Joan C. Delto

Knowledge and Awareness of Emergency Contraception in Adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the awareness of emergency contraception among adolescent females, (2) identify factors that are associated with accurate knowledge of emergency contraception and (3) describe prior use of emergency contraception among adolescent females. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING The study procedures were carried out at Kapiolani Medical Centers Teen Clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii, which is comprised of an ambulatory university-based resident clinic. PARTICIPANTS English-speaking females who were between the ages of 14 and 19 were invited to participate. INTERVENTIONS This study utilized a self-administered, anonymous survey that contained questions regarding emergency contraception as well as questions on reproductive and sexual health. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome was percentage of adolescent women who were aware of emergency contraceptives. RESULTS A total of 100 surveys were distributed and collected. Fifty-six percent of respondents had an awareness of emergency contraception and 69.6% of these adolescents were able to correctly list an emergency contraceptive method. Older teens were more likely to have an awareness of emergency contraception but we did not find any other factors that were associated with accurate knowledge of emergency contraception. Adolescents who had used emergency contraception in the past found it to be acceptable. CONCLUSIONS Despite being at high risk for unintended pregnancy, adolescents in this population had lower rates of emergency contraceptive awareness in than has been reported in adults.

Characterization of long-term effector-memory T-cell responses in patients with resected high-risk melanoma receiving a melanoma peptide vaccine

The authors determined whether long-term memory T cells could be detected in patients who received a multipeptide vaccine for high-risk resected melanoma. Five HLA-A*0201 patients received a vaccine that included the gp100209-217 (210M) peptide with Montanide ISA 51. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained before therapy, after 6 months of vaccinations, and from 18 months to 36 months later. The presence of gp100 antigen-specific cytolytic T cells was measured by ELISPOT, tetramer and chromium release assays. Tetramer-positive CD8+ cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry for markers including CD44, CD45RA, and CCR7. T-cell avidity and its evolution over time were examined in selected patients. Epitope spreading was analyzed by assessment of gp100280-288 (288V) T cells. All patients exhibited a significant increase in tetramer-positive gp100-specific CD8+ T cells that decayed at different rates over 18 to 36 months after vaccinations. Cells from all patients exhibited an effector-memory phenotype and were generally CD45 RA low/CCR7 negative and CD44 positive. Tetramer-positive cells declined over time in four of the five patients, but the proportion of tetramer-positive CD8+ cells that secreted gamma-interferon rose, suggesting enrichment for effector cells. Epitope spreading for the gp100280-288 (288V) epitope was detected. One patient maintained a population of 2.5% circulating gp100 tetramer-positive cells over 36 months. Avidity analysis showed no changes over time after induction of antigen-specific T cells. Vaccination with a heteroclitic melanoma antigen peptide with Montanide ISA 51 generated populations of circulating functional effector-memory T cells that were specific for gp100 and long-lived in the circulation for periods of 18 to 36 months after vaccination.

Reducing Robotic Prostatectomy Costs by Minimizing Instrumentation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Since the introduction of robotic surgery for radical prostatectomy, the cost-benefit of this technology has been under scrutiny. While robotic surgery professes to offer multiple advantages, including reduced blood loss, reduced length of stay, and expedient recovery, the associated costs tend to be significantly higher, secondary to the fixed cost of the robot as well as the variable costs associated with instrumentation. This study provides a simple framework for the careful consideration of costs during the selection of equipment and materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two experienced robotic surgeons at our institution as well as several at other institutions were queried about their preferred instrument usage for robot-assisted prostatectomy. Costs of instruments and materials were obtained and clustered by type and price. A minimal set of instruments was identified and compared against alternative instrumentation. A retrospective review of 125 patients who underwent robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for prostate cancer at our institution was performed to compare estimated blood loss (EBL), operative times, and intraoperative complications for both surgeons. Our surgeons now conceptualize instrument costs as proportional changes to the cost of the baseline minimal combination. RESULTS Robotic costs at our institution were reduced by eliminating an energy source like the Ligasure or vessel sealer, exploiting instrument versatility, and utilizing inexpensive tools such as Hem-o-lok clips. Such modifications reduced surgeon 1s cost of instrumentation to ∼40% less compared with surgeon 2 and up to 32% less than instrumentation used by surgeons at other institutions. Surgeon 1s combination may not be optimal for all robotic surgeons; however, it establishes a minimally viable toolbox for our institution through a rudimentary cost analysis. A similar analysis may aid others in better conceptualizing long-term costs not as nominal, often unwieldy prices, but as percent changes in spending. With regard to intraoperative outcomes, the use of a minimally viable toolbox did not result in increased EBL, operative time, or intraoperative complications. CONCLUSION Simple changes to surgeon preference and creative utilization of instruments can eliminate 40% of costs incurred on robotic instruments alone. Moreover, EBL, operative times, and intraoperative complications are not compromised as a result of cost reduction. Our process of identifying such improvements is straightforward and may be replicated by other robotic surgeons. Further prospective multicenter trials should be initiated to assess other methods of cost reduction.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for large renal masses: a multi-institutional series.

To compare peri‐operative outcomes after robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for cT2a (7 to <10 cm) to cT1 tumours.

Staged Fowler-Stephens and Single-stage Laparoscopic Orchiopexy for Intra-abdominal Testes: Is There a Difference? A Single Institution Experience

OBJECTIVE To compare single-stage laparoscopic orchiopexy (SSLO) and staged Fowler-Stephens (SFS) procedures in the management of intra-abdominal undescended testes, and to analyze postoperative atrophy and malpositioning as end points. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review identified laparoscopic orchiopexy patients with intra-abdominal testes between November 2006 and November 2014. Of 167 patients who had laparoscopic orchiopexy, 73 (85 testes) were identified as having laparoscopic orchiopexy. Baseline characteristics, as well as testicular scrotal position and size at follow-up, were recorded. Regression analysis was performed to compare outcomes between patients who underwent SFS and SSLO. RESULTS Of the 85 laparoscopic orchiopexies, 35 underwent SFS and 50 had SSLO. Patient demographics were comparable in both groups. The median age at surgery was 12 months (5-151 months), and the average follow-up was 17.3 months. On follow-up, there were 0 recorded cases of SFS patients with abnormally positioned testes postoperatively, whereas there were 10 (20.0%) SSLO patients who had abnormally positioned testes (odds ratio: 0.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.44). Differences in atrophy rates were not significant. CONCLUSION These results suggest that there may be no difference between the 2 approaches in terms of postoperative atrophy. However, the SFS appears to be more successful in securing a favorable scrotal position. Atrophy does not seem to be associated with other patient factors. Prospective, randomized studies are indicated to further explore outcome differences between the 2 approaches.

Comparison of Perioperative and Functional Outcomes of Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for cT1a versus cT1b Renal Masses

To compare perioperative and functional outcomes of patients with cT1a or cT1b renal masses undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in a large multi‐institutional study

Giant Fungating Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum.

We present an unusual case of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arising from a non-sun-exposed area. The patient was 69-year-old male with an enlarging giant fungating mass protruding from his scrotum for which he did not seek medical treatment until recently. The mass did not involve the scrotum or epididymis and was confirmed on ultrasound. The patient underwent wide surgical excision and was diagnosed with BCC of the scrotum. Scrotal BCC appears to be more aggressive and more likely to metastasize compared with lesions arising from other areas of the body.

Main Renal Artery Clamping With or Without Renal Vein Clamping During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Clinical T1 Renal Masses: Perioperative and Long-term Functional Outcomes

OBJECTIVE To compare renal function outcome between a contemporary cohort of propensity score-matched patients undergoing main renal artery clamping (MAC) alone and those undergoing main renal artery clamping with renal vein clamping (MVAC) during robotic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with a solitary T1 renal mass undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy were propensity score-matched on American Society of Anesthesiologists score, RENAL Nephrometry score, tumor size, tumor laterality, and operating surgeon to provide 66 patients undergoing MAC and 66 patients undergoing MVAC for analysis. Demographic and tumor-specific characteristics in addition to perioperative and renal function outcomes at discharge and 9 months were compared. RESULTS No differences in any baseline characteristics including age (P = .847), baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P = .358), RENAL Nephrometry score (P = .617), and tumor size (P = .551) were identified. Warm ischemia time was longer in patients undergoing MVAC than in patients undergoing MAC (21.0 minutes vs 15.0, P <.001), with no differences in estimated blood loss (P = .413), length of hospitalization (P = .112), and postoperative complications (overall [P = .251], by Clavien-Dindo classification [P = .119]). No differences in the percent change in eGFR (P = .866) or acute kidney injury (P = .493) at discharge and no differences in the percent change in eGFR (P = .401) or progression to chronic kidney disease (P = .594) at 9 months were identified. CONCLUSION Compared with MAC, clamping of the renal vein in addition to the main renal artery does not appear to adversely affect postoperative renal function. Future studies comparing MAC with MVAC partial nephrectomy in patients with baseline chronic kidney disease, a solitary kidney and complex tumors with prolonged warm ischemia time are necessary.

The Single Wire Ureteral Access Sheath, Both Safe and Economical

Introduction. Novel disposable products for ureteroscopy are often inherently more expensive than conventional ones. For example, the Cook Flexor© Parallel™ (Flexor) access sheath is designed for ease and efficiency of gaining upper tract access with a solitary wire. We analyze the cost combinations, efficiency, and safety of disposable products utilized for upper tract access, including the Flexor and standard ureteral access sheath. Methods. We performed a retrospective review from January 2014 to October 2014 of patients undergoing URS for nephrolithiasis, who were prestented for various reasons (e.g., infection). Common combinations most utilized at our institution include “Classic,” “Flexor,” and “Standard.” Total costs per technique were calculated. Patient characteristics, operative parameters, and outcomes were compared among the groups. Results. The most commonly used technique involved a standard ureteral sheath and was the most expensive (

Robotic Repair of Urinary Fistulae

294). The second most utilized and least expensive combination involved the Flexor, saving up to