C. Núñez-Mora

Radical laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy: medium-term functional and oncological results.

AIM To analyze the surgical, functional, and oncological results of radical laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy in local postradiotherapy recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between May 2005 and April 2007, we treated nine patients with radical laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy. Five patients had received prior treatment with brachytherapy and the other four with external radiotherapy. The average age of the patients was 59.3 years (range 51-68). The average preoperative prostate-specific antigen was 9.1 ng/mL (range 2.6-30). The average follow-up period was 26.8 months (range 15-39). RESULTS The average duration of surgery was 170 minutes (from 120 to 240). There was no need to resort to open surgery or transfusions. There were no cases of rectal injuries. Four cases were pT2c, 1 pT3a, 3 pT3b, and 1 pT4a. The Gleason score was 7 in three cases, 8 in two cases, and 9 in another four. Two patients had nodal metastasis. Postoperative prostate-specific antigen was undetectable in seven of the nine patients. Two patients experienced biochemical recurrence 16 and 13 months after the surgery. After a minimum follow-up period of 15 months, they were free from recurrence. There were no cases of urethrovesical anastomotic stenosis. Three patients manifested severe incontinence (more than two diapers per day), which was corrected in two cases by implanting an artificial sphincter. The other six patients required 0 to 1 pads/day. Before the surgery, only one of the five potential patients maintained his erectile function. CONCLUSIONS Radical laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy is a complex technique that seems to allow attaining high and long-lasting rates of biochemical remission in patients with local postradiotherapy recurrence. Although there is less morbidity in our series in comparison with the anastomotic stenosis and rectal injuries rate published in radical retropubic salvage prostatectomy, more extensive comparative studies are required to confirm this fact.

Nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica

OBJECTIVES To analyze the surgical and oncologic outcome of prospective experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We describe the surgical technique and mid term oncological results achieved. MATERIAL AND METHODS 60 patients were operated with this technique between June 2005 and June 2009. The mean age of patients was 58.9 [38-77] years, being 40 (66.7%) males and 20 (33.3%) women. The average BMI was 26.8 [18-40]. Laterality was 28 (46.7%) tumors rights and 32 (53.3%) left, being located in the upper pole in 14 (23.3%) patients, in the middle third in 13 (21.7%) in the lower pole in 22 (36.7%) and hiliar region in 11 (18.3%). In 23 cases (38.3%) tumors were located in the anterior valve, in 24 (40%) in posterior valve, in 10 (16.7%) at the outer edge and 3 (5%) at the inner edge. The average size tumor on CT was 3.3 [1-6.4] cm and in the surgical specimen 3.1 [1.2-7] cm. RESULTS The mean operative time was 107.17 [50-185] min, with a warm ischemia time of 33 [0-70] min. In 56 cases (93.3%) had a single artery and 4 (6.7%) cases had 2 arteries. The artery was clamped alone in 15 patients (25%), artery and vein in 44 (73.3%) and no clamping was performed in 1 (1.7%). We repaired the urinary tract in 32 patients (53.3%), leaving ureteral catheter in all patients. 20% of patients (12) required transfusion. Intraoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (8.7%). These were: 1 splenic injury requiring splenectomy (1.7%), 1 tear in the vena cava, sutured laparoscopically (1.7%) and 3 cases of bleeding due to bulldog malfunction (5%). Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients (18.7%) and these were: 1 wall hematoma that required reoperation (1.7%), 1 urinary fistula ending in renal atrophy and subsequent nephrectomy (1.7%), 3 intracavitary hematomas hich resolved conservatively (5%), 1 arteriovenous fistula that needed embolization (1.7%), 1 urinoma that was resolved with percutaneous drainage (1.7%) and 3 cases of postoperative fever (5%). Margins were positive in 1 patient (1.7%). In 49 cases (81.7%) histology was renal cell carcinoma, in 8 (13.3%) oncocytoma, in 2 (3.3%) angiomyolipoma and 1 (1.7%) metastasis. The average stay was 5 [3-29] days. Median follow up was 31 [12-61] months. There was a local recurrence at 16 months (hiliar primary tumor 2.5 cm) and an ipsilateral adrenal metastasis at 34 months (primary tumor 5.6 cm in left lower pole). CONCLUSIONS In this series of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy low rate of complications, good oncologic results and low recurrence rate in the short term are shown. More patients and further monitoring is required to strengthen the functional and oncological outcomes of this surgical technique.

Feasibility of Lymphadenectomy in Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy

OBJECTIVES The number of lymph nodes obtained through lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy has prognostic and therapeutic value. We analyzed the number of nodes obtained during laparoscopic radical cystectomy to assess whether this approach allows satisfactory lymphadenectomy. METHODS A total of 80 consecutive laparoscopic radical cystectomies with lymphadenectomy were performed by the same surgical team from 2005 to 2008. The male/female ratio was 5.7:1, the mean age was 65.3 years (range 47-87), and average body mass index was 26.7 kg/m(2) (range 20.6-40.1). Iliac-obturator lymphadenectomy up to the aortic bifurcation was performed after excising and pocketing the bladder. We analyzed the total number of lymph nodes identified by the pathologist and investigated a possible correlation with the variables presumably related to anatomic characteristics and other circumstances. RESULTS The mean operative time of this step was 32 minutes (range 17-70). Minor vascular morbidity was present in 5 cases (6.25%). The average number of lymph nodes obtained was 22.3 (range 7-74, median 21). In 75 cases (93.8%), ≥10 nodes were obtained, and in 33 cases (41.2%), lymph node metastasis was diagnosed. No association or correlation was found in the number of nodes extracted regarding age, body mass index, or number of positive nodes. Also, no differences were found in association with gender, use of induction therapy, or the indication for cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy performed at radical cystectomy achieved an adequate number of lymph nodes. This technique did not entail an important increase in the duration of surgery. The complication rate was low. In experienced hands, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy is feasible and seems a secure oncologically correct procedure.

Utilidad de HistoScanning previo a biopsia prostática para el diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de próstata

OBJECTIVES HistoScanning™ (HS) is a method of ecographic diagnosis of prostate cancer. We analyze the effectiveness of the HS realization prior to the biopsies for the prostate adenocarcinoma diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS From August to October 2012 we have carried out a study with HS prior to the biopsies in 32 patients. In all cases sextants transrectal biopsies have been realized (two cores in each sextant) in the periphery zone. In those sextants in which there were suspicious areas with HS, the biopsies were addressed to those areas. Transperineal biopsies were added to those zones placed in the half-front or apical prostatic zone. The medium age was 63.7 years (range 40-82) with a medium PSA of 8.0 ng/ml (range 3.5-36.2) and a medium prostatic volume of 46.6cc (range 18.2-103.2). In eight cases it was the first biopsy, in 14 cases they were repetition biopsies and 10 patients had a previous diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma (8 in a program of active surveillance and 2 T1a in RTU of previous prostate). RESULTS In the 32 patients a medium of 7,5 zones were biopsied (range 6-9) with a total of 239 zones studied. There were identified a medium of 3.2 zones with suspicious areas (ZS) with HS (range 2-5) with a total of 103 ZS. In 72 zones of 25 patients it was found adenocarcinoma or PIN (2 PIN, 11 score Gleason 6, 7 score Gleason 7, 3 score Gleason 8 and 2 score Gleason 9). There were 35 positive false zones in 20 patients (11 normal parenquima and 9 chronic inflammation). Negative falses were produced in 5 zones in 5 patients (2PIN, 2 score Gleason 6 and 1 score Gleason 7) although in all 5 cases adenocarcinoma was encountered (o discovered) in other zones. The HS presented a sensibility of a 93.5% with a specificity of 79.5%. The positive predictive value was of the 67.35% with a negative predictive value of 96.5%. CONCLUSIONS In spite of being a selected serie, with a high rate of patients with adenocarcinoma, the exploration with HS has presented a great sensibility and a high negative predictive value. These data, although they must be confirmed in less selected series, state that the prior exploration with HS can help as in the diagnostic in the biopsies as in the follow-up of programs of active surveillance.

Treatment of distal ureteral stricture by laparoscopic ureterovesical reimplantation

Abstract Introduction To analyse the results achieved to treat iliac or pelvic ureteric stricture using laparoscopic reimplantation of the ureter in a psoic bladder. Material and method In a four-year period, we performed laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation in a psoic bladder in 6 patients (right/left 1:1; male/female 1:2; mean age 59.2 years, range 47-87). In 4 cases the lesion was iatrogenic and in 2 cases idiopathic. Ureteral resection with bladder cuff and cystorraphy followed by ipsilateral lymph node dissection was performed in idiopathic cases or those with history of previous urothelial tumour (4 cases in total) before ureteral reimplantation. Bladder was extensively mobilized and fixed to minor psoas tendon before performing ureteroneocystostomy. Mixed intra and extravesical technique with submucosal tunnel (Politano) was used in a case and in the remaining 5 cases extravesical technique with submucosal tunnel (Goodwin) was used. Mean follow-up was 26 months (range 18–34). Results There was no need to convert to open surgery. Time of surgery was 230 minutes in the case treated with Politano ureteroneocystostomy and 120 (range 75–150) in those treated purely extravesically. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 days (range 2–5). There were no intra or postoperative complications. Histologic assessment always revealed ureteral fibrosis and in 2 cases accompanying granulomatous inflammation and dysplasia. No patient suffered re-stricture or impairment in renal function during follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is an effective and safe minimally invasive technique to treat benign distal stricture of the ureter. Simplicity of extravesical reimplantation has an advantage over its intravesical counterpart.

Results of Simplified Urethropexy in the Recovery of Continence After Radical Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

PURPOSE To analyze the effectiveness of simplified urethropexy in the evolution of urinary incontinence after radical laparoscopic prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2007 and December 2008, 104 patients were included in a randomized trial to assess the effectiveness of simplified urethropexy. The simplified urethropexy technique was performed on conclusion of a urethrovesical anastomosis with running suture and, before cutting the suture material, a suture was applied using the same material with a needle through the pubic tubercle, tightening it and securing it with a Hem-o-lok. Fifty-one patients qualified for the trial in the simplified urethropexy group (group 1) and another 51 in the control group without urethropexy (group 2). Incontinence was defined as the lack of the need for protection for normal life, and the degree of continence was compared at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS Surgery lasted 141 minutes in group 1 and 139 in group 2 (NS). There were no secondary complications such as urine retention, osteitis pubis, or bladder perforation. After 3 months, 47.1% of patients in each group declared continence (NS). After 6 months, 72.6% of patients in group 1 and 66.7% in group 2 (P<0.05) declared continence. After 12 months, 92.2% of patients in group 1 and 84.3% in group 2 declared continence. CONCLUSIONS In our experience, simplified urethropexy is a simple, nontime-consuming technique that shows a slight clinical improvement in continence within 6 and 12 months, without reaching significant differences with the Fisher Test. It would be necessary to perform a trial with a greater number of patients to confirm these data.

Comentario a: «Cistectomía radical laparoscópica con confección extracorpórea de neovejiga ortotópica ileal en forma de “y” usando sutura mecánica no reabsorbible (Fontana)»

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is a complex surgical procedure that even in experienced groups involves a lengthy operative time. Consensus is general regarding the creation of an intestinal neobladder and performance of ureterointestinal anastomosis by means of a minilaparotomy. This would reduce operative time without compromising the advantages of the laparoscopic approach. In this article, the authors describe that the use of a ‘‘Y’’ shaped neobladder with nonabsorbable mechanical suture, according to the technique described by Fontana et al.,1 signifies a substantial reduction in the surgical time required to create the neobladder in comparison with other techniques. The use of non-detubularized ileal segments to anastomose the ureters to them allows for less movement of the ureter and the use of more proximal and better vascularized ureteral segments for the uretero-intestinal anastomosis. Although Hautmann et al. had already proposed this in the modification of their original technique,2