Spontaneous resolution of a 10 cm heterogenous renal lesion upon expectant management

We describe a case of a patient with a large and clinically worrisome cystic renal lesion. Despite concerning imaging features, lack of definitive enhancement on cross-sectional imaging prompted a recommendation for expected management. The unusual lesion steadily decreased in size until it nearly entirely involuted over two years of follow-up. This case highlights the importance of careful treatment calibration and adherence to established clinical principles in patients who presents with clinically concerning renal lesions that lack definitive enhancement. Keywords: Renal lesion, CT enhancement, Surveillance, Bosniak cyst, Resolutio

Can robot-assisted radical prostatectomy be taught to chief residents and fellows without affecting operative outcomes?

Purpose: To determine whether robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) may be taught to chief residents and fellows without influencing operative outcomes. Methods: Between August 2011 and June 2012, 388 patients underwent RARP by a single primary surgeon (DIL) at our institution. Our teaching algorithm divides RARP into five stages, and each trainee progresses through the stages in a sequential manner. Statistical analysis was conducted after grouping the cohort according to the surgeons operating the robotic console: attending only (n = 91), attending and fellow (n = 152), and attending and chief resident (n = 145). Approximately normal variables were compared utilizing one-way analysis of variance, and categorical variables were compared utilizing two-tailed χ2 test; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no difference in mean age (P = 0.590), body mass index (P = 0.339), preoperative SHIM (Sexual Health Inventory for Men) score (P = 0.084), preoperative AUASS (American Urologic Association Symptom Score) (P = 0.086), preoperative prostate-specific antigen (P = 0.258), clinical and pathological stage (P = 0.766 and P = 0.699, respectively), and preoperative and postoperative Gleason score (P = 0.775 and P = 0.870, respectively). Operative outcomes such as mean estimated blood loss (P = 0.807) and length of stay (P = 0.494) were similar. There was a difference in mean operative time (P < 0.001; attending only = 89.3 min, attending and fellow 125.4 min, and attending and chief resident 126.9 min). Functional outcomes at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively such as urinary continence rate (P = 0.977 and P = 0.720, respectively), and SHIM score (P = 0.661 and P = 0.890, respectively) were similar. The rate of positive surgical margins (P = 0.058) was similar. Conclusions: Training chief residents and fellows to perform RARP may be associated with increased operative times, but does not compromise short-term functional and oncological outcomes

Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis from Biopsy Associated Hematoma Disruption during Robotic Partial Nephrectomy

We describe a case in which a patient with a past medical history of ovarian cancer received a diagnostic renal biopsy for an incidentally discovered renal mass. During left robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), a perinephric hematoma was encountered. The hematoma was not present on preoperative imaging and was likely a result of the renal biopsy. The renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the associated hematoma were widely excised with negative surgical margins. On follow-up imaging at five months postoperatively, a recurrent renal mass at the surgical resection bed and several new nodules in the omentum were detected. During completion left robotic total nephrectomy and omental excision, intraoperative frozen sections confirmed metastatic RCC. We believe that a hematoma seeded with RCC formed as a result of the renal biopsy, and subsequent disruption of the hematoma during RPN caused contamination of RCC into the surrounding structures

Stone Formation from Nonabsorbable Clip Migration into the Collecting System after Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy

We describe a case in which a Weck Hem-o-lok clip (Teleflex, Research Triangle Park, USA) migrated into the collecting system and acted as a nidus for stone formation in a patient after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. The patient presented 2 years postoperatively with left-sided renal colic. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a 10 millimeter renal calculus in the left middle pole. After using laser lithotripsy to fragment the overlying renal stone, a Weck Hem-o-lok clip was found to be embedded in the collecting system. A laser fiber through a flexible ureteroscope was used to successfully dislodge the clip from the renal parenchyma, and a stone basket was used to extract the clip

Single-surgeon experience with robot-assisted ureteroneocystostomy for distal ureteral pathologies in adults.

PurposeTo demonstrate our technical approach for robot-assisted ureteroneocystostomy (R-UNC) for benign and malignant distal ureteral pathologies.Materials and methodsBetween January 2009 and January 2013, a total of 10 patients underwent R-UNC in the distal ureter by a single surgeon. Indications for R-UNC were as follows: idiopathic (3), fistula (2), iatrogenic (2), malignancy (2), and chronic vesicoureteral reflux (1).ResultsTension-free anastomosis was attained in all 10 R-UNC procedures. A psoas hitch was performed in 6/10 cases (60%). Intravesical and extravesical reimplantations were completed in 5/10 (50%) and 5/10 cases (50%), respectively. A nonrefluxing ureter was constructed in 2/10 cases (20%). The patients' mean age was 52.9±16.6 years, their mean body mass index was 30.8±6.3 kg/m(2), the mean operative time was 211.7±69.3 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 102.5±110.8 mL, and mean length of stay was 2.8±2.3 days. There were no intraoperative complications. There was one Clavien-Dindo grade I and one Clavien-Dindo grade II postoperative complication. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 28.5±15.5 months. Two patients had recurrence of ureteral strictures at 3 months postoperatively and were managed successfully with balloon dilation.ConclusionsOur technique for R-UNC demonstrates good perioperative outcomes. However, underlying periureteral inflammation and pelvic adhesions may predispose patients for stricture recurrence after R-UNC

Robotic ureteral reconstruction for recurrent strictures after prior failed management

Abstract Objectives To describe our multi‐institutional experience with robotic ureteral reconstruction (RUR) in patients who failed prior endoscopic and/or surgical management. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed our Collaborative of Reconstructive Robotic Ureteral Surgery (CORRUS) database for all consecutive patients who underwent RUR between 05/2012 and 01/2020 for a recurrent ureteral stricture after having undergone prior failed endoscopic and/or surgical repair. Post‐operatively, patients were assessed for surgical success, defined as the absence of flank pain and obstruction on imaging. Results Overall, 105 patients met inclusion criteria. Median stricture length was 2 (IQR 1–3) centimetres. Strictures were located at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) (41.0%), proximal (14.3%), middle (9.5%) or distal (35.2%) ureter. There were nine (8.6%) radiation‐induced strictures. Prior failed management included endoscopic intervention (49.5%), surgical repair (25.7%) or both (24.8%). For repair of UPJ and proximal strictures, ureteroureterostomy (3.4%), ureterocalicostomy (5.2%), pyeloplasty (53.5%) or buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty (37.9%) was utilized; for repair of middle strictures, ureteroureterostomy (20.0%) or buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty (80.0%) was utilized; for repair of distal strictures, ureteroureterostomy (8.1%), side‐to‐side reimplant (18.9%), end‐to‐end reimplant (70.3%) or appendiceal bypass (2.7%) was utilized. Major (Clavien >2) post‐operative complications occurred in two (1.9%) patients. At a median follow‐up of 15.1 (IQR 5.0–30.4) months, 94 (89.5%) cases were surgically successful. Conclusions RUR may be performed with good intermediate‐term outcomes for patients with recurrent strictures after prior failed endoscopic and/or surgical management