Ziya Akbulut

Anesthetic considerations for robotic cystectomy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Robotic cystectomy is rapidly becoming a part of the standard surgical repertoire for the treatment of prostate cancer. Our aim was to describe respiratory and hemodynamic challenges and the complications observed in robotic cystectomy patients. PATIENTS Sixteen patients who underwent robotic surgery between December 2009 and January 2011 were prospectively enrolled. Main outcome measures were non-invasive monitoring, invasive monitoring and blood gas analysis performed at supine (T0), Trendelenburg (T1), Trendelenburg+pneumoperitoneum (T2), Trendelenburg-before desufflation (T3), Trendelenburg (after desufflation) (T4), and supine (T5) positions. RESULTS There were significant differences between T0-T1 and T0-T2 with lower heart rates. The mean arterial pressure value at T1 was significantly lower than T0. The central venous pressure value was significantly higher at T1, T2, T3, and T4 than at T0. There was no significant difference in the PET-CO2 value at any time point compared with T0. There were no significant differences in respiratory rate at any time point compared with T0. The mean f values at T3, T4, and T5 were significantly higher than T0. The mean minute ventilation at T4 and T5 were significantly higher than at T0. The mean plateau pressures and peak pressures at T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 were significantly higher than the mean value at T0. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of patients generally tolerate robotic cystectomy well and appreciate the benefits, anesthesiologists must consider the changes in the cardiopulmonary system that occur when patients are placed in Trendelenburg position, and when pneumoperitoneum is created.

Robot-assisted nerve-sparing radical cystectomy with bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and intracorporeal urinary diversion for bladder cancer: initial experience in 27 cases.

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Robot-assisted laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical cystoprostatectomy with bilateral extended lymph node dissection and intracorporeal studer pouch construction: outcomes of first 12 cases.

PURPOSE We report our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic neurovascular bundle (NVB) sparing radical cystoprostatectomy (RALRC), bilateral extended lymph node dissection (BELND) with intracorporeal Studer pouch construction for invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS After initially performing >50 cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RALRP), between December 2009 and April 2010, we performed 12 RALRC procedures with BELND. Bilateral (n=10) and unilateral (n=1) intrafascial NVB preservation was performed in 11 patients; nonnerve-sparing RALRC was performed in 1 patient. RESULTS Patient characteristics and surgical and postoperative parameters were mean patient age (y): 60 (43-80); American Society of Anesthesiologists score: 2 (1-3); body mass index (kg/m(2)): 24.5 (19.3-31.2); preoperative International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score: 25 (5-65); operative time (h): 10 (8.1-11.5); intraoperative blood loss (mL): 455 (100-700); lymph node (LN) yield: 21.3 (8-38); hospital stay (d): 10.7 (9-16); lodge drain removal (d): 10 (9-15). Five patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Surgical margins were negative in all patients. Postoperative pathologic stages were: pT(0) (n=2), pT(1) (n=1), pT(2a) (n=2), pT(2b) (n=2), pT(3a) (n=4), and pT(4a) (n=1). Positive LNs and incidental prostate cancer were detected in five and three patients, respectively. Perioperative death rate was zero. Right external iliac vein injury occurred in one patient during the performance of BELND; surgery was converted to an open procedure and the injury was repaired. Colonic fistula developed in one patient at postoperative day 40; the patient died from cardiac disease at day 60. At a mean follow-up of 7.1 ± 2.3 months, three patients died from metastatic disease. Of the available seven patients, six were fully continent and one had mild daytime incontinence. CONCLUSIONS Although RALRC with bilateral intrafascial NVB preservation, BELND, and intracorporeal Studer pouch formation is a complex procedure, it can be performed with excellent short-term surgical and pathological outcomes and satisfactory functional results after considerable experience gained with RALRP procedures.

Multiple subcutaneous nodular metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Skin metastasis from transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder is rare. In this report an uncommon metastasis of TCC of the bladder is presented.

Prolonged urinary drainage from nephrostomy tract after percutaneous nephrolithotomy can be treated with oral desmopressin

Desmopressin has been used in the treatment of nocturnal polyuria, diabetes insipitus and primary nocturnal enuresis. We present a patient who experienced prolonged urinary drainage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy but did not respond to insertion of a double pig‐tail stent and was treated instead with oral desmopressin.

Open versus robotic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal Studer diversion.

Background and Objectives: To compare open versus totally intracorporeal robotic-assisted radical cystectomy, bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection, and Studer urinary diversion in bladder cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective comparison of open (n = 42) versus totally intracorporeal (n = 32) robotic-assisted radical cystectomy, bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection, and Studer urinary diversion was performed concerning patient demographic data, operative and postoperative parameters, pathologic parameters, complications, and functional outcomes. Results: Patient demographic data and the percentages of patients with pT2 disease or lower and pT3–pT4 disease were similar between groups (P > .05). Positive surgical margin rates were similar between the open (n = 1, 2.4%) and robotic (n = 2, 6.3%) groups (P > .05). Minor and major complication rates were similar between groups (P > .05). Mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the robotic group (412.5 ± 208.3 mL vs 1314.3 ± 987.1 mL, P < .001). Significantly higher percentages of patients were detected in the robotic group regarding bilateral neurovascular bundle–sparing surgery (93.7% vs 64.3%, P = .004) and bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection (100% vs 71.4%, P = .001). The mean lymph node yield was significantly higher in the robotic group (25.4 ± 9.7 vs 17.2 ± 13.5, P = .005). The number of postoperative readmissions for minor complications was significantly lower in the robotic group (0 vs 7, P = .017). Better trends were detected in the robotic group concerning daytime continence with no pad use (84.6% vs 75%, P > .05) and severe daytime incontinence (8.3% vs 16.6%, P > .05). No significant differences were detected regarding postoperative mean International Index of Erectile Function scores between groups (P > .05). Conclusions: Robotic surgery has the advantages of decreased blood loss, better preservation of neurovascular bundles, an increased lymph node yield, a decreased rate of hospital readmissions for minor complications, and a better trend for improved daytime continence when compared with the open approach.

Ureteric duplication is not a contraindication for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy and intracorporeal Studer pouch formation.

The authors found that duplicated ureters was not a contraindication to robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy in this case.

Outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer patients: experience in 34 patients with oncologic and functional outcomes

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Does diabetes affect the distribution and number of interstitial cells and neuronal tissue in the ureter, bladder, prostate, and urethra of humans?

Introduction The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the distribution and number of interstitial cells (ICs) and neuronal tissue in the ureter, bladder, prostate, and urethra of human patients with and without diabetes. Material and methods Human tissue was obtained from patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer (10 diabetic and 11 non–diabetic males). Interstitial cells were stained immunohistochemically with anti–human CD117 (c–kit) rabbit polyclonal antibody, Vimentin, and Connexin–43. Neural tissue was stained with synaptophysin. The number of ICs and neurons was evaluated and compared between the groups (diabetic versus non–diabetic). Results The mean number of c–kit (+) ICs in bladder lamina propria was significantly decreased in diabetics (32.40 ±12.96 versus 57.18 ±25.37, p = 0.036). The mean number of ICs in the detrusor muscle was significantly decreased in diabetics (40.50 ±16.79 versus 64.55 ±22.08, p = 0.013). Between the groups, no significant differences were detected regarding the number of ICs at the level of the ureter, urethra, and prostate. No significant differences were detected regarding the number of nerves in the ureter, bladder, prostate, and urethra of both groups. Conclusions The number of ICs may be decreased in the lamina propria and detrusor muscle of the human bladder in diabetes. This can be an underlying cause of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction in diabetics. Research into the development of drugs targeting or stimulating IC function in order to prevent diabetic LUT dysfunction is warranted.

6 Preservation of accessory pudendal arteries in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Erectile dysfunction is a known complication that might occur following radical prostatectomy. Robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) is increasingly being performed in many centers. We reviewed preservation of APAs during performing RALRP. A review of the English literature was performed using PubMed/MedLine concerning preservation of Accessory Pudendal Arteries (APAs) during performing RALRP, their incidence, classification and role in erectile function. Erection is a neurovascular phenomenon under hormonal control. APAs are reported to exist in 4-85% of the male population. Controversial reports exist regarding the role of APAs in erectile function. Although some publications suggest to preserve APAs during performing radical prostatectomy, others do not suggest that they had an impact on erectile function. Advantages of the surgical robotic system including providing three dimensional vision with magnification, increased freedom of the hand maneuvers of the robotic arms and instruments with filtered tremor seem to provide the console surgeon to recognize and preserve APAs during the surgery. We recommend preserving APAs whenever possible in performing RALRP which might have an impact on the preservation of the erectile function in the postoperative course.