Transvaginal minimally invasive approach: An update on safety from an anatomical, anatomopathological and clinical point of view.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to analyze the transvaginal approach in minimally invasive surgery in terms of anatomical, histopathological and functional characteristics, to show the safety of this surgical approach. METHODS: Anatomical study was first conducted by dissection on fresh cadavers of adult women in order to measure the distance between the vaginal incision and the ureters, rectum and hypogastric nerves. In parallel, an anatomopathological study detailed and compared the macroscopic and histological characteristics of the anterior and posterior surfaces of vaginal samples obtained from cadavers and patients in the context of a hysterectomy for benign pathology. Finally, patients who underwent a transvaginal approach nephrectomy or transplantation were retrospectively enrolled for a clinical examination and an evaluation of their sexuality. RESULTS: The anatomical study conducted on seventeen cadavers showed that the posterior vaginal fornix was remote from the major structures of the pelvis such as rectum, ureters, hypogastric plexus, which allowed a safe incision. Mechanical tests further demonstrated that the posterior vaginal fornix was more extensible than the anterior and histological features showed no major vascular or nervous structures. Ten patients were included in the retrospective clinical study. Long-term follow up showed no negative impact on the texture of the vagina or satisfaction from sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical, histological and functional data supported that transvaginal approach by posterior vagina fornix incision is a minimally invasive surgery that can be performed safely and effectively by a skilled surgeon in cases with a specific surgical indication for this approach.

Accuracy of the preoperative PSA level for predicting clinically significant incidental transitional zone-prostate cancer before endoscopic enucleation of very large adenoma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the accuracy of high preoperative PSA levels for predicting transitional zone incidental PCa (TZ-PCa) in men with very large prostates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perioperative data from 375 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP) for benign prostatic obstruction between July 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into three groups according to the preoperative PSA level: low-PSA (< 4 ng/mL), intermediate-PSA (4 ≤ PSA < 10 ng/mL) and high-PSA (≥ 10 ng/mL). Men in each group were propensity score matched by age, 5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) use, prostate volume and mpMRI. The TZ-PCa incidence rate was retrospectively compared by preoperative PSA level in a propensity score model including all predetermined variables. RESULTS: Age, prostate volume, 5-ARI use were similar between patient groups. The median PSA levels in the low-, intermediate- and high-PSA groups were 3 [2.3; 3.4], 6.6 [5.3; 8.1] and 12.7 [11; 16.7] ng/mL, respectively. The median prostate volume was > 100 grams in all groups (108, 105 and 120 cc, respectively). The T1a-Gleason 6 incidental TZ-PCa rate was statistically comparable between the three groups (3.4, 5.1 and 8.6% in the low-, intermediate- and high-PSA groups, respectively). The detection rate of clinically significant TZ-PCa was low for preoperative PSA levels > 4 ng/mL (1.7%); with no difference between the intermediate- and high-PSA groups. CONCLUSION: In men with large glands, the clinically significant incidental TZ-PCa detection rate was similar regardless of the preoperative PSA level stratum. Such details may help with patient counselling during BPH surgical management.

Comparison of Outcomes Obtained After Regular Surgery Versus Live Operative Surgical Cases: Single-centre Experience with Green Laser Enucleation of the Prostate.

BACKGROUND: Live surgery remains controversial. Although it may improve surgical training and accelerate the dissemination of technical steps of surgical procedures, controversy exists regarding patient safety in live surgery. OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of "en bloc" green laser enucleation of the prostate (GreenLEP) performed in workshops during live case demonstration (LCD) and in standard conditions (SCs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between June 2015 and January 2017, all consecutive patients who underwent GreenLEP for benign prostatic obstruction performed by a single surgeon were prospectively enrolled. Perioperative data and early postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification were collected. Workshop programmes started locally according to the European Association of Urology policy on live surgical events in June 2015 to enrol small groups of urologists in the GreenLEP technique. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic enucleation of the prostate using a GreenLight fibre. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Outcomes were compared between the LCD and SC groups. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of the 126 performed procedures, 37 were performed live during 17 LCDs with a median attendee number of 3. The patients' baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Intraoperative parameters were comparable: total energy of 62 [53; 77] versus 56kJ [44; 69] (p=0.068), operative time of 61 [53; 71] versus 55min [45; 66] (p=0.1), and morcellating time of 3 [3; 5] versus 4min [2; 6] (p=0.82) in the LCD versus SC group. The catheterisation time (2d [1; 2]) and length of hospital stay (2d [2; 3]) were similar. The overall complication rate was comparable in the LCD (18.9%) and SC (24.7%) groups (p=0.64). Preoperative parameters significantly improved from baseline without any significant differences between the two groups. Limitations included a small number of attendees/workshop, and case selections were made by the surgeon himself. CONCLUSIONS: GreenLEP was safe and provided satisfactory functional outcomes in both conditions. From this preliminary study, it seems that LCD did not jeopardise the surgeon's skill or technique. Similar studies are required to further assess patient safety and outcomes associated with live surgical events. PATIENT SUMMARY: According to the surgeon expertise, endoscopic enucleation of the prostate performed during live case demonstration provided similar functional outcomes to that performed in standard condition and could therefore be considered a safe potential educational tool.

Does mechanical morcellation of large glands compromise incidental prostate cancer detection on specimen analysis? A pathological comparison with open simple prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare the incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) detection rate between pathological specimens from green laser enucleation of the prostate (GreenLEP) and open simple prostatectomy (OSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In two institutions, the charts of all consecutive patients who underwent OSP between January 2005 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed, and the data of all consecutive patients who underwent GreenLEP with tissue morcellation between July 2013 and January 2018 were also collected. Preoperative demographics and pathological findings were recorded. iPCa detection rate was retrospectively compared between the GreenLEP and OSP groups in a propensity score model, including all predetermined variables: Age, preoperative PSA level and prostate volume. RESULTS: Of 738 patients, 402 were included in the propensity-score matching analysis, and they were equally distributed among groups. The overall iPCa detection rates were similar in both groups (9.9% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.73), and there were no statistically significant differences in terms of tumour stage, Gleason score or the rate of clinically significant iPCa, although the number of cassettes analysed was significantly higher in the morcellation group than in the OSP group. No predictive factors for iPCa were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that the mechanical morcellation of large glands had no influence on iPCa detection. Compared with a specimen from standard OSP, a large morcellated tissue sample allows adequate pathological evaluation and does not alter a pathologist's ability to detect iPCa.

Comparison between open simple prostatectomy and green laser enucleation of the prostate for treating large benign prostatic hyperplasia: a single-centre experience.

PURPOSE: This study sought to compare perioperative outcomes and morbidities for open simple prostatectomy (OSP) and endoscopic green laser enucleation of the prostate (GreenLEP). METHODS: In a single department, all consecutive patients who underwent OSP between January 2005 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed, and all consecutive patients undergoing GreenLEP between July 2013 and January 2017 were prospectively enrolled. Perioperative data, information regarding early postoperative complications for up to 6 months and outcomes were collected and retrospectively compared. RESULTS: Overall, 204 patients were enrolled in each group. The baseline characteristics of patients in both groups were comparable. Intraoperative time was significantly longer for the OSP group than for the GreenLEP group (67 versus 60 min; p < 0.0001). The OSP group had significantly longer catheterisation (5 versus 2 days; p < 0.0001) and hospitalisation times (7 versus 2 days; p < 0.0001) than the GreenLEP group. The overall rate of complications was significantly higher after OSP than after GreenLEP (37.2 versus 20.6%; p = 0.0003); both Clavien-Dindo grade 3a complications (8.8 versus 0.98%) and Clavien-Dindo grade 3b complications (2.4 versus 3.4%) were observed. The transfusion rate was higher after OSP than after GreenLEP (8.3 versus 0.5%; p = 0.0001). The rehospitalisation rate was similar for both groups (7.8 versus 8.3%; p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this single-centre cohort study confirm those of similar prior investigations addressing endoscopic enucleation of the prostate. Compared with OSP, GreenLEP may have a more desirable perioperative profile with lower morbidity. In contrast, GreenLEP and OSP were associated with similar 6-month rehospitalisation rates.

Assessment of the learning curves for photoselective vaporization of the prostate using GreenLight™ 180-Watt-XPS laser therapy: defining the intra-operative parameters within a prospective cohort.

PURPOSE: To assess the learning curves for the intra-operative parameters of the GreenLight™ 180-W XPS for photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 200 men who underwent PVP using the GreenLight™ 180-W XPS over 20 months. The population was divided into four consecutive equal groups. Evolution of lasing parameters was the main endpoint to reach an average energy of 5 kJ per prostate volume and to reach a lasing time/operative time (LT/OT) ratio of 66-80 %. Changes in the IPSS and prostate volume were also evaluated 12 weeks later. RESULTS: Total energy delivered (energy/ml of prostate) and the LT/OT ratio significantly increased over time (p < 0.05). Urinary function significantly improved from baseline in all groups. The first lasing parameter endpoint was reached after the 75th patient (group 1) and the second endpoint (LT/OT ratio) after the 125th patient (group 3). Only the PSA level (p = 0.04) and prostate volume (p < 0.0001) decreased significantly in the 3rd and the 4th group. Post-operative complications occurred in 20 % of patients, which were primarily Clavien-Dindo grades 1 and 2, though there were no statistical differences between the four groups (p = 0.62). In-hospital stay and time to catheter removal were significantly shorter in the 3rd and 4th group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study assessed the PVP learning curves within multiple intra-operative parameters. The PVP learning curves required at least 120 procedures until it met all intra-operative parameters of experts in this field.

Prospective study of the impact on quality of life of cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion for neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction has a negative impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL). Cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion is a treatment option in patients in failure after conservative management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of ileal conduit urinary diversion on the QoL of patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2004 to November 2010, 48 patients (36 women and 12 men with a mean age of 50.6 ± 11.8 years) treated by cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion for neurogenic bladder dysfunction, prospectively completed, before and after surgery, two self-administered QoL questionnaires. Neurological diseases were multiple sclerosis in 38 cases, spinal cord injury in 7 cases, and other neurological disease in 3 cases. Cystectomy was performed by laparoscopy in all patients. QoL was measured by using two self-administered questionnaires, one questionnaire specific for urinary disorders validated in neurological patients, Qualiveen®, and the generic SF36-v2® questionnaire. Data were compared by Student's t test. RESULTS: Comparison of the Qualiveen® self-administered questionnaire scores and indices before and after surgery showed that, after surgery, patients presented a significant reduction of limitations (0.57 ± 0.64 vs. 1.55 ± 1.35, P < 0.001), constraints (2.12 ± 0.83 vs. 2.64 ± 1.12, P = 0.046) scores and the SIUP index (1.29 ± 0.65 vs. 1.79 ± 0.95, P = 0.015). No significant change in SF36-v2® scores was observed postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Ileal conduit urinary diversion improves the urinary QoL of patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction by decreasing limitations and constraints induced by urinary disorders, but has no impact on general QoL.