Outcomes of single-port robotic ureteral reconstruction using the da Vinci SP® system.

PURPOSE: The da Vinci SP® robotic system enables three double-jointed wristed instruments and a fully wristed three-dimensional camera to be placed through a single port. This study presents our experience with robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction using the SP system and reports its outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2018 and April 2022, a single surgeon performed robotic ureteral reconstruction using the SP system in 39 patients: 18 underwent pyeloplasty and 21 received ureteral reimplantation. Demographic and perioperative patient data were collected and analyzed. Radiographic and symptomatic improvements were assessed 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: In pyeloplasty group, 12 patients (66.7%) were female and two patients (11.1%) had undergone previous surgery for ureteral obstruction. The median operative time was 152 minutes, the median blood loss was 8 mL, and the median length of stay in hospital was 3 days. There was one case of a complication involving postoperative percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). In ureteral reimplantation group, 19 patients (90.5%) were female and ten patients (47.6%) had undergone gynecological surgery that caused ureteral obstruction. The median operative time was 152 minutes, the median blood loss was 10 mL, and the median length of stay in hospital was 4 days. We observed one case of open conversion and two cases of complications (colonic serosal tearing and postoperative PCN after ileal ureter replacement). The radiographic results and symptoms successfully improved following both surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite adhesion-related complications, the SP system appears to be safe and effective for use in robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction.

Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor Use in Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Patients Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Death: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of 1,058 Patients.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the use of a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i) after robot assited radical prostatectomy has a survival benefit over non-use patients because there are controversial results on the association between PDE5i use and survival outcomes for prostate cancer patients in literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a retrospective, matched, large-sample cohort study of 5,545 patients who underwent robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) during 2013-2021 in a single institute. The exclusion criteria was patients who were aged >70 years at surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification grade 4 or 5, history of other malignancies, patients who started PDE5i 6 months after survery and patients with follow up period less than 24 months after surgery. Among the 1,843 included patients, 1,298 were PDE5i users, and 545 were PDE5i non-users. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) of PDE5i users (n=529) with non-users (n=529) by adjusting for the variables of age, Gleason grade group, pathological T stage, preoperative ASA physical status grade, and International Index of Erectile Function score. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in patient characteristics according to PSM. Kaplan-Meier curve revealed the difference of overall survival for PDE5i users and non-users (clustered log-rank test p<0.05). In a stratified Cox regression analysis, PDE5i use after RARP was associated with improved overall survival and reduced risk of death (hazard ratio 0.43; confidence interval 0.24-0.79; p=0.007). The limitation of this study was that the indication for the prescription of PDE5i was not given. CONCLUSIONS: PDE5i administration after RARP were associated with overall survival of patients with prostate cancer. A further randomized control trial may reveal whether routine use of PDE5i after prostatectomy can improve survival of prostate cancer patient.

Noninvasive studies may have potential to replace cystoscopy in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer follow-up.

Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate which requires frequent follow-up. Cystoscopy is currently the gold standard for follow-up which is invasive and undesirable procedure for patients. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of noninvasive studies for follow-up of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. This retrospective study was done for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients with abnormal lesion at follow up cystoscopy, therefore those needed transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT). Inclusion criteria was patients who had preoperative bladder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 1 month to TUR-BT and urine cytology results. MRI, urine cytology, and surgical pathology results were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, diagnostic odds ratio, and number needed to misdiagnose for the diagnostic performance of non-invasive studies. From total of 2,258 TUR-BT cases, 1,532 cases of primary TUR-BT and 481 cases which bladder MRI were not done was excluded. Finally, 245 cases of TUR-BT were included. Combined urine cytology and bladder MRI showed 96% sensitivity, 43% specificity, 89% positive and 67% negative predictive values, 87% accuracy, 16.2 diagnostic odds ratio, and 7.4 number needed to misdiagnose values. Among nine false-negative cases, three (1.2%) were missed by the radiologist, two (0.8%) had an empty bladder during magnetic resonance imaging, and three (1.2%) had gross hematuria which needed cystoscopy despite of bladder MRI or urine cytology result. Only one case (0.4%) was missed based on symptoms and noninvasive tests. However, none of the false-negative cases showed rapid extensive progression requiring radical or partial cystectomy. The combination of bladder MRI and urine cytology was comparable to cystoscopy for the follow-up of recurred lesions in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients for sensitivity, but not for specificity. However, it may reduce the need for cystoscopy and allowing patients to have choices for follow up diagnostic methods. Also, additional imaging tests to evaluate kidney, ureter and peri-vesical lesions can be reduced.

Long-term usage pattern and satisfaction survey of continent catheterizable channels.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the long-term usage pattern and satisfaction of continent catheterizable channels (CCCs). METHODS: From 2005 to 2018, CCCs, including Mitrofanoff and antegrade continent enema (ACE) channels, were made in 67 patients (Mitrofanoff in 21 patients, ACE channels in 43 patients, and both in three patients) in our institution. An online survey was conducted for these patients in order to assess usage pattern, continent status, difficulty in usage, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Sixteen (66.7%) out of 24 patients with the Mitrofanoff channel and 39 (84.7%) out of 46 patients with the ACE channel completed the online survey. In the Mitrofanoff channel group, 10 (62.5%) patients had spina bifida, two (12.5%) had Hinman syndrome, one (6.3%) had posterior urethral valves, and three (18.8%) had urethral trauma or atresia. Additionally, the mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 10.0 years, and the median follow-up duration was 10.9 years. All patients were using the Mitrofanoff channel to perform clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Eleven patients (68.8%) had difficulty with catheterization, mostly at the stomal site. Most patients conducted CIC more than four times a day (13, 81.3%). Regarding urination status, seven patients (43.8%) responded that they were satisfied and nine (56.2%) responded they were neutral. In the ACE channel group, 35 patients (89.7%) had spina bifida, seven (17.9%) had cloacal anomalies, and 26 (66.7%) had anorectal malformations. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 8.4 years, and the median follow-up period was 7.4 years. Two (5.1%) patients were no longer using their ACE channels, but 15 (38.5%) patients were still using their channels almost daily. Twenty-eight (71.8%) patients complained that performing enema was time-consuming, and seven (17.9%) patients reported pain when performing ACE and fecal incontinence. Most patients were satisfied with their defecation status (23, 59%), 15 (38.5%) were neutral, and one (2.6%) was dissatisfied. CONCLUSIONS: While most patients who had either Mitrofanoff or ACE channels were still using their channels effectively, approximately half of the patients with CCCs demonstrated neutral satisfaction with their current status; this shows a poor result compared to previous reports. Considering the results of our patient-based study, thorough explanations should be provided to patients who are candidates for Mitrofanoff and ACE procedures; additionally, the discomfort related to the procedures should be comprehensively assessed during follow-up consults.

An Analysis of Major Causes of Surgical Failure Using Bähren System in Intraoperative Venography During Varicocelectomy.

PURPOSE: In young patients with varicocele, preservation of the internal spermatic artery may be advantageous for catch-up growth, but it may also increase the likelihood of treatment failure. Intraoperative venography reduces the likelihood that unsealed veins will remain after varicocelectomy. We analyzed the characteristics of remnant veins visualized through intraoperative venography to investigate the cause of surgical failure in artery-sparing varicocelectomy (ASV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients aged 18 years or younger who underwent varicocelectomy with intraoperative venography from January 2005 to December 2017. During varicocelectomy, intraoperative venography was performed to distinguish veins from other structures. Any unsealed veins that were discovered were ligated and classified using the Bahren system. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two patients underwent intraoperative venography: 153 cases (94.4%) were for primary varicocelectomy, and 9 cases (5.6%) were for repeat varicocelectomy. Open varicocelectomy was performed in 105 cases (64.8%), and laparoscopic varicocelectomy was performed in 57 cases (35.2%). Venography revealed remnant veins after the first ligation in 51 cases (31.2%), 46 (90.2%) and 5 (9.8%) of which were Bähren types 3 and 4, respectively. Five patients (3.1%) experienced varicocele recurrence, classified as persistence in 1 patient (0.6%) and relapse in 4 patients (2.5%). CONCLUSION: Remnant collateral veins of the internal spermatic vein (ISV) (Bahren type 3) are the most common cause of failure in ASV. In a few patients, an external spermatic vein merges with the ISV at a higher level (Bahren type 4) and is unidentifiable without venography.

Comparison of intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes between robot-assisted laparoscopic multi-port pyeloplasty using the da Vinci Si system and single-port pyeloplasty using the da Vinci SP system in children.

PURPOSE: We compared the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of single-port robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (S-RALP) using the da Vinci SP® system and conventional multi-port robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (M-RALP) in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-port and single-port pyeloplasty have been performed in pediatric patients in our institution since October 2015 and February 2019, respectively. We conducted an entire cohort comparison. Considering the learning curve of M-RALP, we defined the last 15 cases of M-RALP as a subgroup of M-RALP and compared this subgroup with the entire cohort of S-RALP patients. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients who underwent multi-port pyeloplasty and 15 patients who underwent single-port pyeloplasty were enrolled in this study. Age, height, body weight, laterality, surgical indication, and ipsilateral differential renal function were statistically similar in the M-RALP and S-RALP groups. The median operative time (3.0 h vs. 2.4 h; p=0.01) and the median console time (2.2 h vs. 1.5 h; p<0.001) were longer in the M-RALP group than in the S-RALP group. There was no significant difference in operative time or console time between the M-RALP subgroup and the S-RALP group. There were no significant differences in the length of hospitalization, pain score, morphine-equivalent use of analgesics, or postoperative differential renal function in all comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that pyeloplasty using the da Vinci® SP system can be started by robotic surgeons who can overcome the learning curve. Robot-assisted laparoscopic single-port pyeloplasty is feasible in noninfant pediatric patients.

A retrospective analysis of ureteropelvic junction obstructions in patients with horseshoe kidney.

BACKGROUND: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is often encountered in patients with a horseshoe kidney (HSK) and may require surgical intervention. This study retrospectively investigated obstruction causes in HSK patients with UPJOs to determine the most suitable surgical method. METHODS: Twenty HSK patients with UPJO who underwent pyeloplasty between July 2000 and June 2020 and were followed-up for more than six months in our institution were included in the study. The clinical characteristics, obstruction causes, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age at the time of the operation was 4.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 1.8-10.6]. Hydronephrosis (HN) was found prenatally in 5 patients (25.0%). Pyeloplasty was performed by open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques in 6, 10, and 4 patients, respectively. Sixteen patients (80.0%) had high ureteral insertion. Twelve patients (60.0%) had crossing vessels, and eight had a high ureteral insertion and crossing vessels. The median follow-up duration was 4.0 years (IQR: 1.8-8.9); no patient required additional surgery. The median differential renal function was 38.0% (IQR: 16.9-43.0%) preoperatively and 38.0% (IQR: 13.3-48.2%) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: UPJOs in HSKs were primarily caused by a high ureteral insertion and crossing vessels. Dismembered pyeloplasty was successfully performed in all surgical modalities such as the open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches. Attention must be given to patients with HSKs, even in those without HN, to avoid UPJO development.

Visceral Adiposity as a Significant Predictor of Sunitinib-Induced Dose-Limiting Toxicities and Survival in Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Sunitinib is a first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Little is known about the predictive factors of sunitinib-induced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in Asian populations. We investigated whether body composition predicts sunitinib-induced DLT. We retrospectively reviewed sunitinib-treated Korean patients with clear cell mRCC from eight institutions. Body composition was measured using computed tomography. DLT was defined as any adverse event leading to dose reduction or treatment discontinuation. Univariate analysis was used to compare body composition indices, and logistic regression analyses were performed for factors predicting early DLT. Overall, 111/311 (32.5%) of patients experienced DLT. Significant differences were observed in the subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI; p = 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI; p < 0.001) between patients with and without DLT. Multivariate analyses revealed that VATI (odds ratio: 1.013; p = 0.029) was significantly associated with early DLT. Additionally, 20% of patients who had a body mass index (BMI) greater than 23 kg/m2 and a low VATI experienced DLT, whereas 34.3% of the remaining groups had DLT (p = 0.034). Significant differences were observed for median progression-free survival (13.0 vs. 26.0 months, respectively; p = 0.006) between patients with low and high VATI. Visceral adiposity was a significant predictor of sunitinib-associated DLT and survival. Patients with a low VATI and a BMI greater than 23 kg/m2 experienced lower DLTs.

Urethral duplication in male children: A study of 12 cases.

PURPOSE: To present our experience in urethral duplication focusing on detailed surgical management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 12 male patients treated for urethral duplication between 2005 and 2017. Evaluations included ultrasound, retrograde urethrography, cystoscopy, and voiding cystourethrography. RESULTS: The age at presentation ranged from birth to 11 years. All 12 cases were classified using the Effmann classification. Case 1-4 patients with type I underwent excision of the dorsal accessory urethra by stripping technique. In case 5 patient(type IA) with two adjacent apical urethras, the septum was opened to form a single channel. Case 6 patient with type IB underwent visual internal urethrotomy near bulbous urethra to combine urethra into one channel. Five patients classified as type II (one with a type IIA1, and four with type IIA2 urethras). Urethral duplication was incidentally found during epispadias repair in case 7 patient with type IIA1, which was corrected by ventral plication, and excision of the dorsal epispadial urethra with stripping technique just below pubic bone. Case 8 patient with type IIA2 also required dorsal urethral excision with stripping technique. The two Y-type patients (case 10, 11) underwent urethrourethrostomy with a single-stage buccal mucosa tube graft, followed by repetitive surgeries owing to urethral stricture. One type III patient presented with penile inflammation and suprapubic pain, and underwent excision of both the dorsal urethra and nonfunctional anterior bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral duplication requires individualized surgical approaches based on the anatomical and functional characteristics. Because prognosis is variable depending on type and accompanied anomalies, these should be taken into account when planning a comprehensive workup and surgical management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic single-port pyeloplasty using the da Vinci SP® system: initial experience with a pediatric patient.

INTRODUCTION: The da Vinci SP® Robotic Surgical Platform (Intuitive Surgical) was recently introduced to overcome triangulation and motion restriction during laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. The authors describe a pure, single-site, robot-assisted, laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) using the da Vinci SP System in a pediatric patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-year-old patient with ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent pyeloplasty conducted using the da Vinci SP® System. Retrospective perioperative and immediate postoperative outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Surgery was completed with pure single-site surgery without additional port placement or standard multiport conversion. The total operation time was 211 min, and the console time was 90 min. The docking time was much greater than that of previous pyeloplasty operations using multiport system. This result may be because of difficulties caused by bulky instrumentation entering the pneumoperitoneum. The estimated blood loss was minor, and there were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. Ureteral stent was removed after 4 weeks. Cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Pure, single-site RALP using da Vinci SP® System seems feasible in aging children. Additional studies involving more patients, younger children, and long-term outcomes are required.

Pure single-site robot-assisted pyeloplasty with the da Vinci SP surgical system: Initial experience.

Purpose: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) reduces the limited invasiveness of conventional laparoscopy while providing superior cosmetic results. However, LESS remains a challenging surgical technique, even in robotic surgery, primarily due to the lack of triangulation and limited instrument movement. The da Vinci SP surgical system (Intuitive Surgical) was recently introduced to overcome these limitations. We describe our initial experience with pure single-site robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) using the da Vinci SP surgical system. Materials and Methods: Three consecutive patients who were diagnosed with UPJO underwent RAP with the da Vinci SP surgical system from December 2018 to February 2019 at our institution. The surgical technique involved reproducing the steps of multi-port RAP. A 30-mm umbilical incision was made and the GelPOINT was inserted. The multichannel robotic port and the assistant's port were placed through the GelSeal cap. In all patients, Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was performed. The ureteral double J stent was inserted antegrade, and the drain was not placed. Results: The procedures were successfully completed using a pure single-site approach. There was no need for additional port placement or conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery. Total operative time in the three patients was 139, 180, and 213 minutes, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred, and blood loss was minimal. The postoperative course of all patients was uneventful with no complications greater than Clavien-Dindo grade I surgical complications. Conclusions: Pure single-site RAP using the da Vinci SP surgical system is feasible and safe.

Systematic review and meta-analysis to compare success rates of retrograde intrarenal surgery versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal stones >2 cm: An update.

BACKGROUND: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing stone-free rates between retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), using updated, more reliable evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing RIRS and PCNL for >2 cm stones were identified from electronic databases. Stone-free rates for the procedures were compared by qualitative and quantitative syntheses (meta-analyses). Outcome variables are shown as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Eleven articles were included in this study. Most recently published studies exhibited relatively low quality during quality assessment. For the meta-analysis comparing success (stone-free) rates between PCNL and RIRS, the forest plot using the random-effects model showed an RR of 1.11 (95% CI 1.02-1.21, P < .014) favoring PCNL. After determining the among-study heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was performed of 9 studies with less heterogeneity: the stone-free rate of PCNL was superior to that of RIRS using a fixed-effect model (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14, P < .019) for these studies. CONCLUSIONS: RIRS can be a safe and effective procedure for selected patients with large renal stones. However, in this meta-analysis, the postoperative stone-free rate of PCNL was higher than that of RIRS in patients with >2 cm renal stones.

Insulin Protects Cardiac Myocytes from Doxorubicin Toxicity by Sp1-Mediated Transactivation of Survivin.

Insulin inhibits ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Survivin is a key regulator of anti-apoptosis against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Insulin increases survivin expression in cardiac myocytes to mediate cytoprotection. However, the mechanism by which survivin mediates the protective effect of insulin against doxorubicin-associated injury remains to be determined. In this study, we demonstrated that pretreatment of H9c2 cardiac myocytes with insulin resulted in a significant decrease in doxorubicin-induced apoptotic cell death by reducing cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. Doxorubicin-induced reduction of survivin mRNA and protein levels was also significantly perturbed by insulin pretreatment. Reducing survivin expression with survivin siRNA abrogated insulin-mediated inhibition of caspase-3 activation, suggesting that insulin signals to survivin inhibited caspase-3 activation. Interestingly, pretreatment of H9c2 cells with insulin or MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, inhibited doxorubicin-induced degradation of the transcription factor Sp1. ChIP assay showed that pretreatment with insulin inhibited doxorubicin-stimulated Sp1 dissociation from the survivin promoter. Finally using pharmacological inhibitors of the PI3K pathway, we showed that insulin-mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway prevented doxorubicin-induced proteasome-mediated degradation of Sp1. Taken together, insulin pretreatment confers a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by promoting Sp1-mediated transactivation of survivin to inhibit apoptosis. Our study is the first to define a role for survivin in cellular protection by insulin against doxorubicin-associated injury and show that Sp1 is a critical factor in the transcriptional regulation of survivin.

Extensive chromosomal polymorphism revealed by ribosomal DNA and satellite DNA loci in 13 Citrus species.

Little is known about the chromosomal variability and polymorphism existing in mitotic chromosomes of Citrus, mainly due to lack of reliable chromosomal markers and small chromosome size. To test the hypothesis of chromosomal polymorphism and provide the foundation of the genome organization in the Citrus cultivars, we have developed molecular cytogenetic markers for 13 Citrus species collected from Jeju island, Korea. In this study, we demonstrated that the chromosomal locations of cytogenetic markers are quite variable and extremely polymorphic, in contrast to the previous studies. The data obtained in this study will be of utmost importance in cytological systematics and karyotyping of the Citrus species.

Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving therapy: A comparison of quadrantectomy versus lumpectomy at a single institution.

The aims of study were to compare the rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), for patients treated with either quadrantectomy or lumpectomy at a single institution, and to identify predictors of IBTR after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). The database and medical records of 807 patients who underwent BCT for breast cancer between 1987 and 2002 were reviewed. The age of the patient, tumor size, lymph node status, extensive intraductal component (EIC), re-excision, final margin status, and the extent of surgery were examined in reference to IBTR rates. Of the total 807 patients, 456 (56.5%) had undergone quadrantectomy and 351 patients (43.5%) had lumpectomy. Apart from the higher re-excision rate in the lumpectomy group (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences in clinical and pathologic characteristics between the patients in the two groups. At the median follow-up time of 72 months, 28 cases of IBTR (3.4%) and 56 cases of systemic recurrence (6.9%) had developed in 72 patients (8.9%). On multivariate analysis, young age (< or =35) (p = 0.041), positive lymph node (p < 0.001), and the presence of EIC (p = 0.004) were independent predictors of IBTR. However, we could not find a significant difference in IBTR rate between the two groups (p = 0.546). Thus, the extent of breast surgery (quadrantectomy or lumpectomy) did not make a significant difference in IBTR if adequate surgical margins could be achieved.