Joel Funk

Hand-assisted vs. retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE We retrospectively compared our initial experience with the hand-assisted and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy techniques to determine if there are important differences between these approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four laparoscopic cases consisting of 12 hand-assisted and 12 retroperitoneal nephrectomies were compared. All cases but one were radical nephrectomies with intact specimen extraction performed for suspected stage T1 neoplasms. Data were collected from medical records and a postoperative questionnaire. To determine if significant learning curves existed, the first six nephrectomies in each group were compared with the second six nephrectomies on the basis of operative criteria. The two groups did not differ significantly in age, body mass index, ASA rating, or number of previous abdominal operations. RESULTS Although the mean tumor volume was greater in the hand-assisted group than the retroperitoneal group, the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (91.19 v 24.7 cc3; P = 0.06). The mean operative time, estimated blood loss, narcotic use (milligrams of intravenous morphine equivalent), hours to oral intake, hospital stay, and estimated percent activity at 2 weeks for the hand-assisted group (238.33 min, 293.75 mL, 35.7 mg, 17.56 hours, 4.4 days, 74.75%, respectively) were not significantly different from the values in the retroperitoneal group (255.83 min, 141.67 mL, 24.5 mg, 22.36 hours, 3.6 days, 76.91%). We found no significant difference in the mean operative times for the first and second six cases in either group. CONCLUSION In the initial experience and comparison of hand-assisted and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy, we found no significant differences in operative time, estimated blood loss, narcotic usage, hours to oral intake, hospital stay, or activity level at 2 weeks postoperatively. A randomized trial is under way at our institution.

Angiotensin II plays a role in acute murine experimental autoimmune cystitis

To investigate whether angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonism decreases the inflammation and oedema in acute murine experimental autoimmune cystitis (EAC), as interstitial cystitis (IC) might have an autoimmune component and AII has been implicated in autoimmune‐mediated vascular congestion, oedema and scarring.

Recent Advances and Emerging Technology in the Surgical Management of BPH-Related Voiding Dysfunction

As transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) continues to be the standard of care to alleviate voiding dysfunction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), novel techniques are being addressed to promote operative efficacy and long-term results for improved voiding. This review addresses recent literature over the past year on various transurethral technologies and procedures as well as the developing practice of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) to improve lower urinary tract symptoms in the setting of BPH. The transurethral technologies include bipolarity, which has come to the forefront in the resection of large prostates as it reduces the risk of TUR syndrome, and plasmakinetic enucleation and diode laser enucleation which have both recently been demonstrated to improve tissue resection for larger prostate glands. The Oyster Procedure, described below, is a specific method of adenoma resection which has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of large obstructing prostates. HoLEP, which has been established as an effective tool for large prostates, has now been described to be useful in patients requiring retreatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has recently come to the forefront of a minimally invasive alternative to TURP with a reduction of symptoms and recovery time in patients who have had unsuccessful or refractory treatments for LUTS. While TURP aids in improving voiding dysfunction, it is known to affect sexual function. New implants, such as those explained in the UroLift procedure below, can improve LUTS while preserving sexual function. Finally, The GreenLight laser prostatectomy has now been demonstrated to be safe and effective in an office setting with conscious sedation, thereby reducing surgical risk with anesthesia for those with comorbidities. The studies discussed in this review focus on improving procedures for treating larger prostates, prostates with prior surgical interventions or refractory BPH, patients who wish to maintain sexual function, and assessing interventions for the elderly and those with comorbidities. As new technologies continue to expand, their use among both novice and experienced surgeons will be vital to advancing the treatments for BPH.

Dynamic Pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Compared to Physical Examination Findings

OBJECTIVE To compare dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) defecography phase findings with physical examination (PE) grading in the evaluation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 274 consecutive patients who underwent dMRI with defecography. Baden-Walker grading of POP, absolute dMRI values, and grading by dMRI were collected for anterior, apical, and posterior compartments. Anatomically significant POP on PE was defined as Baden-Walker Grade ≥3 and on dMRI by dMRI Grade ≥2. A Spearmans Rank correlation was performed between absolute dMRI values and respective POP grades. RESULTS A total of 178 female patients were included. Anatomically insignificant and significant cystoceles had a 26.4% (19/72) and 84.6% (66/78) agreement respectively. Anatomically insignificant and significant apical prolapse had a 2.0% (2/100) and 62.9% (17/27) agreement respectively. Anatomically insignificant and significant posterior prolapse had a 49.5% (51/103) and 78.7% (59/75) agreement respectively. PE detected only 30% (9/30) of total dMRI detected enteroceles and misdiagnosed 10% (3/30) of these patients with a rectocele. CONCLUSION The dMRI defecography phase correlated well for anatomically significant prolapse in anterior and posterior compartments. dMRI was superior to PE for enterocele detection and was better able to distinguish an enterocele from a rectocele. Thus, dMRI may have the greatest diagnostic value in cases where the presence of an enterocele is unclear in apical and/or posterior compartments.

Sacral Neuromodulation for Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a urologic condition that negatively impacts quality of life. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a safe and effective treatment option that has been studied extensively in patients with severe and refractory OAB. SNM significantly reduces urgency, frequency, and incontinence while also improving quality of life. Although SNM is not currently indicated for the treatment of OAB symptoms due to neurologic disease, recent literature suggests that these patients may also benefit from SNM. Other areas requiring further investigation include reduction of adverse events associated with SNM and the overall cost benefit ratio of SNM.

Improved Detection of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Comparative Utility of Defecography Phase Sequence to Nondefecography Valsalva Maneuvers in Dynamic Pelvic Floor Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PURPOSE To evaluate the utility of a defecography phase (DP) sequence in dynamic pelvic floor MRI (DPMRI), in comparison to DPMRI utilizing only non-defecography Valsalva maneuvers (VM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Inclusion criteria identified 237 female patients with symptoms and/or physical exam findings of pelvic floor prolapse. All DPMRI exams were obtained following insertion of ultrasound gel into the rectum and vagina. Steady-state free-precession sequences in sagittal plane were acquired in the resting state, followed by dynamic cine acquisitions during VM and DP. In all phases, two experienced radiologists performed blinded review using the H-line, M-line, Organ prolapse (HMO) system. The presence of a rectocele, enterocele and inferior descent of the anorectal junction, bladder base, and vaginal vault were recorded in all patients using the pubococcygeal line as a fixed landmark. RESULTS DPMRI with DP detected significantly more number of patients than VM (p<0.0001) with vaginal prolapse (231/237, 97.5% vs. 177/237, 74.7%), anorectal prolapse (227/237, 95.8% vs. 197/237, 83.1%), cystocele (197/237, 83.1% vs. 108/237, 45.6%), and rectocele (154/237, 65% vs. 93/237, 39.2%). The median cycstocele (3.2cm vs. 1cm), vaginal prolapse (3cm vs. 1.5cm), anorectal prolapse (5.4cm vs. 4.2cm), H-line (8cm vs. 7.2cm) and M-line (5.3cm vs. 3.9cm) were significantly higher with DP than VM (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Addition of DP to DPMRI demonstrates a greater degree of pelvic floor instability as compared to imaging performed during VM alone. Pelvic floor structures may show mild descent or appear normal during VM, with marked prolapse on subsequent DP images.

V2-02 TOTAL AUTOLOGOUS FASCIA LATA ANTERIOR REPAIR AND APICAL SUSPENSION: A NEW TECHNIQUE

the same patient showed distinct expression profiles using genes included in available prognostic signatures (Figure 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our results challenge the claim that expression based prognostic tests are robust to multifocality. Additional molecular studies are needed to better characterize the biologically dominant lesion in multi-focal PCa and hold promise for the development of improved prognostic biomarkers.

PD02-06 DYNAMIC PELVIC MRI IN THE EVALUATION OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE AND CORRELATION WITH PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Dynamic Pelvic Floor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) provides objective evaluation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and few studies have compared physical examination (PE) to dMRI. We present the largest series comparing dMRI with PE findings. METHODS: A total of 274 consecutive patients underwent dMRI with defecography, and charts were retrospectively reviewed for Baden-Walker grading of POP (Grade 0-4), absolute dMRI values, and grading by dMRI (Grade 0-3). Exclusion criteria included incomplete PE or dMRI, and males. Clinically significant POP was defined as BadenWalker (B-W) Grade 3 and dMRI Grade 2 with clinically insignificant POP defined as B-W Grade 0-1 and dMRI Grade 0. Spearman correlation was performed between absolute dMRI values and POP grade. RESULTS: In total, 178 female patients had both PE and dMRI as part of their POP assessment. In the anterior compartment, there was a moderate positive correlation (r1⁄40.652) between dMRI values and PE. PE and dMRI had 90.7% agreement in patients without clinically significant cystocele. Clinically significant cystoceles on PE were read as Grade 2 on dMRI in 84.6% of subjects. Correlation between PE and dMRI for apical prolapse was poor (r1⁄40.195). For patients without significant apical prolapse, PE and dMRI had 59.2% agreement. Clinically significant apical prolapse on PE was read as dMRI Grade 2 in 62.9% of subjects. However, dMRI detected 30 patients with enterocele with PE agreeing in only 9 patients. Three of these 30 patients (10%) with pure enterocele were misdiagnosed as rectocele on PE. Conversely, PE detected 20 patients with enteroceles with dMRI confirmation in 9 cases. Correlation between PE and dMRI was also poor in the posterior compartment (r1⁄40.277). PE and dMRI had 55.4% agreement in patients without significant posterior prolapse, whereas clinically significant rectoceles were read as dMRI Grade 2 in 77.7% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to date comparing dMRI to PE for the evaluation of POP. dMRI correlated well with PE in the anterior compartment but yielded little additional diagnostic value. Correlation in the posterior compartment was poor, but dMRI tended to agree with PE in higher grades of POP. dMRI was superior to PE in the detection of enterocele and was better able to distinguish enterocele from rectocele. dMRI may add the most diagnostic value in cases where the presence of enterocele is unclear.