Open reconstruction of recurrent vesicourethral anastomotic stricture after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcomes of open vesicourethral anastomotic reconstruction (VUAR) for outlet stenosis following radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: Review of all cases of VUAR within an IRB-approved database was performed. Preoperative factors assessed included cancer treatment modality, duration of symptoms, prior treatments, and length of defect. Outcomes reviewed included length-of-stay (LOS), complications, maintenance of patency, continence, and need for additional procedures. RESULTS: Twelve cases of VUAR performed by a single surgeon (BJF) from 2004 to 2012 were identified. Surgical approaches were either abdominal (7), perineal (3), or abdominoperineal (2). All patients underwent prior RP, with 25 % having subsequent radiotherapy. Among patients with stenosis, 43 % were completely obliterated. Two cases had prior anastomotic disruption in the early postoperative period after RP. The median length of stenosis was 2.5 cm (range 1-5 cm) and median LOS was 3.0 days (range 1-7 days). At a median follow-up of 75.5 months (range 14-120 months), 92 % of men retained patency; only 25 % were continent. CONCLUSION: In experienced hands, VUAR can restore durable patency for men afflicted with outlet stenosis after RP. Despite anatomic restoration, incontinence is likely.

York-Mason procedure for repair of recto-urinary fistulae: a 40-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of the York-Mason transanal, transrectal procedure, used in properly selected patients over a 40-year period, for repairing recto-urinary fistulae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent acquired recto-urethral or rectovesical fistula repair at our institution. A total of 51 patients have undergone York-Mason recto-urinary fistula repair at our institution during this time. RESULTS: Since our last report in 2003, we have performed this procedure an additional 27 times. We continue to have good results, with 25 of these patients having resolution of their fistulae after one procedure. Failures in the updated cohort were radiation-induced fistulae. We continue to find no evidence of faecal incontinence or stenosis after this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Over a period of 40 years, the York-Mason posterior, transanal, transrectal correction of iatrogenic recto-urinary fistula has been highly successful, reliable and safe, when used for fistulae occurring after prostate surgery. Preliminary faecal diversion can often be avoided in selected patients.

Patterns of enlarged lymph nodes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the imaging studies of patients with known metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in order to more accurately assess where retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy occurs. METHODS: The database of patients with metastatic RCC was reviewed and 101 patients were found from 2002 to 2006. Each patient's CT scans were then reviewed. Twenty-seven retroperitoneal sections were defined for each patient, with 3 positions in each of the x-, y-, and z-axis. Lymph nodes greater than 1 cm were then counted for each section. RESULTS: Of the 101 patients, 31, of whom 28 qualified, were found to have retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy of a least 1 cm or greater. Two-thirds of nodes (87 out of 124) exhibited a suprahilar, intra-aortocaval, and retro-aortocaval trend of lymph node enlargement. Three patients (11%) had isolated infrahilar nodes, while 8 patients (29%) exhibited a skip lesion pattern by imaging criteria. Only 4 patients (14%) were noted to have lymph nodes that were confined to the ipsilateral (paraaortic or paracaval) nodes in the perihilar and infrahilar region, which would be readily accessible during renal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic drainage in RCC is ill-defined, likely due to multiple lymphatic outflow channels. However, after a review of retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy imaging in patients with known metastatic RCC, there does seem to be a cephalad, posterior, and medial drainage pattern.

A solitary seminoma renal metastasis presenting as an incidental renal mass.

A 34-year-old man with an extensive medical history received a CT scan for chronic leg and back pain. Imaging revealed a single, enhancing 8-cm mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed and pathologic finding revealed seminoma. Scrotal ultrasound and subsequent right orchiectomy also revealed seminoma. We discuss the occurrence of renal metastasis in seminoma.

Retrograde percutaneous access for kidney internal splint stent catheter placement in pediatric laparoscopic pyeloplasty: avoiding stent removal in the operating room.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has become increasingly used in the pediatric population for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. When choosing laparoscopic pyeloplasty, it is common to leave a Double-J ureteral stent across the anastomosis. In adult practice, this stent is easily removed in the office during follow-up; however, in pediatrics, cystoscopy and stent removal necessitates a trip back to the operating room. We report a novel method for placing a Kidney Internal Splint Stent (KISS) catheter, which can then be removed in the office during follow-up. METHODS: The UPJ is dismembered, spatulated, and the new lateral edges are anastomosed as usual. With the renal pelvis still open, a STING needle is passed through the epigastric midline port. The laparoscope is used to visualize an appropriate posterior calix and direct the needle through the calix and out the back of the patient. A 7F vascular dilator is then threaded over the needle in retrograde fashion and into the collecting system. A 4F or 6F KISS catheter is then threaded through the dilator and down the ureter. The dilator is removed and the surgery is then finished according to the surgeon's preference. RESULTS: We have placed this catheter in nine children without difficulties or intraoperative complications. Mean age was 8 years. All stents were otherwise removed at an average of 13 days in the office without difficulty. Three patients had problems with intermittently poor drainage necessitating flushing; in one of these patients, a recurrence of the UPJ obstruction developed. CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach for KISS catheter placement is a technically feasible and advantageous technique when placing a stent for a pyeloplasty repair. This eliminates a trip back to the operating room for stent removal in the pediatric population and likely decreases bladder irritation.