Post-operative acute urinary retention after greenlight laser. Analysis of risk factors from a multicentric database

Purpose: Greenlight laser is a mini-invasive technique used to treat Benign Prostatic Obstruction (BPO). Some of the advantages of GreenLight photoselective vaporization (PVP) are shorter catheterization time and hospital stay compared to TURP. Post-operative acute urinary retention (pAUR) leads to patients' discomfort, prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. We analyzed risk factors for urinary retention after GreenLight laser PVP. Materials and methods: In a multicenter experience, we retrospectively analyzed the onset of early and late post-operative acute urinary retention in patients undergoing standard or anatomical PVP. The pre-, intra- and post-operative characteristics were compared betweene patients who started to void and the patients who developed post-operative urinary retention. Results: The study included 434 patients suitable for the study. Post-operative acute urinary retention occurred in 39 (9%). Patients with a lower prostate volume (P < .001), an adenoma volume lower than 40 mL (P < .001), and lower lasing time (P = .013) had a higher probability to develop pAUR at the univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression confirmed that lower lasing time (95% CI: 0.86-0.99, OR = 0.93, P = .046) and adenoma volume (95% CI: 0.89-0.98, OR = 0.94, P = .006) are correlated to pAUR. Furthermore IPSS ≥ 19 (95% CI: 1.19- 10.75, OR = 2.27, P = .023) and treatment with 5-ARI (95% CI: 1.05-15.03, OR = 3.98, P = .042) are risk factors for pAUR. Conclusion: In our series, post-operative acute urinary retention was related to low adenoma volume and lasing time, pre-operative IPSS ≥ 19 and 5-ARI intake. These data should be considered in deciding the best timing for urethral catheters removal

Allium stent for the treatment of a malignant ureteral stenosis: a paradigmatic case

The aim of this study was to present a paradigmatic case where the new-generation Allium URS stent was the optimal choice to treat a malignant ureteral stenosis

Therapeutic ureteral occlusion with Ifabond cyanoacrylate glue: an interesting solution

The aim of this study was to present a novel approach for complete and permanent ureteral occlusion using a percutaneous injection of Ifabond cyanoacrylate glue

How uro-oncology has been affected by COVID-19 emergency? Data from Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta Oncological Network, Italy

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically hit all Europe and Northern Italy in particular. The reallocation of medical resources has caused a sharp reduction in the activity of many medical disciplines, including urology. The restricted availability of resources is expected to cause a delay in the treatment of urological cancers and to negatively influence the clinical history of many cancer patients. In this study, we describe COVID-19 impact on uro-oncological management in Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, estimating its future impact.Methods: We performed an online survey in 12 urological centers, belonging to the Oncological Network of Piedmont/Valle d'Aosta, to estimate the impact of COVID-19 emergency on their practice. On this basis, we then estimated the medical working capacity needed to absorb all postponed uro-oncological procedures.Results: Most centers (77%) declared to be "much"/"very much" affected by COVID-19 emergency. If uro-oncological consultations for newly diagnosed cancers were often maintained, follow-up consultations were more than halved or even suspended in around two out of three centers. In-office and day-hospital procedures were generally only mildly reduced, whereas major uro-oncological procedures were more than halved or even suspended in 60% of centers. To clear waiting list backlog, the urological working capacity should dramatically increase in the next months; delays greater than 1 month are expected for more than 50% of uro-oncological procedures.Conclusions: COVID-19 emergency has dramatically slowed down uro-oncological activity in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. Ideally, uro-oncological patients should be referred to COVID-19-free tertiary urological centers to ensure a timely management

The safety and feasibility of the simultaneous use of 180-W GreenLight laser for prostate vaporization during concomitant surgery.

Objectives: To explore the safety and feasibility of photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLight XPS 180 Watt laser (GL-180- W XPS) combined with other surgical procedures. Material and methods: Data on patients in whom GL-180-W XPS was performed to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms/ benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) symptoms were extracted from a multi-institutional database (2011-2016). Patients were stratified into two groups. In the first all patients who had GL-180-W XPS with a concomitant procedure during the same surgical session were included as cases while those who underwent GL-180-W XPS PVP only were included as control. Results: A total of 487 patients were included. Fifty-eight (11.9%) patients underwent concomitant procedures. Multivariable linear regression models failed to find an association between concomitant procedures and longer laser time (p = 0.4). Similarly, multivariable linear regression models failed to find an association between concomitant procedures and laser time even when the analyses were repeated and stratified into endoscopic (p = 0.6) and open/laparoscopic (p = 0.4) procedures. Multivariable logistic regression models failed to demonstrate any association between concomitant procedures and early complications (OR:1.39, CI: 0.379-2.44, p = 0.2), late complications (OR:1.84, CI:0.78-3.98; p = 0.1) and acute urinary retention (OR:1.84, CI:0.78-3.98; p = 0.1). When the analyses were repeated and the concomitant procedures stratified into endoscopic and open/laparoscopic ones, they yielded virtually the same results. Conclusions: GL-180-W XPS PVP could be safely performed in concomitant endoscopic or open/laparoscopic surgery. These results should be taken into consideration in the counseling of the patient who might choose to undergo simultaneous procedures

Perioperative major acute cardiovascular events after 180-W GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate

Background: Major acute cardiovascular events (MACE) prevalence after 180-W GreenLight (180-W GL) laser photoselective vaporization (PVP) have never been explored. Aim of our study is to evaluate perioperative MACE that occurred concomitantly with 180-W GL PVP. Materials and methods: We relied on a multi-institutional database that included 14 centers. Data from 923 patients who underwent 180-W GL PVP were reviewed. We abstracted pre- and perioperative data of patients who experienced perioperative MACE, such as angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, other chronic ischemic heart disease, transient ischemic attack, or cerebrovascular accident as well as deep venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism. We relied on a case-series format to report the main findings of our analyses. Results: 18 (1.9%) patients reported MACE in 7 centers. Median age was 69.5 (IQR 66.0–79.2) years. Of all, 7 patients underwent standard PVP and 11 anatomical PVP. Eleven patients (61.1%) were not under anticoagulant/antiplatelet treatment, 6 (33.3%) were under low dose aspirin, and 1 (5.6%) was under clopidogrel. Four patients (22.2%) had an instrumental and laboratory diagnosis of myocardial infarction, 7 (38.9%) had an episode of angina pectoris with or without rhythm alteration, 3 (16.7%) reported symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, and 4 (22.2%) had other MACE-like events. Conclusions: Physician should take in consideration the possibility of MACE or MACE-like events. The real MACE rate may be different as only half of included centers reported MACE. Since the main target of laser surgery are high-risk bleeding patients, prospective observational trials focused on detection of these possible complications are warranted