Ho Song Yu

Comparison of oncological results, functional outcomes, and complications for transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single surgeon's experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To compare the oncologic results, functional outcomes, and complications of transperitoneal (TP) and extraperitoneal (EP) robotic radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS From June 2007 to April 2009, 105 patients underwent TP robotic radical prostatectomy, and 155 patients underwent EP robotic radical prostatectomy. Clinicopathological and perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Postoperative complications and functional outcomes including potency and incontinence were assessed. RESULTS Patient demographics were similar in the TP and EP groups. No significant differences in positive surgical margins were noted between the groups. The total operative time, number of lymph nodes removed, and estimated blood loss were also not significantly different. However, the robot console time was shorter for the EP group than for the TP group (89.1 vs. 107.8 minutes, p = 0.03). Postoperative pain scale scores were lower in the EP group than in the TP group (2.7 vs. 6.3, p < 0.001). The incidence of ileus and hernia were lower in the EP group; however, the incidence of lymphocele was higher in the EP group. Postoperative potency and continence rates were similar between the groups; however, the EP group had a faster recovery of continence compared with the TP group. CONCLUSIONS The EP approach has similar oncological and perioperative results, less postoperative pain, less bowel-associated complication, and better functional outcomes than those of the TP approach. The EP approach may be an important alternative in robotic radical prostatectomy.

Urologic Robot-Assisted Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery Using a Homemade Single-Port Device: A Single-Center Experience of 68 Cases

PURPOSE To describe our experience with robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site (R-LESS) surgeries and evaluate a homemade port system as an effective access technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between May 2009 and April 2010, 68 consecutive R- LESS urologic operations were performed in our institution. A 4 to 5 cm long incision was made over the umbilicus. After the inner ring of the Alexis wound retractor was placed into the peritoneum, a common size 7 surgical glove was then applied over the external side of the wound retractor. A homemade single port was established by inserting two 12-mm trocars and two 8-mm trocars through fingers of a surgical glove and securing it to the port. RESULTS Sixty-eight patients underwent R-LESS, including partial nephrectomy in 51, nephroureterectomy in 12, radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy in 2 each, and simple nephrectomy in 1. Mean patient age was 56 years (range 16-81 y). Mean body mass index was 23.9 kg/m(2) (range 17.2-32.9 kg/m(2)). The mean operative time was 219 minutes (range 109-382 min). Mean estimated blood loss 319 mL (range 50-1550 mL), and change in hematocrit was 5.2 % (range 0.0-14.8%). At a mean follow-up of 8 months, there were no port-related complications, and cosmesis was excellent. CONCLUSIONS R-LESS is feasible and can be safely applied to a variety of urologic operations, considering the low intraoperative complication rate. Our homemade single-port device provides adequate range of motion and is more flexible in port placement for R-LESS than the current multichannel port.

Lymphocele after extraperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A propensity score-matching study

To investigate the incidence of lymphocele and determine the risk factors for postoperative lymphocele after extraperitoneal robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy by using propensity score‐matching.

Clinical Outcomes of Bosniak Category IIF Complex Renal Cysts in Korean Patients

Purpose To assess the clinical reliability of the Bosniak IIF category and to determine the proper radiologic follow-up duration and intervals for category IIF complex renal cysts. Materials and Methods We studied 201 patients with category IIF renal cysts from January 1996 to January 2011. Renal cyst progression to category III was defined as an increase in complexity of the cyst in follow-up radiologic studies. We monitored radiologic changes and progression of renal cysts during the follow-up period and analyzed the pathologic results of those patients who were treated surgically. Results At a mean follow-up of 20 months, only 14 cases (7%) showed evidence of progression to stage III, with a mean time to progression of 11 months (range, 3 to 65 months). There were no significant differences in age, gender, cyst size, or change in cyst size between the progressive and non-progressive groups. Of 12 cases treated surgically, 10 cases (83.3%) showed renal cell carcinoma with pT1 stage, and there was no recurrence during postoperative follow-up of 23 months. Of the 187 patients without radiologic progression, 23 cases were treated surgically, and all of them showed benign cysts. Conclusions The IIF category showed significant clinical reliability by a low rate of radiologic progression and a high rate of malignancy in the radiologic progressive group but a low rate of malignancy in the non-progressive group. Although it is hard to decide on a proper follow-up duration because of the variable time to progression, too frequent follow-up study seems to be unnecessary considering that most malignant cases were of a low stage.

Prostatic Urethral Angulation Associated With Urinary Flow Rate and Urinary Symptom Scores in Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of the prostatic urethral angle (PUA) on the peak flow rate (Qmax) and urinary symptoms in the clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS The records were obtained from a prospectively maintained database for first-visit men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Uroflowmetric measurements, postvoid residual urine volume, and International Prostate Symptom Score were assessed. The prostate-related parameters, including prostate volume, PUA, and intravesical prostatic protrusion, were measured using transrectal ultrasonography. Patients with comorbidities that can affect voiding function or in whom the PUA could not be measured were excluded. RESULTS A total of 316 patients were included. On multivariate linear regression analysis, the PUA (P = .002) was independently associated with the International Prostate Symptom Score. However, the International Prostate Symptom Score was not influenced by patient age, prostate volume, or intravesical prostatic protrusion. The mean PUA was significantly different according to symptom severity. The mean PUA was 42.2° ± 7.0°, 45.5° ± 9.1°, and 47.3° ± 8.6° in patients with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively (P = .004, analysis of variance). Although the PUA (P <.001) and patient age (P <.001) were independent predictors of Qmax, the prostate volume and intravesical prostatic protrusion did not affect the Qmax. The mean PUA was 52.2° ± 7.3° in patients with a Qmax <10 mL/s, 45.0° ± 7.9° in those with a Qmax ≥10 mL/s but <20 mL/s, and 39.8° ± 7.9° in those with a Qmax of ≥20 mL/s (P <.001, analysis of variance). CONCLUSION The results of our study has shown that the PUA is significantly associated with the Qmax and symptom scores in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Our findings suggest that the PUA should be considered in the treatment of male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Comparison of Multiple Session 99% Ethanol and Single Session OK-432 Sclerotherapy for the Treatment of Simple Renal Cysts

PURPOSE We compared the efficacy and safety of multiple session 99% ethanol sclerotherapy to single session OK-432 sclerotherapy for the treatment of simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between September 2004 and November 2006, 41 patients (50 cysts, group 1) underwent sclerotherapy with 99% ethanol at least twice and 48 (61 cysts, group 2) underwent a single session of OK-432 sclerotherapy. Followup was performed with ultrasound or computerized tomography every 3 months for 1 year. Complete regression of the renal cyst or more than 70% reduction with no symptoms was considered successful treatment. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the mean size of renal cysts between the 2 treatment groups. The overall success rate was 84.0% in group 1 and 98.4% in group 2. For cysts smaller than 500 ml there was a similar complete regression rate between the 2 groups whereas in cysts 500 ml or larger the complete regression ratio of group 2 was higher than group 1. The symptom relief rate of group 2 was higher than group 1. In group 1 there were 2 patients with a recurrent cyst but in group 2 there was no enlargement of the aspirated cysts. For cysts smaller than 200 ml neither treatment group had complications whereas in cysts 200 ml or larger the frequency of complications was higher in group 1. CONCLUSIONS Single session OK-432 sclerotherapy is simpler, safer and more effective than multiple session 99% ethanol sclerotherapy for the treatment of simple renal cysts, especially large cysts.

Malfunction of da Vinci Robotic System—Disassembled Surgeon's Console Hand Piece: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Recently, increasing numbers of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy have been performed at many centers. Although uncommon, malfunction of the da Vinci Surgical system represents a new and unique problem in urologic surgery. In this study, we report a rare case of a disassembled surgeons console hand piece because of a loose screw during robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Predictors of Intravesical Recurrence After Radical Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: An Inflammation-Based Prognostic Score

Purpose Systemic inflammatory responses, which are defined in terms of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), have been reported to be independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in various human cancers. We assessed the utility of the GPS as a predictor of intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and Methods We collected data for 147 UTUC patients with no previous history of bladder cancer who underwent RNU from 2004 to 2012. Associations between perioperative clinicopathological variables and intravesical recurrence were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Results Overall, 71 of 147 patients (48%) developed intravesical recurrence, including 21 patients (30%) diagnosed with synchronous bladder tumor. In the univariate analysis, performance status, diabetes mellitus (DM), serum albumin, C-reactive protein, GPS, and synchronous bladder tumor were associated with intravesical recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, performance status (hazard ratio [HR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-3.85; p=0.001), DM (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.21-3.41; p=0.007), cortical thinning (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.08-3.71; p=0.026), and GPS (score of 1: HR, 6.86; 95% CI, 3.69-12.7; p=0.001; score of 2: HR, 5.96; 95% CI, 3.10-11.4; p=0.001) were independent predictors of intravesical recurrence. Conclusions Our results suggest that the GPS as well as performance status, DM, and cortical thinning are associated with intravesical recurrence after RNU. Thus, more careful follow-up, coupled with postoperative intravesical therapy to avoid bladder recurrence, should be considered in these patients.

Preoperative Nomograms for Predicting Extracapsular Extension in Korean Men with Localized Prostate Cancer: A Multi-institutional Clinicopathologic Study

We developed a nomogram to predict the probability of extracapsular extension (ECE) in localized prostate cancer and to determine when the neurovascular bundle (NVB) may be spared. Total 1,471 Korean men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer between 1995 and 2008 were included. We drew nonrandom samples of 1,031 for nomogram development, leaving 440 samples for nomogram validation. With multivariate logistic regression analyses, we made a nomogram to predicts the ECE probability at radical prostatectomy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were also performed to assess the predictive value of each variable alone and in combination. The internal validation was performed from 200 bootstrap re-samples and the external validation was also performed from the another cohort. Overall, 314 patients (30.5%) had ECE. Age, Prostate specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason score, positive core ratio, and maximum percentage of biopsy tumor were independent predictors of the presence of ECE (all P values <0.05). The nomogram predicted ECE with good discrimination (an area under the ROC curve of 0.777). Our nomogram allows for the preoperative identification of patients with an ECE and may prove useful in selecting patients to receive nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.

Men with Hypertension are More Likely to Have Severe Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Large Prostate Volume.

Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the correlation between LUTS and cardiovascular risk factors in men presenting with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).