Eighteen years of experience in laparoscopic implantation of artificial urinary sphincter in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is a treatment option for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after failure of previous surgery or as a primary procedure in severe intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). The aim of the study was to assess the long-term efficacy and risk factors for surgical revision and definitive explantation of AUS laparoscopic implantation in female patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of all women submitted to AUS implantation between April 2005 and March 2023 was conducted. The AUS was implanted via transperitoneal laparoscopic approach, by two experienced surgeons. The primary endpoint was postoperative continence. Continence was defined as no leakage and no pad usage or leakage and/or pad usage with no impact on social life and failure as leakage and/or pad usage impacting social life. As secondary outcomes, clinical predictive factors for AUS revision and definitive explantation were evaluated. RESULTS: In the last 18 years, females with a mean age of 68±12 years-old were submitted to laparoscopic implantation of AUS. Early overall complication rate was 16%, but only one case was Clavien-Dindo ≥3. After a median follow-up of 67 months, 22.2% of the patients needed a device revision, the majority due to mechanical device dysfunction. AUS definitive explantation was performed in 16%, mainly due to urethral/vaginal erosion (9.9%) and infection (6.2%). Patients with age ≥70 years and follow-up ≥10 years significantly predisposed for device revision. At the time of the last follow-up, 72% of the patients were keeping the urinary continency. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic AUS implantation in females is an effective treatment for SUI due to ISD. Meanwhile, adequate patient selection, multidisciplinary evaluation and careful expectation management are essential to achieving good results, concerning their significant complication rate.

[CamiCon study: Evaluation of a new tool for automated and connected voiding calendar]. / Étude CamiCon : évaluation d'un nouvel outil pour la réalisation d'un calendrier mictionnel automatisé et connecté.

INTRODUCTION: A voiding diary (VD) is a key element in the evaluation of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) at initial presentation and during treatment to assess its effectiveness. In order to be clinically relevant, it must be performed over 3 days according to the International Continence Society (ICS). Unfortunately, some patients find it cumbersome. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and patient satisfaction when using a connected tank device. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a single-center prospective study including 41 patients. Each patient completed a paper voiding diary and then a diary with Diary Pod® (DP) or inversely depending on the study arm. Data from 34 patients were collected. After completion of both diaries, patients completed a satisfaction questionnaire sent by email via GoogleForm. Study statistics were performed with Jamovi® and Excel® software. RESULT: Data from 34 patients were analyzed. There was a statically significant difference (P=0.046) between the mean volume calculated from the paper VD and that calculated from the connected VD (DP). There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.112) between the mean number of daytime voids, mean number of nighttime voids (P=0.156), mean water intake (P=0.183) reported on the paper VD and the connected VD. Thirteen (42%) paper VD and 1 connected VD did not include documentation of the presence or absence of urine leakage or urgency. There was no statistically significant difference between the two calendars regarding the presence or absence of urine leakage (P=0.180) and urinary urgency (P=0.564). Eighty-four percent (26/31) preferred the connected tank to the usual method (paper/pen), while 55% (17/31) and 29% (9/31) of the participants respectively answered that the DP was "very definitely" or "definitely" an aid for performing VD. Nevertheless, 39% (12/31) and 55% (17/31) considered its price to be high or fair and only 22% (7/31) were inclined to buy it. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the Diary connected reservoir Pod® is a reliable and innovative tool for voiding schedules. It facilitates data collection for the majority of patients (83%) and could, through better patient compliance, provide better quality data and help their interpretation by the physician. These factors could encourage the implementation of the connected voiding diary as a diagnostic tool. It would also be used for the assessment of treatment effectiveness in daily clinical practice as well as in research. Its cost remains a major obstacle, judged by 39% of patients to be too high, and could therefore be proposed in specific situations requiring precise data.

External validation of the Briganti nomogram predicting lymph node invasion in patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging-targeted and systematic biopsies: A European multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a nomogram predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy taking into consideration multiparametric-magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) parameters and targeted biopsies in a western European cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 473 men diagnosed by targeted biopsies, using software-based MRI-ultrasound image fusion system, and operated by radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection across 11 Europeans centers between 2012 and 2019 were identified. Area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration plot and decision curve analysis were used to evaluated the performance of the model. RESULTS: Overall, 56 (11.8%) patients had LNI on final pathologic examination with a median (IQR) of 13 (9-18) resected nodes. Significant differences (all P < 0.05) were found between patients with and without LNI in terms of preoperative PSA, clinical stage at DRE and mp-MRI, maximum diameter of the index lesion, PI-RADS score, Grade Group on systematic and targeted biopsies, total number of dissected lymph nodes, final pathologic staging and Grade Group. External validation of the prediction model showed a good accuracy with an area under the curve calculated as 0.8 (CI 95% 0.75-0.86). Graphic analysis of calibration plot and decision curve analysis showed a slight underestimation for predictive probability for LNI between 3% and 22% and a high net benefit. A cut-off at 7% was associated with a risk of missing LNI in 2.6%, avoiding unnecessary surgeries in 55.9%. CONCLUSIONS: We report an external validation of the nomogram predicting LNI in patients treated with extended pelvic lymph node dissection in a western European cohort and a cut-off at 7% seems appropriate.

Performing an early systematic Doppler-ultrasound fails to prevent hemorrhagic complications after complex partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to assess the clinical relevance of a systematic postoperative Doppler-ultrasound (DU) after complex partial nephrectomy (PN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent open, laparoscopic or robotic PN from 2014 to 2017 at our institution were included. Postoperative hemorrhagic complications (HCs) were defined as the occurrence of blood transfusion, hemorrhagic shock, arterial embolization, or re-hospitalization for hematoma. DU was systematically performed between post-op day 4 and 7 for every complex tumor (RENAL score ⩾ 7). DU was considered positive in the presence of pseudoaneurysm (PA) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF). RESULTS: Among 194 patients, 117 underwent DU (60.3%). We reported 22 HCs (11.3%) requiring 8 selective embolization procedures (4.1%). HCs occurred during the hospital stay in 17 patients (77.3%), thus directly diagnosed on a computed tomography scan. Among the five patients (22.7%) with HC occurring after hospital discharge, between day 7 to 15, four had a previously negative systematic DU. Overall, systematic DU was positive in only five patients (4.3%) with only one patient of 194 (0.5%) undergoing preventive embolization of a PA-AVF. The negative predictive values (NPVs) and positive predictive values of DU were respectively 96.5% and 5%, with 20% sensitivity and 96.5% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may suggest offering systematic DU in patients under antiplatelet therapies, with high tumor size (>T1b), or early postoperative hemoglobin variations. A high NPV of DU might be counterbalanced by its low sensibility. Since all secondary HCs occurred between postoperative day 7 to 15, our results may suggest differing DU in selected cases.

Laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter implantation in women with stress urinary incontinence: update on 13 years' experience in a single centre.

OBJECTIVES: To update the outcomes and analyse the safety of laparoscopic implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as a result of intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four women with SUI caused by ISD underwent laparoscopic AUS implantation between 2005 and 2018 in our centre. Urodynamic assessment was required. The AUS was implanted using a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to the Retzius space. The cuff was placed around the bladder neck between the peri-urethral fascia and the vagina. Postoperative functional outcomes were defined as success (total continence), improvement (>50% decrease in number of leakages or in number of pads used), or failure (<50% improvement, persistent or increased leaking). Data on peri-operative and long-term complications were also collected. RESULTS: The mean ± sd operating time was 119.7 ± 48.9 min, with no conversion to laparotomy. With a mean ± sd (range) follow-up of 44.5 ± 40.5  (1-149) months, 78.3% of the women were totally continent and 18.6% reported improvement. One vaginal and one urethral perforation were the only intra-operative complications, both solved during surgery. Late complications included recurrent urinary tract infection (5.4%), acute urinary retention (6.8%), urethral (4%) and vaginal erosion (2.7%), and urgency urinary incontinence (2.7%). Reimplantation of AUS was performed in 13.5% of the women as a result of mechanical failure (n =9) and erosion (n = 1). Permanent removal was performed in 10.8%. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the largest series with the longest follow-up of women with urinary incontinence treated with laparoscopic AUS implantation, demonstrating its safety, feasibility and effectiveness, and showing a very positive impact on the quality of life of the women.

Laparoscopic implantation of artificial urinary sphincter in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency: Mid-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the safety and the mid-term continence rates of laparoscopic implantation of artificial urinary sphincter in women. METHODS: A total of 52 women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency underwent a laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter implantation from 2005 to 2015 at Surgical Clinic Du Pré, Le Mans, France. The artificial urinary sphincter was implanted around the bladder neck by a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to the Retzius space. Urodynamic assessment was carried out. Postoperative functional outcome was defined as success (no leaking, no pad use), improvement (>50% decrease in number of leakages, >50% decrease in number of pads used or use of light protection) or failure (<50% improvement, persistent or increased leaking). Outcome measures also included perioperative and long-term complications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.1 years (range 64-82 years). After a mean follow up of 37.5 months (median 24 months; range 1-125 months), 38 (77.6%) patients were considered to be continent (no leakage, no pads), and eight (16.3%) improved their grade of incontinence. Three patients abandoned the follow-up schedule and were excluded. There was no perioperative severe complication. Artificial urinary sphincter revision was needed in 11 (22.4%) patients, requiring a total of seven redo procedures and four permanent sphincter removals. The main reasons for redo procedures were six (11.2%) mechanical problems and one vaginal erosion (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Herein we report one of the largest series with the longest follow up evaluating the outcomes of laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter implantation in female patients. This approach seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Effect of Sulforaphane in Men with Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy.

Increases in serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) occur commonly in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy and are designated "biochemical recurrence." Because the phytochemical sulforaphane has been studied extensively as an anticancer agent, we performed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trial with sulforaphane in 78 patients (mean age, 69 ± 6 years) with increasing PSA levels after radical prostatectomy. Treatment comprised daily oral administration of 60 mg of a stabilized free sulforaphane for 6 months (M0-M6) followed by 2 months without treatment (M6-M8). The study was designed to detect a 0.012 log (ng/mL)/month decrease in the log PSA slope in the sulforaphane group from M0 to M6. The primary endpoint was not reached. For secondary endpoints, median log PSA slopes were consistently lower in sulforaphane-treated men. Mean changes in PSA levels between M6 and M0 were significantly lower in the sulforaphane group (+0.099 ± 0.341 ng/mL) than in placebo (+0.620 ± 1.417 ng/mL; P = 0.0433). PSA doubling time was 86% longer in the sulforaphane than in the placebo group (28.9 and 15.5 months, respectively). PSA increases >20% at M6 were significantly greater in the placebo group (71.8%) than in the sulforaphane group (44.4%); P = 0.0163. Compliance and tolerance were very good. Sulforaphane effects were prominent after 3 months of intervention (M3-M6). After treatment, PSA slopes from M6 to M8 remained the same in the 2 arms. Daily administration of free sulforaphane shows promise in managing biochemical recurrences in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A prospective 2-year single-surgeon experience with 171 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and the oncological and functional efficacy of a prospective series of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (ELRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 171 consecutive patients (mean age 62.9 years, SD 6.5) who underwent ELRP by one surgeon between January 2008 and December 2009. The variables analysed were operative duration, blood loss, conversion rate, complications, hospital stay, duration of catheterisation, and the oncological results. We also assessed the rates of continence and erectile function. RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery. The mean (SD) operative duration was 112.7 (19.4) min, the blood loss was 372.1 (219.1) mL, the hospital stay was 6.8 (2.0) days, and the duration of catheterisation 6.7 (1.5) days. Collectively, 23.4% (40/171) of patients had positive surgical margins. Urinary continence at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months was achieved in 63.3% (95/150), 88.6% (78/88), in 90.3% (121/134) and 92.1% (117/127) of patients, respectively. The respective percentages for physiological erections after nerve-sparing ELRP at the same times were 11.8% (13/110), 11.8% (13/110), 18.2% (20/110) and 25.5% (28/110). The overall potency recovery rates (including patients on pharmacotherapy) were, respectively, 26.4% (29/110), 35.5% (39/110), 52.7% (58/110) and 69.1% (76/110), for the nerve-sparing procedure. CONCLUSION: ELRP gave good oncological and functional results, especially in terms of urinary continence.

Laparoscopic promontofixation for pelvic organ prolapse: a 10-year single center experience in a series of 501 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic promontofixation (LP) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: A total of 501 consecutive patients with POP were included in this prospective study. The patients' mean age was 63.23 (36-90) years, their mean body mass index was 25.14 (15-36) and their mean number of deliveries was 3.3 (0-14). A POP grade ≥3 was diagnosed in 70.4% of the patients and 38.9% of them had a history of abdominal surgery. The patients underwent a Bonney test and urodynamic study. In cases of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the patients underwent the simultaneous insertion of a tension-free vaginal tape. A prolapse quality of life questionnaire was sent to all patients. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 97.4 min (50-210) and there were 1.7% cases of intra-operative complications. The mean hospitalization time was 3.7 days (1-13 days). During the mean follow-up of 20.7 months (3-120), 91 (17.8%) complications were recorded, including constipation (5.5%), SUI (3.5%), vaginal erosion (2.4%), and urge incontinence (2%). Recurrences were recorded in 11.5% of the patients within an average time of 37.2 months. Risk factors for recurrence were the use of the polypropylene mesh compared with the polyester mesh (P<0.0001), an intra-operative hysterectomy (P=0.02), and bleeding (P=0.049). There was a statistical significant (P<0.001) improvement in most of the symptoms in the prolapse quality of life questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: LP is safe with effective long-term results, with low recurrence and morbidity rates, and a good quality of life.

Artificial urinary sphincter (AMS 800) implantation for women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency: a technique for insiders?

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation is one of several surgical options for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. It is indicated for women with both clinically and urodynamically defined intrinsic sphincter deficiency that significantly affects quality of life. The erosion/revision risk increases after several previous surgical interventions. Therefore, women believed to be candidates for AUS implantation should be rapidly (after the failure of a maximum of two previous surgical procedures) referred to specialized centres, where the knowledge and experience concerning the diagnosis, surgery and management of female stress urinary incontinence is concentrated. To refer correctly, non-academic urologists/gynaecologists should also be well informed about AUS implantation. Only in this way can the patient weigh the high long-term success rate and high quality of life improvement of AUS implantation against the greater complication/revision risk and take a well-considered decision.

Laparoscopic artificial urinary sphincter implantation for female genuine stress urinary incontinence: technique and 4-year experience in 25 patients.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence (SUI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: from April 2005 to July 2009, 25 women (mean age 66.8 years) with genuine SUI had a laparoscopic implantation of the AUS (AMS 800(TM) , American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA). Patients had a negative Marshall test and urodynamic studies showed decreased closure pressure. All patients had a history of urogynaecological surgery. Transperitoneal laparoscopic access was created with two midline 10-mm and two lateral 5-mm trocars. One of the lateral port incisions was later extended to facilitate urethrovaginal dissection with scissors and dissector, and the insertion and assembly of the AUS. In six cases of concomitant genito-urinary prolapse, laparoscopic anterior and posterior mesh promontofixation was also performed. RESULTS: the AUS was successfully implanted in all cases with no conversion to open surgery. There were no intra- or perioperative complications, except one vaginal perforation which was repaired during surgery. The mean operative duration was 92 min (71 min without and 123 min with simultaneous promontofixation). Five patients developed urinary retention, which was managed with re-insertion of the urethral catheter for 2 days in four and with insertion of a suprapubic catheter for 4 weeks in a patient with spina bifida. During the mean follow-up of 26.1 months, two treatment failures were diagnosed due to vaginal erosion and were managed with removal of the AUS. All the remaining 23 patients reported continence, either complete (in 19) or social (in four). However, this was not a randomized comparative study. CONCLUSION: laparoscopic implantation of the AUS in women with genuine SUI is safe, feasible and efficient.

Long-term anatomical and functional results of laparoscopic promontofixation for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of laparoscopic promontofixation (LP) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and the long-term safety of LP, as POP is a common problem in women of all ages, with treatment including vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgical approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the first consecutive 186 women who underwent LP for POP, with or without stress urinary incontinence (SUI), from January 1998 to December 2002 in one centre. Those patients with concurrent SUI had LP with a Burch colposuspension or tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). The recurrence rate of POP was evaluated by physical examination at follow-up visits and by the patients, using a postal, unvalidated self-applied questionnaire (SAQ). Patients' urinary, sexual and digestive functions, overall satisfaction about surgery and quality of life, were evaluated with SAQ. RESULTS: All 186 patients had LP, with concomitant Burch (25) or TVT (100) procedures. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 60 (48-71) months. In all, 71% of the patients attended their follow-up visits and the success rate was 92.4%. Eight patients were re-operated because of recurrent POP. The SAQ response rate was 95%; 91.1% and 79.8% of responders were satisfied or very satisfied after their surgery, and with their quality of life, respectively; women were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied because of recurrence of POP (seven), urinary symptoms (five) or constipation (two). Patients complained of recurrent POP (10.8%), persistent or recurrent UI (27.3% of the women treated with Burch and 21.1% with TVT), and transient constipation (20%). Over half of the women (50.6%) were not sexually active and 5.4% developed dyspareunia. The long-term complication rate was 6%; there were five vaginal mesh erosions. CONCLUSION: POP treated with LP offers excellent long-term results with low recurrence and morbidity rates, and a good quality of life.

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy approach for genito-urinary prolapse: experience with 363 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical outcome, complications and benefits of laparoscopic double promonto-fixation for patients with pelvic prolapse. METHODS: Women with genito-urinary prolapse underwent a transperitoneal placement of a 100% polyester mesh on the anterior vaginal wall and a posterior mesh on the levator ani muscle. Both of these were anchored to the sacral promontory. A TVT was placed simultaneously in patients who had concurrent stress urinary incontinence. RESULTS: A total of 363 patients were operated upon between 1996 and 2002. Their mean age was 63 (range 35-78), average follow-up was 14.6 months, the mean operating time was 97 minutes. There were 8 conversions due to anesthetic or surgical difficulties. Follow up was done by a postal questionnaire and physical examination at 6 months and then yearly. 96% were satisfied with the results of their operation and no patients complained of sexual dysfunction. There was a 4% recurrence rate of prolapse, 3 vaginal erosions, 2 urinary retentions that required TVT section, 1 bowel incarcerations, 1 spondylitis and 2 mesh infection. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic promonto-fixation is feasible and highly effective technique that offers good long-term results with complication rates similar to open surgery, with the added benefits of minimally invasive surgery.