Tamer S. Barakat

Transvesical open prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in the era of minimally invasive surgery: Perioperative outcomes of a contemporary series

Abstract Objective: To assess the perioperative morbidity of transvesical open prostatectomy (OP) and its predictors as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to update knowledge about the morbidity of OP using a standardised morbidity scale (Clavien), thus providing a platform for comparison with the newly developed techniques. Patients and methods: We retrospectively review men with BPH who were treated with transvesical OP between April 2002 and December 2012. Preoperative patients’ data were reviewed for relevant variables. Operative details, the postoperative course, and 30-day relevant data were assessed. The study cohort was stratified based on the resected prostate weight, with group 1 having a resected weight of ⩽120 g and group 2 >120 g. Results: The review identified 163 patients. The mean (SD, range) duration of catheterisation after OP was 7.9 (2.2, 5–20) days and the duration of hospitalisation after OP was 8.1 (1.8, 5–15) days; both were significantly longer in group 2. All patients were able to void spontaneously by the first follow-up visit. Of 163 OP procedures, there were 106 perioperative complications in 69 (42.3%). Low-grade complications (grade ⩽2) included 38 (45.2%) and 53 (67%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.8). High-grade complications (⩾3) included 3 (3.5%) and 12 (15.1%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.02). The blood transfusion rate was 24.5%, the perioperative mortality rate was 1.2% and the re-admission rate within the first 30 days after OP was 1.2%. High-grade complications were significantly associated with a greater resected prostate weight (odds ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.001–1.17, P = 0.046). Conclusion: The OP procedure is associated with a significant perioperative morbidity that correlated significantly with the resected prostate weight, especially for high-grade complications.

Construction of predictive models for recurrence and progression in >1000 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from a single centre.

To construct predictive models based on the objectively calculated risks of progression and recurrence of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in a large cohort of patients from a single centre.

Prostatic abscess: Objective assessment of the treatment approach in the absence of guidelines

Abstract Objective: To assess the outcome of the drainage procedure used for treating a prostatic abscess, and to propose a treatment algorithm to reduce the morbidity and the need for re-treatment. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who were admitted and received an interventional treatment for a prostatic abscess. All baseline relevant variables were reviewed. Details of the intervention, laboratory data, duration of hospital stay, follow-up data and re-admissions were recorded. Results: A prostatic abscess was diagnosed in 42 patients; 30 were treated by transurethral deroofing and 12 by transrectal needle aspiration. The median (range) size of the abscess was 4.5 (2–23) mL and 2.7 (1.5–7.1) mL in the deroofing and aspiration groups, respectively (P = 0.2). In half of the cases multiple abscesses were evident on imaging before the intervention. The median (range) hospital stay after deroofing and aspiration was 2 (1–11) and 1 (1–19) days, respectively (P = 0.04). Perioperative complications occurred only in the deroofing group, in which two patients developed septic shock requiring intensive care (Clavien 4) and one developed epididymo-orchitis (Clavien 2). There were two late complications in the deroofing group, in which one patient developed a urethral stricture that required endoscopic urethrotomy (Clavien 3a) and one developed a urethral diverticulum and urinary incontinence that required diverticulectomy and a bulbo-urethral sling procedure (Clavien 3b). A urethro-rectal fistula developed after aspiration in one patient. Re-treatment for the abscess was indicated in two (7%) patients in the deroofing group, which was treated by aspiration. Conclusion: Transrectal needle aspiration for a prostatic abscess, when done for properly selected cases, could minimise the morbidity of the drainage procedure.

Complications of radical cysto-urethrectomy using modified Clavien grading system: prepubic versus perineal urethrectomy

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

A randomised controlled trial evaluating renal protective effects of selenium with vitamins A, C, E, verapamil, and losartan against extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy‐induced renal injury

To evaluate the protective effects of selenium with vitamins A, C and E (selenium ACE, i.e. antioxidants), verapamil (calcium channel blocker), and losartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) against extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)‐induced renal injury.

External stent versus double J drainage in patients with radical cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversion: A randomized controlled trial.

To compare treatment‐related outcomes of ureteral stenting with an external versus double J stent in patients with orthotopic reservoirs after radical cystectomy.

Weekly intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) alternating with epirubicin in Ta and T1 urothelial bladder cancer: An approach to decrease BCG toxicity

Context: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy is the standard treatment for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, its toxicity is a major concern. Aim: If we reduce the number of BCG doses by half and replace the second half with epirubicin, we may have a lower toxicity while maintaining the same efficacy of BCG. To test this hypothesis, we conducted this study as an update of our previous report. Setting and Design: The study included 607 patients with Ta and T1 NMIBC between January 1994 and December 2008. Materials and Methods: After transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), the patients received weekly doses of 120 mg BCG alternating with 50 mg epirubicin for six weeks (three weekly doses of each). Maintenance was given. Recurrence, progression rates, and toxicity were assessed. End points were progression, recurrence, and cancer-specific survival. Results: A total of 532 patients were eligible for evaluation (mean age: 58 years; median follow-up: 45 months). Of these, 291 (55%) were free, 157 (29.5%) showed recurrence, and 84 (15.8%) showed muscle-invasive progression. Toxicity developed in 221 patients. These were mild in the majority (167), whereas 10 developed hematuria, 30 severe cystitis, and five systemic complications. The rate of permanent therapy discontinuation was 3.8%. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS package version 16 and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. Conclusions: Reducing the frequency of BCG instillations by half and replacing the second half with epirubicin results in a similar efficacy and a lower toxicity compared with historical cases receiving BCG alone. However, further trials are required to support these results.

Ureteroscopy for Upper Ureteral Stones: Overcoming the Difficulties of the Rigid Approach

The most popular management for upper ureteral stones is shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) because of its noninvasiveness, low morbidity, and high success rates (85–93 %). With the development of smaller caliber semirigid ureteroscopes (URSs) and the improvement of instrumentation, URS became safer and highly effective as a treatment modality for proximal ureteral stones.

Predicting the resected tissue weight from a digital rectal examination and total prostate specific antigen level before transurethral resection of the prostate

Abstract Objective: To determine the use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and digital rectal examination (DRE) findings to estimate the resected tissue weight (RTW) before transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients and methods: We retrospectively analysed 983 patients who underwent TURP between December 2006 and December 2012. The primary outcome was the RTW required for clinical improvement, and was not associated with re-intervention. Age, PSA level, body mass index (BMI) and DRE findings were correlated and modelled with the RTW. The DRE result was defined as DREa (small vs. large) or DREb (small vs. moderate vs. large) according to the surgeon’s report. Equations to calculate RTW were developed and tested using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Results: There were significant correlations between PSA level (r = 0.4, P < 0.001) and RTW, whilst BMI and age showed weak correlations. The median (range) RTW was 45 (7–60) vs. 15 (6–60) g for small vs. large prostates (DREa) (P < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, the median (range) RTW was 11 (6–59) vs. 26.2 (6–60) vs. 42 (7–60) g in small vs. moderate vs. large prostates (DREb) (P < 0.001), respectively. Using PSA level and DREb (model 3) there was a significantly better ability to estimate RTW than using PSA and DREa (model 2) or PSA alone (model 1) based on ROC curve analyses. The equation developed by model 3 (RTW = 1.2 + (1.13 × PSA) + (DREb × 9.5)) had a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 71% for estimating a RTW of >30 g, and 84% and 63% for estimating a RTW of >40 g, respectively. Conclusions: The PSA level and DRE findings can be used to predict the RTW before TURP.