L. Peri

Feasibility of Transvaginal NOTES-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

BACKGROUND Recently, the feasibility of a transvaginal hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) nephrectomy was demonstrated in a 23-yr-old woman with a nonfunctional atrophic kidney. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in female patients with and without renal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between March 2008 and June 2009, 14 female patients were submitted to transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy for T1-T3a N0M0 renal cancer (n=10), lithiasis (n=2), or renal atrophy (n=2) at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain. SURGICAL PROCEDURE Under general anaesthesia, female patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy by transvaginal NOTES using a deflectable camera by vaginal access and two additional 5- and 10-mm trocars in the abdomen. The renal artery and vein were dissected and taken separately between clips. The dissected kidney was removed via the vagina after enlarging the vaginal trocar incision. MEASUREMENTS All data referring to patient demographics, surgery, pathology, and perioperative outcomes were recorded. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS The procedure was completed in all patients. The mean age of the women was 59.1 yr. The mean operative time was 132.9 min and the mean estimated blood loss was 111.2 ml. None of the patients required a blood transfusion and the use of analgesics was low. The mean hospital stay was 4 d. In one case, a major complication (a colon injury) occurred. The patient underwent surgery and a temporary colostomy was performed. The patient has already undergone reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is feasible and reproducible and may be an alternative technique for treatment of women with renal cancer. Proper selection of patients is warranted for success of this new approach. However, longer follow-up in an increasing number of patients is needed to establish its role in the treatment of renal cancer.

Feasibility of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery-assisted living donor nephrectomy: is kidney vaginal delivery the approach of the future?

BACKGROUND Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) uses natural orifices to access the abdominal cavity. We adapted NOTES to perform transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy in living donors. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of this procedure and compare it with conventional laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS From July 2009 to October 2010, 20 women underwent transvaginal NOTES-assisted living donor nephrectomy (LDN) in our centre. We compared the prospectively collected clinical data of each donor with those of a contemporaneous matched pair of conventional LLDNs (40 donors). SURGICAL PROCEDURE The procedure was performed using three abdominal trocars and one trocar through the vaginal wall. MEASUREMENTS Variables evaluated for donors were procedure length, blood loss, warm ischaemia time (WIT), complications, hospital stay, and first-month creatinine nadir. In the transvaginal LDN group, sexual function was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire before and after surgery. Variables evaluated for recipients were complications, graft function, and creatinine evolution. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS The procedure was completed in all cases. Operative variables were similar for both groups except for WIT, which was longer in the transvaginal LDN group (p<0.001) without consequences for graft functioning. One transvaginal LDN case had postoperative bleeding requiring immediate open surgery. All transvaginal LDN donors reported unaltered sexual function after surgery and satisfaction with the results. All recipients had immediate urine output, and all had a functioning graft at last follow-up except for one recipient of the transvaginal LDN group who required transplantectomy. Despite promising results, randomised controlled studies with longer follow-up are warranted to further elucidate the potential of this novel technique. CONCLUSIONS Transvaginal NOTES-assisted LDN appears to be a feasible and reproducible surgical technique. The WIT was longer in the transvaginal group, and there was no effect on graft function after the short follow-up.

Low testosterone levels are related to poor prognosis factors in men with prostate cancer prior to treatment

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Multidetector CT of Living Renal Donors: Lessons Learned from Surgeons

Multidetector computed tomography (CT) is the choice technique for preoperative evaluation of living renal donors. Living donor transplantation, as opposed to cadaveric donation, is the best option for recipient and graft survival. The need for kidney transplantation has undergone exponential growth over the past 40 years, and cadaveric donations are inadequate to meet this ever-increasing demand. These factors have led to a continued increase in organ donation from living related donors. From January 2007 to October 2009, 199 potential renal donors were studied in one center with 64-row multidetector CT. Of these candidates, 94 were rejected for donation. The remaining 105 potential donors were evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee, and 101 donor-recipient couples were accepted for renal donation and transplantation. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is the preferred surgical procedure for harvesting kidneys from living donors. Radiologists are responsible for providing accurate anatomic information about the donors renal parenchyma, arteries, veins, and collecting system. Accurate reporting depends on the radiologists level of expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to careful image evaluation. Knowledge of the surgical techniques and the difficulties that surgeons face during laparoscopic nephrectomy and renal transplantation is essential for compiling accurate radiologic reports.

The role of cystectomy in elderly patients - a multicentre analysis.

Life expectancy in developed countries is continuously increasing. Hence elderly patients are becoming more common in our clinical practice. Currently, one of the greatest challenges of medicine is balancing the life expectancy of elderly patients against aggressive treatments that carry significant risks.

Orthotopic Kidney Transplantation: An Alternative Surgical Technique in Selected Patients

BACKGROUND A renal transplant is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease due to its superior short- and long-term survival benefits compared with dialysis treatment. A common trend for kidney transplantation in developed countries is an increasing acceptance of older patients, patients with comorbidities, and patients with vascular problems (eg, atheromatosis, venous thrombosis). For those patients, an orthotopic kidney transplant (OKT) is an option. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to analyze the results of the largest OKT series in the world (surgical technique, complications, and outcomes) and to compare indications, surgical techniques, and long-term results from two different periods (before and after February 1987). DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS Between April 1978 and September 2009, 223 OKT were performed. We compared the results of transplants performed in two different periods: from April 1978 to January 1987 with 139 patients and from February 1987 to September 2009 with 84 patients. INTERVENTION OKT were performed in all cases as described in the first report published in 1989 by Gil-Vernet et al. MEASUREMENTS The clinical data, surgical reports, and complications rate of all patients were reviewed retrospectively. From a database maintained prospectively, two different periods were described, and the long-term results of the OKT were compared. Graft and patient survival in orthotopic versus heterotopic transplants from the same period were also compared. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS During the second period an important decrease in the number of OKT was observed due to the change in indication for this specific technique. No important differences between periods were noted in terms of surgical technique. The rate of urinary complications rate was similar in both periods. No differences in graft survival between series have been observed (p=0.22), but a higher mortality rate was seen in the second period mostly due to an older unfit population (p=0.031). No differences were observed in overall graft and patient survival between orthotopic and heterotopic kidney transplants performed during the same period. CONCLUSIONS OKT is a good alternative with acceptable rates of urologic and vascular complications for those patients for whom heterotopic transplant is considered unsuitable.

Low testosterone level predicts prostate cancer in re-biopsy in patients with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Kidneys from donors with incidental renal tumors: should they be considered acceptable option for transplantation?

Background The increase in the prevalence of end-stage renal disease in developed countries and the shortage of deceased donors has made it necessary to increase the graft pool by means of several strategies, such as live donation, non–heart-beating donors, and expanded criteria donors. Frequently, and because of the increasing acceptance of older donors, we find a higher percentage of incidental renal masses in these donors as a result of the inherent epidemiology of this disease. These kidneys can be considered suitable grafts after bench surgery to remove the tumor. Methods Retrospective analysis of donors with a diagnosis of incidental small renal mass before implantation and their corresponding recipients was performed between January 2007 and September 2012. All cases underwent an ex vivo tumorectomy with a preoperatory pathologic analysis. Recipients were followed up according to our standard renal tumor protocol. Results Eight donors with incidental renal mass were detected (four live and four deceased donors). The mean age was 47.8 years. Eleven transplantations were performed. Eight cases received the kidney after tumor exeresis, and three, the contralateral one. The recipient mean age was 53.8 years. The mean tumor diameter was 14.8 mm, with pathologic stages pT1a in seven cases and pT1b in one case (five clear cell renal carcinoma, two chromophobe type, and one lipoma). Surgical margins were negative. Mean follow-up was 32.34 months; none of the patients presented tumor recurrence, and all had correct renal function. Conclusions Kidneys with small incidental tumors can be considered an option for kidney transplantation in selected patients.

Air Cystoscopy is Superior to Water Cystoscopy for the Diagnosis of Active Hematuria

PURPOSE We evaluated the clinical use of air cystoscopy, including its possible advantages and disadvantages over water cystoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two independent observers prospectively studied consecutive patients who underwent water cystoscopy first and then air cystoscopy at our center from May to September 2012. The indication for rigid cystoscopy in the operating room was noted independently by either observer. Findings after rigid cystoscopy were correlated with the results of flexible water and air cystoscopy using the Pearson correlation and Student t-test. RESULTS Included in the study were 57 patients with active hematuria, of whom 36 had bladder cancer, and 257 with a history of bladder tumor. The cause of bleeding was clearly identified on water cystoscopy in 22 patients (38%), including tumors in 17 and prostate bleeding in 5, and by air cystoscopy in 49 (86%), including tumors in 32 and prostate bleeding in 17. For diagnosing bladder tumors air cystoscopy had higher sensitivity than water cystoscopy (88% vs 47%, p=0.003) and similar specificity (97% vs 100%, p=0.93). In the 295 patients without hematuria there was no difference in the indication compared to that identified on rigid cystoscopy (43 vs 43, p=1.0). Water cystoscopy revealed more small papillary tumors than air cystoscopy but the number was not significantly different (76 vs 67, p=0.26). All such implants identified on water cystoscopy alone were less than 2 mm. No complication specifically related to air cystoscopy was noted. CONCLUSIONS We found no statistical difference between water and air cystoscopy in patients without hematuria. Air cystoscopy had higher sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing active hematuria while adding almost no specific complications to the procedure.

Third and Fourth Kidney Transplant: Still a Reasonable Option

INTRODUCTION At present, a second kidney transplant is considered an established therapeutic option for patients who have lost a previous graft. Second transplants show similar graft survival as first transplants. A debate exists about the benefit of submitting the patient to a third or fourth renal transplant, or to maintain dialysis. OBJECTIVE We sought to analyze graft and patient survivals as well as associated variables and surgical complications of third and fourth transplantations. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 1985 to December 2008, we performed 74 third and 8 fourth transplantations among 2763 cases. We prospectively collected the variables of age, gender, graft origin, hyperimmunization, time on dialysis, location, bench surgery, acute rejection episodes, graft survival, and operative complications. RESULTS Third and fourth trasplantations were performed in 49 men and 33 women, with an overall mean age of 40.26 years who were on dialysis for an average of 126.89 months before transplantation. Mean graft survivals of their first and second grafts were 35.6 and 50.1 months, respectively. Acute or chronic rejection was reason for renal failure in 71% and 75% of cases, respectively. Patient survivals at 1 and 5 years were 92.7% and 90.6%, for third and both 85.7% for the fourth transplantation. The third and fourth transplantations showed 1- and 5-year graft survivals of 88% and 76.4% and 71.4% and 42.9%, respectively. Sixty-eight cases underwent cadaveric donor and 14 living donor (mean age, 42.1 years) transplantations. Nine patients were hyperimmunized. In 60 cases, we used the left kidney. Orthotopic kidney transplantation was performed in 15 cases; heterotopic transplant to the right iliac fossa in 40 and in the left iliac fossa in 17 cases. Arterial bench surgery was necessary in 6 cases and venous in 3. We performed 3 hepatorenal and 1 cardiorenal transplantation. The complications included 29 cases (35.4%) of postoperative acute tubular necrosis, 14 of acute rejection episodes (17.1%); 12 of perirenal hematoma (14.6%); 1 urinary fistula (1.2%); 4 lymphocele (4.9%); 2 ureteral stenosis (2.4%); variables arterial kink requiring surgery (1.2%), and 1 venous thrombosis with graft loss (1.2%). The 4 patients who died in the perioperative period succumbed to intravascular disseminated coagulation (n = 1) cardiac failure (n = 2), and septic shock (n = 1). Induction antibody therapy, hyperimmunized status, or operative complications were not independent prognostic factors for patient or graft survival. CONCLUSIONS Third or fourth renal transplantations constitute a valid therapeutic option with reasonable short- and long-term patient and graft survivals. Although orthotopic kidney transplantation was used in selected patients, we preferred an iliac fossa approach for most.