Recurrent vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis following treatment for prostate cancer: an effective endoscopic treatment using bipolar plasma button and triamcinolone.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of deep bladder neck incision plus adjuvant Triamcinolone in the treatment of recurrent vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis following surgical treatment for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing bladder neck incision from 2013 to 2019 was conducted. Patients who had previously undergone surgical treatment for prostate cancer and had failed treatment for bladder neck contracture were included. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent deep bladder neck incision (BNI) with plasma button and adjuvant injection with a patency rate of 85%. Complete obliteration portended worst prognosis with 100% recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Deep BNI with triamcinolone is a minimally morbid alternative for treatment of refractory vesicourethral anastomotic contractures.

Retzius-sparing Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy Leads to Durable Improvement in Urinary Function and Quality of Life Versus Standard Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy Without Compromise on Oncologic Efficacy: Single-surgeon Series and Step-by-step Guide.

BACKGROUND: Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) has been shown to improve continence. However, questions remain regarding feasibility and generalizability of technique and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of 140 consecutive standard robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (S-RARP) versus RS-RARP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 70 S-RARPs were performed followed by 70 RS-RARPs. Demographic, pathologic, and functional outcomes were compared preoperatively and through 12 mo. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) was used to compare functional outcomes. Logistic and linear regression analyses were utilized to analyze variables associated with EPIC-CP urinary incontinence and overall quality of life (QOL) scores, and oncologic outcomes. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze incontinence at 12 mo. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: RS-RARP versus S-RARP. MEASUREMENTS: Patient and tumor characteristics (age, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Gleason group, clinical stage, and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score), perioperative outcomes (console time, estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and length of stay), oncologic outcomes (positive surgical margin [PSM], and biochemical recurrence), overall and 12-mo continence rates (zero pads and zero to one safety pad), time to continence, potency (erection sufficient for sexual activity), EPIC-CP urinary incontinence, sexual function, and overall QOL scores. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Median follow-up for S-RARP versus RS-RARP was 46.3 versus 12.3 mo. RS-RARP versus S-RARP had improved overall continence rates at total follow-up (95.7% vs 85.7%, p = 0.042) and 12-mo follow-up (97.6% vs 81.4%, p = 0.002), and faster return to continence (zero to one safety pad, 44 vs 131 d, p < 0.001). RS-RARP EPIC-CP urinary incontinence and overall QOL scores remained significantly better at 12 mo. There were no differences in overall PSM rates, although RS-RARP had lower rates of nonfocal PSMs. There were no differences in sexual function. In multivariate analysis, RS-RARP was significantly associated with improved 12-mo EPIC-CP urinary incontinence and improved QOL scores, but was not associated with PSM or biochemical recurrence. Limitations include retrospective study design and unequal follow-up; however, significantly better RS-RARP continence at 12 mo is striking despite fewer patients attaining 12-mo follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: RS-RARP significantly improves early and long-term continence without compromising oncologic outcomes and leads to overall improved QOL. PATIENT SUMMARY: Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is an emerging technique for robotic radical prostatectomy that improves urinary function and quality of life without compromising cancer control.

Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Robotic Prostatectomy: Past, Present, and Future.

Radical prostatectomy has undergone many adaptations since its inception, including the Retzius-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy approach. In this article, we review the origins of radical prostatectomy, the theoretic basis for Retzius-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, and outline the key steps of the procedure. To date, there have been 9 studies comparing the outcomes of Retzius-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with standard robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, which have demonstrated improved continence outcomes for Retzius sparing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy within the first year and equivalent oncologic efficacy out to 18 months. Further research is needed to evaluate sexual function outcomes as well as long-term oncologic outcomes.

mpMRI preoperative staging in men treated with antiandrogen and androgen deprivation therapy before robotic prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), we sought to preoperatively characterize prostate cancer (PCa) in the setting of antiandrogen plus androgen deprivation therapy (AA-ADT) prior to robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We present our preliminary findings regarding mpMRI depiction of changes of disease staging features and lesion appearance in treated prostate. METHODS: Prior to RARP, men received 6 months of enzalutamide and goserelin. mpMRI consisting of T2 weighted, b = 2,000 diffusion weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient mapping, and dynamic contrast enhancement sequences was acquired before and after neoadjuvant therapy. Custom MRI-based prostate molds were printed to directly compare mpMRI findings to H&E whole-mount pathology as part of a phase II clinical trial (NCT02430480). RESULTS: Twenty men underwent imaging and RARP after a regimen of AA-ADT. Positive predictive values for post-AA-ADT mpMRI diagnosis of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, organ-confined disease, and biopsy-confirmed PCa lesions were 71%, 80%, 80%, and 85%, respectively. Post-treatment mpMRI correctly staged disease in 15/20 (75%) cases with 17/20 (85%) correctly identified as organ-confined or not. Of those incorrectly staged, 2 were falsely positive for higher stage features and 1 was falsely negative. Post-AA-ADT T2 weighted sequences best depicted presence of PCa lesions as compared to diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhancement sequences. CONCLUSION: mpMRI proved reliable in detecting lesion changes after antiandrogen therapy corresponding to PCa pathology. Therefore, mpMRI of treated prostates may be helpful for assessing men for surgical planning and staging.