Adoption of a Urologic Oncology Perioperative Surgical Home is Associated with Decreased Total Length of Stay: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Urologists partnered with anesthesiologists to implement a model of perioperative and postoperative care known as the multidisciplinary perioperative surgical home in order to improve the quality and efficiency of care. We describe early outcomes associated with implementation of the perioperative surgical home. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed of patients at a single institution undergoing radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy, partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy from January 2014 to March 2016. Outcomes measured were length of stay and 30-day reoperation, readmission, unexpected intensive care unit admission and mortality rates. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test with p <0.05 considered significant. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether implementation of the perioperative surgical home was associated with improved outcomes. RESULTS: Length of hospital stay decreased from 4.79 to 3.19 days and 30-day complication rate decreased from 15.3% to 5.7% after implementation of the perioperative surgical home (p <0.01 for both). There was no change in the 30-day readmission rate. On multivariate analysis surgery occurring after perioperative surgical home implementation was associated with decreased length of stay (p = 0.008). The direct cost savings resulting from this length of stay reduction totaled $1,245,585 for the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of a perioperative surgical home is associated with a significantly decreased postoperative hospital stay and 30-day complication rate for urologic oncology cases.

Impact of NADiA ProsVue PSA slope on secondary treatment decisions after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Selecting appropriate candidates for postprostatectomy radiotherapy is challenging, because adverse pathological features cannot accurately predict clinical recurrence. Biomarkers that identify residual disease activity may assist clinicians when counseling patients on the risks, benefits and costs of secondary treatment. NADiA ProsVue PSA slope results ≤2.0 pg ml(-1) month(-1) are predictive of a reduced risk of clinical recurrence; however, its clinical utility has not yet been studied. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled men treated by radical prostatectomy in a multicenter, institutional review board-approved clinical trial. At postsurgical follow-up, investigators (N=17) stratified men into low-, intermediate- or high-risk groups for prostate cancer recurrence based on clinicopathological findings and other factors. Investigators documented their initial treatment plan for each subject and serially collected three serum samples for ProsVue testing. After the ProsVue result was reported, investigators recorded whether or not the initial treatment plan was changed. The proportion of cases referred for secondary treatment before and after ProsVue was reported, and the significance of the difference determined. RESULTS: Complete assessments were reported for 225 men, 128 (56.9%) of whom were stratified into intermediate- and high-risk groups. Investigators reported that they would have referred 41/128 (32.0%) at-risk men for secondary treatment. However, after results were known, they referred only 15/128 (11.7%) men. The difference in proportions (-20.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -29.9 to -10.3%) is significant (P<0.0001). Odds of a referral was significantly reduced after results were reported (odds ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.54, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of a ProsVue result had significant impact on the final treatment plan. A ProsVue result ⩽2.0 pg ml(-1) month(-1) significantly reduced the proportion of men at risk of recurrence who otherwise would have been referred for secondary treatment.

Robotic-assisted surgery and the evolution of the radical prostatectomy.

The surgical treatment of prostate cancer has evolved considerably since it was first described in 1905. With the introduction of a robotic, surgical-assist device, minimally invasive techniques for prostate removal have been increasingly utilized throughout the world. Currently, there is a large body of literature suggesting that robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is associated with certain improved perioperative and postoperative outcomes and similar cancer control rates compared to open radical prostatectomy. The goal of this review is to objectively evaluate and describe the current state-of-the-art in surgical technique, perioperative and long-term outcomes, complications and the future of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Conservative treatment of renal angiomyolipomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis.

AIMS: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) presents a treatment dilemma due to multifocal tumors with a potential for significant growth and subsequent hemorrhage. We reviewed the literature and our experience with AML and TS patients to determine the long-term behavior of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 8 patients (16 renal units) with bilateral renal AMLs and comorbid TS. We evaluated their renal function, renal imaging, and clinical course. Patients were followed for a mean of 11.5 years (range 3.5 - 21 years). RESULTS: The records of 8 patients (7 females, 1 male) with a mean age of 33.1 years (range 21 - 54) were evaluated. The mean serum creatinine of these patients at the time of diagnosis was 0.75 mg/dl (range 0.4 - 1.1). Mean serum creatinine at last follow-up was 0.83 mg/dl (range 0.6 - 1.3). The average size of the largest lesion was 13.9 cm (range: 0.5 - 28). Of the 8 patients, 6 received treatment during the course of their disease, including arterial embolization of 7 renal units in 5 symptomatic patients (2 patients needed 2 embolizations). Partial nephrectomy was performed on 2 renal units in 2 patients, and a total nephrectomy was performed in 1971 on another patient. Currently, all 8 patients have stable renal function; 4 patients are asymptomatic with regards to their lesions, while the other 4 patients report transient flank pain adequately controlled with oral analgesics (2 patients with propoxyphene plus acetaminophen 100/650 mg PO t.i.d. p.r.n., the other 2 patients with ibuprofen 600 mg PO p.r.n.). None of the patients experienced life-threatening hemorrhage or required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study and a review of the literature have not revealed an obvious or quantitative risk of morbidity or mortality from renal hemorrhage directly related to AMLs of any specific size in TS patients. Due to multiple lesions and distortion of anatomy it can be difficult to distinguish individual lesions for preemptive treatment in asymptomatic patients. If size criteria alone are used, multiple treatments will be required over the course of the patient's life. Also, preemptive treatment exposes patients to iatrogenic morbidity. Consideration should be given to medical management of AMLs in TS patients with asymptomatic, slowly enlarging tumors that maintain features of an AML. Embolization, partial nephrectomy, or other ablative treatments (i.e. cryotherapy and RFA) can be reserved for symptomatic patients.

Randomized phase III study of high-dose fluorouracil given as a weekly 24-hour infusion with or without leucovorin versus bolus fluorouracil plus leucovorin in advanced colorectal cancer: European organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Gastrointestinal Group Study 40952.

PURPOSE: This trial was conducted to determine whether high-dose fluorouracil (FU) given as a weekly 24-hour infusion is more active than bolus FU + leucovorin (LV), and whether high-dose infusional FU can be modulated by LV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 497 patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive bolus FU 425 mg/m2 intravenously + LV 20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5 and repeated on day 28 (FU + LV), or FU 2600 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion alone (FU24h) or in combination with 500 mg/m2 LV (FU24h + LV)-all given weekly x6 followed by a 2-week rest period. Survival was the major study end point. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of more than 3 years, survival did not differ among the treatment groups (median FU + LV, 11.1 months [95% CI, 10.2 to 15.0 months]; FU24h, 13.0 months [95% CI, 10.4 to 15.4 months]; FU24h + LV, 13.7 months [95% CI, 12.0 to 16.4 months]; P =.724). Progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer for FU24h + LV (median FU + LV, 4.0 months [95% CI, 3.4 to 4.9]; FU24h, 4.1 months [95% CI, 3.4 to 5.0]; FU24h + LV 5.6 months [95% CI, 4.4 to 6.7]; P =.029). The response rates in the subgroup of patients with measurable disease were 12%, 10%, and 17% for FU + LV, FU24h, and FU24h + LV, respectively (not significant). Occurrence of grade 3 and 4 diarrhea was higher in the FU24h + LV arm (22%) compared with the FU24h (6%) or FU + LV (9%) arms; however, stomatitis (11% in FU + LV v 3% in FU24h v 5% in FU24h + LV arms) and hematologic toxicity were higher in the bolus FU + LV arm. Global quality of life did not differ within the three arms. CONCLUSION: Neither FU24h + LV nor FU24h prolong survival, relative to bolus FU + LV. Leucovorin increases PFS if added to FU24h, but increases toxicity.

Telomerase activity in prostate sextant needle cores from radical prostatectomy specimens.

Human telomerase acts to maintain functioning telomeres, which are required for cellular immortality and very likely for cancer progression. Telomerase activity is present in about 85% of human cancers tested, but it has not been found in most human somatic cells and tissues. We used the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol to perform telomerase activity assays on sextant needle core samples obtained from 35 freshly excised radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens. Similar assays were done on prostatic tissues obtained by means of other urologic procedures from 8 patients without prostate cancer. Telomerase activity was found in one or more specimens from 32 of 35 prostate cancer patients (91%), but was not detectable in all biopsy specimens from 7 of 8 cancer-free patients (88%). Further analysis showed that cancers more poorly differentiated, with higher Gleason scores, were always associated with a higher rate of telomerase detection and stronger telomerase activity. Moreover, comparison of telomerase activity in needle core samples with the volume of cancer in surrounding tissue as observed on corresponding histologic slides showed that stronger activity was positively correlated with a higher cancer volume. Prognostic indicators of prostate cancer and the expression of telomerase appear to be linked. The presence of telomerase activity in prostate tissue may aid in the detection of prostate cancer and produce additional prognostic information.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy: bladder neck preservation versus reconstruction.

PURPOSE: We compare bladder neck contracture, urinary continence and positive surgical margin rates after bladder neck preservation and excision with radical retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological findings, and followup of 220 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy was performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups of bladder neck preservation (101), "tennis racket" reconstruction (63) and anterior bladder tube reconstruction (56). RESULTS: Mean followup was 19.7, 36.7 and 16.2 months, respectively, for bladder neck preservation, tennis racket reconstruction and anterior bladder tube reconstruction. Overall, bladder neck contracture occurred in 22 of 220 cases (10%), including 5 of 101 (5%) with bladder neck preservation, 7 of 63 (11%) with tennis racket reconstruction and 10 of 56 (18%) with anterior bladder tube reconstruction, which approached statistical significance (p = 0.061). Urinary continence was assessed by a third party telephone interview of 165 patients. Continence rates at 1 year were 93% for bladder neck preservation, 96% for tennis racket reconstruction and 97% for anterior bladder tube reconstruction, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.68). Positive margin rates were 27.4% with bladder neck preservation versus 30.5% with excision, which was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: There are no statistically significant differences in return of urinary continence, bladder neck contracture rates or positive margins between bladder neck preservation and excision.

Perfusion sphincterometry for objective evaluation of postprostatectomy intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Male urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a possible complication of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or radical prostatectomy (RP). For objective assessment of urinary sphincteric competence, we used perfusion sphincterometry (PS) to measure the retrograde urethral perfusion pressure (RUPP). METHODS: A retrospective and prospective analysis of 60 neurologically normal patients of varying continence status was performed. The subjects were divided into three groups: continent patients with no previous prostate surgery (group 1), continent patients after prostatectomy (group 2), and incontinent patients after prostatectomy (group 3). All patients underwent PS with the technique described. All incontinent patients (group 3) had a filling cystometrogram (CMG) to rule out detrusor instability. RESULTS: Continent patients with no prior prostate surgery (group 1) had a mean RUPP of 101 +/- 16 cm H2O; continent postprostatectomy patients (group 2) had a mean RUPP of 77 +/- 14 cm H2O; and incontinent postprostatectomy patients (group 3) had a mean RUPP of 36 +/- 11 cm H2O. The differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in RUPP when the patients in groups 2 and 3 were stratified into TURP and RP groups. CONCLUSIONS: PS is a simple and accurate technique for objective evaluation of lower sphincter competence. Patients with stress incontinence after prostatectomy have a statistically significant decrease in RUPP compared with continent controls. In combination with cystourethroscopy and filling CMG, PS can be useful in the evaluation of postprostatectomy incontinence.

Kaposi's sarcoma of the testicle.

The penis and scrotum are the genitourinary tract organs most frequently involved in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). However, solid organ involvement is rare. A 32-year-old man with AIDS presented with cutaneous KS, which subsequently metastasized to the right testicle.

Ureteroscopic treatment of symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi.

Renal calculi that reside in caliceal diverticula are difficult to treat. Numerous treatment modalities have been used, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, laparoscopy, and percutaneous treatment. All therapies directed at fragmenting the stones are limited by the ability of these fragments to pass through the narrow diverticular neck. More recently, the retrograde approach using small-caliber flexible ureteroscopes has been applied successfully in the treatment of diverticular calculi. A description of our retrograde technique is presented. The ultimate success of this technique is dependent upon familiarity with the basic principles of ureteroscopy and successful clearance of stone fragments from the diverticulum.

Renal angiomyolipoma: optimal treatment based on size and symptoms.

The natural history of renal angiomyolipoma is not well delineated. Current management options include observation, embolization, and partial or total nephrectomy. Recommendations for treatment are usually based on the patient's symptoms or the size of the lesion. In an effort to help define the optimal treatment of renal angiomyolipomas, we reviewed our experience over the last 10 years with these tumors. We performed a retrospective study of 37 patients (48 renal units) diagnosed with renal angiomyolipoma over a ten year period at our medical center (mean follow-up 40 months, range 1 month-12 years). Lesions were classified as small (< 4 cm), medium (4-8 cm) or large (> 8 cm) based on the single largest lesion in each kidney. The relationship between the size, symptoms and treatment was reviewed. Patients were also analyzed with regard to the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis. Our findings indicate renal angiomyolipomas less than 4 cm (21/37 patients) tend to be asymptomatic and generally do not require intervention. Angiomyolipomas greater than 8 cm were responsible for significant morbidity and generally require treatment (5/6). Patients with tuberous sclerosis made up one half (3/6) of the large lesions. Medium-sized lesions had a less predictable natural history, with 54% (7/13) requiring intervention to treat hemorrhagic complications. Small asymptomatic lesions (< 4 cm) tend to remain stable but should be periodically evaluated. Medium-sized lesions (4-8 cm) have the most variable behavior. These lesions should be followed closely with serial imaging studies, and if significant changes in size or symptoms are noted, or the patient is at risk for flank trauma, elective intervention should be initiated promptly to increase the chances of renal salvage. Large asymptomatic angiomyolipomas (> 8 cm) will most likely become symptomatic and should be treated electively prior to the development of symptoms and potential complications.

Complications employing the holmium:YAG laser.

We report the operative and early postoperative complications and limitations in 133 patients treated with the holmium laser. Complications included urinary tract infection (N = 3), postoperative bradycardia (1), inverted T-waves (1), intractable flank pain (1), urinary retention (1), inability to access a lower-pole calix with a 365-microm fiber (9), stone migration (5), and termination of procedure because of poor visibility (2). No ureteral perforations or strictures occurred, and no complications were directly attributable to the laser. The holmium laser was capable of fragmenting all urinary calculi in this study. In our initial experience, the holmium laser is safe and effective in the treatment of urinary pathology. Use of laser fibers larger than 200 microm occasionally limits deflection of the endoscope into a lower-pole or dependent calix.

Endoscopic treatment of continent urinary reservoir calculi.

Formation of calculi is a late complication of continent urinary diversions. The techniques of percutaneous and transstomal treatment of these stones are described. Three patients underwent percutaneous placement of a rigid nephroscope into three different types of continent reservoirs and fragmentation of stones (2-5 cm in size) using ultrasonic lithotripsy. Preoperative CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intrareservoir contrast was essential in finding the safest location for percutaneous access. One patient, with small stones, underwent placement of a flexible cystoscope through the continent efferent limb and Holmium laser lithotripsy. There were no instances of reservoir perforation. There was minimal blood loss, with an average operative time of 165 min. Ultrasonic lithotripsy of large stones through a percutaneous approach and Holmium laser lithotripsy for smaller stones via a flexible cystoscope placed through the efferent limb are safe and effective ways to treat calculi within continent urinary diversions.

Renal angiomyolipomas: long-term follow-up of embolization for acute hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if elective, angiographically directed embolization of enlarged renal angiomyolipomas can be used to prevent future hemorrhagic episodes in patients with tuberous sclerosis and thus avoid nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed for all 5 patients who underwent elective, subtotal embolization of large, symptomatic angiomyolipomas at the authors' institution between 1975 and 1996. RESULTS: All 5 patients had tuberous sclerosis and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. Initial embolization in these patients was performed in 1975, 1981, 1993 (2 patients) and 1994. In 1 patient only a single embolization session was required. In another, initial embolization on the left side was followed by embolization on the right 13 months later. Two patients underwent 2 sessions, and 1 patient had 4 sessions over a 13-year period. Subtotal embolization with particulate material led to a decrease in size of the most severely affected portion of the kidney. One large angiomyolipoma underwent sterile liquefaction after embolization; percutaneous catheter drainage was required. The embolization allowed subsequent partial nephrectomy in this patient. CONCLUSION: Embolization is effective for the long-term management of renal angiomyolipomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis; in this way nephrectomy and loss of renal function can usually be avoided.

Histopathologic evaluation of the canine prostate following electrovaporization.

PURPOSE: Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) has proven to be efficacious with minimal patient morbidity. When compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), TVP demonstrates comparable postoperative flow rates, American Urologic Association (AUA) symptom score indices, and a potential cost savings. However, in the human studies it has not been possible to correlate these clinical parameters with procedure-related histopathologic changes in the prostate immediately postoperative or during wound healing. The following study was done using a canine model in an effort to evaluate these histopathologic changes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifteen hounds (25-35 kg.) underwent antegrade electrovaporization of the prostate, via an open cystotomy, using a Circon ACMI USA series resectoscope and video equipment. The dogs were sacrificed and the prostates harvested at various intervals postoperatively (0-11 weeks). The prostates were evaluated grossly as well as histologically for cavitary defects, depth of necrosis, and cellular response. RESULTS: Prostates examined immediately following the procedure demonstrated superficial necrosis (less than 2 mm.) in the region of vaporized tissue. One week postoperatively, the vaporized regions demonstrated an intense acute inflammation amidst superficial necrosis with focal hemorrhage and dystrophic calcification. Transient glandular cystic changes developed, but were resolving by seven weeks postoperatively. Re-epithelialization was underway by the third postoperative week and epithelial stratification underway by the fifth week. There was no extension of the initial two millimeter zone of necrosis at any time point examined. CONCLUSION: TVP in the canine model vaporizes prostatic tissue at the site of contact. Only a shallow remnant of necrosis remains at the site of vaporization, indicating the highly localized effect of this technique. Healing at the site of vaporization occurs in a rapid and expected manner. These data provide a histopathologic rationale for the minimal morbidity and the efficacious nature of this technique demonstrated in clinical studies.

Local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma causing duodenal-inferior vena caval fistula: case report and review of the literature.

We report the first case of a duodenal-inferior vena caval (IVC) fistula resulting from locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A 45-year-old man presented with gross hematuria and underwent a right radical nephrectomy to treat a solid renal mass. Histologic evaluation showed RCC, Stage pT3aN0M0. The patient presented 21 months later in hemorrhagic shock, with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy and Whipple procedure for a mass in the second portion of the duodenum extending to the inferior vena cava with a secondary duodenal-IVC fistula. We describe this case and review the previously published reports of duodenal-IVC fistulae.

Invasive bladder cancer following cardiac transplantation.

Iatrogenic immunosuppression following renal transplantation has been associated with the development and progression of multiple neoplasms, including transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). We present the first report of invasive TCC of the bladder managed with radical cystectomy in a cardiac transplant recipient. The short survival of this patient, despite organ-confined disease at the time of cystectomy, illustrates the necessity of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of malignancy following organ transplantation.

Electrovaporization of the prostate: new technique for treatment of symptomatic benign hyperplasia.

This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of a newly configured roller electrode (Circon/ACMI Vaportrode) in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. The electrode is used with a cutting current and an otherwise-standard (ACMI) resectoscope. Thirty-four patients with significant symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction were treated and evaluated. Among them, 20 were in urinary retention, and 14 had moderate to severely symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction. Thirty-three patients are voiding and available for follow-up. The other patient has not returned. All available patients have shown both subjective and objective voiding improvement. In the evaluable patients, the AUA Symptom Index decreased from a mean of 26 to 12. The mean postoperative peak urinary flow rate was 13 mL/sec. Complications occurred in three patients (post-operative bleeding in one, urinary retention in two). Electrovaporization allowed definitive treatment of bladder outlet obstruction with subjectively better visibility than transurethral resection (TURP). The potential for fluid and electrolyte shifts and resulting complications appears to be less than with TURP. Further study of this technique appears warranted.