Urologia Journal最新文献

Introduction: Benefits and harms of avoid the sent placement during IntraCorporeal Neobladder configuration are still debated. Our objective was to describe the step-by-step technique of Florence intracorporeal neobladder (FloRIN) configuration performed with stentless procedure focusing on perioperative and mid-term functional outcomes.

Materials and methods: In this single institution prospective randomized 1:1 series all consecutive patients underwent Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC) and FloRIN reconfiguration from January 2021 to March 2021 were enrolled. Functional perioperative and mid-term outcomes were gathered. Postoperative complications were graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification and divided in early (<30 days from discharge) and delayed (>30 days).

Results: Overall, 10 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, the 50.0% was treated with Stentless FloRIN. In terms of baseline features, no differences were recorded between the two groups. Median age was 65 and 66 years while median BMI was 27 and 25 in the stentless and in the stent group, respectively. Concerning intraoperative variables, no intraoperative complications as well as open conversion occurred among both groups. As regard introperative features, a shorter console time was associated with stentless procedure (331 min vs 365 min). In terms of perioperative outcomes, canalization and time to drainage removal didn't differ between groups while length of hospital stay was significantly lower in stentless group 10 days versus 14 days. Early and delayed postoperative complication rate was not influenced by the ureteral management at a preliminary assessment with comparable rates of Clavien Dindo ⩾ 3a between the two groups. Mid-term functional outcomes did not differ between groups in terms of kidney function loss.

Conclusions: FloRIN with Stentless technique showed functional and perioperative preliminary outcomes comparable with the standard ureteral management strategy. Further series with longer functional follow-up assessment will be needed to confirm our preliminary results.

Introduction: The presence of ureteral stones can cause pain, infections of urinary tract and hydronephrosis, resulting in the loss of renal function. For two decades, Ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation (URSL) attained a big rise and is the first line management for large ureteric stones and renal stones up to 2 cm. The present study was conducted to assess the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy in treatment of ureteric calculus after local administration of aminophylline.

Materials and methods: 100 patients having ureteric calculi <20 mm in size, aged 20-60 years were included in the study and randomly divided into Group A (n = 50) with administration of local aminophylline and Group B (n = 50) with administration of saline infusion. Ureteroscopy was performed after 5 min of administration of the solution. URSL was done using pneumatic lithoclast and/or laser. Various parameters like duration of procedure, ease of ureteral access, requirement of DJ Stent and need of further operative interventions were compared between case and control groups. The data was collected and then subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS 20.0 version at significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of study subjects having ureteral stones was found to be between 31 and 40 years of age with males being more affected. We observed less mean duration of surgery, higher success rate, easy ureteral access (p-value < 0.05) with aminophylline use than control group. The need of ureteral stent and Auxiliary procedures was significantly higher in the control than in the case group (38%).

Conclusion: The use of aminophylline has been found to be highly useful and effective in reducing the need of stents and secondary surgery, decreased pain, and increased success rate. Thus, the use of aminophylline is recommended during URSL procedure for the successful management of ureteral calculi.

Objectives: The current study estimated the levels of anti mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin-B and reproductive hormones in non obstructive azoospermic (NOA) cases and obstructive azoospermic (OA) cases as well as comparing between them as regards the sensitivity and specificity in determining the sperm retrieval hope in the NOA cases. Finally, we analyzed any potential correlation between all the hormones measured in the current study.

Methods: The current case control study was conducted at the andrology outpatient clinic from June (2021) to March (2022). The study recruited 135 participants divided equally into three groups NOA cases, OA cases and controls, respectively.

Results: The mean inhibin-B was significantly lower in the NOA cases compared to the OA cases and the controls. There was a positive moderate correlation between AMH and Inhibin-B. Also, there was a positive moderate correlation between inhibin-B and free testosterone (FT) and positive weak correlation between beta Inhibin and leutinizing hormone (LH).

Conclusions: The current study asserts the observation that inhibin-B is also expressed by Leydig cells as it has demonstrated positive correlations with FT and LH.

Although BCG use as an anticancer drug was nearly abandoned due to the poor results in most tumors, in 1976 Morales reported a relevant reduction in recurrence with intravesical BCG in few patients affected by NMIBC. Since then BCG was globally accepted as an empirical and effective therapy in treating Tis and preventing recurrence of intermediate and high risk NMIBC. Forty-eight years after Morales' report, although some open questions remain object of debate, we have been able to find answers to many doubts improving BCG activity and toxicity. We better select patients undergoing BCG and many trials have indicated the best dosage and schedule. Moreover, we are able to better identify the patient unresponsive to BCG who might benefit of a timely radical cystectomy. We are also aware of the difficulties and toxicities that can be encountered with BCG use in every-day clinical practice. Research is ongoing to obtain genetically modified BCG to increase its efficacy and reduce toxicity. Moreover, the combination of BCG with other immunotherapeutic drugs given intravesically or systemically, first immune checkpoint inhibitors, is under study to obtain a response in patients unresponsive or intolerant to BCG. Almost 50 years after Morales publication, intravesical BCG remains an inalienable tool against NMIBC.

Purpose: To compare two cohorts of patients submitted to robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for highly-complex renal masses (PADUA ⩾ 10) with versus without the use of 3DVMs.

Materials and methods: We screened a prospective consecutive cohort of 152 patients submitted to RAPN with 3DVM and 1264 patients submitted to RAPN without 3DVM between 2019 and 2022. Only PADUA ⩾ 10 cases were considered eligible for analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was applied. Primary endpoint was to evaluate whereas RAPNs with 3DVM were superior in terms of functional outcomes at 12-month. Secondary outcomes were to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVA) tested the associations of clinically significant eGFR drop and 3DVMs. Subgroups analysis was performed for PAUDA-risk categories.

Results: Thirty seven patients for each group were analyzed after PSM. RAPN with 3DVM presented a higher rate of selective/no clamping procedure (32.5% vs 16.2%, p = 0.03) and a higher enucleation rate (43.2% vs 29.8%, p = 0.04). Twelve-month functional preservation performed better within 3DVM group in terms of creatinine serum level (median 1.2 [IQR 1.1-1.4] vs 1.6 [IQR 1.1-1.8], p = 0.03) and eGFR (median 64.6 [IQR 56.2-74.1] vs 52.3 [IQR 49.2-74.1], p = 0.03). MVA confirmed 3DVM as a protective factor for clinically significant eGFR drop in this subgroup of patients.

Conclusions: RAPN performed with the use of 3DVM assistance for PADUA ⩾ 10 cases resulted in lower incidence of global ischemia and higher rate of enucleations. The positive impact of such technology was found at 12-month follow-up.

The incidence of bladder cancer (BC) depends on advancing age and other risk factors, significantly impacting on surgical, functional and oncological outcomes. Radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion is the gold standard therapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer; however, it remains a complex surgery and requires careful analysis of risk factors in order to potentially decrease post-surgical complication rates. Age in surgery is a limiting factor that can modify surgical and oncological outcomes, and is correlated with a high rate of post-dimssion hospital readmissions. The reconstruction of the bladder with the intestine represents a crucial point of radical cystectomy and the urinary derivation (UD) is at the center of many debates. A non-continent UD seems to be the best choice in elderly patients (>75 years old), while orthotopic neobladder (ON) is poorly practiced. We reviewed the literature to identify studies reporting outcomes, complications, patient- selection criteria, and quality-of-life data on elderly patients, who underwent ON following radical cystectomy. Reviewing the literature there is no clear evidence on the use of age as an exclusion criterion. Certainly, the elderly patient with multiple comorbidities is not eligible for ON, preferring other UD or rescue therapies. A careful preoperative selection of elderly patients could greatly improve clinical, surgical and oncological outcomes, giving the chance to selected patients to receive an ON.

Introduction: To assess clinical, oncological outcomes and impact on renal function in patients who underwent the radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for muscle invasive and high risk non-muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder without evidence of non-regional lymph nodes and distant metastasis.

Materials and methods: With curative intent total 156 patients underwent radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy from January 2015 to December 2022. Total 132/156 patients had primary transitional cell carcinoma of bladder. Thirty patients, presented with obstructive nephropathy, operated after stabilization of renal function. Pre-operatively and post-operatively eGFR calculated using modified diet in renal disease formula.

Results: In present study 114 (86.36%) patients had high grade TCC, 70 (53.02%) patients had organ confined disease. Nodal extension seen in 74 (56.06%) patients. Perioperative mortality noted in 36 (27.2%) patients. The overall survival and recurrence free survival (RFS) over 5 years was 66.67 and 45.45%. RFS was significantly related to pathological stage, nodal status, histological-grade, positivity of surgical margin and time of surgery from diagnosis. Total 92/132 (69.7%) patients had recurrence. Pelvic recurrence in 10/92 (10.87%) whereas 82/92 (89.13%) patients had distant recurrence. Pre-operatively mean creatinine was 2.6 mg/dl and mean eGFR was 38.9 ml/h in patients who presented with obstructive nephropathy after stabilization of renal function. Post-operatively in 46/132 (34.8%) patients had improvement in eGFR while 86/132 (65.2%) patients had deterioration of eGFR over 62 months of median follow up.

Conclusion: Radical cystectomy provides good overall survival outcomes. Pre-operative eGFR has significant impact on post-operative renal function in long term.

Background: Enzalutamide is an antiandrogen drug used prior to lutetium-177 prostate specific membrane antigen (Lu-PSMA) radioligand therapy and has shown promising results for upregulating the PSMA expression on prostate cancer cells. In this study, we aim to compare prostate specific antigen (PSA) level changes in prostate cancer patients who received enzalutamide to those who did not.

Methods: Prostate cancer patients who underwent Lu-PSMA between 2021 and 2023 were retrospectively included. Patients were grouped based on prior enzalutamide therapy: those who received enzalutamide (EZ+) for at least 14 days and those who did not (EZ-). PSA changes and F-18 DCFPyL SUV (Standardized Uptake Values) were compared.

Results: Thirty-seven patients were included, 18 EZ+ and 19 EZ-. The median age, Gleason score, and prior chemo/hormonal therapies were similar for EZ+ and EZ-, except for radium-223. Eleven patients (61%) in EZ+ and 13 patients (68%) in EZ- showed a decrease in PSA after the first cycle (p = 0.64). Four patients (22%) in EZ+ and seven patients (37%) in EZ- had more than 50% decrease in PSA after the first cycle (p = 0.33). The average percent decline at the end of the treatment was 23.3% in EZ+ and 50.4% in EZ- (p = 0.4). There was no difference in terms of lesion with highest SUVmax, mean SUV, total tumor volume or activity on pre-therapy PSMA imaging.

Conclusion: Enzalutamide treatment prior to Lu-PSMA does not improve patient outcomes when applied remotely. Larger studies evaluating the combination therapies and the timing of enzalutamide are needed to assess its correlation with Lu-PSMA outcomes.

Introduction: Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections in the prostate gland have been used as a minimally invasive option for treating bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). However, the efficacy of transurethral BoNT-A injections for BOO is not well established in the literature. The aim of this study is to collect evidence on the efficacy of transurethral BoNT-A injections for the treatment of BOO.

Materials and methods: This systematic review and meta-analyses was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. A systematic literature search was performed till December 2022. The study population consisted of adult patients diagnosed with BOO, who underwent transurethral injections of BoNT-A for the treatment of BOO.

Evidence synthesis: Out of 883 records, we identified seven studies enrolling 232 participants, of which only one nonrandomized controlled trial was found. Four prospective studies and two retrospective studies. Three studies included patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies included patients with urethral sphincter hyperactivity. One study included patients with primary bladder neck disease (PBND). All studies showed significant improvements from baseline in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and postvoid residual (PVR) at 3 and 6 months. The adverse events were mild in all studies. Hematuria, UTI, and urinary retention were reported across all studies.

Conclusion: In conclusion, transurethral BoNT-A injections have been shown to improve LUTS, QoL, and urodynamic parameters of individuals with BOO at 3 and 6 months after injections, and no serious adverse effects have been reported. However, data on the long-term benefits of this treatment are scarce, and more prospective, randomized studies with larger samples examining various injection techniques, dosages, and extended follow-up of recurrent injections are needed.

Cytobacteriological urine examinations (CBEU) are frequently ordered for the older adults, sometimes without straightforward indication and with the risk of prescribing empirical antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the CBEU prescription and empiric antibiotic therapy in our geriatric hospital. Among 129 patients (mean age 84 years, sex ratio 0.69), 229 CBEU were collected with 20.9% of inappropriate indication. Cultures were sterile in 43% (n = 99) of cases and positive in 57% (n = 130) cases. Gram-negative bacilli dominated the isolated bacteria (76.9%) followed by gram-positive cocci (17.6%). In 113 patients, probabilistic antibiotic therapy was prescribed of which 68 treatments were initiated before the CBEU. Ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid were the main therapeutic option used representing 70.8% of cases. Antibiotic therapy was re-evaluated after 3 days in 74.3% of patients. Efforts to reduce the number of useless ECBUs by training doctors to follow official guidelines are a priority.