'LESS' radical prostatectomy: a pilot feasibility study with a personal original technique.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the feasibility and the potential advantages of a modification of the single-port laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using a periumbilical multichannel port plus a second port placed in the left fossa with the aim of having an adequate working angle during the most critical steps of the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March and September 2009 we operated on five patients with early-stage prostate cancer (T1c) and a normal body mass index (<25). The procedure was carried out with a specially-designed multichannel trocar which contains two 5 mm and one 10 mm ports plus a 5 mm port placed in the left iliac fossa in order to have an adequate working angle. The first two patients received a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: All cases were completed successfully in a mean operative time of 225 minutes (range 210-250) with blood losses of less than 100 ml. All patients were discharged from the hospital in 3rd postoperative day and the catheter was always removed seven days from surgery. No intraoperative complications occurred. The pathological tumour stage revealed pT2bNo prostate cancer in all five cases without positive surgical margins. After a mean follow-up of 4 months (range 1-7) all patients have an undetectable prostate-specific antigen level and no postoperative early major complications. The first two patients were fully continent respectively after 3 and 8 weeks after surgery, the third patient uses one safety pad after three month from surgery. The last two patients have a moderate incontinence and are currently under rehabilitation. Regarding potency the first patient had intercourses without any therapies after two months from surgery while the second one (6 months follow up) has partial penile tumescence using oral vardenafil. CONCLUSION: Two ports laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is feasible in very selected cases. However, our pilot study should be still considered a technical report and the limits of the technique must still be defined in a larger population and by other investigators.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided implantation of Adjustable Continence Therapy (ProACT): surgical technique and clinical results after a mean follow-up of 2 years.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) with the male Adjustable Continence Therapy (ProACT) system, implanted using fluoroscopy for guidance, has been described with promising clinical results. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to describe the surgical technique in detail and to evaluate the continence recovery and complication rate of a cohort of male patients with SUI after RP. All patients were treated with a modified technique that uses transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for guidance and that may be performed under local anaesthesia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between June 2005 and March 2009, we operated on 79 consecutive patients with post-RP urodynamic intrinsic sphincter deficiency. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: ProACT system implantation was performed with TRUS guidance under general or local anaesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: Perioperative data and adverse events were recorded in all patients. Outcome data (24-h pad test, number of pads per day (PPD) used by patients, a validated incontinence quality of life questionnaire) were analysed in the 62 of 79 patients who completed the postoperative system adjustments. In this group of patients, the mean follow-up is 25 mo. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: According to the 24-h pad test and the mean number of PPD used, 41 patients were dry (66.1%), 16 patients improved (25.8%), and 5 patients failed treatment (8%). The dry rate in previously irradiated patients was 35.7%. Complications included intraoperative bladder perforations (2 of 79; 2.5%), transient urinary retention (1 of 79; 1.2%), migrations (3 of 79; 3.8%), and erosions (2 of 79; 2.5%). According to the degree of incontinence, the dry rate in patients with mild, moderate, and severe incontinence was, respectively, 85%, 63.6%, and 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: TRUS guidance for ProACT implantation results in success and complication rates that compare favourably with published data using fluoroscopy for guidance. Previous radiotherapy and severe incontinence seem to be a relative contraindication. Larger series and longer follow-up are progressing to establish long-term efficacy.

Implantation of an adjustable continence therapy system using local anesthesia in patients with post-radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether transrectal ultrasound guided ProACT system implantation in patients under local anesthesia and with stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy is feasible in a day hospital setting, and is safe and well tolerated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The procedure was used in 11 consecutive patients (mean age 69.9 years) with stress urinary incontinence after undergoing radical prostatectomy between November 2006 and July 2007. The ProACT system was implanted with a transrectal ultrasound guided procedure after administration of local anesthesia (40 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml) in perineal skin, subcutaneous tissue, pelvic diaphragm and laterally to the anastomosis. During surgery any reason for discomfort was collected. Pain was evaluated with the visual analogue scale, Numeric Pain Intensity Scale and Simple Descriptive Pain Intensity Scale. Transrectal ultrasound was performed 7 days after surgery to exclude device migrations due to early patient mobilization. RESULTS: The ProACT systems were successfully implanted in all patients under local anesthesia without any need for general anesthesia, and without perioperative surgical or anesthesia related complications. Subjective discomfort was minimal. Mean visual analogue scale was 13 mm (range 0 to 28). Mean Numeric Pain Intensity Scale was 1.4 points (range 0 to 4). On the Simple Descriptive Pain Intensity Scale 4 patients (36.3%) reported no pain, 5 (45.5%) reported mild pain and 2 (18.2%) reported moderate pain. Discharge from the hospital was possible for all patients after 6 hours. All transrectal ultrasound performed after 7 days excluded balloon migrations. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasound guided ProACT system implantation with the patient under local anesthesia only is feasible, safe, well tolerated and may be performed as a day surgery procedure.

A cost comparison of laparoscopic versus open radical cystoprostatectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder at a single institution.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the specific cost components in two similar groups of patients who underwent laparoscopic or open radical cystoprostatectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder at our Institution. METHODS: Between November 2000 and July 2004, 20 men with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent laparoscopic (group 1) or open (group 2) radical cystoprostatectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder. We evaluated the costs of hospital stay, surgical consumables and operating room occupation. At our Institution one day of hospital stay costs Euro 625 while one hour of operating room costs Euro 520 (professional fees included). RESULTS: Hospital stay and operating room occupation in group 1 and 2 were statistically different (respectively 395.5 versus 275 min and 10.5 versus 18.9 days). Surgical consumables cost Euro 637 for patients in group 1 versus Euro 270 for patients in group 2. With the considered issues, at our Institution laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy costs Euro 10,626 whereas open radical cystoprostatectomy costs Euro 14,465. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy seems associated with a shorter hospital stay and with a reduction of costs if compared to the open approach.

Posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter allows a rapid recovery of continence after transperitoneal videolaparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence is one of the major drawbacks of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). One of the possible reasons for this urinary incontinence is a postoperative deficiency of the rhabdosphincter (RS). It has been recently demonstrated that reconstruction of the posterior aspects of the RS allows a rapid recovery of continence after RRP. This study evaluated the application of this technique in videolaparoscopic radical prostatectomy (VLRP), assessing the percentage of continent patients at 3, 30, and 90 d after catheter removal. METHODS: A two-arm prospective comparative trial was carried out with 31 patients recruited for each arm. Group A underwent standard VLRP and group B underwent VLRP with RS reconstruction (VLRP-R). Continence was defined as no pads or one diaper/24h and was assessed 3, 30, and 90 d after the procedure. RESULTS: At catheter removal, 74.2% versus 25% (p=0.0004) of patients were continent with the VLRP-R technique versus VLRP, respectively. A statistically significant difference was present at 30 d (83.8% vs. 32.3%; p=0.0001) At 90 d the difference, although still present, was not statistically significant (92.3% vs. 76.9%; p=0.25). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary report, the posterior reconstruction of the RS appears to be an easy and feasible technique even in a laparoscopic setting. Time to continence recovery was significantly shortened.

Transrectal ultrasound guided implantation of the ProACT adjustable continence therapy system in patients with post-radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the feasibility and potential advantages of ProACT system implantation using transrectal ultrasound rather than fluoroscopy for guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The transrectal ultrasound guided procedure was done between June and October 2005 in 7 patients with a mean age of 68.4 years (range 53 to 76) with mild to severe stress urinary incontinence after laparoscopic transperitoneal radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: The ProACT system was successfully implanted in all cases without perioperative complications. Time needed to complete the overall procedure was 15 to 30 minutes. All transrectal ultrasound studies performed during the mean followup of 4.2 months (range 2 to 6) confirmed the exact location of the devices. CONCLUSIONS: ProACT system implantation is feasible using transrectal ultrasound for guidance. Transrectal ultrasound enables excellent imaging of all anatomical landmarks during the entire procedure and it seems to provide considerable advantages over fluoroscopy in terms of safety and accuracy.

Congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction: definition and therapy.

Congenital ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a well recognized pathology. It typically occurs due to the presence of an aperistaltic segment of the ureter, very frequently aggravated by a strangling vessel defined by different authors as "anomalous", "aberrant" or "crossing". An embryologic review of the development of the kidney, ureter and renal vessels reveals that such definitions are etiologically inadequate since such vessels almost always run anterior to the UPJ and therefore in reality are not anomalous or aberrant. It would be, therefore, more appropriate to speak of a "vascular bar" rather that congenital vascular anomaly. A series of 23 patients treated by a laparoscopic technique (15 using the Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, 4 Fenger's technique, 3 a simple ureterolysis, 1 necessitating a conversion to open procedure (due to bleeding) are presented. An inferior polar vessel was found in 15 cases and this was running anterior to the UPJ in 14. The mean operative time was 235 min., while the mean hospital stay 7 (3-15) days. The mean follow-up was 47.7 months. Twenty-one pts. (95.5%) were symptom-free with imaging studies confirming relief from obstruction.

Straightening corporoplasty for Peyronie's disease: a review of 218 patients with median follow-up of 89 months.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome at long term follow-up after straightening corporoplasty of penile curvature due to Peyronie's disease. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2001 a total of 279 patients with Peyronie's disease were operated on using the Nesbit procedure. We were able to obtain complete follow-up data in 218 patients. The follow-up data included evaluation of complete correction of the curvature, penile shortening, sexual function, complications and subjective patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 89 months subjective patient determination of satisfaction indicated that 83.5% were completely satisfied with the results of surgery. Complete correction of the penis was obtained in 86.3% of the patients. One hundred and ninety patients (87.1%) had good erectile function (IIEF-5 >21). Shortening of the penis (from 1.5 to more than 3 cm) occurred in 38 patients (17.4%), but only in 5 (2.3%) was intercourse difficult because of excessive shortening. Major sensory changes, confined to the glans area, were reported by 24 patients (11%). CONCLUSION: The Nesbit operation is a simple and safe technique to correct the penile deformity due to Peyronie's disease. This technique results in the greatest amount of patient satisfaction about erectile function. The procedure can be used to correct all degrees of penile curvature successfully except for the short penis. Informed consent should be amply discussed before operating in regard to the risk of penile shortening and major sensory changes of the glans area.

Sexual function after highly selective embolization of cavernous artery in patients with high flow priapism: long-term followup.

PURPOSE: We present 15 cases of high flow priapism treated by selective embolization and evaluate erectile function at long-term followup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2001, 15 patients underwent highly selective embolization of the cavernous artery for high flow priapism. Trauma was reported by 12 of the 15 patients, and no etiologic causes were evident in the other 3. The fistula was unilateral in 13 patients and bilateral in 2. All patients underwent embolization during arteriography. Erectile function was determined using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) at followup after an average of 55 months (range 18 to 93). RESULTS: Postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography showed no recurrence in 11 patients (73%). Repeat pelvic angiography with selective embolization was required at 1 month postoperatively in 3 patients (20%). In 1 case (7%) 3 consecutive embolizations were not conclusive and a surgical operation was required. The IIEF results showed that sexual function was in the normal range in 80% of patients. Three patients (20%) reported a slight change in the quality of erection. Mean postoperative IIEF score was 26.3 (range 18 to 30). CONCLUSIONS: Highly selective embolization of the fistula is an effective and safe treatment option for high flow priapism because it ensures a high level of preservation of pretreatment erectile function.