Osamu Matsuura

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy: The Nagoya Experience

PURPOSE We evaluated the efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for removing kidneys with small volume renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS 25 patients (19 men and 6 women, mean age 59) who had a kidney with small volume renal cell carcinoma (diameter less than 5 cm.), underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The kidney was dissected laparoscopically together with the adrenal gland, perirenal fatty tissue and Gerotas fascia. In 11 patients, we used the transperitoneal approach and in the remaining 14 we used the retroperitoneal approach, in which a working space is created by finger and balloon dissection. We maneuvered the kidney into the laparoscopy sack, which was then removed through an additional 5 to 6 cm. incision. RESULTS All 25 kidneys were removed successfully. Mean operation time was 5.3 hours and mean estimated blood loss was 335 ml. There were 5 complications, including a patient who suffered an injury to the duodenum, which was treated by open duodenojejunostomy. Full convalescence occurred at an average 23 days. No metastatic disease, no local recurrence and no seeding at the port sites occurred during the followup of 7 to 49 months (mean, 22 months). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is recommended as a minimally invasive procedure for removing kidneys with small volume renal cell carcinoma.

Randomized study of single early instillation of (2″R)-4′-O-tetrahydropyranyl-doxorubicin for a single superficial bladder carcinoma

Although transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TUR‐Bt) alone has been standard treatment for single superficial bladder carcinoma, some authors reported a certain prophylactic effect of a single immediate intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic agent after TUR‐Bt. A prospective randomized study was conducted to determine whether a single (2″R)‐4′‐O‐tetrahydropyranyl‐doxorubicin (THP) instillation immediately after TUR‐Bt is beneficial to patients with a single superficial bladder carcinoma.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy Via the Reproperitoneal Approach

PURPOSE We evaluated efficacy of the retroperitoneal approach for laparoscopic nephrectomy of kidneys with benign disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight men and 12 women (mean age 55 years) with severely damaged kidneys underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephrectomy. One patient had a history of multiple open abdominal and gynecological operations. Kidneys were removed laparoscopically from the working space, which was created by finger and balloon dissection, and maintained by carbon dioxide insufflation in the retroperitoneal cavity. RESULTS All kidneys were removed successfully via this procedure. Mean operative time was 3.3 hours and mean estimated blood loss was 135 ml. One patient experienced bleeding from the injured capsular artery just after removal of the kidney. CONCLUSIONS The retroperitoneal approach is recommended for laparoscopic nephrectomy.

A Randomized Study of Short-v ersus Long-Term Intravesical Epirubicin Instillation for Superficial Bladder Cancer

Objective: A prospective randomized study was undertaken to determine whether prophylactic maintenance instillation of epirubicin following induction treatment is beneficial in patients with superficial bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: One hundred and forty-eight patients with resectable superficial bladder cancer (Ta-1, single, multiple, primary or recurrent with, however, no recurrence during the last year) were enrolled in this study. In both arms, epirubicin (40 mg/ml in normal saline) was administered six times within 4 weeks after a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor(s). In arm A, the patients received 11 additional monthly instillations of epirubicin. Results: Of the 148 patients, 138 (93.2%) were eligible and followed for an average of 29.6 months. 93 (67.4%) had a solitary tumor. No significant difference in the recurrence-free curve was observed between the two arms (p = 0.62). The recurrence rate per year was 0.16 in arm A and 0.17 in arm B. Toxicity included vesical irritability in 10 (7.2%) and hematuria in 1 patient. No significant difference in the frequency or degree of toxicity was observed between the two arms. Conclusion: These data suggest that maintenance instillation of epirubicin does not reduce superficial bladder cancer recurrence.

Long-Term Results of Transurethral Lithotripsy with the Rigid Ureteroscope: Injury of Intramural Ureter

We treated 208 patients with ureteral calculi via transurethral lithotripsy using the rigid ureteroscope between March 1985 and April 1988. A total of 220 ureteroscopic procedures was performed in 217 ureters. Complete removal was achieved after 180 procedures (81.8%) and incomplete removal was achieved after 9 (4.1%). In 31 cases (14.1%) the stone could not be removed because of various reasons. Ureteral disruption was observed in 1 case (0.5%), which was treated successfully with reconstruction. Ureteral perforation occurred in 15 cases (6.8%) and was treated successfully except for 1 patient (0.5%) in whom ureteral stricture was observed requiring reconstruction. From long-term followup of sequential excretory urography and voiding cystography, mild stricture at the vesical end of the ureter was noted in 3 of 86 ureters (3.5%) and vesicoureteral reflux was noted in 7 of 73 (9.6%). These results indicate that the injury to the intramural ureter might arise from the passage of the ureteroscope resulting in stricture and vesicoureteral reflux.

Efficacy, safety and hospital costs of tension-free vaginal tape and pubovaginal sling in the surgical treatment of stress incontinence.

Aim:  The efficacy, safety and hospital costs of the tension‐free vaginal tape procedure were compared with the pubovaginal sling operation.

Delayed graft function does not influence long-term outcome in cadaver kidney transplants without mismatch for HLA-DRB1

The currently study focused on the influence of delayed graft function on the long-term graft success rate in cadaver kidneys without any mismatches for HLA-DRB1. Donor-recipient HLA-DRB1 was determined by the significant two-locus linkages of HLA-B and-DRB1. The overall 5-year graft success rate was 88% in an HLA-DRB1-compatible group, significantly higher than the 69% in an HLA-DRB1 mismatch group (P<0.05) and the 66% in an HLA-DR mismatch (P<0.01). Delayed graft function was observed in 182 of 223 transplants. This high incidence of 82% is due to the fact that, in Japan, kidney procurement may only occur after cardiac arrest. The incidence did not differ in eaach group. The 5-year success rate for grafts with delayed function was 87% in the HLA-DRB1-compatible group, again significantly superior to the 68% in the HLA-DRB1 mismatch group and the 63% in the HLA-DR mismatch cases (P<0.05). There was, thus, no difference in graft success rate for each group, with or without delayed graft function. Consequently, we feel that delayed graft function has no impact on the long-term outcome in transplants without mismatches for HLA-DRB1.

Kidney Transplantation From an Anencephalic Baby: A Case Report

We report on a child in whom kidneys from an anencephalic neonate were transplanted. The transplanted kidneys were rejected after they had been functioning well for 2 months.

The beneficial effects of thoracic duct drainage in HLA-1 haplotype identical kidney transplantation.

The beneficial effects of pre-treatment thoracic duct drainage on graft survival in living related kidney transplantation are presented. Since July 1980 lymphocyte depletion through thoracic duct drainage has been used as pre-treatment therapy in 39 HLA-1 haplotype identical living related kidney transplant patients. Thoracic duct drainage was maintained for 29 to 49 days (mean 36 days) before transplantation and 52 to 215 times 10(9) cells (mean 130 times 10(9) cells) were removed. Postoperative immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine and steroids. Actuarial graft survival was 100 per cent at 3 months, 97 per cent at 6 months through 2 years, 92 per cent at 3 years and 57 per cent at 4 years after transplantation. Patient survival was 100 per cent at 3 months, 97 per cent at 6 months through 3 years and 86 per cent at 4 years. Pre-treatment thoracic duct drainage maintained for more than 28 days could have a significant role on the improvement of the graft survival in HLA-1 haplotype identical kidney transplantation.

A new treatment for retroperitoneal fibrosis: initial experiences of using Seprafilm® to wrap the ureter

To confirm the efficacy of using Seprafilm® (Genzyme Corp., Cambridge, MA, USA) for wrapping the ureter to treat the ureteric stenosis caused by retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).