Evaluation of teleconsultation system in the urological patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Evaluación de la teleconsulta en el paciente urológico durante la pandemia COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The global pandemic of COVID-19 has led to rapid implementation of telemedicine, but there is little information on patient satisfaction of this system as an alternative to face-to-face care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate urological patient satisfaction with teleconsultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, prospective, cross-sectional, non-interventional study carried out by telephone survey during the period considered as the peak of the pandemic (March-April 2020). A quality survey composed of 11 questions on urological care provided by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted, selecting a representative sample of patients attended by teleconsultation. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were contacted by telephone to answer a survey on the quality of teleconsultation. The distribution of patients surveyed among the specialized consultations was homogeneous with the number of consultations cited in the period; 18% of them required assistance from family members. Sixty percent of patients avoided going to a medical center during the pandemic. Of the surveyed patients, 42% had cancelled diagnostic tests, 59% had cancelled medical consultations, 3.5% had cancelled treatments and 1% had cancelled interventions. Ten percent reported a worsening of urological symptoms during confinement. According to physicians, consultations were effectively delivered in 72% of cases, with teleconsultation being carried out by their usual urologist in 81%. Teleconsultation overall satisfaction level was 9 (IQI8-10), and 61.5% of respondents consider teleconsultation as a «health care option¼ after the healthcare crisis. CONCLUSION: Teleconsultation has been evaluated with a high level of satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering continuous care to urological patients during the healthcare crisis. The perceived quality offers a field of optional telematic assistance in selected patients, which should be re-evaluated in a period without confinement measures.

A new approach to laparoscopic implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter: Vesicovaginal approach to the bladder neck. / Nueva aproximación al implante laparoscópico del esfínter urinario artificial: abordaje vesicovaginal al cuello vesical.

INTRODUCTION: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is not used extensively in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence (USI) due to the poor reproducibility of the techniques used. We describe a new approach to laparascopic implantation, of which dissection of the vesicovaginal space is an essential step. This enables an approach under direct vision to the posterior surface of the bladder neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present two cases where this approach was used. A transperitoneal approach was made in the Trendelenburg position. The main steps were: creating the vesicovaginal space until identifying the bladder neck, creating two laterovesical spaces, communicating these with the vesicovaginal space, and dissecting the anterior surface of the bladder neck, attempting to preserve the pubovesical ligament. The cuff and reservoir were inserted through the 12mm infraumbilical trocar. The connections were externalised through a left suprapubic incision and a subcutaneous tunnel created up to the labia majora where the activation pump was placed. The procedure was completed with closure of the peritoneum. It is essential to use a vaginal valve to facilitate dissection. RESULTS: Surgery time: 140 and 135minutes, with no intraoperative complications. After removing the urinary catheter, one patient had elevated postvoid residual urine volume, which was managed conservatively. Hospital stay: 72h. At 3 and 9 months the patients were fully continent. CONCLUSIONS: We present the preliminary results of laparoscopic implantation of an AUS through a vesicovaginal approach to the posterior surface of the bladder neck, which might reduce potential complications that have been observed after the routine techniques.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of main diagnosis tools in women with overactive bladder. Clinical history, micturition diary and urodynamic study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present clinical research is to analyze, in the light of the best scientific evidence, the performance and the cost of the main diagnostic tools for overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: It is an exploratory transversal study in which 199 women diagnosed of OAB between 2006 and 2008 were selected and underwent to following prospective analyses: physical examination, urine analysis, micturition diary (MD) and urodynamic study (UDS). A percentage of 80% was assumed as highly sensitive and a diagnostic difference among tests of 10% would be considered clinically relevant. Tests' sensitivity for diagnosis of OAB was statistically established by two ways: isolated and combined. Besides, the direct and indirect costs of these tests performance were conducted. Cost-effectiveness study of clinical history (CH), MD and US for the diagnosis of OAB was performed. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity for OAB diagnosis is low for the 3 tests used in isolated way, whilst the combination of any two tests shows good overall sensitivity. The combination of CH and MD has appeared as the most cost-effective alternative to OAB diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: For OAB diagnosis, CH-DM combination shows the same sensitivity than the association of either of them with the UDS, but unlike to these, it shows the lowest cost.

Giant adrenal carcinoma associated with renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombus. Case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of giant adrenal carcinoma associated with renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. Up to now, there is no similar case reported in the national literature. METHODS: 75 year old woman with signs of virilization. CT-scan showed an 18 cm adrenal mass with venous thrombus and possible pulmonary metastases. The working diagnosis was primary suprarenal carcinoma. RESULT: Due to elderly age and advanced stage, including metastasis, we decided to not perform surgery, and initiate chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal Cancer is an infrequent and very aggressive tumor. Surgery is the only curative treatment. In advanced stages chemotherapy is recommended, but with poor results.

[Shattered kidney in a patient with asymptomatic chronic hydronephrosis. Case report and literature review]. / Estallido renal en paciente con hidronefrosis crónica asintomática. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

The incidence of renal anomalies in patients who suffer a renal trauma is around 4.4 and 19%. We introduce a case of a patient whose first sign of a chronic hydronefrosis was a renal burst secondary to an abdominal trauma.

Estallido renal en paciente con hidronefrosis crónica asintomática. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Shattered kidney in a patient with asimptomatic chronic hydronephrosis. Case report and literature review

Se estima que la presencia de anomalías renales en pacientes que sufren un traumatismo renal oscila entre el 4,4 y el 19%. Presentamos un caso de un paciente cuya primera manifestación de una hidronefrosis crónica fue un estallido renal secundario a un traumatismo abdominal

The incidence of renal anomalies in patients who suffer a renal trauma is around 4.4 and 19%. We introduce a case of a patient whose first sign of a chronic hydronefrosis was a renal burst secondary to an abdominal trauma

[Left inferior vena cava with renal cell carcinoma]. / Vena cava renal izquierda en un paciente con carcinoma de células renales.

We presented a case of inferior vena cava on the left side diagnosed by abdominal CT scan during the study of a renal cell carcinoma in the right side. This anomaly is very rare but it may suppose a more difficult approach to the nephrectomy.

Vena cava renal izquierda en un paciente con carcinoma de células renales / Left inferior vena cava with renal cell carcinoma

Presentamos un caso de vena cava renal izquierda diagnosticado mediante CT abdominal durante el estudio de extensión de un paciente por carcinoma de células renales. Esta anomalía es muy rara pero su conocimiento antes de la cirugía es importante para evitar complicaciones durante el procedimiento quirúrgico (AU)

We presented a case of inferior vena cava on the left side diagnosed by abdominal CT scan during the study of a renal cell carcinoma in the right side. This anomaly is very rare but it may suppose a more difficult approach to the nephrectomy (AU)

[The natural history of sperm cleareance after vasectomy]. / La historia natural del aclaramiento de espermatozoides en el semen tras la vasectomía.

OBJECTIVE: To study the time required to obtain a negative sperm analysis after vasectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 239 consecutive vasectomies performed between september 1998 and september 1999. All of them were done in an ambulatory basis. Follow up interval was 41-853 days (mean 144, median 104). The first semen analysis was requested between 1 and 6 months after the surgical procedure. If the sample still showed spermatozoa, then a new one was requested every two months. Probability of becoming azoospermic was studied with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Persistent spermatozoa could be found in 31 patients (13%) at the end of follow-up. Despite having a positive semen analysis, 10 patients (4.2%) discontinued medical visits. Time required to obtain a negative sperm count ranged from 58 to 362 days (mean 133, median 99). The probability of being azoospermic 200 and 260 days after vasectomy was 80-90% respectively. A total of 328 semen analysis were requested (range 1-4, mean 1.37, median 1) CONCLUSIONS: A minimum of 200 days (6.6 months) are needed to clear all the spermatozoa in semen after vasectomy in 80% of our patients. Requesting the first semen sample 7 months after vasectomy is cost-effective, reducing unnecesary medical visits and increasing the rentability of this test.

La historia natural del aclaramiento de espermatozoides en el semen tras la vasectomía / The natural history of sperm cleareance after vasectomy

OBJETIVO: Estudiar el tiempo necesario para obtener un seminograma negativo tras la vasectomía. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Revisamos 239 vasectomías consecutivas durante un año. Todas ellas fueron realizadas de forma ambulatoria. El tiempo de seguimiento fue de 41-853 días (media 144, mediana 104).El primer seminograma fue solicitado entre 1 y 6 meses tras la intervención. A los pacientes que presentaron espermatozoides en la primera muestra de semen, se les solicitó una nueva muestra cada dos meses hasta que el seminograma fuese negativo. La probabilidad de azoospermia fue estudiada mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier. RESULTADOS: Al final del periodo de seguimiento, 31 pacientes (13%) seguían teniendo espermatozoides en el seminograma. A pesar de ello, 10 pacientes (4,2%) dejaron de acudir a la consulta. El tiempo requerido para obtener un seminograma negativo osciló entre 58 y 362 días (media 133, mediana 99). La probabilidad de quedar azoospérmico a los 200 y 260 días tras la vasectomía, fue del 80 y 90% respectivamente. Se realizaron un total de 328 seminogramas (rango 1-4, media 1,37, mediana 1).CONCLUSIONES: Se necesita un mínimo de 200 días (6,6 meses) para que el 80% de nuestros pacientes queden azoospérmicos. Solicitar el primer seminograma 7 meses tras la vasectomía es rentable, reduciendo el número de visitas médicas innecesarias e incrementando la rentabilidad de esta prueba (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To study the time required to obtain a negative sperm analysis after vasectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 239 consecutive vasectomies performed between September 1998 and September 1999. All of them were done in an ambulatory basis. Follow up interval was 41-853days (mean 144, median 104). The first semen analysis was requested between 1 and 6 months after the surgical procedure. If the sample still showed spermatozoa, then a new one was requested every two months. Probability of becoming azoospermic was studied with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Persistent spermatozoa could be found in 31 patients (13%) at the end of follow-up. Despite having a positive semen analysis, 10 patients (4.2%) discontinued medical visits. Time required to obtain a negative sperm count ranged from 58 to 362 days (mean 133, median 99). The probability of being azoospermic 200 and 260 days after vasectomy was 80-90% respectively. A total of 328 semen analysis were requested (range 1-4, mean 1.37, median 1). CONCLUSIONS: A minimum of 200 days (6.6 months) are needed to clear all the spermatozoa in semen after vasectomy in 80% of our patients. Requesting the first semen sample 7 months after vasectomy is cost-effective, reducing unnecesary medical visits and increasing the rentability of this test (AU)

[Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in our setting: analysis of results]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo en nuestro medio: análisis de resultados.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Surgical repair is the most effective option for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) between the different therapeutical options available at present. The main objective of our study is to compare the outcome of the different techniques employed in the treatment of SUI in our setting. METHOD: We have performed a retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent surgical intervention for SUI between 1991 to 1999 (213 surgical interventions in 194 patients) clustering the surgical procedures into three groups: abdominal, abdomino-vaginal, and sling procedures. The results of the treatment were defined as follows: total continence, significant improvement and insufficient improvement. Comparison of continence rates was performed with chi 2 test and Fisher's exact test. Association between qualitative variables was also evaluated by means of chi 2 test. Multivariate analysis of predictive factors was performed with a Cox model. The outcome was also evaluated by Kaplan-Meier's curves, and comparisons made with log-rank test. Statistical significance level was established for p < 0.05. RESULTS: Global cure rate at 24 months was 54.5% (116 patients). Significant improvement was observed in 33 patients (15.5%), and insufficient improvement was seen in 64 patients (30%). The most frequent postoperative complications were suprapubic pain (33%), acute urinary retention (26%), significant postvoiding residual urine (24%) and wound seroma or infection (20%). None of the analyzed factors (age, weight, number of births, preoperative pads, postoperative acute urinary retention, and need for postoperative bladder clean intermittent catheterization were independent predictive factors for postoperative continence. The actuarial analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves shows no statistical differences between the studied techniques (log rank p = 0.41). Sling techniques presented with a superior rate of most postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The cure rate of our serie was 54.5% at 24 months, with a 70% of clinically satisfactory responses. With regard to continence status, it seems that there is not a better surgical technique in our hands, presenting sling techniques with a higher rate of postoperative complications. We could not find no pre o postoperative independent factors as predictors of postoperative continence.

[Nutcracker syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Síndrome del cascanueces. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Nutcracker syndrome is caused by compression of left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This phenomenon results in left renal venous hypertension, left gonadal vein varices and unilateral hematuria. We report a typical case of nutcracker syndrome and we review the literature in an effort to explain this pathology.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo en nuestro medio: análisis de resultados / Outcome analysis for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in our setting

INTRODUCCIÓN: La corrección quirúrgica es actualmente el método más efectivo de tratamiento para la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) de entre las diferentes opciones terapéuticas de las que se dispone en la actualidad. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en comparar la eficacia de los distintos grupos de técnicas empleadas para el tratamiento de la IUE en nuestras pacientes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Hemos llevado a cabo un análisis retrospectivo de las pacientes intervenidas en nuestro Servicio por IUE durante el periodo comprendido entre abril de 1991 y julio de 1999 (213 intervenciones en 194 pacientes), agrupando los procedimientos en 3 grupos: técnicas abdominales, técnicas abdomino-vaginales, y técnicas de cabestrillo. La tasa de éxito de la intervención fue valorada mediante tres categorías: continencia total, mejoría clínicamente significativa, y ausencia de mejoría. La comparación bivariante de proporciones se realizó mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher y el test de Chi-cuadrado. La asociación de variables cualitativas se evaluó mediante el test de Chi-cuadrado: se utilizó un modelo de Cox para el análisis multivariante de los factores predictores de continencia, y curvas de Kaplan-Meier para la evaluación de la supervivencia de la continencia post-operatoria. Para todos ellos se tomó como nivel de significación estadística una p<0,05. RESULTADOS: La tasa de continencia total de nuestra serie fue del 54,5 por ciento (116 pacientes continentes) a los 2 años. En el grupo de mejoría clínica significativa fueron incluidas 33 pacientes (15,5 por ciento) y en el grupo de pacientes sin mejoría 64 pacientes (30 por ciento) (Figs. 3 y 4). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron la presencia de dolor suprapúbico (33 por ciento), la infección de la herida (20 por ciento), la retención de orina post-operatoria (26 por ciento), y la presencia de residuo post-miccional significativo (24 por ciento). Ninguno de los múltiples factores analizados, se mostraron como factores predictivos independientes para la continencia post-operatoria. En el análisis actuarial, tras la comparación de las curvas de Kaplan-Meier correspondientes a cada técnica, objetivamos que no existen diferencias entre las distintas técnicas (logrank; p=0,41) presentando la técnica de sling un mayor número de complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: La tasa de continencia total post-quirúrgica de nuestra serie es de un 54,5 por ciento a los dos años, encontrando un total de 70 por ciento de respuestas clínicamente satisfactorias. No parece existir una técnica claramente superior a las demás en cuanto a eficacia para nuestras pacientes, presentando la técnica de sling un porcentaje superior de complicaciones. No hemos encontrado factores pre o post-operatorios que influyan de modo independiente en la predicción de la continencia post-quirúrgica (AU)

Síndrome del cascanueces. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Nutcracker syndrome. A case report and review of the literature

El síndrome del cascanueces está causado por una compresión de la vena renal entre la aorta y la arteria mesentérica superior. Este fenómeno resulta en una hipertensión de la vena renal izquierda, varices en la vena gonadal izquierda y hematuria unilateral. Comunicamos un caso típico de síndrome de cascanueces y se lleva a cabo una revisión de la literatura reciente para tratar de explicar esta patología (AU)

Nutcracker syndrome is caused by compression of left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This phenomenon results in left renal venous hypertension, left gonadal vein varices and unilateral hematuria. We report a typical case of nutcracker syndrome and we review the literature in an effort to explain this pathology (AU)

[Epidemiologic analysis of clear cell and chromophilic carcinoma of the kidney]. / Análisis epidemiológico del carcinoma renal de células claras y cromofílico.

OBJECTIVE: Finding differences in the characteristics of the two most frequent variants of renal cancers: the clear-cell renal carcinoma, and the chromophilic one. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed of renal carcinoma in our hospital between 1991 and 2001. Statistical differences were searched between patients' characteristics (age, sex, smoking habitus) and tumors' characteristics (size, focality, stage, side and grade). RESULTS: Sixty six renal tumors were diagnosed, of which 41 (62.1%) were clear-cell tumors and 9 (13%) were chromophilic. We only found statistical differences between both subpopulations' tumor size (p < 0.05), being greater for clear-cell tumors (7 +/- 3.92 cm) than for chromophilic ones (4.89 +/- 1.96 cm). We could also appreciate a bias towards a less advanced stage of the chromophilic type, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Clear-cell renal carcinoma and chromophilic renal carcinoma are the two more frequent variants of renal tumors. The chromophilic type is smaller and is usually found in a less advanced stage, although this bias could not be demonstrated in our series.

Análisis epidemiológico del carcinoma renal de células claras y cromofílico / Epidemiologic analysis of the clear-cell and chromophilic renal carcinoma

OBJETIVO: Encontrar diferencias en las características epidemiológicas de las dos variedades más frecuentes de cánceres renales: el carcinoma renal de células claras y el cromofílico (papilar). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis retrospectivo de las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma renal en nuestro hospital entre los años 1991 y 2001. Se buscaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las características de los pacientes (edad, sexo y hábito tabáquico) y de los tumores (tamaño, focalidad, estadio, lateralidad y grado). RESULTADOS: Se diagnosticaron 66 tumores renales, de los cuales 41 (62,1 por ciento) eran de células claras y 9 (13 por ciento) cromofílicos. Únicamente se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambas subpoblaciones en lo referente al tamaño (p<0,05), siendo mayor en el caso de los de células claras (7 ñ 3,92 cm) frente a los cromofílicos (4,89 ñ 1,96 cm). También se apreció una sensible tendencia de los tumores cromofílicos a encontrarse en estadios más precoces en el momento del diagnóstico. CONCLUSIONES: Los carcinomas renales de células claras y los cromofílicos son las dos variedades más frecuentes de tumores renales. Los cromofílicos son de menor tamaño y suelen encontrarse en un estadio menos avanzado, aunque esta tendencia no se ha podido demostrar en nuestra serie (AU)

[Detection of prostatic cancer in the PSA range between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml]. / Deteccion del cáncer de próstata en el rango de PSA entre 3 y 3,9 ng/ml.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we analyze the benefit of lowering the PSA cutoff point for which a prostate biopsy is indicated from 4 to 3 ng/ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have considered 4.278 individuals coming from a prostate cancer screening program. We studied 1.217 interventions in which PSA was determined, indicating the prostate biopsy with PSA > or = 3 ng/ml. Digital rectal examination was never the indication for the biopsy. All biopsies were sextant and assisted by transrectal ultrasound. We compared the performance of the biopsy using 4 and 3 ng/ml as cut points. RESULTS: Of the 1.217 interventions performed, 947 had PSA values lower than 3 ng/ml, 80 between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml and 190 over 4 ng/ml. A total of 189 patients (70% of these two last groups) underwent a prostate biopsy. With 4 ng/ml as the cut point, 134 biopsies were indicated, detecting 28 cancers (positive predictive value 20.9%). However 189 biopsies were indicated and 34 cancers detected by lowering the cut point to 3 ng/ml (positive predictive value 17.9%). The reduction in the biopsy performance was not statistically significant (OR = 0.89). None of the 6 additional cancers detected was palpable or ecographically visible (T1c), all of them had a Gleason score under 7 and half of them could be considered clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Lowering PSA cutoff point from 4 to 3 ng/ml improved the detection rate in 21.4% not jeopardizing the biopsy performance. Therefore we think that the group of patients with PSA between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml as candidates for prostate biopsy, should be included in screening programs.

Deteccion del cáncer de próstata en el rango de PSA entre 3 y 3,9 ng/ml / Prostate cancer detection in the PSA range of 3 to 3,9 ng/ml

OBJETIVO: En este estudio se analiza el beneficio de reducir el valor de PSA para el cual se indica una biopsia prostática de 4 a 3 ng/ml. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Partimos de 4.278 pacientes procedentes de un programa de screening de cáncer de próstata. Consideramos 1.217 actuaciones en las que se realizó determinación sérica de PSA, indicando la biopsia prostática cuando el PSA era 3 ng/ml. En ningún caso el TR (TR) fue la indicación para realizar la misma. Todas las biopsias fueron sextantes y ecodirigidas por vía transrectal. Comparamos el rendimiento de la biopsia al emplear como puntos de corte 4 y 3 ng/ml. RESULTADOS: De las 1.217 actuaciones realizadas, 947 presentaron valores de PSA inferiores a 3 ng/ml, 80 entre 3 y 3,9 ng/ml y 190 por encima de 4 ng/ml. De los 270 pacientes que componen estos dos últimos grupos, 189 (70 per cent) se sometieron a una biopsia prostática. Con el nivel de corte establecido de forma habitual (4 ng/ml) se indicaron 134 biopsias y se detectaron 28 cánceres (valor predictivo positivo 20,9 per cent). Sin embargo al reducir el punto de corte a 3 ng/ml el número de biopsias indicadas ascendió a 189, detectando 34 cánceres (valor predictivo positivo 17,9 per cent). El descenso en el rendimento de la biopsia no fue significativo (OR=0,89). De los 6 tumores detectados al reducir el punto de corte, ninguno era palpable o visible (T1c), todos presentaron un score de Gleason menor de 7 y la mitad cumplían criterios de tumor clínicamente relevante. CONCLUSIONES: La reducción del valor de PSA a 3 ng/ml como punto de corte para indicar una biopsia prostática ha supuesto un incremento en la tasa de detección del cáncer de próstata de un 21,4 per cent, sin reducir significativamente el rendimiento de la biopsia. Por tanto, creemos que la inclusión del grupo de pacientes con PSA entre 3 y 3,9 ng/ml como candidatos a biopsiar es importante en un programa de screening precoz de cáncer de próstata (AU)

[Selective bladder sparing with transrectal resection of muscle-infiltrating tumors]. / Preservación vesical selectiva mediante resección transuretral de los tumores músculo-infiltrantes.

OBJECTIVE: To disclose te ability of TUR as monotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer recruited throughout 1991-1999 were allocated into a protocol based on TUR. 30-45 days after the first TUR a second procedure was performed. The number of recurrences and progressions was registered. Progression-free survival and survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded due to persistence of muscle-invasive disease after the second resection. 8 subjects (32%) were lost in follow-up. 17 were eventually evaluable. 12 patients (70.5%) had recurrences. Eventually, 4 more cystectomies were undertaken for invasive recurrences (4/17, 23.5%). During the study period, 3 deaths were recorder (3/17, 17.6%). The actuarial probability of progression at 93 months was estimated on 60%. CONCLUSIONS: 75% of patients retained their bladders. The proportion of patients lost in follow-up was very high. Patients must commit to a close surveillance.

[Preliminary results of the treatment of high grade (T1G3) superficial tumors of the bladder with transurethral resection]. / Resultados preliminares del tratamiento de los tumores vesicales superficiales de alto grado (T1G3) mediante resección transuretral.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the results of monotherapy with TUR in the treatment of primary T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). METHODOLOGY: Thirty-two patients with primary TCC of the bladder were allocated into a surveillance program. Risk factors for progression to muscle-invasive disease were determined. Immediately, projections of disease-free and progression-free survival were calculated. RESULTS: Five patients (15.6%) were lost in follow-up. Twenty-three (85%) had superficial recurrences. Four patients (14.8%) progressed to muscle-invasive or metastatic disease. No independent risk-factors for progression were disclosed. Median disease-free survival was 8 months. Projection of the risk of recurrence at 79 months was 84.9%. Median time to progression has not been reached yet. Projection of progression at 79 months was 46.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The above mentioned treatment schedule is associated with very high recurrence rates. In addition, recurrences are very frequent. Nevertheless, in the medium run, projections of progression suggest that surveillance can be an alternative to other treatments in the management of T1G3 TCC of the bladder.