Shay Golan

Differential Use of Partial Nephrectomy for Intermediate and High Complexity Tumors May Explain Variability in Reported Utilization Rates

PURPOSE Partial nephrectomy has become a reference standard for tumors amenable to a kidney sparing approach but reported utilization rates vary widely. The R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar lines and hilar tumor touching main renal artery or vein) nephrometry score was developed to standardize the reporting of tumor complexity with applicability in academic and community based settings. We hypothesized that tumor and surgeon factors account for variable use of partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score data were analyzed on 1,433 cases performed between 2004 and 2011 by a total of 19 surgeons with varying partial nephrectomy utilization rates (0% to 100%) who practiced at a total of 2 academic centers and 1 community based health system. RESULTS Partial nephrectomy use increased during the study period from 36% before 2007 to 73% for 2010 to 2012 (p <0.0001). Increasing proportions of intermediate and high R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score tumors were treated with partial nephrectomy during this time (35% to 86% and 11% to 36%, respectively, p <0.0001). Partial nephrectomy use was stable for low complexity tumors at 91% overall. Individual surgeons performed partial nephrectomy for 0% to 100% of intermediate complexity and 0% to 45% of high complexity tumors. On multivariable analysis surgery year, tumor size, each R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score component, surgeon and annual surgeon volume predicted partial vs radical nephrectomy (each p <0.05). On multivariable analysis several surgeon factors, including surgeon volume, setting, fellowship training, and proportional use of minimally invasive and robotic partial nephrectomy, were associated with higher partial nephrectomy use (each p <0.002). CONCLUSIONS Surgeon and tumor factors contribute significantly to the choice of partial nephrectomy. The significant variation in partial nephrectomy use by individual surgeons appears to be caused by differential treatment for intermediate and high complexity tumors. This may be due to surgical volume, training, setting and the use of minimally invasive techniques.

Safety and Early Oncologic Effectiveness of Primary Robotic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Cancer.

BACKGROUND Primary robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) has been studied as an alternative to open RPLND in single-institution series for patients with low-stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). OBJECTIVE To evaluate a multicenter series of primary R-RPLND for low-stage NSGCT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between 2011 and 2015, 47 patients underwent primary R-RPLND at four centers for Clinical Stage (CS) I-IIA NSGCT. SURGICAL PROCEDURE R-RPLND was performed using the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data were collected regarding patient demographics, primary tumor characteristics, pathologic findings, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Forty-two patients (89%) were CS I and five (11%) were CS IIA. The median operative time was 235min (interquartile range [IQR]: 214-258min), estimated blood loss was 50ml (IQR: 50-100ml), node count was 26 (IQR: 18-32), and length of stay was 1 d. There were two intraoperative complications (4%), four early postoperative complications (9%), no late complications, and the rate of antegrade ejaculation was 100%. Of the eight patients (17%) with positive nodes (seven pN1and one pN2), five (62%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The one recurrence was out of template in the pelvis after adjuvant chemotherapy (resected teratoma). The median follow-up was 16 mo and the 2-yr recurrence-free survival rate was 97% (95% confidence interval: 82-100%). Limitations include retrospective design and limited follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our multicenter experience supports R-RPLND as a potential option at experienced centers in select patients with low-stage NSGCT. Informal comparison to open and laparoscopic series suggests R-RPLND has an acceptably low morbidity profile, but oncologic efficacy evaluation requires further evaluation. PATIENT SUMMARY We examined outcomes after robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for patients with low-stage nonseminomatous testicular cancer with our data suggesting the robotic approach has acceptable morbidity and early oncologic outcomes.

The Volume of Nonneoplastic Parenchyma in a Minimally Invasive Partial Nephrectomy Specimen: Predictive Factors and Impact on Renal Function

PURPOSE To identify predictors of nonneoplastic parenchymal volume excised during minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (PN) and determine the impact on postoperative renal function. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 206 patients underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted PN between 2003 and 2011. Parenchymal volume was estimated by subtraction of calculated tumor volume from total specimen volume. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the association of parenchymal volume with tumor and surgical factors. Percent and absolute changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the day after surgery, 1 to 12 months, and >12 months after surgery were correlated with parenchymal volume. RESULTS Increased tumor size (P<0.001), earlier era of surgery (P=0.04), and longer ischemia time (P=0.05) were associated with higher parenchymal volume. Robotic surgery was not associated with better parenchymal preservation. Median percent change in eGFR at 1 to 12 months (mean=6.7 months) and >12 months (mean=28.3 months) was -10.9% and -12.1%, respectively. No association was found between the volume of parenchyma and change in eGFR. Longer ischemia time was associated with decrease in eGFR only the first day after surgery (P=0.005). Higher body mass index BMI and Charlson comorbidity index and lower preoperative eGFR were associated with decrease in eGFR 1 to 12 months after surgery (P=0.006, 0.04, 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In our cohort, larger tumors, longer ischemia time, and earlier era of PN were associated with increased amount of nonneoplastic parenchyma excised during surgery. We did not observe a relationship between absolute volume of parenchyma and change in renal function after surgery. Baseline renal function and comorbidities were the strongest determinants of long-term renal function.

Early discharge after laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy: care pathway evaluation

To determine the success of our clinical care pathway for laparoscopic (LPN) and robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) and to examine factors predictive for success.

The Effect of Obesity on Perioperative Outcomes for Open and Minimally Invasive Prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE To compare the impact of obesity on perioperative outcomes between open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and minimally invasive prostatectomy (MIP). METHODS Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program public use files for 2008-2013, we identified patients undergoing prostatectomy using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Those without body mass index (BMI) or comorbidity information were excluded. BMI was treated as a categorical variable according to the World Health Organization classification. Demographic and comorbid conditions were compared between BMI groups, and multivariable logistical regression was used to identify independent predictors of adverse perioperative events. RESULTS We identified 17,693 MIP and 4674 ORP for analysis. Of the entire cohort, only 18.7% had a BMI within the normal range (18.5-24.9), whereas the remaining 81.3% were at least overweight (BMI > 25). Class I, II, and III obesity accounted for 25.0%, 7.0%, and 2.3% of the cohort, respectively. Overall, complications were higher with ORP (19.0%) than with MIP (5.3%), which held true across all BMI categories. The rate of wound, renal, thromboembolic, infectious, neurologic, Clavien grade III-V, and overall complications among MIP were directly related to BMI. Only wound and renal complications were related to BMI in ORP. In multivariable analysis, obesity was found to be an independent predictor of wound, renal, and thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSION Obesity has a larger impact on morbidity for MIP compared to ORP. Overall morbidity, however, remains lower for MIP across all BMI groups.

Temporal trends in perioperative morbidity for radical cystectomy using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database

INTRODUCTION Radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for invasive nonmetastatic bladder cancer. Unfortunately, it is a complex procedure and more than half of patients experience a complication. A number of efforts to reduce perioperative morbidity have been made, including alterations in pain management, antibiotics, diet advancement, and anticoagulation. Many of these changes in management have been studied with favorable results; however, it is not clear whether complication rates following RC have improved in recent years. With this in mind we sought to evaluate current temporal trends in postoperative complication rates following RC using a large national dataset. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participant use files from 2010 to 2015, we identified patients undergoing RC using current procedural terminology codes. Demographic information as well as 30-day complications, length of stay (LOS), readmission and death were compared according to year of operation using univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS Over the 6 year period analyzed, 6,510 patients were identified for analysis. Age and comorbidity were similar across the study period. A robotic approach was used in 5.8% of the entire cohort which did not differ among years. A total of 15.9% of patients underwent a continent urinary diversion, with a trend toward decreased use in recent years, 31.5% of patients experienced a complication and this did not differ significantly among years, and 40.7% of patients required a blood transfusion overall with a trend toward decreased use. LOS decreased over time from 10.6 days in 2010 to 9.2 days in 2015 (P<0.01) whereas readmissions increased slightly over the time period to 21.4% in 2015 (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS RC remains a procedure associated with high morbidity. In the recent era of enhanced recovery protocols, complication rates have not changed significantly, however, there has been a consistent decline in LOS and use of blood transfusion.

Safety and early effectiveness of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for large angiomyolipomas.

To evaluate a multicentre series of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) performed for the treatment of large angiomyolipomas (AMLs).

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program surgical risk calculator poorly predicts complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with urinary diversion

PURPOSE To evaluate the accuracy of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Programs (ACS-NSQIP) surgical risk calculator in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preoperative characteristics of patients who underwent RC with ileal conduit or orthotropic neobladder (ONB) between 2007 and 2016 were entered into the proprietary online ACS-NSQIP calculator to generate 30-day predicted risk profiles. Predicted and observed outcomes were compared by measuring Brier score (BS) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Of 954 patients undergoing RC, 609 (64%) received ileal conduit and 345 (36%) received ONB. The calculator underestimated most risks by 10%-81%. The BSs exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.01 and AUC were less than 0.8 for all outcomes in the overall cohort. The mean (standard deviation) predicted vs. observed length of stay was 9 (1.5) vs. 10.6 (7.4) days (Pearsons r = 0.09). Among patients who received ONB, adequate BS (<0.01) was observed for pneumonia, cardiac complications, and death. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed moderate accuracy of calculator for cardiac complications (AUC = 0.69) and discharge to rehab center (AUC = 0.75) among patients who underwent RC with ONB. CONCLUSIONS The universal ACS-NSQIP calculator poorly predicts most postoperative complications among patients undergoing RC with urinary diversion. A procedure-specific risk calculator is required to better counsel patients in the preoperative setting and generate realistic quality measures.

Fistulous Complications following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Analysis of a Large Modern Cohort

Purpose Fistula formation is a rare and poorly described complication following radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. We sought to identify patients who experienced any type of fistulous complication and we analyzed risk factors for formation as well as management outcomes. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at our institution. Patients who experienced any fistula were identified. Risk factors, management strategies and outcomes were analyzed. Patients underwent initial conservative treatment and those in whom this treatment failed underwent surgical repair. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of fistula formation as well as the need for surgical repair. Results Of the 1,041 patients 31 (3.0%) experienced fistula formation. Median time to fistula presentation was 31 days. Enterodiversion was the most common fistula type, noted in 54.8% of patients, followed by enterocutaneous and diversion cutaneous treatment in 29.0% and 12.9%, respectively. On multivariable analyses a history of radiation therapy (OR 3.1, p = 0.03) and an orthotopic neobladder (OR 3.1, p = 0.04) were predictors of fistula formation. Conservative management was successful in 41.9% of cases. There were no predictors of failed conservative management. Of patients who required surgical repair success was achieved in 94.4% at a single operation. Conclusions Fistulas are rare after radical cystectomy and they are most common between the urinary diversion and the small bowel. A history of radiation therapy and a orthotopic neobladder are risk factors for formation. When required, surgical repair is generally successful at a single operation.

Prediction of renal mass aggressiveness using clinical and radiographic features: a global, multicentre prospective study

To examine the ability of preoperative clinical characteristics to predict histological features of renal masses (RMs).