X. Cathelineau

The Current Status of Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy: A Review

CONTEXT Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem in women that causes morbidity and a decreased quality of life. Sacrocolpopexy can treat women with vaginal vault prolapse (VVP), multicompartmental POP, and/or a history of failed prolapse procedures. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) is the gold standard for VVP and is superior to vaginal sacrocolpopexy, with fewer recurrent prolapses and less dyspareunia. Vaginal prolapse repairs, however, are often faster and offer patients a shorter recovery time. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) aims to bridge this gap and to provide the outcomes of ASC with decreased morbidity. OBJECTIVE This review evaluates the recent literature on LSC as a therapy for POP. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A PubMed search of the available English literature on LSC was performed. The reference lists of selected articles were reviewed, and additional on-topic articles were included. Some 50 articles were screened, 22 articles were selected, and the reported outcomes from 11 series are presented in this review. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Laparoscopic experience with POP has advanced tremendously, and LSC results from >1000 patients in 11 series support this. Conversion rates and operative times have decreased with increased experience. Mean operative time was 158 min (range: 96-286 min) with a 2.7% conversion rate (range: 0-11%) and a 1.6% early reoperation rate (range: 0-3.9%). With a mean follow-up of 24.6 mo (range: 11.4-66 mo), there was, on average, a 94.4% satisfaction rate, a 6.2% prolapse reoperation rate, and a 2.7% mesh erosion rate. Several centers have demonstrated that excellent outcomes with LSC are reproducible in terms of operative parameters, durable results, minimal complications, and high levels of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS LSC upholds the outcomes of the gold standard ASC with minimal morbidity. Longer prospective and randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.

Molecular Detection of Localized Prostate Cancer Using Quantitative Methylation-Specific PCR on Urinary Cells Obtained Following Prostate Massage

Purpose: The diagnosis of localized prostate cancer is difficult due to a lack of cancer-specific biomarkers. Many patients require repeat prostate biopsies to diagnose the disease. We investigated whether aberrant promoter hypermethylation in prostatic fluid could reliably detect prostate cancer. Experimental Design: Urine samples were collected after prostate massage from 95 patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (63 pT1, 31 pT2, and 1 pT3) and from 38 control patients. Ten genes (GSTP1, RASSF1a, ECDH1, APC, DAPK, MGMT, p14, p16, RARβ2, and TIMP3) were investigated using quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR. Receiver operator curves were generated. Results: The frequency of gene methylation ranged from 6.3% (p14) to 83.2% (GSTP1) in prostate cancer patients. At least one gene was hypermethylated in 93% of cancer patients. The specificity of methylation was 0.74. Methylation was significantly more frequent (P < 0.05) in cancer than control patients for all genes except p14 and p16. According to receiver operator curve analysis, the four-gene combination of GSTP1 (0.86), RASSF1a (0.85), RARβ2 (0.80), and APC (0.74) best discriminated malignant from nonmalignant cases. The sensitivity and accuracy of this four-gene set were 86% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: The presence of aberrant methylation in urinary cells obtained after prostate massage is significantly associated with prostate cancer. A panel of four genes could stratify patients into low and high risk of having prostate cancer and optimize the need for repeat prostatic biopsies.

Focal therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer in the elderly: a feasibility study with 10 years follow-up

PURPOSE To evaluate the long-term efficacy of prostate cancer control and complication rates, in the elderly, after focal therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MATERIALS AND METHODS Between June 1997 and March 2000, patients with localized prostate cancer were included into a focal therapy protocol. Inclusion criteria were: PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL, ≤ 3 positive biopsies with only 1 lobe involved, clinical stage ≤ T2a, Gleason score ≤ 7 (3+4), negative CT scan and bone scan. Hemi-ablation of the prostate was performed with the Ablatherm® device. Survival, complication rates and urinary continence were evaluated. Control biopsies were performed at 1 year. Treatment failure was defined as a positive biopsy or need for salvage therapy. RESULTS Twelve patients with a mean age 70 years were included. Median follow-up was 10 years. Control prostate biopsies were negative in 11/12 (91%) patients. Overall survival was 83% (10/12) and cancer specific survival was 100% at 10 years. Two patients died from other causes. Recurrence free survival was 90% (95% CI; 0.71-1) at 5 years, and 38% (95% CI; 0.04-0.73) at 10 years. Five patients had salvage therapy with repeat HIFU (n = 1) or hormonal therapy (n = 4) and all salvage patients were alive at 10 years. No patients developed lymph node or bone metastasis. No patients suffered from urinary incontinence. International Prostate Symptom Score was stable at 1 year. Complications included two urinary tract infections and one episode of acute urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS Hemi-prostate ablation with HIFU can be safely performed in selected elderly patients with adequate long-term cancer control and low complication rates. Results from larger prospective studies using improved imaging techniques and extensive biopsy protocols are awaited.

Focal High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Targeted Hemiablation for Unilateral Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Evaluation of Oncologic and Functional Outcomes

BACKGROUND In selected patients with unilateral, organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa), hemiablation of the affected lobe might be feasible to achieve acceptable cancer control with fewer complications. OBJECTIVES To assess the oncologic and functional outcomes of focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) hemiablation in unilateral organ-confined PCa. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS Single-center prospective evaluation of HIFU hemiablation for unilateral organ-confined PCa was performed from July 2009 through December 2013. INTERVENTION Cancer localization was done with transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging followed by HIFU hemiablation. OUTCOME MEASUREMENT AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Oncologic outcomes were analyzed with control biopsies and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement. Functional outcomes were assessed with validated questionnaires for genitourinary symptoms. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Of 71 HIFU hemiablation patients, 67 completed the study protocol. The mean age was 70.2 yr (standard deviation: 6.8 yr), and median PSA was 6.1 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.6-15.5 ng/ml). Median maximum cancer-core length was 3 mm (IQR: 2-10 mm), and total cancer length was 6.5 mm (IQR: 2-24 mm). Gleason score was 6 (3+3) in 58 patients (86.6%) and 7 (3+4) in 9 patients (13.4%). Median follow-up was 12 mo (IQR: 6-50 mo), and at 12 mo, 56 of 67 patients had a negative control biopsy in the treated lobe. At 3 mo, all patients were continent, and potency was maintained in 11 of 21 preoperatively potent patients (confidence interval, 0.18-0.69). Complications included 8% Clavien-Dindo grade 2 and 2.8% grade 3 events. CONCLUSIONS Focal HIFU hemiablation appears to achieve acceptable oncologic outcomes with low morbidity and minimal functional changes. Longer follow-up will establish future considerations. PATIENT SUMMARY This study showed that high-intensity focused ultrasound hemiablation in selected patients with unilateral organ-confined prostate cancer can be used for satisfactory cancer control with minimal effect on genitourinary functions.

Initial experience in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumor with clamping of renal vessels.

PURPOSE To describe our initial experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) with clamping of the renal vessels before tumor excision and suturing of the renal parenchyma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 2001 and April 2002, 19 consecutive patients underwent transperitoneal LPN in our institution, 14 for tumors <4 cm with suspicion of renal-cell cancer and 5 for suspicion of angiomyolipoma at CT with one tumor confirmed histopathologically by percutaneous needle biopsy. We divided these patients into the first 10 cases (Group 1) and the last 9 cases (Group 2). One patient had end-stage renal disease but was not on dialysis; the remaining patients had elective partial nephrectomy. Initially, a ureteral catheter was placed. The partial nephrectomy was performed with clamping of the renal vessels, so that the tumor was excised with cold scissors. Intracorporeal cooling of the kidney was achieved by a ureteral catheter connected to a 4 degrees C solution flowing to the renal pelvis during the whole procedure until the clamps were released. Intracorporeal free-hand suturing was exclusively used to close the collecting system (when opened) and to approximate the renal parenchyma. RESULTS All procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean renal warm ischemia time was 28.5+/-7 minutes (range 15-47 minutes). The mean laparoscopic operating time was 125+/-37 minutes (range 90-390 minutes). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 290+/-276 mL (range 25-1200 mL). Two patients required blood transfusion, and four had complications. There was immediate deterioration in renal function (creatinine 1.42+/-0.56 mg/dL), but improvement was seen at 1 month (1.17+/-0.34 mg/dL). There were no statistically significant differences in operative features and outcomes in Groups 1 and 2, but there were improvements in the mean operating time by 30 minutes, the mean intraoperative blood loss by 113 mL without any transfusion, and the mean renal warm ischemia time by 6 minutes. There was only one patient in Group 2 with a complication. The surgical margin was negative for tumor for all patients. Postoperative pathology examination showed renal-cell cancer in 11 patients (pT1), oncocytoma in 3 patients, and angiomyolipoma in 5 patients. The mean tumor grade was 2. The mean tumor size was 25.8+/-11.6 mm with a mean tumor-free margin of 2.6+/-2.4 mm. The median follow-up is 3 months, so oncologic outcome cannot be assessed. CONCLUSION The technique of LPN can be standardized and should be proposed for small tumors when they are not invading the hilum. Clamping the renal pedicle allows better vision for more accurate tumor excision with a safety margin and hemostatic suturing of the parenchymal defect, resulting in less blood loss and shorter operative time, parameters that improve with experience.

Focal cryoablation: a treatment option for unilateral low‐risk prostate cancer

To assess oncological (biochemical and histological recurrence) and functional (urinary and potency) outcomes in patients with unilateral low‐risk organ‐confined prostate cancer (PCa) treated with focal cryoablation (FC).

Oncological Evaluation of Prostate Sparing Cystectomy: The Montsouris Long-Term Results

PURPOSE Prostate sparing cystectomy provides an alternative therapeutic option in highly selected patients with invasive bladder cancer who wish to avoid the significant functional side effects of traditional surgery. Concern exists regarding the oncological safety of this technique especially with regard to the presence of prostatic urothelial cancer and incidental prostate adenocarcinoma. We present the long-term oncological outcomes of a large series of patients treated at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between October 1992 and June 2004 a total of 117 patients were selected for prostate sparing cystectomy after meeting the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Nine patients underwent radical cystoprostatectomy after prostate urothelial carcinoma was diagnosed intraoperatively. Long-term oncological results (2 years minimum followup [mean 55 months]) are presented here for the remaining patients. The rate of local and distant recurrence was 4.7% and 34%, respectively, at 20 months. Overall survival at 5 years in our study was 67%, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 77% for pT2 N0 or less, 44% for pT3 N0 or greater and 22% for pN+ disease. Of 6 patients found to have prostate adenocarcinoma in transurethral prostate resection specimens 1 was treated with high intensity focused ultrasound and 5 were followed with active surveillance, 2 of whom later died of bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS We report oncological data on the largest prospective cohort of patients, with the longest followup, treated by prostate sparing cystectomy to date. Outcomes are comparable with the largest published series of cystoprosatectomies. With appropriate screening the risk of a clinically significant prostate cancer appears to be low. For certain selected patients this technique represents a valuable additional option for treatment.

909 ONCOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PROSTATE SPARING CYSTECTOMY: THE MONTSOURIS LONG-TERM RESULTS

Purpose: Prostate sparing cystectomy provides an alternative therapeutic option in highly selected patients with invasive bladder cancer who wish to avoid the significant functional side effects of traditional surgery. Concern exists regarding the oncological safety of this technique especially with regard to the presence of prostatic urothelial cancer and incidental prostate adenocarcinoma. We present the long-term oncological outcomes of a large series of patients treated at a single institution. Materials and Methods: Between October 1992 and June 2004 a total of 117 patients were selected for prostate sparing cystectomy after meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Nine patients underwent radical cystoprostatectomy after prostate urothelial carcinoma was diagnosed intraoperatively. Long-term oncological results (2 years minimum followup [mean 55 months]) are presented here for the remaining patients. The rate of local and distant recurrence was 4.7% and 34%, respectively, at 20 months. Overall survival at 5 years in our study was 67%, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 77% for pT2 N0 or less, 44% for pT3 N0 or greater and 22% for pN disease. Of 6 patients found to have prostate adenocarcinoma in transurethral prostate resection specimens 1 was treated with high intensity focused ultrasound and 5 were followed with active surveillance, 2 of whom later died of bladder cancer. Conclusions: We report oncological data on the largest prospective cohort of patients, with the longest followup, treated by prostate sparing cystectomy to date. Outcomes are comparable with the largest published series of cystoprosatectomies. With appropriate screening the risk of a clinically significant prostate cancer appears to be low. For certain selected patients this technique represents a valuable additional option for treatment.

Comparison of the rate, location and size of positive surgical margins after laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is feasible and effective in 'fit' senior men with localized prostate cancer.

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4