A multi-institutional European comparative study of open versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation in children with high grade (IV-V) vesicoureteral reflux

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, open ureteral reimplantation (OUR) has been the standard treatment for primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) requiring reimplantation. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) is gaining popularity and high success rates have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

In this multi-institutional study, we aimed to compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of OUR and RALUR for high-grade (IV + V) VUR in children.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective evaluation was performed collecting data from 135 children (0-18 years) who underwent high grade VUR surgical correction at nine European institutions between 01/01/2009 and 01/12/2020, involving either open or robotic approaches. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patients with lower grades of VUR (≤III), previous history of open or endoscopic ureteral surgery, neurogenic bladder, or refluxing megaureter in need of ureteral tapering were excluded. Pre-, peri- and post-operative data were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Overall, 135 children who underwent either OUR (n = 68), or RALUR (n = 67) were included, and their clinic and demographic features were collected. The mean age of the open group was 11 months (interquartile range [IQR] 9.9-16.6 months), in the RALUR group it was 59 months (IQR 29-78mo) (p < 0.01); the open cohort had a weight of 11 kg (IQR 9.9-16.6 kg) while the RALUR group had 19 kg (IQR 13-25 kg) (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found for intraoperative (1.5 % vs 7.5 %, p = 0.09) or for postoperative complication rates (7.4 % vs 9 %, p = 0.15). Favorable outcomes were reported in the RALUR group: shorter time to stooling (1 vs 2 days), fewer indwelling urethral catheter days (1 vs 5 days), perioperative drain insertion time (1 vs 5 days) and a shorter length of hospital stay (2 vs 5 days) (p < 0.01). The success rate was 94.0 % and 98.5 % in the open and RALUR groups, respectively. The long-term clinical success rates from both groups was comparable:42 vs 23 months for open and RALUR, respectively.

DISCUSSION

This study reported a large multicentric experience focusing on high grade VUR. Furthermore, this study compares favorably to OUR in a safety analysis. There was also a trend towards higher success rates with RALUR utilizing an extravesical approach which has not been previously reported.

CONCLUSION

RALUR is an efficacious and safe platform to use during ureteral reimplantation for high grade VUR. The overall peri-operative and post-operative complication rates are at least equivalent to OUR, but it is associated with a faster functional recovery and time to discharge. Medium to long term success rates are also equivalent to OUR.

Long-term efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) protocols in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients

AIM

This study aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Li-ESWT in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients and to compare the effect of treatment protocol differences on success.

METHOD

Between December 2019 and January 2021, the data of male patients over the age of 18 who applied to the urology outpatient clinic with CP/CPPS symptoms were retrospectively analyzed. International Prostate Symptom Index (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) questionnaires were filled in for the evaluation of erectile function. All patients received treatment with the Medispect Bold Li-ESWT. The treatment responses of the patients who received a total of 6 sessions from one session per week and 12 sessions from two sessions per week were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients were included in the study. Significant improvements were observed in the NIH-CPSI, IPSS, and IIEF-EF scores at the third month follow-ups of the patients after EWST (p < 0.001 for each). Improvements in scores were also found to be significant in NIH-CPSI, IPSS, and IIEF-EF at the 12th month evaluation. When the patients were evaluated according to the number of Li-ESWT sessions they received, the IPSS score average of the patient group who received 12 sessions of Li-ESWT was found to be lower than the patients who received 6 sessions of Li-ESWT (5.67 ± 2, 30 vs 4.51 ± 2.21; p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the IIEF-EF and IPSS scores in the 12th month evaluations of the patients, but the mean NIH-CPSI score was found to be higher in the group that received 12 sessions of Li-ESWT (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Li-ESWT in the treatment of CP/CPPS patients shows positive improvements in urinary symptoms, erectile function, and quality of life in patients unresponsive to other medical treatments. The increase in the number of sessions does not seem to influence the symptoms of the patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome and Acquired Premature Ejaculation Patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in patients with acquired premature ejaculation (APE) due to chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHOD

Patients with APE due to CP/CPPS between January 2020 and June 2022 were included in the study. Demographic data of the patients were recorded, and the degree of their symptoms was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), and Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP). The international prostate symptom index (IPSS) was also used for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and the international erectile function index-erectile function (IIEF-EF) was used to evaluate erectile functions. All patients received treatment with the Medispec Bold Li-ESWT device without using any anesthesia method (12 sessions). The changes in the symptom scores of the patients were evaluated before the treatment and at the 3rd month after the treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 43.75 ± 12.03 (20-55), and the mean BMI was 23.58 ± 7.61 (18.03-35.98) kg/m2. The patients' estimated mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) before ESWT was 37.98 ± 21.87 s. After a total of 12 sessions of ESWT, the IIEF-EF, IPSS, NIH-CPSI, and PEP index scores of the patients showed significant improvements (p < 0.001 for each). The IELT mean increased to 74.81 ± 46.79 s (p < 0.001). Posttreatment IELT fold increase was determined as 3.25 ± 1.72 fold. A highly significant positive correlation (p = 0.032; r = 0.839) was found between the CPSI score difference and the posttreatment PEP index score.

CONCLUSION

Li-ESWT treatment is an effective and safe treatment with positive effects on both LUTS and premature ejaculation in patients with APE symptoms due to CP/CPPS. Patients who benefit from CP treatment also have longer IELT times.

Retreatment Plan Success through Patient Health Awareness, Health Behavior, and Access to Doctor after a Focal Therapy Procedure for Prostate Cancer

Objective: The research aimed to investigate the retreatment plan success through patient health awareness, health behavior, and access to a doctor when patients have in-field or outfield recurrence after a focal therapy procedure for prostate cancer. This research is initiated because many men are victims of prostate cancer. Methods: The research collected data from patient's focal therapy clinics for their treatment of prostate cancer. The data for this research was collected with a longitudinal design because a complete procedure of patient treatment was required in this study. Results: The findings disclosed that prostate cancer patients' retreatment can be a success when they have health awareness and access to a doctor for focal therapy. The model developed in this research is a significant contribution to the literature on patient satisfaction and prostate cancer treatment. The research has contributed remarkable implications to the theory by presenting a newly developed relationship with empirical evidence based on patients' responses. Conclusion: The study has presented a roadmap for the practical treatment of prostate cancer patients and treatment success for the patient's treatment in the future. Some future recommendations are also reported for future investigation and work on prostate cancer and retreatment success.

Assistant port is unnecessary for robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: a comparative cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the postoperative outcomes including the cosmetic results of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) performed with and without assistant port in pediatric population.

METHODS

47 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction consecutively underwent RALP were stratified as: three-port (Group 1, n = 26) and four-port (Group 2, n = 21). In Group 1, no assistant port was placed and double-J stent was introduced with the aid of an angiocatheter via the percutaneous route. In group 2, an assistant port was placed. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Vancouver Scar Scale(VSS), Satava, Clavien classification systems, and success rates were compared.

RESULTS

We found similar success rates for both groups (group 1:96.2%, group 2:100%). Two groups were similar in terms of improvement in the postoperative anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis and parenchymal thickness. There was no difference in terms of perioperative and postoperative complication rates (group 1:19.2%, group 2:9.5%). The total PSAS was significantly lower in Group 1 (p < 0.008). No difference was observed for VSS and OSAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Using an assistant port does not improve the success or complications of RALP, while the cosmetic outcomes are inferior to three-port RALP in children. We suggest avoiding the use of assistant port during RALP in children.