Todd C. Igel

Perioperative and Postoperative Complications from Bilateral Pelvic Lymphadenectomy and Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

The complications experienced by 692 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy from 1978 through 1984 were analyzed. Four patients (0.6 per cent) died in the perioperative or early postoperative period. Pulmonary embolus developed in 19 patients (2.7 per cent) and severe to total urinary incontinence occurred in 34 (5 per cent). Our large series suggests that radical retropubic prostatectomy with staging bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy can be performed in a safe manner with minimal postoperative morbidity.

Systematic transperineal ultrasound guided template biopsy of the prostate in patients at high risk.

PURPOSE A negative biopsy result does not necessarily equate with cancer in specific high risk groups. We describe an alternative systematic biopsy technique for evaluating this subgroup of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS From March 1997 to May 1999 a total of 88 men underwent systematic ultrasound guided biopsy using the transperineal template technique. All patients had undergone at least 1 and 75 (85%) had undergone 2 or more previous sets of biopsies. In addition, study inclusion required high risk parameters, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) velocity greater than 0.75 ng./ml., PSA greater than 10 ng./ml. or previous prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on biopsy, and/or atypical small cell acinar proliferation. RESULTS Cancer was identified in 38 of the 88 men (43%) in this high risk subgroup undergoing repeat biopsy. A mean of 15.1 previous biopsy cores had been obtained. The most common biopsy grade was 6 (range 4 to 9). Adenocarcinoma was identified in the transition zone area in 29 of 38 cases (76%), including 15 (39%) in which disease was detected in the transition zone only. Persistent PSA acceleration greater than 0.75 ng./ml. was the major indicator for transperineal template biopsy in 83 of the 88 patients (94%). The only significant independent variable predictive of positive biopsy was prostate volume. Mean prostate volume in the positive and negative biopsy groups was 48 and 73 gm., respectively (p <0.001). Complications were rare and self-limiting, consisting primarily of hematuria and urinary retention requiring overnight catheterization in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS Systematic transperineal template biopsy of the prostate is a safe and precise repeat biopsy technique in patients who remain at high risk for adenocarcinoma.

Comparison of techniques for vesicourethral anastomosis: simple direct versus modified Vest traction sutures.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy has become a mainstay surgical procedure in the treatment of cancer of the prostate. There has been controversy, however, regarding the most appropriate method of vesicourethral reconstruction. We examined the records of 692 consecutive patients who underwent a radical retropubic prostatectomy from 1978 through 1984 at the Mayo Clinic. Of these, 416 patients underwent a modified Vest procedure, and in 276 patients a direct simple anastomosis was fashioned. In comparing these two methods, our review showed no substantial difference in complications, including the rate of urinary incontinence.

Safety and Peri-Operative Outcomes During Learning Curve of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: A Multi-Institutional Study of Fellowship-Trained Robotic Surgeons Versus Experienced Open Radical Prostatectomy Surgeons Incorporating Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

PURPOSE To analyze and compare the safety and peri-operative outcomes of fellowship-trained robotic surgeons (FEL) and experienced open surgeons (OE) incorporating robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) into practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multiinstitutional, prospective data were collected on the first 30 RALP performed by FEL and OE (defined as over 1000 prostatectomies) incorporating RALP into practice. Morbidity from the peri-operative course was evaluated as were operative outcomes. The second 30 cases from the OE group were evaluated to assess for improvement with experience. RESULTS There were no rectal injuries or death in either group. Blood transfusion rates did not differ between the two groups (2% vs. 3%, p = 0.65). Open conversion occurred three times in the OE group but only within the first 30 cases. In the first 30 cases FEL had statistically lower rates of positive margins (15% vs. 34%, p = 0.008) and decreased likelihood of prolonged urethral catheter leakage (5% vs. 19%, p = 0.009). The FEL group had lower rates of failure of prostate-specific antigen to nadir < 0.15 ng/mL (2% vs. 10%, p = 0.056). There were no reoperations in the FEL group but present in 2% of the OE group initially. The second 30 cases of the OE group noted a statistical improvement for all parameters with margin rates and the requirement of prolonged catheterization becoming statistically comparable to those of the FEL group. CONCLUSIONS OE can safely incorporate RALP into practice and achieve outcomes comparable to FEL quickly. As anticipated, FEL achieve these endpoints earlier in their practice.

Late toxicity after postprostatectomy salvage radiation therapy

PURPOSE To evaluate late toxicity in patients who received salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for a detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS A cohort of 308 consecutive patients underwent salvage EBRT from July 1987 through June 2003 for a detectable PSA level after RP. All were treated with high-energy photons (6-20 MV) to a median dose of 64.8 Gy (range: 54.0-72.4 Gy) in 1.8- to 2.0-Gy fractions. RESULTS Median follow-up from the completion of EBRT was 60 months (range: 1 day-174 months). Late toxicity occurring more than 90 days after EBRT completion was identified in 41 patients (13%). Twelve patients (3.9%) had grade 2 urethral strictures and were treated with urethral dilation, 3 patients had grade 3 cystitis, and 1 had a grade 4 rectal complication. These numbers correspond to an estimated 0.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-1.6%) of patients experiencing a grade 3 or 4 complication by 5 years after the start of EBRT. CONCLUSIONS Salvage EBRT for a detectable PSA level after RP is the only curative treatment in this setting. This treatment can be administered in a manner that results in a low likelihood of late complications.

Prediction of genitourinary tract morbidity after brachytherapy for prostate adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether preoperative genitourinary variables in patients undergoing brachytherapy for localized prostate adenocarcinoma could predict postoperative genitourinary tract morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 105 men who received either iodine 125 or palladium 103 radioactive seed implants with or without external beam radiotherapy or hormone blockade from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2000, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Patients with one or more of the following were classified as having a high risk of postoperative genitourinary tract morbidity: American Urological Association symptom scores greater than 15, maximum urinary flow rate less than 10 mL/s, postvoid residual urinary volume greater than 100 mL, or prostate volume greater than 40 cm3. Of the 105 men, 59 (56%) were classified as high risk and 46 (44%) as low risk. Mean follow-up after brachytherapy was 23.6 months. Modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scores were used to assess postoperative genitourinary tract morbidity. The term significant genitourinary tract morbidity was applied to patients with a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade of 3 or 4 after at least 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS Significant morbidity occurred in 37% of high-risk vs 15% of low-risk patients (P = .006). In high-risk patients, transurethral resection or incision of the prostate was required in 5 patients, urethral dilation in 4, direct-vision internal urethrotomy in 1, and placement of a suprapubic catheter in 1. In low-risk patients, transurethral incision of the prostate was required in only 1 patient. Urinary flow rate was a significant individual predictor of postoperative morbidity (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS A combination of urinary flow rate, prostate volume, postvoid residual urinary volume, and American Urological Association symptom score can help identify patients with underlying voiding dysfunction. Urinary flow rate was a statistically significant predictor of genitourinary tract morbidity after brachytherapy for localized prostate adenocarcinoma. Patients and physicians should consider these factors before a patient decides to undergo brachytherapy.

Simulation-Based Training for Bedside Assistants Can Benefit Experienced Robotic Prostatectomy Teams

PURPOSE We designed a three-phase bedside assistant training course for those involved with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We also examined whether an experienced RARP team (>1000 cases) would perceive benefit from this three-phase bedside assistant training course. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 13 RARP bedside assistants were identified at our institution (three surgical technicians, two surgical assistants, four resident trainees, and four physician assistants). The course consisted of three phases that were taught at three separate morning sessions. Phase 1 focused on robot functionality. Phase 2 consisted of a step-by-step video session that focused on the assistants role in each RARP step. Phase 3 involved three hands-on laparoscopic drills that were to be completed in a predetermined period. Pre- and postcourse questionnaires assessed learner knowledge pertaining to RARP. RESULTS All 13 learners completed the three-phase training course. Nine of 13 learners thought this course would be beneficial, although, 9 of 13 already thought that they were good RARP assistants before the course. Ten of 13 learners were able to complete the hands-on drills in the predetermined periods. On completion of the course, every learner thought the course was beneficial and that it should be repeated annually. Twelve of 13 thought that the course made them a better assistant and that their intra-abdominal spatial orientation was greatly improved. Seven of the learners thought the hands-on drills were the most beneficial portion of the course, while the other six found the step-by-step lecture the most beneficial. CONCLUSIONS A three-phase hands-on RARP bedside assistant training course is beneficial to and desired by an experienced RARP team at least annually.

Robotic-assisted Bladder Diverticulectomy: Tips and Tricks

INTRODUCTION The da Vinci Surgical System has become extremely popular in the field of urology for procedures requiring complex reconstructive maneuvers, such as radical prostatectomy and pyeloplasty. A natural extension of these procedures is the use of the da Vinci system for complex urinary tract reconstruction deep in the pelvis, such as bladder diverticulectomy. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS In our report and accompanying Video, we have demonstrated some technical tips and tricks with regard to patient selection, preoperative imaging, patient positioning, port placement, intraoperative diverticulum recognition/excision, and cystotomy repair that the surgeon might find beneficial for successful completion of robotic-assisted bladder diverticulectomy. CONCLUSIONS The tips and tricks we have presented might aid in the successful completion of robotic bladder diverticulectomy.

Evaluation of the association of current cigarette smoking and outcome for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Objectives:  Cigarette smoking is a well known risk factor for the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, its association with tumor aggressiveness and patient outcome remains in question. Herein, we test the hypothesis that cigarette smoking is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and poorer outcome among patients with RCC.

VESICOURETHRAL RECONSTRUCTION IN RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY: AN ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUE

PURPOSE We review an alternative method of vesicourethral reconstruction in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 91 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated for an alternative technique for vesicourethral reconstruction which incorporates specific principles of direct suture anastomosis and the modified Vest technique. Perioperative and postoperative complications were reviewed. RESULTS Total continence was reported in 80 of 91 patients (87.9%). Persistent moderate to severe incontinence was present in 1 patient and anastomotic stricture was identified in 7 (7.7%). Prolonged urinary extravasation was rare. CONCLUSIONS This method of vesicourethral reconstruction appears to offer an efficient, reproducible alternative to direct suture anastomosis with acceptable complication rates.