Holmium Laser Xpeeda Vaporization vs GreenLight XPS Vaporization of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Obstruction: 1-Year Results from a Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Introduction and Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of Holmium Laser Xpeeda Vaporization and GreenLight XPS Vaporization of the prostate in patients with prostate size ≤80 g. Methods: Ninety-two men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate size ≤80 g scheduled for laser prostatectomy were included in this prospective randomized trial. Outcome measures were collected and compared, including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF)-15, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound prostate volume, and catheterization time. Perioperative complications were also recorded. Patients were offered a trial of void (TOV) 3 hours after their procedures. All patients were followed-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline data between the two surgical groups. Operative parameters and postoperative outcomes were comparable. Effective same-day TOV was noted in 73.1% and 72.7% of the Xpeeda and GreenLight XPS patients, respectively (p = 0.98). All patients were discharged home within 24 hours of their surgeries. The laser energy and postoperative complications were significantly lower in the Xpeeda group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.026, respectively). At 3 months, the PSA levels significantly dropped in both groups (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in functional and sexual outcomes between the two groups at 12 months. Conclusions: Holmium Laser Xpeeda Vaporization and GreenLight XPS Vaporization are safe and effective in the treatment of BPH. Same-day discharge with early TOV is a feasible option. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT04386941.

Prolonged warm ischemia time leads to severe renal dysfunction of donation-after-cardiac death kidney grafts

Kidney transplantation with grafts procured after donation-after-cardiac death (DCD) has led to an increase in incidence of delayed graft function (DGF). It is thought that the warm ischemic (WI) insult encountered during DCD procurement is the cause of this finding, although few studies have been designed to definitely demonstrate this causation in a transplantation setting. Here, we use a large animal renal transplantation model to study the effects of prolonged WI during procurement on post-transplantation renal function. Kidneys from 30 kg-Yorkshire pigs were procured following increasing WI times of 0 min (Heart-Beating Donor), 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min (n = 3-6 per group) to mimic DCD. Following 8 h of static cold storage and autotransplantation, animals were followed for 7-days. Significant renal dysfunction (SRD), resembling clinical DGF, was defined as the development of oliguria < 500 mL in 24 h from POD3-4 along with POD4 serum potassium > 6.0 mmol/L. Increasing WI times resulted in incremental elevation of post-operative serum creatinine that peaked later. DCD120min grafts had the highest and latest elevation of serum creatinine compared to all groups (POD5: 19.0 ± 1.1 mg/dL, p < 0.05). All surviving animals in this group had POD4 24 h urine output < 500 cc (mean 235 ± 172 mL) and elevated serum potassium (7.2 ± 1.1 mmol/L). Only animals in the DCD120min group fulfilled our criteria of SRD (p = 0.003), and their renal function improved by POD7 with 24 h urine output > 500 mL and POD7 serum potassium < 6.0 mmol/L distinguishing this state from primary non-function. In a transplantation survival model, this work demonstrates that prolonging WI time similar to that which occurs in DCD conditions contributes to the development of SRD that resembles clinical DGF.

Transcriptome Analysis of Kidney Grafts Subjected to Normothermic Ex Vivo Perfusion Demonstrates an Enrichment of Mitochondrial Metabolism Genes

Normothermic ex vivo kidney perfusion (NEVKP) has demonstrated superior outcomes for donation-after-cardiovascular death grafts compared with static cold storage (SCS). To determine the mechanisms responsible for this, we performed an unbiased genome-wide microarray analysis.

METHODS

Kidneys from 30-kg Yorkshire pigs were subjected to 30 min of warm ischemia followed by 8 h of NEVKP or SCS, or no storage, before autotransplantation. mRNA expression was analyzed on renal biopsies on postoperative day 3. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed using hallmark gene sets, Gene Ontology, and pathway analysis.

RESULTS

The gene expression profile of NEVKP-stored grafts closely resembled no storage kidneys. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated enrichment of fatty acid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation following NEVKP, whereas SCS-enriched gene sets were related to mitosis, cell cycle checkpoint, and reactive oxygen species (q < 0.05). Pathway analysis demonstrated enrichment of lipid oxidation/metabolism, the Krebs cycle, and pyruvate metabolism in NEVKP compared with SCS (q < 0.05). Comparison of our findings with external data sets of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury revealed that SCS-stored grafts demonstrated similar gene expression profiles to ischemia-reperfusion injury, whereas the profile of NEVKP-stored grafts resembled recovered kidneys.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased transcripts of key mitochondrial metabolic pathways following NEVKP storage may account for improved donation-after-cardiovascular death graft function, compared with SCS, which promoted expression of genes typically perturbed during IRI.

Miniaturized Ambulatory Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Versus Flexible Ureteroscopy in the Management of Lower Calyceal Renal Stones 10-20 mm: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of ambulatory mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Mini-PCNL) and flexible ureteroscope (F-URS) in treating 10-20 mm lower calyceal stones using propensity score matching analysis (PSM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 136 adult patients that underwent Mini-PCNL or F-URS for a single lower calyx calculus. Participants that underwent F-URS were allocated to Group I, while those who underwent Mini-PCNL were assigned to Group II. Patients were discharged on the same day and followed up by CT after 3 months. Both groups were matched by stone size and density using propensity stone matching (PSM) and the matched group were further compared.

RESULTS

Before matching, there were statistical differences in stone size (P = .02), preoperative hydronephrosis (P = .004), and Hounsfield Unit (P = .04) between both groups. A logistic regression model was created between independent variables such as stone size and density. The new groups following PSM were statistically similar in terms of age, BMI, stone size, and HFU (P = .43, P = .74, P = .49, P = .36). The stone-free rates after PSM was not significantly higher in the Mini-PCNL group than the F-URS group (91.7% vs 81.7%, respectively P = .1) while the operative time for the F-URS group was significantly shorter than the Mini-PCNL group 54 (49-64.3) minutes vs 68.2 (62-73.5) minutes, respectively, P = .045.

CONCLUSION

Ambulatory Mini-PCNL and F-URS have a comparable hospital stay, stone-free rates, and complication rates for treating lower calyceal stones 10-20 mm. Both techniques may be considered acceptable treatment options, with a prolonged operative time in Mini-PCNL.

'Top-Down' holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. Report of initial cases performed by a single surgeon

Objectives

To present the 12-month outcomes of ‘Top-Down’ holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of prospectively collected patients who underwent Top-Down HoLEP between 2017 and 2018. All cases were operated upon by a single urologist (H.E), using a 100-W holmium:YAG laser with a 550-μm laser fibre. We recorded the enucleation time, morcellation time, intraoperative, and postoperative complications. All patients had postoperative follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The evaluation included the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) assessment, measurement of maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max) and the post-void residual urine volume (PVR).

Results

A total of 60 consecutive patients were recruited. The median (range) prostatic volume, resected prostatic weight, and percentage of resected prostatic tissue were 124 (70–266) mL, 90 (44–242) g and 76 (46–97)%, respectively. The median (range) enucleation and morcellation times were 80 (25–200) and 14.5 (4–58) min, respectively. One patient had a simple bladder mucosal injury and another developed clot retention. At 3 months, three patients (5%) had stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and eight patients (13.3%) presented with urge UI (UUI). At the last follow-up visit, one patient (1.7%) presented with persistent SUI, while three patients (5%) presented with UUI. The IPSS and QoL significantly improved during the follow-up period (P = 0.045 and P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion

The results of the Top-Down technique are comparable to those of traditional HoLEP. However, the Top-Down technique may reduce the complexity, operating time, and SUI rates.

Abbreviations

BN: bladder neck; HoLEP: holmium laser enucleation of the prostate; PVR: post-void residual urine volume; Q_max: maximum urinary flow rate; QoL: quality of life; TOV: trial of voiding; (S)(U)UI: (stress) (urge) urinary incontinence

Transverse Lumbotomy for Open Partial/Radical Nephrectomy: How I Do It

INTRODUCTION

Conventional open surgical techniques allow proper surgical management for renal malignancies but have their intrinsic drawbacks. The aim of this paper is to present our technique in minimal renal exposure while avoiding the intrinsic complications of conventional techniques.

METHODS

We described our technique, which can be easily understood and replicated by urologists performing open kidney surgery.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients had this technique done safely over the last 4 years, and 3 patients had this exposure changed into intraperitoneal extended wound for very large upper pole tumours. The median operating time was 70 min. No single patient required intraoperative blood transfusion. Median warm ischemic time was 9 min.

CONCLUSION

Transverse lumbotomy is a safe reproducible technique that allows proper kidney exposure through a relatively smaller wound and avoiding unnecessary auxiliary techniques as rib resection, pleural tear management, and intraperitoneal exposure.