Clinicoradiological parameters predicting operative difficulty in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors

Introduction

The number of renal tumors amenable to laparoscopic surgery is rising, both, due early detection by improved imaging techniques and due to progressive improvements in minimal access surgery. Conversion to open surgery, which is a significant event, can be minimized by proper case selection. We assessed the pre-operative factors that can predict the operative difficulty and can help in case selection, thus avoiding complications and reducing the chances of conversion to open.

Methods

One hundred and sixteen patients (73 males and 43 females) with the mean age of 50.78 ± 14.2 years, meeting the inclusion criteria underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Various clinical, anthropometric, radiological, and pathological parameters were recorded. Intraoperative difficulty was assessed and graded on a scale of 1 (easiest) to 4 (most difficult or open conversion) by an independent observer to calculate the difficulty score, which along with the other parameters of operative difficulty, was used to calculate the difficulty scale. Significant parameters on the univariate analysis, were subjected to a multivariate analysis, to find parameters that can predict the operative difficulty.

Results

The mean age was 52 ± 14.29 years, mean size was 4 ± 1.04 cm, male:female ratio was 1.6:1, most of the tumors were exophytic (60%) and anteriorly located (62%) and had a mean perinephric fat surface density (PnFSD) of 6446.026 ± 2244 surface density pixel units (SDPU). On the univariate analysis, age >60 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score >1, presence of perinephric fat stranding, increased PnFSD (>10,000 SDPU), large tumor size (>4 cm), hilar/posterior location, endophytic tumors and higher clinical stage were significantly associated with intraoperative difficulty. However, on the multivariate analysis, no single factor could independently predict intraoperative difficulty in LPN for Renal tumors.

Conclusion

It is difficult to predict the intra-operative difficulty during LPN. Feasibility of LPN should be based on multiple factors rather than a single factor.

Expert survey on management of prostate cancer in India: Real-world insights into practice patterns

To gain insights on the diverse practice patterns and treatment pathways for prostate cancer (PC) in India, the Urological Cancer Foundation convened the first Indian survey to discuss all aspects of PC, with the objective of guiding clinicians on optimizing management in PC. A modified Delphi method was used, wherein a multidisciplinary panel of oncologists treating PC across India developed a questionnaire related to screening, diagnosis and management of early, locally advanced and metastatic PC and participated in a web-based survey (WBS) (n = 62). An expert committee meeting (CM) (n = 48, subset from WBS) reviewed the ambiguous questions for better comprehension and reanalyzed the evidence to establish a revote for specific questions. The threshold for strong agreement and agreement was ≥90% and ≥75% agreement, respectively. Sixty-two questions were answered in the WBS; in the CM 31 questions were revoted and 4 questions were added. The panelists selected answers based on their best opinion and closest to their practice strategy, not considering financial constraints and access challenges. Of the 66 questions, strong agreement was reached for 17 questions and agreement was achieved for 22 questions. There were heterogeneous responses for 27 questions indicative of variegated management approaches. This is one of the first Indian survey, documenting the diverse clinical practice patterns in the management of PC in India. It aims to provide guidance in the face of technological advances, resource constraints and sparse high-level evidence.

Rare metastatic sites of renal cell carcinoma: a case series

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is a lethal cancer with a propensity for wide metastasis. The patterns of metastases are not clearly defined, and patients can present with metastasis to unusual sites at the time of diagnosis of the primary tumor or years after radical nephrectomy. Individual diagnostic and surgical approaches are needed to achieve complete resection with disease-free margins, even in the presence of unusual metastatic sites, multifocality, or history of previous metastasectomy. This provides palliation for symptoms and an opportunity for meaningful disease-free and overall survival. Here we present five cases of RCC with metastasis to unusual sites (scalp, jaw, forearm, parotid, breast, and skeletal muscle). Patients were treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy and/or metastasectomy wherever feasible and/or targeted therapy. In conclusion, a high index of suspicion and accurate diagnosis is important as metastasis to unusual sites presents with atypical manifestations and may masquerade as local pathology, misleading the clinician and directly affecting prognosis and survival.

A hybrid technique of lap perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy after open radical perineal prostatectomy in localized carcinoma prostate: Our initial experience

Objective: The major disadvantage of radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) is the difficulty to perform pelvic lymphadenectomy via the same incision. Open retropubic, mini laparotomy, and transperitoneal laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy as an adjunct to open RPP have been tried but need change in patient position and separate incision, thereby decreasing the acceptability of this procedure. Open RPP followed by a lap perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy via the same perineal incision is a hybrid technique that is aimed to decrease morbidity of lymphadenectomy.

Material and methods: Patients of low and intermediate risk localized carcinoma prostate with a Partin score of >5% were taken for this procedure. After completing prostatectomy part of RPP, lap perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed via same incision using single incision laparoscopic surgery port.

Results: We performed this new hybrid technique in eight patients. Bilateral lymph node dissection required an additional mean time of 35 minutes. A total of 68 nodes were retrieved from eight patients with a median number of eight nodes (range: 6-12). None of our cases had any complications related to lymphadenectomy. Bilateral lymph node dissection was feasible in seven patients, and in one patient, it could be done on one side only.

Conclusion: Sandwiching lap perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy between prostatectomy part of RPP and urethra-vesical anastomosis (by open approach) is a safe, reproducible, and feasible approach to pelvic lymphadenectomy compared to lymphadenectomy from other routes with simultaneous reduction in the operative time, patient morbidity, and discomfort. Ease of doing lymphadenectomy from same incision can increase the acceptability of this excellent procedure.

Factors affecting outcome of adult hypospadias single stage repair: A prospective observational study

Objective: In our part of the world, many patients present with hypospadias in adult age, where results are often poor and associated with increased complications. This study was conducted to assess the factors affecting outcome of single stage hypospadias surgery in adults.

Material and methods: This study included patients (>12 years) undergoing hypospadias repair in single stage. Preoperative factors were assessed and outcome parameters including early complications (within 1 month) and late complications (after 1 month) were studied and statistically analyzed.

Results: Of the 31 patients included (mean age 20.8 ± 7.87 years), 38.7% had a history of previous surgery. Mean glans width was 17.54 ± 1.78 mm. Postoperatively, the median hospital stay was 5 days (range: 4-10 days), and the median catheter duration was 21 days (range: 7-21 days). Overall complication rate was 54.83% at 6-month follow-up. Early complications comprised of infection, skin necrosis, and dehiscence of suture line. Late complications included urethrocutaneous fistula, glans dehiscence, and urethral stricture. On performing univariate logistic regression, glans width, urethral plate width and shape, and history of previous surgery were significant risk factors of postsurgery complications. On multivariate logistic regression, glans width was an independent significant risk factor (odds ratio: 0.197).

Conclusion: Several factors are associated with significant complications in adult hypospadias single stage repair. Among the various risk factors, glans width is an independent significant risk factor affecting outcome.

Urethral meatus preserving ventral onlay augmentation urethroplasty for female urethral stricture: our technique with initial experience

Background

Female urethral stricture (FUS) is an uncommon cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. Reconstructive techniques are being increasingly used for strictures resistant to the more conservative form of management. Most forms of reconstruction require cutting open of urethral meatus, thereby resulting in some loss of the meatus function. We hereby describe the technique of urethral meatus sparing ventral onlay mucosal graft augmentation urethroplasty with our initial experience.

Methods

We performed this procedure in 10 cases of FUS with normal meatus and prospectively studied the outcomes over a period of 6 months follow-up.

Results

There was 90 percent success rate with one recurrence. The mean Qmax increased from 7.2 to 19.5 ml/s, mean post-void residual urine (PVRU) decreased from 96.5 to 22.7 ml and the mean IPSS decreased from 26.1 to 5.7. There were no major complications noted and the patients demonstrated significant subjective and objective improvement of symptoms in the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The technique of meatus sparing ventral onlay augmentation graft urethroplasty is a promising approach with good outcomes, is reproducible and has minimal complication rate.

Critical Analysis of Outcome Between Ventral and Dorsal Onlay Urethroplasty In Female Urethral Stricture

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the 2 surgical approaches of urethral reconstruction for management of refractory female urethral strictures (FUS) in a prospective randomized setting. Early surgical reconstruction is becoming the preferred management strategy for recurrent FUS. Reconstructive techniques have been described as using either dorsal (12-o'clock) or ventral approach (6-o'clock), each with their own advantages. To our best knowledge, a direct comparison between the 2 techniques to prospectively compare outcomes hasn't been made.

METHODS

We performed a prospective randomized study in a single tertiary care center on a total of 24 patients, randomizing them into 2 groups of 12 patients each. One group underwent dorsal onlay and other underwent ventral onlay urethroplasty. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and compared for the 2 approaches.

RESULTS

There was high success rate (91%) with significant but comparable improvements in flow rates, post void residue and symptomatic outcomes without any major complication. There was 1 recurrence of stricture each in both groups. Important technical differences were noted with easier meatus preservation, lesser bleeding and wider operative field in the ventral approach, while the dorsal approach proving better in distal urethral strictures requiring meatal reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Both approaches of urethroplasty present a very promising modality of management of FUS with comparable outcomes but with important technical differences which must be considered to best tailor the approach for each patient.

Penile lichen sclerosus: An urologist's nightmare! - A single center experience

PURPOSE

Penile lichen sclerosus (LS) is a nagging condition and its progression result in devastating urinary and sexual problems and reduction in the quality-of-life. This study has been carried out to present our experience about this disease with simultaneous review of the available literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study has been done at a tertiary care center of eastern India. The data of 306 patients affected with LS were analyzed for clinical presentation, physical examination, investigations, and treatment offered.

RESULTS

Presenting symptoms were non-specific. The prepuce was most commonly involved location followed by glans and meatus. Urethral involvement was not isolated as the primary site. Circumcision was done in 237 patients, while 63 patients underwent meatotomy. Thirty-six of 39 cases of LS induced stricture were treated with buccal mucosal graft (BMG) either in one stage or in two stages.

CONCLUSION

LS varies from being a highly aggressive disease of the penis and anterior urethra to a burnt out condition affecting just the meatus and surrounding glans. Early diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent its complication and associated morbidity. Management depends on the anatomical location of lesion, extent of involvement, rapidity of progression and its severity. Use of BMG in LS induced urethral stricture has shown encouraging results.

Angiosarcoma of penis: Case report of an aggressive penile cancer

Angiosarcoma is a very rare mesenchymal tumor of penis. Though extremely unusual, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a penile growth or a localized subcutaneous penile lesions as they are very aggressive and there is a high chance of recurrence. One such case is reported here, which was aggressively treated with total penectomy and the patient did not show any recurrence in 2 years of follow-up.

Retained fragmented double J ureteric stent: A report of four cases with review of the literature

Polyurethane double-J ureteral stents are widely used in the field of urology. Postoperatively, patient education about the ureteral stent and making sure it is removed at the prescribed time is an utmost necessity. Forgotten ureteral stent is not only disastrous for the patient but also fraught with serious medico-legal implications for the urologist. Herein, we present four cases of long-term retained part of ureteral stent with its varied presentation and subsequent management.