Michele Talso

Perineural invasion as a predictor of extraprostatic extension of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract A systematic review of the literature was performed to assess the relationship between the presence of perineural invasion (PNI) at prostate biopsy and extraprostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer. In August 2012, Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. A “free-text” protocol using the terms “perineural invasion prostate cancer” was applied. Studies published only as abstracts and reports from meetings were not included in this review. In total, 341 records were retrieved from Medline, 507 from Embase, 374 from Scopus and 65 from the Web of Science database. The records were reviewed to identify studies correlating the presence of PNI with that of EPE. A cumulative analysis was conducted using Review Manager software v. 5.1 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). In univariate analysis, PNI showed a statistically significant association with pT3 tumours (p < 0.00001), which could be observed for both pT3a (p < 0.0001) and pT3b (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the cumulative analysis shows a statistically significant higher incidence of EPE in patients who had PNI at needle biopsy. The main limitation of the analysis was that it was not possible to perform a multivariate analysis. Further attempts to build a nomogram for the prediction of EPE could include the presence of PNI at needle biopsy.

Reconstructive urethroplasty using porcine acellular matrix (SIS): evolution of the grafting technique and results of 10-year experience

Introduction. Long tract urethral reconstruction still has no other resolution than two-stage techniques or graft and flap procedures, that are neither simple nor trouble-free. Tissue engineering simplifies this surgery using porcine acellular matrix, obtained from small intestine submucosa (SIS): thin but strong, ready for grafting, it is not immunogenic, being deprived of cells. It is a biological bridge for reconstruction, promoting the regeneration of surrounding tissue. We report our experience using SIS for urethroplasty. Materials and Methods. After coronal or perineal-scrotal incision and penile degloving, the urethra is rotated of 180° and opened through the entire restricted tract. The graft is sutured dorsally and reinforced by the contact with the cavernous bodies to prevent pouching. From 1999 to 2005 we performed this grafting procedure in 36 men and 4 women. Afterwards, 16 more surgeries performed were with direct ventral graft procedure, without urethra isolation and rotation, with worthy simplification. RESULTS. A 10–year follow-up shows satisfactory urodynamic and subjective outcomes for both procedures, assessed by voiding urethrography, uroflowmetry International Prostate Symptom Score, and Quality of Life perception. At urethroscopy the graft appears completely homogeneous to the native tissue, as confirmed by the histological examination. The ventral direct graft represents the more consistent innovation: we did not observe pouching and the results remained effective. For penile urethra, in a few patients, periodic dilatations were necessary. Conclusions. SIS can be considered as an alternative to more difficult grafting procedures, which are probably no more indispensable in urethral enlargement, even for critical strictures.

Robotics in uro-oncologic surgery.

In urology, the main use for the robotic technique has been in radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Robotic surgery for other organs, such as the kidneys and bladder, has been less explored. However, partial nephrectomy or radical nephroureterectomy can be difficult for inexperienced laparoscopic surgeons. The advent of the da Vinci robot, with multijointed endowristed instruments and stereoscopic vision, decreases the technical difficulty of intracorporeal suturing and improves the reconstructive steps. The objective of this article is to offer an overview of all robotic procedures recently developed in the field of urology. We evaluate the feasibility of these procedures and their potential advantages and disadvantages. We also describe perioperative, postoperative, and oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted surgery as well as perform a comparison with open and laparoscopic techniques. Comparative data and an adequate follow-up are needed to demonstrate equivalent oncologic outcomes in comparison with traditional open or laparoscopic procedures.

Urology Residency Training in Italy: Results of the First National Survey

BACKGROUND Numerous surveys have been performed to determine the competence and the confidence of residents. However, there is no data available on the condition of Italian residents in urology. OBJECTIVE To investigate the status of training among Italian residents in urology regarding scientific activity and surgical exposure. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A web-based survey that included 445 residents from all of the 25 Italian Residency Programmes was conducted between September 2015 and November 2015. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The main outcomes were represented by scientific activity, involvement in surgical procedures, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS In total, 324 out of 445 (72.8%) residents completed the survey. Overall, 104 (32%) residents had not published any scientific manuscripts, 148 (46%) published ≤5, 38 (12%) ≤10, 26 (8%) ≤15, four (1%) ≤20, and four (1%) >20 manuscripts, respectively. We did not observe any differences when residents were stratified by sex (p=0.5). Stent positioning (45.7%), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (30.9%), transurethral resection of bladder tumor (33.0%), hydrocelectomy (24.7%), varicocelectomy (17%), ureterolithotripsy (14.5%), and orchiectomy (12.3%) were the surgical procedures more frequently performed by residents. Overall, 272 residents (84%) expressed a good satisfaction for urology specialty, while 178 (54.9%) expressed a good satisfaction for their own residency programme. We observed a statistically decreased trend for good satisfaction for urology specialty according to the postgraduate year (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Italian Urology Residency Programmes feature some heavy limitations regarding scientific activity and surgical exposure. Nonetheless, satisfaction rate for urology specialty remains high. Further improvements in Residency Programmes should be made in order to align our schools to others that are actually more challenging. PATIENT SUMMARY In this web-based survey, Italian residents in urology showed limited scientific productivity and low involvement in surgical procedures. Satisfaction for urology specialty remains high, demonstrating continuous interest in this field of study from residents.

Massive recurring angiomyxoma of the scrotum in a obese man.

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare mesenchymal benign myxoid tumor, characterized by locally infiltrative nature and high recurrence rate. AAM occurs almost exclusively in adult females, arising from the soft tissue of the pelvic region: to our knowledge, only 43 cases occurring in men have been reported. We report a case of massive recurrence of scrotal AAM in a 46-year-old obese man, who already underwent surgery for the same disease in 2004 and 2005. The mass had a circumference of 106 cm and weighted 30 kg. It was impossible to appreciate the testes and to find the penis. The patient underwent scrotal resection, bilateral orchidopexia and transposition of the penis, by means of a preputial flap. Residual scrotal skin was modeled in order to create a neoscrotum, where the testes were placed and secured with interrupted sutures. Histologic examination showed diffuse angiomyxoma-like lipomatosis. After three months, the patient presented with local relapse which also involved the external urethral orifice.

Primary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the renal pelvis: a case report.

We report a case of primary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the renal pelvis, diagnosed in a 79-year-old man. The abdominal computed tomography showed a solid, vegetant lesion in the left renal pelvis, conditioning marked hydronephrosis. The patient underwent radical nephroureterectomy. The histological examination showed a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with a high-grade urothelial carcinoma, with local invasion (pT3). Large cell renal neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare tumors with an aggressive course and a bad prognosis. At present, only five cases were reported in literature.

Ralp & Rocco Stitch: Original Technique:

Incontinence and impotence are the two chief drawbacks of radical prostatectomy (RP). Incontinence is the most relevant for most of the patients, even if there is high variability in terms of prevalence and definition of continence. Incontinence seems the result of several factors, the most important being the surgical injury of some structures and the biomechanical instability associated with vesicourethral anastomosis. In the posterior urethra, which guarantees the continence mechanism, two functionally independent regions can be recognized: the proximal and the distal. The proximal region can be identified with the bladder neck, while the distal region is the rhabdosphincter urethrae. Concerning the distal functional region, two kinds of strategy can be applied: the preservation of puboprostatic ligaments and urethral attachments, or the reconstruction of the urethral rhabdosphincter, which can be anterior, posterior or total. We describe our technique of choice for posterior reconstruction, first described by Rocco and then modified by Patel et al.L’incontinenza urinaria e l’impotenza sono le due principali complicanze postoperatorie della prostatectomia radicale (RP) (1).L’incontinenza sembra essere il problema che assilla mag -giormente i pazienti, anche se la sua incidenza e inferiore a quella dell’impotenza.A seconda delle varie statistiche, dei metodi usati per il ri-levamento e della definizione che gli autori ne danno, della lunghezza del follow-up e dell’esperienza del chirurgo, l’in -continenza e riportata in percentuali che variano in modo molto considerevole.Considerando per semplicita le linee guida delle due prin-cipali associazioni di Urologia,la percentuale di incontinen -

Ureteroscopy in pregnant women with complicated colic pain: Is there any risk of premature labor?

OBJECTIVE Clinical presentation of ureteral stones during pregnancy is generally with renal colic pain. The aim of this study is to present our experience in the management of renal colic during pregnancy in emergency settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS 208 pregnant patients who presented to emergency department with renal colic pain and underwent ureteroscopy (URS) due to failed conservative therapy were enrolled in the study. Urinary tract stones were diagnosed either with ultrasound (US) examination or during URS. Laser lithotripsy and double J (DJ) stent placement were routinely done in all patients with ureteral stones. The incidence of infective complications and premature uterine contractions (PUC) due to URS were compared. RESULTS No stone was identified in 36.1% (n = 75) of patients with using US and diagnostic URS. Of the remaining 133 patients, 30 (22.6%) had no stone at US but stones were diagnosed during diagnostic URS. The type of anesthesia had no significant effect on PUC. An increased risk of sepsis and PUC was found in patients with fever at the initial presentation. Interestingly, PUC was more frequent in patients with lower serum magnesium levels. There was a significant correlation with time delay until the intervention and the risk of urosepsis and PUC, individually. CONCLUSIONS Ureteroscopy is a safe option for evaluation of pregnant patients with unresolved renal colic. According to the current findings, timing of the operation is the most important factor affecting the septic risks and abortion threat. Surgical intervention with URS must be planned as soon as possible.

Reperfusion and Compartment Syndrome After Flexible Ureteroscopy in a Patient with an Iliac Vascular Graft

Abstract Background: Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is one of the main treatment options for urolithiasis less than 2 cm. Although fURS has no relative contraindication, some anatomical factors may need to be considered, as not all patients are suitable for the regular lithotomy position (LP). We report the case of a patient with a right iliac vascular graft that after an fURS without intraoperative incidences developed a reperfusion syndrome of the right lower limb. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old male patient was referred for treatment and follow-up in the cystinuric clinic after being found to have a 3 cm pelvic stone with a Double-J catheter in place after two failed sessions of shockwave lithotripsy. The patient was placed in the LP and a standard ureteroscopy was done with no intraoperative complications. During the first hour in the recovery room, the patient developed severe pain in the right calf muscle stiffness, edema, and increased volume. A postreperfusion and compartment syndrome diagnosis was made with emergency fasciotomy. Conclusion: To perform fURS, each case must be assessed individually. If a patient with an iliac vascular graft has to undergo fURS, the patient positioning must be modified by keeping the ipsilateral (or both) legs straight to avoid graft complications.

BPH: state of the art in the surgical treatment

TURP has been considered the gold standard for surgical treatment of BPH for many years. Symptoms relief, improvement in maximum flow rate and reduction of post void residual urine have been reported in several experiences. Nevertheless, concerns have been reported in terms of safety outcomes: intracapsular perforation, TUR syndrome, bleeding. In the recent years the use of new forms of energy and devices such as bipolar resector, Ho: YAG and potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser are challenging the role of traditional TURP for BPH surgical treatment. In 1999 TURP represented 81% of surgical treatment for BPH versus 39% in 2005. We have analyzed guidelines and recent literature to evaluate the role of the most relevant new surgical approaches compared to TURP for the treatment of BPH.