Complex Ureteral Reconstruction in Kidney Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in surgical techniques and organ preservation, transplant ureteric strictures remain a common complication in kidney transplantation. A variety of endourological and surgical techniques have been utilized; however, there is a lack of consensus on the optimal modality in dealing with these complex cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present challenging ureteral reconstruction cases after failed attempts at ureteral dilatation, failed conventional open repairs, and/or with bladder dysfunction. RESULTS: All renal allografts were salvaged by successful use of bladder Boari flap and intestinal segment interpositions/diversions. CONCLUSIONS: Operative repair remains the most durable and successful approach, and minimally invasive options should be reserved for nonsurgical candidates, with consideration of a single attempt in patients with early, distal, short (<2 cm), nonischemic strictures.

Pancreas transplants from small donors: are the outcomes acceptable? A retrospective study.

Despite good organ quality, pancreata from extremely small pediatric donors (<30 kg) are generally avoided by many centers because of concerns of reduced islet cell mass and early technical failure. Therefore, we sought to compare the outcomes of small pancreas grafts (<30 kg) to those from higher weight donors from transplants performed between 1994 and 2015 (n = 1183). A total of 33 pancreata were from donors' ≤30 kg (3%), with a mean weight of 23.8 kg and mean age of 7.8 years. Patient survival was similar at 1, 5, and 10 years between recipients of ≤30 and >30 kg donors (≤30 kg: 96.8%, 86.8%, and 78.1% vs. >30 kg: 96.8%, 89.5%, and 79.1%, P = 0.5). Pancreas graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was also similar, ≤30 kg: 93.9%, 73.2%, and 61.0% vs. >30 kg: 87%, 73.3%, and 58.3% (P = 0.7). This graft survival pattern was also seen when comparing pancreata from ≤20 kg donors to those from >20 to 30 kg. Cause of graft loss, and metabolic and physiologic outcomes did not differ between the groups. After assessing the impact of donor weight as a continuous variable and calculating recipient-to-donor weight ratio (RDWR), we observed no effect of donor weight on patient and graft outcomes.

Pancreas transplantation in type 2 diabetes: expanding the criteria.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pancreas transplantation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) candidates remains disproportionately lower than in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); however, outcomes in carefully selected patients mirrors that of T1DM. Despite the 2014 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) eligibility criteria for simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant (SPK) transplantation in T2DM patients, an expected increase in the number of transplants was not observed. RECENT FINDINGS: In an updated International Pancreas and Transplant Registry (IPTR) analysis, 1514 primary deceased donor pancreas transplants were performed in T2DM recipients [1995-2015, SPK 88%, pancreas after kidney (PAK) 9%, pancreas transplant alone (PTA) 3%]. In contrast to the declining number of SPK transplants for T1DM, the number of primary SPK transplants in T2DM patients is increasing over time in the USA. Improvement over time was noted for T2DM SPK patient and graft survival, and the rate of technical failures decreased, paralleling similar overall trends for pancreas transplants in general. Long-term follow-up data of pancreas outcomes in C-peptide positive vs. negative demonstrate noninferior outcomes. BMI does not appear to impact outcomes in carefully selected T2DM candidates. SUMMARY: The current UNOS regulations that currently limit access of T2DM to pancreas transplantation based on strict BMI criteria and C-peptide levels need to be liberated.

Prevalence and outcomes of cystic lesions of the transplant pancreas: The University of Wisconsin Experience.

Literature on the behavior of cystic lesions in pancreas transplants is scarce, and hence a better understanding is warranted. Data on recipients and their respective donors that underwent simultaneous kidney and pancreas, pancreas transplant alone, and pancreas after kidney between 1994 and 2015 were reviewed (n = 1185). Cystic lesions of the transplant pancreas developed in 22 patients (1.8%): 12 pseudocysts, 2 cysts/remnants, 4 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), 2 adenocarcinomas, 1 low-grade intraepithelial pancreatic neoplasia, and 1 case of polycystic kidney disease. The median size was 3.6 cm (1.6-5.5 cm), and occurred at a median time of 65.5 months (2-183 months) posttransplant. The median age of the graft at time of diagnosis was 42 years (25.7-54.5), with 17 of 22 grafts (77%) functioning at time of diagnosis. Triggers for investigation were elevations in pancreatic enzymes, re-admissions for abdominal pain, and incidentalomas. High-resolution imaging and diagnostic biopsy/aspiration with ancillary tests were the main diagnostic tests. Most pseudocysts were managed by percutaneous drainage, and although no firm inference can be made from such a small series, we have observed that the behavior and management of IPMN and adenocarcinoma in the pancreas graft appears congruent to that of the native pancreas.

Transfer of skills on LapSim virtual reality laparoscopic simulator into the operating room in urology.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the predictive validity of the LapSim simulator within a urology residency program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve urology residents at McGill University were enrolled in the study between June 2008 and December 2011. The residents had weekly training on the LapSim that consisted of 3 tasks (cutting, clip-applying, and lifting and grasping). They underwent monthly assessment of their LapSim performance using total time, tissue damage and path length among other parameters as surrogates for their economy of movement and respect for tissue. The last residents' LapSim performance was compared with their first performance of radical nephrectomy on anesthetized porcine models in their 4(th) year of training. Two independent urologic surgeons rated the resident performance on the porcine models, and kappa test with standardized weight function was used to assess for inter-observer bias. Nonparametric spearman correlation test was used to compare each rater's cumulative score with the cumulative score obtained on the porcine models in order to test the predictive validity of the LapSim simulator. RESULTS: The kappa results demonstrated acceptable agreement between the two observers among all domains of the rating scale of performance except for confidence of movement and efficiency. In addition, poor predictive validity of the LapSim simulator was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive validity was not demonstrated for the LapSim simulator in the context of a urology residency training program.

From podium to press: The 10-year publication rate of abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the Quebec Urological Association (QUA).

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine the proportion of publications arising from abstracts presented at the Quebec Urological Association (QUA). We wanted to analyze differences in publication rates according to certain parameters, and to examine the quality of publications using journal impact factors. METHODS: All abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the QUA between 2000 and 2010 were obtained from the QUA archives and searched using the PubMed database. Variables included: institute, number of abstracts presented, year of presentation and publication, impact factor of publishing journal (according to 2010 Thomson Reuters report), time to publication (months), research type, presenter and location of research. Kaplan Meier methods were used for analysis. RESULTS: By May 2012, 248 out of 439 abstracts (QUA 2000 to 2010) were published in peer-reviewed journals, resulting in a publication rate of 56%. There were significant differences in publication rates according to institution, research type and location of research. Researchers from non-Quebec institutions were twice as likely to publish compared to those from Quebec institutions (Cox HR 2.13, CI 1.20-3.76, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: The QUA publication rate was considerably higher than previously studied by the American Urological Association (37.8%) and British Association of Urological Surgeons (≈42%); however length of follow-up and presentation types differed. Research conducted outside Quebec was more likely to be published, reflecting the multi-institution robust study designs and higher level of evidence. Factors influencing publication deserve further attention, and clinicians are encouraged to conduct research with intent to publish.

Socioeconomic status and reduced kidney function in the Whitehall II Study: role of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Previous US-based studies have found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately affects those of more adverse social circumstances. Our aim was to show the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and decreased kidney function in a European context and explore the role of obesity and metabolic syndrome. We consider the potential confounding effect of lean muscle mass. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: White participants in the follow-up of the Whitehall II cohort: UK-based European population (age, 55-79 years; n = 5,533), of whom 4,066 men (73%) and 1,467 women (27%) with complete data were analyzed. PREDICTORS: Self-reported occupational grade/salary range. OUTCOMES: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the CKD-EPI (CKD Epidemiology Collaboration) equation. MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index (BMI), serum lipid levels, blood pressure, Tanita TBF-300 body composition analyzer, impedance-derived lean mass index (LMI). RESULTS: Participants in a lower compared with higher occupational grade were at increased odds of having decreased GFR (age- and sex-adjusted OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.12-1.53; P = 0.001). Socioeconomic disparity in LMI was evident in women, but not men. After further adjustment for BMI and components of metabolic syndrome, the odds of decreased GFR in whites with a lower compared with higher occupational grade was attenuated by 23.3% (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.45; P = 0.008). Adjustment for LMI explained 15% of the association between SES and estimated GFR. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design, missing data for subset of participants, no urinary data. CONCLUSIONS: BMI and components of metabolic syndrome may explain up to a quarter of the association between low SES and decreased GFR, suggesting potential modifiable factors.