Objectives: To determine the learning curve (LC) of total operative time and the discrete components of the robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for a recent robotic fellowship-trained urologic surgeon.
Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of RARP procedures performed by a single new attending surgeon from August 2015 to April 2019. Patients' demographics and operative details were assessed. Total operative time was divided and prospectively recorded in 7 parts: (a) docking robot, (b) dissecting seminal vesicles (SVs) (c) dissecting endopelvic fascia (EPF), (d) incising bladder neck (BN), (e) completing the dissection, (f) lymph node dissection, and (g) urethrovesical anastomosis (UVA) and robot undocking. Cumulative sum analysis was used to ascertain the LC for total operative time and the 7 parts of the procedure.
Results: One hundred twenty consecutive RARPs were performed. The LC was overcome at 25 cases for total operative time, 13 cases for docking the robot, 33 cases for dissecting SVs, 31 cases for dissecting EPF, 46 cases for incising BN, 38 cases for prostate dissection, 25 cases for lymph node dissection, and 52 cases for UVA. Total operative time was decreased 22.8% (p < 0.0001) and time for robot docking, dissecting SVs, dissecting EPF, incising BN, completing prostate dissection, lymph node dissection, and UVA were decreased 16.7%, 30.5%, 29.5%, 36.2%, 37.3%, 32.2%, and 26.9%, respectively (all p < 0.05).
Conclusions: We observed a 25-case LC for a fellowship-trained urologist to achieve stable operative performance of RARP surgery. Procedural components demonstrated variable LCs including the UVA that required upward of 52 cases.
Background: Currently, although various methods are used, there is no gold standard method for circumcision. Therefore, we developed a modified circumcision clamp inspired by the Mogen clamp suitable for circumcisions performed under local anesthesia in our country. To evaluate its success and complications, we compared our modified Mogen clamp with a dorsal slit circumcision.
Materials and methods: From 2013 to 2017, we retrospectively evaluated 1309 patients who had undergone circumcision; of these, 832 used the modified Mogen clamp method (Group 1) and 477 used the dorsal slit method (Group 2). The patients' age, surgery duration, minor hemorrhage (not requiring suture or repeated surgical exploration after circumcision but with buffer or clotting solution used), major hemorrhage (hemorrhage requiring suture or exploration), redundant prepuce skin remnants, revision numbers, and family satisfaction values were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups.
Results: Patients were assessed at least 3 times: 1day, 1week, and 1month after circumcision. The mean ages in Groups 1 and 2 were 16.5±22.8 versus 15.5±18.8 months, respectively. The surgical procedure durations were 9.2±1.7 and 15.4±2.5 minutes in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). Complications were found in 164 (19.7%) versus 81 patients (17.0%) (p = 0.522), including redundant skin in 42 (5.4%) versus 15 patients (3.14%) (p = 0.105) and major hemorrhage in 20 (2.4%) versus 15 patients (3.3%) (p = 0.230) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively.
Conclusion: Under local anesthesia, the circumcision procedure with the modified Mogen clamp can be performed more rapidly than with the dorsal slit, and the cosmetic results are better as the incision line is more regular. All postoperative complications were similar, with problems related to redundant skin occurring more frequently with clamp circumcision.
Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer is associated with a high risk of recurrence as well as progression to muscle-invasive disease. Therefore, adequate visualization and identification of malignant lesions as well as complete resection are critical. Traditional white-light cystoscopy is limited in its ability to detect bladder cancer, specifically carcinoma in situ. Blue-light cystoscopy makes use of the intravesical instillation of a heme precursor to differentiate areas of malignancy from normal tissue. A narrative review of the literature on the use of blue-light cystoscopy in bladder cancer was conducted. Blue-light cystoscopy has been shown in several randomized clinical trials to increase detection of Ta, T1, and carcinoma in situ, as well as reduce risk of recurrence at 12 months as compared with traditional white-light cystoscopy. Research into the effects of blue-light cystoscopy on risk of disease progression has produced mixed results, in part due to changing definitions of progression. However, more recent research suggests a correlation with decreased risk of progression. Whereas the use of blue-light was initially limited to rigid cystoscopy in the operating room, results from a recent randomized clinical trial showing enhanced detection of recurrent disease using blue-light in-office surveillance flexible cystoscopy have led to expanded Food and Drug Administration approval. Overall, blue-light cystoscopy offers promise as an enhancement to white-light cystoscopy for the detection of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer and may yield additional benefits in reducing disease recurrence and progression. Further prospective research is needed to evaluate the true benefit of blue-light cystoscopy in terms of disease progression as well as the cost-effectiveness of this technique.
Background: Pathogen spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility patterns vary in different regions and should consider the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Information on susceptibility is the basis for providing reliable treatment. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from urine cultures at Çukurova State Hospital, which is located south of Turkey and east of the Mediterranean region.
Materials and methods: Urine culture results were retrospectively evaluated between April 2018 and January 2021. Variables, such as age, sex, and medical department, were also recorded. Inclusion criteria were patients aged at least 18 years with pathogenic bacterial growth in their urine cultures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification were performed using the VITEK 2 automated system.
Results: Of 12,288 urine samples, 2033 (16.5%) had pathogenic growth. The rates of bacterial and yeast growth were 93.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Gram-negative pathogens constituted 91.6% of the cohort. The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli with a 66% rate, followed by Klebsiella (14.2%). According to our results, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin are not suitable for empirical treatment of UTIs, whereas nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin are rational options.
Conclusions: Uropathogens exhibit an increased resistance rate against ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. Nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and ceftazidime have better efficacy than other investigated antibiotics in urine culture against common uropathogens and are suitable for empirical treatment of UTI.