Eric C. Umbreit

Long-Term Complications of Conduit Urinary Diversion

PURPOSE We evaluated long-term surgical complications and clinical outcomes in a large group of patients treated with conduit urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 1,057 patients who underwent radical cystectomy with conduit urinary diversion using ileum or colon at our institution from 1980 to 1998 with complete followup information. Patients were followed for long-term clinical outcomes and analyzed for the incidence of diversion specific complications. RESULTS A total of 844 patients died at a median of 4.1 years (range 0.1 to 28.1) following cystectomy. Median followup of the surviving 213 patients was 15.5 years (range 0.3 to 29.1). There were 643 (60.8%) patients with 1,453 complications directly attributable to the urinary diversion performed with a mean of 2.3 complications per patient. Bowel complications were the most common, occurring in 215 patients (20.3%), followed by renal complications in 213 (20.2%), infectious complications in 174 (16.5%), stomal complications in 163 (15.4%) and urolithiasis in 162 (15.3%). The least common were metabolic abnormalities, which occurred in 135 patients (12.8%), and structural complications, which occurred in 122 (11.5%). Increasing age at cystectomy (HR 1.21, p <0.001), increasing Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (HR 1.23, p = 0.02) and recent era of surgery (HR 1.68, p <0.001) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS Conduit urinary diversion is associated with a high overall complication rate but a low reoperation rate. Long-term followup of these patients is necessary to closely monitor for potential complications from the urinary diversion that can occur decades later.

Nonoperative Management of Nonvascular Grade IV Blunt Renal Trauma in Children: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES To evaluate nonoperative management of grade IV blunt renal trauma in pediatric patients by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched between January 1992 and June 2008 for studies of pediatric renal trauma management. Inclusion criteria were patient age <or= 18 years and use of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma renal injury scale. RESULTS A total of 95 children with grade IV injuries were identified. No intervention was required in 72% (68/95). Hemodynamic instability necessitated surgical exploration in 11% of patients (11/95). Of these, 46% (5/11) required a partial nephrectomy, 27% (3/11) underwent nephrectomy, and 27% (3/11) were salvaged. Angiographic infarction was not used for patients with delayed or persistent hemorrhage. Symptomatic urinoma developed in 17% (16/95). Of these patients, 81% (13/16) were successfully managed by percutaneous drainage or ureteral stent placement, and open intervention to manage complications became necessary in the remaining 19% (3/16). Partial renal preservation was possible in 95% of patients (90/95). CONCLUSIONS Nonoperative management of children with grade IV blunt renal injuries is highly successful, with at least partial renal preservation possible in 95% (90/95) of patients.

20‐year survival after radical prostatectomy as initial treatment for cT3 prostate cancer

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Multifactorial, site-specific recurrence model after radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma

A scoring algorithm of site‐specific disease recurrence after cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma was designed.

Fibroepithelial Polyps of the Ureter: A Single-Institutional Experience

OBJECTIVE Ureteral fibroepithelial polyps (UFP) are rare lesions that may mimic ureteral malignancy, and management is not well defined. We report our experience with the management of UFP. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1945 and 2008, review of our clinical database identified 27 patients who were found to have UFP. Single-pathologist review excluded five patients (three papilloma, one inflammatory pseudopolyp, and one nondiagnostic). Fishers exact methods were utilized to assess significance of clinical associations. RESULTS Mean age at diagnosis was 40 years (range 7-73 years) and 68% were male. Mean follow-up was 37 months (range 2-276 months). History of urologic conditions occurred in 13 patients: 7 (32%) urolithiasis, 2 (9%) ureteral stents, 1 (5%) recurrent urinary tract infection, and 3 (14%) ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Mean UFP diameter was 2 cm (range 0.5-4 cm). UFP was more common in the left ureter (68%, 15/22). UFP location within the ureter was proximal in 13 (59%, 15/22), mid in 4 (18%, 4/22), and distal in 4 (18%, 4/22) with multiple UFP along the length of one ureter. Six patients (27%) had multiple UFP. Open surgery, last performed in 1994, was the initial treatment in 10 (45%, 10/22) patients. Endoscopic treatment was performed in 12 (55%, 12/22) patients and was successful in 11. After endoscopic treatment, open surgical treatment was required in 3 patients with ureteral stricture and 1 patient with incomplete polyp resection. UFP reoccurred in 1 patient (1/12) at 26 months and was successfully treated with ureteroscopy. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that UFP can be successfully managed with endoscopic techniques. Postoperative surveillance is recommended for potential early detection of ureteral stricture or recurrence.

Metastatic potential of a renal mass according to original tumour size at presentation

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Large or Multiple Upper Tract Calculi and Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is standard therapy for upper tract calculi larger than 2 cm. However, the role of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has not been well evaluated. We report our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and subsequent renal calculi managed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy from October 1981 to the present. RESULTS We identified 9 patients. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed in 11 kidneys. Flank pain was the presenting symptom in 6 patients. Average stone burden was 2.5 cm (range 1.6 to 3.6). Two access tracts were necessary in 5 kidneys. No intraoperative complications occurred. In 2 kidneys a second stage endoscopic procedure with ultrasonic lithotripsy was required to achieve stone-free status. Nephrostogram 24 hours after the final procedure showed no residual stone fragments in 9 of 11 kidneys (82%). The remaining 2 patients underwent percutaneous basket extraction to render them stone-free. There were no postoperative complications or recurrent stones. No patient required blood transfusion. Mean followup was 2.7 years (range 0.3 to 4). Mean calculated creatinine clearance was stable at 85.6 (range 45.9 to 126.6) and 89.5 mg/dl per minute (range 39.6 to 126.6) preoperatively and at last followup, respectively (p = 0.783). CONCLUSIONS Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease increased operative complexity, the need for multiple percutaneous access tracts and the likelihood of repeat endoscopy. Despite the altered anatomy percutaneous nephrolithotomy was a safe, efficacious approach for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. At last followup there was no stone recurrence and renal function was stable.

Effect of Prior Radiotherapy and Ablative Therapy on Surgical Outcomes for the Treatment of Rectourethral Fistulas

PURPOSE We evaluate the impact of pelvic radiation and ablative therapy on the surgical repair of rectourethral fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 45 patients with rectourethral fistulas were identified from a prospective database. From 1998 to 2010 a total of 49 surgical reconstructive procedures were performed. Fistula formation was secondary to radiation (brachytherapy, external beam radiation) and ablative therapy (cryotherapy or high intensity focused ultrasound) in 29 patients. The approach for surgical repair and clinical outcomes were analyzed to identify the impact of radiation and ablative therapy on successful fistula repair. RESULTS Median patient age was 68 years and mean followup was 42 months (IQR 7, 71). A primary repair was more frequently attempted (15 of 16 [94%] vs 6 of 29 [21%], p <0.0001) and successful in nonradiation/ablation cases (13 of 15 [87%] vs 1 of 6 [17%], p = 0.003). Patients with prior radiation/ablation were significantly more likely to require permanent colostomy (25 of 29 [86%] vs 0%, p <0.0001) and permanent urinary diversion as part of fistula management (27 of 29 [93%] vs 1 of 16 [6%], p <0.0001). Of the 6 patients with radiation/ablation induced fistula who underwent primary repair, 4 subsequently required urinary diversion for fistula recurrence, 1 is symptomatic with recurrence and 1 (who presented with a 0.5 cm fistula) has had no evidence of fistula recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Unlike the repair of a rectourethral fistula after surgical intervention, which is typically amenable to primary repair, most patients with severe radiation and ablation induced fistula will require urinary diversion with or without permanent colostomy. Thus, permanent urinary diversion should be considered early in the surgical management of these cases.

Standard and saturation transrectal prostate biopsy techniques are equally accurate among prostate cancer active surveillance candidates

To examine the ability of standard and saturation transrectal prostate biopsy techniques to predict appropriate candidates for active surveillance.

Impact of radiotherapy on surgical repair and outcome in patients with rectourethral fistula

Most patients presenting with rectourethral fistula acquire it as a complication of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, as a result of injury to the rectum during prostatectomy, through trauma or from Crohns disease. This study examined whether choice of operation and results of surgery for rectourethral fistula are influenced by prior radiotherapy.