Preservation of fecal continence and bowel function after radical perineal and retropubic prostatectomy: a questionnaire-based outcomes study.

PURPOSE: To assess fecal incontinence rates and bowel function for radical perineal (RPP) or radical retropubic (RRP) prostatectomy patients and to compare them with a matched control group. METHODS: The bowel function domain of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) was mailed to 150 consecutive patients who had undergone RPP (79) or RRP (71) by the same surgeon (HJK) and an age-matched control group (75). RESULTS: Fecal incontinence and bowel dysfunction were statistically equivalent for the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in fecal incontinence rates or bowel function when comparing RPP patients to RRP or control patients.

Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate. Do enemas decrease clinically significant complications?

PURPOSE: Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate is the most common modality used to diagnose prostate cancer. Although many biopsy protocols have been described, in our opinion the role of enema before biopsy has not been definitively assessed in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 448 transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies was performed. All biopsies were done with the same equipment, and all patients received identical antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin. There were 38 patients excluded from the study secondary to alternate antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 225 patients received enemas before biopsy, while 185 did not. Clinically significant complications necessitating office visit, secondary therapy and hospitalization were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, clinically significant complications developed in 4.4% (10 of 225) of patients who had versus 3.2% (6 of 185) of those who did not have an enema (p = 0.614). There were 2 patients in each group who underwent transurethral prostatic resection or suprapubic prostatectomy for gross hematuria and/or urinary retention after biopsy. Of the patients who received enemas 2 were hospitalized for urinary retention and complicated urinary tract infection. One patient in the group without enema was hospitalized for gross hematuria and clot urinary retention. No patients who did not receive enema preparation were hospitalized for infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy accompanied by quinolone antibiotic prophylaxis remains a relatively safe procedure. Enema before biopsy provides no clinically significant outcome advantage, and potentially increases patient cost and discomfort.

Intravesical therapy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: the community practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess how the community urologist employs intravesical therapy in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder because most data on intravesical therapy reflect the experience of major referral centers. METHODS: The medical records of 234 consecutive patients with TCC were reviewed. Sixty-nine patients received intravesical treatment before referral. The initial pathologic findings, the indication for treatment (eg, grade and stage, initial versus recurrent tumor), the schedule of intravesical therapy, and the drug selected for each course of treatment were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1 39 courses of intravesical treatment were given to 69 patients; thus, the avarage number of courses was 2.02 per patient. The drug used was bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in 81 (58%), mitomycin C in 34 (24%), thiotepa in 16 (12%), Adriamycin in 4 (3%), and unknown in 4 (3%). Intravesical treatment was given after transurethral resection of the initial tumor in 33 patients; the initial pathologic finding was high grade (ie, grade 3 or carcinoma in situ) and/or Stage T1 in 22, TaG1-G2 in 9, and unknown in 2. One course of treatment was administered to 34 patients (49%) and two or more courses to 35 patients (51%). Eleven patients with TaG 1 -2 tumors were treated repetitively despite failure, with an average of 3.5 courses per patient; the drug used was BCG in 44%. Nineteen percent of patients received maintenance therapy. Intravesical therapy had to be discontinued in 10 patients because of side effects; 8 patients (12%) developed small contracted bladders and severe irritative symptoms, 3 required cystectomy despite the lack of bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical therapy in community practice conforms with the generally accepted indications for high-grade and T1 disease. However, the use of BCG for low-grade TCC appears to be quite common. Repeated courses may result in significant side effects. We emphasize that excessive treatment should be avoided for low-grade, Ta lesions and BCG reserved for patients with TaG3, carcinoma in situ, or T1 TCC.

Fibroepithelial polyp of the renal pelvis: nephron-sparing surgery after false-positive biopsy for transitional cell carcinoma.

Benign fibroepithelial polyps of the renal pelvis are extremely rare, with only 23 cases previously reported. The diagnosis is usually made following nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy for an assumed malignancy. This case involves a 66-year-old woman referred with presumed biopsy-proven transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. Radiographic findings were suggestive of a benign lesion. Pyelotomy and frozen section confirmed these suspicions. The polyp was excised and the kidney spared. The diagnosis and management of fibroepithelial polyps are discussed and the literature reviewed.

Radical prostatectomy: is complete resection of the seminal vesicles really necessary?

PURPOSE: We determined the frequency of prostate cancer extension into the distal 1 cm. of seminal vesicles, and reconsidered whether complete excision of the seminal vesicles during radical prostatectomy is always necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After en bloc removal with the specimen in 71 consecutive radical prostatectomies, the distal 1 cm. of each seminal vesicle was transected and separately analyzed for tumor involvement. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61.8 years (range 40 to 72). Preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) ranged from 0.8 to 37 ng./dl. (median 7.3), and 18 patients had a PSA of 10 or more. Clinical stages were T1b in 1 case T1c in 37, T2a in 12, T2b in 10, T2c in 6 and T3a in 1. Preoperative Gleason sums ranged from 4 to 8 (median 6) with 21 patients (30%) having a sum of 7 or more. Of 71 patients 12 (17%) and seminal vesicle invasion (5 bilaterally). In no case did tumor extend into the distal 1 cm. of the seminal vesicle. PSA at diagnosis ranged from 4.2 to 30 ng./dl., with 4 of 12 patients having a PSA of 10 or more. Preoperative clinical stages were T1c in 5 cases, T2a in 3, T2b in 2 and T2c in 2. Five of the 12 patients (42%) had positive surgical margins and 11 (92%) had a postoperative Gleason sum of 7 or more. CONCLUSIONS: In 71 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy no tumor was found in the distal 1 cm. of the seminal vesicles, including 12 with seminal vesicle invasion. We continue to advocate complete excision of the seminal vesicles during radical prostatectomy. However, if dissection is difficult and a small fragment is left behind, the prognosis is unlikely to be altered.

Autocrine motility factor receptor as a possible urine marker for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

PURPOSE: To determine whether autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) is detectable in the urine of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assayed the urine of 89 patients with bladder pathology and 28 normal controls for AMFR. A monoclonal antibody to AMFR was used. RESULTS: All patients with muscle-invasive TCC tested positive for AMFR. Autocrine motility factor receptor was detectable for 80% of superficial tumors, with a correlation between AMFR and tumor grade. Seventy-five percent of control urines tested negative. CONCLUSIONS: Autocrine motility factor receptor is detectable in the urine of patients with TCC. Long-term follow-up and refinements in the assay should define the marker's utility for detection and prognosis.

The effect of study methodology on reported success rates of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension.

PURPOSE: We compared surgical results in a cohort of women after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension using questionnaire based outcomes analysis versus a retrospective chart review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 151 patients who underwent modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension 102 had complete questionnaire and chart data for review. Mean patient age was 56 years and followup was 25 months. RESULTS: According to outcomes analysis 48 patients (47.1%) were cured and in 65 (64%) stress urinary incontinence improved compared to 74 (72%) cured and 89 (89%) improved by retrospective review. Of the 102 chart review patients 10 (9%) reported daily pad use compared to 55 of the 102 (53%) in the questionnaire study. CONCLUSIONS: This study controls for patient selection, definition of cure and length of followup, and demonstrates that study methodology profoundly affects reported outcomes for the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension.

Success rate of modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension determined by outcomes analysis.

The reported success rates of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension vary from 51 to 90%. Retrospective chart review studies have reported cure rates of 77 to 90%. In contrast, a questionnaire based outcomes analysis, using a strict definition of cure, reported 51% of the patients to be cured of stress urinary incontinence after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. We conducted a questionnaire based outcomes analysis of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension at our institution. The objectives of the study were to determine the success rates of this procedure using strict criteria in an outcomes analysis format, assess the overall satisfaction of patients postoperatively and identify historical factors that may be predictive of outcome. Between September 1988 and December 1991, 151 patients underwent a modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension for urodynamically documented genuine stress urinary incontinence. Mean patient age was 56 years (range 19 to 82 years) and mean followup was 25 months (range 9 to 45). All patients had type 2 incontinence (anatomical) based on history (severity of symptoms), physical examination, and fluoroscopic assessment of the bladder neck and urethra. Preoperative pad use, and irritative and obstructive symptoms were retrospectively assessed, and a preoperative Stamey incontinence score was assigned. A standardized questionnaire was used to compare preoperative and postoperative voiding symptoms, perception of urinary control and satisfaction with the decision to undergo an operation. Followup telephone calls were made by a trained registered nurse not associated with the original procedure. Postoperative pad use also was quantified and a postoperative Stamey score was assigned. A total of 106 patients (70%) returned the questionnaires. Cure was strictly defined as no urine leakage under any circumstance. While 78% of the patients required no to minimal protection postoperatively, 50 (47%) reported cure of the stress urinary incontinence, 68 (64%) reported subjective improvement, 27 (26%) were the same and 11 (10%) were subjectively worse after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. Of the patients 77% were satisfied with the decision to undergo the operation. Patients subjectively worse were significantly older than those subjectively improved (66 versus 54 years, p = 0.05). Postoperative failures had significantly higher obstructive and irritative symptom scores. Questionnaire based outcomes analysis has consistently demonstrated success rates less than those reported in retrospective chart review studies. Outcomes analysis, based on patient assessment of satisfaction, may more accurately reflect the expected surgical outcome after a modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension. We emphasize the need for standardized questionnaires and outcomes analysis to evaluate patient satisfaction with surgery designed to improve quality of life.