BACKGROUND: Off-clamp robotic partial nephrectomy (Off C-RPN) is a challenging technique, hard to teach since bleeding control is not easily reproducible in training settings. We compared perioperative outcomes of two propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts of patients undergone Off C-RPN by either a training or an expert surgeon in the same Institution. METHODS: The prospectively maintained "renal cancer" database was queried for "off-clamp," "robotic," "partial nephrectomy" performed between January 2017 and June 2018. Achievement of main outcomes along the learning curve of training surgeon was assessed with logistic regression and Lowess analysis. A 1:1 PSM analysis generated two populations homogeneous for demographics, ASA score, tumor size, nephrometry score, baseline hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Multiple tumors, and imperative indications were excluded. Categorical and continuous variables were compared by chi(2) and t-test. RESULTS: Overall, 111 were treated by the expert, 51 by the training surgeon, respectively. Training surgeon experienced a significant decrease of console time (P=0.01). Patients treated by the expert surgeon had significantly larger tumors, higher PADUA and ASA scores (all P <= 0.04). After applying the PSM, two cohorts of 29 patients, homogeneous for all baseline demographic and clinical variables (all P >= 0.34) were selected. Hilar clamping was never necessary. Hospital stay, hemoglobin and eGFR at discharge, complication and positive surgical margins rates were comparable between the two cohorts (all P >= 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Our results proved that the impact of learning curve on outcomes of Off C-RPN is negligible after completion of a proper training in minimally invasive surgery.
INTRODUCTION: We provide a systematic analysis of nerve-sparing surgery (NSS) to assess and summarize the risks and benefits of NSS in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa).EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We have undertaken a systematic search of original articles using 3 databases: Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Original articles in English containing outcomes of nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP) for high-risk PCa were included. The primary outcomes were oncological results: the rate of positive surgical margins and biochemical relapse. The secondary outcomes were functional results: erectile function (EF) and urinary continence.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The rate of positive surgical margins differed considerably, from zero to 47%. The majority of authors found no correlation between NSS and a positive surgical margin rate. The rate of biochemical relapse ranged from 9.3% to 61%. Most of the articles lacked data on odds ratio (OR) for positive margin and biochemical relapse. The presented results showed no effect of nerve sparing (NS) on positive margin (OR=0.81, 0.6-1.09) or biochemical relapse (hazard ratio [HR]=0.93, 0.52-1.64). A strong association between NSS and potency rate was observed. Without NSS, between 0% and 42% of patients were potent, with unilateral 79-80%, with bilateral - up to 90-100%. Urinary continence was not strongly associated with NSS and was relatively good in both patients with and without NSS.CONCLUSIONS: NSS may provide benefits for patients with urinary continence and significantly improves EF in high-risk patients. Moreover, it is not associated with an increased risk of relapse in short- and middle-term follow-up. However, the advantages of using such a surgical technique are unclear.
BACKGROUND:The impact of positive surgical margins (PSM) on outcomes in partial nephrectomy (PN) is controversial. We investigated impact of PSM for patients undergoing PN on overall survival (OS) in different stages of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).METHODS:Retrospective analysis of patients from the US National Cancer Database who underwent PN for cT1a-cT2b N0M0 RCC between 2004-13. Patients were stratified by pathological stage (pT1a, pT1b, pT2a, pT2b, and pT3a [upstaged]) and analyzed by margin status. Cox Regression multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed to investigate associations of PSM and covariates on all-cause mortality (ACM). Kaplan-Meier analysis (KMA) of OS was performed for PSM versus negative margin (NSM) by pathological stage. Sub-analysis of Charlson Comorbidity Index 0 (CCI=0) subgroup was conducted to reduce bias from comorbidities.RESULTS:We analyzed 42,113 PN (pT1a: 33,341 [79.2%]; pT1a, pT1b: 6689 [15.9%]; pT2a: 757 [1.8%]; pT2b: 165 [0.4%]; and pT3a: upstaged 1161 [2.8%]). PSM occurred in 6.7% (2823) (pT1a: 6.5%, pT1b: 6.3%, pT2a: 5.9%, pT2b: 6.1%, pT3a: 14.1%, P<0.001). On MVA, PSM was associated with 31% increase in ACM (HR 1.31, P<0.001), which persisted in CCI=0 sub-analysis (HR: 1.25, P<0.001). KMA revealed negative impact of PSM vs. NSM on 5-year OS: pT1 (87.3% vs. 90.9%, P<0.001), pT2 (86.7% vs. 82.5%, P=0.48), and upstaged pT3a (69% vs. 84.2%, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:PSM after PN was independently associated with across-the-board decrement in OS, which worsened in pT3a disease and persisted in sub-analysis of patients with CCI=0. PSM should prompt more aggressive surveillance or definitive resection strategies.
BACKGROUND:We compared survival outcomes among patients who received either NAC or AC and RC.METHODS:We identified patients in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) diagnosed with clinical T2-T4, N0, M0 urothelial carcinoma who underwent RC. Patients who received NAC were propensity matched by age, race, ethnicity, sex, insurance type, academic/research program, comorbidity, and clinical stage to patients receiving AC within 90 days of RC. Median survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated from multivariable Cox regression models to compare overall survival (OS), downstaging to non-MIBC (NMIBC), and N upstaging.RESULTS:A total of 417 patients treated with NAC and 272 patients treated with AC were identified from 2004-2013. Patients who received NAC had better 5-year OS (46.2%, 95% CI: 39.2-53.0%) compared to patients who received AC (37.6%, 95% CI: 31.5-43.7%). NAC was a significant predictor of decreased mortality, decreased progression to node positivity, and downstaging to NMIBC (0.76, 0.60-0.96, P=0.023; 0.19, 0.13-0.28, P<0.001; 23.96, 8.91-64.42, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:The use of NAC+RC was associated with improved OS compared to RC+AC for patients diagnosed with T2-T4, N0, M0 bladder cancer. The increased survival benefit associated with NAC compared to AC among patients undergoing RC may be due to decreased progression to node positivity and pathological downstaging.
INTRODUCTION We reviewed current studies and performed a meta-analysis to compare outcomes between laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) treating complex renal tumors (RENAL score ≥ 7 or maximum clinical tumor size > 4cm). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Using the databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, a comprehensive literature search was performed in April, 2020. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effect or random-effect model. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Ten observational studies including 5193 patients (LPN: 1574; RAPN: 3619) were included. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding conversion to open (P = 0.07) surgery, all complications (P = 0.12), grade 1-2 complications (P = 0.10), grade 3-5 complications (P = 0.93), operative time (P = 0.94), estimated blood loss (P = 0.17). Patients undergoing LPN had a significant higher rate of conversion to radical (OR: 4.33; 95% CI: 2.01-9.33; p < 0.001), a longer ischemia time (IT, P < 0.001; WMD: 3.02 min; 95% CI, 1.67 to 4.36), a longer length of stay (LOS, P < 0.001; WMD: 0.67 days; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.99), a lower rate of positive surgical margin (P = 0.03; OR: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.96), a greater eGFR decline (P < 0.001; WMD: 2.41 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.60), a higher rate of CKD upstaging (P < 0.001; OR:2.44; 95% CI, 1.54 to 3.87). No obvious publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS For complex renal tumors, RAPN is more favorable than LPN in terms of lower rate of conversion to radical surgery, shorter IT, shorter LOS, less eGFR decline, and lower rate of CKD upstaging. Methodological limitations of observational studies should be taken into account in interpreting these results.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to develop and internally validate a simple stone score (SSS) to estimate the probability of clinically significant residual fragments (CSRF) prior to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). METHODS: The files of 1170 PNL procedures between January and December 2015 were evaluated. CT-derived stone characteristics were examined. Caliceal stone distribution (CSD) was assigned three grades based on the number of calices involved regardless of the renal pelvis (I = no or single calix; II = more than one calix; and III = more than 2 calices or complete staghorn stones). CSRF was defined as any residuals >4 mm in postoperative CT. A logistic regression model to predict the CSRF was fitted, and coefficients were used to develop the SSS. The SSS was validated by discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Patients' data were split into training (936, 80%) and validating (234, 20%) datasets. In the training partition, independent predictors of CSRF were CSD-grade II (OR: 4.2; 95%CI: 2.5-7; P<0.001), grade III (OR: 7.8; 95%CI: 4.2-14.4; P<0.001) and largest stone diameter (LSD) (OR:1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.6; P<0.001). Score points 0, 1, 2, and 0, 3, 9 were given to LSD<30, 30-40, >40 mm, and CSD grades I, II, III, respectively. Discrimination of the SSS was 0.79 and after 10-fold cross-validation and internal validation was 0.86. The calibration plot and DCA highlighted the validity and clinical significance of the SSS. CONCLUSIONS: The novel SSS could be used to describe the risk of CSRF prior to PNL. Further studies are invited for external validation.
BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to report the overall results and the learning curve (LC) in salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) patients, in terms of morbidity, oncological and functional outcomes in a single surgeon tertiary-referral center.METHODS:One hundred and twenty patients underwent sRARP by a single surgeon (V.P.) from 2008 to 2018. To assess the trends in the learning experience they were sub-divided in 4 groups of 30 consecutive patients based on date of surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method and regression models were used to identify survival estimations and predictors of potency, continence and biochemical failure (BCF) at 12 months.RESULTS:As the learning experience for sRALP increased operative time (OT) was significantly shorter (from 139.5 to 121 minutes) and the amount of nerve-sparing (NS) undertaken increased (from 46% to 80%). While complications rate remained stable, estimated blood loss (EBL) and radiographic anastomotic leaks (RAL) decreased through the groups (from 124 to 69 ml and 40% to 16,7%, respectively). BCF and continence rates at 12 months after sRARP were similar among groups (23-36% and 36,7-50%, respectively) and chance of potency rates tended to increase (from 3.3% to 16-23%) but was not statistically significant. In a multivariate analysis, predictors for BCF were PSM and GS 8-10. Non-radiation primary treatment was the unique predictor of continence at 12 months after sRARP.CONCLUSIONS:Our data may suggest a decreasing trend in terms of OT and EBL through the sRARP learning curve. While morbidity remained stable through the time, RAL trended towards a decline. A higher degree of NS was observed through the groups and there was a slight correlation trend between surgical expertise and potency recovery. PSM and GS 8-10 were predictors of BCF and non-radiation primary treatment predicted a better continence after sRARP.
Background The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative and functional results between laparoscopic and robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (LSP and RASP) and Holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) in prostate volumes ≥ 120 ml. The primary endpoint was to investigate and compare minimally invasive techniques in the management of large prostate gland volume, and the secondary endpoint was to evaluate the frequency and type of postoperative complications according to Clavien Dindo classification. Methods This multicentre study was conducted on male patients with LUTS associated with BPO candidates for surgical treatment. The surgery approach choice in relation to the prostatic volume ≥ 120 ml was HoLEP or minimally invasive simple prostatectomy (LSP or RASP). All patients were prospectively randomized into three groups, according to a simple computed randomization: HoLEP, LSP and RASP groups. During the follow-up, all patients underwent post-operative control at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months from the surgical procedure. Results 110 male patients were randomized in three homogeneous groups: 36 in LSP, 32 in RASP and 42 in HoLEP group. During the follow-up (mean 26.15 months), despite the significant improvement compared to baseline results, no significant differences were shown, between the groups in terms of functional and perioperative outcomes. The only statistically significant data was reported for catheterization time, that resulted longer in the LSP group than RASP and HoLEP groups (p value: 0.002). Furthermore, MISP resulted in longer hospitalization, and lower rate of patients with new-onset irritative symptoms. Conclusions This prospective randomized study is the first to compare extraperitoneal LSP, RASP and HoLEP in the treatment of LUTS secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia for prostate volumes ≥ 120 ml. Our findings confirm the safety and efficacy of MISP, demonstrating its equivalence in functional outcomes and perioperative morbidity in comparison to HoLEP.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to assess the feasibility of robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RN) with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (RRV CT) and compare perioperative and oncological outcomes of this approach to open surgery for renal tumors with level 1-2 inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients surgically treated for renal cancer with IVC level 1-2 thrombus in the Urology department of Bordeaux University Hospital between December 2015 and December 2019. Patients were stratified by surgical approach in two groups: open vs. robotic procedures. Pre-, per- and postoperative data were collected within the framework of the UroCCR project (NCT03293563). Univariate and multivariate analysis using regression models were performed. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent RN with IVC tumor thrombus. Open and robotic surgery represented respectively 30 and 10 cases. The two groups were comparable regarding pre-operative tumor and patient characteristics. Robotic procedures were associated with lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (500 vs. 1250 mL, P=0.02), shorter Intensive Care Unit stay (2 vs. 4 days, P=0.03) and decrease of global length of stay (LOS) (7 vs. 10 days, P<0.01). Operative Time (OT) was significantly longer in the robotic group (350.5 vs. 208 min, P<0.01). No difference were observed between the two approaches regarding complications and oncological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic approach induced lower bleeding and shorter LOS but required longer OT. This technique is feasible and safe for selected cases and experimented surgical teams. Complications rate and oncological outcomes are not different compared to standard open procedures.
BACKGROUND:Serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in different malignancies. In this study we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative AGR for oncological outcomes in patients with radiation recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) treated with salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP).METHODS:A retrospective review of 214 consecutive patients with radiation recurrent PCa who underwent SRP at five referral centers. Levels of albumin and globulin were obtained before SRP and used to calculate the preoperative AGR level. The optimal cut off value of preoperative AGR was 1.4. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed.RESULTS:Overall 89 (41.6%) patients had a low preoperative AGR. Low serum AGR was associated with biochemical recurrence (BCR) in univariable Cox regression analysis (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.06-2.43, P=0.026). When adjusted for the effects of established preoperative and postoperative clinicopathologic confounders in different multivariable Cox regression models, this association did not retain its statistical significance. Moreover, preoperative AGR was not associated with metastasis free survival (P=0.21), overall survival (P=0.91) or cancer specific survival (P=0.61).CONCLUSIONS:In patients with radiation recurrent PCa undergoing SRP, low preoperative AGR was associated with the risk of BCR only in univariable analysis. There was no association with metastasis or survival outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate this biomarker in the setting of primary PCa and to identify the patients most likely to benefit from a local therapy.
INTRODUCTION: Detrusor underactivity (DUA) and detrusor overactivity (DO) have potential impact on the outcomes of surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostate hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a literature search including studies on humans enrolling patients with preoperative urodynamic evidence of DO and/or DUA undergoing LUTS/BPH surgery. Factors that may influence the outcomes of surgery in these patients were evaluated. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In patients with DUA mean bladder contractility index improved from +4 to +44.6, mean total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) improved from -3 to -19.5 points, mean maximum urinary flow (Q(max)) improved from +1.4 to +11.7 mL/s, and mean postvoid residual volume (PVR) improved from -16.5 to -736 mL. Older age, lack of obstruction, concomitant DO, lower detrusor contractility and use of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or photovaporization (PV) instead of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) were associated with worse outcomes. In patients with DO, the percentage of DO resolution ranged from 57.1% to 83.3%. Mean total IPSS, Q(max), and PVR variations ranged from +0.9 to -15.7 points, from -0.2 mL/s to +14 mL/s, and from -19.6 to -202.5 mL, respectively. Older age, lack of obstruction, terminal DO, low maximum cystometric capacity, early and high amplitude DO, and use of transurethral prostate incision instead of TURP or open adenomectomy were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DUA or DO, surgery for LUTS/BPH provides overall good results. However, a number of factors can affect these outcomes.
BACKGROUND:The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of incidental prostate cancer (IPCA) in a contemporary cohort of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) patients who underwent trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP).METHODS:A series of 458 consecutive patients who underwent TURP were evaluated between January 2016 to June 2018. Evaluated factors included age (years), Body Mass Index (BMI; kg/square meters), treatment with inhibitors of 5-alpha reductase, previous prostate biopsies, basal prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (ng/mL), serum leukocyte count (×109/L), weight of resected prostate tissue (grams), grade and stage of IPCA. The multivariate logistic regression model evaluated associations of significant clinical factors with the risk of IPCA.RESULTS:Overall, IPCA was detected in 30 of 454 patients (6.6%). A mean of 21.8 g of tissue was resected. The mean number of positive chips was 5.6 (mean percentage 3.9%) with tumor grade group 1 in 22 cases (73.4%) and tumor stage cT1a in 23 patients (76.7%). On multivariate analysis, independent factors that were positively associated with the risk of IPCA were BMI (odds ratio, OR=1.121; P=0.017) and leukocyte count (OR=1.144; P=0.027).CONCLUSIONS:In a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing TURP for the treatment of LUTS, the risk of IPCA was not negligible with a rate of being 6.6%. BMI and serum leukocyte count were found to be independent factors that were positively associated with the risk of IPCA.
INTRODUCTION To give a comprehensive depiction of the utilization status of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) worldwide. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Potential relevant research papers of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were reviewed to identify eligible studies. Primary outcomes of this meta-analysis were utilization rate of NAC and its utility distribution in different genders, races, ages, countries and temporal trends. The utilization rates of NAC were calculated as 'Proportion (s)' with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled estimates were calculated by using a random-effect model. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A total of thirteen studies and 35,738 patients were included. The total proportion of NAC applied in MIBC populations prior to radical cystectomy (RC) was 17.2% (95% CI: 12.5-21.9%, I2=99.7%). The comparative analyses showed there were no significant differences existing in different genders or races on NAC utilization rates. In terms of age distribution, <60 age group conferred higher utilization rate of NAC than the older (OR=1.919, 95% CI: 1.671-2.202, P=0.0001). As for regional distribution, our meta-analysis showed that Japan (Proportion: 44.0%, 95% CI: 6.5-81.5%, I2=99.6%) and Sweden (37.9%, 95% CI: 34.9-40.8%) were the top two leading countries which contributed to the most frequent application of NAC. In respect of pathologic responses after NAC, complete, partial and down-staged pathologic responses were achieved in 16.6% (95% CI: 7.4-25.9%, I2=89.7%), 14.6% (95% CI: 0.8-28.5%, I2=89.7%) and 45.0% (95% CI: 17.8-72.2%, I2=98.8%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows the low utilization rate of NAC in MIBC patients. Standardization of the treatment modality of MIBC and promotion of guidelines might be necessary to expedite the adoption of NAC in near future.
BACKGROUND: The serum prostate-specific antigen is the most widespread biomarker for prostate disease. Its low specificity for prostatic malignancies is a matter of concern and the reason why new biomarkers for screening purposes are needed. The correlation between altered production of the main steroids and prostate carcinoma (PCa) occurrence is historically known. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the modifications of a comprehensive urinary endogenous steroidal profile (USP) induced by PCa, by multivariate statistical methods.METHODS: A total of 283 Italian subjects were included in the study, 139 controls and 144 PCa-affected patients. The USP, including 17 steroids and five urinary steroidal ratios, was quantitatively evaluated using gas chromatography coupled with single quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The data were interpreted using a chemometric, multivariate approach (intrinsically more sensible to alterations with respect to traditional statistics) and a model for the discrimination of cancer-affected profiles was built.RESULTS: Two multivariate classification models were calculated, the former including three steroids with the highest statistical significance (e.g. testosterone, etiocholanolone and 7β-OH-DHEA) and PSA values, the latter considering the three steroids’ levels only. Both models yielded high sensitivity and specificity scores near to 70%, resulting significantly higher than PSA alone.CONCLUSIONS: Three USP steroids resulted significantly altered in our PCa population. These preliminary results, combined with the simplicity and low-cost of the analysis, open to further investigation of the potential role of this restricted USP in PCa diagnosis.
BACKGROUND: Concealed penis is an uncommon genital abnormality that requires surgical repair. Several techniques are offered but not fully accepted. We present a novel standardized approach that is suitable for concealed penis and penoscrotal webbing.METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2013, patients presenting concealed penis were treated utilizing the “two corners” technique: through a midline penoscrotal incision, the superficial ventral chordee is removed, freeing the corpus spongiosum till the peno-scrotal angle. Circumferential degloving of the shaft is performed and the scrotal septum is separated from the urethra, allowing the penile shaft to pull out. The new peno-scrotal junction is rebuilt downwards, anchoring the peno-scrotal dartos corners to the peripubic tissue bilaterally and stabilizing the penile lengthening. Tension-free skin coverage is allowed by a series of Z-plasty at the penoscrotal angle avoiding circumcision if not needed.RESULTS: Forty-nine patients aged 3-14 years (mean age 4.7 years) underwent correction of the concealed penis according to our technique. Of them, 26 were primary and 23 after previous to hypospadias repair or other genital surgery. Penile lengthening varied from 1 to 2.5 cm (median 1.8 cm). Hospital stay varied from 1 to 4 days (mean 1.6 days). Follow-up ranged from 4 to 14 years (median 7.3 years). Forty-five parents were satisfied with the results (92%), while the defect was judged imperfectly repaired in four patients.CONCLUSIONS: The “two-corners” technique allows easy and effective correction of the concealed penis in both congenital and acquired conditions. It can be performed as outpatient procedure and results are stable at long-term follow-up.
BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of computer aided diagnostic (CAD) system on the detection rate of prostate cancer (PCa) in a series of fusion prostate biopsy (FPB).METHODS:Two prospective transperineal FPB series (with or without CAD assistance) were analyzed and PCa detection rates compared with per-patient and per-target analyses. The χ2 and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of any and clinically significant (cs) PCa detection. Subgroup analyses were performed after stratifying for PI-RADS Score and lesion location.RESULTS:Out of 183 FPB, 89 were performed with CAD assistance. At per-patient analysis the detection rate of any PCa and of cs PCa were 56.3% and 30.6%, respectively; the aid of CAD was negligible for either any PCa or csPCa detection rates (P=0.45 and P=0.99, respectively). Conversely in a per-target analysis, CAD-assisted biopsy had significantly higher positive predictive value (PPV) for any PCa versus MRI-only group (58% vs. 37.8%, P=0.001). PI-RADS Score was the only independent predictor of any and csPCa, either in per-patient or per-target multivariable regression analysis (all P<0.029). In a subgroup per-patient analysis of anterior/transitional zone lesions, csPCa detection rate was significantly higher in the CAD cohort (54.5%vs.11.1%, respectively; P=0.028), and CAD assistance was the only predictor of csPCa detection (P=0.013).CONCLUSIONS:CAD assistance for FPB seems to improve detection of csPCa located in anterior/transitional zone. Enhanced identification and improved contouring of lesions may justify higher diagnostic performance.
BACKGROUND Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is getting more and more popularity becoming the most common radical prostatectomy technique. Unfortunately, a not negligible proportion of patients in whom RARP is performed experience urinary incontinence. We aimed to systematically review the current literature evidence on urinary incontinence conservative treatment after RARP. METHODS A systematic literature review search using PubMed (Medline), Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed in December 2019. PRISMA guidelines have been adopted. Population consisted of patients with urinary incontinence after RARP (P), conservative intervention were considered of interest (I). No comparator was considered mandatory (C). Outcomes of interest were the recovery of continence and quality of life. RESULTS Six studies were included. Four of them investigated the use of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). PFMT improved pelvic muscle strength. Continence recovery was faster when guided PFMT was adopted. Moreover, two studies tested the effect of solifenacin on urinary incontinence. One of them, a randomized clinical trial, failed to show shorter time to continence in solifenacin group compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS The use of pads is associated with a detrimental effect on quality of life thus active treatment for UI post-RARP are warranted. PFMT has the main advantage to shorten the time for recovery. The use of solifenacin seems to not offer striking advantages in UI following RARP. Future studies should focus on testing the efficacy of these treatments when used after robotic vs. open radical prostatectomy.
INTRODUCTION The recent advances in technology and miniaturization of endoscopic devices have permitted the use of retrograde intra renal surgery (RIRS) to treat large and complicated kidney stones as first line therapy in alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Systematically review the efficacy and safety of RIRS for large renal stones over 2 cm versus the current gold standard, the percutaneous nephrolithotomy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A large search was effected in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid and Scopus regarding the treatment of renal stones over 2 cm with RIR S versus PCNL. Articles not in English and not regarding adult population were excluded. The retrieval time included a time span from 2000 to 2019. All clinical trials were further evaluated about quality and references. The eligible studies were included and analysed with RevMan 5.2 Software. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Two randomized and nine non-randomized studies were included for a total of 1618 patients involved. Our meta-analysis showed no difference in SFR (RR =0.92, 95% CI : 0.86-0.99, P=0.03) and in mean operation time (WMD=6.34 min, 95% CI : -4.98 to 17.65, P=0.27) while shorter hospital stay was reported for RIR S (WMD=-2.15 days, 95% CI: -3.04 to -1.25, P≤0.00001). We reported moreover lower Hb drop (WMD=-0.83 g/dL, 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.45, P≤0.00001) and complications rate in favor of RIRS (RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.71-1.09, P=0.23). CONCLUSIONS RIRS is challenging PCNL for the treatment of large renal stones over 2cm, becoming a safe and effective alternative with a comparable stone free rate, lower complication rate and lower hospitalization time. It is, however, of the uttermost importance to share the treatment decision with the patient due to the possibility of requiring multiple RIR S session to completely clear larger stone burdens.
