Does using a laser improve outcomes of conventional circumcision in adult and children populations? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Male circumcision is a well-known old surgery, and several recently developed techniques have been scaled up, including the introduction of laser technology, as alternative approaches to overcome morbidity of conventional surgery scalpel/suture method OBJECTIVES: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing laser circumcision versus conventional circumcision technique in terms of perioperative outcomes and efficacy (complications, unacceptable appearance, reoperation rate) both in children and adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review was performed following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. Continuous variables were analyzed using the inverse variance of the mean difference with a random effect, 95% confidence interval (CI), and p-value. The incidence of complications, unacceptable appearance, and reoperation rate were pooled using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Method with the random effect model and reported as odds ratio (OR), 95% CI, and p-value. Significance was set at p-value ≤0.05 and 95%CI. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. In comparison to the conventional circumcision, laser circumcision shoved lower visual analogue score at 24-h, and 7 days after surgery, a lower rate of overall complication rate (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.24-0.47, p < 0.001), scarring (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.41, p = 0.002), and unacceptable appearance (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.05, 0.15, p < 0.001). We found no statistically significant difference in surgical time, and incidence of bleeding, infection, wound dehiscence, and reoperation rate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our review infers that laser-assisted circumcision is certainly a safe and strong contender as the procedure of choice in both children and adult populations.

A Quantitative Analysis Investigating the Prevalence of "Manels" in Major Urology Meetings.

BACKGROUND: Female representation in urological meetings is important for gender equity. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the prevalence of "manels" or all-male speaking panels at urological meetings. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Urology meetings organized by major urological associations/societies from December 2019 to November 2020 were reviewed. Meeting information and details of the faculty were retrieved. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Primary outcomes were: (1) the percentage of male faculty in all included sessions and (2) the overall proportion of manels. We made further comparisons between manel and multigender sessions. Male and female faculty were stratified by quartiles of publications, citations, and H-index, and their mean numbers of sessions were compared. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among 285 meeting sessions, 181 (63.5%) were manels. The mean percentage of male faculty was 86.9%. Male representation was very high in urology meetings for most disciplines and urological associations/societies, except for female urology meeting sessions and those organized by the International Continence Society. Nonmanel sessions had higher numbers of chairs/moderators (p = 0.027), speakers (p < 0.001), and faculty (p < 0.001) than manel sessions. A total of 1037 faculty members were included, and 900 of them (86.8%) were male. Male faculty had longer mean years of practice (23.8 vs 17.7 yr, p < 0.001) and was more likely to include professors (43.2% vs 17.5%, p < 0.001) than female faculty. Male faculty within the first quartile (ie, lower quartile) of publications and H-index had a significantly higher number of sessions than female faculty within the same quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that manels are prevalent in urology meetings. There is evidence showing that males received more opportunities than females. A huge gender imbalance exists in urology meetings; urological associations and societies should actively strive for greater gender parity. PATIENT SUMMARY: Women are under-represented in urology meetings. Urological associations and societies should play an active role to ensure a more balanced gender representation.

Shedding light on polypragmasy of pain after transurethral prostate surgery procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the incidences of post-operative pelvic pain (PPP) in patients undergoing ablation, enucleation and conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Using MEDLINE via PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL, randomised control trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting PPP rates post-ablation, enucleation or TURP were identified. The risk of biases (RoB) in RCTs and observation studies were assessed using the Cochrane RoB1.0 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, respectively. RESULTS: 62 studies were included for qualitative analysis, while 51 of them reported number of patients with PPP post-intervention. Three observational studies and 13 RCTs compared the rates of PPP in patients undergoing ablation, enucleation or TURP. The most reported types of PPP are dysuria, abdominal pain and irritative symptoms. The pooled incidence of PPP at 1-month follow-up in patients undergoing ablation, enucleation and TURP were 0.15 (95% CI 0.10-0.22), 0.09 (95% CI 0.04-0.19 and 0.10 (95% CI 0.06-0.15), respectively. PPP is no longer prevalent at 3-months and onwards post-operatively. Ablation is associated with a higher risk of PPP than enucleation (RR 2.19, 95% CI 1.04-4.62) and TURP (RR 2.40, 95% CI 1.03-5.62) in observational studies but not RCTs; and there were no significant differences in the rates of PPP upon comparison of other modalities. CONCLUSION: PPP is common after transurethral benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery. Patients undergoing ablation had a higher rate of post-intervention PPP than those undergoing enucleation and TURP in observational studies.

Antibiotics and observation have a similar impact on asymptomatic patients with a raised PSA.

OBJECTIVES: • To compare the influence of a 4-week course of empirical antimicrobial therapy or observation on the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of asymptomatic patients with a raised baseline PSA. • To identify whether a decrease in PSA can predict the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) detection on prostate biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Patients were referred to our ambulatory centre because of a raised PSA level (>2.5 ng/mL) with a normal digital rectal examination. A 12-core prostate biopsy was indicated in these patients and they were offered antibiotic treatment with levofloxacin 500 mg daily for 30 days. • Patients who did not agree to use antibiotics but who still showed interest in participating underwent simple observation, serving as controls. • Total and free PSA levels at baseline and after 45 days were measured. Variation in PSA level was calculated. • All patients underwent a 12-core prostate biopsy 6 weeks after the initial visit. RESULTS: • In all, 245 men were enrolled, but 43 were lost due to follow-up. A total of 145 patients who used antibiotics and 57 controls were included in the analysis. • The median baseline PSA levels were 7.6 and 7.7 ng/mL in the antibiotic and control groups, respectively, with median follow-up levels of 6.8 and 7.0 ng/mL. The follow-up PSA level was significantly lower than the initial PSA level (P = 0.009). • Mean absolute and percentage variation in PSA level were similar in both groups (P = 0.828 and 0.128, respectively). • The overall PCa detection rate was 15.8%, and did not differ among the groups (P = 0.203). Regarding the percentage variation in PSA level, patients diagnosed with PCa tended to have their PSA level increased (22.4 vs -5.3%; P = 0.001). Indeed, a decrease of 20% in PSA was not predictive of a negative prostate biopsy (P = 0.41). • The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for percentage PSA variation as a predictor of PCa was 0.660. CONCLUSIONS: • PSA levels tend to fall when repeated after 45 days, regardless of antibiotic use. • Despite being associated with the chance of PCa, no percentage PSA variation threshold value exhibits satisfactory discriminatory properties.

Cited Brazilian papers in general surgery between 1970 and 2009.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most cited articles in general surgery published by Brazilian authors. INTRODUCTION: There are several ways for the international community to recognize the quality of a scientific article. Although controversial, the most widely used and reliable methodology to identify the importance of an article is citation analysis. METHODS: A search using the Institute for Scientific Information citation database (Science Citation Index Expanded) was performed to identify highly cited Brazilian papers published in twenty-six highly cited general surgery journals, selected based on their elevated impact factors, from 1970 to 2009. Further analysis was done on the 65 most-cited papers. RESULTS: We identified 1,713 Brazilian articles, from which nine papers emerged as classics (more than 100 citations received). For the Brazilian contributions, a total increase of about 21-fold was evident between 1970 and 2009. Although several topics were covered, articles covering trauma, oncology and organ transplantation were the most cited. The majority of classic studies were done with international cooperation. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the most influential Brazilian articles published in internationally renowned general surgery journals.

Cited Brazilian papers in general surgery between 1970 and 2009

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most cited articles in general surgery published by Brazilian authors. INTRODUCTION: There are several ways for the international community to recognize the quality of a scientific article. Although controversial, the most widely used and reliable methodology to identify the importance of an article is citation analysis. METHODS: A search using the Institute for Scientific Information citation database (Science Citation Index Expanded) was performed to identify highly cited Brazilian papers published in twenty-six highly cited general surgery journals, selected based on their elevated impact factors, from 1970 to 2009. Further analysis was done on the 65 most-cited papers. RESULTS: We identified 1,713 Brazilian articles, from which nine papers emerged as classics (more than 100 citations received). For the Brazilian contributions, a total increase of about 21-fold was evident between 1970 and 2009. Although several topics were covered, articles covering trauma, oncology and organ transplantation were the most cited. The majority of classic studies were done with international cooperation. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the most influential Brazilian articles published in internationally renowned general surgery journals.

Estudio prospectivo que compara laparoscopia y cirugía abierta para el tratamiento de cálculos ureterales impactados / Prospective trial comparing laparoscopy and open surgery for management of impacted ureteral stones

Introducción y objetivos: Con objeto de investigar dos enfoques en la práctica de ureterolitotomías para el tratamiento de cálculos impactados de grandes dimensiones, hemos llevadoa cabo la evaluación y el seguimiento de las características perioperatorias de pacientes consecutivos sometidos a una ureterolitotomía tras obtener resultados desfavorables alaplicar un tratamiento endourológico. Métodos: De los 110 pacientes incluidos en el estudio, 34 se sometieron a una ureterolitotomía laparoscópica. Se dividió a los pacientes en tres subgrupos de ureterolitotomías: grupo A, 76 intervenciones abiertas; grupo B, 16 transperitoneoscopias, y grupo C, 19retroperitoneoscopias. Todos los procedimientos se llevaron a cabo durante un programa de especialización en urología para médicos residentes. Resultados: La edad y el sexo de los pacientes, la clasificación ASA y las características de los cálculos no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. En general, la tasa de complicaciones y la duración de las intervenciones registradas fueron similares. Uno de los pacientes presentaba cálculos bilaterales y ambos lados se trataron en un único procedimiento de transperitoneoscopia. Tres retroperitoneoscopias finalizaron en cirugía abierta debido a dificultades técnicas. En 3 de los 35 casos (8,5%) se produjo fuga urinaria prolongada y 2 de estos pacientes recibieron tratamiento mediante la inserción de un catéter ureteral. Ambos grupos laparoscópicos tuvieron necesidades analgésicas significativamente menores y una hospitalización de menor duración (p < 0,001 y p = 0,003, respectivamente). Ningún paciente presentaba cálculos en la visita de seguimiento realizada al mes siguiente. Conclusiones: Según la información de que disponemos, ésta es la primera comparación prospectiva entre laparoscopia y ureterolitotomía abierta que se realiza en un entorno deformación en laparoscopia. A pesar de que estas intervenciones las realizaron residentes con limitada experiencia laparoscópica, la laparoscopia aportó ventajas significativas sobre la ureterolitotomía abierta tradicional, que dio como resultado una mejor analgesia y una estancia en el hospital menos prolongada, con similares tasas de complicaciones (AU)

Introduction and objectives: To investigate two ureterolithotomy approaches for treatment of large and impacted upper ureteral stones, we prospectively evaluated the perioperative features of consecutive patients submitted to ureterolithotomy following failure of endourological treatment. Methods: Of the 110 patients included in the study, 34 underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. Patients were divided into three ureterolithotomy subgroups (group A, 76open procedures; group B, 16 transperitoneoscopies and group C, 19 retroperitoneoscopies). All procedures were performed into a urology residency program. Results: The patients’ age, sex, ASA classification and stones characteristics showed no significant difference between the groups. Overall, complication rates and the operation times recorded were similar. One patient had bilateral stones and both sides were managed in a single transperitoneoscopy procedure. Three retroperitoneoscopies were converted to an open surgery due technical difficulties. A prolonged urinary leakage occurred in 3/35 cases (8.5%) where 2 patients were treated by placing a ureteral catheter. Both laparoscopic groups have significantly less analgesia requirements and shorter hospitalization (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). All patients were stone-free in the follow-up 1-month visit. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective comparison of laparoscopic and open ureterolithotomy in a laparoscopic training scenario. Even though these procedures were performed by limited laparoscopic experience urologists, laparoscopy offered significant advantages over traditional open ureterolithotomy, resulting in improved analgesia, shorter hospital stays and similar complication rates (AU)

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma management.

PURPOSE: To assess the current treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, focusing on medical treatment options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The most important recent publications have been selected after a literature search employing PubMed using the search terms: advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, anti-angiogenesis drugs and systemic therapy; also significant meeting abstracts were consulted. RESULTS: Progress in understanding the molecular basis of renal cell carcinoma, especially related to genetics and angiogenesis, has been achieved mainly through of the study of von Hippel-Lindau disease. A great variety of active agents have been developed and tested in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. New specific molecular therapies in metastatic disease are discussed. Sunitinib, Sorafenib and Bevacizumab increase the progression-free survival when compared to therapy with cytokines. Temsirolimus increases overall survival in high-risk patients. Growth factors and regulatory enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrase IX may be targets for future therapies. CONCLUSIONS: A broader knowledge of clear cell carcinoma molecular biology has permitted the beginning of a new era in mRCC therapy. Benefits of these novel agents in terms of progression-free and overall survival have been observed in patients with mRCC, and, in many cases, have become the standard of care. Sunitinib is now considered the new reference first-line treatment for mRCC. Despite all the progress in recent years, complete responses are still very rare. Currently, many important issues regarding the use of these agents in the management of metastatic renal cancer still need to be properly addressed.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma management: [review]

PURPOSE: To assess the current treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, focusing on medical treatment options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The most important recent publications have been selected after a literature search employing PubMed using the search terms: advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, anti-angiogenesis drugs and systemic therapy; also significant meeting abstracts were consulted. RESULTS: Progress in understanding the molecular basis of renal cell carcinoma, especially related to genetics and angiogenesis, has been achieved mainly through of the study of von Hippel-Lindau disease. A great variety of active agents have been developed and tested in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. New specific molecular therapies in metastatic disease are discussed. Sunitinib, Sorafenib and Bevacizumab increase the progression-free survival when compared to therapy with cytokines. Temsirolimus increases overall survival in high-risk patients. Growth factors and regulatory enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrase IX may be targets for future therapies. CONCLUSIONS: A broader knowledge of clear cell carcinoma molecular biology has permitted the beginning of a new era in mRCC therapy. Benefits of these novel agents in terms of progression-free and overall survival have been observed in patients with mRCC, and, in many cases, have become the standard of care. Sunitinib is now considered the new reference first-line treatment for mRCC. Despite all the progress in recent years, complete responses are still very rare. Currently, many important issues regarding the use of these agents in the management of metastatic renal cancer still need to be properly addressed.

Laparoscopic versus open simple prostatectomy: an evaluation of morbidity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the morbidity between laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) and open simple prostatectomy (OSP) in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2003 through January 2008, 280 consecutive patients underwent adenomectomy either by an extraperitoneal laparoscopic transcapsular "Millin" approach (96 patients, 34.3%) or open transvesical approach (184 patients, 65.7%). Medical therapy had failed in all patients. Perioperative and outcome data were recorded and compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in patient age, prostate size, uroflow rate, mean International Prostate Symptom Score, operative blood loss, or total time of continuous bladder irrigation between the two groups. Mean operative time was significantly longer in the laparoscopy group, 95.1 +/- 32.9 minutes, v the open group at 54.7 +/- 19.7 minutes (P < 0.0001). Total catheter time was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group (5.2 +/- 2.6 v 6.4 +/- 2.9 days; P < 0.001) as was length of hospital stay (6.3 +/- 1.9 v 7.7 +/- 2.4 days; P < 0.0001). The most common complication between the two groups was hemorrhage, occurring in 27 (28.1%) patients in the laparoscopy group and 54 patients (29.3%) in the open group. Of the 19 urinary tract infections observed between the two groups, 18 occurred in the open group as well as all 9 cases of urinary sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: LSP offers advantages over OSP in terms of shorter catheter time, shorter hospital length of stay, and fewer urinary tract infections.

Prospective trial comparing laparoscopy and open surgery for management of impacted ureteral stones.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate two practical approaches in ureterolithotomy for the treatment of large impacted stones, we carried out the assessment and monitoring of perioperative features of consecutive patients undergoing ureterolithotomy after unfavourable results from endourological treatment. METHODS: Of the 110 patients included in the study, 34 underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. Patients were divided into three ureterolithotomy subgroups: group A, 76 open operations; group B, 16 transperitoneoscopies, and group C, 19 retroperitoneoscopies. All procedures were conducted in a specialised urology programme for resident physicians. RESULTS: The patients' age, sex, ASA classification and stone characteristics showed no significant differences between the groups. Overall, the complication rate and operation times recorded were similar. One patient had bilateral stones and both sides were treated in a single transperitoneoscopic procedure. Three retroperitoneoscopies ended up in open surgery due to technical difficulties. A prolonged urinary leakage occurred in 3/35 cases (8.5%), and 2 of these patients were treated by insertion of a ureteral catheter. Both laparoscopic groups had significantly lower analgesia requirements and shorter hospitalisation periods (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). No patient had stones in the follow-up visit the following month. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective comparison of laparoscopic and open ureterolithotomy in a laparoscopic training environment. Although these interventions were conducted by urologists with limited laparoscopic experience, laparoscopy offered significant advantages over traditional open ureterolithotomy, resulting in improved analgesia and shorter hospital stays, but with similar complication rates.

Localized renal cell carcinoma management: an update.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current modalities of treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search for keywords: renal cell carcinoma, radical nephrectomy, nephron sparing surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and cryoablation was performed for the years 2000 through 2008. The most relevant publications were examined. RESULTS: New epidemiologic data and current treatment of renal cancer were covered. Concerning the treatment of clinically localized disease, the literature supports the standardization of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic approaches as therapeutic options with better functional results and oncologic success comparable to standard radical resection. Promising initial results are now available for minimally invasive therapies, such as cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. Active surveillance has been reported with acceptable results, including for those who are poor surgical candidates. CONCLUSIONS: This review covers current advances in radical and conservative treatments of localized kidney cancer. The current status of nephron-sparing surgery, ablative therapies, and active surveillance based on natural history has resulted in great progress in the management of localized renal cell carcinoma.

Localized renal cell carcinoma management: an update: [review]

OBJECTIVE: To review the current modalities of treatment for localized renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search for keywords: renal cell carcinoma, radical nephrectomy, nephron sparing surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and cryoablation was performed for the years 2000 through 2008. The most relevant publications were examined. RESULTS: New epidemiologic data and current treatment of renal cancer were covered. Concerning the treatment of clinically localized disease, the literature supports the standardization of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic approaches as therapeutic options with better functional results and oncologic success comparable to standard radical resection. Promising initial results are now available for minimally invasive therapies, such as cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. Active surveillance has been reported with acceptable results, including for those who are poor surgical candidates. CONCLUSIONS: This review covers current advances in radical and conservative treatments of localized kidney cancer. The current status of nephron-sparing surgery, ablative therapies, and active surveillance based on natural history has resulted in great progress in the management of localized renal cell carcinoma.