[The robotic surgeon training]. / La formazione del chirurgo robotico.

The widespread robotic surgery in the world highlighted the relevance of the training programs for young urologists and residents. In the last years, urologic societies and some independent robotic surgeons strongly worked to standardize some general and specific training modules. Theoretical and practical sections of robotic training programs have been recently specified. The role of simulators, dry and wet laboratories, bedside assistance, and modular (step-by-step) training at console represent the most relevant elements of robotic surgeon training. Ideally, these didactic tools should be available in modern training centers. The development of structured robotic training programs should be considered as one of the priorities that the urologic community must take into account in the near future.

[Current role of training in robot-assisted urological procedures]. / Ruolo attuale del training nelle procedure urologiche robot-assistite.

The rapid introduction of robotic procedures necessitates new training methods. Currently, we can estimate that in a considerable proportion of the hospitals in Europe, the criteria for the surgeon's competence before starting with robotic surgery are insufficient. Therefore, the development of structured robotic training programs should be considered as one of the priorities that the urologic community must take into account in the near future.

Spontaneous prostatic hematoma: an unusual presentation of prostatic cancer.

Prostatic fluid collection is not uncommon in urological practice. Prostatic abscess is the most frequent finding in this clinical setting. Spontaneous prostatic hematoma is rare, and may be related to prostatic cancer. Every case of prostatic collection must be considered with attention, and further evaluation is needed when the diagnosis is not clear. Here we report the case of a spontaneous prostatic hematoma, which was eventually found to be due to prostatic cancer, describing in detail the clinical features, differential diagnosis and treatment options.

Will Multi-Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging be the Future Tool to Detect Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer?

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging imaging modality for diagnosis, staging, characterization, and treatment planning of prostate cancer. In this report, we reviewed the literature for studies assessing the accuracy of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer, and we critically examined the future role of this imaging tool in various clinical diagnostic settings. There is accumulating evidence suggesting a high accuracy of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging in ruling out clinically significant disease. Although definition for clinically significant disease widely varies, the negative predictive value is very high at up to 98%. Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging should, thus, be further evaluated for application in different clinical scenarios in which it is desirable to reduce the proportion of unnecessary prostate biopsies and to limit the detection of indolent disease, such as opportunistic screening, persistent prostate cancer suspicion in men with previous negative prostate biopsies, and eligibility for active surveillance. Continued improvement in standardization of technical parameters, functional sequences, and image reporting systems is a pre-requisite for a rapid and successful dissemination of this imaging modality.

The role of inflammation in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its potential impact on medical therapy.

A chronic prostatic inflammation seems to play a crucial role in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis and progression. Therefore, inflammation could represent a new potential target for medical therapy of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH (LUTS/BPH). This review article analyzes the evidence supporting the role of inflammation in the onset and progression of BPH, and it assesses the potential impact of previous mechanisms on medical therapy of LUTS/BPH. Literature data support the role of inflammation as a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of BPH. Indeed, several data favour the role of infiltrating lymphocytes in the development and progression of prostate adenoma as an effect of a self-maintaining remodeling process. Although available drugs commonly used in the treatment of LUTS/BPH do not exhibit an anti-inflammatory activity, it seems to be obvious considering the inflammation as a new target in the treatment of LUTS/BPH. Drugs currently investigated for the treatment of prostatic inflammation include the hexanic lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamin D receptor agonists.

Prostate biopsy after abdominoperineal resection: a diagnostic challenge.

Prostate biopsy in patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR) of the rectum is commonly considered a technical challenge even for experienced urologists, although tissue diagnosis is essential in prostate cancer management. Transperitoneal, transperineal and transgluteal approaches have been reported, under US, CT or MRI guidance. Transperineal biopsy seems to be the safest and most cost-effective technique. At our institution we developed a modified transperineal biopsy approach with combined transperineal and suprapubic US guidance. Here we report the cases of two patients who came to our institution for PSA raise years after APR procedure, describing in detail the modified transperineal technique and the results of tissue sampling.

Geometrical stepper-guided navigation system for ProACT implant under transrectal ultrasound control: preliminary data.

PURPOSE: To describe a new geometrical stepper-guided navigation system for positioning ProACT®. METHODS: The sizing of the stepper-guided navigation system was calculated using the distance from the ideal position of the device to anatomic referral points previously measured by ultrasound. The trocar and subsequently the device were maneuvered to the ideal position in accordance with the navigation system. MEASUREMENTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated with daily pad count, 1-hour pad test, Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (IQoL), visual analog scale and overall impression. Complications, balloon volume and number of adjustments were reported at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up visits. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 12 (range 3-19) months. Daily pad count showed 30 patients (71%) dry and 9 patients (21%) improved. 1 hour pad test showed 28 patients were dry (66%) and 11 patients improved (26%). IQoL increased from an average of 35.3 to 80. Average visual analog scale score was 8. Complications requiring device removal occurred in 3 patients (7%). Mean balloon volume was 3.1 ml. CONCLUSIONS: The stepper-guided navigation system to implant ProACT is feasible and extremely reproducible making this procedure more standardized.

[Cavernous hemangioma of the spongious body of the urethra: a case report]. / Angioma cavernoso del corpo spongioso dell'uretra.

Urethral hemangiomas are rare and benign tumors, probably originating from a unipotent angioblastic stem cell. They can vary in size and the clinical appearance can range from asymptomatic lesions to urethral bleeding or gross hematuria. We present the case of an 18-year-old male, with a history of urethral bleeding. Cystourethoscopy revealed a solitary bulging mass into the lumen, about 6 cm far from the external meatus. Doppler study confirmed that the lesion was in communication with the vessels of the left spongious body. The patient underwent surgical removal of the lesion. The post-procedure Doppler study revealed an inflammation-based remodeling of the spongoius urethra and the absence of the previous vascular connection. At the time of publication the patient is still symptom-free. The surgical removal of urethral hemangiomas is by far the technique of choice for treating such lesions in young patients, thus avoiding side effects of LASER treatments.