Phase I study of a new tablet-based image guided surgical system in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is, currently, the most commonly utilized procedure for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Image-guided surgical systems have been proposed in the literature as a valuable tool for the better utilization of the preoperative data in theatre. In this Phase 1 trial, we tested the feasibility and safety of a new, cutting-edge tablet-based surgical imaging system designed for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). It utilizes the preoperative MRI images of the prostate, mapping them intra-operatively, real time to the patient by magnetic tracking to fixed points of the pelvis. The system is comprised of a tablet computer with a touch screen display; a tracking system housed in a portable cart, a magnetic field generator and position sensors. It updates image data over 20 times per second to compensate with anatomical alterations during the operation. Four patients diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. All four had negative surgical margins along with satisfactory functional recovery regarding continence and potency. The navigational accuracy and the real time information provided by the imaging system was mainly utilized in the more challenging parts of the operation including the apical dissection, the nerve sparing procedure and the bladder neck dissection. The system proved to be safe and its clinical efficacy is due to be assessed with a Phase II clinical study.

Infection after transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy: increased relative risks after recent international travel or antibiotic use.

Study Type - Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Septicaemia is the most frequent cause of hospitalization after transtrectal prostate biopsy; fatalities have been reported and the incidence is on the rise. This study shows that men with a history of recent international travel or antibiotic use have up to four times increased risk of septicaemia and hospitalization. When they do occur, infections are usually due to multi-resistant E coli and additional care, e.g. delay before biopsy, different antibiotic prophylaxis or transperineal biopsy, should be considered in these cases. OBJECTIVE • To study the infection rate after prostate biopsy in those who have travelled overseas or used antibiotics in the 4 weeks before biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS • A total of 316 men with a mean (range) age of 61 (45-85) years were studied. All had undergone transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy after standard antibiotic prophylaxis. • Before their biopsy the patients were risk stratified and a history of recent international travel or antibiotic use was recorded. • Those who suffered sufficiently severe infection/sepsis so as to require hospitalization were identified at the end of the study period. • The characteristics of these patients and the types of infections were explored and the relative risk (RR) of infection after recent travel or antibiotic use was calculated. RESULTS • Of the 316 men, 16 were hospitalized with infection. • The group with (n= 16) and without (n= 300) infection were equivalent in age, prostate-specific antigen level, disease status and number of biopsy cores taken. • Either recent travel or antibiotic use were independent risk factors for infection [travel: 8/16 vs 76/300; P= 0.04; RR 2.7 and antibiotic use: 4/16 vs 20/300; P= 0.025; RR 4]. There was no significant pattern in the countries visited or the type of antibiotic used. • Culture results were positive in 10/16 men, and all cultures grew multiresistant Escherichia coli. The strains were uniformly resistant to ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin, and variably resistant to gentamicin and co-amoxiclav, but nearly all were sensitive to meropenem. • All patients made a full recovery after antibiotic and supportive treatment. CONCLUSIONS • Either recent international travel or antibiotic use are independent risk factors for severe infection after TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. • When infection does occur it should be treated aggressively as the causative agent is usually a multiresistant E. coli.

Bladder neck contracture after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence, management and outcome of vesico-urethral anastomotic strictures after bladder-neck sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the incidence, management and outcome of anastomotic strictures in 510 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years, range 45-76) who had open RRP by one surgeon between 1994 and 2003. RESULTS: The mean (range) follow-up was 30 (2-89) months; 48 patients (9.4%) developed an anastomotic stricture. Dilatation of the stricture was an effective treatment, with few patients requiring further treatment. CONCLUSION: Stricture of the vesico-urethral anastomosis after bladder-neck sparing RRP is relatively frequent but can usually be successfully managed with one graduated dilatation under light sedation.