Affonso C. Piovesan

Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer in Renal Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in renal transplant recipients with clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS A prospective protocol was established between August 2004 and November 2007. In that period, 8 patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were submitted to RRP, and their clinicopathologic data were reviewed. RESULTS The mean age (+/- standard deviation) at surgery was 59.6 +/- 6.7 years (range, 49-67 years). All patients had T1C tumors, except for 1 with a T2A tumor. The mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen value was 4.5 +/- 1.8 ng/mL (range, 1.6-7.0 ng/mL). The mean interval between renal transplantation and RRP was 89.9 +/- 65.1 months (range, 40-209 months). The procedure was well tolerated without major complications, and all patients were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. There was no impairment to bladder descent caused by the presence of the allograft or the ureteroneocystostomy. Urethrovesical anastomosis was easily performed in all cases in the standard manner. Blood transfusion was needed in 2 patients (1 received 2 U and another 5 U of blood). The mean operative duration was 183 +/- 29.7 minutes (range, 150-240 minutes), the mean estimated blood loss was 656 +/- 576 mL (range, 100-2000 mL), and no deterioration of graft function was observed. All patients were followed, and the mean follow-up was 10.5 months (range, 2-30 months). Prostate-specific antigen was undetectable in all cases during this time frame. CONCLUSIONS Radical retropubic prostatectomy in renal transplant patients is safe, effective, and can be easily performed in the same manner as described by Walsh, regardless of the presence of the allograft. The only necessary technical modification is the avoidance of ipsilateral lymphadenectomy to prevent damage to the transplanted organ.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in live donor

OBJECTIVE To present the initial experience of videolaparoscopic nephrectomy in live renal donor. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the period from April 2000 to August 2003, 50 left nephrectomies in live donor were performed by videolaparoscopy for transplantation. Twenty-eight patients were male (56%) and 22 female (44%). Mean age was 37.2 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 kg/m2. RESULTS Mean surgical time was 179.5 minutes, and warm ischemia time of the graft was 3.79 minutes. The mean estimated bleeding was 141 mL. There was no need of blood transfusion or conversion to open surgery. In 42 cases (84%), the vascular portion of the graft was considered good by the recipients surgical team and in all cases, the ureter was considered of proper size, though in one of them (2%) its vascularization was considered improper. The transplanted kidneys produced urine still in the surgical room in 46 of the 50 transplantations considered. In only 2 cases opioid was required for analgesia. In average, 3.1 doses of dipyrone were used for each patient during hospital stay, and hospital discharge occurred, in average, after 3.2 days post-operatively. Two patients required re-operations and one of them evolved to death. CONCLUSIONS The laparoscopic nephrectomy in live donor for renal transplantation is an alternative to conventional open surgery. In relation to the graft, no alteration, either anatomic or functional, was detected. Though there is already a large documentation in the international literature regarding this procedure, in our setting a prospective randomized study with the usual surgical study is still necessary in order to prove the advantages and disadvantages of the method.

Primary reconstruction is a good option in the treatment of urinary fistula after kidney transplantation

OBJECTIVES urinary fistula is a morbid complication after renal transplantation leading to graft losses and patient death. We review and update our data on urinary fistula after renal transplantation and the outcome after surgical and conservative management. MATERIALS AND METHODS the charts of 1046 renal transplants were reviewed. Transplants were performed through an extended inguinotomy; vascular anastomoses to the iliac vessels and urinary reconstruction accomplished through the Gregoir technique. Fistulae were diagnosed by urinary leaks through the incision or by the occurrence of a collection in the iliac fossa. Patient was treated surgically or conservatively according to the characteristics of the fistula and patient clinical status. RESULTS Thirty one fistulae were diagnosed (2.9%). Twenty nine leaks due to ureteral necrosis and 2 due to reimplantation fault. The incidence of leaks among cadaver and live donor transplants was 3.22% and 2.63%, respectively (p = 0.73). Among diabetic and non diabetic patients the incidence of urinary leaks was 6.4% and 2.6%, respectively (p = 0.049). Treatment consisted in anastomosis of the graft ureter or pelvis with the ureter of the recipient in 17 cases with success in 13 (76.5%). Prolonged bladder drainage was employed in 7 cases and the fistula healed in 4 (57%). Ureteral reimplantation was performed in 3 cases and did not work in any of them. Ureteral ligature plus nephrostomy was employed in two cases and worked in one (50%). Percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stenting with double J catheter were employed in one case each and worked in both. CONCLUSIONS The anastomosis of the graft ureter with the ureter of the recipient is a good method for treating urinary fistulae after renal transplantation when local and systemic conditions are good. Ureteral ligature associated to nephrostomy should be applied in cases of unfavorable local conditions or clinically unstable patients.

Case Report: Late Recurrent Hematuria following Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy May Predict Internal Pudendal Artery Pseudoaneurysm and Arteriovenous Fistula

We report two cases of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal pudendal artery with arteriovenous fistula after extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The clinical presentation was delayed recurrent hematuria and urinary retention that necessitated bladder clot evacuation. Subsequent arteriography detected the vascular abnormality and a superselective embolization was performed. Hematuria was no longer observed, and the quality of penile erection remains unchanged in both patients.

Use of Inverted Fluoroscope's C-Arm During Endoscopic Treatment of Urinary Tract Obstruction in Pregnancy: A Practicable Solution to Cut Radiation

OBJECTIVES To describe the use of pulsed fluoroscopic guidance, to perform endoscopic procedures in pregnant women, by inverting the fluoroscopes c-arm using a lead thyroid collar to shield the fetus from the direct X-ray beam. The use of radiation during treatment of pregnant patients with urolithiasis remains a recurring dilemma. METHODS Between May 2006 and December 2008, endoscopic treatment due to ureteral stones was attempted in 8 pregnant women. In all cases, we use an inverted fluoroscopes c-arm during endoscopic treatment associated with 2 lead neck thyroid collars to shield the uterus, protecting the fetus from direct radiation. Indication for treatment was symptomatic ureteral stones unresponsive to medical treatment in 7 and persistent fever in 1. RESULTS Mean ureteral stone size was 8.1+/-4.8 mm, located in the left ureter in 5 (62.5%) cases. Three (37.5%) patients had stone located in the upper ureter, 2 (25%) in the middle ureter, and 3 (37.5) in the distal ureter. In 6 cases, ureteral stones were treated using the semi-rigid ureteroscope, whereas in 1 case a flexible ureteroscope was needed. One woman was treated with insertion of a double-J stent due to associated urinary infection. No women has early delivery related to the endoscopic procedure, and all neonates were perfectly normal. CONCLUSIONS We present a technique for endoscopic procedures in pregnant women inverting the fluoroscopes c-arm and protecting the fetus from the direct X-ray beam. This practical approach should be specially considered when no portable ultrasound and radiologic assistance in available in the operating room.

Comparative and prospective analysis of three different approaches for live-donor nephrectomy

PURPOSE: Living donor nephrectomy is usually performed by a retroperitoneal flank incision. Due to the significant morbidity and long recovery time for a flank incision, anterior extra peritoneal sub-costal and transperitoneal video-laparoscopic methods have been described for donor nephrectomy. We prospectively compare the long-term results of donors as well as functional recipients submitted to these three approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 107 live donor renal transplantations were prospectively evaluated from May 2001 to January 2004. Donors were compared with regard to operative and warm ischemia time, postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, and complications. Recipients were compared with regard to graft function, acute cellular rejection, surgical complications, and graft and recipient survival. RESULTS: The mean operative and warm ischemia times were longer in the video-laparoscopic group (p<0.001), whereas patients of the flank incision group presented more postoperative pain (p=0.035), required more analgesics (p<0.001), had longer hospital stays (p<0.001), and suffered more pain on the 90th day after surgery (p=0.006). In the sub-costal and flank incision groups, there was a larger number of paraesthesias and abdominal wall asymmetries (p<0.001). Recipient groups were demographically comparable and presented similar acute tubular necrosis incidence and delayed graft function. The incidence of acute cellular rejection was higher in the video-laparoscopic and flank incision groups (p=0.013). There was no difference in serum creatinine levels, surgical complications, or recipient or graft survival between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The video-laparoscopic and sub-costal approaches proved to be safe, and to provide donor advantages relative to the flank incision approach. Among recipients, the complication rate, graft survival, and recipient survival were similar in all groups.

Incidence of histological prostatitis and its correlation with PSA density

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of asymptomatic, histologically proven prostatitis in men with symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia and to observe the correlation between asymptomatic prostatitis and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density. INTRODUCTION The incidence of type IV prostatitis is unknown. There is a tendency to correlate the presence of inflammatory prostatitis with an elevation of PSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS From August 2000 to January 2006, 183 patients who underwent surgical treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia as a result of obstructive or irritative symptoms were prospectively studied. In accordance with the histology findings, these patients were divided into two groups: group I included patients with the presence of histological prostatitis and group II included patients with the absence of histological prostatitis. The mean PSA densities were compared. RESULTS Histological evidence of prostatitis was observed in 145 patients. In this group, the mean PSA density was 0.136 ± 0.095. In 38 cases, there was no evidence of inflammation upon histological examination of the surgical samples. In these 38 cases, the mean PSA density was 0.126 ± 0.129. No statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups; the p-value is 0.124. CONCLUSION Abnormal PSA density should not be attributed to the inflammatory prostatitis process.

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps in a pregnant woman: case report

CONTEXT Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps are rare benign nonepithelial tumors, and less than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We report on a pregnant patient with ureteral fibroepithelial polyps that were successfully treated with laparotomy. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old pregnant woman presented with a three-month history of intermittent lumbar pain of low intensity. Abdominal ultrasonography showed that she was 13 weeks pregnant and found severe left-side ureterohydronephrosis and a heterogeneous solid mass measuring 11 x 8 x 7 centimeters in the middle portion of the ureteral topography. The investigation was complemented with magnetic resonance imaging, which confirmed the previous findings. Nephroureterectomy was performed without complications. The specimen revealed three solid tumors in the ureter, of which the largest was around eight centimeters in length. The anatomopathological report confirmed that they were fibroepithelial tumors without malignant components.

Revascularization of Living-Donor Kidney Transplant With Multiple Arteries: Long-term Outcomes Using the Inferior Epigastric Artery

OBJECTIVE To study the safety and long-term outcomes of use of the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) for revascularization of small accessory kidney arteries (3 mm or less). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data of 602 living-donor kidney transplants were reviewed. Age was 37.4 ± 15 years (range, 3-78 years). Multiple arteries were present in 98 kidneys (16.3%); of these, 83 (84.7%) had 2 and arteries and 15 (15.3%) had 3 arteries. In 21 kidneys (21.4%) with multiple arteries (group I [GI]), the IEA was used for reconstruction. Four (14.3%) had 3 arteries, and 17 (85.7%) had 2 arteries. In 77 patients (group II [GII]), the inferior accessory renal artery was reconstructed with a side-to-side or an end-to-side anastomosis to the main renal artery. Follow-up was 43.8 ± 38.1 months (range, 1-124 months). The Fisher exact test and the 2-tailed t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Delayed graft function occurred in 1 GI patient (4.8%) and in 5 GII patients (6.5%; P >.05). One partial renal infarction occurred in each group (4.8% vs 1.3%; P >.05). There was 1 urinary fistula in GI and 3 urinary fistulas and 1 ureteral stenosis in GII (P >.05). One graft (4.8%) lost function in GI and 5 (6.5%) in GII (P >.05). Eleven patients (53.4%) were hypertensive in GI and 53 (68.8%) in GII (P >.05). CONCLUSION The use of the IEA for revascularization of a living-donor kidney transplant with multiple arteries is safe and effective, yielding similar long-term outcomes compared with the standard technique. Use of the IEA avoids the risks of manipulation of the main renal artery.

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

Antonopoulos IM, Piovesan AC, Falci R Jr, Kanashiro H, Saito FJA, Nahas WC. Transurethral injection therapy with carbon‐coated beads (Durasphere®) for treatment of recurrent pyelonephritis in kidney transplant patients with vesico‐ureteral reflux to the allograft. 
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 329–333.