Thermal effects of thulium: YAG laser treatment of the prostate—an in vitro study

Purpose!#!To objectively determine whether there is potential thermal tissue damage during Tm:YAG laser-based LUTS treatment.!##!Methods!#!Our experimental model was comprised of a prostatic resection trainer placed in a 37 °C water bath. In a hollowed-out central area simulating the urethral lumen, we placed a RigiFib 800 fibre, irrigation inflow regulated with a digital pump, and a type K thermocouple. A second thermocouple was inserted 0.5/1 cm adjacently and protected with an aluminum barrier to prevent it from urethral fluid. We investigated continuous and intermittent 120 W and 80 W laser application with various irrigation rates in eight measurement sessions lasting up to 14 min. Thermal measurements were recorded continuously and in real-time using MatLab. All experiments were repeated five times to balance out variations.!##!Results!#!Continuous laser application at 120 W and 125 ml/min caused a urethral ∆T of ~ 15 K and a parenchymal temperature increase of up to 7 K. With 50 ml/min irrigation, a urethral and parenchymal ∆T of 30 K and 15 K were reached, respectively. Subsequently and in absence of laser application, prostatic parenchyma needed over 16 min to reach baseline body temperature. At 80 W lower temperature increases were reached compared to similar irrigation but higher power.!##!Conclusions!#!We showed that potentially harming temperatures can be reached, especially during high laser power and low irrigation. The heat generation can also be conveyed to the prostate parenchyma and deeper structures, potentially affecting the neurovascular bundles. Further clinical studies with intracorporal temperature measurement are necessary to further investigate this potentially harming surgical adverse effect

The cumulative analgesic consumption score (CACS): evaluation of a new score to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption as a surrogate parameter for postoperative pain and invasiveness of surgical procedures

Objective To validate and evaluate the applicability of a new score to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption in urological and surgical patients across different categories of pain medications and the invasiveness of medical interventions. Materials and Methods The cumulative analgesic consumption score (CACS) was determined for two cohorts of patients split into three groups with surgeries involving clinically distinct levels of invasiveness (n = 2 x 60). Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed to determine differences between the CACS among the different groups and to assess the correlation between CACS and numeric rating scale (NRS) values for pain intensity. Results The score was determined for postoperative days 1 and 2 and revealed median scores of 0 (0-11), 3 (0-22) and 10 (6-17) for UA (urological patients from group A), UB (group B) and UC (group C), respectively, and 4 (0-20), 8 (0-38) and 17 (7-68) for SA (surgical patients from group A, SB (group B) and SC (group C), respectively. CACS enabled reliable differentiation between groups involving different levels of invasiveness (p < 0.001). CACS and peak NRS values showed variable degrees of correlation, as expressed by levels of significance ranging from p < 0.001 to p = 0.34 (NS). Conclusions The CACS is a valid and easily applicable tool to describe postsurgical analgesic consumption in urological and surgical patients. It can be used as a surrogate parameter to assess postsurgical pain and the invasiveness of surgical procedures. These aspects may be measured to compare surgical procedures, in both clinical trials and clinical practice settings

Prospective, Randomized, Multinational Study of Prostatic Urethral Lift Versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate:12-month Results from the BPH6 Study

AbstractBackgroundTransurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered the gold standard for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, TURP may lead to sexual dysfunction and incontinence, and has a long recovery period. Prostatic urethral lift (PUL) is a treatment option that may overcome these limitations.ObjectiveTo compare PUL to TURP with regard to LUTS improvement, recovery, worsening of erectile and ejaculatory function, continence and safety (BPH6).Design, setting, and participantsProspective, randomized, controlled trial at 10 European centers involving 80 men with BPH LUTS.InterventionPUL or TURP.Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe BPH6 responder endpoint assesses symptom relief, quality of recovery, erectile function preservation, ejaculatory function preservation, continence preservation, and safety. Noninferiority was evaluated using a one-sided lower 95% confidence limit for the difference between PUL and TURP performance.Results and limitationsPreservation of ejaculation and quality of recovery were superior with PUL (p<0.01). Significant symptom relief was achieved in both treatment arms. The study demonstrated not only noninferiority but also superiority of PUL over TURP on the BPH6 endpoint. Study limitations were the small sample size and the inability to blind participants to enrollment arm.ConclusionsAssessment of individual BPH6 elements revealed that PUL was superior to TURP with respect to quality of recovery and preservation of ejaculatory function. PUL was superior to TURP according to the novel BPH6 responder endpoint, which needs to be validated in future studies.Patient summaryIn this study, participants who underwent prostatic urethral lift responded significantly better than those who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate as therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia with regard to important aspects of quality of life.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01533038

Radiation exposure during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): a prospective multicenter evaluation

Purpose!#!Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) may require extensive X-ray usage. We evaluated the impact of preoperative surgeon briefing regarding the inclusion and evaluation of fluoroscopy time (FT) and dose area product (DAP) in a multicenter study on the applied X-ray usage.!##!Methods!#!A prospective multicenter study of 6 tertiary centers was performed. Each center recruited up to 25 prospective patients with renal stones of any size for RIRS. Prior to study´s onset, all surgeons were briefed about hazards of radiation and on strategies to avoid high doses in RIRS. Prospective procedures were compared to past procedures, as baseline data. FT was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary parameters were stone-free rate (SFR), complications according to the Clavien, SATAVA and postureteroscopic lesion scale. Results were analyzed using T test, chi-squared test, univariate analysis and confirmed in a multivariate regression model.!##!Results!#!303 patients were included (145 retro- and 158 prospective). Mean FT and DAP were reduced from 130.8 s/565.8 to 77.4 s/357.8 (p &amp;lt; 0.05). SFR was improved from 85.5% to 93% (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Complications did not vary significantly. Neither stone position (p = 0.569), prestenting (p = 0.419), nor surgeons' experience (&amp;gt; 100 RIRS) had a significant impact on FT. Significant univariate parameters were confirmed in a multivariate model, revealing X-ray training to be radiation protective (OR - 44, p = 0.001).!##!Conclusions!#!Increased surgeon awareness of X-ray exposure risks has a significant impact on FT and DAP. This 'awareness effect' is a simple method to reduce radiation exposure for the patient and OR staff without the procedures´ outcome and safety being affected

Radiation exposure during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS): a prospective multicenter evaluation

Purpose Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) may require extensive X-ray usage. We evaluated the impact of preoperative surgeon briefing regarding the inclusion and evaluation of fluoroscopy time (FT) and dose area product (DAP) in a multicenter study on the applied X-ray usage. Methods A prospective multicenter study of 6 tertiary centers was performed. Each center recruited up to 25 prospective patients with renal stones of any size for RIRS. Prior to study ' s onset, all surgeons were briefed about hazards of radiation and on strategies to avoid high doses in RIRS. Prospective procedures were compared to past procedures, as baseline data. FT was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary parameters were stone-free rate (SFR), complications according to the Clavien, SATAVA and postureteroscopic lesion scale. Results were analyzed usingTtest, chi-squared test, univariate analysis and confirmed in a multivariate regression model. Results 303 patients were included (145 retro- and 158 prospective). Mean FT and DAP were reduced from 130.8 s/565.8 to 77.4 s/357.8 (p 100 RIRS) had a significant impact on FT. Significant univariate parameters were confirmed in a multivariate model, revealing X-ray training to be radiation protective (OR - 44,p = 0.001). Conclusions Increased surgeon awareness of X-ray exposure risks has a significant impact on FT and DAP. This awareness effect is a simple method to reduce radiation exposure for the patient and OR staff without the procedures ' outcome and safety being affected