[Neuroectodermic renal tumor. Case report and bibliographic review.]

We report the case of a 16 year old female who underwent left radical nephrectomy for a 13.2 cm neuroectodermic renal tumor and posterior chemo and radiotherapy in the Quiron Hospitals in Madrid and Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo, with a current survival of 14 months. Medical literature was reviewed for the historical, clinical, etiopathogenic, diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and survival features. We estimate the number of published cases to date. We also address the treatment performed and its results under a critical view.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the testicle

OBJECTIVE

We present the case of a patient diagnosed with a testicular extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP), and perform a brief review of the literature of this pathology.

METHODS

A 64 year-old male patient, with history of multiple myeloma successfully treated three years before, presented with left testicular swelling. Initial work-up was compatible with a testicular tumor and radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed.

RESULTS

Histologic examination of the testis revealed extensive intertubular infiltration by CD138 and CD56 atypical plasma cells, with diffuse staining for IgA, compatible with EMP.

CONCLUSIONS

Invasion of the testis in multiple myeloma patients as a recurrence of the disease is an extremely rare condition, as EMPs are more common in other organ systems. Initial treatment should be the same as a primary testicular tumor with radical inguinal orchiectomy, and definitive diagnosis is established in histologic analysis.

[Principles of urinary tract reconstructive surgery.]

INTRODUCTION

In the last 15 years, the role of laparoscopic surgery has progressively increased to include reconstructive procedures such as pyeloplasty and management of ureteral stricture, in addition to being a field in continuous development, this refers to the improvement of ergonomics, new instruments and new techniques. We present a review on basic features of laparoscopic reconstructive surgery in urology.

ACQUISITION OF EVIDENCE

For this review, an exhaustive literature search was performed in PUBMED, MEDILNE, BioMed central and others, with the keywords: reconstructive surgery, urology, laparoscopy. Only articles including urologic procedures in the adult and published in the last 6 years, were selected for this review.

SYNTHESIS OF EVIDENCE

One of the objectives of any urological reconstructive procedure is to treat any segment of the genitourinary tract that is obstructed due to scar tissue following trauma or iatrogenic causes. After the excision of such segment or scar, a mobilization of the 2 healthy extremities of the urinary tract must be performed in order to proceed with a tension-free anastomosis. Occasionally, if there is tension, a mobilization of the organs at each side of the lesion should be performed to reduce the tension of the anastomosis; also, it should be a water-tight anastomosis to ensure good functional results. Another type of procedure is to perform laparoscopic repair surgery of pelvic organ prolapse in which the vaginal anatomy should be adequately restored, with good function maintained (sexual, urinary, intestinal) and durability.

CONCLUSIONS

With the worldwide expansion of minimally invasive surgery in the area of laparoscopy and robotics, it has been possible to reproduce many of the reconstructive techniques that have followed the evolutionary course of surgery from the open to the robot assisted technique, which has made clear that such therapeutic options exist and are reproducible with good results.

Current role of lymphadenectomy in the upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Introduction

Lymphadenectomy (LND) has recently attracted considerable interest from urological surgeons, as extended lymphadenectomy might have a role in accurate staging or improving patient survival in those patients with urological malignancies.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare neoplasm, accounting for about 5% of all urothelial cancers. Up to 30% of patients with muscle-invasive UTUC have metastasis in the regional lymph nodes (LNs), which represents a well-established poor prognostic factor.

Material and methods

A medline search was conducted to identify original articles and review articles addressing the role of lymphadenectomy LND in UTUC. Keywords included lymphadenectomy, lymph node excision, nephroureterectomy, and upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Results

LND instead of lymphadenectomy has recently attracted considerable interest from urological surgeons and might have a potential role in improving the oncological outcome in patients with urothelial carcinoma. LND ideally improves disease staging; thereby, we need to find the way to identify the patients who could really benefit from adjuvant systemic theraphy. Template-based LND with Radical Nephroureterectomy (RNU) for high risk disease is gaining support based on accumulating retrospective data and supports its utility as a potentially therapeutic maneuver. RNU is still the gold standard treatment for UTUC, but minimal invasive procedures such as laparoscopic RNU and Robot Assisted Nephroureterectomy (RANU) are becoming more employed in recent years and should be used by expert hands.

Conclusions

Therapeutic benefits of LND and nodal status on disease free survival (DFS) and Cancer Free Survival (CSS) remains controversial. Although most of the data comes from retrospective studies, we encourage performing well designed, prospective, and multicentre studies to clarify this in the coming years.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with prostate capsule sparing. Initial experience

INTRODUCTION

In 2008, our department introduced a modified technique of laparoscopic radical cystectomy in which the prostatic capsule is spared in selected patients with bladder cancer. The different series published are mostly using the standard open procedure. The aim of this study is to describe this technique using the laparoscopic approach and present our preliminary results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study includes 20 patients selected by clinical analysis and imaging criteria operated using laparoscopic radical cystectomy with prostate capsule sparing at our department in the period between 2008 and 2012.

RESULTS

Patient mean age was 58 years. Mean operative time was 390 minutes. Median follow-up was 36 months. No patient had bladder cancer recurrence. Only one patient died of disease progression, as the pathological findings was a pT3 pN1 Mx. Mean PSA before surgery: 1.3 ng/ml (03-2), mean PSA after surgery 1.0 ng/ml (0.08-1.7). No patients had prostate cancer recurrence. Satisfactory daytime and night-time continence was achieved. 90% of patients have sexual function preserved.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate-sparing radical cystectomy remains one of the most controversial topics in urology today. The laparoscopic approach could be an alternative to conventional radical cystoprostatectomy in well selected patients, done in experienced institutions in order to find better functional results, with a low disease progression and recurrence rate.

The role of perioperative blood transfusion on postoperative outcomes and overall survival in patients after laparoscopic radical cystectomy

INTRODUCTION

There are different studies in the last decades focused on general surgery patients and the impact of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) in cancer patients' survival, and most of them have supported an independent association between PBT and worse survival in those with solid tumor malignancies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of perioperative blood transfusion on the postoperative outcomes and survival of patients after LRC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study analyzing our series of 218 patients surgically treated with LRC form 2005 to 2012. One-way analysis of variance test was used. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan - Meier method and was compared with log - rank and the Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association of PBT with the outcomes.

RESULTS

The PBT rate of LRC series was 16%. Patients' age, comorbidities and pathological stage were not related to the PBT rate. A statistically significant relationship was found between the PBT rate and the appearance of infectious complications. Overall 3 years survival estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method was significantly worse in the transfused group: 41.38% versus 63.57% for non-transfused patients. PBT was not a significant independent predictor factor in the survival of patients after LRC. The main independent factor was the TNM classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Many studies including ours have reported a lower survival rate in patients who receive PBT after oncological surgery. There was a relationship between infectious complications and PBT. We have to make efforts to limit the use of blood products in patients surgically treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Evolution in the treatment of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction syndrome. Laparoscopic versus open pyeloplasty

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of ureteropelvic junction has evolved considerably over the past 20 years, resulting in new surgical techniques, but traditional open surgery remains the gold standard treatment. Currently, less invasive techniques are used for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The purpose of our study is to compare the surgical and functional results between laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty performed at our department during the last 12 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 92 cases performed in a period of 12 years. Two groups were compared: 30 patients were treated with open surgery (OP) and 62 with a laparoscopic approach (LP). Demographics, clinical presentation, functionality of the affected kidney, presence of polar vessels, kidney stones, hospital stay, complications and functional results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 42 years. The most common clinical presentation was kidney or ureteral pain: 60% (OP) vs. 52% (LP). The right side was affected in 59%; presence of crossing vessels was 47% (OP) vs. 58% (LP); presence of kidney stones was 20% (OP) vs. 19% (LP), with an average hospital stay of 5.86 days (OP) vs. 3.36 days (LP) p <0.05. Post-operative complications were observed in 3 (OP) vs. 5 (LP) patients, with a success rate comparable between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our department, we recommend LP as the standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction because of the equal success rate compared to OP and the benefits of a minimally invasive surgery.

Perioperative and survival outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in patients over 70 years

Introduction

Radical cystectomy in elderly patients is a controversial issue that has noticed an increase in importance overtime because of the lengthening average life span. Our objective was to determine if there were significant differences in the perioperative outcomes of patients over 70 years with bladder cancer treated with laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) compared to those of younger patients.

Material and methods

We selected 180 patients who underwent LRC in our department in the period between 2005-2012. We divided them into 2 groups: 57% <70 years and 43% >70 years, and we compared the different parameters such as: comorbidities, intraoperative and post-operative complications, TNM stage and overall survival.

Results

The group <70 years had less comorbidities when compared with the group >70 years. Heterotopic urinary diversion was the diversion of choice in the elderly patients (97.4%). Paralytic ileus and the worsening of renal function were the only complications with statistical differences between the groups. Mean hospital length of stay was not significantly different between the groups. Younger and older patients had similar pathological staging : pT1 or less: 26,2 vs. 18.2%, pT2: 19.4 vs. 16.9%, pT3 38.8 vs. 37.7% and pT4 15.6 vs. 17.2%. Kaplan-Meier curves did not show significant differences in survival.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy in the elderly patient has similar rates of perioperative morbidity when compared with the younger patient and may be offered as a treatment option in selected elderly patients.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy training for residents: Hospital Universitario La Paz model

Introduction

In the last decade, we have seen the advance of laparoscopic surgery in urology. All laparoscopic procedures in our department are performed by staff members and are assisted by a single resident, ensuring resident training in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the Hospital La Paz training program for residents in the field of laparoscopic surgery.

Material and methods

We have done a retrospective review of LRP performed by the residents in our department. We also evaluated different variables. Descriptive statistical analysis was done and the results were compared with the descriptive analysis of the initial series of our department.

Results

We reviewed 82 patients, with an average age of 61.6 years. Most cases were pT1c at diagnosis. Average surgical time was 288 minutes, with a transfusion rate of 9.7% and a intra and postoperative complication rates of 1.2% and 7.3%. The mean hospital stay was 3.3 days. Histological results of this series are: 76.8% of pT2 and 23.2% of pT3. The biochemical relapse rate is 15.8%. Global surgical margin rate is 20.7%. The global continence rate is 52.4%.

Conclusions

The outcomes of LRP performed by residents are similar to the ones reported in the initial series of our department. The fact that 84.6% of the residents formed in this period actually belong to different laparoscopic units supports the success of La Paz Hospital training model.

Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation in a renal transplant

We present what is to our knowledge, the first case of laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation reported in the renal transplant.

The ureteral stenosis is one of the most difficult renal transplant complications to deal with. With the development of the endourological approach, this treatment has become the first treatment option for these patients. The patient is a 28-year-old female who received a renal allograft from a cadaver donor in 2008. Ureteral stenosis was diagnosed.

The laparoscopic approach seems to be a good option over the open approach, with the benefits related with laparoscopic surgery.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Introduction

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was first described by Schuessler. During the last decade, this technique has been developed in order to achieve the same results as open surgery, with lower rates of morbidity and complications. In this study we review our experience using laparoscopic pyeloplasty as the gold standard for the treatment of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Material and methods

We performed a retrospective review of 62 laparoscopic pyeloplasties carried out at our center. In the last 2 years we used 3 mm and 5 mm ports in order to achieve better cosmetics results. Demographic data is described and the functionality of the affected kidney and surgical data, among others were analyzed statistically. In the case of bilateral statistical tests were considered significant as those with p values <0.05.

Results

The most frequent reason for consultation was ureteral pain. Patients mean age was 40 years and 94% of them had preoperative renogram showing a full or partial obstructive pattern. The right side was affected in 61% of cases and the left in the remaining 39%. The presence of stones was observed in 12 patients and crossing vessels in 58% of cases. The average stay was 3.72 days. Post–surgery complications were observed in two patients. The operative time was 178 minutes. Mean follow–up was 45 months and a success was achieved in 91%.

Conclusions

The transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty has become the gold standard for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction stenosis in our center because of high success rate, shorter postoperative stay, and low intra and postoperative complications.

Simultaneous Cystectomy and Nephroureterectomy due to Synchronous Upper Urinary Tract Tumors and Invasive Bladder Cancer: Open and Laparoscopic Approaches

INTRODUCTION

It is not unusual for bladder tumors to appear following transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT), with involvement of the UUT, following invasive bladder cancer, being less common. The synchronous presence of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and of the UTT is exceptional.

METHODS

Fifteen simultaneous cystectomies with nephroureterectomies were performed due to synchronous UUT and invasive bladder cancers (1997-2009). Surgery was performed using an open approach in 10 patients, while the last 5 procedures were performed laparoscopically.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68.7 years. Mean surgery time was 348.6 minutes. Mean blood loss was 816 ml. Acute renal failure was the most frequent postoperative complication being present in 5 patients (33%). There was 1 case of a leak in the ureter-intestinal anastomosis (open approach), which required placement of a left-sided percutaneous nephrostomy. There were 2 cases of postoperative mortality, both in the open approach series and with intestinal neobladder. Mean follow-up time for the whole series was 21.25 months. Eight cases experienced metastatic progression of the disease (mean follow-up 17 months).

CONCLUSION

Though multi-site studies with longer follow-up and a greater numbers of patients are needed, the moment at which urothelial tumors appear seems to influence their prognosis, with lower survival rates for tumors that synchronically appear.

[Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Procedure, results, and complications]

Surgery is the treatment of choice for clear cell renal carcinoma not responding to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy. The surgical procedure used has evolved over time in the past 40 years, mainly because of the development and widespread use of diagnostic procedures such as ultrasonography and CT. As a direct consequence, parenchymal-sparing surgery was no longer only used for patients with solitary kidneys and its indication started to be extended to patients with tumors up to 4 cm in diameter, in whom it has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to radical nephrectomy. The other important milestone in development of renal cancer surgery undoubtedly was the revolution started in the 90s with advent of laparoscopic renal surgery, which has become established over the past 20 years approximately. Laparoscopic surgery initially raised concern about oncological safety, but clinical series with sufficiently long follow-up times and large sample sizes are now available to consider the laparoscopic approach as a reliable procedure. Technological development has caused the laparoscopic technique to be no longer seen as a procedure for the future, but rather as an absolutely current technique which should be implemented in most urology departments. Implementation of any new procedure usually involves a number of complications which we should be prepared to assume, while making every effort to try and prevent them. It is therefore essential to develop, and to implement using common sense, a training program on the procedure. Selection of patients and conditions to be treated is a crucial part of such a program.

Nefroureterectomía laparoscópica: nueva posición para el manejo ureteral

OBJECTIVES

The main challenge of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is the management of distal ureter, which also will have an important repercussion in the oncological outcome of many cases. We present our experience in such aspect, considering that we performed the last five laparoscopic nephroureterectomies in forced Trendelemburg position, resulting in a more comfortable and safe management of the distal ureter.

METHODS

Between August and December 2006 we performed five purely laparoscopic nephroureterectomies with bladder cuff positioning the patient in forced Trendelemburg, a position similar to that of laparoscopic radical cystectomy or prostatectomy.

RESULTS

Mean surgical time was 182 minutes (170-210). Mean blood loss was 100 cc and no patient required transfusion. Mean hospital stay was four days.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe this position is a good alternative for the management of the distal ureter during the laparoscopic approach. The technique is very similar to open surgery, which continues being the gold standard today.

[Early-onset sarcomatoid renal carcinoma. Report of a new case and comparison of the same case with another appearing at a mature age]

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

We report two new cases of this rare and aggressive tumour; one case appeared in the earliest age reported in the literature (case #2). We also review etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic features.

RESULTS

Despite aggressive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy it has a very poor prognosis, with disease progression within 6 months in both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is an infrequent entity, extremely aggressive and requires radical surgery at the time of diagnosis due to its advanced stage, although results are poor. It can also appear in young people with the same aggressiveness than in adult age.