Takashi Murota

Retroperitoneoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Using Microwave Coagulation for Small Renal Tumors

OBJECTIVES The outcome of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator for treatment of small renal tumors was studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS From June 1999 to May 2001, eight patients with small renal tumors of less than 5.0cm in diameter (1.0-5.0cm, T1N0M0) underwent retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy. To control bleeding during the partial nephrectomy, the renal parenchyma around the tumor was coagulated using a microwave tissue coagulator with a needle of 1.5cm length. The tumor was circumscribed within the coagulated area with 8-13 punctures of the coagulation needle, and partial nephrectomy was performed using scissors and bipolar forceps. RESULTS All eight patients successfully underwent the procedure retroperitoneoscopically. The average operative time was 295 minutes and the average blood loss was 129ml. Three patients showed urine leakage from the renal calyces, which was controlled by suturing retroperitoneoscopically. In two patients, the surgical margin was revealed to be positive for renal cell carcinoma by frozen section pathology and additional resection was performed in these individuals. The patients were discharged from the hospital with almost full convalescence on day 10 on average. Within the mean follow-up period of 10.4 months, no recurrence was found when examined with computer tomography (CT) using contrast media. As a complication, one patient experienced a decrease in function of the operated kidney caused by unknown reason. CONCLUSION Retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator is useful for treatment of small renal tumors located at the peripheral area of the kidney. Bleeding from the renal parenchymal incision site is well controlled without occlusion of the renal artery with additional use of a bipolar coagulator, when necessary. Further experience and long-term follow-up are mandatory however, to establish the usefulness of this technique.

Section 3. Adrenal: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: a literature review

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for benign adrenal tumors, providing minimal invasiveness and early recovery. In the case of pheochromocytomas, special attention should be paid perioperatively to prevent excessive hypertension or hypotension. The protocol should include sufficient preoperative medication with alpha 1 blockers, early ligation of the adrenal vein, and minimal handling of the tumor itself. A literature review of 227 laparoscopic adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas revealed that the perioperative data, including the operative time, blood loss, and hemodynamic status, were similar or slightly better in the laparoscopic procedures as compared to the open procedures, although the convalescence period was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic surgery. The majority of surgeons prefer the transperitoneal approach for pheochromocytomas, although some authors use the retroperitoneal approach successfully. A comparison of the perioperative data from laparoscopic surgeries for pheochromocytomas versus those for other adrenal tumors showed that the former had slightly higher demands to complete the procedure safely. In the treatment of familial pheochromocytoma due to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or von Hippel-Lindau disease, a cortical-sparing adrenalectomy can be safely performed laparoscopically. In conclusion, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the standard for small pheochromocytomas, with a high success rate when the procedure is performed by experienced surgeons.Abstract Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for benign adrenal tumors, providing minimal invasiveness and early recovery. In the case of pheochromocytomas, special attention should be paid perioperatively to prevent excessive hypertension or hypotension. The protocol should include sufficient preoperative medication with alpha 1 blockers, early ligation of the adrenal vein, and minimal handling of the tumor itself. A literature review of 227 laparoscopic adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas revealed that the perioperative data, including the operative time, blood loss, and hemodynamic status, were similar or slightly better in the laparoscopic procedures as compared to the open procedures, although the convalescence period was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic surgery. The majority of surgeons prefer the transperitoneal approach for pheochromocytomas, although some authors use the retroperitoneal approach successfully. A comparison of the perioperative data from laparoscopic surgeries for pheochromocytomas versus those for other adrenal tumors showed that the former had slightly higher demands to complete the procedure safely. In the treatment of familial pheochromocytoma due to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 or von Hippel–Lindau disease, a cortical-sparing adrenalectomy can be safely performed laparoscopically. In conclusion, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the standard for small pheochromocytomas, with a high success rate when the procedure is performed by experienced surgeons.

Transperitoneal anterior laparoscopic adrenalectomy: the easiest technique

Four laparoscopic methods have been developed to approach the adrenal gland: anterior or lateral transperitoneal approaches, and lateral or posterior retroperitoneal approaches. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods were reviewed during a workshop held by the Japanese Society of Endourology and ESWL in 1997. The transperitoneal anterior approach, when combined with a lateral approach for the left side, is the easiest for small adrenal tumors, and discloses the adrenal vein early in the procedure. For large tumors over 5 cm in diameter, the transperitoneal lateral approach is the most feasible bilaterally. Regardless of the methods of approach, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has already become the standard procedure for adrenal tumors, because it minimizes the operative morbidity and postoperative hospital stay.

High-flow priapism undergoing arterial embolization: Review of literature following American Urological Association guideline on the management of priapism

We report herein a case of a patient with high-flow priapism for whom a gelatin sponge was used as a temporary occlusive agent in arterial embolization, resulting in favorable outcome. The American Urological Association guideline on the management of priapism recommends using temporary occlusive agents. We reviewed all reports published after the introduction of this guideline to compare temporary and permanent occlusive agents in terms of symptom improvement and onset of erectile dysfunction. The rate of symptom improvement differed significantly between temporary and permanent embolizing materials, but no significant difference was apparent in the rate of erectile function improvement.

A novel risk stratification model, involving preoperative lymphocyte–monocyte ratio and standard pathological factors, for overall survival in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio to predict prognosis and determine post-operative risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy. METHODS A retrospective review of the 210 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer from 2006 to 2013 identified 181 patients with sufficient data to evaluate the prognostic significance of the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio. Overall survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The association of clinicopathological findings with overall survival was evaluated by a multivariate Cox proportional model, and a novel risk stratification model to predict prognosis was established. RESULTS Median follow-up after radical cystectomy was 6.0 years. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower for patients with low than high lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (27.6 vs 80.7%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analyses showed that pT ≥2, pN ≥1, positive margins and low lymphocyte-monocyte ratio were independent predictors of overall survival. A post-operative risk stratification model using these factors showed significant differences among the three subgroups (low, intermediate and high risk) with a concordance index of 0.84. The 5-year overall survival rates in patients at low, intermediate and high risk were 85.4, 45.5 and 0%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, pathological tumor and lymph node stage and positive margins are significantly associated with overall survival in patients who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Wideband Doppler Ultrasound-guided Mini-endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery as an Effective and Safe Procedure for Management of Large Renal Stones: A Preliminary Report.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of wideband Doppler ultrasound-guided mini-endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (mini-ECIRS) for large renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 41 patients with large renal stones (>30 mm) treated by mini-ECIRS using a retrograde flexible ureteroscope and miniature nephroscope by wideband Doppler ultrasound guidance in the modified Valdivia position from January 2013 to September 2015. Surgical parameters, including the stone-free rate, operative time, complications (especially hemorrhagic complications), and hemoglobin drop were recorded and analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for a hemoglobin drop of ≥1 g/dL. RESULTS The mean stone size, including staghorn calculi in 41.4% of cases, was 45.5 ± 14.7 mm. Percutaneous access into the calices using wideband Doppler ultrasound was successful in all cases. The mean total operative time was 158.4 ± 51.3 minutes. The mean mini-ECIRS time (from first percutaneous puncture to end of procedure) was 106.2 ± 36.0 minutes. The initial stone-free rate was 73.2% (n = 30). The final stone-free rate after auxiliary treatment was 97.5% (n = 40). The mean hemoglobin drop was 0.54 ± 0.65 g/dL. Three (7.3%) postoperative modified Clavien grade II complications occurred. Univariate analysis revealed no significant risk factors for a hemoglobin drop of ≥1 g/dL. CONCLUSION Wideband Doppler ultrasound-guided renal puncture is safe and feasible. Wideband Doppler ultrasound-guided mini-ECIRS is a beneficial, versatile, and safe treatment option for management of large renal stones of >30 mm.

Failure of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue to lower serum testosterone in patients with prostate cancer

Abstract We report 3 patients with prostate cancer who showed an unexplained failure to lower their serum testosterone levels despite monthly treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues. We recommend assessing the serum testosterone levels when gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue treatment is ineffective, before the diagnosis of hormone-refractory cancer is established.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for juxtaglomerular cell tumor

We present a case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) in a 20‐year‐old woman. She presented with hypertension and elevated plasma renin activity. Computed tomography without enhancement by contrast medium detected a tumor at the center of the left kidney. Retroperitoneoscopic left nephrectomy was performed and postoperatively her blood pressure and plasma renin activity returned to normal. This is the first report of retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy performed for a JGCT.

Endoscopic partial cystectomy for bladder leiomyoma using retroperitoneoscopic and transurethral procedures

Retroperitoneoscopic partial cystectomy was performed to remove a leiomyoma in the right wall of the bladder in a 58‐year‐old man. The tumor was initially circumscribed with a mucosal incision using a transurethral resectoscope, and once the bladder wall had been penetrated with the resectoscope, the remaining procedures were performed retroperitoneoscopically. The bladder wall was closed using a retroperitoneoscopic suturing technique. Endoscopic partial cystectomy using both a transurethral incision and a retroperitoneoscopic resection is technically feasible in the treatment of small bladder tumors.

Impact of loop-tail ureteral stents on ureteral stent-related symptoms immediately after ureteroscopic lithotripsy: Comparison with pigtail ureteral stents

Purpose To evaluate urination-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with an indwelling ureteral stent immediately after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) for upper urinary calculi. We compared the effects of loop-tail and pigtail ureteral stents on urination-related QoL. Materials and Methods Of 135 patients who underwent URSL between May 2014 and March 2015 at our hospital, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 70 patients (42 men, 28 women; median age, 63 years) in whom the stent tail was positioned inside the bladder without crossing the midline and who completed the core lower urinary tract symptoms score (CLSS) questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. Results There were significant differences in incomplete emptying (p=0.048) and bladder pain (p=0.041) between patients with loop-tail versus pigtail ureteral stents after URSL. In the multivariate analysis, stent type had a stronger association with incomplete emptying (p=0.022) and bladder pain (p=0.018) than age, sex, body mass index, stent side, operation time, diameter of ureteral access sheath, and stent type. Conclusions Patients with loop-tail ureteral stents had better urination-related QoL in the immediate post-URSL stage than patients with pigtail stents.