Learning curve for radical retropubic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: The learning curve is a period in which the surgical procedure is performed with difficulty and slowness, leading to a higher risk of complications and reduced effectiveness due the surgeon's inexperience. We sought to analyze the residents' learning curve for open radical prostatectomy (RP) in a training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study from June 2006 to January 2008 in the academic environment of the University of Sao Paulo. Five residents operated on 184 patients during a four-month rotation in the urologic oncology division, mentored by the same physician assistants. We performed sequential analyses according to the number of surgeries, as follows: ≤ 10, 11 to 19, 20 to 28, and ≥ 29. RESULTS: The residents performed an average of 37 RP each. The average psa was 9.3 ng/mL and clinical stage T1c in 71% of the patients. The pathological stage was pT2 (73%), pT3 (23%), pT4 (4%), and 46% of the patients had a Gleason score 7 or higher. In all surgeries, the average operative time and estimated blood loss was 140 minutes and 488 mL. Overall, 7.2% of patients required blood transfusion, and 23% had positive surgical margins. CONCLUSION: During the initial RP learning curve, we found a significant reduction in the operative time; blood transfusion during the procedures and positive surgical margin rate were stable in our series.

Learning curve for radical retropubic prostatectomy

PURPOSE: The learning curve is a period in which the surgical procedure is performed with difficulty and slowness, leading to a higher risk of complications and reduced effectiveness due the surgeon's inexperience. We sought to analyze the residents' learning curve for open radical prostatectomy (RP) in a training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study from June 2006 to January 2008 in the academic environment of the University of São Paulo. Five residents operated on 184 patients during a four-month rotation in the urologic oncology division, mentored by the same physician assistants. We performed sequential analyses according to the number of surgeries, as follows: = 10, 11 to 19, 20 to 28, and = 29. RESULTS: The residents performed an average of 37 RP each. The average psa was 9.3 ng/mL and clinical stage T1c in 71 percent of the patients. The pathological stage was pT2 (73 percent), pT3 (23 percent), pT4 (4 percent), and 46 percent of the patients had a Gleason score 7 or higher. In all surgeries, the average operative time and estimated blood loss was 140 minutes and 488 mL. Overall, 7.2 percent of patients required blood transfusion, and 23 percent had positive surgical margins. CONCLUSION: During the initial RP learning curve, we found a significant reduction in the operative time; blood transfusion during the procedures and positive surgical margin rate were stable in our series.

Transurethral injection therapy with carbon-coated beads (Durasphere®) for treatment of recurrent pyelonephritis in kidney transplant patients with vesico-ureteral reflux to the allograft.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent transplant pyelonephritis (RTP) secondary to vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) to the transplant kidney (KTx) remains a significant cause of infectious complications with impact on patient and graft outcomes. Our objective was to verify the safety and efficacy of transurethral injection of Durasphere(®) to relieve RTP secondary to VUR after renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2004 and July 2008, eight patients with RTP (defined as two or more episodes of pyelonephritis after transplantation) and VUR to the KTx were treated with subureteral injections of Durasphere(®). The mean age at surgery was 38.8 ± 13.8 yr (23-65). The patients were followed regularly every six months. The mean interval between the KTx and the treatment was 76 ± 74.1 (10-238 months). The mean follow-up was 22.3 ± 16.1 months (8-57 months). RESULTS: Six patients (75%) were free of pyelonephritis during a mean period of follow-up of 23.2 ± 17.1 months (8-57 months). Two of them had no VUR and four cases presented with G II VUR (pre-operative G IV three cases and one case G III). In one case, symptomatic recurrent cystitis made a second treatment necessary. This patient remained free of infections for three yr after the first treatment and for 18 months after the second treatment. Of the remaining two patients, one had six episodes of RTP before treatment in a period of three yr and only two episodes after treatment in two yr of follow-up. The last case had a new episode of pyelonephritis five months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral injection therapy with Durasphere(®) is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for KTx patients with recurrent RTP. A second treatment seems to be necessary in some cases.