lower rate of blood transfusion compared to ECUD.

Comparative efficacy of apalutamide darolutamide and enzalutamide for treatment of non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Studies using apalutamide, enzalutamide, or darolutamide have shown improved metastasis free survival (MFS) rates, leaving clinicians with a dilemma of choosing one over the other, for nonmetastatic castration recurrent prostate cancer (nmCRPC). We performed a network meta-analysis to provide an indirect comparison of oncologic outcomes and adverse events (AEs) of these medications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases, for studies reporting apalutamide, enzalutamide, or darolutamide until January 25, 2020. Results were input into an EndNote library, and data were extracted into a predefined template. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as radiologic progression or death. Network meta-analysis was done using R and meta-analysis was performed with RevMan v. 5. Surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) value was used to provide rank probabilities. RESULTS: We found 3 studies reporting results for apalutamide, enzalutamide, and darolutamide. MFS was significantly lower in patients receiving darolutamide compared to both apalutamide (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-0.97) and enzalutamide (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54-0.93). MFS was similar for enzalutamide and apalutamide (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.73-1.28). In PFS, apalutamide showed a slightly higher rate compared to darolutamide (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.99). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) between any of the medications. There was no statistically significant difference in AEs profile of the 3 medications. However, darolutamide had the highest SUCRA value and probability of being the most preferred medication based on AEs profile. CONCLUSION: Enzalutamide and apalutamide had similar and higher MFS rate in indirect comparison with darolutamide. In cases where AEs are concerning, darolutamide might be the preferred agent.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Methods Used to Reduce Infectious Complications Following Transrectal Prostate Biopsy.

We reviewed and analyzed the most effective methods to reduce infectious complications (IC) after transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB). We included only prospective randomized-controlled trials in the analysis. The analysis neither demonstrated any superiority of fluoroquinolones over other antibiotic classes nor of targeted antibiotics over empiric regimens in men undergoing TRPB. However, longer course antibiotics (3 days or more) compared to single dose or day regimens, combination of fluoroquinolones with aminoglycosides compared to fluoroquinolones alone and povidone-iodine rectal cleansing compared to control significantly reduced IC following TRPB. A combination of addition of aminoglycosides to oral antibiotics for 3 days along with povidone-iodine rectal cleansing may be an optimum strategy to minimize the risk of IC after TRPB.

Combination Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Randomized clinical trials have shown combination therapy to be superior in progression-free survival (PFS) rates when compared with sunitinib alone. However, there have been no direct comparisons among the combination strategies making it unclear as to which may be the preferred option. We performed a network meta-analysis of the combination therapy (immune checkpoint inhibitor plus axitinib or bevacizumab) used in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and provided a rank order preference based on PFS, and adverse events (AEs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search on the treatment of mRCC using combination therapy till July 2019 was done. Studies reporting on combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitor plus axitinib or bevacizumab for mRCC were selected. Frequentist method was used for rank order generation. RESULTS: A total of 3 studies consisting of 2672 patients were selected. All combination therapies demonstrated improved PFS when compared with sunitinib alone. The rank order for PFS showed combination of pembrolizumab plus axitinib had the highest probability of favorability followed by avelumab plus axitinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (surface under the cumulative ranking 0.9, 0.7, and 0.4, respectively). For AEs, pembrolizumab plus axitinib had the least AEs ≥grade 3, followed by avelumab plus axitinib and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (surface under the cumulative ranking 0, 0.5, 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: This network meta-analysis demonstrates that combination of pembrolizumab plus axitinib may be the preferred option based on efficacy and side effect profile compared with avelumab plus axitinib or atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. However, all the 3 combination strategies were superior to sunitinib alone in improving PFS in patients with mRCC.

Can we predict who will need lymphocele drainage following robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP)?

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) can cause lymphoceles. Lymphocele formation following PLND can reach up to 60% and are symptomatic in 0.4 to 16% of patients. The aim of the study was to identify factors that are significantly associated with lymphocele drainage. We retrospectively analysed all men that underwent RALP between April 2010 and November 2018 from our prospectively collected IRB approved database. All patients who developed lymphoceles were grouped into two groups, the ones who were drained and those not drained. Chi-square test was used to perform univariate analysis for categorical variables and student's t test for continuous variables. Odds ratio was calculated using logistic multiple regression analysis. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. The size of the lymphocele, the number of nodes retrieved, and BMI were significant factors that led to the drainage of lymphocele. The patients with lymphoceles larger than 10 cm had an odds ratio of 47.5 and those between 5 and 10 had an odds ratio of 10.7. The odds ratio of drainage in patients with BMI above 30 was 2.1. The odds of drainage were 8.8 when more than 10 nodes were taken. After PLND ultrasound could be effective in early identification of patients who could potentially need drainage. Early elective drainage should be offered to patients who have more than 10 lymph nodes removed with a lymphocele size more than 10 cm in size and BMI above 30.

Comparison of outcomes of salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for post-primary radiation vs focal therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) outcomes in patients who underwent radiation and those who underwent focal ablation as primary therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 126 patients who underwent salvage RALPbetween 2008 and 2018. Of these, 94 (74.6%) received radiation and 32 focal ablation (25.4%) as primary therapy. These groups were compared with regard to clinical, oncological and functional outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves and regression models were used to identify survival estimations and their predictors. RESULTS: Before surgery, more patients were potent in the focal ablation group compared to the radiation group (46.9% vs 22.6%; P = 0.013). Peri-operative characteristics and complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Postoperative catheterization duration was shorter in the focal ablation group (mean 10 vs 16 days; P = 0.018). At final pathology, the focal ablation group had higher non-organ-confined disease (71% vs 50%; P = 0.042) and positive surgical margin (PSM) rates (43.8% vs 17%; P = 0.004) as compared to the radiation group; however, 5-year biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival rates were similar (59% vs 56%; P = 0.761). Postoperative 1-year full (no pads/day) and social (0-1 pad/day) continence rates were significantly higher in the focal ablation as compared to the radiation group (77.3% vs 39.2%, P = 0.002, and 87.5% vs 51.3%, P = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed primary focal ablation and nerve-sparing to be predictors of postoperative continence. Erectile function was preserved in 13% and 27% of preoperatively potent patients in the radiation and focal ablation groups, respectively (P = 0.435). No predictors were identified for postoperative potency. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation was associated with inferior functional outcomes after salvage RALP. Focal therapies were associated with higher non-organ-confined disease and PSMrates, with no significant difference in short-term BCR-free survival.

Changing clinical trends in 10 000 robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy patients and impact of the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force's statement against PSA screening.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical trend changes in our robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) practice and to investigate the effect of 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statement against PSA screening on these trends. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 10 000 RALPs performed by a single surgeon between 2002 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Time trends in successive 1000 cases for clinical, surgical and pathological characteristics were analysed with linear and logistic regression. Time-trend changes before and after the USPSTF's statement were compared using a logistic regression model and likelihood-ratio test. RESULTS: Unfavourable cancer characteristics rate, including D'Amico high risk, pathological non-organ-confined disease and Gleason score ≥4+4 increased from 11.5% to 23.3%, 14% to 42.5%, and 7.7% to 20.9%, respectively, over time (all P < 0.001). Significant time-trend changes were detected after the USPSTF's statement with an increase in the positive trend of Gleason ≥4+4 and increase in the negative trends of Gleason ≤3+4 tumours. There was a significant negative trend in the rate of full nerve-sparing (NS) with a decrease from 59.3% to 35.7%, and a significant positive trend in partial NS with an increase from 15.8% to 62.5% over time (both P < 0.001). The time-trend slope in 'high-grade' partial NS significantly decreased and 'low-grade' partial NS significantly increased after the USPSTF's statement. The overall positive surgical margin rate increased from 14.6% to 20.3% in the first vs last 1000 cases (P < 0.001), with a significant positive slope after the USPSTF's statement. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of high-risk patients increased in our series over time with a significant impact of the USPSTF's statement on pathological time trends. This stage migration resulted in decreased utilisation of high-quality NS and increased performance of poor-quality NS.

Safety of Live Robotic Surgery: Results from a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: Live surgery events (LSEs) have become one of the most attended activities at surgical meetings and provide a unique opportunity for the audience to observe the decision-making process used by skilled and experienced surgeons in real time. However, there is an ongoing discussion on whether patients treated during LSE are at higher risk of complications. OBJECTIVE: To examine LSE outcomes for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and establish patient safety and efficacy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From January 2008 to April 2016, >9000 patients underwent RARP at our institution, performed by a single surgeon. From this group, 36 patients underwent live RARP surgery (LS group) transmitted via video link from our institution to an external congress. A control group was obtained from our database to compare outcomes between the LS group and patients undergoing RARP under regular circumstances. The data were prospectively collected in a customized database and retrospectively analyzed. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent RARP performed by a single surgeon at our institution. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Postoperative outcomes were compared between the LS (n=36) and the control (n=108) groups using Student's t test and analysis of variance for continuous variables, and a two-tailed Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics (age, body mass index, comorbidities, preoperative Gleason score, Sexual Health Inventory for Men score and American Urological Association symptom score) between the groups. The median console time was shorter for the LS group (73min, interquartile range [IQR] 70-79) than for the control group (78min, IQR 75-87; p=0.0371). No major complications were reported in either group, and only four minor complications were observed in the control group (p=0.2415). After median follow-up of 31 mo (IQR 18-50), only one patient (2.77%) in the LS group experienced biochemical recurrence, compared to four (3.71%) in the control group (p=0.7927). There was no significant difference in continence rates between the LS and control groups (97.22% vs 93.52%; p=0.7768). No differences in potency rate were evident by the end of the follow-up period (LS 69.44%, control group 70.37%; p=0.8432). The retrospective nature, the lack of randomization, and the single-institution experience are limitations of the study. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of live transmitted RARPs, perioperative results (oncological and functional outcomes and complications) were similar to those found in daily practice. After careful patient selection, LSEs are safe with minimal patient morbidity in the hands of an experienced surgeon working with a familiar surgical team. Further evaluation of the results from other surgeons at other centers is necessary. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated the safety of surgeries broadcast live from our institution. We found that outcomes were similar to those for patients undergoing surgery under regular circumstances in terms of the rate of complications and oncological and functional outcomes. We conclude that live transmitted surgery is safe in well-selected patients in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Nerve-sparing in salvage robot-assisted prostatectomy: surgical technique, oncological and functional outcomes at a single high-volume institution.

OBJECTIVE: To show the feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes of neurovascular bundle (NVB) preservation during salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis, between January 2008 and March 2016, 80 patients underwent salvage RARP, performed by a single surgeon (V.P), because of local recurrence after primary treatment. These patients were categorized into two groups depending on the degree of nerve-sparing (NS) performed: a good-NS group (≥50% of NVB preservation) and a poor-NS group (<50% of NVB preservation). A standard transperitoneal six-port technique, using the DaVinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), was performed, and either an anterograde or a retrograde approach was used for NVB preservation. Validated questionnaires were used preoperatively (Sexual Health Inventory for Men [SHIM] and American Urological Association scores). Potency after salvage RARP was defined as the ability to achieve a successful erection with penetration >50% of the time, while full continence after salvage RARPwas defined as 0 pads used. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival and predictive estimations, and regression models were used to identify the predictors of potency, continence and biochemical failure (BCF). RESULTS: The potency rate at 12 months was higher in the good-NS group (25.6% vs 4.3%; P = 0.036) regardless of previous SHIM score, and good NS tended to be predictive of potency after salvage RARP (P = 0.065). The full continence rate at 12 months and BCF rate were similar in the two groups, and non-radiation primary treatment was the only predictor of continence at 12 months after salvage RARP (P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the feasibility and safety of NVB preservation for salvage RARP conducted in select patients in a high-volume institution and the subsequent better recovery of adequate erections for intercourse.

Use of Scaffolding Tissue Biografts To Bolster Vesicourethral Anastomosis During Salvage Robot-assisted Prostatectomy Reduces Leak Rates and Catheter Times.

BACKGROUND: One of the key factors contributing to morbidity associated with salvage radical prostatectomy is a significant vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) disruption or postoperative tissue dehiscence in the region of the distal bladder neck that causes a large prolonged urinary leak, perineal pain, and delayed catheter removal. OBJECTIVE: To describe our surgical technique using a urinary bladder extracellular matrix (UB-ECM) scaffold incorporated into the base of the VUA and the distal bladder neck during salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) and to assess outcomes and safety. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From March to July 2015, 15 patients underwent sRARP performed after primary therapy failure by a single surgeon. Two other groups were identified via analysis of propensity score matching. Group 2 (n=45) underwent sRARP with standard suturing without use of the graft. Group 3 (control group; n=45) underwent primary RARP with no graft placement. These two groups were compared group 1 (n=15), in which patients underwent sRARP and received the scaffold in a 1:3:3 match. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: sRARP with use of a UB-ECM scaffold in the posterior aspect of the VUA and distal bladder neck. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Clinical data were prospectively collected in a customized database and retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of variance and Student's t-test were used to test the equality of means for continuous variables, while the χ2 test was used to test categorical variables. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: There were no anastomotic leaks in the control group, with an average catheter time of 6.3 d (5-7 d). However, a clinically significant VUA/bladder neck disruption was observed in 16 patients (35.5%) in group 2, with a median catheterization time of 17.4 d (9-47 d), while in group 1 only one patient (6.66%) had a significant anastomotic leak on cystography (p=0.045), with median catheterization time of 11.2 d (10-52 d) for this group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of a UB-ECM scaffold into the base of the VUA and distal bladder neck should be considered as an option to decrease morbidity associated with sRARP since it decreased the rate of VUA disruption, enhanced healing, and reduced catheterization time. This technique could be a valuable tool for all surgeons performing sRARP. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated the use of a scaffolding tissue graft when connecting the urethra to the bladder during salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. This technique was found to be effective and safe.

Can dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane accelerate the return to potency after a nerve-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy? Propensity score-matched analysis.

The objective of this study is to determine if the use of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) allograft wrapped around the NVB during a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) accelerates the return to potency. 940 patients with preoperative SHIM >20 underwent RARP with some degree of bilateral NS. Of these, 235 patients underwent RARP, with bilateral placement of dHACM graft around the NVBs. They were matched in a 1:3 proportion with a similar group of patients (n = 705) who did not receive the allograft (control group or group 2). Minimum follow-up was 12 months. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed between propensity-matched dHACM graft (group 1) and non-graft groups (group 2). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared across techniques using the log-rank test. There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups. Potency was defined as the ability to achieve and maintain satisfactory erections firm enough for sexual intercourse, with or without the use of PDE-5 inhibitors. The mean time to potency was significantly lower in group 1 (2.37 months) versus group 2 (3.94 months) (p < 0.0001). The potency recovery rates were superior for group 1 at all early time points measured except at 12 months. The time to potency was significantly shorter in the dHACM group with full NS, 2.19 ± 1.84 versus 2.78 ± 2.70 mo. in the non-dHACM with full NS (p = 0.029). In the dHACM group with partial NS, the mean time to potency was 3.05 ± 2.32 versus 3.92 ± 3.42 mo. in the non-dHACM with partial NS (p = 0.021). Patients who received the dHACM wrap around the NVB after RARP accelerates the return to potency when compared to a similar control group without the use of the allograft. We also demonstrated that this faster return to potency occurs regardless of the degree of the NS preservation. Younger patients (<55 years of age) had the highest overall advantage if they received the graft. Our results indicate that dHACM placement at the site of the prostatic NVB does not increase the risk of BCR after RARP, neither in the presence of PSM, extra-prostatic disease (≥pT3) nor high Gleason score (Gleason ≥8).