Lukas Lusuardi

Optimizing the Operative Treatment of Boys with Varicocele: Sequential Comparison of 4 Techniques

PURPOSEnWe compared 4 techniques of varicocele ligation in boys and young adolescents to determine the optimal operative treatment that avoids varicocele recurrence and postoperative hydrocele formation.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnIn 10 years a total of 128 varicocelectomies were performed sequentially in 121 boys and young adolescents with a mean age of 12 years using the laparoscopic, inguinal testicular artery sparing, standard Palomo (high mass retroperitoneal ligation) and modified Palomo approaches. The modified Palomo approach involved suprainguinal and retroperitoneal ligation of the veins and artery, and microsurgical sparing of the blue stained lymphatic pathway of the testis. Patients were followed a mean of 52 months.nnnRESULTSnIn the 19 boys in the laparoscopy group varicocele persisted in 10% and hydrocele developed in 5%. In the 21 patients who underwent inguinal surgery with artery preservation recurrent varicoceles were identified in 14% and no hydroceles were observed. In the 32 patients who underwent the standard Palomo procedure there was no palpable varicocele persistence or recurrence, while hydroceles developed in 12%. Of the 56 patients in the modified Palomo group varicocele recurred in 1 (2%) and there were no hydroceles. No testicular atrophy developed in any patient.nnnCONCLUSIONSnComparison of all 4 groups revealed significant differences in varicocele recurrence (p = 0.038) and hydrocele formation (p = 0.023). Pairwise group comparison showed that the modified Palomo technique resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative hydrocele formation compared with the standard Palomo method (p = 0.015). This procedure can be recommended as the optimal surgical technique for varicocele treatment in males of this young age.

Prospective comparison and 1-year follow-up of a single endoscopic subureteral polydimethylsiloxane versus dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children.

OBJECTIVESnTo compare, in a prospective study, the efficacy of a single injection of polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique) or dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux), a new biodegradable substance, and to assess the short-term and 1-year clinical effects concerning reflux resolution and the safety of these two bulking agents. Subureteral injection of bulking agents has recently demonstrated good success rates for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Macroplastique has been one of the most popular bulking agents during the past years. Nevertheless, considering the synthetic property, new biodegradable substances have become more relevant.nnnMETHODSnFrom January 2000 to June 2001, 16 boys and 56 girls (total of 114 ureters) with a mean age of 34.5 months were treated endoscopically for vesicoureteral reflux. A single subureteral Macroplastique or Deflux injection was performed in 34 children (58 ureters) and 38 children (56 ureters), respectively. Both groups were comparable in terms of baseline parameters. Vesicoureteral reflux was grade II in 52, grade III in 57, and grade IV in 5 ureterorenal units. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis, with the children under general anesthesia. In addition to the routine parameters, the follow-up evaluation consisted of renal ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrography at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.nnnRESULTSnEndoscopic treatment was performed without any complications in all cases. At the 3-month follow-up visit, reflux was corrected in 50 (86.2%) of 58 refluxing ureters in the Macroplastique group and in 40 (71.4%) of 56 refluxing ureters in the Deflux group. At 1 year of follow-up, reflux correction was maintained in 80.9% of ureters in the Macroplastique group and in 67.6% of ureters in the Deflux group. No postoperative complications were observed in either group.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA single subureteral injection of either polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique) or dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux) is an effective treatment modality for children with vesicoureteral reflux. The procedure was well tolerated, safe, and associated with low morbidity. Deflux, a new biocompatible, biodegradable substance, seems to be an alternative modality to other bulking agents for treating vesicoureteral reflux in children, with acceptable short-term and 1-year results.

Role of uCyt+ in the detection and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVESnTo test the clinical value and role of uCyt+ as a noninvasive tool for the detection and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma.nnnMETHODSnIncluded in this prospective study were 235 patients (mean age 71.5 years, range 32 to 86). Of these, 98 patients had signs and symptoms suggestive of bladder cancer and 137 patients were being followed up after complete transurethral resection of superficial urothelial cancer (UC). All patients underwent urinary cytology and the uCyt+ test performed on ThinPrep (thin layer). All underwent subsequent cystoscopy and evaluation of any suspicious lesion by biopsy.nnnRESULTSnA total of 102 patients had histologically proven UC. In the group of patients with signs and symptoms suspicious of UC, the sensitivity of cytology increased from 5% for G1 to 84.6% for G3 tumors; for uCyt+, it was 85% for G1, 100% for G2, and 92.3% for G3 tumors. Combining cytology and uCyt+, the sensitivity was 85% for G1 and 100% for G2 and G3. In the group of follow-up patients, the sensitivity of cytology increased from 4.3% for G1 to 94.4% for G3 tumors; for uCyt+, it was 78.2% for G1, 70% for G2, and 94.4% for G3 tumors. Combining both tests, the sensitivity was 78.2% for G1, 90% for G2, and 100% for G3.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe uCyt+ is a valid test in the detection of UC of all grades and stages. It improves the sensitivity of cytology in low-grade tumors. The two tests combined may be a highly sensitive method to detect UC early in detection and surveillance.

Teaching transurethral resection of the bladder: still a challenge?

OBJECTIVESnTo report on our 2-year experience in teaching transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder tumors to five trainees. We analyzed their problems, as well as those of the teachers, and present our solutions.nnnMETHODSnBetween April 2000 and March 2002, five residents and three members of the staff took part in a training program to teach TUR of the bladder. From a total of 692 patients with bladder tumors admitted for treatment to our department, 417 were selected for the study. These 417 had papillary tumors of small to medium size (maximum 25 mm in diameter). The mean patient age was 61 years (range 32 to 92) for men (n = 322; 77%) and 68.4 years (range 48 to 91) for women (n = 95; 33%).nnnRESULTSnA total of 417 teaching TURs were performed during a 24-month period. A total of 65 complications (16%) occurred and were analyzed from the database. The most common complication was postoperative bleeding, occurring in 33 cases (8%), followed by extraperitoneal perforation, which occurred in 16 cases (4%).nnnCONCLUSIONSnDespite careful patient selection and the use of video-assisted equipment and permanent supervision by an experienced resectionist, a significant number of complications occurred. The question: How to teach the teacher to teach TUR of the bladder? remains open.

En bloc transurethral resection of bladder tumors: use and limits

OBJECTIVESnTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of transurethral en bloc resection of bladder tumors using a flat loop. Transurethral en bloc resection of bladder tumors facilitates pathologic evaluation.nnnMETHODSnA total of 37 patients with papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent transurethral en bloc resection with the use of a flat loop electrode.nnnRESULTSnIn 37 patients, 62 lesions were removed using a flat loop to perform the en bloc technique. This method is safe to perform in the case of papillary tumors with a diameter of up to 25 mm and that are found in specific areas of the bladder.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIt is both safe and feasible to perform en bloc resection with a flat loop electrode but attention must be paid to the limitations of this technique. Excellent pathologic evaluation of the grade and stage of the removed specimen is possible.

Voiding Cystourethrography Using the Suprapubic Versus Transurethral Route in Infants and Children: Results of a Prospective Pain Scale Oriented Study

PURPOSEnWe determined the advantages and disadvantages of different types of contrast medium injection into the bladder for imaging children during evaluation for urinary tract infection in regard to child behavior and distress during urethral catheterization or suprapubic puncture.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnFrom December 2000 to September 2001 we prospectively compared transurethral catheter and suprapubic voiding cystourethrography in children with a history of urinary tract infection. A total of 65 children with a mean age of 33.8 months were entered into the study, of whom 32 underwent transurethral catheterization and 33 underwent suprapubic puncture with topical anesthesia. Each child was evaluated, particularly in regard to discomfort and pain using an objective pain score that measures stress and pain during a medical procedure.nnnRESULTSnObjective pain score recording showed a mean pain score plus or minus SD of 4.25 +/- 1.3 in the transurethral catheterization and 3.03 +/- 1.21 in the suprapubic puncture groups. Correlation studies of age in the 2 groups also showed a significant impact of age on the objective pain score. In the transurethral group the score increased with age (p <0.001), whereas in the suprapubic group it decreased with age (p <0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe current study shows that the suprapubic puncture technique with topical anesthesia was well tolerated and associated with a low pain score independent of patient age. Transurethral catheterization was also tolerated but it was associated with a low pain score only in the younger age group. Thus, we recommend that voiding cystourethrography in children older than 24 months should be done via the suprapubic route.

Evidence from the ‘PROspective MulticEnTer RadIcal Cystectomy Series 2011 (PROMETRICS 2011)’ Study: How are Preoperative Patient Characteristics Associated with Urinary Diversion Type After Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer?

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine preoperative patients’ characteristics associated with the urinary diversion (UD) type (continent vs. incontinent) after radical cystectomy (RC) and UD-associated postoperative complications.MaterialsIn 2011, 679 bladder cancer patients underwent RC at 18 European tertiary care centers. Data were prospectively collected within the ‘PROspective MulticEnTer RadIcal Cystectomy Series 2011’ (PROMETRICS 2011). Logistic regression models assessed the impact of preoperative characteristics on UD type and evaluated diversion-related complication rates.ResultsOf 570 eligible patients, 28.8, 2.6, 59.3, and 9.3xa0% received orthotopic neobladders, continent cutaneous pouches, ileal conduits, and ureterocutaneostomies, respectively. In multivariable analyses, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.9; pxa0=xa00.002), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3 (OR 2.3; pxa0=xa00.02), an age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3 (OR 4.1; pxa0<xa00.001), and a positive biopsy of the prostatic urethra in the last transurethral resection of the bladder prior to RC (OR 4.9; pxa0=xa00.03) were independently associated with incontinent UD. There were no significant differences in 30- and/or 90-day complication rates between the UD types. Perioperative transfusion rates and 90-day mortality were significantly associated with incontinent UD (pxa0<xa00.001, respectively). Limitations included the small sample size and a certain level of heterogeneity in the application of clinical pathways between the different participating centers.ConclusionsWithin this prospective contemporary cohort of European RC patients treated at tertiary care centers, the majority of patients received an incontinent UD. Female sex and pre-existing comorbidities were associated with receiving an incontinent UD. The risk of overall complications did not vary according to UD type.

Prediction of Locally Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Using Clinical Parameters before Radical Cystectomy - A Prospective Multicenter Study

Introduction: We aimed at developing and validating a pre-cystectomy nomogram for the prediction of locally advanced urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) using clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Multicenter data from 337 patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for UCB were prospectively collected and eligible for final analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify significant predictors of locally advanced tumor stage (pT3/4 and/or pN+) at RC. Internal validation was performed by bootstrapping. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was done to evaluate the clinical value. Results: The distribution of tumor stages pT3/4, pN+ and pT3/4 and/or pN+ at RC was 44.2, 27.6 and 50.4%, respectively. Age (odds ratio (OR) 0.980; p < 0.001), advanced clinical tumor stage (cT3 vs. cTa, cTis, cT1; OR 3.367; p < 0.001), presence of hydronephrosis (OR 1.844; p = 0.043) and advanced tumor stage T3 and/or N+ at CT imaging (OR 4.378; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for pT3/4 and/or pN+ tumor stage. The predictive accuracy of our nomogram for pT3/4 and/or pN+ at RC was 77.5%. DCA for predicting pT3/4 and/or pN+ at RC showed a clinical net benefit across all probability thresholds. Conclusion: We developed a nomogram for the prediction of locally advanced tumor stage pT3/4 and/or pN+ before RC using established clinicopathological parameters.