Transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal minimally invasive partial nephrectomy: comparison of perioperative outcomes and functional follow-up in a large multi-institutional cohort (The RECORD 2 Project)

Background Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (TR) approaches in a multi-institutional cohort of minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MI-PN). Material and methods All consecutive patients undergone MI-PN for clinical T1 renal tumors at 26 Italian centers (RECORd2 project) between 01/2013 and 12/2016 were evaluated, collecting the pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The patients were then stratified according to the surgical approach, TP or RP. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching was performed to obtain homogeneous cohorts, considering the age, gender, baseline eGFR, surgical indication, clinical diameter, and PADUA score. Results 1669 patients treated with MI-PN were included in the study, 1256 and 413 undergoing TP and RP, respectively. After 1:1 PS matching according to the surgical access, 413 patients were selected from TP group to be compared with the 413 RP patients. Concerning intraoperative variables, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of surgical approach (lap/robot), extirpative technique (enucleation vs standard PN), hilar clamping, and ischemia time. Conversely, the TP group recorded a shorter median operative time in comparison with the RP group (115 vs 150 min), with a higher occurrence of intraoperative overall, 21 (5.0%) vs 9 (2.1%);p = 0.03, and surgical complications, 18 (4.3%) vs 7 (1.7%);p = 0.04. Concerning postoperative variables, the two groups resulted comparable in terms of complications, positive surgical margins and renal function, even if the RP group recorded a shorter median drainage duration and hospital length of stay (3 vs 2 for both variables),p < 0.0001. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that both TP and RP are feasible approaches when performing MI-PN, irrespectively from tumor location or surgical complexity. Notwithstanding longer operative times, RP seems to have a slighter intraoperative complication rate with earlier postoperative recovery when compared with TP

Multi-abstraction layered business process modeling

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY Aim of the study was to evaluate the correspondence between Schaefer nomograms (Sn), and both International Continence Society nomogram (ICSn) and Bladder Contractility Index (BCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2012 to October 2017, we collected data on 458 men underwent Flow-Pressure study for lower urinary tract symptoms. All urodynamics (UD) were performed according to Good Urodynamic Practice1 and analyzed with Sn, ICSn and BCI. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) was defined as Sn obstruction classes ranging from III to VI, and ICSn score <40. Detrusor underactivity (DU) was considered as Sn contractility classes Weak (W)/Very Weak (VW), and BCI score <100. RESULTS Among unobstructed patients the concordance between the 2 nomograms was 97.4%. There was a complete concordance of un-obstruction only in Sn class 0, while in class I the concordance reached 70%. Among patients with equivocal diagnosis at ICSn, the Sn class II was the most usual (67.2%). Among patients clearly obstructed at ICSn, there was a complete concordance between the 2 nomograms. Moreover, 74.4% of the patients were in Sn classes III\u2013IV, and 22.4% in classes V\u2013VI. Table 1 resumes data regarding BOO. We found a high correspondence in patients with normal detrusor contractility between the two nomograms (96.7%). In case of DU at BCI we found that 96.2% of males were in classes W/VW of Sn. Among males with normal detrusor contractility at Sn, 11% had a diagnosis of DU at BCI. Table 2 reports data on DU. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS We found a high concordance between Schaefer and ICS nomograms. Only Sn class 0 was completely associated to diagnosis of un-obstruction at ICSn. Equivocal diagnosis at ICSn corresponded in most of cases at Sn class II. When ICSn documented obstruction, Sn reached a complete correspondence. Correspondence between Sn and BCI was high (96%), but a relevant number of patients with Sn normal contractility class had a diagnosis of DU at BCI (11%). CONCLUSIONS Data showed a high correspondence between Sn and ICSn, and most of the equivocal diagnosis at ICSn corresponded to Sn low obstruction (Class II). Correspondence between Sn and BCI was high but surprisingly with a misleading diagnosis in 1/10 patient. This study evidences how in the clinical practice to achieve a more precise diagnosis of bladder underactivity and/or bladder outlet obstruction it is useful to use all the nomograms

Immune checkpoint inhibitors rechallenge in urological tumors: An extensive review of the literature

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to a significant change in the treatment of urological tumors where several agents are currently approved. Yet, most patients discontinue treatment due to disease progression or after the onset of severe immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). Following promising results in melanoma patients, retreatment with an ICI is receiving increasing attention as an attractive option for selected patients. We performed a literature review focusing on the feasibility, safety, timing and activity of ICI rechallenge in genitourinary cancers where very little information is available. We classified the different ICI retreatment strategies into three main clinical scenarios: retreatment after terminating a prior course of ICI while still on response; retreatment after interruption due to IRAEs; retreatment after progression while on ICI therapy. The pros and cons of these options in the field of urological tumors are then discussed, and critical suggestions proffered for the design of future clinical trials

Path dependence : a political economy perspective

HYPOTHESIS / AIMS OF STUDY Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in males with detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is debated.1,2 Aim of the study was to evaluate outcomes in males with detrusor underactivity (DU) underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). STUDY DESIGN, MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated 51 patients underwent TURP for lower urinary tract symptoms with urodynamics (UD) diagnosis of DU. All males were stratified in two cohorts: one with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), and a second one without BOO. UD was performed according to Good Urodynamic Practice. DU was defined as BCI weak class and Schaefer nomograms contractility classes Very Weak or Weak. BOO was defined as International Continence Society (ICS) nomograms class obstructed and Schaefer nomograms obstruction classes III-VI. Follow-up was performed considering International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry (UF), post-void residual urine (PVR) and PVR ratio obtained from the ratio of PVR to bladder volume (BV: voided volume + PVR). IPSS was also stratified in three classes of LUTS severity: 0-7 moderate, 8-19 fair, 20-35 severe. Patients\u2019 satisfaction was measured by VAS and a simple question. Q-square and T-Student tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS IPSS\u2019 class showed improvement in both groups, higher when BOO was associated to DU (p=0.037). In both groups no statistical difference was documented regarding improvement of IPSS median score (p=0.68), median peak flow (p=0.052), and PVR/PVR ratio (p=0.49). Subjective satisfaction was high in both groups. INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS TURP in patients with detrusor underactivity lead to a significant improvement in all functional outcomes. Significant improvements were achieved in both obstructed and unobstructed males, and patients with DU and BOO had better results but with no statistical difference. CONCLUDING MESSAGE This study shows that the lack of BOO in patients with detrusor underactivity should not be excluding from surgical indications

Prognostic Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Large, Multicenter, Prospective Trial.

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) correlate with adverse prognosis in patients with breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. Little data are available for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: We designed a multicenter prospective observational study to assess the correlation between CTC counts and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic RCC treated with an antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a first-line regimen; overall survival (OS) and response were secondary objectives. CTC counts were enumerated by the CellSearch system at four time points: day 0 of treatment, day 28, day 56 and then at progression, or at 12 months in the absence of progression. Results: One hundred ninety-five eligible patients with a median age of 69 years were treated with sunitinib (77.5%) or pazopanib (21%). At baseline, 46.7% of patients had one or more CTCs per milliliter (range, 1 to 263). Thirty patients had at least three CTCs, with a median PFS of 5.8 versus 15 months in the remaining patients (p =.002; hazard ratio [HR], 1.99), independently of the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium score at multivariate analysis (HR, 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–3.14). Patients with at least three CTCs had a shorter estimated OS of 13.8 months versus 52.8 months in those with fewer than three CTCs (p =.003; HR, 1.99; multivariate analysis HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.95–2.93). Baseline CTC counts did not correlate with response; neither did having CTC sequencing counts greater than or equal to one, two, three, four, or five. Conclusion: We provide prospective evidence that the presence of three or more CTCs at baseline is associated with a significantly shorter PFS and OS in patients with metastatic RCC. Implications for Practice: This prospective study evaluated whether the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood correlates with activity of first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study demonstrated that almost half of patients with metastatic RCC have at least one CTC in their blood and that those patients with at least three CTCs are at increased risk of early progressive disease and early death due to RCC. Studies incorporating CTC counts in the prognostic algorithms of metastatic RCC are warranted

Prediction of significant renal function decline after open, laparoscopic, and robotic partial nephrectomy: External validation of the Martini’s nomogram on the RECORD2 project cohort

Objectives: Martini et al. developed a nomogram to predict significant (>25%) renal function loss after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and identified four risk categories. We aimed to externally validate Martini’s nomogram on a large, national, multi-institutional data set including open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Methods: Data of 2584 patients treated with partial nephrectomy for renal masses at 26 urological Italian centers (RECORD2 project) were collected. Renal function was assessed at baseline, on third postoperative day, and then at 6, 12, 24, and 48 months postoperatively. Multivariable models accounting for variables included in the Martini’s nomogram were applied to each approach predicting renal function loss at all the specific timeframes. Results: Multivariable models showed high area under the curve for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy at 6- and 12-month (87.3% and 83.6%) and for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (83.2% and 75.4%), whereas area under the curves were lower in open partial nephrectomy (78.4% and 75.2%). The predictive ability of the model decreased in all the surgical approaches at 48 months from surgery. Each Martini risk group showed an increasing percentage of patients developing a significant renal function reduction in the open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy group, as well as an increased probability to develop a significant estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction in the considered time cutoffs, although the predictive ability of the classes was <70% at 48 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Martini's nomogram is a valid tool for predicting the decline in renal function at 6 and 12 months after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, whereas it showed a lower performance at longer follow-up and in patients treated with open approach at all these time cutoffs

Transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal minimally invasive partial nephrectomy: comparison of perioperative outcomes and functional follow-up in a large multi-institutional cohort (The RECORD 2 Project)

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare perioperative outcomes of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (TR) approaches in a multi-institutional cohort of minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MI-PN). Material and methods: All consecutive patients undergone MI-PN for clinical T1 renal tumors at 26 Italian centers (RECORd2 project) between 01/2013 and 12/2016 were evaluated, collecting the pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The patients were then stratified according to the surgical approach, TP or RP. A 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching was performed to obtain homogeneous cohorts, considering the age, gender, baseline eGFR, surgical indication, clinical diameter, and PADUA score. Results: 1669 patients treated with MI-PN were included in the study, 1256 and 413 undergoing TP and RP, respectively. After 1:1 PS matching according to the surgical access, 413 patients were selected from TP group to be compared with the 413 RP patients. Concerning intraoperative variables, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of surgical approach (lap/robot), extirpative technique (enucleation vs standard PN), hilar clamping, and ischemia time. Conversely, the TP group recorded a shorter median operative time in comparison with the RP group (115 vs 150 min), with a higher occurrence of intraoperative overall, 21 (5.0%) vs 9 (2.1%); p = 0.03, and surgical complications, 18 (4.3%) vs 7 (1.7%); p = 0.04. Concerning postoperative variables, the two groups resulted comparable in terms of complications, positive surgical margins and renal function, even if the RP group recorded a shorter median drainage duration and hospital length of stay (3 vs 2 for both variables), p < 0.0001. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that both TP and RP are feasible approaches when performing MI-PN, irrespectively from tumor location or surgical complexity. Notwithstanding longer operative times, RP seems to have a slighter intraoperative complication rate with earlier postoperative recovery when compared with TP

Patients' perceptions of quality of care delivery by urology residents: A nationwide study

Objective: To present the results of a nationwide survey among urological patients to evaluate their perception of the quality of care provided by residents. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to patients who were referred to 22 Italian academic institutions. The survey aimed to investigate the professional figure of the urology resident as perceived by the patient. Results: A total of 2587 patients were enrolled in this study. In all, 51.6% of patients were able to correctly identify a urology resident; however, almost 40% of respondents discriminated residents from fully trained urologists based exclusively on their young age. Overall, 98.2% patients rated the service provided by the resident as at least sufficient. Urology trainees were considered by more than 50% of the patients interviewed to have good communication skills, expertise and willingness. Overall, patients showed an excellent willingness to be managed by urology residents. The percentage of patients not available for this purpose showed an increasing trend that directly correlated with the difficulty of the procedure. Approximately 5–10% of patients were not willing to be managed by residents for simple procedures such as clinical visits, cystoscopy or sonography, and up to a third of patients were not prepared to undergo any surgical procedure performed by residents during steps in major surgery, even if the residents were adequately tutored. Conclusions: Our data showed that patients have a good willingness to be managed by residents during their training, especially for medium- to low-difficulty procedures. Furthermore, the majority of patients interviewed rated the residents' care delivery as sufficient. Urology trainees were considered to have good communication skills, expertise and willingness