Jesús Díez Sebastián

Perioperative and survival outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in patients over 70 years

Introduction Radical cystectomy in elderly patients is a controversial issue that has noticed an increase in importance overtime because of the lengthening average life span. Our objective was to determine if there were significant differences in the perioperative outcomes of patients over 70 years with bladder cancer treated with laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) compared to those of younger patients. Material and methods We selected 180 patients who underwent LRC in our department in the period between 2005-2012. We divided them into 2 groups: 57% <70 years and 43% >70 years, and we compared the different parameters such as: comorbidities, intraoperative and post-operative complications, TNM stage and overall survival. Results The group <70 years had less comorbidities when compared with the group >70 years. Heterotopic urinary diversion was the diversion of choice in the elderly patients (97.4%). Paralytic ileus and the worsening of renal function were the only complications with statistical differences between the groups. Mean hospital length of stay was not significantly different between the groups. Younger and older patients had similar pathological staging : pT1 or less: 26,2 vs. 18.2%, pT2: 19.4 vs. 16.9%, pT3 38.8 vs. 37.7% and pT4 15.6 vs. 17.2%. Kaplan-Meier curves did not show significant differences in survival. Conclusions Laparoscopic radical cystectomy in the elderly patient has similar rates of perioperative morbidity when compared with the younger patient and may be offered as a treatment option in selected elderly patients.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy training for residents: Hospital Universitario La Paz model

Introduction In the last decade, we have seen the advance of laparoscopic surgery in urology. All laparoscopic procedures in our department are performed by staff members and are assisted by a single resident, ensuring resident training in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the Hospital La Paz training program for residents in the field of laparoscopic surgery. Material and methods We have done a retrospective review of LRP performed by the residents in our department. We also evaluated different variables. Descriptive statistical analysis was done and the results were compared with the descriptive analysis of the initial series of our department. Results We reviewed 82 patients, with an average age of 61.6 years. Most cases were pT1c at diagnosis. Average surgical time was 288 minutes, with a transfusion rate of 9.7% and a intra and postoperative complication rates of 1.2% and 7.3%. The mean hospital stay was 3.3 days. Histological results of this series are: 76.8% of pT2 and 23.2% of pT3. The biochemical relapse rate is 15.8%. Global surgical margin rate is 20.7%. The global continence rate is 52.4%. Conclusions The outcomes of LRP performed by residents are similar to the ones reported in the initial series of our department. The fact that 84.6% of the residents formed in this period actually belong to different laparoscopic units supports the success of La Paz Hospital training model.

Evolution in the treatment of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction syndrome. Laparoscopic versus open pyeloplasty.

Introduction The treatment of ureteropelvic junction has evolved considerably over the past 20 years, resulting in new surgical techniques, but traditional open surgery remains the gold standard treatment. Currently, less invasive techniques are used for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The purpose of our study is to compare the surgical and functional results between laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty performed at our department during the last 12 years. Material and methods This is a retrospective review of 92 cases performed in a period of 12 years. Two groups were compared: 30 patients were treated with open surgery (OP) and 62 with a laparoscopic approach (LP). Demographics, clinical presentation, functionality of the affected kidney, presence of polar vessels, kidney stones, hospital stay, complications and functional results were statistically analyzed. Results The mean age was 42 years. The most common clinical presentation was kidney or ureteral pain: 60% (OP) vs. 52% (LP). The right side was affected in 59%; presence of crossing vessels was 47% (OP) vs. 58% (LP); presence of kidney stones was 20% (OP) vs. 19% (LP), with an average hospital stay of 5.86 days (OP) vs. 3.36 days (LP) p <0.05. Post-operative complications were observed in 3 (OP) vs. 5 (LP) patients, with a success rate comparable between groups. Conclusions In our department, we recommend LP as the standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction because of the equal success rate compared to OP and the benefits of a minimally invasive surgery.

Renal function recovery after laparosocopic pyeloplasty

Introduction To observe the renal function recovery measured by diuretic renography in short and medium follow–up of patients with transperitoneal Anderson–Hynes laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Material and methods We performed a retrospective review from our series of laparoscopic pyeloplasties, and we applied the following selection criteria: 1) to have at least two MAG3 diuretic renography during the follow–up, performed with a gap of 4–6 months between them; 2) to have at least one year follow–up. Fulfilling these criteria, we have selected 35 patents of 62. Results During follow–up, statistically significant improvement comparing with the pre–surgical value has been observed in diuretic renography in the operated kidney in all selected patients during the time of follow up in terms of: functional uptake ratio (FUR), furosemide excretion and total excretion. No statistically significant differences were found in excretion time and spontaneous excretion parameters. By dividing patients in two age groups <40 years and >40 years we found no statistically significant differences between them in relation to the improvement of the FUR. Conclusions Laparoscopic pyeloplasty not only corrects the UPJO, it also may recover renal function demonstrated after one year follow up with diuretic renography. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty should be procedure of choice even in those patients with poor renal function at diagnosis, whenever there are chances of recovering renal function, regardless patients age.

Mediastinitis tras cirugía cardíaca: estudio de casos y controles para detectar áreas de mejora

Resumen Fundamento La mediastinitis posquirurgica es una de las complicaciones mas graves de la cirugia cardiaca. Se han descrito diversos factores de riesgo y estrategias para disminuir su incidencia. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la incidencia y los factores de riesgo de mediastinitis en enfermos sometidos a cirugia cardiaca en el Hospital Universitario La Paz y establecer propuestas de mejora del proceso asistencial. Material y metodos Estudio de casos y controles, seleccionando 2 controles por cada caso de mediastinitis diagnosticado durante los anos 2002 y 2003 y el primer cuatrimestre de 2004. Recogida de informacion mediante revision de historias clinicas. Analisis estadistico: descriptivo (media, mediana, desviacion tipica y distribucion de frecuencias) y analitico (χ 2 de Pearson y U de Mann-Whitney). Resultados Incidencia, 3,5%. Principales factores identificados como susceptibles de mejora: control glucemico de los enfermos, identificacion a priori de los enfermos con mayor riesgo de mediastinitis, para lo que se construyo un indice que evalua 8 items, y actuacion temprana ante la agrupacion de 2 o mas casos. Conclusiones A partir de los resultados, se han propuesto cambios en el proceso asistencial que pueden contribuir a disminuir la incidencia de mediastinitis en enfermos intervenidos de cirugia cardiaca en el Hospital La Paz.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with prostate capsule sparing. Initial experience

Introduction In 2008, our department introduced a modified technique of laparoscopic radical cystectomy in which the prostatic capsule is spared in selected patients with bladder cancer. The different series published are mostly using the standard open procedure. The aim of this study is to describe this technique using the laparoscopic approach and present our preliminary results. Material and methods This study includes 20 patients selected by clinical analysis and imaging criteria operated using laparoscopic radical cystectomy with prostate capsule sparing at our department in the period between 2008 and 2012. Results Patient mean age was 58 years. Mean operative time was 390 minutes. Median follow-up was 36 months. No patient had bladder cancer recurrence. Only one patient died of disease progression, as the pathological findings was a pT3 pN1 Mx. Mean PSA before surgery: 1.3 ng/ml (03–2), mean PSA after surgery 1.0 ng/ml (0.08–1.7). No patients had prostate cancer recurrence. Satisfactory daytime and night-time continence was achieved. 90% of patients have sexual function preserved. Conclusions Prostate-sparing radical cystectomy remains one of the most controversial topics in urology today. The laparoscopic approach could be an alternative to conventional radical cystoprostatectomy in well selected patients, done in experienced institutions in order to find better functional results, with a low disease progression and recurrence rate.