Sung Gu Kang

Chewing gum has a stimulatory effect on bowel motility in patients after open or robotic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a prospective randomized comparative study.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether chewing gum during the postoperative period facilitates the recovery of bowel function and has different efficacy according to operative method used in patients with radical cystectomy. METHODS From July 2007 to September 2009, we randomized open radical cystectomy (ORC) patients into Group AI (ORC without gum chewing) and Group AII (ORC with gum chewing). Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) patients were randomized into Group BI (RARC without gum chewing) and Group BII (RARC with gum chewing). RESULTS A total of 32 ORC (17 Group AI and 15 Group AII) and 28 RARC (13 Group BI and 15 Group BII) patients were completed. The patients perioperative data between the control (AI + BI) and chewing gum (AII + BII) group showed no differences. The median time to flatus and to bowel movement were significantly reduced in chewing gum group compared with the control patients: 57.1 vs. 69.5 hours 76.7 vs. 93.3 hours. In the ORC patients, decrease in time to flatus and bowel movement were observed in gum chewing (AII) group than control (AI) group: 64.3 vs. 80.3 hours 83.8 vs. 104.2 hours. In RARC patients, decrease in time to flatus and bowel movement were found in gum chewing (BII) group than control (BI) group: 48.8 vs. 60.3 hours 69.1 vs. 84.6 hours. No adverse effects were observed with chewing gum. CONCLUSIONS Chewing gum had stimulatory effects on bowel motility after cystectomy and urinary diversion. Chewing gum was safe and could be used for postoperative ileus regardless of the operative method (ORC or RARC).

Lack of association between the -759C/T polymorphism of the 5-HT2c receptor gene and olanzapine-induced weight gain among Korean schizophrenic patients

Background:  Weight gain can be an adverse effect of antipsychotics that significantly affects long‐term health and treatment compliance. Many reports have suggested that the 5‐HT2C receptor gene (HTR2C) is related to appetite and eating behaviours associated with body weight change. We hypothesized that there was a relationship between the HTR2C −759C/T polymorphism and olanzapine‐induced weight gain.

Initial Experience of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy with Total Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion: Comparison with Extracorporeal Method

PURPOSE To report our surgical technique and initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) with total intracorporeal urinary diversion compared with an extracorporeal method. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In total, 42 patients underwent RARC by a single surgeon at our institute for clinically localized bladder cancer. Among these, 4 patients underwent RARC with complete intracorporeal urinary diversion. An ileal conduit was achieved in 3 patients, and an orthotopic neobladder was created in 1 patient. Our surgical technique is presented in detail, and the intracorporeal cases were compared with 38 previous extracorporeal diversion cases for perioperative outcome, postoperative oncologic outcome, and complications. RESULTS Three men and 1 woman underwent complete intracorporeal urinary diversion. In patients receiving ileal conduits the mean total operative time was 510 minutes, and the estimated blood loss was 400 mL. In the patient receiving an ileal neobladder the total operative time was 585 minutes, and the estimated blood loss was 500 mL. Mean time to flatus was 60 hours, and no intraoperative or postoperative major complications occurred. Surgical margins were negative with no positive lymph nodes. Compared with extracorporeal cases, the mean total operative time for RARC was significantly longer, but perioperative outcomes of estimated blood loss, time to flatus, and postoperative oncologic outcomes were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Our initial experience showed that RARC with complete intracorporeal urinary diversion is feasible based on perioperative data and oncologic features. However, in this small case series, we observed no definite benefits associated with intracorporeal urinary diversion over extracorporeal urinary diversion except for better cosmesis. Long-term, large-scale, prospective comparative studies will be needed to demonstrate the benefit of intracorporeal urinary diversion.

Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: A Multi-Institutional Study from Korea

PURPOSE To report short-term retrospective perioperative and pathologic outcomes of the first robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) series in Korea. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between April 2007 and August 2009, 104 nonconsecutive patients, including 22 women, underwent RARC across seven institutions. We evaluated the outcomes in these cases, including operative variables, hospital recovery, pathologic outcomes, and complication rate. RESULTS The mean age of all patients was 63.6 years (range 39-82 years), and the mean body mass index was 23.6 kg/m(2) (range 16.0-31.8 kg/m(2)). Among the 104 patients, 60 had an ileal conduit and 44 had an orthotopic neobladder. The mean total operative time was 554 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 526 mL. The time to flatus and bowel movement was about 3 days, and the time until hospital discharge was about 18 days. The mean number of lymph nodes removed were 18, and 10 patients had node metastatic disease on final pathologic evaluation. Postoperative complications occurred in 28 (26.9%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Our initial experience with RARC appears to be favorable with acceptable operative, pathologic, and short-term clinical outcomes. The current series suggests that RARC is becoming more prevalent, not only in Western countries, but also in Asian countries, just as robot-assisted radical prostatectomy has also gained widespread acceptance. Data from long-term, large, prospective, multicenter, ideally randomized comparative studies with open radical cystectomy are needed to confirm the outcome of the novel operation reported here.

Laparoscopic Ureterolithotomy as a Primary Modality for Large Proximal Ureteral Calculi: Comparison to Rigid Ureteroscopic Pneumatic Lithotripsy

OBJECTIVE To define the role of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LU) as a primary modality for large proximal ureteral stones, we compared the outcomes of primary LU with those of ureterorenoscopy (URS), the currently established modality in this circumstance. MATERIALS AND METHODS Among 71 patients who underwent LU in our institution between February 2005 and January 2010, 32 patients with stone size over 1.5 cm who underwent LU as a primary modality without prior shockwave lithotripsy or URS and for whom LU was conducted as a separate procedure were exclusively enrolled. Based on preoperative characteristics of patients and stones, this patient group was matched with the URS group (n = 32, rigid pneumatic lithotripter) during the same period. RESULTS The LU group and the URS group were similar in age, gender distribution, body mass index, stone size (18.1 ± 4.2 versus 17.9 ± 3.6 mm; P = .88), and stone location. Members of the LU group required a longer operative time (118 ± 53 versus 59 ± 41 minutes; P < .001) and hospital stay (5.9 ± 2.1 versus 3.4 ± 2.4 days; P < .001) and had greater blood loss (155 ± 62 mL). However, stone clearance rate (no remnant stone in postoperative X-ray of the kidney, ureter, and bladder) in a single session was marginally higher in the LU group (93.8% versus 68.8%; P = .06). Total complication rate was not significant and was slightly higher in the URS group (12.5% versus 21.9%, P = .51). Stone migration into the kidney (n = 2 versus 5), ureteral perforation (n = 0 versus 3), open conversion (n = 1 versus 2), and ureteral stricture (n = 1 versus 2), as long-term complications, occurred more frequently in the URS group. CONCLUSIONS For large proximal ureteral stones, LU can be conducted safely as a first-line procedure without increase of complication rate, compared with conventional URS. Although LU required a prolonged operative time and a longer hospital stay and blood loss was greater, our data showed an advantage of LU in high clearance rate in a single procedure.

Do microRNA 96, 145 and 221 expressions really aid in the prognosis of prostate carcinoma?

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that have been reported to be promising diagnostic tools. We used quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) to analyze differentially expressed miRNAs in prostate tumor samples to determine its prognostic value. From 2007 to 2009, tumor tissues were obtained from 73 radical prostatectomy specimens. Differentially expressed miR-96, -145 and -221 were validated by TaqMan RT-qPCR using all 73 tissues. The prognostic value was assessed in terms of biochemical recurrence using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. For our patient cohort, the mean age was 64.7 years (50-76 years) and the mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 7.5 ng ml(-1). During the follow-up period (mean, 19.4 months), 14 of 73 (19.2%) patients developed biochemical recurrence. Expression of miR-96, -145 and -221 correlated strongly with each other, but there were no correlations between miRNA expression and clinicopathologic parameters. Kaplan-Meier survival curves using the log-rank test showed a decreased biochemical recurrence-free interval with pathologic stage (P<0.001). In addition, patients with Gleason scores over 8, compared with those with a Gleason score of 6, showed a decreased biochemical recurrence-free interval in Kaplan-Meier analysis (P=0.001). However, expression of miR-96, -145 and -221 did not correlate with the biochemical recurrence interval in Kaplan-Meier survival curves or by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard regression model, either. In conclusion, we did not observe a significant correlation between the expression of miR-96, -145 and -221 and clinicopathologic parameters. To utilize miRNA as a diagnostic tool in clinical practice, more research is needed to understand miRNA mechanisms, identify miRNA targets, and further characterize miRNA function.

Efficacy and cost analysis of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy under monitored anesthesia

Sedation may result in reduction in pain during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of propofol and remifentanil infusion during TRUS-guided prostate biopsy and the related increases in health care costs. From January to September 2010, 100 men undergoing a transrectal prostate biopsy were randomized into two groups. In Group 1, 50 patients received a combined infusion of propofol and remifentanil; in Group 2, 50 patients received lidocaine jelly. After TRUS-guided biopsies were performed, pain and patient satisfaction were evaluated by a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), and a cost-related patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed by all patients. Patients were also asked whether they would be willing to undergo repeat biopsy by the same method. Patients in Group 1 showed a significantly lower VAS score than those in Group 2 (mean VAS score: 0.9±1.1 versus 6.3±2.5; P<0.001). In addition, the patient satisfaction scale was significantly higher in Group 1 (P=0.002). Although the overall cost was significantly higher in Group 1 (P=0.006), patient satisfaction scales considering cost were also higher in this group (P=0.009). A combination of propofol and remifentanil is a safe and effective way to decrease patient pain and increase patient satisfaction during TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Although the costs were higher in the group that received sedation, as expected, the patients exhibited heightened satisfaction and willingness to repeat biopsies by the same method.

Two Different Renal Cell Carcinomas and Multiple Angiomyolipomas in a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis

We report a case of tuberous sclerosis associated with two histologically different renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and multiple angiomyolipomas (AMLs) in the same kidney. A 43-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with left flank pain and a huge palpable mass in the left flank area. Abdominal computed tomography revealed two concurrent RCCs and multiple AMLs in the left kidney. Because of the clinical suspicion of RCC, the patient underwent left radical nephrectomy. On gross examination, the total size of the resected left kidney was 30.5×17×8 cm. Microscopically, the upper pole tumor features were consistent with chromophobe RCC and the midpole tumor was a clear-cell RCC. The multifocal masses in the remaining remnant parenchyma were AMLs. Six months after surgery, the patient is healthy without signs of tumor recurrence.

Cryoablation for Endophytic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Intermediate-Term Oncologic Efficacy and Safety

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) of small endophytic renal cell carcinoma, for which surgical treatment is technically difficult. Materials and Methods We enrolled patients with endophytic tumors from a prospectively collected database of 45 renal tumors in 39 patients who had undergone LRC from June 2005 to May 2009. An endophytic tumor was defined as less than 40% of the lesion extending off the surface of the kidney. We evaluated surgical and oncological outcomes. Results Among the treated tumors, 17 tumors (37.8%) were defined as endophytic tumors and 15 tumors from 14 patients were confirmed as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the pathologic examination of the tissue biopsy that was conducted at the time of LRC. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of the whole patient group was 2.9 (range, 1-4), and 85.7% (12/14) of the patients had an ASA physical status score over 3. The mean tumor size was 2.8 cm (range, 1.7-3.7 cm). The layout of the cryoprobe was carefully planned preoperatively on the basis of radiologic evaluation in all tumors. Multiple cryoprobes (mean, 3.2; range, 2-5) were used. No major complications, including open surgical conversion and nephrectomy due to bleeding, occurred. No patient experienced clinical symptoms of collecting system injuries. During the mean follow-up of 32.6 months (range, 12-51 months), radiologic evidence of tumor recurrence was found in one patient (6.7% for RCC). With the exception of this patient, all other patients have remained free of recurrence or metastasis, as determined by periodic radiologic workups. Conclusions In this series of patients with intermediate-term follow-up, LRC for endophytic renal cell carcinoma showed acceptable oncological and surgical outcomes without sequelae in the collecting system.

Efficacy of laparoscopic renal cryoablation as an alternative treatment for small renal mass in patients with poor operability: experience from the Korean single center.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) for the treatment of incidentally found small renal masses in patients with poor operability, from our initial experience in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS From June 2005 to April 2009, surgical and oncologic outcomes were evaluated from a database of 45 renal tumors in 39 patients who underwent LRC due to a high American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status score (i.e., over 3) or old age (i.e., over 70 years old). RESULTS Mean (range) age was 63.3 years (range, 43-81), and mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (range 0.7-3.9). Mean of ASA physical status score of whole patients was 2.8 (range, 1-4), and 79.4% (31/39) of patients had an ASA physical status score over 3. Eleven patients (28.2%) were over 70 years old. Among 45 treated lesions, 23 (51.1%) were exophytic tumors, 17 (37.8%) were endophytic tumors, and the other 5 (11.1%) were mesophytic tumors. Mean operating time was 173.7 minutes (range, 110-220), and mean blood loss was 106.3 mL (range, 40-150). None of the patients developed major complications, including adjacent organ injury, collecting system injury, open surgical conversion, or conversion to nephrectomy. Pathologic examination revealed that 60% (27/45) of lesions were renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). During a mean follow-up duration of 23.5 months (range, 6-53), radiologic evidence of tumor recurrence was found in 1 patient (3.7% for RCC). With the exception of this patient, all other patients have remained free of recurrence or metastasis, as determined by a periodic radiologic work-up. Serum creatinine remains stable, with no statistical difference, compared to preoperative levels, in both whole patients and patients with solitary kidney. CONCLUSIONS In this series, LRC for small renal tumors showed favorable oncologic and surgical outcomes, including maintenance of renal function, without adverse effects in selected patients with poor operability.