Francesco Berardinelli

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Partial Nephrectomy Without Ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) ensures excellent oncologic and functional outcomes in small renal masses. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is one of the major advances in the evolution of minimally invasive surgery. We describe our initial surgical experience and assess the feasibility of LESS unclamp-NSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS From April to September 2009, all consecutive patients with solitary, exophytic, enhancing, small (≤4.0 cm) renal masses and normal contralateral kidney were selected to receive LESS unclamp-NSS. A multichannel port provided intra-abdominal transperitoneal access. Rigid and articulable instruments were used for dissection, tumor exposure, and excision under normal renal perfusion. Perioperative, pathologic, hematologic data together with a subjective evaluation of pain and scar were collected and evaluated. RESULTS Six patients underwent LESS unclamp-NSS (mean operative time, 148 min; mean blood loss, 201 mL; mean renal masses size, 2.1cm). One patient needed conversion to standard laparoscopy because of excessive bleeding. Postoperatively, a cerebrovascular accident developed in one patient. No transfusion was necessary. Pathologic examination revealed two clear-cell carcinoma, three benign cysts, and one angiomyolipoma (surgical margin positive). A 2.7 g/dL hemoglobin level decrease was recorded with minimal pain and great patient satisfaction. Mean length of stay was 6 days. CONCLUSION LESS unclamp-NSS in selected renal masses is feasible, provides postoperative outcomes overlapping the standard counterpart, and ensures subjective satisfaction. Additional trocars should be considered for the hemostatic stitches and for liver retraction. A wider experience and longer follow-up are necessary to establish the role of this technique.

Laparoendoscopic Single-site Partial Nephrectomy Without Ischemia for Very Small, Exophytic Renal Masses: Surgical Details and Functional Outcomes

BACKGROUND Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has emerged as a natural progression from standard laparoscopy aiming to further minimize the morbidity of urologic procedures. OBJECTIVE To describe our technique and report the surgical and functional outcomes of unclamped LESS partial nephrectomy (PN) in the treatment of small renal masses (SRMs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective evaluation of pre- and postoperative variables of patients undergoing the LESS-PN without ischemia between 2009 and 2012. The indications were single exophytic SRMs. SURGICAL PROCEDURE Unclamped LESS-PN was performed through a transperitoneal approach. A pararectal Hasson access technique was preferred. Single-port access was achieved via different single-port devices. A combination of straight and articulating laparoscopic instruments was used. The tumor was excised using bipolar scissors during normal renal perfusion. Hemostasis was achieved by bipolar electrocautery, parenchymal stitches, and hemostatic agents. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Demographic, operative, postoperative, and pathologic outcomes data were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS A total of 21 LESS-PN were performed (operative time: 111 ± 41 min; blood loss: 196 ± 195 ml: tumor size: 2.0 ± 0.3 cm). Neither conversion to open surgery nor transfusions occurred. Three patients required conversion to standard laparoscopy. Postoperatively, three complications (Clavien grades 2, 3a, and 4) were recorded. Pathologic examination revealed 14 clear cell carcinomas, four renal cysts, two oncocytomas, and one angiomyolipoma. Hospital stay was 4.4 ± 1.9 d. At the last follow-up (mean: 17±11.5 mo), no port-site, local, or distant recurrences were detected. No significant variation in serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed. Subjective scar evaluation indicated 66% of patients were very satisfied/enthusiastic. Study limitations include the small sample size, the lack of a control group, the short follow-up period, and the arbitrary measure of patients scar perception. CONCLUSIONS Unclamped LESS-PN for selected SRMs is a safe and feasible procedure providing favorable postoperative outcomes and ensuring high levels of subjective, cosmetic satisfaction.

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Unclamped Nephron-Sparing Surgery: A Case Report

A 43-yr-old man with left lumbar pain was diagnosed as having a growing renal angiomyolipoma at imaging. TriPort laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) without ischemia was performed. The TriPort was inserted through a 4-cm pararectal incision, and with the use of 5-mm instruments, left-unclamped NSS was performed and completed in 165 min (blood loss: 180 ml). Postoperative treatment was uneventful with favorable short-term outcomes and high patient satisfaction at 12-mo follow-up. This technique should be attempted in highly selected patients with favorable tumor anatomic features and performed by an experienced laparoscopic team.

A prospective multicenter European study on flexible ureterorenoscopy for the management of renal stone.

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes and the complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for renal stones in a multi-institutional working group. Materials and Methods From 2012 to 2014, we conducted a prospective study including all RIRS performed for kidney stones in 4 European centers. Demographic information, disease characteristics, and perioperative and postoperative data were gathered. Patients and stone data, procedure characteristics, results and safety outcomes were analyzed and compared by descriptive statistics. Complications were reported using the standardized Clavien system. Results Three hundred and fifty-six patients underwent 377 RIRS with holmium laser lithotripsy for renal stones. The RIRS was completed in all patients with a mean operative time of 63.5 min. The stone-free status was confirmed endoscopically and through fluoroscopic imaging after the first procedure in 73.6%. The second procedure was performed in twenty patients (5.6%) achieving an overall stone free rate of 78.9%. The overall complication rate was 15.1%. Intra-operative and post-operative complications were seen in 24 (6.7%) and 30 (8.4%) cases, respectively. Conclusions RIRS is a minimally invasive procedure with good results in terms of stone-free and complications rate.

The R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometric Nomogram Cannot Accurately Predict Malignancy or Aggressiveness of Small Renal Masses Amenable to Partial Nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND The prediction of histology of SRM could be essential for their management. The RNN is a statistical tool designed to predict malignancy or high grading of enhancing renal masses. In this study we aimed to perform an external validation of the RNN in a cohort of patients who received a PN for SRM. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a multicentric study in which the data of 506 consecutive patients who received a PN for cT1a SRM between January 2010 and January 2013 were analyzed. For each patient, the probabilities of malignancy and aggressiveness were estimated preoperatively using the RNN. The performance of the RNN was evaluated according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analyses. RESULTS The area under the ROC curve for malignancy was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.63; P = .031). The calibration plot showed that the predicted probability of malignancy had a bad concordance with observed frequency (Brier score = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.15-0.19). Decision curve analysis confirmed a poor clinical benefit from use of the system. The estimated area under the ROC curve for high-grade prediction was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49-0.66; P = .064). The calibration plot evidenced a bad concordance (Brier score = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.13-0.17). Decision curve analysis showed the lack of a remarkable clinical usefulness of the RNN when predicting aggressiveness. CONCLUSIONS The RNN cannot accurately predict histology in the setting of cT1a SRM amenable to PN.

Survival after Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Non-clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Population-based Study

BACKGROUND The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNT) for cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival is unclear in contemporary metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (non-ccmRCC) patients. OBJECTIVE To assess the role of CNT in non-ccmRCC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (2001-2014), we identified patients with non-ccmRCC. INTERVENTION CNT versus no CNT in non-ccmRCC patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Multivariable logistic regression, cumulative incidence, competing-risks regression models, incremental survival benefit (ISB), conditional survival, and landmark analyses were performed. Sensitivity analyses focused on histological subtypes and most contemporary patients (2010-2014). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Of 851 patients with non-ccmRCC, 67.6% underwent CNT. In multivariable logistic regression, year of diagnosis in contemporary (p<0.001) and intermediate (p=0.008) tertiles, as well as age ≥75 yr (p<0.001) yielded lower CNT rates. Cumulative incidence showed 2-yr CSM of 52.6% versus 77.7%, respectively, after CNT versus no CNT. CSM after CNT versus no CNT was invariably lower in all histologic subtypes and in contemporary patients. Multivariable competing-risks regression models predicting CSM favored CNT (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, confidence interval: 0.30-0.47, p<0.001) in all patients and in all subgroups defined by histologic subtypes (HR: 0.14-0.43, all p≤0.02), as well as in contemporary patients (HR: 0.32, p<0.001). The ISB analyses yielded statistically significant and clinically meaningful CSM-free survival benefit of +3 mo after CNT versus no CNT in individuals with observed CSM-free survival ≤24 mo. The 2-yr CSM-free survival increased from baseline of 46.1% versus 19.4% (Δ=26.7%, p<0.001) to 70.3% versus 54.4% (Δ=15.9%, p=0.005) after CNT versus no CNT, in patients that survived 12 mo, respectively. Landmark analyses rejected bias favoring CNT. Data were retrospective. CONCLUSIONS CSM is lower after CNT for non-ccmRCC in all histologic subtypes and in contemporary patients except for unproven ISB in collecting duct patients. This observation should encourage greater CNT consideration in non-ccmRCC. PATIENT SUMMARY Cytoreductive nephrectomy appears to improve survival in metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma, but it is used infrequently.

Clinical effects and economical impact of dutasteride and finasteride therapy in Italian men with LUTS

OBJECTIVES To investigate differences in the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)- related hospitalization, for surgical and non-surgical reasons, and of new prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis between patients under dutasteride or finasteride treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from record-linkage of administrative databases. Men aged ≥ 40 years old who had received a prescription for at least 10 boxes/year (index years: 2004-06) were included. The association of the outcomes was assessed using a multiple Cox proportional hazard model. Propensity score matched analysis and a 5-to-1, greedy 1:1 matching algorithm were performed. The budget impact analysis of dutasteride vs finasteride in BPH-treated patient was performed. RESULTS From an initial cohort of about 1.5 million of Italian men, 19620 were selected. The overall hospitalization for BPH-non surgical reasons, for BPH-related surgery and for new detection of PCa incidence rates (IRs) were 8.20 (95% CI, 7.62-8.23), 18.0 (95% CI, 17.12-18.93) and 8.62 (95% CI, 8.03-9.26) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The multivariate analysis after the propensity score-matching showed that dutasteride was associated with an independent reduced likelihood of hospitalization for BPH-related surgery (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.73-0.93; p = 0.0025) and of newly detected PCa (HR: 0.76,95% CI, 0.65-0.85; p = 0.0116). The IR for BPH-non surgical reasons was 8.07 (95% CI, 7.10-9.17) and 9.25 (95% CI, 8.19-10.44) per 1000 person-years, respectively. The IR for BPH-related surgery was 18.28 (95% CI, 17.17-20.32) and 21.28 (95% CI, 19.24-23.06) per 1000 person-years among patients under dutasteride compared with those under finasteride, respectively. For new-onset PCa, the IR was 8.01 (95% CI, 7.07-9.08) and 9.38 (95% CI, 8.32-10.58) per 1000 person-years The pharmacoeconomical evaluation showed that the net budget impact of the use of dutasteride vs. finasteride in 1000 BPH-treated patient for 1 year induces a saving of 3933 €. CONCLUSIONS The clinical effects of dutasteride and finasteride are slightly different. The likelihood of hospitalization for BPH-related surgery and of newly detected PCa seems to be in favor of dutasteride. The budget impact analyses showed a slightly benefit for dutasteride. Comparative prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Work up of incidental adrenal mass: state of the art.

Due to the increasing use of radiological investigations, the detection of incidental adrenal masses has become even more frequent. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the nature of the adrenal mass in order to decide the type of treatment that should be undertaken. Toward this goal, biochemical tests are useful in order to assess catecholamines levels for the presence of a pheochromocytoma or cortisol excess in case of Cushings syndrome. Furthermore, the dexamethasone suppression test and late-night salivary cortisol may be useful in measuring plasma cortisol, respectively, in the blood and urine. Hyperaldosteronism could be suspected in the presence of arterial hypertension. With regard to imaging modalities, the contrast washout and Hounsfield units estimation might play a role as indicators on computed tomography. In terms of treatment, a surgical approach is most suitable for a hyperfunctioning adrenal mass irrespective of size, and for nonfunctioning masses >4 cm. For indeterminate smaller lesions, with washout >50%, <10 Hounsfield Unit, nonfunctioning, benign-appearing, undergoing a follow-up in regular intervals is more appropriate in order to estimate mass growth. This paper summarizes recent findings on the management of incidental adrenal masses, with a special focus on the use of imaging, surgical management and follow-up modalities in improving patient outcomes.

Giant renal artery aneurysm: A case report

A case of a 12 cm giant renal artery aneurysm (RAA) in an 59-year-old woman is reported. The patient was referred to our hospital for flank pain and spot hematuria. Ultrasonography (US) revealed some wide lacunar areas in her right kidney and a thin cortex. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) revealed a giant right renal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AngioCT scan showed a pervious right renal artery. The cavities of the right kidney were dilated and the parenchyma was markedly reduced. Two months later the patient underwent an open resection of the aneurysm and a right nephrectomy. She had an uneventful recovery and a healthy status (last follow-up: 9 month). In this particular case, a safe approach is the transabdominal approach since the aneurysm was very large, friable, and located on the right side. This report confirms the opportunity of a planned nephrectomy once there is adequate renal reserve in the opposite kidney using a midline approach.

Trifecta and Pentafecta Rates After Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: Comparative Study of Patients with Renal Masses <4 and ≥4 cm

OBJECTIVES Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is preferred to radical nephrectomy because it guarantees superior functional outcomes in patients with small renal masses (RMs). Only a few studies so far have evaluated the feasibility of RAPN for the treatment of RM ≥4 cm. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of RAPN based on a comparison of trifecta and pentafecta rates for RMs ≥4 cm. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from an institutional database of patients undergoing RAPN from September 2013 to November 2016. Demographic and perioperative data were collected and statistically analyzed. Pentafecta is defined as achievement of trifecta (negative surgical margins, no postoperative complications, and warm ischemia time ≤25 minutes) with the addition of two other variables, namely, over 90% estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation and no chronic kidney disease stage progression 1 year after surgery. RESULTS Overall, 123 patients underwent RAPN. Of those, 38 (30.9%) had RMs ≥4 cm. Trifecta was achieved in 72.9% of patients with RMs <4 cm and in 44.7% of those with ≥4 cm, whereas pentafecta was achieved by 23.5% of patients with RMs <4 cm and by 10.5% of those with RMs ≥4 cm. No significant predictive factors were found in connection with trifecta, whereas only one was found in connection with pentafecta, namely, age (odds ratio: 0.91; 95% confidence interval 0.85-0.98; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS RAPN may be considered a feasible and safe surgical approach ensuring good functional outcome even for patients with RMs ≥4 cm. Pentafecta rates after RAPN were comparable between RMs <4 and ≥4 cm in diameter.