Development of a novel classification system for anatomical variants of the puboprostatic ligaments with expert validation

Introduction: We propose a novel classification system with a validation study to help clinicians identify and typify commonly seen variants of the puboprostatic ligaments (PPL). Methods: A preliminary dissection of 6 male cadavers and a prospective dataset of over 300 robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RARP) recorded on video were used to identify 4 distinct ligament types. Then the prospectively collected database of surgical videos was used to isolate images of the PPL from RARP. Over 300 surgical videos were reviewed and classified with 1 to 5 pictures saved for reference of the type of PPL. To validate the new classification system, we selected 5 independent, blinded expert robotic surgeons to classify 100 ligaments based on morphology into a 4-type system: parallel, V-shaped, inverted V-shape, and fused. One week later, a subset of 25 photographs was sent to the same experts and classified. Statistical analyses were performed to determine both the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the proposed system. Results: Inverted V-shaped ligaments were noted most frequently (29.97%), parallel and V-shaped ligaments were found at 19.19% and 11.11%, respectively and fused ligaments were noted less frequently (6.06%). There was good intra-rater agreement (ê = 0.66) and inter-rater agreement (ê = 0.67) for the classification system. Conclusions: This classification system provided standardized descriptions of ligament variations that could be adopted universally to help clinicians categorize the variants. The system, validated by several blinded expert surgeons, demonstrated that surgeons were able to learn and correctly classify the variants. The system may be useful in helping to predict peri- and postoperative outcomes; however, this will require further study

Managing Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated Paraneoplastic Syndrome with Nephron-sparing Surgery in a Patient with von Hippel-Lindau.

A patient with germline von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene alteration and history of multiple tumors present with classical paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). She underwent open nephron sparing surgery with resolution of symptoms. She remained without recurrence of RCC for the initial 2 years of her follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first in which PNS was specifically resolved using a partial nephrectomy in a patient with VHL. This case report provides initial evidence for the potential role of nephron sparing surgery in the management of paraneoplastic symptoms associated with hereditary RCC

Assessing Time of Full Renal Recovery Following Minimally Invasive Partial Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE To assess renal function in the operated kidney at different time points post partial nephrectomy (PN) and establish the time in which optimal recovery occurs. Recovery of renal function postPN has received significant attention. However, the optimal time to determine full recovery has not been clearly established. MATERIALS AND METHODS Renal function following minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) PNs performed between 2002 and 2015 was reviewed. Patients included in this study had renal function assessed preoperatively as well as 3 days, 6-12 weeks, and 1 year post-PN, using a combination of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from serum creatinine and relative renal uptake (RRU) from Tc99m-MAG3 renal scintigraphy. Together, eGFR and RRU provide the ipsilateral renal function (IRF) of the operated organ. RESULTS At 6-12 weeks postoperatively, percent preserved eGFR, RRU, and IRF (relative to preoperative baselines) were 92.1%, 83.3%, and 77.4% respectively. % IRF at 6-12 weeks was significantly improved from % IRF at 3 days postoperatively, but did not differ significantly from 1 year postoperatively. Furthermore, 89% of patients had RRU values at 6-12 weeks which differed by less than 5% from RRU values at 1 year. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that renal function recovery at 6-12 weeks was equivalent to long-term recovery at 1 year in the majority of post-PN patients. This has important implications for post-PN follow-up, particularly in assessing the functional outcomes utilizing novel minimally invasive PN strategies, as well as in planning staged procedures for bilateral synchronous renal masses. (c) 2017 Elsevier Inc

Examination of risk factors for intellectual and academic outcomes following treatment for pediatric medulloblastoma

Background The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the effects of hearing loss and posterior fossa syndrome (PFS), in addition to age at diagnosis and disease risk status, on change in intellectual and academic outcomes following diagnosis and treatment in a large sample of medulloblastoma patients. Methods Data from at least 2 cognitive and academic assessments were available from 165 patients (ages 3-21 years) treated with surgery, risk-adapted craniospinal irradiation, and 4 courses of chemotherapy with stem cell support. Patients underwent serial evaluation of cognitive and academic functioning from baseline up to 5 years post diagnosis. Results Serious hearing loss, PFS, younger age at diagnosis, and high-risk status were all significant risk factors for decline in intellectual and academic skills. Serious hearing loss and PFS independently predicted below-average estimated mean intellectual ability at 5 years post diagnosis. Patients with high-risk medulloblastoma and young age at diagnosis (\u3c7 years) exhibited the largest drop in mean scores for intellectual and academic outcomes. Conclusions Despite a significant decline over time, intellectual and academic outcomes remained within the average range at 5 years post diagnosis for the majority of patients. Future studies should determine if scores remain within the average range at time points further out from treatment. Patients at heightened risk should be closely monitored and provided with recommendations for appropriate interventions. © The Author(s) 2014