Can natural killer cell activity help screen patients requiring a biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of natural killer cell activity (NKA) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PC). Materials and Methods The medical records of patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy (TRBx) at Korea University Ansan Hospital between May 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. NKA levels were measured using NK Vue® Tubes (ATgen, Sungnam, Korea). All blood samples were obtained at 8 AM on the day of biopsy. Patients with other malignancies, chronic inflammatory conditions, high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (>20ng/mL), or history of taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor or testosterone replacement therapy were excluded. Results A total of 102 patients who underwent TRBx for PC diagnosis were enrolled. Among them, 50 were diagnosed with PC. Significant differences in age and NKA level were observed between the PC and no-PC groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off of NKA level for the prediction of PC was 500pg/dL, with a sensitivity of 68.0% and a specificity of 73.1%. In addition, NKA level (0.630) had the greatest area under the ROC curve compared to those for the ratio of total PSA to free PSA (0.597) and PSA density (0.578). Conclusions The results of this pilot study revealed that low NKA and high PSA levels were likely to be associated with a positive TRBx outcome. NKA detection was easy and improved the diagnostic accuracy of PC.

Can natural killer cell activity help screen patients requiring a biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of natural killer cell activity (NKA) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent transrectal prostate biopsy (TRBx) at Korea University Ansan Hospital between May 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. NKA levels were measured using NK VueR Tubes (ATgen, Sungnam, Korea). All blood samples were obtained at 8 AM on the day of biopsy. Patients with other malignancies, chronic inflammatory conditions, high prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) level (>20ng/mL), or history of taking 5-alphareductase inhibitor or testosterone replacement therapy were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients who underwent TRBx for PC diagnosis were enrolled. Among them, 50 were diagnosed with PC. Significant differences in age and NKA level were observed between the PC and no-PC groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off of NKA level for the prediction of PC was 500pg/dL, with a sensitivity of 68.0% and a specifi city of 73.1%. In addition, NKA level (0.630) had the greatest area under the ROC curve compared to those for the ratio of total PSA to free PSA (0.597) and PSA density (0.578). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study revealed that low NKA and high PSA levels were likely to be associated with a positive TRBx outcome. NKA detection was easy and improved the diagnostic accuracy of PC.

Laparoscopic approach for intravesical surgery using pneumovesicum in the management of anterior colporrhaphy mesh erosion and stones around the bladder neck.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Perforation of the bladder or urethra and erosion of the mesh after cystocele repair surgery are not uncommon and have potentially serious complications. Traditionally, surgical management of such complications has involved excision of the mesh using either a transurethral approach or open surgery. In this video, we present our experience of laparoscopic transvesical surgery for exposed mesh and stone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient was placed in the lithotomy position under general anesthesia and a 30° operating cystoscope was inserted under direct vision. After filling the bladder with 300 mL normal saline, a 5 - mm VersaStep™ bladeless trocar was placed 2 cm above the pubic symphysis. Two more 5 mm trocars were placed bilaterally at 3 cm intervals from the initial trocar site. The pneumovesicum state was maintained at 8 - 12 mmHg and a 5 mm telescope was introduced. Using a curved dissector and curved Mayo scissors, the exposed mesh was mobilized and removed. Interrupted 4 - 0 Vicryl sutures were used to close the defect. To localize the ureteral orifice, intravenous Indigo Carmine was used. The bladder stones were removed through the urethra using a stone basket, guided using a ureteral stent pusher. RESULTS: Total operation time was 55 min and the Foley catheter was removed at post - operative day 5 after postoperative cystography. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent visualization of mesh exposure and ureteral orifice was possible under aparoscopic transvesical surgery, and reconstruction including the mucosa and muscle layer was able to be achieved. This method is useful and feasible, with minimal invasiveness and an early post - operative recovery.

Laparoscopic single port cystolithotomy using pneumovesicum

ABSTRACT Purpose: Currently, several modalities are used to manage bladder stones. We report laparoscopic single port cystolithotomy using stone basket via pneumovesicum method.

Single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ multiple access port.

PURPOSE: Several surgical approaches have been used for varicocelectomy. We report single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ (Covidien, Norwalk, CT) multiple access port. CASE: The greade III varicocele patient was 23 years old and placed in supine position. About 2 cm vertical skin incision was made in a crease just lateral to the umbilicus and SILS™ port was placed with three 5-mm trocars. Incision to posterior peritoneum from the point 3 cm superior to the internal inguinal was made by needle holder with a broken 15th blade tip. The testicular vessels were exposed. The lymphatic vessels and testicular artery were identified and separated from the testicular vein with flexible laparoscopic instruments and conventional rigid instruments. Three testicular veins were clipped with hemoclips (EndoClip , Autosuture, Norwalk, CT). Posterior peritoneum was repaired with 4-0 vicryl with one side of 5 mm Hem-o-lok clip (Weck Research,Triangle Park, NC). Than the distal end of suture site was also closed with Hem-o-lok. RESULTS: The whole procedure was completed with no complication. The operative time was 85 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. The patient was discharged 2 days after the operation. Left scrotal pain and vein engorgement was disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Our single port varicocelectomy method is a safe and effective alternative to conventional method. This will provide minimally invasive surgical option for varicocele and we can expect more potential cosmetic benefit and less morbid.

Single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ multiple access port

Purpose Several surgical approaches have been used for varicocelectomy. We report single port varicocelectomy using SILS™ (Covidien, Norwalk, CT) multiple access port. Case The greade III varicocele patient was 23 years old and placed in supine position. About 2 cm vertical skin incision was made in a crease just lateral to the umbilicus and SILS™ port was placed with three 5-mm trocars. Incision to posterior peritoneum from the point 3 cm superior to the internal inguinal was made by needle holder with a broken 15th blade tip. The testicular vessels were exposed. The lymphatic vessels and testicular artery were identified and separated from the testicular vein with flexible laparoscopic instruments and conventional rigid instruments. Three testicular veins were clipped with hemoclips (EndoClip , Autosuture, Norwalk, CT). Posterior peritoneum was repaired with 4-0 vicryl with one side of 5 mm Hem-o-lok clip (Weck Research,Triangle Park, NC). Than the distal end of suture site was also closed with Hem-o-lok. Results The whole procedure was completed with no complication. The operative time was 85 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. The patient was discharged 2 days after the operation. Left scrotal pain and vein engorgement was disappeared. Conclusions Our single port varicocelectomy method is a safe and effective alternative to conventional method. This will provide minimally invasive surgical option for varicocele and we can expect more potential cosmetic benefit and less morbid. .